Yes Boss (1997)

I grew up with this movie, so what can I say except that it feels like a warm hug everytime I go back to it? Shah Rukh is such a terrific actor, how he manages to be both adorable and borderline asshole in the same scene will never not amaze me and send me down a mini SRK spiral every time I see it (I watched Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman right after this, so yeah). Also, this is one of the earliest movies I remember watching in its entirety, and also it was released the same year I was born, so I just have a special place for this in my heart and I suppose I always will.

That being said, I do wish this was cut a little short. It drags a bit towards the end, and is only saved by a very powerful Juhi Chawla moment. Also, Juhi literally serves one iconic fashion moment after another. There was not a single outfit of hers that I didn't want (and need). SRK isn't too far away in the iconic fashion department either- his ties are... well, at one point he wears a Marilyn Monroe tie, and in another scene he wears an American flag tie with the Statue of Liberty on it. How do I not fixate on that?? He also rocks the red jacket look in the 'Choodi Baji Hai' song, proving that no one carry off a red jacket like him. The songs themselves are bops, and deserve a whole separate essay. Really, Bollywood should start focusing more on good soundtrack albums again, instead of remixing songs that were released literally ONE YEAR AGO. I swear to god, every time I even start thinking about what's wrong with this industry, I can feel a massive headache coming on. 

My absolute favourite reason to watch this movie again and again is the incomparable comedic chemistry between SRK & Juhi. After SRK-Rani, SRK-Juhi is probably my favourite SRK pairing, and 80% of that is because of the BANTER. Another of my favourite scenes from the movie is the one right after the dinner party with Aditya Pancholi & Kashmeera Shah, where Shah Rukh sits in front of the mirror. It is so heart-breaking, and is enough to shut up every idiot who thinks that Shah Rukh can't act. It's something that upsets and unsettles you equally as a kid and as an adult, because it makes you question the performative nature of most of our actions, the way we prioritise our lives, and of course, the act of REALLY looking at yourself. And the fact that all of this happens in the span of less than 2 minutes, in an otherwise light-hearted movie, is what takes your breath away, and makes you respect the movie and everyone involved in it even more. Except Aditya Pancholi, of course, he's a grade A asshole in real life as well.

In conclusion, Aziz Mirza is an underrated director. There is no one like him when it comes to extracting the best out of SRK, and I sincerely hope they make another movie again, with either Juhi or Rani. Or two movies with both. Yes, that would be perfect. Nature will heal. 

PS- it is physically impossible for me to listen to 'Main Koi Aisa Geet Gaaoon' and not sing along. It's the best. 

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Shyam Singha Roy (2021)

There is honestly nothing more annoying than a movie that has flashes of being a good movie, but turns out to be a bad one anyway. Not only have you watched a bad film, but you have also been cheated of all hope and it's exhausting, to say the least.  Also, when this movie is a first day first show, you can't help but feel betrayed. Full "I trusted you!" moment only.  The first half was so tedious to sit through, I genuinely thought of leaving after the interval at one point. I didn't though, because Sai Pallavi only made her entry in the second half, and let's face it, she was the real reason for me to go watch it anyway. I mean, Nani was a huge pull factor too, but after Tuck Jagadish (2021) and V (2020), I was a little wary of trusting this man completely. As I should, because look what he made me sit through... again! (I swear to god, if the Nazriya film isn't good, I just might never watch a Nani movie ever again). Back to Pallu though- she is the onl
Read more

Aasai (1995)

My only regret is that I wish I knew absolutely nothing about this movie before watching it. I know I'm 26 years too late to the party, but honestly, not knowing the basic premise would have made things even more scary and messed up, not that there wasn't enough of those sentiments already. But to watch it unfold like the psychotic drama it was on the big screen, while innocently expecting another cute sweet love story featuring foetus Thala... I would give anything to have that experience. I know we love poking fun at Prakash Raj for being the evergreen villain, but it takes an Aasai for one to truly understand why he's earned that reputation. He really brings to life the evil but powerful psychopath who can manipulate people and situations to get what he wants, and I swear I was shaking a little when the movie ended because he is just that good at driving the point home. That's the thing about well-written thrillers- they work excellently as horror movies because you
Read more

Pokiri (2006)

Sairam, thank god I had forgotten the "twist", despite having seen Bhai's Wanted (2009) when it came out. Not only was I majorly zoned out (so much that I don't even remember for sure if I slept for sometime in the middle) but I have also actively tried to erase all memories of it. Which is why I was shocked enough to legit scream when the big twist came along.  From what I have heard about Pokiri , it sounds like some kind of cultural reset. And going by that, I must say that it totally lived up to that hype. Prince Mahesh seems to be at the peak of his career, and it's a performance that is memorable in more ways than one- he really shines through as the cool, stylish hero who outsmarts villains and beats them up. Of course, he needs a solid story and some killer dialogues as well, both of which are amply present here. I loved how understated his commitment dialogue was, especially in comparison to Bhai's exaggeration, the memory of which still gives me war
Read more