Hills That We Climbed: February 2023

Thursday, February 23, 2023

Monday, February 20, 2023

‘Shehzada’ (2023) is a brilliant action drama film featuring Kartik Aaryan and Kriti Sanon in lead roles. It is Kartik Aaryan’s next movie after super-hit ‘Bhul Bhulaiyaa 2’. So, what to expect in Shehzada?

First of all, comedy is too good. Kartik Aaryan has already established himself as a great fit for lead roles in comedy films and most of his films become popular because of this. Remember Bhul Bhulaiyaa 2? Shehzada tries to bring some of that flavor in this movie too. Rajpal Yadav has a role in this too and he is too funny. The pair of Rajpal Yadav and Kartik Aaryan is a super hit pair for sure!

Secondly, the cast of this movie is too good as well. Manisha Koirala returns to the screen and graces her role with so much dignity. She still has her old charisma and at the same time she fits so well in her role of a mother.

Kriti Sanon is near perfect in her role. Among the Bollywood’s best-looking actresses, Kriti possesses the best acting talent for sure. She had a glamourous role in Shehzada, and she does it with perfection. She has a positive personality and whenever she and Kartik appear on the screen, audience are hooked.

The movie also features great actors like Paresh Rawal who got a very prominent role. Ronit Roy who got a powerful role and you will astonished as to how he brings so much energy, grace and machoism in his roles. Sachin Khedekar plays a touching role too, as a maternal grandfather. Ankur Rathee as a spoilt brat has done really good job in his character. There is a new face in the form of Sunny Hinduja who is playing the lead villain and he is too impressive.

All actors and actresses have given really good performance which has made this movie “never a dull moment”.

Now, the songs. Pritam has given music, which is itself to explain the quality. In the title song, we can notice Sonu Nigam who sounds as good as he did in the best of his days.

“Mere sawal ka” sung by Shashwat Singh and Shalmali Kholgade is my favourite:

Mere Sawaal Ka (Video) Shehzada | Kartik, Kriti | Shashwat, Shalmali | Pritam, Shloke L | Bhushan K - YouTube

Chedkhaniyan (Video) Shehzada | Kartik, Kriti | Arijit, Nikhita | Pritam, IP Singh, Shloke L - YouTube

Munda Sona Hoon Main (Video) Shehzada | Kartik, Kriti | Diljit, Nikhita | Pritam, Kumaar | Rohit - YouTube

Character Dheela 2.0 (Video) Shehzada | Kartik, Kriti | Neeraj, Pritam | Rohit D | Bhushan Kumar - YouTube

Shehzada Title Track (Video) | Kartik, Kriti | Sonu Nigam, Pritam, Mayur | Rohit D | Bhushan Kumar - YouTube

Now, coming the social messages. First, the movie explains the “No means no” concept so very well. Feminists will love this movie. Then, the lead character or ‘hero’ of the movie is like the golden era movies when such characters did not have any flaw. Bantu (Kartik’s character) is funny, truthful (never speaks lies), positive (does not mind hate coming his way especially from his ‘fake’ father), strong, savior of the weak, stands up for that is right, a good son, a good brother, a good friend, a trustful employee, and as you would realize in the end, has a heart made of gold.

Shehzada is 10/10 on entertainment and if you want to really enjoy the 2.5 hours you spend in a theater, this is your perfect experience. Go watch this movie along with your family and hope you will love it too.

- Rahul

Wednesday, February 15, 2023

Children of Gold

While passing through a portion of lane housing poor people on its sides, I often come across their little children running around. They can magically appear from anywhere and everywhere and would run across the lane as if it were their own house. They have no concept of safety or discipline, and they are as reckless as childhood is supposed to be. And the most important trait is that those children are so beautiful!

While all kids are beautiful, somehow those children of poor families are more beautiful than the others. All of them are dark skinned, which only accentuates their beautiful face or eyes. Their unkempt hair flow like branches of a tree, or a stream coming out from the mountains. All of them are chubby, like most kids of that age are. All of them are dressed in a few clothes which somehow seem adequate in their own rights. And most importantly, all of them look happy.

While all kids are generally happy, somehow those kids of poor families appear happier than the rest. They are seen playing with one another, or often even playing all alone. And sometimes in groups. Sometimes their mothers are feeding them with some bowl or a glass; and most of the time their fathers are nowhere on the scene; perhaps gone away to work.

The presence of those children in this world is a kind of consolation for all things it lacks. Like presence of flowers in a garden, which otherwise seems just like abundant greenery and nothing more.

May God bless those little kids, whoever they are. May the world be a bit kinder to them when they grow up, because that is when all the problems start. May the narrow lanes keep them safe, and their tiny houses keep them warm, until they are ready to face the sun.

May the world be a better place than it is, without the kids.

- Rahul Tiwary