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Director :
Music :
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Sanjivan Lal
Hanif Sheikh, Bapi and Tutul
Prashant Pandey, Hanif Sheikh
Apurva Arora, Sachin Khedekar, Sohail Lakhani, Tanvi Azmi
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Bubble Gum Movie Review
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August 1, 2011 11:36:02 AM IST
By Rachana, Glamsham Editorial
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A bundle of films on teenage life has been explored MERA PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR, UDAAN, TERE MERE SANG, ROCKFORD, KACCHA LIMBO , (the latest being) ALWAYS KABHI KABHI in the past however each having a different take and a different subject matter to deal with. Director Sanjivan Lal's BUBBLE GUM is yet another refreshing blossoming teenage tale. The best part about this age group is there's so much to babble on that it never appears repetitive and/or unexciting.
However, unlike other teenage films which highlighted current generation's issues BUBBLE GUM is set in an era (probably 80s) when varied modes of communication were just evolving. Forget social networking and mobile phones the world was not even introduced to TVs and Computers. When letters, telegrams, typewriters and using neighbour's telephone (old model) were the only means to communicate or express. When love was mere having a glimpse of your beloved unlike today's love which is instant, carefree, open and desperate to get involved quickly without any hesitation.
The coming of age teenybopper, BUBBLE GUM, which is set in the backdrop of Jamshedpur, is a film that revolves around first romances, friendship, parent-child relationship and peer pressure. It is a story of a brash, aggressive and bold yet innocent 14 year old teen Vedant (Sohail Lakhani), who is torn between his parents, academic pressures and his first crush/love or rather infatuation towards the very beautiful and charming Jenny (Apoorva Arora), daughter of a local cop residing in the same colony. And like all love-stories there's a twist in Vedant's naive love life too. Ratan (Suraj Singh), the evil-eyed guy of same age from the neighbourhood, is Vedant's competitor. Both try their best to woo Jenny. However, Vedant's complication doesn't end here. Vedant's elder brother Vidur (Delzad), 16, who is deaf and mute, returns home to celebrate his first holi with family. Parents Mukund and Sudha (Sachin Khedekar, Tanvi Azmi) get too engrossed with Vidur and leave a feeling of neglect in Vedant's mind which only builds insecurity and anger in him. But after all the ups and downs and the twist and turns and battle against ugly circumstances to win his love, Vedant discovers the true meaning of life, love and his relationship with his loving & caring parents and a doting brother.
Director Sanjivan Lal's BUBBLE GUM has a very simple, sweet and a sensitive storyline. The incidences, the characters and the happenings are very relatable and real and hark back to your times. It is packed with every emotion of jealousy, insecurity, excitement, attraction, love, joy, attitude, hatred, aggressiveness, etc which a teenager goes through in his/ her growing up years.
Sanjivan Lal has very beautifully woven the relationships and with much maturity dealt with different issues in the film. A sensitive issue like how parents of teenage and psychically handicapped kids should deal with their problems has been depicted tactfully. Also, how parents should at times leave their children to handle their own issues, has been touched upon well.
Sanjivan Lal has taken good care of the dialogues especially the lingo used in those times. He has also paid equal attention to minute details of the film - the clothing style (the famous bellbottom pants), mannerisms and body language of youth of those times, the telephone model and the pressure cooker, etc.
The film's music by Hanif Shaikhand Bapi Tutul is a letdown but the background score by Salim Merchant is admirable. Anshul Chobey's cinematography is nice.
The best part about the film is its engaging performances and perfect casting and characterization. It seems Sanjivan has really worked hard in this department. A good film also becomes lame without perfect casting and performances. The teen brothers played by Sohail and Delzad (almost look real brothers) share a good chemistry and the duo perfectly enact the role. Their bonding scenes stand out. Seasoned actors Sachin Khedekar and Tanvi Azmi with their superlative performances add spice to the film. They perfectly complement each other in the film. All the other cast perform their part well and make the proceedings interesting.
Though consisting of a teenage star cast, the film is targeted to be enjoyed by families together. The title is very apt for the film giving a subtle message Chewable! Malleable! It swells with air when blown, it's stretchable...beyond a point it breaks...creating a messy situation!.
BUBBLE GUM is a refreshing, heart-warming tale that makes us nostalgic of the good old days. This 'Bubble Gum' must be blown! A must watch
Rating : 4/5
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