Interesting. Can we know a little more? Would it be a compilation of articles that are already on the blog? And also, by ‘soon’, do we mean this month or next month?
Devarsi Ghosh / ramitbajaj01: I think all the pieces will be familiar (in some shape or form) to long-time readers. It’s pieces from over a decade. I think it’ll be in stores by the middle of the month.
auroravampiris: That was fun. The publishers suggested some names. I knew Santosh Sivan from an article I did earlier this year, so I emailed and asked if he’d write a blurb and he said yes. Anurag Kashyap, too, I had interacted with over email a long time ago — for an article about new-gen filmmakers. So I emailed him and he agreed. About the foreword, I think there were other names as well in the mix, but they were very keen that I ask Johar. I got his number from Aamir Khan’s PR (just writing all this makes me feel so glamorous, like the journo version of double-oh-seven 😀 ) who I knew from the time I did that Aamir interview last year. I messaged Karan. Turns out he follows my work and knew it quite well, so he said yes instantly. He’s begun the foreword saying how I’ve never liked any of his films 🙂
Rahini David: Oh, that I did, with the help of the Hindu archives. I personally love the Kamal and Rajini pics. So… unusual, especially Rajini’s. AB, too, I didn’t want a usual kind of pic, and this was rather nice. About DP… they insisted that I had to have her, otherwise only old farts will buy the book 😀
This is nice news and will there be Tamil publication? I admire your command and vocabulary in english. Any way I am eagerly looking forward to the release. Regards ananth s elayavalli
I am curious where did the idea of this book originate from? I mean did the publisher approach or some fan of yours suggested or how? Also, what is the supposed target audience? Only your fans and the guys working in the industry? My point is has there been such an exercise before, where the book is a compilation of reviews, which anyways have already been out? See, I want to buy this book because I like to reread your take on movies and because of your word choice. But I guess the market for such things is very small. Of course the publishers would have thought of the commerce. Just curious what all are the aspects involved.
Also, the cover is quite unorthodox. When most books just have text on the cover or at max, a background picture, only subtly hinting what’s inside, this book has a pic in the foreground itself and very much telling us what’s inside. I like it. It’s making the book pickable. But I wonder if you mind sharing what other ideas were touched upon for the cover. Also, there is a separate profession for the book cover design. Was that deliberately ignored? To give personal touch?
ramitbajaj01: This is very common practice. In the West, you have many many “collected works” of journalists/critics. Here, we’ve had Anupama Chopra’s writing, to name one. Pankaj Mishra’s new book is a collection of previously published essays.
The target audience is someone who likes reading about film or who wants to get an idea about Indian cinema… The regular visitors on my blog aren’t that many. There are many more who don’t know me and may pick up a book of this kind. Or even a regular reader may want this like how we buy best-of albums despite having heard the singles. (I know this sounds terribly conceited but just trying to give an analogy here 🙂 )
About the cover, yes, it is a separate profession. There are specialists for this. There were other covers as well, though I’m not sure I can share them now. Will ask.
No sir, you are not at all sounding conceited. You state it quite matter of factly. Thanks. I really wish this book becomes one of the defining works on Indian cinema. All the best. 😊
Sorry to come across as little annoying hee. But by Indian cinema, do you mean Cinema of all the languages? So far, I just read your writings about Hindi and tamil cinema.
How is it that I am saddened/wistful??? that you’re famous – not just enjoyed by a few hundred who regularly read you. I honestly thought you were an undiscovered treasure, hidden safely in view – a private delight ! One tweet about you from Mr. Johar and soon you’ll be the byword du jour for cinema du monde gravitas…. why does that make me cringe??!! A Salman Khan fan opining about your ‘Grand Budapest’ review… rhinestones in the rough!!
venkatesh: Every time I hear about someone on the blog being in Madras, I think about what it’d be like to meet up. I mean, we’ve all known each other in a way for years now. Then again, I wonder if the anonymity is what keeps us going 🙂
Sanju: No, that’s a valid question and one I have addressed in my Intro. Yes, I write about Tamil and Hindi cinema, essentially, but these traditions have so many parallels with the ‘language’ of cinema from other regions — eg. in the use of songs, in the way drama is structured, in the way the interval point is written in — that I don’t have a problem calling this ‘Indian cinema’.
SR: Thank you… I think 🙂 Another reader told me the same thing after I got the National Award and became a wee bit more well-known than in the Express days. He said it wasn’t the same anymore. I asked him why but he wasn’t able to articulate what he felt. I think you just did. But you know what? I think I’ll take it 🙂
In the Express days, I was in school, and we didn’t have any internet at home. I remember waiting till Sundays to read the review and then go discuss with another friend about how well a review was written (or sometimes how well a movie had been ripped apart). This book is going to make me think back and hate the internet-less days 🙂
Pranesh: Wow, you’re a reader from the Express days? Thank you so much.
Once the copies are available, we’ll figure something out. I mean, if it’s a bunch of people here, we can get together and spend an hour or two avoiding eye contact and wondering how to actually talk to each other without the comforting anonymity of the internet 😉
Bharadwaj, not a question related to your book. But i am just curious. You write well.If I am not wrong, you ditched Engineering to become a writer and all that. But what I am curious about is do you ever have the desire to write your own screenplay for a movie or a novel etc
Karthik: I didn’t have the *desire* as such to write a screenplay, but when I got the opportunity I kinda went with it. I co-wrote this film called “Kadhal 2 Kalyanam” which has been stuck in a financial dispute for a long, long time. It was a terrific experience, though my greatest learning from this project was a sort of insider view on how the industry works — quite scary, I tell you.
As for fiction, I am working on something now. Whether it’s good enough to see the light of day — and it won’t be if I keep using cliches like “see the light of day” 🙂 — no one can say.
You earned it and deservedly so – congratulations!!! I am, in Bengali, your ‘shubha-kankhi’, an ardent well-wisher; per my regional stereotype, I am also an elitist/intellectual and detest dumbing down of anything (ex., DP’s picture on the cover – no insult to her – she’s a newbie and thereby appropriate optics for Indian cinema “baby steps” not a “journey”). Throw your weight around and tell your PR/marketing/handlers ‘no’ next time they tweak your professional output – their names are not on the cover and neither their reputation.
I dread the day I find your review on times of india et al.. along with that alliterating, brown nosing, retard who now passes as a reviewer. You’re a good writer : aim for your own op-ed column in a nationally reputed avenue; your mind is a terrible thing to waste on infotainment only.
Rangan, What about a certified biography of Kamal Haasan. The N part interview is fine, but we would LOVE to read “Conversations with Kamal Haasan on his 20 best films”. This could even be a 2 part book 🙂
Congrats BR.. I have been a reader since Express days..Although I must admit that those days Express had this reviewer by name Reema.M.Parashar before you and I took time weaning off from her writing to yours and it was a great discovery! and as for double-oh-seven, I would rather say you are to film reviewing in India what AR Rahman is to film music.. if he produces soundscapes you write these literarily rich cinemascapes… I do wish that along with cinema you do write more pieces on humour coz you are equally good there. Keep writing!
@brangan: Actually, I’ve never read a review of yours on The Hindu. I was a staunch The New Indian Express reader till I moved to the US. At least my dad is, and he pays for the newspaper 🙂 Sundays used to be great, an article from TJS George in the front page, a review by you, something by Gurumurthy, R Shankar (who used to write in the sports section), et al. And of course the last page of the magazine section had a lot of ladies in skimpy clothes 🙂
Oh my. A little late to the party here, but yes. Please do keep us USApuram people in the loop about signings etc. I will be enjoying the Chennai weather for the first time in 4 years this Christmas and would love to come be awkward with other readers of the blog.
Olemisstarana : “would love to come be awkward with other readers of the blog”
– Thats two of us in Dec in Chennai.
Some of the other folks are already from Chennai. , can one of the Chennai’ite folks please raise their hands and pick a place / date around there, hopefully around second week of Dec ?
Congratulations sir. The circle of film illuminati will increase for sure but I hope your language and writing style will make sure it’s still publicly private (Not in a negative sense, if it’s suggesting 😊 ).
Congrats BR! If you had not clarified about Deepika being forced by the publishers, I would have thought it was your idea, with your recent wholesome praise of her and her screen presence. I guess that is why you did not object to her being there?
Also, good timing on the Chennai meet up. A couple of months after I fly away to a land far far away (more about me missing it than the anonymous me being missed). Here’s hoping the event does happen and that the regulars have a fun time! You might want to get Ray-ban to give away free sunglasses so you can avoid each other’s eyes ***sorry***.
Congratulations! Ahh finally the best of your musings in book form. Loved the title. I hope this book will reach many more cinema buffs, it surely will be a treat for them. Your writing deserves a wider readership.
Anurag Kashyap’s words are exactly how i see your blog. All the best for your book.
Prasanna Ramachandran: I’m sure you’d find a copy at Crossword or Odyssey (in a few days it looks like). It’s available for preorder on amazon and flipkart too.
The intro by you was excellent. Kindly upload the intro alone here, if it is permitted. I peeped into chapters on Shankar and Chennai -28, etc. Needles to say, good as usual.
I preordered your book on Amazon and haven’t taken a break yet – rabid fan, memorize your sentences etc. Thank you for writing about Indian movies this way. I wanted to mention an error I found: page 503, Vijay Sethupathi is referred to as Vijay Pasupathi in the Soodhu Kavvum review.
I love a good reason to drive down to Chennai! Venkatesh, Rahini, Gradwolf, Kaykay, it will be great to put a face to those nanes… BR will you be having a book launch? We could all turn up for that! To show our support, meet up with each other and hopefully rub shoulders with Rajini, Kamal, Aamir, DP et al 😊😊😊
Saar – Why only Chennai? How about doing it again at Atta Galatta in Bangalore? I still remember the evening we had and the copy of CWMR you signed for me. Would be nice to catch up again.
We, the blog readers, have made it to the acknowledgements. Yay!
I loved the format of the book, the separate groupings for actors, directors, etc.
Oh, and I had not read earlier about couture couture hota hai. What a find!
Karan Johar is a big fan. So other fans can very well relate to the foreword. He says, “not everyone was meant to write their opinions of film” What a perspective!
KJ says BR gives us an honest insight into the final feeling the movie gives us. Really? Final feeling? I think we hardly get that.
The introduction is really touchy and quite an insight into our star.
I wonder, sir, how you managed to open up so much. That Woody Allen para. Salute to you sir. With each passing day, respect for you just increases.
The first para about how our ‘call’ would be with us subconsciously and realise it only later, is really nice. But I wonder why most of us are not able to recognize our call. Is it that we suppress it or we don’t have it at the first place?
I have heard about books being friends, but films being friends, that’s really lovely.
I laughed out loud reading solo violin playing to your sorrow. How universal and you just catch it and that too so beautifully!
Keeping future in mind to keep oneself enthusiastic about present is quite a wise take. I wish I never forget it.
When you emailed reviews to friends, had you foreseen this accidental reader turning out to be prospective employer or the sort? Or you just wanted your friends to read your views oblivion to the fact that they might forward it somewhere? I mean it’s quite a nice way to disseminate one’s writing but I wonder if it was accidental or planned.
PS- have you written about Silver lining playbook? Any link?
PPS- any update about fiction book? Really curious.
Just read the foreward by Karan johar (some one mentioned the book in the comment section of another post and that triggered a reading) and I am quite surprised he got it ( well almost). After seeing so many filmmakers/actors dismiss critics (used to always wonder havent they read you) in his show, this was a revelation.
brangan
October 6, 2014
In stores soon… A collection of my writings on cinema/music over the last decade.
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Devarsi Ghosh
October 6, 2014
Will it just feature writings that have appeared here on the blog before?
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ram murali
October 6, 2014
Kizhi Title! Kizhi Cover! Book-a seekram vaangi padichu kizhichuruven!
Quick q – Kamal’s snap, I am pretty sure, is from “Yennadi Meenatchi.” What’s Rajni’s pic from?
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ramitbajaj01
October 6, 2014
Interesting. Can we know a little more? Would it be a compilation of articles that are already on the blog? And also, by ‘soon’, do we mean this month or next month?
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viskarz
October 6, 2014
Anurag kashyap’s remark on your reviews applies to me too. Waiting for the book’s release.
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Hari
October 6, 2014
Congrats sir. Waiting to get my hands on it as early as I can. 🙂
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anurag1700ddlj786
October 6, 2014
Beautiful cover page I must say. Very Excited to read the content
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Just Another Film Buff
October 6, 2014
Adrasakka….
Congratulations!
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Satyam
October 6, 2014
Wonderful! Can’t wait..
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Sriram
October 7, 2014
congo
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Ravi Varanasi
October 7, 2014
Looking forward to reading this …
On Monday, October 6, 2014, Baradwaj Rangan wrote:
> brangan posted: “”
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shekarhariharan
October 7, 2014
Eagerly looking forward…When is the d-day?
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Ashutosh
October 7, 2014
Wow…this is SO AWESOME. Can’t wait to get my hands on the book.
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Ashutosh
October 7, 2014
And the title is absolutely terrific.
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auroravampiris
October 7, 2014
Okay, this one, I’m definitely eager to read. 😀
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auroravampiris
October 7, 2014
And Karan Johar? How did that ever happen?
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Prasanna A
October 7, 2014
Rajni’s snap from Polladhavan?
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brangan
October 7, 2014
Thanks all.
Devarsi Ghosh / ramitbajaj01: I think all the pieces will be familiar (in some shape or form) to long-time readers. It’s pieces from over a decade. I think it’ll be in stores by the middle of the month.
auroravampiris: That was fun. The publishers suggested some names. I knew Santosh Sivan from an article I did earlier this year, so I emailed and asked if he’d write a blurb and he said yes. Anurag Kashyap, too, I had interacted with over email a long time ago — for an article about new-gen filmmakers. So I emailed him and he agreed. About the foreword, I think there were other names as well in the mix, but they were very keen that I ask Johar. I got his number from Aamir Khan’s PR (just writing all this makes me feel so glamorous, like the journo version of double-oh-seven 😀 ) who I knew from the time I did that Aamir interview last year. I messaged Karan. Turns out he follows my work and knew it quite well, so he said yes instantly. He’s begun the foreword saying how I’ve never liked any of his films 🙂
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Srinivas R
October 7, 2014
” He’s begun the foreword saying how I’ve never liked any of his films”
, really? I thought you have a lot of love for his melodrama, I seem to remember that yours was one of the very few positive takes on KANK.
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Srinivas R
October 7, 2014
And you are a certified journo version of 007 :). Wish to see more books from you
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brangan
October 7, 2014
Srinivas R: Yeah, I had to tell him later that I did like KANK… but I guess filmmakers tend to remember the bad things you write over the good things.
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ramitbajaj01
October 7, 2014
You were also curious for Johar to turn his Bombay Talkies short into a feature film. Any update on that?
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Rahini David
October 7, 2014
What about the cover pics? Who chose those?
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Kainattu
October 7, 2014
congrats BR..CWMR is still pending…i will order this one as well
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Karthik
October 7, 2014
All, you can pre order this book in amazon. i have already made my order.
http://www.amazon.in/gp/product/9384030562/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
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brangan
October 7, 2014
Rahini David: Oh, that I did, with the help of the Hindu archives. I personally love the Kamal and Rajini pics. So… unusual, especially Rajini’s. AB, too, I didn’t want a usual kind of pic, and this was rather nice. About DP… they insisted that I had to have her, otherwise only old farts will buy the book 😀
Do you like the cover?
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ss122
October 7, 2014
The amazon link says part 1. Is part 2 on the anvil?
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Shalini
October 7, 2014
Wow, this looks great! Would love to read it, hope it will be available in the US?
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Mambazha Manidhan
October 7, 2014
Alrighty then! This time I am going to do the right thing and order the Kindle version or the e-book version. I have so moved on from paperbacks. 🙂
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ramitbajaj01
October 7, 2014
Apart from bringing ‘modernity’, Deepika’s pic is also making the cover look gender-neutral. So, it’s nice.
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ananth s elayavalli
October 7, 2014
This is nice news and will there be Tamil publication? I admire your command and vocabulary in english. Any way I am eagerly looking forward to the release. Regards ananth s elayavalli
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ram murali
October 7, 2014
Orey thalaiya pichings…can someone let me know which movie this Rajni pic is from?! 🙂
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Pranesh
October 8, 2014
Thanks Rangan. I’m in India for a month in November, and this book (and Sachin’s) release at a perfect time 🙂
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cl
October 8, 2014
Good pics. I like that they are in B/W.
I’ll buy the book just for the author and the pic of Kamal on the cover ! Did you revise or rewrite anything ?
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Prasanna
October 8, 2014
I think the Rajini still is ftom ‘Bhairavi’?
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Vijay
October 8, 2014
That’s Bhairavi
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Prasanna A
October 8, 2014
Cracked it. The Rajni still is from Bhairavi. Trivia of course but only BR can confirm.
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Padawan
October 8, 2014
@ram murali: Bairavi.
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brangan
October 8, 2014
Oh, that’s Bhairavi. Yes.
ss122: At least *I* don’t know of a Part 2.
ramitbajaj01: No, in the sense I was angling for a heroine from “my era” — but a major thumbs down happened 🙂
cl: Not significantly. The attempt was more to find a flow that would encompass a range of cinema and also chronicle a longish period.
One of the odder things was looking at old prose. It’s weird, as if someone else has written certain lines 🙂
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ramitbajaj01
October 8, 2014
I am curious where did the idea of this book originate from? I mean did the publisher approach or some fan of yours suggested or how? Also, what is the supposed target audience? Only your fans and the guys working in the industry? My point is has there been such an exercise before, where the book is a compilation of reviews, which anyways have already been out? See, I want to buy this book because I like to reread your take on movies and because of your word choice. But I guess the market for such things is very small. Of course the publishers would have thought of the commerce. Just curious what all are the aspects involved.
Also, the cover is quite unorthodox. When most books just have text on the cover or at max, a background picture, only subtly hinting what’s inside, this book has a pic in the foreground itself and very much telling us what’s inside. I like it. It’s making the book pickable. But I wonder if you mind sharing what other ideas were touched upon for the cover. Also, there is a separate profession for the book cover design. Was that deliberately ignored? To give personal touch?
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anurag1700
October 8, 2014
brangan, i just pre-ordered my copy from amazon. very eager for reading it now. Big fan.
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apala
October 8, 2014
BR,
Excited to see this………….will order the book from Amazon. I loved the pictures of Kamal (obviously 🙂 ) and Amitabh. Rajini’s still looks interesting!
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brangan
October 8, 2014
ramitbajaj01: This is very common practice. In the West, you have many many “collected works” of journalists/critics. Here, we’ve had Anupama Chopra’s writing, to name one. Pankaj Mishra’s new book is a collection of previously published essays.
The target audience is someone who likes reading about film or who wants to get an idea about Indian cinema… The regular visitors on my blog aren’t that many. There are many more who don’t know me and may pick up a book of this kind. Or even a regular reader may want this like how we buy best-of albums despite having heard the singles. (I know this sounds terribly conceited but just trying to give an analogy here 🙂 )
About the cover, yes, it is a separate profession. There are specialists for this. There were other covers as well, though I’m not sure I can share them now. Will ask.
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ramitbajaj01
October 8, 2014
No sir, you are not at all sounding conceited. You state it quite matter of factly. Thanks. I really wish this book becomes one of the defining works on Indian cinema. All the best. 😊
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viskarz
October 8, 2014
Will the pre ordered copies contain any note or special thing from the author ? 😀
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venkatesh
October 8, 2014
BR: “just writing all this makes me feel so glamorous, like the journo version of double-oh-seven “ – Classic.
Are you now going to start calling everyone “My buddy…. ” or “my dahlings…” and start dropping names .. I can now see the start of your new article ,
The other day i was talking to Karan about the premier of the new Aamir movie … when Anurag walked in 🙂 (first names only of course) –
Just kidding 🙂 .
This is so great , I am coming to India after 14 years and have asked my mate to pre-order it from AMZN and keep it ready when i land.
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Sanju
October 8, 2014
Sorry to come across as little annoying hee. But by Indian cinema, do you mean Cinema of all the languages? So far, I just read your writings about Hindi and tamil cinema.
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Rahini David
October 8, 2014
Why does it sound conceited? Somebody once said he actually printed your work and bound them.
Was the other pic Sridevi’s? Was it Moodram Pirai?
I love the cover. All the pics. It shows that you love the late 70s and early 80s.
DP is a great choice too. They are right. But if non-old farts buy your books, you’d know who to thank. 😀
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VJ
October 9, 2014
Pankaj Mishra has a new book ?
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SR
October 9, 2014
How is it that I am saddened/wistful??? that you’re famous – not just enjoyed by a few hundred who regularly read you. I honestly thought you were an undiscovered treasure, hidden safely in view – a private delight ! One tweet about you from Mr. Johar and soon you’ll be the byword du jour for cinema du monde gravitas…. why does that make me cringe??!! A Salman Khan fan opining about your ‘Grand Budapest’ review… rhinestones in the rough!!
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brangan
October 9, 2014
venkatesh: Every time I hear about someone on the blog being in Madras, I think about what it’d be like to meet up. I mean, we’ve all known each other in a way for years now. Then again, I wonder if the anonymity is what keeps us going 🙂
Sanju: No, that’s a valid question and one I have addressed in my Intro. Yes, I write about Tamil and Hindi cinema, essentially, but these traditions have so many parallels with the ‘language’ of cinema from other regions — eg. in the use of songs, in the way drama is structured, in the way the interval point is written in — that I don’t have a problem calling this ‘Indian cinema’.
SR: Thank you… I think 🙂 Another reader told me the same thing after I got the National Award and became a wee bit more well-known than in the Express days. He said it wasn’t the same anymore. I asked him why but he wasn’t able to articulate what he felt. I think you just did. But you know what? I think I’ll take it 🙂
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Rahini David
October 9, 2014
“Every time I hear about someone on the blog being in Madras, I think about what it’d be like to meet up.”
O RLY? Some of us live here.
What about signed copies? Any plans?
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venkatesh
October 9, 2014
BR: “Then again, I wonder if the anonymity is what keeps us going”
I suspect this is truer than we all think and i echo SR’s comment , this has the feel of a private, intimate club , our little secret.
I do wonder what would happen if you get enormously popular ?
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TheKomentor
October 9, 2014
A few years back and the publishers would have insisted on Aishwarya Rai for the cover.
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TheKomentor
October 9, 2014
I don’t understand “Dispatches from the Wall Corner.” What does it mean?
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venkatesh
October 9, 2014
Rahini : “What about signed copies? Any plans?”
I think if we put enough pressure on BR , we might be able to get this.
I am all for it.
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viskarz
October 9, 2014
I’m very well in.
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ramitbajaj01
October 9, 2014
There must be a book-launch ceremony. One may get signed copies there.
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brangan
October 9, 2014
Sure, folks. I’d be glad to sign copies…
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Ram Murali
October 9, 2014
I live in the US but BR, I hope that I can take a raincheck and still take you up on your offer to get a signed copy the next time I am in Chennai…:)
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Pranesh
October 9, 2014
In the Express days, I was in school, and we didn’t have any internet at home. I remember waiting till Sundays to read the review and then go discuss with another friend about how well a review was written (or sometimes how well a movie had been ripped apart). This book is going to make me think back and hate the internet-less days 🙂
How can we get a copy signed?
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brangan
October 9, 2014
Pranesh: Wow, you’re a reader from the Express days? Thank you so much.
Once the copies are available, we’ll figure something out. I mean, if it’s a bunch of people here, we can get together and spend an hour or two avoiding eye contact and wondering how to actually talk to each other without the comforting anonymity of the internet 😉
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Karthik
October 9, 2014
Bharadwaj, not a question related to your book. But i am just curious. You write well.If I am not wrong, you ditched Engineering to become a writer and all that. But what I am curious about is do you ever have the desire to write your own screenplay for a movie or a novel etc
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brangan
October 9, 2014
Karthik: I didn’t have the *desire* as such to write a screenplay, but when I got the opportunity I kinda went with it. I co-wrote this film called “Kadhal 2 Kalyanam” which has been stuck in a financial dispute for a long, long time. It was a terrific experience, though my greatest learning from this project was a sort of insider view on how the industry works — quite scary, I tell you.
As for fiction, I am working on something now. Whether it’s good enough to see the light of day — and it won’t be if I keep using cliches like “see the light of day” 🙂 — no one can say.
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ramitbajaj01
October 9, 2014
Haha, that avoiding eye contact part is so funny.
And, a fiction is on the cards? Now, what could be more exciting!
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SR
October 9, 2014
You earned it and deservedly so – congratulations!!! I am, in Bengali, your ‘shubha-kankhi’, an ardent well-wisher; per my regional stereotype, I am also an elitist/intellectual and detest dumbing down of anything (ex., DP’s picture on the cover – no insult to her – she’s a newbie and thereby appropriate optics for Indian cinema “baby steps” not a “journey”). Throw your weight around and tell your PR/marketing/handlers ‘no’ next time they tweak your professional output – their names are not on the cover and neither their reputation.
I dread the day I find your review on times of india et al.. along with that alliterating, brown nosing, retard who now passes as a reviewer. You’re a good writer : aim for your own op-ed column in a nationally reputed avenue; your mind is a terrible thing to waste on infotainment only.
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Harish
October 9, 2014
Rangan, What about a certified biography of Kamal Haasan. The N part interview is fine, but we would LOVE to read “Conversations with Kamal Haasan on his 20 best films”. This could even be a 2 part book 🙂
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soumya
October 10, 2014
Congrats BR.. I have been a reader since Express days..Although I must admit that those days Express had this reviewer by name Reema.M.Parashar before you and I took time weaning off from her writing to yours and it was a great discovery! and as for double-oh-seven, I would rather say you are to film reviewing in India what AR Rahman is to film music.. if he produces soundscapes you write these literarily rich cinemascapes… I do wish that along with cinema you do write more pieces on humour coz you are equally good there. Keep writing!
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venkatesh
October 10, 2014
” if it’s a bunch of people here, we can get together and spend an hour or two avoiding eye contact “
This is simultaneously hilarious and exciting. Please let this be in December when i am actually there 🙂
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cl
October 10, 2014
I envy all those who are going to meet and get signed copies from BR ! Please share your experience with the less fortunate here. 🙂
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Pranesh
October 10, 2014
@brangan: Actually, I’ve never read a review of yours on The Hindu. I was a staunch The New Indian Express reader till I moved to the US. At least my dad is, and he pays for the newspaper 🙂 Sundays used to be great, an article from TJS George in the front page, a review by you, something by Gurumurthy, R Shankar (who used to write in the sports section), et al. And of course the last page of the magazine section had a lot of ladies in skimpy clothes 🙂
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brangan
October 10, 2014
venkatesh: Okay, I guess you can do all the coordinating and logistical lifting 🙂
Pranesh: Oh man, yes, those were good times. That was a good team too. And LOL about the nudie page. The discussions we used to have about that… 🙂
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Gradwolf
October 10, 2014
Good to know there are “staunch” NIE readers. Or there were? Oh well. 😀
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brangan
October 10, 2014
Gradwolf: That was one of the smoothest plugs I’ve seen. Well done 🙂
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Olemisstarana
October 10, 2014
Oh my. A little late to the party here, but yes. Please do keep us USApuram people in the loop about signings etc. I will be enjoying the Chennai weather for the first time in 4 years this Christmas and would love to come be awkward with other readers of the blog.
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venkatesh
October 10, 2014
Olemisstarana : “would love to come be awkward with other readers of the blog”
– Thats two of us in Dec in Chennai.
Some of the other folks are already from Chennai. , can one of the Chennai’ite folks please raise their hands and pick a place / date around there, hopefully around second week of Dec ?
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Rahini David
October 10, 2014
venkatesh: Picking time/places will just clog up this discussion thread. We can discuss this over emails.
My gmail id is rahinidavid. People who are interested can mail in.
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Olemisstarana
October 10, 2014
Yes please, also at my favorite restaurant in the city, i.e. Annapurna? 😀
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neabs
October 10, 2014
wow !!!cant wait to grab a copy
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venkatesh
October 10, 2014
Rahini David: You rock.
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bart
October 11, 2014
Congratulations sir. The circle of film illuminati will increase for sure but I hope your language and writing style will make sure it’s still publicly private (Not in a negative sense, if it’s suggesting 😊 ).
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Kutty
October 12, 2014
Congrats BR! If you had not clarified about Deepika being forced by the publishers, I would have thought it was your idea, with your recent wholesome praise of her and her screen presence. I guess that is why you did not object to her being there?
Also, good timing on the Chennai meet up. A couple of months after I fly away to a land far far away (more about me missing it than the anonymous me being missed). Here’s hoping the event does happen and that the regulars have a fun time! You might want to get Ray-ban to give away free sunglasses so you can avoid each other’s eyes ***sorry***.
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Sutheesh Kumar
October 15, 2014
Congratulations! Ahh finally the best of your musings in book form. Loved the title. I hope this book will reach many more cinema buffs, it surely will be a treat for them. Your writing deserves a wider readership.
Anurag Kashyap’s words are exactly how i see your blog. All the best for your book.
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Omar
October 22, 2014
3 Legends and deepika padukon. huh!
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Prasanna Ramachandran
October 25, 2014
Which bookstores might one find a copy in in Chennai?
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Ashutosh
October 25, 2014
Prasanna Ramachandran: I’m sure you’d find a copy at Crossword or Odyssey (in a few days it looks like). It’s available for preorder on amazon and flipkart too.
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Ashutosh
October 25, 2014
Prasanna Ramachandran: I noticed today that it’s on display at the front at Odyssey, Adyar.
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Prasanna Ramachandran
October 26, 2014
Ashutosh: Thanks!! Will check it out today.
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brangan
October 26, 2014
Links for the book on Flipkart and Amazon:
http://www.flipkart.com/dispatches-wall-corner-journey-through-indian-cinema-english/p/itmeywzxnwfgx72w?pid=9789384030568&otracker=from-search&srno=t_4&query=baradwaj+rangan&ref=baa0bf66-b0df-47c7-bf7a-6db7aed7de2e
http://www.amazon.in/Dispatches-Wall-Corner-Journey-Through/dp/9384030562/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1414300426&sr=8-1&keywords=baradwaj+rangan
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brangan
October 26, 2014
As for bookstores, it should be available at Starmark, Words and Worth, Odyssey… Though it’s a tragedy that Landmark’s gone.
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anurag
October 31, 2014
Got the book delivered. Yet to read. Meanwhile, eagerly waiting for your Gone Girl views.
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Sriram
October 31, 2014
The intro by you was excellent. Kindly upload the intro alone here, if it is permitted. I peeped into chapters on Shankar and Chennai -28, etc. Needles to say, good as usual.
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anusrini20
November 2, 2014
Hello Sir,
I preordered your book on Amazon and haven’t taken a break yet – rabid fan, memorize your sentences etc. Thank you for writing about Indian movies this way. I wanted to mention an error I found: page 503, Vijay Sethupathi is referred to as Vijay Pasupathi in the Soodhu Kavvum review.
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brangan
November 2, 2014
Sriram: Thank you..
anusrini20: Drat. That must have een an older draft that got in. Will let them know. Thank you.
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Anuja
November 2, 2014
I love a good reason to drive down to Chennai! Venkatesh, Rahini, Gradwolf, Kaykay, it will be great to put a face to those nanes… BR will you be having a book launch? We could all turn up for that! To show our support, meet up with each other and hopefully rub shoulders with Rajini, Kamal, Aamir, DP et al 😊😊😊
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Jupe17
November 4, 2014
Saar – Why only Chennai? How about doing it again at Atta Galatta in Bangalore? I still remember the evening we had and the copy of CWMR you signed for me. Would be nice to catch up again.
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ramitbajaj01
November 7, 2014
We, the blog readers, have made it to the acknowledgements. Yay!
I loved the format of the book, the separate groupings for actors, directors, etc.
Oh, and I had not read earlier about couture couture hota hai. What a find!
Karan Johar is a big fan. So other fans can very well relate to the foreword. He says, “not everyone was meant to write their opinions of film” What a perspective!
KJ says BR gives us an honest insight into the final feeling the movie gives us. Really? Final feeling? I think we hardly get that.
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ramitbajaj01
November 7, 2014
BR sir, you have quite a luxuriant moustache. It is in total contrast with, um, the shining moon 😊
Your chest and shoulders look gym-toned in the pic. So we better not piss you off 😊
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ramitbajaj01
November 7, 2014
The introduction is really touchy and quite an insight into our star.
I wonder, sir, how you managed to open up so much. That Woody Allen para. Salute to you sir. With each passing day, respect for you just increases.
The first para about how our ‘call’ would be with us subconsciously and realise it only later, is really nice. But I wonder why most of us are not able to recognize our call. Is it that we suppress it or we don’t have it at the first place?
I have heard about books being friends, but films being friends, that’s really lovely.
I laughed out loud reading solo violin playing to your sorrow. How universal and you just catch it and that too so beautifully!
Keeping future in mind to keep oneself enthusiastic about present is quite a wise take. I wish I never forget it.
When you emailed reviews to friends, had you foreseen this accidental reader turning out to be prospective employer or the sort? Or you just wanted your friends to read your views oblivion to the fact that they might forward it somewhere? I mean it’s quite a nice way to disseminate one’s writing but I wonder if it was accidental or planned.
PS- have you written about Silver lining playbook? Any link?
PPS- any update about fiction book? Really curious.
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sachita
August 12, 2015
Just read the foreward by Karan johar (some one mentioned the book in the comment section of another post and that triggered a reading) and I am quite surprised he got it ( well almost). After seeing so many filmmakers/actors dismiss critics (used to always wonder havent they read you) in his show, this was a revelation.
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