#Deepak Dobriyal

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The Fable (2024) Review

Warning: Full spoilers ahead

Director: Raam Reddy

Runtime: 119 minutes

Language(s): Hindi, English, and Pahari audio; English subtitles

Certification: PG (Singapore)

My invite to the screening of The Fable at the 35th Singapore International Film Festival. Director Raam Reddy and lead actor Manoj Bajpayee were in attendance.

“How much knowledge do you need to have to engage with something in a meaningful way?” I was reminded of this question posed by the video essay Reading Binging Benning (2018) while writing my review of The Fable (2024). The video essayists were commissioned by the International Film Festival Rotterdam to introduce a screening of James Benning’s Readers (2017)—but they had no access to the film. They had two stills, detailed information about the film, and access to some of Benning’s other works, but these don’t replace the film itself.

My situation with The Fable isn’t as drastic as these video essayists’, since I actually did watch it. There was even a pre-screening introduction from the director himself, who expressed an intention behind the film: he wanted the audience to undergo a “spiritual” experience.

I did not have this experience.

The Fable has elements that sound like the film could be spiritual. It is slow-paced. It features a group of ascetic people. They chant in unison. One of them meets with the protagonist’s daughter, Vanya (Hiral Sidhu), and they hum together, seeming to have a quasi-telepathic conversation. The protagonist’s wife, Nandini (Priyanka Bose), performs songs about spiritual concepts.

In my research for this review, I discovered that the first song Nandini sings is “Shivoham”, also known as “Nirvana Shatakam”. I frequently found the composition being attributed to the Hindu philosopher Adi Shankara. I didn’t manage to find out what the second composition is, but from what I remember, Nandini sings about a place of seemingly peaceful nothingness.

Maybe the film connects better with Hindu audiences, or at least, with those who are quite familiar with Hinduism, unlike me. However, I feel that it should still be able to resonate. I’m not that knowledgeable regarding Shintoism or Buddhism either, yet I was in awe at Princess Mononoke (1997). Earlier this year, I rewatched the Studio Ghibli film, intending to take mental notes at the same time. It wasn’t long before I forgot all about taking notes. Princess Mononoke entranced me. On the other hand, The Fable was generally boring.

No, a film being boring doesn’t necessarily make it bad. For example, I’d describe Forgotten Planets (2018) as “boring”. Something about it made me want to rewatch it, though, which I did less than a month later. (Granted, there was also the motivation that I had easy access to the film at the time, something which was likely to change in the future.) I think what I liked about Forgotten Planets was its calming mood. Even though neither of its two protagonists are content with the state of things, it’s still a very slice-of-life story without much tension.

The Fable, however, isn’t a pleasantly boring film. It maintains its tension for too long, and for too long at the same level of intensity. The tension mainly comes from the mystery of who is burning the protagonist’s orchards and why. This premise sounds dramatic, but the problem is that it rarely feels like anything is at stake for Dev (Manoj Bajpayee).

Via SGIFF.com

The programme guide of the 38th Leeds International Film Festival (LIFF) calls The Fable a “political allegory”.

I can see that the film touches on the themes of colonialism and class. At the beginning, a narrator from the future tells us that it was the British who gave the orchards to Dev’s family. The British gave them to his family as a reward. At the end, the narrator says that Dev and his family suddenly disappeared one day but not without a letter. In the letter, Dev declares his land returned to the villagers who originally owned it and that he gives the family residence to his former orchard manager, Mohan (Deepak Dobriyal), who we discover is the narrator.

Where did Dev and his family go? The filmmakes it quite obvious that they are the fairies in the…well, fable that the wife of an orchard worker tells her young son. “It’s about a family who looked just like us,” the woman says. “Even they thought they were like everyone else. But the truth was, they were special souls.” She goes on to say that these “special souls” are actually fairies who had come to earth and forgotten where they came from.

At the start of The Fable, Dev is shown to have a hobby of designing and building wings that let him fly around. At the end, we catch a glimpse of winged figures soaring through the clouds and a pair of his engineered wings attached to a stake in the woods, fully unfurled.

LIFF describes the film as not only a “political allegory” but an “incisive” one.

I can’t see the allegory.

What was the point of making Dev and his family fairies? Having the land returned to their original inhabitants seems to display an anti-colonialist sentiment, but this is undermined by implying that the “special souls” in this story are the characters who have ties to the colonisers.

As a Muslim, I connect to the idea that there is a better world beyond this earth. I believe that even if someone’s life appears to be full of hardship and pain, if they endure it patiently and correctly (i.e. according to God’s commands), then they will attain Paradise in the hereafter. Leaving this world would be liberating for them.

I didn’t feel any sense of liberation when Dev and his family leave earth. Of course, having your land mysteriously burn away before you would be terrifying for anybody. The fire even reaches the plants before the family’s doorstep. But when compared to the tribulations of their employees, those that Dev and his family experience don’t feel particularly heavy.

During the mysterious fires, the patwari (also known as a village accountant) continuously tries to impress wealthy landowner Dev by “assisting” in the investigation, including getting police officers to make arrests. After a huge fire on a mountainside, the patwari brings the police and tells them to make five arrests no matter what. So, without any sufficient evidence, the police arrest five orchard workers who risked their lives to put out the raging fire. Who will assist the villagers? Dev eventually stops the police from taking the arrestees away—but he appears to do this reluctantly. Later, he lays off all his staff.

After all that has happened, is it really a liberation for Dev and his family to fly away to their fairy home?

What’s the allegory?

In Reading Binging Benning, Kevin B. Lee talks about his experience watching his first Benning film, RR (2007). Lee says, “The whole time, my head is spinning, trying to figure out, ‘Is there something in front of me that I’m just not seeing?’ I was facing an image that wasn’t telling me how to read it.”

Maybe I don’t know enough about the history or cultures of India to appreciate the film. But how much do I need to know? How much knowledge is fair to assume the audience has? It sounds strange, but The Fable could probably do with more exposition.

Rating: 1.5/5

Thank you to SGIFF for the Cinephile Pass and for the invite to the Special Presentation of The Fable.

[bollywoodisforlovers]

Netflix and Dil: Girlzapur, or Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo

We go to the lawless deserts in Homi Adajania's blood-soaked Hotstar crime drama, Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo, to find out who Dimple Kapadia will choose as her successor, and see if they will even make it out alive to enjoy their inheritance.

Show notes:

Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo

Homi Adajania

We Want To Be Dimple Kapadia’s Friend: Bobby, Saagar, and Rudaali

Netflix and Dil: Forget it, BiFL. It’s Mirzapur

Next time: Deewaar

Find us on Apple Podcasts! and Stitcher! and audioBoom! and iHeartRadio! and Spotify! and Google Podcasts!

Thank you to Becca Dalke for the artwork!

Follow us on Twitter! Like us on Facebook!

[lifeisacinemahall]

‘Bholaa’: a bone-crunching mess 

If nothing else, director-actor Ajay Devgn’s chaotic universe in his latest outing—where he performs the arduous task of spearheading both roles—is a bone-crunching lesson in the human anatomy. If Bholaa had a punchline, it’d be A study in human body joints and 201 ways to break them. If it had put in as many words on its screenplay sheets as it does the extras onscreen who come rushing in like…

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Sector 36 - Movie Review

TL;DR – A fascinating exploration of the interception of power, corruption, and serving the community, and how all of that can be shaped by self-interest. ⭐⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3.5 out of 5. Post-Credit Scene – There is no post-credit scene.Disclosure – I paid for the Netflix service that viewed this film.Warning – Contains Scenes that may cause distress. Sector 36 Review – Corruption is one of the…

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Sector 36 Review: Where Prem Turns Serial Killer

Vikrant Massey & Deepak Dobriyal star in Sector 36, a dark, brooding thriller where 'Prem' isn’t a romantic hero but a menacing serial killer.

⭐⭐⭐ Rating: 3 out of 5. Sneha Jaiswal (Twitter | Instagram) For a Bollywood fan, the name ‘Prem’ is most likely to evoke images of a soft, romantic hero from Sooraj Barjatya’s larger-than-life movies. Some might also think of Prem Chopra, the veteran actor who brought numerous iconic villains to life over a career spanning seven decades. And then there’s Vikrant Massey’s Prem from the 2024…

[bhaskarlive]

Vikrant Massey, Deepak Dobriyal-starrer crime thriller ‘Sector 36’ to release on Sept 13 on OTT

The makers of Vikrant Maseey and Deepak Dobriyal-starrer upcoming film ‘Sector 36’ which is inspired by true events, is all set to hit the OTT platform on September 13.

The crime thriller chronicles the disappearance of several children from a local slum, leaving a local police officer to unravel an unsettling truth in a shocking sequence of events.

Source: bhaskarlive.in

[akultalkies]

Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Amala Paul, Deepali Gautam, Sanjay Mishra, Abhishek Bachchan, Gajraj Rao, Raai Laxmi, Ramanuj Kumar, Deepak Dobriyal, Sima Pari, Deepkar Parkar, Hirva Trivedi, Ashish Gokhale, Jahangir Khan, Arpit

[axneha]

17 years of Shaurya: Director Samar Khan says, “Maybe in today’s day and age, it would have been difficult to imagine the film and its relevance”

Filmmaker Samar Khan’s Shaurya completed 17 years today. The film was a courtroom drama starring Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Deepak Dobriyal and Minissha Lamba. Samar looks back at the film on its anniversary in an interview with us. How do you look back on Shaurya? I think Shaurya, for me, has been a life- defining film. It’s amazing that even after 17 years, the film has a life of its own, and…

[entertainmentyomovies]

Sector 36 (2024): A Harrowing Dive into Real-Life Horror

Sector 36 is a 2024 Indian Hindi-language crime thriller directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, marking his directorial debut. The film is inspired by the 2006 Nithari serial murders in Noida, India, and is currently streaming on Netflix.​

Plot Overview

Set in Delhi’s Sector 36, the narrative follows Inspector Ram Charan Pandey, a corrupt police officer who becomes entangled in a chilling investigation when several children go missing. As the case unfolds, he confronts Prem Singh, a psychopathic killer with a disturbing past. The film delves into themes of systemic corruption, social inequality, and the horrors lurking beneath society’s surface.​

Cast and Crew

Director: Aditya Nimbalkar

Writer: Bodhayan Roychaudhury

Producers: Dinesh Vijan, Jyoti Deshpande

Production Companies: Maddock Films, Jio Studios

Distributor: Netflix​

Main Cast:

Vikrant Massey as Prem Singh

Deepak Dobriyal as Inspector Ram Charan Pandey

Akash Khurana as Balbir Singh Bassi

Darshan Jariwala as DCP Jawahar Rastogi

Baharul Islam as Bhupen Saikia

Ipshita Chakraborty Singh as Vaidehi “Vedu” Pandey​

Release and Reception

Sector 36 premiered at the 15th Indian Film Festival of Melbourne on August 18, 2024, and was released globally on Netflix on September 13, 2024. The film received mixed reviews, with critics praising the performances of Massey and Dobriyal but noting shortcomings in the screenplay and pacing. On Rotten Tomatoes, it holds a 47% approval rating based on 19 reviews, with a 70% audience score.​

Themes and Highlights

The film explores the dark underbelly of society, highlighting issues such as child exploitation, systemic corruption, and the apathy of authorities. It portrays the psychological trauma of the antagonist, offering a glimpse into the making of a serial killer. The narrative also critiques the societal structures that enable such horrors to persist.​

Watch movies online on YoMovies.

Source URL:- Sector 36 (2024): A Harrowing Dive into Real-Life Horror

[news-today-florial-blog]

This Week’s Must-Watch OTT Releases: Romance, Thrillers, and More!

Emily in Paris Season 4, Episode 2: Romance and Challenges in Rome Season 4, Episode 2 of Emily in Paris premiered on Netflix on September 12. This episode promises to deliver more romance, professional hurdles, and a picturesque getaway to Rome. Khalbali Records: A Musical Journey on JioCinema Khalbali Records premiered on JioCinema on September 12. The series features Skand Thakur, Saloni Batra, Salonie Patel, and Punjabi rapper Prabh Deep, along with a star-studded ensemble of 30-35 musicians, including Rekha Bharadwaj and Amit Trivedi. The eight-episode drama explores the life of Raghav, a music producer disillusioned with his father's label. Mr. Bachchan: A New Take on the Hindi Classic The remake of the 2018 Hindi film Raid, titled Mr. Bachchan, was released on Netflix on September 12. Starring Ravi Teja and Bhagyashree Borse, and directed by Harish Shankar, the film tells the story of an honest Income Tax officer battling a powerful politician. Berlin: A Spy Thriller Debuts on ZEE5 The spy thriller Berlin, featuring Aparshakti Khurana and Ishwak Singh, premiered on ZEE5 on September 13. Set in 1990s New Delhi, the film follows a deaf-mute man suspected of espionage. Sector 36: Crime Thriller Starring Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal Sector 36 debuted on Netflix on September 13, showcasing Vikrant Massey and Deepak Dobriyal in gripping new roles. Directed by Aditya Nimbalkar, this crime thriller marks his directorial debut and promises intense performances. Read the full article

[moviereviews101web]

Section 36 (2024) Movie Review

Section 36 – Movie Review Director: Aditya Nimbalkar Writer: Bodhayan Roychaudhury (Screenplay) Cast Vikrant Massey Deepak Dobriyal Darshan Jariwala Baharul Islam Ipshita Chakraborty Singh Plot: A fictional story Inspired by true events, several children go missing from a basti (slum) in Sector 36. A determined police officer must now face off with a cunning serial killer as a chilling…

[lifeisacinemahall]

‘Bholaa’: a bone-crunching mess 

If nothing else, director-actor Ajay Devgn’s chaotic universe in his latest outing—where he performs the arduous task of spearheading both roles—is a bone-crunching lesson in the human anatomy. If Bholaa had a punchline, it’d be A study in human body joints and 201 ways to break them. If it had put in as many words on its screenplay sheets as it does the extras onscreen who come rushing in like…

[pradip-madgaonkar]

Deepak Dobriyal Birthday: Wishes From Pradip Madgaonkar

कहां हैं आजकल आपके पप्पी भाई? गरीबी से निकल एक्टर बने दीपक डोबरियाल

[bandya-mama]

Deepak Dobriyal Birthday: Wishes From Bandya Mama

कहां हैं आजकल आपके पप्पी भाई? गरीबी से निकल एक्टर बने दीपक डोबरियाल

[hopefulkidshark]

Bhediya

2022 ‧ Horror/Comedy ‧ 2h 36m

Bhediya ( transl. Wolf) is a 2022 Indian Hindi-language horror comedy film directed by Amar Kaushik. Produced by Dinesh Vijan and Directed by Amar Kaushik, ...

Bhaskar travels with his cousin to a small town for a work project, however, a series of unfortunate events occur, and Bhaskar is attacked by a wolf, which grants him the powers of a werewolf.

Initial release: November 24, 2022

Director: Amar Kaushik

Distributed by: Pen Studios

Edited by: Sanyukta Kaza

Produced by: Dinesh Vijan; Jyoti Deshpande

Starring

Varun Dhawan Kriti Sanon Abhishek Banerjee Deepak Dobriyal Paalin Kabak

Bhediya (film) - Wikipedia

SHRADDHA KAPOOR & VARUN DHAWAN in Bhediya (2022)

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Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo

Saas, Bahu Aur Flamingo (Serie 2023) #DimpleKapadia #IshaTalwar #RadhikaMadan #AngiraDhar #MonicaDogra #UditArora Mehr auf:

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