Rhiteek Chatterjee
6. Wake up Sid (2009)
A quintessential coming of age comedy-drama, ‘Wake up Sid’, set in contemporary Mumbai, tells the story of a spoiled, careless and rich-kid Sid Mehra, essayed by Ranbir Kapoor, a college student who is taught the value of owning up to responsibility by Aisha, essayed by Konkona Sen Sharma, an aspiring writer from Kolkata. Directed by Ayan Mukjerjee, the film focuses on the youth and their struggles while maintaining a light-hearted tone on the little callousness and adorable foolishness of the titular character. Mapped on the lines of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, as Mukherjee has often stated, the film is a beautiful anecdote for all looking for inspiration and motivation in life.
5. Rock On!! (2008)
Directed by Abhishek Kapoor, ‘Rock On!!’ follows the story of four members of a Mumbai-based grunge rock band, “Magik”, which formed in 1998, goes through a conflict of interest and ideological beliefs, and how they reunite in 2008 for a comeback performance. Starring Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Akhtar, Luke Kenny and Purab Kohli as the four musicians, ‘Rock On!!’ showcases the power of friendship which transcends all challenges and hurdles. Like Akhtar’s directorial debut ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, this 2008 flick is set with similar three act undertones. With an intricate look at the ideological differences, Abhishek Kapoor takes it up a notch by exploring the friendship among the middle age – a time when life gets busy and is marred by family and professional responsibilities.
4. Rang De Basanti (2006)
An unabashed jab at the Indian political and social scenario, ‘Rang De Basanti’ is the story of six young Indians, who assist an English woman to film a documentary on the freedom fighters from the country’s past and the events that lead them to relive the long-forgotten saga of freedom. A film which bursts out the emotion of patriotism, ‘Rang De Basanti’ pierced the hearts of every Indian with its deep themes and devotion. Drawing a parallel between the Indian Independence Movement and modern-day political corruption which affects the Armed Forces, the Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra directed film, while soothing with moralistic and patriotic tones, does not steer away from the art of filmmaking.
With the string sentiment of elevating the nation to unity and justice, Rensil D’Silva’s screenplay helps the viewers to connect to the distinctly sketched out characters – characters that resonate with eternal friendship. Whether it is the freedom fighters struggling together against the colonial forcer or it the youth of the new age India who fight for their friend’s unjustified demise, all are woven together through camaraderie and friendship.
3. 3 Idiots (2009)
A coming-of-age comedy-drama, ‘3 Idiots’ explores the friendship of three students at an Indian engineering college and explores the themes of friendship, creativity, innovation, depression, ambition and the faulty Indian education system.
Endorsing the belief “humanity comes first”, ‘3 Idiots’ bases its foundation on the performances of Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan and Sharman Joshi, who represent the “idiots”, this Rajkumar Hirani directed venture portrays the power of love and compassion. The screenplay, written by Abhijat Joshi, forms a beautiful narrative that takes us on a journey of struggle, heartbreak, and pain with a teary-eyed ease and splendour. A film which took Indian cinema to overseas with ginormous success, ‘3 Idiots’ was a new wave of cinema that India needed. A special mention to Boman Irani and Omi Vaidya, whose adorable devilishness warmly foiled the eternal camaraderie shared by the friends. Shantanu Moitra’s toe-tapping music and Swanand Kirkire’s soulful lyrics added to Hiran’s intended emotions and has become chart bursting hits today.
2. Anand (1971)
Directed by the captivating Hrishikesh Mukherjee, ‘Anand’ follows the story of a terminally ill man, Anand, essayed by Rajesh Khanna, whose will live life to the full before the inevitable occurs, which acts a new wave of love, compassion and friendship in the lives of people of are attached to him. Narrated by Dr. Bhaskar Banerjee, essayed by the brilliant Amitabh Bachchan, the film resides in the camaraderie which Dr Banerjee and Anand share. What charges the film’s innate power to be conceived as a brilliant tale is the cohesive screenplay written by Mukherjee himself and the evergreen songs composed by Salil Chaudhury which showcases the film’s true meaning – “anand” or “fun”.
1. Dil Chahta Hai (2001)
The movie which is set the tone for the “coming of age” genre, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ set a trend for years to come – friendships, love and of course – trips to Goa. Directed by Farhan Akhtar, the film bases its primary premise on the problems and struggles one has to face the glacial transition from youth to adulthood. With the screenplay helmed on by the director himself, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ merges witty humour with slapstick comedy, all embroiled with bursting emotions. Starring the Aamir Khan, Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna as the hilarious trio, and Preity Zinta, Sonali Kulkarni and Dimple Kapadia as their emotional foils, the film is the flower which blooms in the 21st century. Adding to the brilliance, the films’ musical score by Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy inspired a generation. Songs such as ‘Jaane Kyon, ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, ‘Woh Ladki Hai Kahan’ and ‘Koi Kahe Kehta Rahe’ reverberated with the new century which had dawned upon us.
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