Realistic ‘Calendar Girls’ uncover dark side of Glam World


Film Review: ‘Calendar Girls’- A Film by  Madhur Bhandarkar

 

Known for his past films, exposing the dark side of the society, film maker Madhur Bhandarkar, this time picks up a subject related to Glam world of the so called Calendar Girls. Actually, ‘calendar girls’, is a concept introduced by industrialist Vijay Mallya, with the help of ace photographer Atul Kasbekar, more as a passion, besides marketing their brand, through display of the best models in bikini, on their yearly ‘calendar’ published every year.calendar Girls article photo

Set on the backdrop of this concept, film maker Madhur Bhandarkar presents five best selected models, as ‘Calendar Girls’, through his latest film, with the same title. So, we notice celebrity photographer Timmy ( Rohit Roy) asking all his five selected models, to report in Mumbai, to introduce them to the celebrity business tycoon Rishabh ( Suhel Seth) a look alike of Vijay Mallya. And, then we see, Nandita ( Akanksha Puri) daughter of a business family in Hyderabad, Nazneen( Avani Modi) originally from Lahore, but based in London, Sharon (Kyra Dutt) an ambitious girl from Goa, Mayuri( Ruhi Singh) from Rohtak and Paroma, a girl from middle class family in Kolkatta, all reporting at Mumbai for their onward journey to Mauritius, to shoot for the much talked about ‘calendar’ photos.

In the first part of the film itself, the director shows their progress, with each one of them, selecting their own ways, of remaining in limelight. While, Mayuri the smartest among them, choosing a film career, keeping good relations with all, Nandita who is a beauty with brains, prefers to marry a rich businessman from a princely family from Jodhpur. In the case of Sharon, she prefers  modeling, as her career; but, when she notices the dirty games by her promoter, she joins television media as an anchor. The rest of the two girls Nazneen and Paroma choose a wrong path and pay heavy price for the same.

Very cleverly, the director has linked their stories, uncovering the dark side of the Glam world. In the process, he has thrown light on the so called ‘Escort Girls’ provided to high profile people , the involvement of  a celebrity ‘Calendar Girl’ in the Cricket match fixing scandal, with the help of  a so called star batsman of Indian team & an event manager and  so on. While uncovering the darker side of the Glam world, he has also shown some good people , in this profession. The people behind making of ‘Calendar Girls’ are shown clean. But, the film has tried to show, how one should play their cards cleverly, after attaining the celebrity status.  This has been clearly shown, through the wise decisions taken by the three calendar girls in this film.

All the five girls have given their best through their wonderful  natural performances . Good support comes from other artistes like Suhel Seth, Rohit Roy, Sharad Ponkshe, Anant Jog,Keith Sequeira, Atul Parchure, Mita vashishta, Rushad Rana,  Madhur Bhandarkar himself  and others. ‘Calendar Girls’ produced by Madhur Bhandarkar and Sangeeta Ahir, is a film strictly for Adults;  but more than sex,  attention has been paid , on giving a  sensual touch to the film. Some of the scenes, in the second part of the film are very realistically picturised. Dialogues are well written and so is the screenplay. Music by Meet Bros Anjjan and Amaal Mallik is appealing in the two songs. Costumes have been perfectly designed with good camera work by Hari Vendaantam.  A must see film, for all adults, who love to watch realistic films.

( Rating ****)

By: Ulhas Shirke