Film: Luck By Chance
Direction: Zoya Akhtar
Art Direction: Abid T.P.
Actors: Rishi Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Alyy Khan and Sheeba Chaddha.
Scene: Juhi’s sister and husband are invited for a drink at Rishi Kapoor’s residence.
If you haven’t seen Luck By Chance, you should watch it. It’s one of the most brilliant movies made about “How Bollywood Works” directed by Zoya Akhtar. The film depicts how a struggler from Delhi named Vikram Jaisingh, played by Farhan Akhtar, comes in Mumbai to become an actor and gets his big break “luckily by chance” in Bollywood. But most importantly, this film is also about the traditional mindset of the filmmakers who know or at least think that they know which movies people will like and what will work at the Box Office.
Separating bullshit from the brag
I love this scene where Romy Rolly, a veteran producer who is as an A-list Bollywood Filmmaker and producer played by Rishi Kaopor is sitting with his Brother-in-law, Satish played by Alyy Khan. Satish is a small-time Bhojpuri Producer in the film. Satish is biting more than he could chew by getting in the big league of Hindi Commercial Films. He is explaining to Rishi Kapoor his new film shoot, which is about to wrap up. He brags about his latest venture and how brilliant the film he has turned out to be. Rishi Kapoor is listening, but too busy rubbing the chanas between his palms and brushing away its kernels separating the bullshit from the brag. He simply nods to acknowledge what Satish is saying but barely listening to it. They are seen sitting in a golden cage, which is the part of the house interior is used quite brilliantly depicting being trapped in the traditional way of filmmaking, but it is still happy to get into. The alcohol is there, but none of them are seen drinking it, which I think depicts their intoxicating passion for making films.
Pinky and Pinky Productions in trouble
In the same room, Pinky played by Sheeba Chaddha is talking to his elder sister played by Juhi as Minty Rolly. Pinky tells her that they have invested everything they had in this new project and subtly asking to pour more vodka to kick off her worries atleast for awhile.
From bragging to begging
The camera is back at the men, where Satish starts to talk about his next project. Satish again in his overselling mode, talks about how impactful his first half and second half is.
Ultimately, Rishi Kapoor having enough of the bragging, tries to blow away the kernels from his palms more aggressively this time conveying he had enough of the bragging. He also tries to put sense into Satish by throwing a blunt question at Satish asking, “Woh sab toh thik hai lekin cast kya hai cast?!” as if everything hinges on this question.
Woh sab toh thik hai lekin cast kya hai cast?!
A final push
Finally, the most important objective of the scene is met when Pinky praises the diamond ring worn by Juhi and then subtly asking or should I say, persuading his elder sister for a favour to find an investor for Satish’s new film to which Juhi agrees. Between the egos and statures of men, women always come into play to crack a deal or persuade the important deals. And being a real sister of Juhi, it was a bonus for Satish.
The scene ends.
I hope you like my interpretation of this scene. I’m looking forward to your feedback and response. Do write to me or comment. I would love to hear from you.
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