The Expression Hub

  • A rogue or a hero?

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Starring: Rajkummar Rao, Mohammed Zeeshan Ayyub, Tigmanshu Dhulia, KayKay Menon, Prabhal Punjabi, Prabhleen Sandhu

    Directed by: Hansal Mehta

    Genre: Biographical/Drama

    “Life’s most persistent and urgent question is , what are you doing for others?”

    Martin Luther King Jr.

    It has been 15 years since the terror attacks rocked the city of dreams, Mumbai. 166 people were killed in the what was supposed to be an act of cowardice. But no matter what the city of dreams has endured, it has always stood the test of time and emerged more resilient as time as passed. And that is what is supposed to be the undying spirit of the city. No matter whatever befalls on us we are going to emerge stronger each and every time because of the endless humanity possessed by the people of the city.

    Though the terror attacks had shattered the city to the core, but in the line of investigating and bringing justice, it has so happened a lot of times that a lot of innocent people too had been arrested and had false charges pressed against them . These false charges could and have ruined the lives of so many people as the society viewed such people with a suspicious eye . Such people did not get the opportunities which a normal man gets . However, there was one such individual who too after facing a similar situation decided to fight for the rights of such individuals and ensured that such people too had an opportunity to live a dignified life. Since it was the 15th anniversary of the Mumbai terror attacks and we are celebrating the men who tried creating an impact in the reel or real life; I personally feel this blog post is a great fit which addresses both. This might or might not rattle a few nerves but we need to be courageous to address the thought in the mind. After all we need to be in a place where the mind is without fear and the head is held high.

    Story line: Shahid is a story which is based on the life of the lawyer and human rights activist Shahid Azmi who was killed in a cold-blooded manner in 2010. He was supposed to be an ordinary man and maybe would have continued to be so had certain events in his life not taken place. For instance, the riots in the city which took place in the year 1992-93. This incident forced him to join a militant group in order to become a terrorist but after witnessing a cold-blooded execution, he leaves the group and returns to the city.However, this incident leads to his arrest under the Terrorist and Disruptive Activities(Prevention) Act. His brother tries to bail him out. But he is denied bail and ends up spending 7 years in the Tihar Jail. There he meets an extremist Omar Shaikh who tries to radicalize him. But another inmate saves him by inspiring him to finish his higher studies. After getting acquitted, he embarks on a journey to become a lawyer. After undergoing an internship of a few months, he establishes his own firm and from then his life transforming journey begins. This is because he starts fighting for the justice of his fellow beings who have been wrongly accused . Unfortunately, this very life transforming journey ends up taking his life.

    Scrutiny: This is a story which narrates a tale of a man who embarks upon a life changing journey. A journey which not only changed his own life but also the life of others as he began fighting for the people who had been denied justice. This is because he himself had faced a similar situation in his earlier days. However, thanks to the advice given by his well-wisher, he could reform himself and live what can be called as a second life. This movie attempts to address an important issue as regards to denial of opportunities to minorities after they are falsely acquitted. It also tries to advocate the fact that the act of terrorism has no religion but it is an act which is caused by some brainwashed individuals who try to create a menace in the society and disrupt its peaceful way of functioning. RajKummar Rao shines as the main protagonist. Mohammed Zeeshan too does a great job by playing the elder brother Arif. One character that really stood out for me even though it was a brief one was that one portrayed by KayKay Menon because he was the one who actually gave Shahid a second life that of a lawyer. After all education is the most powerful weapon through which you can change the world.

    The Sentiment: A movie which puts out a strong message through the story of an ordinary man who becomes extraordinary and fights for what is right. This one needs to be in your watch list definitely. The reasons are many : firstly because of the crisp storytelling , secondly because of the acting chops by RajKummar Rao and KayKay Menon , thirdly it highlights various issues which are still prevalent in the society and tries to address them and lastly the story has a National Award actor and a director. This is a movie that tries to provide some food for thought to the mind. So, cheers to stories that give you some food for thought isn’t it ?Don’t forget to share your experiences about the same. Hope you do too find this piece of work highly inspiring and enlightening. Meet you next week with another awesome pick of mine next week. Till then lots of love and care.

    The main protagonist in a scene

    Que: What is the name of the person who inspires Shahid to become a lawyer?

    a. Omar Shaikh

    b. Arif Azmi

    c. Maqbool Menon

    d. Ghulam Navi Waar

    Continue reading →: A rogue or a hero?

  • From melancholy to an indomitable resolve.

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Genre: Biographical/ Military Drama

    No. of episodes:7

    Presented by: Zee5

    “Act though as it were impossible to fail.”

    Dorothea Brande

    Hope you all had a wonderful Diwali last week and a very happy international Men’s day to all the men out there. Since we are celebrating the men who have played a huge role in the reel as well as real life , so this week’s blog post is dedicated to a special section of the men from whom we can learn a lot of lessons especially in the fields of discipline and management in both the professional as well as personal lives-the men in uniform. Be it the army, the air force or the navy there have been tales of men who have lived an extraordinary life and inspired a lot. Without further ado, let’s learn more about this extraordinary man .

    Synopsis: This week’s pick revolves around an ex- special force member of the Indian Army Major Deepveer Sengar who was awarded the Sena Medal for his bravery in the Kargil War. His life is narrated in the 7-episodes of a series called ‘Jeet Ki Zidd’. This 7-part series narrates the story of Deepveer Sengar who clears the IMA (Indian Military Academy )and serves in the armed forces before undergoing the training for the paramilitary forces. The training in the paramilitary forces is supposed to be one which is super draining in nature physically as well as mentally. He gets the rejection certificate the first time when he fails to complete the training because of a minor timing mistake. But this rejection just makes him more stronger and he chooses to apply for the same once more. This time however he succeeds in completing the training and getting the coveted maroon beret.

    While attending his friend’s wedding he comes across a Mathematics teacher with whom he gradually falls in love . However, after viewing the news of the Kargil War, despite having a severe injury he volunteers for the same and ends up having five bullets shot in his abdomen. This injury leaves him paralyzed under the waist and confined to a wheelchair. However, this paralysis leaves him dejected and utterly hopeless. This worries his lover turned wife and she gives him a new challenge? What is the challenge which is given to the former major ? Does he complete it successfully? How does that challenge change his life ? Is he able to bring himself hope or does he find himself dejected? How does life change for the former major after the war? Is it for good or for the worst?

    Assessment: This series is an inspirational story about how a man in the uniform tries to overcome whatever challenges life tries to throw at him. After all a soldier never gives up isn’t it? And I would love to believe we all have that soldier in us right? This is because strength is not physical in nature but mental in nature. And those who have that so called grit they can undertake any challenges in the life. And if you are the one who needs inspiration then this one will definitely give you some. A beautiful story with superb acting chops by Amit Sadh and Sushant Rajput(believe me he is a very underrated actor ) . Aly Gore too has a good screen timing and does a good job playing the role of his friend. As far as the negatives are concerned, there are scenes which might seem derogatory due to the usage of swear words which are pretty common yet some might find them offensive.

    The view: A show which needs to be in your watch list. After all, I do personally feel that we all need a character like Chaudhary who pushes our limits so that we can grow . I don’t know about you but I would be really grateful for such a character in my life. He or she would be abused in my mind but in reality they will be the one’s who will help you grow as a person. And what is really important in one’s life than witnessing one’s own growth?So, do watch it if you need some motivation or if you want to know how grit can change lives. Also, do not forget to mention about your experiences about the same. I will be happy to hear from you. See you next week with a another pick which will be dedicated to another man. Till then lots of love and care.🤗

    Amit Sadh as the main protagonist of the show.

    Baap Dialogue: ” Jab tak soldier ki saansein hai tab tak woh soldier hai.”[Until a soldier breathes he is a soldier.]

    Continue reading →: From melancholy to an indomitable resolve.

  • A different type of shipment?

    Published by

    Roshani Patil

    on

    Starring: Vince Vaughn, Chris Pratt, Cobie Smulders, Britt Robertson, Damian Young,Simon Delaney,Adam Chanler-Berat

    Directed by: Ken Scott

    Genre: Comedy-drama

    “Good fathers do three things: they provide, they nurture and they guide.”

    Roland Warren

    Well, its November, the second last month of the year and a time to maybe reflect how the year went. For me it was a roller coaster of emotions and maybe a lot of lessons and experiences learned. More about it maybe in one of the blog posts later. After all what is life supposed to be ? An amalgamation or maybe the sum of all the experiences of what we experience . Some good and some bad but each one teaching us something good or valuable.

    If October was dedicated to something paranormal and if we can celebrate the women then why not do the same for men ? After all I feel it is truly unfair for the men to have just a single day dedicated to them. After all they do also have a valuable contribution in our lives as maybe our fathers, brothers , partners , boyfriends , cousins , grandfathers and what not :p So, from this November raising a toast to all the men who have contributed immensely to our lives in the real and reel life. So, cheers to all the men out in our lives and a big thank you for making our lives better and giving us great lessons.

    Story line: The first pick of this month where in we celebrate the men from reel as well as the real life is called the Delivery Man. This narrates the story of a man named David Wozniak who is a delivery man for his family’s butcher shop. He is in a debt of $80,000 and has a pregnant girlfriend. One day he encounters a lawyer who is supposed to be representing a sperm bank. In his student years David is supposed to have earned a sum of $24,255 by donating sperm anonymously under the name of Star buck. However, it turns out that his sperm was used so frequently that with time he became the biological father of 533 children. It would have been okay to just be an anonymous figure. But being a father to so many children spells trouble for David as out of these 533 children, 142 decide to file a class action lawsuit against the clinic to reveal the identity of the man who had used the name Starbuck. What follows is a legal battle of whether the father is entitled anonymity or whether a father should disclose his identity to their children. Does David Wozniak win the lawsuit and be able to pay off his debt ? Also, will he let his identity be anonymous or will he reveal it to the children whom he has fathered ?

    The Scrutiny: This is a movie that attempts to take on a serious issue in a comical manner. It asks us, the viewers an important question: what is more important for a man to do. Is it necessary for a man who has been a biological father to many children to remain anonymous under the right to privacy or whether it is important for a father to come forward and reveal his identity for the sake of his children. Both the parties are right in their views: one being in the favor of that a person is entitled to have the right to privacy while on the other hand a child is also entitled to know who his or her biological father is after all fathers do play an important role when a child is growing up.

    This story also highlights the fact that one need not be super rich or super successful in order to live a fulfilling life. But instead just needs to have a valid purpose in life even if that means playing the role of a compassionate person when the whole world views you as a nobody. David realizes this when his girlfriend tells him that she is pregnant. Though his best friend tells him that it is best that he avoids being a father, David listens to his heart and starts looking out for the children as well as his own child just like a real father would to his child thanks to the compassionate trait in him and the fact that he clearly understands his purpose. The positives : Vince Vaughn shines as the main lead . Chris Pratt too does a good job who acts as a friend cum advocate . A perfect mix of emotions with the right amount of laughs as well as a few sniffs (emotional moments) this is a movie which makes you feel good from within.

    The Sentiment : A movie that makes you feel good about yourself as well as keeps you entertained. This one should definitely be on your viewing list as it tries to take on a serious issue in a comic manner. It also shows us that with compassion it is possible to win everyone’s heart. Watch it for the beautiful performances of Vince Vaughn, Andrzej Blumenfeld who share a beautiful father-son bond . This one is definitely going to be in my list of those movies which make you feel good and which you can revisit anytime yet not get bored.

    Rating: ****

    Quote-Unquote: “These kids need someone to look out for them. They need a guardian angel.” (David to himself)

    Que: Where does David finance his father’s trip while growing up?

    a. Kashmir

    b. Switzerland

    c. Dehradun

    d. Venice

    Continue reading →: A different type of shipment?

Hello,

I’m Roshani

Welcome to The Expression Hub! I’m Roshani, who loves to express herself through the medium of writing. This blog is my little corner of the internet where I dive deep into the world of movies, books, and web series—reviewing, analyzing, and sometimes just ranting about the stories that make us laugh, cry, and question everything.

Beyond reviews, you’ll also find my personal musings—random thoughts, life reflections, and the occasional deep dive into the things that inspire me. Think of this as a space where art meets emotion, and where honest opinions matter more than star ratings.

Join me as we explore incredible stories together, one post at a time. Have a recommendation? Let’s talk—I’m always up for discovering something new!

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