Rockford - Nagesh Kukunoor [1999]

Nagesh Kukunoor - A name often taken for great movies like Dor, Hyderabad Blues, 3 deewarein and Iqbal. But nobody much remember his earlier flicks like Rockford and Bollywood Calling. Why, why comedy is such ignored genre in bollywood when it comes to count great work of someone?

Anyways, Rockford, is not a comedy as many reference sites and books puts into the genre. Its a story about a 13 yr old boy, Rajesh Naidu, [Rohan Dey] who comes to this High School, set somewhere in South Indian Hill station. School is a convent one. So we oughta see Brothers, Sisters, Fathers and Mothers. [This is one reason, this movie is my personal fav, cause I have studied in same kinda place].

13 year old, Rajesh, who is never left alone by parents. Now he has to live alone far away from home. This thought, in India, is very depressing. I remember my parents too often threat me of putting me in a hostel if I mess around anymore. There, his parents are living him in hostel.

See anything alike?? Below ---

Here, he meets his benchmate first. Selva Reddy - excellently played by Kailash Atmanathan - who is a happy go lucky kid. Who knows everything-just everything. I just loved his character. The way his part is written and developed, is really interesting. Each viewer feels attached to his character and remembers their own pals in school.


Another pal joining them is David,played by Imran Mirza a sports freak with heart of Gold. He is arrogant, but always helpful and kind to his friends. Mature enough to control Selva's freakiness.

Convent school has its own rules. Its own people. Its own bad things too. Ragging, pranks, and even 'Monthly Prank Awards' are also held overhere in this school !! In physical exams, Rajesh can't do even a single pull-up. And then enters his savior - Johnny Mathew [Nagesh Kukunoor] An assistant physical trainer. Who tearches not to recognise failure. And many more other things too. ;-)

Enter Ms.Vegas, - Nandita das looks lovely in Saree as a teacher, whom every student admires. ;-) After all, she is among the only girl in this all male boarding. see for yourself.

See those faces smiling??? Especially, Selva. I just loved his character as i told earlier. See his many moods in following cap.

Then follows is sweet school memories, and funny moments. Tries to woo girls. and much more. Then our boy meets Malti [Ulrika krishnamurthy] and falls instantly for her. Why not? she is so adorable and lovely girl.

Parts of the movie are so funny and in parts, it is much inspiring too. And most of the moments are like that, you can relate yourself to it. Set up of the movie is so much familier. And many of us have gone through such phase in our own lives.

See, who hasn't made 'Gupshup' and 'chit' chat in class like that??

OR, how about first shave and first kiss ....?

first Love letter, and first piece of Porn????

or the FIRST....... [Watch the movie, for that]

Beauty of the movie lies in its simplicity. No matter its a low budget film. Picturisation looks weird in today's senario. Where we gotta see fabulously picturised things on screens. But movie packs in such a warm and witty things that I got flattered to. And mind you, this is not 'art house' cinema. Just a small bollywood movie.

Everyone has acted superbly. Nandita Das is just doing a cameo for the movie. In other cast, Nagesh has done good job. So is Jayant Kriplani as principal. And above all, the juniors, are the backbone of this movie. Rohan, Ulrika and Kailash just amazing. They are first timers, but we can see they just dont act. They just live the movie.

I live you here with some hillarious moments of the movie. One is a moment which comes twice in movie. Hillarious take of song 'Ankhiya tu mila le raja' from Aamir's movie 'ISHQ'.

The song comes again in an emotional moment, which made me shed tears. Watch the movie for that.

Another hillarious song is 'Shokhiyon mein...from Dev Anand's movie Prem Pujari. Here, first Rohan and Nandita sings the song. Later Nagesh takes place of Dev saab.

Here, is original video of devsaab and beautiful Waheeda Rehman.

Now lets turn to most favortie part of mine. thats MUSIC ofcourse.

This movie has featured some tracks which are lifetime favorite for me. Fabulous TWO tracks. One is by SHANKAR-EHSAN-LOY and other one taken from KAY KAY's first album. Pal. - Yaaron Dosti which is an anthem is now for friendship.

So there goes, my first review of an old movie, old in terms of not recently released, but I just got re watched it. And just to share with you. So please do watch this flick, and hey, its totally in English, so there you won't need any subtitles. So watch it and tell me you liked it or not.

P.S.: This movie contains some mature [adult] jokes on sexual feelings of pre-teen boys. so it that is not your piece of cake, then I would not recommand this to you.

And again finally, SEE ANYTHING ALIKE???