10ml LOVE

It is not a hidden fact that the whole Hindi Film Industry majorly functions around its Big Names and their huge magnetic pull at the box office. But for this present unfortunate scenario, the makers are not the ones responsible alone as we the viewers also become the equal partners in the crime since it's because of us only that this rotten system prevails in the market and keeps strengthening every Friday in an unstoppable way.

In fact the ultimate loss due to this ruling star system actually remains ours only as it doesn't let many good, thoughtful attempts reach their target audience in absence of any proper release or planned promotion. The latest victim of this "Biased Entertainment Business" is a small and entertaining film called 10 ML LOVE which deserves to be seen by the young viewers as its all about Love and the choices you make in a relationship. The film has managed to release in only the selected cities and that too only on 2 or 3 theaters in just 1 or 2 shows for the namesake. And then we readily complain that nowadays they are not making some intelligent films in Mumbai. Whereas in reality such films are being made on a regular basis but they easily get lost in the loud shouting promotions of these Big Stars and we never get to see them unless someone recommends them strongly post their DVD release.

Sadly same was the case this week, when at one hand we had the silly KHILADI 786 opening with a good response all over and on the other 10 ML LOVE beginning its only afternoon show with only 15-20 people in the theater (who later must have thanked themselves for their choice made).

To be honest, 10 ML LOVE is not a classic or a great film to be seen as a must. But it surely is many times better than these crap comedies made to entertain us supported by all the big banners and names. It's a simple, enjoyable romantic comedy which involves an interesting entangle between few individuals leading to a decisive end. The confusions get created on the final days of a Punjabi Wedding and they are pleasantly enacted by a talented star cast featuring Rajat Kapoor, Tisca Chopra, Purab Kohli, Tara Sharma and Koel Puri. Along with these lead characters, the film has some great moments to offer coming from Manu Rishi Chadha, Brijendra Kala and their 'Ramleela' team.

Directed by Sharat Katariya it's a modern world adaptation of Shakespeare's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM and that should be a reason enough to try it once. The film does give you a feeling of watching an interesting play but still it keeps the viewers engaged both pre and post intermission until it reaches its final 20 minutes. And that's where the director falters big time ruining the overall impact with a disappointing and hushed up climax. Actually the exciting, 'mysterious drink' insertion in the second half forces you to expect something hilarious coming up in the end. But when it all doesn't shape up as expected then one only feels like having seen something good which could have been much better with a different entertaining climax with a shocking twist.

But despite of this avoidable drawback, 10 ML LOVE remains one of those small films, which deserve to be released more widely and prominently to reach all those viewers who are dying to see something different and interesting in Hindi films. Moreover, addressing the younger brigade, if Shakespeare seems to be too thick and lengthy to read, then at least you should go for such films which are made as the adaptations of his life teaching literature with an added flavor of the present world.

It is hard to believe that this extremely underwhelming version of Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream comes from the writer of Dumb Laga Ke Haisha. The characters are half-baked, the performances are silly, and it feels like a waste of a good cast. The original plot of the play requires considerable ingenuity to be rendered well in a modern context. Unfortunately, Sharat hasn't shown any. Not surprised that despite the well-known cast, this film is unheard of. Skip ahead to the writer's later works if you haven't watched this yet.