Life! Camera Action...

I am not a big foreign film aficionado, not by a long shot, but I enjoyed the movie, and being a teacher, Professor's opening scene the most. I always love to watch cinema that challenges the viewer on some level and makes us think. The main point of the story is very interesting. I'm not a heartless person, but it takes a lot to make me cry when I watch a movie. But seriously - I bawled on several occasions in this film. Ending is a real tear-jerker. . The theme is definitely universal (across any cultures) and songs are quite catchy despite being in Hindi language (I appreciated the subtitles). Based on how it's made, guaranteed it would leave you wondering how the film achieved its goal.

At first, neither the trailer nor any reviews drove me in to watching this movie. I saw it by accident on Amazon and the editorial review caught my attention. After few clicks I was flabbergasted to find out the real synopsis. 1) Started as a film school assignment to make a 10-minute short film 2) Converted to a feature length with no experience, resources, crew 3) No complete script for the film 4) Shot with a basic camera by only two member crew 5) Listed as One of the 10 Outstanding Movies made my Indian American Filmmakers along with Iconic films like Sixth Sense, Unbreakable 6) First movie shot with a 2 member crew by an Indian Filmmaker who was learning to put a film together on his own? 7) Won numerous awards and world wide acclaim. Did I miss anything? It's unbelievable. Panaromal Activity, Blair Witch Project and few other movies are known for being made under such circumstances, but never heard of anything like this!! Have you?? At this point this was it for me to get the DVD.

For a first time filmmaker, this is a phenomenal achievement. This movie should be a case study in film schools. I have added this film to my student's library ☺. Any aspiring filmmaker or a film student who has not watched this movie has not witnessed magic/brilliance/greatness of making a film with minimal resources or as they say: made in a shoe string budget and to instantly connect with the whole world. It's no surprise that the theme has connected with many nations bringing the film well deserving stupendous success. Very Inspiring. Love it! Congratulations.

After hearing so much about this movie & how many awards they've won, I finally watched LCA when it got released on Facebook! Loved how the director, Rohit Gupta, combined passion, creativity, family values and emotions to create LCA. It inspires everyone to follow their passion at any cost. All of us, at some point in our lives, feel defeated/discouraged about our passion & we just go with the flow & have regrets later on. But, watching Reina (Dipti Mehta) following her dream, her love for film making against her traditional parents' wish (Subodh Batra & Prabha Batra) and her motivation to prove herself to her parents is something that touches everyone at some level! Every actor played their part very well. The music was great esp the song "Chalte Jaana Hai" by the famous bollywood singer KK. LCA & its crew truly deserve all the awards they've won for their work. Did you know this is the first movie ever to be released on fb?! Never heard of it before, but thought it was really cool! I'm sure we'll start seeing more people doing this now! Rohit - we can't wait to see more of your movies!! LCA deserves 10/10! All the best to LCA's crew! :)

Not used to watching movies without a known name so did not have any expectations at first, but surprisingly something kept me drawing in to the film from start to last frame. (Insider tip: don't leave until the last frame :). I found the film not only watchable but also compelling. It is a great film for many reasons.

Life! Camera Action... is two movies in one. Amazing story and moving meaning. Although the film is perhaps a little slow in fully developing, the consequent results are astounding. At times, I felt that the pace is slow but that's how a real drama is. It's a very smartly done movie. Unknown cast (that allows us to immerse in the story), real locations, real feel just as it happens in real life. Nothing flashy or dream sequences that leave us with just dreams never to come true in reality. Some times the music is overboard but that did not disconnect me from the entire movie. I couldn't help but care about Reina (Dipti Mehta), Mike (Shaheed Woods), Parents and desire to find out what happens to them.

Uncle at the restaurant (Noor Naghmi) is a look alike of a Bollywood iconic actor Navin Nischol. For a minute I was puzzled at his resemblance. His scenes are awesome. Great chemistry between him and Reina. Love Reina's birthday and audition scene. Camera is shaky at few places that made couple scenes distracting but just like music, this doesn't do much damage to the entire picture. In fact it added to the tension, so to say. DVD store scenes are hilarious. Actors are totally unassuming. The final scene (superb performance by Dipti Mehta) took me completely by surprise. Totally unpredictable and touching!. There are two songs and both are beautiful and heavenly. Feet-tapping music. Theme song "Hain Yeh Kaisa Safar" is everyone's safar (journey) in someway I would say.

I loved the opening school scene especially the definition of filmmaking. "We get to learn how to make people like you sit in a dark room for two hours and watch all the sxxx that's running in our heads, and above all, we make you pay for it. Fortunately we never get to see the sxxx running in your head". Wow. well said. Love it.

Another favorite: "To be born with a personality is an inherent gift from our parents, but to live as a personality is an achievement of our own and a return gift to our parents". Very well said. This movie also reminds us of our basics: Our source: Our Parents (very reason for our being). They are usually seen as interference in our careers not realizing that they are the only two who unconditionally loves us and are our well-wishers. This movies embarks on such a journey and connects all dots along the way.

Life! Camera Action...is about following your heart calling. We all hear our callings but seldom follow them. This film shows that nothing is impossible. The theme is so universal and so very appealing; that I can assure it will stay with you long long after the movie is over. And for some like me, I think it'll stay forever.

LCA is one of those films that is bound to give you a perspective on your own life.

To be completely honest, I was actually impressed with this film.

A tightly focused ensemble piece, heavy on dialog taking place in the world's greatest: New York City. A young girl, Reina is threatened by her parents to be disowned, if she insists on a career that has seen only 'handful successes and more failures" like filmmaking, instead of doing what usually is the norm -- become a "doctor, engineer or an architect". This is the central theme of the film LIFE! CAMERA ACTION (Love this imaginative title too).

One of the most wonderful things a film can do is be so moving and triumphant that it makes you cry. You aren't crying because Reina is disowned, or discouraged by everyone instead you are identifying with the power of human spirit. To watch how Reina overcomes every obstacle she faces is inspiring. If this movie doesn't get you motivated, then something is wrong with you. This movie has a story that teaches a lesson.

It's a story that pulls at every heart string and emotions you possibly could have. Why? Well it doesn't have to do with the actors, though they all are great. It doesn't have to do with the filming; it isn't what draws us in. It is one thing. One major fact: Story! I am sure it's a Universal story. No wonder, it has touched hearts around the world and won all these accolades. Great job. What an accomplishment!!!

LCA is a movie that gives us something to believe in, something to think about. Never giving up. Always giving it your all. Loved it! I agree with others that ending is a classic. If you like emotional and inspirational movies then I highly recommend you see this film. I hope that you enjoy it. Thanks for reading.

Life! Camera Action… really touched my soul. I thought it was an amazing job for a first- time director. When I heard about this film from a friend, I began to research. The trailer alone made me buy the DVD. There is an element of freshness in the way the story is presented, as we accompany Reina (Dipti Mehta) through her life odyssey who is determined to follow her calling. There are some strong emotions in the film and the director keeps the film live and engaging. The culture-clash story might have been done before, but this is still very refreshing.

When I read about the movie and the director's background, I was ecstatic to know that this film is his first attempt to put a feature film together to learn movie making. It's all done very intelligently and with a breath of fresh air. The film moves very fast and kept me involved and entertained. Shaheed Woods – aka the character Mike and Uncle at the restaurant's occasional funny moments are a good chuckle and not some poor attempt at humor, and best of all, the movie moved me.

Making a movie for the global audience is a tremendous feat. Upon further researching I found out that the director had no previous experience in movie making. WOW… This has inspired me. Gupta, this fan of yours will surely be waiting for your next moves. All in all Life! Camera Action... is very much worth a viewing. Or even two! The uplifting messages are totally rewarding.