12 Comments

Thanks for a well elucidated analysis that common movie viewers (not just the elite critics) can appreciate. I was beginning to be a little disappointed with the original formulation of your Kumbalangi Test but you redeemed it with the final enhancement.

Two other cultural memes that cinema (especially Hollywood) must be measured and held accountable for propagating and normalizing are: (1) throwing objects and smashing them against the floor or a wall or glass to show anger or frustration sometimes for trivial matters and often by actors whose role otherwise has no personality attributes matching this action, and (2) throwing food items into the bin after taking a bite, or, elaborately pouring two glasses of a drink after one person asks if the other wants a drink, and then immediately, leaving both drinks and going out.

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Thanks RG, appreciate it. Item (2) is a pet peeve for me as well! I will look out for the second part of (1), which is when characters hurl things without any personality attributes matching.

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Very impressive. Rich with insightful thoughts. I felt like reading this masterpiece again and again until each word gets tattooed on my mind.

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Thanks Dean, I appreciate your words of support.

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Wonderful idea! This got me thinking about movies which would pass the test but (surprisingly) I'm drawing a blank. Will definitely apply this standard to future movies.

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Thanks! It would be interesting to know your take. I’m going to be doing Kumbalangi Test reviews of the following films soon: Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Gladiator, Sholay, etc.

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Look forward to that post!

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I’d been waiting for this piece. This makes for a compelling and pleasurable read, and although I haven’t (yet) watched Kumbalangi Nights, I’m almost certain I’ll be applying this test to every film I watch now on.

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Thank you for those incredible words of generosity! Tbh, I was thinking that maybe the test should be about something negative. You know each time a film requires the male character to do something bad, call it. But in the end I went with finding something positive. I suppose either approach works!

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Ajab Mardangi Ki Ghazab Kahani

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Very timely. Opening up to vulnerability and talking about it is something I'm only now getting used to

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Yeah man. New skill even for me! Thanks for your kind words :)

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