Akshay Kumar Opposite Rachel Weisz In Australian Bandstand! November 24, 2006

According to Hindustan Times, Akshay Kumar has bagged an international movie titled Australian Bandstand, which will also feature British actress Rachel Weisz.

Akshay is tight-lipped about this high-profile project, but when probed further this is what he said:
“Bye..I’m caught up in something now. I’ll call you in a bit.”

Sources close to him claim:
“the actor has reserved his dates for three months towards October next year for a very special film that will be a turning point in his career.”

The movie is inspired by the Australian Bandstand TV Show which was the longest running pop TV show of its time. Warwick Freeman will direct the film .

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Edited Version Of Rang De Basanti Re-Released In The US November 24, 2006

American viewers will get to experience the Rang De Basanti magic as UTV plans to re-release an edited version of the movie keeping in mind the non-asian audience. About 25 minutes of the movie has been cut out and its a pretty smart movie according to me as Indian Movies length are often seen as a deterrent.

“That’s true,” Siddharth Roy Kapur [Senior Vice President, Marketing & Communications, UTV] confirms the development, “Rakeysh [Omprakash Mehra] has already re-edited the film. It’s going to be a proper mainline release in the U.S. in March next year.” Although the release strategy is being worked out currently, Kapur states “it’ll be a good release [prints] in terms of a foreign release.”

“The business of R.D.B. has already exhausted vis-à-vis the Indian diaspora. Our target audience is lovers of foreign films,” Kapur states, adding that the film won’t be dubbed in English, but will have English sub-titles for moviegoers to decipher the goings-on.

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Review – Vivah November 23, 2006

Urban themes with style and attitude are the order of the day. And with the multiplex junta in India as also NRIs zealously giving their mandate to these movies, metro-centric themes/issues are being dished out by dream merchants relentlessly. The tide tilts towards contemporary themes concerning the urban Indian, while paarivaarik issues are consigned to television soaps. That’s the trend of late!

Sooraj R. Barjatya’s VIVAH does a complete about-turn. It is reminiscent of the cinema of yore. It re-introduces you to a world many of us may have forgotten thanks to the barrage of modern themes. It re-introduces you to the traditional side, without getting orthodox.

VIVAH is very desi, very Indian at heart, seeped in Hindustani emotions. It talks of familial bonding. It packs in loads of desi sentiments in those 2.48 hours. It faithfully follows the tradition of Rajshri movies of providing unadulterated entertainment. But VIVAH is not without its share of blemishes. And since this is a Sooraj R. Barjatya film, you just can’t overlook the flaws: Its slow narrative [in the first half especially] and sub-standard music [Ravindra Jain].

Like all Sooraj R. Barjatya films, the best is reserved for the penultimate reels and VIVAH is no exception. Deep inside, you know that a storm is brewing and it explodes in the second hour. You have a nagging feeling that one of the characters might create problems. But the twist in the tale is completely unexpected. It’s unconventional, yes, and therein lies its strength.

To sum up, VIVAH is not in the league of Sooraj’s first two films [MAINE PYAR KIYA and HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN] in terms of content and music. Nonetheless, it has a strong second half and an equally strong emotional quotient to appeal to the Indian junta that tilts towards paarivaarik films, especially the family audiences.

Prem [Shahid Kapoor] may be an eligible bachelor, but he is not yet ready for marriage. He agrees to meet Poonam [Amrita Rao] just to please his dad [Anupam Kher] and finds a woman he can really grow to love.

An awkward, formal exchange of words grows into a deep, meaningful conversation as Prem and Poonam soon discover that they are soul mates. Poonam, an orphan, has grown up in a small town, where her Chacha [Alok Nath] has brought her up. Chachi [Seema Biswas], however, is jealous of Poonam’s beauty, simplicity and charm, as her own daughter Chothi [Amrita Prakash] is overshadowed.

Gentle, soft-spoken Prem, the scion of one of Delhi’s most prosperous business houses, may have studied abroad, but retains his respect for family traditions and values. Prem and Poonam are engaged and the marriage is scheduled to take place after six months.

Prem and Poonam now enter the most magical and romantic time of their lives. Just when everything is set for the wedding, a crisis puts their love through a trial by fire.

In terms of scripting, VIVAH is structured on the lines of HUM AAPKE HAIN KOUN. The first hour as well as the start of the second hour focuses on light moments and songs. But the film changes gears twenty minutes after the second half begins. While the light moments as also the songs of H.A.H.K. were magnetic, that’s not the case with VIVAH.

Sure, VIVAH starts off very well and the bonding between Alok Nath and the baby [Amrita Rao's childhood] is indeed emotional. Everything is fine till Shahid and Amrita get engaged. Surprisingly, there’s no movement in the story thereafter. It wouldn’t be erroneous to state that the story comes to a grinding halt as the lovers indulge in romantic talk for the next 35 odd minutes. Besides, the songs are a complete distraction here. Not only are the tunes lifeless and belong to the fast-forward variety, even the placement of a couple of songs is inappropriate.

Thankfully, VIVAH strikes back in the post-interval portions. The twist in the tale is the highpoint of the enterprise and the dramatic events take the graph of the film to its peak. The emphasis is on emotions and the twists and turns in the concluding reels are sure to make you moist eyed. The sequence between Shahid and Amrita in the hospital is brilliantly executed. Note the dialogue that follows thereafter [delivered by Mohnish Bahl] — that’s another clapworthy moment.

Sooraj R. Barjatya is back to his style of narrating simple stories, with emphasis on emotions. As pointed above, this may not be Sooraj’s finest effort, but the assets outnumber the liabilities this time. However, the film needs to be trimmed by at least 20/25 minutes and a few songs should be deleted instantaneously for a better, stronger impact.

Ravindra Jain’s music is archaic. Barring the ‘Mujhe Haque Hain’ and to an extent ‘Do Anjaane Ajnabi’, the remaining tracks are listless. Cinematography [Harish Joshi] is plain mediocre. Dialogues [Aash Karan Atal] are wonderful and the emotional lines do tug at your heart strings.

Shahid Kapoor performs like never before. If he was super-cool in ISHQ VISHK and showed flashes of brilliance in FIDA, you’ve to watch him in VIVAH to see his growth as a tremendous actor. He is exceptional in emotional sequences. Amrita Rao also gets a new lease of life with VIVAH. She looks the character and is splendid all through.

VIVAH has a host of characters, but the ones that stand out are Alok Nath [terrific], Seema Biswas [excellent], Anupam Kher [very good], Amrita Prakash [confident] and Master Ameya Pandya [first-rate]. Sameer Soni, Lataa Saberwal, Manoj Joshi and Dinesh Lamba are adequate. Mohnish Bahl [sp. app.] does well.

On the whole, VIVAH has an ordinary/routine first half, but the post-interval portions, notably the climax, compensate for the shortcomings. At the box-office, the rich emotional quotient [last 40 minutes] should appeal to ladies/families and help the film gather momentum slowly, but surely. The film may start on a slow note, but a strong word of mouth should help it consolidate its status in the traditional markets. Business may not be strong at multiplexes as much as in single screens, where the weekly run will compensate for the number of shows at multiplexes.

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Posters November 23, 2006

 

 

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DHOOM all set to machaaofy dhoom in U.K too! November 23, 2006

We all know that almost every Yashraj film, including DHOOM 2, targets the international audiences more than the local ones… and they’ve already started wooing them for their magnum opus, which releases on the 24th November!

Fuad Omar, the famous author of Bollywood: An Insider’s Guide, was invited to the sets of the bike flick (which is definitely much more than bikes this time), where Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai, Uday Chopra and Abhishekh Bachchan were canning the final shots of the film…

Just for your information, Fuad Omar ain’t any ordinary man… he is a friend of all four of them and his father, Cllr Asad Omar, is a former deputy mayor of Harrow!!!

The dude is back in his city and has already made preparations for the release of the film and just because of that one gesture of hospitality; they might just have a few thousand extra audience from U.K now.

Kajol is back as Sita !!!! November 23, 2006

After giving a mind-blowing performance in Fanaa, the very talented Kajol is all set to play Sita in a forthcoming film. The film is apparently, Raj Kumar Santoshi’s magnum opus Ramayan. And guess who plays Ram. It’s none other than Kajol’s hubby dearest Ajay Devgan.

Ajay has always been Santoshi’s favourite and acted in several of his films like Khakee, The Legend of Bhagat Singh and Lajja.

Santoshi had signed on Ajay Devgan long back and was on the lookout for the right actress to play his Sita. But Santoshi couldn’t find a better actress to bring out the intensity and warmth of Sita. The film is budgeted at Rs.90 crores and Santoshi is playing safe by signing on Kajol after the success of Fanaa.

But we still think, there is a huge risk in investing so much on a subject like this, and if the film doesn’t work Santoshi will suffer huge losses. Just for his sake, we wish this flick works and sets the cash registers ringing at the box office.

Kareena gets emotional.. November 23, 2006

Sooraj Barjatya recently invited actress Kareena Kapoor for a special screening of his forthcoming movie ‘ Vivaah‘. But Kareena got really emotional and couldn’t help crying at the end of the movie. Apparently, Bebo loved the movie and was totally touched. According to sources, she actually cried in some scenes. Looking at her reaction, we can surely expect some emotional scenes in this movie.

We hope the Barjatyas recreate the ‘Maine Pyar kiya’ magic with this flick.

Review – Dor November 23, 2006

Nagesh Kukunoor indeed knows how to handle pressure well because after ‘Iqbal’, he knew teaming up with Shreyas Talpade and picking an out and out off beat topic could prove suicidal for his career, if not treated properly!

Shreyas Talpade knew it very well too that his voice had to be as involving as his silence in his debut film…

The whole crew knew it very well that it was serious business – VERY serious business indeed!!!

After months of toil and hard work, what they created could only leave me spell bound as a spectator… couldn’t stare at the screen for long though, because the cinematography by Sudeep Chaterjee was so great that I had to cover my eyes every time the wind blew over the golden sand dunes on the screen… because he made it look so real that I was afraid the sand might blow straight into my face!!!

It was not just the deserts of Rajasthan and the springs n waterfalls of Himanchal Pradesh that were brought to life, but each and every character too!

Though the camera work was again done exceptionally well to capture every subtle movement and mannerism of the actors, but I must say that every actor got into the skin of the characters and didn’t leave it till the very end!

Once again, we’ll not discuss the story here, but one thing is for sure, that this gloomy and serious looking film has it’s own hilarious moments (read – whirlwinds of laughter!) thanks to the ever so charming and versatile Shreyas Talpade… though he’s done a cameo, he knows how to make his presence felt by being as simple and as natural as possible…

The actresses Ayesha Takia and Gul Panag are the only characters of the film which don’t fall up to the expectations – They rise much beyond them!!!

Ayesha has wonderfully shed her glam doll image and lived her girl-woman character to the hilt…

Gul Panag has the ability to give you a lump in your throat with her expressions towards the end of the film and at that age, she makes you go wowww!

The best part about the film is its language! The detail with which it’s been worked upon is simply superb (which a veteran like Amol Palekar and ShahRukh Khan couldn’t do in ‘Paheli’)! Never comes a moment in the entire movie, when the language takes a jerk or goes off track….

Hats off to you Nagesh!!! The young mind you are and the quality of your productions, you have proved it that ‘Zindagi Badi Honi Chahiye…Lambi Nahin…’ the punch line of the saga!

The film is a tribute to Hrishida, Late Shri. Hrishikesh Mukherjee… I say, there couldn’t have been a better one for the maestro…………….

Aamir Khan joins hands with Mani Ratnam November 23, 2006

When the very talented Aamir Khan signs a movie, it makes news. Well, he has signed a movie with none other than Mani Ratnam and it is called “LAJJO”. Quite a unique name, and we are expecting that the story will be unique and mindblowing as well.It will be produced by Bobby Bedi and is expected to go on floors by the end of December. It’s a love story based in Rajasthan and the music will be produced by A R Rahman.

Mani Ratnam and Aamir finally get together and one can only imagine the stupendous outcome when two talented people join hands. And we are sure the music will be equally fascinating !!!

Guru ho ja shuroooooooo…!!! November 23, 2006

With all due respect and reverence to my revered audience, I take a pledge that I will duly fulfill my duty to keep you abreast with all the information on Mani Ratnam’s film “GURU”!!! Will that do for a formal pledge? Well even if it doesn’t I am going to give the regular updates on ‘Guru’ for sure. And that’s a promise.

He is known to produce the real with a fresh entertaining factor. Mani Ratnam consistently chose realistic, contemporary themes and complex plots for his movies in an industry often accused of making commercial, fairy-tale-like, formulaic movies. And in his career, now spanning two decades, GURU is no exception. Even this promises a middle way carefully carved between the artistic and the commercial.

The promo of Guru is out and creating ripples at the box office.

Its music, by none other than A.R Rahman, is wining rave reviews in the industry. And the story is that of the classic, elegant Gujarati youth who, as the movie says, is the villager, a visionary and a winner.

‘Guru’ stars Abhishek Bahchcan, Mithun Chakravarthy, Aishwarya Rai, Madhavan and Vidya Balan in the lead while Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Hariharan, Shreya Ghoshal, Chitra, Madhushree, A R Rahman and Bappi Lahiri do the singing part of it. And of course Mallika does a fully clothed song for Ratnam. No one but Mani Ratnam could have done that I suppose!

And before you are totally in mood to listening to everything written or spoken about GURU let me ask you to wait for a little while (not more than 24 hours) before I reveal the inner stuff about GURU. Stay tuned people…ah don’t sigh its gonna be one heck of a journey!