It's a proven fact by now that Akshay Kumar in a comedy is the safest bet for an audience. It's always been a paisa wasool affair so far and this time also Akshay doesn't disappoint his fans. There is bonus also in Nana Patekar and Anil Kapoor. Katrina Kaif is so beautiful that I wont mind spending 200 bucks just to see her. Overall it was a must watch for me and so I did this Saturday. Also, this movie proves that Fardeen has learned his acting skills from his dad. You seem to dislike the film whenever Firoz Khan is on the screen. Why did he come back from his retirement.
The movie is the story of Rajiv (Askhay Kumar), whose mama (Paresh Rawal) is looking for a girl to marry him. But there is one condition, the girl should be from a shareef and izzatdar khandan. During the course of events Rajiv falls in love with Sanjana (Katrina Kaif), who happens to be the sister of don Uday Shetty (Nana Patekar). Who along with his friend and fellow bhai Majnoo Bhai (Anil Kapoor) is also looking for a shareef khandan to marry his sister. The movie is about how Rajiv convinces his mama to let him marry Sanjana. There is also the efforts of Uday and Majnoo to add to the laughter. The story makes you laugh with some twists here and there and some really funny scenes in between.
Akshay, Nana and Anil are first rate in the acting department. Paresh Rawal is also good as Rajiv's mama. Malaika Arora adds to the oomph with the item song "hoth raseele". There is Mallika Sherawat also, she has done OK. The only person who really irritates you with his overacting is Firoz Khan. The story is OK, full of twists here and there to keep the audience occupied and every twist add to the laughter. I also did not like the climax of the movie. It really didn't suit the mood of the film. I think Anees Bazmi didn't really found a good way to end an otherwise good film.
Overall I would rate this movie as 7 out of 10. Watch it and enjoy your Christmas.
Sunday, December 23, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Best Debut 2007: Darsheel Safary
When something is done with heart, it shows. Like everyone else I was also waiting to see Aamir Khan, the Director, since he has already proved himself as an actor and a producer. So it was obvious to have high expectations from the film. The promotions being aired on TV made it clear that it's different and it added even more to the expectations. Finally, after watching the film I can't stop myself from admiring the Director in Aamir Khan.
The film got a lot of media attention when it was being made. The film was supposed to be directed by Amol Gupte, writer of the film. Aamir was criticized by some people for taking Amol's film away, but I think Amol should be happy with the way the film has turned up. Amol would have also thought that Aamir is giving a better shape to the mold he has cast and probably that is the reason he has let Aamir direct the film. By the way, I don't think any other film star of recent times would have backed this idea, but Aamir did (that could be another reason for Amol to stick with Aamir) and has pulled it of well.
The movie revolves around one dyslexic child Ishan (Darsheel Safary) but it is not about dyslexia. Ishan represents every child who is trying to survive in this competitive world. No body wants to have an underachiever in his/her family and when parents think their child might remain an underachiever, they be hard on him without understanding what child actually wants and sometimes the child is not able to survive the hardness. Every parent can relate with Ishan's parents. When 8 year old Ishan is not able to perform up to the expectations in his school, his parents decide to send him to boarding. There also Ishan is not able to survive the curse of being an underachiever and he even stops doing what he used to love, painting. He is noticed by an unconventional art teacher Nikumbh (Aamir) and Nikumbh decides to take care of that boy and presents a different, more confident and talented Ishan to this world and to Ishan's parents. How he does that is worth a watch.
Entire movie belongs to Darsheel and the boy have done a brilliant job. The boy is so good that you don't even realize that Aamir Khan is missing for the entire first half. Second half is a bit slow, but it is bound to happen with this script. Aamir Khan, the actor is good as usual. Direction is first grade, and the way Aamir has pulled of such a difficult subject, hats off to him. All the songs have been picturised very well and help the story. Thanks to Prasoon Joshi for beautiful lyrics. Music is refreshing. Over and above everything, this movie is with a message. This movie should be watched by every teacher and parents to learn how to deal with children. They should not be treated as machines, all they need is love and care.
I would rate this movie as 8 out of 10. A must watch.
The film got a lot of media attention when it was being made. The film was supposed to be directed by Amol Gupte, writer of the film. Aamir was criticized by some people for taking Amol's film away, but I think Amol should be happy with the way the film has turned up. Amol would have also thought that Aamir is giving a better shape to the mold he has cast and probably that is the reason he has let Aamir direct the film. By the way, I don't think any other film star of recent times would have backed this idea, but Aamir did (that could be another reason for Amol to stick with Aamir) and has pulled it of well.
The movie revolves around one dyslexic child Ishan (Darsheel Safary) but it is not about dyslexia. Ishan represents every child who is trying to survive in this competitive world. No body wants to have an underachiever in his/her family and when parents think their child might remain an underachiever, they be hard on him without understanding what child actually wants and sometimes the child is not able to survive the hardness. Every parent can relate with Ishan's parents. When 8 year old Ishan is not able to perform up to the expectations in his school, his parents decide to send him to boarding. There also Ishan is not able to survive the curse of being an underachiever and he even stops doing what he used to love, painting. He is noticed by an unconventional art teacher Nikumbh (Aamir) and Nikumbh decides to take care of that boy and presents a different, more confident and talented Ishan to this world and to Ishan's parents. How he does that is worth a watch.
Entire movie belongs to Darsheel and the boy have done a brilliant job. The boy is so good that you don't even realize that Aamir Khan is missing for the entire first half. Second half is a bit slow, but it is bound to happen with this script. Aamir Khan, the actor is good as usual. Direction is first grade, and the way Aamir has pulled of such a difficult subject, hats off to him. All the songs have been picturised very well and help the story. Thanks to Prasoon Joshi for beautiful lyrics. Music is refreshing. Over and above everything, this movie is with a message. This movie should be watched by every teacher and parents to learn how to deal with children. They should not be treated as machines, all they need is love and care.
I would rate this movie as 8 out of 10. A must watch.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
I AM LEGEND
I am Legend is a movie where you see only one character for the most part of the movie and believe these movies are difficult to make. One such movie I remember is Cast Away, where you get to see only Tom Hanks for the most of the movie. I mean when there is no one else, there can not possibly be any conversations. The writing of whole screenplay becomes difficult. And with minimum dialogs you have to convey all the happenings in the movie to the audience. Such movies are difficult to write, difficult to direct and difficult to act in.
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a great scientist, who is the only person alive in New York city. He is immune to the virus that turned every living person in earth into night seekers (zombies). He is dedicated to the task of creating a cure to the virus and reversing the process. He has been alone for three years, all these years he has spent finding other survivors and the cure to the virus. The only living companion he has is his dog.
Zombies in I am Legend are different from the ones we have seen in other movies. They are intelligent, fast, powerful, emotional. They are also full of rage and are not able to control it.
Will Smith has again proved his acting prowess, any lesser actor wouldn't have been able to pull this off. The screenplay is brilliantly written. The way Will Smith is shown talking to mannequins is brilliant. The only and the biggest problem with the movie is, it fails to hold the audience for two hours. Somehow the idea of zombie movies is still not welcome in India.
Robert Neville (Will Smith) is a great scientist, who is the only person alive in New York city. He is immune to the virus that turned every living person in earth into night seekers (zombies). He is dedicated to the task of creating a cure to the virus and reversing the process. He has been alone for three years, all these years he has spent finding other survivors and the cure to the virus. The only living companion he has is his dog.
Zombies in I am Legend are different from the ones we have seen in other movies. They are intelligent, fast, powerful, emotional. They are also full of rage and are not able to control it.
Will Smith has again proved his acting prowess, any lesser actor wouldn't have been able to pull this off. The screenplay is brilliantly written. The way Will Smith is shown talking to mannequins is brilliant. The only and the biggest problem with the movie is, it fails to hold the audience for two hours. Somehow the idea of zombie movies is still not welcome in India.
Friday, December 14, 2007
Ant & Grasshopper
I received this forward sometime back and was thinking to put this here. Go through the story and let me know, if you are also one of the ants. I think the ants in the story is a metaphor for all Honest Indian Tax Payers. Here it goes:
Original Version:
The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed. The Grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
Modern Version:
The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The Grasshopper thinks the Ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering Grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the Ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering Grasshopper next to a video of the Ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the Ant's house.
Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other Grasshoppers demanding that Grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticizes the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the Grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the Grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance).
Opposition MPs stage a walkout. Left parties call for 'Bharat Bandh' in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial inquiry.
CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among Ants and Grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the ' Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act' [POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes ' Special Reservation ' for Grasshoppers in Educational Institutions & in Government Services.
The Ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes,it's home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the Grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it 'A Triumph of Justice'.
Lalu calls it ' Socialistic Justice '.
CPM calls it the ' Revolutionary Resurgence of the Downtrodden '
Koffi Annan invites the Grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
Many years later...
The Ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi-billion dollar company in Silicon Valley .
100s of Grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India...
As a result of loosing lot of hard working Ants and feeding the Grasshoppers, India is still a developing country !!!
Original Version:
The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The Grasshopper thinks the Ant is a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the Ant is warm and well fed. The Grasshopper has no food or shelter so he dies out in the cold.
Modern Version:
The Ant works hard in the withering heat all summer building its house and laying up supplies for the winter.
The Grasshopper thinks the Ant's a fool and laughs & dances & plays the summer away.
Come winter, the shivering Grasshopper calls a press conference and demands to know why the Ant should be allowed to be warm and well fed while others are cold and starving.
NDTV, BBC, CNN show up to provide pictures of the shivering Grasshopper next to a video of the Ant in his comfortable home with a table filled with food.
The World is stunned by the sharp contrast. How can this be that this poor Grasshopper is allowed to suffer so?
Arundhati Roy stages a demonstration in front of the Ant's house.
Medha Patkar goes on a fast along with other Grasshoppers demanding that Grasshoppers be relocated to warmer climates during winter.
Amnesty International and Koffi Annan criticizes the Indian Government for not upholding the fundamental rights of the Grasshopper.
The Internet is flooded with online petitions seeking support to the Grasshopper (many promising Heaven and Everlasting Peace for prompt support as against the wrath of God for non-compliance).
Opposition MPs stage a walkout. Left parties call for 'Bharat Bandh' in West Bengal and Kerala demanding a Judicial inquiry.
CPM in Kerala immediately passes a law preventing Ants from working hard in the heat so as to bring about equality of poverty among Ants and Grasshoppers.
Lalu Prasad allocates one free coach to Grasshoppers on all Indian Railway Trains, aptly named as the 'Grasshopper Rath'.
Finally, the Judicial Committee drafts the ' Prevention of Terrorism Against Grasshoppers Act' [POTAGA], with effect from the beginning of the winter.
Arjun Singh makes ' Special Reservation ' for Grasshoppers in Educational Institutions & in Government Services.
The Ant is fined for failing to comply with POTAGA and having nothing left to pay his retroactive taxes,it's home is confiscated by the Government and handed over to the Grasshopper in a ceremony covered by NDTV.
Arundhati Roy calls it 'A Triumph of Justice'.
Lalu calls it ' Socialistic Justice '.
CPM calls it the ' Revolutionary Resurgence of the Downtrodden '
Koffi Annan invites the Grasshopper to address the UN General Assembly.
Many years later...
The Ant has since migrated to the US and set up a multi-billion dollar company in Silicon Valley .
100s of Grasshoppers still die of starvation despite reservation somewhere in India...
As a result of loosing lot of hard working Ants and feeding the Grasshoppers, India is still a developing country !!!
65th Annual Golden Globes: Nominations
Complete list of nominations for the 65th Annual Golden Globes:
FILM
Best Motion Picture, Drama
* American Gangster
* Atonement
* Eastern Promises
* The Great Debaters
* Michael Clayton
* No Country for Old Men
* There Will Be Blood
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
* George Clooney, Michael Clayton
* Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
* James McAvoy, Atonement
* Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
* Denzel Washington, American Gangster
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
* Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
* Julie Christie, Away from Her
* Jodie Foster, The Brave One
* Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
* Keira Knightley, Atonement
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
* Across the Universe
* Charlie Wilson's War
* Hairspray
* Juno
* Sweeney Todd
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy
* Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
* Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
* Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Savages
* John C. Reilly, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy
* Amy Adams, Enchanted
* Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray
* Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd
* Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
* Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
* Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
* Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson's War
* Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
* Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
* Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
* Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
* Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
* John Travolta, Hairspray
* Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Director
* Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd
* Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
* Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
* Ridley Scott, American Gangster
* Joe Wright, Atonement
Best Screenplay
* Diablo Cody, Juno
* Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
* Christopher Hampton, Atonement
* Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
* Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
Best Foreign Language Film
* 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Romania)
* The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France/U.S.)
* The Kite Runner (U.S.)
* Lust, Caution (Taiwan)
* Perseopolis (France)
Best Animated Film
* Bee Movie
* Ratatouille
* The Simpsons Movie
Best Original Score
* Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder, Into the Wild
* Clint Eastwood, Grace Is Gone
* Alberto Iglesias, The Kite Runner
* Dario Marianelli, Atonement
* Howard Shore, Eastern Promises
Best Original Song
* "Despedida," Love in the Time of Cholera
* "Grace Is Gone," Grace Is Gone
* "Guaranteed," Into the Wild
* "That's How You Know," Enchanted
* "Walk Hard," Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
TELEVISION
Best Series, Drama
* Big Love
* Damages
* Grey's Anatomy
* House
* Mad Men
* The Tudors
Best Actor, Drama Series
* Michael C. Hall, Dexter
* Jon Hamm, Mad Men
* Hugh Laurie, House
* Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors
* Bill Paxton, Big Love
Best Actress, Drama Series
* Patricia Arquette, Medium
* Glenn Close, Damages
* Minnie Driver, The Riches
* Edie Falco, The Sopranos
* Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
* Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
* Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Best Series, Comedy or Musical
* 30 Rock
* Californication
* Entourage
* Extras
* Pushing Daisies
Best Actress, Comedy or Musical Series
* Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
* America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
* Tina Fey, 30 Rock
* Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies
* Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Best Actor, Comedy or Musical Series
* Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
* Steve Carell, The Office
* David Duchovny, Californication
* Ricky Gervais, Extras
* Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Best Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Rose Byrne, Damages
* Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
* Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy
* Samantha Morton, Longford
* Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* Jaime Pressly, My Name Is Earl
Best Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Ted Danson, Damages
* Kevin Dillon, Entourage
* Jeremy Piven, Entourage
* Andy Serkis, Longford
* William Shatner, Boston Legal
* Donald Sutherland, Dirty Sexy Money
Best Miniseries or TV Movie
* Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* The Company
* Five Days
* Longford
* The State Within
Best Actress, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Bryce Dallas Howard, As You Like It
* Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
* Queen Latifah, Life Support
* Sissy Spacek, Pictures of Hollis Woods
* Ruth Wilson, Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre)
Best Actor, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Adam Beach, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* Ernest Borgnine, A Grandpa for Christmas
* Jim Broadbent, Longford
* Jason Isaacs, The State Within
* James Nesbitt, Jekyll
FILM
Best Motion Picture, Drama
* American Gangster
* Atonement
* Eastern Promises
* The Great Debaters
* Michael Clayton
* No Country for Old Men
* There Will Be Blood
Best Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama
* George Clooney, Michael Clayton
* Daniel Day-Lewis, There Will Be Blood
* James McAvoy, Atonement
* Viggo Mortensen, Eastern Promises
* Denzel Washington, American Gangster
Best Actress in a Motion Picture, Drama
* Cate Blanchett, Elizabeth: The Golden Age
* Julie Christie, Away from Her
* Jodie Foster, The Brave One
* Angelina Jolie, A Mighty Heart
* Keira Knightley, Atonement
Best Motion Picture, Musical or Comedy
* Across the Universe
* Charlie Wilson's War
* Hairspray
* Juno
* Sweeney Todd
Best Actor, Musical or Comedy
* Johnny Depp, Sweeney Todd
* Ryan Gosling, Lars and the Real Girl
* Tom Hanks, Charlie Wilson's War
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, The Savages
* John C. Reilly, Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
Best Actress, Musical or Comedy
* Amy Adams, Enchanted
* Nikki Blonsky, Hairspray
* Helena Bonham Carter, Sweeney Todd
* Marion Cotillard, La Vie en Rose
* Ellen Page, Juno
Best Supporting Actress in a Motion Picture
* Cate Blanchett, I'm Not There
* Julia Roberts, Charlie Wilson's War
* Saoirse Ronan, Atonement
* Amy Ryan, Gone Baby Gone
* Tilda Swinton, Michael Clayton
Best Supporting Actor in a Motion Picture
* Casey Affleck, The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford
* Javier Bardem, No Country for Old Men
* Philip Seymour Hoffman, Charlie Wilson's War
* John Travolta, Hairspray
* Tom Wilkinson, Michael Clayton
Best Director
* Tim Burton, Sweeney Todd
* Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
* Julian Schnabel, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
* Ridley Scott, American Gangster
* Joe Wright, Atonement
Best Screenplay
* Diablo Cody, Juno
* Ethan Coen and Joel Coen, No Country for Old Men
* Christopher Hampton, Atonement
* Ronald Harwood, The Diving Bell and the Butterfly
* Aaron Sorkin, Charlie Wilson's War
Best Foreign Language Film
* 4 Months, 3 Weeks and 2 Days (Romania)
* The Diving Bell and the Butterfly (France/U.S.)
* The Kite Runner (U.S.)
* Lust, Caution (Taiwan)
* Perseopolis (France)
Best Animated Film
* Bee Movie
* Ratatouille
* The Simpsons Movie
Best Original Score
* Michael Brook, Kaki King, Eddie Vedder, Into the Wild
* Clint Eastwood, Grace Is Gone
* Alberto Iglesias, The Kite Runner
* Dario Marianelli, Atonement
* Howard Shore, Eastern Promises
Best Original Song
* "Despedida," Love in the Time of Cholera
* "Grace Is Gone," Grace Is Gone
* "Guaranteed," Into the Wild
* "That's How You Know," Enchanted
* "Walk Hard," Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story
TELEVISION
Best Series, Drama
* Big Love
* Damages
* Grey's Anatomy
* House
* Mad Men
* The Tudors
Best Actor, Drama Series
* Michael C. Hall, Dexter
* Jon Hamm, Mad Men
* Hugh Laurie, House
* Jonathan Rhys Meyers, The Tudors
* Bill Paxton, Big Love
Best Actress, Drama Series
* Patricia Arquette, Medium
* Glenn Close, Damages
* Minnie Driver, The Riches
* Edie Falco, The Sopranos
* Sally Field, Brothers & Sisters
* Holly Hunter, Saving Grace
* Kyra Sedgwick, The Closer
Best Series, Comedy or Musical
* 30 Rock
* Californication
* Entourage
* Extras
* Pushing Daisies
Best Actress, Comedy or Musical Series
* Christina Applegate, Samantha Who?
* America Ferrera, Ugly Betty
* Tina Fey, 30 Rock
* Anna Friel, Pushing Daisies
* Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds
Best Actor, Comedy or Musical Series
* Alec Baldwin, 30 Rock
* Steve Carell, The Office
* David Duchovny, Californication
* Ricky Gervais, Extras
* Lee Pace, Pushing Daisies
Best Supporting Actress, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Rose Byrne, Damages
* Rachel Griffiths, Brothers & Sisters
* Katherine Heigl, Grey's Anatomy
* Samantha Morton, Longford
* Anna Paquin, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* Jaime Pressly, My Name Is Earl
Best Supporting Actor, Series, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Ted Danson, Damages
* Kevin Dillon, Entourage
* Jeremy Piven, Entourage
* Andy Serkis, Longford
* William Shatner, Boston Legal
* Donald Sutherland, Dirty Sexy Money
Best Miniseries or TV Movie
* Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* The Company
* Five Days
* Longford
* The State Within
Best Actress, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Bryce Dallas Howard, As You Like It
* Debra Messing, The Starter Wife
* Queen Latifah, Life Support
* Sissy Spacek, Pictures of Hollis Woods
* Ruth Wilson, Jane Eyre (Masterpiece Theatre)
Best Actor, Miniseries or TV Movie
* Adam Beach, Bury My Heart at Wounded Knee
* Ernest Borgnine, A Grandpa for Christmas
* Jim Broadbent, Longford
* Jason Isaacs, The State Within
* James Nesbitt, Jekyll
Thursday, December 13, 2007
Khoya Khoya Chand
Some wise man said sometime back, "Never bite more than you can chew." Sudhir Mishra probably did not hear of this, otherwise his film could have been a masterpiece. It could even qualify for screenings in film academies for teaching students about film making during 50s and 60s. The film actually takes you that era with ease. The only problem with this film is that the director has tried to show too much. He has actually tried to cover entire film industry of 50s and 60s with the help of 5-6 lead characters, which I think is very difficult. He actually succeeds, but in pieces.
The story revolves around Zafar (a budding author/scriptwriter turned director), Nikhat (struggling actress turned star), Prem Kumar (super star), Khosa (producer), Ratnabala (star), Shyamal (AD turned star secretary turned producer), Noni Da (director) and Ravinder (rising star). The whole story revolves around all these characters. I actually got confused, if it was primarily the story of entire film industry or about Zafar and Nikhat. The director has shown all the possible combinations of relationships between the lead characters Zafar, Nikhat and Prem Kumar. At some point of time it starts becoming so complicated that you actually get confused that what these guys really want. The story starts with Nikhat meeting Prem Kumar, and Prem Kumar helping her in her career. During shooting of a film, Nikhat meets Jafar and both fall for each other. But for Nikhat's career it's important to stay with Prem Kumar. Finally they both decide to marry but they don't, again it's career or something else, you don't clearly understand. Nikhat is not able to do Zafar's first directorial venture, and Zafar is not able to handle this fact. He does his movie with Ratnabala and the movie is a flop. Heartbroken Zafar disappears from Mumbai. He comes back again and makes the best movie of his and Nikhat's filmy career "Khoya Khoya Chand", which is actually based on real life story of Zafar.
The movie actually takes you to the 50's thanks to the way it is shot and the set design. All the actors have done good job. Shiney Ahuja has to really learn how to act in sad scenes. Soha Ali Khan looks cute. Editor has probably done overtime for this movie, because the scenes seem to end and start abruptly some times. Some dialogs are really witty like the scene when Prem Kumar finds out about Zafar and Nikhat's relationship. The scene I liked most was where Nikhat and Zafar throw stones at the Producer's house, whom she met at the age of 14. The direction sometimes lack the old Sudhir Mishra of Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi and Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi. The story could also have been more gripping, if they would have concentrated on one of the relationships and tried to make it less complicated for the audience. Music is really good and I liked all the songs. Shantanu Moitra-Swanand Kirkire combination does it again. Overall I would rate this movie as 5 out of 10.
The story revolves around Zafar (a budding author/scriptwriter turned director), Nikhat (struggling actress turned star), Prem Kumar (super star), Khosa (producer), Ratnabala (star), Shyamal (AD turned star secretary turned producer), Noni Da (director) and Ravinder (rising star). The whole story revolves around all these characters. I actually got confused, if it was primarily the story of entire film industry or about Zafar and Nikhat. The director has shown all the possible combinations of relationships between the lead characters Zafar, Nikhat and Prem Kumar. At some point of time it starts becoming so complicated that you actually get confused that what these guys really want. The story starts with Nikhat meeting Prem Kumar, and Prem Kumar helping her in her career. During shooting of a film, Nikhat meets Jafar and both fall for each other. But for Nikhat's career it's important to stay with Prem Kumar. Finally they both decide to marry but they don't, again it's career or something else, you don't clearly understand. Nikhat is not able to do Zafar's first directorial venture, and Zafar is not able to handle this fact. He does his movie with Ratnabala and the movie is a flop. Heartbroken Zafar disappears from Mumbai. He comes back again and makes the best movie of his and Nikhat's filmy career "Khoya Khoya Chand", which is actually based on real life story of Zafar.
The movie actually takes you to the 50's thanks to the way it is shot and the set design. All the actors have done good job. Shiney Ahuja has to really learn how to act in sad scenes. Soha Ali Khan looks cute. Editor has probably done overtime for this movie, because the scenes seem to end and start abruptly some times. Some dialogs are really witty like the scene when Prem Kumar finds out about Zafar and Nikhat's relationship. The scene I liked most was where Nikhat and Zafar throw stones at the Producer's house, whom she met at the age of 14. The direction sometimes lack the old Sudhir Mishra of Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi and Hazaaron Khwahishein Aisi. The story could also have been more gripping, if they would have concentrated on one of the relationships and tried to make it less complicated for the audience. Music is really good and I liked all the songs. Shantanu Moitra-Swanand Kirkire combination does it again. Overall I would rate this movie as 5 out of 10.
Tuesday, December 4, 2007
Move over Moulin Rouge: We have learnt how to make musicals
One of the most recent (claimed)musical I saw is Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, and my reaction was, we can not make good musicals. The same thought has changed now after watching Aja Nachle. All the filmmakers (who want to make a musical) in bollywood should watch this film and learn. This movie is different. The entire story moves forward with the help of song and dance. Madhuri Dixit could never have got a better comeback film. The entire film revolves around her and she carries it off well.
Ajanta theater is being demolished in two months and Dia (Madhuri) takes the responsibility of saving it, because the place is a symbol of art in the city and she has some of her very fond memories attached to it. She decides to do so by awaking the actor/dancer buried inside the people of the town. And she decides to do so by doing a play on Laila-Majnu at Ajanta. The entire story revolves around Dia's effort to convince people to act/dance in her musical, train them and finally putting up a show beyond imagination. For once we get to see one MP, who is not corrupt and thinks about doing, what people want. The characters in the movie are much real than shown in many films. The cast of the play Laila-Majnu consists of a local gunda (Kunal Kapoor), a restaurant owner (Ranveer Shorey), a government servant (Vinay Pathak), an irritating girl (Konkana Sen Sharma), a stock broker and few other (I should not reveal those here).
The movie is a musical, so the music has to be good. Dance sequences are very well choreographed. Thanks to Jaideep Sahani, he does it again. The script is different from traditional musicals and it's good. All the actors have done justice with their roles with special mention to Madhuri for the brilliant comeback. The movie is clearly one of the best musicals made in bollywood recently. The only sad part was the empty theater. When would Indian audience learn to appreciate a good movie.
I would rate this one as 8 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone who likes to watch movies.
Ajanta theater is being demolished in two months and Dia (Madhuri) takes the responsibility of saving it, because the place is a symbol of art in the city and she has some of her very fond memories attached to it. She decides to do so by awaking the actor/dancer buried inside the people of the town. And she decides to do so by doing a play on Laila-Majnu at Ajanta. The entire story revolves around Dia's effort to convince people to act/dance in her musical, train them and finally putting up a show beyond imagination. For once we get to see one MP, who is not corrupt and thinks about doing, what people want. The characters in the movie are much real than shown in many films. The cast of the play Laila-Majnu consists of a local gunda (Kunal Kapoor), a restaurant owner (Ranveer Shorey), a government servant (Vinay Pathak), an irritating girl (Konkana Sen Sharma), a stock broker and few other (I should not reveal those here).
The movie is a musical, so the music has to be good. Dance sequences are very well choreographed. Thanks to Jaideep Sahani, he does it again. The script is different from traditional musicals and it's good. All the actors have done justice with their roles with special mention to Madhuri for the brilliant comeback. The movie is clearly one of the best musicals made in bollywood recently. The only sad part was the empty theater. When would Indian audience learn to appreciate a good movie.
I would rate this one as 8 out of 10 and would recommend it to anyone who likes to watch movies.
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