Delhi 6 Review

February 20th, 2009

Film: Delhi 6 (Drama)
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan
, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rehman, Rishi Kapoor
Direction: Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra
Duration : 2 hours 20 minutes

We're like this only. We may not have much to boast about in our hand-to-mouth existence, but we're happy, contented, carefree. We're like this only. We fight, squabble, break bones and sometimes, heads too, but we're bhai-bhai, despite differences in caste and community. Of course, we're like this only: a great extended family that has its differences but ends up united in the end. So what if in between, some ugly `isms' -- like communalism, casteism -- do create a few schisms. After all the quintessential Indian experience manifests itself only in the slummy chawls of Mumbai and the grubby alleys of Delhi-6, better known as Chandni Chowk, where humanity overrules everything else.

After Rang De Basanti, which raised a toast to the young rebel, filmmaker Rakeysh Mehra chooses to become a flag bearer for the good-at-heart Indian in Delhi 6. Roshan (Abhishek Bachchan), the archetype for the NRI babalog, arrives in Delhi-6 on a short trip to leave his ailing grandmother (Waheeda Rehman) home. Now Dadi, a doughty old woman, doesn't want to die in the distant shores of New York and forces her son to send her back to her old, moth-balled haveli in Chandni Chowk. The son hates India, a communal cauldron which forced him to flee with his Muslim wife, so grandson agrees. After all, it's just a short trip, with a bit of sight-seeing thrown in, he tells himself. But hey, hasn't he heard about roots and the theory of relativity (read umpteen overzealous relatives)!

Dadi shakes off the cobwebs, swoons over a banarsi paan, snuggles up to all her biradari and bustee wallahs (friends and relatives) and picks up the strings of a life she'd never wanted to give up. Roshan however begins on a predictable yuppie-yankee note and smiles indulgently at the teeming chaos: the cows in the street, the kitschy Ramleela shows, the kite and pigeon flying soirees on the terraces, the polo session with Uncle Beg (Rishi Kapoor) and the jalebi sessions with the boys next door. And before he knows, he's gently sucked into the chaos himself. Specially when he can't understand why firebrand Imarti (Divya Dutta) is an untouchable; why the unfriendly neighbourhood cop (Vijay Raaz) has a Hitler fetish; why his uncles (Om Puri, Pavan Malhotra) have built a wall in their house, while their wives gossip relentlessly through a loose brick. Or else, why the beautiful Bittu (Sonam Kapoor) chooses to have her wings clipped, like the white dove, Masakali, when she too can fly and fulfil her dreams.

And if that isn't dramatic enough to hold our boy back to where he belongs, there's the infamous Monkey Man and his escapades that became an urban legend in saddi Dilli, not so long ago. The filmmaker interestingly uses the metaphor of the Monkey Man (Kala Bandar) to symbolise the beast within and blends different vignettes of contemporary India to create a composite picture. One that holds up the mirror to the modern Indian and shows him up as both heroic and beastly; communal and comrade-like. Ironically, it is this metaphor which becomes stretched and almost funny in the climax, drawing away from the appeal of the film. The shoddy climax, replete with a scene from heaven, and the sluggish pace of the film do detract from the delicious flavour of Delhi 6, which, all said and done, is a delectable paapdi-chaat of big, bustling, bulging India. The director creates a whole gallery of mesmeric characters, though one wishes he had focussed a bit more on bubbly Bittu, specially since Sonam has such a pleasant screen presence.

Unfortunately, she's left as a mere sketch on this colourful canvas, where, once again, Abhishek Bachchan proves he's in crackling, quicksilver form as the `burger-chaap' Amrikan who tells his bustee wallahs to `get real'. Rahman's Masakali music has already become a chartbuster, even as veterans like Waheeda and Rishi reiterate the truism about old being absolute gold. Watch it for the message of Delhi 6 and the ekdum desi India-feel.

Perumal Movie Review

February 17th, 2009

Director Vincent Selvah and Sundar C have combined to render a racy and an action-packed entertainer with ‘Perumal’. The movie on drug mafia begins on a brisk note, which takes twists and turns only to end on a predictable fare with nothing much to rejoice for film-buffs. It is a thriller which had the potential to become an engrossing flick. Unfortunately, the screenplay and the sequence of events belies the expectations.

Vincent Selvah, who had worked with the likes of Vijay before, has taken a commercial route, lacing elements that would entertain masses in the right mix. You have Namitha oozing glamour and Vivek with his oneliners evoking laughter.

Sundar C's movie set in rural themes (be it director or actor) never fails to strike a chord with the audience. It had an earthy feel that was entertaining. However, ‘Perumal’ seems to be a conscious attempt by Sundar C to try establish himself as a macho-man in Kollywood. He plays a good Samaritan, who fights for the cause of women in distress. He is there literally fighting out a gang of baddies.

Namitha serves the purpose for which she is cast in the movie. She plays a cat stealer, who runs across Sundar C. She in her usual skimpy costumes provides a 'glam show' on screen. Meenakshi plays a young woman in distress. She looks fresh and her character is neatly etched.

Vivek's comedy is entertaining in patches. He is rusty to begin with but gathers pace and momentum as he progresses. It is a typical Kota Sreenivasa Rao in the movie. As a baddie, he moans and groans on screen.

The movie begins in a hospital, where a mafia is involved in adulterating drugs. Unfortunately, a junior doctor (Meenakshi) manages to stumble upon their anti-social act. To safeguard themselves, the gang sets out to wipe out the junior doctor.

She meets Perumal (Sundar C), a petty thief who does the job of recovering loan for an agency. He eventually vows to protect the junior doctor from her distress by putting an end to the gang and their atrocities.

The movie begins on a promising note. But the scenes and narration of events are cliched. Technically, it could have been made more richer too. As usual Srikanth Deva has come up with some racy number and the highlight being the remix number ‘Kadhal Vaibhogame’ sung by Arivunidhi, grandson of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

It is a movie sure to appease action-buffs. Had Vinecent Selvah concentrated more on screenplay and ensured that more suspense elements are attached, this Perumal would have blessed his devotees ardently. Missing the bus this time is Sundar C.

Perumal Movie Review

February 17th, 2009

Director Vincent Selvah and Sundar C have combined to render a racy and an action-packed entertainer with ‘Perumal’. The movie on drug mafia begins on a brisk note, which takes twists and turns only to end on a predictable fare with nothing much to rejoice for film-buffs. It is a thriller which had the potential to become an engrossing flick. Unfortunately, the screenplay and the sequence of events belies the expectations.

Vincent Selvah, who had worked with the likes of Vijay before, has taken a commercial route, lacing elements that would entertain masses in the right mix. You have Namitha oozing glamour and Vivek with his oneliners evoking laughter.

Sundar C's movie set in rural themes (be it director or actor) never fails to strike a chord with the audience. It had an earthy feel that was entertaining. However, ‘Perumal’ seems to be a conscious attempt by Sundar C to try establish himself as a macho-man in Kollywood. He plays a good Samaritan, who fights for the cause of women in distress. He is there literally fighting out a gang of baddies.

Namitha serves the purpose for which she is cast in the movie. She plays a cat stealer, who runs across Sundar C. She in her usual skimpy costumes provides a 'glam show' on screen. Meenakshi plays a young woman in distress. She looks fresh and her character is neatly etched.

Vivek's comedy is entertaining in patches. He is rusty to begin with but gathers pace and momentum as he progresses. It is a typical Kota Sreenivasa Rao in the movie. As a baddie, he moans and groans on screen.

The movie begins in a hospital, where a mafia is involved in adulterating drugs. Unfortunately, a junior doctor (Meenakshi) manages to stumble upon their anti-social act. To safeguard themselves, the gang sets out to wipe out the junior doctor.

She meets Perumal (Sundar C), a petty thief who does the job of recovering loan for an agency. He eventually vows to protect the junior doctor from her distress by putting an end to the gang and their atrocities.

The movie begins on a promising note. But the scenes and narration of events are cliched. Technically, it could have been made more richer too. As usual Srikanth Deva has come up with some racy number and the highlight being the remix number ‘Kadhal Vaibhogame’ sung by Arivunidhi, grandson of Chief Minister M Karunanidhi.

It is a movie sure to appease action-buffs. Had Vinecent Selvah concentrated more on screenplay and ensured that more suspense elements are attached, this Perumal would have blessed his devotees ardently. Missing the bus this time is Sundar C.

8x10 Review

February 16th, 2009

The source says, “8x10 is a story of a young man named Jai, played by Akshay Kumar, who has a supernatural power. Jai’s supernatural gift is the ability to go into the past of the deceased by touching objects that used to belong to them. His family and friends find this unbelievable and sometimes, even Jai doubts his abilities but later on he comes to know that it is real.”

More about the characters, the source adds, “Jai’s father Jatin, played by Girish Karnad, feels that his son is wasting his time and not taking enough interest in managing their business empire. This leads to the complete breakdown of their relationship. Jai’s mother is played by Sharmila Tagore. Jai is always supported by his wife Sheela (Ayesha Takia).”

The turning point in the story happens when Jatin is killed in a boating accident. The source says, “Jai goes through this personal tragedy and uses his unique power to solve the mystery of his father’s death. He sees photographs and comes to know that his father’s death was not accidently, he was murdered. That is when he starts investigating.”
8x10 is directed by Nagesh Kukunoor. Other cast members include Javed Jaffery, Girish Karnad, Anant Mahadevan, Benjiman Gilani, Rushad Rana and Utara Pawkar. The film is slated to release by mid 2009.

Mukta Arts' next

February 14th, 2009

Mukta Arts next venture 'Paying Guest's main motive is to create a laugh riot and the film will hit theatres on 24thApril 2009.

Subhash Ghai's forthcoming film 'Paying Guest' directed by Paritosh Painter is all set to release on 24th April 2009. This madcap comedy stars Shreyas Talpade, Aashish Choudhary, Jaaved Jafferi and Vatsal Sheth. The film has been shot extensively in Bangkok and Mumbai.

'Paying Guest' revolves around four young fun-loving boys, who begin a crazy house hunt that takes them through a series of ultra comical hurdles in a bid to find that one roof that will tolerate and shelter their combined problems.

However, their quest for the roof takes a different toll when they come across a crazy landlord Ballu & his hilarious wife played by Johny Lever & Delnaaz Paul, who are ready to rent their house on one condition. The condition is that they will rent their house only to married couple. This triggers a series of confusions that builds into the rich complexities of mistaken identities and a climax of comic wizardries.

'Paying Guest' also stars Celina Jaitly, Neha Dhupia, Riya Sen, Sayali Bhagat, Chunky Pandey, Asrani and Paintal. The music has been scored by Sajid-Wajid while the film has been written & directed by Paritosh Painter, with cinematographer P Selva Kumar.

'Paying Guest' is being produced by Mukta Arts Entertainment.

Dev D Review

February 7th, 2009

New Delhi: Cast: Abhay Deol, Mahi Gill, Kalki Koechlin, Dibyendu Bhattacharya

Director: Anurag Kashyap

Back when love was a compendium of silences and sighs, Devdas was an icon. These days, when it's more a matter of working off those pesky hormones as quickly as possible, the legendary lover is regarded as a champion loser.

In ‘Dev D’, Anurag Kashyap and Abhay Deol dust him off and resurrect him, making of him just another guy who goes at romance with all the arrogance and prickliness and insecurities of a young man. Recognise yourself in him? Dev's (Abhay) childhood sweetheart Paro (Mahi Gill) has all of these qualities, tempered by the essential female-ness of her. When, in a fit of jealous pique, he throws her off, she doesn't beg or grovel: she turns her back on him, too. Recognise yourself in her?

The film invites you to come along on a stunning multi-layered journey---the psychedelic contours of the overloaded-on-substance, on-the-verge-of-losing-it mind, the physical degradation of the body, the slow dissolution of the spirit. With Anurag and Abhay, (whose idea it was in the first place), ‘Dev D’ becomes one of those rare films which is all of a piece: every single frame is where it should be. As Dev and Paro part ways, Chanda aka Chandramukhi (Kalki) enters the equation, and the film steadies into its triangular groove, rocking to an inverted, just-right climax.

In this virtuoso re-working of the Devdas story, there's none of the obfuscatory self-indulgence that marred Kashyap's last outing, ‘No Smoking'. The cast is perfect for their parts. Debutante Mahi Gill is no Bollywoodized phoolkari-dupatta-wearing ingénue: she dresses, moves and behaves like a feisty girl who's been born and brought up in sugarcane country in rural Punjab. The other first-timer, Kalki, is astonishingly apt too: her journey from a traumatized schoolgirl (based on the MMS scandal emanating from one of Delhi's top schools a few years ago) to a role-playing, phone sex-worker Chanda, is riveting. The first is raw and sensuous, the other raises the lust-meter as high as any red-blooded male can handle, but both are heart-stoppingly, blatantly alive, needy, looking-for-love-with-sex-as-a-by-product real girl-women.

But it is Abhay who makes this thing sing. His Devdas is both eerily similar to the others who've played the part (Kashyap cheekily references posters and scenes from SRK's `Devdas' in a couple of scenes), as well as completely his own. Spoilt rich brat, king-of-the-castle, center-of-the-universe, the kind of male who is always so sorry for himself, that he can't see anyone else as clearly. Right from the attire—jeans, Tees, strap-across-the-chest-bag--- to the attitude—love me, love me, love me-- this joint-rolling, alcohol-swilling ( Coke, vodka ‘ke saath’, is his line in seedy bars) Devdas wears his victimhood with panache, blaming others for the `emosional atyachaar' (one of the eighteen sparkling songs Amit Trivedi and Amitabh Bhattacharya have created for the film: sometimes the film seems too stuffed with the background music, but that's a very minor quibble) being wrecked upon him, but reserving the right to a chuckle in the middle of it all.

Chal Chala Chal Review

February 7th, 2009

Chal Chala Chal sees Govinda doing what he does best. In the film, Govinda plays Deepak, who changes jobs after every six months as he refuses to indulge in any kind of corruption. At the same time, he is helping his father Omkarnath (Om Puri) in a legal matter. Omkarnath, an ex-principal, is fighting a case against his school to get his pension and provident fund.

Omkarnath wins the case, but the school lacks funds. As a compensation, he is handed over the school bus. Omkarnath gives it to Deepak, whose family members wish to sell the bus. However, Deepak follows Omkarnath's advice and starts a transport company Chal Chala Chal with financial help from his friend Sundar (Rajpal Yadav). Deepak faces crazy problems in his new journey and, once again, relies on his father's principles to fight the hurdles.

The fact that the audience has lost faith in Govinda's typical run-of-the-mill entertainers can be seen from the dismal opening the film took on the first day, attracting just a handful of viewers. Die-hard Govinda fans, however, did not mind watching him do the same thing, those looking out for some different were surely disappointed. Rajpal Yadav was praised for his supporting role. Overall, the poor opening indicates director Rajiv Kumar's debut film has no chance at the box-office.

Aa Dekhen Zara Review

February 7th, 2009

Ray Acharya (Neil Nitin Mukesh), a struggling photographer has nothing going for him… until he inherits a very ‘special’ camera from his grandfather which changes his life in a way that he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.

The ‘power’ of the camera changes Ray’s destiny overnight. His life becomes one big roller coaster ride that takes him from rags to riches and also helps him meet the love of his life, Simi (Bipasha Basu) who is an exciting sexy DJ with a mind of her own. Everything is hunky dory and moving towards ‘happily ever after’.

As they say with great power comes great responsibility and in Ray’s case, also great danger. He must now face up to the dark side of reality and win not only against the evil forces but also against fate. Aa Dekhen Zara is a fast-paced, romantic musical thriller with some great edge of the seat action. Can Ray change his date with fate? Aa Dekhen Zara. [via Eros]

Mere Khwabo Mein Jo Aaye Review

February 6th, 2009

Movie Review: Mere Khwabo Mein Jo Aaye; Star Cast: Arbaaz Khan, Raima Sen, Randeep Hooda and Ashwini Kalsekar; Director: Madhureeta Anand; Rating: * 1/2 - Give it a slip.

Maya (Raima Sen) lives with her hubby Vikram (Arbaaz Khan) and their child Priya Now leading the life of a bored housewife, Maya had once aspirations of becoming a singer. But she gave up her singing to take care of her family but is faced with a cheating and complaining husband. But following some inspirational words from her neighbor, Mrs.Mathur (Suhasini Mulay) Maya begins seeing her ideal man turn to reality. Her fantasy man, Jai (Randeep Hooda) is someone who sings, is romantic and fills her with courage. And whenever she falters or is faced with a difficulty, there he is in a new avatar aiding her and guiding her. He successfully inspires her to come out of boring married life to reclaim her aspirations and make her compete to win a recording contract. What follows forms the rest of the film.

This film falls in the category that one calls – exciting project on paper but when executed it falls flat. The wafer thin absurd plotline borders on silliness all thanks to some really idiotic writing. The actors – Raima, Arbaaz and Randeep are no seasoned performers to keep your attention on hold throughout the film. In fact with too much attention dedicated on the Maya’s fantasy man, a really good actor in place of Randeep could have made it more enjoyable but the wooden face Randeep simply leaves you irritated. And imagine you have to see him donning 18 various avatars.

Madhureeta Anand in her debut directorial venture shows some style but lacks a good narrative style. Every single frame of the film appears attractive but alas there is no good content to complement it.

Avoid this nightmare..give it a slip.

The Stoneman Murders Preview

January 29th, 2009

The Stoneman Murders – The film asks some straight questions and exposes the rot in the system that allowed for the cover up of a crime of such magnitude that let the killer go Scot free.

Bobby Bedi, the famed producer of the internationally acclaimed Bandit Queen is back with yet another hard hitting film that makes us sit up and take notice.

“When I first saw this script, I was completely taken aback by the mystery of so many murders that took place in Bombay, with not definitive arrest! Our writer had done extensive research on these serial killings. We found that there had been detailed investigations by the agencies but the killer was apparently never found. Without giving away the plot of the film I will say with conviction, that there was an enormous cover up on part of the investigating agencies. And this coverup is exactly what our film exposes” say the producer Bobby Bedi.

“Stoneman or pattharmaar, as he was known, is the only serial-killer case in India that was never solved. The identity of this killer, 25 years after he killed his last victim, remains a mystery to the world even now. The reason was that his identity and motives were probably covered up. How and why is what the movie The Stoneman Murders is all about.” – Manish Gupta, Director of The Stoneman Murders.

Preview
After the serial killer aptly dubbed ‘Stoneman’ by the media has just claimed his fifth victim, the case is still of little interest to the Bombay Police force. But to suspended sub-inspector Sanjay Shelar (Kay Kay Menon), this killer poses an opportunity. Sanjay hopes to track this killer down and thus, possibly find an entry back into the police force. With the secret aid of his patronizing superior AIG Satam (Vikram Gokhale), Sanjay takes up the arduous process of tracking this killer down. But the official police investigator of the case Inspector Kedar Phadke (Arbaaz Khan) clashes incessantly with Sanjay as both of them, separately, delve deeper into the case. Even as the police jostle for leads and clues, the Stoneman stalks the streets unabated, claiming victim after victim.

Cast:

Sub-inspector Sanjay Shelar (Kay Kay Menon)
Sanjay is a violent cop – reckless and ruthless and therefore now suspended from the Police force. Under the patronage of his superior AIG Satam, Sanjay is carrying out a secret unofficial investigation of the Stoneman case. This case may be Sanjay’s last chance to redeem himself and win his job back.

Sub-inspector Kedar Phadke (Arbaaz Khan)
Kedar is Sanjay’s professional rival. He is a regular Bombay cop – laidback and unconcerned. His rivalry against Sanjay often motivates him more than his sense of duty. He is the official investigator of the Stoneman case and he is unaware that Sanjay has been assigned by AIG Satam to unofficially investigate the case.

AIG Satam (Vikram Gokhale)
Crime branch veteran Satam is the superior officer-in-charge to both Sanjay and Kedar. Knowing Sanjay’s abilities, he has allowed Sanjay to carry out an unofficial investigation of the Stoneman case. On the other hand, he has appointed Kedar as the official investigator of the same case. Since he cannot let Kedar learn about Sanjay’s secret investigation, Satam often finds himself torn between the two rivals Sanjay and Kedar.

Manali (Rukhsar)
Sanjay’s wife Manali, a simple housewife, finds her relation with her husband strained due to his obsession with a mysterious case that she knows nothing about.

DIRECTOR’S NOTE
September 1983, Bombay shivered in dread and people were afraid to venture out of their homes, as a serial killer stalked the streets between Sion and Matunga. This killer preyed on poor homeless pavement dwellers, killing them while they slept. The killer invariably left behind his mark – a heavy stone placed near the head of each victim, sometimes the same stone had been used to crush the head of the victim. The media aptly dubbed this killer The Stoneman, who continued his spate of killings in an unabated manner, even as the police groped around in the dark. However, the killings stopped just as mysteriously as they had begun. Apparently, the killer was never caught and the police found no evidence. This led me to wonder – Was there more to the killings than met the eye?

Victory Review

January 30th, 2009

Movie Review: Victory; Star cast: Hurman Baweja, Amrita Rao, Anupam Kher and Gulshan Grover; Director: Ajitpal Mangat; Rating: **; Is a huge let down.

Vijay Shekhawat (Hurman) a Jaisalmer boy after a lot of struggle manages to fulfill his father’s (Anupam Kher) dream of making it to the Indian cricket team. With a great debut he wins not just fans but a lot of endorsement deals and lucrative contracts. Success begins to spoil and distancing him from his lady love (Amrita Rao) back home. Blinded by success and the taste of the high society life he losses both focus and form. He is then understandably dumped by the selectors. Following which, his father gets a heart attack. Vijay then decides to mend his mistakes and fight his way back to the team. In final match, despite a severe head injury he manages to get India a near impossible win.

A sports film is always crippled with a same storyline that of a underdog, his rise then fall and subsequent rise back to gain the impossible victory. This film is no different. But one expects atleast some sense of creativity wherein the interest is kept alive throughout. Twenty minutes into the film and one somehow senses whats in store. So full of cliches and melodrama is the film that sometimes you begin to wonder did the makers intend to take the viewers for a ride. If the melodrama was intended to bring in that emotional connect with the audience then the writer-director have clearly failed as throughout the film the emotional impact is clearly missing. Also nowhere does the lead character’s passion for the game comes across. Also one fails to understand the need of Hurman’s character using swear words for his opponents. Wear is your sporting spirit dude is what we wish to ask him! His character therefore fails to evoke any sympathy from the audience. The biggest high point of sports films are games shown in the film. But here they are biggest drawbacks. Not only there are just a very few games but also what are shown are simply thanda! There is total lack of edge of the seat excitement which was very much needed. Also homework by the makers is clearly lacking if they intended to show the ‘real’ behind the scenes happenings of the cricket match for example the dressing room interactions etc. Just putting in famous national-international cricketing names don’t necessarily give the film authenticity.

One feels really sad for Hurman Baweja whose tremendous hard work is noticeable in every single scene but is mightily let down by a pathetic script and listless direction by debutante Ajitpal Mangat. Amrita Rao reprises her typical simple small town girl act for the nth time. She looks very pretty though. Anupam Kher after a point of time starts grating on your nerves with his screeching over melodramatic act. Gulshan Grover is just about okay.

The music doesn’t really register any impact as there are no full songs as well. The Balla Utha number mostly keeps playing in the background during the match sequences. But thankfully the songs are less.

The film is a complete let down in many departments and instead of wasting time on this film it is a better option to watch a re-run of any Indian cricket team match on TV or best spend your time watching the current India v/s Sri Lanka one day series.

Cinema: Send-up of incredible fight scenes

January 30th, 2009

PADIKATHAVAN (Tamil)

Directed by Suraaj

Starring Dhanush, Tamanna, Suman, Vivek, Shayaji Shinde, Pratap Pothan, Atul Kulkarni

FULL of fun and fights, this movie has none of those cartoonish scenes like fighting with cartoon bull or a boat suddenly plunging under a ship, as in Villu, also currently playing in theatres.

Padikathavan pokes fun at action scenes in Tamil movies where the hero takes on a gang of hoods and sends them flying with a single punch.

But this movie is not without faults either.

It seems to advocate youths to kidnap the girls they love from their families, Eve-teasing at college and for youths not to go to work.
But if you don’t take the movie seriously, it’s rather enjoyable, and then instantly forgettable.

The storyline is also nothing new.

Dhanush plays Rocky, the only one in his family who is not educated. As a result, he is always the butt of jokes.

His friends encourage him to marry an educated girl to earn his family’s respect.

Rocky links up with Gayatri (Tamanna).

However, he does not know that she is the daughter of an underworld gang leader (Suman).

One of the funniest scenes involves Rocky going with his family to ask for the hand of a girl in a village.

Comedian Vivek also provides some laughs as a character who unites lovers in trouble while veteran actor-director Pratap Pothan is hilarious as Rocky’s father.

Tamanna (Kedi, Kalloori) has acted in Hindi, Telugu and Tamil films, including Ayan with Surya.

She seems to be giving sexy Nayantara (of Billa fame) fair warning that she’s aiming to be the No.1 heroine in South Indian movies.

Dhanush had built up a big fan base and this was given a tremendous boost when he became superstar Rajnikanth’s son-in-law.

Padikathavan is doing well at the box-office and will be another success for this wiry hero with his boy-next-door looks.

If this run continues, it will be a hattrick of sorts for him after his recent Polladhavan and Yaaradi Nee Mohini.

Raaz 2: Worth a watch

January 23rd, 2009

I had no expectations from Mohit Suri's horror film, Raaz: The Mystery Continues but I must admit I was pleasantly surprised when I watched it.

The film opens with Kangana Ranaut's narration about spirits, fate and destiny, picturised on a foreigner driving to an ashram in Kalindhi, where the film is set. He finds a man self-mutilating himself in the name of the devil, claiming god is dead.

The scene cuts to the glamourous fashion industry. Kangana, playing a stunning model called Nandita Chopra, repeats her Fashion act. Her red hair, swishing across the ramp, makes her look sexy. And like in Fashion, she carries with her a history of broken relationships. But she does not go through with a suicide attempt, that we've seen her doing in so many movies before. Instead, she goes ahead and patches up with her boyfriend, Yash Dayal (played by Adhyayan Suman), and moves on to a happy life.

Yash is a struggling television reporter who finally finds success by directing a reality show called Andhavishwas. However, he does not believe in the supernatural and superstitions. His show wins accolades and awards.

Enter Emraan Hashmi aka Prithvi, the star of the film. He is an artist, who foresees Nandita's life -- a complete stranger to him -- and paints her future. He believes that something dangerous will happen to her, and so tries to save her.

Does he succeed in saving her? What exactly does he see in the future? Watch the film to know what happens next.

And trust me, you should watch the film.

Kangana puts in a great performance, one, I admit, I didn't know she was capable of. Her scenes when she gets possessed, as well as when she walks the ramp, are brilliant.

In fact, her performance -- along with Emraan's -- deserves a five star rating. Five stars also to director Mohit Suri for the way he has shot the film. The first part keeps you on the edge of your seat, as the film alternates between horror and suspense. Suri does a wonderful job behind the camera. You will not find too many gory scenes here. Instead, the amount of bloodshed seems to be just right. However, the film tends to fall flat in the second half.

Emraan does complete justice to his character. Adhyayan comes across as a raw actor, who needs to work on his acting. But he compensates with a convincing act in the second half of the film.

The music and background score is very good, and makes an impact.

One wishes that more attention could have been given to the story, and the faltering climax.

On the whole, this weekend looks very exciting -- with this cool horror film and an Oscar-nominated film Slumdog Millionaire waiting for you in theatres.

Shekhar Sumar wanted a Refund on the Ticket of the CC2C Movie

January 21st, 2009

Like many people who went out to see CC2C, Shekhar Suman too hated the film and wanted a refund on the ticket of the movie. Chandi Chowk to China ‘got mixed reviews from audience and many suspected that Shekher made such comments on the film because his son’s film ‘Raaz: The Mystery Continues’ will be releasing in coming week.

But Shekhar is not alone in condemning the film. a number of critics wrote the film’s obituary as soon as it was released. Much hype was created about it being inspired by Akshay Kumar’s life. Also big names were associated with it like, Warner Bros., Sippys, Nikhil Advani. With some great locations like The Great Wall of China, Beutiful Deepika Padukone, Kung Fu and some Chinese Fighters. But all these could also not make it an Great (& hit) movie.

A tale of a guy travelling from Chandni Chowk to China, being considered as a king reborn, expecting him to free them from Hojo, their enemy. Entangled, in between the story of Deepika Padukone, as twin sisters, one chinese, and one Indian, with a Chinese father, who surprisingly gets back the police job & uniform, after being vanished for 20+ years!!!

Some scenes like flying in air etc were taken from the regular Chinese movies, and I am still figuring out, what a Cosmic Kung-Fu is??

Coming to the performances, Akshay Kumar was as usual, Good with comedy, timing of dialogues, Ease in acting. deepika PadukoneDeepika Padukone is good. The chinese one looks like Esha Deol. Is it cos, both are south Indinas ?? ( ;-) bad joke!! ). Other actors like, Mithun, Roger Yuan (as Inspector) are good. Ranvir Shourie as Guruji has been given a good share of screen, and he delivers well. The Character of Hojo was not well defined. Music, good background score, ok ok songs. Phatte Chak de is good one. Kudos to Kailash Kher. All seems good, but where did it lacked??

It lacked in story telling & Direction. Nikhil Advani, seemed a promising director with ease in story telling, in Kal Ho Na Ho. But lacked the pace in Salaa-e-Ishq. But in this movie, it seems he has lost itall!! What is that, when Maithun kicks Akshay and he falls here n there?? Whats the Cosmic Kung Fu? (yeah, I am still trying to understand), and the song in which akshay flies in air with Deepika. What was that?? Cosmic love??

At the end, what does he want to show, by tranforming Hojo in to a potato? Is this a kids film? And, if at last, Akshay has to use his Cooking skills to fight, whats the use of getting trained in Kung fu?…and Cosmic Kung Fu?? ( :-D ) I can only say, Jhol hai saara Jhol hai ye pyaare…..!!!! Nikhil, Better wake up, or Kal Ho Na Ho .. . .

Come on guys. Grow Up. You are premiering this in UK. Is this what u show to international Audience? and then Aksahy says: Keep your brain at home. Disgusting. Even if u keep your brain at home, you will find the movie Bogus.

Chandi Chowk to China seems entertaing for an hour, but then it drags. It drags hopelessly. Sorry Mr. Akshay, this is not the right path to be a King. I mean you are good, with Comedy, Action & all (except Emotions), but you need to be backed up by Good stories & Directors.

Chaloo Movie nearing completion

January 20th, 2009

Vinod Pande directed Chaloo Movie produced by BIG Pictures, the motion picture brand of from Reliance BIG Entertainment Ltd’s (RBEL) is presently being shot all around Mumbai. The film that’s close to 70% complete stars in key roles Rajpal Yadav, Shekhar Suman, Shiny Ahuja, Nandana Sen, Gulshan Grover, Hrishita Bhatt, Divya Dutta.

Vinod Pande’s ‘Chaloo Movie’ is a profound film which unveils various layers as the film progresses. The film opens with a young man selling tickets in black and being caught by the policeman for the same offense. Eventually though the policeman is caught up in a mess where a don and his high commissioner both wants to catch hold of the guy he caught. Leaving the policeman baffled about the young man’s identity.

Krishnam Raju hunts down 'Billa'

January 19th, 2009

Meher Ramesh’s directed ‘Billa’ starring Prabhas, Anushka and Namitha produced on Gopikrishna Movies is under making at present.

After completing a long schedule in Malaysia, the crew has landed back in Hyderabad and preparing to film rest of the portions.

Senior hero Krishnam Raju has been shouldered the responsibility of playing the role of a senior police officer who investigates the case of Billa. The International don who is on the run will be notoriously evasive and the officer will be hot on his trail all the time which creates an interesting cat and mouse chase.

Krishnam Raju’s role is matured, witty and poised at times which will go well along the masses, says the team behind ‘Billa’. Film fans who are all eager to see Prabhas and Krishnam Raju together on screen will have a mighty treat it seems.

Befuddling Bollywood import 'Chandni Chowk' has no substance to sustain its epic length

January 16th, 2009

Warner Brothers' first Bollywood import crosses the excesses of Hindi popular film with Chinese slapstick and American infantilism. The setup (a silly character takes a crash course in martial arts to defeat a villain who menaces a village) is similar to "Kung Fu Panda," the manic pixilation of action scenes owes much to Stephen Chow's "Kung Fu Hustle," and the overall style follows the mix-and-match potpourri of Hindi entertainment, delivering a pie in the face with a tear in its eye.

MOVIE REVIEW

CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA

DIRECTOR: Nikhil Advani

CAST: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Mithun Chakraborty, Ranvir Shorey

RUNNING TIME: 154 minutes

RATING: Not rated

LANGUAGE: In Hindi with English subtitles

GRADE: C+

The title, "Chandni Chowk to China," is not as awkward as it seems, as the story follows vegetable chopper Sidhu (Akshay Kumar) from the Chandni Chowk neighborhood of Delhi, India, to a village in China, where -- falsely regarded as the reincarnation of warrior Liu Sheng -- he is expected to kill the feared Hojo (Gordon Liu). Along the way, he gets mixed up with twin sisters Sakhi and Meow Meow (Deepika Padukone), who are identical except that one is Indian and the other Chinese.

Children and undiscriminating adults may enjoy the flurry of eye-catching activities that storm incessantly across the screen for its 2 1/2 hours, but the reigning stupidity of the enterprise is liable to tire anyone else in attendance. Most Bollywood productions sustain their epic lengths with episodic sojourns into stock sequences lifted from a panoply of genres regardless of what kind of story is being told. Director Nikhil Advani, however, streamlines the contrasting materials into a single plotline, the result being an overlong kung fu movie rather than a relatively short Hindi entertainment.

As Sidhu, Kumar sports a ridiculous moustache that gives him a Borat quality. He loses the facial hair when his character enters his heroic phase, but even then he suffers from that drowned puppy look that Adam Sandler so often affects. More charismatic is the villain Hojo, a steel-eyed parody of Goldfinger's Oddjob, played to perfection by martial-arts veteran Liu. For those who favor beauty over brawn, Maybelline cover girl and former badminton star Padukone is a knockout in her dual role as the estranged sisters.

As mindless adventure films go, "Chandni Chowk to China" is no worse than the most recent installment in the "Mummy" franchise, but its combination of maudlin sincerity, cruel slapstick, exotic romanticism and boogie-down dance sequences may befuddle more than it

Anurag Kashyap’s Gulaal Preview

January 14th, 2009

Anurag Kashyap would be seeing two of his films releasing in consecutive months. While ‘Dev D’ arrives on 7th February, ‘Gulaal’, the project closest to Anurag Kashyap’s heart, is eying a 13th March release.

Apparently, ‘Gulal’ took shape in 2001, when Anurag Kashyap was listening to songs from Pyaasa and ‘Paanch’ was struggling with censors. Inspired by a song from Pyaasa, “Yeh duniya agar mil bhi jaaye to kya hai”, the film is a dedication to Sahir Ludhianwi, the lyricist of the song and all other poets who had a vision of India.

Gulaal is set in Rajpur a fictional city of Rajasthan, where a member of the erstwhile royal family stakes claim to the land of Rajasthan and wants to go back to the days of royalty. He wants Rajputana back from the Government of India and challenges the very idea of democracy. His history backs him, his people too, but the power corrupts him.

Similar to a Shakespearean fable of desire, lost identities, love, greed, violence, murder, deceit, power and innocence, it is a film inspired by poetry; the forgotten male, macho world of power, corruption and greed, where women are just means to an end while nobody can be trusted. It’s a film that brings back poetry to cinema, songs that inspire us, shake us; sometimes a thriller, a drama, but poignant, shocking and provocative. It’s a film about the conflict created as a modern India tries to break the shackles of its past.

The film sees Kay Kay Menon playing the role of one of the key protagonists called Dukey Bana who masterminds a Rajputana movement in order to have a separate state ruled by Rajputs.

A Zee Limelight presentation, ‘Gulal’ has music lyrics by Piyush Mishra and stars Aditya Srivastav, Piyush Mishra, Raj Singh Chaudhary, Ayesha Mohan, Abhimanyu Singh, Deepak Dobriyal, Mahi Gill, Pankaj Jha, Jessie Randhawa and Mukesh Bhatt in principal roles.

villu review | villu movie review

January 10th, 2009

Review 1

The director Prabhu deva is brain drained with absolutely no story. The movie has its typical masalas - tiring fights and dances. The comedy sucks!Its time Vadivelu sheds some lbs before he can see himself on another movie. Nayan can do a better job just walking around with Victoria secret undergarments than barely dressing up and trying to act. Her facial expressions are horrible especially in dances and when she tries to say a dialogue. How long she can continue to just expose herself without even making an attempt to act. She can try that in different kind of movies, probably doubling her salary. Its time movies like this should be totally boycotted so actors stop bankrupting more producers. If at all, let them gamble with their own investments. Surprised how Vijay is lucky to be even among the top tamil actors. Wonder if at all the actors get to watch their own movie after completion even once. The movie is a total WASTE of time & money..

Review 2

Villu is one the horriable movie I ever watched recently. Just by showing stuts, dance and same old masala formula they can't fool us..

Prabhu deva better do some good movie not just doing some mass movies which sucks..

There is no story line. not screen play.. We have seen old scripts many many many times.. Pathatic.

If vijay continues this formula he will be the one of the biggest lossers.. like Ajith.

Vijay can dance good and act.. but he contiues to do movies like this he soon will be out of the market..

Nayanthra she can be stippers.. she hardly wear any dress which is good for eyes.. she wears dresses like roadside hookers. Do some good stuff.. People will like it. Not just doing skin show.. One of songs which shot in germany where dance with white models is horrible.. she looks very dark..She will have think twice before signing any other movies..

Vadivalu jokes are OOKAAY.. Not very bad. But not very good.

Overall movie not good and its sucks

Review 3

Villu , i watch the 2nd show in Malaysia. Review is the movie is a 3-star rated movie.

The hero : gud dance movement and provide a level of gud entertainment at the 1st half of the movie

the heroin - bad acting , too much skin shown , poor lips movement for song lyrics

both hero and heroin doesn’t not have a screen chemistry ( trisha and asin suit better for vijay )

the director - please get a good story and put sum thought into it, don’t direct a movie just for the sake of directing

the editor - very poor editing , looks like a school kid assignment ( cut n paste )

Screen play - there was non

movie, 1st half was okay .. a bit fun with vadivello and couple of the comedians.

2nd half - gud location at Thailand and Swiss.

climax – poor , dumb and absurd

- unnecessary mother sentiments , father sentiment and a stupid flash back.

a stronger screenplay and a much better climax shud made the movie better.

(review better then Kuruvi and ATM and worth watching once , and pls note some of the bloopers on the movie ... eg : once of the dancers dancing with a torn pants and etc )

An entertaining masala mix , with poor story board , editing and screen play , with some extent of humor.

Fox movie gears up for March release

January 9th, 2009

Zee Motion Pictures is ready to roll out with its first Hindi production, “Fox” directed by Deepak Tijori, starring Arjun Rampal, Sunny Deol, Sagarika Ghatge and Udita Goswami.

“Fox” is a modern sleek thriller shot in the exotic locales of Goa and Mumbai. It is a story about a cat and mouse chase between a young successful criminal lawyer (Arjun Rampal) and a mysterious stranger who is controlling and threatening his life. Now the lawyer must seek the help of a reluctant cop (Sunny Deol) in solving the mystery.

Sanjeev Lamba, Zee Motion Pictures says- “‘Fox’ is our first offering as independent producers in the Hindi film market, and we are all eagerly looking forward to its release. This stylish and suspenseful thriller has Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol together for the first time, a very powerful combination on the screen”

“Fox” is slated for a March 27th 2009 release.