Aladin – First Look

Aladin & The Magic Lamp

 

By: Shams Irfan

Indian cinema is finally moving in a direction that was desired for long by most of the critics – progressive and non-stereotypical.

Usually, Indian cinema heavily relies on western content [scripts and ideas] for inspiration and creative modifications in techniques of filmmaking, but of late, though only on a small scale, filmmakers are trying to break new pathways.

One such ‘genuine’ effort is put in by director Sujoy Gosh for his upcoming multi-starrer [multi-crore] film titled Aladdin, once televisions most adored character [Aladdin] and his friend-in-need the [Genie] are brought back to life on a bigger canvas.

But, is it really the path-breaker cinema which we were waiting for decades or just another easy-getaway, is something that is yet to be debated or questioned?

There are a few questions which need to be answered before we start accepting any new form of cinematic adaptations!!!

And the opener would always be – Is Arab folktale hero [Aladdin] relevant in Indian cinematic context at all? Apart form the cartoon series, which surely we all loved because of its fun-element and romance, does Aladin and his magic lamp fit in not-so-broad spectrum of cinema?

What really made director Ghosh go eastward for inspiration while everybody else heads westwards?  Has western cinema lost it sheen with Indian audiences or is it the fear of fail-ing which makes India’s young crop of directors take the beaten pathways over and again?

We know, all these questions will never be answered by any of the directors, young or old; they never acknowledge the lack of knowledge or raise their hands whenever we try to take a roll-call for copycats and over-inspired directors…

Starring, Amitabh Bachchan [Genius aka the genie], Ritesh Deshmukh [Aladdin], Sunjay Dutt [Ring Master] and Jacqueline Fernandes [Jasmine] in the lead, Aladin is said to have all Indian look and feel, which director Sujoy feels will help him to connect with audiences easily.

Long before Sujoy thought of decorating the Indian silver screen with sand dunes and beautiful castles, yesteryears filmmaker Homi Wadia introduced Aladin & The Wonderful Lamp (1952), to Indian audiences.

However Homi kept his creative cravings aside and retained the original touch and feel of the Arabian folk character Aladdin.

But with today’s filmmakers’ eagerness to mix things in their own style, it would be interesting to watch Ghosh’s modern day interpretations of our childhood fantasies i.e. Aladdin.

Aladin is set for October 16, 2009 release.

My Name Is Khan – First Look

My Name Is SRK

With Bollywood’s three big names Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Karan Johar coming together after a gap of eight long years [Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham – 2001], hits starved film industry is high on hope once again.

Over the years Shahrukh Khan [SRK] has proved his worth at the ticket window both in India and overseas. With such a loyal fan base across the globe, SRK is always looked upon as Bollywood’s savior – when everything else fails, SRK steps in to save.

Shahrukh Khan & Kajol

And this time too, when Bollywood is going through its worst phases ever, [9 out of 10 movies even fail to retrieve their production costs], all eyes are once again set on SRK and his upcoming film My Name Is Khan…

Though this time around SRK is not carrying any magic-potions to heal the festered wounds of audience left by bad cinema and copy-cat directors, he is just there to reassure their faith in cinema.

My Name Is Khan is not a typical romantic journey that one would expect from SRK, Karan and Kajol, it’s about individuals, their relationships, religious biases and prejudices that connects and disconnects people on a day-to-day basis in any society.

It would have been a safer bet for SRK to take refuge in cliché and well exploited formulas at this particular juncture, but great artists are always remembered for following their hearts when everybody else followed rules.

As he himself acknowledges, that he’s too old to romance eighteen or twenty year-old pretty faces anymore, but in reality SRK is too big a star to fit in his own shoes now. And he’s well aware of the fact that if he does not challenge his limits as an actor now, then it will never happen later.

However, he is well aware of the risk involved, throughout his illustrious film career he ‘packaged’ himself as a mascot of love and romance, which audiences accepted without a blink or complain. Now it needs lot more than just one Chak De India or My Name Is Khan to change what has been etched deep into our memories over the years.

So here is SRK with his at-ease co-star Kajol and master of youthful love [director] Karan Johar, but still My Name Is Khan is not a complete love story, instead it’s a step forward towards SRK’s knighthood as an actor of substance rather than style icon for Gen X or Y.  Timing is perfect for SRK to prove his worth as an actor, extraordinary situations demands extraordinary efforts, so here he is standing firm against all odds for the love of his life – cinema.

So wait for My Name Is Khan to release and see yourself why SRK is still the best…

Who is Harleen Kaur?

Giselle Monteiro - Harleen Kaur

Finally the suspense is over…the much talked about character in Imtiaz Ali’s Love Aaj Kal, Harleen Kaur is not an Indian as we all speculated.

The 19-year-old pretty girl is Giselle Monteiro, from Brazil.

Love Aaj Kal- Today's Find

Through our reliable sources we came to know that Imtiaz’s new-found is already creating waves in Bollywood, as she is being flooded with offers from all corners.

No wonder, she deserves all the attention…after all the girl kept us hooked/guessing for long…

Guru Dutt Biopic – First Look

Katrina Kaif & Aamir Khan

Finally the long-wait seems to be over, first look of Rakesh Omprakash Mehra’s untitled biopic on legendry actor-director Guru Dutt’s life is out – a recreation of Guru Dutt and Waheeda Rehman’s poster image from the movie Kagaz Ke Phool.

Apart from being the most talked about journey-down-the-memory-lane, Guru Dutt’s Biopic will be flaunting the most dream-like cinematic casting ever: Katrina Kaif & Aamir Khan. [If only it is happening]

Resembles Alot!!

While undoubtedly, Aamir can be hailed as the ace of Bollywood, the beautifully Katrina Kaif is elegant and equally competent for such a dream-project.

In fact, no other actress but Katrina is capable of portraying the yesteryears beauty Waheeda Rehman on the silver screen.

Just like Katrina Kaif, Waheeda Rehman was nothing less than a showstopper herself in her hay days.

It would be interesting to see beauty [Katrina] lending grace to brainy-boy [Aamir] for sake of history sheets!!!

Though, none of them [actors or director] has till now uttered a single words of confirmation regarding filming or cast finalization details…but let us [audiences] live by the hope and wish it to be true soon!!!

Hottest Lips in Town

When it comes to celeb with hottest pair of lips in town, all hands go up in affirmation for sexy-naughty-bitchy Angie [Angelina Jolie], as she surpasses em all…

Lip Service

But ever thought who holds the No. 2 spot? Well to quench your curiosity, we scratched our murky heads and started looking for the remaining list…

Playing it Saif

By: Shams Irfan

If Farhan Akhtar’s ‘Dil Chahta Hai’ would not have happened at the right time, ‘struggling’ actor Saif Ali Khan’s film career might have been over for long.

It [Dil Chahta Hai] worked as elixir for Saif’s aging film career and made him a star that he is today. His near perfect comic-timing and no-nonsense acting in DCH took everyone by surprise and saved Saif from being history.

Saif Ali Khan

But it was his on-screen chemistry with King Khan [Shahrukh] in Karan Johar’s ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’ that finally ensured Saif’s smooth stay in the showbiz.

Since then Saif continued to surprise critics and fans with his improvising skill as an actor and makeover as a heart-throb of gen-x.

He’s a lover, a guitarist, a style icon and of course a safe bet as an actor for Bollywood film industry.

With no need to prove himself as an actor [post Omkara], Saif is affording himself the luxury of experimenting with whatever new and exciting comes his way. Though the actor in him might be yearning for applause and appreciations all the time, from outside, he is visibly at ease…

Saif Aaj Kal

Though Saif’s last few movies (Tashan and Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic) failed to make any impact at the box-office, the actor is surely not in the danger zone yet.

Instead his upcoming movies (Love Aaj Kal & Qurbaan) are already making headlines for all the right reasons. Saif no longer needs a carrier [big star] to ride him home. He can carry through a movie on his own as an actor/star and also ensure box-office returns.

Next Change

There is more than one reason to look forward to Saif – Deepika starrer ‘Love Aaj Kal’.

After successfully touching a million hearts with his effortlessly sweet love story ‘Jab We Met’, director Imtiya Ali is here to test his love-potion all over again.

What else can we ask for, Saif and Deepika, two young and happening stars of Bollywood teaming up for an out-and-out love story titled ‘Love Aaj Kal’,  after all its romance that sells in Bollywood.

The on-screen chemistry between Saif and Deepika is already keeping the tabloids busy and Kareena alert.

Neetu Chandra, Krishika Gupta – Fire and Ice

Bollywood hottie Neetu Chandra (of ‘Oye Lucky Oye’ fame), and a new-bee called Krishika Gupta (model by profession) decided to step across the firing lines of glam world in a recent photo shoot.

One look at the pics and you know the duo yearn for controversy and some eyeballs too!!!  

It sure has to land into trouble as sex-kitten Neetu Chandra takes Krishika Gupta for a ride on the beach, creating ripples in the stillness of ocean!!!

Girl on girl or lesbianism; whatever you like to call it, always limps under the stong burden of taboo in Indian cinema. One cannot cross over at will and come back unscathed. Even the likes of Shabana Azmi and Nandita Das has to face heat before heating the silever screen.

But the new generation of Bollywood is more open to experimentation as there is urgence to succeed.

So shut up and enjoy the show!!! 

Even the dead can feel the heat of the skin....!

A move and the eyes will start rolling...No Neetu!

Uff! Blues and Pinks at one Go-- don't worry Blue comes after Pink!

Who is Fake IPL T 20 Blogger?

Pehchaan Kaun?

This will straightway go down as one of the most talked about cricketing scandals of our time. It is jetting-off like a power-packed punch from Dada’s bat, well on to the target – giving sleepless nights to SRK and his gang of big-bang boys!!!

 

So far the identity of this Fake IPL T 20 Blogger is not known, just like his so-called undercover exclusive coverage of behind-the-scene events taking place in South Africa.

 

Interestingly this Fake IPL T 20 Blogger knows quite a lot about ‘KKR’s strategy room’ and what is going behind those safely guarded gates!!!

 

With every passing day, he is moving an inch closer to SRK and KKR’s comfort zone and there is not much they can do to stop him from doing what he or anybody else is not supposed to do – to give people like you and me eyeful into the starry lives of our beloved celebs!!!

 

And what better way than to put your thoughts and findings on blog and let everybody know what they craved for long – insight!!!

 

But whosoever he is, it takes loads of courage to stand against mighty lords of cricket…so keep it up and stay safe.

Aloo Chaat – Movie Review

Tasteless Mixture!!!

By: Shams Irfan

 

Thanks to director Robby Grewal who gave us films like ‘Samay: When Time Strikes’ (2007) and ‘Mera Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai’ (2003), I had a trip down the memory lane while watching his latest offering ‘Aloo Chaat’.

 

A slow paced movie with far and few comic moments. Robby struggles to keep audiences glued to their seats as Aloo Chaat has nothing new to offer in terms of comedy or story.

 

Made with an almost forgotten style of filmmaking, something that transports you back to the golden Doordarshan era when filmmaking was a leisurely affair. Grewal is trying hard to sell ‘Aloo Chat’ as a spicy-comic-treat served on a platter called unit-in-diversity, but what we actually get to see is mediocre cinema, where lead actors are shadowed by the powerful supporting cast form scene one.

 

Well before I go any further, let me tell you what Aloo Chat is all about: Protagonist Nikhil [Aftab] falls in love with a Muslim girl [Aamna] while studying abroad, but his father [Kulbushan Kharbanda], a Delhi based Punjabi businessman is strictly against any inter-religion alliance.  

 

So Nikhil calls upon their family friend / narrator of the story [Manoj Pawa], a sexologist by profession, to get him out of the trouble and help him marry his lady love. And Hakim Ji or the sexologist chalks out a plan for Nikhil which Grewal though will be the USP of Aloo Chaat – a SRK [DDLJ] style rendezvous for Aamna with would be in-laws.  

 

But, as far as comedy is concerned Aftab Shivdasani, can never be Arshad Warsi nor can Aamna Shariff turn into Kajol from an average soap-operas ‘queen’!!! Comedy is all about timing, and ironically even director Grewal seems to have no idea about it. 

 

In the end you try to figure out who actually will walk away with Razzies:  Aamna’s robotic [read saas-bahu inspired] expressions or Aftab’s forced jaw-raising smiles. A tough call I must say – they are equally talent when it comes to acting with stiff body and plastic face.

 

Luckily, Aloo Chaat is laden with talented supporting cast: watch out for Chhadami Mama [Sanjay Mishra], he is sure to make you laugh with his stupid anti American prejudices; Nikhil’s mother Seetu [Meenakshi], a highly emotional housewife and finally the head of the family Beeji [Dolly Ahluwalia], they are all make a dream cast but not for a Aloo Chaat kind of movie.

 

So it’s the lead actors who fail to fill up the gaps left by Grewal’s poor direction and carelessly compiled script. Even the presence of Linda Arsenio as ‘Goori Maim’ could not save the show.

 

Ironically there are only a few lines spared for beautiful Linda of ‘Kabul Express’ and ‘Mumbai Salsa’ fame – as if forcefully muted for fear of speaking the truth.

 

Final word: Not worth all the pains and money!!!  

 

Gulaal – Movie Review

Gulaal - Revolutionary Cinema

By: Shams Irfan

Thankfully, this time Anurag Kashyap got it right and finally moves one step closer to knighthood in the otherwise debasing film-world called Bollywood.

Gulaal took seven years to complete but the long wait didn’t made Anurag sweat in his pants. The story is as connecting as it could have been seven-years back.

Set in contemporary Rajasthan, where wandering souls of lost rulers try unendingly to get back what has been taken from them at the tryst of mid-night when India declared itself independent: their kingships.

Taking a break from urban madness, thoughtful director Anurag Kashyap goes deep into the heat of rural Indian where aspirations for a state ruled by Rajputs is still linger like a colonial ghost.

Gulaal – being a genuine attempt, cuts through the barriers of self-imposed censorship that has deprived Indian cinema from being modern and competitive in terms of storytelling. But now with Anurag’s Gulaal, which thankfully Censor Board spared of any major cuts, [just one mute where probably a reference to Gandhi was made] the tag of unrealistic fantasy-filled cinema is about to change.

So, here we go…

In stark contrast to dreamy world of Bollywood and its Friday bonanzas, Gulaal is a transforming tale of a naïve student, Dileep who aspires to be a lawyer but ends up playing into the hands of power hungry Rajputs.

Dileep finds himself in the centre of the storm by circumstances rather than by choice, though his motivational force remains love and not politics or Rajput honor.

And the so-called honor or struggle that aims for Rajputana [a state ruled by Rajputs] is marred by clashes within the ranks for petty issues like college politics and ragging.

Result: a chaotic bloodbath that leaves almost everybody on the losing end, only trickery survives!!!

Anurag beautifully brought together both contemporary and historical elements of class struggle that has been there for ages. His characters act as naturally as they are presented on screen, there is no forced heroism to be seen.

The choice of actors like K.K.Menon, Deepak Dobriyal, Aditya Srivastav, Jessy Randhawa, Mahie Gill, Mukesh Bhatt II, reflect Anurag’s idea of character as per story and not vice-versa.

It’s really hard to say who acted better as every single actor fits neatly in his/her character. Even the small characters like Dileep’s servant cannot be left without a mention.

Unlike Anurag’s last film Dev D, Gulaal easily justifies the abusive and rustic terminology that is being used by the characters to lend credibility to their respective roles.

In short, Gulaal is cinema at its best. Watch it only if you are capable of shedding your prejudices right outside the theatre doors!!!

Cheers to Anurag and company!!!