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.

13 B – Movie Review

Expressive Eyes!!!

By: Shams Irfan

Finally, we have some gutsy directors in Bollywood, who dare to look beyond the ordinary formula recipe which might have brought them money-bags and passable laurels. But here we are, witnessing genuine attempts by enthusiastic directors who prefer to take a plunge into unknown for inspirations rather than going by the rules.

But this transition of Bollywood from clichéd to commendable is sure to take its toll as no revolution is possible without a few fallings along the way!!!

And debutant director Vikram K. Kumar is among the first one’s to get his head under the gallows.

Vikram’s debut movie ‘13 B’ starring R.Madhavan and Neetu Chandra in the lead is undoubtedly a bold step forward for Bollywood cinema, but at the same time it is flawed with uncertainty and lack of home-work.

Vikram, like every other Bollywood director failed to judge his audiences fairly, for him they are too naïve to be baby-fed every singe thing – no space for imaginations or mind jogging!!!

Second thing that will go against Vikram is his inability to hold on to his nerves which seem to be flickering every other second. Throughout the movie, he seems to be in a rush to show the next-best-thing, rather than cashing on what is happening now, so ends up serving only half baked cookies!!!

Next is lack of confidence, all the time he is struggling with the idea that, “is it going to work or not? Are they [audience] mature enough to differentiate?”

This confusion is visible when he on-and-off try to experiment with camera moments, but those half hearted attempts if executed properly would have worked wonders for Vikram.

Wish, if only Vikram had gone through Gaspar Noe’s ‘Irreversible’ as part of his home-work before experimenting with camera…

Anyways, let’s give Vikram some relief and move on towards R.Madhavan and his fine acting skills. Madhavan will walk away unscathed as survivor / savior from this unintended shipwreck, as he has mastered the art of expressing emotions through eyes. On the other hand little known actress Neetu Chandra is sure to earn a few praiseworthy lines for her ‘Saas-Bahu’ loving house-wife act.

It is R.Madhavan who will keep you hooked to your seats more than the script or background score.

Verdict:  As I already said, ‘13 B’ will still make it to the history sheets as a brave attempt by a first-timer, but to fair well at the ticket window it needs a miracle – and as a matter of fact, they don’t happen too often!!!

Go and watch ‘13 B’ only if you seriously believe in off-beat cinema and can neglect a few blunders here and there!!!