3 Idiots – Review

Loosely based on Chetan Bhagat’s bestseller Five Point Someone, the film “3 Idiots” redefines idiot as ‘I Do It On My Own Terms’. Directed by Rajkumar Hirani, the movie is begins with Farhan(R. Madhavan) and Raju (Sharman Joshi) setting off on a journey in search of their lost friend Ranchoddas Shaymaldas Chajaad (Aamir Khan) who leaves college all of sudden. The story of three friends is told in flashback by Farhan, beginning with the three arriving at a premier engineering institute to start their course. The movie has its share of hilarious moments in the first half. But the end stretches a bit too long. Kareena Kapoor as Pia dazzles with her brief role, and even though a lot of her spunk seems significantly in the track of Jab We Met.  And as  with all characters Aamir  makes everything look so easy and spontaneous. The chemistry between the Aamir, Madhavan and Sharmaan reminds of Rang De Basanti. Overall a good movie  – a story of friendship, hope, aspirations and most importantly, the goodness of life.
The only question still running in my mind is…why does Aamir still has to play a fresh-faced student even after 21 years debuting as the student on his last day of college? C’mon Amir..it’s time to graduate!

Slumdog Millionaire – Review

Watched Slumdog Millionaire last night. In a sentence: I LOVED IT!

Yes I strongly detest piracy, but then just couldn’t wait till the movie’s release in India and didn’t think twice before getting hold of a pirated DVD. I guess confessing here will bring down my guilt level.

So getting to the movie, Slumdog Millionaire follows the story of a young man Jamal(Dev Patel) from the slums of Mumbai who goes on to win 20,000,000 Rupees on the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?“. Directed by Danny Boyle and written by Simon Beaufoy, the movie is based on the novel Q and A by Indian author and diplomat Vikas Swarup. Jamal’s story is told in flashbacks of the distant past, recent past and present flowing in and out seamlessly. The movie opens with Jamal being accused of cheating on the TV show. During the course of interrogation by the chief inspector, his story unfolds in a pretty remarkable manner. Through the flashbacks, it is revealed how Jamal answers each of the questions on the TV show not from book knowledge — he has none — but his own life experiences. Jamal’s life experiences are humorous, surprising and, on a few occasions, absolutely devastating.  Jamal is searching for two people from his childhood: his wild older brother Salim (Madhur Mittal), now a thief and killer, and his childhood sweetheart Latika, now stepping up from child prostitute to plaything of a gangster.  What I loved most is the love story aspect of the movie – how Jamal feels true love and would do anything to get his true love. His belief in destiny, about it all being written, about overcoming all the odds to get the one you love kinda echoes my beliefs(know I am a die-hard romantic). The love interest is played by the lovely Freida Pinto.

Critics in India has been bashing the movie for portrayal of India with slums, poverty, crime, child-prostitution but then one must accept these are realities in India and just hiding it or acting it’s not there, doesnt solve these issues are much worse than what a movie can depict. 

With Slumdog Millionaire sweeping the coveted awards of Best Director, Best Film, Best Screenplay and Musical Score at the Golden Globes,  all eyes are now on Academy Awards. A R Rahman, becoming the first Indian to win a Golden Globe for scoring the music of the film. So the movie maybe about a slumdog, but the movie is a top dog.

I’m really looking forward to seeing this one again when it releases in India. 

Till then, watch a teaser:

My suggestion: Go watch it!

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi Trailer

Finally the first promo of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi was officially released on the occassion of  Shahrukh Khan’s birthday, i.e., on 2nd November. Th promo is of the song “Haule Haule” featuring Shahrukh Khan and newcomer Anushka Sharma. Not wasting any more time, here go watch the trailer. 

 

Download wallpaper of Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi – First Look

Here is the first released picture of – the much anticipated movie from Yash Raj Banner, directed by Aditya Chopra. First look at the first poster of Rab ne Bana Di Jodi and it makes you think hey wahtthe movie can be all about. SRK in a so very diffrent look.The tag line of the movie goes “There is an Extra Ordinary Love Story in every Jodi” sets you thinking what is extraordinary about this ordinary Jodi!

Never expected such a teaser! When you think of Yash raj films its mostly about the hero romancing with his lady in the snowy mountains of Switzerland. But quite contrarily, here you see Shahrukh wearing a faded shirt, with a bad pair of trousers and completely awful shoes… probably his worst on-screen look till date. But I hope that he’s got another dashing look in the movie which I am waiting very eagerly to see. His love interest is being played by newcomer Anushka Sharma.

“Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi” hits theatres on 12th December 2008.

Krazzy 4 – Break Free Gonna Get Some Chutti features Shah Rukh Khan

So Sharukh Khan is giving the hot babes of Bollywood a run for their money. He has become the favorite item boy…so does that mean end of road for the sizzling item girls. All “item songs” done by Shah Rukh Khan have been very popular and given a boost to the opening of the related movies. Well anything featuring Shah Rukh Khan creates buzz..so everyone cashes on that. It all started with “Kaal” song, followed by the hot “Dard-e-Disco” number and now the Krazzy 4 song. The launch of Hrithik Roshan by his dad in Kaho Na Pyaar Hai saw the exit of Shah Rukh Khan from the Roshan camp..but this item song..marks a comeback to Rakesh Roshan’s movies. Shah Rukh Khan had starred in Roshan’s King Uncle, Karan Arjun and Koyla. The movie “Krazzy 4” boasts of another item song by Hithik Roshan. So its a double treat for the audience.

Here is the promotional video of the song “Break Free Gonna Get Some Chutti”:

Movie: Krazzy 4
Director: Jaideep Sen
Cast: Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Suresh Menon, Juhi Chawla and Rajpal Yadav.
Music: Rajesh Roshan.

“Pehli Nazar Mein” from Race

The song “Pehli Nazar” from the movie “Race” has been climbing charts since its release. When I heard it, me too liked the melodious song greatly and can say yet again Atif has done a good job of it. Atif’s voice echoes in and you are sure not to forget this track for a long time to come. No sooner had I marveled at the number, I found out that it’s a copy of a Korean song..!!! Aaah Indian musicians and plagiarism…they seem to be synonymous. So another straight lift of “Sarang Hae Yo” from the movie “A Millionaire’s First Love”. These music directors should thank the other artists for making their job easier. These shameless copying of the songs just makes me wonder..do these people have talent.. yeah they do have good ear for music to copy from!

Pehli Nazar

Song: Pehli Nazar Mein
OST: Race
Artist:Atif Aslam
Music Director: Pritam

A Millionaire’s First Love – Sarang Hae Yo MV

Song: Sarang Hae Yo
OST: A Millionaire’s First Love
Artist: Dong Bang Shin Ki

But on a final note I still find Atif’s rendition better than the Korean guy.. cos at least I understand what he is singing!!! 🙂

What if Aamir didn’t make Taare Zameen Par……

Well I haven’t yet seen the movie Taare Zameen Par..but know for sure that the movie will be good. Am not a fan of Aamir Khan..but really admire the guy for his choice of movies (except for Mela, which was a disaster and till date can’t understand how could Aamir do such a movie). Anyway, coming back to the movie, its basically the story about a teacher (Aamir Khan) and his dyslexic student(Darsheel Safary), having immense problems in differentiating between numbers and letters. But when it comes to drawing or painting he shows tremendous creativity. His family is unable to understand his problems, which lead to inevitable comparisons between him and his brother, who is a topper in his class. But when he meets his temporary art teacher at his boarding school, things change. With time, patience and care, the teacher ultimately helps his student find himself. This is Aamir’s directorial debut and with the very first one he has proved his mettle as a director too.

Director: Aamir Khan
Story: Amol Gupte
Cast: Darsheel Safary, Aamir Khan, Tisca Chopra

But have you ever wondered how would the movie have been made if some of Bollywood’s big wigs had tried their hands at it??? Read on what Nitesh thinks they would churn out……

If Karan Johar made Taare…

Obvious starcast:
Shah Rukh Khan as the arts teacher (duh duh duh!!).
Aryan Khan as the dyslexic child (even if he could not act for nuts).
Rani Mukerjee as the kid’s mom (assuming Kajol is unavailable).
Abhishek Bachchan as the kid’s dad.
Amitabh Bachchan as the school principal (who cares if the role is ultra minute, he can afford it).

It would be shot in New York to appeal to the NRI audience.
The story line would obviously be different. SRK would fall for the dyslexic kid’s mom. The last scene would have the mom running to the teacher rather than the kid. And again, like in so many other movies, SRK would get someone else’s girl.
It would have one dance number.
The film would be titled ‘Kuch Taare Zameen Par.’

If Sanjay Leela Bhansali made Taare…

Obvious starcast:
Salman as the teacher.
Rani as the mother.

Of course the whole film would be shot on elaborate sets. The school would be nothing short of Harvard university.
An orchestra would play every time anyone cried.
Slow motion, different camera angles for every scene.
The school uniforms would match the classroom walls even though that does not make a f***ing difference.
The film would cost 60 crores.

If Farah Khan made Taare…

Obvious starcast:
SRK as the teacher (yawn).

In the original Taare, Aamir makes an entry at the interval point. In Farah’s version, SRK would be on screen on for 2.30 hrs out of the 2.45 hrs and would be introduced in the first scene itself.
The story would be changed to make sure the above happened. The focus of the film would be a teacher who helps a kid fight dyslexia.
To make it a complete entertainer, there would be a romantic angle, comedy, and action thrown in. Oh idea!! Nikumbh’s character likes another teacher and the kiddo helps him.. throw in some comedy moments there and you have romance and comedy settled. For action.. hmm.. lemme see.. oh yah, the kid gets kidnapped and the teacher fights the baddies to save him. Wow!! I’m quite an imaginative writer. I can see how Farah can write a film from scratch in two weeks straight.
The film posters would have a big SRK with the tiny image of the kid in the background.

If Rakesh Roshan made Taare…

Obvious starcast:
Hrithik Roshan as the teacher.

Since Rakesh Roshan cannot think beyond science fiction these days, this film would have that too. Instead of dyslexia, the kid would have alienositis or something, a condition induced due to him witnessing an alien abduction.
Instead of Nikumbh being an arts teacher, he would be a physics teacher, and instead of asking kids to be creative, he would ask them to challenge the science we know.
In the scene where Nikumbh asks the kids to open their minds and make whatever they want outdoors, the kid Ishaan, instead of making a boat, would end up making a working spaceship prototype.
Nikumbh would cure the kids problem by making a full fledged version of the kid’s prototype, traveling to the alien planet, and asking them to give the kid his powers back.
The film would have music by Rajesh Roshan ripped off from some world music.
The film’s name would again start with a K.. probably ‘Kuch Aliens Taaron se Zameen Par’.
The director would make sure Hrithik gets to show all his abilities. This would mean a scene with Roshan jr flexing his muscles, and a dance competition in the end, instead of an arts competition.

If Priyadarshan made Taare…

Obvious starcast:
Akshay Kumar as the teacher.
Paresh Rawal as the kid’s dad.

It would be a brainless comedy. The kid’s dyslexia would be made fun of. Half the times the parents will be running after the kid from one room to the other and that, in the director’s opinion, would be funny.
The film will be full of sex jokes. So for example, when Akshay would come to the parents telling them that their son has dyslexia, the ignorant father would say something inappropriate like ‘iss umar mein? par kaise, woh to hamesha boys school mein padha hai!’. And yes, the director would think it is funny.
In the climax of the film all the characters in the film would run around in the amphitheater for no reason, spilling colors on each other. That’s where the film will end, without any logical conclusion.
And of course, Paresh Rawal would emote like an epileptic himself making us question the boy’s mental abilities anyway.

Om Shanti Om’s six-pack punch!

So finally the verdict is out…Om Shanti Om beat Saawariya at the box office!!! Om Shanti Om, is an entertainer that’s on its way to becoming a big hit. Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s fairy tale-like love story, Saawariya failed to connect with the audience, and is set to be a major flop, at least that’s what the trade pundits say! People have long been speculating about the fate of these two much-hyped movies!! SRK didn’t just turn out to be a winner at the BO in India but also beat Tom Cruise who starred along with Robert Redford and Meryl Streep in the political drama Lions for Lambs in the US. Om Shanti Om grossed a mighty $17 million gross in India and an estimated $4 million in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and the UAE.

Movie: Om Shanti Om
Director: Farah Khan
Music: Vishal- Shekhar
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Shreyas Talpade, Arjun Rampal

As much visible from the promos and trailers, movie is an all masala film..but the huge success of the movie just goes on to prove that who is the KING!!

SRK looks HOT

Movie:Om Shanti Om
Song: Dard-e-Disco
Eyecandy: Shahrukh Khan

C’mon..after seeing this video..do I need to say more…..yes I can..SRK is HOT..actually RED HOT!!
So all you iron-pumping hunks make way for the KING….Shah Rukh Khan…well as the promos…aptly put it…reintroducing Shahrukh Khan.

OCEAN’S Thirteen Teasers

I absolutely loved Ocean’s Eleven. It was well-put together, contained great performances, and was endearing. The sequel (Ocean’s Twelve) couldn’t pack in the punch….n was kinda disappointment..but with so many hot guys in it..I can still sit through the movie..one more time. 🙂

So now comes Ocean’s Thirteen which completes the trilogy. Daniel Ocean or Danny (played by sexy George Clooney) and his merry band of heist-pullers, which includes Brad Pitt and Matt Damon, are back in ‘Ocean’s 13’. In order to pull off their most ambitious job yet, the crew teams up with erstwhile enemy Terry Benedict (Andy Garcia). When ruthless casino owner Willy Bank (Al Pacino) double-crosses one of the original Ocean’s eleven – Reuben Tishkoff (Elliott Gould) – Danny and the gang team up one more time to see if they can break “The Bank”.

Here are two trailers of the forthcoming movie which look tempting enough to book your tickets for the first show of the first day.

The movie hits cinema halls on June 8th in the US.