Bollywood Blog

*Spoilers*

After nearly 2 months of waiting, I finally saw Kurbaan on Friday night. Not surprising to myself, I really enjoyed it. Very surprising to me, it did not do well at the BO. What I loved about this film were the performances and gripping story telling. For the first time in a long time Kareena Kapoor impressed me. The film promoted Saif Ali Khan as the main protagonist, but it is in fact Kareena's character that is the central character. She was very expressive, facially and even her dialogue diction. The scene when she realizes that Ehsaan (Saif) is in on the plane that was implanted with a bomb. She runs to the bedroom and tries to close the door on him, but he walks in cool and collected asking her to calm down. She tells him "What will you do? Will you kill me? Go ahead, kill me and kill our unborn child as well!" The way she said that line and the look on Saif's face was just chilling. Sometimes, more than a story or film itself it's just these few lines or micro expressions here and there that make the film for me. Is that how it is for everyone?



Saif and Kareena had great chemistry, I thought. Yes, this film is not really focused on the romance or love angle, but love/romance doesn't necessarily equal chemistry, or vice versa. You don't need to be romancing with songs to have chemistry. It's in your face and body language. And Saifeena hit the nail on the head with that one. Some moments were romantic though, and in a very endearing way. Not a typical filmi way. A scene that comes to mind is when they are newly moved into their home and Kareena is hammering something on the wall as Saif watches her. She gives him a look and says "What?" he replies "Nothng, just looking. Can't look?" She walks upto him and says "thank you" he asks "for what?" she gives a tight hug and simply says "For everything." Now on paper this scene seems so simple and that it probably wouldn't stand out. But the way they look at each other and how comfortable they are translated really nicely in this scene.


Other people of mention are Vivek Oberoi and Kirron Kher. Oh, Vivek where have you been these past few years!! He was excellent in his role of a Muslim born and raised in the states. The accent was pretty decent, though being Indian born in America myself I could easily catch his Indian accent creeping up at times. Still, he did a great job and was very believable. Watch him in the scene where Bhaijaan is testing his loyalty to "the cause", by telling him to shoot the restaurant cashier. His reaction afterward in the bathroom was awesome.


Kirron Kher has always been a favorite of mine, but I'm so glad that for once she wasn't given an overbearing typical Hindi film maa role. She too showed her versatility playing a woman who believed that this act of terrorism was justified. Recall what she tells Avantika (Kareena) in the subway scene when she has the gun to her head. Avantika says "But Aapa my baby" "Let him die. At least he would have died for a good cause." Haunting! Can you imagine lovely warm Kirron Kher saying such a thing? But she does and it is so believable. She's intense.


On side notes, Dia Mirza was sweet in her very short role. Her chemistry with Vivek is apparent, even though it was so sadly short lived. They were so natural together, you really felt for Riyaaz (Vivek) after the plane incident. Also, the music was lovely. I know some people are anti-background songs in montages, but i personally love them. It allows more time and scope for the story. And it's a nice way to move the story along without having to breakout into dance in the middle of new york city (though that is always fun, too!) But i felt background only songs was appropriate for the nature of this film.


All in all, I really enjoyed this. It was gripping, thrilling, heart wrenching at times. And then it had it's WTF moments, too (how is that chief FBI agent alive after that huge blast?). I'm so upset that this did not do well at the BO, because it's a Karan produced film and I love him as a director and a producer. He gives his assistants so many chances to make films and has launched incredible directors (Nikhil Advani, Ayaan Mukherji, Rensil D'Silva, and Siddharth Malhotra). Well, here's hoping to a better fate for My Name is Khan!!! :/

 It's confirmed! My Name is Khan (*ing SRK & Kajol) is releasing on Feb 12, 2010. (Valentine's weekend, how apt.) This is the first time a Bollywood movie is being picked up by an International company for release and marketing. 20th Century Fox, Fox Star, and Fox Searchlight will be releasing the film in the U.S., Canada, Aus, UK, Middle East, India, and eventually will roll out to Europe and other countries. 

Now, I can't help but think that this is going to be way past our expectations. This is a big deal! It would be quite a gamble for Fox to watch the film and agree to put a sh*tload of money in to market it, if it wasn't a good film. That's just my take! So I was thinking about this, for what it's really worth and realized that this is probably the first true blue Crossover film. Til now, (to me anyway) a crossover film meant that it was a movie about Indians, usually by an Indian director working with a smaller production company to release the film. Some of these are Bend it Like Beckam, The Namesake, Monsoon Wedding, etc. However, it seems to me that this is the first time a Bollywood film, with a Bollywood director, starring mainstream Bollywood actors, produced by Bollywood production companies is going to be released on an international release in such a large way. Is My Name is Khan the next link between Bollywood and Hollywood? Is that even the point? My opinion, is yes perhaps it is a link, but no, I don't think that's the point. I don't think Karan is doing this to get his foot into the door of Hollywood or to even get Bollywood mingled with Hollywood. I feel he's doing this because it's what he needs, as a filmmaker, for this particular film. It seems that that this film is an international story that needs an international audience, so why not release it on an international platform? 

Jitesh Pillai, editor of Filmfare magazine saw the trailer and said that it is amazing and totally unlike Karan Johar territory. He claims it's 'international stuff', Rajeev Masand, a film critic is all praise for the rushes he's seen and the script he read. I know, it's very unsafe to assume that just because these few people who've seen it are all praise, means that it will be that amazing. You can never predict the outcome of a film. But honestly, how can this film NOT be big? Srk and Kajol are reuniting after 8 years, and Karan is finally growing up and away from his typical 'filmi' films. I know i shouldn't have high hopes because there's a risk of being disappointed, but hell, i'll say it--I have very high expectations for this film and I am sure it will cater to my expectations! I don't know if I've ever been able to say that about another film (or have I just never wanted to say it?) Time will tell. Only 3 months to go :)

 I'm a bit late on this, but I saw Wake Up Sid (like...three weeks ago?) and I must say, I really think Karan Johar has grown up. It is a complete change from the Dharma we all know (and sometimes love). Not to say that the "candyfloss" cinema isn't substantial or enjoyable, because I personally loved K3G, Kal Ho Naa Ho, and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai will forever be my favorite film. However, anything that you stereotype as a Karan Johar produced film, just throw it out the window! 

Lavish sets? Uncheck!
Melodramatic filmi mother? Uncheck!
Love at first sight? Uncheck!

...You get the idea. 

Some people thought that this movie was rather boring and very predictable. I can see why they see that. But my take on it is that the movie wasn't meant to be unpredictable or a mystery/thriller in any which way. It's a slice of life kind of film. If you want to escape to your bollywood masala i would not recommend this at all. If you want to see a true story with real people then I would say you should check this out (if you haven't already).  Sid is someone almost all of us can identify with. Whether you're in your youth or 30 years out of graduating college, it will be either relative or nostalgic. Sid is your ordinary college kid, who doesn't want to spend his days worrying about tomorrow. He just wants to have fun, and live in the moment. He's focused on today. He gets in the usual riffs with his parents, with one going too far, and decides to leave home. Ayesha becomes his best friend, but even more than that, his guidance. I know it sounds cliche, but it is lovely to see. Their relationship is built on the premise of complete friendliness and trust. They are real. Ayesha gets pissed off with Sid when he leaves her apartment a mess and Sid gets pissed off with Ayesha when all she does is criticize him. 

He asks her, "we could have been something more. What's lacking in me?"
"you're still a child, Sid. I need a man...not a boy."

And later, when she is at the jazz club with her boss, and he asks her if she doesn't like jazz, what music she does like, he tells her "you're still such a child." And it's there, in that moment that one realizes that there is a Sid in all of us. You may think you are the most intellectual, ambitious, level headed and responsible person in the whole world. But there will always be someone who comes along that still sees you as less mature than them. But, even that's not the point. You're not less mature than them (well, in some cases maybe you actually are!). It's all about the perception. We judge people based on different criteria than we use to judge ourselves. And all it takes is a single sentence to wake you up out of oblivion, and make you realize that we're all Sids, just trying to get through the harsh world; we're making mistakes along the way, falling down over our own stupidity. But really, we're just waking up. 

Alas, for now it's bed time. ;) 

On a side note--Kurbaan's music is out, and I am loving it. Favourite tracks are "Shukran Allah" "Kurbaan Hua" and "Ali Maula"
The trailer is really generating excitement, and the film looks great. It does have hints of Fanaa to it, but probably due to the locations and terrorism theme. I'm not a huge fan of Kareena, in fact until Omkara, I hated her. I hated her attitude and I did not enjoy her acting. Post Omkara I've been going easy on her, and have enjoyed a few performances since then. I am really looking forward to her performance in this. I don't think she'll be 'mindblowing' or anything, but I think she'll do a good job. The film itself looks like it is going to be really intense, so I hope she and Saif don't let us down! I also am really hoping that Karan is nice to us fans and releases a trailer of My Name is Khan with this film! One can hope. That's all for now,

Sleep well and don't forget to WAKE UP eventually!

 So much to talk about on the B'wood front! I'll start with the two releases i've seen this month:

Dil Bole Hadippa! (*ing Rani and Shahid)
This movie was a lot of fun--A girl (Rani) absolutely loves playing the sport Cricket and wants to be a part of the team, but is turned away on the basis of being a woman. Wherever she goes she is told to 'join a girls team'. Only problem, there isn't one! So she pretends to be a boy to get on the team, who happens to have the hottest coach ever. Playing her double life as Veera and Veer, as batsman and girl next door, she gets herself caught up in a frenzy of love, masti, and cricket! 

i thought Rani did a great job playing a cricketer, her 'training' definitely paid off. It was believable that she was good at what she was doing. Her carefree attitude while playing Veer was a much needed change :) Shahid is gorgeous. :P

What's Your Raashee? (*ing Priyanka and Harman)
This movie was so great and had such a different concept. An NRI bachelor (Harman) living in Chicago is told to immediately return to India on his family's request. He lands up there only to be told that he must marry a girl, and he only has 10 days to do so as his horoscope says! He decides he will meet 12 different girls, one from each raashee (zodiac). It was a great concept and Priyanka owned that film. She played each girl so differently, so completely, it really felt like 12 different actresses were playing them. I must say, this was a breakthrough performance for her, definitely one of her best i've seen. Harman was okay, he kind of bores me.

In the world of Fashion,

Check out who's on the cover of Vogue India Oct 2009! I ordered my copy (very overpriced copy) online. It's worth it though! Srk and Kajol!

  

 

What to say about KI? If you completely ignore anything that is logical, it is actually a somewhat humourous movie. I've never been a fan of Akky and never will be. Kareena was good at playing....herself?

This film got a really good opening and did really well the first few weeks. I'm not exactly sure why, but something tells me it has to do with the random Hollywood spottings in there. Sylvester and Denise? I really wonder how much they were paid to do a cameo. What did that narration go like?

"So, it's a movie about a supermodel and a stuntman who hate each other and through some misunderstandings, leaving *things* behind in hospitals, and 2 1/2 hours they realize they're crazy about each other."

"I'll do it!"

....i mean, really now.

I'm sorry this entry is so choppy. After my half ass review last post, i realized i don't really want this to be a review blog. If you want reviews there are hundreds of websites out there that have well written reviews. ;)

I must say though, I did enjoy seeing the clips of hollywood A-listers via clips from the Golden Globes. I never thought i'd see Kate Winslet and Leo Dicaprio in a bollywood movie :P

Kareena is still bad at running scenes.

Overall:- 5/10

Wow, I can't believe I didn't write in this all summer! Well, as you all may know the strike finally ended around May/June. The first major release was New York (*ing Katrina Kaif, John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh). I waited about a week or 2 before watching this movie because I really really really don't like Katrina Kaif's acting. Seriously, in my opinion her acting can just kill a movie for me. But anyway, I finally saw it.  (Spoilers below!)

Story:-
The basic story was really interesting. A muslim guy moves to NY for college, where he meets and befriends Maya and Sameer. They hit it off really well, become best friends, until September 11th. The whole idea that wrongly accusing people as terrorists, subjecting them to horrible ocnditions, does in turn MAKE them into terrorists....I can honestly say, I don't know how the writer came up with that. It's rather disturbing and makes you wonder if some terrorists really started off that way. That being said, this film had me quite bored at more points than one. A lot of it was predictable. (There were a few times where I would catch myself being surprised or unexpectant)

Acting:-
I think John is adorable. But....I still think he's a really stiff actor. He did a fair job, especially the post-torture scenes. I'm not a huge fan of his dialouge delivery. Speaking of which, Katrina Kaif. Ugh. I just can't even enjoy her a little bit. I think she's very pretty but as soon as she opens her mouth, whether it's Hindi, English, or Hinglish, I just cringe! I didn't like her character's lack of ambition to do something about John, despite the fact that she knew his secret for a while. I don't know if that's bad acting or bad characterization. Neil Nitin and Irrfan Khan were the best part of the movie. Neil really impressed me with his acting, and Irrfan seems to be a pro at these type of roles. Though I feel that now he's going to be getting typecast as the police investigator type of role.

Overall:-
All in all, I think the movie was overhyped and was as successful as it was because it was the first big release since the 6 month strike. It was good, not great.

6/10

Since the strike is still continuing (most likely there won't be any releases til July), I figure I'll update on the latest B'wood news/gossip. (FYI: There are pics in this post, and they're not behind a cut because I'm evil)

• At a recent Lakme Fashion Show in Mumbai, actors (and husband-wife) Akshay Kumar & Twinkle Khanna were arrested on a small bail for obscene/indecent behavior. Akshay was walking the ramp at the show, promoting his new endorsement of "Unbottoned" brand jeans and went over to where his wife was sitting, making her unbotton his jeans. (Source: BollyWhat Forum)

I personally don't find that so horrific that they should have been arrested. It's kind of gross and talk about PDA (ew), but maybe a fine would have been enough punishment. Seriously, Mumbai police? You have bigger problems to worry about. Try arresting the drug lords and child molestors, please. Thanks.

• Shilpa Shetty, former winner of England's Celebrity Big Brother, graced the latest issue of VOGUE (India).  (Picture: Indiafm.com)

I'd kill for a body like hers, but it seems whenever I see her she's always got half a shirt on and thing that's supposed to be a skirt...

• Veteran Bollywood actor, Anupam Kher was asked to be part of Woody Allen's next film venture. Other Indian actors that are supposedly part of the ensemble include Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Irrfan Khan, Freida Pinto, and Om Puri. Kher is to play the role of Pinto's father in the film. It's set to take off in London this year. "I know that I will be playing Freida Pinto's father and that we start shooting in August in London. Beyond that, I don't know and I don't care. After all, it is Woody Allen. And the film has such a great ensemble cast. It has Sir Anthony Hopkins, Naomi Watts and Nicole Kidman. I am happy to be a part of the film." (Source: Reuters.com)

I personally am not too fond of this man. He's a fine actor, but he is legimiately part of the Casting Couch in Bollywood (my sister's friend experienced it first hand. She went to meet him in his office and he suggested for her to sleep with him to get good roles. She of course stormed out of there!) I am glad though to hear that post Slumdog has had an effect on the two largest film industries in the world finally crossing each into each other's paths. What an amazing cast, isn't it!

• Speaking of Slumdog, rumour has it Danny Boyle is hoping to make another film based in India, with A-list actor Aamir Khan. Also, it was reported that he bought Rubina Ali (youngest Latika in SM) and Azaruddhin Ismail (youngest Salim in SM) houses after Mumbai authorities cleared their illegal shanties off the slums they were living in. (Source and first picture: duniyalive.com) | (Second picture: topnews.in) | (Third picture: bollywoodbuzz.in)

I would be really excited if Danny Boyle is making another film, regardless. I would be super estatic if it has Aamir Khan in it! I am also so relieved to hear about the housing situation. Rubina and Azar were promised flats (apartments) but I don't know what happened. They ended up back in their tent/shacks in their own slum areas and then the authorities claimed that the certain spot their tents were on were not authorized by the city so they tore them down. Now the government is in the process of getting these kids their houses. I feel good for them. My only cynicism is that what about the millions of other children living in the slums? Will it take an Oscar winning movie to save all of their lives, too?


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K, that's all I have for now. Enjoy the read and let's hope the producer strike eases up soon!

Well I'll keep this short since there isn't much to say. The recession has struck every corner of the world, including our beloved film industry in Bombay. Films are being shelved left and right, the producers and multiplexes are arguing and having strikes and things don't seem to be settling down. I think in the coming months things will get sorted out--hopefully. The multiplexes in India take home a lot more of the profit than the producers do, hence the strike. Anyone's opinion on this? I think we need to make this distribution equal, or as close to it as possible. After all, the producers are nothing without the multiplexes to showcase their films and the multiplexes are nothing with no producers to give them films. They need to work together and both need to benefit equally! I was pleasantly surprised to see Aamir and SRK come out together to support the producers' cause, seeing as they are both producers themselves when they are not acting (or directing too, in AK's case). Let's hope for the best!

8 Oscar wins out of 10 nominations, including best original song for "Jai Ho"...it was a night to remember! During the red carpet interviews, there were talks about how this could finally be the bridge between Hollywood and Indian cinema. Though at times Slumdog is (wrongly) referred to as a Bollywood film (it is not; it is an American and British produced film, filmed in India), I agree that this may open some doors to connecting the western cinema with the east. I wouldn't go so far as some people by saying that Hollywood and Bollywood may soon start making films together (I think there is still time til we see that) but we may be well on our way!


Also, I must note the interesting performance(s) for the Original Songs nominees. Seeing A.R. Rahman take the stage to perform at the Oscars was something I never thought I would see in my lifetime, and this means great things for our music industry back in India. Rahman is a musical genius back home and has performed at numerous stage shows and award functions like Filmfare, but this performance was probably the high of his life.



In non Bollywood comments, I'm so happy that Kate Winslet FINALLY took gold!! Six nominations in her career and she finally wins it for the first time. I didn't see any of the other movies, so I can't comment on them but I did see Kate in The Reader, and this was well deserved. Share your thoughts on the nominees and winners :).




Jai Ho!


Pictures courtesy Oscar.com

I was talking to my friend about why Luck By Chance did not end up being a commercial hit. It had several stars, Hrithik Roshan dancing, drama, first love, and even Switzerland! However, despite having all these forumlaic "HIT" elements, it seems Bollywood audiences (at least in India?) do not like realistic films. Hindi films are a means of escaping every day life, using it as a way to forget the real world and immerse themselves into a stupor or fantasy for 3 hours. These days, films are tapping more and more into reality and maybe that scares audiences. It may also be the reason why Slumdog Millionaire did not fair so well in India, either. We just cannot fathom having aamchi Mumbai portrayed as being poor, corrupt, crumbling, etc. Mumbai has grown so much in the past 10 years alone, but that does not mean it doesn't have it's share of downs. All cities have ups and downs; how else would a city be able to function?

What I liked about Luck By Chance was the fact that they showed how much really goes into making it into this industry. Even being a starkid, people assume you are just born into it, and that it is the easiest job in the world. If people had to go through the drama and corruption behind the scenes as much these actors did, they would drop like flies. For the aam janta, their stars just entertain. They memorize a few lines, say it in front of a camera, look really amazing doing so, sing and dance, cry a bit, make you laugh, and after 3 hours their job for now is done. But so much more goes into it. Especially if you are a newcomer, with no connections in the biz. You have to make yourself known and stand out, out of all the people that audition! And India has a LOT of people! xP

Moving more on to the movie itself, Farhan and Konkona looked very real on screen. Meaning, i saw bits of people I know in their characters, and it all just looked familiar, even though I've never experienced the film industry first hand. I felt bad for Sonaa (Konkona) because even after 3 years, she was still 2nd rate.

"But I'm talented, I can act!"
"Who wants that??"

Sad, but true? I also enjoyed the bit where Karan Johar is talking to Zaffar Khan (Hrithik) about how one star's "no" to a film is a struggler's open door. Interesting how it all works out, isn't it...

 I was reminded of a Bollywood actress that is an underdog at times, tends to be overlooked, and always given sideline roles in mainstream films. Her name is Konkona Sen Sharma. .

She is not considered to be "conventionally" beautiful in bollywood standards (i totally disagree; i find her to be gorgeous really), compared to the preference for fair-skinned girls who are getting thinner by the day. She has meat on her and is curvy, god forbid! Anyway...

After watching LBC recently i wanted to check out her other films. I had seen her first movie that got her recognized, though it was NOT a bollywood film, it was an English film, directed by her mom Aparna Sen. It's called Mr. & Mrs. Iyer. Basically it takes place during the Hindu-Muslim riots in India. She is travelling alone with her baby on a bus, when it is stopped by rioters, threatening to kill any Muslims who are on there. On the journey she had befriended a muslim guy who was helping her with the baby, holding it, feeding it and just talking to her and giving her company. She tells the rioters he is her husband to save him and their story develops throughout, but I won't give away the ending just in case you see it. Just in case.  I took it upon myself this past weekend to catch up on her past films, including regional ones like a Bengali film she did when she was our age. She did another movie called Amu, where she plays an Indian American (note: not to be confused with American Indian! Indian American is what i am! :P) and her accent was pretty dead on! Now, this girl grew up on Calcutta, lives in Mumbai and had TWO WEEKS to perfect an American accent, while keeping it slightly American when the dialog was in Hindi/Bengali as well. She is fluent in Hindi and Bengali. Imagine pretending you were not fluent in English, on top of that perfecting some European accent or something all in two weeks? I dont know, that is pretty talented if you ask me!

So why am I writing about all this you may wonder? Well, basically I just can't seem to understand why we have to categorize our actors and actresses (is this true to hollywood as well??). Why is there a "mainstream actress" and an "artsy actress", why can't she just be an actress? But Konkona I feel is breaking that mold. She has been featured in about 3 or 4 "Mainstream" films, but alas she is given side roles! She will FINALLY be a leading lady in a mainstream film this fall, in a movie (that i am super siked for) called Wake Up Sid!, starring Ranbir Kapoor .


It's about a guy who is with an "older woman" and how their relationship plays out, in a coming-of-age story. Sounds generic, but i think it has potential, with these two, Konkona in a film alone is substantial, and it is a Yash Raj production. Let's see.

Okay, I am sure you guys (assuming you even read this) are way bored, so I will end with a liste of movies you should watch that have Konkona in them. And if you don't think you have resources, then google her and watch her trailers on youtube! haha.

-Mr. & Mrs. Iyer
-Life...in a Metro
-Amu
-Tittli
-Luck By Chance
-15 Park Avenue

Enjoy!

x-posted: desi_kudi728