Bhagam Bhag !!!

Starring

Paresh Rawal - Theatre Group Owner

Govinda - The Play's Hero

Akshay Kumar - The Play's Villain

It is certainly not the best of Priyadarshan. But ‘Bhagam Bhag’ still makes for an entertaining watch. The film’s crazy plot, filled with comic chaos and confusion, is its main USP. On top of it, Akshay Kumar shows his impeccable flair for comedy.

The basic formula of ‘Bhagam Bhag’ is the same as any other Priyadarshan movie. The story’s central characters try to outsmart each other, but wind up in a situation where they are hunted by a number of other over-the-top characters. There are mistaken identities, a murder, an underhand plot, chaos and commotion.

Bunty (Akshay Kumar) and Babla (Govinda) are the two main actors in a dance troupe run by Champak Seth (Paresh Rawal). The two actors can’t keeps their eyes and hands off their heroine Anjali (Tanushree Dutta), who, tired of their Casanova ways, eventually quits the group just when they are about to leave for an important show in London.

In London, Bunty and Babla search dedicatedly for a new heroine, but end up in police custody after a drug dealer gives them Heroin, in stead.

After being let off, Bunty meets a strange girl with suicidal tendencies. The girl is Munni (Lara Dutta). He decides to cast her as his heroine in the show. Bunty also falls in love with her.

But Munni meets with an accident and recovers her lost memory. It turns out that she is Nisha and is already married to someone called Vikram (Arbaaz Khan).

In the subsequent reels, Nisha apparently commits suicide and Vikram is murdered. And Bunty, Babla and Champak Seth are the prime suspects.

Kitschy slapstick is cocktailed with genuine humour in a delectable way in ‘Bhagam Bhag’. Besides the main players, a number of side characters provide ample moments of comic relief : be it Rajpal Yadav as the taxi driver, or Shakti Kapoor as the drunk with very short memory, or Sharat Saxena and his boss as the bird-brained drug dealers.

But none matches the superb comic timing of Akshay Kumar. The actor is relentlessly getting better and better at comedy. Right from the first scene when he prods Govinda into telling about the hot moment shared with actress (Tanushree), to the second half when he speaks in broken English with an air travel company executive, Akshay is simply superlative. He is the reason you can watch this movie.

Surprisingly, Govinda is restrained throughout the film. Save for one or two scenes, he is strictly okay. Even Paresh Rawal fails to offer much to laugh at. In comparison, Shakti Kapoor and Rajpal Yadav have some better lines.

Lara Dutta plays her part well. Jackie Shroff as the London cop is effective. Arbaaz Khan, too, is okay.

All said, ‘Bhagam Bhag’ is a good timepass flick. It offers nothing outstanding or extraordinary. It entertains you for three hours and leaves you with smiles.

Kal Ho Na ho !!!

Karan Johar-SRK combination works for the third time as the two come up with a film that begins on a lighthearted note but ends with a climax that will reduce viewers to tears. Nikhil Advani deserves all praises for telling the story without making it mushy and yet not compromising on the emotional quotient at the same time.

The story revolves around a happy-go-luck fellow who spreads happiness and believes in giving to others without demanding anything back. But as is said that behind every smile there lies an unshed tear, so is the case with the film’s protagonist Aman. And then there is a character of a gorgeous girl who seems to be aging before her time until Aman comes into her life. In the sidelines is a jolly guy (Saif) who has a golden heart but cannot impress upon girls. The proceedings are fine and everything seems hunky-dory until the relationship between the three is tested by the harsh realities of life.

Shahrukh Khan towers over everyone in the film with his kaleidoscopic performance. He brings smiles to many a face in the first half and he is the one two draws them to tears in the latter half of the movie.

Preity Zinta looks stunning throughout the movie and delivers a noteworthy performance. Saif too stands in equal stead and proves his salt as an actor. Jaya Bachchan, as usual, spellbinds the viewers with her histrionics.

On the whole Kal Ho Naa Ho is a healthy entertainer that will appeal to family crowds and would be a must watch for viewers of all ages.

Illusions even trick your brain !!!

Don't beleive ?????? Check it out yourself !!!

If u like these just post a feedback !!!

Babul !!! A movie which u'll definately like...

Even a regressive subject can have its appeal if presented in the right way. Ravi Chopra does just that in his latest movie ‘Baabul’, which is the story of a man going against traditions to help his widowed daughter-in-law find a new life.

The film is a wholesome package with an entertaining first half and an emotionally moving second half. Thankfully, the movie, for its most part, steers clear of soppy melodrama without compromising the emotive quotient. And the high point is its climax, which is swift and to the point.

‘Baabul’is based on a very pertinent theme. A woman emotionally torn apart after the death of her loving husband is shown the hope of a new life by her father-in-law. The movie questions the traditions following which people turn their backs to life. In that sense, ‘Baabul’ is a pro-life film.

Amitabh Bachchan plays Balraj, a rich businessman, a loving husband and a friendly father. He, his wife Shobhna (Hema Malini) and their son Avinash (Salman Khan) make a picture perfect family.

Avinash falls in love with Mili (Rani Mukherjee), a painter. The two get married and are blessed with a son named Ansh.

Tragedy strikes when Avinash is killed in an accident. Mili is left devastated and utterly alone. While Balraj and Shobhna find a little solace in their grandchild, the pain of losing Avinash is too strong for Mili to bear.

Seeing her in pain, Balraj decides to bring colours back into her life. He approaches Mili’s friend Rajat (John Abraham) who has always loved her but never expressed his feelings. A musician settled in Europe, Rajat is willing to marry Mili.

But this decision of Balraj meets with a strong opposition from his own from the family. His wife doesn’t approve of this decision. And the stiffest resistance comes from Balraj’s elder brother Balwant (Om Puri), who holds age-old traditions above everything else.

Will Balraj be able to get Mili remarried? The movie’s conclusion will certainly leave you with moist eyes.

‘Baabul’ rests on the strong and dependable shoulders of acting giants like Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. And none of the two disappoint. Mr. Bachchan is simply superlative in his finely nuanced performance. He makes it so easy for the viewers to empathize with the dilemma of his character. He is particularly compelling in the sequence when he talks to his dead son while gazing at the stars in the night sky.

Rani Mukherjee is deft at expressing emotions. Like a chameleon she transforms the image of a vivacious and happy woman in the first half to the mourning and lovelorn widow in the latter reels. Particularly heart wrenching is the scene in which she dances with Salman’s pullover in the rain before crying out uncontrollable tears.

Hema Malini has relatively lesser footage in the film but she cuts a perfect image of grace and tenderness. Salman Khan exudes natural warmth whenever he comes into a scene. On the other hand, John Abraham is ill at ease for most of his part. His two scenes with Salman are poorly enacted. Om Puri is emphatic but over-the-top at times.

Ravi Chopra deserves credit for making a film that effectually tugs at your heart. He brings a notable contrast in the two halves of the film. The first half is funny and the second is sombre. The costumes and sets are colourful in the first half. But they turn pale in the second. Even the cinematography has been used to the desired effect.

Although the movie seems to become a little heavy on sentimentality at times, the conclusion of the story more than compensates for such glitches.

‘Baabul’ will definitely appeal to the family crowds. Even the young ‘Dhoom generation’ can find the movie eminently watchable.

Casino Royale (2006)

United States/United Kingdom/Czech Republic, 2006
U.S. Release Date: 11/17/06 (wide)
India release : 11/17/2006
Running Length: 2:24
MPAA Classification: PG-13 (Violence, sexual situations, nudity)
Theatrical Aspect Ratio: 2.35:1

Cast: Daniel Craig, Eva Green, Mads Mikkelsen, Judi Dench, Jeffrey Wright, Giancarlo Giannini, Caterina Murino
Director: Martin Campbell
Screenplay: Neal Purvis & Robert Wade and Paul Haggis, based on the novel by Ian Fleming
Cinematography: Phil Meheux
Music: David Arnold
U.S. Distributor: MGM
Casino Royale (2006)

When Pierce Brosnan took over the role of James Bond for Goldeneye, much was made about how the franchise was being "modernized." In reality, the only apparent changes were cosmetic. Brosnan's 007 was easily connected to the character previously played by Sean Connery, George Lazenby, Roger Moore, and Timothy Dalton. With the ascension of Daniel Craig to the gun, tux, martini, and license to kill, seismic changes have occurred. This is no longer the James Bond we know from the '60s, '70s, '80s, and '90s. Welcome to the new world of MI6's most storied agent.

The purpose of Casino Royale is to "re-boot" the franchise. Craig isn't succeeding Brosnan; he's re-inventing the role. As far as this movie is concerned, nothing in the previous 20 entries has happened. This is Bond's "origin" story and the only thin bit of continuity is Judi Dench's return as Madam M. Forget everything you think you know about 007. For years now, the Bond formula has been drowning in a sea of rip-offs and pretenders, each more over-the-top than its predecessor. In order to retain a market niche, the Bond franchise had to strike out in a different direction - something less cartoonish and closer to the Ian Fleming source novels. It's impossible to say where the filmmakers will take Bond from here, but Casino Royale hints that it may be in a more down-to-earth direction than we're accustomed to.

What's missing? Quite a bit, actually. Until its rousing introduction during the end credits, the "James Bond Theme" is heard sparingly, during brief, subdued passages. The signature line of "Bond, James Bond" keeps us waiting. There are no gadgets - in fact, there's no Q. Nor is there any Moneypenny. There's action, but it's surprisingly low-key (at least for Bond). Absent are the over-the-top, gravity-defying stunts that have characterized 007 movies over the years. This time, things get brutal. Not only is there a nasty fight in which Bond beats the crap out of a bad guy (he has to kill two people to get his double-zero status, but the deaths don't have to be neat) but our hero ends up on the receiving end of some vicious treatment. One can't imagine Connery, Dalton, or especially Moore going through that ordeal.

The plot follows Fleming's story a lot more closely than the original Casino Royale (a pathetic and uneven spoof) did. It's early days for Bond. Having completed the requirements for graduation to the elite level, he has been assigned 007, although M is convinced he's not ready. His first assignment is to track down one of the most elusive worldwide suppliers of terrorist money. After following the clues, which first take him to the Bahamas then to Miami, Bond learns the identity of his quarry: Le Chiffre (Mads Mikkelsen), who's about to enter an exclusive poker game at Casino Royale in Montenegro. Bankrolled by MI6, Bond enters against Le Chiffre, with accountant Vesper Lynd (Eva Green) watching the money. As the action at the tables heats up, Bond finds himself in trouble away from them as Le Chiffre and some of his associates try to eliminate the British agent.

It has been a long time since Bond has been this human. Not since On Her Majesty's Secret Service - the last time he fell in love - have we seen this side of the super agent. It's s curious thing to see Bond develop deep feelings for Vesper. We're used to him treating women like disposable commodities. Oh, he has affection for them, but love is not in his vocabulary. Yet there's no better way to humanize a superhero than to make him fall in love. We have seen that with Superman and Spider-Man. Now we see it with 007. This aspect of the movie is one reason why Casino Royale is a cut above anything we have gotten from the Bondmakers in decades.

The plot is oddly constructed, and plays out in three clearly defined acts. The first is the most like a traditional Bond film, with James hopping from country to country, engaging in a meaningless romance (with Caterina Murino), and chasing after two henchmen (a foot chase that involves scaffolding and a rush to stop a bomb at Miami Airport). Act II takes place mainly at the poker table. Surprisingly, there's a lot of tension even though there's not much action (except a staircase fracas), and the movie uses this segment to build the romantic tension between Vesper and Bond. I won't say much about the third act, except that it goes some unexpected places and initially seems disconnected with what precedes it.

For Daniel Craig, this is a triumphant debut. Not since early Connery have we seen a Bond this magnetic. Craig manages to show us both the human and the inhuman sides of Bond, and the portrayal is free of fatuousness. This Bond isn't beyond uttering the occasional quip, but when he does so, there's not a lot of humor in the delivery. Not since the closing moments of On Her Majesty's Secret Service have we seen such a vulnerable 007. While there's always a certain sadness associated with waving goodbye to a departing actor, Craig's performance makes us ask "Pierce Who?"

With everything else changing, one wonders whether it might have been time to bring someone else in to play M. That's not a knock on Judi Dench - no one can deliver M's acerbic one-liners like her - but if the intent is to make a clean break, why is she here? Eva Green, still best known for taking off her clothing in Bernardo Bertolucci's The Dreamers, is the right mix of hard and soft as Vesper - it's not hard to see how she could beguile Bond. Mads Mikkelsen is intense enough to pull off the villain role even though he lacks the megalomaniacal bent evidenced by most Bond bad guys. Additional support comes from Giancarlo Giannini as Mathis, the British agent based in Montenegro, and Jeffrey Wright as old friend Felix Leiter.

It's interesting to note that the radical revising of Bond is being done by the "usual" team. It's not as if an entirely new group was brought in for the "re-boot." The producers continue to be Michael G. Wilson and Barbara (daughter of Cubby) Broccoli. The writers are Neal Purvis and Robert Wade (with an assist from Paul "he's everywhere these days" Haggis), who were involved in scripting the last two Brosnan movies. Director Martin Campbell oversaw Goldeneye with Phil Meheux as his cinematographer. And David Arnold has been composing Bond scores since he took over from John Barry in the '90s. (The title song, "You Know My Name," which Arnold co-wrote with Chris Cornell, sounds eerily like something by Barry.)

My hope is that Casino Royale has not only re-invented James Bond, but made him relevant for the 21st century. The target audience has shifted. Although there's nothing in Casino Royale that will exclude teenagers, this 007 is aimed squarely at adults. The November release date is also perfect - the film is almost too dark and serious for the kind of lighthearted, mindless fun we associate with summer blockbusters. In recent years, I have come to each new James Bond movie with a series of ingrained expectations. For the most part, the Brosnan films met them across the board. Casino Royale defies many of them, and I couldn't be happier.

Laage Raho Munna Bhai !!!

Starring
Sanjay Dutt .... Munna Bhai - Murali Prasad Sharma
Arshad Warsi .... Circuit
Boman Irani .... Lucky Singh
Vidya Balan .... RJ Jahnvi
Dia Mirza .... Simran
Jimmy Shergill .... Victor D'souza

Director : Rajkumar Hirani
Producer : Vidhu Vinod Chopra

'Lage Raho Munnabhai' Simply Superb


Bole to hats off to Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Rajkumar Hirani for making a film that is more than just a rip-roaring comedy. ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ makes you laugh, makes you cry and, parallel to all the entertainment, it gives a message that sticks in the mind. To say it in Munnabhai’s lingo – it creates “chemical locha” in the brain.

It is next to impossible not to like Munnabhai and his sidekick Circuit in their second innings. Almost three years after the loveable duo cured the incurable in Munnabhai MBBS , the street-savvy taporis find themselves face to face with Mahatma Gandhi’s ideology in ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’.

As

Munna – the goon for whom breaking bones and abducting people is the way of life – comes face to face with Bapu, he discovers that it takes more courage to turn the other cheek than to hit back. Munna discovers that nothing works like compassion and non-violence. Following Mahatma Gandhi’s way, Munna not only triumphs over his enemies, but he also wins the love of the woman he so very longs for.

Once again, Sanjay Dutt plays the foul-mouthed, uneducated, but extremely good-hearted goon, and Arshad Warsi plays his inseparable friend.

While Circuit is busy doing abductions and forcing people from their properties, Munna spends his days listening to RJ Jhanvi (Vidya Balan) on the radio. Munna, hopelessly smitten with Jhanvi, gets an opportunity to be on her show after answering a number of questions on Mahatma Gandhi. However, to conceal his real identity, Munna lies to her that he is a professor of History. Impressed by the history teacher who speaks tapori language just to relate to today’s youths, Jhanvi invites Munna to her house to give a lecture on Gandhiji to her ‘children’.

Jhanvi runs a home called Second Innings in which old people who have been left by their children get a chance to restart their lives afresh. It is these old people whom Jhanvi calls her ‘children’.

Now, Munna is in a fix. To know about Gandhiji’s life and ideology, he goes to a library and begins reading books on the iconic figure for three days continuously. After three days, a miracle happens. Gandhiji appears and start talking to Munna.

Startled to see Gandhiji, Munna goes to a shrink and is told that there is some chemical locha (problem) in his brain.

However, Munna befriends Gandhiji, gives an excellent lecture at Jhanvi’s home and makes a place in everyone’s hearts, including Jhanvi’s.

Trouble starts when a builder named Lucky Singh (Boman Irani) wants to take over Jhanvi’s property. Ironically, both Munna and Circuit work for Lucky.

As the greedy builder makes his manipulative moves and acquires the property, Munna becomes his foe.

But with Gandhiji by his side, Munna renounces his old belligerent self and wins over his enemy in the most unexpected way.

Like in ‘Munnabhai MBBS’, in this film too Munna does the Good-Samaritan acts in his typical tapori style. Guided by Gandhiji, he doles out advices to people on Jhanvi’s radio show. He helps a financially ruined youth named Victor (Jimmy Shergill) to confess a bitter truth to his (Victor’s) father. He helps a runaway bride named Simran (Dia Mirza) to return to her father’s home in spite of the fact that the father happens to be none other than Lucky Singh.

And despite all his goodness, there are situations when Munna is scorned by people and labeled mentally disturbed. But armed with Gandhiji’s ideology, he triumphs in the end.

‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ is a film that keeps you riveted to the screen from the very opening reels to its conclusion. The most exceptional thing about the film is the way it blends comedy with emotional moments.

Arshad Warsi’s impeccable comic timing, coupled with Sanjay Dutt’s light-humored slapstick, promises laughs aplenty for the viewers. And there are moments when the duo drives you to tears. For instance, the sequence when Sanjay slaps Arshad and later goes to apologize. Arshad proves in this sequence that he is not just an excellent comedian, but also a deft actor when it comes to serious moments.

Another good thing about the film is that Gandhiji’s ideology in it never sounds preachy. The film rather shows its soundness in a practical way. Dilip Prabhavalkar plays Gandhiji’s role in the most convincing way. He almost has an enlightened smile on his face throughout the movie.

‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ doesn’t merely end as a Sanjay Dutt film. Although the actor takes to his role like a fish to the water and delivers yet another brilliant performance, ample footage is given to Vidya Balan, Arshad Warsi, Boman Irani and other actors as well.

Vidya Balan looks angelic with her mystifying smile, free-flowing hair and charming persona. Boman Irani is highly credible as a loud-mouthed Punjabi. Jimmy Shergill and Dia Mirza get their moments of limelight. Abhishek Bachchan makes a one-minute cameo.

To sum it up, ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’ is one of the best movies to have come out of Bollywood this year. The script is exceptionally well written by Hirani and Abhijat Joshi. The background music complements the screenplay and the songs are not the least intrusive. Rajkumar Hirani’s direction yokes together all the elements of movie-making into a cohesive, meaningful and, above all, entertaining package called ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’.

The film is a top-notch entertainer. There is not a single dull moment in it. A must-watch.

Carry on forever, Munnabhai.

Krrish !!!

Starring
Hrithik Roshan .... Krrish Mehra
Priyanka Chopra .... Priya
Rekha .... Sonia Mehra
Naseeruddin Shah .... Dr. Siddharth Arya

Director : Rakesh Roshan
Producer : Rakesh Roshan
Musician : Rajesh Roshan

Music Album : Krrish

The wait was worth it. More than three years after Koi Mil Gaya , the Roshans return with the movie’s sequel, ‘Krrish’, a thoroughly entertaining film with Hrithik Roshan as its breath and soul.

Trust me, there is no other ‘super’ star who can pull off the role of a superhero as convincingly as Hrithik has done. The actor has the right mix of brawns, youthful exuberance, grit and emotional vulnerability required for the role. He can be romantic, and he can be stern. He can yield, and he can be unforgiving. By large, ‘Krrish’ remains a Hrithik Roshan movie. But that is not to undermine the performances by Priyanka Chopra, Rekha and Naseeruddin Shah.

The

legacy of Rohit – the imbecilic youth who transforms into a superhero and a genius after meeting an alien in ‘Koi Mil Gaya’ – has passed on to his son Krishna, who lives with his grandmother (Rekha) after the death of his parents. Young Krishna’s prodigious abilities, his physical strength and mental intelligence astounds his teachers and other children of his age. But his grandmother doesn’t want the world to know about Krishna’s superpowers. So she takes him to a nondescript village in the mountains where Krishna grows in the lap of nature into a strong, handsome, brawny young man (Hrithik).

He runs faster than his horse, jumps long distances in a single leap and climbs the mountains like a spider moving through its web. Only few are aware of Krishna’s qualities. These qualities make him special. But they also make him a sort of outcast among normal people.

Then, love enters Krishna’s life. It literally falls from the open skies into his lap as he rescues a wide-eyed, city-bred girl (Priyanka) from her faulty parachute landing atop a tree.

Their first meeting, as they keep sliding down branch after branch, with the girl in Krishna’s arms, has been shot very beautifully.

It turns out that the girl is Priya and she is a part of a group of adventure seekers from Singapore.

A few pranks follow between Krishna and Priya and her campmates. The campers also get to see Krishna’s super-abilities. While Krishna shows Priya around his scenic village, he falls in love with her. But she returns to Singapore after a mere ten-day stay.

Then she calls him to Singapore on a false pretext, pretending her love for him. In truth she wants to save her job by showing Krishna’s skills on the TV channel she works for.

The gullible Krishna is eager to go to Singapore. But his dadi (Rekha) doesn’t want to send him into the world. She fears that the clever world will use Krishna the way it used and destroyed his father Rohit.

Anyway, Krishna goes to Singapore with the promise that he will conceal his qualities from the world. In the concrete jungle full of high-rises and skyscrapers, Krishna meets both good and bad people. But, can he conceal his super powers? Is he clever enough not to be used by people for their advantage? And will he be able to stop a megalomaniac scientist from making a computer that sees the future? In all the action and drama that follows, Krishna finds more than love. He finds someone whom he had presumed dead.

Right from the opening reels to its conclusion ‘Krrish’ keeps you riveted to the screen. With the exception of a few songs, the movie flows smoothly without dragging even for a moment. There are good hilarious moments in the first half. Even the movie’s supposed villain, Dr. Siddhant Arya (Naseeruddin Shah), is not without a comic knack.

But it is the action and stunts that stands out throughout the movie. Krrish’s giant leaps, his upward somersaults in the air, his skidding through the trees in the forest and his speedy movements (faster than a bullet) reminds me of the action from films like ‘Crouching Tiger’, ‘House of Flying Daggers’ and ‘Matrix’.

‘Krrish’, the movie, fuses these stunts with romance, comedy and fights in a very digestible dose. And the credit for this goes to Rakesh Roshan, the movie’s writer, producer and director. Roshan senior has made a quality product – a film that lays foundation for other films of similar genre. Although some stunts could be depicted graphically more realistically, but that would require a very huge budget.

‘Krrish’, quite an expensive movie by Indian standards, heralds the ‘superhero’ genre creditably.

Besides Hrithik’s superb performance in the film, Priyanka Chopra holds her ground and breezes through her role with the act that doesn’t demand serious histrionics. Rekha still has a natural charm in her beauty. She provides emotional moments in the film.

Naseeruddin Shah is eloquent as usual, not just in his dialogues but also his facial expressions. I wish he had a longer role in the film.

All said, ‘Krrish’ is definitely worth a watch, if not more. The film is a wholesome entertainer that will appeal particularly to teenagers and kids.

Dhoom 2

Dhoom 2 : Movie Review

Cops and robbers stories never got so exhilarating in Bollywood. Sanjay Gadhvi’s film Dhoom 2 does not give you a moment to sit back. With its stylish look, incredible stunts and tongue-in-cheek humour, the movie keeps you constantly on the edge of your seat without any safety belt.

You can skip a roller-coaster ride for a movie like this. And you won’t miss a thrill. High speed chases, free-falls, pyrotechnics, death-defying stunts are all rolled together to give you goose bumps in every single reel of this 2.45 hr movie. And a lion’s share of credit for this goes to Hrithik Roshan , without whom this movie would have been a soulless body.



Story is not of as much importance to this movie as individual sequences revolving around robberies. As Hrithik Roshan ingeniously pulls off one impossible heist after another, you realize that the movie is not just about brawns, but brains too.

Sanjay Gadhvi makes his intentions clear in the very opening reels. In a desolate desert in Africa, an anonymous thief, a mysterious Mr. A (Hrithik), pulls off a daring robbery on a moving train. After the loot, as he sandboards through the golden dunes with the booty safe in his bag, the introductory titles roll.

Back in Mumbai, Ali ( Uday Chopra ) has graduated from a mechanic to a cop. He and his senior Jai Dixit ( Abhishek Bachchan ) work together to bring criminals to book.

Enters ACP Shonali Bose ( Bipasha Basu ), Jai’s college friend, now a sharp shooter who believes in gunning down thieves rather than catching them. She is an expert on the thefts by Mr. A, a mysterious, nameless thief and a master of guises whose real face none has seen.

Jai and Shonali team up to catch Mr. A on his next robbery in Mumbai. But the elusive thief slips through their fingers after stealing a priceless diamond. That’s not it. Mr. A throws a challenge to the cops by announcing his next target.

It is on this robbery Aishwarya Rai is introduced as a masked thief who impresses Mr. A. Sunehri (Ash) makes an impression on the international thief and soon wins his trust. Mr. A introduces himself as Aryan and takes Sunehri under his wing.

But there is another side to Sunehri. As she and Aryan go to Brazil for their next robbery, Jai and Ali keep close on their trail. Riveting action and stunts follow as Jai and Ali try to stop Aryan from his next crime.

It is better not to judge ‘Dhoom 2’ by Hollywood standards. Seen purely as a product of Hindi cinema, ‘Dhoom 2’ turns out to be a movie that redefines the action genre in Bollywood. And once again it is Hrithik Roshan who plays a pivotal role in stretching this quotient. The actor just keeps getting better at doing unimaginable stunts. He does sand-surfing, roller-blading, bungee jumping and much more with the mien of an expert. Besides the stunts, he stays in complete control of his character and convincingly brings out the emotional sides of Aryan in the second half. The movie truly belongs to him.

Abhishek Bachchan looks rugged playing the no-nonsense cop but is never able to rise above Hrithik’s presence. Bipasha Basu looks really hot and the camera scans her anatomy and assets at regular intervals to add some titillation to the thrills.

On the other hand, Aishwarya Rai doesn’t look least bit sexy despite wearing a variety of skimpy dresses. The gorgeous actress is not able to carry herself comfortably in revealing outfits. Perhaps she is a beauty that ought to remain covered.

Uday Chopra is the only source of humour in this action-packed thriller. Although his comedy is generic, the flair and ease with which he does it makes his character very entertaining.

Rimi Sen has a brief and forgettable role of Jai’s pregnant, cribbing wife.

‘Dhoom 2’ isn’t void of faults, and some of them are so glaring to be overlooked. Bipasha’s character Shonali is inexplicably dropped at the interval point and another character, an identical twin called Monali, is introduced in Brazil. And both Shonali and Monali have little significance to the movie’s story.

Secondly, after a series of intelligently conceived robberies in the first half, the last robbery in the film turns out to be lacklustre and without any thrill.

Thirdly, Pritam’s recycled and rehashed compositions that only evoke yawns and encourage you to go out for some refreshments.

Fourthly, the romance between Hrithik and Ash lacks the real spark.

All said, this Dhoom turns out to be bigger, better and bombastic than its prequel. It is essentially a cops and robbers story with some glamour and humour thrown in. In this tussle between cops and thieves, it is Love that wins in the end. After all, Aashiqon ka janaaza hai, zara Dhoom se niklega.

Watch it for Hrithik.

Don - The Chase Begins...

Remaking a yesteryear hit can be an arduous task. Especially if it happens to be the Amitabh Bachchan starrer DON. One film people remember vividly for various reasons, right from Big B's towering performance to the popular tracks to its gripping story and sharp execution.A remake comes with its share of plusses and minuses, advantages and disadvantages. The advantages first…

Perhaps, the new generation might not have watched the classic starring Bachchan. That makes the 2006 adaptation a novel cinematic experience. The present version also arouses tremendous interest since SRK steps into Bachchan's shoes.
DON was made in the 1970s and a new version, with appropriate updates, is always welcome.
Most importantly, every director has his/her style of interpreting a story. Chandra Barot had his way of narrating a story, Farhan Akhtar has his own unique style.

Now, the sole disadvantage…

Since the Bachchan starrer remains etched in the memory of a section of moviegoers, the SRK starrer carries a massive responsibility on its shoulders. The comparisons, therefore, are inevitable. Every character, song and the impact of several vital portions will be viewed minutely.

Unfortunately, the new DON fails on several counts…

The original script [Salim-Javed] had the power to keep you involved and mesmerized for the next 2.30 hours. The new version lacks it.

The sequence of events in the earlier DON unraveled at a feverish pace, which the entertainment-hungry viewer lapped up with glee and excitement. The new version moves at a sluggish pace at regular intervals and that indeed is bad news for a thriller. In fact, boredom sets in after a point and it also gets difficult to comprehend what's going on. Things could have been simpler for sure.
Every character in the earlier DON was well etched out. That's not the case with the new version. Barring SRK and to an extent Priyanka, the remaining characters appear as mere caricatures.
The songs in the first version were merged beautifully with the script. Somehow, in the new version, barring the Kareena track, the songs don't take the story forward. Even the terrific 'Khaike Paan Banaraswala' comes across as an unwanted guest.Any area where the new version works? Of course, it's far more glossy, far more stylish and far more visually appealing. Let's just say, the new DON is body beautiful, minus soul. The original version had simplistic execution, but it hit you like a ton of bricks. The new version is a hundred times more stylish, but how about a riveting script, Mr. Director? The one question you want to ask Farhan Akhtar is, What happened? His directorial debut DIL CHAHTA HAI told a novel story. His second attempt, LAKSHYA, stood on a slippery wicket. But DON, his new endeavor, is his weakest attempt as a storyteller. Agreed, Farhan has climbed the ladder as far as craftsmanship is concerned [every frame is well decorated and makes a spellbinding impact], but, despite a readymade classic at his disposal, the storyteller just doesn't get it right this time.Farhan makes a sincere effort to shock the viewer in the end and you are startled for a minute, but the moment the focus shifts to the flashback and how he managed to pull a fast one, the impact evaporates into thin air. Farhan also ends the film with some scope for a sequel. Nothing wrong with that, but how one wishes Farhan had a hit a boundary in this interpretation of the classic first.Now, the storyline:The drug trade is booming. Trafficking between Asia and Europe is at an all-time high. There are rumors that a dreaded gang has moved their operational headquarters to Kuala Lumpur. The cartel is headed by Singhania [Rajesh Khattar], but the business is managed by his lieutenant Don [Shah Rukh Khan].An Indian officer Desilva [Boman Irani] has sworn to put an end to the nexus. He knows that in capturing Don lies the key to unlock this puzzle. And he succeeds one day. Don is captured and Desilva puts his plan into action. Unknown to even his own department, Desilva recruits and trains a man who is a splitting image of Don. His name is Vijay.Vijay infiltrates the cartel and manages to give Desilva all the information he needs to bring it down. But in a bizarre twist of fate, Desilva is killed during a raid and the secret that Don is in fact Vijay is buried with him. The only people who realize that he's an imposter are the members of Don's cartel [Pawan Malhotra and Shakeel Khan] and they want their revenge.Vijay manages to escape and is now on the lookout for the one last piece of evidence that can get him out of the mess. Helping him on this quest are two people: Roma [Priyanka Chopra] and Jasjit [Arjun Rampal]. There are glaring loopholes in the screenplay and you just can't overlook them. Like, for instance, how does SRK kill Kareena when the fact remains that he himself admits that there aren't any bullets in his gun? Here's another one: SRK, the Don, arrives in India for a major drug deal, but why isn't he arrested by Boman Irani and his team of cops when he must've presumably boarded an aircraft from KL? Why chase him on a secluded beach somewhere near Mumbai?In the second hour, the murder of Rajesh Khattar [Don's boss] gives an impression that it's child's play to eliminate a drug baron. Moreover, what happens to Don's gang, also being held captive and being chartered to another destination [just before Don escapes from the aircraft]? Also, Arjun Rampal's exit from the story could've been properly defined. Also, where does his kid disappear suddenly? And what is Om Puri doing in this film? A junior police officer [aiding Boman Irani] has a meatier role than Puri here. It's a screenplay of convenience. Frankly, this looks like a desi James Bond saga, with the protagonist behaving like one mighty guy who can outsmart just about anyone and everyone.Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is strictly functional. The only track that's worth a mention is 'Ye Mera Dil Pyaar Ka Diwana' and S-E-L cannot get credit for it because it's not their composition. Mohanan's cinematography is of international quality. The opulent look and sets are well captured by the lensman and so are the eye-catching locations of Malaysia.Action scenes are superb. Take the fight between SRK and Chunkey Pandey at the very start of the film or the chase on a secluded beach and the lanes of a town before Don is captured by the cops -- it's jaw-dropping. The sync sound is not coherent at times and this will pose a major problem, especially at single screens where the sound system isn't of standard. SRK carries a massive responsibility on his shoulders since direct comparisons with Bachchan are foreseeable. SRK does very well as Don. He enacts the evil character with flourish. But he fails to carry off the other role [Vijay] with conviction. It looks made up, it doesn't come natural to him at all. Priyanka Chopra carries off her part with élan. The stunt [when she rescues SRK] is bound to win her laurels.Arjun Rampal's character could've been better developed. Despite the shortcomings, he makes a sincere attempt. Kareena Kapoor looks alluring in a miniscule role. Isha Koppikar is alright. Boman Irani is fantastic yet again. He enacts the conniving and calculating villain with gusto. A remarkable actor like Om Puri is completely wasted here. Pawan Malhotra does very well. Why doesn't one see more of his talented actor in films?Diwakar Pundir [as Kareena's fiancé], Shakeel Khan and Rajesh Khattar are adequate.On the whole, DON does not meet the expectations as a film. BUT the film will be a different story altogether at the box-office. The tremendous craze for the film, the fabulous hype of the film, the presence of SRK in the central role and also the credibility of its makers [Farhan Akhtar] will ensure a fabulous start at the ticket window. The Diwali and Idd period will only give a big boost to the business, making its distributors jump with joy.In short, sometimes a weak film weaves magic at the box-office. DON is one of those!

Zindaggi Rocks !!!

Movie Name : Zindaggi Rocks
Year of Release : 2006
Banner : B.A.G. Films
Presenter : Anuradha Prasad
Producer : Anuradha Prasad
Director : Tanuja Chandra
Cast : Sushmita Sen, Shiney Ahuja, Moushmi Chatterjee, Kim Sharma, Seema Biswas, Ravi Gosain
Music Director : Anu Malik
Lyricist : Mudassar Aziz
Cinematographer : Amir Sayed
Story Writer : Tanuja Chandra
Art Director : Leela Chanda
Costume Designer : Neeta Lulla
Choreographer : Farah Khan, Raju Khan, Bosco Ceaser
Playback Singer : Sunidhi Chauhan, Anushka Manchanda, Tulsi Kumar, Zubeen Garg, Javed Ali
Publicity Designer : Rahul Nanda, Himanshu Nanda
Synopsis : On a rainy night in Dr. Rihan, workaholic, meets Kria, in his hospital…not realizing his life is about to change forever. She’s quite the opposite of him – loud, mad, pathologically friendly, a musical genius…an extremely popular Singer and also a woman who doesn’t ever take “no” for an answer. Kria forces the introvert doctor to come out with her and her equally mad family! As much as he resists, he finds himself being swept by this tidal wave of friendship and fun. Kria has a son of 12 years, who’s smarter then men twice his age; she has a mother who’s a hard nut to crack, from whose lips a smile hardly ever escapes, who is like a strict schoolmistress; and there isn’t just one of those – there are two! The mother has a twin sister, who’s giggly, a lover of good wine, and lots of fun, who likes to make faces behind her stern twin sister’s back! This motley crew suddenly invades the doctor’s sad life and changes it around a hundred and eighty degrees. Kria & Suraj are deeply in love and then comes a time when they face a painful situation where Suraj is faced with the biggest crisis in his life as is Kria. It’s the sort of crisis that makes people’s real personalities come out, questioning the very cores of their being. What will he do? Will she succeed in what she wants? Will love triumph?
Genre : Drama, Romance
Release Date : 6 October 2006
Official Web Site : http://www.zindaggirocks.com

New Movie Golmaal !!!

Bollywood has recently witnessed a spate of comic blockbusters with films like NO ENTRY, MAINE PYAAR KYUN KIYA, GARAM MASALA, MAAL-A-MAAL WEEKLY, CHUP CHUP KE and PHIR HERA PHERI. Hot on the heels comes GOLMAAL. The film was awaited for many a reasons..firstly the snazzy promos were very appealing and the film promised to be a fun -filled laugh riot, secondly the film reunited Ajay Devgan with director Rohit "ZAMEEN" Shetty, thirdly the supporting cast was fresh and different with 4 actors all known for their comic timing in one film(Sharman Joshi, Arshad Warsi, Tusshar Kapoor and Paresh Rawal) and lastly... ... Vishal-Shekhars music had become popular...so does the movie live upto expectations? Well depends on your taste of films....but as far as a comic entertainer goes..the movie ENTERTAINS from start to finish!
The plot(if one could call it that since its a series of wickedly entertaining gags, slapstick humour and dialogue baazi one after the after for 2 1/2 hours) revolves around Gopal(Ajay Devgan), Lucky(Tusshar Kapoor), Mahadev(Arshad Warsi) and Laxmi(Sharman Joshi). The four are best friends who seemed to have mastered the art of conning people. The leader of the group is Gopal and together they are always on the lookout for their next scam and how to make a quick buck. By chance they stumble across a bungalow where a old blind couple(Paresh Rawal and Sushmita Mukherjee) live together waiting their arrival of their grandson whose supposed to be arriving from america. Gopal and co. forcefully enter the bungalow and force Laxmi to pretend he's the blind couples grandson. However the old couple hear Gopals voice associated with Laxmis bvody so whenever the blind couple are with Laxmi-Gopal has to speak on their matter. Gopal, Laxmi and Mahadev in the meantime fall in love with the next door neighbour and decide to "patao" her in various ways...to top it off the foursome also find out that theres hidden treasure in the house--but where? The answer to these questions are all in GOLMAAL!


The story here is wafer-thin but a film like this relies heavily on 1) Chemistry between its co-stars and 2) the punchlines and gags and the movie succeeds on both counts. Neeraj Vohra is a genius as far as writing comedies and he has proven it time and time again with films like HERA PHERI, HULCHUL, GARAM MASALA< DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL, PHIR HERA PHERI and now GOLMAAL! The gags here are different to the ones used in his previous films and the manner in which he manages to poke fun at genres as well as portray multiple facets of the comedy genre itself is commendable and makes the movie work. At this juncture I would also like to recognize Neeraj Vohra as the dialogue writer. A comedy is nothing without its dialogues and Vohra writes some of the wittiest, funniest and simply crackling dialogues I have heard in a long time. I would even go as far as to say the movie is worth a re-watch for the dialogues alone as they are a simply magnificent. Movie in-jokes, pop culture references, digs at other actors/people etc are all there as well as some stunning play on words. Hats off to Mr Vohra.


Rohit Shetty made his debut with the action packed ZAMEEN and proved that he is comfortable directing a action film. With GOLMAAL he shows that he is a versatile director who is equally comfortable directing a comedy as well. Making people laugh is serious business and definetly no joke however Shetty manages this perfectly from the start right to the very end. He indeed does take a leaf from directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee as well as recent directors like David Dhawan and Priyadarshan but manages to leave his own mark with his style and sense of directing. Given the super-thin plot it is indeed not a easy feat keeping the audience completely entertained from start to finish. The pace NEVER slackens although not all jokes always hit the mark(I found Manoj Joshi VERY irritating in the initial scenes) the antics of the duo are simply hilarious from start to end. His knowledge of cinema and various films/genres are just brillaint and there is a certain amount of naturalness to his style of directing....he also manages to keep the movie clean throughout without referring to any sex jokes.

A comedy film can fail no matter how hard the movie tries...if the casting isn't correct-and GOLMAAL has a FANTASTIC cast which is the lifeline/backbone of the movie.

Ajay Devgan plays his part with elan and springs a big surprise. His role is that of a big bully...the leader of the group who is always one step ahead of the others and Devgan plays his part with complete understanding. I have never thought much of Devgan in the comic genre-but he is a complete natural here and be it his new snazzy looks, delivery, facial expressions or body language Devgan is BRILLIANT. It has been a while since Devgan let loose on screen with a complete Masala role which requires him to dance, fight, romance, etc and Devgan proves that he is still able to play the complete "typical" Bollywood hero who can do all with perfection!

Tusshar Kapoor is EXCELLENT in his part! yes folks..the little man springs a huge surprise again after KHAKEE and shows that he is not just a one film wonder! I have found Tusshar effective in a comic role before with KYA KOOL HAI HUM-but here I would go as far as to say the actor has given a near flawless performance as a mute guy. His EVERY facial expression ensues an uproar of laughter and he is just adorable each time he speaks his gibberish. This is one performance which I won't forget in a while...

Arshad Warsi is well..Arshad WarsI! This is is the kind of role that Warsi can sleep walk through and despite playing these comic sidekick roles before he still manages to have the same energy, natural flair and zest to the role once again.His timing is unbeatable and his consistency is just fantastic. Delivery and facial expressions are superb as always...the actor has come a long way and is definetly here to stay now! He even manages to crack a joke at himself..."Kyun Baar Baar Flop Actor Bolta Hai...Ab Toh Mai Hit Hu"....well said Arshad:-)!

Sharman Joshi too is a natural and once again there was no doubt about Sharmans talent in a comic role. From STYLE to SHAADI NO.1 to RANG DE BASANTI Joshi has proved that comedy is his forte and that he is a terrific actor given the right role.

At this juncture I would like to say..most multistarrers like these tend to sideline some of the actors focussing more on the others who are the "directors favourites" but HATS OFF to Rohit Shetty who gives EACH and EVERY actor equal/ample footage and lets them all shine in their respective role. Ajay is no doubt the hero of the movie but all three of the other actors have their own part to play and their own scenes to shine in. Not once do you feel someone has been sidelined. Also note the chemistry that the four share on screen is just BRILLIANT and the lifeline of the movie. The actors are so relaxed around each other and its obvious they are having a blast in REEL and REAL life. The pleasure of watching the four actors alone do what they do best--ENTERTAIN made the price of admission worth it for me personally.



Paresh Rawal is again top-notch! Unlike past films where Paresh has been the main star and dominated majority of the movie he has a smaller role which doesn't require much delivery but more emphasis on body language and Rawal is efficient as ever. He too shares great carmederie with the actors.

Rimmi Sen plays her part functionally and like HUNGAMA and DEEWANE HUYE PAAGAL she doesn't have much to do here as it is a completely male dominated film. However in the scenes she is in she looks GORGEOUS and is a natural with a killer smile.

Sushmita Mukherjee(who remember Kitty from KARAMCHAND JASOOS?) is superb in her part...a pleasure to see her again.

From the supporting cast Mukesh Tiwari fails to leave a mark as a Sanjay Dutt loving don. Sanjay Mishra and Manoj Joshi too don't impress much in their parts-infact Sanjay Mishras portions get a bit repetitive after a while. Vrajesh Hirjee is funny for the most.


There are a number of sequences in the movie that stand out and are superbly executed..these include..Tusshar trying to hide a sleeping Arshad and Paresh is walking around, Arshad trying to hit Ajay with a pole, Sharman trying to poison Ajays tea, the foursome have their fight with Vrajesh as well as when the trio go to give Rimmi her valentines present. The two most rememorable scenes in the movie are 1) Ajay Devgan and Arshad Warsi doing a take-off on BLACK and 2)Paresh Rawals flashback scene with the 50's themed song..these two scenes bought the HOUSE DOWN!

Vishal-Shekhars music goes well with the ambience of the movie and is hummable. As mentioned above the Paresh Rawal song is stunning(A bit like WOH LADI HAI KAHAN from DCH but to a more comic extent as its completely tongue-in-cheek and taking the piss!).

Aseem Bajajs camerawork is keeping in mind the genre too and is VERY bright and vibrant.

All up where does that leave GOLMAAL? Well the movie lives upto its tagline of FUN UNLIMITED and is COMPLETE PAISA VASOOL! Just leave your brains at home...switch off...sit back....grab and popcorn and laugh away!

Woh Lamhe !!!

Hi !

Today I went to see the movie "Woh Lamhe" at metro. Really a touching movie. The movie shows how a schizophrenic woman took such a toll on actress Kangana Ranaut that by the end of the movie she felt “emotionally drained”.

Kangana has indeed made rapid strides in Hindi film industry. After giving a noteworthy performance in her very first film Gangster , Kangana has now shown glimpses of the actress in her by convincingly playing the challenging role of a highly phobic and delusional woman

Enacting the role that is inspired from the late Bollywood actress Parveen Babi , Kangana got so immersed in her character that she had “sleepless nights”.“The film (Woh Lamhe) drained me completely. To go through the emotions that Parveen went through was emotionally taxing on me,” says Kangana.And this portrayal of a traumatized and schizophrenic woman affected Kangana so much that she was not able to sleep alone at nights. So to ward off her fears, she made her maid sleep in her room.


The Story >>>>>>>Truth is stranger than fiction. And real stories sometimes have much more power than the fictitious ones. Mahesh Bhatt’s latest presentation ‘Woh Lamhe’ is no fanciful creation of an imaginative writer. It is rather an unraveling of the turbulent relationship that Mahesh Bhatt had with the late actress Parveen Babi.While none but Bhatt can tell how authentic an account ‘Woh Lamhe’ is of his stormy affair with Babi, the movie does come across as a hard-hitting, complicated love story between an aspiring filmmaker and a schizophrenic actress. The movie is multi-layered. It is the story of a woman who is gradually sucked into the whirlpool of her own madness. It is the tale of a man who fights against all odds to save the woman he loves and helplessly watches her go insane. It also takes a dig at the film industry where professional contracts and money takes precedence over a human being. And, last but not the least, it is Bhatt’s final farewell to the woman he loved and lost.At
the first glance, ‘Woh Lamhe’ seems like too mature a concept to handle for a 25-year-old director. But Mohit Suri, with guidance from his mentor Bhatt, handles the theme with remarkable sensibility and sensitivity. The movie doesn’t make us feel pity for the ultra-phobic female protagonist. We rather feel empathy and sympathy for a woman who has no control over her unfortunate fate.Kangana Ranaut deserves full credit for bringing astonishing credibility to her character in the film. She plays actress Sana Azim, who is at the prime of her acting career. Shiney Ahuja plays an out-of-work filmmaker Aditya Garewal, who is looking for an opportunity to get his lucky break. He doesn’t mind using Sana to make his own career as a filmmaker, until he falls in love with her.The film breezes on a rather light note all through the first half, with ear-catchy songs by Pritam (‘Kya Mujhe Pyaar Hai’ and ‘Chal Chale’) and with many moments of unexpressed emotions between Aditya and Sana. The sequence in which Sana is raped by her dominant boyfriend (Shaad Randhawa) does stand out like a bolt from the blue. In the second half, the film takes a rather serious course when Sana’s insanity begins to come to the fore. She begins to hallucinate. In her delusions she begins to see a woman who warns her that everyone is out to kill her. Sana loses her trust in people. She even suspects Aditya.While the people in the film industry and Sana’s mother want her to undergo electric-shock treatment, Aditya objects and elopes with her to Goa where he hopes that Sana will get cured by his care and love. But destiny has something else in store for Sana. She vanishes. Years later, when Aditya meets Sana again, she is on her deathbed.‘Woh Lamhe’ is the story of love, loss and despair. It is a Kangana Ranaut film all the way. And the girl does a laudable job in her very second acting assignment after ‘Gangster’. She does have the making of a talented actress. The love, the fear, the dementia and the resignation that she brings to her character has to be seen to be believed.Shiney Ahuja continues to live upto his reputation. He brings a required mix of confidence and helplessness to his character. He does get his golden sequences in the second half (his altercation with Sana’s mother, for example) where he gets to show his histrionics.Shaad Randhawa is efficient in his brief negative role. Masumi (playing Kangana’s delusion) is effective. On the whole, ‘Woh Lamhe’ is a well-crafted, finely written, beautifully enacted movie that is definitely worth a watch.