AA DEKHEN ZARA : FILM REVIEW

AA DEKHEN ZARA : FILM REVIEW
Here comes a thriller movie which opens up with lots of potential, arising from a new idea, but on the whole failing to live up to the expectations. OK, without wasting any time, let’s get down to the story.

The film protagonist is Ray [Neil Nitin Mukesh], a struggling photographer, not doing well in life, until he comes across a very special camera inherited from his grandfather. And his life gets completely changed, courtesy the magical camera which has the ability to see the future. Along his success story of rags to riches, he meets his love life in the form of Simi [Bipasha Basu], a DJ.
And akin to typical Bollywood film, our Hero has to face and fight against the evil forces and his destiny.

The film’s first half carries a lot of promise and starts off with a fizz, but gradually the script and story let’s you down and finally ends up leaving the audience confused.

As regards to performances, Neil Nitin Mukesh, grandson of legendry singer Mukesh, he lives upto the expectations as displayed in his debut movie Johnny Gaddar. Bipasha Basu, as usual sails thru’ her role. Surprisingly Rahul Dev impresses in the negative character.

Director Jehangir Surti impresses with his style of presentation, visuals, but alas the script lets him down. Especially if you are dealing in a suspense thriller, one has to be very careful as to how to unravel the mystery systematically and keeping the curiosity factor intact. Here in the case of AA DEKHEN ZARA, on the contrary, the climax is confusing and chaotic.

The plus points of the film is VISUALS, PEPPY & ENERGETIC MUSIC, SLICK CINEMATOGRAPHY and some thrilling ACTION Sequences. The title song AA DEKHEN ZARA is sung by Neil Nitin Mukesh himself. Overall, the film will attract the young audience and it’s peppy music coupled up with long weekend will open up well, but gradually will fail to sustain later on.

I will give 2 out of 5.

TITLES
Banner : Eros Entertainment
Released on : March 27, 2009
Language : Hindi
Genre : Thriller
Producer : Viki Rajani
Director : Jehangir Surti
Star Cast :
Neil Nitin Mukesh - Ray Acharya

Bipasha Basu - Simi Chatterjee

Rahul Dev – Captain
Biswajeet Chatterjee - Dr. Animesh Joshi
Sophie Choudry - Bindiya Avasthi

Bobby Vatsa - Puri
Music on : Eros Music

Singers : Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan, Dibyendu Mukherji, Sunaina, AkrutI Kakkar & Shweta Vijay

Music : Pritam Chakraborty, Gourov Dasgupta
Cinematography : Jehangir Chowdhury
Choreography : Ahmed Khan, Harshall & Vitthal
Action : Shyam Kaushal
Screenplay & Story : Sheershak Anand & Shantanu Ray Chhibber

EMRAAN HASHMI - BREAKS HIS FINGER

EMRAAN HASHMI - FRACTURE HIS FINGER ON HIS BIRTHDAY

Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi celebrated his birthday on March 24 while shooting for his upcoming film 'Tum Mile'. But he had another surprise rather a bad one waiting for him.

Well he fractured his finger on his birthday during the shooting of rain scenes simulating the July 26 Mumbai floods of 2005. Earlier also during this film shoot Emraan injured his eye, refer my blog of Feb. 25 - http://indianmoviestvmasala.blogspot.com/2009/02/emraan-hashmi-gets-injured.html

They had a quiet birthday, since he was busy shooting the whole day and reached home late.

Emraan is shooting with her co-star Soha Ali Khan in a Scrap factory at Mulund and can you believe for around 16 hours daily.

Keep it up Emraan and all the best for your future films.

AISHWARYA RAI - NEW FACE OF BARBIE !!!

AISHWARYA RAI - NEW FACE OF BARBIE DOLL

Indian actor and beauty queen Aishwarya Rai is on the verge of addaing another feather to her cap.

She is expected to join the famous Hollywood celebrities - Elizabeth Taylor & Beyonce Knowles, in a way that BARBIE DOLL will be modelled on her. That means BARBIE DOLL will have Indian face in the form of AISHWARYA RAI.

Keep it up AISH, we are awaiting for the confirmation.

KANGANA RANAUT - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

KANGANA RANAUT : HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is Bollywood film actor KANGANA RANAUT 23rd Birthday.

We wish her many happy returns of the day and also hope she continues her winning streak at the BOX OFFICE after her success in FASHION & RAAZ 2.

All the best Kangana for your future projects.

RANI MUKHERJI : HAPPY 31ST BIRTHDAY

RANI MUKHERJI : HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Today is Bollywood film actor Rani Mukherji's 31st Brirhday.

We wish her many happy returns of the day and also hope she makes a terrific comeback with her forthcoming films.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY RANI !!!

AAMIR KHAN TURNS 44 - HAPPY BIRTHDAY

AAMIR KHAN TURNS 44 ON MARCH 14

Today is our dear filmstar Aamir Khan's 44th Birthday. We wish him a very HAPPY BIRTHDAY and all the best for his forthcoming films.

Now all eyes are on his "3 IDIOTS" directed by Rajkumar Hirani.

GULAAL - FILM REVIEW

GULAAL : FILM REVIEW
Here comes another hard hitting movie from Anurag Kashyap after his recent emotional atyachaar “DEV D”, which was critically acclaimed a lot and interestingly did good business at the Box Office. Anurag belongs to those breed of directors who think differently and comes out with a different serving, though it calls for a lot of risk taking and courage contrary to run-of –the mill Directors who rarely dare to tread from their so called Box Office formula.

And do you know that GULAAL was made much before DEV D, call it luck or whatever, Anurag released it at the right time following the success of DVE D and alos during the festival of HOLI in tune with it’s title GULAAL.
Gulaal deals about several plots as love, greed, but mainly talks about STUDENT POLITICS.
The story is set in the background of Rajasthan and the Rajputs, where the general rule of law does not work. It is about the movement which aims at recouping an independent Rajputana state by launching a civil war against the government headed by Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon).

Dilip Singh (Raj Singh Chaudhary) lands in Jaipur to study, where he meets Dukey Bana (Kay Kay Menon), Rananjay Singh Ransa (Abhimanyu Singh), Anuja (Jesse Randhawa), and Kiran (Ayesha Mohan).

On the request of Dukey Bana, Ransa agrees to contest the college elections for Rajputana party, where he stands opposite Kiran to fight for General Secretary's post. The story takes a violent turn when Ransa is murdered by Karan (Aditya Srivastava), as a result Dilip is forced to contest elections, which incidentally is won by him, thanks to polls rigging. This adds to a bitter taste and embarassment in their rivals, the brother sister duo of Karan & Kiran. They are ready to go down to any extent to take revenge and hence gain the power, no matter Kiran first lures Dileep and makes him fall in love with her. She gains his trust and makes him believes that Deleep is being used by Dukey. Gradually she takes charge as General Secretary and then gets close to Dukey by seducing him. This act of hers makes rejected Dileep frustrated and abusive and the plot becomes more violent.

Anurag Kashyap offers us a riveting first half but he fails to hold the momentum in the second half, where the film looses the sheen and even the story goes awry.
As regards to performances, Kay Kay Menon as usual is in top form and to a certain extent holds the film. Raj Singh Chaudhary though has the talent but somehow does not manage to impress. Ayesha Mohan is just superb. Piyush Mishra & Deepak Dobriyal are excellent. Aditya Srivastav & Jesse Randhawa do not get enough scope to perform. Mahie Gill as a mistress, MUJRA girl once again after DEV d, charms the viewers in a small role.

GULAAL is a dark, violent, intense and thought provoking movie and is interesting in bits and pieces. The dialogues are powerful, but there are lots of expletives used in the film, which could have been avoided. Lyrics by Piyush Mishra are powerful and are worth mentioning.
Overall, film will fare well in multiplexes, but is not recommended for female owing to it’s violent stream and expletives used in the dialogues.
I will give 2.5 out of 5.

TITLES
Banner : ZEE Limelight
Released on : March 13, 2009
Language : Hindi
Genre : Social & Drama
Director : Anurag Kashyap
Star Cast :
Kay Kay Menon - Dukey Bana
Raj Singh Chaudhary – Dileep SinghAyesha Mohan – Kiran
Aditya Srivastava - Karan
Piyush Mishra – Prithvi Singh
Deepak Dobriyal - Bhatti

Jessy Randhawa - Anuja

Mahi Gill - Madhuri

Abhimanyu Shekhar Singh - Rananjay Singh
Music on - T-Series
Music - Piyush Mishra
Main Singers - Piyush Mishra, Rekha Bharadwaj, Shilpa Rao, Swanand Kirkire, Rahul Ram
Cinematography - Rajeev Rai
Story : Anurag Kashyap, Aparna Chaturvedi & Raja Chaudhary

BOLLYWOOD HOLI CELEBRATION STYLES

BOLLYWOOD HOLI CELEBRATIONS - DIFFERENT STYLES

The Bollywood actors celebrated their HOLI this year in different styles.

AMITABH BACHCHAN : This year there were no Holi celebrations in Amitabh's residence, which otherewise was a centre of attraction in the past for all Bollywood actors. The reasons being many - 1. Mumbai terror attacks. 2. His father passed away. 3. His mother's prolonged illness. So Amitabh was in no mood to celebrate Holi this year.

As a result, Abhishek Bachchan was also busy shooting for his film.

JAVED AKHTAR & SHABAN AZMI : Instead Javed Akhtar & Shabana Azmi were in full swing and they celebrated Holi like anything, may be to celebrate son Farhan Akhtar's success in ROCK ON. However Farhan incidentally was abroad shooting for his film.

Even Akshay Kumar also celebrated HOLI with lots of fun.

Other stars who were busy shooting during the festival were - Harman S. Baweja, Rajeev Khandelwal, Irrfan Khan (riding high on success of SLUMDOG BILLIONAIRE), Celina Jeitley & Genelia D'souza.

Priety Zinta chose to relax and Bipasha also kept away from the HOLI Colours due to her skin allergy to colours.

CHHOTE MIYAN FINALS WINNER - SALONI FROM PUNE

CHHOTE MIYAN FINALS WINNER - SALONI FROM PUNE

Popular Stand-up Comedy show on COLORS TV CHANNEL in India - CHHOTE MIYAN Finals took place on March 07, 2009. The show was very popular among kids and the were 5 finalists in the finale were -
SALONI, MANSIRAT, MOHIT, AYESHA & ABHISHEK.

Special guest for the finals was the Film Actor ARSHAD WARSI. And the judges of the show were SACHIN PILGAONKAR & RAHUL MAHAJAN. Show was hosted by KAPIL SHARMA & JUHI PARMAR (TV ACTRESS).

The winner of the title was none other than little 7 year girl SALONI DAINI from Pune, who was one of the hot favourites from the very beginning of the show and who had always impressed everybody with her amazing skills, that too in such a young age, with her GANGU BAI Gags. She got the prize money of Rs.11 lakhs.

DANCING QUEEN WINNER SHAMAAYAL & SAMBHAVANA

DANCING QUEEN FINALS WINNER - SHAMAAYAL & SAMBHAVNA SETH

Popular Dance reality show on COLORS TV CHANNEL in India - DANCING QUEEN Finals took place on March 07, 2009. The show has been quite popular and the final contest was between -

SHAMAAYAL & SAMBHAVNA SETH V/s MRIGHA & SANOBAR KABIR.

Special guest for the finals was the original Dancing Queen of Indian Films - HELEN. And the judges of the show were Jumping Jack JEETENDRA & Dream Girl HEMA MALINI. Show was hosted by SHABBIR AHLUWALIA.

And true to their skills the DANCING QUEEN Title was won by SHAMAAYAL & her mentor SAMBHAVNA SETH. Sambhavan was so excited that she couldn't stop her tears.

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE KIDS IN BOLLYWOOD HINDI MOVIE

SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE KIDS SIGN BOLLYWOOD HINDI MOVIE

After enjoying the success of SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE, star kids are basking in the glory. Star Kids AZHAR & RUBINA have recently signed a Bollywood Hindi film “KAL KISSNE DEKHA” from the stable of VASHU BHAGNANI, who incidentally is launching his son JACKKY BHAGNANI, thru’ this film.

In the film, this particular sequence was shot on March 3, where the kids play the SLUMDOG characters. After returning India from USA after attending the OSCAR AWARDS SHOW, they are kidnapped at the Airport and are saved by the film Hero JACKKY.

The new stars are born.

LATA MANGESHKAR UNDERGOES KNEE SURGERY

LATA MANGESHKAR GETS WELL AFTER HER KNEE SURGERY

Melody Queen Lata Mangeshkar who was operated upon for her knee surgery in her own Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital at Pune on Jan. 18, is recovering fast.

Lata was suffering from Chronic Arthritis and was unable to walk properly. She got the surgery done by replacing her knee caps, thru’ Doctor Hemant Wakankar. She will undergo physiotherapy for next few months.

She returned to her Mumbai home last week from Pune.

HRITHIK ROSHAN MISSES FILFARE AWARDS FUNCTION

HRITHIK ROSHAN MISSES FILMFARE AWARDS FUNCTION NITE

Everybody was surprised when Hrithik Roshan didn’t turn up to receive his prestigious Filmfare Trophy for the Best Actor for his riveting performance in JODHAA AKBAR, inspite of being in Mumbai.

Well the reason was that when the actor alongwith his family were leaving to attend the function his mother Pinky Roshan complained of some uneasiness, due to which they dropped the idea of visiting the award nite.

The doctor was immediately called upon and her mother got fine after medication.

Not to worry Hrithik, you will surely get many many chances to attend other Award Functions, which have now become so common in Bollywood.

AYESHA TAKIA MARRIES FARHAN AZMI

AYESHA TAKIA MARRIES FARHAN AZMI

Bollywood film actor Ayesha Takia married her long time boyfriend restaurateur Farhan Azmi , son of Samajwadi Party politician Abu Azmi, on Sunday night, March 01 at the restaurant KOYLA, in Mumbai, owned by Azmi himself.

It was a private ceremony that went on with ISLAMIC tradition.

We Wish a HAPYY MARRIED LIFE to the young couple.

INDIAN IDOL 4 WINNER IS SOURABHEE

INDIAN IDOL 4 FINALS WINNER IS SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA
One of the most favourite Indian Singing Reality Show on Indian Television INDIAN IDOL 4 FINALS are being telecast on SONY ENTERTAINMENT today on March 01, 2009.

And the WINNER of the INDIAN IDOL 4 is - SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA. CONGRATULATIONS SOURABHEE, you really deserved it. She wins Rs. 1 crore contrcat and a TATA WINGER vehicle and is also the first girl to have won this popular show.

The judges of the show were JAVED AKHTAR, ANU MALIK, KAILSAH KHER & SONALI BENDRE.

The 3 finalists were - TORSHA SARKAR, KAPIL THAPA & SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA. The first to go out was TORSHA and the finla fight was between KAPIL THAPA & SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA. Surprisingly, this is the first time that the GIRLS have made it to the FINALS.

Kapil is from Dehradun, capital city of Uttarankhand State, Sourabhee is from North Eastern AGARTALA and is the hot favourite to win the title. Torsha is from Asansol, West Bengal.

And the special guests for the FINALS were - KATRINA KAIF, JOHN ABRAHAM & NEIL NITIN MUKESH, who will soon be seen in their forthcoming film "NEW YORK". See my blog on http://indianmoviestvmasala.blogspot.com/2008/12/john-abraham.html NEW YORK. The film depicts the sudden changes that take place in the life of these 3 friends, staying in NEW YORK, after the 9/11 attacks.

54th FILMFARE AWARDS : JODHA AKBAR CLEAN SWEEP

54th FILMFARE AWARDS WINNERS

JODHA AKBAR made a clean sweep in the 54th FILMFARE AWARDS which were held at YASHRAJ STUDIOS in Mumbai on Feb. 28, 2009. The show was hosted by IMRAAN KHAN & RANBIE KAPOOR, this time as against SRK & SAIF ALI KHAN, who were the regular hosts of the FILMFARE AWARDS NITE. In between, Konkana Sen Sharma and Deepika Padukone also took over the show as the new hosts of the evening. AR RAHMAN riding high on OSCAR GLORY, scores again as WINNER for BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR.

The names of WINNERS are as follows :

POPULAR AWARDS

Best FILM : Jodha Akbar

Best Director: Ashutosh Gowarikar for Jodha Akbar

Best Actor in a Leading role (Male) : Hrithik Roshan for JODHA AKBAR

Best Actor in a Leading role (Female) : Priyanka Chopra for FASHION

CRITICS AWARDS

Best Actress : Sahana Goswami for Rock On!

Best Actor: Manjit Singh for Oye Lucky! Lucy Oye!

Best Jury Award: Nishikant Kamat for Mumbai Meri Jaan

Special jury mention to Prateik Babbar and Purab Kohli for Jaane tu Ya Jaane Na and Rock on! respectively.

Lifetime Achievement Award : Bhanu Athaiya & Om Puri

Best Actor in Supporting Role (Male) : Arjun Rampal for ROCK ON !

Best Actor in Supporting Role (Female) : Kangana Ranaut for FASHION

Best Music Director : A R Rahman for Jaane tu Ya Jaane Na
Best Lyrics : Javed Akhtar for Jashn-e-Bahara (JODHA AKBAR)
Best Playback Singer (Male) : Sukhwinder Singh for Haule haule (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)
Best Playback Singer (Female) : Shreya Ghoshal for Teri ore... (SINGH IS KINNG)
Best Sensational Debut (Male) : Shared by Farhan Akhtar (ROCK ON !) and Imraan Khan (JAANE TU YA JAANE NA)
Best Sensational Debut (Female) : Asin Thottumkal for GHAJINI

Best Dialogue : Manu Rishi for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Best Story : Abhishek Kapoor for ROCK ON!

Best Screenplay : Yogendra Vinayak Joshi, Upendra Sidhaye for MUMBAI MERI JAAN

Sony Filmfare Best Scene Award : RAB NE BANA DI JODI

R D Burman Upcoming Talent : Benny Dayal for GHAJINI

TECHNICAL AWARDS

Best Background Score : A R Rahman for Jodha Akbar

Best Costume : Manoshi Nath for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Best Cinematography : Jason West for Rock On!

Best Action : Peter Hein for Ghajini

Best Sound Design : Vinod Subramanyam for Rock On!

Best Choreography : Longines for Pappu Can’t Dance Sala for Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na

Best Editing : Amit Pawar for Mumbai Meri Jaan

Best Production Design : Vandan Kataria and Monica Angelica Bhowmick for Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye!

Best Visual Effects Award : John Deitz for Love Story 2050

SPECIAL ACTION ON STAGE

When King Khan was invited on the stage, he was of full praise for recent OSCAR WINNERS AR Rahman and Resul Pokutty and honoured the Slumdog Millionaire team. Other perfromers were Katrina, Shahid, Farhan Akhtar. According to Javed Akhtar, this was the best ever FILMFARE AWARDS Function.

INDIAN IDOL 4 FINALS ON SONY TV TODAY

Latest is that just now TORSHA has been eliminated as the first finalist and now the fight for the Tltle is between KAPIL THAPA & SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA.

INDIAN IDOL 4 FINALS ON SONY TV

One of the most favourite Indian Singing Reality Show on Indian Television INDIAN IDOL 4 FINALS are being telecast on SONY ENTERTAINMENT today on March 01, 2009. The judges of the show are JAVED AKHTAR, ANU MALIK, KAILSAH KHER & SONALI BENDRE.

The 3 finalists are - TORSHA SARKAR, KAPIL THAPA & SOURABHEE DEBBARAMA. Surprisingly, this is the first time taht the GIRLS have made it to the FINALS.

Kapil is from Dehradun, capital city of Uttarankhand State, Sourabhee is from North Eastern AGARTALA and is the hot favourite to win the title. Torsha is from Asansol, West Bengal.

And the special guests for the FINALS are - KATRINA KAIF, JOHN ABRAHAM & NEIL NITIN MUKESH, who will soon be seen in their forthcoming film "NEW YORK". See my blog on http://indianmoviestvmasala.blogspot.com/2008/12/john-abraham.html NEW YORK. The film depicts the sudden changes that take place in the life of these 3 friends, staying in NEW YORK, after the 9/11 attacks.

Keep watching for the final results.