Krazzy 4

The next movie from Bollywood Krazzy 4, is certainly going the new marketing mantra, more is better. Recently Om Shanti Om did it and got success (rightfully or not is your decision) and Krazzy 4 is following the same plan. It started with the regular basic releases about the movie, how it was different and all about the main Krazzy 4 stars and the female lead in Juhi Chawla.

Next came the sweet spots like item numbers. First they got the biggest name in Bollwood - Shah Rukh Khan. Put him in a project and undoubtedly you get a lot of press and TV coverage. That happened and next they got in a mass star like Rakhi Sawant (Raanti appeal we call it), and again it got a fair share of the news bytes. And finally the Krazzy 4 producer Rakesh Roshan ropes in the currently hot Hrithik Roshan, who again being part of the family obliges.

So we have the similar stategy adopted by the Om Shanti Om team where they ensure the movie is always in the news. One story dies down, then throw in another. Smart we say, but what if the movie sucks. Om Shanti Om wasn't a classic but it worked, because of the humungous publicity and the presence of SRK. After hearing about it so much, people just had to go in and see it. And yes, because of Deepika Padukone. She was an important reason for the films success - pretty, pretty sexy, and pretty sexy smile.

Krazzy 4 has managed to do the same on a slightly smaller scale and evoked interest in the movie. My bet? Hit. It looks interesting. 4 Krazzy guys, no romance-shomance. And good actors. Suresh Menon, Arshad Warsi, Irrfan Khan, Rajpal Yadav. So it will do well. And will I rush to see Krazzy 4? Yes, of course!! My very favorite Suresh Menon. He is amazing. And funny as hell.

Salman snubbed at Hyderabad airport opening!!

Salman Khan the enfant terrible of Bollywood, who will be seen in God Tussi Great Ho soon, got his just dues when he was called to participate in a function that was held to inaugurate the new International airport in Hyderabad. Now I am not sure of he was called to be present, or be part of the opening, but what happened was once the funcion was started, Sallu was relegated to the six row of the audience. Out of sight was out of mind for the organisers. They simply forgot about Salman for the rest of the program.

I was laughing my ass off thinking of Salman's predicament. He is notorious for his brusque behaviour with journalists and often answers rudely or sarcastically when he is in a bad mood - which is almost always. So it was great to hear him being brought down to earth. Haw hwhahwhw hwhah haw. But to his credit he behaved impeccably as a classy person should (Salman--- classy????? &^&^&^&*^& &*^%&^-&$^$%^) and sat quietly as the function rolled along. He will remember in future that he should avoid all functions that involve politicians as they are notorious for hogging the limelight - some thing that celebrities crave for themselves. In attendance were big-wigs like Sonia Gandhi, Andhra CM Reddy, and a few other central ministers. So what was the chance for Salman Khan to be noticed.

Salman Khan (star of Partner, Lucky - No Time For Love, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Phir Milenge, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Maine Pyaar Kiya) would be chastened with this embarrassing encounter with politicos and will surely be wiser. In future he would double check the programme before giving his okay to it.

Bhoothnath

It's the season for ghosts in Bollywood again. Another Bhooth film nearing completion is Bhoothnath starring the ageless wonder Amitabh Bachchan. The trailer of Bhoothnath on the Home site took me back to my school days as it has been shot at my alma mata - a great school in Bandra. Interesting story, good cast - all the potential to do well, especially with the red hot streak that Bollywood is in the middle of.

The film stars Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Juhi Chawla, Satish Shah, Rajpal Yadav, Aman Siddiqui, Tejas. The director is newcomer Vivek Sharma while the Producer is Ravi Chopra. The Lyrics of Bhoothnath are penned by wordsmith Javed Akhtar.

The Bhoothnath film star cast is interesting with Shah Rukh Khan teaming up with the Big B after ages. That would mean they have buried the hatchet (in each others back?). Also with them is Juhi Chirpy Chawla and master Aman. The Big B will then have God Tussi Great Ho as his next big banner release.

Any one seen the Deol Family portrait 'Apne'?

I was really bored on Sunday afternoon and when I saw Apne in the TV listings I thought why not? The movie had got some favorable reviews in the media and I thought why not watch the Deol Parivaar all muscle their way through several dozen goonda's. I has also wanted to watch it on the big screen but was not able to catch it at all. That's why the fact that it was being screened on a Sunday (I don't get off my ass on a Sunday) was apt for me.

Though I was expecting a really well made movie (it was a moderate success after all) I was not all that excited by it eventually. The movie is in fact your typical Deol smash-pound-crush bones movie after all. There were a bit realistic parts like a disgraced boxer father (tainted by a doping scandal), his rough relations with the elder sibling who takes off to try his hand at business and his partly injured/crippled younger son. Though there was a lot of promise in the plot, a disgraced boxer - Dharmendra, trying to redeem his honour and pride by coaching a young tyro (Aryan Vaid) and counting on him to wipe the blot on his career. The young boxer takes off (for a foreign coach) and this shatters Dharmendra. His younger son Bobby, cannot bear this fathers anguish and he takes up boxing while at the same time doing hand strengthening his weak left arm. Here it could have been a simple rise to glory and fame movie and would have worked well. But how can we give more prominence to the elder Deol, Sunny who is also the acknowledged action star? This dilemna caused the writers (director/ producers???) to create a twist. As expected Bobby beats the defector, Aryan and heads for the World Boxing championship in the US, and there as expected makes great progress. He reaches the final - and the right to challenge the defending champ - a Garcia dude. Here instead of teh gyts and glory ending they make Garcia cheat and beat Bobby (when he was on is way to victory) and this causes Bade Bhaiyaa Sunny to snort and bristle as only he can (it is getting a bit tedious...sigh). He then challenges Garcia to a bout to prove that he cheated and beat his brother. And you can guess the ending. The brothers unite, so does the dad and the family is all one unit, and Sunny beats the crap out of the World Champion Garcia. yeah, with a circular swing of the arm which is patented by Suneil Shetty. Yeah, less punches, jabs, uppercuts, rigt hooks - more of amassive swing that resembles a drunk gorilla trying to swat at flies.

Anyway, Sunny Bhaiyya wins and all is hunky dory again. The Choudhary family comes back to motherland with their heads held high - AND all the Deols getting ample screen space. Isn't that the objective of the movie. Yeah, and since this movie was/is considered a hit, it means a hit for Sunny and Bobby after ages. Better cinema guys, better cinema. Stars? I would say 2/5 for Apne. That because three of them are in a movie for the first time.

Biggies coming up next are Krazzy 4, Bhoothnath and Race. They are have big stars or are from big banners. Will be an interesting slugfest.

Shah Rukh gets back at Aamir - are they taking the media for a ride?

After Aamir poked fun at Shah Rukh and said that SRK was the Number 2 actor in the country, trailing him who was at number one, SRK poked fun at Aamir in his inimitable style. At most times Shah Rukh is pompous and conceited but he is smart enough to realize when to look humble and humorous. And this was an opportune moment. If he had disagreed with Aamir then he would look like an arrogant ass (which he is at times), but he played it down by accepting that Aamir was number 1 and he was happy that Aamir was considering him as Number 1.

If that is the case why does he keep throwing quotes around to all who care to listen (and there are not a few media people who lap up all his gab fest) that he is the finest actor in the country. He loses no opputunity in declaring that he is the best. Well, we agree he works very hard, is a great role model for the country (has not killed any endangered species, not beaten up his wife or girlfriend, has not killed people by drunken driving, etc) but the best???? Perhaps the most successful, thanks to the great rapport he has to the most important camps in the Industry (Chopra's, Johars, Farah, etc), thanks to the 'close' relationship with Karan Jhar who has given him his biggest (and most painful to endure) hits (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham). And most importantly the bad taste of Indian viewers.

Best actors shouldn't that club be reserved for good actors and not stars - though an actor can become a star. Actors like Aamir Khan, Shiney Ahuja (the great new hope for the Hindi Industry), Kay Kay Menon, Amitabh Bachchan, Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Amrish Puri, Balraj Saini (yeah...i am going back in time). Perhaps stars like Saif, Akshay Kumar, Kangana Ranaut will join this club, but SRK and company? No Ways!!!

Color has gone out of Ghai's Black & White world

Yeah, I am referring to the fate of his much touted arty film Black & White. It has bombed and so have his hopes of breaking the jinx that seems to have stuck to him like glue. Yaadein, Kisna and now Black & White. The list is growing long and alarmingly long. And this despite him taking a break from directing in between to concentrate on his Whistling Woods Institute and producing other directors movies.

So in between he did have movies like to the credit of Mukta Arts. So at least that would have cheered him up. When one tries to recollect the last time Ghai got a hit, one would have to go back to the stone ages. Heh hehehe. Joking. Actually the 90's. Now that may not be a long time for the lifetime of a person, but for a director/producer of Ghai's repuation, it sure seems painfully long. The movie that can be considered a hit would be Pardes (Taal was a semi-hit or average I would say).

The problem with him is that he hasn't grown as a director. Our film people are extremely formulaic, superstitious (all heroines should have names starting with M), and have delusions about their own grandeur. No good bound script, no research, no thorough study of the subject or taking characters that suit the role. Its more of let me take my two best friends in the industry and make a movie. And lets also take that nubile young thing who is very agreeable to 'everything' and launch her movie career. And then we get a dud of a movie.

In his defense he did try to get away from the regular tripe he dished out to audiences, but he was not rewarded. He needs to have another go at such a genre. Go Ghai, GO!

The Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi cold war era reminder pops up

Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi allegedly never had the best of relations during their hey days. Smita had accused Shabana of pinching quite a few of her roles. One such movie is due to be released soon! Could ya beat that? Libaas starring Shabana Azmi and Smita's husband Raj Babbar was made 20 years ago.

But Shabana said she has made her peace with Smita ages ago and it should not be raked up now. She is in fact taking Smita's son Prateik under her wings just as he is all geared up to join the acting band wagon. Shabana says Prateik is a replica of his mother. He is about to leave for the States to enrioll in an acting course. When he is back Aunty Shabana will be ready to launch his career in Bollywood. Nice na? To have one your mothers arch rivals rooting and
doing all the groundwork for your success.

Shabana also mentioned about rising star Chitrangada Singh, saying she had an uncanny resemblance to Smita Patil. The looks the complexion all give viewers a feeling of Deja Vu. Smita is on the big screen again.

Salman Khan comes clean on the alleged support to Raj Thackeray's MNS

A couple of days ago, Salman Khan made it clear in a press conference that he had in no way, supported the MNS agenda of hostility towards Uttar Bhartiya's (people from UP, Bihar). There were alot of stories swirling in the press that he along with a few other prominent film personalities had supported Raj Thackeray. But this was very diffeent from the actual story. The truth is that they had only supported his freedon of speech and were opposed to the court gagging him in his statements to the press and media.

Sallu said, "Raj is a very dear friend and I know him for very long. But I have not supported his cause. My father (Khan senior) just said that Raj has the freedom of speech, nothing more."
This innocuous statement was twisted by the media to mean that a few film artistes actaully supported the MNS agenda. Among them were Maharashtrian actors like Nana Patekar, Shreyas Talpade, and Sajid Khan and a few others.

Salman who has had a mixed year with a hit in Partner and a super flop in Saawariya is looking forward to a couple of important projects like God Tussi Great Ho, Yuvraaj and remake of Telugu super hit Pokiri.

Salman argued that his own family were originally migrants - father from Madhya Pradesh, maternal Grand father from Kashmir, and paternal Grand father from Kashmir. Thats the reason he said it was impossible for him to support such demands.

Mithya is great news for talented non-chocolate heroes like Ranvir, Vinay, Rajat Kapur

The surprise hit of the season, Mithya has been a encouraging success story for actors not in the good looking mould of Salman, Aamir or Hrithik. Bollywood is fueled by good looking heroes, vanity and glamour. Rarely do ordinary looking heroes and heroines get a chance to show case their talent. Producers prefer taking guys and gals who have way too good looks as they belive it will draw the audiences in. So if a actor is talented and perfect for the role, he might get passed over for the position. Therefore in so many years very few actors with modest looks have succeeded in Bollywood. Like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Seema Biswas, Ajay Devgun. In fact many of them ended up becoming character actors or comedians where at least they got to hold a regular job or got a chance to showcase their histrionics.

Thats why a movie like Mithya which has Ranvir Shorey and last years Bheja Fry which had Vinay Pathak are very important for talented non-chocolate heroes like Ranvir, Vinay, Rajat Kapur. They give a chance for a story to be told without the trapping of glamor, sincerely and in a heartfelt way. Bheja Fry made Vinay a ful fledged star and he started demanding a package of up to 1 crore plus. And why not? He is realy talented and funny. And he has taken the long road to success.

The same for his buddy and Channel V conspirator, Ranvir. Hardly the typical good looking Punjabi munda, he is a sensitive and natural performer. He was also seen in Jism, Traffic Signal, Khosla Ka Ghosla, and Aaja Nach Le.

Rajat was part of both films. A good role in Bheja... and the director in Mithya. So it looks like a nice (and funny) team is forming in Bollywood and it doesn't include SRK, Yash Johar, Yash Chopra and Farah Khan. And yet the result is a hit film. And a well made human drama.

Though the movie hasn't raked in tons of money, the fact that it was made on a small budget of 2.5 crore, allowed it to reach break even faster and now it is making money for its distributors. Bring on the bubbly.

Ajay Devgan sets a green example to his Bollywood compadres

Ajay Devgan has dealt a great blow for a greener environment by buying a Maruti Swift car for himself. Now if the naive reader is wondering how another car will help the environment - well small cars such as the Maruti Swift, Hyundai Santro, Maruti 800 and others are less polluting than the big cars. Even abroad green organizations put pressure on the Hollywood stars to avoid using SUV's which are seen as the most polluting vehicles in the world. So the simple way to look at it is, small car = less pollution and big car = more pollution. The pollution is because it guzzles more fuel as well as its emissions.

It also makes sense to have a smaller car in a city like Mumbai as it becomes more easier to move the car around. Larger car means you are stuck in narrow roads and at times are not able to move in congested traffic. And if you are stuck in traffic then the size of the car won't be much of a difference. People usually go for bigger cars due to the higher horse power and more comfortable interiors. And the kick one gets from boasting of the ownership of a nifty set of wheels. So a star like Ajay sacrificing all that for the environment is a laudable achievement. Wish him all the best for his new found zest for greenery and his new movie U Me aur Hum. He has had a spate of flops with Cash, Sunday and Halla Bol and he needs some better luck at the box office. His last good movie and hit Omkara was some time away. Perhaps he needs more of roles like Gangajal and Apaharan where his raw intensity shines through easily instead of these candy floss capers. Or an all our comedy caper like Masti or Golmaal which will raw in the audiences in spite of the plot.

Subhash Ghai is all excited about his next movie - Black & White

Though Subhash Ghai has a large body (you thought I was referring to his girth didn't you?) of work, he is till excited and nervous as a young school boy about his next movie - Black & White. The one obvious reason is that it is the first movie in a couple of years that he has directed. Seems to be a good decision too, if you see his last masterpiece (of course I am sarcastic), Kisna. That movie singularly pulled Vivek Oberoi from the star orbit to struggling actor ground level. Ghai had done a Kisna of Hrithik Roshan too with Yaadeein. Though one must say Hrithik had the backing of his father Rakesh Roshan, who helped with recover with Koi Mil Gaya and Krrish. ANd of course he later had Dhoom 2. Unfortunately Vivek had no sugar to bail him out.

Media reports are supposedly carrying good reports about Black & White, and even the man Ghai is talking about it favorably. The visuals are good and it seems to have a good topic. Of course one has to eventually see if the movie is deep and meaningful and has a soul or not, or Ghai has randomly picked up a plot and stretched it to make a full length feature film. He is notorius for not giving importance to a strong story line. So lets see if his optimism this time is misplaced or worth the price of a movie ticket.

Reebok has signed on Bollywood star Bipasha Basu as it's new face

(Image courtesy Rediff.com)

Bipasha Basu the hot Bong bombshell has proved what a good toned body she has. Well, at least Reebok have approved her. Reebok India has signed on the fittest Bollywood star as it's new face for all their India-centric promotions.

Subhinder Singh who is the MD of Reebok India said "Bipasha embodies the pulse points of our brand --individuality, authenticity and a life lived to the fullest in perpetual motion. She is an actor par excellence, a celebrated youth icon with an immense passion for fitness."

Bipasha has been managing her career quite well. For a model (who are dubbed bad actors) she has made impressive strides as an actor. She has refined her acting skills, become a sought after dancer (when directors approach you fro item numbers it means you have made it as a dancer) and is doing strong roles now as opposed to the glamor roles. She has done Corporate where she wore business suits and did not bare her dusky skin at all in the movie. She also made sure she did roles that kept her in the limelight - both audiences and producers; like Omkara, No Entry, Dhoom:2, Phir Hera Pheri, and a few others.