Starring: Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Dutt, Rishi Kapoor

All images courtesy of: www.glamsham.com

WARNING: Contains plot spoilers – please revisit this review after viewing Agneepath if you do not wish to know what happens beforehand!

Sometimes, it is difficult to write a film review. Strangely, when I don’t like what I have seen, the post seems to write itself, the thoughts flow and the problem becomes one of too much to say. However, when I like a film, it is a different matter. Sometimes I cannot help but gush and write love letters to directors and producers and actors as their work has had a profound effect on me. Then you occasionally get a Rockstar  – which I am still unable to write up my thoughts on with any sort of clarity or objectivity.

I was lucky enough to see Agneepath (1990) when it first released (though I was only ten years old at the time) and in my eyes, it immediately became a film which was synonymous with determination and grit. It also felt different from the masala fare that I had been weaned on and though it has been over ten years since I last revisited it (format changes since you ask – my copy was on VHS!), it is still seared in my mind as an incredible and iconic film.

Agneepath - The Path of Fire

Hence, I wasn’t overjoyed to hear about the remake but having now seen the full product, I can’t stop thinking about it. For rather than a frame to frame remake (my worst fear) or trying to be too clever, Agneepath 2012 is more of a companion piece to the original, taking various elements such as the characters and the stories and presenting them in such a way to appeal to modern sensibilities and a new audience but at the same time, encouraging those who loved the original to look at things differently.

One of Agneepath 2012′s greatest challenges (aside from doing justice to its source material) is the enormous canvas it has to cover and so we really do get a slice of 90′s cinema where emotions are openly manipulated to unbearable levels whilst the violence and intensity are presented in a polished manner but still retain the ability to provoke a strong reaction. If I have to nit pick, I thought Kaali’s character had little purpose to serve in the scheme of things, which is a shame as if the makers did want to add a significant female role to the film,  I feel they should have committed and seen it through to the end.

Also, the film is quite long which may put some viewers off but I liked this as it allowed the characters time to develop and explore the very dark side of the story which is perhaps the film’s trump card – making a bleak story of revenge set in a seedy underworld entertaining and accessible in a way that very few films manage to achieve by design.

The longer duration also allows for the leading actors to shine in their roles, which brings me onto performances. Priyanka Chopra has little to do but does give a good account of herself in the few emotional scenes that she has. I also thought her supporting act was exactly what she needs right now as I certainly wanted to see more of her and that is better than not wanting her to be there at all. Rishi Kapoor is superb as Rauf Lala, a character who is incredibly evil but sees no wrong in what he does and seeks only to further his own cause. Rishi is very convincing and manages to give Rauf Lala a human side which is far easier said than done but Rishi makes it look effortless. Similarly, Sanjay Dutt is fantastic as Kancha Cheena, a villain haunted by his own demons and possessing a brutality and menace that truly scares the viewer. Furthermore, I loved how Sanjay gave such a restrained performance – the danger with Kancha Cheena is to be too dramatic or caricature but Sanjay keeps Kancha in check, even giving him shades of grey amongst the black.

Duggu burns the screen with intensity. Fierce.

However, for me, the standout performance was Hrithik Roshan who not only has to contend with powerhouse performances from Rishi and Sanjay but also the shadow of Amitabh Bachchan’s iconic turn in the original (even though it is beyond comparison). At first, I felt Hrithik looked like he was sleepwalking but then I tuned into the intensity and subtle frequency Hrithik was performing at and was sucked into his performance. Not only does he prove a worthy foil to Kancha and Rauf Lala but makes Vijay three dimensional, someone the viewer feels they could know and care for. Also, whether it is action, emotional or crowd pleasing, Hrithik shows off a dazzling array of versatility as Vijay and continues to set the bar higher for himself with each film which is exactly how it should be.

Agneepath 2012 is a fantastic film that is definitely worth a watch and excitingly, promises to reveal more about itself upon repeat viewings. Whilst it is not an out and out masala film, it does have enough range to satisfy audiences across the board and succeeds as a suitable tribute to an amazing film. If Hindi cinema is in the grip of a remake frenzy, then Agneepath 2012 has set the standard for what we should expect from remakes – and for that reason alone, this is highly recommended.

Was it just me or did anyone else miss this scene?

Author’s Note: This is my 125th post! I just wanted to say a big thank you to all those who have visited,read and commented on my blog, I really am so grateful to everyone for their encouragement!

I also want to thank Akshay Kumar for not releasing a film in time for my 125th post (see my 100th post, a review of Patiala House) and thank Dharma Productions for Agneepath which is exactly the kind of film I love writing about…

Here’s to the next 125 posts!

Love

Bogeyno2

xoxo.

“Damn, I wish I had worn a sari”.

“Damn, I wish I had worn an evening gown”.

“Not a Bata chappal in sight – thank goodness”.

No doubt as the Hindi film industry comes together for a night of glamour and a gauntlet of social faux-pas, this is what I imagine many of the heroines must think as they secretly size each other up at the Filmfare Awards. Still, it makes things that much more fun for the viewer who may be disappointed by some of the nominees and the recepients but still doesn’t know how to quit following the Filmfare awards.

To be fair, the Filmfare Awards are the only awards aside from the National Award or something like a Padma Bhushan (got to love an award that has your name in it) that I give any credibility to though if you are looking to have your faith tested to an extreme, you could do worse than to glance at some of the nominees in some categories. Still, the year is incomplete until the Filmfare Awards take place and this year is no exception.

So here is how it all breaks down.

Nominees. Who I want to win. Who will probably win.

Like some of the jury, I haven’t seen all the films in contention but hey, it’s not like I am an actual judge or anything, so put your objections  away and more importantly, let me know whether you agree with me or not. Or whether you would wear a sari or an evening dress for the occasion. My answer can be found at the bottom of this post…

BEST FILM

Delhi Belly
Don 2
No One Killed Jessica
Rockstar
The Dirty Picture
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

My Choice: It has got to be Rockstar. I must be the only person who hasn’t seen The Dirty Picture yet (much to my detriment as I absolutely love Vidya) but I would still choose Rockstar even if I had.

Probable Winner: The Dirty Picture. But no sour grapes here, just grapes for comfort.

Rockstar - my favourite film of 2011

BEST DIRECTOR

Abhinay Deo for Delhi Belly
Farhan Akhtar for Don 2
Imtiaz Ali for Rockstar
Milan Luthria for The Dirty Picture
Raj Kumar Gupta for No One Killed Jessica
Zoya Akhtar for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara

My Choice: I actually think Zoya Akhtar or Raj Kumar Gupta should take this one as both ZNMD and NOKJ make for nice acronyms and were very good. For me personally, as much as I would love Rockstar to sweep the board, I would like to see Zoya Akhtar take this by way of compensation for Luck By Chance being highly underrated.

Probable Winner: Abhinay Deo for Delhi Belly – because they like to throw in a curveball here and there!

BEST ACTOR

Ajay Devgn for Singham
Amitabh Bachchan for Aarakshan
Hrithik Roshan for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Ranbir Kapoor for Rockstar
Salman Khan for Bodyguard
Shahrukh Khan for Don 2

My Choice: No contest – Ranbir Kapoor for Rockstar. Ajay Devgn for Singham  might stand a chance which wouldn’t hurt as bad as any of the others taking it…actually it would. I said it once, will say it again – Ranbir Kapoor for Rockstar.

Probable Winner: See above.

He really learnt to play the guitar for this role. No, really.

BEST ACTRESS

Katrina Kaif for Mere Brother Ki Dulhan
Mahie Gill for Saheb Biwi aur Gangster
Priyanka Chopra for 7 Khoon Maaf
Vidya Balan for No One Killed Jessica                                                                                                                                                         Vidya Balan for The Dirty Picture

My choice:  Now this is a tough category. First things first – Kat for MBKD;  really? Yes, she did a great job and showed us she can act/belly dance but can we take a moment and look at the calibre of performance she is up against?  (Am sure she would have attended even if she hadn’t been nominated). Shame and damnation on me, as I haven’t seen TDP or Sahib Biwi aur  Gangster, but from what I have gleaned, Vidya has this one in the bag. Secretly though, until The Dirty Picture hit our screens, this had Priyanka Chopra’s name all over it after 7 Khoon Maaf and for what its worth, would be my choice for this category. Never mind PC, onwards and upwards.

Probable Winner: Vidya Balan – The Dirty Picture – but we love Vidya so ooh la la all the way…

Vidya writing out the formula for success on the board behind her...

BEST ACTOR IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Abhay Deol for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Farhan Akhtar for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Naseeruddin Shah for The Dirty Picture
Pitobash Tripathy for Shor in the City                                                                                                                                                                      Vir Das for Delhi Belly

My choice: Lots of people went gaga for Farhan in ZNMD which is fair enough and he will probably get this award but I would like it to go to Abhay Deol who is perhaps the most underrated actor after Ajay Devgn in terms of getting the recognition he deserves.

Probable Winner: Farhan Akhtar -  as he is nominated for so much, he can’t go home empty handed, na?

Somebody give this man an award. Or more awards.

BEST ACTRESS IN A SUPPORTING ROLE

Juhi Chawla for I Am
Kalki Koechlin for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Parineeti Chopra for Ladies VS Ricky Bahl
Rani Mukerji for No One Killed Jessica                                                                                                                                                        Swara Bhaskar for Tanu Weds Manu

My choice: Never ever did I think I would back Rani Mukerji but damn it, here we are, that was a hell of a performance in NOKJ and easily deserving of Best Supporting Actress. As for Parineeti Chopra, isn’t she meant to be a debutante?

Probable Winner: The gravelly voiced one. See above.

Got to love the scarf that suggests serious thought mode...

BEST MUSIC DIRECTOR

A.R. Rahman for Rockstar
Ram Sampat for Delhi Belly
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Sohail Sen for Mere Brother Kil Dulhan
Vishal-Shekhar for Ra.One

My choice:  Another tough category – well not really, because Rockstar has taken up permanent residence on my iPod  and in my heart, so it HAS to win this award. As popular as MBKD was/is (and it is a bitching soundtrack, I have to give it props), it has to go to Rockstar. All the way.

Probable Winner: Rockstar, Rockstar, Rockstar. Get it? Rockstar.

BEST LYRICS

Gulzar for “Darling” from 7 Khoon Maaf
Irshad Kamil for “Naadaan Parindey” from Rockstar
Irshad Kamil for “Saadda Haq” from Rockstar
Javed Akhtar for “Senorita” from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara                                                                                                              Vishal Dadlani and Niranjan Iyengar for “Chammak Challo” from Ra.One

My choice: Aw man, I have to choose between Saadda Haq and Nadaan Parindey? [Sigh] I’m going to give to Saadda Haq which should be compulsory listening on anger management courses across the world but have to say, why the Dickens has Tum Ho not been nominated????

Probable Winner: Gulzar for Darling – Saat Khoon Maaf -  a matter of “recognising” a good film without causing major upset. Smart.

BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (MALE)

Vishal Dadlani and Akon for “Chammak Challo” from Ra.One
Mohit Chauhan for “Jo Bhi Main” from Rockstar
Mohit Chauhan for “Saadda Haq” from Rockstar
Rahat Fateh Ali Khan for “Teri Meri” from Bodyguard
Shafqat Amanat Ali for “Dildaara” from Ra.One

My Choice:  Again, where the frigg is Tum Ho??? Anyway, listen to Saadda Haq. Then listen to Jo Bhi Main. They are sung by the same guy. If that ain’t range, I don’t know what is. If that ain’t award worthy, I don’t know what is. Award needs to go to Mohit Chahaun just for learning to sing – amazing.

Probable Winner: Akon for Chammak Challo – he doesn’t ACTUALLY speak Hindi and therefore, according to a warped sense of poetic justice,  he must be given the award so that Filmfare can do a nice little write up with that angle in mind.

BEST PLAYBACK SINGER (FEMALE)

Alyssa Mendoza for “Khwabon Ke Parindey” from Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara
Harshdeep Kaur for “Katiya Karun” from Rockstar
Rekha Bhardwaj and Usha Uthup for “Darling” from 7 Khoon Maaf
Shreya Ghoshal for “Teri Meri” from Bodyguard
Shreya Ghoshal for “Saibo” from Shor in the City

My Choice: Alright then, let’s mix things up – in a non-Rockstar year, it would have to be Usha Uthup for Darling, simply because it sounds so unique and totally works for the film.  Otherwise, Katiya Karun has got to have it as it is an amazing song.

Probable Winner: Shreya Ghoshal for Bodyguard because once again, that damned sense of poetic justice means the biggest grosser of the year has to buy at least one award to it’s name…

Never mind PC, it is still a career highlight.

So there we have it! Do you agree with my choices?

And now, what would I wear to the awards – a sari or an evening dress? Answer: A tux. Whoever heard of a dude wearing those garments to the Filmfare Awards! Tum log bhi, na….

Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Sonam Kapoor, Omi Vaidya, Sikander Kher, Bobby Deol and Vinod Khanna

All images courtesy of: www.glamsham.com

WARNING: Contains spoilers – if you do not wish to know what happens before viewing the film,please revisit my review after seeing Players. If you already know what happens or don’t care – read on…

Players - go for gold!

And so 2012 begins, with Abbas-Mustan kicking off the year with their trademark “racy thrillers” where essentially, the audience are whiplashed into submission with a hybrid of heavy petting, extremely shiny cars and more twists and turns than a head full of curls. If Abhishek’s voice over from the trailer is not haunting you in the middle of the night (as it has done to me – made more infuriating when I can’t remember the exact wording), then count yourself lucky. To be fair, Players already seems to have annoyed more people than it has made friends with so whilst I was prepared to give the film the benefit of the doubt, I made sure to bring a packet of cynicism with me to ensure the reviewer within remained intact.

As expected, Abbas Mustan have overegged the pudding, giving us an oversexed episode of Colombo on crack – I found myself laughing unintentionally at many parts as well as ticking off a mental checklist of things as they appeared; committing crime for a vulnerable family member? Check. Unnecessary love track? Check. Heroines wearing anything non-fitted or below the thigh? Almost. To be fair, I didn’t go to Players expecting Citizen Kane and as I haven’t seen either version of The Italian Job, I had no basis for comparison.

But I have to say, Players does entertain – especially if the viewer doesn’t take the film seriously. I also thought the actual heist and action sequences were very good, especially the train robbery which cranks up the thrill factor a couple of notches. It is a shame really that Abbas Mustan feel they have to include so many twists and turns and unnecessary sentiment as if they were to employ a restrained approach, Players would be a lot shorter and more fun. Still, Abbas Mustan are what they are and their fans will certainly enjoy the film.

Bips on form as usual in a multistarrer...

Performance wise, there is a strict divide – Abhishek, Bipasha, Sikander, Omi and to a point, Neil are all very good in their roles (though Neil could do with being reigned in after the interval, where he seems to go out of control) whilst Bobby and Sonam compete to give the most wooden performance; Bobby looks like he has rolled out of bed and sleepwalks through his role whilst Sonam seems to be playing dress up in the Vogue India sample cupboard (which infuriated me even more as the clothes are wasted on her – far better to have given them to Bipasha who makes even a simple vest and jeans uber-sexy). Props also go to Johnny Lever who steals the show with the comedy track and totally throws the film off kilter in the best way possible.

Is Players worth a watch? Yes, it is – go with a rowdy crowd of friends, don’t take it seriously and it will be fun. But as for repeat viewings or being a worthy addition to crazy thriller entertainer genre, Players falls short. As Neil’s character remarks, he is bored of the same old tricks being played and audiences will probably voice a similar, slightly unkinder sentiment. Whilst we love Abbas Mustan’s brand of crazy, it could do with being refreshed and presented in a different way (not least with a shorter running time and a tighter script – can’t stress that enough!). Still, Players is fun and if you are in the market for some disposable crazy (and let’s face it, who isn’t?) then this is a film for you – go for gold players!

Not bronze, not silver, gold. Go. For.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Om Puri, Boman Irani and Lara Dutta

All images courtesy of: www.glamsham.com

“Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nayi, namunkin hai!” [It is not difficult to catch Don, it is impossible!] No doubt the script writer was referring to my efforts to  catch Don 2 near its release date  – which may sound like no biggie in the scheme of things but for the Bollywood blogger, was awful. Not only had everyone passed their opinion on the film but had helpfully spoiled the cameos and surprises too. Still, when I finally got to see Don 2, it was in an empty 300 seater cinema so to be fair, the universe did help in the end (though this is now how I want to watch every film – undisturbed and in comfort!)

Having recently viewed Don again, I was familiar with the back story and ready to evaluate Don 2 as a sequel as well as a standalone film and it was here I came to a crossroad. When viewed as a sequel or continuation of the first, I felt Don 2 worked better – Don was more ruthless this time whilst killing without mercy, using others for his own gain and as always, never forgetting an enemy. But I did have concerns over the storyline – the script seemed to switch gears clumsily so that we have a heist movie at the forefront, relegating Don’s complex relationship with Roma to the background as well as the battle against the European drug cartel. Furthermore, the Don-Roma storyline is the most interesting strand and could have done with far more screen time and exploration.

Thank god for the haircut...

But it seemed to me the film was more geared towards being a standalone film, hence the focus on the big heist and the big set pieces (such as the Berlin car chase) paying lip service to sequel duty and a bigger amount to the spectacle at hand, which is not a bad thing but when the existing premise had so much to offer/explore, Don 2 does falter slightly at times when it switches to standalone mode. Still, despite these few concerns,  Don 2 is a great deal of fun, glossily packaged, well edited and determined to entertain which is perhaps its greatest strength.

See? The chemistry is right there...

Performance wise, though there are no weak links, I felt indifferent to Lara Dutta and Kunal Kapoor who do everything asked of them. I liked Boman Irani as Vardhan, who really made Vardhan more than a stereotype villain whilst Om Puri also gave a good account of himself in a limited role. Priyanka Chopra is good, though she only really shines when she is with SRK which made me feel she had been let down by the script. But, as expected and rightly so, Don 2 belongs to Shah Rukh Khan who clearly relishes reprising the role and has a lot more fun this time, especially in indulging the cruel side to the character which for me, makes Don more interesting than your average shades of grey villain.

Don 2 reminded me of Quantum of Solace in that there was great expectation around it, the film did exceptionally well at the box office yet it didn’t meet universal critical acclaim and worked more as a  part of Casino Royale than as a standalone film. Yet Don 2 does manage to retain some of the spirit of the first film and is unabashed in its desire to entertain and is in sharp contrast to the more rustic and rural action films we’ve had in Hindi cinema lately, presenting an urban take on masala action and showing that there is no doubt that Hindi cinema possesses the range to satisfy fans of both persuasions.

More Don-Roma next time please...

Don 2 is certainly worth a watch and at the end of the day, the ambition behind the project is to be applauded.  Though there are no immediate plans for a  Don 3, I think it can be done successfully, especially if it was to feature Aamir Khan as the man who catches Don – now that would be quite something…

At first, as I began to think about my annual review of Bollywood, I was ready to compose an epic four part extravaganza detailing how the year had unfolded, with four sub-categories: heroines, heroes, songs and films. But then, seeing as the world and its mother have produced end of year reviews aplenty (and annoyingly, made points I wanted to make; how dare they, those were my original thoughts which I hadn’t told anybody!), I decided to scrap my magnum opus and instead, do a short and sweet piece limiting everything to five of the best (because I love writing with a goal in mind).

So, here are, in my opinion (and originally/organically sourced from my observations over the year) are my five favourite films and soundtracks, as well as five actresses and actors who I think had a great 2011.

Films

Rockstar - my favourite film of 2011.

1. Rockstar – The first trailer annoyed me. What on earth was Ranbir doing? But then the film had me at the opening dialogue and suddenly I went  from irritation to infatuation as I fell for Rockstar big time. Awesome lead performance from Ranbir? Check. Soundtrack that will never leave the I-pod? Check. A contestant who didn’t make it to the final 14 on ANTM? Check. This film was made for me.

2. Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara – Speaking of couture film, here is one to file under perfectly timed release. Whether it was the gorgeous locales of Spain, the gorgeous cast or just the film on its own merits, I simply loved ZNMD and even found it inspirational. That Zoya Akhtar was talented we all knew, but to see her get her dues was as satisfying as the film itself.

3. Singham -Do not adjust your screen – you read that correctly. This film simmered with rage and righteousness that I totally bought into. Ajay Devgn gave a powerhouse of a performance but it was Prakash Raj’s villain matching him step for step that really brought the fierce. I saw this again on DVD recently and it was just as much fun and even better than I had remembered. Super-like!

4. Saat Khoon Maaf – The packed screening I saw this at was in a daze at the ending but I was on a high as rarely does a Hindi film raise more questions than it answers (also see Rockstar). From the concept itself to the execution, I went gaga over this film, lamenting how the cinema took it off after one week so I couldn’t go for that all important repeat viewing (of which there will be many – daaarrrrrrrrrling….)

5. Dhobi Ghat – A non Hindi speaking friend in New York drunkenly referred to this film as Baby Goat (don’t ask!) but I’m sure she’ll know what it is called after seeing it. A beautiful piece of cinema that I have seen thrice and still want to see again. Subtle and sophisticated, this will be one of those films I would give as part of an introductory course to Hindi cinema.

Film Soundtracks

Loved the promotional campaign for Rockstar.

1. Rockstar – Surprised? Really? You shouldn’t be. This soundtrack featured my favourite song of the year (Tum Ho) but was also like  Eid, Christmas and Diwali all rolled into one. Sadda Haq, Katiya Karun, Fayakun, Haawa Haawa, Jo Bhi Main – ALL on one soundtrack. Simply amazing, a soundtrack not for a season but for life.

2. Mere Brother Ki Dulhan – Pipe down there at back, the film may have been strictly average or below par but the songs rocked. Dhunki had me faux head bashing whilst Choomantar made me smile. Not even Imran Khan’s poor grasp of choreography could destroy the title track whilst Do Dhaari Talwaar and Madhubala were lots of fun. Plus Rahat Fateh Ali Khan never goes wrong (Isq Risk).  One soundtrack where fast forward isn’t needed – unlike the film (ouch!)…

3.  Delhi Belly – So there is clearly a rock vibe of sorts this year (yes Dhunki counts as faux rock) and Delhi Belly captured that vibe perfectly with Bhaag D.K Bose (which is an excellent treadmill song to work out to). But to counter that was Ja Chudail and Switty Tera Pyar Chaida which were lots of fun. And then how can we forget Aamir’s item number in I Hate You (Like I Love You) – shake that biscuit for me baby!

4. Bodyguard – Again, the gentry will sneer but there were some superb songs to be had here – Teri Meri Prem Kahani was more rinsed than a shirt at the dhobi ghat but was an instant favourite on first hearing. Desi Beat was unadulterated fun whilst Aaya Bodyguard indulged the inner front bencher. But my favourite track was the gorgeous I Love You sung by Ash King which felt out of place with the rest of the soundtrack – like a diamond in the rough, which only added to its appeal.

5. Mausam – If films are sold on the basis of their songs, then it is little wonder Mausam received so much hype and attention. The film missed the mark but the music was stunning – Rabba was full of innocence whilst Sajh Dhaj Ke is on a fast track to becoming a ladies’ sangeet/wedding song classic. Then there was the beautiful Ik Tu Hi by Hans Raj Hans which encapsulated the pain of separation perfectly.

Actresses

Vidya has 2011 going Ooh La La for her...

1. Vidya Balan – Time for me to big myself up as last year, I said Vidya would be the one to watch and this year proved it – No One Killed Jessica began the year with a bang, with a solid acclaimed performance from Vidya and box office success to match. Then to close the year was The Dirty Picture which Vidya carried on her shoulders all the way to a super hit status. From here on, Vidya can and will rewrite the rules – and I look forward to seeing how she will do that.

2. Kareena Kapoor – On paper, Bebo smashed it this year. Bodyguard and Ra.1 were two more additions to the 100 crore club taking her total films that earned over 100 crore up to 4,  all her forthcoming projects are red hot propositions at the box office and all she had to do was turn up. Is she on the verge of an aresiteia? I think so. One small quibble – it’s been a while since Bebo has given us a Dev/Omkara/Jab We Met level of performance – here’s hoping Talaash, Heroine and Agent Vinod change that in 2012.

3. Katrina Kaif – Anything Kareena can do, Katrina can do it seems. This year welcomed Katrina the actress, who from nowhere, has started to act – and about time too. ZNMD saw a career best performance in a short role whilst she saved Mere Brother Ki Dulhan by giving it some welly. Next year sees films with Aamir, Salman and SRK in Yashraj Films produced projects, plus the SRK project is to be directed by Yash Chopra.  Enough to make even Heroine No 1 mighty jealous – the one to watch next year.

4. Anushka Sharma – Band Baaja Baaraat signalled that Anushka had well and truly arrived, proving a welcome surprise to the box office and critics alike.  So 2011 didn’t quite pan out as it could have  – Patiala House wasted Anushka whilst Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl left us wanting far more than we were given. But what shone through is Anushka’s star quality – the roles may not have given much scope but Anushka still dazzled and made her presence felt. Next year sees her in Yash Chopra’s next as well as Vishal Bhardwaj’s forthcoming offering. Making steady progress, Anushka is playing the game with stealth – and winning.

5. Priyanka Chopra – Multiple roles are her forte as What’s Your Rashee proved but Saat Khoon Maaf took things to the next level as PC jumped head first into a meaty role and emerged triumphant. It may not have gotten the box office success it deserved but 7KM was a career best for Priyanka. Don 2 balanced things out and showed she has range which always helps. Next year sees an impressive line up with Agneepath, Barfee, Kunal Kohli’s next as well as the Krrishh sequel. So PC continues to power forward steadily in a parallel stream with her contemporaries, keeping pace, ready to take over at a moment’s notice…

Actors

2011 - Year Of The Salman Khan

1. Salman Khan – Could Salman do anything wrong this year? It seemed not – with two mega hits back to back , 2011 was the year of the 100 crore Salman. Though he phoned it in for Ready,  Salman gave a better account of himself in Bodyguard with the author backed role and actually proving he has more to offer than his haters would care to acknowledge. Next year sees more of the same – Ek Tha Tiger has already got people excited. Like Kareena, it would be nice to see Salman play a role that takes him out of his comfort zone but for now, it ain’t broke, so no fixing needed.

2. Shah Rukh Khan – When’s the last time we saw SRK? Oh yes, here there and everywhere as the PR juggernaught for Ra.1 ensured even other life forms were aware of the film releasing. Sadly, the big PR push overshadowed the film’s success and the laudable effort was overlooked. Still, Don 2 gave the people what they wanted, sans the incessant promotion and like PC, gave SRK a bit of variety  in 2011. Next year sees him reunited with Yash Chopra and Anushka Sharma as well as being paired with Katrina Kaif for the first time. Can’t deny that’s a casting coup right there…

3. Aamir Khan – Dhobi Ghat was not a typical Aamir Khan film, whatever a typical Aamir Khan film may be. It was certainly an absolute delight and showed us AK can drop the F-bomb with class . DG was yet another milestone as Aamir continues forging his own path and changing things up as he goes along. Not that we are complaining. Next up sees Talaash which is eagerly anticipated as is Dhoom 3 for 2013 but no doubt we’ll hear lots about it in 2012. 

4. Ranbir Kapoor – Last year saw mixed fortunes with the fantastic Rajneeti and the bloated Anjaana Anjaani. But then came Rockstar and Ranbir arrived. Graduating from a promising set of introductory films (with the false step of Saawariya – and even then he was the best thing about it), Rockstar saw an acclaimed performance matched with  a respectable box office haul.  More importantly though, I couldn’t see any of his contemporaries playing Janardan/Jordan or anyone else for that matter. Next up for Ranbir is Barfee which carries a great deal of promise and sounds like the perfect next step in what is looking like a very interesting career in the making.

5. Ajay Devgn – I always feel Ajay is overlooked (even I’ve listed him fifth – oops) because unlike most heroes, Ajay is busy saving all the histronics for the big screen. And what histronics they are – last year saw five releases that had varying degrees of success but all had Ajay’s stellar performance in common. This year, Singham roared at the box office, becoming Ajay’s second entry into the 100 crore club.  We’ll ignore Rascals which didn’t perform as it should have because life is unfair like that. Next year sees Tezz, yet another Golmaal film (seriously Ajay, I think you rock but must you do another Golmaal – have you not had enough?) and Bol Bachchan which makes for a potent combination of films to guarantee 2012 as another great year for the speaks-volumes -through-his work actor.

All about the hand of Singham...

And that’s it! This is what comes to mind when thinking about 2011. With lots of films doing well at the box office this year, there are interesting times ahead as we see which films rise, fall and the most exciting, the ones that take us by surprise. In the meantime, do you agree or disagree with my thoughts? Add your comments below!

And that's 2011 folks...!

Starring: Ranveer Singh, Anushka Sharma, Dipannita Sharma, Aditi Sharma and Parineeti Chopra

All images courtesy of: www.glamsham.com

WARNING: Contains spoilers! Please revisit my review after watching the film if you do not wish to know what happens.

Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl

For some strange reason, the first time I saw the teaser for Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl (LVRB), I caught the last frame where Ranveer stares at the viewer with the words “you’re next” leading me to think this was a film about a serial killer – however, thanks to the de rigeur incessant promotion of films in general these days, that notion was quickly put to rest. But there was no avoiding the red and white nightingale voiced elephant in the room that is Band Baaja Baaraat – after all, this is the first film reuniting Maneesh, Anushka and Ranveer since BBB (which took us all by surprise and made itself comfortable in our hearts and minds) and expectations were high. And try as we might, the comparison with BBB would remain, despite the best of intentions.

Unfortunately, LVRB is not as good as BBB. Take Bachna Ae Haseeno and Badmaash Company, mix together with the stylist from Dhoom and you have LVRB. The film looks and feels very familiar and though it is an entertaining watch, it is nowhere near the richness of detail and nuance that BBB had. Even if we set BBB to one side, LVRB still has a few problems. The biggest one for me was Ricky Bahl himself (who only uses his real name once in the film a la James Bond in Casino Royale – you know my name etc). What are Ricky’s motivations for conning the girls? Why does he give up his wicked ways so quickly for Ishika? (A no brainer really – what wouldn’t you give up for Anushka Sharma?) Is Ricky a misogynist?!  Whilst it may seem I am nit-picking, I did find towards the end I didn’t care what happened to Ricky or if the girls got their money back, as by that stage, any emotional investment in the film had already been spent.

Ranveer Singh with Parineeti Chopra

But the film is not a complete write off – the female characters are interesting, each getting what she wants out of life in her own way and not relying on a man to get what they need (apart from Dimpy and except when they fall for Ricky’s con – dammit, the premise has a flaw!) The film also moves at a choppy pace, is technically slick and at times shows flashes of brilliance, mainly through characterisation but also the odd moment here and there where everything comes together and the Maneesh Sharma magic shines through (inspite of the headache inducing lights, the discotheque scene where Ricky and Ishika fall for one another was a good example of this). I also thought the styling was superb, with the girls’ wardrobe not only reflecting their characters but also the character of their respective cities (all roads lead to cliche ville!). I also loved Ricky’s wardrobe, with shawl collars, jersey and linen used in abundance, making me wish it wasn’t winter here in the UK right now.

'Thug Le' - My favourite song from the soundtrack

Performance wise, I thought Ranveer did the best he could but it wasn’t my cup of tea – though he is let down by not having the author backed role, I thought his performance was perfunctory rather than dynamic and far too subdued; after all, he is supposed to seduce the audience just like he had done with the ladies but this was not evident to me. If anything, I felt the girls were silly for falling for him in the first place. Thank god then that the ladies save the day. Aditi Sharma is very good as Saira, showing grit and a quiet dignity and acting as the mediator between Dimpy and Raina but still making her mark. Similarly, Dipannita Sharma manages to sidestep the stock character she is assigned (Radhika/Shreya from Bachna Ae Haseeno anyone?) and make Raina her own, underlining her character’s determination and cool headed thinking.

Anushka is fantastic as always and has to be said, looks sensational. Though her role could do with more definition (and length – she needed to be drafted in much sooner!) Anushka powers above it all demonstrating star quality and making her presence felt, as well as doing more than the role demands -  which is ideally what Ranveer should have done. The star of the show is undoubtedly Parineeti Chopra who steals nearly every scene she is in as the spoilt Daddy’s girl and carries off the role with such ease and confidence that she is more of an experienced actress than a debutante.

Anushka on her way to bigger and better things...

Clearly, Maneesh Sharma is a talented director and the strongest parts of LVRB are the rare occasions the characters become three dimensional but sadly, he does not get enough time to explore that aspect here. Even on its own merits, LVRB could have been a much better film if it had not gone with the most obvious route of trying to please everybody but instead, give what some viewers may think is a familiar premise a different treatment. Rather than compare LVRB to BBB, it has more in common with Yashraj’s previous release Mere Brother Ki Dulhan which did not have any ideas above its station and did exactly what it said on the tin.

In the same way, had LVRB been promoted and pitched like Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, it wouldn’t feel as if Yashraj were trying to make a quick buck off of BBB and it would have been viewed in the spirit intended rather than carry the weight of enormous expectation which it couldn’t shoulder. Having said that, LVRB is a fun one time watch and could have been much worse than it actually is. If you can, try not to think of BBB and you will probably be able to enjoy this film for what it is – which is definitely not is a film about a serial killer…

Till the next time...

Starring: Ranbir Kapoor, Nargis Fakhri, Aditi Rao, Kumud Mishra, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel and Shammi Kapoor

All images courtesy of: http://www.rockstarthefilm.com/

Following my worrying  indifference to the release of Ra.One, it was with relief that I welcomed the excitement I felt over seeing Rockstar – the moment I realised I wanted to see this film was after explaining one of the songs from the awesome soundtrack to someone who had never seen a Hindi film before. Of course, I was secretly hoping to add Rockstar to the canon of films that I show to newcomers and cynics alike but Ra.One taught me not to expect too much – especially if I factored in how much I loved Love Aaj Kal and Jab We Met (both directed by Imtiaz) – instead, I imposed a blackout, not allowing myself to watch any promos or listen to any of the soundtrack (ok, just listen to it once a day then!) before seeing the film. Soon enough, it was Saturday morning and straight down to the multiplex, with an air of nonchalance masking excitement…

But very soon, that nonchalance fell by the wayside – I could not have predicted that I would fall in head over heels in love with Rockstar in what must be the biggest curveball of the century, as this film was nothing like I had expected it to be and in a strange instance of verisimilitude, arrived at a time that I needed a film to distract me from my woes, allow me to obsess over it and to restore my faith in Hindi cinema once more following a loss of filmi libido.

I usually try to write my review for a film as soon as I can, only delaying a write up over if I can’t decide how I felt about the film or if it simply didn’t capture my imagination but for the first time, I am not sure where to start with Rockstar. Whether it was the technical brilliance, the beautiful cinematography, the understated script, Ranbir Kapoor’s powerhouse performance or A R Rehman’s mesmerising soundtrack, every element of the film pummeled any objectivity I had into a black hole and wowed me so that after a while, I stopped analysing and just went with the flow, expecting to be let down at some point but thankfully, the dip never happened.

I am sure this film does have some flaws which I can’t see right now (for instance Nargis Fakhri) and therein lies the magic of Rockstar – we have a rich tapestry woven with lots of detail and nuance that will emerge triumphantly upon repeated viewings not to mention allowing us to learn more about Ali’s now very distinctive style of film making. It is also something that people will either love or hate but won’t remain indifferent to.

I cannot recommend Rockstar highly enough – even those who don’t like it will have to admit the film has gumption for speaking to its audience with such confidence and intelligence delivered with a healthy dash of bohemia. Without doubt one of the top five films of 2011, a career high for Ali, Kapoor, Rehman and Chauhan and a welcome oasis of smart filmmaking in a sea of one time masala films (and it doesn’t star Ryan Gosling who seems to have a monopoly on the best of 2011 in my opinion)  Rockstar rocks – definitely worth a watch.

Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Shahana Goswani, Armaan Verma, Tom Wu

All images courtesy of:

WARNING: Contains spoilers – if you don’t wish to know what happens, please revisit after viewing the film. Thanks.

I don’t know why I was so reluctant to go and see Ra.One. After all, Ra.One is one of the biggest releases of 2011, carried a great deal of expectations and had been hyped since it went into production. And therein lay the problem – before the film was even released, I was fatigued watching the trailer or listening to Chammak Challo for the umpteenth time but even I couldn’t predict that it would take me over a week from release to catch a screening, which according to my logic, is far too long to see a film that had garnered so much attention and dare I say it, had been on my want to see list for Autumn 2011.

Still, the delay did give me time to see if Ra.One could survive on its own merits once all the hoopla had died down. Sadly, as I adjusted my 3D glasses to ward off the headache I was getting from wearing them, I realised it wouldn’t. First off, let me say Ra.One is not the absolute disaster it is being made out to be. Technically, the film was superb – I thought the 3D conversion was very good, the stunts, actions and graphics were certainly of a high standard and there was clearly a great effort to make Ra.One a visual feast. Also, as a one-time watch, with brain disengaged, a rowdy audience and a cynical companion or two, Ra.One is fun.

But the biggest problem with the film is the screenplay and script which can’t accommodate the expectations of the genre nor use the proficient grip on special effects to good use. Although Shekhar is a lovable character, we don’t really get the chance to emotionally connect with him or  anybody else and furthermore, a lot of the characters don’t really have a purpose – Ra.One (the villain) seems hell bent on avenging a minor humiliation, Sonia and Prateek seem to get over Shekhar’s death incredibly quickly and the Prateek-Shekhar relationship also doesn’t get enough scope to really make an impact. I also didn’t understand the bizarre cameos from Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra nor did I understand the unnecessary anti-Chinese sentiment in the film. Ra.One seems to struggle with what it wants to be, falling into the familiar trap of trying to please everyone and ending up pleasing no-one.

Performance wise, SRK throws everything into the role and gives us highlights from his previous films (for me Shekhar had shades of Surinder from Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi whilst G.One felt like Rizwan Khan from My Name Is Khan) – unfortunately, neither the script nor the direction give him anything to work with and I think this is a real shame as clearly, SRK has far more to offer than what is demanded from him. Similarly, Kareena has precious little to do, only coming alive when she turns evil but that is hardly enough. Like SRK, her character graph is dramatic but does not translate through to the actual film. Shahana Goswami is wasted which is “criminal” (pun intended) whilst Arjun Rampal gets given a direction and sticks to it, which works well for him but does not add to the film. Surprisingly, it is Armaan Verma and Tom Wu who turn in the best performances– not only are they believable but also capture the spirits of their respective characters and  manage to make the most of what they have.

I really wanted to like Ra.One and had hoped the reason for some of the negativity was down to the film trying something different. What is even more frustrating is that Ra.One could easily have looked at films like Endhiran/Robot or even Krrish (which all tread on similar territory but with far more success) and used that as a starting point from which to move on from. There has been talk of a sequel and even a franchise and though this would normally fill me with horror, if the makers can learn from the mistakes of this film and put some quality time in with a strong script and story arc, Ra.One may just go on to achieve what it wants to in the long term (bench mark cinema, international plaudits etc). But for now, it’s a spirited effort but not quite a G.One…

I seem to live in my favourite jeans most of the time (which are a pair of Seven For All Mankind Slimmy Fit since you ask) which are comfortable, versatile, and look good and to be honest, in those moments when you need to pull together an outfit that will suit a number of occasions from work to er, after work drinks, the jeans are like a jewel in the rough.

But then the inevitable happened – the jeans are in the wash and I needed something to wear – so I fashioned together a look with some chinos which saved the day. And then, as I marvelled at my fashion nous, I wondered to myself, how would I cope not being able to wear my jeans for…[wait for it] a whole month? [Gasp!] And so, the pointless style challenge was born…

As if it needs explanation, Pointless Style Challenge (PSC) is all about shaking up wardrobe habits and mixing it up without the need to spend money and relying on what you already have and being creative with it (an approach which could spread beyond fashion for some…). So the rules were simple – no wearing jeans for the entire month of August. No exceptions, just some hard core creative styling and a break from the norm…

Week One

PSC is in effect. Am starting a new temping  job in a slightly trendy media environment (by slightly, I mean two or three people turn it out with some fierce looks whilst others phone it in) where everyone seems to live in jeans. Still, my chinos have got my back as I team them with shirts and Nehru collar tops which is enough to stop all but the bravest of people approaching me with unpleasant tasks so I can do important stuff like browse the internet – looks like PSC may have benefits that extend past sartorial boundaries…

The first challenge arrives in form of an informal interview on a rare stuffy hot day followed by a full shift at work – had I been wearing jeans, it would have been a simple task of teaming the jeans with  a classic white shirt and boots  but thanks to PSC, a mountain is made out of molehill. My worst fears are confirmed when the interviewer is wearing jeans. He looks at my chinos. I cross my legs defiantly.

I don’t get the job – possibly because I don’t want it but most likely, the lack of jeans.

Week Two

PSC throws a curve ball – am meeting up with some friends for a super relaxed lunch in the sunshine before doing the late shift at work. Too casual and slightly trendy media types could accuse me of slumming it (which starts with a visual appraisal followed by a “quiet word” in the hub about dress code) – but if  I dress too smart, then it contravenes the whole laidback vibe of the lunch. Hence, I decide to overdress and it pays off as both friends are  also dressed up (which irritates and vindicates me in equal measure) suggesting I need to stop depending on the emotional crutch my jeans have become.

Am noticing getting ready is taking longer than usual as I have to apply thought to making sure my look is coordinated and appropriate – certain items just don’t cut the mustard with non-denim. I also keep seeing people everywhere I go wearing jeans and looking really good in them too – like a recovering addict who then sees their drug of poison championed unwittingly, jeans are now haunting me wherever I go.

Week Three

I am fed up of wearing non-jeans. The novelty of PSC has worn off yet my ego won’t allow me to give up – PSC  isn’t just a shallow exercise to make me wear all the non-denim in my wardrobe but a battle of will, of completing something I have started, and learning to overcome a lack of motivation and a mental block. So it is back to the carrot fit green combats from Zara that make me look like I am about to always go on safari whilst my denim (all washed and ironed) lays smugly folded in wardrobe waiting to be worn once more …

Week Four

A strange thing happens – I automatically begin to choose anything but denim and can’t remember what wearing my jeans feels like – it feels like I have been reprogrammed to avoid denim at all costs. Situations with varying sartorial demands all fall on the same day but I am not fazed, using my overdressed technique with aplomb. PSC may have started without a point but has ended with an epiphany (albeit a pointless one) – there is life beyond denim.

Epilogue

So I manage to complete PSC and find a new problem emerge – getting back into my jeans. It seems wearing non-denim coupled with a drop in exercise and a bit too much to eat means trying to shoehorn self back into skinny jeans presents itself as a new challenge of its own. Still, a week of focus and determination work wonders as that button finally falls into place and the fierce returns.

A few weeks on and PSC has had more of an impact than I thought – I don’t always opt for jeans as a last resort and have yet to wear jeans for consecutive days. But even more importantly (yes, more important than the fashion element) I have discovered that I do have the self discipline and will power to finish what I start and see it through without falling at the first hurdle.  And what’s more, I feel confident in being able to apply this to other areas of my life too.

So if you are feeling in a style rut or want to mix it up without spending money, why not give the Pointless Style Challenge #1 a try? You may also find a world beyond denim…

Such is my superpower that I can slowly tell the difference between projectionists (there is one who starts bang on time and then another who always seems distracted and is therefore unpredictable not only with the interval times but the lights too). However, the downside of going to the cinema all the time and arriving punctually (indeed, with great power comes great responsibility) is having to watch all the adverts and trailers before the film starts. When the trailers and ads are fresh, this is exciting and forms part of the magic that can only be had at the cinema.

But when you know which trailer/ad is going to the follow the previous one and worse, find that you know all the words verbatim (the Orange sponsorship reminding one to turn off one’s phone has to be the worst offender here), it suddenly becomes rather irritating. Especially since repeatedly viewing the trailer for that film you are excited about erodes that enthusiasm quite quickly and even spoils one’s enjoyment of the final product when the time comes to see it.

Now, you could rightly say if I am so down with the timings, surely I could time my entrance just as the main feature starts? Well, I tried that a few times – one time, I ended up missing the first ten minutes of the film as the adverts had been shortened to accommodate the long running time of the film, whilst another time I tripped over trying to get the  good seat in a dark busy cinema and ended up in a less desirable seat which gave me major neck ache. So, we can safely conclude that my powers do have some limitations.

So I have had to learn how not to watch a trailer, which is not the easiest thing to do given that the whole point of the cinema is to watch what is on screen with no distractions but it can and has been done with success – here are my 3 top tips on how to not watch a trailer you have already seen or do not wish to see:

1)       Organise your space – People normally do this as soon as they enter the cinema – remove coat, put snacks into holders, claim that extra seat next to you – but it is actually best to put this off till the trailers; not only will it distract you but sometimes, if undesirables come and sit near you, packing up and moving is a much quicker exercise than it would be otherwise.

2)       Your Phone – Claim the moral high ground over those annoying adverts reminding to you turn off your phone by using your phone during the trailers (not for calls though – that is NEVER acceptable) – send that text, check where you will be going after, update your Twitter/Facebook so that once the reminder does come up, you can switch off your phone and declare through action you are ready to watch the main feature.

3)       Talk it out – If you are with a companion, now is the time to talk (although keep it down to a whisper) and catch up on gossip or have a general natter because once the movie starts, the only thing you should be talking about is the film itself – how beautiful so and so looks, reacting in amusement/horror/tearfully (depending on what you are watching) and general shared moments of joy that wouldn’t look out of place on a Hallmark card for friendship. Other appropriate topics for trailer distraction include discussing strange behaviour from fellow viewers and why this cinema you are in is better/worse than the other cinema you could have gone to.

And before you know it, the trailers are over, you’ve switched your phone off and you can enjoy the main feature properly – having not seen the trailer a million times, there is no waiting for that scene to happen, the jokes are all fresh and there is no wondering why everything felt a little too familiar and (whisper it) underwhelming.

And that is how to not watch a trailer at the cinema. Do feel free to leave any tips you have below!