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King Khan will light up your next Diwali
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Bollywood News,
Shahrukh khan
For all those who felt bad about the fact that King Khan was missing in action this Diwali, there's some good news.
How Vidya Balan ditched Sooraj Barjatya
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Bollywood News,
Vidya Balan
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Vidya Balan ditched Sooraj Barjatya at the last minute. This may sound shocking but it is actually true! Rajshri Productions' Ek Vivah Aisa Bhi was to star Vidya Balan in the lead opposite Bobby Deol originally.Fashion - Movie Review
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Fashion,
Movie Review,
Priyanka Chopra
Are you ready for an expose on the fashion industry? Where designers pass off 'Indira Market, Bangkok' stuff as their own creation. Where ad agency/fashion mag honchos call the shots. Wild lifestyles, backstage dramas, wardrobe malfunction, casting couch… ouch, ouch, ouch!Madhur Bhandarkar, the undisputed king of realistic fares, comes up with yet another hard-hitting film that enlightens you, moves you, motivates and deflates you, even shocks and surprises you and of course, entertains you.
The solid reason why FASHION works is because Madhur brings alive everything you've read in newspapers or watched on TV as an outsider, to the big screen. And that works and how!
But let's not give the subject material all importance, for Madhur's handling of the subject is exemplary. Madhur dresses up his mannequins well, but most importantly, infuses life in those prime bodies. A number sequences leave you tongue-tied [more on that later].
But there's a hitch. And this problem tones down the impact considerably. The running tine of almost 2.40 hours makes you restless, especially the penultimate 25-odd minutes. Yet, all said and done, FASHION has all it takes to be the showstopper this Diwali!
FASHION tells the story of a small-town girl with a dream and the determination to make it a reality. Meghna [Priyanka Chopra] is ambitious, she wants to attain the status of a supermodel. She realises her dreams and rises to walk the ramps for leading designers across India. But Meghna has to pay the price for her fame and her journey to the top. Her career starts sliding downwards. In this journey of Meghna, she encounters a number of people. Most importantly, Shonali [Kangna Ranaut] and Janet [Mugdha Godse]. Also, Abhijit Sareen [Arbaaz Khan], a tycoon who controls the fashion industry.
CHANDNI BAR, PAGE 3, SATTA, CORPORATE, TRAFFIC SIGNAL -- every Madhur Bhandarkar film has a new story to tell and he tells it most convincingly. In fact, Madhur strikes a fine balance between realism and entertainment in every film. Given the fact that FASHION is all about the fashion industry, the narrative is inevitably filled with lots of glam-n-glitz moments. The fashion shows, the stunning models, the superb styling, the vibrant colours and the behind the scenes drama is worth every penny spent on the ticket.
But it's not just ramp shows and style-n-fashion here. There's a story running concurrently -- of three models. One, the rise of an unknown into a supermodel. Two, the fall of a supermodel to dust. Three, the ambitious model not achieving success, but opting for a marriage of convenience.
While Madhur has handled the theme as if he were an insider, this review would be incomplete if you ignore two major sequences that are simply outstanding. One, Kangna's wardrobe malfunction and two, when Priyanka exposes Arbaaz to his wife [Suchitra Pillai].
Mahesh Limaye's cinematography captures every aspect of the fashion industry to the fullest. The screenplay [Madhur Bhandarkar, Anuradha Tiwari, Ajay Monga] is perfect, except for the penultimate portions. Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are fantastic. Nitin Chandrakant Desai's production design is truly upmarket. The costumes and styling are top notch, a feast for the eyes. Salim-Sulaiman's music is well synchronised as well. 'Mar Jaava' and 'Jalwa' are lilting creations. Madhur places immense trust on Priyanka and she is remarkable all through, more towards the second hour. Post AITRAAZ, FASHION is another medal that shines the brightest when you look at her body of work. But the real star is Kangna. Her role may not be as lengthy as that of Priyanka, but the actress pitches in an awesome performance. Her confidence at the very start is infectious and her overall performance deserves an ovation.
Mugdha Godse is, again, supremely confident. She has dum. Arbaaz Khan is first-rate. Arjan Bajwa does well. Harsh Chhaya, the gay designer, stands out with a realistic performance. Ashwin Mushran, Priyanka's confidante, is top notch. Samir Soni is good. Suchitra Pillai and Kittu Gidwani are effectual. Raj Babbar and Kiran Juneja are seasoned in such roles.
On the whole, FASHION has tremendous curiosity value and also shock value for the Indian audiences. Its subject -- the behind the scenes working and drama of the fashion industry -- is its USP. At the box-office, the pre-release hype and buzz will ensure a successful run for the film. Its business at multiplexes mainly should be bountiful. However, trimming the film will only help; not only will it enhance the film, but also its business. Must watch!
Golmaal Returns - Movie Review
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Movie Review
Two years ago, Rohit Shetty came up with a breezy entertainer GOLMAAL, which, most people agree, is the capable director's finest work to date. The comic scenes hit the right notes and buttons. Perhaps, that must've prompted its producers [Shree Ashtavinayak] and Rohit to continue with the GOLMAAL series.But GOLMAAL RETURNS treats the viewer like a nitwit, with zero brains. No-brainer laughathons have worked in the past and people have catapulted these films to 'must watch again and again' category. But GOLMAAL RETURNS is simply unbearable!
35 years ago, the Kiran Kumar - Radha Saluja comedy AAJ KI TAZAA KHABAR [1973] is the inspiration for GOLMAAL RETURNS. No issues with that, it's an interesting concept. But screenplay writer Yunus Sajawal makes a mincemeat of the material, so much so that your head starts aching after a point and you want to tear your hair in disgust.
Seriously, what was the writer thinking when he came up with a pathetic screenplay? And how did a talented director like Rohit Shetty agree to ride on it? And how could an accomplished actor like Ajay Devgan green signal this enterprise? Questions, questions, questions...
GOLMAAL RETURNS was never meant to be a thinking man's film, but the attitude is, no-brainer comedies have worked and this one will work too. To give the credit where it's due, a few jokes/sequences involving Tusshar and Shreyas do bring a smile on your face, but in the absence of a tight screenplay, the film falls like a pack of cards.
Final word? Golmaal hai bhai script golmaal hai!
Gopal [Ajay Devgan], who lives with his wife Ekta [Kareena Kapoor], sister Esha [Amrita Arora] and brother-in-law Lucky [Tusshar Kapoor], gets stuck in a yacht after saving an attractive woman Meera [Celina Jaitly] from some goons. Both end up spending the night on the yacht and when he comes home the next day, his painfully suspicious wife, who is also a hardcore fan of the saas-bahu serials, smell fish. Gopal knows it's going to be hard to quell her suspicion, so he concocts a cock-and-bull story about having stayed the night with a fictitious friend called Anthony Gonsalves. Ekta refuses to buy his yarn and writes to Anthony [on a fictitious address given to her by Gopal], asking him to visit her.
Gopal convinces his junior at work, Laxman [Shreyas Talpade], to pretend to be Anthony. Everything goes according to plan till the real Anthony turns up.
If that isn't complication enough for Gopal, a dead body is discovered at the location where he had saved Meera. The Investigating Officer, Madhav [Arshad Warsi], who is Esha's boyfriend and also who cannot stand the sight of Gopal, learns that the latter had been missing from home that eventful night and begins checking on him.
A sequel carries the baggage of humungous expectations. And you definitely expect GOLMAAL RETURNS to be a step forward. The makers had thundered, "GOLMAAL RETURNS is bigger, it's better" and that raises the bar. But the film is such a put off.
Writer Yunus Sajawal takes an interesting premise, but instead of upgrading it, only downgrades it with lacklustre situations. The writing is so weak, so lifeless that after a point you sit motionless, looking at the goings-on mechanically, instead of being a participant. A few sequences do entertain you, but they're few and far between. Not enough to camouflage the defects. In view of the fact that the writing is so weak, there's not much that director Rohit Shetty can do to save the ship from sinking. However, the dialogues are howlarious. Music is not as inspiring. 'Tha Karke' is the best track, while 'Tu Saala' [well promoted] isn't there in the film and 'Meow' comes during the end credits. And you're exasperated by then!
GOLMAAL RETURNS belongs to Tusshar Kapoor and Shreyas Talpade. Tusshar is terrific yet again, the real scene stealer, while Shreyas displays his comic side very well. Both, in fact, provide respite to the viewer. Ajay Devgan is likable. Kareena does the suspicious wife act well. Celina stays on your mind even after the show is over.
Arshad Warsi is relegated to the backseat. Amrita Arora is strictly okay. Anjana Sukhani gets no scope. Vrajesh Hirjee is alright. Sharat Saxena, Rakhi Vijan, Sanjay Mishra, Murli Sharma, Mukesh Tiwari and Ashwini Kalsekar fill in the blanks.
On the whole, there's tremendous curiosity to watch GOLMAAL RETURNS and the terrific promotion has only enhanced the excitement. But the film is a major letdown in terms of content. Barring a few jokes and gags, this GOLMAAL pales when compared to its first part. At the box-office, expect a terrific start for the film, but GOLMAAL RETURNS lacks the power to stand on its feet after the initial euphoria settles down.
YRF felicitates KJo to celebrate 10 years of association with Dharma Productions
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Bollywood News,
Yash Raj Films
Thursday (October 23) saw the doors of the Courthouse Hotel graced by Bollywood's most successful film director Karan Johar, as he joined members of the public and media to celebrate the 10th anniversary of his Box Office smash Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and the release of his hotly anticipated film Dostana, hosted by Yash Raj Films.
The intimate and exclusive gathering allowed the invited audience to pose challenging questions to get to the heart of Karan's thoughts and ambitions. The fascinating and often revealing interview session hosted by actor and radio presenter, Ameet Chana, took guests through Karan's 10 year journey from the new boy of Bollywood to the hottest property on the other side of the camera.
It was the first time that members of the public had been given access to Karan and his frank, open and amusing answers to their questions. Visitors were given a unique insight into the man that has given global audiences such memorable films as Kal Ho Naa Ho, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, and of course Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna amongst others.
Event host Ameet Chana said, "It's been an honour and a pleasure to host this celebration and to be one of the first to quiz Karan about the new film, Dostana. He is such a prestigious figure in the Bollywood film industry and it's great to finally get him in the hot seat!"
Talking about Dostana, Karan said, "Dostana was great to produce as it is a light hearted look at friendship, love and relationships of all types. Filming in a great location such as Miami inevitably leads to fun and frolics for crew and cast alike. As you know, I like my films to break barriers and create lots of discussion and debate and I hope Dostana will continue the trend."
Avtar Panesar, Vice President of International Operations for Yash Raj films said, "Our relationship with Dharma Productions has been growing and developing, just as Karan's portfolio has. We are delighted to be part of the team that brings his films to global audiences. It seems fitting that we not only celebrate the huge impact that KKHH had on audiences across the world, but also mark the next decade of Karan's journey with the launch of Dostana, which I know will successfully follow in the footsteps of all Karan Johar films. This is our way of thanking Karan Johar for his 10 years of 'Dostana' so far and hopefully we'll be back here in 10 years time to do it all over again."
For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
7 crore!
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Kareena Kapoor
Kareena Kapoor has just signed on with Pepsico's Kurkure for an amount in the vicinity of Rs 7 crore. This will be Kareena's eighth endorsement this year. The actress, effectively, has become the highest paid B-Town actress in the ad world.Says a source, "Kareena is perhaps the only actress today who can command such a price. Several A-list companies are vying for and want her as their brand ambassador. The actress was paid Rs 5 crore for ITC's Vivel soap ad. She has now signed on for Kurkure at Rs 7 crore, which also has Juhi Chawla."
Adds the source, "Kareena will be portrayed as the younger, bubblier face of Kurkure. After her vivacious portrayal of Geet in Jab We Met, Bebo is seen as an ideal choice when it comes to endorsing cosmetics, personal care products and jewellery. She also spells class so when it comes to lifestyle products and the star is an obvious choice. The actress is also a youth icon, so companies sign her for products that target the youth. She's finished her contract for ICI Paints and Citizen watches and is now in negotiations for an international project."
The actress, who shot for the new Head & Shoulders ad at Mehboob Studios yesterday, will be shooting the Kurkure ad tomorrow.
Today, the busy actress has taken a day off for Diwali. The source adds, "Saif will be coming today to Mumbai to spend Diwali with Kareena and they will attend Akshay Kumar and Twinkle's Diwali bash tonight."
Kareena's endorsements
ITC's Vivel soap
Airtel
Head & Shoulders
Globus
D D'mas for Geetanjali
Anne French
Emami
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