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Starring: Abhishek Bachchan, John Abraham, Priyanka Chopra, Kirron Kher, Boman Irani
Written & Directed by Tarun Mansukhani
Rating: ***
Get this straight. Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham are not gay. They are just happy pretending to be bed partners. In the endeavour they pull put all stops and get into the gay zone with a gusto that stumps all the moralists.
There are butt-and-bum jokes galore some even pointed at the leading lady. But hold that frown.
Auntyji, chill. It's all for fun. Wanna join in?
The theme of heterosexual characters pretending to be gay to get a precious abode in the bustle of the metropolis is pretty cool.
Bachchan and Abraham, both in full form, get into the gay groove without going over the top. They come out with flying colours through most of the material that's provided to them to sink their teeth into.
While John combines terrific body language with some great comic timing (he's come a long way from his thanda GaramMasala days) Abhishek's expressions are a scream in their pitch-perfection.
One of the most brilliantly-written sequences orchestrates all the characters of this gay-play in the same room.
There're the play-acting gay protagonists, a gay magazine editor (a flawlessly wimpy Boman Irani), a gay marriage-bureau official (who just decides to drop in for a quick –check) and of course Abhishek's homophobic mother (Kirron Kher) who screams and rants and then accepts her son's apparent sexual preference.
You could simply marvel at the two principal actors giving so much of heart and others parts to their parts.
After a point you're tempted to stop counting the number of times the word 'gay' gets in the way of the narrative. From 'Mera beta gay hai' (courtesy Abhishek's mom Kirron Kher) to a 'Han main gay hoon' …. Dostana wins the how-to-say-gay-in-every-which-way award of the year.
Sandwiched between the two brilliantly-poised heroes is Priyanka Chopra, glowing like a 1000-watt bulb in her immaculate wardrobe (and out of it…she too gets into beachwear, what did you think?).
So here's the bottom (oops!) line. Hindi cinema finally comes out of the closet. And going by how little John Abraham wears in most of the film. There's very little coming out of the closet.
But there you have it. Bollywood's first beach-bum-chum meri-dosti-mera-pyar dildo-dil-lo preparation done on that slow-burn state of leisurely cooking where the characters get an ample chance to extend the parameters of the conventional cinema without toppling into the abyss of overstatement.
First-time writer-director Tarun Mansukhani has the zing thing in his vision. Miami shot with fetching gusto by Aynanka Bose lifts the luscious locales to more than a touristic paradise. The desi characters seem to belong to this beachside paradise.
Well-toned bodies tanned to the extreme of selfglorification, sinewy movements on the beach and on the dancefloor, songs music and feverish fiesta of sexually- driven people who want it all.And fast. Dostana is the ultimate hedonists' dream.
The narrative pace slackens considerably in the second-half, what with the heroes expanding their homosexual hijinks into a triangle with Priyanka thrown in for good measure.
Then the triangle dilates into a quadrangle as Bobby Deol (looking dapper in his Armanis) makes a belated appearance as the boss who first intimidates and irritates the working girl into motion of anger and submission. And then sweeps her off her feet.
Is this to keep the heterosexuals happy ?
What keeps the narrative going is the sheer zest for life and the mood of wink-wink wackiness which Shilpa Shetty sets at the outset with her ooh-la-la item song.
The gags involve everyone from the caricatural and spinsterish landlady (Sushmita Mukherjee) to an incredibly clueless magazine editor (Bobby Deol) who agrees to behave like a moron on the our pseudo-gay heroes' say-so.
It's all in fun. Not to be taken seriously. Not even when Abhishek and John lip-lock in mock-ecstacy for a climatic farewell kiss that certainly leaves Priyanka breathless.
I'm still trying to figure out why Abhishek is inspired to act gay with John while holding a hotdog in his hand. Is there a hidden code there?
As for the audience, it's still counting the number of times the characters say 'gay'. Every which way.For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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John Abraham is in no hurry either. Several actors have gone ahead and signed multiple film deals with major corporate houses at astronomical prices, but John has decided to go slow. "I am not in a hurry really, " John tells me.
Seriously, doesn't he get insecure when he reads that an 'x' actor has signed a Rs. 60 crore deal or 'y' getting into a 3-film contract for a humungous figure? Doesn't he want to be a part of this rat race? "Believe me, I have never felt insecure. And I don't believe in signing 3 or 4-film deals, even if the money is lucrative. You need to draw a line somewhere, " John states.
While AASHAYEIN is already complete (slated for release early next year), followed by Yash Raj's NEW YORK (directed by Kabeer Khan), John will begin work on Abbas Tyrewala's film. "I want to take a break once I am through with Abbas' film. I've been living out of my suitcase for a while now. I need to relax, " he states.
The media was agog with rumours of John and Katrina sharing cold vibes while shooting for NEW YORK in America. If true, doesn't it hamper the quality of work? "Yes, it does! But Katrina and I are thorough professionals. It's completely false that we didn't get along, I don't know how this originated, " he clarifies.
What about Bipasha? Is there a possibility of the much-in-news couple featuring in a film together? "I'd love to work with Bipasha.
I loved her performances in RACE as also BACHNA AE HASEENO. Bipasha was gracious enough to work with me when I was nobody (JISM). It would be an honour if I get an opportunity of working with her again, " he states.For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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Katrina Kaif is currently shooting in New York with John Abraham and Neil Nitin Mukesh for Kabir Khan's next venture, but she isn't too happy being away from home and family.
"My professional commitments keep me busy, but I'm feeling homesick. I miss my family a lot. I miss my home," said Katrina, who has been shooting for "New York" for over two months.
The actress is, however, keeping content with plans for a Christmas reunion with her family.
"I am trying my best to see if we can all be together. I hope no professional work comes up then. I am keeping my fingers crossed," she said.
Katrina was seen in this year's biggest hit "Singh Is Kinng".For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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Bollywood star Salamn Khan seems to be quite impressed with his colleague Akshay Kumar's growth as an actor over the years.
On being asked who has impressed him by his acting skills in the recent past, Salman said: "Akshay has impressed me by his acting skills in the recent past. I think he (Akshay) is the only actor who has really grown as an actor."
Salman was speaking to reporters on Monday at the promotional event of his forthcoming release "Yuvvraaj", which also stars Anil Kapoor, Katrina Kaif and Zayed Khan.
About the film, he said: "It is about brothers played by Anil, Zayed and me. The film is about the manipulations of the brothers to get the ancestral property. I play the second brother Deven, who tries to get a part of his ancestral property to fulfil the conditions laid down by his to-be father-in-law to marry his daughter (Katrina Kaif)."
Salman has teamed up with director-producer Subhash Ghai for the first time for the film. He said that Ghai had approached him earlier too.
"Subhashji had approached me before, but I did not accept the offer because I thought I could not do justice to the roles. But, I accepted this film because it is the story of three brothers and I could relate to the emotions."For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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Former supermodel Mugdha Godse, who debuted in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion", has topped an online poll as the most popular actress in Bollywood now.
To everyone's surprise, Mugdha left behind leading actresses like Aishwarya Rai, Katrina Kaif and Kareena Kapoor and topped the charts with a whopping 1,600 hits in the live poll conducted by Buzz18.com, the online entertainment wing of the Web18 network group.
The newcomer earned rave reviews for her performance as Janet Sequeira in "Fashion", which also featured Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Arbaaz Khan and Arjan Bajwa.
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Rumour has it that director Subhash Ghai is planning to remake his 80s big hit 'Hero' and he wants none other than Salman Khan for the lead role.
A close source has said, "Yes, Subhash ji is planning to remake 'Hero' and has already thought about the actors. Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif are his first choice of lead role.
Salman will play Jackie Shroff and Katrina the role of Meenakshi Sheshadri.The new 'Hero' will be different from the original and will be made for the audience now and will be an up-to-date version.
Subhash ji is planning to shoot the film after 'Yuvvraaj' releases at an overseas location and hopes to complete it within 90 days, so that he can release it for end of 2009."
Salman Khan himself has also reportedly talked about it, "I had heard two three scripts before 'Yuvvraaj'. The scripts were good but I couldn't play those characters. I wanted him to make 'Hero' with me but Subhash ji said we would make it later. Then he came up with 'Yuvvraaj'."
On a similar note, Sallu displayed a different kind of heroism when he talked about his hurt over SRK's behaviour.
He' said in a tell-all interview, "As soon as Shah Rukh left the party, he started calling up the media!
I didn't speak till one week after the fight because he was trying to put me in the middle of something which is not cool from any angle! That is the time I stood up and started speaking. There is no reason for disrespect.
Everybody messes up. I have messed up also not once but so many times, without any malice, any manipulation or agenda. If things go wrong between two buddies we say 'okay buddy let's hang out together and sort it out' but if you are going to mess up and disrespect me then forget it, "
He's added, "The right side of my head is my heart. I will always do what is right. I am human man! I am trying to be human.
I have lots of flaws but I am taking care of that. But there are some things I don't have jealousy, incompetence, insecurity and maliciousness. I don't have a temper either, though I may get angry. And if I am wrong, I have the courage to call up and apologise.
Say sorry and I am fine. What I say is what I do. I don't say something and do something else and think of something totally different."
Now after hearing his side of the story straight from the heart, one would in need have to say that this one's a real here, one of a kind in B-Town! -For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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Kareena Kapoor is all set to take her relationship with Saif to another level. She'll be visiting his ancestral village Pataudi in Haryana. A privilege that none of Saif ladies from the past have been given.
Confesses Saif, "Yes, Kareena has been invited to Pataudi. It'd have been earlier. But it's too hot right now. Winter is when our family reunions happen every year. And Kareena is now part of the family. My parents are extremely fond of Kareena."
Sighs Saif, "This relationship is 'IT' for me. Today I feel very settled and very happy. Though a bit lonely. And when I've bad days I feel I'm being ungrateful. I'm now looking forward to settling down with Kareena.
Our marriage will happen very shortly as soon as we both have a little less work on hand and we can give the marriage quality time. Also, her family has to be ready for our marriage."
Saif is very happy with Kareena's mom. "We're very close. She has been really gracious in inviting me into her family.
She's made sure I'm part of her family. I've also met Daboo Uncle a few times, shared friendly drinks with her. As for Karisma, I think she's the sweetest girl ever in the world. I'm deeply fond of both Karisma and her husband Sanjay. They're truly wonderful people. Kareena's family has taken to me as warmly as my family has taken to her."
Saif has a lot to be thankful for. "My lifestyle has changed completely after the heart attack. Looking back it's hard to believe I went through such a health scare.
If it wasn't for that life-changing experience I wouldn't be in a relationship with Kareena right now. I hardly drink. Don't even look forward to drinking any more. I don't smoke or party."
All because of love.For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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Shilpa Shetty is enjoying all the 'oohs' and 'aahs' from the audience with her sexy act in 'Shut Up and Bounce' number from Dostana. However, Priyanka Chopra is not loosing any sleep with the popularity of the song and the item girl in it, especially since she has her own 'Desi Girl' to cheer about.
"In any case, I wasn't competing with Shilpa Shetty in Dostana. Of course 'Desi Girl' is fantastic but so is 'Shut Up and Bounce'. I knew about the song placement from the very beginning", says Priyanka Chopra who is getting quite some accolades coming her way after Fashion and now Dostana.
But didn't she ever wish that she could have bagged 'Shut Up and Bounce' as well?
"Well, I have the remaining five songs in the film to my name so no regrets with one song featuring someone else", smiles Priyanka, "Also, the song's placement was such that it required introducing the beach life of Miami to the audience at the very beginning of the film. Now since I make an appearance a little later, it wouldn't have made sense for the song to be picturised on me."
What does she feel about Shilpa Shetty fitting the bill eventually?
"Absolutely the right choice", Priyanka doesn't blink an eyelid here, "For a vibrant city like Miami, it was absolutely essential to have a female with a great body and who better than Shilpa to do the honors.
This composition by Vishal and Shekhar absolutely rocks and the way Tarun Mansukhani, the film's director, has got it on screen is just perfect. I am very happy with the final result and glad that it is being noticed and becoming so popular with the audience. It only helps the film."For Gossips And Mirch Masala Log On To Bollywood Paradize
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