The countdown is on to the unveiling of Madame Tussauds latest Bollywood star as the world famous attraction gets ready to welcome Hrithik Roshan, who will come face to face to his new wax figure on 20th January in London.
HRITHIK ROSHAN WAX FIGURE
Pictured here is the perfect clay sculpture of Hrithik's head, which was the first step in making the figure. Work is now in the final stages but details of the pose and style of the final figure are being kept a closely guarded secret until the very moment it is revealed.
Roshan has been closely involved in the entire process, including deciding how he will be portrayed and what his figure will wear. Whilst giving no details away, Madame Tussauds is promising the end result will be one of its most daring figures ever and that Hrithik's fans will be delighted.
It is a known fact that Monica Dogra, the debutant leading lady of Aamir Khan's 'Dhobhi Ghat', has been a prominent member of the band 'Shaa'ir + Func' and has cut a few albums in the past. In fact she recently sung the stunning 'Dooriyaan' for BREAK KE BAAD as well which, unlike the film, has stayed on to be popular till date. As a follow up to that when a call for acting came in for DHOBI GHAT, the young woman couldn't help but bite the bait.
With a strong presence that her character boasts right through this film which is now ready for theatrical release in India after making the rounds of the festival circuits, one wonders if Monica ever realised the enormity of the platform when she actually began to shoot for DHOBI GHAT.
"Not really actually", Monica says in a cautions tone, "You know what, my situation in case of DHOBI GHAT was quite curious actually. I have been extremely interested in music and played with 'Shaa'ir + Func' for four years now. In many ways I am very happy with my career in music. It is art that excites me, whether it is music or acting. As long as I can get a special change in the world regardless of the capacity that I can contribute, it would be worth it."
But didn't she miss her team from 'Shaa'ir + Func' while shooting for the film? After all from being a live performer, she was suddenly getting into a more rehearsed environment?
"As I stated earlier, it is all about the different formats of art that you are a part of at any given point in time", says Monica who has cut a few albums via her band in the past, "I have always been an actor; it's just the platform that differs. It's eventually about changing people's minds and pushing things forward. I have always aspired to do great things and working really hard since I was very-very young. With my first feature film now, I have happily surprised myself. More than just being an actor in the film, I am glad that a film like this has been made."
GUL PANAG IN TURNING 3030 is an age when you are perhaps well settled in your personal and professional life. And if you are not, God save you from hounding family members!
We haven't seen many desi chick flicks in India. RULES, PYAAR KA SUPERHIT FORMULA and AISHA are the few ones that come to mind. And now it's TURNING 30!!!.
Coming from a production house (Prakash Jha Productions) that has produced hard-hitting films like GANGAJAL, APHARAN, DIL DOSTI ETC and RAAJNEETI, TURNING 30!!! is a step in new direction. Directed by Prakash Jha's long time assistant, debutante Alankrita Shrivastava, this chick flick comprises of young actors.
With a steady boyfriend Rishabh (Siddharth Makkar) and a good job in advertising, Naina's (Gul Panag) life is just about perfect as she is about to turn 30. She feels that she's already married to Rishabh. But life takes a tumultuous turn as Rishabh breaks up with her and is about to get married to a high profile girl, Ritu. At the same time, a failed advertising campaign puts her job in danger. With her 30th birthday approaching, she's 'jobless' and 'manless' and unable to come to terms with it.
She bumps into Jai (Purab Kohli), her ex-boyfriend from college. She is involved in a physical relationship with him, but her heart still longs for Rishab. Whom she eventually chooses and what happens to her on the job front is what ensues.
The main flaw of the film is that it appears as if you are reading a book. Naina's copious and tripe narrations throughout the film are uninspiring. And you somehow don't feel for her plight. The numerous songs don't add any merit to the film. The climax, with a twist, is reminiscent of Amitabh Bachchan's BAGHBAN. It's dreary to see her whining and crying all the time. It had the scope to be much more humorous.
One wonders why Rishabh breaks up with Naina in the first place if he loves her so much. And mind you, almost the entire film is in English.
Having said that, it's not an unbearable film. The first half of the film is pretty okay, with some engaging moments. But the narrative plummets post interval and drags. Apart from the decent climax, there is no movement in the story, just as Naina's torpid condition.
Composer duo Siddharth-Suhas' music is theek thak. Akshay Singh's cinematography is fine. Editing by Santosh Mandal could have been better.
Gul Panag delivers a good performance. She fits the bill perfectly. Purab Kohli is decent. Siddharth Makkar is average. Ira Dubey (AISHA fame) is fine in her special appearance. Tillotama Shome is excellent. Jeneva Talwar acts brilliantly.
Turning 30!!! doesn't 'turn' out all right and ends up being a passable fare.