Upcoming Bollywood Releases: April 2010

Pankh:

Director and writer: Sudipto Chattopadhyaya

 Producer: Sanjay Gupta

Starring: Bipasha Basu, Maradona Rebello, Lilette Dubey, Mahesh Manjrekar, Ronit Roy,Sanjeeda Sheikh, Amit Purohit

Music by Raju Singh

Genre: Drama

 Tum Milo Toh Sahi:

Producer : Nikhil Panchamiya

Executive Producer : Nitin Dara

Director : Kabir Sadanand

Cast : Nana Patekar, Dimple Kapadia, Suniel Shetty, Vidya Malavade, Rehan Khan, Anjana Sukhani, Amit Bhel, Mohnish Behl, Vrajesh Hirjee

Story Writers : Rajen Makhijani, Kabir Sadanand

Dialogue and Screenplay: Rajen Makhijani, Kabir Sadanand, Sameer Siddiqi

Music: Sandesh Shandilya

Genre: Drama, Romance

Sadiyaan:

Director & Producer:Raj Kanwar

cast: Rekha,Hema Malini,Rishi Kapoor,Luv Sinha, Ferena Wazir,Javed Sheikh,Shakeel Siddiqui    

Screenplay: Raj Kanwar

Music: Adnan Sami

Genre: Drama,Romance

Prince its Showtime

Director: Kookie V Gulati

Producer: Kumar S Taurani

Cast: Vivek Oberoi, Aruna Murty,Nandana Sen,Niroo Singh,Sanjay Kapoor,Dalip Tahil,Manish Anand, Mayur Puri,Rajesh Khattar,Mohit Chauhan,

Music Director: Sachin Gupta

Genre: Action Thriller

Paathshala

Director: Milind Ukey

Producers: Ahmed Khan,Shaira Khan

Writer: Hanif Sheikh

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia,Nana Patekar,Sunil Shetty ,Sushant Singh ,Dwij Yadav,Master Ali Haji

Music:Hanif Sheikh

Houseful:

Director: Sajid Khan Nadiadwala

Producer:  Sajid Nadiadwala, Sunil A Lulla

Cast: Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Lara Dutta, Jiah Khan, Ritesh Deshmukh and Arjun Rampal, Boman Irani, Randhir Kapoor,Chunkey Pandey,  Lilette Dubey, Malaika Arora,Jacqueline Fernandez . 

Music; Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy

Genre: Romantic comedy           

Ek Second…Jo Zindagi Badal De?

Director: Partho Ghosh

Producers: Rachna Sunil Singh, Agastyaa Singh

Writer :                 Amit Khan

Cast: Jackie Shroff, Manisha Koirala, Aman Verma, Nikita Anand, Moammar Rana, Roza Catalano

Music : Gulam Khan, Arvinder Singh, Anand Raj Anand, Sawann Donirya

Will an Indian actress be the next Bond Girl!

The Bond girl is a character portraying a love interest of James Bond in a 007 movie. Bond Girls are often victims rescued by Bond, fellow agents or allies, villainesses or members of an enemy organization, most typically the villain's accomplice, assistant or mistress. Some are mere eye candy and have no direct involvement in Bond's mission while other Bond Girls play a pivotal role in the success of the mission.(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bond_girl)

But the most important trait or attribute of a bond girl is being stunningly beautiful with extraordinarily perfect and sexy looking figure.  Most James Bond movies have featured exotic and enchanting looking Bond girls, hence in this quest the bollywood film industry gossip  columns keep second guessing if any of their heroines have been approached for the role of the bond girl!

Few years back it was rumoured that Aishwarya Rai was offered to play a smaller bond girl role of  Solange Dimitrios, not the main bond girl Vesper Lynd in the bond movie  Casino Royale. The facts and reasons if Rai was offered and why she denied are unknown. The role of a bond girl has both boosted and damaged film careers of many actresses, hence many actresses are little skeptic about accepting roles in bond movies.

Now the Indian actress Freida Pinto, well know in Hollywood  after Slumdog Millionaire is said to have been offered a role of bond girl in the upcoming bond movie. The main bond girl role is said to be played by Olivia Wilde.  We will have to wait and watch who will feature in the 23rd bond movie besides Daniel Craig!

Read news article below for details:
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Freida-the-next-Bond-girl/articleshow/5708207.cms

American Idol vs Indian Idol

 American Idol and Indian Idol, both these shows are very popular in the respective countries with audiences across the world. Though both these shows are spin off’s from the British show Pop Idol, each one is different on its own. Both shows take the contestants and the viewers through a rollers coaster ride of emotions, excitement, heartbreak and jubilation, before an Idol emerges from the contestants. But ultimately the requirements and measuring scale and what is sought in each of these idols is so different.

Every year, tens of thousands of hopefuls from across America audition for a shot at stardom in American Idol. The show's judges - Simon Cowell, Randy Jackson and Kara DioGuardi besides the host Ryan Seacrest- travel across the country in search of the next American Idol. They winnow down the competitors to a select group of semifinalists who sing their hearts out each week in front of a studio audience and television viewers.

The judges, Simon, Randy, Kara and Ellen DeGenerous have their say after every performance, but it's the viewing public that determines who will advance to the next round of competition and who will go home. Voting via telephone and text-messaging begins immediately after each performance show, and the results are announced during the following night's broadcast.

Eventually the competition is narrowed down to two finalists who compete for a major recording contract and the American Idol title.

Indian Idol gives millions of people across India the opportunity to chase their dreams and   become the  ‘Desh Ki Awaaz’ or the Indian  Idol!  This year in the 5th season, while its still auditioning for the contestants, the show announced that  in addition to a recording contract with Sony BMG, the ‘Indian Idol’ will be awarded a contract with Sony Entertainment Television worth Rs 1 crore, thus catapulting him or her into stardom, fame and fortune.

The judges on the Indian Idol show this year are Sunidhi Chauhan, female playback singer of Bollywood; Salim Merchant, music director and singer; and Anu Malik, a renowned music director.  Anu Malik has been the judge on this show since its first season.  Besides being the most popular judge of Indian Idol, he is also known as Simon Cowell of India with his straight forward critique.

Both these shows discover raw talent and make them superstars at the end of the season. But what they seek in their idol is different. This is the big difference between the Indian Idol and American Idol.

 The judges at American Idol, now in its ninth season seek in their ‘Idol’, the talent to sing, a great voice, an independent characteristic, an individualistic and distinctive personality,  uniqueness, not an emulator,has creativity to make a song one’s own, take a song and make it better or different,  a star quality with the ability to become a popstar  and recording artist with solo albums of one’s own!

Whereas the Indian Idol is a superstar in his own right, he/she has a set of different and probably lesser requirements to achieve.  The traits sought for here are a great voice, ability to sing well, good understanding of music and singing, and a star quality to become a successful singing star and playback singer. The Indian idol’s requirements are different because of the type of film Industry in India. Bollywood know to make movies with a lot of song and dance seeks creative  singing talent regularly to be playback singers for the thousands  of movies it produces. The Playback singer is a singer who can make the lyrics into a sweet melody and sing it  to match the actor who is lip synching their song in the movie. Though star quality is required even in Indian Idol, the American Idol may just be a harder race to run and Win!

Do you agree or disagree, do give feedback and comments.

My Name is Khan – And I am not a Terrorist!

Website:http://www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com/
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol, Jimmy Shergill, Soneya Jahan, Zarina  Wahab , Katie Keane, Kenton Duty, Benny Nieves, Christopher B Duncan, Parvin Dabas, Arjun Mathur, Sugandha Garg, Tanay Cheda, Navneet Nishan, Sheetal Menon, Arjan Aujla, Yuvaan Makar, Jennifer Echols, Adrian Kali Turner, Michael Arnold, Dominic Renda
Producer: Hiroo Yash Johar, Gauri Khan
Director: Karan Johar
Story and Screenplay: Shibani Bhatija
      Cinematography     Ravi K. Chandran
Genre:Drama
Rating: ***3/4 ( 3.75 )

(The aim and intention of my reviews is to critique and recommend while not revealing the whole story to enjoy the movie when seen. But minor details have been divulged for a proper review!)

Many movies have been made both in Hollywood and Bollywood about 9/11 and its aftermath.  But this is one movie I was glad to see, which touched the positive, good, virtuous, honest and humane side of life of Indian & Asian Diaspora and Muslims living in USA.

Starring Sharukh Khan and Kajol, this movie has excellent performances by both. Sharukh Khan is Rizwan Khan (K-H-A-N spelled from the epiglottis not KAAN which he often announces) a simple and ‘good’ person with Aspergers syndrome. His uncomplicated understanding of life, his be-good principles, his honest philosophies ingrained from the simple teachings of his mother Razia ( Zarina Wahab), make him this pure and genuine character. Though the character is a combination of Forrest Grump and Rain Man, the bollywoodisation of the character and the story and surprisingly great performance ( not overacting) by Sharukh Khan makes it worth watching.

Kajol, in her comeback role after a hiatus after marriage and kid has a mature yet glamorous role for herself. She has a dramatic and emotional role as hairdresser, single mother and Khans wife battling with discrimination and social prejudice after 9/11 . 

Though this movie unfolds as Khan’s quest to meet the president of USA to narrate the unfair discriminations after 9/11, it unfurls the story of his childhood, simple philosophies of life learnt from his worldly wise secular mom; his immigration to the USA and his supportive sister-in-law ( Sonya Jehan),a psychology professor, who understands Aspergers Syndrome, and helps him overcome his deficiencies.

 The movie progresses  to a  love story , his flirting with Mandira (Kajol), a hairdresser and single mom, his marriage with her, his American dream of happy prosperous life in beautiful San Francisco with good friends and neighbors;  the changed dynamics of society after 9/11, the racial discrimination, the victimization of Muslims and Indians, the profiling at airports, suspected by  homeland security ; the hitch hiking across United States, repairing and fixing things, doing good even in  Katrina like catastrophes; and finally  creating a positive image of many a decent  immigrant or  Indian or  Muslim or  Asian ……

Karan Johar has to be applauded for his direction, though the story is not unique, the screenplay and direction gives it an interesting angle.  Inspite of the  Katrina detour and some exaggerations and  some excessive melodrama later in the movie, the total experience of ‘we shall overcome…. some day… ‘ gives this movie an edge over the other 9/11 context movies.

 The cinematography by Ravi Chandran is amazing, showcasing the picturesque San Francisco city, besides many scenic locales across US.  The lead pair of Sharukh and Kajol have excellent performances accompanied by decent performances by  Zarina Wahab as mother Razia and  Sonya Jehan as  sis-in-law Prof. Hasina. The kids Yuvaan as Sameer( Mandira son) and Tanay as young Rizwan have good performances too.

 Before I end, I will have to mention a thought which crossed my mind when leaving the movie theatre. I bet all the people I saw at the theatre- my Indian and Pakistani friends I watched the movie with, the acquaintances I saw buying tickets earlier at the ticket window, some in hijab or scarves, the family friends seated few rows away from us whose last name was ‘Khan’, besides the large audience, all must have walked out pleased like me with the positive image the movie portrayed!

Heroes vs Villains - Bollywood vs Politicians

We are all aware of a definition of a Hero or a Bollywood Hero! But will Sharukh Khan stand up to be a true bollywood hero? We have to see who wins in this real life game of hero’s vs villains!

The relationship between bollywood and politics has always been complex. Though arts, culture and cinema should be beyond politics; the political scenario in India is very connected with bollywood. One connection is the career change by many charismatic actors and actresses in their tail end of their acting career to a political career; or popular actors running the political campaigns for their favored politicians. The other connection is the untold truth that political parties in India control a lot of goings on in India, be it cinema, culture, violence,.... The hegemony of certain right wing politicians in Mumbai, the bollywood capital, is extremely pitiful and distressing.

It’s unfortunate that even a celebrity like Sharukh Khan’s fundamental right to speak is questioned and dissected creating hoopla. Looking at the muscle and domination some politicians play on bollywood in connection with the latest bollywood news of Sharukh Khan , I agree with Sukethu Mehta, who mentions in his book ‘ Maximum City’ about Bal-Thackeray, a Godfather-like founder of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party, as "the one man most directly responsible for ruining the city I grew up in ( Bombay)" ; I think he can also be called the puppeteer who is demeaning the bollywood actors and film makers to puppets , unbecoming to the creative artists and the art.

Sharukh Khan is not the first bollywood actor who has been roped into political controversies. Amitabh Bachchan , Jaya Bachchan, Mani Ratnam, Ram Gopal Verma, Mahesh Bhatt, Sanjay Dutt, Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor,….. a long list of bollywoodians have been muscled around. Some have succumbed to pressure and decided to agree, apologize and appease.

Sharukh Khan seems to be still standing strong. He may be right or wrong in his controversial speech, but he is taking a stand. It is affecting the release of his film in Mumbai/Bombay but the movie “My Name is Khan” whose primary focus audience may be the Indians abroad is sure to do well internationally. Hence Thakeray may be doing great P.R favor for Sharukh Khan’s new movie. So it may after all be a win-win situation for Khan!

Will others from Bollywood take a similar stand? Why should the entertainment industry be subjugated by politics? Do politicians forget if bollywood comes together it can influence millions to stand up with them? Why are bollywood actors and filmmakers forgetting their charismatic strengths? Why cannot bollywood actors stand up to being hero’s in real life not just in movies? …. There are many more questions, but only bollywood can give its answer.

Bollywood Movie Releases - February 2010

My Name is Khan
http://www.mynameiskhanthefilm.com/
Directed by Karan Johar
Produced by Hiroo Yash Johar,Gauri Khan
Story and Screenplay: Shibani Bathija
Starring : Shahrukh Khan, Kajol
Music : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures
Release date: 12 February 2010




Teen Patti
http://www.teenpattithemovie.com/
Directed by Leena Yadav
Produced by Ambika Hinduja
Written by Leena Yadav, Shiv Kumar Subramanium
Starring : Amitabh Bachchan, Ben Kingsley, R. Madhavan, Saira Mohan, Raima Sen, Siddharth Kher, Dhruv Ganesh, Vaibhav Talwar, Shraddha Kapoor, Tinnu Anand, Shakti Kapoor, Mahesh Manjrekar
Music :Salim - Sulaiman
Release date: 26 February 2010




Karthik calling Karthik
Directed by Vijay Lalwani
Produced by Ritesh Sidhwani, Farhan Akhtar
Written by Vijay Lalwani
Starring : Farhan Akhtar, Deepika Padukone, Ram Kapoor, Shefali Shah, Vipin Sharma
Music : Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Release date: February 26, 2010

Bollywood Stars @ Nasdaq

Sharukh Khan and Kajol Ring the Nasdaq Bell
















Bollywood stars Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have become the first Indian actors to ring the opening bell of the world's biggest stock exchange, NASDAQ. Today on Feb 2, 2010 the bollywood actors achieved this honor usually reserved for CEOs of major corporations!

Sharukh Khan and Kajol are in US promoting their upcoming film, "My Name Is Khan" releasing on Feb 12.

"My Name Is Khan" was reportedly sold to Fox Star Studios last July for a record $21 million, the highest price ever paid by a distributor for a Bollywood film.Under the deal, Fox Star Studios, a joint venture between American film studio 20th Century Fox and India's Star Group, acquired the worldwide marketing and distribution rights to the film. It will be released in North America by Fox Searchlight Pictures, a division of 20th Century Fox.

check out the vedio on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HeUWKnLYxc4&feature=player_embedded


http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/biz/international-business/SRK-Kajol-first-Indian-actors-to-ring-NASDAQ-opening-bell/articleshow/5526791.cms