Fultoo Time Pass
BHAGAM BHAG is the last biggie to arrive in 2006, which has been a terrific year for box office and none other than Priyadarshan should be highly excited about its prospects. After all it has turned out to be his most hyped film ever!
Ever since the film was announced, it has been in news since it has been touted as the comeback vehicle of Govinda. A film that seemed to be running on the shoulders of hit jodi of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal with Govinda benefiting from the coming together of a successful team has seen a remarkable turnaround with the latest set of promos on air. It clearly seems that Govinda and Akshay Kumar are going to rock together as a pair in the film and come up with an all out rip roaring laugh saga.
Looking at the response that the film's promos along with title song 'Bhagam Bhag' and 'Signal' have generated [each featuring the two actors], producers K Sera Sera, Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd and Popcorn Motion Pictures have gone all out in promoting the film day in and night out through satellite, print and exhibition media.
The only film which is being most talked about at the moment is BHAGAM BHAG closely followed by SALAAM-E-ISHQ which would release on the eve of our Republic Day.
If one looks at Priyan's releases this decade, there have been films like HERA PHERI, YEH TERA GHAR YEH MERA GHAR, HUNGAMA, HULCHUL, GARAM MASALA, KYON KI, MALAMAAL WEEKLY and CHUP CHUP KE before BHAGAM BHAG. Though except for YEH TERA GHAR YEH MERA GHAR and KYON KI, all the other films have been successful at some level or another, none of them have been promoted the way BHAGAM BHAG has been promoted.
While GARAM MASALA stays as Priyadarshan's biggest Bollywood success till date, BHAGAM BHAG is poised to outperform it in a big way at the box office as it releases on 22nd December.BHAGAM BHAG is the last biggie to arrive in 2006, which has been a terrific year for box office and none other than Priyadarshan should be highly excited about its prospects. After all it has turned out to be his most hyped film ever!
Ever since the film was announced, it has been in news since it has been touted as the comeback vehicle of Govinda. A film that seemed to be running on the shoulders of hit jodi of Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal with Govinda benefiting from the coming together of a successful team has seen a remarkable turnaround with the latest set of promos on air. It clearly seems that Govinda and Akshay Kumar are going to rock together as a pair in the film and come up with an all out rip roaring laugh saga.
Looking at the response that the film's promos along with title song 'Bhagam Bhag' and 'Signal' have generated [each featuring the two actors], producers K Sera Sera, Shree Ashtavinayak Cinevision Ltd and Popcorn Motion Pictures have gone all out in promoting the film day in and night out through satellite, print and exhibition media.
The only film which is being most talked about at the moment is BHAGAM BHAG closely followed by SALAAM-E-ISHQ which would release on the eve of our Republic Day.
If one looks at Priyan's releases this decade, there have been films like HERA PHERI, YEH TERA GHAR YEH MERA GHAR, HUNGAMA, HULCHUL, GARAM MASALA, KYON KI, MALAMAAL WEEKLY and CHUP CHUP KE before BHAGAM BHAG. Though except for YEH TERA GHAR YEH MERA GHAR and KYON KI, all the other films have been successful at some level or another, none of them have been promoted the way BHAGAM BHAG has been promoted.
While GARAM MASALA stays as Priyadarshan's biggest Bollywood success till date, BHAGAM BHAG is poised to outperform it in a big way at the box office as it releases on 22nd December.
Thursday, December 21, 2006
Kabul Express
Something worth enjoying
Not a single person in this world can be disappointed by this movie. After all, people go in with moderate expectations for a movie like this, and practically get blown away. Kabul express is the same sort of eye candy, which comes with a fresh script, and everything that it offers has never been seen before in Bollywood cinema. Kabir Khan has taken a new step into perfection, and Bollywood cinema excels one more time with this visual masterpiece. The acting is better than mediocre. If not exaggerated, the acting is superbly executed by the whole cast. Especially, Arshad Warsi, who provides a perfect comical timing. Kabul Express can be seen as a bold comedy, an eye opener, a stunning experience, and a film which will bring change.
Five unlikely acquaintances make their way across Afghanistan as war looms on the horizon in this satiric comedy from filmmaker Kabir Khan. Suhel (John Abraham) is a broadcast journalist from India who is given an important and potentially very dangerous assignment. New York City's World Trade Center has been attacked by terrorists, members of the Afghan-based Taliban are believed to be involved, and the United States is expected to launch a major attack on Afghanistan in a matter of days, so Suhel and a cameraman, Jai (Arshad Warsi), are flown in to get a front row seat for the upcoming fighting.
As they search for genuine Taliban fighters to interview, Suhel and Jai make their way across Afghanistan in a Land Rover with their driver Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum). The television reporters are soon joined by an American photojournalist, Jessica (Linda Arsenio), and before long they find a cooperative (if surly) member of the Taliban to guide them, Imran (Salman Shahid). However, as the miles pass the traveling companions find themselves less concerned with terrorism or international politics than sports scores and seating arrangements, and they encounter a number of strange characters along the way who make the absurdity of the coming war all the more obvious. Kabul Express received its North American premier at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival.
Kabul Express works in parts. Each visual depicts the tragedy of a spectacle called Afghanistan. Each scene is also accompanied by a killer line by Arshad. John really doesn't have much to do or say in the film and is treated purely as eye-candy, much like his female counterpart, the American journalist, Linda Arsenio.
Kabir, thankfully, doesn't take sides and gives due blame to bring the current situation to light. America is named as the reason for every ruin you see in the film. The most interesting conversation takes place on the run -- when Coke-Pepsi, Madhuri Dixit, Kashmir and America are all tied up.
You cannot stop laughing and being pissed at the irony of it all -- that in the end all these wars are about digging up oil and selling Pepsi and Coke.
Kabul Express suffers from poor characterisation of John and Linda. At times, you squirm in your seat as they have no real connection to the story. But then having John in a film helps market it so that the film opens to houseful boards. That isn't really a strategy you can find fault with -- the reason a film likes this ends up being green-lighted is for the star power behind it.
Yash Raj Films decides to experiment with Kabul Express, a song-less film. Technically, every department is top notch. As an actor, Arshad steals the show. Salman Shahid and Hanif Humghum are also very good.
Kabul Express is a good-looking film but it refuses to get its hands dirty. Instead of having a gritty and rugged feel, it is too spic and span. Technical finesse is one thing, but in these rugged terrains, the feel should be more like the look of a commercial film like Black Hawk Down to get the viewer more involved. Kabul Express should have had the look of Omkara.
Also, one wonders why two journalists would land up in Afghanistan without a guide or any contact or be unable to find a shutterbug in a country overflowing with photojournalists.
However, what makes it hard to quibble about Kabul Express is that the film works on many levels. It's the first Indian film to show a true picture of Afghanistan. It shows the plight of Pakistanis caught on the other side after their country was forced to change allegiances by America. It is a film which makes you ponder on a picture postcard country ruined by a capitalist monster running amok worldwide.
The scariest scene in the movie is when the Pakistani soldier talks about the deception of America, mirrored by his colleagues at the Pakistani border that has been sealed off. The scene makes you think that Pakistan and America have been the best of friends. Today if this is the state of Pakistan, what about India?
We are going to bed with a monster with no heart. Are the ruins of Afghanistan a mirror to the future ruins of a country called Pakistan? A country called India?
Are we just fuel pumps on a global map selling oil and Coke?
Kabir Khan has told a story from his heart, and what is important is that his heart is in the right place.
Not a single person in this world can be disappointed by this movie. After all, people go in with moderate expectations for a movie like this, and practically get blown away. Kabul express is the same sort of eye candy, which comes with a fresh script, and everything that it offers has never been seen before in Bollywood cinema. Kabir Khan has taken a new step into perfection, and Bollywood cinema excels one more time with this visual masterpiece. The acting is better than mediocre. If not exaggerated, the acting is superbly executed by the whole cast. Especially, Arshad Warsi, who provides a perfect comical timing. Kabul Express can be seen as a bold comedy, an eye opener, a stunning experience, and a film which will bring change.
Five unlikely acquaintances make their way across Afghanistan as war looms on the horizon in this satiric comedy from filmmaker Kabir Khan. Suhel (John Abraham) is a broadcast journalist from India who is given an important and potentially very dangerous assignment. New York City's World Trade Center has been attacked by terrorists, members of the Afghan-based Taliban are believed to be involved, and the United States is expected to launch a major attack on Afghanistan in a matter of days, so Suhel and a cameraman, Jai (Arshad Warsi), are flown in to get a front row seat for the upcoming fighting.
As they search for genuine Taliban fighters to interview, Suhel and Jai make their way across Afghanistan in a Land Rover with their driver Khyber (Hanif Hum Ghum). The television reporters are soon joined by an American photojournalist, Jessica (Linda Arsenio), and before long they find a cooperative (if surly) member of the Taliban to guide them, Imran (Salman Shahid). However, as the miles pass the traveling companions find themselves less concerned with terrorism or international politics than sports scores and seating arrangements, and they encounter a number of strange characters along the way who make the absurdity of the coming war all the more obvious. Kabul Express received its North American premier at the 2006 Toronto Film Festival.
Kabul Express works in parts. Each visual depicts the tragedy of a spectacle called Afghanistan. Each scene is also accompanied by a killer line by Arshad. John really doesn't have much to do or say in the film and is treated purely as eye-candy, much like his female counterpart, the American journalist, Linda Arsenio.
Kabir, thankfully, doesn't take sides and gives due blame to bring the current situation to light. America is named as the reason for every ruin you see in the film. The most interesting conversation takes place on the run -- when Coke-Pepsi, Madhuri Dixit, Kashmir and America are all tied up.
You cannot stop laughing and being pissed at the irony of it all -- that in the end all these wars are about digging up oil and selling Pepsi and Coke.
Kabul Express suffers from poor characterisation of John and Linda. At times, you squirm in your seat as they have no real connection to the story. But then having John in a film helps market it so that the film opens to houseful boards. That isn't really a strategy you can find fault with -- the reason a film likes this ends up being green-lighted is for the star power behind it.
Yash Raj Films decides to experiment with Kabul Express, a song-less film. Technically, every department is top notch. As an actor, Arshad steals the show. Salman Shahid and Hanif Humghum are also very good.
Kabul Express is a good-looking film but it refuses to get its hands dirty. Instead of having a gritty and rugged feel, it is too spic and span. Technical finesse is one thing, but in these rugged terrains, the feel should be more like the look of a commercial film like Black Hawk Down to get the viewer more involved. Kabul Express should have had the look of Omkara.
Also, one wonders why two journalists would land up in Afghanistan without a guide or any contact or be unable to find a shutterbug in a country overflowing with photojournalists.
However, what makes it hard to quibble about Kabul Express is that the film works on many levels. It's the first Indian film to show a true picture of Afghanistan. It shows the plight of Pakistanis caught on the other side after their country was forced to change allegiances by America. It is a film which makes you ponder on a picture postcard country ruined by a capitalist monster running amok worldwide.
The scariest scene in the movie is when the Pakistani soldier talks about the deception of America, mirrored by his colleagues at the Pakistani border that has been sealed off. The scene makes you think that Pakistan and America have been the best of friends. Today if this is the state of Pakistan, what about India?
We are going to bed with a monster with no heart. Are the ruins of Afghanistan a mirror to the future ruins of a country called Pakistan? A country called India?
Are we just fuel pumps on a global map selling oil and Coke?
Kabir Khan has told a story from his heart, and what is important is that his heart is in the right place.
Monday, December 18, 2006
BAABUL.........
Was that A Movie.....
When I went for the movie, it was like sitting on the drenched seat and watching the movie. Well, I meant to say that, the movie was filled with emotions which left tears in the eyes of many people. Like earlier BR Chopra movie, Baghban, this one also has it’s own share of emotions.
Rich businessman Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) and wife Shobna (Hema Malini) are overjoyed when their only son Avinash a.k.a Avi (Salman Khan) returns home after seven years in the U.S. No sooner does he land in India than he bumps into artist Malvika a.k.a Millie (Rani Mukerji), right at the airport.Love is soon in the air and the two get married. Meanwhile, Millie's dejected lover Rajat (John Abraham) - if you believe it, the young girl considers him only as her best friend and is blissfully unaware of his deep love for her - quickly vamooses to Europe to pursue his career as a singer.Four years quickly pass before director Ravi Chopra decides it's time to send Salman Khan to his maker.
Millie is so heartbroken over her soulmate's death that she gets into a slough of depression. Voila, her father-in-law Balraj Kapoor hits upon a novel - and bizarre - plan to restore sunshine into the young widow's life. He goes in search of her friend Rajat and prevails upon the young lad to woo Millie into marriage.There is plenty that seems to have gone askew with Baabul.
Seeing her in pain, Balraj decides to bring colours back into her life. He approaches Mili’s friend Rajat ( John Abraham ) who has always loved her but never expressed his feelings. A musician settled in Europe, Rajat is willing to marry Mili.But this decision of Balraj meets with a strong opposition from his own from the family. His wife doesn’t approve of this decision. And the stiffest resistance comes from Balraj’s elder brother Balwant ( Om Puri ), who holds age-old traditions above everything else.Will Balraj be able to get Mili remarried? The movie’s conclusion will certainly leave you with moist eyes.
All the characters did their job very well specially Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. Salman Khan was good too, after a long time I found his role very balanced. He is director’s man with very good acting skills but very few directors knows how to take good skills out of this man. And Ravi Chopra succeeds in this. Hema Malini is sure going to make all the young girls jealous, she looks very beautiful at this age too. And the pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini looks very young and refreshing. There is a very good repot between them. If there were awards for the best pair of the year, it would surely go to Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini’s bag.
Predicto Meter: The movie stands a good chance of crossing the hit mark. The movie might not impress teenagers but it is surely going to make our parents cry. It is a must watch for families.
When I went for the movie, it was like sitting on the drenched seat and watching the movie. Well, I meant to say that, the movie was filled with emotions which left tears in the eyes of many people. Like earlier BR Chopra movie, Baghban, this one also has it’s own share of emotions.
Rich businessman Balraj Kapoor (Amitabh Bachchan) and wife Shobna (Hema Malini) are overjoyed when their only son Avinash a.k.a Avi (Salman Khan) returns home after seven years in the U.S. No sooner does he land in India than he bumps into artist Malvika a.k.a Millie (Rani Mukerji), right at the airport.Love is soon in the air and the two get married. Meanwhile, Millie's dejected lover Rajat (John Abraham) - if you believe it, the young girl considers him only as her best friend and is blissfully unaware of his deep love for her - quickly vamooses to Europe to pursue his career as a singer.Four years quickly pass before director Ravi Chopra decides it's time to send Salman Khan to his maker.
Millie is so heartbroken over her soulmate's death that she gets into a slough of depression. Voila, her father-in-law Balraj Kapoor hits upon a novel - and bizarre - plan to restore sunshine into the young widow's life. He goes in search of her friend Rajat and prevails upon the young lad to woo Millie into marriage.There is plenty that seems to have gone askew with Baabul.
Seeing her in pain, Balraj decides to bring colours back into her life. He approaches Mili’s friend Rajat ( John Abraham ) who has always loved her but never expressed his feelings. A musician settled in Europe, Rajat is willing to marry Mili.But this decision of Balraj meets with a strong opposition from his own from the family. His wife doesn’t approve of this decision. And the stiffest resistance comes from Balraj’s elder brother Balwant ( Om Puri ), who holds age-old traditions above everything else.Will Balraj be able to get Mili remarried? The movie’s conclusion will certainly leave you with moist eyes.
All the characters did their job very well specially Amitabh Bachchan and Rani Mukherjee. Salman Khan was good too, after a long time I found his role very balanced. He is director’s man with very good acting skills but very few directors knows how to take good skills out of this man. And Ravi Chopra succeeds in this. Hema Malini is sure going to make all the young girls jealous, she looks very beautiful at this age too. And the pair of Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini looks very young and refreshing. There is a very good repot between them. If there were awards for the best pair of the year, it would surely go to Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini’s bag.
Predicto Meter: The movie stands a good chance of crossing the hit mark. The movie might not impress teenagers but it is surely going to make our parents cry. It is a must watch for families.
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