here is my list starting from the best
Bol na halke halke -Jhoom barabar jhoom: This is the best song of the year. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan was simply superb. One of the best songs from SEL
umre lagi lago kehte huye
do lafz the ek baat thi
wo ek din sau saal ka
sau saal ki wo raat thi
kaisa lage jo chup chap dono
pal pal mein poori sadiyaan bitade
O re pakhi- Khoya khoya chand: Among the best slow heart rendering number heard in a long time. One of Sonu's gems....he was so restrained in this song
O meri jaan-Life in a Metro: Loved this song...the year definitely belonged to KK and Pritam and they were in top form...the beats were amazing..the antra was soul stirring....
Tu aa gaya yun nazar, jaisa subah dopahar mein
madhoshi yunhi nahi dil pe chayee
niyat ne li angdayee
chhuaa tune kuch is tarah
badli fizaa, badla sama
o meri jaan
Tose Naina- Anwar: Guest composer Mithoon provided 2 excellent numbers in this movie (Maul being the other one)...even though just 21 yrs of age this guy has tremendous talent..check out how he used the sound of water so effectively when the song starts
Main agar kahoon- Om Shanti Om: One more addition to Sonu's repertoire of classy romantic numbers...the song has heavy use of violins especially during preludes/interludes..also check out the use of santoor (very soft...only can be captured if heard at full volume) during the interludes...
Taare zameen par- Taare zameen par: Whenever I listen to this song, the entire movie comes in front of me...the video brings tears to one's eyes...though Shankar doesnt sing much he has sung this beautifully...he should be given more oppurtunities...the song has beautifully used many similes/metaphors a la Ek Ladki ko dekha
jaise aankhon ki dibiya mein neendiya
aur neendiya mein Meetha Sa Sapna
aur sapne mein Mil Jaaye Farishta Sa Koi
jaise rangon bhari pichkari
jaise titliyan phoolon ki kyari
jaise bina matlab ka pyara rishta ho koi
yeh to asha ki lehar hain
yeh to ummeed ki sehar hain
khusiyon ki nehar hain
Main jahaan Rahoon-Namaste London: Another winner from Rahat Fateh Ali Khan....Krishna too complements him well.....Himesh's music was also superb...both the singers showed tremendous range.
Halke Halke-Honeymoon Travels: Wish this song could have been promoted well...among the better romantic numbers in recent times
Thirak Thirak-Khoya khoya Chand: I love the way the prelude builds up the song...shantanu has given good music and Sonu-Shreya do full justice to the number.
Maula mere-Anwar: Roop Kumar was at his best...even better than Sandese Aate and Khamosh Raat....
Dil Kya kare-Salaam-e-ishq: Adnan sang this song beautifully...the lyric were innovative
din bhar kuch miss karta hoon
jaane kaise khwaahish karta hoon
bheed mein tanha rehta hoon
dil kya kare
bhool gaya main din saal mahina
january mein bhi aaye pasina
aata hai aaraam kahin na dil kya kare
Ek din teri- Naqaab: Another winner from KK....brilliant number...even the video was beautiful...
Some other better numbers of the yr are listed below.....
In Dino- Life in a Metro
Aaoge Jab tum-Jab we met
Chak De India-Chak de India
Kholo kholo-Taare Zameen Par
Teri Tamanna- The Train
Maiyya maiyya-Guru
Tera Mera Rishta-Awarapan
Yahin hota pyar- Namaste London
Baatein Kuch Ankahi- Life in a Metro
Friday, December 28, 2007
Saturday, December 22, 2007
Taare Zameen Par : One of the best movies I have seen
innumerable movies have shown child's plight in a really sensitive way...the latest release Taare Zameen Par is at the top of the list.....
first of all lemme talk abt Aamir....even thgh this is his first movie as a director he has come across as an excellent story teller....he has conveyed the pathos/pain/grief of the child in a very apt way....many of the scenes are the movie are excellently handled....he is even not afraid of showing the child's name as the first name in the credit rolls even before his....he has the guts to tell a story which no big actor would have liked their name associated with....being a superstar Aamir could have easily directed a big budgeted highly publicized movie with lotsa entertainment factor...but he has gone on a totally different tangent and has come up with a masterpiece....no director has attempted this subject till now and Aamir has the courage to take this big risk in his first film...if u think Aamir is perfectionist as an actor and watch out this directorial debut and u will have to eat ur words....it proves that he is a perfectionist as a director as well....he again turns up aces as far as acting is concerned...specially the 2 confrontations scenes with Ishaan's father first at Ishaan's home in Mumbai and then when Ishaan's father visits him at Panchagani...this scene even shows how talented the director is......another Aamir scene that stands out is the climax scene of the movie...this movie has one of the best impactful climax in recent times....
coming to Darsheel...he is the real scene stealer....this child deserves the highest award for 2007....even filmfare award for best actor would not do justice for his portrayal of Ishaan....just watch out how he emotes/cries/laughs throughout the movie....u really feel for this child throughout the movie....some of his scenes that stand out are his fight with the child during cricket, day on Mumbai streets, climax scene....
Tisca as Ishaan's mother is perfect...she needs to be given more roles....she is a very good actress....he first stint as actress (i guess the movie was Platform with Ajay Devgan arnd 13-14 yrs back) was not successful..but now she is back with a bang.....
Animations and camerawork are A class......moreover they blend really well with the proceedings.... screenplay by Aamir and Amole Gupte (creative director) is spot on....songs are hummable....title song is the pick of the lot...the video is even more beautiful (both during the movie and when the credit rolls in the end)....video of jame raho is also goood.....kholo kholo and bum bole too are good numbers.....
This movie needs to be seen by every parent...this conveys a strong message...one cannot expect each child to be a topper in all fields...some excel in academics while some excel in sports....each child needs to be given creative freedom....parents should not have any ambitions from his child....ambition and pressure kills the child.....
no more senti stuff.....go watch the movie....not to be missed at any cost at least in this life.....
first of all lemme talk abt Aamir....even thgh this is his first movie as a director he has come across as an excellent story teller....he has conveyed the pathos/pain/grief of the child in a very apt way....many of the scenes are the movie are excellently handled....he is even not afraid of showing the child's name as the first name in the credit rolls even before his....he has the guts to tell a story which no big actor would have liked their name associated with....being a superstar Aamir could have easily directed a big budgeted highly publicized movie with lotsa entertainment factor...but he has gone on a totally different tangent and has come up with a masterpiece....no director has attempted this subject till now and Aamir has the courage to take this big risk in his first film...if u think Aamir is perfectionist as an actor and watch out this directorial debut and u will have to eat ur words....it proves that he is a perfectionist as a director as well....he again turns up aces as far as acting is concerned...specially the 2 confrontations scenes with Ishaan's father first at Ishaan's home in Mumbai and then when Ishaan's father visits him at Panchagani...this scene even shows how talented the director is......another Aamir scene that stands out is the climax scene of the movie...this movie has one of the best impactful climax in recent times....
coming to Darsheel...he is the real scene stealer....this child deserves the highest award for 2007....even filmfare award for best actor would not do justice for his portrayal of Ishaan....just watch out how he emotes/cries/laughs throughout the movie....u really feel for this child throughout the movie....some of his scenes that stand out are his fight with the child during cricket, day on Mumbai streets, climax scene....
Tisca as Ishaan's mother is perfect...she needs to be given more roles....she is a very good actress....he first stint as actress (i guess the movie was Platform with Ajay Devgan arnd 13-14 yrs back) was not successful..but now she is back with a bang.....
Animations and camerawork are A class......moreover they blend really well with the proceedings.... screenplay by Aamir and Amole Gupte (creative director) is spot on....songs are hummable....title song is the pick of the lot...the video is even more beautiful (both during the movie and when the credit rolls in the end)....video of jame raho is also goood.....kholo kholo and bum bole too are good numbers.....
This movie needs to be seen by every parent...this conveys a strong message...one cannot expect each child to be a topper in all fields...some excel in academics while some excel in sports....each child needs to be given creative freedom....parents should not have any ambitions from his child....ambition and pressure kills the child.....
no more senti stuff.....go watch the movie....not to be missed at any cost at least in this life.....
Monday, December 17, 2007
Mesmerizing songs of KKC
check out the following songs from KKC
O re pakhi - My fav...sonu Nigam is top notch
Thirak thirak- peppy number.....sonu and shreya do complete justice
title song- amazing qawalli...
Ye Nigahein-melodious 50s-60s number...
Chale aao- soothing shreya number....
Santanu Moitra is successfully able to bring past 50s-60s era again after the evergreen Parineeta
O re pakhi - My fav...sonu Nigam is top notch
Thirak thirak- peppy number.....sonu and shreya do complete justice
title song- amazing qawalli...
Ye Nigahein-melodious 50s-60s number...
Chale aao- soothing shreya number....
Santanu Moitra is successfully able to bring past 50s-60s era again after the evergreen Parineeta
Friday, November 09, 2007
Om Shanti Om review: Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost
probably one of the most hilarious movies and I guess the best spoof ever made in Bollywood....Farah is not scared of showing Manoj Kumar, Dev Anand and Sooraj Barjatya in bad light....this is what the new age bollywood movies should be...bollywood is slowly adapting hollywood style of spoofing characters and movies (check scary movie series or epic movie)...but this movie is far better than the western counterpart....
the movie has included a lot of scenes from reel life and real life....the true incident of Sunil Dutt saving Nargis from Mother India's set has been excellently embedded in the movie...even the take on "No sorry, no thank you" from Maine pyar kiya is brilliantly done...
the opening sequence where Shahrukh is watching the shooting of "Om Shanti Om" song from Karz with Rishi and Subhash Ghai in the frame is nicely picturised...the quick murugan episode is also amazing...some of the scenes remind you of Karz and Karan Arjun
some of the dialogues are brilliant...like the direct lift of the Paulo Coelho's Alchemist principle...agar zindagi mein tumhe kuch paana ho to saari kaaynat lag jaati hai tumhe madat karne mein...suhaagan ke sir ka taaj hota hai chutki bhar sindooor....and my favourite Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost..
some of the sequences that stand out in the film are
Deepika's introduction
sequence outside Rajesh Kapoor's house (award acceptance speech)
deepika's sequence with Shahrukh after Main agar kahoon
Quick Murugan and Mohabbat man episode
Deepika confrontation with Arjun in the green room
The interval point..the burning of the Om Shanti Om set
Akshay Kumar gag on Khiladi returns...amazing sequence..this shows why Akshay is a scene stealer even if given a screen time of 30 secs
Filmfare aware scene (specially the acceptance speech)
Shahrukh meeting with Arjun to start OSO project again
Kiron Kher doing rehearsal in the pre-climax scene
Deepika auditioning for OSO role
climax sequence
and all the songs
like Main hoon na each song is brilliantly choreographed and picturised...Dhoom Tana is probably the 1st song in bollywood which has shown an actress dancing with superstars of yesteryears...here Deepika is shown swinging arms with Sunil Dutt, Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna....Ajab Si and Main Agar Kahoon are the dreamy numbers which gel well with the proceedings...Deewangi is the most awaited song of the yr with 31 actors (ranging from Jeetendra, Mithun to Kajol, Rani) joining Shahrukh in the post filmfare party...Shilpa, Tabu, Juhi, Rani and Karisma are the pick of the lot in this number..this entire song is worth the movie ticket...the title song has a lot of resemblances with Ek Haseena thi and the picturisation too draws inspirations from it...Dard-e-disco is another winner because of six packed Shahrukh...
coming to performances SRK has delivered another master performance... though not in the likes of Swades, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Chak de, it still would rank amongst his better performances...Deepika is camera friendly and looks sexy...she has also acted well considering that this is her first Hindi film..she is pretty confident in front of the camera..Kiron kher is excellent as over the top filmy mother...Shreyas is a revelation and is improving a lot...Arjun too has come up with a good performance...the movie could have been better in terms of direction/editing (second half) but the performances and spoofs make up for it...
after a long time Diwali has seen a good movie (probably after Mohabbatein in 2000)..this movie will surely set the box office on fire and will be amongst the top 5 films in Bollywood in terms of revenues generated...this is a movie that can be watched n number of times just for the take on bollywood...
My Rating: 5/5
the movie has included a lot of scenes from reel life and real life....the true incident of Sunil Dutt saving Nargis from Mother India's set has been excellently embedded in the movie...even the take on "No sorry, no thank you" from Maine pyar kiya is brilliantly done...
the opening sequence where Shahrukh is watching the shooting of "Om Shanti Om" song from Karz with Rishi and Subhash Ghai in the frame is nicely picturised...the quick murugan episode is also amazing...some of the scenes remind you of Karz and Karan Arjun
some of the dialogues are brilliant...like the direct lift of the Paulo Coelho's Alchemist principle...agar zindagi mein tumhe kuch paana ho to saari kaaynat lag jaati hai tumhe madat karne mein...suhaagan ke sir ka taaj hota hai chutki bhar sindooor....and my favourite Picture abhi baaki hai mere dost..
some of the sequences that stand out in the film are
Deepika's introduction
sequence outside Rajesh Kapoor's house (award acceptance speech)
deepika's sequence with Shahrukh after Main agar kahoon
Quick Murugan and Mohabbat man episode
Deepika confrontation with Arjun in the green room
The interval point..the burning of the Om Shanti Om set
Akshay Kumar gag on Khiladi returns...amazing sequence..this shows why Akshay is a scene stealer even if given a screen time of 30 secs
Filmfare aware scene (specially the acceptance speech)
Shahrukh meeting with Arjun to start OSO project again
Kiron Kher doing rehearsal in the pre-climax scene
Deepika auditioning for OSO role
climax sequence
and all the songs
like Main hoon na each song is brilliantly choreographed and picturised...Dhoom Tana is probably the 1st song in bollywood which has shown an actress dancing with superstars of yesteryears...here Deepika is shown swinging arms with Sunil Dutt, Jeetendra and Rajesh Khanna....Ajab Si and Main Agar Kahoon are the dreamy numbers which gel well with the proceedings...Deewangi is the most awaited song of the yr with 31 actors (ranging from Jeetendra, Mithun to Kajol, Rani) joining Shahrukh in the post filmfare party...Shilpa, Tabu, Juhi, Rani and Karisma are the pick of the lot in this number..this entire song is worth the movie ticket...the title song has a lot of resemblances with Ek Haseena thi and the picturisation too draws inspirations from it...Dard-e-disco is another winner because of six packed Shahrukh...
coming to performances SRK has delivered another master performance... though not in the likes of Swades, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa and Chak de, it still would rank amongst his better performances...Deepika is camera friendly and looks sexy...she has also acted well considering that this is her first Hindi film..she is pretty confident in front of the camera..Kiron kher is excellent as over the top filmy mother...Shreyas is a revelation and is improving a lot...Arjun too has come up with a good performance...the movie could have been better in terms of direction/editing (second half) but the performances and spoofs make up for it...
after a long time Diwali has seen a good movie (probably after Mohabbatein in 2000)..this movie will surely set the box office on fire and will be amongst the top 5 films in Bollywood in terms of revenues generated...this is a movie that can be watched n number of times just for the take on bollywood...
My Rating: 5/5
Tuesday, November 06, 2007
Saawariya: Music review
wanted to write the review for this movie a long time back.....but didnt get time to do so....
another nice album to come out this yr...this too like OSO and LCMD brings out memory from past...most of the songs have a subhash ghai feel be it the music or vocals or the sets....
the album kicks off with the title song which is one of the most hummable songs in recent times...this has been rendered by a newbie Shail who does full justice to the number....
this is followed by Jab se tere naina which is a typical Shaan solo number...Shaan is once again amazing in this solo song...the tunes bear resemblance to past Ismail Darbaar numbers...
Maasha allah sung by Kunal Ganjawala is another winner track...he has A R Rahman touch all over it...
Thode Badmaash has a classical feel all over it and Shreya has sung it beautifully..
Yoon Shabnami is a nice qawalli which grows on you on repeated hearings..
Chabeela is the weakest song in the movie...bears striking similarity to Der se aana from Khalnayak...
another nice album to come out this yr...this too like OSO and LCMD brings out memory from past...most of the songs have a subhash ghai feel be it the music or vocals or the sets....
the album kicks off with the title song which is one of the most hummable songs in recent times...this has been rendered by a newbie Shail who does full justice to the number....
this is followed by Jab se tere naina which is a typical Shaan solo number...Shaan is once again amazing in this solo song...the tunes bear resemblance to past Ismail Darbaar numbers...
Maasha allah sung by Kunal Ganjawala is another winner track...he has A R Rahman touch all over it...
Thode Badmaash has a classical feel all over it and Shreya has sung it beautifully..
Yoon Shabnami is a nice qawalli which grows on you on repeated hearings..
Chabeela is the weakest song in the movie...bears striking similarity to Der se aana from Khalnayak...
Friday, October 12, 2007
Cute trailer: Taare Zameen Par
Aamir Khan is back and this time as actor/ producer and director....this is a cute trailer....
Tuesday, October 02, 2007
Anurag Kashyap's interview: This man has gone thru a lot
It all started eight years ago when i was shooting for SATYA that Ramu told me a story about a chain smoker who gets into trouble with someone who hates smoking( a variation of which he shot in DARNA MANA HAI)..that sparked off an idea..which Ramu instantly laughed and scoffed at..i thought there was something in there but i didn’t know what..i toyed with it for long..had something roughly there but it was too much like THE GAME..after PAANCH got banned i was desperate to make a film..Paanch had a good buzz..there were producers who wanted me to make films for them..i met Boney Kapoor ,narrated him the incomplete idea which was then called, Cigarette smoking is injurious to health..He point blank, told me ,”Go back to the planet you came from”..every one thought it was weird, but none of them knew irreverence..
Kaykay loved the idea..only thing he said was that it’s incomplete(how much i love that man)..i almost gave up on it, till RAJA CHAUDHARY..my assistant in black friday and my lead actor in GULAL(some body even suggested we were probably sleeping together)..him off all the people, while playing squash said he has written a script for a short film on a chain smoker who wakes up one morning without a smoke and there is a curfew outside..he wanted me to act as the character..what a fantastic idea..i agreed to do the role on the condition that i am going to use his short to complete my incomplete script..we made the short..it didn’t work..Raja was a better actor and a writer than he was the filmmaker..i took his short and completed the treatment..
Six months later i was at mariott with my producer friend nilesh dadhich and vinny mitra the director of MERIDIAN and while showing off how weird one can get i narrated my script..i improvised spontaneously..they loved it ,i loved narrating it ..it felt complete..it was on..but it was costly ,nilesh told me .. we need a star.. i said no one but kaykay..i went to london the following month..we were showing Black Friday at BITE THE MANGO in Bradford..nilesh asked me to look up his partner Angad Paul(LOCK STOCK AND TWO SMOKING BARRELS) and narrate him the script..i did..he said its too weird,needs a star..get shahrukh..i decided to fuck it ..i am not going without kaykay..then the worst period of my life started..Black Friday got stuck..couldn’t get money for gulaal..i started drinking again..nivi (kaykay’s wife) told me stop thinking about everyone..try and get a release first,get a star ,make a movie, kaykay will understand..i went to SRK..
Now there is a history i share with SRK..we went to the same college,we both played for the college hockey team,he was an astounding sportsman,hockey captain..i was the vice captain..but..four years apart from each other..i never went to him for anything using that card..this time i did..he claimed to have known me from delhi..or of me..he wasvery warm and kind and nice..he was growing his hair..Don had not yet started shooting..SRK loved or may be pretended to have loved the idea..he said ..”you are talented,why are you wasting yourself over such absurd films”..he said make this film after you are in a position to experiment..gave me the example of Black..i told him Black according to me was an exercise in vanity and megalomania..but circumstances were such that i was open to mainstream..i mentioned meeting him to Ritesh Sidhwani..i had done the hindi version of dialogues for Reema’s HONEYMOON TRAVELS PVT. LTD. which he was producing..Farhan and Zoya have always been a big support to me..emotionally and morally..one of the scripts written by zoya and reema was optioned by ritesh..he asked me would i like tolook at it..i looked at it..great idea..ritesh then asked me to develop it further with SRK in mind and he will produce it for me..i narrated my smoking story instead..he reacted exactly like others..i was losing confidence..in myself..in my story..i wanted a way out..i didn’t even have the courage to say i don’t want to do Zoya’s story..(haven’t said it till date)i just kept escaping them, kept escaping what started to look like my fate..then out of the blue i found finance for Gulaal..
we went to jaipur to shoot gulaal..meanwhile PAHELI got nominated for the OSCARS from india..i got a call from SRK..he needed help to campaign for paheli in the US..i put him on to CHRISTINA(the greek woman who holds the flag for the indian films in the heart of Hollywood) and NOEL..kept in touch with him(kind of)..then Gulaal was stopped midshoot because the money promised wasn’t realised..ah misery..my motherfucking jinxxx continued..life was being such a bitch..i had an anxiety attack..was flown to bombay..admitted..heart condition..broke..alcoholic..fucked..i called SRK..he said he will get back..i sms’d AAMIR..he said he will get back in march..i called on Jaideep Sahni..he was now with Yashraj..he tried to help..adi was too busy..i could have done anything at that moment..i didn’t know what to do..where to go..before the media found out that gulaal got stopped after finishing 80% of the shoot and the superstitious lot sealed my fate i had to get on to something..that’s when reports on WATER started to filter in..they were praising JOHN..like an oppurtunist of circumstances i called him..it was nine thirty in the morning after i drank all night..he asked me if i could meet him in next half an hour..i said yes..was fifteen minutes late..i knew he too would laugh at my smoking story..so i made up a story on the way to his house..
he heard my made up story and instantly hated it..he said tell me something more intelligent(he really said that)..i took a deep breath and told him the smoking story..he fucking loved it..i told him i have no producer..he said he will find me one..he spoke to UTV..they didn’t like it..too bizzarrre..i told him officially the story was still lying with SRK..he said until and unless SRK doesn’t let go of it ..i will amount to be a double crossing son of a bitch..i called SRK and told him i was going to someone else..he naturally assumed i was going to kaykay..he advised me again..i didn’t want to listen..my arrogance still probably was far greater than theirs..i still believed that if only my films would have come out, it would have been different..but then that arrogance was fucked with,fingered with..kicked out of all production offices inspite of john being unconditionally on board..
then i got a call from Vishal..he had seen my last seven years and still somehow had not lost faith..he asked me that would i like to make a film for him..”neki aur poochh poochh” ..i narrated him cigarette smoking is injurious to health..he loved it..finally..someone who truly loves films..he asked me to come to his set of omkaara the next day and narrate the script to Kumar Mangat..Now here is a man who looks like the most conventional producer in bombay bot he isn’t..he loved it too..his son loved it fucking three..i was on..they offered SAIF..i said JOHN..the man stood by me..i will like hell stand by him..they didn’t even argue..it was just me being defensive..they agreed and asked for a meeting..with john..they met..i waited for things to move..they had omkara to be busy with..negativity abound..i started thinking it won’t happen again..so before they could tell me it was all a mistake..i left the country..escaped to LA..thats when i met OZ..hung out in NEWYORK.. walked the streets..till i got a call from kumar mangat and vishal asking me when am i coming back to india as they have signed john..WHOOOO..it was happening..now everyone wanted the whole script which was only in my head and as a thirty page treatment on paper..
so i wrote for next three days ..met john in NEWYORK..saw united 93 together..came back and found everyone busy with omkara..negativity..when you have been fucked so many times in life,you tend not to believe anyone or anything..that’s how i was..i left again, this time for rishikesh..almost making those lose faith in me who were the only ones in this miserable place to trust me..somehow..good sense prevailed..and the only change they asked me to do was to change its name to NO SMOKING..
thats the story of this film and that’s how i have JOHN ABRAHAM..today we saw BARTON FINK together..and he is going to rock..and the grip is on too..now..whoever said that you are never going to fail unless you try also said that reality is the place where the pizza delivery man comes from..cheers guys..now only if Scorcese could smile on me..
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Music review: Om Shanti Om
70s era is back...just few days after LCMD comes another album which takes you back to those days.....This album has Laxmi-Pyare stamp all over it...
Ajab Si: On listening this song you would know that this song has been penned by Javed Akhtar since most of the songs of this album are written by Javed Akhtar. However you are in for a surprise as you notice that this is written by composer Vishal....the lyrics is simply superb...check out
Dil ko banade jo patang saansein ye teri wo hawayein hai KK has done complete justice to this song...had it been 3-4 yrs back this would have been sung by Abhijeet since such songs suited him well..
Dard-e-disco: Should I say this is a qawali or is it a disco track....too tough to decide since it is very difficult to typecast this song into any genre...Sukhvinder is good in this song...this song has become a rage because of 6 pack SRK body.....
Deewangi Deewangi: Most awaited song/video of the year since it has 35 stars in it ranging from Dev Anand to Jeetendra to Hrithik Roshan..it has been sung brilliantly by Shaan, Udit, Shreya, Sunidhi and Rahul Saxena....It has few Persian interludes which sound peppy...overall the song is a winner from the word go....
Dhoom Tana: Sargam/Tohfa days are back...this song has been composed by Pyarelal and is a number with all the arrangements, lyrics of the early 80s....when u hear this song u visualize Jaya Prada or Sridevi dancing with Jeetendra (in his white shoes) with colorful matkas placed in the garden...i have heard that this song has been digitally shot with Sunil Dutt and Deepika Padukone...cant wait to see this on screen....
Agar Main Kahoon: A slow number by Sonu and Shreya that has been beautifully penned by Javed Akhtar....its a brilliant track which has a Rafi touch to it....
Jag Soona Soona: Another brilliant track by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (i am starting to like this singer) and Richa Sharma...
Dastaan E Om Shanti Om: Bears close resemblance to Ek Hasina thi from Karz...seems this is the climax song and summarizes the entire story alongwith the reincarnation theme in it....Shaan is once again perfect in this song.
all in all each of the song is a masterpiece not because the music is great but because it brings out memories of the past.....
PS: I would still say that Life in a Metro music is by far the best of this year (maybe the best in past 2-3 yrs)...am waiting with bated breath for Saawariya music...
Ajab Si: On listening this song you would know that this song has been penned by Javed Akhtar since most of the songs of this album are written by Javed Akhtar. However you are in for a surprise as you notice that this is written by composer Vishal....the lyrics is simply superb...check out
Dil ko banade jo patang saansein ye teri wo hawayein hai KK has done complete justice to this song...had it been 3-4 yrs back this would have been sung by Abhijeet since such songs suited him well..
Dard-e-disco: Should I say this is a qawali or is it a disco track....too tough to decide since it is very difficult to typecast this song into any genre...Sukhvinder is good in this song...this song has become a rage because of 6 pack SRK body.....
Deewangi Deewangi: Most awaited song/video of the year since it has 35 stars in it ranging from Dev Anand to Jeetendra to Hrithik Roshan..it has been sung brilliantly by Shaan, Udit, Shreya, Sunidhi and Rahul Saxena....It has few Persian interludes which sound peppy...overall the song is a winner from the word go....
Dhoom Tana: Sargam/Tohfa days are back...this song has been composed by Pyarelal and is a number with all the arrangements, lyrics of the early 80s....when u hear this song u visualize Jaya Prada or Sridevi dancing with Jeetendra (in his white shoes) with colorful matkas placed in the garden...i have heard that this song has been digitally shot with Sunil Dutt and Deepika Padukone...cant wait to see this on screen....
Agar Main Kahoon: A slow number by Sonu and Shreya that has been beautifully penned by Javed Akhtar....its a brilliant track which has a Rafi touch to it....
Jag Soona Soona: Another brilliant track by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan (i am starting to like this singer) and Richa Sharma...
Dastaan E Om Shanti Om: Bears close resemblance to Ek Hasina thi from Karz...seems this is the climax song and summarizes the entire story alongwith the reincarnation theme in it....Shaan is once again perfect in this song.
all in all each of the song is a masterpiece not because the music is great but because it brings out memories of the past.....
PS: I would still say that Life in a Metro music is by far the best of this year (maybe the best in past 2-3 yrs)...am waiting with bated breath for Saawariya music...
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
First look: Sonam and Ranbir
I am completely bowled over by this trailer....one of the best i have seen....
Ranbir looks completely like Hrithik in his KNPH days....Sonam brings out memories of Aishwarya Rai in Taal.....music is very very peppy.....
Ranbir looks completely like Hrithik in his KNPH days....Sonam brings out memories of Aishwarya Rai in Taal.....music is very very peppy.....
Friday, September 14, 2007
Music review: Laaga Chunari mein daag
Shantanu Moitra's music has always been different be it Parineeta or Hazaaron Khwahishen Aisi or Eklavya or Lage raho Munnabhai....his songs grow on you gradually and stay for a long time...LCMD falls in the same league....
the album has one of the best female duets heard in recent times....i m referring to Hum to aise Bhiayyan sang by ultimate duo of Shreya (Late of today's era) and Sunidhi(Asha of today's era)...the song is likeable from the first hearing itself....
the title track though the tunes and few interludes are from original song Laaga Chunari mein daag is brilliantly sung by Shubha Mudgal....this song alongwith Ek Hi Thaiyya might not get popular with the masses but it will find favor with classes...
Ek teekhi theekhi takes you to the 70s-80s era and the song is extremely hummable...easily my fav song of the album.....
Zara gungunalein chalo bears some resemblance with Yaaro Sunlo from Rok sako to rok lo...this is a typical YRF song....
Kachchi Kalli is very peppy number and its music and singing impresses you from the word go....i m not getting bored even after listening this song for atleast 20-25 times in 3 days...
all in all an album worth each bytes on ur laptop....
watch out for Om Shanti Om music review coming from me in a couple of days...
the album has one of the best female duets heard in recent times....i m referring to Hum to aise Bhiayyan sang by ultimate duo of Shreya (Late of today's era) and Sunidhi(Asha of today's era)...the song is likeable from the first hearing itself....
the title track though the tunes and few interludes are from original song Laaga Chunari mein daag is brilliantly sung by Shubha Mudgal....this song alongwith Ek Hi Thaiyya might not get popular with the masses but it will find favor with classes...
Ek teekhi theekhi takes you to the 70s-80s era and the song is extremely hummable...easily my fav song of the album.....
Zara gungunalein chalo bears some resemblance with Yaaro Sunlo from Rok sako to rok lo...this is a typical YRF song....
Kachchi Kalli is very peppy number and its music and singing impresses you from the word go....i m not getting bored even after listening this song for atleast 20-25 times in 3 days...
all in all an album worth each bytes on ur laptop....
watch out for Om Shanti Om music review coming from me in a couple of days...
Sunday, September 09, 2007
Simply Sonu: Live in Concert
what a show....simply mindblowing....10 times better than AR Rahman show....not because Sonu is a great singer but because he is the best entertainer....he not just enthralls the crowd with his renditions but keeps them involved and involves them in each of the songs....he is truly the living legend of Indian Music industry....
2 weeks back I saw an ad in Sulekha that GOD is going to perform in NY on 8th Sept at the same venue where Rahman had performed....quickly called up my friend Shobhit and asked him whether he would like to join for the concert...he concurred and we booked 4 ticks...the show was abt to start at 8 PM...we reached the venue well in advance...since we had some time we decided to fill our tummy with yummy Chipotle burritos....we entered the stadium at 7:45...the Nassau coliseum was not as packed as that for Rahman's show (south Indian crowd was missing)....
the show kickstarted with the Lord Ganesh chant of Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Samaprabha....this was following by the Sonu band (minus Sonu) singing Roobaroo from Rang de Basanti....this was followed by introduction of the band by stunning Mansi Verma (compere of the evening)...then Gunjan (who has sung in Bend It Like Beckham) sang Aao na gale lagao na and Beedi Jalayle....
Sonu then made his entry with his most popular song Kal Ho na Ho (sad version)...he just sang 2 lines from this song and then moved over to the ever hummable romantic Suraj hua maddham number....the best part abt each of the songs he sung was he didnt sing in the usual filmi manner but added his own alaaps/surs...each of the songs he sang sounded different from the original track....so sometimes it was really difficult to sing along with him.....for all songs he would prompt the audience to sing alongwith him...for example for the number Just Chill he sang the mukhda and prompted the audience to sing Just Chill Chill Just Chill....
He sang a number of songs from his now famous filmi/pop repertoire and also sang some of the Rafi numbers....heres the list
he also shared some of his experiences from early singing days and that was truly hilarious...he even did some mimicry of Anu Malik, Kumar Sanu, Sanjeev Kumar and Udit Narayan..
he was so full of life that he came down from the stage, called a woman from the audience and asked her to sing Bijuriya along with him and also requested her to urge the crowd to sing with them...towards the end of his performance also he came down from the stage, gave hi-5s to the VVIP ticket holders for 10-15 mins....he even held a 6-7 month baby from the crowd and sang Kal Ho Na ho with the baby..the show got over at almost 12 in the night....
wish Sonu keeps on coming to North east every yr and I get to see his live performance everytime he is here....
well here are some of the videos from the show (click on the song)
Main Hoon Na Prelude...ultimate
Kabhi Alvida na kehna
Kabhi Alvida na kehna (contd)
Main Hoon Na
Saathiya
Suraj Hua Maddham
Kal ho na ho
Kal ho na ho slow
Audience choice
Dil deewana
Sonu Nigam entry
Interaction with a lady
Tumse milke
Salaam-e-Ishq
Roobaroo
Beedi
Some more blogs on Sonu
Living legend
Baawri piya ki
Interesting blog on Sonu
Behka diya
2 weeks back I saw an ad in Sulekha that GOD is going to perform in NY on 8th Sept at the same venue where Rahman had performed....quickly called up my friend Shobhit and asked him whether he would like to join for the concert...he concurred and we booked 4 ticks...the show was abt to start at 8 PM...we reached the venue well in advance...since we had some time we decided to fill our tummy with yummy Chipotle burritos....we entered the stadium at 7:45...the Nassau coliseum was not as packed as that for Rahman's show (south Indian crowd was missing)....
the show kickstarted with the Lord Ganesh chant of Vakratunda Mahaakaaya Suryakotee Samaprabha....this was following by the Sonu band (minus Sonu) singing Roobaroo from Rang de Basanti....this was followed by introduction of the band by stunning Mansi Verma (compere of the evening)...then Gunjan (who has sung in Bend It Like Beckham) sang Aao na gale lagao na and Beedi Jalayle....
Sonu then made his entry with his most popular song Kal Ho na Ho (sad version)...he just sang 2 lines from this song and then moved over to the ever hummable romantic Suraj hua maddham number....the best part abt each of the songs he sung was he didnt sing in the usual filmi manner but added his own alaaps/surs...each of the songs he sang sounded different from the original track....so sometimes it was really difficult to sing along with him.....for all songs he would prompt the audience to sing alongwith him...for example for the number Just Chill he sang the mukhda and prompted the audience to sing Just Chill Chill Just Chill....
He sang a number of songs from his now famous filmi/pop repertoire and also sang some of the Rafi numbers....heres the list
- Kal Ho Na Ho sad version
- Suraj hua Maddham
- Saathiya title song : Rendition was perfect
- Main Hoon Na: Best song of the evening..just check the prelude of this song (video below)...each line of the song was followed by another song from the old era..something like Kiska hai ye tumko intezaar Main hoon na
Aati rahegi baharein
jaati rahegi baaharein
dekhlo idhar to ek baar
Main hoon na
mere tere liye hi saat rang ke sapne chune - Just Chill
- Aaja Soniye...another great performance....he mixed this song with one of the other songs (cant remember the song)...
- Staying alive from Bee Gees in girl's voice...a truly versatile rendition
- Mera Rang de Basanti Chola...he mentioned that this is his favourite song and he makes sure that he sings it in each of his concerts...
- Tumse Milke Dil ka hai jo haal
- Lagaa Chunari mein daag
- Chaudvi ka chand ho
- Yeh dil deewana...mindblowing number and so beautifully sung
- Bijuriya
- Tenu Leke
- Salaam e Ishq title song
- Baawri piya ki
- Mere Haath mein
- Do Pal Ruka
- Gumshuda
- Kal Ho Na Ho
- Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna....2nd best number of the evening
he also shared some of his experiences from early singing days and that was truly hilarious...he even did some mimicry of Anu Malik, Kumar Sanu, Sanjeev Kumar and Udit Narayan..
he was so full of life that he came down from the stage, called a woman from the audience and asked her to sing Bijuriya along with him and also requested her to urge the crowd to sing with them...towards the end of his performance also he came down from the stage, gave hi-5s to the VVIP ticket holders for 10-15 mins....he even held a 6-7 month baby from the crowd and sang Kal Ho Na ho with the baby..the show got over at almost 12 in the night....
wish Sonu keeps on coming to North east every yr and I get to see his live performance everytime he is here....
well here are some of the videos from the show (click on the song)
Main Hoon Na Prelude...ultimate
Kabhi Alvida na kehna
Kabhi Alvida na kehna (contd)
Main Hoon Na
Saathiya
Suraj Hua Maddham
Kal ho na ho
Kal ho na ho slow
Audience choice
Dil deewana
Sonu Nigam entry
Interaction with a lady
Tumse milke
Salaam-e-Ishq
Roobaroo
Beedi
Some more blogs on Sonu
Living legend
Baawri piya ki
Interesting blog on Sonu
Behka diya
Friday, September 07, 2007
Saturday, August 25, 2007
Heyy Babyy....u rock in pieces
definitely a movie which should have been produced by Yashraj films since it has its share of funny and emotional moments as does all Yashraj's mushy mushy love stories have.....the comic scenes are good (excellent at places) but the emotional sequences are a downer...typical bollywood cliches
Sajid Khan who himself is a comedian is not able to handle the tear-jerking scenes well and most of the on-screen ongoings and dialogues seem repeated....but the funny moments in the movie will surely bring the house down and smile on everyone's faces....
the movie starts off really well with the title track...amongst the best videos Bollywood has ever come up with ;).....you need to see it why I say that....definitely this would be one of the most downloaded video songs.....Om Shanti Om will have a big task to match up with this song (it has 35 actor/actresses in that song).....
Some of the scenes which stand out are
Akki is at his best yet again...everyone knows that he is too good in comic scenes but he has handled emotional scenes also with aplomb...Vidya emotes well during the climax....just one concern...she seems to be putting a lot of weight and the director is trying to hide that thru her costumes....Fardeen is ok but he excels in Parimal Tripathi role...Riteish as usual is totally dependable and he is a master for such kinda roles....his Jai Maharahstra antics will surely find audience's favor....Boman and Anupam act well....Babyyy is too cute....
overall I would give the film 3/5 (1 point less because of bromide emotional sequences)
Sajid Khan who himself is a comedian is not able to handle the tear-jerking scenes well and most of the on-screen ongoings and dialogues seem repeated....but the funny moments in the movie will surely bring the house down and smile on everyone's faces....
the movie starts off really well with the title track...amongst the best videos Bollywood has ever come up with ;).....you need to see it why I say that....definitely this would be one of the most downloaded video songs.....Om Shanti Om will have a big task to match up with this song (it has 35 actor/actresses in that song).....
Some of the scenes which stand out are
- Title track with 15 hottest babes in Bollywood
- Trio trying to wipe the potty of the baby
- Department store track in which Akki is searching for baby food
- Kids bashing up Riteish...watch out Riteish in his typical Maharashtrian form
- Car sequence in which Fardeen is driving the car slower than the joggers
- Parimal Tripathi episode
- Raj-Simran episode
Akki is at his best yet again...everyone knows that he is too good in comic scenes but he has handled emotional scenes also with aplomb...Vidya emotes well during the climax....just one concern...she seems to be putting a lot of weight and the director is trying to hide that thru her costumes....Fardeen is ok but he excels in Parimal Tripathi role...Riteish as usual is totally dependable and he is a master for such kinda roles....his Jai Maharahstra antics will surely find audience's favor....Boman and Anupam act well....Babyyy is too cute....
overall I would give the film 3/5 (1 point less because of bromide emotional sequences)
Friday, August 03, 2007
Do u wanna "Partner"
which ones better Hitch or Partner...very difficult to say since both are equally good....each of them better in their own rights....
Partner is just an Indianized version of Hitch...with its share of David dhawan antics....another David film in the category of "leave ur brains at home" (but I watched the movie at home so didnt leave my brains anywhere)....completely timepass wholesomely entertaining movie....almost the entire plot and 50% of the scenes are copied from Hitch..but who cares as long as the movie is engaging
the camaraderie between Salman and Govinda is absolutely brilliant and hilarious....wish Katrina had a bigger role and more screen presence..she was relegated to backseat....in contrast Amber Valletta had a much bigger and authorbacked role in Hitch.....Lara was good..Amin Haji (the child from Fanaa) is once again in top form....
The golden touch which David Dhawan had lost in late 90s and early 2000s seems to have returned back with 3 back to back hits (Mujhse shaadi karogi, Maine pyar kyur kiya and Partner)....
A couple of songs viz. title song and You are my love are pretty hummable...Soni de nakhre too is not bad....
Partner is just an Indianized version of Hitch...with its share of David dhawan antics....another David film in the category of "leave ur brains at home" (but I watched the movie at home so didnt leave my brains anywhere)....completely timepass wholesomely entertaining movie....almost the entire plot and 50% of the scenes are copied from Hitch..but who cares as long as the movie is engaging
the camaraderie between Salman and Govinda is absolutely brilliant and hilarious....wish Katrina had a bigger role and more screen presence..she was relegated to backseat....in contrast Amber Valletta had a much bigger and authorbacked role in Hitch.....Lara was good..Amin Haji (the child from Fanaa) is once again in top form....
The golden touch which David Dhawan had lost in late 90s and early 2000s seems to have returned back with 3 back to back hits (Mujhse shaadi karogi, Maine pyar kyur kiya and Partner)....
A couple of songs viz. title song and You are my love are pretty hummable...Soni de nakhre too is not bad....
Sunday, July 08, 2007
Federer wins but Nadal impresses
finally was relieved to see Federer win his 5th consecutive Wimbledon title and thus equaling Borg's streak....this was his 11th grand glam win but I assumed this was the hardest...Nadal was over the top for most of the games...just a few mistakes from Nadal in the final set cost him the game....Federer had a lot of unforced errors to his name as against Nadal.....
Nadal has shown terrific improvement in 2007 ....he truly is turning out to be Federer's rival not only in clay but on all sort of surfaces...Watch out Federer; Nadal may turn out to be a thorn on your march to win the max number of grand slams.....
Nadal has shown terrific improvement in 2007 ....he truly is turning out to be Federer's rival not only in clay but on all sort of surfaces...Watch out Federer; Nadal may turn out to be a thorn on your march to win the max number of grand slams.....
Saturday, June 30, 2007
Movie Review: First half of 2007
Its been a long time since I have written a review on a Hindi film (i suppose Guru was the last one)....well rather than writing the review on each of the films separately, me decided to recap the 6 months gone by.
Black Friday (10/10): Powerful movie....direction, screenplay and editing were spot on...performances of each and every character was excellent....
Tara Rum Pum (6/10): Big disappointment from the Yashraj camp....Siddharth's second outing was a bad rehash of Days of Thunder....moreover Saif's and Rani's acting was also not exceptional...songs were good but not something which will be remembered after the year has gone by...
Parzania (7/10): Another good movie which became a bit monotonous towards the end...moreover this movie has lot of similarities with Bombay
Namaste London (6/10): Never had high expectations from this movie...movie was so-so....i thought it was just a copy of several movies (Hero Hindustani, Pardes, Raamji Londonwale)....some of the dialogues were good...songs were really good specially Dilruba and Main Jahaan Rahoon.....
1:40 ki last local (9/10): Really loved this movie....Abhay is a terrific actor when it comes to comedy...all his movies (Socha na tha, Ahista Ahista, Honeymoon Travels) have been good...he is the only one in the industry who is choosing light hearted movies....he is Amol palekar and Farooque Shaikh of today's era...
Honeymoon Travels (8/10): Nice cute movie....KK and Raima Sen were terrific...songs were good (Pyar ki ek kahaani, Halke Halke, Sajnaaji)...dunno why Halke Halke was not marketed well....
Guru(7/10): It deserves 7 points just for Abhishek's acting and Maiyya Maiyya song (not the video but the vocals in the song)
Bheja Fry (10/10): It one of the better comedy films of recent times.....Vinay Pathak was simply superb in this film....
Eklavya (9/10): Acting was top grade from everyone...be it Amitabh, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Khan, Jimmy or Raima Sen...Vidya Balan was somewhat wasted...direction is till now the best of this year...
Salaam-e-ishq (3/10): Nothing to write about this movie....a big big disappointment...however songs were exceptional.
Cheeni Kum (9/10): the combo of Amitabh and Tabu was deadly....Tabu handled the lighter scenes really well....even the child actress was good....
Shootout at lokhandwala (6/10): Didnt njoi this movie that much....somehow the characters looked fake...
The Train (4/10): Bad acting by everyone (Emraan, Sayali and Geeta)...songs are among the best of the year...
Life in a Metro (10/10): Another excellent movie..Shilpa, Irfan and Konkona was superb...the entire track of Irfan and Konkona was hilarious...music is the best of this year...
Fool n Final (3/10): bad remake of Snatch(a must see film)
I havent seen Awarapan(mindblowing music) , Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (already a box office disappointment), Apne (killer starcast) and Aap Ka suroor (multi talented Himesh) yet....
Black Friday (10/10): Powerful movie....direction, screenplay and editing were spot on...performances of each and every character was excellent....
Tara Rum Pum (6/10): Big disappointment from the Yashraj camp....Siddharth's second outing was a bad rehash of Days of Thunder....moreover Saif's and Rani's acting was also not exceptional...songs were good but not something which will be remembered after the year has gone by...
Parzania (7/10): Another good movie which became a bit monotonous towards the end...moreover this movie has lot of similarities with Bombay
Namaste London (6/10): Never had high expectations from this movie...movie was so-so....i thought it was just a copy of several movies (Hero Hindustani, Pardes, Raamji Londonwale)....some of the dialogues were good...songs were really good specially Dilruba and Main Jahaan Rahoon.....
1:40 ki last local (9/10): Really loved this movie....Abhay is a terrific actor when it comes to comedy...all his movies (Socha na tha, Ahista Ahista, Honeymoon Travels) have been good...he is the only one in the industry who is choosing light hearted movies....he is Amol palekar and Farooque Shaikh of today's era...
Honeymoon Travels (8/10): Nice cute movie....KK and Raima Sen were terrific...songs were good (Pyar ki ek kahaani, Halke Halke, Sajnaaji)...dunno why Halke Halke was not marketed well....
Guru(7/10): It deserves 7 points just for Abhishek's acting and Maiyya Maiyya song (not the video but the vocals in the song)
Bheja Fry (10/10): It one of the better comedy films of recent times.....Vinay Pathak was simply superb in this film....
Eklavya (9/10): Acting was top grade from everyone...be it Amitabh, Sanjay Dutt, Saif Khan, Jimmy or Raima Sen...Vidya Balan was somewhat wasted...direction is till now the best of this year...
Salaam-e-ishq (3/10): Nothing to write about this movie....a big big disappointment...however songs were exceptional.
Cheeni Kum (9/10): the combo of Amitabh and Tabu was deadly....Tabu handled the lighter scenes really well....even the child actress was good....
Shootout at lokhandwala (6/10): Didnt njoi this movie that much....somehow the characters looked fake...
The Train (4/10): Bad acting by everyone (Emraan, Sayali and Geeta)...songs are among the best of the year...
Life in a Metro (10/10): Another excellent movie..Shilpa, Irfan and Konkona was superb...the entire track of Irfan and Konkona was hilarious...music is the best of this year...
Fool n Final (3/10): bad remake of Snatch(a must see film)
I havent seen Awarapan(mindblowing music) , Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (already a box office disappointment), Apne (killer starcast) and Aap Ka suroor (multi talented Himesh) yet....
Sunday, June 24, 2007
A R Rahman concert in NY (16th June 2007)
was lucky enuf to catch the AR Rahman 3rd dimensional concert in Long Island, NY last weekend....the show was about to begin at 8 but we (myself, Harshad and ungle) were so excited that we reached there by 6:30 PM....already by that time people had started pouring in at the Nassau Coliseum....by the time i was inside the stadium I had met many of my junior college frenz, undergrad mates and colleagues who all had come to catch this magical nite.....
the show kickstarted at 8:35...this was as per IST....the first song of the evening was the masterpiece "Jaage Hai" from Guru....there was some sound problem during the first 2 songs and hence the lyrics were not clear...but who cares about the lyrics when Rahman is playing...what a way to start the show...amongst my fav songs composed by Rahman recently....Rahman looked dapper in a purple chudidar... the next song to be played was the energetic number "Khalbali" from RDB.... rahman then left the stage and his troop took over.....
Sukhvinder and Neeti were first to take the lead with "Ramta Jogi"..this was followed by "Ayo re sakhi" from Water...Sukhvinder sang this song so well along with Sadhana Sargam that I was awe-struck...somehow I didnt notice this song when I saw the movie...but now after the concert this song ranks among the best rendered songs...Rahman too regards this songs as one of his best compilations....
Hariharan followed it up with the evergreen "Roja Jaaneman" from Roja...this was the song that catapulted Rahman (his first movie as composer) to stardom....none of the Rahman's recent concerts are complete without Sivaji...he sang close to 4-5 songs from Sivaji...the first one to be sung was "Vaaji"..Hariharan and Madhushree were dancing throughout while singing this song....the next Sivaji song was "Sahana Saaral" by Vijay Yesudas and Chitra...
Naresh Iyer took over for the next 2 songs "Be a rebel" and "Roobaroo"....by this time the audience were up on their feets and dancing merrily....the next 2 songs were sung in Hindi as well as Tamil...."Kehna hi Kya" from Bombay and "Kabhi Neem" from Yuva...the mukhda and 1st antra were in Hindi whereas the 2nd antra was in Tamil...Hariharan and his team then turned up in somewhat a remixed version of "Ghanan Ghanan" from Lagaan
then there were a couple of more Sivaji numbers...but then came the best part of the day "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Sukhvinder....during this song almost the entire 13000 junta was dancing in their aisles...this 6 minute song was converted into a 10 min song because the audience was njoing so much that Sukhvinder could not resist but extend the last antra by bringing tremendous variations in his voice...Rahman then sung the brilliant " Dilse re" from Dil Se.
then the find of the evening Aslam Khan sang Kesariya Balam...i assume that this is the song from Dor...Rahman during this tour had picked up 2 singers from US thru a talent hunt...one of the guys was from Dilawar (Delaware) and the other was from Texas...they sang "Mitwa" from Lagaan and "Yeh Tara" from Swades.... Sivamani then turned up with his amazing solo performance....this guy is simply mindblowing....there was also a small piece of jugalbandi with another guy which too was brilliant....
Rahman then sung a song from his new international album "Pray for me brother"...this was a song dedicated to poor all over the world.....all the spectators were waving their cell phones (with lites on) during this performance...the sight was worth a spectacle... this was followed by an unplugged version of "Tu hi re (Bombay)" from Hariharan and "Aie Hairate(Guru)" from Hariharan and Sadhna Sargam...
then came my best song/performance of the day...this was "Maiyya Maiyya" from Guru...this was sung by Neeti Mohan...Neeti Mohan was one of the babes from the Aasma band (Chandu ke chacha) from V Popstars...her performance, overall look, voice modulation, belly dance was simply stupendous...this is among the most difficult songs to sing and she turned up aces with this one...this dame should be given more opportunities in Bollywood...
then there were some more songs which moved the show towards climax: "Ni Main samajh gayee (Taal)", "Ik Onkar (RDB)" and "Rang de basanti(RDB)"...Aslam Khan sang the title song of RDB really well and had this talent been discovered earlier Rahman would have taken him instead of Daler....
then came my fav Tamil song "Secret of Success" from Boys...Naresh and Blaaze sang this song really well...the show ended with Rahman singing "Humma" from Bombay and "Vande Mataram".....
the 3.5 hrs show got over so fast that audience were longing for more....there were some songs which I wished could have been performed but thats fine considering the time these guys have to perform....some of them were
"Nahi Saamne" from Taal by Sukhvinder
"Chupke se" from Saathiya by Sadhna Sargam
"Banno Rani" from 1947-Earth
"Yaakai thiri/Fanaa" from Yuva
"Chanda re" from Sapnay
Well here are some pics from the show
Pics from Rahman Show
the show kickstarted at 8:35...this was as per IST....the first song of the evening was the masterpiece "Jaage Hai" from Guru....there was some sound problem during the first 2 songs and hence the lyrics were not clear...but who cares about the lyrics when Rahman is playing...what a way to start the show...amongst my fav songs composed by Rahman recently....Rahman looked dapper in a purple chudidar... the next song to be played was the energetic number "Khalbali" from RDB.... rahman then left the stage and his troop took over.....
Sukhvinder and Neeti were first to take the lead with "Ramta Jogi"..this was followed by "Ayo re sakhi" from Water...Sukhvinder sang this song so well along with Sadhana Sargam that I was awe-struck...somehow I didnt notice this song when I saw the movie...but now after the concert this song ranks among the best rendered songs...Rahman too regards this songs as one of his best compilations....
Hariharan followed it up with the evergreen "Roja Jaaneman" from Roja...this was the song that catapulted Rahman (his first movie as composer) to stardom....none of the Rahman's recent concerts are complete without Sivaji...he sang close to 4-5 songs from Sivaji...the first one to be sung was "Vaaji"..Hariharan and Madhushree were dancing throughout while singing this song....the next Sivaji song was "Sahana Saaral" by Vijay Yesudas and Chitra...
Naresh Iyer took over for the next 2 songs "Be a rebel" and "Roobaroo"....by this time the audience were up on their feets and dancing merrily....the next 2 songs were sung in Hindi as well as Tamil...."Kehna hi Kya" from Bombay and "Kabhi Neem" from Yuva...the mukhda and 1st antra were in Hindi whereas the 2nd antra was in Tamil...Hariharan and his team then turned up in somewhat a remixed version of "Ghanan Ghanan" from Lagaan
then there were a couple of more Sivaji numbers...but then came the best part of the day "Chaiyya Chaiyya" from Sukhvinder....during this song almost the entire 13000 junta was dancing in their aisles...this 6 minute song was converted into a 10 min song because the audience was njoing so much that Sukhvinder could not resist but extend the last antra by bringing tremendous variations in his voice...Rahman then sung the brilliant " Dilse re" from Dil Se.
then the find of the evening Aslam Khan sang Kesariya Balam...i assume that this is the song from Dor...Rahman during this tour had picked up 2 singers from US thru a talent hunt...one of the guys was from Dilawar (Delaware) and the other was from Texas...they sang "Mitwa" from Lagaan and "Yeh Tara" from Swades.... Sivamani then turned up with his amazing solo performance....this guy is simply mindblowing....there was also a small piece of jugalbandi with another guy which too was brilliant....
Rahman then sung a song from his new international album "Pray for me brother"...this was a song dedicated to poor all over the world.....all the spectators were waving their cell phones (with lites on) during this performance...the sight was worth a spectacle... this was followed by an unplugged version of "Tu hi re (Bombay)" from Hariharan and "Aie Hairate(Guru)" from Hariharan and Sadhna Sargam...
then came my best song/performance of the day...this was "Maiyya Maiyya" from Guru...this was sung by Neeti Mohan...Neeti Mohan was one of the babes from the Aasma band (Chandu ke chacha) from V Popstars...her performance, overall look, voice modulation, belly dance was simply stupendous...this is among the most difficult songs to sing and she turned up aces with this one...this dame should be given more opportunities in Bollywood...
then there were some more songs which moved the show towards climax: "Ni Main samajh gayee (Taal)", "Ik Onkar (RDB)" and "Rang de basanti(RDB)"...Aslam Khan sang the title song of RDB really well and had this talent been discovered earlier Rahman would have taken him instead of Daler....
then came my fav Tamil song "Secret of Success" from Boys...Naresh and Blaaze sang this song really well...the show ended with Rahman singing "Humma" from Bombay and "Vande Mataram".....
the 3.5 hrs show got over so fast that audience were longing for more....there were some songs which I wished could have been performed but thats fine considering the time these guys have to perform....some of them were
"Nahi Saamne" from Taal by Sukhvinder
"Chupke se" from Saathiya by Sadhna Sargam
"Banno Rani" from 1947-Earth
"Yaakai thiri/Fanaa" from Yuva
"Chanda re" from Sapnay
Well here are some pics from the show
Pics from Rahman Show
Monday, June 11, 2007
Johny saves the sinking Black Pearl
This movie was a disappointment...what an anti-climax to the built-up that was created by POTC-2...Johny was the only saving grace in the film though not on par with POTC 1 and 2....Barbossa (Geoff rush) too was mediocre...Orlando as usual was bland....however Keira showed a terrific improvement over 1 and 2.....
visuals are stunning....especially the last 45 minutes (the entire fight between flying dutchman and black pearl)....
if ratings need to be given to each of the installments then POTC-1 wld get 10/10, POTC-2 would settle with 8.5/10 and POTC-3 will get 7/10....
anyways Jack Sparrow rocks and who cares if the movie was bad....though i wld like to see an animated film on POTC with voiceover by Johny Depp
visuals are stunning....especially the last 45 minutes (the entire fight between flying dutchman and black pearl)....
if ratings need to be given to each of the installments then POTC-1 wld get 10/10, POTC-2 would settle with 8.5/10 and POTC-3 will get 7/10....
anyways Jack Sparrow rocks and who cares if the movie was bad....though i wld like to see an animated film on POTC with voiceover by Johny Depp
Sunday, May 20, 2007
My celebrity lookalikes
Guys....check out this website www.myheritage.com.....it parses ur face and matches up to celebs in its database.....
with a diff pic u will have diff matches....i bear similarities to figo, sachin and williams....yahooooooooooooooooooo
I tried a different pic of mine and this time it matched it with Tarantino, Roddick and Val
with a diff pic u will have diff matches....i bear similarities to figo, sachin and williams....yahooooooooooooooooooo
I tried a different pic of mine and this time it matched it with Tarantino, Roddick and Val
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
Music review: This "Train" is not to be missed
another classy album after Life in a metro.....this album catches your attention on the first hearing itself....this is a typical emraan hashmi album....each and every song is a chartbuster....mithoon is truly turning out to be the pick of the lot...first he impressed with the "Wo lamhe" version in Zeher, followed up with some of the best songs in the past couple yrs: Bas Ek pal (Tere Bin) and Anwar (Tose naina lage and Maula mere)...
the album starts off with a bang with Wo Ajnabee...an out n out club number which has the composer behind the mike....Mithoon as well as sing the sing pretty well....this song is currently the number 1 song (the album is already no.1) in the indian music charts...
this is followed by KK singing beetein lamhe which has the Mithoon touch all over it....KK once again impresses in a sing which is tailor made for him...
teri tamanna till now is my fav song of the year....i m completely mesmerized by this track....the promos off this song have not started yet..but once it starts the music sales will sky rocket......the number is so peppy that you will start humming it as soon as u listen it....
mausam is another brilliant track which bears resemblance to aadat (na jaane kabse) and tere bin(bas ek pal) and the video is also beautifully shot...
the remixes are also good to the ears and one would love listening to them as well....
all in all a must buy album
the album starts off with a bang with Wo Ajnabee...an out n out club number which has the composer behind the mike....Mithoon as well as sing the sing pretty well....this song is currently the number 1 song (the album is already no.1) in the indian music charts...
this is followed by KK singing beetein lamhe which has the Mithoon touch all over it....KK once again impresses in a sing which is tailor made for him...
teri tamanna till now is my fav song of the year....i m completely mesmerized by this track....the promos off this song have not started yet..but once it starts the music sales will sky rocket......the number is so peppy that you will start humming it as soon as u listen it....
mausam is another brilliant track which bears resemblance to aadat (na jaane kabse) and tere bin(bas ek pal) and the video is also beautifully shot...
the remixes are also good to the ears and one would love listening to them as well....
all in all a must buy album
Monday, May 07, 2007
Spidey 3: These webs are intertwined
Movie is an absolute downer....never expected this from Sam after his previous outing in Spidey 2....
the movie starts off well with the action sequence between Harry and Peter...however the entrance of Sandman and presence of gwen stacy (the beautiful Bryce Howard) mars the proceedings....the movie suffers from too many villains viz. Sandman, Harry, Eddie and Peter himself with few negative shades....the track involving Gwen was not needed.....also they could have done away with one of the villains (probably sandman)...Harry's character was a bit uncanny....in the start he wants to kill Peter, then after recovery he befriends him (because of memory loss), later he plots against him and in the end again fights on his side.....
Tobey is good as Peter aka Spiderman...one can truly see his acting skills in the scenes on the street and the restaurant when the black spider takes over him.....Kirsten is strictly ok...she didnt look as beautiful as her previous 2 installments....Harry is brilliant with different shades.....Bryce is a visual treat...she never looked that good in any of her previous movies (village or lady in the water)...however not much was required from her either....Tom Hadden Church aka sandman (Paul's buddy from Sideways) too didnt have much scope and his character was underdeveloped...also the movie didnt show what happened to him at the end.....
The stunts were excellent and so were the visuals....But that is expected from a Spidey movie....
the movie starts off well with the action sequence between Harry and Peter...however the entrance of Sandman and presence of gwen stacy (the beautiful Bryce Howard) mars the proceedings....the movie suffers from too many villains viz. Sandman, Harry, Eddie and Peter himself with few negative shades....the track involving Gwen was not needed.....also they could have done away with one of the villains (probably sandman)...Harry's character was a bit uncanny....in the start he wants to kill Peter, then after recovery he befriends him (because of memory loss), later he plots against him and in the end again fights on his side.....
Tobey is good as Peter aka Spiderman...one can truly see his acting skills in the scenes on the street and the restaurant when the black spider takes over him.....Kirsten is strictly ok...she didnt look as beautiful as her previous 2 installments....Harry is brilliant with different shades.....Bryce is a visual treat...she never looked that good in any of her previous movies (village or lady in the water)...however not much was required from her either....Tom Hadden Church aka sandman (Paul's buddy from Sideways) too didnt have much scope and his character was underdeveloped...also the movie didnt show what happened to him at the end.....
The stunts were excellent and so were the visuals....But that is expected from a Spidey movie....
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Showcasing Johnny Depp
He is the most versatile Hollywood actor of this generation...He even surpasses Tom Hanks due to the variety of roles he has played. He is so eccentric in each of his roles that you always get to see a different aspect of this guy.
Till previous month I had seen only a handful of Johnny Depp movies (including Pirates 1 and 2) but within the past few weeks I have seen many of his movies and am right now in a position to review his acting in each of his films that I have seen
1)
Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2: Johnny Depp's biography/profile is incomplete without Jack Sparrow. Jack is perhaps the most celebrated/whimsical character played onscreen. He is such a lovable character that even the harshest critics of Johnny will vouch for this performance. If there is one performance which was worthy of an Oscar then it was his portrayal of Jack Sparrow (he was nominated for it). I still have a big Jack Sparrow poster in my room. Am desperately waiting for Pirates 3 to release
2) Ed Wood
: This is the movie which I saw today and he acted really well as a transvestite. He played the role of a struggling director to a T.
3) Chocolat:
Johnny played a very very sweet gypsy in this movie. He had a brief role in this feel good movie yet its impact was noteworthy. He looked his best (in terms of appearance) in this movie.
4)
Charlie and chocolate factory: No current actor would have played Willy Wonka better than Johnny. His overall getup in the movie was also praiseworthy so were his expressions.
5) Blow:
He was brilliant as George Jung. Even though the film may get boring at times his performance was excellent throughout. Penelope was wasted in this movie.
6) Donnie Brasco:
The best actor of this generation (Johnny) and of the last generation (Al Pacino) coming together in this real life drama on Donnie Brasco and Lefty. Both of them gave a riveting performance.
7) Secret window:
Johnny was amazing as the scared writer in this movie. I had seen this movie a couple of yrs back when I was not a big johnny fan but still I enjoyed his performance in this movie.
8) Sleepy Hollow:
One of my favourite Johnny depp films because of his entire body language and acting. He was simply superb as detective Ichabod Crane
9) Finding Neverland:
He brilliantly portrayed the character of Jim Barrie in this oscar nominated role. His character was a lot subdued then any of the characters he had played but yet he was pleasant to watch.
He played a real life character in Blow, Ed Wood and Donnie Brasco. Also he is going to play real life characters in Sweeney Todd (directed by his fav Tim Burton) and Shantaram (based on an Australian who took refuge in Mumbai. By looking at this it seems that he has a penchant for true life characters.
Some of his movies that I am planning to watch in the coming days are Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Whats Eating Gilbert grape and Don Juan de marco....
Also it is rumored that he is going to be a part of Sin City 2....if this is true then I cant wait to see the combination of Tarantino and Depp onscreen....
Till previous month I had seen only a handful of Johnny Depp movies (including Pirates 1 and 2) but within the past few weeks I have seen many of his movies and am right now in a position to review his acting in each of his films that I have seen
1)
Pirates of the Caribbean 1 and 2: Johnny Depp's biography/profile is incomplete without Jack Sparrow. Jack is perhaps the most celebrated/whimsical character played onscreen. He is such a lovable character that even the harshest critics of Johnny will vouch for this performance. If there is one performance which was worthy of an Oscar then it was his portrayal of Jack Sparrow (he was nominated for it). I still have a big Jack Sparrow poster in my room. Am desperately waiting for Pirates 3 to release2) Ed Wood
: This is the movie which I saw today and he acted really well as a transvestite. He played the role of a struggling director to a T.3) Chocolat:
Johnny played a very very sweet gypsy in this movie. He had a brief role in this feel good movie yet its impact was noteworthy. He looked his best (in terms of appearance) in this movie.4)
Charlie and chocolate factory: No current actor would have played Willy Wonka better than Johnny. His overall getup in the movie was also praiseworthy so were his expressions.5) Blow:
He was brilliant as George Jung. Even though the film may get boring at times his performance was excellent throughout. Penelope was wasted in this movie.6) Donnie Brasco:
The best actor of this generation (Johnny) and of the last generation (Al Pacino) coming together in this real life drama on Donnie Brasco and Lefty. Both of them gave a riveting performance.7) Secret window:
Johnny was amazing as the scared writer in this movie. I had seen this movie a couple of yrs back when I was not a big johnny fan but still I enjoyed his performance in this movie.8) Sleepy Hollow:
One of my favourite Johnny depp films because of his entire body language and acting. He was simply superb as detective Ichabod Crane9) Finding Neverland:
He brilliantly portrayed the character of Jim Barrie in this oscar nominated role. His character was a lot subdued then any of the characters he had played but yet he was pleasant to watch.He played a real life character in Blow, Ed Wood and Donnie Brasco. Also he is going to play real life characters in Sweeney Todd (directed by his fav Tim Burton) and Shantaram (based on an Australian who took refuge in Mumbai. By looking at this it seems that he has a penchant for true life characters.
Some of his movies that I am planning to watch in the coming days are Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Edward Scissorhands, Corpse Bride, Whats Eating Gilbert grape and Don Juan de marco....
Also it is rumored that he is going to be a part of Sin City 2....if this is true then I cant wait to see the combination of Tarantino and Depp onscreen....
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Music review: Life In a Metro
Anurag-Shiney-Pritam pair is back a year after Gangster....the music of gangster was among the best albums last yr (probably the hottest selling)..singers gave amongst their best performances (ya ali -zubeen, tu hi meri shab hai-KK, lamha lamha -abhijeet, bheegi - james) in that album....so the expectations were really high....
and boy they do meet the expectations (or shld i say exceed them).....unarguably the best album of this year...the album bears traces of gangster and bas ek pal....but that is just the overall look of the album....pritam is definitely turning out to be an ace music composer in the past few yrs (dhoom, gangster, ankahee)....
also this turns out to be KK best album so far....he has sang his heart out in Alvida and O meri jaan.....just listen to his voice modulation in Alvida and you would know how talented this singer is....also check the Oooooo Oooooos in O meri jaan...
newcomer suhail is brilliant in the unplugged version of baatein kuch ankahee
on 1st hearing Kar Salaam sounds like Gaate the pehle akele (Khamoshi) and Guitar (Apna sapna money money)...however only the base is common....everything else from singing to arrangements are different....this is the weakest song of this album...one has to see how it turns up on screen...
Soham is extremely competent in In dino....this track is currently getting agressively promoted...
James is top guns in Rishtey...he continues from where he left off in Bheegi Bheegi (Gangster)
the music in each song is different and is top class....hats off to pritam for this song.....
and boy they do meet the expectations (or shld i say exceed them).....unarguably the best album of this year...the album bears traces of gangster and bas ek pal....but that is just the overall look of the album....pritam is definitely turning out to be an ace music composer in the past few yrs (dhoom, gangster, ankahee)....
also this turns out to be KK best album so far....he has sang his heart out in Alvida and O meri jaan.....just listen to his voice modulation in Alvida and you would know how talented this singer is....also check the Oooooo Oooooos in O meri jaan...
newcomer suhail is brilliant in the unplugged version of baatein kuch ankahee
on 1st hearing Kar Salaam sounds like Gaate the pehle akele (Khamoshi) and Guitar (Apna sapna money money)...however only the base is common....everything else from singing to arrangements are different....this is the weakest song of this album...one has to see how it turns up on screen...
Soham is extremely competent in In dino....this track is currently getting agressively promoted...
James is top guns in Rishtey...he continues from where he left off in Bheegi Bheegi (Gangster)
the music in each song is different and is top class....hats off to pritam for this song.....
Thursday, March 29, 2007
Driving down the "Mulholland Drive"
I had a mind boggling experience watching this film....one of the best movies to be churned out in the new millenium....a 2.5 hr film that shocks you and keeps you guessing specially in the last half hour of the film....I cannot expect any Bollywood director make such a film...a 2.5hr film which you might find boring at one point of time but the last quarter of the film stuns you...my passion for Hollywood films in the past few months has made me appreciate Hollywood more than Bollywood...I no longer find Bollywood films interesting...Memento, Fight Club, Prestige, Snatch, Blood Diamond, Gladiator are some of the brilliant films I have seen in the last couple of months and now add Mulholland Drive to that...
You have to see this film 2-3 times to understand it....I saw it twice in a single day (though the second time I just saw selected scenes) and had to refer several websites to find out what was happening. Even the ever reliable Moviespoiler website failed in understanding this movie....this movie is a big jigsaw puzzle like Memento where it is upto the audience to tie various pieces....
David Lynch(director) has come out aces with this film...will have to watch his other films...Naomi Watts and Laura Harring excel in a tailormade role...
You have to see this film 2-3 times to understand it....I saw it twice in a single day (though the second time I just saw selected scenes) and had to refer several websites to find out what was happening. Even the ever reliable Moviespoiler website failed in understanding this movie....this movie is a big jigsaw puzzle like Memento where it is upto the audience to tie various pieces....
David Lynch(director) has come out aces with this film...will have to watch his other films...Naomi Watts and Laura Harring excel in a tailormade role...
Monday, March 26, 2007
He is backkkkkkkkk
cant wait to see johnny perform the memorable Jack Sparrow character.....Waiting with bated breath for 25th May......
Check the HD trailer
Check the HD trailer
Thursday, February 22, 2007
There can be no "Prestige" without mystery....
Movie Review: The Prestige
Stand up guys and applaud another cinematic masterpiece from Christopher Nolan.I cant stop raving abt this accomplished director...first Memento and now The Prestige..the movie starts off really well and keeps one glued till the end..and when the end comes it jolts you...you wouldn't have expected this...also as Memento it leaves some questions unanswered and hence it is upto the audience to think what happened..
Set in late 19th century, this film is about 2 rival magicians Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale who are trying to win the battle of tricks..each one wants to do the ultimate trick which would prove that he is the greatest magician in England.Hugh is under the guidance of Michael Caine while Christian has Scarlett Johansson (little miss snow white) as her accomplice...the run up to the ultimate trick "the transported man" takes a heavy toll on both of their lives.Andy Serkis (Gollum from LOTR) and David Bowie also play their part well..
Like Memento, Nolan succeeds in showing scenes cut back and forth between present and past...the cinematography and art direction is neat and that is apparent with Oscar nominations in both the categories..wish this film could have been nominated in the editing and adapted screenplay category as well..
Stand up guys and applaud another cinematic masterpiece from Christopher Nolan.I cant stop raving abt this accomplished director...first Memento and now The Prestige..the movie starts off really well and keeps one glued till the end..and when the end comes it jolts you...you wouldn't have expected this...also as Memento it leaves some questions unanswered and hence it is upto the audience to think what happened..
Set in late 19th century, this film is about 2 rival magicians Hugh Jackman and Christian Bale who are trying to win the battle of tricks..each one wants to do the ultimate trick which would prove that he is the greatest magician in England.Hugh is under the guidance of Michael Caine while Christian has Scarlett Johansson (little miss snow white) as her accomplice...the run up to the ultimate trick "the transported man" takes a heavy toll on both of their lives.Andy Serkis (Gollum from LOTR) and David Bowie also play their part well..
Like Memento, Nolan succeeds in showing scenes cut back and forth between present and past...the cinematography and art direction is neat and that is apparent with Oscar nominations in both the categories..wish this film could have been nominated in the editing and adapted screenplay category as well..
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Filmfare Awards: I hate them
Read this article to believe it....so true
http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007/02/17/2265/index.html
http://www.indiafm.com/features/2007/02/17/2265/index.html
Monday, February 12, 2007
"Memento" for the rest of life
Just saw this movie (Memento) yesterday....amongst the finest movies ever to hit Hollywood.....one is awe-struck with the manner in which the film is shot/edited....each scene shot fits into the frame perfectly.....the screenplay too is class apart...if someone needs to take a lesson in editing, story telling and screenplay then one needs to watch this film first.....the story is narrated in a highly convoluted manner juxtaposing scenes in the reverse chronological order (shown in color) and chronological order (black and white scenes).....though nominated for academy awards in 2002 for best screenplay and editing it didnt win the awards.....however this film went on to win several awards in the screenplay, editing and best picture category......
Director Christopher Nolan is at his best...i am desperately waiting for The Prestige to come out on DVD on 20th Feb.....Nolan has struck thrice in a row now (Memento, Batman Begins, Prestige).....Guy Pearce(Leonard) and Joe (Teddy) have acted really well.....
this film leaves a lot of questions unanswered and particularly the climax opens a can of worms which leaves the audience with 1000 questions in mind.....
a must see film for all hardcore movie fans.....not to be missed
Director Christopher Nolan is at his best...i am desperately waiting for The Prestige to come out on DVD on 20th Feb.....Nolan has struck thrice in a row now (Memento, Batman Begins, Prestige).....Guy Pearce(Leonard) and Joe (Teddy) have acted really well.....
this film leaves a lot of questions unanswered and particularly the climax opens a can of worms which leaves the audience with 1000 questions in mind.....
a must see film for all hardcore movie fans.....not to be missed
Sunday, January 28, 2007
Guru bhai aavya che
cld have been better
cld have been shorter
cld have been more stylized
cld have done without 2-3 songs especially tere bina and barso re
cld have done without Vidya Balan and Madhavan (sheer waste of talents)..any Jack and Jill cld have done their part
movie definitely lacks the Maniratnam tch...the movie tremendously misses his deft finesse and silken touch...direction is not at all exceptional...though some scenes have been executed well like the Abhishek-Mithun-Madhavan argument at Mithun's place, Abhishek-Madhavan confrontation at Madhavan's home and the climax......editing lives a lot to be desired....
Songs like Barso re and tere bina impedes the speed of the film....movie moves at snail's pace in the post interval scenes.....
In terms of acting, Abhishek takes the entire cake with some small bits and pieces left for Mithun and Aishwarya.....Abhishek fits the character of Gurukant Desai perfectly...his dialogue delivery, physical appearance, walk are spot on.....the climax scene at the court as well as the cricket stadium are clap/whistle worthy.......Aishwarya acts well in the courtroom sequence....Arya Babbar as Aish's sister is ok.....Madhavan and Vidya do justice to their role...Mithun is back with a bang after a string of inconsequential roles in the past 2-3 yrs....
Some of the songs are great like Aey Hairate, Baazi Laga my fav (though was not included in the final cut) and Jaage Hai
My overall rating: 2.5/5
cld have been shorter
cld have been more stylized
cld have done without 2-3 songs especially tere bina and barso re
cld have done without Vidya Balan and Madhavan (sheer waste of talents)..any Jack and Jill cld have done their part
movie definitely lacks the Maniratnam tch...the movie tremendously misses his deft finesse and silken touch...direction is not at all exceptional...though some scenes have been executed well like the Abhishek-Mithun-Madhavan argument at Mithun's place, Abhishek-Madhavan confrontation at Madhavan's home and the climax......editing lives a lot to be desired....
Songs like Barso re and tere bina impedes the speed of the film....movie moves at snail's pace in the post interval scenes.....
In terms of acting, Abhishek takes the entire cake with some small bits and pieces left for Mithun and Aishwarya.....Abhishek fits the character of Gurukant Desai perfectly...his dialogue delivery, physical appearance, walk are spot on.....the climax scene at the court as well as the cricket stadium are clap/whistle worthy.......Aishwarya acts well in the courtroom sequence....Arya Babbar as Aish's sister is ok.....Madhavan and Vidya do justice to their role...Mithun is back with a bang after a string of inconsequential roles in the past 2-3 yrs....
Some of the songs are great like Aey Hairate, Baazi Laga my fav (though was not included in the final cut) and Jaage Hai
My overall rating: 2.5/5
Monday, January 15, 2007
Flashback 2006: Top Movies
Finally a recap of the top films of the year....listing them in order
Lage Raho Munnabhai:
Probably one of the finest movies in recent times...mixed humor with social message splendidly...direction was top class so was editing...Arshad and Sanjay yet again formed a terrific duo...all the actors continued from where they left...Vidya (though she looked a bit overweight) was gorgeous...Gandhi was remembered after a long time which was evident from the percentage increases in people going to Sabarmati on 2nd october...
Click here for review
Rang de Basanti:
Another winner in terms of conveying the social message...this film actually invigorated Indians to raise their voice for the Jessica Lal murder case....best directorial effort of the year...cinematography was A1 so was the music....this was the best cast ensemble once has seen in a long time....each character potrayed his/her part well...Aamir as usual excelled in this film..Siddharth played his part well and was able to carry off the climax perfectly....this movie was on par with LRM...so the top position would be shared by RDB and LRM..also I was wrong about the impact of this film when I reviewed it...
Click here for review
Pyar ke Side effects:
Best Hinglish film of the year....Rahul was simply awesome in this film...I have seen this film atleast 6-7 times just for Rahul's performance...but I would not take the credit away from Ranvir and Mallika for giving a polished performance....Ranvir in particular was absolutely funny...he is one of the actors whose potential is untapped....some of the scenes (coffee date, scoreboard scene, dinner time confrontation) will be remembered for a long time....
Click here for review
Khosla ka Ghosla:
Another comic caper in the lines of PKSE...this was a perfect Delhi film...no director in Bollywood has been able to portray Delhi in the same way as done in this film..Anupam played his part well...but the hero of the film was Ranvir (once again)....if his performance in PKSE was worth 10/10 then KKG deserved 20/10....even though the basic plot of the film was a serious issue it was dealt in a very light hearted manner....Navin and Parvin also played their part well......
Omkara:
perfect adaption of Othello by Vishal Bharadwaj....this film surely will garner several music as well as critics' award...many actors like Saif, Konkona and Kareena gave their best performance in this...Langda Tyagi (played brilliantly by Saif; finest performance of the year) is simply the best villanous character played in Bollywood (even better than Gabbar, Mogambo, Shakaal)..Beedi would rank as one of the better item numbers rendered brilliantly by Sunidhi....dialogues too are award-worthy...
Dor:
Another gem of a film from Nagesh...though not on par with Hyderabad blues and Iqbal this film still was one of the best films of the year....no one expected Ayesha and Gul to act so well...Shreyas as baharupiya was funny..but I would say that Nagesh was wasted in an insignificant role.....
Films like Jaan-e-mann, Gangster, Taxi No. 9211 and Krrish complete the top 10 list.....
Lage Raho Munnabhai:
Probably one of the finest movies in recent times...mixed humor with social message splendidly...direction was top class so was editing...Arshad and Sanjay yet again formed a terrific duo...all the actors continued from where they left...Vidya (though she looked a bit overweight) was gorgeous...Gandhi was remembered after a long time which was evident from the percentage increases in people going to Sabarmati on 2nd october...
Click here for review
Rang de Basanti:
Another winner in terms of conveying the social message...this film actually invigorated Indians to raise their voice for the Jessica Lal murder case....best directorial effort of the year...cinematography was A1 so was the music....this was the best cast ensemble once has seen in a long time....each character potrayed his/her part well...Aamir as usual excelled in this film..Siddharth played his part well and was able to carry off the climax perfectly....this movie was on par with LRM...so the top position would be shared by RDB and LRM..also I was wrong about the impact of this film when I reviewed it...
Click here for review
Pyar ke Side effects:
Best Hinglish film of the year....Rahul was simply awesome in this film...I have seen this film atleast 6-7 times just for Rahul's performance...but I would not take the credit away from Ranvir and Mallika for giving a polished performance....Ranvir in particular was absolutely funny...he is one of the actors whose potential is untapped....some of the scenes (coffee date, scoreboard scene, dinner time confrontation) will be remembered for a long time....
Click here for review
Khosla ka Ghosla:
Another comic caper in the lines of PKSE...this was a perfect Delhi film...no director in Bollywood has been able to portray Delhi in the same way as done in this film..Anupam played his part well...but the hero of the film was Ranvir (once again)....if his performance in PKSE was worth 10/10 then KKG deserved 20/10....even though the basic plot of the film was a serious issue it was dealt in a very light hearted manner....Navin and Parvin also played their part well......
Omkara:
perfect adaption of Othello by Vishal Bharadwaj....this film surely will garner several music as well as critics' award...many actors like Saif, Konkona and Kareena gave their best performance in this...Langda Tyagi (played brilliantly by Saif; finest performance of the year) is simply the best villanous character played in Bollywood (even better than Gabbar, Mogambo, Shakaal)..Beedi would rank as one of the better item numbers rendered brilliantly by Sunidhi....dialogues too are award-worthy...
Dor:
Another gem of a film from Nagesh...though not on par with Hyderabad blues and Iqbal this film still was one of the best films of the year....no one expected Ayesha and Gul to act so well...Shreyas as baharupiya was funny..but I would say that Nagesh was wasted in an insignificant role.....
Films like Jaan-e-mann, Gangster, Taxi No. 9211 and Krrish complete the top 10 list.....
Friday, January 12, 2007
Sonu at his best again : Baawri Piya ki
This song from Baabul keeps growing on you like anything......without doubt all credits should go to Sonu....he has sung this song with such a passion that no one in the industry will be able to carry off this song.....mindblowing number.....simply among the best rendered songs in Bollywood.... Hats off to Sonu.....
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Flashback 2006: My award picks
This is my list for this year's awards
Best Film : Lage raho Munnabhai (RDB follows closely)
Best Actor: Aamir (RDB)
Best Actress: Kajol (Fanaa)
Best Supporting Actor: Abhishek (KANK)
Best Supporting Actress: Konkona Sen (Omkara)
Best Actor in Negative role: Saif (Omkara)
Best Actor in Comic role: Arshad (LRM)
Best Music: A R Rahman, RDB
Best Lyrics: Sau Dard, Jaan-e-mann
Best Male Singer: Sonu, Baawri Piya (Baabul)
Best Female Singer: Sunidhi, Beedi (Omkara)
Best Story: Lage raho Munnabhai
Best Screenplay : Rang de Basanti
Critics Best Film: Omkara
Critics Best Director: Vishal for Omkara
My award Picks for 2006
Best Director: Rakesh Mehra for RDB (Raju Hirani follows closely)
Best Film : Lage raho Munnabhai (RDB follows closely)
Best Actor: Aamir (RDB)
Best Actress: Kajol (Fanaa)
Best Supporting Actor: Abhishek (KANK)
Best Supporting Actress: Konkona Sen (Omkara)
Best Actor in Negative role: Saif (Omkara)
Best Actor in Comic role: Arshad (LRM)
Best Music: A R Rahman, RDB
Best Lyrics: Sau Dard, Jaan-e-mann
Best Male Singer: Sonu, Baawri Piya (Baabul)
Best Female Singer: Sunidhi, Beedi (Omkara)
Best Story: Lage raho Munnabhai
Best Screenplay : Rang de Basanti
Critics Best Film: Omkara
Critics Best Director: Vishal for Omkara
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