Following: What a beginning for Nolan

this guy is truly a genius...Nolan should now make such short/interesting movies after mega blockbusters like Dark Knight and Batman Begins....the story is so beautifully narrated...there are several twists and the non linear plot (like Memento and Prestige) keeps you thinking...

ths story basically revolves arnd 3 characters Bill, Cobb and the blonde...Bill is a compulsive follower who has the habit of following people and see where they end..on one such instance he follows Cobb...Cobb who is a burglar befriends him and starts involving him in petty crimes...in the meantime Bill gets into a relationship with a blonde (who is constantly being blackmailed a local club owner)....On her request, Bill decides to loot the club's safe so as to retrieve blonde's sleazy pics and money...however it turns out that the safe didnt have any of her pics and Bill realizes that he is being used as a pawn...While looting the safe he also injures one of the policeman with a hammer...

At a later point it is revealed that Cobb was manipulating Bill so as to have him caught by police for a murder of an old woman in which he was involved (thgh he didnt commit it)...however here comes another twist...there is no such old woman and in fact Bill (who is working for the club owner) has killed the blonde...since Bill had previously looted blonde's house he is held guilty by the police.....

Bridge on River Kwai

fairly long movie though engrossing...

story is about british POWs who are held captive by Japanese force during WWII. the POWs are forced to build a bridge that would aid Japanese in moving resources from Bangkok to Burma...POWs are unware of the reason for building the bridge. Their leader Nicholson though reluctant finally succumbs and helps Japanese build the bridge. In face he suggests better alternatives. However one of their prisoners Shears who had escaped from Japanese meets another British officer who is planning to blast Kwai bridge. Movie culminates when both Shears and Nicholson are killed and the bridge is destroyed.

Great tracks from 2008

the year belonged to ARR..thx to Jodha Akbar, Ada, JTYJN, Yuvraaj, Slumdog and Ghajini

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (JTYJN): This was my fav track of the year....the song is very peppy and is unlike any of the prev ARR numbers...Rashid has a gr8 future....

Jaane Kyu (Dostana): Follows closely behind Kabhi Kabhi..Vishal does complete justice to the song..alongwith Aditi I wld say that Jaane Kyu is one of the peppiest tracks that I have heard in last few yrs..

Jashn-e-Bahaara (Jodha Akbar): Pure brilliance...simply love the song and the lyrics...

Kaise Mujhe (Ghajini): Nice composition...Benny is ably assisted by Shreya

Ahista Ahista (Bachna Ae Haseeno): a pacy number from Lucky Ali....beats are too good..

Teri Ore (Singh Is King): another romantic number from Shreya...Shreya is so good at romantic numbers that I wld definitely put her on par with greats like Lata, Alka and Sadhna Sargam...Rahat too is brilliant..

Zara si dil (Jannat): The combo of KK and Pritam always guarantee a hit..

Mar Jaawa (Fashion): rendered well by Shruti

U Me aur Hum: one more romantic number from Shreya

Ajnabi Khwab (Superstar): it never got the recognition that it deserved...

Tu Muskura (Yuvraaj):  Alka sings a great track after a very long time and she still sounds fresh...

Yuvraaj: Music review

Again after a long time....wish i cld blog more often...
this time i am going to review Yuvraaj....another masterpiece from Rahman....the music is totally different from what he has tried in the past...most of the songs have a european touch to it....some numbers are peppy while some are romantic....

the pick of the lot is Tu Hi to Mera Dost..wonderfully sang by Benny and brilliantly cmposed...am waiting to see this song on the big screen...Shanno Shanno is not far behind...the song catches momentum after first few mins once Sonu gets on the mike...tu muskura is for all those who are in love...Alka has not lost her golden touch till now...Mastam Mastam has funky/weird lyrics but is extremely peppy....Main Hoon Yuvraaj has the ever popular 5th symphony from Beethoven...Zindagi has great lyrics whereas Man Mohini and Dil Ka Rishta afre not far behind...

I wld rate this album 9 out of 10..though not in the league of Taal and DilSe it scores because this is something which Rahman has not tried before...

Good songs in past few months

been almost 4 months since I have blogged....wld like to write about some great numbers that I have heard n past few months

Jashn-e-bahaara (Jodhaa Akbar): One of the best romantic numbers....Javed Ali has sung this song beautifully...he is the next Sonu/Kishore in the making....i really like the antara of this song and the way javed has sung it....lyrics are mesmerizing...this song simply grows on you

Kabhi Kabhi Aditi (Jaane tu ya na jaane): Relatively new song but has impressed me in a big way...Rahman has come up with such an energetic number after a long time (last time i think it was Paathshaala)....lyrics are contemporary...

Zara Sa (Jannat): on first hearing you would know that this is Emraan's number...no need to look at the trailers....like all Emraan's numbers in the past this one too is a chartbuster....this song bear traces to Kya Mujhe pyar hai from Woh Lamhe

Pehli Nazar(Race): Atif is back with a bang...what a number...sung this song really well though he strains himself during some notes....

Lazy Lamhe(Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic): Started hearing this song just yesterday....Anusha does complete justice to the song....have heard 5-6 times and really like the song

Falak Tak (Tashan): Typical Yash Chopra/Jatin Lalit number.....in the likes of Suraj hua maddham...though there is nothing new in the tunes yet this song entices you

Mann tu talbat (Superstar): Unassuming lyrics....difficult to grasp yet the music and vocal are praiseworthy

Main chala(Black n White): a slow number but worth few MBs on your Ipod....

U Me aur Hum(U Me aur Hum): Shreya is so good at slow romantic numbers...be it Jaadu Hai Nasha, Tara ru pum or Jaane do na....this is an extremely melodious song...recommended for hearing on candle light dinners/ long drives ;)

Top 2007 albums

Since nothing much is happening in 2008 till now, I thought of carrying on with my "best of" series...this time its the best music.....

Life in a metro kicks off this list....this has one of the best music heard in recent times....most of the songs belong to the rock genre....songs like O meri jaan and In dino are my all time favs.....baatein kuch ankahee, alvida and rishtey are not far behind as well.....each of the songs has been sung by a different singer and they have given their best vocals for this movie.....a must buy for all music lovers.....definitely Pritam's best till now..

Jab we met is a complete album...there is a disco number in Mauja hi Mauja...there is a celebration song in Nagada...there is a sad song in Aaoge Jab tum...there is a romantic number in Tum Se hi...there is a fun track in Yeh Ishq Hai....this is another supreme album

Khoya Khoya chand is the album that finds favor with classes...each song has a classical touch to it...be it chalo aao saiyyaan, o re pakhi (my personal fav from the movie) or Thirak thirak....shreya and sonu are in terrific form...

Salaam-e-ishq...another complete album....Adnan was marvellous in Dil kya kare....Shaan was at his best with Mera dil...Nihira did full justice to the evergreen Babuji zara dheere...Sonu was as usual great in Tenu leke.....

Taare Zameen Par proves how talented SEL trio is.....title song is a masterpiece and so is Maa...shankar has beautifully sang these songs....we deserve to hear more from him....even kholo kholo is excellent.....

Anwar has music by 2 music directors....however only Mithoon shines and that too like the brightest star in the galaxy....he is the best new talent to hit bollywood last yr....tose naina and maula are sheer gems...brilliantly composed, written and rendered....just because of 2 songs this album find a spot in the list

Vishal Shekhar gave one of their best soundtracks in Om Shanti Om...Main agar kahoon and Ajab si are the best romantic numbers of the yr...deewangi was a rage so was dard-e-disco....title track brought memories of the past...

Shantanu was once again excellent in Laaga chunari mein daag...all the songs were good...be it title track, zara gungunale chalo or ek teekhi teekhi si.....hum to aise hai bhaiyya brought out a terrific duo in shreya and sunidhi....

Though not one of the best albums from Rahman, Guru still makes this list due to Maiyya maiyya (electrifying number), Aye Hairathe (with ever dependable Hariharan) and Barso re (from Shreya)...

Johnny Gaddar...this album definitely deserved a better fate....move your body and title track were peppy...

Himesh found a winner in Namaste london...Main jahaan rahoon was a haunting number...hats off to Rahat fateh ali khan....Dilruba and Yahin hota pyar were among the better songs of the yr....

Saawariya was a nice debut for Monty sharma...had the movie fared well the album wld have picked up big way.....Title track by Shail was an ultimate number so was Yoon Shabnami, Mashaallah and Jab se tere

Honeymoon travels had cool, melodious tracks such as Halke halke, Pyar ki ek kahani....Sunidhi consolidated her position as Asha bhosale of present time with Sajnaji waari....

Awaarapan had nice numbers in To phir aao and Tera mera rishta....mahiya was a nice peppy number

Mithoon has another winner in The Train....Wo Ajnabee and Teri Tamanna are excellent disco tracks..Beetein Lamhe was brilliantly sung by KK...

Top 2007 movies

now its the turn to list down my fav movies of the yr in order

Taare Zameen Par: This definitely tops the list by miles....almost a flawless product from Aamir with not a single boring moment......by far the best film by a debut director (even toppling my personal fav Munnabhai from Raju Hirani and DDLJ by Adi Chopra)....each and every performance whether is Aamir, Tisca or Darsheel is award worthy....had there been any awards equivalent to oscars then darsheel would have unanimously walked away with the best actor award...but the filmfare and screen guys always have Srk in their list.....

Johnny Gaddar: wish this movie could have fared better....amongst the slickest, stylish movie ever to be produced in Bollywood....the story was gripping and so were the performances....neil mukesh was the find of the yr ahead of ranbir....this movie needs to be seen by all movie buffs...definitely shld not be missed....the background score was excellent...

Chak de India: another inspirational movie after Lagaan....amongst Shahrukh's better performances (much better than his Chopra/Johar roles).....the entire hockey team too pitched in a great performance...title song became the anthem of the country and was heard during all matches in India....direction was perfect....

Cheeni Kum: one of the better big B performances in recent times....Tabu was as usual great...after a long time big B found a good pair in Tabu....

Bheja Fry: vinay pathak deserves best comedian award for this movie...this is an example of a small budget movie clicking in a big way

Life in a Metro: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...

Jab we met: a Kareena movie all the way..she would definitely walk away with all awards this yr...the dialogues are award worthy....shahid had a big role and the character suited him....pritam's music was amongst the best of the yr....

Om Shanti Om: biggest blockbuster till now with decent performances from SRK and Deepika...some of the dialogues will be remembered for a long time...this is the best masala movie of the yr....

Black Friday: a powerful film with powerpacked performances

Bhool Bhulaiyya: hope Vidya manages to get few awards for this film but will have a stiff competition from Kareena...a great performance from her and Akshay....one of the better Priyadarshan movies (other being Hungama and Hera pheri)...

Eklavya: among the better directed movies of the yr....performances from Amitabh, Sanjay, Jimmy, Raima and Saif were splendid..some of the scenes specially the killing of Jimmy showcase how great a director Vidhu Chopra is....

Honeymoon travel Private ltd: a light hearted sweet movie with sweet music...the pair of abhay-minnisha and raima-KK was lovable..

1:40 ki last local: another humorous movie which should have fared better...abhay as usual was adorable....

manorama six feet under: though a direct left from Chinatown this movie was watchable because of abhay's performance and indianized version of chinatown...

Blue Umbrella: another winner from Vishal Bharadwaj....the story was simple and sweet...pankaj kapoor was excellent...

some of the other movies which missed this list narrowly are
Naqaab (better thrillers of the yr)
Dus Kahaaniyan (6 of the stories were simply amazing)
Partner (excellent camaraderie between Salman and Govinda)
Guru (great performances)
Awaarapan (nice story and powerful Emraan performance)

Top Songs of 2007

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

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.....

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

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

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...

Cute trailer: Taare Zameen Par

Aamir Khan is back and this time as actor/ producer and director....this is a cute trailer....

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..

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...

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.....

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...

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

1. Kal Ho Na Ho sad version
2. Suraj hua Maddham
3. Saathiya title song : Rendition was perfect
4. 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
5. Just Chill
6. Aaja Soniye...another great performance....he mixed this song with one of the other songs (cant remember the song)...
7. Staying alive from Bee Gees in girl's voice...a truly versatile rendition
8. 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...
9. Tumse Milke Dil ka hai jo haal
10. Lagaa Chunari mein daag
11. Chaudvi ka chand ho
12. Yeh dil deewana...mindblowing number and so beautifully sung
13. Bijuriya
14. Tenu Leke
15. Salaam e Ishq title song
16. Baawri piya ki
17. Mere Haath mein
18. Do Pal Ruka
19. Gumshuda
20. Kal Ho Na Ho
21. Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna....2nd best number of the evening
    

his dad Agam Nigam also sang 2-3 numbers...but the audience were least interested in it...Sonu sang for close to 3 hrs with just one break...this show was truly a one man show...no other performer is needed alongwith Sonu...he can simply carry off the entire concert on this own shoulders...and he never seems to lose energy....

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

Ultimate video: Funny side of Djokovic

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

• 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

Songs are peppy with the title track leading the proceedings...Mast Kalandar too is a racy number so is the video (check out pony tailed SRK in this video)....Jaane bhi de and Meri Duniya are hummable situational numbers....Dholna is a typical Yashraj number

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)