Saturday, August 16, 2008
Click here for Hot Images of Sherly ChopraActress and singer Sherlyn Chopra will no longer join the Housemates in 'Bigg Boss' as she has been shown the door. Sherlyn, who was in discussion to be cast on the show, could not close the deal as her two conditions could not be met on time.
Apparently, the newbie asked for a sum of Rs 3 crore for her 3-month appearance in the 'Bigg Boss' House.
Since, after her first music album 'Outrageous', her second album 'Dard-e-Sherlyn' has also become a runaway success, she felt that only a decent price could keep her inside the House for a whole three months.
It is also learnt that Sherlyn suggested that the makers install cameras even in bathrooms of the House, so that she could flaunt her vast collection of colourful bikinis and inner wear while bathing. It seems she was keen to generate loads of teenage interest in the show from both sexes.
It can be recalled that the practice of cameras in the bathrooms of such a reality show existed in UK's 'Big Brother' earlier, until Shilpa Shetty got the practice discontinued two years ago, with a clause in her contract stating it went against her ethics and culture. It is obvious, Sherlyn thinks otherwise.
But since 'Bigg Boss' found her demands outrageous, she was out. "Right from the beginning of her career, Sherlyn has a very bold, outspoken, daring and sensational diva-like image. One can't really blame her for thinking of her colourful bikinis, " quipped her publicist Dale Bhagwagar.
"Nowadays, everyone from Kareena Kapoor to Priyanka Chopra is being talked about for wearing bikinis in their movies. So why should we have double standards for reality shows? After all, they are just another medium of expression, " added Bhagwagar.
Sherlyn is a typical bindaas new-age babe. Everyone knows that if she would have been on the show, the TRP's would have sky-rocketed simply with her boldness and flamboyance. It's hardly 'her' loss.
Actually, she was the only glamour in the otherwise dilapidated room.
Paint peeled from the walls. Monsoon rain dripped from the ceiling. Outside, a procession of journalists trudged through puddles and mud, then up the rickety wooden staircase and past a container of lukewarm chai and a plate of soggy biscuits.
And there she was, Katrina Kaif, sitting in a chair at the room's far end, talking about her upcoming release, with Singh is Kinng cardboard cut-outs propped against the wall behind her.
She looked almost captive, like a hostage, with lights, cameras and microphones bearing down on her. But rather than scared, she seemed a touch irritated and a tad drained. One could sympathise, given the flock of hungry reporters circling about, waiting for their exclusives. She doesn't give them often, after all.
There was also a hint of confrontation in her voice, when a reporter interviewing her pushed personal questions past the point of comfort, asking, "When are you getting married," to which Ms Kaif responded, "When are you getting married?" before affecting a strange laugh that rang hollow. Later, she did mention, "As of right now, I've no plans to get married."
The reluctance to answer personal questions was obvious, and really, why should she? Newspaper society sections and the gossip mags are already filled with speculation about her private life, especially her relationship with the 42-year old Salman Khan.
The last month has been particularly intensive, following her now infamous 24th birthday bash. Recent rumours say that the party was a last-ditch effort from Salman to save a romance going wayward, though it went all wrong, thanks to the the much-detailed disagreement between beau Sallu and Shah Rukh Khan. There's also talk that Salman's family doesn't think so kindly of the pretty lass, though Katrina remains tight-lipped on all things related to her love life.
But regarding the party, the battle of the Khans wasn't the only thing that had people talking, the guest list has also received extreme scrutiny. Why was so and so off the list? Why didn't what's her name show up? And did Katrina really mean for the party to signify that she's arrived and is ready to claim her crown?
The Sensex continues its violent mood swings, inflation have crept above and beyond the double-digit barrier and, just last week, the Manmohan Singh government was nearly toppled by a most unlikely coalition.
If anything's certain, it's that 2008 has been a year of uncertainty.
Even Bollywood has seen its share of trouble, as the year's big budget flops far outnumber Blockbuster hits, and once bankable actors, actresses and banners have suddenly turned into box-office kryptonite.
In fact, these days, there seems to be only one sure-bet in Hindi cinema: Katrina Kaif. With Singh is Kinng, set to release August 8, Katrina looks to cement this reputation.
Though just 24, Ms Kaif has used a string of successful releases -- Namastey London, Partner, Welcome and Race -- to catapult her career and emerge atop the heap of Bollywood heroines.
Blessed with a brilliant smile, stunning good looks and an impeccable sense of style, in a few short years, Katrina has managed to push painful memories of Boom from our collective minds and establish herself in the industry.
Last Friday, when we met at Mehboob studios in suburban Bandra, Mumbai, Ms Kaif was the picture of glamour. Dressed in a flowery white-top with lovely lace lining and skin-tight dark blue jeans, she looked stunning.
If anything's certain, it's that 2008 has been a year of uncertainty.
Even Bollywood has seen its share of trouble, as the year's big budget flops far outnumber Blockbuster hits, and once bankable actors, actresses and banners have suddenly turned into box-office kryptonite.
In fact, these days, there seems to be only one sure-bet in Hindi cinema: Katrina Kaif. With Singh is Kinng, set to release August 8, Katrina looks to cement this reputation.
Though just 24, Ms Kaif has used a string of successful releases -- Namastey London, Partner, Welcome and Race -- to catapult her career and emerge atop the heap of Bollywood heroines.
Blessed with a brilliant smile, stunning good looks and an impeccable sense of style, in a few short years, Katrina has managed to push painful memories of Boom from our collective minds and establish herself in the industry.
Last Friday, when we met at Mehboob studios in suburban Bandra, Mumbai, Ms Kaif was the picture of glamour. Dressed in a flowery white-top with lovely lace lining and skin-tight dark blue jeans, she looked stunning.
Five years ago, a teenager landed in Mumbai to make a career in showbiz. Today, Katrina Kaif has becoming one of the most successful actresses in the film industry. In its latest issue, People magazine got up close and personal with the beautiful actress to know more. We present an excerpt:
It was five years ago that Katrina Kaif, then 19, arrived in Mumbai to make a career in the modelling industry. Accompanying her were mother Susana and sisters Christine and Isabella. She did not celebrate her birthday that year. This year as she turned 24 on July 16, almost the entire film industry A-list descended at Olive Bar & Kitchen, a Mumbai restaurant and bar, to wish the model-turned-actress.
"I was all alone on my first birthday in Mumbai. I hardly stepped out of my house, as I didn't know anyone then," says the actress. This year it was celebrated, according to a guest, with flavoured Martinis, an assortment of mocktails, lamb chop, balsamic mushroom, grilled prawns and rock salt fish doing the rounds.
Katrina had over 70 people including stars, star wives, star kids, filmmakers, producers, designers and choreographers attending her private bash. Not surprisingly Katrina says it is only this year that she feels a sense of belonging to the industry. That she speaks Hindi and has a string of box-office hits can only add to her being at home.
"I know so many people now. I'm a part of the circuit and also part of discussions for movies that are being planned. I'm aware of what's happening around," she says.
A large part of the credit in making Katrina feel comfortable in the film fraternity goes to beau Salman Khan, who is dating the model-turned-actress for a little over four years now.
Katrina describes herself as the submissive one in the intense relationship. "I think by nature I'm slightly more submissive. Cancerians are docile people," she says.
Salman and his extended family supported her during the formative years of her career. "I do remember the first time I had met Salman but these are personal things," says the actress who spends considerable time at Galaxy Apartments, Salman's Bandra residence, whenever she is in Mumbai.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu is miffed at being tagged as the seniormost actor in "Bachna Ae Haseeno", which is releasing Friday, and says she has started feeling someone as old as legendary Amitabh Bachchan.
She co-stars with Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, who are just one film old. Minissha Lamba and Karan Kapoor are also in the movie.
"People have been calling me the seniormost actor in the film. I almost feel like Amitabh Bachchan now. The others in the film are extremely good actors and not at all inexperienced, " Bipasha told.
"They have a lot of experience and have absolute clarity in their mind on what they want to do. They are very spontaneous and we even get together very well in that way, " added Bipasha who was seen in this year's first big hit "Race".
She is also very upset with some media houses spreading stories on her and Deepika Padukone's "animosity". But she admits there is a problem with Katrina unlike Kareena, Deepika and Minissha.
She says, "We should realise that women are transparent creatures and we can't be friends with anybody. Kareena and I had a problem so many years back that today I don't even remember today what it was.
I don't know Kareena as a person but today I can say openly I don't have any problems with her. People then created an awkwardness and with constant repetition the problem got aggravated but I hold no grudges. She's a wonderful actress."
But there is a problem with Katrina Kaif with whom she acted in Race? The buzz was that they didn't talk to each other at all during the film's shooting. Bipasha admits, "Yes there is a problem between Katrina and me. We didn't speak during Race but that never stopped shooting.
If she met Kareena or Katrina at a social event would she be cordial and greet them warmly? "I could walk up to Kareena and do that; but no, I can't do that with Katrina. There is an awkwardness between Katrina and me. We don't talk to each other."
Bipasha was here with her co-stars and director Siddharth Anand to promote the film that traces the journey of a young boy from the age of 18 to 30.
In the film, Bipasha plays an aspiring actress who travels to Mumbai from Ranchi to fulfil her dreams but ends up working with Shiamak Davar's dance troupe.
"The character in the film is just like me. Radhika works and keeps her relationship going simultaneously. The role is very contemporary. She is an effortless dresser. She wears shorts and vests and uses all kinds of funky bags and accessories."
The dusky beauty says she enjoyed shooting for the film.
"I was completely pampered on the sets and have finally made two great friends in Ranbir and Siddharth. I have not spent enough time with the girls though."
"Bachna Ae Haseeno" has been extensively shot abroad at locations like Venice, Switzerland, Sydney and 15 towns of Italy.
Bipasha enjoyed her Italy stint the most.
She said: "I got a lot of compliments in Italy for the clothes I was wearing. Italian men only know how to romance. They are impeccably dressed with styled hair and they only want to marry you."
Her forthcoming movies include Bengali film "Shob Charitro Kalponik" Sanjay Gupta's "Pankh" and Jeh Surti's "Freeze". All are schedule to hit the screens this year.
Daughter of a senior Mumbai policeman who grew up in Mumbai, she appeared in several music videos and in some item songs in Bollywood movie. After she received wider notice as a contestant in several reality shows, including Big Boss and Nach Baliye, she began to receive considerable coverage from the Indian tabloid press.
Sawant is a life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy Of Film & Television.
Sawant is a life member of International Film And Television Club of Asian Academy Of Film & Television.
When it comes to escapist cinema, a gifted writer can make his imagination run really wild. Think of a crazy story, come up with outrageous and zany situations, rope in actors who'd look believable in those parts... hey presto, a crazy potboiler is ready to be served.
Rumy Jafry, who has penned some crazy comedies in the past, does just that. He borrows [partly] from BRUCE ALMIGHTY, also [partly] from YEHI HAI ZINDAGI [Sanjeev Kumar] and [partly] uses his imagination to come up with GOD TUSSI GREAT HO. But this khichdi isn't as delicious as one expects it to be.
GOD TUSSI GREAT HO has some really interesting moments. At least two sequences -- [i] When a dejected Salman throws the taveez in the air, the taveez reaches God, later God appears in human form and [ii] Salman invents a chair that acts as a lie detector and teaches Sohail Khan a lesson -- are pure magic in terms of writing, in terms of execution, in terms of performance.
nother ace is Salman Khan. The boyish appeal, the mischievous look, the loud-but-lovable act just cannot be overlooked.
But GOD TUSSI GREAT HO isn't as captivating and arresting at times. The potential to come up with an energetic second half are immense in a film like this, but Rumy Jafry's writing is plain mediocre. Besides, the second hour is lengthy, it gets tedious ['Lal Chunariya' song should be deleted right away]. Also, the pre-climax and climax don't sweep you off your feet.
In a nutshell, GOD TUSSI GREAT HO does appeal, but in bits and spurts. Not in totality. An average experience!
At the end of the worst day in his life, Arun [Salman Khan] angrily rages against God for making his life miserable. To his astonishment, God [Amitabh Bachchan] appears before him in human form and endowing Arun with all of His divine powers, challenges Arun to take on the big job and see if he can do it any better.
Arun responds to his newfound powers with childlike zeal and sets off making one decision after another. The love of his life Alia [Priyanka Chopra] is astonished at the 'new' decisive and confident Arun. He thinks he can make the world a happy place by granting everybody their wishes.
But to his horror, this results in unprecedented mayhem. Ultimately, Arun realises that he is only human, and being God is tougher than he thought.
Rumy Jafry has penned several solid entertainers for David Dhawan and the formula looms large all through GOD TUSSI GREAT HO. Rumy rides on myths and comedy to get it right and it really works at times. However, after a point, the writing doesn't spring any surprises. You know exactly what's in store next and that's what bogs the film down.
In terms of impact, the best portions are between Bachchan and Salman, between Salman and Anupam Kher and between Salman and Rajpal Yadav. These tracks charge up the scenario. But how one misses a meatier script in the second hour.
Directorially, Rumy Jafry's work gets easier thanks to the presence of seasoned actors. But he needs to polish his skills as far as technique is concerned. The film could've been stylishly shot. Sajid-Wajid's music is strictly okay. However, the picturisation of songs camouflages the deficiency. Ashok Mehta's cinematography is perfect. The production design/making could've been grand, given the presence of such powerful names in the cast. Special effects lack finesse.
As always, Amitabh Bachchan is competent. But GOD TUSSI GREAT HO belongs to Salman Khan, who seems to be in form this time. Priyanka doesn't match Salman's enthusiasm. Also, why is her look so inconsistent in the film? Sohail Khan is alright.
Anupam Kher is fantastic. Bina Kak is fair. Rukhsaar doesn't get much scope. Rajpal Yadav provides a few laughs. Dalip Tahil is as usual. Upasna Singh is getting typecast. Ditto for Sanjay Mishra.
On the whole, GOD TUSSI GREAT HO is average in merits, providing a few laughs intermittently. At the box-office, the holiday weekend should benefit the film. But beyond the weekend, the journey could be uneven. However, single screens should fare better in the Hindi belt.
Related Links: -Interview with Minisha Lamba
Khuda Jaane Song - Bachna Ae Haseeno
Bachna Ae Haseeno cast on reality show Zara Nachk...
God Tussi Great Ho - Tujhe Aqsa Beach Ghuma Doon
Singh is Kinng Review
BACHNA AE HASEENO is special. Ranbir Kapoor is cast opposite teen deviyaan -- Bipasha Basu, Deepika Padukone, Minissha Lamba. It's produced by a premier production house, the credits read 'Story by Aditya Chopra' and most importantly, it's helmed by Siddharth Raj Anand, who merged form and content so beautifully in SALAAM | NAMASTEY and TA RA RUM PUM. The expectations, therefore, are humungous.
Before we go any further, let's clear a misconception at the very outset. BACHNA AE HASEENO is not inspired by THE BACHELOR [the industry feels so, hence this clarification], but it bears an uncanny resemblance to the yesteryear film TEEN DEVIAN [1965; Dev Anand, Nanda, Kalpana, Simi Grewal] and Telugu film AUTOGRAPH [Raviteja, Bhoomika, Mallika, Gopika, Kanyaka]. Of course, Chopra and the screenplay writer try to be different and any resemblance with any film could be purely coincidental.
Now let's move on! BACHNA AE HASEENO has a great cast, great chemistry amongst actors [so sizzling, it could melt butter], great locations [jaw dropping actually] and some great moments. But all these factors combined together don't make a great film. BACHNA AE HASEENO suffers, to a major extent, due to its screenplay running out of steam in the second hour.
The gist of the story is truly captivating -- the guy is a complete flirt, he wears his heart on his sleeve. Enter three women in different stages of his life. Love is in the air. Two dream of marrying him, but he ditches them and the third, whom he intends marrying, says a blunt 'No' to the offer. Heart-broken, the guy realizes his folly and plans on doing prayashchit. He goes back to the first two women and apologises. Wow! A story to bowl you over indeed!
BACHNA AE HASEENO has splendid moments in the first hour. In fact, the three stories, minus the culmination of course, are beautifully told in the first hour itself. There're some attention-grabbing moments in this hour [details later] and you genuinely feel exhilarated after having watched those portions.
Now to the second hour -- the guy repents for his misdeeds and years later, goes back to the first two women in his life. That's where the problems surface...
From the writing point of view, the first story [Minissha] is given an appropriate and beautiful culmination in the second hour. But the second [Bipasha] and third [Deepika] stories face rough weather. These stories don't work and therefore, colour your judgement on the movie. Like it happens with most Hindi films, the writing is the culprit here as well. It lacks the power to keep you hooked in the second hour.
In a nutshell, BACHNA AE HASEENO could've been the ideal youthful entertainer, occupying the position that JAANE TU... YA JAANE NA enjoys amongst the yuppy crowd. But as things stand now, it's a great looking film with nothing outstanding about it. Strictly okay for a single watch, that's about it!
Meet Raj [Ranbir Kapoor]. He falls in love thrice...
The film talks of three love stories: Raj and Mahi [Minissha], Raj and Radhika [Bipasha], Raj and Gayatri [Deepika]. Different ladyloves at different times in his life. And each of them teach him a little bit about love and a little bit about life, in their own sweet, sexy or sassy way.
Director Siddharth Raj Anand knows the craft too well by now and his handling of the romantic and emotional scenes is worth appreciating. Take the sequence at the airport -- Minissha stands stunned listening to Ranbir's tale of 'conquest', with tears rolling down her cheeks. The silence says it all!
Note the sequence when Ranbir woos Bipasha, but eventually dumps her on the eventful day. It's raining and Bipasha just can't come out of the shock. The silence is deafening! Note yet another tragic end to the love story, when Deepika refuses the wedding proposal from Ranbir. Flashes from the past come alive at this point. It couldn't get better!
Post-interval, Ranbir's story with an already-married Minissha and her husband is equally moving. Ranbir's apology looks convincing and the culmination to this chapter couldn't be better. Ranbir moves on to Bipasha and it's here that the writing begins to go downhill. She's a wounded tigress and no amount of cajoling or apologies from Ranbir would melt her. So far, so good! But the path she uses to teach Ranbir a lesson is weird, sorry ludicrous.
The third story, with Deepika, is written in haste, one presumes. The girl suddenly has a change of heart and wants to marry Ranbir, she even writes to him everyday, not knowing that he's out of town. The culmination to this story is amateurish and one wonders whether the writer was in a tearing hurry to end the movie since the 2-hour mark had already been crossed.
Directorially, Siddharth Raj Anand offers stunning visuals and some really fine performances, but is letdown by the script. Vishal-Shekhar's music is just alright, nothing to rave or rant about. Barring 'Khuda Jaane' and 'Lucky Boy', the remaining songs don't have a lingering effect. Cinematography is a class apart. Besides, the cinematographer gets some spectacular locales and he does complete justice to it. Dialogues are good at times.
Ranbir Kapoor is marvellous. An incredible actor. One will run out of adjectives and personifications describing his performance. Amongst girls, Bipasha Basu stands the tallest. First RACE and now BACHNA AE HASEENO, the actress is finally getting the right roles that do justice to her talent. Also, she looks fab! Minissha doesn't work at the start, but scores in the emotional scenes, especially in the second hour. Deepika is a sore point. Her role isn't convincing and that's the reason why this performance doesn't work. The only consolation is, she looks gorgeous.
Kunal Kapoor is supremely efficient, handling his role with utmost maturity. Hiten Paintal is a revelation, a talent to watch out for. His camaraderie with Ranbir is top notch.
On the whole, BACHNA AE HASEENO has an interesting first half, but a weak second hour spoils the show. At the box-office, thanks to the hype built around the film, the opening weekend should be great, but beyond that, has tough chances of sustaining. Multiplexes at some big centres would be better, but that's no consolation.
3 stars for this movie....
Thursday, August 14, 2008
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