REVIEW: Ta Ra Rum Pum

ON TRACK: Be it Saif's live-in-the-present effervescence or Rani's till-death-do-

us-part devotion, Ta Ra Rum Pum tangos off to a high simply due to their chemistry

(Agencies photo)

Ta Ra Rum Pum (drama)

Cast : Saif Ali Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Javed Jaffrey

Direction : Siddharth Anand

Is it Cinderella Man? Is it Life is Beautiful? Or is it simply a fairy tale, told in Bollywood ishtyle ? Honestly, it's a mix of all three, heavily inspired by the Russell Crowe-Renee Zellweger film about James Braddock, a washed-out boxer who reclaimed his title — and his family's future — to become an inspirational figure in the 1930s.

And then again, you have dad Saif doing a Roberto Benigni ( Life is Beautiful ) to his bachchas by transforming their turn of fortunes (read garibi ke din ) into a reality show called 'Don't worry, be happy,' where the premium is on smiling, come what may.

Trust Bollywood to equate a Nazi concentration camp with a downmarket New York existence! But who's complaining. Not the archetypal family audience that has become the mainstay of the Indian multiplex boom.

For them, this film about a bindaas racer, his beauty-with-brains wife and their cute little cherubs could end up as perfect holiday fare, despite the trivialisation and the cloying story-line. Plot-wise, the film has all the cliched ploys that traditional cinema uses. Once the racer dad has an accident and develops race track phobia, the family undergoes all those thakela trials like joblessness, no food on the table, sacrifice and the final sickness, where death looms large unless the dollars pour in...

Yet, all this familiarity fails to breed contempt because there is Saif and there is Rani: two consummate actors who squeeze out the ordinariness from any role and make it extraordinary. As the young NRI couple who dare to dream the American dream, the two lend a spiritedness to their characters which somehow makes them the most lovable mom-dad/husband-wife duo in town. Be it Saif's live-in-the-present effervescence or Rani's till-death-do-us-part devotion, Ta Ra Rum Pum tangos off to a high simply due to their chemistry.

Quite, quite reminiscent of Hum Tum. Of course, the film lacks the originality of Salaam Namastey , where director Siddharth Anand scored with the sheer novelty of the no-holds-barred relationship between Saif and Preity. And Javed Jaffrey is truly the most under-estimated actor in Hindi films.

Yet ...Rum Pum is the right get a fix for the Great Indian Family.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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Review: Shakalaka Boom Boom

Shakalaka Boom Boom (drama)

Cast: Upen Patel, Bobby Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Celina Jaitley

Direction: Suneel Darshan

Completely convoluted, quite-quite crazy, Shakalaka Boom boomerangs miserably with nothing to save it at the box office। Ostensibly a film about music rivalry, there is neither music nor a rivalry that is credible enough to hold the film together। Bobby Deol is AJ, reigning rock star who just can't handle competition। And when it comes in the form of Reggie (Upen Patel), the new age composer who has a natural talent for music, our curly-locked hero gets all green with envy। He forgets his own music and pledges himself to just one mission: Operation Reggie ka destruction।

Okay, understandable। But what’s not acceptable is the way he goes around destroying the poor bloke. Almost like an overgrown kid, he stamps his feet, hollers and screams and even sets his home on fire. And when that doesn't work, he tries to transform his rival into some kind of a devdas, hoping hell simply drink himself to death.

Poor, poor Upen! He is allowed some screen time this time, but there's nothing really there for him to do, because Bobby Deol develops a death wish: he suddenly decides to undo the little that he has done in screen history.

It's a miserable performance from all the lead players, including the new Bhatt girl, Kangana Ranaut.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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Madonna to direct comedy

Pop superstar Madonna is following in the footsteps of her husband and is set to direct a film.
Madonna's first directorial venture is a comedy titled 'Filth and Wisdom' and she will start shooting the film in London towards the end of this month, reports ananova.com.
This will be Madonna's first return to film since 2002's 'Swept Away', which flopped badly. She played a snooty socialite in the film, directed by her husband Guy Ritchie.
"Madonna has Ritchie's full support. She told him, 'Anything you can do, I can do better, honey'," said a friend of the couple.

SOURCE : DNA AFTER HRS

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John’s playing games with Bipasha

QUIT PLAYING GAMES: Word has it that John is
playing
games with
Bipasha,but only the game of
footbal.
The generous man
actually took time
out to teach his lady love the moves of
football to prepare
her for
their upcoming movie Goal (TOI Photo)

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Aishwarya and Ahbishek to visit Tirumala temple on Sunday

Newly-wed couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai will offer prayers at the famous hill shrine of Lord Venkateswara at Tirumala on Sunday.

Temple sources said that a party of about thirty family members and friends of both Abhishek and Aishwarya would also accompany them on a two-hour pilgrimage in the forenoon to the hill temple.

Their visit is a closely guarded secret and the Tirumala Tirupati Dewasthanam (TTD) that manages the shrine did not want to reveal more details.

However, it is believed that superstar, Amitabh Bachchan, his wife Jaya Bachchan and industrialist Anil Ambani may also be coming along with the newly wed couple.

It is not clear if Samajwadi party leader Amar Singh would also accompany them.

Tight security arrangements are being made at three TTD's palatial guest-houses for the visitors.

Ahead of his son's Abhishek's marriage, Amitabh Bachchan accompanied by Anil Ambani and Amar Singh offered prayers at the hill temple on Sunday last. The trio also offered Rs 51 lakh each to the temple.


SOURCE : DNA AFTER HRS

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Review: Provoked

Provoked (drama)

Cast: Aishwarya Rai, Naveen Andrews, Nandita Das

Direction: Jagmohan Mundra

It's Aishwarya's film from the word go. From the very first shot, the actor grabs the role by its horns and shakes it around to sculpt a moving portrayal of a battered woman who happens to chance upon a rare source of inner strength to fight against domestic terror and terrifying traditions that demand silence from a wife, come what may.

Based on the true story of Kiranjit Ahluwalia, who managed to find freedom, dignity and a life of her own after ending ten years of marital abuse with the drastic act of murdering her sleeping husband, Provoked draws its strength from two sources.

First, from the power of real life drama, where the facts itself are so gritty, you simply can’t go wrong with them. A simple Punjabi girl leaves her village to end up as the wife of a Brit boy (Naveen Andrews), who not only likes a bit on the side but also fails to tame the beast within.

So much so, the beast rises ever so often and throws his pregnant wife down the stairs, holds the hot iron against her face and covers her body with black and blue bruises, whenever she dares to question his wild ways.

And when she is sufficiently provoked, she simply lights up his bed and ends up in the unfriendly prison environs. Ironically, it is here that the simpleton finds her first true friends, her voice, her identity and her freedom.

The story is powerful, yes, but the passion and the pain finds articulation through Aishwarya's sensitive rendition of the protagonist. She is ably assisted by her videshi co-stars and finds a sisterhood in Nandita Das and her gang of Asian activists.

What holds the story back is the narrative style, which depends too heavily on flashbacks and a slightly lethargic pace.

Watch it for Ash, de-glamourised and quite arty.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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Review: Shakalaka Boom Boom

Shakalaka Boom Boom (drama)

Cast: Upen Patel, Bobby Deol, Kangana Ranaut, Celina Jaitley

Direction: Suneel Darshan

Completely convoluted, quite-quite crazy, Shakalaka Boom boomerangs miserably with nothing to save it at the box office. Ostensibly a film about music rivalry, there is neither music nor a rivalry that is credible enough to hold the film together.

Bobby Deol is AJ, reigning rock star who just can't handle competition. And when it comes in the form of Reggie (Upen Patel), the new age composer who has a natural talent for music, our curly-locked hero gets all green with envy.

He forgets his own music and pledges himself to just one mission: Operation Reggie ka destruction. Okay, understandable. But what’s not acceptable is the way he goes around destroying the poor bloke. Almost like an overgrown kid, he stamps his feet, hollers and screams and even sets his home on fire.

And when that doesn't work, he tries to transform his rival into some kind of a devdas, hoping hell simply drink himself to death. Poor, poor Upen! He is allowed some screen time this time, but there's nothing really there for him to do, because Bobby Deol develops a death wish: he suddenly decides to undo the little that he has done in screen history.

It's a miserable performance from all the lead players, including the new Bhatt girl, Kangana Ranaut.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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Fans go berserk as Malaysia sees stars at Zee Cine Awards!

The Zee Cine Awards on Sunday saw power-packed performances
The beautiful Genting Islands was teaming with celebrities over the weekend. Stars descended upon the Bollywood crazy Malaysians on Saturday itself, prompting hordes of fans to keep vigil outside the venue for the Zee Cine Awards a day before the event. And boy, were they rewarded!
All hell broke loose when soon-to-be weds Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai walked into the venue for rehearsals on Saturday evening. The two just couldn’t get enough of each other. Abhishek sat through Ash’s rehearsals and to our surprise, even went on stage now and then to give her tips on dancing.
Preity Zinta, her bubbly self, patiently waited for her turn. Shilpa Shetty, looking stunning in black, joined the group later, much to the delight of the crowds outside.
Ash and Shilpa greeted each other in Tulu, their common mother tongue.
Later, Preity and Ash were heard discussing flat tummies. And guess who’s turned into fitness freak? Urmila Matondkar, who hosted a part of the show! The sexy actor ensured she found time to exercise in between her hectic schedule.
The Island’s shopaholics were in for a treat as Bollywood denizens raided (not literally, of course!) stores. The excitement was so obvious that even lesser known actors like Sophie were mobbed at shopping arcades!
‘Don’ stars Priyanka Chopra and Shah Rukh Khan arrived on Sunday and Priyanka was seen rehearsing till the very last minute. Must give it to SRK though - he truly is a superstar. The crowds went absolutely crazy every time there was even a mention of him. But it was Salman who stole the show as he played to the gallery by getting into a jig every now and then.
A simply fabulous show which managed many coups of sorts - Salman Khan hugging Katrina Kaif, Aishwarya stroking Abhishek and forever holding hands in public…love was certainly in the air!
The Big OnesCritics awards:
Best Film: ‘Lage Raho Munnabhai’
Best Actor: Sanjay Dutt (‘Lage Raho…’)
Best Actress: Gul Panag & Ayesha Takia (‘Dor’)
Popular awards:
Best Film: ‘Rang De Basanti’
Best Actor: Hrithik Roshan (‘Krrish’)
Best Actress: Kajol (‘Fanaa’)
Best Director: Rakyesh Omprakash Mehra (‘Rang De…’)
Best Villain: Saif Ali Khan (Omkara’)

SOURCE : DNA AFTER HRS

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Review: Say Salaam India

Say Salaam India (drama)
Cast: Sanjay Suri, Sandhya Mridul, Shraddha Nigam
Direction: Subhash Kapoor

Bechara Bollywood! Like the corporate world, it too fell prey to the chimera of desi cricket; like the corporate world, it too believed in the false promise of a World Cup victory; and like the corporate world, it too ended up with egg on its face.
Because, there's nothing worse than an ill-timed film. Who, out there, is willing to say Salaam India anymore? Especially to a team that's veritably in hiding.
So, here we have a film which is doomed from the onset. Cricket just isn't the flavour anymore. Nor does the film boast of any mirch masala that might suddenly transform the mood and bring cricket back to the public mindset.
The story of a diehard cricket coach again misnamed as Hari Sadu (Sanjay Suri) — the film traces his efforts to create a bunch of sporting heroes out of the galli cricket boyz. On the way, he faces hostility from the people who believe cricketers and cricket is all about moolah rather than a mania to excel, a passion to survive odds, and a drive to reach the goal, come what may. The coach tries to pass on his obsession and training to four small town boys who unfortunately, fail to end up as mini Iqbals.
End result? Our never-say-die hero tries to build up another local team — a cricketing eleven from the wrestling team at the municipal school. Little heroes are born, but sadly, there's nothing much and no one to cheer them on.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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Review: Delhi Heights

Delhi Heights (drama)

Cast: Jimmy Sheirgill, Neha Dhupia, Rohit Roy, Simone Singh

Direction: Anand Kumar

Cities have often formed a live backdrop for many films, figuring almost as a character in drama, often causing it to take strange twists and turns by its special topography. If Mumbai has evolved as the Maximum City for all underworld stories, then London has played footsie in most of the Hugh Grant romances and comedies.

As for New York, it's almost synonymous with all Woody Allen capers. In Hindi films, Delhi has just emerged as a serious player, specially after Rang De Basanti and the India Gate candle light protest which became almost iconic for the causeratti: a perfect venue to play out their Halla Bol howl.

Now we hear that Rakeysh Mehra is all set to pay a tribute to quintessential Dilli by locating his next film in the heart of Chandni Chowk. But, for our debutant director here, it's actually quite difficult to fathom what the metro actually means.

Is it a film about Delhi sights or Delhi Heights? Maloom nahin. Even though the film kicks off at the onset with a definition of saddi city and why it is a cut above the rest. Analyse this: Dilli aka Dilwalon ka shehr, paise walon ka shehr, gareebon ka shehr, a city for the young and the old, and above all, a city where they make more Chinese than China itself! That's it.

For the rest, Delhi figures neither as a metaphor nor a character in the film, other than being the name of the highrise apartment where the protagonists play out their sorry lives. Protagonists: A bunch of yuppies who try hard to find love in a city that hardly seems to know the definition of love.

So we have an ad world couple (Jimmy-Neha) play out their Abhiman-ish fetish against a white-collared world. Both Abhi and Suhana love each other, but hey! somebody stole somebody's idea and intellectual theft is definitely not allowed in love and war.

Hence the tu-tu-main-main. For the second couple (Rohit-Simone), it seems to be a premature attack of the seven-year-itch virus which keeps striking playboy Bobby (Rohit), so much so, he even misses his million dollar meetings if he spots a single-ready-to-mingle miss.

Oops! Is Delhi all about this? Not even Rabbi Shergill can salvage the Capital spirit in this film, simply because his chartbuster Tere bin is Delhi history by now.

SOURCE : THE TIMES OF INDIA

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