Movie Review of : Ra.One

Rating:*** (3.5)

Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Shahana Goswami, Armaan Verma

Direction: Anubhav Sinha

Genre: Sci-fci

Duration: 2 hours 35 minutes

Story: Goofy gaming expert, Shekhar Subramaniam (Shah Rukh Khan) wants to be a super hero for his son Prateik (Armaan Verma). But his young son, like all young sons, thinks super villans are more cool. So Shekhar creates the ultimate clash of good against evil by pitting a very powerful anti-hero Ra-One against a seemingly less potent good guy. But can the good guys ever lose?

Movie Review: Rajnikant's Robot may have pre-dated it, but Ra-One does manage to hold despite the larger-than-life quality of Rajni's antics as Chitti. Here, Shah Rukh Khan does the train walk sideways and he does it rather well. And if that is not enough, the two desi sci fi heroes have a split second encounter on the streets of Mumbai, with Rajni saar showing off his flying googles act and SRK replicating it with elan. Twin Rascals!

Ra-One works on several accounts. First because it has some interesting clashes betwen G-One, the good robot(Shah Rukh Khan) and Ra-One, the bad robot, who can take the form of anyone he wants. Secondly, the bond that G-One develops with the family he is supposed to protect, Kareena and her young son Prateik, is warm and winsome. There is also a lot of wit thrown in here and there in the screenplay, specially when the film concentrates on the geeky and loving Subramaniam's family dinners. And finally it is the excellently sung and choreographed Chammak-Challo number which keeps the mercury rising to unprecendented heights.

The film falls back in the emotional quotient. Understandably, robots have no feelings, but remember, even the steely Terminator managed to have a very special relationship with the mom and her messiah son. Also, considering so much money has been poured into the film, the special effects and the hi-tech gadgetry lacks the glitzy feel of Hollywood sci-fi. In some places, it even gets somewhat tacky with all those flying cars hurtling into nowhere and the digital game screen going gaudy in orange.

Small quibbles, actually, since Ra-One is sure to usher in a crackling Diwali at the box office and give the audience paisa vasool entertainment, with fine performances by both Shah Rukh and Kareena. Even young Armaan is efficient. Go have a blast.

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Return of the Don

SRK-starrer Don 2 to be made with Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani

Excel Entertainment had put Shah Rukh Khan starrer Don 2 on the back burner because Amitabh Bachchan might soon be part of the sequel to his yesteryear classic Don, to be produced by Nadeem Irani and Nasir Irani, sons of the producer of 1975 Don. SRK's recent shoulder injury had made matters worse. But now everything is sorted out and Excel Entertainment is going ahead with Don 2.

According to our source, Farhan Akhtar will direct the film starring all the four actors who were in Don - Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Arjun Rampal and Boman Irani. On the other hand, the Iranis have made no headway as yet in their plans to make the sequel with Bachchan.
While Shah Rukh, Arjun and Boman had given their consent to Excel Entertainment a long time ago, Priyanka was signed a few days before she went to the US to shoot for Ashutosh Gowariker's What's Your Rashee?

Our source from Bollywood says, "Authorities at Excel Entertainment were not too sure if they should go with Priyanka, but lately Priyanka has become a big name after delivering back-to-back hits - Fashion and Dostana and winning the best actress award recently. The decision confirming Priyanka's presence in Don 2 was taken only recently."

A source close to Excel Entertainment told Mumbai Mirror, "Don had done rather well with Shah Rukh. Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar (partners in Excel) were very keen that they make the sequel. Things were not falling in place initially, but now everything is sorted out."

Sidhwani confirmed the story and said, "We start shooting Don 2 in January 2010. The entire film will be shot in Berlin and Ireland. Now that we know that Vijay is dead and Shah Rukh is just Don in the film, the remaining part of the story is going to be very interesting."

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I don't want to hurt anyone: Shah Rukh Khan

An interview of Shah Rukh Khan with CNN-IBN on issue of the title of Shah Rukh Khan's film Billu Barber.

The title of Shah Rukh Khan's Billu Barber has upset the salon and hairdressers union. Now with no option left before the release, King Khan has decided to take off the word 'barber' from its publicity posters.

CNN-IBN: It's too late to change the title of the film Billu Barber, but Shah Rukh you're doing everything to not upset anyone?

Shah Rukh Khan: I had a discussion with the association of hair dressers and salons in Maharashtra. And I've pokes to the associations in other cities on the phone. I don't think we were wrong in ever using the word 'barber' and that is what be stand by. But they have their own take on that. The film has been made with a good feeling. So, I'd rather not hurt anyone, because it's not going to affect my film.

CNN-IBN: So what will be your next step since the prints are out and the posters have been put up?

Shah Rukh Khan: We will put a piece of paper on the word 'barber' on the posters and hoardings which belong to the production which is Red Chillies, wherever it can be done. It's a little expensive to try and change the posters which we couldn't have done.

CNN-IBN: The censor cleared your film, so didn't you try to negotiate with these associations? Did you try to make them understand that the term 'barber' isn't a derogatory one?

Shah Rukh Khan: If they understood that they wouldn't have had an issue with it. In this case I was very clear that there is no legality involved and I would just like to make sure that people aren't unhappy. I think I'm also a little mellow since I'm going for my surgery, so I don't want to hurt anyone.

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