Movie Review : Shaurya

Shaurya (drama)
Cast: Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Javed Jaffrey, Minissha Lamba
Direction: Samar Khan

THIS film tries to redefine the way Bollywood looks at the men in olive, and almost succeeds. The Bravehearts of the Indian Army do lay their life defending the honour and dignity of the country, but they don't go about chestbeating and yelling expletives to the enemy across the LoC. Refreshingly, Shaurya is a surprise package that for once does not equate pride and honour for the country with killing those across borders. Instead, it takes an introspective look at the sentinels of our country and gets reflective about the questionables within: prejudice, bias, antagonism that prevent fair play from a Few Good Men that make up the country's premier institution.

Here, you meet Rahul Bose, who thinks nothing suits his personality more than ‘googling’. It's only when the cool dude discovers the hero in the valley that he becomes a causaratti for democracy and a shaurya that doesn't tar a single community. He pitches a fine performance. Close to him is Minissha Lamba, the small town reporter who sips beer to scandalise those who question what she calls ‘small town morality’. A short role she executes with ease and confidence. Not to miss out is Javed Jaffery, who plays the perfect friend, though the character seems to be lost as the movie progresses. And just in case you wondered who's shaurya are we all taking of, it's none other than Kay Kay Menon, the sarkar of the valley with so very misconstrued views. Kay Kay is absolutely dynamic and it's his explosive act in the climax that helps him walk away with applause for sheer shock value.

Inspired by a Few Good Men , the Hollywood drama on the defence forces which revealed the ugly underbelly of one of the most respected officers (Jack Nicholson), Shaurya is essentially a courtmartial drama where two friends (Rahul Bose and Jaaved Jaafrey) play defence attorney and prosecutor to a cadet guilty of murder. And if the background is Kashmir, be sure there is a dissection of the world's number one problem: Islam versus terrorism. But the director handles the incendiary topic with balance and sensitivity. Go for some serious, cerebral viewing.

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Movie Review : Khuda Kay Liye

Khuda Kay Liye (drama)
Cast : Shaan, Fawad Khan, Iman Ali, Rasheed Naaz, Naseeruddin Shah
Direction: Shoaib Mansoor

THERE have been a number of post 9/11 offerings from Hollywood, but it takes a Pakistani film to create the maximum impact, worldwide, with its topical rendition of contemporary history’s most burning issue: Islamic fundamentalism. Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye is indeed a historic event, being the first Pakistani film to be released in India after a hiatus of almost four decades. More importantly, it arrives with an awesome reputation of having created a storm at the international film circuit and having rattled the Pakistani film industry out of its somnambulism with a royal picking of Rs seven crore at the box office. But more than all this, the film becomes important because it addresses concerns that affect the global mindset and clears myths that have already wreaked havoc in today’s world.

The film posits a clash of ideology between two strains of Islam. On the one hand, you have the fundamentalist version represented through the views of Mullah Tahiri (Rasheed Naaz). The cleric brainwashes the young Pakistanis with his sermons on jihad and an interpretation of Islam as an orthodox religion that denies women their rights and treats music and art as haraam (forbidden). And on the other hand, you have the liberal face, showcased through two main characters: Sarmad (Shaan), the young musician who refuses to fall prey to dogma and inadvertently becomes a victim of racial profiling and human rights abuse in the US; and Maulana Wali (Naseeruddin Shah), the enlightened seer who beats the fundamentalists at their own game. Quoting extensively from religious texts, the Maulana proves that Islam is neither anti-woman nor does it frown upon music, art and culture. More importantly, it espouses the concept of jihad as a war to overcome the failings within the fallible human self rather than as a synonym for terror. In a cameo that sends the viewers clapping and wowing, Naseer declares: Din mein daadi hai, daadi mein din nahin (the beard lies in religion; religion doesn’t lie in the beard)! Hence the nullity of outward rituals, dogma and conservatism.

The film unfolds as a dramatic clash of cultures between two rock musician brothers, the liberal Sarmad and the impressionable Mansoor who is brainwashed by the local maulvi and ends up completely messed up. Ironically, trouble befalls both the brothers, leaving their happy-family idyll scarred for life. While Sarmad ends up in the infamous US prisons and is tortured for his alleged links with the Al-Qaida, Mansoor becomes a pawn in a vicious game, where a distraught father uses him to forcibly prevent his British-born daughter (Iman Ali) from marrying her British boyfriend. And if that’s not enough, the young boy is forced to double up as a mujahideen in war-torn Afghanistan, even though he hates violence and declares he can’t kill a man. The film criss-crosses across three countries Pakistan, America, England to expose the acidic fall-out of a twisted interpretation of religion. If the Americans are guilty of equating Islam with terrorism, then a certain section of Muslims are equally guilty of holding the world and their community -- ransom with their misconstrued beliefs.

Khuda Kay Liye isn’t merely a powerful story; it’s a film that boasts of fine performances, a great music score and sophisticated production values. Naturally, the scene-stealer is Naseeruddin Shah who enters only in the penultimate moments of the film, but adds enough punch to leave a lasting impression. He is ably matched by his rival, the fundoo mullah Tahiri, with actor Rasheed Naaz spewing fire and brimstone within the precincts of the mosque through sermons that are a deadly mix of religion and politics. Now here’s meaningful cinema that doesn’t compromise on commercial values. Go for it and get thinking.

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Bollywood News : Amrita's love across LoC?

Once upon a time, it was Pakistani cricketers who used to leave Indian actresses weak-kneed.

But with musicians from across the border becoming a rage in India, they seem to be occupying cricketers’ place now. And the first such romance appears to be happening between the petite Amrita Rao and Jal’s Goher Mumtaz.

It all happened when Amrita and Jal shot for a music video together. While the shooting is long over, Goher is a regular visitor to Mumbai and the duo can be seen cosying up at various hotspots in the city. In fact, a li’l birdie suggests that Amrita even used to get home-cooked food for the guys during the shoot!

While Amrita, being characteristically coy, terms it as a “friendship”, Goher is more forthcoming. “As a band, we go to Mumbai every month and I wouldn’t deny that Amrita and I hang out together. In fact, I’ll ask Amrita to be a part of the next show we have in India. I’m sure she’ll agree. Also, I intend asking her to do a tour of Pakistan with us. She is very talented and the credit of making a great video goes to her fully,” he says.

It is love then? “I won’t deny that she made me very comfortable and that we became very good friends. But we are in the good friends phase right now. We share a great chemistry”.

Amrita says, “Goher has played my love interest in this video but love hasn’t sparked between the two of us in real life. If I really fall in love, it’ll be very difficult to hide it.”

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Amrita Rao goes glam

Amrita Rao may have had the girl-next-door image, but that’s a thing of the past.

Post My Name is Anthony Gonasalves, Amrita has been seen in a very glamourous look, be it in her movies or real life.

Even in the music video that she has shot for the band ‘Jal’, Amrita has sported a western look. And we must say that it suits her just fine, right Amrita?

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Wallpaper : Amrita rao

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Top Bollywood Actors

Though there are quite number of Bollywood super hero's people will never miss to say special sensating icons as their top start. With the growing development in the Bollywood movie industry, several young chaps give their successful entry with their rocking performance on the silver screens. Find the list of top Bollywood actors, who give their starring acting on the big screens. The first breathe-taking super hero of Bollywood will obviously be Shah Rukh Khan. He is still really charming and inspiring. He has given bags of block buster movies and moreover, he is the dream hero of quite several young bloods. His style acting and ravishing look has always been the biggest factor for his thriving success in Bollywood industry.
The Bollywood industry Big B, Amitabh is the super hero of the Bollywood! Big B has created thunders and wonders in the Bollywood movie industry. His excellent acting and breathe-taking performance on the silver screens has made him to achieve numerous hearts all around the world. The 3rd generation super hero from the renowned "Roshan" family is the real top star of Bollywood. Hritik is called as a promising actor and he has created thundering effects with her rocking dance performance. He is one of the luck stars, who gave a successful entry with his debundant movie Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai. Moreover, Hritik has given several number of block buster movie and most of his films will rock in the box office.
John Abraham is another Bollywood biggie, who has been bagged with good number of offers. He is one among the busy Bollywood actor and he is known for his brilliant acting. John is absolutely smart and he is dearly known for his chic and sexy outlook.
Next super hero of the Bollywood movie industry will be Ajay Devgan. Ajay is absolutely fantastic with his varied play roles and he has given his brilliant performance in quite number of Bollywood movies. Also, the super hero has been crowned with quite several awards and he still rocks in Bollywood.
The next is the Bollywood bad boy, Salman! He is the real super hero in Bollywood, who has achieved quite number of hearts with his stunning acting. Moreover, Sallu has been the headlines in most of the everyday outlets, and magazines. He is one of the charming actors and he is the one, who initiated the fitness factor among actors.
Amir Khan is also a leading Bollywood top actor, who has done quite successful movies in Bollywood. The actor is known for his charm and beauty and most of all he has given good number of big hits. He has worked with well-renowned directors in Bollywood and he has also proved his blasting acting performance on silver screens.
The son of Big B, Abhishek Bachan is one among the smart hero in Bollywood. Abhishek has given his stunning performance and he is bagged with good number of offers in his pockets. Right now, Abhishek is busy working with Priyanka Chopra in the upcoming starter movie "Drona". The movie is expected to be a block buster!

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