16.12.11 / Bollywood / Author: timepasss / Comments: (0)
They are the ‘Men in White’ of our film industry who have time and again delivered some edge of the seat thrillers like Khiladi, Baazigar, Soldier, Humraaz, Ajnabee, Aitraaz and Race to name a few. They are none other than director duo Abbas-Mustan.
Abbas-Mustan are now ready with yet another action packed thriller Players which releases next month. Bollywood Hungama gives you a chance to have a live video chat with Abbas-Mustan on Friday, December 16 at 1630 hrs IST. Don’t miss!
Watch ‘Players’ promo:
15.12.11 / Bollywood / Author: timepasss / Comments: (0)
An injured toe also didn’t stop Riteish Deshmukh from walking the ramp for French Menswear brand CELIO that opened its flagship store
today at Linking Road, Mumbai.
Sporting a trendy jacket from the CELIO Club Line and white shirt paired with jeans, Riteish walked the ramp with the help of a walking stick. Due to an
injured toe, Riteish was seen sporting slippers.
Riteish had already made a prior commitment to walk the ramp for the brand and didn’t want to pull out last minute, so he decided to walk the ramp with a
hurt toe.
Last night, Riteish also attended The Dirty Picture success bash along with soon to be wife Genelia D’souza.
We wish the actor a speedy recovery.
13.12.11 / Bollywood / Author: timepasss / Comments: (0)
A Yash Raj film is interminably special for a movie enthusiast. Right from good looking stars styled most gorgeously, a fine plot, harmonious/foot tapping music, visually dazzling locales, loads of entertainment… it has it all, packaged well to cater to the desi sensibilities. The expectations, therefore, soar upwards when the triumphant team of BAND BAAJA BAARAAT bracket together for an altogether new motion picture — LADIES VS RICKY BAHL. The query uppermost on everyone’s minds is, will this prized team dish up a far superior and an enhanced entertainer for its patrons this time as well?
BAND BAAJA BAARAAT was an underdog with zilch expectations attached to it. It was the dark horse of 2010. But this time, there is hope, anticipation and of course, humungous expectations.
Okay, so before we begin to ‘dissect’ LADIES VS RICKY BAHL, let’s clear a few misconceptions. The rumor goes that LADIES VS RICKY BAHL seeks inspiration from JOHN TUCKER MUST DIE [2006; Jesse Metcalfe]. Incidentally, the same was said about Yash Raj’s youth-centric banner, Y-Films’ first venture LUV KA THE END. There’s talk that LADIES VS RICKY BAHL also borrows from another movie, SPREAD [2009; Ashton Kutcher] and also from Jeffrey Archer’s novel ‘Not A Penny More, Not A Penny Less’. In the existing circumstances, making a bare-faced rip off would be blasphemous [read copyright issues]. However, I’d like to add, LADIES VS RICKY BAHL takes the same route as Yash Raj’s earlier success BUNTY AUR BABLI. Actually, there’s no commonality between BUNTY AUR BABLI and LADIES VS RICKY BAHL, except that both have the con angle as the wallpaper. But comparisons apart, it’s a novel, contemporary tale [story: Aditya Chopra].
Dimple [Parineeti Chopra], a brash Delhi girl falls in love with Sunny, a fitness trainer. Raina [Dipannita Sharma], an independent and successful corporate woman in Mumbai, does business with an art dealer Deven. Saira [Aditi Sharma], a hard working widow in Lucknow, makes a new friend, the shy Iqbal. Three different girls who get taken for a ride by three different men.
The problem is, it is actually one man — Ricky Bahl [Ranveer Singh], a suave and charming con-man, who revels in the game and is only chasing money.
A chance encounter brings these three women together, who vow to track down Ricky Bahl and get their money back. The next step is the actual plan. Enter Ishika [Anushka Sharma], a young and ambitious girl. The game is set in Goa…
If the promos give an indication that it’s just another con flick or an extension of BAND BAAJA BAARAAT, you’re in for a bolt from the blue. It’s not! What’s common is that LADIES VS RICKY BAHL also has ingeniously written characters and some truly engaging moments. While the first story [involving Parineeti] stands out, the second story [Dipannita] is strictly okay, while the third [Aditi] is not as convincing.
LADIES VS RICKY BAHL is a film of today and the women here are not abla naaris who will sit back and weep, but seek vengeance or at least get even with the offender. However, the screenplay [Devika Bhagat] isn’t able to tap the potential that the plot provides. That’s because the ploys that Anushka and her gang of girls employ to get even with Ranveer come across as preposterous and outlandish at times. Because the tricks played by the girls are unreal than sensible, even the youngsters may not really enjoy the drama in its entirety. Also, the film dips in the post-interval portions and tends to get sluggish as well. Fortunately, the director ensures that the film gets back on track and rounds off with a pounding culmination.
Director Maneesh Sharma has handled a number of sequences expertly. The start [the Delhi episode] is most enjoyable and the concluding portions are equally captivating. It’s the in between that vacillates between ordinary and absorbing. Coming from Maneesh Sharma, the director of one of the best films of 2010, one expected a lot more meat from the proceedings. Habib Faisal’s dialogue are incredibly witty, with the humor delicately woven in the one-liners. Music composers Salim-Sulaiman and lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya join hands to create high-octane, full-of-energy tracks. ‘Aadat Se Majboor’ and ‘Jazba’ are vibrant, while ‘Thug Le’, during the end credits, stands out for its choreography. Aseem Mishra’s cinematography is top notch.
LADIES VS RICKY BAHL projects Anushka in immaculate light, bestowing her the opportunity to ascertain yet another facet of her persona, which was hitherto unidentified by spectators. Exuding solid screen presence, Anushka wows you with her natural elucidation of the character. Ranveer is the scene stealer here. He’s charismatic, spontaneous and glides into his character with amazing ease. He, most definitely, has the aptitude to go places if he chooses the right films and makes the accurate career moves.
Parineeti Chopra springs a pleasant surprise. She has wonderful screen presence and acts freely. In fact, the viewers would take to her character instantly. Dipannita Sharma carries off her part with poise and grace, while Aditi Sharma is subdued, but natural to the core. The actor enacting the role of Parineeti’s father is first-rate.
On the whole, LADIES VS RICKY BAHL is, at best, a decent fare, which appeals in parts. The film starts well, even ends well. It’s the in between that’s plain ordinary. One definitely expected more from the director of the immensely likeable BAND BAAJA BAARAAT. Ideally, the film merits a two-and-a-half star rating, but that extra half star is for Ranveer and Anushka, who steal your heart with truly striking performances.
13.12.11 / Bollywood / Author: timepasss / Comments: (0)
‘Ramayana’ has often been adapted on the small screen as well as the big screen. Perhaps, for the first time, a film-maker has attempted to make a present-day version of the epic focusing on the relationship between Raavan and Vibhishan. They aren’t brothers in this particular case, but they share a brotherly bond. The relationship goes kaput when they get into a conflict involving a lady. Their lives, thereafter, are not the same. Quite an interesting concept for a film. And an attention-grabbing title too.
First-time director Maqbool Khan borrows the principal characters from the epic, places them in present-day North India, but modifies the plot [giving the characters different names as well], thereby giving a completely novel twist to the tale, which sheds light on the tumultuous relationship shared by Raavan and Vibhishan. On paper, yes, the concept does catch your attention, but the true test lies in making the moviegoer stay glued to the goings-on for the next two hours. LANKA has some spellbinding moments, but they are few and far between to leave an indelible impression.
LANKA is an emotional journey of man [Arjan Bajwa] torn between the loyalty for his mentor Jaswant [Manoj Bajpayee] and the empathy he feels for Anju [Tia Bajpai], who is trapped and held captive by Jaswant. It’s a journey of a man who would be termed a traitor by some and righteous by others. LANKA is about love, loyalty, betrayal and justice.
It’s apparent that Maqbool understands his characters thoroughly and gives us an insight into their past to understand them better. But the film’s foremost lapse is its meandering script and the gaping holes cannot be ignored. We are told that Tia and her parents have been trapped by Manoj and Manoj seeks sexual favors from Tia time and again. The first question that crosses your mind is, what actually led Tia’s family to submit to Manoj’s unforgivable demands? The subsequent portions would’ve made a lot of sense if this issue was addressed, although Tia fleetingly mentions about it, but offers no back story about how it all started.
Another point that cannot be ignored pertains to Arjan. If he felt so strongly about Tia, why doesn’t he escape with her, thus setting her free from Manoj’s clutches and atrocities? They decide to do so in the very end. Why not earlier? Also, the finale is not convincing at all. The entire drama, which leads to a violent culmination, looks farcical and is difficult to absorb. Besides, the conflict is resolved in the most clichéd manner. Clearly, the writer chooses an unconventional premise, but doesn’t squeeze it to the maximum. The slow pacing of the movie is another turn off.
Notwithstanding the shaky script, Maqbool Khan has handled a number of sequences with competency. A few dramatic moments, especially the tension-filled ones, have been handled skillfully. Note the sequence at the brothel. It’s brilliant! Besides, Maqbool’s well aware that given the genre of the film, there’s not much scope for songs in the narrative and a couple of songs that are incorporated, have been done smartly. I’d like to make a mention of the camerawork, which captures the landscape as well as the edgy drama with dexterity.
LANKA belongs to Manoj Bajpayee, who delivers a commanding performance. He handles the toughest moments and carries the smart lines without any hiccups. Arjan doesn’t get many lines to deliver, but he conveys through his eyes and expressions. He’s earnest. Tia gets a few moments to shine. Yashpal Sharma is bankable. Yatin Karyekar leaves a mark. A capable actor like Manish Chaudhary is wasted this time. Shweta Salve sizzles in the item number.
On the whole, LANKA has some shining moments, but they are few and far between.
13.12.11 / Bollywood / Author: timepasss / Comments: (0)
This year Bollywood has seen many debutants shine on the silver screen and yet another newcomer is all set to make his big screen debut this week. We are talking about Sunny Gill who would be seen in Jo Hum Chahein which releases this Friday (Dec 16).
Bollywood Hungama gives you a chance to have a live video chat with Sunny Gill on Wednesday, December 14, at 1615 hrs IST. Don’t miss!
