Talaash: the search is on for paranormal activity

Aamir Khan and Kareena give real  powerhouse performances in Talaash. Aamir is fantastic as the dutiful but uninspired cop, Surjan Singh Sekhawat, who battles silently his private demons. And Kareena has never been better than as the enigmatic streetwalker “Rosy”,  who turns up at every corner. or would she be spelled “roz-i”.. Rani Mukherjee as Aamir’s wife, gives a finely nuanced performance as grieving mother, who lost her child in a  freak accident and looks for solace. The movie portrays so accurately what happens in a family where a child dies, it gets deep under your skin.

A movie star dies, apparently a suicide. Search is on for the motive. It gets murky pretty fast and leads us into Mumbai’s underbelly. Simultaneously alluring and revolting. I bet it’s pretty realistic, touching upon the fate of the poor and undeserved. Aging prostitutes, brutal pimps, cripples who haven’t got a fair shot in life. We feel for them, even though not with pity, just as  observers and as we are counting our blessings.

Talaash claws you into your seat without external props which are so popular these days. There are no flying fighting bravura acts, no muscle flexing, no car chases knocking over vegetable charts and mowing into crowds. None of it. Refreshing. (almost none of it…)

And I loved the twist, the brush with the paranormal. The medium was as scary as the aunties in Rosemary’s Baby.  Even though that part lost its luster pretty fast and it felt like gliding back into the familiar: Bollywood’s plot holes. More could have been done with that.

But I couldn’t get over Kareena’s performance, as convincing as streetwalker as she was as a ghost. Her costumes were priceless, vampy, sophistication with a good dash of hood, cheap enough to be making us believe in her metier, but classy nonetheless. Only Kareena can pull that off!

Aamir’s cop is straight-forward, the cop you want to have on your murder or suicide case. I am no friend of the moustache, but it fit his role perfectly.

I think this is one of Aamir’s best performances to date. Good script. Great direction.

Directed by Reema Kagti.

Screenplay: Zoya Akhtar and Reema Kagti

produced by Aamir Khan, Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani

Aamir Khan: the magician with the golden touch

 

Anything Aamir touches turns into gold. We all know that. But it’s not just a magic trick. No, he listens to people, to their concerns, what moves them. He is reading society like a book. Then he starts thinking… for a looooooong time he does just that.  You can hear Aamir thinking during the long silences when he seems to disappear from watchful Bollywood eyes. You know the jolly monster that glows in the dark with hundred thousand eyes and then spits out gossip, lots of it, well, he knows how to hide from it.  Aamir has found a way of tricking the Bollywood-Yeti into believing nothing is going on with him… and then he appears on stage and pulls out

 

 

 

And everyone is in awe. This time it’s a TV show which promises to cover a lot of grey areas.  Satyamev Jayate  promises to become the desi Oprah show, the desi Wikileaks.

The first episode dealt with the barbaric practice of female foeticide and it got a HUGE response.  I hope he will focus on a couple of other issues, such as animal cruelty, the need for nationwide and organized sanitation program, garbage collection, public waste baskets,  which I still haven’t discovered yet, not even one! OMG, so many issues I can think of, starting from minimal wages which should be raised, child labor,  abuse of young daughter in laws, touching upon  the very difficult subject of  homosexuality… I wonder how far Aamir will go and what he will investigate next.

Meanwhile, he successfully shook up the nation with his first show. It will be interesting to see what follows.

 

 

read up on the show and how  100,000 people called in after the show to talk to Aamir..

movie_story.aspx?ID=ENTEN20120202290&subcatg=MOVIESINDIA&keyword=bollywood&nid=207996

 

One last thing, people who criticize Aamir and claim he is preachy are probably those who got good cards dealt in life. I think it’s wonderful that he takes up the concern of people, that he cares. He puts himself out and tries to make a difference. He could have made another gory movie like Ghajini, which was gold at the B.O., instead he chose to use his fame, his time to create a show that might change the mindset of people, and opens their eyes towards something unjust that they keep ignoring partly because they don’t know how to fix it. I salute Aamir for what he is trying to do. I hope  he will make this show available on DVD – with subtitles, and I wish him great success.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

my favorite Aamir Khan song from Raja Hindustani

I don’t know why but the doors of my heart fly wide open whenever I watch this video and listen to this beautiful melody.

IIFA heads back to Singapore. Why not NY, may I ask?

I am so jealous… I would love if this event  just once would take place in Manhattan!

I guess NY wouldn’t be such a great idea, afterall,  since there are too many actors named Khan that will run the risk to be detained at JFK…mistaken as possible security threats to the USA. Just imagine the ruckus, they couldn’t deal with Shahrukh, our Bollywood luminary, and he is only ONE Khan!!!!   now add:

Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Farah Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Imran Khan, Irrfan Khan,Saif Ali Khan…(well, they better don’t mess with him! could lead to a bloody nose)

Another solution would be to hold IIFA directly at Kennedy. Glam up the airport! Dress up   Homeland Security agents in Bollywood attire, let them swing a leg while they do their multiple background checks :-)

 

 

 

 

It’s back to Singapore for IIFA this year

Eight years after showcasing Bollywood’s wonder in Singapore, the International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) is heading back to the City of Lions for its annual weekend and awards, to be held June 7-9.

Singapore will host the 13th edition of IIFA, which will have fashion shows, a musical extravaganza, and all the celebrations culminating into a glittering awards presentation ceremony.

“Our focus is to showcase the best of Indian cinema to the world. With the unparalleled success of IIFA Singapore in 2004, we are back here to relive the magic,” Sabbas Joseph, director, Wizcraft International Entertainment, said in a statement.

“We have only just opened the Wizcraft Event Management operations in Singapore and are delighted to showcase our most prestigious creation, IIFA once again in Singapore. We hope that the IIFA’s help bring India and Singapore closer together,” he added.

Bollywood stars Anil Kapoor and Bipasha Basu were here to unveil this year’s IIFA venue.

“It has been my pleasure to be associated with IIFA for over a decade and once again, on behalf of IIFA and the Indian film industry, we commit to give our audience in Singapore the opportunity to witness one of the finest celebrations of culture and cinema ever held,” said Anil, who is awaiting the release of his film “Tezz”.

Bipasha, looking resplendent in a white sari by designer Anamika Khanna, added: “IIFA is the most respected cinema awards and something I look forward to every year.

“It’s a great opportunity for me to be here in Singapore personally to represent Indian cinema on such a global platform. I’m sure that this year’s IIFA will be a phenomenal success.”

The IIFA awards this year are presented by Videocon Industries and Wizcraft International Entertainment, and supported by the Singapore Tourism Board.

The 2004 IIFA award ceremony witnessed a contingent of over 450 stars, celebrities, cricketers, industrialists and government leaders over the festive weekend.

The impact of IIFA Singapore was experienced across tourism influx, investments into Singapore and closer ties between India and Singapore.

This year, they hope for more.

Last year, the award ceremony was held in Toronto. – IANS

Good Luck to Aamir Khan with his TV debut Satyamev Jayate!

That’s exciting and I wish I could only watch it…shocks.  I will have to invite myself to friends’ houses but helas, even then I won’t understand a word. I like the promo. I like the song. I am sure it will be a super success! Not because Aamir is a perfectionist but because he is intelligent and charismatic and open-minded..

Here is to someone who can keep a secret. Cheers!  :-)

Opus Aamir. Oprah Aamir…

Satyamev Jayate airs: Sunday 11am on Star Plus

 

 

 

Aamir Khan set to debut on TV with his chat show Satyamev Jayte

 

Most of the big Bollywood films see a gala music launch ahead of their release. But a music launch of a TV show was unheard of in the Indian showbiz.However, Aamir Khan launched the music of his upcoming TV chat show Satyamev Jayte. The Perfectionist Khan of Bollywood hogged the limelight yet again holding the event in Mumbai.Aamir had been very discreet about his show until this event. So, when he announced the music launch of his show, it grabbed all eyeballs.“This is my life’s most crucial step. I have done many films which are close to my heart, but if I find anything really close to my heart then it is this TV show,” Aamir said announcing his debut on small screen with Satyamev Jayte.

“I have been working on this project for two years. Many people did not know what I was doing during these two years. I was working on the TV show all this while… Probably this is my most ambitious project till today,” he added.

 

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/aamir-khan-set-to-debut-on-tv-with-his-chat-show-satyamev-jayte/1/184324.html

PK’s 3 sages: Aamir Khan, Hirani, Chopra

I have to ask this:  What is a “comedy drama?” a comedry? a dramecom? will we cry, will we laugh…

and the other thing i wanted to know is why do all Bollywood stars venture into TV lately?

Aamir Khan teaming up again with Hirani and Chopra

 

Superstar Aamir Khan had earlier joined hands with Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra for the movie 3 Idiots, which became Blockbuster movie, besides setting several new records at the Box Office. Now, Bollywood actor is all set to team up again for a comedy drama, which has tentatively been titled film PK.

In a chat with PTI, Rajkumar Hirani has confirmed that the scripting of the film PK has already been done. Meanwhile, Aamir Khan has also admitted that he is joining hands with Hirani and Chopra for the film. He said that he has gone through the script and liked it. He added that he once again wants to play the role Raju, which he had reprised in 3 Idots.

“I would love to do Raju’s (Hirani) film. But I want him to make the announcement. The script is very good. Raju is a very good director and a very good human being. We have spoken about a film, but it is better if he announces it.” Aamir Khan had told PTI on the day of his birthday.

However, Aamir Khan has recently finished the shooting for director Reema Kagti’s psychological thriller Talaash. Currently, he is concentrating on the filming of his debut television show, which is to be aired on Star Plus in September. After completing the show, he is likely to take up the promotion of Talaash.

Happy Birthday, Rani Mukherjee!

 

 

Born in 1978,  in Calcutta, Rani Mukherjee has graced the silver screen since she’s 18 years old.   Known for her beauty as well as her distinctive husky raspy voice, she has been the IT girl in Indian cinema until pretty recently.  Her break-through role by which she will be always lovingly remembered was  in Karan Johar’s directorial debut, the wildly successful Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.

From there on her career took the stellar path.  Chori Chori,  Chalte Chalte,  Kal Ho Naa Ho,  Kabhi Kushi Kabhi Gham are only a few of the wonderful films in which she delighted us with her charm and warmth.  She is a natural in front of the camera and just as beguiling now as she was 20 years ago.  I hope some good roles will come her way.

Talaash is already looming at the horizon, where she will play alongside Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Genre mystery, with  illustrous writers like  Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap,  it could just catapult her back into the limelight and front-covers of magazines.

 

 

She’ll be also starring alongside the Malayalam  movie star Prithviraj  in  Aiyaa,  another movie co-produced and written by the man [ whose yearbook,  if there was one,  was signed most likely insomniac]  Anurag Kashyap,  directed by  Sachin Kundalkar.

 

 

So for all the Rani Mukherjee fans, who deplored her scarce appearances of late or some not so impressive movies she was part in, this promises to be a good year!

 

chalte chalte… loved the movie xcept for the lil geographic screw-up (driving from Mykonos to Athens, without drowning)

Happy Birthday, Aamir!

 

 

Aamir Khan is turning 47 today.  He says he is not going to celebrate.  and it’s true, 47 is an odd number.  3 years to go until you feel really old (in the filmi industry).  As If 40 isn’t bad enough, but adding the number 7 makes it feel immediately like a dreary cloudy day.   At 48 you start feeling better because you are not 50 yet.   49 you can deceive yourself , you are still 40.  And then comes the Big Bang.  

Actually, if we use a numerologist or pandit or astrologer or one of the guys, you know who you are,  who turns Singh is King into Singh is Kinnnng, one of these guys who fiddles around with titles to give them a zodiac-success-friendly alterego, we could turn the 47 into 4777…. although it will make Aamir look a tad too biblical perhaps….

however you want to put it,  47 can’t be a great birthday, we agree on that, but you can say this:

Dekhiye..sab log~ Look  at what I have accomplished in my 40s.  I have given the world Rang De Basanti, Fanaa, Ghajini, Taare Zameen Par, 3 Idiots and Mumbai Diaries and a TV show (right??)  I produced Peepli Live and I gave you my nephew. And all of that in only 7 years.

 

Happy Birthday, Aamir!  We love you. We can’t wait for Talaash and whatever else you bestow on us….

 

one of your fans.

Who’s King in Bollywood?

Numero Uno. This is not an easy question to answer! Ever since I started watching Bollywood movies a few years back, I recall  this debate  going on, correction: Raging on! cuz nothing is taken lightly in India…  To the chagrin of  the stars and their entourages involved and to the amusement of audiences – like me, the heated debate of who is Nr.1  is a gladiator fight of gladiatorist proportions. We are in awe.  Let’s look at the contenders. Throughout the 80s 90s up to today this hard-fought for position has been held by a variety of stars:

Shah Rukh Khan  Some call him King.  Some call him dated.  Since his flamboyant debut in Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,  he has been the frontrunner. Not just because of his movies, but the man is just Mr. Charisma Inc.  SRK has a long list of hits under his belt. He’s the desi equivalent of a Beatle in the 60s. When he’s in a generous mood he will come to the balcony of his home and wave to his fans. Yes, he is THAT big. and on top, the most charismatic of all the Indian actors. When he talks to people he will make steel melt, he’s so personable. His last movies were commercial successes but the throne is standing on slippery grounds. Personally, I couldn’t connect to any of his last five or six films. I wasn’t crazy about any but you can’t say that loud because he has millions of fans who will die for him and who will go on barricades. I think he needs not to worry. If #1 is passe, we’ll invent a new category for him.  (like they do at the Zee awards..) or we’ll just make him a Lifetime Hero.

 

 

Aamir Khan.  That doesn’t sit well with Aamir and no. they are not brothers. They are  frenemies, less fr more en.  He has made a few good movies.  His wife Kiran Rao is also someone to watch.  A powerful union.  Aamir pretends he doesn’t care if he is #1 or #2 but that’s bullshit.  I mean this man is box office gold and doesn’t need to worry about public placements. I loved him best in his older movies and my favorite is Earth!  He makes really good movies.  He is known as a perfectionist, so he takes his sweet time to get it right. People say he is shy. But he is not so shy when it comes to promote his movies! I am looking fwd to his next.

 

an older picture but he looks so sexy here :-)

 

Salman Khan, who has been called dead and history more than once ALWAYS bounces back. He has found the success formula with his heroes. But they are getting old. And so does he.  Whenever he reemerges with his big world embracing smile he holds firmly in his fist Box Office Numbers. They are on his side. For the time being. Salman is a party crasher as much as he is a honey-bee. I know lots of people who say he’s the one and only king. The best thing is, he believes it.  The beautiful thing about Salman is his eternal optimism.  It will keep him in the cradle of his all adoring fans.

 

 

 

 

 

Hrithik Roshan . I love the fact that he is back on the throne and people start putting him back into  a possible #1 position. Who would have thought after  Kites and Guzaarish? those movies could have easily been the nails for the fame coffin.  I was sure, he’d phoenix himself out of it.  I liked Kites, btw. couldn’t understand why it was demolished. I celebrate his return with his last two hits:  Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara and Agneepath.  It feels like he has never left the stadium. Here, Hrithik, you earned the laurels! We’ll make you Kaiser.

 

 

 

 

There is hope then for Akshay Kumar‘s big come-back. I know it’s around the corner. His fans have never abandoned him. He has a steady footing. He is just such an adorable guy. It’s hard not to love him.  I wrote about him in a different post, so I  would  just reiterate which is boring.  Akshay dearest, I will always love you, adore you and watch all your movies.   for therapeutic reasons.  much cheaper than a shrink and less fattening than digging into a pot of chocolate icecream.  It must be the punjabi background  that fills him with irresistible flair and energy… Punjabis know how to celebrate!

 

this picture didn’t come bigger. but you are, in our hearts… :-)

 

 

Fact is, in India, you can be launched into the Nr.1 position with one single boxoffice success, and the movie can stink, the acting being rainbow high over the top. If it appeals to the masses and turns box office revenues into golden cows, you’ll be Nr. One.  But that’s not the only reason. Who is King in Bollywood depends largely on politics, not on movies.

Fans are politically divided and so are their opinions on their stars. Indian fans are not your regular star struck fans. They are MOLOTOV cocktails!!  just go to the Indian cinema board on Imdb and throw in a catch phrase, Aamir Khan is the best!  see what happens.

In my humble opinion, I am not Muslim, Hindu or Quarterback, all these stars will have to take a deep breath because YOUNGER ones will be tomorrow’s superstars. But maybe the whole concept is antiquated.  Maybe that era is already fading. Kids have shorter attention spans. They will not come in drones anymore  and wait for days to get a glimpse of their adored King XYZ. They won’t have time. The economy and making good money will keep them busy. Kingdoms are so yesterday.

 

 

Except the kingdom of  Amitabh Bachchan.

and let’s not get started on the Queens….