London Dreams : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

In real life, if you feel your colleague is far more superior to you in intelligence, talent, charisma, efficiency, chances are you might feel the heat. Jealousy, generally, stems from there. In the process, the best of relations get strained. LONDON DREAMS, directed by Vipul Shah, talks of two musicians, thick pals actually, and how jealousy drives a wedge in their friendship.

Let's clear a few myths before discussing the positive and negative factors of this film. LONDON DREAMS is not BAIJU BAWRA. LONDON DREAMS is not ROCK ON!!, ABHIMAAN, YAARANA or SAAJAN either [a section of the industry wants us to believe that]. The truth is, LONDON DREAMS borrows from Milos Forman's brilliant film AMADEUS [1984], which was based on Salieri and Mozart's life. In fact, Suneel Darshan too had made a film based on AMADEUS called SHAKALAKA BOOM BOOM [2007; Bobby Deol, Upen Patel]. 

LONDON DREAMS is a complete departure from Vipul Shah's earlier outings, AANKHEN, WAQT, NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG [produced by Vipul, directed by Anees Bazmee]. This film is about relationships and tends to get very real and intense, in the post-interval portions specifically. The scale of LONDON DREAMS is gigantic and the execution of concerts [it's about a band] sweeps you off your feet.  

In terms of execution, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that LONDON DREAMS is amongst Vipul Shah's most accomplished works to date. Also, it boasts of incredible performances by Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn. But there are hiccups too and it's these deficiencies that bog the film down!

They were childhood friends. But they had little in common except their family's connection with music. While Arjun's [Ajay Devgn] life was consumed by a passionate drive to get on stage and realize his grandfather's unfulfilled dream, Mannu [Salman Khan] was content with remaining a child at heart with no higher ambition than enjoying the good things in life.

As Arjun forges a band with Zoheb [Rannvijay Singh], Wasim [Aditya Roy Kapur] and Priya [Asin], a music enthusiast from a conservative South Indian family, far away in Punjab, music becomes a survival tool for Mannu, who takes to playing in wedding bands in his village.

Arjun gets Mannu to London and makes him a part of the band, but soon realizes he's created the biggest threat and obstacle to his own ambitions.

Mannu, with his inherent musical gift, becomes an instant darling of the crowds. Arjun's unbearable pangs of jealousy and insecurity only worsen when Mannu also unwittingly woos and wins his secret love, Priya. As he battles his inner demons, Arjun slowly devises a sinister plan to destroy his best friend.

It takes time to get into Ajay's world [its Ajay who's narrating the story here]. The film moves back and forth and it's only when the two buddies, now adults, meet that you realize where the story is headed. The first hour depicts the two extreme characters - Ajay, who's an introvert and who cannot think of anything but his goal and Salman, a happy-go-lucky guy, laidback and fun-loving, least focused.

The narrative has some interesting moments in the first hour, but the actual story unravels only towards the second half. The first half, frankly, only sets things up for the explosive drama that is to follow. The wheels start moving when Ajay plays a vicious game and hatches a conspiracy to ruin his buddy's career.

It's the second hour that does the trick. You can't help but carry several sequences in your heart, even after you've made an exit from the auditorium...

• Note the scene when Salman makes four different tunes from the original tune created by Ajay.
• Note the scene when Ajay meets an inebriated Salman and professes revenge, while Salman is completely clueless about Ajay's sinister plans.
• Note the scene when the band arrives in London after a 3-city concert and they're received by aggressive mediapersons.

But there're roadblocks too. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music is a downer. LONDON DREAMS is about a rock band, about music, about concerts and the music had to be the soul of the film. Unfortunately, it's not! The songs have been filmed in the most energetic fashion, but how one wishes the music was one of the strengths of the film.

Also, the film could've concluded when the two friends re-unite at the station. Adding one more song thereafter only dilutes the impact of the emotionally correct sequence that has just been witnessed. Besides, the song in question hasn't been promoted either, so it only comes across as an aberration.

Prior to that, Ajay's outburst at the end of the concert is far from convincing. The film has a real feel, real characters and real situations, but the outburst looks unreal and is one of the drawbacks, from the writing point of view. It's just not convincing!

Besides, Ajay's childhood character is shown fleeing from the airport and making it big in a foreign land [London], without any support whatsoever. It's unpalatable!

Vipul Shah has handled this intricate subject well, but the writing could've been tighter. Sejal Shah's cinematography is super. Brownie points for capturing the concerts brilliantly. Salim-Sulaiman's background score matches international standards.

Both Salman and Ajay vie for top honours. Salman has a role that the junta would take to instantly and the actor too endears himself to the viewers. He's stupendous. When it comes to displaying intensity on screen, very few can live up to the standards set by Ajay. To state that he packs in a power-packed performance would be an understatement. They, in fact, compliment each other wonderfully well.

Asin is admirable and pairs off very well with Salman. She is sure to have a new name after this film - Chennai Express [that's how Salman addresses her affectionately, all through the film]. Om Puri has a brief role. Aditya Roy Kapur is very good and registers an impact. Rannvijay Singh doesn't get much to do, except throw nasty looks at Salman. Manoj Pahwa provides some funny moments. Brinda Parekh is okay.

On the whole, LONDON DREAMS has superb performances from its principal cast and several emotionally-charged sequences as its two trump cards. But its biggest drawback is its climax and also the music, which is the weakest link of the movie. At the box-office, the film should appeal more to the multiplex audience than the masses. Business at big centres, especially at metros, should be better, but mini-metros and towns will be a contrast.

 

Asin does a Priyanka, faints!

The race to stay in shape is affecting the health of B-town’s actresses. First Priyanka Chopra fainted and now Asin.

She passed out at an Andheri club because of non-stop interviews that she had to give for her latest film, London Dreams. She had to be revived by her staff and friends by instant energy boosters.

Asin rested at home on her birthday yesterday and stated that the reason she fainted was because she had slept for barely 3-4 hours last week and on that day, she had no sleep or food. But she was making it up by spending a restful birthday.

On Sunday night, her closest friends came over to dinner after which they made her cut the cake at midnight.

Earlier, when she came home in the evening, her parents had done up the entire house with balloons, like they used to when she was younger.

She admits that this was the best birthday of her life. The later part of the day was spent with children from her building.

Ref : http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=32256

Shahrukh to be roped in by Boyle?

Rumor mills are abuzz with the news that Shahrukh Khan and Danny Boyle of the Slumdog Millionaire fame could be working together soon. The film is supposed to be directed by Anurag Kashyap and will be produced by Boyle. Though there is no official confirmation on the same, SRK and Boyle are all set to meet in Doha for the 21st century Leaders Award and something might be finalized there.

Aamir works towards tourism

Aamir Khan and Rakeysh Kumar Mehra have come together after their blockbuster, Rang De Basanti to create not a film this time but a short film about tourism in India and to encourage foreign nationals to visit India. Aamir has also done earlier some short films on tourism in India and this assignment is not new to either Rakeysh or Aamir. It is also said that the film maker would be shooting few more films.

Salman mobbed in ground

Salman was all in the mood to play some good cricket at the Nehru stadium in Indore. But unfortunately the event had to be cancelled as he was mobbed by an unruly crowd. The crowd went berserk and landed up on the playground thereby causing a security threat. Salman was whisked away by the organizers and bodyguards. A few people were also injured and the match had to be cancelled.

All The Best : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

Sometimes, we laugh at movies. At times, we laugh in movies. Thankfully, ALL THE BEST, helmed by Rohit Shetty, belongs to the latter type.

ALL THE BEST makes no claims of catering to the intelligentsia or the elite. Instead, it's aimed at those who want to spend two hours of their precious life flexing their facial muscles. ALL THE BEST is for those who expect fun and laughter unlimited in those two hours. This one makes you smile, laugh, even break into a guffaw at times. 

The jokes and the goings-on may appear silly, but who cares! As long as one feels positive and wears a smile on the face even after the show has ended, nothing else matters.

Comedy is serious business and Rohit Shetty is a pro at this genre now. This time, the talented director seeks inspiration from RIGHT BED, WRONG HUSBAND and what works to the advantage are two factors - the written material and the right casting. Both are just right!

From time to time, it has been noticed that some films are made with the motive of keeping you entertained. ALL THE BEST is one of those films. Go, have a blast this Diwali!

Veer [Fardeen Khan], a singer by profession, is greedy of extracting extra pocket money from his brother Dharam [Sanjay Dutt], a business-honcho. Veer lies to Dharam that he has got married and his friend Prem [Ajay Devgn], a concept car expert, lends a helping hand in cooking up this alibi.

Veer is in love with Vidya [Mugdha Godse], but has qualified in the hate list of her father. Prem is happily married to Jhanvi [Bipasha Basu], who takes care of his ancestor's outdated gymnasium. Veer and Prem land up in debts as they had opted for a short-cut to earn easy money.

The two get into a bigger soup when Dharam pays a sudden visit to their place. Time does not give a chance and unavoidable circumstances arouse such situations that Prem's wife Jhanvi is mistaken for Veer's and Veer's girlfriend for Prem's.

Like his previous films, director Rohit Shetty rests the story on multiple characters, with a dozen odd actors in supporting roles. With so many characters in the film, it generally tends to get confusing, but ALL THE BEST has an easy-to-comprehend story and a trouble-free and uncomplicated screenplay [Robin Bhatt and Yunus Sajawal].

Ten minutes into the film and you know that ALL THE BEST is all about mistaken identities. But the proceedings actually take off when Sanju enters the scene. That's when you get drawn into this madcap world completely.

A number of sequences are howlarious. Note Johny Lever's intro. Ditto for Sanjay Mishra's track. Also, when Johny Lever regains his voice - towards the climax - it's sooooo funny. On the flip side, the pace drops in the middle of the second hour. Also Pritam's musical score is uninspiring and the songs act as speed breakers.

Rohit Shetty is in top form and his team of writers, Robin and Yunus, contribute enormously in making this film watchable. Dudley's cinematography is perfect. Farhad - Sajid and Bunty Rathore's dialogue are very much in sync with the mood of the film. In fact, a few one-liners are extremely witty.

Sanju portrays his part well. His sequences with Ajay are truly fantastic. But the show-stopper is undoubtedly Ajay, whose comic timing is only getting better. He plays to the gallery completely and delivers a sparkling performance. Fardeen needs to loosen up, though he makes a sincere attempt. Bipasha is sweet, while Mugdha doesn't get much scope. Amongst supporting actors, Johny Lever and Sanjay Mishra are in terrific form. Mukesh Tiwari, Vijay Patkar, Ashwini Kalsekar and Atul Parchure lend credible report.

On the whole, ALL THE BEST is fun and laughter unlimited. At the box-office, the festive period coupled with the solid track record of Ajay Devgn and Rohit Shetty and also the strong merits will ensure ample footfalls at cineplexes, making its investors laugh all the way to the bank. Recommended!

 

Blue : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

BLUE, the most awaited movie of the year, with its canvas as huge as the ocean, comes alive on the Hindi screen this Friday. Like every biggie, this one also comes with the baggage of monumental expectations. With tremendous hype surrounding it, the inescapable question that crosses your mind is, will BLUE live up to those colossal expectations? 


Let me keep it concise and to the point. You haven't watched something like this on the Hindi screen before. Never ever!  

It requires courage, willpower, fortitude, vision and of course, the financial backing to accomplish a project of this magnitude. And debutante director Anthony D'Souza puts his skills and the financial resources to best use. BLUE is not merely a stunning looking film, it's also a well structured film. Most importantly, it's a solid entertainer that packs in so much in those 1.58 hours.

Final word? Go, grab a ticket, if you haven't booked one yet. This under-sea treasure hunt is a kickass film. A must-see for all those who love adventure flicks.

BLUE is set in the sun-soaked white sand beaches of Bahamas. Sagar [Sanjay Dutt] is a simpleton, while his friend Aarav [Akshay Kumar] is a rich, ambitious businessman.

Sagar's brother Sameer aka Sam [Zayed Khan] has inadvertently managed to rankle the mafia in Bangkok [Rahul Dev]. He flees Bangkok and arrives in Bahamas. But the dangerous men reach Bahamas too. Sagar is the sole person who can bail him out from this crisis, but to save his brother, Sagar has to wrestle with the ghost of his dead father.

If you're a die-hard moviegoer, you'd draw parallels with a lot of international projects [especially THE DEEP] that were set in the ocean. In Bollywood, flashes of the Dharmendra - Jeetendra starrer SAMRAAT cross your mind instantaneously, but comparing the two is akin to comparing chalk and cheese.

BLUE grabs your attention from its opening titles itself. The marine life, which you may've watched on National Geographic Channel or Animal Planet, comes alive in all splendour at the start itself.

The story is uncomplicated and Anthony D'Souza garnishes it beautifully. If the aquatic life keeps your eyes wide open, the action sequences are sure to make your jaws drop to your knees. The bike chase at the start, yet another chase subsequently, the chase soon after the interval [atop a running train] is simply astounding.

Anthony's expertise comes to the fore in several sequences. One sequence that needs to be singled out is when Sanju narrates the tragic past, how he was responsible for his father's death. It's simply incredible!

Major portions of the film have been filmed in the ocean and you can't stop admiring and appreciating the enormous contribution of the underwater cinematographer [Pete Zuccarini]. The lighting in those sequences deserves special mention. Also, the underwater sequences, which feature aquatic life like puffer fish, stingrays and sharks, hold tremendous appeal. Cinematography [Laxman Utekar] is gorgeous.

On the flip side, the climax could've been more impactful. The villain's track looks cliched, but you tend to overlook the minor aberration since the film never falls prey to mediocrity.

Anthony D'Souza is a director to watch. This film has style as well as substance. Also, it requires courage and conviction to think out of the box and most importantly, execute the material with panache. There's not much scope for music in an action thriller, yet A.R. Rahman's score suits the requirements. The Kylie Minogue track - 'Chiggy Wiggy' - is already popular. Sanju and Lara's romantic track - 'Aaj Dil' - is sensuous. The song at the end credits - 'Fiqrana' - has a lot of energy.

Sound design [Resul Pookutty] is fantastic. Action scenes [James D. Bomalick and R.P. Yadav] are a treat and, in fact, one of the mainstays of the film. Dialogues [Mayur Puri] are effective, while the screenplay [Anthony D'Souza and Jasmine D'Souza] is well thought-out, especially towards the second hour.

Sanjay Dutt carries his part well, although he looks very well-fed in some scenes. Akshay Kumar steals the show with a sterling performance. This would easily classify amongst his best works. Zayed Khan is highly competent. This, despite the fact that he's sharing the screen space with two hugely experienced actors.

Lara Dutta has never looked so good before. Though the story revolves around the guys, you can't overlook Lara's small but significant contribution to the film. Katrina Kaif [sp. app.] looks gorgeous and performs exceedingly well. The feminine charm [at the start specifically] would send the youth in a frenzy. Rahul Dev is first-rate. Kabir Bedi is hardly there.

On the whole, BLUE has style as well as substance. The film has everything going in its favour, right from its incredible star cast to the superb action scenes to the hitherto unseen marine life to the tremendous hype and hoopla. At the box-office, BLUE will strike like a hurricane in the festive week. It should set new benchmarks in days to come. In short, the business will be humungous.

 

 

I am not doing Raas Leela: Mugdha Godse

She hit the jackpot with her debut film "Fashion", which released last Diwali, and her second release "All The Best" is also arriving in time for the festival of lights. Mugdha Godse says she is excited and hopes she will be lucky again.

"I am very excited because last Diwali was extremely lucky for me and with 'All The Best' releasing during the same time again, the anticipations are very high. I'm just keeping my fingers crossed and hope to get a positive response once again, considering that people are liking the promos and the buzz is good, " Mugdha told interview.

Technically, , Madhur Bhandarkar's "Jail" was supposed to be the model-turned-actress' second film.

"It's just that 'All The Best' is coming first but both my movies are scheduled within two weeks ('Jail' is releasing Nov 6), so there is a lot of excitement. I am wishing it will turn into gold, " she said.

The 24-year-old was in the capital to promote "All The Best". Directed by Rohit Shetty, the comedy also stars Bipasha Basu, Sanjay Dutt, Fardeen Khan and Ajay Devgn, who has also financed the project.

Mugdha says working with seniors has helped her immensely.

"It's good to work with senior people in your initial stages because you get to learn a lot from them and the experience is so good that it can help you a lot in future, " she said.

Having tried her hand at serious cinema in "Fashion" and "Jail" and comedy in "All The Best - Fun Begins", Mugdha says she is now set to explore the 'horror' genre in her next.

"I am doing a horror film opposite Bobby Deol and first-time director Rajiv Virani. We've shot almost 70 percent in Mauritius and now we will start shooting in Mumbai from Oct 19 onwards and wrap it up, " she said.

"It's a fantastic script and everything is scary in there (in the film)...I'm a fan of horror films myself; so when I heard the script I just felt I had to be a part of it. It's an interesting story that will keep audiences on the edge of their seats, " she added.

"We haven't found a name yet...it's just called 'Production No. 10' right now, " Mugdha said.

Asked if it was a deliberate attempt to pick different genres, the actress said: "I'm not thinking much about the genre as of now. I'm just going with the flow. If I get a good script, I do it.

"It's just that the kind of scripts I'm liking end up being from different genres...I'm not doing it deliberately. I believe...versatility is an actor's spice but generally very few actors do that.

"It's just trying something different with all roles so that they (the audiences) don't get bored with you...And I'm glad I'm entertaining people and they are liking my work, " she said.

There were reports that Mugdha had signed on a film called "Raas Leela", but the actress dismisses it as baseless rumours.

"I'm not doing 'Raas Leela'...I don't know where these rumours come from that I'm doing a film that doesn't even exist, " she said.

Ref : http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=31953

Ajay reveals Salman's secrets at Dus Ka Dum finale

Dus Ka Dum is all set to end this week and to grace the finale episode; Ajay Devgan and Fardeen Khan will be present with the host and dost Salman Khan. The two actors are here to promote their upcoming flick All The Best.

“Ajay and Fardeen had lots of fun on the sets of DKD with Salman. As well all know Ajay is a big prankster and thus he revealed some secrets to our host while making the film All The Best, ” chirps the source from the sets.

Fradeen too bonded well with Salman. “They had a gala time and lots of fun while playing the game. Ajay was in fun mood and cracked few jokes too while Fardeen gave him support, ” adds the source.

“Salman, Fardeen and Ajay gigged on the melodious number of the film and left no stone unturned to promote it in huge manner, ” concludes the source.

So catch all the fun with Salman Khan as he bids adieu to the second season of Dus Ka Dum this weekend.

Abhishek can't seem to have enough of wife Ash

The hectic shoot of Raavana seems to have taken a major toll on Aishwarya– the gruelling shoot has completely drained her and she looks visibly exhausted.

According to our khabroo, Ash took a day off from the shoot and visited an uber exclusive spa centre in Mumbai. The spa centre is famous for herbal and natural use of products which are loved by Apni Ash.

But the catchy news our khabroo gave us is when Ash came on the sets the next day, Abhi bhaiyya just could not keep his eyes off Ash as was the case with others present on the sets….

Well, it seems that Abhi can’t seem to have enough of wife Ash’s stunning looks. Also, did you know that one feature of Ash which Abhi is completely knocked out by? It’s her beautiful luminous skin which seems to get only more beautiful with each passing day.

So what is the raaz Ash? Is it some new beauty secret or the effect of being in love?

Ref : http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=31956

Acid Factory : Movie Review by Taran Adarsh

Besides Abbas-Mustan, Sanjay Gupta has attempted interesting thrillers in the past. His new outing, ACID FACTORY, directed by Suparn Verma, is a cat-n-mouse chase that will have you on edge of the seat as it unfolds.

Inspired by Hollywood film UNKNOWN, ACID FACTORY is engaging in most parts. Also, it's well adapted to suit Indian sensibilities. It starts off strong enough and keeps the momentum going till the end, though, of course, it goes back and forth at times and that could get a bit confusing.

ACID FACTORY demands your attention from the very start. The viewer ought to stay alert and watch the goings-on carefully. Even if you blink, chances are you may miss a vital link and the subsequent portions may not work for you since there's something happening every minute.

At the same time, ACID FACTORY has its share of loose ends. The climax, for instance, could've been more impactful. Also, the concept is too urbane and holds appeal for the urban youth, who've a penchant for slick thrillers.


Final word? ACID FACTORY is a well-crafted, well executed film with the ensemble cast pitching in competent performances.


A man [Fardeen Khan] wakes up in a deserted factory surrounded by several other seemingly dead men. He has absolutely no memory of who he is or how he got there and he is unable to get out. Before too long, the others [Aftab Shivdasani, Dino Morea, Manoj Bajpayee, Danny Denzongpa, Dia Mirza] wake up and they all have amnesia too.


All they know is that some of them have been shot, one is tied to a chair, a third is hanging by his wrist, which is handcuffed to a railing... It is eventually discovered that they have lost their memory because of gas leaked from a container.


Much later, they figure out that two of them have been kidnapped by the other three. Who are the kidnappers and who are their victims? Meanwhile, the police are tracking a sinister man [Irrfan Khan], while a worried wife [Neha] desperately searches for her husband.


ACID FACTORY has enough going for it, thanks to its premise which is intriguing. But the plot is such that it takes time to come to the point. There's not much happening in the first hour, except the fact that everyone's clueless about their identity and how they seem trapped in a dilapidated factory.


But the answers start flowing in the second hour. The answers come quick and the reasons why they are trapped are also justified. But, as mentioned earlier, the conclusion could've been as realistic like the rest of the proceedings. Also, the track of the harried wife trying to trace her husband isn't too convincing.


This is Suparn Verma's second film as a director and midway through the film, you realise that Suparn has grown as a storyteller. The film bears a slick look and also, the narrative holds your attention for most parts. Cinematography is top notch. So is the sound design. Tinu Verma's stunts and chase sequences deserve distinction marks.


Every actor pitches in an effortless performance. They aren't putting on an act. The film has an assorted mix of experienced and accomplished actors [Danny Denzongpa, Manoj Bajpayee and Irrfan Khan] and yet-to-reach-there actors [Fardeen Khan, Aftab Shivdasani, Dino Morea and Dia Mirza] and each display confidence in their respective parts. Neha doesn't get scope, while Gulshan Grover is as usual.


On the whole, ACID FACTORY is a slick thriller that has an interesting premise and also super stunts and chase sequences as its trump cards. The film is targeted at the urban youth, especially those who relish thrillers. Of course, the film will have to storm the dull pre-Diwali period which might curtail its prospects to an extent despite decent merits and also, the three biggies that arrive next Friday.

 

Super Hot Wallpapers of Actress Payal Rohatgi

How the Ghajini girl was cast opposite Salman & Ajay

After making a smashing Bollywood debut opposite Aamir Khan in Ghajini, all eyes will be on the south-Indian superstar, Asin Thottumkal, in her second major release, London Dreams.

The winner of several Filmfare Awards moved to Mumbai to carve a career in the Hindi film industry after Ghajini became a historic hit and producers began queuing up to sign her.

Contrary to popular belief that Vipul Shah cast the 24-year old in his magnum opus after Ghajini, she was pencilled in as Ajay Devgan and Salman Khan's lady-love well before her maiden outing.

In London Dreams, she plays Priya, a young music enthusiast who joins Arjun's (Ajay Devgan) rock band in London.

Confirms Vipul, "I had seen Asin in a couple of big South films and really liked her work. I was looking for someone who could essay a beautiful Iyer girl, adept at both classical and western dance, and yet look like she's been born and bred in London.

I signed her even before the first promo of Ghajini came on television. Taking a newcomer opposite two big stars was a risk but I was confident of her and followed my instinct. When Ghajini clicked, I knew I had made the right decision."