MY NAME IS KHAN : Movie Review

MY NAME IS KHAN makes two strong statements...

• The first: B.C. and A.D. are designations used to label years in the Julian and Gregorian calendars. There's a third designation now - 9/11. Post September 11, the world stands divided. Terrorist outfits continue to strike in the name of religion and the common man, not even remotely associated with these groups, is bearing the brunt. The world is not a safe place anymore.
  
  
• The second statement: There're two sets of people in this world - the good and the bad. No matter how strong the evil forces are, good always triumphs.

MY NAME IS KHAN mirrors the era we live in. Not a day goes by when you haven't heard/read/watched news of terror attacks and innocents being killed. We live in turbulent times. Also, the movie states - and states very strongly, without mincing words - Not all Muslims are terrorists.

Karan Johar's cinema got more real from KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA onwards. In MY NAME IS KHAN, the storyteller attempts to make a social statement and succeeds completely. At the same time, it takes no sides. If the protagonist says 'My name is Khan and I am not a terrorist', it also exposes those who misadvise the youth with inflammatory and rabble-rousing speeches.

Karan's take on the issue deserves the highest praise, since a subject like this is difficult to attempt. Final word? MY NAME IS KHAN is Karan, SRK and Kajol's best outing to date. Do I need to add anything more?

Rizvan Khan [Shah Rukh Khan moves to San Francisco and lives with his brother [Jimmy Shergill] and sister-in-law [Sonya Jehan]. Rizvan, who has Asperger's syndrome, falls in love with Mandira [Kajol]. Despite protests from his brother, they get married and start a small business together. They are happy until September 11, when attitudes towards Muslims undergo a sea-change.

When tragedy strikes, Mandira is devastated and they split. Rizvan is confused and upset that the love of his life has left him. To win her back, he embarks on a touching and inspiring journey across America.

Let me alert you. The story unfolds feverishly from the very start itself. So if you miss a scene or two, chances are you would've missed some vital links in the story. The fact is, there's too much happening in the first half. Although the narrative tends to get leisurely-paced at times, the wheels continue to move from one episode to another.

A number of sequences are endearing. For instance, the romance between SRK and Kajol is subtle, yet charming. But it's SRK's relationship with Kajol and their kid that's one of the best parts of the movie. Your heart bleeds when an accident occurs and their lives are torn apart. Kajol's outburst - first, when her son meets with a catastrophe and second, when she confronts SRK - are truly shattering.

MY NAME IS KHAN's strength lies in the fact that you root for Khan all through. At the same time, you are weighed down when he's in a vulnerable situation, especially when he's labelled a terrorist and thrown behind bars. You don't realize it, but the fact is that you, as a spectator, have already got entwined in Rizvan and Mandira's lives.

There's a slight hitch in the second hour, when SRK returns to Georgia to save a hurricane-ravaged hamlet. Also, the media exercise tends to add to the length of the film. Nonetheless, it's a minor hiccup that doesn't rob the film of its punch.

There's just one word to illustrate Karan's direction - exemplary. One of the finest storytellers of our generation, he deserves brownie points for deviating from 'Karan Johar brand of cinema' and attempting a film that knocks on your heart and stimulates your mind. With MY NAME IS KHAN, Karan takes rapid strides as a storyteller.

Shibani Bathija's screenplay is truly arresting. Shibani and Niranjan Iyengar's dialogues are noteworthy and many a times, applaud-worthy. Ravi K. Chandran's cinematography is awe-inspiring. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy's music gels well with the nature of the film.

When a film stars two of the finest talents of the country, you expect nothing but the best. SRK, well, how does one describe his performance? To state that this is his best work so far would be cutting short the praise he truly deserves. In fact, no amount of praise can do sufficient justice to his portrayal of Rizvan Khan, who has Asperger's syndrome. His latest work is several notches above anything he has done before. The only compliment that I can think of is, SRK has a new screen-name now. Raj is passe, Rizvan it is.

Kajol is pure dynamite and casting her for this character was the most appropriate decision. No other actress could've matched SRK in histrionics the way Kajol has. In fact, SRK and Kajol compliment each other wonderfully well and this film only proves it yet again. It's a powerhouse performance from this supremely talented actress.

The film boasts of a number of capable actors, but the ones who leave a rock-solid impact are - in this order - Zarina Wahab, Sonya Jehan, Jimmy Shergill, Arjun Mathur, Parvin Dabas and Arif Zakaria. Sugandha Garg is confident. Navneet Nishan supports well. Vinay Pathak leaves a mark in a brief role. Tanay Chheda [young SRK] and Yuvaan Makaar [SRK and Kajol's son Sameer] are excellent. The American actors, especially the kid who plays Sameer's friend, deserves mention.

On the whole, MY NAME IS KHAN is a fascinating love story, has an angle of religion and a world-shaking incident as a backdrop. It not only entertains, but also mesmerises, enthrals and captivates the viewer in those 2.40 hours. At the same time, a film like MY NAME IS KHAN is sure to have a far-reaching influence due to its noble theme. I strongly advocate, don't miss this one!

Rating: 

Movie Review Striker

Starring: Siddharth, Aditya Pancholi, Padmapriya,Vidya Malvade, Ankur Vikal and Anupam Kher

Director: Chandan Arora

Rating: ***

Its December 1992 and curfew time in Malvani, Mumbai’s north western suburb when Suryakant Sarang aka Surya (Siddharth) arrives back in Mumbai from an out of town trip. Communal riots have broken out in the area mostly dominated by Muslims.

Surya is stopped by the police, headed by local in charge Faroukh (Anupam Kher). But Surya is restless after he comes to know his family members have fallen prey to the riots.

From hereon the narrative alternates between the flash back and current scenario mode.

It narrates the tale of how Surya, a lower middle class boy, the youngest of the three siblings rises to become an ace carrom champion in the carrom betting syndicate headed by spearheaded by Jalil (Pancholi).

Surya and Jalil keep crossing paths as Jalil desperately wants him to play under him. But Surya nurses a childhood grudge against him. Making matters more complicated is Surya’s childhood buddy Zaid (Ankur) who is working under Zaid.

Editor turned director Chandan Arora (Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hun, Main, Meri Patni Aur Who) has always narrated character based tales and this time with through the eyes of an extremely well written central character he has showcased a never before exposed on Indian screen, the betting underbelly.

The carrom game sequences are fantastically shot what with real carrom champs used. Making them more entertaining is the sledging running commentary by the bystanders.

Vijay Maurya and Pankaj Saraswat’s dialogues are sufficiently spicy. The camerawork enhances the edgy mood of the film. Sound design is excellent too.

Songs are not lip synced and don’t act as speed breakers but carry the story forward. In fact even Siddharth has sung a song in the film.

Siddharth is nothing short of excellent in the film. Exhibiting a cute boyish charm he is very real and vulnerable at the same time. His splendid carrom playing skills are in full display in the film.

Aditya Pancholi with amazing screen presence exudes scare whenever he appears on screen. Ankur Vikal is perfectly cast as Siddharth’s druggie best friend.

Vidya Malvade gets few scenes but she manages to leave an impression. Playing a fisherwoman running the local dingy bar, newcomer Padmapriya resembling Tabu is wonderful and is extremely expressive.

Anup Soni, Anupam Kher and Seema Biswas are good as usual. Nicolette as Siddharth’s first crush is good too.

Chandan Arora’s Striker works for the fact that it actually narrates a never seen before story as also for its authentic setting and excellent acting. Do not give it a miss.

After Rahul Gandhi and Shah Rukh Khan Its is Kajol Aganist Sena

The latest celeb to comment on the hullabaloo among Shiv Sena, Rahul Gandhi and Shah Rukh Khan, is none other than Bollywood actor Kajol.

In her latest tweet (posted about an hour back), she has described the Sena as ‘Bandar Sena’ (monkey soldiers).

At the same time, she praised Congress leader Rahul Gandhi for having a day out in Mumbai, thereby stumping the Shiv Senas who had geared up to show him black flags and disrupt his programmes for his “Mumbai for all Indians” remark.

“will be back to Mumbai!!! Hope the Bandar Sena wont stop us ;) thumbs up for Rahul!!! Bravo!!!” tweeted Kajol, who is presently in London for the promotion of her upcoming film ‘My Name is Khan’.

“Shiv Sena has become a Joke to the Nation!!! they are instilling hatred! I guess they still din't learn any lesson from the Election debacle, ” read another of her tweets at her Twitter account kajolnysa.

“because of some dirty politics, #india is trailing behind the world, lets be together and show them power of democracy …” Kajol wrote in a post.

Earlier, Shiv Sena had said the party would not allow ‘My Name is Khan’ to be released in Mumbai unless Shah Rukh Khan apologises for his comments on Pak cricketers.

“all mumbaikers, don't worry people, even chengez khan can't stp MNIK release, relax and let all ur positive energy flow here, ” tweeted Kajol.

‘My Name is Khan’ is one of the first Bollywood films to be distributed by Fox Searchlight Pictures in the US.

Katrina bowls over Bihar in Bhojpuri! CM overshadowed

By Subhash K Jha

On Tuesday Katrina Kaif won herself more fans. The minute she stepped on to the stage with Bihar's chief minister Nitish Kumar at Patna's Shri Krishna Memorial Auditorium the crowds roared.

And with reason. Katrina spoke in the local dialect Bhojpuri to the audience and the media gathered for the inauguration of her director Prakash Jha's news channel. From the time she landed in Patna Katrina rehearsed her Bhojpuri lines for the evening.

That masterstroke did it. Says a source at the venue, “The minute Katrina stepped on the stage Bihar's chief minister Nitish Kumar could be seen feeling uncomfortable. Bhopuri actor Manoj Tiwari who was also on stage went pale when Katrina broke into Bhojpuri.”

The Chief Minister in fact mumbled on stage that his presence was not required with Katrina around.

Parkash Jha admits it wasn't easy coaching Katrina to speak a few line in Bhopjpuri. “But it worked, and how. Katrina had the whole of Bihar eating out of her hands. It was so unexpected from someone who has the reputation of barely managing her Hindi, ” chuckled Jha.

On Tuesday afternoon Katrina along with her Raajneeti co-stars Arjun Rampal and Manoj Bajpai flew into Patna in a private jet hired by Prakash Jha.

They headed straight from the airport to Jha's residence in the suburbs. As soon as news spread that Katrina was visiting Jha's residence hundreds of fans from Patna and the outskirts gathered around the house.

Says Prakash, “Katrina had no idea of her popularity in Bihar. She has a very deep connect with audiences. She has the kind of image that Hema Malini has. Not one cheap remark, no jostling crowds, no. They now call her Bihar Ki Beti.”

Katrina, Arjun and Manoj flew back to Mumbai late Tuesday night. Prakash Jha intends to hold the premiere of Raajneeti in Patna instead of Bihar. He'll fly the who's who of Mumbai to Patna for the occasion.

From : SantabAanta.com

Vidya Balan uses her sexuality unabashedly!

Before you get the wrong idea let us clear upfront that we are talking of Vidya Balan's role in the film 'Ishqiya'!

The sizzling star who plays a village belle in Abhishek Chaubey's debut directorial venture 'Ishqiya' plays the role of a femme fatal that has been carved out painstakingly by the director only for her!

Discussing Vidya's role at length the director narrates, “'Ishqiya' started as a story of a woman who has the power with her husband at night though all through the day she may slog. It took me a year to write the subject.

I followed just what the script dictated as a writer and did not have any actor in mind when I was writing it. 'Ishqiya' is the story of two criminals and a wily widow who lives on fragments in the periphery of the society and the plot functions like a thriller.

We explore marital as well as extra-marital betrayal in love. Lust is just one element of the film.”

Umm… so what is basically Vidya's role all about?

“Well the film has no social or political message. It is a film about finding love in the least expected of places. Emotional need leads us to search for people, ” states the director.

And summing up his vision for Vidya's role, he says, “It is a terrible truth that over the years, women have been subjugated and made to play an ornamental role in the male dominated society. In my film, my protagonist uses sexuality as a tool unabashedly.” 

Ref: http://www.santabanta.com/cinema.asp?pid=34247

Aishwarya Rai not to do item number on Big B's song?

Rumours were rife that Aishwarya Rai will dance to the tunes of hit number "Apni toh jaise taise", which was originally picturised on her father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan, in Sajid Khan's "Houseful". But sources close to her say that she is yet to accept the offer.

"Aishwarya has been approached by Sajid Khan but she has yet to revert back to them. She is busy with the shooting of 'Guzaarish', 'Action Replay' and 'Endhiran'," Aishwarya's spokesperson told.

Recent media reports suggested that Sajid Nadiadwala had bought the rights of the song, which is from the 1981 blockbuster "Laawaris" and that he had approached Aishwarya for it.

If at all the actress agrees to do the item number, it would be her third in over a decade-long career. In the past, she featured in item numbers like "Ishq kamina" and "Kajra re" - both the songs have been iconic in their own sense.

While in "Ishq kamina", she teamed up with Shah Rukh Khan, "Kajra re" saw her with Amitabh and Abhishek.