Ra.One is not Abishek,s Raavan: SRK

As strange as it sounds, the by now released Abhishek Bachchan starrer Raavan sounds similar to the forthcoming Ra. One by Shah Rukh Khan.

SRK quite naturally found himself in a bit of perplexity when the fans were at first confused between the two titles. Apart from the spelling, the plot and even the star casts and the story are very dissimilar. Ra. One is a science fiction film while Raavan was more of a modern version of the heroic tale.

The plot of Ra. One hasn't been leaked out yet and the details are being confidential so far.

The star cast houses Kareena Kapoor as well as Arjun Rampal who support SRK, of course. Kareena and SRK were last seen on the silver screen together in the year 2001, in the film Asoka.

Ra. One would have tons of life-defying aerial tricks and a special effects team is flying down from Hollywood particularly for the film. Currently the shooting of the film is on in London and it should hit the theaters in early 2011.

Deepika Padukone in New Role as Kalpana Dutta in Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

Being an actor means portraying different characters and myriad shades of emotions, however playing a well know figure from history is another ball game in itself. Doing just that is Deepika Padukone who plays the role of Kalpana Dutta in Ashutosh Gowariker's next Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey which is based on a true event. The film which is a period thriller is based on the book 'Do and Die' written by Manini Chatterjee.

Speaking about Kalpana Dutta director Ashutosh Gowariker says, "Kalpana Dutta was just 17 when the Chittagong Uprising took place. She was a voracious reader and was inspired by stories of the youngest revolutionaries. Along with her friend Pritilata Wadadar, she played different roles within the revolutionary movement, including that of a courier - transporting acid from Calcutta to Chittagong. After her arrest, the court took into consideration her age and sex and she was given transportation of life. After she got released in May 1939 she got married to Shri P. C. Joshi (General Secretary of the Communist Party of India). The author Manini Chatterji is her daughter-in-law.

He further adds, "Deepika has brought an energy and feistiness to the character of Kalpana Datta which is very endearing. I am enamoured by her performance."

Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey which is directed by Ashutosh Gowariker will be his first epic period thriller and is based on the book 'Do And Die' by Manini Chatterjee which centres on the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s. The film has been shot mostly in Goa along with portions in Mumbai.

Ref: http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/

Actress Pooja Batra comming back to B-Town

Remember Pooja Batra? The actress was linked to Akshay Kumar during her Bollywood days. She later married an orthopaedic surgeon Dr Sonu Ahluwalia and moved to the US and set up her own casting agency.

Pooja's company is now helping a Los Angeles-based casting company set shop in India. She is spearheading the operations at this end as it is looking forward to get Indian talent for Hollywood.

So if anyone out there wants a break in H-Town, you know whom to contact. Batra had helped the makers of Kambakkht Ishq sign Slyvester Stallone and Denise Richards.

Shahrukh Khan Why is he a "Complete Family Man"

Bollywood megastar, Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan have been married for the last 19 years and yet there is no reported news of domestic discord. In fact, with everyday, SRK seems to re-fall in love with his wife.

He claims that he feels a sense of immense privilege of having a fantastic wife like Gauri, who affectionately takes care of him and their kids. He recently, in an interview opened up about his feelings for his wife. He proclaimed that one day doesn't go without him thinking about his wife and he cannot imagine anytime without her.

He also thanked God for blessing him with an amazing family with whom he can share everything that he has in his mind. He can share and talk about his grief and gladness, failure and accomplishment.

He says that he repeatedly thanks God for blessing him. He adds that success is truly necessary and important for him. However, a success with his family is the most important thing that he can ever imagine. He is a total family guy. 

from : http://www.santabanta.com/

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI Movie Review

The fascination with gangster movies has been immense worldwide. On this side of the Atlantic, several gangster films have left giant footprints on the sands of time. Films like DEEWAAR [Yash Chopra], DHARMATMA [Feroz Khan], NAYAKAN [Mani Ratnam], ANGAAR [Shashilal Nair], PARINDA [Vidhu Vinod Chopra], AGNEEPATH [Mukul Anand], SATYA and COMPANY [Ramgopal Varma], VAASTAV [Mahesh Manjrekar], GANGSTER [Anurag Basu], D [Vishram Sawant] and SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA [Apoorva Lakhia] have tremendous recall value to this day.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI recreates an era that so many of us have left behind and for those who arrived on this planet post 80s, I am sure, they must have visited the era through some medium or the other, mainly movies and internet or during their academic careers. 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not part of history, but it attempts to portray on celluloid tales that are now considered legendary, that continue to make news to this date. Of course, the disclaimer claims that it bears no resemblance to a particular person, but you can't help but draw parallels with real-life characters. It could be a coincidence, though!  

 

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a fascinating story that talks of how the mafia came into force for the first time in Mumbai. A thriller that depicts the crime scenario in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s. The rise to power of two young boys, in different age-groups, who grew up to 'rule' the streets of Mumbai.

Since there's tremendous speculation in the media that ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI chronicles the lives of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, the curiosity to watch the film increases manifold. Of course, I am no one to comment if it's actually based on their lives or merely borrows a few incidents from their lives or is pure fiction, but as a cinematic experience, I couldn't help getting transported to the bygone era, getting sucked into a world I had no clue of.

Besides the gangster chapter, one enjoys this film also because of its riveting drama and the power play. It could've been set anywhere, in the corporate world, in politics, in the film industry. Anywhere. The rise and subsequent fall of the King and the emergence of the Prince as the super power is what makes this film a compelling watch. The icing on the cake is the magical and lilting song compositions that are juxtaposed so beautifully in the goings-on. On the sidelines of the power play, a game of hearts is being played and that's what makes ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI a wholesome movie experience.

Final word? ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not to be missed. Set everything aside this coming weekend and watch this one. Strongly recommended!

The film, set primarily in 1970s Mumbai, follows the rise of Sultan Mirza [Ajay Devgn] and the conflict that ensues, when his protégé Shoaib Khan [Emraan Hashmi] challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a power-packed drama that makes you thirst for more. You rewind to an era of romance, smuggling, cabaret and mafia, but director Milan Luthria and writer Rajat Aroraa ensure that there's no sleaze or bloodshed-n-gore. In fact, there's hardly any violent sequence in the movie, except for one when Ajay hammers a cop during a naaka-bandi.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not a biopic, but narrates the story through the eyes of a police officer [Randeep Hooda], who traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld. The screenplay encompasses several moments that may compel you to draw parallels with real life, but talking strictly from the movie-going point of view, it satiates you completely. In fact, the writing is cohesive, smart and watertight and there's never a dull moment. Besides, there's no time to think whether it's factual or loosely based on someone's life or a work of fiction.

As I look back and recall the movie, a number of sequences flash across my mind. Note the sequence when Ajay divides the city amongst gangsters... The train sequence at the very start... The introduction of Emraan Hashmi's character... Randeep Hooda's landing on a film set and confiscating the equipment... The subsequent sequence, when Randeep is framed for accepting bribe... The romantic moments between Emraan and Prachi in the jewellery shop... Emraan starting his business and the confrontation that ensues between Ajay and Randeep... The showdown between Ajay and Emraan, with Ajay slapping Emraan in full public view... The conclusion to the story is equally novel. It stays in your memory and sets you thinking.

On the flipside, the story begins with Randeep attempting suicide, but the writer should've cited the reason that prompted him to take that drastic step. Sure, there's a mention at the start, but it doesn't register well. Also, you are keen to know the chain of events that drove Randeep to suicide. Also, the pace slackens in the middle of the second hour, but picks up dramatically when Ajay returns from Delhi and confronts Emraan. Besides, how I wish the film had a shorter, mass appealing Hindi title to attract more eyeballs and a big jump in footfalls [at single screens and smaller centres mainly] for a mass appealing subject like this.

This is director Milan Luthria's best work to date, no two opinions on that. Recreating the bygone era is tough and the director, the writer and the art director [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] deserve brownie points for giving the film that authentic feel. In fact, the film wears a chic retro look throughout. Even otherwise, Milan's handling of the subject material is exemplary. This film is sure to catapult him to the top league. Rajat Aroraa's screenplay is powerful and engaging. The writer marries heavy-duty drama and subtle and delicate emotions beautifully. I would like to make a special note of the dialogue, also penned by Rajat Aroraa, which are simply fantastic. In fact, the dialogue writing is such it elevates even an ordinary sequence to great levels. One rarely comes across such potent dialogue in today's times.

Pritam's music is another ace. Injecting songs and that too a terrific soundtrack in a gangster film is tough. He did it in GANGSTER. He does it again in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. 'Pee Loon', 'Tum Jo Aaye' and the remix of APNA DESH track are super compositions, which are also placed appropriately in the plotline. Cinematography [Aseem Mishra] captures the look to perfection. Akiv Ali's editing is sharp.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is embellished with fantastic performances. Ajay Devgn is splendid as Sultan. The actor had enacted a similar role in COMPANY, but it must be said that his interpretation is so different in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. He adds so much depth to the character, which only goes to prove his range and versatility. This is, without a trace of doubt, Ajay's finest work so far. Emraan Hashmi is brilliant as the power greedy, wildly ambitious rebel. He plays the dark character to perfection. He's incredible in the penultimate moments of the film in particular. Besides carrying the look to perfection, Emraan is sure to break-free from the lover boy, serial kisser image with this film.

Kangna Ranaut is extremely natural and performs very well. Also, she brings so much of sensuality and glamour to her character [an actress of the 70s]. In fact, Ajay and Kangna make a wonderful on-screen pair. Prachi Desai is a bundle of talent who proves her mettle yet again. She's proficient in emotional scenes and sizzles in the BOBBY song-sequence. Besides, the chemistry between Emraan and Prachi is exciting. Randeep Hooda is top notch. Even though the film belongs to Ajay and Emraan, Randeep makes his presence felt with a powerful performance. This film should prove to be the turning point in his career.

Avtar Gill [as Home Minister] is good. Naved Aslam [as Patrick, Ajay's trusted lieutenant] is perfect. Mehul Bhojak [as Emraan's friend Javed] is competent. Ravi Khanwilkar [as Vardhan] is satisfactory. Gauhar Khan sizzles in the remix track.

On the whole, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is an extremely well-made film that lingers in your memory. The realism coupled with stellar direction, power-packed writing, exceptional performances and ear-pleasing tunes are its trump cards. An outstanding cinematic experience!