Bollywood – Page 4

Movie Review: ‘Carol’ is a heart warming film based on Lesbianism

February 29, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producers: Elizabeth Karlsen, Stephen Woolley and Christine Vachon
Director: Todd Haynes
Star Cast: Cate Blanchett, Rooney Mara, Sarah Paulson, Kyle Chandler, Jake Lacey, Cory Micheal Smith, John Magaro and Carrie Brownstein
Genre: Drama
Verdict: GOOD

Todd Haynes is an American Independent film director, often identified with the New Queer Cinema movement of filmmaking that originated in the early 1990’s. His latest directorial outing Carol is based on Patricia Highsmith’s novella named “The Price Of Salt”.

Plot: In this adaptation of the novel “The Price of Salt” by Patricia Highsmith, Therese (Rooney Mara), a young department – store clerk in 1950’s Manhattan, meets Carol (Cate Blanchett), a beautiful older woman stuck in a depressing marriage of convenience. As their bond deepens and they become romantically involved, Carol finds the strength to leave her husband (Kyle Chandler). Unfortunately, her spouse starts to raise questions about her fitness as a mother when he realizes that Carol’s relationships with her best friend Therese is getting stronger day by day.

Aces: The scene stealers of Carol are definitely its two main actresses namely Cate Blanchett as Carol the older woman and Rooney Mara as Therese the younger woman. While the male actors Kyle Chandler as Carol’s husband and Jake Lacey, as the man in love with Therese, also shine in their brief roles under the deft direction of Todd Haynes.

Minuses: Some of the scenes are too tacky and literally sounds unconvincing.

Last Word: It’s raining films based on alternate sex, both in Bollywood and Hollywood. And believe me all such films like Aligarh based on Homosexuality, The Danish Girl based on the life of a transgender character and now Carol based on Lesbianism are some brilliantly made films.

Ravindra Jain Award Trophy Unveiled

February 26, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Shaan, Sadhna Sargam & Divya Jain unveiled the Ravindra Jain Music award trophy at Ajivasan Hall, uhu.

Divya jain wife of Late Ravindra Jain has planned 1st Ravindra Jain music award on 28th Feb, 2016 at 7 pm at Iskon auditorium, Juhu. She kept the rehearsals at Ajivasan hall where she unveiled the trophy with Shaan & Sadhna Sargam.

Jhunjunaa film’s muhurat held

February 25, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Comic actor Krushna Abhishek came for mahurat with a song recording of his comedy film Jhunjhunaa at Kuber studio.

Nilkanth Regmi, Vanshmani Sharma & Kamal Kishor Mishra of Rock Mountain Productions kept the mahurat of their debut film Jhunjhunaa with a song recording at Kuber studio. Krushna Abhishek who is busy in comedy shows has signed this film as a main lead. Aman Trikha & Supriya Joshi came to sing the song written & composed by Praveen Bhardwaj. Manoj Sharma is the director of the film Jhunjhunaa. The film’s shooting will start from the 2nd week of Mar, 2016. Krushna Abhishek came specially from Haryana to be a part of this recording and mahurat.

Munna Bhai to walk free tomorrow with his earnings of Rs 440 from jail

February 24, 2016 by Nasheman

Mumbai: His films have made turnover in crores of rupees, but Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt, who will walk out free from Yerwada Jail, Pune on Thursday, February 25 will receive a sum of Rs 440, his earnings for making paper bags and khaki envelopes while serving his term in prison.

This 56-year-old actor served 42 months of his five-year prison term in Pune’s Yerawada jail following his conviction in a case related to the 1993 Mumbai serial blasts.

As per the prison manual, a convicted prisoner has to be assigned some work so he can learn certain skills and utilise them outside jail after he completes his term. As per the prison manual, Rs 45 is given for unskilled labour, semi-skilled labour earns an inmate Rs 50 and skilled labour is given Rs 55.

It is said that Dutt was initially given the job of making paper bags from newspapers after undergoing training by a team of experts, and was tagged as an unskilled labour. Under this, he was paid Rs 45 after preparing 100 paper bags perfectly. Five months ago, he was tasked with preparing Khaki envelopes for a government office and for every 1,000 envelopes he used to get Rs 50. He took two-three weeks to complete these tasks, reports NDTV.com

The jail authorities further clarified that Dutt will not be paid for his work as Radio Jocket for the jail’s internal radio station as this would be considered as a recreational activity and not labour-oriented work.

Dutt will receive his money onThursday morning around 9 am. By 10 am, he will be released, like any other prisoner.

Dutt has been serving his term in Yerawada prison since April 2013, and was kept in a secluded yard near the Phasi Yard. He was out on furlough or on parole for a total of 118 days in his 42-month jail term.

(Agencies)

Music Composer Khayyam Turns 90 Years

February 22, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

On the occasion of Khayyam’s 90th birthday he & his wife announced the formation of “Khayyam Pradeep Jagjit Kaur” Trust and its trustees! Ghazal singer Talat Aziz as one of the trustees. Leading light of the Indian Music Fraternity, legendary music director Khayyam Saab celebrated his 90th birth anniversary. Recipient of the National Award – Government of India, Khayyam Saab is among the last living composers of Hindi films’ golden era of music.

The evening had Khayyam Saab & his wife Mrs. Jagjit Kaur announce the Trust & its trustees which was the highlight of the evening. The name of the trust is “Khayyam Pradeep Jagjit Kaur (KPJ Charitable Trust)” to extend a helping hand to all the needy & the aspiring people from Music Fraternity. Khayyam Saab has given away his entire wealth for the trust. Khayyam Saab also announced renowned Ghazal singer Talat Aziz as one of the trustees of “Khayyam Pradeep Jagjit Kaur Trust (KPJ Charitable Trust)” .

Fans & well wishers came to wish Khayaam Saab on his 90th Birth Anniversary. The evening also saw the presence of Talat Aziz & Bina Aziz.

Recalling his special association with him Talat Aziz averred, “Khayyam Saab is a living legend. The Indian Music Industry has never witnessed a gem like him. There was another aspect of Khayyam Saab’s work that sets him apart from other composers namely his non – filmi ghazals. Do you know that he is the only composer whose compositions Begum Akhtar recorded for HMV in her entire career? Otherwise she has sung only her own songs. Throughout his career and especially during his sabbaticals from Bollywood, he recorded many ghazals including 1 album with Rafi Saheb which drew a niche but devoted set of fans. I am overwhelmed to be a part of this evening as everyone knows that he was the 1st one to introduce me to the world of film music in the classic Umrao Jaan. And speaking of Umrao Jaan who can forget “Dil cheez kya hai aap meri jaan lijiye” sung brilliantly by none other than Ashaji. His songs in films with all the greats like Talat Mahmood, Lataji, Rafi Saheb, Mukesh ji are now part of Bollywood music history. May God Bless him with good health.”

Music director Khayyam Saab has composed music for just over 50 films in his long career, yet his impact on listeners has been far greater than many who scored for several hundred movies. Like Dilip Kumar amongst actors, Khayyam Saab too shines out with his majestic performance. No wonder connoisseurs hold Khayyam
Saab in high esteem for his immaculate standards of musical harmony, as his creativity symbolises Victor Hugo’s irrefutable belief that “music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent”.

Choosing a favourite from his songs is a difficult proposition, but who can ever forget the pious yearning of “Woh subah kabhi toh aayegi”, the heart wrenching “Jaane kya dhoondhti rehti hain ye aankhen”, the cry of “Bujha diye hain khud apne haathon se”, the romantic tease of “Thehriye hosh mein aa lun toh chale jaayega” or the love ballad of “Kahin ek masoom nazuk si ladki”?

Naming some of his few films namely Phir Subha Hogi (1958), Shagoon (1964), Aakhri Khat (1966), Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978),Thodisi Bewafaii (1980), Umrao Jaan (1981), Dard (1981), Ahista Ahista (1981), Bazaar (1982) et

Khayyam Saab was the only Music Composer whose composition Begum Akhtar recorded for HMV in her entire career. Khayyam was still to deliver his best and the opportunity came in Muzaffar Ali’s Umrao Jaan in 1981. He made Asha Bhonsle sing songs which are indisputably her best. “In Aankhon ki masti ke”, “Ye Kya Jagah hai doston” & “Dil Cheez kya hai” are evergreen.

Khayyam Saab, who never kept a team of assistants, credits his success to his beloved wife Jagjit Kaur & his son Late Pradeep whose been a part of his musical journey applauding them as his greatest strength and inspiration. Khayyam Saab was always effusive with his praise for his wife Jagjit Kaur. She may have been behind the scenes but was a key element in Khayyam Saab’s success. It seems appropriate to recognize their partnership with the only film song they sang together “Kab yaad mein tera saath nahin’ (Anjuman, 1986).

Declared as one of the greatest Bollywood Music Directors of all time, Khayyam Saab has triumphed upon the hearts of millions with his unique style of music. He has carved his name on prestigious awards like: “Best Music Director Of The Millennium” – Government of Punjab, Filmfare “Lifetime Achievement Award”, Madhya Pradesh “State Award”, “Ashok Award” – Government of Punjab, BFJA’s “Best Music Director” Award, UPFJA’s “Best Music Of Quarter Century” Award, K.L. Saigal Award by Javitri Vikas Samiti, Sangeet Natak Award Academy, Government of Maharashtra Award, Deenanath Mangeshkar Award, CINTAA Award, IMPPA Award, Urdu Marakaz Mumbai Award, Shri Yash Laxmi Art Pune, Award, Awami Haridas Award, Bhagwati Saraswati Puraskar, Talkie 75 Scroll of Honour, MAMI Award, Naushad Sangeet Kendra Samman, Cinegoer Association Award, Asha Bhosle Puraskar, to name a few.

Movie Review: ‘Direct Ishq’ is a run of the mill fare masala entertainer which will attract viewers of single theatre

February 19, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Pradeep Sharma
Director: Rajeev S. Ruia
Star Cast: Rajniesh Dugall, Arjun Bijlani, Nidhi Subaiah, Hemant Pandey, Sanoj Dube, Padam Singh, Rajkumar Kanojia etc
Genre: Rom Com
Verdict: AVERAGE

Director Rajeev S. Ruia’s earlier claim to fame has been a series of interesting films like My Friend Ganesha in its varied avatars but in his latest offering Direct Ishq he has gone slightly overboard.

Plot: Vicky Shukla (Rajniesh Duggall) is a local boy from Banaras. A president of the Kaashi Vidyapeeth, Vicky is a rough and tough, aggressive boy who believes in always having a revolver with him, because he is always up for a fight. But this boldness turns into complete shyness when interacting with girls. He soon meets Dolly Pandey (Nidhi Subhaiah), who is bubbly, mischievous and doll like, and falls in love with her. On the other hand Kabeer Bajpai (Arjun Bijlani) is a smart and good looking boy born in a rich family of Banaras but educated in Mumbai and works there doing music shows and events. His grandmother wants to fix him up with her friend’s daughter, but instead Kabeer Bajpai meets Dolly Pandey and also falls in love with her, while helping her make a career as a professional singer.

Aces: The performance of the trio of actors is impressive. Rajniesh Dugall is lovable as a rough and tough guy of village with a good screen presence. Nidhi Subaiah is good to some extent but not entirely convincing and as for debutante Arjun Bijlani he is okay but the song and dance routine does not seem to be his cup of tea.

Minuses: It lacks good musical track in spite of the fact that the triangular love story has a musical rock band backdrop.

Last Word: Direct Ishq is a masala entertainer especially meant for the mass audience of single theatre but it won’t curry much favour with the classy audience of multiplex.

Movie Review: ‘Sanam Re’ A Musical Love Story Gone Seriously Wrong

February 16, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Bhushan Kumar
Director: Divya Khosla Kumar
Star Cast: Pulkit Samrat, Yami Gautam, Urvashi Routela Bharti Singh & Rishi Kapoor
Music: T-Series

Director Divya Khosla Kumar had earlier come up with a very youthful & entertaining film Yaariyaan in her debut outing. But in her 2nd outing Sanam Re is not so impressive after all.

The plotted scenario of Sanam Re entails the story of Aakash (Pulkit Samrat) who is an ambitious young man but he is always rebuked by his boss. The circumstances takes him back to his small home town amidst snowcapped hills. His dadaji (Rishi Kapoor), a photographer had been a strong influence on him during childhood but now he’s old & Aakash’s parents are all set to sell off the photo studio since there’s no one to take care of it. The young & confused Aakash rediscovers the memories of his childhood love Shruti (Yami Gautam) whom he had dumped for a comfortable city life a few years ago. Circumstances make Aakash & Yami to meet again in the salubrious climate of Canada where they attend a Yoga Camp of a lady Yoga guru (Bharti Singh). The triangle is completed by gorgeous & sexy Mrs Pablo (Urvashi Rautela) who has to be won over by Aakash for professional reasons. The story moves forward and the professional ambitions gradually gets taken over by pure unadulterated love.

No doubt director Divya Khosla Kumar has chosen some fantastic locales in Laddakh, Canada & Himachal Pradesh. But only if she had paid more attention and made the script of Sanam Re a little more plausible & lively to keep the viewers interest intact in the film.
The only plus point of the movie is its T-Series brand of chart bursting & foot tapping music and the slow pace of the film is another big let down. But of course Sameer Arya’s soothing camerawork makes the stunning locales a visual treat for the viewers.

Performance wise Pulkit Samrat has given a good account of himself. Both Yami Gautam & Urvashi Rautela look gorgeous & beautiful on screen and add to the glamour quotient and that’s it. Bharti Singh. just carries forward her small screen comedian image to celluloid silver screen to raise a few laughable moments. Rishi Kapoor is picture perfect in a grandfather’s role.

Tail Piece: Sanam Re is strictly recommended only for die – hard music lovers while others please stay away from this old wine in a new bottle’s extremely boring fare.

Movie Review: ‘Fitoor’ is a poorest adaptation of famed author Charles Dickens novella “Great Expectations”

February 16, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Siddharth Roy Kapur
Director: Abhishek Kapur
Star Cast: Aditya Roy Kapur, Katrina Kaif, Tabu, Ajay Devgn, Lara Dutta, Rahul Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, Akshay Oberoi, Delbar Arya et al
Music: Amit Trivedi

Actor turned director Abhishek Kapur’s earlier claim to fame were films like Kai Po Che & Rock On! But the less said about his latest directorial outing Fitoor the better.

The plotted scenario of Fitoor kick starts with the flashback that reflects the childhood of a young Kashmiri boy Noor Nizami and his ‘blink – and – you -miss’ tryst with a random stranger (Ajay Devgn), who turns out to be a certain Mirza Baig eventually. One of the days, when Noor Nizami accompanies his brother – in – law to Begam’s (Tabu) palace for some carpentry work, his young & innocent eyes fall on the eternally beautiful Firdaus Jaan Naqvi. Because, she takes a ‘liking’ for Noor Nizami’s (torn) shoes, he gets hired as their stable’s caretaker. Gradually, the duo start liking each other and each other’s company. One day Noor Nizami comes looking out for Firdaus at her palace when Begum informs him that she has been sent away to London for education. The film then fast forwards to a few years and now a grown up Noor Nizami (Aditya Roy Kapur) leaves his hometown to move to Delhi to build his career as an artist. As luck would have it, Noor Nizami meets Firdaus (Katrina Kaif) at a party and this time round, they try to ‘complete’ their ‘incomplete’ love story. That’s when Firdaus confesses to Noor Nizami that she will soon be getting married to an upcoming Pakistani politician Bilal (Rahul Bhatt). The level of obsession that Noor Nizami has for Firdaus reaches crazy heights.

A cautionary advise to Fitoor’s director Abhishek Kapoor that so much obsession (Fitoor) for directing a film, by hook or crook, can be seriously harmful & damaging both for his health & directorial career respectively.

Performance wise both Aditya Roy Kapur & Katrina Kaif are totally disappointing to say the least as first & foremost they both are totally a mismatched pair sans any on screen chemistry and even a starry on screen presence. Need anything more be said about the duo. Tabu does justice to her Begum’s royal character. In fact she is the only silver lining in the cloud. While Ajay Devgn, Lara Dutta, Rahul Bhatt, Aditi Rao Hydari, Akshay Oberoi, Delbar Arya et al have been totally misused in inane & nonsensical roles.

Tail Piece: Fitoor has already proved to be a total waste of time, money & energy for its entire team. So now a cautionary advise for the audiences too, “Don’t waste your time, money & energy” to watch a lacklustre film like Fitoor.

Post Chalk N Duster Jayant Gilatar is ready with two more scripts

February 9, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Jayant Gilatar is one happy man these days since the release of his latest film Chalk N Duster which has not only won a lot of critical acclaim but also the audience appreciation too. That apart the film has also received tax exemption in some territories.

What was the overall response of Chalk N Duster?

For our entire team of Chalk N Duster the overall response of the film was beyond expectations. Our film Chalk N Duster proved to be every critic’s delight. I was also surprised that the film won a lot of critical appreciation even from the hardcore critics too.

How well was the film received by the audience?

Oh! It was just wonderful. The film had a universal appeal. The emotional quotient of the film was really liked by the audience of all ages. We all love our teachers and it was like an eye opener for the present day students too. It took a good opening in many centres and has sustained its place at the box office turnstiles since the last 3 weeks. In fact we had aimed the film at the target audience and our expectations were more than fulfilled and even the other audiences liked & appreciated the film very much.

What else would you like to add regarding this?

One more interesting thing that I would like to add is that recently the Governor of Maharashtra Shri. Vidyasagar saw the film and expressed some very high opinion about Chalk N Duster. That apart the film has also got tax exemption especially in territories like Delhi – UP, Gujarat & Rajasthan.

So what’s your next target of filmmaking after Chalk N Duster?

I am planning to launch one more film very soon and it’s titled as Jihad By Ekta. Right now its scripting work is over. Actually speaking my friend Jiten Purohit, who is a film maker in his own right and also the dean of Star Film Institute of India, has penned down its script. It is the story based in present times and we are in talks with Nawazuddin Siddiqui to star in it. That’s all I can say about this film.

It seems you have 1 more plan tucked up your directorial sleeves. Right?

Yes you are right. My next film to go on the floor will be Krishnaji – The Warrior. It will be a film based on the novella written by Anant Sawant. It is based on the backdrop of the mutiny of the year 1727. That’s it. Right now I am not in a position to reveal anything more about the film.

Movie Review: ‘Ghayal Once Again’ offers an entertaining recipe of action unlimited

February 6, 2016 by Shaheen Raaj

Producer: Dharmendra
Director: Sunny Deol
Star Cast: Sunny Deol, Soha Ali Khan, Shivam Patil, Aanchal Munjal, Abhilash Kumar, Diana Khan, Rishabh Arora, etc

Full marks to Sunny Deol for his excellent directorial treatment in Ghayal Once Again, which was earlier named as Ghayal Returns. In fact Sunny Deol has surpassed his own self with his earlier debut directorial movie Dillagi.
The scripted scenario of Ghayal Once Again starts off from where Ghayal had left off albeit in flashbacks. Once Ajay Mehra (Ajay Mehra) is out of jail after serving his 14 years of imprisonment he is seen under the care of his doctor Rhea (Soha Ali Khan) who helps him to fight the past demons of his life. Once cured Ajay starts his life afresh by forming his own team to help the victims of cruelty & injustice. In Ghayal Ajay Mehra was up against Balwant Rai (the late Amrish Puri) in Ghayal Once Again Ajay Mehra is up against Raj Bansal (Narendra Jha) when his son Kabir Bansal (Abhilaash Kumar) murders ACP Joe D’Souza (Om Puri) and the proof of this murder lands up in the hands of the 4 kids Rohan (Shivam Patil), Varun (Rishabh Arora), Anusha (Aanchal Munjal) & Zoya (Diana Khan) and from there on begins an action packed drama which culminates in a chilling climax.

A real treat for lovers of action genre of films with Sunny’s deft directorial treatment. He even excels as an actor in the predictable role of Ajay Mehra. Another noteworthy act comes from debutant actors Shivam Patil, Rishab Arora, Aanchal Munjal & Zoya Khan not to forget other seasoned actors including Abhilash kumar in supporting roles.

Ghayal Once Again is devoid of any commercial trappings like romance, music et al barring its unlimited action.

So Ghayal Once Again is a well narrated albeit predictable story with lots of twists & turns which will be enjoyed both by the single theatre as well as the multiplex audiences.