Jism 2 - Uncensored Theatrical Trailer Ft' Sunny Leone

As expected, Jism 2's theatrical trailer is as steamy, if not more, as the film's song promos. The trailer is no exception. Abhi Abhi, Ye Jism and Yeh Kasoor saw some intense lovemaking scenes between Leone and Hooda. The couple has the chemistry, we must say!


The pornstar-turned-actor Sunny Leone plays a pornstar Izna in the movie who is used as a honeytrap by a dashing intelligence officer for a dreaded assassin. Does she eventually fall in love with that assassin? (Randeep Hooda) That's something we have to wait for till the movie releases.

Can Sunny act? Well, if promos are any indication, the film is all about Sunny's Jism and not her soul. The international starlet will have to work really hard on her acting skills, if she intends to take on more projects in India.

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Barfi (2012) Theatrical Trailer Promo Teaser

Watch The Exclusive Official Theatrical Trailer of The Movie Barfi (2012), starring Ranbir Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Illeana.

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"Hrithik and Vivek look evenly-matched in Krrish 3" - Rakesh Roshan

Rakesh Roshan has completed shooting Krrish 3 barring the romantic songs. The climactic fight between Hrithik and Vivek has them locked in a photo-finish combat where Hrithik insisted that Vivek would get equal weightage, footage and leverage.

Reasons Rakesh, "I had to justify Vivek's presence. So his character gets equal importance to Hrithik. The story moves ahead with Vivek and Hrithik. And Vivek has done an amazing job." 

Says the director, "For the last five months we've shot only the action scenes. All I can tell you is, the fights are not about showing the super-hero throwing punches. His opponent is just as powerful. We're ready with two hours of film. We need to shoot another half an hour." 

Rubbishing rumours that Farhan Akhtar was roped in to supervise the climactic fights, Rakesh says, "Farhan? He's grown up with my son. I love Farhan's work. But I've been directing films from the time he was a child…I am very happy with the outcome. We're nearly done." 

The director admits Krrish 3 cannot compare with the action scenes in the Spiderman series. "In terms of stunt spectacle and action, we've gone way beyond the other Krrish films. But we can't compete with Hollywood. One of their action scenes is equal to my entire budget. We can't afford the bigness of the Hollywood super-hero films. Given our monetary restrictions, we've done whatever we could do with the action scenes. But our forte is the drama. So we've based all the action in emotions. Plain and simple, they've the money. We don't. We have to depend on our content, the story and emotions. We'll try to get the audience involved in the emotions and then get them sucked into the stunts." 

Ends Rakesh Roshan, "This is the most difficult film I've ever shot. I've had to create a balance between my son's character and Vivek's character. The two look evenly-matched on screen. And that's my biggest triumph." 

It looks like Hrithik Roshan's Krrish franchise just got bigger, much bigger. Vivek Oberoi's character of the antagonist in Krrish 3 will now be a steady part of the Krrish series. What's more, all plans to make Hrithik's super-hero dance and sing have been dropped, because Vivek's super-villain Kaal does none of that. 

Informs Rakesh Roshan, "Hrithik, the super-hero, won't sing and dance. Both Krrish and Kaal are pitched against one another in a very serious combat. Any attempt to change the equation would tilt the balance." 

Rakesh neck deep in post-production and the remaining fraction of the shooting, admits he had to work doubly hard to make sure the two characters of the super-hero and the super-villain remained balanced in the story. "It wasn't just the super-hero. Hrithik also plays the hero Krishna and his father. So I had to balance three Hrithiks against one character of the villain." 

Informs the director, "This time I had to work hard on establishing Vivek's character. He's a definite part of the franchise now. It makes sense to pitch Hrithik's super-hero against an equally powerful villain. We've left no stone unturned to ensure it looks like a battle between equals. There's no point in introducing an antagonist and then leaving the character half-finished."

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Rahman to compose song for London Olympics

He is the modern day Mozart, but A R Rahman has never rested on his laurels. Now the musical genius is set to team up with director Danny Boyle to compose a song for the London Olympics' 2012's opening ceremony. 

Confirming this A R Rahman posted on his facebook page, "Clarifying the report on the Olympics track I am composing... It's a track in Punjabi celebrating the Indian influence in the UK. It's a part of a medley in the Olympics opening ceremony, according to Danny Boyle's creative wishes!" Apart from Rahman music composer Ilayaraja's composition 'Naanthaan Ungappanda', from Kamal Hassan's 1980 film Ram Lakshman will be a part of the opening ceremony too. 

The London Olympics will be held from July 27 to Aug 12, 2012.

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Superman of Malegaon: Movie Review

Malegaon is a town just around 290 kms from the Bollywood capital, Mumbai. Like any other Indian city, it has its share of cinema enthusiasts. But what makes the town unique is its very own micro moviemaking industry, christened as Mollywood.
A local videographer and a hardcore movie-buff, out of his sheer film fascination, attempts making small-budget spoof videos on Bollywood blockbusters like Sholay and Shaan. And when he finds a loyal audience in the locality frequenting his video parlour for these parodies, he plans to take the legacy forward with another spoof on the global superhero - Superman. Thereby Malegaon gets its own superhero with another takeoff titled ' Malegaon Ka Superman'. And 'Superman of Malegaon' is a documentary film that encapsulates the making of 'Malegaon Ka Superman'.


Making of movies are a common phenomena today, employed as additional feature on movie DVDs or promotional tools for movie-marketing. More often than not these making videos gain audience when the film's a success. Ironically the documentary film 'Superman of Malegaon' comes even before its source film 'Malegaon Ka Superman' is released (or will ever be released). At the outset, one would wonder then that how would it interest anybody who's oblivious of a video-parlour film called Malegaon Ka Superman.


But a few minutes into the documentary and you realize that the entire thought behind capturing the making of the film makes for a more entertaining watch than the final film would possibly have. Malegaon Ka Superman is like one of those project films that one makes on campus or over outings and the kinds where the viewer doesn't really bother about budget or production values. But at their level, the makers of Malegaon Ka Superman are ambitious enough to incorporate special effects, stunts, songs and also a script in their cinema. And in their aspirations, the making of the movie gets its meat.


So the documentary captures the dream that starts in the eye of Sheikh Nasir, the local videographer who defines his Superman as an asthma patient and a filth-lover who wishes to see every Indian spit all over the place. Much as inane as it sounds, the film has a dry sense of humour and it doesn't end up being an unintentionally funny escapade (like most tacky B-graders) but is consciously designed as a spoof. For its title lead, Nasir chooses a frail unassuming village-boy, Shaikh Shafique who would be the last person one would imagine of as Superman. But Shafique's distinctiveness makes him the perfect candidate for the satire.


Unlike most movie-making footage, this one isn't merely a mechanical effort but also attempts to touch upon human elements like the hardships faced by the makers through the process of putting together the film. So when Nasir can't afford the chroma setup and software for special effects, he uses a green screen over a truck to achieve similar results to good output. The orthodox villagers won't allow women to work in films and so Nasir has to source the female lead from a nearby village. Shafique's marriage momentarily interrupts the movie schedule, the camera conks-off in between and more such difficulties arise but their spirit remains undeterred.


And despite highlighting their hardships and the underlining pathos, the documentary at no time becomes sad, soggy or sensational. Rather it has a very optimistic outlook and exudes positive vibes. The best part of the film is that the makers have the ability and audacity to laugh on themselves. The joke is not at the expense of Shaikh Shafique for he is clearly aware that his individuality is inciting the humour.


Superman of Malegaon is the celebration of the inherent fantasy of any average human being who dreams of being either a star or a star-maker, irrespective of their eligibility. And at a broader level, it's a tribute to the undying spirit with which you can make your dreams come true.


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Maximum : Movie Review

A large number of movies with the protagonist as a cop have made it to the Hindi screen. A few remain etched in your memory to this day. Besides, many straight-out-of-life incidents are gradually finding their way on the big screen, which clearly indicates Hindi cinema's gradual move towards realistic films. Set in Mumbai in early 2000, MAXIMUM, helmed by Kabeer Kaushik, focuses on two cops and their journey and struggle for power.

The difference between MAXIMUM and an assortment of movies that have focused on cops earlier is that this one talks of the power games that two encounter specialists indulge in. A novel thought, without an iota of doubt, but MAXIMUM suffers for a valid reason: A skeletal plot that lacks meat in its screenplay. Kabeer may've borrowed from real-life, but he isn't able to bind the incidents and episodes convincingly so as to deliver an enthralling fictional fare. 

Mumbai 2003. The battle against the gangland had been affirmed. And the mandate to gun them down was given to a selected few. One of them was Pratap Pandit [Sonu Sood]. The other, Arun Inaamdar [Naseeruddin Shah]. Two encounter specialists. Each with a strong informer base. Sharp strategy. And a long tally of dead gangsters. 

The struggle was always for control. If Pandit was ambitious, Inaamdar conniving and silent. Both equally ruthless. But they were not alone in this game. There were other players. Taking the drama through a complex interplay of politics. Land deals. Farzi shoot-outs. And money. Dirty money. 

A story that moves through five long years, ending on a railway platform. In the dark of the night. Between the shudder of running trains. Surrounded by the echo of gunshots. 

MAXIMUM is basically about an encounter specialist and the highs and lows in his life. Not the usual, beaten to death cop story, MAXIMUM could've been a riveting fare that would enlighten and entertain. But, like I pointed out earlier, there's not much that the film offers on the table, after you're told about the two warring factions. There are sequences that seem repetitive or an extension of what one has watched earlier, besides moments that seem so hard to absorb in a realistic fare. The climax, for instance, though filmed brilliantly, looks unreal as the two cops battle it out on a secluded railway platform. Besides, the film unravels at a languid speed, which is quite a deterrent for a thriller. 

Having said that, I'd like to add that Kabeer's execution of several dramatic and anxiety-packed moments merit acknowledgement. A few individualistic sequences do seize your attention. But the screenplay, which touches upon politicians, encounter specialists, gangland and crime reporters, is far from invigorating. Besides, the conflict between the two encounter specialists, which should've been the hallmark of the enterprise, is subdued. There's not much scope for songs in the film either, though 'Aa Ante', which is already popular, catches your eye. 

Sonu Sood and Naseeruddin Shah enact the part of encounter cops who are out to eradicate the gangsters. Sonu is striking and influences us that he can carry off intricate characters with elan. He excels in this part! When it comes to acting, Naseer is enormously luminous. But you realize that his potential isn't tapped to the fullest here. In fact, he's relegated to the backseat. Neha Dhupia is a revelation. She looks the character and gives an upright account of herself. 

Vinay Pathak is supremely effective, moving away from his by-now-famous comic roles effortlessly. Mohan Agashe is competent, as always. Amit Sadh is another fine talent. He's first-rate. Ditto for Ujjwal Chopra and Swanand Kirkire, who grab your attention with confident portrayals. Aarya Babbar, Rajendra Gupta and Anjana Sukhani are decent in their respective parts. Hazel wows you with her voluptuous switch in the item number, 'Aa Ante'. 

On the whole, MAXIMUM has an attention-grabbing premise, but lacks the meat in its screenplay to leave much of an impact.


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Jism 2 Exclusive First Look

In Jism 2 Randeep Hooda plays a dark brooding character Kabir much like John Abraham in the Jism. Arunoday Singh plays Ayaan, a flamboyant, swashbuckling IB officer. And Sunny Leone is love interest of these two male leads.

Director: Pooja Bhatt

Stars: Sunny Leone, Esha Gupta, Arunoday Singh and Randeep Hooda

Tiger Shroff, John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Dino Morea – These stars are not yet confirmed??

Producer: Pooja Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt, Dino Morea

Genre: Adult

Story Writers: Mahesh Bhatt

Screenplay: Mahesh Bhatt

Banner: Fish Eye Network, Clockwork Films Private Limited

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Arjun Kapoor bags 2 States

Riding high after the success of his debut filmIshaqzaade, newbie Arjun Kapoor has bagged the coveted role of the lead actor in Karan Johar and Sajid Nadiadwala's 2 States. The deal took place on Monday night.

2 States is an adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's best selling book with the same name. Sajid Nadiadwala had initially planned to make the film with Shah Rukh Khan, which was to be directed by Vishal Bhardwaj. Then there were talks of Imtiaz Ali directing the film with Ranbir in the lead but that too didn't work out. Then Imran Khan was finalized for the role but he had to opt out due to date issues as he was tied up with multiple projects. Now Arjun Kapoor has bagged the role and he has already signed the dotted line. The leading lady is yet to be finalised

2 States will be directed by debutante Abhishek Verman, the son of veteran art director R Verman. Abhishek is also the creative director of KJo's Student Of The Year and has also worked with Karan on My Name Is Khan. 

Arjun will play a typical Punjabi boy from Delhi who falls with a south Indian girl. The film will go on floors by the end of the year and will be shot in Delhi.

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EK THA TIGER (2012) Theatrical Trailer

Ek Tha Tiger is a romantic thriller which tells the story of a Trinity College scientist suspected of selling missile technology secrets to Pakistan. The Indian government sends a secret agent, codenamed Tiger (Salman Khan), to find out about the professor’s activities. Tiger falls in love with the professor’s caretaker Zoya (Katrina Kaif) who is studying at a fictional dance academy located at TCD, and together they embark on a roller-coaster journey that takes them from Dublin to Istanbul then to Kazakhstan and Chile.


Genre: Romance / Action I   Directors:Kabir Khan I 

Stars:  Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif I Release Date: August 30, 2012 

TRAILER:

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Satyamev Jayate:Episose 8 Toxic Food -- Poison On Our Plate? Review

For decades our food and water have been contaminated by powerful, harmful pesticides which have been promoted as necessary for better agricultural output. But the reality is that we don't need pesticides for better yield, and their use is not only deadly for health but results in expensive farming methods. The solution is to adopt organic farming, which is possible and profitable, as the state of Sikkim has shown.


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Jalpari - The Desert Mermaid Theatrical Trailer

Where would you be if your mother was not allowed to be born?

The movie is based on female foeticide, the burning issue which has been featured in one of the episodes of Satyamev Jayate by Aamir Khan.

Jalpari - The Deser Mermaid: After the international success of I Am Kalam, which won over 20 international awards and one national award and went to over 55 film festivals across the globe, Nila Madhab Panda's new feature film Jalpari - The Desert Mermaid, produced by Sushilkumar Agrawal of Ultra Distributors Pvt Ltd, started its international journey with a screening at the Marche Du Cannes (Film Market) of the ongoing Cannes Film Festival.


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ANNA KARENINA First Look | official Trailer| Plot

Set in late-19th-century Russia high-society, the aristocrat Anna Karenina enters into a life-changing affair with the affluent Count Vronsky.
Joe’s Wright’s adaptation of Leo Tolstoy’s epic work Anna Karenina gets its first poster. It stars Keira Knightley, Aaron Johnson and Jude Law. Currently set to release on 9th November. Mixed feelings about the casting but  really looking forward to this one nonetheless.






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TAKEN 2 First Look | International Trailer | Plot

In Istanbul, retired CIA operative Bryan Mills and his wife are taken hostage by the father of a kidnapper Mills killed while rescuing his daughter.
A first quad poster for Liam Neeson in Taken 2 is here! And Liam looks angry! Woo hoo! Can’t wait for this one. 5th October.
The first trailer for Liam Neeson starrer Taken 2 is here and it looks absolutely Kick-Ass totally retaining the spirit of the first part! CAN. NOT. WAIT.


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RESIDENT EVIL: RETRIBUTION – Official Trailer

The Umbrella Corporation's deadly T-virus continues to ravage the Earth, transforming the global population into legions of the flesh eating Undead. The human race's last and only hope, Alice, awakens in the heart of Umbrella's most clandestine operations facility and unveils more of her mysterious past as she delves further into the complex.

The full trailer for Resident Evil: Retribution is here and its pretty much what you would expect from this movie. Lots of creatures, guns, bullets, explosions and Milla Jojovich. Its in 3D and out on 14th September.

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Prabhudheva to do item number in OMG! Oh My God

Prabhudheva, who is known for his exceptional dancing skills, will be doing an item number in Akshay Kumar's production OMG! Oh My God.

Akki shares a very good rapport with his Rowdy Rathore director Prabhudheva and he requested Prabhu to shake a leg with Sonakshi Sinha in an item number in Oh My God. Prabhu immediately agreed to do the song. He might even choreograph the song. 

Oh My God is based on Gujarati play 'Kanji Viruddh Kanji' and is directed by Umesh Shukla. The film stars Akshay Kumar and Paresh Rawal.

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Streetdance 2 3D 2012: Movie Review

An ex-top dancer is humiliated, takes up an insurmountable challenge against a crew that is almost always undefeatable, goes looking for dancers, finds them, faces superficial obstacles, overcomes them, wins final battle.

Streetdance 2 is no different. Ash (Falk Hentschel) is insulted in public by dance crew Invincible. Determined to prove his mettle, Ash along with unusually corny manager Eddie (George Sampson) jet sets to all of Europe to find just what it would help to take down Invincible. We’re never told what Ash does for a living or the background of dancers or why the competition so important to win. Dance freaks may argue that it’s not necessary as long as the dance is spellbinding. Except that it’s not.

The cast is a talented bunch of B Boys, hip hoppers, and those things without bones you see on Dance India Dance and numerous other reality shows. The film serves no apparent purpose, with scenes stitched together because somebody had nothing better to do on a Sunday afternoon. Even the music which plays a big role in dance flicks is dry and uninspiring. It’s funny how the guy bringing together people is always the weakest dancer of them all and always falls in love with a woman who’s passionate about a different style of dance, Tango in this case.

There nothing new to brag about in Streetdance 2.

There’s no reason you should pay and watch this bland and boring dance showcase.

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Brave 3D 2012: Movie Review

Pixars latest animated effort rises above the mediocrity of 

Cars 2 but falls short of much of the  animation juggernauts 

past efforts. Brave is a movie that contains potential for 

greatness but  only manages to achieve it on the technical 

front. 

The script meanders in the wilderness for  much of its middle 

portion leading to a rushed and somewhat a brupt ending that 

tries really  hard to forge an emotional  connect. Alas the 

setup is sketchy and that renders the  ending less  than 

effective.

In a far away Scottish kingdom, the feisty red-haired princess 

Merida dreams of nothing more  than wielding her bow and 

arrow, scaling high cliffs, riding through the wilderness and  being carefree. Her mother 

however has different plans for  her and wants her to get married off in a  lady-like fashion. A 

series of mystical events leads Merida to the hut of a witch who grants her a  spell. 

Merida wishes for her mother to change and thus leading to Meridas fate changing. 

Things dont go as per plan and Meridas mom does change but quite literally into a bear and 

with the clans enmity with the species, things look bleak for her. Merida has to now set things 

right but theres also the bit about her fate and destiny which involves squaring off against large 

fearsome bear of more myth and legend.

The animation is astounding and so is the voice work and accents. The humour also works 

though much of it tends to get too slapstick at times. I understand the emotional resonance its 

themes want to have but they are poorly built and established thus leading to a plot that feels 

unsatisfying; a middle portion that drags doesnt help the movie either.

Brave is a worthy watch but dont expect the sky from this one and youll be satisfied. Oh and do 

watch out for the triplets, they are a blast.

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Gangs Of Wasseypur 2012: Movie Review

Anurag Kashyap is in receipt of enthusiastic evaluations for GANGS OF WASSEYPUR, prior to the film's theatrical release in India. Subsequent to its unveiling at Cannes this year, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR has harvested buoyant acknowledgment, is fervently anticipated and highly estimated. The film has been prized by assessors for its authoritative and engaging plot, vengeance being its nucleus subject matter.

The stripes connecting mainstream, conventional, profit-making cinema and parallel or corresponding cinema are smudging. The mainstream is being reformulated and the superior thing is that it co-exists comfortably in the present day, thanks to critically acclaimed and commercially successful films KAHAANI, PAAN SINGH TOMAR and VICKY DONOR. The parallel cinema that was once deemed as lackluster is far more fascinating and pleasurable currently. In the last couple of years, diverse categories of movies have surfaced, innovative initiatives are being endeavored, new-fangled stories are being acquainted with. 

Anurag Kashyap, who is celebrated for his effort in generating a position in Indian cinema's forward-thinking space, narrates a classic account of two disputing families set against the milieu of the coal mining groups in Dhanbad. Heightened by strong acts by a gifted and assorted cast, the film is ingeniously narrated and has several power-packed sequences that render you speechless. However, it's not without its share of blemishes… But more on that later! 

Towards the end of colonial India, Shahid Khan loots the British trains, impersonating the legendary Sultana Daku. Now outcast, Shahid becomes a worker at Ramadhir Singh's colliery, only to spur a revenge battle that passes on to generations. At the turn of the decade, Shahid's son, the philandering Sardar Khan, vows to get his father's honor back, becoming the most feared man of Wasseypur. 

With so many characters, the account being narrated by a voiceover and the film constantly going back in time, it takes time to get a hang of things initially. The film begins in the center of things and then hauls us back to 1940, where the recounting initiates. 

GANGS OF WASSEYPUR has a capricious first half, but the film advances vigorously post intermission. There's never a tedious moment in the second half of the gangster epic, the plot throws a number of disclosures at you, it dribbles with visual style, laces up with commanding, acidic and witty lines… with Rajiv Ravi's camera moving incessantly. In fact, there's so much that Anurag invests in the movie. Clearly, he has that streak of courage that very few film-makers in Mumbai pride themselves in. But there's a flipside too: The screenplay could've been crisper and taut. It slackens sporadically [in the first hour specifically]. Most importantly, the excessive run time makes you fidgety, even though the content leaves you mesmerized and captivated on numerous junctures. 

Also, you ought to have a really strong stomach to absorb a film like GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. The generous usage of expletives/cuss words, the gruesome violence, the repugnant visuals can prove to be disconcerting to an oblivious spectator. In fact, it's not your regular Bollywood entertainer. It's not like anything the Hindi moviegoer has ever witnessed. That's precisely why one should enter the auditorium cognizant of the fact that he/she is going to witness something absolutely contradictory to what he/she has been subjected to for eons. Let me, at this juncture, put you on alert that GANGS OF WASSEYPUR is not for the faint-hearted or lily-livered. But if you are in a mood to experience something diametrically diverse, chances are you may come out feeling elated and ecstatic. 

The soundtrack of GANGS OF WASSEYPUR will be remembered as the reappearance of small-town folksy music in a contemporary avatar, though it can be assumed that the music is vastly experimental. Deep respect for music director Sneha Khanwalkar for merging folk music with fashionable sounds to exactitude. Though hard to choose the best one, 'O Womaniya' and 'Jiya Ho Bihar Ke Lala' certainly stand out, 'Kehke Lunga' is also a frontrunner. Besides, 'Kasam Paida Karne Wale Ki' and 'Salaam-E-Ishq', the evergreen tracks from yesteryear hits, are smartly placed in the narrative. 

BANDIT QUEEN, SATYA, ZUBEIDAA, AKS, PINJAR, 1971, SWAMI, RAAJNEETI and LANKA are some of the performances of Manoj Bajpayee which are, for eternity, committed to memory. The skilled actor now adjoins GANGS OF WASSEYPUR to this imposing listing, wherein Bajpayee appends incredible value and weightage to the intense character he depicts. His presence illuminates every sequence that he emerges in and compels you to esteem the actor with amazement. 

The other performance that takes you by surprise is that of Tigmanshu Dhulia. An accomplished director, this film makes you open your eyes to the fact that he's an incredible actor as well. So strong is his screen charisma that he is in possession of every frame he features in. Both Richa Chadda and Reemma Sen have meaty roles, but Richa is the definite discovery. She is simply brilliant from the very inception. Reemma is in terrific form, essaying a difficult part with flourish. 

Nawazuddin Siddiqui is first-rate and one presumes, one would get to see more of him in the second installment of the movie. Ditto for Huma Qureshi, who's introduced much later in the film. She's wonderful in the sequence when Nawaz attempts to get a little extra comfy with her. Piyush Mishra, as always, is hugely competent. Jaideep Ahlawat is another actor who leaves an indelible impact. He's fantastic! Jameel Khan, who features prominently with Manoj Bajpayee all though, is effective. Pankaj Tripathi is in terrific form. Note the flare-up at the marriage. He's fabulous! Vipin Sharma gets into the skin of the character and delivers a wonderful performance. Vineet Singh, who portrays Manoj's elder son, is perfect. Yashpal Sharma appears in a cameo. Anurita Jha gets minimal screen presence in this first part. 

On the whole, GANGS OF WASSEYPUR symbolizes the fearless new Indian cinema that shatters the clichés and conventional formulas, something which Anurag Kashyap has come to be acknowledged for. It has all the trappings of an entertainer, but with a difference. The film prides itself with substance that connects with enthusiasts of new-age cinema. But, I wish to restate, one needs to have a really strong belly to soak up to a film like GANGS OF WASSEYPUR. Also, this striking movie-watching experience comes with a colossal length and duration. The reactions, therefore, would be in extremes. GANGS OF WASSEYPUR is for that segment of spectators who seek pleasure in watching forceful, hard-hitting and gritty movies.


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Teri Meri Kahaani 2012: Movie Review

A self-declared Yash Chopra fan, Kunal Kohli has had a remarkable career thus far. He didn't have a great beginning with MUJHSE DOSTI KAROGE, but surprised one and all with his dexterity in films like HUM TUM and FANAA. THODA PYAAR THODA MAGIC couldn't restructure the magic of HUM TUM, but all eyes are on his new outing TERI MERI KAHAANI. The question is, will he be able to strike a chord this time?

Preceding its release, the tittle-tattle went on an overdrive asserting that TERI MERI KAHAANI bears a striking semblance to the 2005 Taiwanese film THREE TIMES, which featured three chronologically separate love stories. Both, the Hou Hsiao-Hsien directed project and Kunal's film are positioned over three time frames where the hero and the heroine find love in different circumstances. While the Taiwanese film was set in 1911, 1966 and 2005, TERI MERI KAHAANI is set in 1910, 1960 and present-day U.K. 

But do the three stories connect with each other? Now that's one question that shouldn't be answered in a review. It may rob the film of its magnetism. 

I have watched both the films and let me enlighten you that both are dissimilar to each other. Perhaps, the idea of three love stories in three different eras may have germinated from the Taiwanese film, but that's about it. The story and treatment of THREE TIMES is poles apart, while TERI MERI KAHAANI is the atypical love story that one is accustomed to watching. So, there. A happenstance in the subject matter doesn't make it analogous or a blatant replication, does it? 

Can we truly love one person throughout our life and hope that fate makes us meet the same person in every life of ours? This story takes us through a journey of eternal love between a couple who have vowed to love each other not only in this life, but in every life to follow. Their love is so strong that even destiny wants to bring them together. The story starts in 1960 Bombay with Govind and Ruksar, then moves ahead to present times, 2012 England with Radha and Krish and then goes back in time to Punjab 1910 with Aradhana and Javed. 

Can Javed and Aradhana still be together? Will Ruksar realize that Govind's feeling for her were genuine? Will Krish be able to clear the misunderstandings? 

Independently and collectively, the three love stories divided in three different eras of TERI MERI KAHAANI do accomplish at portraying how our lives are influenced and even revolutionized by the times we live in. However, the film doesn't thrive on all accounts, there are a few dull moments [the present-day story stagnates after a point and the pacing tends to get unhurried, thus making you fidgety and impatient at times], but buried in its experimental storytelling and innate performances is a heartwarming tale that's gratifying and succeeds in planting a smile on your face. Especially the way Kunal concludes the three stories! 

On the brighter side, there are no preceding births, nobody expires or recalls meeting earlier. The viewer is well aware that Shahid and Priyanka have met before, but the characters are completely clueless about the past. 

Different eras are the crux of this motion picture. In fact, these eras take the account frontward. Each story tackles diverse times and societal principles and at least two stories -- the Poona and Punjab episodes -- keep you hooked [screenplay: Robin Bhatt and Kunal Kohli]. It's actually very unusual to experience a story which progresses in this fashion. This is a setting where one gets to witness the inventiveness and resourcefulness of a director. Without doubt, TERI MERI KAHAANI gives Kunal this break. 

A special mention of the production design [Muneesh Sappel]. The sets created to depict the different eras is admirable. While recreating the pre-independence India must have been tough, Sappel has recreated the era of 1960s impeccably well. TERI MERI KAHAANI is, without doubt, one of the better albums by Sajid-Wajid. In fact, Sajid-Wajid and lyricist Prasoon Joshi make sure the soundtrack is extremely likeable, especially these tracks -- 'Jabse Mere Dil Ko Uff', 'Mukhtasar', 'Allah Jaane' and 'Humse Pyaar Karle Tu'. Sunil Patel's cinematography is top notch. Dialogue, penned by Kunal Kohli, are poetic and romantic. 

Not many actors get the opportunity to portray three diverse roles in a single movie. But Shahid carries each of those parts with refinement, besides looking debonair in each character. There is no quizzing his performing abilities either. He pulls the act with effortlessness and panache. As a matter of fact, whenever Shahid has attempted something diverse, the results have been luminous. From playing a musician in Bollywood to a compulsive flirt in Punjab to the unflustered and trendy youngster settled in U.K., Shahid does an exceptional job. Among the three characters, his take as Javed is sure to win him accolades. 

As the spirited Aradhana of 1910, the dazzling movie star Rukhsar of 1960 or the joyful Radha of 2012, Priyanka is a complete livewire in each of the acts. On a personal level, I liked her the most as Aradhana, a full-on Punjabi girl who's vivacious and bubbly. What also makes the film work is the chemistry the two actors share. They appear exceptionally comfy with each other and bring to the table what the spectators are looking for. 

Prachi Desai is sparkling in a cameo. Neha Sharma is decent. Vrajesh Hirjee does well. Surendra Pal is okay. 

On the whole, TERI MERI KAHAANI is uncomplicated and charming. Not the usual romantic fare, this one presents three different stories in three different eras without getting theatrical or melodramatic. Thanks to its innovative storytelling, it comes across as the perfect date movie, holding tremendous appeal for the Facebook Gen. TERI MERI KAHAANI is pleasurable and fascinating in equal measures!


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