Rockford - Nagesh Kukunoor [1999]

Nagesh Kukunoor - A name often taken for great movies like Dor, Hyderabad Blues, 3 deewarein and Iqbal. But nobody much remember his earlier flicks like Rockford and Bollywood Calling. Why, why comedy is such ignored genre in bollywood when it comes to count great work of someone?

Anyways, Rockford, is not a comedy as many reference sites and books puts into the genre. Its a story about a 13 yr old boy, Rajesh Naidu, [Rohan Dey] who comes to this High School, set somewhere in South Indian Hill station. School is a convent one. So we oughta see Brothers, Sisters, Fathers and Mothers. [This is one reason, this movie is my personal fav, cause I have studied in same kinda place].

13 year old, Rajesh, who is never left alone by parents. Now he has to live alone far away from home. This thought, in India, is very depressing. I remember my parents too often threat me of putting me in a hostel if I mess around anymore. There, his parents are living him in hostel.

See anything alike?? Below ---

Here, he meets his benchmate first. Selva Reddy - excellently played by Kailash Atmanathan - who is a happy go lucky kid. Who knows everything-just everything. I just loved his character. The way his part is written and developed, is really interesting. Each viewer feels attached to his character and remembers their own pals in school.


Another pal joining them is David,played by Imran Mirza a sports freak with heart of Gold. He is arrogant, but always helpful and kind to his friends. Mature enough to control Selva's freakiness.

Convent school has its own rules. Its own people. Its own bad things too. Ragging, pranks, and even 'Monthly Prank Awards' are also held overhere in this school !! In physical exams, Rajesh can't do even a single pull-up. And then enters his savior - Johnny Mathew [Nagesh Kukunoor] An assistant physical trainer. Who tearches not to recognise failure. And many more other things too. ;-)

Enter Ms.Vegas, - Nandita das looks lovely in Saree as a teacher, whom every student admires. ;-) After all, she is among the only girl in this all male boarding. see for yourself.

See those faces smiling??? Especially, Selva. I just loved his character as i told earlier. See his many moods in following cap.

Then follows is sweet school memories, and funny moments. Tries to woo girls. and much more. Then our boy meets Malti [Ulrika krishnamurthy] and falls instantly for her. Why not? she is so adorable and lovely girl.

Parts of the movie are so funny and in parts, it is much inspiring too. And most of the moments are like that, you can relate yourself to it. Set up of the movie is so much familier. And many of us have gone through such phase in our own lives.

See, who hasn't made 'Gupshup' and 'chit' chat in class like that??

OR, how about first shave and first kiss ....?

first Love letter, and first piece of Porn????

or the FIRST....... [Watch the movie, for that]

Beauty of the movie lies in its simplicity. No matter its a low budget film. Picturisation looks weird in today's senario. Where we gotta see fabulously picturised things on screens. But movie packs in such a warm and witty things that I got flattered to. And mind you, this is not 'art house' cinema. Just a small bollywood movie.

Everyone has acted superbly. Nandita Das is just doing a cameo for the movie. In other cast, Nagesh has done good job. So is Jayant Kriplani as principal. And above all, the juniors, are the backbone of this movie. Rohan, Ulrika and Kailash just amazing. They are first timers, but we can see they just dont act. They just live the movie.

I live you here with some hillarious moments of the movie. One is a moment which comes twice in movie. Hillarious take of song 'Ankhiya tu mila le raja' from Aamir's movie 'ISHQ'.

The song comes again in an emotional moment, which made me shed tears. Watch the movie for that.

Another hillarious song is 'Shokhiyon mein...from Dev Anand's movie Prem Pujari. Here, first Rohan and Nandita sings the song. Later Nagesh takes place of Dev saab.

Here, is original video of devsaab and beautiful Waheeda Rehman.

Now lets turn to most favortie part of mine. thats MUSIC ofcourse.

This movie has featured some tracks which are lifetime favorite for me. Fabulous TWO tracks. One is by SHANKAR-EHSAN-LOY and other one taken from KAY KAY's first album. Pal. - Yaaron Dosti which is an anthem is now for friendship.

So there goes, my first review of an old movie, old in terms of not recently released, but I just got re watched it. And just to share with you. So please do watch this flick, and hey, its totally in English, so there you won't need any subtitles. So watch it and tell me you liked it or not.

P.S.: This movie contains some mature [adult] jokes on sexual feelings of pre-teen boys. so it that is not your piece of cake, then I would not recommand this to you.

And again finally, SEE ANYTHING ALIKE???

Luck By Chance – Music Review

I am confused. Always, always I am confused between Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy [referred in here as SEL] and A R Rehman. I don't want to compare the two, but naturally comparison ho jaati hai. Rehman gives such stupendous score in each film. While SEL gives music, which is totally involved in the film. One can not think anything but the movie itself. Like in TZP, Rock On – which we have heard recently. Tracks are so dedicated to the movie itself.

Luck By Chance, is a movie about Film Industry, aspirations of youth to join it and hopes higher then sky. To become star, a big star in this wide wide sky. So here, SEL presents a really interesting combination of tracks for the movie. While daddy dearest Javed Akhtar gave some nice words to it. After all, its Zoya Akhtar's debut as Director.

Yeh Zindgi Bhi: The album starts off with a track that describes the theme, even story of the film. Loy Mendonsa & Shekhar [of Vishal-Shekhar] gives voice to this beautiful rendition. Its about ambition and aspirations. And where does life takes them. Song starts with low note, and Shekhar adds special touch and cozy feel. In its peak, the song gets vast feeling and following words describes the feel of the movie. Shekhar of Vishal-Shekhar pair, has sung this, while in Dostana - Shankar Mahadevan sung Desi Girl. Now that's what I call Professionalism. The tradition of singing in other musician's work is going really good places.

Jo palko ke tale, hai apne sapne leke chale, ha kah do woh chale sambhalke;

Naa karna koi gile, kahi jo thokar aisi lage, ke sapne toote Aansu Chhalke''

Will you translate this for me theBollywoodFan???

Baawre : We get another surprise, another performance by Loy. I am just surprised why he had not been singing till now. This is kinda desi track. Starts off with qawaali kind of rendition by Shankar. This track is mad mad mad ride to Bollywood. The colorful movies with chorus dancing and dancing stars. Close your eyes and you can see colorful Bollywood around you. Lyrics are also apt for this feel. I would not call this Foot Tapping, but Body Rocking. You oughta see Hrithik dancing to this tune. He is superbly awesome. Here is the video….

Interestingly, this tune goes Don way after first half. The Don theme, which featured in SRK theme, this is exactly same. Don't be surprised if you get to see SRK on the screen. Also the Last track – Baawre [remix] is very much same as Don's remix theme.

Pyaar Ki Dastaan: Now, we have to take at least one love ballad, if this is movie about Bollywood, no? Here, SEL special. Lovely as usual SEL songs are. Amit Paul [runner-up of Indian Idol 3] teams up with ever dependable Mahalaxmi. This is quite a mix of Chup chup ke [Bunty/babli] & Mera Dil [Salaam-e-ishq]. So smooth and lovely words. Predictable words, though, you will love the track.

Yeh Aaj Kya Ho Gaya : Smooth, is the main word of this album. All tracks are so smooth, I just love them. This is a soft rock kinda song by Sunidhi. She leave us thinking why SEL didn't took her in Rock On?? Drums, keyboard and vocals everything is so fine. The song is about Morning, and hope, which comes by every new dawn. Yaay, I want more of this,SEL, keep going on…

Sapno Se Bhare Naina:Finally, here came track which I was waiting for. Since the first promos were out, I was dying to listen this fabulous track. Shankar Mahadevan, proves to be Most Versatile Singer, in this industry. Song starts with slow rendition with Classical Fusion touch. And goes damn well with Bass. The words expresses depression and struggle of a newcomer. We already have seen in promos.

Interesting part of the track is halfway. Where Shankar does his fantastic job, the Sargam [indian classical] sung is damn damn good. I cant get enough of this track.

O Raahi Re..: Guitar. I just love this thing. And when Ehsaan is playing that…..wow. This track surely going to him. And again, Shankar shows his versatality. Such great singing. Such great arrangment. Oh my God, I am in love with this track. So soothing, it reminds of S D Burman's songs. About raahi, about life. Great great.

I would again request you theBollywoodFan to translate this. These two songs are so good, that it shall reach to all.

Damn, I am so eager to watch all these tracks on screen. Add Konkona Sen & Farhaan to this. I am chewing my nails….. Overall, this is surely a good soundtrack. I would rate this 4 out of 5. Go for it.

Mahabharat – the saga, will it be re-made? [Aamir interested !!]

Its making waves again. Yes, I have discussed the same matter way back in the year 2005, here. About a movie based on the greatest epic in Hindu Mythology – Mahabharat. A legend written ages ago. Everyone is keen on making their own version since years of Indian cinema. Also series makers are not left out. Ekta Kapoor has burnt her hands recently. But Who can forget immortal series Mahabharat made by Late B.R.Chopra? Back in the year of 1988, it created tremendous rage among all over India, and over the world too. I remember as a child I used to see people gathering around TV, like a worship place. Roads are empty like a curfew is imposed. Each and every character had been treated like God in real life too. Aaah..The Golden Era of Indian Television.

Back to present, it is now Aamir Khan, yes, Mr. Perfectionist has expressed interest in making a full fledged film on the Epic. [I just seen this on yet another juicy report of Hindi news channel]. Earlier director Rajkumar Santoshi has expressed same interest, and Producer Bobby Bedi too, was willing to make such film with Director Maniratnam. But nothing went on floor. [here is my post about it] But this time, looking at Aamir's determination, his power in industry, I am quite sure, if he wants to make this, then nothing can stop him.

The main thing to think about is – what role shall be played by him?? My idea of his choice is, Karna, obviously. Even earlier I have read many times that he is interested in that character very much. And yes, the character itself offers a solid part in the story.

So there, anyone of you, who knows this saga, can suggest any other character for Aamir, or more starcast ?????

Meanwhile, mythology is rage these days in Bollywood. While Rajkumar Santoshi has [unofficially] announced his version of another great epic – Ramayan – starring Ajay-Kajol as Ram-Seeta. On the other hand, Sanjay Khan is keen on taking Hrithik in his own version of the same epic, as Ram.

Lets see, who gets the Nirvana first…!!!

Bad Movies of 2008

Unlike last year, this year was really bad for movies. So many movies that mad much hype and hoopla around them, failed miserably. Media has gone so much far and further, that each and every movie had been projected more on more despite of the fact, if they has any potential or not. So I decided not to dissect each and every movie in detail. Instead of that, I have made one collage [which will be go on, in next of my posts too..showing average and good films]. This movies are all released in 2008, and to me, none of them worked.

Major disappointments of this year were – [in no particular order]

1. Tashan 2. Lovestory 2050 3. Hello 4. Drona 5. Yuvvraaj
   
   Tashan had its wild wild side. It was totally wild in first half, but useless fight sequences and worthless child lovestory between bebo and akki, made me turned off. I prefer Oye Lucky 's cute charming child lovestory over this one. While on the other hand, Lovestory 2050, was much animated in first half in terms of performances. And in the second half, movie itself got animated. While I was thinking of this will be a dawn for sci-fi movie in Hindi Cinema, it proved doom. [though in my review I said good words about it, I can see that no one in industry took lesson about making further more scifi movies].
   

One of the biggest disappintment to me was Hello. The movie made me loose faith in Chetan Bhagat, whom I adore the most as a writer. He did a damn bad job as scriptwriter for the movie. And add bad performances, bad music, a complete disaster was this. Drona was good in terms of originality of story. But un-necessary special effects, bad editing and doubting performances, made it a failed attempt. Though, I m really looking forward to its sequel. (!!!!) For which, SRK has shown keen interest. Lastly, Yuvvraaj is as all you know, was good only to some four points. Besides them, a big disaster. [four are – Cinematography, Anil, Katrina and Rehman]

Below is collage of all bad movies I had seen this year. 

2008 – A Year in Music

It's been a long time, since I have done any post related to music. Last time when I was about to review Ghajini's music, the Mumbai got burnt. So, I postponed there. Now, it is the time to review the whole year, which has gone by. So here is my little summary of whatever was playing in my ears throughout the year. Below are some tracks you shall not miss at any cost.

I have mentioned only the best tracks amongst the albums. Also, songs are given in sequence of their release dates of movies. Best are selected on various basis. Some tracks are so much fun on dance floors, while some will touch chords of hearts. [Actually I wanted to write much more about each track, but its like going to be a looooong post, so there, a tiny little summary].

On overall totality, Best Albums of the year to me were – Jodha Akbar, Jaane Tu…, Rock On & Yuvvraaj. [though I am always confused between Rehman and Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy] If only one is to choose, so its hard decision, but Rock On!! Is a clear winner. Fantastic each and every bit of it.

Movie	Song / s	Singers	Music Director
Superstar	Ajnabi.. Aankhon se khwaab.. Mann tu talbat..	Raaj Ustad Sultan Khan, Rekha Bhardwaj Hamza	Shamir Tondon
Jodha-Akbar	Khwaja Azeem-O-Shaan Jashn-E-Bahaara	Mohammad Aslam, Bony C., ARR A R Rehman Javed Ali	A R Rehman
Race	Pehli Nazar Mein Touch me	Atif Aslam Monali Thakur	Pritam Chakraborty
Ada	Ishq Ada Meherbaan Tu Mera Hai	Rashid Ali A R Rehman Chithra, Naresh Iyer, Sukhwinder S.	A R Rehman
Khuda kay Liye	Bandya Allah	Khawar Jawad, Farah Zala ??	Khawar Jawad
Shaurya	Dheere dheere	Sunidhi, Adnan Sami	Surender Sodhi
U Me aur Hum	U me aur Hum..	Shreya Ghoshal & Vishal Bhardwaj	Vishal Bhardwaj
Tashan	Dil Dance maare Falak tak	Sukhvinder singh, Udit N. & Sunidhi C. Udit N. & Mahalaxmi	Vishal-Shekhar
Jannat	Judai Haan Tu Hai	Kamran Ahmed & Richa Sharma Kay Kay	Pritam Chakraborty
Aamir	Ha Raham	Amit Trivedi, Amitabh, Murtuza Qadir	Amit Trivedi
Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic	Pyaar Ke liye Bulbula	Shankar Mahadevan Shankar Mahadevan, Sunidhi C.	Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Naa	Nazrein Milana Kahin To	Anupama , Benny Dayal, Darshana, Tanvi Satish Chakravarthy , Naresh Iyer Rashid Ali , Vasundara Das	A R Rehman
Lovestory 2050	Meelon Ka Mausam Achanak	Kay Kay, Alka Yagnik Shaan, Alka Yagnik	Annu Mallik
Kismat Connection	Bakhuda Tumhi Ho Kahin Na Laage	Atif Aslam Mohit Chauhan	Pritam Chakraborty
Ugly Aur Pagli	Talli Main Talli Ho Gai	Anmol Malik,Hard Kaur,Mika Singh	Annu Mallik
Singh is Kinng	Teri Ore	Rahat Fateh Ali Khan & Shreya Ghoshal	Pritam Chakraborty
Bachna Ae Haseeno	Ahista Ahista Jogi Mahi	Lucky Ali & Shreya Ghoshal Sukhvinder S., Shekhar & Himani Kapoor	Vishal-Shekhar
Rock On !!	Tum ho to Yeh Tumhari meri Phir Dekhiye Sinbad the Sailor	Farhan Akhtar Dominique Cerejo Caralisa Monteiro Raman Mahadevan, Farhan Akhtar	Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy
Drona	Drona Bandgi	Dhruv Roop Kumar Rathod, Sunidhi C.	Dhruv Ghanekar
Roadside Romeo	Rooftop Romance	Instrumental	Salim-Suleiman
Fashion	Mar Jawaan Theme of Fashion	Shruti Pathak Instrumental	Salim-Suleiman
Ek vivaah Aisa Bhi	Mujhme Zinda Jhirmir Jhirmir Neend Mein Hai	Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal Shaan	Ravindra Jain
E M I	Aankhon hi	Mohit Chauhan	Chirantan Bhatt
Dasvidaniya	Alvida	Kailash Kher	Kailash-Naresh-Paresh
Dostana	Jaane Kyun Khabar Nahi	Vishal Dadlani Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal	Vishal-Shekhar
Yuvvraaj	Tu Muskura Mastam Mastam Zindagi Dil Ka Rishta	Alka Yagnik & Javed Ali Sonu N., Alka Y., Naresh & Benny Srinivas Sonu Nigam, Roop Kumar Rathod, A R Rahman, Clinton, Suzanne, Vivienne Pocha, Naresh, Benny & Blazze	A R Rehman
Oye Lucky ! Lucky Oye !	Oye Lucky Jugni Tu Raja Ki Raj Dulari	Mika Des Raj Lachkani Rajbir	Sneha Khanwalkar
Sorry Bhai	Pal	Sunidhi Chauhan & Chayan Adhikari	Gaurav Dayal
Rab Ne Bana di Jodi	Phir Milenge Dance Pe Chance	Sonu Nigam Sunidhi C. & Labh Janjua	Salim-Suleiman
Ghajini	Kaise Mujhe Aye Bachchu Behka	Rashid Ali, Shreya Ghoshal Suzanne Karthik	A R Rehman

Best of 2008 – Some…I missed

Being a Friday Freak, I regret not watching these movies. Yes, sometimes the time is not right, sometimes I was busy, sometimes movie din’t release at where I was. Each of the following movie, had won so much critical acclaim.

The most desparate I am, is for Welcome to Sajjanpur. Cause so many critics, and so many bloggers has put it in one of the best of the year list. And I just love both, Shreyas and Amrita. So I am waiting for DVD, which is releasing soon. [that too..on Moser Baer :-) ] Next on my hot list is Dasvidaniya. Quick. Release the dvd man, or else I have to find pirated [I hate doing so…].

Why a Vikram Bhatt movie on this list? Yes, it is worth to be there. 1920 has Adah Sharma, a newbie who got so praise for this role. And I like to be frightened. I love horror flicks. That’s it. While Tahaan has unique story, Rahul Bose and wow visuals, attracts me. The Last Lear, has innovative scenes and storyline, and ofcourse, Arujn Rampal acting like never before. Khuda kay liye, has its own uniqueness. Never before movie has been released in india which is shot and made in Pakistan. And lastly, Maharathi, cause its based on a powerful Play of similar name, which was in Gujarati language, which is my mothertongue. And again, I love suspence thrillers.

So, here is another collage.