LAGAAN : Looking back to the year 2001

10 years. Can't believe its been ten years- a decade. When I got awed by something that I watched on screen. What kept on playing in my ears. And what I saw inside the cinema halls. That was LAGAAN. Way back in the year 2001 - one of the finest years Indian cinema has witnessed.

I can remember how Aamir had kept Lagaan miles away from media and publicity. Nobody knew much about the movie except few things like it was shot in Gujarat's deserted area of Kutch. That its story was set in years when English ruled the country. [Another movie about Freedom movement I thought] I was studying my engineering back then. Many people don’t understand how time-consuming engineering education is. ;-D I was completely disconnected with TV then. You won't believe but I hardly could watch TV because I was living alone as a PG [though the family I lived with, insisted that I can go and watch TV anytime, but somehow I resisted myself]. So for me - nothing but word of mouth was the only source [and local newspapers] for information about Lagaan. On one fine day I heard the first promo has come out, Kaisa hoga promo? kaisi hogi Gauri? [mad mad]. Someone told promo is very short. Just a bunch of rapidly moving frames with Big B telling 'Lagaan - Sau saal pehle ki ik aisi kahaani, jo itihaas ke panno mein kahin kho gayi thi' - whooo! Bachchan? [I do not like him 'that' much, u know]. But yes, he has that voice. my excitement was on its peak. I was counting days to the vacation. [the 'reading vacation' just before the exams] that I can go home and watch all happenings one by one.

And then the day came.

Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa - VTV remake is still on !

Yes I'm living in a nutshell, don't know what's happening in and around the world. But when I knew this news somehow - I jumped around. Yes ! The remake is still on [named 'Prem Katha!!!! eww] ! Yes, after Pratiek's [reportedly] denial to act with Trisha [pagal guy] I thought [and read too] that remake of Gautham Vasudev Menon's musical superhit "Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa" - is still on its track. Jessie's role is now played by Amy Jackson [!] a British model and actress. [she was last seen in Madrasapattinam - tamil fli
ck] [P.S. OMG She's really hot ;) hope she can fit herself inside Saaree for most of the frames]
If reports are to be believed, the schedule of Kerala is almost over, and similarly, schedule of [the most crucial part] US, is over on 6th June. Earlier schedules were shot in Mumbai and Goa. What's more - A R Rahman is STILL with the team. Yes, the movie can't be the same without his music. [oh, and the dialogues +lyrics are by Javed Akhtar !]

Eagerly waiting for the remake. Pratiek - please don't disappoint.

btw, see the fan art I found on PremKatha's Wiki page.

Tags : VTV remake, Prateik at Karthik, Amy Jackson as Jessie, Trisha, Gautham Menon, Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa remake, Hindi VTV songs, Rahman, Amy Jackson pictures

Salman 'Dhinka Chika' Khan !

None of the Khans are famous for their dancing skills. They do give their best but most of the time its the choreographer who designs the right moves to hide their 'skills', and most of the times we forget their moves by the time. But the case is different for our Salman Bhai. Since last few movies, he is on roll with some bindaas moves in his own style. One can name the song just by seeing the steps. Recent hit Dhinka Chika made me write this post. Out of his famous moves - here are some of my favorites. [click on links to watch video]

O Oh Jaane Jaana :(Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya) Well, this is pretty old one, but the first where Sallu got a song that topped all charts. Kamal Khan's pop number converted to bollywood gaana, add topless Salman - Pakka Superhit ! The song alone carried movie to the top.

Jawani Phir Na Aaye : (Mujhse Shaadi Karogi) The Towel song, way before Ranbir. Salman went crazy over PC and a towel. Hilarious moves And perfect voice for Sallu - Sonu Nigam. Trademark Salman Khan madness.

Ek Garam Chai :(Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega) As short it can get. Sallu in a chaddi. Surrounded [as usual] by hawt chicks. Beach. And addictive song - #win . Never mind Annnuuu Malliiik's "surila" singing. Oh, and the song was an interesting idea for running titles.

Tapke Masti (London Dreams) :  Well, I am a part of minority who liked this movie. Desi Salman, in Punjabi mood, this colorful song goes more lively with Sallu's steps.

Tera Hi Jalwa [Wanted] : Jalwa ... jalwa .. jalwa.... * does the collar move * need I say more? Matching steps with Prabudeva, Govinda and Anil Kapoor - this song is riot.

Munni Badnaam [Dabaang] : Obvious choice. Actually, Hud Hud Dabaang also has some trademark Salman moves [the 'belt' move] but the madness creates riot on screen.

Finally, the latest one.

Dhinka Chika [Ready] : Not a fan of Asin's dancing, but still re-invented version of Hud Hud Dabaang, [this time 'pocket' move ;)] - the song is still fun with Sallu.


So, which is your favorite?

Tags : Best of Salman Khan, Salman Khan Dance songs, Sallu, Salman Dance, Dhinka Chika

Bol : Music Review

Sweet duet Hona Tha Pyaar by Atif and Hadiqa Kiyani is already loved by all. Atif in his 'controlled' voice sounds good in it. [though I love 'any' of his songs no matter it annoys many]. Wish he can do more such songs. The pair returns in title song Aaj Bol Do - that sounds pretty much identical to Enrique's Escape. But still, doesn't harm your eardrums much. Sajjad Ali's Din Pareshan Hai is lyrical treat. Both versions keeps you engaged. Lovely voice. Hadiqa's solo Dil Janiya with rap beats sounds like old school pak-pop song, good one. Saiyaan Bolein - a mujra  by Shabnam Majeed, Sahir Ali Bugga, Bina Jawad-is passable [for me atleast]. While a song of hope -Mumkin Hai by Ahmed Jahanzeb & Shuja Haider has nice vocals & lyrics, that gets stuck in mind.

Though not as fabulous as earlier one [Khuda Kay Liye], director Shoaib Mansoor has given another good album here. With mix of various composers [Shoaib Mansoor, Atif Aslam, Sajjad Ali, Sarmad Ghafoor] Bol - is worth for variety of tracks it offers.

Tags : Bol Music review, Aaj Bol Do, Khuda Kay Liye, Shoaib Mansoor, Eros Entertainment releases Pakistani movie, Atif Aslam, Hadiqa Kiyani, Hadeeqa, Shabnam Majeed, Ahmed Jahanzeb, Shuja Haider, Sarmad Ghafoor, Bol Pakistani Movie, Atif's debut movie

Stanley Ka Dabba : Movie Review

Who does not want to go back to their school days.. when we had best times of our lives. Got punished [face the wall] for mischief in class; Shared our 'dabbas' with bunch of friends; fought over 'area of bench' with bench-mate; drooled over beautiful teacher and get crazy by getting praise [and 'special' toffees] by her. Oh man ! How 'Stanley Ka Dabba' got me nostalgic. Loved the way Amole Gupte has treated this film with the medium of food. [Note: DO NOT watch this movie when u r hungry :) ]

First thing I want to advise is - DO NOT go with TZP in your mind. Do not make comparisons. No, that would be unfair to both movies. TZP was about nurture, care and education system. While SKD is about just a few pages from the life of Stanley [Partho Gupte]- little sweet boy who is famous amongst his class for stories he makes out of nowhere. Favorite of Rosy miss [Divya Dutta in a lovely performance]. And.. not so favorite of Verma sir [Amole Gupte]. Beauty of the movie lies in its simple yet lovely treatment. The creative couple Deepa and Amole has treated it so lightly that it makes you involved in the happenings. You feel like sitting in class, laugh at silly acts of mischiefs by kids, feel Stanley's pain, feel joy of friendship, feel overwhelm in finale [and, what follows after]. Everything is natural. [may be thats because children were not 'forced' to act. Movie was shot in weekends with schedule of maximum 2 hours !] And, the compelling score by Hitesh Sonik is another highlight of the movie.
 
Highly recommended this is. Finest performances. Fantastic execution. Do not treat it as film for kids [as I was told by many - 'why watch a 'kids' movie'?] But trust me, if you miss this- you'll miss 90 minutes of sheer joy, happiness and honest efforts.

Tags : Stanley Ka Dabba, Amole Gupte, Deepa Bhatia, Partho, Abhishek Chaturvedi, Shaikh, Walter, Shiv Narain Shetty, Raj Zutshi, Divya Dutta, Holy Family School, Hitesh Sonik

Shaitan : Music Review

Messy 'Bali (the Sound Of Shaitan) is absolutely addictive with its Telugu, Hindi and English words mix. The techno sound effects with racy singing makes the track go crazy. Next up is Nasha sung by composer Prashant Pillai and Bindu Nambiar - made me recheck the credits. It sounds so 'Rahman'. Like something that was left in 'Blue's OST. [Even Prashant's voice sounds similar to Rahman] Stll, its enjoyable-my favorite from the album. Composed by Amar Mohile- Josh-E-Junoon starts with hip hop sound and ends excellently with Bhangra fusion. These three tracks have one thing in common - the theme of Shaitan. Fun.

Guitar heavy Fareeda starts with lazy riffs while ends with high notes -Suraj Jagan singing lyrics with dash of Urdu - me likes. Ranjit Barot comes in picture then. Composed by him- O Yaara sung by Kirti Sargathia and Preeti Pillai is interesting mix of sufi and rock. Good to see Kirti here, who was otherwise used mostly in Gujju 'doha' kinda stuff. [remember Mayya-Guru?]. Next track that has Ranjit Barot - this time as a singer - Zindgi left its haunting dark sound stuck in my head. Next, Pintya by Prashant again - marathi folk-remixed. Couldn't understand a word - but engaging.

Phew.. still more to  go. ;)  Amy's Theme by Suzanne D'Mello - is as lovely as her voice is. More 'music' tracks are there - Enter, Retro Pop Shit, Unleashed and Outro. And a 'Rock 'n Soul' version of Nasha - this time sung by Ranjit Barot.

Interesting album with pretty unusual singers, composers. [Oh, and no Amit Trivedi ! ] Check this out.