Review: Game

Verdict: eh..Ok
"K" Rating: 1.7

Watch: DVD

A recluse billionaire invites 4 strangers to the Greek island of Samos with not so friendly intentions.Thailand's Prime Ministerial candidate, a drug dealer cum casino owner from Turkey, a Bollywood superstar and a struggling crime journalist based London - have more in common then meets the eye.

Game has stunning locals which provide picturesque backdrops for its action sequences. The plot of this movie has been seen before like in the novel And Then There Were None by Agatha Cristie, the movie Bourne Identity and Bollywood's very own Shalimar. This movie was hyped to go beyond, to kick it up a notch; this unfortunately never happens.The action thriller  lacks a storyline to match the slickness, it starts off in great gear but looses momentum and slumps post interval. It becomes almost predictable.

The movie has been cast very well with Boman Irani, Abhishek Bachchan and Kangana Ranut stealing the show. Debutant Sarah Jane Dias is impressive is her small but pivotal role. Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy adds little - the only numbers which make an impression are Mehki Mehki and Meine Kab Socha Tha.

Overall its a DVD watch, unless you want to travel the world on 70mm screen. Game turns out to be yet another example of a movie which has great potential but fizzes out half way thru.

Review: Dum Maro Dum

Verdict: Ok/ good try

"K" Rating: 2.2

Watch: DVD

 India's most popular tourist destination, blessed with sun kissed beaches and sand-Goa, home to the the worlds deadliest drug cartel in its murky underbelly. The stage is set for Ramesh Sippy's Dum Maro Dum (DMD).

 Abhishek Bachchan as the angry, super cop ACP Kamath suits well and reminds one of Dhoom days. Bipasha Basu as the small town girl who sees her dreams turn to nightmares is impactful. Pratik Babbar plays the free spirited teenager with American dreams who falls in the mafia trap.Rana Dugabatti is the idealistic musician who wants to redeem himself, delivers his career best performance.Guest appearances by Vidya Balan and Deepika Padukone however, are unimpressive and wasted.

This is one movie where craftiness comes in the way of the narrative. The plot with its umpteen intricacies and and interconnect storylines does not let the audience connect and/or empathise to any single character. That being said, the ending of the movie a breath of fresh air to the Hindi film Industry and is the highlight of the film. DMD has its share of dialogues aswell - Kehte hain jab log marte hain toh vo jannat jaatein hai, par Goa mein markar koi kahi nahi jaata [kyonki Goa hi Jannat hai]

Music by Pritam is passable and unmemorable. The theme song of the movie is the original Dum Maro Dum track, from Hare Ram Hare Krishna and hence remains with one as leaving the theater. The remix version is despicable.

Overall the movie is OK/Good [attempt] but falls short on expectations. 

First Look: Dum Maro Dum Track

Alright, we bring you the sneak peak of the much awaited remixed title track of Dum Maro Dum, an item number picturised on Deepika Padukone. With Lyrics like these,  "Aaj kursi kheech raha hai, kal skirt kheechega" this promised to be the Sheila Song of the Year. However we see yet another case of great marketing for a bad product.Unfortunately this much hyped song is such a let down, that its almost an insult to the original score. We  have seen Deepika look way better then in this song.

At the Oscars 2011: AR Rehman, Aish, AB Jr, Mallika

There was a tiny India parade at the 83rd Academy Awards in Los Angeles today.A R Rehman was nominated for 2 Oscars and he performed "If I Rise" from the movie 127 Hours.There was Mallika Sherawat - remember she did a Hollywod flick called "Hisssss". So you missed Aishwarya Rai with huband Abhishek Bachchan in hand at the red carpet?(No they were not nominated nor did they have a Hollywood flick) We don't blame you, so here is a clip of them at the red carpet. 

First Look: Dum Maro Dum

Named after the 1971 hit song from the cult movie Hare Krishna Hare Ram, this is an upcoming movie is directed by Rohan Sippy starring Ambishek Bachchan, Bipasha Basu and Prateik Babbar. Deeepika Padukone will be seen in a scintillating item number on the title track. The movie is set in Goa and revolves around how the drug cartels thrives and influences/changes the lives of people in the numero uno party destination in India. Music by Pritam is much awaited.Its due for release on April 22, 2011.

Review: Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey

Verdict: eh.Okay

"K" Rating: 2/5

Watch: DVD

Khelen Hum.. is based on the book Do And Die by Manini Chatterjee, a true story which narrates the Chittagong Uprising of 1930 against the East India Company. Directed by noneother than Ashutosh Gowariker,Bollywood's most earnest historian, Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is a noble attempt at restoring glory to long- forgotten heros. However it fails to evoke the level of patriotism a subject like this should. It appears to more of a high school drama involving the British Raj. The entire first half of the movie sets the stage in such a slow pace that it drags. The second half zooms past with such urgency and momentum to its predictable climax that it leaves the audience zapped. 

Overall it is a decent attempt, but does not even come close to Rang De Basanti, Lagaan or The Rising. It was refreshing to see Deepika Padukone in a traditional Indian avatar sporting long hair. Clean shaven and serious Abhishek Bachchan did a good job aswell.Music of KHJJS is not memorable, only the title track is noteworthy.

Watch it on DVD, if you want to travel back to the pre-independence era and want to your favorite stars onscreen instead of reading the book.

Koffee with Karan, Season 3: Aishwarya & Abhishek

The first episode of Koffee with Karan (KWK), Season 3 premiered on Novemeber 7th,2010 with Shahrukh Khan giving the opening statement!! (This seemed to have been taped while he was in Rome recently for the premier of My Name Is Khan there). Sipping Koffee with Karan were Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan on this opening show. As we have come to expect it had a lot of tongue and cheek comments. Abhishek was great on the show! Some interesting statements from the show:

Abhishek on trying to win the hamper "I'll do Anything..."

Karan Johar "If Aishwarya is in the room and someone gives a complement, you think I am demented enough to turn around and say Thankyou"

Aishwarya Rai on if she was pinned down to have a marketing tag line for herself "I am so worth it"

Aishwarya "You think I should be telling in print how we make up"

Aishwarya on can you pass a mirror without looking at one -"yeah, why upset the mirror"

Season 3: Koffee with Karan is back!!

India's most famous celebrity talk show Koffee with Karan is back in its 3rd season after a span of 3 years. It premiers on November 7th, 2010 on Star TV with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and hubby Abhishek Bachchan sipping Koffee with Karan. This season most coveted Koffee hamper in Bollywood given away in the show, will include an Apple iPad and Blackberry along with other goodies. Here is hoping this season is as spicy, tempting and teaming hot!

Lux Commercial: Aishwarya & Abhishek Bachchan

After 2 years, Aishwarya & Abhishek finally seem to be warming up to the idea of appearing together on screen post marriage. It began with the couple appearing on the Oprah Show less then a month ago and it continues on with the new Lux soap commercial.

This is the first time the sizzling couple is appearing in a chimerical together. Ashwarya has long association with Lux along with other Bollywood beauties. Abhishek is the only second actor ever appearing in a Lux ad, the first was Shahrukh Khan who appeared in the soaps 75th Anniversary celebration Ad.

For the 34-second commercial Ash & Abhishek took home a whopping 25 crore it is belived. The golden couple was styled by Akki Narula and directed by Stephen Mead. Shankar Ehsaan Loy have given a very soothing music to the Ad. It provides the perfect background score to the playful tricks Ash is playing on husband Abhi. The body language of the actors and the overall feel of the commercial is very warm. Looks like everyone had a blast shooting it and it definitely conveys so! what can we say but "Ab Aishwarya Abhi ke bina nahi" dekhengi kahin.

On the making interview: Abhishek seems down to earth and casual, but note Ash's 2-3 buzz words which she keeps repeating - brand connect, relationship, communication, commercial.