Review: Rockstar

Verdict: eh..OK
"K" Rating: 2.8

Watch: Theater/DVD*

Imtiaz Ali's fourth outing as a filmmaker is the modern visual interpretation of Rumi's poem "Out beyond ideas of wrong doing and right doing, there is a field. I’ll meet you there."  It could be also called the heavy metal Devdas film.


Rockstar is a story of a middle class man Janardhan, who in order to be a "Rockstar" searches for a heartbreak but ends up with a smouldering soul.A confused upper middle class girl -Heer, who has to choose between what is right and what her heart desires.A Story of money hungry, ruthless entertainment business sharks, news crazed journalists.It is a love story - about pain and anguish, of ultimately of finding peace within. 

The screenplay is very loose and scattered - thouought the first half the audience has to piece together the sequence of events. The story itself has nothing "new" to offer, it isn't something we have not seen/heard of before however the treatment is novel and interesting. The movie could have been shorter and wears off the audience with its length. Rockstar has a stunning canvas with cinematography of the majestic snow capped Himalayas, Prague and world stages like the 02 arena in London. 

Music by the maestro A R Rehan is good. The album has some heavy metal, rock numbers like "Sadda Haq" to Sufi number "Kun Faaa Kun" to heart warming soft romantic songs like "Tum Ko" and "Aur Ho". 

Rockstar marks the debut of American-Czech model Nargis Fakri - her acting is decent and she looks her part of a Kashmiri girl perfectly, however her accented Hindi doesn't go unnoticed. The film has the last screen presence of Shammi Kapoor. It is a treat to see him onscreen as a Shanai Maestro along with Ranbir Kapoor. Ranbir's ode to Shammi Kapoor's Kashmir Ki Kali is beautiful. Rockstar showcases the metamorphoses of Ranbir Kapoor as a brilliant actor and performer. He definitely proves that acting is in his blood.

Overall, the movie did not live up to the hype it created. However worth a watch if you have the time. Theater - if you enjoy heavy metal otherwise wait for it to come on DVD.

Promo: Rockstar

The promo of Imtiaz Ali's much awaited directorial venture with Ranbir Kapoor - RockStar is here! The story of  one man's journey to being a Rockstar, of meteoric rise and fall -all beginning with love.  Promo looks promising, newbie Nargis Fakri reminds one of Katrina Kaif's early days. Music by AR should be something to watch out for.

Koffee with Karan,Season 3: Ranbir & Imran

Bollywood's latest men on the block who's fan following and films have already proved that they are here to stay, made there debut on Koffee with Karan episode 2. With cheeky, honest answers its Khan vs Kapoor for the Koffee Hamper!

Review: anjaana anjaani

Verdict: eh, okay 

"K" Rating: 2/5

Watch: wait for DVD

The promos looked promising, stylish and oh so hip 'n young. Despite the hot 'n happening pair of Priyanka and Ranbir, Anjaana Anjaani does not set the screen ablaze.

The story of two unhappy people who meet on a Bridge while attemting suicide,seems to be inspired by French flick A Girl on the Bridge. The romance blossoms as they journey across America to fulfil their "wish list before I die" reminds one of The Bucket List. Even with that said, the movie tells the take of how the protagonists learn to take life seriously and to face problems head on. Music by Vishal-Shekar is good - Anjaana Anjaani title track and Lucky Ali's Hairat Hai are especially good and are enhanced with Ravi K. Chandran's exceptionally good Cinematography.

 One can't help but notice that the main leads are supposed to be depressed, suicidal and jobless, yet they manage to look as though they have stepped off a fashion runway.They both seem to have cash for renting boat, go to pubs and have fuel money to drive across continental USA. Eventhough comical, the attempts of suicide by the characters through various means does not seem to send the right message to the young audience.

If you are a Priyanka and/or Ranbir fan do watch the film as they definitely look good! Ranbir essays emotions very well. This movie had the potential but unfortunately due to the screenplay, it comes across as synthetic and fizzes out.

Spectacular September 2010

Here are some movies releasing in September which are bound to get the box office ringing. Making this month a truly Spectacular September filled with Dharma Production's Drama, Salman's Action, Priyanka's yourthfullness and Hashmi's slickness.

September 3rd, 2010
We Are Family:
This Karan Johar's remake of the 1998 Hollywood flick Stepmom stars Kareena Kapoor, Kajol and Arjun Rampal and is set in Australia. Music is composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy, the album includes a song which is a tribute to Elvis Presley's Jailhouse Rock.

                                                                          September 10th, 2010

                                                                                               Dabangg

Dabang is perhaps the most awaited action packed film starring noneother than Salmaan Khan as a corrupt police officer. Shatrughan Sinha's daughter Sonakshi makes her debut with this film.It is produced by Salman's brother Arbaaz Khan with music by Sajid-Wajid.

  September 24th, 2010            
   anjaana anjaani

Siddharth Anand's  Anjaana Anjaani stara Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The film is supposed to be inspired from the hit American sitcom "Friends". It has some "first-time" in hindi movie scenes shot at the NY Ice rink and  Cafe Lalo (When Harry Met Sally).
**Movie has been delayed in its release to Oct 2nd in light of a pending Supreme Court verdict wrt to Babri Masjid on Sept 24th. 

Crook

                                                                  

With the punch line of  "Its good to be bad" this film has Emraan Hashmi and debutant Neha Sharma deals with the serious issue of racial attacks on Indian students in Australia.Music by Pritam, produced by the Bhatts and directed by  Mohit Suri.
**Movie has been delayed in its release to Oct 2nd in light of a pending Supreme Court verdict wrt to Babri Masjid on Sept 24th.

Promo: Anjaana Anjaani

Alright, here is the first-in promo of the Siddharth Anand's  Anjaana Anjaani starring Ranbir Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. The film is supposed to be inspired from the hit American sitcom "Friends". It has some first-time in hindi movie scenes shot at the NY Ice rink and  Cafe Lalo (When Harry Met Sally). The movie is due to release Sept 24th, 2010, its produced by Sajid Nadiadwala.
**Movie has been delayed in its release to Oct 2nd in light of a pending Supreme Court verdict wrt to Babri Masjid on Sept 24th.

Interesting Promos!

Due to the high influx of movies hitting the theaters every Friday in recent weeks, we are inundated with film promos. Here are two promos which caught my eye.

3 idiots - Starring Amir Khan, R. Madhavan, Sherman Joshi directed by Rajkumar Hirani and Produces by Vidhu Vinod Chopra this is the most awaited film of the year. Based on the book "5 point someone" by Chetan Bhagat it tells the story of 3 engineering students at a big name school. This is a definate watch! the promo was just released with London Dreams.

Rocket Singh - Salesman of the year: Starring Ranbir Kappor plaing a sadarji directed by none other then Shemit Amin (Chade Fame) and produced under Yash Raj Banner this movie is up for release on Dec 11. The initial promo's are unlike any other promos one has seen in recent times. Marketing people receive kudoos as they seem to be doing true justice to the tag line of "Salesman of the year". We have yet to see how the movie will be, but the promos are definitely "different" and appeal to the common man aka masses- hence we have hope from the movie aswell.

Chance Pe Dance- Stars none other then Shahid Kapoor opposite Genelia D'souza directed by ad-filmmaker Ken Gosh (Ishk Vishk) and is produced by Ronnie Screwvala. Looking at the promo it will be a must watch for the youth. The movie seems to have it all -Ken Gosh's trademark stunning visuals coupled with Shahid's dancing and Genelia's liveliness. After looking at the promo one realises why Farah Khan asked the south beauty to say the tongue twister "kaccha papad pucca papad" on her show Tere Mere Beach Mein. It is releasing in January of 2010 but promises to be worth the wait! The movie appears to focus majorly on dance and Shahid looks all shaped up for it!(Trailor brings mind images of movies like Save the Last Dance/ Step-up?).

Here are the trailers which are making the rounds in the theater and creating the buzz.

Review: Wake Up Sid!

Verdict: Great! Simple, relate able

Star Rating: 4/5

Watch: Theater (Houseful for this one)

Wow - rarely does one come across such a simple sweet coming of age story in Bollywood. It treats an issue delicately without the traditional song n dance routine or melodrama. This is unlike any Karan Johar/ Dharma Production movie, so kodoos to debutant director Ayan Mukherji who at 21 has already proved himself with this movie.

Storyline: Wake Up Sid is the story of Siddharth (Sid-Ranbir Kapoor) - a laid back, "kiddish", worry-free, funloving guy who has just finished college and is in no hurry to transition into the real working world. Pan over to Aisha (Konkona Sen) who has ventured to Mumbai to be independent, Sid's doting parents who would love for him to get serious in life but their patience is getting put to the test, his friends who seem more focused yet are dealing with their own troubles.

Watch: Wake Up Sid's USP is that it strikes a cord with the audience instantly, its associative and realistic in its texture. Even if not with the situation of Sid but with Sid - how he reacts and acts.Ranbir has delivered a fine performance along with the usual best of Konkona Sen. Unlike Lakshaya or other movies the protagonist isn't jolted to change,instead the change is gradual just as for most of us in life. Sometimes all of need time to find ourselves. The songs are good, with "Wake Up Sid" Remix making you leave the theater humming.

Interesting fact:This weekend was a history repeat for Karan Johar (Wake Up Sid) and Vashu Bhagnani (Do Knot Disturb) with great collections at the box office on opening weekend. About 11 years ago, in 1998 Johar 's Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and Bhagnani's Bade Miyan Chote Miyan had the same success when they opened on the same weekend.