Saas Bahu aur Sensex

Saas Bahu aur Sensex
A GOOD ENTERTAINER

Powered by: Chakpak.com	Saas Bahu Aur Sensex

Critic's I-view

click for larger view

'Saas Bahu aur Sensex' is a mix of 'Saas Bahu' kind of soap opera and stock market, ranging from the small to the big screen. Kitty party friends who watch 'Saas Bahu' opera come to know about shares and the stock market in this movie. So, this creates a curiosity among kitty players to participate in share market. Another reason is that one of their colleague turns wealthy by investing in shares. Thus, their kitty party conversations switch from TV soaps to share market and investments. That's why the director has titled it 'Saas Bahu aur Sensex'. The movie is produced by Jayshree Malhija and presented by the world-famous 'Warner Bros. Pictures'. The music is given by directors - Randolph Correa, Bipin Panchal and Blaaze, to the lyrics of Blaaze, Raqueeb Alam and Shona Urvashi. The movie begins with a family comprising a mother Binita Sen played by Kirron Kher and her daughter Nitya played by Tanushree Dutta. Binita, who lives in Kolkata, divorces her husband, as the latter wants to marry a younger girl. She moves from Kolkata to Navi Mumbai along with her daughter Nitya and is lost in the new city. Incidentally, a boy named Ritesh Jethmalani played by Ankur Khanna gets Nitya a job in a call center where he also works. The story takes a turn from here.

click for larger view

While Ritesh is in love with another society girl Kirti Wagaskar played by pretty Masumeh, the latter though from middle-class aspires to marry a millionaire. But, she keeps Ritesh as an alternative. Ritesh believes that one day Kirti would realize the worth of his love and come back to him. But Kirti has her eyes set on Yash Modi played by Sudhanshu Pandey, a billionaire. Yash's father owns a large share of 'M & M', the financial call centre in which Nitya and Ritesh work. Kirti meets Yash and feels very happy.

click for larger view

However, she soon realizes that Yash is engaged with the daughter of the owner of Macmillan financial group. This wedding proposal promises to be good for 'M & M' and therefore Binita and her 'kitty party friends invest in the company. After learning about Yash's engagement, Kirti returns to Ritesh and agrees to marry him. Ritesh is too good and is always ready to help anyone. But, he has a weakness - his blind love for kirti. Among other deficiencies of his personality are his fondness for non-vegetarian food coupled with often running late. At this time, Nitya learns that her father fell for a younger woman and this is why her mother had to divorce him and come to Mumbai. She also comes to know that Binita and her friends have invested in 'M and M'. Binita who inherited shares from her father wishes to sell some and comes across a sensitive stockbroker Feroz Sethna played by Farooq Sheikh.

click for larger view

Farooq, a natural actor, has come back to the silver screen after a long hiatus. He guides Binita into proper investing. Binita turns rich, so her kitty party colleagues want to follow her in becoming neo-rich. They invest in stocks. It appears that the filmmaker thus succeeds in making the kitty players share savvy! Interestingly, Ritesh's romance moves in sync with a sensex backdrop, taking the movie to a climax. The film turns a satire on daily soaps with initial humor. However, it turns boring later following the introduction of share arithmetic.

click for larger view

The star cast includes Tanushree Datta, Ankur Khanna, Kirron Kher, Farooq Sheikh, Masumi Makhija, Lilette Dubey and Sharon Prabhakar. Each and every actor plays his or her role very well. While Farooq Sheikh induces some funny moments with his pristine Parsi performance, Kirron Kher puts in a compelling act. Masumeh proves perfect in the role of an urban girl. Lilette Dubey sparkles from amongst the kitty participants. Sharon Prabhakar looks ageing and thus needed help of the makeup department.

HULLA Review

HULLA Review

Powered by: Chakpak.com	Hulla

'HULLA' FAILS TO CREATE HULLA


Critic's I-view

click for larger view

Bollywood seems to have undergone a revolution. New ideas and concepts are taking place with the introduction of newer and strange subjects. 'Hulla' released this Friday is one from this genre. Several movies in the recent past have touched the subjects concerning the man in the street. This is a welcome sign for Bollywood that's moving close to Hollywood.

Debutante director Jaideep Varma bases his movie 'Hulla', meaning noise, on those living in Mumbai, and attempts to inject humor in narratives. However, the writer in Jaideep fails the director in him. In spite of all this, 'Hulla' succeeds in bringing a smile on your face and at times laughter. Though the first half is interesting and enjoyable, the second half being a repetition bores the viewer. That's why the viewers were found saying that the writer has stretched the story too far, making the climax unjustifiable. There are other weak points too. Why does the writer introduce the Chief Minister in the story? Isn't it irrelevant? Similarly, a huge whistle blowing over a trifle issue of a night watchman's whistling isn't a big deal for a movie. Maybe Jaideep Varma wishes to convey how a trivial irritation can turn a person paranoid.

click for larger view

The story is that Raj played by Sushant Singh, is an aggressive broker and Abha played by Kartikadevi Rane, a marketing professional. They shift into a new two-bedroom apartment in a Mumbai suburb. Raj, a sensitive sleeper, is disturbed by noises at nights. However, he discovers that the noise arises from the night watchman's whistle rather than any crack in the flat. While Raj objects to the night watchman's blowing of whistle, others in the building favour it, as it is to scare the thieves away.

click for larger view

The Secretary of the building Janardhan played by Rajat Kapoor insists on the whistling for the security of the building. Even this trifle turns a big problem for Raj. Not being able to sleep at night begins to take a serious toll on him. At work, he becomes edgy and at home, he is obsessed with loud noise. Raj is all the more annoyed as neither his wife Kartikadevi Rane nor his friend Vrajesh Hirjee sympathizes with him.

click for larger view

The performance by the cast is fine. Jaideep Varma proves a fine storyteller. Both Sushant and Rajat play their roles very well. In the movie, Kartikadevi Rane's presence is charming and a refreshing change from the regular heroines. Mandeep Mazumdar plays the role well. Vrajesh Hirjee is natural. Darshan Jariwala looks most convincing. The actor enacting the role of the security guard is indeed very appreciable.

Overall, the movie being a low budget one might turn out profitable to the producer in spite of its weaknesses. It's likely to fare well at select multiplexes of select cities only, though.

October 17, 2008 Sun will rise for 1.5 days (36 hours)

October 17, 2008 Sun will rise for 1.5 days (36 hours)


Wooh? what an exciting news!!! Today, when i was working at my desk, i received a mail from my colleague saying,

?Coming October 17, 2008 the sun will rise continuously for 36 hrs (1.5 days). During this time the American countries will be dark for 1.5 days.

It will convert 3 days into 2 big days. It will happen once in 2400 yrs.We?re very lucky to see this. Forward it to all friends.?

What da the hell are you talking about?? Is it possible?? How?? (this was my first reaction to the mail)

I did not believe the mail. I googled and shocked to find that everyone here is talking about this news. But, I noticed one thing everywhere the text of the topic is same. I suspected whether it is a true information or someone?s imagination.

Its difficult, still i believe that above mail is true but,If i conclude it scientifically then days and nights are due to the rotation of earth on its own axis. The speed at which earth is rotating is constant due to which our ancestors concluded 24 hours a day, 7days a week, 30days a month and 365days a year. The whole human life is dependent only on this standard calculation of earth?s speed of rotation and revolution.

Now, this can only happen if the earth stops rotating on its own axis at a point where asian countries are facing towards sun. Is it possible?? Can anyone give me one logical reason why earth will stop rotating?? Please dont say ?CONSEQUENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING? as these days if rain falls more than it should be, summers become warmer then it must be, winters become colder then usually it does, people simply says ?CONSEQUENCE OF GLOBAL WARMING?. sounds funny?

I guess no.. No one has any logic behind it.. so how can we guys believe that this will happen on october 17, 2008.

You know, if may be it will happen then this can lead to the end of human existance which i guess in the near future is not possible.

Above all the world?s leading aeronautics organisation NASA has no information regarding this big news. WOW NASA, you are so busy in keeping an eye on universe that you forgot whats happening on earth. hehehe?.

Well guys, i feel that we should wait n watch what will happen on october 17, 2008. If the information will be true then we must honor the person who has spread this information by giving him/her a good position at NASA. If it is not then start searching for that person?.. :P

Good bye!! see you guys on october 17, 2008

Review: The Last Lear

Review: The Last Lear

Powered by: Chakpak.com	The Last Lear

Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Arjun Rampal, Preity Zinta
Director: Rituparno Ghosh

Watch the latest videos on YouTube.com

Search Engine Strategies 2008: Find a conference or training session near you!

"I shall be good simply because I cannot be bad." This is Harry, an aging, eccentric, Shakespearean actor in Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear. The line works equally well for the actor playing Harry: Amitabh Bachchan.

Here he delivers soliloquies, breathes fire, hams and generally chews up the scenery but even when he's way over the top, Mr B commands attention. He holds your gaze, even as the rest of the film wilts away.

Working from Utpal Dutt's play Aajker Shahjahan, Ghosh creates a character study of a theatre actor who lives largely on vodka and memories of past glories. Harry had spent precisely 30 years and 9 months on stage but then he suddenly quit and never came back.

A movie director convinces Harry to act in film. Harry takes on the role of a circus clown but this adventure ends in tragedy.

Ghosh's affection for Harry is palpable. The film works best when Ghosh is setting up his character - a man who has tins hanging on a rope instead of a door-bell. Harry insists this should work just as well - all it needs, he says, is that visitors have a little imagination. Harry's relationship with the director Sid is also nicely established - there is a wonderful scene of Sid and Harry trying to catch passers-by as they pee on the walls of Harry's house.

However, these sparkling moments are bogged down by a ponderous pace and a meandering script.

Ghosh spends too much time setting up his film within a film framework. There is also a tedious sub-plot that involves an actress, nicely played by Priety Zinta, and her abusive lover.

Post-interval, the script becomes even more incoherent and the climax is totally unconvincing. We are never persuaded by the events that take place so it's hard to conjure up ache for the tragedy. Ghosh veers between underlining too much-there is annoying voice-over telling us what we already know-and not telling enough - we don't find out why Harry left the stage until the last reel.

As a filmmaker, he also sends out a decidedly mixed signal telling us that theatre is a much higher artistic calling than cinema.

The Last Lear is a poignant story that doesn't realise its potential. It's frustrating because the material and performances are rich. Go to the theatre prepared to be patient.

Review: Ru Ba Ru

Review: Ru Ba Ru

Powered by: Chakpak.com	Ru ba ru

Cast: Randeep Hooda, Shahana Goswami
Director: Arjun Chandramohan Bali



Anupama Chopra, Consulting Editor, Films

Ru Ba Ru is a copy of the Jennifer Love Hewitt starrer If Only. That film about live-in lovers whose relationship changes after a serious automobile accident, went straight to DVD in the US. Which makes me wonder, if you are going to rip-off a film, why not at least find one that worked in the first place.

But debutant director Arjun Chandramohan Bali reworks this limp love story, setting it in Bangkok where Nikhil and Tara, a busy ad executive and a budding singer-actress, fight, cuddle, annoy each other, kiss, argue, cry and then, thankfully, one of them gets bumped off in a car accident.

While their non-stop banter might sound like many marriages you know, watching them do it is as much fun as watching paint dry. It's pure and absolute tedium.

Death brings some traction into the plot but then we are forced to relive the same day again, this time, with the protagonists making the right choices. In case you still haven't got the message, Nikhil spells it out for you: Hum log future mein kushi doondte hain but life is now.

The actors Randeep Hooda and Shahana Goswami are under a lot of pressure because this film wholly rides upon their talent and charm. Unfortunately both buckle under.

She's an attractive presence and manages to hold your attention for some time at least. Randeep's impassive face worked well in D but here he comes off as strained and stiff.

Ru Ba Ru isn't much fun. Steer clear.

Review: 1920

Review: 1920

Powered by: Chakpak.com	1920

Cast: Rajneesh Duggal, Adah Sharma
Director: Vikram Bhatt
Music: Music



Anupama Chopra, Consulting Editor, Films

Director Vikram Bhatt has an uncanny knack for blending divinity and cheap-thrill horror. So in Raaz, he tacked on the legend of Satyavaan and Savitri to the serviceable Hollywood flick What Lies Beneath and created a blockbuster.

Viewers applauded loudly at the notion that the Bhartiya Nari can go to any lengths to save her husband, including warring with an evil spirit. In 1920, we have a role reversal on the same concept. Here the husband finds his faith and saves his wife from an evil spirit.

There is a lot in 1920 that is downright silly. To begin with, we have a mansion in Yorkshire posing as a haveli in Palanpur. So the geography varies from scene to scene - we switch from wet, misty green fields with Gypsy horses to mud houses with peasants in colorful Gujarati dress-without explanation or pause.

The backstory about why this haveli is inhabited by the ghost who stalks is laugh-out loud funny - unintentionally of course. I cannot reveal the twist but it involves a very unique personal sacrifice for the Indian independence movement. Then of course there's the usual foolishness of horror films - even when his wife is stuffing her face with the flesh of a cat, the husband believes the medical doctor's advice that its merely a personality disorder.

But if you're willing to seriously suspend disbelief, 1920 provides mildly diverting entertainment.

Unlike Phoonk, this one has some genuinely scary moments. I jumped when a phonograph and later a mosquito net came to life. Bhatt uses the tropes of horror - creaking doors, eerie background music, long, lonely corridors - effectively.

His leading lady, debutant Adah Sharma, is a vapid presence until she becomes possessed. Then she lets loose her inner Linda Blair from Exorcist and becomes pretty terrifying, climbing walls and killing people.

The hero, Rajneesh Duggal tries hard to match her histrionics but stays largely stiff. Even in moments of high melodrama, in which he rages against his fate without blinking once, he remains oddly wooden.

Actually, the real hero of this film is the house. It's vast, gloomy and superbly creepy. 1920 is, as we say in Mumbai, time-pass. See it if you're in the mood for both laughs and chills.

Review: Tahaan

Review: Tahaan

Powered by: Chakpak.com	Tahaan

Cast: Purav Bhandare, Rahul Bose, Anupam Kher, Sarika
Director: Santosh Sivan



Anupama Chopra, Consulting Editor, Films, NDTV

There is a small but telling moment in Tahaan when a little boy, frantically searching for his donkey, interrupts a bunch of kids playing chor-police.

Since we are in Kashmir, half the boys are playing militants and the other half the army. At the end of the game, they all fall down. This brief scene beautifully captures the irony, horror and unending tragedy that is Kashmir.

Director-writer-cinematographer Santosh Sivan gives us a fable about a childhood fractured by loss and grief.

Tahaan?s father was picked up for questioning three years ago and never returned. His mother weeps, prays, searches and endures.

When the money runs out, she sells her son?s best friend, a donkey named Birbal.

Tahaan?s struggle to get Birbal back leads him to a dark, dangerous space. Eventually, he's standing in a street, bewildered and afraid, holding a grenade in his hand.

The children in Tahaan, Purav Bhandre and Dheirya Sonecha, are natural born actors and their innocence adds to the ache in this story.

The adults?Sarika, Anupam Kher, Victor Banerjee, Rahul Bose?are also very good but the performances cannot mask the meandering and sometimes na