'Ra.One' movie review

Shah Rukh Khan's superhero-blue eyes light up, Kareena Kapoor's red sari glows, and they start to dance to Akon's song along with Russian dancers in Bharatnatyam-inspired mini-skirts. Yes, it's that sort of a movie, where everything happens all at once. Amitabh Bachchan does part of the voice-over; Rajinikanth's Chitti, the Robot, shows G.One, Shah Rukh's superhero, how to twirl his sunglasses; artist Subodh Gupta paints the costume; and even pals Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra act out a juvenile joke, playing characters in video game where the star can vanquish the sisters of Bruce Lee called Iski Lee, Uski Lee and Sabki Lee. Even as you cringe at Shah Rukh's Tamil accented Hindi and his eating-curd-with-noodle act, hoping his curly wig will fall into his dinner plate, you realise it's a big party and everyone's invited.

Welcome to a movie as a gigantic open house. Shah Rukh is the host and he will make sure your VFX canapés are delivered at regular interval; your emotion goblet is kept topped up; and there are enough homilies about being careful-what-you-wish-for that you can take home as back presents. This is film-making not so much as noble passion but as grand indulgence, not so much as a marathon magic show but as an event to be managed. No effort is spared. Shah Rukh walks sideways on a Mumbai local train, stops an engine with his bare hands, charges himself with electricity, even slaps his heroine's butt and grabs her breast. In between throwing cars at his arch nemesis, recently escaped from a video game; dancing like Michael Jackson; and quoting V. Shantaram, the superhero moves between the digital and real world, London and Chennai, burial as Christian and prayer as Hindu.

I presume there is some lesson here about being a global citizen, and Shah Rukh's hyperactive child fans will no doubt benefit from it, but it would have been more fun to see more Volkswagens ploughing through many more red buses. But yes, we know, this is a superhero with a heart and ladai goliyon se nahin, dil se jeeti jati hai. The special effects work, but are not always evenly applied through the film. The cool metallic blue of the superhero suit doesn't always show up on screen. And hey, Arjun Rampal really needs to stop clenching his teeth while delivering menacing dialogues. We are not scared because we simply cannot understand. Shah Rukh throws himself about, vaulting up and own buildings, leaping through the air and even landing on his feet with Kareena Kapoor in his arms. In the face of such indefatigable energy, we surrender. Go on, Shah Rukh, give it a rest. In the words of your superhero, you did good.

'Ra.One' clocks Rs. 14.63 crore on the box office on day one
Superstar Shah Rukh Khan'sRa.One fails to cheer the box office on day one of its opening on October 26. BoxofficeIndia.com data indicate that the filmcollected only Rs. 14.63 crore from the domestic box office as against the estimated Rs. 25 crore. 
 
The day one collections are well below Rs. 22 crores that Salman Khan's Bodyguard clocked and on par with Rs. 14.5 crores of Dabbang, the record holders. The low collections on day one is  despite the fact that Ra.One was released in 1500 screens more than Bodyguard and Dabbang and also had 500 3D screens release with higher ticket prices. 
 
Industry observers had expected the film to break Bodyguard's records due to higher number of prints and the extraordinary hype. However, Eros International, the co-producers of the film claim that Ra.One has approximately grossed Rs. 18.5 crore on the first day at the domestic box office.
 
According to Mutliplex officials, while the morning shows starting from 10 am were houseful on Wednesday, the collections fell from 1 pm in the afternoon at most places and did not really recover till late evening.
 
However, the fate of the film cannot be yet decided based on just day one's earnings. The final verdict on Ra.One will be out after this weekend. Golmaal 3 which released last Diwali grossed onlyRs.8 crore, but later went on to cross Rs.100 crores at the domestic box office over a period of three weeks. 
 
Vishal Anand, senior vice president, operations and sales, of Fun Cinemas, a multiplex chain, says, "It is unfair to compare an Eid release with a Diwali release (homes in North India generally have Laxmi puja in the afternoons on the Diwali day. This year, the muhurat was between 5-11pm. Today, (Thursday) will be the D-day for Ra.One. Print to print, Bodyguard yielded better returns."
 
The reviews of the film are mixed. But Anand says that it is a family film and kids (6-15 year olds) come to the theatre only with parents and they are liking the film. Komal Nahta, editor of Koimoi, a box office tracking website says: "People are overreacting to the first day numbers. We have to wait and watch." Nahta however is certain that going by the reports, this film holds no chance of breaking the record of all time blockbusters, Aamir Khan's 3 Idiots. "It is an above average film at the box office, at this juncture," he adds.
 
If the film fails at the box office will it be a setback for brand SRK? It is early to take a call on that say industry experts and are of the opinion that the failure of Ra.One is in no way going to affect the personality or brand value of SRK.
 
Sunil Punjabi, CEO of Cinemax multiplex, says that the distributors are erred by releasing lesser number of 3D prints. "Infact, we are expecting second time audience, who missed the 3D version on day one. With the kind of effects in the film, Ra.One has taken the quality of Indian movies to a new level. Family and kids will love it and we are expecting them to flock the theatres this weekend. The numbers on Thursday is certainly up there with Bodyguard". He further adds that the weekend advance booking are ahead of Bodyguard too.
 
Punjabi feels that there was sky-high expectation created due to the marketing hype which is one of the main reasons for the disappointment. Thursday is very strong and multiplexes claim they have collected almost one-third of first day's collection within the first two shows of the day.
 
According to industry insiders, when public compare Ra.One with Bodyguard it certainly is below par. But, if the movie crosses Rs.18 crores on day two, it can be termed as a hit and if it is below, Rs.16 crores it is going to be an average grosser and going by the early reports from the multiplexes on Thursday, the movie is well on its way to become a hit.

Ra.One: Released

Ra.One released on 26th October, 2011 on Diwali.

Schwarzenegger inaugurates his museum in Austria

THAL: Arnold Schwarzenegger - the bodybuilder, movie star and ex-governor who's in the middle of a messy divorce - invoked his life as model for young people on Friday during the formal inauguration of a museum dedicated to him in his native Austria.
Hundreds of fans braved driving rain and chilly autumn temperatures to fete Austria's most famous living son at the museum, located in the two-story Thal village house where Schwarzenegger was born.
The museum, open since July, is a repository of items that include his first barbell, the metal bed that he slept on as a youth, several life-size "Terminator" models and the polished dark wooden desk he sat behind while California's governor.
Schwarzenegger also unveiled a bronze statue of himself flexing and in trunks as the young body builder from Austria whose rippling biceps led to his Hollywood career - and the popularity that paved the road to the governor's office.
Shielded by an umbrella, Schwarzenegger used the occasion to deliver an inspirational speech to youthful fans. Invoking the title of one of his early films, he told them anything was possible as long as they "stay hungry."
He said he wishes that every person who visits the museum "understands that everyone can be successful in his own way."
"My personal success has less to do with millions of dollars or with the headlines in the media that are not always positive and also not with being clapped on the shoulder by Barack Obamaand other world names," he said. "Personal success is the result of determination, hard work and stubbornness.
"For me, this is not only a museum," he added, gesturing to the yellow-stuccoed house behind him. "It is also a symbol of will ... everyone has a chance."
The bronze statue is one of several commissioned by Schwarzenegger earlier this year. But even if some in the crowd knew that the Schwarzenegger likeness was not unique, they didn't seem to care. Bodyguards had to pry a path through people holding an umbrella in one hand and trying to touch their idol with the other, whistling and cheering as he passed by.
With Schwarzenegger was Patrick, his son from his marriage with Maria Shriver. The two are divorcing. But the museum displays photos of Schwarzenegger and Shriver in happier times, and Schwarzenegger described "the marriage with Maria" as one of the days "that I remember with great fondness."
The marriage unraveled after Schwarzenegger acknowledged being the father of child outside of his marriage - something that at least some fans gathered on Friday suggested tarnished his reputation.
"We Austrians are proud of him and what he accomplished," said Gottfried Karner, from the Upper Austrian city of Steyr. "But there are certain things he did that one does not agree with."
Most Austrians have stayed focused on Schwarzenegger's successes since he left for the United States in 1968, first as Mr. Universe, then as "Conan the Barbarian" and the "Terminator" - and finally his 2003 election as governor.
Even before his private life came up for criticism, however, Schwarzenegger's cult status in Austria took some knocks because of his support of the Iraq war and the death penalty as California's governor.
Criticism grew after he refused to pardon two convicted murderers in a row in 2005 to the point where he ordered city fathers in Graz - Austria's second largest city where he spent his youth - to strip his name from the Graz soccer stadium and sent back the city's highest award - its ring of honor.
Since then, the mood has swung back to adulation - and Friday's speeches reflected that. Austrian Chancellor Werner Faymann, who opened the ceremonies, described Schwarzenegger as "one Austrian known by everyone in the world, adding: "We as Austrians are proud of you."

Ranbir Kapoor’s 17 favourite films

The actor picks movies from his grandfather'sShree 420 to Mr India 

1It's A Wonderful Life: It's my all-time favourite film. It's the spirit of goodness that always wins me over.

2Shree 420: I love this film for the innocence of my grandfather Raj Kapoor's character in it.

3Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayenge: The movie of my generation! Love, family... and Shah Rukh Khan. It's just magic!

4Life is Beautiful: For it's unfailing optimism, inspiration and Roberto Benigni's madness.

5Mr India: This movie has everything! It's just too good. Zindagi Ki Yehi Reet hai has some of my favourite lyrics ever.

6The Lord of the Rings trilogy: It retained and added to the wonder and magic of the books... absolutely spellbinding films. Waiting for India to be able to make movies like this!

7Singin' in the Rain: I love Hollywood musicals from that golden era, and this is my pick of the lot. Gene Kelly dancing in the rain is my all-time favourite cinematic moment!

8Masoom: I love this movie for its heart and it's simplicity.

9Dil Chahta Hai: No Hindi film had spoken to me in my own language the way DCH did. For me, It was a landmark moment in Hindi films!

10Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind: Beyond the complexity (genius) of its storytelling, what the film has to say about love is simple and beautiful.

11Kabhie Kabhie/Silsila/Chandni/Yash Chopra: For the romance. No one did or does romance like Yash Chopra.

12Rang De Basanti: For the sheer mastery of its film-making... the story, screenplay, cinematography, performances, music... all set a new benchmark!

13Home Alone: To take me back to being 10 years old.

14The Prestige: My favourite Chistopher Nolan film. His movies are unrelenting. He has you by the edge of the seat because he keeps taking you higher and higher and higher.

15Lost in Translation: I love the mood of this film. Either you get into it, or you don't.

16Catch Me If You Can: For Leonardo Di Caprio's performance. He has such charm in this film!

17Rafoo Chakkar: This one is a favourite films with my parents in it.

Rascals: Movie Review

David Dhawan was the pioneer of the farcical films genre with the kind of comedies he made through the 90s. However mindless his films might have been, it still had an inherent sense of humour and assured a few good laughs. Sadly, in the subsequent decade, all he served in the name of stress-free slapsticks is noise and commotion. While we aren't demanding that the filmmaker upgrade with times, all we expect is that the one-time king of comedy merely maintain his original brand of humour. Is that asking for too much? 

Rascals is what one can call a 'vacation' filmmaking stint where everyone works on the film as if they were on a 'holiday' and the audience is expected to 'leave' their senses behind. The actors make least efforts to add conviction to their performances and the patchy writing just allows them to play as they please. Invariably the director tries to camouflage the shallowness in the story by adding depth only in the decibel levels of the dialogue delivery. 

So you have conmen Chetan (Sanjay Dutt) and Bhagat (Ajay Devgn) in one-upmanship game to win the girl (Kangana Ranaut) loaded with assets (both financial and physical). It's never clear what they love more - her body or her bank-balance. And their lecherous rivalry only seems to be about who would get to hug the cleavage-popping girl more number of times. 

One-upmanship has been a popular plot for several comedies since the times of Amitabh Bachchan - Shashi Kapoor's Do Aur Do Paanch (1980). Even David Dhawan had smartly handled the concept in his earlier comedies like Govinda-Anil Kapoor's Deewana Mastana (1997) and Akshay-Salman's Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004). Unfortunately it doesn't quite work this time, primarily because Kangana Ranaut doesn't share any chemistry with either men and so their persistent pursuit to get the girl falls flat. 

Also thanks to the dull camaraderie, the viewer never really bothers which hero would actually win the heroine in the end. Thereby the small surprise in the climax (no, there isn't a cameo by a third hero) also doesn't register much. The storytelling in the animated title credits is more appealing than the conventional narrative structure. 

While one has already left logic behind, the problem is that Yunus Sejawal's screenplay is inconsistent, convenient and uneventful. It lacks the imagination or wit for some real exciting clash between the male leads. One can easily see through most of the worn-out gags. Sanjay Chhel's synchronized rhyming dialogues are occasionally funny but seem forced otherwise. You laugh more on the corniness of the scenes than the comedy per se. 

The tone of humour is consistently loud and commotional. Expectedly Ajay Devgn keeps screaming most of the time and hams outrageously. Sanjay Dutt is better in comparison, which isn't saying much. He gets the funnier lines, gags and scenes. Kangana Ranaut is ill at ease in comedy. She struggles to hold her own and emerges as a bimbo in her act. Lisa Haydon is merely employed to look hot and she does a fair job at it. Hiten Paintel is used as an add-on and his presence in the film is immaterial. Satish Kaushik attempts to induce few laughs with his gibberish brand comedy. Bharti Achrekar gets no scope. Chunky Pandey overacts. Arjun Rampal has pretty much nothing to do. 

Rascals ends up being a silly and stupid comedy!

I'm very cheap, says Shah Rukh Khan

http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/videoshow/10154255.cms

After Rajinikanth, SRK turns to Big B

With the RA.One release a mere 20 days away,Shah Rukh Khan seems to be waking up with one bright idea every day. Having roped in superstar Rajinikanth for a scene in the opus, Khan has now approached yet another superstar, Amitabh Bachchan to up the film's star quotient further.

The Big B will now be seen (or rather heard) lending his baritone for the voice over in RA.One. In fact, he will be dubbing for the same today.

A source informed Mumbai Mirror, "SRK is doing all that he can to make RA.One a success. This is his dream project. First he got his good friends Sanjay Dutt and Priyanka Chopra to do cameos.

Then SRK wanted Rajinikanth to be a part of his project. People thought it was crazy since Rajini sir was still recuperating from his illness. But Rajini sir, despite his health issues, agreed to come to Mumbai and shoot for the scene. After the shoot, everyone thought that the film was finally complete. Obviously SRK had other plans. He has now convinced Amitabh Bachchan to lend his voice to RA.One."

"SRK wants Big B to do the voiceover for an extremely important sequence in the film. Anubhav Sinha, the director was also keen on having someone to do the voiceover," added the source.

In fact, when Khan approached Bachchan, the superstar immediately agreed to be a part of the superhero flick. "There is immense respect between SRK and Amitji. The dubbing will take place at a suburban studio on Thursday," informed the source.

Anubhav Sinha, the director of Ra.One confirmed the news and added, "Amitji has been kind enough. We needed someone special to do this voiceover in the film. Also, the project will now get blessings from the people we have loved and respected for years.

God is kind to me. I had SRK, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Sanjay Dutt. Now I even have Rajinikanth sir and Mr Amitabh Bachchan in my film. I feel blessed."

'Pakistani films are cheap copies of Indian movies'

Based in Karachi, Pakistani director Faisal Aman Khan, whose movie on Imran Khantitled 'Kaptaan' is already created ripples, talks about the debate on banning Indian movies in Pakistan
What is your take on the recent debate over banning of Indian movies in Pakistan?
I have been seeing this debate on local television channels about banning Indian movies. Initially, I thought that they were right in pointing out that Indian films are being allowed to be showcased in Pakistan whereas Pakistani filmmakers were being denied the right to showcase their movies to be shown within their own country. But when I watched the movies made by these filmmakers of ours, I realized there was nothing Pakistani about those films. They were all cheap copies of Indian movies. We had talented filmmakers in the past but that is the problem. We live in the past to glorify ourselves with the achievements made by our forefathers. There is no doubt that there is enormous talent in our country and talent should be tested by pitching it against competition not by playing a cricket match alone. The sort of movies being made by our filmmakers is a disgrace. Very rarely does the educated class go out to watch the movies made by the traditional lot. When a film like "Zar Gul" is banned in Pakistan and "The Blood of Hussain" along with "Immaculate Conception" made by intelligent people like Salman Pirzada and Jamil Dehlavi respectively just because they had political themes or were against the Armed establishment of the country. Remember "Junoon" was banned by the successive regimes of Benazir Bhutto and Nawaz Sharif? The kind of cinema to come out of Pakistan is what you see today where "Haseena Atom Bomb" sort of movies dominate the screen. It's not just movies, it's the same with music.
But what about movies like "Khuda Key Liye", "Ramchand Pakistani" and "Bol"?
As a Pakistani and a filmmaker, I might not agree with a lot of things shown in those movies. But everyone should have the right to express themselves and what better way than to use films as a medium?
What do you have to say about this thing about India's cultural invasion?
With all due respect, we have already lost the battle but to win the war for the hearts and minds of our own people, we should come up with quality stuff and enlighten, entertain and educate the masses through media. That should be the policy followed by filmmakers. Sadly, I don't see that happening which makes me sadly admit the fact as rightly put forward by one of India's ex prime minister that "We have invaded Pakistan culturally". Yes, India has done it already but my question is to my fellow media professionals and Pakistanis generally. Would you stop watching Indian movies if they were not being shown in cinemas? No, you won't because it's human nature. It is curious to see and experience things on their own. So, let them do it. But we should come out with quality stuff of our own to be distinctive and should carry our own image. Cinema owners of Pakistan should give Pakistani filmmakers the right platform and a level playing field by giving as much promotion to the Pakistani movies as they do to promote Indian movies because it's just an excuse people use because they are afraid that they might have to change the way they are.

Pak film-makers push for ban on Bollywood films

MUMBAI: The cultural bridge built between India and Pakistan by Bollywood is under siege. Fearing loss of business, a petition has been filed in a Lahore court demanding a ban on the screening of Bollywood films. Producer Syed Noor, who could not release his film Jugni on Eid this year, told TOI, "A petition has been filed in a Lahore court but I want to make it clear that we are not against Bollywood films. It's just that there is a need to regularize their release in Pakistan rather than getting them there illegally. We certainly don't want Bollywood films to release in Pakistan during our festivals, which is the main season for business."

Complaining about Bodyguard hogging all shows during Eid, Noor said, "Three big films Love Mein Ghoom, Bhailog and my film Jugni could not find theatres for their release. I know there are issues about the quality of our films and presentation but we need to survive. We produce about 100 films a year and there are not enough cinema halls in our country."

Noor is upset with the step-motherly treatment Pakistani films get and blames a group of distributors and exhibitors who collaborate to release Bollywood films in Pakistan. He said, "They throw out our films even if they are doing well at the box office so that they can replace them with Bollywood films."

The Pakistani government had lifted a 37-year-old ban on Bollywood films in 2006 with the release of Mahesh Bhatt's Awarapan and Sunny Deol's Kaafila with a precondition that any Indian film with a Pakistani co-producer or cast that is shot outside India can be released in Pakistan. Today, Pakistani producers, directors and actors allege that illegal means are being used to screen Bollywood films by calling them foreign releases in Pakistan.

But Mahesh Bhatt, who is considered to be a cultural ambassador between the two countries, wants to prevent this retrogade movement. He said, "I respect the concerns of my Pakistani brothers and sisters to save their own industry from extinction. The indigenous culture of every nation needs to to be 'protected' in this age of globalization. But we must not turn the clock back. Any retrograde movement will destroy what we have built brick by brick over the last five years."

The issue of allowing screening of Bollywood films and serials was discussed during a meeting of a delegation led by Pakistan's commerce minister Makhdoom Muhammad Amin Fahim with chief minister Prithviraj Chavan on Tuesday. Chavan said that he raised the issue during the meeting, adding that the minister conveyed that there was no ban on the screening of the films. The minister pointed out that there was a concern that Bollywood films were affecting the business interests of the Pakistani film industry.

Chavan added that the minister had said that special permission is required to screen Hindi films in Pakistan. Promoting Bollywood, Chavan rallied for a situation where both Bollywood and the Pakistani film industry can coexist, just like Hollywood films are allowed to coexist with the Indian film industries. The CM also rooted for the screening of Marathi movies, for and permission to telecast serials.

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster is the surprise package this week

This film certainly exceeds your expectations. The heroes of this film are definitely the tight script and the excellent direction that make the film an interesting watch. The characters play their roles well as the narration catches a quick pace.

The incidents take place in a small village where the descendants of the royal family still hold a sway over people and the minister is still a puppet in the hands of the village strongmen. The film is about a gangster, Randeep Hooda, who lands up in a village as a replacement driver for his uncle, who is the driver of Mahie Gill — the semi-schizophrenic wife of Raja, the heir of the royal family who is more preoccupied with his mistress than his wife.

As she gets increasingly lonely in the palace (that is slowly turning into a haunted house), she finds a sexual partner in her driver whom she uses to her advantage to snuff out the mistress and turn the tides in her favour.

There is an amazing chemistry between the two lead actors of the film — Mahie and Randeep. Though in some scenes she is conscious of the camera moving around her, in others she is completely oblivious of them. The smooching scenes with Randeep are particularly sizzling and there are generous doses of it. Randeep shows that he can deliver if he gets the right script but somehow Mahie steals the show with her inhibited acting.

She portrays her sexuality with ease and the dark shades of her character seem to be sitting well on her shoulders. Jimmy Shergill does a good job as this one also reminds us of his earlier Tanu Weds Manu, he somehow exudes the same body language that he showed in that film. As the Raja who is still clinging on his last straws of his royalty and is ruthless in his demeanour.

The dialogues of this film are another plus. Go and watch it because this one seems to be the best of the lot.This film certainly exceeds your expectations. The heroes of this film are definitely the tight script and the excellent direction that make the film an interesting watch. The characters play their roles well as the narration catches a quick pace.

The incidents take place in a small village where the descendants of the royal family still hold a sway over people and the minister is still a puppet in the hands of the village strongmen. The film is about a gangster, Randeep Hooda, who lands up in a village as a replacement driver for his uncle, who is the driver of Mahie Gill — the semi-schizophrenic wife of Raja, the heir of the royal family who is more preoccupied with his mistress than his wife.

As she gets increasingly lonely in the palace (that is slowly turning into a haunted house), she finds a sexual partner in her driver whom she uses to her advantage to snuff out the mistress and turn the tides in her favour.

There is an amazing chemistry between the two lead actors of the film — Mahie and Randeep. Though in some scenes she is conscious of the camera moving around her, in others she is completely oblivious of them. The smooching scenes with Randeep are particularly sizzling and there are generous doses of it.

Randeep shows that he can deliver if he gets the right script but somehow Mahie steals the show with her inhibited acting. She portrays her sexuality with ease and the dark shades of her character seem to be sitting well on her shoulders.

Jimmy Shergill does a good job as this one also reminds us of his earlier Tanu Weds Manu, he somehow exudes the same body language that he showed in that film. As the Raja who is still clinging on his last straws of his royalty and is ruthless in his demeanour. The dialogues of this film are another plus. Go and watch it because this one seems to be the best of the lot.

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore- a love story ends

New Delhi, September 22: Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi’s death Thursday brought to an end an enduring romance. When Sharmila Tagore tied the knot with the erstwhile royal 42 years ago, it was not only a marriage of cricket and cinema, but also one that broke many stereotypes.
He was a Nawab from a well-known Muslim family and she was a Hindu who belonged to the illustrious Tagore family. As she was to admit many times in later years, Pataudi, popularly known as Tiger, proved to be an exceptionally liberal companion.
Be it her wearing a bikini in “An Evening In Paris” in 1967, when they were courting, or taking up glamorous roles after marriage in 1969 and later motherhood – he always stood by her, always the ideal partner.
She once said in an interview, “I haven’t given up anything (after marrying Tiger). He is very liberal in his views. I’ve gained a lot of experience and gained another culture, cuisine, and way of dressing. I’ve benefited a lot.”
Their marriage was not expected to last – she converted, becoming Ayesha Sultana – but they proved naysayers wrong.
She once told a reporter, “If Tiger and I make attempts to promote harmony, I do not know how far we will succeed. People will say that I am not a Muslim and that Tiger is a Hindu fanatic.”
The couple had three children – Saif, Saba and Soha – but Tiger never stopped her from carrying on in showbiz. In fact, she gave most of her hits after marriage and motherhood.
Many years down the line, when he was arrested for poaching, the actress stood by her husband like a rock.
Death may have snatched away the man from the woman, but like an advertisement they did together, in popular imagination – Pataudi and Sharmila will live on together.

Bollywood-Hollywood love affair must grow: Russell Peters

New Delhi, Sep 24 (IANS) Here’s one man who is not in love with Hindi films and its jhatkas. But Canadian Russell Peters, who is of Anglo-Indian origin and has been an international standup comedian for 23 years, says the confluence of Bollywood and Hollywood must grow.

Ontario-native Peters, who has worked in Akshay Kumar’s Indo-Canadian venture ‘Breakaway’, was here in India to promote ‘Speedy Singhs’, the Hindi version of the movie, when IANS caught up with him.

‘Collaborations between India and the West are going to be fruitful. The love affair of Bollywood and Hollywood ought to grow and I think ‘Speedy Singhs’ is a good move from both the sides.

‘We are in a time now where we do not have boundaries or any walls separating the two industries. Thanks to the internet, everybody can see everything. The reach has become global for every artist. It’s just a matter of time before people decide and consolidate the two. Also, there is no reason why Indians in India and Indians abroad, the NRIs, can’t do something together,’ he said.

The 40-year-old, who was born in Canada to Anglo-Indian parents, feels it is advisable for NRIs to come and get a taste of modern India, which has gone through several changes over the years.

‘It’s a good opportunity for Indians who are born and raised abroad to come back and get a reality check of what India is like now. And India today is not the same India that it was 10-15 years ago. It’s way miles ahead of what we think it is. I also feel people here are way more smarter than people in the West. They are way more in tune with the rest of the world,’ he added.

Peters has been entertaining global audiences through his stand-up acts. He is now looking forward to receiving a star on Canada’s Walk of Fame. It will be inducted Oct 1 in Toronto.

‘I have earned my place and now I am getting my due recognition with being honoured by the star at Walk of Fame in Canada when I go back home. To be honoured with something like this and to be recognized, not as Indo-Canadian but as a Canadian, is a pretty big deal,’ he said, flashing a big smile.

Peters, who is known for his observational comedy about communities and culture around the world, says he finds Bollywood ‘useless’, but admits he is in love with the country’s entertainment capital, Mumbai.

‘I don’t follow, nor do I want to follow, Bollywood. I’ve no time for Bollywood. I don’t care about Bollywood at all and I don’t even want to do any film. I don’t like the Bollywood jhatkas and matkas that they call it – the singing and dancing and also the dramatic crying,’ he said without hesitation.

Raise an eyebrow at that, and he retorts: ‘It’s my opinion! Obviously there are billions who like and love them, but I have never seen a Bollywood film in my life. I have refused doing it earlier and will do so in future.’

‘But I love India. I have been here a couple of times. India is one place in the world that I see as very comfortable, and honestly Mumbai is the one city that I see I could fit in, I could live in. I love Mumbai,’ he said.

Peters kickstarted his career in acting with ‘Show Me The Funny’ in 1997 and has since starred in films like ‘Lord Have Mercy’ and ‘Comedy Now’ among others.

‘Breakaway’ is the first film where he has worked in an Indian production with an Indian star-cast, featuring Anupam Kher, Vinay Virmani, Hollywood actress Camilla Belle and Gurpreet Ghuggi.

‘Speedy Singh’ – A cliche-loaded NRI tale

A star is almost born. Debutant Vinay Virmani has a natural charm and an easygoing bonhomie to his personality that goes a long way in furnishing speed to ‘Speedy Singh’. Regrettably there are too many potholes and roadblocks in the narration leading to a kind of plot that doffs its heart at all the films on the spirit of sportsmanship and the parental opposition that it faces.

Though this is a story applicable to numerous second and third-generation NRIs in Britain, US and Canada the story is littered with cliches and stereotyped characters ….You know the loud boisterous Punjabi joint-family whose joints are so creaky you can hear the Bhangra beats groaning out all the way from Bollywood to Birmingham. Young Virmani tries to bring in a certain subtlety and lightness to his cliche-burdened role. But the film doesn’t really hold together.

Bend It Like Anupam? Remember Anupam as the Sardar-father of the girl who would sneak off to play football when he wasn’t looking in Gurinder Chadha’s ‘Bend It Like Beckham’? What’s the difference between the Sardar Anupam played in that film. And the one he plays in ‘Speedy Singh’?

Go, figure. And while you’re at it do find out what Akshay Kumar is doing being associated with a film that seems like a not-so-distant of Akshay’s Patiala House. In that film Akshay’s father disapproved of sonny-boy playing cricket in England. In ‘Speedy Singh’ (no, that’s not a grammatical aberration) debutant Vinay Virmani’s father (Anupam Kher) frowns at his son’s ice-hockey ambitions.

The ice-hockey tournaments are filmed with more warmth and affection than the relationship between young Virmani and his pretty girlfriend (Camilla Belle). The two behave more like squabbling siblings than lovers through most of the film. Then you can’t blame them. They’re catering to a vegetarian Punjabi NRI audience.

‘Speedy Singh’ is strictly meant to be Babloo’s Day Out with his entire joint family. The Punjabi household is swamped with stereotypical colours flavours rhythms and characters. The clamour of Singhs gets unbearably deafening as the plot creaks forward in an all-too-familiar language. And we aren’t about the angrezi splattered with Punjabi.

Vinay Virmani’s screenplay (yes, the boy has written the film) brings into play every cliche, including, the match at the grand finale where the boy’s father finally realizes his son’s worth.

Ho-hum. Watch it for the debutant hero. As for the rest of the cast, stand-up comedian Russell Peters has been quoted as opining that Aishwarya Rai Bachchan can’t act.

Has he looked at himself in this film?