Archive for October, 2009

Golden hit songs

Thursday, October 29th, 2009

One of the first major hit song was “Main Ban Ke Pancchi” in the 1930s sung by Ashok Kumar. Thereafter several musicals came and each of them left a mark in the listeners’ hearts. One of the other major hit was “Aayega, Aayega Aanewala” from movie “Mahal”. It was on the top of the charts in the 1940s. Thereafter, it was one hit after another. Songs like, “Awara Hoon”, “Bol Radha Bol”, “Jaane kyaa tuune kahii” from Pyaasa etc had audiences on their feet.  As Indian musicians started to experiment with various new music and instruments, more and more heartfelt songs started to make waves. The songs which lingered on in public memory were,             “Ai mere pyaare vatan” from Kabuliwala,

“Ab ke baras bhej bhaiya ko babul” from Bandini,

“Phuulon ke rang se” from Prem Pujari,

“Chandan saa badan, chanchal chitavan” from Saraswati Chandra,

“Man re, tu kaahe na dheer dhare” from Chitralekha,

“Tere mere sapne ab ek rang hain” from Guide,

“Din dhal jaaye, hai raat na jaaye” from Guide,

“Kuch to log kahenge logon ka kaam hai kehna” from Amar Prem,

“Pay Kia Toh Drna Kya” from Mughal-e-Azam to name a few.

 

Other popular songs in last few decades that made history on the basis of sheer mass appeal and recall value are,

“Papa kahte hain” from qayamat se qayamat tak,

“Tujhe Dekha Toh ye Jana Sanam” from Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge,

“Chaiyya Chaiyya” from Dil Se and “Kuch Kuch Hota Hai” from the movie Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. These songs are just few drops in the vast ocean of popular Bollywood film songs.

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Songs from Indian Films then and now

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Song and dance have been so unique to India and the film industry here. One of the reasons of a strong presence of Hindi movies in UK, US and other countries is the presence of song and dance sequences. Not only Hindi movies but all regional movies also have songs as their integral part. These songs and dance scenes are quite elaborate and lavishly filmed. Right from the inception of Indian film industry, songs have always been a prominent feature of all the movies.

 

Some of the recent hit songs have been Kaminey’s Dhan te Nan, Blue’s title track, Luck’s Aazma Luck, Love Aaj Kal songs especially Yeh Dooriyan, inn rahon ki dooriyan’ sung by Mohit Chauhan. Morey Saiyan from the film Teree Sang is also appreciated. ‘Hai Junoon’ from the film New York and Pehli Baar Mohabbat from Kaminey are also amongst the hit tracks.

 

The early years of Indian cinema i.e., 30s and 40s had primarily included classical music with less use of instruments in the film songs. Songs from Indian films have kept changing with the changing tastes of music aficionados and yet the typical Indian essence has remained intact. India has produced many great singers and musicians who have attained worldwide fame. Few notable musical talents India produced are K L Sehgal, Kishore Kumar, Khaiyyam, Mohd. Rafi, R D Burman, Lata Mangeshkar, S D Burman, Asha Bhonsle, and A R Rehman amongst others. With changing times, Indian music, songs and dance may change but the core of it will never change and will be kept alive in our hearts

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Blue

Thursday, October 22nd, 2009

Movie making has taken a new turn in with the movie Blue. Combining the elements of oceanography, good photography and concept, Blue is one movie that is a great opener. Already a success with its first knock out, Blue has a strong star cast and an unimaginable story telling that is great for the entertainment of a movie goer.

 The previews and sneak timings on the promo events already conveyed the gist of a movie that is shot with good camera techniques. The actors underwent much training to combat the stress underwater and also shake their fear of sharks. Swimming with sharks was a first time event which was certainly the selling point of the movie.

 The mellow but intense persona of Sanjay Dutt, the suave nature of Akshay Kumar and the strong screen presence of Lara Dutta did good for the movie. Despite the Diwali spirit, cine goers thronged the halls to get a chance the watch movie amidst the holiday season.

 Juxtaposing the charisma of bikes and the macho effect of Zayed Khan it was another bonanza for people who have a streak for adventure. The blunt points of the movie were also about loose concept that failed to render it as a seamless effect. The villianish role of Rahul Dev could have been a stronger point which was not highlighted.

 Another great thing about the movie was the Chigy Wiggy song which was again popular and big than the movie much before its release. Kylie was at her best and did good justice to balance the Hinglish song. The background score and the original movie story was also a great hit. Katrina was also portrayed in a convincing and yet different look to steal the hearts of many.

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All The Best – Movie Review

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

All the best has not been marketed as big as Golmaal, but Rohit Shetty and Ajay Devgn once again pair up for a huge comedy. The film stars Ajay Devgn, Fardeen Khan, Sanjay Dutt, Bipasha Basu and Mugdha Godse. Johnny Lever is seen after long in a supporting role.

Every one has performed fairly well. However, Ajay tries hard to be funny in some scenes. Sanjay Dutt like always is terrific and Fardeen’s performance has elevated from film to film. The second half is comparatively funnier. Fardeen Khan has made some average scenes look really funny.

The girls have small parts in the movie, especially Mugdha. Bipasha looks dazzling and hot like always in the movie and gets along well with the male actors. The supporting actors has also performed extremely well and added to the comedy factor of the movie. There are barely any songs, two or three, which is quite a sensible thing to do unlike other comedy movies which have pointless songs here and there just to increase the movie time.

Too many background noises have made the film loud and piercing which is a major drawback. The movie has no real story and is quite meaningless as every line has an essence of humour to it. It is a lighthearted comedy where the audiences don’t have to think or understand too much. If you are a fan of movies like Mumbai meri jaan and Jodha Akhbar, you should wait for the DVD release.

However, for that part of the audience who watches movies to give their brain a relaxing time should definitely catch up for the film on the big screen. It’s very well written and enjoyable. It tickles you many a times and lets you enjoy a couple of laughs. So give yourself a break and catch the first show of the movie!

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Acid Factory – Review

Wednesday, October 21st, 2009

There is a huge part of the audience which enjoys watching only action films and feel the others are quite boring. Acid factory, totally and typically a Sanjay Gupta movie with the
gangster feel to just like Kaante. Everyone dressed in black just like any other action thriller make the film resemble Kaante even more.
The movie is shot entirely in South Africa and is on the darker front.Kaiser (Irrfan Khan) is a gangster who Fardeen Khan, the cop is chasing in an undercover operation. All of a sudden he appears to wake up in a factory where Danny, Manoj Bajpai and Dino Morea are all around him. Gradually they get to know that they have lost their
memory due to some acid in the factory.

They are absolutely startled and have absolutely forgotten their identities. Irrfan Khan, the boss, gives them a call and informs them that two of them have been kidnapped while the other two are his men. Now all of them are wondering which category do they fall into as they can recollect nothing.

 

The film goes into flashback, to weeks before this incident took place. Dia Mirza appears in the factory somewhere in between, once again dressed in black. A couple of action sequences like every thriller are the USP of the film. Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpai have tried to add some drama whereas Aftab imitates the bad boy image. Dia looks hot in her black woman avatar and Gulshan Grover unlike always, plays the role of a policeman.

If you are a Dishum Dishum fan and enjoy watching gun shots then you should watch the movie. But if you are soft and sober, a comedy or romantic flick should be your pick. Overall, the movie is an average thrilling experience, a one time watch.

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Dil Bole Hadippa – Review

Tuesday, October 13th, 2009

Dil Bole Hadippa with its amazing marketing has been a highly awaited film. The movie is a typical Yash Raj banner film with the Punjabi and khetiwadi touch to it. It is inspired from the Hollywood flick ‘She’s the Man (2006)’. The Hollywood flick had soccer as the main subject and Dil Bole Hadippa is a movie about cricket. A score of patriotic emotions have been added for the Indian audiences.
The picture opens in a village colony where Veera (Rani Mukherjee) scores six sixers in an over in a typical Punjabi kudi look with the typical kurta and Patiala suit. She is shown speaking broken English and she attempts to be bubbly and loud like an outgoing girl from a village. The village is shown to take part in an Indo Pak cricket match every independence day. Players from across the boundary contest for it.

The Indian team has been losing for years and finally the team head (Anupam Kher) decides to call his son Rohan (Shahid Kapoor) who plays country cricket in London. Rohan chooses to outline a fresh team and declares auditions. Since only boys can take part in this team, Veera switches her character to get entry by dressing up like a boy. The catch here being, no one comes close to recognizing her even though her voice remains the same. Until her lens falls off and Rohan realizes. Rohan coaches the team towards victory where you get a feel of Chak De India.

Finally the modern Rohan happens to fall in love with the village girl Veera. A little bit of all movies, Dil Bole Hadippa is a blend of emotions.

With the Yash Raj banner sticking to their standard love story, the movie was quite enjoyable but only a one time watch. If you are a Yash Raj fan, then don’t hesitate buying the ticket, it will definitely stay up to your expectation.

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Wake Up Sid

Monday, October 12th, 2009

It is said that simplicity with precision works and Wake up Sid just proves that. Being Ayan Mukerji’s directorial debut, the film narrates an extremely average mediocre story but it does so with a breathe of fresh air, with new creative ideas in terms of presentation and that’s exactly what works for Wake up Sid. Besides, Ranbir and Konkana make an unusual but good pair. 

Sid (Ranbir Kapoor) is a spoiled pampered son of a rich dad and has no interest in his studies so much so that he sleeps while studying for his final exam in which he eventually ends up failing. His father lures him to work for his company by offering him to gift a Porsche. However, he ends up quitting it after a week. In the meanwhile he meets Aisha Bannerjee (Konkona Sen Sharma) at a graduation day party who has just arrived from Kolkata to Mumbai to become a writer. Sid takes Aisha to Marine Lines that night and they sit together talking for hours. After that, they are in touch through e-mails. Sid helps Aisha to move to a new house and together they decorate it as well

Now here, because of his nonchalant attitude towards life, Sid’s father (Anupam Kher) has a conflict with him that forces him to leave his house. Sid lands up at Aisha’s house who allows him to stay at her flat. Ranbir messes up Aisha’s place who is otherwise meticulous and particular about her things. Now, Aisha works as an editorial assistant at a magazine and she helps Sid to get an internship with the magazine that she is working for. Sid slowly comes to realize what responsibility is and gradually matures where his parents call him back and he moves back to their house.

Now Aisha is upset at that because she was falling in love with him. Later, when Sid reads Aisha’s article in the magazine she works for is then that he realizes how much Aisha loves him. He meets her immediately and expresses his love for her and they live happily ever after.

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romantic movies

Friday, October 9th, 2009

The monsoon aroma, the doe eyed look, traditional and the subtle modern essence is well captured in the romantic Hindi movies. When it comes to romantic movies, the formula seems well planned and catered to the demanding audience. The olden era was simplistic and very appealing with lyrics tuned to well meaning songs. There was a conservative set up and also musicians ruled the roost when they churned out evergreen romantic songs.

 The seventies were when the real change launched itself with vamps and bold views in terms of dressing as well as music. Everything seemed to be peppy, bubbly and also maintained the romantic era which is a major part of Hindi movies. The family scene was a necessary element as Indians value the family concept a lot and hence film directors always maintained the family involvement in the romantic films.

 A few films had already the revolutionary effect like Sahab Biwi aur Gulam with the characteristic song, ‘ Na jao saiyya’. This was a sneak peak into the bold concept which was unveiled in the late nineties. The recent movies have the concept of dream sequence amidst great locales mostly shot amongst pyramids and snow.

 It is amazing that a simple theme of romance was actually played in a distinguished style by different veterans. The magical glance of Raj Kumar, the sincerity of Dilip Kumar, the flirty style of Shammi Kapoor and the controlled expression of love by Rajesh Khanna was dissimilar in its form and delivery.

 

Romance in Bollywood is an evergreen film formula and the audience is still expecting a lot. Light veined films like ‘Wake up Sid’ are also here for satiating the need of the cinema goer who is always patronizing good romantic films.

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Wake Up Sid – Review

Wednesday, October 7th, 2009

Wake up Sid, one of the most awaited movies has finally hit the theatres. Not for a surprise most of the viewers love it. Ranbir Kapoor has performed fairly well and makes his character believable. Even though the role doesn’t portray him all goody goody, he has done justice to it.

Konkana Sen Sharma plays a woman five years elder to him who eventually gets into a friendly relationship with Ranbir. The movie flows smoothly and cuts out on all the extra drama and emotions. They have not shown Ranbir as the heart throb but more realistic.

That’s what makes the story refreshing.

The first half is peppy but something seems to be missing. The second half however is outstanding. With the punches right in place, it takes the movie to another level. The director has avoided inclining to the usual where the bad boy turns to a sweet chap overnight. In fact Mukerji has shown a step by step transformation in Sid’s behavior and attitude. From small things like keeping his books in order to preparing his own bed to more important things like earning his first cheque are shown in the right order making it quite believable. It doesn’t look over the top and exaggerated and is quite subtle.

In the meantime, Konkana plays her character brilliantly. Her role is quite complex but she has carried it out just perfect. Her irritation and love for Sid seems quite realistic and is fairly commendable.

Namit Das, Rahul Khanna and Kashmira Shah have cameo roles and all of them have given an admirable performance. For a debut film, Mukerji has done a fantastic job and all the critical acclaim is sure to come his way. For the viewers, it’s a must watch so grab you tickets right away, Sid awaits you!

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