Archive for September 4, 2009

Prakash RajYes, its confirmed. The rumours have been floating around for since last few hours. And its all true.

Prakash Raj has bagged the National Award for Best Actor for his performance in Priyadarshan’s film Kanchivaram. Atleast this one should be non controversial. Its a truly deserving one. I remember watching it at the Mumbai premeire of the film. And since then, I cant remember anything so powerful and so moving. Its just stunning!

In the film, Prakash Raj plays the role of a weaver who dreams about a silk saree for his daughter’s marriage.  What looks like a simple dream is much more complex than one can imagine. Money, politics, unions, the problems never end.

The acting is so powerful that the young and the old Prakash Raj seem to be two different actors. If you havent seen it yet, do watch. If for nothing else, just for the acting! Happy to hear this news about Prakash Raj, his third National Award! More power to actors like him!

BTW, rumours doing the round suggests that Priyadarshan has also bagged the National Award for Best Director and the film Kanchivaram will get it for Best Film.

Update : Gandhi My Father has also bagged three awars. Best Film ( Prdoucer – Anil Kapoor. Am guessing this one is the hindi language category), Feroze Abbas Khan ( Best Screenplay) and Darshan Zariwalla (Best Supporting Actor).

ChintujiIts filmy friday! And this week again there are some half dozen releases. Aage Se Right, Fox, Bachelor Party, Mohandas, Three – Love Lies Betrayal and some more. Our pick of the week is Rishi Kapoor starrer Chintu ji, directed by Ranjit Kapoor. We earlier wrote a post on Chintuji here (A riddle called Chintuji and bollywood’s oldest debutant). And here are some early reviews.

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Chintu ji is an unassuming and delightful film that will keep you smiling long after you’ve left the theatre – 3.5/5

Taran Adarsh (Indiafm) – Here’s a request to all cine lovers and also multiplexes, from this writer. Give this film a chance. Let’s nurture it well, so that genuine efforts like CHINTUJI don’t go unnoticed – 3.5/5

Anand Vaishnav (Buzz18) – Despite some inconsistencies, Chintuji brings a huge smile on your face. It’s a heart warming, feel good film – 3/5

Avijit Ghosh (TOI) – Hats off to Rishi Kapoor, though, for agreeing to play Chintuji, a self-seeking, egoistic and unscrupulous character with his own pet name. The star may have faded away but the actor is blooming in early autumn – 2/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Despite its flaws however, it’s warm and engaging in the end, and far superior to the similarly themed Billu Barber. Watch it because good films are hard to come by – 3/5

Shubhra Gupta ( Indian Express) – Keeping Rishi company are co-stars Priyanshu and the bright-eyed Kulraj, and Sophiya, shaking her stuff in one of the most hilariously inventive item numbers we’ve seen : worth, on its own, the price of an admission ticket – 3/5 

Will update when more reviews are out.

Amitabh BachchanTanul, we waited for you to crack the question that we put in the comment section of this post. Didnt drop any hint because the hint was in the question – An actor (A) doing a tv series (B) for a channel (C). Guess A, B and C.

Now,  lets spread the word. An actor (A)mitabh Bachchan is going to host the tv series (B)igg Boss on Channel (C)olours!

Yes, the new season of Bigg Boss will soon be on air. And Amitabh Bachchan will replace Shilpa Shetty in this season. And if gossipmongers are to be believed, Bachchan will be known as the Pop Philosopher in the show! The contestants are yet to be finalised. We will keep posted as we get to know.