Update (29-07-2010) – The international trailer of Peepli Live is out. Pause at 1:06 and please let us know who is the culprit for such superb subtitling.

Update (26-01-2010) – The first review of Peepli Live is out. Click here to read the review.

Update (18-01-2010) – UTV Motion Pictures has blocked all the trailers/promos of the film. And this is not the first time. It happened recently with UTV’s other film Raajneeti also. There is something surely wrong with UTV! But praise the soul who did the good deed and uploaded it again. Click here to see the official Peepli Live channel on Youtube. Or scroll down here. The last three dialogue promos are working.

If 2009 belonged to actor Aamir Khan, then get ready to see him in producer’s avataar in 2010. Not one or two, but Aamir Khan Productions has three  films up for release. And the first one is Peepli Live directed by debutant Anusha Rizvi. Here is the new trailer.

And the first few dialogue promos of the film are out too. Have a look.

The film has been selected for the Sundance Film Festival and will compete with 13 other films in the World Cinema Narrative Competition. The main cast includes Omkar Das Manikpuri, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Raghubir Yadav, Shalini Vatsa, Malaika Shenoy and Farukh Jaffer.

And here is the official synopsis of the film…

Natha a poor farmer from Peepli village in the heart of rural India is about to lose his plot of land due to an unpaid government loan. A quick fix to the problem is the very same government’s program that aids the families of indebted farmers who have committed suicide. As a means of survival Farmer Natha can choose to die!!! His brother is happy to push him towards this unique ‘honor’ but Natha is reluctant. Local elections are around the corner and what might’ve been another unnoticed event turns into a ‘cause celebré’ with everyone wanting a piece of the action. Political bigwigs, high-ranking bureaucrats, local henchmen and the ever-zealous media descend upon sleepy Peepli to stake their claim. The question on everyone’s lips – “Will he or Won’t he?” As the mania escalates what will be the fate of Farmer Natha; nobody seems to care how he really feels?

The official website of the film is also up and running. Click here to go the homepage.

Will the so called marketing monster Aamir Khan turn these small films big too ? If he can, then everyone else can shut up forever. If he cant, then we know that only mainstream formulas (Fanaa, Ghajini, 3 Idiots) can become big, and you dont need any genius to deliver that! For confirmation, ask Akshay Kumar.

This friday there are two hindi releases. One is the biggie Chance Pe Dance directed by Ken Ghosh (Ishq Vishq, Fida) starring Shahid Kapoor and Genelia De Souza.

The other film is the indie The Waiting Room, produced by Sunil Doshi, directed by Maneej Premnath and starring Raj Singh Chaudhary (Gulaal). Lets see if Chance Pe Dance got any chance.

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – It seems like both Genelia and Shahid are squeezing in as many expressions as they can into each scene to compensate for the lack of a coherent script. But all their energy cannot fire up this inherently dull film. Chance Pe Dance isn’t the hot weekend ticket you were waiting for – 2/5 

Shubhra Gupta (Indian Express) – You also wish there was more energy in the sequences that fill in the spaces between the work-outs on the dance floor : the film gets lax too often. And the choreography could have been much more exciting to match an actor who is such a fleet-footed mover and shaker : the only one who’s perhaps a tad better is Hrithik Roshan. Kapoor needs a story with more depth, and direction – 2/5 

Raja Sen (Rediff) – There are a few warm touches and Kapoor occasionally manages to sparkle. But there are far better places for a showreel than in a movie theatre. It’s mostly harmless, and certainly harebrained. Leave it to the Shahid-obsessed – 1.5/5 

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Ken Ghosh borrows liberally from such Hollywood films as School of Rock and the Jessica Alba-starrer Honey. But with it’s theme of a struggling actor’s ultimate vindication, in the end I suppose Chance Pe Dance could be described as “Luck By Chance-For-Dummies”. Although it would be a crime to mention the two films in the same breath – 1/5

Gaurav Malani (ET) – Sadly, scripts are written for reality shows today but there is no real good scripting involved in feature films. So in times when dance talent-hunt shows on television promise more drama and entertainment, you find no good reason why to give this dance a chance – 2/5 

Nikhat Kazmi (TOI) – The film may not have the emotional quotient of Ishq Vishq, Shahid and Ken’s first film that set the box office on fire, yet it does have its moments. A better scripted, less cliched second half would have surely given the film a better chance to dazzle and shake – 3/5

Taran Adarsh(Indiafm) – Shahid makes a sincere effort and the honesty shows in a number of scenes. But let’s not forget that the best of actors cannot rise beyond a pitiable script. On the whole, this dance stands no chance – 1.5/5

Abhijit Mhamunkar (Buzz18) – There was much buzz in the media about the film being rewritten and re-shot after changing the original heroine, Jiah Khan – replaced by Genelia D’Souza. Also, Oye Lucky! Lucky Oye! writer Manu Rishi was roped in for additional dialogues and scriptwriting. But you wonder what changes the makers have made, because neither is the film entertaining nor presenting anything new – 1.5/5

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – Between those patchy, over-decorated music television tracks, the banal hero fails a courier boy’s job; sleeps in a car (when he could’ve moved in with his girl); joins a school to teach dance; enlists kids to win a competition; enlists himself to win a talent hunt… The show goes on, and so on, and so forth. As does the refrain: “Tu star ban sakta hai. Tu star ban gaya. Mein star banaunga….” (Whatever that means) – 1.5/5

It seems Ken Ghosh can go back to making music videos. Next is Chance Impossible! Will update with more reviews as soon as they are out.

And not a single review of The Waiting Room so far ? What happened to the indie supporters ?

Those of you who have been complaining that Konkona Sen is getting repetitive (Luck By Chance, Wake Up Sid), here is something different! Konkona in comic avatar, alongwith actor Ajay Devgan/Devgon and Paresh Rawal. All three national award winners! The film is directed by Ashwni Dhir and presented by Warner Brothers.

The trailer of Leena Yadav’s new film Teen Patti is finally out. Earlier Bachchan had put out the trailer on his blog and the makers were not too  happy about it. More about the fiasco here.

The new promo is bit different from the old one. It seems Ben Kingsley is completely missing or may be, they  think that Kingsleysaab doesnt have much charm on desi audience. The earlier trailer was for the international distributors.

Looks much similar to Kevin Spacey starrer 21 ?

The film also stars R Madhavan and newcomers include Dhruv Ganesh,  Shraddha Kapoor (Shakti Kapoor’s daughter), Siddharth Kher, Vaibhav Talwar and Saira Mohan.

And if you are curious to know more about the film, click here to know the plot/story/synopsis.

 

One more director joins the club. Tarun Mansukhani will make his acting debut in Karan Johar’s new film My Name Is Khan. The news seems to be all hush-hush so far. Strangely, his name is missing from the credit list of the film on IMDB also though the list is quite long. For surprise ? Or just cheap thrill ? Or are we going blind ?

We discovered it when we recently saw the international trailer of the film. Do check it out. 

Here it is. The multi-starrer of the year. Produced by UTV, Prakash Jha’s Raajneeti stars  Ajay Devgan, Katrina Kaif, Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Vivek Oberoi, Nana Patekar and Manoj Bajpai. Check it out! WTF! why so much voiceover!!!!???? Guess few things will never change!

UPDATE – As soon as the promo was out today, Prakash Jha was furious. It seems he wasnt aware of it. The director doesnt know that his film’s first theatrical trailer is already out. Surprise! What’s more, it was out on UTV’s official channel on youtube. Talking about the head not knowing where the arm is! Few phone calls here and there and the promo was pulled out. But the good word had spread by then. And so here it is. We also had to replace the video. Jhaji, ek trailer ke liye, pehle VVC aur ab itni raajneeti ?

It was all hush-hush before she made headlines claiming that she managed to save 40 children in a day.  A video featuring Lindsay Lohan’s journey in India has now been released on the net. Its part of the BBC documentary called Lindsay Lohan In India and deals with human trafficking.

And guess who is coming next! If gossipmongers are to be believed, a well known international actor is soon going to make his/her directorial debut and is all set to shoot the film in India. This one also deals with similar issue. Though we cant reveal the name right now but those of who are extra curious, here is what the Navis would have said – I see you, Luly!

We were feeling bit sad because it seems the copycats species was fast becoming extinct. Blame it on the new rules, hollywood studios coming to India, Rakesh Roshan-Ram Sampath case and many other reasons. Even Pritam has said no more copying. Anu Malik is long dead. But it seems all is still not well.

It was recently reported on www.itwofs.com and Mumbai Mirror that Lalit Pandit (of Jatin-Lalit duo) has lifted the tune of Pakistani singer  Fakhr-e-Alam’s song Husnwaalon se poocho, that was part of his 2001 album Falam Connection. Husanwaalon becomes dilrubaoon ke jalwe in Dulha Mil Gaya. And here are the two songs…

This filmy friday there are two hindi releases. Pyaar Impossible and Dulha Mil Gaya. Pyaar Impossible is directed by Jugal Hansraj and stars Uday Chopra and Priyanka Chopra. Lets see if its any good.

Taran Adarsh (Indiafm) – On the whole, PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE is a feel-good film. If you are a romantic, this one’s for you. Even if you’re not, still watch it. Its one of those films that will bring a smile on your face – something that most Hindi films don’t do these days – 3/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Pyaar Impossible doesn’t work because it’s hard to empathize with any of the characters and because the actors fail to rise above the flawed script. It’s back-breakingly long at two hours and twenty-odd minutes, and I can’t remember one single scene that made me smile. The humour is ordinary, and the pre-climax romantic scene in a Mac store is the most embarrassing I can remember in recent times – 1/5

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – This is not Notting Hill, in only as much as Uday Chopra isn’t quite Hugh Grant. This is still an incessantly stunted ‘Hollywood rom-com’ knock-off, to the point that a neatly dictated formula will allow – 1.5/5

Nikhat Kazmi (TOI) – Nothing stupendous here. Just a sweet and soppy flavour with a picture-perfect Priyanka: Watchable – 3/5

Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Uday plays the nerd with absolute sincerity but it’s hard to summon up any affection for him. And Dino seems to have decided that expression is a waste of time. His face just stays blank. Pyaar Impossible is depressingly dim-witted – 1.5/5

Sukanya Varma (Rediff) – It’s the kind of film, which could get over in five minutes if only Chopra 1 would let Chopra 2 finish his sentence. But no, Chopra 2 takes two and a half good hours to spill the beans leaving you with little besides a super hot Chopra 1 to admire – 2.5/5

Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – She’s the beauty and he’s the geek. And she ends up falling in love with him. Yeah, right, if your father is one of Bollywood’s biggest producers, anything is possible – 2/5

Gaurav Malani (ET) – The moral of the film is that one shouldn’t judge a person by their looks. Going by that, however cool this candyfloss flick might appear, it’s still shallow on content. Pyaar Impossible might have certainly not aimed for a ‘10 on 10’. But is it really impossible to even strike an average? – 2/5

Meena Iyer (Mumbai Mirror) – Honestly guys wake up and smell the coffee. Forget love, even hate isn’t possible here.  This film leaves you bereft of emotion – 2/5

Shweta Parande (Buzz18) – There is nothing new in Pyaar Impossible. Watch it only if you don’t mind a predictable story with a hot Priyanka Chopra, and some catchy music – 2.5/5

The other release is Dulha Mil Gaya directed by Mudassar Aziz and starring Shahrukh Khan (5 or 70 percent ?), Sushmita Sen and Fardeen Khan. And here is the score card.

Taran Adarsh (Indiafm) – The recipe is simple and uncomplicated…Take My fair Lady. Add Dulhan Wahi Jo Piya Man Bhaaye. Spray Naseeb Apna Apna. Sprinkle DDDLJ and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. Hey presto, Dulha Mil Gaya is ready to serve – 1.5/5

Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Dulha Mil Gaya starring Fardeen Khan and Sushmita Sen, has been four years in the making, but has arrived almost fifteen years too late. A predictable old-fashioned entertainer that’s a throwback to those homogenous family films of the mid-90s, Dulha Mil Gaya borrows so much from the Yash Chopra/Karan Johar school of synthetic filmmaking that it’s hard to tell if there’s anything original to this story at all – 2/5

Anupama Chopra (NDTV)Dulha Mil Gaya is a film caught in a time warp both literally and figuratively. The much-delayed movie is a bargain-basement version of Yash Chopra-Karan Johar movies from the late 1990s – 2/5

Nikhat Kazmi (TOI) – The problem with Dulha Mil Gaya lies in the fact that it has nothing new to offer. And that’s ironical at a time when almost every film that falls off Bollywood’s conveyor belt is brimming over with newness: new ideas, new plots, new musical notes, new actors, new narrative styles. Unforgivable – 2.5/5 

Mayank Shekhar (HT) – I check my cellphone for the time yet again. The filmmakers could’ve checked for the year (they were making this film in as well) – 1/5

Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – I suppose it’s funny to see Sushmita talking to her dog, Bozo, and kiss its miniature; or blow kisses to her invisible audience; or even behave like the eternal Miss Universe. But hey, that crown was in 1994. Grow up, please, Sushmita. Start acting. And do something less formulaic than “Indian girls rishte nibhana jaant hain” (Indian girls know how to keep up relationships). Grrr – 1/5

Preeti Arora (Rediff) – The West Indies and Trinidad are scenic and breathtaking. These locations haven’t been used too often in our films. But no film has ever managed to sustain itself on the basis of its locations. Watch the film if you can’t think of any other way to spend your weekend. Or else just avoid – 2.5/5

Gaurav Malani (ET) – Dulha Mil Gaya literally breaks new grounds with taking a Bollywood plot to Trinidad and Tobago. But beyond that this marriage miscarriage movie moves east of West Indies to introduce India for the zillionth time as nothing more than a small village in pastureland Punjab – 1.5/5

Meena Iyer (Mumbai Mirror) – They shot Dulha Mil Gaya all the way in Trinidad & Tobago. They could have shot it in Timbuktu and it wouldn’t stand an ice-cube’s chance in hell of surviving –  2/5

It seems impossible to expect even a half decent movie this week. Neither Pyaar nor Dulha. Head out for Sherlock Holmes in new avtaar or Paranormal Activity.

Yes, here he is! One of the musketeers. And his partner in crime is none other than lyricist Amitabh Bhattacharya. We googled a lot but could not get any pic of his. So, had to settle with only Amit Trivedi’s pic.

After the music and the film released, everyone wondered about Band Master Rangeela and Rasila’s identity, the duo who have been credited for the vocals of Emosanal Atyachaar in Dev D. But there was no straight answer. Click here to read an interesting report published in DNA on the same. It seems it was all fake or as they say, great cheap thrill! Aha, we are not the only ones who live by the mantra that life is all about cheap thrills!

Recently a friend was making his year end music list and was talking to the musicians involved to figure out more about their songs. When it came to Emosanal Attyachaar, he got to know everything except the identity of Master Rangeela & Rasila, the guys who delivered the anthem of the year. That got us more curious and see what what we finally discovered.

BTW, seems like even dozen good songs in an album are not good enough for the Screen Awards nominations. Check out their nomination list here. Can anyone enlighten us about the morons who made the list. They deserve special mention.

PS – Amit & Amitabh, sorry to burst the bubble. This one is cheaper thrill!