what we are reading – EightandHalf
The film has been ready for quite sometime and made few headlines because of some nude & kissing scenes. Finally the first trailer of the film is out. Scroll down and check out the video.
The film is directed by Sudipto Chattopadhyay and stars Bipasha Basu, Maradona Rebello, Mahesh Manjrekar and Lillete Dubey. Its produced by Sanjay Gupta’s White Feathers Art House Films. Yes, yes, you heard it right. Please dont ROFLOL!
Not sure where to start and how to start. Ok, making it simple and starting with the intro. Teen Patti is directed by Leena Yadav (Shabd), produced by Ambika Hinduja ( Big moneybag. Hinduja family), stars Amitabh Bachchan, Ben Kingsley, R Madhavan, Raima Sen and a bunch of new comers. The not-sure-what-they-were-doing list includes Ajay Devgan, Mita Vashisth, Jackie Shroff, Shakti Kapoor, Ranjeet, Mahesh Manjrekar, Tinnu Anand, Siddharth Sanghvi and Barry John.
Was interested because of only name. Shiv Subramanium, whose writing credits includes films like Parinda, Is Raat Ki Subah Nahi, 1942 A Love Story, Hazaroon Khwashein Aisi and Chameli. He co-wrote the film with Leena Yadav. What were they smoking ?
Since I dont have any more energy left to write a full post on the film, here is the new format we are introducing. Putting together everything that we tweet about the film while watching it. And few things which we didnt tweet but kept in our head. Here is our first Twittereview!
– What we heard before entering the theatre : Ok, goodfellas…seems its a bad friday at the movies. As a friend said….Do Karthik, Teen Patti… All tatti!
– No havent seen Teen Patti. Watching it now. Halfway through. Exactly what i expected from the promos…very very filmy!
– Someone asked : How many stars would you give it out of 21 ? Replied : Hehhehe. Am big Kevin Spacey fan. Still counting the stars as its only halfway through.
– Post-interval : Oh man! Where is it going ? Am willing to submit all my pattas and pattis to get out now! Becoming unbearable.
– Its ringa ringa in Teen Patti too. Would be good if someone can connect the phone lines of Karthik with these guys and edit a single film out of the two. Karthik Calling Team Patti!
– Teen Patti in one line is mayhem because of money. And it turned out to be money spent in mayhem. Ben Kingsley nods listens nods listens nods listens.
– Out of the theatre : Teen Patti – bad writing, badly directed, acted, edited. It goes all over the place without making sense. Wanted to see because of Shiv Subramanium.
And here are the tweets which didnt make it to our timeline because of lack of space, time, energy, interest or whatever…..
– Madhvan is bad. No, he is terrible. Naah..Horrible. What is he doing ? He is so bad that he is good!
– With so much money, Hindujas could have bought the rights of 21 and done an official remake. It would not have been so bad.
– Barry John TEACHES acting ? Really ?
– Can see what they were trying to do. But it doesnt come together as a film. All scattered, going in random directions, the emotions doesnt show on screen and the two roommates track is funny as hell.
– Bonny and Clyde ? Who thought of that ? Deserves Red & White Bravery Awards.
As the tagline of the film says “Sab Khel Hai”, in twitter lingo we would like to add “Aur Teen Patti #Fail Hai”. Go play at your own risk.
The first trailer of Mahesh Manjrekar’s new film City Of Gold is out. Check it out.
This one had lot of promise, till we saw the trailer. The premise, setting, time, incidents and an untold story. But from the trailer it looks too tacky! City Of Gold is set in Mumbai’s mills era. Here is the official synopsis of the film…
Today, there is hardly anyone who hasn’t visited the swanky shopping malls, nightclubs, lounge bars, clubs and other such lifestyle destinations that sprung up across the centre of Mumbai. However, very few know that buried deep below these glittering edifices to consumerism lies the dark, dirty and painful reality of many thousands of mill workers who once worked the cotton mills in this very same area. Rising and toiling to the wail of the mill sirens each and every day, seven days a week, these workers embodied the true unbridled zeal and unflagging spirit of the city and played a pivotal role in the evolution of Mumbai as the modern day business capital of India.
And then it suddenly was as if they never existed. Following the mill workers strike in the mid-80s, these mills began closing down rapidly and the mill-workers mysteriously disappeared. What happened to them, and where they went is one of the most shameful secrets that the city of Mumbai will have to bear for generations, one that until now has always been spoken about in hushed whispers.
City of Gold – the story of these long-forgotten masses – not only explores the apathy of these mill workers narrated through the story of one such family, but is also a take-no-prisoners account of the birth of the true underbelly of organized crime in Mumbai.
The film traces the birth of the politics of greed in Mumbai and exposes the unholy collusion between the triumvirate of big business, the political establishment and the trade union leaders who ostensibly were charged with protecting the rights of the mill workers. In the two decades that followed, the entire landscape of Central Mumbai was changed forever. Land became the currency of growth, and this began the systematic extinction of mills in Mumbai. In a matter of just a few years, hundreds of thousands of workers lost their means of livelihood. Having worked in these mills from generation to generation, this was the only vocation that they knew.
Many left Mumbai and went back to their ancestral homes, some others chose to stay back and fight what they soon realised was a losing battle, some took the extreme step of ending their miserable lives, and still some others took to a world of crime.
Truth… as is said, is stranger than fiction. But the truth that the film uncovers is not just stranger but darker and dirtier than any mind has ever imagined. Produced by DAR Motion Pictures and from the Director of dark and realistic films like Vaastav – Mr Mahesh Manjrekar, ‘City of Gold’ takes another trip down memory lane…. just that this time around the result is a much more heart wrenching, soul stirring and shocking film about human avarice and apathy.
The film doesn’t provide any direct solutions. Yet it shatters many a myth and raises many a question which only the passage of time will provide answers to.
To know more about the film, click here for the official website.
First look of two new films are out. Priyadarshan’s Bumm Bumm Bole and Mahesh Manjrekar’s City Of Gold. Have a look.
Bumm Bumm Bole is an official adaptation of Majid Majidi’s acclaimed film Children Of Heaven. Its produced by Percept Picture Company and stars Darsheel safary. The Remake Master continues remaking.
Mahesh Manjrekar’s City Of Gold is set in Mumbai’s mills era. Here is the official synopsis of the film…
Today, there is hardly anyone who hasn’t visited the swanky shopping malls, nightclubs, lounge bars, clubs and other such lifestyle destinations that sprung up across the centre of Mumbai. However, very few know that buried deep below these glittering edifices to consumerism lies the dark, dirty and painful reality of many thousands of mill workers who once worked the cotton mills in this very same area. Rising and toiling to the wail of the mill sirens each and every day, seven days a week, these workers embodied the true unbridled zeal and unflagging spirit of the city and played a pivotal role in the evolution of Mumbai as the modern day business capital of India.
And then it suddenly was as if they never existed. Following the mill workers strike in the mid-80s, these mills began closing down rapidly and the mill-workers mysteriously disappeared. What happened to them, and where they went is one of the most shameful secrets that the city of Mumbai will have to bear for generations, one that until now has always been spoken about in hushed whispers.
City of Gold – the story of these long-forgotten masses – not only explores the apathy of these mill workers narrated through the story of one such family, but is also a take-no-prisoners account of the birth of the true underbelly of organized crime in Mumbai.
The film traces the birth of the politics of greed in Mumbai and exposes the unholy collusion between the triumvirate of big business, the political establishment and the trade union leaders who ostensibly were charged with protecting the rights of the mill workers. In the two decades that followed, the entire landscape of Central Mumbai was changed forever. Land became the currency of growth, and this began the systematic extinction of mills in Mumbai. In a matter of just a few years, hundreds of thousands of workers lost their means of livelihood. Having worked in these mills from generation to generation, this was the only vocation that they knew.
Many left Mumbai and went back to their ancestral homes, some others chose to stay back and fight what they soon realised was a losing battle, some took the extreme step of ending their miserable lives, and still some others took to a world of crime.
Truth… as is said, is stranger than fiction. But the truth that the film uncovers is not just stranger but darker and dirtier than any mind has ever imagined. Produced by DAR Motion Pictures and from the Director of dark and realistic films like Vaastav – Mr Mahesh Manjrekar, ‘City of Gold’ takes another trip down memory lane…. just that this time around the result is a much more heart wrenching, soul stirring and shocking film about human avarice and apathy.
The film doesn’t provide any direct solutions. Yet it shatters many a myth and raises many a question which only the passage of time will provide answers to.
To know more about the film, click here for the official website.
Funny man Kunal Vijayakar turns director with this week’s release Fruit and Nut. The film has Cyrus Broacha, Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar and Dia Mirza in the lead and is produced by Studio 18. Some early reviews…
Taran Adarsh (Indiafm)– Director Kunal Vijaykar tries hard to keep you entertained, but the writing is just not captivating. Sure, you do laugh at a few jokes/situations, but there are times when the jokes aren’t too funny and also tend to get repetitive. On the whole, FRUIT & NUT has some funny moments, that’s it! A film like this holds very limited appeal – 1.5 / 5
Anupama Chopra (NDTV) – Vijaykar and his actors are straining too hard to make you laugh at jokes that are simply too flimsy for film. It’s exhausting more than entertaining. See it if you must – 1.5 / 5
Sukanya Verma (Rediff) -My advice, skip the movie, buy the chocolate. It’s good. It’s fun – 1/ 5
Anand Vaishnav (Buzz 18) – Fruit & Nut would have been a brilliant two minute spoof on TV. But when stretched into a two hour film, it runs out of steam. This chocolate doesn’t have a sweet enough aftertaste – 2/ 5
Gaurav Malani (Indiatimes) – Kunal Vijaykar’s 5-minute Fully Faltoo series on MTV was funnier than this entire excuse for a film. Teaming up with Cyrus, he makes a bakra (scapegoat) of the audience. Fruit and Nut is cheesy filmmaking. In a nutshell, this is fruitless entertainment – 1.5 / 5
Nikhat Azmi (TOI) – Neither fruity nor nutty, this film ends up as a total squish. After an unfruitful watch, you feel completely let down since the film boasts of a Still from Fruit and star cast that includes most of the contemporary funsters of the entertainment industry – 1.5 / 5
Kaveree Bamzai (India Today) – Unfortunately, the writers seem to have exhausted themselves thinking of the funny names and the interesting premise. There is nothing beyond it, except for two senseless item songs, one each for Irani and Mirza to stretch their legs – 1 / 5
Rajeev Masand (CNN IBN) – Despite juvenile jokes like peeing on open electric wires, Fruit & Nut is mercifully not the sort of vulgar comedy we’ve got used to seeing at the cinemas these days. It’s best suited for those who don’t have a problem with silly, childish humour – 1.5 / 5
Well, this friday Cyrus & Kunal dont have to look out for bakras. They need to look in the mirror!
This film has been making lot of headlines recently. From nude scenes to gay kiss to confused sexuality, it got it all. Here is the first look of Pankh.
The film is produced by Sanjay
Gupta and directed by debutant Sudipto Chattopadhyay. Inspired by the real life story of child artist Ahsaas Channa, Pankh is the story of a child actor whose mother dresses him up as a girl for his film roles. Years after becoming an adult, the boy is still confused about his sexuality.
Bipasha Basu, Mahesh Manjrekar and Lilette Dubey also star in it. The film was in news recently because of a nude scene featuring Maradona Rebello. To read more about the nude scene and the controversy click here.
And it also features a gay kiss between debutant actor Maradona Rebello and Amit Purohit. To know more about it, click here.
BTW, do check out the first name on the poster carefully. Anything odd ? If we are not blind, its looks like SANJAY DUTT on the poster of Pankh! How, what,where,why,when, WTF ? Have they patched up ? No, not for sure. Then ? We are clueless. If you got any dope, do let us know.
Two men kissing! In Dostana’s climax, it was an easy guess, a fake kiss! The camera moved 360 degree but missed the lips. In Pankh, debutant actor Maradona Rebello smooches Amit Purohit (see pic).
And the good news is Censor Board has passed the scene. Gay kiss in hindi film! Its surely a sign of changing times, because in india, homsexuality is still in closet.
The film is produced by Sanjay Gupta and directed by debutant Sudipto Chattopadhyay. Inspired by the real life story of child artist Ahsaas Channa, Pankh is the story of a child actor whose mother dresses him up as a girl for his film roles. Years after becoming an adult, the boy is still confused about his sexuality.
Bipasha Basu, Mahesh Manjrekar and Lilette Dubey also star in it. The film was in news recently because of a nude scene featuring Maradona Rebello. To read more about the nude scene and the controversy click here. Most probably the scene will be cut out and the film will release with an Adult certificate.
……thats the problem. Nude scenes always make news in India…no, make it anywhere. Its the same. And this one is about Pankh.
The film has been in news since it was announced. Its inspired by the story of child actor Ahsaas Channa. (remember the kid in Ramu’s Vastu Shastra/Phoonk….she is not she, we mean, he is always dressed up as a girl. His dad filed a case against the mother for exploiting Ahsaas…making him dress up like a girl to get more work in films. Nobody had any clue about his gender till the matter reached court)
In similar way, Pankh is about a man who is treated as a woman by his mother since childhood and how, subsequently, he is confused about his sexuality. It stars Bipasha Basu, Lilette Dubey, Mahesh Manjrekar and Maradona Rebello (in lead role) and its directed by Sudipto Chattopadhya.
According to Mumbaimirror, the problem is regarding a nude scene in the film which Censor Board is not willing to certify. In the scene, the male actor (Maradona) is completely nude in front of his mother (Lillete Dubey) and his rear is exposed to the audience.
The film is produced by Sanjay Gupta and he has been asked to edit out the scene. But Guptaji is not is not willing to do so as he thinks the scene is crucial for the film.
99 Film Review
There are films where you dont feel like entering the theatre post-interval. Not even with the caramel flavoured popcorn and coke. And this week’s release 99, directed by Krishna D K & Raj Nidimoru, is one such film. But in this case, the reverse is true. Its all about the second half.
After sitting through the boring first half, where actually nothing happens, its difficult to enter the theatre again for the 2nd half. (NOTHING means absolutely nothing ) Its all about set up in the first half. Setting up the characters, their traits, locations and the back stories. Its almost a never-ending loop. The same events again and again.
If you manage to sit through the 1st half, please make sure that you enter the theatre for the second half. Because the story moves in this half.
The year is 19-99. Two guys ( Kunal Khemu & Cyrus Broacha) with bad luck, who always get stuck at the crucial point before hitting the century, get into the messy business of cricket, betting and mobile rings. Its a con job with loads of fun, atleast for them.
And thats why the year ( 19-99) is significant. The year when mobile rings and betting scandals made the headlines. There is a great story idea there but the execution is so bad that everything seems dry and half-baked. Kunal and Cyrus, who end up working for the local don ( Mahesh Manjrekar) because of their bad luck, lands up in Delhi for some paisa vasooli. But its not what it seems, things go wrong, they meet the wrong guys and desperately look out for ways to get it all right. Enters Boman Irani and Vinod Khanna, the cricket maniac and the betting king!
Kunal-Khemu’s interaction with Soha Ali(as hotel executive) is so amateurish that you will cringe at their every interaction. Its the same story with Boman Irani and his wife, who are trying to sort out their marriage issues, it again goes in circles, scene after scene, they talk the same shit.
Mahesh Manjrekar as the local don, Cyrus Broacha as Khemu’s partner in crime, and Amit Mistry as Kuber steal the show.
Watch it, because there is nothing else in the theatres. And dont worry even if you enter post-interval. Infact, you should pay half the ticket price and enter post-interval only. And yah, the delhi destiny song is the best thing about the film.
Rating – 2/5.
Btw, Rediff’s film critic Raja Sen makes his filmy debut with this one. He is credited with the dialogues alongwith two other writers. We wonder what happened to Raja’s great cinematic insights on film writing. And here is Raja Sen trying his best to sell 99. And Here is how he came onboard. Sencity is sin city now!
F.i.g.h.t C.l.u.b 