Bollywood Bites Plus

Superstar Shah Rukh Khan debuts Ra.One in Toronto

After delighting fans in Dubai and London, Indian cinema superstar Shah Rukh Khan hit Toronto as part of a quick international jaunt for his new film, Ra.One.

"It's a different kind of film. We've not done these kinds of films in India. I hope people comprehend and appreciate the newness of it all," he told CBC News on the red carpet Wednesday night.

The trio of international premieres come after Khan and his co-stars Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal travelled through India on a whirlwind tour promoting the film, a 3D superhero thriller being touted as having the biggest budget ever for a Bollywood film.

The special effects-laden film, directed by Anubhav Sinha, is a new attempt to bring Indian cinema to an international audience, with the film opening in approximately 5,000 theatres around the globe. Hit R&B singer Akon contributed two songs to the soundtrack. Both tracks — Chammak Challo and Criminal — are rising on the Indian music charts.

Premiering in Toronto on Wednesday, the same day it opened worldwide, Ra.One sees the actor portraying a nerdy man trying to impress his son by creating a superhero video game. Trouble arises, however, when the game's characters come to life.

Though the science fiction-influenced tale seems like a major departure from Bollywood's usual subject matter, "it's not so different," Khan, called King Khan by his fans, said in London.

"We still have singing and dancing, so it's all there."

This article first appeared HERE.

Is Bollywood running out of ideas?

It is said that it's better to fail in originality than to succeed in imitation. Obviously not everyone from Bollywood agrees. It's an industry that produces over 150 mainline movies year after year, and going by current standards, more than 70 percent of those ideas come from another person's story palette.

Remaking classics

It's clearly the riskiest proposition to adapt when you're pressed for an original idea. Remaking a classic takes guts. After all it's a space that people have cherished for years. So one could go horribly wrong as Ram Gopal Verma did with Aag (remake of Sholay-1975) and Himesh Reshammiya Karzzz (remake of Karz-1980).

Says director Ramesh Sippy, "With films like Sholay or Seeta aur Geeta the audience sees something that can perhaps never be replicated. But if the original makers have no problem selling their story, then there is no harm in attempting it with a fresh perspective."

However, there's no denying that remaking a classic ensures an inquisitive audience spanning the age group of 17 to 70.

Adds Karan Malhotra whose adaptation of Angeepath is up for release next year, "I think when you adapt from classic films you are inspired to do an even better job. There is enough pressure as it will be compared to the original."

The sequel story

When Dabangg was declared a success, the producers immediately announced a sequel. Ditto with Force.

Notwithstanding the fact that Force was already a south remake, and a sequel now will probably need an original screenplay. Clearly, announcing a part 2 to a film is, in fact, the easiest way to increase the buzz around it.

Says director Abhishek Chaubey, "When you make a film and it becomes such a big talking point amongst the masses, it's only natural that you would want to flesh out the idea a little more. That doesn't mean the sequel will lack originality. Eventually sequels too are stand-alone films."

However, there is no denying that capitalising on an already successful brand is one of the smartest business strategies.

From Dostana to Race and Housefull to Ishqiya, each of these films now hope to see a better follow-up of the original, some of them with bigger stars. Not to mention, the barrage of publicity speculating the star cast and the twist and turns in the story gives the producers the perfect playground to reach out to the masses.

From south to the west

Official or not, remaking a hit movie has been a formula the industry has been using for years. But these days that formula has a distinct South Indian flavour.

Not everyone can do a Rajnikanth, but replicating the south superstar's classic moves seems to be a sure-shot ticket to success. And though filmmakers have shamelessly lifted from Hollywood all these years, (read Partner, Heyy Baby, Zinda, Kante, etc) they are finally resorting to getting the 'official' tag.

Says Karan Johar whose Stepmom remake tanked at the box office, "Remakes are great, but when you make it for the desi audience, you have to add the elements that appeal to them."

Sequels being made of...

Dabangg, Dostana, Housefull, Ishqiya, Don, Race, Jannat, Force, Masti, Partner, Double Dhamaal, No Entry, Kya Kool Hein Hum, Wanted, Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai, Ek Chaalis Ki Last Local, Bhoot, Krissh, Tanu Weds Manu Raaz 2, Murder 2, Dhoom 2, Golmaal 3.

South remakes

Kick, Son Of Sardar (Maryadaramana) Ek Deewana Tha (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa) , Rowdy Rathore (Vikramarkudu), Dookudu, Pithamagan, Dhee, Businessman, Pranayam, Magadheera

Hollywood remakes

Players (The Italian Job), Mod (Keeping Watch) , Bandaa Yeh Bindaas Hai (My Cousin Vinny)

Classic remakes

Agneepath, Chupke Chupke, Chashme Badoor, Satte Pe Satta, Seeta Aur Geeta, Golmaal, Angoor

Original films

Rockstar, The Dirty Picture, Ladies Vs Ricky Behl, Student of the Year, Ferrari ki Sawari, Gangs of Wasseypur, Department, Shootout at Wadala

This article first appeared HERE.

Aazaan: India’s biggest film on espionage

Aazaan will be India's first espionage film shot on such a large scale, spanning seven countries, talking of the global threat of terrorism.

For an industry that makes over 700 films, the Indian film industry has not dabbled with many films on espionage. JMJ Entertainment's Aazaan is perhaps the first film that talks of a RAW agent who has been groomed to infiltrate the notorious gang of terrorists in Waziristan, which is the breeding ground of terror and terrorists in the world.

Sachiin Joshi will make his debut in this action packed film. A movie lover as a kid, Sachiin met Prashant Chadha when the director was contacted to make a film for the JMJ Entertainment banner. The director reveals, "Spy or political thrillers have always been my favourite genre. Films like the Bourne trilogy, Mission Impossible and similar are at the top of my list. When I was signed up by JMJ Entertainment, my preference for the launch of Sachiin was a spy thriller. Also I believed that Sachiin would be able to convincingly pull off this genre."

Writing this story of terrorism and its global consequences took the team of three writers, Prashant Chadha, Shubhra Swarup and Heeraz Marfatia over a year. And talking of his lead actor, Prashant discloses, "Sachin appealed a lot to me as a character who can pull off the action-drama genre with ease. He has a distressed and anguished look, with a lot on his shoulders. His eyes are expressive and can communicate a lot."

Aazaan is a film that has been shot across the globe as it talks of a new terror that can be perceived as the latest threat on mankind. Sachiin who was groomed for this film, worked hard on every aspect of film making to give the perfect shot. Reflects the actor, "For Aazaan, I have learnt action that is usually given to Israeli soldiers for close combat, called Krav Maga. I have also learnt the ancient form of martial arts favoured in Kerala called Kalaripayattu to make sure that the action looks genuine."

JMJ Entertainment put forward its best foot at all levels. Meticulously pre production work was detailed out as the shooting schedule was expansive. Sachin says, "The script demanded that it be shot over 7 countries. We scouted several countries and zeroed down on Germany, Poland, Morocco, France, Hong Kong/Macau, South Africa and India. We hired line producers/crew from respective countries and our crew from India was skeletal, thereby being cost efficient."

Aazaan will release with a global presence. After making a splash at several international film shows like revealing the First Look at the Cannes Film Festival, giving audiences a sneak peek of its music, composed by Salim Suleman at the IIFA Rocks and a personal introduction of Sachiin Joshi by the Badshah of Bollywood, Shah Rukh Khan at IIFA, in Toronto, it is time for the Indian audiences to see an Indian espionage film on such a grand scale.

This article first appeared HERE.

Love Breakups Zindagi: Movie Review

Love and breakups have become a common component of urban zindagi. As much as predictability has become a part of most romantic comedies. This zillionth Bollywood spinoff on the second half of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai is no different!

Jai (Zayed Khan) and Naina (Dia Mirza) are in their individual mismatched relationships. Until they meet in a common friend's wedding. Amidst song-dance routine, cupid strikes Jai by the interval point. Naina is uncertain until her doting mother advices 'wahi karo jo tumhara dil kehta hai' (how pioneering and profound!) Alas she takes a little too long to decide while the viewer has already reached to the conformist conclusion.

Till date, Bollywood has devised only two alternatives for the climax of a film like this. In the feel good format, the other man willingly decides to let go his ladylove for the main hero (like Salman Khan did in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai). The other option is when this other man acts difficult (Jimmy Sheirgill in Tanu Weds Manu). This film belongs to the former feel-good variety.

While the film could have brought some variety with its other assorted couples, the problem with the writing is that all the supporting tracks are half-baked. Jai's friend (Cryus Sahukar) falls for a 'Sheila' (Tisca Chopra) who isn't exactly 'jawaan'. While this odd-aged couple has its moments of charm and comedy, their bonding could certainly have been explored in a better way. The girl from Dairy Milk ad (Umang Jain) has graduated to having ice-creams here after her multiple break-offs, but her sweet revenge spree was far from funny.

The film does have a lighthearted mood throughout but one does feel that its sense of humour, though not bad, could have been more fine-tuned and sharp. While this brand of comedy is anytime better than a senseless slapstick, there is a feeling that the film could have been funnier. At the same time while the director tries to keep things subtle and avoid melodrama, some situations lack the basic intensity that the drama demands. Like Jai's breakup with his first girlfriend (Pallavi Sharda) comes across so
casually that it seems as if nothing has happened. The pacing is slow and the length is a little too long for a predictable film.

Zayed Khan and Dia Mirza share good chemistry and are decent in their acts. Dia has a natural charm.  Cyrus Sahukar underplays his character and is the butt of most jokes. Tisca Chopra looks delightful despite playing a (slightly) elderly female. Umang Jain  is cute but has a short-lived character. Vaibhav Talwar plays in a limited range but pulls off his part. Satyadeep Mishra is good. Pallavi Sharda and Auritra Ghosh get no scope. From all the special appearances, Boman Irani is hilarious and leaves more impact that Shah Rukh Khan who doesn't do much beyond playing himself and endorsing furniture brand.

Director Sahil Singha doesn't show any innovation in the storytelling of his debut venture but he still has the command to bring a smile on your face, thanks to the breezy romance and the film's optimistic outlook. While being conventional cinema, it isn't essentially exasperatingly cliched.

Neither utterly lovely nor breakthrough! Love Breakups Zindagi is that variety of predictable cinema that is passable.

This article first appeared HERE.