Bollywood Bites Plus

NRI Filmmaker remakes Amar Akbar Anthony

For my generation i.e. those kids who grew up in the 70's and 80's watching blockbuster masala flicks, there are certain films that hold a legendary place in our hearts and minds.  Speaking for myself, and I'm sure for a larger group as well, one of those films is definitely Manmohan Desai's Amar Akbar Anthony.  With its power cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh and Parveen Babi, AAA tells the story of three brothers, separated at birth, who are raised respectively as a Hindu, Muslim and a Christian. The film is a zany mélange of songs, good guys and bad guys, fight scenes and melodramatic reunions - your typical masala movie with all the details done to a  tee.

Here's Amitabh as the memorable Anthony Gonsalves:

With the current trend of remakes, it was inevitable that AAA would be remade for a contemporary audience.  Three years ago, there was a buzz that David Dhawan was going to remake the film with the Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan.  Who know what's up with that, but there is news of another remake by NRI filmmaker, Manan Singh Katohora, whose most famous film so far has been When Kiran Met Karen, a serious film about cross-cultural lesbian romance.   He also worked on the satire film, Bollywood Blues. Similarly, this film will be a light-hearted spook set in Jackson Heights and will be entitled Amar Ash Anthony.  Akbar's character from the old has been replaced by a character named Aishwarya in the new.

Actors in the film include Vidur Kapur, Tushar Unadkat, Nimish Shah, Ammara Ali and Dan Nainan.

Here's on of the hit songs from AAA, Parda Hai Parda, featuring Rishi Kapoor:

I'd like to congratulate Mona Rateja, who's the winner of our Filmfare Awards Contest! Congratulations, Mona, on the most accurate prediction of Filmfare winners for 2008!  Mona will receive 2 complimentary passes for a Cineplex Odeon film along with coupons for drinks and snacks!

Jodhaa-Akbar: The Lowdown

I don't know about you, but I'm in the mood for a Bollywood blockbuster.  Nothing warms up a chilly February like some over-the-top sets, lavish period costumes and some epic battle scenes.  It's perfect timing for the release of Ashutosh Gowariker's (Lagaan) Jodhaa-Akbar, starring Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan and Hrithik Roshan.  The NY Times did a detailed profile on the film and its stars.  The film also features the debut of newcomer Abir Abrar.  The movie is set for release on February 15th and features the music of A.R. Rahman.

Here's a picture of the music launch of the film in January:

The film tells the story of the 16th century political marriage that gave rise to true love between the Mughal Emperor Akbar and a Rajput princess, Jodhaa.  Akbar is a legendary hero of Indian history, whose empire at one time spanned from Afghanistan to the Bay of Bengal, and from the Himalayas to the Godavari River.  In marrying Jodhaa, the daughter of King  Bharmal of Ajmer, Akbar secured the allegiance of the Rajputs.

As would be expected with film about Hindu-Muslim romance, the release of JA has been surrounded in controversy.  The latest manifestation of this has been the protests of the film conducted by a group called the Sri Rajput Karni Sena.  Their leader, Lokendra Singh Kalvi claims that Gowariker has "distorted history."

According to him, none of Akbar's 34 wives were named Jodhabai, and that Jodhabai was in fact Akbar's daughter-in-law.  He claims that he has five historians on his side and will go to the Supreme Court if necessary. 

Controversy or not, the film looks stunning in its previews and I'm looking forward to it. Here's a preview:

Check out interviews with JA's director and stars in this segment of Asian Variety Show: