AA DEKHEN ZARA had the potential to be an exciting fare, but the post-interval portions prove a deterrent. The fantastic promotion coupled with the popular musical score will ensure ample footfalls in the opening weekend, but the film lacks the stamina to run steadily.
In a nutshell, AA DEKHEN ZARA promises the moon, but what you eventually get in return is merely a mirage.
Ray [Neil Nitin Mukesh], a struggling photographer, has nothing going for him... until he inherits a very special camera from his grandfather which changes his life in a way that he could not have imagined in his wildest dreams.
The power of the camera changes Ray's destiny overnight. His life becomes one big roller coaster ride that takes him from rags to riches and also helps him meet the love of his life, Simi [Bipasha Basu], who is a DJ with a mind of her own. Everything is hunky dory.
As they say with great power comes great responsibility and in Ray's case, also great danger. He must now face up to the dark side of reality and win not only against the evil forces, but also against fate.
Come to think of it, your imagination can run wild with a premise like the one in AA DEKHEN ZARA. But the film runs out of fuel midway.
Director Jehangir Surti has an eye for visuals, but he ought to know that the viewer wants to listen to a good story, told in the most simplistic manner. You ought to be extra careful if you're attempting a suspense thriller. You need to disentangle the knots in such a way that the mystery doesn't remain a mystery in the end. In this case, it still remains a mystery.
15 minutes into the film and you're drawn into Neil's world. You are exhilarated every time he wins a lottery or race. The introduction of the negative force [Rahul Dev] is smartly handled as well. But the plot slackens thereafter.
Let's get specific, the second hour is a problem. The screenplay should've packed some great moments, but the writers seem to take an easy way out. Sample this. While on the run, Neil and Bipasha suddenly break into a dance in a tacky pub. Prior to that they jump from the roof of the hotel and land straight into the pool. The cat and mouse game gets more and more confusing with the finale only adding to the chaos.
Jehangir Surti can't do much since he's saddled with a poor script. Music is the sole saving grace. The songs are youthful and energetic, one of the reasons why AA DEKHEN ZARA has generated tremendous interest. Cinematography is good. The chase and stunts are well canned.
Neil Nitin Mukesh showed great promise in his debut film and you only expect him to climb the ladder in his next release. Sadly, the screenplay doesn't give him that opportunity. Bipasha Basu is alright. She looks great though. Rahul Dev is perfect for the part. Biswajeet [Neil's grandfather] has a tiny role. Sophie Chaudhary adds to the glamour quotient. She doesn't get much scope, frankly. Bobby Vats is okay.
On the whole, AA DEKHEN ZARA had the potential to be an exciting fare, but the post-interval portions prove a deterrent. The fantastic promotion coupled with the popular musical score will ensure ample footfalls in the opening weekend, but the film lacks the stamina to run steadily.
Katrina Kaif was initially being considered for this project but the King Khan made a conscious decision of keeping away professionally from anything that’s related to Salman, Katrina’s name was dropped.
“But then there was also a problem having Asin in the film.” sources further reveal. “The Yash Raj project was to go on floors during 2009 but Asin was committed to do a Priyadarshan project co-starring Akshay Kumar.
In fact Akki himself had suggested her name and she had landed in a catch 22 situation as rejecting the Yash Raj project would mean taking on the biggest production house’s ire and refusing Akki’s film would mean hurting him. Since, Akki herself had suggested her name, Asin was not able to back out of it.
But then luck favoured the Southern beauty as recently Akshay announced his inability to shoot the Priyadarshan project in 2009 and allotted dates of March 2010.
Now her dates for 2009 end got free and she intimated Yash Raj about it. Now the buzz doing the rounds of industry circles is, Asin may be replaced from the Priyadarshan project with Katrina Kaif. Now that would make it a full circle if it happens so!”
Industry insiders revealed, “If the on going revenue sharing issue is solved within the next three weeks only then it is possible for Kambakkht Ishq and Kaminey to arrive on their scheduled dates.
But given the extremely stubborn stand of both – the multiplex owners and the Producers Guild, at the moment it looks very unlikely as no headway has been made with talks between both parties with both sticking to their points.
We all know that a film requires 5-6 weeks promotion and the Producers Guild has banned all promotion of new films till there is an agreement with multiplexes on revenue sharing so therefore if the situation is resolved by mid April then Kambakkht Ishq and Kaminey can start promotion from that date. But the scenario at the moment suggests no early settlement.
The actress who’s played decent character roles in the past suddenly decided to glam up in ‘You, Me aur Hum’. More recently in ‘Delhi 6’ she played the interesting character of ‘Jalebi’.
Now she’s cozying up to a female actor on screen in the film ‘Monica’ and is taking the challenge head on. The movie is about two struggling and vulnerable women who find solace in each other.
Before Divya many actresses had turned it down simply because they did not want to do the lesbian scene. In the past only actresses like Nandita Das and Shabana Azmi in ‘Fire’ and Amrita Arora and Isha Koppikar in ‘Girlfriend’ have shown some guts.
By the way, it wasn’t all that easy for Divya too as she was initially at a loss when she was told that she has a lesbian scene with co-star Kitu Gidwani.
But like a true blue professional she decided to do the scene.
The actress told a website that she approached the scene very professionally and discussed it with Kitu before the shoot. She really prepared herself mentally too for the same.
She’s said, “I mentally prepared myself. I was just an actor playing a character.”
Apparently, the scene turned out very well, shot aesthetically and isn’t vulgar or titillating.
Let’s wait and watch to see if it gives Divya a career makeover or not.
Sylvester Stallone got himself a Kareena Kapoor tattoo on his bicep - just for the movie Kambakht Ishq is it ? That sure looks like Kareena Kapoor on his arm !!
But she literally wanted to do so in real life as an airhostes.
She’s said, “ I wanted to be an air hostess and fly the world, but my father was very against that. Then came the lawyer phase, where I went to Govt. Law College for six months and ran away because of the books.”
Though she’s not traveling the world as an actress, she’s doing it as an actress and that’s amazing for sure.
And she’s equally satisfied, happy and content in her personal life as with her professional life.
She adds, “The fact that I am not the heroine of his first production just goes to show that we have our complete different zones when we work. Saif Ali Khan is actually the guy who has wanted to be single all his life, run away from relationships, run away from commitment, but he always tells me ‘you are actually the only girl that I really wanted to commit to’ But he’s supportive and understands that she is at “a stage which every girl would want to be at in their career” and for that, I love him even more.”
And even though people like to believe, she’s not holding grudges either, not with Bips who she reportedly called ‘kaali billi’ once upon a time and not with Abhishek, her first hero.
She adds, “I did get launched with Abhishek, irrespective of whatever issues are there today.”
Well, some people are born blessed! Bebo sure is one of them. -Sampurn Media
We spoke to our close source
“Before marriage decision, she had signed Revathy’s film “Phir Tum Mil Gaye” with R.Madhavan. Jaya Bachchan and Raveena Tondon are in the lead. She liked the subject of the film which is a woman oriented one.
Moreover in this film, Jaya Bachchan plays her adopted mother which we can hardly see in any Bollywood films.
This subject was also liked by Farhan. The shooting of this film will take place whole of April in Mumbai and its going to finish in one schedule of 30 days. Its only after completing this project will Ayesha think of taking on any other project.”
The film is directed by Revathy and its a remake of Tamil film.
Ayesha Takia-Azmi’s forthcoming films are 8 by 10 Tasveer with Akki and Wanted Dead and Alive with Salman Khan. -Sampurn Media
King Khan has got Hollywood writer David Benullo for his next production, Ra.1, to be directed by Anubhav Sinha. Ra.1 is an SFX film and is expected to release early next year.
Benullo has written the screenplay for films like ‘Around the World in 80 Days’ and the script for ‘Hallowed Ground’, ‘Cupid and Shadow Man’, which won the International Fantasy Film Award in 2006.
An source said, “Since Ra.1 is not a run-of-the-mill film, it requires a unique treatment. It’s has loads of special effects, which is why it will be made differently from the usual commercial Hindi films. SRK wanted a writer who would do justice to the film. Which is why he got David Benullo to work on the script.”
The source added, “The writer has already started work on the film when he was he was in India recently. He was working from the Red Chillies office. He had several discussions with SRK when he was recuperating after his shoulder surgery.”
Director Anubhav Sinha said, “Yes, David Benullo is one of the writers working on the script. It’s too early to tell you anything more since I can’t talk about the film.” -Sampurn Media
Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week
The kids from the film Slumdog Millionaire walk the ramp at Wills Lifestyle India Fashion Week.
In this pic Azharuddin Mohammed Ismail, sported a black sherwani with red Palestinian embroidery while Rubina Ali wore a gypsy skirt and a maang-tika.
Rubina and Azharuddin were extremely excited to take part in the show. They said they were not nervous at all.
While Azharuddin stood with his chin high and hands folded, as if he were megastar Amitabh Bacchan, little Rubina kept twirling to show off her skirt.
Apart from these star attractions, other designers gave a thumbs up to Ashima-Leena's collection, which comprised flared trousers, full-length gowns, kaftans, capes and jackets in vibrant colours like red, peach, blue, green et al.
Above: Rubina and Azharuddin wait excitedly for their wardrobe in the green room.
Below: The kids with the designers Ashima (left) and Leena Singh (right).
Movie Review: Barah Aana
Rating: 60%
“The person used to run the website illegally on my name. He would sell my pictures on the net without my permission. I took legal recourse and filed a case against him.
He was completely shocked when he got our notice and immediately requested an out – of – court settlement. The fake website was removed” explained Sonal Chauhan.
“I was furious and angry when I came to know about this from my friends. I took the help of cyber police for solving this case. Now I am finally ready to come up with my own official website very soon” says Sonal.
This is not the first time that Sonal has had trouble in the web world. There were reports of her fake ID being used on a famous social networking.
Bubblie Beauty Adah Sharma, the girl with those gorgeous curls, is having a whale of a time shooting for her second film 'Phhir'.
After her spectacular debut in Vikram Bhatt's '1920', Adah Sharma, has kept a low profile. Staying firmly grounded, Adah has carefully avoided becoming tabloid fodder, choosing instead to work hard on her next film 'Phhir,' a fast paced drama.
Vikram Bhatt's back shooting in the north of England. After the success of 1920 which he shot in North Yorkshire, he's now moved 100 miles further north to South Tyneside. There, at the famous Tyne & Wear shipyards, he's making Phhir, which again has a prominent role for Adah Sharma. The movie is a fast-paced psychological drama.
Adah, who has a degree in psychology, seems tailor-made for the role, which unlike her earlier outing in 1920 is set in modern-day England. Her main problem is dealing with the cold in the wet and windy island. How does she spend her spare time? "I like to walk around more than shop," she explained, "We feed the sea gulls bread .. you throw crumbs in the air and they come and they all fly around to eat. I went to a few galleries. We 're shooting from 6 in the morning to 4pm, so there's not much time."
Adah was recently a surprise success at the Lakme Fashion Week in Mumbai. How did she feel about suddenly being a showstopper? "I like trying and doing new things," she says, "The designer told me that she wanted me to have dark eye make-up and wear a gown. I readily agreed. It was a very exciting experience for me, something completely new."
Says Abhishek, “The new clean-shaven look was needed. It was just one day’s shoot for Paa. Now for next week I have to go back to the earlier look for Mani’s look.”
Apparently the Raavan look is a hot favourite among Abhishek’s fans. He has had numerous requests to keep that look permanently. However he needs to sport another look for Abhinay Deo’s untitled film.
So who said being an actor was easy? -Sampurn Media
But the actress just decided to spurge on the unit members of Rajkumar Santoshi’s ‘Ajab Prem Ki Gajab Kahani’.
The buzz is that while shooting at Film City, Kat distributed as much as Rs 5 lakh among the unit members which included the technicians and spot boys.
A source reveals, “After wrapping up the schedule, Katrina went into her vanity van and came out with bundles of notes and started distributing them among the unit members. She was in a happy mood and wanted to share her happiness with everyone.”
Katrina has reportedly acted on her instincts and while handing the money also thanked everyone personally.
It’s being said that she was showing appreciation for the long hours, sometimes 16 hours at a stretch that the unit had put in and her way of saying thanks to as many as 300 people was calling them by their names and handing out the cash to each one personally.
The director Santoshi was also reportedly caught by surprise as people don’t usually do what he did
Reportedly Kat doesn’t wish to publicize this whole thing much.
A source said, “Katrina is not comfortable talking about it but yes, she did give away Rs 5 lakh to the entire unit. While handing out the cash, she personally commended everyone on his job. Also though stars and technicians often get credit for their work most unit people neither get appreciation nor credit. Katrina just felt it was the right thing to do and she did it.”
The film which is considered one of the best romantic films to come out of Bollywood also made Shahrukh Khan and Kajol bigger stars.
According to the reports, the movie has been playing continuously for 700 weeks at Mumbai’s Maratha Mandir theatre, creating a record of its own. The movie was released in late 1995.
It was Aditya Chopra’s first film as a director. The story of the movie revolves around Indians living in London.
The movie filmed in London and Punjab is a romantic drama and included typical Bollywood elements, but owed its stupendous success to the fresh twist it brought to the boy-meets-girl story.
The music of the film composed by Jatin Lalit topped charts and the movie won 10
In very little time, Freida has made a mark in the tinsel town. The lady luck has been shining on the Indian actress since her small role as Latika in Danny Boyle’s multiple Oscar-winning film.
In the mean time, the Slumdog Millionaire star is set to be the new face of cosmetic giant Estee Lauder in a deal reportedly worth 200,000 pound. However, Pinto’s spokesman Anirban Das Blah declined to confirm the news before Estee Lauder releases a statement.
The 24-year-old actress will be the first Indian to endorse the product along with superstars Liz Hurley and Gwyneth Paltrow.
The trio are the latest “supemodels” for the world’s leading manufacturer in cosmetics, the Sun reported in its online edition.
The star has been touted as the latest fashion icon by international magazine Vogue. Pinto is also doing a film with legendary film director Woody Allen with Hollywood stars Scarlett Johansson, Anthony Hopkins and Antonio Banderas.
I have enough reasons to celebrate,” a buoyant Shilpa said on the occasion of Holi. “Raj and I are partners in life, and also in the IPL business of cricket. Now I want to share my happiness with everyone.”
According to the reports, her industrialist beau Raj Kundra had proposed to the actress on Valentine’s Day this year with a diamond ring.
Shilpa has confirmed the reports saying she will enter the wed lock only by the year end due to prior commitments.
Shilpa and Raj who are the co-owners of Rajasthan Royals are busy promoting their side for the upcoming season of the Indian Premier League. The couple have spent more than a crore in a music video for the team.
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It’s being said that Slumdog girl Freida Pinto would be the next Bond girl in a Daniel Craig movie.
The sun.co.uk reported the 24-year-old actress was first spotted by the Bond producers during the casting of “Quantum of Solace” but was considered too young at that time.
The website said that, Freida was invited to a screen test for the spy film. Before this, the actress had received global acclaim for her role as Latika in Danny Boyle’s multiple Oscar-winning film “Slumdog Millionaire.”
According to the report, Danny Boyle would direct the next Daniel Craig starrer James Bond flick. Though, it’s yet to be confirmed.
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Amrita Arora's Grand Wedding Party — A day after their church wedding, Amrita Arora and Shakeel Ladak threw a grand party at Mumbai's fancy nightspot Aurus in suburban Juhu, which was attended by the who's who of Bollywood. Priyanka Chopra, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Lara Dutta, Kim Sharma and Dia Mirza left their gowns at home, and arrived looking splendid in saris. Amrita's sister Malaika Arora looked gorgeous in red. Enjoy these pictures.
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