Posts Tagged ‘Vinod Khanna’
MEENA IYER Times News Network (BOMBAY TIMES; November 10, 2009)
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Hema Malini has decided to go all out to restart her daughter Esha’s Bollywood career with Tell Me Oh Khuda. As Esha plays a girl who has to figure out who her real father is, Hema’s film has four veteran cinematographers, who will shoot different episodes of the film’s four lead actors. The renowned cinematographers on board are Grant Appleton, Hayk Kirakosyan, Carlos Catalan and Burak Turan. While Burak Turan will shoot Rishi Kapoor’s scenes in Turkey, Vinod Khanna’s parts will be shot in Rajasthan. Director Mayur Puri said, “First, we will shoot Esha’s scenes with Rishi in Turkey, followed by Vinod Khanna’s scenes. Then I will shoot the third and fourth portions. The four cinematographers will shoot the different segments to give each part a distinct look and flavour.” Isn’t this film’s plot similar to Dil Ashna Hai which Hema Malini had directed in 1991? Puri replied, “My film and Hemaji’s Dil Aashna Hai are based on a quest. I narrated two to three ideas to Hemaji and she loved this one. Maybe she’s fascinated by the quest format.” |
‘Mikhail’s next with Hema Malini
Posted on: October 20, 2009
Vishal Bhardwaj’s Kaminey has done a world of good to Chandan Roy Sanyal, who played Mikhail in the film. He has now signed his second big project, Tell Me Oh Khuda, produced by Hema Malini. Interestingly, Chandan had earlier refused the role when debutant director Mayur Puri had approached him. Chandan says, “I felt ki koi dost ka chhota sa role hoga. So I was rather reluctant to do it initially.” Chandan consented only when Mayur narrated the entire role. Chandan has a long and meaty role, which brings comic relief in the film. Later, Chandan met Hema at her residence. “Both Mayur and Hema had seen Kaminey and were very impressed with Chandan’s work. He starts shooting from November 2,” adds a source. Tell Me Oh Khuda also stars Vinod Khanna, Rishi Kapoor and Esha Deol in pivotal roles. |
Hema remaking Mamma Mia?
Posted on: October 7, 2009
Yesterday, we told you that Hema Malini is ready with her second production, starring her daughter Esha Deol and Arjan Bajwa as a romantic couple. News is that Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor will also star in the film, which is tentatively titled Tell Me Oh Khuda. A source close to Hema said, “Hema has taken a long time to put this project in place. Besides Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor, another prominent actor will soon be added to the film’s cast.” Since the story revolves around a girl (Esha) who is in search of her father, we asked if it is inspired by the 2008 Meryl Streep starrer Mamma Mia! The source replied. “Although the story is different from Mamma Mia!, people may still think that it is based on the Hollywood musical.” Does Hema Malini play Esha’s mother in Tell Me Oh Khuda? “Hema might be part of the film. She is not yet sure whether she wants to only produce it or also act in it,” said the source. Hema’s film will be directed by newcomer Mayur Puri, who was the associate director for Yash Raj Films’ Dhoom. The film’s music will be composed by Pritam.
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Meenakshi Sinha | TNN (THE TIMES OF INDIA; October 5, 2009)
“The film couldn’t have been more timely,” says director Ananth Mahadevan. He adds, “When I showed the film in Stuttgart, people around the world recalled their own rebellions. They had the same question that the film raises: does the end justify the means?” Viewers might also find shades of Kobad Ghandy in one of the film’s characters played by Vinod Khanna, says Mahadevan.
Since the late 1960s, the Naxalite movement has strongly appealed to a section of the urban youth as well as the rural masses. But there have been few films on the subject. Films such as Mrinal Sen’s ‘Calcutta 71’, a searing study of Naxalism, violence and corruption in the politically-charged Seventies, and Khwaja Ahmad Abbas’ ‘The Naxalites’ (1980), starring Smita Patil and Mithun Chakraborty, were exceptions rather than the rule.
Trade expert Komal Nahta offers an explanation. “Films on Naxalism are generally perceived to be depressing and, therefore, find few producers. The common man is not aware of the subject. Hence, it has a sectional or intellectual appeal” he says.
Sudhir Mishra, whose ‘Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi’ (2003) dealt with the problem, offers a different view. “Most Bollywood filmmakers mentally live in New York and London. They are illiterate about real India and find it unfashionable to pick up topical subjects,” he says.
Sudhir finds Naxalism appealing because it made some of the brightest men from affluent backgrounds, leave the comforts of their homes in pursuit of an idea. “When you explore Indian reality, you realise that over 150 districts are prone to Naxalism. That speaks volumes for its reach. Here, the violence is in malnutrition and lack of justice,” he says.
There have been some other films on Naxalism. Sanjiv Karambelkar’s ‘Lal Salaam’ (2002), starring Nandita Das and Sharad Kapoor, is based on true incidents of victims of police brutality in Nagpur turning into armed rebels due to an unresponsive government. The film flopped in most territories but became a surprise hit in the naxalinfested regions of Bihar.
‘Red Alert’ will also incorporate YSR Reddy’s chopper crash site in the Nallamala forests. “We replicated the entire forest in Khandala,” says Mahadevan. His art director, Sanjay Jhadav, canned shots of Telengana’s signboards, activities of the dalams (naxal groups), market streets and the village square where the cops were hanged and recreated them in Khandala.
By Taran Adarsh, September 25, 2009 – 12:00 IST
Films like DIRTY DANCING and GREASE have enthralled millions of moviegoers across the globe. There have been few attempts to make out-and-out dance-based films in Bollywood, although there’s a barrage of dance-based shows on television these days.
FAST FORWARD, directed by debutante Zaigham Ali Syed, has some brilliantly choreographed songs, but there’s a hitch: Absence of a gripping storyline.
Actually, FAST FORWARD stands on a faulty story and the patchy screenplay only worsens the situation. The sole redeeming aspect of the enterprise is the dance numbers. That’s it!
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
FAST FORWARD tells the story of two friends, Rehan Khan and Akshay Kapoor, who are exceptional dancers. Akshay falls in love with Rehan’s sister Bhavna Pani, only to discover she was suppressing her burning desire to dance. Akshay shows Bhavna a whole new world through dance, but unknowingly they revive Rehan’s painful and dark past.
The story is full of contradictions. Firstly, the lead man is haunted by visions of his mother performing dances at sleazy joints and surprisingly, he aspires to be an accomplished dancer some day. But the moment his kid-sister wears her dancing shoes and starts gyrating, he actually throws a fit and gets those visions again that haunt him. Strange!
Here’s another gaffe. When Rehan’s buddy Akshay professes love to Rehan’s kid-sister Bhavna, all hell breaks lose. Rehan severs all ties with Akshay, opts out of the dance group, even bashes him and also detests his sight. Sure, Akshay has a roving eye, but even to the viewer, his intentions this time [for Bhavna] seem honest, so why this fuss? Suddenly, in the finale, there’s a change of heart too!
The climax fight between Vinod Khanna and Mahesh Manjrekar is ridiculous. Khanna bashes up a dozen-odd villains like a 20-year-old would, which is hard to digest. Something like this may have worked when Khanna was in his prime, not today.
Zaigham seems technically adept, but he’s letdown by a tacky script. The songs are okay, although the choreography is top notch. ‘Taali Bajao’ – towards the end credits – is the best of the lot.
The youngsters pitch in decent performances. Rehan is natural. Akshay is equally at ease. Bhavna makes a sincere attempt. Siddhanth Karnick and Sabina Sheema are perfect. Each of them is exceptional in dancing. Vinod Khanna and Mahesh Manjrekar are wasted.
On the whole, FAST FORWARD is a weak product.
Although our tastes for film has improved manifold, we still don’t mind watching a hardcore action flick, where the hero is able to take care of more than a dozen criminals and escape unscathed. Wanted also falls in this same category. Although the film is bound with many loose ends, it still gives a thrilling experience. And Salman Khan takes the film to dizzying heights!
The story of the movie: Radhe (Salman Khan) is a one man army. He is a gangster who can do anything for the sake of money. Golden (Aseem Merchant), who works under Singapore-based Gani Bhai (Prakash Raj) invites Radhe to join his gang. Radhe becomes a part of Gani Bhai’s gang and nearly at the same time, falls for Jhanvi (Ayesha Takia). The eyes of Inspector Talpade (Mahesh Manjrekar), a corrupt cop at a nearby police station fall on Jhanvi and he desires to make her his mistress. Radhe then begins eliminating the rival gang members and also succeeds in impressing Jhanvi. But will Jhanvi be able to get into a relationship with a person like Radhe, who doesnt think twice before killing? And there’s a new Commissioner in Mumbai, Ashfaq Khan (Govind Namdeo) who has vowed to city crime-free. Will he become a threat to Radhe?
Wanted begins well and Salman Khan’s entry sets the mood wonderfully. However, after all character gets introduced, the film falls a bit and the story hardly moves. Thankfully, there are some funny interesting moments in the first hour that prevent the film from getting boring. The intermission point was gripping and was well shot.
But things lighten up in the second half after Gani Bhai’s arrest. Commissioner interrogating Gani Bhai was hilarious. Later, the kahani mein twist moment in the pre-climax takes the film to a new high. In fact, it was what made the film stand out. Even though the climax was a bit lame, one won’t complain, thanks to the wonderful suspense.
Each character in the film is well written. Radhe, Gani Bhai, Jhanvi’s landlord (Manoj Pahwa) and Inspector Talpade were my favourites. As for the flaws, the film gets little dragging at places and the narrative just doesn’t go ahead. Also, the wonderful suspense also raises some questions. However, the impact is so huge at this point that one doesn’t get the chance to think of any goofs.
After Partner, this is surely Salman’s next best performance. In fact, it won’t be wrong to admit that Wanted is one of the finest performances ever given by Salman Khan! He fills life and colour to the rowdy character that he plays in Wanted. Also, Salman’s thoda-good boy-thoda-bad boy image helps a lot in doing total justice to his role! Hence, Salman was the perfect choice for this film and he comes up with flying colours. Hats off to Sallu!
Ayesha Takia Azmi looks charming as everytime and manages to give a nice performance. Here’s an actor who deserves to get more and better roles. Mahesh Manjrekar plays the baddie with élan and also makes us laugh. Watch out for him in his entry scene and in his first meeting with Salman. Prakash Raj, a popular face down South and whose last Hindi film was Khakee, performs wonderfully. He is hardly there before interval but dominates in a lot of scenes in the 2nd half. Govind Namdeo gets a positive role after a long time and does a fine job.
Mahek Chahal was perfect in the role of the seductive moll. Aseem Merchant was simply fantastic. Why is this actor not getting enough roles? Manoj Pahwa was hilarious. Vinod Khanna and Inder Kumar do a nice job in their respective roles. The kid playing Ayesha’s brother leaves a mark too.
Sajid-Wajid’s music was energizing. Two songs steal the show, thanks to their execution-‘Jalwa’ and ‘Love Me Love Me’. Anil Kapoor, Govinda and Prabhudheva also make an appearance in ‘Jalwa’ which increases the appeal of the song. The song ‘Dil Leke’ is missing from the film. Salim-Sulaiman’s background score was good but could had been better.
Nirav Shah and S Sriram’s cinematography was outstanding and just the kind required for an action flick. Vijayan’s action was also praiseworthy. The action scenes were not foolish or funny but one which looked real and raw. Although the film has quite bloodshed, giving it an ‘A’ certificate was unnecessary.
Shiraz Ahmed’s screenplay wasn’t flawless but still works. However, his dialogues were phaadu, esp the ones mouthed by Salman! The best dialogue of the film is “Tu jis school se ye seekh ke aaya hai, wahaan ka headmaster mujhse tuitions leta hai!” Clapworthy, isn’t it?!
Puri Jagannadh’s story was indeed worth appreciating and appealing. This explains why three films are made from the same plot! Prabhudheva’s direction wasn’t top-class but still manages to come up with an entertaining action flick. His smart treatment to some of the scenes (esp the climax) enhances the film to a great extent.
Some of the best scenes of the film:
1. Salman and Mahesh Manjrekar’s entry scene
2. The song ‘Jalwa’ and ‘Love Me Love Me
3. Radhe joining Gani Bhai’s gang
4. Radhe and Inspector Talpade’s meeting at the basketball court
5. Radhe and Jhanvi in the elevator
6. The intermission point
7. Radhe bashing up Talpade
8. Commissioner Ashfaq Khan interrogating Gani Bhai
9. Radhe fighting the goons in the local train
10. The last 35 minutes of the film
On the whole, Wanted is a cool action flick that will surely be loved by Salman fans. It has some loose ends but manages to impress. If you relish action flicks, this one is for you! Go for it and experience Salman Ka Jalwa!
My rating-*** out of 5!
This review first appeared on MouthShut.com: http://www.mouthshut.com/review/Wanted_Dead_or_Alive-175348-1.html
By Taran Adarsh, September 17, 2009 – 19:15 IST
This is for fans and foes of Salman Khan…
Fans, rejoice, Salman is back with a vengeance with WANTED. This is his deadliest performance to date. Yes, you read it right!
Foes, sorry, you won’t be able to lash out at him or pick on him or launch a vicious tirade this time. The spate of flops should come to a grinding halt with WANTED.
Let’s get this straight. WANTED rides on Salman Khan’s star power. He may not be the best actor in town, but in a film like WANTED, in a role that seems like an extension of his personality, you can’t think of anyone else enacting this role with flourish.
| BY BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM |
A remake of POKIRI [made in Telugu and Tamil versions], WANTED is a full on masala film. Recall the successful potboilers of yore. Recall how the good guy would reduce 10 hoodlums to pulp in a fraction of seconds. Recall how heroism prevailed in the end, no matter how adverse the circumstances were or how powerful the villains would be. Recall those movies in which logic took a backseat since the focus was on entertainment… You relive those moments as reel after reel of WANTED unfolds.
A departure from candyfloss movies and diabetic-sweet characters that most Hindi movies boast of, WANTED takes you back to those days when popular cinema reigned supreme, when the sole motive of the film-maker was to entertain.
The daring hero and his herogiri, the naïve girlfriend, the corrupt cop, the dreaded don, the don’s moll, the fist-clinching henchmen… WANTED is for those who seek unabashed entertainment and relish masala films. Damn the indomitable critics, pseudo intellectuals and connoisseurs of parallel cinema, this one’s not for them. WANTED is for the aam junta.
Radhe [Salman Khan] is a hardcore gangster. A sharpshooter with a sharp brain, he works for Gani Bhai [Prakash Raj], the dreaded Mafioso, but on his own terms. Totally fearless, Radhe single-handedly eliminates Gani Bhai’s enemies one by one; making more enemies in the process.
He’s astounded when the young and pretty Jahnvi [Ayesha Takia Azmi] professes her liking for him. Inspector Talpade’s [Mahesh Manjrekar] lustful eyes fall on Jahnvi. He doesn’t know that Jahnvi has developed a soft corner for Radhe.
Whether it’s the Golden Gang or Data Pawle’s Gang, everybody wants the biggest piece of the lucrative cake that is Mumbai and the only way to get it is to eliminate whoever gets in the way. As Mumbai reels under bloody gang wars, Commissioner Ashraf Khan [Govind Namdeo] vows to make the city crime free.
Director Prabhu Dheva serves a hardcore masala fare that’s not inventive or path-breaking by any standard, but the execution of several scenes as also of stunts takes the graph of the film Northward. In fact, if at all there’s any film that competes with GHAJINI as far as raw appeal goes, it’s WANTED. Every action/stunt/chase here is choreographed with aplomb.
Watch out for the action sequence at the interval point or the penultimate half-an-hour. The climax is sure to send scores of action lovers in frenzy, as Salman bashes the evil forces black and blue. It wouldn’t be erroneous to state that the climax is worth the price of the ticket, samosa, sandwich, popcorn, nachos and cola put together.
Not that this 18 reeler abounds in mindless action. As mentioned earlier, this one’s a hardcore masala film and the narrative has its share of light moments and romantic sequences. Even the bad man here makes you laugh intermittently [when he’s not spewing venom], especially in the sequence when the Commissioner of Police holds him captive in the middle of the sea. Even the romance between Salman and Ayesha charms its way into your heart. It’s very likable.
But WANTED is not without its share of flaws. The film stands on a thin storyline and the viewer can guess what’s in store next, which means that there’s not much novelty in the plot. Besides, WANTED could’ve done without a song or two, thereby keeping its length in check.
Director Prabhu Dheva has presented Salman like never before. Most actors have drifted away from roles that hold tremendous mass appeal, that cater to the desi audience, like they did in the 1980s. SRK did it in OM SHANTI OM, Aamir Khan did it in GHAJINI and Salman does it so effortlessly in WANTED. The screenplay [Shiraz Ahmed] may not be foolproof, but it has its share of shining moments. Dialogues are clapworthy, especially those delivered by Salman.
Sajid-Wajid’s music is of a mixed variety. ‘Jalwa’ is the best of the lot and the star presence of Anil Kapoor, Govinda and also Prabhu Dheva in this track will send the viewers into raptures. The remaining tracks oscillate between good and strictly okay. This review would be incomplete without the invaluable contribution by the action director. It deserves brownie points. Cinematography too is top notch.
Salman is like a ferocious lion who roars with all his might. The show belongs to the actor, who scorches the screen every time he displays the manic anger. Without doubt, Salman gives the power to WANTED. It’s his best work to date.
Ayesha Takia Azmi is very good and the pairing with Salman looks wonderful. Vinod Khanna is sidelined. He deserved more footage. Mahesh Manjrekar is excellent. He’s only getting better with every film. Prakash Raj is first-rate. The accomplished actor adds yet another feather to his cap. Govind Namdeo is perfect.
Mahek Chahal radiates oomph. Aseem Merchant is alright. Raju Mavani is effective. Inder Kumar and Sajid are okay. Manoj Pahwa tries hard to make you laugh. Prateeksha Lonkar is as usual.
On the whole, WANTED rides on Salman, Salman and only Salman Khan’s star power. A masala film that’s aimed at the masses, WANTED is backed by tremendous hype and hoopla, which will result in the film taking an earth-shattering start at the ticket window. The Idd celebrations in the coming days will only enhance the business of the film, which means that the film will have a solid Week 1. The holidays in Week 2 should also be bountiful, thereby ensuring a strong place in the ‘Hit’ category.
Cast: SALMAN KHAN, AYESHA TAKIA-AZMI, MAHESH MANJREKAR, VINOD KHANNA, PRASHANT RAJ
Producer: BONEY KAPOOR
Director: PRABHU DEVA
Saif talks about Agent Vinod
Posted on: July 16, 2009
 Saif Ali Khan is charged up when he talks about his next film, Agent Vinod. Not only because he relishes the idea of playing out childhood fantasies as a secret agent with toys for boys, he is also excited about the title being his contribution as a producer. He admits that it is in the realm of tacky cool, which is a source of amusement and intrigue for him.
Saif says, “With ‘Agent Vinod’, I got a sense of cinema which I’ve grown up with. To me there is something outstanding about that title, because it is almost… almost a little tacky today. But, if it’s made in a particular way and is written in a particular way, it could be the coolest thing ever. It has a bit of a retro element. Just to give you an example: take the title ‘Mission: Impossible’. It is tacky. It’s cheesy. But when Brian de Palma directs it and Tom Cruise acts in it, and you see the poster, then you say Mission Impossible is a pulp title. So Agent Vinod has also got a pulp element to it.” It reminds him of cinema where Mithun and company took the kitschy to a cult level. He says with boyish excitement, “It takes us back to the 1970s. It takes us back to the cross between Vinod Khanna and Mithun Chakraborty. Think Suraksha. Think dark glasses. Or the Great Gambler. This film is not that. The feeling it brings is what people will subliminally get. I think it’s my contribution, a creative ace as a producer.” He has taken pains to avoid replicating the typical Bond or Bourne stereotype. He animatedly describes his character, “He’s not camp and no one is drinking vodka martinis or sleeping with lots of girls or wearing a tux. There are some machine guns, fast driving, glass breaking on peoples head, lots of stuff blowing up. And I love that.” |
Fenil and Bollywood 