Friday, August 17, 2007

MALHAR FEVER!!


I attended the second day of Malhaar on 15th August ’07. There was a lot of energy all over the place and there were throngs of students pouring into the huge sprawling campus of the college. There was also a long unending queue of students outside the college gates, waiting to be let in. The atmosphere was charged and a cacophony of noises filled the air; all the loud music and the people around screaming with or without microphones amplifying their voices- but somehow it all was in sync and not a sound-byte felt out of place.





Like I mentioned earlier, there was a lot of activity going on and fortunately I was handed a site map with the list of events for the day to help me plan out which events I wanted to attend. Also, the organizers of the event were kind enough to have one of the volunteers escort me all day long till I left later in the evening. I saw a lot of interesting things and met a lot of talented people during the time I was there.




I attended a hair-styling workshop called ‘Hair me out’. This was conducted by a salon called Bharat and Dorris. I had a brief chat with a young amiable guy Suraj who is the son of Bharat and Dorris (the couple who own the chain of salons). I tried my hand at using hot tongs/a curling iron to make soft curls on this girl I met there. At the end of it she was happy with how her hair looked and I was happier because I finally learnt how to maneuver the apparatus with ease!


Moving on, I attended this event called ‘Project Runway’; and like the name being synonymous with the hit reality show, I was real excited to be a part of this Fashion Designing competition. Although, it did get over within a few minutes of my getting there and I was totally clueless about who won it n et al. However, I did get to chat with a few of the designers who were showcasing their creations. One thing that I figured from the scary looking costumes was that the theme that they had to work on was Monster Inc.


I then attended an event called ‘Center Stage’, which was a solo-singing event. I was seated next to the girl with a very amazing voice who won third place in the competition. The judges of the event were Luke Kenny, Suzanne D’Mello and Nandu Bhende. Two of the judges being well known singers themselves, enthralled the audience with very good renditions of songs of their choice. I am sure Mr. Bhende left all the women in the audience (including me) when he sang Annie’s Song.


The next event taking place in the first quadrangle was ‘Crossfade’; a music mixing event where two of the finalist DJs spun some great tracks and entertained the crowd there. They were both real good at their stuff but I guess the best man won. This was 30 minutes of great music and loads of fun.




I went on to witness the most pivotal event of the whole festival ‘Mr. and Ms. Malhaar’. There were some very talented individuals who had made it to the final few after almost fifteen qualifying rounds. The guy who won Mr. Malhaar was clearly a winner from the time he started his act. A lot more interesting performances followed in the talent round with singing, dancing, spoofs and comic acts. There was a brief Q n A round that followed after which the winners were crowned and they sure did win a lot of goodies there. The list of prizes was real long with more than thirty odd items in it.


I had a chance to visit the Fine Arts exhibition, which was an interesting outlook on different human emotions all displayed as one took a walk through a dark tunnel. Each emotion depicted the different shades of human nature through the eyes of the various artists who created it. I bought a few books at the book exhibition called ‘Books, Lines and Thinkers’. There was a ‘LA Lounge’ next to the book expo which was more of a place to chill for the volunteers and visitors alike.


I guess they left the best for last on purpose because the UV Light dance competition called ‘La Fiesta Liguera’ was quite unlike anything I have ever seen in my life. This showcase of dance is extremely difficult, complicated and well coordinated with the people working behind the scenes as if invisible being as important as the dancers who are visible. It was a riot of colours and some very creatively put together performances with great dancers. In short, it was nothing but a test of how close one can get to perfection while being immensely creative at the same time.


‘The Malhaar string theory’, a very self explanatory Band Event was the perfect finale to the two day long fest. It was judged by Luke Kenny, and the very famous and incredibly talented bassist-guitarist duo Gino Banks and Sheldon. The bands competing in this event were exceedingly first-rate and left the crowds screaming for more. There was a surprise performance at the end by the in-house Xaviers band and the judges graced the stage and gave a spell-binding performance as well. I did decide to leave earlier than the rest of the crowd while the results of the competition were being announced to avoid the rush on the way out, but for me this was one of the best times I have had in a place full of people (being the kind who gets increasingly uncomfortable in large crowds!).


I took back with me a lot of contact details of most of the talented people I came across (and also a lot of freebies being given out there); but more importantly I took back with me memories that will last me a lifetime!


.............Story covered by Reetu Palan
............ Pictures by me!

Saturday, August 4, 2007

Cash: Movie Review



Happiness is not in the mere possession of money; it lies in the joy of achievement, in the thrill of creative effort. This movie is somewhat based on this mainstream principle. Cash boasts of adventurous stunts, swank locations, captivating hair-dos and matrix-like sound tracks and hey! It gives you a lot more than they promised. Animated replicas of heroes and villains almost after every scene make you look at your multiplex ticket again and again wondering whether you entered the wrong screen or is it that you got a ‘Bache ka Movie’ ticket!



The much-hyped title track ‘Cash’ choreographed by Remo is appealing but seems stale, after the week-long delay. The pre-interval stunts, alluring sound score background and Zayed Khan’s narration would amuse you. The plot looses its way post-interval and the ‘Cash and Diamonds’ remain a mystery. The costumes by Anna Singh and rest of the designers are glamorous yet disastrous. Duo Vishal-Shekhar’s music album is humming and peppy though it sounds more like some video game music in songs like ‘Mind-blowing Mahiya’ and ‘Rehem Kare’.


Riteish Deshmukh is the surprise element of this movie. No attitude but loaded with fun that is what defines him. Zayed Khan keeps uttering senseless shayaris while Ajay Devgan keeps repeating a PJ joke throughout the movie. He looks a bit old but never runs short of his ‘curt and serious style’ sense of humor. Suniel Shetty yet again adds his screen presence throughout the movie. Esha Deol and Shamita Shetty look gorgeous. Diya Mirza? why is she there in the first place, Mr.Sinha could you answer that please.



The drop-dead gorgeous hair-dos by Parimal Patel a.k.a Perri are worth your every penny spent, regardless to say the glamorous quotient would be missing without him. The action and stunts by Anthony Stone are ‘mind-blowing’ but are predictable at some places. Esha and Shamita’s fight sequence with lady goons look funny while the guys battling single-handedly with macho-gundas seem unimaginable. Do you think we are morons? Please give us something more realistic and thrilling.


Though Cash looks appealing it fails to captivate the audience as the random-plot is lost in the labyrinthine and half the time you wonder ‘who is who’ in the movie. Still for a change Cash is balmy and engaging. It won’t leave you with a post-movie experience but instead entertain you throughout the movie. Take it or Leave it, the choice is yours. After all it’s your cash!


Rate this Movie:


***

* for Stunts and Action scenes

* for the Background score by Ranjit Barot

* For this ‘Mind-blowing’ concept by our ‘Mechanical Engineer turned Director’-Anubhav Sinha!

Sunday, July 22, 2007

Hari Putter Vs Harry Potter! (Movie Review)


Presenting Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix: The Rebellion Begins

Harry Potter is a Phenomenon more serious than the NASA return and more exciting than our new Lady President-Pratibha Patil. The kids are screaming with excitement and the parents are relived that for some more weeks their kids would be busy reading the 1000 page Harry Potter book. The seventh book is already on the Rocks. The kids are excited about the book but what is more exciting is the recently Harry Potter movie-Part V.



Plot:

Harry is about to start his fifth year at Hogwarts. He's desperate to get back to school and find out why his friends Ron and Hermoine have been so secretive all summer. However, what Harry is about to discover in his new year at Hogwarts will turn his world upside down. Danger waits for Harry…is he the next Victim of Voldemort?



After a lonely summer on Privet Drive, Harry returns to a Hogwarts full of ill-fortune. Few of students and parents believe him or Dumbledore that Voldemort is really back. The ministry had decided to step in by appointing a new Defence against the Dark Arts teacher that proves to be the nastiest person Harry has ever encountered. Harry also can't help stealing glances with the beautiful Cho Chang and they even share a ‘wet kiss’ as Harry describes in his own words. To top it off are dreams that Harry can't explain, and a mystery behind something Voldemort is searching for. With these many things Harry begins one of his toughest years at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. For rest of the suspense I leave you to discover and enjoy!

Acting, Direction and Screenplay:

Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) looks handsome and his wizardess and lost looks remain intact though I must say he has lost the Harry Potter innocence.
Emma Watson (Hermoine) looks pretty and photogenic- it’s predictable she would be a great Hollywood actress with her feminine looks, gentle river-like laughter and good acting skills. Finally Rupert Grint (Ron) who have grown up in front of our eyes as the star of the Harry Potter movies. He has blossomed physically and already worked in many plays and movies. This guy is surely going to make it big someday in Hollywood.

The Hogwarts Wizard and Witches look common and repeated. The only surprise package is the new villainous teacher who loves pink unlike the traditional villains who adore black. She acts well with her style like our Boman Irani who uses the laughter therapy to control her anger. Emma Thompson - (Sybil Trelawney) looks funny and convincing. Ralph Fiennes - (Lord Voldemort) is tries to look old and matured but lacks spontaneity though shares a great chemistry with Harry Potter. Rests of the characters are average.
The main hero of the movie and the baseline is Magic which failed to show any of it. Director David Yates fails to create the past series of Harry Potter excitement and magic. Screenplay by Michael Goldenberg has too many loose ends and is dragged most of the time
.
The Verdict:




The reactions at the Multiplex were awesome. Children couldn’t get enough of their Harry Potter. So Die-Hard Harry Potter fans and Book worms don’t miss this flick, rest of people like me who are too critical and dislike fantasies better stick to the good old print version of Harry Potter!

Rate this Movie:

***: * star for our beloved Hari Puttar, * star for J.K. Rowling and * for the Harry- Cho Chang Kiss!

Partner-Movie Review




Presenting...Do you Wanna Partner..Oh Partner Love me Love me Say....!!

Banner: Sohail Khan Productions, K Sera Sera
Cast: Salman Khan, Govinda, Katrina Kaif, Lara Dutta
Director: David Dhawan
Producer: Sohail Khan
Music Director: Sajid Wajid
Lyricist: Sanjay Chhel, Shabbir Ahmed, Jalees Sherwani
Singers: Wajid, Shaan, Udit Narayan, Suzi Q, Clington, Shweta Pandit, Earl, Sonu Nigam, Kunal Ganjawala, Labh Jajua, Sneha Pant
Music Label: T-Series




Partner is pure fun minus brains. So make yourself comfortable with caramel popcorns and ice candies and enjoy this madness! David Dhawan presents you yet another comedy flick under Sohail Khan Productions. Salman Khan is the USP of the movie and without racking your brains you enjoy his unconventional macho looks, sweet talks and extreme stylish statements. Govinda gets noticed and gels well with ‘Sallu Miya’. They seem to be like bosom buddies- Opposite and attractive. Katrina Kaif poses for the perfect pouts every time she faces the camera and looks gorgeous flashing the Close-up smile and sometimes surprises you by uttering a few Hindi words-adding to her dictionary! Lara Dutta post Jhoom Barabar Jhoom leaves the audience with a lot of expectations. She could have done better rather than going around clicking pictures alone.




Ninety nine percent of women get the men they want and 99 percent of men don't get the women they want. How to bridge the gap? Partner has the answers. Partner starts off with an animated version of a cool born kid who narrates his story. Of course he is Salman Khan. He is our Modern day Love Guru who helps poor guys who can’t woo their love. He has in-depth knowledge about a girls ‘Pasand and Naapasand’ as he is the only brother amongst 6 sisters!


Life is sailing smoothly for Prem (Salman Khan) when suddenly he meets Bhaskar Divakar Chowdry (Govinda). Bhaskar falls in love with Priya (Katrina Kaif) who is the heiress of 1200 crores business! Bhaskar is a debacle and stutters even at the mention of a girl, extremely shy, clumsy and stupid but a man with a golden heart. Prem is a stud who has got the style and wooing mannerisms. After a lot of pestering and over a few absurd and some real funny sequences Prem agrees to be a ‘Partner’ and help Bhaskar. He grooms him well. Teaches him to dance n how to ‘Kiss’. Finally Priya falls in love with Bhaskar but Hell breaks loose when the typical Bollywood ‘baap’ refuses their ‘Shaadi’. Incidentally Prem falls in love while giving lessons to his student on love, the love guru finds himself smitten with a gossip columnist Naina (Lara Dutta). The guru tries to woo his love who is a single mother. How they manage to win their respective loves forms the rest of Partner.




Composers Sajid-Wajid team should be given a flying kiss for their wonderful peppy compositions which leave you feet tapping with perky tracks like ‘Do you Wannna Partner’ and ‘Soni de Nakhre’. Bosco and Ceaser can now join the league of top choreographers with their magical steps designed to make plumy Govinda look cool n hip.



Salman Khan as usual looks assuredly cool n adorable. Govinda has changed over the years but with age and weight but his ‘gali-ka chokhra’ style remains intact. He gets an equal screen space with Salman unlike in ‘Bhagam Bhag’ where Akhshay steals away the show. Katrina is a Doll-pretty and dumb. Lara Dutta looks chick n hot but lacks the JBJ charm. Rests of the characters are wasted.

Though Partner is an ‘Inspired’ version of Hollywood Flick ‘Hitch’ it shows magic on the 35 mm screen with duo partner ‘Sallu and Chi-Chi’. It won’t leave your tummy’s churning out with mad laughter but surely tickle you funny bones. . I recommend this movie for purely three reasons. One- Salman Khan and two ‘Sallu-Chi Chi’ partner chemistry and three- David Dhavan comedy perspicacity which won’t leave you empty handed!




P.S- I just missed a ‘chota’ character of the movie- ‘Chota Don’ (RajPal Yadav) who seems to be lost in the movie and you wonder why is he there is the first place. You won’t even notice him anyways.

Rate-O-Meter

** 1/2 : * Star for Salman Khan, * for Govinda-Salman Chemistry and 1/2 for the Peppy tracks and Well-Choreographed dance tracks by Bosco-Ceasor.

Wednesday, July 4, 2007

Awarapan Movie Review


Also Known As: Awarapan
Language: HINDI
Genre: Drama
Director: Mohit Suri
Producer: Mukesh Bhatt, Mahesh Bhatt
Cast: Emraan Hashmi, Shreya Saran, Mrinalini Sharma, Rehan Khan, Shaad Randhwa, Ashutosh Rana
Music: Pritam
Lyrics: Sayeed Qadri, Asif Ali Beg, Baba Farid
Singers: Mustafa Zayed, Suzanne, Rafaqat Ali Khan.




Aawarapan- Movie Review.



Aawarapan would transform your soul and psyche to those void spaces and reflections of your life you probably never visited or wanted. As expected it’s a yet another emotional and heart-stricken love story with a moral message, but ultimately looses its way in the high-pitched beautifully crafted songs and highly-amplified, terror-struck action scenes which our overblown and unwanted.

The Plot:

Aawarapan is set up in the ‘city of lights’- Hong-Kong, notorious for gangster hideout and other activities. Shivam (Emran Hashmi) works for hotelier and business man Ashistosh Rana. With a haunting past and meaningless life Shivam awaits for his final day-Death, fearlessly killing people who interfere in his business. He is instructed by his boss to keep a watch on his mistress Reema (Shreya Saran) whom he bought from a brothel house. Later he is forced to kill Reema but destiny holds something else for this lad, a series of flashback unfolds.

Shivam is a small time goon who stays in India, probably on the borders of India-Pakistan encounters Aaliya (Reema)-Shivaji fame actress opposite Rajnikanth) and falls in love with her. He is a firm non-believer of God and takes life as it comes, meaningless and barren. Certain ill-faith circumstances force him to leave India and settle in Hong Kong. His phantasmal past follows him and inspires him for a noble cause. He saves Reema and frees her from this slavery and helotry, helping her to return to her country Pakistan.

Aawarapan- Direction, Cinematography and Music

* Mohit Suri has done a wonderful job. He joined Bhatt Camp with ‘Zeher'and gradually his direction is shaping up beautifully. This is his fouth film as a Director.

* Cinematography is a bit creepy at times; there is space for improvement in some places. The extreme violent scenes could have been more practical rather than hypothetical.

* Aawarapan is strongly built with baroque and sublime dialogues, distinguished soundtracks and music scores like “Tou Phir Aao” and “Tera Mera Rishta” by Mustafa Zayed-The latest Bhatt camp discovery who hails from Pakistan. A promising and a talented singer probably following Atif Aslam’s footsteps soon. You would notice the only peppy track in the movie “Maahiyan” by Suzzane again a native from Pakistan who holds a lot of chance in mainstream Bollywood cinema with her sensuous and embryonic voice. Raffaqat Ali Khan hums a Punjabi lyrical song “Maula Maula” which again makes you feel nostalgic only wanting more.

Actors and Performances:

* Emran Hashmi should be awarded for ‘Not Kissing’ instead acting for a change. His new make-over tunes in well with his character Shivam. Hashmi gives one of his best performances in Aawarapan with well versed script and impactful, naïve dialogue delivery.

* Shreya Saran looks daunting and average and so is Rana’s onscreen son Sahil. Purab Kohli is surprisingly weird but good at times.


* Aashitosh Rana leaves a powerful mark in certain dialogues especially the one when he converses with Reema - he plays a successfully violent and aggressive villain in Aawarapan.

* Mrinalini Sharma looks extremely sweet and leaves an impression throughout the movie with her innocence and her post-‘Shivaji’ makeover.

*Shaad Randhawa (Shivam’s Friend) who earlier starred in ‘Woh Lamhe’ seems to a promising actor. With rustic looks, expressive face and above-average acting skills this actor needs to hone them well and surely Bollywood would treat him like a star.

Flipside of Aawarapan:

Mohit Suri could have trimmed the highly violent action scenes which are unnecessary at some places. The India-Pakistan relationships would surely strengthen with this movie, but Mr.Suri you could have elaborated the actual motive of this movie which seems to be given less importance and looses its charm ultimately.

Aawarapan: The Verdict

No two minds the Bhatt camp creation is unique, yet again musical which ropes lot new music talents- rare in India. Awarapan is a worth-watching movie and this ‘lonely journey’ would be completed within two hours fifteen minutes flat! Overall Aawarapan is a musical Love story with action packed scenes and lastly imparting a special message- to curd the human trafficking, slavery and skin selling business.

Sunday, July 1, 2007

Aap Ka Suroor-Movie Review


Caution- Please read at your own risk! Better carry some headache pills along with you before entering Himesh territory.

I am not drugged nor under some medical drug influence it’s only after I come back to my senses and overcome the ‘Himesh Hangover’ do I start writing this much-awaited review.
Aap Ka Suroor is announced as the ‘Real-life Himesh Story’ with HR who is a composer-cum-music director-cum-singer and now an actor! None other than most popular Rock-Star Himesh Reshamiya who is the leading hero of this movie who romances or rather lousily fumbles with daughter like child artist-turned-actress Hansika Motwani as ‘Our ‘He-mess bhai’ lady love Ria who is the amateur version of TV serial ‘Des Mein Nikla Hoga Chand.’

The movie starts with instrumental soundtrack which excites you to watch the movie with full dedication and interest. You later realize that it’s too late to leave the exit gate and settle down looking forward for the much-hyped ‘Cap Haran’ of Himesh Reshamiya.
A Super-Indian-Rock Star flies to Germany for his so-called World- Music Concert along with his best buddy and business partner ‘Shravan’ who shares a better chemistry with HR than Hansika Motwani!

Plot-An Overview

The story begins with a dead body of a TV journo, Nadia Merchant, being found in a remote area, somewhere in Germany. Soon after, HR is arrested after a concert for murdering the television journalist. HR is put behind bars and incidents begin to unravel as the movie goes into a flashback.
Himesh meets Mr.Khurana who arranges ‘World Tour events’ and is eager to earn millions from this bankable rock star. Mallika Sherawat a.k.a Ruby is her secretary who is a die-hard Himesh fan. Himesh later meets the gorgeous and cute Hansika Motwani. In a span of 2-3 days and a number of nasal songs they ‘truly, madly and deeply’ fall in love with each other and its hard to digest that this could be his real life and much hyped love story.

Ria’s father (Sachin Khedekar) refuses to accept Himesh as his son-in-law and when you almost want to leave the theatre he breaks off his daughter’s marriage with an NRI faceless guy when he sees Himesh is ‘innocent’ on the TV and agrees for their ‘Shaadi’. Himesh refuses to work with Khurana who keeps mumbling his favorite dialogue “Haan Bhai Paisa Bolta hai”….as he has already committed to Raheja group. Mr.Khurana decides to take revenge as he bears huge losses and then begins an elaborate action scene which resembles the Hollywood matrix-type movies and for a few god-forsaken moments you wake-up, stop yawning and enjoy the movie. At last Himesh breaks his ‘Pratigya’ and removes his cap! Well this could be because he wants to pay his respect while visiting Nadia’s grave. It’s a tradition to remove hats and caps when you visit churches and graves. So this seems logic here though you would not be able to see his face more than 5 seconds that also only his side-portfolio minus cap.

USP of Aap Ka Suroor…………

* Soundtracks like ‘Ya Ali’, ‘Tanhaayiaan’, ‘Tere Bina’, ‘Jhooth nhi Bolna’ are peppy and worth humming.

* Hansika Motwani is extremely photogenic and looks like an angel holding tremendous acting potentials which could be noticed in the few scanty lines she utters. She has a long way to go, already gained publicity working with ‘controversy king’- she just needs decent looking co-star and a fare script to showcase her acting skills.

* The movie tries to clear certain unresolved, controversial questions which die-hard Himesh fans to know. Things like why does Himesh never smile and why is he so arrogant, etc etc …once you know you would regret it.

* Cinematography looks good with well presented and minutely planned locations and of course larger than life BMW action scenes.
* The Hansika Motwani wardrobe looks feminine and trendy. Roopa Chadda the fashion designer could have used more natural colors rather than shocking pink and royal purple more often.

* One liners are tickling and unconventionally humorous. Like the one when Shravan says to Himesh, “Main Teri naak kaise katwa sakta hoon? Agar teri naak kat gayi tou tu gaayega kaise!”


* Malika Sherawat looks refreshing for a change as you actually notice her dialogues rather than her sexy ‘latkas-jatkas’! Mehbooba O Mehbooba –Helen’s immortal dance number is played by Mallika Sherawat. Her sexy yet contemporary look works wonder while Himesh fails his nasal attempt of imitating Amjed Khan!

The movie has less Suroor and more of pit-falls

* This love-cum-suspense love story has neither a romantic theme nor a gripping suspense thriller instead you find a over-cooked and chewed up love story with lousy and leaked out suspense storyline which bores you no end.

* The 3 new-painted rickshaws in Germany is a tribute to Himesh Reshamiya’s Auto-driver fans-But please this is beyond our imagination and we refuse to merrily smile and appreciate your expensive tribute fantasies to your insane fans.

* Himesh Bhai’s scary close-ups with his disgusting lips bring goose-bumps and belches of your pre-lunch Korma Biryani. He should have taken inspiration from Preity Zinta and could have used a bit of Botox from her Vanity case.

* The story line is sidelined and the highlight and focus of the movie is nasal soundtracks. Himesh needs to learn the ABCD of acting, he better concentrate on his singing and save us from further sequels.


Trivia

Himesh wears 24 different caps throughout the movie! Phew! That’s close to changing a cap every 10 minutes throughout the movie.

Moral of the Story- Go an watch the movie out of curiosity and get an headache or go and watch the movie out of madness and wait for the sequel when he would remove the cap and continue his never ending nasal saga!

Rate This Movie
* ½
*- this star is dedicated to Sachin Khedekar and Shravan’s acting
½- * for Germany locations and Nasal soundtracks haunting me in my dreams.

Sunday, June 17, 2007

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom-Movie Review


Starring

Abhishek Bachchan.... Rikki Thukral
Preity Zinta.... Alvira Khan
Lara Dutta.... Anaida
Bobby Deol.... Steve
Amitabh Bachchan.... Special Appearance

Director: Shaad Ali
Producer: Aditya Chopra
Lyricist: Gulzar
Musician: Shankar Ehsan Loy


Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

10...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2....1...

Start tapping your feet guys and gals! Shaad Ali presents JBJ!

Fancy dress competition, lousy Punjabi music two wannabe couples and lastly Bollywood’s own Johnny Depp -Amitabh Bacchan!

It all starts with a situation that's an “Ittefaq”, churning into fun heart-to-heart talk later into suspense and last but not the least laughter!
Abhisheik Bacchan a.k.a Rikki Thukral is a ‘hardcore Punjabi munda’ from ‘bhatina’ who lives in London and does "bijness" and keeps uttering “Oye Blimey!”, carrying a golden-Dolce and Gabbana-MOTO-RAZR through-out the movie. He incidentally meets 'Alvira Khan' (Preity Zinta) at a busy morning at London Waterloo station and over a cup of ‘koffe’ they share many secrets that are hard to digest!

Alvira is a born Pakistani but prefers to be addressed as ‘British’, prays to Christ and wows to marry a ‘gora munda’ only. These ‘India-Pakistani refugees’ are impatiently waiting for their fiancée and fiancé respectively at the station and decide to kill the time by sharing their "How-I-met-my-lover-and-all-that-stuff" over a cup of coffee and doughnuts which Rikki just adores and cuteishly pronounces as ‘dog-nuts’!

Rikki tells Alvira how he met Anaida (Lara Dutta), the manager of ‘Ritz’ in Paris on the same night when Princess Diana and Dody Fayed walked out for the car ride that claimed their life. >“Jab do pyar karne wale marte hain, tab do naye pyar karne walon ka janam hota hai” quotes the philosophical Rikki.

Alvira reveals him how she met Steve (Bobby Deol) in London’s Madame Tussaud’s museum. Like our traditional Bollywood hero, Steve saved Alvira’s life and then the fall in love with each other.


While Alvira detests Rikki, slowly cupid hits and love strikes them! Here Apna ‘Big B’ plays the ‘Sutradhar’ and narrates their "Pyar ki kahani" over a “Halke” soundtrack which is a hyperbole and disgustingly unimaginative.They finally depart and exchange their Nos but something awaits for both of them.
Kahani mein twist...which I am not going to reveal but see this for yourself!(earlier many bloggers had complained or should i say commented that i reveal the truth..thanks to all of them i have realised my mistake and improving already!)

USP of the movie...



Undoubtly is Abhisheik Bacchan who is the only pillar of the movie-strong and termite-ridden! He can now be proudly known as ‘AB’ rather than ‘Big B's baby’.
He flawlessly slips into the role of 'Punjabi Munda from Bhatinda'.He makes you laugh and smile and might be your only reason that would help you stick to your plush-theatre chairs!

Preity Zinta looks not as pretty as she has lost her ‘Bubbly-charm’ like in ‘Solider’ and ‘Liril Ad’. Although her classy style and acting needs to be credited.

Lara Dutta should be given pat on her back for selecting a best-package deal Yash Raj Movie which would soar her career high on the Bollywood sky! She dresses as a French Ritz manager with a ‘Monsieur accent’ later changing into a ‘Prostitute’ seamlessly. Lara has a long way to go that’s for sure.

Bobby Deol looks cute and tempting. He manages to match the steps with his co-stars gracefully this time and his new curly-mop hairstyle is going to be the next fashion statement among youngsters.

‘Kiss and tell me’- Well these two couples can now pose a threat to serial kisser Emran Hasmi! You would witness lots of smooches and lip-locks in JBJ which are not so arousing but rather lousy and out-dated I should say.

‘Short Skirts and Cleavage Show’- well now you can stop accusing Mallika Sherawat of her skin show as you would see oodles of micro-miniest skirts and minimal dressing from Preity and Lara, though they can carry it off without looking vulgar and obscene.


The bright coloured and outrageous costumes designed by Aki Narula would catch your attention throughout the movie and lastly the ‘Jhoom Baraabar Jhoom Punjabi track’ where you would want to jump from your seat and join the gang!

The cinematography of the movie needs an applaud! You would experience totally new angles and dimensions in JBJ. Shaad Ali who is a first time visitor to London for his film-shoot surprises you with his charm and imagination.

Music- Tracks like “My Ticket to Hollywood” and “Jhoom Barabar Jhoom-Punjabi Version” are spicy and groovy. Rest of them would be like ‘Lula-byes’ which you heard from your granny in your toddler days!

So would you Jhoom to Shaad Ali and his Puppet’s tunes?
Well you could imagine yourself at a Punjabi-wedding jiggling your butts to some extremely loud music and enjoying it? If the answer is yes then go ahead and watch this movie and you won’t regret it! But if you are on the other side of the camp then better play nice music on your stereo and tap you feat on your bedroom floor instead!

Rate this Movie-
** 1/2
1 star for the publicity,posters,ads,previews,costumes,etc
1 for Abhisheik Bacchan
and 1/2 star for rest of the natak!