Luck By Chance- Preview

Fantasy juxtaposed with reality, a film on Bollywood not a bit same as anything before.
If you think this movie is another ‘Khoya Khoya Chand’, ‘Om Shanti Om’, ‘Rangeela’ or ‘Guddi’ then this movie is surely a must watch; It as insider’s view of the strugglers who come to Mumbai to earn a living.

‘Luck By Chance’, is a film about the people of the world of bollywood, people who create fantasy, but are desperately trying to escape their own reality. The struggle, their beliefs, the way things are manipulated, their superstitions, their way of life; Self-advancement being the driving factor here, opportunities are scant, egos huge and everything else connected with fate, ‘Luck By Chance’ is a tongue-in-cheek attempt at the Hindi Film Industry. It asks a very relevant question: Success is defined by others or is it what you define for yourself?

The story revolves around two struggling actors Sona (Konkona Sen) and Vikram (Farhan Akhtar). She is wide eyed and ambitious, he is young and handsome. They both help each other in realizing their dreams and turn their lives around forever. There is an unsaid connection and they develop a romantic relationship.

Things become favorable for Vikram when things take a different turn on the sets of a potential blockbuster by Rommy Rolly (Rishi Kapoor). He is a producer who always works with the biggies and has a strong belief in fate. Amidst chaos on the sets of his new film, how Rommy Rolly calls out for Vikram for audtitions and Vikram manipulates things in his favor.




The film has a hoard of Bollywood stars doing cameo including the Three Khans who play themselves, Hrithik Roshan as a super star, Juhi Chawla as the blond wife Minty Rolly (Producer Rolly’s wife), Rani Mukherjee, Kareena Kapoor, Shilpa Shetty. Zoya’s brother Farhan is all geared up with his second shot at acting and has even trained in martial art for some of the action.

The subtle and unique promotion along with some mind-blowing music is already leaving an impression on the audiences. How this behind-the-scenes bollywood potboiler fares, we’ll have to wait till Jan 30 to see.

Shilpa to go bald!

Ok, so Shilpa Shetty was in news all of January for a few scenes in her new movie ‘Desire’ where she was required to go bald. She decided to dare and sacrifice her mane to join the league of Shabana Azmi, Nandita Sen and Lisa Ray.

But suddenly we hear news of prosthetics helping her out on her shoot. Perhaps the dusky beauty was scared of her image going haywire. The damsel decided not to take the risk to shave, blaming it on the market definitions of glamour. So finally did Shilpa do the role?

Of course she did; with the help of make up artist Vidyadhar who was specially flown into Kollam, Kerala. A three-hour long set up, where a flesh colored latex bald cap was attached with a spirit gum to her head, resulting in the ‘desirable’ look. Too shy to see herself without hair, she insisted to shoot all her bald scenes in a day.

Affirmed as the most challenging role of her life, Shilpa plays an Odissi dancer in an Indo-Chinese movie ‘Desire’ by Malyalam director R. Sarath. An intense love story, it revolves around 10 tumultuous years of Goutami’s (Shilpa Shetty) life and her relationship with an artist Jai Leang (Chinese super star, Xia Yu) and how they are brought together because of destiny.

Apart from shaving her head, the beautiful lady had to unlearn all her Bharatnatyam and learn Odissi. Everyday she has been rehearsing the Tribhangi form of Odissi where the body gets twisted into three parts. The film went on floor in the second week of January and will not be shot in China but in the picturesque locales of Kerala and Malaysia. Once ready, the film will be released in China as well.

Donning Different Roles-Farhan Akhtar

When ‘Dil Chahta hai’ first came, it was difficult to escape the youthful frenzy that was attached along. Coming from a debutant director, it was a splendor. Then came ‘Lakshya’, a film about youth again but the confusion about goal in life made it a favorite of every college goers. Then came ‘Don-The Chase Begins Again’. Only a director of his caliber could have dared to make a remake of 80’s super hit starring Amitabh Bachchan. The movie won him critical acclaim. In the mean while he also produced ‘Honeymoon Travels’ and wrote lyrics for Gurinder Chadha’s ‘Bride and Prejudice’.

Last year’s ‘Rock On!’ Saw a different facet altogether. From behind the camera, he was there in front, shining like a bright star. He proved his mettle again as an actor, singer so much so that his movie was being vouched as the next Oscar entry. Singing 6 of the 9 tracks in the film, creating a rock band of his own and performing all across India, not many dare it.



Along with directing, producing, singing and writing stories and lyrics, Farhan Akhtar has been busy with more acting assignments. Be it Luck By Chance, his sister Zoya Akhtar’s directorial debut where he plays a struggling actor, paired opposite Konkona Sen Sharma or debutant Vijay Lalwani’s psychological thriller ‘Kartik Calling Kartik’, opposite Deepika Padukone, Farhan’s acting career has jump-started. And so has the new show on NDTV Imagine, which he is hosting for 12 episodes. ‘Oye It’s Friday’ is a chat show and it went on air in mid December 2008.

Apart from acting and hosting, Farhan also plans to start a film starring Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan with his enterprising producer partner Ritesh Sidhwani. A romantic comedy is also under his hat. The much-awaited Don-2, sequel to his Don-The Chase Begins Again is also in the league along with ‘Voice from the sky’.

Born to famous screenwriters Javed Akhtar and Honey Irani, Farhan is not just another celebrity kid trying to make a mark in bollywood. At 35, he is already a director, writer, producer, host, singer and lyricist; his passion and his work reflects his multi talent. He likes amazing audiences, and he no less woos us.

Its not just another movie about India's rawness by a 'foreigner'. Hard core reality, that is what it is. Quite unlike bollywood, shot in digital camera in the busy, the real Mumbai and not a staged slum. In bollywood, where the poor especially the modern poor never reach salvation, the movies are typically about family, marriages, murder revenges orfight sequences. But here is a story, shot with the help of the bollywood crew; a story of most of the slum kids in India who may never have been able to get such a feeling of sympathy on such a wide scale. A story of the east which is produced, directed, written, all in English.

Infact most part of the movie is in english and subtitles come handy whenever there are hindi dialogues. A kind of a marriage between bollywood and hollywood, in the cinematic heaven. It has all that a bollywood movie needs, to be popular; strong storyline, impressive new comers, and foot tapping number. Yet is so different from any other movie ever made about India. Yes, I am talking about Slumdog Millionaire, the movie that has gripped the western audiences so hard that it is being vouched for the next Oscar and nominated for other heavy weight awards against Hollywood biggies.

The reason I feel for the movie's success in the 'West' perhaps lies in the squalor, poverty and Dickinson kind of story that this movie deals with. Not to forget powerful performances by Dev Patel and beautiful Freida Pinto, the mesmerizing smile has done its magic.Yet thousands of miles apart in Dharavi (the largest slum in Asia), Mumbai, where the movie is based, little is known or heard about the movie. Mainly because the movie was released in US first and then yesterday in UK, it is going to be released in India on Jan 23.

The movie has been dubbed in Hindi and the title has been suitably titled 'Slumdog Crorepati'. But how realistic is the depiction of India anyways?

I did say in my review of Slumdog that the film has a few flaws that come from bad research and a director who knows India a little less than of course how WE(Indians) do. The Opening Scene, where the police officer is showed using 'third degree' on a man(Jamal Malik) who is just an answer away from winning 20 million rupees in a game show originally hosted by a man who is treated no less than God in this country. (Yes, I am talking about Amitabh Bahchan in the original Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire). Jamal is being interrogated because cops are sure this slum kid has cheated his way up.

Now two points arise
1. Given today's scenario, how will such a hyped man(Jamal) escape media frenzy, who'd hoard him with typical question of "How are you feeling?"
2. If he is such a big cheat, it would become even bigger story and Police would be grilled and television would bustle with exclusive stories from right in front of his slum.

No such thing happens and Jamal's tale continue as he resurrects after having survived the deadly 'third degree'.
Another scene where young Jamal is shown running, covered in faeces, pushing the
crowd away to get the autograph of his dream man Amitabh Bachchan???? This scene
was nauseating, true to the extent only where people make money out of a cesspit, I'm sure no kid would ever run like this ever and whether Amitabh Bachchan would sign an autograph?, I doubt!

The riots come out of no where and Jamal loses his mother, and befriends Latika, the love of his life. I can ignore the fact that portrayal of Lord Ram in this scene seemed more of a 'combo' of Lord Shiva and Lord Krishna.

The film is mostly in english, except for perhaps one third where the dialogues of the young kids are in Hindi. When the kids grow up to be adolescents they are able to speak gramatically correct english.(quite miraculously.. I thought this could happen only in a Bollywood movie)

The sets of Kaun Banega Crorepati (Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire), is all real with the same background music and set except for the way the contestant tea vendor Jamal is treated. The impolite and rude ways that Prem (Anil Kapoor), host of the show taunts Jamal and the way audience too becomes a party to it. My contention- No show on Indian television ever at least on screen is biased to the economically weaker section.

The call center scene seems most unreal. No cell phone data is available readily at the click of a button as yet in telephone directories. Jamal is able to find his lost brother Salim's number easily, at a click.

The song 'Darshan Do Ghanshyam' that the children are made to mug in order to earn better is not penned by Soordas, as claimed in the film, but by Gopal Singh Nepali for the movie Narsi Bhagat.

The film amidst the grittiest reality gives us the taste for fantasy, and that's what makes this film stand out. How Indians would react to this film especially for somebody like Jamal(before he won the show), who'd most likely watch it in the many 'Talkie' style single screen, will be really interesting to know. The urban will surely give in to the hype that surrounds this movie.

Also Read: SLUMDOG MILLIONAIRE-REVIEW

Dabboo Ratnani Calendar 2009

Making an actress look hot in a saree is something 'Edward Shutter hands' Dabboo Ratnani had not experimented with till date. A decade into shooting exclusive calendars and catching the most prolific bollywood stars in style, Dabboo has come up with the most waited event of the year, Calendar 2009.



His recent work of art features the 'movers' right from Akshay Kumar, Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Hrithik Roshan, Sanjay Dutt, Shahid Kapoor, Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Ranbir Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra, Kajol& Ajay Devgan, John Abraham, Shilpa Shetty , Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif, the Bachchans Amitabh, Abhishek and Aishwarya, to 'shakers' Kangana Ranaut, Mallika Shehrawat, Sushmita Sen, Ayesha Takia, Abhay Deol, Viveik Oberoi, Riteish Desh-mukh,Neil Nitin Mukesh, Dino Morea, Lara Dutta, marita Rao, Tusshar Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Fardeen Khan, Emraan Hashmi, Riya Sen, Amisha Patel. Sushmita Sen features first time in his calendar.




Unlike his previous calendars, Daboo has not indulged in any dramatic theme this year but has played with vivid colors ranging from the black and white from the sixties to the sizzling red of the seventies-eighties; of course with other myriad
hues as well. From just a 'collection of snaps' over a period of ten years he has been extensively shooting exclusive photos for his calendars which are available only for the high profile.





Kajol sizzling in a red gown atop a taxi on a busy Mumbai road, Deepika's drop dead gorgeous looks in a black saree; Kangana, Amisha Patel and Riya Sen, baring it all.

Need I say more? Divulge in the pics... they sure are treat for the eyes.



Via

Jiah Khan endorses PeTA

After a hoard of bollywood famous and infamous making it big with People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), it's sumptuous actress Jiah Khan's turn to do her bit. In an advertisement shot by pro photographer Farrokh Chothia, she was dressed as a wounded bird, entrapped in kite strings(manja as it is locally known) with tag line, “Cut the Glass-Coated Manja, Not Bird’s Wings”.

The advertisement coincides with the Indian Festival of Makar Sankranti, when people fly kites as a tradition. Thousands of birds die a painful death or are seriously injured by muddling up in the glass coated kite strings (manja) that fall on trees or electric poles.

"We're asking participants in the 'Makar Sankranti' contests and all kite-flying competitors to immediately stop using glass-coated manja and to conduct their sport in a way that isn't deadly to humans and wildlife," she said.

Opposite Amitabh Bachchan in her debute, then landing role in Ghajini opposite 'Mr Perfection' Aamir Khan and now this ultrasonic ad, Jiah Khan surely knows how to be in the news.

PIC

Horn Ok Pleassss Release Postponed

Horn Ok Please was scheduled for release on Jan 9, but due to some financial clearance issue the date has been pushes forward to Jan 16. On an earlier occasion too the release of the film was postponed from Dec 5 to Jan 9.
The Film stars Nana Patekar, Rimmi Sen and Muzzamil Ibrahim.

Movies at the Box Office this week- Jan 9

As the little worthy 2008 passed by, bollywood is beaming with activity again, with as many as 30 films lined up for release in the first quarter. Although there was no 'hindi' release as such in the first week, a few short budgeted movies are due for release this week; Bad Luck Govind, Horn Ok Pleassss, Kaashh... Mere Hote, Khallballi - Fun Unlimited, 42 Kms... and The President Is Coming. The trend seems to be of senseless comedies made in small budgets. Here is a quick preview of what you can look out for this Jan 9.

Bad Luck Govind



Varun Khanna, who has many a hollywood movie under his hat, makes his directorial debut with the movie "Bad Luck Govind". Just as the name suggests, this romantic comedy is about a young man who is doomed with bad luck. In a series of hilarious events, how Govind manages to over power the luck of those around him with his bad luck is the story of the movie. Gaurav Kapoor aka VJ Gaurav of channel V fame and Hrishita Bhatt are in the main lead. Music is directed by Anu Malik.


Horn Ok Pleassss



A laugh-your-wits-out-and-leave-brains-behind kind of movie where you would laugh and roll at unexpected events and surprises of a man's quest to find his lost love with the help of a multimillionaire truck driver. A series of senseless events and self created life or death chaos amidst the confusion between twins, is the story of Horn Ok Pleassss which would set you rolling. Directed by Rakesh Sarang, the appeal lies in Nana Patekar who plays the multi millionaire truck driver along with Rimmi Sen who plays both his wife and the twin sister. Scandalous Rakhi sawant also shares a small screen presence.


Kaash.. Mere Hote



Another typical bollywood story, Kaash.. Mere Hote has the most predictable storyline. Krishna and Radhika are deeply in love and have committed their lives
to one another, this lovey dovey story however has a twist. A teenager Kia is bent upon getting Krishna, making their life miserable. The film has a newbie Kumar Saahil
as Krishna and stars Sneha Ullal, the Aishwarya Rai look alike. The movie would definitely appeal college goers hopefuly it may provide some good entertainment.


Khalbali.. Fun Unlimited


How a violent mischiveous idea generates comedy is the story of Khalbali.. fun
unlimited. A rich hotelier plants a bomb in a rivals to gain popularity and how
the chaos thereafter turns into nonsensical humour is what the film is based
upon. Its a story we have seen so many times, but the cast of comedy champs
might make this film laugh a riot.
The cast includes some famous names like Rajpal Yadav, Ketaki Dave, Delnaz Paul, Chunkey Pandey, Suresh Menon, Shruti Seth, Johny Lever,Tiku Talsania, Asrani and Shakti Kapoor, along with little less known faces like Nikhil Dwivedi and Sada in various roles.
Produced by Azam Khan under the banner of 'One More Thought Entertainment, it has music directed by Sajid-Wajid and lyrics by Shabbir Ahmed and Jalees Sherwani.


42 kms


Life is an endless journey; everybody is running for something or the other. This movie is a struggle of five happy people who from diverse backgrounds run for a 42 km marathon for some compelling reasons. The film is about the force that comes form within during adverse situation to prove ones mettle, regain confidence or straighten troubled relations. The story seems slightly off beat an I am sutre would drive good audiences.
The cast includes some famous name like Mandira bedi, Purab Kohli, Samir Dattani, Bikram Saluja, Prashant Chainani, Nausheen Ali Sardar & Nauheed Cyrusi.

Directed by Nisha Chainani, who has worked under some of the best names in bollywood, the movie comes with a message for life, how the different people run for different reasons in this endless competition called life.


The President Is Coming


Finally a gasp of fresh air. This is a story that is different, would make you laugh and you would not feel stupid. The story is based on George W Bush's visit to India in 2006, where he wanted to meet the young face of 'New changing India'.This fact is changed into a satire in the movie where the Ameircan consulate hires an Indian PR agency to find one young face to be the 'New India' infront of the American President. Shortlisted in a nation wide search and grilled through a series of questionnaire, it portrays the desperation and the length to which each contestant would go just to shake hands with the outgoing President.

Directed by Kunal Roy Kapur, under the Ramesh sippy banner, this documentary style movie is India's first mockumentary and has the original cast of the play on which the film is based.

Audiences have matured and how they react to a certain movie is very unpredictable. A different story with not so popular star cast may give even the best of the industry a run for their money. The industry it seems has learned how to cope with the recession by making quality movies in small budgets.