Ram-Leela' is a giant leap forward : Ranveer

Ranveer Singh is more relieved than elated with all the appreciation he has received as Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Ram. He has tasted what he always heard is the effect of a good Friday on an actor, as he is flooded with offers. But what has given him a high is a hand-written note from his idol Amitabh Bachchan. He talks to TOI about the role of Ram-Leela in his life. Excerpts: 

What has the success of Ram-Leela meant for you? 

Fortunately, I had a good first step with 'Band Baaja Baaraat'. But I understand that 'Ram-Leela' is a giant leap forward. It comes with the way the world perceives it, where performance is one aspect, but it also has to do with the numbers. The numbers give me a commercial standing that will empower me to make braver decisions. There is no feeling of great elation. It's more relief on many levels. I have put so much into this movie and the stakes are kind of high due to the stature of the director, because of the budget of the film and because of the stage in my career at which this has come. This film is the coming together of all the films I have done so far and has the vulnerability and intensity of my character in 'Lootera', the chuttapan of the character in 'Band Baaja Baaraat' and the sexiness of the character in 'Ladies Vs Ricky Bahl'. The opportunity to work in 'Ram-Leela' was fantastic as it allowed me to do the romance, the comedy, the song-and-dance, the action, the drama and show my vulnerability, anger and intensity, all in one film. 

You are an uninhibited performer. Are you also like that in real life? 

The first thing they make you do in an acting class is a 'lose your inhibition' exercise. In order to act, you have to shed your inhibitions. But, what do you do with a person who is already uninhibited? In my case, I was always like this ever since I was a kid. I was never ashamed of anything and was always confident of myself. I was a besharam, hamesha se. 

Source : Times of India

Saif : Raja Mishra is based on many real-life characters in Bullett Raja

Saif Ali Khan says it like it is. Sometimes, at the risk of sounding politically incorrect. When he visited the TOI office on Thursday, he spoke candidly on actresses he looks good with on screen, his upcoming film 'Bullett Raja', why a pairing with wife Kareena hasn't worked and more. Excerpts...

Is Bullett Raja based on a real-life character?

My character Raja Mishra is based on many real-life characters. Bullett Raja is not a biopic of this one Robin Hood-type guy. Fact is stranger than fiction in UP (where the film is based). Every second person is a Raja Mishra there.

Have you worked on your body for this film?

Kareena told me that in Bollywood it's most important to look good. Your acting ability can be secondary. It is a visual medium and certain heroic roles we get offered require you to look like you are capable of doing these massively dramatic things.

You look polished, while Sonakshi Sinha has a desi look in the film. Do you think that contrast works?

I guess contrast always works. I remember Aditya Chopra saying about Rani Mukerji and me, that is what works on screen. In this film, it is not about our chemistry. It is a film about friends, about two guys... it is a revenge story.

What do you think about Sonakshi as an actress?

It's roles like Lootera that distinguish actors and Sonakshi has surely proven herself with that. I get the feeling that I went to school with her or something, that I have known her forever; maybe because she is Shatruji's daughter. Sonakshi is very good at what she does. I'd like to see her to do something now that surprises people.

Have your looks ever been a hindrance in terms of the roles you get? 

Nobody has ever asked me this! I've always wanted to be among the good looking people... doors open for them in a different way. But I never was. I have grown into some kind of an acceptable and attractive personality on screen. It has happened very recently, which is lucky because people who are good looking at 16, sometimes pack up... if not at 30, then certainly at 40.

Source : Times of India

Singh Saab The Great movie review

Rating: 3 out of 5

* Poor

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The jodi of actor Sunny Deol and director Anil Sharma is back for a fourth time with Singh Saab The Great and the duo has tried to give the audience an earnest film. Though the story could have been tighter, Sunny paaji’s action avatar makes up for it.....

Director Anil Sharma and Sunny Deol have delivered three hit films together so far – Gadar: Ek Prem Katha, The Hero: Love Story of a Spy and Apne. And we can safely say that they are back with a bang with Singh Saab The Great. The movie is about an honest collector Saranjit Singh Talwar (Sunny Deol) who believes in doing the right thing and does so till he is transferred to Bhadori – a small town in Uttar Pradesh. This is when Bhoodev Singh (Prakash Raj), the baddie in the film, comes into the picture. While Saranjit believes in the power of truth, Bhoodev thinks the ultimate power is money. Like any politician, Bhoodev is corrupt, powerful and does every wrong thing possible. But Saranjit gets in his way each time to make things tough for him. In their fight, it is Saranjit’s wife (Uravashi Rautela) who bears the brunt of the enmity and dies. Things take a turn for the worse when the Bhadori collector is accused of bribery and is jailed. Seven years later Saranjit, with a help of his cop friend manages to get out of jail and changes his identity. Now he is known as Singh Saab, whose motto is not ‘badla’, but ‘badlav’. But does he manage to change society and most importantly, Bhoodev Singh? Watch the film to find out.

What’s good about Singh Saab The Great?

Without a doubt, it has to be Sunny Deol’s performance. Even though he is in his late ‘50s, Sunny still manages to do action sequences amazingly well. His dhai kilo ka haath yet again entertains us…and how! He is one actor who actually makes action stunts look believable. Another highlight of the film is its dialogue. An angry Sunny mouthing dhansoo lines like ‘Bali hamesha bakre ki di jaati hai, sher ki nahi’ is a treat to watch. And though the story could have been more crisp, I enjoyed watching it coz there is different atmosphere when you enter a Sunny Deol film. It’s like watching a cricket match. Every time Mr Deol fights or says a dhamaakedar line, the audience goes crazy and claps and whistles. That’s what made my experience enjoyable. Besides Sunny, Prakash Raj has delivered a solid performance. In fact, he gives worthy takkar to the ultimate action hero. His scenes with Sunny Deol are to watch out for. They make a perfect hero-villain jodi!

Amrita Rao as a journalist does well. Urvashi Rautela has nothing much to do in the film and after a point you forget why she is there at all…and then she is dead. Johny Lever makes you laugh in places.

What’s bad about Singh Saab The Great?

The most important thing: the story. While Anil Sharma’s concept is good, he fails to execute it properly. Also, the love angle between Sunny and Urvashi doesn’t fit into the plot seamlessly. The film gets boring in between, though never when Sunny is in the frame. Apart from the title track sung by Sonu Nigam and his sister Teesha Nigam, none of the other songs are too appealing. There is an item number too, but the only thing which makes that tolerable is Sunny Deol and Prakash Raj’s dancing. It fun to watch them, trust us!

Verdict

Singh Saab The Great is a typical Sunny Deol film and if you are a fan of the actor, you wouldn’t mind watching it. If you want to watch a film with your family that isn’t a remake, is full of action and has plenty of drama, this one is perfect.

PS: It was nice to see so many old people in the theatre. A rare sight these days, considering the kinds of films that are being made, hai na?

Source : Bollywood Life

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein movie review

Rating: 2 out of 5

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The Imran Khan-Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer is supposed to be a romantic comedy. Unfortunately, it is merely an insipid mess…

First things first. Punit Malhotra cannot direct rom-coms…period. The filmmaker tried to do a Karan Johar in I Hate Luv Storys and almost nailed it, but with Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, he failed miserably.

Gori Tere Pyaar Mein is the story of Sriram Venkat (Imran Khan), a young man who doesn’t value relationships, family or friends, and Dia Sharma (Kareena Kapoor Khan), who is a hardcore social activist who wants to change the world. They meet and fall in love over one wedding song and numerous social revolts. The attraction initially is physical, but later becomes emotional and veers into complex territory, resulting in a clash of ideas and ideals, which drives them apart. However, Sriram soon realises that he is not over Dia and still loves her. But it’s too late for him; Dia has moved on and now lives in a village called Jhumli near Gujarat where she is playing Mother India to the locals. Like a perfect lover, Sriram arrives in Jhumli to take back Dia home and show her that he is a changed man. But she refuses to go with him. Now since there has to be a happy ending – it is a Dharma Productions movie – Sriram is successful in wooing Dia after a lot of maar-dhaaad and conflict.

Kareena is eye catching in her appearance. Unlike the typical social activists who’ve graced the Bollywood frame in drab and rustic costumes, Kareena is always well turned out in colourful outfits and nicely manicured nails. Imran, on the other hand, doesn’t impress at all. Come on, we have to say that the guy cannot act, no matter how hard he tries! The two look good together, but they seem uninterested and passionless. Newbie Shraddha Kapoor has an extended cameo in the film, and we have no complaints about her. She is adorable and does her part well. Anupam Kher’s character has grey shades, but hey, he is spotlessly impressive.

Punit has given us a blend of rural and urban India with Gori Tere Pyaar Mein, but has desperately tried to do a Karan Johar and failed. Clearly, Karan’s brand of romance isn’t rocket science, but it does require some talent to pull it off. You will have to agree that texturing love sagas in a glossy setup is an art that only Karan has mastered, with Shahrukh Khan standing strong by his side. And if Punit’s directorial duties weren’t arduous enough, he doubles as writer to assist Arshad Syed on the screenplay and dialogue, penning the most bakwaas and insipid lines ever. Even his lame trick of borrowing fun dialogues or scenes from Bollywood hit romances isn’t noteworthy.

The music of the film, Punit claimed in an interview, is apparently Vishal-Shakhar’s best work till date. Frankly, the composers have done much better.

Sadly, Gori Tere Pyaar Mein is supposed to be a rom-com, but it’s not. It’s supposed to have peppy dance numbers, but it doesn’t. It’s supposed to have some stellar performances by Imran and Kareena, but it doesn’t. You are supposed to watch this film? No, you aren’t!

Source : Bollywood Life

Hrithik will take time to recover from recurring headaches

Actor Hrithik Roshan, who underwent a brain surgery some months back, says he will take time to recover from recurring headaches that have resurfaced.

Hrithik, who is basking in the success of his superhero flick 'Krrish 3', has decided to take some time off before he starts shooting for his upcoming films.

"I am extremely overwhelmed by the tremendous support and love extended by everyone to 'Krrish 3'. Before I get ready to resume the shooting of my next, 'Bang Bang', in early January 2014 and later 'Shuddhi', as both are physically demanding, I will be taking some time off to recover completely from the recurring headaches that have resurfaced in the last couple of weeks," Hrithik said.

"I am confident that your love and prayers will heal me completely. I wish everyone a great end to 2013 and a fabulous start to 2014," he said.

In 'Bang Bang', Hrithik will be seen opposite Katrina Kaif and for 'Shuddhi', he is teaming up with Kareena Kapoor Khan after a long time.

The actor was suffering from subdural hematoma caused in the brain as a result of a head injury he suffered while performing stunts for 'Bang Bang' earlier this year. He successfully underwent a brain surgery in July this year to remove a clot.

 

Source : Times of India