Deepika is the new Katrina

If you are the kind who has regularly watched Hindi movies over the years, you can summarise the storyline of most movies into one line: boy meets girl, boy loses girl and boy wins girl again. Most Hindi films are essentially versions of this story line (or what the director of the movie may tell you treatment bilkul alag hai.)

Now what would you say about a movie which twists this entire logic on its head. Boy loses girl in the beginning, boy loses girl at the interval, boy loses girl again after interval and boy wins girl, finally, in the end, after the girl has gone ahead and married the second hero.

Well that it is different. Hmmm, almost. In a nutshell that is the story of Imitiaz Ali’s much awaited Love Aaj Kal. The movie works over most its two hours running time except towards the end when it really drags and of course whenever Deepika Padukone tries to act.

What works for the movie? Some semblance of a new storyline.

Great visuals (human as well as natural. You know what I mean.)

Great music backed by some real good lyrics. My favourite being the song Chor Bazaari, which has some brilliant lyrics.

Rishi Kapoor is excellent as usual (For a guy who barely acted for most of his career as a hero, he is having a real good second innings in Bollywood, with some excellent roles in movies like Hum Tum, Luck By Chance and now Love Aaj Kal. For the record he won a National Award for his debut role in Mera Naam Joker, when he was barely 18).

There are some real good oneliners in the first half, which I won’t reveal here.

Then there is Shweta Gulati playing the young Harleen (the girl who Rishi Kapoor’s character is in love with), who looks fantastic. She has been kept under the wraps, so don’t know what her name is. But she clearly reminded me of Bhagyashree in Maine Pyar Kiya. (How many hearts fluttered when she said hota hai, hota hai)

Oh and you must look out for this yesteryear actress, towards the end, who makes her comeback, after nearly 30 years away from the movies.

What doesn’t work for the movie?There is very little chemistry between Saif and Deepika. Now that means two things. Either Kareena should have been the heroine or Ranbir should have been the hero.

Some really corny lines in the second half. Sample this: “Love-who knows what love is. I haven’t figured out that one as yet.” In these portions Imitiaz Ali who has written the movie as well, has clearly been inspired by the Aditya Chopra and Karan Johar school of film making. (Remember when Shahrukh Khan says in Dil To Pagal Hai to Madhuri towards the end “Rahul,naam to yaad rahega na” and when he tells Kajol in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai “Tum nahi samjhogi Anjali Kuch Kuch Hota Hai”. That for me is the corniest line written ever.)

The major weakness of the movie is : Deepika Padukone, for sure. She can’t act for nuts. Her first film Om Shaanti Om did not need her to act. Her second movie Bachna Ae Haseeno had two other non acting heroines (Minisha Lamba and Bipasha Basu) which of course allowed her to share the blame.

But this movie rests solely on her and Saif Ali Khan. Saif is pretty decent continuing with his Hum Tum act. Deepika though is a disaster, and that makes what would have been a very good movie, a pretty average movie.

You can make out how much difficulty she has had just mouthing her dialogues. As friend who works in the film industry puts it “These days we say cut as soon as the actresses are able to complete their lines without any mistakes.” So that rules out any space for them getting their emotions right as well, while acting.

Deepika Padukone clearly belongs to that category. You can make out that she tries hard to emote, but her dialogue delivery clearly lets her down. I guess we can safely say “Deepika is the new Katrina.” And given that, she has a bright future. Who wants heroines to act anyway?

Nayan has no dates for Mani!

Date problems, it seems, have denied actress Nayanthara an opportunity to work with one of the industry’s best directors, Mani Ratnam, in one of his most awaited projects Raavan.

Sources in the industry had it that the actress was approached by Suhasini Mani Ratnam with an offer to act in the mega project that has already triggered huge expectations.

However, the actress has been unable to accept the offer, thanks to a busy schedule.

Talking to Chennai Times, Nayanthara said, “Yeah, it’s true. Suhasini Mani Ratnam called me when I was in South Africa, shooting for Aadhavan, starring Suriya. They wanted me to do Mandodhari’s role in Raavan. However, I haven’t been able to accept the offer because of date problems.”

The actress, who is working on two Telugu films and Aadhavan in Tamil, said, “I’ve already given the dates to Telugu films and both the films are in the finishing stages and I can’t change them. Had it been in the middle, I could have adjusted. Mani sir’s movie too has a fixed schedule and even they can’t adjust the dates as there are combination scenes with Ash, Abhishek and Vikram.”

The actress, who rues missing the opportunity, said, “It’s a great honour to have got an offer from Mani sir. But unfortunately, date problems have stopped me from accepting it.”

Magadheera is technically brilliant

C 1600 Aravalli, the kingdom of Udaygarh. Two lovers die; one a warrior and the other a princess, confessing their love for each other. Their love remains unfulfilled. And the person who cremates them -- Sher Khan (Srihari) says aloud that they will be reborn again to unite. Fast forward 400 years, and lo, they are.

A reincarnation story is not often seen in Telugu cinema and SS Rajamouli uses this theme for Ram Charan Teja's second film Magadheera.

Well, Rajamouli's Magadheera, a fantasy tale should be seen on many grounds- it's a magnum opus production with great technical work. It's a high-budget extravaganza which shows in almost every frame. It's directed by SS Rajamouli, one of the top directors in the Telugu industry. It's got fine music by MM Keeravani, brilliant camera work by Senthil, good art direction by Ravinder, good styling and costumes by Rama Rajamouli and is edited well by Kotagiri Venkateswara Rao. The graphics are excellent for a Telugu movie. Overall, the movie is a mainstream one with good packaging.

The tale goes back and forth into the past and the present. The period, the contemporary look and styling of the film is in sync with the depiction. The accomplished and skilled warrior Bhairava (Ram Charan Teja) wants to marry the princess of Udaygarh Mitra (Kajal Agarwal) ) and even wins her in the race against competitor Randev (who is the senapati and the villain, the traitor who allows the enemy Sher Khan into the kingdom) but bows down to the wishes of her father and does not. Bhairava is so consummate a warrior that he even killed 100 warriors of Sher Khan (who has been over riding kingdoms before he eyed Udaygarh) before dying like a true warrior. Bhairava's valour impressed Sher Khan so much that he even cremated him.

Cut to modern times where Harsha (Charan) rubs his fingers against a girl in a white churidar and feels a vibration, and realises it's the princess. He remembers his past birth and goes in search of this girl who after a chase reveals her name as Indu (Kajal).

Randev is reborn as Raghuvir, Indu's cousin. Raghuvir sees Indu and is smitten by her. Will the lovers reunite in this birth?

As far as story is concerned, there's nothing great or new about Magadheera. It's the production and direction which makes up for this. Rajamouli's deft direction plugs the loopholes and knowing the pulse of the audience crafts a mainstream film.

In reincarnation stories it's best to forget reason and logic and see the story for one can never question and find answers to them. What's strange is that only the boy remembers and feels the vibrations, and not the girl. There is some kind of similarity to Arundhati in terms of the reincarnation element of the story and the presence of the Aghora.

Keeravani's music sounds good on screen. The Bangaru Kodipetta song with Chiru doing a cameo with Mumaith Khan is sure to draw audiences. Keeravani and Kalyani Malik's background score is also in tune and does not overshadow the image. Kim Sharma's [ Images ] item number seemed unwarranted though.

Senthil's camera pans a landscape which is 'period' and 'present' in a beautiful way. The sepia tones and the white stark landscapes against a blue sky are stunningly captured. The difference in colour tones mark the periods well.

The magnificent sets created by Ravinder especially of Udaygarh are a treat to watch on screen, plus his art direction. Rama's Rajamouli's ensemble's and the styling is rich and elegant and worth a watch. Her effort shows off on screen.

Ram Charan seems to be a chip of the old block when it comes to dancing. For, he is very flexible and dances well like his dad. He's got a lot to do in this film from horse riding to sword fighting to singing and dancing. He's done them all pretty well though one felt that he needs to hone his skills of acting further particularly in expressing emotions. Also, one feels he need to have more josh to be a warrior -- at times one felt he was rather subdued.

Kajal Agarwal was quite a surprise package. She was sweet and charming and looked like an 'ethereal' princess. She carries off both the roles fairly well. Srihari was at his usual best performing both roles (later he's born as Solomon-the fisherman).

The song with all the technicians making their appearance at the end is innovative and Rajamouli should be appreciated for this.

Rajamouli has packaged Magadheera well as a mainstream film. Have a look at it for its technical brilliance.

* EpaperEpaper * NewsletterNewsletter * StocksStocks * WeatherWeather * HoroscopeHoroscope Sach ka Saamna offends? Turn off you

Delhi High Court today threw out two petitions against the game show Sach ka Saamna, saying “moral policing” was not its job, and advised those offended by the show to turn off their TVs.

The judges slammed the petition as an example of the “misuse” of public interest litigation and, going a step ahead, also ridiculed the “hypocrisy of various ministers and parliamentarians” over deciding broadcasting law and television content.

“In this land of Gandhi, it appears that nobody follows Gandhi... Follow the Gandhian principle of ‘see no evil’. Why do you not simply switch off the TV?” a division bench of Chief Justice A P Shah and Justice Manmohan told the petitioners.

“We have very good advice for you. You have got two judges sitting here who do not watch TV at all. It will certainly help.”

Individual ideas of morality were not the business of the court, the judges said. “We are not sitting here for moral policing... You approach the Parliament and get the remedy. The courts cannot be expected to deal with issues that involve different individual perceptions.”

Billy, go back! says Bips

Monica Bellucci was supposed to join Sanjay Suri for Jagmohan Mundhra’s now aborted bio-pic on Sonia Gandhi. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan couldn’t find dates to co-star with Will Smith and Michael Douglas in 9 Pounds and Racing With The Moon, respectively.

John Abraham’s wish to pair with Rachel Weisz in Deepa Mehta’s Luna never went beyond a wish. Now it’s Bipasha Basu and Billy Zane’s togetherness that seems star-crossed.

Bipasha’s much-publicised psychological thriller Chimera with the Titanic and Phantom actor threatens to become a sinking disaster of another kind. The film, to be jointly directed by Daniel Silverman and Tapan Saha, was to start last week. The first long schedule was supposed to begin in Kodaikanal on July 23. However, there was no sign of either Bipasha or Billy on location. And the schedule had to be cancelled although both actors were booked to shoot from the appointed day.

If reports are to be believed, Billy was on the way to India for his schedule when he was stopped short in his tracks because Baipsha had certain reservations about the project. The actress remains unavailable for comment. It seems she raised some questions about the film for which she got unconvincing answers.

So, Bips put her foot down. Nobody knows as yet what these reservations are but this is not her first aborted Bollywood-Hollywood merger. Remember, she was supposed to star with Ben Kingsley in a film on the Taj Mahal. What happened to that?

Shilpa does the honours!

Well, well, well ... there was wellness in the air as the swish set sauntered into this new space on Sunday evening with happy hosts Shilpa Shetty and Kiran Bawa at the entrance meeting and greeting each and every guest.
And they were more than overjoyed when Rekha stepped in – yes, the enigmatic lady was there to do the inaugural honours of Iosis Medispa’s flagship outlet in Khar that was far from the madding crowd.

Actually, there was a madding crowd out there what with the presence of Bollywood, corporate bigwigs, television personalities, fashion designers and assorted others. Making heads turn was Sushmita Sen, looking slim and trim.

The champagne was flowing and so, too, the hors d’oeuvres. In fact, the party continued there as guests ate and drank to their heart’s content. And who was there at this stylish and healthy do?

Koel Purie with her firangi hubby, Devita Saraf, Leena Mogre with hubby Nikhil, Queenie and daughter Tiara, Vikram Bawa, Ashmit Patel, Gayatri Patel, Farah Khan, Ameet Gaurr, Ekta Kapoor, Rohit Roy in his famous black jacket, Arjun Punjj, Manasi Scott, Kaushika and Kamlesh Hemdev, Kishwer Merchant and Poonam Sinha... you get the drift. And the talk was on the new India that is awakening to health and wellness.

I’m not marrying, now: Rakhi Sawant

A local court in Jaipur has asked the cops to register an FIR against six people, including you, for alleged breach of copyright for lifting the concept of Rakhi Ka Swayamwar from the portal of a Pink City-based These are all false allegations. The show, Rakhi Ka Swayamwar on NDTV Imagine, is immensely popular and that’s why people want to use its popularity to their own advantage. Tell me one thing: Was this Gaurav guy sleeping all this while? Rakhi Sawant is a brand name and it is my Swayamwar, my concept. If it was Shah Rukh Khan’s swayamwar or Kareena Kapoor’s swayamwar, then too the shows would have had nothing to do with Gaurav Tiwari’s concept.

Is your lawyer looking into the issues?
I wouldn’t like to comment on it. Such petty things do not bother me.

Could it be just another publicity gimmick?
It is definitely not the case.

Coming back to the show, you have taken marriage to the levels of reality TV. How does it feel?
It was a very hard decision. I’ve tried to create history. But the concept of swayamwar traces its roots to Indian mythology. Didn’t Sita have a swayamwar? I don’t think I’ve done any wrong. There should be more such swayamwars.

So, you are getting hitched on August 2?
Let me clarify, I’m not getting married, now. I’m selecting someone from the show to be my life partner. It’s more of an engagement. So far, I’ve dated the contestants on camera. Now, I’ll date the man I select off camera. I need to know the person well and I can’t gamble with my life for the sake of entertainment. There will be no saat pheres, maang mein sindoor or wearing a mangalsutra just yet. If after knowing the person well, I feel that he’s my Prince Charming, I’ll tie the knot.

It’s news that you are going to select Gujarati NRI, Elesh Parujanwala...
You never know what’s going on in my mind. Elesh is a very nice boy, so are the other two finalists. But my hero is Jesus and it’s He who’ll decide who I’m going to select.

Many feel that the show is rigged...
Media’s circulating wrong information. Main ek Hindustani nari hoon aur yeh mere zindagi ka sawaal hai. Can I rig my destiny?

So, Abhishek Awasthi is a closed chapter now?
You bet, it is. I wouldn’t like to talk about my past at a time when my future is going to get decided.

Is your caller tune, Ab hum ho gaye pardesi, meant to suit your current mental frame?
Absolutely. I got a lot of Bollywood actors to perform to the number for my sangeet. I need all your prayers, now that my Swayamwar’s coming to a close.