Ram Gopal Ka Veeru Ban Gaya Heeru
This is going a bit mad….feel sorry for RGV!
Link
Joginder Tuteja, IndiaGlitz [Monday, July 23, 2007]
Court’s axe has not just fallen on the title of Ram Gopal Varma’s tribute to SHOLAY that has now been renamed as RAM GOPAL VARMA KI AAG. The latest casualty is now the character played by Ajay which has been changed from Veeru to Heeru!
While Gabbar becoming Babban has made many raise an eyebrow already, the emergence of Heeru only takes the debate further on the naming controversy. One wonders if all hullabaloo is actually worth it because ever since the film was announced, it has been mired with controversies.
First it was the entire remaking of the film that caused fiery reactions from people within and outside the industry. Later the much used and abused word ‘inspiration’ came into picture. When the court proceedings started, newer arguments emerged. Now to stay away from trouble, the film is plain and simple being called as a tribute to the 70s classic.
All said and done, what the film has succeeded in is to be in news and make sure that audience checks out the film at least once due to the sheer curiosity factor.
Comment by Pranav on 23 July 2007:
Sambha is called Rambha ki aulad something like that…something bizzare.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Pranav: Wrong, Sambha is called Thambe!
Comment by Pranav on 23 July 2007:
wow. even more bizzare.
Comment by henry on 23 July 2007:
I don’t feel sorry for RGV. He is a sick fuck anyway. But I do feel sorry for Amitabh, who is the only actor in the fiasco who was also part of the original. He is not only going to witness the mangling of one of his greatest performances and films, but he is also going to be a part of it. It’s just like De Niro doing Godfather again but this time in Al Pacino’s role. Unthinkable isn’t it?
If Amitabh so desperately wanted to play Gabbar, he should have just dressed up like him, said some of his famous dialogues, and asked Lakhia or Goldie Behl to shoot this sick experiment privately.
Comment by Pranav on 23 July 2007:
hahaha that was funny henry. Amitabh has justified his taking the role that it appealed to the artist inside of him. He must be regretting it though with the circus atmosphere around the movie now.
Comment by henry on 23 July 2007:
Pranav, you know the stud who is playing Jai is so cool that he hasn’t even seen the original Sholay.
Comment by Qalandar on 23 July 2007:
Pranav: sad to say I’m not at all persuaded Amitabh regrets doing this film. His gazillions of fans might, but I don’t think he sees it that way.
This is also a lesson to me: I complained about the Don remake, predicting that it would be a pointless film, which it was. But I guess in life things can always get worse, as RGV now shows us. What next, I wonder?
Comment by Pranav on 23 July 2007:
Thats blasphemy. The whole thing reeks. Dharam and Hema have publicly ridiculed this whole project. I have seen RGV’s interview on Aaj Tak on this movie. It appears he just wants to make some sort of a megalomaniac statement.
Comment by Pranav on 23 July 2007:
Q, you might be right about that. I am wondering does Amitabh reject anything thats offered to him these days? or accepts anything and everything that comes across the pike.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
I dont think Amitabh regrets doing the film at all. He’s always sounded gung-ho about the film. I also don’t think RGV i s a sick fuck by any means! He has made it clear from the start this is his homage to SHOLAY, and NOT a remake. there will be no gaon, or bandits etc etc. RGV’s only mistake is calling it RGV KI SHOLAY when it was announced. If he had kept under wraps this was his homage to Sholay and called the movie something different from the start he wouldn’t have got this reaction. But like with any remake from DON to AAG it will be met with criticism…..
Im not going to walk in to the cinema hall expecting RGV to remake Ramesh Sippy’s SHOLAY, hell no! I will be watching the movie expecting a story line somewhat similar to SHOLAY(i.e KARMA, ELAAN, KEEMAT) but with RGV’s own twisted vision.
Comment by henry on 23 July 2007:
Just because there is no gaon or bandits doesn’t mean it’s not a remake. That way, you can say Omkara is not an adaptation of Othello since it’s set in a completely different mileu, but of course it is. A remake need not be a scene-to-scene transposition to be called a remake.
Sarkar was a remake (and a quite horrible one at that), and so is AAG.
Comment by henry on 23 July 2007:
BTW ‘homage’…if there has ever been a word that has been stretched way beyond its capacity and function, then this is it.
Comment by Qalandar on 23 July 2007:
I’ll add “inspired” to that list too.
Comment by Ravi on 23 July 2007:
So Don can be remade but Sholay cannot? The way it has turned out with this naming thing is what is bad but otherwise I really don’t understand the fuss about this from every one.
Javed Akhtar has the gall to say that Don could be remade because there was so much that could be bettered but there was nothing that could make Sholay better.
If it was not his son doing Don, he would have said the same thing about Don.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Henry: There is a fine line between a tribute and a remake, and IMO both SARKAR and AAG from what it sounds like are tributes! DON on the other hand is a proper remake.
And yes, though one can say that remakes are tributes anyways, I simply loved SARKAR, and despite the obvious don’t find the movie a actual “remake” as such. Rather a reworking or tribute.
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Just depends how you view it….and why just AAG? Why not KARMA(MUCH closer to SHOLAY), KEEMAT, ELAAN and all the other countless films which have been inspired by SHOLAY!
The only difference is that RGV decided to call it RGV KI SHOLAY!
Comment by Ravi on 23 July 2007:
The one thing that pisses me off here is Bachchan should not have let this name saga get out of hand. If he really wanted to do the Gabbar role then once this trouble cropped up from the Sippy’s he should have used his clout with both the Sippy’s and RGV and resolved this instead of letting it becoming a circus and people degrading the effort.
I would bet that SRK or Aamir would have never let this fiasco happen. Just makes me wonder so many countless times Bachchan could have should have used his clout and which would have benefited his movies but he fails to do so and lot of his fans like me feel let down.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
The names should’ve been different from the start….and Ajgar Singh is what it should be..NOT Babban Singh!
Comment by henry on 23 July 2007:
Akshay, The Departed is considered a remake in Hollywood even though it’s very different from the original. If you are taking the plot and characters of a film, then you are making a remake. That’s just how simple it is.
When RGV is even retaining the side characters (Sambha) and comedians (Soorma Bhopali and Asrani) then how can you not call this a remake?
Comment by rks on 23 July 2007:
Agree Ravi ,”So Don can be remade but Sholay cannot….”
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
henry, Post-Don “remake” is such a taboo word.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
As for Sholay vs Don.. teh latterw as a proper remake and all “attempts” were made to make a better product. The former is a total circus freak show.. where the director is just fufilling his wet dreams at the expense of a classic and a film viewed by many as the perfect one. A homage it certainly is not.
.. and yes.. the original Don was not close to being a classic. in fact a very mediocre film with abundant flaws galore.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
swith around. Imagine Abhishek in the Don remake with Farhan Akhtar and SrK doing Gabbar.. woah.. Srk would have been raped.
Comment by rks on 23 July 2007:
IMO, If Raamu wants to waste his money making Sholay or Mughal-e-azam or XYZ movie, who are we to question him. Let him make it, if it is any good we can watch it otherwise let it pass.
One of the movies I like better than its previous avatar is Thomas Crown Affair.
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
“the original Don was not close to being a classic. in fact a very mediocre film with abundant flaws galore.”
What planet have you been on Street? Of course ‘ignorance’ has never stopped you from making the most hyperbolic statements about everything under the sun!
Because the original Don was not a classic Farhan even retained all the original dialogues. Because the original Don was not a classic Farhan even used the theme music obsessively in his film not to mention the rest of the soundtrack. Because the original was not a classic Farhan even had ‘briefcase’ jokes in there.
Then again perhaps I am being far too logical for your tastes!
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
Henry: agreed with everything.
But this Sholay, whether one wants to call it a remake or not, is a nightmare. And it’s tragic that Bachchan has associated himself with this.
A few years ago I also thought that Bachchan should never have starred in a film with the ‘Deewar’ title.
I have long felt that RGV is pulling some kind of sick joke with this film.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Henry: I’m not arguing the fact that this is in some sense a “remake”. But the movie will be such a radical departure from the orignal with even the relatrionships between the characters changing to a large extent it would be hard to call this a remake in the traditional sense ala DON.
The basic essence of the plot stays the same(high profile cop gets wasted by evil villain and enlists the help of 2 thugs to get revenge) but unlike THE DEPARTED this will be more a tribute to the orignal, then a proper remake as such. THE DEPARTED was a true to orignal remake for the most with the exception of some charatcers being added. With AAG from what I understand even the relationships between the charatcers have changed very very dramatically than to the orignal…lets see…I guess once the movie releases it will reveal how much of SHOLAY is in AAG or whether it’s a case of SARKAR and NISHABD(which were a far far cry from GODFATHER and LOLITA)!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: “the original Don was not close to being a classic. in fact a very mediocre film with abundant flaws galore.” LOL! Great joke SP, you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone else agree with your blanket statement that the orignal don is a “mediocre” film”. Guess this falls alongside A.R Rehman and GURU’s music eh
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
“Because the original Don was not a classic Farhan even retained all the original dialogues. Because the original Don was not a classic Farhan even used the theme music obsessively in his film not to mention the rest of the soundtrack. Because the original was not a classic Farhan even had ‘briefcase’ jokes in there.
Then again perhaps I am being far too logical for your tastes!”lol…well said Satyam:-). Sometimes it’s good to believe only what you want to believe.
From now on DDLJ is a mediocre film and the whole world is wrong except me:)
a.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Sick joke, twisted mind, absolute psycho or pure genius…only a thin line between the 2 IMO:)
a.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
Forgot.. “Classic” meant anything that stars Amitabh bachchan. Why only Don? Yaarana, Laawaris, Natwarlal, or for that matter even Satte pe Satta are all bonafide classics,, not to be touched.
btw.. Qurbani, Mr. India and Tezaab may very well end up being remade.. Wonder if that also makes them candidates for being included in the “classics” list?
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
And Shahrukh Khan and Farhan both must be on drugs to want to remake such a “mediocre” film eh…..we know SRK has bad taste, but this bad? who would’ve thought specially given SRK and Farhan have gone on record to say DON is one of their all time fave films…man…bad bad taste..LOL!
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: Wrong! You won’t find anyone who calls YAARANAA, LAAWARIS or NATWARLAL or SATTE PE SATTA a classic. But DON, yes…surely!
And just because a film is remade does not necessarily mean it’s a classic though all three films being remade are very prestigious films of that era.
A.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
akshayshah.. ONLY ON NG… that phrase says it all.
“Great joke SP, you’ll be hard pushed to find anyone else agree with your blanket statement ”
But again.. when I do provide examples of people OUTSIDE NG ofcourse that don’t really consider Don a classic.. you’ll dismiss that too.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: OK, DON is a mediocre film, GURU’s music sucks. You win:)
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Have a wonderful day:)
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
But DIL TOH PAAGAL HAI is a classic;)!
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
akshay Shah.. DOn is one my all time fav movies dtoo.. but teh movie has many flaws.. an dthera era w hoel lotta things about the original movie that I would want to change.
for e.g. I just don’t see the reason for the character of Jasjit, whether i teh original one… or for that matter in the latter one.
Don’t tell me.. there’s none film there that you absolutely love.. but still don’t consider a flkawless film..and would want to change a number of things here and there.
But again.. this is NG we are talking about. Here ABhishek is more interesting an actor than Aamir.. and Guru is the best film since Sholay.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“OK, DON is a mediocre film, GURU’s music sucks. You win”
No no.. no .. not at all.. Every sonofabitch loved the Guru music and every household in Inda and abroad bought a copy each.. and it would be blasphemous for anyone to call it anything a but classic. me?? who cares about SP?
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
Qurbani is a cult film, could be considered a classic though it’s not in the league of those Bachchan films on that ‘classic meter’. On Mr India I’ve heard of a sequel here not a remake.
The point about Bachchan is that many of his films are in fact classics. But then it’s Bachchan we’re talking about!
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
I do agree with Akshay’s points on Sholay.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
I have never denied the flaws, which 70’s masala film does NOT have flaws? LOL!
Jasjit is vital in the orignal film IMO, but Farhan Akhtar made a complete and utter mess out of it in the remake.
I repeat, I DO NOT CONSIDER DON FLAWLESS, NEVER HAVE SAID THAT, but I wouldn’t take away the prestige and title of a “classic” the movie has attained over the years, and go to the extent of calling it “mediocre”!?!?!?!
As for Abhishek is more interesting than SHOLAY? ANOTHER BLANKET STATEMENT!!!!!! NOT EVEN THE MOST ARDENT ABHISHEK FAN SATYAM HAS EVER SAID THAT.
GURU IS THE BEST FILM SINCE SHOLAY? ANOTHER BLANKET STATEMENT:-). It’s that time of the day eh….
A.Shah
Comment by Qalandar on 23 July 2007:
FYI: Both Farhan Akhtar and SRK have on multiple occasions referred to Don as a “classic” in their interviews.
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
“Here ABhishek is more interesting an actor than Aamir.. and Guru is the best film since Sholay.”
Once again Street perhaps you’d care to direct us to the statements made in this regard.
Satyam finds Abhishek a more interesting actor than Aamir. But no one else does on this forum the last time I checked. Perhaps with the exception of henry.
On Guru even Satyam likes a number of Rathnam films more than this. LOL!
Comment by Qalandar on 23 July 2007:
Street might be referring to me: I remember once saying that I personally found abhishek a more interesting actor than aamir. I still stand by it.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: No, you’re right…..we’re all wrong. Thanks for opening the worlds eyes on DON’s mediocrity:-) The public for 30+ years in India have been believing a lie, someone better than the hundreds of crores:-)
QURBANI and MR INDIA both have a cult status. Neither are classics IMO. TEZAAB is just a damn entertaining masala flcik nothing more, nothing less. QURBANI is a remake(with a K). TEZAAB is a sequel and so is MR.INDIA.
A.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“As for Abhishek is more interesting than SHOLAY”
wadda fuk are you alking about??
Read back what I actually typed..and yes.. there are people on this forum who have repeatedly said that Abhishek is the most interestinga ctor in Bollywodo today, yes.. more interesting than Aamir.
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
I will repeat one of my favorite statements here — Trishul and Ghulami are the best Hindi films since Sholay and Deewar. At least in the sense of major projects. Otherwise Hrishikesh Mukerjee has made some fine films in this period. Ghulami to my mind is the best Hindi film of the last 30 years.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SRK’s has said DON is a classic over and over and over again.Like I said, the indian public have been believing a lie for the past 30+ years, someone better tell them DON is a mediocre movie!
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
Qalandar: Sorry, I forgot you. That makes it 3 on this forum!
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
Akshay: LOL!!!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
No need to swear please SP. It was a simple error, as for Abhi being more interesting than Aamir, not Abhishek being more interesting than Sholay. A mix-up on my part.
From memory, that was only Q…
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“No, you’re right…..we’re all wrong”
I hate when they do this on NG. Are you serious? Are you telling me you never read one article.. or heard one person on TV.. or anything write-up of the sort that mentioned that Don’s not a clasic?.. man this what happens when the camp business gets extreme on any forum. peopel gang up on onse side and feel they can post whatever the fuk they want and get away with it coz there’ll be others to support them
Comment by satyam on 23 July 2007:
Akshay: You know how this works right? to somehow justify the remake try and take apart the original film.
As Qalandar said the other days there can be a good writeup on Don. Street unfortunately doesn’t know how to do it.
But then Street’s the guy who thinks Bachchan’s stardom at his peak was overrated. This is why the guy’s still relevant at the age of 64 I guess!
I suppose it’s my fault as well. Arguing seriously about this is itself silly!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
And on a forum where the music of GURU can SUCK, where the orignal DON can be called mediocre, someone finding Abhishek a more “interesting” actor than Aamir(NOTE NOT A BETTER ACTOR, BUT MORE INTERESTING) is surely not a far stretch…
Comment by Jesse on 23 July 2007:
The inside/outside NG crap is sooo annoying!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: In my 25 years growing up, I’ve always believed that Chandra Barot’s DON is a classic film. When I say “We all” i’m talking about all the people who’ve told me over the years that DON is a classic(NG has only been up 2 years so IM NOT REFERRING TO NG HERE WHEN I SAY WE ALL)!!!! SO no need to whinge and cry about camps thanks.
Anyways. Im out….next thing I know Shahrukh Khan will be a better actor than Aamir!
A.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“But then Street’s the guy who thinks Bachchan’s stardom at his peak was overrated.”
On NG? yes.. it is over-rated and I have posted enough evidence to support that.
“This is why the guy’s still relevant at the age of 64 I guess!”
Now that doesn’t mean anything. Rajesh khanna was totally irrelevant at 45.. that doesn’t take away anything from his superstardom at 25.. or does it?
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
When BAGHBAN released the media and most people who don’t like Big B for whatever reason said that this will be his last solo hit. Now we have CHEENI KUM…..
A.Shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
A handful of people with hate can’t take away what Amitabh Bachchan was….is..and always will be.AMEN!
A.Shah
Comment by Tango on 23 July 2007:
SP- just one thing. RGV has already gone public( and to a renowed and a journalist who is closest to him Mr. Jha) and said that Shiva & Nishabd were mistakes…..
Comment by Ravi on 23 July 2007:
So, Bachchan is overrated never thought that I will hear it in my lifetime and I guess as they say. Only in NG!!
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“When BAGHBAN released the media and most people who don’t like Big B for whatever reason said that this will be his last solo hit. Now we have CHEENI KUM…..
”
WTF does that have to do with the rest of the discussion? What do you think you are basically doing there? basically mouthing off some unnecessary and unrelated comments.. that would be very “popular” with a certain camp.. and so they can support you in whetever shit you’ve been posting for the past half-an-hour.
It’s how the Bushites mouth “God Bless America” .. or “America is the greatest nation on earth” everytime there’s any kinda debate and they feel they’re losing ground. lol..
Anyways.. I’m outta here. Enjoy ANd post some more of those one-liners. How about
“Amitabh is tha baap of Bollywood”
“Amitabh was a one man industry”
blah blah blah..
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
SP: IF DON(the orignal) is a “mediocre” film because it has a few flaws(which movie doesn’t? heck even RDB, LRM and SHOLAY have a few flaws) then what does that make DON the remake which has a LOT more flaws than the orignal? Nuff said.
A.shah
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Unecessary and unrelated comments? Heck going by some of the outrageous comments in this post ANYTHING goes…
A.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 23 July 2007:
“So, Bachchan is overrated ”
no not at al.. Bachchan is infact very under-rated on NG. And so is his son. and their movies. In fact… the same’s true about IBOS. The IBOS guy hates the Bachchans and gives their movies the lowest opening, totals, verdicts and perhaps the worst commentary ever.
Once again.. I never said “bachchan is over-rated”. that’s an incomplete statement to say the least. A lot can be misinterp[reted when a stateent is cut in half. There’s a big difference between saying
“Bachchan has been horrible the past decade ”
vs
“Bachchan has been horrible the past decade at choosing his movies”
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
If RGV has said NISHABD is a mistake, then it’s a very sad of him to do so. NISHABD is a well meaning failure..we won’t come across such a film too often IMO.
A.Shah
Comment by Tango on 23 July 2007:
Akshayshah check your mail for something important and plz reply rt away. I may be busy today with that BO report.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Blanket statements merged with sarcasm..
A.Shah
Comment by Tango on 23 July 2007:
Yes Akshay I have seen it and it is with me. It was in a discussion about Sarkar 2.
I’ll let you have the exact thing.
Mr. Jha had mailed it to me even before he send it to others, as i had requested him to let me have all breaking info about Sarkaar 2.
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Just replied bade…
Comment by Tango on 23 July 2007:
OMG -LOL
You panick so fast !
replying….
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Just replied again bhai……
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Hahahahaha..Panic over jaanu!:)
Comment by Tango on 23 July 2007:
OK - I think you should monitor ur BP .
Tumhari umar mein to hum Indian roads par apni bike ki max speed test karte the
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
:P:P!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
Kya karen..you know my nature jaanu:)!
Comment by akshay shah on 23 July 2007:
BTW whats the policy on swearing on NG? As we have words like “fuck” and “sonofabitch” being thrown around quiet often by Street, just curious to know if there ever has been a “language” clause personal attacks aside.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Oye! If there were a language clause, then could I cite such dialogues?!
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
I don’t think Don is a classic..why?Would you take Don and Mother Indian in the same vein or Aawara for that matter.Cult yes not classic.I would shudder even mentioning Deewaar in the same phrase as Don..
The problem with Aag is that it is an illegitimate remake ..Don’t believe the homage stuff here.neither SRK’s Don..But Akshay is the ONLy one gung ho about it..I mean AAG is degrading,parodying it Sholay if anything.SRK’s Don never did this…Baban,RGV ki AAg.Of course Sholay is an ABSOLUTE classic ..And people are more sentimental about it than Don.
On Ghulami Satyam i’ll have to recheck it out remember seeing it once or twice…Koi shaq!
Comment by akshay shah on 24 July 2007:
LOL! Point noted Q..thanks.
Kmkm13: The opening will determine whether I’m the only one gung ho or whether others want to see this movie or not.
A.Shah
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
It will open well..But sustaining is another matter all together.Anything is POSSIBLE as far as any country’s BO is concered.But, Akshay you can’t deny RGV is creating much more enemies with it.They will come after his life one day he can’t find funds for his films..God bless him!
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Most people who have worked with Raamu are on opposite side of spectrum. IMO he has already reached saturation point.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
RKS i will never forgive him what he did to SRK..man that’s cheap.Inventing some movie in thin air then lambasting the actor openly in print when it did work out.He is not such a tolerable guy.He seems hell bent to prove everyone’s wrong he is RIGHT.That kind of EGO is not good for any filmaker.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Aparté:If only his movies matched his words!
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
kmkm13: He said Aamir’s Rangeela could have been done by any one! Aamir got mad after that. Then he fought with Manoj Bajpai, Mohit Ahlawat, Urmila, Antara Mali…
Though I liked his Shiva, Rangeela, Raat, Kaun, Satya and Company
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Not only that he went out of his way to say Aamir was embarassed by a newcomer(plays waiter )in a scene.Where Munna takes Mili out for dinner and Munna fan chalao or something.And the waiter says the A.C is on, sir!How sick can you be hogging the limelight of your hero..I really like Satya mindblowing film..Company ,Rangeela also..Raat Kaun..not enough.Have to re-visit Shiva
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
RGV is crazy. The guy gives me the creeps for sure…
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Kaun and Raat are not exactly very good but they were ahead of their time (for Hindi movie) and they need to be viewed in Cinema Hall to appreciate sound with the scenes.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Yeah agreed on that…RKS.Infact the guy is talented but he just has a big mouth and not exactly a smart business man.
Comment by akshay shah on 24 July 2007:
Km: LOL! I think RGV has made all the enemies he can make.
I love almost ALL of his earlier works from SHIVA right through to JUNGLE.
A.Shah
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
kmkm13 “I don’t think Don is a classic”
Where were me and you the past 25 years?
pachhees saal mein koi nahi mila jo Don ko classic na bole, aur Don din mein do mil gaye ek NG hi par.
kmkm13.. What do you think of Guru’s music.. please tell me it’s the best thing happen to Indian music ever.
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Guru Music: First time I listened to it on musicindiaonline.com, I stopped it because it was noisy (ARR grows on you). But slowly from channels I started to like Mayya Mayya then Barso then Tera Bina. I am indifferent towards Bappi da song.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Frankly i expect the world from AR Rahman and i didn’t like Guru’s music.This is the point i was making the other to Zero about AR and Hindi film music.I mean you hear ..Alai Payuthe songs(Saathiya) i frankly don’t think he can give same music to Hindi cinema..Of course then it’s Mani with him..Dil se seems an Ovni to me.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
I find Mayya mayya somewhat listenable.. but that’s about it.
I do admit though, and I ‘ve mentioned it a milion times here, that I don’t listen to much from Hindi music overall. And there’s usually only a dozen or less songs a year that I would put on my “like” list.. forget teh love ones. But still , here, mr.Akshayshah finds this urge to drag my comments about Guru’s music every single time there’s any kinda discussion on any topic.
Maybe I should pull his love for cult clasic like SOAL and Golmaal.
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
“I find Mayya mayya somewhat listenable.. but that’s about it. ”
. But like acting what is listenable is subjective. But in terms of creativity(Sur, taal) it is betteer than other stuff coming out of bollywood by miles.
I think if you give couple of tries you might like it
ps: I know you like punjabi music. I like some songs but all other sounds same to me. Once I went to punjabi wedding, Instead of filmi they were playing punjabi singer songs. I was having trouble sitting there and people were dancing in full form. So I think some sound which might be melliflous to someone might be noise to other.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
oh.. rks I totally understand there. Yes I do love Punjabi music.. and I even though I didn’t really like Guru’s music.. I never tried to force it upon others at any time on this forum. It’s akshay who keeps on bringing back that every single time he disagree with me on any topic. As if that alone is gonna delegitimise any arguments I may have.. he beleives that if someone doesn’t appreciate Guru, he shouldn’t be allowed to have an opinion on any subject whatsoever. wow.. kamaal ka logic hai. And coming from someone who gives more than 7 stars to movies like JD, Golmaal and SOAL.
Honestly.. even those who like Guru, won’t really go over the roofs claiming it’s the best thing out there. why make such a big fuss over one not liking it.
Heck.. I’ll take the worst of RDB, Omkara, KANK, Don and Fanaa over the best of Guru.
man.. I’ll even take Yuva’s music over that of Guru.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
rks.. all in all I can only put together about 15 songs form 2006 that I won’t mind listening to.. and prolly only 4-5 that I actually like.
Love:
RDB - Khalbali
Omkara - Beedi
Fanaa - Mere Haath mein
like:
Gangster - Ya Ali
Omkara - title song
RDB - Title song
KANK - title song
Fanaa - Chand Sifarish
Don - Mein Hoon Don
Don - Aaj Ki Raat
Would listen to:
PHP - hey mere Zohrajabeen
Woh Lamhe - Kya mujhe Pyaar hai
Woh Lamhe - Tum jo nahin
Don - Yeh Mera Dil
Dhoom2 - title song
KANK - Rock n Roll Soniye
..maybe a couple more.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
And yes..I’ll also add the song “Ek Pal Ke liye” from Ankahee
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Nice list SP.
I like most of the songs you have listed.
RDB, KANK (initially I didn’t like it), Omkara, Fanaa except that desh bhakti song and kid song, Gangster (but all the songs are copied), Don (Aaj ki Raat, all other are just listenable), some songs of Dor.
Comment by Ravi on 24 July 2007:
How did this thread ever go from calling the original Don mediocre to calling the songs in the new Don some of the better songs of 2006.
Tangobhai , any comments on Don being called mediocre? I don’t think more 10% of people following movies would call Don mediocre. Just because a few people(like SP and Km at NG) call Don mediocre does not mean it is, what the majority % thinks is what counts.
Now, don’t tell me that the majority og the movie following people call Don mediocre.
Comment by Street Pharmacist on 24 July 2007:
ok.. Ravi.. I admit.. Don is no “mediocre” film.. I actually really like the movie. It’s a pretty godo one.. but it certainly ain’t no classic in my book.
Comment by Ravi on 24 July 2007:
Good for you SP, if you start eliminating profanity from your vocabulary people will star paying more attention to what you write which might be sometimes too one sided but not that bad and makes sense lot of times.
I am ok with it not being a classic in your book because everyone is entitled to their opinion but if you have DDLJ as a classic in your book then I will have a lot lesser opinion about your thoughts.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Ravi that misinformation ,you are doing on me..I NEVER EVER said that ORIGINAL DON is or was a MEDIOCRE film.Never..Read first then react..You think i’m mad…All i said is Don is CULT not Classic.And yes i have a weakness for Old one more..Always had even when noone said it was cult to me..The ORIGINAL scrip is very rich can be varied in multiple ways!
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
..”entitled to their opinion but if you have DDLJ as a classic in your book then I will have a lot lesser opinion about your thoughts…”Sorry to say it to you DDLJ is actually a CLASSIC..it’s one kind of it’s genre!
Comment by Ravi on 24 July 2007:
Km, sorry if I misunderstood buddy, no big deal I appologize that was not intentional. I thought that was what you said. My bad if you did not mean it.
Comment by Ravi on 24 July 2007:
”Sorry to say it to you DDLJ is actually a CLASSIC..it’s one kind of it’s genre!”
That is according to you bud, now I know where you stand and i you feel so good for you , but now I know.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
RAVI clear all doubts you have on DDLJ..I’m all ears.If you have reservations just throw it at me..I’ve seen it well 5 or 6 times not much!I can argue..
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
That is according to you bud, now I know where you stand and i you feel so good for you , but now I know…What do you know!Please enlighten me…
Comment by Ravi on 24 July 2007:
Sorry Km ,some other day will continue this, my 5 year old boy wants me to take him cycling.
FYI, I own the DDLJ dvd and I must have seen it atleasat 7 to 8 times if not more. What SP said about Don , my exact thoughts on DDLJ.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
I’m waiting for you anytime ,anyday..Are you comparing older Don to DDLJ?Huh..It’s one thing to hate SRK but another thing to disown classic status to DDLJ!
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
DDLJ is a bonafide classic in my book no doubt.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Ab Jay kya samjhaye logon ko…
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
I think a classic is something that one defines in terms of what most people think; thus DDLJ is easily a classic by those terms. However, speaking personally, while I enjoy this film a lot I don’t consider it a triumph of Bollywood filmmaking or anything like that, and it would not find a place on my PERSONAL list of Hindi film classics, not alongside Awaara, Shree 420, Jaagte Raho, Sholay, Deewar, Trishul, Ghulami — the film simply lacks that impact for me. i.e. it is a tremendously entertaining film for me, and a triumph of watchability — and no more.
That being said, in its impact on the industry (HAHK’s precedence notwithstanding), and on the imagination of a moviegoing generation (especially the overseas one), it is easily one of the two or three most important Hindi films in two decades.
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Q: Thank You. My classic list is different and I have to think about it
.
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
‘That being said, in its impact on the industry (HAHK’s precedence notwithstanding), and on the imagination of a moviegoing generation (especially the overseas one), it is easily one of the two or three most important Hindi films in two decades.’
Was about to say something to that affect. Both HAHK and DDLJ are very significant movies for the industry, not only because they raked in tons of moolah but the former got the whole cinema thing going again and the latter got the overseas audience on board or at least kick started it. Though I’d say DDLJ is a classic and HAHK not, I rather call HAHK a landmark type film simply because of its phenonemal success and in a sense unprecendented success after such a long time I guess in box office terms.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
RKS: thanks for what?
btw, guess i would also need to think about my classic list; the 5 above would be on it, but there would probably be others too…
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Jayshah: I think the abiding appeal of even a Vivaah shows what the stature of HAHK must be like to so many Indians. Agree that HAHK won’t find many takers on the internet, but millions adore it. i.e. it’s not just a big hit like Raja Hindustani that noone watches any more, HAHK has had a longer shelf life…
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Yep Q what defines a classic film by me it how it’s marks its period how it comments on it..While being influential.When film history will be written DDLJ will surely find a place as well as Lagaan..Of course opinion of majority counts but many many people like DDLJ..Yes in form and content it’s supreme achievement for it’s genre don’t forget it..Many people here loathe love stories!
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Q:My thoughts, Saved me from writing and thinking
I haven’t seen Ghulami but Gulzaar saab song is one of my favourite.
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
‘HAHK has had a longer shelf life…’
Yea I agree with that…thats why its more a significant ‘flag’ or ‘moment’ in cinematic history IMO. Mind you can only speak about the last 20 odd years…I suppose most would throw in Sholay. Lagaan too.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
rks: Ghulami is damn good, not least because of some really grand dialog-baazi, including from Smita Patil…
Gulzar’s song? Do you mean “Zee haal miskeen”?
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
RH shouldn’t be mentioned anyhow, its just a flavour of the month (or at that time flavour of 3 months) type big hit. A bit like D2. It is long forgotten whereas HAHK and DDLJ will still be talked about for years.
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
Many people might think Ardha Satya in classic terms. Though it is very small film and not a significant grosser.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Re: “Many people here loathe love stories!”
I’m not one of them. But I do not like my love stories devoid of drama — hence find it hard to re-visit HAHK; DTPH; KHNH, K3G, etc., these aren’t “real” romances for me (DDLJ did have drama, and Pardes too — have to give Ghai credit he never dispensed with dranatic effect when he was in form). My own favorite love story is QSQT, no question.
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
‘My own favorite love story is QSQT, no question’
Same here…the best one IMO and my best soundtrack period.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
rks: yes, I think ardh satya has a very very legitimate claim to be on the list. Even if it is a small grosser, it influenced and made possible a number of bigger grossers in the years since.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
HAHK is one of it’s kind not many people will like it but i like lovestories as genre.Anyone seen Breaking yhe waves or Baran…I also have a great weakness for film with children as protagonists..Amongst other genres of course!The child in Mother India ..Birju Suniljr is brilliant..
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
“RH shouldn’t be mentioned anyhow, its just a flavour of the month (or at that time flavour of 3 months) type big hit.”
Jay it ran for many weeks. In kanpur till 12-13 week you could not get tickets on weekends. One of my college friend wanted to see it from balcony (higher seats) and always ended up seeing it in first class (seats in front). So he tried 4-5 times before he gave up.
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Re: “…and my best soundtrack period.”
Unglee dee to aap ne haath hi pakarhliya?
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
rks: are you from kanpur, or is that just where you went to college?
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
rks, yea was just an example. Its a big hit of its ‘time’ but not significant in any sense in cinematic history. On QSQT I consider that infinitely more significant than RH ever will be or ever was.
Comment by jayshah on 24 July 2007:
‘Unglee dee to aap ne haath hi pakarhliya? ‘
Translate please..
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
kmkm13: speaking of children in movies, I thought the little girl in Jafar Panahi’s The White Balloon was so affecting…
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Well i like QSQT too but would take SRK kajol DDLJ over Aamir Juhi QSQT anyday.incidentally i’ll take Kadhal(tamil) over QSQT too..
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Jay: better to paraphrase than translate: “Give him an inch and he’ll take a yard”
Comment by Qalandar on 24 July 2007:
Kadhal is a film I hold in very high esteem. Probably on my fav list for Indian films this decade…
Comment by rajen on 24 July 2007:
DDLJ - a classic? Not in my books.
Echo Q’s views here.
Succesful-Yes.Entertaining-Yes.
Claasic-Hell no.Not even classy.
HAHK wins over it by a mile.
SRK’s character was pretty juvenile in first half of DDLJ.Kaajol’s song in skimpy white dress was offensive.Anupam- SRK interactions too OTT.
If this is how Indian youth in Britian behaves…
Second half was much better.
Kaajol song and music largely responsible for its stupensous success.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
OH Q agreed 100 percent..she is brilliant.She was in The Mirror too but i think none beats the blind child in Color of paradise..I just love this film..Very close to it..So affecting..
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
Rajen this is your interpretations i find Anupam SRK’s relationship one of the best in indian cine..Far from stereotypes..
The movies moves from one set of circumstances Europe to indian circumstances brilliantly..
Of the ideology of seeking the parents conscent before mariage is brilliant..Kajol/SRK chemistry oozes on the screen..
Even as a story witness how a simple incident has repercussions after..
Comment by rajen on 24 July 2007:
Second half as said is much better.But thats traditional Indian drama.Its not even my favorite Rahul perormance by SRK.
I may be in minority here .Infact I know I am in minority but my fav Rahul performance is DTPH.SRK was much more sophisticated here.A perfect turn.The scene where he walks away whistling while Madhuri watches from a window epitomises SRK’s unedeniable appeal.Thats the difference between Aditya and Yash Chopra.
Comment by kmkm13 on 24 July 2007:
HAPHK i like too but it’s an overkill..agreed everyone is entitled to his opinion you won’t find many takers on this..
Where DDLJ scores is for being light whilst having form,style and content..Watch the Hogaya song..The interchge of various characters which are seen through Kajol:SRK eyes…And everytime surprises the viewer and the hero heroine..And see how the editing is donewhen kajol returns home..Leaves lugages meets parents then finds SRK waving at the..Editing ,song direction actors perfect!
Comment by rajen on 24 July 2007:
In fact while I found DDLJ mildly entertining it reinforces my long held belief is Bollywood movie watchers on whole are an unsophisticated lot.I am talking about intellectual sophistication .Not superficail appearences.
Comment by rajen on 24 July 2007:
BTW dont want to offend DDLJ lovers.Watched it once and was far from thrilled.May be need to see it again.
Comment by rajen on 24 July 2007:
HAPHK was OTT but it typifies Indian philosophy and values.Sure was unrealistic and sugary sweet but best in its class.
Comment by rks on 24 July 2007:
rks:”Ghulami is damn good, not least because of some really grand dialog-baazi, including from Smita Patil…
Gulzar’s song? Do you mean “Zee haal miskeen”?”
I hope to catch it. Let me check netflix. Yes, I like that song very much. Have you seen Waaris? I remember liking it when I saw (10-15 years back).
I studied in Kanpur for 4