‘Kambakkht Ishq’ across 2000 plus screens worldwide on 3rd July

‘Kambakkht Ishq’ across 2000 plus screens worldwide on 3rd July – opens to good Adv Booking

Gorilla |

149 | July 1, 2009 at 8:35 pm | 271 views | NaachGaana Bol| Share

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‘Kambakkht Ishq’ across 2000 plus screens worldwide

Eros International will release Sajid Nadiadwala’s KAMBAKKHT ISHQ, co-produced by Sunil A. Lulla and directed by Sabbir Khan, on 3rd July across an unprecedented 2000 plus screens worldwide, making it one of the widest releases in recent times. This would include more than 1400 screens in India and over 600 overseas and will be a combination of prints and digital format.

Owing to popular demand, Eros International, Sajid Nadiadwala and the multiplexes have decided to open advance bookings from Sunday, 28th June itself, instead of the usual Wednesday.

‘K.I.’ grosses 100 crores worldwide in opening week

The real math of ‘hit’ film Kambakkht Ishq

Kambakkht Ishq producers total for first weekend (3 days): 30 Crore gross.

Auro to visit over 700 screens worldwide with ‘Paa’ release

Now KAMBAKKHT ISHQ celebrates 50 days

There Are 149 Responses So Far. »

Gorilla 26 June 2009
01:38:04 am

‘Kambakkht Ishq’: Guaranteed paisa-vasool
By Taran Adarsh/indiafm

“I grew up in a middle class environment where going to the theatre to watch a movie was a monthly affair. So it had to be a grand film that we wouldn’t waste our money on. It’s the same case with majority Indian families today. That’s why I’ve made sure I made a universal, paisa-vasool film,” KAMBAKKHT ISHQ director Sabbir Khan makes a valid point.

Everyone’s hoping [and praying] that KAMBAKKHT ISHQ does the trick. How did Sabbir bag this prestigious project? “The sole person responsible for pushing me to this stage is Sajid Nadiadwala. I’m here because of his persistent confidence in me,” Sabbir reveals, adding in the same breath that Sajid noticed the spark in him after he assisted David Dhawan in MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI.

Casting the Hollywood bigwigs must’ve been tough. “It all started when I made a joke and Sajidbhai ended up taking it seriously. He managed to convince the actors and made it possible,” Sabbir says, adding in the same breath, “Working with them [the Hollywood stars] is something I’ll never forget. I’d like to recall a particular incident, while shooting with Stallone. We were shooting at Kodak Theatre and had a crowd of approx. 6,000 people that day. There was so much noise then, but the moment Stallone walked on stage, there was pin-drop silence. Such is the charisma of that man.”

What is Sabbir’s next move? His next movie? “Right now, I just want to take a long vacation and may be, write. My next film will be with Sajidbhai again, which is scheduled to go on floors next year,” he reveals.

Gorilla 26 June 2009
01:42:55 am

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ pair in hot demand! – Abid

http://www.glamsham.com/movies.....060909.asp

Gorilla 26 June 2009
01:45:02 am

Kambakkth Ishq is not like CCTC or SIK – Director

http://movies.rediff.com/slide.....t-ishq.htm

RAJ 26 June 2009
02:14:55 am

Mdboggling print counts if this piece of news is true…

Gorilla 26 June 2009
05:51:10 am

source: http://www.glamsham.com

Ironical as it may sound but its back to square one for Bollywood with Akshay Kumar being looked upon as the saviour of the industry. He was lynched as the villain of the piece with his CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA beginning the slump in as early as January 2009. Now as the second half of the year is round the corner, he is the man of the moment as his KAMBAKKHT ISHQ is being looked at as that much awaited film that would bring the industry out of the dumps.
”You would be foolish to write him off”, declares Anees Bazmee who has delivered two super hits in the form of SINGH IS KINNG and WELCOME with Akshay Kumar, ”Don’t forget that he is the same man who has been the darling of the masses and given so many back to back money spinners over the years. He has achieved so much in life in such a short time period. He cannot be penalized for one CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA throughout his life.”
Lately he has also suffered a setback in the form of Nagesh Kukunoor directed 8X10 TASVEER. However, except for a few people from the industry and a segment of media, the backlash hasn’t been as severe for Akshay as was in the case of CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA.

Comments a trade follower, ”It was in any case different in case of 8X10 TASVEER. The film was never meant to be a blockbuster material to begin with, even though the makers insisted in calling it as THE Akshay Kumar film. Also, a terrible climax was the major reason for the film to flop, not Akshay’s acting. In fact he was the lone saving grace of the film.”

However, after experimenting with an offbeat affair like 8X10 TASVEER, he is back to doing what he does best i.e. entertain audience with his full-on masala act. In KAMBAKKHT ISHQ he plays a Hollywood stuntman and with an international set up that also boasts of the likes of Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh coming together, it cannot get bigger than this.

”This is a film for the masses but with a rich international feel to it that would break the mass v/s class barrier”, says Sajid Nadiadwala, the man behind the multi crore affair, ”We have best of both the worlds in the film with Kareena Kapoor playing a supermodel. Akshay-Kareena combination is the one to watch out for.”

Still, one can’t deny the fact that unlike a CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA or a SINGH IS KINNG or even TASHAN, media as well as the film’s publicists haven’t quite gone overboard in declaring KAMBAKKHT ISHQ as the next BIG movie. Moreover, even though the film is less than a fortnight away from its release, the usual ‘Akshay Kumar frenzy’ is missing.

”Let’s not read too much into it. Akshay is too big a star to be worried about such minor things. And why are we forgetting that he is the same man who in the last 3 years has seen 21 films of his getting released out of which 17 have been hits. He is the most consistent actor, star and a lot more than that. Just because one film of his doesn’t take a kick start as expected, people out there have started making judgments”, says Vipul Shah, Akshay’s friend, director and producer.

Vipul has the final word here as countdown begins for the arrival of KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. ”I can recount 100 such cases when someone has been pulled down so badly. A few months back, it happened to Himesh Reshammiya for KARZZZZ. Earlier, after SAAWARIYA, Sanjay Leela Bhansali was said to be finished. Harman got to hear so much due to LOVE STORY 2050 while after DRONA, Abhishek was written off. This is sheer cynicism at play but mind you, one film cannot make or break anyone. With KAMBAKKHT ISHQ, industry should get the much needed respite.”

”Akshay is a superstar and he is here to stay. Let KAMBAKKHT ISHQ release and we will see it for ourselves”, says Sajid Khan who would soon be beginning shoot with the actor for his second film as a director HOUSEFULL.

Gorilla 26 June 2009
07:12:41 am

Many records are in for a toss if the opening is 90%+ and print count is 2000+. It will be an achievement of sort. Infact it has a lot to do with Akshay and genre. Promotions have been good if not excellent.
It has to be seen if 2009 can be treated as two different halves for Akshay.

Angels and Belds 26 June 2009
08:18:06 am

ha gor…a bhai!

seems to me that between 2 good movies in New York and Love aaj kal – we have some cheese in between with KI. I feel as in all akshay ’so-called’ hits – this one will have a good/great opening and fizzle out before you can say kambakth

Gorilla 26 June 2009
08:25:40 am

@ beld :
Love aajkal is releasing in September, a gap of > 45 days between NY and LAK. So either the cheese is widespread or has some mutton with it.

Gorilla 26 June 2009
08:37:11 am

Looking at the genre, this release strategy was expected and here a good opening means a real big number not only in terms of money but also viewers. Nowadays if a movie is good, then a repeat viewing happens within 10 days as seen in case of welcome, OSO and Ghajini. So with widespread release like this, even with repeat audience and good WOM, 3 weeks run gets home the trophy.
In case of KI, i hope it has enough meat and decent WOM to carry on for three weeks. It is looking like an OSO kind of movie to me with hollywood as the backdrop instead of bollywood.

Gorilla 27 June 2009
12:39:49 pm

Akshay Kumar: Problem with an image is that….
By Jogider Tutega/glamsham.com

Now that KAMBAKKHT ISHQ is round the corner, audiences are looking forward to Akshay Kumar in the act once again. After some buffoonery at show in CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA, Akshay Kumar went through an image change once again in 8X10 TASVEER where he attempted (and succeeded well as well) in giving a serious account of himself. However, with KAMBAKKHT ISHQ he is back to his street-smart ways, something that worked quite well for him in movies like SINGH IS KINNG, TASHAN, BHOOL BHULAIYAA, HEYY BABYY and many more. Guess he is back to carrying on with his most successful image, right?

‘Well, the problem with the image is that people still continue to question you’, says Akshay, ‘When I used to do comedy then people used to say that now that you have been doing so much of it, why don’t you do something else?’ This is why I went ahead and did 8X10 TASVEER. Now when that film is gone, people ask if they can have me in a comedy role again. Can they have more of a WELCOME or a PHIR HERA PHERI? So, it’s a pretty dicey situation because at the end of the day, different people will always have different expectations from you, both when you are following or trying to change an image.’

He continues to stand by Nagesh Kukunoor, the director of 8X10 TASVEER, even if the film didn’t do well at the box office.

‘I think it’s one of the best films that Nagesh made’, says Akshay, ‘We all took a risk with 8X10 TASVEER; sometimes a thing like this works and sometimes it doesn’t. Yes, some people did question the entire double role thing in the end. I understand that it sounded cliched to some but then we still tried to make it look and feel different.’

He is quite sure though that in case of KAMBAKKTH ISHQ, the emphasis has been to tell a holds-no-bar masala story. ‘It is as entertaining as it gets and we have made a simple film that will appeal to the masses. Period’, concludes Akshay.

Gorilla 27 June 2009
09:37:17 pm

Akshay Kumar: Kambaktth Ishq’s style is similar to Mr and Mrs Smith

http://ishare.rediff.com/video.....t-n/639045

Gorilla 29 June 2009
04:50:13 am

Another good news is that KI is getting terrific response in multiplexes via Advance booking. I thought of buying FDFS tickets today but was shocked to hear that it was sold out. Other shows of 1st day (Friday) were 25% booked and it is still Monday, isn’t it?

Som 29 June 2009
05:24:58 am

‘Kambakkht Ishq is important for the industry’

Som 29 June 2009
11:21:37 pm

A ‘kambakkht’ hit!

But the filmmaker, who believes that an out-and-out entertainer made with conviction will always generate euphoria amongst viewers, had the booking office windows thrown open on Sunday itself. The result? Serpentine queues at multiplexes. It was as if the film by Eros International had taken Bollywood back to the 70s and 80s, when fanatical film buffs would excitedly crowd around the ticket window waiting for the counter to open.

A trade analyst called up Nadiadwala within an hour on Sunday of the booking opening, to complain that he couldn’t get tickets… all shows for the entire weekend were sold out at the PVR cinema, Juhu. “That,” chuckled a delighted Nadiadwala whose brand of cinema has mastered the art of catering to popular palates, “was expected.” Perhaps it was, because the hype surrounding this film since the day it was launched has been unprecedented in Bollywood.

Consider what audiences have to look forward to: Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor on screen, both sizzling hot entertainers, and this time kissing as well; Akshay’s stunts and Kareena’s oomph; the God-like presence and action of Hollywood legend Sylvester Stallone; the roles of Brandon ‘Superman’ Routh and former Bond girl Denise Richards (whom also Akshay gets to kiss, lucky man!), the chartbusting music…

Added to this hype was the six-week long wait caused by the producers versus multiplexes strike. And you have audiences thirsting for a real entertainer after this drought-like situation. Nadiadwala, whose earlier releases include hits like Jeet, Judwaa, Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi and Heyy Babyy, has always gone beyond past achievements. “The audience expects this. After all, they too are growing with time and technology. I feel only if we respect our audience’s expectations to be entertained convincingly, can we connect with them completely in the cinema halls.”

And so, Kambakkht Ishq opens on 2,030 screens worldwide this Friday, July 3. That is almost 20 per cent more than the screens that played Ghajini. Trade pundits calculate that even at an average of Rs 5 lakh per cinema collections, the film has the potential to gross more than Rs 100 crores worldwide in its very first week. That’s a kambakkht hit!

Gorilla 29 June 2009
11:35:26 pm

‘Trade pundits calculate that even at an average of Rs 5 lakh per cinema collections, the film has the potential to gross more than Rs 100 crores worldwide in its very first week. That’s a kambakkht hit!’

Is it possible?

Som 29 June 2009
11:39:44 pm

Assuming it is releasing in more cinemas than Ghajini and the percentage occupancy remains in the level as Ghajini, It has the potential to set a new record in India.

Gorilla 29 June 2009
11:43:18 pm

Good thing about KI is that everyone knows that it will be a bad entertainer and even then everyone will watch it.
This was not the case with CCTC where everone’s expectation about the movie was sky high.

CCTC in a way deconstructed the expectations around Akshay’s films without harming Akshay’s equity. This indeed is an interesting phenomena that needs to be understood with open mind.

KI starts as low expectation high demand product. This is the best one can have to achieve supernormal profit.

Angels and Belds 30 June 2009
03:23:42 am

>>CCTC in a way deconstructed the expectations around Akshay’s films without harming Akshay’s equity. This indeed is an interesting phenomena that needs to be understood with open mind.
KI starts as low expectation high demand product. This is the best one can have to achieve supernormal profit.>>

LMAO!

Tu saala economics kahaan se pada re! mere ko bhi vahan jaana hai

Gorilla 30 June 2009
06:11:33 am

@beld:

Economy is going without something you do want in case you should, some day, want something you probably don’t want.

sandy 30 June 2009
06:47:36 am

Kambakkth Ishq will have a bumper opening for sure…the rest will depend on the film. But unless it’s a really awful film, I don’t see it tanking. And the bar will anyway be very low.

Personally, I was always looking forward to this one more than New York, so let’s see.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
06:56:35 am

‘Personally, I was always looking forward to this one more than New York’

It can’t be Akshay…so has to be Kareena. Am I right?

Gorilla 30 June 2009
07:18:30 am

“I want NY, LAK, Kaminey and Kambakkht Ishq to do well” – Akshay Kumar

http://www.bollywoodhungama.co.....index.html

sandy 30 June 2009
07:28:01 am

Tashan ka khunnas abhi tak?

Gorilla 30 June 2009
07:37:09 am

I am humbled. How can I have something like that with you? Can we be friends for KI?

Brian Charles 30 June 2009
08:26:02 am

Som: “Assuming it is releasing in more cinemas than Ghajini and the percentage occupancy remains in the level as Ghajini, It has the potential to set a new record in India.”

which record are you talking about Som, ghajini had 8 day week, so basically it did 64-65 cr there, and also i remember you being skeptical even after 64-65 cr opening that ghajini wont do 100 cr(it was only after 26 cr second week that changed your mind), so how do you think that KI will have more legs than Ghajini to break 115 cr.

All there is left is 53-54 cr 7 day record, which i dont think KI will break, if KI indeed does 50 cr, then Jai ho Akki ki.
(atleast that will keep aamir,srk,hrithik fans mum for few weeks)

Tango 30 June 2009
10:10:44 am

“Kambakkth Ishq will have a bumper opening for sure…the rest will depend on the film. But unless it’s a really awful film, I don’t see it tanking. And the bar will anyway be very low.”

Personally, I am expecting a product that will be like Heyy Babyy (which I did not quite like in the second half). But the thing is hamare yahaan subtle comedy nahi, loud comedy appreciate hoti hai so KI may fare very well.

Tango 30 June 2009
10:21:02 am

Gorilla – “Good thing about KI is that everyone knows that it will be a bad entertainer and even then everyone will watch it.
This was not the case with CCTC where everone’s expectation about the movie was sky high.

CCTC in a way deconstructed the expectations around Akshay’s films without harming Akshay’s equity. This indeed is an interesting phenomena that needs to be understood with open mind.

KI starts as low expectation high demand product. This is the best one can have to achieve supernormal profit.
”

I love your logic here. It is reminescent of the logics of an old friend, no longer here. And after he used to put up such logics, the ‘kamzor in agrezi’ fans used to come up and praise it to the heavens.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:22:03 am

‘ But the thing is hamare yahaan subtle comedy nahi, loud comedy appreciate hoti hai ‘

so true. for subtle comedy you need to have a well researched, watertight script. In the age of fast food junk, it is too much of a task. The best bollywood could do in this regard is to buy concepts from Novels written by Indian authors and then scripting it accordingly. I usually find movies based on novels better in terms of content if nicely presented.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:27:33 am

‘It is reminescent of the logics of an old friend, no longer here.’

Bad thing about a good logic is that initially it makes people laugh. Good thing is that mine is taking the same course. I hope after further introspection, it would be considered worthy to be made NG’s banner or maybe it could get an entry to glamsham news with help from my dear friend.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:32:35 am

Akshay: I’m not a fake action hero

Akshay Kumar seems elated over his new release, Kambakkht Ishq. The film opened in Canada on Wednesday, two days before its India release. The producers have timed its Canada release with Canada Day.

In a telephonic interview from New York, Akshay described Kambakkht Ishq — his first movie with Hollywood stars Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards and Brandon Routh — as ‘a medley of madness.’

“I would say this huge international star cast breaks the norm,” Akshay says. “It has its share of passionate love-hate scenarios, from marriages to divorce to more marriages, to random street fights and rescues.”

Akshay spoke to Ajit Jain about this ‘one heck of an enjoyable film.’

Read more – http://movies.rediff.com/slide.....t-ishq.htm

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:40:38 am

‘Personally, I am expecting a product that will be like Heyy Babyy’

Tango bhai, you have a very high bar. Please lower it.

Tango 30 June 2009
10:44:11 am

Ok I am not even expecting a Singh Is Kinng.

Tango 30 June 2009
10:45:40 am

Bhaiyya koi kuch bhi bole, I rate Bhool Bhulaiyya and Welcome much higher that HB & SIK.

Tango 30 June 2009
10:47:13 am

Ab koi bole ki Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a remake to they should see how they reacted in joy to other South remakes of other stars.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:47:39 am

@Tango: Then you may end up liking KI though your thought process can get bruised. That’s why some doctor(having Canadian degree) told to leave one’s brain behind before entering a theatre to watch KI.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:50:19 am

‘Bhaiyya koi kuch bhi bole, I rate Bhool Bhulaiyya and Welcome much higher that HB & SIK’

agree.

‘Ab koi bole ki Bhool Bhulaiyaa was a remake to they should see how they reacted in joy to other South remakes of other stars.’

LOL
It has now become a hep thing on NG if a movie is found to be a South remake.

Tango 30 June 2009
10:51:29 am

I may enjoy it because I know exactly what it is going to be.
As I told Doga at SB I laughed in Welcome and cried in TZP. I dont look for logic in a masala entertainer, unlike some who have “taste only for good movies”

Sab se badi problem with KI Kareena ko jhelna padega

Gorilla 30 June 2009
10:53:25 am

‘Sab se badi problem with KI Kareena ko jhelna padega’

ditto here!

Tango 30 June 2009
10:56:15 am

Yeah I just wish it was Katrina, Lara or Priyanka.

Ppl in Bombay just dont realise that Kareena has zero fan following. Na woh mass ki heroine hai na class ki.

Her sis Karisma was a huge mass heroine.

neelu 30 June 2009
10:59:58 am

In films like KI how can she be a class heroine? Can anyone? But see her in Dev, Omkara, Refugee etc. for class! Why they keep taking her in films that are more suited to Katrina I do not know.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:02:53 am

‘Na woh mass ki heroine hai na class ki.’

I do not know why this case is with Kareena. Infact i know many like her because she is a Kapoor or Karishma’s sis or was projected once upon a time as the next best thing in Bollywood.
She lost he way few years after her debut and now after Shahid’s breakup, she lost novelty whatsoever.

On the other hand, Priyanka’s graph has sored higher and higher with each passing year. In a way i feel it was good for her that she delinked herself from Akki. She got what she needed from him – Hits, to establish herself. Basking on that glory, she got few good projects later on and now I consider he amongst the best.

Katrina, as I already said, is the Art of Living. I just adore her. She seems fairly intelligent and well balanced as well in her interviews.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:03:28 am

Neelu- Kareena was great in Refugee, Mujhe Kuch Kehna Hai, Jab We Met and Dev (my choice) but somehow she just cannot connect with the audience.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:03:53 am

And also Aitraaz.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:05:24 am

Tango – who made JWM a big hit? I would say it was Kareena, so what is the evidence that she cannot connect with the audience?

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:07:40 am

‘But see her in Dev, Omkara, Refugee etc. for class! ‘

I disagree. She was ordinary not only in looks but overall. Yes she was better than what she is in other films but that’s it. She lacks the aura.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:09:19 am

JWM will remain as Jab Kareena was good! Her sole good and admirable role.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:09:26 am

Neelu ji aap se debate mein meri hi haar hogi

Toi main pehle hi haar man leta hoon.

On a serious note, I have seen her movies across many cities and the buzz and anticipation that a star cretes with his/her first appearance on screen is just not there. That is why I said “she just cannot connect with the audience.”

neelu 30 June 2009
11:10:26 am

Kareena in Dev and Omkara was the perfect blend of looks and nuanced acting. But that may be me, I cannot stand her, or any heroine for that matter, in films like KI

rks 30 June 2009
11:11:19 am

atleast we are talking/fighting/arguing about heroines

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:13:36 am

even in JWM, Kareena was found wanting in some of the scenes. She overacted in scenes which required her to be little less sobre or little less happy. But that’s me. I cannot stand her in movies like Ashoka. She was an utter chaos in a highly chaotic film.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:14:06 am

Go Kareena, lambi race ki ghodi!!!!!

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:17:04 am

“Kareena, lambi race ki ghodi!!!!!”

Kareena – Art of neighing!

neelu 30 June 2009
11:17:54 am

No – that would be Katrina – art of Nay to acting!

Tango 30 June 2009
11:17:58 am

“Go Kareena, lambi race ki ghodi!!!!!”

Yeah go Kareena , agar girana ho to 3 Idiots girana KI nahi

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:19:00 am

‘Yeah go Kareena , agar girana ho to 3 Idiots girana KI nahi ‘

neelu 30 June 2009
11:19:06 am

Hahaha Tango – udhar SB mein Michiseth roz roz yahi dua karte hain.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:19:57 am

BTW- Idhar Delhi mein bhi monsoon ne dastak de di (typical Aaj Tak headline!).

It was unbearable.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:20:24 am

Neeluji, Katrina bhabhi ke baare mein gande vichaar naa rakhein. She is an art form of living tastefully.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:21:28 am

Bye for now all.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:21:32 am

‘Idhar Delhi mein bhi monsoon ne dastak de di (typical Aaj Tak headline!).’

Wasn’t Katrina in Delhi last week to bring relief?

ritz 30 June 2009
11:21:48 am

I did not wanted to come in this party, but unnecessary attack on Kareena prompted me to do so.
She is one of the very few actresses of current generation who can act decently. Call it overacting or whatever but comparing her to someone like Priyanka is height. Priyanka always looks/laughs/acts fake IMO.
Gorilla/Tango if you dont like her its okay. But do not go on claiming that ppl dont like her or she is only there as she is a Kapoor etc.
LOL rks

neelu 30 June 2009
11:22:04 am

Katrina should start living tastefully and stop trying to pretend that she can act. She is a good decoration piece in all her films, so why not just put a Kat doll in her place?

rks 30 June 2009
11:22:13 am

Mirchiseth bole to Akhilendra Mishra

On topic, I feel Kareena has more say in her roles than most of her contemporaries.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:26:18 am

For once I can agree with Ritz. Priyanka can rarely act – she can look good, and if the role requires that plus some minimal acting then she does a better job than Katrina. But she is in no way shape or form an actress. Lara might be considered an actress as she can make something of a role sometimes. Kat is a mere place holder and a pretty one. In fact if we go down the list the number of ladies who can really act is woefully small. Come back Madhuri!!!!!

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:26:54 am

‘On topic, I feel Kareena has more say in her roles than most of her contemporaries.’

Not anymore. Priyanka has zoomed ahead now. Aish is also ahead(but doind one film at a time can help, so leave her out from current discussion).

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:30:44 am

Katrina is in a league of her own. She enjoys tremendous following. Her acting may look inefficient due to her accent but she makes it up with her stunning face and lovely smile. She was wonderful in Namaste London and SIK. In current times, when half the films are being made on NRIs, she fits the bill. As a desi girl, she again can be a dream for many desis.

Tango 30 June 2009
11:32:22 am

Ritz “But do not go on claiming that ppl dont like her or she is only there as she is a Kapoor etc.”

Shahid used to like her and now Saif likes her, so it makes two well known ppl who like her. Ab Laddakh mein kya hua I cannot say (I mean cannot say if she impressed Amir or not) but yes Saif rushed their last year on hearing that she was all alone with Amir

neelu 30 June 2009
11:33:26 am

Simple fact is that Kareena has been the choice of directors all the way from Govind Nihalani to Vishal Bharadwaj to Santosh Sivan. Even the now shelved (for various reasons of ownership of storyline) Lajjo was a unique film and offered to Kareena. Priyanka has a chance now in Kaminey – let us see. But Kareena is still far head of Priiyanka and neck and neck with Aishwarys in the price and clout she has.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:35:08 am

As for Katrina – how many times can I say she is good decorative piece? But why are we discussing her among actresses? Looking good and having a sweet smile is NOT acting.

Som 30 June 2009
11:38:08 am

Can’t believe Deepika has been left out of the discussion.She is turning out be a great actress. I won’t be surprised if she is the next Madhuri Dixit.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:39:33 am

‘Even the now shelved (for various reasons of ownership of storyline) Lajjo was a unique film and offered to Kareena’

So what. The role would have been a typical pooh types.
The main point is she has hardly been successful Till date she boasts of two proper hits only. The reason is obvious. As far as comparision with Priyanka goes, Kaminey will show who is smarter and better? This will be followed by What’s your rashee.

and talking about directors, Priyanka has her hands full – Ashutosh gowariker, Farhaan Akhtar, Rakesh Roshan, Vishal Bhardwaj(I am deliberately not mentioning Akki’s directors). Can Kareena beat this?

rks 30 June 2009
11:40:48 am

lol Som. and you fight with people over Newyork

neelu 30 June 2009
11:40:57 am

Well – she is a better actress than Katrina and Priyanka that is for sure. I do not know if she is better than Kareena – I need more data points. Her acing in BAH was sub-par in some parts.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:41:45 am

I think in every department – No of hits, good projects, quality directors, intelligence, etc Priyanka wins hands down over Kareena.

In fact Deepika is also ahead of her (Thanks Som of mentioning her with a gorgeous pic). phew.!

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:43:17 am

‘ she is a better actress than Katrina and Priyanka that is for sure’

Prejudice….????
Expert……????
Opinion….???

Please clarify which one is yours.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:43:40 am

Lajjo was a Poo type role? ROFL! I think you are mistakenly confused with De Dhana Dhan!

Kareena can and has beaten that – because just Nihalani tops all those other directors, and she has acted in a Vishal film and got the Jury award for best actress. Is Rakesh Roshan that prized?

ritz 30 June 2009
11:44:41 am

I have nothing against Akshay …but Gorilla..between you and me. I can bet KI wont do more than 55-60 Cr in its full run. Lagi shart?

neelu 30 June 2009
11:44:46 am

Gorilla – it is the same one as yours! So you know the answer.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:46:16 am

‘Lajjo was a Poo type role? ROFL! I think you are mistakenly confused with De Dhana Dhan!’

Ohh dear dear…so you know the script and Kareena’s role. please enlighten us.

‘Is Rakesh Roshan that prized?’

Ofcourse.

rks 30 June 2009
11:48:44 am

Taking cue from Som

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:48:46 am

The problem with Kareena are manyfold-

1. Her image
2. Her overact
3. Her underact
4. Her act
5. Her movies like Ashoka
6. Her lack of luck

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:51:19 am

‘. I can bet KI wont do more than 55-60 Cr in its full run. Lagi shart?’

ritz, I can bet…but after remembering Kareena’s past debacles and that she is in KI….give me sometime to take your bet. I am losing confi in KI now. May end up at your side.

ritz 30 June 2009
11:52:12 am

RKS .. did not expect that from you.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:54:16 am

Lajjo was based on an Ismat Chugtai novel – so of course I know what it was all about, why is that so mysterious?

As for Kareena or any other actress, I’d rather discuss their acting ability and not their sweet smile or good luck charm value. But I can understand other opinions that might be 180 degrees from my stance.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:54:27 am

RKS, what’s his name?

rks 30 June 2009
11:55:00 am

“ritz, I can bet”

Whoever loses, would be fan of other’s star for a week (Need to post thread and eulogize with atleast 5 comments daily)?

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:57:06 am

‘As for Kareena or any other actress, I’d rather discuss their acting ability ‘

The prblem with this discussion is that these are inconclusive. Even Ashuthosh gowarikwer and Jaya Bachchan did not agree with the jury’s decision on acting. No one can give perfect judgement. So discussion on acting is difficult to conclude (unless you are there 4 hours later to post the final comment)

neelu 30 June 2009
11:57:48 am

My problems with Katrina and Priyanka can well follow your list:

1. Their focus on looks
2. Their smile – FAKE
3. Their inability to act
4. Their fake laugh
5. Forget about acting, overacting or underacting – there is NO ACTING!!!!!

ritz 30 June 2009
11:57:56 am

Hahaha RKS. I don’t mind doing that for Akshay but I fear it should not be Priyanka or Kat!!

Gorilla 30 June 2009
11:58:01 am

‘Lajjo was based on an Ismat Chugtai novel ‘

Ohh…no wonder it was shelved. Aamir was fine but Kareena was a huge misfit.

neelu 30 June 2009
11:59:14 am

Ashutosh was defending his heroine and Jaya aunty her daughter-in-law. My last name is NOT Kapoor and I am NOT in the movie making business

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:00:06 pm

Neelu as your favourite actor said – Men are from Mars while Women are from heaven.

Katrina fits the bill. She lookes heavenly. Kareena gets lost in the space (neither a martian nor an angel).

neelu 30 June 2009
12:00:19 pm

It was shelved due to Aamir – Mani had problems there due to difference in workign style and “interference” issues, and no problems with Kareena.

ritz 30 June 2009
12:01:55 pm

Neelu, it was shelved due to Mani’s differences with the producer.

neelu 30 June 2009
12:02:00 pm

Like I said – “heavenly” looks are not critical to evaluating the ability of an actress. And I see enough caucasian looking women to find nothing remarkable in Katrina. Now if we discuss the looks of Madhuri or Deepika…….

neelu 30 June 2009
12:04:09 pm

Ritz – it was due to Aanmir’s working style and it not jiving with the producer and others. Here is an excerpt. And I am sad the film will not be made, I was looking forward to it.

“According to an insider on the project, “Bobby Bedi was aware that bringing two hot-headed personalities together would be difficult. He had spoken to them separately about the possibility of creative differences and requested each one of them to be mutually respectful of each other’s responsibilities.”

Obstacles begin
So far, so good. Problems started with Mani Ratnam paying more attention to Guru. And Lajjo, which was supposed to go on the floors last October, had to be postponed to this year.

Since the film is set in Rajasthan, Bedi and Ratnam wanted to shoot the entire film around winter in a non-stop schedule. The shoot was expected to begin in mid-October this year. It is learnt that the screenplay was ready but Ratnam was not willing to get it scanned by the usually nitpicking Aamir Khan.

And obviously, Khan wouldn’t go further unless he was shown the screenplay.

Another problem: Mani Ratnam needed a dialogue writer because he is not well-versed in Hindi.

“Mani sir wanted someone absolutely fluent in Urdu since Lajjo is a period love story. He zeroed in on Gulzar saab. But Gulzar saab made it clear that he would not brook any kind of interference. Even if Mani sir had convinced Gulzar saab, Bedi was worried that he would end up handling three diverse temperaments,” says a source.”

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:04:27 pm

‘My last name is NOT Kapoor and I am NOT in the movie making business ‘

I am happy for you! But let’s agree to disagree. My taste for heroines is not purely technical. There are many nuances involved. It is difficult to explain but i hope you can understand. Katrina, Deepika and Priyanka has the oomph factor while Kareena has the ooofff factor!

Tango 30 June 2009
12:04:36 pm

Chalo yaar log khatam karo.

Mere ek comment par itni debate ho gai?

Neelu- Yeah you are right Lajjo was not shelved due to Kareena but due to “creative differences betweem Amir & Mani”

Official line was as above.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:06:28 pm

‘And I see enough caucasian looking women to find nothing remarkable in Katrina’

Women thou name is jealousy!

sv 30 June 2009
12:06:31 pm

KI will be big but it won’t be as big as ghajini.
Priyanka has two films last year Love story 2050,Drona which did not make any money.And fashion is Mediocre film.Priyanka’s acting is also not that great.

Kareena has improved over last two years and is doing well.

Som 30 June 2009
12:06:54 pm

On a serious note, I like Kareena as an actor and find her better than her contemporaries.She might be hamming in majority of films but she has been wonderful in few films like Omkara,Dev,Refugee,few parts in Chameli,bringing the desired level of depth,understanding and nuance to the characters.The problem with her is that she has somehow failed to realize her own potential as an actor and has got stuck in her attempt to be a “star” first then “actor”.No wonder she has been part of some terrible films in the past.

Priyanka on the other hand is perhaps not as good as Kareena (the latter arguably has got a better screen presence, certain level of infectious energy and comes across as more spontaneous) but slowly and steadily improving with each film and that is a good sign of an actor.

As far as Katrina is concerned she is just a non-actor.She can’t act. Period!

neelu 30 June 2009
12:07:41 pm

I remember following Lajjo news closely. The storyline was most unique. Instead Mani got caught in the parivaar.

ritz 30 June 2009
12:08:28 pm

Neelu,…probably we hit Aparna’s Blog at same time. LOL
This is going insane now..X vs Y vs Z vs A vs B.

Lets come to the point.
Gorilla, Are you game ?

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:08:29 pm

‘Lajjo was not shelved due to Kareena but due to “creative differences betweem Amir & Mani”

It was not economically viable and Kareena was one factor that I assume has to be there. But I hope she does good for herself in 3idiots.

neelu 30 June 2009
12:09:44 pm

Som – your analysis is spot on on these ladies. If I have to be branded a jealous woman, can I be lealous over Deepika’s legs and her phenomenal screen presence? A washed out half-white woman pretending to be desi is not my cup of tea.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:10:26 pm

‘Gorilla, Are you game ?’

No. I am with you.

neelu 30 June 2009
12:11:45 pm

*jealous – mods can you edit please? If I am accused of something let me at least spell it right.

Ritz – my excerpt was from from HT – not some blog. And Tango confirms it.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:12:31 pm

I think what Tango and I were suggesting were the Stardom.
On acting I have already clarified. I do not know why ppl flip flop while discussing important issues like Kareena Vs Priyanka Vs Katrina.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:13:57 pm

As I said acting is difficult to judge esp when the topic has two bad actors – Priyanka and Kareena.

neelu 30 June 2009
12:14:19 pm

I think I have clarified on acting too, or non-acting, as the case may be – but please feel free to have the last word.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:14:54 pm

But of the two, Priyanka leads.
In stardom, Katrina and Priyanka have zoomed ahead.

ritz 30 June 2009
12:15:27 pm

“No. I am with you.”

Dhat teri ki.
Then whats the point!?!. I am going to sleep now.
Take care.

neelu 30 June 2009
12:15:34 pm

I think it is confusing – you can ask the mods to do the edit – to Katrina there

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:19:34 pm

well let’s put it this way-

Kareena lags behind Priyanka in acting.
Kareena lags behind Katrina, Priyanka in stardom.

ritz,

let me take your bet.

Angels and Belds 30 June 2009
12:32:18 pm

look at differently gor…a bhai

kareena ditched shahid for saif. priyanka ditched harman for shahid. therefore kareena > priyanka

kareena managed a size zero figure. katrina could only manage a zero intellect boyfriend. so kareena > katrina

so the winner is obviously kareena!

sv 30 June 2009
12:34:56 pm

Gorilla, lets not talk about kareena,priyanka now.Ritz,KI will gross huge.KI will make kareena a bigger star anyway.

Gorilla 30 June 2009
12:44:01 pm

LOL Beld

Neelu, I would have agreed with you on Priyanka last year same month. But Priyanka really surprised me with Dostana and Fashion. I thought these two film raised her graph for me.

rks 30 June 2009
01:40:32 pm

I want to work with Rakesh Roshan and Rajkumar Santoshi – Kareena Kapoor

Akshay-Kareena KAMBAKKHT ISHQ Sold Out!!

Kat’s got the cream

Brian Charles 30 June 2009
04:14:07 pm

Som,looks like you are badly addicted to Deepika.(Next Madhuri)

And Tango bhai, i am Doga of SB itself.

RAJ 30 June 2009
10:29:26 pm

Guys…Do you really look for “”acting”" when you watch an actress..

A non actress like Katrina is a Viewrs delight than kareena anyday…

Kareena is plain irritating…She is the only reason i ‘ll skip KI…

sandy 30 June 2009
10:57:21 pm

I like Katrina’s casual charm and for whatever little Bollywood expects out of its heroines, she fits the bill.

But sorry, she’s not in the league of Kareena. Bebo maybe slightly over-the-top or whatever but she CAN act. Given a good director, Kareena can easily tower over her contemporaries. Whether expressions or dialogue delivery, I think she’s so much better than fakes like Priyanka.

And no, I don’t buy that Kareena has no mass or class appeal. I say she has both and loades of it.
It’s just that she makes a whole lot of stupid choices, which is why she has such few hits to her credit. Okay, so she has
3 idiots coming, but that looks more of a guy flick. Problem is, Kareena isn’t half as focused as her sister was.

RAJ 30 June 2009
11:10:46 pm

Sandy,

Kareena might be an better actress compared all those non-actresses you mentioned, but to say she has a mass appeal is plain overestimation….Today Katrina and deepika have more mass appeal than Kareena any day..

The problem is ..In India no body purchases a ticket to watch an actress act…(And kareena is definitely not in the league of Madhuri,sridevi or kajol)gone are the days when a Madhuri or sridevi could entice the audience to the theatres…Today if anybody can attract the audience then its Katrina (It is because of her looks)…not Kareena for sure. Infact kareena is a big repellent…

Anna 30 June 2009
11:36:17 pm

Kareena reminds me of Meenakshi Seshadri…. they ham even while dancing or posing for stills…Liked Kareena’s performance in Refugee, Dev & Fida and prefer her over Katrina or Priyanka

Gorilla 1 July 2009
12:25:08 am

‘Kambakkht Ishq’ first exclusive screening held last night
Taran Adarsh/indiafm
The first screening of the much-awaited biggie KAMBAKKHT ISHQ was held last night [30th June] at Adlabs, Film City. It was an exclusive screening, with the cast and crew of the film watching it for the first time. Present on the occasion were Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan [who arrived with his kids], Babita Kapoor, Dinesh Vijan [Saif's producer-partner in LOVE AAJ KAL], Viki Rajani of Eros and those associated with the film. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala and his wife Wardha played perfect hosts.
Meanwhile, lead man Akshay Kumar flew from London last night and is expected to watch the film tonight.

Som 1 July 2009
01:51:32 am

All Eyes On Kambakkht Ishq

The industry and trade eagerly await the release of Kambakkht Ishq which is the first real big release (1000 cinemas plus) since the release of Chandni Chowk To China.

The super success of New York released last week has really lifted spirits and now Kambakkht Ishq is expected to add to that success. Some multiplexes had opened advance plans early on Sunday and the results were fantastic but this could be as it was opened on very limited multiplexes. The all India multiplex advance plans will open on Wednesday morning hopefully to a similar response.

The film is expected to take a big start but the question is how big will it be. The biggest weekend openings in India till date have been Ghajini (4 days plus Paid Previews) at 39 crore nett, Singh Is Kinng (3 days plus Paid Previews) at 26 crore nett and Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (3 days) at 25 crore nett.

sandy 1 July 2009
01:52:03 am

I disagree Raj. Nothing against Katrina. She’s very easy on the eyes and hard to dislike. But c’mon, is she even an actress? These things catch up after some time.

As for Kareena not being massy enough, well, that’s a good joke.
To be honest, she’s the only actress with authentic chawanni appeal. I think she brings a certain 90s spirit to her act– having closely followed that school of cinema — and that fits well with movies having pan India appeal.

And to her credit, she pulls off more classy fares like Omkara, JWB and Dev with equal elan.

Trashy charm or classy charm, she has it both.

Aditya 1 July 2009
04:08:41 am

kareena kapoor is indeed a talented actress but definitely overrated. she has moments of absolute brilliance(for instance “dev” and “omkara”) but i find many of her performances mannered.

katrina kaif is great to look at and has that huge likeability factor going for her, but she’s in essence a superficial actress.

pitifully, REAL actresses in bollywood are few and far between. the ones i can think of that are currently working are tabu, konkona sen sharma, and to a lesser extent, gul panag. that’s just about it!

Gorilla 1 July 2009
04:54:17 am

Sylvester Stallone and Akshay Kumar in an interview with Sajid Khan share their experience of working in their upcoming film ‘Kambakkht Ishq’. Sylvester Stallone also shares some secret about his fitness mantra, stunts and lots more. Must Watch!

http://www.bollywoodhungama.co.....-Ishq.html

Gorilla 1 July 2009
07:07:56 am

‘Kambakkht Ishq’ is the remake of Kamal Haassan’s 2002 Tamil hit ‘Pammal K. Sambandam’.

http://in.news.yahoo.com/43/20.....e-for.html

Gorilla 1 July 2009
07:25:52 am

BOI: You Asked It

Q. How important is Kambakkht Ishq to Akshay Kumar’s career after two back to back flops?
A. Every film is important but its not that his career is depending on it. If its a hit it will good for him but even if it flops it he will still be a huge star just the remuration will have to be lower from today’s record values.

Q. Do you think that with Hollywood stars like in Sylvester Stallone being in Kambakkht Ishq will help the film more?

A. Not really as its all really for media hype. The film depends on star power of Akshay and Kareena and then the content of the film.

Q. Will New York be an outright hit as Kambakkht Ishq will release next week and and will take up most of the screens?

A. Its almost certain New York will be hit at worst because even with Kambakkht Ishq releasing it will still get enough screens to have healthy second week.

ritz 1 July 2009
08:14:08 am

Gorilla – it cant be a remake of PKS. But it might have borrowed some ideas from it.

Som 1 July 2009
10:50:38 am

Kambakkht Ishq Dialogue Promo

ritz 1 July 2009
11:15:10 am

Hmm….after seeing this promo I can tell this is a lift from Kamal’s PKS.

ritz 1 July 2009
11:33:33 am

The only thing different in KI (w.r.t PKS) might be
1) Foreign locations 2) Loud acting/shouting etc by all in the name of comedy.

Som 1 July 2009
08:57:48 pm

Gorilla 1 July 2009
09:52:40 pm

‘Gorilla – it cant be a remake of PKS’

Well Sajid Nadiadwala had bought the right to remake Kamal’s PKS in Hindi with Akshay long time back, so the plot has to be same. And Yes, as you said, the production value, loud comical one liners by Akshay instead of loud Mudaliyaar lingo used by Kamal and Hollywood glitz will be the difference. Don’t think anything wrong in it as KI is for a far wider audience. Akki’s presence have done the trick of getting the biggest release in Bollywood, good advance booking and maybe terrific weekend collection. Subsequently it depends on the merit of the film and thereafter again on the star power of the lead cast.

Gorilla 1 July 2009
10:01:59 pm

Thanks Som for the last video link.
Akki at his best. He looks so cool and at ease when conversing in mother tongue. Atleast he is not the sort of guy who will have a handherchief and complain of getting lung cancer while walking on the streets of Delhi. No matter where he reaches, he in some way always seem to connect with common man. No wonder that he is still at the top of his game and commanding one of the highest fees. Same can be said about SRK amd Aamir. Common thing among all the three – They are rooted to ground more than others. That’s the reason why the likes of Saif, Abhishek and to some extent Hrithik have not been able to do justice to their talent which imo is amongst the best if not better.

Gorilla 1 July 2009
10:25:39 pm

Akshay’s Ayurveda impresses Sly
-The times of India

An old practitioner of the Indian art of natural healing, Akshay never takes any kind of de-stresser or stress-buster, not even tea or coffee.
Akshay says, “To this day I don’t drink, not even tea or coffee. I go home straight from work and sleep early. While shooting for Kambakkht Ishq, Stallone and I got down to discussing my passion for Ayurveda. I never knew he would get so hooked on to it.”
He even provided Stallone with the name of his favourite Ayurvedic doctor. Says Akshay, “I play Sylvester Stallone’s double, but I’ve just 2-3 major action scenes. But I got to spend hours with Stallone in LA. And that’s when we got talking, not boring stuff about our movies, please! Guess what we exchanged notes on? Broken bones! He told me about his problems with his knees. I told him about my back problem and the Ayurvedic treatment for my back. He got really interested in Ayurvedic treatment and wanted all the details.”
Interestingly, Akshay has never resorted to allopathic treatment for any ailment. “I never pop pills for any ailment, I never run to the medicine cabinet when I get bruised or cut. I completely believe in natural healing. And that goes for the body as much as the mind.”
Stallone, in fact, wondered why he hadn’t been told about Ayurveda earlier. He apparently intends to tell his other Hollywood colleagues to embrace Ayurveda.
But Akshay didn’t give away all his tricks. “I didn’t tell him the secret of my youth. Chyawanprash. Some things are much too sacred to be shared,” Akshay joked.
• Sly apparently intends to tell his other Hollywood colleagues to embrace Ayurveda

Angels and Belds 1 July 2009
10:32:21 pm

>>Common thing among all the three – They are rooted to ground more than others

Easy to explain with Cheese – it sticks to the ground. As far as midget khan – a) his height will not allow him to stand tall b) uske liye tho taare zameen par hai

That leaves SRK – the tallest star of them all. Sirf ek Don hai – baaki sab chele hain
btw Gorilla – i am totally enjoying ur comments – u have never been funnier

ritz 1 July 2009
10:48:51 pm

Thanks Gorilla for the info. Good to know that they have got the rights for remake.

Gorilla 1 July 2009
10:55:43 pm

Don Saaheb ko pakarna ab aasaan ho gaya hai. Sirf $250 mein.

‘Easy to explain with Cheese – it sticks to the ground. As far as midget khan – a) his height will not allow him to stand tall b) uske liye tho taare zameen par hai’

For SRK – Uske paon ke neeche Jannat hai to grounded rahegaa hi. Waise bhi KKR aur Billu ne jannat aur zameen, dono ki sair karwaa di hai.

RAJ 2 July 2009
12:37:28 am

Sandy,

“”As for Kareena not being massy enough, well, that’s a good joke.”"

Lets release a solo kareena movie and Katrina movie on a single day..We’ll know who has the mass appeal..

Disclamier:: I am here not at all debating about their respective acting capabilities…Its about mass appeal and i am sure Katrina is heads and shoulders above Kareena..Now this is not a joke…Ask any college going kid..

RAJ 2 July 2009
12:39:22 am

What an interesting thread..Out of 140 odd messages posted here more that 50 Pct are of Gorillas..Now here is a true fan of “Akshay”

Gorilla 2 July 2009
12:53:11 am

LOL Raj!

I will put it as this way. If I start a thread, I make sure I take the discussion forward (in both directions )
But do you really what NG to be bombarded with different KI posts. Well I am technically capable of doing that but morally feel otherwise. I am sticking to this post for any news/video of KI. So is Som, Tango and others.

ritz 2 July 2009
01:14:50 am

“I am sticking to this post for any news/video of KI.”
Hi Gorilla..the news is its a flop.

Gorilla 2 July 2009
01:17:52 am

‘the news is its a flop’

Koi baat nahin bandhu. Akshay doesn’t do one film an year. Yeh nahin koi aur sahi.

BTW, KI has the merit to flop. Cheese + size zero + huge anti-Akshay aunty base.

Som 2 July 2009
07:38:49 am

Variety on Kambakkht ishq

LINK

Bollywood meets Hollywood — or rather, invades it — in “Kambakkht ishq,” a bold, brash, singing-and-dancing romantic comedy set on Paramount’s soundstages and Universal’s backlots. Featuring two of India’s biggest stars, Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, with key secondary roles filled by Yanks Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards (playing themselves), pic revolves around a classic, no-holds-barred, love/hate match between a male-chauvinist stuntman and a man-hating model-cum-doctor. Targeting the diaspora and beyond, this entertaining if somewhat uneven romp reps a strong contender in Bollywood’s ongoing quest to go global, opening July 3 at more than 2,000 theaters worldwide.

Viraj (Kumar) and Sim (Kapoor) first face off in church, each racing in dramatically and failing to stop the marriage of their younger siblings, Viraj’s brother Lucky (Aftab Shivdasani) and Sim’s sister Kamini (Amrita Arora). At the wedding reception that follows, battle lines are drawn between the sexes in a dazzlingly choreographed number that ends in a farcical brawl.

Indeed, all the musical numbers, from the garbage can-wielding motorcyclists on the quays of Venice to the multiple brides caught in the throes of a male nightmare, percolate with style and vigor, with none of the garish busyness or google-eyes that afflict some Bollywood romantic comedies.

Surprisingly, pic works best when fully immersed in the films-within-a-film context of Hollywood moviemaking. Kumar’s martial-arts expertise (he performs his own stunts) pays off big time in a string of impressive, full-blown action sequences. These setpieces are sometimes played straight, while others pile disaster upon disaster in perfectly executed overkill. The interactions between Viraj and real Hollywood actors like Brandon Routh (“Superman Returns”), or Stallone at a formal Taurus Stuntman of the Year award ceremony, feel totally authentic; Viraj’s long-standing, flirtatious friendship with Richards likewise rings true.

If Viraj’s stuntman skills serve to balance out his otherwise unfeeling macho image, Sim’s oddball double career as supermodel and surgeon does little to offset her character’s ball-breaking bitterness. Initially, a modeling job in Venice enables sexy motorcycle rides and athletic musical confrontations with Viraj. But instead of sticking to the fashion world (Kapoor is always gloriously outfitted), the filmmakers insist on placing her in medical settings, presenting hospital rounds as a series of tired running gags. (Admittedly, the setup allows for a good extended joke involving a surgical mishap.)

Tyro helmer Sabbir Khan adroitly maintains high energy through most of the lengthy running time, ably assisted by lenser Vikas Sivaraman and a slew of gifted action directors, choreographers, dancers and musicians. Pic drags noticeably around the two-hour mark, during a recap of previous scenes edited in an interminable musical montage, but then rebounds with an ultimately hilarious, over-the-top bit in which Stallone is allowed to administer the coup de grace.

Som 2 July 2009
08:00:19 am

Taran Adarsh reviews Kambakkht Ishq

LINK

Rating : 3.5/5

Bizarre has a new meaning and it’s called KAMBAKKHT ISHQ.

Of late, Akshay Kumar has earned the reputation of making you laugh in film after film. You expect KAMBAKKHT ISHQ, his new outing, to transport you to ha-ha-land, given the smart-n-chic promos of the film.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ belongs to the same family of films which have wooed the masses, such as MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, WELCOME, SINGH IS KINNG and GOLMAAL RETURNS. The prime motive is to entertain you for the next 2 hours, logic be damned.

Yet, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ is different because it depicts the battle of the sexes, a theme that’s rarely depicted on the Hindi screen. The lingo is poles apart, so is the attitude. In fact, this is a modern take on relationships, with the two hours divided between laughter and emotions, frivolous and reality.

Let’s get this straight. KAMBAKKHT ISHQ works in most parts thanks to the kind of star power and energy that the two actors pack in — Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. It would’ve been difficult to hold the film from falling apart had the two actors not been competent enough to carry off their respective parts. Also, the presence of Hollywood stars — Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards — the first on the Hindi screen, is an added bonus. 1 pe 2 ka offer; Bollywood stars ke saath Hollywood free!

The focus is on the entertainment quotient. There are moments when you laugh so uncontrollably that it gets embarrassing and there are times when you continue smiling, even during the most ordinary scenes.

But KAMBAKKHT ISHQ dips in its second hour because you expect it to be as frivolous as the first hour, but it changes tracks and gets emotional. Things would’ve gone wrong had the end stumbled and fumbled, but it doesn’t. The finale, in fact, takes the film back to the level that one expects from a film of this magnitude.

To sum up, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ offers you value for time and also, value for money. It offers loads of entertainment in those 2 + hours, loads of glamour in those 130 odd minutes, from start to end. Sure, there are blemishes, but they’re trivial when you look at the larger picture.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ explores the relationship between two individuals who are as different as chalk and cheese. Viraj [Akshay Kumar] is a stuntman in Hollywood, who lives by the mantra ‘women are only good for two things’. Simrita [Kareena Kapoor] is a firebrand who is more than able to stare down the most arrogant male with her caustic wit and sardonic tongue.

So what happens when the two people who hate each other the most meet at Simrita’s best friend Kamini’s [Amrita Arora] and Viraj’s brother Lucky’s [Aftab Shivdasani] wedding? A wedding that both Viraj and Simrita are violently opposed to and desperate to stop. Sparks fly… the battle of the sexes in on.

Director Sabbir Khan’s motive is simple: Entertain for the next 2 hours. The entire first hour moves at a lightening speed, making you enjoy the war of words between Akshay and Kareena at regular intervals.

The first half abounds in terrific moments, but I’d like to single out at least three…

* One, the church wedding of Aftab and Amrita. When the battle lines are drawn.

* Two, the sequence at the operation table, when Akshay spots Kareena.

* Three, the interval point. The pendant connection. Howlarious sequences all!

The post-interval starts with a bang, with Akshay hearing the ‘Om Mangalam’ chant just about everywhere — while sleeping, in the shower, in the rest room, even at an award function. The award function sequence is a double whammy. You get to watch Stallone and also the scene is superbly structured, executed and enacted.

Things are smooth sailing till the emotional angle comes up. The narrative dips in those 20 odd minutes. The mood suddenly shifts from laughter to sadness. The makers may argue that a twist in the tale is justified from the writing point of view, since the emotional track is vital for any love story, but the fact remains that one does miss the entertainment quotient here. In fact, the dip in the second hour erodes, to a large extent, the impression that the first half had built so magnificently.

Director Sabbir Khan picks up a theme that may catch you by complete surprise, but marinates it in entertainment, garnishes it well and presents it like never before. The review would be incomplete if we failed to highlight the grandiose look and the lavish production values thanks to the no-holds-barred expenses by producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Each frame looks ostentatious and glitzy.

Music is up to the mark, with three interesting tracks — ‘Om Mangalam’ [RDB], ‘Lakh Lakh’ and ‘Bebo’ [Anu Malik]. Cinematography [Vikas Sivaraman] is magnificent, with the DoP doing complete justice to the production values.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ belongs to both, Akshay and Kareena. Akshay is dynamic this time. He received a lot of flak for CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA and there was this nagging feeling that the negativity would spill over to KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. But Akshay is in terrific form here and delivers, without a shred of doubt, a bravura performance. If you loved him in NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG, you’d fall in love with Akki and his comic timing all over again this time.

Kareena left an indelible impression in JAB WE MET and creates a similar impact, albeit in a different role. Her role has shades of ‘Poo’ in K3G, but the glam looks combined with that rare confidence takes this performance to dizzy heights. Clearly, Kareena is miles ahead of her contemporaries as far as talent goes and this film proves it yet again.

Aftab and Amrita are perfect for their parts. Vindu Singh supports well. Javed Jaffrey doesn’t make a mark because the role has no connection with the main plot. Kirron Kher is getting typecast. Boman Irani is hilarious in that lone sequence. Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards are well integrated in the narrative.

On the whole, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ will strike a chord with the youth and those who relish zany and madcap entertainers. The first half is tremendous, while the second half takes a dip, with the film picking up towards the climax. At the box-office, the film will see an earth-shattering opening weekend and a historic Week 1. It remains to be seen how this film fares in its second weekend/week, given the massive number of screens it has opened globally [2,000 +]. However, the timing is most appropriate [the viewer is thirsting for a biggie] and the hype is tremendous, which should prove very advantageous for the film.

Gorilla 2 July 2009
08:30:24 am

Sahi review diya hai Taran ne. It looks like a ‘Jai Ho’ moment at the Box Office.

Guys, let’s forget these star rating (it is anyway going to be irrelevant by the end of this year with two more Akki films to release) and join hands in accepting this massy entertainer.

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Gorilla

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