Thoughts on ROWDY RATHORE, DEPARTMENT, BLOOD MONEY

ROWDY RATHORE: We’ve seen Aamir ace it in GHAJINI, Salman get the crowds pouring with WANTED, DABANNG, BODYGUARD and Ajay roaring in SINGHAM, it was only a matter of time before Akshay jumped on the Southerly resurrected masala bandwagon, though he’s been on the more cautious side getting in on this wave maybe due to a bad run in the 90′s with films like DAAVA, TARAZU, LAHU KE DO RANG etc. However with Prabhu-Devaa handling the affairs after WANTED, ROWDY RATHORE turns out to not only be an outright winner, but the best masala addition to date since GHAJINI with remains the most authentic. ROWDY RATHORE works for two reasons, firstly, it manages to successfully recreate the magic and aura of yesteryear “double role” films (the one where neither of the look-alikes are related so), and secondly because Akshay Kumar is in absolute top form playing both the roles. The pace is slicker than Devaas last film WANTED and the action is absolutely top-notch with Akshay getting his hands dirty with some vintage, good-old fashioned masala action which is pretty much what a lot of his core fans have been waiting for. He plays both parts with absolute flair and I couldn’t help but wonder what a DON remake within this world would’ve looked like. The film at its best of times has glimpses of a Bachchanesque mould and parts of the film even managed to evoke a SHOLAY homage in flashes. Sonakshi Sinha sizzles yet again after DABANNG and shares fantastic chemistry with Akshay. Nasser is a scene-stealer in what has so far been Prakash Raj territory so far in most of the remakes from WANTED, DABANNG to SINGHAM. His showdowns with Akshay are a riot in the film. The songs are racy and the action is completely in sync with the mood of the film and its star. This is the film TASHAN should’ve been for Akshay Kumar. After a 100 CR Grosser in HOUSEFULL, ROWDY RATHORE well on its way to hitting that figure, one expect Akshay will strike a hattrick if ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAI 2 hits the bulls-eye

DEPARTMENT: A RGV film in the crime and criminality genre is always awaited. With a cast boasting of the Big B and Dutt, DEPARTMENT looked more like an untold tale in the SARKAR series. However DEPARTMENT is a much slower paced film which operates (contrary to its trailers) more like a Tarantinoish-noir film than a hardcore action film- majority of the film is heavily dialogue driven with a colorful cast of Rana Daggubatti, Vijay Raaz and Abhimanyu Singh . While the content is a rehash of previous RGV films and doesn’t provide anything new, the character of Big B is both towering and magnetic, as Sarjerao Gaikwad, a gangster-turned politician who reminds one of a much more flamboyant version of Subhash Nagre (more Nicholson in vein than Pacino by any means) coupled with some rather interesting camera work and some solid action sequences ensures this one watch, though sadly, both Dutt and Rana could’ve been a lot better here. DEPARTMENT has its fair share of moments for fans of RGVs work and the Big B.

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DON 2 and MI4 reflections

As someone who was a very harsh critic on the first remake (mainly because I couldnt stop comparing it to the benchmark of a masala masterpiece which is what the original was), I absolutely loved DON 2!

SRK and Farhan should’ve just titled the movie KING and made it it’s own franchise rather than trying to burden DON (keep the music as a homage because the background score rocks).

SRK’s performance here is a riot mainly because he plays his offscreen persona to a hilt onscreen. Technically this is very easily the slickest Hindi film I’ve ever seen and on par with the Bourne series.

This gives SRK the franchise in some way he’s always been after since the BAADSHAH days. Farhan cleverly references the first DON and takes the story forward in the second. By the end of this DON SRK completely owns the part, and DON has finally become the Underworld Kingpin he always wanted leaving the room open for a third (and potentially a lot more). DON 2 is also quite possibly my favourite Farhan film since DCH! Not many directors could pull off an intelligent heist cum crime thriller with such ease. I would easily take SRK’s “this” vision of a Hollywood-Bollywood crossover (we had Croatian and French friends in the crowd who enjoyed the movie a lot) than the recent disaster RA-ONE (ugh shudder)

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Cloud 9 Comix India

Cloud 9 Comix is proud to announce that our growing presence in India will involve a closer relationship with Level 10 Comics and Vimanika Comics. Cloud 9 will provide customised iPad and Android apps for these two leading comic book … Read More

A call out to all comic book publishers and artists in Pakistan and South Africa!

With the successful launch of Cloud 9 Comix (click here to see the press release, we’re now on the look out for any Independent comic book publishers in South Africa, Pakistan, Brazil or any other countries…..anywhere in the world!

If … Read More

An opportunity for masala collaboration…

Hi guys,

It’s been a whole since I’ve put up a post here as I’ve been totally busy with both Socialwizz and Cloud9Comix. I have pending reviews for both PATIALA HOUSE and DIL TOH BACHCHA HAI JI as well as FASTER and UNSTOPPABLE which I plan to get onto by next week.

Just letting you know I’m about to kick-start a project over the coming months which is basically a comic book series which I’ll be funding myself under the Cloud 9 Comix banner. The artist chosen to design the series will be from India for which we’ll be holding the competition and I want the story and ideation to be a collaborative effort from all members within Satyamshot and Naachgaana. The initial story-line I’ll be putting up on Satyamshot (a cross between SACRED GAMES, COMPANY, SATYA and AGNEEPATH…ambitious I know but it’s the genre I truly LOVE). A comic book which is really designed like a movie. A gangster drama…precisely, <strong>a MASALA GANGSTER DRAMA!

Satyam, Qalandar, Goodfella, Rooney, Jayshah, Rajen, Sheeru, Rohit, and everyone who has been in contact with me since the days of Planetbollywood, NG as well as Satyamshot and we collectively HAVE the best knowledge on masala cinema. You guys have helped build my knowledge on cinema, expand it and your contribution would be invaluable. As Social Wizz/Cloud 9 both head towards a studio, my dream is that this comic book will eventually be turned into a screenplay and hit the movies (we’re in talks with a number of US based studio’s/VC’s already). It will be known right from the press release stage that this is a collaborative/crowd-sourced endeavour and all those who contribute would get full mention/recognition and even more depending on how far it goes….

Who’s in bhailog?……..

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My Interview on Cloud 9 Comix Launch

On The Comic Spot, 3CR 855am with John Retallick Part 1…the vision for a new entertainment studio Cloud 9 Creationz

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RFoqGcvbe-Q&w=520&h=490]

Listen to the rest HERE

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2011: Bachchan Legacy Reinvented?

2011 was an interesting year for the Bachchan’s and while not all their films lived up to boxoffice expectations, they had a solid line-up between Father-Son-Bahu.

Amitabh’s PAA success at the tail-end of 2009 didn’t carry over to … Read More

Interesting year ahead for Ajay Devgan…

The the obligatory Ajay Devgan post of the year. After a interesting and successful 2010 (and a successful end to 2009 with with ATHITHI TUM KAB JAOGE, RAAJNEETI, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAI, AAKROSH and the monster hit … Read More

The Deols Strike Back-YAMLA PAGLA DEEWANA (Hindi, 2011)

If there is one star family that was affected by the Multiplex boom it was the Deols. While Dharmendra had tasted success with films like JOHNNY GADDARR and LIFE IN A…METRO, it was Sunny and Bobby who were both … Read More

First Day First Show: DHOBI GHAT (Hindi, 2011)

It has by now become the norm to expect something “different” from Aamir Khan, whether it’s as an actor, producer or star. With a track record like 3 IDIOTS, PEEPLI LIVE, GHAJINI and TAARE ZAMEEN PAR it’s hard to … Read More

Quick note on NO ONE KILLED JESSICA (Hindi, 2011)

Raj Kumar Gupta made a successful debut with AAMIR and surprised everyone by delivering a taut and smart thriller which won not only critical acclaim but boxoffice success too. I personally had issues with AAMIR overall and thought it … Read More

Introducing the Indian comics on Cloud 9 Comix

The iPad app for Cloud 9 Comix finally went live this week Below is an exclusive look at some of the Indian titles available on Cloud 9 Comix. You can download the Cloud 9 Comix app for the iPad by typing in “comix” into search in iTunes or by clicking HERE

Dashaavatar: Lord Vishnu is the central figure of the Holy Trinity of Hindu Gods- Brahma and Shiva being the other two. Lord Vishnu is said to be the sustaining and preserving factor of creation.
In times of great distress, Lord Vishnu appeared on earth to save mankind from evil demons. There are ten incarnations of Lord Vishnu termed as the Dashaavataaras.

During each incarnation, great battles were fought between gods and demons, and the gods emerged victorious- but only with great assistance from Lord Vishnu.

These tales tell of the triumph of good over evil and of man’s eternal quest for order in chaos. In the forthcoming issues, authentic Hindu Mythology will be presented to you in inimitable Vimanika style. In each issue, the tales of Lord Vishnu’s Avataaras will be told.

In the first issue of Dashaavataara the tale of Matsyaavataara- The Fish, and Koormaavataara- The Tortoise will be recounted.
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My Review of BAND BAJAA BARAAT (Hindi, 2010)

2010 has been an extremely disappointing year as far as romance and rom-com’s are concerned. ANJAANA ANJAANI, BREAK KE BAAD, I HATE LUV STORIES and AISHA. My expectations from BAND BAJAA BARAAT weren’t very high either however this small … Read More

A quick note on NO PROBLEM (Hindi, 2010)

Anees Bazmee has gotten the title of a “hit” director as almost everything he’s directed in his career has turned into gold. PYAAR TO HONA HI THA, DEEWANGEE, NO ENTRY, WELCOME, and SINGH IS KINNG. There has been the … Read More

My thoughts on LSD: LOVE SEX AUR DHOKHA (Hindi, 2010)

It’s very rarely that we truly get a “path breaking” film in Hindi cinema though it’s very easily one of the most over-used and abused words around. Director Dibakar Bannerjee who proved why story is king with KHOSLA KA … Read More

Quick note on ANJAANA ANJAANI (Hindi, 2010)

On paper this probably sounded like a safe bet. Sajid Nadiadwala as the lavish producer, Siddarth Raj Anand directing Ranbir once more after the success of BACHCHNA AE HASEENO, a few peppy songs and a sexy Priyanka Chopra with … Read More

My Review of TEES MAAR KHAN (Hindi, 2010)

If there was one film that was highly awaited in 2010 it was Farah Khan’s TEES MAAR KHAN and for a huge number of reasons. Firstly Khan signed Akshay for the title role over her usual favourite of 2 … Read More

RGV Ki Jai… RAKTA CHARITRA-2 (Hindi, 2010)

I enjoyed RGV’s RAKTA CHARITRA-1 a lot and the end of the first part left me anticipating for more with the introduction of Suriya. While RAKTA CHARITRA-2 isn’t quite THE GODFATHER 2, it’s still nonetheless a worthy second part … Read More

My Top 15 Films of 2010

Carrying on from 2009′s top 10

Have yet to see: UDAAN, ROAD TO SANGAM, TOH BAAT PAKKI, ROAD MOVIE, PANKH, LAHORE, THE JAPANESE WIFE, BUMM BUMM BOLE, RED ALERT, ANTARDWAND, WELL DONE ABBA, SHAHRUKH BOLA TU KHUBSOORAT HAI, RAKTA … Read More

Reflections on DO DOONI CHAAR (Hindi, 2010′s finest)

Habib Faisal has quickly become a name to reckon with in a short spate of time. The writer of films like TA RUM PUM PUM, JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM and the recently released surprise winner BAND BAJAA BARAAT has formed … Read More

A few new posters….

HAUNTED: India’s first 3D horror, directed by Vikram Bhatt (RAAZ, SHAAPIT) and what can be counted as Mahakshay aka Mimoh Chakraborthy’s “official” debut..

Read the rest from HERE

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Quick note on PHAS GAYA RE OBAMA (Hindi, 2010)

I’ve always been a huge fan of Rajat Kapur and his indie brand of multiplex comedies and drama’s right from RAGHU ROMEO, MIXED DOUBLES, right through to films like BHEJA FRY and MITHYA. These are unique films which don’t … Read More

My Review of KHELEIN HUM JEE JAAN SEY (Hindi, 2010)

Ever since his Oscar nominated film LAGAAN (which in turn reinvented him as a director) director Ashutosh Gowariker has had a strange yet commendable journey as a film-maker. After LAGAAN he made both SWADES and JODHAA-AKBAR which proved that … Read More

Quick note on ALLAH KE BANDAY (Hindi, 2010)

The gangster genre is one I have a huge weakness for. Films like SATYA, COMPANY, VAASTAV, D I can watch countless times again and again. 2009 saw a underrated film called BAABARR which touched on child killers in the … Read More

My Review of BREAK KE BAAD (Hindi, 2010)

Kunal Kohili branched away from Yashraj only to create his own production company of which BREAK KE BAAD is the first film…a multiplex teen rom-com (surprise surprise). This is a genre which has delivered some duds lately from the … Read More