A year after, Akshay’s fortunes soar; Khiladi 786 to open well at the Box Ofiice

A year after, Akshay’s fortunes soar; Khiladi 786 to open well at the Box Ofiice
6 December 2012 , By Joginder Tuteja
How fortunes turn around in a matter of one year! A little over a year ago when Akshay Kumar’s Desi Boyz had released, the film was being looked at with hawk’s eye. Thank You and Patiala House, his two earlier releases in the year, hadn’t quite set the box office on fire and subsequently even Desi Boyz suffered when the film took just about decent opening of around 28 crore. The baggage of earlier films did have an impact on the fortunes of Desi Boyz and the very fact that the film didn’t quite cover much distance resulted in Akshay Kumar ending 2011 on an average note.

The reverse is all set to happen for him as 2012 comes to a close.

His Khiladi 786 is arriving with an air of positivism around it. He has already delivered two 100 crore successes (Rowdy Rathore, Housefull 2), his production OMG Oh My God! has been a respectable critical as well as commercial super success and the only commercial downer has been Joker which he stayed away from. Trade, industry as well as audience are hot on his co-production with Himesh Reshammiya which also benefits from the fact that the composer has given numerous chartbusters already. The film’s ‘masala’ look and feel has further made sure that there is a success in the offering.

All of this means that the film is all set to embark on a very good start. Since the film’s release is very extensive, even a 60%-70% all-India start is good enough to ensure a weekend of minimum 40 crores for the film. While Rowdy Rathore, his last biggie, had scored higher, it was also a much expensive film. However for Khiladi 786, this would be a good total with a major chunk of moolah expected from the single screens. Expect the film to fetch better response here with an even higher occupancy.

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Review: Talaash (2.5/5)

Cast: Aamir Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani Mukherji, Nawazudin Siqqiui, Shernaz Patel, Rajkumar Yadav

Director: Reema Kagti

Indian Express Rating: **1/2

The first half of ‘Talaash’ is good enough for you not to want to blink. The atmospheric thriller, top lining an angst-ridden cop, his hollow-eyed sad sack of a wife and a stunning street-walker, has you hooked right from its lovely opening credits. In short order,all the right ingredients arrive :an accidental death, promising sub-plots, and dodgy characters, and it all starts to swing. Post-interval, though, the tale-telling starts to stutter, the pace slackens, and the film becomes less than the zinger it set out to be.

As Surjan Shekhawat (Khan) delves deeper into a Bollywood star’s mysterious death-by-drowning, it is clear that he’s going down the path where appearances will be deceptive. His search leads him to a red- light area, sleazy pimps, haggard hookers and bags full of blackmail money.

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Single Screens And Mass Belts Low For Talaash

Talaash could not open well at single screens and multiplexes in mass dominated circuits and there was not much improvement in the shows after. The multiplexes are in urban cities are good but eventually there is a limit to how … Read More

TALAASH Is Unoriginal Boring Film

Pluses:

Aamir Khan delivers fantastic performance as always, direction is tight and background score is super, Kareena Kapoor at her best and so is Rani, Nawazuddin and Rajkumar are good in supporting roles

Minuses:

3rd rate copied script from Hollywood classics, bad screenplay and even worse lighting, songs does not add anything to the film

Critic Rating:
3/5

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Talaash: Searching for the perfect whodunit

The worst thing to happen while watching a murder mystery is someone telling you the twist in the tale even before the movie began. The second-worst thing is when you figure out the twist yourself, halfway through the film.

Call it a result of watching too many whodunits as a kid, but the twist in Reema Kagti’s “Talaash” was apparent an hour before it ended. After that it was just a matter of waiting to see how it plays out. No surprises there either. Kagti makes a stylised film, a murder mystery that also has an emotional undercurrent and borrows strongly from well-known Hollywood films of the genre (I won’t say which ones for fear of revealing the plot).

Aamir Khan plays troubled police inspector Surjan Singh Shekhawat, who moves to Mumbai after his son’s death in a freak boating accident. Wracked by guilt, he roams the streets of the city that never sleeps at night, leaving his wife Roshni (Rani Mukerji) to deal with the tragedy on her own.

Shekhawat is assigned the case of Armaan Kapoor, an actor who dies after driving his car into the Arabian Sea.

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Review: Talaash is a mild-goose chase (2.5/5)

Make no mistake, Talaash is a Vikram Bhatt film.

Which isn’t to say Bhatt actually made it (though he or Mohit Suri or Pooja Bhatt may well have at some point, who dare keep count) but that it has a story built on the exact same pulpy foundations. Just yank out the invariably catchy Pritam soundtrack, replace Emraan Hashmi or Randeep Hooda with Aamir Khan and throw in major heroines where Vishesh Films would have cast unfamiliar models. (The only key character in Talaash who isn’t a top actor is, actually, the one who plays a top actor.)

To give credit where due, director Reema Kagti and her crew show significant flair in terms of creating atmosphere. Cinematographer Mohanan has always dealt strikingly well with shadows and darkness, and the film emerges as a fine looking mood-piece. It’s a somber, well-assembled film in contrast to the quick and flashy schlock that would have been doled out by the aforementioned merchants of middlebrow masala, and while the film’s craft — and the acting chops shared by its considerable cast — can’t at all be denied, it must also be said that perhaps the trashier approach may have worked better for this material. Or, at the very least, made for more fun.

Allow me to make my case, then, without once discussing the film’s plot. No spoilers here, folks.

There are a few essentials for a police procedural film, all rather basic: either the crime should be a stupefying one, one which raises many a “how in the world” question and flummoxes audience and investigator; or the suspects should be interesting and complex, those whose motivations become clearer only when the film gets less murky; or the investigator himself should be a compelling protagonist, someone who makes you either care about himself or the case, ideally rooting for his success. And if all else fails, then it should be thrilling enough to hide the lack of the above.

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Salman Khan is like my big brother, says Katrina Kaif

Katrina Kaif created quite a stir in Kolkata on Saturday. Not only was she looking gorgeous in her desi avataar in a chiffon sari – a typical Yash Raj heroine, she also made everyone’s jaws drop when she claimed: “Salman is like my big brother”.

The leading cast of Yash Raj film ‘Jab Tak Hai Jaan’ had descended in Kolkata on Saturday to inaugurate the Kolkata International Film Festival.

Shah Rukh Khan, who is the brand ambassador of West Bengal and also owns the state’s IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders, was also at the event to inaugurate the festival. Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan was also present during the ceremony.

But Katrina managed to steal the thunder despite the presence of stalwarts like Amitabh, Shah Rukh and even the chief minister of West Bengal Mamata Banerjee, who is known for sensational quotes.

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HEER-JTHJ

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CCI rejects Devgn’s allegation of YRF abusing dominant position

The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has rejected the plea of actor-producer Ajay Devgn against Yash Raj Films (YRF) for their alleged abuse of dominant position ahead of release of Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Jab Tak Hai Jaan (JTHJ).

Devgn alleged that YRF was abusing its dominant position and was asking exhibitors to provide more screens to their release than for his film Son of Sardaar.

Both the films will be released this Diwali, November 13, 2012.

“We considered the plea application. We have not found any merit in the case as there is no case of abuse of dominant position. This is a case of first comer. That can not be held against them (YRF). Hence there is no violation of Section 3 of the Competition Act,” an official source told the Indian Express. The orders for the same will be issued soon, the official said.

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Aamir Khan makes the cover of Time magazine

Aamir Khan has become the third Indian actor to be featured on the cover of Time magazine. Aamir, fresh from the success of season one of his TV show Satyamev Jayate, has made headlines in India by exploring socially relevant issues like female foeticide and medical malpractices. He is featured on the cover of Time with the caption Khan’s Quest. The blurb says – He’s breaking the Bollywood mould by tackling India’s social evils. Can one actor change a nation?

It seems he can certainly try. The Satyamev effect has already seen Rajasthan chief minister Ashok Gehlot promise to set up fast track courts to resolve pending female foeticide cases in the state. Aamir was consulted by a Parliamentary panel on the subject of FDI in pharmaceuticals. He also met Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to highlight the plight of manual scavengers.

Aamir joins a select group of Indian personalities who have been featured on the cover of Time. Bollywood has already been represented by Parveen Babi, who made the cover in July 1976, and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who was featured in 2003.

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Ajay likely to postpone SOS release, courtesy Shah Rukh

The rivalry between Shah Rukh Khan and Ajay Devgn just got hotter! While Devgn has been screaming himself hoarse saying he is in not in a mood to counter anybody (read Yash Chopra’s film) if they try to curb the number of screens for showing his film Son Of Sardar, there’s not much he can do about it. And now the actor is apparently doing a serious re-think about pre-poning or postponing the film’s release as he doesn’t have much choice.

Apparently, Yash Chopra’s untitled next, starring Devgn’s arch rival, Shah Rukh Khan, will now be releasing on Diwali with maximum number of screens according to a three-film release deal tie-up that the production house, Yash Chopra Films has done with the leading distributors of the country. This leaves Devgn no option but to release his film either before or after Yash Chopra’s film. The production house’s strategy of pre-booking maximum screens in theatres across the country has worked.
Says a trade source, “Whatever Aditya Chopra does, he does it with conviction, which includes tying up the loose ends. Initially Ajay wasn’t bothered about releasing SOS along with Yash Chopra’s film as he felt the exhibitors were sensible enough to decide which film to release and where as they can’t let their business suffer. But what Ajay didn’t know then was that Aditya Chopra and his marketing team in a smart move had already done the needful to ensure the maximum release of Yash Chopra’s film on Diwali.

In a strategic move the distributors were told they would be given Ek Tha Tiger (super hot even before its release) and Dhoom 3 (starring Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra) only if they booked maximum number of screens for the YR film (SRK-Katrina-Anushka Sharma). The distributors knowing they would be getting huge business agreed immediately. A SOS wasn’t as important to them as an Aamir Khan or a Salman Khan film which would ensure more than 100 crore business (ETT has already done over 160 crores till now).”

According to the trade source, “While many people close to Ajay had advised him not to release SOS on Diwali along with Yash Chopra’s film, he had been adamant right from day one that nothing could make him budge. But now he’s apparently he has no choice but to postpone or pre-pone the release date of SOS as getting limited number of screens will hamper the box office business of SOS. Ajay wants the film to do more than 100 crore at the BO but it’s not possible with the few screens that will be available. He has no choice but to bow down to the dictates of YRF. Right now Ajay is figuring out which dates would be workable for SOS’s release post or before Diwali ensuring maximum audience.”

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Salman Khan’s ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ gets NOC from Pakistan

Mumbai: Release of Salman Khan’s next big film ‘Ek Tha Tiger’ in Pakistan courted trouble in the way of Pak authorities claiming the film to be anti-Pakistan. But fresh reports confirm that ETT has been granted No Objection Certificate (NOC) for its print to be taken to Pakistan for viewing by the Pak censor board officials.

Coming as a welcome respite, the makers are confident now that their film will surely make it to the theatres across the nation.

According to reports, Pakistan’s censor board members saw the films trailer last week and gave an NOC to import the print. Mohammad Ashraf Gondal, vice chairman of the CBFC, said, “A few board members watched the trailer. Filhaal single opinion nahi hai (There are mixed reactions for a while). CBFC chairman Shahnawaz Noon will submit a final approval report after watching the whole film.”

However, the distributor of the film in Pakistan Sheikh Amjad Rasheed from IMGC Global Entertainment, said, “They have asked for the print by August 12. On August 13, the final content will be watched and a decision taken. But hopefully, Eid tak Pakistan ke theatres mein film lag jaayegi (On Eid, the film would hopefully release in Pakistan).”

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Salman Khan on Sunny Leone’s co-star wish list

indo-Canadian adult entertainer Sunny Leone teamed up with Arunoday Singh and Randeep Hooda in her Bollywood debut Jism 2, and now she has expressed a desire to work with Hindi movie star Salman Khan. “Whoever wants to work with me, I want to work with them. But Salman Khan is on the top

of my list,” the 31-year-old said here Sunday during a visit to a theatre for a public interaction.
Recently released Jism 2 was promoted aggressively before its release and Dino Morea, co-producer of the erotic thriller, says it’s important to promote a film after it hits the screens.

“We got a great opening, the first day was very good. I would like to say that promotions should continue even after the film’s release because you should see how the audience is reacting. Most often after a film’s release, the actors and crew disappear. We don’t want to do that,” the 36-year-old said.

“We want to show people that we are still promoting the film and we will be visiting more theatres. People are coming to watch Sunny,” he added. Dino also thanked the public for their positive response to the film.

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Aamir Khan makes ‘Jism 2’ seductress Sunny Leone cry in pain!

you would think what an adult film star like Sunny Leone has to do anything with a super star like Aamir Khan? But the fact is that Aamir’s emotions have touched Sunny’s heart and how!

Remember how Aamir Khan … Read More

Wankhede brawl: Child Rights panel to hear plaint against SRK

Three months after he scuffled with MCA and police officials at Wankhede stadium after an IPL match, the Maharashtra Commission for Protection of Child Rights will hear a complaint against actor Shahrukh Khan for “corrupting” the minds of children with “filthy abuses in public.” The

Commission has sent a notice to the complainant and Marine Drive police station to be present on August 16 for the hearing.
Complainant Amit Maru, through his lawyer Y P Singh, had approached the Commission saying seven cognizable offences were made against Khan and sought a direction to the police to register an FIR against the actor.

“If Maru or the police officials are not present, then hearing will take place ex-parte,” said the notice signed by Commission’s under secretary S S Supe sent yesterday.

Maru will have to explain how offences could be made out against Khan before the Commission proceeds further.

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Deepika to star opposite SRK in ‘Chennai Express’

Actress Deepika Padukone will be seen opposite Shahrukh Khan in Rohit Shetty’s ‘Chennai Express’. “Deepika is part of ‘Chennai Express’. She has been finalised,” sources close to the project told PTI. It was opposite SRK in ‘Om Shanti Om’ that … Read More

Shah Rukh Khan to play Army man again?

For filmmaker Yash Chopra’s yet-untitled directorial comeback, Shah Rukh Khan will once again play the character of an army offer. The actor was seen in uniform in the director’s last film, Veer Zaara (2004), where he played an air force officer. About his latest outing, an insider close to the development of the project reveals, “There is a war sequence either between India and Pakistan or India and China that they are going to shoot in Ladakh with Shah Rukh

This would be the actor’s fourth stint as an army office. Shah Rukh started his career by playing an army officer in the hit TV series Fauji (1988). He later wore the uniform in Main Hoon Na (2004) and Veer-Zaara.

The makers are now also leaving on August 20 for a schedule in Ladakh and Kashmir. “It’s an eight-day schedule,” adds the source.

What is interesting though is that the makers also had to shoot a small sequence in Switzerland, but now will film it in Kashmir itself.

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I just got lucky, says SRK on 20 years in B-Town

On this day two decades ago a new Hindi film superstar emerged: Bollwood’s all-time favourite romantic hero Shah Rukh Khan, who debuted with Deewana. On completing 20 years, SRK says he just “got lucky” and admits he has made mistakes all along.

Shah Rukh who entered filmdom with Deewana, which released June 25, 1992, tweeted,

Superstardom, disappointment and controversies – Delhi guy SRK has seen it all in his celebrityhood.

For Shah Rukh, it’s been two decades in Bollywood, but his tryst with showbiz began in 1988, the year he started his journey with TV series Fauji, after being trained at The Barry John’s Acting Studio. Next year he featured in another successful show Circus and Doosra Keval.
people loved his act on small screen, he won hearts as a crazy lover in Deewana, in which he was competing with none other than Rishi Kapoor in the lead role. But lady luck was smiling on him and audiences loved his chemistry with late Divya Bharti. The song Aisi deewangi dekhi nahin kabhi picturised on them became a chartbuster.

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Tung Tung- Mtv sound trippin – Sneha Khanwalker

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Satyajit Ray’s 91st birth anniversary today

One of the world’s greatest directors – Satyajit Ray was born on May 2, 1921. A writer, poet, illustrator, director and music composer Ray had a global fan following.

Ray was the son of poet and author Sukumar Ray and grandson of legendary writer Upendrakishore Roychowdhury. He graduated from the Presidency College of Kolkata and enrolled himself into the Visva-Bharati University founded by Rabindranath Tagore and trained under such masters as Nandalal Bose and Benod Behari Mukherjee.

Being India’s first and only Oscar-winning director, Ray started his career as a graphic artist before heading to London to realise his passion for filmmaking.

For movie buffs across the world, it is a delight to watch his timeless classics such as -Apu Triology, Jalsaghar, Sonar Kella, Charulata, and Shatranj Ke Khiladi.

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TRAILER:LOOPER

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Pakistan win Asia Cup, Bangladesh hearts

Mirpur: Stunned silent crowd, agonized Tamim Iqbal, a tearful Mushfiqur Rahim, gloomy Nasir Hussain and a pensive Shakib Al Hasan. Emotions run high and Sher-e- Bangla stadium would be engulfed in it. Never had they played such a high profile … Read More

EKLA CHOLE RE-AMITABH BACCHAN-KAHAANI

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List of 84th Academy Award winners

List of the 84th Annual Academy Award winners announced Sunday:

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Agent Vinod | Official Theatrical Trailer 2 |

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