Aa Dekhen Zara

Aa Dekhen Zara

Director: Jehangir Surti
Producer: Viki Rajani
Starring: Neil Nitin Mukesh, Bipasha Basu, Rahul Dev, Sophie Choudhary, Bobby Vats, Shrivas Nydu, Deepak Dhariwal, Biswajeet Chatterjee, Sameer Siddiqui

Bollywood isn't far behind in following the world trend of making movies based on 'hat ke' (unusual) subjects like science fiction, supernatural elements and paranormal experiences. Such movies have come to India in a big way, and in the form of time travel and paranormal occurrences.

The trend has been catching up of late and that's why we have had just recently movies like 'Aa Dekhen Zara' and 'Videsh' (though partly), released today and also '13 B' and 'Koi Mil Gaya' (Jaadu, the lovable alien) not in the distant past. Yes, the forthcoming '8X10 Tasveer', will also fall in this category.

Jehangir Surti directed 'Aa Dekhen Zara' starring Neil Nitin Mukesh coupled with bold and pretty Bipasha Basu in the lead roles revolves around a camera! This isn't an ordinary camera but the one that has been invented by a grandpa to capture future in its images.

The movie's hero Neil Nitin Mukesh inherits his grandfather's innovation as the only legacy left by the latter for his grandson. Neil playing Ray has nothing to do excepting talking to the stray pigeons on his window. Yes, he also watches his next-door sexy DJ Simi played by Bipasha Basu who lives in the opposite apartment.

As a sheer coincidence, Neil captures Bips' (Simi) picture in his old camera while she was sashaying in her room. He also captures Simi in his camera while being shot down in a bar. Here, the movie's story takes a turn.

Neil's camera helps him to save the life of his love interest though by chance only. He has been using his inherited 'magical' camera mostly for taking pictures of racehorses and lottery tickets in order to predict their future! It is said that his camera does not take too long for the villains to know his whereabouts and hunt for his supernatural camera.

But, as the luck would have it he meets Bipasha's shooter played by Rahul Dev and the so-called RAW agents in the byelanes of Bangkok city in Thailand. These guys don't spare him and also aim at his life. Again, his camera comes to his rescue, too.

But how can he escape the camera's prediction of his all-black future is a moot question. Doesn't the plot lose its otherwise tight grip on the audience here and there? Yes, it does, but soon reverts back before striking its climax scene.

While critically analyzing the movie, we find that 'Aa Dekhen Zara' is a successful fast action thriller. The cast of the movie has performed amazingly well. Neil is on top though after a long gap since his maiden-venture 'Johnny Gaddar'.

This movie will surely help him in his future career. His co-star Bipasha Basu has lent Neil full support by the true portrayal of her character.

She has repeated with Neil in this movie what she has done by her funny acts with Ranbir in 'Bachna Ae Hasseno'. As said above, the story loses the grip for some time now and then but reverts sooner than later to attain its climax!

Ek - The Power of One

Ek - The Power of One

Director: Sangeeth Sivan
Producer: K Sera Sera, Dharam Films
Starring: Nana Patekar ,Bobby Deol,Shriya Saran,Chunkey Pandey ,Jackie Shroff ,Kubhushan Kharbanda,Kubhushan Kharbanda,Zarina Wahab,Sachin Khedekar

Bollywood has a variety of movies. Sangeet Sivan's 'Ek-The Power of One', belongs to the olden days unlike the other two movies 'Videsh' and 'Aa Dekhen Zara' simultaneously released this week.

In fact, this is the Hindi remake of a Telugu film 'Athadu' that hit the box office in South India as Sivan cast south India's two leading stars Mahesh Babu as the criminal and Prakash Raj as the cop, in it. Being an old fashioned one, the movie is likely to be popular among the masses instead of the class.

According to its story, Nandu played by Bobby Deol is an orphan who is hired by opposition leader Anna Mhatre to shoot him (mind it not to kill him), while he is addressing an election rally. However, even before Nandu is able to lock his target, another shot is fired, killing Anna Mhatre.

So, Nandu had to escape by leaping onto a running train. Incidentally, Nandu meets Puran played by Akshay Kapoor on the train. Puran from Punjab tells Nandu that he is going to join his family after a very long time. As the fate has it, a police officer spots Nandu and aims at him, which accidentally hits Puran, who dies on the spot.

By the time the police reaches, they find Nandu missing! Though Nandu comes to Puran's house to break the news of his tragic demise, he is mistaken for Puran. Nandu now starts living with the family and experiences the love and affection of Puran's family.

Nandu bonds with the grandfather played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda and the eldest bua played by Zareena Wahab. Significantly, he also falls in love with pretty Shriya Saran playing the character of Preeti – a goan-ki-gori waiting to sing rain songs in a village that has cloudbursts on individual requests.

In the meantime, Nandu has to fight with a village zamindar who has an evil eye on family's grandfather's ancestral land. However, CBI, Inspector Rane played by Nana Patekar reaches Puran's house where he meets Nandu.

Though the movie is full of several flaws both in the romantic as well as dramatic departments, yet its action scenes by Peter Hein make us forget them. Nana Patekar's skilled acting dominates over Bobby Deol's, diminishing the status of the latter.

The director fails to convince the audience about the heroic actions of Bobby Deol and so also in depicting the romance between Bobby and Shriya. In fact, the heroine hardly has much to do but look pretty and make faces at Bobby. Ramji's cinematography is good. Dialogues are mixed; good at times and not so good elsewhere.

Priti Bhutani playing Puran's sister looks good too. Kulbhushan Kharbanda is theatrical as usual. We saw him in the recently released 'Aloo Chat'. Raghubir Yadav does well in the role of a politician.

Jackie Shroff, Chunkey Pandey and Zareena Wahab haven't been utilized. Needless to comment more as both Bobby and Sivan are working together in Bobby's home production tentatively titled 'Cheers', a father-son story with Bobby and his dad Dharmendra. It's a story about how a father and son are thrown into a road journey; and begin to bond. It's a lighthearted, emotional film.

8x10 Tasveer

8x10 Tasveer

Director: Nagesh Kukunoor
Producer: Percept Picture Company, T-Series
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Ayesha Takia, Sharmila Tagore, Javed Jaffrey, Anant Mahadevan

After his flop 'Bombay to Bangkok' last year, Nagesh Kukunoor has come back this time with a supernatural thriller titled '8X10 Tasveer'. The film which is released today (April 3) stars Akshay Kumar in the lead role opposite Ayesha Takia, besides Sharmila Tagore, Javed Jaffery, Girish Karnad, Anant Mahadevan and Benjamin Gilani, among others.

Though the movie was initially called 'Tasveer' but the producer added '8x10' to its title later as he felt that the earlier name was jinxed. The movie's hero has a supernatural gift to look into the past of dead people by touching their 8×10 photographs. And, mysteries begin to arise when a 8×10 photograph reveals his past. Later a personal tragedy leads him to use his power to come up with the answers!

Both the director Nagesh Kukunoor and the actor Akshay Kumar are pinning their high hopes on this mega movie costing Rs 600 million with around 1,500 prints worldwide. In spite of initial delays due to visa and luggage problems, the film's budget increased more than expected.

The film was further delayed too because of the producers-distributors dispute with exhibitors over revenue-sharing terms and the IPL. The Guild had decided not to release any new movies from April 3 but paying heed to Percept Picture Company's request decided that the strike will commence from April 4 facilitating the movie's release on April 3rd.

Even recently, the movie's release was going to be deferred because of a controversy over a financial transaction between its co-producers - Percept Picture Company and T-Series. However, the matter has been settled and Percept has released it single handedly.

While Akshay says it is one of his most exciting 129 movies he has so far done, for Kukunoor, this is a very significant film inasmuch as its subject makes it stand out among other films. Besides, the performance of all the actors have further added to its beauty.

Akshay, Ayesha and all others have done a great job in the film and he is sure the audience will praise their hard work. The film has already generated mass appeal courtesy its promos and music by Salim-Suleiman and because it is the first big-budget project after two months' draught in Bollywood!

Tasveer' is the story of Jai played by Akshay Kumar, a young man in his 30's, who has a supernatural gift. His father, Jatin Puri, played by Benjamin Gilani, feels very strongly that his son is wasting his life away instead of managing the vast business empire he has created.

This leads to a complete breakdown of relationship between the two. Jai's wife Sheela Puri played by Ayesha Takia, is grudgingly supportive of her husband but has a 'real' job and is the actual bread-winner of the family. Sometime later, Jatin is killed in a boating accident under mysterious circumstances and Jai feels very bad about losing his father and the times that could've been shared.

He accidentally stumbles upon the last photograph taken of the entire group of friends and family on the boat, minutes before the accident. While being consumed with grief and curiosity, he starts to investigate by undertaking the dangerous experience.

He eventually unravels the mystery and in a nail biting finish comes up with a startling answer. Other significant factors that have lent support to the success of the movie are that Salim-Suleman has composed its music and rap artist Bohemia and has sung its promotional title song that is picturised on Akshay Kumar. The cinematography, especially of Canada, is worth mentioning.

Overall, the movie rests on strong shoulders of Akshay Kumar. However, the recent allegation of a vulgar scene enacted by him at a ramp walk at the Lakme Fashion Week of getting his jeans unbuttoned by his wife Twinkle Khanna has affected his reputation.

But there being no other movie released during the past two months to compete with it, Nagesh' 'Tasveer' is likely to reap the benefit. Anyway, it's a definitely better than contemporary movies.

Ek Se Bure Do

Ek Se Bure Do

Director: Tarique Khan
Producer: Suresh Sheth
Starring: Arshad Warsi, Natassha, Rajpal Yadav, Tusha, Govind Namdeo, Yashpal Sharma, Virendra Saxena, Vijay Raaz, Snehal
Razzak Khan

Time and again one comes across a statement that 'this film has been made for single screen audiences in smaller towns and cities'. Well, no audience should be subjected to a movie like this.

Simply put, 'Ek Se Bure Do' is a terrible movie. Arshad Warsi and Rajpal Yadav are the two 'bure log' (bad people) in the film and honestly, it must have been embarrassing for them to be a part of a movie which doesn't make any sense whatsoever from the first to the last frame.

The film is said to be a comedy but there is not even a single scene that makes you laugh.

Problems with 'Ek Se Bure Do' are aplenty with the biggest being that there is no storyline whatsoever. The director would struggle if asked to give a two line synopsis of the film.

The film has a treasure hunt as the central theme but not once in the film does one see anyone going after the treasure.


Arshad Warsi and Rajpal Yadav are visibly uncomfortable with the terrible state that they must have been in while working in the film - something which reflects in practically each of their scenes.

The film tries to be an amalgamation of quite a few films and in the end the mishmash that is served is so tasteless that you begin wondering who approved the script in the first place.

Arshad-Rajpal antics are straight out of 'Jodi No. 1′ while the Govind Namdeo double role act reminds one of 'Andaz Apna Apna' where Paresh Rawal was seen in a similar role. Then there is this quintessential 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron' climax, this time with 'Mughal-e-Azam' being underway on stage. If Kundan Shah sees these five minutes of the film, he may just get a heart attack.

The film was in the making for five years, something that reflects in each and every frame. Not only does it look dated with extremely poor cinematography adding insult to injury, it also seems clearly disjointed.

Also, you can sense that the director didn't have any control over the proceedings and shot scenes randomly depending upon availability of any actor, whether lead or supporting. No wonder, 'Ek Se Bure Do' turns out to be an extremely poor film.

99

99

Director: Krishna DK, Raj Nidimoru
Producer: Aditya Shastri, Anupam Mittal
Starring: Kunal Khemu, Cyrus Broacha, Boman Irani, Mahesh Manjrekar, Soha Ali Khan,Vinod Khanna, Simone Singh
Music Dir: Shamir Tandon

Many weeks without movies quite hurts the Indian cinegoers as Bollywood still forms core of our entertainment appetite. Finally, after a harrowing gap comes a flick, only to dismay the audiences. The release of the movie titled '99' is significant in Bollywod as the industry is in the throes of a strike by big producers against the exhibitors, especially multiplexes.

At issue is the share of revenue between the two. So, it sounded like welcome relief also to movie buffs who could escape the scorching heat of the summer sun to take solace in cinema. Its been six weeks of a lull since the release of '8X10 Tasveer.' Early reactions to producer Anupam Mittal's much-awaited '99' starring Soha Ali Khan and Kunal Khemu sounds like a bit of disappointment. But, then, maybe it's too early to tell.

A first reaction for me was that 99 falls well short of worthwhile content for an eager audience. Perhaps, that's the problem. Never have we been so dry so long. The effort can be said to be praiseworthy, or, put it this way that the intention is right. Scattered plot and juxtaposed scenes just don't connect that well.

But, I might be marred by contextual, especially from Hollywood, structured filmmaking where one expects the movie flow from the beginning to the end. The significant scene is set in 1999 - so that's why the name - when match-fixing scandal reached its prosperity peak.

Justice Chandrachud Commission was to probe the alleged controversy. Unfortunately, the commission deliberated without conclusive evidence to point a finger at corruption by cricketers. Flash back to 1999; India needed six of the last over to win in one of the matches. Close-up - late Hansie Cronje. You wonder why Mohammed Azharuddin and Ajay Jadeja were targeted!

Let's get to the crux of the story. In the flick, two directors - Raj Nidimoru and Krishna DK - try to make sense. No understanding between the two, say batsmen, and we get a comedy of errors in trying to run each other out! One would give thumbs up for a good cast and experienced actors.

There's Boman Irani, a compulsive gambler and a firm believer in borrowing money with total disregard for consequences. Rest of the stars that shine includes Cyrus Broacha and Kunal Khemu - two friends who create duplicate sim cards.

Lady luck doesn't help and they run into Mahesh Manjrekar, a bookie, who uses them as collection agents! Leading the females is the beautiful and versatile Soha Ali Khan playing a lobby manager in a five star hotel in Delhi. And, Simone Singh plays Boman's love interest with the usual endearing performance. Veteran Vinod Khanna is the brain behind match fixing.

Some shots are okay, but the scenes aren't planned or executed well at all. Poor Amit Mistry is so wasted in lackluster scenes. One recollects Amit delivering a decent performance in 'Bad Luck Govind.' Cyrus Broacha of the famous MTV Bakra act is shown much as his confused standing on the TV shows. Kunal Khemu might have proved his credentials. Boman could impress the audience with his acting skill but the movie is devoid of content.

The movie seems to enjoy symptoms of not doing well. First, perhaps a lackadaisical approach in writing a proper script that conjugates the movie. Second, the lack of publicity that has kept the halls empty. Sometimes the saving grace for Bollywood movies is their songs and music.

But this one has hardly any scope because of it genre. Overall, the movie bags a 5 out of 10 to give credit for the release that broke the strike. It might still make the financial cut as the movie opened for public in all the major multiplexes and single screen theatres.

Team - The Force

Team - The Force

Director: Ajay Chandok
Starring: Sohail Khan, Amrita Arora, Aarti Chhabria, Yash Tonk, Vrajesh Hirjee, Mushtaq Khan, Pankaj Berry, Sayaji Shinde, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Shahbaaz Khan, Vindu Dara Singh, Adi Irani
Music Dir: Daboo Malik
Lyricist: Praveen Bharadwaj

The movie watchers have to bear with films like 'Team - The Force' in the absence of new big releases. But, no more as the row between the producers and the multiplex owners has ended. They should be ready to watch their long-awaited Vasu Bhagnani's 'Kal Kisne Dekha' and 'Mithun Chakravorty's 'Zor Lag Ke Haiya' next Friday, June 12th.

Let's review 'Team - The Force' directed by Ajay Chandhok and made long, long ago. The movie starring Sohail Khan and Malaika Arora Khan has miserably failed, as they were part of team B of Bollywood at that time of making this movie. Their acting is mediocre. So, we wonder if they would like to lend their name to the movie. However, the fact stays that they acted in this flop movie.

The movie is about three aspiring musicians Raj played by Sohail Khan, Yash played by Yash Tonk and Jassi played by Rajesh Hirjee. All the three aspire to be big in the music industry though the trio was poverty stricken.

They stay at the bungalow of Babe played by Kulbhushan Kharbanda and his family, as paying guests. They don't do very well in spite of their best. After Babe then tells them to launch their own Video Album by sending them to Goa to work on their project.

Later, the story moves slowly and Babe gets an extortion call from an Underworld don Raman Shetty played by Sayaji Shinde. The don threatens to take over Kharbanda's Bungalow.

Thus, the three boys come to the rescue of their patron from the threat of the Don. This explains the movie's title ' Team - The Force'. We may inform you that Sohail Khan had then changed the earlier title of the movie. Again, it has been lying canned for years and could see the daylight during the fight between the two vital parts of the movie industry - the producers and the multiplex owners.

Wonder if it would have remained canned had the film industry row ended last Friday.

Overall, the movie lacks in all respects. Both the script as well as the direction are amateurish. The script is too poor for the actors to do justice to their parts. The director lacks the ability to give it a right direction.

Acting-wise, it has no meat though the cast comprises Sohail Khan, Yash and Rajesh. After all, then they were not stars. Amrita Arora is wasted as she is introduced only to provide a skin show. The pretty Aarti Chhabaria disappoints too.

Sayaji Shinde's interaction with his wife is often funny. Sorry that the director fails to provide good music though the story revolves around the music minded actors. Did the director aim at making this movie a comedy.