Bollywood

Rumor Has it ....

2007-11-25T22:23:00.000-08:00

Rumor has it that the RK Banner will be flying high again in the film industry. Sounds like sons Randhir, Rishi, and Rajiv Kapoor of the Legendary Raj Kapoor will be teaming up to carry on the family business of making films under the RK Banner. There is word that both Kareena & new comer Ranbir each have a feature film in the works under the RK Banner.

Well lets hope that for Ranbir this film has the magic needed to really boost his career from his recent debut film under another banner.
As for Kareena - she just needs to be there - she talent is proven. She just needs a good script and a great co star.

Looks like Bollywood still belongs to the Kapoor Dynasty.

Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa

2007-11-25T21:38:00.000-08:00

Rama Rama Kya Hai Dramaaa - The Soundtrack released recently. Music Videos of the featured songs are finding their way to the internet. And filling the air on the net.

Neha Dhupia is stunning as always. Rajpal Yadhav as the leading man will be a different venue for those who have always seen him as the side kick. Or the back end of every site gag on screen. Rajpal shines in this comedy. The release date of the film has been rumored to have been pushed back from it's December 7th release date. With no date set yet - we just have to wait it out it a bit longer.

SAAWARIYA

2007-11-18T16:50:00.000-08:00

Saawariya

Director - Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Staring: Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Rani Mukerjee,

This the latest installment from SLB. The teaming of the two Kapoor families for this film is a once in a life time match. Ranbir the son of Bollywood couple Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. Sonam the daughter all around Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor.

The storyline is formula in many aspects. However the scenery is totally fantasy land beautiful. A wonder to behold. A treat for the eyes are the songs a treat for the ears. The acting is not bad but no one will win awards on performance here.

Ranbir is talented and does a fine job pulling off his part. The dance sequences seemed to be written and had for Hritit Roshan. Sonam has promise besides being beautiful.

The film it self seems to drag. And But if you haven't seen as of yet I would wait for the DVD. Rent it and fast forward thought it when ever it starts unfortunately it drags in many places.
I am a major fan of SLB but this time It just seemed to miss the mark.

I have recently read that the box office draw for this film makes it a hit. But I think they are being a bit premature in calling this one a hit. I saw this film not because it was rated a hit but because it was another generation on the Kapoor dynasty on the screen. The long awaited debut of Ranbir Kapoor.

OM SHANTI OM

2007-11-18T16:43:00.000-08:00

Om Shanti Om

Director - Farah Khan

Staring : Shah Rukh Khan

This is another from Farah Khan. However unlike "Main Hoon Na" with a strong storyline. Om Shanti Om must relies on the actors to carry this half baked reincarnation script. This film may succeed in becoming a hit just because of the actors on screen. The film is total tongue in cheek. You have to watch this with the idea that nothing is to be taken serious and the bad acting in screens is for effect. SRK is funny in the frist half of the film with the ham acting. It was fun trying to think who he tried to make his screen persona to appear to be.

This film is good for a night out if you have nothing at all to do for a few hours and are looking to not to stretch you brain. It's a simple film, simple plot, simply silly.

Remakes of Classic Films - an Opinion

2007-09-12T11:01:00.000-07:00

Devdas and Umrao Jaan - remakes of a different light.

Both films took the essence of the film in tact yet the glamour and glitz made it a film for the young to behold and non Indian to ponder. I am in many ways one that does not believe in remaking the wheel. Especially if the wheel is not broken. But I too enjoyed these classic stories being retold with all the glamour and chic of the age at hand.
As I mention at the top of the editorial on these films. The Essence of the film is still there they never dilute the story so that it loses it's meaning.
And perhaps a few of the literary and artist license has lent itself to our wondering what if? And that isn't far fetched it could have happened.

Don - The Chase is on
Was a fun remake or shall we say re take on the story. Most of the film had just been modernized. With most of the players doing all the same things as the original with AmitabhBachachan. But the SRK version in places caught you totally off guard. Kareena Kapoor was amusing as the Helen in the dance of seduction in the bedroom scene. It proved with a doubt that Kareena will never be the dancer that Helen was when she did that same dance scene to the same song.

AAG
The most disappointing attempt of a remake or a new spin on an old is "Ram Gopal Varma's AAG" It was the biggest disappointment I think of the season when it comes down to revamps of old films stories. The amazing thing is the cast should have made this breath taking but it fell flat.

Wow Can it really be 5 Years.- The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles will celebrate it's 5th year

2007-05-12T10:33:00.000-07:00

The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles will celebrate it's 5th year when it opens next week on April 17th - April 22nd.

This year Deepti Naval will be honored, Tickets are going Fast.

The festival this year was wonderful as always.
Opening night featured "Provoked" which if you missed it and live in the LA area. Openning in Artesia May 11, 2007 - check local listings for time and location.

Deepti Naval - the tribute for her was great. It was an honor to have her share another side of herself and allow us to enjoy the beauty of her work.

On a personal note - I know when you write poetry especially it is very personal and sometimes very much an intimate part of our being so even a seemly simple piece of prose may come from a very private and personal place.
So I especially wish to thank her for sharing her poetry and painting.

And for those that missed this year's events not to worry they already have the dates for next year. And if you visit IFFLA's website you'll see the upcoming dated for 2008.

A special thanks to all of those at IFFLA for making each year better and better each year.

See you again next year ... I will keep updating this site with little tib bits from IFFLA as I get chance

DDLJ 600 plus showings after 11 years and still going

2007-05-11T22:07:00.000-07:00

Well Hindi Cinema lovers. DDLJ is still running in Mumbai. In fact it is now a bit over 11 years and over 600 showings later. And they still have people who come to see this film and laugh, cry and sing each time.

For those of you that don't know what all this is about. DDLJ is Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - roughly translated "The bravehearted takes the Bride".
This film open way back in October 1995. It was the work of then new comer Aditya Chopra. It changed the face of Hindi Cinema and it's box worthiness outside the walls of India. This film as it spread to the box offices around the world where south asians soon fell in love with the on screen pairing of ShahKhan and Kajol. In a story of a girl from a modest family and a boy from a not so modest family meet on a trek through Europe. Where thier lives keep crossing. She is on her last big outing with her friends before returning home to then go wed a man her father has chosen for her. As for out hero is going to enjoy this outing before retunring to work with his father. But fate has other ideas for these two.

This film recently in 2001 was released on DVD - It is must see film for anyone that loves a good love story. It's great family film with good morale values still intact.
The music is guaranteed stay with you long after the credits have stopped.
If you watch the film closely you will see now very famous and familar faces amoung the surpporting actors of this film.

Shows to watch on Local TV

2005-01-20T02:22:00.000-08:00

If you're in the California area you may be able to pick up "ShowBiz
India" and "Namaste America" . Both of which are on regular non
cable televison in the Los Angeles area.

My List Of Movies For 2005. (2005)

2005-01-20T02:08:00.000-08:00

These Films are just those I wrote down there are more and as I remember them I will update the list.
This is how I filled much of 2005 during my down time.

16 December
1942 A Love Story
23rd March 1931-Shaheed
Aaghaaz
AAkheer
Aamdani Atthani Kharcha Rupaiya
Aanchal
Aankhen
Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage
Abhimann
Achanak
Agnivarsha
Ajnabee
Akele Hum Akela Tum
Aks- The Reflection
Albela
Amdazz
American Desi
Annarth
Asoka
Astitva
Aur Pyar ho Gaya
Awara
Awara Pagal Deewana
Baaz- A Bird in Danger
Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai
Bawander
Bhagat Singh
Bollywood Calling
Bollywood Hollywood
Bombay
Boom
Border
Chalte Chalte
Chandni
Chann Pardesi
Chor Machaaya Shor
Chori Chori Chupke Chupke
Chutney Popcorn
Danger
Darr
Deewaanapan
Deewangee
Devdas (1956)
Devdas (New)
Devi
Dil
Dil Chahta Hai
Dil Deko Dekho
Dil Hai Tumhaara
Dil Ka Rishtaa
Dil Kya Kare
Dil To Pagal Hai
Dil Vil Pyar Vyar
Dilwale
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge
Doli Saja Ke Rakhna
Dostana
Dulhan Dilwale Ki
Durga
Ehsaas
Ek Chhotisi Love Story
Ek Rishtaa – The Bond of love
English Babu Desi Mem
Filhaal
Fire
Gadar – Ek Prem Kahani
Gunaah
Gupt
Haan Maine Bhi Pyaar Kiya`
Har Dil Jo Pyar Karega
Haseena Maan Jaayegi
Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa
Hindustan
Hote Hote Pyaar Ho Gaya
Hum Aapke Hain Kaun
Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam
Hum Kisise Kum Nahin
Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam
Humraaz
Indian
Ishq Vishk
Jaani Dushman
Jai Durga Maa
Jeans
Jeena Sirf Merre Liye
Jism
Jungle
Kaaboo
Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham
Kahin Pyar Na Ho Jaaye
Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai
Kal Ho Naa Ho
Kandukondain Kandukonain
Kasak
Khamoshi The Musical
Kismat (New)
Kitne Door Kitne Paas
Koi Mere Dil Se Pooche
Koi Mil Gaya
Kranti
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai
Kuch TUm Kaho Kuch Hum Kahein
Kya Yehi Pyar Hai
Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa
Kyo Kii Main Jhuth Nahin Bolta
Lagaan
Lajja
Lal Salaam
Leela
LOC-Line Of Control
Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Maa Tujhe Salaam
Madhumati
Main Hoon Na
Maine Dil Tujhko Diya
Maine Pyar Kiya
Maseeha
Mere Yaar Ki Shaadi Hai
Mili
Mitr- My Friend
Mohabbatein
Moksha
Monsoon Wedding
Mother India
Mrhi Da Deeva
Mujhse Dosti Karoge
My Father's Daughter
Na Tum Jaano Na Hum
Naina
Namaste
Nirala
Paagalpan
Paap
Pakeezaa
Pardes
Pitaah
Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai
Pyaar Ishq Aur Mohabbat
Pyaar to Hona hi Tha
Pyaasa
Qayamat Qayamat
Qurbani
Raaz
Raja
Raja Hindustani
Ramayana: The Ledgend Of Price Rama
Rehnaa Hain Terre Dil Mein
Road
Saal Solvan Chadya
Salaam Bombay
Shaheed-E-Azam
Shakti The power
Shararat
Sholay
Shukriya
Sirf Tum
Soch-It's a thought which kills
Suno Sasurjee
Sur- The Melody of Life
Suryavanshi
Taal
Tera Mera Saath Rahen
Tere Naam
The Legend of Bhagat Singh
Tum Bin
Tumko Na Bhool Paayenge
Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai
Vadh
Waah! Tera Kya Kehna
Wangaar
Yaadein
Yeh Dil Aashiqana
Yeh Hai Jalwa
Yeh Kaisi Mohabbat
Yeh Kya Ho Raha Hai
Yeh Mohabbat Hai
Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke
Yeh Teraa Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar
Yeh Zindagi Ka Safar
Ziddi
Zubeidaa

My Personal List of Favorites

2005-01-04T20:44:00.000-08:00

Here is my personal list of favorite films

Devdas (1956 - Bimal Roy) - It's one of my personal favorites. A story of star crossed love.
Mother India - Story of a mother's stuggles, love of family and country. Set to crongical India Struggle to Independance. Note that in 1945 there were floods that killed many.
Mohabbat - A great story of love, friendship, and sacrifice. Good music - a cathy tune that was covered by Stereo Nation.
Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge - This film played in India movie houses for over 6yrs.- Romance story- wonderful cinematogophy. Songs that even if you don't understand or speak Hindi you'll be humming.
Dil Se - I love the cinematography of this film. The story is still wondeful.
Sirf Tum - Love comes to two via the postal service.
Chandini - Nice love story with a bit of a twist.
Qurbani - The film is still fun - now seems a bit campy. But is still a favorite
Kuch Kuch Hota Hai - A daughter helps her father find love.
Maine Pyar kiya - Love and Friendship
The Legend of Bhagat Singh (Rajkumar Santoshi) - One of many films based on the life of this Jat hero. He
Raja Hindustani - A fun story between a simple village cabbie and a city girl.. My favorite song Pardesi .
Raja - A wonderful story of brotherly love and devotio n.
Pyaar to Hona hi tha - A nice comedy film with a thief and a girl determined to win back her lost love.
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham - Great family film complete with the internal strife.
1942 A Love Story - Just as it says a love story - set in Turmoil ridden India in 1942 in the midst of the "Quit India" movement.
Sholay - Indian old west movie - is a good way to describe it. Complete with the chase in the hills and bad guys.

This is just a short list of films I enjoy watching the list may grow and I may include links on more info on the film.
Continue to check the site for updates on this list and places to get these films that I have found online.