Why Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewaani works?

*spoilers ahead*

Ever since watching the trailer of the film and the badtameez dil dance, I wanted to go watch this movie on the first day it was coming out. Friday night was busy with a social engagement so it had to be Saturday. I was super excited to go watch it more because the company was awesome too – my two gal pals. We were as excited as a kid on her birthday, and mostly because of Ranbir Kapoor. ;)

After watching the movie I kept on wondering how this same old ghisa-pita logic (by that I mean story) still works. If you really think about it, it’s actually puraani daaru in nayi botal, so what makes it work? Why are so many viewers including myself so excited about this one? The first thing about YJHD is that almost in the entire two hours of duration there rarely is a moment that allows your attention to steer away from it. The story holds on to you like magnet. You keep wondering what will happen next, in a good exciting way. There are moments when things feel like they are falling apart, like when Bunny decides to move away from India or when Aditi (Kalki Koechlin) decides to get married and drops the bomb on Bunny via video clip. You almost keep wondering whether she’s getting married to Avi (Aditya Roy Kapoor). The end is predictable by the masala category of film yet there’s something that tells the viewer that’s not what’s going to happen and it doesn’t. That’s what makes it click. If you really see, the train sequences remind one of moments from Jab We Met and DDLJ. Then there’s the love between friends and how they fight and makeup with each other that kind of reminds you of Dil Chahta Hai and then a foreign kid joining the gang, Raina (Poorna Jagannath), well, sort of reminds of Rang De Basanti and then friends fighting and going their own paths after graduation again reminds of Dil Chahta Hai and it almost makes one wish that their paths hopefully do cross again in future. Soaking your feet in pool water reminded me of Munna and Circuit. :) Not sure why, but Bunny (Ranbir Kapoor) moving to the US and then moving back to India reminded me of Swades. And then Bunny and Naina (Deepika Padukone) taking f o r e v e r to tell each other about their feelings. God! That was so annoying, but I’m glad they finally did and that Vikram dude was just another Anshuman (from Jab We Met). I think that’s what kept the movie going. The fact that the audience couldn’t tell whether our hero and heroine will actually get together at the end. You always fear a QSQT moment or Kal Ho Na Ho moment. Thankfully it was neither so it was pretty darn good. It was so adorable to see Aditi getting married to Taran and that no difficult moments could break them.

The acting is great and majority of the storyline pretty solid. It was great to see Farooq Sheikh as Bunny's father. Reminded me of Umrao Jaan and Chashme Baddoor and made me appreciate the fact that actors like him are still getting work. Chemistry, Biology and whatever else you want to call it between Ranbir and Deepika is so awesome it makes one forget it's a movie and not real life. Now I know why Karan Johar said it's a movie and not a wedding invitation. ;) Kalki and Aditya are awesome as supporting actors. It was my first film with them as actors and I have to admit I liked both of their works and am looking forward to watching more of their works. I had almost predicted my most favorite scene of the film and that was the one where Bunny and his step-mom chat at the end of the film. Absolutely loved that scene and I think it's entirely thanks to Ayan Mukherjee for coming up with such a yeh-laga-sixer moment and bringing closure and feel-good-vibes to the whole movie by putting that in.

I have to admit that the drinking got a bit out of hand and it almost made me wish that they display those statutory warnings like with cigarette smoking for alcohol too. It’s not something to be promoted for sure. And I wish Avi’s friends helped him get out of the gambling routine. That was kind of sad to see him go through bad times. In a way it was a moral of the story kind of thing too, for those who want to see it that way. Meaning if you are jealous about someone else’s success and have super high expectations from your friends, it’s possible that it might not get you anywhere. If you want to achieve something in life, YOU have to make an effort and not wait for someone else to do something for you. At the same time, if your friends make progress in different fields than you, wish them well. Don’t be jealous and upset about their achievements. And last but not least, when it comes to friends or people you love, nothing matters. Got to stand by them when they need you. That’s what friendship is all about. And honesty and simplicity are not bad things. :)

And if it's a Bollywood film, we have to talk about songs. Pritam's music is utterly beautiful. All the songs are fantasic to listen to and watch on screen. My most favorite ones are ilaahi (you might have missed this makes-you-want-to-listen-to-it-over-and-over-again kind of song like I did during watching the film if you were too busy looking at Ranbir ;)) and re kabira, followed by balam pichkaari and badtameez dil. Subhaan allah is also beautifully sung and the kind that sort of grows on your after you listen to it a few times. If you are watching the movie in a theater that does not break for an interval, then you can go pee when dilliwali girlfriend song comes up. ;) Ghaghra song is typical mujra meets qawaali song and Madhuri looks like million dollars.

So if you still haven’t seen YJHD, go watch it! You will love it for sure. I am waiting for an opportunity to go watch it again in theater. Good work, YJHD team!

"The" English Vinglish

After waiting for it for months I finally got to watch English Vinglish. And now I know why Raksha aunty kept on pestering mom to watch it. What an amazing movie! It's not just the acting and the storyline that making it an amazing watch, but the moral of the story too. To learn to love yourself and respect yourself. It all starts within. As usual.

My most favorite scenes of the film:

When Laurent answers why he loves coming to the class. Shashi! That was the sweetest. I honestly kept wondering where the movie is going after seeing him show his affection towards Shashi.

Every single scene where Shashi does the "yoo-hoo!" and lifts up her hand and cheers and almost jumps with joy.

After much struggle Shashi finally orders a sandwich and coffee, runs into another customer at the restaurant and gets super flustered and runs out of the restaurant. She is really good at these scenes, isn't it? There were traces of abused Anju of Chaalbaaz, and young angry-scared Mehndi of Khuda Gawah and furiously upset Pooja of Lamhe. That's when that little voice in my mind said, wow! The Sridevi is really back!!

How Shashi asks in class why it's THE United States of America but not THE India.

I simply adored the last scene. The way Gauri Shinde has made is so realistic with the clear slow speech where every word is said after thinking, after translating and our underdog has made it seem so real, so amazing! It truly deserves a standing ovation. Not to forget the "chullu bhar paani mein doob maro" acting by the family members. They were also quite convincing. For a moment, I did wonder however, if Ms. Shinde was bold enough, like our other Bollywood directors *wink* *wink* to make Shashi leave her family and go live a happier life with Laurent. But when I heard the dialog, "main apne favorite subject mein fail ho jau aur doosre subject mein pass ho jaau.. yeh kaise ho sakta hai?" I knew she had her brain and heart in the right place. ;) It was time to make laddus again, so what if she can't go attend the final exam or the last class session. And indeed, at the end, as I guessed it, thanks to her lovely niece, the school comes to her and she passes her class with flying colors. After all, her classmates had to have laddus somehow, so then two plus two is four.

And when Shashi tells the class to not make fun of others. Others who remain quiet in the class, or others who are different than you. Wow man! that's some BIG lesson of life and you just show it so simply. Hats off, Gauri Shinde.

It was funny to see Radha ask/say to Mausi (wait, that almost sounds like I'm talking about Sholay, doesn't it!), at the end of the remote class session over a cellphone: "wow! he really likes you. Do you like him too? It's okay, hota hai..." or something like that. It was hilarious in a *chuckle chuckle* sort of way.

Was anyone else rooting for Amitabh to be on that return flight to India? I know I was. :D

Oh and my favorite song would have to be "gustaakh dil..."

If you still haven't seen it, please, do take time to watch this one.

Student of the Year aka Fillum of the Year

*spoilers ahead*

This is your Mohabbatein meets Jo-Jeeta-Wohi-Sikandar meets Harry-Potter-and-the-Goblet-of-Fire movie. It's a totally fun movie with a couple of short heavy scenes which make you shed a tear or two if you're the senti kind who gets affected by filmy drama. But all in all, a very very fun movie!! This is the kind of movies I like for I get to put my dimaag away and enjoy the craziness and fun. KJo really knows how to spend money and give the audience what they want.

My most favorite thing about the movie was the music and songs. OH MY GOD!! Vishal Shekhar truly rock!! Absolutely loved that KJo decided to incorporate those oldies in the film like gulaabi aakhen, papa kehte hai, taareef karoon kya us ki, and disco deewaane. I'm completely hooked to the music and my most favorite parts being the dubstep and that music that plays from 1:16 to 1:30 in this clip: http://youtu.be/Y3wvsGYju60.

Completely loved the friendship that the characters shared and the HUGS!! Totally loved how they all, even the boys, give each other hugs without hesitations. I think Rishi Kapoor's character might have had something to do with it. Oh and also the fact that it's directed by KJo. *wink wink*

Hilarious were the parts where after every scene involving a kind-hearted conversation, Abhimanyu asked Rohan "ab tu kiss to nahin karega na?" and the shuddh-Hindi words conversation that involved "vaksh sthal" and "nitamb" and then the teacher going "aap dono mahashay khade ho jaaiye". Rest of the shuddh Hindi wasn't too tasteful, but I guess how the dialog writer said, he had a hard time choosing words that teenagers would use. Glad he kept it to minimal and some gestures only.

Other than that, it was nice to see the romance and fights and usual KJo-melodrama that goes with his films and the flying-in-chopper (here private-plane) and the grandeur and colorful costumes were nice and predictable. Glad they kept the rona-dhona to minimal. I can't wait to watch the film again!

Oh and last but not least, the similarities to begin with (I am sure there are more):

Ideas from Mohabbatein - big expensive school in a gorgeous location in India. Lots of friends but three main ones. Strict khadoos teacher/professor. Big group (prom) dance where boys and girls fall in love with each other.

Ideas from Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar - bicycle race, rigorous practice for the BIG race, and not just that bicycle race in the hills and contestants kick each other off the road to win, girl 1 loves boy 1, boy 1 is confused and thinks he loves girl 2, boys with sidekicks drive fancy cars, main actors are two boys and a girl.

Ideas from Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire - the (award) cup, tournament involving multiple kinds of races/competitions, swim down to the bottom of the water entity (lake/pool) to find the clue, one clue leads to another clue in the tournament, climbing/flying around the college/school campus roof during the clue finding, four teams/participants in the tournament.

Hindi Film Pictionary

Trying my hand again for Emoji emoticon pictionary with Hindi film names this time. :) Let's see how that works.

Thanks to all who played and attempted. Here come the answers:

 1.  (chameli ki shaadi)

 2.  (pyaar hi pyaar)

 3.  (begani shaadi mein abdulla deewana)

 4.  (teesri mansil)

 5.  (kashmir ki kali)

 6.  (prem rog)

 7.  (rockstar)

 8.  (aradhana)

 9.  (boot polish)

10.  (andaaz)

What my friends are saying about Superstar Rajni:

Endhiran: The Robot is out and here's what my friends are saying about The Storm called Rajnikant!

After watching ROBOT I believe that only Rajnikanth can do this: gmail@rajnikanth.com

Rajnikanth got his drivers license at the age of 16 Seconds.

"The iconic Superstar contributes a certain magic that is hard to explain. It’s more like a mother’s touch to home cooking that simply makes you want more." - The Hindu

The day after watching the movie, a friend: why does life feel so empty today..

The day after watching the movie, another friend: was feeling a bit down, like after olympics is done the athletes feel a void. I was feeling a bit BEREFT after ENDHIRAN. but decided to pick myself up to enjoy the after festivities.

Love love loved endhiran!!!! Perfect role(s) for Rajni! :-)

In the beginning there was nothing…then Rajnikant kicked that nothing in the face and said “Get a job”. That is the story of the universe.

Once Rajnikant wrote a cheque and... the bank bounced!

Now in India only Rajnikant will vote. There will be many elections for that.

Rajnikant is so fast he always comes yesterday.

Intel's new processor with remarkable caption.............."RAJNI INSIDE..!":-D

Breaking news: We are all safe....World is not going to end in 2012.....because, yesterday, Rajnikanth bought a laptop with 3 years of warranty!!!

Rajni's high school homework is now known as.... Wikipedia !!!

When Rajnikanth enters a room he doesn't turn the lights on, he turns the darkness off.

Happy Rajnikant and wish you very happy new Rajnikant... From - Diwali & New Year ;-)

An e-mail was sent from Pune to Mumbai...
.
.
.
.
Rajnikanth stopped it in Lonavala.

Rajnikant gets Madam Tussuad's wax statue at his home....

(More to come as you can never say enough about Rajni, I guess...)

PS. I am yet to watch the movie (can't believe it).

2010-10-11: Btw, for the non-Tamil speaking folks, did you know the meaning of Enthiran? It is the same as yantra aka yenthra aka enthiran. ;) Thanks to a friend that took time to shed some light.

El Bimbo... by Paul Mauriat in Hindi Film

This isn't really a Khanna-o-rama post, but thought I'd post this on here in case other fans are searching for the same.

What movie, or should I say Vinod Khanna movie plays this music of El Bimbo? Anyone knows? Answer tomorrow.




Here comes the answer:

The film is none other than "James Bond Ka Baap" Hera Pheri (1976) starring Amitabh Bachchan, Vinod Khanna and Saira Banu.

The el bimbo music starts at 1:08 and hunkalicious Vinod Khanna comes in at 4:18 in this clip:

"Hum hai raahi pyaar ke... phir milenge... chalte chalte..."

What? You still haven't heard that dialog? Go watch Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, right now!

I really enjoyed watching this film despite of it being so bad like almost everyone says. It's one of those movies that falls under it-is-so-pathetic-i-love-it category. There's quite a lot of nice things in this one and one just has to sit there and ponder upon them before moving on to the next scene. What did I like about it? Here goes:

1. First and foremost, SRK's acting. This man's work just gets better with time, I think. I used to not like him as much but eventually have grown to like him for who he is on-screen and off-screen. SRK truly rocks!
   
2. How Surinder and Bobby love each other and would do anything for each other... their friendship is so close, they even say "I love you" to each other!! If you are a man, it takes guts to say "I love you" to another man.
   
3. The music, because it includes songs such as "haule haule" and "phir milenge... chalte chalte". I like the others too but these two are more fun songs than the others. And I totally adore the background music by Salim-Sulaiman. "Tujh mein rab dikhta hai" is one of those that you start liking after listening to it like a gazillion times and Sunidhi is awesome is "dance pe chance" though I admit I don't understand all of the lyrics but Labh Januja's voice haunts me day and night, in a good way of course.
   
4. How in the first half you just keep laughing at almost everything about Surinder - the way he combs his hair, the way he walks, the way he dresses, the way he receives phone calls at work, the way he talks to himself, just about everything he does.
   
5. The mucchad, chashmish, shy, quiet, innocent, adorable, pure-at-heart Suri.
   
6. How this movie reminds me of good ol' Golmaal. There are so many similarities, it's unbelievable. (1) our hero has the mooch-munda and mucchad versions!! (2) one super cool alter ego and the other "mucchad buddhu" like how Urmila would call him (3) the heroine falls in love with the "luccha lafanga" hero and hates the seedha-sada hero (4) the dad loves the "mucchad buddhu" but the daughter doesn't (5) the sidekick of the hero - Deven vs. Bobby (6) the cool hero gives lessons (study vs. dance) to the heroine (7) the frustration that our hero goes through... I am sure there's more to add to this list.
   
7. How Suri says on phone: "Punjab Power... lighting up your life ji".
   
8. How the movie shows that it's the nice little things, little acts of showing our consideration towards the others that wins people's hearts.
   
9. How simplicity is portrayed along with the theme that God is great and that no matter what the end result is in His hands for everything.
   
10. Did I already say SRK's acting? Yeah, during scenes like Taani walks in and he's working on laptop and gets up all of a sudden only to realize he has the string of his pen-drive around his neck, his fight with the sumo wrestler, how he tries to hide his brand new wedding, how he requests Taani to come out and greet his coworkers, how he accepts the lack of love from Taani and continues to love her and be nice to her.
    

Btw, this becomes the first movie ever that I watched in theater TWICE! :D

So now you know what to do, right? If you haven't seen this one already, it's totally worth a watch. Mostly because you won't need to use your brains. ;) Enjoy!

The sound track of my life

After I came across several sound tracks of lives for some of my fellow bloggers, I decided to give this one a try.

Pitu's was on her favorite semi-classical numbers and Memsaab's was on black & white (only!) Shammi Kapoor songs and then TBF's on Aamir Khan songs. So I wanted to specialize mine too.. but couldn't decide for the longest time, I started out with Shammi Kapoor's and then got bored of the categories and then came Rajendra Kumar. He too was so very charming but ran out of good songs of him that I really like for each of those categories.. so then I thought of HIM! That's right.. the Hunk of Bollywood - Salman Khan! I asked myself, who else could be better than him? Answer was NO ONE! So here goes, sound track of my life with Salman Khan songs. Hope you enjoy it as much as I did. :D


The task: For situations described, come up with song(s) that would apply to them in your life.

You'll have to get used to the fact that this guy is super cool and super hot so for some of the categories I've had to pick more than one song. ;)


Opening Credits: bechain hai meri nazar, Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun

Waking Up: albela sajan aayo re, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Pehli Mulaqat: pehla pehla pyaar hai, Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun

Falling in Love: aate jaate jo milta hai, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega & kuch bhi nahin tha, Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar

First date: dekha hai pehli baar, Saajan

Tenth date: tum par hum hai atke yaara, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya & keh raha hai, Baabul

Wedding: tere ghar aaya... saajan ji ghar aaye, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai & jaan-e-bahara jaan-e-tamanna, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa

Love Scene: bahot pyaar karte hai, Saajan & mere rang mein rangne waali, Maine Pyar Kiya

Fight Scene: sau dard hai, Jaan-e-man

Breaking Up: jhonka hawa ka aaj bhi, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Getting Back Together: dil deewana dhoondh raha hai, Chaand Ka Tukda

Average Day: ek garam chai ki pyaali ho, Har Dil Jo Pyaar Karega

Life's OK: kabhi tu chhaliya lagta hai, Patthar Ke Phool

Flashback: tum se milna baatein karna, Tere Naam

Deep Thought: jiye to jiye kaise bin aap ke, Saajan

Mental Breakdown: tadap tadap ke is dil se, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam

Learning a (dance) Lesson: chha raha hai pyaar ka nasha, Chandramukhi

Driving: tum se milne ki tamanna hai, Saajan & yeh mausam ka jaadu, Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun

Partying: yeh dil to mila hai, Dil Ne Jise Apna Kahaa

Songs on Rain: aankhon mein bandh kar loon, Sangdil Sanam

Happy Dance: oh oh jaan-e-jaana, Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya

Sad Dance: dil deewana bin sajna ke, Maine Pyaar Kiya

Kid Song:I couldn't find a kids' song so picked this one that came closest to anything like a kid song - pehli pehli baar jab, Jab Pyaar Kisi Se Hota Hai

On Leadership: not really but sort of.. kahe tohse sajna, Maine Pyaar Kiya

Death Scene: no death scenes, this hero deserves no death on screen so putting up a parting one - mujh se juda ho kar, Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun

End Credits: are you kidding me? no way... I give you the silliest and most fun number - bum bum... do mastaane, Andaz Apna Apna

Anyone who's a sport to take up this tag, please do so and share the link on here. I'd love to listen to your favorite songs. :)

Prem is back!!!

No, it's not Salman Khan or Shahid Kapoor this time, but the hottest new dude in town - Sonu Sood. And does he look handsome or what! *swoon*

The film Ek Vivaah... Aisa Bhi is coming out in November this year. yipiieeeee!!!

Check out Prem's signature dialog in the film: "saat janam... kaafi hai na?" on here.

Can't wait to listen to the new songs of Ravindra Jain. Here are some of them:

Song 1:

aaj ke imtehaan ki fikr nahin
jeet kar hum yahaan se guzarenge
asliyat to pataa chalegi jab
ishq ke imtehaan se guzrenge

Song 2:

mujh mein zinda hai woh
us mein zinda hoon main

Song 3:

mandir hai (3) ghar yeh hamara
mandir hai ghar yeh hamara
utna hi paavan utna hi sundar
utna hi pyaara pyaara
mandir hai ghar yeh hamara (2)

Click on the link above for trailers and other info. Long live Rajshri!

Image rights: Rajshri

What is common in these 3 films?

• Jab We Met
• Lage Raho Munna Bhai
• Vivah

At first, it seems difficult to see this similarity but if you notice it, it's quite funny.

Aditya Kashyap's company office in JWM, the reception area of Jhanvi's radio station - World Space Satellite Radio in LRMB and Harishchandra group of companies reception area are all the same! Check it out. ;)

Jab We Met - Aditya Kashyap has just launched new calling card "Geet" and it was on TV, he climbs down the stairs

Jab We Met - Geet's family barges in after watching Aditya on TV launching the calling card

Lage Raho Munna Bhai - Bhai comes for radio interview

Vivah - Prem has just arrived to office after a game of squash

Vivah - The receptionist or Maria aunty as Prem calls her gets all excited because big boss (Prem's dad) has found a girl for him to marry!

I still have a feeling that I've seen this office/reception area in more films, just can't recall now.

Another similar location is actually the white colored swing used in Hrishikesh Mukherjee's movies. (I'll have to look up for the photo of it) I think it's seen in Chupke Chupke, Khubsoorat, and a few others. Anyone remember that?

Ten Things I like about "Chak De! India" & More

Here goes:

1. Kabir Khan's character and acting. SRK truly rocks! Loved his unshaven look too. ;)
   
2. The lessons that the 16 girls' characters teach us - anger hurts you more than anyone else; you can come from not knowing English at all and still learn it and succeed in life; you can love your husband and family but don't have to give up your dreams for them; being egoist isn't worth it, and that if you're talented, people will learn to respect you if not right away over time; respect can not be snatched but earned; it is inappropriate to mix professional and personal life; jealousy brings you down; sulking has no benefits; it is better to not marry than to marry someone who doesn't respect you.
   
3. The lesson the movie teaches us: anekta mein ekta (unity in diversity) - that no matter how different we are in looks, religion, in the way we think, the language we speak, when we are together we can make a difference, this has a bigger meaning if we want to look at it that way - a message for world peace.
   
4. That saari is the most beautiful garment a woman can wear.
   
5. If someone does something you don't agree with or don't approve of, there could be reasons behind it. Don't judge anyone to soon. Don't say mean things to anyone. You might regret it later on.
   
6. That sports are not a bad thing. Of course, they shouldn't and don't replace education, but they make a great extracurricular activity and if you see talent in your kids, encourage them to pursue it.
   
7. Kabir Khan's dialog "aaj ek firangi ko tiranga lehraate dekh raha hoon".
   
8. Sukhlalji's character and acting. All through out the film, I was reminded of the 'HUM JEET GAYE!! HUM JEET GAY!!" screams by Ram Singh of Lagaan. And his "rakshason ki sena" dialog about the Hockey team is hilarious. Also, how Bindia confidently tells him they will come home winners, and the way they miss the homemade food he makes. Fantastic!
   
9. My other favorites are Soimoi's affirmative "ho" dialogs, Balbir's anger towards everything, Vidya's passion for hockey, Komal & Preeti's fights, Bindia's pride, Rani's encouragement towads Soimoi.
   
10. The fight scene at McDonald's. There's more to be said about this last one.
    

After I read about moments in filmi feminism (the first installment in an occasional series): the restaurant brawl in Chak De! India
and 16 Angry Women today, I had to write this post.

And while I was reading more about this film and this particular scene, I found out that this incident actually happened in real life and the scene was inspired from that:

The scene where they start fighting, happened to us when we were returning from a game in Bangalore, and some boys started passing comments...

To be honest, I find this scene so much more fun to watch than inappropriate for the message it might convey about violence, "not cleaning up after yourselves", "making a mess in someone else's place". It is because it shows triumph, triumph of women over men, that women or not any less than men, that they are not mere objects of entertainment, and that men making lewd remarks towards them should be responded back royally. This scene is an inspiration for women who feel they can not voice their feelings, their humiliation, the disrespect shown to them by those men who think anything goes when it comes to women of my country, who think of women to be lower than themselves, who have no respect for women.

One film where I remember I got really upset while watching was Lajja (2001). I hated some of the scenes in the film but at the end, I realized that it was actually the bitter truth of how women are treated in our society. Also, having a first hand experience of this harassment on trains, on buses, in theaters, in schools, in colleges and practically everywhere we go, every time some woman gives back what these men actually deserve, it gives me a sense of gratification. Sort of happiness that one can never imagine unless they experience it themselves. I say more power to these women!

I felt blessed the day I set my foot in the US. Here there were no boys winking at me while I walked back after school, no boys to ask me out the second time after I refused for the first time, no men staring at me on buses and trains while I traveled, no boys chasing me on their scooters while I rode my bike from that market, no men sitting on their parked vehicles talking about me and laughing while I crossed the road, no strangers asking the kiddie-me to sit in their laps on buses so they can make an attempt to touch me in wrong places, no men to stalk me up to my home, no men to make harassing phone calls to my neighbors or asking their friends to try and get to me. I breathed a sigh of relief. I was able to go out with an all girls group and not be harassed at all even if it was 11 o'clock in the night.

So when I look at these 16 girls beat up those &*%^&^*^$*&^ men, I wanna go "yayyy! go for it girls". My three cheers to you.

Ten Things I Like about "Hera Pheri"

1. How easily the film portrays the bitter truth of life that every one of us have our problems, things that worry us, and still life moves on.
   
2. The honesty and innocence portrayed in Baburao Apte's character.
   
3. How Ghanshyam and Raju fight but still love eachother.
   
4. How simple the romance is between Ghanshyam and Anuradha.
   
5. Kharagh Singh's acting
   
6. Manager (Asrani) has just convinced Anuradha to go after Ghanshyam to soften him up, she climbs up on the bus behind him. The guy at the bus stop (Snehal Dabi) thinks he is some dalaal and tries to get him to find another raapchik maal for him.
   
7. Babubhaiya's love for santra/khambha/sharaab.
   
8. The song "chhana-chhan-chhanaana.. jab bhi koi haseena main dekhoo..." and everything about it - the hummer, the ferrari, the sand-surfing, the horse-back riding in ocean water, the rugby-like sport, the beach boys, the cute-chubby-Mamta-Kulkarni-like actress and of course oh-so-handsome Akki!
   
9. The fight/action scene at the end of the film, specially when Babubhaiya's gun fires off.
   
10. Kabira's sidekick (Razak Khan) saying: "the end, sir!" at the end of the fight.

Next Harry Potter film - 8 months delayed!!!

The film release date is being changed from "its planned Nov. 21 release to July 17, 2009". It sounds fishy to me, but they say otherwise.

Why would they want to delay it by such a long time when the film's going to be ready and sitting around waiting to be watched?

GRRRRR!

The move was made to take advantage of an open weekend in Hollywood's busy summer season, said Alan Horn, Warner Bros. president and chief operating officer. The film had been on schedule, and the change was not due to any production snags, he said.

"The picture is completely, absolutely, 100 percent on schedule, on time. There were no delays," Horn told The Associated Press. "I've seen the movie. It is fabulous. We would have been perfectly able to have it out in November."

Source: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080814/ap_on_en_mo/film_harry_potter

Photo copyrights: (Jaap Buitendijk/Warner Bros. Pictures/Handout/Reuters)

My Favorite Movies I

When it comes to Hindi films I like the craziest and the most ridiculous ones that are out there. As you know, a lot of our Bollywood films fall under the ekdam-third-class-lekin-mast category, but I think that is exactly what makes them so cool to watch over and over again!

Like I had mentioned in my movie quirks meme, when I like some scene a lot, I rewind it a few times to watch it again and again. So for the pleasure of all the movie goers, I am adding at least one rewind-worthy scene for each of the films.

Here's my first list of watch-till-I-get-bored movies, but guess what!!! I am not bored of them at all. :D

In an alphabetical order:

Baadal (2000) - Can't recall when it was that I watched this movie for the first time, but fell in love with it instantly. Since then I must have watched it 7-8 times. It's outrageously fantastic. ;) Bobby Deol and Rani create a havoc in the film and it's just so much fun to watch them. Mayuri Kango, well, let's just say the director wanted to get a clown for his circus and he got one. Johnny Lever and Upasna Singh are also quite funny, specially in their honeymoon sequence. Songs are cheesy mostly (oh you should watch the laal gharara song for Rani's dance), but na milo hum se zyada is cutsy romantic number. Others are the craziest! I love them. Can't believe I know some of them by heart. :P These dance numbers are hilarious most of the times so a complete entertainment, IMO. Amrish Puri totally rocks in jugni jugni!!! If you decide to watch this, which would be commendable in itself, I have a hunch you might want to give up in the middle. If you feel like that I won't blame you at all, but since you've started watching it, I would suggest don't miss the ice-skating scene of Rani and Mayuri. It's a must watch! Do whatever, but DO NOT miss it - the triple-lutz and triple-axels are to die for (well, not literally but you'd know when you watch it). Last but not least, Bobby Deol looks so very handsome! Rewind-worthy scene: the ice-skating sequence.

Hum Saath Saath Hai (1999) - Someone voted for this one as the worst movie on a survey at Sayeshaz. I was like WHAT?! how can they do that? I'd watch this one tirelessly just to see Karishma wear that yellow-red synthetic saari over and over again in every other scene. ;) Nah, only kidding, there's more fun stuff to watch in there than just that. The extra-large star-cast and all the handsome Bollywood boys and the storyline (the moral of the story) make it a really nice watch. I admit I love those Ramayan chopai they sing in this one. They're absolutely beautiful! I also like all the positive attitude shown by the eldest kids in family Vivek-Sadhana, actually all the kids have portrayed their parts really well. Some of their acted behaviors are truly touching and the importance of family and all the relationships are shown beautifully. Rewind-worthy scene: when Sadhana feeds sweet to Prem and says "Prembhaiya, door rehkar bhi hum saath saath hai" when he shows up at Rampur instead of going home to his mother.

Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001) - A lot of bad has been said about this one; But despite of that I really like this one a lot. Agreed, that there is a wee bit of too much drama in a few scenes but apart from that it is a good movie with nice moral of the story and mega star-cast. What more could I ask for? My favorite scenes of the movie include all the ones with Poo & Rohan in it and of course with Sayeeda (Farida Jalal); my most favorite songs from the film are suraj hua maddham and vande maataram along with bole chudiyaan. Rewind-worthy scene: Poo leaving for a party, walks down the stairs in red outfit/red shoes; Rohan meets her half way on the stairs, the dialog starts with "tumne..." "maine..." until Poo walks up to Robbie who has come with flowers to pick her up.

Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon (2003) - After I read here, here, here, here, and also here about how people severely disliked this one, I just had to add this one to the list. I tell you I am so crazy about this one, I must have watched it more than ten times. I love everything about this movie. The comedy, the romance, the dances, the story, Kareena's look (I think she looks the best ever in this one in those simple sarees and pretty salwars) and the both the Bollywood boys look so handsome. Not to mention the beautiful locations! Kareena's crazy friends are fun to watch. ;) Himani Shivpuri has played mom's role beautifully and Pankaj Kapoor looks like every guy's dream father-in-law. Heck, even the dude playing their servant (Raju Srivastava) is funny. I specially like the scene where he sings "sajnaa ji aaye more anganaa are dholki bajaao..." when Prem Kishen arrives at their ranch in Sundarnagar for the first time. Many great songs but my most favorite one is bhatke pachhi bhool na jaana along with kasam ki kasam hai kasam se (both being piano songs woo hoo!) MPKDH totally rocks! You guessed it right, I own this movie on DVD. :D Rewind-worthy scene: Sanjana welcoming Prem Kishan at their home for a meal and is instructed by her mother on how to behave in front of the new guest.

Mujhse Dosti Karoge (2002) - AWESOME! that's the word for this movie. Again, watched it countless times for all the goodies in this one - Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor, Rani's acting not her high heels, the songs, the medley is nice and so are the other songs. My favorite one is jaane dil mein kab se hai tu. Almost all the parents are funny in this one. First movie where I actually liked Uday Chopra. Rewind-worthy scenes: (1) Raj makes gobi ke parathe for Pooja with his own hands and feeds a bite to her, they're standing outside in a dark night on a deck like place, "pyaar hua iqraar hua" plays in the background. The best scene of the film. (2) Raj and Rohan in gym; Raj practicing agaist the tall net thing and Rohan asks him why he never fell in love with Pooja and Raj says "tum poochh rahe ho ki keh rahe ho?" and Roham says "dono"... the scene continues.

Naram Garam (1981) - Golmaal Part II. That's the easiest way to describe this one. If you liked Golmaal, you'll like this one for sure. It's a little slow paced but new drama and new people make it so exciting. Specially the new cast that includes chana-gud eating Shatru-shotgun-Sinha as Babua and his signature "abey ghonchu" and Gajanan (Suresh Chatwal) is so annoying along with Ramprasad just being himself. :) Kiran Vairale as Sumi looks cute; the song ek baat suni hai chachaji batlaane waali hai makes a fun watch and the acting of Dina Pathak as mother-in-law of Bhavani Shankar is awesome! Asha Bhosle's mere anganaa aaye re ghanshyaam aaye re is a beautiful song picturized on Swarup Sampat. Rewind-worthy scene: Bhavani Shankar has come to the farmhouse for the first time to meet Kusum as a potential matrimonial prospect. He begins talking by calling her "dekho Kusi beti.... eeeeeeeeeeeeeeesh!". hahahahahahaha! *fell off the chair typing it*

Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963) - As Difu would say "lovely lovely lovely... isn't this *pbapb pbapb pbapb* taak-dhina-dhin"! ;) This one is your usual romantic comedy family drama action suspence movie in that order but it's been my most favorite ever since I watched it for the first time (can't recall when). I must have watched it almost as many times as Golmaal, which is close to 20+ times. I love each and every song of the film but my most favorite one right now is "laakhon hai nigaah mein" (as this changes by the day). Rajendra Nath plays Difu the most entertaining character in the film. :D Next ones are his parents played by Indra Bansal and Rajendra Singh. Kamala (Ram Avtar) - Mohan's sidekick is also funny and totally gol-matol (chubby). Asha Parekh looks beautiful; and her friends cute and irritatingly funny; Joy Mukherjee looks just handsome as Mohan! Veena as Mohan's mother looks very graceful. aanchal mein sajaa lena kaliyaan is the most beautiful song of the film with the most beautiful studio background scenes. The dances in dekho bijali doli bin baadal ke and aji kibla mohtarma are beautiful. Rewind-worthy scene: This one has too many of those, but my favorite is when Kamala looks (more like checks her out from head to toe) at Difu's mother (Indra Bansal) and she feels all shy and looks down blushing.

Tashan (2008) - OMG! what a movie! what a movie! what a movie!!! I totally went fida over this one even though it made it to this worst-movies-ever list. Whattttt an action sequence, the one at the end. Oh my! I'd watch it over and over again for that one, where Anil Kapoor comes on the motorbike and Paris Hilton haha I mean Kareena pokes that sword through his chest. The dil dance maare song is simply fantabulous!!! But I know you all would have liked the chhalia chhalia number more as you have no taste in quality movies. Paris Hilton's errr I mean Kareena's looks can kill someone, literally, cuz even her bones are thinner than daggers. OK fine, I added this film here just to find out whether my readers actually got upto the end of this list or not. But yea, I'd sure watch this one again for the "phirst impresson ij tha lasth impresson" *rolling her hands like Nil Bhaaloo Kaps*. And you probably still don't know, but I do plan to own this one DVD soon. Yup, only for Akshay Kumar. ;) Rewind-worthy scene: the action scene at the end of the film and of course the ones where Akshay Kumar gets shot during the fight sequence in that building. His leaping shots are awesome!

Vivaah (2006) - this is another one of those cute romantic films that everyone has watched. I watched this one three times non-stop after I watched it for the first time. Unfortunately, that was after it was out on DVD and the theater won't play one more show of it despite of my requests. Any how, later on I watched it more than a dozen times or even more; I have lost count now. One of my cousin finds it utterly outrageous and still can't believe I have watched this film so many times. And the other one actually gifted me the collectors' edition DVD of the film. *mile-wide smile* :D What can I say? As you know I'm a huge fan of Sooraj Barjatya movies and this one makes it into their top ten list. Also like the other couple in film Sunil & Bhavna played by Samir Soni and Lata Sabharwal respectively. Seema Biswas' negative role acting is also great along with all the other characters. Manoj Joshi is funny as always. Remember the scene during the do anjaane ajnabi where he makes some gestures towards Prem and he drops that flower-vase? Hahaha so funny. Adore Ravindra Jain's music for this one. I like all the songs of this one but jai gauri maa the most. Rewind-worthy scene: all the scenes where Poonam and Prem talk over the phone.

Until next time...


So do you have any oh-so-ridiculous-yet-favorite movies on your list?

Movie Quirks Meme

So there's this interesting chain of thoughts going around the block and I came across it at Nova's so said to myself, why not try it out? It sounds an awful lot of fun!!!

It's about movies, movies and more movies... here comes my extra-long version: (Jeez I can't believe I have 18 of them listed!! phew)

I love watching Hindi movies (specially the old ones and b&w) and most of the time I end up watching the movie over and over again on DVD once I know I like it a lot.

I love discussions about the movie while watching it, specially with someone who also loves to do the same. I'd pause the movie and discuss it for like 15-20 minutes about what we just saw or noticed. There are so many details we usually miss out on, it's mind-blowing when you realize and start paying attention to those little things. I truly enjoy doing that.

I love watching movies in theater as well but I would rather read a few reviews about it before I finally buy the tickets.

I have never walked out of a movie in my life, may be because I haven't really watched any extra lousy movie in a theater.

I, too, don't like having crying kids in a movie theater, but hey, those parents need a break too, right? :P

I have never been to a movie (in a theater) alone and I wouldn't want to.

I hate watching a movie sitting in the first few rows, so close to the screen. (I had to watch Mr. & Mrs. Smith from second row and absolutely hated the position.)

I have never watched same movie twice in a theater (may be because they don't do reruns of those golden oldies in theaters).

I watch the movie until the very end, even after the credits are displayed and all the audience has gone out. I love to find out about who worked on what and the locations and other movie making info.

I love comedy movies and laugh out loud while watching them, regardless of where I'm watching them - theater or DVD.

I am not a fan of too-much-rona-dhona kind of movies and don't like to watch movies that make adults cry. (I guess films like Taare Zameen Par, Veer Zaara would be exceptions)

I wish all of my favorite movies were made in IMAX! ;)

I am not a carbonated soda fan and don't like eating junk food while I watch a movie, but I have to admit once I pigged out on popcorn and jalapeño peppers with my cousins. Boy! do they taste out of this world or what! *drool*

I don't like it when those extra tall people sit up straight in front seats and block my view.

I can't fall asleep in the movie theater.

I don't like it when people litter in a movie theater or leave their mess behind.

I can't stand the close captioning in movies when in movie theater (they've been doing this in the US at least, not sure about India or other places). The non-Hindi speaking junta can rent a DVD at home.

I have requested a theater to have one additional show of a movie because I was too late in finding out how fantastic that movie was! It's too bad they didn't run one extra show for me since the movie was out on DVD already.


And if you're reading this, you're tagged!!! so get those thinking caps on and do share your likes & dislikes about watching movies. Let the fun begin...