Rajneeti is a tale of a family fighting for political powers. Two brothers Samar (Ranbir Kapoor) and Prithvi (Arjun Rampal) under the influence of their counsellor Brij Gopal (Nana Patekar) do not support their cousin Veerenhdra’s (Manoj Bajpai) decisions and interference in their political party. Things go worse when a Dalit leader Sooraj (Ajay Devgan) joins Veerendra. Egos clash and what follows is an ugly war where lot of blood is shed and too many conspiracies are plotted. There is also Indu (Katrina Kaif) who loves Samar from childhod but is forced to marry Prithvi. Samar on other hand loves Sarah (Sara Thompson).

The story seems confusing initially with too many actors making the appearance on screen collectively, but as it progress the intent of the characters becomes obvious clearing out the confusions.

Thumbs up:

1. Intelligent plot – The dirty games of politics are woven in a neat tale and the thrill/twists/chases keep you gripped on your seat.

2. Amazing performances –

• Prakash Jha manages to get the best out of Ajay Devgan once again. He acts well, looks cool and makes you fall in love with his character. Very impressive!
• Manoj Bajpai has done a brilliant come back. We would like to see him more onscreen if he performs like this.
• Nana Patekar – When too many games are being played, there is one mind which controls all the moves but stays in the backdrop not to grab a lot of attention. Nana plays that role with such finesse that you feel no one else but only he could have done justice to it.
• Arjun Rampal has changed as an actor, for better of course. Though he still leaves some scope giving you the impression there is still more he could have done to do full justice with his role.
• Ranbir, what to say of this boy who has created another benchmark for himself in the industry. He not only looks good in the movie but totally electrifies with his performance. A good guy gone bad, but you still feel no hatred for him.
• Sarah Thompson – The American actor scores high marks for her first-class acting and performs her small role with elan.

3. Subtle direction – After directing prudent movies like Gangajal and Aparhan, Prakash Jha had already created hype for this movie, not only because of his past movies, but also because of the star-cast. I must say he lives up to the hype and manages to fit each star in their roles wisely, except Katrina and Nasserudin. He is also careful not to make the movie look like a circus full of stars.

Thumbs down:

1. Length: It’s a 3 hours long movie, and after two and a half hours, you do feel the movie is unnecessarily dragged. 30 minutes could have easily been edited.

2. Katrina Kaif: The girl has still not got her dialogue delivery right. She is totally uncool and does no justice to her character of a widow. 6 years in the industry and you can only pull off roles akin to Jenny’s? Not done, miss.

3. Nasserudin Shah: Such fine actor and such a miniscule role? Was Naseerudhin really required to do that role? We were left longing to see more of him in the movie. An actor of such caliber can easily pass on roles like these.

There is nothing to talk about music, as all the songs had been edited, keeping in mind the length of the movie. More Piya is a decent track though and I would have loved to see it on screen.

Though the movie has been compared to Mahabharata, I couldn’t help but put it side by side to Godfather (mind you, not Sarkar) In fact, there are few scenes which are a straight lift. While Godfather is beyond brilliance, Rajneeti doesn’t leave you disappointed either. This one is the paisa vasool!

Rating: 3.5/5

Anyway, apart from that one twist, I also wanted to watch movie for the acting, screenplay and music. The movie had already created hype in my mind because of the lead pair, though both score just average at acting, they look good together. However, I found the chemistry missing in the movie.

The movie is about a very timid, shy guy Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) who can not say no to anyone. He is bullied by his colleagues, boss, landlord but can never speak for himself. He silently loves a girl Shonali (Deepika Padukone) in his office, but she has never even noticed him. And on one not so fine day, he decides to kill himself but is stopped by a phone from himself, Karthik. Karthik’s calls come as a ray of hope in his miserable life. He does whatever Karthik tells him and before he realises he is having the time of his life. Everything is fine until he tells his girlfriend Shonali about this call.

It’s a well written screenplay and the justification for calls is quite strong and understandable. Though the means (phone calls) by which the message is carried, might occur as dumb to few people. They might expect something really thrilling behind these phone calls. I feel, I might have been quite intrigued too if I had not known about the suspense. Nonetheless, the power of sub-conscious mind really amazed me.

Farhan Akhtar doesn’t disappoint, but he still can do lot better when it comes to acting. Deepika is usual and there is nothing great she has done that no other actress would have been able to. Music by Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy impresses. ‘Hey Ya’ and ‘Uff Ye Ada’ have been shot well.

Debut director Vijay Lalwani is promising and expectations from him will be higher the next time. On the whole, Karthik Calling Karthik is a good one time watch, if you are looking for something different.

Rating: 2.5/5

What really differentiates this movie from the other two is, it doesn’t show the Muslims (hero) thriving upon taking revenge with the rest of the America. In fact, here the main protagonist, Rizwan Khan(Shah Rukh Khan) helps the people of the same country when they are stuck in Katrina hurricane. People whom he helped are also Americans and people who killed his son just because he was a Muslim were also Americans. But Rizwan knows anyone shouldn’t judge people on the basis of their country, caste or colour, as his Ammi taught him there are only two types of people in this world: Good and bad.

Floored by his simplicity, a single mother with a kid, Mandira Rathore (Kajol) marries him and is more than happy to become Mandira Khan. They were living happily ever until 9/11 happened, when all the Muslims were looked down as terrorists in USA, Rizwan is also abandoned by his wife and he starts an extraordinary journey (of close to a decade) to tell the world that although his name is Khan, he is not a terrorist.

It’s always a pleasure to see SRK-Kajol on-screen. Okay, I know that was an understatement. This made-for-each-other-on-screen-couple have given one more extra ordinary performance. It is very difficult to say who has outdone whom in acting.  Both are marvellous! The story/direction screenplay everything is right in place for the first two hours. I really would have given this movie a 5/5 if it had not been too melodramatic in the end. The last scene is really not done! I wish the director (Karan Johar) had shown different ways through which President gets Khan’s message.

The music of the movie is quite good too. Sajda has been picturised very well.

On the whole, the movie has a great entertainment value and gives out an excellent social message. You really pity humanity with moist eyes when you notice Muslims=Terrorists in America. This movie might not be Kajol-SRK or Karan’s best till date, but it definitely is the best when it comes to ‘The 9/11 after effects on Muslims’ movies.

Rating: 4/5

My Name Is Khan

My Name Is Khan: To tell you the truth, I am not bowled over by the movie trailers. The excitement I had/still have for this movie is because my favourite Bollywood couple is back on screen. I absolutely can’t wait to see Kajol on screen once again, and pair her with Shah Rukh, I cry out in joy always, Yes! Yes! Yes.

Release date: 12th Feb, 10

Guzarish: This movie directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali will be released only by end of the year, but the reason I am so keen about this one is my 2^nd favourite Bollywood couple feature in it, Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai. I absolutely love it when they are on screen, a perfect chemistry they create that I fall in love with Love.

Release date: (tentatively) 16th Dec, 10

Raavana – My beloved Aishwarya is back with hubby Abhi in this one. A modern take on the epic Ramayana, this movie is directed by Mani Ratnam. Let’s see if the Guru magic will be revived, with this one.

Release date: 18th June, 10

Karthik Calling Karthik - The hunk, the beautiful girl and amazing music. Isn’t it enough for me to get tempted? And the promos look good too.

Release date: 26th Feb, 10

Rajniti – Now frankly I am not very excited about the movie, but it might just build the hype when it’s about to release. To me, it looks like a political saga full of stars. Rajneeti is loosely based on the epic ‘Mahabharata’. And I feel, if Katrina pulls of the role of a politican, this will be her role where people will take her seriously and don’t keep her as show piece or ‘Jennys’ in the movies. In fact, director Prakash Jha is confident that his film Raajneeti will fetch the prestigious National Awards for Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif.

Release date: 28th May, 10

I had seen the trailer of Ishqiya, just few days after Kaminey; while I was still in the awe of Kaminey. And I felt, here comes another amazing movie from Vishal Bhardwaj, but I realised quite late, that the movie is directed by a newcomer Abhishek Chaubey while the movie is being produced by Vishal Bhardwaj.

Babban  (Arshad Warsi) and Iftikar  (Naseerudin) are two thieves who are running away from Mushtaq after cheating him for Rs. 20 lakhs. They take shelter in an acquaintance’s  house, Varma, who is already dead but his stunning widow Krishna (Vidya Balan) lives there. She sings well and also guns down people. She flirts with Khalujaan (Naseerudin) and sleeps with the boy he raised like his son (Arshad Warsi) and she knows how to earn Rs. 20 lakhs too!

The screenplay is the real hero of the movie. Full points to Vishal Bhardwaj, Sabrina Dhawan and Abhishek Chaubhey for that. The music given by Vishal Bhardwaj is amazing too. I hardly know anyone who has not been gripped by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan’s Dil To Bachcha Hai Ji’.

The star-cast is the biggest USP of the film. You have an actor like Naseerudin, who plays the role of a single old man wanting to settle down with a young village belle; with such flamboyance that you want to fall in love with his ‘love’. On the other hand, his performance is matched by the other fine actors; Vidya Balan who just seems to get better with every film and Arshad Warsi, who is simply amazing with the Bhopali accent, mannerisms and style. I have always felt he deserves better than what he gets.

What totally bowled me over was the ending of the movie, while the other critics and viewers have slammed the climax scene, saying it didn’t do justice to the film, I totally loved it. Sometimes, the director leaves it to the audience to comprehend what he really means, instead of giving a ‘and-they-happily-lived-ever-after-ending’. Abhishek Chaubey does just that, with panache.

All in all, an amazing experience. Go watch it!

Ratings: 4/5

The movie starts with a Geek lover boy, Abhay (Uday) who is madly in love with the hottest girl in college, Alisha (Priyanka) who has not even noticed that he exists. Seven years pass by and fate makes them come together again in Singapore where Uday is searching for a thief who stole his software and Priyanka is working with the same thief, Varun (Dino Morea)

The story has been written very badly by Uday Chopra himself and what really surprised me was, it’s a straight lift from a Sophie Kinsella’s novel, ‘The Undomestic Goddess’. In the novel, the main protagonist works as a housemaid, despite being a hot shot lawyer and in the movie Uday works as a nanny for Priyanka’s daughter, although he is software engineer. She outsources her work to other workers and so does Uday. Finally, in the end Priyanka realizes that the loser working in her house has loved her madly all the years and she helps him get his software back.

The movie definitely lacks a sensible direction. Uday Chopra has made no efforts to act in the movie. Even Priyanka, who has impressed in her last movies, irritates in few scenes. All the efforts were only made to make her look as sexy as possible, which doesn’t help a lot to pull the crowd to theatres.

Dino Morea has done well as the bad guy and Priyanka’s daughter Tania is cute.

The music of the movie is composed by Salim-Sulaiman which is not great either. Only song that impressed me was 10 on 10. But I stil can’t give 10 to this song.

Overall, Uday please join acting and script-writing classes before you think of another movie, you may get Jugal enrolled in the same school for direction classes. And miss Priyanka, please choose the movies wisely. You are currently the best in the industry, do not lose the position.

I wouldn’t recommend it a theatre-watch. Wait, till it broadcasts on Television. You may spend a Sunday evening on it.

Rating: 1.5/5

Aisi ulji nazar unse hatthi nahin

Danth se reshmi dor katthi nahin
Umar kab ki baras ke sufaid ho gayi
Kaari badri jawani ki chatthi nahin
Varna yeh dhadkan baadne lagi hai
Chehre ki rangat udne lagi hai
Dar lagtha hai tanha sone mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kachha hai ji
Haann Dil to bachcha hai ji

Aisi ulji nazar unse hatthi nahin
Danth se reshmi dor katthi nahin
Umar kab ki baras ke sufaid ho gayi
Kaari badri jawani ki chatthi nahin

Ra ra raaaa… ra ra raaa….
Ra ra raaaa… ra ra raaa….
Ra ra raaaa… ra ra raaa….

Kisko ptaa tha pehlu mein rakha
Dil aisa baaji bhi hoga
Hum to hamesha samajhte the koi
Hum jaisa haaji hi hoga
Haan yeh zor karein, kitna shor karein
Bewaja baatein pe ainwe gaur karein
Dilsa koi kameena nahin
Koi to rokey, koi to tokey
Iss umar mein ab khaogey dhokhe
Dar lagta hai ishq karne mein ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kachha hai ji
Haann Dil to bachcha hai ji

Aisi udhaasi baithi hai dil pe
Hassne se ghabra rahe hain
Saari jawani katra ke kaati
Piri mein takra gaye hain
Dil dhadakta hai to aise lagta hai woh
Aa raha hai yahin dekhta hi na woh
Prem ki maarein kataar re
Tauba ye lamhe katthe nahi kyun
Aankhein se meri hatthe nahi kyun
Dar lagta hai tujhse kehne mein ji

Dil to bachcha hai ji
Dil to bachcha hai ji
Thoda kachha hai ji

Teri kaali ankhiyon se jind meri jaage
Dhadkan se tej daudu, sapno se aagey
Ab jaan lutt jaaye, ye jahaan chhut jaaye
Sang pyaar rahe, main rahun na rahun
Sajda tera sajda,
Din reain karoon na hi chain karoon
Sajda tera sajda
Rak vaar karoon meri jaan lut doon

Ab jaan lutt jaaye, ye jahaan chhut jaaye
Sang pyaar rahe, main rahun na rahun
Sajda tera sajda,
(karun mein tera sajda)
Din reain karoon na hi chain karoon
Sajda tera sajda
(karun mein tera sajda)
Rak vaar karoon meri jaan lut doon

Ranjhna… naino ke teer chal gaye
Sajna… saanson se dil sil gaye
Palkon mein chupa loon, oh tera sajda karoon
Seenay mein samaa loon, oh din reain karoon
Palkon mein chupa loon, seenay mein samaa loon
Tere ang ang rang mera bole

Ab jaan lutt jaaye, ye jahaan chhut jaaye
Sang pyaar rahe, main rahun na rahun
Sajda tera sajda,
(karun mein tera sajda)
Din reain karoon na hi chain karoon
Sajda tera sajda
(karun mein tera sajda)
Rak vaar karoon meri jaan lut doon

Veliya kya hua jo dil kho gaya
Mahiya ishq mein khuda mil gaya
Zara aakh se pila de, oh tera sajda karoon
Zara khwaab sajaa de, oh din reain karoon
Zara aakh se pila de, zara khwaab sajaa de
Mere hontoon pe mann tera bole

Ab jaan lutt jaaye, ye jahaan chhut jaaye
Sang pyaar rahe, main rahun na rahun
Sajda tera sajda,
(karun mein tera sajda)
Din reain karoon na hi chain karoon
Sajda tera sajda
(karun mein tera sajda)
Rak vaar karoon meri jaan lut doon

Ohhh… Teri kaali ankhiyon se jind meri jaage
Dhadkan se tej daudu, sapno se aagey
Ab jaan lutt jaaye, ye jahaan chhut jaaye
Sang pyaar rahe, main rahun na rahun
Sajda tera sajda,
Din reain karoon na hi chain karoon
Sajda tera sajda
Rak vaar karoon meri jaan lut doon

The movie talks about the story of three friends who not just share a room but also concerns, good, bad, funny and awful times while in an engineering college. Farhaan and Raju (Madhavan and Sharman) are normal students running behind ‘just’ a college degree, Rancho (Aamir Khan) wants to enjoy the education and take the knowledge from wherever he gets. Like TZP, Aamir once again questions the current Indian education system, which puts a lot of pressure on young minds, even forcing few of them to commit suicide.

The movie thrives on the message: pursue excellence and success will follow, which is amazing. Direction of the movie is splendid and the emotional and comedy scenes really stand out. Though I realised it was only very loosely based on the novel. Raju has changed the script to a great extent, and it does go well with showcasing the movie on the screen. The story ofcourse has its own flaws like: Very good friends’ don’t have to wait six years to find the address of their dear friend. You can always refer to college records, and reach the address mentioned there.

As usual, Aamir leaves you awe-struck with his performance. I was surprised to see that he actually looked and acted like a college student even at the age of 43. While Aamir Khan is the USP of the film, Sharman was the one who really impressed me a lot with his perfect expressions and good acting skills. Madhavan proved once again, he is more than welcome in Bollywood. Boman Irani does justice to the character of an old man who is hated by everyone for being a cold-hearted college director. Kareena and Mona Singh did well in their small roles. And there shoulda be special mention of the surprise package of the movie, Omi Vaidya who plays Chatur Ramalingam, had some of the best one-liners and the funniest comic scenes.

Shantanu Moitra comes again with great soundtracks. My favourite were the “All izz well” and “zoobi zoobi”. All the songs are worth listeningagain and again for a long time to come. Overall, 3 Idiots is an awesome one time watchable movie. I learned, laughed and cried with the characters , but don’t think I would like to re-enter the class once again.

BTW, did Raju take a dig at Chetan Bhagat by declaring on-screen that why should people study Engineering when all they want is a MBA degree and a bank job abroad? (Chetan Bhagat is an IITian and MBA from IIM-A and has worked in Deutsche bank in Singapore).

Jab life ho out of control
Honthon ko kar ke gol

Honthon ki kar ke gol
Seeti bajaa ke bol

Jab life ho out of control
Honthon ko kar ke gol

Honthon ki kar ke gol
Seeti bajaa ke bol

Aal izzz well!!!!

Murgi kya jaane aande ka kya hoga
Aree life milegi ya tawee pe fry hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga?

Honth ghuma seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well

Aree bhaiyaa aal izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa aal izz well

Confusuin hi confusion hai
Solution kuch pata nahin

Solution jo mile to saala
Question kya tha pata nahin

Dil jo tera baat baat pe ghabraaye
Dil pe rakhke haath usae tu fuslaa le
Dil idiot hai pyaar se usko samjha le

Honth ghuma seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa all is well

Aree bhaiyaa aal izz well
Aree chachu aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa aal izz well

Scholarship ki pi gayaa daaru
Ghum to phir bhi mitaa nahin
Agarbattiyan raakh ho gayi
God to phir bhi dikha nahi

Bakra kya jaan uski jaan ka kya hoga?
Seekh ghusegi ya saala kheema hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga

To Honth ghuma seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well

Aree bhaiyaa all izz well
Aree chachu all izz well
Aree bhaiyaa aal izz well

Jab life ho out of control
Honthon ko kar ke gol

Honthon ko kar ke gol
Seeti bajaa ke bol

Aal izzz well!!!

Murgi kya jaane aande ka kya hoga
Aree life milegi ya tawee pe fry hoga
Koi na jaane apna future kya hoga?

Honth ghuma seeti bajaa
Seeti bajaa ke bol
Bhaiyaa aal izz well

Aree murgi aal izz well
Aree bakri aal izz well
Aree bhaiyaa all izz well

Na na an na nananana na!

Aree bhaiyaa all izz well