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Yuvvraaj Movie Review

Yuvvraaj

Rating: ***

Every step you take, every move you make... we'll be watchin' you. Have altered the lines of a famous song.

For, this one's applicable for Subhash Ghai, a proficient storyteller, one of the most successful stories from this side of the Atlantic. Irrespective of how his films are received at the ticket window, Ghai's movies are always under scrutiny. You watch every film with a magnifying glass.

Yuvvraaj is no exception!

Ghai's forte has been drama. Recall the dramatic moments in KARZ, VIDHAATA, MERI JUNG, RAM LAKHAN, KARMA, SAUDAGAR. He re-visits the genre with Yuvvraaj. Besides, Yuvvraaj is his most opulent work thus far. It has a sweeping effect, the film makes a stunning visual statement.

Honestly, Yuvvraaj isn't Ghai's best work, but post YAADEIN, KISNA and BLACK & WHITE, Yuvvraaj salvages him, even redeems the storyteller.

The story (Ghai) mirrors a universal truth. Greed leads to disputes and in turn, ruins all relationships. A fact you've heard or witnessed time and again in real life. While the story is captivating, the screenplay doesn't really do justice to the thought. Also, Rahman's music acts as a soothing balm, but the problem is, it takes time to grow on the listener. And that could be a deterrent.

Yet, in all fairness, Yuvvraaj is a notch above the commonplace. If you intend spending your hard-earned money on it or devoting 3 hours of your precious time on Ghai's new outing, chances are you won't regret it.

Deven Yuvvraaj (Salman Khan) is a chorus singer, in love with Anushka (Katrina Kaif). Her father Dr. Banton (Boman Irani), however, is dead against this relationship. Things take a turn when Deven's father passes away and he returns to London to stake claim on his father's wealth.

He meets his two estranged brothers Gyanesh Yuvvraaj (Anil Kapoor) and Danny Yuvvraaj (Zayed Khan) after almost twelve years. But things aren't hunky-dory between them...

Ghai has an eye for visuals and every frame of Yuvvraaj seems like a painting on celluloid. Unmistakably, that's the first thing you notice as Yuvvraaj unfolds.

It takes time to absorb Yuvvraaj. In fact, Ghai doesn't open all his cards at the very outset. It's only when the father (Javed Shaikh) passes away and Mithun Chakraborty, the Executor of the Will, enters the scene that the wheels start moving.

The film gathers momentum after the interval. If the first hour has a few by-now-famous Ghai scenes, the second hour sees Ghai in form, with a number of sequences staying in your memory.

The penultimate 20-25 minutes are the best. Watch Anil go through the handycam with disbelief, watch Anil and Salman's act during the concert, watch Salman's emotional outburst towards the end... also the titles (brings back memories of OM SHANTI OM).

On the flip side, the screenplay is erratic. There're constant highs and lows in this journey, the film works in patches. In fact, the screenplay falls prey to predictability and mediocrity at places.

Ghai handles the dramatic scenes with flourish. Rahman's music is soothing, but you expect more because Ghai's movies are embellished with lilting music that you recall even after 2 or 3 decades. Kabir Lal captures the striking beauty of Europe well. The output is superb. The sets (Omung Kumar) are truly majestic.

Yuvvraaj belongs to Anil Kapoor, who towers above the entire cast and delivers a natural, believable performance. Salman's looks are inconsistent.

At times the boyish look is intact, at times he looks bloated. Ditto for his hairstyle. His performance, however, is better, mainly towards the finale. Zayed tries hard and convinces in a few scenes. Mithun Chakraborty is fantastic in a brief role.

Katrina looks angelic. Despite the focus being on the three men, she registers an impact. Boman Irani is credible, especially in the scene when he steps out of the Operation Theatre towards the end. Aushima Sawhney is confident. Anjan Srivastava and the pack of villains/vamps look straight out of RAM LAKHAN and TAAL.

On the whole, Yuvvraaj is interesting in parts, with the penultimate 20/25 minutes taking the film to an all-time high.

At the box-office, the package (a mammoth cast, Subhash Ghai, A.R. Rahman, the stunning locales of Europe) should ensure a hearty opening and with no major opposition in the forthcoming week, it should keep its investors smiling.

Yuvraaj - Wallpapers

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Abhishek stars in Aamir's Delhi Belly with Imran

Abhishek stars in Aamir's Delhi Belly with Imran

Abhishek Bachchan has had an interesting year with a slew of interesting films. He himself has been saying this, "My first release this year was 'Sarkar Raj'. I went on to 'Drona'. Now I end the year with 'Dostana'. Then comes 'Dilli 6'. I'm happy with the work I've done regardless of whether the film has been successful or not. The important thing is to enjoy the journey. I look back on the year with fond memories."

Now he's starring in 'Delhi Belly' director Abhinay Deo's next film.

He's confirmed it, "I've always been impressed by his ads. When I heard he was making feature films I was keen to work with him."

Now he has Rajiv Menon's film who has earlier directed his wife Aishwarya in the Tamil film 'Kandukondain Kandukondain'.

It is a subject which is just similar and isn't exactly a remake of 'Abhimaan' and both have said yes to the project. Then there's Rohan Sippy's next which will be as different as Bluff Master. Then there's Rakeysh Mehra's 'Paanch Kaurav' with Pa.

So it's obvious that there'll be a lot of Abhishek on screen in 2009.

Unsuccessful Bollywood heroines in demand down south now

Unsuccessful Bollywood heroines in demand down south now

With top south Indian heroines demanding exorbitant fees, filmmakers down south are increasingly turning to not so successful Bollywood actresses like Sneha Ullal, Nisha Kothari and Suman Ranganathan to up the glamour quotient of their movies.

"Several Kannada producers feel casting Hindi film actresses, who are not in demand in Bollywood, will enhance the stature of their product.

For instance, Nisha Kothari - she might have been rejected by the Hindi film audience, but the actress is busy in the south. And she is working with stars like Puneet (Raj Kumar) in 'Raaj', " K.C.N. Kumar, producer-distributor of Kannada films, told.

"Another top actor, Upendra, too has been working with many Hindi film heroines like Nethanya, Suman Ranganathan and others. Even fans like watching Bollywood heroines, " Kumar said.

South Indian heroines have hiked their fees and filmmakers can no longer afford to sign them on. The usual budget of Kannada films, starring top actors like Upendra, Darshan, Ganesh and Puneet Raj Kumar, varies between Rs.50 million and Rs.70 million (Rs.5 crores to Rs.7 crores). And signing on a popular actress, who charges Rs.10 million to 20 million, may escalate the total budget.

One hit with a superstar is enough reason for an actress to raise her fees as there has been a significant increase in the number of films being made down south, but there are not many glamorous heroines.

"The producers are opting for Bollywood actresses mainly because they are available at a cheaper cost compared to established south Indian heroines. And these Mumbai-based actors have become popular. Most of them don't shy away from exposing. Any Bollywood actress known for her sex appeal would substantially add to a film's glamour quotient, " said well-known Kannada film producer Mohan.

But director Prem, who has signed Nisha Kothari for "Raaj", says that he chose her because she suited the role.

"The fee of an actress is not my problem. I had seen her films and met her when I was making 'Preethi Eke Bhoomi Melidhe'. When I started work on the film, I thought she would best suit the role. 'Raaj' is a big film for Puneet sir and also for me. We thought of casting a well-known Bollywood heroine and Nisha fitted the bill perfectly, " Prem said.

Sneha Ullal, the Aishwarya Rai look-alike who debuted in Bollywood with "Lucky" opposite Salman Khan, made a successful entry in Telugu films with hit movie "Ullasanga Uthsaahanga". She has also signed an untitled Telugu film with Vaibhav to be directed by Bhanu.

She has now been approached to do a Kannada remake of "Ullasanga Uthsaahanga" featuring top star Ganesh, who is ready to adjust his dates for her.

Girija Oak, who featured in a small role in "Taare Zameen Par" as Aamir Khan's girlfriend, is to star in director Hemanth Hegde's "Housefull".

"It was easy for me to accept Hemanth's offer because I knew his capabilities as a director. I also wanted to make a foray into south Indian films and thought it was a good opening for me, " said Girija, who has also acted in many Marathi films.

The top southern actresses are not only demanding high prices in their home state but in Hindi films too. Asin, who has teamed up with Bollwyood superstar Aamir Khan in "Ghajini", is reportedly charging around Rs.20 million per film.

She has another multi-starrer Hindi film "London Dreams" in her kitty.

Nayantara and Ileana have been demanding over Rs.10 million per film and they get the price they ask for despite delivering box office duds. Thrisha and Shriya too fall in the same bracket.

Priyanka has done what few would dare to do

Priyanka has done what few would dare to do

She has played a supergirl, a supermodel, a superstar and is now back on the silver screen tickling the funny bone as a sassy desi girl.

Priyanka Chopra or Piggy Chops as she is fondly called may be seven years old in the Hindi film industry, but this year has been particularly busy and diverse for her. She is perhaps the only leading star who has had as many as six releases in one year. And most importantly she has played a central role in nearly all of them.

Beginning the year with a special appearance in a medium-budget "My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves", she was then seen as uber stylish superstar in "Love Story 2050". Touted as India's first film set in the future, Priyanka looked the part as a red-head.

The film, marking the launch of Harman Baweja, had some serious money riding on it, but bombed for no fault of the actors.

Then came Salman Khan-starrer "God Tussi Great Ho", which also did not make a dent at the box-office. She was then seen in off-beat filmmaker Kabeer Koushik's "Chamku", co-starring Bobby Deol.

She got the rare feast of being called a supergirl with "Drona", yet another very high-budget film. Some of her action sequences were as hard as that of Abhishek's itself and built on her previous action-packed experience in Farhan Akhtar's "Don".

Priyanka's central role in Madhur Bhandarkar's "Fashion", that has done exceedingly well, has brought in both critical acclaim and proved her clout to pull in crowds. It is perhaps the only recent female-centric film that has done good business.

It seems there is no looking back for her now with the hype generated around latest-release "Dostana" ensuring bumper opening of the film. And Priyanka's toned and shapely appearance in a golden bikini has established her as a top contender for the most hottie title.

The rise to the top has been fast but not completely smooth for the former Miss World. Last year saw Priyanka's popularity slipping after the multi-starrer of the year - "Salaam-E-Ishq" - had critics questioning her acting. But she took it as a challenge and worked on her acting as well as sweated it out in the gym.

Diversity within the fold of commercial film format has been the guiding force of Priyanka's career from the very start. She caught people's attention with her unconventional role of a seductress indulging in male harassment in "Aitraaz". She also got nominated for the best supporting female actor for "The Hero: Love Story of a Spy".

She followed it up by excelling in a comic role in "Mujhse Shaadi Karoge". In fact, she bagged three Filmfare Awards in just two years. And with no god father in the industry propping her up, Priyanka has surely come a long way.

"Priyanka has done what few would dare to, in 'Fashion' and 'Dostana', " author and critic Bhawana Somaaya said in an interview.

With heroine-oriented films tasting success today, the road ahead seems to be full of opportunities for these leading ladies.

"In every era, one heroine has always dominated the scene in the film industry. Things are more fluid now. Today, Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra are all sharing this space, " said Siddharth Anand, director of the hit "Bachna Ae Haseeno".

Bhawana said: "They are all confident women of this generation who all have their own distinct personalities."

Perhaps that would explain why "Fashion" released with more than 700 prints around the country, and Kareena Kapoor dominated publicity material of "Golmaal Returns" though she has a small role in it.

As product placement and corporate funding of films increases, female characters are bond to be in the forefront today. After all, women make most purchasing decisions and corporates want them to see and relate to the films that feature their products.

"I couldn't have entered the industry at a better time, " Katrina Kaif is quoted as saying in an interview. "Today, perceptions have changed. How else would you explain the audience accepting me in different roles so wholeheartedly? I don't think that was possible, say, 10 years ago, " said Katrina, who will be seen in "Yuvvraaj" in a different avatar.

There is blood on Kangna's back

There is blood on Kangna's back

Bhatts know the best when they mix elements of sex into any genre of movies that are making. They may make movies which do not belong to the erotic genre but skin never fails to make an appearance into their films.

Something like that is visible in their First Look poster of 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues' as well where Kangna's bare back makes a cracking appearance.

Though Bhatts and Mohit Suri, director of 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues', have pulled all stops in ensuring that the message of horror, scares and chills is passed on to the audience, Kangna's bare back has managed to give an altogether different dimension to the film.

Says Mukesh Bhatt about the design that Vishesh Films has in mind for promoting 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues', "We want to convey the right mood of the film without resorting to being gory or too violent. 'Raaz - The Mystery Continues', as conveyed by the title, is centered on mystery and this is what remains to be it's true essence."

What makes the look of the film further deadly is the fact that in spite of ample skin show here, there is no apparent element of erotica.

Instead the poster has an international appeal to it with the film's title written on Kangna's back with blood. Also, if one looks closely, Kangna's long fingers are clasped like claws while her teeth are clinched, hence sending the message loud and clear that the film is a fear fest in the offering.

Adds Bhatt, "Raaz-The Mystery Continues deals with issues of the "evil within" the human psyche and how it manifests itself.

It is based on the myths and superstitions that are still widely existent in the contemporary Indian society. The film attempts to challenge one's beliefs about paranormal phenomena. It is about anticipation of fear and the fright residing within ones' self."

Well, with a tagline that goes as 'This Winter...Fear Comes Home', one can well believe that to be the case. A supernatural thriller which also stars Emraan Hashmi and Adhyayan Suman, the film is directed by Mohit Suri.

This is Mohit's fifth film with the Bhatt Brothers. Incidentally, Kangna Ranaut plays a fashion model in 'Raaz-The Mystery Continues' after 'Fashion'.

The film would be releasing all over on 23rd January.

I'm ready to make India's Scariest movie ever -Ram Gopal Varma's Agyaat is here.

I'm ready to make India's Scariest movie ever

Move over Bhoot and Phoonk. Ram Gopal Varma's Agyaat is here.

Ramu's next film entitled Agyaat would be something he has never a done before. A film about an invisible predator creating havoc among a group of people in an isolated spot.

An old Hollywood formula. "But never done properly in Hindi cinema. Something like Poseidon Adventure or The Towering Inferno. These were about natural calamities striking a group of people. Mine would've a far less indentifiable enemy, attacking a film crew on an exotic island, "informs Ramu even as he divulges that his media film Rann has been shifted to January 2009.

The film written by two Varma discoveries Punet Varma and Hari will be shot by a debutant photographers Surjo. It will be shot in Sri Lanka from next month. "The media film Rann I'm starting at the end of January 2009.

Agyaat I'll shoot in the Sigria jungles of Sri Lanka. I recently went location hunting there. It was a stunning stretch of wilderness. I've never seen anything so frightening in my life. All the principal photography will be done in Sigria 35 days. Then the special effects will be done in Mumbai.

My Phoonk had very hastily done special-effects. Agyaat will be a first of its kind in terms of effects. In fact Agyaat is being made primarily for the special effects."

Says Ramu, "It's about a film crew that loses its way in the jungles. And something out there starts killing them one by one. Why a film crew? Because it's like a walking office.

There's a narcissistic star, a subservient spotboy, cameraman, a frustrated action director, an assistant director who has a crush on the heroine, a selfobsessed actor, a producer who thinks the director is making a mess and a director who thinks he's the Steven Spielberg of India …

All of them have their own mindscape in the given hierarchy. But the moment they's caught in terror situation their inherent humanism comes to the surface."

Ramu wants to tailor the plot like a reality show. "When you see Bigg Boss you see a group of people in an isolated place coping as best as they can.

We see their rapidly-changing inter-personal relationship. In my film the same happens. I'm shooting them in real time with characters whom we can identify with, like the hero who turns out a sissy.Can't cast an established actor there, can I?"

Ramu is casting largely newcomers. "Because I don't want the audience to watch these characters with pre-conceived notions.

A very basic Hollywood formula.."I know, but not done well in our cinema too often, I've always been fascinated by Hollywood's Aliens/ Blarewitch Project formula where a group of people are trapped in a situation and besieged by an enemy that they cannot see.

Someone is killing them one by one. And they're trying to get away. I don't know what that genre is called. But it's not a Friday the 13th where a psychopath on the prowl. It's more like Blairwitch Project where the killer is not visible to the eye.

In The Invasion Of The Bodysnatchers I remember one line. 'Why do we always expect alien creatures to invade a space ship. Why can't it be a biological invasion?' I want to explore this terror of the unknown."

Ramu is supremely kicked by his new project. "The challenging part in Agyaat is to create an evil force that's not visible, definable or even comprehensible.Some strange phenomenon in the jungle.

I read an interview with Ridley Scott where talking on Aliens he said, 'There's no need to understand what's happening during a time of terror. Because if you explain it you reduce the thrill of it.' Hence Agyaat, the unknown."

Agyaat will have some of the best special effects seen in Indian cinema. "It will be a projection of a destructive force from which the victims cam't hide or run. They simply succumb to it."

Ramu is as excited as ever. "I haven't done anything like Agyaat. I'm a great fan of this Hollywood genre.And I can't wait.The moment I call my film Agyaat (The Unknown) I can go into a hundred different dimensions of the unknown. "

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi -Movie Preview

Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi

Have you ever stopped to think if the most ordinary, uninteresting, unobtrusive man you might see on the road or around you might have a love story to tell?

Maybe not! How can an ordinary man have a breathtaking, goose flesh igniting, awe inspiring love story of all things to tell?

But guess what - love does not differentiate between the ordinary and exceptional, the uninteresting and interesting, the unattractive and attractive. Because love knows no distinction.

It can happen to anyone and once it does it engulfs us into it completely and gives us those miraculous experiences that only love can yield.

This is what happened to Surinder Sahni (Shah Rukh Khan) - a simple, clean hearted, honest man working for Punjab Power, leading a humdrum life, when he meets his total opposite and finds love in the flamboyant, fun-loving, vivacious - Taani (Anushka Sharma) for whom the whole world is her canvas and she paints her own life with the colours of rainbow all until unforeseen circumstances changes it all and brings them together.

What follows is a journey filled with laughter, tears, joy, pain, music, dance and a lot of love. A journey that makes us believe that there is an extraordinary love story in every ordinary jodi.

Priyanka the diva.....