First Look: R…RAJKUMAR

Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Sonu Sood, Asrani, Ashish Vidyarthi, Mukul Dev

Banner: Eros International, Next Gen Films

Producers: Sunil Lulla, Viki Rajani

Director: Prabhu Dheva

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Prague movie review

Film: Prague; Cast: Chandan Roy Sanyal, Elena Kazan, Kumar Mayank, Arfi Lamba; Directed by Ashish R Shukla

Prague opens in India where the dynamics of Chandan’s inner world are manifested in his relationship with an undependable Indian girl named Shubangi and his two closest friends Gulshan (Kumar Mayank) and Arfi (Arfi Lamba) one of whom, we soon realise, is dead. This is when we begin to realise that Chandan’s character is losing his mind. As he and his two best friends move to Prague, the stage is sturdily set for Chandan’s descent into hell.

As for Chandan the actor, he embraces all the confusion, complexities, insecurities and insanity of his character. In some sequences where his madness overtakes his better judgement, he allows his character to take over. We can see him floating in the tides of whimsy.

The casting of Chandan’s two friends is also of the utmost importance. The cocky self-centred Gulshan as played by Kumar Mayank is the most fatally charismatic character in this intricate jigsaw of light and death. And the wimpy, whiny, over-possessive Arfi.

Then there is Elena Kazan, last seen as Randeep Hooda’s neurotic alcoholic girlfriend in John Day. Here she plays a far more normal girl who is forced to join her lover in his journey into hell. Elena brings a whole lot of tragic charm to the proceedings.

But we know this love story too would end in terrible tragedy. Just as the first love story in the Mumbai section of the film when ‘Shubhangi’ the bitch, who betrays in love, becomes indicative of the malaise of rejection that destroys Chandan’s life.

Dark, sinister, wild and unpredictable, Prague takes us into the depths of despair. Not all, or even some of the events in the film make sense when judged against conventional populist elements. This film dares to court the dark side of the human mind. The very powerful Chandan plays an artiste on the brink. As he topples over, we get a vivid view into the abyss that separates man from madness.

Prague is a tough film to ingest.

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Rajkumar Gupta to direct film adaptation of Chetan Bhagat’s Revolution 2020

Chetan Bhagat has once again teamed up with Disney UTV, this time for the screen adaptation of his latest bestseller Revolution 2020, to be directed by Raj Kumar Gupta. The novel, which revolves around the lives of childhood friends — Gopal, Raghav and Aarti — will be made into a drama film with strong roles for the three main leads. “It is an intense love story set against the backdrop of corruption in the education sector, which affects millions across the country. I can’t wait for the three characters to be cast and brought to life,” says the author, who earlier collaborated with the production house on Kai Po Che.

Speaking about his decision to direct the movie, Rajkumar says, “When I read the novel, I was quite moved. It is a very simple and heartfelt story about being young, being confused, being in love, getting corrupt… I am looking forward to writing and directing this book for the screen.”

Siddharth Roy Kapur, Managing Director, Studios, Disney UTV, adds, “We are excited to have played the catalyst in bringing Chetan and Raj Kumar together. Chetan had shared the draft of his book with us even before it was published and we instantly reacted to its cinematic potential. It has an incredibly well-graphed storyline and the issues it deals with are those that today’s youth will instantly relate to and identify with.”

The screenplay of the film is currently underway and is expected to go on floors mid-2014.

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First Look: BULLETT RAJA

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Jimmy Shergill, Vidyut Jamwal, Ravi Kissen, Gulshan Grover, Raj Babbar

Banner: Brandsmith Motion Pictures & Moving Pictures

Producers: Rahul Mittra, Nitin Tej Ahuja, Tigmanshu Dhulia

Director: Tigmanshu Dhulia

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Why is Fukrey re-released in Delhi?

Farhan Akhtar and Ritesh Sidhwani’s Fukrey was a pleasant surprise. Despite having no big star in the film, it did well at the box office and managed to charm the audience. So much so, that the movie starring Pulkit Samrat, Varun Sharma and Ali Fazal has been re-released in Delhi. Yes, courtesy public demand Fukrey has been released in PVR in Delhi once again. Considering the movie is set in the backdrop of Delhi, we aren’t surprised with the response it received in the capital.

Well, this isn’t the first time that a film has been re-released. Earlier, Aamir Khan starrer Rang De Basanti was released second time on public demand. With Fukrey turning out to be a blockbuster, we are sure the audience would love if the makers came out with its sequel. In fact, at the success party of Fukrey, Ali even hinted that a sequel may come soon as the audience is asking for more.

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Phata Poster Nikla Hero movie review

Director Rajkumar Santoshi disappoints. Not only does this film carry the hangover of his last hit with Ranbir Kapoor-Katrina Kaif, Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahani, but also seems like Santoshi has sought inspiration from David Dhawan’s mindless comedies and Abhinav Kashyap’s Dabangg, especially in the action scenes. The filmmaker uses a half-baked, done-to-death plot where even the romance between the film’s lead pair fizzles due to a lack of build-up. The chemistry between Shahid and Ileana is almost non-existent. Ileana was promising in Barfi!, but she isn’t impressive as ‘Complaint Kajal’ – blame it on her bad dialogue delivery or the director’s caricaturish presentation of the film’s characters. Darshan Jariwala (as Commissioner of Police) and Sanjay Mishra (as Guruji) are good, but haven’t been properly used. Saurabh Shukla is wasted, but Salman Khan’s guest appearance is perfectly set into the movie.

The film’s music is impressive and its saving grace; however, the picturisation harks back to that of Ajab Prem…, whether it is the Agal bagal song that has shades of Prem ki nayya or Mere bina tu, modelled on Tu jaane na. We have to wonder if Santoshi is sticking to a set pattern or some kind of formula, because the film lacks surprises – so much so that even the twists are predictable. Nargis Fakhri’s item song is a jump in the bumpy flow. Is this a film made in the factory of a man who gave us cult comedy like in Andaz Apna Apna? We expected more, or at least something different, for sure.

Shahid Kapoor looks great, especially in a cop avatar

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'Kid Krrish' better than 'Krrish', says Hrithik

Actor Hrithik Roshan, who Tuesday unveiled "Kid Krrish", the animated movie based on Bollywood movie "Krrish", says the animated version is better than the latter.

"The only difference between the two is 'Kid Krrish' is better than Krrish," Hrithik told reporters at the unveiling.

"Kid Krrish" will be premiered on Cartoon Network Oct 2 at 12 noon.

"'Kid Krrish' can jump and do everything without any help. The similarities, I feel, is we have the child alive inside us," added the actor, saying his two sons - Hrehaan and Hridhaan - have already seen "Kid Krrish".

"Both my kids have seen the first movie of 'Kid Krrish' and they have fallen in love with it. So it's already successful."

Filmmaker Rakesh Roshan's Filmkraft Productions partnered with Turner International India and Kerala-headquartered Toonz Animation to create four animated movies based on hit superhero movie "Krrish".

The partnership was announced earlier this year and planned to bring India's favourite superhero "Krrish" in an animated avtar.

Rakesh Roshan said that for the first time a Bollywood character has got an animated version.

"The character of Krrish has been idolized by every child in India and has become an iconic superhero. We believe that 'Kid Krrish' will be the new superhero for a whole new generation of children and a benchmark in animated series of live action films," he said.

Currently the Roshans are gearing up for the release of "Krrish 3".

Slated to come out Nov 4, this is the third film in the franchise that began with "Koi Mil Gaya" in 2003.

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