D-DAY! Rockstar is OUT!

Last night, I should have been studying, but instead, I kept pressing the "refresh" button on Twitter and Google News, just waiting to read some reviews on Rockstar. Like most film audiences, I am interested in what the Critics say, but won't decide to watch a movie solely on a Critic's, sometimes biased, rating. Here are some of the inputs of some of the big critics, who supposedly know what they are talking about...sometimes they do! *Gulp*

Gorgeous Poster!

On the whole, ROCKSTAR does not live up to the confidence and expectations from the otherwise very skilled and accomplished film-maker Imtiaz Ali. The film suffers immensely due to a disorderly screenplay, especially in its post-interval portions. However, the silver lining or the comforting prospect is the virtuoso performance by Ranbir Kapoor and the captivating score by A.R. Rahman, which justify that one extra star. 3 Stars.

-Taran Adarsh

I am having a hard time accepting that Imtiaz Ali can write a "disorderly screenplay", but some others are saying the same thing so it might be possible. However, Taran Adarsh is also the man who gave Anees Bazmi's Ready a 4 star rating. Undoubtedly, we have some BIG discrepancies on what a good film is.

Imtiaz Ali's 'Rockstar' is a far-from-perfect film, but it has honesty and depth, which is mostly missing in Hindi movies today. 'Rockstar' is an admirable effort if only for how unconventionally director Imtiaz Ali tells this tale of great passion. The romance at the core of this film is a complex one, and the film offers no easy answers. Not a perfect film, but one that stays with you long after the lights have come back on. 3 stars.

-Rajeev Masand

Well this is a lot to come from Rajeev Masand, a reviewer who rarely gives Hindi films good reviews. He usually sticks to the Hollywood scene, which he reviews fairly well. At least, he is understanding the depth of Imtiaz Ali's films, seeing as he gave Love Aaj Kal, one of my favorites, a measly rating of 2. 

 Intriguing how many male critics are loving Rockstar but female critics, not so much (that includes me). What gives?

-Anupama Chopra

This is from one of her tweets. She still hasn't written a final review on Rockstar, but evidently, she is isn't liking it...

Leave it to Imtiaz Ali to take a love story and present it in a manner that's completely different from run-of-the-mill Bollywood. Romance, under his creative vision, becomes a multi-layered, sensitively nuanced, monumental experience which has more to do with serenading your soulmate rather than a stereotypical marriage partner. With intelligent entertainers like Jab We Met, Love Aaj Kal and now Rockstar, he is evolving as a new age Yash Chopra. 4 stars. 

-Nikhat Kazmi

This article published in the Times of India, is what I am personally expecting from Imtiaz Ali -Romance. Nikhat calls him the "new age Yash Chopra"! That phrase is a very big deal; Yash Chopra is a living-legend and to be compared to him is quite a compliment. I hope Nikhat is right about the romance because it has been a very long time that I have actually watched a romance, that has touched my heart since probably, Chopra's Veer Zaara. 

Overall, the Critics are agreeing that Rockstar is not a masterpiece, but I am not complaining. I have experienced what Imtiaz Ali is capable of and I am sure that I will shed a couple of tears and feel my heart pumping a bit faster than it should in some scenes...that's all I want. I didn't post the full reviews, but Ranbir Kapoor's performance is also gaining lots of praise...from EVERYONE. I am looking forward to seeing a bit of talent for the first time in a while. As much as I love Salman sauntering down the screen in action flicks, there is something different about some real, soulful acting. 

I am going to see the movie tomorrow night. I'll tell you guys my verdict then. Until we meet again, I'll be chanting "SADDA HAQ" at the top of my lungs, hope you all are too!

Why Ra. One doesn't excite me...

Lately, Ra. One is all that television, radio and the internet has been talking about. It's at the point that I hear "Chammak Challo" in my sleep and see SRK at work! I was planning on watching the movie this past weekend, but missed out because of bad weather. I don't plan on catching up on it after this week though. Here's why:

Ra. One has been publicized like no other film. I understand the hype. I actually respect SRK for his efforts to add new technology and effects to Hindi cinema but by exclaiming that Ra. One is like Hollywood is not the way of doing so. Personally, I have full access to Hollywood. It would be easier and cheaper to watch a Holywood film but I don't watch them because I am interested in India's film making style more. The day that Hindi films become Hinglish versions of American movies...I will be the first one to stop watching them. There is a distinct USP for Hindi films which I hope they never lose. That USP is that they are NOT Hollywood. A couple of months ago, SRK was on a rant about how scripts, stories and Hindi movies in general need to learn from Hollywood, and that Bollywood cannot compete with them in any one of the sections. But I ask what the pure definition of a "good" movie, with good screenplay and story is?! What is the definition? Is it making sexual jokes (Delhi Belly), countless special effects (Transformers), or exploitation of people in poverty (Slumdog Millionaire)? I am not saying that these movies are bad, though I might strongly dislike the latter. But no one has a real reason for why Hindi movies are not as great OR why Hollywood is so great. I am transgressing but they are all important questions to ask the directors, producers and actors who want Bollywood to be more like Hollywood.

Other than the publicizing efforts that have gone in the totally wrong direction, the reviews have sucked. Don't get me wrong, I really want to see a Hindi movie in 3D. That's probably the only reason I was tempted to go, but the story line personally means way more. As I have said in earlier posts, there is nothing better than screenplay and story. There is a reason why Love Sex Aur Dhokha and Shor in the City made heavy returns..the story (also, why I think SRK is wrong on Indian storytelling)! Anyone can whip out big bucks to make special effects, but not everyone can tell a story properly and storytelling is the goal of every film. Films are suppose to engage the viewer and touch their emotions. Just think of the films that have garnered commercial and critical acclaim. When I say that, I mean making a place into people's minds, hearts and pocketbooks! Movies like The Godfather and Devdas come to mind when I think of achieving that success....not E.T. Obviously, like everybody else, I do not ONLY watch those kinds of films in theater, I love myself some good masala A.K.A. Mere Brother Ki Dulhan. But I still think that the movie had some great punches, direction, music and though it's story line was not the most innovative, there were some fun twists that kept me on my toes.

Ra. One in these departments:

Story: Ra. One is trying to kill a little boy because of a video game. No comment.

Music: SRK lip syncing to Akon. What were they THINKING?!? Where is Udit...?

Direction: Anubhav Sinha. I think SRK forgot to watch Dus and Cash. THEY SUCKED!

Overall, congrats on the success Ra. One! I hope the film will help instill some life into the visual and 3D department of Hindi cinema, just do it differently next time SRK! <3

Ladies Vs. Ricky Bahl

Ladies Vs. Ricky Bahl is finally here! This song has been on repeat all morning and I just cannot stop. However, YRF needs to really step it up when it comes to promotions. There is just a month until release and the first look came out barely a couple of days ago. A film like this should be promoted from months ahead. Look at other films: The Dirty Picture started promotions in August and it's coming out only a week before, Agneepath started in September and does not even come out until 2012!. However, I like how YRF releases a song promo out before any other trailers, something they've been doing since Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi.

The song itself is incredible. Benny Dayal's voice is heavenly. Ranveer's dancing and charisma are unmatchable. I am missing Anushka and Parineeti in here though. Atleast, there is only a few more days wait until they come! Gosh..."Kya Karoon oh Ladies Ranveer Aadat se Majboor!"

Ooohhh Lala..?

This song promo is looking incredible! 70s films are AWESOME! I love the era...and this is why.

Vidya Balan = One of the Best Actresses EVER!

Naseeruddin Shah = Art House cinema crosses Commerical films. +1

Emraan Hasmi = Serial Kisser who can act!

Mujhse Fraandship Karoge && Mere Brother Ki Dulhan

This weekend, after a very long time, I got the chance to catch up on some movies. Luckily, I used my time wisely and watched some great flicks. I saw YRF's Mere Brother Ki Dulhan (MBKD) and Mujhse Fraandship Karoge (MFK) and I am now happy to say that our beloved Yash Raj Films is back on track.

I cannot lie -I wholeheartedly expected crap from both of the films. Last year's Band Baaja Baarat was phenomenal, but YRF has a tendency to be inconsistent. The trailers looked a bit cliche as well.

However, both MBKD and MFK had spunk, great music, fresh performances and innovative direction.

YRF has proved that big budgets mean nothing, at all. I would pick one of YRF's medium/low budget films, like these two, rather than some expensive project, like Dabaang or Singham (though I enjoy them both), any day. 

In short, Mere Brother Ki Dulhan, is all the reasons I love Hindi films and why. Katrina Kaif not only did the best acting of her career but also enacted a real character, not just some nameless, feeling-less girlfriend like in Tees Maar Khan or even Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara. Ali Zafar and Imran Khan were also great, with real characters and personalities but Katrina stole the show. The script did have some dips here and there but they were all ignorable. And what movie does not have those moments? The debutant director, Ali Abbas Zafar, is also commendable. His picturization of the songs and new take on the overused "falling in love with my brother/friend's fiance" scenario was awesome. He did a great job. The cinematography was breathtaking. Not many people watch a movie and think "Vaahh. What wonderful cinematography?". I usually do not either but I took a double take when I saw some of the scenes at the Taj Mahal. Take a stand Mr. Sudeep Chatterjee! Sohail Sen, the music director, pumped out some great jams too. Choomantar and Isq Risk are beautifully shot and sounded good before I watched the film...now they sound GREAT.

Mujhse Fraaandship Karoge is the product of Yash Raj Film's subsidiary, named Y-Films. It is a "facebook" love story that revolves around four college students, who lie and cheat to impress each other. The film does not only attempt being fresh but succeeds in being fresh. Often times, in "fresh" films, the situations are forced and are unrealistic.In MFK, all of the situations are believable and true to the youth. Basically, Preity likes the "cool" Rahul and Vishal likes the "hot" Malvika. Preity and Vishal are both insecure and in order to talk to their prospective love interests, hide their identities on Facebook. Little do they know, Preity is using Malvika's Facebook and Vishal is using Rahul's Facebook. Complicated, right? All you need to know is that the movie is fun, has very innovative music and has actors that are all so charming! Vishal is played by Saqib Saleem, a young man who has bowled me over. He is an adorable actor, who has the charisma of Ranveer Singh in Band Baaja Baarat, yet the flavor of only one person-himself. The "cool" Rahul is played by Nishant Dahiya and is perfect for the sexy Jock that he plays. The choice in actors is impeccable and I can now say that finally, new faces are arriving in Bollywood. It has been decades since Akshay, Salman, Hrithik, Aamir and SRK have been reigning the Hindi film scene, but we can all admit that we need new actors for the coming years and...now we have them!

Do not miss these two!

Favorite Salman Songs

Salman is one of my FAVORITE actors and dancers....that also means that he has been picturized in some of the most brilliant songs

Here are 5 of my Salman favorites (in no particular order):

Yeh Raat Aur Yeh Doori

Andaz Apna Apna

Salman's clothes and awkward facial expressions are only a boon to this unique romantic track. This is my favorite jam track, perfect for Filmi faces and dance moves. S.P. Subramanium's voice will always be synonymous with Salman because of THIS song!

Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

Chori Chori Chupke Chupke

It is a fact that Salman Khan is part of every girl’s widest fantasy. Now, Salman Khan appearing out of leaves…that just goes into another dimension altogether. It's one of those songs that sounds utterly predictable but still sticks. Quite a surprise that Mr. Anu “I steal every song” Malik composed it. *shock*

 Dil Deewana

Maine Pyar Kiya
Not only does this movie equal one of my all-time favorites (more than DDLJ).

The song equals the epitome of desire. Salman looks adorable and I love the way he is he fights to marry Bhagyashree. Those small nuances in the video, like how Salman confidently stares at Bhagyashree's father but when her father looks into his eyes, he turns his head down, are pure genius! Salman may have had to do some random dance steps and hang on tires for the song, but that is what makes this song so good! “Dil deewana bin sajna ke mane na” HAYEE SHO SHWEET!

Pehla Pehla Pyar Hai
Hum Aapke Hai Kaun
While most people rave of SRK-Kajol's magical chemistry, Salman-Madhuri's chemistry is electric (though I love him with Preity the best on screen). This song shows their jodi in the best light. And this song itself, undoubtedly, is one of the best "first love" songs. Personally, what makes this song even better for me is how it is synonymous with my childhood- sweet, sweeet memories!

 O Oh Jaane Jaana
Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya
Any girl can faint watching this video. Salman shirtless. Salman dancing. Salman in tight fitting jeans.The dialogue at the beginning defines the childhood of every 90s kid. The nostalgia is just...ufff. And that main dance move, with the swinging arms! One word: Swoon!

Rockstar Song Review!

Rockstar songs have released...finally!
Here is the verdict!
I had originally written tons more BUT I lost it all and I lost my patience, so forgive the brevity!

1. Phir Se Ud Chala 
Mohit Chauhan    A great way to put this song is...Interesting. It is Haryanvi AND techno; For example, they are speaking in a Haryanvi dialect, but then the techno beats just rush in. It is a feel good song, that has the power to lift one up. There are great drum vibrations, however the melody could use some work. Erratic...but still good!                                                                                                   

2. Jo Bhi Main 
Mohit Chauhan    This song nails the Soft Rock genre. I can literally picture people listening to this track in a Rock concert, slowly swaying to the lyrics. It takes some time to get used to Mohit's "yeah yeah yeaah" but it's welcome. There is also a slight chanting chorus in the back, which I am not sure fits in well, but is adjustable. On the whole, the winning element in this song is undeniably the meaningful lyrics.   

3. Kateya Karun 
Harshdeep Kaur Additional Vocals- Sapna Awasthi   If any of you have seen the song promo, you can pretty much sum up how this song sounds. Punjabi and lots of "balles". I can almost swear that the Punjabi holler in the back is from an Ekta Kapoor serial too! However, this song soon becomes surprisingly, authentically Punjabi! I had no idea that a Tamil music director, A.R. Rehman, would know about folk Punjabi music. There were tumbis, dhols and a whole array of Punjabi instruments. Though that initial flavor soon fades, it is the winning point for this song.

4. Kun FayaKun 
A.R.Rahman, Javed Ali, Mohit Chauhan  When they talk of the Qawwali element in Rockstar, they are referring to this religious extravaganza. Though "Kun Faya Kun" is a line in the Holy Quran, this song has universal appeal. The collaborating vocals of Chauhan and Rahman sound great. Personally, the portion of this song which stands out the most is Chauhan's faster and melodious two lines, they had great background music (guitar) and rhythm. Overall, this song is already a rage and I expect it to get just as popular or even more popular than,  Jodha Akbar's Khwaja Mere Khwaja.

5. Sheher Mein 
Mohit Chauhan, Karthik When I originally heard the thirty second promo for this Filmi number, I was in love. The lyrics reminded me of a 90s Salman Khan movie and the track caught my hear more than any of the others. I still believe the song is extremely catchy... but only to a certain extent. On the side, some man keeps critiquing Mohit's singing, with the most random and ridiculous commentary... it is extremely annoying! It ruins a perfectly melodious number. Obviously, the commentary is inserted for the film's story. However, the song would sound better without the comments on the CD version too. The last one minute symbolizes what I really enjoy about Sheher Mein...style and the sweetest line "dil to tu dete jaana"  

6. Hava Hava - 
Mohit Chauhan
Additional Vocals - Viviane Chaix, Tanvi Shah, Suvi Suresh, Shalini This song is the dictionary definition of exotic. There are gypsies softly singing in the back and there are accordions which ooze Europe. Hava Hava has great guitar rhythms (again) and the chorus in the background can literally make someone get up and dance. 

9. Tum Ko 
Kavita Subamaniam This is the softer, female version of Tum Ho. Though they may have the same general melody, A.R. Rehman does not just re-do this song, but reinvents it. While Tum Ho has more of a universal style, Tum Ko has an Indian flavor that suits it perfectly. Also, Tum Ko is deeper and even more romantic than Tum Ho. Lastly, Kavita Subramanium's voice is made for songs like this. What I loved about this was how she revives her Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam song. Tum Ko is my number one pick in the album. 

10. The Dichotomy of Fame 
Featuring Balesh on Shehnai & Kabuli on Guitars  I am an absolute sucker for instrumentals. Though most of my favorite instrumentals heavily depend on Orchestras, with Violins and Bases, this orchestra-less (mostly) Dichotomy was fantastic. This is an innovative mixture of the Indian Shehnai and the Spanish guitar, both dramatically different instruments that come together and make a beautiful melody. However, there is also a light orchestra in the end, some tablas and even sarangi! Great mix of sounds that is not forced and extremely innovative.

12. Tum Ho 
Mohit Chauhan, Suzanne D'Mello
One word for this - LOVE! This song eerily reminds me of Kaise Mujhe from Ghajini. The name of the song itself, "Tum Ho" already alludes to the mood...romantic. The song commences with one of the greatest tunes by A.R. Rehman, a melodious humming of Mohit Chauhan and a soft singing of "Tum Ho", which was also in the trailer. The song has a trance feel, which would be great for a slow dance and has gorgeous lyrics. Suzanne D'Mello is solely in the background as a Celtic touch, which indirectly indicates that this IS an A.R. Rehman song. 

13. Sadda Haq
Mohit chauhan Featuring Orianthi on Guitars
Choral Vocal Arrangements By Clinton Cerejo Talk about CRAZY! This song travels back and forth from loud flamboyance to soft guitars...from Delhi 6 style music to chanting of the soon-to-be cult line "Sadda Haq Aithe Raq". It has something for everyone! Mark my words, this song will soon become a youth anthem. 

On the whole, the album is a new genre for Hindi Film music. AR Rahman has, in my opinion, made one of the best albums of his career (way better than his Oscar winning Slumdog Millionaire). The credit also goes to the talented Mohit Chauhan, who is the voice of Rockstar. He has the most beautiful voice and style. Rockstar is one of the albums that is going to be staying for a LONG time because of its innovative styles.

4/5