Her versatility is linked to her intrinsic sensitivity as this anecdote proves. Bimal Roy once persuaded Salil da to sing a complex Bengali song. Salil da obliged and was alarmed to find that young Lata had fainted. Moving sentiment is the hallmark of any Lata song. It is her ability to reach inside the lyric, to probe the nuances of moods, so skillfully balance changing cadences that make her so much in demand.

She confessed,

While listening to the song, I was overcome.
I couldn’t control myself.

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HO SAKTA HAI

Rating:

The first movie which I entered was – HO SAKTA HAI. It succedes to some extent to scare you, but the pace is so slow that you almost can get asleep while watching it.

A phone call makes Mohan [Khalid] start from the American Institute of Medical Studies, U.S. to rush to meet his grand-father [Victor Banerjee]. In a hurry to meet his grand-father, Mohan happens to meet Kushaba [Mukesh Tiwari], a saint, who can predict the layout of anybody’s house by looking at their faces.

Khetwadi is a small village in India where Mohan’s grand-father stays. His grand-father’s wealth attracts the evil eyes of Parvati [Mohini], the wife of the caretaker of the house. She casts a spell on the house by practicing black magic. Mohan realizes that his brother and sister-in-law are missing and their son Tanya [Dharmik] is possessed by unknown forces.

Mohan learns that Parvati’s acts are gripping Tanya and makes him commit crimes. Convinced that the black magic is working on Tanya, Mohan is now cornered and left with only one option — to believe in what exists and fight against it.

Chand Ke Paar Chalo

Rating:

After watching 15 mins, I had to say my Girlfriend, chalo dildar chalo … ghar chalo… . What a crappy, 80s stories. Is this time to release movies where hero shakes his hips, and heroiene goes around trees ?
What was the director and stroy write thinking while scripting this movie ?
Are we some 5 year old boy, who would fall for some fairy tale story?

Synopsis

CHAAND KE PAAR CHALO revolves around Chander [Saahib], a tourist photographer in Nainital, who stays with his parents [Alok Nath, Kanu Gill] and best friend, Johnny [Sanjay Narvekar]. While on his way to work one day, he hears a melodious voice. He is mesmerized by the beauty of Nirmala [Preeti Jhangiani], the stage dancer who has arrived with her uncle [Tej Sapru] and aunt [Himani Shivpuri]. He clicks her photos and later befriends her.

Chander always tells her of taking her across the moon and she in turn laughs at his tales. One day, Chander sells his studio and takes Nirmala ‘across the moon and stars’, to the city of dreams — Mumbai. And from there her journey to stardom begins. She is renamed Garima.

Chander sells his camera and land in Nainital to raise funds. Deepak introduces Garima to a film director Arman Khan, who signs her in the lead role for his film. Now Garima has everything — money, fame, name. Her secretary Kapoor [Shakti Kapoor] cannot stand Chander and finds ways to remove him from the path.

He succeeds finally and throws Chander out of Garima’s house. Chander’s friend advises him to return to Nainital. On returning, Chander learns of his father’s demise and also that his mother is staying with his friend Johnny. Johnny advises Chander to start life afresh and returns back his camera.

Chander returns to his old job — tourist photography. He happens to see Garima where he had seen her first. Garima follows Chander and tries to talk to him. He asks him to return back. She finally wins Chander back.

Madhubala

Rating:

Loosely based on real incident, the molestion case against Madhur Bhandarker, by the upcoming starlet is compelte mediocre. Last week was Jigyashaa and this week its Madhubala – what waste of such pretty title. This movie too divulges into ups and downs of bollywood, basically the darker side. How directors take advantage of upcoming starlets and how they are being misused for self gratification.

Synopsis

MADHUBAALA tells the story of Madhubaala [Kanishka], who wants to make it big in Bollywood. With the help of her friend [Gurpreet Singh], she meets an award winning director Raj Malhotra [Sameer Dharmadhikari], who rapes her 21 times in two years. She’s promised the heroine’s role in his film and also given false promises of marriage.

But Raj marries someone else altogether [Aditi Gowitrikar] and Madhubaala feels cheated. With the help of a social activist, she lodges a complaint with the police. Everyone including Raj’s parents and wife start feeling that Raj is guilty, but the court case takes a surprise turn when a guilt-conscious Madhubaala reveals that Raj had not raped her. She wanted to be famous, hence she lodged a complaint against him.

MADHUBAALA could’ve been one interesting story, but thanks to a sloppy screenplay, it turns out to be one poor show. The writing part is the weakest link of the enterprise, which is precisely the reason why the film fails to strike a chord. Even the climax, which should’ve been a strong point, is tacky.

So, 3 movies in a day itself means the division of business and is always risky for producers. But when all 3 of them are mediocre, then where is the risk?
Its sure shot failure !!

Raj Kapoor always remained on the straight and narrow path that he had started on almost fifty years ago. He has changed the locale, the environment, moved out of the sharp light and shade of the black and white films, and into the larger- than-life hues of the Technicolor screen of today. But the naive and sentimental lover of the forties, the idealist debunker, the heroic underdog, still remain the major underlying motifs in his work.

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The industry poll conducted last year pointed to the fact that Krrish will be the most awaited release of 2006. Do such expectations put undue pressure on you?

It depends on how seriously you take such predictions. As a filmmaker my prior concern is to make a palatable product which will be liked by the masses. I consider myself lucky that my films have always been appreciated at the box-office and people have been very kind to my films. Frankly, no director has a fixed formula for success. The film might work or might fall flat. Your fate lies in the hands of those millions who spend money to come and watch our kind of cinema. As far as expectations are concerned, people are banking on the Hrithik and Rakesh Roshan combination. That scares me sometimes, but I guess it is all a part of Bollywood.

Why do people have such high expectations from Krrish? Is it because of you or Hrithik?

I think it is because of the trio combination, that of my brother Rajesh Roshan, my son Hrithik and me. Probably people have faith in our production and believe that they won’t be let down. But there is no denying Hrithik’s star status and his eagerly awaited performance. And I assure you that they won’t be disappointed at all. Hrithik has put two-and-a-half years in this project and God can’t be cruel to him. If everything falls in place, it will be hat-trick for us.

Why did you select Singapore for your outdoor shoot?

I wanted a modern city with concrete buildings and a beautiful landscape. About 60 per cent of my film has been shot there. We had to caudron off roads, public places, malls and other locations for the shoot; for which I must thank the Singapore government who were extremely co-operative.

Your first choice for the female lead was Aishwarya Rai. But you dumped her because she refused to give a screen test with Hrithik for the role?

Yes, I did approach Aishwarya for the role and she was very keen on doing the role. She also had her international commitments. Hrithik is doing just one film at a time, so I had all his time and had to match his dates with the female lead. Priyanka willingly gave me all the dates I required. As regards the screen test, we didn’t even reach that level. Ash is a fantastic person and Hrithik will be working with her in Dhoom 2 and Akbar Jodha.

Is it true that you had asked Hrithik to give a screen test before you signed him for Krrish?

Yes. That’s the procedure I go through for all my films. I see him as Duggu at home, but I needed to see whether he suited the character with make-up and in a costume. I am a thorough professional and so is Duggu. He worked really hard on his body and grew his hair. I wanted to see how he looked on camera, so I requested my photographer friend Rakesh Shrestha to do a series of photo sessions with him. After that session we again worked on the make-up and look. Duggu was extremely co-operative as he was also gaining confidence in the procedure.

This is your first attempt at a sequel. How did you conceive the plot?

If you observe carefully, you will see that I have tried to portray Hrithik as a romantic boy in Kaho Na Pyaar Hai, and then he played a mentally challenged character in Koi Mil Gaya. This time I thought of presenting him as a powerful man. In fact, I wanted him to be like Rambo. Krrish will introduce the concept of a super hero in Indian cinema.

So do we get to see Jadoo once again on screen?

No. I have not used Jadoo in the sequel. Simply because Jadoo was supposed to give powers to Hrithik and then he left planet Earth. Krrish narrates the story thereafter.

How did you manage to convince Rekha to play Hrithik’s grandmother in this film?

When I approached Rekha she was slightly sceptical about playing Hrithik’s grandmother. But I reasoned with her and said – ‘I am making a sequel and if you turn down the offer I won’t be able to make the film at all.’ We share a fantastic rapport, and she agreed to the project immediately. She has done a fantastic job as an old lady.

When Hrithik was heralded as a star, trade pundits felt that you needed Hrithik more than he needed you. A dozen flops later, it was your Koi Mil Gaya that resurrected his career, and people felt otherwise. Comment

We both need each other. I can’t think of making a film without Hrithik. If I have talent at home why would I take an actor from outside? Besides, the kind of dedication I get from Hrithik is something which I can’t command from anyone else.

During the Singapore shoot, Hrithik met with an accident. What was your reaction as a father?

Let me clarify that if any crew member had met with an accident I would have been equally caring. It happened in a second and before we could realise the enormity of the event, I saw Hrithik falling from mid-air. Thankfully there were canopies, which saved Hrithik’s life. I was very disturbed and kept inquiring about how he was doing. He is my son but I treat him like any other actor on my sets.

Hrithik assisted you in Koyla and is interested in the technical aspects of film-making. Does he interfere in your work and give unsolicited advice?

No. He is a brilliant technician. He understands camera, lights, editing and even other minor details of filmmaking. I appreciate him giving me advice. He sits with me from the scripting to editing I won’t be surprised if he decides to direct a film in the near future.

Hrithik and Suzanne are in the family way, which will make you a grandfather soon. How does that make you feel?

I have already become a Nana, now it’s time to become Dada. This year is very special for me – Krrish will be releasing and there will be a new member in our family.
Hrithik is trying to spend maximum time with Suzanne and they are both very excited to be first-time parents.

Rendezvous with Mysteros

1949,was the breakthrough year for Lataji. Four years earlier veteran composer Mst. Ghulam Haider from Sind had accompanied the young Lata, to meet a leading producer in the hope that she would be given a song in the forthcoming film starring Kamini Kaushal. The tone-deaf producer rejected the eager nervous aspirant’s voice as too thin and soft. The outraged Haider , who had earlier discovered Noor Jehan, prophesied

Let me foretell today that this girl will soon put to shade everyone else including Noor Jehan. Producers and singers will fall at her feet begging to sing in their films.

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Cast: Mahima, Padmini, Shakti, Gulshan
Rating:

Synopsis

SOUTEN – THE OTHER WOMAN tells the story of Mitali [Mahima Chaudhary], married to Ranbir [Gulshan Grover], who belongs to a royal family. While Ranbir is busy expanding his business empire and in the free time indulges in shikaars, Mitali leads a humdrum life. She’s bored and neglected.

Enter Raj [Vikram Singh], the kid-brother of Rajbir’s business associate Sumer [Shakti Kapoor]. Mitali is entrusted the responsibility of taking Raj around and in a matter of a few meetings, the couple get into physical proximity. The relationship rests on lust and continues to escalate as days progress.

Smita [Padmini Kolhapure], Sumer’s wife and Raj’s sister-in-law, gets an inkling of the affair and confronts Mitali. But a headstrong Mitali snaps at her and continues to see Raj. Later, Smita makes Raj realize that he has embarked on a path that could’ve serious repercussions. Raj realizes his folly and makes Mitali understand that it’s over between them.

At this point, Rajbir’s daughter Sapna [Kiran Rathod] enters the scene. At first, Raj and Sapna have the usual tiffs, but gradually fall in love when they visit Goa for a holiday. When Sapna returns and confides in Mitali that Raj and she are in love, Mitali is shocked, but determined that she wouldn’t let Sapna’s love story have a happy end.

Immediately thereafter, Mitali spills the beans about her relationship with Raj to Sapna, who is crestfallen to know the truth. Sapna walks out of Raj and heads for Goa again, hoping to make a career in fashion designing. But Raj lands up there and after much persuasion, Sapna relents and forgives him. Mitali also lands up in Goa, this time with a prospective groom in tow for Sapna. A helpless Sapna cows down to her parents’ demands and is engaged to the person.

At this juncture, Smita confronts Mitali and tells her to stop playing evil. There’s an awakening and Mitali decides to get the lovers married. Simultaneously, Rajbir gets to know of the illicit relationship between Raj and Mitali and is seething with fury.

Snippet

Bollywood has seen many musician duos. But Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy turn out to be the first and only musician trio. How did this association begin?

Ehsaan: There is a common thought that a threesome is much better (laughs). On a serious note, it just happened. We first came together in Mukul Anand’s film Dus. Actually Mukul came to me first and I told him I cannot do this on my own and I’ll need someone who is familiar with Indian music. So I contacted Shankar (Mahadevan) who immediately said yes. Then we contacted Loy. Actually we were all working together so it just became a threesome. Loy: I think a three legged bangs better than a two legged one.

Source: IndiaFm.

Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Dimple Kapadia, Naseruddin Shah, Boman Irani
Rating:

Synopsis

BEING CYRUS revolves around a Parsi family, Sethnas. A retired sculptor Dinshaw [Naseeruddin Shah] lives with his wife Katy [Dimple Kapadia] in Panchgani, while brother Farokh [Boman Irani], his wife Tina [Simone Singh] and father Fardoonjee [Honey Chhaya] live in Mumbai.

Cyrus [Saif Ali Khan] shows up at Dinshaw’s house in Panchgani and offers to be an assistant. He spends a year with them and in the process a romance seemingly brews between Katy and him.

He then arrives at Farokh’s house in a Parsi locality in Mumbai. Farokh takes care of their father [who lives in a room in their Mumbai apartment] and does not treat him too well. Cyrus befriends the father.

As the movie proceeds, you realize that everything is not right with the Sethna family. Not just that, even Cyrus comes across as a strange personality. The plot slowly unfurls, revealing morbid and unanticipated sides of many.

Not just the language, even the premise of BEING CYRUS is English. Meaning, though the film tells the story of a dysfunctional Parsi family, the film tends to get intellectual as also abstract at times. On the whole, BEING CYRUS is more of a Festival film that should ideally appeal to the elite and mature audiences at the metros in the domestic market.