Bolly Volley Volume 6
As I start writing this new edition of Bolly Volley trying to recall what I liked and disliked about the two major Bollywood films released since the last…
Arup specializes in any job that requires stretching out his legs - whether it is on a reclining chair at the beach, or in the Economy Plus seat of United Airlines, or on the shoulder of the person sitting in front of him in the theatre. And when dreaming, travelling for work and watching movies is not keeping him busy, he tries to write. He lives in Naperville with his wife and son, who are cinema freaks as well.
A monthly shower of Bollywood previews, reviews and my unsolicited views
By Arup Raha
As I start writing this new edition of Bolly Volley trying to recall what I liked and disliked about the two major Bollywood films released since the last edition (Ra.one and Rockstar), the only words at the top of my mind are “Why this Kolaveri Di?”. For those of you who have not heard of it yet, it’s the Tamil (or may I say “tamlish”?) song from an upcoming movie “3” which has been making waves all over India with a record breaking 1.6 million hits in just 6 days on Youtube (link at the bottom of this article). Astounding! There is something hummable, funny, real and likeably “flop” about that song /video that everyone is connecting with. It just shows that you don’t need a marketing machinery of millions of rupees, like Ra.One, to make people watch something. If you make something simple and honest, that people can connect with, it can just be as popular. Reaching out to people is not a challenge in the internet age, but holding on to their attention is.
Not that all the marketing was not useful for Ra.One. It raked in enough money in its first 5-6 days. The viewership dropped drastically after that, but it will still not have problems making profits. Ra.One got bashed, cursed, made fun of by many. To me it was a movie made with good intent, not any sillier or worse than what one would expect a Bollywood superhero movie to be. It takes Visual FX in Indian mainstream cinema to greater heights and I just hope that all the negative reviews will not discourage other producers from spending on making such movies of epic-scale. Today, VFX/animation for many of the major Hollywood movies are being created by Indian companies, but Indian cinema has only a Ra.One or an Endhiran (Robot) to talk about when it comes to fully using those skills at home.
Rockstar is of course rocking the box office fairly well. Less of a rock movie and more of a love story, Rockstar stands out much above the run-of-the-mill romantic movies that we have seen in recent times. The most striking aspects about the movie however are Ranbir Kapoor’s performance and Rahman’s music. I believe while Ranbir truly “arrived” on the Bollywood scene with Wake up Sid and proved himself with Rocket Singh and Rajneeti, with Rockstar he has now announced himself. He has announced to all the current “superstars” that with just about 10 films under his belt, he also has the ability to carry the success of an entire film on his shoulders. Director Imtiaz Ali is also likely to become one of the most sought after directors with a very impressive track record so far. (His Jab We Met was good, but I also recommend watching his light-hearted romantic Socha Na Tha of 2005 –Abhay Deol ). As far as Rockstar’s lead actress Nargis Fakhri is concerned, who was introduced in this movie, I have nothing to say about her except share a link from her participation in America’s Next Top Model in 2004 .
While there are many like Nargis in US and other countries who are looking at Bollywood for opportunities, there is a lot of movement happening in the other direction as well. Last year many of us here in US were very excited watching Anil Kapoor playing a major role in 24, arguably the most successful spy-story based TV drama ever. Anil Kapoor has now apparently bought the rights from Fox to remake 24 for Indian television. He was of course earlier noticed by many across the world for his role in Slumdog Millionaire and he is now all ready to be seen in Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol (MI-4) in a small role. Is Anil Kapoor going to become the most recognized Bollywood face in Hollywood?
We are almost into December – nearing the end of the year. I do want to mention that Bolly Volley will have a Top 10 list of 2011 – in fact 2 Top 10 lists –one for movies another for Bollywood songs. So please post your comments here with your favorite movies and songs of the year so far! No One Killed Jessica ? Dhobi Ghat ? 7 Khoon Maaf, Tanu weds Manu? ZNMD? Delhi Belly? Chillar Party? I am Kalam? Stanley Ka Dabba? Aarakshan? Ready ? Ra.One? Rockstar? Or any of the other movies covered (or missed) in earlier editions of Bolly Volley? And which song did you like most?
Now, here are some of the upcoming movies for rest of the year.
Coming soon to a theatre near you
Don – The Chase continues (Don 2) – Releasing Dec 23. The most awaited movie next month, releasing around Christmas. It is needless to say why it is most awaited. Farhan Aktar, sequel to Don – The Chase begins again (2006), Shahrukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta are some of the reasons. The trailer looks amazing. I don’t like the songs of Don-2 (by Shankar, Ehsan, Loy) as much as the songs of Don-1 but am hoping the movie will be better. Must watch.
Desi Boyz – Releasing Nov 25 – Akshay Kumar, John Abraham. Other than Chitrangada Singh (her first foray into masala films after movies like Hazaaron Khwaishein Aisi, Sorry Bhai, Yeh Saali Zindagi), I see no reason to watch this movie in theater.
Another movie worth considering would be Ladies vs Ricky Bahl (Dec 9) coming from Yashraj Stable (with same team as Band Baaja Baaraat)
Coming soon to a store near you
Dirty Picture – Releasing Dec 2. Interesting movie with Vidya Balan playing the role of Silk Smitha, the sensational actress of South Indian films in the 80s and 90s . This movie which also stars Naseeruddin Shah and Emraan Hashmi will tell the story of the actress /dancer who started as a make-up girl and went on to become one of the most popular names in the industry. While one may not associate Vidya Balan to this role, I am sure she can pull it off!
Also look out for Dam 999 – 3D English Indo-UAE production – it could be interesting.
Now it’s time for Quiz!
Last week’s winner (for the question on Jeans, Earth and Hot Winds) was Maheswari Madhanan. She has been kind enough to set the question for this edition. It’s a tough one so I will give a hint (hint: color, finger, name). Please leave your answer in the Comments section. Here is the question. The person with the first correct answer will get a chance to decide the question for the quiz in the next edition!
QUIZ
>>> What do Smita Patil, Archie Panjabi and Paresh Rawal have in common (besides the fact that they are good actors) ?
Interesting Links:
Why this Kolaveri Di?
Read recent editions of Bolly Volley:
http://thoughtfulindia.com/2011/10/bolly-volley-volume-5/
http://thoughtfulindia.com/2011/09/bolly-volley-volume-iiii/
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