Group items tagged

Films capture journeys but in Imtiaz Ali's much-awaited Highway, the journey has made the film. Presented by Sajid Nadiadwala and starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the film traverses six states of north India and captures the landscape of the different regions as it goes along.Highway Diaries, are short video snippets that capture the journey of the film and all the exciting experiences that the cast and crew had during its making.In the latest episode of Highway Diaries titled 'Songs of the Valley', Imtiaz Ali is seen sitting with gujari folk singer Begum Jaan and her group, engrossed in  their music, while shooting for' Highway' at Aru valley in Kashmir. He says, “...while it (the song) should connect with the larger experience that Veera (Alia's character) has in the film, it should still be about that time and place..and its music."The film comes out in February!

Films capture journeys but in Imtiaz Ali's much-awaited Highway, the journey has made the film. Presented by Sajid Nadiadwala and starring Alia Bhatt and Randeep Hooda, the film traverses six states of north India and captures the landscape of the different regions as it goes along.Highway Diaries, are short video snippets that capture the journey of the film and all the exciting experiences that the cast and crew had during its making.In the latest episode of Highway Diaries, the film crew is seen shooting on their way to Ajmer from Gurgaon. They have just crossed Haryana and the director Imtiaz Ali and his team savour the daal-roti at a dhaba near the Haryana-Rajasthan border check-post. Pointing towards the check-post, Imtiaz Ali says, “We have just crossed into Rajasthan and in that distance I think the texture of the food has changed”.Highway will release on February 21st 2014!

From the moment Anil Kapoor bought the Indian Version official rights of the famous American T.V Series 24, The Trade, Press, Media and Viewers started drawing certain comparisons. Some started comparing Anil Kapoor with Keifer Sutherland, while others started analyzing Indian Viewer's acceptance towards the show. Anil Kapoor's '24' premiered its first episode tonight at 10 pm on Colors. It also replaced the popular comedy show, Comedy Nights With Kapil.So how is the show? Will it shatter all Daily Soap records with its TRP? Will 24 bring a new revolution in the history of Indian Television? Can 24 become a platform where a T.V watching viewer starts accepting big stars on small screen (On a Serial Format, of course and not in some Game or Reality based shows)?The serial's first episode starts with an explanation from its protagonist Jai Singh Rathod (Anil Kapoor) where he explains how India has faced some major terrorist attacks and for which Indian Government has formed ATU (Anti-Terrorist Unit) to protect our country from any such future damages. Jai Singh Rathod is the head of this ATU.Jai Singh Rathod is celebrating his wife Trisha Rathod's (Tisca Chopra) birthday along with his daughter Kiran (Sapna Pabbi). Jai get's a call from Nikita Rai (Mandira Bedi) who is a government agent at ATU. The minute Jai reaches the ATU Wing, He is informed about a serious threat on PoliticianAditya Singhania (Neil Bhoopalam) who is a Prime-Ministerial candidate and a youth icon. Aditya Singhania's life is in danger. Jai (While his way to ATU) get's a call from Wasim Khan (Anupam Kher) who is a Research and Analysis wing (RAW) officer informing about a "Rat" in ATU wing.Irritated by his father's behavior, Kiran goes out to party with her friends without informing her mother. The result is she goes missing.Aditya Singhania is ready to take his oath the next day with a prepared speech by his Mother (Anita Raj). But all hell breaks loose when he gets an immediate call from a T.V Channel head (Suchitra Pillai) who informs him about some of his dark crime which he committed 12 years back.A contract Killer is on his way from Thailand but killed in the Flight itself by another Femme Fatale. The Indian adaptation of '24', retains all the elements of the international series, the real-time, pulse-pounding, fast-paced format with split screens and complex interweaving storylines, with 24 episodes capturing 24 hours.Director Abhinay Deo does full justice with his dedicated direction along with tight screenplay by writers Rensil D'Silva and Milan Milaap Zaveri. This one does not at all looks like a T.V Series but it looks like a One Hour feature film on TV. Full marks to the Direction, Writing and Production team for creating a wonderful extravaganza on small screen. Performance wise, The show totally belongs to the one and only Anil Kapoor who makes you sit tight without touching your Remote Control buttons with his charm and persona. Keifer Sutherland as Jack Bauer might have been good there, but here Anil Kapoor is extra-ordinarily amazing as Jai Singh Rathod. Tisca Chopra, Anupam Kher, Mandira Bedi are superb in their respective parts. Neil Bhoopalam is just outstanding as Aditya Singhania and trust me, this first season belongs to him after Jai Singh Rathod. We are yet to see Shabana Azmi, But it was nice to see Anita Raj in a mind blowing role after a long time. Special mention to the actress who played Femme Fatale, The one who killed the contract killer and jumps from the flight. She hardly had 10 minutes in the First Episode, but she made her presence felt real strong.It is reported, some major channels initially refused to buy the idea of Indian Version of 24, At least not until Colors swooped in. I am very much sure those channels now regret it. I really have no clue or will not lay a challenge if 24 beats other Thrillers running strongly on other TV Channels with huge TRP's, But 24 will be the most exciting, The most talked about and the most interesting TV Mini Series India has ever produced.Prepare yourself on every Fridays and Saturdays at 10pm for a Thrilling roller coaster ride of 24 as this one is most Powerful, Gripping and an Honest show you will ever come across.

Hollywood director Danny Boyle, who is best known in India for his film Slumdog Millionaire which starred Indian-origin actors Dev Patel and Freida Pinto, is all set to helm a feature adaptation of the documentary Smash and Grab: The Story of the Pink Panthers.For those unaware, the original documentary came out last year, and it talked about the world`s most successful diamond thieves. What was further intriguing about the project was that it showed a clip captured on CCTV and also the interviews with several members of the gang.After watching the documentary, Boyle decided to adapt it to silver screen, and with this, his long-term producing partner Christian Colson came on board. It is learnt that the filmmaker is going the produce the film through his Cloud Eight Films banner. Meanwhile, it is going to be co-financed by Pathe and Fox Searchlight. It was said that Boyle would search for his next project once he was once with his directorial Trance, which was a heist film, and starred James McAvoy as a London art dealer who is forced to assist in the theft of a Goya painting.Way to go!

Sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Osman Mir, the Nagada Sang Dhol song from year’s most anticipated movie Ram Leela has become a huge hit this Dandiya season and has also touched 3 million plus views on YouTube. The song from exotic looking Deepika Padukone and dapper dhoti-clad Ranveer Singh to rocking garba moves and melodious voices features everything in one composition. Thanks to the choreography which beautifully captures the Navratri festive spirit.The film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali, well-known for his art-work in his films, has worked on the music section of the film himself. From costumes designing of the lead protagonists to look of the song, he has given his own style to the track. He himself worked on the outfit of Deepika, who is looking drop dead gorgeous in her red lehenga, while Ranveer is looking quite splendid in his red turban.  The song, released on the festivity of Navratri, has turned extremely popular among garba lovers and is heard playing during the entire Dandiya festival. The song will remind you off Aishwarya Rai and Salman Khan's Dholi Taro Dhol Baaje song from Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. However, this peppy number is rocking with its dance moves, foot-tapping beats and the sizzling chemistry between Deepika and Ranveer.We must say this is a huge feat for the entire team as it is a highly awaited film from SLB's kitty. The film is slated to release on November 15, 2013.

What would you call a film which draws so many inspirations from other Hollywood and Bollywood Rom-Coms and still looks as a confused and paranoid film just like the female lead character from this film? Here comes a yet-another frustrated crappy version of many Hollywood-Bollywood films in the form of Huff It's Too Much.First of all, the film tells a story about a couple in their 25 years of age living in London. Please take a look at the lead actor Pushkar Jog. Do you really think he looks like a 25 years old? Especially with his eye-wrinkles and double chinned face which cannot be avoided in the film's poster itself? Some news papers and tabloid claimed "Famous Marathi actor Pushkar Jog debuts through this Film" in their respective headers  (PR generated stories, Of course). Famous Marathi actor? Really? If Pushkar Jog is considered as a Famous Actor, What would you call stars like Bharat Jaadhav, Subodh Bhave, Ankush Chowdhary etc?As far as debut is concerned, Pushkar Jog has already debuted in a very less remembered multi-cast flop film called E.M.I Liya Hai Toh Chukana Padega (2008). Back home in Marathi Cinema, He has done some B Grade films which sank without a trace. He produces his own films and his debut Marathi (Self-Produced) film 'Zabardast' was directed by ace director Mahesh Kothare. Some insiders also claimed about the actor having a well-dressed staff accompanying him and wearing "Pushkar Jog Staff" name batch. Marathi cinema's Kamaal R Khan? Oops! No offense to anyone. Sorry please.Huff It's Too Much is a romantic-comedy revolving around a creative director, his quirky best friend and a woman that he is confused about. The film is an all and out youth centric romantic-comedy set in London dealing with the tryst and tribulation of young 'Desis' staying abroad.Another plot about Indians who live abroad and confused about their lifestyles and livings. Such plot, if treated in a right format can do really wonders. But it looks as if the people behind the scenes were only interested in shooting the film rather concentrating on the storyline. The first half of the film is just tolerable. But it's the second half which tortures you to the core.As I speak about the performances, Pushkar Jog really doesn't know to act in a Hindi film, Despite starting his career as a child actor. Acting in a Marathi Film is different. The Body language, The Accent, The Style etc.But performing in a Hindi Film is another ball game. The Sarcasm comedy slang that he used in this one looks like a (Late) Laxmikant Berde Marathi style. Armeena Khan, yet-Another Pakistani Actress/Model debuts through this film. She is strictly okay. Yes, like every other Pakistani actress, She too has an Expression less face which somehow worked for this film. Why? Because the camera was mostly capturing the one and only Pushkar Jog. Rest of the actors were nothing to talk about.Music of the film is okay, But because of its less promotions, I don't think they will be remembered much. The Editing is bad. The camera work is good. Production values are nothing new to talk about because the film has been shot in London, And trust me, No one showed London as beautiful and erotic as (Late) Yash Chopra used to show.Why Pushkar Jog directed this film? Why this film was made in Hindi? Why does Pushkar Jog's smile reminds you of iconic Marathi director Mahesh Kothare? These are some of my questions which still remained unanswered.If you have a strong and a personal grudge with a person, Show him/her Huff It's Too Much at least once. Huff It's Too Much is a Pushkar Jog style Torture!