Season of 'Remakes' in Bollywood

These days I have been reading about a couple of news articles in the newspapers which focus on the plans of some directors to remake the old classics from Bollywood. Only today I read that Bollywood's 'Mr Perfect' Aamir Khan has been picked for a special role, which nobody except him will be able to essay. Its the role of Baiju Bawra  that was played by Bharat Bhushan in the old classic. Film-maker Krishna Shah wants Aamir to play the role of the wandering singer.

Some of the old classics have already been reprised on the silver screen. To name a few which i recollect are- Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag (Sholay) by Ram Gopal Verma, DON by Farhan Akhtar, Umrao Jaan by J.P. Dutta , Sahab Biwi aur Ghulam and if I am not mistaken a couple more. Remake of old classics isn't something new to both Bollywood and Hollywood, but the way we Indians do it is quite amusing for my liking. I have nothing against directors who plan remakes of old classics because each director has his own style to present the story and the movie overall.

But the way the we jump to a new formula for successful movies is what strikes me the most. Just like the time when all of a sudden we had three or four Bhagat Singh movies(The Legend of Bhagat Singh, Shaheed-e-Bhagat Singh) releasing at around about the same time. What explanation can be given? Has the Bollywood all of a sudden been inspired by Bhagat Singh back then or its just a rat race. Same has been the trend with the current remake of old blockbusters. It just appears to me as if one director plans to do something, others follow their trail. Its sad to see that Bollywood movies rely on a particular formula for a movie to be a hit. Even I would like to see the remake of these movies, in a new, happening way to suit the viewers of present generation. But I am very skeptical in these remakes if they arrive at the same time. This just shows the lack of belief which film makers now have in their scripts and have no option other than to remake the old movies. Hope we get a refreshing change in the Indian Cinema!

The name is RAJINIKANTH

Sivaji Rao Gaekwad or Rajinikanth can lay his hands on whatever he wishes for. He is the highest paid actor in India, respected alike by the old and young and probably the only actor in India who can do justice to the title demigod NDTV’s best Indian of the year award for 2007.We all know that Rajinikanth is a timeless superstar and his Endhiran Robot is arguably, the biggest ever hit in South India. The second most powerful entertainer in Asia, after Jackie Chan, Rajinikanth has proved that he is Mr. Box Office himself. Let us now go to the lighter side of life and enjoy some Rajinikanth jokes that have been doing the rounds lately-

1. When Rajinikanth is asked to kill some one he doesn't know, he shoots the bullet and directs it the day he finds out.

2.Rajinikanth has counted to infinity, twice.

3.Rajinikanth never wet his bed as a child. The bed wet itself in fear.

4.Rajinikanth doesn't breathe. Air hides in his lungs for protection.

5.Google won't find Rajinikanth because you don't find Rajinikanth; Rajinikanth finds you.

6.Rajinikanth killed Spiderman using Baygon Anti Bug Spray.

7.Rajinikanth once kicked a horse in the shin. Its descendants are today called giraffes.

8.Rajinikanth's calendar goes straight from March 31st to April 2nd, no one fools Rajanikanth.

9.Rajinikanth killed the Dead Sea.

10.When Rajinikanth does push-ups, he isn't lifting himself up...He is simply pushing the earth down.

11.The world will not end in 2012, Rajnikanth has bought a computer with a 3 year warranty.

12.Rajinikant can lick his elbows.

13.The last time Rajinikanth killed someone, he slapped himself to do it. The other guy just disintegrated. Resonance.

14.Rajinikanth doesn't need a visa to travel abroad, he just jumps from the tallest building in Chennai and holds himself in the air while the earth rotates.

15.The day ROBOT was released, Rajinikanth gave Times of India a rating of 4 stars.

And these are only a few. There are many more that one can find on Facebook, Orkut and other social networking sites these days. And if one Googles them then they can find at least a thousand similar jokes. Trust Rajnikanth to have a such a huge fan following. What would we have done without you? 

Long Live Rajnikanth!

Bollywood in Holland!

Kailash Kher, Sonu Nigam, Atif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and Shreya Goshal. They all have on thing in common in 2010. Wondering what that is? Well, they have all performed in The Netherlands this year. The Netherlands or Holland is a small country in North-Europe, where the people speak Dutch and many times are referred to as the Dutch. It's almost invisible on the map, but 2010 has been the best year for this country in terms of entertainment from Bollywood. This small country has seen so many outstanding and big name concerts in just 2010 and they are still counting. The year isn't over yet. 

The year kicked off with Kailash Kher giving an amazing performance in The Hague in February, which was SRO(standing room only). He was followed by Sonu Nigam, who went only two weeks later and again the show was sold out. Nigam was followed by Atif Aslam who visited for an Easter party. Then Rahat Fateh Ali Khan paid a visit to The Hague. He was suppose to be in Holland for only one concert, but so many people were so eager to see him that the organizers had to arrange for a second show the next day. Both shows were completely sold out. Atif Aslam returned within two months to entertain the Dutch audience, this time in the Heineken Music Hall in Amsterdam. And for the lovers of yesteryears music, Usha Mangeshar and Amit Kumar wentfor a special show. And just two weeks ago Shreya Goshal visited Holland. And the year isn't over yet. 

Holland is expecting actors Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal and Dino Morea in November. Then there is Sunidhi Chauhan visiting on the 6th of November and in December Adnan Sami will visit Holland for the umpteenth time. 

In the last couple of years Bollywood has gained much more popularity in Holland. The films are played at regular theatres, Bollywood gets a mention in Dutch magazines, and several festivals bring in Bollywood entertainment. Not only is it getting bigger and better, Bollywood is getting noticed outside the Indian community as well. Earlier it was Turkish, Moroccan, Afghani and Pakistani people who were interested, but now the Dutch community is also noticing its glitter and glamour.

Several Indian movies contain scenes or songs, which have been shot in Holland. You probably know the songs 'Bhanwre Ne Khilaya Phool Phool' fromPrem Rog and 'Dekha Ek Khwab' from Silsila. These have been shot in the tulip fields of Holland. The cast and crew of Hello Brother, starring Salman Khan and Rani Mukerjee, went to the same fields for the song 'Teri Chunariya Dil Le Gayi'. And in 2004, Hum Tum was shot in Amsterdam. More recently you could see Holland in the video of the Imran Khan hit song 'Amplifier'. 

It looks like this small country has finally joined in on the Bollyaction that has been going on for years in America and England and the fans there seem ecstatic! We will all have to wait and watch to see what happens next!

Hissing beauties

They hissed, they slithered and they kissed to kill. Bollywood has witnessed a variety of Nagins over the years. Some we loved to hate and some we hated to love.This time it is Mallika Sherawat  who has slithered back into business in Bollywood, donning the garb of a snake in her latest film 'Hisss'. The film directed by Jennifer Lynch has the sizzling hottie and Irrfan Khan playing the lead characters. Mallika is not only smoldering in the film’s promos but has reportedly also done a full monty for certain scenes in the film.
The other Bollywood hotties who sizzled on the screen in their Nagin avatars are-


Sridevi
If Mallika sizzles in her snake avatar, Sridevi pushed the mercury several notches higher in her rendition of the fabled snake woman. Her serpentine moves around Amrish Puri (who plays a snake charmer) in Harmesh Malhotra’s Nagina still manage to give me goose bumps. The actor’s blue eyes (thanks to coloured contact lens) and her enticing demeanour and of course, that graceful dancing in the film stayed with me long after the film was declared a box office smasher.


Vyjayanthimala
Vyjayanthimala appeared as a snake woman in her successful movie Nagin where she performed a beautiful snake dance to the tunes of 'Man dole mera tan dole'. This hugely popular number has been one of the Southern beauty’s most remembered performances. She was one of the first stars in Bollywood to pave the way for actors after her, to go the reptilian way.


Reena Roy
Reena Roy was considered by some as the ultimate snake woman when she appeared on celluloid playing a snake that embarks on a revenge trail after her lover is killed by a group of young men. Ably performed by Roy.


Rekha
Rekha added a lot of oomph factor to her portrayal of the snake woman in the film Nagin. She played a beautiful icchadhari nagin (a snake which could take any form) who could kill any mortal with her venomous looks. Even with limited prowess over special effects back in 1990, the fight sequence between the snake and the mongoose were well documented. 


All the above movies worked in their time but the concept of Nagin doesn't appeal in today's age. Times have changed and cinema had evolved. The audience no longer prefer to see such old-fashioned concepts in the movies . Present day audience is more aware, informed and demanding and therefore, don't buy such kind of movies anymore.


In my view, 'HIisss' dud at the box office should make the concerned people stop hissing around and turn around to make some refreshing cinema.

Khali's khalbali in BIGG BOSS 4

There is now going to be scarcity of food and room in the house of Bigg Boss. If one questions why? The answer is because the WWE wrestler, Dalip Singh Rana, commonly known as “The Great Khali”, has entered the Bigg Boss house as a wild card entry . 

With the entry of Khali , a man of 190 Kgs and 7  feet, a lot of changes have been made in the house since he is surely be needing a large size bed and also at the same time a large quantity of food. There are reports that a double bed has been arranged arranged to accommodate the large frame of Khali and also the toilet seat has been altered with to make him comfortable . And if we talk regarding food, everyone can imagine what quantity of food will be required to meet his hunger. 

Already we have seen there are lots of arguments in the Bigg Boss house when it comes to food. So, now I can easily visualize the condition and the problem the members of the house are going to face. However,thankfully, he will be taking his luggage of food items with him. Khali is accustomed to have heavy diet for which Big Boss has also increased the supply of its ration. 

The Great Khali is popular not only in the lanes of Punjab but in the states of Mexico also. He has got an Atm and street named after him in Haryana. And the Great Khali day was celebrated like any other festival in Mexico. Also he is very confident about winning the show.

Admission of the Giant man, that is Khali in “Bigg Boss 4”, is really going to add more amusement and glee to the show. The show “Bigg Boss 4” which recorded a low rating after the opening of “KBC4”, with Khali’s doorway, may again regain its position. It was already interesting to see the reactions of all the members, at their first glance of Khali. A man who is popularly known for his fighting skills and vigor, is going to start a new phase in his life.And this is precisely the reason why so many changes have been made in the house. This all a part of the strategy to garner more TRP's for the show. Will Khali be able to meet the demands of the other contenders or will he engage himself in the household activities or find himself fit into the four walls of the house? 

Well, as they say, Lets Wait and Watch!

Natural Beauty...Whats that?

“In every man's heart there is a secret nerve that answers to the vibrations of beauty,”
- Christopher Morley

In an effort to let the media establish the definition of beauty, we all  have somewhere lost our personal definitions of it. A recent paper titled “What is Beauty Anyway,” found that men characterized the beauty of a woman by her state of being, the two major components of which were stated as health and happiness.

No doubt that the majority of us approve of the fallacy of emphasizing appearance and looks but the yearning to have a beautiful face/body/physique is so deeply-rooted in us that we find it difficult to disassociate ourselves from it.

 In a recent article I read about Priyanka Chopra going under knife to fix her nose. She was apparently unhappy with the shape of it for quite some time.

This article drew my attention towards  how popular  cosmetic surgery, botox, silicon implants, liposuction and the likes have become in Bollywood? It is now a big hype in Indian film industry about these measures for better appearance and looks. Very few of them come in open and admit about their cosmetic surgeries and implants. I did some research and found out quite a few leading ladies in Bollywood have gone under the knife for some or the other reason. Here are quite a few of them for you to see-

Kareena Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor's not so old ‘size zero’ image was all over the news recently. Her bikini scene in ‘Tashan’ showing her sexy butt impressed huge number of people. But those butts became sexy only after she got cellulite removed from her fat bums. Apart from the butt she has also got under the knife for chiseled jawbone, since then she has sleek looking face and thin jawline.

Bipasha Basu

Dusky beauty Bipasha Basu is no less; she has gone for silicon implantsfor breast enhancement for good three inches to get a big cleavage. Beside the implant she had got an ear job done too.

Sushmita Sen

The long lady Sushmita Sen is said to be the first one in present line of actresses to go under knife to get a silicon implants done. She even proudly admits about getting siliconimplants and says it’s for her better physical appearance.

Preity Zinta

Pretty Preity Zinta got prettier when she underwent facelifts. Liposuction helped her to look sexy and hot. Medical secret liposuction was the wonder behind her ’kiss ready lips’ in KANK. She also got her laughter lines removed.

Kangana Ranaut

According to her getting surgical implants and cosmetic surgery is all about faking something which a person doesn’t have. She believes that people should like her the way she is. But Kangana’s voluptuous look and wholesome face says something else.

She confidently denies that too and clarifies it by telling that she looks different because she had put on weight. One can increase weight and look hefty but the difference in her nose is clearly visible which contradicts her views.

These are only a few examples. There are many more such cases that keep taking place specially in the glamour world. I agree one needs to look good and pretty when one faces the camera all too often. But isn't getting something artificially done, in a way, is going against how mother nature has made one? Why can't one be contended with what one has? I am an ardent believer of 'Beauty lies in the eyes of the beholder'. What about you? Any takers for Cosmetic Beauty?