Just Married

First release of a year is special. This is why one is extra curious to hear what does the music of Just Married have in the offing. The music is also extra special since it has composer Pritam at the helm, who was one of the most versatile and successful musician in the year gone by. Also, Pritam and PNC [film's producers] have a good musical track record behind them in the form of Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena, Ankahee and Pyaar Ke Side Effect. With expectations of a peppy-n-romantic musical outing from the music of this Meghna Gulzar film that has lyrics by Gulzar saab with Fardeen Khan & Esha Deol in the lead, one plays on the CD. And doesn't one feel glad that Just Married has been released as the opening album of 2007?

First few seconds into the opening number 'Ram Milaye Jodi' and one can't help but revisit the credit details for the song. Reason? The song is completely modeled on the Shankar Ehsaan Loy style of music with their trademark Indian melody that has been their forte. Even the arrangements are very much on the similar lines that only bring the song further closer to SEL kind of music.



Having said that, Pritam does a very good job in coming up with a catchy track which is a 'shaadi-byaah' number with a difference. With the marriage season on and 'Ram Milaye Jodi' being unadulterated harmless fun, it is the sing-with-a-smile approach by the three singers - Sukhwinder Singh, Sunidhi Chauhan and Shaan - that mark an enjoyable beginning to the album.

Most happening trend of 2006 continues into 2007 as well as the remix version of 'Ram Milaye Jodi' is heard later in the album. Thankfully, it doesn't kill the impact created by the original and only adds on to the fun. Lastly comes a shorter sad version of the song which is a Sukhwinder Singh solo. This one is a part of film's background score for a particular situation.

Sunidhi Chauhan was good in 'Ram Milaye Jodi' but she is excellent [as she is in majority of mellow numbers] in 'Gudgudee'. Pritam shows a different facet of his composing style as he arrives with this beautiful melodious track that is slow, simple, enchanting and heart warming. If you have loved Sunidhi's love songs 'Le Chale' [My Brother Nikhil] and 'Dheemey Dheemey' [Bas Ek Pal] in the last 2 years, you would lap up to 'Gudgudee' with glee too. Looking forward to many more melodies like these in the months to come!

Just Married was earlier titled 'Baat Pakki'. Hence one could term 'Baat Pakki' as an ex-title song which makes an appearance next. Almost like a jingle/nursery rhyme, it is yet another entertaining number after 'Ram Milaye Jodi' that has a cute appeal to it. Shaan and Neeraj Sridhar sing this love song in a spirited manner while Gulzar saab lyrics are poetic yet very much accessible to a common man. And yes, Pritam does deserve a mention for managing to build a simple tune around such poetry!

A party song amongst a group of youngsters, 'Baat Pakki' is a feel-good song that should keep the audience engaged and also help in taking the story forward. Later in the album arrives a remix version of the song which only peps up the situation further. Presence of Sunidhi Chauhan and Mahalakshmi Iyer only helps in making the song stay on with you even after the album is through.

What takes the cake is the third and final version of 'Baat Pakki' which comes towards the very end of the album. The best seems to have been reserved for the end as this is the most easy-on-ears versions of the three [not that the other two were any harsh!] as Pritam keeps minimum instruments in the background and rather encourages his singers to be on the fore!

After feeling good about things in life, Gulzar saab and Pritam get Daler Mehndi on board to render a pensive 'Doha'. A situational sad love track which should appear at a crucial juncture in the film, it is moderately paced. Reminding of Sukhwinder Singh's 'Layi Vi Na Gayi' from 'Chalte Chalte', 'Doha' works well in adding on to the variety of songs heard so far in the album.

Just Married gets a fitting farewell when Sonu Nigam arrives for the first time with 'Jaagte Raho'. An excellent composition with sensual lyrics by Gulzar that bring to fore the excitement, curiosity and apprehensions of the first night, 'Jaagte Raho' is the best of the lot! One has to punch himself hard to actually believe that it is Pritam at the helm of composition since the young composer does exceedingly well in redefining his own style of music and bringing up something as different and remarkable as 'Jaagte Raho'. A very good effort by the entire team behind the song.

While Pritam and Gulzar saab have done quite well in coming up with a sweet album like Just Married, one also needs to pat on the back of Meghna Gulzar for the choices she has made for the song situations and a go-ahead that she has eventually given to the selected songs in the albums. While Vishal Shekhar gave a good beginning to 2006 with Taxi No. 9211, in case of 2007 it is Pritam who has got the opportunity to kick start the New Year with a melodious soundtrack!

Guru

Meet India's most powerful man, screams the headlines. You want to believe the statement primarily because the man at the helm of affairs is none other than Mani Ratnam, one of the finest talents India has produced. Irrespective of how his films are received by the paying public, you cannot deny the fact that a Mani Ratnam film is special.

So when GURU, Mani's new film, makes claims such as the one mentioned above, the viewer saunters into the cineplex with real big expectations.

Mani's impressive repertoire includes a few bio-pics and now GURU is a welcome addition to the club. This time around, the supremely talented storyteller narrates the story of a man who rises from zilch and becomes the premier industrialist of the country through sheer hard work, determination, passion and grit.

As a story, GURU is tremendously inspiring and makes you feel all the more confident to encounter challenges and hurdles that may crop up in a journey called life. But by no means is GURU a documentary, as a section of the film industry/media would want us to believe. Sure, GURU chronicles several vital facets of an industrialist's life, but the marriage of enlightenment and entertainment is brilliantly executed here.

With GURU, Mani proves that he's indeed the guru when it comes to narrating stories. Note the poignant moments in the narrative -- Guru's thorny relationship with his father [Rajendra Gupta], his relationship with a newspaper publisher [Mithun Chakraborty], Guru's brother-in-law Jignesh [Arya Babbar] staging a walkout and creating a rift between Guru and his wife Sujata [Aishwarya Rai], the confrontation between the journalist [Madhavan] and Guru at the publisher's residence, Guru's emotional moment in the hospital when his trusted aide [Manoj Joshi] attempts suicide and of course, the finale.

The graph of GURU escalates gradually and reaches its crescendo in the concluding reels. Guru's monologue in a packed courtroom -- where an enquiry commission is looking into the complaints against Guru's companies -- gives you goose bumps. The simpleton from a village in Gujarat roars like never before and the impact it creates cannot be described in mere words. All you want to say is, it's the most fitting finale for a fabulous film!

Mani's choice of the protagonist -- Abhishek Bachchan -- is equally worthy. You ought to be enormously talented to understand the nuances of the character and Abhishek deserves the highest praise for reliving a complex role. You smile when he smiles, you cry when he cries… you relive every single emotion that the character experiences. Only goes to show that the actor involves you at every step with a stupendous performance.

In a nutshell, GURU packs in a solid punch in those 2.45 hours. The year 2007 may have just begun, but one can confidently state that this Mani Ratnam film will rank prominently amongst the bests of the year when we go into a flashback mode later this year. Put your hands together for one of the most courageous attempts on the Hindi screen. GURU is a film not to be missed!

In a small village of Idar in Gujarat, a young man dreams of making it big some day. His father [Rajendra Gupta], the headmaster of the village school, tells him that dreams never come true. But Gurukant Desai [Abhishek Bachchan] dares to dream!

Set in 1951, GURU tells the story of a ruthlessly ambitious villager who moves to Turkey first and Mumbai later with his wife Sujata [Aishwarya Rai] and brother-in-law Jignesh [Arya Babbar] to fulfill his dreams.

In Mumbai, truth dawns upon Guru that the business world is a closed community ruled by a handful of rich and influential people who don't believe in giving opportunities to new players. Despite barriers, he starts a company called Shakti Trading and climbs the ladder of success at a furious pace.

Manik Dasgupta aka Nanaji [Mithun Chakraborty], who publishes a newspaper Swatantra, treats Guru as his son. But when he learns that Guru's means to make it big are not right, he along with the Editor of his newspaper, Shyam [Madhavan], decide to expose Guru's unjust ways.

Even though GURU is a bio-pic, the serpentine twists and turns in the screenplay are the mainstay of the enterprise. You may have heard of a few incidents, but the life sketch of the leading industrialist makes for an interesting celluloid experience.

From the writing point of view, while GURU holds your attention at most times, there are a few loose ends, though negligible, that you cannot overlook. The tiff between Guru and his bro-in-law Jignesh is one of those tracks. What actually brings about a rift between the two and why doesn't Jignesh reappear anywhere in the story later is not explained.

Another track that doesn't really hold your attention is the one between Madhavan-Vidya Balan. Although the emotional sequence between them is a highpoint [the smooch that follows is aesthetically filmed], you still wish there was some more meat in this sub-plot.

Moreover, the film can do without a song 'Ek Lo Ek Muft' [appears soon after Guru and his wife are blessed with twins] and also the pacing could've been tighter in the second half.

GURU ranks amongst Mani Ratnam's finest attempts. In fact, it wouldn't be erroneous to state that the film is at par with his most accomplished works like NAYAKAN, AGNI NAKSHATRAM, GITANJALI, ROJA and BOMBAY. Every sequence in GURU bears the stamp of a genius and the outcome is tremendous.

A.R. Rahman's music is in sync with the film. 'Maiya Maiya' at the start of the film [Mallika Sherawat] is sizzling, while 'Barso Re' [Ash's introduction] and 'Tere Bina' are melodious to the core. Rahman's background score is also topnotch. Rajiv Menon's cinematography is of international quality. The lensman captures the 1950s look, right to the present day setting, with flourish. Vijay Krishna Acharya's dialogues are of superior quality. The writing in the last twenty minutes is fantastic.

Reserve all the awards for Abhishek Bachchan. No two opinions on that! His performance in GURU is world class and without doubt, a shade above his career-best work in YUVA. From a sharp teenager in Turkey to the biggest entrepreneur of the country, Abhishek handles the various shades this character demands with adroitness. He takes a giant leap with this film!

Aishwarya Rai too stuns you with a powerful performance. Known for her angelic looks all the while, the actor will make people sit up and notice the reservoirs of talent in GURU. Also, the chemistry between Abhishek and Aishwarya is electrifying. Mithun Chakraborty is in form after a long, long time. And it's a pleasure to see the veteran deliver a natural performance from start to end.

Madhavan's role could've been stronger, but he enacts it with élan. Vidya Balan too suffers due to a weak characterization, but makes up with a confident performance. Arya Babbar is first-rate in a brief role. The film has a number of characters, but the ones who register a strong impact are Roshan Seth, Manoj Tyagi and Sachin Khedekar.

On the whole, GURU is one of the finest films to come out of the Hindi film industry. At the box-office, its business will be excellent at the multiplexes as compared to the single screens. In fact, the business at the multiplexes [which are performing 12/14/18/20 shows a day] will be enough to make the film a success story in days to come. Strongly recommended, go for it!

Salaam-E-Ishq

Salaam-e-ishq is the story of 6 groups of people. From different parts of the world. From different walks of life. Ignorant about each other's existence, but who end up being brought together by destiny, fate and LOVE…

Story 1:
Tehzeeb (Vidya Balan) wakes up in the morning to find a small diamond pendant by her bedside. An anniversary gift from her very romantic husband Ashutosh (John Abraham). They had eloped and got married two years ago. Struggling like all young married couples in Bombay they work in media - at a news channel. She is a field reporter and he is a film editor. Completely crazy about each other they find it quite difficult to keep their hands off each other.

But things are going to change… Because Tehzeeb is going to be involved in a tragic accident that will change everything… That will put Ashu's love and devotion to the ultimate test.

Story 2:
Raju Taxiwala (Govinda) wakes up in the morning and gets into his colorful Delhi taxi. He drives from his home in Chandni Chowk to the New Delhi International Airport. Like he has for the last 15 years. He joins the long queue at the airport. Like has for the last 15 years. Unlike the other taxi drivers he does not complain about the ever-increasing queue. He hasn't… even once for the last 15 years. Because he enjoys watching the doors of the New Delhi International Airport. Opening and closing. He enjoys watching the passengers coming out. Hoping that among them will be HER… His blonde dream girl Stephanie… The girl that he has waited for the last 15 years…

But things are going to change… Because his dream girl does come. From those very doors… The only problem is that Stephanie (Shannon Esrechowitz) has come looking for Rohit Chaddha - her boyfriend…

Story 3:
Vinay Malhotra (Anil Kapoor) wakes up in his picture perfect suburban London home every morning. He is cared for by his picture perfect wife Seema (Juhi Chawla), and he is kissed goodbye by his picture perfect daughters. He goes to his picture perfect London PR job and returns to his picture perfect wife, daughters and home.

But things are going to change… Because Vinay Malhotra meets the not so perfect Anjali (Anjana Sukhani). Unconventional, over-confident and extremely determined, Anjali comes from a world that Vinay only dreams off. A world where the very modern single girl living in London gets what she wants… And Anjali wants Vinay Malhotra…

Story 4:
Kkamini (spelt with 2 K's) (Priyanka Chopra) wakes up to another scandal in the morning newspapers. The most sought after item girl in Bollywood cannot help, but get involved with all sorts of problems with the media. Problems that she attributes as the cause for not landing the coveted heroine roles. The roles that she came to the big bad world of Bollywood for…

But things are going to change…. Because she has devised a plot to change her image in the media, the public eye and most importantly the big producers of Bollywood. A plot that will propel her from item girl to number one heroine… The only thing that she has not anticipated is Rahul (Salman Khan)…

Story 5:
Shiven (Akshaye Khanna) wakes up to a nightmare. The most consummate bachelor in New Delhi is engaged to get married in the next 10 days. The most consummate bachelor in New Delhi has suddenly realized what is in store for him. The most consummate Bachelor in New Delhi wants to break off the engagement. And he does hurting his fiancé Gia (Ayesha Takia) in the bargain, but retrieving his coveted freedom…

But things are going to change… Because with each passing day, with every agonizing hour he begins to realize that without Gia he is suddenly and completely incomplete…

Story 6:
Ramdayal (Sohail Khan) is a simple lower middle class Haryanvi. He wants to spend the rest of his life with his newly married wife Phoolwati (Isha Koppikar). He wants to spend every hour fulfilling the lust that has been building up within him all these years…

But things are going to change… Because no matter how and where Ramdayal tries to fulfill that burning desire something goes wrong and Ramdayal and Phoolwati are thrown into a series of events that become tragically and comically almost fatal…...

Hrithik-Kareena best actor Screen-awards

Bollywood heartthrob Hrithik Roshan was adjudged best actor for his superhero act in 'Krrish' while Kareena Kapoor bagged the best actress for her role in 'Omkara' at the Hero Honda Star Screen Awards here.

Raj Kumar Hirani's 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' won the best film trophy Saturday night at the 13th annual Star Screen Awards nite while Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra walked away with the best director award for 'Rang De Basanti'.

Funny man Arshad Warsi won the best supporting actor award for playing Circuit in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' and Kirron Kher received best supporting actress female trophy for her powerful performance in 'Rang De Basanti'.

Arshad later told a TV channel that he had been pretty unlucky with awards so far but is extremely happy about getting the trophy. He thanked Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan and their company ABCL for giving him his first break as an actor in 'Tere Mere Sapne'.

Saif Ali Khan bagged the best actor in negative role award for playing Langda Tyagi in 'Omkara' and Shreyas Talpade the best comic actor award for 'Dor'.

Noted song writer Gulzar walked away with the best lyricist award once again for the popular 'Bidee' item number in 'Omkara' and Sunidhi Chauhan was best playback singer female for the same song.

Top-notch actors added glitter with their enthralling performances at the function. Bipasha Basu had the audience in raptures with her dance to the rustic number 'Bidee'. Kareena too jived to the tunes of 'Ye mera dil' from 'Don' and Helen, the dancing queen of Bollywood, was so touched by her performance that she came on stage and appreciated her performance.

'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' scored yet again with the best story award going to Rajkumar Hirani and Abhijit Joshi. Siddharth, who featured in 'Rang De Basanti', won the best newcomer male award and Kangana Ranaut was honoured with best newcomer female award for 'Gangster - A Love Story'.

Sanjay Dutt and Ayesh Takia were given the best critics award (male and female) for their performances in 'Lage Raho Munna Bhai' and 'Dor' respectively.

This year the competition was among 'Omkara', Lage Raho Munna Bhai' and 'Rang De Basanti' which won six awards. Apart from best director, 'Rang De...' also won best screenplay, best background music for A.R. Rahman, best special effects and best editing award.

Salman Khan and Shahid Kapur were the other star performers.

Abhishek hopes 'Guru' will be his best film

Actor Abhishek Bachchan hopes his upcoming film 'Guru' will be his best ever and says ace director Mani Ratnam is truly inspiring.

'Mani Ratnam always inspires you not only by his work but also the kind of work he takes out of you. I was not confident when he offered me Lallan Singh's role in 'Yuva' but I will always respect Mani for having confidence in me - which I didn't have in myself at that time,' Abhishek said at a press conference here Sunday.

Asked which film he rated as his best, Abhishek said none of them could fit the bill.

'I hope Guru does that. It was challenging to play the journey of a man which starts at age 15 and goes on till 70,' he remarked.

Ratnam, who was also present at the conference, said essaying the role of 'Guru' was a big responsibility.

Quizzed about Abhishek's growth as an actor, Ratnam replied: 'You don't make an actor. An actor is there ... you just have to give him the opportunity and chance to show his skill. He always has the capability. 'Guru' is a huge role and it is a huge responsibility as well and Abhishek is okay in the film.'

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