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Jism 2 Review

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Director: Pooja Bhatt

Producers: Clockwork Films and Fisheye Network

Writers: Mahesh Bhatt and Shagufta Rafique

Cast: Sunny Leone, Randeep Hooda, Arunoday Singh, Arif Zakaria

Music: Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Mithoon, Rushk and Abdul Baasith Saeed

Rating: * *

Plot: Secret Indian Intelligence officer Ayaan (Arunoday Singh) approaches pornstar Izna (Sunny Leone) for a secret mission. Izna’s mission is to act as a honeytrap for a dreaded terrorist Kabir (Randeep Hooda) in order to destroy him and his terror outfit. Things become complicated due to the fact that Izna and Kabir are ex-lovers.

Review: Jism 2 is in news ever since the Bhatts decided to cast pornstar Sunny Leone in the movie, which was touted to be the boldest film from Bollywood. But thanks to our Censor Board and the ineffective writing, the film fails to please both section of audiences – the ones expecting to see a sensible, intense thriller and the ones interested due to ‘other’ reasons.

The unconvincing factor hovers around for almost the entire film. Ayaan’s meeting with Izna, her casual commitment to a hugely dangerous mission and, later, the consequences of the mission fail to involve the audience due to the absence of an intelligent script. In the end, even the final culmination, which is very similar to Gangster, doesn’t appear convincing. Ironically, scenes which provide unintentional laughs act as a saving grace.

The plus points include few creatively shot scenes, especially in the first half. The thrill at the end of the first half is by far the best moment of the movie. Some of the dialogues are very impressive and witty, although on some occasions they appear silly. But it is the music which turns out to be the biggest plus points. It is a rarity these days to have an album full of impressive songs.

The film scores well in the technical departments too. Nigam Bomzan shows his brilliance in his creative camerawork. The makers should be lauded for selecting such unexplored yet beautiful locations in Sri Lanka.

Plenty of eyebrows were raised when Sunny Leone was cast as the main lead. The decision, however, turns out to be well made one as the debutant chips in with the right emotions and expressions. One can’t comment on her dialogue delivery as her voice is dubbed. Randeep Hooda once again shines with a mature act in the role of a crazy assassin. The actor is improving film after film.

Arunoday Singh is mostly average as he struggles during intensely emotional scenes. Arif Zakaria once again proves why he is one of the best character artists. Sumeet Nijhavan is average.

Overall, Jism 2 suffers due to faulty writing. At the box office, the film has a chance of clicking in the metros. It will be largely helped by the section of audience queuing up to see Sunny Leone.

Section 149 for Anna supporters, media silent!

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The Mumbai unit of India Against Corruption held another successful protest rally today at Azad Maidan. Although everything went on smoothly, we the supporters were in for a shock when we were told that Section 149 has been imposed. Due to this, once we were out of the Azad Maidan, we were neither allowed to wear Anna caps and, more shockingly, nor allowed to hold India’s tricolor in the vicinity! That’s all we were told. Someone knowing more about this, please enlighten me! But due to the act of the authorities, one is forced to ask the question whether we are still living under the British? Imagine, not allowed to hold India’s flag in India! And what harm does Anna caps do?As expected, the media is silent about this!

The webcast from Jantar Mantar in Delhi was received with a thunderous applause when Arvind Kejriwal’s doctors proved government doctor’s wrong. According to the doctors at Jantar Mantar, Kejriwal and his comrades are doing quite fine and they don’t need to be hospitalized. Reacting to funny man Digvijay Singh’s statement that they will have to force feed team Anna, Kejriwal firmly said he will pluck out needles and won’t chew food if he is forcefully given food after dragging him to the hospital.

Since we have been receiving weird statements from the government, it looks like the fast protest is making an impact. Talking about funny statements, Salman Khurshid, while reacting to team Anna’s fasts, said even he is fasting for the month of Ramazan. Now, even a primary student would know there can’t be any comparison between a Roza fast and a fast unto death. This is another example of how we are been governed by dumb-headed folks.

Pictures from today’s protest rally: –

At the Gateway Of India

At the Gateway Of India

 

Jism 2 Box-Office Prediction

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Director: Pooja Bhatt

Producers: Clockwork Films and Fisheye Network

Writers: Mahesh Bhatt and Shagufta Rafique

Cast: Sunny Leone, Randeep Hooda, Arunoday Singh, Arif Zakaria

Music: Arko Pravo Mukherjee, Mithoon, Rushk and Abdul Baasith Saeed

Release Date: August 3, 2012

Analysis:

Star Value: Perhaps for the first time in the history of Indian cinema, a female debutant has added plenty of star value to the movie way before its release. The fact that she is a porn star with killer looks is the reason for this, apart from her stint in the television show Bigg Boss. The Sunny euphoria coupled with the presence of known faces of good performers like Randeep Hooda and Arunoday Singh, brings high star value for Jism 2.

Hype: The hype for Jism 2 started ever since Mahesh Bhatt decided to cast Sunny in the film. The hype, which kept on increasing as the shoot neared completion, reached the maximum after the promos and posters of the movie were released. Due to this, a large section of audience will queue up for the movie for obvious reasons. But apart from the hot factor, the promos also promise an intense thrill ride.

Music: The title song ‘Yeh Jism Hai To Kya’ has managed to impress. Other songs like ‘Abhi Abhi’ and ‘Yeh Kasoor’ are also well received. The music has also helped in creating excitement for the movie.

Prediction:

Jism 2 will get a good to very good opening at the box-office, largely due to the Sunny Leone factor. Although the movie has a chance of clicking both in single screens as well as multiplexes, it will score more in the latter as it is a metro product.

What will affect the film’s collections is that the keenly anticipated Gangs Of Wasseypur 2 and the hugely awaited Ek Tha Tiger are slated to release on August 8 and 15 respectively. Hence, it is vital for the film to impress initially and earn as much as possible in the first five days. All in all, Jism 2 is a safe bet due to its low budget.

 

Double standards: BEA never asked rowdy political parties to apologize

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Anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare apologized to the media after the Broadcast Editors’ Association (BEA) demanded an apology after few incidents of violence and abuse by Anna supporters. Anna did the right thing as such acts are uncalled for in a peaceful movement. However, the way the BEA went up in arms against Anna and the movement, shows the media body’s filthy double standards.

Over the years, there have been numerous incidents where goons of rowdy political parties have smashed offices of various news channels. Apart from the huge monetary losses, their acts also caused injuries to the people working with the channel. Despite such criminal or even terrorizing acts, BEA has never ever till date demanded an apology from any of the political parties. A shining example of their double standards or bias towards a movement, which is trying to save India from corruption.

Just because we (team Anna) are harmless, they condemn our minor acts and demand an apology but when it comes to dealing with the powerful political outfits, they become scary bones! In this way, BEA is indirectly stating that you can’t misbehave or abuse the media but it is perfectly fine if you walk into a media office, destroy its property and injure its employees. Worse, the BEA doesn’t even blink an eyelid when the heads of these political parties laud their acts of violence!

I am sure anyone from the BEA doesn’t have an answer to this.

And this is what we get by apologizing to the media – From the live coverage of Jantar Mantar (on the internet); it was noticeable that the venue was flocked with thousands of supporters. However, when ‘The’ Arnab Goswami saw the same scene, he announced on his channel that there are hardly 400-500 people at Jantar Mantar! Need more examples of how media is trying to sabotage the movement? Watch these news channels continuously. Coming back to Arnab, the pictures below reveal the truth.

Excerpts from this article have been sent to the BEA. I know this will not have any effect on their attitude but at least they would know that the people of India won’t take anything lying down! You can mail them too on – broadcast.editors@gmail.com

The crowd is touching the end of Jantar Mantar in both the pictures.

July 29 Rally: Mumbai awakens… yet again!

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A good part of the media tried their level best to portray Team Anna Hazare’s ongoing fast protest (which started from July 25, 2012) as a flop show (for reasons we all know). However, the people of India made sure they don’t succeed in their evil mission by turning up in large numbers in Delhi’s Jantar Mantar as well as in Mumbai for the massive rally from Andheri to Azad Maidan (Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus). Due to this and enormous pressure from we the people, the fourth-pillar of democracy is reporting the truth since today.

Another massive agitation is planned on Wednesday August 1, 2012. Please spread the message across Mumbaikars. To receive updates from Indian Against Corruption – Mumbai, please give a missed call on 02261550789 (you won’t be charged for this).

Here are the pictures from today’s Andheri to CST march. Another laugh in the face for all those who term the movement as flop!

(Click on the pictures from an enlarged version.)

Shri Mayank Gandhi

Mayankji during a powerful interaction with supporters.

Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum Box-Office Prediction

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Director: Sachin Yardi

Producers: Balaji Telefilms Ltd and Alt Entertainment

Writers: Sachin Yardi

Cast: Riteish Deshmukh, Tusshar Kapoor, Sarah Jane Dias, Neha Sharma, Anupam Kher, Chunky Pandey

Music: Sachin-Jigar, Shankar Ehsaan Loy and Anjjan – Meet Bros

Release Date: July 27, 2012

Analysis:

Star Value: With lead actors like Riteish Deshmukh and Tusshar Kapoor, the star value for Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum is low. But it is the brand of this adult comedy (after its first in 2009) that is the real star for the movie.

Hype: The movie has generated decent hype but only among the college students mostly. The promos have impressed that section of the audience due to the weird acts of the lead actors.

Music: ‘Dil Garden Garden Ho Gaya’ has become quite known among the youth. ‘Shirt Da Button’ is also slowly becoming popular. The rest of the songs aren’t much known.

Prediction:

Kyaa Super Kool Hain Hum will at the most get a decent opening at the box-office. It has good prospects only in the metros. The collections might be affected by last week’s The Dark Knight Rises. It is vital for the film to impress initially in order to have a long run at the ticket window.

Death of freedom fighter almost unnoticed!

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Lakshmi Sahgal aka Captain Lakshmi breathed her last today at the age of 97. She was the Commander of Rani Of Jhansi regiment in Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose’s Indian National Army (Azad Hind Fauj). She was also the minister for Women’s Affairs in the Azad Hind Government. India has lost a great soul who served the nation selflessly even when in her 90s!

But what is more aggrieving is that hardly anyone seems to know about the sad incident! You can’t blame the people alone for it when our media (especially, the news channels) is hardly giving any footage to the incident. It is disturbing to see them covering all those silly television shows and cheap gossips about film stars while there is almost ignorance on the death of someone who fought for the country and was a part of an important chapter in Indian history.

Last week, there was almost 24/7 footage on the death of India’s first superstar Rajesh Khanna. This continued for the next few days. There is no doubt Khanna was one of the greatest actors of India. Surely his death deserved such importance but that doesn’t mean they give a cold shoulder to someone who fought for our independence! I wouldn’t like to single out Khanna’s death as such has been the case with all celebrity deaths.

This brings us to an all important question – Have film stars and other celebrities become more important to the media than the ones who did all kinds of sacrifices for our country? Judging by the very low key coverage of the death of Captain Lakshmi and other such great souls, the answer is in the affirmative!

May Captain Lakshmi Rest In Peace.

To know about her life story and contribution to India, click here –http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lakshmi_Sahgal

Read her candid, detailed interview here – http://thecolloquium.net/colloquium/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=165%3Are-visiting-history-with-capt-lakshmi&catid=89%3Ainterviews&Itemid=302

Captain Lakshmi with Subhash Chandra Bose. (Picture courtesy – bharat-swabhiman.com)

Badam Rani Gulam Chor (Marathi Movie) Review

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Director: Satish Rajawade

Producers: Shekhar Kulkarni and Ajit Bhure

Writer: Dr. Vivek Bele

Cast: Upendra Limaye, Anand Ingle, Pushkar Shrotri, Mukta Barwe, Dr. Mohan Agashe, Vinay Apte, Deepak Karanjikar, Sudhir Gadgil

Music: Sandeep Khare and Salil Kulkarni

Rating: * * * ½

Plot: Three friends Chaku (Upendra Limaye), Pustak (Pushkar Shrotri) and Makad (Anand Ingle) with unusual characteristics live under the same roof. Due to the bond they share, their house is called Unbreakables. However, breaks start appearing in Unbreakables after the arrival of Pencil (Mukta Barwe). This starts a political game between the four.

Review: Political leaders playing tricks to preserve their vote bank is nothing new in today’s times. But what happens when ordinary people start playing such political games in interpersonal relationships? This question is explored in Satish Rajwade’s Badam Rani Gulam Chor. The exploration succeeds in providing some high doses of entertainment in the form of non-stop humor, although it lacks 100% conviction. The film is also blessed by some quality performances.

The wicked yet interesting chemistry between the characters of Chaku, Pustak and Makad is put forth intelligently in the very first scene. The entry of Pencil and its consequences gives rise to hilarious consequences. The names of the characters might sound absurd initially but after knowing the logic behind them, they appear apt and also add on to the humor and so does the different wavelengths of the characters.

Picture courtesy – BRGC Facebook page

A political track is very intelligently mirrored with the tale of the four characters and this is another reason why Dr Vivek Bele deserves high applause. The story takes a very interesting turn in the second half. From this part, Makad’s theories related to marriage and the scene where he and Chaku imagine Pustak and Pencil’s fighting for one and half minutes deserves special mention. These moments certainly have repeat value.

The pre-climax and the climax, however, don’t appear too convincing.  But since you have already connected with the characters and have had loads of laughter, you leave the cinema hall with satisfaction. We can say that after the successful Mumbai Pune Mumbai, Rajwade has once again handled another light-hearted film with maturity.

Decent efforts are seen in the technical departments (background score, cinematography and editing). The songs (Sandeep Khare and Salil Kulkarni) complement the theme well.

Pushkar Shrotri gets into the skin of the character of a bookworm with ease. His comic timing is perfect. Upendra Limaye is maturely convincing as a hot-headed toughie. Mukta Barwe displays the cuteness needed in her act. She is convincing in emotional scenes too.

But the one who turns out to be a surprise package is Anand Ingle. His smart and highly humorous act proves his talent. Vinay Apte and Deepak Karanjikar play warring politicians with conviction. A good cameo act is provided by Dr Mohan Agashe.

Overall, Badam Rani Gulam Chor is a clean entertainer with intelligent humor. The film has a chance of clicking at the box-office.

The Dark Knight Rises Box-Office Prediction (India)

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Director: Christopher Nolan

Producer: Christopher Nolan, Charles Roven and Emma Thomas

Writers: Christopher Nolan, David S. Goyer, Jonathan Nolan, Bob Kane

Cast: Christian Bale, Tom Hardy, Anna Hathaway

Music: Hans Zimmer

Analysis:

Star Value: No star can make-up for Heath Ledger’s absence. He is just irreplaceable! But due to the presence of Christian Bale, Charles Roven and Anna Hathaway, one can say the star value for The Dark Knight Rises is high. Plus, it’s the brand of Batman that adds more star value.

Hype: The hype has been tremendous ever since the makers announced the film. As the promos were out and the film neared its release, the hype kept increasing.

Music: Music doesn’t have scope in such Hollywood films although the songs of this film are becoming known. The music will become a hit if it succeeds in complementing the film well.

Prediction:

The Dark Knight Rises will surely get a great opening at the box-office in India. The recent release The Amazing Spider-Man received the highest collections for a Hollywood film in India. Don’t be surprised if The Dark Knight Rises surpasses that record if it manages to impress initially. There are chances that TDKR will affect the collections of next week’s Bollywood release Kya Super Cool Hai Hum.

India vs Pakistan 2012: Why always target cricket?

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As expected, the forthcoming Pakistan tour of India (in 2012) has received flak from a large number of Indians due the Pakistan’s hand in the 26/11 Mumbai attacks and their non-cooperation in solving terror issues. The opposition to the series might appear logical to many but not at all to me. I fail to understand why do we always target cricket when it comes to an association between the two nations?

A good number of Pakistani nationals like Atif Aslam, Adnan Sami, Ali Zafar, Shafqat Amanat Ali, Veena Malik, etc are working full time in Bollywood. Some of them have also settled in Mumbai. Why not a single opposition to them? We are perfectly fine with their artists settling in our country but we can’t tolerate their cricket team visiting for few days!

In 2010, Shiv Sena was up in arms against Shah Rukh Khan just because he wanted Pakistan players in his IPL team Kolkata Knight Riders. But not many people know when they were busy protesting against SRK, Amitabh Bachchan was performing poetry with Pakistani poets and that too in Mumbai. It is absolutely fine if you can perform with their artists but if you just express the wish of having their players in your team, you are painted a villain! Another incident where only cricket was targeted!

Last year, few social workers from Pakistan visited anti-corruption crusader Anna Hazare at Ralegan Siddhi to get some guidance on fighting corruption in their country. Although I welcomed Anna’s gesture and hospitality, I wondered where those people were who are ready to oppose every Pakistani?

(Article continued after picture.)

Personally, I find it illogical to oppose everyone from Pakistan. I and some of my friends have internet friends in Pakistan and we have always received high respect from them. One college friend of mine had been to Pakistan for a cultural program and is still cherishing the memories of her visit due to the warmth she received there. My ex-professor had been to Pakistan and he too had a similar experience.

One of my friend’s friend had been there too in 2003 when India toured Pakistan. He witnessed two one-day internationals at Lahore and was highly surprised to see not a single Pakistani supporter mouthing anti-India slogans or making fun of team India. In fact, during the same series, a number of shop owners in Pakistan gave discounts to Indians. Likewise, there are numerous examples of the common public of Pakistan having high regard for Indians.

I have tremendous hatred for the chaps coming from there and attacking my country. I am also against their government for taking poor measures to combat terrorism (which I expressed here). However, that doesn’t mean I hate each and every one from across the border! Those doing this have had no experience with Pakistanis.

But even if you hate everyone from Pakistan, where does your hatred disappear when you hear an Atif Aslam song or watch an Ali Zafar movie? Why it is that only the game of cricket triggers your hatred towards Pakistanis and reminds of you of 26/11?

Let’s treat cricket as a game… just like we have been treating movies and music. Excitedly awaiting Pakistan’s tour of India. May the better team win!