CHAK DE! INDIA Screenplay invited to Oscar Library

The people who are loving Yash Raj Films' last release Chak De! India have surely got another reason to cheer. I know, for sure, that you have read this news everywhere before. But I still take pride in typing up this great news. The Academy of Motion Pictures Arts & Sciences (the official name of the Oscar organisers) has requested Yashraj Films to send a copy of the screenplay of Chak De India. Chak De India won tremendous acclaim from the critics and masses alike. It's become a huge hit in the Indian market. So much so, that, it was hard for me to catch Chak De India at a leading multiplex here in Kolkata on last Saturday. It was going full-house in its 4th week at the box office! Monday evening show saw 90% occupancy. If this ain't a blockbuster, then what is?

The scripts in the collection reside at the Margaret Herrick Library and are made accessible for research purposes only; students, filmmakers, writers and actors are among the regular patrons. Screenplays may only be viewed in the library; they do not circulate. Also, no screenplay is allowed to be photocopied.

Chak De surely deserved this one. There's been very few screenplays (by an awesome Jaideep Sahni) as great in recent times. It's a simple and straightforward narrative yet it's multidimensional. The pace is relentless. But I'll discuss more of that in my review. It needs a good amount of discussion. And SRK! I just can't stop praising this man. More on that later.

I also wish that it gets selected as the official Oscar entry this year. There's none such a film. this year. I'll have a different article on the Oscar race this year.

Wait for the review! Meanwhile, I'll come up with the external reviews and acclaim for Chak De! India.

Till then, just Chak De!

CHAK DE INDIA Teaser: Girls vs Boys

Well, it's evident that everyone is loving Chak De India. From YRF haters to SRK haters to critics have declared love for this film. Everyone's raving about Shah Rukh Khan. This film has rocked everyone! Okay? This isn't the topic of discussion of this post I'll post a review and CDI topics soon. Let's come to the teaser.

This is a teaser where the girls of Shahrukh Khan are going to play against a bunch of 16 boys. SRK is giving them his advice. This is a clip from the film and is very humourous. SRK tells them mischievously, "Don't think you are gonna play with these 16 boys, you are playing the game against each one of the fools who has forgotten that, if women can give birth to them, they can do anything." Rocking! Ain't it? You'll enjoy the teaser irrespective of the teaser. The humourous mood sets it up. SRK cheers his girls and indeed takes serious care of one of his team by pressing her legs! SRK throws a million-dollar smile afterwards and the girls are enthused!

See it! I'll post and review the theatrical trailer soon. Post comments!

AAJA NACHLE Teaser (Exclusive!!) MADHURI is back and how!

Oof! That was it! First, I got you the teaser poster . Now, it's the turn of teaser. Yes! I have finally come up with the first ever teaser of one of the most awaited films this year: our beloved MADHURI DIXIT's comeback vehicle: AAJA NACHLE.

AAJA NACHLE is a Yash Raj Film produced by Aditya Chopra and Yash Chopra. It's the second Yashraj film for Madhuri 10 years after Yash Chopra directed her in the blockbuster musical DIL TO PAGAL HAI with Shah Rukh Khan. This film is directed by reputed cinematographer Anil Mehta, whose body of work include KAL HO NAA HO, VEER-ZAARA, KABHI ALVIDA NAA KEHNA. This film is written by Jaideep Sahni, who rocked it up in the last YRF release yesterday, Shahrukh Khan starrer CHAK DE INDIA. He too has an excellent track record in terms of scriptwriting.

Interestingly, Anil has not handled the camera for this film. Instead, the job is given to DON cinematographer Mohanan. The music is composed by Chak De India duo Salim-Sulaiman and lyrics by Jaideep Sahni and Jhoom Barabar Jhoom star Piyush Mishra. In place of Madhuri's all-time guru Saroj Khan, Vaibhavi Merchant handles the mettle of the choreographer. This film also stars Kunal Kapoor, Konkona Sen Sharma and Akshaye Khanna in a guest appearance. I wish SRK too could be roped in!

This film is about a theatre-actress who is trying to bring smile and joy in her small town. Different! It seems to be an all-heroine movie without any opposite male star. And the film works entirely on the stage musical format. Hope, this doesn't mess like JAAN-E-MANN or JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM.

Okay, let's come to the teaser know. Practically it doesn't say or show much in 42 seconds. It's basically the "Madhuri is back!" logline. Still, it needs a paragraph or two to be talked about. First, a kind of semi-classical/folk tune of flute is heard with the mixture of ghungru. Then the scene fades from black to THE dancer in silhouette dancing in front of a studio moon. The step is classical and you know who it is. The next few seconds shows the dancer showing up her dancing skills in rhythm with the music. Then the screen flashes, "Madhuri Dixit is back" and the title card is shown. Then the evergreen face with a bright chuckle enters the frame; a beauty worth dying for. And claps and whistles!! I wonder what is the reaction in a mediocre single-screen theater! Can't imagine!

Now, I have a very special interpretation of the teaser and the wallpaper. There's Madhuri in front of the studio moon and stars scattered all over the sky, right? Some of the stars are very bright. Now, this seems to be a self-referential style. Why? The stars are there. They're bright. Okay! They resemble some stars of this Bollywood like Aishwarya, Abhishek, Preity, Lara et al.They stay in the sky round the year (astronomically not right, but stars can be seen everyday in the sky). The moon (Mads) is not in the sky everyday, but when it comes in the sky, it outshines every star! Ain't that amazing? Now watch the trailer and rate.

Now rate!

How will you rate the teaser?
	Truly Awesome! 5
	It's Great! 4
	Pretty Cool 3
	Okay 2
	Bad 1
pollcode.com free polls

Please post comments too!

CHAK DE INDIA: TV Teaser

This is a TV teaser from CHAK DE INDIA. I know it's pretty much late to post this teaser. The theatrical trailer is an extended version of this teaser. So I'll post my views on it tomorrow along with that one. You can download it for your iPod too!


Comments! Please!

CHAK DE INDIA: SRK Speech

Well guys, I am back! With a bang! As I promised, I would come before this time I am doing so.

I am back here with a new dialogue promo of CHAK DE INDIA. It's basically a speech by Shahrukh Khan to his team. The dialgoues, written by one of my fav, Jaideep Sahni is brilliant! And so is SRK's rendition of the lines given to.

Given a chance, I'll post the plot synopsis and character sketch of SRK and the girls in a while. If you have already known that, you know that the girls are going through many hurdles for their entry in the hockey team. More on that letter

The track SATTAR MINUTE from the soundtrack is the feauture of this promo. At first, the preparation of a hockey match is shown and then the poignant voice of Shah Rukh Khan "70 minutes! You have only 70 minutes!" Then SRK gives an (awe)-inspiring speech to his girls. Various shots of the perils of the girls in the field is then shown. The clip ends with India scoring a goal!

Bad description, right? So you better watch it yourself and feel the magic.

And rate it too! Do post comments!

How will you rate the post and video?
	Magnificent 5
	Great 4
	Pretty Good 3
	Okay 3
	Could be much much better 1
pollcode.com free polls

An Apology

Dear Friends,
I know you all are visiting my blog long since. And look what, my computer totally gone out last month. And I had to wait for a month for my new PC to arrive. There were lots of problems in between. Now, The burden of my studies is almost burying me. I will get over it only after a week. I have a lot things to tell, to share my ideas about CHAK DE INDIA - the film I look forward to the most. So, please wait for a while. I will come again on the 30th of July right before 13:30 GMT.

Love you all!

BUwH

CHAK DE INDIA: TEASER - Xclusive! & First!

Ooh! what it was! First, I got the poster! Now it's the trailer itself! Thaaaaaaaanxxxxxxx to my dearest YouTube friend trailerer. You rock man! Just for you! He even spent a few buck to bring it. As he says, he recorded it from a video screenshot. So, video quality is not so good!

But, I APPLAUD HIS EFFORT!

This video, in 30 seconds, is excellent, to describe in a single word. Particularly because of Shah Rukh Khan. And guess what! He sings! He describes his team of 16 girls so enthusiastically, that it's hard for me to write that despite it's in English. It's basically a music video. It won't be a part of the film.

Shahrukh does it!

Then you see the dark silhouettes of the girls in the studio shots and they appear in the semi-Lagaan style. To sum up, it packs in solid punch in half of a minute. Watch it (and the film too)!

RATE IT!

How will you rate it?
	Awesome 5
	Very Good 4
	Good 3
	Okay 2
	Bad 1
pollcode.com free polls

Also here!

PLEASE POST COMMENTS TO RATE IT!

First wallpaper from CHAK DE INDIA!!

I did it again! Well, I told you that I would come up with the first looks of Yash Raj Films' SRK starrer CHAK DE INDIA!! And I am here! It's basically the amalgamation of the last two posters.

16 girls standing behind Shah Rukh Khan is the picture you get. The eyes of SRK are filled with so much sadness that you tend to cry over the poster.

The poster says, "Shahrukh Khan and his team of 16 girls". SRK once jokingly saud, it should read "Team of 16 girls and SRK too!". Look like an out and out (it is!) SRK movie. The poster is just excellent. I expect a brilliant film from Yashraj clan long time after KABUL EXPRESS.

I hope, it's definitely gonna rock. If you want the 5-minute music video there are a number of option including a preview of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM (DON'T SEE IT! A DIE-HARD YASH RAJ lover gave it 1.5 outta 5) or go to their website. I will TRY to bring that over here!

"SOMETIMES WINNING IS EVERYTHING"

Wait for JBJ reviews!

Click on the image to enlarge!


Credit: yashrajfilms.com

Shahrukh Khan to work with Rajkumar 'Munnabhai' Hirani! Xclusive!

There's a great news for admirers of both SRK and Rajkumar Hirani. They two are finally working together! According to the recent buzz, renowned director (one of my favorites) Rajkumar Hirani has approached Shah Rukh Khan for his next project.

Rajkumar Hirani is a director whose EACH AND EVERY film was a huge hit (especially the last one) and have been loved enormously by the audiences & critics. It was hard to believe that an editor-turned-director makes MUNNA BHAI M.B.B.S. as his first film. Even he wore the film. It was a path breaking film in its own terms, for it connected with the each section of audience so powerfully. It made us give everyone a lovely, precious, JAADU KI JHAPPI.

His second venture, LAGE RAHO MUNNA BHAI, broke the ground once again, with a bigger momentum. This film taught us about non-violence, universal love in this era of brutality and insanity. This is an unquestionable modern classic, at least for me. He handled the role of editor/ writer/ director with equal master.

We talked about SRK 2 post ago. So we decide not to stretch. RH's third Munnabhai film, MUNNA BHAI CHALE AMERIKA, has been announced. But his third venture will be a different one, representing our present education system. For the very same film, he's gone to SRK to enact the pivotal role. Awesome news HAAH!

SCOOP: Do you know that SRK was first approached for the role of MUNNABHAI? But he couldn't do it for time problems and the role went to Sanju. Here's in SRK's own words.

Raju Hirani’s simplicity of storytelling is the most wonderful thing about the
film. In fact I loved the title of the film when I heard it. Vidhu Vinod Chopra
had come to me and he was extremely passionate to make the film but I had to
undergo a surgery at that time. I had to give up the film because I could not
have asked them to wait for me till I recover. They were not my friends at that
point of time. Now of course they are best buddies but I could not really ask
them to wait for me till I recover.

So another masterpiece?

WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THE NEWS?

Remember you read it on BUwH for the first time!

Poll: What are your expectations from CHAK DE INDIA?

• Shimit Amin is one of the finest filmmaking talents ever to emerge in Bollywood. He struck everyone with awe with his first directorial venture, AB TAK CHHAPPAN. His razor-sharp execution compelled us to enter the world of encounter cops. He made us uncomfortable by creating realistic situations. Then, certainly, expectations from his next are very high.
• Shah Rukh Khan, I believe, is one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. No I don't belong to his "fan club" nor do I believe in the "fan club" system. I simply praise his acting skills. People, I mean, his hater critics decry him by saying that he doesn't work without a Johar/ Chopra backing. They still say it even after MAYA MEMSAAB, KABHI HAAN KABHI NAA, CHAMATKAR, DDLJ, SWADES, PAHELI - which easily rank amongst the best performances ever in any Hindi cinema. Why did everyone hated his "character" in KANK? Only because he made it look real. It's a pity that he is "still" underestimated as an actor. "Oh-SRK-is-so-commercial!" is the reaction he gets. He is a natural performer. He is still underutilised. Don't you agree?
• Yash Raj, though is a full-blood mainstream Bollywood studio, had decided to swim against the tide in the film, KABUL EXPRESS after producing a total crap like DHOOM:2. Normally the expectation are there that YRF would make another path-breaking film.

So what happens when we put all them together? In mathematical language,
(LHS.) Shimit Amin + Shahrukh + Yashraj = Chak De India (R.H.S.)

The movie revolves around the story a hockey coach for a girl's team and a young Sikh girl who wants to join the hockey team but does not get the approval of her parents. You may already know that SRK is the coach here. The storyline sounds very similar with BEND IT LIKE BECKHAM (which is again a good film). But I hope (and trust them) that a director like Shimit won't come up with a remake of a hit "Indian" film. So it "has to be" different!

Now come to SRK's looks. He has been given a beard and is made look old. But, he looks very attractive. If poster is anything to go by, I think he will put forth a strong performance. Look at his eyes! They convey so much! I think I won't be disappointed.

There were alleged cold vibes and wars between YRF and SRK even a year ago. But the truth has spoken himself. The shooting began from August, 2006, after they both "parted their ways". Now the same media reports that Aditya Chopra's next will star SRK.

But will the film be a "COMMERCIAL HIT*? Probably NO. This kind of films don't work in Bollywood. Just look at Kabul Express! Just as because there were no "dancing-round-the-trees" and bad script it flopped. But just look at craps like DHOOM:2, VIVAH! The latter is still in theaters.

Even SRK, a crowd-puller has said,

I don't think CDI will be a grand commercial success. I can tell before a film's release if it will work at B.O. The same happened for Swades. I told Ashutosh(Gowariker) that the script was great but it wouldn't be a hit. But he didn't think so. Now you have the results.

But I "WILL DEFINITELY" watch this movie. I hits theaters on AUGUST 10.

Now tell me,

• ARE YOU LOOKIN' FORWARD TO THE MOVIE THE WAY I AM?
• WHAT ARE YOUR EXPECTATIONS?
• DO YOU THINK IT WILL BE A BLOCKBUSTER?
• WHAT DO YOU THINK OF MY ARTICLE?

Feel free to comment!

Additional Scoop: From the 1st week of July, I'll start a regular segment on CDI, where I'll post exclusive videos and behind-the-scenes of CDI. Just wait till June 15/17 when you'll get the first theatrical of CDI online on BUwH.

XCLUSIVE and First !!! JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM: Theatrical Trailer . . . . . . . . . . .

I'm so gald! oops! GLAD!! Actually I am so ecstatic that I am typing wrong spellings! The first trailer and first official teaser poster(or the news of them) of JHOOM BARABAR JHOOM appears first on BOLLYWOOD UNLIMITED before appearing on any blog/ entertainment bureau website. I feel both proud and humble. When it first appeared on YouTube, I was the first to see it and I immediately requested the provider for sending a subtitled version of the trailer for international visitors of BU. And guess what! It's here! For you only!

Now, let's stop bragging about myself and get straight to the point. To be frank, the
trailer, although not awesome, is still quite good. But there are a number of minuses too!

Now, what's Jhoom Barabar Jhoom? First and foremost, it's a Yash Raj Film. Yashraj's TA RA RUM PUM released. It stars Abhishek Bachchan, Bobby Deol, Lara Dutt, Preity Zinta in pivotal roles while Amitabh Bachchan is credited in a "Special Appearance" or an extended cameo role. Rumors are there that Shah Rukh Khan is in the film serving a cameo. For a fact, it has featured the English football team Chelsea extensively. It is directed by Shaad Ali Sahgal, who previously directed YRF productions like "Bunty aur Babli" and "Saathiya"

So, you may wonder, how's actually the trailer? Have a thorough knowledge of it before it downloads. To be frank, it's not awesome. It's not bad either. It's pretty much good.

The trailer kicks of with Abhishek and Preity sharing a same table (probably at Heathrow Airport). From their conversations, you know that they are strangers. AB Jr. introduces himself as Vicky Thackral and Preity herself as Albira Khan from Lahore.

The next scene, you spot Amitabh. He is in a different get-up.......can't explain...(just see to understand.. ....err! what was that? Is he (or the costume designer or the makers) trying to be "cool", "smart" and "different"? Let me tell that it isn't. It's only an expression of bad taste and tackiness. The director/he has to understand that he is 64+ now and he just doesn't suit the get-up. Anyways!! He seems to be the सूत्रधार / Narrator/ Manipulator of the story.

However, a couple of scenes go and we again see AB and PZ talking. AB tell her "Do you think I'm a flirt?". Then Preity tells her about her fiancé she's waiting for - Bobby Deol. Abhishek too shows his engagement ring and tells her about his fiancee - Lara Dutt.

Then, we have a series of scenes where each one of the 4 character (alone or together) appear in different scenes, dance sequences (one of them is in front of Eiffel Tower). Meanwhile, we see Amitabh crooning the title song rendered awesomely by Shankar Mahadevan, lyrics penned by Gulzar.

In the last scene, we hear AB Jr. asking Preity if she had sex with Bobby!!!!!!!!!! What's that! Is it a mammoth tale of extra-marital affair or something else? KANK anyone? It's not clear. I request you to imagine at your best what it actually is about.

Of the actor's looks, I've already commented on Amitabh. Now come to his son, he too pretends to be smart but isn't. His beard and long hair doesn't arouse anything but disgust in you. His dialogue delivery too is very bad. Bobby looks at his best.This is the best get-over he's ever got. Lars's hairstyle and look are likable. Out of the main cast, Preity looks best. She's definitely gorgeous in this movie.

Tell me how the trailer is and which movie they've copied this time.

Without Subtitles


With Subtitles

Why I will avoid IIFA Awards 2007 at any cost - Part 4 . . . . . . . .

Well, I know that this is the part you are waiting for. So let's not bore you and go ahead.

(THE FOLLOWING OPINIONS ARE SOLELY PERSONAL AND THEY ARE NOT INTENDED TO HURT/ OFFEND ANYONE)

****SPOILERS MAY BE AHEAD****
Best Picture
Dhoom 2
Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna
Krrish
Lage Raho Munnabhai
Rang De Basanti
Vivah

D:2 - If you've read my previous posts you'll know my opinions about this film. You'll also know that I'm not at all surprised by its presence in this list. आखिर ब्रांड एम्बेसडर कि बेटे का फिल्म है ना!

KANK - I don't really *love* this film. It's not worthy of featuring in this list. Though it is *not bad* at least for me. For, it's courageous and it doesn't hesitate to say what it wants to. It's only the length that stays with you rather than really good moments. It has the ability to show the reality. It could have been better.

Krrish - Matrix, Spider-Man, Super-man, Super-hype..... just another D:2.

LRMB & RDB - Winners from the word go!

VIVAH- No surprise yet again! It is as regressive as possible. All the characters are saccharine-sweet. There's no HUMAN qualities in the character. Life's nothing else but marriage. The ultimate thing for a woman is to get married. Featuring cow-like women and glamorising all sort of stupid thing, no script, abysmal performances and blah blah blah blah .....that's all this film's about. It was trying to be "culturally" stupid. But sorry! That's not our culture. It's far wider. If you want to see ulture bump into DVDs of LRMB, RDB

The mentality of the jury is clearly shown by the films they choose. Just see how 67% of the nominated films are.

Why couldn't we arrange more money for the jury for the following films?
OMKARA (comes first) TAXI NO. 9211 GANGSTER WOH LAMHE KABUL EXPRESS (if yashraj really pays for D:2, they should have selected this one. Even FANAA was a better proposition than D:2) KHOSLA KA GHOSLA DOR BEING CYRUS


Best Direction
Karan Johar – Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna
Rakesh Roshan - Krrish
Rajkumar Hirani - Lage Raho Munnabhai
Vishal Bharawaj - Omkara
Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra - Rang De Basanti

KANK - Though the film was not very good. There are moments which are very well-directed. Although not worthy of nomination.

Krrish - No words here. See the previous posts.

LRMB & RDB - Again no words (exactly opposite to Krrish)

Omkara - The man behind converging Shakespearean tragedy with UP heartland. One of the most well-executed film in recent times. Not only does the master story-teller tell the story with great skill, he gives example of master craftsmanship (music is credited to him too). Be it the performance or the script, the cinematography or the sets or everything....he leaves a mark of his own everywhere. No disappointment if he wins.

Who deserved.
KUNAL KOHLI - Fanaa (Don't confuse a loopy script with the direction. The film is well-executed. At least far better than Krass) And all the films I suggested for the previous category.





Best Performance in a Leading Role (Female)
Aishwarya Rai - Dhoom 2
Kajol - Fanaa
Kangana Ranaut - Gangster
Rani Mukherji - Kabhi Alvida Naa Kahna
Vidya Balan – Lage Raho Munnabhai

D:2 - Better nominate Rakhi Sawant! Even she could come as close to Sunehri as Ash. Stardust preferred Ash to Kajol, though (same kind of award show, you know!)! She is really Ash (pun intended). In a long time we have seen such a performance, that makes us feel proud about ourselves. We can act better anytime. And yes! without a kiss and a bikini and a makeover!

Fanaa- She was so subtle, subdued in the film that she makes you overlook all the flaws in the screenplay. She looks a million bucks and plays the role with much panache. Why can't we get more of you?

Gangster - Wow! No words to describe her. She closely follows Kajol.

KANK - She definitely played it very well. Not Bad.

LRMB - Not bad!

Who deserved:
KAREENA KAPOOR - Omkara (bringing Desdemona alive) PRIYANKA CHOPRA - Don (to replace that fireless Ash) KANGANA - Woh Lamhe (she should have been nominated for this alog with Gangster) GUL PANAG - Dor AYESHA TAKIA - Dor


Best Performance in a Leading Role (Male)
Shah Rukh Khan - Don
Hrithik Roshan - Krrish
Sanjay Dutt - Lage Raho Munnabhai
Ajay Devgan - Omkara
Aamir Khan - Rang De Basanti

Don - SRK was panned by all after release. But I certainly like it. I am not a big fan of SRK, though. Having seen both the versions and with due respect to the previous one, I am unbiasedly saying that SRK IS THE BETTER DON. Hold your protests, I'd explain that. A character like DON is should be shrewd, good-looking, smart, mischievous, cruelly-smiling, womanizing, soft-spoken, flirtatious. These are things which I found in SRK. I am not decrying the previous version. Well many dumb critics said that there's no balance between Vijay & Don or SRK played Don well but Vijay badly. How could ______ (no spoilers here) play Vijay? You have to remember that not SRK but ___________enacted the role of Vijay. On that context, it's a very good performance.

Krrish - See the supporting section for my comments on his nomination for D:2. The same applies for Krrish. But bet he would win this one like the others. Like Anurag Kashyap (again) I'd like to state that HR should have got the BEST JUMPING AWARD for Krrish.

LRMB - A towering performance from the most underrated actor. He was born to play this. I wish he gets this one. Emotional. He hasn't got it before.

Omkara - Converting the Moor of Venice to an adha-brahmin is no easy task. He did it fantastically.

RDB - Awesome stuff from AK.

Who deserved :

JOHN ABRAHAM - Taxi No. 9211 SHINEY AHUJA - Gangster, Woh Lamhe AAMIR - Fanaa (I liked it) SRK - KANK (that's why we all hated his character. It's to his credit)

Also See: Part 1 Part 2 Part 3

So that's all. You may have got a taste of how award functions really are. What are your comments? Let me know.

(NOTE: IF YOU DON'T AGREE WITH THE AUTHOR PLEASE TELL WHAT IT SHOULD HAVE BEEN. PLEASE REFRAIN FROM ATTACKING THE AUTHOR AND DO NOT USE ANY EXPLETIVE)

DDLJ celebrates 600th week in Indian Cinema..

On Friday, 13th April 2007, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, or DDLJ as it is fondly called, is entering its 600th week of continuous play in theatres। The love story of Raj and Simran continues to strike a chord with audiences, as they keep coming back to Maratha Mandir theatre (in Mumbai where DDLJ continues its uninterrupted run) to fall in love once again with one of the most evergreen stories told on the silver screen.

The movie, which cemented the super star status of the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol pairing, opened to packed houses and rave reviews way back on 20th October 1995. Indians all over the world instantly fell in love with this simple yet eloquent story. It bridged the perceived divide between the NRI and Domestic cultures, and effortlessly wove Indian Tradition and Western Trends into a unique brand of “Indian-ness”, which is often copied, but yet to be rivaled.

Director Aditya Chopra’s directed his first film, DDLJ, at the young age of 23. Released in 1995, DDLJ became one of the largest grossers in Indian film history. While remaining popular with the masses, DDLJ also garnered critical acclaim from all quarters. The film swept that year’s Filmfare Awards, picking up every single award of consequence, and propelled Aditya Chopra as one of the most influential young voices in Indian Cinema.

In 2001, ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge’ broke the continuous-exhibition record, established by the movie ‘Sholay’ at Minerva Theatre (5 years: 1975 – 1980). DDLJ remains the longest running film in the history of Indian cinema, as it passes one milestone after another, and is presently running in its 12th year.

AWARDS
NATIONAL AWARD:
Best Film – for popular and wholesome entertainment.

FILMFARE AWARDS:
Best Film – Yash Chopra (Producer)
Best Director – Aditya Chopra
Best Actor – Shah Rukh Khan
Best Actress – Kajol
Best Supporting Actress – Farida Jalal
Best Comedian – Anupam Kher
Best Lyricist – Anand Bakshi (Tujhe dekha to ..)
Best Playback Singer (Male) – Udit Narayan (Mehndi Lagake rakhna)
Best Dialogue Writer – Aditya Chopra / Javed Siddiqui
Best Screenplay Writer – Aditya Chopra

SCREEN AWARDS:
Best Film – Yash Chopra (Producer)
Best Director – Aditya Chopra

A physically impaired French woman speaks on SRK; It will really make your eyes moist

I went to see Shahrukh Khan in London when he came to unveil his statue at Madame Tussauds wax museum. I was accompanied by five young women from Shahrukh Khan's French fan club, Shahrukhfan.fr. We knew that only media people would be allowed to get into the museum, but despite this, we came from France, hoping to see Shahrukh, and maybe talk to him.

I am on a wheelchair and it was almost vital for me to tell him that when I see him dance, my body too dances, that I can dance with his body. I so much wanted to thank him! We went to the museum at 7am and we waited for hours in the icy wind of London. We talked to the bodyguards, they were giants but very nice ones; people were getting more and more excited and less and less controllable. They had come from all parts of the world, "only" to catch a glimpse of Shahrukh: France, Japan, Australia, and Trinidad.

Then he came. Suddenly no one remembered me, our small group was scattered, literally ejected meters away from me, I was sandwiched between Nani, who was helplessly holding the wheelchair, and the bodyguard, with my head flattened against him. I managed to move my head away, and I saw Shahrukh, with his caramel-coloured skin, his black hair and beautiful smile.

Then, for one second, our eyes met. How strange. Try to imagine: the overexcited crowd, the hysteria, the bodyguards, and our eyes met, although he was three meters away from me, with lots of people between us, and my chair wasn't at all at the level of his eyes. Then everything became black. The tsunami was dangerously shaking my chair. My face was flattened against the bodyguard. All that came to my mind was that the wedge of the armchair was completely driven into the guard's legs, and Nani was doing her very best to prevent me from falling on the ground. Then the bodyguard moved, with one hand he was holding the crowd and with the other he made sure that I could see something. In fact, it's because Shahrukh was kneeling down that the guard moved. He was kneeling down for me. It was like being in a cave with human walls, we were in front of each other, and I was able to tell him thank you, I could tell him that he made me dance. He didn’t understand. People were screaming and my English wasn't good, I was too nervous.

He asked me, surprised, if I wanted to dance. I said "no, I don't want to dance, I dance with your body". He smiled, took my face with infinite tenderness, and kissed me on the forehead. He didn't smell cigarette, nor perfume, only a nice body odour. His kiss wasn't wet but not dry either. It was complete. He went away and I didn't see him again. What more can I tell you? This man gives off strength. When he came near me I felt this strength, he gives and gives, only with his presence.

It wasn't a star kissing a disabled woman for publicity. I felt the human being, full of tenderness. He is able to do a lot of good. I don't understand why Tussauds tried desperately to discourage us from coming. I hope Shahrukh knows that the reason why there weren't more people is that Tussauds refused to give information, kept repeating that we wouldn't see him, laughed at us. The public relations of the museum strung us along; Tussauds didn't want us to come. I don't know why and I hope this will reach Shahrukh's ears. If it does: thank you, Shahrukh; seeing you and seeing you dance has changed my life. Thank you for stopping in front of me on Tuesday, April 3rd.

What do YOU think of this post? Please react!

Photo Credit: Rediff.com

SRK proves his critics wrong; DON Celebrates Silver Jubilee in Indian Theaters

There's a news which would make all Shah Rukh Khan fans overjoyed. Shahrukh Khan's last film DON (Director: Farhan Akhtar) which was released on 2oth October last year is now celebrating its Silver Jubilee in Indian theaters. DON, which was a remake of 1978 Amitabh Bachchan film of the same name, was slammed by all the critics after the release. DON was listed at the top of every worst film list of every critic. But the critics could not refrain people from flocking into the theaters. As a result, it went on to become a blockbuster. Its domestic & overseas grosses feature in all-time blockbuster lists.

The film which was supposed to fall flat after the criticism it received on release goes into its 25th week running at Uday(4 shows a day) and Imperial (Matinee show) in Mumbai.


Collections follow:

India: $14,302,729 (till January 11, 2007)
USA: $2,223,961
UK: $2,826,980
Australia: $233,903
New Zealand: $52,556

To be frank, I am NOT a fan of any particular actor. As an unbiased viewer, I thought that the film was not a masterpiece, but it was quite good and entertaining. It was one of the best action/ escapist movie from Bollywood. SRK's demeanor and attitude made him look a perfect DON. The climax was the most awesome part of the film. In IMDb it has a 7+ rating. It has also won some public choice awards.

Could you explain why were critics so hostile towards this film? Were they biased? Feel free to discuss about the film. Do you support what SRK jokingly said by tampering a dialogue in the film after the release: डॉन के critic का सबसे बड़ा गलती यह है के वोह डॉन का critic है (The biggest mistake of Don's critic is that he is the critic of Don)?

(Xclusive!) Yash Raj Films to release VEER-ZAARA book

Well there's an exclusive news for Bolly fans. Yash Raj Films is going to release a book on Yash Chopra's 2004 magnum opus VEER-ZAARA. Here are some details!

To celebrate Yash Chopra’s love legend VEER-ZAARA, Yash Raj Films is publishing an exclusive hard back coffee table book, for the first time. This “LIMITED EDITION” Collectors Book is a must-have book for every Yash Chopra and Veer-Zaara fan.

Special features ahead:

• A Free Audio CD “The Love Legend Themes” containing the never-released-before Veer-Zaara themes and instrumental scores used in the film.
  


• More than 100 pages... giving insights on the journey of making of this love legend.
  


• Exclusive behind-the-scenes & on-location images from the film.
  


• Personal letters & experiences of the entire team, including Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukerji, Hema Malini, among others... who traveled on this journey called Veer-Zaara together.


• 
  Insights on the making of its much-loved and critically acclaimed music of Veer-Zaara composed by the late Madan Mohan, including personal letters of Lata Mangeshkar, Sanjeev Kohli, Javed Akhtar, Udit Narayan, Roop Kumar Rathod, Sonu Nigam and all singers..
  


• Memorable personal experiences of all technicians which worked tirelessly to bring this love legend to life.


• Never-before-known facts and trivia about the film.
  


• Exclusive images from the Grand Premiere of Veer-Zaara and selected quotes.
  


• Press Quotes, Awards and numerous Accolades won.
  


• Heart-warming feedbacks received from film lovers and audiences from all over the world.

Hope, it's an interesting book by YRF.

You are reading this earliest in BU!

(Disclaimer: The information, image serve no commercial/promotion purpose other than solely INFORMATIONAL purpose)