“When again would I get the chance to work so closely with three of my friends Anurag Kashyap, Zoya Akhtar and Karan Johar,” asked the successful auteur. “Bombay Talkies” is an anthology film consisting of four short films released May 3.

“We were constantly in each other’s space enjoying each other’s works more than our own. Not only did we make these four films together we also promoted and marketed the finished product together. There was no sense of competition ,only deep kinship,” Bannerjee said.

Tell him that his film has been most deeply appreciated of the films comprising “Bombay Talkies” and Bannerjee brushes off the compliment, saying: “I am too close to my own work to judge its value”.

“But my favourite film of the omnibus is Karan Johar’s. Not only has he yanked himself out of his comfort zone he has made sure that he hasn’t compromised on the telling of his story. I’ve seen the response to the gay kiss in his film. There’s pindrop silence. The audiences are stunned,” the director said.

About the presence of an Emu as a pivotal character in his film Bannerjee laughs and says: “That was an idea given to me by two documentary filmmakers who helped me with the film.”

“You see, Emu farming was a major enterprise in innumerable households across Maharashtra and other states some four to five years ago. It ruined so many families. The Emu in Nawazuddin’s home is symbolical of his wasted life.”

Filled with praise for Nawazuddin’s performance he says: “I wanted to work with him for the longest time. For many years he had made a habit of doing brilliant cameos in film after film. For my film the biggest compliment Nawaz got came from Anurag Kashyap. After seeing my film Anurag said, ‘Yeh Nawaz hai?’ He is just unrecognisable in every character he plays.”

Bannerjee urgently needed Ranbir Kapoor to make a cameo appearance in “Bombay Talkies”.

“I needed him for one shot. But it was impossible to get his time. He was shooting far away for his film ‘Besharam’. Ranbir and I both want to work together. And it will happen soon,” he said.

At the moment Bannerjee is a hands-on producer for his erstwhile assistant Kanu Behl’s film “Titli” which he and Yashraj films are co-producing together.

“I am not thinking of directing another film at the moment.I just want the out-of-the-box experience of ‘Bombay Talkies’ to get optimum viewership,” he says hopefully.

–Indo-Asian News Service

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Shootout at Walada starred John Abraham, Tusshar Kapoor, Kangana Ranaut, Anil Kapoor and Sonu Sood. The movie was made on a huge budget of 26 crores and managed to earn a sum of 10.10 crores on Friday and 9.70 crores on Saturday. Not a bad thing for a 26 crore budget.

Bombay Talkies on the other hand was made on a tight budget of approx 12 crores, the film managed to earn 1.05 crores at the box office on the opening day. Bombay Talkies is an Indian anthology movie consisting of four short films directed by four different directors.

Another movie which still is in theaters is Mohit Suri’s Aashiqui 2. The movie is now officially declared as the second super hit of the year after the Prabhudeva starrer dance story ABCD – Any Body Can Dance. Aashiqui 2 on its second Friday earned 2 crores, 2.5 crores on Saturday and finally 3 srores on Sunday.

The post Monday Bollywood Box office report – May 6 appeared first on Bollywood Celebden.

Bollywood Celebden Rating – 4/5

Cast- Rani Mukherjee, Randeep Hooda, Katrina Kaif, Saqib Saleem, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, Vineet Kumar, Sadashiv Amrapurkar, Naman Jain.

Direction- Anurag Kashyap, Dibakar Banerjee, Karan Johar, Zoya Akhtar.

A quartet of four contemporary movie directors come together to mark the centennial celebration of Indian Cinema by making an anthology of four short films. Karan Johar, Dibakar Banerjee, Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap, these geniuses display something that they have never done before and probably won’t get another chance to. Each was given a budget of 1.5cr and looks like they’ve done justice in all respect.

Plot :

Karan Johar.

The movie starts with Karan Johar’s short film. This movie revolves around three people – Dev ( Randeep Hooda ), Gayatri ( Rani Mukherjee ), Avinash ( Saqib Saleem ). Now, we know Karan Johar and his style of movies, music, stunning locations, ecstactic costumes, etcetra etcetra.  But in this movie, looks like Karan Johar has taken a U-turn from his customary. His film starts with the  monotonous life of a  married couple – Gayatri and Dev and how Gayatri meets her new collegue in Avinash who plays a homosexual rebel in the movie and flips their whole world upside down.

Rani Mukherjee is a sexually repressed wife in the movie and befriends Saqib Saleem at work. While she wonders why her husband ( Randeep Hooda ) doesn’t pay heed to her sexual needs, the young guy turns around the married man’s life and shows him his misplaced sexual tug. While the plot surrounds the ongoing societal cringe on homosexuality, you see how it unfolds the message of how sexuality is being hidden inside closets fearing a stamp of marriage.

Dibakar Banerjee.

A middle class family man ( Nawazuddin Siddiqui )  struggles to make a living. No jobs, no opportunities and no money. Based on the short film of Satyajit Ray’s ‘Patol Babu, Film Star’, Dibakar Banerjee has paid an ultimate tribute to Ray. After failing to reach for a job opportunity on time, Purandar ( Nawazuddin Siddiqui ), he reaches an area where a film shoot is taking place. Eventually, he lands up with a bit part role in the movie and that’s when he imagines his late father talking to him, making him realise the fact that personal satisfaction cannot be compared to monetary incentives.

In the end, the contentment on Nawaz’s face and the way he describes his day’s story to his down-with-fever daughter is just a treat to watch. The plot’s main punch comes here, where Nawaz’s stunning dexterity lures the spectators to the core emotional point. Without any words spoken and just a Tagore song playing in the background, Nawaz’s body language and how he engages her daughter into the whole atmosphere of felicity is completely bliss.

Zoya Akhtar.

A small kid ( Naman Jain ), named Vicky in the movie, is completely allured by Katrina Kaif. The little boy wants to explore his sexuality while his father, played by Ranveer Shorey, is adamant on making his son play sports to get tough. The plot revolves around belief. Self-belief and Dreams. Taking into account how Katrina coming into Bollywood without knowing anybody and a single word of Hindi, is now a superstar, the boy also wants to follow her footsteps. Obviously the boy couldn’t just tell his dad “Kyun Ladki Hone Mein Kya Burai Hai? So he hides his dream within himself and wishes to make it come true when the time is right.

Though the movie doesn’t match up to the other ones, Zoya Akhtar amazes us with her technical expertise. The elation on the guy’s face while watching the item number, Sheila Ki Jawaani, is really worth and how he wishes to be like her. While the performance of Ranveer Shorey as a disciplinarian father is done with perfection, the little kids, Naman Jain and her sister in the film Khushi Dubey are just groundbreaking with their respective roles. Katrina Kaif plays a sparkling cameo in the film.

Anurag Kashyap

Anurag’s short film is about a young man Vijay ( Vineet Kumar )  who arrives in Mumbai to fulfil his ailing father’s (Sudhir Pande) last wish. Anurag Kashyap, with this movie, should be able to tight-lip the naysayers who say that he confines to limited themes for his movies. While he’s known for his swimming against the tide type of dark films, in this movie he has expressed more than just one thing. Vineet Kumar hails from Allahabad, UP and comes to Mumbai with a wish to meet Amitabh Bachchan. He is on a hopeful journey to meet Big B and make him eat his mother’s Murabba. 

Vineet Kumar’s performance in the film considering his role as an outsider to the new city of Mumbai is just outstanding. Anurag’s film evokes millions of emotions in us, happiness, sorrow, a few tears would shed when something transpires during the train journey of Vijay. All in All, one of the best among the four short films.

The Last Word

All the three actors of Karan Johar’s part have performed brilliantly especially newcomer Saqib Saleem. The movie also highlights a very controversial topic in today’s world especially in our country. Zoya Akhtar and Anurag Kashyap have done justice in celebrating the 100 years of Indian cinema with their mind boggling plots and expertise. But the standout performance was Nawazuddin Siddiqui’s in Dibakar Banerjee’s short story. His acting keeps you glued to the screen and makes you feel everything that you haven’t yet.

Though the movie has not much of the ‘centenary celebration of Indian cinema’, Bombay Talkies is surely something that everybody should watch and have a glimpse of four different lives living in the same world with four different societal problems.

The post Bombay Talkies – Review appeared first on Bollywood Celebden.

A special project to mark 100 years of Indian cinema, the anthology film “Bombay Talkies” brings on the screen four different stories put together by directors Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibaker Banerjee, respectively.

There was a special screening of the film Monday before its commercial release Friday and it seems to have appealed to the celebrity audience.

The celebs took to Twitter to praise the movie. Here is what they have to say:

Ayushmann Khurrana: Finally saw ‘Bombay Talkies’. (I) felt very big while being a very small part of Indian cinema.

Riteish Deshmukh: ‘Bombay Talkies’ will shock you, entertain you, enthrall you. Zoya, Anurag, Dibakar and Karan – thank you for this wonderful cinematic experience.

Konkona Sen Sharma: Laughed and cried while watching ‘Bombay Talkies’. Four fine, sensitive films and super performances.

Rahul Khanna: Just watched a screening of ‘Bombay Talkies’ and it was absolutely outstanding. Congratulations Karan, Dibaker, Zoya and Anurag. And a big congratulations to the cast of ‘Bombay Talkies’. Such fine, fearless performances in all four films.

Sidharth Malhotra: Four directors, four films, four brilliant cinema experiences. ‘Bombay Talkies’ a must watch people.

Genelia D’souza: Watched ‘Bombay Talkies’. Highly recommend, sensitive, sensible, sweet… Well done Karan, Zoya, Dibakar and Anurag.

Bombay Talkies will also have a gala screening at the prestigious Cannes International Film Festival, which begins May 15.

–Indo-Asian News Service

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“If every star refuses to work with me, am I going to stop making movies? Not at all! So, I will keep making movies with or without them,” Zoya said here recently.

Zoya has worked with stars like Hrithik Roshan, Katrina Kaif, Abhay Deol and even her actor-filmmaker brother Farhan Akhtar. She admits the presence of known names spells business.

“Stars ensure an opening and that’s why they are stars. They ensure eyeballs and they ensure people will notice your film. Some of them are amazing actors, who fit perfectly into a film. They are also very exciting to work with,” she said.

As of now, Zoya awaits the release of “Bombay Talkies”, which includes one of her short films.

–IANS

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The milestone will be marked with the release of “Bombay Talkies”, made up of short commemorative films by four leading directors, while India will be honoured as “guest country” at next month’s Cannes festival.

Exhibitions in the capital New Delhi are showcasing a century of cinema, including onscreen kissing scenes that originally fell foul of the censors.

It is also a time for reflection on how the industry has evolved, from its early screen adaptations of Hindu mythology to the garish romantic escapism of modern blockbusters.

Commercially, cinema is thriving: India produced almost 1,500 movies last year and the industry is expected to grow from $2 billion to $3.6 billion in the next five years, according to consultancy KPMG.

Leading the way is Hindi-language Bollywood, which took the “B” from its home in Bombay and won the hearts of movie-mad Indians.

But old-timers complain that it has become superficial, neglecting to deal with pressing social concerns of the age.

“There’s a dumbing down that has taken place in the content. I think we are suffering from what is called the narrative crisis,” said veteran director and producer Mahesh Bhatt.

He contrasts modern filmmakers with Dhundiraj Govind Phalke, known as the “father of Indian cinema”, who brought the first all-Indian feature film to the silver screen in Bombay (now Mumbai) on May 3, 1913.

A tale from the Hindu epic Mahabharata, “Raja Harishchandra” quickly became a hit despite its female characters being played by men — women acting was still widely frowned upon.

Phalke made more than 100 films until his silent style fell victim to “talkies” in the 1930s, but the advent of sound technology allowed India cinema to flourish.

Bollywood plotlines today can involve stars breaking into song, often in picturesque far-flung locations, apropos of nothing — a style that may bemuse a Western audience, but one that helps to set Indian cinema apart.

“If it was exactly the same thing as Hollywood, Hollywood would have run us over. We don’t have that money,” said film critic Anupama Chopra.

For her and many others the “golden age” of cinema was the 1950s, when movie greats emerged such as Satyajit Ray, India’s most renowned filmmaker, who hailed from the alternative film hub of West Bengal.

It was the era of newly independent India, searching for an identity and producing films such as Mehboob Khan’s 1957 hit “Mother India”, which combined social concerns with popular appeal.

The 1970s and 80s saw a growing commercialism with the rise of the “masala” movie — a family entertainer that typically mixed up romance and action, songs and melodrama, a comedy touch and a happy ending.

Parallel Cinema continued to focus on realism, with films such as Mahesh Bhatt’s “Arth” (Meaning) in 1982, a gritty tale of an extramarital affair that presented strong female characters.

It was a path-breaker in a decade described as the “dark ages” of Hindi cinema, which struggled with the advent of colour television, rampant piracy and dependence on the Mumbai underworld for funding.

Things improved after India’s economy opened up in the early 1990s, and again a decade later when filmmaking won formal “industry” status. Both steps encouraged foreign firms, such as Fox and Disney, to invest in Bollywood.

But subsequent leaps in technology have not been matched by advances in storytelling, say critics, who lament the formulaic plots, passive roles for women and the copying of Hollywood.

Bollywood’s escapist fantasies have long held mass appeal because “there’s enough realism in the common man’s life”, said Bhatt.

But with ever more TV shows, the Internet and easily available global films, such movies may no longer meet the demands of the educated middle-class.

This expanding group “wants to see something better than trash which caters to the common man who drives auto-rickshaws. They want to see a different kind of cinema,” said veteran actor Rishi Kapoor.

A new crop of experimental filmmakers has started to appear, such as “Hindi indie” darling Anurag Kashyap who is a fixture on the global film festival circuit.

Trade analysts say the growth in multiplex cinemas has also encouraged mainstream films to diversify: a surprise hit last year was “Vicky Donor”, a romcom about sperm donation.

Raj Nidimoru is co-director of upcoming “Go Goa Gone”, one of India’s first zombie films, and he believes the move away from staple Bollywood is only just beginning.

“This is just a ripple right now, it’s going to become a wave.”

–IANS

The post Bollywood celebrates 100th birthday appeared first on Bollywood Celebden.

Star Cast : Amitabh Bachchan
Rani Mukerji
Nawazuddin Siddiqui
Randeep Hooda
Sadashiv Amrapurkar
Saqib Saleem
Aamir Khan
Katrina Kaif
Ranbir Kapoor

Music Composer : Amit Trivedi

Directors : Anurag Kashyap
Dibakar Banerjee
Zoya Akhtar
Karan Johar

Producer : Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Ashi Dua

Banner : Viacom 18 Motion Pictures
Flying Unicorn Entertainment

Release Date : May 3, 2013

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It was a star studded affair at the screening of Bombay Talkies, with prominent Bollywood biggies, including veteran writer Javed Akhtar and filmmaker Anurag Kashyap were in full attendance.

Held at the Light Box in Santacruz, Mumbai, the event also saw celebrities like Ranveer Singh, Randeep Hooda, Gauri Shinde, Punit Malhotra, Varun Dhawan, Sonam Kapoor, Ritesh Sidwani and Kalki Koechlin.

Directed by four directors, Zoya Akhtar, Karan Johar, Anurag Kashyap and Dibaker Banerjee, Bombay Talkies is a compilation of four short films, with Rani Mukherjee doing Karan’s part, Katrina kaif has been roped in for Zoya’s story, Superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be playing himself in Anurag Kashyap’s short story and Dibaker Banerjee’s story will see Ranbir Kapoor, who appears in every frame of the movie.

20 singers have come together to lend their voices for the anthem of the movie and has been choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant. The music in this movie is given by Amit Trivedi and Lyrics by Amitabh Bhattacharya & Swanand Kirkire. Bombay Talkies releases on May 3.

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The Bombay Talkies’ title song features most of Bollywood’s hotshot. Except for Salman Khan we have all the major Khan’s like Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan. The song also features Saif’s beau Kareena Kapoor, a very married Vidya Balan, pretty Rani Mukerji, gorgeous Priyanka Chopra, fashionista Sonam Kapoor and the leggy lass Deepika Padukone and from the older lot we have the Dhak Dhak girl Madhuri Dixit, a very elegant Sridevi, pretty momma Karisma Kapoor and a graceful Juhi Chawla. Other than the Khan’s and the pretty ladies the song also features Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Akshay Kumar, Anil Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor and Imran Khan.

We wonder why Salman, Kajol and Ajay gave this video a miss. Does this has something to do with their common rival Shahrukh Khan who was hogging all the limelight in the video and was once again winning hearts with his standard tujhe dheka toh yea jaana sanam pose? Well. We will never know.

Oh hold on! That’s not it! The Bachchan parivaar was also missing, right? Looks like they were not very comfortable with the presence of the Kapoor Khanadan (after the whole Abhishek-Karishma fiasco)

Whatever their reasons, the video turned out to be a bonus!

watch the Bombay Talkies title song

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Although a few tracks can get a little disappointing keeping in mind the purpose of the film, but they score averagely.

It starts with “Akkad bakkad”. Sung by Mohit Chauhan, the song is larger than life and has a magical feel. Gradually, it picks up pace and talks about 100 years of Indian cinema. A happy song, which brings a nostalgic feel about the film industry, cannot be typecast. In the true sense, the composition is a musical tribute to 100-year-old filmdom.

The next is “Murabba”, sung by Kailash Kher and Kavita Seth. The violin’s sound dominates the introduction and brings in a very happy feel. For once, you can avoid paying attention to the lyrics because the music is worth listening to. There are happy songs and sad songs, but this one takes you to another level of ecstasy. Even if you don’t like it initially, it would grow on you after some time.

Then follows “Bombay Talkies”, title song of the anthology movie. The beats are fast, in rhythm and overall it is a happy fun song. However, as it picks up pace too fast, listeners might not be able to grasp the feelings in the song. This one too talks about 100 years celebration of Indian cinema. Kailash’s voice weaves magic like always. However, Richa’s voice sounds a little misfit alongside Kailash.

Another version of “Murabba”, sung by Javed Bashir, comes next. Different from the previous version, it’s more dramatic in nature. With continuous chugging of engine sound “chuk chuk” in the background, the fast number, sung well, works in sync with the music. The drums and the trumpet sounds give it a fresh touch. However, the song’s ending is approached in an unexpected manner. In short, one can term it serious and darker version.

Another track, titled “Apna Bombay Talkies”, has a host of singers singing it and is a kind of a promotional song, which gives a “dekh tamasha dekh” feel. It is a fast, peppy track and has a vintage feeling to it. It would be interesting to watch the video of the song. Of course, it is extravagant in nature with an old-world feel.

“Bachchan anthem” rounds up the album. Sung by Sukhwinder Singh, strumming of strings and drum beats elevate the song focusing on Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan. The song has some extracts of Big B’s popular movies.

“Bombay Talkies” songs are high on emotions. If you have an ear for classic music, then this is a must album for you. It tells a story that other musical tracks have missed out so far.

–Indo-Asian News Service

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