Shanghai & Rowdy Rathore Week @ Bollywood

Next in my series, where I express my opinion / expectation on the Friday releases as a movie goer.

This week has one movie releasing – Shangai as was one movie released last week.

Let’s begin with last week’s release – Rowdy Rathore.

Movie has proved one thing that if the movie brings in big moolah if it works on single screen. Movie is on its way to become biggest success of year, Akshay Kumar & Sanjay Leela Bhansali so far.

Movie had all the masala of the 80s movie. As I mentioned 95% movie was an exact cut & paste job, with the dialogues too being same at many of the places. Still somewhere I felt that the film lacked the grip and repeat value of the original, I think that’s where the credit goes to the genius of S.S.Rajamouli. Akshay Kumar works well in action & comedy role but somehow I sorely missed Ravi Teja. People who have seen the original shared my opinion. As I’d mentioned it’s not possible to match Ravi Teja’s energy, comic timing and mannerisms.

Coming to the current release - Shangai

Shangai is another film from talented Dibanker Banerjee. It is based on “Z” an old political Thriller Novel. It begins with a murder working as an expose of current political situations and its dark side.

Dibankar and Abhay together have given “Oye Lucky Oye Lucky Oye” earlier; and, Emraan Hashmi appears to be a role similar to his debut movie “Footpath”, where as I’ve mentioned in my earlier article, he ended up stealing limelight from the lead actors of the movie.

This movie comes on the heels of super success of Rowdy Rathore, which will prove to be tough competitor, as it still occupies majority of the screens in second week running. Otherwise also, like other Dibankar Banerjee movies it’s more of a Multiplex movie and will rely on word of mouth.

Though, trailers don’t look exciting enough; coming on the heels of Emraan Hashmi’s recent successes, it would be interesting to see how does his newly found star quotient helps this movie to open at single screen.


Will be back next week with another article…till then…..

Happy Movie watching.

 Gagan

Disclaimer - Please refer to the earlier post under the heading of Introduction and Disclaimer.

Trailer Watch...this week

Looks like a perfect combo of Rohit Shetty’s style of film making and original “Golmaal”. Trailer looks grand, a perfect family entertainer and sure fire hit.

Cocktail in a sense looks like an extension of “Love Aaj Kal” – a story of three fun loving friends turning into a love triangle; with Yo Yo honey Singh’s popular track playing in the background. Trailer in itself doesn’t look exciting enough, seems targeted for Multiplex audience…will have to watch further promos before forming any opinion. Though, would be interesting to look out for Homi Adjania’s direction post “Being Cyrus”.

Shirin Farhad ki to nikal padi, now this happens to be an interesting watch, starring Boman Irani and Farah Khan in lead, as two singles on the other side of 40s. If the trailer is anything to go by, movie is going to be another quirky and fun outing.

Will be back next week with another article…till then…..

Happy Movie watching.

 Gagan

Rowdy Rathore

Next in my series, where I express my opinion / expectation on the Friday releases as a movie goer.

Finally IPL is over and the summer movie season kicks off.

There was no major release last week, mainly due to IPL finals and current week’s major release – Rowdy Rathore – which will eat up majority of screen space.

Now IPL seems to have settled down with many of the movies releasing along with it; and some turning out to be hits of various degrees – Housefull 2, Jannat 2, Ishaqzaade & Vicky Donor.

Once again I was bang on, both in terms of the business and content of the movies.

Department was another let down from RGV. And, Chotta Bheem was a surprise success with the limited screen space; I managed to get the front row tickets in nick of time, show was houseful with plenty of kids and their parents & Grand parents.

Now, coming to the current week’s release – Rowdy Rathore 

Rowdy Rathore is coming post the IPL, in the same week as Ready last year. Rowdy Rathore is carrying lot of hype and is being considered a certain entrant to Rs.100 Crore club. 

Trailers look dhinchaak masala, Akshay Kumar has had a major success in Housefull and above all it happens to be a remake of Telugu blockbuster “Vikramakudu” directed by the man with the midas touch S.S.Rajamouli….this guy has a 100% success ratio with 8 back to back blockbusters.

Original was the perfect blend of Action, Drama, Emotion, Romance and most importantly Comedy; it is dubbed in Hindi as “Pratighaat” and can be seen at Sahara group channels or Star gold. Apart from S.S. Rajamouli, the major factor working in original’s favor was the lead actor – Mass Maharaja “Ravi Teja”, every star worth his salt has a title in Telgu and Tamil film industry – this guy has an unmatched energy and his comic timing and mannerisms are seen to be believed; he added tremendously to the movie. Those who have seen the original, will definitely compare Akshay Kumar with Ravi Teja, which will be a challenge for Aksha Kumar if he tries to emulate him rather than giving the character his own touch; which though doesn’t seem to be a case by looking at the promos. 

I’ve seen few of the movies directed by Prabhu Deva, and he usually goes for remakes and follows a cut and paste policy, with minor tweaking for regional audience; considering which “Rowdy Rathore” too should be an entertaining movie. There are few areas in original which need to be tweaked to make it more family friendly, hope Prabhu Deva has taken care of them.

Gagan