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HINDI MOVIE RELEASES EXPECTED THIS MONTH
If you thought Aamir Khan was featuring in another period drama, guess again. “Rang De Basanti” is a film about contemporary youth set in modern India. After reading the diary of her grandfather, who served in the British police in India during the freedom struggle, an English filmmaker named Sue arrives in India to make a film about Indian revolutionaries. She recruits students from Delhi University to act in her docu-drama. The group includes DJ, played by Aamir Khan, who chooses to stay in the college scene even though he graduated five years earlier. Kunal Kapur plays Aslam, a philosopher and guide to his friends. Karan is the son of a wealthy industrialist; Laxman is a fundamentalist of the bunch; Soha Ali Khan plays Sonia, the vivacious tomboy engaged to the dashing air pilot Ajay. The film shows 1930s India side by side with today’s India and reveals the change in attitude that overcomes the group as they see a country they haven’t acknowledged before. The makers say “Rang De Basanti” is a film about the awakening of a generation. It features a catchy soundtrack by A.R. Rehman. “Shikhar”: Starring Ajay Devgun, Jawed Sheikh, Shahid Kapoor, Bipasha Basu, Amrita Rao; directed by John Mathew Matthan; music by Viju Shah.
More Releases By Shephali J. Rele
This Yashraj Films production, set across beautiful Canadian landscapes, stars Uday Chopra as Neal along side Kajol’s younger sister, Tanisha as Nikki Bakshi. They play two Indians raised in Canada. Neal is a confident, cool guy who agrees to marry a girl from Bhatinda according to his parents’ wishes. His one condition is a three-week bachelor vacation to Vancouver. Neal scores a date with super model on the first day, but a spunky Indian girl named Nikki ruins it. Through several chance encounters, Nikki spoils whatever Neal plans. Finally, the two call a truce and become curious buddies after exchanging life stories as they explore the countryside. But wait, just as sparks arise, Neal realizes Nikki has plans to use him. Does Neal cut his trip short and return home? Do they realize what they have been looking for is right next to them? Or is the anonymous girl from Bhatinda the right choice? The makers say nice is out and naughty is in for this fun-filled journey. “Bluffmaster”: Starring Abhishek Bachchan, Priyanka Chopra, Ritiesh Deshmukh, Nana Patekar; directed by Rohan Sippy; music by Vishal-Shekhar.
Their only common ground, is being conmen. Although Roy considers Aditya an embarrassment, he agrees to teach him the rules of the game. As Roy warms up to his student’s charms, his world is suddenly turned upside down. Someone who could outsmart anyone and anything is suddenly pushed into a corner with no exit. “Bluffmaster” features an upbeat musical score and promises an exhilarating roller coaster ride of laughs, excitement and emotions. “Vaah! Life Ho Toh Aisi”: Starring Shahid Kapur, Amrita Rao, Sanjay Dutt; directed by Mahesh Manjrekar.
Antara is soon engaged and Adi agrees to marry Neha. Soon after, Adi meets with an accident. In the hospital, a well-dressed man played by Sanjay Dutt arrives with a young boy. Suddenly, the three of them are in the clouds driving away in a luxury car. The dashing character is actually Yamraj collecting souls. Adi convinces Yamraj to let him return to earth for a few days because his untimely death will lead to dire consequences for his family. Yamraj agrees but warms Adi he won’t be seen or heard. How will Adi succeed in solving his family’s troubles? After the more serious “Viruddh,” director Mahesh Manjrekar blends thrills, comedy and fantasy in this family flick.
Continuing with his trademark genre of “No. 1” titled films, David Dhavan directs this comedy tale of three friends, Raj, Veer and Aryaan, played by Fardeen Khan, Zayed Khan and Sharman Joshi. They are successful and married but always find some reason to complain. Raj loves to party but his wife Bhavana, played by Ayesha Takia, prefers spirituality and pooja in the prayer room. Veer wants an easygoing life while wife Diya, played by Esha Deol, has dreams of becoming an actress. And Aryaan’s wife Sonia, played by Soha Ali Khan, is busy aiding women wanting divorce. Things change for the guys when they come across three beauties named Dimple, Madhuri and Rekha. But their happiness is short-lived when Lucky Bhaiya, played by Sanjay Dutt, enters their lives. His motto is clear, be faithful or live in fear! Lucky Bhaiya will stop at nothing to make the three wives suspicious. The makers say what follows is a fun-filled ride that promises lots of laughs and entertainment. “Kyon Ki”: Starring Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Om Puri, Rimi Sen; directed by Priyadarshan; music by Himesh Reshammiya.
“Home Delivery”: Starring Vivek Oberoi, Mahima Choudhary, Ayesha Takia, Arif Zakaria, Boman Irani; directed by Sujoy Ghosh; music by Vishal-Shekhar.
“Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara”: Starring Anupam Kher, Urmila Matondkar, Waheeda Rehman, Prem Chopra, Boman Irani; directed by Jahnu Barua; music by Bappi Lahiri. Directed by national award winner Jahnu Barua, known for Assamese cinema, this film tells the story of a retired man, Professor Uttam Chaudhary, played by Anupam Kher, who lives with his grown daughter and young son. He suffers from periods of forgetfulness and memory loss. As he loses touch with the present, a childhood trauma haunts him – a memory of being accused of murdering Gandhi. Prof. Chaudhary can’t find peace anywhere. He finds himself accused and taunted at every turn. Soon, even his house feels like a prison, and his family the captors. Urmila Matondkar plays the daughter struggling to save her father from the world his mind has created. The narrative tells a simple story of a man’s illness and his daughter’s love and commitment to find a treatment while overcoming obstacles through faith and determination. The film connects this family’s story to the assassination of the father of the nation, Mohandas K. Gandhi. Though the professor repeats, “Maine Gandhi ko nahin mara,” someone killed the man, but his truth survives… he lives as long as his ideals live within us. The film conveys a message on the relevance of Gandhiji in present-day India. “Ek Khiladi Ek Haseena”: Starring Fardeen Khan, Koena Mitra, Rohit Roy, Kay Kay, Sharad Kapoor, Feroz Khan; directed by Suparn Verma; music by Preetam. In this stylized crime caper, Fardeen Khan plays Arjun Verma, a cool, self-described super conman. Koena Mitra portrays his seeming partner in crime, Natasha who has plans of her own. Feroz Khan is Jahangir Khan, a smooth talking power broker who rules the Asian continent. Life brings the three protagonists together as Arjun must accomplish the con of his life to save his life. While he makes the big decisions, friends and partners organize the details, fake currency, passports, credits cards. They must match wits with Sikandar, king of the underworld played by Gulshan Grover, a man who rules the city. The makers call it the year's most incorrigible film where everyone outsmarts the other. If you want to match your wits against the best, go for it, they say. Debutant director Suparn Verma considers the movie his homage to every filmmaker who is a conman, magician and hustler rolled into one. NOW ON DVD/VIDEO
Reunited on screen after many years, Amitabh Bachchan and Sharmila Tagore play Vidyadhar and Sumitra Patwardhan, a 60-plus couple with one son who lives abroad. The camaraderie between Vidyadhar and Sumitra presents two loving, caring people. John Abraham plays son Amar, who comes to India for a visit and brings along his foreign girlfriend, Jenny. She is readily welcomed into the family but their happiness is short-lived when tragedy strikes. Amar witnesses a crime and gets killed as he tries to intervene. The police arrive and label him a criminal killed during a gang fight in order to hush up the matter. The devastated couple tries to cope with their loss and deal with the stigma of their only son falsely being branded a gangster. They choose to fight the system and a corrupt cop to regain their family honor. Sanjay Dutt plays a former criminal-turned neighborhood car mechanic who comes to their aid. Bachchan and Tagore prove their talents with powerful, poignant performances. More |
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