The magic of Salman Khan

‘Ek tha Tiger’- was declared a hit even before it was released. How is that even possible? Possible- with Salman Khan it is possible.

I watched the movie on the day of its release and enjoyed it. Only after reading the reviews by movie critics could I find the flaws with the film. It was apparent while watching the movie- but it didn’t really matter and I hardly paid any attention.

I’m not that type usually and need my movies to be engaging. I need the script and the performances to be clever and true. But with some guys like Rajnikanth and Salman Khan these rules go for a toss.

Salman Khan could go dressed in a white sleevless vest and pink pant to a black-tie event and make everyone else look and feel ridiculous. He brings that force of personality on screen and that’s what makes him so entertaining.

Dabangg was the film that converted me. I couldn’t stand the guy before that. But Dabangg had me floored. I can’t imagine anyone else carrying the role of Chulbul Pandey with such élan and with such panache.

Whatever Salman does- he does extravagantly! There is a style and finish to everything that the man does. He understands his quirky mannerisms, and the success of the man has been in being able to make it his strength. However the most endearing part of Salman Khan has to be his confidence. He has super-human confidence in himself and that’s how he’s able to carry out the role of ‘Salman Khan’.

He is probably the only guy who could cavort with his sexy sister-in-law (Munni badnaam!), make us all enjoy it, and then very coolly at the end of the song he says- “Munni- tum jaao Munna ke pass”, in essence telling all of us- who is boss!

We all love the guy coz we all want to be the guy. He projects our alpha-male egos. That’s the aura that the man’s been able to create. That is the magic of Salman Khan. 

"Rocket Singh"- Movie Review

I rarely go to movies. But this is one of those that I didn't want to miss out on. Many reasons and I'm going to list them here.

Firstly- Shimit Amin. He has given us the blockbuster- 'Chak De India'. But before that he gave us - 'Ab Tak Chappan'; a movie that will go down as a classic in Indian cinema. Second, I liked the little jig that Ranbir Kapoor was doing in the promo video. And finally, when I came to know that the movie was about a Salesman, I just had to catch it. For the record- My Dad's a sales guy, my Uncles are sales guys, I'm in the same line... so ya... sales kind of runs in the family.

The movie builds up really well. The scene where Ranbir Kapoor is given an intro to the job by his senior is simply brilliant. I could visualize my Dad and Uncles as the senior, and me as Harpreet Singh, looking in awe at the whole thing.

The dude who plays the Senior Salesman was just outstanding. Those are the atypical characteristics of any salesman. He's constantly looking for extra information and he knows how and when to use it. He's building a network with the 'chaay-wala', the watchman etc. He's in on the gossip of the company he's selling to. He tries to sneek in to files. Constantly on the prowl. Constantly sweet-talking.

I even remember my uncle telling me to tuck my tie in to my pocket when we were having lunch. A scene that is almost exactly re-made in the movie.

The performances are brilliant. I don't know most of the cast except for Gauhar Khan. (Yes, she's hot- and that's why I know her!) The rest of the crowd were mostly new faces; but all played their roles brilliantly.

To be honest I am kinda disappointed with the ending of the movie. I wish there were more twists and turns. And the paces slackens considerably toward the end.

The movie has a nice message. But it doesn't get too preachy; which is a good thing. I don't want to reveal too much here.

I still think it's worth a watch. So go catch it. :). Ta-da!

"Kaminey"- The Movie Review

I'm not really a movie buff. I'm not much in to watching movies in theaters at all. But every once in a while an exception must be made when family or friends force me.

So last Friday, I was coerced in to watching a movie by mom and sis. Now I knew "Kaminey" was an 'A' rated movie. And I didn't want to be embarrassed watching the movie with family. But they'd already bought the tickets. And no one.. absolutely no one was free at that particular time to fill in for me. So I decided to tug along and watch the movie. It was a Vishal Bharadwaj film after all.

And let me tell you this.. 'Kaminey' is a once in a life-time movie. And I'm glad that I was forced in to that movie hall! Absolutely brilliant! Bharadwaj brings the Guy Ritchie/ Quentin Tarantino style of movie making- tuned to India(or more precisely Mumbai). Though the story is not really new... the treatment is as original as it can get. The writing for this movie is first class.

The story line from the outset is quite predictable... but Bharadwaj keeps you glued to your seats with the pace, twists and turns. The characters don't mouth long tardy dialogues... it's very galli lingo. The entire look and feel of the movie is very earthy and you know that if there were characters like these in real-life, then that's exactly how they'd behave. The humour is dark and intelligent.... the movie goer who enjoys the brainless comedies Hindi movies are famous for will not enjoy this. 'Kaminey' requires, or rather demands, your attention for the complete 2 hours+.


The script is just so well written and so tight, it's unbelievable for an Indian movie! There have been a few good movies that have come out in recent years. But this movie is not parallel cinema. It is basic Hindi movie 'formulaic' fare complete with looove ishtory, judwaa bhais, draamaa, emosion and real 'kaminey' villains...all building up to a climax... but the film still holds despite it's predictability... and that's the beauty of it.

Each one of the ensemble cast- from the corrupt policemen(lolo and lebe), to the politician-don(bhopu!), to the full-time don(tashi- tashi the greeat!), are just wonderfully sketched out and each actor does full justice to his role. The performances of each of the actors are just out-standing and that's what really brings the movie alive. Shahid Kapur(as Guddu and Charlie) is fantastic. The character of Charlie and his trademark lisping of 'f' for 's' is just tremendous. The character impacted us all so much that we were all lisping for 2 days straight. :). Priyanka Chopra(Sweety) is brilliant. She plays and aggro-Marathi babe with such flair (The scene in which she shoots her machine gun in the climax is one of my favourites in the movie). My personal favourites were the guys who played Mikhail and Tashi- killer dudes.. with killer attitudes to boot! : )

And special mention must be made of 'Dhan-te-nan'. The energy in the movie builds up to a crescendo and the song fulfills the requirement as an outlet for all that pent up energy. It moves you and pulls you in to the movie.

I thoroughly enjoyed the movie and I 'fuggeft' that you 'fhould' watch it. I'll be happy to read your commentf on it. ;)

Slumdog's day out!

Ya, tonight is the big night- Oscar night. And if they don't give the oscar to slumdog I think the Indian Media will declare war on the Academy of Motion Pictures.
Lots has been written about the story and what it represents. And the hype has been how this is really a recognition of India's talent in film making. Fine there is a Brit director, but the cast, crew and most importantly "the flavour" is without doubt Indian. But is it the best of what we have to offer? Anil Kapoor and Irffan Khan are no doubt two of the finest actors we've produced. But the movie itself? I mean it could so easily have been a regular multiplex movie. It's got the feel of a multiplex movie. It's fresh and takes a look at the done to death underdog story from the perspective of a game show. I saw the movie and I liked it. But it's in no way a great movie. I didn't go WOW when it got over. Even the much talked about music theme is not the best I've heard from A.R.Rahman.
So if this movie does go on to win the Oscar(s) it will definitely demolish one of those long standing myths that the West sets the standard when it comes to quality cinema.
The Oscar is no doubt the most prestigious symbol of the most powerful movie industry in the world. But today is the day I think we ought to realize that they have the money and nothing else. I see a window of opporunity there for the others to make quality cinema, market it well and do global business.
And Indian Movie Makers (yes, including you Mr Aamir Khan) shouldn't be going around running after the Oscars. We don't need them to tell us what a good movie is. We've known it for ourselves all along.