Musical Madness: On Repeat

I'm back by popular demand! (I have always wanted to say that and it's actually true!)

I'm going to try out a new post titled "On Repeat" a.k.a what's on repeat on my iPod these days (Indian music-wise of course). *This post is dedicated to my music-soul-mate-of-a-cousin* (You know who you are). The list as follows, in no particular order, and why:

1) Song: Mehngai Dayain. Film: Peepli [Live]. Singer/Directors: Raghubir Yadav, Bhadwai Village Mandali and Brij Mandal & Bhawai. Why I love it: It's as authentic of a folk track you'll find in a Hindi film. It's raw and real, not to mention actor Raghubir Yadav sings himself. Also, the group jammed out to it on Indian Idol last week and Aamir Khan played the drums and it made me go "hai." Watch for yourself

2) Song: Munni Badnam Hui. Film: Dabangg. Singers/Director: Mamta Sharma, Aishwarya & Sajid-Wajid Why I love it: Well first off, look at that title, how do you not giggle with delight? (Er, the closest translation I can come up with is "Baby girl was defamed.") I assure you the lyrics get even funnier. Secondly, it's just a fun song full of zest and energy. No annoying English rapping portions, just a very celebratory song. Also, after watching the promo I fell even more in love (which rarely happens) cause it's picturized on India's hottest MILF, Malaika Arora Khan and dare I say it, Salman Khan reminds me of old Sallu in it. A few things to note: A) Is the whole Bhabi-Devar (sister-in-law/bro-in-law) dynamic awkward? B) Doesn't it look like Sonu Sood has Tourette's @1:00 min. mark? C) Malaika is so hot! If I look and can dance even 50% like that after two kids in my thirties I will be beyond joyous.



3) Song: Pee Loon. Film: Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. Singers/Directors: Mohit Chauhan and Pritam. Why I love it: Pritam and Mohit work really well in tandem and didn't fail to deliver this time either. It's sooooo romantic. Mohit voice is so suave and the music accompanies the feel perfectly. It's got a very My Name is Khan feel to it, which I loved and I enjoy the picturization of this too. Well, minus Emraan Hashmi. My mom always says he gets the best songs and it's so (annoyingly) true! But how cute is Bani?! I mean... Prachi Desai. Also love the homage to Bobby, but not so much the naked Emraan. GAG. Check it:



4) Song: Lehrein. Film: Aisha Singer(s)/Director: Anusha Mani, Neuman Pinto, Nikhil D'Souza and Amit Trivedi. Why I love it: A peaceful, contemporary number that you listen to in seclusion late at night.

5) Song: Aankhon Mein Neendein. Film: We Are Family. Singer(s)/Director(s): Shreya Ghoshal, Rahat Fateh Ali and Shankar Ehsaan Loy Why I love it: Because Shreya Ghoshal sings it. Because Rahat Fateh Ali sings it. Because there's a sargam. Because Shreya and Rahat sing a sargam. Yep.

6) Song: Tere Mast Mast Do Nain. Film: Dabangg. Singer(s)/Director(s): Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal and Sajid-Wajid. Why I love it: Omggg I can't explain how awesome this song is. Totally a romantic number, love the beat, not an ounce of Western influence. Rahat touches your soul and it's just composed beautifully.

7) Song: Gal Meethi Meethi Bol (The Bombay Bounce Dhol Mix. Film: Aisha. Singer(s)/Director(s): Tochi Raina, Amit Trivedi Why I love it: Okay, first off I usually hate when the films remix the song itself it's usually just a lot of unnecessary bass and kill the beauty of the song, but this remix does otherwise. It actually enhances. A fun wedding-esque song and the use of the dhol is perfect and consistent throughout without drowning out the original song.

8) Song: Humka Peeni Hai. Film: Dabangg Singer(s)/Director(s): Wajid, Shabab Sabri, Master Salim and Sajid-Wajid Why I love it: It's full of masti for lack of better word. It's soo fun! You can't find yourself not tapping your foot to it. The dholak beats are perfect and the harmonium just adds to the festive mood. Master Salim's voice is used awesomely in this. I particularly love the interlude that kicks in at 2:52-3:19.

9) Song: Behke Behke. Film: Aisha Singer(s)/Director(s): Anushka Manchanda, Raman Mahadevan, Samrat Kaushal and Amit Trivedi. Why I love it: It has the Spanish flavor which I usually find annoying in Hindi songs, but Amit Trivedi sprinkles his magic and adds an awesome beat. Anushka Manchanda does full justice to the sultriness of the song. A full on Amit Trivedi-esque song. I'm even willing to forget the line "...everyone knows you's a cutie..." oh God. I heard this is picturized awesomely too.

10) The rest of the Dabangg Soundtrack. The entire thing is so good! Full on Bollywood fun while keeping modern Bollywood music in mind. Sajid-Wajid are quickly becoming my favorite music director duo. They gave us the song "Jalwa", the Partner Soundtrack, the Veer soundtrack and now the Dabangg soundtrack. By the way, I can't believe their names rhyme. It's like when aunties are speaking and they randomly rhyme a word i.e: "table shable", "door shoor," etc.

Promos, Trailers and Friends

THE AISHA TRAILER! Watch, then we'll talk:



Definitely feeling it. Looks like a chick flick, not the kind you watch and forget about two hours later, but the memorable kind. You know?

Abhay Deol makes me drool.

Promos, Trailers and Friends

It's here!! The first look of AISHA has finally dropped. I have been waiting and waiting to see what direction they were going to take the film and ohmahgah, in spite of my sky high expectations, I'm not in the least disappointed! (Btw, if you're wondering who/what/where/when Aisha is... remind yourself here.)









HOW CAN YOU NOT LOVE THE FIRST PICTURE? It's sooo fitting for the character. The second looks like a magazine spread-- very chic/elegant which, again, is fitting. Abhay Deol looks so very dapper in the last picture.

There's only a few in Bollywood who can carry off the fashion required for this film, but Sonam obviously fits the bill so I loved that she's casted in this. I don't think I have ever anticipated a Hindi film for its clothes, but I deffo am for Aisha. Let's hope they get it right, which according to these stills they are. As anxious as I am to catch whatever glimpse I can, I hope they keep the promos minimal so that the movie remains an enigma until its release.

Forthcoming Films

Okie Dokie Smokie.

Vere to begin?

Let me start with movies that have been talked about for a while:

*AISHA: Directed by Rajshree Ojha, starring Sonam Kapoor & Abhay Deol (hello, lovely combo), and Ira Dubey (Lilette Dubey's daughter), produced by daddy dearest Anil Kapoor and sister dearest Rhea Kapoor. The music is composed by Amit Trivedi (think Amir & Dev D.... disappointing? I think not.) It's expected to release in early 2010. The film is based on Jane Austen's Emma and if you haven't read that then think 'Clueless'- A young socialite who is obsesed with hooking people up. In Aisha, Sonam plays a Delhi socialite obsessed with match-making. Who better than Sonam to play that role? Seriously. I can't wait to see her clothes. Here's a picture of her on the sets of Aisha enjoying, what looks to be, gelato. I wish I could pull off blue linen shorts like her... alas, we're not all fierce fashionistas:



So... it's really hard not to be excited for this film, but I always do this to myself. I need to stop having any sort of expectations!

Next up we have yet another Sonam Kapoor starrer (hollaaa) and Imran Khan starrer (double hollaa) titled "I HATE LOVE STORIES" (though I've read "Luv" instead of "love" in some places. God help me, I hope it's not true!)The movie is directed by Bwood's favorite designer, Manish Malhotra's brother Punit Malhotra and produced by... any guesses? Dharma Productions. Surprise surprise. The film just started shooting this past October and not sure about a release date. Oh and Brazilian hottie, Bruna Abdullah, is to make a cameo in the film. Don't get confused, this isn't Gisele the Brazilian Hottie from Love Aaj Kal. Anyway, that's all we know for now. I'll keep you updated :)

Another KJo venture is the remake of Stepmom! We don't know the name yet, but I highly doubt it's "Sauteli Ma" except I wish it were 'cause that would be hilarious. I'm pretty sure I read somewhere that he got the rights to remake the film, but I'm not 100% sure. The film isn't directed by the man himself, though it is a Dharma Productions venture. It is directed by his protege Siddharth Malhotra. Damn, this Dharma camp is growing huuuuge. Is it even exclusive anymore? Any how since you're dying to know, the film stars Kajol, Kareena Kapoor and Arjun Rampal. Eee, I see no flaws. Last time we saw the two leading ladies together was in K3G... oh how things have changed (mostly for Kareena):

I'm not done talking about Dharma Productions. Next we've got DOSTANA 2! Which, unfortunately, does NOT star Priyanka Chopra. Everyone, including her, keeps saying it's because she's happily married in the first one. So? Are married people not allowed in films? What is this injustice. So guess who they roped in to replace her? Katrina Kaif. I guess there's no such thing as overexposure for this one. Just kidding, that's something no Bwood star should believe in (except Amitabh Bachchan, OMG tone it down a notch already).

Okay so since we're on the topic of sequels... DON 2 is, in fact, going to be made. Same director, same hero, same heroine (I hope this is true, because I remember hearing she may not be in it), I hope Isha Koppikar-Narang. stars in the sequel too. They were supposed to start shooting in Berlin this coming April so the movie could be a Diwali release, but looks like they'll start shooting in September. Oi ve, that is too far off.

Yet another sequel which is technically a trilogy... KRRISH 2! There are only two things I can confirm for you, the rest are rumors. So here are the two facts: Papa Roshan will be directing the film and Hrithik will, obviously, be the star. Now for all the rumors. There have been murmurs that Deepika Padukone will star opposite of Hrithik. Now normally I wouldn't approve this. Replacing Priyanka? God forbid (and I am still a litte miffed), but maybe this movie will help Deepika. She's definitely at the same stage Priyanka was when she starred in Krrish, no? Rumor number two. I have read here and there that SRK may be playing the role of a villain. OMG... I love evil Shahrukh! It's so old school early '90s. Except, I'm kind of sad because Naseerudin Shah did a PHENOMENAL job in Krrish. Seriously, I felt like he didn't get enough credit for it.

And from one Hrithik starrer to another. It is reported that he will be starring in Zoya Akhtar's next... untitled venture along with Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol. I can't wait to hear more about this.

Looks like Hrithik saab is working over time these days because he is also set to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's all English film GUZAARISH with Aishwarya Rai. Aaah, all-English? Last time SLB had Aish speak in English we got this

Uhh... I remember thinking how that beautifully crafted movie was suddenly tainted by those few Angrezi lines. Okay, I'm being a snob. I'm sure it'll be done well. It's not like Hindi-cinema hasn't done all-English films before. [Oh also, I forgot to mention in my earlier post, but Delhi Belly is an all-English film too.] Rumor has it the leading two are to sing a song for the film. It's a pretty well known fact that Aish has a beautiful voice (Yes, hi, do you have any flaws?) it'll be interesting to hear Hrithik... assuming this is true.

Another Sanjay Leela Bhansali venture is CHENAB GANDHI. It is to be directed by Vibhu Puri, SLB's assistant director while the movie will produced by SLB himself. The film stars Rajeev Khandelwal, Amitabh Bachchan and Vidya Balan. What was that? Ah, yes that she's perfect for these rustic-period film roles. Chenab Gandhi is about the true story of a pashtun freedom fighter, Khan Abdul Ghaffar Khan. He shared many of the same ideas as Gandhi, such as promoting non-violence and he was also against the partition of India. John Abraham was to play the role (because he looks more the part) but failed the screen test. Sad. Rajeev is a talented guy, I think this movie will help unveil what a talented actor he is.

Alright, last two. Both are Farah Khan ventures. One stars SRK while the other stars Akshay Kumar. The Akki starrer is titled "TEES MAAR KHAAR." Katrina is to star opposite Akshay. What a cop out, Farah Khan. I would expect something original from you. That's about all I can find out about this movie oh and that it was, basically, blasphemous she didn't cast SRK instead. That's okay though because she has him casted in her other upcoming film HAPPY NEW YEAR (my God, that title makes me gag). It's set to start shooting in 2011. Lord, why do we know about it so far in advanced? I hope the title changes sometime in the next year.

OMG, that is all for now... there are two movies I haven't mentioned, but I'm too lazy. Dobi Ghat and Crooked. Watch out for more updates on those plus the films mentioned above. I will be surprised if you read this entire thing!!

Btw, on a non-Bolly and a more Hollywood note, The Hangover 2 is currently being scripted. What IS it with all these sequels?

[Photo Source: High Heel Confidential]