Ms. Elaine Eyus (Miscellaneous)

The other day I finally got around to listening to Rajneeti songs. I totally wasn't anticipating the soundtrack or anything because based off the promos I thought, "enh... will it even have a soundtrack?" I, unfaithfully (to Bollywood), didn't bother to check the music director(s) or anything. Lucky for me, I caught a song promo on B4U and I'm glad I did. The music is surprisingly good so you should definitely check it out. But that's not why I'm posting. It's something I saw in the video that caused this post. Barkha Bisht has/had an item number in the film! Barkha = a television actress, a fabulous dancer and a killer body. I call her "The Shilpa Shetty of Tellywood" in my head.

Is it becoming a trend to feature television actresses/models in item songs? Remember Gauhar Khan's featured in Once Upon a Time in Mumbai? I don't mind at all. If you haven't figured out by now, I'm on a crusade to bring back quality female dancing in Bollywood (a pent up rant I've been saving to post) and I've always said TV actresses are better than film actresses. Shama Sikandar also has a dance number in the upcoming comedy, Kushti.

Here's Barkha's item from Rajneeti (sorry for the poor quality this was the best I could find):



The only complaint I have about all of this is the song doesn't match the OVERDONE club scene. It does, but it doesn't. There was so much potential to run with this and do a ghagra-wearing tumka dance, but of course... we must feature a club scene. It probably doesn't even work into the story line, but we still should do it because that's what India loves. Ugh, SO OVER IT! Okay, in their defense, I'm sure a ghagra-wearing tumka dance didn't work into the story either... but still! Anyhow, I hear this entire song was cut from the film. Someone clarify?

Shama Sikander's item number for Kushti:



They got everything right except for that horrifically annoying voice. I know it's supposed to be a rustic-folk feel, but they failed and it kills the entire song. What a shame. Isn't it sooooo refreshing to see a dancer who can complete her moves?! Ah. I'm glad she's sticking to item numbers though and not dipping into the acting pool anymore 'cause that was a train wreck.

I've been a fan of Shama and Barkha's dancing, an extreme fan of Gauhar's dancing but I'm an absolute die-hard fan when it comes to Mouni Roy's moves. Glad 3/4 have been featured. Now someone give Mouni a beautiful mujra number for us to marvel over!

Promos, Trailers and Friends

I Hate Luv Storys:



Ohhh how typical. How Bollywood. How Dharma Productions. Am I complaining? Nope! Oh wait, I do have one thing to complain about...THE SPELLING OF THE TITLE. The creators of these films are educated people, they know it's incorrect so is it all the superstitious stuff? I don't know, but I hate it... more than Imran Khan's character hates 'luv storys.' Oh gag me. Dumb down the youth a little more, why don't you. Sigh. On a brighter note, I think it is totally refreshing seeing Sonam and Imran in these roles... especially Sonam. So far we've only seen her in marvelous desi attire on screen or in marvelous high fashion off screen so seeing her in casual clothes is a welcome change. I look forward to this film (as I do to pretty much every movie it seems) 'cause who doesn't love a good ol' Bollywood flick? Not to mention I have a sneaky suspicion they're going to spoof a lot of K Jo's flicks so that will be fun to see.

Raavan Theatrical Trailer



OH MY GOD that very last shot with Abhi is just psychotic in a good way... if that even makes sense. Oh and confession... I think I might be an Aishwarya fan again because I got excited seeing her in the trailer. Anyway, there are a few song promos up as well click here to watch!

While we're here talking about the magnificent man who brought A. R. Rahman to the Hindi Film Industry which in turn into our livesv(Mani Ratnam), can I just go ahead and tell you about this movie of his I stumbled across the other day? It was an old '80s Tamil film (dubbed in Hindi) titled "Anjali." It's about how a family/community deals with having a mentally handicapped four year old girl in their lives. Holy cow, it was such a real film which made it a feel good film as well. The kids in it were unbelievably talented actors so I wasn't surprised to find that they had won National Awards for Best Child Artiste. The movie also won for best regional film. It's not shocking to see he dealt with a film like this so beautifully because 'real issues', per se, are his forte-- which makes me curious to see how he'll play out Raavan since it's based on mythology. Anyway, this is my two-decades-later PR for the movie so if you ever happen to see it on (I caught it on Z Cine) or are looking for a good watch... watch it.

Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Theatrical Trailer:



Okay, not the biggest Ajay fan (slay me). I kind of really despise Emraan-- though I am guilty of enjoying some of his films. Feel indifferent towards Kangana (she's talented, I know but so type-casted) and Prachi is adorable, hasn't disappointed, but still needs to prove herself. Basically what I'm saying is that this film has a lot of things going against it, for me personally, but then I watched this trailer... and I'm totally feelin' it? I love the '70s feel, the '70s drama, the '70s gang wars. It all seems very 'blow' esque. I think I could like this and if anything I'll watch 'cause the gorgeous Gauhar Khan has an item number, holla! This excites me not only cause I'm a fan of her's but because that means there will be some very legit. dancing... assuming Saroj Khan's laadla son, Raju Khan does justice to her (Gauhar's) talent. Judging from the trailer I'm guessing it's a cabaret number... meh, not the biggest cabaret fan but at least it's something.

Promos, Trailers and Friends

A couple of weeks ago we got a glimpse of Ranbir Kapoor's much awaited Rocket Singh-Salesman of the Year which is to be released on December 11th. The film is directed by Shimit Amin (of Chak De India fame), written by Jaideep Sahni, produced by Aditya Chopra and the music's by Salim-Suleiman. The movie stars Ranbir Kapoor (and people are claiming it's going to be his best role yet)Shazahn Padamsee, daughter of famed Alyque Padamasee (famous Indian-theater personality), Sharon Prabhakar, also a theater personality, a pop singer and co-star Shazahn's mummy-dearest and BEST OF ALL GAUHAR KHAN aka the love of my life. Gauhar is a model, sister of famous TV personality Nigaar Khan but probably most famous for being a contestant in Jhalak Dikhlaja (she placed second, though we all know she deserved first!).

Of course we can't have a hyped upcoming movie without a side dish of gossip so here's what's the latest for this film. Well, to be honest, whoever is doing the PR work isn't really generating anything interesting except that Shazahn and Gauhar are at loggerheads (did I use that properly?) over who plays the 'lead' actress. The film doesn't even call for a lead actress. Shazahn is opposite of Ranbir, but only shot for four days whereas Gauhar's role called for a four-month shoot. I hope somewhere in that shoot Gauhar got a badass dance number, though it's not likely.

Anyway, here is a theatrical trailer which released some time ago and a promo that released this past week. Enjoy!

The ending is so hilarious/cute.

I get a very "Jame Raho" from Taare Zameen Par feeling with the whole 'always on the run' angle.

Doesn 't Ranbir as a sardar ji look amazing? I'm a sucker for facial hair, maybe that's why.

Next we have Chance Pe Dance starring Shahid Kapoor and Genelia D'Souza, directed by Ken Ghosh (no wonder Shahid's in this film), produced by Ronnie Screwala, music by Adnan Sami, Sandeep Shirodkar and Ken Ghosh himself. It's expected to release on Jan. 15th. It's about the struggle to become a famous actor. Not in a 'Luck By Chance' sort of way but in a typical fun unrealistic Bollywood sort of way. I hope we get to see a lot of dancing Shahid and spared the horror of a dancing Genelia. Just check out the trailer (came out a few weeks ago so you may have already caught it):