Wednesday, December 31, 2008
'RETURN OF HANUMAN' FILM STORY
Two years after the release of the successful animated Hanuman, the producers, Percept Picture Company, bring to you Return of Hanuman, which for reasons unknown, they choose not to call as the sequel of the original!One fine day in heaven, Lord Hanuman requests Narad Muni to persuade Lord Brahma to allow him to go to earth, so that he can play football with the mortal children! Eventually Lord Brahma agrees, but not before setting down certain do's and don'ts. Hanuman then takes birth in a small village in a priest's house. Wonder of wonders the child has a little tail and he is named as Maruti! He soon starts going to school, which also marks the start of his adventures with his new timid friend, Minku.Written and directed by Anurag Kashyap, the film is an engaging fare. He does manage to give the plot an interesting twist and tries to make a superhero character of Hanuman! The characters speak in Hinglish and also in the voice of popular actors like Shah Rukh Khan, Sanjeev Kumar, Raaj Kumar and believe it or not Gabbar Singh! There is also a tribute to the bullet sequence from Matrix. A similar tribute has been seen earlier in "Main Hoon Naa"! As in all superhero stories and also all mythological stories, this one is also essentially about the victory of good over evil.
The film falters on the script level though. The film is a little less than two hours, but it still drags! One feels that the second half is too long, but then there is the climax, which seems never ending! Some of the exploits of little Maruti, in fact seem repetitive. The animation though good compared to the other animation films released so far, it still is miles away from being called "good" animation. Eventually the film is aimed at children…those children to whom animation is what they see on TV…the international channels. And this one is nowhere even close! Time to buckle up for the Indian animation film makers, as being a novelty will not help time and again.This one is aimed at the kiddies and they are bound to have a good time.
'SHOWBIZ' FILM STORY
After choreographing over a hundred films, Raju Khan makes his debut as a director with Showbiz, by giving tribute to/seeking inspiration from, director Paul Abascal's Paparazzi!Rohan Arya (Tushar Jalota) is a rising star. Four journalists forever hound him, which makes life miserable for him. Also, Rohan is desperately searching for a prostitute by the name of Tara. Eventually when he does find her, the paparazzi, on the lookout for a scoop, chase them. The wild chase leads to an accident, which results in Tara ending up in a coma. Now Rohan wants revenge against the journalists.This is an ideal example of an interesting plot gone wrong by bad direction (Raju Khan) and bad writing (Raju Khan and Mudassar Aziz). The film is tacky in all possible technical aspects also. Lalit Pandit's music is very disappointing, considering that music has always been a strong point in films produced by the Bhatts.Tushar Jalota makes his debut as the leading actor in this film and is strictly average. Mrunalini Sharma, who debuted in Aawarapan, has exactly three expressions, which she tries to use whenever required. Sushant Singh and Amin Hajee as the journalists do an average job. Gulshan Grover, Saurabh Shukla, Sachin Khedekar, Ehsaan Khan and Delnaaz Paul comprise the rest of the supporting cast.It appears that the producers, Vishesh Films (Mukesh and Mahesh Bhatt) were aware that they had created a shoddy product and hence decided to go for a low-key release.DEV D. THE FILM
Tauba tera jalwaTauba tera pyaarTera emotional atyachaar
YES IT IS, but before we move on to that, allow me to inflict upon thee some “emotional atyachaar“!
Love it or hate it, No Smoking has been one of the most discussed and debated film all over the blogosphere for the last one year, and continues to be so and Anurag Kashyap is here to stay. And if the trailer of his latest film is anything to go by, the stay is going to be a rocking affair for film buffs around India.
DEV.D, based on characters from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic Devdas is as far detached from the book as the characters are from sainthood. In Anurag Kashyap’s own words he has used Devdas as an adjective and not as a work of literature or cinema; it’s a look at relationships through the phenomenon that is Devdas.
Abhay Deol, who also came up with the idea for the story takes the role of Dev.D, a smart-talking, cocaine-sniffing alcoholic. His two muses in the film, played by the debutants Mahi Gill as Paro and Kalki as Chanda along with a host of new characters that is to be introduced in the film.
The other high point of the film being the music by Amit Trivedi, the man behind the music of Aamir. He deserved every bit of praise bestowed on him by the critics for the music of Aamir, and if the music in the trailer is any indication he is going to surpass his previous venture by miles this time. the album consisting of 15 songs including a couple of Punjabi tracks, a romantic Rajasthani folk track and even an Awadhi number is going to be an experience to savor, but more on that when the music releases.
The 2mins 25 sec long trailer takes us to Kashyap’s dystopian world giving us random glimpses of Dev (looking stoned, distraught, devastated and occasionally bored), along with the introduction of the two main characters Chanda and Paro. A feel of Tarantino being merged with Punjab, a Desi feel with an international ‘texture’ underneath it.
Anyways, enough bug-bug for now. Presenting to you- the trailer of DEV.D. Enjoy, and have a psychedelic orgasm!
YES IT IS, but before we move on to that, allow me to inflict upon thee some “emotional atyachaar“!
Love it or hate it, No Smoking has been one of the most discussed and debated film all over the blogosphere for the last one year, and continues to be so and Anurag Kashyap is here to stay. And if the trailer of his latest film is anything to go by, the stay is going to be a rocking affair for film buffs around India.
DEV.D, based on characters from Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s classic Devdas is as far detached from the book as the characters are from sainthood. In Anurag Kashyap’s own words he has used Devdas as an adjective and not as a work of literature or cinema; it’s a look at relationships through the phenomenon that is Devdas.
Abhay Deol, who also came up with the idea for the story takes the role of Dev.D, a smart-talking, cocaine-sniffing alcoholic. His two muses in the film, played by the debutants Mahi Gill as Paro and Kalki as Chanda along with a host of new characters that is to be introduced in the film.
The other high point of the film being the music by Amit Trivedi, the man behind the music of Aamir. He deserved every bit of praise bestowed on him by the critics for the music of Aamir, and if the music in the trailer is any indication he is going to surpass his previous venture by miles this time. the album consisting of 15 songs including a couple of Punjabi tracks, a romantic Rajasthani folk track and even an Awadhi number is going to be an experience to savor, but more on that when the music releases.
The 2mins 25 sec long trailer takes us to Kashyap’s dystopian world giving us random glimpses of Dev (looking stoned, distraught, devastated and occasionally bored), along with the introduction of the two main characters Chanda and Paro. A feel of Tarantino being merged with Punjab, a Desi feel with an international ‘texture’ underneath it.
Anyways, enough bug-bug for now. Presenting to you- the trailer of DEV.D. Enjoy, and have a psychedelic orgasm!
SEXY JOHHNY
Cheer up girls! Now is the stripping season for Bollywood hunks. For long, Bollywood actresses have used their weapon of skin baring to make their way to success. Now, it is Bollywood males who are entering into the dare-bare territory.John Abraham had stripped down to the barest minimum on the beach in “Dostana”. Now, reports say that he has bared it all for a torture scene in his next film “New York”.
The scene in question is for a prison for director Kabir Khan’s flick which narrates the tale of friendship and terrorism.
Earlier, Kunal Kapoor in “Rang De Basanti” and Ranbir Kapoor in “Saawariya” did bare-back scenes that were deleted when the films opened. But John’s nude scene is set to remain in “New York”, which is slated for a January release.
Said a source close to the project: “It’s a prison sequence in the US where John, who is suspected to be a terrorist, is denuded of all dignity. This is how they break your spirit in an American prison when they want you to confess to being a terrorist.
“They make you eat, sleep, urinate and defecate in the same room. Then they begin to strip your dignity down… until you are left in the cold, dingy cell completely naked. John had to enact this sequence.”
NEW BABY BACHCHAN?
We all know that many are waiting with bated breath for the Bachchan baby.Looks like the hopes and dreams of fans and the family in particular will be coming true soon.
According to numerology, Ash is going to be a mummy soon.
Reportedly a famous astrologer has said that good news can be expected from Ash soon. His numerology calculations show that year 2009 will bring lots of happiness in Ash and Abhi’s life in the form of their child.
He says that the Bachchan bahu is ruled by No.1 (Sun ), No.9 (Mars Negative – Scorpio ) & No. 5 (Mercury – 1 + 1 + 1 + 1 + 9 + 7 + 3 = 23 = 5 ) which is a strong indication of ‘mangal’ in her birth chart.
He says that this year she should keep a balance between her professional and personal life or she may land in trouble. She should wear a red coral as this will keep her blood pressure under control. But there is a bright chance for her to be pregnant.
Abhishek and Aishwarya have married for more than a year and a half. It seems to be a happy marriage and though controversy of Ash being pregnant has hit the headlines many times, it has been discovered to be a rumor.
But this time, chances are a new member will be added to the family soon.
That way, 2009 should be an even better year for Ash personally and professionally. -
SAIF WITH KAREENA on HOLIDAY
Kareena and Saif have been linked together for quite some time now; it seems the two got close during the shooting schedule of Tashan in Ladakh. In fact there have been rumours that Kareena and long time boyfriend Shahid have split due to Kareena and Saif’s closeness . Kareena and Saif though hardly seem concerned about all the gossip and continue to be spotted together around the city. Kareena even brought in her birthday with Saif and a few close friends. Saif Ali Khan had been hospitalized in Leelavati hospital on Christmas eve owing to a stomach upset, but now he is well on the way to recovery. Speaking from his hospital bed at Leelavati hospital on Dec 26, Saif said, “I’m almost recovered now. I’m going home today (27 Jan). It was nothing, really.I returned from Philadelphia from the shooting of Rensil d’Silva’s film on 23rd night. And since I was missing all the Mumbai ka khana, I gorged indiscriminately on local junk food, sev puri bhelpuri, paani puri….puri ki puri fauj went into my stomach.” Saif claims it was nothing serious and he is going for a holiday with Kareena as pre-planned. She said, “It was gastroenteritis. Yes, I’ve been in hospital twice in the recent past. Once it was just an appendicitis. And the other time it was far more serious. After going through what I did the last time I’m hardly going to get scared by a little stomach infection.” He added, “Actually it’s much less scary than it looks. I’ve got a drip coming out of my hand, so that makes it look kind of serious. But it’s nothing. I’m fine. Just a little sleepy. In fact Kareena and I are going on our holiday to the mountains as planned.”
TODAY'S HOT
Aamir Khan Supercedes
Ghazini has similarities with many films like Memento, Jhootha Kahin Ka and Pasand Apni Apni etc, but does it reduce the intensity of hard work Aamir Khan needed to put in the character, he has played?Had his job become easy because scenes or ideas have been taken from above mentioned films?
Sholay is said to be inspired by many films (Hindi and Western) but does this reduce the impact of the film?
Satte Pe Satta’s first half had similarities with Seven brides for seven brothers but did those similarities reduce the quality of Satte Pe Satta or stop audiences of Hindi cinema to enjoy the film?
No. Satte Pe Satta was a hit film and people have been enjoying the film since last 26 years.
Reason to like some films inspired by other films made in past has been only one and that is the conviction of makers and actors who have played the characters in them.
Films can not be copied as it can be done in print media, as there one does not need anything other than a photocopy machine.
In other forms of arts, one can try to make a replica but still he needs lots of efforts to match or excel the original creation.
When conviction of maker and actors is not present then these efforts, which get inspirations from some other sources, make bad products. There have been many such bad products in the past and there would be many such bad products in the future also.
If an Engineer is visiting a plant and he makes some notes in his mind about the size and shape of the equipments and vessels used in that plant and comes back and designs his own plant where he has taken help of his memory about the visit of that plant then it will be called his skills and not merely a copy.
There is one kind of love but there are thousands of imitations.
In the field of art a certain intellect and devotion is needed to make an inspired thing which looks in the end as creator’s own product. An idea can have inspiration from other sources but final product should scream that it belongs to this present creator.
Many of the Aamir Khan’s films have been inspired by other films but credit goes to Aamir Khan that once an audience is watching his films, he is devoid of this burden that he has seen such character in so and so film before because Aamir’s devotion in playing his characters is beyond any doubt.
Ghazini has many weaknesses but cinema is one such thing which works on its merits and where it continuously walks on the chest of weaknesses. Sholay’s story has shortcomings but audience is not allowed to fall for those shortcomings while one is watching it.
After watching Sholay, one can make notes of these shortcomings but if same audience watch again the Sholay, keeping in mind all those shortcomings, even then he will be lost in the visual story telling capability of the film. This is symbol of powerful cinema where audience has to accept the final film and acceptance means a love affair where one accepts other knowing very well that other may have certain shortcomings and in reality other is having shortcomings.
Shortcomings in a good film cease to bother while it is watched.
Sholay has that capacity where a long term relationship is established and its magic still affects the audience.
Ghazini does not contain 25% of that magic which Sholay has been having but Ghazini has power to make audience sitting on his seat and enjoying the film in the first time viewing.
Aamir Khan of Ghazini has that power that people will repeat the film only for his performance and his performance will be used as a reference whenever subject will be there to discuss the animal instinct shown by an actor on the screen in hindi cinema.
With Ghazini, actor Aamir Khan has been rejuvenated. He is revamped as an actor and his energies have been charged.
In TZP he had acted as a director also and hence there was a dilution in his personal performance. Character of DJ he played in RDB was repetitive and he had played such characters with good skills in the past in many of his films like Rangeela and DCH. His get ups might have changed but growth of an actor was halted at some level.
He had worked in Raakh as a curious actor who wanted to perform well and wanted to learn. That was a revenge drama. Sarfarosh will remain his one of the best performances and this was again a revenge drama. And now in Ghazini he again plays a character who has to take revenge of the murder of his lover.
Shahrukh Khan’s six packs were not needed in OSO. They became a marketing tool to promote the film.
Aamir’s body building in Ghazini will remain as a thing necessary for his character or which suits his character.
He was not playing a character on stage and he was facing the camera and one can not fool the camera. He had to use his expressionless eyes and face to portray a character who has been suffering from short term memory loss and he was successful in it.
He played this part very well and all those scenes where he is in confusion or where his character can not recall anything are very good and will provide a text book material for other actors of Hindi cinema.
For audience, who have watched films like Pasand Apni Apni and Jootha Kahin Ka, it had become clear after few initial scenes only between Aamir Khan, Asin and Tinu Anand that this track has been taken from those old films but credit has to be given to Aamir Khan and Asin that they did not make it looking like a stale dish which stinks and tastes bad.
At times it feels as if Asin is taking a resort in overacting but she overwhelms this idea because she does continuous efforts to perform and that matters for an actor.
Ghazini could be a slick thriller if shortcomings were reduced. Songs, clichés in the screenplay and very average performances from the actors who have played Inspector and Ghazini etc bring down the standard of the film but in first watch, audience may be hooked to see Aamir Khan’s performance and the presentation of the film and later he may make an opinion about good and bad things of the film.
After some time people may not remember the film but Aamir Khan will be remembered for his performance. An actor has to feel a curiosity about a character offered to him, he should feel energy and proud inside that a different character has been offered to him which he has not played before and he should feel a fear also inside whether he will be able to do the justice with the character or not.
Aamir’s performance gives witness in the favour of his capabilities as an actor. He has earned a reputation of being an actor who can increase effective area and can try many different characters.
Some years ago, I think Aamir Khan was visiting Pakistan for some purpose, Aamir Khan was asked to comment on Shahrukh Khan’s saying that he is the King or Badshah of Hindi cinema, and Aamir Khan had said that if SRK is a King then I am an ace (Shahrukh agar badshah hai to mein Ikka hun).
SRK of early 90s was an actor who was doing something different than Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were doing in the films like Dil and Saajan etc.
SRK was energetic and willing to do different things on screen and it was appreciated.One can see his hard work in a film like Ram Jane also.
Film will be known for SRK’s hard work in playing the character and Pankaj Kapur’s interesting portrayal of the character named as Techni-colour.
SRK’s never die attitude is so visible in that performance. He performs there in a way of a warrior or a player who has to do efforts inspite of knowing all his limitations and where one accepts the shortcomings but does not take impression of those weaknesses and fights or plays to win only. He may win or lose, it does not matter, what matters is the effort to perform.
SRK excelled in not so big films where there was not any expectation prior to their releases. DDLJ was not something special before its release. SRK of KHKN, Darr, Duplicate, Yes Boss, Maya Memsaab and even DDLJ was a surprise element and a pleasant performer but then he got this super stardom and though his films have been earning maximum revenue on box office, post DDLJ, but that old SRK has been burdened by this stardom. It seems makers who cast him remain under that burden and there is no free spirited performance anymore. He played very well his characters in KANK, Swades and few other films but none of his performance brought him a tag of a very good performance. They were repetitive somewhere and his box office power was utilized more than the desire to present him in something different and there was not a trial to extract out best from him.
At times he gives glimpses that perhaps now he can rejuvenate his actor also but he remains a performer who is performing within a defined boundary only. That freshness has been lost which is required to differentiate between two characters he plays in two different films.
RNBDJ may earn 100 Million Rupees or dollars but it has not added anything in his acting skills.
It was easy in the year, when Rangeela and DDLJ were released, to make a tie between Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan but in the year 2008 Aamir Khan has easily excelled in the role of Sanjay Singhania in Ghazini over SRK’s Suri or Raj of RNBDJ.
At times SRK (as Suri) looked like as if he was imitating Anil Kapur (in Ishwar), who himself was trying to do a mimicry act on Raj Kapoor’s some of the on screen traits. That energy for which SRK has been known for years was not visible in RNBDJ. That person, who had “never accept defeat and do efforts” attitude, was not seen in the film. He looked tired even in his disguised form of Raj also.
SRK did not look enjoying his own performance. An actor should give impression that he has enjoyed very much playing the character and then only actor looks fresh on screen.
A certain philosophy may work after RNBDJ but it does not bring an impression to the audiences who have been watching SRK since his Fauji days that it has added any feather in his cap as an actor.
It has even brought down expectations from him as an actor.
Super stars have their respective grips on the market so their films have to earn profit but for an actor genuine praise of his performance is also very important.
Ghazini as a film may not convince many audiences but expectations from Aamir Khan as an actor have been increased. There comes a faith on him that he can play difficult characters with conviction and if his non-conventional films also get commercial success then he will be remembered as someone who brought some changes in his era.
New and different things were expected from other member, Hritik Roshan, of super star club also after he had done Koi Mil Gaya and he has not disappointed in Jodha Akbar and those high expectations from him have not died.
Salman Khan’s stardom may still continue but he is not getting projects where he could be praised as an actor. In light scenes in Yuvraj he is fine but as soon as some difficult scene comes where he has to portray some deep emotions, he looks like a weak actor.
Saif Ali Khan has not delivered anything significant after Omkara.
Akshay Kumar has successfully proved that he can match the appeal of any super star on Box office but he also has to prove in near future that he can do something extra other than action and comedy.
Aamir Khan and Hritik Roshan both have made dent in the market of Shahrukh Khan as an actor. As a performer he and other super stars may still give blockbusters in coming future but Aamir and Hritik are asking for improvements in their acting skills and selection of characters also.
Aamir and Hritik too have to be selective regarding the types of films they have been doing. Overall quality of whole project also matters and not to mention that if Ghazini as a film had any match with Aamir Khan’s performance then it could have helped hindi cinema more and then hindi cinema could be developed further.
Ghazini has similarities with many films like Memento, Jhootha Kahin Ka and Pasand Apni Apni etc, but does it reduce the intensity of hard work Aamir Khan needed to put in the character, he has played?Had his job become easy because scenes or ideas have been taken from above mentioned films?
Sholay is said to be inspired by many films (Hindi and Western) but does this reduce the impact of the film?
Satte Pe Satta’s first half had similarities with Seven brides for seven brothers but did those similarities reduce the quality of Satte Pe Satta or stop audiences of Hindi cinema to enjoy the film?
No. Satte Pe Satta was a hit film and people have been enjoying the film since last 26 years.
Reason to like some films inspired by other films made in past has been only one and that is the conviction of makers and actors who have played the characters in them.
Films can not be copied as it can be done in print media, as there one does not need anything other than a photocopy machine.
In other forms of arts, one can try to make a replica but still he needs lots of efforts to match or excel the original creation.
When conviction of maker and actors is not present then these efforts, which get inspirations from some other sources, make bad products. There have been many such bad products in the past and there would be many such bad products in the future also.
If an Engineer is visiting a plant and he makes some notes in his mind about the size and shape of the equipments and vessels used in that plant and comes back and designs his own plant where he has taken help of his memory about the visit of that plant then it will be called his skills and not merely a copy.
There is one kind of love but there are thousands of imitations.
In the field of art a certain intellect and devotion is needed to make an inspired thing which looks in the end as creator’s own product. An idea can have inspiration from other sources but final product should scream that it belongs to this present creator.
Many of the Aamir Khan’s films have been inspired by other films but credit goes to Aamir Khan that once an audience is watching his films, he is devoid of this burden that he has seen such character in so and so film before because Aamir’s devotion in playing his characters is beyond any doubt.
Ghazini has many weaknesses but cinema is one such thing which works on its merits and where it continuously walks on the chest of weaknesses. Sholay’s story has shortcomings but audience is not allowed to fall for those shortcomings while one is watching it.
After watching Sholay, one can make notes of these shortcomings but if same audience watch again the Sholay, keeping in mind all those shortcomings, even then he will be lost in the visual story telling capability of the film. This is symbol of powerful cinema where audience has to accept the final film and acceptance means a love affair where one accepts other knowing very well that other may have certain shortcomings and in reality other is having shortcomings.
Shortcomings in a good film cease to bother while it is watched.
Sholay has that capacity where a long term relationship is established and its magic still affects the audience.
Ghazini does not contain 25% of that magic which Sholay has been having but Ghazini has power to make audience sitting on his seat and enjoying the film in the first time viewing.
Aamir Khan of Ghazini has that power that people will repeat the film only for his performance and his performance will be used as a reference whenever subject will be there to discuss the animal instinct shown by an actor on the screen in hindi cinema.
With Ghazini, actor Aamir Khan has been rejuvenated. He is revamped as an actor and his energies have been charged.
In TZP he had acted as a director also and hence there was a dilution in his personal performance. Character of DJ he played in RDB was repetitive and he had played such characters with good skills in the past in many of his films like Rangeela and DCH. His get ups might have changed but growth of an actor was halted at some level.
He had worked in Raakh as a curious actor who wanted to perform well and wanted to learn. That was a revenge drama. Sarfarosh will remain his one of the best performances and this was again a revenge drama. And now in Ghazini he again plays a character who has to take revenge of the murder of his lover.
Shahrukh Khan’s six packs were not needed in OSO. They became a marketing tool to promote the film.
Aamir’s body building in Ghazini will remain as a thing necessary for his character or which suits his character.
He was not playing a character on stage and he was facing the camera and one can not fool the camera. He had to use his expressionless eyes and face to portray a character who has been suffering from short term memory loss and he was successful in it.
He played this part very well and all those scenes where he is in confusion or where his character can not recall anything are very good and will provide a text book material for other actors of Hindi cinema.
For audience, who have watched films like Pasand Apni Apni and Jootha Kahin Ka, it had become clear after few initial scenes only between Aamir Khan, Asin and Tinu Anand that this track has been taken from those old films but credit has to be given to Aamir Khan and Asin that they did not make it looking like a stale dish which stinks and tastes bad.
At times it feels as if Asin is taking a resort in overacting but she overwhelms this idea because she does continuous efforts to perform and that matters for an actor.
Ghazini could be a slick thriller if shortcomings were reduced. Songs, clichés in the screenplay and very average performances from the actors who have played Inspector and Ghazini etc bring down the standard of the film but in first watch, audience may be hooked to see Aamir Khan’s performance and the presentation of the film and later he may make an opinion about good and bad things of the film.
After some time people may not remember the film but Aamir Khan will be remembered for his performance. An actor has to feel a curiosity about a character offered to him, he should feel energy and proud inside that a different character has been offered to him which he has not played before and he should feel a fear also inside whether he will be able to do the justice with the character or not.
Aamir’s performance gives witness in the favour of his capabilities as an actor. He has earned a reputation of being an actor who can increase effective area and can try many different characters.
Some years ago, I think Aamir Khan was visiting Pakistan for some purpose, Aamir Khan was asked to comment on Shahrukh Khan’s saying that he is the King or Badshah of Hindi cinema, and Aamir Khan had said that if SRK is a King then I am an ace (Shahrukh agar badshah hai to mein Ikka hun).
SRK of early 90s was an actor who was doing something different than Aamir Khan and Salman Khan were doing in the films like Dil and Saajan etc.
SRK was energetic and willing to do different things on screen and it was appreciated.One can see his hard work in a film like Ram Jane also.
Film will be known for SRK’s hard work in playing the character and Pankaj Kapur’s interesting portrayal of the character named as Techni-colour.
SRK’s never die attitude is so visible in that performance. He performs there in a way of a warrior or a player who has to do efforts inspite of knowing all his limitations and where one accepts the shortcomings but does not take impression of those weaknesses and fights or plays to win only. He may win or lose, it does not matter, what matters is the effort to perform.
SRK excelled in not so big films where there was not any expectation prior to their releases. DDLJ was not something special before its release. SRK of KHKN, Darr, Duplicate, Yes Boss, Maya Memsaab and even DDLJ was a surprise element and a pleasant performer but then he got this super stardom and though his films have been earning maximum revenue on box office, post DDLJ, but that old SRK has been burdened by this stardom. It seems makers who cast him remain under that burden and there is no free spirited performance anymore. He played very well his characters in KANK, Swades and few other films but none of his performance brought him a tag of a very good performance. They were repetitive somewhere and his box office power was utilized more than the desire to present him in something different and there was not a trial to extract out best from him.
At times he gives glimpses that perhaps now he can rejuvenate his actor also but he remains a performer who is performing within a defined boundary only. That freshness has been lost which is required to differentiate between two characters he plays in two different films.
RNBDJ may earn 100 Million Rupees or dollars but it has not added anything in his acting skills.
It was easy in the year, when Rangeela and DDLJ were released, to make a tie between Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan but in the year 2008 Aamir Khan has easily excelled in the role of Sanjay Singhania in Ghazini over SRK’s Suri or Raj of RNBDJ.
At times SRK (as Suri) looked like as if he was imitating Anil Kapur (in Ishwar), who himself was trying to do a mimicry act on Raj Kapoor’s some of the on screen traits. That energy for which SRK has been known for years was not visible in RNBDJ. That person, who had “never accept defeat and do efforts” attitude, was not seen in the film. He looked tired even in his disguised form of Raj also.
SRK did not look enjoying his own performance. An actor should give impression that he has enjoyed very much playing the character and then only actor looks fresh on screen.
A certain philosophy may work after RNBDJ but it does not bring an impression to the audiences who have been watching SRK since his Fauji days that it has added any feather in his cap as an actor.
It has even brought down expectations from him as an actor.
Super stars have their respective grips on the market so their films have to earn profit but for an actor genuine praise of his performance is also very important.
Ghazini as a film may not convince many audiences but expectations from Aamir Khan as an actor have been increased. There comes a faith on him that he can play difficult characters with conviction and if his non-conventional films also get commercial success then he will be remembered as someone who brought some changes in his era.
New and different things were expected from other member, Hritik Roshan, of super star club also after he had done Koi Mil Gaya and he has not disappointed in Jodha Akbar and those high expectations from him have not died.
Salman Khan’s stardom may still continue but he is not getting projects where he could be praised as an actor. In light scenes in Yuvraj he is fine but as soon as some difficult scene comes where he has to portray some deep emotions, he looks like a weak actor.
Saif Ali Khan has not delivered anything significant after Omkara.
Akshay Kumar has successfully proved that he can match the appeal of any super star on Box office but he also has to prove in near future that he can do something extra other than action and comedy.
Aamir Khan and Hritik Roshan both have made dent in the market of Shahrukh Khan as an actor. As a performer he and other super stars may still give blockbusters in coming future but Aamir and Hritik are asking for improvements in their acting skills and selection of characters also.
Aamir and Hritik too have to be selective regarding the types of films they have been doing. Overall quality of whole project also matters and not to mention that if Ghazini as a film had any match with Aamir Khan’s performance then it could have helped hindi cinema more and then hindi cinema could be developed further.
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