Interview : Neetu Chandra

She came as one of the promising actors in the industry doing films like ‘Garam Masala’, ‘Traffic Signal’, ‘One Two Three’, and the likes. But now she is making her debut as an item girl in the forthcoming film ‘Summer 2007’ and vows that it’ll be a number worth a watch! It would be very special she says. According to her it would change the definition of item tracks as it arrives as the mother of all item numbers. Summer 2007 arrives on 13th June and before the film hits the theaters, Neetu's item song would be on the air.

Excerpts from an Interview:

We’re surprised that you’re doing an item track. Now that you’re doing it, tell us about it.

In Summer 2007 I have performed on this item number called 'Baali Main Sone Waali'. Now this is what I would call as a hardcore dance number. It is a number with a 'desi' feel to it and is in the same lines as that of Madhuri Dixit's 'Humko Aaj Kal Hai' from the film Sailaab. When I talk about 'Baali Main Sone Waali', I am talking about comparisons with the kind of item numbers that we see today. Now this one is truly different because it shows that how a song can be hot and sensuous even without any cleavage show.

But we haven’t seen you dancing much yet!

Somehow I have been unlucky when it comes to 'real dance'. But now with 'Baali', I see the ice breaking. I have waited long for this opportunity and now when it has finally come my way, I have given it my all to ensure that my dancing 'keeda' is satisfied.

Do you any training in dancing or this was just for fun sake?

See, I am a trained dancer and it was nothing short of being criminal on part of my filmmakers not to have utilized my dancing skills. (she jokes) However, producer Atul Pandey and directed Suhail Tatari thought that I would fit in well as an item girl for Summer 2007. Well, it's their gain!

What do you expect would be the audience reaction?

My producers have promised me that they would bombard the song all over to make a sudden impact. We all understand the power of the song. Now the ball is going to be in the audience's court, who I am sure would make a beeline for the song. Written by Vibha Singh, 'Baali Main Sone Waali' is sung by Sunidhi Chauhan and composed by Gourov Dasgupta of Dus Kahaniyaan fame.

Interview : Emraan Hashmi

With the audience hooked to IPL, it was almost certain that Bollywood releases would get a miss. But Bhatt’s ‘Jannat’ fairing amidst this situation is a surprise. Emraan Hashmi, who has been lying low all this while, has made a great comeback with the success of the film. And like a wise man he has wasted no time in hiking his price from his regular 1.5 crores to 5 crores.

Excerpts from an Interview:

Posing Jannat against IPL. Weren’t you nervous about the film’s release at a hour when nothing has been working literally?

We were definitely notified not to mix Jannat with IPL when a big film like Tashan had failed. But I was very confident about Jannat and see we managed to get a phenomenal opening. A film stands on its own, and the promos helped. I was having a low phase in my career and I counted on Jannat. It would have been frustrating if the film had failed. Jannat was a do or die situation for me. If it wouldn’t have worked nothing else would have.

You’re joining the big league of actors charging such a fee.

For us equations change with every release, every Friday makes our fate. After a dull phase, the sun has now started shining for me. When only Akshay Kumar and the Khans can manage to woo the audience, I’ve managed to deliver a solo hit.

But your price hike is very significant, isn’t it?

I would say that my price has gone up but again not drastically. I’ve my justification to quote a high price. There has been celebration going in my home. The day Jannat released I bought a BMW, as I was certain about the success of the film.

At this point why did you back out from Warner Brothers film?

I backed out of the project as serious negotiation was on. The only thing remaining to be done was I signing the contract. But they were waiting to see how Jannat would fare. The situation is in my favour now and I’m in a negotiable position now. I’m not ready to sign a film in my old price. It’s my turn to act pricey.

You’re a regular with the Bhatts. What kind of professional relationship you share with them?

Though we are relatives, we share a professional relationship first. But its not that I sign each and every film they offer me. I sign the film only when I’m convinced about it. I don’t accept every film as I’m choosy and I’m even choosier now. A film stands on its own, no matter who makes it. My price rise will be applicable for everyone. I haven’t spoken to them yet, but they are fair when it comes to such matters. I do get offers outside the Bhatt camp and after Jannat, I’m getting better films to do. I would say this is the best time of my career.

Interview : Abhishek Bachchan

Abhishek Bachchan will once again reprise in the role of Shankar Nagre, in the sequel ‘Sarkar Raj’. This Ram Gopal Verma film is making to the theatres today. Also this happens to be the first film of the Bachchan couple, Abhishek and Aishwarya after marriage. About the film and more, let’s find out from Abhsihek in this exclusive interview with him.

Excerpts from an interview:

The promos of the film imply that you’re rendering a serious and sombre character.

Yes my character requires me to be intense, calculating as it is an intense film. The film reels with strong characters and some crucial decisions.

How was it shooting for the sequel of the film?

It’s truly a great opportunity for me to work again with RGV, dad, Aishwarya and the entire crew of the film. Once again rendering Nagre family made me nostalgic. It is a film that makes me proud doing.

As the shooting of the film started soon after your marriage, was Aishwarya nervous during the shoot?

Though it is the first film after marriage, we’ve done many films together and were very comfortable on the sets. It was being the family, chatting and eating together. But in front of the camera Ash became Anita Ranjan and I became Shankar Nagre. She is a wonderful, forthcoming and extremely helpful colleague and it is a delight working for her.

With three Bachchans holding the centre stage at this moment, how do you feel?

All of us have worked very hard in the film and have put on our honest and sincere effort. Sarkar Raj is very entertaining and I hope people will appreciate our work in the film. On the set everybody was an actor. After the wrap is called, we get back to being family. The best part was that we got a lot of quality time together.

When other actors in the industry are jumping into fitness regime, what are you doing?

When everyone gets six-packs, I will be the only one who doesn't have it and it will make me unique. Honestly, I am happy with my one-pack and would like to keep it as long as possible.

Movie: 'Dhoom Dadakka'

Producer: Shashi Ranjan

Director: Shashi Ranjan

Cast: Sammir Dattani, Shama Sikandar, Shaad Randhawa, Arati Chabria, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, Gulshan Grover

Music: Roop Kumar Rathod

Everyone uniformly hams through this painful piece of cinematic travesty. There is so much screaming and ranting across the length and breadth of this outrageous ode to idiocy that you wonder if the producer-director Shashi Ranjan intended to provide earplugs for all those brave hearts who would sit to the end of this haphazard comedy of terrors.

No earplugs, what we get are shrill banshee ring-tones of risque ragas sung at an ear-splitting pitch, and phallic jokes.

Comedies can't get any baser or brainless than 'Dhoom Dadakka'. The gags make you gag. The items and innuendoes are embarrassing not because they try hard to be vulgar, but because they fail miserably to be sexy.

Vulgarity in this comedy of disembodied context depends completely on how many of the characters are crammed in one line of vision in every scene. They all stand making faces and gesticulating as though trying to attract the lifeguard's attention from a sinking boat.

The double meanings flow is in abundance mostly from the moist painted trembling lips of Deepshikha, who keeps referring to the size of 'big' things every time she spots a male member of the cast in her vicinity.

Before you fall of your creaky bed in comic splendour, let's move on to the main 'coarse' in this pickled over-spiced platter in a hotel that's probably named Romp Teri Giggle Maili.

The two guys, Sammir and Shaad grimace and giggle, roll their eyes and suck in their cheeks to indicate lies buried too deep for jeers. Add two girls - Aarti Chabria and Shama Sikandar trying so hard to be glamorous it's pathetic.

The characterisations take the cult of one-upmanship down to the level of a 'nukkad nautanki', what with every actor getting lost in the confusion of their mistaken identities.

Eventually, the confusions that dominate the plot overpower every sense of aesthetic decency. In the end game where the entire cast runs around an amusement part looking for amusement, the two heroes get into drag to tease laughter out of an audience that's long since ceased to be entertained or amused.

In one chase sequence Shaad pees copiously on a street of Bangkok. You get jailed for dirtying the streets of Bangkok. Alas, there are no laws for desecrating the rules of aesthetics in cinema.

Movie Review : 'Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na'

Producer: Aamir Khan
Director: Abbas Tyrewala
Cast: Imran Khan, Genelia D'Souza, Karan Makhija, Alishka Varde, Pratiek Babbar, Ratna Pathak, Manjari Fadnis, Ayaz Khan, Sugandha
Music: A.R. Rahman
Singers: A.R. Rahman, Rashid Ali, Vasundhara Das, Benny Dayal, Satish Chakravarthy, Sukhwinder Singh, Naresh Iyer, Swetha Bhargave and Darshana

"Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Na" is the launch pad of Aamir Khan's nephew Imraan and to play it safe, Aamir has roped in A.R. Rahman for the music. Set against a campus backdrop, the film's music gives us an insight into the other side of the composer.

Newcomer Rashid Ali can thank Rahman for a great debut as he croons to "Kabhi kabhi aditi", a romantic fun piece. The track doesn't sound much like a Rahman composition, but is nevertheless an enjoyable song as Rashid's vocals gives it a youthful touch. Lyricist Abbas Tyrewala ensures sure his lyrics don't disappoint either.

"Jaane tu mera kya hai" helps the album pick up once again. This track has a repeat value and can pull anyone into its sombre mood. Sung by Runa Rizvi and written by Abbas, the sad and emotional number revolves around the female protagonist and will definitely find a place among listeners.

Sukhwinder Singh renders the second version of the track that revolves around the male protagonist. In spite of being a regular with these kind of songs, he doesn't sound repetitive. Lyrics are touchy and poetic, courtesy Abbas.

The long list of newcomers that forms part of the album finally gives way to the composer himself. Rahman croons another very-unlike-himself track, "Tu Bole Main Boloon", yet the song doesn't upset. It belongs to the genre of jazz with saxophones, violins and pianos thrown in. It carries with it a very contemporary, western feel.

Rahman dives into Indi-pop next for "Kahin to". Listeners get a breather in the form of Vasundhara Das, whose brilliant voice is being heard after a long gap. A slow paced number, the song also has Rashid's voice and encompasses the ingredients of a slow-moving, romantic track. However, Abbas's lyrics are not so impressive.

Rahman's attempt at experimenting with new and different sounds for the album may not have resulted in chartbuster hits, but the attempt is worth hearing. Like Naresh Iyer in "Rang De Basanti", the surprise package of this album is Rashid.

Interview: Kareena Kapoor

It’s Kareena Kapoor who is stealing the attention at the moment. There are lots of new things happening for her - zero size figure, arm candy boyfriend Saif Ali Khan and many news about her is making the media frenzy. One of the top list heroines, in terms of popularity, remuneration and glamour, Kareena’s name can sell a film. She is currently in Melbourne speaking to us.

Excerpts from an Interview:

You’ve in Melbourne for pretty sometime now.

Yes it has been 25 days already and I won’t be back to Bombay until August. From here I’ll go to IIFA at Bangkok where I’ll be performing. I’ve been invited there as I’ve suggestion for Jab We Met and I’m getting a good amount to perform there. I've been to all the award functions and I didn’t want to miss out on IIFA.

You along with the Bachchcans at the IIFA, that’s news?

I’m a professional. It’s a different thing altogether that we don’t want to work with each other.

Your zero size figures are garnering lots of attention.

I’ve also been hearing that it's zero-point-five centimeter and all that stuff. I have no idea why my figure is becoming a national issue. Even my weight issues are being monitored, phew! For Tashan I lost six kilos. So the weight loss was obvious. I attained it through yoga. But now I’ve gained some weight. I'm into Thai food, desserts, Chinese; I'm not dieting any more. I'm eating and exercising, I'm a healthy Kapoor.

But you become anorexic.

I've never been anorexic. These are just stories about me. I’m not the kind to faint on sets.

How is the relationship between you and Saif going?

We’re madly in love. We are trying to spend as much time together. At the moment I’m doing five films and he believes in doing one at a time. Marriage is in cards but not before three years. Mum and Saif are in touch through SMS and they get along very well. His parents are also okay with the relationship, we’ve had meals together.

How have you taken Tashan?

I’ve liked my bikini shot and Akshay Kumar. Tashan is particular because I met Saif there.

Interview : Rani Mukherjee

Bollywood queen Rani Mukherjee stood up to her name sometime back. But with a series of flops in her past releases, Rani soon slipped down. Her last three film released in 2007 has not met with success. Now the actress is desperately wanting a hit. And what better, she can cash on than some magic at the box-office with her forthcoming film 'Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic'. Produced under Yash Raj banner jointly with Kunal Kohli, Rani will be seen playing an angel in the film. In this interview lets's find out about the film and more from her.

Excerpts from an Interview:

Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic is a sweet name. Tell us do you believe in angels and magic?

I do believe in god, angels and good soul. Also I believe that everyone has a guardian angel.

You were enjoying a good time in your career. But your 2007 releases brought a halt to it. Comments.

Certainly last year was not good for me as far as my career was concerned. Though I had some cruial releases they did not meet with good fate at the box office. Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic is my first release of 2008. It's a nice and sweet film. I get an opportunity to work with Yash Raj banner again. With Kunal Kohli and Saif Ali Khan my association continues.

Do you blame the media for giving too much focus on your private life?

There were too many rumours doing the rounds in the media about my relationship and marriage. But I prefer not to speak about them. I'll speak to the media only about my professional life not private.

What are your expectations from Thoda Pyar Thoda Magic?

Let's wait until the film's release and see if the film is able to create magic at the box office. (smiles)