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206 Responses to “Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Se trailers (updated)”
Starts off tentatively… but the promo gathers steam. This looks like a natural culmination from the director of Lagaan… there the ‘playing field’ was the battle field… here the claim to a playing strip is the claim to motherland. Didn’t know Vijay Maurya had written the dialogues.
Not so sure about the decision to shoot in Goa though. The colour of the soil, the water and the coastline screams Goa. I hope they do something about it in the DI.
It is movies like this for which i respect abhisekh a lot, i hope its a good movie, and gives him good direction and hope that AG is also back with this.
the promo does not quite grab you….hopefully the movie does! the various govt. buildings shown look a little made up as though they were sets but i do know the crew ended up ‘cleaning’ a lot of historical buildings to be used in the shooting to bring authenticity….
This is, I think, exactly the sort of trailer one would expect from Gowariker. It does pick up energy towards the end but in any case not exactly a rousing first look. Don’t want to go to the opposite end of the extreme and say that it’s enervated or anything; it isn’t.
Also, there’s something about seeing Abhishek and Deepika in a production that looks this scaled down…doesn’t seem to be a movie for movie stars. Then again I might just be responding to their respective heights – they dwarf everyone around them!
The trailer is alright.. more or less agree with GF’s first paragraph.. nothing really jumps out at this point.. but yeah it’s a typical Gowariker trailer in this sense.. barring Lagaan where if memory serves the trailers were better..
But I did note Abzee’s point that there is a certain sport/independence twinning here once again..
the other thing here is that given this is a subject that audiences normally stay away from the first trailer (specially given it’s 3 min long) could have been put together much better in my view. I’m not sure if this trailer persuades anyone who wasn’t really interested in this film.
Of course with Gowariker it’s not as if there is that much disparity between trailers and the actual films. Lagaan is the only ‘exciting’ film he’s made in more ways than one. Otherwise while he is a genuine, sincere filmmaker his films hardly ever grab you. Rooney mentioned Santoshi and if the latter had fashioned a trailer out of this material one would have seen some really gripping stuff.
The most significant ‘danger’ here is that Abhishek more often than not errs on the side of restraint as a performer. And Gowariker is not normally a dramatic filmmaker. So one of the two will have to raise the octane level here!
“The most significant ‘danger’ here is that Abhishek more often than not errs on the side of restraint as a performer. And Gowariker is not normally a dramatic filmmaker. So one of the two will have to raise the octane level here”
LOL spot on, and m worried sincerely! to be frank becoz of that.
also ur first para is best, why the hell they have a promo, like this after that superb poster,
also u would not satyam that credit that come written in trailer are all kinetic while visuals are all thanda and statistic!
“Lagaan is the only ‘exciting’ film he’s made in more ways than one”
Satyam, i think JA was a very good film too – i’ve watched it thrice and can still sit through it…..
Actually I’ve had a counter-intuitive view on length with respect to KHJJS. I do not believe it should be short. when there were initial reports that it would be 2 hrs I was more concerned. Because that kind of length is fine with a contemporary thriller. But when you’re doing a period film that also contains biographical elements you definitely need time to unfold the ‘biography’ as it were. Otherwise even in a film that delivers on the thrills there is no real emotional resonance. Specially so here where it’s safe to say that outside Bengal no one has heard of Surya Sen! So I was actually pleased when I heard it would be at least 2.5 hrs! The other thing is that for better or worse a director has to be true to his style of storytelling. Gowariker just makes these ‘long’ films. He can fix many problems but length wouldn’t be one if he got other things in order.
Despite all the criticism for lack of commercial aspect, punchy dialogues, i would rather watch THIS ONE than face the ordeal of sitting through banal and dumb-ass comedies, which are being churned out in the name of MASS ENTERTAINERS. Another point, why are films like KHJJS are looked down upon as if only academics or historians need to watch them, implying our lack of concern and awareness with our history and past. I think this facet of our audiences is also partly to blame for not having enough movies in this genre.
It’s true that the audience should be more interested in all kinds of subjects. However a film can be justly criticized for not being exciting enough or engaging enough even when it has let’s say the noblest intentions. I don’t mean that this is how KHJJS will turn out. Just putting forward a general point. The other thing about period pieces, specially those that are not love stories where audiences might have a more natural hook into the story, is that (and as a general rule anywhere in the world) there has to be a ‘connection’ with the present. LOBS was a pretty good movie (though I wouldn’t go so far as to say there were not problems with the film) but Santoshi committed this cardinal error here which added to the general lack of interest the audience had in the subject and the fact that two released on the same date — the director simply presented the Bhagat Singh story and that was it. So even though Santoshi was impressive as a director here it was really a kind of academic lesson because he did not use his tale to shine a mirror on the present. On the other hand take Lagaan. Patriotic politics combined with cricket made for an interesting mix but in fairness this was also an extremely well made film that did everything right. So yes if KHJJS is a very gripping film, has great lines, some interesting romantic footage with the lead pair, dozes of comedy the film will work even if there is not that connection I’ve been referring to. But the bar then gets higher and to be blunt about it Gowariker outside Lagaan has never been that kind of director. Perhaps the fact that here his screenplay is based on a book helps him because barring Lagaan his screenplays tend to be rather loose also.
The crucial film to look at here for everything I’m suggesting is JA. Swades though it could have been shot better and so on is ultimately a low key subject. But JA was this epic well-mounted subject that for very significant portions is a rather ‘undramatic’ film. Gowariker keeps things engaging enough at most points though it’s still not a film one can very easily sit through and I found the viewing hard on a second go even on a DVD. Some other directors would have hit a home run with this subject. And let’s take a look at the box office too. Yes the film trended well enough, found a family audience base but given the two stars who were the leads here the initial was rather ordinary or less even accounting for length and so on. So you have to wonder if KHJJS can really do better than JA on this score! Which then brings it all down to trending and for which it will have to be a really interesting film. Again don’t mean to be too harsh on Gowariker but the onus is on him to prove he can be more exciting as a filmmaker than he’s ever been outside of Lagaan.
on a side note – what a year aish is having – ROBOT, ACTION REPLAYY, GUJARISH…….AB Jr. better give some BO Hits otherwise we have a real life ABHIMAAN story on card
Though I don’t wish Abhimaan type of jealous, he should get some burning inside. He has to do self analysis and stop working with high budjet films. This film may be ok if it is low budget.
I was close to making a similar point earlier.. it is ironically the more insecure star, the one more likely to get jealous in all sorts of situations who is also more driven in box office terms. Having said that I don’t really see (and this is the greatest myth about Abhishek) him as not driven though I do understand how his very equanimity in most situations can come across as the ultimate marker of privilege. I think that with exactly this box office track record he would bother people far less if he suggested less emotional control. But in any case the stuff about him being lazy or not as motivated is actually rather ridiculous just on the facts. If you want to take it easy as a star, basically maintain a certain position without having to do too much or think too much about your career, Abhishek’s set of choices is pretty much the last one you’d choose. He takes more volume than anyone else, he does trickier roles than most others, and sometimes, as with Raavan, the shoots can be very tough too. There are easier ways to survive in Bollywood! So it’s not this sort of thing. It is actually the game between his ambitions (where I think he essentially has the right idea) and the ‘putting into practice’ side of the equation. The latter requires a degree of hardball. Not just in terms of refusing people (actually he’s refused some rather illustrious names) but more importantly by way of managing one’s choices. So you for example agree to do six different subjects. How and when should these films release to maximize the impact of each? How does the advertising campaign proceed? Certain other decisions. for example when you sign on KHJJS what if you tell the director you’re willing to do it if the title can be changed to a more multiplex-friendly one and if there is a reasonable soundtrack to it? So on and so forth. Again there’s that gap between ‘theory’ (where I mostly agree with him) and how it’s implemented. A star has to be at least something of a politician to cover this gap. Not in any crooked sense, just that certain instincts have to be developed. Abhishek I suspect has far too much of a ‘professional’ approach where once he likes something and agrees on the basic modalities (actress and so on) he goes with the director. But actually it is often precisely the interesting (on paper) subject that has to be given more attention. Because with more commercial subjects you also have a greater safety net. The film doesn’t have to be perfect. With the ‘different’ there is more that can go wrong. Of course I would always have the ‘auteur’ exception. So yeah don’t question Rathnam! The one final thing I’d add here is that a film must either do something for the ‘star’ or for the ‘actor’ even if not both. If it’s neither it’s hard to justify such a choice in a commercial industry. What I mean is that the project should feed one kind of symbolism or the other. Again I would except auteurs! You shouldn’t refuse Guru Dutt for these reasons!
it will still be interesting to watch…..aish seems to be on a life-time high in her career and ABJ is at the other end…..in case of Kajol-AD, for a while it looked that Kajol’s career was faring better, but AD kept doing some interesting projects….none of Kajol’s films have done well at BO after FANAA….any other filmy couple coming to mind?
my reference was with regard to the apathy and reluctance shown by our general public to watch HISTORICALS IN ITS TRUEST SENSE, which means discounting MUGHAL E AZAM , LAGAAN, JODHA AKABAR as they were an amalgamation of romance and history, and emphasis mainly on the former. So it is our deep lack of understanding of our historical events and characters as these hardly evoke any zeal in general public. This is something which attribute to overall indifference of audience towards historicals.
Mangal Pandey had a record opener, but historical factor was the the last for it, rather it was Aamir’s come back after 4 years, which made it so massive then.
You are right on your central critique but to be quite candid I think the classes in India are among the worst around when it comes to having a sense of history. Having said that historical films are a tough sell anywhere (you are right in that MeA or JA are really historical romances) which is why unless it’s a really epic production or something you need to also release the film accordingly on a smaller scale and then expand it if the result is positive, the way they would do it in the West. You can’t have the same release strategy for every kind of subject.
There’s no question that a film like this deserves more attention than the crass entertainers, but that’s not really the bar this film is reaching for…
“Another point, why are films like KHJJS are looked down upon as if only academics or historians need to watch them, implying our lack of concern and awareness with our history and past. I think this facet of our audiences is also partly to blame for not having enough movies in this genre.”Agree.
Due to the current multiplex trend, there are many cedible and brilliant themes which dont even go past the drawing board or proposal stage, let alone be successful films.
The “discerning” viewer is paying the price.
One can argue that the public taste governs what films gets financed and made, but again, isnt “taste” something that can be “groomed”!
Again, this is the “chicken and egg” question–whcih came first?
well…i cant really understand the entire plot here…is it again dealing with india fightng for freedom with the british..i mean is that it..?/…the trailers shows layers here..hope derz more to the film….impressed on the background score though..is it Rahman??
Looks god and competent and all that. But where is the wow factor going to come from? Like TLOBS was a well-made film, but there was no hook to pull in the crowd. The film has to go beyond being a competently told story and touch a nerve. It must not be a predictable freedom fighters’ story, it must surprise in terms of treatment ( Peepli Live) , or acting ( A Wednesday), or revelation of something unknown ( Jodha Akbar, Mangal Pandey) , or a startling point of view ( A Wednesday) , or a great human interest story ( Swades) , or an inter sting recreation of past ( Gadar), Star apeal ( Mangal Pandey, JA, Swades) ..maybe a combination of more than one of these. . Right now the only thing I see is a fairly interesting recreation of British era Bengal. It has to offer more. Otherwise : Good reviews, Not much of crowds.
I do agree with Utkal.. of course Swades is a misplaced example here as is MP, both films did not work! MP did have the biggest initial of its time and Aamir got the crowds in for sure so perhaps one could exclude this but Swades was anemic all around.. the Lagaan director’s first film after that triumphant moment and SRK in it and they still couldn’t get an initial going.. but looking at the advertising campaign for that film it’s not exactly surprising.. but for all this I really liked the film when I saw it and it’s one I’ve visited more often than most others over the past decade.. it’s always a moving watch for me..
Getting back to KHJJS perhaps the thriller elements will rescue the film..
this film has one word written all over it “DISASTER”.
We have seen some few billions films on the same subject of angrez-azzadi etc. – and the trailer has nothing eye-grabbing except for Deepika.
AG has fallen in love with himself it seems and he needs a reality check which this film should give him.
Eventhough film might (for me – it WILL) bomb – it might just help ABJ’s CV a little as he would be able to say that he has worked with AG……
The Great Chittagong Uprising of 1930 and the Aftermath
Revolution was never far from the surface and one group of Bengali youths under the leadership of Masterda Surya Sen formed the secret Republican Army. He set up camps for revolutionary youths to train in guerilla tactics against the British occupation of India. The members of the revolutionary groups believed in armed uprisings for Indian independence to liberate India from the oppressive and exploitative British colonial rule. The leader was Masterda Surya Sen. Apart from Surya Sen, the group included Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Baul, Nirmal Sen, Ambika Chakrobarty, Naresh Roy, Sasanka Datta, Ardhendu Dastidar, Harigopal Baul, Tarakeswar Dastidar, Ananta Singh, Jiban Ghoshal, Anand Gupta, Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutta and Suresh Dey. Also among them was 14-year-old Subodh Roy (d. August 27, 2006). He too was jailed in the Andaman Islands but released in 1940.
Surya Sen devised the strategy of capturing the two main armouries in Chittagong and then destroying the telegraph and telephone office, followed by capital punishment of the notorious members of the “European Club”, the majority of whom were government or military officials involved in maintaining British Raj in India. Firearms retailers were also to be raided; and rail and communication lines were scheduled to be disrupted. The plan was put into action at 10 o’clock on April 18, 1930. As per plan, the armoury of the police was captured by a group of revolutionaries led by Ganesh Ghosh and another group of ten, led by Lokenath Baul took over the Auxiliary Force armoury. Unfortunately they could not locate the ammunition. The revolutionaries also succeeded in dislocating telephone and telegraph communications and disrupting the movement of the trains. Total sixtyfive revolutionaries took part in the raid, which was undertaken in the name of the Indian Republican Army, Chittagong branch. After the successful raids, all the revolutionary groups gathered outside the police armoury where Surya Sen took a military salute, hoisted the National Flag and proclaimed a Provisional Revolutionary Government. The revolutionaries left Chittagong town before dawn and marched towards the Chittagong hill ranges, looking for a safe place[18]
After a few days, the police traced some of the revolutionaries. They were surrounded by several thousand troops while taking shelter in the Jalalabad hills on the outskirts of Chittagong on the afternoon of April 22, 1930.
Over 80 British troops and 12 of the revolutionaries were killed in the ensuing gunfight. Surya Sen decided to disperse into neighbouring villages in small groups and the revolutionaries escaped accordingly. Very few revolutionaries fled to Calcutta (present Kolkata), while some revolutionaries were arrested in Chittagong.
Many of the revolutionaries managed to reorganize the broken group. On 24 September 1932, 8 young rebels led by Pritilata Waddedar attacked the European Club. During 1930-32 , 22 officials and 220 non- officials were killed by the revolutionarists in separate incidents.
The so-called “first armoury raid case” (i.e. The Great Chittagong Uprising) concluded in January 1932 and the judgement was delivered on March 1, 1932. The sentences were deportation for life for 12, three years’ imprisonment for 2 and the rest of a total of 32 persons on trial were acquitted. The Chittagong revolutionaries suffered a fatal blow when Masterda Surya Sen was arrested on February 16, 1933 from Gairala village, because of a tip-off from a traitor in the group. He was tried and was hanged on January 12, 1934.[19]
I like historicals, especially historicals about revolution and people’s struggle for independence, so i’ll def. catch this one. I would much rather have an authentic/realistic story than something w/ just punchy dialogues, of course a good mix of both would be ideal. One would think that indians being as patriotic as they are, they would love these types of freedom struggle movies. The trailer was alright…i agree with satyam that it wouldn’t attract someone who wasn’t already interested in the movie or this type of subject. I also thought the trailer was too long and gave too much away. Gowariker def. needs someone else to cut his trailers for him maybe even a new editor/consultant to help him pace his movies better.
as far as bo goes, this will have a hard time…it would have helped if they had a known face (not a star, but maybe couple of people soaps or known character/supporting actors) other than the lead pair. I’m not sure if it has songs, but a couple of patriotic songs would have been great. and above all if it’s a long movie, hopefully the length of movie is justified by the content, if not gowariker should keep it to about 2 hrs and 15 mins.
i think for a historical thriller, gowariker should have taken some pointers for the pacing and the kinetic energy from several scenes in inglorious basterds…if the movie isn’t meant to be completely authentic and based on facts.
The other thing about Gowariker is that his films bear a family resemblance from Lagaan to Swades to JA to now KHJJS in terms of the physical setting. He generally opts for a sparse landscape which is simply ‘presented’ and not really imagined. Not that I expect an auteur’s eye in this sense but Gowariker could do with a greater sense of detail if he’s not otherwise going to be interesting with his camerawork. Even in JA this was an issue. The film had worthwhile set design but otherwise the landscapes again represented the same bareness. Once more Lagaan was just better photographed all round and this wasn’t as much of an issue in that film. One of the issues I have with the trailer here is (and I think the night scenes are better in the intro) is that the whole palette just doesn’t seem rich enough. Not that I was suddenly expecting a different Gowariker to show up but the stills I think looked better than the trailer. I might have a different sense watching the film but even with a relatively low key setting it is possible to do quite a bit. We saw this with Paa for example. Gowariker is a sincere filmmaker and I do give him great credit for this (and I have loved Lagaan, found Swades even more affecting, I don’t grudge him JA either even if I think this was a missed opportunity in many ways), specially in this age. As Abzee once usefully told me Gowariker also represents a quintessentially Marathi cinema ethos stylistically. But I wish he’d just show a little more spunk! Hoping for better trailers going forward and I am certainly interested in the film.
Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough, and immediately one gets a sense that this has all been staged rather than the sense of being thrust into a world removed from today. Gowariker needs to get a little messy if he’s going to do these historicals, not simply recreate these postcards from textbooks. Even in something like WYR he showed a remarkable lack of economy in editing the thing and there wasn’t much of a departure with his technique in shooting something tonally quite different than what he’s done before.
“Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough”
i’ve noticed this problem w/ a lot of movies from everywhere from west to the east. Clothes look like they’ve never been worn, no fades or wrinkles, new clothes everyday even if the movie takes place over many days. houses seem freshly painted and decorated. I think rgv does a good job w/ creating a “lived-in” environment.
ha..i tried to say this and failed! GF you are spot on with what I felt. A little too made up, a little too artificial and staged! It does not transport me INTO the era…not yet at least!
“Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough, and immediately one gets a sense that this has all been staged rather than the sense of being thrust into a world removed from today. Gowariker needs to get a little messy if he’s going to do these historicals, not simply recreate these postcards from textbooks”—Agree & well-said!
I don’t think the film has any emotional hook. The problem with Gowarikar is boring, straight linear narrative. Jodha akbar could have been far more exciting if he had started the storytelling somewhere in the midle rater than start boringly with Akbar’s childhod. It worked in Lagaan, but that was a very spl story. Look how 3 Idiots stare off . That makes the goings on unpredictable and the fare more interesting.
Ah, replace linear with “condensed”. I suppose that’s exactly what you refer by “if he had started the storytelling somewhere in the midle rater than start boringly with Akbar’s childhod”
I could and have watched Lagaan multiple times. And Swades.
I know Aamir doesnt twirl and throw the bat in the air and catch it with his moustache ( didnt even have one) or throw the ball to Mars but Lagaan is enjoyable even if watched over and over again.
And, Sawdes too. Inspite of all its short comings, it has its heart in the right place. SRK’s performance is sincere if a little lacking in energy and Gayatri Joshi is a treat.
It’s going to be a good movie, I am quite confident about it. I felt let-down by Gowatrikar while watching Jodha Akhbar and Swades. Both movies were lackustre for me and they disappointed me. But Gowatrikar seems to be in his element here. It’s looking good. Am also intrigued by the fact that this seems to be the 1st historical that is being made like a fast-paced thriller and with contemporary dialogues.
Abhishek looks good here and am glad it looks like an intense and performance-oriented kind of role here. It’s an author-backed role and a strong performance by him here wil help to forget some of the criticisms against his Raavan performance.
The main problem for the movie is that it is releasing with the Bazmee flick and that one is a multi-starrer and the kind of entertainer which people like to go for these days. Maybe the best thing would be to postpone it and release it against lesser competition.
I am still surprised Swades didnt do better at the BO.
May be if it had been trimmed by 15-20 min.
I, personally didnt have a problem with it as it was.
Can’t say I esteem Swades as much here…this is a film whose emotional resonance had in some ways more to do with Rahman’s music than the actual narrative. I can’t speak to how it resonates with first generation diaspora but something about its treatment of the central character seemed strangely imbalanced, out of synch. I know the point of the film isn’t to show his life abroad but I felt the character wasn’t as developed as he needed to be for the compulsion to return to India to be really something more problematic than it is here. His only anchor or obstacle in leaving the US seemed to be his job.
In any event this ill-conceived idea of the diasporic existence is something that plagues many Bollywood films and Gowariker is not as bad as most on this count (one need only look at Johar’s stable to see the true transgressions) but nevertheless this is a film that felt more like it was trying to manipulate an emotional response than I normally enjoy…
I think you have hit the nail exactly on the head here ( as you are prone to do).
The main draw back is SRK’s actions didnt always seem logical i.e the going back and forth.
But, the film definitely has its moments.
And again for the umpteenth time, Gayatri Joshi makes everything much more bearable. I am not sure if I am the only one who liked her a lot but ….whatever. Wish she had stuck around.
You’re not alone Rajen! I also liked her very much in Swades. This movie is one of my fav from the 2000s and imo it’s SRK’s career best performance. Talking about SRK and his movies, I don’t like his romantic movies and persona, which ironically is where he made his name. Few weeks ago tried to re-watch DDLJ, couldn’t get past 25-30 minutes (liked it a lot earlier, watched many times as well)…SRK irritated big time and for me the movie hasn’t aged well. Contrary to popular opinion, at this moment I’ll take HAHK over DDLJ without a doubt. I know HAHK can be and has been lampooned a lot, but I feel it has its heart in the right place and at least the lead pair shows restraint and maturity.
BTW I agree Ashutosh’s movie tend to be boring and barring Swades I just can’t muster enough courage to revisit his other movies.
poor camera work, cliched acting , dull storyline , and most of all abhishek lacks that towering strong leader type perfromance (my same complaint was in Guru )
now imagine if manoj bajpai, ajay devgan or kay kay in this role
alas some non actor who got priveldge to share last name as bachan is in this movie after EPIC FAILURE like RAAVAN (even mani ratnam couldn’t save him)
We’ll feel every inch of it. This is not a director I’d applaud for this news…I do love filmmakers who take their time to tell a story, especially when an epic framework is at play, but Gowariker does not have enough “imagination” (barring Lagaan, always barring Lagaan) to keep one very hooked all the way through.
The trailer shows ‘From the Director of Lagaan and Jodha Akbar’.. is ashutosh embarassed of swades – in my opinion a better film than JA but notches below Lagaan
I don’t read it that way necessarily….KHJJS (yeesh even the acronym is long) is a historical and Gowariker is known more for being a director of these types of movies than he is for the odd Swades or WYR….whenever a trailer says “From the director of X and Y” those variable-films are usually determined by the genre of the film currently being plugged and the previous’ films market value. Here I think they’ve split the difference a bit, and erred on the side of genre.
I do believe JA’s trailer said “from the director of Lagaan and Swades” or some such thing….
even BOI doesn’t call it average (they call it a flop)! It made close to 17 crores in 2004 and was at #10 that year according to IBOS. By BOI’s count it made 15 crores and was at # 12. Either way those weren’t the numbers of an average grosser even in 2004! Films like Masti and Hulchul did more than this! Of course BOI also call JA just a ‘semi-hit’.
ps- i knw i havent yet wrote on euthanasia, but trust me deadlines have been bad, and i attended a punjabi wedding of my friend so indeed i would get back soon, if i forget u remember me ? k
Swadesh was outright flop in terms of gross as well as ROI, Swadesh was expensive movie (I remember 25 crore budget in 2004). It earned around 16-17 Crore in 2004 was very low gross and loss maker as well. Even by todays low standards of verdict system, Swaadesh is outright flop, leave apart 2004.
Only outstanding movie can save khjjs and compell audience to theater, which i don’t see at the moment.
Sometime i wonder that how such an experience directors don’t undertsand that to get audience for these kind of movies, some glossy elements in treatment as well as promos always require. for example RDB, it was similar subject but with peppy music and youthful treatment, it got bumper opening on first day itself (atleast in metros, as i myself witness of housefull shows on 26th january, 2006).
Ashutosh: ‘Abhishek and Deepika were destined for historic roles!’
MovieTalkies.com, 16 October 2010
Ashutosh Gowariker aims to spotlight the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s with ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’. The period flick limns Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles and Gowariker asserts that they’ve delivered spot on…
He’s serving up a slice of history. One, that’s expressly unfamiliar to a majority of the Indian populace. The Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s, that is.
Showcasing Abhishek Bachchan as Surjya Sen or Masterda and Deepika Padukone as Kalpana Datta, ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’ will illumines the directorial skills of Ashutosh Gowariker who’d earlier struck gold with his period opus: ‘Jodhaa Akbar.’
Excerpts from a swift chat with the moviemaker….
What really inspired you to take up this subject?
The ‘Chittagong Uprising’ is something about which we know very little. It has just remained as a small line in our school text book. But when I read the book ‘Do and Die’, written by Manini Chatterjee, I was very inspired by it and gained knowledge about how such a big uprising took place in 1930 and we know so little about it. So I thought it was very essential to get this story on the big screen, which is why I went ahead and made the film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’.
A period film requires extensive research….
The biggest research point for me was that book. The details in the book were converted into a script. We tried to get the real locations mentioned in the book. We went to Chittagong, Kolkata, Shantiniketan and other locations. We have tried to capture the essence of Bengal. But by adding all these things we tried to create the characters and that is how we created the entire movie.
Many youngsters, for instance, would be completely unaware of this period of history…
I really feel a need for you to see and read history, because it teaches us a plenty of things. It also teaches us, steps that we need to take in our immediate future, not only for us but for our future generations also. Keeping that in mind, the most important aspect would be, what are you trying to show when you are creating a historical or a period film, what aspect of the story are you trying to convey in the story.
What would you say is the highlight of the ‘Chittagong Uprising’?
So if you ask me about the Chittagong Uprising, I think it is full of youth. 64 people out of which about 59 were teenagers. So I was fascinated with the fact that so many teenagers have been a part of this revolution at that time. They felt for freedom and them coming together and supporting Surjya Sen. This is a unique aspect of this particular uprising which I got attracted to the most.
Many assumed that with a title like ‘Khelein Hum…’ your film was centred around sports…
It is a kind of a metaphoric use because when I say ‘khelein hum jee jaan sey’. What I was fascinated most with was how the teenagers were also a part of the revolution led by Surjya Sen. Teenagers of the age 13 to 15 for whom I think it was not the right time to get involved in the freedom moment and I thought they were literally playing with their lives. Hence the title ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’.
How difficult was it to adapt the book to cinema?
Converting a book to film is always very difficult because a book is always very detailed and one has to ultimately bring the entire story into a three hour movie. In this particular case, it is less than 3 hrs. It is my shortest film ever and to do that was a very difficult thing for me. But the book was a big help because I think Ms. Chatterjee went through a lot of hardship in creating those accounts, by speaking to so many survivors right up to late 90′s and that has been my major source of support. I am hoping that through this movie people get to know what exactly had happened in the Chittagong uprising in the year 1930. When I was creating the film I saw it, I hope the audience feel the same.
What made you finalise Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role for ‘KHJJS’?
I feel that the casting of any film is difficult for me because ultimately when we write the film, we create the character on the papers and then we start finding the right actors that would suit the bill and then cast them. After I read the book, the first name that came to my mind was Abhishek Bachchan because I have been watching him right from his debut film and found his performance to be very honest and this side of his persona was very important for Surjya Sen’s character which is why I approached him. And just as I was inspired by it, Abhishek was immediately attracted to the character and the Uprising. He said this film needs to be made and that’s how we came to be doing it.
What factors tipped the scales in Deepika’s favour?
I think Deepika suited the part really well. It took me sometime to arrive on her name but she brings a lot of zeal, a lot of energy to the character of Kalpana Datta. I am very glad that she finally played the role. I also believed in that small little phrase that says ‘role role pe likha hai karne wale ka naam’.
In spite of Deepika’s modern image, you were sure she’d be able to carry off the deglam role in ‘KHJJS’?
Yes, I was quite sure that she’d be able to do it. When we make a period film, the amount of research we can do on that film or incident and characters is very useful to create the character and to mould the actor into the character. So it is from Kalpana Datta that we could create the image of Deepika playing it. So if you look at her in the pictures, the way she is, two plaits and her body language it all arises from the research. So for me the most important aspect is research.
Apart from Kalpana Datta, who’s the other female driving force behind the Chittagong Uprising?
Kalpana Datta and Pritilata Waddedar are two friends who are a part of ‘Women’s Congress youth’ at that time. Their favorite sport was badminton and there is one scene of badminton in the film. But in that age too, they felt the need to do something for India’s independence and especially felt the need to take part in the revolution that Surjya Sen was planning. And this way, with an educational background, they got into the revolution which I think is fantastic.
In essence, you’ve been totally satisfied with the manner your cast perfectly fell into place?
Today, I don’t think anybody apart from Abhishek and Deepika could have played the historic roles of Masterda and Kalpana. They were destined to do it and they’ve played their roles earnestly and with a lot of honesty.
The biggest responsibility in a period flick like ‘KHJJS’ lies in ensuring the right research though…
I have tried my best and done a lot of correct research in this film. So that all the details related to the history are correctly displayed on the big screen. The biggest support I have got is from the book. Ms. Manini herself is very involved in the film. She has liked the rough cut of the picture and she felt that all the historical details in the film were correct. Different history books tell different stories, so it is very difficult to bring in everything in one film; you have to take one particular part. But in this film we have attempted to steer clear of all controversies.
In terms of locations, has ‘KHJJS’ been a very exhaustive film?
There are many locations in this film, somewhere close to 70 locations because it was a very expansive revolution. So if we had to give it justice, we had to be sure that every location that was specified in the book comes into the film.
How come you didn’t zero in on a patriotic date like January 26, 2011 for your film, rather than opting for a December 3, 2010 release?
Though it is a film about Independence and about revolution, I feel it is not necessary to release it especially on 15th August or 26th January. I feel it needs to have a date which is not that.
Do you feel that the teenagers and youth of today will strongly connect with ‘KHJJS’?
Absolutely, I think they will because ‘KHJJS’ is about youth and is about teenagers and Surjya Sen and them coming together to fight for independence. So I feel there is a youth connect already existing in the film. For me the most important thing is how the story evokes response from the audience. It is story that will drive the entire movie always so for me it doesn’t matter if it is a contemporary film or a period film as long as the story is the driving force.
Along with Surjya Sen and Kalpana Datta who were the others mainly involved in the Chittagong Uprising?
First of all, in this revolution along with Surjya Sen, Kalpana Datta, Pritilata Waddedar and five other colleagues, there were also about 60 teenagers who were with them. We have tried to show their spirit in the trailer and Surjya Sen also known as Masterda, how he led them and carried on the revolt. As the promos come we will highlight each character as we go. The theatrical promo concentrates on the spirit of their revolution.
Recreating the period and era in detail must have been quite a task..
Every period film comes with its own challenges because it is an era you are creating. So if in ‘Lagaan’ it was 1893 and in ‘Jodha Akbar’ it was 1560, 1930 is an era that we somehow feel closer to us because it is a century that was closer to us. We visited real locations to get the details…
Period films also come with the bane of sky high budgets…
Every film has its own budget, but for a period film the budget is automatically high. Because for a period film you have big sets, period costumes, you have properties which are special, so the budget of such films tend to be high. And in the case of duration, I still feel that a film should be as long as the story needs it to be.
Speaking of length, that’s one aspect of your films that tends to go a little overboard…
I can say that this is my shortest film, it’s less than three hours duration.
in mornin i left a comment on soundtrack.. or did i disconenct before submitting might be the thing.. so i say again its been a long time since i have awaited a movie on bases of soundtrack and here is the one… though i remain skeptical that i am.. but i loved soundtrack.. amazing stuff.. i would love to watch this fdfs… and my fav are
title track
yeh desh
long live chittagong
vande matram..
i am in love with them.. i hope movie is good and pacy
also i solved the level 1 game at website.. and it says that movie is a preparation for one night.. when 64 (56 youth) take on british.. a day which is lost somewhere in history.. the movie is build up to that faith ful dayh.. and i am excited to see the flick
I haven’t heard the album yet, but based on what i’m reading, it seems like a good one. I think this composer is pretty talented, i liked his what’s your rashee and this one seems to be a good one.
i know some are suggesting that moitra might have been decent too, but i’m really not his fan…he’s only good for a song or two. i’ve never liked an entire album composed by moitra.
I saw his name pop at a couple diff. places…I agree w/ your take on moitra, i wish vvc would stop using him exclusively. He always comes up w/ 1 or 2 good songs but that’s about it. VVC should either stop using him or go w/ a committee of composers.
VVC is under the impression that music that sounds superficially sweet is in the best traditions of the past. VVC has apparently never heard of the giants of the past who were often very daring in terms of the work they produced. This sentiment is in many ways the analog of those who love Johar’s cinema and think this is a good old family film when actually the family films of the past featured conflict and cruelty almost all of the time. Similarly the kind of music VVC celebrates never existed!
Satyam, i’m really amazed at your continuous antipathy to Moitra as it seems biased and personal. Moitra was outstanding in 3 Idiots and popularity and longevity ate testimony to this and you seem to look the other way. Songs gelled with the movie so well and very mellifluous that it would be sacrilege to even suggest an alternative and album of 3 Idiots also was the highest selling music album.
I consider 3I a fairly ordinary soundtrack barring a couple of songs. Moitra has been far better elsewhere. I can assure you I have nothing personal against Moitra.
this movie good/bad cant say friend. but gowarker the director has alwys created superior thought provoking products compare to others imo. they may not be kinetic, but always worth a dekho in theater imo.
i hope we all like it. fingers crossed, as more nd more such movies are made and encouraged
“I agree 100% with you rooney, Ashu is a sincere film maker, needs encouragement.”–Ditto from me about AGowariker.
An earnest and talented film maker indeed.
Actually, I am the only person besides AG himself , who lked whats your rashi—for all its numerous flaws, it was a commendabel attempt.
As for abhi-shrek, looks like this si more up his alley with the silnet intense brooding presence.
However, his sloppy body language and generalised “lethargy” contiues to irritate a bit..
cannot exactly pin it down, but there is something missing in abhishreks overall persona which needs prompt sortign out (for the bachchans sake).
Screen presence is onie which he has but screen charisma is sorely missing (unlike his dad—who has more charisma at 70 on tv)…
“I consider 3I a fairly ordinary soundtrack barring a couple of songs. Moitra has been far better elsewhere. I can assure you I have nothing personal against Moitra.”
Agree with satyam here, myselfaamir…
infact, moitra has NEVER done anything outstanding to deserve to be working exclusively with people like hirani and VVC.
the main reason for that is that VVC (rightly or wrongly) has this thing of loyalty to his banner and tries to stick to a coterie
infact, if one is to look for a common weakness in hirani prodcuts–munnabhai and 3I–it is music.
His only worthwhile effort has been parineeta and portions of the background music of eklavya.
zoobi zoobi of 3I is eminently average—behti hawaa is the best of 3I but dont think it would have got the national award, had 3 I not been the monster suxess it is.
3I music is not bad and may even be considered above-average to good but nothing outstanding.
the songs are what they are bcos of the film not the other way around.
As for moitra, admire his parineeta album, but suspect that bengalis may tell u that a song or two maybe direct lifts/ inspirations from the rich bengali folk/ music..
best is to use him selectively for a song or two in each album
the 3I music is pleasant enough and a couple of songs are enjoyable but this is overall quite ordinary. In fact this was the one disappointing thing about it, that Moitra couldn’t produce something better for the biggest project of his life! I’d easily take every single Aamir soundtrack over the past decade over this!
agree.
infact the chance moitra got was like a blank cheque.
He could have truly written his name in history by coming up wiht a memorable music score.
What he did is still alrite and nobody dislikes the 3I music, but the basic point is that it is not worthy 0f the project of this stature.
Plus when u consdier that he has close to zero output of non VVC projects, the question is that what does he do all this while—looking after his bald pate….lol
hahaha
My problem with moitra is in a way similar to my problem with abhishrek wrt raavan..
or with Rakesh mehras handling or rehmns music in delhi6
the other day i again felt disgusted by his destructioin of “rehan tu” on screen.
“dil gira dafatan” prevented me from filing a PIL!
But your whole premises is based on some pre-conceived notions as what you both are alluding to is very subjective and as per my knowledge music of 3 Idiots was one of the high points of the movie. What do you mean by “could have” as HE DID DELIVER and whenever 3 Idiots would be discussed, watched, dissected, music of the movie would always find a place as its inseparable from the movie and played a huge role in taking the story forward without impeding the pace. And i stand by my conviction that the music of the movie has longevity and will have long legs.
And i also find these trite expressions confounding, which dwell upon the hypothesis that if A were part of project, it could well have been a superior product, and especially when project has been met with thunderous reception, so why bother and play spoilsport by just tickling the nerves? I find this whole exercise irrelevant and futile as it would please none besides those who indulge in it!
I doubt Aamir would rank it among the top 15 soundtracks he’s been associated with! Dabangg has been a massive hit. Doesn’t mean it has a soundtrack for the ages!
“I doubt Aamir would rank it among the top 15 soundtracks he’s been associated with!”
It is again figment of your imagination and does not matter as audiences have lapped it up and here we are not discussing personal choices. Dabangg is a wrong example as it has fizzled out during its run but 3 Idiots kept up the momentum even after 10 months of release.
actually the music of Dabangg I would venture is more popular than that of 3I. Audiences have lapped up the movie. What does the music have to do with it? There are blockbusters galore in history that have mediocre soundtracks.
And since it is my imagination I shall stick with the figments…
You should have seen Vishal-Shekhar a couple of weeks ago on Saregama who said that the Munni badnaam hui kind of hit and craze you can never plan for. I myself find this song very generic (I prefer the equivalent Aakrosh song) but it’s been big. and the mast mast song here is also very popular.
3I had the Munnabhai kind of music. Works very situationally, it’s pleasant overall with some moments better than others but at the end of the day there’s nothing special to these soundtracks. These basically ride with the film. But this isn’t even Sholay. For the standards of the time Sholay doesn’t have a great soundtrack either but it had the by now legendary mehbooba and the rest of the album again rode on the film. It wouldn’t make my top 25 for the 70s as a soundtrack! But 3I is not even Sholay in this sense.
Your stooping so lowly makes me sad as your arguments are specious and seem as if you are presenting your case for MAKING ME BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE REALLY AN INCARNATION OF TRUTHFULNESS (Satyam as your name suggests)! So rather than taking it as win or loss, accept it just another opinion, which would be wiser from your side. Your above statement smacks of smugness in your own knowledge, which was the last thing i expected of you. But it shows the human frailty in its raw form thrugh your conceited statements, lest i stop defending my case!
3I music was fine as far as the movie is concerned but it is not a highlight of the film, IMO. Crtainly, not a memorable soundtrack. Munnabhai analogy is correct tho it was a otch above.
Myselfamir, I dont know why you are making it a personal mission. Its OK if you liked it a lot but I doubt it is as widely regarded by most.
i no longer listen to 3 idiots soundtrack. Not any extra ordinary sound track.
1. aal is well – is good sweet can be heard to lighten up.
2. zoobi doobi- plenty good romantic tracks available and owuld continue.
3. behti hawa sa- visuals make it strong else leaves more to desire. Lacks goodebumps feelings when u drive a car.
4. give me some sunshine- great, again works with visuals.
5. jaane nahi- this one i can hear, sonu if i am not wrong is magical in high pitch.
(i dont listen remixes)
Average album.
bottome line- works great with visuals, or when u have visuals in mind.
for eg- yeh jo des from swades, behti hawa tha.. listen them back to back one might get what i mean to say, the music is not strong enough to uplift alone while hearing it. It lacks what i am sure satyam would say energy, leaves lot to be desired.
i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..its unbelievable..its like there has been a deluge of negativity for him..as a fan of his..i m feeling very bad for him..!! its d first time he has actually responded to someone’s remark..nd dat too hasn’t got down well with ppl..if he responds..he is arrogant..if he doesn’t ..then he is a pushover..!! who said ..its an easy life?! i just wonder how he lives with so much of criticism..how he bears all of it?! yes..he is bachchan nd he has got it easy..yes..he had 17 flops nd still he survived,,yes..he has a famous wife..BUT WHY DO PPL ALWAYS HOLD IT AGAINST HIM?! DATS HIS DESTINY..ND DATS D WAY GOD PLANNED IT OUT FOR HIM!! i m sick nd tired of ppl making remarks like..”ohh..he has got work coz of his father..nd it still continues..damn it ppl,,his father didn’t even launch him”!! nobody is ready 2 acknowledge d fact that he has made some very different choices in his career..they dont always pay..but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!
Glad to see mansi back with REAL genuine comments. I agree with you!! Today someone posted accusing him even for him being a obedient son. I don’t think they let him live happily.
really?! accusing him 4 being a good nd obedient son?! oh comeon now..!!
nd u know ted..d sad part is dat i feel all of this is hurting him much more than ever before..d kind of criticism he got 4 raavan..nd now this.. where ppl r really going at him with a vengeance..!! its hurting him..nd its showing up in his behaviour..he doesnt look too happy these days!!
hiya mansi, how hav u been—hope u were not upto sum mischief–lol
nice to hear from u..
yes, abhi-shrek seems to be havin a tough time and the one thing i give him credit is the way he has handled the falure of raavan with dignityt and maturity.
but he needs more than that –he needs hits!
otherwise there will soon be more prahlad kakkars speaking up!
For me biggest surprise is Why abhishek at first place ? does abhishek flop list is worst than any actor around ? I don’t think so. There are lot more actors who has given series of flop in their career, much more than abhishek. But yeah its abhishek only who still has many important projects in his hands, otherwise see where bobby deol is. And any one knows how many flops sanjay dutt has given in his career ?? He has hardly 10 hit movies in his career and more than 70 outright flops. But surprisingly i never heard anything bad about him, no one cares how many flops sanjay dutt has given to industry. then why abhishek bachchan ?? in fact despite bad last 3 years, he still gave 2 Hits (dostana and paa) and 2 respectable flops(Delhi 6 and Raavan). I feel media pays much attention to abhishek bachchan, thats why his flops counts looks bigger than actually it is (compared to other actors). Otherwise if he has done 40 movies so far his 12+ movies are plus fare as well. much better than others who has not given 10+ hits in their entire career which includes sanjay dutt, sunil shetty, bobby deol and lot more.
Abhishek bachchan is paying for his surname. The expectations from him was as high as Amitabh in peak, but he unable to fullfil the promise so far. Well but why can’t everyone accept that Amitabh is one and only one in bollywood, there is no replacement. One should treat abhishek as individual. Other thing which went against abhishek (and even all bachchan family) is that generally his flop counts looks bigger because flops of every bachchan generally combined as one package in most of articles (like bollywood hungama does in recent article where theur combined all flops of bachchan and presented the horrible picture).
My point is to treat abhishek as an individial and you will realize his career not as bad as made out to be (specially when compared with other stars).
So true and not just Sanjay Dutt. Although Salman had a big hit in Dabangg and a smaller hit in Wanted, his record in the last five years is terrible – something like 18 flops and 4 hits.
Abhishek’s record since 2005 is actually better than many other stars but his family name draws all the attention.
“i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..it …but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!”
mansi–u seem to have real deep empathy fro abhishek which is good to see.
did not know u liked him SO much.
anyhow, he needs someone like u to understand him—lol
As for 3I music, myselfaamir–we respexct your views.but forget aboutit being gr8 music, it is not even moitras own best in the 7 odd films he has given music in.
parineeta is better by a lot of margin than 3I, in terms of music.
The gr8 song placement and situational appropriatness is more to hiranis credit…
to me the background music piece in eklavya was moitras best musical piece…
didn’t know surya sen was one of the pivotal man of the bengali renaissance
(there are many unsung heroes to which have been brutally ignored)
thats one of the biggest drawback of indian history which has been presented to indian masses where only a political party which ruled india for close to 60 years promoted its so called elite in name of sycophancy
trailer is good but historical have always poor record in indian box office
swadesh , mangal pandey, bhagat singh , bose and many others tanked badly
only mughaleaazam and jodha akbar worked and those primarily were more of love stories on a lavish scale
so there lies a tough road ahead in terms of genre commercially but critically from the look of thing it looks decent
these days only those films have longer life and recall value which do well critically and commercially and i can see this one may have that in longer run
“i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..it …but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!”
thats when people takes these things to emotional level
both mr as well as mrs bachchan( regarding some kbc tamasha) has releases coming up and Mr. Prahlad Kakkar is one of few who was invited for abhi-ash wedding and so is certain kashyap who interview which dates back to 2007 suddenly prompts up
publicity these days wheather good or bad generates eyeball
makes me no wonder if it all turns out to be another publicity stunt
hey alex..goood to be back on this blog!! hows you?! me nd mischief..no ways!! nd yup..i have always been an abhi fan(for d longest time now)..so ofcourse..one is bound 2 feel bad wid all d negativity arnd!!
nd @iffrononfire..i wouldnt b a cynic like u..nd say its a publicity stunt by abhishek..i regard him much higher than that!!
agree mansi, that folks have been unduly harsh on abhishrek.
For me personally, however, raavan has been a watershed film wrt abhi.
For whateva reason (lets not go into those) he has lost the best opportunity to take the bull by the horns.
And now u suddenly see him being ovetaken by many including the younger brigade like imran and ranbir.
But if someone liek salman could “comeback” with wanted and dabang in his mid-40s–certainly abhi has the time, talent and the bakcing to do it.
IF he mends some of his ways (long topic)
Alex: by what stretch of the imagination is Imran overtaking Abhishek?! Has the chap ever even given a hit after his first film (Kidnap, Luck, I Hate Luv Stories)?
Q bhai i dont know what Alex meant, BUT i certainly feel so:
unfortunately, young fan base is always huge for love stories, and with ihls, and now bkb, hes making that upward graph, imo movie was bakwas though.
thing is many nowadays have forgotten abhi and his films i would give simple eg.
i asked my friend to watch raavan, refused on the ground that poor reviews and abhi movie.
but lets leave raavan, it was universally bashed by all i knw in my group! but on KHJJS, i made my friends saw trailer and reaction was poor, no one seemed interested? and this worries me. to be frank and thus i want abhi to do some of those ihls kind of movies i hope u understand mine last ditched ideas.
i also had said satyam long time back, khjjs should have come after commercial movie of abhisekh and not now! sequence is bad, that too after raavan! AND its PR!
btw mansi—were u under some “child-surf-guard” where u could not get onto certain websites.
Seems now u r back after that restrictioin has been inadvertently lifted…lol
Happy Diwali everyone!!!!! I’ve been struck by a bad stomach flu for the last 24 hours but hoping it’ll get better by tonight so I can dig into some Gulab Jamuns !
The royal palace at Sawantwadi in southern Maharashtra, was transformed into the Chittagong of the ’30s for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.
It was art director Nitin Desai who chanced upon the ancient palace when he was location hunting for Khelein Hum Jee Kaan Sey. The abode of the royals of Sawantwadi with its verdant environment, ethnic brown walls and carved rooms was the perfect setting for the period thriller based on the Chittagong uprising of the 1930s.
Once the permissions to shoot in the palace were obtained, the 300-year-old building located on a lakeside and made in solid stone and almost lost in the midst of overgrown vegetation and knee-high grass and creepers, went in for a complete transformation. The makeover meant neat gardens, crushed red brick driveways, a gallows in the palace courtyard for a hanging scene, and white fences akin to a British colonial settlement.
“It was the first time that a film was shot in Sawantwadi, and the stunning palace that belongs to the late king Sivaram Raje Bhosale’s queen, who still resides there.
The artifacts and paintings in the interiors were also changed to suit a Bengali household. Ashutosh scanned the antique market in Kolkata and got some unique stuff like huge brass utensils, paintings of Goddess Durga, wooden badminton racquets, clocks and the works and made the entire place look like a settlement in Chittagong in the 30s,” says Sikandar, who plays a defiant revolutionary in the film and Abhishek Bachchan’s aide.
Sikandar found shooting in and around the laid-back town of Sawantwadi akin to a meditation programme because of the serene and calm environment of the locales. “Every locale was about a fifteen minute drive from where we were staying. Surrounded by greenery with no traffic , even driving around was a joy. There were no outside disturbances or distractions, for the entire three and a half months of shoot. Also Ashu-sir made sure that the cast and crew sat down and had all their three meals together. He also organised badminton and cricket tournaments to ensure complete bonding between everyone on the sets,” smiles Sikandar, saying that the whole experience of shooting there was unforgettable.
looks a well-intentioned and earnest effort from gowarikar –problem is that the interest levels will be poor in this sort of subject (& cast).
The laid-back pace of gowarikar promises a “thriller” this time–will wait and see (to be surprised)
the promo of tellygave the vibe of a relatively bigger bidget tv serial sort of look.
IS this Sikandar being mentioned the same talentless son of anupam kher.
if so, wonder when abhi shrek wil get rid of this talentless buddy baggage a la lakhias and goldie behl…
Here’s a promo of a LONG delayed/stalled SUnny Deol/Taboo film which was earlier called THE CHALLENGE and has now been re-titled KHUDA KI KASAM. Not sure what prompted them to release this..from the dying “Bokadia” house (they used to make a lot of violent masala actioners ala AAJ KA ARJUN!
At this point Gowariker should just focus on this sort of short dramatic trailer and alternate this with Abhishek-Deepika ones (!) if he wants to have any hope of getting anything like a decent initial!
yup just saw that.. see not an expert of BO but i can sense a good movie.. i just hope ashu keeps the pace alright.. it seriously can turn oiut movie of the year with low expectations attached.. just love the narration here..
one night and so many strikes..
i hope i am not disappointed.. and u would be happy to know.. with this is the only good thing about my xams postponed as now i can catch this first weekend
yo man certainly.. abhisekhs/ashutosh movies are may not be commercial but always though provoking and i am proud of both of them for this.. and i am even going to read the book DO AND DIE and go in the theater.. i have ordered a copy
but i would be looking forward to urs/gfs/q and abzees dude…
tweeted Abhishek with this (LOL, even twitter cannot stop my massive responses!):
[sometimes what annoys me a great deal about filmmakers who make different films, embark on the path of meaningful cinema, is their lack of 'smarts' (for want of a better word) in other ways. Gowariker is always a sincere filmmaker. I've liked Lagaan and Swades, JA seemed rather messy and bloated to me though it could be seen once. With KHJJS he has chosen an inherently dramatic story and I certainly hope it works but he advertising campaign did need to be much more high profile. After putting in so much effort on such a film isn't it important to get as many people to the theater as possible? Specially when quite frankly we're dealing with a rather bankrupt audience that otherwise busies itself with G3?! WOM is important of course but you still need to start with the best base possible. Also Gowariker could have added more vibrance to his sets and so forth. I know he's being authentic here but what does it matter?! The story itself is the point here as is the message! What does it matter where they lived in white houses or red ones?! Why is it important whether the jungles look like Bengal's or not?! Sometimes there can be a misplaced sense of 'naturalism' and 'realism' and 'authenticity'. Shakespeare never cared about any of this stuff but did he write less plausibly for all that?! All of this is not a criticism of Gowariker per se but of any 'sincere' filmmaker. I admire this quality specially in these bad times but why not strive for a little more. I have liked the look of the film in many ways (though this is more apparent on the stills) but certain compromises are sometimes useful. Is it better to make a totally authentic film that is more challenged at the box office than one that compromises on certain elements but preserves yet the soul of the work and also does better? For example why have a very subtle romance between your character and Deepika's? Why not a somewhat more obvious one? Yes this violates the historical record but so what?! Perhaps a few proper romantic scenes, a couple of songs done the right way gain the film more of an audience. There's nothing wrong with this! Do we care whether Anthony and Cleopatra really had the lives Shakespeare depicts them as having? The truth of a work does not depend on such historical accuracy unless of course it goes against the overall 'message' or 'meaning' of the work. I would be the happiest if this film worked. I am often frustrated though when otherwise well-intentioned filmmakers don't make their job a little easier! Gowariker said in an interview that he knew nothing about this story before reading about it and that he wanted to inform his audience. Well what if the audience doesn't know and isn't interested either?! The job of the director then becomes one of persuasion and certain compromises are sometimes necessary for this. I hope I am wrong but what I am missing in the trailers so far is really and in one word 'vitality'. Having read about this story this certainly has the contours to be a success if handled the right way. But part of that 'handling' also involves making a very 'dynamic' film (Lagaan is a good example) when the subject otherwise has a high hurdle to cross with the audience. At any rate I'll say it yet again.. the advertising campaign while nice enough is sort of ambling along at this point. It really has to be taken to a different level.]
A fun read here… On KHJJS, I think all the new promos and songs are well done. The film doesn’t scream exciting however looks more enjoyable than say GUZAARISH. Ultimately both films need WOM as they’re not likely to get a GOLMAAL 3 type opening
notwithstanding the length of this “”tweet”, it does have a point satyam…
the “meaningful”, “realistic” but box-office failure film-makers need to read this.
unfortunately, am sure abhi shrek will remain apathetic to earnest advice (as he has mostly been).
I, for one, have lost patience in him
I’ve read that Abhishek starts doing promotions from Nov22. I hope he doesn’t promote like ‘ We worked hard’. They should come up why people should watch and what can expect. As on now, to me Guzaarish is looking good.
KHJJS seems to be increasing the tempo with the short snappy promo’s and the music has certainly caught on. Most comments across Twitter and FB the buzz is clearly positive. The patriotic “feel” which is essential for this genre is evident strongly.
We’ll get to see Abhishek here in a authentic period action drama. Despite the difficulty of the genre, I suspect if the film has enough of a “thriller” element (which the trailers clearly indicate) as well as the LAGAAN-esque team vibes for the film to be a winner. If it’s kept UNDER 3 hours.
Agreed. I saw Guzaarish today (very good movie btw) and the trailer for KHJJS got more of a response than TMK although we all know TMK will be huge. But I think if AG can keep the movie under 3 hrs and faster paced then he might have a winner with good reviews and WOM.
juniorbachchan you have brought back SURJO SEN into life from a mere photograph. What a performance !! Amazing … about 1 hour ago via web in reply to juniorbachchan
hi ted—have u seen this film?
how was it. i guess it will be a v good movie given gowarikers involvement but do u think it will work at the box office?
This new trailer while showcasing badminton in a Hindi film after a long time (it was quite the staple in the 60s) and presumably playing to Deepika’s strengths is quite an old-fashioned deal! Gowariker is trying his hardest not to attract younger audiences!
Do like the soundtrack quite a bit though and this song is no exception. Yet I keep wishing Rahman had done this.
“Gowariker is trying his hardest not to attract younger audiences!”haha
thats typical of some “cutting-edge” or “progressive” film-makers who are convinced upto their DNAs that a really worthwhile movie can NOT have mass box-office potential and vice versa.
Someitmes one feels that they are deliberately trying to tone things differently so as NOT to accidentally satisfy the mass taste.
In lagaan and rdb, the astute aamir managed to rein in these tendecies of gowariker and mehra respectively. but not every lead actor is an aamir (definitely not abhishrek at this stage)
some interesting details revealed here.. he has confirmed the Rohit Shetty film with Devgan and it’s clearly another comedy.. meanwhile Dostana 2 still doesn’t have a complete script.. this keeps getting delayed! Every few months Johar says it’s all ready to go, even talks about starting in a particular month, Abhishek half-confirms it and then there are these mysterious delays! Talks about Game here too. There are three big commercial attempts here in Italian Job, Bazmee, Rohit Shetty. One has to hold one’s nose for the last two. LOL!
Actor Abhishek Bachchan confirmed that the shooting of Dostana 2 has been postponed to April, next year. He says, “Tarun Mansukhani, (the director of the film) was not too happy with the script and some changes are being made to the script. The shooting of the film was supposed to begin in October but will now begin in April.”
It is also confirmed that Anees Bazmee’s Hera Pheri 4 stars Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek says, “Yes, I am working on Hera Pheri 4 with Anees.” Though he refused to divulge any more details, it is rumoured Abhishek will be doing Akshay Kumar’s role in the original film. Nana Patekar is said to be doing Paresh Rawal’s role and Sanjay Dutt will take on Suniel Shetty’s role.
Currently, Abhishek is busy promoting his upcoming patriotic film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Abhishek recalls, “Ashutosh Gowariker (producer-director) of the film asked me a question before narrating me the script. He said, ‘What did you do when you were 13?’ I replied – went to school, tuition etc. And he said ‘the 58 kids who participated in the Chittagong uprising were ready to give up their lives to attain India’s freedom’. And thereafter I just had to sign the movie.” He adds, “I am ashamed that I didn’t know about the Chittagong uprising that was spearheaded by school teacher Surya Sen until Ashutosh told me about it. And now I am glad that I am a part of this film.”
Gowariker had initially thought of shooting the film in Chittagong. Abhishek says, “Chittagong has many modern buildings now and it was difficult to recreate the India of our independence time there. We then decided to shoot the film in Sawantwadi and for a period of 3 months.” He adds, “I vividly remember that when the Indian flag was hoisted on the sets for the first time, for a scene, most of us were teary eyed. I have realised that patriotism is indeed a very strong sentiment.”
Abhishek will soon get busy with his next, Abbas Mustan’s Players.
again this is an instance of just going in for the title’s cache.. there is no reason they couldn’t have just done a different comedy with these three.. but hey there’s 100 crores in G3!
In fairness it’s often not the very same audience that watches both.. I think that if the potential audience for Guzaarish had showed up and/or liked it the film would have done much better.
Once again it’s about a seemingly ‘progressive’ audience not turning out to be all that when it comes to better films or even moreso in terms of their politics.
But then there are also the ‘fans’. Those who thought Krrish and D2 were perfect films and then liked JA and Guzaarish equally too! They did not even mind Kites! The same with some SRK folks over the years who defined those Johar/Yashraj films as the height of cinema but suddenly went all ‘artsy’ with Swades! So even as we blame the audiences and certainly the media/trade et al we also have to be sure we ourselves have some credibility to begin with. When the shoe is on the other foot stars are attacked for the very same choices — either for doing dumb films or for being part of total box office failures. So on and so forth.
http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-wish-Hrithik-good-luck-for-Agneepath-remake-Abhishek/H1-Article1-631677.aspx
whatever they would like us to feel, it seems to have hurt the bachchans esp abhishek for not getting agneepath remake.
by his own admission, agneepath has been THE BEST amitabh performance from amitabh.
he loves this film more than any other.
Being his son and admiring this film, it seemed the reasonable option “legacy” wise and kjo does count amonst one of bachchans apparent friends.
im sure abhis poor recent boxoffice esp raavan has something to do with abhis not getting this.
admire the dignified and mature way, abhishek takes these failures
hope he takes this “hurt” into stride and use it productively to hit back in terms of gr8 films and performances of his own.
Am in fact glad that Abhishek isn’t doing this. This one is going to be a disaster and the Bachans should do their best to keep away from the crapfests of K. Johar and Yashraj. I hope that Abhishek stays away from Dostana 2 now.
Johar directing Agneepath is the perfect recipe for disaster. What is he going to do? I hope he is not thinking about putting more emphasis on Vijay Dinanath Chauhan courting the heroine in the 1st half of the film before they get married in grand wedding reception with those candyfloss sets. And then he will probably introduce a 2nd male lead for gay undertones and for creating confusion in the town that the mafia war-lord is probably gay. Vijay Dinanath Chauhan as a gay icon??
Seriously though, I think that KJo has only gone backwards as a film maker since his debut. There was an element of innocence and spontaneity in KKHH. Since then his movis have got worse and worse. I found MNIK unwatchable and even amateurish in parts. Watch the scene where Kajol’s kid is killed. It looks like the work of an amateur.
KANK was another disappointment. It was a silly attempt of a tear jerker and it ranks amongst Rani’s worst performances. She (and SRK) seemed to confuse crying for acting. Shedding buckets of tears throughout a movie has nothing to do with decent acting.
Abhishek ironically stole the thunder and the critics seemed to like his performance more than the main leads. The 2 sequences of his outburst against his wife were not enough to save the movie though.
Abhishek is also fortunate that KJo chopped various unnecessary scenes between SRK and Rani in the editing room. When you watch the deleted scenes, you get the impression that the Bachans were getting a very raw deal here in the beggining and that fortunately for them Kjo had to make cuts to prevent the movie from becoming too lengthy. This enabled Abhishek to make some kind of mark.
But you would still ask yourself the question: what had prompted the Bachans to sign for the film? It seemed to be an all out SRK-Rani love story originally. The Bachans seemed to have very little to do in it originally.
“Seriously though, I think that KJo has only gone backwards as a film maker since his debut. There was an element of innocence and spontaneity in KKHH. Since then his movis have got worse and worse. I found MNIK unwatchable and even amateurish in parts. Watch the scene where Kajol’s kid is killed. It looks like the work of an amateur.”
always thought the same … though MNIK is better than KANK IMO.
Ashutosh is a filmmaker with rare integrity: Manini Chatterjee
Thursday, 02 December 2010
By Radhika Bhirani
New Delhi, Dec 2 – Literature-based films would flourish if filmmakers started giving due credit to authors, says veteran journalist Manini Chatterjee, who feels Ashutosh Gowariker has displayed ‘rare integrity’ by giving her book adequate prominence in the promotion of his film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’ releasing Friday.
‘I think the problem with a lot of film directors, and not just in Bollywood, is they take material from books or foreign films and do not give adequate credit. Ashutosh is a filmmaker of rare integrity and has given my book a lot of credit,’ Chatterjee, who has been a journalist for 30 years, told IANS in an interview.
On multiple occasions, Gowariker has admitted he knew little about the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s until he read Chatterjee’s ‘Do & Die – The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34′, about the lesser known freedom struggle.
He chose to take her advice at different stages of making the film to avoid any factual errors pertaining to the revolution, of which Chatterjee’s mother-in-law, Kalpana Dutta, was an active part.
The veteran journalist, who works with The Telegraph newspaper of Kolkata, is glad that Gowariker has set such an example.
‘Earlier, Anurag Kashyap also gave credit to S. Husain Zaidi’s book ‘Black Friday’ on which he made a film. Both films are on real life incidents and both directors prominently mentioned their source. If other directors were as honest, we would find more names of books in the opening credits of a film than we do, I guess,’ she added.
Chatterjee’s words are a reminder of the roaring credit controversy over blockbuster ’3 Idiots’ when ‘Five Point Someone’ author Chetan Bhagat made a hue and cry for not getting prominence in the credits of the film as the script of the film was loosely based on his book.
She feels she was consulted enough even if she wasn’t an official consultant for the project.
‘I have not been a consultant formally. But Ashutosh, unusually for a film director, has given me and the book a lot of respect. He showed me the screenplay, invited me for the mahurat last year, let me see a bit of the shooting, and showed me the rough cut of the film. I made a few suggestions now and then, which he took seriously,’ she said.
Gowariker, who has made films like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’ and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ in the past, had first expressed the desire to adapt ‘Do & Die’ in 2005. He made up his mind to bring it to the big screen in 2008 and purchased its rights from Chatterjee.
He roped in Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone for key roles in the film.
Wasn’t she worried about the twists her book could get in a bid to make the film commercially viable?
‘I knew from the outset that this was not a historical documentary but a mainstream film, and as such one would have to make some departures from the book since cinema has its own logic, time constraints, etc. But Ashutosh is one contemporary filmmaker who has the ability to make meaningful cinema which is also mainstream.
‘He does not make niche films for the festival circuit, and neither does he make mindless, masala films for pure commercial gains. So I felt privileged that a director of his standing was taking up a true but entirely neglected chapter of our history and making it known to a much wider audience than my book would ever reach,’ said Chatterjee, who is currently the editor, national affairs, The Telegraph.
She has not seen the final cut of the film but is confident it has the right mix of history and melodrama.
‘He has not sensationalised or trivialised the story in any way and, despite some creative liberties, has been faithful to the essential spirit of the Chittagong uprising and my book,’ she added.
Does that mean in times when masala films like ‘Dabangg’ are minting money, there are strong chances that ‘Khelein…’, based on a serious issue, will click with the audience?
‘I think Ashutosh has shown a lot of courage and conviction in making a film on such a subject. But audiences in India are receptive to all kinds of films. If the film touches an emotional chord, which I think it will, I am hopeful it will bring alive a forgotten chapter of our freedom struggle, which deserves to be much more widely known.’
“KHJJS is an entertaining film because it grips you” – Abhishek Bachchan
By Devansh Patel, December 2, 2010 – 12:25 IST
Abhishek Bachchan I remember doing an interview of Abhishek Bachchan from the noisy railway platform in London post his Sarkar Raj release. It was a day I’ll never forget in my life. There was so much I wanted to write; so much I wanted to tell, so much I wanted to experience. I had it all, except the man in flesh. Abhishek was on the other side of the planet. Back in 2010, I am called to meet Abhishek at his office in Janak. The same emotions are running in my mind. The handsome actor walks in to finish his pending television interviews and then leaves. After a minute or so I am guided to his personal office on the second floor. As his spokesperson aptly puts it, “It’s Abhi’s den. That’s what we call it.” You are lucky to be meeting him in a space where he will be more relaxed. Just then a male maid serves me Earl Grey Green tea. A sip was enough to invigorate me. As I look around, I see creativity all around me in the form of books, paintings, art-e-facts and the many small and big things kept in different corners of his private ‘den’. As I ponder, the door opens and Abhishek makes a grand entry in his white shirt and blue denims. A perfect combo which can never go wrong, especially if you are Abhishek Bachchan. Throughout our one to one conversation, he maintained a sense of humour and a self-deprecating attitude towards his work; and he does not enjoy looking back and reflecting on his career. The way Abhi atones is by doing, alongside the romantic comedies and heist numbers, a range of films that bring him a different kind of attention altogether. Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is just one of them. UK’s Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama’s London correspondent meets the man with a firm grip, level gaze and a discreet squeeze under the elbow that implies, “If you think it’s exciting meeting me, just imagine how exciting it is being me.” Abhishek Bachchan is all yours in one of his most in depth interviews.
When you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like KHJJS
I think when you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
I think when you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. That’s the space the film falls into. It’s an entertaining film because it grips you; it takes you on a ride and leaves you with a huge thought. I’m a firm believer in entertainment. I don’t think films have to be preachy. If you can still make a film which leaves a social message, it’s fantastic. What Ashutosh has done is brought back to life a by-gone era, brought back to life a very important incident that I believe has been lost in the pages of history, brought back to life an individual called Surja Sen who I firmly believe today, after having researched the film and learning about him, should really been spoken about in the same breath as Chandrashekhar Azadji and Bhagat Singhji.
Abhishek Bachchan Everybody watches good quality cinema which is engaging and entertaining.
It was just the film industry’s way of justifying why they were not able to penetrate the overseas audience that was classified as ‘Oh! They only like family dramas or romantic stories’. Unfortunately, Karan Johar was saddled with this whole blame. I think the overseas audiences will watch a film that entertains them. I remember when Dhoom 2 was releasing, I was told that no action film has ever done well and today it’s one of the highest grossing overseas films of all times from our film industry. When Guru was releasing, we were told that if it works, it’ll work only in Gujarat. It’s one of my biggest overseas hits till date. Everybody watches good quality cinema.
People in England will associate with this film
People in England will associate with this film because a lot of Indians are living there, a lot of them are the second generation Indians too, Bangladeshi’s will identify with it too because Chittagong is a part of Bangladesh today. KHJJS isn’t an Indian film, it’s about the subcontinent. It is based in a time when there wasn’t a division in our country. There wasn’t a Pakistan or an East Pakistan, there wasn’t a Bangladesh and there wasn’t India too. It was a subcontinent. If the audiences in the West are traditional, it will cater to them and remind them of a time that a few of them might have lived through and if not, it will remind them of what life used to be like back then.
You have to give it all in the writing process.
If you’re going to make a film, you have to spend time in it. You have to give it all in the writing process. Once the written word is down, there is very little you can do on the sets to change that. If your screenplay isn’t tight, it’s not engaging, and then nothing can save your film.
We have tried to stay true to the book in the form of its characters and sequence of events
The book that inspired Ashutosh to write KHJJS was Manini Chatterjee’s Do and Die. It’s actually an account of 1930′s uprising in Chittagong. From there on, we had to make it cinematic. So we have tried to stay true to the book in the form of its characters and sequence of events, we had to make it more like a feature film than a mere docu drama.
KHJJS is something that needs to be acknowledged.
Abhishek Bachchan This is my feeble and a humble attempt of being a part of history. There is so much you want to do and so much you want to say. Thankfully, we get an opportunity through our films. I get a chance to play a character like Surjya Sen. I very strongly feel that what happened in Chittagong in 1930′s is a very significant fact and it is something that needs to be acknowledged.
Sawantvadi was re-created to become Chittagong of 1930′s
I do get absorbed in my characters, especially when you are doing material which is a historical piece. There is a definite world that is created. We put up a huge set and created Chittagong of the 1930′s in a place called Sawantvadi. We had put up this huge gate which was like a portal. The moment it opened, you get sucked into time. The minute you drove through, you had the vintage cars, junior artists walking as if they were from that era. It all looked so historic. It’s very easy to inhabit that world.
It is commendable that Deepika took on a role like this at an early stage of her career
We did a lot of workshops, a lot of readings, a lot of rehearsals, a lot of movement rehearsals, etc. Everybody was fully prepared on the sets. We shot without Deepika as she was busy doing another film and we had a lot of work without her. She came in only about a month into the shooting. She had to pick up half way through but she was very well prepared too. It is commendable that at such a young stage and age in her career, she has decided to take on a role like this and she has done it with great élan and a lot of dignity. It’s always exciting for an actor to show a facet of yourself which you’re not known for or haven’t done before.
I very strongly feel that what happened in Chittagong in 1930′s is a very significant
We hardly had any pictures of Surjya Sen for study
A role like this becomes difficult because there is no reference to Surjya Sen. There are only one or two photographs of him in any record and all those pictures have been taken post his arrest. It was almost two to three years after the uprising took place. Before and during the uprising, there was no footage of him. That was something we had to really search for and build on our own.
I think the audiences are far more forgiving than our film industry
I think the audiences are far more forgiving than our film industry and the audiences like to give you a chance. Audiences do play into the illusions that the film sells you. I think they judge each film individually and do not judge it from what the actor has done before.
Ashutosh is one of India’s most celebrated directors of our generation
I’ve known Ashutosh Gowariker since the late 1980′s. I wasn’t a teenager then. Mr Indrajeet, my best friend Goldie’s father and my father were producing a film together. I had come back from the boarding school for my holidays and they were shooting a song. I went on the sets to meet my father. Goldie and I were hanging out. We saw this really tall guy with an awkward mop of hair and a knife sticking into his neck and coming out from the other. We were completely in awe of this guy. He was looking cool with a knife sticking and walking. That was my first memory of Ashutosh. We’ve wanted to work with each other since long and thankfully we both got the opportunity. He is one of India’s most celebrated directors of our generation. He completely lives up to his reputation.
Ashu used to play the Vande Mataram track on the sets and it just invigorates you.
Abhishek Bachchan Ashutosh was very keen for A.R. Rahman to work on KHJJS but when both spoke to each other; he was very committed to a few projects in the overseas. He then decided to go with Sohail who had done his previous film, What’s Your Raashee? I think Sohail has done a fantastic job. Music has a fantastic emotional connect. The music of KHJJS highlights an emotion. Ashu used to play the Vande Mataram track on the sets and it just invigorates you. It does something to you.
KHJJS is the shortest narration I’ve ever had
It doesn’t get difficult to say ‘Yes’ to a film like KHJJS. It’s a complete no-brainer. KHJJS is the shortest narration I’ve ever had. I met him three years ago and he asked me a question, “What were you doing when you were thirteen?” I answered, “I was a school kid having fun, busy with my sports, drama, etc” He replied, “I want to make a film on thirteen year old kids who fought for the Independence of India and who laid down their lives” I said, “I’m doing it”. He again said, “But I want you to play the school teacher who led them” I again said, “I’m doing it”.
I think tweeting is very enriching
I get a very unbiased and a fresh perspective when I tweet. The good thing is that you have no idea what the audiences on social networking sites are thinking about your tweet. You know what they like or what they don’t like which we might not have thought about. I think tweeting is very enriching to be available on a site like Twitter where people have direct access to you and vice-versa.
“Abhishek’s Bengali side helped in portrayal of Surjya Sen” – Ashutosh Gowariker
By Subhash K. Jha, December 2, 2010 – 14:30 IST
Ashutosh Gowariker The half-Bengali side of Abhishek Bachchan’s personality got him the role of the freedom fighter Surjya Sen in Ashutosh Gowariker’s new film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Abhishek also speaks a smattering of Bengali in the film.
Says the director, “Abhishek’s Bengali-ness did help. I immediately saw him as Surjya Sen. Yes the Bangla side of Abhishek’s personality definitely helped. I also wanted to work with him for quite some time…even from before his debut film Refugee. I had even narrated Lagaan to him. Every script has its own destiny. In Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Abhishek was the perfect Surjya Sen. Though Abhishek had never done a period film he got into it effortlessly. He got into a dhoti as effortlessly as Deepika Padukone carries off her saree. They both look like they’ve worn it all their life.”
The fact that Abhishek’s prestigious Raavan has tanked does not dampen Ashutosh’s spirits. “He’s a terrific actor. But expectations from him are of a very different kind because of his lineage. Whatever work he does is taken for granted. Raavan makes no difference to me. After directing Baazi I’ve seen three years of no work. Success or failure doesn’t affect my judgment. Even when I was doing What’s Your Raashee Harman Baweja’s Love Story 2050 didn’t work. So what? While I was doing Jodhaa-Akbar, Dhoom 2 released and my pair (Hrithik-Aishwarya) became a hit. Who knows the ways of destiny?”
Gowariker doesn’t agree that period films don’t have a market. “Audiences are interested in something new. They don’t go by the genre.”
Abhi’s conscious effort to talk in Hindi is app laudable but strangely Ashu didn’t follow that. Deepika should be staying away from all interviews and TV shows. She and Imran was miserable sight on sa re ga ma.
“When one thinks about successful patriotic films, films like BORDER, RANG DE BASANTI, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, SWADES, and LAGAAN instantly come to mind.”
It might be news to Santoshi and Gowariker that LOBS and Swades were successful films..
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, Ashutosh Gowariker’s shortest film with a large ensemble cast, manages to impress not only Indian critics but also reviewers abroad. Read on to know what worked for the film.
Phelim O’Neill (Guardian) who gave four star rating to the film writes, “As with his previous hit Lagaan, Gowariker proves he can handle a large cast and loves to compose frames full of chatting characters. Beautifully shot, it manages to hit hard even under the restrictions of Indian cinema.”
Taran Adarsh (Bollywood Hungama) is all praise for the filmmaker’s effort of attaining perfection in execution of the scenes. He gave a four star rating to the film. “A film-maker of extensive aptitude and sensitivity, Gowariker’s tryst with Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Seyperiod films continues. Seems like he has worked himself to the grind in order to attain perfection. The writing [screenplay: Raoul V. Randolf and Ashutosh Gowariker] and execution of the material are so credible that it influences you to wonder if the writers and director were part of the revolution.”
Nikhat Kazmi (Times of India) felt that the filmmaker was able to “combine high-octane drama with a high degree of restraint”. She writes, “The film unfolds like a relentless thriller with loads of action involving the band of revolutionaries as they go about their bloody business.”
Performances
Aniruddha Guha, DNA
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek does quite well in the central role, but somewhere falls short of delivering the kind of performance you expect from the lead actor of a film like that.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika is confident, and doesn’t have much to do, something you won’t really complain about.
Other cast
The film’s biggest plus, though, is the performance of the kids. Each and every one of them enthuses life in characters, creating an immediate connect. You smile when they are happy and feel the anguish when they experience it.
Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama
Deepika Padukone
Deepika sheds her glam look and looks every bit the character she illustrates. Kudos to her first of all for accepting a challenging role [of a woman revolutionary of the 1930s] so early in her career and then almost living that character in the film, continuing to prove her mettle far ahead of her poise and exquisiteness.
Other cast
Sikander Kher leaves a terrific impression. He excels in several scenes. Vishakha Singh is a complete natural. She catches one’s attention instantly. Samrat Mukerji, Maninder and Feroz Wahid Khan, each actor is earnest and sincere to the core. In fact, every actor in the film looks most convincing in their respective parts. I would like to make a special mention of the young artists [most of them seem like first-time performers], who have a very unpolluted/uninfluenced approach to acting. Brownie points to each one of them.
October 12, 2010 at 3:43 AM
i can see shades of guru.. it will be interesting to see how ab jr differentiates the two roles
October 12, 2010 at 3:47 AM
Starts off tentatively… but the promo gathers steam. This looks like a natural culmination from the director of Lagaan… there the ‘playing field’ was the battle field… here the claim to a playing strip is the claim to motherland. Didn’t know Vijay Maurya had written the dialogues.
Not so sure about the decision to shoot in Goa though. The colour of the soil, the water and the coastline screams Goa. I hope they do something about it in the DI.
October 12, 2010 at 4:50 AM
It is movies like this for which i respect abhisekh a lot, i hope its a good movie, and gives him good direction and hope that AG is also back with this.
October 12, 2010 at 6:25 AM
the promo does not quite grab you….hopefully the movie does! the various govt. buildings shown look a little made up as though they were sets but i do know the crew ended up ‘cleaning’ a lot of historical buildings to be used in the shooting to bring authenticity….
October 12, 2010 at 8:47 AM
A bit underwhelmed….dialogues should have been a bit more ‘punchy’. Box Office does not look very promising.
October 12, 2010 at 8:59 AM
This is, I think, exactly the sort of trailer one would expect from Gowariker. It does pick up energy towards the end but in any case not exactly a rousing first look. Don’t want to go to the opposite end of the extreme and say that it’s enervated or anything; it isn’t.
Also, there’s something about seeing Abhishek and Deepika in a production that looks this scaled down…doesn’t seem to be a movie for movie stars. Then again I might just be responding to their respective heights – they dwarf everyone around them!
October 12, 2010 at 9:29 AM
The trailer is alright.. more or less agree with GF’s first paragraph.. nothing really jumps out at this point.. but yeah it’s a typical Gowariker trailer in this sense.. barring Lagaan where if memory serves the trailers were better..
But I did note Abzee’s point that there is a certain sport/independence twinning here once again..
October 12, 2010 at 9:49 AM
the other thing here is that given this is a subject that audiences normally stay away from the first trailer (specially given it’s 3 min long) could have been put together much better in my view. I’m not sure if this trailer persuades anyone who wasn’t really interested in this film.
Of course with Gowariker it’s not as if there is that much disparity between trailers and the actual films. Lagaan is the only ‘exciting’ film he’s made in more ways than one. Otherwise while he is a genuine, sincere filmmaker his films hardly ever grab you. Rooney mentioned Santoshi and if the latter had fashioned a trailer out of this material one would have seen some really gripping stuff.
The most significant ‘danger’ here is that Abhishek more often than not errs on the side of restraint as a performer. And Gowariker is not normally a dramatic filmmaker. So one of the two will have to raise the octane level here!
October 12, 2010 at 10:09 AM
“The most significant ‘danger’ here is that Abhishek more often than not errs on the side of restraint as a performer. And Gowariker is not normally a dramatic filmmaker. So one of the two will have to raise the octane level here”
LOL spot on, and m worried sincerely! to be frank becoz of that.
also ur first para is best, why the hell they have a promo, like this after that superb poster,
also u would not satyam that credit that come written in trailer are all kinetic while visuals are all thanda and statistic!
October 12, 2010 at 10:29 AM
You make a good point.. the poster was more dynamic than the trailer!
October 12, 2010 at 10:19 AM
“Lagaan is the only ‘exciting’ film he’s made in more ways than one”
Satyam, i think JA was a very good film too – i’ve watched it thrice and can still sit through it…..
October 12, 2010 at 10:21 AM
I’ve never been a fan of the film though I didn’t mind it initially in the theater.. would take swades over it any day..
October 12, 2010 at 10:27 AM
i respect your views on that Satyam, swades was a good film – but for me it was once enough but JA really was a good film for me with some nice music
October 12, 2010 at 9:52 AM
Incidentally this film is minimally 2.5 hrs and more likely longer..
October 12, 2010 at 10:10 AM
and length is a concern too
October 12, 2010 at 10:12 AM
For Satyam, length is a concern only if it is short! He wants his money’s worth!
October 12, 2010 at 10:28 AM
that is quite true, LOL!
Actually I’ve had a counter-intuitive view on length with respect to KHJJS. I do not believe it should be short. when there were initial reports that it would be 2 hrs I was more concerned. Because that kind of length is fine with a contemporary thriller. But when you’re doing a period film that also contains biographical elements you definitely need time to unfold the ‘biography’ as it were. Otherwise even in a film that delivers on the thrills there is no real emotional resonance. Specially so here where it’s safe to say that outside Bengal no one has heard of Surya Sen! So I was actually pleased when I heard it would be at least 2.5 hrs! The other thing is that for better or worse a director has to be true to his style of storytelling. Gowariker just makes these ‘long’ films. He can fix many problems but length wouldn’t be one if he got other things in order.
October 12, 2010 at 9:33 AM
A topic like this would work really well with good,meaty dialogues. Hope he gets that part right.
October 12, 2010 at 9:42 AM
good meaty dialogues.. rajen its not santoshi movie!!
October 12, 2010 at 9:44 AM
LOL! Yeah it would be a first for Gowariker!
October 12, 2010 at 10:02 AM
Despite all the criticism for lack of commercial aspect, punchy dialogues, i would rather watch THIS ONE than face the ordeal of sitting through banal and dumb-ass comedies, which are being churned out in the name of MASS ENTERTAINERS. Another point, why are films like KHJJS are looked down upon as if only academics or historians need to watch them, implying our lack of concern and awareness with our history and past. I think this facet of our audiences is also partly to blame for not having enough movies in this genre.
October 12, 2010 at 10:20 AM
It’s true that the audience should be more interested in all kinds of subjects. However a film can be justly criticized for not being exciting enough or engaging enough even when it has let’s say the noblest intentions. I don’t mean that this is how KHJJS will turn out. Just putting forward a general point. The other thing about period pieces, specially those that are not love stories where audiences might have a more natural hook into the story, is that (and as a general rule anywhere in the world) there has to be a ‘connection’ with the present. LOBS was a pretty good movie (though I wouldn’t go so far as to say there were not problems with the film) but Santoshi committed this cardinal error here which added to the general lack of interest the audience had in the subject and the fact that two released on the same date — the director simply presented the Bhagat Singh story and that was it. So even though Santoshi was impressive as a director here it was really a kind of academic lesson because he did not use his tale to shine a mirror on the present. On the other hand take Lagaan. Patriotic politics combined with cricket made for an interesting mix but in fairness this was also an extremely well made film that did everything right. So yes if KHJJS is a very gripping film, has great lines, some interesting romantic footage with the lead pair, dozes of comedy the film will work even if there is not that connection I’ve been referring to. But the bar then gets higher and to be blunt about it Gowariker outside Lagaan has never been that kind of director. Perhaps the fact that here his screenplay is based on a book helps him because barring Lagaan his screenplays tend to be rather loose also.
The crucial film to look at here for everything I’m suggesting is JA. Swades though it could have been shot better and so on is ultimately a low key subject. But JA was this epic well-mounted subject that for very significant portions is a rather ‘undramatic’ film. Gowariker keeps things engaging enough at most points though it’s still not a film one can very easily sit through and I found the viewing hard on a second go even on a DVD. Some other directors would have hit a home run with this subject. And let’s take a look at the box office too. Yes the film trended well enough, found a family audience base but given the two stars who were the leads here the initial was rather ordinary or less even accounting for length and so on. So you have to wonder if KHJJS can really do better than JA on this score! Which then brings it all down to trending and for which it will have to be a really interesting film. Again don’t mean to be too harsh on Gowariker but the onus is on him to prove he can be more exciting as a filmmaker than he’s ever been outside of Lagaan.
October 12, 2010 at 10:25 AM
on a side note – what a year aish is having – ROBOT, ACTION REPLAYY, GUJARISH…….AB Jr. better give some BO Hits otherwise we have a real life ABHIMAAN story on card
October 12, 2010 at 10:32 AM
Actually this is the one couple where the Abhimaan story is not possible in terms of the husband’s reaction!
October 12, 2010 at 11:21 AM
Though I don’t wish Abhimaan type of jealous, he should get some burning inside. He has to do self analysis and stop working with high budjet films. This film may be ok if it is low budget.
October 12, 2010 at 12:15 PM
I was close to making a similar point earlier.. it is ironically the more insecure star, the one more likely to get jealous in all sorts of situations who is also more driven in box office terms. Having said that I don’t really see (and this is the greatest myth about Abhishek) him as not driven though I do understand how his very equanimity in most situations can come across as the ultimate marker of privilege. I think that with exactly this box office track record he would bother people far less if he suggested less emotional control. But in any case the stuff about him being lazy or not as motivated is actually rather ridiculous just on the facts. If you want to take it easy as a star, basically maintain a certain position without having to do too much or think too much about your career, Abhishek’s set of choices is pretty much the last one you’d choose. He takes more volume than anyone else, he does trickier roles than most others, and sometimes, as with Raavan, the shoots can be very tough too. There are easier ways to survive in Bollywood! So it’s not this sort of thing. It is actually the game between his ambitions (where I think he essentially has the right idea) and the ‘putting into practice’ side of the equation. The latter requires a degree of hardball. Not just in terms of refusing people (actually he’s refused some rather illustrious names) but more importantly by way of managing one’s choices. So you for example agree to do six different subjects. How and when should these films release to maximize the impact of each? How does the advertising campaign proceed? Certain other decisions. for example when you sign on KHJJS what if you tell the director you’re willing to do it if the title can be changed to a more multiplex-friendly one and if there is a reasonable soundtrack to it? So on and so forth. Again there’s that gap between ‘theory’ (where I mostly agree with him) and how it’s implemented. A star has to be at least something of a politician to cover this gap. Not in any crooked sense, just that certain instincts have to be developed. Abhishek I suspect has far too much of a ‘professional’ approach where once he likes something and agrees on the basic modalities (actress and so on) he goes with the director. But actually it is often precisely the interesting (on paper) subject that has to be given more attention. Because with more commercial subjects you also have a greater safety net. The film doesn’t have to be perfect. With the ‘different’ there is more that can go wrong. Of course I would always have the ‘auteur’ exception. So yeah don’t question Rathnam! The one final thing I’d add here is that a film must either do something for the ‘star’ or for the ‘actor’ even if not both. If it’s neither it’s hard to justify such a choice in a commercial industry. What I mean is that the project should feed one kind of symbolism or the other. Again I would except auteurs! You shouldn’t refuse Guru Dutt for these reasons!
October 12, 2010 at 11:26 AM
it will still be interesting to watch…..aish seems to be on a life-time high in her career and ABJ is at the other end…..in case of Kajol-AD, for a while it looked that Kajol’s career was faring better, but AD kept doing some interesting projects….none of Kajol’s films have done well at BO after FANAA….any other filmy couple coming to mind?
October 12, 2010 at 12:05 PM
I don’t think it will be a problem. Ash may be slowing down from this year.
October 12, 2010 at 2:35 PM
my reference was with regard to the apathy and reluctance shown by our general public to watch HISTORICALS IN ITS TRUEST SENSE, which means discounting MUGHAL E AZAM , LAGAAN, JODHA AKABAR as they were an amalgamation of romance and history, and emphasis mainly on the former. So it is our deep lack of understanding of our historical events and characters as these hardly evoke any zeal in general public. This is something which attribute to overall indifference of audience towards historicals.
Mangal Pandey had a record opener, but historical factor was the the last for it, rather it was Aamir’s come back after 4 years, which made it so massive then.
October 12, 2010 at 4:08 PM
You are right on your central critique but to be quite candid I think the classes in India are among the worst around when it comes to having a sense of history. Having said that historical films are a tough sell anywhere (you are right in that MeA or JA are really historical romances) which is why unless it’s a really epic production or something you need to also release the film accordingly on a smaller scale and then expand it if the result is positive, the way they would do it in the West. You can’t have the same release strategy for every kind of subject.
October 12, 2010 at 10:35 AM
There’s no question that a film like this deserves more attention than the crass entertainers, but that’s not really the bar this film is reaching for…
November 6, 2010 at 5:11 PM
“Another point, why are films like KHJJS are looked down upon as if only academics or historians need to watch them, implying our lack of concern and awareness with our history and past. I think this facet of our audiences is also partly to blame for not having enough movies in this genre.”Agree.
Due to the current multiplex trend, there are many cedible and brilliant themes which dont even go past the drawing board or proposal stage, let alone be successful films.
The “discerning” viewer is paying the price.
One can argue that the public taste governs what films gets financed and made, but again, isnt “taste” something that can be “groomed”!
Again, this is the “chicken and egg” question–whcih came first?
October 12, 2010 at 10:08 AM
well…i cant really understand the entire plot here…is it again dealing with india fightng for freedom with the british..i mean is that it..?/…the trailers shows layers here..hope derz more to the film….impressed on the background score though..is it Rahman??
October 12, 2010 at 10:29 AM
regrettably no! And I don’t think this film even has a proper soundtrack.
October 12, 2010 at 10:14 AM
a very good comment by utkal/NG
Looks god and competent and all that. But where is the wow factor going to come from? Like TLOBS was a well-made film, but there was no hook to pull in the crowd. The film has to go beyond being a competently told story and touch a nerve. It must not be a predictable freedom fighters’ story, it must surprise in terms of treatment ( Peepli Live) , or acting ( A Wednesday), or revelation of something unknown ( Jodha Akbar, Mangal Pandey) , or a startling point of view ( A Wednesday) , or a great human interest story ( Swades) , or an inter sting recreation of past ( Gadar), Star apeal ( Mangal Pandey, JA, Swades) ..maybe a combination of more than one of these. . Right now the only thing I see is a fairly interesting recreation of British era Bengal. It has to offer more. Otherwise : Good reviews, Not much of crowds.
October 12, 2010 at 10:25 AM
I do agree with Utkal.. of course Swades is a misplaced example here as is MP, both films did not work! MP did have the biggest initial of its time and Aamir got the crowds in for sure so perhaps one could exclude this but Swades was anemic all around.. the Lagaan director’s first film after that triumphant moment and SRK in it and they still couldn’t get an initial going.. but looking at the advertising campaign for that film it’s not exactly surprising.. but for all this I really liked the film when I saw it and it’s one I’ve visited more often than most others over the past decade.. it’s always a moving watch for me..
Getting back to KHJJS perhaps the thriller elements will rescue the film..
October 12, 2010 at 1:41 PM
MP did have the biggest initial of its time and Aamir got the crowds in for sure so perhaps one could exclude this but Swades was anemic all around..
agree. and yup swades is above box office for me.. i have revisited the most. times.
satyam is there a piece of ur/q/gf on swades
October 12, 2010 at 1:50 PM
haven’t written a piece on it.. there might be comments..
October 12, 2010 at 10:15 AM
this film has one word written all over it “DISASTER”.
We have seen some few billions films on the same subject of angrez-azzadi etc. – and the trailer has nothing eye-grabbing except for Deepika.
AG has fallen in love with himself it seems and he needs a reality check which this film should give him.
Eventhough film might (for me – it WILL) bomb – it might just help ABJ’s CV a little as he would be able to say that he has worked with AG……
October 12, 2010 at 11:34 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chittagong
The Great Chittagong Uprising of 1930 and the Aftermath
Revolution was never far from the surface and one group of Bengali youths under the leadership of Masterda Surya Sen formed the secret Republican Army. He set up camps for revolutionary youths to train in guerilla tactics against the British occupation of India. The members of the revolutionary groups believed in armed uprisings for Indian independence to liberate India from the oppressive and exploitative British colonial rule. The leader was Masterda Surya Sen. Apart from Surya Sen, the group included Ganesh Ghosh, Lokenath Baul, Nirmal Sen, Ambika Chakrobarty, Naresh Roy, Sasanka Datta, Ardhendu Dastidar, Harigopal Baul, Tarakeswar Dastidar, Ananta Singh, Jiban Ghoshal, Anand Gupta, Pritilata Waddedar, Kalpana Dutta and Suresh Dey. Also among them was 14-year-old Subodh Roy (d. August 27, 2006). He too was jailed in the Andaman Islands but released in 1940.
Surya Sen devised the strategy of capturing the two main armouries in Chittagong and then destroying the telegraph and telephone office, followed by capital punishment of the notorious members of the “European Club”, the majority of whom were government or military officials involved in maintaining British Raj in India. Firearms retailers were also to be raided; and rail and communication lines were scheduled to be disrupted. The plan was put into action at 10 o’clock on April 18, 1930. As per plan, the armoury of the police was captured by a group of revolutionaries led by Ganesh Ghosh and another group of ten, led by Lokenath Baul took over the Auxiliary Force armoury. Unfortunately they could not locate the ammunition. The revolutionaries also succeeded in dislocating telephone and telegraph communications and disrupting the movement of the trains. Total sixtyfive revolutionaries took part in the raid, which was undertaken in the name of the Indian Republican Army, Chittagong branch. After the successful raids, all the revolutionary groups gathered outside the police armoury where Surya Sen took a military salute, hoisted the National Flag and proclaimed a Provisional Revolutionary Government. The revolutionaries left Chittagong town before dawn and marched towards the Chittagong hill ranges, looking for a safe place[18]
After a few days, the police traced some of the revolutionaries. They were surrounded by several thousand troops while taking shelter in the Jalalabad hills on the outskirts of Chittagong on the afternoon of April 22, 1930.
Over 80 British troops and 12 of the revolutionaries were killed in the ensuing gunfight. Surya Sen decided to disperse into neighbouring villages in small groups and the revolutionaries escaped accordingly. Very few revolutionaries fled to Calcutta (present Kolkata), while some revolutionaries were arrested in Chittagong.
Many of the revolutionaries managed to reorganize the broken group. On 24 September 1932, 8 young rebels led by Pritilata Waddedar attacked the European Club. During 1930-32 , 22 officials and 220 non- officials were killed by the revolutionarists in separate incidents.
The so-called “first armoury raid case” (i.e. The Great Chittagong Uprising) concluded in January 1932 and the judgement was delivered on March 1, 1932. The sentences were deportation for life for 12, three years’ imprisonment for 2 and the rest of a total of 32 persons on trial were acquitted. The Chittagong revolutionaries suffered a fatal blow when Masterda Surya Sen was arrested on February 16, 1933 from Gairala village, because of a tip-off from a traitor in the group. He was tried and was hanged on January 12, 1934.[19]
October 12, 2010 at 1:23 PM
Gowariker at the trailer launch
October 12, 2010 at 1:48 PM
this is a good intro and I must say some of the extra footage here is better than a lot of the stuff seen in the trailer..
October 12, 2010 at 2:09 PM
I like historicals, especially historicals about revolution and people’s struggle for independence, so i’ll def. catch this one. I would much rather have an authentic/realistic story than something w/ just punchy dialogues, of course a good mix of both would be ideal. One would think that indians being as patriotic as they are, they would love these types of freedom struggle movies. The trailer was alright…i agree with satyam that it wouldn’t attract someone who wasn’t already interested in the movie or this type of subject. I also thought the trailer was too long and gave too much away. Gowariker def. needs someone else to cut his trailers for him maybe even a new editor/consultant to help him pace his movies better.
as far as bo goes, this will have a hard time…it would have helped if they had a known face (not a star, but maybe couple of people soaps or known character/supporting actors) other than the lead pair. I’m not sure if it has songs, but a couple of patriotic songs would have been great. and above all if it’s a long movie, hopefully the length of movie is justified by the content, if not gowariker should keep it to about 2 hrs and 15 mins.
October 12, 2010 at 2:13 PM
i think for a historical thriller, gowariker should have taken some pointers for the pacing and the kinetic energy from several scenes in inglorious basterds…if the movie isn’t meant to be completely authentic and based on facts.
October 12, 2010 at 4:01 PM
The other thing about Gowariker is that his films bear a family resemblance from Lagaan to Swades to JA to now KHJJS in terms of the physical setting. He generally opts for a sparse landscape which is simply ‘presented’ and not really imagined. Not that I expect an auteur’s eye in this sense but Gowariker could do with a greater sense of detail if he’s not otherwise going to be interesting with his camerawork. Even in JA this was an issue. The film had worthwhile set design but otherwise the landscapes again represented the same bareness. Once more Lagaan was just better photographed all round and this wasn’t as much of an issue in that film. One of the issues I have with the trailer here is (and I think the night scenes are better in the intro) is that the whole palette just doesn’t seem rich enough. Not that I was suddenly expecting a different Gowariker to show up but the stills I think looked better than the trailer. I might have a different sense watching the film but even with a relatively low key setting it is possible to do quite a bit. We saw this with Paa for example. Gowariker is a sincere filmmaker and I do give him great credit for this (and I have loved Lagaan, found Swades even more affecting, I don’t grudge him JA either even if I think this was a missed opportunity in many ways), specially in this age. As Abzee once usefully told me Gowariker also represents a quintessentially Marathi cinema ethos stylistically. But I wish he’d just show a little more spunk! Hoping for better trailers going forward and I am certainly interested in the film.
October 12, 2010 at 4:15 PM
Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough, and immediately one gets a sense that this has all been staged rather than the sense of being thrust into a world removed from today. Gowariker needs to get a little messy if he’s going to do these historicals, not simply recreate these postcards from textbooks. Even in something like WYR he showed a remarkable lack of economy in editing the thing and there wasn’t much of a departure with his technique in shooting something tonally quite different than what he’s done before.
October 12, 2010 at 4:22 PM
I agree with every word..
October 12, 2010 at 4:34 PM
“Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough”
i’ve noticed this problem w/ a lot of movies from everywhere from west to the east. Clothes look like they’ve never been worn, no fades or wrinkles, new clothes everyday even if the movie takes place over many days. houses seem freshly painted and decorated. I think rgv does a good job w/ creating a “lived-in” environment.
October 12, 2010 at 5:05 PM
Exactly!
https://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/09/29/khelenge-hum-jee-jaan-se-title-poster/#comment-62349
October 12, 2010 at 9:35 PM
this is lovely para GF – really summed up everything which if i decided to write – would have taken 10 para…..
October 13, 2010 at 7:34 AM
ha..i tried to say this and failed! GF you are spot on with what I felt. A little too made up, a little too artificial and staged! It does not transport me INTO the era…not yet at least!
October 29, 2010 at 7:47 PM
“Everything looks a little too neat. Not lived-in enough, and immediately one gets a sense that this has all been staged rather than the sense of being thrust into a world removed from today. Gowariker needs to get a little messy if he’s going to do these historicals, not simply recreate these postcards from textbooks”—Agree & well-said!
October 12, 2010 at 5:21 PM
*Edited because of deletion of above comment by Aadmi*
seriously dude, why are you wasting everyone’s time w/ your garbage?
October 12, 2010 at 8:58 PM
Abhishek looks terrific…I think Gowariker is in form here.
October 12, 2010 at 11:09 PM
Abhishek does look in good form here — and even Gowariker seems more kinetic than usual…
October 13, 2010 at 3:26 AM
I don’t think the film has any emotional hook. The problem with Gowarikar is boring, straight linear narrative. Jodha akbar could have been far more exciting if he had started the storytelling somewhere in the midle rater than start boringly with Akbar’s childhod. It worked in Lagaan, but that was a very spl story. Look how 3 Idiots stare off . That makes the goings on unpredictable and the fare more interesting.
October 13, 2010 at 3:38 AM
It’s more than just the linear narrative methinks. Cue, Swades? Do people actually like that film?
Could you watch Lagaan (much as its liked here) again? All his films lack repeat value.
October 13, 2010 at 4:11 AM
Ah, replace linear with “condensed”. I suppose that’s exactly what you refer by “if he had started the storytelling somewhere in the midle rater than start boringly with Akbar’s childhod”
October 13, 2010 at 4:12 AM
Actually going back and forth wouldn’t have mattered in JA. It’d be a needless device as I see it..
October 13, 2010 at 9:34 AM
I could and have watched Lagaan multiple times. And Swades.
I know Aamir doesnt twirl and throw the bat in the air and catch it with his moustache ( didnt even have one) or throw the ball to Mars but Lagaan is enjoyable even if watched over and over again.
And, Sawdes too. Inspite of all its short comings, it has its heart in the right place. SRK’s performance is sincere if a little lacking in energy and Gayatri Joshi is a treat.
October 13, 2010 at 9:59 AM
LOL on the first part…
October 13, 2010 at 12:54 PM
“Gayatri Joshi is a treat”
rajen, this is for you
October 13, 2010 at 1:31 PM
incidentally Rajen I too liked Joshi quite a bit in Swades.. was sorry to not see her in anything after this..
October 13, 2010 at 3:31 AM
It’s going to be a good movie, I am quite confident about it. I felt let-down by Gowatrikar while watching Jodha Akhbar and Swades. Both movies were lackustre for me and they disappointed me. But Gowatrikar seems to be in his element here. It’s looking good. Am also intrigued by the fact that this seems to be the 1st historical that is being made like a fast-paced thriller and with contemporary dialogues.
Abhishek looks good here and am glad it looks like an intense and performance-oriented kind of role here. It’s an author-backed role and a strong performance by him here wil help to forget some of the criticisms against his Raavan performance.
The main problem for the movie is that it is releasing with the Bazmee flick and that one is a multi-starrer and the kind of entertainer which people like to go for these days. Maybe the best thing would be to postpone it and release it against lesser competition.
October 13, 2010 at 9:47 AM
Swades remains my favorite film of the decade. No other film has moved me as much. TZP comes close.
October 13, 2010 at 9:50 AM
I am still surprised Swades didnt do better at the BO.
May be if it had been trimmed by 15-20 min.
I, personally didnt have a problem with it as it was.
October 13, 2010 at 10:15 AM
Can’t say I esteem Swades as much here…this is a film whose emotional resonance had in some ways more to do with Rahman’s music than the actual narrative. I can’t speak to how it resonates with first generation diaspora but something about its treatment of the central character seemed strangely imbalanced, out of synch. I know the point of the film isn’t to show his life abroad but I felt the character wasn’t as developed as he needed to be for the compulsion to return to India to be really something more problematic than it is here. His only anchor or obstacle in leaving the US seemed to be his job.
In any event this ill-conceived idea of the diasporic existence is something that plagues many Bollywood films and Gowariker is not as bad as most on this count (one need only look at Johar’s stable to see the true transgressions) but nevertheless this is a film that felt more like it was trying to manipulate an emotional response than I normally enjoy…
October 13, 2010 at 10:19 AM
I think you have hit the nail exactly on the head here ( as you are prone to do).
The main draw back is SRK’s actions didnt always seem logical i.e the going back and forth.
But, the film definitely has its moments.
And again for the umpteenth time, Gayatri Joshi makes everything much more bearable. I am not sure if I am the only one who liked her a lot but ….whatever. Wish she had stuck around.
October 13, 2010 at 10:50 AM
You’re not alone Rajen! I also liked her very much in Swades. This movie is one of my fav from the 2000s and imo it’s SRK’s career best performance. Talking about SRK and his movies, I don’t like his romantic movies and persona, which ironically is where he made his name. Few weeks ago tried to re-watch DDLJ, couldn’t get past 25-30 minutes (liked it a lot earlier, watched many times as well)…SRK irritated big time and for me the movie hasn’t aged well. Contrary to popular opinion, at this moment I’ll take HAHK over DDLJ without a doubt. I know HAHK can be and has been lampooned a lot, but I feel it has its heart in the right place and at least the lead pair shows restraint and maturity.
BTW I agree Ashutosh’s movie tend to be boring and barring Swades I just can’t muster enough courage to revisit his other movies.
October 13, 2010 at 11:58 PM
you are not alone rajen, sadly she didnt got any other role or what, where the heck did she went away!! i liked her a lot, in the movie
October 14, 2010 at 10:21 AM
she is married to industrialist Vicky Oberoi and recently had her second baby-boy…..
also see here a recent pic
http://www.pinkvilla.com/entertainment/event/sonali-bendre-gayatri-joshi-hdil-opening-bash
http://www.masala.com/3365-its-a-boy-for-gayatri-joshi
October 13, 2010 at 8:32 PM
this is DOORDARSHAN movie
movie we used to see in 80′s on doordarshan
poor camera work, cliched acting , dull storyline , and most of all abhishek lacks that towering strong leader type perfromance (my same complaint was in Guru )
now imagine if manoj bajpai, ajay devgan or kay kay in this role
alas some non actor who got priveldge to share last name as bachan is in this movie after EPIC FAILURE like RAAVAN (even mani ratnam couldn’t save him)
October 13, 2010 at 8:34 PM
since when yelling VANDE MATRAM in every damn secene= “patriotism”
that is false patriotism
and whole “freedom fighting” angle is seen as gimmick meanwhile true story was something more than just firangie bashing
October 13, 2010 at 10:55 PM
undoubtly swades is my favoruite movie and many more. It aged quite well.
October 14, 2010 at 2:04 AM
October 14, 2010 at 2:06 AM
he says it’s “less than 3 hrs”! In Gowariker’s lingo that’s probably at least 2.50!
October 14, 2010 at 8:59 AM
We’ll feel every inch of it. This is not a director I’d applaud for this news…I do love filmmakers who take their time to tell a story, especially when an epic framework is at play, but Gowariker does not have enough “imagination” (barring Lagaan, always barring Lagaan) to keep one very hooked all the way through.
October 14, 2010 at 6:11 AM
it was lame, to be honest..
October 14, 2010 at 6:18 AM
The trailer shows ‘From the Director of Lagaan and Jodha Akbar’.. is ashutosh embarassed of swades – in my opinion a better film than JA but notches below Lagaan
October 14, 2010 at 6:22 AM
That was a noticeable objection from the trailer – a susrprising one
October 14, 2010 at 8:14 AM
I don’t read it that way necessarily….KHJJS (yeesh even the acronym is long) is a historical and Gowariker is known more for being a director of these types of movies than he is for the odd Swades or WYR….whenever a trailer says “From the director of X and Y” those variable-films are usually determined by the genre of the film currently being plugged and the previous’ films market value. Here I think they’ve split the difference a bit, and erred on the side of genre.
I do believe JA’s trailer said “from the director of Lagaan and Swades” or some such thing….
October 14, 2010 at 10:16 AM
certainly, it means that Lagaan and JA were BO success…..whereas Swades was average and WYR….well…
October 14, 2010 at 10:25 AM
even BOI doesn’t call it average (they call it a flop)! It made close to 17 crores in 2004 and was at #10 that year according to IBOS. By BOI’s count it made 15 crores and was at # 12. Either way those weren’t the numbers of an average grosser even in 2004! Films like Masti and Hulchul did more than this! Of course BOI also call JA just a ‘semi-hit’.
October 14, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Satyam, could you please check my comment in the “Aparna Sen on Filmfare” thread? Thanks.
October 14, 2010 at 3:15 PM
thnkssm for redirecting me there, saw the trailer
ps- i knw i havent yet wrote on euthanasia, but trust me deadlines have been bad, and i attended a punjabi wedding of my friend so indeed i would get back soon, if i forget u remember me ? k
ps2 wheres Dabang review: alternate version by sm
October 15, 2010 at 8:48 PM
Swadesh was outright flop in terms of gross as well as ROI, Swadesh was expensive movie (I remember 25 crore budget in 2004). It earned around 16-17 Crore in 2004 was very low gross and loss maker as well. Even by todays low standards of verdict system, Swaadesh is outright flop, leave apart 2004.
October 15, 2010 at 8:51 PM
Only outstanding movie can save khjjs and compell audience to theater, which i don’t see at the moment.
Sometime i wonder that how such an experience directors don’t undertsand that to get audience for these kind of movies, some glossy elements in treatment as well as promos always require. for example RDB, it was similar subject but with peppy music and youthful treatment, it got bumper opening on first day itself (atleast in metros, as i myself witness of housefull shows on 26th january, 2006).
October 18, 2010 at 8:48 AM
Ashutosh: ‘Abhishek and Deepika were destined for historic roles!’
MovieTalkies.com, 16 October 2010
Ashutosh Gowariker aims to spotlight the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s with ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’. The period flick limns Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone in lead roles and Gowariker asserts that they’ve delivered spot on…
He’s serving up a slice of history. One, that’s expressly unfamiliar to a majority of the Indian populace. The Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s, that is.
Showcasing Abhishek Bachchan as Surjya Sen or Masterda and Deepika Padukone as Kalpana Datta, ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’ will illumines the directorial skills of Ashutosh Gowariker who’d earlier struck gold with his period opus: ‘Jodhaa Akbar.’
Excerpts from a swift chat with the moviemaker….
What really inspired you to take up this subject?
The ‘Chittagong Uprising’ is something about which we know very little. It has just remained as a small line in our school text book. But when I read the book ‘Do and Die’, written by Manini Chatterjee, I was very inspired by it and gained knowledge about how such a big uprising took place in 1930 and we know so little about it. So I thought it was very essential to get this story on the big screen, which is why I went ahead and made the film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’.
A period film requires extensive research….
The biggest research point for me was that book. The details in the book were converted into a script. We tried to get the real locations mentioned in the book. We went to Chittagong, Kolkata, Shantiniketan and other locations. We have tried to capture the essence of Bengal. But by adding all these things we tried to create the characters and that is how we created the entire movie.
Many youngsters, for instance, would be completely unaware of this period of history…
I really feel a need for you to see and read history, because it teaches us a plenty of things. It also teaches us, steps that we need to take in our immediate future, not only for us but for our future generations also. Keeping that in mind, the most important aspect would be, what are you trying to show when you are creating a historical or a period film, what aspect of the story are you trying to convey in the story.
What would you say is the highlight of the ‘Chittagong Uprising’?
So if you ask me about the Chittagong Uprising, I think it is full of youth. 64 people out of which about 59 were teenagers. So I was fascinated with the fact that so many teenagers have been a part of this revolution at that time. They felt for freedom and them coming together and supporting Surjya Sen. This is a unique aspect of this particular uprising which I got attracted to the most.
Many assumed that with a title like ‘Khelein Hum…’ your film was centred around sports…
It is a kind of a metaphoric use because when I say ‘khelein hum jee jaan sey’. What I was fascinated most with was how the teenagers were also a part of the revolution led by Surjya Sen. Teenagers of the age 13 to 15 for whom I think it was not the right time to get involved in the freedom moment and I thought they were literally playing with their lives. Hence the title ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’.
How difficult was it to adapt the book to cinema?
Converting a book to film is always very difficult because a book is always very detailed and one has to ultimately bring the entire story into a three hour movie. In this particular case, it is less than 3 hrs. It is my shortest film ever and to do that was a very difficult thing for me. But the book was a big help because I think Ms. Chatterjee went through a lot of hardship in creating those accounts, by speaking to so many survivors right up to late 90′s and that has been my major source of support. I am hoping that through this movie people get to know what exactly had happened in the Chittagong uprising in the year 1930. When I was creating the film I saw it, I hope the audience feel the same.
What made you finalise Abhishek Bachchan in the lead role for ‘KHJJS’?
I feel that the casting of any film is difficult for me because ultimately when we write the film, we create the character on the papers and then we start finding the right actors that would suit the bill and then cast them. After I read the book, the first name that came to my mind was Abhishek Bachchan because I have been watching him right from his debut film and found his performance to be very honest and this side of his persona was very important for Surjya Sen’s character which is why I approached him. And just as I was inspired by it, Abhishek was immediately attracted to the character and the Uprising. He said this film needs to be made and that’s how we came to be doing it.
What factors tipped the scales in Deepika’s favour?
I think Deepika suited the part really well. It took me sometime to arrive on her name but she brings a lot of zeal, a lot of energy to the character of Kalpana Datta. I am very glad that she finally played the role. I also believed in that small little phrase that says ‘role role pe likha hai karne wale ka naam’.
In spite of Deepika’s modern image, you were sure she’d be able to carry off the deglam role in ‘KHJJS’?
Yes, I was quite sure that she’d be able to do it. When we make a period film, the amount of research we can do on that film or incident and characters is very useful to create the character and to mould the actor into the character. So it is from Kalpana Datta that we could create the image of Deepika playing it. So if you look at her in the pictures, the way she is, two plaits and her body language it all arises from the research. So for me the most important aspect is research.
Apart from Kalpana Datta, who’s the other female driving force behind the Chittagong Uprising?
Kalpana Datta and Pritilata Waddedar are two friends who are a part of ‘Women’s Congress youth’ at that time. Their favorite sport was badminton and there is one scene of badminton in the film. But in that age too, they felt the need to do something for India’s independence and especially felt the need to take part in the revolution that Surjya Sen was planning. And this way, with an educational background, they got into the revolution which I think is fantastic.
In essence, you’ve been totally satisfied with the manner your cast perfectly fell into place?
Today, I don’t think anybody apart from Abhishek and Deepika could have played the historic roles of Masterda and Kalpana. They were destined to do it and they’ve played their roles earnestly and with a lot of honesty.
The biggest responsibility in a period flick like ‘KHJJS’ lies in ensuring the right research though…
I have tried my best and done a lot of correct research in this film. So that all the details related to the history are correctly displayed on the big screen. The biggest support I have got is from the book. Ms. Manini herself is very involved in the film. She has liked the rough cut of the picture and she felt that all the historical details in the film were correct. Different history books tell different stories, so it is very difficult to bring in everything in one film; you have to take one particular part. But in this film we have attempted to steer clear of all controversies.
In terms of locations, has ‘KHJJS’ been a very exhaustive film?
There are many locations in this film, somewhere close to 70 locations because it was a very expansive revolution. So if we had to give it justice, we had to be sure that every location that was specified in the book comes into the film.
How come you didn’t zero in on a patriotic date like January 26, 2011 for your film, rather than opting for a December 3, 2010 release?
Though it is a film about Independence and about revolution, I feel it is not necessary to release it especially on 15th August or 26th January. I feel it needs to have a date which is not that.
Do you feel that the teenagers and youth of today will strongly connect with ‘KHJJS’?
Absolutely, I think they will because ‘KHJJS’ is about youth and is about teenagers and Surjya Sen and them coming together to fight for independence. So I feel there is a youth connect already existing in the film. For me the most important thing is how the story evokes response from the audience. It is story that will drive the entire movie always so for me it doesn’t matter if it is a contemporary film or a period film as long as the story is the driving force.
Along with Surjya Sen and Kalpana Datta who were the others mainly involved in the Chittagong Uprising?
First of all, in this revolution along with Surjya Sen, Kalpana Datta, Pritilata Waddedar and five other colleagues, there were also about 60 teenagers who were with them. We have tried to show their spirit in the trailer and Surjya Sen also known as Masterda, how he led them and carried on the revolt. As the promos come we will highlight each character as we go. The theatrical promo concentrates on the spirit of their revolution.
Recreating the period and era in detail must have been quite a task..
Every period film comes with its own challenges because it is an era you are creating. So if in ‘Lagaan’ it was 1893 and in ‘Jodha Akbar’ it was 1560, 1930 is an era that we somehow feel closer to us because it is a century that was closer to us. We visited real locations to get the details…
Period films also come with the bane of sky high budgets…
Every film has its own budget, but for a period film the budget is automatically high. Because for a period film you have big sets, period costumes, you have properties which are special, so the budget of such films tend to be high. And in the case of duration, I still feel that a film should be as long as the story needs it to be.
Speaking of length, that’s one aspect of your films that tends to go a little overboard…
I can say that this is my shortest film, it’s less than three hours duration.
October 18, 2010 at 8:48 AM
The way he keeps saying “less than 3 hrs” it’s pretty obvious what the length is!
October 29, 2010 at 12:58 AM
the source on this latest trailer being Indiafm you can’t even expect a proper image here!
October 29, 2010 at 2:08 AM
Gowariker and Suhail Sen have got the soundtrack right. Pretty good tracks here, particularly the title track and a couple of instrumentals.
Listen to the soundtrack here: http://www.reviewgang.com/movies/117/s/Khelein-Hum-Jee-Jaan-Sey-songs
October 29, 2010 at 2:11 AM
http://satyamshot.wordpress.com/2010/10/28/khelenge-hum-jee-jaan-se-title-poster/#comment-71048
October 29, 2010 at 3:00 AM
I saw this one after I posted that comment.
October 29, 2010 at 6:06 AM
I like the music, title song,
October 29, 2010 at 9:06 AM
in mornin i left a comment on soundtrack.. or did i disconenct before submitting might be the thing.. so i say again its been a long time since i have awaited a movie on bases of soundtrack and here is the one… though i remain skeptical that i am.. but i loved soundtrack.. amazing stuff.. i would love to watch this fdfs… and my fav are
title track
yeh desh
long live chittagong
vande matram..
i am in love with them.. i hope movie is good and pacy
also i solved the level 1 game at website.. and it says that movie is a preparation for one night.. when 64 (56 youth) take on british.. a day which is lost somewhere in history.. the movie is build up to that faith ful dayh.. and i am excited to see the flick
October 29, 2010 at 5:28 PM
I haven’t heard the album yet, but based on what i’m reading, it seems like a good one. I think this composer is pretty talented, i liked his what’s your rashee and this one seems to be a good one.
i know some are suggesting that moitra might have been decent too, but i’m really not his fan…he’s only good for a song or two. i’ve never liked an entire album composed by moitra.
October 29, 2010 at 5:34 PM
I suggested he’d done a much better job than Moitra who simply sounds ‘sweet’ but is also insipid at the same time.
October 29, 2010 at 6:07 PM
I saw his name pop at a couple diff. places…I agree w/ your take on moitra, i wish vvc would stop using him exclusively. He always comes up w/ 1 or 2 good songs but that’s about it. VVC should either stop using him or go w/ a committee of composers.
October 29, 2010 at 8:00 PM
VVC is under the impression that music that sounds superficially sweet is in the best traditions of the past. VVC has apparently never heard of the giants of the past who were often very daring in terms of the work they produced. This sentiment is in many ways the analog of those who love Johar’s cinema and think this is a good old family film when actually the family films of the past featured conflict and cruelty almost all of the time. Similarly the kind of music VVC celebrates never existed!
October 30, 2010 at 6:40 AM
Satyam, i’m really amazed at your continuous antipathy to Moitra as it seems biased and personal. Moitra was outstanding in 3 Idiots and popularity and longevity ate testimony to this and you seem to look the other way. Songs gelled with the movie so well and very mellifluous that it would be sacrilege to even suggest an alternative and album of 3 Idiots also was the highest selling music album.
October 30, 2010 at 9:26 AM
I consider 3I a fairly ordinary soundtrack barring a couple of songs. Moitra has been far better elsewhere. I can assure you I have nothing personal against Moitra.
October 29, 2010 at 5:12 PM
I’ll check this out on the big screen, unless it gets horrible reviews (from people on here) and/or it doesn’t release where i am.
October 30, 2010 at 12:46 AM
mark my words-
this movie good/bad cant say friend. but gowarker the director has alwys created superior thought provoking products compare to others imo. they may not be kinetic, but always worth a dekho in theater imo.
i hope we all like it. fingers crossed, as more nd more such movies are made and encouraged
October 30, 2010 at 6:32 AM
I agree 100% with you rooney, Ashu is a sincere film maker, needs encouragement.
October 30, 2010 at 10:17 AM
“I agree 100% with you rooney, Ashu is a sincere film maker, needs encouragement.”–Ditto from me about AGowariker.
An earnest and talented film maker indeed.
Actually, I am the only person besides AG himself , who lked whats your rashi—for all its numerous flaws, it was a commendabel attempt.
As for abhi-shrek, looks like this si more up his alley with the silnet intense brooding presence.
However, his sloppy body language and generalised “lethargy” contiues to irritate a bit..
cannot exactly pin it down, but there is something missing in abhishreks overall persona which needs prompt sortign out (for the bachchans sake).
Screen presence is onie which he has but screen charisma is sorely missing (unlike his dad—who has more charisma at 70 on tv)…
October 30, 2010 at 10:03 AM
“I consider 3I a fairly ordinary soundtrack barring a couple of songs. Moitra has been far better elsewhere. I can assure you I have nothing personal against Moitra.”
Agree with satyam here, myselfaamir…
infact, moitra has NEVER done anything outstanding to deserve to be working exclusively with people like hirani and VVC.
the main reason for that is that VVC (rightly or wrongly) has this thing of loyalty to his banner and tries to stick to a coterie
infact, if one is to look for a common weakness in hirani prodcuts–munnabhai and 3I–it is music.
His only worthwhile effort has been parineeta and portions of the background music of eklavya.
zoobi zoobi of 3I is eminently average—behti hawaa is the best of 3I but dont think it would have got the national award, had 3 I not been the monster suxess it is.
3I music is not bad and may even be considered above-average to good but nothing outstanding.
the songs are what they are bcos of the film not the other way around.
As for moitra, admire his parineeta album, but suspect that bengalis may tell u that a song or two maybe direct lifts/ inspirations from the rich bengali folk/ music..
best is to use him selectively for a song or two in each album
October 30, 2010 at 10:10 AM
the 3I music is pleasant enough and a couple of songs are enjoyable but this is overall quite ordinary. In fact this was the one disappointing thing about it, that Moitra couldn’t produce something better for the biggest project of his life! I’d easily take every single Aamir soundtrack over the past decade over this!
October 30, 2010 at 10:24 AM
agree.
infact the chance moitra got was like a blank cheque.
He could have truly written his name in history by coming up wiht a memorable music score.
What he did is still alrite and nobody dislikes the 3I music, but the basic point is that it is not worthy 0f the project of this stature.
Plus when u consdier that he has close to zero output of non VVC projects, the question is that what does he do all this while—looking after his bald pate….lol
hahaha
My problem with moitra is in a way similar to my problem with abhishrek wrt raavan..
or with Rakesh mehras handling or rehmns music in delhi6
the other day i again felt disgusted by his destructioin of “rehan tu” on screen.
“dil gira dafatan” prevented me from filing a PIL!
October 30, 2010 at 2:44 PM
But your whole premises is based on some pre-conceived notions as what you both are alluding to is very subjective and as per my knowledge music of 3 Idiots was one of the high points of the movie. What do you mean by “could have” as HE DID DELIVER and whenever 3 Idiots would be discussed, watched, dissected, music of the movie would always find a place as its inseparable from the movie and played a huge role in taking the story forward without impeding the pace. And i stand by my conviction that the music of the movie has longevity and will have long legs.
And i also find these trite expressions confounding, which dwell upon the hypothesis that if A were part of project, it could well have been a superior product, and especially when project has been met with thunderous reception, so why bother and play spoilsport by just tickling the nerves? I find this whole exercise irrelevant and futile as it would please none besides those who indulge in it!
October 30, 2010 at 2:57 PM
I doubt Aamir would rank it among the top 15 soundtracks he’s been associated with! Dabangg has been a massive hit. Doesn’t mean it has a soundtrack for the ages!
October 30, 2010 at 3:17 PM
“I doubt Aamir would rank it among the top 15 soundtracks he’s been associated with!”
It is again figment of your imagination and does not matter as audiences have lapped it up and here we are not discussing personal choices. Dabangg is a wrong example as it has fizzled out during its run but 3 Idiots kept up the momentum even after 10 months of release.
October 30, 2010 at 3:38 PM
actually the music of Dabangg I would venture is more popular than that of 3I. Audiences have lapped up the movie. What does the music have to do with it? There are blockbusters galore in history that have mediocre soundtracks.
And since it is my imagination I shall stick with the figments…
October 30, 2010 at 3:42 PM
By the way saying Dabangg fizzled out is ridiculous..
October 30, 2010 at 4:04 PM
Fizzled out was with regard to the music of the film. And your venture is too ADVENTUROUS TO BE TRUE!
October 30, 2010 at 5:03 PM
You should have seen Vishal-Shekhar a couple of weeks ago on Saregama who said that the Munni badnaam hui kind of hit and craze you can never plan for. I myself find this song very generic (I prefer the equivalent Aakrosh song) but it’s been big. and the mast mast song here is also very popular.
3I had the Munnabhai kind of music. Works very situationally, it’s pleasant overall with some moments better than others but at the end of the day there’s nothing special to these soundtracks. These basically ride with the film. But this isn’t even Sholay. For the standards of the time Sholay doesn’t have a great soundtrack either but it had the by now legendary mehbooba and the rest of the album again rode on the film. It wouldn’t make my top 25 for the 70s as a soundtrack! But 3I is not even Sholay in this sense.
But I make allowance for you looking at your ID!
October 30, 2010 at 5:47 PM
Your stooping so lowly makes me sad as your arguments are specious and seem as if you are presenting your case for MAKING ME BELIEVE THAT YOU ARE REALLY AN INCARNATION OF TRUTHFULNESS (Satyam as your name suggests)! So rather than taking it as win or loss, accept it just another opinion, which would be wiser from your side. Your above statement smacks of smugness in your own knowledge, which was the last thing i expected of you. But it shows the human frailty in its raw form thrugh your conceited statements, lest i stop defending my case!
October 30, 2010 at 6:23 PM
Nothing to respond to here..
October 30, 2010 at 6:10 PM
3I music was fine as far as the movie is concerned but it is not a highlight of the film, IMO. Crtainly, not a memorable soundtrack. Munnabhai analogy is correct tho it was a otch above.
Myselfamir, I dont know why you are making it a personal mission. Its OK if you liked it a lot but I doubt it is as widely regarded by most.
October 31, 2010 at 12:59 AM
MY view-
i no longer listen to 3 idiots soundtrack. Not any extra ordinary sound track.
1. aal is well – is good sweet can be heard to lighten up.
2. zoobi doobi- plenty good romantic tracks available and owuld continue.
3. behti hawa sa- visuals make it strong else leaves more to desire. Lacks goodebumps feelings when u drive a car.
4. give me some sunshine- great, again works with visuals.
5. jaane nahi- this one i can hear, sonu if i am not wrong is magical in high pitch.
(i dont listen remixes)
Average album.
bottome line- works great with visuals, or when u have visuals in mind.
for eg- yeh jo des from swades, behti hawa tha.. listen them back to back one might get what i mean to say, the music is not strong enough to uplift alone while hearing it. It lacks what i am sure satyam would say energy, leaves lot to be desired.
October 30, 2010 at 11:32 AM
i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..its unbelievable..its like there has been a deluge of negativity for him..as a fan of his..i m feeling very bad for him..!! its d first time he has actually responded to someone’s remark..nd dat too hasn’t got down well with ppl..if he responds..he is arrogant..if he doesn’t ..then he is a pushover..!! who said ..its an easy life?! i just wonder how he lives with so much of criticism..how he bears all of it?! yes..he is bachchan nd he has got it easy..yes..he had 17 flops nd still he survived,,yes..he has a famous wife..BUT WHY DO PPL ALWAYS HOLD IT AGAINST HIM?! DATS HIS DESTINY..ND DATS D WAY GOD PLANNED IT OUT FOR HIM!! i m sick nd tired of ppl making remarks like..”ohh..he has got work coz of his father..nd it still continues..damn it ppl,,his father didn’t even launch him”!! nobody is ready 2 acknowledge d fact that he has made some very different choices in his career..they dont always pay..but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!
October 30, 2010 at 11:44 AM
Glad to see mansi back with REAL genuine comments. I agree with you!! Today someone posted accusing him even for him being a obedient son. I don’t think they let him live happily.
October 30, 2010 at 1:36 PM
really?! accusing him 4 being a good nd obedient son?! oh comeon now..!!
nd u know ted..d sad part is dat i feel all of this is hurting him much more than ever before..d kind of criticism he got 4 raavan..nd now this.. where ppl r really going at him with a vengeance..!! its hurting him..nd its showing up in his behaviour..he doesnt look too happy these days!!
October 30, 2010 at 6:13 PM
hiya mansi, how hav u been—hope u were not upto sum mischief–lol
nice to hear from u..
yes, abhi-shrek seems to be havin a tough time and the one thing i give him credit is the way he has handled the falure of raavan with dignityt and maturity.
but he needs more than that –he needs hits!
otherwise there will soon be more prahlad kakkars speaking up!
October 30, 2010 at 9:42 PM
For me biggest surprise is Why abhishek at first place ? does abhishek flop list is worst than any actor around ? I don’t think so. There are lot more actors who has given series of flop in their career, much more than abhishek. But yeah its abhishek only who still has many important projects in his hands, otherwise see where bobby deol is. And any one knows how many flops sanjay dutt has given in his career ?? He has hardly 10 hit movies in his career and more than 70 outright flops. But surprisingly i never heard anything bad about him, no one cares how many flops sanjay dutt has given to industry. then why abhishek bachchan ?? in fact despite bad last 3 years, he still gave 2 Hits (dostana and paa) and 2 respectable flops(Delhi 6 and Raavan). I feel media pays much attention to abhishek bachchan, thats why his flops counts looks bigger than actually it is (compared to other actors). Otherwise if he has done 40 movies so far his 12+ movies are plus fare as well. much better than others who has not given 10+ hits in their entire career which includes sanjay dutt, sunil shetty, bobby deol and lot more.
Abhishek bachchan is paying for his surname. The expectations from him was as high as Amitabh in peak, but he unable to fullfil the promise so far. Well but why can’t everyone accept that Amitabh is one and only one in bollywood, there is no replacement. One should treat abhishek as individual. Other thing which went against abhishek (and even all bachchan family) is that generally his flop counts looks bigger because flops of every bachchan generally combined as one package in most of articles (like bollywood hungama does in recent article where theur combined all flops of bachchan and presented the horrible picture).
My point is to treat abhishek as an individial and you will realize his career not as bad as made out to be (specially when compared with other stars).
October 30, 2010 at 11:37 PM
So true and not just Sanjay Dutt. Although Salman had a big hit in Dabangg and a smaller hit in Wanted, his record in the last five years is terrible – something like 18 flops and 4 hits.
Abhishek’s record since 2005 is actually better than many other stars but his family name draws all the attention.
October 30, 2010 at 6:23 PM
“i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..it …but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!”
mansi–u seem to have real deep empathy fro abhishek which is good to see.
did not know u liked him SO much.
anyhow, he needs someone like u to understand him—lol
As for 3I music, myselfaamir–we respexct your views.but forget aboutit being gr8 music, it is not even moitras own best in the 7 odd films he has given music in.
parineeta is better by a lot of margin than 3I, in terms of music.
The gr8 song placement and situational appropriatness is more to hiranis credit…
to me the background music piece in eklavya was moitras best musical piece…
October 31, 2010 at 1:15 AM
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Surya_Sen
didn’t know surya sen was one of the pivotal man of the bengali renaissance
(there are many unsung heroes to which have been brutally ignored)
thats one of the biggest drawback of indian history which has been presented to indian masses where only a political party which ruled india for close to 60 years promoted its so called elite in name of sycophancy
October 31, 2010 at 1:26 AM
trailer is good but historical have always poor record in indian box office
swadesh , mangal pandey, bhagat singh , bose and many others tanked badly
only mughaleaazam and jodha akbar worked and those primarily were more of love stories on a lavish scale
so there lies a tough road ahead in terms of genre commercially but critically from the look of thing it looks decent
these days only those films have longer life and recall value which do well critically and commercially and i can see this one may have that in longer run
October 31, 2010 at 4:43 AM
“i m feeling very bad for abhishek..he is receiving flak from so many quarters..it …but he has still been pretty good in them(eg. raavan)!! i m just waiting for d time when God will be FAIR to him..hope i see dat in d near future!!”
thats when people takes these things to emotional level
both mr as well as mrs bachchan( regarding some kbc tamasha) has releases coming up and Mr. Prahlad Kakkar is one of few who was invited for abhi-ash wedding and so is certain kashyap who interview which dates back to 2007 suddenly prompts up
publicity these days wheather good or bad generates eyeball
makes me no wonder if it all turns out to be another publicity stunt
October 31, 2010 at 6:05 AM
hey alex..goood to be back on this blog!! hows you?! me nd mischief..no ways!!
nd yup..i have always been an abhi fan(for d longest time now)..so ofcourse..one is bound 2 feel bad wid all d negativity arnd!!
nd @iffrononfire..i wouldnt b a cynic like u..nd say its a publicity stunt by abhishek..i regard him much higher than that!!
October 31, 2010 at 8:48 AM
agree mansi, that folks have been unduly harsh on abhishrek.
For me personally, however, raavan has been a watershed film wrt abhi.
For whateva reason (lets not go into those) he has lost the best opportunity to take the bull by the horns.
And now u suddenly see him being ovetaken by many including the younger brigade like imran and ranbir.
But if someone liek salman could “comeback” with wanted and dabang in his mid-40s–certainly abhi has the time, talent and the bakcing to do it.
IF he mends some of his ways (long topic)
October 31, 2010 at 11:42 AM
Alex: by what stretch of the imagination is Imran overtaking Abhishek?! Has the chap ever even given a hit after his first film (Kidnap, Luck, I Hate Luv Stories)?
October 31, 2010 at 3:18 PM
Q bhai i dont know what Alex meant, BUT i certainly feel so:
unfortunately, young fan base is always huge for love stories, and with ihls, and now bkb, hes making that upward graph, imo movie was bakwas though.
thing is many nowadays have forgotten abhi and his films i would give simple eg.
i asked my friend to watch raavan, refused on the ground that poor reviews and abhi movie.
but lets leave raavan, it was universally bashed by all i knw in my group! but on KHJJS, i made my friends saw trailer and reaction was poor, no one seemed interested? and this worries me. to be frank and thus i want abhi to do some of those ihls kind of movies i hope u understand mine last ditched ideas.
i also had said satyam long time back, khjjs should have come after commercial movie of abhisekh and not now! sequence is bad, that too after raavan! AND its PR!
October 31, 2010 at 9:15 AM
btw mansi—were u under some “child-surf-guard” where u could not get onto certain websites.
Seems now u r back after that restrictioin has been inadvertently lifted…lol
November 4, 2010 at 11:53 PM
happy diwali to everyone here
satyam there is a new song ‘sapne saloney’
November 5, 2010 at 12:28 AM
thanks, will look for it.
Happy Diwali to you too and everyone else here..
November 5, 2010 at 12:35 AM
Happy Diwali everyone!!!!! I’ve been struck by a bad stomach flu for the last 24 hours but hoping it’ll get better by tonight so I can dig into some Gulab Jamuns
!
November 5, 2010 at 1:09 AM
well hope you get better soon!
November 5, 2010 at 5:53 AM
Yup Happy Diwali to all .. and may it bring happiness for all and ur family.
November 5, 2010 at 8:29 AM
Happy Diwali to all!!!
November 5, 2010 at 7:56 AM
Like this love song quite a bit but Gowariker needs to introduce some new visuals here..
November 11, 2010 at 5:59 AM
Apparently, the 2nd part of Rakth Charitrahas been shifted from its original release date of Nov 19th to Dec 3rd where it will clash with KHJJS.
November 11, 2010 at 2:12 PM
Abhishek looks good when he is clean shaven.I wonder why he doesnt look like this.
November 12, 2010 at 9:10 AM
Grand maratha
The royal palace at Sawantwadi in southern Maharashtra, was transformed into the Chittagong of the ’30s for Ashutosh Gowarikar’s Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey.
It was art director Nitin Desai who chanced upon the ancient palace when he was location hunting for Khelein Hum Jee Kaan Sey. The abode of the royals of Sawantwadi with its verdant environment, ethnic brown walls and carved rooms was the perfect setting for the period thriller based on the Chittagong uprising of the 1930s.
Once the permissions to shoot in the palace were obtained, the 300-year-old building located on a lakeside and made in solid stone and almost lost in the midst of overgrown vegetation and knee-high grass and creepers, went in for a complete transformation. The makeover meant neat gardens, crushed red brick driveways, a gallows in the palace courtyard for a hanging scene, and white fences akin to a British colonial settlement.
“It was the first time that a film was shot in Sawantwadi, and the stunning palace that belongs to the late king Sivaram Raje Bhosale’s queen, who still resides there.
The artifacts and paintings in the interiors were also changed to suit a Bengali household. Ashutosh scanned the antique market in Kolkata and got some unique stuff like huge brass utensils, paintings of Goddess Durga, wooden badminton racquets, clocks and the works and made the entire place look like a settlement in Chittagong in the 30s,” says Sikandar, who plays a defiant revolutionary in the film and Abhishek Bachchan’s aide.
Sikandar found shooting in and around the laid-back town of Sawantwadi akin to a meditation programme because of the serene and calm environment of the locales. “Every locale was about a fifteen minute drive from where we were staying. Surrounded by greenery with no traffic , even driving around was a joy. There were no outside disturbances or distractions, for the entire three and a half months of shoot. Also Ashu-sir made sure that the cast and crew sat down and had all their three meals together. He also organised badminton and cricket tournaments to ensure complete bonding between everyone on the sets,” smiles Sikandar, saying that the whole experience of shooting there was unforgettable.
November 13, 2010 at 2:55 PM
looks a well-intentioned and earnest effort from gowarikar –problem is that the interest levels will be poor in this sort of subject (& cast).
The laid-back pace of gowarikar promises a “thriller” this time–will wait and see (to be surprised)
the promo of tellygave the vibe of a relatively bigger bidget tv serial sort of look.
IS this Sikandar being mentioned the same talentless son of anupam kher.
if so, wonder when abhi shrek wil get rid of this talentless buddy baggage a la lakhias and goldie behl…
November 13, 2010 at 5:47 PM
The Vande Mataram promo is aweosme..love thats song too!
November 14, 2010 at 8:34 AM
golmaal seems to be doing exceedingly well.
seems will have to catch it this time!
Also, could not resist putting up this unrelated link about the marvellous sehwag-
http://www.espncricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/485985.html?addata=col_mod
November 14, 2010 at 4:23 PM
the 90 sec trailer has a lot of new footage and might be the best one so far..
November 16, 2010 at 12:24 AM
UK man in starring Bollywood movie role
November 16, 2010 at 5:05 AM
Here’s a promo of a LONG delayed/stalled SUnny Deol/Taboo film which was earlier called THE CHALLENGE and has now been re-titled KHUDA KI KASAM. Not sure what prompted them to release this..from the dying “Bokadia” house (they used to make a lot of violent masala actioners ala AAJ KA ARJUN!
November 18, 2010 at 8:16 AM
ahem…I see no one is pumped for this grandiose spectacular…..
November 16, 2010 at 5:16 PM
Frontline review of the Do and Die book:
http://www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl1705/17050790.htm
November 16, 2010 at 5:22 PM
and here’s a brief Outlook review:
http://www.outlookindia.com/article.aspx?208830
November 17, 2010 at 9:13 AM
At this point Gowariker should just focus on this sort of short dramatic trailer and alternate this with Abhishek-Deepika ones (!) if he wants to have any hope of getting anything like a decent initial!
November 17, 2010 at 10:26 AM
i like the new trailer, and m now really interested and geared up for this movie..
November 17, 2010 at 11:53 AM
just added another brief one..
November 18, 2010 at 6:07 AM
yup just saw that.. see not an expert of BO but i can sense a good movie.. i just hope ashu keeps the pace alright.. it seriously can turn oiut movie of the year with low expectations attached.. just love the narration here..
one night and so many strikes..
i hope i am not disappointed.. and u would be happy to know.. with this is the only good thing about my xams postponed as now i can catch this first weekend
November 18, 2010 at 9:20 AM
hope we get a piece from you on this..
November 18, 2010 at 10:26 AM
yo man certainly.. abhisekhs/ashutosh movies are may not be commercial but always though provoking and i am proud of both of them for this.. and i am even going to read the book DO AND DIE and go in the theater.. i have ordered a copy
but i would be looking forward to urs/gfs/q and abzees dude…
November 17, 2010 at 3:05 PM
tweeted Abhishek with this (LOL, even twitter cannot stop my massive responses!):
[sometimes what annoys me a great deal about filmmakers who make different films, embark on the path of meaningful cinema, is their lack of 'smarts' (for want of a better word) in other ways. Gowariker is always a sincere filmmaker. I've liked Lagaan and Swades, JA seemed rather messy and bloated to me though it could be seen once. With KHJJS he has chosen an inherently dramatic story and I certainly hope it works but he advertising campaign did need to be much more high profile. After putting in so much effort on such a film isn't it important to get as many people to the theater as possible? Specially when quite frankly we're dealing with a rather bankrupt audience that otherwise busies itself with G3?! WOM is important of course but you still need to start with the best base possible. Also Gowariker could have added more vibrance to his sets and so forth. I know he's being authentic here but what does it matter?! The story itself is the point here as is the message! What does it matter where they lived in white houses or red ones?! Why is it important whether the jungles look like Bengal's or not?! Sometimes there can be a misplaced sense of 'naturalism' and 'realism' and 'authenticity'. Shakespeare never cared about any of this stuff but did he write less plausibly for all that?! All of this is not a criticism of Gowariker per se but of any 'sincere' filmmaker. I admire this quality specially in these bad times but why not strive for a little more. I have liked the look of the film in many ways (though this is more apparent on the stills) but certain compromises are sometimes useful. Is it better to make a totally authentic film that is more challenged at the box office than one that compromises on certain elements but preserves yet the soul of the work and also does better? For example why have a very subtle romance between your character and Deepika's? Why not a somewhat more obvious one? Yes this violates the historical record but so what?! Perhaps a few proper romantic scenes, a couple of songs done the right way gain the film more of an audience. There's nothing wrong with this! Do we care whether Anthony and Cleopatra really had the lives Shakespeare depicts them as having? The truth of a work does not depend on such historical accuracy unless of course it goes against the overall 'message' or 'meaning' of the work. I would be the happiest if this film worked. I am often frustrated though when otherwise well-intentioned filmmakers don't make their job a little easier! Gowariker said in an interview that he knew nothing about this story before reading about it and that he wanted to inform his audience. Well what if the audience doesn't know and isn't interested either?! The job of the director then becomes one of persuasion and certain compromises are sometimes necessary for this. I hope I am wrong but what I am missing in the trailers so far is really and in one word 'vitality'. Having read about this story this certainly has the contours to be a success if handled the right way. But part of that 'handling' also involves making a very 'dynamic' film (Lagaan is a good example) when the subject otherwise has a high hurdle to cross with the audience. At any rate I'll say it yet again.. the advertising campaign while nice enough is sort of ambling along at this point. It really has to be taken to a different level.]
November 17, 2010 at 3:11 PM
Someone should check…I think you probably broke twitter.
Good note.
November 18, 2010 at 8:14 AM
A fun read here… On KHJJS, I think all the new promos and songs are well done. The film doesn’t scream exciting however looks more enjoyable than say GUZAARISH. Ultimately both films need WOM as they’re not likely to get a GOLMAAL 3 type opening
BTW there is always Tweet Longer
http://www.twitlonger.com/
November 20, 2010 at 7:50 AM
notwithstanding the length of this “”tweet”, it does have a point satyam…
the “meaningful”, “realistic” but box-office failure film-makers need to read this.
unfortunately, am sure abhi shrek will remain apathetic to earnest advice (as he has mostly been).
I, for one, have lost patience in him
November 20, 2010 at 1:34 PM
hahaha.. was that seriously on twitter!!
November 18, 2010 at 10:31 AM
I’ve read that Abhishek starts doing promotions from Nov22. I hope he doesn’t promote like ‘ We worked hard’. They should come up why people should watch and what can expect. As on now, to me Guzaarish is looking good.
November 20, 2010 at 6:48 AM
REALLY good one here…..these trailers and the film has really grown on me…I think WOM will be awesome for this film…
November 20, 2010 at 7:36 AM
KHJJS seems to be increasing the tempo with the short snappy promo’s and the music has certainly caught on. Most comments across Twitter and FB the buzz is clearly positive. The patriotic “feel” which is essential for this genre is evident strongly.
We’ll get to see Abhishek here in a authentic period action drama. Despite the difficulty of the genre, I suspect if the film has enough of a “thriller” element (which the trailers clearly indicate) as well as the LAGAAN-esque team vibes for the film to be a winner. If it’s kept UNDER 3 hours.
November 20, 2010 at 9:26 PM
Agreed. I saw Guzaarish today (very good movie btw) and the trailer for KHJJS got more of a response than TMK although we all know TMK will be huge. But I think if AG can keep the movie under 3 hrs and faster paced then he might have a winner with good reviews and WOM.
November 20, 2010 at 11:44 PM
it is good if RGV moves RC-2 to different date, it affects the business in South for khjjs.
November 21, 2010 at 12:37 AM
tyler: just put my review of GUZAARISH up, flawed but really good film. I was surprised, my expectations were LOW…
November 20, 2010 at 7:23 PM
content wise it looks like a winner… lets see how strong WOM it can generate…
November 22, 2010 at 6:44 PM
Few tweets from khjjs crew screening:
juniorbachchan you have brought back SURJO SEN into life from a mere photograph. What a performance !! Amazing … about 1 hour ago via web in reply to juniorbachchan
November 22, 2010 at 8:09 PM
who attended the screening?
November 28, 2010 at 8:07 AM
hi ted—have u seen this film?
how was it. i guess it will be a v good movie given gowarikers involvement but do u think it will work at the box office?
November 22, 2010 at 8:33 PM
It was cast and crew screening.
November 22, 2010 at 9:50 PM
http://www.mid-day.com/entertainment/2010/nov/221110-Ashutosh-Gowariker-Khelein-Hum-Jee-Jaan-Sey-vintage-cars.htm
Gowariker has used vintage cars from the ’30s in the film
November 23, 2010 at 10:45 PM
Interview with Abhishek and Gowariker
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/broadband/video/Interviews/Npc6gQ15/3/Abhishek-Ashutosh-Speak-About-Khelein-Hum-Jee-Jaan-Sey.html
November 27, 2010 at 12:21 PM
November 27, 2010 at 12:26 PM
This new trailer while showcasing badminton in a Hindi film after a long time (it was quite the staple in the 60s) and presumably playing to Deepika’s strengths is quite an old-fashioned deal! Gowariker is trying his hardest not to attract younger audiences!
Do like the soundtrack quite a bit though and this song is no exception. Yet I keep wishing Rahman had done this.
November 28, 2010 at 12:47 AM
…also fitting given who Deepika’s dad is…
November 27, 2010 at 12:28 PM
November 28, 2010 at 8:05 AM
“Gowariker is trying his hardest not to attract younger audiences!”haha
thats typical of some “cutting-edge” or “progressive” film-makers who are convinced upto their DNAs that a really worthwhile movie can NOT have mass box-office potential and vice versa.
Someitmes one feels that they are deliberately trying to tone things differently so as NOT to accidentally satisfy the mass taste.
In lagaan and rdb, the astute aamir managed to rein in these tendecies of gowariker and mehra respectively. but not every lead actor is an aamir (definitely not abhishrek at this stage)
November 28, 2010 at 8:56 AM
Interview with Abhishek
http://boxofficeindia.co.in/interview3.php?interviewid=75
November 28, 2010 at 9:37 AM
some interesting details revealed here.. he has confirmed the Rohit Shetty film with Devgan and it’s clearly another comedy.. meanwhile Dostana 2 still doesn’t have a complete script.. this keeps getting delayed! Every few months Johar says it’s all ready to go, even talks about starting in a particular month, Abhishek half-confirms it and then there are these mysterious delays! Talks about Game here too. There are three big commercial attempts here in Italian Job, Bazmee, Rohit Shetty. One has to hold one’s nose for the last two. LOL!
November 30, 2010 at 4:37 PM
‘Dostana 2′ postponed
Actor Abhishek Bachchan confirmed that the shooting of Dostana 2 has been postponed to April, next year. He says, “Tarun Mansukhani, (the director of the film) was not too happy with the script and some changes are being made to the script. The shooting of the film was supposed to begin in October but will now begin in April.”
It is also confirmed that Anees Bazmee’s Hera Pheri 4 stars Abhishek Bachchan. Abhishek says, “Yes, I am working on Hera Pheri 4 with Anees.” Though he refused to divulge any more details, it is rumoured Abhishek will be doing Akshay Kumar’s role in the original film. Nana Patekar is said to be doing Paresh Rawal’s role and Sanjay Dutt will take on Suniel Shetty’s role.
Currently, Abhishek is busy promoting his upcoming patriotic film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Abhishek recalls, “Ashutosh Gowariker (producer-director) of the film asked me a question before narrating me the script. He said, ‘What did you do when you were 13?’ I replied – went to school, tuition etc. And he said ‘the 58 kids who participated in the Chittagong uprising were ready to give up their lives to attain India’s freedom’. And thereafter I just had to sign the movie.” He adds, “I am ashamed that I didn’t know about the Chittagong uprising that was spearheaded by school teacher Surya Sen until Ashutosh told me about it. And now I am glad that I am a part of this film.”
Gowariker had initially thought of shooting the film in Chittagong. Abhishek says, “Chittagong has many modern buildings now and it was difficult to recreate the India of our independence time there. We then decided to shoot the film in Sawantwadi and for a period of 3 months.” He adds, “I vividly remember that when the Indian flag was hoisted on the sets for the first time, for a scene, most of us were teary eyed. I have realised that patriotism is indeed a very strong sentiment.”
Abhishek will soon get busy with his next, Abbas Mustan’s Players.
November 30, 2010 at 4:56 PM
I have no interest in Hera Pheri 4 but I really enjoyed Nana’s scenes with Abhishek in BM, so at least there’s that to look forward to.
Frankly it says a lot about the industry that the film you end up with when you get Abhishek, Nana and Sanjay Dutt together is HP4. Lame.
November 30, 2010 at 5:25 PM
again this is an instance of just going in for the title’s cache.. there is no reason they couldn’t have just done a different comedy with these three.. but hey there’s 100 crores in G3!
November 30, 2010 at 5:29 PM
For me, the success of G3 vindicates failures of films like, Raavan,Guzaarish etc.
November 30, 2010 at 5:40 PM
In fairness it’s often not the very same audience that watches both.. I think that if the potential audience for Guzaarish had showed up and/or liked it the film would have done much better.
Once again it’s about a seemingly ‘progressive’ audience not turning out to be all that when it comes to better films or even moreso in terms of their politics.
But then there are also the ‘fans’. Those who thought Krrish and D2 were perfect films and then liked JA and Guzaarish equally too! They did not even mind Kites! The same with some SRK folks over the years who defined those Johar/Yashraj films as the height of cinema but suddenly went all ‘artsy’ with Swades! So even as we blame the audiences and certainly the media/trade et al we also have to be sure we ourselves have some credibility to begin with. When the shoe is on the other foot stars are attacked for the very same choices — either for doing dumb films or for being part of total box office failures. So on and so forth.
November 28, 2010 at 4:16 PM
http://www.hindustantimes.com/I-wish-Hrithik-good-luck-for-Agneepath-remake-Abhishek/H1-Article1-631677.aspx
whatever they would like us to feel, it seems to have hurt the bachchans esp abhishek for not getting agneepath remake.
by his own admission, agneepath has been THE BEST amitabh performance from amitabh.
he loves this film more than any other.
Being his son and admiring this film, it seemed the reasonable option “legacy” wise and kjo does count amonst one of bachchans apparent friends.
im sure abhis poor recent boxoffice esp raavan has something to do with abhis not getting this.
admire the dignified and mature way, abhishek takes these failures
hope he takes this “hurt” into stride and use it productively to hit back in terms of gr8 films and performances of his own.
December 1, 2010 at 8:49 AM
Am in fact glad that Abhishek isn’t doing this. This one is going to be a disaster and the Bachans should do their best to keep away from the crapfests of K. Johar and Yashraj. I hope that Abhishek stays away from Dostana 2 now.
Johar directing Agneepath is the perfect recipe for disaster. What is he going to do? I hope he is not thinking about putting more emphasis on Vijay Dinanath Chauhan courting the heroine in the 1st half of the film before they get married in grand wedding reception with those candyfloss sets. And then he will probably introduce a 2nd male lead for gay undertones and for creating confusion in the town that the mafia war-lord is probably gay. Vijay Dinanath Chauhan as a gay icon??
Seriously though, I think that KJo has only gone backwards as a film maker since his debut. There was an element of innocence and spontaneity in KKHH. Since then his movis have got worse and worse. I found MNIK unwatchable and even amateurish in parts. Watch the scene where Kajol’s kid is killed. It looks like the work of an amateur.
KANK was another disappointment. It was a silly attempt of a tear jerker and it ranks amongst Rani’s worst performances. She (and SRK) seemed to confuse crying for acting. Shedding buckets of tears throughout a movie has nothing to do with decent acting.
Abhishek ironically stole the thunder and the critics seemed to like his performance more than the main leads. The 2 sequences of his outburst against his wife were not enough to save the movie though.
Abhishek is also fortunate that KJo chopped various unnecessary scenes between SRK and Rani in the editing room. When you watch the deleted scenes, you get the impression that the Bachans were getting a very raw deal here in the beggining and that fortunately for them Kjo had to make cuts to prevent the movie from becoming too lengthy. This enabled Abhishek to make some kind of mark.
But you would still ask yourself the question: what had prompted the Bachans to sign for the film? It seemed to be an all out SRK-Rani love story originally. The Bachans seemed to have very little to do in it originally.
December 1, 2010 at 9:41 AM
“Seriously though, I think that KJo has only gone backwards as a film maker since his debut. There was an element of innocence and spontaneity in KKHH. Since then his movis have got worse and worse. I found MNIK unwatchable and even amateurish in parts. Watch the scene where Kajol’s kid is killed. It looks like the work of an amateur.”
always thought the same … though MNIK is better than KANK IMO.
December 1, 2010 at 11:37 PM
Ive said this numerous times throughout the year…..MNIK, WAF, IHLS…WTF??!! K-Jo is losing his touch fast…
Not to forget KURBAAN!
December 1, 2010 at 9:42 AM
December 2, 2010 at 8:55 AM
December 1, 2010 at 9:51 AM
Gowariker interview:
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/12/01/6878/index.html
December 4, 2010 at 9:49 AM
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/12/04/6891/index.html
December 1, 2010 at 10:48 PM
Ashutosh is a filmmaker with rare integrity: Manini Chatterjee
Thursday, 02 December 2010
By Radhika Bhirani
New Delhi, Dec 2 – Literature-based films would flourish if filmmakers started giving due credit to authors, says veteran journalist Manini Chatterjee, who feels Ashutosh Gowariker has displayed ‘rare integrity’ by giving her book adequate prominence in the promotion of his film ‘Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey’ releasing Friday.
‘I think the problem with a lot of film directors, and not just in Bollywood, is they take material from books or foreign films and do not give adequate credit. Ashutosh is a filmmaker of rare integrity and has given my book a lot of credit,’ Chatterjee, who has been a journalist for 30 years, told IANS in an interview.
On multiple occasions, Gowariker has admitted he knew little about the Chittagong Uprising of the 1930s until he read Chatterjee’s ‘Do & Die – The Chittagong Uprising 1930-34′, about the lesser known freedom struggle.
He chose to take her advice at different stages of making the film to avoid any factual errors pertaining to the revolution, of which Chatterjee’s mother-in-law, Kalpana Dutta, was an active part.
The veteran journalist, who works with The Telegraph newspaper of Kolkata, is glad that Gowariker has set such an example.
‘Earlier, Anurag Kashyap also gave credit to S. Husain Zaidi’s book ‘Black Friday’ on which he made a film. Both films are on real life incidents and both directors prominently mentioned their source. If other directors were as honest, we would find more names of books in the opening credits of a film than we do, I guess,’ she added.
Chatterjee’s words are a reminder of the roaring credit controversy over blockbuster ’3 Idiots’ when ‘Five Point Someone’ author Chetan Bhagat made a hue and cry for not getting prominence in the credits of the film as the script of the film was loosely based on his book.
She feels she was consulted enough even if she wasn’t an official consultant for the project.
‘I have not been a consultant formally. But Ashutosh, unusually for a film director, has given me and the book a lot of respect. He showed me the screenplay, invited me for the mahurat last year, let me see a bit of the shooting, and showed me the rough cut of the film. I made a few suggestions now and then, which he took seriously,’ she said.
Gowariker, who has made films like ‘Lagaan’, ‘Swades’ and ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ in the past, had first expressed the desire to adapt ‘Do & Die’ in 2005. He made up his mind to bring it to the big screen in 2008 and purchased its rights from Chatterjee.
He roped in Abhishek Bachchan and Deepika Padukone for key roles in the film.
Wasn’t she worried about the twists her book could get in a bid to make the film commercially viable?
‘I knew from the outset that this was not a historical documentary but a mainstream film, and as such one would have to make some departures from the book since cinema has its own logic, time constraints, etc. But Ashutosh is one contemporary filmmaker who has the ability to make meaningful cinema which is also mainstream.
‘He does not make niche films for the festival circuit, and neither does he make mindless, masala films for pure commercial gains. So I felt privileged that a director of his standing was taking up a true but entirely neglected chapter of our history and making it known to a much wider audience than my book would ever reach,’ said Chatterjee, who is currently the editor, national affairs, The Telegraph.
She has not seen the final cut of the film but is confident it has the right mix of history and melodrama.
‘He has not sensationalised or trivialised the story in any way and, despite some creative liberties, has been faithful to the essential spirit of the Chittagong uprising and my book,’ she added.
Does that mean in times when masala films like ‘Dabangg’ are minting money, there are strong chances that ‘Khelein…’, based on a serious issue, will click with the audience?
‘I think Ashutosh has shown a lot of courage and conviction in making a film on such a subject. But audiences in India are receptive to all kinds of films. If the film touches an emotional chord, which I think it will, I am hopeful it will bring alive a forgotten chapter of our freedom struggle, which deserves to be much more widely known.’
December 2, 2010 at 8:48 AM
“KHJJS is an entertaining film because it grips you” – Abhishek Bachchan
By Devansh Patel, December 2, 2010 – 12:25 IST
Abhishek Bachchan I remember doing an interview of Abhishek Bachchan from the noisy railway platform in London post his Sarkar Raj release. It was a day I’ll never forget in my life. There was so much I wanted to write; so much I wanted to tell, so much I wanted to experience. I had it all, except the man in flesh. Abhishek was on the other side of the planet. Back in 2010, I am called to meet Abhishek at his office in Janak. The same emotions are running in my mind. The handsome actor walks in to finish his pending television interviews and then leaves. After a minute or so I am guided to his personal office on the second floor. As his spokesperson aptly puts it, “It’s Abhi’s den. That’s what we call it.” You are lucky to be meeting him in a space where he will be more relaxed. Just then a male maid serves me Earl Grey Green tea. A sip was enough to invigorate me. As I look around, I see creativity all around me in the form of books, paintings, art-e-facts and the many small and big things kept in different corners of his private ‘den’. As I ponder, the door opens and Abhishek makes a grand entry in his white shirt and blue denims. A perfect combo which can never go wrong, especially if you are Abhishek Bachchan. Throughout our one to one conversation, he maintained a sense of humour and a self-deprecating attitude towards his work; and he does not enjoy looking back and reflecting on his career. The way Abhi atones is by doing, alongside the romantic comedies and heist numbers, a range of films that bring him a different kind of attention altogether. Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey is just one of them. UK’s Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama’s London correspondent meets the man with a firm grip, level gaze and a discreet squeeze under the elbow that implies, “If you think it’s exciting meeting me, just imagine how exciting it is being me.” Abhishek Bachchan is all yours in one of his most in depth interviews.
When you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like KHJJS
I think when you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey
I think when you mix entertainment and heart is when you get a film like Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. That’s the space the film falls into. It’s an entertaining film because it grips you; it takes you on a ride and leaves you with a huge thought. I’m a firm believer in entertainment. I don’t think films have to be preachy. If you can still make a film which leaves a social message, it’s fantastic. What Ashutosh has done is brought back to life a by-gone era, brought back to life a very important incident that I believe has been lost in the pages of history, brought back to life an individual called Surja Sen who I firmly believe today, after having researched the film and learning about him, should really been spoken about in the same breath as Chandrashekhar Azadji and Bhagat Singhji.
Abhishek Bachchan Everybody watches good quality cinema which is engaging and entertaining.
It was just the film industry’s way of justifying why they were not able to penetrate the overseas audience that was classified as ‘Oh! They only like family dramas or romantic stories’. Unfortunately, Karan Johar was saddled with this whole blame. I think the overseas audiences will watch a film that entertains them. I remember when Dhoom 2 was releasing, I was told that no action film has ever done well and today it’s one of the highest grossing overseas films of all times from our film industry. When Guru was releasing, we were told that if it works, it’ll work only in Gujarat. It’s one of my biggest overseas hits till date. Everybody watches good quality cinema.
People in England will associate with this film
People in England will associate with this film because a lot of Indians are living there, a lot of them are the second generation Indians too, Bangladeshi’s will identify with it too because Chittagong is a part of Bangladesh today. KHJJS isn’t an Indian film, it’s about the subcontinent. It is based in a time when there wasn’t a division in our country. There wasn’t a Pakistan or an East Pakistan, there wasn’t a Bangladesh and there wasn’t India too. It was a subcontinent. If the audiences in the West are traditional, it will cater to them and remind them of a time that a few of them might have lived through and if not, it will remind them of what life used to be like back then.
You have to give it all in the writing process.
If you’re going to make a film, you have to spend time in it. You have to give it all in the writing process. Once the written word is down, there is very little you can do on the sets to change that. If your screenplay isn’t tight, it’s not engaging, and then nothing can save your film.
We have tried to stay true to the book in the form of its characters and sequence of events
The book that inspired Ashutosh to write KHJJS was Manini Chatterjee’s Do and Die. It’s actually an account of 1930′s uprising in Chittagong. From there on, we had to make it cinematic. So we have tried to stay true to the book in the form of its characters and sequence of events, we had to make it more like a feature film than a mere docu drama.
KHJJS is something that needs to be acknowledged.
Abhishek Bachchan This is my feeble and a humble attempt of being a part of history. There is so much you want to do and so much you want to say. Thankfully, we get an opportunity through our films. I get a chance to play a character like Surjya Sen. I very strongly feel that what happened in Chittagong in 1930′s is a very significant fact and it is something that needs to be acknowledged.
Sawantvadi was re-created to become Chittagong of 1930′s
I do get absorbed in my characters, especially when you are doing material which is a historical piece. There is a definite world that is created. We put up a huge set and created Chittagong of the 1930′s in a place called Sawantvadi. We had put up this huge gate which was like a portal. The moment it opened, you get sucked into time. The minute you drove through, you had the vintage cars, junior artists walking as if they were from that era. It all looked so historic. It’s very easy to inhabit that world.
It is commendable that Deepika took on a role like this at an early stage of her career
We did a lot of workshops, a lot of readings, a lot of rehearsals, a lot of movement rehearsals, etc. Everybody was fully prepared on the sets. We shot without Deepika as she was busy doing another film and we had a lot of work without her. She came in only about a month into the shooting. She had to pick up half way through but she was very well prepared too. It is commendable that at such a young stage and age in her career, she has decided to take on a role like this and she has done it with great élan and a lot of dignity. It’s always exciting for an actor to show a facet of yourself which you’re not known for or haven’t done before.
I very strongly feel that what happened in Chittagong in 1930′s is a very significant
We hardly had any pictures of Surjya Sen for study
A role like this becomes difficult because there is no reference to Surjya Sen. There are only one or two photographs of him in any record and all those pictures have been taken post his arrest. It was almost two to three years after the uprising took place. Before and during the uprising, there was no footage of him. That was something we had to really search for and build on our own.
I think the audiences are far more forgiving than our film industry
I think the audiences are far more forgiving than our film industry and the audiences like to give you a chance. Audiences do play into the illusions that the film sells you. I think they judge each film individually and do not judge it from what the actor has done before.
Ashutosh is one of India’s most celebrated directors of our generation
I’ve known Ashutosh Gowariker since the late 1980′s. I wasn’t a teenager then. Mr Indrajeet, my best friend Goldie’s father and my father were producing a film together. I had come back from the boarding school for my holidays and they were shooting a song. I went on the sets to meet my father. Goldie and I were hanging out. We saw this really tall guy with an awkward mop of hair and a knife sticking into his neck and coming out from the other. We were completely in awe of this guy. He was looking cool with a knife sticking and walking. That was my first memory of Ashutosh. We’ve wanted to work with each other since long and thankfully we both got the opportunity. He is one of India’s most celebrated directors of our generation. He completely lives up to his reputation.
Ashu used to play the Vande Mataram track on the sets and it just invigorates you.
Abhishek Bachchan Ashutosh was very keen for A.R. Rahman to work on KHJJS but when both spoke to each other; he was very committed to a few projects in the overseas. He then decided to go with Sohail who had done his previous film, What’s Your Raashee? I think Sohail has done a fantastic job. Music has a fantastic emotional connect. The music of KHJJS highlights an emotion. Ashu used to play the Vande Mataram track on the sets and it just invigorates you. It does something to you.
KHJJS is the shortest narration I’ve ever had
It doesn’t get difficult to say ‘Yes’ to a film like KHJJS. It’s a complete no-brainer. KHJJS is the shortest narration I’ve ever had. I met him three years ago and he asked me a question, “What were you doing when you were thirteen?” I answered, “I was a school kid having fun, busy with my sports, drama, etc” He replied, “I want to make a film on thirteen year old kids who fought for the Independence of India and who laid down their lives” I said, “I’m doing it”. He again said, “But I want you to play the school teacher who led them” I again said, “I’m doing it”.
I think tweeting is very enriching
I get a very unbiased and a fresh perspective when I tweet. The good thing is that you have no idea what the audiences on social networking sites are thinking about your tweet. You know what they like or what they don’t like which we might not have thought about. I think tweeting is very enriching to be available on a site like Twitter where people have direct access to you and vice-versa.
December 2, 2010 at 8:50 AM
“Abhishek’s Bengali side helped in portrayal of Surjya Sen” – Ashutosh Gowariker
By Subhash K. Jha, December 2, 2010 – 14:30 IST
Ashutosh Gowariker The half-Bengali side of Abhishek Bachchan’s personality got him the role of the freedom fighter Surjya Sen in Ashutosh Gowariker’s new film Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey. Abhishek also speaks a smattering of Bengali in the film.
Says the director, “Abhishek’s Bengali-ness did help. I immediately saw him as Surjya Sen. Yes the Bangla side of Abhishek’s personality definitely helped. I also wanted to work with him for quite some time…even from before his debut film Refugee. I had even narrated Lagaan to him. Every script has its own destiny. In Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey Abhishek was the perfect Surjya Sen. Though Abhishek had never done a period film he got into it effortlessly. He got into a dhoti as effortlessly as Deepika Padukone carries off her saree. They both look like they’ve worn it all their life.”
The fact that Abhishek’s prestigious Raavan has tanked does not dampen Ashutosh’s spirits. “He’s a terrific actor. But expectations from him are of a very different kind because of his lineage. Whatever work he does is taken for granted. Raavan makes no difference to me. After directing Baazi I’ve seen three years of no work. Success or failure doesn’t affect my judgment. Even when I was doing What’s Your Raashee Harman Baweja’s Love Story 2050 didn’t work. So what? While I was doing Jodhaa-Akbar, Dhoom 2 released and my pair (Hrithik-Aishwarya) became a hit. Who knows the ways of destiny?”
Gowariker doesn’t agree that period films don’t have a market. “Audiences are interested in something new. They don’t go by the genre.”
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/features/2010/12/02/6882/index.html
December 2, 2010 at 9:03 AM
December 2, 2010 at 9:31 AM
Abhi’s conscious effort to talk in Hindi is app laudable but strangely Ashu didn’t follow that. Deepika should be staying away from all interviews and TV shows. She and Imran was miserable sight on sa re ga ma.
December 2, 2010 at 9:48 AM
Glamsham review. Hardly a detailed review. Same complaints about the pace of AG films
http://www.glamsham.com/movies/reviews/02-khelein-hum-jee-jaan-sey-movie-review-121208.asp
December 2, 2010 at 10:39 AM
“When one thinks about successful patriotic films, films like BORDER, RANG DE BASANTI, THE LEGEND OF BHAGAT SINGH, SWADES, and LAGAAN instantly come to mind.”
It might be news to Santoshi and Gowariker that LOBS and Swades were successful films..
December 2, 2010 at 11:03 AM
hehe.. i was also thinkinbg the same!
December 3, 2010 at 8:30 AM
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey gets rave reviews
Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Sey, Ashutosh Gowariker’s shortest film with a large ensemble cast, manages to impress not only Indian critics but also reviewers abroad. Read on to know what worked for the film.
Phelim O’Neill (Guardian) who gave four star rating to the film writes, “As with his previous hit Lagaan, Gowariker proves he can handle a large cast and loves to compose frames full of chatting characters. Beautifully shot, it manages to hit hard even under the restrictions of Indian cinema.”
Taran Adarsh (Bollywood Hungama) is all praise for the filmmaker’s effort of attaining perfection in execution of the scenes. He gave a four star rating to the film. “A film-maker of extensive aptitude and sensitivity, Gowariker’s tryst with Khelein Hum Jee Jaan Seyperiod films continues. Seems like he has worked himself to the grind in order to attain perfection. The writing [screenplay: Raoul V. Randolf and Ashutosh Gowariker] and execution of the material are so credible that it influences you to wonder if the writers and director were part of the revolution.”
Nikhat Kazmi (Times of India) felt that the filmmaker was able to “combine high-octane drama with a high degree of restraint”. She writes, “The film unfolds like a relentless thriller with loads of action involving the band of revolutionaries as they go about their bloody business.”
Performances
Aniruddha Guha, DNA
Abhishek Bachchan
Abhishek does quite well in the central role, but somewhere falls short of delivering the kind of performance you expect from the lead actor of a film like that.
Deepika Padukone
Deepika is confident, and doesn’t have much to do, something you won’t really complain about.
Other cast
The film’s biggest plus, though, is the performance of the kids. Each and every one of them enthuses life in characters, creating an immediate connect. You smile when they are happy and feel the anguish when they experience it.
Taran Adarsh, Bollywood Hungama
Deepika Padukone
Deepika sheds her glam look and looks every bit the character she illustrates. Kudos to her first of all for accepting a challenging role [of a woman revolutionary of the 1930s] so early in her career and then almost living that character in the film, continuing to prove her mettle far ahead of her poise and exquisiteness.
Other cast
Sikander Kher leaves a terrific impression. He excels in several scenes. Vishakha Singh is a complete natural. She catches one’s attention instantly. Samrat Mukerji, Maninder and Feroz Wahid Khan, each actor is earnest and sincere to the core. In fact, every actor in the film looks most convincing in their respective parts. I would like to make a special mention of the young artists [most of them seem like first-time performers], who have a very unpolluted/uninfluenced approach to acting. Brownie points to each one of them.