The Abhi-Ash Lux Ad (images & videos) (updated)

Force, Saheb Biwi aur Gangster, Hum Tum Shabana, Mausam (ongoing), the rest of the box office

last week’s thread

Ranbir in a Vinod Chopra production

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Vidhu Vinod Chopra had met Ranbir Kapoor in Los Angeles over a year ago. Ever since that big meeting overseas, there have been a zillion speculations about the Kapoor lad being cast in a VVC production. And now, the filmmaker is finally ready to start off his venture with the actor. Chopra, who is all set to start off his next venture titled Chithiyaan, will cast Ranbir Kapoor and Sharman Joshi in the male lead roles.

Lagaan in Time’s all-time 25 best sports movies list

thanks to cooldude…
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Richard Corliss
From the thunderclap in the first torrential rainstorm — a cue for riotous dancing — to the climactic sunlight on the smiling faces of millions of viewers, this Bollywood epic is cause for joy of meteorological proportions. Surely the longest and most enthralling underdog-sports movie ever, Lagaan stars Aamir Khan (who also produced the film) as the leader of 19th century peasants from the western Indian town of Champaner, who strike a desperate deal with the representatives of the English Raj: if the locals defeat the lords of the British Empire in a cricket match, they get a break on their lagaan, or land tax. One guess as to whether the Champaners become champs.

The Enduring Appeal of ‘Dil Chahta Hai’

thanks to Munna…
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This year marks the tenth anniversary of “Lagaan” (“Land Tax,” or “Once Upon a Time in India”), a historical saga packed with the emotional pull of right versus might. In addition to wide acclaim in India, “Lagaan” won awards at many international festivals and was nominated for an Oscar for best foreign language film, helping it become one of the best-known Hindi movies outside India. Its strong performances, classic sports-movie plot, lovable and morally superior underdogs, period drama details, and gorgeous music by A. R. Rahman, who has Oscars of his own for “Slumdog Millionaire,” ensure it has remained an appealing, heart-tugging film for a decade.

Rakeysh Mehra’s thoughts on movie villains and related matters..

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New Delhi, Sep 26 : Filmmaker and scriptwriter Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra of “Rang De Basanti” fame says the history of Indian cinema shows villains were the greatest mirrors of the country’s changing socio-political scene.

“The first villains were the British – they were villains (literally). Then the feudal lords became the villains in the rich-poor conflicts and after that your father became the villain (because he told you which room in the hostel you had to stay and whom you should wed). And then the system became the villain,” Mehra said.

The Dookudu craze!

Force trailers (updated)

Images from Rascals (updated)

The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trailers (Fincher) (updated)

Images from FORCE (updated)

Jagjit Singh in critical condition!

Katrina finally confirmed for Dhoom 3 (earlier post updated)

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After denying the rumours that Katrina Kaif was to play the lead role in Dhoom 3, and albeit an extensive hunt for a new face for the leading lady, which included international aspirants as well, Yash Raj Films is now pleased to announce and confirm that Katrina will play this role.

Mausam, Speedy Singh, Mere Brother ki Dulhan and Bodyguard (ongoing), the rest of the box office

last week’s thread

Mansur Ali Khan Pataudi (‘Tiger’) passes away..

Saheb Biwi aur Gangster trailers (updated)

My guest post for Naachgaana..

Rohit very kindly invited me to start off this series on his blog.. I was pleased to accept… I use this opportunity to thank him and include a link here to the actual post..

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Truths in the Wild (a note on Urumi and Santosh Sivan)

There aren’t a great deal of filmmakers within mainstream Indian cinema that bother to furnish their work with any kind of a formal vision, even fewer whose vision is so consistent and recognizable that you can tell who the director is just from the sight of a solitary frame. Santosh Sivan is among the better examples of this kind of director and while one can argue on his merits as a filmmaker, or even the merit of his bearing an identifiable formal stamp, this inclination to leaving an authentic visual mark ultimately means something different for each one of his films.

Ranbir-Deepika in Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani for Dharma

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Dharma Productions which already has Agneepath, Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu and Student Of The Year up for release next year, has announced their next project Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani. YJHD will be directed by Ayan Mukerji, who earlier made Wake Up Sid for the same banner.

Salman-Deepika in Farah Khan’s next?

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Deepika Padukone seems to be getting all that she ever asked for. The actress, who in a recent interview mentioned that she would love to work with her ex-boyfriend Ranbir Kapoor, got her wish fulfilled in the form of Ayaan Mukerji’s forthcoming film. The project, which was initially offered to Katrina Kaif, fell on Dippy’s lap after the former refused due to date problems. And now, Deepika who has been quite vocal about her wish to work with Salman, will finally get her second wish fulfilled as well. Thanks to Farah Khan and her next directorial venture.