This entry was posted on September 20, 2012 at 2:12 AM and is filed under the bad. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed.
Responses are currently closed, but you can trackback from your own site.
261 Responses to “Heroine, Barfi (ongoing), the rest of the box office”
Thanx utkal uncle-must admire your zeal and passion.
Within a couple of hours of writing a post, u have gone ahead, seen the movie and written the review within 3 hours!
I love your passion at your stage 🙂
Ps: u didnt write about ileana…
Barfi! had a jump on collections on Wednesday as there were holidays in Maharashtra and Karnataka and other places benefited in evening shows as next day is like a holiday due to the bandh. The collections on Wednesday are likely to come in over 7 crore nett which is huge for a Wednesday.
In Mysore the collections on Wednesday were nearly double the collections of Tuesday.
The bandh will hit collections badly on Thursday as multiplexes in most parts of the country will remain closed. At the moment the film looks set to hit 85 crore nett lifetime and could even hit 90 crore nett.
Barfi! had an excellent first week collecting 57.50 crore nett approx in its first week. The film held up exceedingly well on the weekdays collecting around 23.50 crore nett. It had a holiday on Wednesday but there was a bandh in many parts on Thursday so extra collections on Wednesday were cancelled out by the lost collections on Thursday due to bandh.
Although there was bandh on Thursday in many parts, the film was helped by the fact that both Mumbai city and Delhi city which are big contributors for the film were largely unaffected.
The first week collections are the highest ever outside the big grossing masala entertainers which have much higher potential than a film like Barfi! due universal appeal.
Heroine opened well at the box office with collections around 55-60% at multiplexes.
The film will come out with a pretty good first day number and by far the highest for a film driven by a heroine. The occupancies are lower than last week’s Barfi! which took a strong start at multiplexes but the film has a much wider release than Barfi! of around 2000 screens.
The first day number of Heroine will be much bigger than any other film where the main face value was the female lead. The wide release also gives potential to collect but a lot depends on how well the single screens actually collect.
Btw Amy -wheres your barfi review…
If uv still not seen, hmm–why couldnt u get hold of some1 to take u to barfi till now ?
All my ‘training’ /tuitions gone to waste!!
Explain !! 🙂
^^Seems Amy has finally found a ‘bakra’ to go n see barfi !! Haha
Reminds me–where is that new guy –what was his name Krishna ? –who was asking me tips to ‘know gals on this blog’–
C’mon man–this is your chance to know Amy …
^Hmmm Amy –I had sent u to see an innocent movie called barfi—not for a ‘night out’ party!!
We will now have to tell your parents about this 🙂
And this may affect your impending ‘auditions’ –u can’t go missing from shooting like this hahaha
Ami, thanks for the link but really I would first want u to leave all these documentries/Mindy stuff and rush to the theatres to watch Barfii and then share ur views abt it. And u haven’t yet watched GoW and Ishaqzaade (on which u had promised us to write something, remember!)- bad 🙂 ! And btw hope u have been cured of ur infatuation for Prithviraj and his supposedly sexy bare torso (just kidding)
I just saw Barfi Saurabh- I enjoyed it very much- although I do agree with those accusing Basu of plaigarism. I will write something about it a little later…
@ Amy — good to see that u ‘obeyed’ me ( as above) and saw barfi same day 🙂
I like obedient gals lol
And I know u take my jokes sportingly –cheers
Maybe if u could now do a writeup on barfi ,,,,thanx
While Heroine is being bashed by the critics and viewers, Aishwarya was a speaker at the UN as a Goodwill Amabassador with Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Elie Wiesel and ForestWhitaker.
Aishwarya, Michael Douglas at UN to mark Intl’ Day of Peace
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and American actor Michael Douglas today to commemorate the International Day of Peace. Bachchan was among a host of celebrities who were at the UN headquarters to take part in the ceremony which is held every year and seeks cessation of hostilities around the world for a day. “Its an absolute honour to be here. I am glad I have been able to participate and be part of this whole experience,” Bachchan told PTI after the ceremony. Bachchan, 38, said that she was happy to contribute in sending out a strong message of peace. “Peace is the call of the day, has been and will always be,” Bachchan said.
“We are all here to help resonate the message of peace,” she added. Bachchan was dressed in a black and creme lehenga and a black sequenced top. Bachchan was seen talking to Douglas at the event and later posed for photographs with a group of little children, who played violin during the ceremony. It was the first time for Bachchan to be participating in the ceremony which was held at the Rose Garden of the UN headquarters. The Secretary General rang the ‘Peace Bell’ to mark the occasion. The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on September 21. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982.
Heroine is getting mauled by the critics.
While I do feel bad for Kareena, I feel Bhandarkar is getting his due as I find him very predictable and over rated. This one is likely to do not much at the BO as sonn as the curiosity factor is gone which should be sooner rather than later.
Thanks for this Aamirfan.
For those who dont know this is about Jackie Robinson.
Am particularly intrigued by the casting of Harrison Ford as Ricky Branch. Unlike Satyam, I like Ford.
In the right role he can be terrific. Even otherwise he’s a solid presence at the very least. I have a soft spot for the Indy series but I also love him in Witness.
B.O. update: ‘Heroine’ opens to mixed response
By Taran Adarsh, September 21, 2012 – 18:15 IST
Madhur Bhandarkar’s much awaited HEROINE opened to a mixed response across the nation today. The opening, generally, was in 40% to 60% range. At some places, the multiplexes were better, while the single screens were leading at some mass-dominated centres. The evening and night shows hold the key, although the business in Mumbai/Maharashtra will be affected today due to Ganeshotsav festivities.
HEROINE has had a wide release, which should help the film put up decent numbers over the weekend.
Hritik in knight n day remake !
Well, this Tom cruise -Cameron Diaz starrer has been a guilty pleasure for me-enjoyed it !
If this gets made –will be interesting though Im not sure will to for this one–if he does–I’m in (I know the condescension and smugness towards this already but don’t care a damn!)
Btw the female cast will be crucial here!!
Any suggestions folks–?
Think nargis f or even diana panty should be good here-I think they may go for deepika though who wont be bad here 🙂 http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Hrithik-Roshan-in-Knight-and-Days-hindi-remake/articleshow/16500722.cms
Barfi! held up very strongly on its eighth day collections as it collected around 3.25 crore nett. The drop is 60% from day one is excellent for a day eight from day one drop. The norm has been around 70% for some of the biggest hits this year. The film has now collected close to 61 crore nett in eight days.
Mumba, Delhi/UP, East Punjab, West Bengal and Mysore are contributing a lot for the film though in mass centres the film is very low.
Despite a film like Heroine being released which was heavily promoted, Barfi! was large unaffected especially in multiples areas where it is strong. The film should see a good jump over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
Satyam, barfi left me speechless – i know people wud say that ranbir rocks and PC delivers a super performance – true that – but for me, Ileana was the best – what a fantastic debut in bw by the telugu superstar. Go watch man and write a very long piece – here is a film not to be missed for anything.
“but for me, Ileana was the best – what a fantastic debut in bw by the telugu superstar”
Agree there.
Btw i didnt know she is a Telugu ‘superstar’…already
Heroine had a pretty good first day with collections around 7 crore nett as per early estimates. The film has more than doubled the collections of any film where the only star is the female lead but it also had a very wide release.
The film collected better than Barfi! at mass centres but multiplex collections were 20-25% lower with premium multiplexes being much lower.
The film has mixed reports but should mange to show growth on Saturday especially at premium multiplexes. The multiplex collections were also affected by Barfi! as that film has huge appreciation amongst the multiplex audience and the audience was divided at multiplexes.
so they are sending a film that has very obviously and heavily borrowed entire scenes and sequences from old and newer hw and other films? and then we wonder why we never win or even make it to final nominations very often. sigh!
The OSCAR COMMITEE and whoever holds the rights of Chaplin’s and Keaton’s films will, in the words of the great Shakti Kapoor aka Crime Master Gogo..”Anurag Basu, RK, aur UTV ki aankhen nikalke gotiyan khelenge!!”
Same thoughts here–think those ‘inspirations’ changed it -otherwise would’ve been a gr8 choice.
Hasnt the panel seen that post—can bliss email em a link..
Doesn’t that mean automatic disqualification?
Sigh + 1 🙂
Haha munna –‘hysteria ‘ should be called ‘carry on climax’ in the good ole british tradition .. 🙂
Have skimmed thro only bits –did u like it a lot, munna ?
Anyhow Back by popular demand–
Revisited this song along with boring paperwork –well, am now putting it on ‘repeat mode’ since..
Like the Irish strains and mandolin/ local influence in the music.
Think Salman has good presence –though people feel he is looking old etc–but theres starpower.(like him here)
Someone(think Amy) earlier mentioned katrinas ‘sexual costumes’ –well, think she is wearing quite innocent ‘sports attire’ mostly 🙂
Enjoy
awwww. salman has found his very own oldgold in you.
anyways, never found salman very interesting in any way, especially don’t see the ‘star’ thing. at least, with srk, the whole charisma thing is understandable. and he makes good copy due to his quick wit. but salman is so meh (nice eyes though, lately overshadowed by those huge bags under them). he had a nice- boy-next-door appeal early in his career and did fairly ok in those light romantic/family films. but the minute he took the shirt off his overtly bulky and stocky clean-shaven torso and went oh oh jaane jaana, i got turned off and stopped paying him any attention whatsoever. also interesting that it’s guys more often than girls who seem to obsessed with him. when i was in college, gisrls were mostly about srk, then hrithik, now it’s ranbir and imran, but salman never invited any girl hysteria. not implying anything, i’ve just always found this peculiar about the following of someone who started as a romantic hero and has been in news more for his player image and relationship troubles over the years. maybe men in their 20’s want to emulate that.
that’s a nice hilarious read anya- agree about salmans fan following.
“awwww. salman has found his very own oldgold in you.”
Hahaha ROFL
Oldgold must be flattered reading this …lol
Interestingly I have hated Salman all his career –infact havent seen any of his films pre-dabang fully !!
It’s only v recently- that I’ve seen some of his biggies and find him relatively endearing…(so I’m nowhere near his fan–infact that sounds scary to me)
Think u have mistaken me for a Salman fan!
Though I do appreciate ‘good’ stuff from everyone irrespective…from time to time
Ps: who are the ones u currently like anya -actors and actresses (yes, I’m not talkin about ‘fandom’) 🙂
And anya –Good u mentioned those ‘eye bags’-agree but think he has got some ‘nip tuck’ & botoxed recently (like others).
Salman is also a shining example of what harm steroid supplements for ‘body muscle augmentation’ can do…
Somethings he has taken care of (hair transplant) though ..
“but the minute he took the shirt off his overtly bulky and stocky clean-shaven torso and went oh oh jaane jaana, i got turned off and stopped paying him any attention whatsoever”–haha
Haaww so the poor guy has been toiling ‘hard’ for nothin!
Ps: btw anya -(between u and me)–some gals like Amy & sm absolutely adore/fantasize bout such physique 🙂
nothing wrong with trying to surgically fix certain problem areas, if you don’t overdo it. the issue is these are mostly inherited and keep coming back. hard to beat age and genetics.
a lean, fit body is definitely attractive and nothing to be frowned upon. but a bulky build on a stocky frame, especially if one is not very tall, looks laughable. bw trend regarding this is pretty disturbing. i think akshay has the naturally best looking body in the business.
Absolutely spot on Anya — one can’t dodge the DNA ( unless by inducing mutations)
In the current lot –difficult to beat hritik in looks..In my opinion
Yes Akshay has a good ‘healthy’ physique n features..
In the heroines –how do u feel about the likes of katrina, anushka, deepika etc -any current favorites …(not talking about acting but looks)
Haha Tony 🙂
M8 u are here at the right time!
Im auditioning for my srk film spoof as we discussed —
Obviously I’m starring(horror!)!
^And seems we have found one lead actress 😉
Ps: rememwber I have given u some distribution rights of north India ..
I think SRK looks good in the promos.. music seems good too..
rest everything appears flat and pedestrian.. so everything is dependent on your charm with the ladies to save it from disaster 😛
“so everything is dependent on your charm with the ladies to save it from disaster ”
Hmmm don’t u worry!
Somehow we will pull it beyond 150 crores atleast!
If we make a good profit–we will share the moolah (like in cocktail)!
If not–the nice Satyam is the gracious producer 🙂
Arsh is the art director /cgi (though he loves the SRK character a bit too much for my comfort lol)
Ps: I think the choice of lead actress is good!
Btw anya–can u dance and ’emote’….
That’s better– We need an ‘innocent’ unrehearsed ‘novice’ appeal!
being a poor actress /dancer helps actually..
Reference ‘standards’–nargis fakhri in rockstar
Diana in cocktail !
Rest –your ‘costumes’ (& my charm) will take care.. 🙂
Hmm–that’s a difficult question, tony!! Lemme think ..
To avoid fights at the sets–no first or second lead..!
Both will be nearly equal roles (length wise)
Ps-the roles can be quite ‘taxing’ –so just like in cocktail –we should have 3 or 4 options…from local talent. May add a third role!
As of now –think Amy is in…!
And to be fair –(SRK fan) Oldgold should also be included !! 🙂
wow – so ami, oldisgold and alex in a yash chopra film..
ami as young and vivacious katrina
oldisgold as the mature, divine katrina
and alex in different phases of his life.. the charming lad from London etc.
and the man in army with the stubble in ladakh
Hmm tony–thanx for those ideas— and the producer is Satyam!!
Before the movie-we shall play Satyams ‘lifetime achievements’ audiovisual (just like yash chopras in this promo)!
Ps: I Will have to ‘check’ which of these actresses plays which particular role though-
Must credit nykavi for pointing out something –( check out in the JTHJ trailer thread about ‘body structure’)!
Also have to see who can carry off which ‘costumes’ or ‘look’ well…
Ps2: it’s a difficult job but we seem to be getting good at it!
Ps3:Satyam–The budget shouldn’t go beyond 50 crores (out of which my fees will be a lot) so even within first week–we should be into profit—-
And dont u talk about ‘trending’ here Satyam 🙂
Basically we dont want any of the actresses to be ‘uncomfortable’ with their role/costumes…so who does which role maybe flexible!
And btw tony–u can also share some satellite rights as well (with Satyam and me)
Anyhow–I need to carry on with the ‘audition’ with anya!!
C’mon anya —good nite folks….
Ps: anupam khers role is by utkal uncle 🙂
maybe you should take satyam’s advice and stop talking to yourself, it’s usually not a good sign.
poor kareena, nobody seems to be discussing her newly released movie on the thread. maybe that’s your secret plan aa, considering your feelings about her.
Antya: “So they are sending a film that has very obviously and heavily borrowed entire scenes and sequences from old and newer hw and other films? and then we wonder why we never win or even make it to final nominations very often. sigh!”
Hadn’t ‘ The Departed’ ‘ heavily borrowed’ from another film? Wasn’t it nominated for Oscars? And won too? In the Best Film and Best Director category?
AS far as I know, not a single reviewer , Indian or Western,has found any problem with the film or thinks any less of the film because of what it has borrowed from other films.
Borrowing does not disqualify you from being rated for the work you have put in. That applies as much to Scorsese as Basu.
“AN JO: : I just wonder how the western critics missed it..from NYT to LAT to washington post…”
THey did NOT miss it. Just that they are alittle smarter, and wiser, and know the difference between blatant plagiarism, and reworking of material from classic sources.
It is not Anurag Basu’s fault if some lids, who , just because they have access to the Net and have a blog of their own, think they know cinema, when thery can’t even differentiate between plagiarism and homage, reinterpretation, inspiration and quotation.”
I’m mystified as to why you are holding up Western Bollywood critics as the ultimate word on the film’s quality.
What Western critics? There is NYT’s Rachel Saltz who reviews Bollywood films with a supremely condescending tone and the LA Times critic who called the film an ‘endurance test’. They would never be bothered by any plaigarism- because they consider Bollywood to be mindless kitsch and akin to a B-movie guilty pleasure – not serious viewing where you need to consider the ethical implications of intellectual dishonesty etc.
It’s amazing that you dismiss those whose views you disagree with as ‘some lids who think they know cinema’ yet you can’t even see the difference between a serious Western film critic and one whose film reviews are saturated with narrow-minded cultural imperialism and ignorance of the foreign film culture they are reviewing. Rachel Saltz for instance was incredulous that a Bollywood film featured an agent who worked in the ‘Indian equivalent of the FBI’- somehow I don’t think that James Bond ever evoked such a reaction from her. To call the NYT and LA Bollywood critics smarter and wiser than the Indian ones on the subject of Indian cinema is as prepostorous as saying that Cocktail is comparable to a Guru Dutt effort- but hey, what do I know? You’re obviously the only one who understands cinema and they rest of us are all lids for thinking that we are allowed our own opinions about cinema!
And finally- There is a BIG difference between an official remake (The Departed) and a film that plaigarizes entire scenes from several different films without even aknowledging the source (Barfi). Again- ironic that you accuse the ‘lids’ of not knowing the difference between inspiration and plaigarism and you then offer up this bewildering parallel of an official remake!
While the lack of originality in the film did not take away from my enjoyment of the film in any way- there is no questioning the negative impact that it has on the film’s artistic intergrity. Basu neithers remakes a film, nor pays homage to a particular character or movie, nor makes an imaginatively derivative film- he simply pilfers a number of charming sequences from different films and inserts them into his movie without ever attempting his own interpretations of these scenes. And it’s especially telling that these were not intended as homages since he actually had the audacity to say that he had no artisitic inspirations or references for this film in several interviews!!
Ami, now this is a fair arguement Ami just like An Jo’s was (but c’mon atleast I do not expect u to mock Utkal- IMO u are better than some of the others who keep insulting him) but notice u and the tanqeed site guys are not saying exactly the same thing
Now Ami this is what I had said earlier-
“But if u notice I already said that marks should be deducted from Barfi’s scoresheet for lifting scenes- and no I am not saying that Basu is some visionary who can never copy stuff- he ripped-off Unfaithful in Murder and Firefly in Saaya. But Barfi’s ‘major storyline’ is not a copy at all and this is what is important and my major arguement is based on this”
“On the plagiarism part, I have already mentioned with quite a few examples that copying and inspiration aren’t one and the same thing. But in any case I am ready to accept that barfi is a copy provided u accept that Sholey and Matrix and Sarkar and Bluffmaster too are blatant copies. A rip-off is what Sanjay Gupta does, what Mahesh Bhatt did ‘at times’- the best example here is The Killer and Knock Out (Phonebooth)- now I am not denying the resemblance between Barfi and the other films and I also agree some marks can be deduced from Barfi’s scoresheet for being derivative of such films but such treatment should also be then meted out to Matrix, Sholey, Bluffmaster (here the entire climax and so many story threads were taken from so many films)- some time I did have a debate over this with Satyam and GF too where I mentioned BM’s inspirations
Also the central line of Barfi is completely different from Notebook and Koshish. Also one needs to know there is no harm in one’s work being influenced from other films around the world till it tries to say something ‘new’- actually it’s almost impossible for a film not to be influenced/inspired from any other film- now ofcourse there are brownie points for being ‘original’”
Anyway Ami-,- i would really want u to do a proper piece on the film
Saurabh- I didn’t mean to mock Utkal- just underline how inconsistent I think his statements are- and frankly what rankled me about his comment was his dismissing the Indian bloggers as not understanding cinema and exalting the incredibly ignorant, dismissive NYT/ LA Times critics as smarter and wiser- I dislike this sort of anglophilia.
Saurabh- I know that Barfi does not plaigarize the central story line of any film- but then Barfi’s central storyline was nothing to write home about! The charm of the film came from the little vignettes- and many of these were copied from different sources. Even this would have been alright if the derivativeness of the film had a specific artistic intention- if it was meant as homage to a film/filmmaker or to create a pop culture universe for the characters to inhabit and engage with- but this intention was completely lacking here- and that is what makes it a case of plagiarism for me.
” if it was meant as homage to a film/filmmaker or to create a pop culture universe for the characters to inhabit and engage with”- Ami, i think it was very clear (and both Ranbir and Basu mentioned this quite a few times in their interviews too) that many scenes in the film were paying homage to both Chaplin and Raj Kapoor’s films.
But I am ready to accept all these charges provided one also accepts that Bluffmaster was plagiarized too and so was Sholay
ya anurag basu is indeed genious only if you have not seen unfaithful and murder was frame to frame copy without giving any credit
various sequences of life in metro where lifted friom english movies…sharman joshi sequences where bluntly lifted from apartment but this guys in his interviews never even acknowledged
no wonder with barfi he has tried to go along with street smart level of copying various movie with hardly few original scenes but again he is genious and its others who shamelessly lifts
I’m also not accusing him of plaigarising the Chaplin scenes- those are intended in homage- and Chaplin is the best known icon as far as silent cinema humour goes- so it would almost be impossible to avoid referencing him in such a film- especially when you gave Raj Kapoor’s grandson playing the lead. But the other scenes that were lifted from myraid DO count as plaigarism.
And the fact does remain that when you take the many inspired and plaigarized vignettes- little charm remainds in the film- basically there’s very little of the director’s ow art that impresses here.
Ami, why are u disagreeing on Sholay (i just posted a video here)?
Btw I know that Sholey is NOT plagiarized because inspite of clearly borrowing from so many films, it evolved into a ‘new’ and ‘fresh work just like Barfii (and the same goes for BM)- but I am just trying to play fair
sholay had authemtic indian rustic look and was first to introduce dolby digital sound in india ( it has smilirities with seven samurai but the characters took different indian set up)
ramgarh is still in india and one wonder in which english movie you will find cult dialogues having similraties with western theme
sarkar raj was lifted from godfather and the credit itself in the movie says that
actually they do rip off but never pretends to be original and bench setters anyway which itself is bigger crime
gabbar find no resonance in any western movie and so his dialogue …they are authentic indian set up …lalgarh is still an indian village in jharkhand …
the popularity and shelf life can be easily judgey by sub characters which where indianised and not the core heart and infact that is why it became the inspiration of many
BTW Ami, aap Madrasi (I don’t mean this as an insult at all- a lot of times in North India people club together any S.Indian under the ‘madrasi’ label unfairly) ho aur aap ne abhi tak Eega nahi dekhi…how come? I am waiting desperately for the Hindi version which is releasing on Oct 16
LOL! There’s no need to be so politically correct- I know that you don’t mean to be insulting. I’m not particularly keen to watch Eega-the trailers don’t interest me and a friend whose opinion I trust hated it.
“Btw I know that Sholey is NOT plagiarized because inspite of clearly borrowing from so many films, it evolved into a ‘new’ and ‘fresh work just like Barfii (and the same goes for BM)- but I am just trying to play fair”
This is why I said that I think that Sholay was inspired and not plaigarized- because although it references various films it evolves into a film that is far more than the sum of it’s parts. IMO Barfi does not do this- the film has a poor storyline and it doesn’t manage to rise above its source material and become a compelling, choesive whole- it’s charm is mostly dervied from individual vignettes that are plaigarised and from the heart-tugging lead performances- the success of the film has little to do with the director at the helm.
LOL…I see where u are coming from Ami (and I will prefer this kind of criticism any day over what those Tanqeed guys are saying) but I think our never ending disagreement on films continues with barfii 🙂 . I now have a feeling this disagreement will come to an end only when the next Imran Khan film releases- it will be sort of a p-oetic justice.
departed was copied from internal affairs and its acknowledged as official remake and this was given to him as his various others better work where bluntly ignored as part of tribute infact it was the better than original even
is barfi even compareable with something like departed cmmon its not the best anyway among the hindi movies released this year …what was anything that was original in something like barfi
just saw barfi is india’s entry to oscar which is the biggest lol moment of that day
hindi cinema had gow,kahaani,pan singh this year only …a natural and authentic script eega and couple of really promising marathi movie….they are screwing this for to long
may be charlie chaplin antics or tom and jerry action may inspired them …black didn’t got through because of direct similarity with miracle workers and here the major premises of this lifted is from notebook(yet to see)
really this is what they have to compete with world cinema…height of ch******pa and the money factor even shanghai and vicky donor would have been better bet
‘deol the marathi movie was easily the best in terms of content”- Agreed fully. Deool, to my mind, is the finest film on Indian politics ever, period. In fact let me be hyperbolic, it is one of the best Indian films to have been made in the last 2 decades
I saw this in Marathi (and I hardly know the language) with a female friend of mine translating every line for me.. finally she himself subtitled a version for me (love such females)
MISSING DEOOL IS A CRIME
7 Aum Arivu was a very mediocre film IMO and much inferior to Barfi
Heavy bias against Hindi movies.. I wonder why o why Barfi cannot be compared to Departed? Is it a crime? or we’re just blinded as ‘superior’ Bollywood-haters.. and narcissistic western film lovers?
C’mon Departed isnt some sort of unparalleled, life-changing cinema that Barfi cannot be compared with
Barfi has taken a few scenes here n there but that shouldnt be held against the film which has its own identity. n i think barfi does give chaplin its due by acknowledging it through a poster in it (also the background music).
Tony- I think you misunderstood me- I never said that Departed was an unparalleled film- I said that it was an official remake- so it cannot be compared to Barfi in terms of lifting scenes.
Someone some months back had said here that he/she was keen to watch J P Dutta’s “Hathyar” (1989-Dutt, Dharam, Rishi) but couldn’t find it- well just wanted to say i do have a dvd of it (it’s a pirated one but with a decent enough transfer) so if anyone wants it i can send it. Btw are any of u watching the current Pak-NZ match? Jamshed’s inside-out drives over the cover boundary were exquisite to say the least
Barfi! had strong gains on its second Saturday as it collected around 5-5.25 crore nett. The collections are around 8.25 crore nett plus over two days in the second week. The weekend should be around the 15 crore nett range.
The business is extraordinary at high end multiplexes as collections at many premium multiplexes in metros were better than the new release Heroine on Saturday. The film has not done well in smaller circuits with it finding acceptance in just a a hand full of cities in places like Bihar, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan.
The metro multiplexes will keep on going strong for the next few weeks and the film is sure to cross 90 crore nett and depending on what happens in weeks 3-5 it could even hit 100 crore nett.
Heroine failed to show growth on Saturday as it collected similar numbers to its Friday collections. The Saturday collections should be around 6.75-7 crore nett taking the two day business of the film close to 14 crore nett.
The overall numbers are pretty good but the trending on Saturday makes it tough for its long term business. The weekend should be around 22 crore nett which is good but business thereafter is likely to struggle.
The content of the film is not really for the masses so it was important that the metro multiplexes made good gains on Saturday but this did not happen. Although this can be contributed to the mixed reports, it is also likely that Barfi! has made a dent as it is so strong in these multiplexes especially the premium ones.
I dont see how being an ‘ official remake’ make Scorsese worthy of a the Best Director of The Departed as The Best Film. How does it make a difference to the qulaity of the film or direction?
In fact, the task of Scorsese is much easier as he is working from a fully formed film. All he had to do was to replace the original cast and location with some Hollywood stars and American location. Basu had to put together all these bits into a coherent whole, give it a central plot, invest it with a soul and make is work as a complete film, in an India setting.
was surprised to find such a discussion going on about this. i never can tell with this blog, keeps things interesting!
aside from the fact that i agree with everything ami said here, my comment wasn’t even about the merits of barfi or lack thereof (i haven’t seen the film). it is a matter of logic. i thought it was clear but let me elaborate in case it wasn’t. we are talking about an award ceremony here that places a lot of value on being original or crediting the source, i mean they have entirely separate categories for original screenplays and adapted ones. whether you agree with this emphasis or not, there it is. if you are participating in olympics, you can’t question their rules, you better follow them. sometimes, the films the committee picks, it’s as if they were picked by the peon in the office who doesn’t watch movies and has never heard of the oscars. this is as silly as if we sent black, slb never credited the source though most of the film was pretty much lifted. how do you think such films are perceived when they are screened to the voters? basu and rk can claim homage all they want but when your entire movie consists of homage vignettes comprising of entire lifted sequences, so much so that it has generated a whole “spot the original” game on twitter, you can at least admit your product is probably not oscarworthy even if it may be able to stand as a cute little movie on its own.
the least we can do is recognize that and pick films that meet some minimum standards. we may still not win, but due diligence is warranted, otherwise we are just going through the
motions (which we totally are, nobody is even trying. it’s just an annual ritual, like the indo-pak summits that achieve nothing)
With all due respect, you’ve gravely trivialized what Scorsese does with The Departed remake. It is not merely ‘replacing’ cast and location. In taking the story to the US, he makes the otherwise well-made Japanese thriller into a subversive and a politically charged film about the American ‘identity’. To see the film as just a remake is an utterly failed reading of Scorsese’s adaptation.
The Kapoors are dominating like there is no tomorrow. Ranbir and Kareena, the two talented ones from the Kapoor Khandaan. Ranbir made Barfee bearable with his talent. Yes, Barfi is gimmicky and confusing with voiceover, endless flashbacks and somewhat unconvincing storyline. While Heroine is collectively panned by the critics, Kareena saves the film by giving her own version of what Smita Patil, Vidya and others did.
“Kahaan abhinay ki malika aur kahaan Ganguben Teli.”
Hahaha rofl
Btw nykavi –thanx for your cue about JThj —
The ‘fleshy’ vs ‘sporty’ heroine … That is proving helpful in the casting…
Yes Sanjana –didn’t notice this till u mentioned…
The kapoors seem to be reclaiming their lost glory
Though in Kareenas case, whether it can be called ‘glory’ is disputable lol
Ps: good to see u after ages–any movies uve been catching up–hope u haven’t been upto mischief ….
The Film Reporter’s Viewfinder ( OPEN)
A brief history of Indian film journalism through the eyes of those who’ve lived it
The turning point in the relationship between the media and Bollywood was 1971, the year Stardust came into being. It put gossip, irreverence and more into print. Earlier, journalists like the late Baburao Patel, editor of Filmindia (and later Mother India), did take on film stars, but with Stardust, the gossip column achieved iconic status. ‘Neeta’s Natter’ was such a runaway hit that it instantly spawned copycat columns. Frowned upon and derided they may well have been, but everyone in Bollywood read them all the same.
Rauf Ahmed, former editor of Cinema Journal and Filmfare and biographer of Shammi Kapoor, is one of those who never indulged in it himself, but could see how it was shaping Bollywood’s equation with the media. He remembers an interesting anecdote of Amitabh Bachchan’s tryst with gossip. “Amitabh used to hang out with the Stardust crowd when he was not big,” says Ahmed, “But after he became a star, he could not get used to being negatively written about. They had written a piece hinting at something between him and Zeenat Aman. His reaction made them write even more negative pieces about him. This was like a breaking point for Amitabh with the media.”
The late Devyani Chaubal, nicknamed ‘Poison Pen’ by the film industry, was a queen of insinuations in her ‘Frankly Speaking’ column in Star & Style magazine. “She was the mother of negative journalism. Stars were scared of her. They hated her, but always tiptoed around her because they did not want to be in her column. She really destroyed people with her pen,” says Ali Peter John, a veteran film journalist of 40 years. Devyani was not a woman of modest ambitions. “She wanted to be a star, but when that did not happen, she became a film journalist,” he says, “She was keen on marrying Dilip Kumar, and when she could not, she started writing only negative stories about him. It continued till the end of her life.”
Once media censorship began during the Emergency, Stardust, a casualty of that dark phase, blamed Amitabh for it. “Since he was close to the Gandhis, the film industry blamed him for all the censorship,” says Ahmed, “A number of film magazines got together and announced a ban on him. He too made himself inaccessible to the media from 1978 to 1991. I questioned the ban, and during that period, I was the only one who had access to him. Those who wanted stories on him would commission me to do it.”
In his long years as a film writer, John, who used to work for Screen and freelances now, has also been witness to many a historic moment. As an apprentice for film maker KA Abbas before he became a film journalist, he saw Amitabh sign his first film Saat Hindustani for Rs 5,000. “Though I was one of the lowest rung employees of Abbas, I was present when it took place,” says John, “Amitabh did not have anything in his favour except an intensity…”
+++
Khalid Mohammed is a journalist, scriptwriter and director rolled into one. He was with The Times of India for a long time, and after that with other dailies. Mohammed says it was he who coined the popular abbreviation ‘SRK’ for Shah Rukh Khan. As someone who has seen Bollywood as both observer and participant—he has written scripts for Sardari Begum and Zubeidaa and directed the Hrithik-Kareena starrer Fiza—he feels that film journalists sometimes develop a sense of power over film stars. This is something the stature of his newspaper helped him resist. “I did not have to throw my weight around as the paper I worked for had a higher visibility,” says Mohammed.
Both Ahmed and Mohammed say that film journalism was looked down upon when they began their careers. “It was thought that stars got film journalists drunk and paid them to write about them,” says Ahmed, “The perception was that there’s a lot of corruption, moral and otherwise, in film journalism. So few entered the profession.”
John, Ahmed and Mohammed all stumbled into the field. While John switched gears from film apprenticeship to writing about it, Ahmed and Mohammed were news reporters who had covered other beats earlier.
Among the perks of the job are the friendships that develop with film stars. But Mohammed discovered that this could cause considerable heartache as well. At one time, he was so close to scriptwriter Salim that they would phone each other every day. “My review of his film Akela ended our friendship.” He also had a special equation with Gulzar, a poet and lyricist he regarded almost as a surrogate father. “He gave me a lot of paternal love,” says Mohammed, “We got involved in the making of Fiza, and he was writing the lyrics. He did not like some parts of the movie, but I stood by it. That caused an irrevocable rift.” His friendship with the Bachchan family—particularly Jaya Bachchan—also ended on a nasty note after Amitabh took offence at one of his film reviews and wrote a blog deriding him.
Some journalists prefer to maintain a discreet distance. Known for her irreverent writing, Nishi Prem, editor of Cine Blitz and former editor of Stardust, says that it was always the art and craft of cinema that held her fascination, not the glamour. “I do not socialise with the stars,” she says, “I do not attend film parties. I don’t know if it is a good or bad thing in my profession, but it is just the way it turns out for me.”
Prem, who has been slapped with numerous defamation suits by Bollywood celebrities—Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar and Shekhar Kapur among them—is of the opinion that friendship with stars is bound to influence the way one writes about them. “But friendships between stars and journalists are not that common,” she says, “They barely manage to give their families [enough] attention… friendship is a luxury or distraction they mostly cannot afford.”
John says that he was close friends with both Bachchan and the late Rajesh Khanna at the peak of their famous rivalry. “I witnessed it all first-hand,” he says, “Rajesh Khanna was the superstar, and Amitabh was called all sorts of derogatory names in the industry then. One was ‘panauti hero’ (bad luck hero). Rajesh Khanna would not even look at him. Jaya Bhaduri was the only one who had the guts to say that Amitabh would take away Rajesh Khanna’s crown. It happened exactly that way, and the latter never recovered from that blow.”
+++
Four decades of gossip later, the equation between the media and Bollywood is in the throes of another transformation. With more and more media houses using starry events and awards as allied businesses, film journalists are under pressure to court film stars like never before. According to Mohammed, an editor of a film magazine is now judged by the number of stars s/he can draw to a high-glam event.
Mohammed opted for what he calls ‘Bollywood detox’—he is working on a novel and a film now—after the experience of his last job with a Delhi-based newspaper, which expected him to escort film stars and directors. “There was a summit and I was asked to escort Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar to the event. I got them, and once we landed at the airport, the top people of the newspaper whisked them both away, leaving me behind. I did not know where I had to stay or go,” says Mohammed, “Film journalists today do not have the freedom to write as [their conscience dictates], as they and their organisations are controlled by the PR agencies handling the stars.”
Reporting on stars can also get risky if their subjects decide to take revenge for negative coverage. There have been unconfirmed rumours of a top star using politician Amar Singh to have an editor sacked for a negative review.
John says that actor Govinda had once asked Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray to send Shiv Sainiks after him. “It is I who’d introduced Govinda to filmmakers and [that’s how] he got his first role,” says John, “We were friends. I had written a piece about him when he was at the peak of his career. His chamchas told him something, and he misunderstood the story. Next I heard that he was headed to meet Thackeray to have action taken against me.” But, as it turned out, Thackeray didn’t lift a finger against him. This was because Mohan Wagh, Raj Thackeray’s father-in-law, intervened on John’s behalf.
Tragic Heroes (OPEN)
The anonymous lives of Bollywood lookalikes
There are tricks of the trade too. Take the case of Arif Khan, an Anil Kapoor lookalike. At first, he found himself faltering over the actor’s baritone. “Once, I met Sudesh Bhonsle [a mimic-singer] on a flight. I asked him, ‘Sir, what is the secret behind Anil Kapoor’s voice? How do you get it right? Each time I try, I end up coughing.’ He laughed and said, ‘Mix Amitabh Bachchan’s voice with Vinod Khanna’s, and you’ll get it.’”
Heroine had a fall on Monday with collections 55% down on Monday from Friday. The film collected around 3 crore nett on Monday taking its four day collections to 25 crore nett. The fall was across the board with mass circuits having bigger falls.
The film will collect around 32 crore nett in week one but will struggle after the first week is over. The Monday falls from Friday in some circuits are as follows.
So Ek Tha Tiger has failed to cross 200 crore mark. 😀 So much for sudden “Salman converts” and all hype and hoopla of so called one man army Salman beating 3 Idiots! The biggest “star” after 3 back to back 3 crore grossers – Salman, with biggest banner YashRaj Films, starring the biggest female star of today’s times Katrina Kaif – all those stunts, hype, marketing mania, pre-release records on Youtube itself, foreign locations etc. – still couldn’t reach benchmark set by a nearly 3 year old Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots?
Maybe the makers should’ve taken Sharman, Omi or Madhavan also in Ek Tha Tiger. Since many allege 3 Idiots is not a hit due to Aamir, so presense of those 3 “stars” could’ve helped ETT reach 200 crore mark at least with all hype, inflation, added screens etc.! 😛
Or maybe Raju Hirani should’ve directed ETT. But wait! Directors like Raju Hirani don’t even consider Salman while making a film – not even for character actor roles! Salman’s bad luck Hirani only wants Aamir. 😀 He didn’t even consider anyone else except Aamir for PK!
Better luck next time! Dabangg 2 is there & so is Christmas slot vacated by Aamir for friend Salman. Maybe then Salman can break 3 Idiots’ record! 😉
Haha prateek–3 idiots makers won’t have been Sooo happy at reaching 200 crores as u are at ETT not reaching 3 idiots tally.
I’m joking–good to see U back due to this 🙂
Hahaha prateek
Good point about ‘comments being removed’ -yes we better be careful…
Btw I’m no ‘Salman convert’– i can’t be anyone’s ‘fan’.
“Salman and his fans what “they’ve been lusting after”!
Salman and his fans were ‘lusting after’ katrina, it seems
Neither got her -it seems !
Gud nite 😉
Aamir was of course a huge factor for 3 idiots’ huge gross, Prateek. But the film was very, very entertaining and had great WOM. Its great initial and greater WOM helped it go beyond 200 crores.. Unless Salman’s films enjoy similar WOM, he would have to wait a little longer to go beyond that benchmark
Well Aamir Khan has had more consistent record in past decade than Salman Khan and has got success in DIFFERENT genres.
Already explained Aamir Khan’s contribution in 3 Idiots. Still people can keep saying Aamir’s successes are due to everyone else except him! 😀
Before 3I, he did Ghajini the first 100 cr film – and a genre for which he was considered a misfit. He has also proven himself time to time.
He’s only been on a break from commercial films, not gone into a flops phase! Today people are finding it easy to bash deny his success but he gave 100 cr & 200 cr hits back to back when others could not even imagine films could hit such benchmark! 4 years ago!
Salman has undoubtedly done well but is stuck to same genre.
Aamir’s next may not do 200 cr but then it’s a totally different genre & not even a holiday release. Atleast it’s better than not attempting a different genre at all! 😀
Still as usual, people attribute Aamir’s success to everything else except the man himself!
Dhoom 3 is supposed to do massive. But the funny thing is everyone considers Aamir to be a complete misfit in Dhoom franchise, still they won’t credit him for pulling it off successfully when it does huge at BO! (A perceived misfit should be lauded if he manages to prove naysayers wrong. But no! This won’t happen for Aamir! 😀 )
Whether you guys take it or not, the fact is, Aamir Khan is the only one who’s given successes in films which were considered unworkable at BO or for which he himself was considered a misfit! He’s proven himself over and over again!
Haha! 😀 I knew this would be coming! Well in case you don’t know, the script of 3 Idiots was being rejected by everybody – including Vivek Oberoi! It was Aamir Khan who told Raju Hirani to re-write it and only then come back to him or else he wouldn’t do it.
Raju & Abhijat themselves admitted in 3 Idiots – Original Screenplay book that they re-wrote 3I on Aamir’s suggestions..
So that does mean something, no?
People behave as if Aamir just took a ready made great script which was “always supposed to get good WOM” and got a success by fluke!
Aamir has no less credibility than Raju Hirani & his brand value was even higher after Ghajini. So his inputs during making of 3I and his stardom added to its success.
Genre, message, treatment etc. are all acceptable factors but role of Aamir Khan in even making 3 Idiots take off cannot be ignored.
He intereferes in script, direction all the time, so what’s new. He’s doing the same in Talaash. He immediately becomes the producer, and then intereferes. So, as I said, if he delivers again I’ll accept that it is him. I’m not denying his contribution, but in 3I case I feel it were several factors.
I’m getting a sense of dejavu. WE’ve discussed these things so often 😀
That thing which you’re calling interference is involvement due to which his films are a cut above the rest, unlike forgettable junk food 100 cr hits of other stars.
Of course, I agree with you on discussing the “same” things. No use explaining to those who’d obviously discredit him. 😀
The thing with guys like you is that instead of accepting his contribution you cheekily call his work as interference which “is nothing new” and make it look like some “annoying habit” he has.
Hehe! Carry on. Tomorrow when Talaash succeeds, give all credit to Honeymoon Travels fame auteur Reema Kagti or “other factors”.
Somehow “other factors” are considered only for Aamir films. Not while judging success of other stars’ films! Ha!
I wonder why “other factors” never help other bigger megastars! Chhee. Life’s unfair! 😀
yes aamir khan is god but that didn’t saved mela , dhobi ghaat,(commercially a disapointment) or for that matter peepli
what worked for his production in recent time a certain lame adaptation of snatch and lock stock two smoking barrels , or for that matter a remake of highly sucessful hollywood and tamil movies
before 3 idiots hirabni also made two munnabha series which are cult movie on indian cinema and was highest paid director running around
its also a best seller handle competently by an ace diector unlike salman who made the other best seller of same director ruined by his relatives
for record the first movie to inflate prices of ticket in recent time was 3 idiots released on x-mas and new year period with extended holiday …aamir earlier movie tzp worked on same period along with akshay’s welcome
for record even a highly dubious sujay ghosh has made a great thriller called kahaani
“yes aamir khan is god but that didn’t saved mela , dhobi ghaat,(commercially a disapointment) or for that matter peepli”
Hmm that’s an interesting point…
@ Bliss– just read your link on deepika & cock tale–thanx–good to hear that she has gained a lot from it, seems—
Exerpts–
Only five years in, and Deepika Padukone appears to have figured it out: “It hits you all of a sudden one day, the realisation that no amount of magazine covers and red-carpet appearances will get you very far, if you don’t have solid performances to show for yourself.”
As wild-child Veronica, who spirals into a self-destructive mess when her love is thwarted in Homi Adajania’s recent hit Cocktail, this former model from Bangalore has finally put the ‘act’ into ‘actress’.
As if confirming her ascent to the league of leading ladies with promise, she was signed up by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to star in his Gujarat-set Romeo & Juliet adaptation Ram Leela, barely hours after the ink had dried on those rave reviews for her performance in Cocktail.
Ps: that’s what happens when u do ‘good’ films and with good directors/actors 😉
AA: Ileana was perfect for the role. And outside of the role, too, she appears interesting. any actress that does not let it all hang out, and retains some mystery and unpredictability about her is always interesting and is looked forward to by the audience. That ‘s what makes Kareena so boring and Katrina so interesting. That is also what made both Deepika as well as Diana so interesting in Cocktail. That is what Vidya and Anoushka so interesting. That is what makes Huma Qureshi and Richa Chadda interesting. Even Priyanka has manged to create some mystique with her performance in Barfi. Phew..!! So many interesting female actors around to look out for! We sure are living in interesting times.
Interesting observation but disputable. What about male stars? Fans like them for their mannerisms and predictability.
By your yardstick, even Rekha and Jaya Bachchan are boring. Even Vidya with her all knowing smile.
And Katrina who cant act beyond a certain point. In ETT, even Salman came out with flying colors while Katrina was trying too hard to act.
evenif we agree that sallu and kat. both can’t act – they carry a certain charm around them which connects to the paying-audience – so in the absence of acting-skills (as many insist on this) – they still draw the audience. And again “acting” is a tricky term – if the paying audience connects with these two – that is not just on their looks – they enact the emotions of the character they play in such a way that audience like it – and those who like it, for them it is “acting” – mind it 🙂
The thing is everything with which an audience connects with is not ‘acting’- the audience connected with Dev Anand too, don’t think he was an actor at all. I am a huge fan of Jean Claude Van Damme but I have NEVER seen him act- the ‘tricky’ thing is that an actor does many things apart from acting which can make him effective on screen… Btw Rajni is another example of a very effective non-actor
what is acting? If a hero is doing action-scenes, he is “acting” – right? so it is a subjective defination – what u do/don’t think as acting may not be necessarily true….everything a hero/heroine portrays on the screen is “acting” – some are good at it and some are not – those who connect more to the hearts of audience (paying audience) are good actors – it is only the invention of the terms star and superstar etc. have overshadowed the basic premise…
“Everything a hero/heroine portrays on the screen is “acting’ “- No, these things do not come under what is strictly and originally called as acting- this is ‘gesturality’ and ‘mannerism’- otherwise if everything is termed as acting then Rajni or Salman would be called as good as actors as Bachchan or Kamal since even they have a strong connect with the audience
Screen presence, charisma, acting. The likes of Dev anand and Salman Khan win audience by the first two. The likes of DK and AB had the first and third in their favour. While Rajesh Khanna, SRK had all the three and thus they achieved success easily.
katrina mysterious? well, yes, it is a mystery that she is an ‘actress’. but unpredictable? i guess sometimes it is hard to predict which 1/2 of her 1 & 1/2 expression she is going to use.
joking aside though, i do like katrina’s public persona better than kareena who comes across as the single most obnoxious person in bw, made worse by the fact that she is a bimbo.
i was just responding to utkal’s comment. wasn’t sure which persona he was talking about on or off-screen. i was also having a little bit of fun with his comment. otherwise i agree with you. but i have never thought of kareena as a great actress either. she is decent in some roles with a good director to restrain her (dev, omkara) but just like her sister she is screechy with a tendency to easily go overboard (karisma was downright horrible though). she has never really found the right tone or meter for herself as an actor even after so many years, that’s why she is not one of those actors who can lift mediocre material. case in point – heroine.
utkal uncle —what a brilliant comment
I feel like clapping !!!
NOT FOR FEMALES/ prudes vv
Well said –since u are at it …on that criteria …
How would u rate them –katrina, anushka, Diana , ileana, nargis fakhri, huma, deepika, on that scale –rank 1 to 10
Obviously those like Kareena don’t feature in this list !!!
Somehow Priyanka has lost her appeal for me somewhat (though she is v v talented) & Richa chadda has no appeal..vidya maybe
‘Heroine’ economics
By Taran Adarsh, September 26, 2012 – 08:14 IST
There are two sides to a coin. Similarly, there are two ways at looking at the business of UTV and Madhur Bhandarkar’s HEROINE. First, the optimistic viewpoint. Despite the ‘Adults’ tag, despite coinciding with the Ganeshotsav festivities, despite the ongoing cricket matches, despite the mixed feedback/word of mouth, despite scathing reviews, HEROINE has garnered an impressive total [Rs 25 cr nett] in its opening weekend. But in view of the fact that HEROINE was keenly anticipated, had an extensive release [2,000 + screens], no film/s to compete with in the same week, the numbers are below the mark. Anything below Rs 30 crore weekend for a much-awaited film seems disappointing nowadays.
For some strange reason, a section of the industry were comparing HEROINE with THE DIRTY PICTURE, which also depicted the rise and fall of an actress and had fared exceptionally well at the ticket window. But let’s not forget, besides the backdrop of the film industry, Vidya Balan’s brand equity, terrific music, great script and Ekta Kapoor’s wonderful promotional campaign, THE DIRTY PICTURE starred Emraan Hashmi in the lead and let’s not forget, the actor is a big, big crowd puller, the darling of the masses. That’s an ace that HEROINE lacked, as far as magnetizing the audience is concerned.
The buzz surrounding HEROINE was tremendous prior to its release. But while HEROINE got an open week to garner footfalls, it faced stiff competition from BARFI!, which had released in the previous week and continues to make waves. The announcement of BARFI! being India’s official entry at the Oscars has given further impetus to the film. At the same time, I’d like to state that HEROINE and BARFI! ate into each other’s business. HEROINE and BARFI! would’ve amassed higher numbers had there been a substantial gap between these two films.
What goes in favor of HEROINE is its nominal cost. Let’s have a bird’s eye view of the economics of the film…
Cost of production: 20 cr
+ P & A expenditure: 12 cr
Total cost: 32 cr
Now let’s look at the recoveries…
UTV had pre-sold the film prior to its release and collected 15 cr from various distributors [the only territories they retained for distribution were Mumbai and Delhi-U.P.].
Although the Satellite rights are unsold, one can assume it should fetch anywhere between 13 to 15 cr.
The Overseas, Music and Home Video rights should contribute another 10 cr.
Over and above, the in-film endorsements have fetched an additional 2.5 cr to the makers.
So if one totals the recoveries [15 cr + 13cr/15 cr + 10 cr + 2.5 cr = 40.5 cr/42.5 cr], UTV and Bhandarkar should find themselves in the profit zone. The returns from Mumbai and Delhi-U.P. territories would only act as the icing on the cake.
Taran and Komal have become apologists for BO failures. Kareena was supposed to upstage Vidya with a bold role. Now that it it will not happen, all the media subterfuge begins.
DP ran on raw vulgarity. And Heroine tried to copy and fell flat. Barfi exploited emotions and became a winner. Barfi proves that heroines need not be exploited in the name of boldness.
This ‘raw vulgarity’ tag is another smear used to constantly downgrade Vidya’s achievement. How was that apparent vulgarity any less than what we find in a HouseFull or a Race or even any movie that includes a ‘Hot’ item number full of suggestive gyrating TnA femmes?
DP ran on performances, story and above all some great Dialogbaazi which is so rare in contemporary bwood. Give Vidya some due, she is the only heroine with 2 solid heroine centric blockbusters in DP and Kahaani. They did not just happen by chance or luck.
Actually, the reaction is in response to Kareena’s constant gloating of her apparent superstardom and numero uno position. If she were a bit modest, people might-could start appreciating her a bit as well. Bevajah hawa mein udta insaan maat zaroor khaata hai.
So was Rajesh Khanna is his heyday. Arrogant, selfish and what not. But it did not matter as long as he delivered mega hits.
Apparently Kareena’s smugness does not affect us and it may affect her female cosstars. But it seems a female star’s attitude affects many. Kareena and Ash are hated by most due to their perceived or real self centred antics of which there are too many stories floating round.
DP ran on sleaze? Is Heroine less sleazy, with songs like Hulkat Jawani? Chalo maan bhi liya. Why cant it even come anywhere close to Kahaani? That has no sleaze. No Emran Hashmi even. Kareena could not deliver in Stepmom. She could not deliver now. She just cannot deliver .
Vidya has only had 2 flops so far – Salam E ishq and Kismet Konnection. That is an impressive career considering she came to films only in 2005 with Parineeta. Vidya can not only act but also looks good in the roles she portrays.
Kareena kapoor is a loud mouth and a clothes horse. Except for a couple of scenes, her performance was no great shakes in Heroine – pirated DVDs are already out – saw one yesterday.
As for Amitabh Bachchan turning 70 next month – that’s such an incogitable prospect for my generation of Hindi-movie viewers, I won’t even address it in this space. It may require a book-sized lament.
Sanjana: It is easy to star in a well scripted movie and get applause.
Easy? Really? So why doesn’t Kareena do it? If she is such a hot-shot star, why can’t she get those good scripts? Don’t tell me she chooses bad scripts deliberately. Obviously she does the best scripts from among that are available to her.
If good scripts go to Vidya and not Kareena, what does it prove? That makers have more faith in Vidya than Kareena .
Sometimes or most of the time, luck is also a factor. And Kareena is a pricey actress while Vidya is approachable.
Here I am not disputing the undoubted talent of Vidya but this comparison becomes meaningless as they are not competing in a straightforward race where all parameters are equal.
Both have their strong points and weak ones. And there is always an uncertain tomorrow.
No two actors compete in a straightforward race. In fact they are not even in any kind of race. But since there are people stupid enough to treat the film world as some kind of a horse race, and talk of No 1 , 2 or 3, one has to throw some hard facts at them to shut their mouth. You want to talk box office, let’s talk box office,and no excuses please.
But here Kareena’s failure is automatically linked to Vidya and others.
Boxoffice wise, Kareena had 3 to 4 100 crore success and she is the one along with Katrina is being choice for the Khans, Devgun so far.
If we read the number of articles about Kareena’s failure, it looks like some witchhunt is going on. Will they hang her for this crime?
If you are talking of 100 cr successes , even Asin has 3, Priyanka 2, Sonakshi 2, and Katrina only one. So what t does it prove? Nothing. Everyone knows, giving a 100 cr film with a Khan is no reflection ofa heroine’s box office clout or audience draw. That is proven when you can draw the audience without a big hero.
Exactly…Kareena was a nothing more than a replaceable lead in those 100 cr films- infact a 30 cr gross of Heroine would be better for her than a 100 cr gross of a BG
On the one hand you want boxoffice figures. When I show those figures, you dismiss it that it is no big deal.
As for drawing audience without a big hero, One way is through sleaze as in DP. And Kahaani has a good script with a thriller angle. So it is not such a big deal.
As such heroine centric films have its own limitations.
Let Talaash release. There are 2 strong heroines. They may swallow Aamir Khan.
yaha ek he rule hain ” Chit tu haara aur pat main Jeeta 😀 ”
If You show them BO, then ppl will say BO doesnt matter and when you show them bad BO( ex : GOW) then they say BO alone doesnt mean much….
I am reminded of S coovey’s famous line, ” When you pick one end of stick, you pick other end also” but here most want to pick only one end just to bend argument to their side…
Think Sanjana has made some good points on kareena
I must admit that my ‘hatred’ towarda kareena has made
me ‘biased’ against her
Thats y I’ve taken Sanjana as my unbiased assistant director 🙂
“There are 2 strong heroines. They may swallow Aamir Khan.”
Oh Sanjana –aaaww that was gross 🙂
Think we should include this scene jthj as well ha
And after being ‘swallowed’ by 2 heroines–aamir better hit 200 cr + with talaash…
Sanjana–
Plz don’t tell anyone
But we will copy this scene (as in lift it shamelessly)
Into the JTHJ spoof
Wherein the two heroines ‘swallow’ the hero ie me !
Thanx for the idea…u have proven your worth as assistant director already !!
But shhhh– we will keep this a secret 😉
Sanjana: As I said before Heroine is no less sleazy than Dirty Picture. Still it will mkae half of the latter. “Kahaani has a good script with a thriller angle.” Since when has a good script without a name male star, let alone a big hero, become a big hit? How much did thrillers like 36 China Town or Agent Vinod make? To state that Khaani has a god script is stating the obvious. Gadar had a good script, HAHK had a good script, DDLJ had a good script, 3 idiots had a good script, Ghajini had a good script, ETT had a good script, Dabang had a god script. That does not mean Sunny, Sharukh, Aamir or Salman are not stars.
When Salman does a bad script like Yuvraj it flops, When Akshay does a bad script like Joker it flops. when Shahrukh does a bad script like Ra One it flops. When Aamir does a bad script like Mela it flops. It is obvious, to be a highly successful film, it has to have a good script. We are talking of which actress has the power to attract better scripts, and has a better proven track record of carrying a good script to success. And Vidya is the winner hands down.
Gone are the days of Sridevi or Madhuri driving a films success. The closest we’ve had in the recent past is Aishwariya Rai. The rest, are mere functions of who the leads are, what they are going to wear and how “riskeee” is the skin show. There are a few exceptions always to any rule and possibly Vidya Balan, Tabu in her hey day or even Rani sometimes, but by in large the likes of Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika are invariably interchangeable between each other.
ummm…….none. the aishwarya rai narrative is no less bs than srk narative, probably more so. srk had actual succes on which it was built, aish not so much.
It’s not even about whether she takes a film to success on her own or not. For example something like Choker Bali was a disaster or so to was Umrao Jaan. If you isolate cases like that then EVERYONE can look bad.
It’s purely about the name a star brings to a project and the added value attached to it. Aishwariya Rai’s name is a global brand far more reaching then any Katrina or Priyanka. Maybe not today but it was before. My point is not about today.
It’s a legacy too. If you think about the top female names in the industry in the last 20 years it will be Sridevi, Madhuri, Aishwariya. They were not only stars but they has some “defining” films or moments. What will the audience remember about Katrina in years to come? What defining moments or performances does she have?
Kareena probably has some decent performances.
which was my point. sri and madhuri had the right combination of looks, popularity, sex appeal and box office success with big stars as well as driven by themselves, that made them icons. what makes aish an icon is ‘brand appeal’ mostly created by pr and media. she was never much of an actress and when was the last time she had big bo success? she doesn’t have that many successful films in her career as such. she was an ‘exotic export’ that we tried to sell off as part of the shining-india package in the 90’s, only the west was not interested in buying beyond a couple of media appearances and red carpet photo-ops at cannes. all of her touted hw films flopped. others from mallika to smaller time starlets tried to do the same but fell flat and everybody else caught on. freida pinto is much more well-known in the west now. and people in bandra and patel nagar have already moved on to anushka sharma etc.
“freida pinto is much more well-known in the west now. and people in bandra and patel nagar have already moved on to anushka sharma etc.”
Haha
Rofl 🙂
Btw what does the ‘expert panel’ here think of anushka ??
Any comments …
this new angle that people have come up with that some stars are successful because they work in good films is so laughable, i don’t even know where to start. well, duh! isn’t an actor’s career, or anybody’s for that matter, a sum of their choices? stardom may be a little bit more than that. but then, that’s why stars keep changing every couple of years. srk, akshay, salman, all had their purple patches. but someone like aamir has more long term sustainable success. nobody is stopping others from investing in good works and mix it up, which will probably bring more rewarding returns, but they have no interest in doing so. everybody wants a quick fix. i bet kareena only did this film because she was being criticized for being a showpiece in khan films with no success of her own. she tried o spin it, but it didn’t work. so when ash left the film, she jumped on it, thinking madhur’s films have brought his actresses national awards (for mysterious reasons). if she can make a decent success of this film and win some awards, she can boast about it to give her career a final push before settling down. too bad it didn’t work out either.
Antya.. well said on the larger point. I am especially amused when this criticism is brought against Aamir. Hey he just does good films, let him do junk like Salman and then we’ll see! This is laughably absurd. So yeah let’s go down the list of all the great stars of history whether in India or otherwise and start taking away all their great, historic stuff! And then let’s put stars like Stallone and Schwarzenegger on the highest pedestals. Hey De Niro just proved himself with Scorsese! Bachchan worked in great Salim-Javed scripts! So on and so forth.
This is where partisanship takes one down a route where one cannot be taken seriously. It’s one thing to be an informed, enlightened partisan and quite another to resort to such logic to call which even ‘desperate’ is to dignify it.
Why one becomes desperate? Because the other one simply drives them to resort to such an argument. Here Utkal went on and on about the greatness of Vidya and badness of Kareena.
I think u have a point Sanjana
In my extreme hate for kareena –I forget that she is an above average spontaneous actress
It’s just that her on/off screen persona is extremely allergenic/ offensive to me..
Otherwise she may be not that bad …
Anya u have dissected kareenas ‘mind map’ here well
She expected critical and possibly commercial suxess in heroine
Unfortunately for her, she got neither
(to my amusement )
🙂
I think Kareena got critical success(most of the reviews acclaimed her performance) and some commercial success too with heroine. The thing is anti Kareena attitude just does not want to accept the rosier part of the picture and tend to dwell on the darker side.
As for Kareena and Ash, Kareena proved her mettle in her very first film Refugee. She is a natural actress.
As for choosing good films, no one chooses bad films.
deliberately.
If Vidya gets good scripts, Kareena got top heroes.
srk, salman are trophies to be won is exactly the type of attitude that is the larger problem. i have no sympathy for these actresses who cry a river about how there are no good roles for them and khans make more money (kareena said this recently too). yes, the cards are stacked against women. but they contribute to it too. by only defining their own success in terms of how may projects with big heroes they have grabbed, by continuing their show-piece persona from film to mag covers and jewelry store ads and ramp shows for designer ‘friends’, by sleeping around with married stars to get more films. all this at the altar of stardom. they just want to be on most ‘google-searched celebrity’ or some such dumb lists, then marry some industrialist when the career begins to wane. they like to call themselves ambitious but their ambition is limited to these. why not invest your money earned from all this circus in making one good low budget film per year, hire good talent and just take charge of your life. and stop whining.
Whether one agrees or not, every heroine wants to work with the Khans and that includes Vidya. How she falls over those Khans in those award functions. Hema, Ash , Katrina, Kareena never do that type of falling all over. As for sleeping with married heroes for roles, it is no more in vogue. Except for a Jaya Bhaduri and Kajol and some others, all are suspect in this respect.
From the director of Oldboy (The Vengeance Trilogy) Park Chan-Wook and starring Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode comes “STOKER” (remake)
Thursday 27th September 2012 10.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Ek Tha Tiger will finish with 15 crore nett business less than Three Idiots and all the shortfall coming from Mumbai circuit. The figures after five weeks are 186 crore nett for Ek Tha Tiger while Three Idiots grossed 191 crore nett in the same period. The approx business for the first five weeks is as follows.
Week One
Ek Tha Tiger – 143.25 crore (9 days)
3 Idiots – 79 crore (inc pp)
Week Two
Ek Tha Tiger – 29.50 crore
3 Idiots – 56 crore
Week Three
Ek Tha Tiger – 9.50 crore
3 Idiots – 30.25 crore
Week Four
Ek Tha Tiger – 3 crore
3 Idiots – 16 crore
Week Five
Ek Tha Tiger – 75 lakhs
3 Idiots – 9.75 crore
TOTAL (Five Weeks)
Ek Tha Tiger – 186 crore
3 Idiots – 191 crore
“..but by in large the likes of Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika are invariably interchangeable between each other…”
Absolutely hit the nail on the head.
Priyanka may be the only out of these 4 who has genuinely tried to break out as an actress, but does get pulled down due to her tendency to over-express.
Katrina knows she isn’t an actress and does not pretend to be one either. She is happy being eye-candy, and IMO the eye-candy with the best ROI of all. Once she is one with JTHJ, D3 and ETT, she will totally deflate Kareena’s constant harping of her 100cr returns. She will have done in 3 films what it took Kareena to do in her entire career.
None of them hold a candle to Vidya. Here is a female who has broken the contemporary rules of heroines in bwood. No figure to talk of, no dancing skills, nothing. All performance and ‘chutzpah’ if we ever measured females in that term!
So is katrina currently the BEST looking actress in Bollywood?? –ignoring other facets like acting, talent etc
What do folks feel…
Who is the best looking actress currently –full stop !!!!!
Boss. Katrina is the epitome of traditional Indian male fantasy.
A fair brunette, tall, sharp features and sensuously curvaceous with those striking hips. She evokes the beauty of every female statuette in Khajuraho. Is there any doubt why her track record is so damn good? She may not know how to act, but even when she just bats her eyelids, half the audience (ie.. all the males) feel simultaneous melting of hearts and anatomical hardening elsewhere.
actually I’ve always found her very insipid. A couple of older comments:
“I’ve always found Katrina insipid. The ‘craze’ for her mystifies me greatly though I suspect it is because in this age of more ‘emphatic’ female stars if not more ‘aggressive’ ones her somewhat ‘shy’ persona is welcomed by many. To put it bluntly Katrina is not likely to give anyone a castration complex! But even otherwise she seems rather more demure than say Priyanka or Kareena. Ironically is is the latter sort of actress that represents a more liberated model. The multiplex audiences though seem to like greater ‘docility’. Katrina has a certain diffidence to her persona which as far as I can tell is what her appeal is all about.”
“what I meant was that she has a certain diffidence to her persona and even when she plays somewhat bold types this quality comes through. On the other hand even when not necessarily playing such characters Priyanka and Kareena come across as ‘aggressive’. It’s the difference between Madhuri and Sridevi doing the very same sort of suggestive dance.”
^^ hmm detailed description there nykavi
Now I’m noticing things in her that didnt note earlier totally 🙂
Ps: got a sudden free time
How lovely are these unexpected breaks …
i agree on katrina, don’t get her appeal. i think it’s the ‘white girl fixation’ and nothing else. she is so…..meh. hot? sure, if a wet noodle is hot. sharp features? do men know what sharp features mean? deepika has them, not katrina. and i think you are bang on about the demure appeal. she is non-threateneing. guess she gives the vibe she’ll bat her eyelashes, pamper her man and keep her mouth shut. you like katrina because you probably hate smart, sassy girls who speak their minds.
Behenji, hum film dekhne jaate hain. Smart speaking minds waali ladkiyaan dhoondhne nahi. Kirdar ko cinemaghar mein hi chodna behtar hota hai. Please do not equate cinematic fantasy to reality. Its fiction, do you take it home with you?
As for smart, sassy, speaking minds: I would encourage every woman on earth to be one. I am a husband to one and we nurture two of of our own.
it wasn’t directed to you. i was thinking out loud. since she is in a complex audio-visual medium playing characters and is not a print or runway model, it is natural to assume the appeal is more about just her hips or botoxed lips. although, she does just stand there and look pretty so i guess not. with beautiful actresses around the world, whether cruz, hayek, jolie, theron, you can see it’s about beauty and the persona they portray on screen. it all comes together to feed people’s fantasies, it is easy to understand why men find them sexy. it escapes me with katrina. but then i am just a behenji who does not like eye candy type women 🙂
“you can see it’s about beauty and the persona they portray on screen. it is easy to understand why men find them sexy. it escapes me with katrina. ” Well, IMO, its because Commercial Bwood is miles away from being nuanced in any sense. The masala female is straitjacketed in very well defined pockets. Pop Bwood has conditioned its male audiences to treat the heroine as a mere placeholder. Masala Bwood does not in fact bestow any significance to its heroines. If a role just demands a few sexy dance numbers and a couple of dialogs to be mouthed, to what extent would a full persona (a la Jolie, Theron et al) be needed? In that regard Katrina fills the role of a placeholder to a T. In a typical bwood masala movie, an aggressive female is portrayed as a verbal-spewing ‘patakha’, Katrina can do that patakha role.
The few bwood films that do require a ‘complete persona’, and that bestow the gravitas and significance to its female characters do not need an eye-candy like Katrina. Those films in fact need a Vidya. When you think about it that way, a Kareena just falls flat between the two stools. Katrina is happy to be sitting on that one stool, without bothering to attempt at being as someone straddling both these domains.
Let’s be honest.. Katrina is just another symptom of the bankruptcy of the contemporary audience! And with all due respect to her fans it requires a degree of desperation to discover serious sex appeal in her. Then again she is the perfectly anodyne sex symbol for the post-Johar age! In this sense the audience choices aren’t quite as ‘brainless’ as they might seem. Yes women don’t very often have the most nuanced characterizations in Hindi cinema. Yet the very same audience was in love with Madhuri (and still seems to be judging from her Jhalak reception) and Sridevi and so on when the representations of women were not more sophisticated. I see Katrina’s choice on the part of the audience as being very consonant with a certain multiplex worldview. Much as with everything else the conservative beast lurks below the pretense of liberalism. so Katrina’s completely non-threatening persona and sexuality are perfect fits for this mindset.
Of course I must also say that I resist this kind of abstraction whereby there’s always someone called the ‘common man’ or the ‘ordinary masses’ or what have you somehow out there who drive industry choices! We ourselves are that audience. Those labels then are just convenient ‘screens’ by way of which we enjoy our choices without guilt! Hey I’m not a Katrina fan, it’s someone else out there. I’m not a masala lover, the masses like it. So on and so forth.
Let me repeat folks –
—my ‘fatwa’!!!
Anya is NOT a ‘behanji’!!
Nobody will mess with ANY of my ‘heroines’!!!
In addition–thiis affects the box office gross 😉
i agree with your explanation about subtlety which makes perfect sense. but i think satyam has dissected it well here. our fantasies don’t exist in a vacuum. if modern indian male’s fantasy is katrina, it says something about the society.
and are you sure i am not a behenji? actually, i am a raging feminist in the guise of a behenji pretending to be a mod. it’s complicated!
“.. i am a raging feminist in the guise of a behenji pretending to be a mod. .. ” Udi baba… hum to chakra gaye. Do you accessorize your sarees with Jimmy Choos and Chanel?
As much as Kareena gets dumped on these days, (and I don’t disagree with much of the criticism) as an actress (not talking about looks here!) I’d take her over Katrina easily. The latter is so utterly unmemorable in everything I’ve ever seen her in. Kareena at least had a few roles in the past (I’m thinking Dev, Refugee and the like) where she made a mark. She’s just let the whole number game overwhelm her. She’s turned into this plastic actress that feeds into the whole diva template. It’s kinda gross.
As purely as an actress I prefer Kareena too. But she is an extreme example of someone who has a filmography consisting of films like Refugee, Omkara, JWM and a like vs. hideous roles like K3G, Kambakht Ishq etc.
On her day she is better than all the “diva” type actresses by a mile.
On Katrina, her roles invariably have no variety and in fact she is not controversial or edgy in her portrayals. She is just Katrina. So its far more a middle ground and she does not play in the extremes except she is just extremely a poor actress consistently!
i think satyam summed it up. have never seen a more ‘lifeless’ star. it’s almost as if she won’t bleed if you cut her. who can find that appealing? unless you are into blow-up dolls. ewwwww.
satyam, in a lighter vein: all that u write here abt. Katrina – just replace it with the word “abhi” and u will understand how those who seriously dislike abhi feel 🙂
“satyam, in a lighter vein: all that u write here abt. Katrina – just replace it with the word “abhi” and u will understand how those who seriously dislike abhi feel ”
Hahaha
That’s the comment of the day 🙂
People are being too harsh on Katrina.
It is a matter of personal choice. Both Katrian and Deepika ( and Vidya as well) are beautiful ladies. Some of the criticism directed at Katrina seems misdirected. As I have noted before, Katrina makes women feel insecure and Deepika probably makes them feel empowered. So, can imagine why women would prefer one over the other. Katrina played a self asured young woman in ZNMD as some tend to forget. It is not her fault that she is fair complexioned. Deepika is different. While she is beautiful and has a presence, she is the kind of woman destined to go through a lot of broken relationships in personal life. It is nether her fault or the men she is involved with. Men like what they like. A sassy woman may not make a man feel insecure but that may not be what he wants in his woman. Most sassy types tho, are unable to have long, enduring and successful relationships. That is how it is. And ,ths is true everywhere.
It’s true, I am usually too harsh on Katrina. I guess if she were just one among others I would mind it less. But that she’s reached the position she has seems rather unfortunate. Then again, maybe this too is harsh given some of her male counterparts who also enjoy similar success!
“..But that she’s reached the position she has seems rather unfortunate…”
If she were only an insipid flash-in-the-pan, she would’ve been done in 2 or 3 yrs max. Her constant scaling of newer heights just proves that she deserves what she has achieved. The masses who choose to elevate her do so because of a liking for her persona. You may throw brickbats at the masses for this perceived travesty. But, you hardly can put a pulse on the choice of the masses. The mass operates on its own drumbeat.
“Good taste is never found in abundance!”- Well those who are watching Battleship shouldn’t speak abt taste (just kidding Sir). But really before I had the misfortune of watching the wretched Piranha 3DD (i am a fan of the ‘animal eating men’ genre so i try an watch everything…I saw this in 3D for the nymphets) i though Battleship was easily the worst film of the yr- was a fan of the board-game though. till now my favs in hwood this yr has been The Grey followed by Raid Redemption and the new Spidey
Hmmm thanx satyam –so u think its deepika …
what do others feel
Mind u–We are talking about just ‘looks’!
–no talent, acting, skills, and yes no assets
I’m now getting fed up of thOse who can’t see beyond ‘assets’ !!!
I don’t even care for those !! 😉
“think you are bang on about the demure appeal. she is non-threateneing. guess she gives the vibe she’ll bat her eyelashes, pamper her man and keep her mouth shut. you like katrina because you probably hate smart, sassy girls who speak their minds.”
(let’s) bang on Anya !!
I think u hit the nail on the head..
Kat is all that AND non-threatening …
U know the inner crevices of my mind –no wonder ive appointed u my mental coach 😉
Hmm – I’ve been quietly reading folks thoughts on katrina and her ‘appeal’ etc
Have also noted how satyam watched cocktail only to watch deepika in a bikini and fast forwarded the rest of the movie !! Lol
For someone who has (apparently) now ‘overcome’ such appeals & ‘assets’ (though not completely)–
I now feel ‘intelligence’ & ‘sense’ with even average looks can be a lethal combo in a female!
😉
SATYAMSHOT 
September 20, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Utkal’s thoughts on Barfi here
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Thanx utkal uncle-must admire your zeal and passion.
Within a couple of hours of writing a post, u have gone ahead, seen the movie and written the review within 3 hours!
I love your passion at your stage 🙂
Ps: u didnt write about ileana…
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 5:15 PM
Taran on Heroine
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 5:16 PM
Barfi! Shows Jump In Collections On Wednesday
Thursday 20th September 2012 09.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Barfi! had a jump on collections on Wednesday as there were holidays in Maharashtra and Karnataka and other places benefited in evening shows as next day is like a holiday due to the bandh. The collections on Wednesday are likely to come in over 7 crore nett which is huge for a Wednesday.
In Mysore the collections on Wednesday were nearly double the collections of Tuesday.
The bandh will hit collections badly on Thursday as multiplexes in most parts of the country will remain closed. At the moment the film looks set to hit 85 crore nett lifetime and could even hit 90 crore nett.
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 5:18 PM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Barfi Fri 9.2 cr, Sat 11.5 cr, Sun 13.9 cr, Mon 6.5 cr, Tue 6 cr, Wed 7.25 cr. Total: Rs 54.35 cr nett. Extraordinary!
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 5:17 PM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
Yes, @iamsrk , I genuinely wish JTHJ sets new benchmarks and scales way beyond 200 cr mark. Very hopeful!
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 5:17 PM
LOL, with some help from Taran and others I’m sure it will!
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 7:33 PM
LOL
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 7:13 PM
Its amusing to see these trade guys pretending JTHJ is the only film relasing this Dilwai !
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 8:15 PM
The Bhandarker recipe!!
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/293147/is-madhur-bhandarkar-losing-the-plot-with-similar-storylines.html
LikeLike
September 20, 2012 at 8:24 PM
shows how behind our ‘news’ channels are, they just realized this?
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:51 AM
Barfi! Has Excellent First Week
Friday 21st September 2012 12.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Barfi! had an excellent first week collecting 57.50 crore nett approx in its first week. The film held up exceedingly well on the weekdays collecting around 23.50 crore nett. It had a holiday on Wednesday but there was a bandh in many parts on Thursday so extra collections on Wednesday were cancelled out by the lost collections on Thursday due to bandh.
Although there was bandh on Thursday in many parts, the film was helped by the fact that both Mumbai city and Delhi city which are big contributors for the film were largely unaffected.
The first week collections are the highest ever outside the big grossing masala entertainers which have much higher potential than a film like Barfi! due universal appeal.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:55 AM
Really good collections…expected big numbers as the film strikes a strong emotional chord.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:55 AM
Top 5: ‘Barfi’ 58.6 cr, ‘Raaz 3’ 70.07 cr
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:51 AM
Heroine Opens Well
Friday 21st September 2012 12.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Heroine opened well at the box office with collections around 55-60% at multiplexes.
The film will come out with a pretty good first day number and by far the highest for a film driven by a heroine. The occupancies are lower than last week’s Barfi! which took a strong start at multiplexes but the film has a much wider release than Barfi! of around 2000 screens.
The first day number of Heroine will be much bigger than any other film where the main face value was the female lead. The wide release also gives potential to collect but a lot depends on how well the single screens actually collect.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:53 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#EkThaTiger collected 72 lacs in its 5th Week. Grand total: 199.11 cr nett. All Time Blockbuster.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 5:54 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Raaz3 got hit by #Barfi wave at plexes, but remained steady at single screens. Collected 14.78 cr nett in Week 2. Total: 70.07 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 11:16 AM
I’ve just been watching the extraordinary ‘Up’ series of documentaries by Michael Apted.
Has anybody here seen them? I’d love to know what you thought of them.
And for those who haven’t watched them- I HIGHLY reccomend them. Here is the link to the first episode ‘7 Up’:
It’s incredible how articulate and composed these children are!
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 6:37 PM
Amy –did your kids enjoy this docummentary? 🙂
Oops .2 much wrk-I think..
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:29 AM
What is wrong with you? 😛
BTW Satyam have you seen these documentaries? What did you think of them?
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:34 AM
Haha Amy –joking as usual 🙂
Btw whats the names of your ‘kids’ …
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 4:02 AM
Btw Amy -wheres your barfi review…
If uv still not seen, hmm–why couldnt u get hold of some1 to take u to barfi till now ?
All my ‘training’ /tuitions gone to waste!!
Explain !! 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 11:20 AM
^^Seems Amy has finally found a ‘bakra’ to go n see barfi !! Haha
Reminds me–where is that new guy –what was his name Krishna ? –who was asking me tips to ‘know gals on this blog’–
C’mon man–this is your chance to know Amy …
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:14 PM
^Hmmm Amy –I had sent u to see an innocent movie called barfi—not for a ‘night out’ party!!
We will now have to tell your parents about this 🙂
And this may affect your impending ‘auditions’ –u can’t go missing from shooting like this hahaha
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 10:59 PM
Ami, thanks for the link but really I would first want u to leave all these documentries/Mindy stuff and rush to the theatres to watch Barfii and then share ur views abt it. And u haven’t yet watched GoW and Ishaqzaade (on which u had promised us to write something, remember!)- bad 🙂 ! And btw hope u have been cured of ur infatuation for Prithviraj and his supposedly sexy bare torso (just kidding)
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 2:43 AM
I just saw Barfi Saurabh- I enjoyed it very much- although I do agree with those accusing Basu of plaigarism. I will write something about it a little later…
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:36 AM
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/291067/was-inspired-by-charlie-chaplin-to-play-barfi-ranbir-kapoor.html
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 11:43 AM
@ Amy — good to see that u ‘obeyed’ me ( as above) and saw barfi same day 🙂
I like obedient gals lol
And I know u take my jokes sportingly –cheers
Maybe if u could now do a writeup on barfi ,,,,thanx
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 12:56 PM
While Heroine is being bashed by the critics and viewers, Aishwarya was a speaker at the UN as a Goodwill Amabassador with Michael Douglas, Jane Goodall, Elie Wiesel and ForestWhitaker.
Aishwarya, Michael Douglas at UN to mark Intl’ Day of Peace
Bollywood actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan joined the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon and American actor Michael Douglas today to commemorate the International Day of Peace. Bachchan was among a host of celebrities who were at the UN headquarters to take part in the ceremony which is held every year and seeks cessation of hostilities around the world for a day. “Its an absolute honour to be here. I am glad I have been able to participate and be part of this whole experience,” Bachchan told PTI after the ceremony. Bachchan, 38, said that she was happy to contribute in sending out a strong message of peace. “Peace is the call of the day, has been and will always be,” Bachchan said.
“We are all here to help resonate the message of peace,” she added. Bachchan was dressed in a black and creme lehenga and a black sequenced top. Bachchan was seen talking to Douglas at the event and later posed for photographs with a group of little children, who played violin during the ceremony. It was the first time for Bachchan to be participating in the ceremony which was held at the Rose Garden of the UN headquarters. The Secretary General rang the ‘Peace Bell’ to mark the occasion. The International Day of Peace, also known as World Peace Day, is observed annually on September 21. It is dedicated to peace, and specifically the absence of war and violence, such as might be occasioned by a temporary ceasefire in a combat zone for humanitarian aid access. The day was first celebrated in 1982.
http://www.dayandnightnews.com/2012/09/aishwarya-michael-douglas-at-un-to-mark-intl-day-of-peace/
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 1:51 PM
Heroine is getting mauled by the critics.
While I do feel bad for Kareena, I feel Bhandarkar is getting his due as I find him very predictable and over rated. This one is likely to do not much at the BO as sonn as the curiosity factor is gone which should be sooner rather than later.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 3:17 PM
not sure if there are any baseball fans here or not..but this is for who follow baseball this is will be a treat to watch:
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 3:48 PM
Thanks for this Aamirfan.
For those who dont know this is about Jackie Robinson.
Am particularly intrigued by the casting of Harrison Ford as Ricky Branch. Unlike Satyam, I like Ford.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 4:57 PM
In the right role he can be terrific. Even otherwise he’s a solid presence at the very least. I have a soft spot for the Indy series but I also love him in Witness.
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 4:42 PM
Trailer of Matt Damon starrer and Gus Van Sant directed film “Promised Land”- Matt Damon, Frances McDormand, John Krasinski and Rosemarie Dewitt- http://www.youtube.com/watch%3Fv%3D5GDuVbXKQ9U&sa=U&ei=-s9cUIaNFMPq2QWagIGAAw&ved=0CCMQtwIwAA&usg=AFQjCNHNjfsENW4eeBFw9vzlie_UiUDyCQ
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 4:58 PM
A fracking movie. I guess it was a matter of time!
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 6:13 PM
this team together should be interesting
LikeLike
September 21, 2012 at 6:14 PM
Which ‘team’ anya ? 😉
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 12:33 AM
B.O. update: ‘Heroine’ opens to mixed response
By Taran Adarsh, September 21, 2012 – 18:15 IST
Madhur Bhandarkar’s much awaited HEROINE opened to a mixed response across the nation today. The opening, generally, was in 40% to 60% range. At some places, the multiplexes were better, while the single screens were leading at some mass-dominated centres. The evening and night shows hold the key, although the business in Mumbai/Maharashtra will be affected today due to Ganeshotsav festivities.
HEROINE has had a wide release, which should help the film put up decent numbers over the weekend.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:31 AM
Hritik in knight n day remake !
Well, this Tom cruise -Cameron Diaz starrer has been a guilty pleasure for me-enjoyed it !
If this gets made –will be interesting though Im not sure will to for this one–if he does–I’m in (I know the condescension and smugness towards this already but don’t care a damn!)
Btw the female cast will be crucial here!!
Any suggestions folks–?
Think nargis f or even diana panty should be good here-I think they may go for deepika though who wont be bad here 🙂
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Hrithik-Roshan-in-Knight-and-Days-hindi-remake/articleshow/16500722.cms
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Barfi [2nd Week] India *early estimates* Fri 4.1 cr. Total: 62.7 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:39 AM
great number for the second Fri!
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:40 AM
Barfi! Strong On Day Eight
Saturday 22nd September 2012 11.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Barfi! held up very strongly on its eighth day collections as it collected around 3.25 crore nett. The drop is 60% from day one is excellent for a day eight from day one drop. The norm has been around 70% for some of the biggest hits this year. The film has now collected close to 61 crore nett in eight days.
Mumba, Delhi/UP, East Punjab, West Bengal and Mysore are contributing a lot for the film though in mass centres the film is very low.
Despite a film like Heroine being released which was heavily promoted, Barfi! was large unaffected especially in multiples areas where it is strong. The film should see a good jump over the weekend on Saturday and Sunday.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 12:56 PM
Barfi should get to 80-85 Crs easy, good for Ranbir…IMO he is the best actor-star since Amitabh
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:29 PM
Satyam, barfi left me speechless – i know people wud say that ranbir rocks and PC delivers a super performance – true that – but for me, Ileana was the best – what a fantastic debut in bw by the telugu superstar. Go watch man and write a very long piece – here is a film not to be missed for anything.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:35 PM
“but for me, Ileana was the best – what a fantastic debut in bw by the telugu superstar”
Agree there.
Btw i didnt know she is a Telugu ‘superstar’…already
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:40 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Heroine – India *early estimates* 7.5 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:41 AM
Heroine First Day Business
Sunday 22nd September 2012 11.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Heroine had a pretty good first day with collections around 7 crore nett as per early estimates. The film has more than doubled the collections of any film where the only star is the female lead but it also had a very wide release.
The film collected better than Barfi! at mass centres but multiplex collections were 20-25% lower with premium multiplexes being much lower.
The film has mixed reports but should mange to show growth on Saturday especially at premium multiplexes. The multiplex collections were also affected by Barfi! as that film has huge appreciation amongst the multiplex audience and the audience was divided at multiplexes.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 12:13 PM
Barfi is India’s official entry to the Oscars 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 2:52 PM
so they are sending a film that has very obviously and heavily borrowed entire scenes and sequences from old and newer hw and other films? and then we wonder why we never win or even make it to final nominations very often. sigh!
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 12:38 AM
The OSCAR COMMITEE and whoever holds the rights of Chaplin’s and Keaton’s films will, in the words of the great Shakti Kapoor aka Crime Master Gogo..”Anurag Basu, RK, aur UTV ki aankhen nikalke gotiyan khelenge!!”
http://ibnlive.in.com/videos/295193/ftn-is-barfi-the-right-choice-for-the-oscars.html
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:14 PM
Same thoughts here–think those ‘inspirations’ changed it -otherwise would’ve been a gr8 choice.
Hasnt the panel seen that post—can bliss email em a link..
Doesn’t that mean automatic disqualification?
Sigh + 1 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:20 PM
AA – Have you seen Hysteria?
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:30 PM
Haha munna –‘hysteria ‘ should be called ‘carry on climax’ in the good ole british tradition .. 🙂
Have skimmed thro only bits –did u like it a lot, munna ?
Anyhow Back by popular demand–
Revisited this song along with boring paperwork –well, am now putting it on ‘repeat mode’ since..
Like the Irish strains and mandolin/ local influence in the music.
Think Salman has good presence –though people feel he is looking old etc–but theres starpower.(like him here)
Someone(think Amy) earlier mentioned katrinas ‘sexual costumes’ –well, think she is wearing quite innocent ‘sports attire’ mostly 🙂
Enjoy
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:47 PM
awwww. salman has found his very own oldgold in you.
anyways, never found salman very interesting in any way, especially don’t see the ‘star’ thing. at least, with srk, the whole charisma thing is understandable. and he makes good copy due to his quick wit. but salman is so meh (nice eyes though, lately overshadowed by those huge bags under them). he had a nice- boy-next-door appeal early in his career and did fairly ok in those light romantic/family films. but the minute he took the shirt off his overtly bulky and stocky clean-shaven torso and went oh oh jaane jaana, i got turned off and stopped paying him any attention whatsoever. also interesting that it’s guys more often than girls who seem to obsessed with him. when i was in college, gisrls were mostly about srk, then hrithik, now it’s ranbir and imran, but salman never invited any girl hysteria. not implying anything, i’ve just always found this peculiar about the following of someone who started as a romantic hero and has been in news more for his player image and relationship troubles over the years. maybe men in their 20’s want to emulate that.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:50 PM
It is a funny movie when you treat a sexual thing as disease 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:57 PM
Ha Munna –now next stage is–
Check out –Lolita (Jeremy irons)
Head in clouds
Shame
And castaway (older one)
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 3:54 PM
that’s a nice hilarious read anya- agree about salmans fan following.
“awwww. salman has found his very own oldgold in you.”
Hahaha ROFL
Oldgold must be flattered reading this …lol
Interestingly I have hated Salman all his career –infact havent seen any of his films pre-dabang fully !!
It’s only v recently- that I’ve seen some of his biggies and find him relatively endearing…(so I’m nowhere near his fan–infact that sounds scary to me)
Think u have mistaken me for a Salman fan!
Though I do appreciate ‘good’ stuff from everyone irrespective…from time to time
Ps: who are the ones u currently like anya -actors and actresses (yes, I’m not talkin about ‘fandom’) 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 4:10 PM
And anya –Good u mentioned those ‘eye bags’-agree but think he has got some ‘nip tuck’ & botoxed recently (like others).
Salman is also a shining example of what harm steroid supplements for ‘body muscle augmentation’ can do…
Somethings he has taken care of (hair transplant) though ..
“but the minute he took the shirt off his overtly bulky and stocky clean-shaven torso and went oh oh jaane jaana, i got turned off and stopped paying him any attention whatsoever”–haha
Haaww so the poor guy has been toiling ‘hard’ for nothin!
Ps: btw anya -(between u and me)–some gals like Amy & sm absolutely adore/fantasize bout such physique 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 4:40 PM
nothing wrong with trying to surgically fix certain problem areas, if you don’t overdo it. the issue is these are mostly inherited and keep coming back. hard to beat age and genetics.
a lean, fit body is definitely attractive and nothing to be frowned upon. but a bulky build on a stocky frame, especially if one is not very tall, looks laughable. bw trend regarding this is pretty disturbing. i think akshay has the naturally best looking body in the business.
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 4:49 PM
Absolutely spot on Anya — one can’t dodge the DNA ( unless by inducing mutations)
In the current lot –difficult to beat hritik in looks..In my opinion
Yes Akshay has a good ‘healthy’ physique n features..
In the heroines –how do u feel about the likes of katrina, anushka, deepika etc -any current favorites …(not talking about acting but looks)
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 4:51 PM
Alex adams aka chancemaaru
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:00 PM
Haha Tony! btw which films have u seen lately? i finally saw GoW-2 today (will now read ur fine piece).
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:12 PM
Saurabh, I read Barfi and Wild Things till that famous (infamous) scene.. Couldnt go much beyond coz I found it somewhat intolerable..
Not much otherwise.. the past 1 month has been terrible when it comes to movies.. just been revisiting some old favourites (Psycho, Finding Nemo etc)
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:04 PM
Haha Tony 🙂
M8 u are here at the right time!
Im auditioning for my srk film spoof as we discussed —
Obviously I’m starring(horror!)!
^And seems we have found one lead actress 😉
Ps: rememwber I have given u some distribution rights of north India ..
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:13 PM
I think SRK looks good in the promos.. music seems good too..
rest everything appears flat and pedestrian.. so everything is dependent on your charm with the ladies to save it from disaster 😛
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:12 PM
ha!
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:17 PM
“so everything is dependent on your charm with the ladies to save it from disaster ”
Hmmm don’t u worry!
Somehow we will pull it beyond 150 crores atleast!
If we make a good profit–we will share the moolah (like in cocktail)!
If not–the nice Satyam is the gracious producer 🙂
Arsh is the art director /cgi (though he loves the SRK character a bit too much for my comfort lol)
Ps: I think the choice of lead actress is good!
Btw anya–can u dance and ’emote’….
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:20 PM
no to both. unless you are making a ramsay horror version spoof
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:28 PM
That’s better– We need an ‘innocent’ unrehearsed ‘novice’ appeal!
being a poor actress /dancer helps actually..
Reference ‘standards’–nargis fakhri in rockstar
Diana in cocktail !
Rest –your ‘costumes’ (& my charm) will take care.. 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:43 PM
AA – then who will be the second lead?
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 5:56 PM
Hmm–that’s a difficult question, tony!! Lemme think ..
To avoid fights at the sets–no first or second lead..!
Both will be nearly equal roles (length wise)
Ps-the roles can be quite ‘taxing’ –so just like in cocktail –we should have 3 or 4 options…from local talent. May add a third role!
As of now –think Amy is in…!
And to be fair –(SRK fan) Oldgold should also be included !! 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:06 PM
wow – so ami, oldisgold and alex in a yash chopra film..
ami as young and vivacious katrina
oldisgold as the mature, divine katrina
and alex in different phases of his life.. the charming lad from London etc.
and the man in army with the stubble in ladakh
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:23 PM
Hmm tony–thanx for those ideas— and the producer is Satyam!!
Before the movie-we shall play Satyams ‘lifetime achievements’ audiovisual (just like yash chopras in this promo)!
Ps: I Will have to ‘check’ which of these actresses plays which particular role though-
Must credit nykavi for pointing out something –( check out in the JTHJ trailer thread about ‘body structure’)!
Also have to see who can carry off which ‘costumes’ or ‘look’ well…
Ps2: it’s a difficult job but we seem to be getting good at it!
Ps3:Satyam–The budget shouldn’t go beyond 50 crores (out of which my fees will be a lot) so even within first week–we should be into profit—-
And dont u talk about ‘trending’ here Satyam 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 6:49 PM
Basically we dont want any of the actresses to be ‘uncomfortable’ with their role/costumes…so who does which role maybe flexible!
And btw tony–u can also share some satellite rights as well (with Satyam and me)
Anyhow–I need to carry on with the ‘audition’ with anya!!
C’mon anya —good nite folks….
Ps: anupam khers role is by utkal uncle 🙂
LikeLike
September 22, 2012 at 11:31 PM
maybe you should take satyam’s advice and stop talking to yourself, it’s usually not a good sign.
poor kareena, nobody seems to be discussing her newly released movie on the thread. maybe that’s your secret plan aa, considering your feelings about her.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 1:10 AM
Antya: “So they are sending a film that has very obviously and heavily borrowed entire scenes and sequences from old and newer hw and other films? and then we wonder why we never win or even make it to final nominations very often. sigh!”
Hadn’t ‘ The Departed’ ‘ heavily borrowed’ from another film? Wasn’t it nominated for Oscars? And won too? In the Best Film and Best Director category?
AS far as I know, not a single reviewer , Indian or Western,has found any problem with the film or thinks any less of the film because of what it has borrowed from other films.
Borrowing does not disqualify you from being rated for the work you have put in. That applies as much to Scorsese as Basu.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 2:40 AM
Utkal on the previous BO thred:
“AN JO: : I just wonder how the western critics missed it..from NYT to LAT to washington post…”
THey did NOT miss it. Just that they are alittle smarter, and wiser, and know the difference between blatant plagiarism, and reworking of material from classic sources.
It is not Anurag Basu’s fault if some lids, who , just because they have access to the Net and have a blog of their own, think they know cinema, when thery can’t even differentiate between plagiarism and homage, reinterpretation, inspiration and quotation.”
I’m mystified as to why you are holding up Western Bollywood critics as the ultimate word on the film’s quality.
What Western critics? There is NYT’s Rachel Saltz who reviews Bollywood films with a supremely condescending tone and the LA Times critic who called the film an ‘endurance test’. They would never be bothered by any plaigarism- because they consider Bollywood to be mindless kitsch and akin to a B-movie guilty pleasure – not serious viewing where you need to consider the ethical implications of intellectual dishonesty etc.
It’s amazing that you dismiss those whose views you disagree with as ‘some lids who think they know cinema’ yet you can’t even see the difference between a serious Western film critic and one whose film reviews are saturated with narrow-minded cultural imperialism and ignorance of the foreign film culture they are reviewing. Rachel Saltz for instance was incredulous that a Bollywood film featured an agent who worked in the ‘Indian equivalent of the FBI’- somehow I don’t think that James Bond ever evoked such a reaction from her. To call the NYT and LA Bollywood critics smarter and wiser than the Indian ones on the subject of Indian cinema is as prepostorous as saying that Cocktail is comparable to a Guru Dutt effort- but hey, what do I know? You’re obviously the only one who understands cinema and they rest of us are all lids for thinking that we are allowed our own opinions about cinema!
And finally- There is a BIG difference between an official remake (The Departed) and a film that plaigarizes entire scenes from several different films without even aknowledging the source (Barfi). Again- ironic that you accuse the ‘lids’ of not knowing the difference between inspiration and plaigarism and you then offer up this bewildering parallel of an official remake!
While the lack of originality in the film did not take away from my enjoyment of the film in any way- there is no questioning the negative impact that it has on the film’s artistic intergrity. Basu neithers remakes a film, nor pays homage to a particular character or movie, nor makes an imaginatively derivative film- he simply pilfers a number of charming sequences from different films and inserts them into his movie without ever attempting his own interpretations of these scenes. And it’s especially telling that these were not intended as homages since he actually had the audacity to say that he had no artisitic inspirations or references for this film in several interviews!!
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:19 AM
Ami, now this is a fair arguement Ami just like An Jo’s was (but c’mon atleast I do not expect u to mock Utkal- IMO u are better than some of the others who keep insulting him) but notice u and the tanqeed site guys are not saying exactly the same thing
Now Ami this is what I had said earlier-
“But if u notice I already said that marks should be deducted from Barfi’s scoresheet for lifting scenes- and no I am not saying that Basu is some visionary who can never copy stuff- he ripped-off Unfaithful in Murder and Firefly in Saaya. But Barfi’s ‘major storyline’ is not a copy at all and this is what is important and my major arguement is based on this”
“On the plagiarism part, I have already mentioned with quite a few examples that copying and inspiration aren’t one and the same thing. But in any case I am ready to accept that barfi is a copy provided u accept that Sholey and Matrix and Sarkar and Bluffmaster too are blatant copies. A rip-off is what Sanjay Gupta does, what Mahesh Bhatt did ‘at times’- the best example here is The Killer and Knock Out (Phonebooth)- now I am not denying the resemblance between Barfi and the other films and I also agree some marks can be deduced from Barfi’s scoresheet for being derivative of such films but such treatment should also be then meted out to Matrix, Sholey, Bluffmaster (here the entire climax and so many story threads were taken from so many films)- some time I did have a debate over this with Satyam and GF too where I mentioned BM’s inspirations
Also the central line of Barfi is completely different from Notebook and Koshish. Also one needs to know there is no harm in one’s work being influenced from other films around the world till it tries to say something ‘new’- actually it’s almost impossible for a film not to be influenced/inspired from any other film- now ofcourse there are brownie points for being ‘original’”
Anyway Ami-,- i would really want u to do a proper piece on the film
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:33 AM
Saurabh- I didn’t mean to mock Utkal- just underline how inconsistent I think his statements are- and frankly what rankled me about his comment was his dismissing the Indian bloggers as not understanding cinema and exalting the incredibly ignorant, dismissive NYT/ LA Times critics as smarter and wiser- I dislike this sort of anglophilia.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:40 AM
Saurabh- I know that Barfi does not plaigarize the central story line of any film- but then Barfi’s central storyline was nothing to write home about! The charm of the film came from the little vignettes- and many of these were copied from different sources. Even this would have been alright if the derivativeness of the film had a specific artistic intention- if it was meant as homage to a film/filmmaker or to create a pop culture universe for the characters to inhabit and engage with- but this intention was completely lacking here- and that is what makes it a case of plagiarism for me.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:48 AM
” if it was meant as homage to a film/filmmaker or to create a pop culture universe for the characters to inhabit and engage with”- Ami, i think it was very clear (and both Ranbir and Basu mentioned this quite a few times in their interviews too) that many scenes in the film were paying homage to both Chaplin and Raj Kapoor’s films.
But I am ready to accept all these charges provided one also accepts that Bluffmaster was plagiarized too and so was Sholay
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:51 AM
ya anurag basu is indeed genious only if you have not seen unfaithful and murder was frame to frame copy without giving any credit
various sequences of life in metro where lifted friom english movies…sharman joshi sequences where bluntly lifted from apartment but this guys in his interviews never even acknowledged
no wonder with barfi he has tried to go along with street smart level of copying various movie with hardly few original scenes but again he is genious and its others who shamelessly lifts
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:54 AM
I agree on Bluffmaster-disagree on Sholay.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:59 AM
I’m also not accusing him of plaigarising the Chaplin scenes- those are intended in homage- and Chaplin is the best known icon as far as silent cinema humour goes- so it would almost be impossible to avoid referencing him in such a film- especially when you gave Raj Kapoor’s grandson playing the lead. But the other scenes that were lifted from myraid DO count as plaigarism.
And the fact does remain that when you take the many inspired and plaigarized vignettes- little charm remainds in the film- basically there’s very little of the director’s ow art that impresses here.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 4:05 AM
Ami, why are u disagreeing on Sholay (i just posted a video here)?
Btw I know that Sholey is NOT plagiarized because inspite of clearly borrowing from so many films, it evolved into a ‘new’ and ‘fresh work just like Barfii (and the same goes for BM)- but I am just trying to play fair
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:36 AM
sholay had authemtic indian rustic look and was first to introduce dolby digital sound in india ( it has smilirities with seven samurai but the characters took different indian set up)
ramgarh is still in india and one wonder in which english movie you will find cult dialogues having similraties with western theme
sarkar raj was lifted from godfather and the credit itself in the movie says that
actually they do rip off but never pretends to be original and bench setters anyway which itself is bigger crime
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:51 AM
Here is Sholay lifting scenes from Once Upon A Time In The West-
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:57 AM
so having a scene here or there
gabbar find no resonance in any western movie and so his dialogue …they are authentic indian set up …lalgarh is still an indian village in jharkhand …
the popularity and shelf life can be easily judgey by sub characters which where indianised and not the core heart and infact that is why it became the inspiration of many
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 4:17 AM
BTW Ami, aap Madrasi (I don’t mean this as an insult at all- a lot of times in North India people club together any S.Indian under the ‘madrasi’ label unfairly) ho aur aap ne abhi tak Eega nahi dekhi…how come? I am waiting desperately for the Hindi version which is releasing on Oct 16
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 4:26 AM
LOL! There’s no need to be so politically correct- I know that you don’t mean to be insulting. I’m not particularly keen to watch Eega-the trailers don’t interest me and a friend whose opinion I trust hated it.
“Btw I know that Sholey is NOT plagiarized because inspite of clearly borrowing from so many films, it evolved into a ‘new’ and ‘fresh work just like Barfii (and the same goes for BM)- but I am just trying to play fair”
This is why I said that I think that Sholay was inspired and not plaigarized- because although it references various films it evolves into a film that is far more than the sum of it’s parts. IMO Barfi does not do this- the film has a poor storyline and it doesn’t manage to rise above its source material and become a compelling, choesive whole- it’s charm is mostly dervied from individual vignettes that are plaigarised and from the heart-tugging lead performances- the success of the film has little to do with the director at the helm.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 4:33 AM
LOL…I see where u are coming from Ami (and I will prefer this kind of criticism any day over what those Tanqeed guys are saying) but I think our never ending disagreement on films continues with barfii 🙂 . I now have a feeling this disagreement will come to an end only when the next Imran Khan film releases- it will be sort of a p-oetic justice.
Btw how did u like Ileana- she was lovely right?
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 4:20 AM
departed was copied from internal affairs and its acknowledged as official remake and this was given to him as his various others better work where bluntly ignored as part of tribute infact it was the better than original even
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0338564/
is barfi even compareable with something like departed cmmon its not the best anyway among the hindi movies released this year …what was anything that was original in something like barfi
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 2:55 AM
even manirtnam is not spared
infact the loot scene of ranbir kapoor in bank and chase sequences is straight from mani’s thiruda thiruda even kashyap used that in shaitan
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:04 AM
just saw barfi is india’s entry to oscar which is the biggest lol moment of that day
hindi cinema had gow,kahaani,pan singh this year only …a natural and authentic script eega and couple of really promising marathi movie….they are screwing this for to long
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:10 AM
may be charlie chaplin antics or tom and jerry action may inspired them …black didn’t got through because of direct similarity with miracle workers and here the major premises of this lifted is from notebook(yet to see)
really this is what they have to compete with world cinema…height of ch******pa and the money factor even shanghai and vicky donor would have been better bet
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:24 AM
deol the marathi movie was easily the best in terms of content
7 Am Arivu and Vallaku En 18/9 from tamil where solid commercially and certainly makes barfi look much mediocre
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:31 AM
‘deol the marathi movie was easily the best in terms of content”- Agreed fully. Deool, to my mind, is the finest film on Indian politics ever, period. In fact let me be hyperbolic, it is one of the best Indian films to have been made in the last 2 decades
I saw this in Marathi (and I hardly know the language) with a female friend of mine translating every line for me.. finally she himself subtitled a version for me (love such females)
MISSING DEOOL IS A CRIME
7 Aum Arivu was a very mediocre film IMO and much inferior to Barfi
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 3:53 AM
7 aum don’t sound much mediocre compared to barfi as it was original atleast glorifing an indian figure though it played dravidian politics to hilt
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 5:13 AM
Heavy bias against Hindi movies.. I wonder why o why Barfi cannot be compared to Departed? Is it a crime? or we’re just blinded as ‘superior’ Bollywood-haters.. and narcissistic western film lovers?
C’mon Departed isnt some sort of unparalleled, life-changing cinema that Barfi cannot be compared with
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 5:17 AM
Tony, Ami is right here unlike Utkal Sir- Departed was always an ‘official remake’ of ‘Infernal Affairs’ from start unlike Barfii
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Barfi has taken a few scenes here n there but that shouldnt be held against the film which has its own identity. n i think barfi does give chaplin its due by acknowledging it through a poster in it (also the background music).
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 7:26 AM
Tony- I think you misunderstood me- I never said that Departed was an unparalleled film- I said that it was an official remake- so it cannot be compared to Barfi in terms of lifting scenes.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:01 AM
Im sorry Am.. I didnt look at ur comments on Departed. What I was referring to was rocky’s comments on both films
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:03 AM
i meant rockstar*
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:12 AM
Someone some months back had said here that he/she was keen to watch J P Dutta’s “Hathyar” (1989-Dutt, Dharam, Rishi) but couldn’t find it- well just wanted to say i do have a dvd of it (it’s a pirated one but with a decent enough transfer) so if anyone wants it i can send it. Btw are any of u watching the current Pak-NZ match? Jamshed’s inside-out drives over the cover boundary were exquisite to say the least
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:48 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Barfi [2nd Week] – India: Fri 4.1 cr, Sat 6 cr. Total: 68.7 cr nett. Sunday expected to be bigger. Extraordinary!
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Barfi! Has Strong Gains On Second Saturday
Sunday 23rd September 2012 10.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Barfi! had strong gains on its second Saturday as it collected around 5-5.25 crore nett. The collections are around 8.25 crore nett plus over two days in the second week. The weekend should be around the 15 crore nett range.
The business is extraordinary at high end multiplexes as collections at many premium multiplexes in metros were better than the new release Heroine on Saturday. The film has not done well in smaller circuits with it finding acceptance in just a a hand full of cities in places like Bihar, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan.
The metro multiplexes will keep on going strong for the next few weeks and the film is sure to cross 90 crore nett and depending on what happens in weeks 3-5 it could even hit 100 crore nett.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 10:23 AM
this film is trending extremely well by contemporary standards!
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 2:54 AM
satyam, where is ur review on barfi man?
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:48 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Heroine – India: Fri 7.5 cr, Sat 8.5 cr. Total: 16 cr nett. Shows growth in Mumbai/Pune, DelhiUP, Bengal, Mysore. Down in CP,CI, Rajasthan.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 8:51 AM
Heroine Has No Growth On Saturday
Sunday 23rd September 2012 10.30 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Heroine failed to show growth on Saturday as it collected similar numbers to its Friday collections. The Saturday collections should be around 6.75-7 crore nett taking the two day business of the film close to 14 crore nett.
The overall numbers are pretty good but the trending on Saturday makes it tough for its long term business. The weekend should be around 22 crore nett which is good but business thereafter is likely to struggle.
The content of the film is not really for the masses so it was important that the metro multiplexes made good gains on Saturday but this did not happen. Although this can be contributed to the mixed reports, it is also likely that Barfi! has made a dent as it is so strong in these multiplexes especially the premium ones.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 9:47 AM
I dont see how being an ‘ official remake’ make Scorsese worthy of a the Best Director of The Departed as The Best Film. How does it make a difference to the qulaity of the film or direction?
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 10:23 AM
In fact, the task of Scorsese is much easier as he is working from a fully formed film. All he had to do was to replace the original cast and location with some Hollywood stars and American location. Basu had to put together all these bits into a coherent whole, give it a central plot, invest it with a soul and make is work as a complete film, in an India setting.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 9:04 PM
was surprised to find such a discussion going on about this. i never can tell with this blog, keeps things interesting!
aside from the fact that i agree with everything ami said here, my comment wasn’t even about the merits of barfi or lack thereof (i haven’t seen the film). it is a matter of logic. i thought it was clear but let me elaborate in case it wasn’t. we are talking about an award ceremony here that places a lot of value on being original or crediting the source, i mean they have entirely separate categories for original screenplays and adapted ones. whether you agree with this emphasis or not, there it is. if you are participating in olympics, you can’t question their rules, you better follow them. sometimes, the films the committee picks, it’s as if they were picked by the peon in the office who doesn’t watch movies and has never heard of the oscars. this is as silly as if we sent black, slb never credited the source though most of the film was pretty much lifted. how do you think such films are perceived when they are screened to the voters? basu and rk can claim homage all they want but when your entire movie consists of homage vignettes comprising of entire lifted sequences, so much so that it has generated a whole “spot the original” game on twitter, you can at least admit your product is probably not oscarworthy even if it may be able to stand as a cute little movie on its own.
the least we can do is recognize that and pick films that meet some minimum standards. we may still not win, but due diligence is warranted, otherwise we are just going through the
motions (which we totally are, nobody is even trying. it’s just an annual ritual, like the indo-pak summits that achieve nothing)
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 5:39 AM
With all due respect, you’ve gravely trivialized what Scorsese does with The Departed remake. It is not merely ‘replacing’ cast and location. In taking the story to the US, he makes the otherwise well-made Japanese thriller into a subversive and a politically charged film about the American ‘identity’. To see the film as just a remake is an utterly failed reading of Scorsese’s adaptation.
My review of Scorsese’s The Departed- http://desicritics.org/2006/11/05/093430.php
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 10:35 AM
The Kapoors are dominating like there is no tomorrow. Ranbir and Kareena, the two talented ones from the Kapoor Khandaan. Ranbir made Barfee bearable with his talent. Yes, Barfi is gimmicky and confusing with voiceover, endless flashbacks and somewhat unconvincing storyline. While Heroine is collectively panned by the critics, Kareena saves the film by giving her own version of what Smita Patil, Vidya and others did.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 11:48 AM
IMHO, talking of Kareena in the same breath as Smita or Vidya is pure blasphemy. Kahaan abhinay ki malika aur kahaan Ganguben Teli.
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 11:55 AM
“Kahaan abhinay ki malika aur kahaan Ganguben Teli.”
Hahaha rofl
Btw nykavi –thanx for your cue about JThj —
The ‘fleshy’ vs ‘sporty’ heroine … That is proving helpful in the casting…
LikeLike
September 23, 2012 at 11:39 AM
Yes Sanjana –didn’t notice this till u mentioned…
The kapoors seem to be reclaiming their lost glory
Though in Kareenas case, whether it can be called ‘glory’ is disputable lol
Ps: good to see u after ages–any movies uve been catching up–hope u haven’t been upto mischief ….
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 2:51 AM
LOL!! 😀
“@ZoomTV
Salman is apparently upset as the collections of ‘ETT’ haven’t surpassed those of ‘3 Idiots’ #zoOmTV”
1:30pm Sun Sep 23
– http://www.twitter.com/ZoomTV/status/249833137901813762?p=v
(He shouldn’t be upset. There are many more who got upset when their films couldn’t come near 3 Idiots! 😀 )
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 5:00 AM
The Film Reporter’s Viewfinder ( OPEN)
A brief history of Indian film journalism through the eyes of those who’ve lived it
The turning point in the relationship between the media and Bollywood was 1971, the year Stardust came into being. It put gossip, irreverence and more into print. Earlier, journalists like the late Baburao Patel, editor of Filmindia (and later Mother India), did take on film stars, but with Stardust, the gossip column achieved iconic status. ‘Neeta’s Natter’ was such a runaway hit that it instantly spawned copycat columns. Frowned upon and derided they may well have been, but everyone in Bollywood read them all the same.
Rauf Ahmed, former editor of Cinema Journal and Filmfare and biographer of Shammi Kapoor, is one of those who never indulged in it himself, but could see how it was shaping Bollywood’s equation with the media. He remembers an interesting anecdote of Amitabh Bachchan’s tryst with gossip. “Amitabh used to hang out with the Stardust crowd when he was not big,” says Ahmed, “But after he became a star, he could not get used to being negatively written about. They had written a piece hinting at something between him and Zeenat Aman. His reaction made them write even more negative pieces about him. This was like a breaking point for Amitabh with the media.”
The late Devyani Chaubal, nicknamed ‘Poison Pen’ by the film industry, was a queen of insinuations in her ‘Frankly Speaking’ column in Star & Style magazine. “She was the mother of negative journalism. Stars were scared of her. They hated her, but always tiptoed around her because they did not want to be in her column. She really destroyed people with her pen,” says Ali Peter John, a veteran film journalist of 40 years. Devyani was not a woman of modest ambitions. “She wanted to be a star, but when that did not happen, she became a film journalist,” he says, “She was keen on marrying Dilip Kumar, and when she could not, she started writing only negative stories about him. It continued till the end of her life.”
Once media censorship began during the Emergency, Stardust, a casualty of that dark phase, blamed Amitabh for it. “Since he was close to the Gandhis, the film industry blamed him for all the censorship,” says Ahmed, “A number of film magazines got together and announced a ban on him. He too made himself inaccessible to the media from 1978 to 1991. I questioned the ban, and during that period, I was the only one who had access to him. Those who wanted stories on him would commission me to do it.”
In his long years as a film writer, John, who used to work for Screen and freelances now, has also been witness to many a historic moment. As an apprentice for film maker KA Abbas before he became a film journalist, he saw Amitabh sign his first film Saat Hindustani for Rs 5,000. “Though I was one of the lowest rung employees of Abbas, I was present when it took place,” says John, “Amitabh did not have anything in his favour except an intensity…”
+++
Khalid Mohammed is a journalist, scriptwriter and director rolled into one. He was with The Times of India for a long time, and after that with other dailies. Mohammed says it was he who coined the popular abbreviation ‘SRK’ for Shah Rukh Khan. As someone who has seen Bollywood as both observer and participant—he has written scripts for Sardari Begum and Zubeidaa and directed the Hrithik-Kareena starrer Fiza—he feels that film journalists sometimes develop a sense of power over film stars. This is something the stature of his newspaper helped him resist. “I did not have to throw my weight around as the paper I worked for had a higher visibility,” says Mohammed.
Both Ahmed and Mohammed say that film journalism was looked down upon when they began their careers. “It was thought that stars got film journalists drunk and paid them to write about them,” says Ahmed, “The perception was that there’s a lot of corruption, moral and otherwise, in film journalism. So few entered the profession.”
John, Ahmed and Mohammed all stumbled into the field. While John switched gears from film apprenticeship to writing about it, Ahmed and Mohammed were news reporters who had covered other beats earlier.
Among the perks of the job are the friendships that develop with film stars. But Mohammed discovered that this could cause considerable heartache as well. At one time, he was so close to scriptwriter Salim that they would phone each other every day. “My review of his film Akela ended our friendship.” He also had a special equation with Gulzar, a poet and lyricist he regarded almost as a surrogate father. “He gave me a lot of paternal love,” says Mohammed, “We got involved in the making of Fiza, and he was writing the lyrics. He did not like some parts of the movie, but I stood by it. That caused an irrevocable rift.” His friendship with the Bachchan family—particularly Jaya Bachchan—also ended on a nasty note after Amitabh took offence at one of his film reviews and wrote a blog deriding him.
Some journalists prefer to maintain a discreet distance. Known for her irreverent writing, Nishi Prem, editor of Cine Blitz and former editor of Stardust, says that it was always the art and craft of cinema that held her fascination, not the glamour. “I do not socialise with the stars,” she says, “I do not attend film parties. I don’t know if it is a good or bad thing in my profession, but it is just the way it turns out for me.”
Prem, who has been slapped with numerous defamation suits by Bollywood celebrities—Shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar and Shekhar Kapur among them—is of the opinion that friendship with stars is bound to influence the way one writes about them. “But friendships between stars and journalists are not that common,” she says, “They barely manage to give their families [enough] attention… friendship is a luxury or distraction they mostly cannot afford.”
John says that he was close friends with both Bachchan and the late Rajesh Khanna at the peak of their famous rivalry. “I witnessed it all first-hand,” he says, “Rajesh Khanna was the superstar, and Amitabh was called all sorts of derogatory names in the industry then. One was ‘panauti hero’ (bad luck hero). Rajesh Khanna would not even look at him. Jaya Bhaduri was the only one who had the guts to say that Amitabh would take away Rajesh Khanna’s crown. It happened exactly that way, and the latter never recovered from that blow.”
+++
Four decades of gossip later, the equation between the media and Bollywood is in the throes of another transformation. With more and more media houses using starry events and awards as allied businesses, film journalists are under pressure to court film stars like never before. According to Mohammed, an editor of a film magazine is now judged by the number of stars s/he can draw to a high-glam event.
Mohammed opted for what he calls ‘Bollywood detox’—he is working on a novel and a film now—after the experience of his last job with a Delhi-based newspaper, which expected him to escort film stars and directors. “There was a summit and I was asked to escort Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar to the event. I got them, and once we landed at the airport, the top people of the newspaper whisked them both away, leaving me behind. I did not know where I had to stay or go,” says Mohammed, “Film journalists today do not have the freedom to write as [their conscience dictates], as they and their organisations are controlled by the PR agencies handling the stars.”
Reporting on stars can also get risky if their subjects decide to take revenge for negative coverage. There have been unconfirmed rumours of a top star using politician Amar Singh to have an editor sacked for a negative review.
John says that actor Govinda had once asked Shiv Sena Supremo Bal Thackeray to send Shiv Sainiks after him. “It is I who’d introduced Govinda to filmmakers and [that’s how] he got his first role,” says John, “We were friends. I had written a piece about him when he was at the peak of his career. His chamchas told him something, and he misunderstood the story. Next I heard that he was headed to meet Thackeray to have action taken against me.” But, as it turned out, Thackeray didn’t lift a finger against him. This was because Mohan Wagh, Raj Thackeray’s father-in-law, intervened on John’s behalf.
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/art-culture/the-film-reporter-s-viewfinder
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 5:25 AM
Thanks Bliss for the very interesting information. Wheels within wheels. One can write a whole book about film journalists who lick and who bite.
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 5:06 AM
The Vibes of Deepika(OPEN)
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/art-culture/the-vibes-of-deepika
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 5:13 AM
Tragic Heroes (OPEN)
The anonymous lives of Bollywood lookalikes
There are tricks of the trade too. Take the case of Arif Khan, an Anil Kapoor lookalike. At first, he found himself faltering over the actor’s baritone. “Once, I met Sudesh Bhonsle [a mimic-singer] on a flight. I asked him, ‘Sir, what is the secret behind Anil Kapoor’s voice? How do you get it right? Each time I try, I end up coughing.’ He laughed and said, ‘Mix Amitabh Bachchan’s voice with Vinod Khanna’s, and you’ll get it.’”
http://www.openthemagazine.com/article/art-culture/tragic-heroes
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 7:00 AM
Vidya balan signs kahaani 2
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Vidya-Balan-Sujoy-Ghosh-team-up-for-Kahaani-2/articleshow/16524704.
Btw What happened to the bachchan film ghosh was doing?
Also-
While Kareena gets mauled for heroine, ash addresses UN 🙂
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 9:54 AM
http://www.rediff.com/movies/column/barfi-just-cannot-decide-what-it-wants-to-be/20120924.htm
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 10:20 AM
Complete Lineup of 14th Mumbai Film Festival 2012
http://goo.gl/fb/Vr2Zy
LikeLike
September 24, 2012 at 10:25 PM
believe it !!!?
http://movies.ndtv.com/movie_story.aspx?ID=271476&subcatg=&keyword=bollywood&nid=271476&pfrom=home-otherstories
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 4:02 AM
100 cr on just 700 screens is far better than on 3000 screens (ETT)
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 2:53 AM
Trailer of Emraan Hashmi’s “RUSH”-
Hashmi, Aditya Pancholi, Neha Dhupia, Sagarika Ghatke
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 7:40 AM
Heroine Monday Business
Tuesday 25th September 2012 10.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Heroine had a fall on Monday with collections 55% down on Monday from Friday. The film collected around 3 crore nett on Monday taking its four day collections to 25 crore nett. The fall was across the board with mass circuits having bigger falls.
The film will collect around 32 crore nett in week one but will struggle after the first week is over. The Monday falls from Friday in some circuits are as follows.
Delhi/UP – 70 (150) – 53%
East Punjab – 25 (65) – 61.54%
CI – 9 (25) – 64%
Rajasthan – 15 (36) – 58.33%
All above figures in lakhs
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 7:42 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
Those asking, #EkThaTiger has *not* crossed 200 cr nett mark in India. Confirmed by Yash Raj.
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 7:54 PM
So Ek Tha Tiger has failed to cross 200 crore mark. 😀 So much for sudden “Salman converts” and all hype and hoopla of so called one man army Salman beating 3 Idiots! The biggest “star” after 3 back to back 3 crore grossers – Salman, with biggest banner YashRaj Films, starring the biggest female star of today’s times Katrina Kaif – all those stunts, hype, marketing mania, pre-release records on Youtube itself, foreign locations etc. – still couldn’t reach benchmark set by a nearly 3 year old Aamir Khan starrer 3 Idiots?
Maybe the makers should’ve taken Sharman, Omi or Madhavan also in Ek Tha Tiger. Since many allege 3 Idiots is not a hit due to Aamir, so presense of those 3 “stars” could’ve helped ETT reach 200 crore mark at least with all hype, inflation, added screens etc.! 😛
Or maybe Raju Hirani should’ve directed ETT. But wait! Directors like Raju Hirani don’t even consider Salman while making a film – not even for character actor roles! Salman’s bad luck Hirani only wants Aamir. 😀 He didn’t even consider anyone else except Aamir for PK!
Better luck next time! Dabangg 2 is there & so is Christmas slot vacated by Aamir for friend Salman. Maybe then Salman can break 3 Idiots’ record! 😉
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 7:58 PM
Haha prateek–3 idiots makers won’t have been Sooo happy at reaching 200 crores as u are at ETT not reaching 3 idiots tally.
I’m joking–good to see U back due to this 🙂
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:11 PM
@AA
I don’t give a damn to ETT doing 200 crore or not. The comment was there for some Salman converts like you sir! 😛
Observed commentary on previous box office thread, so decided to comment here. 😀
I shouldn’t be replying more since one never knows when their comments could be removed even if they do not contain abusive or instigating language. 😉
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:02 PM
Edit – I meant “3 back to back 100 crore+ grossers”.
Eid slot is profitable but somehow not giving Salman and his fans what “they’ve been lusting after”! 😀
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:18 PM
Hahaha prateek
Good point about ‘comments being removed’ -yes we better be careful…
Btw I’m no ‘Salman convert’– i can’t be anyone’s ‘fan’.
“Salman and his fans what “they’ve been lusting after”!
Salman and his fans were ‘lusting after’ katrina, it seems
Neither got her -it seems !
Gud nite 😉
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 3:40 AM
Aamir was of course a huge factor for 3 idiots’ huge gross, Prateek. But the film was very, very entertaining and had great WOM. Its great initial and greater WOM helped it go beyond 200 crores.. Unless Salman’s films enjoy similar WOM, he would have to wait a little longer to go beyond that benchmark
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 4:17 AM
I think it was a combination of many factors. If it was mainly Amir, then I will accept it if his other films do the same.
At least One can say DEFINITELY that Salaman’s successes have been MAINLY/LARGELY due to him, because he proved it one film after another.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 6:26 AM
@streetsideyokel
Well Aamir Khan has had more consistent record in past decade than Salman Khan and has got success in DIFFERENT genres.
Already explained Aamir Khan’s contribution in 3 Idiots. Still people can keep saying Aamir’s successes are due to everyone else except him! 😀
Before 3I, he did Ghajini the first 100 cr film – and a genre for which he was considered a misfit. He has also proven himself time to time.
He’s only been on a break from commercial films, not gone into a flops phase! Today people are finding it easy to bash deny his success but he gave 100 cr & 200 cr hits back to back when others could not even imagine films could hit such benchmark! 4 years ago!
Salman has undoubtedly done well but is stuck to same genre.
Aamir’s next may not do 200 cr but then it’s a totally different genre & not even a holiday release. Atleast it’s better than not attempting a different genre at all! 😀
Still as usual, people attribute Aamir’s success to everything else except the man himself!
Dhoom 3 is supposed to do massive. But the funny thing is everyone considers Aamir to be a complete misfit in Dhoom franchise, still they won’t credit him for pulling it off successfully when it does huge at BO! (A perceived misfit should be lauded if he manages to prove naysayers wrong. But no! This won’t happen for Aamir! 😀 )
Whether you guys take it or not, the fact is, Aamir Khan is the only one who’s given successes in films which were considered unworkable at BO or for which he himself was considered a misfit! He’s proven himself over and over again!
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 6:06 AM
Haha! 😀 I knew this would be coming! Well in case you don’t know, the script of 3 Idiots was being rejected by everybody – including Vivek Oberoi! It was Aamir Khan who told Raju Hirani to re-write it and only then come back to him or else he wouldn’t do it.
Raju & Abhijat themselves admitted in 3 Idiots – Original Screenplay book that they re-wrote 3I on Aamir’s suggestions..
So that does mean something, no?
People behave as if Aamir just took a ready made great script which was “always supposed to get good WOM” and got a success by fluke!
Aamir has no less credibility than Raju Hirani & his brand value was even higher after Ghajini. So his inputs during making of 3I and his stardom added to its success.
Genre, message, treatment etc. are all acceptable factors but role of Aamir Khan in even making 3 Idiots take off cannot be ignored.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 6:19 AM
He intereferes in script, direction all the time, so what’s new. He’s doing the same in Talaash. He immediately becomes the producer, and then intereferes. So, as I said, if he delivers again I’ll accept that it is him. I’m not denying his contribution, but in 3I case I feel it were several factors.
I’m getting a sense of dejavu. WE’ve discussed these things so often 😀
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 6:40 AM
That thing which you’re calling interference is involvement due to which his films are a cut above the rest, unlike forgettable junk food 100 cr hits of other stars.
Of course, I agree with you on discussing the “same” things. No use explaining to those who’d obviously discredit him. 😀
The thing with guys like you is that instead of accepting his contribution you cheekily call his work as interference which “is nothing new” and make it look like some “annoying habit” he has.
Hehe! Carry on. Tomorrow when Talaash succeeds, give all credit to Honeymoon Travels fame auteur Reema Kagti or “other factors”.
Somehow “other factors” are considered only for Aamir films. Not while judging success of other stars’ films! Ha!
I wonder why “other factors” never help other bigger megastars! Chhee. Life’s unfair! 😀
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 6:52 AM
>I wonder why “other factors” never help other bigger megastars! Chhee. Life’s unfair!
From *THIS* statement I’m assuming, *no one*, but *NO ONE* has EVER had success!……Because only 200cr is success. Remember this in future 😉
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:26 AM
Haha yokel 🙂
Btw prateek what should be a good target for talaash to call it a success and how much is your prediction….
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:37 AM
yes aamir khan is god but that didn’t saved mela , dhobi ghaat,(commercially a disapointment) or for that matter peepli
what worked for his production in recent time a certain lame adaptation of snatch and lock stock two smoking barrels , or for that matter a remake of highly sucessful hollywood and tamil movies
before 3 idiots hirabni also made two munnabha series which are cult movie on indian cinema and was highest paid director running around
its also a best seller handle competently by an ace diector unlike salman who made the other best seller of same director ruined by his relatives
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:40 AM
and ya kareena is not a big draw i guess
for record the first movie to inflate prices of ticket in recent time was 3 idiots released on x-mas and new year period with extended holiday …aamir earlier movie tzp worked on same period along with akshay’s welcome
for record even a highly dubious sujay ghosh has made a great thriller called kahaani
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:42 AM
“yes aamir khan is god but that didn’t saved mela , dhobi ghaat,(commercially a disapointment) or for that matter peepli”
Hmm that’s an interesting point…
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 7:42 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Barfi [2nd Week] Mon 3.25 cr. Grand total: 79.45 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:20 AM
@ Bliss– just read your link on deepika & cock tale–thanx–good to hear that she has gained a lot from it, seems—
Exerpts–
Only five years in, and Deepika Padukone appears to have figured it out: “It hits you all of a sudden one day, the realisation that no amount of magazine covers and red-carpet appearances will get you very far, if you don’t have solid performances to show for yourself.”
As wild-child Veronica, who spirals into a self-destructive mess when her love is thwarted in Homi Adajania’s recent hit Cocktail, this former model from Bangalore has finally put the ‘act’ into ‘actress’.
As if confirming her ascent to the league of leading ladies with promise, she was signed up by Sanjay Leela Bhansali to star in his Gujarat-set Romeo & Juliet adaptation Ram Leela, barely hours after the ink had dried on those rave reviews for her performance in Cocktail.
Ps: that’s what happens when u do ‘good’ films and with good directors/actors 😉
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:25 AM
@ utkal uncle —
Since I consider u an ‘expert’ in that field —
What did u feel about ileana da cruz in general and her performance in barfi…
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 8:57 AM
AA: Ileana was perfect for the role. And outside of the role, too, she appears interesting. any actress that does not let it all hang out, and retains some mystery and unpredictability about her is always interesting and is looked forward to by the audience. That ‘s what makes Kareena so boring and Katrina so interesting. That is also what made both Deepika as well as Diana so interesting in Cocktail. That is what Vidya and Anoushka so interesting. That is what makes Huma Qureshi and Richa Chadda interesting. Even Priyanka has manged to create some mystique with her performance in Barfi. Phew..!! So many interesting female actors around to look out for! We sure are living in interesting times.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 12:15 AM
Interesting observation but disputable. What about male stars? Fans like them for their mannerisms and predictability.
By your yardstick, even Rekha and Jaya Bachchan are boring. Even Vidya with her all knowing smile.
And Katrina who cant act beyond a certain point. In ETT, even Salman came out with flying colors while Katrina was trying too hard to act.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:33 AM
evenif we agree that sallu and kat. both can’t act – they carry a certain charm around them which connects to the paying-audience – so in the absence of acting-skills (as many insist on this) – they still draw the audience. And again “acting” is a tricky term – if the paying audience connects with these two – that is not just on their looks – they enact the emotions of the character they play in such a way that audience like it – and those who like it, for them it is “acting” – mind it 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:51 AM
The connect failed in Yuvraj, London Dreams and other dreams.
There is no foolproof formula for boxoffice. If there is, no picture can fail.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:42 AM
The thing is everything with which an audience connects with is not ‘acting’- the audience connected with Dev Anand too, don’t think he was an actor at all. I am a huge fan of Jean Claude Van Damme but I have NEVER seen him act- the ‘tricky’ thing is that an actor does many things apart from acting which can make him effective on screen… Btw Rajni is another example of a very effective non-actor
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 4:05 AM
what is acting? If a hero is doing action-scenes, he is “acting” – right? so it is a subjective defination – what u do/don’t think as acting may not be necessarily true….everything a hero/heroine portrays on the screen is “acting” – some are good at it and some are not – those who connect more to the hearts of audience (paying audience) are good actors – it is only the invention of the terms star and superstar etc. have overshadowed the basic premise…
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 4:20 AM
“Everything a hero/heroine portrays on the screen is “acting’ “- No, these things do not come under what is strictly and originally called as acting- this is ‘gesturality’ and ‘mannerism’- otherwise if everything is termed as acting then Rajni or Salman would be called as good as actors as Bachchan or Kamal since even they have a strong connect with the audience
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 5:34 AM
Screen presence, charisma, acting. The likes of Dev anand and Salman Khan win audience by the first two. The likes of DK and AB had the first and third in their favour. While Rajesh Khanna, SRK had all the three and thus they achieved success easily.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 10:30 PM
katrina mysterious? well, yes, it is a mystery that she is an ‘actress’. but unpredictable? i guess sometimes it is hard to predict which 1/2 of her 1 & 1/2 expression she is going to use.
joking aside though, i do like katrina’s public persona better than kareena who comes across as the single most obnoxious person in bw, made worse by the fact that she is a bimbo.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:57 AM
I feel we should be bothered about how an actor enacts rather than what type of person he or she is.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:24 AM
i was just responding to utkal’s comment. wasn’t sure which persona he was talking about on or off-screen. i was also having a little bit of fun with his comment. otherwise i agree with you. but i have never thought of kareena as a great actress either. she is decent in some roles with a good director to restrain her (dev, omkara) but just like her sister she is screechy with a tendency to easily go overboard (karisma was downright horrible though). she has never really found the right tone or meter for herself as an actor even after so many years, that’s why she is not one of those actors who can lift mediocre material. case in point – heroine.
LikeLike
September 25, 2012 at 9:05 AM
utkal uncle —what a brilliant comment
I feel like clapping !!!
NOT FOR FEMALES/ prudes vv
Well said –since u are at it …on that criteria …
How would u rate them –katrina, anushka, Diana , ileana, nargis fakhri, huma, deepika, on that scale –rank 1 to 10
Obviously those like Kareena don’t feature in this list !!!
Somehow Priyanka has lost her appeal for me somewhat (though she is v v talented) & Richa chadda has no appeal..vidya maybe
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:37 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Barfi [2nd Week] Mon 3.25 cr, Tue 3.10 cr. Grand total: 82.55 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:37 AM
taran adarsh @taran_adarsh
#Heroine Mon 3.75 cr, Tue 3.25 cr. Total: Rs 32 cr nett.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:38 AM
‘Heroine’ economics
By Taran Adarsh, September 26, 2012 – 08:14 IST
There are two sides to a coin. Similarly, there are two ways at looking at the business of UTV and Madhur Bhandarkar’s HEROINE. First, the optimistic viewpoint. Despite the ‘Adults’ tag, despite coinciding with the Ganeshotsav festivities, despite the ongoing cricket matches, despite the mixed feedback/word of mouth, despite scathing reviews, HEROINE has garnered an impressive total [Rs 25 cr nett] in its opening weekend. But in view of the fact that HEROINE was keenly anticipated, had an extensive release [2,000 + screens], no film/s to compete with in the same week, the numbers are below the mark. Anything below Rs 30 crore weekend for a much-awaited film seems disappointing nowadays.
For some strange reason, a section of the industry were comparing HEROINE with THE DIRTY PICTURE, which also depicted the rise and fall of an actress and had fared exceptionally well at the ticket window. But let’s not forget, besides the backdrop of the film industry, Vidya Balan’s brand equity, terrific music, great script and Ekta Kapoor’s wonderful promotional campaign, THE DIRTY PICTURE starred Emraan Hashmi in the lead and let’s not forget, the actor is a big, big crowd puller, the darling of the masses. That’s an ace that HEROINE lacked, as far as magnetizing the audience is concerned.
The buzz surrounding HEROINE was tremendous prior to its release. But while HEROINE got an open week to garner footfalls, it faced stiff competition from BARFI!, which had released in the previous week and continues to make waves. The announcement of BARFI! being India’s official entry at the Oscars has given further impetus to the film. At the same time, I’d like to state that HEROINE and BARFI! ate into each other’s business. HEROINE and BARFI! would’ve amassed higher numbers had there been a substantial gap between these two films.
What goes in favor of HEROINE is its nominal cost. Let’s have a bird’s eye view of the economics of the film…
Cost of production: 20 cr
+ P & A expenditure: 12 cr
Total cost: 32 cr
Now let’s look at the recoveries…
UTV had pre-sold the film prior to its release and collected 15 cr from various distributors [the only territories they retained for distribution were Mumbai and Delhi-U.P.].
Although the Satellite rights are unsold, one can assume it should fetch anywhere between 13 to 15 cr.
The Overseas, Music and Home Video rights should contribute another 10 cr.
Over and above, the in-film endorsements have fetched an additional 2.5 cr to the makers.
So if one totals the recoveries [15 cr + 13cr/15 cr + 10 cr + 2.5 cr = 40.5 cr/42.5 cr], UTV and Bhandarkar should find themselves in the profit zone. The returns from Mumbai and Delhi-U.P. territories would only act as the icing on the cake.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 9:41 AM
ha ha….taran ko 1-2 crore khilaya 😉
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 10:15 AM
Taran and Komal have become apologists for BO failures. Kareena was supposed to upstage Vidya with a bold role. Now that it it will not happen, all the media subterfuge begins.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 11:06 AM
What happened to mass appeal of Hashmi in Shanghai, probably similar type of role? DP ran on Vidya’s shoulder.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 11:22 AM
good point!
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 11:28 AM
DP ran on raw vulgarity. And Heroine tried to copy and fell flat. Barfi exploited emotions and became a winner. Barfi proves that heroines need not be exploited in the name of boldness.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:53 AM
This ‘raw vulgarity’ tag is another smear used to constantly downgrade Vidya’s achievement. How was that apparent vulgarity any less than what we find in a HouseFull or a Race or even any movie that includes a ‘Hot’ item number full of suggestive gyrating TnA femmes?
DP ran on performances, story and above all some great Dialogbaazi which is so rare in contemporary bwood. Give Vidya some due, she is the only heroine with 2 solid heroine centric blockbusters in DP and Kahaani. They did not just happen by chance or luck.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:55 AM
vulgarity ‘any more’ …. not ‘any less’
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 10:17 AM
Kareena must be cursing Ranbir. Barfi will definitely end up with a better third week than Heroine’s second.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 8:31 PM
Why become so much personal and gloat over somebody’s failure?
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:54 AM
Actually, the reaction is in response to Kareena’s constant gloating of her apparent superstardom and numero uno position. If she were a bit modest, people might-could start appreciating her a bit as well. Bevajah hawa mein udta insaan maat zaroor khaata hai.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:06 AM
Here here! Kareena is a smug and arrogant actress and indeed partly there is some reaction to that. “Poo” attitude is apparant.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:44 AM
So was Rajesh Khanna is his heyday. Arrogant, selfish and what not. But it did not matter as long as he delivered mega hits.
Apparently Kareena’s smugness does not affect us and it may affect her female cosstars. But it seems a female star’s attitude affects many. Kareena and Ash are hated by most due to their perceived or real self centred antics of which there are too many stories floating round.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 2:02 PM
DP ran on sleaze? Is Heroine less sleazy, with songs like Hulkat Jawani? Chalo maan bhi liya. Why cant it even come anywhere close to Kahaani? That has no sleaze. No Emran Hashmi even. Kareena could not deliver in Stepmom. She could not deliver now. She just cannot deliver .
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 7:23 PM
I think she can deliver a baby in due course.
Stepmom had also redoubtable Kajol. Kahaani genre is different from DP and Heroine.
Boxoffice success cannot be the criteria for an actor’s potential. If it is so, Salman Khan is the greatest actor.
Kareena is a stylish diva who can also act. While Vidya can only act. And Vidya also had many duds.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 8:19 PM
Vidya has only had 2 flops so far – Salam E ishq and Kismet Konnection. That is an impressive career considering she came to films only in 2005 with Parineeta. Vidya can not only act but also looks good in the roles she portrays.
Kareena kapoor is a loud mouth and a clothes horse. Except for a couple of scenes, her performance was no great shakes in Heroine – pirated DVDs are already out – saw one yesterday.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 8:29 PM
It depends on how many films you sign left right and centre.
Heroine is a bad film and whatever profit it made is because of Kareena.
It is easy to star in a well scripted movie and get applause.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 8:39 PM
According to wikipedia, Vidya acted in 22 movies while Kareena acted in 48 movies. It is natural Kareena can have 48 hits in a row.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 9:28 PM
wikipedia is hardly a reliable source – any one can add anything they want !
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 10:29 PM
Then you can rely on any source you trust.
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 3:20 PM
OT,
As for Amitabh Bachchan turning 70 next month – that’s such an incogitable prospect for my generation of Hindi-movie viewers, I won’t even address it in this space. It may require a book-sized lament.
http://jaiarjun.blogspot.in/2012/09/to-rome-with-love-and-death-thoughts-on.html
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 11:16 PM
Sanjana: It is easy to star in a well scripted movie and get applause.
Easy? Really? So why doesn’t Kareena do it? If she is such a hot-shot star, why can’t she get those good scripts? Don’t tell me she chooses bad scripts deliberately. Obviously she does the best scripts from among that are available to her.
If good scripts go to Vidya and not Kareena, what does it prove? That makers have more faith in Vidya than Kareena .
LikeLike
September 26, 2012 at 11:30 PM
Sometimes or most of the time, luck is also a factor. And Kareena is a pricey actress while Vidya is approachable.
Here I am not disputing the undoubted talent of Vidya but this comparison becomes meaningless as they are not competing in a straightforward race where all parameters are equal.
Both have their strong points and weak ones. And there is always an uncertain tomorrow.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:04 AM
No two actors compete in a straightforward race. In fact they are not even in any kind of race. But since there are people stupid enough to treat the film world as some kind of a horse race, and talk of No 1 , 2 or 3, one has to throw some hard facts at them to shut their mouth. You want to talk box office, let’s talk box office,and no excuses please.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:42 AM
But here Kareena’s failure is automatically linked to Vidya and others.
Boxoffice wise, Kareena had 3 to 4 100 crore success and she is the one along with Katrina is being choice for the Khans, Devgun so far.
If we read the number of articles about Kareena’s failure, it looks like some witchhunt is going on. Will they hang her for this crime?
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 4:09 AM
If you are talking of 100 cr successes , even Asin has 3, Priyanka 2, Sonakshi 2, and Katrina only one. So what t does it prove? Nothing. Everyone knows, giving a 100 cr film with a Khan is no reflection ofa heroine’s box office clout or audience draw. That is proven when you can draw the audience without a big hero.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 4:33 AM
Exactly…Kareena was a nothing more than a replaceable lead in those 100 cr films- infact a 30 cr gross of Heroine would be better for her than a 100 cr gross of a BG
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 5:24 AM
On the one hand you want boxoffice figures. When I show those figures, you dismiss it that it is no big deal.
As for drawing audience without a big hero, One way is through sleaze as in DP. And Kahaani has a good script with a thriller angle. So it is not such a big deal.
As such heroine centric films have its own limitations.
Let Talaash release. There are 2 strong heroines. They may swallow Aamir Khan.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 5:54 AM
LOL !!!
yaha ek he rule hain ” Chit tu haara aur pat main Jeeta 😀 ”
If You show them BO, then ppl will say BO doesnt matter and when you show them bad BO( ex : GOW) then they say BO alone doesnt mean much….
I am reminded of S coovey’s famous line, ” When you pick one end of stick, you pick other end also” but here most want to pick only one end just to bend argument to their side…
Futile !!!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:09 AM
Think Sanjana has made some good points on kareena
I must admit that my ‘hatred’ towarda kareena has made
me ‘biased’ against her
Thats y I’ve taken Sanjana as my unbiased assistant director 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:43 PM
“There are 2 strong heroines. They may swallow Aamir Khan.”
Oh Sanjana –aaaww that was gross 🙂
Think we should include this scene jthj as well ha
And after being ‘swallowed’ by 2 heroines–aamir better hit 200 cr + with talaash…
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:53 PM
Sanjana–
Plz don’t tell anyone
But we will copy this scene (as in lift it shamelessly)
Into the JTHJ spoof
Wherein the two heroines ‘swallow’ the hero ie me !
Thanx for the idea…u have proven your worth as assistant director already !!
But shhhh– we will keep this a secret 😉
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:55 PM
haha
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 5:58 AM
Sanjana: As I said before Heroine is no less sleazy than Dirty Picture. Still it will mkae half of the latter. “Kahaani has a good script with a thriller angle.” Since when has a good script without a name male star, let alone a big hero, become a big hit? How much did thrillers like 36 China Town or Agent Vinod make? To state that Khaani has a god script is stating the obvious. Gadar had a good script, HAHK had a good script, DDLJ had a good script, 3 idiots had a good script, Ghajini had a good script, ETT had a good script, Dabang had a god script. That does not mean Sunny, Sharukh, Aamir or Salman are not stars.
When Salman does a bad script like Yuvraj it flops, When Akshay does a bad script like Joker it flops. when Shahrukh does a bad script like Ra One it flops. When Aamir does a bad script like Mela it flops. It is obvious, to be a highly successful film, it has to have a good script. We are talking of which actress has the power to attract better scripts, and has a better proven track record of carrying a good script to success. And Vidya is the winner hands down.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:32 AM
Gone are the days of Sridevi or Madhuri driving a films success. The closest we’ve had in the recent past is Aishwariya Rai. The rest, are mere functions of who the leads are, what they are going to wear and how “riskeee” is the skin show. There are a few exceptions always to any rule and possibly Vidya Balan, Tabu in her hey day or even Rani sometimes, but by in large the likes of Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika are invariably interchangeable between each other.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:38 AM
Which film Aish took to BO success on her own ????
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:03 AM
ummm…….none. the aishwarya rai narrative is no less bs than srk narative, probably more so. srk had actual succes on which it was built, aish not so much.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:28 AM
It’s not even about whether she takes a film to success on her own or not. For example something like Choker Bali was a disaster or so to was Umrao Jaan. If you isolate cases like that then EVERYONE can look bad.
It’s purely about the name a star brings to a project and the added value attached to it. Aishwariya Rai’s name is a global brand far more reaching then any Katrina or Priyanka. Maybe not today but it was before. My point is not about today.
It’s a legacy too. If you think about the top female names in the industry in the last 20 years it will be Sridevi, Madhuri, Aishwariya. They were not only stars but they has some “defining” films or moments. What will the audience remember about Katrina in years to come? What defining moments or performances does she have?
Kareena probably has some decent performances.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:43 AM
agreed on Sridevi, Maadhuri, Ash. All three have been very significant cultural icons.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:43 AM
which was my point. sri and madhuri had the right combination of looks, popularity, sex appeal and box office success with big stars as well as driven by themselves, that made them icons. what makes aish an icon is ‘brand appeal’ mostly created by pr and media. she was never much of an actress and when was the last time she had big bo success? she doesn’t have that many successful films in her career as such. she was an ‘exotic export’ that we tried to sell off as part of the shining-india package in the 90’s, only the west was not interested in buying beyond a couple of media appearances and red carpet photo-ops at cannes. all of her touted hw films flopped. others from mallika to smaller time starlets tried to do the same but fell flat and everybody else caught on. freida pinto is much more well-known in the west now. and people in bandra and patel nagar have already moved on to anushka sharma etc.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:49 AM
“freida pinto is much more well-known in the west now. and people in bandra and patel nagar have already moved on to anushka sharma etc.”
Haha
Rofl 🙂
Btw what does the ‘expert panel’ here think of anushka ??
Any comments …
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:15 AM
this new angle that people have come up with that some stars are successful because they work in good films is so laughable, i don’t even know where to start. well, duh! isn’t an actor’s career, or anybody’s for that matter, a sum of their choices? stardom may be a little bit more than that. but then, that’s why stars keep changing every couple of years. srk, akshay, salman, all had their purple patches. but someone like aamir has more long term sustainable success. nobody is stopping others from investing in good works and mix it up, which will probably bring more rewarding returns, but they have no interest in doing so. everybody wants a quick fix. i bet kareena only did this film because she was being criticized for being a showpiece in khan films with no success of her own. she tried o spin it, but it didn’t work. so when ash left the film, she jumped on it, thinking madhur’s films have brought his actresses national awards (for mysterious reasons). if she can make a decent success of this film and win some awards, she can boast about it to give her career a final push before settling down. too bad it didn’t work out either.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:25 AM
Antya.. well said on the larger point. I am especially amused when this criticism is brought against Aamir. Hey he just does good films, let him do junk like Salman and then we’ll see! This is laughably absurd. So yeah let’s go down the list of all the great stars of history whether in India or otherwise and start taking away all their great, historic stuff! And then let’s put stars like Stallone and Schwarzenegger on the highest pedestals. Hey De Niro just proved himself with Scorsese! Bachchan worked in great Salim-Javed scripts! So on and so forth.
This is where partisanship takes one down a route where one cannot be taken seriously. It’s one thing to be an informed, enlightened partisan and quite another to resort to such logic to call which even ‘desperate’ is to dignify it.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:14 AM
Why one becomes desperate? Because the other one simply drives them to resort to such an argument. Here Utkal went on and on about the greatness of Vidya and badness of Kareena.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:25 AM
I think u have a point Sanjana
In my extreme hate for kareena –I forget that she is an above average spontaneous actress
It’s just that her on/off screen persona is extremely allergenic/ offensive to me..
Otherwise she may be not that bad …
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:11 AM
Anya u have dissected kareenas ‘mind map’ here well
She expected critical and possibly commercial suxess in heroine
Unfortunately for her, she got neither
(to my amusement )
🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:57 AM
I think Kareena got critical success(most of the reviews acclaimed her performance) and some commercial success too with heroine. The thing is anti Kareena attitude just does not want to accept the rosier part of the picture and tend to dwell on the darker side.
As for Kareena and Ash, Kareena proved her mettle in her very first film Refugee. She is a natural actress.
As for choosing good films, no one chooses bad films.
deliberately.
If Vidya gets good scripts, Kareena got top heroes.
Vidya still struggles to get an SRK or a Salman.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:09 PM
srk, salman are trophies to be won is exactly the type of attitude that is the larger problem. i have no sympathy for these actresses who cry a river about how there are no good roles for them and khans make more money (kareena said this recently too). yes, the cards are stacked against women. but they contribute to it too. by only defining their own success in terms of how may projects with big heroes they have grabbed, by continuing their show-piece persona from film to mag covers and jewelry store ads and ramp shows for designer ‘friends’, by sleeping around with married stars to get more films. all this at the altar of stardom. they just want to be on most ‘google-searched celebrity’ or some such dumb lists, then marry some industrialist when the career begins to wane. they like to call themselves ambitious but their ambition is limited to these. why not invest your money earned from all this circus in making one good low budget film per year, hire good talent and just take charge of your life. and stop whining.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:19 PM
Wow — what words boss Anya ..
This blog has finally found ( more than) an answer to Amy ! 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:21 PM
Whether one agrees or not, every heroine wants to work with the Khans and that includes Vidya. How she falls over those Khans in those award functions. Hema, Ash , Katrina, Kareena never do that type of falling all over. As for sleeping with married heroes for roles, it is no more in vogue. Except for a Jaya Bhaduri and Kajol and some others, all are suspect in this respect.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:14 AM
From the director of Oldboy (The Vengeance Trilogy) Park Chan-Wook and starring Nicole Kidman, Mia Wasikowska and Matthew Goode comes “STOKER” (remake)
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 9:01 AM
i posted this link in another place the other day. this looks very intriguing. i wasn’t sure about wook going hw, but this could turn out to be good
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:51 AM
just realized this is the official trailer, not the first look i posted. looks great!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:18 AM
Written by the Coen Brothers and starring Colin Firth, Cameron Diaz and Alan Rickman comes the ‘remake’ of caper comedy “GAMBIT”
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 6:40 AM
” Stoker” and ” Gambit’ both look interesting – ‘ Stoker’ more so. Thanks for posting Saurabah.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 8:39 AM
Three Idiots V Ek Tha Tiger Five Weeks Business
Thursday 27th September 2012 10.00 IST
Boxofficeindia.Com Trade Network
Ek Tha Tiger will finish with 15 crore nett business less than Three Idiots and all the shortfall coming from Mumbai circuit. The figures after five weeks are 186 crore nett for Ek Tha Tiger while Three Idiots grossed 191 crore nett in the same period. The approx business for the first five weeks is as follows.
Week One
Ek Tha Tiger – 143.25 crore (9 days)
3 Idiots – 79 crore (inc pp)
Week Two
Ek Tha Tiger – 29.50 crore
3 Idiots – 56 crore
Week Three
Ek Tha Tiger – 9.50 crore
3 Idiots – 30.25 crore
Week Four
Ek Tha Tiger – 3 crore
3 Idiots – 16 crore
Week Five
Ek Tha Tiger – 75 lakhs
3 Idiots – 9.75 crore
TOTAL (Five Weeks)
Ek Tha Tiger – 186 crore
3 Idiots – 191 crore
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:14 AM
“..but by in large the likes of Katrina, Kareena, Priyanka, Deepika are invariably interchangeable between each other…”
Absolutely hit the nail on the head.
Priyanka may be the only out of these 4 who has genuinely tried to break out as an actress, but does get pulled down due to her tendency to over-express.
Katrina knows she isn’t an actress and does not pretend to be one either. She is happy being eye-candy, and IMO the eye-candy with the best ROI of all. Once she is one with JTHJ, D3 and ETT, she will totally deflate Kareena’s constant harping of her 100cr returns. She will have done in 3 films what it took Kareena to do in her entire career.
None of them hold a candle to Vidya. Here is a female who has broken the contemporary rules of heroines in bwood. No figure to talk of, no dancing skills, nothing. All performance and ‘chutzpah’ if we ever measured females in that term!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:17 AM
…once she is ‘done’ with JTHJ…
Also, the best eye-candy that a Rs300 multiplex ticket can buy…
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:24 AM
So is katrina currently the BEST looking actress in Bollywood?? –ignoring other facets like acting, talent etc
What do folks feel…
Who is the best looking actress currently –full stop !!!!!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:28 AM
Boss. Katrina is the epitome of traditional Indian male fantasy.
A fair brunette, tall, sharp features and sensuously curvaceous with those striking hips. She evokes the beauty of every female statuette in Khajuraho. Is there any doubt why her track record is so damn good? She may not know how to act, but even when she just bats her eyelids, half the audience (ie.. all the males) feel simultaneous melting of hearts and anatomical hardening elsewhere.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:32 AM
actually I’ve always found her very insipid. A couple of older comments:
“I’ve always found Katrina insipid. The ‘craze’ for her mystifies me greatly though I suspect it is because in this age of more ‘emphatic’ female stars if not more ‘aggressive’ ones her somewhat ‘shy’ persona is welcomed by many. To put it bluntly Katrina is not likely to give anyone a castration complex! But even otherwise she seems rather more demure than say Priyanka or Kareena. Ironically is is the latter sort of actress that represents a more liberated model. The multiplex audiences though seem to like greater ‘docility’. Katrina has a certain diffidence to her persona which as far as I can tell is what her appeal is all about.”
“what I meant was that she has a certain diffidence to her persona and even when she plays somewhat bold types this quality comes through. On the other hand even when not necessarily playing such characters Priyanka and Kareena come across as ‘aggressive’. It’s the difference between Madhuri and Sridevi doing the very same sort of suggestive dance.”
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:35 AM
Aap Himalay ke Rishi ho. Lobh, Moh, Kaam, Krodh aapse kaanp jaatey hain. Ab aap bhala insaani jazbaat kaisey samajh sakengey?
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:07 AM
^^ hmm detailed description there nykavi
Now I’m noticing things in her that didnt note earlier totally 🙂
Ps: got a sudden free time
How lovely are these unexpected breaks …
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:36 AM
Of the current generation I’d say Deepika is easily the best looker. don’t even think it’s close.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:01 AM
i agree on katrina, don’t get her appeal. i think it’s the ‘white girl fixation’ and nothing else. she is so…..meh. hot? sure, if a wet noodle is hot. sharp features? do men know what sharp features mean? deepika has them, not katrina. and i think you are bang on about the demure appeal. she is non-threateneing. guess she gives the vibe she’ll bat her eyelashes, pamper her man and keep her mouth shut. you like katrina because you probably hate smart, sassy girls who speak their minds.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:02 AM
ugh, typos!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:12 AM
Behenji, hum film dekhne jaate hain. Smart speaking minds waali ladkiyaan dhoondhne nahi. Kirdar ko cinemaghar mein hi chodna behtar hota hai. Please do not equate cinematic fantasy to reality. Its fiction, do you take it home with you?
As for smart, sassy, speaking minds: I would encourage every woman on earth to be one. I am a husband to one and we nurture two of of our own.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:25 AM
it wasn’t directed to you. i was thinking out loud. since she is in a complex audio-visual medium playing characters and is not a print or runway model, it is natural to assume the appeal is more about just her hips or botoxed lips. although, she does just stand there and look pretty so i guess not. with beautiful actresses around the world, whether cruz, hayek, jolie, theron, you can see it’s about beauty and the persona they portray on screen. it all comes together to feed people’s fantasies, it is easy to understand why men find them sexy. it escapes me with katrina. but then i am just a behenji who does not like eye candy type women 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:37 AM
Hmm nykavi — so u have a wife n two daughters ..,
From your comments– u sound v young ‘boyish’…
Keep your youth up 😉
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:33 PM
“you can see it’s about beauty and the persona they portray on screen. it is easy to understand why men find them sexy. it escapes me with katrina. ” Well, IMO, its because Commercial Bwood is miles away from being nuanced in any sense. The masala female is straitjacketed in very well defined pockets. Pop Bwood has conditioned its male audiences to treat the heroine as a mere placeholder. Masala Bwood does not in fact bestow any significance to its heroines. If a role just demands a few sexy dance numbers and a couple of dialogs to be mouthed, to what extent would a full persona (a la Jolie, Theron et al) be needed? In that regard Katrina fills the role of a placeholder to a T. In a typical bwood masala movie, an aggressive female is portrayed as a verbal-spewing ‘patakha’, Katrina can do that patakha role.
The few bwood films that do require a ‘complete persona’, and that bestow the gravitas and significance to its female characters do not need an eye-candy like Katrina. Those films in fact need a Vidya. When you think about it that way, a Kareena just falls flat between the two stools. Katrina is happy to be sitting on that one stool, without bothering to attempt at being as someone straddling both these domains.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:09 PM
Let’s be honest.. Katrina is just another symptom of the bankruptcy of the contemporary audience! And with all due respect to her fans it requires a degree of desperation to discover serious sex appeal in her. Then again she is the perfectly anodyne sex symbol for the post-Johar age! In this sense the audience choices aren’t quite as ‘brainless’ as they might seem. Yes women don’t very often have the most nuanced characterizations in Hindi cinema. Yet the very same audience was in love with Madhuri (and still seems to be judging from her Jhalak reception) and Sridevi and so on when the representations of women were not more sophisticated. I see Katrina’s choice on the part of the audience as being very consonant with a certain multiplex worldview. Much as with everything else the conservative beast lurks below the pretense of liberalism. so Katrina’s completely non-threatening persona and sexuality are perfect fits for this mindset.
Of course I must also say that I resist this kind of abstraction whereby there’s always someone called the ‘common man’ or the ‘ordinary masses’ or what have you somehow out there who drive industry choices! We ourselves are that audience. Those labels then are just convenient ‘screens’ by way of which we enjoy our choices without guilt! Hey I’m not a Katrina fan, it’s someone else out there. I’m not a masala lover, the masses like it. So on and so forth.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:35 PM
Also, Im pretty sure that you are a Mod, and not a BTM (ie Behenji Turned Mod..lol)
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:41 PM
Let me repeat folks –
—my ‘fatwa’!!!
Anya is NOT a ‘behanji’!!
Nobody will mess with ANY of my ‘heroines’!!!
In addition–thiis affects the box office gross 😉
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:41 PM
i agree with your explanation about subtlety which makes perfect sense. but i think satyam has dissected it well here. our fantasies don’t exist in a vacuum. if modern indian male’s fantasy is katrina, it says something about the society.
and are you sure i am not a behenji? actually, i am a raging feminist in the guise of a behenji pretending to be a mod. it’s complicated!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:44 PM
“.. i am a raging feminist in the guise of a behenji pretending to be a mod. .. ” Udi baba… hum to chakra gaye. Do you accessorize your sarees with Jimmy Choos and Chanel?
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:19 AM
I can understand why people like Katrina but just think her stardom is overated.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:24 AM
As much as Kareena gets dumped on these days, (and I don’t disagree with much of the criticism) as an actress (not talking about looks here!) I’d take her over Katrina easily. The latter is so utterly unmemorable in everything I’ve ever seen her in. Kareena at least had a few roles in the past (I’m thinking Dev, Refugee and the like) where she made a mark. She’s just let the whole number game overwhelm her. She’s turned into this plastic actress that feeds into the whole diva template. It’s kinda gross.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:55 AM
As purely as an actress I prefer Kareena too. But she is an extreme example of someone who has a filmography consisting of films like Refugee, Omkara, JWM and a like vs. hideous roles like K3G, Kambakht Ishq etc.
On her day she is better than all the “diva” type actresses by a mile.
On Katrina, her roles invariably have no variety and in fact she is not controversial or edgy in her portrayals. She is just Katrina. So its far more a middle ground and she does not play in the extremes except she is just extremely a poor actress consistently!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:16 PM
and to add to that there have been a number of important non-actresses in the past but I can’t think of anyone who was as ‘lifeless’ as Katrina!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:15 PM
agreed on all counts..
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 12:21 PM
i think satyam summed it up. have never seen a more ‘lifeless’ star. it’s almost as if she won’t bleed if you cut her. who can find that appealing? unless you are into blow-up dolls. ewwwww.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:24 PM
antya, thats hilarious. Blowup doll.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:39 PM
satyam, in a lighter vein: all that u write here abt. Katrina – just replace it with the word “abhi” and u will understand how those who seriously dislike abhi feel 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:42 PM
Good taste is never found in abundance! That explains both examples!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:45 PM
🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:55 PM
“satyam, in a lighter vein: all that u write here abt. Katrina – just replace it with the word “abhi” and u will understand how those who seriously dislike abhi feel ”
Hahaha
That’s the comment of the day 🙂
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:45 PM
People are being too harsh on Katrina.
It is a matter of personal choice. Both Katrian and Deepika ( and Vidya as well) are beautiful ladies. Some of the criticism directed at Katrina seems misdirected. As I have noted before, Katrina makes women feel insecure and Deepika probably makes them feel empowered. So, can imagine why women would prefer one over the other. Katrina played a self asured young woman in ZNMD as some tend to forget. It is not her fault that she is fair complexioned. Deepika is different. While she is beautiful and has a presence, she is the kind of woman destined to go through a lot of broken relationships in personal life. It is nether her fault or the men she is involved with. Men like what they like. A sassy woman may not make a man feel insecure but that may not be what he wants in his woman. Most sassy types tho, are unable to have long, enduring and successful relationships. That is how it is. And ,ths is true everywhere.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:51 PM
It’s true, I am usually too harsh on Katrina. I guess if she were just one among others I would mind it less. But that she’s reached the position she has seems rather unfortunate. Then again, maybe this too is harsh given some of her male counterparts who also enjoy similar success!
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:57 PM
“..But that she’s reached the position she has seems rather unfortunate…”
If she were only an insipid flash-in-the-pan, she would’ve been done in 2 or 3 yrs max. Her constant scaling of newer heights just proves that she deserves what she has achieved. The masses who choose to elevate her do so because of a liking for her persona. You may throw brickbats at the masses for this perceived travesty. But, you hardly can put a pulse on the choice of the masses. The mass operates on its own drumbeat.
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 3:01 PM
“Good taste is never found in abundance!”- Well those who are watching Battleship shouldn’t speak abt taste (just kidding Sir). But really before I had the misfortune of watching the wretched Piranha 3DD (i am a fan of the ‘animal eating men’ genre so i try an watch everything…I saw this in 3D for the nymphets) i though Battleship was easily the worst film of the yr- was a fan of the board-game though. till now my favs in hwood this yr has been The Grey followed by Raid Redemption and the new Spidey
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 10:59 AM
Hmmm thanx satyam –so u think its deepika …
what do others feel
Mind u–We are talking about just ‘looks’!
–no talent, acting, skills, and yes no assets
I’m now getting fed up of thOse who can’t see beyond ‘assets’ !!!
I don’t even care for those !! 😉
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 11:11 AM
“think you are bang on about the demure appeal. she is non-threateneing. guess she gives the vibe she’ll bat her eyelashes, pamper her man and keep her mouth shut. you like katrina because you probably hate smart, sassy girls who speak their minds.”
(let’s) bang on Anya !!
I think u hit the nail on the head..
Kat is all that AND non-threatening …
U know the inner crevices of my mind –no wonder ive appointed u my mental coach 😉
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 1:17 PM
http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/afghan-teens-scarf-up-a-fashion-trend-from-bollywood/2012/09/26/01604172-031d-11e2-9132-f2750cd65f97_story.html
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:20 PM
Review of OMG : TOI
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/movie-review/16545873.cms
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 2:22 PM
Taran Adarsh:
http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/549384
LikeLike
September 27, 2012 at 8:34 PM
Hmm – I’ve been quietly reading folks thoughts on katrina and her ‘appeal’ etc
Have also noted how satyam watched cocktail only to watch deepika in a bikini and fast forwarded the rest of the movie !! Lol
For someone who has (apparently) now ‘overcome’ such appeals & ‘assets’ (though not completely)–
I now feel ‘intelligence’ & ‘sense’ with even average looks can be a lethal combo in a female!
😉
LikeLike