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47 Responses to “Hasee to Phasee, the rest of the box office”
Jai Ho Grosses 101.50 Crore In Two Weeks
Friday 07 February 2014 11.00 IST
Box Office India Trade Network
Jai Ho crossed the 100 crore nett mark in midweek to take its business to around 101.50 crore nett as it crossed around 19.75 crore nett in its second week. The film was good second week in UP due to the tax exemption but even with tax exemption collections were less than most of the big films of 2013.
The performance of the film is very weak in West Bengal, the film was sold for 4.50 crore in the circuit and the lifetime share is looking to be just around 2.50 crore. Assam and Orrisa were a similar story due to huge prices paid by the distributors and recovery not even touching 50%.
The film has a huge reduction of screenings at multiplexes this week and will see a big drop at multiplexes with single screens still doing better as there is no replacement as yet. The lifetime business of the film is looking to be 107-108 crore nett.
Hasee Toh Phasee Has Reasonable Opening In Metros
Friday 07 February 2014 12.00 IST
Box Office India Trade Network
Hasee Toh Phasee had a reasonable start in major metros in most parts of the country. The collections were best in and around Delhi where it opened to around 35-40% at multiplexes while on average it was 25-30% at multiplexes.
It was a lacklustre start outside the metros with places like Jaipur, Nagpur, Ajmer, etc being low but that is expected for this type of film. The film is targeted at the big city multiplexes and should put up decent first day collections in the cities and if it can sustain in these cities it will be enough for the film.
The opening of the film has given it a good chance especially if the afternoon and evenings do well which would mean good growth on Saturday. It will be interesting how the opening day compares with Yaariyan which had a similar target audience and grossed around 4.75 crore nett on day one.
The other releases Babloo Happy Hai, Heartless and Ya Rab opened very poorly with collections in the 0-5% range and with limited screenings these films have little chance at the box office.
So I finally got around to seeing Ray’s Apu trilogy. I’ve wanted to watch them for a long time, and the recent tube strike in London meant I had some very long bus rides and decided to spend the time watching these much acclaimed movies.
Pathar Panchali
(Apu is a young boy growing up in poverty, in a village, with his older sister, parents and elderly aunt).
To be entirely honest, I was a little underwhelmed watching this. It was slow and bleak as I had expected, but I felt the ‘brilliance’ was somehow going over my head. I found it somewhat hard to watch, one misery after another. And though later I read about other people’s thoughts on how great the film is, whilst I may agree in theory, the viewing experience wasn’t so enjoyable for me.
Aparjito
(Apu is now a teenager, initially in Benares and then Calcutta).
Sheer brilliance. Beautiful, poetic and very moving. So much of this film resonated with me and that’s why I would call it timeless. The misery was still there but seemed less bleak. I could def watch this again, and in fact it probably made me appreciate/understand the first film better too.
Apur Sansar
(Apu is now a grown-up, done with college and ready to start work and settle down)
Again, a superb fim (though i would stil rate Aparjito a little higher). Beautiful capturing of human relations. And Sharmila Tagore in her small role was adorable. I have to admit I felt slightly irritated with Ray simply because I found the tragedy so predictable (everything that could go wrong in Apu’s life does go wrong, and after the first film I was able to guess every tragedy long before it happened), but then the ending is so magnificent that it made me think of Tolstoy’s Ivan Ilych gaining enlightenment just in time, though in this case the circumstances are different.
Have these films been discussed here? I’m def gonna watch PP again, because I think I’ll appreciate it much more now having loved the other two.
thanks. i also found the other posts about the trilogy. SS is becoming a great resource – it would be cool if subjects could be ‘tagged’ to make for easier searching but i guess that would end up being complicated and perhaps messy…
actually when a post is put up that’s the time to tag it in various ways. Unfortunately we’ve all been lazy at this! Qalandar is the only one here who does this conscientiously.
Aparajito is my favorite in the trilogy and possibly my single favorite Ray film. Also has one of the great endings and final shots anywhere in cinema.
I was really floored but Aparjito. It felt so intimate the way each relationship was shown, but the mother-son aspect was flawless.
I’ve now seen these three as well as Nayak, Charulata, Abhijaan, Seemabadha, Two, and Shatranj Ke Khiladi.
I’m very keen to see Devi and Mahanagar and I’ve heard Jalsaghar is very good too. I just wish I understood Bengali – I always feel frustrated relying on subtitles (and sometimes they aren’t even available).
Ray offers such an embarrassment of riches that it’s not easy to have a permanent list of ‘best’ or even ‘favorite’ films. In recent years Days and Nights in the Forest might have moved to the top of the list for me. Otherwise at the present moment a list of his best would for me look something like this (in no order) — Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Devi, Jalsaghar, Nayak and I’ve just mentioned Days and Nights. I’m not as big on Charulata and Mahanagar as just about everyone else though these are obviously very fine films. Of the films in the next category I have a weakness for the Calcutta trilogy, Kanchenjunga and his last, the Stranger. Also like Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne a lot though much like the work on which this is based (by the director’s grandfather) a knowledge of Bengali is probably more essential. A lot of the humor here revolves around the language. Incidentally at your end Artificial Eye has produced three excellent sets on Ray besides the Apu trilogy of which the first one is especially strong. Fantastic transfers and very good subtitles as well.
Thanks Satyam – I was hoping for a response like this 🙂 Will def get around to seeing as many more of his movies as I can and will no doubt include them in my summaries. Def will catch Days and Nights as soon as possible. Cheers.
Amazing that you can watch a Ray film, infact oldies, while traveling and move back and forth between these and contemporary ones with such ease. I sat through nearly an hour of Satranj KK and could not continue further. There is this certain datedness with films of old that don’t quite make it to now. Atleast for me.
Ray’s films aren’t cocooned in their time, but still, haven’t got round to watching the trilogy, Charulata, Mahanagar and the other must -sees. Am I in a minority or the only one on the island..
Dated is quaint and pleases some. Also, has more substance (taseful to some).
Contemporary is too ubiquitous, too materialistic, too vfx oriented to please, at least me (I too might be the only one on an island – a different one).
LOL
Amir wouldn’t be visiting the island. He has to watch Memento etc to make his films. He’ll not find anything there. The other island with Aarthi might be more his choice.
Nah ur not on an island – I think it’s the ‘normal’ response to find old movies (esp b&w) to be boring and hard to watch. Certainly none of my friends would watch the kind of movies I like (unless I really force them – but I don’t like doing that cos if they’re bored then that’s no fun either).
I think there are many reasons why I prefer old films. They are quieter, with more talking and less ‘noise’. The songs are poetic rather than loud. The characters are often pensive, restrained, thoughtful, unlike the heroes and heroines of today who are brash, cocky and irritating. I think in every aspect of film-making, movies were better in the past, be it performances, music, lyrics, dialogues, playback singing, direction, etc etc.
But nevertheless, you are NOT in the minority. On this blog of course there are a range of viewers with a diverse taste in films. The average person has just about heard of Ray but def doesn’t watch his films.
I think it’s good to watch what you enjoy. But it’s also not bad to ‘cultivate’ good taste. So the Apu Trilogy I watched not because I expected to love it, but because I feel one ‘should’ see something so well-respected and admired.
Western classical music is something I find boring. But I know the fault is in my lack of ability to appreciate it. The same for art in general – I felt embarrassed when I went to Florence because none of it meant anything to me. ‘Oh, that’s nice’ is such a lame response!
I’ve downloaded Aparajito and Apur Sansar. Will watch them as soon as time allows. Loved Charulata the most. Have also watched Nayak, Aranayer Din Ratri.
Pathar Panchali frightens me because of the picture I’ve formed in my head – too much suffering, too bleak etc
I have seen some of Ray’s film on Doordarshan during election time as kid. But I was not mature enough to have an opinion. I have some aversion to black and white movies. I don’t have issues with pace. Last BW movies I have seen are To Kill a MockingBird and A StreetCar name Desire. I have aversion to English musical as well.
Noise – quite appropriate. I often use that word to define television of today.
Am surprised you say a lot don’t watch films of that time. Ive come across so so many people who love going back to the movies of sixties, seventies, and moreover loving their music. Here I’m talking of regular Hindi movies of that time. Not Ray, not Ghatak, not Sahni.
I go back even to the 50s and 40s to watch the regular films of that time.
Here on this blog I’m definitely alone on the island, with an occasional satyam visit when viewing some 50s films, and salim too, I think (Meena Kumar’s films)
OldGold – Haha..At end of day it is matter of personal taste and we all have finite amount of time. I rarely see anything older than current in Hindi. In English I go back 1960s. Other countries 80s.
oh, yes people for whom that cinema was contemporary certainly still watch those movies. But i meant amongst people of my generation hardly anyone watches old movies.
@ old gold : I know, you certainly do have a wide range , posting relevant youtube videos at times here. And you aren’t alone. I know a few who love Indian films from thirties, forties on..And they are not oldies 🙂
@ Salim: ‘m talking about ones who haven’t lived through that time , this generation..:)
Reading about Ray, and came across this biting critique of Ashwarya by Indira Verma on IMDB:
[in Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] She’s always working, if she isn’t acting she’s doing a dance show or singing at some billionaire’s party or attending some gala premiere. I wanted to shake her and scream, “Call this a life? Take a holiday for God’s sake!” But she surrounds herself with yes-men who treat her like a goddess – she’s in a bubble and if she’s happy I guess that’s cool.
As an actor, I love to transform that magic, to step inside a new role and make it part of my skin, my being. And she, well, she looks the same. She has the same make-up artist for every movie. I wanted to ask her, “Don’t you want to be in something where no one recognizes you?” The whole concept of method acting was like an alien concept, but it does exist. Look at Om Puri, look at Shabana Azmi. Jesus, she’d never even seen a Satyajit Ray movie!
That sounds like really dumb stuff to say. What is wrong if Aish was a workaholic in those days – she was at her peak and I guess wanted to make the most of it. Look how comfortably she has given up movies in order to be with her child.
And for sure Aish isn’t a great actress (I’m not really defending her just irritated by the remarks made by this chick). But why ‘should’ she have seen a Ray movie? She is an actress (a very commercial one at that), not a film critic. This woman just sounds kinda bitter and mean.
i guess talking about him(satyajit ray) and bachchans though :
jaya bhaduri/bachchan was introduced by him in mahanagar and the word mahanayak was introduced for uttam kumar which he deconstructed in nayak and baton was passed to amitabh much later…
These romcoms are fillers until the next big release.
Thank god, Imran is not there otherwise he would have got flak for its opening. Parineeti cant be as big as her cousin sister Priyanka Chopra.
The movie has some good parts and many illogical and dumb parts. PC is shown mentally and socially awkward one moment and other she is very intelligent. She is supposedly Gujarati and singing Punjabi song whose relatives are from Kanpur! Multiplex junta like such stuff.
True Sanjana. It seems that the time has come to have these movies in a limited release on select theaters to have their occupancy and ROI much better.
Haven’t seen this hasee to phasee (& unlikely to see it)!!
But there are some people going gaga over parineetis ‘acting skills’.
She’s suddenly the new vidya balan & seems to be taking over the Kajol ‘I don’t care about my looks!’ vibe that’s a bit repetitive …
Anyhow just heard this reasonable track –rendered well by the male singer
Those ‘some’ people who are going gaga over PC Jr.’s acting skills include a certain Mr. Baradwaj Rangan. So how about actually watching a film before making these comments?
It’s repetitive that an actress doesn’t care about how she looks onscreen? LOL, you sure you’re talking about Bollywood ?
Pressure of 100 crore club I didn’t take any fees for Besharam and didn’t earn anything from the movie. Pressure tabhi hota hai jab aapne kisi ka paisa liya ho. Salman Khan pe 100 crore club ka pressure hoga, mujhpe nahi! Agar Salman ki movie nahi chalti toh woh statement dete hain, magar main nahi. Meri movie agar banti hai toh saara headache mera hota hai -filmmaking se leke distribution tak ka. Salman Khan ko statement dene padte hai kyunki he has sold the film to Eros for 120 crores. Usmein exhibitors ka paisa hata ke, kul 50 crores aaye hongey Eros ke pass. Toh uska toh batta baith gaya na agar Jai Ho nahi chali. Ab paisa toh lautane toh aayengey nahi Sohail Khan. So, bhai Salman ko hi statement dena padega ki, ‘Jai Ho ke flop hone ki zimmedaari main leta hoon’. http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Salman-pe-100-crore-club-ka-pressure-hoga-mujhpe-nahi-Abhinav-Kashyap/articleshow/30097551.cms
What a moron this kashyap guy ! This is his third interview since Jai Ho release. His claim to fame remains Salman Khan and he will continue using his name to keep himself in news until Salman or someone from the fraternity will give a kick up his arse.
Actually its not his fault , in fact the elder Kashyap used the same path to gain recognition in bollywood and finally is toasting with few big names. But there was at least some talent there. This one is an absolute idiot who brought Ranbir down from the high pedestal that he now has to compete with Ranveer and Arjun again to gain entry to the big club.
tongues wagging about Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma’s apparent lip surgery. The actress saw a lot of flak coming her way for her newly ‘enhanced’ lips. While any other actress would have let the rumours die down eventually, the feisty actress took to miscro-blogging website Twitter to tell all about the same.
Read on and find out what Anushka wrote in her open letter to the people.
READ: Has Anushka done a lip job?
“Hellooooo everyone !! Today I am here to talk about my lips !! Yes ! There ! I said it .. My lips ! As a person I find it difficult to talk about my personal life and hence have always maintained a low profile choosing to interact with you all on Twitter with my random -mostly illogical thoughts seeming like the only thing I feel ok about ..that’s just who I am .. But in today’s time where PR stories and feeding people with information constantly or making appearances is a fad somewhere people like me get lost in translation or in this case translations !
Lately there has been a LOT of talk about me in this particular episode of Koffee with Karan . Mainly regarding my lips . I am here to just convey what I have to say regarding the same . I am talking about it only because this story has taken a scary direction and things have been ‘blown out of proportion’ ( pun intended 😉 ) …
For a short while now I have been using a temporary lip enhancing tool and that along with make up techniques ( I have learnt over the years) is the reason why there might be a change in the appearance of my lips. Having stated this fact let me very vehemently assure everyone that I have by no means gone ‘under the knife ‘ or done any kind of ‘plastic surgery’ or undergone any intrusive procedure . This was my decision and was done for the sake of my look in my upcoming film Bombay Velvet,a period drama where I play a jazz singer in the 1960’s – 70’s . And it was taken from the referencing of that time .
The drastic change in my appearance on KWK is due to lot of factors put together and not just my lips . Everyone goes through good and bad days. Did I think I looked good on the KWK episode ? NO . I do feel I could have done things differently .
To put the current conjectures and reportage straight once and for all from my end – I have said this before and am saying it again .. I do not believe in plastic surgery or any other means of unnatural permanent changes to the body . I do not support it or stand for it or recommend it .
Now if someday my legs appear different and sexy to you ! Please don’t say I’ve done ‘Something’ …
Oh ! And also … Some of the ‘joker’ jokes/memes doing the rounds though a bit mean did bring a smile to my lips 😉
Karan Johar.. well one has to give it to the guy. Not because he makes good cinema, but he has the knack of getting along with everyone. Maybe coz of the typical gemini trait in him .. but he’s a charmer. From the yashraj guys and shahrukh to salman n aamir and the deols and bachchans and now Kashyap, he has managed to be on good terms with everyone.
Even Akshay Kumar was called on the show and Karan Johar was sweet with him… though I thought Akshay behaved like an ass in trying to be oversmart.
Abhishek Bachchan bags ‘Yash Bharatiya Samman’ honour from UP Government!
February 13, 2014 12:50:48 PM IST
By Ajit Ramachanddran, Glamsham Editorial
It’s raining honours for Abhishek Bachchan. And the actor is pleased as punch over an honour that has now landed in his kitty.
Abhishek Bachchan has been named as the recipient of the ‘Yash Bharatiya Samman’ from the Uttar Pradesh government. For Abhishek, it is a feat that must necessarily thrill his heart, as his illustrious father Amitabh Bachchan hails from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
More recently, the DHOOM 3 star had turned ambassador for END7, the first and only global public awareness campaign dedicated to controlling and eliminating the seven most common NTDs by 2020.
The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (Global Network) earmarked Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood superstar and international humanitarian, as its first official END7 campaign ambassador in India to help raise awareness of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Mr. Bachchan joins the END7 campaign at a crucial time, with India at the tipping point of achieving control and elimination of five NTDs affecting 500 million people by 2020.
”India represents 35 percent of the total global burden for NTDs, causing massive suffering among our poorest citizens. As a parent, I am deeply moved by the devastating toll of NTDs on children, and I want to ensure that no Indian child has to suffer needlessly,” said Bachchan Junior, ”I am proud to serve as the END7 campaign’s ambassador in India and hope that others will join me in ridding our country of these preventable diseases.”
Furthermore, Bachhchan Jr. will also be encouraging national and state level policymakers to continue making the cost-effective investment in NTD programs.
SATYAMSHOT 
February 7, 2014 at 7:37 AM
Jai Ho Grosses 101.50 Crore In Two Weeks
Friday 07 February 2014 11.00 IST
Box Office India Trade Network
Jai Ho crossed the 100 crore nett mark in midweek to take its business to around 101.50 crore nett as it crossed around 19.75 crore nett in its second week. The film was good second week in UP due to the tax exemption but even with tax exemption collections were less than most of the big films of 2013.
The performance of the film is very weak in West Bengal, the film was sold for 4.50 crore in the circuit and the lifetime share is looking to be just around 2.50 crore. Assam and Orrisa were a similar story due to huge prices paid by the distributors and recovery not even touching 50%.
The film has a huge reduction of screenings at multiplexes this week and will see a big drop at multiplexes with single screens still doing better as there is no replacement as yet. The lifetime business of the film is looking to be 107-108 crore nett.
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February 7, 2014 at 7:38 AM
Hasee Toh Phasee Has Reasonable Opening In Metros
Friday 07 February 2014 12.00 IST
Box Office India Trade Network
Hasee Toh Phasee had a reasonable start in major metros in most parts of the country. The collections were best in and around Delhi where it opened to around 35-40% at multiplexes while on average it was 25-30% at multiplexes.
It was a lacklustre start outside the metros with places like Jaipur, Nagpur, Ajmer, etc being low but that is expected for this type of film. The film is targeted at the big city multiplexes and should put up decent first day collections in the cities and if it can sustain in these cities it will be enough for the film.
The opening of the film has given it a good chance especially if the afternoon and evenings do well which would mean good growth on Saturday. It will be interesting how the opening day compares with Yaariyan which had a similar target audience and grossed around 4.75 crore nett on day one.
The other releases Babloo Happy Hai, Heartless and Ya Rab opened very poorly with collections in the 0-5% range and with limited screenings these films have little chance at the box office.
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February 7, 2014 at 6:40 PM
So I finally got around to seeing Ray’s Apu trilogy. I’ve wanted to watch them for a long time, and the recent tube strike in London meant I had some very long bus rides and decided to spend the time watching these much acclaimed movies.
Pathar Panchali
(Apu is a young boy growing up in poverty, in a village, with his older sister, parents and elderly aunt).
To be entirely honest, I was a little underwhelmed watching this. It was slow and bleak as I had expected, but I felt the ‘brilliance’ was somehow going over my head. I found it somewhat hard to watch, one misery after another. And though later I read about other people’s thoughts on how great the film is, whilst I may agree in theory, the viewing experience wasn’t so enjoyable for me.
Aparjito
(Apu is now a teenager, initially in Benares and then Calcutta).
Sheer brilliance. Beautiful, poetic and very moving. So much of this film resonated with me and that’s why I would call it timeless. The misery was still there but seemed less bleak. I could def watch this again, and in fact it probably made me appreciate/understand the first film better too.
Apur Sansar
(Apu is now a grown-up, done with college and ready to start work and settle down)
Again, a superb fim (though i would stil rate Aparjito a little higher). Beautiful capturing of human relations. And Sharmila Tagore in her small role was adorable. I have to admit I felt slightly irritated with Ray simply because I found the tragedy so predictable (everything that could go wrong in Apu’s life does go wrong, and after the first film I was able to guess every tragedy long before it happened), but then the ending is so magnificent that it made me think of Tolstoy’s Ivan Ilych gaining enlightenment just in time, though in this case the circumstances are different.
Have these films been discussed here? I’m def gonna watch PP again, because I think I’ll appreciate it much more now having loved the other two.
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February 7, 2014 at 10:39 PM
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February 8, 2014 at 8:57 PM
thanks. i also found the other posts about the trilogy. SS is becoming a great resource – it would be cool if subjects could be ‘tagged’ to make for easier searching but i guess that would end up being complicated and perhaps messy…
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February 8, 2014 at 9:12 PM
actually when a post is put up that’s the time to tag it in various ways. Unfortunately we’ve all been lazy at this! Qalandar is the only one here who does this conscientiously.
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February 8, 2014 at 9:47 AM
Aparajito is my favorite in the trilogy and possibly my single favorite Ray film. Also has one of the great endings and final shots anywhere in cinema.
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February 8, 2014 at 9:05 PM
I was really floored but Aparjito. It felt so intimate the way each relationship was shown, but the mother-son aspect was flawless.
I’ve now seen these three as well as Nayak, Charulata, Abhijaan, Seemabadha, Two, and Shatranj Ke Khiladi.
I’m very keen to see Devi and Mahanagar and I’ve heard Jalsaghar is very good too. I just wish I understood Bengali – I always feel frustrated relying on subtitles (and sometimes they aren’t even available).
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February 8, 2014 at 9:23 PM
Ray offers such an embarrassment of riches that it’s not easy to have a permanent list of ‘best’ or even ‘favorite’ films. In recent years Days and Nights in the Forest might have moved to the top of the list for me. Otherwise at the present moment a list of his best would for me look something like this (in no order) — Pather Panchali, Aparajito, Devi, Jalsaghar, Nayak and I’ve just mentioned Days and Nights. I’m not as big on Charulata and Mahanagar as just about everyone else though these are obviously very fine films. Of the films in the next category I have a weakness for the Calcutta trilogy, Kanchenjunga and his last, the Stranger. Also like Goopy Gyne Bagha Byne a lot though much like the work on which this is based (by the director’s grandfather) a knowledge of Bengali is probably more essential. A lot of the humor here revolves around the language. Incidentally at your end Artificial Eye has produced three excellent sets on Ray besides the Apu trilogy of which the first one is especially strong. Fantastic transfers and very good subtitles as well.
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February 9, 2014 at 2:54 PM
Thanks Satyam – I was hoping for a response like this 🙂 Will def get around to seeing as many more of his movies as I can and will no doubt include them in my summaries. Def will catch Days and Nights as soon as possible. Cheers.
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February 9, 2014 at 3:18 AM
Amazing that you can watch a Ray film, infact oldies, while traveling and move back and forth between these and contemporary ones with such ease. I sat through nearly an hour of Satranj KK and could not continue further. There is this certain datedness with films of old that don’t quite make it to now. Atleast for me.
Ray’s films aren’t cocooned in their time, but still, haven’t got round to watching the trilogy, Charulata, Mahanagar and the other must -sees. Am I in a minority or the only one on the island..
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February 9, 2014 at 7:02 AM
Dated is quaint and pleases some. Also, has more substance (taseful to some).
Contemporary is too ubiquitous, too materialistic, too vfx oriented to please, at least me (I too might be the only one on an island – a different one).
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February 9, 2014 at 3:05 PM
Ha, I think I’m on the same island as you. We’ll probably get along quite well, except when Aamir visits 😉
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February 9, 2014 at 4:51 PM
LOL
Amir wouldn’t be visiting the island. He has to watch Memento etc to make his films. He’ll not find anything there. The other island with Aarthi might be more his choice.
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February 9, 2014 at 3:04 PM
Hey,
Nah ur not on an island – I think it’s the ‘normal’ response to find old movies (esp b&w) to be boring and hard to watch. Certainly none of my friends would watch the kind of movies I like (unless I really force them – but I don’t like doing that cos if they’re bored then that’s no fun either).
I think there are many reasons why I prefer old films. They are quieter, with more talking and less ‘noise’. The songs are poetic rather than loud. The characters are often pensive, restrained, thoughtful, unlike the heroes and heroines of today who are brash, cocky and irritating. I think in every aspect of film-making, movies were better in the past, be it performances, music, lyrics, dialogues, playback singing, direction, etc etc.
But nevertheless, you are NOT in the minority. On this blog of course there are a range of viewers with a diverse taste in films. The average person has just about heard of Ray but def doesn’t watch his films.
I think it’s good to watch what you enjoy. But it’s also not bad to ‘cultivate’ good taste. So the Apu Trilogy I watched not because I expected to love it, but because I feel one ‘should’ see something so well-respected and admired.
Western classical music is something I find boring. But I know the fault is in my lack of ability to appreciate it. The same for art in general – I felt embarrassed when I went to Florence because none of it meant anything to me. ‘Oh, that’s nice’ is such a lame response!
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February 9, 2014 at 4:57 PM
I’ve downloaded Aparajito and Apur Sansar. Will watch them as soon as time allows. Loved Charulata the most. Have also watched Nayak, Aranayer Din Ratri.
Pathar Panchali frightens me because of the picture I’ve formed in my head – too much suffering, too bleak etc
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February 9, 2014 at 6:16 PM
I have seen some of Ray’s film on Doordarshan during election time as kid. But I was not mature enough to have an opinion. I have some aversion to black and white movies. I don’t have issues with pace. Last BW movies I have seen are To Kill a MockingBird and A StreetCar name Desire. I have aversion to English musical as well.
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February 10, 2014 at 5:30 PM
i hate english musicals, both in cinema and theatre
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February 10, 2014 at 3:47 AM
Noise – quite appropriate. I often use that word to define television of today.
Am surprised you say a lot don’t watch films of that time. Ive come across so so many people who love going back to the movies of sixties, seventies, and moreover loving their music. Here I’m talking of regular Hindi movies of that time. Not Ray, not Ghatak, not Sahni.
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February 10, 2014 at 10:33 AM
I go back even to the 50s and 40s to watch the regular films of that time.
Here on this blog I’m definitely alone on the island, with an occasional satyam visit when viewing some 50s films, and salim too, I think (Meena Kumar’s films)
I practically live on the island. 🙂
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February 10, 2014 at 11:31 AM
OldGold – Haha..At end of day it is matter of personal taste and we all have finite amount of time. I rarely see anything older than current in Hindi. In English I go back 1960s. Other countries 80s.
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February 10, 2014 at 5:33 PM
oh, yes people for whom that cinema was contemporary certainly still watch those movies. But i meant amongst people of my generation hardly anyone watches old movies.
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February 11, 2014 at 3:24 AM
@ old gold : I know, you certainly do have a wide range , posting relevant youtube videos at times here. And you aren’t alone. I know a few who love Indian films from thirties, forties on..And they are not oldies 🙂
@ Salim: ‘m talking about ones who haven’t lived through that time , this generation..:)
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February 10, 2014 at 1:39 PM
Reading about Ray, and came across this biting critique of Ashwarya by Indira Verma on IMDB:
[in Asiana magazine, August 2004, about Aishwarya Rai Bachchan] She’s always working, if she isn’t acting she’s doing a dance show or singing at some billionaire’s party or attending some gala premiere. I wanted to shake her and scream, “Call this a life? Take a holiday for God’s sake!” But she surrounds herself with yes-men who treat her like a goddess – she’s in a bubble and if she’s happy I guess that’s cool.
As an actor, I love to transform that magic, to step inside a new role and make it part of my skin, my being. And she, well, she looks the same. She has the same make-up artist for every movie. I wanted to ask her, “Don’t you want to be in something where no one recognizes you?” The whole concept of method acting was like an alien concept, but it does exist. Look at Om Puri, look at Shabana Azmi. Jesus, she’d never even seen a Satyajit Ray movie!
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February 10, 2014 at 5:38 PM
That sounds like really dumb stuff to say. What is wrong if Aish was a workaholic in those days – she was at her peak and I guess wanted to make the most of it. Look how comfortably she has given up movies in order to be with her child.
And for sure Aish isn’t a great actress (I’m not really defending her just irritated by the remarks made by this chick). But why ‘should’ she have seen a Ray movie? She is an actress (a very commercial one at that), not a film critic. This woman just sounds kinda bitter and mean.
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February 11, 2014 at 4:57 AM
i guess talking about him(satyajit ray) and bachchans though :
jaya bhaduri/bachchan was introduced by him in mahanagar and the word mahanayak was introduced for uttam kumar which he deconstructed in nayak and baton was passed to amitabh much later…
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February 7, 2014 at 11:53 PM
So as expected HTP is getting average opening, but keeping the costs low it might just do the trick over the weekend.
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February 8, 2014 at 12:05 AM
These romcoms are fillers until the next big release.
Thank god, Imran is not there otherwise he would have got flak for its opening. Parineeti cant be as big as her cousin sister Priyanka Chopra.
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February 9, 2014 at 3:39 AM
but since when Priyanka is big? 🙂 its all hype just like kareena has/had….
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February 9, 2014 at 2:00 PM
The movie has some good parts and many illogical and dumb parts. PC is shown mentally and socially awkward one moment and other she is very intelligent. She is supposedly Gujarati and singing Punjabi song whose relatives are from Kanpur! Multiplex junta like such stuff.
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February 8, 2014 at 10:30 PM
True Sanjana. It seems that the time has come to have these movies in a limited release on select theaters to have their occupancy and ROI much better.
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February 9, 2014 at 2:20 AM
http://archive.indianexpress.com/news/aamir-khan-gives-nod-to-sarfarosh-2/1211181/
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February 9, 2014 at 2:20 AM
http://m.indiatoday.in/story/shah-rukh-khan-aamir-khan-salman-khan-hrithik-roshan-ranveer-singh-bollywood/1/341274.html
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February 9, 2014 at 9:00 AM
Nitya Mehra – whose film aamir will be doing as per the reports – http://www.bollywoodlife.com/news-gossip/nitya-mehra-24-is-a-turning-point-in-indian-television/
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February 9, 2014 at 9:24 AM
Haven’t seen this hasee to phasee (& unlikely to see it)!!
But there are some people going gaga over parineetis ‘acting skills’.
She’s suddenly the new vidya balan & seems to be taking over the Kajol ‘I don’t care about my looks!’ vibe that’s a bit repetitive …
Anyhow just heard this reasonable track –rendered well by the male singer
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February 9, 2014 at 8:47 PM
Those ‘some’ people who are going gaga over PC Jr.’s acting skills include a certain Mr. Baradwaj Rangan. So how about actually watching a film before making these comments?
It’s repetitive that an actress doesn’t care about how she looks onscreen? LOL, you sure you’re talking about Bollywood ?
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February 10, 2014 at 9:48 AM
she is definitely bubbly and chirpier than PC. Give her few more movies before putting her under the hammer 🙂 so far its a good show from her
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February 12, 2014 at 1:46 AM
This Parineeti is trying too hard and it is showing. Empty vessels make more noise.
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February 9, 2014 at 10:03 AM
Addicting soundtrack this…
Hoping to get to this after Lars Von Triers ‘nymphomaniac’
But before all those…
Next on line is —long overdue …
The wolf of Wall Street
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February 9, 2014 at 7:26 PM
Pressure of 100 crore club I didn’t take any fees for Besharam and didn’t earn anything from the movie. Pressure tabhi hota hai jab aapne kisi ka paisa liya ho. Salman Khan pe 100 crore club ka pressure hoga, mujhpe nahi! Agar Salman ki movie nahi chalti toh woh statement dete hain, magar main nahi. Meri movie agar banti hai toh saara headache mera hota hai -filmmaking se leke distribution tak ka. Salman Khan ko statement dene padte hai kyunki he has sold the film to Eros for 120 crores. Usmein exhibitors ka paisa hata ke, kul 50 crores aaye hongey Eros ke pass. Toh uska toh batta baith gaya na agar Jai Ho nahi chali. Ab paisa toh lautane toh aayengey nahi Sohail Khan. So, bhai Salman ko hi statement dena padega ki, ‘Jai Ho ke flop hone ki zimmedaari main leta hoon’.
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Salman-pe-100-crore-club-ka-pressure-hoga-mujhpe-nahi-Abhinav-Kashyap/articleshow/30097551.cms
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February 9, 2014 at 10:23 PM
What a moron this kashyap guy ! This is his third interview since Jai Ho release. His claim to fame remains Salman Khan and he will continue using his name to keep himself in news until Salman or someone from the fraternity will give a kick up his arse.
Actually its not his fault , in fact the elder Kashyap used the same path to gain recognition in bollywood and finally is toasting with few big names. But there was at least some talent there. This one is an absolute idiot who brought Ranbir down from the high pedestal that he now has to compete with Ranveer and Arjun again to gain entry to the big club.
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February 9, 2014 at 11:46 PM
Hrithik isn’t doing Shuddhi anymore! He’s taking another break after Bang Bang
http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/hindi/bollywood/news-interviews/Ranveer-Singh-to-replace-Hrithik-in-Shuddhi/articleshow/30142496.cms
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February 11, 2014 at 4:06 PM
tongues wagging about Bollywood actress Anushka Sharma’s apparent lip surgery. The actress saw a lot of flak coming her way for her newly ‘enhanced’ lips. While any other actress would have let the rumours die down eventually, the feisty actress took to miscro-blogging website Twitter to tell all about the same.
Read on and find out what Anushka wrote in her open letter to the people.
READ: Has Anushka done a lip job?
“Hellooooo everyone !! Today I am here to talk about my lips !! Yes ! There ! I said it .. My lips ! As a person I find it difficult to talk about my personal life and hence have always maintained a low profile choosing to interact with you all on Twitter with my random -mostly illogical thoughts seeming like the only thing I feel ok about ..that’s just who I am .. But in today’s time where PR stories and feeding people with information constantly or making appearances is a fad somewhere people like me get lost in translation or in this case translations !
Lately there has been a LOT of talk about me in this particular episode of Koffee with Karan . Mainly regarding my lips . I am here to just convey what I have to say regarding the same . I am talking about it only because this story has taken a scary direction and things have been ‘blown out of proportion’ ( pun intended 😉 ) …
For a short while now I have been using a temporary lip enhancing tool and that along with make up techniques ( I have learnt over the years) is the reason why there might be a change in the appearance of my lips. Having stated this fact let me very vehemently assure everyone that I have by no means gone ‘under the knife ‘ or done any kind of ‘plastic surgery’ or undergone any intrusive procedure . This was my decision and was done for the sake of my look in my upcoming film Bombay Velvet,a period drama where I play a jazz singer in the 1960’s – 70’s . And it was taken from the referencing of that time .
The drastic change in my appearance on KWK is due to lot of factors put together and not just my lips . Everyone goes through good and bad days. Did I think I looked good on the KWK episode ? NO . I do feel I could have done things differently .
To put the current conjectures and reportage straight once and for all from my end – I have said this before and am saying it again .. I do not believe in plastic surgery or any other means of unnatural permanent changes to the body . I do not support it or stand for it or recommend it .
Now if someday my legs appear different and sexy to you ! Please don’t say I’ve done ‘Something’ …
Oh ! And also … Some of the ‘joker’ jokes/memes doing the rounds though a bit mean did bring a smile to my lips 😉
Goodnight to all
Love and Light
Anushka”
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February 12, 2014 at 1:22 AM
Karan Johar.. well one has to give it to the guy. Not because he makes good cinema, but he has the knack of getting along with everyone. Maybe coz of the typical gemini trait in him .. but he’s a charmer. From the yashraj guys and shahrukh to salman n aamir and the deols and bachchans and now Kashyap, he has managed to be on good terms with everyone.
Even Akshay Kumar was called on the show and Karan Johar was sweet with him… though I thought Akshay behaved like an ass in trying to be oversmart.
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February 12, 2014 at 4:42 PM
The FSoG posters out (apparent similarities to ‘mad men’!)
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/02/12/50-shades-poster-mad-men_n_4774383.html?utm_hp_ref=entertainment
ps: mr grey will see u….
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February 13, 2014 at 6:42 AM
Abhishek Bachchan bags ‘Yash Bharatiya Samman’ honour from UP Government!
February 13, 2014 12:50:48 PM IST
By Ajit Ramachanddran, Glamsham Editorial
It’s raining honours for Abhishek Bachchan. And the actor is pleased as punch over an honour that has now landed in his kitty.
Abhishek Bachchan has been named as the recipient of the ‘Yash Bharatiya Samman’ from the Uttar Pradesh government. For Abhishek, it is a feat that must necessarily thrill his heart, as his illustrious father Amitabh Bachchan hails from Allahabad in Uttar Pradesh.
More recently, the DHOOM 3 star had turned ambassador for END7, the first and only global public awareness campaign dedicated to controlling and eliminating the seven most common NTDs by 2020.
The Global Network for Neglected Tropical Diseases (Global Network) earmarked Abhishek Bachchan, Bollywood superstar and international humanitarian, as its first official END7 campaign ambassador in India to help raise awareness of neglected tropical diseases (NTDs).
Mr. Bachchan joins the END7 campaign at a crucial time, with India at the tipping point of achieving control and elimination of five NTDs affecting 500 million people by 2020.
”India represents 35 percent of the total global burden for NTDs, causing massive suffering among our poorest citizens. As a parent, I am deeply moved by the devastating toll of NTDs on children, and I want to ensure that no Indian child has to suffer needlessly,” said Bachchan Junior, ”I am proud to serve as the END7 campaign’s ambassador in India and hope that others will join me in ridding our country of these preventable diseases.”
Furthermore, Bachhchan Jr. will also be encouraging national and state level policymakers to continue making the cost-effective investment in NTD programs.
More power and honour to you, Bachchan Junior.
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February 13, 2014 at 12:21 PM
fail to pack a punch
It seems this one may open big due to Tune Maari Entriyaan soundtrack but may not sustain thereafter.
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