Monday, April 7, 2008

Khuda Kay Liye Movie Review

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Cast:
* Shaan - Mansoor
* Fawad Afzal Khan - Sarmad
* Iman Ali - Maryam
* Naseeruddin Shah - Maulana Wali (Special Appearance)
* Hameed Sheikh - Sher Shah Director:Shoaib Mansoor
Khuda Kay Liye attracted audiences for being the first Pakistani film to be released in India. Apart from opening gates for serious exchange of films between India and Pakistan, Khuda Kay Liye is one movie that has differentiated myth from reality and Islam from fanaticism.Khuda Kay Liye is a story of Mansoor (Shaan) and Sarmad (Fawad Khan) two brothers, from an affluent and liberal Pakistani family, who encourages them to pursue their career in music. Khuda Kay Liye is the story of Mary (Iman Ali) who struggles to find her true identity as British-born-Pakistani. Khuda Kay Liye is also the story of those hapless Asians who became the victim of America’s post 9/11 obsessive hunt for terrorists.

The film unfolds as a dramatic clash of cultures between two rock musician brothers –Mansoor, a liberalist disapproves of the religious view of music. Sarmad is brainwashed by Mullah Tahiri (Rasheed Naz) that Islam doesn’t approve of Music and Art. Sarmad is gradually transformed from a Jeans-wearing westernized Pakistani to a so-called ‘true Muslim’. Still Sarmad could not understand why he is not happy despite making the right choice. While innocent Mansoor, having made the right choice ends up in the US prisons as one of the suspects of 9/11.

Director Shoaib Mansoor questions multiple factions of the world today – modernists for not using their brains to decide on religious preferences, liberalists for deviating from religion, extremists for mixing politics with religion and feeding misconceptions about religion to people, Non-resident Asians who are confused which place they belong to and Americans who mix religion with terrorism.

Muslims should watch this movie to see how they can hold both religion and the world in hand and strike a balance. The rest of the nation should watch this movie to get their facts right not only about Islam but also Pakistan.

Shaurya Movie Review

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Cast: Rahul Bose, Kay Kay Menon, Javed Jaffery, Deepak Dobriyal and Minssha Lamba

Director: Samar Khan

Think of Indian army and the thought that strikes your mind first is war, blood, gore and neighbors Pakistan. But the new movie on the block Shaurya is not about soldiers in Indian army its about lawyers in army who are as important as their soldier counterparts. Now lets not mistake Shaurya to be a patriotic movie it’s a story about justice, loyalty, truth and courage.

When you have powerful and dynamic actors like Kay Kay Menon, Rahul Bose and Javed Jaffery all together in a movie you expect it to be a great movie and director Samar Khan doesn’t disappoint you ‘coz the film has such an impact that even after you leave the theatre it forces you to think and the values of Shaurya keep lingering in your mind.

Here is the brief synopsis of Shaurya from its official site:

Shaurya is a story of justice, honor, faith and above all believing in yourself…

A story of finding courage within… where friendships are tested in the battle that matters the most…

The battle for truth and justice…

Shaurya is the story of Javed Khan (Deepak Dobriyal)… a man wronged by his country by the very men who he fought with and were his friends. It’s the story of Siddhant (Rahul Bose), whose only aim in life was to escape reality and wasn’t ready for what life brought him. It’s the story of Kaavya who never understood why it was difficult to speak the truth. It’s the story of Aakash (Javed Jaffery) for whom living the rules was the only way to live life. And it’s the story of Brigadier Pratap, a man who lived by his own rules even if they were against humanity. Captain Javed Khan charged with mutiny, treason and killing a fellow officer. Even when he is held for court martial, he refuses to speak in his defense, as the secret he holds is too powerful for the establishment to handle.

Assigned for this task are Sid and Aakash… two best friends, lawyers and very ambitious individuals who have contrasting views on life.

Nevertheless, this one case will change their lives… forever. The case takes them to Srinagar. While Aakash, for whom winning the case matters the most, follows the blueprint, Sid discovers a new meaning in life, Kaavya (Minissha Lamba), Javed and of course the man in question, Brigadier Pratap (Kay Kay Menon).

Shaurya is alleged to be inspired from the Hollywood blockbuster “A Few Good Men” and the Bollywood touch is given by adding communal hatred content. But Samar Khan who advocates truth, justice and loyalty in Shaurya doesn’t even wink before copying the whole plot from A Few Good Men. If you haven’t seen AFGM then you would like the movie but people like me who have already seen Tom Cruise blockbuster will feel ashamed of Bollywood’s plagiarism.

The plus points of Shaurya is performances from the lead actors, excellent chemistry between buddies Javed and Rahul, awesome climax-worth sitting through the whole movie, good direction, high quality Cinematography,

The minus points are lifted story, unnecessary Hindu-Muslim communal content, a very slow first half and a rubbery kind stretchy second half and a bad item number to start the movie.

Kay Kay Menon is the show stealer; his power packed performance in the climax makes the film entirely his. Rahul Bose plays the character to which a common confused man can identify with and he plays it to perfection. Javed Jaffery is equally good in serious roles as he is in comedy but his character is eventually lost in the second part of the movie. Deepak Dobriyal who plays Javed Khan doesn’t has much dialogues to mouth but is such a fine actor that he expresses his pain and helplessness through his eyes. Minissha Lamba fits the bill of a journalist and gives a good performance.

Like every Indian movie Shaurya has its own flaws but at the end it emerges winner ‘coz of great performances by the cast. Don’t think about ‘A Few Good Men’ and Shaurya is a great movie, so before heading to the theater delete AFGM from your head to enjoy Shaurya.

Kajol yet to sign Karan Johar’s ‘I am Khan’

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Karan Johar has been tom-tomming that he has signed SRK and Kajol for his next movie ‘I am Khan’ but K.JO has taken his friendship with Kajol a little bit for granted. Apparently the beautiful actress has not given the green signal to the project.

Kajol revealed, “I have been approached for this movie by Karan, but I haven’t signed it yet. The script is not ready as yet and I am waiting for a narration. Only then can I decide.”

Come on Kajol go ahead with the project, all your fans are waiting anxiously to see you with SRK once again.

Asha Bhosle not ready to forgive Himmesh

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Himmesh Reshammaiya must have made the biggest mistake of his life when he compared himself to R.D Burman ‘coz Asha Tai is in no mood to forgive him .

Recentley when Asha Bhosle was asked to give her take on reality shows she said, “I never watch any reality shows because I don’t have time and nor am I interested in watching a fake drama! The contestants act and dance more than displaying their singing talent! I don’t like all that. During our days, singers like me, Lata, Rafi, Kishore Kumar actually took efforts to learn Urdu just so that we can get our pronunciations right! Besides even established singers today don’t take any pains to actually understand the lyrics, language … anything! Just wearing a cap and singing is not singing!”

When quizzed if she was referring to Himmesh, the veteran singer said, “I don’t want to talk about this issue again. I guess I have already made my point.”

Himmesh had apologized to Asha Bhosle last year on the sets Zee TV’s Sa Re Ga Ma Pa, where both Himmesh and Asha Bhossle were present as judges.

Ab Himmesh, Asha Tai ke gusse ka KARZZZ kaise chukaega?