By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Obsession. The word has been a hot favorite of dream merchants in Bollywood. From Abbas-Mustan’s DARAAR to Yash Chopra’s DARR, to films made to this date, a number of storytellers have woven themes around the obsessive streak of individuals.

Ananth Narayan Mahadevan’s AGGAR also does that. A number of thrillers have successfully explored the darker side of human personality with dexterity. AGGAR is a fine addition to the list, although the sole glaring flaw lies in the fact that the director has chosen to opt for an atypical end to the story.

When everything was so unpredictable from start till pre-climax [screenplay: S. Farhan], when layer after layer was peeled with such finesse, when the viewer was absolutely clueless vis-à-vis what lay in store, why Ananth why opt for a tame ending?

Yet, in all fairness, AGGAR keeps you involved in most parts. That’s the hallmark of a good thriller, isn’t it? Read the rest of this entry »

By Taran Adarsh, IndiaFM

Right intentions don’t necessarily translate into right results. NANHE JAISALMER is a case in point.

Director Samir Karnik’s second outing is truly unconventional. It’s a simple story with no commercial paraphernalia and trappings, stars a kid as a protagonist, there’s no heavy duty drama here and nor is there the mandatory hero-heroine routine that Hindi films are made of. Oh yes, Karnik gambles big time this time around. Read the rest of this entry »

By Joginder Tuteja, September 13, 2007 - 13:13 IST

The much awaited music of Om Shanti Om finally arrives on stands this weekend. IndiaFM was invited for an exclusive preview for the film’s soundtrack. Read on to know more about what the album has to offer. Also, tune in on Saturday to hear the songs - yet again, EXCLUSIVELY on IndiaFM.

Expectations. Expectations. And some more expectations. This is how one looks forward to the music of Om Shanti Om from which one expects nothing but the best. And why not? After all:

a) This is the biggest ever film starring Shahrukh Khan
b) This is the second directorial venture for Farah Khan who made a smashing debut with Main Hoon Naa
c) The film has created huge buzz accompanied by immense hype ever since it was launched
d) Vishal-Shekhar and Javed Akhtar saab are expected to bring on table a massy popular score
e) Last but not the least, the film travels decades which makes one look forward to variety in the soundtrack. Read the rest of this entry »

Shreyas Talpade is going through an interesting phase of his career. On one hand he has hardcore commercial flicks like Om Shanti Om and Aggar while on the other he works in middle-of-the-road cinema like Dil Dosti Etc., a Prakash Jha production directed by debutant Manish Tiwary, the film also stars Imaad Shah in a full fledged parallel lead after a small role in Yun Hota To Kya Hota. Ditto for Nikita Anand who debuts in main lead after making her presence felt in Life Mein Kabhi Kabhi opposite Dino Morea.

The film also marks the debut of Ishita Sharma in the film which also stars Smriti Mishra and has music by Siddharth-Suhas [who had earlier composed for ‘The Film’] and band ‘Agnee’. With expectations of hearing something unusual (especially due to the film’s title) one plays on Dil Dosti Etc. In the end, it turns out to be a pleasant surprise indeed.

With the sound of guitar marking an opening of ‘Dum Laga’, the stage is set for a campus track with a group of guys coming together to sing a number which creates a hostel room setting. There is an authenticity in this Siddharth-Suhas composed number which has them coming along with Suraj Jagan (who recently crooned the terrific title track of Johnny Gaddaar) and Hamza (whose title track of Aggar is currently in air) behind the mike.

A rhythmic number that is narrated from the point of view of college students who are hardly interested in studies, have been jilted in love and love watching blue films while gossiping around spicy tales and happenings in the college, this Raam Goutam, Prashant Pandey, Siddharth and Suhas written track is situational though it would be easily identified by the students community. Pretty much expected since the song ends with the mention of FOSLA - Frustrated One Sided Lover’s Association!

With a few additional dialogues interspersed into the song comes the remix version of ‘Dum Laga’ done by DJ Phat. After hearing the song multiple times, one in fact ends up settling down to the tune and starts enjoying it as a track which truly reminds one of the college days.

Coming from Agnee, ‘Lamha Ye Jayega Kahan’ is sung by K Mohan who does quite well in creating just the right feel of this journey song. One is instantly reminded of the kind of numbers which Lucky Ali specializes in as the song centered on a solitary moment makes for a soulful hearing. With meaningful lyrics by Prashant Pandey making ‘Lamha’a number that deserves repeat hearing, the song moves at a decent pace and is truly non-filmy in it’s appeal. Hear it if you are a lover of pop music. Read the rest of this entry »

Author : Indu Mirani Date : 9/8/2007 Films Reviews

Direction: Indra Kumar

Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Riteish Deshmukh, Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery, Ashish Chowdhry

Rating: **

It isn’t Christmas but it sure is the season of good cheer. It’s also the season of male bonding and evidently the two together make for a lethal combination. If we’re not careful, girls might actually become redundant. Some weeks ago there was ‘Partner’ with Salman Khan and Govinda bonding over the whys and hows of charming the ladies. Then there was ‘Heyy Babyy’ with three men (Akshay Kumar, Riteish and Fardeen Khan) going through all sorts of trials and tribulations to look after an abandoned baby. Significantly, the good times turned to melodrama as soon as the sole girl in the film, Vidya Balan, made her appearance.

This week there’s ‘Dhamaal’, (culled from ‘It’s A Mad Mad Mad Mad World’, 1963) with four layabouts Roy, Adi, Manav and Boman (Riteish, Arshad, Javed and Ashish) never quite able to lay their hands on money till fate points them towards the pot of gold, 10 crore buckaroos, no less, but also crosses their path with super cop Kabir Nayak (Sanjay Dutt). As they try to outwit him and eventually each other to claim the prize, they run into characters and situations, all calculated to create maximum ‘Dhamaal’. Read the rest of this entry »