London Dreams - Review by Rediff

The much awaited Bollywood musical film London Dreams, directed by Vipul Shah has hit the worldwide screens today(Oct 30 2009). Starring Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in lead roles, the film also features Asin Thottumkal as the lead female character. Rannvijay Singh and Brinda Parekh play pivotal roles in the project. See what REDIFF has to say about the movie - the review follows...

London Dreams: Review by Rediff.com

The film is a story about two boys in Bhatinda, Punjab, who are the best of friends but two very different kids. And who grow up to be the perfect opposite of each other.

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The film is about an aspiring pop star (and his band London Dreams) but we do not know how every pretty young thing in UK becomes an overnight fan of a Hindi pop band, willing to sleep with the band members at every opportunity. There are two random guitar-toting flunkeys -- Aditya Kapoor and Rannvijay -- who literally jump around like boys with a toy gun.

The way Devgn's band is formed is quite ridiculous too. He begins singing at London's Trafalgar Square and suddenly Aditya Kapoor (with an acoustic guitar) and Rannvijay join him on the stage and begin jamming to an electronic number. By the time they get off the stage, the band is in place, and Devgn is ordering them around as the 'band leader.'

Asin, lovely to look at, is but a bizarre cross between a cheerleader and a groupie, whose talent lies in doing variations of the belly dance on stage. She joins the band at a make-or-break audition after this conversation: "Main kya karun?" she asks Rannvijay. "Just go with the flow," he answers. So, she shimmies and shakes a bit to impress the judges.

Sejal Shah's cinematography is commendable. Some of the songs by Shankar Ehsaan Loy leap out from the screen, thanks to the refreshing choreography. The film benefits hugely from both.

But London Dreams belongs to Salman. And though this becomes a problem for Devgn in the film and he plots to ruin him, there is precious little he can do about it in the theatres. One of the characters say about Salman in the film, "He's not a better talent, he's got adaa (style)". And that kind of sums it up.

You may like London Dreams for its beautiful frames, some paisa-vasool moments between Salman and Devgn, a good background score and catchy songs. For the rest, you need willing suspension of disbelief. And large doses of it >> [ Read complete review @ REDIFF.com ]

London Dreams: Review by Buzz18.in.com

London Dreams is a Bollywood musical film directed by Vipul Shah. Starring Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn in lead roles, the film also features Asin Thottumkal as the lead female character. Rannvijay Singh and Brinda Parekh play pivotal roles in the project.

London Dreams: Review by Buzz18.in.com

Eventually London Dreams is all about the joy of watching Salman and Ajay's chemistry. Their star power makes up for all the flaws. Both have put their heart and soul into the film, delivering powerhouse, career defining performances.

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In recent years Bollywood hasn't churned out too many two-hero films. We have either witnessed overcrowded multistarrers or over packaged solo vehicles. London Dreams unties Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn more than a decade after the hugely popular Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. Over the years, both actors have firmly carved a niche for themselves among the industry's top brigade.

Vipul Shah's story charts the lives of two friends, from the lush fields of Punjab to the high stakes world of showbiz. Arjun (Ajay Devgn) is an ambitious, trained musician whose dream is to perform at London's Wembly Arena. His best buddy Mannu (Salman Khan) is a natural talent. Despite his inborn ability, Mannu is not at all serious about music. On Arjun's insistence, Mannu joins his band and becomes an overnight star. Arjun might be the slogger – but Mannu has the fans. A jealous Arjun now has to choose between friendship and ambition. As Devgn says in one of the scenes - he has the passion, but his friend has the X-factor.

Shankar Ehsaan Loy's music perfectly compliments the screenplay. No song seems out of place. Asin is the common love interest and does what a traditional Hindi film heroine has to do, ie smile and go through several costume changes. The two VJ's (Rannvijay and Aditya) provide the right look to the rock band. [ Read complete review @ Buzz18.in.com ]

Asin fainted at a club in Andheri

Resting at her home on her birthday on Monday, Asin laughed, “I’ve become quite a hazard zone, haven’t I? Going by the number of mishaps, I qualify as the desi Calamity Jane.

Actually, I hadn’t slept at all that day or the night before. I had been doing back-to-back interviews for London Dreams for the last one week with just 3-4 hours of sleep.

On that day, there was no sleep or food at all. Anyway, I’m making up for the exhausting week with the most peaceful and happy birthday of my life.”

Exhausted Asin spends a quiet birthday

Kerala born rising bollywood star Asin Thottumkal, whose back-to-back promotional campaigns for 'London Dreams' left her exhausted, ushered in her birthday quietly with a few friends and family members. She says it was the most 'peaceful and happy birthday' of her life.

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Today after conquering south India Asin is one of the hottest females in Bollywood following the success of her debut film Ghajini. So now all eyes are on her as London Dreams is her big ticket to establish herself in Mumbai tinsel town.

Fainting spells seem contagious in the industry. Priyanka Chopra started the trend, and now Asin follows suit. It’s worrying though, that the compulsion to maintain an hourglass figure is affecting the health of the actresses.

They lose weight at an alarming rate and resort to unhealthy dietary plans. It’s bound to catch up, sometimes even in public.

On Saturday (October 24), just two days before her 24th birthday, Asin collapsed at a club in Andheri where she was doing a series of non-stop television interviews for her latest film.

In the middle of the conversations, Asin simply passed out and had to be revived by her staff and friends who rushed forward with instant energy-boosters.

Asin is under tension as her second release in Bollywood London Dreams is opening on Friday October 30 worldwide. She is now on five city promotional tour for the film. [ Read more about her birthday ]

Pazhassi Raja is brilliant -- Says Rediff.com

Rediff says: The reunion of the team who gave us the classic Oru Vadakkan Veeragatha has a winner on its hands, if not a classic of the same proportion.

Pazhassi Raja is brilliant - Says Rediff.com

This movie made on a budget of average ten Malayalam movies, has a quality that has never been seen before.

[ Mallu actress stills ]

It is the tale of a historical superhero, narrated in a typical filmi fashion with many moments that stir up excitement in the audience. Pazhassi Raja (Mammootty) is said to have revolted against the British even before the famous revolt of 1857 began. His oft-repeated argument is -- should people who came to trade pepper and cardamom be allowed to govern us?

Mamootty may be the hero of this film but, he does not hog the limelight. There is ample scope for other stars like Sarath Kumar and even Manoj K Jayan to exhibit their histrionic skills and use their star aura.

The ensemble of the supporting cast is also used well. Padmapriya as Neeli, who is engaged to Thalakkal Chandu has good scope to do action sequences. [ Read complete review @ Rediff ]

BLUE -- bollywood movie review (by Rediff)

Blue, directed by debutante Anthony D Souza, sets a new benchmark in Hindi filmmaking. And the film is a warning to all those women who boast of their so-called bikini shots. Lara Dutta shows you how to wear the two-piece, and look like a goddess of the sea.

BLUE has great stunts, but no thrill - Says Rediff.com

BLUE(bollywood film) boasts of some stunning underwater photography, the likes of which you may not have seen before in an Indian film (Peter Zuccharini -- Pirates of the Caribbean). It has some scintillating action sequences (James Bomalick -- Die Hard 4, Mr and Mrs Smith) both on the ground and underwater, superbly shot.

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Now that we are done with the pleasantries, here's what you actually need to know about Blue. It sets a new benchmark in squandering money and opportunity.

This film is an example how even with Rs 100 crore -- the reported budget -- worth of eye-popping gimmicks and stunts, you can make thriller that ends up being hilarious.

And that's largely because of the ridiculous plot, the inane dialogues and plain bad direction. The film has some cool songs, but a disappointingly weak background score. Maybe with the right kind of background music things would have looked up.

Blue was supposed to be a thriller. But if you made Captain Haddock of Tintin fame watch it, I am sure he would exclaim: Blue blistering barnacles! [ Read complete review @ Rediff ]

What lacks in 'Main Aur Mrs Khanna'

We have seen many films on marital problems. Main Aurr Mrs Khanna, starring Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor and Sohail Khan, is no different.

Main Aurr Mrs Khanna lacks punch - Says Rediff.com

In fact, we wonder what made Salman say yes to Prem Soni's directorial debut when he had already done a film on a similar topic in Shaadi Karke Phas Gaya Yaar. Surely it's not to revive his brother Sohail's (he is the producer of MAMK) flagging career?

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Well, whatever the reason, don't hold your breath: Main Aurr Mrs Khanna is a failed attempt.

Performance-wise, though Kareena is okay, she is not convincing as a dedicated wife waiting for her husband to return. There is no sense of urgency in her performance, except for one sequence where she gets drunk and keeps saying her husband's name over and over again.

As for Salman, his role is more like an extended special appearance. That leaves Sohail, which is not saying much.

Bappi Lahiri is wasted. Come on, at least make the man sing! Yash Tonk overacts while Mahek Chahal is just okay. Nauheed Cyrusi's role is as skimpy as her outfit. Dino too doesn't have a lot to do. And yes, Preity Zinta's item number isn't happening, which is ironic considering it's called Happening. [ Read complete review @ Rediff ]

AADHAVAN movie review and gallery

'Aadhavan' directed by KS Ravikumar starring Suriya and Nayantara in lead roles has hit the screens on Deepavali day(Oct 17 2009).

Aadhavan is clean fun - Says Rediff.com

Aadhavan is uncomplicated, clean, fun, and doesn't expect you to take it seriously. K S Ravikumar is known for his particular brand of movies: A little bit of action, dance, songs, comedy and thrills, all enveloped in a healthy dollop of lavish family sentiments, packaged attractively to entice even the most jaded viewer.

( Img: Surya with Nayan )

[ Aadhavan movie stills ]

He's pretty much followed the same formula in Udhayanidhi Stalin's latest Diwali [ Images ] entertainer: the Tamil film Aadhavan, starring the ever-youthful Suriya.

Only this time, the director seems to have fallen for the latest fad as well; gun slinging assassins in permanent attack mode.

And the director, like most veterans, knows that the pace needs to be to ensure a crisp watch. After a series of slick montage of images, Aadhavan (Suriya) makes his entrance in company of Ibrahim Rowther (Shayaji Shinde), the all-tricks-up-his-sleeve ruthless killer who'll pick off any target for the right price.

And, like Ayan, Suriya dons all sorts of disguises in company of his mate (Anand Babu) to accomplish his missions, flitting from country to country, toting every weapon known to man, almost.

Naturally, he's in great demand, and is deputed by Reddy (Rahul Dev [ Images ]) for a big one -- killing Judge Subramaniam (Bharath Murali), who's hot on the scent of several child murders (mirroring the Noida killings). Our hero has to shut him up before his findings come to light but he's got to do it in Kolkata [ Images ], where the judge's huge family is holed up along with him.

Enter the comedy element, a big one, in the form of laugh-a-minute gag-man Vadivelu. [ Read complete review @ Rediff ]

Deepika is not in need of an art film

She may be just four films old but Bollywood sensation, Deepika Padukone believes that she does not need art-house cinema to prove her credentials as an actress.

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Deepika's contemporaries Katrina Kaif seems keen to silence her critics with filmmaker Prakash Jha's political drama Rajneeti. Priyanka Chopra too has shed her glamorous image for an off-beat film like Kaminey.

However, the model-turned-actress has no intentions to try her hand in parallel cinema to prove her acting prowess.

"Every film is a challenge for me which evolves me as an actress. I don't think I need to act in an art film to know myself better as an actress," said Deepika Padukone.

Obama congratulated by the world

The surprise decision to award U.S. President Barack Obama the Nobel Peace Prize elicited swift reaction Friday, with some hailing the choice and others expressing astonishment and skepticism.

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World leaders and Nobel laureates congratulated US President Barack Obama on winning the Nobel Peace Prize Friday, after the shock announcement by the Nobel Institute in Oslo.

The award, coming less than nine months into Obama's presidency, was hailed by most as recognition of the president's bold moves to reduce conflict in the world, and in some quarters as a premature, political gesture.

From the White House, ahead of a speech later in the day, word came that the president felt 'humbled' by the award.

Leading the praise from Oslo immediately after the announcement was Norwegian Prime Minister Jens Stoltenberg, who said that it was 'an important prize' that 'could help contribute to make the president's visions into effect'.

Nelson Mandela, who won the Peace Prize in 1993 for negotiating an end to Apartheid in South Africa, called on the US leader to use the prize to help fight poverty.

'We trust that this award will strengthen his commitment, as the leader of the most powerful nation in the world, to continue promoting peace and the eradication of poverty.'

In Europe, British Prime Minister Gordon Brown, French President Nicolas Sarkozy, German Chancellor Angela Merkel, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi, Spanish Prime Minister Jose Luis Rodriguez Zapatero and European Commission head Jose Manuel Barroso all added their words of congratulation.