Nargis and Uday bond at Yash Chopra’s house

The Times of India has published this story on its website the day after the funeral of Uday Chopra's father - Yash Chopra. Have a read here: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/bollywood/news-interviews/Nargis-and-Uday-bond-at-Yash-Chopras-house/articleshow/16926648.cms . Along with the story, they have also published a photograph which I am attaching to my blog post as well.

Yash Chopra would have really died again if he would have read this story!!. Such insensitivity shown by the newspaper and the photographer (from behind the bushes!!!) towards friends who have come to console a person who has lost his father.

Indeed, journalism takes a new low with this news item.

Sidharth Mehta
Dubai, UAE
Key Tags: Pathetic Journalism, Times of India, TOI, Uday Chopra and Nargis Fakhri, Hrithik Roshan, Yash Chopra, The Great Indian Nightmare, WTF!, Sid Mehta, Siddharth Mehta, Sidharth Mehta Dubai, Infinity Business School, Incredible India

Movie Review - Dhobi Ghat

Movie: Dhobi Ghat (Mumbai Diaries), Hindi - 2011

Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra, Aamir Khan

Director - Kiran Rao

Aamir Khan Productions

Rating - 'unrated'

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I am confused. And that is the exact reason for not rating this movie. I am not sure if I liked it, or if I hated it. Precisely because of this confusion, I thought, the movie surely deserved a review/post on my blog. I leave it to the viewers of the movie to give their own personal rating/assessment of the movie, as I am sure there would be a plenty on both sides. (Do leave your assessment on the comments section)

I went to watch this movie with an expectation of not being entertained. I was correct. I was not entertained. (Obviously, I did hope that the movie would surprise me, and there would be moments which will entertain, but that wasn't the case...)

I wanted to see this movie for the love I have for the city of Bombay, and for its people. The love has only increased further after watching the movie.

I went to see the movie with an expectation of some incredible performances by the lead actors. Well, if not incredible, the performances were ranging from good to great.

I went with the hope of being witness to a gripping story. Alright now here comes the surprise; there was no story. This is where the movie disappoints the most. Kiran Rao proves to be a promising director with some great talent, but disappoints as a story teller. The movie starts abruptly, and ends even more abruptly. As a viewer, I felt as if I began to watch a movie which has already run for 20-30 minutes, therefore from somewhere in between. And when a story actually starts to develop, the movie ends!. The movie does not give a chance to the story to grow on the audience.

I would put this movie into a category of experiential cinema. Do not confuse this to something like experiential marketing, which is about engaging consumers by reaching out to their senses. Kiran, has created on cinema, what she has experienced about the city of Bombay. The moments, people, and places in Bombay which has touched her senses, is what she has presented on screen. Nothing wrong in that, but as mentioned, it is the story telling skill which has faltered. I do not see the movie getting a connect even with the audience in Bombay, not because the characters in the movie are unreal; the characters are very much real, but more so because when the connection could have been made, the movie ends.

In terms of performances, Prateik steals the show. There is an ease in the way he acts, and makes him quite a natural actor. The movie pretty much revolves around him and the character 'Shai' played by Monica Dogra. Even she has performed well doing justice to the NRI- Investment Banker/Photographer role. Kriti Malhotra, has more to do behind the camera than in front of it. You will know what I mean, if you have seen the movie, or when you watch it. Having said so, it was her story towards the end which brings about a change in the otherwise plain vanilla storyline. Aamir Khan, as always performs great, but really does not have much to do. Though, kudos to him for being a part of the movie as an actor as well, where much focus is on the other actors, leave aside the scope for acting....

There is no denying the fact that 'Bombay' is the 5th character of the movie. The city has been shown as a witness to whatever is happening in the characters lives. If you delve into the story and the idea a little deep, you would notice, that Kiran has put the 'old mute lady' in the storyline as a metaphor for the city.

Towards the end, I would just say, that the movie makes me numb. I do not feel anything, but the movie still makes me think. I guess it does that because it ends abruptly the moment when I was getting to connect with the characters.

Do post in your comments.

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags - Dhobi Ghat, Dhobi Ghat Review, Dhobi Ghat Movie Review, Dhobi Ghat Aamir Khan, Dhobi Ghat Kiran Rao, Dhobi Ghat Prateik Babbar, Dhobi Ghat Prateek, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra, Dhobi Ghat Times of India Movie Review, Dhobi Ghat Hindustan Times Review, Mayank Shankar Dhobi Ghat, Dhobi Ghat Rediff Review, Raja Sen, Dhobi Ghat Movie, Sidharth Mehta, Sid Mehta, Siddharth Mehta, Bollywood Movie Reviews, Infinity Business School Alumni, Identity Crysys, Identity Crisis, Full Start, Sidharth Mehta Blog, Siddharth Mehta Blog, Sid Mehta Blog

Movie Review - Peepli Live

Movie Review - Peepli Live (Hindi, 2010)

Director - Anusha Rizvi

Cast - Omkar Das Manikpuri, Raghuvir Yadav

Producer - Aamir Khan Productions

Rating - ****

Des mera rang rez yeh babu...

Ghaat ghaat yahan ghat ta jadoo...

Gai bahad hai kankar shankar...

Baat hai chhoti bada patangad....

India sir yeh cheez durandar....

Rang rangeela parja tantar....

You must have heard the above song enough number of times on your television screens/radio sets, but never would you have gone deep inside the meaning of the lyrics. Read through the lyrics again, and may be even listen the song with the motive of understanding the lyrics and the message within.

Peepli Live is not about 'Farmer Suicides'. It is not about the plight of the Indian Farmer lost in the invisible world of rural India.......Well, Peepli Live is not just about the Indian Farmer and his plight, but is about each and every subject, each and every problem of the common man in India which stands important but finds no relevance by the power brokers and the mights within the political class. Add to that, the so called voice of the country, our Media have actually become news makers/ news producers, rather than being just news breakers. Think twice, and you would realize, half of the news on the ticker "Breaking News" is news actually made up by our very own TV journalists. This holds truth to most of our news channels, especially Hindi news channels, where 'Saas Bahu and Saazish' gets more airtime than a 'Independence day speech by our PM'.

Peepli Live, is about the song above. Each and every word is described to perfection in the movie, which makes you laugh enough number of times, but also makes you think - should you really laugh? A dark comedy set in rural India, showcasing the wide gap between Urban and Rural India - proof of a country within a country, Peepli Live has got characters which are more closer to reality than you ever thought. Either, it be the farmer, or the journalist, the politician, or even the power broker - each and every character portrays a role which is real - something you will totally relate to.

A perfect blend of media, politics, and the common man, the movie is not just insightful with a strong message, but is also fun all through. Talking in terms of performances, every actor has given a strong performance, right from the hugely under-rated Raghuvir Yadav, to the main lead - Natha -- Omkar Das Manikpuri. The black comedy comes alive with the superb acting and comic timing of the journalists especially by the actor playing the role of 'Deepak'.

Go watch it.

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai - UAE

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Key Tags: Aamir Khan, Peepli Live, Peepli Live Movie Review, Peepli Live Review, Peepli Live Movie Review TOI,Peepli Live Review Times of India, Peepli Live Movie Review Hindustan Times, Peepli Live Movie Review Rediff, Peepli Live Cast, Peepli Live Natha, Raghuvir Yadav, Anusha Rizvi Peepli Live Director, Peepli Live Story, Peepli Live Dubai, Aamir Peepli Live, Aamir Khan Productions, Sidharth Mehta, Sid Mehta, Siddharth Mehta, Identity Crysys, Identity Crisis, Full Start. Bollywood Peepli Live Movie.

Movie Review - I Hate Luv Storys

Movie - I Hate Luv Storys (Hindi, 2010)

Cast - Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Sameer Soni, Sameer Dattani, Kavin Dave

Director - Punit Malhotra (Debut)

Rating - * * * / 5

Every now and then, the Hindi Film Industry comes out with romantic movies full of dancing around the trees, full of the clichéd drama, but never has it come out with a movie making fun of all this, and still be equally romantic, and rather much more entertaining.

The movie is insanely predictable, with a story just the usual, guy meeting girl, one of them falling in love first, the other not realizing it.... and so on... But, what is not usual, is the way the director has put it across on screen. The 1st half is fast and pacy, having a lot of light moments. The 2nd half is the most predictable and is also a bit dragged towards the end, but the movie still grips you making you wait for the moment when the couple actually come together.

Both Imran Khan & Sonam Kapoor, share an amazing chemistry on screen - I wont be surprised to see both of them together in many more films. Imran plays the role of an urbane ultra cool assistant director to Vir Kapoor (Sameer Soni), and does full justice to it. He entirely looks his character, and plays it to perfection. His forte lies in romance, and should continue to take up roles in the sphere of his strengths (and not do movies like Kidnap). Sonam, nothing unusual about her character too, but gives a near perfect performance, and looks insanely beautiful. She plays her role with panache and stands tall in each scene complimenting Imran's performance.

The support cast - Sameer Soni does a Karan Johar/Sanjay Bhansali on screen, and does it well! Sameer Dattani is in the movie only to support and does pretty ok with it. The best out of the supporting cast is Kavin Dave, playing Imran's best friend in the movie. Kavin, quite a sensation on the small screen with the success of Rishta.com on Sony, gives an unforgettable support performance.

Other than the performances, the music is the strength of the movie. High on romance, the music does wonders to the storyline. Watch out for 'Bin tere' and 'Bahara' (though the Rahat Fateh Ali Khan version of Bahara is not part of the movie - Get the audio CD!). Vishal-Shekhar prove their mettle once again.

Punit Malhotra, the director making his debut, has treated the story in a refreshing way making one smile all through the movie. Watch it for him, for the cast, for their chemistry and for love.. I bet you won't hate this love story.

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Manorama Six Feet Under - Funny Scene

Manorama -Six Feet Under, a movie which deserves to be seen. I never thought such a funny scene would be part of this movie, which is otherwise quite serious in its theme.

Enjoy, and do post in your comments!

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags: Manorama Six Feet Under, Manorama Six Feet Under Scenes, Manorama Six Feet Under Funny Scene, Manorama Funny Scene, Manorama Six Feet Under Abhay Deol, Bollywood Most Funny Scenes, Funny Scene Manorama Six Feet Under, Manorama Six Feet Under Movie Review, Manorama Movie Review, Sid Mehta, Sidharth Mehta, Identity Crysys

Movie Review - KITES - Perfect Take Off - Crash Landed

Movie Review - Kites - (Hindi Version) (2010 - India)

Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut, Kabir Bedi

Director: Anurag Basu

Duration: 2 Hours

Producer: Rakesh Roshan

Rating: * *

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Kites would be a splendid case study on 'a perfect take off for an eventual crash landing'. After watching the movie, it would not be wrong to say, that the fate of the movie has been sealed with the movie being nowhere close to what was expected out of it.

Anurag Basu tries each bit to make the movie look good and feel good for the audience, which he does, but the magic does not really work as compared to his previous movies. He had one of the best looking and best performing actors with him, but could not really pull it off with the same panache which he did say for Life In a Metro. Their is simply no grip in the final product of the movie, which the story surely promised to have. Only the music/songs grab you for a while, but even they seem to become ordinary as you sit and watch the non-gripping story.

In terms of performances, Hrithik Roshan was at his normal best. It is only the story which falters, and really does not leave much scope for the actors who have all given their best. Barbara Mori has done exceptionally well, and suits the role perfectly. Kangana Ranaut does not have much to do, but does well in whatever she had. The rest of the cast are also good, but none could really spell magic due to the weak script.

I will keep the review really short, as there is not much to really say other than the above. Kites, is a typical bollywood movie, but mainly spoken in English. It is just another movie where it could have been 'the movie of the year'. I will also tag it as one of the most abrupt movies I have ever watched.... Watch the movie for Hrithik if you are a die-hard fan, otherwise you deserve to give it a miss. Once you watch it, you would know why I call it 'Abrupt'.

Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Hrithik Roshan Barbara Mori, Hrithik Roshan Barabara Mori Kites, Hrithik in Kites, Kites the movie, Kites Movie Review, Bollywood Movie Kites, Just Like That, Kites Movie Review TOI, Kites Movie Review Times of India, Kites TOI Review, Kites Hindustan Times Review, Kites Rediff Movie Review, Sidharth Mehta, Identity Crysys, The Discussion Begins Here, Taran Adarsh, Anupama Chopra, Kites Review NDTV, Kites Movie Review Rajeev Masand, Kites Disaster, Kites Movie Disaster,Kites Review, Sidharth Mehta, Sidharth Mehta Inbuss, Sidharth Mehta Infinity Business School, Siddharth Mehta, Sid Mehta, Pathetic Kites Movie, Mexican Actress in Kites,

Movie Review - 3 Idiots - Five Point Something

Movie Review - 3 idiots

Director: Rajkumar Hirani

Genre: Comedy

Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya

Producer: Vidu Vinod Chopra

Rating - 5 point something....

When was the last time you died of laughing? and when was the last time you literally cried of laughing?

3 idiots does that to you.

Film-making is an art, and this film is surely one of the greatest art works to come out from Bollywood, and shall be crowned one of the best ever movies in a lifetime. The film is just not a laugh riot, but has it's parts of key learnings for the society, a stamp of the genius director - Rajkumar Hirani.

Aamir Khan surely has a magic wand, whichever project he takes, does record breaking business and usually leaves a big impact on the minds of the people. More than the film's own marketing, the word of mouth publicity of the film works wonders for his films.

The film is not just for the youth, but is equally for all parents and elders in our society, who throw their children in the race for coming first in their entire education life, and also expect them to win all the time. Never ever do they realize the pressure being put, which multiplies with each exam they give, and which eventually bursts in the form of suicides and deep depressions. I think, it is the most important social topic ever been taken and made a film on, as the consequences of this kind of pressure only brakes a human being.

Thankfully, the film has done full justice to the topic, in a very subtle manner, with great moments and laughs, which will stay in our minds and hearts for a very long time, and maybe also forever by actually transforming the way people think.

If we talk about performances, each and everyone has excelled in their respective roles. The casting is done to perfection.

You would actually believe that Aamir Khan is a 21 year old engineering student. He looks as fresh as he did in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak. The 100% he gives to all his projects is evident by the amount of weight he has lost for this film after Ghajini. He totally looks his character, and plays it exceptionally well. 'Rancho' touches every heart.

Madhavan has never been so totally in sync with his character in any of his films. Even he looks fitter, and the wildlife photographer look of his in the film really suits him.

Sharman Joshi, by far is the most underrated actor in the Hindi film industry today. His comic timing is extra-ordinary, and transforms himself from a light mood to a very serious mood with great panache.. I would not be surprised to see him in serious roles as well in future. Surely, a big star in making, and one to watch out for.

Kareena, even though had not much to do in the film, but really looks good, and feels nice to see her do a role which is not about flaunting her size zero figure. Rather, she was told to gain some weight for this film, and it is evident as well.

Boman Irani, as Virus - the college dean, once again will get applauded for his fault free acting, and for bringing to life every individual's school/college principal.

Omi Vaidya as Chatur - the silencer is a great find for the film industry. A theatre artist in the US, hope he does a lot more films in India. Watch out for him in the speech he delivers.

In the end, would just like to say, All Is Well.

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P.S - As a reader and a great fan of Chetan Bhagat, he surely deserves to be given much more credit for this movie. 70% of the movie is based on the plot of the bestseller book 'Five Point Someone'. Rather, few scenes are exactly picked from the book. The characters are defined in the book just as they are shown in the film, only difference is the main character on which the book is based is not the main character in the film. Ryan from the book is Rancho (Aamir) in the film.. There are few changes done to the story, but you can't call it an original. The screenplay might be different and Abhijat Joshi should be given credit for that, but 70% of the story is surely adapted from Five Point Someone. The theme of the film is the same as the theme of the book.

A word for Aamir - You would add a lot more fans to your already huge fan base all over the world with this movie. Read the book, and then make statements, otherwise an equal number of your fans would be upset with you, including myself. Just giving some credit to an original writer even if just by words being spoken, would not make your or the film-makers stature go down. Hope this controversy ends soon.

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Sidharth Mehta,

Dubai, UAE

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Keywords - 3 idiots, Five Point Someone, Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Boman Irani, Omi Vaidya, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra, Chetan Bhagat, Controversy, Rancho, Movie Review- 3 Idiots, Times of India, Hindustan Times, Sidharth Mehta, Identity Crysys, Sidharth Mehta's Blog, Full Start

Movie Review - Love Aaj Kal

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Movie: Love Aaj Kal (Hindi, 2009)

Cast: Rishi Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rahul Khanna, Giselle Monteiro (not verified)

Director: Imtiaz Ali

Rating: **1/2 (Likeable)

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Are you someone who does not believe in love? or someone facing a problem falling in love? or have a girlfriend/boyfriend but not in love with her/him? Well now, to find your answers or to make it a bit easier for you to find these answers, you can go for the refresher course in love, and that is how I describe the movie 'Love Aaj Kal'. Yes, the movie is like a refresher course or a crash course in love.

An ultra modern couple living in London, who start going around after a lot of flirting, and even part ways by throwing a break up party, are very much believable in todays time. Though, few might differ with my point of view. Saif (Jai) & Deepika (Meera) do not want to get into a long distance, and therefore part ways. The loveable Rishi Kapoor (Old Veer Singh), who is the owner of a cafe where Saif & Deepika hangout a lot, though, disagrees that long distance relationships are not possible, and so, narrates his own love story to saif, and takes the audience into the 1960's era directed incredibly well by Imtiaz.

Rather, the old eastman color love between Saif, who also plays the role of the young Rishi Kapoor, and Giselle Monteiro (Harleen Kaur) is what makes you feel as if craving to be in the shoes of Veer Singh. The debutant Giselle (name cant be verified, as the producers have still kept her under wraps as a mystery) is a breath of fresh air and looks elegant and gorgeous, and makes a mark with just her expressions.

The songs are excellent, specially the one sung by Mohit Chauhan, and also Chor Bazaari which is the most popular out of the entire soundtrack. Though, Imtiaz has failed to position these songs in the movie successfully. You would find many songs out of place. One of the biggest flaws in the movie on part of the director.

Saif has done an excellent job as both the super cool flirt, and also as the sardarji in the 1960's era. Towards the end of the movie, as his character becomes more serious, you would notice how he has matured as one of the finest actors in the industry. The transition is very smooth, and both the director and the actor deserve applause.

Deepika, unlike the roles of the female actors in Imtiaz's previous movies, 'socha na tha' & 'jab we met' , does not have a very important role or scope to play in the movie. One reason is the two time periods the movie is based on, and having a different actor for the 60's era. Also, Deepika, is nowhere close to the flawless acting of Kareena Kapoor and Ayesha Takia respectively in JWM and SNT.

Rishi Kapoor, is at his usual best.

Rahul Khanna has not much to do in the movie, and to be honest, anyone would have done justice to his role.

The real winner of the movie are its dialogues, so much real, and so much in place with the present. Watch out for some real good one liners.

Imtiaz Ali, could have made this movie into a master piece, but somewhere lost his way, specially towards the end. 'Socha Na Tha' and 'Jab We Met' were alltogether of a different class when compared to Love Aaj Kal. Though, Imitiaz does create some magic moments in the movie for which it needs to be seen.

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Sidharth Mehta

Dubai, UAE

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Key Tags: Love Aaj Kal, Movie Review Love Aaj Kal, Love Aaj kal in Dubai, Love Aaj Kal UAE, Saif Love Aaj Kal, Deepika Love Aaj Kal, Cast love aaj Kal,

Movie Review - New York - (Hindi, 2009)

Director: Kabir Khan

Cast: John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Katrina Kaif, Irrfan Khan

A little bit here, a little bit there. This is the phrase which comes to the mind after watching the much awaited Yash Raj movie, New York. After more than 2 long months of a draught of hindi movies, surely a lot was expected from New York, a much hyped big banner movie which it is.

Going by the trailors (dissappearing twin towers), if you thought, just as I did, that the movie would be about the plot of 9/11, then you would be highly dissappointed. Director, Kabir Khan, chooses a subject which is surely relevant in the post 9/11 era, but is not something, which has not been shown on the big screen. Case in point, 'Shoot on sight', and the Pakistani movie 'Khuda Kay Liye' did touch upon the topic with much success, and also appreciation thereafter. New York tries to focus only on that subject (the torture of innocent muslims after 9/11), but with prettier faces and locales, and guess what, it falls flat!

While watching the movie, at one point, you would feel for the innocent muslims who went through all the torture post 9/11, but the director, for god knows what reason, also shows a good 3-4 times, about how the same American system is also the most liberal and free in the world. The director forces his own confusion upon the viewers mind as well, with much finesse. Surely, something which he did not plan to do, as the message which he wanted to give through the movie, is not hard hitting at all.

Talking about the performances of the pretty starcast, they did full justice to the camera by looking great, and that's about it.

Katrina Kaif (Maya) is in the movie only because she is eye tonic with an original english accent (required as the character is set in America). Not much scope for a real performance, and she is at her best by not performing. Sab Moh Maya hain.

John Abraham (Sameer), with his unoriginal english accent (take note of how he pronouces the name Omar - 'Omaaar'), tries to deliver a good performance, but the director/script really does not let him do that. Most of the intense scenes are just inside the jail while he is tortured by the FBI, with a lot of shouting and also mute scenes.

Neil Nitin Mukesh (Omar), by far, had the most scope to deliver a great performance, given the way his character was written, and does remotely do justice to the role. Though, his acting is not without faults, and needs a lot of experience before he gets into the great category. Again, the script and director really does not help the actors anyway.

Irrfan Khan (Roshan), without doubt is the best actor out of all the starcast in the movie, and is remarkable in his character of the desi FBI officer. Though, he almost does a slumdog again. May be for the benefit of his bank account.

Watch New York for the subject which it is about, but do not go with a hope of a hard hitting performance oriented movie. It could have been a fantastic movie if exploited well by the director, but the end product only just dissappoints.

**/ *****

Average.

Sidharth Mehta

Dubai