Barfi deserves Oscar! Yes, there’s no reason to be dumbstruck. Barfi in the tradition of so many enthralling drama in the last few years that made Indian film grow bigger in stature in the world cinema, is just on its way to produce another success story for Indian film in the global space in respect of critical reception and artistic appraisal. The film is already in the 100 Crore club as one of the highest commercially successful Indian film in the last few years, but more than just being another commercially hit cinema it exhibited all dramatic and cinematic qualities for critical appraisal of highest order and that made it a contender for Oscar award for best foreign picture in 2012. Let’s have a look at various aspects that explains why Barfi deserves Oscar!
A great screenplay and characters that rock
Barfi tells the story of a deaf and dumb, simple hearted, passionate and most intensely and emotionally active young man and his relationship with two girls. Being born and brought up in picturesque hill station of Darjeeling Barfi or Murphy Johnson gets entangled in two-edged relationship subsequently with two girls that apart from the romantic drama that ensues also takes him to get involved in criminal abduction drama of one of these girls that ends up in mutual love. But in few years time after he came to Kolkata again as soon as his relationship with the second girl became rekindled he again got into the kidnapping drama that made Darjeeling Police go after him. The story surprisingly shows the becoming of three characters lives that ends in a hospital where two girls are in an encompassing sadness beside the death bed of Barfi.
The beauty of the screenplay is its interwoven drama that encompasses various enthralling situations that simultaneously relates the troubled, deaf and dumb and easy going personality of Barfi in the face of two edged love and worldly challenges. The character of Barfi and its diverse playfulness and dramatic as well as innocent endeavors fills us with a charm that no recent film in the world can be compared with. All reasons apart this intuitive depiction of characters in their most original human empathy alone explains why Barfi deserves Oscar.
Some never-before quality that wins Oscar
Typically for winning Oscar for best foreign language film as it has been observed that the film must have some qualities that make it appealing to world audience irrespective of numerous cultural and social differences. When a film with enrapturing drama and sturdy, enthralling visuals directly appeals to your reasoning and emotional content beyond linguistic and cultural differences it becomes a deserving contender for best foreign language film. Barfi has taken millions of Indian’s heart with its heart rendering cinematic tale of innocence, love and thrilling human perspective and the film is not too much culture specific that makes the possibility of the film to be appealing to world audience wide open. Most of the Indian films previously chosen or nominated for Oscar had been either too much drawn into mainstream or ethnic Indian culture and that in a way served as a cultural barrier for winning Oscar. Barfi deserves Oscar because it more than language or typical local cultural orientation depicts the story of love and relationship through the heart rendering comedy and innocence of a dumb man that overcomes linguistic and cultural differences.
There could not have been a more valuable click for the shutterbugs when the two yesteryear rivals and perhaps the two best actress-dancers of Bollywood, Madhuri Dixit and Sridevi, shook a leg together on stage at the grand finale of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 5, at Filmistan Studios in Mumbai. It was a visual treat to the audience when they performed a dance jugalbandi and danced to each other’s songs. Sridevi was all spirits when she danced to Dhak Dhak Karne Laga and Madhuri was no less on Mere Haathon Main Nau Nau.
Sridevi was on the show to promote her upcoming film English Vinglish! She wrote on Twitter: “Had a lovely time shooting for Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, don’t miss the grand finale on Sunday, 30th September.”
Co-judge Karan Johar also tweeted a picture of himself with Sri and Madhuri and sure enough, he got an instant reaction from Dabangg girl Sonakshi Sinha who wrote: @kjohar25 oh that’s a classic shot!!”
Actress Kareena Kapoor was a perfect blend of style, glamour and beauty at the launch of the new collection of Jealous 21, the brand associated with her movie Heroine. Giving her company were director Madhur Bhandarkar and Siddhartha Roy Kapur. The event showcased fabulous collection displayed by the models on the ramp.
Rachna Aggarwal, CEO, Indus-League Clothing Pvt Ltd, said, “The brand is delighted to associate with the movie and the actress. She is an ideal representation of today’s young woman — confident and stylish. The collection offers women an opportunity to experience first-hand the style and glamour of their favourite actress, to feel beautiful and look like a heroine.”
About the new collection, Kareena said, “My look in the movie is both glamourous and stylish. I am thrilled to be launching the collection dedicated to the movie. It is so fashionable. It was great that the brand has come out with a range inspired by one of my most special films.”
Asked about what made her jealous, Kareena said, “I get jealous of people who go on holidays, even though I take a few holidays myself. I also get jealous of people who can eat without worrying about putting on weight because I love food.”
Kareena Kapoor and director Madhur Bhandarkar sought the blessings of Lord Ganesh at Siddhivnayak temple in Mumbai before officially unveiling the music of their forthcoming ‘Heroine’.
The news of Kareena’s arrival spread long before she made her entry into the premises and a huge fan crowd gathered there to catch a glimpse of the pretty actress. There was almost a stampede and the police and the security personnel had a hard time managing the crowd. Though Kareena, Looking pretty as ever in a beautiful yellow anarkali, smiled and waved at the crowd, she had to cancel the slated media interactions owing to the uncontrollable crowd.
This was her first visit to Siddhivinayak, and Kareena said, “It was an overwhelming and uplifting experience to launch the film’s music there. I’m excited with the way things are shaping up for Heroine. The sheer number of people who had collected at the temple goes to show that audiences are really looking forward to the film.”
The promotions for Madhur Bhandarkar’s ambitious project ‘Heroine’ have begun and Madhur was spotted with her heroine Kareena Kapoor in the capital addressing the press. The movie is slated for a release on September 21 which happens to be Kareena’s 32nd birthday and when asked why the people should watch this film, the director promptly replied, “Kareena, Kareena, Kareena.”
The film is a female oriented one and Kareena feels that the industry needs to open up on female-oriented films. “It’s a male dominated industry. One Dirty Picture and a Heroine can’t change the tide. It’s not the actor alone but even the director needs to change his mindset,” Kareena said.
Kareena could not avoid the obvious question of her anticipated wedding date with Saif Ali Khan. She replied jokingly, “It’s a Rajya Sabha debate. Everything I do, becomes a national issue, I could well be married you know. How would that make a difference? I could have been married three years ago and still done a Heroine. But yes you will know when I do.”
The complete interview with Kareena Kapoor and Madhur Bhandarkar will be aired this Sunday (September 2, 2012) at 7.30 pm on NDTV 24×7.
Kareena Kapoor plays the role of Bollywood actress Mahi Arora in the film which delves into the personal life of a superstar.
“I think the film is 80 per cent based on reality. I have been watching it while dubbing for the film and I am shocked! After viewing this film, people will know what happens in the personal life of actresses,” said Kareena.
Rajkumar Gupta’s forthcoming ‘Ghanchakkar’ needs to be shot in some busy locales of Mumbai, but acquiring permissions for shooting in these places involves a lot of financial pressure and long delays. So, the makers have decided to go for guerilla style of film making at various public locations in Mumbai. That is how Gupta had shot Rajeev Khandelwal in ‘Aamir’.
As such, in the coming two months, the lead pair of the movie, Emraan Hashmi and Vidya Balan will shoot for the movie with a skeletal crew and hidden cameras. The idea is to land in without warning, wrap up the shoot and leave before the public is aware of their presence.
Gupta confirms the report saying, “After we finish shooting the initial spell in the studio we go on the streets to do some guerrilla filmmaking. It’s risky, yes. And Vidya and Emraan are very popular faces for whom anonymity will be nearly impossible. But I’ve never made safe films. And my actors are game. So let’s see how it goes.”
Initially, the shooting was supposed to begin in September, and Gupta had to curb his desire to shoot the stars drenched in the monsoon rains, but now, the shooting has been preponed to August.
Gupta narrated, “I had originally planned an August schedule. And Vidya, who is at the moment doing no other film, was completely one with my film’s schedule. But Emraan was busy promoting ‘Raaz 3? in August as the film was supposed to release at the end of August.
But now I believe ‘Raaz 3? has been pushed forward, so I got the window to shoot the scenes that I wanted. I guess I am just lucky…”
However, shooting with Rajeev was a different issue. It would be risky to shoot in such a way with Emraan and Vidya as they are quite popular faces.
“I agree. But both are used to shooting in the crowded outdoors. If Vidya could brave the Kolkata crowds in ‘Kahaani’ and the Delhi crowd in my film ‘No One Killed Jessica’, then Mumbai would be a cakewalk in comparison,” says Gupta.
Ghanchakkar
Sridevi is making her comeback in Bollywood with ‘English Vinglish’ and the actress was spotted at the launch of the first look and two and a half minute theatrical trailer of the movie ‘English Vinglish’ in the presence of her husband Boney Kapoor, daughters Janhavi and Khushi, film’s producer R. Balki, and director Gauri Shinde.
Sri looked charming and fit as ever in a well-cut beige pair of trousers, and a white top. However, the movie will see her in a de-glam sari clad avatar.
‘English Vinglish’, which is produced by Hope Productions and distributed by Eros, will be released in Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu versions immediately after its world premiere at Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) in its prestigious gala section. The festival runs through 6 -16th September, 2012. The film also stars French actor Mehdi Nebbou, Adil Hussain, and Priya Anand.
The movie has the Tamil superstar, Ajith Kumar, do a cameo and that too without charging a single pie. The buzz says that Ajith refused to take money for his short role rather he bared all his expenses, including the travel expense, on his own.
Check out Sridevi with her family at the first look and theatrical trailer launch of ‘English Vinglish’………….
Positive comments poured in when Ajay Devgan revealed the first look poster of his ambitious project ‘Himmatwala’ on Twitter this Wednesday. The movie is set to re-create the magic of 80s superhit and marks the debut of South sensation Tamannaah Bhatia. Even the posters show Ajay and Tamannaah in the retro look with Ajay attired in in a denim jacket and a lot of dancers with drums in the background. Twitter also revealed yet another poster of the film which shows Ajay as a rowdy young man with bells chained to his hands.
“For all of you who didn’t get to see it yet, here’s the first look of my film with Sajid!,” Ajay tweeted.
The movie is being directed by Sajid Khan and will hit the theatres on March 29 in 2013.
Lakme Fashion Week Winter/Festive 2012 saw many Bollywood celebrities on and off the ramp. Those from Bollywood fraternity who scorched the ramp included Abhay Deol’s live-in girlfriend Preeti Desai, Prateik Baar’s girlfriend and ‘Ek Deewana Tha’ star Amy Jackson, 57 year old gorgeous Kirron Kher, Richa Chadda of ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ fame and Isha Sharvani.
Preeti Desai, who was the showstopper for Anita Dongre, looked mesmerizing in a gorgeous white lehenga choli with silver embellishments, and minimal hairstyling and makeup.
Amy Jackson walked the ramp for designer Pernia Qureshi wearing a black sari with a wine-coloured border, teamed with an exquisite collared blouse.
Kirron Kher walked the ramp wearing an ivory brocade sari with traditional rudraksh print, teamed with a pink Kanjeevaram blouse. Isha Sharvani walked the ramp for designer Sonaakshi Raaj and Mini Mathur, in a rich magenta gold zardozi lehenga, choli and dupatta, made a graceful entry to end the show.
Kangana Ranaut has stepped into the role of a director with a short untitled film which has been shot in Los Angeles and revolves around the subject of a dog and a four year old boy. The story of the film has been written in collaboration with an Australian writer and has an all-American cast and crew.
Kangana underwent a lot of preparation for the best outcome. She not only held a number of workshops but also went through the subject of child psychology to help connect with the character of the kid in the film. She reveals, “It took six months of thorough groundwork. I was advised not to work with kids and animals, but my script demanded it. Kaden (the boy) is very little. We had to place hidden cameras, play games, and pretend to be aliens and trees in order to get him in the frame (laughs)! But it was fun, he is adorable. The dog was well-trained and not difficult to work with.”
Kangana feels that acting and directing both have appealed to her equally and she would not be able to point out which of the fields appeals her more. “This is like asking me to choose between apples and oranges… I love them both in a unique way…. But working with an international cast and crew was an amazing experience,” she says
Anticipations are high as to who would play the female lead in director Rohit Shetty’s forthcoming project ‘Chennai Express’. The director has rubbished the rumors of Kareena being the lead saying, “I have not really (approached Kareena Kapoor), she knows what I am making. I might do something else with Kareena. Just wait for ten days and then everyone will come to know who it is. In ten days time, we will announce our heroine.”
Shahrukh Khan has been signed for the male lead and speculations are rife that Shetty is considering Deepika Padukone opposite King Khan. Unlike his previous eight films, Ajay Devgan is not a part of his cast.
‘Chennai Express’ will go on floors from the end of September and release would happen mid-next year. The movie relates the tale of a man who travels from Mumbai to Rameshwaram and what happens during the journey, is what the film is about.
“It is not totally a train journey film, it is something else as well and there is a reason why the name of the film is ‘Chennai Express’. Like only 15-20 minutes of the film is in the train, it is not like where the whole film is happening inside the train. I can’t talk much about the film as it is too early,” Shetty said.
Madhur Bhandarkar has released the first trailer and posters of his much awaited ‘Heroine’ and sure enough, Kareena Kapoor has successfully given us glimpses of the various shades of her character Mahi she plays in the film. The trailer has some shots of Kareena’s ‘Halkat Jawani’ and some where she gets intimate with co-star Arjun Rampal. However, the shots of her smoking scenes in the trailer have been cleared as per the instructions of the Censor Board.
Releasing the first poster of the film on twitter, Bhandarkar tweeted:
“Presenting the 1st poster of Heroine to all my well wishers. Hope you like it,” Bhandarkar tweeted. The film, charting the journey of a Bollywood actress, is set to hit theatres on September 14.”
One poster has Kareena dressed in a shimmery tank top and shorts lying down on a bed surrounded by magazines and photos of herself and an empty wine glass, while the other has her in ‘Halkat Jawani’ avataar. Check them out…….
