B.O. update: 'Ajab' takes ghazab start; 'Jail' gets sidelined

AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI took the nation by storm by fetching one of the biggest starts at the box-office. The start was at par with LOVE AAJ KAL at several screens, although LAK had more shows than APKGK, since LONDON DREAMS has retained some screens, while JAIL, the other new release, has also opened quite wide.

The trends were evident on Thursday night itself, when the paid previews of AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI were held. The response was fantastic. The early morning shows opened to an overwhelming response and the film was maintaining the tempo during the subsequent shows. The opening is at par with any superstar's film, the various distributors/exhibitors this writer spoke to, echoed in unison.

The youth has taken to AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI in a big way and the first weekend numbers of the film should be incredible. It's easily Ranbir Kapoor's biggest opener to date and catapults him to the 'Prime Club'. Besides, the Ranbir - Katrina jodi seems to be the new flavour of the season. Rajkumar Santoshi too has bounced back with renewed vigour, while Ramesh Taurani, its producer, has yet another Hit to his credit.

On the other hand, JAIL has been sidelined due to the AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI wave. The film carries favourable reports, so let's hope its numbers show a jump on Saturday and Sunday.

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Jail - Movie Review

Madhur Bhandarkar is synonymous with thought-provoking, hard-hitting films. Right from CHANDNI BAR to FASHION, the expert storyteller has made movies that hold tremendous shock-value. In turn, Madhur has cultivated a rich fan-base for his films.

With JAIL, Madhur not only makes you visit a prison, but also makes you peep into the psyche of a prisoner. In the recent past, Sriram Raghavan's EK HASINA THI [2004; Saif Ali Khan, Urmila Matondkar] and Nazim Rizvi's UNDERTRIAL [2007; Rajpal Yadav] narrated the travails and anguish of innocents who were falsely implicated in a case. Besides, Nagesh Kukunoor's TEEN DEEWAREIN [2003; Naseeruddin Shah, Jackie Shroff, Nagesh Kukunoor] too narrated the story of three convicts. But JAIL is different from the above-named films.
Besides watching a thought-provoking story on celluloid, one has also come to expect incredible performances in a Madhur Bhandarkar movie. And JAIL too is embellished with superb performances from its key actors.

JAIL transports you to a hitherto unknown world that most of us haven't seen and if this is its USP, it's also something that might go against it. Irrespective of how strong its merits are, a section of moviegoers [read families/kids], who generally tilt towards feel-good/sunshine/entertainment-filled cinema, might skip this film due to its dry [and at times depressing] theme.

In a nutshell, JAIL mirrors a reality in true Madhur Bhandarkar style. It's hard-hitting, it's compelling, it's thought-provoking. The efficient storyteller has the courage to speak a new language in every film and for that very reason, JAIL should be on your agenda.

Parag Dixit [Neil Nitin Mukesh] is living a dream life -- a great job and a loving girlfriend [Mugdha Godse]. However, things take an ugly turn when, after a series of unfortunate events, he suddenly wakes up in jail. Parag is perplexed. The only salvation he finds is in Nawab [Manoj Bajpayee], a convict, who believes that Parag is innocent.

Soon, Parag is left with a choice, to either live a life with hordes of broken hearts and shattered souls amidst the prison walls or hope to see freedom some day.

JAIL involves you from the very start. The inmates, their crimes, their individual stories... you get drawn into a world that's very real. So real that you feel it's happening right in front of your eyes.

Madhur has a knack of narrating stories and he narrates the story of Parag Dixit with razor-edge sharpness. Besides, JAIL also enlightens you of the legal process, which also acts as an eye-opener.

At the same time, the legal procedures and also the behavioural pattern of the inmates tend to get repetitive after a point and that's when you start feeling restless. Nonetheless, the post-interval has some interesting twists-n-turns, like the convicts' escape from the police van; prior to that Neil and Manoj exchanging stares before Neil perches himself in the van; Neil getting thrown in a dark cell, spending the next few days in solitary confinement; a convict using the garbage van as the means to escape; another convict realising that his wife is now a cop's mistress. Also, the climax is touching and moves you.

Madhur hits the right note yet again. Madhur, Manoj Tyagi and Anuradha Tiwari's script involves you in most parts. Raghuvir Shekhawat's dialogues are true to life. There's no scope for music in a film like JAIL, but the three songs are smartly integrated in the storyline. Kalpesh Bhandarkar's cinematography is top notch. Special mention must be made of Nitin Chandrakant Desai's prison set, where the film is entirely shot.

Not only does Neil Nitin Mukesh deliver his finest performance to date, but the performance would easily rank amongst the finest this year. He conveys the pathos and helplessness that this character demands with amazing understanding. He deserves all praise for his extra-ordinary portrayal.

Manoj Bajpayee pitches in a memorable performance. In fact, the supremely talented actor is in form after a long, long time. He's subdued all through, which only goes to prove that he knows the craft so well. Mugdha Godse underplays her part beautifully. Also, she carries the non-glam look well.

Aarya Babbar is fantastic. This film should make people sit and notice this young actor. Chetan Pandit is first-rate. Rahul Singh is excellent, especially in the sequence when he confronts his wife. The actor who plays the part of Joe D'Souza is effective.

On the whole, JAIL is a well-made film from an expert storyteller. At the box-office, the film will appeal to those with an appetite for hard-hitting, realistic fares, but its clash with AJAB PREM KI GHAZAB KAHANI will affect its business to an extent.

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In Pics: Jail team at Wills India Fashion Week 2010

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In Pics: Jail music launch

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Neil Nitin Mukesh for National Award

Madhur Bhandarkar thinks Neil deserves the National Award for his performance in Jail

The first cut is always the deepest. And so has the impact of Neil Nitin Mukesh been on his mentor-filmmaker, Madhur Bhandarkar, who on recently showed the actor the first cut of Jail, his forthcoming film, and a first for Madhur- a story of a man’s struggle. Madhur has earlier indulged in a woman’s perspective- Fashion, Corporate, Satta, Chandni Bar.

A source close to the film revealed, “Neil has worked very hard to deliver to Madhur’s demands; be it with his range of emotions or even to physically give in to the director when the director asked him to drop his pants for a nude shot.”

While it is learnt that the nude shots will be blurred to dodge an A certificate, it is quite clear what plans Madhur has for his film and his actor. He intends to enter the film for the National Awards competition since he thinks Neil has given a National Award winning performance.

Madhur had been toying with the idea of making Jail for a long time but could not decide on an actor till Neil arrived on the scene with Johnny Gaddar. That was the first step. Madhur spoke in print that Parag Dixit (played by Neil) in Jail is a winner, and there is no doubt that the film could fetch Neil his acting trophy, as Madhur also considers that if the film wins in any other category, it will only be a bonus.

Neil is riding high on the success of New York, and Jail is next big release focused only on his star power. While his nude shots have already become a rage on the internet, it is to be seen if that or his acting abilities will be sufficient to draw audiences into Jail.

Neil isn’t particularly known for his acting skills. We hope Jail breaks the shackles around him.

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Arya Babbar smokes 14 packets of beedis for shoot

Doctor had to be called on sets

Arya Babbar (pictured right), who does not smoke in real life, took ill after consuming 14 packets of beedis over two days while shooting for Madhur Bhandarkar’s “Jail”.

For the climax of the film, Arya was required to smoke beedis. Initially Arya was quite apprehensive about the idea as he had never ever smoked a cigarette leave aside beedi.

But he had to give in to Madhur’s demand who asked him to practice smoking at least a day prior to the shoot.

Arya started with smoking cigarettes first and then moved on to beedi. For two days, he continuously smoked beedis and by the end of the shoot he had consumed 14 packets.

The entire exercise made him sick and a doctor was called on the sets who advised Arya complete bed rest. The actor landed up with severe bronchial cough.

Arya, who is Raj Babbar’s son, has now completely sworn off smoking.

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It was amazing working with Madhur: Neil

When actor Neil Nitin Mukesh arrived in the city recently, the girls pushed and shoved to catch a glimpse of the oh-so-cute star! And well, Neil quite enjoyed the attention!

Said he, “The craziness and warmth of Delhiites gives me a kick.” And stressing on the point further, he said, “They are totally crazy.”

Lekin, despite the Delhi’s crazy quotient, he really likes the city. “Delhi roads and traffic management takes the trophy away from Mumbai,” he said, adding, “Mumbai roads are always congested, unlike Delhi roads which are so spacious.”

With talks that he would be seen playing a pole dancer in a forthcoming flick doing the rounds, we quizzed him to know more, but he simply brushed it away as rumours! Instead, he got talking about his forthcoming flick, Jail. “I am quite thrilled about it. Madhur (Madhur Bhandarkar) is an institution in himself and it was amazing working with him. I am eager to see the final product.”

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In Pics: 12th Rajiv Gandhi Awards 2009

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Madhur Bhandarkar's next revolves around the truth behind award shows

After Jail, which releases year-end, director Madhur Bhandarkar is ready with yet another subject. This one is inspired by award functions in Bollywood.

The movie titled Awards will be produced by Percept Picture Company at a budget of Rs 40 crores.

Buzz is that Priyanka Chopra will play the lead role. An insider reveals, "The movie will reveal the behind-the-scenes drama and the inner workings of award functions.

The movie will also show aspects of how certain award functions bear allegiance to certain camps and also how certain actors manipulate awards.

Madhur won't need to research this one. Being an industry insider, he is aware of the games beyond awards.

After director Ashutosh Gowariker's statement against Priyanka Chopra at an international award function, Bhandarkar realised there was enough drama in the subject, to explore it as an idea for a full-fledged film.

The source continues, "Madhur had a word with Percept honchos, who liked the subject and gave the film the green signal.

The movie will involve incidents from the recent award functions. That might also include Ashutosh's verbal argument with host Sajid Khan. "

The pre-production work will only start after the release of Jail in October. If everything goes well, the movie will go on floors in November.

Navin Shah, CEO of Percept Picture Company confirms, "The movie is based on award shows in our Bollywood.

It is the typical genre of Madhur where he translates reality into fiction. The star-cast hasn't been finalised as yet."

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Release of ‘Jail’ postponed

Bhandarkar unable to clash with Gowariker

It’s well known that Madhur Bhandarkar (pictured left) and Ashutosh Gowariker’s friendship soured after Ashu spoke ill about Priyanka Chopra winning the best actress award for Madhur’s “Fashion” at this year’s IIFA awards, which miffed Bhandarkar no end.

In a rage, Madhur decided to get even by clashing with Ashu at the box-office, announcing September 25 as the release date for his film “Jail”, which is also the date for the release of Gowariker’s next film, “What’s Your Rashee?”.

This no doubt upset Ashu, as he wants as wide an exposure for his film as possible.

However, now, it’s once again Bhandarkar who’s fuming.

The Association of Motion Pictures & TV Programme Producers (AMPTPP) has called Madhur and UTV, co-producers of “Jail”, telling them to postpone the release of their film to October 23 as David Dhawan’s “Do Knot Disturb” is also releasing on September 25.

Madhur had made full plans to release the film on September 25 so this one month delay has upset him a great deal.

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In Pics: Mugdha Godse's Birthday Party

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