Akshay, Kareena and Stallone pack a punch!

If 2008 was the year of Ghajini, then Kambakkht Ishq — which opens today in 2,030 screens worldwide, is already being declared the biggest triumph of 2009 and promises to be Akshay Kumar’s and Kareena Kapoor’s day in the sun!

Sajid Nadiadwala’s romantic comedy for Eros International with stunts provided by Akshay, glam and sex appeal by Kareena and Hollywood actress Denise Richards, and action by the legendary actor Sylvester Stallone himself, is booked solid this weekend.

The film is Akshay’s biggest opening ever, bigger than Welcome and Singh Is Kinng and almost surpassing Ghajini’s initial opening. Certainly, the hysteria the film has generated before its release is bigger than that created by Ghajini. With Kambakkht Ishq, Akshay — who plays a swashbuckling stunt man for Hollywood and body double for Stallone, consolidates his position as Bollywood’s most bankable star. And Kareena, whose role as a surgeon and supermodel is done with panache, carries the film on her sexy shoulders and delivers a knockout performance to rival Jab We Met while proving she is Bollywood’s No. 1 actress.

At a power-packed special trial held on Wednesday night, the film industry sat rolling in the aisles as the funny antics unfolded on screen. Katrina Kaif, who has delivered hits with Akshay herself, was heard raving about how entertaining the film is. And Saif Ali Khan, who also saw the film, was in splits and said girlfriend Kareena looked like an international icon. His kids Sara and Ibrahim loved the film, too. As did Akshay’s son Aarav, who moved between mother Tina and grandma Dimple Kapadia during the trial, and then began calling his father Superman after looking at the stunts Akshay pulls off on screen.

Trade analyst Vikas Mohan believes the film will cross the Rs 100-crore mark. While Taran Adarsh, who thought Akshay had surpassed himself and delivered one of his best performances till date, said one couldn’t ask for more in Kambakkht Ishq. Bollywood’s other big trade analyst Amod Mehra added, “Just by looking at the promos, one can tell that it’s a right mix of rom-com that people would like to see, especially since nowadays films lack all this. It looks like a fun film and it’s opening has been gigantic.”

But, perhaps, the nicest thing about the film has been said by a man of few words and more action. Stallone, who regretted he could not be in Mumbai for the release of the film, said of Kambakkht Ishq, “It deals with a subject that I like which is about heart, it’s about giving, it’s about spirituality, it’s about physical manifestation of love... coz in the end, that’s really all that counts. There have been many action films where people are just beating each other up. But when it’s really about something soulful, I’m interested, and that’s what this film is about. It’s nice to be invited into your world.”

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Kambakkht Ishq - Movie Review

Bizarre has a new meaning and it's called KAMBAKKHT ISHQ.

Of late, Akshay Kumar has earned the reputation of making you laugh in film after film. You expect KAMBAKKHT ISHQ, his new outing, to transport you to ha-ha-land, given the smart-n-chic promos of the film.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ belongs to the same family of films which have wooed the masses, such as MUJHSE SHAADI KAROGI, WELCOME, SINGH IS KINNG and GOLMAAL RETURNS. The prime motive is to entertain you for the next 2 hours, logic be damned.

Yet, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ is different because it depicts the battle of the sexes, a theme that's rarely depicted on the Hindi screen. The lingo is poles apart, so is the attitude. In fact, this is a modern take on relationships, with the two hours divided between laughter and emotions, frivolous and reality.

Let's get this straight. KAMBAKKHT ISHQ works in most parts thanks to the kind of star power and energy that the two actors pack in -- Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. It would've been difficult to hold the film from falling apart had the two actors not been competent enough to carry off their respective parts. Also, the presence of Hollywood stars -- Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards -- the first on the Hindi screen, is an added bonus. 1 pe 2 ka offer; Bollywood stars ke saath Hollywood free!

The focus is on the entertainment quotient. There are moments when you laugh so uncontrollably that it gets embarrassing and there are times when you continue smiling, even during the most ordinary scenes.

But KAMBAKKHT ISHQ dips in its second hour because you expect it to be as frivolous as the first hour, but it changes tracks and gets emotional. Things would've gone wrong had the end stumbled and fumbled, but it doesn't. The finale, in fact, takes the film back to the level that one expects from a film of this magnitude.

To sum up, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ offers you value for time and also, value for money. It offers loads of entertainment in those 2 + hours, loads of glamour in those 130 odd minutes, from start to end. Sure, there are blemishes, but they're trivial when you look at the larger picture.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ explores the relationship between two individuals who are as different as chalk and cheese. Viraj [Akshay Kumar] is a stuntman in Hollywood, who lives by the mantra 'women are only good for two things'. Simrita [Kareena Kapoor] is a firebrand who is more than able to stare down the most arrogant male with her caustic wit and sardonic tongue.

So what happens when the two people who hate each other the most meet at Simrita's best friend Kamini's [Amrita Arora] and Viraj's brother Lucky's [Aftab Shivdasani] wedding? A wedding that both Viraj and Simrita are violently opposed to and desperate to stop. Sparks fly... the battle of the sexes in on.

Director Sabbir Khan's motive is simple: Entertain for the next 2 hours. The entire first hour moves at a lightening speed, making you enjoy the war of words between Akshay and Kareena at regular intervals.

The first half abounds in terrific moments, but I'd like to single out at least three...

* One, the church wedding of Aftab and Amrita. When the battle lines are drawn.

* Two, the sequence at the operation table, when Akshay spots Kareena.

* Three, the interval point. The pendant connection. Howlarious sequences all!


The post-interval starts with a bang, with Akshay hearing the 'Om Mangalam' chant just about everywhere -- while sleeping, in the shower, in the rest room, even at an award function. The award function sequence is a double whammy. You get to watch Stallone and also the scene is superbly structured, executed and enacted.

Things are smooth sailing till the emotional angle comes up. The narrative dips in those 20 odd minutes. The mood suddenly shifts from laughter to sadness. The makers may argue that a twist in the tale is justified from the writing point of view, since the emotional track is vital for any love story, but the fact remains that one does miss the entertainment quotient here. In fact, the dip in the second hour erodes, to a large extent, the impression that the first half had built so magnificently.

Director Sabbir Khan picks up a theme that may catch you by complete surprise, but marinates it in entertainment, garnishes it well and presents it like never before. The review would be incomplete if we failed to highlight the grandiose look and the lavish production values thanks to the no-holds-barred expenses by producer Sajid Nadiadwala. Each frame looks ostentatious and glitzy.

Music is up to the mark, with three interesting tracks -- 'Om Mangalam' [RDB], 'Lakh Lakh' and 'Bebo' [Anu Malik]. Cinematography [Vikas Sivaraman] is magnificent, with the DoP doing complete justice to the production values.

KAMBAKKHT ISHQ belongs to both, Akshay and Kareena. Akshay is dynamic this time. He received a lot of flak for CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA and there was this nagging feeling that the negativity would spill over to KAMBAKKHT ISHQ. But Akshay is in terrific form here and delivers, without a shred of doubt, a bravura performance. If you loved him in NAMASTEY LONDON and SINGH IS KINNG, you'd fall in love with Akki and his comic timing all over again this time.

Kareena left an indelible impression in JAB WE MET and creates a similar impact, albeit in a different role. Her role has shades of 'Poo' in K3G, but the glam looks combined with that rare confidence takes this performance to dizzy heights. Clearly, Kareena is miles ahead of her contemporaries as far as talent goes and this film proves it yet again.

Aftab and Amrita are perfect for their parts. Vindu Singh supports well. Javed Jaffrey doesn't make a mark because the role has no connection with the main plot. Kirron Kher is getting typecast. Boman Irani is hilarious in that lone sequence. Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards are well integrated in the narrative.

On the whole, KAMBAKKHT ISHQ will strike a chord with the youth and those who relish zany and madcap entertainers. The first half is tremendous, while the second half takes a dip, with the film picking up towards the climax. At the box-office, the film will see an earth-shattering opening weekend and a historic Week 1. It remains to be seen how this film fares in its second weekend/week, given the massive number of screens it has opened globally [2,000 +]. However, the timing is most appropriate [the viewer is thirsting for a biggie] and the hype is tremendous, which should prove very advantageous for the film.

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What's happening in Bollywood Town!

Mithunda with son Mimoh, Hard Kaur and Kailash Kher turn cricketers and more

White Magic: We caught Mithunda in an uncomfortable position. He carries off the white shoes though.

Cricketers: ‘Batwoman’ Hard Kaur and ‘Batman’ Kailash Kher make us laugh with their antics at a Twenty20 promotion

Calling The Shots: Director Sabbir Khan explains the shot to Sylvester Stallone on the sets of Kambaakht Ishq.

Colour Co-Ordinated: Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar make a pretty, white picture at a music launch. Shabana has put on weight

Singer too: Suchitra Pillai croons her heart out at a musical do last night. She sang mainly English songs

New Look: Mimoh has chopped his unruly locks and lost weight. He has also grown a beard to look grown up. Let’s hope it helps his filmy career.

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Akshay, Kareena to walk red carpet with Stallone

Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor, the lead pair of "Kambakkht Ishq", are all set to walk the red carpet with Sylvester Stallone at the Cannes Film Festival starting on May 13.

The Hollywood action star makes a guest appearance in the actioner.

Stallone has been making inquiries about the release of the film. When informed of producer Sajid Nadiadwala's Cannes plan, he agreed as he is said to be extremely fond of both Akshay and Kareena.

"Is he? That's flattering. When in my early years I was working in Bangkok, I had three posters in my room - that of Sridevi, Bruce Lee and Sylvester Stallone," Akshay chuckled, talking to IANS on phone from Singapore.

Kareena, who is in New York right now, said: "It would be lovely to walk the red carpet with Sylvester Stallone. How many of our actors would get that privilege?"

Brandon Routh and Denise Richards also make guest appearances in the movie, which is expected to hit the screens soon.

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Kambakkht Ishq - First Look

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Nadiadwala plans a star-studded premiere for Kambakht Ishq

Filmmaker Sajid Nadiadwala, who has collaborated with Hollywood biggies Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards for his forthcoming film "Kambakht Ishq", has invited them for a grand premiere of the film in India later this year. He hopes it will help wipe away the traumatic memories of the Mumbai terror strikes from the tourists' mind.

"It's a do or die thing for me after 26/11. I don't feel like a Bollywood producer at the moment. I'm reacting as an Indian," Nadiadwala told IANS.

Post-26/11, the premiere of the Akshay Kumar-Kareena Kapoor starrer has become a show of strength for Nadiadwala as an Indian more than a producer. Invitations have been sent out to Sylvester Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards.

"Let's just say I want my Hollywood team to come and erase 26/11 from Mumbai's tourist map. I'm going to leave no stone unturned to make sure Stallone and others go back with only the fondest memories of Mumbai.

"If six months ago I'd have laid out the red carpet for the Hollywood members of the cast, now I'm putting my entire production machinery and powers of hospitality on the block.

"The 'Kambhakt Ishq' premiere is not about our entertainment industry any more. It's about Mumbai and India. I want Hollywood to come to Mumbai and taste our hospitality. Nothing has changed in the country. We're still as warm and welcoming as we used to be," said Nadiadwala.

Over 20 foreigners were killed in the Mumbai terror strikes.

"'Kambhakt Ishq' is not just an exciting business venture after what happened to Mumbai in November. Suddenly all of us have become more sensitised. We need to prove a point to the world and to ourselves... I realise there's a black mark against Mumbai's name on the tourist map after 26/11. We will erase it. And to do that we need to invite the outside world to come to Mumbai and see that Mumbai is safe. I promise you, Stallone won't go back with any apprehensions about our city."

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Stallone to attend India premiere of Kambakht Ishq

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala has hit it off so well with Sylvester Stallone while shooting for "Kambakht Ishq" that he has convinced the "Rocky" star to attend the premiere of the film here as well as to work together in more movies.

"Yes, Stallone will be coming to Mumbai for the premiere. In fact, we have hit it off so well that I've convinced him for more collaborations with us," Nadiadwala told IANS.

"However, it's too premature to talk about any concrete plans between the two of us. He did give me a book to read, but that doesn't mean I'm making a movie out of it, not yet."

The producer has huge plans for "Kambkaht Ishq". He plans to have an international release of the English version of the movie at the same time with the Hindi in April-May 2009.

"It'll be a much shorter version of the original. While the Hindi version will be around 130 minutes, the English version will be 90-100 minutes long and without any song."

Nadiadwala is working on the English version of "Kambakht Ishq". Though Akshay is all set to finally go international with his first English-language film, he won't be heard speaking in his own voice.

"I'll get dubbing artistes from outside India to dub for everyone, excluding Sylvester Stallone. Akshay certainly can't make himself comprehensible to American audiences in his own voice," said Nadiadwala from Vicenza in Italy, where the last portion of "Kambhakt Ishq" is being shot with Kareena, Akshay, Aftab Shivdasani and Amrita Arora.

To knock off the elaborate Hindi song sequences for the English version, Sajid is getting a creative music director from Hollywood as a consultant.

"We've zeroed in on three guys who specialise in editing Hollywood musicals including the gentleman who did 'The Wedding Singer'. I'll hire one of them to put together the English version of 'Kambhakt Ishq'. I don't want it to be seen as a dubbed Bollywood film. I want it to be on a par with the American releases, just as slick."

This is where the presence of Stallone, Denise Richards and "Entourage" star Holy Valencia would help.

"These stars would help bring in the American audience and establish a connect with the film. Like in India, most audiences won't care about Stallone and other Hollywood stars. They'll just go to watch Akshay."

Nadiadwala is hoping "Kambakht Ishq" would be the international launch of Akshay's career.

"He has it in him. And we've worked really hard to give 'Kambakht' an international look and feel. My film has gone way above budget. I don't think I'll ever be able to make a film so expensive. The ticket fare to Europe alone costs what was the entire budget of my first production."

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It's all for the money, honey!

Sylvester Stallone is mighty excited about his Bollywood debut in Sajid Nadiadwala's Kambakth Ishq. However, Hollywood sites and blogs don't share his enthusiasm.

Recently, Perezhilton.com, a popular blog that writes about various actors remarked on Stallone's current financial state. In the past, Perez has also remarked about how Stallone is reviving the Rocky series to pay off his debt. Recently, the bog posted an article on how Stallone is going all out to try and make as much moolah as possible.

The blog posted about a Stallone signing a contract with a Russian vodka company and compared that to his stint of venturing into Bollywood films. Stallone has managed to sign the deal for 1 million dollars. Sources reveal that he also got paid 10 crore for his role in Kambakth Ishq.

A source reveals, "One of the biggest reasons for Stallone working in Kambakth is the money he's offered. Even though Rocky Balboa opened well, it didn't do as well as the other movies in the series." Stallone is playing himself in the movie and recently shot with Akshay and Kareena in the US.

When contacted, Sajid Nadiadwala says, "I have stayed in his mansion at Beverly Hills and driven in his million-dollar car so I don't know where all this is coming from. But it's interesting how Hollywood is sitting up and taking notice of our talent. We've grown up watching Stallone's movies. How much money he made or his financial background was not my concern when I signed him. If Bollywood is doing well for itself, there definitely will be attempts to pull it down."

Denise Richards told Larry King that she did a reality show, because she needed the cash to support her daughters. Apparently Denise gets $52,000 a month tax-free in child support. Denise also appeared on the Ellen DeGeneres show and spoke about earning extra income to support her family.

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Sylvester Stallone shoots for Kambakht Ishq

Sajid Nadiadwala has always been known to be a generous producer who doesn't believe in any kind of compromise when it comes to his films. His latest production Kambakht Ishq, directed by debutante director Sabir Khan has been in the news right from the day when the film was announced. After all, the film stars two of the hottest actors in the industry- Akshay Kumar and Kareena Kapoor. Add to it, news that Sajid was even planning to rope in some Hollywood biggies such as Sylvester Stallone etc. for this film and expectations from this film only got bigger and bigger.

Recently, Sajid fulfilled his much cherished dream and got none other than Sylvester Stallone (the legendary actor of films like Rocky and Rambo) shoot for his film Kambakht Ishq. Sly, (as he is known) arrived bang on time at 9 a.m. on the sets at the Kodak theatre in Hollywood, Los Angeles. Bollywood's very own Khiladi, Akshay Kumar was present and the duo shot for an 'award ceremony' scene at the very place where the prestigious Academy Awards are held. Surely, there couldn't have been a better place for Nadiadwala to shoot this scene for his film which is set against the backdrop of Hollywood. Holly Vance, the sensuous and pretty actress (of Entourage fame) was also present on the sets along with Stallone.

While Akshay was seen in a white suit, Sylvester Stallone was dressed at his formal best in a black suit. Stallone and Akki hit it off really well and spoke at length as if they had known each other for a long time. Apparently, Stallone was really impressed by Akki's physique and fitness routine, all about which he enthusiastically enquired. Akshay, no wonder, is seen grinning from ear to ear, after all it's not everyday that the world's most popular action hero congratulates you for your physique.

After shooting the awards ceremony sequence at the Kodak theatre, the cast and crew of Kambakht Ishq shifted to the famous Universal Studios L.A, where Stallone participated in a Rambo-like action sequence with none other than Bollywood hottie Kareena Kapoor. The duo shot for a scene where Sly rescues Kareena from a dangerous situation. The action packed sequence was co-ordinated by noted action director Spiro Razatos who has in the past worked on films like Vantage Point, 21 Grams and Bad Boys 2. After the shot, the Hollywood hunk was really impressed with Bebo and even told her , "You are a pretty girl." Bebo couldn't stop gushing on being complimented by Slyvester Stallone.

For producer Sajid Nadiadwala this was certainly one shooting experience which he wouldn't forget for the rest of his life. An emotional Sajid said , "Its indeed a highpoint of my career to be working with an icon like Sylvester Stallone .We have all grown up on Rocky and Rambo. And today I feel blessed at having the opportunity of working with him right here in Hollywood." As for Sly, he surely had a good time with the cast and crew. While almost all his dialogues in the film are in English, there is a scene where the macho actor even speaks in Hindi. Wow! Now Sly, saying his lines in Hindi is something we can't wait to watch. Producer Sajid Nadiadwala just hopes that this film serves as a pipeline for opening up more Bollywood- Hollywood ventures in the future. "I guess one door opens the door to many others. This has been an enriching experience for all of us. And I am sure this is just the beginning of our company's association with Stallone", signs off the producer.

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Akshay to share screen with Sylvester

This is perhaps the biggest casting coup in Bollywood. Rambo and Rocky legend Sylvester Stallone has been signed by Sajid Nadiadwala to act in his film Kambakkht Ishq starring our own action king Akshay Kumar and the sexy Kareena Kapoor.

And, for the first time in Indian cinema, a Bollywood film will be shot almost entirely inside Hollywood’s grand Universal Studios.
“Akshay plays a Hollywood stuntman and Stallone plays himself,” said a source. Sajid got Susan Paley Abranson and Justine Hempe, the casting directors of Entourage, the hit US reality show, to get him Hollywood stars for Kambakkth Ishq.
“Sly, who is impressed with Sajid’s earlier films, signed the contract after going through the usual formalities,” revealed the source.

When contacted, Sajid confirmed, “Yes, I have signed Sylvester Stallone. Since Kambakkth Ishq is based in Hollywood, it made sense to cast mainstream American stars in it. This film is one of my most ambitious ventures and I didn’t want to leave any stone unturned.” The filmmaker who has given back-to-back mega hits, the latest being Heyy Babyy, starts pre-production work on the 90 crore film next week. Prashant Shah, the line producer of the film in LA said, “Deepa Mehta, Meera Nair and Gurinder Chadha, all Indians of international origin, have made a splash in Hollywood. But this is the first time a mainstream Indian producer is making such an international film. We are looking at other Hollywood names to join the cast.”

For debutant director Sabir Khan, this is a dream come true. “It’s an exciting merger of Hollywood and Indian cinema. I couldn’t ask for more. Kambakkht Ishq will truly be India’s first international film,” said Khan.

Sajid’s production house rolls next with an animated version of the Salman Khan hit Judwaa. Followed by a film with Siddharth Anand that reportedly will star Saif Ali Khan and Ranbir Kapoor. And a film starring Akshay Kumar, Deepika Padukone, Riteish Desmukh and three more top actors titled Housefull.

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