Pyaar Impossible - Movie Review

SHREK [and its instalments] has been one of the most loved movies of our times. An ogre falls in love with a princess and after overcoming their share of obstacles, the couple live happily ever after. Most Hindi movies take a similar route, don't they? We love happy endings. We want the underdog to accomplish his dreams. We feel euphoric if he walks into the sunset, holding the hand of his beloved.

A love story works if you fall in love with the on-screen characters and also if it knocks on the doors of your heart. PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE does that. PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE may not be the ultimate romantic film, but you can't deny the fact that there's something about this film that stays with you, that you carry home... sorry, carry in your heart.

PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE also works because its protagonists, Uday and Priyanka, deliver sparkling performances. No wonder, you get drawn in their world in a jiffy.

Final word? Watch PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE if you are or even if you're not a romantic. It has its heart in the right place!

In a university in California, Alisha [Priyanka Chopra] is the name of that dream everyone wished came true. The most beautiful girl on campus, she makes hearts flutter like leaves in the wind. Everybody loves Alisha.

It is no surprise then that Abhay [Uday Chopra] loves her too. Abhay is a nerdy, awkward, bespectacled geek of the college who is so far removed from her world. She doesn't even know that people like him actually exist.

One day Abhay musters up enough courage to go and express his true feelings to her and realizes that it is never gonna happen. He comes to terms with the fact that Alisha is a Princess and he is just a Geek. That is when their ways eventually part. Later, their paths cross again, as Abhay is busy trying to launch his career. Fate again brings him face to face with the woman of his dreams, Alisha.

Will Abhay have the strength to believe in himself and attempt to achieve what he never thought possible?

You may draw parallels with Chris Columbus' I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER [2009], but the fact is that Uday Chopra's story in PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE [yes, he has penned the story, screenplay and dialogue] could be anybody's story. This is not about a nerd who wants his program back from a suave hacker. It's about a simpleton, his feelings, the complications in his life and the final triumph. Haven't we seen so many jodis in real life, who may not pair off well, but look compatible? Let's not forget, opposites attract!

You may also draw parallels with Aditya Chopra's RAB NE BANA DI JODI, but writer Uday Chopra and director Jugal Hansraj steer clear of anything that could be similar to Adi's film. The [sole] similarity starts and ends with a simpleton falling in love with an attractive girl.

Uday's screenplay remains faithful to the main plot, not deviating one bit. At the same time, it could've been tighter in the post-interval portions. There were ample occasions when Uday could've opened his heart, his motive of arriving in Singapore, that he's not a nanny, that he had been cheated by Dino. But he doesn't!

Thankfully, the writing is back on track towards its climax. Right from the kiddie song, to Priyanka realising that she loves Uday, to the press conference when Uday stands vindicated and Dino exposed, the penultimate moments are the mainstay of the enterprise.

Jugal Hansraj has the trappings of a competent director. He has handled several sensitive moments with dexterity. Salim-Sulaiman's musical score is pleasant, but it can do with that extra push [promotion] from the music division. Santosh Thundiyil's cinematography is top notch. Dialogue [also penned by Uday] are straight out of life.

PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE works largely due to the efficient performances by its principal actors - Uday Chopra and Priyanka Chopra. Both deliver sparkling performances. Priyanka has evolved into a fantastic actor and this film proves it yet again. Five minutes into the film and you realise that you are not watching Priyanka, but Alisha Merchant. That's what this fine actor does to you.

Uday gets it right as Abhay. Sure, the actor has been a part of several films in the past, but this one awakens you to this sincere performer, who, unfortunately, has never got his due. He plays the role of a Geek with astute understanding and it's thanks to his super portrayal that you feel for this character. This should be the turning point in his career.

Dino Morea springs a surprise and carries off his part very well. Anupam Kher is perfect in a brief role. Advika Yadav, the kid playing Priyanka's daughter, is adorable. And a terrific actor too!

On the whole, PYAAR IMPOSSIBLE is a feel-good film. If you are a romantic, this one's for you. Even if you're not, still watch it. Its one of those films that will bring a smile on your face - something that most Hindi films don't do these days!

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Uday Chopra's Disease Impossible

Uday Chopra’s exhaustive workouts and love for running has taken a toll on his health. He has to mend his ways before his condition gets worse.

Uday is suffering from tibio-fibular dysfunction. He works out religiously everyday and his regime includes an hour of running on the treadmill which has caused this condition. The Chopra scion however isn’t worried. He says that the condition sounds scary but isn’t a very big deal. Since he runs non-stop for an hour everyday, it has taken a toll on his joints.

Uday Chopra is flat-footed, which has aggravated his condition. The actor-producer said that his flat feet have to bear his body weight, as a result of which his joints are under stress. His physiotherapist told him that he needs to change the way he puts his foot down while running. Once he changes the way he runs, everything will be fine. Uday is quite cool about his condition. He also said that he is addicted to his workouts since he has been working for years, and he loves running too much to give it up. He only needs to adopt the right technique now.

Uday doesn’t have much to do besides working out. He doesn’t have a girlfriend any more and there is nothing much to say about his filmy career. He has his family by his side. He was under depression for two years and sweating it out at the gym is a better way to beat it than eating away your worries. In any case, being at the gym increases your chance of bumping into hot chicks than chomping away on calorie-dense French Fries while watching a movie at home!

A source close to the actor told us, "Uday is soon to be a major part of YRF's film planning, as Aditya will not be able to take on all the work, which he usually does. Uday is also hinting at making his own movie as a director, so he has to be in the thick of the business, which he has long been avoiding, but now, with this new development, Aditya will have to look for someone else within the family to fill in Uday's shoes at YRF."

As an afterthought, since he is dedicated to working out, he must have built quite a physique by now. Closer to the release of Pyaar Impossible, like everyone else, he should flaunt those six-pack abs, triceps and biceps, which would be his contribution to the publicity of the movie. People will not tire of asking him how he built his physique, though he may tire of answering the question. The same thing is happening with Rani. After all, he should flaunt what he’s got and go all out for his comeback film.

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Uday & Karan's Dostana

Karan Johar has a host of friends. However, he is close only to very few. Shah Rukh and Gauri Khan are his best friends, followed by Aditya and Uday Chopra.

While Adi has a hundred different things on his mind at all points of time, Uday, the more social of the two brothers, is a constant on a certain social networking site.

In fact, Uday is on the site round the clock, and he has got best friend Karan Johar hooked on to it, too. “So much so that when they need to meet, they monitor where the other one has reached in the traffic by chatting constantly on the social networking site,” says another friend. Talk of keep your friends close... you can’t beat these two, can you?

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Pyaar possible: Now, Uday likes Priyanka!

Those on the sets of Pyaar Impossible say the producers should quickly change the title to Pyaar Possible.

Yeah, it is being insinuated that Uday Chopra really likes his co-star Priyanka Chopra a lot! The two yak so much on the sets that it is clearly evident that they have more than just their film and gizmos in common. PC readily admits, “When Uday and I are around, we can’t stop talking.’’

A joke doing the studio rounds is if Priyanka were to ever take her friendship with Uday to another level (Yawn! Currently they’re only ‘good friends’) then PC needn’t even apply for a name change. What’s with Bollywood and their silly sense of humour?

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First look at 'Pyaar Impossible'

Actor-turned-director Jugal Hansraj directs Priyanka Chopra and Uday Chopra in “Pyaar Impossible”, a Yash Raj Films romantic comedy, which went on floors this April.

The film's shooting is currently on in Bangkok, Thailand.

“Pyaar Impossible” is the story of Abhay and Alisha – Abhay who is a nerdy, awkward, socially challenged and bespectacled geek and Alisha who is the epitome of beauty that any man would willingly rip his heart out for!

And when these two worlds collide you get: 1 Beauty + 1 Geek = Pyaar Impossible!

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Behind the scenes of Pyaar Impossible

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Hit Impossible

With two failing heroes and a borrowed storyline, Yash Raj Films’ new film, Pyaar Impossible, written by and starring Uday Chopra, seems a long shot for the movie giants. Its saving grace, however, could be the feisty Priyanka Chopra.

The leading lady says, “It was the script that made me agree to do the film. And believe me, once the audiences see it onscreen, they are going to love it. Also, it is the kind of film that everyone can relate to. I related to it, and that’s what made it so exciting.”

More about the storyline that she connected with, Priyanka says, “The plot is about a geek and a beauty, and how love between them is impossible because they are so different. How could this guy get such a beautiful girl? It’s a very, very sweet film shown from the point of view of the character Abhay, played by Uday. This girl enters his life, but he can’t even talk to her because he feels that he is not good enough.”

Having recently broken up with long-time boyfriend Harman Baweja and rumoured to be dating Shahid Kapur, does Priyanka find pyaar impossible in her own life? She says, “I don’t think so. Pyaar is not impossible for anyone; you just have to find the right person. It’s a very private thing, especially for me. But the day I find my love, I will declare it. As of now, I haven’t found him. Love is very important in my life, and I am very romantic.”

Pyaar Impossible, which also stars Dino Morea as Priyanka’s onscreen boyfriend, is being promoted through a unique concept: Yash Raj has set up a website, www.pyaarimpossible.in, letting fans keep a tab on what the cast and crew of the film are up to while they shoot. Priyanka says, “The whole site is dedicated to our shooting and what happens on the sets. Like, if I sneeze, you’ll see it on the web site because the cameras will keep shooting through the day!”

The film is said to have a similar plot to Notting Hill, the hit romantic comedy starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. “There is no similarity between the two films except that both movies feature a beautiful woman and a geek. Nothing else is similar,” says Priyanka. But we beg to differ; just like in Notting Hill, here, the ‘geek’ is a bookshop owner too.

On film, she might fall for the geeky guy, but in real life, Priyanka has moved from one hunky Bollywood actor to another. We asked her how important are looks as a criteria for a partner. “Personally, I believe that looks should not be the criteria for being with someone, and that is what the film shows as well. I mean, it’s easy to say that beauty lies on the inside, but I have seen men and women who have had good-looking partners and are heartbroken when they break up. So it’s not a question of looks, but how that person makes you feel. If they look good, that’s a bonus,” she says.

The film is directed by actor-turned-director Jugal Hansraj, whose last directorial venture was 2008’s Roadside Romeo. Shooting began in April, and now, Uday and Jugal have headed to Singapore and will then go to Bangkok for a one-and-a-half month shooting schedule.

Uday’s last film was the multi-starrer Dhoom 2 in 2006. He has only ever acted in Yash Raj films, and Pyaar Impossible will mark a comeback of sorts for him. Dino’s last hit was Raaz, back in 2002.

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Aditya Chopa finally seen in open

After shunning public appearances, running away from photographers and fiercely guarding his privacy, filmmaker Aditya Chopra (pictured above) was finally seen in the open this week.

He was spotted having a relaxed lunch on Sunday (May 10) at JW Marriott hotel in Mumbai with father Yash Chopra, mother Pam Chopra and younger brother Uday.

This was a rare sight, considering the family feud that happened when Aditya divorced his wife Payal for actress Rani Mukherji. His parents had sided with Payal.

We are now waiting for the truth to come – Has Adi has left Rani and patched up with his family or the family has made peace with their son’s choice?

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John compromises for Uday Chopra

We all know what a hit John is with the women, and men! So it comes as no surprise when we hear that he gets along as famously well with his male contemporaries, as he does with his female co-stars.

Only recently, we heard that Uday Chopra had walked out of John Abraham-starrer Hook Ya Crook, only because he wanted to concentrate on his home production venture Pyar Impossible. And now news has it that Udi bhaiya has roped in John for a special appearance in his Pyar Impossible.

If sources are to be believed, John already accommodated four days from his busy schedule to make Chopra’s ...Impossible possible... that too, without any ifs and ‘buts’. Now that’s what we call true dostana.

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‘Priyanka’s drop-dead gorgeous!’

Uday Chopra is now working on his comeback film, Love Impossible. Interestingly, he is not just acting, but is also working on the script and producing the film. Directing the movie is Uday’s close friend Jugal Hansraj.

We spoke to Chopra Jr. about Love Impossible, which co-stars his favourite actress, Priyanka Chopra.

How did Love Impossible come about?
I had this idea for a really long time. Not many know that I wanted to do this film instead of Neil And Nikki. When I decided to make it, I had to sit down and reinvent the subject and idea. I had to make it more contemporary, so that it blends with today.

After co-writing the script, I realised that the main lead had to be me, since he had many similarities with me. Jugal Hansraj, my friend, was making Roadside Romeo then. I asked him to direct my film, and he agreed.

Then we met Priyanka and she said yes. It’s a sweet film, and plays on my strength. Since I have written it, I have put myself out there!

Buzz is that the film is semi-autobiographical. Is it?
Not really. The only similarity between the character and me is that they are both gizmo and gadget freaks. Also, my character is shy and reticent, which comes from me.

Everything else is fictional. But, yes, I agree, it is one of the characters closest to me.

Were you relieved when Priyanka agreed to do the film?
Yes, it was extremely sweet of her to say yes. She’s an actress I admire, and can’t wait to get on the sets with her.

I admire her work. She’s not only drop-dead gorgeous, but also hugely talented.

What approach are you taking to play your character in Love Impossible?
I don’t really need to display my acting skills in the film. It is more reactional – to situations, lines, dialogues and events. If I get my body language right, half the work is done.

This is the kind of approach that I want to retain throughout the making of the film. I can’t relate to stuff that’s loud and OTT (over the top). There has to be a certain subtlety to the way you perform.

Have you finalised rest of the cast besides Priyanka?
Well Dino (Morea) has agreed to do a role. It’s a very sweet role and suits him. Salim-Suleiman will score the music. I will finalise the rest of the cast soon.

About Love Impossible
Love Impossible seems to share a similar plotline with the blockbuster, Notting Hill, starring Julia Roberts and Hugh Grant. A famous actress, Priyanka Chopra, comes into a bookstore in a sleepy town, and its owner, the reticent Uday Chopra, falls in love instantly with her.

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"Do not pay any attention to rumors and speculations." Yash Raj Films

Yash Raj Films has sent a clarification to this writer, which has been reproduced verbatim:-
"This is in reference to a piece published in a Mumbai tabloid stating that DHOOM 3 would be directed by Uday Chopra. We at Yash Raj Films would like to place it on record that this information is completely baseless and false.

"Uday Chopra intends to fully devote his energies to his career as an actor, in particular some exciting projects which will be releasing next year. He is also looking forward to essaying the character of Ali again in DHOOM 3 as and when YRF embarks on it. As for who will actually be at the helm of DHOOM 3, that is an announcement that must wait for a more opportune time.

"We urge viewers and fans to not pay any attention to rumors and speculations." The clarification should put an end to all concocted stories pertaining to the film!

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Dhoom 02 - Movie Review

Cut the crap… Cut the gyan… Let's come to the point straightway: Is DHOOM 2 as big as its hype? Does it meet the monumental expectations? Or is it a gas balloon with a leak?

Yes, DHOOM 2 works big time and here's why…

Very rarely do you come across Hindi films that marry form and content so beautifully. DHOOM 2 is cool, but beneath the sheen there's substance too.

Mounted on an extravagant scale, the film is a visual delight. The film travels from one breath-taking locale to another in those 16 reels, often making your jaw drop to your knees thanks to the sweeping impact it makes.

For any sequel to score high marks, it ought to be embellished with pulse-pounding moments. DHOOM 2 is a hi-octane thriller and the thrills, stunts and pace -- vital for any thriller to strike a chord -- are sure to keep you on the edge from Scene A to Z.

Most importantly, DHOOM 2 delivers what it promises: Escapist cinema at its best!

Any hiccups? Not really, but the music could've been better. That's about it!

So, what's the verdict then? A film like DHOOM 2 raises the bar for Hindi films. If you've tasted the best, you would never settle for anything komsi-komsa stuff later, right? That's the DHOOM 2 effect. For film-makers that tread a similar path, it's going to be an added responsibility to go beyond DHOOM 2.

In terms of business, DHOOM 2 is bound to create dhoom at the ticket window. It's a box-office triumph all the way. Time for Yash Raj to pop champagne yet again!

Ali's [Uday Chopra] dream of becoming a police officer has come true. He is now ACP Jai Dixit's [Abhishek Bachchan] right hand man. Together, they are trying to keep a tight leash on the crime in India. Little do they know what they are going to be up against.

Enter Aryan -- Mr. A [Hrithik Roshan]. A hi-tech international thief. After pulling off a series of impossible heists all over the world, his next target is Mumbai, India. The case is given to ACP Jai and Ali. Helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together is ACP Shonali Bose [Bipasha Basu], Jai's college mate, now a police officer in her own right. For the last two years, Shonali has been tracking these amazing thefts and is now an expert on this thief, who no one has seen.

Once in Mumbai, Mr. A finds his match in Sunehri [Aishwarya Rai], a petty yet clever thief. She makes him an offer he finds very hard to refuse. A partnership! Aryan accepts. And so the game begins, a game of cat and mouse, a game of good v/s bad.

The cops -- Jai, Shonali and Ali -- are after the robbers -- Aryan and Sunehri. From the deserts of Namibia to the backwaters of Goa, the mean streets of Mumbai and the ancient forts of Rajasthan and finally to Rio, Brazil.

HOOM 2 is modeled on the lines of the chor-police sagas that Hindi films specialized in the 1970s and 1980s. In essence, it's not a path-breaking/inventive story, but what takes the film to dizzy heights is the sequence of events that unravel at a feverish pace. Right from the start of the film [Hrithik's first heist in Namibia; the robbing of a crown from a moving train] to his next target [robbing a precious diamond from a museum in Mumbai] to the theft in Jamnagar [Hrithik and Ash come face to face for the first time], the film whets your appetite from the word 'Go'.

If the first hour focuses on the cat-n-mouse game, the second hour changes tracks as it transforms into a love story. While the scenes between Uday and Bipasha [in a dual role] are cute, the ones between Hrithik and Ash build up slowly. The pace drops intermittently in this hour since the thrills are reserved for the penultimate reel, but a number of worthy sequences in this half conceal this tiny blemish.

Note the turning point in the tale -- the revolver sequence between Hrithik and Ash and the lip-to-lip kiss that ensues; it's an outstanding sequence from the writing, execution and performance point of view. The pre-climax -- the robbery of man-made gold coins -- as also the climax chase are breath-taking as well.

The end is distinctive and will have its share of advocates and adversaries. Yet, in all fairness, it's one of the highpoints of the sequel. Any scope for the third installment? Oh yes, there is. Don't be surprised if Abhishek and Uday embark on their third mission. As for the climax shot vis-à-vis John Abraham's surprise appearance, it's an unfounded rumor!

DHOOM 2 is director Sanjay Gadhvi's finest effort so far. The execution of the subject is such, you just can't help get transported to a world of make-believe. Gadhvi has handled a number of sequences with aplomb. The Hrithik-Ash sequence mentioned above is one of them. The dialogue between Hrithik and Abhishek -- after they've known each other's true identities -- is another. The final scene of the enterprise [it would be unfair to reveal it here!] is yet another sequence that indicates that the director has done his homework well.

Pritam's music is fair. Barring the 'Krazy Kiya Re' track and the title track [filmed on Hrithik], the score is outright mediocre. However, the saving grace is the vibrant and energetic picturization, which takes the songs to another level. The choreography of the title track by Shiamak Davar is outstanding. Vaibhavi Merchant's choreography of 'Krazy Kiya Re' is admirable as well. Salim-Sulaiman's background score is highly effective.

DHOOM 2 is peppered with good looking visual effects [Tata Elxsi], besides a stylish décor/look. The action sequences as also the stunts [Allan Amin] do complete justice to the genre and the Indian audiences are bound to gasp with disbelief. Cinematography [Nirav Shah, Vikas Shivraman] is impeccable. The camerawork can easily match international standards. Dialogues [Vijay Krishna Acharya] are wonderful. Costumes [Anaita Shroff Adajania] are upmarket. In fact, the styling of Hrithik and Ash [the tanned look et al] deserves distinction marks.

Hrithik's casting as the antagonist can be accurately called a masterstroke. He's the actual star of DHOOM 2, the real scene stealer. In fact, you can't imagine any other actor enacting the cool robber with such precision. If there's anyone who's bound to benefit the maximum from DHOOM 2, it's Hrithik. No two opinions on that!

Abhishek in DHOOM 2 is what Shashi Kapoor was in Amitabh Bachchan starrers. Important yes, but relegated to the backseat. Abhishek does a fine job nonetheless. Only thing, he needs to take care of his appearance and posture when he's pitted against someone with a personality like Hrithik.

Aishwarya evolves into a different person in DHOOM 2. Her tanned makeup, her styling, her performance, it's a different Ash here. It's a complete departure from what Ash has done in the past. Does it work? Of course, she is in form!

Bipasha is just about okay as the cop, but is lively as the twin sister. Uday irritates at times, but handles a few scenes well. His portions with Bipasha's twin sister in Rio are sure to bring a smile on your face. Rimi Sen is hardly there.

On the whole, DHOOM 2 is a winner all the way. At the box-office, the film has already embarked on an earth-shattering initial and with multiple shows being conducted at multiplexes [16/18] with inflated ticket rates, the film will set new records in days to come. For Yash Raj, who've not only produced but also distributed the film, DHOOM 2 should emerge as one of the biggest hits of their career. Blockbuster!

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Ali is like the North Star, Uday

He made us fall in love with him when he portrayed the character of Ali in Dhoom. Now he is back with its sequel and Ali is all set to rock again. Meet Uday Chopra, in an inter view where he speaks about his career, interests and forthcoming film Dhoom II.

The only producers who seem to cast you seem to be Yash Raj. Do you ever feel that in a perverse manner, the industry has not given you your due, simply because you are the son of Yash Chopra?
I don’t believe that the industry has not given me my due. In this place talent speaks for itself. I will not use the excuse of being Yash Chopra’s son as a means of justifying why other producers have not cast me. If I am good I will get work. If I haven’t got work then I will just have to prove that I am deserving. Whatever the future of my career may be, it’s in my hands through what I do and not because of my surname.

What was it like this time around as compared to the first time? Did you miss John’s presence on set?
Dhoom was the first time we were attempting something like this and it was new for all of us that’s why I will always have a sense of magic associated with the film. However Dhoom II had so many friends all together so the fun of working was literally doubled. Not having John and Esha, did feel strange but we would always reminisce about them on the set and yes we did miss them.

You have known Hrithik and Abhishek since childhood. Has your equation with them changed at all since you were children? What was the experience like shooting with them?
They are two of my closest friends and no our equation is still very much the same as it has always been. We always seem to have the best time together and working together especially in a film like Dhoom II was amazing. We were either working or having fun there was no third emotion during the entire shoot of this film.

What was it like working with two of the hottest women around: Aishwarya and Bipasha? How many scenes do you have with them in the movie?
This has to be a rhetorical question cause naturally working with these two women cant be anything but mind-blowing! I think both are just amazing women and working with them is super. As for scenes I had more work with Bipasha and not so much with Aishwarya.

How has Ali’s character grown over the course of the sequel? Have you done anything differently as compared to the first one?
Ali is like the North Star, always constant no matter what situation he is in. That is one of the great things about this character. I didn’t really have to do anything that differently because Ali is a character that doesn’t really change. He is the same innocent, funny, smart alecky kind of person, no matter where he goes. According to him if he is not in Nagpada then all he knows is that he is somewhere else, so be it Goa or Rio Ali is totally comfortable wherever he goes.

Dhoom ended with you turning a new leaf and becoming a cop of sorts. Will you be a cop in the sequel or back to your con ways?
In this film he has now become a cop because he did turn over a new leaf in the last film. So he does continue to don the mantle of a cop and he is very proud of being one but besides that everything else in his mind is pretty much the same.

Dhoom 2 is your first sequel. Was it difficult to repeat the mannerisms and character of the first Dhoom?
As for the mannerisms again I purposely didn’t want to change anything because it had worked so well the last time but we did try and change the look of the character this time. Now since he is a cop instead of giving him the same long hair we cut it short, but at the same time retained the bandana. We also cut out his jackets and layered look and gave him more of a leaner feel in the film. So all in all Ali has gone thru a change in look but in essence he is still very much the same.

How do you like the music of “Dhoom:2” as compared to the first one? Is it as good.
The music this time round is much bigger than before and by bigger I mean it’s much more punchy and massy. Almost every song has been treated in a grand scale. I can’t decide between the two albums cause I loved the first one too but I will say that if Dhoom is about speed and adrenalin then this album is twice as high in energy than the last one – simply put - it Rocks !

What was the best moment in the shooting of this movie?
The best moment I can remember was when we were shooting the climax song of the film in Rio. It was night time and we were on the streets of Rio with a lot of dancers and junior artistes from there. Around 2 am in the morning when everyone was a bit tired and just sitting around and the lighting for the next shot was going on, I plugged in my ipod to the speakers and just blasted the song Kajra re from Bunty aur Babli. What followed was just unbelievable because each and every person just got up and started to dance. Abhishek and Ash actually started to perform on the stage there and we had the entire Rio crowd dancing and clapping for us for putting up this impromptu show. They were blown away by the music and everyone just went crazy dancing and enjoying themselves. It just made me realize the kind of life the people have in Rio. They are so driven by song and dance that it’s in their bones and that feeling is what engulfed us that night and just swept everyone away.

Do you think Dhoom II can outdo the success of Dhoom?
It better. Dhoom II is definitely bigger than Dhoom was and there is much more in it than what one got in the first part so yes I think it should blow the first part right out of the ballpark but then again that’s just what I hope for. I guess come November 24th we will all know what happens.

Did you do all the stunts yourself? What was it like?
A lot of the stunts were done by me in this part as well but nowadays there is so much safety and precaution that its not really that scary. Its like going for a ride on a roller coaster. Everything is taken care of for you. All one really has to do is give the right expressions.

Will we see a Dhoom III?
Good question. But I’m really the wrong person to ask this question to. I think you need to redirect it to Mr. Aditya Chopra. If he decides there will be a Dhoom III, then it will. However at the moment there is no activity towards it - but yes it is a distinct possibility.

You had Esha Deol as your love interest in Dhoom. Will it be Bipasha Basu this time?
Ali as usual keeps falling in love with every girl he sees. In the last film it was Esha and in this film it is Bipasha but whether or not she reciprocates his love is something that one will be able to see only once the film is out.

This time the starcast is even bigger. Any apprehensions of getting lost in the crowd of Abishek, Bipasha, Hrithik and Aishwarya?
Well if I get lost in this crowd then it is a pretty distinguished crowd to get lost in but honestly its not about me getting lost in a crowd. It’s a film and the film is about the characters of these 5 people so if the character is strong it will stand out.

Which one was more difficult to shoot Dhoom or Dhoom II?
I’d have to say Dhoom II was probably tougher cause it has a lot more going on in it. There are so many different locations, much more action and many more characters and plus at the end of the day it’s Dhoom II. 2 being the definitive number here so it has to be at least twice the fun of the first film and to multiply a film by 2 takes a lot of work so yes it was tougher and not just for me but for the entire crew too.

We have seen so little of you except Neal ‘n’ Nikki. Why aren’t you signing more films?
I’ve always said that I rather do no work than do stuff that I don’t enjoy. I’m probably not really in a position to be picky and choosy but then again I can’t see myself doing things that doesn’t excite me. As far as work is concerned there is plenty out there but the stuff that I want doesn’t come to me and the stuff that comes to me I don’t want. So until one of the two things start to happen, I guess it will be a work in progress.

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Dhoom 2 - Movie Preview

If DHOOM took your breath away, DHOOM 2 is all set to leave you gasping for more!

DHOOM had Abhishek Bachchan, Uday Chopra, John Abraham, Esha Deol and Rimi Sen while the sequel has retained only Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra, other additions being Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai and Bipasha Basu in lead roles.

Pritam has composed the music; while Salim-Sulaiman have rendered the background score. Bipasha Basu and Vishal Dadlani (of Vishal-Shekhar duo) have sung the songs 'My Name is Ali' (along with Sonu Nigam) and the English version of DHOOM respectively.

DHOOM 2 reinvents the action comedy genre and propels it into the 21st century.

The world's oldest desert, the Namibia...

A solitary railway line...

A royal family on a royal journey...

From the sky, like lightning... a FLASH!

The centuries old Royal Crown is stolen!

Read on to know the story....

Ali's (Uday Chopra) dream of becoming a police officer has come true. He is now ACP Jai Dixit's (Abhishek Bachchan) 'right hand man'. Together, they are trying to keep a tight leash on the crime in India. Little do they know what they are going to be up against.

Enter Aryan - Mr. A (Hrithik Roshan) - A hi-tech international thief. After pulling off a series of impossible heists all over the world, his next target is Mumbai, India. The case is given to ACP Jai and Ali. Helping them put the pieces of the puzzle together is ACP Shonali Bose (Bipasha Basu), Jai's college mate, now a police officer in her own right. For the last two years Shonali has been tracking these amazing thefts and is now an expert on this thief, who no one has seen.

Once in Mumbai, Mr. A finds his match in Sunehri (Aishwarya Rai), a petty yet clever thief. She makes him an offer he finds very hard to refuse. A partnership! Aryan accepts.

And so the game begins - a game of cat and mouse - a game of good V/s bad.

The "COPS" - Jai, Shonali and Ali; and they are after Aryan and Sunehri - "The ROBBERS".

From the desert of Namibia to the backwaters of Goa, the mean streets of Mumbai and the ancient forts of Rajasthan, and finally to "Wild n Exotic" Rio, Brazil.

Does ACP Jai Dixit manage to nab Mr. A? Or does Mr. A prove to be too much for him?

Never-Seen-Before Action Sequences, Hi-Tech Heists, Breathtaking Hi-Speed Chases, Non-Stop Laughter and Excitement will lead you to the answer to these questions.

Go On...! Enjoy the RIDE...!! ONCE AGAIN...!!!

To view more details about each character, read further.

JAI DIXIT (ABHISHEK BACHCHAN)
In a world ridden with crime and criminals, the need of the hour is a law enforcement officer who can bring things to order. A tough yet sharp Super Cop.

ACP Jai Dixit is all this and more. A Super Cop with a mission... to put an end to crime. As always he believes that it is his job to eliminate crime, not the criminal. A no-nonsense police officer, he fights his battle against all odds and leads from the front. His latest assignment - Mr 'A' - an international thief. How do you catch a thief who leaves behind no clues... who no one has ever seen.

Jai Dixit has a plan. He rises up to the challenge and is soon on the trail of the Master Thief. But is it that he has met his match this time?

ARYAN (HRITHIK ROSHAN)
He works alone!

He trusts no one!

No one has seen him!

He pulls off the most daring and impossible heists. He comes out of nowhere and disappears without a trace. Police all around the world are baffled. His methods are innovative and modern. His planning, flawless.

He's cool, he's hot. He's smooth yet tough. With looks that could make any woman go weak in the knees, there is finesse in everything he does. A connoisseur, he has style and a fine taste for all the things in life; be it food, wine or clothes.

As Jai Dixit says at one point... He's the perfect thief!

He is Aryan. He is the elusive Mr. "A"!

But it is said that all criminals make at least one mistake.

Does Aryan slip up? Does he make that one fatal error?

SUNEHRI (AISHWARYA RAI)
Sunehri, the "golden girl" treats every opportunity as a golden chance. She stays in the suburbs of Mumbai, but dreams big. She dreams of Amsterdam, of Australia... even America.

Spunky, spontaneous and sexy, Sunehri lives life one day at a time. The danger or repercussion of anything never occurs to her sharp yet innocent mind. And that is probably because nothing really bad has ever happened to her. But the most significant event that does occur is when Aryan comes into her life. From that moment her life takes a new turn; actually a couple of turns. The resulting 'spin' takes her on a ride she won't forget in a hurry.

SHONALI BOSE (BIPASHA BASU)
She is attractive, intelligent, vivacious, honest, sexy, hardworking, beautiful and an awesome dancer. All these qualities not being any kind of pre-requisite, she is a police officer. ACP Shonali Bose is a cop and a damn good one. Like her college mate Jai Dixit, she too works in great detail to get into the mind of the criminal. And that's what she has done for the last two years. She is an expert on Mr. "A". Having won many medals for being the best sharpshooter in the force, it can be said that she never misses her target. The only difference between her and Jai is that she wouldn't think twice before shooting down a criminal.

Nothing personal... it's just what she believes - one criminal dead is one criminal less!

ALI (UDAY CHOPRA)
His "Mummy" is definitely watching over him as his guardian angel. But Ali still doesn't take his life too seriously. Although, he is now a police officer and Jai Dixit's partner, the equation between them is still the same. He still loves riding his bike. He still falls in love with every single woman he meets! And he still gets regularly reprimanded by Jai Dixit. He still has his yellow bike and still feels very much at home in Jai's house. He still believes that life is simple and that it is we who complicate it. He still has a big heart and a smile that is even bigger. And it is still true that he and Jai make a great team. He is fiercely loyal to Jai and if push comes to shove, he will go to any extent to fight for him.

And he's still funny... actually... funnier!

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DHOOM 2 - Music Review

Dhoom Machale was the biggest chartbuster of 2004 and the track was the year’s largest selling ringtone as well. Dhoom 2 – the sequel of the 2004 action adventure is arriving. Undoubtedly the movie promises to be bigger and better! So does the music. Two years back music director Pritam Chakravarthy gave his first independent hit in the form of Dhoom and came in the top league. Ever since then he has been riding high. Life comes a full circle for Pritam with the sequel of Dhoom. Expectations are inevitably rife. What’s interesting is that lyricist Sameer enters the Yashraj camp with this film. What’s the result? Read on…

‘Crazy Kiya Re’ marks an apt start to the album and is an instantly catchy number. Opening with an English chorus, Sunidhi Chauhan quickly takes over and is at her vivacious best. ‘Sexy lady on the floor, keeps you coming back for more’ sings the chorus and rightly so as the sensuous voice of Sunidhi makes you come back to this track for more. Pritam’s music is familiarly unsophisticated and yet amazingly appealing. It won’t take you long to get on the dance floor and groove your leg. There’s nothing exceptional about Sameer’s lyrics with the usual ‘chori kiya, jhoome jiya, crazy kiya’ rhymes but then who’s complaining. Crazy Kiya Re isn’t a lyric based song but makes you crazy with its zippy music and zany singing. You love it in its entirety and think that it can’t get better until you come across the remix.

Agreed that the ‘Remix version’ doesn’t serve anything new from the original apart from the regular disc scratching breaks, added rapping and a faster pace. But then Dhoom is all about pace and that essentially acts as the USP of this track. Remixed by Bunty Rajput (who was also the song programmer of Dhoom), what sets the remix apart is the accelerator vroom reverberation just before the end of every verse, thereby giving it a speeding effect.

Next comes the much awaited title track of the Dhoom sequel. Pritam always quoted that the pressure was immense on him to recreate the magic of Dhoom. To maintain the trademark touch from the original version and yet create a new identity for the title track wasn’t an easy task. Moreover while the original was a female track, he primarily hands over the mike to a male singer this time.

The choice of Vishal Dadlani as the lead singer of ‘Dhoom Again’ comes as a surprise. Not because Vishal is a composer himself but because the husky and deep-base voice that he is known for (‘Sholo Si’ in Shabd or ‘Mama Told Me’ in Ek Ajnabee) isn’t used to that effect. Instead Pritam makes him sing rather clear-throated. Dominique Cerejo gives him good company as the female voice.

Starting with a water gushing sound and an extended percussion, the base tune of ‘Dhoom Again’ is same as the original. However, while in the prequel there were two separate versions of the title track (in Hindi and English), this time there is only one version and the entire song is composed with English lyrics. Dhoom Machale are the only Hindi words in the otherwise English song written by Asif Ali Beg. Perhaps that’s intentional to give an international feel to the music and the movie. The track is a little too heavy on percussions but perhaps the effect might show onscreen.

But the major highlight of the song arrives in the form of a whistling interlude (the one heard in the opening note of the trailers) which in most probability will be the theme piece played in the background score at regular intervals. This interlude is repeated in the song after each stanza with the whistling switching to synthesizer notes. Undoubtedly this would be the most popular whistle on everybody’s lips and the theme piece promises to be a popular ringtone on mobile sets, once the music is out.

The theme piece that you loved in Dhoom Again opens ‘Dil Laga Na’ with new instrumentation. Designed as a climax song with all the five lead players of the film coming together, this one is a complete situational track. Sukhbir, Soham Chakrabarthy, Jolly Mukherjee, Mahalaxmi Iyer and Suzanne form the voices of the five characters. Sukhbir adds a bhangra flavour, Mahalaxmi Iyer brings in the mushy lovey dovey touch, Jolly Mukherjee (the singer from late 80s who started with Chandni O Meri Chandni makes a comeback to the Yashraj camp) sings to a hoarse effect and Suzzane adds fire playing the sizzling seductress’ part. Soham Chakrabarthy is overshadowed in the crowd. The Dhoom Machale theme from the prequel constantly plays in the background. More than audible appeal this song would be having visual appeal.

Sonu Nigam in his saccharine sweet vocals takes charge of ‘My Name is Ali’. The setting (NOT the tune) instantly reminds of Dilbara with Uday Chopra trying to woo the lady even here. The song could well have been titled ‘Excuse Me Too Please’ for that is the line repeated for the maximum number of times in the track. But why does Sonu pronounce ‘Excuse’ as ‘Esscuse’? Is it intentional with respect to Uday’s tapoori characterization? Much has been talked about Bipasha’s singing debut with this track but she just chips in for two words in the song and not singing.

This track won’t get on you instantly as compared to the other catchy tracks of the film but with a couple of listening the menthol cool effect of the song will seep in your senses. In fact this menthol-cool feel and Sonu’s honey-soaked singing reminds one of Kishore Kumar’s melodious rendition of ‘O Hansini’ from Zahreela Insaan. Again the feel is similar, not the tune!

String instrumentation opens the final track ‘Touch Me’. This peppy and racy track with a carnival feel sets you to the foot-tapping mode. Alisha gives her patented sensual fluctuations to her voice while KK adds his trademark touch. Their singing chemistry is flawless. Pritam synthesizes the flute to a pleasing effect. Like the previous track, this one too grows on you with multiple listening.

Despite being distinctly different from each other, there is a certain common vibe amongst all the tracks of Dhoom 2 by which you can identify them amongst a lot. Now the big question – does it surpass the original? We would rather say that Dhoom 2 leaves a mark of its own.

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