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As Shah Rukh celebrates his 44th birthday at home, what better time to do a blog post tribute to the man who caught me hook, line and sinker on his birthday. Lots of people ask me why Bollywood? What was the one thing that caught my attention long enough to turn a one time movie viewing experience into an obsession, I'd say it was 100% Shah Rukh Khan. So, as I join the millions of people who proclaim their admiration, here's a few of the reasons why he has captured my heart.


The first Hindi films I saw were Shah Rukh's, and I have since seem almost all of his major movies. Almost all of my fav films so far belong to him including Om Shanti Om, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna... Well the list goes on and on. You get my point. Plus, even though every movie may not be a hit, he has played some pretty fantastic and memorable roles. I'm pretty sure that Raj Malhotra is one of the best known and most recognized characters in recent history.


That smile, those eyes, that hair. In all my days I don't think I've ever come across a man as insanely gorgeous as Shah Rukh. Of course, most of my friends don't get it, but to me he is the epitome of sexiness and masculinity. He is a combination of irresistible charm, intelligence and confidence, all which make up the perfect fantasy man. Also, even though I dare say he's no spring chicken anymore, there's something to be said for a man who continues to take care of himself. I challenge anyone to argue that his Dard-E Disco persona is not 100% HOT!


Whether getting honors in school as a kid or using his business talent to secure endorsements, there's no denying that he's one smart cookie. If he spends half of his time filming movies, the other half is spent managing his businesses. He owns Kolkata Knight Riders, has dabbled in real estate in Dubai, and owns the production house Red Chilies. Brand SRK is an entity all it's own and one that I'm sure will continue to thrive and grow.


He carries his age with grace. Unlike others who are trying their best to look and stay young, I think Shah Rukh is among the very few who are embracing their age, and with it a new sense of maturity. He's been spotted with a little bit of grey in his hair and he's not afraid to play the father figure instead of always being the loverboy. Plus I love the "laugh lines" that come with age.



Whether he's fresh out the shower, shaggy hair and a t-shirt and blue jeans, or dressed for success in suit and tie, the man always looks fantastic. Some would argue with me that he's looking a little too thin or tired these days (and sometimes they're right), but he does know his style and he wears it well.


He can dance. I think he's one of the few (except for Hrithik) that actually have the moves to back up those song and dances we all love so much. I'm pretty sure I've read that he thinks he a terrible dancer, but I beg to differ. Put him in a room with Abhishek, Sanjay, Ajay, Saif, I think he'd outdance all of them and many more.



While there's something to be said for a little nepotism, I think it's much more impressive to make it in an industry like Bollywood due to your own passion and hard work, which is exactly what Shah Rukh did. Though through the years he's made many connections, ultimately it was his own drive that propelled him to the top and credit has to be given to anyone who can successfully do that.


He always has time for his fans. Well, I wish I could speak this from experience, but alas, I've yet to have the opportunity to see Shah Rukh in person (though I nearly flew down to San Jose while he was down there filming MNIK). However, I've heard second hand from various sources that he is always gracious with his fans, no matter how tired or busy he is. That's the sign of a star who knows where his fame has come from for sure.





He is extremely loyal to his family and friends. It is a fickle world, the industry of entertainment, but through it all he remains true blue to his best friends, and he is one of Bollywood's few family men that doesn't have the reputation of being a playboy. Though I think I read some stuff recently about problems in their marriage, I'd say anyone who can celebrate an anniversary as large as 18 years deserves some kind of praise.

And there you have it. Also I need to say:
Hooray My Name Is Khan is slated to be released in theatres on February 12. I'm planning my visit to the city right now!

And lastly I'm also sending birthday wishes out to Aishwarya.

Cake all round!!!!

Did you know that Aamir Khan is actually on facebook? Thanks to
Filmi Girl I added him as my friend (and it is really him) and found out today that the theatrical promo for 3 Idiots has been released. I'm not really sure what the film is about as I haven't read the book it's based on but it looks really funny.



Oh my God yaar, I can not wait for this film! I'm giddy with anticipation. Plus, is it just me or does Aamir look FANTASTIC!

Sigh.

Update Nov 7: First song release Aal Izz Well

I've always loved Halloween, but as you grow up and have kids the focus generally gets shifted to them. Tonight I'm partaking in the first adult Halloween party I'll have been to in over 5 years. A couple of friends of mine asked what I was going to be and just assumed that I'd go decked out in saree. While I refused to do so (saree for me isn't a costume) I wasn't amazed at the amount of Bollywood themed costumes out there, however, they are not all good. Would you dress up in this?:



At any rate, being a lover of Halloween, I was inspired to do a youtube search for scary Bollywood. I'm not a fan of scary movies and haven't yet seen a Hindi horror, though I just purchased Bhool Bhulaiya and I think that is supposed to have a little bit of suspense in it. Also I have to admit there was one scene in Ishq that kind of freaked me out, even though the movie is not a horror (I am a total wuss I know). Check out the video at about 9 minutes.





I also found this:


Okay, this isn't that scary. But I want to know how big this house is and why is she all alone in it?

How are you celebrating Halloween this year? Do you have a favorite scary movie?

*contains spoilers*

I'm pretty sure this movie was a giant flop in cinema's, at least I think that's what I read somewhere. But I tend to ignore critics and watch films anyway. Sometimes I pay the price, but it's very rare that I watch a film and find absolutely nothing in it that I like. The synopsis on the back of the dvd jacket didn't say much about U, Me Aur Hum other than it was a love story set aboard a cruise ship starring Ajay and Kajol and directed, for the first time, by Ajay. What they didn't say was that the film would deal with Alzheimer's, a disease which saddens and terrifies me at the same time. I am a sucker for a tear jerker. I cried when the Hendersons said goodbye to Harry. So, suffice to say that I reached for a kleenex or two in between my sister telling me to turn it off because she couldn't take anymore! Anyway, how's that for build up? Now on to the film.

We start off with an older dashing Ajay telling his grown son to make a move on a girl that he likes. His son tells him that he will if his dad does also with the woman of his choice. His son then picks an aged (but still terribly beautiful) Kajol. He sits with her and starts to tell her a love story. Immediately I thought, well, it's very obvious that he's telling this woman their very own story and right away The Notebook came to mind, though I think Ajay's version is very different and has just as much to offer. Where I think U Me Aur Hum falls slightly in the first half of the film is the development of Ajay and Piya's relationship, the redundant dialogues and the "in it just to be in it" comedy. It's love at first sight for him, and while Piya rejects his advances, his persistence and the fact that he's read her "Book of Possibilities" and uses it to his full advantage finally wins her over, despite his drunken attempts at wooing her through song during what seemed like some sort of cruise ship orgy club. It's smooth sailing until she finds out what a cad he's been (though I'm sure I read somewhere that all's fair in love and war), but we knew a reconciliation was in order or else it would have been an awfully short film.


There are some strangely funny bits in the first half (Ajay's recollections of a dance performance gone terribly wrong brings a smile to my lips for the sheer silliness of it all!), and some just strange bits including a small boy who stalks Ajay all over the cruise ship for purposes that seem much sinister than they actually are. Several of the jokes are put in there to fill a quota I'm sure, but doesn't add to the feel of the film in any sense (yes, I'm talking about the streaking bet and the ogling by stereotypical gay man. Ugh). It isn't until just right before interval that you know the movie's about to take a turn, and, for me, the second half was worth watching the entire movie for.


The second half of the film is very effective, and is the reason I would recommend this film. Ajay takes a look at early on-set Alzheimer's (which I did research a little for verification and it can start to set in as early as 30 years of age, though it is extremely rare) and how it affects not only Piya herself, but the people around her. Ajay includes some scenes that are very effective and chilling, from the first scene where Piya finds herself stranded on the road outside her house, to the jump rope bit to the bathtub scene with their baby. Each give glimpses of the severity of the disease and where Ajay really excels is showing how this disease effects the people around it.


This leads me into the performances. I first saw Ajay as the patient and caring husband in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, and immediately was impressed by the subtle quality to his acting. I don't think he'd be accused of that in the first half of this film, but I think redemption is all his after interval. He does an excellent job as the husband who is torn between what he thinks is the right thing to do by his wife, and what he knows is the right thing. You can see the relief in his eyes when Piya recognizes the baby she just gave birth to, the despair he feels after the above mentioned bathtub incident, and the moment when he realizes that he's lost the battle. Of the films I've seen, I think this is his finest performance so far (however, I recently acquired Omkara and can't wait to see him in that one). A quick word on Ajay the director: I don't have any experience behind a camera, but I thought that overall he did a good job. I think the vision he had for the look of the film was achieved, however, a tighter reign on some of the supporting characters may have made them a little more bearable.


Kajol is one of my favorite actresses. I've loved her from the first movie I saw her in, and I think this role is a fine example of why she remains one of Bollywood's sweethearts. She was just the right combination of cynical and playful in the first half (and during Saiyaan where the dysfunctional Piya turns, albeit briefly, into her sexy coquettish self ). Of course, just as Ajay, the second half is where she shines. Her interpretation of someone suffering from a mental illness seemed very realistic (of course this is coming from someone who has never seen the effects up close and in person). The confusion that surrounded her daily life was very well depicted and she made my heart break. I thought it was quite compelling when she did the little speech about how awful it must be for the families of Alzheimer's patients after finding the article about it. Now, that's irony!


I'm not familiar Vishal Bhardwaj's work (and I have to admit it's taking me a while to get into Kaminey's music), but he did a good job with the music in this film. The catchiest of the film is the Latin flavored Jee Lee. It definitely has some get up and go to it, and the picturization alone is enough to get me to want to go on a cruise. Mass Salsa dancing anyone? Dil Dhakda Hai is a better song without the picturization. It has some definite catchy melodies and lyrics, but I could have done without the aforementioned "orgy club". Maybe they should have bathed everyone in red like Paying Guest's 'Nazara Se Nasaria' instead of the blue. Red Light district on a cruise ship.



U Me aur Hum raises much above the light rom com's and delivers a maturely crafted movie. The sheer sincerity and intensity of the attempt involves you so influentially that you almost have no choice to put your inner critic in the backseat and let your heart take over your mind.

In a related, yet unrelated, note, I also recently took in another Ajay movie, the comedy Sunday. Also a movie that centers on memory loss, more specifically the temporary loss of one day, it is much much different than U Me Aur Hum. Admittedly, I haven't found many Hindi comedies very funny, but I actually did enjoy many parts of this one. Sunday gives an ample dose of comedy that's funny rather than asinine, and an interesting storyline including a whodunit kind of mystery that actually keeps you guessing until the very end. Though the movie isn’t a ground-breaking revolution, the screenplay and subplots makes the movie pretty interesting, especially those surrounding Arshad Warsi and Irfan Khan's characters, who have the best roles in the movie in my opinion.


I didn't want to do a full scope review on this one, but couldn't resist a couple of screen shots of what is now my favorite comedy duo.







So funny!

There is SO MUCH going on right now in Bollyland I can't seem to keep up. Today in my travels, I found lots and lots of goodies including the video of remix version of Tu Jaane Na from Ranbir and Katrina's Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani. I love Ranbir's nerd avatar. So adorable, just like this movie's going to be I hope!



While we're talking about Katrina, I hadn't seen this one yet from De Dana Dan. I love all of Katrina's looks. The movie sounds pretty funny too.



I also came across this little news bit about Aishwarya and Abhishek's Lux commercial. While it doesn't show the commercial (just poor quality excerpts), I thought that the host of the show it came from was hilarious. Wah wah wah wah wah wah wah wah!



I know I'm not first to show these, but couldn't resist posting the new movie posters for Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year and 3 Idiots.





I'd be remiss if I didn't mention Shah Rukh's recent honour from South Korea. For his contribution to art, culture and cinema, he was presented by the South Korean Government an honorary belt in taekwondo and given the title of honorary ambassador for culture and tourism. Just another feather in his overloaded cap. Now, someone please make a movie featuring Akshay and SRK as martial arts BFF's. I'm sure some stunt director could make it look like SRK knows what he's doing!



And, lastly, another SRK tidbit, and the reason I wish I lived in an area where I could actually get magazines. *sobs knowing that she'll never get the Kajol/SRK Vogue from last month*



Can I just say again how happy I am that I can once again see movies in the theatre (even though it still requires planning and 3 hours on the road). Yay!

Have a great day everyone!

Have you ever had a movie that you purchased that just sat and sat and you never watched because you didn't know anyone it or anything about it and when you finally got around to watching it you wonder why it took you so long to watch it in the first place? That's kind of how I feel about Mira Nair's Monsoon Wedding.

There are so many themes touched on in this film it's almost difficult to distinguish which is the main one. On one hand we have a film dealing with Indian values and traditions vs. Western affluence and globalization. Then we have a deep and direct look at family relations and love. Lastly we see each character's internal struggle to find who they are and where they want to be. What I really loved about this movie was how Mira has woven an elaborate ensemble piece that integrates all of these themes, culminating them into a filmi pot full of vibrant color and chaos!


That the film is sometimes hard to follow (especially at the beginning) is an understatement. There are so many characters that you don't really know who is related to who, but as the story progresses and we are introduced to a myriad of subplots, you eventually get a handle on things and get swept in the ride. The main story revolves around the arranged marriage of Aditi to NRI Hemant. Aditi is having an extramarital affair with a rather cheesy unflattering married television host and has agreed to a marriage that will not only get her out of the back seat of said tv host's car, but into America. Though the story centralizes on an upper-middle class family, we see the head patriarch struggle with how to pay for this extravagant wedding (I know of some Canadian weddings that have cost upward of $25,000 for one night - I can't imagine how much money would go into the week long celebrations of an Indian one). There is the comical and touching subplot of the wedding planner, P.K. Dubey, who ends up smitten with the family's maid, and one very disturbing subplot revolved around sexual abuse.

It is a large cast for sure, but there were really only two stand out performances for me. Naseeruddin Shah, as Lilit Varma, was wonderful as the very stressed out father of the bride. In a sensitive, complex portrayal that never feels like acting, even for a moment, he breaths life into Lilit with his facials, dialogue delivery and body language, etching each scene whether emotional or comical into your mind. Though I've seen very little of his work, I would have to say that, so far, for me this is my favorite role (though I've heard very good things about A Wednesday, so we'll see if it holds up).


My very favorite person in this film was Vijay Raaz. At first you're not sure of this character P.K Dubey. He is surly and belligerent, spouting profanities as he bickers with Varma. Then, just as it should be, he falls for Alice (Tilotoma Shome), the Verma’s live-in maid, and you see an immediate change in his demeanor. Raaz gives a very raw and natural performance, even when consuming hordes of marigolds! The scene where he declares his love and intentions to her is one of the most heartwarming I've seen so far. I'm pretty sure I clapped.




The music in the film serves more as a background score, I think, and there isn't one song that stands more than another in my mind. That being said, Mychael Danna' does do a good job on integrating several different styles into the soundtrack, combining bhangra pop features with traditional/classic music of the past. My favorite off the album is probably Sukhwinder Singh's Aaj Mera Jee Karda, which we see during the actual wedding with the streets of Delhi making an appearance, this picturization wraps up all the pandemonium with a pretty little bow.



So, there you have it. Though not a Bollywood movie, still a very decent movie with a good story and lots of heart. Also, I want to go to an Indian wedding! Someone invite me quick!

Couture week is over and ended with a bang! Shah Rukh & Gauri, Dino, Imran and Ranbir all sizzled at the grand finale of HDIL India Couture Week, strutting their stuff for K.Jo's men's collection.



Picture time...

So...much...leather.

Nice *ahem* suit, Dino!


I wish I were Gauri for soooo many reasons right now.

Is there a prettier Bollywood couple?

Shah Rukh is such a runway pro now. He was looking so serious!

Preity and Priyanka looking fantastic.

Bebo, you always look so chic. I wish Saif would stay clean shaven for a while. I miss his face.

Also, I came across this absolutely stunning magazine cover of Rani on Brit-Asian Magazine. LOVE the sunglasses.


And finally, I am SO EXCITED!!!!! Not only did I replenish my movie supply this weekend (including Shah Rukh's Paheli which I've been dying to see), but my semi-local theatre is FINALLY showing new releases again! Now there is no way I'm missing those movies I am dying to see! Hooray!