Movie News
MOVIE UPDATE
The slated releases of Bollywood in May are Bhatts’ Jannat, Nagesh Kukunoor’s Aashayein and Ravi Chopra’s Bhootnath. Nagesh Kukunoor is also all set direct a sports-based big budget as yet untitled film. He is also writing its script. Kukunoor is also making a film on the legendary singer Kishore Kumar.
The release of Shoaib Mansoor’s Khuda Kay Liye in April was a historic event because a Pakistani film was released in India after a hiatus of almost four decades. The film dealing with the subject of Islamic fundamentalism and starring Naseeruddin Shah has already created a storm in the international film circuit.
Tanuja Chandra’s English film Hope and a Little Sugar was released in India in April after it premiered in New York at the South Asian International Film Festival. The film, which marks the return of Mahima Choudhary after a hiatus, has garnered rave reviews.
After Honeymoon Private Travels Ltd, the well-appreciated duo of Shabana Azmi and Boman Irani team up again in Onir’s Sorry Bhai. They play the parents of two sons, played by Sanjay Suri and Sharman Joshi, in the movie.
There are reports that JP Dutta is thinking of reviving his film Choodiyan 15 years after it was shelved. The filmmaker, who had earlier planned the film with Sanjay Dutt and Raveena Tandon, wants to revive the original youthful romance with Abhishek Bachchan stepping into Sanjay’s shoes. But it remains to be seen if Abhishek will be enthusiastic about this project after a debacle called Umrao Jaan!
MOVIE REVIEW
Race
Starring: Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Akshaye Khanna, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif
Directors: Abbas-Mustan
Music Director: Pritam
Now here’s some real paisa vasool entertainment for the audiences. After duds like 36 China Town and Naqaab, the Baazigar directors Abbas-Mustan are back in their element with this thriller that keeps you on the edge of your seat while it moves at breakneck speed. The film boasts of a super cool look, awesome action sequences, a good music score and some great performances by Saif Ali Khan and Akshaye Khanna.
Shot extensively in South Africa, Race is the story of two stepbrothers, Ranvir (Saif) and Rajiv (Akshaye), who are the biggest bookies in the horse racing circuit. While Ranvir is the aggressive one, Rajiv is laidback and a chronic alcoholic. Though Sophia (Katrina) is in love with her boss Ranvir, he fancies Shaina (Bipasha), an Indian model. However, a twist in fate sees Shaina married to Rajiv. Her world is shattered when she discovers that her husband is an alcoholic. Then begins an affair between Ranvir and Shania with disastrous consequences and, yes, you guessed it—eventually, a murder is committed! At this point, flamboyant Detective RD (Anil Kapoor) steps into the picture with his sexy but dumb assistant ((Sameera Reddy) and then begins an intriguing investigation. Unexpected twists and turns at every step make the climax impossible to predict.
Bipasha is hot, Katrina is eye candy but has a long way to go as far as emoting goes, and Sameera does her bimbette act to perfection. But it is the guys Saif and Akshaye who steal the show. The Anil Kapoor-Sameera track, by the way, is the weakest link in the story. The humor could have been subtler. Another drawback of the film: its story is not too convincing.
Anyway, don’t miss Race if you are in the mood for some racy, musical entertainment.
Enjoyed reading Khabar magazine? Subscribe to Khabar and get a full digital copy of this Indian-American community magazine.
