'Judwa' Movie Review

It is not realistic, nor is it sensible. It's loud. It's over the top. Some of it tests the line between funny and tasteless. Production values matter not. Neither does the script. Yet, Producer Sajid Nadiadwala was discussing the possibility of its sequel starring the same lead actor. Because thisDavid Dhawan-directed comedy works!

Raja and Prem are judwaas (twins) separated at birth because of a power struggle between their father (a cop) and a criminal on the run. Raja -- presumed dead by his family -- is lost in the streets and grows up to be a thief (a la Dharmendra inYaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)), and Prem, a singer and musician, grows up in the U.S., hopelessly in love with all things Indian. They have their lovely ladies, of course -- Mala (Karisma Kapoor) and Roopa (Rambha). Will Raja and Prem discover they're brothers? Will their father suffer at the hands of a dangerous criminal (Mukesh Rishi, most well known for his fantastic performance in Sarfarosh (1999)), given at least Prem's non-violent ways? Complete with a bunch of excellent supporting actors, and a climax withdishoom dishoom to Latin jazz of all background score elements (!), there's much fun to be had in Judwaa, which falls in the 'I never imagined I'd like this film' category.


Ooi Maa, two Salman Khans!


The Eros Entertainment DVD (purchased from their online store) reads: 'Suitable only for persons of 12 years and over'. This is a good thing, and I wish our distributors (and consumers; parents?) paid more attention to these ratings. The case also suggests that the film is subtitled in English, which the disc does not live up to. I'm not sure if the issue is unique to my copy, or if it's an issue with the specific edition. Either way, it's a shame, because there is a lot of fun to be had with the dialogue in this film. Since I cannot share any with you, how about some fun with frames?

Let's begin with Raja and Rangeela (Shakti Kapoor) in prison, who don't hesitate to plot a robbery outside a bank, wearing prisoners' clothes as soon as they're let go.


Of course, this film followed the phenomenal success of Raja Hindustani(1995) and Rangeela (1994). The heroine from the former is hummingPardesi Pardesi here before being surprised. Karisma, please come back!


Raja's jewelry shopping etiquette is consistent with his net worth.


And Prem the NRI is in love with all things Indian. References includeAishwarya Rai (at the time, of course, Salman was dating her), Madhuri Dixit (who is to him what Juhi is to Aamir, and Kajol to Shah Rukh) andGovinda!


He falls for Roopa (Rambha).


They make for an interesting pair. Or do they?


Salman has always been one of the best at street fights, and there's plenty of evidence here. This might not be the popular stance in the blogosphere, but I'm definitely looking forward to his upcoming Veer.


The supporting cast adds a lot. It includes the scheming Kader Khan(Mala's father) and his brother-in-law in the film, Tiku Talsania.


Anupam Kher (right) and Satish Shah are at their finest, and inject comic relief in an all-out comedy, if that makes sense. Who do you think the boss is?


Bindu is quite effective. There's a scene in particular in which Raja mistakes her for Roopa, which is just howlarious.


Among others are my favorite filmy parents Reema Lagoo and Dalip Tahil.


Like Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Judwaa is packed with references to Indian pop culture. As is the concern with that 1994 classic (which is undoubtedly a much, much better and more complete film overall), there is greater than normal risk involved for non-Hindi speakers unfamiliar with these references to interpret all the referencing and slang as pointless and not funny. Besides, there are lines such as these that get me: 1. From Star TV to Doordarshan! 2. Tu Meri Hai Pepsi Cola Main Tera Hoon Coca-Cola (You're my Pepsi, I'm your Coke; how's that for a pick-up line?). It's all banal, yes, but somehow, the cast sells it, and it only contributes positively to the identity of the film.

The songs aren't special, but the lyrics (Dev Kohli) to the music (Anu Malik) make the intergation of the soundtrack bearable. Tan Tana Tan is still extremely popular. Others include Oonchi Hai Building and Duniya Mein Aaye Ho, and as one can tell, they stay true to the narrative. A special mention to a ridiculously composed tune to Saare Jahaan Se Achha, a fair quality video of which I cannot find online.

It's Salman who makes this film entertaining. The twins are complete opposites of one another in their behavior, speech, dress, and philosophies, and he's great in both roles. I cannot think of another current actor who would have done better than him here. Not Govinda. Not Akshay Kumar. I laughed hard and often when viewing, which means it worked for me as it was intended by the filmmakers. Did it have the same impact on those of you who've seen it, or was it just me seeing it after a difficult week? In addition, I'm not sure I'd recommend it to non-South Asian non-Hindi/Urdu speakers, because I don't believe it translates effectively across cultures either, but please correct me if I'm overlooking something there.

Fun for what it is, and as Salman says in one of his 10 Ka Dum (TV game show) blog posts (a good read), "...humor with malice towards none is as essential as oxygen!"

Movie rating: 3.5/5 (Good!)

Music rating: 2.5/5

My classification: PG-13

http://thebollywoodfan.blogspot.com/2009/03/judwaa-1997.html 

Singer Salman

Salman Khan; ‘‘My relationships have not worked because of me”

Dabangg has been the biggest hit of the year so far. Do you feel no 1ish?I was never in that race. One Friday a film called Dabangg came which no one wanted to buy initially. Everyone said pagal ho gaye hain (you are crazy), making a rural film, kya title hai and other such things. The film came and did well. So there are no hard and fast rules. If the film had not done well, they would have said, “See we had said so...”

 Anil Kapoor joked and said that he hoped you would not say anything about his film the way you did about Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish…I never said anything about Bhansali’s movie. I spoke about my first film with him Khamoshi – The Musical. It didn’t run although it was critically acclaimed. No one came to see it in the theatres. When people watched the film on DVD or on satellite channels, they said, “Such an amazing film! Why did this film not do well?” Dude you are sitting at home, doing nothing, watching the film for phukat but when the film was in the theatres, you thought who will go see a film on the hearing impaired? So there was no excitement. Today going to a theatre is a good six-hour task. It’s like going for a picnic. If you are gonna make them cry, they should enjoy that crying. They should enjoy the drama or the action you are showing. If you are going to see something that you will enjoy then half the battle is won. If I want to entertain I do cinema, if I want to send across a message, I tweet.

Your tweets which were a big hit initially have become thanda... I have been very busy, lots of birthdays. I started working out, shooting for all these films, travelling a lot too. So I’m not even thinking. It’s just hi hello what’s up. But I will get back to it more regularly.

Your charities through Being Human are going full throttle. Are you happy with the way Being Human is moving forward?Yeah kind of. It’s just started. It’s a very young foundation. It will take a lot more time for us to reach out to a larger number of people.

You reportedly asked Karan Johar for an amount of Rs 50 lakh to appear on Koffee With Karan  Yeah, for Being Human.

Some people found it shocking... Next time I will charge you too. Why not? You are selling your magazine. You are making money. You are selling that many extra copies. It’s not coming to my pocket. If your publication is making money and you know for a fact that the money is going to go straight to charity, then why not?

Young, new and aspiring actresses look on you as someone with a Midas touch. The new actress’ career gets a fillip after she’s paired with you in a film.  
That’s because I work with newcomers. The music becomes a hit, the songs are appreciated, there is that much more visibility. So everyone benefits. If you are going to cast one new girl out of so many new girls it’s obviously because that girl is damn good. And she is as good or perhaps better than the rest of the girls in the industry.

  

Kareena Kapoor has called you the Rajnikanth of Bollywood. Do you take that as a compliment? (Taken aback) See I know Rajnikanth. We’ve done some shows together. I think he is a great guy, a superb guy. He is one of the most fearless actors. He does movies but behaves like a normal person. He walks around with his white beard, with no hair. I think he is a rock star. In his personal life he does a lot of charitable work, which we keep hearing about, it is just totally fascinating. So at my age to be compared with someone like him is a huge compliment. He has achieved a lot more. He’s been around a lot more.

Do you aspire to be like him? I think everyone has his own individuality. God has made him differently and me differently. So, it is a compliment to be compared to him. He’s an original, he’s very cool. (Thinks) But I want to go on a different path. I have plans and… I don’t want to say what.

News has been trickling in that Farah Khan wants to make her next film with you... I’m not aware of that at all.

The stalemate over your equation with John Abraham has ended after you guys hugged and made up at Mehboob Studio recently.Who said that? Obviously, John has spoken about this because I have not spoken about this anywhere.

What does it take for you to forgive and be friends with someone again?Forgive and be friends again? I am not friends with him again. He was never a friend of mine. He is someone I did shows with. And that was it. After the show he goes his own way, I go mine. He says hi to me in the gym. Generally in the gym I don’t look at anyone. I just do my own thing.

So it’s the press who’s made too much of it?I just did shows with him. There was not much interaction with him at all. I don’t know John. He says ‘hello’, I say ‘hello’. 

Hundreds of people stand outside your home every day. What is the one truth you would like to share about yourself with them?(Smiles) I’m never home! I’m always working and I would appreciate it more that the time you waste in standing outside my house, you spend it with your family or at work or watch my movies. Or anyone else’s movies.

You have recently been voted the sexiest man alive. Do such epithets or topping such polls mean anything to you? They mean nothing to me. Because I don’t believe in them. Fans have voted. Thanks a lot. I really appreciate it. But that’s not me. They vote for the person who they see on camera or screen or the pictures that the best photographers take of us.

http://www.filmfare.com/articles/salman-khan-my-relationships-have-not-worked-because-of-me-2096.html 

BIGG BOSS 4 GRAND FINALE - January 08 2011

The inside story of the transformation of Salman Khan

He has hired a brand manager, has become money wise, and got rid of all distractions in the form of women. The inside story of the transformation of Salman Khan

Even as you read this, several projects are being tweaked to make room for the one star producers have put their monies on.

Boney Kapoor is turning his mutli-starrer No Entry sequel into a Salman Khan comedy. David Dhawan's Partner 2 has been shelved because Salman refused to do a multi-starrer and Atul Agnihotri's Bodyguard has gone through several changes to make it a film about Salman.

Enjoying what is undoubtedly the best phase of his professional life, Salman has turned a completely new leaf. The eternal struggle with the expanding waistline or multiplying chins apart, the 45-year-old has never looked more confident, sounded more assured and made so much money.

Producer Sajid Nadiadwala, his friend of 20 years, says it has a lot to do with the way the star has finally managed to rid himself of negative press and the bad boy image. In fact, the way Salman, known for his utter contempt for the media, has been working it, has fuelled speculations that his new image may have been sculpted by spin doctors. "There are no brains driving him, it is just Salman bhai all the way," says Sajid of Sajid-Wajid, who have been composing music for his films. Insiders say, Salman's turnaround came just before Dabangg, which was also the time Arbaaz had hit rock bottom in his career. "Salman wanted to make Dabangg work for Arbaaz," says Sajid. "And he took charge of the film like the dutiful elder brother." It also helped that there were no distractions (read women) in his life then.

Salman began with getting rid of some of the sycophants who surrounded him all the time. "When he got into TV Salman realised he needed better brains to drive a better deal for him," says a source. While negotiating for Dus ka Dum, Salman was allegedly unhappy with the way his finances were being handled. He hired business managers who took charge of his brand endorsements, television appearances and accounts. "All his peers were minting money on TV and Salman, who realised he had a fantastic connect with his TV audience, was determined to milk it," says a Salman watcher.

While Salman was paid Rs 80 lakh per episode of Dus ka Dum, for the second season, he demanded Rs 1.2 crore per episode, and got it.

With Bigg Boss, which came close on the heels Dabangg, Salman's impossibly lucky streak continued. Here too the star showed how serious he was about getting it right. He worked hard on the promos and made sure the TV channel made good the investments it had made in the star, which was Rs 24 crore. Along the way, he also assumed the role of a mentor for protégé Sonakshi and despite his breakup with Katrina, continued to be protective about her. Incidentally, post Bigg Boss, Salman has also signed three brand endorsements for Rs 15 crore.

Says Ashvini Yardi, programming head of the channel that hosts Bigg Boss, "Salman's persona appeals to both the classes and the masses. His unique sense of humour, spontaneity and ability to connect with everyone and his Dabangg attitude took Bigg Boss to new heights this season."

There is a pattern in Salman's choice of films. "He knows the audiences no longer accept him in soft, romantic roles," says an industry expert. "Tere Naam, Wanted, Dabangg have convinced him that the way to the box office is by picking up hit southern-style, male-oriented films and customise them according to his image," he says. It does not really matter who directs Salman's films, as long as he gets to call the shots.

It is a formula successfully tried out with Dabangg. Insiders says Salman is now concentrating only on projects driven by the motley crew at the Khan household, from Arbaaz to Alvira to Sohail, so that he has the last call on everything from the budget to the final product.

The new-found confidence is also attributed to his getting smart about money. With Matrix hired to manage his endorsements and finances, Salman is laying down the rules for every ramp he walks on, every ribbon he cuts. He has refused to attend awards shows unless he is given a live performance slot, for which he charges anything between Rs 1.5 crore to Rs 3 crore. For films, he is demanding something like Rs 30 crore. On several occasions he has also demanded that his remuneration be donated for his charity Being Human, which incidentally has ventured into branded retailing.

Everyone wants a piece of Salman and he is in no mood to give any. Story has it, Himesh Reshammiya, who had a famous fallout with the star from which his career never quite recovered, called him recently saying he was in the vicinity and wanted his audience for a few minutes. Salman kept him waiting for three hours, during which Himesh made several rounds of Galaxy apartments. Salman eventually met Himesh for 30 seconds, only to tell him that he had no time for him.

"For the first time in his life, Salman bhai is concentrating on himself," says Sajid. It shows, and how.