Actors SRK and Big B have become thick friends

At one point of their career they were arch rivals. But, as time progressed, SRK and Big B have become thick friends. Thanks to their new chemistry, now SRK has no qualms picking up his phone and dialing his one time rival, that too on fast dial.

The buzz doing rounds is that SRK called up Big B recently and requested to send him some extra film passes for PAA’s premiere, since his kids also want to watch Big B in his new role that has already caught the fancy of the kids. The premiere of PAA is expected to be a big affair and both Shahrukh and Aamir Khan will be present at the event along with their families.

The growing friendship between SRK-Aamir and Big B is seen as the beginning of a new camp in B-Town. With Salman Khan out of this big alliance, we wonder what else the trio plans to do besides coming to pose together at the PAA’s premiere.

Technorati Tags: SRK friends

Del.Icio.Us Tags: SRK friends

Amitabh Bachchan speaks exclusively to the BBC Asian Network

One of India’s most famous actors, Amitabh Bachchan , speaks exclusively to the BBC Asian Network next week as part of a special series of programmes to mark the actor’s 40-year Bollywood career.

On Monday, comedian and actor Sanjeev Bhaskar investigates the British-Asian community’s love affair with India’s top film star in an Asian Network Reports special. Bhaskar traces his own love affair with Bachchan (also known as Big B) - from his early memories of watching his hero on the big screen to meeting his idol for the first time. He also hears from Oscar-winning actor and friend Sir Ben Kingsley.

Bachchan reveals how his phenomenal journey began when he gave up a career in engineering to become an actor. From sleeping rough to getting his first break, he talks about arriving in Mumbai in 1969 and how he got noticed by directors.

After starring in what is thought to be one of Bollywood ’s most successful films of all time, SHOLAY, Amitabh explains how he thought he almost missed out on a bigger opportunity: "What disturbed me at that time was the fact that I couldn’t play Gabbar Singh, because I felt that was the most important and really interesting character...but we never knew what we were doing was going to turn out to be so successful".

Bachchan goes on to talk about his most memorable moments from his 40-years in Bollywood - including his infamous near death accident on the set of COOLIE (1983); how he set up his ABCL business; and how he nearly went bankrupt. He says: "All the creditors were from my own industry, and I was going to remain here as an actor...I would not be able to face them if I knew that I owed them money. So...I worked hard and I paid back every single penny."

From 1984 he took a four year sabbatical away from the industry but looking back at his decision, Bachchan questions whether he was right: "I was without a job, without money, with a huge amount of creditors. I went to Yash Chopra and said I need work. He gave me MOHABBATEIN [2000]), and slowly those character roles started coming my way."

The entire Bachchan family is recognized as an acting dynasty. Bachchan’s wife is actress Jaya Bachchan; his son, Abhishek Bachchan and his daughter- in-law Aishwariya Rai Bachchan. Aishwariya went from winning the Miss World title to becoming the highest paid and most popular actress in Indian cinema. Talking about the ’Bachchan brand’ he says: "I’m not able to understand the word brand, we’re all actors... and we are also family. We leave the home in the same car, we go to the studio and we share the same make up van and so on. But when the camera starts, we are all individuals and we play our role."

This intimate interview is packed with famous songs from Bachchan’s movies including: ZAANJER, DEEWAR, KABHIE KHABI, COOLIE; SARKAR; BUNTY AUR BABLI; and KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM.

Husain Husaini, Head of Programmes, BBC Asian Network, says: "Amitabh’s forty years in Bollywood have made him loved by Asian Network listeners of all ages. So to be able to celebrate his work with our special programmes and by getting his own perspective on his unprecedented career is a special highlight for us. The week of programmes are a must-listen for film fans and will give them a real insight into a Global superstar."

The interview with Bachchan will be on the Asian Network’s podcast from 12th December.

Del.Icio.Us Tags: AmitabhBachchan BBC

Technorati Tags: AmitabhBachchan BBC

Movie Review- PAA is an outstanding film

Can you ever imagine watching an Amitabh Bachchan film and not watching Amitabh Bachchan in it? Seems impossible, isn’t it? The towering persona and the rich baritone just cannot be overlooked. But R. Balki transforms the legendary actor into Auro, replaces the rich baritone with the voice of an adolescent [who’s neither grown up, nor a kid] and taps the hitherto untapped talent of the icon.

Trust me, 10 minutes into the film and you forget you’re watching Amitabh Bachchan. For, Auro takes over the moment he is introduced to the viewer.

PAA is a simple film told in the most simplistic manner and that’s one of the prime reasons why this film works big time. The emotions would’ve fallen flat had the writing been sub-standard or the execution of the material been humdrum or the actors been inferior. But, thankfully, PAA scores in all three departments, although it must be said that the entire slum redevelopment episode is a complete put-off.

Yet, all said and done, PAA is an outstanding film. A film for every paa, every maa... for everyone with a heart. Take a bow, Auro!

Auro [Amitabh Bachchan] is an intelligent, witty 13-year-old boy with an extremely rare genetic defect that causes accelerated ageing. He suffers from progeria. Mentally, he is 13, very normal, but physically he looks five times older.

Inspite of his condition, Auro is a happy boy. He lives with his mother Vidya [Vidya Balan], a gynaecologist, but is completely clueless of his father’s identity. Till he meets him, Amol [Abhishek Bachchan ], who is a full of ideals politician.

Okay, let’s not disrespect Balki by calling PAA a rip-off of THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON or JACK. It’s not! PAA looks at the varied relationships so minutely. It may’ve been publicized as a father-son film, but the women - mother and granny - play equally pivotal parts.

The first hour of PAA grips you in patches. The introduction of Auro is brilliant, but the moment the story focuses on the politician and his arch rival’s sub-plot, it goes off-track. Sure, there are some interesting sequences, but the impact isn’t mesmeric.

But the post-interval portions take the film to dizzy heights and camouflages the defects. The father-son bonding and the penultimate 25 minutes raise the bar. The emotional quotient is tremendous. Get ready to overhear a lot of sniffs and see a lot of moist eyes once the lights are switched on.

Note the two sequences in the climax, when Auro reveals what his father’s first mistake was and the pheras towards the end. Also recall the scene when the girl Auro detests for a certain reason shows up with a sketch of Auro. It moves you completely.

But let’s not mistaken PAA to be a rona-dhona movie. It’s a positive film with funny/light moments in plenty. The conversation between Auro and his best friend, on various occasions, are superb. Also, not once does PAA show Auro as ’different’. He’s one among the kids and there’s no discrimination whatsoever, which is remarkable.

Director R. Balki deserves a salute for thinking out of the box and also presenting Amitabh Bachchan like never before. The writing may be erratic, but his handling of the emotional moments is exemplary. Note this, he would be a force to reckon with after PAA. Ilaiyaraaja’s music is soothing. P.C. Sreeram’s cinematography is incredible.

It would be a blunder if one missed out the contribution of the makeup artists. Transforming the veteran actor into a kid must’ve been an arduous task and Christien Tinsley and Domini Till deserve to be complimented for making Auro look so real.

Now to the performances! No amount of praise, no amount of adjectives and personifications would do justice to Amitabh Bachchan’s performance as Auro. Sure, the icon has enthralled us with superlative performances in his four-decade career, but PAA is something else. The icon keeps surprising you at regular intervals and PAA is one of those beautiful surprises, which will remain etched in your memory forever.

That doesn’t mean that the remaining performances get dwarfed by Auro. Sure, PAA belongs to Auro, but not once does Abhishek Bachchan dither from his position or seems less inferior. This is the hallmark of a tremendous actor, which Abhishek is. Vidya is another surprise of PAA. She takes giant strides as an actor and proves yet again that given the right roles, she can match up to the best in the business.

Paresh Rawal is effective. Arundhati Naag is amazing. So is the kid, Pratik, enacting the role of Auro’s best buddy. His telephonic conversation with Auro is superb. Jaya Bachchan’s presence is lovely.

On the whole, PAA is an amazing experience. It makes you realize two things. One, the Hindi film industry is also capable of narrating fresh stories. Two, Amitabh Bachchan is truly the most accomplished actor this side of the Atlantic.

Talking from the business point of view, PAA has been made in a sensible and reasonable budget [approx. Rs. 17 crores, including P & A expenses], which should easily be recovered from multiplexes alone.

In the final tally, here’s a film that should win awards [for Auro] and also box-office rewards, given its low costs. A film that should strike a chord with every paa, maa... just about everyone with a heart!

Rating: 3

Del.Icio.Us Tags: Review PAA

Technorati Tags: Review PAA

Big B is an incredible human being-Aishwarya Rai

Its Amitabh Bachchan everywhere. He is making waves thanks to Paa’s trailers and pictures. He plays a 13-year-old boy down with progeric, sign of ageing early in life.

The Big B of Bollywood plays his son’s son Abhishek Bachchan in the movie. Check out what his ‘bahu’ Aishwarya Bachchan say about this:

“He is an incredible human being and a professional. I don’t need to say these words, but he’s leading an extremely busy life with all his commitments.”

She adds, “When I had been to meet Auro in shooting spot, I could hardly recognise him. His dedication and sincerity impressed me. A great actor, his patient wait for the makeup was great.”

Technorati Tags: Human AishwaryaRai

Del.Icio.Us Tags: Human AishwaryaRai