Review: Paying Guests

Coustesy: AOL.in

Cast: Shreyas Talpade, Jaaved Jaaferi, Vatsal Sheth, Aashish Chowdhary, Johnny Lever, Neha Dhupia, Celina Jaitley, Sayali Bhagat, Riya Sen, Chunkey Panday, Inder Kumar, Delnaz Paul, Paintel

Director: Paritossh Painter

Producer: Raju Farooqui

Music: Sajid-Wajid

Long back in 1957 there was a movie called 'Paying Guest' starring Dev Anand. Though it too started on the lines of a guy in need of an accommodation, it turns into a thriller after that. Years later in 1966, Hrishikesh Mukherjee came up with a movie about four young guys in a metropolis who resort to playing married couples to get a shelter. The movie was called 'Biwi Aur Makaan' and the original story was written by Sailesh Dey (writer of 'Golmaal') which was adapted by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Another movie 'Ashi Hi Banwa Banwi' was made in Marathi in 1988 by well-known actor Sachin with a similar storyline. Paritosh Painter's 'Paying Guests' is clearly inspired. It however does admit officially that it is based on a play called 'Paying Guest'. 

The film is a story of four guys who need a place to stay in Pattaya, Thailand. With no options remaining, they decide to play couples and get an accommodation owned by an Indian family. Bhavesh (Shreyas) turns into Karisma who is Paritosh's (Aashish Chowdhary) wife and Parag (Javed Jaaferi) turns in as Kareena who is Jai's (Vatsal Sheth) wife. There is enough room for comedy with every guy being penniless and also having his own love life. The girls - Neha Dhupia, Celina Jaitley, Sayali Bhagat, Riya Sen - don't have much of a role but they do serve to the chaos. Plus, there is also an evil brother to Ballu (Johnny Lever) played by Chunkey Panday and a local don played by Inder Kumar (remember him?). And Paritosh cooks it well enough to bring out a dish which will serve as a laughter medicine for the entire duration of the movie. He in fact shows that he is brilliant with comic dialogues and 'Dhamaal' was not just one off. There are some dialogues that will keep you laughing even after you leave the theatre.

The timing of the release, ie. shortly after Shiney Ahuja's arrest for allegedly raping his house maid, is ironic as all through the movie Chunkey Panday's character makes statements on how much he likes the 'Kaam wali bai', thus evoking laughter.

However, there is enough slack in the script. For one, the locations are used without a purpose. It beats me why they decided to set the film in Pattaya when they could have easily made it in aamchi Mumbai. Guess the pre recession boom made producers take strange decisions. Plus, the second half of the movie loses out on humour as the writer tries to bring in the evil and good under one roof. It somehow does not fall in the way it should have to keep the humour alive from the first half. This happens when you are too stuck on making people laugh rather than telling the story. Another thing that's difficult to digest is how most people in Thailand speak Hindi! 

And how can we forget the ultimate desperate attempt – the Mughle Azam! Stage plays seems to be an all-time favourite with Bollywood writers who want to create chaos towards the end. Here too they use the technique which was used to brilliant effect in 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron'. It does not work as well here though. 

Technically the film looks clean with good editing and cinematography. The music is a complete spoilsport when it comes to the pace of the film. But it is good otherwise. 'Jack and Jill' number is already topping charts and it is something people may find themselves humming in the theatres. 

'Paying Guests' is pulled on performances. Shreyas Talpade is superb as a woman. He gets every expression right. Javed Jaafery does not look as appealing as a woman but his performance cannot be overlooked. Aashish Chowdhary does well and so does Vatsal Sheth. Neha Dhupia is good among girls. Riya and Celina are yet to learn the art of being natural. Delnaz Paul and Johnny Lever deserve a mention. 

Overall, 'Paying Guests' is not a great film. It has enough loopholes. But if you are willing to leave your brains away for a while and are hoping to catch a laugh riot, this one is your best bet right now. It does have some of the best dialogues in a long time. Paritosh Painter has worked enough to ensure that. 'Paying Guests', in a word, is HILARIOUS!

By - Noyon Jyoti Parasara 

Sarwar misses a gun shot...Filmy Stlye!

Zee Cine Star Ki Khoj winner Sarwar Ahuja was busy shooting for his forthcoming movie Hum Phir Milenge in Shimla, which was a nice way to escape the heat, but things turned a bit too hot for him to handle. He just survived getting shot by a misfired bullet that missed him by inches!

His better half in the movie is Khushi who also happens to be Tabbasum’s granddaughter. Khushi’s dad always carried a gun with him and it went off by mistake while they were sitting for lunch in a hotel in Shimla. The bullet narrowly missed Sarwars leg. He was lucky because a shot from such close range could have left him crippled all life long. And of course the poor director had to request the girl’s dad to not carry guns around on the sets.

There is something between Sarwar Ahuja and guns. In his first movie Khanna and Iyer his love interest’s father carried a gun all the time. This time however he came out unhurt as heroes in hindi films do.

Sarwar's hoping his movie, which is releasing this week, doesn’t get fired by the critics.

Saif Ali Khan and Deepika from Love Aaj Kal

Winds of change are sweeping India… and Indian Entertainment

 

 

Sony Entertainment Television (SET), a premium Hindi general entertainment channel for the families of today's India, will reinvent itself on May 25, 2009. 

 

Reflecting the changes that Indian society has seen in last few years, SET will capture the dreams and aspirations of this new confident India by offering an enhanced and relatable viewing experience, driven by novelty of concepts, variety in the programming lineup and distinctly high quality executions.

 

Speaking on the changes, N.P.Singh, Chief Operating Officer of Multi Screen Media, said: "Winds of change are blowing through India and you can feel it everywhere. On May 25, 2009, Sony Entertainment Television will change… to reflect the changes in Indian society, to relate to its new aspiration, to stand up to its new expectations and to cater to its changing entertainment needs. This change is neither one off nor permanent, we will continue to step in where others fear to tread and will continue to challenge and break new grounds."

 

Commenting on the new programming mix, Gurdip Bhangoo, Programming Head of Sony Entertainment Television, said: "We have tried to give the viewers a perfect blend of shows that will resonate with families of today's India. Each programme or show has a distinct identity and the overall programme line up is going to be uniquely different than what you have seen so far on the Indian General Entertainment space."

 

Danish Khan, Marketing Head of Sony Entertainment Television, added: "There is a definite change in our brand architecture - the look, the feel and the sound of the channel will be young, edgy and engaging to represent real people and real emotions. It will truly reflect the diversity, vibrancy and the energy of Today's India."

 

The new Sony Showscape has a good line up of reality shows like the popular format show 10 Ka Dum 2 (every Sat, 9.00 pm), which presented actorSalman Khan in a completely new avtaar making him the darling of the nation and member of every household. The other show that promises viewers loads of fun, in times of recession is the reality show Entertainment Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega (Mon-Thurs, 10.00 pm & Fri, 9.00 pm).

 

In the show participants will showcase their most unique skills to bring some laughter and spark in to viewers' lives. The show that will be competitive in spirit will be filled with masti & magic.

 

Fiction on television has become the daily dose of entertainment for viewers in India. Some of the new fiction shows on Sony will focus on powerful protagonists who will overcome situations in the most despairing circumstances and come out winners. These are real stories of real people who reflect the true spirit of new India - 'we can make things happen', combined with an eclectic mix of history and real life drama like:

 

Chittod Ki Rani Padmini Ka Johur (Mon-Thurs, 8.00 pm) - is the story of the beautiful warrior princess, known for her ethereal beauty, grit, valor, patriotism & sacrifice. History continues to hail this legendary queen, even to this day, as a powerful queen of our times. This historical is mounted on huge scale & is produced by Nitin Chandrakant Desai (the well known Art Director of Jodha Akbar & many blockbuster films).

 

Palampur Express (Mon-Thurs, 8.30 pm) - an inspirational story of Pavni, a young small town girl, who dreams of being an athlete and is ready to face all the trials and tribulations in her path to win an Olympic gold medal for India.

 

Bhaskar Bharti (Mon-Thurs, 9.00 pm) - A man in a woman's world is generally viewed as pleasure, a blessing… while a woman in man's world is considered to be a struggle for survival & a fight for identity. Bhaskar Bharati is story of both the worlds. Interestingly it happens to the same person - Bhaskar!

 

Ladies Special (Mon-Thurs, 9.30 pm) - it is a drama series that takes a peek into Mumbai's lifeline - the trains. It is about the popular LADIES SPECIAL train that runs during the peak working hours from one end of the metropolis to the other. This SPECIAL TRAIN transports thousands of women to their place of work & back, thus making the train their 'second home'. This show salutes these 'unsung heroes' of our society who manage playing so many complex roles, day after day with dexterity & determination.

 

This will be backed by a diverse and power packed weekend offering. Salman Khan comes back with the big-ticket show 10 Ka Dum 2 after its undisputed successful run in season 1. Also coming up is a unique show, Dekh India Dekh(every Sat, 10.00 pm), - a new take on comedy. The channel's hugely successful franchises CID & Boogie Woogie will continue to strengthen its position, engage and excite the audiences with more innovative themes & stories that will hook the viewers to their favourite shows. These successful offerings will be backed by the biggest blockbusters of Indian cinema and hugely popular events like "Filmfare Awards" and "Femina Miss India" to complete the weekend offering.

 

Thus stay tuned for the new lineup of shows from May 25, 2009, an array of power packed reality and novel fiction shows which are relevant, contemporary and aspirational will weave the same magic of cutting through the clutter which Sony Entertainment Television is known for.

 

For further information on Sony Entertainment Television, please log on to http://www.setindia.com

Abhijeet badmouths namaaz; terms an Indian advocate "a member of Taliban"

 

One of Bollywood's most popular singers, Abhijeet Bhattacharya, finds himself embroiled in a communal controversy for badmouthing the Muslim practice of namaaz and terming a reputed Indian advocate "a member of Taliban".

The singer, who owns three flats at the Versova Breeze building in Andheri, Mumbai, has apparently been letting out his flats to a large group since more than two years, with about 40-50 people staying in them at a time and without obtaining the mandatory permission from the society or getting a police verification done.

When residents and society committee members raised objections about this and called Abhijeet for a meeting citing water shortage and security problems, he is learnt to have stormed in and vehemently abused the Secretary. Thereafter, without any personal matter with advocate Mr Rizwan Siddiquee, another member of the society, Abhijeet abused him and termed him "a member of Taliban". He further went on to disrespect the advocate's religious faith and made insulting comments about the pious Muslim practice of namaaz and other religious processes followed by the community. Around a dozen members were witness to the incident.

Being a reputed and respected advocate, Mr Siddiquee could not tolerate such indecent and unruly behaviour and has dragged the singer to court. "I am a proud Indian and equally proud of my religion. Abhijeet not only hurt my religious sentiments but has also shown his biased attitude and hatred towards the followers of Islam," the advocate lamented.

The case has been filed in Andheri Court and Siddiquee has pleaded the court to issue process against the singer for offences punishable under Section 290 (for creating public nuisance), Section 295-A (deliberate and malicious acts, intended to outrage religious feelings of any class by insulting its religion or religious beliefs), Section 298 (uttering, words, etc., with deliberate intent to wound the religious feelings of any person), Sections 352 and 355 (grave provocation with intent to dishonour person), Section 500 (defamation), Section 504 (criminal intimidation, insult intended to provoke breach of peace, which is punishable under Section 506) and Section 506 (whoever commits the offence of criminal intimidation shall be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term which may extend to two years, or with fine, or both).

"I also want Abhijeet to issue a public apology for abusing and attacking Islam and talking about namaaz in a derogatory and rowdy manner," said Siddiquee.

Giriraj Kabra – A Profile 

This versatile actor who shot to fame with 'Kasautii Zindagi Kii' ( Star Plus - Sulabh Basu) and 'Guns N Roses' (Star One - where he plays an undercover cop) is all set to make his film debut in Hyderabad based Shashi Pritam's "KIRKIT".  

A complete laugh-riot, KIRKIT is a story of two groups of 5 boys each from Mumbai and Hyderabad who are on a special holiday to Goa. In Goa, the two groups keep running into each other and eventually get into a fight. The two groups decide to resolve the matter over a tennis-ball cricket match. The match becomes the most talked-about event of Goa, and the small tussle turns into a strong rivalry as the players play passionately for the pride of their cities. Soon the match gets complicated as many whacky and dangerous outsiders get involved in it. One of them plans to take this mad fight of the boys to the next level to make it a national sensation.  

KIRKIT talks about the gross commercialization of cricket. It narrates how street kids have taken on to playing cricket due to exposure to IPL and other leagues which involve quick cricket day in and night out. KIRKIT is produced and directed by Hyderabad based Shashi Pritam, a musician who has created more than 350 jingles and has also dabbled in composing music for Bollywood and South films.  

The movie stars Sanjay Kapoor and Gulshan Grover as small time event managers in Goa working for a don played by Jackie Shroff. These event managers make money out of the cricketers by selling them to underworld elements based on the team ownership model in IPL.  

Giriraj plays Ballvinder Singh (ballu) from 'Mumbai Vadapavs', who is a dare devil when in a group but dreadfully scared of fighting alone. Throughout the movie he deals with this severe failing of his inability to wage a lone battle against the odds.  

Giriraj had also played a cameo in 'Mata ki chouki', playing the love interest of the lead actress. He has acted in 'Air hostess' on DD1 opposite Seema Malik, 'Kartika' on Hungama besides starring in a Music Video with sukhvinder sukhi "Chand mukhda".  

 

'SONATINE': Movie of the month

Takeshi Kitano's cinematographic masterpiece that addresses his usual themes of honour and 'dignity-through-death' 

UTV World Movies, India's pioneering international movie channel brings to you the movie of the Month for May 09 -SONATINE. Acclaimed Japanese filmmaker, comedian, television star, author, and all-around renaissance man Takeshi "Beat" Kitano is the director, editor, writer and actor in this unconventional take on the crime and drama. Joe Hisaishi by a wonderful musical score sets off this sophisticated and beautifully constructed piece of artistry to perfection. 

Kitano has elegantly constructed an unsettling meditation on morality that is distinguished by his poetic vision. Though this movie depicts the lives of Japanese gangsters, Sonatine isn't just a typical Yakuza flick. Sure, the general plot elements are there (extortion, torture, double-crossing, and murder) but that's not all the movie's about. It's a heart warming tale of a veteran mobster Murakawa (Takeshi Kitano) who is sent on a mercy mission to restore order to a gang war that has erupted in Okinawa. Murakawa and his men soon discover that this assignment was nothing more than a hoax to get rid of him. Ambushed and abandoned, Murakawa and his cronies end up retreating to a beach house to await their next move. It is during these beach scenes that the film really shifts in tone. With a sense of whimsy virtually unheard of in this genre, the down-and-out Yakuza play a myriad of childish games with nothing but time on their hands to lighten up and enjoy themselves. From sumo wrestling to setting sand traps, from playing Frisbee to a chilling game of Russian roulette.  

Speaking about the film, Manasi Sapre, Programming Head, UTV World Movies said "Takeshi "Beat" Kitano is one of the most original, unusual and trendsetting filmmakers. His heady mixture of bizarre narratives, aesthetic violence and lyrical treatment is seen to be believed. Kitano is one of the most well known names of the Asian Extreme phenomenon and no wonder that Quentin Tarantino admits being inspired by Kitano. UTV World Movies prides in our large collection of contemporary Asian cinema and Kitano's is surely one of our prized collections. Kitano- who is very well known in India as the host of cult show Takeshi's Castle will blow you out with Sonatine."  

Bappi da's romantic sojourn  

Ageless music genius Bappi da will once again make his mark with new-age music.

In other words, Disco Pioneer Bappi Lahiri brings Rhythm n Blue (R.N.B.) music to India. This time, with an international album with T Series titled My Love. With eight unique tracks, the album boasts of two exotic videos shot in New York and Sydney. The T Series album sees Bappi da come out with a   new style of music as well, with Bappi da's voice and US-based rapper Jiddah rapping.

The first video 'Phoolon Se Pooncho' is international in every sense, right from the pretty foreign faces to the international quality music. Shot lavishly in international shores, the song is a youthful peppy number, a la Bappi da style.

The second video 'Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha' is  a song that is in quest of his love, and is a retro timeless number captured beautifully in moving frames.

Looks like Bappi da is now going to give tough competition to the youngsters in the music scene with his melody fare in T Series' My Love.

'My Love' was launched with great aplomb by Bappi da at the Radio Mirchi Studio, Lower Parel, on May 25. Raima Sen, Bappa Lahiri besides Bappi da graced the event. 
  

EMRAAN HASHMI IS TOO PROFESSIONAL

 

The first actor of the season to give the foremost hit of 2009, in the form of Raaz the Mystery Continues, Emraan is riding high with massive gratitude and accolades. Emraan is all place to star in Milan Lutharias' next produced by Ekta Kapoor in Once Upon A Time in Mumbai. So what is new we could get to see? it's the Brand novel Emraan. Emraan is working in and out to get the flawless body for his impending movie where he plays the role of Young DON.  

On this Emraan says; "Yes, I am mounting a new look for this movie as stipulated by Milan because the movie is set in early 70's and the character what am playing has not only to be sturdy but also robust and look healthy. He adds that am very excited about this gym whim as am not at all Physique freak. I love to be simple and not work out routinely but as per my soothe". It was almost a great confront because Milan has given me only 2 months to get the mandatory look as the movie is programmed to start somewhere in June." 

Emraan is very solemn and stanch to all his characters as to what the script demands. It's been proved from the fact that he had learned painting for RTMC and will now encompass this erudition in his new flick "Tum Mile" by Kunal Deshmukh. He is fretting his blood high to get the new-fangled look for which both he and his personal trainer is wearisome stiff. Where the other Bollywood biggies especially the ruling khans are incorporating for 6 and 8 packs then why Emraan is just pounding for his sleek look in this movie, where even he could have gone for 6 or 8 packs. 

Emraan says that, "I don't like to be the fraction of throng I have always alleged in hauling my best rather than replicating or following the ensemble". I don't want to be the part of crowd…… so no 8 packs for me!!!" 

He further adds "Though I am struggling hard to get this look but all thanks to my trainer that I am not at all on diet or starving instead, eating 6 times; yes but apparently no fried food that's it. So am happy that at least am not barged from eating because it's really hard-hitting for a person like me who is such a foodie to stay away from cuisine that am I really find irresistible." 

His personal trainer is very impressed with the efforts being put by Emraan and have stated that Emraan by now can cart more than 90kgs of weight and will conquer the look demanded very soon. 

Just wishing good fate to Emraan that he surmounts his goal and so we can see yet another tinsel town Actor impressing his fans with a striking physique. Fortune knocks once at every man's door but for Emraan it's implacable. Well, we all hope that Emraan get better roles and he deliver them fabulously as what he has been doing till date. Emraan's fans will have to wait to see him as his next projects i.e. Tum Mile & Once Upon A Time in Mumbai releases are still a Raaz and after the Multiplexes and Producers dispute the release date is ought to defer. 

 

Actors need to understand Storytelling: Rishi Kapoor

Mumbai, India, May 22, 2009: Bollywood actor, Rishi Kapoor conducted a master class for students at Whistling Woods International (WWI) where he shared his insights on how Acting can be great career opportunity with the right learning. "Acting is to put an Effort to show Effortlessness", he said, however this skill has to be honed over a period of time and actors need to work hard to earn success.

Relating to the start of his career, he went on to say that during the making of his debut movie Bobby, he expected professionals like dance masters etc to teach him, but there were none. He asked his director father Mr. Raj Kapoor for them and requested for guidance since he had no knowledge. On this the great legend Raj Kapoor said "What you don't know is where you will score, that will be your style, create your individuality and be an asset of yours". Therefore as an Actor, Never be Predictable. You need to create your own style and individuality and work hard to win audience adulation, he said.

Lastly, he stressed on the importance of studying at institutes like WWI. "It is important for actors today to know all facets of filmmaking. For example understanding editing will help an actor in continuity and retaining an emotion for the next shot after the cut. The more you learn about the art of storytelling, the more it will help your performance." At WWI, you will get the right sourcing and knowledge to prepare you to take on your destiny.