Ishaqzaade stars 'threaten' King Khans

It’s very rarely in Bollywood, that you get what you are promised in the trailers. Often trailers are packed with the best dialogues, and scenes, leaving nothing much for the actual film. “Ishaqzaade”, however, is the exception to the rule. It keeps its promise, on all levels.

“Ishaqzaade” is brilliant from the word go. It’s got spunk and remains unapologetic about it, till the end. It’s got its lows, but it’s mostly forgivable, because of stellar performance by a talented bunch, lead by Parineeti Chopra and Arjun Kapoor.

Although the narrative is brimming with violence and bloodshed, director, screenplay and dialogue writer Habib Fasil manages to skillfully squeeze in romance and drama without going over the top. If he gave offbeat cinema a new lease of life with “Do Dooni Chaar”, then his “Ishaqzaade” gives Bollywood clichés a brutal, yet impactful make-over.

And, he’s got Parineeti and Arjun to thank. They breathe such passion and rage into the lives of Zoya and Parma that we willingly surrender to their fiery tale as they live a life in the fast lane, pumping bullets at their whims and fancy, and unabashedly use their clout to get ahead in life, and love, and all the while, battling their inner insecurities.

“Ishaqzaade” reminds us of “Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak”. While, the similarities lie in the charming love story, of two souls who end up fighting their warring families for a “happily ever after”, the YashRaj offering is far more experimental in its treatment and performances.

This violent, yet charming, love affair between Zoya and Parma is like no other.

Set among the rustic by-lanes of Almor, somewhere in North India, we witness Zoya and Parma fight their inner devils before fighting together to unite their hugely influential political families, who are unable to look beyond religious differences.

At 2 hours and 20 minutes, the narrative is relentless. And, Faisal uses the most powerful episode to break the first half from the second, throwing us off-guard, completely. The second half doesn’t match up to the first, yet it keeps us hooked, thanks to the gripping performances by the lead actors.

The movie, undoubtedly, belongs to Parineeti. She’s, by far, the most talented new-comer in Bollywood today. She’s fascinatingly natural and deals with each situation with such understated maturity, that her Bollywood peers, and seniors, have a lot to learn from.

And she’s found her match in Arjun, who does resemble Abhishek Bachchan’s roguish Lallan but is far superior in emoting, and charming, with his impish smile. He even gets the dialect right, with his endearing take on Zoya as “Joya”. For a first-timer, this is truly a commendable feat.

The casting is spot-on, with the supporting cast mostly unknown faces but impressive nevertheless. Of the lot, it’s Anil Rastogi (as Parma’s grandfather), Natasha Rastogi (Parma’s mother) and Ratan Rathore (as Zoya’s father) who end up in the top ranks. Gauhar Khan plays an item girl, but unlike her other contemporaries - Munnis and Lailas, her Chand gets more reel life, and she excels.

Amit Trivedi’s music is exceptional and often hinders the narrative, but we forgive only because his soothing tunes are actually quite mesmerizing. Hemant Chaturvedi’s cinematography also deserve applause.

After “Band Baaja Baraat”, YashRaj appears to be on the right track, yet again.

Salman Khan throws a starry tantrum over song   

If Salman Khan gives his word to anything he will fulfil it by hook or crook. Similarly if he doesn't want to do anything there is no way he can be forced into doing it.

Recently Salman Khan had to travel to Morocco to shoot a song for his movie with Yash Raj Films 'Ek Tha Tiger'. But Salman was in no mood to travel he just bluntly refused to go to Morocco for the shoot.

Reportedly the reason the actor refrained from going to Morocco is his home production 'Dabangg 2'.

Director Kabir Khan and the production team of Yash Raj Films were at their witts end as the song was important for the movie's promotion.

When Salman saw the dismal situation he said he had nothing against the song but he did not want to travel abroad.

Who can dare to force Salman Khan to do anything against his wishes?

So all production heads got together to find a middle way out. If Salman cannot go to Morocco, at least the country can be brought to him.

YRF was left with no other option but give in to Salman's wishes. The art director on the film was asked to step up the action, and work began around six to seven days ago on creating Morocco scenario right in the heart of Film City in Mumbai.

The song concept too has been changed slightly. The set itself will now have backdrops of several countries.

The shoot is now scheduled in Mumbai during the third week of May.

Salman has already travelled to four countries for the film and will be travelling to Thailand for the next schedule.

Word is that the film will be shot in ten different countries with quite a few sequences set in Ireland, Turkey and Cuba. Many of these have already been shot. The final schedule will also be shot abroad.

SRK, Kajol to romance again?  

 From 'Baazigar' to 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' to 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham', Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol have redinfed romance in Indian cinema.

For those who missed seeing Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol together, there is good news. The most loved onscreen couple in Bollywood might be back together for a new movie.

According to reports, the couple may be paired together in Karan Johar's next movie.

But the film will not go on the floor until this year-end, as both Shah Rukh and Karan are busy with their ongoing projects. 
 
SRK's platter at present is full with Yash Chopra's untitled film with Katrina Kaif and Farah Khan's 'Happy New Year'.

Karan Johar is caught up with 'Student of the Year' and has just wrapped up the Thailand schedule.
 
Though he hasn't announced his next film, it will most probably be with Shah Rukh, DNA quoted a source close to Karan Johar.

"But the film won't be announced before the end of the year and won't begin rolling before early next year, the reason being SRK's dates.

"He's busy with his upcoming films with Yash Chopra and Farah Khan's 'Happy New Year'. He can only give dates in early 2013 now," the source revealed.
 
SRK and Kajol acted together in hits like 'Baazigar', 'Karan Arjun', 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai' and 'Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham'.
 
The last time the couple was seen together was in 2010 for Karan Johar's 'My Name is Khan'.
 
Kajol, who was not seen on-screen since the birth of her second child, has reportedly started reading new scripts.
 

Picture courtesy (ibnlive.in.com)

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