Kaminey Fares Well at U.S. Box Office
Not even that whacko emetic Priyanka Chopra can mar the charm of Kaminey.
Folks, simply put Kaminey is a lovely film.
So good you’d be forgiven for mistaking it for a slick Hollywood crime flick.
Exceptional Thriller
Kaminey is that exceptional Bollywood thriller where the story, acting (the sole exception being that turd-pile Priyanka), music and photography all come together in a fine symphony.
Even the actors in itsy bitsy roles seem to have rolled up their sleeves and given their utmost. Sweet!
More than anything else, we were swept away by Shahid Kapoor. If Priyanka activated our puking glands, Shahid evoked a frison of delight.
The young lad’s previous film Kismat Konnection was a sick joke and we were apprehensive whether we would be squandering more money.
Thankfully, in Kaminey Shahid Kapoor has amply redeemed himself with a glittering performance in both roles.
Just in case, you are one of the few dumb desis unaware of the Kaminey story, Shahid plays twins Guddu and Charlie.
One with a lisp and the other with a stutter. One who walks the straightforward path and the other who takes shortcuts, shorter the better. One on the right side of the law and the other on the wrong side. One who has a tender-side and the other a mean, destructive side.
A study in contrasts, eh?
Yeah, that’s what Vishal Bharadwaj’s Kaminey turns out to be ultimately. A brilliant 2 hr 10-min study in contrasts woven within the tight framework of a crime thriller.
There are some side-stories but it’s a testament to director Vishal Bhardwaj’s talent that he knots them all together deftly with nary a loose thread or a boring moment.
A pair of corrupt cops, African diamond smugglers, Afghani drug lords, a troika of small-time hoodlums, a Maharashtrian son-of-the-soil politician, and how all of their paths collide with Guddu and Charlie.
With his first-rate performance in Kaminey, Shahid leaves all those sick f**ks and media/PR creations like Aamir Khan (Ghajini is theft), Akshay Kumar (Heyy Baby is theft), Salman Khan (God Tussi Great Ho and Yuvvraj are theft) in the shade.
Expect to see plenty of blood and gore in Kaminey.
Schmucks, what did yall expect. This is a crime thriller, for crying out loud.
To waste any space on Priyanka Chopra who plays the love interest of one of the Shahids would be to waste bandwidth, electricity et al. So, let’s go green and ignore that abomination, who failed to distinguish herself in any way. As usual, of course.
When she pleads with one of the Shahids to give her some poison, we cheered for the guy to give her a large vial, pronto. Alas, that dolt on the screen didn’t listen to us. 🙁
Gripping Music, Visually Pleasing
Dhan Te Nan is not merely the latest cocaine fix of desis everywhere but it’s been picturized very well in the movie (we’re listening to it on our iPhone) to our immense delight.
No patch on Dhan Te Nan, which is also the theme song for the movie, the other songs are completely overshadowed.
Despite movies being a visual medium, Indian movies are seldom visually appealing. Again, Kaminey stands out. Filmed a lot in low light, semi-dark conditions, Kaminey is a joy to behold.
Kaminey is that rare Bollywood movie you can point to (without feeling ashamed) and tell even foreigners to go watch it.
Who’d have thought our Bollywood Kamineys would delight us with a fast-paced thriller that’d send our pulses racing for the better part of two hours.
SearchIndia.com unequivocally recommends Kaminey (no, Shahid Kapoor is not our nephew nor is Vishal Bharadwaj our uncle).
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Great review!!! (as usual :)) You should also check out ‘The Blue Umbrella.’ Its also directed by Vishal Bharadwaj.
P.S.:When are you guys planning on reviewing Dhalapathi?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Kaminey seems to have released in your area too.
2. We’ll definitely complete Dhalapathi this weekend.
3. You write: You should also check out ‘The Blue Umbrella.’
Just checked. Blue Umbrella is available on Instant Play at Netflix. So we should be able to watch that at any time. We’ll do it soon.
Right now, we’re listening to Dhan Te Nan in the company of old friends Johnny & Walker. 😉
I am not fond of hindi movies but i listen to the hindi songs ,all songs in kaminey are awesome specially “kaminey” song sung by the director himself ..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I am not fond of hindi movies
We’ve been watching both Hindi and Tamil movies since childhood…Must say that Hindi movies are orders of magnitude better than Tamil films.
Ahh! Atlast, a positive review from SI! I knew it! I knew it! 😀
SearchIndia.com Responds:
This one was indeed nice.
We expect it’ll do well at the box office. It deserves to unlike trash like SIK or KI.
told u so, its one of those rare bollywood intelligent movies that makes you go for it again and again.
vishal is by far the best director today of bollywood. have u seen his maqbool,omkara and blue umbrella?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: have u seen his maqbool,omkara and blue umbrella?
We’ve seen Omkara and plan to see Blue Umbrella in a day or two.
@ajayrocks
Can’t go so far to call him ‘the best’, but yeah, he is one of those rear gems we have here. 🙂
Barring Saif’s perfomance, Omkara wasn’t anything great. Blue umbrella was a charmer. 🙂
@SI
Did u see the ‘Blue’ movie trailer?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Did u see the ‘Blue’ movie trailer?
Not in the theatre but on YouTube.
In the theatre yesterday, they showed previews of Wake up Sid (Ranbhir Kapoor, Konkona Sen) and Main Aur Mrs. Khanna (Salman Khan, Kareena).
Was playing Dhan Te Nan so I could dance mentally as I worked late, last night. Omkara had several outstanding performances besides Saif’s (Konkona Sen Sharma comes to mind), tight writing, almost flawless cinematography, and overall was great, imho. I also wouldn’t call VB the very best, but yes, he’s one of the tops.
Good to see a positive review from you. Btw, why don’t you like Priyanka Chopra? Any specifics? I’ve never seen her in a role that’s sweet, as her style of looks don’t fit a sweet-girl concept. She’s always given brash roles, and her acting fits the roles. Is it her or the writing? And why hasn’t the NYTimes provided a synopsis of Kaminey? Are the reviewers overworked, underinformed, or both? I think for such a film, on this particular weekend, they should have managed at least a few words.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Good to see a positive review from you
We go by the merits of the film. You’d commit harakiri if you watched KI, SIK or CC2C.
2. You write: Btw, why don’t you like Priyanka Chopra?
Like most Indian stars, Priyanka Chopra is clueless in the acting department.
3. You write: And why hasn’t the NYTimes provided a synopsis of Kaminey
Much as we love the NYT, they are woefully weak where Bollywood movies and Indian restaurants in NYC are concerned (more so when they review them).
May be, Shahid Kapoor is your lover boy, and Vishal Bharadwaj is your ex-boy friend 😉
Good review..
Will try to watch it asap.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: May be, Shahid Kapoor is your lover boy, and Vishal Bharadwaj is your ex-boy friend
May be.
But we are having a hard time figuring if you are our brat by Shahid or Vishal. 😉
Enjoy – Kaadhal Vaibhogame
I caught the flick last night and had good time pass but didn’t get the feeling like it was an excellent or a great movie.
It was more like seen that before kinda feeling.
I would say that the movie is just good especially because of Shahid Kapoor. I always liked the kid for his best dancing talent but now I must say that the kid also has great acting talent as well.
Overall good time pass.
Waiting for blue now. Loved the promo but was also wondering if promo already showed the best parts of the movie and that there is nothing else to it. Let’s wait and see.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Kaminey was good overall, not just Shahid’s acting.
The story was tight, acting even by minor figures was decent and as for Dhan Te Nan, this song is going to be one of the all-time Bollywood blockbusters. We expect the tune will continue to be hummed years from now.
Shame Akshay Kumar’s recent films come nowhere near Kaminey.
We didn’t see the Blue promo. They showed previews of Wake up Sid (Ranbhir Kapoor, Konkona Sen) and Main Aur Mrs. Khanna (Salman Khan, Kareena).
Where are they showing Blue promos here?
I haven’t seen Kaminey yet but I hope those who saw both can tell me, Is Kaminey “inspired” from the 2008 Guy Ritchie film RockNRolla? I saw RockNRolla yesterday and it was great! Slick is the word! I heard rumours about the connection b/w the two in plot/structure of screenplay etc. Wondering if they were true…
SearchIndia.com Responds:
We’ll watch RocknRolla on Wednesday and check if it’s the progenitor of Kaminey.
Blue promo is on Indiafm site.
Glad you liked an Indian movie so much after such a long time. I think the song de tan tan was ok. Kind of fob music for me. I am still waiting for one great movie.
Hopefully Ishqiya will break the streak and turn out to be excellent movie. The promo is on indiafm as well. Loved it.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Not sure if Ishqia will make it to the U.S. Or at best, a limited release.
Hi. Nice review.
I like your web site very much. Even though I disagree with some of your reviews I like your replies to all comments. I don’t know any other website which replies to every comment given.
Can you compare Johnny Gaddar with Kaminey. Also compare Pulp Fiction, Snatch with Johnny Gaddar, Kaminey and tell which one u like more and why.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Both Johnny Gaddar and Kaminey are well crafted films. But Kaminey has a more complex plot, a feat more difficult to pull off. Add to that the appeal of the song Dhan Te Nan. Overall, we liked Kaminey more.
2. Haven’t seen Pulp Fiction…will try to see it in a day or two. We’d rank Snatch a wee bit higher than Kaminey because some of the dialogs were cute. For instance, lines like:
Also, remember the origin of the expression ‘greedy pig’ in Snatch?
Hey. I am not able to see my comment.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
That’s because you posted your previous comment at 1:47AM U.S. Eastern Time.
We work on Eastern Time (not IST) since we are based in the U.S.
It’s now 4:58AM ET and your previous comment has been processed.
Did some research and this is what I found out: Kaminey seems to have more similarity with Pulp Fiction (1994) directed by Quentin Tarantino with its non-linear narrative and many other obvious references like “The Golden Watch”. And The Guitar as opposed to The Briefcase. But from what I can gather, the similarity ends there. Kaminey seems original. Rajeev Masand also thought so. He picks up thefts even quicker than SI 😉
BTW, RocknRolla has a fairly linear narrative (with some flashbacks) though there are quite a few parallel tracks that converge (don’t they always?) but seems nothing like Kaminey although there are plot devices like The Painting that are similar. So I can tell you before-hand, it is not the progenitor of Kaminey but I heard there were quite a few Guy Ritchie references. Did u happen to pick up any?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. In a little while, we’ll pick up Pulp Fiction from one of the Blockbusters (They open at 10AM and it’s still 10 to 10). Surely, at least one of them in a 20-mile radius must stock it.
2. You write: it is not the progenitor of Kaminey but I heard there were quite a few Guy Ritchie references.
We’ve seen Guy Richie’s Snatch and Lock, Stock….the Kaminey story line is different.
In terms of fast pace, casual violence, gallow humor, decent acting, tight plot, interlinking stories Kaminey is conceptually similar to the Guy Ritchie movies cited above. But the dialog quality and gallow humor is far superior in the two Guy Ritchie movies.
But we’d grant that a conceptual similarity is neither a great sin in itself nor an indelible stain on Vishal Bharadwaj.
From our vantage point, it seems like even Indians in India are having a hard time believing Kaminey is an original work. Not surprising, since the Bollywood swines have stolen so much in the past.
BTW, in the review we should have made a mention of Amol Gupte, who brilliantly essayed the character of Sunil Bhoppe, the local thug/son-of-the-soil Maharashtra-for-Maharashtrians politician.
One of our favorite scenes in Kaminey is the one featuring Mikhael (Chandan Roy Sanyal) and Bhoppe+henchmen at Charlie’s house, kinda reminiscent of the underlings in Satya but better.
@Unkaf
RocknROlla (and other Guy Ritchie movies)follow a simple plots which are connected by several sub plots. Almost all his movies (Snatch, Lock Stock) have a dose of comedy with raw action scenes.
Kaminey, with its darkish photography and shaky cams seems to have take leaf from Hollywood’s books
Knew you wud like this movie! Was reading a few of the comments, and gotta tell u, am relieved this isnt a rip-off! Wudve taken the whole charm away if it had been a copy. So which Shahid brother did you like more?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: So which Shahid brother did you like more?
The bad one.
Bet you’re not surprised! 😉
Though i cant understand hindi,surely i am gonna watch this movie (because its rare u praise a bollywood movie). And what does “kaminey” mean?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Aren’t Hindi movies screened with subtitles in non-Hindi speaking regions of India?
In the U.S., every Hindi film screened in Regal, AMC et al has English sub-titles.
Kaminey means scoundrel or scumbag.
how come u say kaminey is a lovely film, just seeing this review i went to this movie, its the most idiotic movie i had ever seen in the recent past. Literally zero entertaing factor, neither the songs nor the shitty senseless fast paced action, only plus is the acting skills of that young hero, but that doesnt help when story line is so rediculous
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Literally zero entertaing…story line is so rediculous (sic)
Ah, samajh gaya (now, we understand).
Akshay Kumar asked you to leave your brain behind before watching Singh is Kinng.
But Akshay didn’t ask you to abandon your brains forever. 😉
u have come up a positive review …there are many such hollywood thrillers …..dont know what you found to be original in Kaminey …. I feel its a decent movie ….not that good
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Vishal Bharadwaj knows the craft of movie-making.
Most likely, you haven’t seen Kaminey because it has yet to release in your city. Or has it now?
The movie has made around $726,000 from 82 theatres in us which I think is impressive for shahid kapoor. Not a great opening like love aaj kal. I expected lot worse.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Definitely a decent showing.
We just posted Kaminey Fares Well at U.S. Box Office to provide a comparative picture.
if a movie has good reviews automatically it will have a good response in box office
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Things are always different with Indian movies.
Dev D and A Wednesday most likely gathered very good reviews but we doubt they did very well at box office.
Kambhakkht Isq got mostly bad reviews yet the movie ended up doing $768,542 in its opening weekend at the U.S. box office.
Of course, you’ll say Akshay Kumar is a bigger star. True, but that still proves our point if a crappy movie despite all the critical reviews could gross $768,542 in the opening weekend.
“SearchIndia.com unequivocally recommends Kaminey (no, Shahid Kapoor is not our nephew nor is Vishal Bharadwaj our uncle).”
They must have paid you well then. And of course, Priyanka must have called you a sh** face or something, that’s why you needlessly abuse her and other folks. And if you think Shahid Kapport is better than Aamir, you need to have your head examined. No , wait, you probably dont have a head. Up there at least.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: They must have paid you well then.
Were you by chance one of the kuttiyas (bitc*es) that we failed to leave a tip for? 😉
Now, get the F**K out of here, you mongrel.
2. You write: Priyanka must have called you a sh** face or something,
Priyanka Chopra is an absolutely horrendous actress who wouldn’t recognize acting if it smacked her on the face or any other part of her anatomy.
what a stupid review…needlessly abusing Priyanka..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Dickhead, heard of the dicktionary?
Priyanka Chopra seems to pay little attention to the craft of acting.
Even by Bollywood’s lowly standards, Priyanka Chopra is a horrible actress.
Those little kids in Slumdog Millionaire were a thousand times better than Priyanka Chopra in any of her movies.
Naah, not surprised!
In fact, I felt he had more scope for acting than the good one.
Btw, I recommended the movie to a couple of my friends, and they called me after the movie to say would I accompany em to the movie a second time, since they dint understand a single word 😐 was it so complex???
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Your friends must have taken Akshay Kumar seriously when he told Indians to leave their brains at home before seeing Chandni Chowk to China. And then they forgot to pick ‘it’ up later before watching Kaminey. 😉
Ahh… 5 minutes for the movie to start. Too excited to type…. This pleasant thursday afternoon instead of listening to 3 hrs of back to back forensics, i’m here with some kamineys to have some fun. Lets hope we are not disappointed!!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Most likely, you won’t be.
Most likely, you haven’t seen Kaminey because it has yet to release in your city. Or has it now
I had seen it online ….well …you do keep track of a lot of things ….
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: I had seen it online ….well …you do keep track of a lot of things ….
Hard to enjoy a Kaminey-like movie on a 15-inch or even 20-inch LCD screen.
Hmm.. Mixed feelings.
Was the movie any good?
Yes.
Was it great?
Not really.
Was my expectations sky high, unrealistic and completely over the top?
Yes, yes and yes.
So, go with a clean slate and u’ll have a great time.
**Spoiler Alert**
Can somebody tell me what Guddu says to Sweety in the scene just before he gets caught that makes Sweety walk away? “Its true that you are carrying my child but…” BUT WHAT?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Can’t remember…we remember the chart on the wall in that chawl…2014, and the I won’t marry you, No abortion, I will die…I am Suni Bhope’s sister and all that shit.
Maybe, others can remember.
Just realized to my absolute horror that the only comparable, relevantly multi-talented Kollywood-equivalent of Vishal Bhardwaj is T Rajendar. :O
Curse me for thinking like this. :((
@ Dr.UnkHaf D. Aktar – Guddu tells Sweety that if her relationship with him contains so many lies, then how can he be sure that her (Sweety) carrying his (Guddu’s) child is not another lie.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
T Rajendar, adhu enna (what is that)? 😉
Palaye camarcut madhiri irruku (sounds like a stale candy common to Tamil Nadu).
can you the review of “the shawshank redemption” and the “great escape”
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Shawshank Redemption, we’ve seen this a gazillion times. Forever on USA channel.
We loved both Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman.
Will review this classic one of these days.
Have yet to watch Great Escape. 🙁
Loved it, loved it.
Watched it only after reading your review (thank you).
Shahid’s performance has finally stood out. I think I have a huge crush on this guy. Fav scene was when Guddu sings his confession or his side of the story to the policeman, and the policeman replies by singing too.LOL.
The best part was the lenghth of the movie, No crappy three hour long movie with preposterous song sequence and even more crappier comedy scenes. Priyanka on the other hand hardly looks like someone who can act nor an ex Miss World.Makeup can do wonders. Can’t stop humming the songs though.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Glad you liked it.
We’re forever listening to Dhan Te Nan on our iPhone or PC (just 99 cents on iTunes).
guess Bhardwaj Saab finally convinced you to give a good review for his movie. this should be featured in Ripley’s “believe it or not”.
Kaminey was certainly a great movie…did’nt expect you to say so too, you misogynistic indophobe south-indian-pride-touting [Trash Talk]…..pleasant surprise there.
enjoy your Johnnie Walker, [Trash Talk].
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. OMG, our first encounter with someone who was born through the rear-end of a sow. Thanks to you, we now know the result of such beastly exits.
2. You write: Kaminey was certainly a great movie…did’nt expect you to say so too
Why not. We have a reputation of calling it like we see it.
Since when have we shied off from giving credit where it’s due or vice-versa.
Kaminey was a nice movie, which deserved all the accolades heaped on it.
3. You write: you misogynistic indophobe south-indian-pride-touting
Are you out of your mind?
Misogynistic – far from it. 😉
Indophobe – definitely not. Though we live far from its shores, India will eternally remain special to us. As only those who have lived both in India and elsewhere can appreciate, India is nonpareil.
South-Indian pride touting – Why? Because we review Tamil movies? Kiddo, we’ve reviewed far more Hindi movies than Tamil flicks.
All that cow-ca-cola you’ve been imbibing at the source has melted your brains.
SI: All that cow-ca-cola you’ve been imbibing at the source has melted your brains.
what an unladylike comment!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Nice try.
Kukuku…..typical response.
Hey, by the way, I forgot to add a vice to your list of vices…..you’re effin deranged. Why the hell would anybody reply to every post in his/her blog…..i mean, EVERY SINGLE POST? get your self a shrink right now n00b.
[Trash Talk]
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: you’re effin deranged. Why the hell would anybody reply to every post in his/her blog…..i mean, EVERY SINGLE POST?
Lo, there comes the merdivorous scumbag again with its asinine blather.
If taking the time to reply to SI readers who take the time to read and comment on our posts seems deranged to you, then we plead guilty in your cretinous court.
You blithering idiot, responding to our readers is a sign of our respect for them. They appreciate the fact that every single comment of theirs, however critical of us, is read and responded to by a sentient being at the other end.
But what would a baboon like you know about respect with all your South Indian-North Indian prattle, ad hominem attacks and trash talk.
2. We can tolerate disagreements as long as you do it without engaging in trash talk.
But repeated trash talk takes you to the compost heap, where you obviously belong.
BTW, you are exterminated, as in got rid of a pest.
The next time you want to vent your spleen in a misanthropic fury, try the mirror.
Happy? 🙂
Now, scoot.
Watched Kaminey tonight.. I thought Johnny Gaddaar was more clever.. The fact that watched JG with no expectations, and Kaminey with high expectations may be the reason.
poor Priyanka wasn’t as bad as you say.. in fact, I thought she delivered a decent performance.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. Not sure if you have seen this review of Johnny Gaddaar (pre-SI blog review).
Kaminey is more Bollywood-esque compared to Johnny Gaddaar.
2. Hell has to freeze over before Priyanka Chopra can deliver a decent performance. She’s one of the worst actresses, a blot on Bollywood.
I concur in your praise for Shahid Kapoor in this film. That he pulled of both Charlie and Guddu with such skill and originality is pretty amazing. His performance as Charlie is one of the best I’ve ever seen, anywhere, anytime.
The film puts me to sleep, for some unknown reason. Literally. The November-like dark lighting and rain maybe? Anyway, I keep going back into it to catch what Shahid is doing. If it weren’t for his performances, I wouldn’t keep trying. I didn’t like him too much before. Now I’ll go to whatever he puts out, just to see what he’s up to. That’s rare, for me (SRK, SAK, and Kajol are the only others I go to a film to see, no matter what the film is).
Because of your recommendation, I caught Vishal Bharadwaj’s Blue Umbrella on Netflix instant. An amazing film. Are Blue Umbrella and Kaminey the only two of his films where a lisp or stutter is used to define a role?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. There are many Bollywood films where a lisp or stutter is highlighted, but they’re usually done with the sidekicks and in a comic sense to ridicule the person (unfortunately, we can’t remember the names now).
We can’t recollect a film where a lisp or stutter is used to define a role or part of the hero’s key characteristics.
2. You write: The film puts me to sleep, for some unknown reason.
Maybe, the presence of that nightmare a.k.a. Priyanka Chopra in the film is the reason. 😉
About Priyanka, if she can come away from her mirror, as well as stop protecting herself emotionally, she could become a very powerful actress.
There is no way I thought Shahid Kapoor had it in him to do work like he’s done in Kaminey.
If Priyanka gets a director who can work with her, and break how she holds herself back, her work could be equally stunning.
Part of Priyanka’s problem as an actress is that, compared with most of her male counterparts, she’s a little too tall and big-boned, and with an almost masculine sensibility to her physical strength and flexibility. She crouches down, literally and figuratively, in her roles. Let her act in the US, with the male cast mostly five or more inches taller than her and bulkier, with an American director who won’t be so respectful of her looks-based box office draw, and she might be able to do some really good work.
I think there’s too much respect for her feminine nature in India — Indian directors don’t want to challenge her too much — can you imagine even VB asking her to speak with a lisp, or hide her beauty? As a result she is gliding along on looks alone. She comes across as one-dimensional and wooden. To me, she’s not that gorgeous in a classical way — but she grabs the eye. I think it’s because of an inner strength. If that inner strength can be touched and challenged by the right director, we might be astounded at what she’s capable of. But who’s the right director?
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You write: Part of Priyanka’s problem as an actress is that, compared with most of her male counterparts, she’s a little too tall and big-boned, and with an almost masculine sensibility to her physical strength and flexibility. She crouches down, literally and figuratively, in her roles. Let her act in the US, with the male cast mostly five or more inches taller than her and bulkier, with an American director who won’t be so respectful of her looks-based box office draw, and she might be able to do some really good work
Acting talent is often divorced from physical attributes and on occasion found in some of the weirdest-looking folks.
For example, Paresh Rawal, Rajpal Yadav, Naseeruddin Shah and Pankaj Kapur (Blue Umbrella, Dharm).
With or without makeup, none of the above would remotely be considered to have movie-star looks.
2. We also think Priyanka Chopra is not hungry, having tasted commercial and financial success.
With Shahid, it’s different. He’s still not in the big league, competition is more severe among the men (given that his peers are Shahrukh Khan, Akshay Kumar, Hrithik Roshan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Sanjay Dutt et al).
Priyanka, on the other hand, mostly has only the Kareenas to worry about (Ash is now romancing grandpas like the Tamil star Rajinikanth in Enthiran).
Among the younger actresses, Vidya Balan showed some promise in Parineeta when she was hungry but slipped subsequently.
About replying to posts, that’s what makes your blog so interesting. Your comments always make me think, then think again.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
You write: Your comments always make me think, then think again
Now, don’t say that aloud. 😉
Kaminey was pretty good…watched it on the Netflix instant stream.
Now am I the only one who gets the feeling that Vishal Bhardwaj is watching a lot of Tarantino, Coen brothers and Park Chan-Wook stuff… ?
More so having seen Maachis, Omkara and Kaminey they seem to have a very Tarantino meets Coen meets Park flavor only this time characters are speaking in Hindi!
One other recent hindi flick that deserves a mention is ‘Dasvidaaniya’, check it out. Netflix has it now.
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. You Write Above: Now am I the only one who gets the feeling that Vishal Bhardwaj is watching a lot of Tarantino, Coen brothers and Park Chan-Wook stuff… ?
Even if true, being influenced by one’s betters is hardly a crime.
As Newton wrote, If I have seen further it is only by standing on the shoulders of giants.
2. Will watch Dasvidaaniya next week. Vinay Pathak is a decent actor.
@SI
Brought Kaminey+Dev D+Fashion DVD the other day. A steal at 30 rs.
The first time I am spending money on an original DVD. Regarding Kaminey(2nd watch), I found Priyanka adequate. She didn’t mess it up and was nice in some(2) scenes.
Fashion, on the other hand is crap. After seeing the first 10 mins I skipped to the last 10 mins. I figured out the story correctly. Hard to believe she got National award for this.
Dev D was enjoyable even after the 3rd time. The songs are just awesome, every single track!
SearchIndia.com Responds:
1. We wouldn’t mind buying Kaminey too. For the movie and for Shahid Kapoor.
Fashion on the other hand is absolute garbage and Priyanka was bad as ever.
Only in Incredible India can such trash win rich acclaim. 🙁 No wonder no one outside the country takes Indian cinema seriously despite the various ‘woods producing a prodigious number of film.
2. You write: Brought Kaminey+Dev D+Fashion DVD the other day. A steal at 30 rs.
Yesterday, we went to an Indian DVD store in Hamilton, NJ…..the lady wanted $8 for a used (rental-copy) of the Tamil movie Johnny! We said ‘No’ and went to the Biryani Paradise next door and for $10.99 had an Indian meal (bad food but we at least got two Biryanis+Tandoori Chicken+a variety of other Indian food).
Bad goat Biryani is a better deal than $8 for a used copy of a 30-year-old Rajinikanth film. 😉
3. Dev D was class. We have the DVD.
@SI : Bad goat Biryani is a better deal than $8 for a used copy of a 30-year-old Rajinikanth film.
A long time ago, I wrote about this movie. (Is there a way to view our old comments? When typed What_if and searched, it show the articles where you have written the words what if and where you have mentioned What_if, but the comments posted by what_if doesn’t show up in chronological order)
I would suggest you to go ahead, use your desi bargaining skills and buy the used copy of the DVD. The movie is worth watching & reviewing. Directed by Mahendran with decent performances by Rajini & Sri Devi. Music by Maestro Ilayaraja is fantastic, especially the songs Kaatril Endhan Geetham by S.Janaki & Aasaya Kaathula Thudhu vittu by S.P.Shylaja are evergreen hits. As a bonus you can also drool on the bathycolpian Deepa 🙂
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Ayyo, this snow will be the death of us. 🙁
Yes, the reason we tried to get Johnny is because of SI readers recommendations. Here’s your original commnt recommending Johnny written on 08/31/2008 at 7:23am.
Instead of searching for what_if, we searched for Johnny. Maybe, you should change your user name to hmm HottieDeepa. Makes searching for your comments easier.
BTW, guess what we found for Deepa on the Urban Dictionary . Look at #4, 5 and 6. 😉
finally u gave a good review…..
SearchIndia.com Responds:
Duh!