Jodhaa Akbar - A watchable movie

I will state this right at the beginning, Jodhaa Akbar is a watchable movie. Keep in mind however that the movie started at 5:25 PM and I walked out of the hall at 9:10 PM, so this is a long movie. On the plus side, whenever I start getting bored in a movie, I keep on looking at my watch or fidgeting, and I did not do much of that, so the time did get spent (I can recall some movies that seemed to go on and on). Quite frankly, when I walked into the hall, I was not expecting anything great (maybe even bad), but the movie turned out better that I thought.
Leave aside the story of whether Jodha was married to Akbar or not (more for historians), and forget about learning much of a history lesson from this movie. For all the talk about having been made after much discussion with historians, I did not come away from the movie having learned something new. I did feel that Aishwarya Rai was okay in this movie (she always looks beautiful, but the debate has always been about her acting abilities, and she seemed to have done nicely in this department in the movie). Hrithik seemed a bit young for the role (maybe too much of watching Mughal-e-Azaam where you have developed an image of a wise and old Akbar), and to a lot of people, the concept of Hrithik playing Akbar seems a bit incredulous. I however was easily able to rationalize this, after all Akbar was young once, and must have been impulsive, emotional, and so on, and Hrithik managed to convey these emotions well.
Ashutosh Gowariker had done well in making this movie, and since the movie has been tagged as being about the love story between the young Akbar and the defiant Jodhaa, the love angle has been covered (at 3.5 hours, one feels that it is a bit too long). The movie has some great music, by A R Rehman (and the music feels so different from the type of music that we hear nowadays - the Sufi song Khwaja Mere Khwaja is incredible, and even the ode to the emperor, Azeem-O-Shaan Shahenshah sounds nice (must have been a lot of hard work to choreograph such a massive song)). Lyrics are by Javed Akhtar, and the movie has plenty of people other than Hrithik and Aishwarya, Sonu Sood, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Suhasini Mulay, Raza Murad, Ila Arun & Punam Sinha. Sonu Sood seems a bit wasted, since they spend some time on him in the beginning, and then he vanishes for most of the movie except for 2 scenes, one in the middle, and one at the end. Raza Murad has a great voice, and used for full effect for the short role that he has. Ila Arun somehow does not impress, given that she does not seem menacing enough.
The movie is a love story through and through, combined with the evolution of an emperor from a young child to a strong-willed yet compassionated ruler. Jalaluddin Mohammed is the child king, protected by Bairam Khan. However, after one a battle, Jalauddin shows his compassionate nature by protecting a defeated king, and also exercises his kingly nature by asserting his independence from Bairam Khan and sending him on the Haj. As part of political intrigue, he is offered the hand of young Jodhaa, a Rajput princess, and he accepts it as a political gambit. She is not in the least bit amused, and sets conditions on the marriage. In addition, she refuses to consumate the relationship till she is in love with him.
And so the romance begins; Jalaludin falls in love with her early on, her beauty, her defiant nature and pride, she takes a bit more time (easily seen when she spies on him when he is bare-chested doing sword practise and almost swoons); they have their misunderstanding at the end of which the proud Shahenshah of Hindustan pleads with her to come back, and she keeps on refusing. However, they keep on falling further in love, and she teaches him a great deal about being compassionate and a great ruler.
As a sideshow, you have court intrigue, some battle scenes (with excellent photography - imagine following a canon ball as it emerges from the canon; but it also seems like the scenes were shot to impress, and do not convey the general direction in which the battle is progressing), and some excellent camera work (I particularly like the scene in which Akbar is shown at the dargah in Ajmer, with a tree behind him). Overall, a movie that you can see, but Mughal-e-Azaam it is not.

Khosla Ka Ghosla - Chak De Fatte (2006)

Chak De Fatte is an exceptional song from the stable of Dhruv Dhalla, with lyrics by Jaideep Sahni (who is also the scriptwriter, the dialogues writer; he is also credited with the story). The song (sung by Kailash Kher) is a very peppy song, and have been remixed a lot. It is still incredibly popular; and of course, the movie is also very popular. The movie, Khosla Ka Ghosla, cannot be called an unknown movie, since it has stars of the like of Anupam Kher, Boman Irani, Ranvir Shourey, Tara Sharma, and others.
What the movie did achieve was that of a dream run, with the classic tale of a low budget movie that went to get some spectacular word of mouth publicity, and then become a hit; as well as a cult status. People who have seen the movie claim that it so much resembles reality, and especially from Delhi believe that it portrays life and people in the city exactly as they are (not very flattering for people in Delhi, but that is how things are). You see the character, and they seem so life-like, and you are sure to believe that this is how the land mafia will behave. You find yourself urging on the fight-back by the normal middle class people, while identifying with the timidity of the father.
Khosla ka ghosla literally means the nest of Khosla (the name of the main character); nest also implies a residence. The middle class guy (Anupam Kher) is pitched against the wicked mafia / builder Boman Irani. Soon Anupam Kher has lost. And this is when family and friends (with son Pravon Dabas and girlfriend Tara Sharma) and the comic duo of Ranvir Shourey and Vinay Pathal combine with a sophisticated-acting Navin Nischol to try and sell the builder Boman Irani some fake land. The twists and turns of whether they are able to sell some government land to Boman Irani makes for some hilarious watching, especially when Boman Irani wants to see the land. This is a must watch movie.


Video of song:

Chak De Fatte

Song: Rangeela Re Tere Rang Se - Prem Pujari

The song Rangeela Re Tere Rang Se starring Waheeda Rehman, and sung by Lata Mangeshkar, is a great song. The song is from the movie, Prem Pujari (directed by Dev Anand for Navketan Films), released in 1970. The movie stars a whole host of characters such as Shatrughan Sinha, Prem Chopra, Madan Puri and Amrish Puri, and was popular, yet generated a fair amount of protests.
The movie is fairly complex, about the pacifism in a man that prevents him from bearing arms, and yet is able to prevent this pacifism from preventing him from doing his duty when he has to save his village and the area from Pakistani forces in the 1965 war. Dev Anand (Ramdev Bakshi) is the son of a decorated ex-armyman Retd. General Durgaprasad Bakshi (known for his valor and sacrifice (he lost a leg in a previous battle). Ramdev is in love with a girl from his village, Suman Mehra (Waheeda Rehman). He dutyfully joins the army, but his pacifism leads to his being discharged from the army and bringing some amount of disgrace to his father.
He travels the world, in the meantime trying to break a spy ring (in the meantime, Waheeda has traveled to England as part of being Miss India, and sings this song when Dev Anand refuses to recognize her).
However, Dev Anand comes back to his village at the time of the declaration of war with Pakistan in 1965, and single-handedly beats back Shatrughan Sinha and his troops, preventing them from occupying the village. In the end, he rejoins the army.

Video of song Rangeela Re Tere Rang (Sung by Lata Mangeshkar)



Video of song Phoolon Ke Rang Se (Sung by Kishore Kumar)



Video of song Prem Ke Pujari (Sung by SD Burman)



Video of song Taqat watan ki (part 1)



Video of song Taqat watan ki (part 2)




Lyrics

Rangeela Re

Rangeela re, ae rangeela
Rangeela re tere rang mein yun ranga hai mera mann
Chhaliya re na bujhe hai kisi jal se yeh jalan
Ho, rangeela re tere rang mein yun ranga hai mera mann
Chhaliya re na bujhe hai kisi jal se yeh jalan
Ho, rangeela re
Palkon ke jhoole se sapnon ki dori
Pyaar ne baandhi jo tune voh todi
Khel yeh kaisa re, kaisa re saathi
Diya to jhoome hain, roye hain baati
Kahin bhi jaaye re, roye ya gaaye re
Chain na paaye re hiyaa
Waah re pyaar, waah re waah
Rangeela re tere rang mein yun ranga hai mera mann
Chhaliya re na bujhe hai kisi jal se yeh jalan
Ho, rangeela re
Dukh mera dulha hai, birha hai doli
Aansu ke saari hai, aahon ki choli
Aag main piyoon re jaise ho paani
Naari deewaani hoon peeda ki rani
Manwa yeh jale hai, jag saara chhale hai
Saans kyoon chale hai piya
Waah re pyaar, waah re waah
Rangeela re tere rang mein yun ranga hai mera mann
Chhaliya re na bujhe hai kisi jal se yeh jalan
Ho, rangeela re
Rangeela rangeela
Maine to seenchi re teri yeh raahein - 2
Baahon mein teri kyoon auron ki baahein
Kaise tu bhoola voh phoolon si raatein
Samjhe jab aankhon ne aankhon ki baatein
Gaaon ghar chhoota re, sapna har toota re
Phir bhi tu rootha re piya
Waah re pyaar, waah re waah
Rangeela re tere rang mein yun ranga hai mera mann
Chhaliya re na bujhe hai kisi jal se yeh jalan
Ho, rangeela re, rangeela re



Phoolon Ke Rang Se

Phoolon Ke Rang Se Dil Ki Kalam Se Tujhko Likhi Roz Paati
Kaise Bataaoon Kis Kis Tarah Se Pal Pal Mujhe Tu Sataati
Tere Hi Sapne Lekar Ke Soya Teri Hi Yaadon Mein Jaaga
Tere Khayaalon Mein Uljha Raha Yoon Jaise Ki Maala Mein Dhaaga
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Sanson Ki Sargam Dhadkan Ki Beena Sapnon Ki Geetanjali Tu
Man Ki Gali Mein Mehke Jo Hardum Aisi Juhi Ki Kali Tu
Chhota Safar Ho Lamba Safar Ho Sooni Dagar Ho Ya Mela
Yaad Tu Aaye Man Ho Jaaye Bheed Ke Beech Akela
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Humein Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar

Purab Ho Paschim Uttar Ho Dakshin Tu Har Jagah Muskuraye
Jitna Hi Jaoon Main Door Tujhse Utni Hi Tu Paas Aaye
Aandhi Ne Roka Pani Ne Toka Duniya Ne Hanskar Pukara
Tasveer Teri Lekin Liye Main Kar Aaya Sab Se Kinara
Haan Badal Bijli Chandan Pani Jaisa Apna Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hume Kayi Kayi Baar
Haan Itna Madir Itna Madhur Tera Mera Pyar
Lena Hoga Janam Hameh Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar
Kayi Kayi Baar




Shokhiyon Mein Gholaa Jaaye

Song By LATA MANGESHKAR & KISHOR KUMAR
shokhiyon mein gholaa jaaye fulon kaa shabaab
us mein fir milaaee jaaye thodeesee sharaab
hogaa yoon nashaa jo taiyyaar wo pyaar hain

hasataa huaa bachapan wo, bahakaa huaa mausam hain
chhedo to yek sholaa hain, chhoolo to bas shabanam hain
gaanw mein, mele mein, raah mein, akele mein
aataa hain yaad baar baar, wo pyaar hain

rang mein pighale sonaa, ang se yoon ras chhalake
jaise baje dhoon koee raat mein halke halke
dhoop mein chhaanw mein, zoomatee hawaaon mein
haradam kare jo intajaar, wo pyaar hain

yaad agar wo aaye ayese kate tanahaee
sune shahar mein jaise bajane lage shahanaaee
aanaa ho, jaanaa ho, kaisaa bhee jamaanaa ho
utare kabhee naa jo khumaar, wo pyaar hain

Devotional Songs: Allah tero naam (Hum Dono (1961))

This is one of the all-time great devotional songs. The song is from a movie called Hum Dono, released in 1961. The movie is about a double role, and the confusion stemming from the conflict that gets caused when a war hero does not return home, and his lookalike is sent to break the news to his family. The movie was a hit, and had some lovely music. The movie was made under the Navketan banner, produced by Dev Anand and directed by Amarjeet. Lyrics were by Sahir Ludhianvi and music was by Jaidev. The movie starred, in addition to Dev Anand, Nanda, Sadhana, Lalita Pawar, Gajanan Jagirdar and Leela Chitnis.
The movie has a young Captain Anand (Dev Anand) happy with his love Mita (Sadhna), singing love songs and being a great young couple in love. At this time, the war finally breaks out, and Captain Anand has to report to duty. In the army, he finds a lookalike in a senior position, Major Verma. The Major has a stiff moustache, and is fairly grouchy. After some initial hiccups, the Captain and the Major become friends, and soon learn a lot about each other's lives.
Tragedy happens when the Major disappears in battle, and is presumed to be dead. Captain Anand is dispatched to break the news, but is totally unprepared for the situation he finds himself in. The Major's mother and sick wife Ruma (Nanda) think him to be the major. And the wife is in such a bad state that the Captain is unable to reveal the truth since he thinks she may not be able to take the shock. So he is forced to live in the household, causing complications. His girlfriend Mita starts becoming distant with him, and then Ruma sees her husband meeting a strange woman. And then finally the Major returns (crippled), and is shocked to see the Captain as having taken his place.Eventually things get resolved.

Video of songs:

Allah Tero Naam (Lata Mangeshkar)



Dukh Aur Sukh Ke Raaste (Asha Bhonsle)



Abhi na jaoo Chodke (Asha Bhonsle & Mohammed Rafi)



Main Zindagi Ka Saath (Mohammad Rafi)




Lyrics:

Allah Tero Naam Ishwar Tero Naam

Allaa Tero Naam Eeshwar Tero Naam
sab Ko Sanmatee De Bhagawaan

maangon Kaa Sendoor Naa Chhoote
maan Bahanon Kee Aans Naa Toote
deh Binaa Bhatake Naa Paran

o Saare Jag Ke Rakhawaale
nirbal Ko Bal Denewaale
balawaanon Ko De De Dynaaan



Dukh aur Sukh ke raaste

dukh aaur sukh ke raaste, bane hain sab ke waasate
jo gam se haar jaaoge, to kis tarah nibhaaoge
khushee mile humei ke gam jo hogaa baant lenge hum
muze tum aajamao to, jaraa najar milaao to
ye jism do sahee magar, dilon mein faasalaa nahee

jahaan mein ayesaa kaun hai, ke jis ko gam milaa nahee

tumhaare pyaar kee kasam tumhaaraa gam hain meraa gam
n yoo buze buze raho, jo dil kee baat hain kaho
jo muz se bhee chhupaaoge, to fir kise bataaoge
mai koee gair to nahee, dilaaoo kis tarah yakeen
ke tum se main judaa nahee, muz se tum judaa nahee



abhee naa jaao chhodakar, ke dil abhee bharaa nahee

abhee abhee to aayee ho, bahaar ban ke chhaayee ho
hawaa jaraa mahak to le, najar jaraa bahak to le
ye shaam dhal to le jaraa, ye dil sanbhal to le jaraa
mai thodee der jee to loo, nashe ke ghoont pee to loo
abhee to kuchh kahaa nahee, abhee to kuchh sunaa naheen ..

sitaare zilameelaa uthhe, charaag zagamagaa uthhe
bas ab naa muz ko tokanaa, n badh ke raah rokanaa
agar main ruk gayee abhee, to jaa n paaoongee kabhee
yahee kahoge tum sadaa, ke dil abhee naheen bharaa
jo khatm ho kisee jagah, ye ayesaa silasilaa naheen ..

adhuree aans chhod ke, adhuree pyaas chhod ke
jo roj yoon hee jaaogee, to kis tarah nibhaaogee
ke jindagee kee raah me, jawaan dilon kee chaah me
kaee makaam aayenge, jo hum ko aajamaayenge
buraa naa maano baat kaa, ye pyaar hain gilaa nahee
yahee kahoge tum sadaa, ke dil abhee bharaa nahee

Song: Hum ko manki shakti dena

Hum Ko Manki Shakti Dena is a devotional song from the movie Guddi. It is a very popular song, and the movie is equally good. The movie stars Jaya Bhaduri in her first film (in 1971), portraying her as a fresh faced girl, star-struck. She is positively fawning in her idol-worship of the star, Dharmendra. Her bhabhi takes her to her uncle's house (Utpal Dutt, who is a professor). She refuses the hand of an otherwise well qualified person, since she is in love with Dharmendra (or so she fears), at which time her professor uncle manages to persuade Dharmendra to help out with the situation. They decide to show her what the real world of the film-line is like; how an on-screen villain or a miser would be totally different in reality. At the same time, Dharmendra does his bit by showing how he is not a super-man, he is human after all. Guddi finally realizes reality and loses the stars in her eyes.
The director Hrishikesh Mukherji manages to get several stars like Dilip Kumar, Mala Sinha, Biswajeet, Navin Nischol, Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan and Vimmi to put in special appearances, showing them hard at work in the studios. The music was composed by veteran composer Vasant Desai.

Video of Song: Hum ko manki shakti dena





Bole re paphihara



Lyrics of Hum ko manki shakti dena (Singer: Vani Jairam):

hum ko man kee shakt dienaa, man wijay kare
dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare

bhedabhaaw apane dil se saaf kar sake
doston se bhool ho to maaf kar sake
zoothh se bache rahe, sach kaa dam bhare
dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare

mushkile pade to hum pe itanaa karam kar
saath de to dharam kaa, chale to dharam kar
khud pe hausalaa rahe, badee se naa dare
dusaron kee jay se pahale, khud ko jay kare



Bole re papihara

Bole re papiiharaa papiiharaa
Nit man tarase, nit man pyaasaa
Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase
Bole re...

Palako.n par ik buu.nd sajaae
Baithii huu.n saavan le jaae
Jaae pii ke des me.n barase
Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase
Bole re...

Saavan jo sa.ndesaa laae
Merii aa.nkh pe motii chhaae
Jaae mile baabul ke ghar se
Nit man pyaasaa, nit man tarase
Bole re...

Welcome - Another Akshay Kumar hit

Akshay and Katrina have already done 2 movies together - Humko Diwana Kar Gaye and Namastey London. Namastey London was a hit, and the pair did feel good on-screen. Welcome just takes the pair to their best hit so far, and does so in style. The movie is styled as an out and out comedy, the kind that you go and watch, and whether you like it or not, you really don't think too much about it afterwards. Welcome must have been difficult to put together, what with so many different stars, different locales, and the need to put so many gags into one movie, but director Aneez Bazmi seems to have managed that. And Welcome has been a big hit, more so overseas.
I was very enthused about the movie when I went in, but a trifle disappointed with the movie when I came out. It could have been far better in my opinion. I liked another comedy from the same producers (Nadiadwalas) much better, which was Mujhse Shaadi Karoge ? That was an all out comedy in which the comic bits never flagged, while in this movie there were times when I was not laughing, it seemed so forced.
Ok, so maybe it was not so bad. The 4 main other characters of Paresh Rawal, Anil Kapoor, Nana Patekar and Feroz Khan were great in their roles. They seemed natural. For example, I loved the way that Paresh Rawal meets a family when hunting for a bride for his nephew, and the way that his encounter with Ranjeet's family goes. Similarly, the way that Nana Patekar goes ballistic, and then says 'Control'; and also the time when he has to become emotional in front of Paresh Rawal (while faking it) was great. And Feroz Khan just acted naturally, and overall was great. It's just that the storyline and direction seemed to become much weaker in the second half.
The story of the movie is about the auctioneer Rajeev (Akshay) for whom his uncle Dr. Paresh Rawal is hunting for a bride, but she has to be from a honest family. And this is the main issue. Akshay meets Katrina and falls for her (literally ! She has to carry him away from a fire), and things seem to start moving. But her brother Nana Patekar and fellow don Anil Kapoor are the biggest dons in Hong Kong, and so Paresh refuses. Much threatening and comedy later, he agrees. But Paresh brings in Mallika to try and break up the marriage; she is actually a family friend. To try and break the impasse, Akshay tries to turn them honest (and this was very weak, since how would getting both of them to dally with Mallika in different roles - a wanna be movie actor and an artist work, since when the truth would come out, they are unlikely to remain honest). And then there is the head, Feroz Khan, and when accidentally Katrina shoots Feroz's son dead, there is hell to pay. Eventually, after a lot of drama and cliff-hangers, things work out. But the movie could have been far better.
Music for the movie is by 3 music directors: Himesh Reshammiya, Anand Raj Anand and Sajid-Wajid


Videos of songs

Welcome title song:



Uncha Lamba Kad

Song: Baras Ja from movie Fareb

Baras Ja is a major fast-paced song, starring the hot Shetty sisters, Shilpa and Shamita. The song is fast, shows plenty of skin, and is pretty suitable for a movie all about emotions, relationships and passion. The song is from the movie Fareb, and stars Manoj Bajpai, Shilpa Shetty and Shamita Shetty in the pivotal roles. Manoj Bajpai is happy with his family, with a loving wife Shilpa Shetty and a young child. And then he meets the demanding Shamita Shetty, who is a big customer of the ad agency where Manoj is a senior executive. Shamita wants Manoj and eventually manages to entice him, and he, in his lust and for a difference from the regular marital relationship succumbs and has an affair, severely impacting his relationship with Shilpa. But soon, his affair with Shamita also breaks; and then a murder happens where he is the prime suspect. What happens after that ? Who is the murderer ? The movie is a so-so movie, but more forward in the depiction of an affair than a lot of other movies on the same subject.
The movie is directed by Deepak Tijori, with music by Anu Malik and lyrics by Sayeed Quadri. Movie is written by Brijesh Jayarajan and Girish Dhamija. Also stars Kelly Dorji, Parmeet Sethi and Milind Gunanji.

Video of songs:

Baras Ja (Sung by Sunidhi Chauhan)



Pehle Se Ab Woh Din Hain (Sung by KUNAL GANJAWALA, SHREYA GHOSHAL)



Lyrics:

Pehle Se Ab Woh Din Hain

(pehle se ab woh din hain, na pehli si raat hain
shayad humare bitch, kahi koi baat hain) - 2

kya baat hain jo ab tu hume, dekhta nahi
ho kis haal mein hain , kaise hain
kutch pootchta nahi
lagta hain koi aur, tere aas paas hain
shayad humare bitch, kahi koi baat hain
pehle se ab woh din hain, na pehli si raat hain

jaane kaha se raah mein yeh, mode aa gaya
seene mein dabe paon koi aur aa gaya hain
jabke har ek kadam hain, tu hi mere saath hain
shayad humare bitch, kahi koi baat hain
pehle se ab woh din hain, na pehli si raat hain

pehle se ab woh din hain, na pehli si raat hain
shayad humare bitch, kahi koi baat hain



Baras Ja

Yeh Pyaas Kahi Kar De Na Mujhe Paagal
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 4
Jee Bhar Ke Bheegode Aaj Mere Tan Ka Sandal
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 4
Its Raining Love - 4

(its Raining Love
Leti Hain Nazaroka Is Dil Mein Angdai
Tu Kya Jaane Yeh Kya Hain Badan Ki Tanhai) - 2
Mann Chahe Teri Baahon Mein Ham Jaaye Pighal
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 4
Its Raining Love - 4

(everywhere - 2
Love Is - 2 In The Air) - 2
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 2
Its Raining Love - 4
(its Raining Love
Tu Hamko Duboke Rakhde Apni Chaho Mein
Ab Chain Hamein Bas Milta Hain Teri Panaaho Mein) - 2
Ham Tere Bina Rehtein Hain Hamesha Hi Bekhal
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 4

Yeh Pyaas Kahi Kar De Na Mujhe Paagal
Baras Jaa Aye Badal Baras Jaa - 4