Yamla Pagla Deewana Review – Entertainment guaranteed

In the 1970s and 1980s, Bollywood churned out hardcore masala films by the dozens. Those films appealed to the 'Balcony Class' as well as the 'Stall Audience' [terminology used for dissecting the audience then]. Even today, films like Sholay, Amar Akbar Anthony, Namak Halaal, Don, Roti Kapada Aur Makaan, Dharam-Veer, Muqaddar ka Sikandar et al, the most popular films of that era, appeal to the guy riding an auto rickshaw as well as the CEO of a multinational company. Masala films, in my opinion, can never go out of vogue. The gargantuan success of films like Dabangg and Golmaal 3 last year endorses this viewpoint.
The reason why masala films tick to this date is because they have the power to entertain. I've often heard my non-film friends comment that cinema, for them, symbolizes an outing with their family. They want to be transported to a world of make-believe in those 3 hours and forget their worries/sorrows/trials/tribulations in the process. Yamla Pagla Deewana does that and does so most convincingly.
Yamla Pagla Deewana is a tribute to the cinema of yore. Every rule in the book that made hardcore commercial films major money spinners then have been read minutely and integrated in the plotline of this one. Generally, movie makers often claim that their film is hatke, that it boasts of stuff that the viewer hasn't watched on screen before, but Yamla Pagla Deewana makes no such claims. It is old wine bottled and packaged in a new avatar.
What makes Yamla Pagla Deewana work? A variety of reasons, if you ask me. One, watching the Deol parivaar in one frame is an experience in itself. Two, drama, emotions and light moments are smartly integrated in the narrative. Three, the punches [most of them] are thoroughly enjoyable. Four, the entertainment quotient. Most importantly, it delivers what it promised in its promos: Laughter and amusement. It's a film that caters to the aam aadmi, who's keen on having a good time at the movies. It's definitely NOT for the hard-nosed critics or fakes who masquerade as champions of art house cinema.
But Yamla Pagla Deewana has a flipside too: The romantic sequences are a bore and the music, barring the title track and 'Charha De Rang', is a earsore. Even the climax fight is very, very formulaic. But, thankfully, the plusses outnumber the minusses by leaps and bounds here. The second half, to be specific, salvages the show to a major extent.
Final word? The fans of Deols, even those who had drifted away, are sure to lap it up in a big way. Triple masti, triple mazaa, triple magic... Go, get entertained without using your intellect. The film begins in Canada, travels to Banaras and eventually makes its way to Punjab. The father-son duo of Dharam Singh and Gajodhar Singh [Dharmendra and Bobby Deol] are the biggest con-men in Banaras. Their happy-go-lucky existence involves drinking and pulling off hilarious cons on unsuspecting people. The only hitch in their perfect albeit notorious life arrives in the form of Paramveer Singh Dhillon [Sunny Deol].
A brawny and honest NRI from Vancouver, Paramveer lands up in Banaras claiming to be Gajodhar's elder brother separated at childhood. The duo willingly accepts Paramveer into their fold only to exploit his muscle power to serve their con games.
Meanwhile, Gajodhar falls in love with Sahiba [Kulraj Randhawa], a beautiful girl from Punjab. As their romance reaches its peak, her brothers [Anupam Kher and company] arrive and forcibly take her away. Paramveer saves the day with a crazy plan to win the girl back for Gajodhar, which leads them to the rustic heartlands of Punjab.
Like I pointed out at the very outset, Yamla Pagla Deewana borrows from here, there, everywhere. You can draw parallels with Mirza-Sahiba, the legendary folklore that is popular to this date. Memories of Bunty Aur Babli and also Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge come alive while watching this one. The climax, of course, is straight out of 1970s cinema. In fact, writer Jasvinder Singh Bath makes it a point to offer the viewer a new punch every 15/20 minutes. Of course, some are enjoyable, some aren't.
From the writing point of view, the first half leaves you with mixed feelings. The undercurrent of emotions is electrifying and how one wishes director Samir Karnik and the writer would've tapped this aspect, instead of wasting precious celluloid on the romance between Bobby and Kulraj Randhawa. On the brighter side, the action at the start - Sunny saves Dharmendra and Bobby from Johny Lever's goons - is dazzlingly executed. It's aimed at the masses entirely. Also, a number of comic scenes tickle your funny bone in this hour.
The film redeems itself in the post-interval portions. The graph zooms upwards the moment the focus shifts from Banaras to Punjab. The introduction of Anupam Kher's character, his assorted brothers, the sequence when Sunny and Bobby ask for Kulraj's hand in marriage, the arrival of Dharmendra and also Sunny's Canadian wife Emma Brown Garrett subsequently, Sunny's speech in English at the election rally... the fun never stops. Of course, the villain's track [Puneet Issar] is an obstacle and the climax fight, like I pointed out earlier, tries so hard to be funny. Also, the film could've done with trimming.
Director Samir Karnik has targeted the film at the hoi polloi and that segment of moviegoers would love his effort. In fact, the film has several mass-appealing moments that would either send the masses in a tizzy of excitement or make them clap in delight. However, the clap-trap moments are more towards the second hour. Writer Jasvinder Singh Bath seems inspired by the cinema of Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra and if one overlooks the hiccups in the first hour, his screen writing does justice to the genre of the film. The songs aren't appealing, except for the remix version of 'Yamla Pagla Deewana', the yesteryear hit and 'Charha De Rang', which is melodious to the core. 'Tinku Jiya' should appeal to the front-benchers. The cinematography [Kabir Lal] is captivating; the lush green locales of Punjab are well captured on moving picture. Dialogue are well worded. The action sequences [Analarasu] are deftly executed.
Casting the Deols together is a trump card and their real-life bonding reflects delightfully on screen. Dharmendra is endearing and charming as ever. He enacts his part with effortless ease. Sunny is wonderfully restrained. The audience will love him as a sober guy and the ones who expect the brawny star to flex his muscles or raise his voice [the angry man persona] won't be disappointed either. Bobby is equally convincing, matching up to his iconic father and brother every time they appear on screen together. Kulraj looks beautiful and makes an extremely confident big screen debut.
Anupam Kher is outstanding. This is amongst his most lovable acts. Johny Lever is funny in a brief role. Nafisa Ali is graceful as ever. Sucheta Khanna is first-rate. Amit Mistry does very well. Mukul Dev should stage a comeback to movies with this one. He's too good! Himanshu Malik is okay. Puneet Issar is wasted. Emma Brown Garrett [Sunny's wife] is amazing. Ditto for the two child artists, enacting the role of Sunny's kids. Ajay Devgn's voiceover at the start sets the tone for the film.
On the whole, Yamla Pagla Deewana is a hardcore mass entertainer that fulfils the expectations of the aam junta. Those who love Deols will adore this one, while those who don't, won't ignore it either. The film works big time for its mass-appealing second half and loads of entertainment it has to offer. The target audience is the masses and it is this segment of movie-going audience that should carry this film to success. Business at single screens should be exceptional, while the film should set new benchmarks in North India [Punjab specifically]. Internationally too, the film should perform the best in U.K., U.S.A. and Canada.

This information is taken from- http://entertainment.oneindia.in/bollywood/reviews/2011/yamla-pagla-deewana-review-150111-aid0064.html

Rani Mukherji and Vidya Balan Kiss And Make Up By BW Team

Bollywood actresses Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan have pulled off a new feat in front of media cameras. The normally quiet girls got naughty at a promotional event in the recent past. Well, we know that both Rani and Vidya do not shy away from playing bold roles onscreen, but that the two women could pull off such a stunt for the television camera is something that their fans were not prepared for. According to reports, Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan engaged in a passionate lip-lock at a stage event held in the recent past.
The videos doing the rounds on the net are evidence of the fact that the earlier warring actresses Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan have kissed and made up, literally! Ever since the promotional clips of their upcoming film together No One Killed Jessica was released on television, people started praising Rani Mukerji, considering that her character of a journalist is a more powerful role compared to Vidya Balan’s role of Jessica’s real life sister Sabrina Lal. And it was this fact that was apparently giving Vidya Balan sleepless nights, also the root cause of her catfight with costar Rani Mukerji.
However, the fight is a thing of the past now. Both actresses are professionals in real life and thus they agreed to take that extra step to promote No One Killed Jessica well. So is the lip-lock only a promotional gimmick? Though many will be thinking so, Rani Mukerji and Vidya Balan looked really happy and enjoyed each other’s company while performing the lip-lock on stage!
This article is taken from- http://www.bollywoodworld.com/bollywood-news/rani-mukherji-and-vidya-balan-kiss-and-make-up-113525.html

Pregnancy rumours hit Aishwarya in Dubai

By India Today
Rumours related to Aishwarya Rai Bachchan have again started making the rounds. The rumours, this time, are related to her pregnancy not in India but in Dubai.
But rumours have become such a routine affair for Ash that she does not even clarify them. We presume that she chooses to laugh it off.
Ash had some interviews scheduled in Dubai, but they were cancelled at the last moment leading to speculation among the small community of Indian journalists in the Middle East.
" Unless it is a case of dodgy Indian curries that is slowly but surely emanating, the rumour mills are grinding to grist the possibility of a classic Ash diva tantrum because she is pregnant," quoted the local newspaper in Dubai.
Sources had informed the newspaper that Ash was not well and hence had cancelled the said interviews. This is not the first time that the buzz about her pregnancy hasreached us.
Had we believed in all these gossips Ash and Abhishek should have had a few babies by now. We guess we should leave the couple alone and give them the benefit of doubt and the honour to make the announcement themselves.
After all, their marriage was the biggest ever in Bollywood and when the Bachchans will confirm any such news it would surely be the biggest one, too.
This article is taken from-  http://www.blogger.com/post-create.g?blogID=7481977158985654365

No Indira Gandhi For Sushmita Sen!

Sushmita Sen, the beauty with brains who brought in the first Miss Universe crown for India will soon turn 35. This beautiful bong babe shares her birth date which falls on the 19th of November with the first woman Prime Minister of India, Indira Gandhi.
Thus, there have been a lot of comparisons between this enigmatic beauty and the charismatic leader on many fronts. The fact that Sushmita Sen has lived life on her own terms and conditions speaks about her tremendous will power and confidence just like Indira Gandhi, our coveted Prime Minister who has the distinction of being one of the most powerful ladies of the world.
However, there are several tabloid reports that Sushmita Sen who was offered to play the role of this powerful Prime Minister on screen has refused to do so as she has no interest in politics or political roles whatsoever.
Well whether she refuses to portray the role of this great Prime Minister or not the fact that Sushmita is a woman of great substance and dedication cannot be denied. Her bold step to adopt two daughters without getting married is quite a remarkable feat in itself.
Moreover, the fact that she is doing her duty as a mom amazingly is for all to see. Sush is to celebrate her 35th birthday in Dubai with her two daughters according to reports. We wish her a very happy birthday and a great New Year ahead in advance!
This article is taken from- http://www.topnews.in/no-indira-gandhi-sushmita-sen-2290630

Bigg Boss 4: Sara And Ali's Wedding Night Haunted By Cameras

Sara Khan and Ali Merchant's wedding in the Bigg Boss house might have been one of the most talked about and happening events of Bigg Boss 4.

But what turned out to be sour grapes, perhaps, for the couple was the fact that the room which was given to them for their wedding night was not devoid of cameras or mike.
Thus, when the two had walked into the room initially just after the announcement was made by Bigg Boss, there were quite a lot of exclamations from all the inmates. Everyone was eager to see what the room looked like and what was kept there for the newlyweds.
However, when the excitement died down and the two newlyweds settled down, they were quite disappointed to learn that they were being watched by the prying lens of the cameras.
Well, as the last episode was aired, Ali was cribbing in muffled tones of how pathetic he was feeling and Sara busy telling him to just go off to sleep. Of course, how traumatic the night might have been is anyone’s guess but the reactions of the couple have clearly portrayed that.
So watch this space for more updates on this!
--Sampurn Wire
this article is taken from- http://www.topnews.in/bigg-boss-4-sara-and-alis-wedding-night-haunted-cameras-2290121

Prithviraj Chavan to be next Maharashtra chief minister

NEW DELHI: Union minister Prithviraj Chavan will be the next chief minister of Maharashtra succeeding Ashok Chavan who resigned in the wake of the Adarsh Housing Society scam.

The announcement was made by Union finance minister and senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee, a day after Chavan's resignation.

"Congress president Sonia Gandhi has chosen Prithviraj Chavan as the Maharashtra Congress Legislature Party leader," senior Congress leader Pranab Mukherjee told reporters after meeting Gandhi.

Mukherjee said Gandhi's decision to choose Chavan as the CLP leader has been communicated to Maharashtra Congress chief Manikrao Thakre.

He said the Maharashtra CLP had on Tuesday night authorized Gandhi to name its new leader and the Congress chief chose 64-year-old Chavan on Wednesday morning.

According to Raj Bhavan sources, swearing in ceremony will be held on Thursday.

"Swearing in today is a remote possibility...If Chavan, accompanied by leader of the NCP Legislature party, meets Governor K Sankaranarayanan this evening, swearing-in may take place tomorrow," the sources said.

Earlier in the morning, Chavan, the minister of state in the PMO, met Gandhi at her 10, Janpath residence in New Delhi and the two are believed to have discussed the political situation in Maharashtra in the wake of chief minister Ashok Chavan's resignation.

Chavan has won three Lok Sabha elections and his base in Karad in the heart of western Maharashtra is a battlefield between Congress and Sharad Pawar's NCP with whom it shares an uneasy alliance.

Chavan is a currently Member of the Rajya Sabha and is a loyalist of the Gandhi family. 

This article is taken from- http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Prithviraj-Chavan-to-be-next-Maharashtra-chief-minister/articleshow/6899179.cms

Obama heads to Indonesia, finally

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama headed to Jakarta on Tuesday for a visit aimed at boosting U.S. security and trade ties with Indonesia, and using the most populous Muslim nation to reach out to the wider Islamic world.

Indonesia is an important destination for Obama for a variety of strategic and personal
reasons, aides said. Its importance as a U.S. ally is on the rise, even if the joy over Obama's election has faded since he became president almost two years ago.
As Southeast Asia's biggest economy and a G20 member, Indonesia has proved resilient to the financial crisis and has become a hot destination for emerging market investors looking to tap strong consumer demand, abundant resources and political stability.
"We see in Indonesia the intersection of a lot of key American interests, and we see this as a partnership that is very important to the future of American interests in Asia and the world," said Ben Rhodes, Obama's deputy national security advisor for strategic communications.
Obama's visit to a country where he spent four years of his childhood comes after two previously scheduled trips were put off -- in March as he fought to pass his healthcare overhaul law and in June as he faced the cleanup of the massive BP oil spill.
The delays disappointed and angered some Indonesians, and even this visit had been in some doubt because of concerns about volcanic ash from repeated eruptions of Mount Merapi volcano, which led to flight cancellations over the weekend.
Jakarta is the second stop on Obama's 10-day four-nation Asian tour. He has spent three days in India, where his emphasis was on developing business links that could lead to U.S. jobs, and later will visit South Korea, where he attends a G20 summit and Yokohama, Japan, for an Asia-Pacific economic meeting.
COMPREHENSIVE PARTNERSHIP
Obama and Indonesian President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono are expected to sign a
"Comprehensive Partnership" they agreed to a year ago. The pact covers security, economic and people-to-people issues, said Jeffrey Bader, Obama's top Asian adviser. Obama could announce millions in funding to fight climate change by protecting Indonesia's forests, sources say, although large corporate deals
have not been flagged. The United States exports only about $6 billion worth of goods to Indonesia each year, making it America's 37th largest market, according to the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Two-way trade is likely to pick up slightly to around $20 billion this year. However, the U.S. has dwindled in importance as a source of foreign direct investment into Indonesia, with just $171.5 million or 1.6 percent of the total last year, reflecting rampant graft, poor infrastructure and concerns on nationalist policies.
"Indonesia maintains significant and far-reaching foreign investment restrictions," said the U.S. Trade Representative's 2010 National Trade Estimates Report.
"Its investment climate continues to be characterized by legal uncertainty, economic nationalism and disproportionate influence of business interests."
This article is taken from- http://news.indiamart.com/story/golmaal-3-fetches-eros-rs-70-cr-box-office-collection-102622.html