My 25 most anticipated Bollywood movies
Apr. 21st, 2005 02:34 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dangermousieI have done a similar entry a week or so back for Hollywood movies.
Now here is one for Bollywood. My 25 list, from most to least. I will do a pictorial on each one of these later.
1. Parineeta
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt
Plot: http://www.livejournal.com/users/dangermousie/19020.html
Why: The visual look is stunning. The plot (about unconsciousness of love and cruelty of lovers) sounds like it has complicated characters. And I've been dying to see Saif Ali Khan in a completely serious role.
Why Not: I can't think of a reason. Unless the lovers die. Don't let me down, author of Devdas!
2. Paheli
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan,
Plot: In 15th century Rajastan, a ghost takes the place of an absent husband and the woman falls in love with him.
Why: I know nothing about 15th century Rajastan. The story is unusual to say the least (the theme is supposed to be about oppression of women). And it has my BW favorite, SRK in a double role.
Why Not: SRK has a mustache at least in one incarnation.
3. The Rising
Cast: Aamir Khan, Toby Stephens, Amisha Patel, Rani Mukherjee
Plot: Follows Mangal Pandey, the Sepoy whose defiance of the British sparked the 1857 uprising.
Why: I am a sucker for period movies. This has an excellent cast (Aamir is back after a 4 year absence, and Toby Stephens who plays his best friend is one of my British favorites), a stirring story and the stills look breath-taking. Plus, the love story between Toby and Amisha (a widow he rescues from the suttee) has got my heart going.
Why Not: It’s been delayed for ages. I will believe it’s out when it’s out.
4. Water (or whatever it's called now)
Cast: Lisa Ray, John Abraham
Plot: The third part of Deepa Mehta’s trilogy, this examines the stigma of widowhood.
Why: The two other parts (Earth and Fire) were phenomenal. The story is interesting. And I love John Abraham
Why Not: Will it just be a preach-fest?
5. Marigold
Cast: Salman Khan, Ali Larter
Plot: A crossover movie about a third rate American actress who is stuck in India and must act to earn some money. She does not know how to dance, enter Salman, the choreographer.
Why: It’s cross-over! With old-time HW plot and Salman being sexy and speaking entirely in English. Roooowwwwwrrrrr!
Why Not: As long as it doesn’t succumb to “aren’t we cool” syndrome.
6. Salaam Namaste
Cast: Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan
Plot: Who knows
Why: After seeing their chemistry in KHNH I’ll watch anything with them
Why Not: Well, not if it’s another Anjaam.
7. Kunal Kohli's Untitled Next
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kajol
Plot: Who knows
Why: KK did Hum Tum, one of last year’s best and lightest romances. I’ve wanted to see Kajol and Aamir together ever since Ishq. Plus, Kajol is back after a 4 year break.
Why Not: No reason on earth. The only reason it’s not higher is because I know nothing about it.
8. Bunty aur Babli
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan
Plot: Two small time con artists (Abhi and Rani) pursue their cons while being chased by a cop (Amitabh)
Why: Abhi-Rani pairing sizzles. I want to see Big B and Abhi in a movie together. The story sounds like fun and so do the stills.
Why Not: Could try too hard and be another Andaz Apna Apna.
9. My Bollywood Bride
Cast: Jason Lewis, other people whose names I will look up later.
Plot: Crossover movie. Alex, a mid-westerner meets and romances Indian beauty Reena, while she is on a vacation in California. Torn by her blossoming feelings for Alex and her Indian family values and obligations, Reena returns home without saying goodbye. Alex, distraught by the turn of events, decides to follow her to Mumbai and win her back.
Why: Sounds delightfully romantic and fun.
Why Not: Could be another Guru
10. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee
Plot: Only Karan Johar knows. And he isn’t telling.
Why: The cast. Look at that cast! *hyperventilates* My no 1 and no 2 BW actors in a movie together. Plus, whichever way he pairs the couples, I love all the combos. Also, Johar’s movies are always ALWAYS fun to watch and have great repeat value.
Why Not: They are also sometimes over the top and he isn’t the most subtle director. Plus, he’s had 3 mega hits. The streak is bound to end sometime.
11.Farhan Akhtar's Don
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Plot: In yet another double role, SRK is both a vicious mob boss, and a street entertainer look alike who has to step into his shoes (literally). Kareena is a woman who wants to avenge her brother’s death on the mob boss, but finds herself falling in love with the replacement
Why: The original was cheesy fun, and in the hands of Akhtar and SRK can be something more. Plus, Kareena and SRK sizzle and I wanted to see them together again since Asoka.
Why Not: Could be just dumb. Akhtar did brilliant Dil Chahta Hai, but also the deadly dull Lakshya.
12. Being Cyrus
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Nasseruddin Shah, Twinkle Khanna
Plot: Exposes the life of a Parsi family
Why: Parallel cinema is always interesting, especially when it has such a cast.
Why Not: Could be dull bore.
13. Babul
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham, Salman Khan
Plot: Father in law tries to get his widowed daughter remarried.
Why: I like the cast, and I like the director’s previous: Baghban
Why not: Could become yet another really dull cliché.
14. Rahein Naa Rahein Hum
Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Plot: remake of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Why: Powerful story and both Kareena and Salman can do it justice if directed right
Why Not: The director is the director of Hulchul and Hungama, slapstick hits.
15. Virrudh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, John Abraham
Plot: Elderly couple seek justice from the system for the death of their son.
Why: Very unusual story. I love the cast.
Why Not: Could descend into preachiness. John Abraham dies.
16. Waqt
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra
Plot: Father kicks son out to make him more independent and grow up.
Why: Priyanka and Akshay finally get each other after 4 movies. Plus, stills look good
Why Not: Does not inspire much enthusiasm in me
17. Kaal
Cast: John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi, Ajay Devgan, Lara Dutta and Esha Deol
Plot: 5 people stuck in a forest try to find man-eating tigers
Why: Something new from Karan Johar. SRK as item boy.
Why Not: Eco-thriller? What the heck is that? Plus, the cast is the mix of yay (Ajay, John) and horror (Esha).
18. Happy New Year
Cast: Shahrukh Khan
Plot: who knows? Not me.
Why: Another collaboration between SRK and Farah Khan. The previous one was the delightful Main Hoon Na
Why Not: No reason. Not higher because nothing is known, not even the rest of the cast.
19. Rang De Basanti
Cast: Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan
Plot: 3 stories about youth (their words, not mine)
Why: Aamir is picky about his projects
Why Not: Sounds disjointed.
20. Humko Tumse Pyar Hai
Cast: Arjun Rampal, Amisha Patel, Bobby Deol
Plot: Blind Amisha falls in love with Arjun. Before she is cured and thus can see him, Arjun is killed in an accident. Some time later, she agrees to marry millionaire Bobby even though her heart is in the grave. Lo who shows up after the engagement but Arjun. It seems the reports of his death were highly exaggerated. He is Bobby’s best friend. Will she find out? Will Arjun tell her? Will they live HEA? I don’t much care, because there will be plenty of angst on the way. Though now that she isn’t blind, Amisha has NO excuse for not ditching Bobby with all his millions the second Arjun shows up on the scene.
Why: Angst. Old-fashioned melodrama. Hot Arjun
Why Not: At this rate of delay, will be released in 2010.
21. Yakeen
Cast: Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra
Plot: Arjun is a husband recovering from car wreck, suffering from amnesia and being cared for by Priyanka. But something does not add up.
Why: Hot couple. They will have superbabies.
Why Not: I know which movie this is the remake of, so I know all the twists.
22. No Entry
Cast: Anil, Fardeen, Salman, Bipasha
Plot: Husbandly high-jinks a la 60s sex comedies
Why: Sounds like Masti and Masti was hysterical
Why Not: For every Masti, there are 10 crude unfunny wannabes.
23. Sarkar
Cast: Amitabh, Abhishek
Plot: Remake of Godfather
Why: great cast
Why Not: is nothing sacred? Plus, RGV is a bore.
24. Krrish (Hrithik's sequel to KMG)
Cast: Hrithik, Priyanka, Rekha
Plot: Son of Rohit from KMG kicks butt
Why: Pretty locations, Hrithik dances well and has never been paired with Priyanka
Why Not: Rakesh Roshan, the director, loves bad pot-boilers. Action movies are dull. Plus, I dislike sequels.
25. Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? (Why Did I Fall In Love?)
Cast: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan (or Arbaz, I can never keep them straight), Sushmita Sen, Katrina Kaif
Plot: Remake of Cactus Flower
Why: Dhawan did MSK
Why Not: Dhawan did Biwi No. 1
I will hate the movie but want to own the musical numbers candidate: Dhoom 2: I loathe Uday, action bores me, sequels suck, and John Abraham is not around this time. However this pairs Hrithik and Aishwaria as villains, a first time pairing. And when you get the best BW male and female dancers together, the musical numbers will be a must-see.
Now here is one for Bollywood. My 25 list, from most to least. I will do a pictorial on each one of these later.
1. Parineeta
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Vidya Balan, Sanjay Dutt
Plot: http://www.livejournal.com/users/dangermousie/19020.html
Why: The visual look is stunning. The plot (about unconsciousness of love and cruelty of lovers) sounds like it has complicated characters. And I've been dying to see Saif Ali Khan in a completely serious role.
Why Not: I can't think of a reason. Unless the lovers die. Don't let me down, author of Devdas!
2. Paheli
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan,
Plot: In 15th century Rajastan, a ghost takes the place of an absent husband and the woman falls in love with him.
Why: I know nothing about 15th century Rajastan. The story is unusual to say the least (the theme is supposed to be about oppression of women). And it has my BW favorite, SRK in a double role.
Why Not: SRK has a mustache at least in one incarnation.
3. The Rising
Cast: Aamir Khan, Toby Stephens, Amisha Patel, Rani Mukherjee
Plot: Follows Mangal Pandey, the Sepoy whose defiance of the British sparked the 1857 uprising.
Why: I am a sucker for period movies. This has an excellent cast (Aamir is back after a 4 year absence, and Toby Stephens who plays his best friend is one of my British favorites), a stirring story and the stills look breath-taking. Plus, the love story between Toby and Amisha (a widow he rescues from the suttee) has got my heart going.
Why Not: It’s been delayed for ages. I will believe it’s out when it’s out.
4. Water (or whatever it's called now)
Cast: Lisa Ray, John Abraham
Plot: The third part of Deepa Mehta’s trilogy, this examines the stigma of widowhood.
Why: The two other parts (Earth and Fire) were phenomenal. The story is interesting. And I love John Abraham
Why Not: Will it just be a preach-fest?
5. Marigold
Cast: Salman Khan, Ali Larter
Plot: A crossover movie about a third rate American actress who is stuck in India and must act to earn some money. She does not know how to dance, enter Salman, the choreographer.
Why: It’s cross-over! With old-time HW plot and Salman being sexy and speaking entirely in English. Roooowwwwwrrrrr!
Why Not: As long as it doesn’t succumb to “aren’t we cool” syndrome.
6. Salaam Namaste
Cast: Preity Zinta, Saif Ali Khan
Plot: Who knows
Why: After seeing their chemistry in KHNH I’ll watch anything with them
Why Not: Well, not if it’s another Anjaam.
7. Kunal Kohli's Untitled Next
Cast: Aamir Khan, Kajol
Plot: Who knows
Why: KK did Hum Tum, one of last year’s best and lightest romances. I’ve wanted to see Kajol and Aamir together ever since Ishq. Plus, Kajol is back after a 4 year break.
Why Not: No reason on earth. The only reason it’s not higher is because I know nothing about it.
8. Bunty aur Babli
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, Amitabh Bachchan
Plot: Two small time con artists (Abhi and Rani) pursue their cons while being chased by a cop (Amitabh)
Why: Abhi-Rani pairing sizzles. I want to see Big B and Abhi in a movie together. The story sounds like fun and so do the stills.
Why Not: Could try too hard and be another Andaz Apna Apna.
9. My Bollywood Bride
Cast: Jason Lewis, other people whose names I will look up later.
Plot: Crossover movie. Alex, a mid-westerner meets and romances Indian beauty Reena, while she is on a vacation in California. Torn by her blossoming feelings for Alex and her Indian family values and obligations, Reena returns home without saying goodbye. Alex, distraught by the turn of events, decides to follow her to Mumbai and win her back.
Why: Sounds delightfully romantic and fun.
Why Not: Could be another Guru
10. Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Abhishek Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee
Plot: Only Karan Johar knows. And he isn’t telling.
Why: The cast. Look at that cast! *hyperventilates* My no 1 and no 2 BW actors in a movie together. Plus, whichever way he pairs the couples, I love all the combos. Also, Johar’s movies are always ALWAYS fun to watch and have great repeat value.
Why Not: They are also sometimes over the top and he isn’t the most subtle director. Plus, he’s had 3 mega hits. The streak is bound to end sometime.
11.Farhan Akhtar's Don
Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Plot: In yet another double role, SRK is both a vicious mob boss, and a street entertainer look alike who has to step into his shoes (literally). Kareena is a woman who wants to avenge her brother’s death on the mob boss, but finds herself falling in love with the replacement
Why: The original was cheesy fun, and in the hands of Akhtar and SRK can be something more. Plus, Kareena and SRK sizzle and I wanted to see them together again since Asoka.
Why Not: Could be just dumb. Akhtar did brilliant Dil Chahta Hai, but also the deadly dull Lakshya.
12. Being Cyrus
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Nasseruddin Shah, Twinkle Khanna
Plot: Exposes the life of a Parsi family
Why: Parallel cinema is always interesting, especially when it has such a cast.
Why Not: Could be dull bore.
13. Babul
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Rani Mukherjee, John Abraham, Salman Khan
Plot: Father in law tries to get his widowed daughter remarried.
Why: I like the cast, and I like the director’s previous: Baghban
Why not: Could become yet another really dull cliché.
14. Rahein Naa Rahein Hum
Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor
Plot: remake of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Why: Powerful story and both Kareena and Salman can do it justice if directed right
Why Not: The director is the director of Hulchul and Hungama, slapstick hits.
15. Virrudh
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Sharmila Tagore, John Abraham
Plot: Elderly couple seek justice from the system for the death of their son.
Why: Very unusual story. I love the cast.
Why Not: Could descend into preachiness. John Abraham dies.
16. Waqt
Cast: Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Priyanka Chopra
Plot: Father kicks son out to make him more independent and grow up.
Why: Priyanka and Akshay finally get each other after 4 movies. Plus, stills look good
Why Not: Does not inspire much enthusiasm in me
17. Kaal
Cast: John Abraham, Vivek Oberoi, Ajay Devgan, Lara Dutta and Esha Deol
Plot: 5 people stuck in a forest try to find man-eating tigers
Why: Something new from Karan Johar. SRK as item boy.
Why Not: Eco-thriller? What the heck is that? Plus, the cast is the mix of yay (Ajay, John) and horror (Esha).
18. Happy New Year
Cast: Shahrukh Khan
Plot: who knows? Not me.
Why: Another collaboration between SRK and Farah Khan. The previous one was the delightful Main Hoon Na
Why Not: No reason. Not higher because nothing is known, not even the rest of the cast.
19. Rang De Basanti
Cast: Aamir Khan, Soha Ali Khan
Plot: 3 stories about youth (their words, not mine)
Why: Aamir is picky about his projects
Why Not: Sounds disjointed.
20. Humko Tumse Pyar Hai
Cast: Arjun Rampal, Amisha Patel, Bobby Deol
Plot: Blind Amisha falls in love with Arjun. Before she is cured and thus can see him, Arjun is killed in an accident. Some time later, she agrees to marry millionaire Bobby even though her heart is in the grave. Lo who shows up after the engagement but Arjun. It seems the reports of his death were highly exaggerated. He is Bobby’s best friend. Will she find out? Will Arjun tell her? Will they live HEA? I don’t much care, because there will be plenty of angst on the way. Though now that she isn’t blind, Amisha has NO excuse for not ditching Bobby with all his millions the second Arjun shows up on the scene.
Why: Angst. Old-fashioned melodrama. Hot Arjun
Why Not: At this rate of delay, will be released in 2010.
21. Yakeen
Cast: Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra
Plot: Arjun is a husband recovering from car wreck, suffering from amnesia and being cared for by Priyanka. But something does not add up.
Why: Hot couple. They will have superbabies.
Why Not: I know which movie this is the remake of, so I know all the twists.
22. No Entry
Cast: Anil, Fardeen, Salman, Bipasha
Plot: Husbandly high-jinks a la 60s sex comedies
Why: Sounds like Masti and Masti was hysterical
Why Not: For every Masti, there are 10 crude unfunny wannabes.
23. Sarkar
Cast: Amitabh, Abhishek
Plot: Remake of Godfather
Why: great cast
Why Not: is nothing sacred? Plus, RGV is a bore.
24. Krrish (Hrithik's sequel to KMG)
Cast: Hrithik, Priyanka, Rekha
Plot: Son of Rohit from KMG kicks butt
Why: Pretty locations, Hrithik dances well and has never been paired with Priyanka
Why Not: Rakesh Roshan, the director, loves bad pot-boilers. Action movies are dull. Plus, I dislike sequels.
25. Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya? (Why Did I Fall In Love?)
Cast: Salman Khan, Sohail Khan (or Arbaz, I can never keep them straight), Sushmita Sen, Katrina Kaif
Plot: Remake of Cactus Flower
Why: Dhawan did MSK
Why Not: Dhawan did Biwi No. 1
I will hate the movie but want to own the musical numbers candidate: Dhoom 2: I loathe Uday, action bores me, sequels suck, and John Abraham is not around this time. However this pairs Hrithik and Aishwaria as villains, a first time pairing. And when you get the best BW male and female dancers together, the musical numbers will be a must-see.
