All Garam, No Sharam Awards: Bringing Sexy Back!

The "All Garam, No Sharam Awards" of 2011 begins by counting down the top five hottest backs that have been displayed by our leading actresses this year. I had to begin with this one because a ladies back is easily one of the most underrated parts of her body. A woman who can cover up and put her back on for show says, "I'm confident and sexier than the rest." True story. Screw the boobs and booty, a sexy back is something else. Back to countdown- pun unintended, the criterion for this one was simple: silky, smooth, sexy.

6. Mahi Gill
She was supremely hot in both her films this year. However, it was Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster that made us all stand 'up' and take notice of Mahi Gill. She is one actress who has been exhibiting her sexy back in a variety of attires throughout her time as an actress, but in 2011 we saw her go Desi-glam with her last film. Of course, her backless sari blouses and cholis made the men swoon and sweat while women went green with envy.

5. Anushka Sharma
The otherwise conservative actress who chooses to keep herself rather covered in the past, let it go this year. Who woulda known Anushka Sharma had a sexy back? We’ve all seen her tiny waist but clearly she was hiding her lean back from us. I hear she also puts it all on for a look-see in Ladies v/s Ricky Bahl. But the question still remains unanswered: why was she hiding it? We may have not known but I know one person who definitely did: Ranveer Singh.

4. Katrina Kaif
Katrina has always had one; a sexy back that is. But she is really “bring it back” with her Maxim shoot. Now you've seen her in many avatars, but this one beats any one in my opinion. For those of you who thought she couldn't get hotter, check this out. And by the way, how silky mulayam is her back?

3. Deepika Padukone
It’s no surprise that D-Pad (what kinda moniker is that?) is on this list. You will probably see her again on another list later on but for now, check out a pink-cladded Deepika and her dress which goes down, down, down only to expose what is easily a beautiful back. P.S. She's one hottie who can really work that side cleavage too, no?

2. Bipasha Basu
You know what’s weird? We’ve practically seen every part of Bipasha’s hot body but how many times have you thought, “Wow! She’s bringing sexy back?” Never na? Neither. Our eyes wander all over Bips but let’s be nice and pay some appreciation to her back? Naturally, she works it and how. But that's what Bips does best; show and show some more.

1. Vidya Balan
After losing the Aunty tag (finally), it's Vidya Balan who takes the cake and the cherry this Dirty December. While she too will make more appearances in a few more countdowns, Ms. Balan is literally screaming come hither in her completely backless Desi avatar. Devoid of a sari blouse and draped in a white sari, she's working it and ain't no body complaining. Mind you, this is pre The Dirty Picture. Post, of course, we were "treated" (if you choose to call it that) to much more from the lady. But that was her jiggly side. This is her, toned and tan tana! 

While most will claim this one is for the men, ladies, you have to take a minute to hand it to these women for exhibiting a side that is not appreciated enough. Fine, that is hardly a good enough reason. So tomorrow, I promise a countdown especially for the ladies. Until then, be right back. Now that one is pun intended!

100 Word Review: Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster

Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster is pretty much self explanatory. A debt Saheb is looking to save his haveli while his rather eccentric and possessive Biwi constantly fights for his attention. When a Gangster in the form of her new driver enters her life, she decides to entice and use him to conquer her rightful place. SBAG makes for a rather interesting watch because of the actors. Everyone from Shergill to Gill and the very hot Hooda, work their roles shedding any inhibitions only to score. Dhulia, the director, pulls a rabbit out of the hat with SBAG. Gots to watch!  

100 Word Review: Not a Love Story

Not a Love Story is hardly even a film. Ram Gopal Varma follows the Neeraj Grover story with a digital camera and a bland film. Mahi Gill plays the central character whose career becomes a point of insecurity for her obsessive boyfriend. The film is shot in the sleaziest of fashion which make it look like a B-grade film. The film loses pace, track and even its point by the end of the film. Gill does well in a film which looked like it set out to make her character look like a whore. RGV has officially lost his mind.

Dev D Movie Review

Photo Credit: Masala.com

By Roshni Mulchandani

He is controversial, eccentric, emotional and unconventional. Anurag Kashyap, has gone from making cinematic greats in the form of Black Friday to the infamy No Smoking. While he still stands strong and firm by the script of No Smoking, his boisterous ways has managed to keep him in the news for the right and wrong reasons. His new venture Dev D, a progressive look at the historical Devdas, is said to be contemporary and entertaining. Looking to break his jinx at the box office and receive critical acclaim from his “friends,” the critics, Kashyap swore that his new flick was bound to create waves. Read on to see if Anurag’s Generation-X version of the classical Devdas manages to live up to its avant-garde reputation.

In true modern day fashion, young Dev (Abhay Deol) is shipped off to school at the tender age of twelve. He departs for London leaving his childhood love Paro (Mahi Gill) behind to yearn for him. He returns, now a grown man, eager to hold Paro in his arms. While the lovers reunite, they also become victims of a misunderstanding after which Paro is married off leaving Dev in a state of melancholy. Rich and irresponsible, he turns to drugs and alcohol, moves out of his family home falls into a deep self destructive rut. Enter Lenny (Kalki Koechlin). Young, rebellious and bored with her mundane school life, she is thrown out of her house after a shameful MMS scandal, and she is taken in by Chunni. The pimp forces her to indulge in a life of sex and prostitution by the alias of Chanda. She decides to take on a double role playing Lenny the school going girl by day and the sexy boudoir Chanda by night. Dev and Chanda meet only to detest each other and while the latter falls in love, Dev is still mesmerized by his first love. Dev is left at a blurred crossroads where he must decide between life and love.

Anurag Kashyap has taken a delicate and usually orthodox story, added conventional millennium norms: drugs, sex and revolution, making it relatable to the current generation. Kashyap’s understanding of the current generation is fabulous. His script incorporates a vodka drinking, cocaine sniffing Dev; Paro emailing nude pictures of herself to Dev; and a phone sex indulging Chanda. His personality of being an extremist works in Dev D to his advantage making the script different and fresh in many aspects. Another facet to the script is that even though every moviegoer already knows the repeated plot, they are still in for a slight shock when they see the unconventional manner with which the movie has been executed. Shock being the key word here, as some of the behavior of the characters is outrageous and scandalous. However, Kashyap takes on this wild attitude in a wicked fashion. He includes some dry tongue-in-cheek humor too which subtly points out his belief and take on love. Additionally, the mind-bending scenes between an intoxicated Dev and school girl Chanda are shot magnificently in typical Kashyap flair.

The letdowns are few. The “misunderstanding” between Dev and Paro was not as well thought out and clearly could have been resolved. Also, why could educated Paro agree to marry a widowed man with two children? A girl of her stature and strength would normally speak out and disagree to such a match. Additionally, Dev’s evil indulgences are financed by a doting father but why? Clearly, in this day in age, fathers would kick their sons to the curb instead of funding their daily doses of coke. The scenes between Chanda and her pimp are boring. Towards the end, as the movie works towards the climax, it becomes a tad bit monotonous.

Abhay Deol is once again top notch. He is proving to be an actor who prefers to stay away from the usual run of the mill scripts and does a great job in those roles. Deol plays Dev D’s role as the bratty decadent pardesi who is heart-broken to the ‘T.’ His chemistry with both the leading ladies is sizzling. Watch out for the scene where he blatantly asks Paro to get down with him on the fields and later when he expresses his remorse to Chanda. After Oye Lucky, he is back with a bang and is turning out to be an actor par difference and excellence. Mahi Gill is decent and natural as her portrayal of Paro. She lights up in the intimate scenes with Deol. Kolki Koechlin, who was supposed to be the new find of the movie, is strictly okay. She definitely should consider a few acting classes however exhibits great confidence onscreen.

Emotional Atyachar is top class. Its witty lyrics and choreography is unique adding some spice to the emotionally charged love story. Pardesi too is another song to watch out for.

Dev D is Anurag Kashyap’s first love story and his interpretation is quirky and alternative which is naturally expected of him. In a nutshell, Dev D, in true Kashyap fashion will make you gape at the bluntness of the characters and the story. This one is not for the children, so leave them at home. Otherwise, Dev D is one to watch and talk about. No emotional atyachar here - Dev D is a must watch.