100 Word Review: Don 2

Don 2 picks off right where it leaves us. And as predictable as it may sound, a heist is planned in which Don brings in his old enemies and new friends. There’s action, sexual tension and awesome dialogues. Don 2 is stylish (kudos Farhan) but it really lacks meat. SRK redeems himself big time post Ra.One—he is Don in every which way. Priyanka kicks butt well but seems far too turned on in her scenes with SRK. Kunal, Lara, Boman, Aly are all simply apt. Sadly, Farhan’s unique style is somewhat lost. This one is for diehard SRK fans.

All Garam, No Sharam Awards: Bare Chested in 2011!

If yesterday was for the men, today is for my ladies. The “All Garam, No Sharam Awards” is all about display (get used to this word, you’re gonna see a lot of it). And while women have a lot to show off (boobs, booty, legs, midriffs, etc), men on the other hand have a lot less that can they can openly exhibit; for the most part, we have to use our imagination. But we all love our men only one way: shirtless. In 2011, quite a few of Bollywood’s leading actors took their shirts off (hubba-hubba) only for us to swoon. Now if they have no shame in taking it off, why should we feel sharam in admiring toned oiled chests? Sharam ko maaro goli. Check out the top five men who dared to bare.

Special Mention:
You know what’s so sad? That there is no good image of Farhan Akhtar without his shirt from Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara. And I just don’t get why there isn’t one. I eventually had to settle for this print screen image but even then, Farhu looks incredibly H.O.T. If it were possible to be any more desirable, Farhan has increased his hot factor with his shirtless act in ZNMD. He makes the cut but not quite and thus, receives a special mention this year.

5. Salman Khan
Is it possible to skip out on Salman Khan on a shirtless list? I think not. He is after all the godfather of not-wearing-shirts in India. This year we were literally gifted with one song in which he strips himself of his silky-satiny black shirt to expose his infamous chest. Sallu miyan is one lad who knows how to make the ladies go weak in their knees. His chest is by far the most popular in Bollywood. It could easily win an award of its own.

4. Ranveer Singh
In my opinion, he is one of the most overrated obnoxious wannabe actors of recent times. But there is no denying his newly exposed body. Not sure how he managed to work it so quickly but whatever it is, Ranveer Singh’s new hot bod has the young college ladki’s going fida over. Add to that his attitude, his sexy tan, a pretty bulgy package, and Ranveer is on his way to finding a huge fan following.

3. John Abraham
One of the only reasons to watch Desi Boyz and okay fine, even Force, this year was because it allowed us to look at a shirtless John Abraham. His acting is incredibly mediocre but this body, now that is quite a view. For me, it’s more Desi Boyz than Force which made me feel lightheaded. His stripping scene and pole action was quite the vision (read:sexy!). He can add hot chest to that perfect bubble butt of his now.

2. Arjun Rampal
He will and will always be a terrible boring substandard actor but Arjun Rampal hides a hot body behind his clothes. Lucky for us, we got to see a whole lot of it courtesy of Ra.One. He’s always been quite the fitness freak but it’s only now that we get to see Rampal exposing a bit more– he should really walk around shirtless a lot more. Abs, packs and muscle intact, Rampal sizzles. The movie is nothing short of a maha headache but his bare chest one reason to watch.

1. Hrithik Roshan
No one but India’s answer to the Greek Gods, Hrithik Roshan, can top this list. How on earth he is so fine, is beyond me but he does work out hard for that beefcake body. If it possible for anyone to get more toned, hotter, sexier as time goes on, then it’s Roshan alone. Besides him, there is really no other man in India who can walk around looking so darn perfect. He’s what I like to call, “Sex on toast…with extra butter.” Tell me you don't want him.

Guessing you need a tall glass of cold water? Go for it. As for me, well, I’ll have another sharam-free countdown for you to lose control over tomorrow.

100 Word Review: Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara

Zoya Akhtar's latest offering, Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara, is a story of three friends who find themselves at different crossroads as they take a trip to Spain which changes their lives forever. Zoya’s coming of age story starts off on a slow note but slowly picks up pace later. A couple of sequences could have been edited, but manages to entertain. Hrithik and Katrina are impressive while Abhay and Kalki play their parts with ease. But it’s Farhan who steals the show in more than one way. ZMND is not groundbreaking cinema but it’s message is clear: live it up!  

* I honestly thought it was one film that would be slightly wannabeish. I was wrong.
** On a side note, the poetry by Javed Akhtar is simply superb.

Today I Cover the World!

Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar are topless in Zoya Akhtar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara! For the ladies and their admirers, i.e. moi, this is great news! It is rare that we see both actors and so seeing them sans shirts makes me go hubba-hubba-hubba! Abhay Deol, who is also starring in the film decided not to shed his shirt (wuss!) and so will be seen in a vest (read: boring!). I think it may be a slight complex that the no-pack Deol may feel  towards the many packed Roshan and Akhtar. Note to Abhay: We'll take you, topless or not!


In other news, my new best friend Paul the Octopus predicted Germany's win for third place which happened today. We all waiting patiently for the final for which the eight-legged creature has placed his legs around a Spain win. By the way, PETA has come out in defense of the Octopus and believes that he should be freed! Yes, animal rights activists are upset at the amount of publicity Paul is receiving. They claimed no animal should be confined to a tank and so on. Uh...where were they when he was unknown to the world?


And another piece of news that I found oh so fascinating was this one: Victoria Beckham is a Strict Mom. My initial reaction, "Uh huh." So I read on to find out that she has a punishment chair for the kids. Yes, if they do anything wrong they are sent to sit. On a chair. Oh the torture. I wonder if the chair is designer? Made of pure leather? You know what would be a better punishment? Perhaps if she made her kids listen to some of her music. And mind you, I'm a huge Spice Girls fan! I promise.


Sources: Mid-Day and Hindustan Times

Khan is King

Day after day, we are treated to reading punchlines from Shah Rukh Khan who takes quick jabs at Aamir, who, in turn does the same, followed by the non-stop feuds that SRK has with Salman Khan. While it's every Khan for himself, each of these Khans believe that they are kings, ace and rulers of the Hindi film industry. Ultimately, I have come to concur that they are not helping their individual reputations but instead, ruining it more so by talking about one another in a most derogative manner. The fans are bored, and the media have a hay day publicizing their vile comments. But question is, who is King Khan?

In my opinion, the throne belongs to Feroz Khan. I honestly believe that when he reads of all the Khans battling it out in the media and chuckles to himself. How can any of the contemporary Khans even believe they can match up to his grandeur or stature that he still exhibits? Till date the actor par excellence stands for style and modernity. In the past, his movies had been considered ahead of its time but the actor has never been one to toot his own horn. Ahem. I do hope the wannabe "King Khans" are listening. Known for helping co-stars, appreciating his subordinates and moreover Feroz Khan does not take cheap jabs at actors. Yes, he has had his share of controversial events regarding films, plots, scenes and songs. However, he has managed to come out on top and ever so graceful. This Khan is currently unwell however, and I wish him a speedy recovery.

From the newbies, I guess the only Khan that may take over the Khan regime is Imran Khan. This is merely due to the fact that he has right last name to help him. He still does need to prove himself as an actor if you ask me. I think that the only actor from the new lot who will actually make it huge, is Farhan Akhtar. The dude is a Rock Star and everyone knows the headbangers are the ones who bring in the crowds. Jokes apart, he is humble and so gracious. Too bad he doesn't have the last name which tends to reign supreme.

The Khans can continue to fight it out and continue to look silly if you ask me. Soon some other Khan (Saif, Fardeen and Zayed are all viable possibilities), will creep up behind them and steal their thunder. I'm waiting for that one. Until then, F.K, that's Feroz Khan to you, is bestowed with the honor of being deemed King Khan. K(h)an't say more than that.

Photo Credit: Graphics Stunt

"I Change, India Changes"

The India Today Conclave took place last week and while I was completely intrigued (and burning green with envy, that I couldn't witness it live) by most of the guest speakers, which included the likes of The Dalai Lama, Pervez Musharaff, Shah Rukh Khan, Karan Johar and my favorite Headlines Today reporters (gotta love that Rahul Kanwal), I was even more excited to watch the Youth Forum Session. Gold medalist Abhinav Bindra, Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, young industrialist Prashant Ruia and Youth Congress leader Jitin Prasad all formed a panel which spoke about how the youth of India needs to wake up if India has to progress ahead and ultimately change. I was inspired, encouraged, motivated and ready to roll. Each of the youth icons spoke words of wisdom that I honestly, wish it was compulsory for adolescent India to watch it.

Bindra, who was treated to a standing ovation, was overwhelmed with the love he has received from winning India's first gold medal. But he then went ahead and expressed how one medal was not enough, "Would China be satisfied with one gold medal? Would USA or Britain have been happy ?" Food for thought. He then went on to say that while cricket is a loved game, it is unfortunately, not recognized on an international level. Additionally, he spoke of how politics needed to be separated from sports as each was not interconnected. India has the talent but it lacks the motivation and vision to look ahead. With great hope in his eyes for sport in India, he signed off by stating, "Change is inevitable. If you do not make changes for the better, it will be for the worse." Bulls eye.

Next in line was Priyanka Chopra and Farhan Akhtar who both hail from the entertainment industry but had completely different ideas towards change and the youth. Chopra spoke about how she watched Rang De Basanti and walked out of the cinema ready to change India, "I felt it running through my bloodstream. It lasted me 5 days. I’ll be honest. I forgot the sensation I felt at that time." Ditto. Farhan on the other hand went on to say that there were too many restrictions in modern day film making. The censor board was clearly making it hard as "Young filmmakers do not get enough independence to make a film," vis-a-vis Black Friday, Paanch and Jodha Akbar. Being a youth icon to millions in India, he dressed the part and spoke like a true rock star, "Youth has nothing to do with age. It's the way you think, your ideas, your outlook on life that makes you young or old." Rock On!

Prasad was bombarded with a bunch of questions later on but ultimately spoke of how the youth must reach out and make differences. They cannot rely on the name game, i.e. you do not have to be Gandhi to change India. You have to be yourself. Jai Ho! Ruia was literally outstanding. He refused to see the bad in India, and decided to look at the good and best which makes India, "We are the world’s fifth largest economy...a sovereign country and the largest democracy in the world...But look at it another way, our neighbourhood is consumed with terrorism, the recent events in Pakistan, the war going on in Sri Lanka, the recent mutiny in Bangladesh." Finally some sugar, if you ask me. It doesn't matter who changes India, it needs to happen, he summarized. Whether it's the youth or the elderly, they need to change it. Gotcha.

They spoke. I listened. But did the youth get it?

The forum's byline was, "Can The Young Drive Change?" I'm not sure why it was phrased rhetorical question to be honest. I would like to rephrase it, "The Young CAN and WILL Drive Change." Perhaps it's because I am blinded to the bad in India or maybe because I am such a patriot; either way I refuse to believe that India has a "self-obsessed' youth, as was repeated stated. That said, I also think the youth need more space to express what they want and more guidelines from the government on the constitutional ways they can get involved. They have no idea how to step up to the plate. Corrupt government officials shoo them away claiming that they are too young. But the fact of the matter is those very officials are nothing but a group of uneducated shrewd money eaters who are simply looking out for their own pockets and not the country. They do not care for India's tomorrow, they care about today and now.

There is a single problem. The youth are content with the manner in which India and its wretched system works. For example, they know if they get caught for speeding, they can whip out a hundred rupee note, hand it to the officer and zoom off. It is merely a matter of content convenience. Why on earth would they change anything about it? Now, if that officer, who is likely to be senior to them in age, would tell them to stuff the bribe back in their pockets, pull the car aside, pull out their license and registration and write them up, the youth would finally realize they cannot find shortcuts. Ideally, lock the fool up! A night in a cell will teach him and his counterparts a lesson or two. So it cannot begin with the youth alone, it must start at the top. This is essential to ensuring India's youth changes and feels the need to change.

Maybe it is the seniors of our country, who have allowed it to become what it should show more restraint when it comes to making the youth feel incapable and useless. It is under their administration that there is a dreaded system which cannot be broken. And now, they expect the youth to break the "trend." However, they have no faith in the youth which may explain why they youth have literally rolled their eyes and given them a "whatever" attitude.

All they have to do is provide a way for the youth, show some encouragement and watch how the youngster stand up, speak out and CHANGE. The youth change society, and this is a known fact.

Change has to come and it will. How and when, I don't know. How will I make a change, when will I do it, what will I do? No idea. But I don't think I will die not making a change, even small. "If I change, India Changes." And change, it will. 'Nuff said.

Photo Credit: India Today Conclave 2009