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Gangster
Review :
New find Kangna is surprise package in 'Gangster'
By Subhash K. Jha, Indo-Asian News Service
Film: "Gangster"; Cast: Shiney Ahuja, Emraan Hashmi and Kangna; Director: Anurag Basu; Rating: ***
It is not just heart, it also Seoul. The crowded lanes and the festive festering decadent setting add considerably to the intensity level of this high-pitched drama of love passion, jealousy, sacrifice and atonement.
"Gangster" is not really a film about homicidal crime. Nor is it a film that dwells stylishly on the glossy exteriors of the high life. It focuses on the stark interiors of hearts that ruthlessly seek love in relentlessly self-serving places.
In what is possibly the toughest role written for a female newcomer Kangna stumbles across a minefield of volatile emotions.
Never shy of exposing the inner-most contours of a lacerated heart and soul, writer Mahesh Bhatt gives us a love triangle between a girl on the brink Simran (Kangna), her gangster-lover (Shiney Ahuja) and the man (Emraan Hashmi) who comes into her life to put balm on her frayed nerves.
Director Anurag Basu captures the desperate anxieties of the three-way passion-play with high-voltage sequences each done in lush untried colours of life's most complicated trajectory.
There is a curvaceous feeling to every swing and swerve of this dramatically done plot.
The narrative offers surprises all through, with heart-stopping moments of suspense to punctuate the terse pauses between one dramatic high and another. It is hard to guess which way the feverish plot would finally go.
Many moments capturing the girl's anguished dilemma remain clearly etched as illustrations of director Basu's ability to hold the dramatic pitch at a high decibel without toppling over the weight of over-statement.
Specially memorable is the gangster Daya's arrest at the Seoul station. As he shrieks and protests against the injustice of a justice system that turns his love into a mocking betrayal - the narrative tells us how difficult it is to take a moral stand on the question of right and wrong in the matter of love and morality.
Stylishly shot by cinematographer Bobby Singh, "Gangster" is a gripping tale where all three principal actors turn in competent performances.
Emraan's strait-laced supportive-suitor's act is well balanced against Shiney's smouldering crime-lord turned repentant lover's act.
But the surprise package is debutante Kangna. From burnt-out alcoholic, to a woman in love and finally a woman willing to pay the ultimate price for her heart's peace... the girl goes through the complex gamut of emotions with a perceptible lack of self-consciousness.
Like Bhatt's early films, "Gangster" takes us to the darkest recesses of the human heart where the devil and the saint are slyly affiliated. It is a film that isn't afraid to let its feelings show.
And that's what makes it notches above the run-of-the-mill bang-bang-kiss-kiss fare.
So is this really mobster Abu Salem's love story? By the end of "Gangster" you really don't care. The characters go far beyond the source material.
I'll do anything to grab attention: Mahesh Bhatt (INTERVIEW)
By Arpana, Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, April 27 (IANS) Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who is gearing up for the release of his next film
"Gangster", unabashedly says he will do anything to grab attention.
"Attention grabbing is my business and I would do everything I can to grab attention," Bhatt told IANS here.
So was the legal notice served on him by mobster Abu Salem also part of a publicity stunt?
"You surely can't accuse me of asking Abu Salem to file a case against me to get 'Gangster' in the limelight. If you grant me that much of genius I am delighted," Bhatt said.
After "Gangster", the next film that is keeping him busy is "Woh Lamhe" - the celluloid version of his affair with Hindi cinema's glamour girl Parveen Babi who passed away last year.
"Portions of it are based on my personal life but no film can be an actual replay of your life. Real life doesn't translate into good fiction. It will be too boring. Portions of your life used with a bit of imagination translate into good fiction."
Newcomer Shiney Ahuja is playing Bhatt's part in the film.
Bhatt, who is mainly writing, producing and marketing films for his production house Vishesh Films, says nothing can persuade him to go behind the camera again.
"I am not directing films any more. Direction is a very important part of the film business and I think I have had my run. Everything gets dated, even directors get dated - now there are younger directors directing. They are brighter, better, quicker and more relevant and I am there to help them."
Bhatt is also launching his son with "Suicide Bomber".
"It looks into the mind of a suicide bomber, which is a phenomenon India is familiar with - we lost our prime minister (Rajiv Gandhi) because of that."
Though he didn't talk much about his son, he showed confidence in his nephew Emraan Hashmi's acting skills. Emraan is playing an important role in "Gangster".
"He is our creation. He has just begun. He has got an interesting audience and has a bright future. He has a long way to go."
He refuses to accept that there are no takers for his nephew outside Vishesh Entertainment.
"It is a notion created by the media. He is not dependent on our company to give him work. He has signed Subhash Ghai's film. He has also signed new producer Surendra Bhatia's film."
Bhatt is upbeat about "Gangster", which is releasing Friday, and says the public will like it.
'Gangster' a real life love story
Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, April 26 (IANS) Putting the failure of his second film "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" behind him, director Anurag Basu returns this Friday with "Gangster", a love story inspired by underworld don Abu Salem and Bollywood starlet Monica Bedi.
The human heart in conflict with itself is an integral part of all drama. "Gangster" starring Emraan Hashmi, Shiney Ahuja and new face Kangna Rawat is one such tale of human emotions - love, passion and betrayal.
Set against the backdrop of South Korea, the film is about Simran (Kangna), an alcoholic going through one of the most difficult phases of her life. While she is struggling to put her life back on the right track she meets Akash (Emraan) who is a singer and brings a ray of hope into her dark and depressing life.
But Simran has a past, which keeps haunting her. She is unable to shut away the memories of Daya (Shiney) - a dreaded gangster whom she had an affair with. He is the most sought after underworld fugitive from India.
Totally unaware of Simran's past life, Akash falls in love with her.
What happens when Daya discovers her relationship with Akash - does he stay away from them and allow them to live a normal and peaceful life or does he blackmail them?
Mahesh Bhatt, the producer of the film, is known for exploring new destinations other than European countries and has shot the film in South Korea to give it a new look and feel.
For Basu, making "Gangster" was a big challenge because of his fragile health. Halfway through his second film "Tumsa Nahin Dekha" he was diagnosed with cancer but it didn't stop him from making "Gangster". The film is the result of his will power and he hopes his hard work will pay off.
Varma vs Bhatt at box office this Friday
Indo-Asian News Service
New Delhi, April 25 (IANS) Ram Gopal Varma's horror flick "Darna Zaroori Hai" and
Mahesh Bhatt's crime thriller "Gangster" are set to collide at the box office Friday.
They are also expected to end more than a month of box office monotony created by dud comedies and high voltage dramas - "Malaamal Weekly, "Pyare Mohan", "Humko Deewana Kar Gaye", "Shaadi Se Pehle" and "Saawan - The Love Season" - that hit the screens and tumbled one-by-one.
Going by the pre-release curiosity that director Anurag Basu's latest "Gangster" has created, the Emraan Hashmi starrer is expected to win the race at the box office. Because any kind of love story lures people.
"If the audience really has a sixth sense, as they claim to have then they will definitely come to see my film," producer Mahesh Bhatt told IANS.
"Gangster" has excited some curiosity because it is loosely based on mobster Abu Salem's affair with actress Monica Bedi, who was seen romancing Sanjay Dutt in "Jodi No. 1".
However, Varma's "Darna Zaroori Hai" faces an uphill task in enticing viewers despite its high powered cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Anil Kapoor, Riteish Deshmukh and Bipasha Basu.
"Darna Zaroori Hai", a prequel to "Darna Mana Hai", is a horror film and the genre is not very popular in India.
Indian movies buffs might have matured in last few years and applauded films like "Black" and "Page 3" but they have yet to match up with Varma's weird thought process.
Produced by Varma's Factory, "Darna Zaroori Hai" is a joint effort of seven directors - it has seven stories woven into one thread with each one directed by a different person.
Commenting on "Darna...", Bhatt said: "They are not offering anything new. We must remember the public wants to see new things."
His film does not boast the same cast though. Besides Bhatt's nephew Emraan, the film stars Shiney Ahujua and introduces Kangna Rawat who is playing Monika Bedi's part in the film.
A few years ago, Bhatt reaped huge profits with "Murder", starring Emraan and Mallika Sherawat, who became a name to reckon with after the film's success.
But then "Tumsa Nahin Dekha", where he repeated Emraan with Diya Mirza, sank without a trace.
Varma has also not given any big hit lately. His "Sarkar", inspired from Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's life, which had Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan in the pivotal roles, was a moderate success but wasn't a money spinner.
The verdict lies with the audience. But all said and done, Indian audiences prefers crime thrillers to horror flicks.
The acid test awaits Bhatt and Varma this Friday.
'Gangster' boosts Anurag Basu's confidence
Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai, April 22 (IANS) Anurag Basu, whose directorial debut "Murder" was a big hit, is more confident about his next venture "Gangster".
He says: "My approach to 'Murder' was insecure and unsure. But here I am totally confident. Even the music is superior to 'Murder'. Music of 'Murder' was all borrowed while this is based on my musical sense and the songs are according to the scenes."
"The film is better than 'Murder' and will prove to be better on the box office too."
Is 'Gangster' based on Abu Salem's life?
By Manissha Despaande, Indo-Asian News Service
Mumbai, Dec 22 (IANS) The trailer of director Anurag Basu's underworld drama "Gangster", which was released with
"Kalyug", is said to have generated considerable curiosity in trade circles as to whether it is inspired by mobster Abu Salem.
Shiny Ahuja, who plays the title role in the film, is inundated with curious callers eager to know whether the character is inspired by Salem's real life as was indicated in sections of the media, reports Bollywood Trade.
Says Shiny: "The film is suddenly in the spotlight and everyone seems eager to know how far my character is inspired by Abu Salem's character. However, the truth of the matter is that 'Gangster' is not Salem's life story though there are a lot of parallels between the two characters."
One such interesting common factor, which gives a twist to the storyline, is the way Salem rescued his girlfriend Monica Bedi. "It is pretty much similar to how Abu Salem got Monica out of India," Shiny reveals.
There is also another resemblance - the suave, sophisticated and non-controversial look of the don. "That deceptive look is also a strong part of my character. He's intelligent, sophisticated and the last person to get angry," says Shiny.
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Basu Chatterjee returns to filmmaking
Music director Shravan's production debut "Ek Ladki Bholi Bhali Si - Add Spice To Your Life" marks the return of noted filmmaker Basu Chatterjee after a long hiatus.
A social comedy, the film is also a launch vehicle for Zee TV Talent Hunt winners Aditi Sharma and Sarwar Ahuja, reports Bollywood Trade.
At a time when the majority of films with newcomers are having a tough time finding buyers, Shravan has them lined-up for his film.
"I think it has the Basu Chatterjee stamp and the fact that the film is a comedy has got the buyers interested in the film. These days comedies are selling like hot cakes in the market and knowing Basuda's penchant for social comedies, this one definitely has an edge," Shravan reveals.
Shravan is in the process of signing two well-known actresses to make guest appearances in the film.
Besides Aditi and Sarwar who play the lead roles, the film also stars Chatterjee's favourite, Moushumi Chatterjee, Anupam Kher, Satish Kaushik, Archana Puran Singh and Parikshit Sahani.
The film is more than half-way through and is expected to release in mid-2006.
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Bappi, Mehndi team up for 'Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron'
Sanjay Sharma's "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron" brings together Bappi Lahiri and his ardent fan Daler Mehndi together.
At the recording of a Punjabi number for "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron", at Venus Recording Studio, Lahiri and Mehndi exchanged gifts to celebrate their friendship, reports Bollywood Trade.
Daler said: "I have been an ardent fan of Bappida and I think many musicians of my generation are inspired by him."
Daler's favourite number is "Pagh ghungroo bandh meera naachi thi".
Commenting on the current song, Bappi says: "The song has turned out to be beautiful. Daler is simply amazing."
This "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron" song will mark a new beginning for Bappida and Daler Mehendi. They are looking at doing a hip-hop Bengali song next.
Marriage not on Koena's cards
Indo-Asian News Service
Item girl Koena Mitra, who burst on to Bollywood with the hit number "Khullam khulla pyar", is annoyed with journos for constantly inquiring about her single status.
She says: "I can't understand why being single for an actress, who is perceived to be hot, is such a difficult thing for people to accept.
She insists she enjoys being single and has no plans to date anybody in the near future.
"Any problem darlings?" she asks.
That's a gutsy statement from the Bengali beauty.
Bollywood's original maverick filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, who has ruffled many a feather of traditionalists during his prime, will unveil his
"Gangster" on Friday.
Directed by Anurag Basu, the film is rumoured to be based on the life of
Mumbai underworld don Abu Salem. It has garnered much attention following threats by the don.
The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Shiny Ahuja and newcomer Kangna Ranaut and will face stiff competition from "Darna Zaroori Hai". May the best man win between this box-office clash of a neo maverick and the original.
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