Subhash K Jha talking about 'Tees Maar Khan' Movie

Subhash K Jha talking about 'Tees Maar Khan' Movie: You have to hand it to Farah Khan. The zany spirit never leaves her side. Tees Maar Khan (TMK) is a goofy oddball of a film, replete with the most outrageous takeoffs on the dreaded Hindi Film 'formula' seen in recent times.

The film, we understand, is inspired by a 1966 Peter Sellers comedy After The Fox. But the foxiness of this feisty farce comes entirely from Farah Khan's own sensibilities as a storyteller.

The laughter never deserts the belly of the plot. In TMK, she pulls out all stops to tell a tale that never grows pale under the gaze of the camera.

The plot is the kind of kinky concoction that one associates with the literature of P.G Wodehouse and the drama of Sheridan. As hard to put down on paper as it is to pin down on camera, Farah Khan manages to just about hold the myriad madcap characters into a firm comic grip. The clasp of the comic is strong and engaging.

The grin ever slips off. The spirit of a spoofy satirical homage to the larger-than-life hero-giri of the Formula Fillum never slips up. Yes, some parts of the takeoff refuses to take off. At times the storytelling becomes a casualty of its own parodic intentions. You never know when the narration slips into a parody of its own parody. That, you realize, is a part of this film's chirpychalu charm.

The energy-driven narrative propels the parody from one gag to another. The gasbag narration is never short of tricks to seduce us into a state of helpless laughter.

When the dialogues fail to lift the satire(and this fuel-shortage happens frequently), Akshay Kumar steps in to do his number. No stranger to comedy, Akshay turns in one of his zaniest performances since Priyadarshan's Hera Pheri. To say his comic timing is impeccable would be stating the obvious. Akshay just blends into the no-man's-land ambience of the film with unquestioning sincerity.

Tees Maar Khan Akshaye Khanna as the Oscar-crazy superstar comes up with a comically compelling performance. We've never seen him having so much fun before. Maybe it's the company he 'quips'. Katrina Kaif's airheaded eyelash-batting makeup-splashing item-girl act gets its rippling rhythms from her lately-honed comic aptitudes. Her 'Sheila Ki Jawani' item number which was the film's selling-point before release is performed with a gusto and elegance that could have easily overpowered the film. Happily TMK manages to hold its own right up to the crazy chaotic finale.

The plot is crammed full with empty-headed and moronic characters. Farah Khan's vibrant vision encompasses the entire gamut of giggles chuckles and guffaws in one swift confident sweep. You are hooked from the word go.

The supporting actors too furnish the hectic hilarity with enormous zaniness.Particularly notable are Aarya Babbar (fully in form as a boorish slightly dimwitted cop), Apara Mehta(endearingly nutty as Akshay's filmy mother) and Ali Asgar(as one of Akshay's sidekicks).

Tees Maar Khan is a kind of subverted homage to the cinema of Manmohan Desai. There are no lost-and-found kids in this 'ever-grin' film. But there's plenty of that spirit of daring destiny to do what it can.

Yup, MKD would've smiled on watching this one. Go for Tees Maar Khan. Ignore all the negative comments you've been hearing about. It's great unpretentious fun. To actually put so many IQ-challenged characters into an intelligent piece of comedy couldn't be easy.

So who said being the new-age Manmohan Desai was easy?

Akshay shares titbits about 'Kat' from behind the scenes of TMK

Akshay shares titbits about 'Kat' from behind the scenes of TMK: Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif return again to the big screen this Friday with Farah Khan’s much-awaited film Tees Maar Khan. As expected, the duo had a lot of fun while shooting the film.

During the shoot of the song ‘Bade Dilwala’, a funny incident happened when Katrina accidentally hit Akshay.

“We were shooting for the song Bade dilwala and Katrina got so involved in her dance that she actually hit me hard with her elbow. The impact was such that the shooting had to be stalled for two hours,” Akshay told reporters while promoting the film in New Delhi. He was accompanied with Katrina and Farah Khan.

When asked if he isn’t worried about being typecast as a comedy hero, Akshay said he did comedies because that what audiences want to see.

“I don't think I have lowered down my experimentation level as I am only doing what the audience wants. Audience today only want full entertainment which can be provided only through comedy,” Akshay said.

To everyone’s delight Akshay and Katrina also danced to the tune of ‘Sheila Ki Jawani’ at the promotional event.

“When we shoot for any song, there are often many cuts but I enjoy performing in front of live audiences because the response makes me feel good,” Akshay said after the dance.

Katrina too talked about her raunchy song in the film.

“Sheila is a character which will always remain close to my heart as compared to my earlier roles,” she said.

Rani Mukherjee talks about her role in 'No One Killed Jessica'

Rani Mukherjee talks about her role in 'No One Killed Jessica': Rani Mukherjee is coming back with a bang. After a slew of weepy roles, the actress steps into the shoes of a fiery, foul-mouthed crime reporter in No One Killed Jessica which is slated to release on January 7.

The 32-year-old actress said that by playing the role of crime reporter she realized how difficult and risky is the job.

“Through my character in the film I am sure people will respect and salute them for the kind of job they do. It is very fascinating profession where the basic job requirement is to be fearless and brave. I feel great that I am portraying the role of a crime reporter,” Rani is quoted as saying by a news agency.

Stressing on the risk faced by crime reporters, Rani added: “When we see crime reporters on TV we do not understand how difficult and risky their work is. I think in a day-to-day life, crime reporting is more risky as they are unaware of what assignment they would go for. They go to weird and dangerous places. Especially for girls it is tougher.”

The film, directed by Rajkumar Gupta, is based on the murder of model Jessica Lall in 1999 by Manu Sharma, son of a Haryana politician, in a Delhi night club. It has Vidya Balan playing Jessica's sister Sabrina, who fought the case to get justice and Rani plays a journalist in the movie.

“The very fact that I am playing a journalist in the film is also one of the reasons why I am part of it. It is the first time that media is shown in a powerful light in the movie,” Rani said.

Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Farah Khan's exclusive Interview

Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Farah Khan's exclusive Interview: Akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif and Farah Khan flew into London this week to promote TEES MAAR KHAN. From 'Sheila Ki Jawani' to Shah Rukh Khan's casting controversies, the film consistently generated column inches. Our correspondent went head-to-head with the director and stars of the movie, to talk about the production. Trade analysts are predicting it will be the biggest Bollywood grosser of 2010.

What is the USP of this film?
Akshay: The USP of TEES MAAR KHAN is the kind of role that I have been offered in the movie. Also, that I am working with Farah for the first time. On top of that we have 'Sheila Ki Jawani'.

Can you confirm the rumours that the project was first offered to Shah Rukh Khan?
Farah: When it was decided that I was going to direct the film the first person I called was Akshay and he was the only choice. Akshay was fabulous to work with. As a star to have in your film, he is bang on with time. If you want him there at 6am he will be there at 5.30am. He brings 200% and gives everything to the shot. Other than that, he improvises and will give you two or three variations of how to do it.

How did you decide on the casting of Akshay Kumar and Katrina Kaif?
Farah: For me, it was the first time I was working with Akshay and Katrina both. For a long time I resisted bringing the two of them together as I thought they had been together in too many movies. But I think we have presented them in a very different way, both of them are not doing anything we have seen before, and they look like different actors. When they come together their chemistry is so special, and when the camera goes on, magic happens. You cannot explain two people's chemistry, but for them it is there in abundance. They are also both tall, good looking and they complement each other physically.

What was it like working with Farah?
Katrina: There are a few directors who you want to work with on the basis of their talent and their reputation. In this film it was definitely a case of that with Farah. Luckily for me there were a lot of things that I found challenging in this film, obviously the songs and the level of the dancing expected.

Akshay: She is a very strict director, and if she was only allowed to have a cane in her hands. She loves beating up people.

And working with each other again?
Katrina: (Laughs) I had to be brought to set screaming and kicking.

Did you realize 'Sheila Ki Jawani' would be such a hit?
Katrina: I had not worked with Farah for many years, and her songs are always hugely talked about and they have always been a focal point. Especially the songs the girl have done like Sushmita Sen's 'Tumhe Jo Maine Dekha' in MAIN HOON NA and Deepika's [Padukone] introduction song in OM SHANTI OM. All her movies have that one really special song for the girls and I didn't want to let anyone down. I was very nervous about it and put in those hours to make sure I did the best that I could.

Farah: I knew 'Sheela Ki Jawani' would be a big hit. We composed it, constructed it and choreographed it in such a way. But it is incredible that it has gone onto become this kind of a rage, with people watching it a hundred times on YouTube. What is surprising is that little kids are loving it. Maybe it is a children's jingle. When Akshay saw it, he said in small cities they are going to stop the film and replay the song again.

Akshay: It will be fun watching this song in the interiors of India. I watch each and every film on the theatre, and when I am shooting in the interiors I love to watch films and literally they throw money at such kind of songs.

Farah: And this time I am going to be there right in front to pick up all the money.

How do you feel about the battle that has developed between Munni vs Sheila?
Katrina: I don't think we ever realized it, as when we were shooting the song, DABANGG had not yet released. I don't think Farah and I want to compare or fight or anything like that. It is about doing the best that I can do for this song. In my opinion, it is very different to the songs in DABANGG, which coincidentally Farah has done anyway.

How did Salman Khan come onboard for the project?
Farah: I asked Salman Khan to do a song for our movie as there were rumours already that he was in it. I asked him if he would do it and he agreed. It was as simple as that.

Does the movie show off your comic actor or action hero skills?
Akshay: Well there is not much action in this film. It is more comic, because the way the character is written, if there is any action he doesn't want to fight he just wants to run away, and will come back when there are less people and he can handle then very easily. So the character is like that.

Why is the film releasing earlier in the international market?
Farah: In the UK and US we are releasing earlier because the holidays begin on 22nd, so we get a really long weekend. We want to get the advantage of a bigger opening weekend and we get a five-day weekend this way. In the Middle East we release 23rd because all films release on a Thursday over there.

Monikangana Dutta: I have a boyfriend already!

Monikangana Dutta

Monikangana Dutta: I have a boyfriend already!: The Guzaarish debutante Monikangana Dutta finds it a bit hard to stomach the rumours linking her with co-stars Hrithik Roshan and Aditya Roy Kapoor because she is already dating someone.

"Thank you, I have a boyfriend already," Moni is quoted as saying. Though she hasn’t revealed his name, she does make it clear that she wouldn’t date anyone from her professional line and also that she can never marry an actor. So, who is that lucky fellow whom this lithe lass is dating? He is an entrepreneur, says Moni.

The model plays Hrithik’s beautiful ex lover and assistant in Guzaarish. Moni says she never faced any problem on the sets. Her co-star Hrithik was not only supportive but also helped her during the shoots as the model was new to working in a movie set-up, and she thinks herself lucky because she found Hrithik to be as handsome and gallant as she had imagined him.

Moni is just speaking her mind about Hrithik, so no rumours please!

Kareena Kapoor Interview: showering praise on the Shahid Kapoor

Kareena Kapoor Interview: showering praise on the Shahid Kapoor: Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor might not be on talking terms but this does not stop Bebo from showering praise on the actor.

Recently, in an interview, Kareena has admitted that she likes Shahid as an actor and thinks highly of his talent.

Kareena also made it clear that she is open to working with Shahid in future and will not shy away if the right opportunity comes her way.

Though Kareena might be contemplating marriage with Saif Ali Khan, it seems the actress has no qualms about dealing with her past love Shahid when it comes to being professional.

Aishwarya Rai Interview: i play best role in the industry!

Aishwarya Rai Interview: i play best role in the industry!: Aishwarya Rai, who plays a 'typical' girl of the 1970s in the retro comedy " Action Replayy", says she didn't try to imitate any particular actress, but picked from the looks and mannerisms of all reigning heroines of that era.

"There isn't any particular actor whom I followed. In terms of visual styling, make-up and hair, there are lots of actresses from that time. There is no signature reference of any particular actor of that time. It's a collage of all actors," Aishwarya, 37, told in an interview.

Preceded by serious roles in period films like " Umrao Jaan" (2006) and " Jodhaa Akbar" (2008), it was the word 'retro' that caught her attention when the film was offered to her.

Aishwarya reveals that "Action Replayy" was originally a play by the film's director Vipul Shah himself, and he did not deviate much from the original script.

"It's wonderful that I had so much of period films to do and yet they are all different. When Vipul said he wanted to do a retro film, the word retro was quite catchy. He didn't call it historical era, period piece, pre-independence, he called it retro era," she said.

"The moment you say retro, we all go into the 70's. I instantly knew it was different," she said.

"It's a fun genre. Vipul was very clear about the film he was making. It was a play that he made several years ago. He was very clear in his narrative, and didn't want to change anything except when most necessary. Of course, we improvised, but not that much, because Vipul was clear about what each character was supposed to do," Aishwarya said.

The actress said though it's a comedy film, she got enough scope to exhibit her acting skills.

"This film gave me the opportunity to do something. We have pushed the envelope even in the comedy genre, where we have revisited another era. Of course, visually there are aspects of styling, make-up and costume, and there are nuances in acting. As my character is very boisterous in the beginning of the film and then becomes mellow and feminine, we have spoofed it in the acting style of that time," said Aishwarya.

Did she ask for tips from her parents-in-law Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan?

"No, I didn't sit with Ma or Paa because, like Paa has always said, your work speaks volumes. You need not sit with them and literally speak. You have their films to refer to," she said.

Aishwarya feels her career has come full circle in the past two years as she is doing films with directors she worked with in her initial days.

"I am thankful to get such good roles in my career. It's a blessing and there are lots of very good memories and they were fulfilling," she said.

Dev Patel loving punched to Freida Pinto!

Dev Patel loving punched to Freida Pinto!: Freida Pinto still remembers small incidents that brought Dev Patel closer to her while filming Slumdog Millionaire.

One such incident was when Dev accidentally punched her in the face while giving one of the promotional interviews for the Danny Boyle-directed film.

“Small things bring so much joy to us, like when we were first doing interviews, there was one time when Dev punched me in my face by mistake,” Freida is quoted as saying by femalefirst.co.uk.

Apart from this ‘love’ punch, there were many other small incidents that Freida says only she and Dev can fully appreciate.

“The only two people who can understand what happened on Slumdog... are the two of us. Even our families, who appreciate and support us, are still on the outside and that is why we hold it so very dear to our hearts,” the 26-year-old star said.

Freida is presently in the news for her film Miral and the soon-to-release You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger.