The Best of Aishwarya Rai Bachchan

2010 is a big year for my forever favorite actress Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. She will have appeared in a total of 4 movies at the end of the calendar year and all of them are different. Raavan - a misguided attempt at recreating mythology; Action Replayy - an old-school masala musical-comedy; Robot - a Tamil-language sci-fi thriller; and Guzaarish - a romantic epic that reunites her with director Sanjay Leela Bhansali and my favorite of her co-stars Hrithik Roshan.

In honor of the Aishwarya Rai 2010 Extravaganza, I decided to list her top 10 songs...

10. Jhoote Ilzaam - Umrao Jaan (2006)

To be honest, all the dance numbers in this movie look kinda the same to me but this is the best song on the soundtrack. Ash looks very classically beautiful and she dances effortlessly.

9. Thodasa Pagala - Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997)

And this is the song that started it all... Did you know she wore the same outfit she wore at the Miss World pageant?

8. Ishq Bina - Taal (1999)

Even though Ash isn't really doing major dancing, she enacts this beautiful song quite well. And I really love her black outfit for some reason.

7. Kuch Naa Kaho - Kuch Naa Kaho (2003)

KNK is really one of Ash's underrated movies and the title song is easy, breezy, beautiful. Sadhana Sargam makes for a good playback singer for Aishwarya.

6. Keheta Hai Mera Yeh Dil, Piya- Jeans (1998)

The infamous "skeleton scene" aside, this is one of the Aishwarya's coolest dance numbers. Her dance partner is basically herself which is cool.

5. Silsila Yeh Chaahat Ka - Devdas (2002)

Devdas, my favorite Ash movie, is full of awesome dancing but "Silsila yeh chaahat ka" is just magnificent! When her face is revealed with lightning--perfect!

4. Mera Maahi Badaa Sohna Hai - Dhaai Akshar Prem Ke (2000)

Because DAPK released right after HDDCS, a lot of people compared "Mera maahi" to "Nimbooda" and they are similar in a way. But I just love the song, the dancing, the costume, the hot dream sequence--it's just great.

3. Aao Naa - Kyun Ho Gaya Na (2004)

Just how Akshaye Khanna ruined "Ishq Bina," Vivek Oberoi shatters the dream that is Ash's timeless beauty in this song. The whole video is just a love letter to her charms, her style. And it's rare for a song this beautiful to receive an equally beautiful video.

2. Kannamuchi Yennada - Kandukondain Kandukondain (2000)

I loved this song for years without knowing what a single line meant. It's such a captivating music video. I really think Aishwarya looks her best here and the choreography is somehow different than in Hindi songs.

1. Nimbooda - Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999)

"Nimbooda" has the best choreography in any Aishwarya song. The dancing is intense and breathtaking. That's really all I can say about it.

Honorable Mentions:

Crazy Kiya Re (Dhoom 2)

Inn Lamhon Ke Daaman Mein (Jodhaa Akbar)

Daiyya Daiyya Daiyya Re (Dil Ka Rishta)

Konjum Mainakkale (Kandukondain Kandukondain)

Khili Re (Raavan)

Basically all of her songs...

Falling in Love with "Luv" (and Cinema)

There are a few actresses who have a crazy-addictive screen presence. The minute they appear onscreen, you just cannot take your eyes off them; you immediately identify with their joys and problems. These actresses are always beautiful but in a more unique way than your typical heroine. The ever-improving Katrina Kaif is one such actress with her ethereal beauty and charming screen persona. Happy-to-be-here Deepika Padukone, with her sunshine smile and skyscraper legs, is another.

Sonam Kapoor, daughter of Anil Kapoor, is a new entry to this elite group of women. She kind of looks like a bird with her long neck, beak-like nose and arms the size of an eagle's wings. But it works for her as she is simply stunning. Luckily for everyone, she is decidedly the most talented actress in this club even if her career is only three films long.

Her newest film is I Hate Luv Storys (IHLS) a tongue-in-cheek romantic comedy starring another star kid, Imran Khan, nephew (or cousin?) to Aamir Khan. He is best known for the 2008 sleeper hit Jaane Tu...Ya Jaane Naa The film is written/directed by debutant Punit Malhotra with music by Vishal-Shekhar.

Jay Dhingra (Imran Khan), who pretentiously goes by "J", is an assistant director to one of Bollywood's most respected directors, Veer (Sameer Soni), famous for making hardcore romantic pictures (which also score big at the box office). J, however, hates love stories and openly mocks Bollywood's many cliches. When art director Simran (Sonam Kapoor) is hired for Veer's next film, she and J instantly clash. For Simran is a hardcore believer in love and romance, actually living her perfect love story. She's engaged to her childhood sweetheart, the perfect and perfectly named Raj (Sameer Dattani). Unless you've been living under a rock all this time, you know pretty much what's going to happen: hate, friendship, love, rejection, heartbreak, union.

You may think this film is another movie about how awesome love is (we've all seen Dil Chahta Hai), but I think this film is actually a celebration of (Bollywood) cinema and what it means to us, just like the underrated Salaam-e-Ishq. Simran has an almost Tarantino-esque love for the cinematic experience and she understands the power it holds over the viewing public. And the film takes an interesting turn when J starts living through the very Bollywood cliches he had lampooned earlier. For example, a romantically rejected J is shown wearing red which recalls the pre-intermission scene in Kal Ho Naa Ho in which a tragically heartbroken and red-clad Preity Zinta clings to a chain-link fence as if holding on for dear life. For these characters, Bollywood isn't just their job but it is also their life.

No one is promising that J and Simran are realistic people. They live at a larger than life scale. They are also very much aware of the tropes of the romantic-comedy genre even as they are experiencing them. This gives the film a surreal, other-worldly feel that can be (but shouldn't be) mistaken for the exploitation of plot devices we've seen a hundred times before. If that's how you see the film, then you've clearly missed its intention to be a loving/respectful parody of the Bollywood Romance.

Getting back to Sonam Kapoor--the beautiful and traditional love song "Bahaara" allows Simran to float around in all her glorious girlishness as she enjoys her full-blown crush. There is a certain visual pleasure one gets from seeing a woman on-screen who is totally bonkers-in-love. She coyly but radiantly smiles to herself in stolen moments. Her skin glows like a thousand suns. Her cheeks are reddened by the thrilling embarrassment of a secret love. Unfortunately, Simran has to share the song with the heroine of the movie-within-the-movie, which is obnoxious because the other "actress" is not as pretty/amazing as Ms. Kapoor.

But such a musical sequence would have been lame if it weren't for Sonam Kapoor, who delivers a full-bodied, thoughtful and graceful performance. She has a deadpan comic timing and yet her dramatic scenes are laden with humility and slight humiliation. It's a beautiful performance that I'm afraid will get overlooked come awards season due to the film's rom-com status.

Her co-star, Imran Khan, is a little tough to review. It's not that he's a Harman Baweja-style bad actor. He hits all the right notes, lands his jokes quite well and is solid in the dramatic scenes. But there is something he just isn't contributing to his character. I think the problem is that because J is so obnoxiously pretentious, it's hard to relate to him (unlike the honest/earnest Simran). The film's title (with the misspelled "luv" and "storys") is symbolic of his need to always be super-cool--that's where his mocking of Bollywood comes from. Or maybe Imran Khan is just blown away by his leading lady.

Supporting cast is fine. Sameer Dattani stands out as the boringly perfect Raj. I like the little details director Punit Malhotra added to showcase the lifeless romance between Simran and Raj (like the fact that they are always wearing the same color--not just complimenting outfits). Ketki Dave also scores as Simran's mother while Sameer Soni is quite good as the director. The film's soundtrack is perfect. Seriously, download the 5 main songs.

The film's one flaw is that sometimes the filmy references seem more like product placement than an earnest attempt to show Bollywood's influence on life. It works when the characters talk about films with actual cultural impact (DDLJ, K3G, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dil Chahta Hai, Hum Tum, etc). But having J say the phrases "rab ne bana di jodi" and "tujh mein rab dikhta hai" in the same scene seems a little sketchy. Also, the background music literally lifts music from past films which is just a mistake. I think the problem is that writer/director Punit Malhotra is just too inexperienced to understand the (slight) difference between parody and unoriginality.

Other than that, this film is a must-watch. Even if you're not a fan of it thematically, you will appreciate Sonam Kapoor's performance, her rocking chemistry with Imran Khan as well as the melodious soundtrack. IHLS is hilarious and heartfelt; and it's both a merciless satire and a loving tribute to the glorious tradition of Bollywood romance.

I Hate Luv Storys rates an 8.5/10.

But we kick her to the curb 'cause she looks like Katrina

The makers and star of Veer may claim that the casting of Zarine Khan had nothing to do with the fact that she looks like Katrina Kaif (or that her first name is phonetically similar to Kat's). I somewhat believed them prior to seeing the film because, who knows, maybe she could have turned out to have some acting ability. Or maybe there was something super-special about her that compelled them to cast her. 

Having sat through this amateurish wannabe epic, I'm 100% sure that her slight (but still obvious) resemblance to the 2nd most beautiful woman in Bollywood is the only reason she was chosen. Remember Unlucky: No Time to Make a Good Movie--sorry, Lucky: No Time for Love, whose heroine Sneha Ullal looked like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan? Same deal. If Zarine Khan's career has the same fate as Sneha Ullal's--well, does it make me a bad person if I hope for that? 

Veer is directed by Anil Sharma (Gadar, Ab Tumhaare Hawaale Watan Saathiyo, Apne) and stars Salman Khan, Zarine Khan, Sohail Khan, Mithun Chakraborthy, Lisa Lazarus and Jackie Shroff. Music is by Sajid-Wajid. 

Veer (Salman Khan) is the son of a Pindari chief (Mithunda) in northern India. He and his brother Punya (Sohail Khan) have been educated and sent to England in order to figure out a way to overthrow the British power in Madhavgar, a rival village whose king (Jackie Shroff) once betrayed the Pindaris. While there, Veer falls in love (unwittingly) with the princess of Madhavgar, Yashodhara (Zarine Khan).  

Veer is to Jodhaa Akbar what Alexander is to Gladiator. That pretty much sums this movie up! While JA was intelligent, romantic, beautiful and relevant, Veer is mindless, saccharine, noisy and ineffective. During the battle sequences, when the swords clash together, you don't hear the majestic clang! that you heard in Jodhaa Akbar--you hear a screechy banshee howl that sounds like nails on a chalkboard or like when someone puts a microphone near a speaker. The costumes of JA were gorgeous and historically accurate. Here, everything looks relatively modern as if Sharma didn't understand that this was not the movie in which to showcase his heroine wearing the latest fashions. 

You might think it unfair of me to compare Veer to Jodhaa Akbar, since JA is my 4th favorite Hindi film of all time and stars two of my favorite people. But the two movies fall under the same genre (the sword-and-sandals romantic epic) which is new to Bollywood. 

The other difference between this film and JA is that Veer struggles with a modern execution of an ancient story. The characters act like they're in modern times and they speak like they're in modern times (Sohail, Zarine, Lisa Lazarus, mostly). The film tries to make this time period accessible to younger audiences but instead delivers an historically inaccurate mess. 

The film has a few things going for it. It's always engaging; you're never bored. I don't think this is necessarily due to a high entertainment value. It's more because of its slightly rapid pace and a star performance from Salman Khan. He is so committed to the script and the character that you also believe in him. Even when he's forced to say things like "Once I grab onto a piece of flesh, I take 2 kilos of it" (who is he, Shylock the Jew?), he somehow makes it believable. This man is no great actor but he's charismatic and forces you to root for him to get the girl and kill the villains. He's the best thing about this production and he's the only thing keeping it from being utter garbage. 

Zarine Khan is beautiful in the way a knockoff Coach/Gucci/Louis Vuitton bag is beautiful. She probably cost less (to hire) than the real thing and casual patrons won't even notice the difference. I mean, if Katrina Kaif were an actual human being (instead of a celestial being) than she would have looked like Zarine Khan. Zarine Khan lacks the screen presence required of her in this film. Her character has some meat and I can appreciate the effort but she doesn't quite pull it off. Also, and this is the worst offense, she cannot song-act. 

Supporting cast is unbearable. Sohail, Jackie Shroff and Mithun are AWFUL. Lisa Lazarus is a very beautiful woman who looks positively radiant in her costumes. But her character is underwritten even though there could have been some good stuff there. 

The mediocre soundtrack is easy on the ears. "Salaam Aaya", "Meherbaaniyan", and "Taali" are the best of the lot and have decent videos. "Surili Ankhiyon Waale" is a nice song but it's ruined by inane English lyrics and an awful video. "Kanha", Rekha Bharadwaj's beautiful bhajan, is ruined by the fact that they only play the opening music and cut it after one line of hers (which is awkwardly drowned out by a train screeching to a stop!). And when they do let it play, it comes at the worst time. 

Overall, this is a movie that is watchable but it's not good by any means. It's a mess of a film that's only slightly saved by a star performance by Salman Khan. Veer rates a 4.5/1o.

The 14 Best Films of 2009

Slightly divine was 2009. Overall, I'd give this cinematic year a B+. While some films were grand and lovely, some were just...not grand and lovely. 

This year's countdown will be done just a little bit differently. I'm still ranking them but I'm also stealing the title format of one this year's entries. 

So starting with the 14th best film of the year...

De Dana Dan:

Hilarious Chaos of the Year 

(Priyadarshan; Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Paresh Rawal, Archana Puran Singh, Katrina Kaif, Neha Dhupia, Jhony Lever, Sameera Reddy)

As crazy comedies go, this one is by far the craziest. With about 30 characters all in one hotel and all somehow connected to each other, Priyadarshan's head-scratcher was borderline too confusing. But it's a laugh riot, fueled by strong comic performances and a likable lead couple - Akshay and Katrina, naturally. 

Highlight of the Film: Jhony Lever as a fumbling hit man

Coolest Song: Paisa

Why Not to Watch: It is the exact opposite of a no-brainer; you have do a lot of thinking to keep up

Tum Mile:

Disaster Movie of the Year

(Kunal Deshmukh; Emraan Hashmi, Soha Ali Khan)

As we all know, Hollywood's 2012 was a real life disaster and what's hilarious is that this movie (about the floods in Bombay in 2005) came out the same day. Tum Mile is infinitely better. With a strong story and a strong cast, the film used the floods as a metaphor for the leads' tumultuous relationship. Even though the disaster sequences weren't exactly too suspenseful, they were still pretty entertaining. 

Highlight of the Film: Soha Ali Khan

Coolest Song: Dil Ibaadat

Why Not to Watch: Hydrophobia?

Paa:

Performance of the Year

(R. Balki; Amitabh Bachchan, Vidya Balan, Abhishek Bachchan, Arundhati Nag, Paresh Rawal)

As with 2008's The Curious Case of Benjamin Button, this film required its lead actor to go through hours of makeup and play an age so far from his own. Bachchan Sr.'s work in this film (as Auro, the 13 year old with a genetic disorder that speeds up his aging) is remarkable, finally showing his range after a series of similar roles (besides KANK's Sexy Sam). Vidya Balan reminds us again why she is one of the best in her leauge while everyone else is excellent also. The film itself leaves a lot to be desired which is unfortunate because the concept shouted OSCAR. 

Highlight of the Film: Vidya's and Ms. Nag's scenes with Auro 

Coolest Song: Udhi Udhi Ittefaq Se / Mudhi Mudhi Ittefaq Se

Why Not to Watch: Too many subplots

Kaminey:

Underrated Performance of the Year

(Vishal Bharadwaj; Shahid Kapoorx2, Priyanka Chopra, Amol Gupte, Deb Mukherjee)

As someone who recently discovered how overrated Shahid Kapoor is, I am most definitely calling Priyanka Chopra's work in this thrilling and intelligent film underrated. Because Shahid is playing a double role (one of which is 

also his first villain), everyone's raving about it. Fine, he deserves it. But Priyanka Chopra is the one who blew me away with a totally non-glamourous role in a completely different dialect. As Sweety, Chopra is shrewish and a little insane, but she's also devoted and sasha-fierce. 

Hightlight of the Film: Priyanka's hilariously whiny "Guddu, pleeeaaase!" early in the movie.

Coolest Song: Raat Ke Dhaai Baje remix / Fatak

Why Not to Watch: It's a little confusing.

The Top 10 of 2009

Kurbaan:

Slickest Thriller / Surprise Flop of the Year

(Rensil D'Silva; Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Saif Ali Khan, Om Puri, Kirron Kher)

As a thriller, Kurbaan succeeds immensely. It is surprising, thrilling, shocking and brilliantly shot. Why it was a box office failure is beyond me. This is definitely a highlight in Kareena's beautiful career as she is heartbreaking as Avantika. Vivek Oberoi tries really hard to become a good actor again and he scores somewhat but not totally. Kher and Puri are good as always. Saif Ali Khan is the film's weakest link surprisingly but I think it's the poorly written character.

Highlight of the Film: The intense subway climax that wasn't shot in the NYC subways. 

Coolest Song: The whole soundtrack is strong

Why Not to Watch: It's a little mirthless after the first 35 minutes

Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani:

Happiest Film of the Year

(Rajkumar Santoshi; Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Smita Jaykar, Darshan Jariwala)

As Prem, Ranbir Kapoor gives a truly outstanding performance. He's funny, charming, romantic and just truly perfect. Katrina Kaif turns in a hilarious and insightful acting job as Jenny. It's hard to write off this film considering it's just oozing happiness and warmth. Supporting cast is quirky and delightful. Soundtrack, costumes, sets, dialogues--everything is just so wonderful. 

Highlight of the Film: Sandra's wedding

Coolest Song: Prem Ki Naiyya

Why Not to Watch: Upen Patel

Delhi 6:

Metaphor of the Year

(Rakesh Omprakash Mehra; Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor, Waheeda Rehmaan, Om Puri, Divya Dutta)

As everyone knows, sometimes the bigger the flop, the better the movie. This movie flopped because no one understood how each character wasn't actually a character but a metaphor for a different aspect of Delhi. And the most

 important metaphor of all is the Kaala Bandhar which represented all 

of our inner hate. Mehra took a big risk with the Kaala Bandhar but I think

 he pulled it off. Delhi 6 is well-acted, frequently hilarious and surprisingly accurate portrayal of life--and not just in Delhi.

Highlight of the Film: the video for 'Dil Gira Dafatan'

Coolest Song: Genda Phool

Why Not to Watch: It's too deep to be your average Sunday afternoon flick

Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year:

Indie Flick of the Year

(Shimit Amin; Ranbir Kapoor, Prem Chopra, Gauhar Khan, D Santosh, Shazahn Padmasee, Manish Chaudhary)

As the film comes to a close, you realize that you just witnessed something truly special. A Bollywood film that is entirely focused on its subject with no extra fat. It's sharp, concise, funny, surprising and wholly original. You truly root for the main characters to succeed and the highs and lows of their lives really affect you. Ranbir Kapoor makes a wonderful Sardarji and his supporting players are just as good. The background score is fabulously snazzy and the costumes are quietly stylish. A must-see. 

Highlight of the Film: Gauhar Khan as the ambitious secretary Koena.

Coolest Song: The background score is better than the actual songs.

Why Not to Watch: It's not a "masala film". 

Love Aaj Kal:

Romantic-Comedy of the Year

(Imtiaz Ali; Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone, Rishi Kapoor, Rahul Khanna, Giselle Monteiro)

As Jai and Meera stumble through their complicated love story, it is impossible not to fall in love with Ali's stellar screenplay. He gives us two witty, narcissisticpeople who are unique to Bollywood's many romantic pairs. Saif Ali Khan rocks the house in the film while Deepika shines a little less bright. Supporting cast is all right but Monteiro is truly awful. 

Highlight of the Film: Jai's speech at Meera's wedding

Coolest Song: Chor Bazaari

Why Not to Watch: Giselle Monteiro

The Top 5 of 2009

Luck By Chance:

Satire of the Year

(Zoya Akhtar; Farhan Akhtar, Konkona Sensharma, Isha Sharvani, Rishi

 Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Hrithik Roshan, Juhi Chawla)

As Bollywood never really does satires, LBC seems a little strange at first. Are they playing it straight? Do they not see how ridiculous everything is? LBC, however, is a clever look at film production, rising to stardom and the troubles of Bollywood politics. While sometimes the film does take itself seriously, most of the time it is a hilarious satire of everything we love about the BW. The switches in tone is handled expertly by both the young (Konkona, Isha, Farhan) and the veteran actors. 

Highlight of the Film: A montage of talking magazine headlines

Coolest Song: All the songs

Why Not to Watch: The inside jokes can be a little too "inside" 

New York:

Terrorist Drama of the Year

(Kabir Khan; John Abraham, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Katrina Kaif, Irrfan)

As with Kurbaan, NY deals with terrorism from both sides. The big difference: NY was one of the biggest hits of the year. And I think it is because the film isn't as lacking in happiness as Kurbaan is. Simply put, the film makes you think but it does not make you regret living. The ending is hopeful, the characters are relatable and the pace is rapid. Performances are strong all around, especially John Abraham. NNM rocks it as well as Irrfan. What makes this film even more special is that it is Katrina's breakout role, a role that will change her career forever.

Highlight of the Film: Sam's flashbacks to his time in prison

Coolest Song: Mere Sang remix

Why Not to Watch: You don't like terrorism movies

3 Idiots:

Geniuses of the Year

(Rajkumar Hirani; Aamir Khan, R. Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor, Sharman Joshi, Omi, Boman Irani)

As Kareena and Aamir have never been paired together before, I was excited to see, in its entirety, the on-fire chemistry they showed in the 'Zoobi Doobi' promo. The film itself is funny, heart-warming, sad, relevant and intensely smart. Aamir Khan is known as the Perfectionist and this film is near perfect.Every character is performed by a talented individual  and every scene strikes a chord. 

Highlight of the Film: Chatur's speech. 

Coolest Song: Zoobi Doobi

Why Not to Watch: It's message-heavy (but that's not too inexcusable) 

Dev D:

Trippy Adaptation of the Year 

(Anurag Kashyap; Abhay Deol, Mahie Gill, Kalki)

As far as Devdas adaptations go, this is not your mother's Devdas. Dev D is trippy, edgy, seductive, abnormal and simply marvelous. Kashyap's musical takes the original plot and characters and plays with them to fit modern times. Worry not, the original themes are still intact. The film's visual style, performances and music are all note-worthy. Mahie Gill especially makes a strong, thunderous debut as Paro while Kalki is hilarious as Chanda. Abhay Deol reminds us why he's the king of "against-the-grain" cinema. 

Highlight of the Film: Chanda speaking to her clients in French, Tamil and English

Coolest Song: Paayaliya, Ek Hulchul Si, Hiknaal

Why Not to Watch: Too edgy?

And finally... the number one film of the year...

Wake Up Sid!:

Best Film of the Year

(Ayan Mukherji; Ranbir Kapoor, Konkona Sensharma, Supriya Pathak, Anupam Kher, Rahul Khanna)

As Siddarth Mehra, Ranbir Kapoor displays a blend of confusion and cockiness that is hard to pull off. His journey into maturity and adulthood is inevitable, of course, but not since Curtis Hanson's In Her Shoes (Cameron Diaz, Toni Collette) have we seen a redemption film so satisfying and reassuring. This does not take away from the film at all but it enhances the experience. Konkona Sensharma as Aisha Banerjee puts it yet another unbelievably strong performance as does everyone in the cast especially Ms. Pathak. Wake Up Sid! is a film for the ages and one you can watch over and over again. 

Highlight of the Film: Shikha Talsania as Sid's friend Laxmi

Coolest Song: Iktara

Why Not to Watch: There isn't one. Seriously. 

And here some is some more fun stuff for you.

Diamonds in the Rough (good performances in bad movies)

*Priyanka Chopra in What's Your Raashee?

*Salman Khan in Wanted

*Kareena Kapoor in Main aur Mrs. Khanna

*Rani Mukherji in Dil Bole Hadippa

Worst film of the year: Chandni Chowk to China

Best song of the year: Zoobi Doobi (3 Idiots)

Nightingale of the year: Shreya Goshal (again!)

Hit Jodi: 

Katrina Kaif & Ranbir Kapoor

Saif Ali Khan & Deepika Padukone

Kareena Kapoor & Aamir Khan

Any way, I hope you enjoyed this list and I urge you to see any of them. 

Happy new year!