Drona (2008)

Starting

Abhishek Bachchan - Aditya/ Drona - Superhero
Priyanka Chopra - Sonia
Kay Kay Menon - Riz Raizada
Jaya Bachchan - Queen Jayati
Akhilendra Mishra
Director: Goldie Behl
Producer: Shrishti Arya , Iqbal Kidwai , Sunil Lulla
Written by: Goldie Behl , Jaydeep Sarkar


Gentleladies and men. Please make way for our new local superhero – Indiana Drones. Mind you, he doesn’t embark on any trivial mission like the search for the Holy Grail. Drona fights to save nothing less than the entire srishti.

As you must have rightly guessed, director Goldie Behl lets his imagination run amok in Drona . He pieces together a visual spectacle full of mind-numbing special effects and a zillion poses of a sword-wielding Abhishek Bachchan trying hard to stand gracefully against the strong desert winds. And that’s pretty much what ‘Drona’ is all about. Visuals, and visuals, and some more visuals. Story and script may go to hell. Or still better, to the asuras.

‘Drona’


tells a tale of a clan of warriors who have been protecting the supreme secret of the elixir of life – the amrit that was churned out by the gods but has been sought by the asuras (demons) since forever. Drona is the title of the main person who guards the secret.

Now, cut to the present day Prague where Aditya lives a thankless existence until one day he – guided by a hovering rose petal – finds an ancient bracelet in his cupboard and puts it on. Coincidentally, a devious magician Riz Raizada ( Kay Kay Menon ) visits the city for his show and spots Aditya and recognizes him as a potential Drona, the only person who knows (or could know) the secret place where the amrit is hidden.

You see, Riz is the modern asura who wants to be immortal by gulping down the holy amrit. And Drona is the man who possesses its secret.

Before Aditya can figure out why the heck this queer-looking magician is so interested in him (pun unintended), enters Sonia ( Priyanka Chopra ) who kicks a few butts and protects Aditya from the magician’s men. Aditya is then told about his real identity – that he is the next Drona.

Mission Istaanbul (2008)

Cast
Zayed Khan - Vikas Sagar
Vivek Oberoi - Rizwan Khan
Shabbir Ahluwalia - Khalil nazir
Shreya Saran - Anjali
Sunil Shetty - Owais Hussain
Director: Apoorva Lakhia
Producer: Ekta Kapoor , Shobha Kapoor , Sunil Shetty
Written by: Suresh Nair

Story

Vikas Sagar (Zayed Khan) would go anywhere for a scoop, risk his life and limb to get an exclusive story that nobody else can. It's for this precise reason Vikas is a familiar face watched by six million viewer's weeknights on TV 24. Ambitious, popular and professional, Vikas is considered one of the most promising journalists in the business.
It's also the reason Owais Hussain (Suniel Shetty), a senior producer at the controversial Istanbulbased AL JOHARA, widely criticized as the mouthpiece of terrorists or as their network of choice, makes him an offer to head the channel's proposed Indian bureau for an outrageous salary and other perks. It's an offer he almost can't refuse because of the channel's controversial profile which ensures that it's seen by everyone globally, including the White House. It certainly would take Vikas's career to another level not only does he become the highest paid journalist in India but also puts him on an international platform. But there is one condition that the head hunters from AL JOHARA insist he must join ASAP and then fly to Istanbul for a three month orientation programme.
Their offer couldn't have come at a better time for Vikas, who's undergoing a painful divorce with wife Anjali (Shreya Saran), an equally feisty journalist whose desire to have a baby leads to their separation because her husband wants her to wait a little longer and seems to be in no mood to start a family. While Al Johara dangles the temptation of kickstarting their India operations, Vikas accepts the offer largely to mend his broken heart.
But little does Vikas know that his life is about to change when he takes the flight to Istanbul on a threemonth orientation program at the channel's headquarters. While Al Johara is one of the most viewed channels in the world, it's reputation has been largely built as the mouthpiece of a dreaded terrorist. Abu Nazir, who is on the most wanted lists of both the Interpol and FBI, is vociferous in his threat to wage war against several countries, including India. A threat he usually delivers via a videotape to Al Johara.
On the flight Vikas finds himself seated next to a stunningly beautiful copassenger who hates flying. Lisa Lobo (Shweta Bhardwaj) is headed for Istanbul to attend a medical convention or so she claims. In her obvious discomfort, she turns to an amused Vikas for moral support and distraction from the reality of being airborne. It's a budding friendship that's grounded the moment the flight lands and Lisa disappears at the airport.
Once in Istanbul, Vikas's initial impression of AL JOHARA is in sharp contrast to its notorious reputation. Especially when he meets the charismatic Ghazni (Niketan Dheer), who has business interests all over the world but whose obsession these days is AL JOHARA as an instrument to shape world events. There is only one word of caution to Vikas and that's never ever to venture onto the 13th floor known as the Catacomb.
As part of his orientation, Vikas gets handson experience in the AL JOHARA newsroom where he watches ghastly and exclusive news reports of terrorism. He learns more about Abu Nazir, who is described as "a oneman organization whose existence revolves around a single person." Vikas is told that it is extremely difficult to find out any details about his private life and his habits because such information would help the secret services who are looking for him. "Abu Nazir is cautious to the point of paranoia."
Reeling under the impact of the reality bytes at work, Vikas's only relief is his flirtatious encounters with Lisa and the lively company of soldier-turned journalist Owais Hussain who is looking forward to quitting his job and settling down with his Irish girlfriend.
But on an assignment to cover kidnapped journalists in one of Abu Nazir's terrorist camps in Afghanistan, Vikas is shocked when Abu Nazir's brother, Khalil (Shabbir Ahluwalia), brutally executes Owais Hussain just before a UN peacekeeping force mounts a rescue operation.

Sarkar Raj (2008)

Starring
Abhishek Bachchan .... Shankar Nagre
Aishwarya Rai .... Anita
Amitabh Bachchan .... Subhash Nagre
Director : Ram Gopal Varma

Story

Sarkar Raj is a Political story, which gives an insight into the "Power Politics", something like the keyword "Varchasva" meaning supreme power which the movie Seher threw some light on. It also debates between the modern and traditional outlooks in development methods being adopted in Politics
Aishwarya Rai (Anita Ranjan) is the CEO of shepherd power plant, a powerful international company, which comes to Maharashtra to setup an ambitious power plant, and if they have to setup such an ambitious project the obvious approval they require is from the "Nagres". Abhishek Bachchan (Shankar Nagre) is the next generation leader from the Nagre family, immediately understands the benefits of the power plant for rural Maharashtra. With a little difficulty he is able to convince Amitabh Bachchan (Sarkar), that how this power plant can take the farmers and the rural Maharashtra to new heights. Soon after that Shankar, along with Anita sets for a journey along the villages of Maharashtra to convince people and mobilize support.
But in politics nothing is the way what it seems to be, soon Shankar and Anita's dream project becomes an opportunity for the Politicians in the state. Taking undue advantage of this, the games get dirtier to bring down the regime of Sarkar and Shankar soon finds himself in the middle of this hurricane.

Om Shanti Om (2007)

Cast
Shahrukh Khan - Om Kapoor/ Om Makhija
Deepika Padukone - Shantipriya / Sandy
Shreyas Talpade - Pappu Master
Arjun Rampal - Mukesh Mehra
Kiron Kher - Bela Makhija
Director: Farah Khan
Producer: Gauri Khan
Story

This story is of Om and Shanti. His film started in 1977 and ended in 2007.Om was a junior artist in the 70s and Shanti was the superstar of the 70s.Om was her biggest fan and Shanti was his biggest inspiration.Om was madly in love and Shanti was waiting for love. Om wanted to be a superstar and Shanti wanted to be a girl next door.Om was ready to sacrifice all his dream for love and Shanti was ready to sacrifice everything she had for love. Om felt betrayed in life and Shanti felt betrayed in love.
.....And then started the saga of Om Shanti Om . For some lovestories one life time isn't enough....

Laaga Chunari Mein Daag (2007)

Starring
Rani Mukherjee .... Natasha
Konkona Sen Sharma .... Chutki
Abhishek Bachchan .... Rohan
Kunal Kapoor .... Vivaan
Jaya Bachchan .... Sabitri
Anupam Kher .... Shivshankar Sahay

Director : Pradeep Sarkar
Producer : Aditya Chopra


This story is about two sisters- Badki and Chutki.Badki and Chutki live a fun-filled life in Banaras, playing pranks, sneaking off to see a forbidden mujra, and soaking up all the excitement that goes on the ghats of the Ganga.

Badki is a fun-loving and happy-go-lucky girl, drunk on the masti of Banaras, but with eyes as crystal clear and innocent as the waters of the sacred Ganga. Her life is full of laughter and the love of her family. She is very protective to her younger sister and shields her younger sister Chutki from the problems dogging the family.

Chutki is a spunky spirited and crazy young girl, with eyes that sparkle with mischief. Playing pranks on her hapless victims, teasing her sister Badki, and harassing her parents are her favourite pastimes, but she also loves her family with a fierce passion.She is innocent and protected from the harsh circumstances of her family by Badki and their mother, she revels in their love.

Their father Shivshankar Sahay is a retired professor of Economics who has turned bitter and pessimistic after his pension was unfairly suspended by the college. Instead of fighting against the resulting poverty, he has accepted defeat, and hopes that the numerous lottery tickets he buys will land him a fortune that will bring back the glorious days of the past. He vents his frustration on his family, and particularly his elder daughter Badki, as he believes that things would have been different had she been born a son.Badki feels deeply hurt with her father's word.

Their mother Sabitri is the backbone and anchor of the Sahay family. She bears the brunt of every crisis the family encounters. She is dismayed as she sees her husband turn bitter with his failures and turn away from the family. She works hard, making both ends meet, protecting her daughters, facing up to menacing relatives. But her husband's illness is the last straw that breaks her spirit. Alone, bewildered, she leans hard on Badki, her only solace. In her crisis, she does not realize when Badki has reached her own breaking point.

Badki is aware that the family is in dire straits, but she and her mother protect Chutki at all costs. When problems crop up, she takes them in her stride, not letting them tarnish her smile.
So when the family falls upon bad days, and her studies are stopped, she just girds her loins and helps her mother to keep things going. When things get worse, Badki decides to go to Mumbai and seek a living for the family. Her fathert strongly opposes Badki's departure for the big city, predicting that she will fail to achieve anything.

Alone and unsupported in the midst of the urban jungle of Mumbai, Badki battles with dark forces, keeping her focus on her purpose to support her family and continue Chutki's education.Even when the going gets tougher, and she finds herself battling the hard and ruthless city of Mumbai, she does not buckle under, but faces it all with exemplary courage. And she does not hesitate in paying the highest price to support her family.She deliberately morphs into someone else, leading a secret life full of murky compromises.Savitri is the only one who bears the burden of the terrible knowledge of Badki's enormous sacrifices.

Rohan is a highly educated and world-renowned attorney, sought after throughout the world for his expertise. However, inside this suave and smart young man resides a mischievous, impish spirit. When he encounters Badki he is bowled over totally by Badki's innocence and guilelessness. He is intrigued by her homegrown wisdom and her deep faith too. This chance encounter leads to a bit of stolen time for both, when the child inside Badki makes her acquaintance with the imp inside Rohan. Both of them forget the rest of the world as they revel in each other's company. But the harsh realities of their lives intervene, and the magic is shattered. Rohan is determined to get to the crux of things, but will he be able to handle what he discovers?

When Chutki comes to Mumbai to work, things take a dramatic turn. Badki's life turns into a minefield, as she has to hide her secrets from Chutki. Chutki finds success at work, and love that delights her heart. Gifted with a sharp and intelligent mind, Chutki is unaware of the sacrifices Badki is making to keep her education going. When she moves to the big city, she finds a wide open sky to open her wings and soar.

Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007)

bhishek Bachchan - Rikki Thukral
Bobby Deol - Steve
Preity Zinta - Alvira Khan
Lara Dutta - Anaida
Robert Galas - Paul Pimply
Director: Shaad Ali
Written by: Habib Faisal


It may fall a wee bit short of the high expectations that were attached to it, but ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’ verily delivers what it promises – unadulterated entertainment.

The movie solely rests on the now-dependable shoulders of Abhishek Bachchan, who once again proves that he has got the mettle to live up to the credentials and reputation of his bloodline. The actor, once brooding and uptight, has now begun to loosen up. His comic timing is coming in place. His facial expressions are more real and his body language reflects the character. Abhishek is the driving force of ‘Jhoom Barabar Jhoom’. Preity Zinta complements him well, while Bobby Deol and Lara Dutta remain mainly on the sidelines until the film’s last half hour.

You’ve got to throw cynicism aside before watching a film like JBJ. It is easy to curl your lip and poke holes in somebody’s work. Not so easy is to be flexible, to step back and take an impartial look at how a director has tried to present a story in a different way.

Yes, JBJ is a movie different from others of its ilk. Although it is set in London and Paris, the movie has a very desi touch. Perhaps the reason for it is that Shaad Ali, the film’s director, has himself been a small-towner. The humour in the flick is crude and has a street flavour even though the visuals are very glossy.

Amitabh Bachchan, dressed in his rockstar outfit and carrying a guitar, opens the film with the song ‘Jhoom’.

The location is London train station. Two strangers are waiting for a delayed train. In a crowded café they share the same table.

Rikki Thukral (Abhishek Bachchan), a Punjabi guy living in London, breaks the ice and begins the conversation. Alvira Khan (Preity Zinta) gives him no lift. To ward Rikki off, she tells him she is engaged to someone who is coming from the train she is waiting for. In response, Rikki also flaunts his engagement ring and tells her he has come to receive his fiancée.

Thereafter, these two strangers, already engaged to someone else, begin to tell each other the story of their fiancée and fiancé.

Shootout at Lokhandwala (2007)

Cast
Abhishek Bachchan - Abhishek Mahatre
Amitabh Bachchan - Dhingra
Sanjay Dutt - Aftab Ahmed Khan
Neha Dhupia - Aftab Ahmed Khan's Wife
Vivek Oberoi - Maya Dolas
Director: Apoorva Lakhia
Producer: Sanjay Gupta , Sanjay Dutt
Written by: Apoorva Lakhia , Suresh Nair

Apoorva Lakhia has a fascination for making stylistic films. His latest flick ‘Shootout At Lokhandwala’ is a gritty recreation of the real-life shooting encounter between cops and gangsters in Mumbai in 1991. The film has a very raw and rugged look. At times it gets surreally dark and very violent. And after a while all the bloodshed and gore begin to get to you.

The film is not just about the shootout incident on the fateful summer day in Lokhandwala in 1991. It goes deep into the lives and minds of gangsters Maya Dolas, his sidekick Dilip Buwa and their three colleagues. It also focuses on the way cops function to nab the dreaded criminals, putting their own lives on the line.

One good thing about ‘Shootout’ is that it doesn’t take sides. It attempts to objectively present the facts of the incident, along with the events leading to it, from both the perspectives of cops and gangsters.

On the side of the cops, the central figure is ACP Aftab Ahmed Khan (Sanjay Dutt), the officer-in-charge of the entire operation to flush out the gangsters from a Lokhandwala flat. Supporting Khan in this mission are two brave cops: Kaviraj Patil (Sunil Shetty) and Javed Shaikh (Arbaaz Khan).

Guru (2007)

Starring
Abhishek Bachchan .... Guru Kant Desai
Aishwarya Rai .... Sujatha
Mithun Chakraborty .... Manikdas Guptha (Nanaji)
Madhavan .... Shyam Saxena
Vidya Balan .... Meenu
Mallika Sherawat .... Dancer

Director : Mani Ratnam
Producer : Mani Ratnam
Lyricist : Gulzar
Musician : A R Rahman

What words shall be used to describe a cinematic masterpiece like ‘Guru’. Mani Ratnam’s flawless direction and Abhishek Bachchan’s superlative performance simply leave you speechless by the end of the film.

Firstly, ‘Guru’ will silence all those detractors who say that Abhishek doesn’t have a talent for acting. The actor not just surprises you, he shocks you with his extraordinary performance. Gosh, how come this hidden potential of Abhi never came forth before? Perhaps it is Ratnam who knows how to get the best, or even more than that, out of Abhi.

Secondly,


Mani Ratnam, the master of his craft, arguably surpasses all his previous works in ‘Guru’. Apart from its technical soundness, ‘Guru’ tells a story that is deeply gripping and highly inspiring. It is the tale of a man who never gives up. The protagonist of the film is a perennial fighter and an incurable optimist.

Beginning in 1951, ‘Guru’ is the story of a boy who goes to Turkey to work in a petroleum company after failing his school exams back home in a small Gujarat village. With sheer hard work Gurukant Desai (Abhishek Bachchan) rises in ranks and gets promotion. But Guru is a man of big vision. He quits his job in Turkey and comes back to Gujarat to start some business of his own.

So fixated is Guru about his dream that he marries Sujatha (Aishwarya Rai), a village girl, simply for the dowry sum that he could use to start his business.

With their minimal belongings, Guru, his wife and her brother go to Mumbai to start some business. By hook or by crook, by persuasion and by his sheer charm, Guru overcomes all hurdles and progresses in leaps and bounds. He is unstoppable. And this attitude of Guru doesn’t go well with some people.

Manikdas Gupta or Nanaji (Mithun Chakraborty) runs a newspaper called The Independent. He likes Guru’s determination and straightforwardness. He almost begins treating Guru like his own son. But when Guru uses Nanaji’s newspaper to achieve his business motive, Nanaji vows to stop the unstoppable Guru.

Journalist Shyam Saxena (Madhavan), who works for Nanaji, uses his power of pen to bring Guru down and expose his ‘truth’.

At the same time, Nanaji’s handicap daughter, Meenu (Vidya Balan), who suffers from multiple sclerosis, is the only one who loves Guru unconditionally.

The war between Guru and Nanaji heats up as Guru’s public venture company, Shakti Corporation, increases in size and proportion to become one of the best polyester making companies in India. It is a war that will claim much from Guru. But the perennial fighter in him succeeds in the end.

A film like ‘Guru’ has not been seen on the Indian screen before. With its powerful story, awesome performances, melodious music (A R Rahman), splendid cinematography (Rajiv Menon) and skilled direction, the movie leaves you spellbound. However, two songs in quick succession at the film’s very beginning do make for a bumpy start.

The story picks up when Guru goes to Mumbai where he starts his clothes business. How this visionary with an indomitable spirit fights against all odds and succeeds, makes for a riveting watch. And full credit goes to Abhishek Bachchan who has given the best performance of his career so far. His Guru is full of energy, vivacity and optimism.

What’s commendable is the conviction with which Abhi gets into the skin of his character. His bulky frame moves with a swagger, his penetrating gaze reflects his shrewd business acumen and yet there is a vulnerable side to Guru that shines through now and then. Abhi’s performance is particularly excellent in the second half, when his business begins to sink and he is paralyzed. His monologue in the courtroom (with his lip twitched and his one arm incapacitated) makes him truly deserving of an award.

For the first time, ‘Guru’ offers something to write about chemistry between Abhishek and Aishwarya. There is almost an electric vibe between the two actors and it could verily be seen in the film. Apart from this, Ash’s performance, too, is commendable.

Mithun Chakraborty has a domineering presence and is effective in his performance. Madhavan and Vidya Balan are very natural. Mallika Sherawat provides her brand of entertainment at the film’s beginning.

Dhoom-2 (2006)

Cast
Hrithik Roshan - Aryan Singh / Mr. A
Aishwarya Rai - Sunehri
Abhishek Bachchan - Jai Dixit
Uday Chopra - Ali
Bipasha Basu - ACP Shonali Bose
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Producer: Aditya Chopra , Yash Chopra
Written by: Vijay Krishna Acharya

Story
The location is the vast and dry desert of Namibia. The only sign of civilization is a railway line that runs through the heart of the desert. A royal family is traveling in a train, carrying a centuries old royal crown.

Out of nowhere, comes Mr. A, an anonymous thief. And even before the guards and the royal family can sense danger, the crown is stolen.

Back in Mumbai, Jai and Ali make an unlikely team. Ali still gets reprimanded by his senior for his flippant attitude. But in crucial moments the two work with utmost compatibility, nabbing the criminals and bringing them to book.

After eluding the police of many nations, Aryan now comes to Mumbai. Cops haven’t seen his face. They only know him as Mr. A.

In Mumbai, Aryan meets his match in Sunehri. Although Sunehri is just a petty swindler, she is not in awe of Aryan’s larger-than-life persona. Rather, she makes him an offer of partnership. Amused and impressed, Aryan accepts her offer.

Shonali is Jai’s classmate from college days. She is now a police officer. She has been tracking the movements and crimes of Mr. A throughout the world. Shonali and Jai team up to nail the criminal whom no one could catch so far.

What happens when the most reliable cop and the most elusive thief come face to face? Jai and Aryan give each other tough time. Many times Aryan has the upper hand, but Jai also gets even with him. Deep within, the two also develop respect for each other.

But then, Jai devises an ingenious plan to snare Aryan. Will Aryan take the bait? Or will he remain elusive as ever?

Umrao Jaan (2006)

Abhishek Bachchan - Nawab Sultan
Aishwarya Rai - Umraao Jaan
Shabana Azmi - Khannum Jaan
Sunil Shetty - Faiz Ali
Arshad Warsi - Gauhar Mirza
Director: J.P. Dutta
Producer: J.P. Dutta
Written by: O.P. Dutta

'Umrao Jaan'
Aishwarya Rai, one of the most beautiful women in the world, goes behind the veil to play the role of the courtesan and poetess Umrao Jaan.

After a string of patriotic movies, filmmaker J.P. Dutta directs this period drama set in Lucknow of 19th century. The movie is based on the book ‘Umrao Jaan Ada’ by Mirza Hadi Ruswa, who was a teacher in mathematics, science, philosophy and Persian.

‘Umrao Jaan’ tells a touching tale of a woman who was abducted as a child and sold to a kotha in Lucknow where she grew to be a beautiful courtesan with refined skills in poetry and singing. But behind her beautiful exterior, Umrao Jaan remained a lonely woman with many unfulfilled


desires.
Aishwarya Rai
Amiran, an eight-year-old daughter of a lower middle class family, is kidnapped by an ex-convict Dilawar Khan and sold into flesh trade of Lucknow. This is an act of vengeance by Dilawar who spent nearly ten years in jail because Amiran’s father gave evidence against him.

A frightened Amiran ends up at a kotha owned by the astute Khanum Sahib.

Shabana Azmi as Khanum Sahib
Khanum is the high priestess of a high-class kotha, frequented by aristocrats and cultured Nawabs of Lucknow. To the world she is a perfect courtesan. A woman of impeccable manners, she is the embodiment of etiquettes, charm and sophistication. When needed, she can be caustic or charming, commanding or cajoling, shrewd or compassionate.
Khanum Sahib gives Amiran a new identity, a new name, Umrao Jaan. Under Khanum’s guidance, Umrao grows to be an aesthete woman with a refined taste in arts. She gets her education from Maulvi Sahib. Khan Sahib initiates her into the world of music, while the great Kathak Acharya teaches her dance. Umrao Jaan develops various other skills, including poetry, in the company of Bismillah, Khurshid and Gauhar Mirza (Puru Raj Kumar).

With her dance prowess, literary genius, charming persona and inimitable style, Umrao Jaan goes on to become the pride of Lucknow. But deep inside she remains a simple woman who desires a simple life with a man who loves her.
Abhishek Bachchan as Nawab Sultan
Nawab Sultan is a pathan with an appreciative eye for beauty and with a heart of an intense lover. Given his penchant for good poetry it is not long before he finds himself drawn towards Umrao Jaan. Her awe-inspiring persona and her soulful renditions of poetry create an indelible impact on Nawab Sultan.

There is an instant attraction between Nawab and Umrao Jaan. In his eyes she sees her own desires reflected. In Umrao’s heart he senses the echo of his own passion.

Brought together by fate, will the two be able to unite in an era in which Nawabs have to observe a strict social decorum of do’s and don’ts.

Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006)

Amitabh Bachchan - Samarjit Singh Talwar a.k.a "Sam"
Shahrukh Khan - Dev Saran
Rani Mukherjee - Maya Talwar
Preity Zinta - Rhea Saran
Abhishek Bachchan - Rishi Talwar
Director: Karan Johar
Producer: Anadil Hossain

When the most awaited movie of the year, with a star cast as stellar as it gets, hit the theatres, expectations are naturally high. Karan Johar’s Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna partly lives up to the expectations. But watching the 3-plus hour movie, filled with emotional, tear-jerking moments from the first reel to its conclusion, is a tad tiresome.
KANK is a departure from Karan’s previous works in the sense that the film deals with a theme that is relatively bold in Indian context. The movie simply says that it is better to walk away from a marriage if it is not working.

This latest Karan Johar offering focuses on two different families who come together due to life’s circumstances.
Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan) is married to Rhea (Preity Zinta). They have a volatile relationship. Dev strongly resents his wife’s career minded attitude and this makes him bitter.

Then we have the other couple - Maya (Rani Mukherji) and Rishi Talwar (Abhishek). Their relationship is plagued with doubts about their love for each other. This causes them to become alienated from one another.
But one day, Dev and Maya come across each other and this sparks of a series of emotions affecting everyone all round.

The first half of the film is composed of lighter moments provided by veteran star Amitabh Bachchan. But it is the second half of the movie that really hits you hard as we witness the collapse of couples’ relationships.
Kabhi Alivda Na Kehna is full of well directed sequences which will remain etched in your mind long after the movie has finished. It moves you deeply and that is a sign of a well crafted product by the master storyteller- Karan Johar.
Karan’s forte has always been the execution of a film’s climax. Once again he excels in the final reel as he brings out another twist just when we thought the couples have decided to go their separate ways. To date this is Karan’s finest work without a doubt both in the direction and technical departments.

Bluffmaster (200)

Starring
Abhishek Bachchan .... Roy Kapoor
Priyanka Chopra .... Simmi Ahuja
Ritesh Deshmukh .... Aditya Srivastav

Director : Rohan Sippy
Producer : Ramesh Sippy

The plot of Rohan Sippy’s movie ‘Bluffmaster’ walks an uncertain path. It delves a little on comedy, a little on romance and a bit on the protagonist’s impending tragedy (which eventually never comes). The end of the movie, its real redeeming factor, is connected with the point from where it starts. And by the time the end credits roll, the story comes full circle. Of course, the protagonist is now a transformed man.

Don’t


expect a laugh riot from this movie. However, it does entertain. Ritesh Deshmukh adds some real good moments of fun here and there. Nana Patekar comes and steals the show in the second half. Not much humour is forthcoming from Abhishek Bachchan, but then, he is playing a lovesick bluffmaster who has just a few months of life left to live.

The movie begins with a film producer (Tinu Anand) taking an anonymous call on someone’s lost mobile he found lying on the road. In the call, he is told to collect a huge sum of money from a garbage can. The money is presumed to be the ransom paid to the kidnapper who lost his mobile.

The producer tries his luck. He finds the money there. But then, the cops come. The head cop (Abhishek) begins planting more evidence at the ‘crime site’. The producer begs and offers big bribe. The head cop relents. The bluffmaster has struck.

Meet Roy (Abhishek Bachchan), a street-savvy bluffmaster who knows many a trick in the con game. The only thing he doesn’t bluff is his romance for Simi (Priyanka Chopra).

On his engagement day with Simi, Roy’s reality is exposed in front of her entire family. The engagement is called off and Roy is left pining for Simi’s love.

In the meantime, Roy meets another connie. This junior connie, name Dittu (Ritesh Deshmukh), tries unsuccessfully to bluff Roy. He later becomes Roy’s chela.

While Roy is trying to regain Simi’s love, he comes to know a shocking truth. He has brain tumor. His doctor, Dr. Bhalerao (Boman Irani), says he has just three months left to live.

When Roy tells Simi this truth, she thinks he is playing another one of his tricks to get her back. A serene and spurned Roy decides to live his remaining life to the fullest.

He wants to pull off one last big con on Chandru Parekh (Nana Patekar), who made Dittu’s father a pauper after conning the old man. Dittu wants to even the score with Chandru by conning him in return.

Roy teaches Dittu the tricks of the game and the two manage to dupe Chandru of crores. But Chandru won’t go down so easily. It’s not the money, but his “image” that has been challenged.

As the climax draws closer, Chandru hits back. He abducts Simi and demands Roy to return the money to save the girl.

Roy, who knows his eventual fate is to die, faces Chandru’s gun...What follows next will certainly take you by surprise.

‘Bluffmaster’ begins excellently. The very first sequence sets the movie’s pace. But the story derails whenever the movie goes onto the romantic track involving the lovesick bluffmaster repeatedly approaching his ladylove.

Frankly, Abhishek’s character in the movie should have been better chiseled out. Roy is a somber bluffmaster who reacts with repulsion to the comedy going around him. Add to it Abhishek’s own serenity that lends a further serious look to the character. Ideally, Abhishek is not suited to this role. An actor like Sanjay Dutt would have done wonders to it.

Ritesh Deshmukh delivers what is expected of him. He chips in some good, humorous moments.

But it is Nana Patekar who pales everyone with his lively, lecherous and funny act. He plays an Hotelier who keeps secretaries for more reasons than just typing. He worships himself in the mirror and knows well how to square up with anyone who causes him some harm.

Sarkar (2005

Amitabh Bachchan - Subhash Nagare 'Sarkar'
Abhishek Bachchan - Shankar Nagare
Kay Kay Menon - Vishnu Nagare
Supriya Pathak - Pushpa Nagare
Rukhsar - Amrita Vishnu Nagare
Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Producer: Parag Sanghavi , Ram Gopal Varma , R.R. Venkat Rao
Written by: Manish Gupta

Story

Meet Subhash Nagre - a wealthy and influential resident of Bombay. He lives in a palatial house with his wife, Pushpa; sons Vishnu and his wife Amrita and their son; a second son, named Shankar, in the United States. Subhash and his family are thrilled when Shankar returns home, in the company of a gorgeous long-legged young woman named Pooja, who he plans to marry soon. While Subhash adores both his sons, he shows his open disappointment for Vishnu, whose language, childish actions, and his affair with a Bollywood actress named Sapna are just few of his wrong actions. When Vishnu finds out that a Bollywood actor is attempting to start an affair with Sapna, he angrily guns him down in front of several witnesses. Subhash asks Vishnu to leave the house, and thereafter Vishnu is arrested and charged with murder. Then all hell breaks lose in the Nagre household when a politician named Motilal Khurana is killed, and the killer names Subhash as the person who hired him to do this killing. Subhash is arrested, and held in prison - there is no hope for him in the courts as he has been already been found guilty - not for this killing - but for acting as a power unto himself - a mafia-like Godfather - who metes out justice - when justice fails. Watch how circumstances force Subhash to come to terms that he no longer is influential and no one will come forward to assist him; Shankar is abducted and disappears, and the one who has hired to kill him is none other than his son - Vishnu.

Bunty and Babli (2005)

Cast
Amitabh Bachchan - DCP Dashrath Singh
Abhishek Bachchan - Rakesh/Bunty
Rani Mukherjee - Vimmi/Babli
Raj Babbar - Rakesh's father
Tania Zaetta - Kate
Director: Shaad Ali
Producer: Aditya Chopra , Yash Chopra
Written by: Aditya Chopra , Jaideep Sahni

Story

Mr. Trivedi lives in Fursatganj, works as a ticket checker (TC) with the Indian Railways and supports his family, which consists of his wife, and only son, Rakesh. Trivedi would like his son to get employed, especially with the Railways, and become a T.C. like himself. But Rakesh is a slacker, he would rather be operating a bathroom with a shower, charging people some money to get a shower, then be confined to a routine job. So he decides to run away, somewhere he can make quick money. Then there is Vimmi, who lives in Punjab, is the daughter of Sikh parents, who would like her to get married and settled down. But Vimmi has other plans for instance becoming a super-model. Her attempts at applying for one are all in vain, and she decides to run away to Bombay. She meets up with Rakesh, both are attracted to each other, re-name themselves Bunty and Babli, and set out to bring the world to their knees. In Agra they get married in an informal ceremony without any priests or witnesses, and swear their love for each other. With that behind, they set out to con money out of wealthy business-owners and tycoon, including selling the prestigious Taj Mahal to the world's richest man. Babli is now pregnant, and then an opportunity comes their way to rob gold bars from a plane, little do they know that Deputy Commissioner of Police Dashrath Singh has been assigned to apprehend and bring them to justice, perhaps just in time before they pull their newest heist.

DUS (2005)

Cast
Sanjay Dutt - S Dheer
Sunil Shetty - Dan
Abhishek Bachchan - Shashank Dheer
Zayed Khan - Aditya
Shilpa Shetty - Aditi
Director: Anubhav Sinha
Producer: Kalim Khan , Sohail Maklai , Nitin Manmohan
Written by: Anubhav Sinha , Vinay , Yash

Story
Siddhant Dheer lives a wealthy lifestyle with his brother, Shashank, and sister, Anu. Both Siddhant and Shashank work for
India's Anti-Terrorist Cell (ATC), along with Aditya and Aditi. After interrogating a suspect named Altaf, they get information that terrorists are planning a major strike in Canada that may endanger 25000 lives during the month of May. Altaf tells them the mastermind behind this attack is a terrorist named Jambhal, who has a contact named Himmat Mehndi. Shashank, and Aditya fly to Canada, meet with ATC Agent Neha, and then abduct Himmat, who denies that profusely. The duo team up with Canadian Police Officer Danish "Dan", and together attempt to piece together whatever information they have gathered from Himmat, only to find out that no one is who they claim they are, and the duo find themselves entrapped in a web of deceit and lies, with no clues as to who is behind the threat - the countdown for which has already begun.

Dhoom (2004)

Cast
Abhishek Bachchan - ACP Jai Dixit
Uday Chopra - Ali Akbar Fateh Khan
John Abraham - Kabir
Esha Deol - Sheena
Rimi Sen - Mrs. Sweety Dixit
Director: Sanjay Gadhvi
Producer: Shahnaab Alam , Aditya Chopra
Written by: Vijay Krishna Acharya

Story

Mumbai is plagued by a gang of bikers, who rob establishments at will and escape on their souped-up motorcycles. The local police assigns this case to the Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Jai Dixit, but he is unable to apprehend the culprits because he is not a mechanic and is not aware of what is involved with customized motorcycles. The only who can assist Jai is a jailbird, Ali Akbar Fateh Khan, who agrees to do so conditionally. Both team up to try to stop this crime spree. They kill one of the bikers, leaving the others to escape. This creates a considerable rift between Jai and Ali and, finally, they fight and decide to go their separate ways. Jai's superiors are not impressed with him, and he decides to resign from his job. Ali, meanwhile, is approached by the leader of the bikers' gang, Kabir, and is asked to join his team, which now has a vacancy due to the death of one of their comrades, Ali agrees to do so. Ali meets the rest of the gang members, including the only woman, the cold-hearted and business-like Sheena, to whom he loses his heart. Meanwhile, Jai has started drinking in a big way, and the police are nowhere close to nabbing the bikers, who now seem unstoppable.

Phir Milenge (2004)

Salman Khan - Rohit Manchanda
Abhishek Bachchan - Tarun Anand
Shilpa Shetty - Tamanna Sahani
Mita Vasisht - Lawyer
Revathi - Doctor
Director: Revathi
Producer: Suresh Balaje , George Pius Tharayil
Written by: Atul Sabharwal

Story

Tamanna Sahni is an accomplished business executive, lives with her radio-broadcaster sister, Tanya, and leads a fairly upper middle-class life. She does have a sweetheart in U.S.-settled Rohit Manchanda. She is thrilled when she finds out that Rohit has returned, they get together and spend some time in close intimacy. Then Rohit returns to the U.S., and is not heard of again. Six months later, when Tamanna is ready to go into an important meeting, she is summoned by Dr. Raisingh to attend the hospital immediately as Tanya has met with an accident. Tamanna drops everything and goes to the hospital, where she is asked to give some blood in exchange for the blood given to Tanya, which she does. A few days later, she gets another phone call from Dr. Raisingh - and it is after this phone call that Tamanna's life will be turned upside down; she will lose her job; her contacts; and all of her friends; her employer will accuse her of not performing properly, and the only way she can get someone to hear her story is by going to Court. Watch what happens when she actually gets to Court, and if at all she gets any justice.

Hum Tum (2004)

Cast
Saif Ali Khan - Karan Kapoor
Rani Mukherjee - Rhea Prakash (as Rani Mukerji)
Rishi Kapoor - Arjun Kapoor, Karan's father (Special Appearance)
Kiron Kher - Parminder Prakash aka Bobby
Abhishek Bachchan - Sameer (Special Appearance)
Director: Kunal Kohli
Producer: Siddharth Anand , Aditya Chopra , Yash Chopra
Written by: Siddharth Anand , Kunal Kohli


"We have a story between us, because this life is too long". The hero keeps saying this. They are different as chalk and cheese. They keep bumping into each other. Once on the flight to US, second in a park, third in her wedding...every time they meet something unwarranted happens. It seems like every meeting is the last one but... they meet again.

Hum Tum is a romantic comedy, inspired by the English flick WHEN HARRY MET SALLY. Karan (Saif) is cartoonist in a famous daily. He is a persistent philander but with a golden heart. And Rhea is a fashion designer; she is emotional but sticks on to her principles. They practically disagree with everything. Years later they become friends. Karan makes Rhea smile when she suffers an emotional break down. He even match makes her with his friend Mihir (Jimmy Shergill). But then he also falls in love with her. Finally when he realizes his love, a question gnaws him 'who would want to marry a boy like him?

We have ten reasons why any girl would love marrying Karan. He is good looking, he is amusing and if not perfect he is definitely good. This Venus-Mars comedy has its moments. The first half is simply impressive, but the second half slacks down a bit, but again picks up during the climax.

Music by Jatin Lalit is good. "Ladki Kyon", "Chak De", "Hum Tum" are pleasant. "Mere Dil Vich Hum Tum" does make you tap your feet. Lyrics by Prasoon Joshi gels well with the music. Technically speaking the film has a loose editing. Director Kunal Kohli's script in the second half should have been a little taut.

Rakht (2004)

Cast
Sharat Saxena - Mayor Raja Bahadur
Sanjay Dutt - rahul
Bipasha Basu - Dhristi
Sunil Shetty - Mohit
Himanshu Malik - Abhigyan Gupta

Director: Mahesh Manjrekar
Story

Young widow, Dhristi, is a psychic with the ability to foresee the future. She

runs a small business telling fortunes. She has many male admirers who would like

to marry her, namely: Rahul who is likely to be the new Mayor; Mohit - a garage

mechanic, who calls her "dost", and comes to her aid several times; Advocate

Abhigyan Gupta - who will do anything to please her. Then the present Mayor, Raja

Bahadur's daughter, Natasha, who is betrothed to Rahul, goes missing, Dhristi has

a vision of her dead body, and a lake. She is scoffed upon by the local Assistant

Commissioner of Police, Ranbir Singh, nevertheless the police do drag the lake at

Raja's insistence and recover Natasha's dead body. The primary suspect is Sunil

"Sunny" Dehal, who is arrested, tried in court, found guilty, and sentenced to

life in jail. The Police, Raja, and everyone else is satisfied with this judgment

- everyone except Dhristi - and it is only she who knows that the real killer is

still at large.

Run (2004)

Cast
Abhishek Bachchan - Siddharth (as Abhishekh Bachchan)
Bhoomika Chawla - Jhanvi Choudhry
Ayesha Jhulka - Shivani
Goga Kapoor - Member of Parliament
Mahesh Manjrekar - Ganpat Choudhry

Director: Jeeva
Producer: Sridevi
Story

Jhanvi Choudhry comes from a wealthy family, who do have some underground

connections, and an uncle who is a member of parliament. The family is very

conservative, and wants Jhanvi to marry a person of their choice. Jhanvi agrees to

this, but changes her mind after she meets with Siddharth, alias Sidhu, who she

falls in love with. When Jhanvi informs her family about her love for Sidhu, she

is met with violent opposition, and the life of Sidhu is endangered, for her

family will not her tarnish their conservative reputation.

Naach (2004)

Cast
Antara Mali - Reva
Abhishek Bachchan - Abhinav
Ritesh Deshmukh - Diwakar
Rajesh Khera
Manoj Pahwa

Director: Ram Gopal Varma
Producer: Chitra Subramaniam , Ram Gopal Varma
Written by: Sulekha Bajpai , Musharaff Ali Khan , Pooja Ladha Surti


Story

Abhinav and Reva are two struggling middle-class couple in modern day Bombay,

India, who have a chance meeting, get friendly, end up falling in love with each

other and getting intimate. Reva wants to be a choreographer, Abhinav decides to

assist her, and in the process he, himself, gets noticed to play the part of a

leading man in Bollywood movies, which he accepts. Then when he attempts to assist

Reva to further her career, she refuses any help from him, as she wants to achieve

her goals on her own merit. She does get an offer, only to find out that it was

with an ulterior motive in an attempt to meet Abhinav, who is now a popular star.

With Abhinav's busy schedule, Reva's refusal to accept any help, the two start

drifting apart. It is then Diwakar enters Reva's life, assists her in her goal,

and makes her famous virtually overnight. Will this change mean a rekindling of

Abhinav's and Reva's romance, or will it result in something unpredictable, is the

question that remains unanswered.

Yuva (2004)

Cast
Ajay Devgan - Michael Mukherjee
Abhishek Bachchan - Lallan
Vivek Oberoi - Arjun
Om Puri - Prosonjit Bhatacharya
Rani Mukherjee - Sashi Biswas
Director: Mani Ratnam
Producer: Mani Ratnam , G. Srinivasan
Written by: Anurag Kashyap , Mani Ratnam

Story

Lallan is a criminal don, based in Calcutta. He loves, marries, and abuses his

wife, Sashi Biswas; Michael Mukherjee is a student leader, who wants politicians

like Prosonjeet Bhattacharya, to keep away from college elections; and then there

is Arjun, carefree and spoilt, in love with Mira, who he just met, and who at one

time wanted to relocate to the U.S., but then after meeting Michael, changes his

mind and wants to be a politician. The paths of these three young men cross each

others', resulting in violent changes in all their lives.