Bebo’s all praise for Shilpa

Kareena Kapoor has a strange need to befriend Shilpa Shetty.

Says Kareena, “I have always liked Shilpa, but I haven’t interacted much with her. I have been following her life and I think she is successful, smart and sincere in everything she has done.” Bebo seems to think Shilpa’s life has a dream-like quality and whether it is making international headlines through a reality show, or buying a stake in a cricket team, Shilpa has shown enterprise. “I would like to meet and get to know Shilpa and her husband Raj,” says Bebo.

Hrithik, Priyanka back with Agneepath

After sizzling on screen in the super hit Krrish, one will once again see the couple Priyanka Chopra and Hrithik Roshan in the remake of Agneepath, directed by debutant Karan Malhotra.

The movie is produced by Karan Johar’s Dharma Production and has Hrithik in the lead playing Vijay Dinanath Chavan. A source reveals, “Priyanka has been taken onboard to play the lead role played by Madhavi in the earlier film. Karan finds Priyanka apt for the role and approached her with the script. Priyanka said yes in a blink and is playing the lead opposite Hrithik.”

The source continues, “Priyanka and Hrithik will be coming together onscreen after almost five years. While Hrithik will be playing Amitabh Bachchan’s role, Priyanka will be essaying his nurse- girlfriend role, played by Madhavi in the original. Both complement each other on screen.”

The original was produced by Yash Johar. “Little minor changes will be made in the script, making it modern, keeping the plot more or less the same. However, the dialogue will be the same, penned by Kader Khan. The character played by Mithun Chakraborty has been totally done away with in the remake,” adds a source.

Despite repeated attempts, Priyanka remained unavailable for comment. Karan Malhotra did not comment either.

Saif visits Kareena in London

He dropped by on the 'Ra.One' sets, got bonding with SRK too

Saif Ali Khan sure is a devoted boyfriend to Kareena Kapoor. Kareena's shooting in London with Shah Rukh Khan and Karan Johar for 'Ra.One', and Saif just dropped by on the sets to spend time with her.

Karan Johar posted this picture of them on his Twitter page, with the caption 'The Glamorous Couple'. We agree! And then Saif, of the glam couple, got posing for pictures with SRK and KJo. These KJo put up with the caption 'Dostana'. Lots of bonding certainly happened on the sets!

Illusion Graffiti: Graffiti Art On The Wall

Graffiti art on the wall of illusion

Abecedario Graffiti (Graffiti Alphabet Letters)

GRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGN
GRAFFITI ALPHABET / ABECEDARIO GRAFFITI

Abecedario Graffiti (Graffiti Alphabet Letters)

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Aamir Khan takes Peepli [Live] to Los Angeles

A visitor from Los Angeles sent us this picture of Aamir Khan at the University of Southern California (USC).

Aamir was there for the screening of his latest production Peepli [Live] at its film school recently. The varsity has a large number of Indian students and they were very excited to meet the star.

The actor-turned-producer also addressed his audience, answered their questions and posed for photographs.

Ajay's new car-nquest!

Actor Ajay Devgn recently bought a costly convertible; it's a car that he is very possessive about and won't let anyone else drive

It's a case of real life imitating reel life. On the eve of his film One Upon A Time In Mumbaai's release, Ajay Devgn, who owns a fleet of expensive cars, has bought himself a BMW Z4. Incidentally, his character in the film, Sultan Mirza also loves fast cars.

A source close to the actor reveals, "It is a silver convertible with red interiors. AJ is so possessive about his new car that he drives it around himself, and won't part with the keys."

Says OUATIM director Milan Luthria, "He's very passionate about his cars. Ajay was one of the first actors to get a silver-grey Honda during Naajayaz. That's the first film we had worked on together, when I was assisting Bhattsaab. During Kachche Dhaage, he was driving a Landcruiser.

We stopped at a petrol pump while driving out of Mumbai for the shoot. The attendant was so awestruck by Ajay that he put petrol instead of diesel! We had to wait for a mechanic to repair the car but till he came, Ajay refused to leave his car. A crowd of over 50,000 people came to gawk at him but Ajay sat unfazed. That's how possessive he is about his cars."

Priyanka's awe-ful romance with Naseer

The toughest part of shooting for Saat Khoon Maaf for Priyanka Chopra was romancing Naseeruddin Shah for the camera. The duo had earlier acted together in the 2004 film Asambhav.

Since then, the Kaminey actress has been in awe of the veteran actor.

So Priyanka was apprehensive of doing the love scenes with Naseer, who plays the oldest of her seven husbands. Worse, Naseer fell ill after just one day's shooting in Coorg. But when he returned to the sets, Naseer was full of energy and in high spirits. He immediately put Priyanka at ease and the two ended up giving one of their best performances to date. Priyanka gives the entire credit to Naseer, while Naseer insists that Priyanka has improved since her Asambhav days.

Shahid flies a Tornado

Pilots the combat aircraft while shooting on location in Edinburgh

On Tuesday, Shahid Kapoor flew a Tornado battle aircraft at the Royal Airforce airbase in Leuchars near Edinburgh while shooting for his father's Mausam. Shahid plays an airforce officer in the film.

Director Pankaj Kapur felt that shooting on a restricted airbase area on a real plane would considerably enhance the authenticity of the aerial shots considering the hero is an air force officer. Shahid trained to fly a plane before shooting began.

A Tornado aircraft getting ready for take-off

The whole stint was completed in half a day with utmost caution and discretion. Permission to shoot at the strictly prohibited airbase was obtained after much persuasion and pulling of strings.

Says a source from the unit, "At first, we somehow managed to get permission to shoot at the airbase. Then we got greedy and we wanted Shahid to actually fly the Tornado. That was tougher than we thought."

The shoot at the Edinburgh airbase will now be incorporated into the sequences that would be shot later in August at an airforce base near Hyderabad.

Rani Mukherjee on L'officiel Magazine - Photos

Freida Pinto in Michael Rubenste PhotoShoot - Photos

Aamir's losing sleep as 'Peepli Live' release nears

Aamir Khan is known to give his heart and soul to his projects and the superstar admits that he's extremely nervous as his production venture 'Peepli Live' nears its release date.

"As 13th Aug gets closer, the butterflies in my stomach are really beginning to flutter around. Have lost my appetite and my sleep," Aamir wrote on his blog.

"I'm really depending on you guys (audiences) this time round for support. This is an especially tough one with no big stars and a film based in a rural background."

"For those of you living outside India please tell all your friends, neighbours, collegues, gardners etc, who may not have ever seen an Indian film before, to give this one a try. Assuming you like it of course," he added.

Directed by debutant Anusha Rizvi, 'Peepli Live' is a satire on society. It revolves around two impoverished farmers - Natha (Omkar Das Manikpuri) and Budhia (Raghubir Yadav) - who live in a village called Peepli. They are about to lose their land due to their debts.

An incompetent politician suggests they commit suicide to get government help. The news spreads and the media turns Natha into a celebrity.

Neil's first on-screen kiss with Deepika

How the conservative actor agreed to the liplock for 'Lafange Parindey'

Deepika Padukone has kissed Saif Ali Khan on screen, but her new co-star Neil Nitin Mukesh hadn't kissed on camera. The conservative actor had no choice but to succumb to a liplock for Yashraj Films' 'Lafange Parindey'.

Neil has pulled out the plug on his no-kissing clause as he was virtually forced to do a long, lingering kissing scene with Deepika.

Director Pradeep Sarkar and Deepika had to use every possible power of persuasion before Neil abandoned his chastity vow.

"At first Neil was totally against the kiss with Deepika. He has refused to kiss in all his films," said a source close to the project.

"In fact his first director, Sriram Raghavan, threw a fit when Neil refused to kiss Rimi Sen. In his second film, 'Tera Kya Hoga Johnny', director Sudhir Mishra insisted Neil kiss Shahana Goswami, but the actor refused. Even in 'Jail' where there was an intimate scene with Mugdha Godse, Neil refused to kiss," the source added.

Conservative to the core, Neil plunged into his first kiss only after the director assured him that the romantic relationship needed a culmination.

"Pradeep persuaded Neil and he finally saw his director's point of view. But the actor was nervous. Deepika had kissed before on screen. Not Neil," the source said.

"He first suggested a peck. But was finally persuaded to do a long, torrid smooch comparable in intensity and duration with Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor's kiss in 'Raja Hindustani'," the source added.

When contacted, Neil said: "I can't talk about this. But, yes, we've gone completely by the requirements of the script. And 'Lafange Parinde' is my first love story."

Graffiti Street Art Of Creating Illusions

Graffiti street art of creating illusion. Original paintings on the street is similar in nature

Graffiti Wallpaper "Black Spiderman 3"

GRAFFITI GRAPHIC DESIGN
GRAFFITI WALLPAPERS

Graffiti Wallpaper "Black Spiderman 3"

Please give your comments about this graffiti image, Thanks....

Mandeville and Top Cow Shoot for Feature Adaptation of �Crosshair�

Mandeville Films� partners David Hoberman and Todd Lieberman announced today that Mandeville and Top Cow Productions will join forces to produce a feature film version of Top Cow�s comic book �Crosshair.� Mandeville learned of the project of the eve of San Diego�s Comic-Con, and, after extensive negotiations, closed the deal over the weekend to adapt the comic to the big screen.

Created by Marc Silvestri, written by Jeff Katz, and illustrated by Silverstri and Allan Jefferson, �Crosshair� follows a former CIA assassin turned suburban superdad who faces his most dangerous enemy ever - himself. Justin Weller learns that he has 48 hours until a suppressed program in his brain will turn him into an unstoppable killing machine aimed at the President of the United States. Weller races against the clock to uncover and reverse the source of his trigger.

�When Top Cow showed us this story, we jumped at the chance to work on this project with them,� said Hoberman. �Our companies are similarly aligned with the goal of delivering one-of-a-kind stories.�

�Crosshair is a unique premise in which the main character is both the hero and the villain,� said Lieberman. �This dichotomy is very unsettling, which makes it a fantastic twist for audiences.�

"After working with the Mandeville guys on �Alibi,� we knew Crosshair could not be in better hands,� said Top Cow President Matt Hawkins. �When they said they wanted to turn the property into film, Marc Silvestri and I were incredibly excited."

Mandeville�s partners Hoberman and Lieberman will produce. Crosshair writer Katz will co-produce for Top Cow. Executive producers are David Manpearl of Mandeville, �Crosshair� Creator Silvestri and Top Cow�s Hawkins.

Top Cow lit up the comic book industry when Universal�s adaptation of Top Cow�s �Wanted,� starring Angelina Jolie, scored $207 million in worldwide box office in 2008.

This is the second collaboration between Mandeville and Top Cow. At last year�s Comic-Con, the two joined forces to develop a feature version of Top Cow�s title, �Alibi.�

CELEB TWEETS: Big B sad to leave Rome, Sanjay's birthday

Your regular dose of celeb tweets!

Priyanka Chopra

Hey world!Woke up with a cold!Boo hoo!but gotta do what I gotta do.Off to work.blaring some Edward maya in da car,coffee in my hand,im set

Mugdha Godse

Hello interesting replies but I personally feel tht its just a sign of distraction.. ;)

Imran Khan

Last day of shooting for Break ke Baad. Getting that slightly happy/slightly sad "last day of school" feeling.

Arshad Warsi

Did a good workout had a simple n tasty lunch, feeling sleepy coz Zene kept me awake most of the night, think I am gonna take a nap... Ciao

Lara Dutta

Muscles sore and hurting! Hauling self to the reg routine once more!

Riteish Deshmukh

Loved the TVS Scooty PEP ad- Jaane ne do naa- puts a smile on your face. Awesome

Bipasha Basu

Check out my new TVC fr Real Activ which goes on air tomorrow. Everyone should avoid unhealthy snacking to stay activ.

Salman Khan

kamaal hai yaar!How did u kno its aisha? vil c it n tell u if it's chakaas.Brothers n sisters I am in bister hv a v n lng day tom... .

Arjun Rampal

By raising your legs slowly and laying on your back you can't sink in quicksand.Can someone pls try it dying to know if its true,hahakidding

Amitabh Bachchan

Time to say bono notte !! Time running out for Rome .. a sadness descends .. will return soon .. Trevi Fountain willing ..

Abhishek Bachchan

THE man, THE Dutt!!! Happy birthday Sanju sir. Love you.

Sanjay Dutt

Another fleeting year just rolls on..all set to step in2 another year of my life. looking 4ward 4 good work, happiness n d 2 little ones.

Shahid Kapoor

Ate some awesome south indian food at quilon ...... Apna desi khana after forever trippin' on it !!!!

Riya Sen

Google alerts - riya sen .. Dude ! Can't handle it anymore !!!! Could I please get a break ? ;)

Ram Gopal Varma

We can undrstand anythng only to the point of our undrstndng limits.the rest is completley subject to others undrstandng of our understandng

Genelia D'souza

Mornin all,slept real well last nite, nothin like a good nites sleep, makes u feel +ve n energized 2wards d new day, hav a good1 tweerhearts

Boman Irani

It is strange how at airport lounges, Half the people whisper and the other half holler. So half of me is napping and the other on twitter.

Shekhar Kapur

India's constitution promises equal opportunity for all but the ppl who swear 2 uphold it in parl'ment r the ppl dat corrupt it

Vivek Oberoi

Congratulations to the god of cricket for achieving yet another milestone...another double hundred!!! So proud of you sachin! God bless!

Madhuri Dixit is disturbed!

Madhuri Dixit ruled Bollywood in the 80’s and 90’s but is finding it tough to prove her identity on a social networking site. The actress, who joined a social networking site with the intention to interact with her fans, never knew that it will be so difficult for her to prove her real self.

Apparently, there are already several fake accounts on Madhuri’s names thus it’s equally difficult for her fans to find out which is the real Madhuri Dixit. However, Madhuri who joined a social networking site on May 30 has applied for verification.

She got in touch with the head office to put things in the fast gear, “I am waiting for verification of Twitter because I don't want my fans to be confused.” The actress has submitted required documents to verify her account.

Madhuri was very excited about joining the web world but she feels extremely disappointed for not being verified as yet. “Verification is taking long because I'm in USA & the confirmation from Twitter India is taking long. Honestly. I'll be happier when Twitter confirms it,” said Madhuri, who is currently in Denver with her family.

Celina freezes over

Celina Jaitly shows off a face that hardly emotes

The music launch of her upcoming film, Subhash Ghai's Hello Darling, was supposed to be a happy occasion. But the expression Celina Jaitly wore to the event seemed like it had been in a 'deep freeze' mode. Obviously, the 'new look' got everyone talking.

Now & Then

Case in point? The actress' appearance at the announcement of the film two-odd years ago.

Change truly is a constant in Celina's life. Take a look at her go from somewhat expressive to completely expressionless.

Celina Jaitly's previous appearance at the launch of a Best Of Hollywood movie guide on July 12

Spotted: Sonam Kapoor, Preity Zinta

Sonam Kapoor outside a suburban lounge bar on Tuesday night. When the actress left the venue, two bikers tailed her for an autograph. Anil Kapoor's daughter obliged them by stopping her car and signing her name on a piece of paper for them.

Preity Zinta was seen at an event after a long time. We are not sure what her excuse is for wearing shimmery pants. Nope, she didn't come in straight from shooting a song for one of her films.

Shahrukh Khan and Amitabh Bachchan wish Uddhav Thackeray

Shah Rukh Khan's production house Red Chillies Entertainment has placed an advertisement wishing Uddhav Thackeray the best on his birthday (July 27) in Saamna, the Shiv Sena mouthpiece.

Considering the war of words the two sides had in February, during the release of My Name Is Khan, the advertisement came as a surprise.

What is not clear is whether Shah Rukh authorised the advertisement or someone in the production house sent it without his knowledge. Incidentally, AB Corp placed an advertisement wishing Uddhav as well.

Sajid Khan's 'Housefull' is a remake of the Kamal Haasan, Prabhu Deva starrer Kadhala Kadhala

The Sajid Khan-directed hit Housefull (supposedly a remake of the Kamal Haasan- Prabhu Deva starrer Kadhala Kadhala) starring Akshay Kumar, Boman Irani, Arjun Rampal, Ritesh Deshmukh, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone and Jiah Khan, has run into trouble.

The Chennai High Court has issued a stay order on the film and hence, the film will not be telecast on Indian satellite television and cable.

Earlier, PL Thenappan, who produced Kadhala Kadhala, had filed a complaint with the Tamil Film Producer’s Council, alleging that Kadhala Kadhala was remade in Hindi as Housefull without prior permission.

Saw 3D Movie poster in 3D

Recently certified by Guinness Book of World Records as the most successful horror franchise, Saw 3D will be released this October.

Karan Johar's A to Z of Bollywood!

Bollywood is definitely a great place and I can’t see myself being anywhere else. Being born to a family associated with movies, I learnt the basics at an early age... And knowledge must be spread.

So here it is... The tongue-in-cheek A to Z of the Bollywood Alphabet as I know it... Some of it may be relevant... Most of it may not... But go through it anyway...

A for AMITABH BACHCHAN – The undisputed King of Bollywood

B for BALLS – which some have... some pretend to... and some don’t at all...

C for CRITICS – who aren’t always qualified but never disqualified!

D for DIRECTOR – who everyone assumes knows what he is doing.

E for EGO – which is plenty in the industry but seldom helps.

F for ******* – Lets not go there... I’ll need more than a column to divulge those details...

G for GOSSIP – which everyone contributes to yet no one owns up to...

H for HISTORY – Which if you don’t make it... You are it...

I for INTERNATIONAL – which everyone has gone but ‘they’ still aren’t aware...

J for JACK OF ALL TRADES – that would undoubtedly be me...

K for KAREENA AND KATRINA – who have beauty, brains and blockbusters...

L for LUST – which most often is mistaken for the other four-letter word beginning with ‘L’...

M for MOTHER – an element that never goes wrong in movies...

N for NEW AGE – A word often thrown at the mainstream to give it a complex...

O for ORGANISATION – An alien concept in most quarters...

P for PAPARAZZI AND PR – The latest entrants in Bollywood... Celebrities are fashionably in denial about them but cant do a day without them...

Q for QUEENS – A lot of them around ruling the roost...

R for RAT RACE – Even if you win you are still a rat... Just a well-paid one!

S for SHAH RUKH KHAN – Sorry couldn’t resist that one...

T for TWITTER – where everyone’s talking and no one’s listening

U for UNIVERSAL HIT – Full page ads proclaim this every Friday... ‘Proclaim’ being the operative word...

W for WANNABE – a virus that has no vaccination...

X for ‘EX FACTOR’ – which rules the industry... Everywhere you turn there’s an ex!

Y for YES MEN – who everyone has around them just to feel ‘objective’...

Z for Zzzzzzz – a sound I’m hoping you guys aren’t making right now!

Aamir wants SRK to watch 'Peepli Live' (srkthedon.blogspot.com)

There used to be a time when Aamir Khan and Shah Rukh Khan didn't exactly get along (Remember Aamir writing about having a dog named Shah Rukh, and that not going down too well with SRK?). Now things have changed, and it's possible that Karan Johar is the man for bringing about a proper patch-up between the two Khans.

Karan's always been very close to Shah Rukh, and he's been getting closer to Aamir. It sort of started with Aamir's nephew Imran being cast in KJo's 'I Hate Luv Storys' and then Aamir being the only non-cast member invited to the movie's success party. In turn, Aamir invited Karan to the music launch of his home production 'Peepli Live'.

Later, Aamir and Karan met up with Shah Rukh in London, where he's shooting for 'Ra.One'.

And now Aamir has invited Shah Rukh to the premiere of 'Peepli Live'. He said that SRK attended the 'Raavan' premiere, and that he'd definitely invite him for 'Peepli Live'. Now if only we saw a similar thawing and bonding between SRK and Salman too. Maybe Aamir could step in to bring them together.

Sajid Khan walked off the set after an argument with Kirron Kher

Filmmaker Sajid Khan walked out of the set for auditions of 'India's Got Talent Khoj 2' following a heated argument with Kirron Kher.

Sajid, who is judging the show aired on Colors, expressed his anger when a martial arts group from Punjab had little children showing their combat skills using swords on the stage.

While co-judge Kirron spoke of the art and applauded their effort, Sajid argued strongly that it was just not right for children.

The argument got so heated that Sajid left the jury podium and walked out of the set.

Wishing Munna Bhai a Very Happy Birthday

Birthdays are very special days, they mark the day we came into existence, and so celebrating them isn't a question... it's a must. Today is special for this Bollywood star better know for his films like Rocky, Vidhata, Jeeva, and more recent films like Lamhaa, Luck and Blue. He is none other than Sanjay Dutt.

Sanju baba ( as he is fondly called), who has been in the news for quite some time now, turns 51 today, and we takes this opportunity to wish him a very Happy Birthday and many more to come. You too can send in your birthday wish by just posting them in below:

MOVIE REVIEW: Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai

The fascination with gangster movies has been immense worldwide. On this side of the Atlantic, several gangster films have left giant footprints on the sands of time. Films like DEEWAAR [Yash Chopra], DHARMATMA [Feroz Khan], NAYAKAN [Mani Ratnam], ANGAAR [Shashilal Nair], PARINDA [Vidhu Vinod Chopra], AGNEEPATH [Mukul Anand], SATYA and COMPANY [Ramgopal Varma], VAASTAV [Mahesh Manjrekar], GANGSTER [Anurag Basu], D [Vishram Sawant] and SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA [Apoorva Lakhia] have tremendous recall value to this day.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI recreates an era that so many of us have left behind and for those who arrived on this planet post 80s, I am sure, they must have visited the era through some medium or the other, mainly movies and internet or during their academic careers.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not part of history, but it attempts to portray on celluloid tales that are now considered legendary, that continue to make news to this date. Of course, the disclaimer claims that it bears no resemblance to a particular person, but you can't help but draw parallels with real-life characters. It could be a coincidence, though!

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a fascinating story that talks of how the mafia came into force for the first time in Mumbai. A thriller that depicts the crime scenario in Mumbai during the 70s and 80s. The rise to power of two young boys, in different age-groups, who grew up to 'rule' the streets of Mumbai.

Since there's tremendous speculation in the media that ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI chronicles the lives of Haji Mastan and Dawood Ibrahim, the curiosity to watch the film increases manifold. Of course, I am no one to comment if it's actually based on their lives or merely borrows a few incidents from their lives or is pure fiction, but as a cinematic experience, I couldn't help getting transported to the bygone era, getting sucked into a world I had no clue of.

Besides the gangster chapter, one enjoys this film also because of its riveting drama and the power play. It could've been set anywhere, in the corporate world, in politics, in the film industry. Anywhere. The rise and subsequent fall of the King and the emergence of the Prince as the super power is what makes this film a compelling watch. The icing on the cake is the magical and lilting song compositions that are juxtaposed so beautifully in the goings-on. On the sidelines of the power play, a game of hearts is being played and that's what makes ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI a wholesome movie experience.

Final word? ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not to be missed. Set everything aside this coming weekend and watch this one. Strongly recommended!

The film, set primarily in 1970s Mumbai, follows the rise of Sultan Mirza [Ajay Devgn] and the conflict that ensues, when his protégé Shoaib Khan [Emraan Hashmi] challenges his supremacy and usurps power to rule the murky underbelly of Mumbai.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is a power-packed drama that makes you thirst for more. You rewind to an era of romance, smuggling, cabaret and mafia, but director Milan Luthria and writer Rajat Aroraa ensure that there's no sleaze or bloodshed-n-gore. In fact, there's hardly any violent sequence in the movie, except for one when Ajay hammers a cop during a naaka-bandi.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is not a biopic, but narrates the story through the eyes of a police officer [Randeep Hooda], who traces the changing face of the Mumbai underworld. The screenplay encompasses several moments that may compel you to draw parallels with real life, but talking strictly from the movie-going point of view, it satiates you completely. In fact, the writing is cohesive, smart and watertight and there's never a dull moment. Besides, there's no time to think whether it's factual or loosely based on someone's life or a work of fiction.

As I look back and recall the movie, a number of sequences flash across my mind. Note the sequence when Ajay divides the city amongst gangsters... The train sequence at the very start... The introduction of Emraan Hashmi's character... Randeep Hooda's landing on a film set and confiscating the equipment... The subsequent sequence, when Randeep is framed for accepting bribe... The romantic moments between Emraan and Prachi in the jewellery shop... Emraan starting his business and the confrontation that ensues between Ajay and Randeep... The showdown between Ajay and Emraan, with Ajay slapping Emraan in full public view... The conclusion to the story is equally novel. It stays in your memory and sets you thinking.

On the flipside, the story begins with Randeep attempting suicide, but the writer should've cited the reason that prompted him to take that drastic step. Sure, there's a mention at the start, but it doesn't register well. Also, you are keen to know the chain of events that drove Randeep to suicide. Also, the pace slackens in the middle of the second hour, but picks up dramatically when Ajay returns from Delhi and confronts Emraan. Besides, how I wish the film had a shorter, mass appealing Hindi title to attract more eyeballs and a big jump in footfalls [at single screens and smaller centres mainly] for a mass appealing subject like this.

This is director Milan Luthria's best work to date, no two opinions on that. Recreating the bygone era is tough and the director, the writer and the art director [Nitin Chandrakant Desai] deserve brownie points for giving the film that authentic feel. In fact, the film wears a chic retro look throughout. Even otherwise, Milan's handling of the subject material is exemplary. This film is sure to catapult him to the top league. Rajat Aroraa's screenplay is powerful and engaging. The writer marries heavy-duty drama and subtle and delicate emotions beautifully. I would like to make a special note of the dialogue, also penned by Rajat Aroraa, which are simply fantastic. In fact, the dialogue writing is such it elevates even an ordinary sequence to great levels. One rarely comes across such potent dialogue in today's times.

Pritam's music is another ace. Injecting songs and that too a terrific soundtrack in a gangster film is tough. He did it in GANGSTER. He does it again in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. 'Pee Loon', 'Tum Jo Aaye' and the remix of APNA DESH track are super compositions, which are also placed appropriately in the plotline. Cinematography [Aseem Mishra] captures the look to perfection. Akiv Ali's editing is sharp.

ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is embellished with fantastic performances. Ajay Devgn is splendid as Sultan. The actor had enacted a similar role in COMPANY, but it must be said that his interpretation is so different in ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI. He adds so much depth to the character, which only goes to prove his range and versatility. This is, without a trace of doubt, Ajay's finest work so far. Emraan Hashmi is brilliant as the power greedy, wildly ambitious rebel. He plays the dark character to perfection. He's incredible in the penultimate moments of the film in particular. Besides carrying the look to perfection, Emraan is sure to break-free from the lover boy, serial kisser image with this film.

Kangna Ranaut is extremely natural and performs very well. Also, she brings so much of sensuality and glamour to her character [an actress of the 70s]. In fact, Ajay and Kangna make a wonderful on-screen pair. Prachi Desai is a bundle of talent who proves her mettle yet again. She's proficient in emotional scenes and sizzles in the BOBBY song-sequence. Besides, the chemistry between Emraan and Prachi is exciting. Randeep Hooda is top notch. Even though the film belongs to Ajay and Emraan, Randeep makes his presence felt with a powerful performance. This film should prove to be the turning point in his career.

Avtar Gill [as Home Minister] is good. Naved Aslam [as Patrick, Ajay's trusted lieutenant] is perfect. Mehul Bhojak [as Emraan's friend Javed] is competent. Ravi Khanwilkar [as Vardhan] is satisfactory. Gauhar Khan sizzles in the remix track.

On the whole, ONCE UPON A TIME IN MUMBAAI is an extremely well-made film that lingers in your memory. The realism coupled with stellar direction, power-packed writing, exceptional performances and ear-pleasing tunes are its trump cards. An outstanding cinematic experience!

RATING: 4/5