FIRST LOOK: Paathshaala

Salman: Box Office Gold!

Salman Khan's riding high... and Bollywood is cheering

It's Salman Khan time in Bollywood. With his full-on action film Wanted becoming a hit, the superstar has millions of rupees riding on his shoulders with three more big-budget films lined up. And all his friends in the industry - from David Dhawan to Vipul Shah - are rejoicing at the actor's success.
Wanted earned about Rs.38 crore (Rs.380 million) across the country in its first week and industry experts feel that the film's good business will help Salman's forthcoming releases - Main Aur Mrs. Khanna, London Dreams and Veer.

"Salman always knew when and where to strike. He was always very confident about Wanted and this is the reason why he went all out to promote the film," Dhawan, who has worked with Salman in more than half a dozen films, told IANS.

"Forget first weekend collections; it was sheer havoc when Eid festivities began. Audience response inside auditoriums was unprecedented," he added.

Directed by Prabhu Deva, Wanted is a raw action-drama comparable to Aamir Khan's Ghajini.

"Salman may have done one or two bad films in recent times due to which it appeared to some that he was no more in the reckoning. They were mistaken though because he is beyond hits and flops," said Abbas Burmawalla of director duo Abbas-Mustan.

"His strong fan base could sense from a distance that Wanted was a film to watch out for and turned it into such a huge success," he added.

Salman's Yuvvraaj and God Tussi Great Ho bombed at the box office and many believed he was down and out. But the industry doesn't quite believe so.

"Wanted is Salman's one-man show. Yes, everyone involved with the film has done a fabulous job, but it is Salman's pull that got the audiences into theatres. Otherwise director Prabhu Deva was making his first Hindi film while Ayesha Takia isn't amongst the top three heroines that we have today," said Sanjay Kapoor, brother of Boney Kapoor who produced Wanted.

"He gave Wanted his full support and led the entire promotional campaign. He was supremely excited about the film and gave his heart, body, soul and time to its making followed by promotion," he added.

Vipul Shah, who has worked with Salman in the film London Dreams that releases Oct 30, is happy that Salman's three-film stint this year has got off to a good start with Wanted.

"My promotion plan though is not as expensive as that of Wanted. We are going right ahead in creating awareness around London Dreams, but the spillover of Wanted should also help our campaign. Since Wanted is all over, I am sure the euphoria and Salman's presence amongst audiences will continue for many more weeks to come," said Shah.

Filmmaker Suneel Darshan, who has never worked with Salman, is a little guarded before declaring this as a golden run of the actor.

"Wanted has done quite well in India but its fate in the overseas market has been contradictory. With crores of rupees riding on his shoulders in the current season on Veer, London Dreams and Main Aur Mrs.Khanna, all due to release shortly, god forbid if anything goes wrong, it will have severe repercussions on the industry's economy. This is just another interesting phase for Salman...," he said.

Himesh Reshammiya, with whom Salman has had a decade-long association, has a final word though. "Salman was a superstar, is a superstar and will always remain a superstar."

In Pics: Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia Promotes Wanted

OOPS! Salman falls ASLEEP at event!

Salman Khan has been constantly promoting his forthcoming film Wanted for the last few weeks. It's not surprising if the constant events and functions start taking a toll on the actor who has refused to advertise any of his films till date. We caught Sallu in a cute candid moment at a recent event where the Wanted contest winners were announced. Take a look!

Salman sleepy-head!

The tiredness could have been a result of an earlier wrestling match with Ayesha Takia, the leading lady of the film

Wanted - Movie Review

This is for fans and foes of Salman Khan...
Fans, rejoice, Salman is back with a vengeance with WANTED. This is his deadliest performance to date. Yes, you read it right!
Foes, sorry, you won't be able to lash out at him or pick on him or launch a vicious tirade this time. The spate of flops should come to a grinding halt with WANTED.

Let's get this straight. WANTED rides on Salman Khan's star power. He may not be the best actor in town, but in a film like WANTED, in a role that seems like an extension of his personality, you can't think of anyone else enacting this role with flourish.

A remake of POKIRI [made in Telugu and Tamil versions], WANTED is a full on masala film. Recall the successful potboilers of yore. Recall how the good guy would reduce 10 hoodlums to pulp in a fraction of seconds. Recall how heroism prevailed in the end, no matter how adverse the circumstances were or how powerful the villains would be. Recall those movies in which logic took a backseat since the focus was on entertainment... You relive those moments as reel after reel of WANTED unfolds.

A departure from candyfloss movies and diabetic-sweet characters that most Hindi movies boast of, WANTED takes you back to those days when popular cinema reigned supreme, when the sole motive of the film-maker was to entertain.

The daring hero and his herogiri, the naïve girlfriend, the corrupt cop, the dreaded don, the don's moll, the fist-clinching henchmen... WANTED is for those who seek unabashed entertainment and relish masala films. Damn the indomitable critics, pseudo intellectuals and connoisseurs of parallel cinema, this one's not for them. WANTED is for the aam junta.

Radhe [Salman Khan] is a hardcore gangster. A sharpshooter with a sharp brain, he works for Gani Bhai [Prakash Raj], the dreaded Mafioso, but on his own terms. Totally fearless, Radhe single-handedly eliminates Gani Bhai's enemies one by one; making more enemies in the process.

He's astounded when the young and pretty Jahnvi [Ayesha Takia Azmi] professes her liking for him. Inspector Talpade's [Mahesh Manjrekar] lustful eyes fall on Jahnvi. He doesn't know that Jahnvi has developed a soft corner for Radhe.

Whether it's the Golden Gang or Data Pawle's Gang, everybody wants the biggest piece of the lucrative cake that is Mumbai and the only way to get it is to eliminate whoever gets in the way. As Mumbai reels under bloody gang wars, Commissioner Ashraf Khan [Govind Namdeo] vows to make the city crime free.

Director Prabhu Dheva serves a hardcore masala fare that's not inventive or path-breaking by any standard, but the execution of several scenes as also of stunts takes the graph of the film Northward. In fact, if at all there's any film that competes with GHAJINI as far as raw appeal goes, it's WANTED. Every action/stunt/chase here is choreographed with aplomb.

Watch out for the action sequence at the interval point or the penultimate half-an-hour. The climax is sure to send scores of action lovers in frenzy, as Salman bashes the evil forces black and blue. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that the climax is worth the price of the ticket, samosa, sandwich, popcorn, nachos and cola put together.

Not that this 18 reeler abounds in mindless action. As mentioned earlier, this one's a hardcore masala film and the narrative has its share of light moments and romantic sequences. Even the bad man here makes you laugh intermittently [when he's not spewing venom], especially in the sequence when the Commissioner of Police holds him captive in the middle of the sea. Even the romance between Salman and Ayesha charms its way into your heart. It's very likable.

But WANTED is not without its share of flaws. The film stands on a thin storyline and the viewer can guess what's in store next, which means that there's not much novelty in the plot. Besides, WANTED could've done without a song or two, thereby keeping its length in check.

Director Prabhu Dheva has presented Salman like never before. Most actors have drifted away from roles that hold tremendous mass appeal, that cater to the desi audience, like they did in the 1980s. SRK did it in OM SHANTI OM, Aamir Khan did it in GHAJINI and Salman does it so effortlessly in WANTED. The screenplay [Shiraz Ahmed] may not be foolproof, but it has its share of shining moments. Dialogues are clapworthy, especially those delivered by Salman.

Sajid-Wajid's music is of a mixed variety. 'Jalwa' is the best of the lot and the star presence of Anil Kapoor, Govinda and also Prabhu Dheva in this track will send the viewers into raptures. The remaining tracks oscillate between good and strictly okay. This review would be incomplete without the invaluable contribution by the action director. It deserves brownie points. Cinematography too is top notch.

Salman is like a ferocious lion who roars with all his might. The show belongs to the actor, who scorches the screen every time he displays the manic anger. Without doubt, Salman gives the power to WANTED. It's his best work to date.

Ayesha Takia Azmi is very good and the pairing with Salman looks wonderful. Vinod Khanna is sidelined. He deserved more footage. Mahesh Manjrekar is excellent. He's only getting better with every film. Prakash Raj is first-rate. The accomplished actor adds yet another feather to his cap. Govind Namdeo is perfect.

Mahek Chahal radiates oomph. Aseem Merchant is alright. Raju Mavani is effective. Inder Kumar and Sajid are okay. Manoj Pahwa tries hard to make you laugh. Prateeksha Lonkar is as usual.

On the whole, WANTED rides on Salman, Salman and only Salman Khan's star power. A masala film that's aimed at the masses, WANTED is backed by tremendous hype and hoopla, which will result in the film taking an earth-shattering start at the ticket window. The Idd celebrations in the coming days will only enhance the business of the film, which means that the film will have a solid Week 1. The holidays in Week 2 should also be bountiful, thereby ensuring a strong place in the 'Hit' category.

Prediction: Wanted v/s Dil Bole Hadippa

It’s Shahid versus Salman at the box office this week. Which film will rule and which will sink? Celebrity astro-numerologist Bhavikk Sangghvi helps us decode the fate of these films.

About Dil Bole Hadippa, Bhavikk says,

This film will be a treat for all Rani Mukerji fans that have been yearning to see her in an author backed role since a long time. The title adds up to Number 53 – that means number 8 of Shani (Saturn). The planet of two extremes, it gives instant success or failure. There is nothing in between.

Rani Mukerji (21st March, 1978) is currently running through her 32nd year which is one of her weakest numbers. But Shani (Saturn) generally favors people or places vibrating on Numbers 1, 3, 5 or 6. In that case, Rani’s performance in this film will once again be appreciated by one and all. But since Rani’s stars are not up to the mark, the box office performance of this film may suffer and shall remain on the edge. Also the current year 2009 belongs to the Moon (Number 2) which does not support anything even remotely connected with Number 8 as both Numbers 2 and 8 do not form a good combination. This further dims the chances of this film hitting the boundary line.

But on the other hand, the man currently in form after Kaminey, Shahid Kapoor (25th February, 1981) is passing through his 29th year which is one of his best phases. The year also adding up on the same number acts as a bonus. For that matter, Shahid’s luck quotient should rub off on the film to an extent. All in all, Dil Bole Hadippa may turn out to be a good film but the ‘star power’ (read luck factor) is missing!

For Wanted, Bhavikk Sangghvi’s predictions are:

The title adds up to Number 25 which represents Neptune – Number 7. It is one of the most creative planets giving inspiration but it does not necessarily translate into a commercially successful venture. However the compound number 25 benefits in the long run. There is no doubt about that.

Salman Khan (27th December, 1965) is currently running in his 44th year which is one of his weakest numbers. The year 2009 adds up to Number 2 which is in direct contrast with Salman’s Number 9. The film is releasing in the month of September which is primarily ruled by Mercury (Number 5). Numbers 5 and 9 do not gel well at all. In that respect, a long run success of Wanted is ruled out.

The silver lining in the dark cloud is the release date of the film which is September 18 – Number 9 is Salman’s birth number and so the film will take a flying start thanks and there will be an element of euphoria which will settle down soon.

In short, Wanted – will do average business. Nothing spectacular but not bad as such.

In Pics: Ayesha Takia Azmi photo shoot for film Wanted

Will 'Dil Bole Hadippa', 'Wanted' break Ramadan jinx

It is not a good period for business

Bollywood might be rejoicing with four back-to-back hits in "New York", "Kambakkht Ishq", "Love Aaj Kal" and "Kaminey", but the film industry usually witnesses a dip in business during Ramadan. Filmmakers and distributors are hoping "Dil Bole Hadippa" and "Wanted" will break the jinx this year.

Both Yash Raj Films' "Dil Bole Hadippa", which stars Rani Mukerji and Shahid Kapur, and Salman Khan-starrer "Wanted" are releasing on September 18. Trade pundits say the two films might repeat the success story of last year's musical hit "Rock On!" that released during the same period.

"Ramadan has always been a month of gap-fillers and average movies and is not really a good period for business. Filmmakers don't really take risks during the month... so we don't have any powerful movies releasing during this time which eventually leads to low business. Moreover, the 'shradhs' (considered an inauspicious period by Hindus) are also falling with Ramadan this time and it's not considered a good time in the industry," Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan told IANS.

Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, Noida, agrees with Mahajan.

"Business is definitely going to plummet a bit during this month, as there are no big releases till September 18, and mediocre movies don't bring in footfalls. We are hoping post-mid-September will bring in potential business because of the big-budget line-up," said Awasthi.

Added a source from PVR cinemas: "This month will be lean courtesy Ramadan. Though we have many movies releasing every week, none of them has the capability to do business. But we are looking at footfalls with 'Dil Bole Hadippa' and 'Wanted'."

The first weekend (August 28) of Ramadan saw an ensemble of releases like "Daddy Cool", "Toss", "Yeh Mera India", "Kisaan", "Love Khichdi" and "Quick Gun Murugun".

And following in quick succession are medium budget films like "Chintu Ji", "Three - Love, Lies and Betrayal", "Aagey Se Right", "Bachelor Party", "Fox", "Mohan Das - A Man Lost In His Own Nation" and "The Great Indian Butterfly" that are releasing on September 4.

On September 11, "Baabarr", "Pankh", "Ruslaan", "Aamras" and "Vaada Raha...I Promise" will reach theatres before the two biggies - "Dil Bole Hadippa" and Salman's "Wanted" hit the screens on September 18.

"We generally don't have any major releases during this time because the Muslim belt doesn't generate any revenue. It's a dull period, bringing in close to only 15-30 percent of business. Moreover, with 'shradh' falling in tandem, it's really going to be slim," said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave cinemas.

"But by the time 'Dil Bole Hadippa' and 'Wanted' release, it will be close to Eid and Navratras and the festive mode will start picking up, and is considered commercially very viable," he added.

After the two biggies, Ashutosh Gowariker's much-talked about "What's Your Raashee?" starring Priyanka Chopra and Hurman Baweja will open on September 25.

Wanted - Unseen Pictures