Movie Review: Please, no Once Upon A Time In Mumbai... Dobaara

Starring Akshay Kumar, Imran Khan, Sonakshi Sinha

Directed by Milan Luthria

Rating: * *

How do I put this politely? This is arguably one of the most ill-timed gangster drama with most performances so loud and unassimilated that these characters could easily be contestants in a Eid special segment of Comedy Circus where the theme is 'Gangsta Rap' This is done-to-noisy-death gangsterism done with heartbreaking seriousness.

It takes some doing to wrap up such a time-worn love triangle into a pretence of modern storytelling. Milan Luthria's earlier films like Kachche Dhaage and Dirty Picture had some interesting conflicts between characters who are driven by a desire for revenge but are frustrated in their malevolence by their love for the very same people they want to hate. 

The problem with Once Upon A Time In Mumbai Dobaara is that the two main characters who love each other to death, literally, are people we've met over and over again. Most notably in Ram Gopal Varma's Company where Ajay Devgn and Viveik Oberoi played gangster and protege with great conviction and ballsy velocity. 

The subsequent spinoffs have gotten seriously diluted. 

This one is a sequel to Luthria's 2010 film where Ajay Devgn's imposing personality and gravelly voice had made the pale and sometime unintentionally funny proceedings bearable. 
Except for Sonakshi Sinha playing a starlet who talks too hard and too much and gets the male protagonists (who need to be spanked for playing with guns when their IQ level suggests video games would be more apt) into a serious conflict merely because she's too dumb to see they both love her. . . . Dobaara has no redeeming qualities. 

Akshay Kumar as a Dawood doppelgang(st)er is inept, to say the least. His dialogues meant to show his mastery over the hoary art of rhetorics, come out sounding like wimpy words of wacked-out wisdom picked up from messages in Chinese cookies, if not from forwarded sms messages. 
I'd just like to suggest to the dialogue writer Rajat Arora to go easy on the bumper-sticker wisdom next time. You can't make the hero look heroic by spilling tacky wisdom all over the frames in the hope that audiences would applaud the bombastic words without thinking about their relevance. 

This film wallows in a kind of imbecilic irreverence where the protagonists seem bold brave, sexy and even brazen but are actually cardboard versions of the triangular lovers in Raj Kapoor's Sangam and Vinod Kumar's Mere Huzoor. 

But at least love triangles of the past were honest about their melodramatic intentions. Once Upon A Time. . . Dobaara cloaks its outdated radical ideas in a rumbustious display of trendiness. 
Undoubtedly some sections shine brighter than the rest. Aslam (Imran Khan)'s friend making out with his girlfriend in the car while Aslam gives angrezi lessons to Jasmine (Sonakshi Sinha) is a nicely-conceived moment that loses its sheen in repetition. 

One of the 'jokes' that ties Sonakshi's character to her lover-by Imran Khan is his misuse of the word 'intercourse'. The film uses the word (prudishly beeped out by the censorboard) over and over again like a school boy that has just found a non-punishable way to say 'sex' in the classroom. 
A flavour of flagrant criminality is created through back-projected nostalgia. The film opens with an archival cricket match 'fixed' by the all-powerful underworld don. The sequences seems more 'fixed' by the director than the Dubai-based ganglord would have ever imagined. 

Fleets of black and yellow Fiat cars ply up and down Mumbai's roads in a show of periodicity. A wanton woman (Sophie Chowdhary, in a seductive cameo) cheats on her unsuspecting husband, making out with the dreaded don in the backroom at a noisy party. 

You can almost smell the cheap perfume and the discount-rated champagne trying to pass as the genuine stuff in Shoaib's party. This guy thinks he is menacing. He is actually a joke. And if the real Dawood is anything like the way Dawood-like gangster portrayed here by Akshay Kumar, we have nothing to fear except his cheesy dialogue-baazi. 
Where in all this self-defeating noise and activity is theslippery sinisterness on the streets of Mumbai? 

The gangster-villain (Akshay insists he is a villain, and who are we to argue with an overgrown brat of a guy who keeps smashing up furniture and appliances every time he doesn't get his way?) and his cronies appear to have walked out of 'loin' Ajit den in the 1970s, not quite sure which way they are supposed to head in the present-day milieu of such awe-inspiring gangster epics as Luc Besson's Taken and Amit Kumar's Monsoon Shootout. 
This one comes too late. Except for a skillfully-shot train robbery sequence featuring Imran Khan at the start, it has too little to offer in the way action and adventure. 

The stunts appear stunted. Except for Sonakshi Sinha who plays the self-seeking starlet with earnest air-headedness, Pritobash Tripathy who plays Imran's sidekick with misplaced sincerity and Sonali Bhendre who delivers the only truthfully-worded monologue in this verbally-cramped drama, the other performances are all of the watch-me-ham variety. 

And really, what this film has done to the Mohd Rafi Qawwalli Tayyab ali pyar ka dushman would make Manmohan Desai wince if he was alive. 
Dobaaraa done. Please please, no third helping. Otherwise, to rephrase one of Akshay Kumar's favourite dialogues in this film, Agar ek baar dobaara aur kiya toh sequel ka silsila bura maan jayega.

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Movie Review: Dabangg 2 will make your Christmas Holiday merrier

Cast: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Prakash Raj, Arbaaz Khan, Mahie Gill, Vinod Khanna.

Directed By: Arbaaz Khan.

Ratings: * * * 1/2

The wait is finally over. Salman Khan is back in full form once again with his 'Chulbul Pandey' avatar. But this time, He brings in more Power, More Punches and More Entertainment. The crowd is ready to Whistle, Scream and Go Ga-Ga for Salman Khan's star-power.

The film tells the story of Chulbul Pandey who moves to Kanpur. The moment Chulbul reaches Kanpur, He gets into tough-conflict with Baccha Bhaiyya (Prakash Raj). Baccha Bhaiyya is a criminal and a politician too. Bachcha Bhaiyya is scary. He has two brother's named Chunni (Nikitin Dheer) and Gainda (Deepak Dobriyal).
Things take a turn for worse when Chulbul Pandey kills Gainda. A volcano erupts and a Battle takes place. A Battle between Chulbul Pandey and Bachcha Bhaiyya.

Prepare yourself for this year's most deadliest combination of Salman Khan and Prakash Raj. The towering performance with some fireworks in 'Dialogues'. It's a treat to watch both Salman Khan and Prakash Raj together once again after Wanted. Salman Khan as usual is the best. He takes off his shirt, Flexes his muscles, Fights the Villian and Flirts with Sonakshi, Welcome to the Salman Khan world with a 'Bang'.

Sonakshi Sinha is charming and spicy as Rajjo. Arbaaz Khan and Mahie Gill's track irritates you a little, But as i mentioned earlier, You forgive and forget every mistake once you are in the auditorium to watch a Salman Khan film.
Arbaaz Khan as a director knows his job well. He execute every scene keeping in mind the 'Stardom' of brother Salman Khan. He tries his level best to give you a sure-shot entertainer in his very first film as a Director. 

The songs in the film are already a rage with 'Fevicol Se' becoming an all-time chartbuster. Kareena Kapoor performs good in the song. Bhaiyyaji Seeti is another craze. The camerawork of the film adds feather in a cap. The editing could have been more slicker by chopping off some 'Unwanted' scenes in a 2+ hour film.
Go watch Dabangg 2 keeping the fact in mind that it's a Salman Khan movie and make your Christmas Holiday merrier.

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Curious case of Sona's missing earring

One of Sonakshi Sinha's earrings did a disappearing act during the telecast of a music reality show on Sunday night

Viewers saw the dangling pearl and diamond sparkler go mysteriously missing at one point and return after a while. The actress along with co-star Salman Khan was on the programme to promote their new film.

Looking pretty in a sari and seated next to Sallu, her bauble went missing from her right ear when one of the contestants Jazim was performing. The camera, however, did not stop from focusing on her face with one dangler missing from the ear.

She even complimented Jazim on the way he rendered a track from her film and continued to encourage him. However when it was the turn of the next participant, the missing jewellery was back.

It appears that it may have fallen off and Sona must have realised it at some point and worn it again. Or was it too heavy and hurting her earlobe? But the show folks did not edit out those sequences or shoot it again.

Incidentally, last year one of Genelia D'Souza earrings too did a disappearing act while she was at Mannat. She was spotted arriving at Shah Rukh Khan's Holi bash wearing both, but one of them went missing when she was snapped leaving the place!

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My mother is my biggest critic: Sonakshi Sinha

Actress Sonakshi Sinha, who has earned rave reviews for her performance in her films, says mother Poonam Sinha is her biggest critic.

"My mum is my biggest critic and I take her opinion very seriously because I know that is one person, who is saying it only for my good and nobody else," Sonakshi told reporters in a group interview.

"If I could have done it much better or if the outfit is not looking good, she will tell me then and there itself. The best part is she is so honest about it. My father thinks everything I do is good only," she added.

Asked if she takes her family opinion before signing any film, Sonakshi said: "I consult my whole family before signing a film because they have been in the industry for long, so it's the logical thing to do."

"My mum sometimes sits with me also for the narration, my dad (Shatrughan Sinha) is not always there so I give him a gist of the narration. Till now, my brothers (Luv and Kush) have not criticised me and are very proud," said the 25-year-old.

Sonakshi is currently busy promoting her forthcoming film "Dabangg 2" with Salman Khan, and is directed by Arbaaz Khan. It will release Friday.

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Sonakshi's wedding gift to Vidya a secret

Sonakshi Sinha was in her element at an event yesterday to announce her as the brand ambassador of a real estate, textile and hospitality conglomerate

Also Read: I open fire only when required: Sonakshi Sinha
As it was the day of Vidya Balan's marriage, she was asked what present she would give the newly-wed. And whether she would gift one of the properties that she endorses? Sona replied, I am the brand ambassador, not the owner that I can gift properties to whosoever I wish.
And won't the tax authorities hound me if I do so? When the question of Vidya's gift persisted, the lady said, I have decided on what to gift her and that's a secret. Sssshh....

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I open fire only when required: Sonakshi Sinha

Her Twitter handle is Shotgun Junior, and she is back with her desi avatar in the sequel of Dabangg, where it all began. Sonakshi Sinha has come a long way in a short span from being a newbie to the lucky charm of Rs 100-crore grossers. She opens up about her mentor, Salman Khan,weight issues and her journey so far.

With three Rs 100-crore grossers in your kitty (Dabangg, Rowdy Rathore and Son of Sardaar), you are considered Bollywood's lucky mascot.
Yesterday, this title was with somebody else; today, it is with me; and tomorrow it will again be with someone else. I am making sure I do not get attached to the 'lucky mascot' tag. When a filmmaker approaches me with a script, I don't think about a 100 crores. I have been blessed to work with good people; I am not the lucky charm.

With Dabangg 2, you will have four releases this year; and several more are slated for the next. Do you fear a burnout?
Kal kya hoga mujhe nahin pata, but as of now, I am very happy doing my work. It also depends on whether you are satisfied with the films you are doing. Akshay Kumar does five movies a year. It's each to his own.

How would you charter your growth in the industry?
With every film and from every new person I work with, I learn a lot of things. Because I have never gone to an acting school, I pick up the technicalities of filmmaking and acting by watching others and conversing with them. My cameraman teaches me about angles and lighting; and from co-actors such as Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, I learn professionalism.

Has Salman ever commented on how you have become a star now?
He has been doing that since I was 15. Even if he criticises, it is for a positive result. I lost weight and became an actress because pf jo, and now I am successful. He is very happy about it. I take whatever he says in the right spirit.
Salman has a strong personality both off and onscreen. How do you manage to make your presence felt around him?
I am very comfortable around him because I have known him for years. He does not intimidate me and that helps translate into a comfortable chemistry onscreen. Salman is a lot of fun on the sets as he's very chilled out. He improvises a lot, and comes up with really interesting stuff. It's nice to see someone who can think so quickly on his feet.

Dabangg 2 is Arbaaz Khan's first film as a director. What did he bring to the table?
He is fantastic. In fact, I told him that Dabangg 2 doesn't look like it's his first directorial venture; he should have started directing long ago. He's so well versed with Dabangg. Even as the producer of the first film, he used to give us a lot of inputs whenever he visited the sets.

From the promos of Dabangg 2, it seems you have put on some weight.
The look of the film is such. I am pregnant in the film, and saris make you look a bit mature and heavy. I am very comfortable in my skin. And I don't really want to talk about it much; the more I talk the more people write.

A still from Dabangg 2 has stirred the rumour that the film is your boldest film ever.
No, it isn't. I will never do anything out of my comfort zone. There isn't anything bold about Dabangg 2; it's a complete family film.

Most of the characters you have essayed have had you playing a desi girl. Will we see you donning a western avatar in the future?
I have an Indo-Western look in my forthcoming film Bullet Raja (alongside Saif Ali Khan). It has been a coincidence that till date my looks have been Indian, but I am not complaining. In the future, if I get an urban role that suits my character and personality, I will do it.
Does your filmi background come with advantages?
People obviously compare when you are the daughter of an actor like Shatrughan Sinha. But it has not been that bad. I have sort of come into my own. The advantages do not apply to me since I did not dream of becoming an actor as a child. Had I told my parents at 15 that I wanted to be an actor, they would have worked towards it.

Your Twitter handle is Shotgun Junior. So when do you open fire?
Only when required, never unnecessarily or when I am not provoked. There are negative comments in the newspapers every day, but I'm not bothered. I get provoked very rarely-when unfair or incorrect things are said or written about my family, or there's something against my values and principles. 

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Salman rewrites TV show script to include Sonakshi

After Sonakshi Sinha arrived unannounced on 'Diya Aur Baati Hum' sets, the actor rewrites the script to accommodate his 'Dabangg' co-star

First there is the Midas touch. And then there is Salman's touch! Trust Sallu to add his own bit to a telly show, where he was scheduled to feature. To incorporate Sonakshi's unplanned presence on the sets of the programme, he rewrote the script himself.

A source says that the star had arrived on the sets of a daily soap, featuring Anas Rashid and Deepika Singh, to promote his upcoming cop film. 

The informer adds, Salman was supposed to come alone. So we prepared the script accordingly. However to our surprise Sonakshi too arrived and then Salman incorporated her presence in the show's script too.
The script initially was penned to show Sallu appearing as Chulbul Pandey on the show in support of Deepika's on screen character pursuing tutorials for the annual Indian Police Service examination. 

Deepika and Anas attend night school to prepare for the exam while hiding the fact from their family. However, the episode will now showcase Sonakshi as Mrs Pandey who will accompany Sallu on this particular track.

Very slow and steady: An evening with the bhai

5 pm: Salman is known for his sudden whims and fancies. The star was scheduled to arrive on the sets at 5 pm and arrive he did. But he did not step out of his vanity van till 7 pm. The entire crew on the show was handed out T-shirts that read, I love Chulbul. 

6 pm: The actor was busy working out in his van, while the crew got ready with their prep to shoot a three-minute promo for the soap. 

7 pm: Sallu finally stepped out of his van but asked shutter bugs to click him only in his cop outfit. He finishes shooting for the promos in half an hour. 
7.30 pm: Salman went back to his van but this time he posed with all the crew members for snaps and chose to rest outside the vehicle. 

8.30 pm: Sallu got into Chulbul Pandey-mode, sporting his trademark moustache and started shooting in earnest. Fortunately, this time the actor does not take any break barring posing for the cameras once. The shoot wraps up by 10 pm. Finally. The crew takes a deep breath, phew! 

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No weight woes for plus size Sonakshi!

Sonakshi Sinha has decided to be immune to all the talk about her 'plus' size

Sonakshi Sinha has decided to let all that is said on the subject of her weight fall on deaf ears. The actress is presently shooting for Milan Luthria's sequel with Akshay Kumar and Imran Khan and looking forward to the release of her second outing with Salman Khan. 

Also Read: Sonakshi Sinha’s Fat to Fit Body Tale

She says, I have become immune to whatever is said and continue to be said about my weight. Actually I have become bored of even hearing about it. I don't give people a chance to say anything about my acting and dancing skills, so they have to find something to talk about. So they have to find a subject to criticise me about which continues being about my weight.
The actress says she will continue to look as she is as long as people love her screen persona. In Arbaaz Khan's forthcoming film with Salman, she essays a married woman who is about to be a mother. For the kind of roles she is presently doing, her physical size does not matter. 
Incidentally Sonakshi was the original choice to feature in Abbas Mustan's upcoming thriller from which she made an exit. B-Town buzz was that she was out of the project because of size issues, as the film required a svelte glam persona. When asked about it Sonakshi says, I don't want to talk about the subject.

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Denied by Parineeti, Akki opts for Sonakshi over new girls

Poor Murugadoss. The Ghajini director is not conversant with the ways of Bollywood. Barely able to follow the Hindi bhasha Murugadoss finds himself besieged by rumours planted by eager aspirants desirous of being cast opposite Akshay Kumar in his new action-drama, remake of the Tamil blockbuster Thuppakki about an army man's revenge against terrorists. 

Says a friend of the director, Murugadoss has changed his number three times in the last four months. Ever since news of the remake with Akshay Kumar came out, he has been bombarded with calls from heroines in Mumbai.

In fact Vipul Shah and Murugadoss decided to cast a new girl opposite Akshay.
We hear five new girls were short-listed for the privilege of playing Akshay's leading lady. 

But now Akshay has persuaded his Rowdy Rathore co-star Sonakshi Sinha to join him in the Thuppakki remake. 

Curiously Murugadoss in Chennai seems oblivious of this development, I was told Sonakshi's dates were not working out. I suppose that's been sorted out. We seemed to have very little choice. All the big heroines in Mumbai were tied up with other projects. We auditioned many new girls and zeroed in on 4-5 of the most promising names.
Murugadoss reveals several prominent leading ladies were considered opposite Akshay. We did approach Parineeti Chopra. But we understand she is committed elsewhere. Her dates are not available.

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Umesh to direct family drama starring Sonakshi?

Umesh Shukla, director of "OMG - Oh My God!", has been approached to helm a family drama with actress Sonakshi Sinha in the lead.

"Talks are on, but nothing is official right now. I have not signed it yet. I am developing a script right now and I am looking forward to it," Shukla told.

Sonakshi is the daughter of veteran actor Shatrughan Sinha and actress Poonam Sinha. Shukla says he has been approached by the Sinha family's banner for the movie.

"Sonakhi did an item number for my film 'OMG - Oh My God!' and we are very good friends. I share a very good relationship with her family. Sonakshi will play the lead in my film for sure," he added.

Shukla says the project will be "a family drama and issue-based".

"They approached me to make a film for them and they are looking for some good content. It will be a light-hearted project," he added.

But considering that Sonakshi's brother Luv too is an actor, roping in the entire Sinha family is not on Shukla's mind.

"I will not do that (rope in all family members). It all depends on the script. Just to get the family together, I will not cast them. It should justify the role. So let's see how things fall in place," he said.

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Sonakshi Sinha stands for Super Hit

The Shot-Gun daughter gave back-to-back hits with "Dabangg", "Rowdy Rathore" and more recently "Son Of Sardaar". Actress Sonakshi Sinha's third film "Joker" failed to set the cash register counters at the Box Office, But Sonakshi has no regrets about it.

The actress said with her charming smile "I don't regret doing 'Joker'. I signed 'Joker' after the success of 'Dabangg' so it was my second film. For a newcomer like me to get an opportunity to work with Akshay Kumar was like an icing on the Cake."

Not only this, But Akshay Kumar discussed 'Rowdy Rathore' with Sonakshi Sinha on the sets of 'Joker' and that's how things fell in place. Presently she is busy promoting her December release 'Dabangg 2', Sequel to 'Dabangg' with Salman Khan and feels the film will again be a Super Hit and break the previous Dabangg records at the Box office.

Sonakshi also revealed her secret of choosing the right 'Super Hit' script by adding "I choose films that appeal to me. I would spend money and watch the film only if I like it. For me it should be entertaining."

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Sonakshi Sinha doesn't regret doing Joker

After back-to-back hits with "Dabangg" and "Rowdy Rathore", actress Sonakshi Sinha's third film "Joker" failed to set the cash registers ringing but the actress has no regrets.

"I don't regret doing 'Joker'. I signed 'Joker' after the success of 'Dabangg' so it was my second film. For a newcomer like me to get an opportunity to work with Akshay Kumar was like an icing on the cake," Sonakshi told in an interview.

"While I was shooting for 'Joker', Akshay approached me for 'Rowdy Rathore' and that's how things fell in place. So I am glad I did 'Joker'," she added.

The actress is currently riding high on the success of "Son Of Sardaar", featuring Ajay Devgn and Sanjay Dutt.
Asked how does she get down to choosing scripts, Sonakshi said, "I choose films that appeal to me. I would spend money and watch the film only if I like it. For me it should be entertaining."

Meanwhile, Sonakshi's new film "Dabangg 2" is set for Dec 21 release. It is the sequel to her 2011 debut film "Dabangg".

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Bollywood's biggest flops Movies of 2012 Year

Kareena Kapoor's much-anticipated film 'Heroine' couldn't create much magic at the silver screen. Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Heroine' hit the headlines for its controversies but the film could not strike the right chord with the fans after its release. The film was written off by many calling it a rip off of Madhur Bhandarkar's other films.

Another film which fizzled out at the box office was Shirish Kunder's 'Joker'.  Akshay Kumar distanced himself from the film's promotions as he was was not happy with the final product. Despite a good star cast, the film couldn't work wonders at the box office. Based on aliens, the film couldn't earn much at the box office.

After 'Kurbaan', Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor yet again came together for 'desi' spy thriller 'Agent Vinod'.  Despite Kareena's mujra and Saif's death-defying stunts, the film bombed at the box office. The film was Saif's first attempt at being a spy on screen.

Rani Mukerji returned to the silver screen with much-awaited film 'Aiyyaa'.  The film had Malyalam superstar Prithviraj sharing screen space with Rani. But, their chemistry couldn't attract many eyeballs. Rani Mukerji even took to belly dancing in the films but even her sensuous moves were discarded by the fans.

Kunal Kohli's love saga that cuts across three eras did not make the audience happy.  Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra failed to create the 'Kaminey' chemistry in 'Teri Meri Kahaani'. The film's collections were quite low at the box office.

Action thriller 'Players' turned out to be the first flop of the year. Despite a big star cast, the film was unable to create any fireworks at the box office. The film was an official remake of Hollywood blockbuster 'Italian Job'.

Bipasha Basu's 'Jodi Breakers' was yet another flop at the box office.  Bipasha and R Madhavan were for the first time being paired opposite each other. The film also had Helen playing an important role.

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Salman Khan and Sonakshi Sinha watch Life Of Pi

Salman Khan and Sonakshi entered a suburban cinema in Mumbai where Ang Lee's highly acclaimed film 'Life of Pi' was screened. Sonakshi Sinha bonds well with Salman Khan owes her success to the star as he is the one who gave her the the first break in 'Dabangg'.

Salman Khan and Sonakshi were seen with their Friend Circle where Salman was as usual dressed in 'Being Human' t-shirt and Sonakshi wore leggings, a peach top. She wore glasses. 'The Dabangg' star posed happily for the shutterbugs while Sonakshi looked bit hesitant.

The film Life Of Pi has already received huge reviews from Bollywood by the biggest Film maker's such as Karan Johar and Shekhar Kapur praising the film high. The superstar had casted Sonakshi the way she was and she not only received huge success but also broke the taboo of size zero Funda.

Dabangg 2 is slated for December 21st release and it also has the most hyped item number 'Fevicol Se' by Nawab-Bahu Kareena Kapoor.

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Katrina, Sonakshi, Deepika fighting over Akki

Akshay Kumar's popularity among his leading ladies remains undiminished. For proof, try this. Three of his favourite co-stars Katrina Kaif, Sonakshi Sinha and Deepika Padukone have, in the words of someone close to the project, shown varying degrees of interest in doing the Hindi version of the Tamil Diwali blockbuster Thuppakki which is currently ruling the box-office. 

Now, there could be two other reasons besides Akshay Kumar, in these three lovely ladies' keen interest in doing Thuppakki. The film has broken all previous records in Tamil cinema, exceeding the collections of even the biggest Rajnikanth blockbusters. At the same time, this action-oriented film offers the leading lady a chance to play a boxer. 

We hear three of Akshay's leading ladies feel they're eminently qualified. 

Says our source, After the intense experience of doing Jab Tak Hai Jaan Katrina is at the moment searching for something fun to do in her next project. 

The Thuppakki remake will give her that sense of unwinding. Besides she's been dying to do something with producer Vipul Shah and Akshay Kumar for the longest. She had a fabulous time working with them in Namaste London and since the Namaste London sequel is not happening immediately she is agreeable to taking on the challenge of doing the remake of Thuppakki. 
Deepika Padukone may beat Katrina to it simply by default. 

She was offered the original Tamil film, but could not do it due to date issues. Now Deepika is the top contender for the boxer's role in Hindi, and mainly because she by nature an athlete and has been looking out for a sporty role,  says our source. 

We hear Kajal Aggarwal who plays the lead in the original Tamil film is not eligible for the remake. 

Says our source, The cast will be completely different. Both Vipul and Akshay feel the remake should be completely different in look. Sonakshi Sinha has also expressed interest in the role. 
When contacted producer Vipul Shah completely cut down reports that Parineeti Chopra has been signed opposite Akshay. It could be any of the ladies you've mentioned. We're very sure that the remake would have to be very different from the original. 

Vijay who stars in Thuppakki is a superstar in Tamil cinema. With Akshay the remake will acquire a larger appeal. So yes, the leading lady would be different from the Tamil film.

In fact Vipul's current blue-eyed boy Vidyut Jamwal who played the villain in Vipul's production Force would not encore his villainous role from Thuppakki. 

Asserts Vipul, I will certainly not cast Vidyut as the villain. I am launching him as a hero in Commando. So the villain too would be played by a different actor in the remake. You see, the whole idea is to give the remake of Thuppakki a fresh look. Our director Murugadoss, Akshay and I will lock in on the heroine as soon as we know who can look convincing as a boxer.

One hears Deepika may just beat Katrina and Sonakshi to the role. 
Says the director A Murugadoss, We'll decide who plays the leading lady once we all sit down to discuss the matter. The girl's character will change in Hindi. In the Tamil film she's a funny boxer. She has nothing to do with Mary Kom. In Hindi we will now take references from Mary Kom and give the character more gravity.

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Dabangg 2 soundtrack lives up to Dabangg spirit

Music Director: Sajid-Wajid

Lyricists: Jalees Sherwani, Irshad Kamil and Sameer

Singers: Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shreya Ghoshal, Mamta Sharma, Wajid, Keerthi Sagathia, Sonu Nigam, Tulsi Kumar, Sukhwinder Singh 

Rating: * * *

Chulbul Pandey is back with a bang. The soundtrack of "Dabangg 2" is a musical delight with five original songs and three remixed tracks, composed by the powerhouse duo Sajid-Wajid. The songs are penned by three different lyricists.

The album kicks off with "Dagabaaz re", a romantic number true to the spirit of "Tere mast mast do nain" from the original 2008 film. Rahat Fateh Ali Khan adds the Sufi touch, while Shreya Ghoshal mesmerises with her melodious voice like always. The song is simple and its lilting composition instantly hits you. One hopes it would be a visual treat as well. 

Next up is "Pandeyjee seeti", which looks like a follow-up to chartbuster "Munni badnaam hui". It features Malaika Arora Khan, and her magic is expected to work again! Queen of item songs, singer Mamta Sharma croons to glory in this number and she is supported well by Wajid and Shreya Ghoshal.

The song also takes a cue from yesteryears' hit "Chalat musafir moh liyo re". Definitely not of the finest tracks in the album but is nice nonetheless. It also has a remix version, which is racy but doesn't work too well with the listener. 
Getting into the desi mode, "Fevicol se" is a typical crude item number that will surely get loads of whistles, especially as it has been picturised on Kareena Kapoor. The lyrics are raunchy and a bit hilarious, but will surely work with most sections of the audience. 

Mamta renders the Bhojpuri feel and is joined by Wajid and Keerthi Sagathia. It also has a remix version which has some good techno beats and it is as entertaining as the original.

"Saanson ne" changes the mood of the album and gets the listener into the romantic mode again. There is nothing special about the track as it sounds like any other romantic number. One gets hugely disappointed, especially since it has Sonu Nigam behind the mic. The composition is ordinary and even with the support of Tulsi Kumar; this duet fails to move you at all.

"Dabangg reloaded" rounds up the album. Sajid-Wajid have tried to recreate the magic of "Hud hud dabangg" and they manage to succeed to a limit. Sukhwinder Singh, with his high octane energy, manages to create a stir. A heavy use of percussions is also commendable. The use of the saxophone in the end is also quite nice and doesn't seem out of place.
There is, however, nothing too great about the remix versions of the song. It is definitely a passe and should be avoided.

Overall, the album scores well with the original tracks as most of them appeal to the listener. It's however a miss as far as remixes are concerned. If one ignores that and considers the huge fan base that Salman Khan has, there is no denying that despite its shortcomings, the album will still be a hit.

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After Dabangg, Sonakshi more excited for Dabangg 2

She made her Bollywood debut with the blockbuster "Dabangg" in 2010, and now actress Sonakshi Sinha, who is also a part of "Dabangg 2", says she is upbeat about being a part of the franchise.

"I am very excited. When a film gets a good response, it feels good. I started with 'Dabangg' and now doing 'Dabangg 2' is very exciting for me," the 25-year-old said on the sidelines of an event here Sunday.

Sonakshi was joined at the event by director Milan Luthria, who is working with her in the sequel to "Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai".

In the movie, Sonakshi features opposite Akshay Kumar, who plays don Shoaib Khan. But she refuses to call her own part negative.

"It's negative? No. It's a very interesting character. For me, as an actor it is a very challenging role and the film is set in a very interesting premise. It is a great role, that's all I can say now," Sonakshi said.

The film also features Imran Khan and Sonali Bendre. It is to release around Eid next year.

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Sonakshi shares screen space with mother for ad

Sonakshi Sinha will be seen with her mother Poonam Sinha on screen for the first time in an ad campaign to promote a new beauty product. She says her mom is her skin advisor.

The mother-daughter duo will be seen together in a TV commercial for a range of facial bleaches under the brand Fem.

"My mother is my skin advisor, she is my skin expert at home and always recommends natural ingredients and remedies for beauty care. So, she was very happy when she realised that Fem now comes packed with the same natural ingredients that she has been recommending to me for years now," Sonakshi said in a statement.

The campaign shows Poonam sharing her natural beauty secrets with her actress daughter. She talks about natural ingredients like saffron, pearls and milk and their utility in making the skin soft and supple.

"I have always believed in natural ingredients and most of the cosmetics that we used for our daily beauty care were prepared using our kitchen ingredients. I have always recommended natural ingredients and products to Sonakshi as they make you look beautiful and stay beautiful," said Poonam, who played Hrithik Roshan's mother in "Jodhaa Akbar".

The campaign also depicts the bond of friendship that the duo shares.

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