OF KAMINEY KHANNA'S AND RAAVANS IN RAJNITI
With the Filmfare awards finally over here's looking forward to 2009.
We've had a good start with films like Dev D, Dilli 6, Luck By Chance etc and here is my selection of the films to watch out for.
Enjoy
Vish
3 Idiots
Director: Rajkumar Hirani Cast: Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Kareena Kapoor Chetan Bhagat's first novel Five Point Someone based on student life at IIT was a big hit when published some years back. Rajkumar Hirani takes a break from the Munnabhai series to adapt this literary work into cinema. Aamir Khan will once again play a college student post Dil Chahta Hai . With Hirani's expertise this one shouldn't turn out into some Hello , a tacky adaptation of Bhagat's second novel which was way too filmi and formulaic as compared to his much interesting first. And anything with Aamir is usually a safe bet (if you discount the B-Grade Ghajini)What's Your Rashee? 
Director: Ashutosh Gowariker Cast: Harman Baweja, Priyanka Chopra More than Harman Baweja, we have faith in Ashutosh Gowariker who has a grand cinematic vision. Just like he directed a simple and small-scaled Swades post Lagaan , he is directing a comparatively undemanding film What's Your Rashee post the exasperating magnum opus Jodhaa Akbar . The film is based on an Indian novel and it will be interesting to see Gowariker recreate the Harman-Priyanka chemistry (if any). My Name is Khan 
Director: Karan Johar Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol Karan Johar takes a U-turn from his candyfloss filmmaking and tackles a more serious issue with My Name is Khan where Shah Rukh Khan plays a Muslim named Rizwan Khan and is detained in LA as a suspected terrorist. Add to it his character also suffers from Asperger's Syndrome, a milder form of autism and his impairment makes his behaviour more suspicious. Shah Rukh has gained weight and will be sporting a new trimmed hairdo for the film. While Karan maintains that the film is a true story based on a couple's life in LA, some say it is inspired from the Oscar nominated Dustin Hoffman - Tom Cruise starrer Rain Man . Incidentally the film is already in news for its alleged similar storyline with Yash Raj Films' New York starring John Abraham, Neil Mukesh and Katrina Kaif. But to us the plot sounds more similar to Naseeruddin Shah's Shoot on Sight . Then again SRK & Kajol is enough to work for meKambhakkt Ishq 
Director: Sabir Khan Cast: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards Expect Sajid Nadiadwala to make his project as grand as possible. His favourite and the current superstar (but after CC2C its a little shaky title) Akshay Kumar plays the lead role with Kareena for company. But the film is making news for its international star cast and this time there are no itsy-bitsy names but established stars like Sylvester Stallone and Denise Richards who have cameos in the film.
London Dreams
Director: Vipul Shah Cast: Salman Khan, Ajay Devgan, Asin The film was originally launched in 2006 with Salman Khan and Ajay Devgan and was being directed by Rajkumar Santoshi then. Some scenes were even canned with Salman Khan in Amritsar's Golden Temple. But then like most Santoshi films, this one too got shelved. In 2008 the film was revived with the same cast but Vipul Shah at the director's seat. London Dreams is seemingly about rock musicians played by Salman and Ajay Devgan and rumoured to be inspired by the Oscar winner Amadeus . It would be interesting to see the Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam duo of Salman and Ajay together after a decade. Another attraction is Asin who is already making her presence felt in Bollywood after Ghajini. Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani 
Director: Rajkumar Santoshi Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Upen Patel Ranbir Kapoor takes the Salman Khan legacy by being named as Prem in this love story. Interestingly he is paired opposite Salman's ladylove Katrina Kaif in the film. This is director Rajkumar Santoshi's first love story, who is otherwise known for socially driven action films. Not an intense romance flick, this one will have some light-hearted humourous moments. Santoshi explains the character of Prem as the Charlie Chaplin and Raj Kapoor of present times. And for Kapoor's grandson it should be a piece of cake.
Main Aur Mrs Khanna
Director: Prem Soni
Cast: Salman Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Sohail Khan, Govinda
Kareena Kapoor confessed that she was nervous working with Salman Khan in this film despite having shared screen space with him in Kyon Ki . Salman and Kareena play a happily married couple until Kareena falls for a club worker played by Sohail Khan. Govinda plays a marriage counselor who attempts to patch up their strained relationship. Does that sound like Biwi No. 1 with gender-reversal of sorts? Allegedly Main Aur Mrs Khanna is the same film that was responsible for the Shah Rukh - Salman spat on Katrina's birthday party as, reportedly, Salman wanted SRK to play a cameo in the film which he refused.
Raavan
Director: Mani Ratnam
Cast: Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Vikram, Ravi Kishan
After years of speculation on a cinematic version of Indian epics like Mahabharat and Ramayan, finally one director has set to do the honours. This Mani Ratnam project is being directed amidst complete secrecy in the forests of Kerela. All that is conjured about the film is that while Aishwarya Rai is obviously playing Sita, its not husband Abhishek Bachchan but south actor Vikram playing Ram. Rather Ratnam has turned tables with casting Abhishek Bachchan as the Raavan. Let's see what difference Mani Ratnam imparts to the epic, which is known to almost every citizen of the country. And quite frankly even the worst Ratnam film is better than most.
Rajniti
Director: Prakash Jha
Cast: Nana Patekar, Ajay Devgan, Manoj Bajpai, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif
Prakash Jha delves into his favourite territory again and as the title clearly suggests Rajniti is a film on present-day politics merged with chapters of Mahabharat. Ajay Devgan will symbolize the character of Karn, Nana Patekar of Krishna, Ranbir Kapoor of Arjun and Katrina Kaif of Draupadi. Also Vivek Oberoi was offered a role in the film but he opted out due to date problems. Katrina's look seems strangely familiar to a certain Mrs Gandhi.
Kaminay 
Director: Vishal Bhardwaj
Cast: Shahid Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra
Kaminay is an action-comedy and, as the title suggests, is about cunning people. Shahid Kapoor has lost weight for this role and his look in this film is being kept as a close-guarded secret. So much so that Shahid has stopped making public appearances until the promos of the film are out. Insiders reveal that Shahid sports a tanned look in the film with beard and different haircuts. Priyanka Chopra, on her part, is learning Marathi for her character in the film. There's also buzz of a passionate lip-lock between the two in the film. This is also Vishal's first film after the critically acclaimed Omkara and who can resist telling your friends
"Let's Go See Kaminey"
Renzil D'Silva - Karan Johar Project
Director: Renzil D'Silva
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor, Vivek Oberoi, Tara Sharma
Not much is known about this untitled project other than the fact that it's a political thriller and the first film to have Saif Ali Khan opposite Kareena Kapoor post their couple status (if you could overlook their vocal chemistry in Roadside Romeo ). Tara Sharma (remember the girl from Khosla ka Ghosla) is cast opposite Vivek Oberoi in the film. Plus its directed by the guy who wrote Rang De Basanti. The latest is that both Saif & Kareena are playing terrorists in the film.
Kites
Director: Anurag Basu
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Barbara Mori, Kangana Ranaut
Post Jodhaa Akbar, Hrithik is really taking it easy and this would be his first release as the main lead (other than an extended special appearance in Luck By Chance ). After proving his credentials with Gangster and Life in a Metro, Anurag Basu is amongst the top league and is directing an intense romantic film. Originally producer Rakesh Roshan was trying to rope in actress Penelope Cruz but finally they zeroed in on Latin actress Barbara Mori for the role. This one promises some terrific chemistry between Hrithik and his female costars. We just hope Kangana is not playing a neurotic drunk in this movie again.
Wake Up Sid
Director: Ayaan Mukherjee.
Cast: Ranbir Kapoor, Konkana Sen Sharma, Naseeruddin Shah
The film is Mumbai-based romance about urban relationships and revolves around a good looking young guy (Ranbir Kapoor) who falls for an older and simple woman (Konkona Sen Sharma), a writer from Kolkata. Naseeruddin Shah will be seen as father of Ranbir Kapoor. The unconventional casting in itself is a great draw but then again the director got the job only because he is the cousin of the producer (KJo’s) best friend (Kajol)
Love Aaj Kal
Director: Imtiaz Ali
Cast: Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone
Fresh off the success of Jab We Met comes this next from Imtiaz Ali and it is also Saif's first home production. As the title suggests its about love, aaj-kal. Contemporary love stories as only Imtiaz Ali can.
