THE INDIAN FILM COMPANY & BEND IT FILMS IN STRATEGIC TIE-UP TO PRODUCE GURINDER CHADHA’s NEXT

The Indian Film Company (TIFC) and Bend It Films announced their strategic tie-up for the co-production of acclaimed director Gurinder Chadha’s next venture, ‘It’s A Wonderful Afterlife’. The co-producers will enjoy global revenues in perpetuity.
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By now everyone knows the storyline of the movie. The girlfriend is killed. The enraged lover has a problem recalling his memory after fifteen minutes but is nevertheless in pursuit of killer of his love. Contrary to the conventional mode of building up of a Bollywood story this one declares its intent in the beginning and takes on the audience from there. It’s a tall order indeed and Murugadoss the director of both the versions of the movie has acquitted himself rather well but only just. Am I declaring my intent as well?

The weakest link of the movie is the villain. I would imagine that Pradeep Rawat has been faithful to his brief of playing the ruthless don but his characterization of a Haryanvi hoodlum falls a little flat. The consistency of his accent is missing which really caricatures him. One moment he is speaking normally and then in an instant the Haryanvi in him jumps out only to revert back to original drone. It’s extremely rare that a movie is named after the villain and his role could have been worked upon a little more. The characterization of this pivotal player is too loose to merit the title of the movie.

Jiah Khan was a disappointment, period. Bad acting, bad figure, bad clothes! Whoever is promoting her as a sex symbol needs to get his eyes and head examined. And surely the make up staff could have done a better job of making her complexion dusky. That just might have saved her from looking like an tired and a sweaty babe. I am being harsh on the poor girl but the director must share the blame. I also think that her character wasn’t really necessary for the story to develop.

The Malayalee beauty Asin Thottumkal seems to have continued her good work from the original 2005 version. As opposed to Miss Khan, Asin can act, her clothes could do with a little improvement but she looks like a million bucks. Saying anything else about her would be a-sin. She plays a bubbly budding model for small time ads who is also a Good Samaritan at heart. Her activism puts her in the cross hair of the don who becomes her brutal nemesis.

Enough has been written about the famous eight pack of Aamir Khan so I won’t waste any more space on it. Suffice to say that this time the method actor has surpassed even his high standards of preparation for a role. Anyone with lesser physical proportions would have looked ridiculous not to mention unbelievable playing the extremely violent role. The movie rests on the well muscled shoulders of Aamir Khan. He suffers from Anterograde amnesia, which the producers were kind enough to explain is a short term memory lapse especially after a physical trauma which he is subjected to while being a helpless witness to the death throes of his beloved. To keep in tune with the reality while lost in his amnesic and meandering mind he photographs and labels everything. There is only one constant. The name of his tormentor Ghajini and his relentless quest for revenge! The memory of his loss is so savage on his conscious self that his consequent frightening screams are reminiscent of a helpless and a caged animal overwhelmed with deathly remorse. Kill, says his mind and he blows away everything that comes in his way with ruthless and clinical efficiency. Aamir’s searing intensity is actually unsettling and invokes fear. The man is a true thespian and this round of the clash between the Bollywood Khans clearly belongs to him.

The story is based on a Hollywood movie “Momento” but this time I will close my eyes. It isn’t completely believable but the sequence of events provides a good platform for the players to display their wares. Some did and some did not which is alright but the length of the movie could have been shortened to maintain the pace which trips at times. The background score is appropriate and touches a nerve but the songs were totally unnecessary. It’s not often that A R Rehman’s music is overshadowed by other aspects of the movie but having said that Mr Rehman has certainly done far better stuff.

The violence in this movie touches a new level. Not after the famous massacre scene of Sholay have I seen such a brutally executed onscreen killing as Asin’s. The expressions of both the victims stab you in the heart. All the other fight scenes are extremely well crafted and computer effects have been used with spectacular results. Aamir’s exertions are like a Force 10 storm. Simply unstoppable. Despite its faults this one is a must watch because like all good movies it stays with you a while.

Producer : Allu Arvind, Madhu Varma
Director : A. R. Murugadoss
Cast : Aamir Khan, Asin Thottumkal, Jiah Khan, Pradeep Rawat, Khalid Siddique
Music : A. R. Rahman
Lyrics : Prasoon Joshi
Release Date : 25 December 2008

Here is what the critics thought of Ghajini :

ApunKaChoice.Com – Review by Naresh K. D.

If you can digest an overdose of physical violence, then Ghajini is a film you shouldn’t miss for Aamir Khan’s unforgettable performance.

Rating: ***1/2

BollywoodHungama.com – Review by Taran Adarsh

On the whole, GHAJINI is a winner all the way. The film will set new records and has the merits to emerge one of the biggest Hits of all times. The weekend business should be historic, the Week 1 business should be unparalleled, the lifetime gross should be amongst the biggest of all times. In short, GHAJINI has ‘Blockbuster’ written all over it.

Rating : ****1/2

Buzz18.com – Review by Anand Vaishnav

On the whole Ghajini is not a boring film by any stretch of imagination and packs in enough punch through its running time. But the massive buildup does not translate into an exceptional cinematic experience. It is much ado about nothing. Aamir is both the film’s biggest strength as well as weakness. His presence and star power take the film to another level. The brownie points the film earns are only thanks to Aamir who saves it from being just another action flick. It’s his most commercial performance in a long time. One that doesn’t aim for greatness but is wholesome nevertheless. Having said that, the expectations one has from an Aamir film aren’t quite met in terms of content. Aamir’s filmography reveals the two sides of this versatile actor. If Ghajini works it will be clubbed with Raja Hindustani and Fanaa instead of Rang De Basanti or Taare Zameen Par.

Verdict: Watch it only for Aamir and the well-shot action sequences.

Rating: 3/5

Glamsham.com – Review by Martin D’Souza

The film clocks three hours and the audience, who love typical Bollywood films, and are starving for the same, loved every minute of it. If violence revenge and a little bit of romance is what you like, GHAJINI is what you will love.

In the first few days, this film will break box-office records for the year.

Rating – 3.5/5

ICraveBollywood.com – Review by Vijendra Trighatia

The violence in this movie touches a new level. Not after the famous massacre scene of Sholay have I seen such a brutally executed onscreen killing as Asin’s. The expressions of both the victims stab you in the heart. All the other fight scenes are extremely well crafted and computer effects have been used with spectacular results. Aamir’s exertions are like a Force 10 storm. Simply unstoppable. Despite its faults this one is a must watch because like all good movies it stays with you a while.

IndiaGlitz.com

On the whole, Ghajini ends this year with a great Dhamaka for all universal audiences. For those who watched this year’s releases with tentative thoughts, can head for Ghajini to witness ‘The best film of this year’. For sure, all Khans, Chopras and Kumars should be eyeing on Murugadoss now while rest of the cast-crew would witness a great new dawn in Bollywood for this New Year.

Verdict: Remember this – It’s a blockbuster

Rating : ****

IndiaTimes.com – Review by Gaurav Malani

If you are expecting an intelligent psychological suspense thriller, watch Memento. If you are looking for an intense desi action masala watch the Tamil Ghajini. For the Hindi version doesn’t show much difference other than ****. By now we are prone to digesting the exaggerated action in south cinema. It would still take some time to accept Aamir Khan doing the same. Rather, the question in first place is, would we ever want to accept Aamir in such avatar?

Rating : **

MovieTalkies.com

Murugadoss reveals his hold over the cinematic medium as he retells an oft heard tale in a fresh and innovative manner. Ghajini is a commercial, masala film and it makes no bones about it. In fact, it would be no exaggeration to say that the film celebrates the return of the commercial potboiler. This formula works!

Rating : ****

NowRunning.com – Review by Ashok Nayak

To sum up, Ghajini is one of the very best entertainers of the year. Its Aamir Khan’s show all the way and you cannot afford to miss this. Don’t look for logic behind every scene, it’s not an intelligent film. It’s a film which ensures total entertainment for the 3 hours+ you spend watching the movie which is a sure shot blockbuster at the box-office.

Rating : ***1/2

Rediff.com – Review by Raja Sen

The film itself is impressive in bits, with some terrific sequences, but the romance takes away its thunder. It is a breezy watch that could have been a really crackling one, and while there really is timepass fun to be had, the overwhelming feeling is one of regret.

For what can you say about a film on memory loss that turns out forgettable?

Rating : **1/2

Have you watched Ghajini? Was it worth your time and money? Leave your comments below and let others know what you thought of it.

A.R. Murugadoss helmed Ghajini, one of the most eagerly awaited film of the year, is releasing in theatres on December 25th.

The film headlines Aamir Khan, Asin and Jiah Khan.

We are adding a few more awesome Ghajini wallpapers for you to download. Resolution: 1024×768

The release date of Aamir Khan’s upcoming Ghajini is nearing and Aamir is leaving no stones unturned to spread the word about his film. He recently held a press conference to promote his film Ghajini at the Barbarian Gym, Seven Bungalows where he introduced his personal trainer, Satyajeet Chourasia, who is responsible for that well toned body of Aamir in Ghajini.

Checkout another promo from Aamir Khan, Jiah Khan, Mohit Ahlawat, Asin Thottumkal starrer Ghajini.

Download wallpapers of Ghajini starring Aamir Khan, Asin Thottumkal, Jiah Khan, Mohit Ahlawat. The wallpaper resolution is 1024×768

Check out the stills from Aamir Khan, Asin Thottumkal, Jiah Khan, Mohit Ahlawat starrer Ghajini.

Aamir Khan goes bare-chest in the Gujarish song from Ghajini and this goes without sayig that his six packs look awesome and the song is a good hear too. Check out the promo.

What: Aamir Khan unveils Ghajini’s first promo
Where: PVR, Juhu, Mumbai
When: October 28, 2008

You saw his killer, six-pack look in the ‘Ghajini’ posters. Now, you can witness his enticing perform in the movie as Aamir Khan officially unveiled the first trailer of Ghajini this Diwali. ‘Ghajini’ was slated for a Diwali release this year, but got delayed due to Aamir’s knee injury while shooting for the movie.

Here’s what Aamir had to say in a press conference in Mumbai, “We were planning to release the film on Diwali, but it did not happen because of my injury, so we decided to at least unveil its first look on this day, Ghajini is important film for me as it is an out and out commercial movie which I am doing after a long time.” Aamir told reporters.

He also wished everyone a happy Diwali.

On the absence of director A.R. Murugadoss on the occasion, Aamir said: “The post-production work for the film is going on full swing and our director is extremely busy with it.”

‘Ghajini’ is a Hindi adaptation of the Tamil film made by Murugadoss himself by the same name. The film is said to be inspired by the critically acclaimed film ‘Memento’ by Christopher Nolan on the theme of the protagonist suffering from anterograde amnesia (short term memory loss) and seeking revenge for his wife’s murder.