Halla Bol tried to combine an insider's look at the film industry (a la Page 3) with a serious moral story about acting on behalf of those with no voice (a la Rang de Basanti). Although the combination didn't work on an overall scale, there were some very effective scenes, and Ajay delivers a very good performance as "Sameer Khan, Superstar." (Method acting, perhaps?)


One part this and -


- one part this.

( I think I would be very scared to meet Mr. Devgan in real life. )

I have to add that it was odd watching a modern film after all the 1970s films I've been watching. I kept waiting for the comic subplot featuring Mehmood to start.

No - not really! I'm going to be in Florida for the weekend on a strictly digital-free holiday.

When I return, I should have a review of Halla Bol for you, which I watched last night and hopefully subs for Powerful Opponents episodes 5-8.

Also, I decided to write my next essasy on double roles, so I've loaded up my Netflix queue with Madhumati, Hum Dono, Ram aur Shyam, etc., so be prepared for two of everything!

This song has been on my iPod for about a month and I love it! It's so catchy!

That said, I'd like to take this opportunity to complain about two things:

1) Our local Indian movie theatre has not been showing the movies I want to see! I missed Goal, Khoya Khoya Chand, and Welcome and it looks like Sunday and Halla Bol won't be playing either! Instead, we've had Taare Zameen Paar on two screens for the last couple of weeks. What is up with that?! I love Aamir and all, but seriously!! I want Ajay Devgan, now!!

2) What is with all of these movies that aren't putting in proper songs?! Or that are, but make the title track a bogus music video over the end credits?! It makes me cranky. I loved Bhool Bhuliya, but I spent half the movie waiting for the songs to start - which they never did. I would rather that films not promote soundtracks rather than give me lame song picturizations.

/cranky

Edited to add: Just look at this promo for Halla Bol!! I don't need to see some stupid autistic kid and Aamir Khan on two screens. I want this movie. :P

And because I'm Spammy McSpamms-a-lot tonight, there is a hilarious interview with Ajay Devgan up on the Hindustan Times website.



Do you regret doing.. Aag?

No. It's not Ramu's fault, we're all to be blamed. But I do regret taking up Cash.

I believe you have warned (director) Anubhav Sinha to stay out of your sight after the Cash fiasco.

Nothing like that. We're all sensible and grown-up professionals. As long as I'm not working with him, I've no issues. If we ever work together in the future, we'll have to sort out some issues.

*****

How come you didn't appear in the Om Shanti Om starry number? Was it because Farah Khan some made unpleasant remarks about you on Koffee with Karan?

It's not about that. To begin with, Farah didn't approach at all. Shah Rukh Khan had told Kajol to ask me.. and I would have made the appearance for sure. But I wasn't in the country when it was being shot. I would have definitely shot for Shah Rukh. I didn't even think that Farah was a part of it.

So, finally you're okay with Shah Rukh Khan now?

Okay in the sense that there are no issues. We don't exactly call each other regularly and chat, but there are no issues at all.

Okay, imagine cranky Ajay calling Shahrukh just to 'chat'!! Hee hee! I love it!

******

Apparently, You, Me aur Hum is inspired from Hollywood's The Notebook.

Apparently, it's not. I'll justify this after the film's release. Where did you get this from? No one knows about the script. Get me an official statement which proves what you have said.

If someone says so, please see the worth of the informer. Is he or she associated with the movie in any which way? Whoever claims it is based on The Notebook is a fool.

I was laughing so hard when I read this. The reporter must have been really annoying!! "Apparently, it's not."

Here he is again at the Halla Bol press meet. This movie could be an exercise in ego-stroking yet excellent like Lagaan or it could be an exercise in ego-stroking and ridiculous like Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag. It's the story of a young man who joins a street theatre troupe and tries to inspire the masses.



(Also, there was another mention of the Govinda possible "40-Year Old Virgin" today. I'm keeping my fingers crossed!)