Deepika Padukone – Filmi Files

Film Review: ‘Bajirao Mastani’ by Neha Ravindran

BAjirao-Mastani-1st-Day-Total-Collection Movie: Bajirao Mastani

Director: Sanjay Leela Bansali

Cast: Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Ranveer Singh, Tanvi Azmi

Genre: Period Film/ Historical Drama

I love historical fictions; they add colour to the black and white stories of the years gone by. Amidst the love lores of Shah-Jahaan-Mumtaz, Jahangir-Mehrunissa and such, the tragic story of Baji Rao- Mastani had been lost in the winding lanes of history. Sanjay brings to screen a beautiful rendition of the novel ‘Rau’ by N.S Inamdar, as Bajirao Mastani.

Bajirao (Ranveer Singh) is a Maratha Peshwa, a Brahmin by birth. He falls in love with Mastani (Deepika Padukone) a princess from Bundelkhand with a Rajput father and a Muslim mother. The Marathas are against this alliance for as the Peshwa is a married man and moreover, Mastani is a Muslim. Will their love win over the hearts of religious fundamentalists or will their love face a tragic ending?

Sanjay Leela Bansali is a gifted director whose every movie is a masterpiece in its own right. Ranveer is convincing as the Maratha Peshwa. His accent, dialogue delivery and body language, all scream of royalty. Deepika Padukone is simply dazzling in every scene. I found her mesmerising in this beautiful song ‘Deewani Mastani’, sung by Shreya Ghoshal. The chemistry between Deepika and Ranveer will certainty tug at your heart-strings. Priyanka Chopra on the other hand is the silent show stealer of the movie. Her role as the first wife of Peshwa Baji Rao I, Kashibai is soul rendering. She enacts Kashibai’s heartbreak, sorrow and unyielding loyalty towards her husband with subtlety and great finesse. Tanvi Azmi’s acting as Peshwa’s mother Radhabai, is fierce like a tigress protecting her curb.

Bajirao Mastani has one of the splendid sets seen in any movie and each shot is a treat to watch. Cinematography by Sudeep chatterjee will compel you to keep your eyes glued to the screen. Sanjay Leela Bansali’s direction is awe-inspiring such that certain scenes were so poignant that they stayed with me long after the movie got over. Music by Sanchit Balhara with Sanjay Leela Bansali and Shreyas Puranik is a treat for music lovers. The costumes of the movie are a true winner, especially Mastani’s costumes. However, the story was a jigsaw with missing links. A common challenge in every historical fiction is to compile the entire story into a 2 and a half hour saga. The final editing inevitably leaves out chunks of linking scenes which made the storyline flawed.

Bajirao Mastani is a poetry in motion. It has its highs and lows but it will keep you in its grasp as if each verse is translating into a beautiful painting. This one has a heads-up from me!

My verdict: ***

Movie Review: ‘Happy New Year’ by Neha Ravindran

Movie: Happy New Year

Cast: Shahrukh Khan, Deepika Padukone,Abhishek Bacchan, Boman Irani, Sonu Sood, Vivaan Shah

Genre: Drama

With a Diwali night spent covering my ears with a pillow and holding onto my shivering dog (Iam neighbour to 50 year old ‘big boys’ who enjoy bursting loud-raucous crackers till wee hours of the morning), I woke up to Farah Khan’s Happy New Year. After a horrendous night, I forced a smile on face and a little jig in my step, as I hopped-and-skipped my way to see the touted block buster of the year. A glittering star studded cast, trailers screaming of peppy songs, Farah Khan’s enticing choreography, Shahrukh’s 6 pack abs (or was it 8?!), a promising plotline- this movie was to have it all. But then it’s the rule of life- you cannot have Diwali every day, but nightmares, oh! they follow you around mercilessly. So for me, it was jumping from the frying pan right into an iron hot pan!

Charlie (Shahrukh Khan) puts together a team of losers – Jackie (Sonu Sood) a deaf ex-army man , Tammy (Boman Irani) an expert safe cracker, Rohan (Vivaan Shah) a hacker and Mohini (Deepika Padukone) a bar dancer. They have to participate in a World Dance Championship because that’s their key into Hotel Atlantis in Dubai, where world famous diamonds are to be kept under the security of Charan Grover (Jackie Shroff). But it isn’t just about robbing the diamonds; Charlie, Jackie and Tammy have their personal intentions as well. Will these losers become winners? Because, you know, ‘kismat bhi badi kutti cheez hai…. saali kabhi bhi palat jaati hai.’

Sigh! So I am going to list down a few things I didn’t mind about the movie and some other things I very much minded about the movie:

Firstly the things I didn’t mind, a) The songs are peppy and you will undoubtedly tap your feet along with the songs; b) The dance costumes are loud and colourful often brightening up the otherwise dull scenes (and as a dear friend pointed out, some of them are borrowed from brother Sajid Khan’s movie, Housefull. Now that’s what I call being economical!); c) Deepika is truly a treat to watch on screen. She is graceful, elegant and despite the director’s best efforts, saves her character from becoming a cliché’; and d) The entire robbery scene was exciting. Though a bit over the top and obviously impossible to execute, I personally found it fun to watch.

Now the things I very much (VERY MUCH) minded, a) This movie will be remembered for Farah Khan’s worst choreography till date. Though, initially the script demanded so, later even the supposedly good ‘performances’ were despicable. The best dance moves in the whole movie was Prabhu Deva’s 10 second cameo; b) For a good part of the movie, Shahrukh Khan looks painfully old with his rugged looks. And with a young and pretty Deepika romancing him, it just seems like she has a thing for old men; c) Most of the dialogues are twisted from other movies (supposedly to make them funny) and are not even worth a giggle; and d) Sentiments are pretty misplaced and scattered. Best was an untimely introduction of patriotism that had me go WT*!

Now, to be honest, the whistling and hooting crowd besides me seemed to be enjoying even though I looked visibly bored. If you are to take my word, Happy New Year fails to deliver on all its promises and is waste of your money. But as I know half of you will still want to see the movie; so go, watch and share with me your feedback. I just hope for a better Diwali gift from Bollywood next year.

My Verdict:**

Deepika Padukone Voted Sexiest Woman On The Planet!

Mumbai: (IANS) Actress Deepika Padukone has been voted the sexiest woman in the world in a poll conducted by the FHM magazine. She will feature in the new edition of the magazine and the actress Wednesday unveiled the edition featuring her and the other girls in the top 100 list of sexiest women.

However, Deepika believes that her physical appearance has got nothing to do with this poll and it is only her work that led her to this. “I think something like this is really the result of the work that I do. I don`t think it has got anything to do with me physically. I also think that the brand endorsements are also the result of the films that you do,” the statusque actress said here.

“I have been very fortunate that the roles I have done in the last 2-3 years have been very different from each other. So I guess this and the endorsements are a result of that and, of course, the success of that and the relatability of the characters,” she added.

Deepika was last seen in the Tamil film ‘Kochadaiiyaan’. Her look in her upcoming film ‘Finding Fanny’ is also out. The film has been directed by Homi Adajania and also stars Arjun Kapoor, Naseeruddin Shah and Dimple Kapadia.

First Look: Movie Trailer For ‘Ramleela’

The first trailer for upcoming film ‘Ramleela’ starring Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh was released today in cyberspace. Deepika and Ranbir have been pitted opposite each other for the first time in any movie and if rumour mills are to be believed this movie is set to send the temperatures soaring.

‘Ramleela’ is cinematic adaptation of Shakespeare’s epic love story Romeo and Juliet. Directed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali the movie is expected the movie theatres in November. Take a look at the first trailer.

First Look : Trailer For ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’

The trailer for Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone starrer ‘Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani’ has been released online. Directed by Ayan Mukerji the movie also stars Aditya Roy Kapur and Kalki Kochelin in supporting roles.

In the entire trailer, the actors are seen having loads of fun and enjoying life in every way possible. Even though the song ‘Badtameez Dil’ plays in the background for merely a few seconds, the tune is so catchy and fresh that it’s sure to reign the charts for a very long time.

Movie Review: ‘Cocktail’ (*** Three Star)

( By Akshat Sharma) This week’s Bollywood release ‘Cocktail’ is a film which is distinct in many ways. It looks fresh, it looks urban and even unconventional in some ways. The story revolves around three individuals who come together and share things between them. In natural progression things complicate and the movie is no exception.

Director Homi Adajania’s first movie ‘Being Cyrus’ was well received both by the audience and the critics. It was called off-beat by critics but ‘Cockltail’ is very much a mainstream Bollywood flick. Ably supported by actors like Deepika Padukone, Saif Ali Khan and Diana Penty, Homi has managed to deliver a good entertaining movie.

Opening in London the movie introduces Meera (Diana Penty), who is looking for her missing husband Rahul (Randeep Hooda). Rahul is a selfish guy who uses and abuses beautiful Diana. Taking away all her valuables he leaves her alone on the streets of London. Enter Veronica ( Deepika Padukone) who lives her life on her own terms. When she finds Meera she takes her in her wings without a second thought.

Elusive Gautam (Saif) is a student of creepy seduction but then in Bollywood movies even cheesy pick up lines could get you hitched. He meets Meera and Veronica and become such a good friend that they all start living together. Veronica and Gautam hook up with each other but Meera also harbours emotions for Gautam. Lucky Bast**d!

It was in South Africa where this confusion gives way to complication and then begins the drama. All three protagonists try to figure out what is going on. This roller coaster is typical Bollywood fare but the director has given a fresh treatment to it.

Deepika Padukone has delivered an outstanding performance in her role of Veronica. Her role of a fun loving girl who is sensitive deep down in her heart is well written and Deepika has done justice to the role.

Diana Penty looks stunning on screen but she lacks confidence and skills of an actor. She needs to work hard in acting department if she wants to make it big in Tinsel Town. Saif has done his bits but it seems he is repeating himself. It is time he comes out of his ‘ Urban lover boy mould’. His onscreen chemistry with Deepika works in his favour.

Music of the movie is composed by Pritam. Almost all numbers are peppy and picturised tastefully by the director. Songs like ‘Second Hand Jawani’ and ‘Tumhi Ho Bandhu’ deserves special mention as they catch the imagination of the audience.

So this weekend if you looking for fun filled three hours of entertainment then ‘Cocktail’ should be given a shot.

Deepika Padukone Was Conscious About Her Looks In ‘Cocktail’

New Delhi: (PTI) Deepika Padukone is making heads turn with her bold outfits and svelte figure in upcoming film ‘Cocktail’ but the actress says she had to work hard to achieve the look. The rom-com which also stars Saif Ali Khan and debuante Diana Penty is already creating a lot of buzz amongst the audience thanks to the films`s fresh look and good music.

Deepika says she did not mind wearing the bikini and skimpy outfits for the film. “It wasn`t a cakewalk for me to just get into a shirt and call for action. I had to spend time to got myself in a great shape and also develop such a body language that it all looked casual rather than forced. Today audience is smart; the moment you try to fake something, they catch you,” Deepika told PTI.

The 26-year-old plays the role of a rich brat, Veronica, in the film and the actress says she did everything to make sure that she lived up to the standards of the character. “I knew that if I had chosen to play Veronica, I had to be super confident about the clothes. The only thing I was conscious about was looking my best and not about doing what I did,” Deepika said.

The movie which is directed by Homi Adjania is written by Imtiaz Ali, with whom Deepika has worked before in ‘Love Aaj Kal’ opposite Saif. The actress feels Imtiaz writes strong parts for his leading ladies and she trusted his character of Veronica in the movie.

“Imtiaz knows a thing or two about writing strong parts for his leading ladies. Whether it is a part written for Kareena (Jab We Met), Nargis (Rockstar) or I (Love Aaj Kal, Cocktail), they have all been really solid and meaty. Same was the case with Veronica. “What further helped in executing Imtiaz`s vision was Homi (Adajania) taking over as a director. He treated Imtiaz`s script as his own baby and took a good script to an entirely different level,” she added.

Deepika, who is working with Saif for the third time and will soon be seen opposite him in ‘Race 2’, said she cannot express in words the kind of chemistry she shares with the actor.”I think one of the biggest reasons why people see a lot of chemistry between the two of us is due to the kind of films that we have done. Whether it is `Love Aaj Kal` or now `Cocktail`, what has stood out is the fact that these have been the kind of love stories that audience can relate to.

“The moment you start relating to the character, the chemistry starts seeming all the more palpable. Other than that I think it is all intangible and you can`t really express the chemistry in mere words,” she added.

‘Cocktail’ will hit the theatres this Friday.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.