Saif Ali Khan Archives

Special Article: Needless Debate On Nepotism & Talent

By Apoorva Raturi

Nepotism has been an ongoing topic of discussion for many this year. The term used to describe the mind-set of a few who believe that they are privileged and that they deserve certain perks because of the family they are born in, was used by Kangana Ranaut in an episode of Koffee with Karan, which then triggered a fire amongst the people within the Hindi film industry and opened ground of discussions amongst the fans as well.

As she tagged Karan Johar as the “Flagbearer of Nepotism” and “A Movie Mafia” on the show, the entire industry rose to how the actress had questioned the judgement of a well-established filmmaker who was known to have given chances to many Bollywood biggies.

What followed was a public backlash from KJo that acted like fuel to the fire and led to the common people talking about the preference that is given to those who already have a Bollywood connection. With mixed reactions over the issue from various levels of the society, many actors came forward stating their opinions too, while some decided to stay mum.
While actors like Arjun Kapoor, Shraddha Kapoor, Alia Bhatt have played safe, Ranbir Kapoor, openly went on record to say that he is a “disarming product of nepotism” and a few others chose to scream at the top of their voice taking digs at Kangana and not just stopping there but going on to say in front of thousands that “Nepotism Rocks”.

The IIFA act by Varun Dhawan (son of filmmaker, David Dhavan), Saif Ali Khan (son of actress, Sharmila Tagore) and Karan Johar (son of late filmmaker, Yash Johar) had further got the entire nation by surprise. When the three big names of the industry boasted of how they had been born with a silver spoon and that it “Rocked!”
Viewed by millions of people, the three self-designated privileged men were flaked by the common people on social media. What they termed as a ‘Joke’ was clearly not taken down well by those who looked up to them. Owing to such reactions, Kjo, Varun Dhawan and Saif Ali Khan decided to make public apologies to anyone and everyone who had been hurt by their humour.

Saif even further, went down to pen an Open Letter on Nepotism which led to more backlash than what its actual purpose of calming everyone down was. He said that biologically a person was much more competent to do what his ancestors had been doing and so justified how acting was in his blood and that he was obviously supposed to follow his ancestor’s footsteps. Kangana retaliated back with a witty response saying that if the profession of the ancestors determined the value and capabilities of a person, then she would have been instead farming rather than have made a place for herself.

This ongoing war of words is something that seems will not calm down easily. With the struggles that the people who have no connections in the industry whatsoever face to those who feel it’s their birth right to be able to get a place in the industry is both a matter of opinions due to the background that they belong and also the connections that they are easily available to. As for many common people like us, Talent has just become a word that has lost its meaning in this whole feud.

Saif Keeps Fingers Crossed For Phantom

By Apoorva Raturi

‘PHANTOM’ starring Saif Ali Khan and Katrina Kaif in the lead is based on a book by S. Hussain Zaidi named ‘Mumbai Avengers’. It revolves around special agents who take on a mission to bring justice to those responsible for the 26/11 terrorist attacks in Mumbai. It is a serious subject that needs to be dealt with sensitively.
The recently released trailer of Phantom gives it’s viewers the chance of seeing Kabir Khan’s another action movie after Ek tha tiger. But not just the direction department, this film needs a strong performance to connect with the audience emotionally.
The male star of the film, Saif, hasn’t been successful in portraying his ability to do movies in the spy genre earlier. With movies like Agent Vinod and Qurbaan that didn’t work out well for him, this movie seems to be his another attempt in making it work.
With the breathtaking action scenes in the movie and strong impactfull dialogues being delivered by saif, it won’t be wrong to say that this movie is different from those that he has made earlier. This is the second time that Saif and Katrina will be seen together after ‘Race’ which was their first movie together and also a hit. But unlike their other movies, Katrina and Saif will be shedding off their elite image and will be seen in a super rugged look. This is after a long gap that the 45year old actor comes with a new movie after his previous films like Bullet Raja, Humshakals and Happy Ending, all of which failed to create magic at the box office. But this movie seems promising not only in the sense of Saif’s acting as a full blown patriotic guy who goes beyond borders to get even with those who have made his country suffer, but also with his equation with Katrina in the movie, adding a romantic angle.
As we see in the trailers, Saif doesn’t fail to impress the viewers with his meaningful dialogues like the one where he questions that if the Americans can bring justice to the people for the attacks of 9/11 then why can’t we? (Indians) it is evident that this movie will raise many questions in the minds and hearts of the common people and get this movie to be a success.

Shahid Kapoor Plays Good Boy, Congratulates Saifeena On Wedding !

Bollywood actor and Kareena Kapoor’s ex boyfriend Shahid Kapoor has congratulated Saif Ali Khan and his partner who got married today. Shahid’s relationship with Kareena is a well known affair in Tinsel Town and there were many who thought that he might feel little dejected after this marriage.

Shahid showed no such inclinations and wished them a happy married life like a good boy. News agency PTI quoted Shahid Kapoor saying, “I would like to congratulate the family first. Marriage is a big occasion for the family. I have known Babita and Randhirji for a while. A daughter’s marriage is a big thing.”

“The decision to get married is a big one. I wish Saif and Kareena a happy married life,” Shahid told reporters here at an event the agency reported. Shahid has been involved with many actresses after he parted ways with Kareena but none of his relationships have been steady. It seems he is in no mood to settle down soon and he is having the time of his life staying single !

Kareena Happy To Be ‘Kareena Kapoor Khan’!

Bollywood is abuzz with news about Kareena Kapoor and Saif Ali Khan’s wedding in October. Certain sections of media have reported that Saif’s mother Sharmila is busy distributing invites to people these days. Kareena Kapoor has maintained a stoic silence ever since this October wedding news broke out.

At a function held in Mumbai recently she admitted that she would be adding Khan as surname after getting married to Saif Ali Khan. Her name after adding would become a deadly combo reading ‘Kareena Kapoor Khan’. This name ‘Kareena Kapoor Khan’ is already trending on social media sites.

Kareena Kapoor reportedly thinks that adding Khan in her name is quite exciting thing and also that her signature will now have triple K. But when the question of her converting to Islam was asked she reacted sharply and said it was a very wrong question and she would not answer that.

Saif To Play UP Gangster In Tigmanshu Dhulia’s ‘Bullet Raja’

Saif Ali Khan is expected to sign director-actor Tigmanshu Dhulia’s new film ‘Bullet Raja’ which is reported to be an action film set in and around Lucknow in Uttar Pradesh. Lucknow and its nearby will serve as the backdrop for Tigmanshu’s mafia film.

Uttar Pradesh has been the flavour of Tigmanshu’s movies. In ‘Sahib Biwi and Gangster’ he had successfully showcased the life and culture of this most populous state. The movie was a sleeper hit of 2011 and it prompted Tigmanshu to make its sequel. The shooting for ‘Sahib Biwi and Gangster’ is finished and the post production work on the movie is in full swing.

By signing Saif Ali Khan in his next movie the director has made people curious whether Saif’s character in ‘Bullet Raja’ will have some similarity with the character of ‘Langda Tyagi’ from ‘Omkara’ which is rated as his best performance till date.

Director Dhulia has categorically denied any possible similarity with ‘Langda Tyagi’. The shooting for ‘Bullet Raja’ will begin in November this year possibly after Saif and Kareena’s marriage.

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.

Saifeena To Get Married On October 16

Actor Saif Ali Khan’s mother and former actress Sharmila Tagore has confirmed October 16 as her son’s wedding date. Saif has been dating Kareena Kapoor for the past three-four years and the rumours of their marriage have always made news in the media. Now his mother herself confirming the date to a Mumbai based tabloid gives a clear indication that this time it could be more or less the final date.

Sharmila Tagore also reportedly informed the paper that marriage would be a private affair followed by a reception in Mumbai. As per the sources in the industry Kareena has cleared to her producers and directors that she would not take a break for honeymoon and continue shooting for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s next film opposite Ranveer Singh.

Kareena Kapoor has also reiterated that after her marriage with face she would not leave the industry but continue to work in the movies.

First Look: Trailer for ‘Cocktail’ Released

After the ‘Agent Vinod’s terrible performance at the box office actor producer Saif Ali Khan is gearing up for his next release ‘Cocktail’ under his banner Illuminati Films. He is paired with Deepika Padukone in this film and this is their third movie together after ‘Love Aaj Kal’ and ‘Arakshan’. New-comer Diana Penty is also in the cast to play an interesting role.

The trailer for ‘Cocktail’ has been released online and it gives an impression that the movie is a romcom with an interesting dimension of friendship. Directed by Homi Adajania ‘Cocktail’ could be the movie which Saif Ali Khan could be looking for to erase the bad memories of ‘Agent Vinod’. Take a look at the trailer for ‘Cocktail’

Movie Review: ‘Agent Vinod’

poster-Agent Vinod — Agent Vinod: Trapped in the middle

Banking heavily on big names like Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor Ágent Vinod’ hits the screen theatres today. Directed by Sriram Raghvan Ágent Vinod’ generated lot of buzz before release but it failed to match the expectations. It resembles a lot like some Hollywood action flick but unfortunately it lacks the chutzpah of a Bollywood movie.

The story is bit unconventional by Bollywood standards. It opens in the desolate lands of Afghanistan where Agent Vinod (Saif Ali Khan), an Indian intelligence RAW agent finds information about a conspiracy being hatched by a group of terrorists. Using his skills and Agent Vinod manages to hunt down the conspirators in a series of chase that takes him to 12 countries.

During his chase he meets an undercover Pakistani ISI Agent Ruby (Kareena Kapoor). Agent Vinod and Ruby work in tandem on the mission leave no stone unturned to accomplish it. Director Sriram Raghavan’s could have done better if he had paid some serious attention to the script which is seriously flawed. Brilliant in pieces this movie fails to address the mind of the audiences.

Screenplay is very fresh and witty. Comparing Agent Vinod with its 70s version or with “James Bond” movies doesn’t make sense as Saif Ali Khan gives the character a very different twist. Kareena Kapoor fails to impress in the movie. Even her item number aka ‘Mujra’ does not find many takers. Ágent Vinod’ will certainly attract those who like watching spy films but for who like a complete entertainer this movie could prove prove to be a damp squib.

Saifeena Playing Unconventional Roles In Ágnet Vinod’: Director Raghvan

Mumbai: (PTI) On the eve of release of the spy thriller `Agent Vinod`, director Sriram Raghavan says that the audience will be “surprised” to see the other side of real life couple Saif Ail Khan and Kareena Kapoor on the screen. Since the time they started dating, Saif and Kareena have acted together in two films, namely `Tashan` and `Kurbaan`, however, both the movies failed to click with the audience.

“For us that was (pairing Saif and Kareena) something we were conscious of….But it did not scare me…I took it as a challenge. Here he (Saif) is playing a spy, don`t know much about him, his past, what he would do next, while Kareena plays a mysterious girl who Saif encounters in Morocco. I am not making a love story with them, I am making a plot driven film,” Raghavan told PTI in an interview.

The Saif and Kareena-starrer spy thriller is scheduled to hit the screens tomorrow. “Probably, viewers would expect something…I hope we kind of a defy that and so they would be like surprised seeing a different kind of a relationship that they have seen (between the two). Even the audience would forget that they are a real life couple. They would be seen in a different way..,” he said.

The director said it was Saif`s idea to cast Kareena opposite him in `Agent Vinod`. “Saif and I thought of coming together with a spy movie as we both liked the old `Agent Vinod`. The fact that Saif has his own production house and Kareena as his friend and also that she was not cast in `Love Aaj Kal` so Saif asked is there a role for her, so I told him let me finish the script first,” Raghavan said.

“I did not want to give Kareena a role just like that, I wanted to give her a good role as she is a fantastic actress. So if they are real life couple or not I don`t care as long as I get two good actors in my film. My only worry was that she might say is the role good enough for me, but she was happy with the role,” Raghavan said. His earlier two movies, `Ek Hasina Thi` and `Johnny Gadar`–both thrillers–did not have much of song and dance, unlike `Agent Vinod` which has an item number, a Mujra and a few other songs.

“The earlier movies were small and I had then thought that I don`t need to incept song and dance, but `Agent Vinod` is a big adventurous film. I am still to get over my inhibition of getting my hero suddenly burst into a song and dance….Iam not good at that, though I love watching it,” the director said. Justifying the need for song, Raghavan said, “Agent Vinod needs flamboyant music. The song takes the story forward and does not just interfere in between…with each song something else is happening”.

On Kareena`s maiden mujra, the director said initially they were undecided whether the actress would feature in it.”Initially we were not sure. She plays a character in the film and we did not want her to suddenly burst into a Mujra, like a typical Hindi film. We did not want tha…but we got that link,” he added.

This slideshow requires JavaScript.