Tusshar Kapoor, Prachi Desai seek blessings of Shri Krishna to promote Life Partner in Andheri on 13th Aug 2009.

‘Marriage’ is the union of two souls in a bond, which lasts a lifetime. Though practically, there is far too much that goes into actually managing a ‘marriage’. This is what ‘Life Partner’ is all about in a nutshell.

Film: Life Partner (2009)
Rating: 2.5/5
Starring: Govinda, Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor, Genelia D’Souza, Prachi Desai, Darshan Jariwala and Amrita Rao in Sp.App
Director: Rumi Jaffrery

It is a story about three friends, Karan (Fardeen Khan) for whom ‘Love marriage is the perfect bet’, Bhavesh (Tusshar Kapoor) who does not believe in the concept of ‘Dating’ and prefers an arranged set up and then there’s Jeet (Govinda) a divorce lawyer who believes in ‘No marriage’. Karan’s and Bhavesh’s lives turn upside down when they marry their respective partners, Sanjana (Genelia D’souza) and Prachi (Prachi Desai) and how they re-affirm their faith in the institution of marriage is what the rest of the film all about.

Turning producers, director duo Abbas Mustan have not left any stone unturned from giving the film a grandiose look. Wish they were equally charged about promoting the film as there is no buzz around the movie. The locales of Cape Town are eye catching and Sameer Arya’s cinematography makes it look so much better.

Writer-Director Rumi Jaffery has already proved his prowess in writing in the past and after seeing this film one can easily say that his craft in direction is equally good as far as films of this genre are concerned. But the screenplay (Yunus Sajawal) suffers on many counts as the film starts off well, dips intermittently, gathers momentum in the second half and drops again during pre-climax and climax.

Niranjan Iyengar’s dialogues are funny at most places and tickle your funny bone at most occasions. Less said about Pritam’s music the better. We also wonder how could a master lyricist like Javed Akhtar could come up with such mediocre work. Though each of the song numbers have been shot well, there is not a single song you want to carry home or even hum around. Watching Kuke Kuke number is fun because of Govinda and Genelia’s histrionics. Editing by Sanjay Sankla needs some serious trimming especially in the second half.

Fardeen Khan has by now got comfortable with the camera and it shows. Tusshar suits in his part well and does full justice to it. Genelia looks cute but her dialogue delivery needs to be improved. Prachi Desai is very likeable and gives an earnest performance. Govinda once again plays to the gallery and succeeds in evoking laughter. Anupam Kher is like always, ever dependable. Vikram Gokhale and Darshan Jariwala are sincere in their respective roles. Amrita Rao in a guest appearance as a bar girl fails to create any impact again with her miniscule clothing.

All said and done, Life Partner can be a good fun filling experience this weekend (if you are not living in Mumbai) and can be watched along with your partner. For those who are still single, it teaches you the repercussions of having one in your life. So, be prepared!

Also Read:
Fardeen, Genelia promote Life Partner at Radio Mirchi
Tushar Genelia promote life partner
Not a Happy time for LIFE PARTNER?
How Tusshar roped in Prachi Desai for Life Partner
Life Partner movie stills

Salman Khan, Celina Jaitley, Raima Sen, Aarti Chhabria, Dino Morea, Aashish Chaudhary, Bipasha Basu, Nethra Raghuraman, Urvashi Sharma, Neetu Chandra, Prachi Desai, Ram Kapoor, Sophie Chaudhary, Sameera Reddy, Neil Mukesh at Gitanjali_s 15th year bash on 7th Aug 2009.

It followed that Tusshar was extremely hot on Prachi and recommended her for a part opposite him in Abbas-Mustan and Studio 18’s forthcoming comedy, Life Partner.

Prachi’s entry meant Rimii Sen’s exit. The Dhoom and Johnny Gaddar actress was being considered by the makers but all those plans went for a toss when Prachi came on the scene.

Remarks Tusshar, “It’s true that I wanted Prachi in Life Partner because she fit the character really well and is a fresh face. I have no idea about someone else being considered.”

Life Partner releases on August 14 by Studio 18.

Prachi Desai at glagna.com – matrimonial site for Gujaratis in Sahara Star on 26th May 2009.

Mumbai, May 20, 2009: The Aarohi Film Society brought new-aspiring Film-Makers and Bollywood personalities together under the same roof at 2nd Annual Aarohi Film Festival 2009, which was held at Fun Cinemas, Andheri (W), Mumbai, on May 20, 2009. The Aarohi Film Festival showcased the best innovative work by independent aspiring film-makers from amongst 400 entries which were received from across the country.

The Festival provided audiences with abundant opportunities to experience a film festival with difference. In addition to the three competition categories, independant short films, animation and ad-films, a special screening was conducted to showcase short films with social messages which were not part of the competition.

The show was fevered by ‘Anuraag ke raag’ – Anuraag Pandey who welcomed all the dignitaries on the Red Carpet and captivated every ones attention with his lingual prowess. He introduced Aarohi Film Society as an organization which promotes cinematic talent by providing a podium which any aspiring film maker could use to showcase his talent and existing film makers, for scouting talent in various capacities of film making and animation.

The main function started with the lamp-lighting ceremony and followed by felicitation of the chief guest J. P. Dange, Revenue Secretary, Revenue and District Dept. and Mr.Rahul Takalkar, Business Head Fun Cinemas, West Region. The jury board comprised of Sanjay Gupta, Onir, Mayank Shekhar, Vivek Singhania, Niranjan Iyengar, Suresh Nair, Ramesh Ram, Amitabha Singh, Neil Sadwelkar, Mr. Kireet Khurana and Mr. C. B. Arun who were present at the event to render full support to participants.

The screening session began with Special Screening of Social Films, followed by Ad Films, Animations and then short films.
The most awaiting part of the show was the award ceremony where the winners were honoured with the awards. Apart from the awards based on various films categories; young-talented actress Prachi Desai was felicitated with the youth choice award, Raj kumar Gupta received the youth choice “Best Director” award and young budding music talent Amit Trivedi was awarded the ‘Youth choice Best Music Director’. Kenneth Dias received an award for ‘Best Concept’ for his film ‘The Chair’(ad-film), whilst Akshay Dandekar’s Film ‘Naco’ bagged ‘Best Ad-Film’ award. Insiya Dariwala received Best Director award for her film ‘Candyman’ whilst Pistulya directed by Nagraj Manjule bagged ‘The Best Film’ in the short films category.

Dinesh Pujari’s ‘For A Moment’ received an award for ‘Best Editing’ whilst Niyati Kamdar bagged the ‘Best Concept’ award for her film ‘The Last Argument’. Vipin Bapu bagged ‘Best Concept’ award for his film ‘Influenche’ and Kiraat Gurung’s film ‘My Friend Noju’ bagged an award for the ‘Best Film’ in the animation films category. Finally the ‘Audience choice’ award went to ‘Kaun Azaad Hua’ directed by Amber Saleem.

Celebrities who walked the Red Carpet and graced the occasion in support of this cause were Prachi Desai, Tushar Kapoor, Makrand Deshpande, Toshi Sabarwal, Indian Idol Prashant Tamang, Parthiv Gohil, Manasi Parekh, Teejay Sidhu, Karanvir, Rajkumar Gupta, Sai Deodhar, Ganesh Venkatraman, Nakul Mehta and Netra Raghuraman to name a few.

Our sources reveals, “Tusshar’s Gujarati character stays with his family in South Africa but is very conservative and traditional and also a firm believer in arranged marriages. The film is basically all about how he gets married and deals with married life. The makers have presented relationships in an entertaining way in the film.”

About his look in the film, our source further reveals, “Tusshar has donned a stereotypical Gujarati look which was decided upon by him and his team together. He is sporting a moustache in the film. But though his character is that of a Gujju, it is not presented in a farcical way forever breaking into Gujarati words. In fact he doesn’t speak much Gujarati in the film, may be just a few words here and there.”

While Life Partner is scheduled for a July release, Tusshar has in his kitty, Neeraj Vora’s Run Bhola Run, late 70s evergreen comedy Golmaal remake which Satish Kaushik is making and of course Golmaal 3.

Q. Were you a good student?
A. Not really. Till 7th or 8th standard I was a good student but after that I lost interest in studies.

Q. What was the worst popular trend when you were going to college?
A. We were not allowed to follow any trend at that time. But when in school we used to keep big nails and different hair cuts in spite of the teachers strict restrictions.

Q. What did you want to be when you grew up?
A. I always wanted to be an actress.

Q. What is the craziest thing you ever did to let a guy to notice you?
A. I didn’t do anything. I was in a girl’s school and when I went to college I really didn’t do anything since I only studied till 11th standard and when in 12th I shifted to Mumbai. There was no time actually for me to go to disco et al. It actually never happened.

Q. What were your hobbies back then and now?
A. When I was in college I was already acting. I started acting at the age of 17. Well dance was one of my secret hobbies. I liked to dance a lot. Now also dancing is my hobby but at the same time I like listening to music also.

Q. What rumours were people spreading about you then and now?
A. There were a lot of rumours at that time for sure and right now I don’t know if there are any rumours. If I see something in newspaper I will tell you.

Q. What nick names did you have back then and now?
A. I did not have any nick name at that time which I really miss. But now when I started working, people here call me chotu because I am very small. It is a very cute name but not a girly one.

Q. What did you do for fun? And now?
A. On weekends, we used to go for movies after college. We went for shopping, at friend’s birthday party and so on. Now I rarely do anything.

Q. What advice did your parents give you when you were in college? And now?
A. My parents were never forceful but they did advise me for studies as I was in hostel. They never stopped me from going out with friends as long as the study went on properly.

Q. Who was your sweetheart in college and now?
A. I think there were a lot of people whom I must have liked but I don’t remember them now. But I had a true friend, a very nice friend whose name was Manti. She was my best friend from Burma, a chinki girl. She was very sweet and it was really nice time I had with her. Now I don’t have the time and I regret that I did not do anything when I had the time in my hands.

Q. With which celebrity you wanted to go to an isolated island? What was your naughtiest fantasy with him?
A. When I was in school I really liked Shahid Kapoor and now I like Hrithik Roshan. I don’t think fantasies are supposed to be out, but sorry there haven’t been any.

Prachi Desai shops at Marks and Spencer Store in Ghatkopar on 17th April 2009.

Eijaz Khan, Prachi Desai, Anita, Ekta Kapoor, Tusshar Kapoor, Barkha Bisht, Indraneil Sengupta, Kushal Punjabi, Meghna Naidu at Anita Hassnandani’s birthday bash in Mangi Ferra on 13th April 2009.

Shilpa Shetty, Shamita Shetty, Sunanda Shetty, Prachi Desai, Jeetendra, Ekta Kapoor, Monica Bedi, Jaspinder Narula, Shakti Kapoor, Abhijeet, Arjun Punj, Aditya Pancholi, Abhishek Bachchan, Prem Chopra, Sashi Ranjan, Anu Ranjan, Anand Raj Anand depart for Golden temple in Domestic Airport, Mumbai on 9th April 2009.

Ekta and Prachi have been catching up on all the video footage that’s available on on the lady , and they’ve been hunting for clothes all over.In fact Prachi went all over the Muslim localities of Mumbai last month including Haji Ali to pick up authentic salwar-kameez.

Says Prachi, “That’s true. I didn’t want to get into yet another wife’s role after Rock On and Life Partner. Come on, yaar!I’m so young. I want to have fun and I keep getting these serious roles. But playing the don’s life partner in Once Upon A Time … was a challenge that I couldn’t resist.”

The role requires Prachi to look like a Muslim working-class girl in 1975 who gets involved with a don. Prachi put the offer on hold for a month, did her research and then got back to the director.

“This character is from a time that existed before me. Yes I’ve done plenty of reading on my character. I want to look and feel like Mehjabeen. And it’s such a challenge. And doing a film with Balajee is like coming home. Shobha Aunty, Jeetu Uncle and Ekta are like family. I remained connected with them when I did Rock On because it was produced by Ekta’s cousin Gattu(Abhishek Kapoor). My second film Life Partner has Ekta’s brother Tusshar Kapoor as my co-star. And now I’m finally doing a Balajee production.”

Interestingly Ekta never offered Mehjabeen’s role to Prachi.

Says a source close to Ekta, “Ekta would never offer roles to people close to her, whether it’s Tusshar or Prachi. She lets the director take a call.”

Prachi Desai said, “I still miss the days of shoot of Kasamh Se and how can I forget this serial because of this serial I got fame and name. I still miss Sankraman area and after leaving Kasamh Se also I used to see the episodes.”

Prachi was there on the last day shoot of Kasamh Se.

Though the pretty girl maybe now doing films but she still has time for her old television friends. Her close source tells us, “She is still in touch with all of them; Arunima, Ashwini, Ram, Dilkhush, who replaced Arunima and everyone. She even keeps in touch with the new star cast who came on the show after the leap.”

Now Prachi Desai is doing a film with Emraan Hashmi.

“Yes it’s true that I have signed Balaji’s film Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. I can’t tell details about my character but its going to be a different character over all. I’m pairing opposite Emraan Hashmi. He is one of the most successful actors and the music of all his films have always been appreciated by all. I’m hoping that even this film will also be a hit. Besides me and Emraan, there will also be Kangana Ranaut and Ajay Devgan.”

Further she tells, “I’m happy that I’m back with Balaji banner but the only difference would be the whole crew will be different as the film is directed by Milan Luthra. The shooting of the film has not yet started but it will start soon and mainly the shooting will happen in Mumbai. I would have to a lot of research for my character.”

Prachi also shared with us about her flick Life Partner, “the shooting and the dubbing part for the film is over. This film was supposed to release on 1st May but due to the strike of multiplexes, it will be postponed.”

Priyanka Chopra, Mugdha Godse, Preity Zinta, Asin Thottumkal, Genelia D Souza, Sushmita Sen, Deepika Padukone, Ranbir Kapoor, Kareena KApoor, Saif Ali Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Arjan Bajwa, Madhur Bhandarkar, Kunal Khemu, Kunal Kapoor, Divya Khosla, Bhushan Kumar, Anushka Sharma, Shahrukh Khan, Prem Chopra, shabana Azmi, Javed Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, FArhan Akhtar, Riya Sen, Raima Sen, Koena mitra, Abbas Tyrewala, Vishal Bharadwaj, Payal Rohatgi, TAnay Chheda, Darsheel Safary, Kiran Juneja, Poonam Dhillon, Shreya Saran, Shreya Ghoshal, Abbas MAstan, Salim Sulaiman Merchant, Alka Yagnik, Padmini Kolhapure, Jagmohan Mundhra, Ramesh Taurani, Mukesh Bhatt, Zoya Akhtar, Vivek Oberoi, Ritesh Deshmukh, TAbu, Irrfan Khan, Neil Mukesh, John Abraham, Adah Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, Purab Kohli, Ashutosh and Sunita Gowariker at 54th Idea Filmfare Awards 2008 on 28th Feb 2009.

Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 premier party was literally dancing with the stars…. Last night witnessed more than a jhalak of the stars at the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 3 premiere party at the Khyber restraunt in Khar. The restraunt was vibrant, spacious and high on music. The house was buzzing with celebrities, choreographers and friends… here’s what happened –

Making music – Next to walk in was music director Anand Raj Anand who was as excited as Hindi film debutant

The bold and beautiful – Gauahar Khan obliged one all by posing for pictures and fielding questions on her choreographer Hanif

For a short break – the bubbly judge Vaibhavi Merchant came in for a short while to support and cheer the contestants

Hey Ram – The otherwise serious Jai Walia aka Ram Kapoor surprised all by his jokes and candid dance, Best friend Bani aka Prachi Desai to joined the banter and was herd saying “I am rooting for my buddy Ram”

Friends forever – Karan Patel, Vikas Sethi, Rakshanda Khan too joined the gang

Chak De – Shilpa Shukla displayed her dancing skills with choreographer Nishant Bhatt

The young couple – Karan Singh Grover walked in late with wife Shraddha Nigam… the couple stayed and danced together all night. Ram Kapoor literally lifted everyone’s spirit (he actually lifted Karan Singh Grover)

Saif-Kareena, Tushar, Amisha, Fardeen, Mallaika, Amrita Arora, Amrita Rao, Prachi Desai, Sameera Reddy, Karan Johar, Sheetal Mafatlal, Sohail Khan, Neha Dhupia, Aarti Chabbria, Arshad Warsi, Shreyas Talpade, Sanjay Gupta, Anita Hassanandani, Abhishek Kapoor, Rohit Shetty, Rohit Roy, Manasi Joshi Roy, Arshad Warsi, Maria Goretti, Ekta Kapoor, Anjana Sukhani, Jeetendra, Manish Malhotra and many more A lister celebrities were present at at Tusshar Kapoor’s success bash in Juhu on 6th Feb 2009.

Shweta Agrawal who is known for her performance in the show Dekho Magar Pyaar Se is very excited working for the film and who won’t be if one gets to work with the magnificent director, Vikram Bhatt.

Shweta recalls her life time moment, “I could not believe when I got a call from Vikram Bhatt’s office. I had just dropped in my snaps at his office but never thought I would get a call from them. After a few brief meetings I was finalized for the film.”

Shweta says it is no less than a dream come true. She wishes she does well in the Bollywood Industry. We wish Shweta best of luck for her new step in the world of Bollywood.

The movie is titled ‘Shaapith’ and is expected to hit the floors in the month of February.