Pia Trivedi

I am not at all a Bollywood fan but I love that man. He is amazingly disciplined and he has been our strength throughout. I thought Akshay would be the distraction for us, but he was an amazing support system.

Rupali Ganguly

I have known him from three years when he was doing a film with my father. He is the same person even today. Surprisingly, he has retained all the qualities that he had then. I remember we were doing an outdoor shoot and whenever I use to get into water pool everyone use to shout gayee bhais paani mein. It was great to know that he remembers all that. He’s been very supportive. Nobody can take his place he is a true Khiladi.

Actress Nauheed Cyrusi

He is truly a strong man, he did lot of our stunts. He is immensely fit. He gave all of us names he calls me nani for the reasons best known to him. He has also named other contestants, he call shastriji to Shonali, kaushalya for Carol and many more. Wonder, why he named us so.

Women wrestler Sonika Kaliraman

Akshay would put us in trouble with new stunts, but at the same time he would also give us the tips to overcome a particular task. He would pat as well as kick you according to your performances. He had been very supportive and encouraged us every time we lost hope.

‘Khatron Ke Khiladi’ level two promises to be bigger and better. Our petite beauties will face more adventurous and more thrilling challenges this season. You will see Carol Gracious easily slipping into the daredevil task at the drop of the top oops hat

It will also be interesting to see Brazilian beauty Bruna Abdullah in sticky situation. Supermodel Jesse Randhawa will definitely keep men on the edge of their seats, while the damsel will be in trouble. Apart from these super hot candies, they do have Go-getter Nauheed Cyrusi, Saif I mean safe player Rosa Catalano, crybaby Rupali Ganguli, Woman wrestler Sonika Kaliraman, Singer Anushka Manchanda, Shweta Salve, Shonali Nagrani, Pia Trivedi, Sushma Reddy and Mandira Bedi.

Killer haseenaye and khiladi Kumar will come together to hook you to the show.

Akshay Kumar has backed Shihan Vora’s idea to promote martial arts through an open invitation. And appeased by the actor’s support, Shihan has decided to dedicate the event to Akshay Kumar calling Akshay Kumar Invitational Open.

The source added, “Over 2000 martial students from across the country will get a chance to participate in this event. Shihan will look into the technical details; while also present will be martial art grandmasters from Japan, Holland and Italy.”

Akshay Kumar, who has been learning martial arts, right since his early days as a child, feels that every parent should encourage their children to take it up, as it is the right art to discipline the body, mind and soul.

It may be known that Akshay had hosted a program called the Seven Deadly Arts for an international channel, where the actor displayed to the viewers various martial art forms like Kung Fu, Karate, Taekwondo, Akido, Muay Thai, Capoeira and Kalaripayattu.

Co-producers, business partners and fast friends Akshay Kumar and Vipul Shah discovered to their amused horror that a new Bengali blockbuster Poran Jay Joliya Re (PJJR) has blatantly lifted the plot, scenes, even frames and costumes from Namaste London, without a by-your-leave from the producers.

Says Vipul, “I had no clue about this Bengali film until; I read an interview with the film’s producers blatantly admitting to the fact that, there were similarities between their Bengali film and our Namaste London. I took into confidence a large number of friends and advisers in Kolkata who saw the film repeatedly and made a report on the similarities. The copied scenes ran into 5-6 pages in the report!”

Now Vipul flies to Kolkata on Sunday (today) to initiate legal action. “Our legal advisers in Kolkata are confident that we’ve ample evidence of the Bengali film being copied from Namaste London. Even the Bengali hero (Dev) makes his entry wearing a kurta and kadha. You tell me why a film set in Bengal has its hero in a Punjabi get-up like Namaste London.”

The film is strewn with what Vipul sees as blatant examples of plagiarism, enough to initiate legal action against the Bengali producers Sri Venkatesh Films early this week.

Says Vipul, “We don’t want monetary compensation. The Bengali film is a big blockbuster. It has made huge amounts of money. A compensation of 5-10 lakhs means nothing to them. Other filmmakers would be encouraged to plagiarize knowing all they’ve to do is shell out a small compensation. We want to make an example of this case, so that regional filmmakers would think twice before lifting Hindi films. The penalty should be severe.”

Ironically, Namaste London on release was said to be inspired by Manoj Kumar’s Purab Aur Pachim. “That was not correct. There were no similarities between the two films except for the fact that in both cases the innocent hero goes to England and confronts the cultural Diaspora. Namaste London was inspired by a friend of Akshay’s who underwent a similar experience.”

More recently Vipul Shah’s new under-production film Action Replay is said to be inspired by The Curious Case Of Benjamin Button.

Says Vipul, “That was a very irresponsible piece of reporting. It prompted Warner Brothers to issue a statement. But the fact is Action Replay is about going back in time, whereas Benjamin Button is about age reversal. Let them find one similarity between my film and Benjamin Button and we’re ready to face the consequences. I disapprove of plagiarism in any form or language. And by taking on the people who’ve copied my Namaste London in Bengali, I’m actually making sure none of us in Bollywood ever falls for the temptation of taking the easy way out to success by simply borrowing a successful film.”

Akshay who is as of now shooting abroad for Sajid Nadiadwala’s Housefull is said to have earlier presented a mini series called Seven deadly arts and is playing on various international channels. With all his support Vora has decided to invite all international coaches and observers to boost the event.

Action king Akshay is said to have learnt martial arts at the age of nine and then mastered it in Bangkok. He strongly feels that it’s not a form of violence but a form of discipline that can change ones life.

Says a source, “Producer Sajid Nadiadwala insisted it was a very small amount and part of the crew’s travel expenses. But Akshay insisted. He won’t burden his producer with extra expenditure at all, though he will charge his market price.”

Confirming this price a producer says, “Akshay does charge Rs 30 crores. No doubt about it. But beyond that there are no extra costs at all. Akshay pays for the expenses that occur during shooting.”

In fact our 30-crore hero who has just delivered another success Kambakkht Ishq decided to economize for the same producer when they reunited for another film Housefull in London this month.

Instead of putting up at the posh St James Hotel where Amitabh Bachchan and other A-listers from Bollywood stay when shooting in London, Akshay chose the posh but nevertheless far less expensive Hotel Cumberland although the producer insisted Akshay stay at a more expensive place.

Says Akshay, “No, I always prefer to stay with the rest of the unit. It always creates a feeling of unity among the crew. In fact my wife and son have just joined me in London. They’re staying at Cumberland with me.”

Apparently Akshay also paid Twinkle and Aarav’s airfare from his own pocket, refusing to let his harried producer bear a bit more of the ever-mounting expenses.

Says Akshay, “Sajid is an old friend. And even if he wasn’t I know exactly how difficult it is for a producer to keep the budget in check. During all the years that I’ve been in the industry I’ve observed what a thankless task it is for producers to meet up the demands of the project and the people involved with the project.”

But then there is a catch to it, tells our trade source. He reveals, “Akshay may have reduced his price but at the same time he also wants a third share in the under-production profit of the film. Now, since profit is arrived at after deducting the cost from the total sale price, Akshay insists on knowing the cost at the time of signing the film. There shouldn’t be room for going over-budget, you see! Now, whether producers are happy with the changed stand of Akshay Kumar or not, only time will tell!”

Well Akshay it’s like having your cake and eating it too! Huh!

Akshay obviously is having the last laugh.

Akshay added, “I have full faith in my fans and my audience. As far as KI is concerned, no matter what the critics had to say, my fans showed that they had faith in me. They had faith in my talent. The film’s success proves it.”

“Eros International, the official distributors of Kambakkht Ishq confirmed that the film had fetched Rs. 100 crores in the first weekend. A source from the production house said, “The film has grossed Rs.70 crores (Rs.700 million) in India and Rs.21 crores (Rs.210 million) overseas. And the music and digital rights of the movie have fetched Rs.10 crores (Rs.100 million)”

After a 2-day shot in Malaysia he flies straight to London and will be back only in September.

Ideally Akshay would’ve returned home after shooting the ad in Malaysia and proceeded to London later.

But the critical response to his new film has been a complete downer.

“The same aggressive tu tu main main in Hangover got 4- and 5- star rating while my film was treated so shabbily,” Akshay observed unhappily.

Disgusted, appalled and disillusioned by what he sees as a clear case of jealous rivals trying to rain down on his parade Akshay Kumar has left the country ahead of schedule.

Akshay was supposed to leave for London later during the month for a long schedule of Sajid Khan’s Housefull.

But he decided to pre-pone his trip, offering the excuse that he liked to arrive at a location ahead of a schedule to get comfortable. “If I’ve the time I like to arrive early, checkout the ambience, make things comfortable for myself and the unit before they arrive.”

But those close to Akshay pooh-pooh this line of thought. According to a source very close to Akshay, “He couldn’t bear the savage criticism of Kambakkht Ishq. Even when the film was declared a hit the barrage of criticism continued. Akshay needed to get away from the backlash.”

Sources reveal, “Akshay and Anees Bazmee are coming together in the comedy Thank You which shall be produced by UTV Motion Pictures. It is slated to begin early next year. Interestingly, even Neil Nitin Mukesh too is going to be a part of it and it will be his first comedy. The leading ladies opposite both the actors are currently being finalized.”

Anees Bazmee was not available for comments as he has left for South Africa to shoot Anil Kapoor’s next production No Problem starring Akshaye Khanna, Sanjay Dutt, Suneil Shetty, Kangana Ranaut, Sushmita Sen and Neetu Chandra. His next titled It’s My Life starring Genelia D’Souza and Harman Baweja is all set for a release now.

Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Twinkle Khanna, Katrina Kaif, Preity Zinta, Pooja Batra, Salman Khan, Amrita Arora, Kehkashan, Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Sridevi, Boney Kapoor, Arpita Khan, Vindu Dara Singh, Vipul Shah, Shefali Shah, Aarti and Kailash Surendranath, Shirish Kunder, Sanjay Kapoor, Ritesh Deshmukh, Madhur Bhandarkar, Bhushan KUmar, Kishan KUmar, Chunky Pandey, Bomen Irani, David Dhawan, Atul Agnihotri, Priyadarshan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Shabbir Khan, Jennifer Mayani at Kambakkht Ishq success bash in Enigma on 6th July 2009 .

Of late, language has become an abiding passion with Akshay. More than the cuisine or the touristic sights Akshay is fascinated by the language of the countries he visits.

Often, Twinkle would be seen shopping during the just-concluded vacation while Akshay would strike up a conversation with strangers.

Says Akshay, “I like connecting with foreigners, understanding their language. It’s not enough for me any more to speak Hindi, Punjabi, Marathi and English. I want to know foreign languages. The only way for me to grow as an actor is to broaden my horizon.”

Voice modulation and languages were invariably considered Akshay’s weak points as an actor. He is determined to change that.

So does Akshay intend to be as good with languages as he is with kissing? His Kambakkht Ishq co-star Denise Richards has described him as a good kisser.

Akshay guffaws, “Yeah, I heard about that. Hmmm… It’s not as if I travelled to the moon or achieved something to be proud of. But anyway I’m happy. Good action hero, good comic actor, and now good kisser. Maybe people will start calling me a good actor soon. I’m working on it.”

Akshay Kumar who has just completed the last lap of his vacation with his wife and son is more amused than flattered by being designated a good kisser

About matching paces with Sylvester Stallone in Kambakkht Ishq Akshay jokes, “It’s only because I take Chyawanprash. But don’t tell Stallone about it. I don’t want him to start taking it.”

On a more serious note he says, “When I was working as cook in Bangkok I had three posters on my room’s wall. Bruce Lee, Sridevi and Sylvester Stallone. The first of my idols I couldn’t work with. But I’ve been lucky enough to work with Sridevi and Stallone.”

Some reports suggest Akshay avoids being in town around the release of his films as he believes, they perform better at the box office if he is away.

“Honestly, I have never consciously run away from the premiers of my films over the years. People made their own assumptions and stated that I do it due to some superstition attached to my presence in the premiers of my own films. That’s just not true”, says Akshay.

However, absence on a continued basis around the release of his films couldn’t be ‘just a coincidence’, right?

‘Believe me, it is”, defends Akshay, “Don’t stress yourself to find any logic or the lack of it. This time I am here because I could make it to Mumbai. Simple.”

On a cheerful note Akshay adds, “It has been long since films worked at the box office and it is heartening to hear that ‘New York’ has done quite well. It was such a long and dry spell of no-show at the box office and I am positive the current season will bring in smiles for everyone”

With the market too showing an upswing, Akshay is glad that people are back to entertainment.

“I can promise that ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ will give them the entertainment that they have been longing for”, concludes Akshay.

It hasn’t been an easy time for the gorgeous Dimple Kapadia.

In spite of a cloud hovering over her happiness, what with sister Simple seriously ill for some time now, Dimple was prominently present at Akshay’s special screening of Kambakkht Ishq on Wednesday evening.

Not too many people know this. But Akshay Kumar’s biggest fan is his mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia.

Taking time off from looking after her ailing sister, Dimple showed up at Akshay Kumar’s special screening with 30 of her friends. And Dimple enjoyed herself thoroughly.

Says Akshay shyly, “My mother and mother-in-law are my biggest supporters. My mom came with about a 120 of our friends and relatives. My mom-in-law had invited 30 of her friends. And they seemed to be having a good time.”

Dimple makes it a point to watch all of Akshay’s major films and insists on bringing her pals along.

But she also makes it very clear that the most important man in her life is Akshay’s son Aarav.

“That’s true,” laughs Akshay. “In fact I value my mother-in-law and my son’s opinion the most.”

Aarav known to doze off at all of Akshay’s premieres stayed awake right till the end of the special screening of Kambhakkt Ishq.

“My mother-in-law made sure Aarav was comfortable. Both of them kept laughing throughout the film and that’s a good sign.”

Viraj (Akshay) is a Hollywood stunt man who doesn’t believe in marriage and lives by the belief that women are good for only two things. When he comes to know that his younger brother Lucky (Aftab) is getting married, he rushes to break it off. At the same time the bride, Kamini’s (Amrita) best friend Simrita (Kareena) too rushes in dissuading her from getting married to a ‘second hand’ person aka a stuntman.

Movie Review: Kambakkht Ishq (2009)
Rating: 2/5
Starring: Akshay Kumar, Kareena Kapoor, Aftab Shivdasani, Amrita Arora, Kirron Kher, Sylvester Stallone, Denise Richards, Brandon Routh, Holly Valance
Director: Sabbir Khan

But it is too late as the couple has already made up their mind. But not before a war of words ensues between the chauvinist Viraj and snooty Simrita. The reason why Simrita (who by the way is a medical student cum part time model) hates men is the examples she has seen in her own family. She therefore believes men are only interested in taking women into their beds and nothing else.

But then fate keeps Viraj and Simrita bumping more into each other and their each meeting only doubling up their hate for each other. Meanwhile, Simrita’s stubbornness leads Lucky and Kamini to the brink of divorce. While Viraj tries to stop this divorce from taking place Simrita tries her best to ensure it takes place. Things get more complicated when during Viraj’s operation, Simrita accidentally leaves her watch inside his stomach. What it all leads to forms the rest of the plot.

Kambakkht Ishq is one of the most lavish productions to come out of Bollywood no doubts about it. But despite involving four scriptwriters the film still falls short of the expectations where the promised wholesome entertainment is concerned. The main problem being the wafer thin plot, then again some really bad jokes that fall flat and finally the second half. Also many a times the thin line of acceptance has been crossed in the name of humour which makes it a difficult watch for the family audience.

The first half breezes quickly but the second half slows down considerably. The serious turn taken though comes in with the flow of the film, it gets boring as you know it very well where it is all going to lead to. Though it is applause worthy job by debutante director Sabbir Khan to helm a film as huge, you sorely miss a David Dhawan who would have controlled the lunatic moments more effeciently.

To give due credit, ‘Hollywood’ has been well incorporated by Sabbir in the film. Though Taurus awards sequence has been superbly picturised, the makers seem to be under the impression that award winners arrive first on stage followed by announcement of arrival of award presenters at prestigious international awards.

The film scores high in the technical department with cinematographer Vikas Sivaraman coming on tops. He has succeeded in imparting the film an international look. However, barring the Mangalam number the music of the film is not worth a mention.

Akshay Kumar is back in terrific form as a performer. He is simply superb in his award acceptance speech. Kareena has never looked so hot before. She manages to put up her own against Akshay but is saddled by poor characterization, especially in the second half. Almost 80% of the time her character has been burdened with a permanent growl on the face. Amrita Arora is cute as her dim wit friend.

Aftab is passable. Kirron Kher is getting irritatingly repetitive. Boman Irani in a single scene appearance is hilarious but Javed Jaffrey grates on your nerves and its high time he realises that his ‘punny’ jokes don’t work every time. Vindoo Dara Singh as the dumb assist of Akshay is mirthful. Amongst the Hollywood stars, Sylvester Stallone commands great screen presence but Denise Richards looks too old but she does enact her part well.

Watching the promos and the huge hype the makers have managed to create about their film, your expectation levels are high when you enter but as you come out you do feel that it is nothing more than a dumb entertainer that tries to take you too much for granted. It may take a great start at the box office but the crowds will vanish from Monday once the hype begins to settles down.

Also Read:
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Kambakkht Ishq Movie Stills
Akshay, Kareena at Kambakkht Ishq press meet
Celebs at Kambakkht Ishq special screening
Luck favours Akshay Kumar’s Kambakkht Ishq?
Kambakkht Ishq Set to Release on 3rd July

“Honestly, it was so much all of a sudden for me”, confesses Akshay, “Here I was holidaying with Twinkle and I start getting calls around my kisses with Denise and Kareena. I was flabbergasted with people asking me details around why, where and how. Frankly speaking, all of it has been blown out of proportion.”

Doesn’t feel think that all of this was not really required as a part of the film’s promotion, especially when there was so much else to be talked about the film?

“That’s my entire argument”, says Akshay, “This is a film that takes us to Hollywood and the culture out there is to kiss and show. Moreover, my kisses with Denise are quite casual. It’s the culture thing in West where people do plant a peck on your cheek when they cross their path. It isn’t like we have indulged into any kind of passionate kissing. Is cheez ka film se koyi lena dena nahi hai (This has nothing to do with the film). ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ is a lot more than just the kisses.”

How about his lip lock with Kareena?

“Yes, it is an integral part of the script and does make sense during the narrative. But again, that too is not passionate-passionate in true terms. These are small pecks”, Akshay sets the record straight.

While Kareena hasn’t quite gone around the town detailing the ‘wow’ factor involved in her kisses with Akshay, Denise has openly appreciated Akshay as the best kisser she has come across.

“See, Denise comes from a different background and has Western sensibilities. She has a different mindset and one must appreciate that people from West are open about their feelings. However, hamaare yahan baat kuch aur hai. Hum log aise baat nahi kar sakte. Woh bhi theek hai and we should respect both the cultures”, Akshay replies diplomatically.

How is Twinkle reacting to her hubby dear’s kisses?

“Well, she can’t stop laughing ever since the so-called ‘news’ break happened. She knew about the kisses and while as were reading about it in the newspapers, we were plain amused. So yes, it’s all cool with us”, says Akshay while getting ready for his BIG Friday.

Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar, Anupama Verma, Arjan Bajwa, Vipul Shah, Dara Singh, Kehkashan, Madhur Bhandarkar, Queenie Dhody, Sophie Chaudhry, Arpita Khan, Sajid Nadiadwala, Deepak Tijori, Vashu and Jacky Bhagnani, Masumeh Makhija, Katrina Kaif, Ritesh Deshmukh, David Dhawan, Kishan Kumar, Divya Khosla, Niharika, Zulfi Syed at Kambakkht Ishq special screening in PVR on 1st July 2009.

Kareena Kapoor, Akshay Kumar at Kambakkht Ishq press meet in Taj Land_s End on 5th June 2009.

Akshay Kumar and a MCP. Now how believable is that?
Truly speaking, I don’t identify with my character in ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ at all. In the film, Viraj Shergill is a MCP while I am definitely not. Viraj thinks that he is someone who is God’s gift to women folk; woh apne aap ko bhagwaan ki den samajhta hai. On the other hand my saying is that if men are from Mars then women are from Heaven.

You seem to be quite fascinated by women.
Very much. In fact I personally feel that women have more guts than men. This is the reason why I agreed to host ‘Fear Factor’ as well. This is where all these women compete in situations that are more about guts than being physically powerful. Otherwise there are so many programs on TV for which I get offers to host them but then I agreed only for ‘Fear Factor’.

Coming back to ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ and the MCPs; have you come across any such men yourself?
Yes, I have. I know of so many people out there who have been born MCPs. These are the kind of men who are afraid of the word ‘marriage’ itself. They just don’t want to commit myself to one woman; the kind of trait that Viraj, my character in ‘Kambakkth Ishq’, possesses. These men are afraid of ‘pyaar’, ‘ishq’ aur ‘moahabbat’. My answer to them has always been that ‘Bachchu, jab pyaar mein padoge tab baat karenge’ (we will talk when you actually fall in love)!

And did you witness something like that happening with them?
Yes, and it has been quite funny. Such people who run away from love are most likely to get hitched in a big way. This is when they end up saying that ‘Hai, is kambakkth ishq ne jaan nikal di’!

But isn’t a title like ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ a little negative?
How can you say that? I don’t see it is as negative at all. In fact it’s a very lovely expression of love because those very people who were cursing love all this while can’t have enough of it once deeply in love. Chahe kitna hi bada MCP hi kyo na ho, agar ek baar pyaar mein gir gaya to bas gir gaya (Howsoever big a MCP he may be, once in love, he only falls down deeper and deeper)!

And how deep is the love between Akshay and Kareena in the film?
Well, as I would love to state, I and Kareena are like the Bollywood version of Mr. and Mrs Smith in ‘Kambakkth Ishq’. The way they share a love hate relationship is very engaging and relatable.

Is the film based on Mr. and Mrs. Smith as well?
No ways. That film had a lot of ‘goli-baari’, ‘maar-dhaad’ etc. Here, this couple has fights just like any other male and a female who are constantly at loggerheads with each other and keep encountering each other at numerous junctures. Believe me, after ‘Kambakkth Ishq’, Akshay and Kareena will be known as the new Mr. and Mrs Smith!

Talking of Mr. and Mrs. Smith, with Stallone, Brandon Routh and Denise Richards being a part of a Bollywood film, isn’t it getting a little too gimmicky?
That’s not the case really because these actors are a part of the film’s storyline. Yes, there was some amount of gimmicky, if you may say so, in ‘Singh Is Kinng’, where we roped in Snoop Dogg for a promotional track. As such he didn’t have anything to do with the film’s plot but he was still there. And if you look at it, then in true terms even Snoop Dogg came in because his rap number was an integral part of the film’s soundtrack and had become a chartbuster by the release of the film. So it was imperative that we shoot a music video with him for the end credit roll.

Other than Hollywood, from Bollywood too we have Aftab Shivdasani as another male lead in the film. How does he fit into the scheme of things?
Yes, Aftab has his own parallel track in the film and he has performed very well. I have worked with him earlier in ‘Awara Paagal Deewana’ and it was nice to reunite with him. He also plays a stuntman in the film; albeit a junior stuntman. In the film his character thinks that I hate him.

This is something pretty much visible in number of films that are either lined up for release or are currently under production. These are ‘Love Aaj Kal’, ‘Action Replay’ and ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai’.

Informs Imtiaz Ali, the director of ‘Love Aaj Kal’, who has brought together the two eras in his third directorial outing after ‘Socha Na Tha’ and ‘Jab We Met’, “The film moves in two different era – 1965 and 2009 – almost simultaneously. They could well be termed as ‘Love Kal’ and ‘Love Aaj’ respectively due to their relevance with the characters and the time period involved. The story is told from the point of view of Veer and Jai respectively who have a different perspective about love and relationships.”

Incidentally, Saif Ali Khan plays the double role of both Veer and Jai though Rishi Kapoor forms an important part in the entire narration that travels across London, San Francisco, Delhi and Calcutta.

From the 60s, story moves to the 70s as Akshay Kumar and Aishwarya Rai come together for ‘Action Replay’. The film is said to be going into two time zones – 1975 and the current times. Admits producer and director Vipul Shah, “Yes, the film is about a time travel tale. It also stars Randhir Kapoor who plays an important role in the film. Beyond that, I can’t reveal much about the film’s plotline.”

Composer Pritam too confirms that ‘Action Replay’ is set in the 70s. “Yes, I have created compositions that completely go with the mood of the 70s. It has been a unique experience for me actually”, he says.

Emraan Hashmi shares similar sentiments as well after briefly shooting for Milan Luthria directed ‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai’. Excited about finding himself in an underworld setup belonging to the 70s, he says, “It’s good to be stepping into an era when underworld had just started making it’s presence felt. Milan is coming up with entirely new presentation of what crime was back then.”

He is impressed with the way the film has been shot so far. “‘Once Upon a Time in Mumbai is an entirely new way of narrating a story and such kinds of scripts are Milan’s forte. You can see that he is all pumped up when it comes to high testosterone male oriented films like the ones he has directed in the past (’Kachche Dhaage’ or ‘Deewar – Let’s Bring Our Heroes Home’). The 70s flavour is only adding to the entire fun.”

The film sees Emraan coming together with Ajay Devgan for the first time. Also leading ladies Kangna Ranaut and Prachi Desai are going all out to get that perfect 70s look.

Meanwhile Bollywood continues to be inspired by the 70s even though the film may be set in the current times. Two years back Sriram Ragahvan came up with Neil Nitin Mukesh starrer ‘Johnny Gaddar’ which was a clear homage to the action masala potboilers from the 70s. In a few weeks from now, Vishal Bhardwaj would be unleashing his ‘Kaminey’. Going by the look, treatment and music of the film, yet again Bollywood seems to be searching into the past.

In fact makers of ‘Kaminey’ have been making no bones about the fact that this Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka starrer belongs to the caper genre, something that has been mastered by Hollywood film makers like Guy Ritchie, Quentin Tarantino and Tony Scott. Incidentally each of these directors has been known for the 70s treatment imparted into their films.

No wonder, Vishal Bhadrwaj instructed his entire cast and crew of the film to watch caper classics like ‘Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels’, ‘Snatch’, ‘Pulp Fiction’ and ‘True Romance’ to catch the finer nuances of a caper thriller. That’s because each of these films has traditionally acted as text book material not just for India but even West when it comes to caper thrillers.

“This is why Vishal wanted to be sure that everyone from cast as well as crew member gets familiar with the entire idea of story telling when it comes to a caper thriller”, informs a prominent crew member who was assigned this ‘homework’ just like the rest, “There is a certain ’sur’ in movies belonging to this genre and one miss here or there and the film risks falling flat on it’s face.”

Well, that’s the last thing a film maker would want, especially when there is so much of knowledge from the era gone by out there in open to learn and get inspired from.