Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Sohail Khan, Genelia D Souza, Tabu, Minisha Lamba, Sameera Reddy, Fardeen Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Kiran Juneja, Ramesh Sippy, Vivek Oberoi, Dino Morea, Rajneesh Duggal, Ruslaan, Arjan Bajwa, Raveena Tandon, Farhan Akhtar, Vidya Balan, Govind Namdeo, Manoj Bohra, Teejay Sidhu, Tapur Chatterjee, Nishka Lulla, Poonam Dhillon, Imran Khan, Kunal Kohli, Mohit Suri, Kunal Khemu, Vashu and Jackie Bhagnani, Pritam Chakraborty, Aashish Chaudhary, Alka Yagnik, Celina Jaitley, Karan Johar, Sanjay Kapoor, Juhi Chawla, Sammir Dattani, Ayub Khan, Niharika Khan  at Ramesh Taurani_s 25th Wedding Anniversary Celebrations on 11th Aug 2009.

‘Luck’, did see a good opening however, negative word of mouth spread soon after, courtesy some mind-puzzling dialogues, unbelievable situations and a totally laughable climax. Wait- what took the cake was an outrageously hilarious epilogue (around Imran Khan’s heart being on his right side instead of left) that totally put off audience.

‘Luck’ has been rejected and a full-fledged spoof seems to be round the corner. After ‘Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag’ and ‘Tashan’, the next butt of joke is ‘Luck’, with a readymade recipe of unintentional humor that could liven up the dullest of evenings.

With the film failing to bring in audiences over the weekdays and ‘Love Aaj Kal’ all set to take over audiences attention coming Friday, ‘Luck’ is all set to be second consecutive poor box office show for the combine of Sanjay Dutt and Imran Khan after ‘Kidnap’.

Imran Khan, Shruti Hassan, Soham Shah, David Dhawan at Luck promotional event in Cinemax on 24th July 2009.

Mafia king pin Kareem Musa (Sanjay Dutt) takes the game of betting to an altogether different level by involving humans as betting objects who are made to fight their own luck to survive. Every year his trusted aide Tamang (Danny) assembles for him in South Africa, 20 participants handpicked from across the globe who have a proven record of extreme luck.

Movie Review: Luck (2009)
Rating: 3/5
Starring: Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Shruti Haasan, Mithun Chakraborty, Danny, Ravi Kissen and Chitrashi Rawat
Director: Soham Shah

Betters across the globe put their money on them through Musa’s syndicate. During the new season, amongst the participants are Ram (Imran) a white collar job youth who is hell bent on earning big money to compensate the huge fraud his scamster father was reason for, Ayesha (Shruti) who has her own personal agenda, Retd. Col Singh (Mithun) who desperately needs money for his wife’s operation, Shortcut (Chitrashi) a Pakistani camel racer girl who dreams of buying a Lexus with the prize money and Raghav (Ravi Kissen) a serial murderer.

What happens after these participants are put into extremely dangerous life taking games of luck and who manages to win the big jackpot amongst them forms the rest of the film.

Luck begins with an exciting opening sequence that gets your heart in your mouth watching a blindfolded Dutt cross the multiple railway lines with trains running around in fast speed. Soham Shah shows tremendous progress as a technician with Luck. He succeeds in getting you all hooked throughout the first half. However, in the second half the pacing drops in between but then picks up yet again towards the pre-climax.

Soham and Rensil D’Silva’s screenplay strikes the perfect balance between a slick action thriller and a mass entertainer. Dialogues are citeee worthy at places. The film may have its share of criticizers who need to understand that it’s a different genre altogether and that it should not judged with the same parameters of a realistic film or a feel good entertainer.

Luck is edgy stuff. Soham also scores big points in his casting of the veterans. It is almost after 20 years that the trio of Dutt-Mithun and Danny has come together for any film. They were last cast together in Jeete Hain Shaan Se (1988). However, the climax could have been more effectively shot and culmination slightly less over the top.

Editing and Camerawork is excellent. Salim-Suleiman’s music is racy and goes perfectly with the film. Amar Mohile’s background score is effective. Hari Dwarak’s sound design is excellent.

Amongst the actors, sadly the young brigade disappoints whereas the veterans shine big time. Imran Khan though earnest, is most of the times expressionless. Kamal Haasan’s daughter Shruti Haasan has a striking screen presence but needs a crash course in dialogue delivery.

Sanjay Dutt has achieved a mastery of sorts of playing the big hearted ‘bhai’ and here too he is in his safe zone. Dutt appears super chilled out and enjoying himself. Mithun Chakraborty is extremely impressive. Danny is a scene stealer in many sequences. It is great to see the veteran actor back in top form in a very meaty role. Ravi Kissen is terrific. Chitrashi Rawat is good. Snita Mahey playing Dutt’s team member is super hot.

Luck is a feast for adrenaline pumping edge of the seat cinema lovers. It is one of the slickest action thrillers to hit Indian screens. Action fans should not miss it.

Also Read:
Movie Stills of Luck
AN EXTRAVAGANZA OF ‘LUCK‘
Biharis and Bikini steal Imran’s Luck

Imran Khan, Shruti Hassan promote Luck at Big FM in Big FM Studios on 23rd July 2009 .

As per the sources, “It was Shreyasi who has a crush on our Immu (Imran Khan). She sung a song from his childhood movie Qayamat se Qayamat.”

“She sung Gazab Ka Din… in a beautiful style. On the other hand, Imran was blushing as he went down the memory lane and also discovered that sweet little Shreyasi really likes him,” adds the source.

Imran played the role of young Aamir Khan in the film Qayamat se Qayamat. All the sitare were here to promote their Luck.

So viewers get set to be wooed by the little wonders. Alongside hold your heart as Imran throws a dash of charm for his fans.

Shruti Hassan, Shekhar Kapoor, Kiron Kher, Sonali Bendre, Imran Khan on the sets of India_s got talent in FilmCity on 20th July 2009.

Imran Khan at Radio Mirchi in Parel, Mumbai on 20th July 2009.

Our source continues, “Yograj Bhat directed Kannada film Mungaru Male (Monsoon Rain) starring Ganesh, Sanjana Gandhi and noted actor Anant Nag was made at a modest budget of around Rs. 90 lakhs but it went on to do a rip roaring business of more than Rs. 50 crore. In fact it made a National record by running for one full year in a Bangalore PVR multiplex property. Boney apparently has presented these facts and figures and the wonderfully translated script to Imran and now it is all depending upon Imran to take his call. Imran hasn’t done any romantic film for a long time now since he shot for his debut film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na and Boney is therefore hopeful that Imran may give his nod.”

Interestingly, the Kannada original was shot almost 80 percent in the rains.

So what’s Mungaru Malle all about?

For richie-rich Pritham (Ganesh), it is love at first sight when he spots Nandini (Sanjana) outside a mall. Circumstances conspire to foil his every attempt to meet her till he goes to Madikeri where he meets his love, who alas, is about to be married shortly. Stung by her remarks, Pritham vows to win her heart and succeeds too. When Nandini’s scandalised mom (Padmaja Rao) seeks his help in identifying her daughter’s secret lover, he senses his chance to reveal the truth.

But then as days passed by, things seemed to have sorted out, as the two merrily posed for pictures at a promotional event for the movie recently. But despite that, there’s a complete communication breakdown between the director and his actor.

Our insider elaborates further, “The reason for Imran being miffed on Soham now is because of the promotions of Luck. First it is the Bihari star Ravi Kissen who is hogging all the limelight in the promos and now Shruti Hassan’s bikini act is stealing all the thunder away from Imran, who is left struggling to find space on the billboards with the rest of the cast. It is learnt that Imran is mighty upset with his director and feels that the promotions are damaging his image as a leading hero.”

We just hope things get sorted out between the two as both; Imran after a dud like Kidnap, and Soham after a debut flop like Kaal desperately need a hit.

Imran has been shooting around the clock for Aamir Khan’s Delhi Belly directed by Abhinay Deo. There’s patchwork shooting to be done for Soham Shah’s Luck, Imran’s only other film on hand.

And for this, he needs to regain the weight he lost for uncle Aamir Khan’s Delhi Belly. Says the affable young Jaane Tu… star, “For Kidnap I beefed up a lot. Did weights and worked out rigorously. Then for Delhi Belly I needed to get lean. Now I’ll have to get bulky again for the remaining portion of Luck, which got stalled because of a railway strike in Namibia. I’ll have to put on weight. I’ll have to hit the gym very hard. I stopped going to the gym and cut down on my food intake drastically for Delhi Belly.”

Imran finds going to the gym very boring. “I’d rather exercise by living healthy and doing outdoor sports. I like offbeat extreme sports like scuba diving and roller skates. I wouldn’t say I hate the gym. That’s too extreme. But I find it boring. I also find being written about constantly very boring. You know stuff like, ‘I saw this pair of shoes in Paris and I simply had to buy them.’ I cringe when I see such stuff written. I’d rather talk when I’ve something to talk about.

“It’s been a decisive year for Imran. “And now for Delhi Belly I’ve been working like a dog. It was quite an unsettling experience. On an average I had fifteen new experiences every day. I can’t complain about it. But it became too much to handle. I didn’t have the time or energy to think over my experiences every day. I was putting in twenty hours a day and all I could do at the end of day was crash.”

Imran describes Delhi Belly as a labor of love. “It’s back to the Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane feeling. We’re all working as a team. We’re all a pair of hands on the sets. When I shot for Kidnap and Luck I was treated like a star. I was called ‘Mr. Khan’. I had my own van, and all the trappings. People started treating me differently. And I was very uncomfortable with that. If you ask me I’m much comfortable working as part of a team in Jaane Tu. And Delhi Belly. See, the making of a film is essentially a team thing. The more of it the better.”

Imran startles you by saying he travels to Delhi by economy class for Delhi Belly. “I don’t want to be treated differently. I don’t even have to insist on traveling economy. It just happens. It’s an Aamir Khan production. It’s like a home production. This is how it’s done here.”

And then comes the second surprise. Imran has worked in Delhi Belly free of fee. “Yeah I haven’t taken money for Delhi Belly. How can I take money from Aamir after all that he has done for me? He did far more for Jaane Tu …Jaane Na and me than any producer could. No, I can’t charge him.

Besides, Delhi Belly is a niche English-language film. The budget is limited. Will I charge him for my next film with him? It’ll depend on what it is. Right now Aamir is really preoccupied, with Kiran’s film happening and all.”

Imran was never offered Kiran Rao’s Dhobi Ghat. “I wasn’t even considered. I don’t even know the story.”

Unblinkingly forthright Imran admits his second release Kidnap was a disappointment. “I had a blast doing Kidnap. But strangely the people around me were a lot more affected by its failure than me. From the day I became an actor I prepared for my career to be a rollercoaster ride. You can’t count on successes all the time. Anyone who has spent a long time in this business better comes to terms with the vagaries of the box-office. One day you’re up there. The next day…POW You can’t take failures to heart.”

Imran Khan looks back with much warmth. “Look at the heroes who came before me. Hrithik Roshan went through some major debacles after his first success. And look at where he’s today. It happened to Aamir, Shahid, and Salman…. All of them. I’m prepared to go through the grind. I’ve taken the failure of Kidnap in my stride. It took a good opening and began dropping from Sunday…you know I can’t be consumed by the thought of success and failure. I just do my own work I love coming on the sets every day. All the fringe happenings are secondary.”

To Imran stardom is still a process he’s discovering. “What I like about stardom is the great service I get at restaurants. I don’t need table reservations. That’s what I like the best. I don’t attend events and parties. I don’t know what to do at them. My only regular’s outings are films. After making films the only thing I really like doing is seeing them, preferably with my girlfriend Avantika.”

So far Imran has signed nothing after Delhi Belly. “My primary criteria are the script. The money comes much later. In any case those outrageous multi-film deals between corporate houses and actors are over. At this point I haven’t signed anything because nothing excites me. I finish Delhi Belly, and then complete Luck. That remains unfinished because there was some problem with Sanju Baba’s death. Then we were supposed to shoot the climax in Namibia when transport-workers’ strike happened. We waited in Namibia for it to be over. Now we’ll go back to Namibia to finish it in February.”

After Luck Imran would be happy to wait it out for the next project. “I’d love to do a rom-com. I’m being offered hardcore action films. They’re very tiring to do. If nothing interesting comes up I’d be happy to take a holiday. Marriage? No plans yet. Avantika and I have been together for over six years. We’re very clear about our relationship. But neither of us discusses marriage. We’re happy being together.”

Imran’s thoughts on 2009?

“2008 was the most exciting year of my life. I look back and say, ‘Wow’ In six months after Jaane Tu…Ya Jaane Na so much has changed. I feel I’ve grown up by a couple of years. As for Abbas Tyrewala’s next I don’t even know what the story is. I don’t have to be in everything he makes. But we’re still in touch. I was in his house just the other day chilling. In fact the Jaane Tu… gang is very much together even now.”

During the press meet when he was further prodded with questions like does he consider his co-star in Luck Shruti Haasan as a kid sister Imran looked stunned and replied, “She is a close family friend, and I have known her since we were kids. She is my co-star and a friend.”

Shruti chose to take a call on that question and said, “Let’s not get into the brother sister relationships. We have been friends for the last so many years that I have lost count. We are romancing each other in the film so just keep to that. One can’t romance a brother, in fact the thought itself is repugnant, don’t make such insinuations in the future,”

Reacting on this Imran quipped that time, “Don’t use the word sister, it sounds horrible. We are more of friends. And one cannot romance a sister. It sounds very repulsive.”

The dashing young actor, known for having two left feet has always shied away from a dance sequence.

But for his latest film ‘Luck’, Imran decided to take a chance and bend his rules

According to our sources, Soham was very keen on Imran shaking a leg with co-star Shruti Haasan for a special number in the film called ‘Jee Le’ composed by Salim – Sulaiman.

Initially, Imran developed cold feet and declined to go ahead and dance. But his choreographer Remo assured him that it wouldn’t be as tough as Imran thought, and his worries were immediately put to rest.

Imran readily agreed to give it a chance and gave his best shot. And with what we hear, the outcome is absolutely splendid Imran himself was impressed and couldn’t stop beaming

Says the director Soham Shah, “After a 2 day rehersal, we started shooting the song and the result is there for all to see When Imran decides to do something, he does it so well” beams the proud director.

Well, so now Pappu can dance saala

Promotions for Shree Ashtavinayak CineVision Ltd’s latest offering LUCK, directed by Soham Shah took off with a thrilling start on Wednesday 1st July when the cast & crew of LUCK descended at The Intercontinental, Andheri (E) for a special affair!

The event kickstarted with none other than the lead heroine of the film, debutant Shruti Haasan crooning the title track ‘Aazma Luck’ and entertaining the audiences with a scintillating performance!!! With her unconventional voice and stunning looks, Shruti had the spectators spellbound with her sizzling number!

This was followed by an exciting AV where each of the actors invited the crowds to place their bets on them! And the excitement and the exhilaration in the air mounted when each of cast members actually emerged on stage one after the other!!
Interestingly the attires worn by the stars were also in tune with the theme of the movie.

Post the AV clips, the cast of the film, comprising of Imran Khan, Shruti Haasan, Ravi Kisshen andChitrakshi were joined by Producer Dhilin Mehta and Director Soham Shah on stage for an open session with the media.

The event concluded with a ‘Lucky Draw’ for the invitees where the winners not only won exciting prizes but also got a chance to pose for the shutterbugs with their favourite stars on stage.

With so much Luck & Glamour around, this was surely one of the most memorable evenings in B-Town!

A source reveals, The mean machine, which recently landed in Mumbai, was parked in Bandra since he was away shooting. But as soon as he got back, he couldn’t wait to hop on to his bike and go for a long ride by the sea.”

The source adds that apparently, his girlfriend Avantika wasn’t too keen on him getting a bike, but Imran talked her into it. He even convinced her to ride pillion with him. The much-in-love-couple were spotted zipping around Bandra. The duo also halted at a spot with a great view of the sunset and gazed at the skies like true blue filmy lovers.

Produced by Dhilin Mehta, the film marks the debut of Shruti Haasan (Kamal Haasan’s daughter) and stars Sanjay Dutt, Imran Khan, Mithun Chakraborthy, Ravi Kisshen, Chitrakshi and Danny Denzongpa.

The film is creating waves for not just its action and adventure but for a lot of other unique factors!

In the film you will get to see megastar Sanjay Dutt sporting a completely different look from before teaming a ‘Pathani’ and ‘Blazer’! And not just that, he has also performed high voltage scenes including running across tracks blindfolded with his hands tied behind him.

The leading lady, debutant Shruti Haasan has also done death defying stunts along with co-star Imran Khan. Shruti, has in fact sung the female version of the title track ‘Aazma Luck’ and has a electrifying video featured on her.

Be a part of the exhilarating adventure as the film hits the theatres on 24th July ’09.

Imran Khan at Hamateur event by stand up comedian Vir Das in Blue Frof on 21st June 2009.

But ask him about this passion and Imran is quick to reply, “I have always had a fetish for ties. I have many of them some old and new. I never throw away the old ones as I have a strange affinity towards them. I collect ties and Converse All-Stars shoes as they’re both a lot of fun. You can add one or the other or both to jeans and a T-shirt, and it suddenly becomes an amazing style statement.”

Ask him if it is his new style statement and Imran says. “I never cared about fashion. I like to wear what I am comfortable in. Style for me is the ability to look good without looking like you’re making a big effort. I look for things that connect with me personally. Be it a tie, a pair of shoes, whatever; it should be a reflection of my personality.”

Imran Khan launches Hi Blitz issue in Landmark on 12th June 2009.

THE COMEDY STORE, LONDON KICKS OFF THE COMEDY STORE TOUR IN MUMBAI. The Comedy Store, U.K’s leading comedy club which celebrates thirty years this May now comes to Mumbai for the first time with The Comedy Store Tour being held from 4th to 7thJune 2009. The Comedy Store Tour which is the first of its kind in India is a Curtainrasier to the actual launch of The Comedy Store in Mumbai later this year.

Don Ward (Cofounder of The Comedy Store) chose three world class stand up comedians who performed over the weekend in Mumbai at NCPA and the ITC Grand Maratha. Comedians Sean Meo (MC), Paul Tonkinson and Ian Stone had the crowd in splits of laughter. Guests included Imran Khan (who was seen thoroughly enjoying the show), Vir Das, raell Padamsee, Anushka Menon, and of course Deepak Bedi, CEO, Horseshoe Entertainment (the company that is launching the Comedy Store in India through a JV) with wife Aparna etc. The comedians were thrilled to be in India and had many playful jests with the crowd and front benchers .

“With 2009 being our 30th anniversary, this tour is a great way to further popularize a concept that is gripping India very fast. The Comedy Store Tour brings you a world class stand up comedy team that will put together a show with an Indian relevance.” Says Don Ward.

The Stand-Up Comedy Artists coming to MumbaiThe Stand-Up Comedy Artists coming to Mumbai are : Sean Meo (MC), Paul Tonkinson and Ian Stone. The three artists will work in the international standard format of 1 MC + 2 Stand up Artists who will perform for a total of 2 hours. Here the MC starts the proceedings that evening and introduces both the Comics at regular intervals to do their 30 minute set each.

Thus the MC takes up 30 Minutes and the other 2 Artists share the rest of the 1hr 15mins with a break of 15-20mins. The MC is always a highly accomplished comic who helps set the tone for the evening and lifts the mood as required.