Sunday, July 16, 2000		Bollywood Bhelpuri

KUNWARA has been shot and presented so very interestingly on the big screen (if the previews are anything to go by). It’s full of fun, laughter, songs ‘n’ dances... and emotional highlights. And I write this without claiming to be any great fan of director David Dhawan!

Govinda and Urmila Matondkar lead the marquee with comic capers galore. Om Puri, Naghma, and Kadar Khan have been cast in supporting roles (I only wish Johnny Lever had been left out) Aadesh Srivastava’s music is catchy and matches the mood of the movie . The colourful picturisation on exotic foreign locations in New Zealand and other countries (with a breathtaking bevy of beauties !) is, like icing on the cake.

Unfortunately, the story and script leaves much to be desired. However in an out and out entertainer like Kunwara do such trivials really matter?

What on earth is the matter with Sridevi, anyway? I ‘m informed that women who’re pregnant, oftenly tend to indulge in crazy, illogical behaviour. But Sri is obviously so confused. So cracked up, that she doesn’t even know whether she’s coming or going!

Look, her "comeback film" (sic) has been haltingly headlining for more than a year now. First, it was Yash Chopra’s multistarrer, Mohabbatien. Sri walked out of it. Next, it was Subhash Ghai’s Yaadein. She walked out of that one, too ! Sri said she wanted to do hubby Boney Kapoor’s desi remake of My Daughter’s Wedding, but her worse half did the worst thing: He cajoled Kajol into accepting the role opposite Shah Rukh Khan ! Now, I believe Sridevi wants to revive Meri Biwi Ka Jawaab Nahin with Akshay Kumar and Anil Kapoor. God, Please help. Please!

The fact that Amitabh Bachchan has been specially selected to occupy a place of pride in Madame Tussaud’s globally famed Wax Museum in London, has a whole lot of fans thrilled and an equal loads of folks in titters! Understandably.

"Will he pose with his dark hair and gray Frenchie?" Should he be sitting with his legs crossed or stand tall?" Will he be smiling or frowning" These, ladies and gentlemen, are merely a few samplers that Bollywood is (heatedly, curiously, smirkingly) debating. Add to that the statement by the megastar of Hindi Cinema that he feels there are "more and better deserving candidates around", the general opinion is that Amitabh (secretly) thrilled but insists on ‘waxing’ eloquent!

Why, please tell me why, are our Bollywood celebrities never quite content with the tremendous levels of achievement they (deservedly or otherwise) happen to attain? I mean, if it’s a top actor, he wants to become a producer or director – or both if it’s a popular playback singer, he/she is dying to turn a popstar! Etc, etc.

One thought that Sonu Nigam had more common sense than to (stupidly) succumb to the lure of being a star — as in hero ! Yet, he’s gone and done precisely that — sign up with director Manoj Punj to make his screen debut with Zindagi Khobsurat Hai and follow up with Akaash Deep in Aankhon He Aankhon Mein ! is Sonu sane ? I hope so !

I ‘m certain I need to (finally) consult a good psycho immediately! The number of " latest hot heart-throbs" literally pouring into Bollywood is leaving me gasping and going cuckoo!

Imagine, being accosted by a rough looking guy in the disco and being told that "you’d better write about me"! Flummoxed, I later find out that the (aggressive fellow was some "Mr Grasim India" — Aryan Vaid — who’s the lead (eeks !) in a new film titled Heartbeat (with Pooja Batra). Maybe a more apt title is Heart attack.