Hillary Duff - Career, Work, 2002 till 2003

Hilary Duff in 2002, she recorded a cover version of Brooke McClymont's "I Can't Wait" for the Lizzie McGuire soundtrack, and "The Tiki Tiki Tiki Room" for the first DisneyMania compilation album. Hilary Duff 1st album was Santa Claus Lane (2002), a collection of Christmas songs that included duets with her sister Haylie, Lil' Romeo, and Christina Milian. Accompanied by the Disney Channel-only single "Tell Me a Story (About the Night Before)", it peaked at 154 on the U.S. Billboard 200 album chart and was certified gold. The track "Santa Claus Lane" was included on the soundtrack to The Santa Clause 2 and the single, "What Christmas Should Be", was used in Cheaper by the Dozen. Hilary Duff sang several tracks for The Lizzie McGuire Movie soundtrack, which included "I Can't Wait" and "Why Not", the latter peaking at # 14 in Australia. The soundtrack to The Lizzie McGuire Movie went platinum in 2003.

In 2003, Hilary Duff received her 1st major role in a feature film when Hilary Duff was cast alongside Frankie Muniz in Agent Cody Banks. Agent Cody Banks film received positive reviews and was successful enough to spawn a sequel, in which Duff did not participate. The same year, in 2003, Hilary Duff reprised her role as Lizzie McGuire for The Lizzie McGuire Movie, which exceeded box office expectations, earning $42.6 million at the US box office and $55 million worldwide. It received mixed reviews, with certain critics calling it "an unabashed promotion of Duff’s image, just as Crossroads was for Spears", while other reviews were generally positive and encouraging. Later that year, Hilary Duff played one of the 12 children of Steve Martin and Bonnie Hunt in the family film Cheaper by the Dozen, which remains her highest grossing film to date. Hilary Duff reprised her role in the sequel Cheaper by the Dozen 2 (2005), which failed to be as successful as the original film and was panned by critics.

Hilary Duff's first full-length studio album, Metamorphosis (2003), reached #1 on the U.S. and Canadian charts and had sold over 3.7 million copies by May 2005. The lead single, "So Yesterday" (co-written and produced by The Matrix), was a top ten hit in several countries; its follow-up, the Laguna Beach theme song "Come Clean", became Hilary Duff's first top 40 U.S. hit and reached the top 20 in the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. The video was nominated in the category of MTV Video Music Award for Best Pop Video at the 2004 MTV Video Music Awards. The 3rd single, "Little Voice", was not released in the U.S. and was a minor hit in Canada and Australia. In late 2003, Hilary Duff embarked on her first concert tour, the Metamorphosis Tour, and later the Most Wanted Tour. Most shows scheduled in the major cities were completely sold out.

Hilary Duff also made several guest appearances in television shows, Hilary Duff's 1st as a sick child in the medical drama Chicago Hope in March 2000. In a 2003 episode of George Lopez, Hilary Duff had a role as a makeup salesperson; Hilary Duff later reappeared in the show in 2005 as Kenzie, a feminist poet friend of the character Carmen (Masiela Lusha). In 2003, Hilary Duff acted opposite her sister Haylie in American Dreams, while in 2005, Hilary Duff played a classmate and idolizer of the title character of Joan of Arcadia.

Gulshan Bawra's death is painful for music-lovers in India.

Gulshan Bawra’s death is painful for music-lovers in India.

The music lovers all across India mourn the death of legendary lyricist Gulshan Bawra, who died on 7th August, 2009, at the age of 72 years. He had died his heart failure.

Although his involvement in lyrics of bollywood films is related to less number of songs if compared with the dynamism of Shakeel Badayani, Hasrat Jaipuri, Shailendra, Sahir Ludhiyanvi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaifi Azmi and others, his words were very meaningful and his work was appreciated by elite section of the society. Born in 1937, he came to Bombay as a railway clerk in the 50s and showed his talent as a lyricist in due time.

His song “tumhe yaad hoga kabhi hum milethe” sung by Hemant Kumar and Lata in Balraj Sahani’s film Satta Bazar gave him recognition. He received filmfare award for the best lyricist for his brilliant composition “mere desh ki dharti”, sung by Mahendra Kapoor and composed by Kalyanji Anandji in the film Upkaar in 1967. Manoj Kumar’s epic film won most of the awards that year and Gulshan Kumar gave his best for the epic film. He had a great combination with Kalyanji Anandji and for them he wrote different types of songs including patriotic songs, romantic numbers, tragic numbers, etc.

He again got filmfare award for the best lyrics written for the song “yaari hai imaan mera yaar meri zindagi” for the film Zanjeer. It was sung by legendary singer Manna Dey and composed by Kalyanji Anandji. Gulshan Bawra also acted in the film and gave lips in a song sung by Rafi.

His other hit songs included “kasme wade nibhayenge hum” and “aati rahegi baharen” in the film Kasme Wade, composed by RD Burman, “wada karle saajna” from the film Haath Ki Safai, and many other songs.

He faded away from the industry after the emergence of new lyricists in the 1990s. But his works were very meaningful and unique. His songs should be preserved.

Will Saif Ali Khan be successful as producer?

Will Saif Ali Khan be successful as producer?

If the history of bollywood films had been looked into it will be seen that many actors and actresses got involved in production of films after being in the profession for substantial period of time. Some of the them had succeeded while others stopped production due to lack of success.

Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt started their careers with productions of their own. They also knew the art of direction. So they don’t fall within this category. In fact their standards as producers were so high that their best acting lies in their production. Directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee or Mehboob Khan or Pacchi could not utilize Raj Kapoor in the manner he utilized himself in films like Awara, Shree 420, or Sangam, etc. Guru Dutt was at his best in films like Pyaasa or Aar Par or Mr. and Mrs. 55, all under his own production.

In respect of actor turned producers list Shahrukh Khan had mixed responses. Dreams Unlimited developed by Shahrukh Khan and Juhi Chawla did great business in films like Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani, but again did mediocre business in other films as well. Anil Kapoor started production few years back. He had success with films like Shortcut, but still his films had not done great business if compared with the hit films of his brother Boney Kapoor who had hit films including No Entry, Hamara Dil Aapke Pass Hai.

Saif Ali Khan had started his career as producer with the film Love Aaj Kal. The film has all the elements of a hit film. With the performance of Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone, the viewers are also enthusiastic about its performance. Saif Ali Khan had taken a great decision in casting himself in the main role which releases the pressure of a producer.

But it is too early to foretell that Saif Ali Khan will be a successful producer. There are reasons for making such statement. It had been seen in the past that even eminent producers failed to understand the pulse of the viewers. Their tastes were changing and good producers and directors had both the taste of hit and flop films. Shakti Samanta started giving flops in the 70s like Pagla Kahin Ka or Jane Anjane, inspite of using Shammi Kapoor who had given super hit films in the 60s like Kashmir Ki Kali or An Evening in Paris.

Review of Uttam Kumar's film Kamallata.

Review of Uttam Kumar’s film Kamallata.

Harishadhon Dasgupta took a big challenge in making a film on Sarat Chandra Chatterji’s classic literature Kamallata. Uttam Kumar played the role of Sarat Chandra himself named (Srikanto) in the film. Suchitra Sen played the role of Kamallata while Nirmal Kumar played the role of a muslim poet called Gahar Goshai.

A farmhouse in the districts of West Bengal was used by Harishadhan Dasgupta to portray a baisnav akhra (the place where devotees of God Vishnu stay together). Suchitra Sen was subjected to unrest in her family after her relationship with Biren Chatterji had been criticized and joined the Baishnav Akhra. Nirmal Kumar, the poet, wrote Ramayana in new style, and also wrote songs devoted to God Vishnu inspite of being a muslim.

Pahari Sanyal and other elders in the akhra appreciated the literary work of Nirmal Kumar and his monetary contribution for the development of the charitable institution. Uttam Kumar was his friend and visited the place a number of times and came to know the story of Suchitra Sen. The other members of the institution were narrow minded and just because Suchitra Sen communicated with Nirmal Kumar, asked her to leave the place.

Nirmal Kumar died at the end of the film and gave all his property to the Institution. Uttam Kumar took Suchitra Sen from the place and reached her to safe place in Kolkata. Sarat Chandra Chatterji had shown that tolerance of every faith was the actual realization based on which the meaning of religion could be understood.

Nirmal Kumar received BFJA award for his brilliant performance in the film. He gave excellent lips in Shyamal Mitra’s devotional song (baishnavgeeti) “o mon kokhon shuru” and “mane na e mon”. Robin Chatterji the music director of the film showed his brilliance in composing devotional songs as well.
The film did excellent business after release in 1969 and still remains an inspiration for new directors in making films with classic literature. The film and music of the film should be restored.

Happy birthday to Kajol.

Happy Birthday To Kajol

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Kajol on 5th August, 2009. She had dominated bollywood films during the mid-90s.

Besides her combination with Shahrukh Khan had given many everlasting hits like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, etc. Most of these films were musical blockbusters as well. The songs in these films like “yeh kaali kaali ankhen”, “jaati hun mai”, “kuch kuch hota hai” became landmark hits over the years.

Besides, the directors and producers of the late 90s experimented with different types of roles with Kajol. She played the role of a villain in the film Gupt opposite Bobby Deol. She went on killing Raj Babbar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and others to maintain his attachment with Bobby Deol. She also received the filmfare award for the best villain for her performance in the film Gupt.

Kajol did well in comedy films like Ishq opposite Ajay Devgan, whom she married later on. She played the role of the friend of Juhi Chawla and got involved into incidents with Ajay Devgan and Juhi Chawla. Kajol did well opposite Sanjay Dutt in the film Dushman.

After the fading away of Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla from the bollywood industry, Kajol got the maximum number of chances in big productions. After marriage with Ajay Devgan, she reduced the number of films. She made a comeback but could not maintain the success rate as she did in the past.

The viewers are looking forward to better performances from Kajol in future as many people feel that she still has lot of acting left in her.

Happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan.

Happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan on 4th August, 2009. He created a separate identity for himself inspite of being the younger brother of superstar Salman Khan.

Arbaaz Khan acted in different roles till date. He did a great job in the film Hulchul. He played the role of the elder brother of Akshay Khanna and the son of Amrish Puri.

In that film Amrish Puri did not allow his sons Paresh Rawal, Jackie Shroff and Arbaaz Khan to marry anyone and he had adverse feelings against women. But when Akshay Khanna entered into affair with Kareena Kapoor who belonged to the family which had hostile relation with Amrish Puri, he had to change his feelings. Arbaaz Khan’s loyalty to his father was well expressed in the film.

Arbaaz Khan played a significant role in Salman Khan’s film Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya. After playing negative characters in many films he also acted in positive characters. He did a great job in the film Fashion. He was also sublime in the film Tumko Bhula Na Payenge, and also Hello Brother.

In action films also he had shown his dynamic performances. Even the films where he acted in guest roles he impressed the audience. For example in the film Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, he along with Sohail Khan played a short role opposite Imran Khan. Their performance was well appreciated by the audience.

The viewers expect Arbaaz Khan to continue his great work in the years to come.

Review of the film Love Aaj Kal.

Review of the film Love Aaj Kal

Saif Ali Khan had come up with a new subject in his new film Love Aaj Kal. He acted opposite Deepa Padukone and familiarized the viewers with his skills of production.

In this film Imtiaz Ali, the director experimented with the subject of the young generation breaking social ties in order to pursue their career. Saif Ali Khan was obsessed to build bridges and he thought romantic relationships stood in the way of his success. Deepika Padukone also inspite of having affair with Saif Ali Khan thought that her career had priority over love relationship. She came to Mumbai from London to pursue her career.

Rishi Kapoor, a veteran in the film, did not like the carefree attitude of the youth. He thought that careers, professional life generally cannot stand in the way of the marital life and social responsibilities of individuals. At one point of time every young couple should settle. And if that factor is not there, life loses direction.

The online chemistry of Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone had worked in the film. The melodious music composed by Pritam had matched the romantic locations of London, San Fancisco, etc., where most part of the film was shot.

Imtiaz Ali used his skills of story-telling to portray another romantic film in somewhat same lines of that of Jab We Met. In that respect, Imtiaz Ali’s style of making films is not new to the viewers. But the viewers will wait for the ending of the film, as the climax was important.

Both Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone acted well in the film. Rishi Kapoor was sublime once again. His extra weight did not stand in the way of professional acting.

In a nutshell it can be said that Love Aaj Kal had the material of being a hit film. The viewers should watch the film.