Talking Movies

2008...
Looking Back Within Beyond

Soumi Mitra of M.Sc. Microbiology picks 12 Most Talked About Movies in 2008

WELCOME: Director : Anees Bazmi. Starring Akshay Kumar Katrina Kaif Bollywood ushered in 2008 with Welcome, a super –duper hit movie. Once again the already the much acclaimed Akki-Katrina couple sizzled with their mind-blowing chemistry on the silver screen.
The movie also marked some ‘hatke’ performances by till known intense actor Nana Patekar. The movie was a laughathon and was enjoyed by people of all ages. So, Bollywood’s New Year started with a bang.

JODHAA AKBAR

Director : Ashustosh Gowariker. Starring Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai.
In February, the beauty of the cool crisp, romantic air was increased by Jodhaar and the Great Emperor Akbar’s romance caught on camera by Ashutosh Gowariker.
After marriage, this was Ash’s first screen appearance. Obviously, all eyes were set on this newly wed Bacchan Bahu clad in heavy jewelry and traditional wears resembling the golden Mughal era. The music for the movie was scored by the legendary music director, AR Rahman.
With the exception of Jashn-e-Bahara, the rest of the songs were not up to the mark. The movie did so-so business in the box office.

RACE

Director : Abbas-Mustan. Starring Saif Ali Khan, Bipasha Basu and Akshay Khanna
Then came March with the thrill and lots of speed. This marked the release of Abbas-Mustan’s thriller flick, Race. Saif Ali Khan for the first time seemed to be pretty intense in his performance. Akshay Khana was good as usual. The film dealt with sibling rivalry with lots of twists and turns which kept the audience at the edge of their seats. Abbas –Mustan duo once again proved to be the contemporary best thriller makers in Bollywood. The fast peppy numbers by Pritam rocked the nation for quite sometime.

JANNAT

Director : Mahesh Bhatt Starring :Emraan Hashmi.
This is my favourite movie. Bollwood’s ‘bad’ boy Emraan Hashmi seems to have taken his tag very seriously. In 2008, he tried his best to transform himself into ‘goody goody’ boy next door. Yes, that was Emraan Hashmi for you in one of the biggest hits, Jannnat. The movie also marked the debut of model turned actor, Sonal Chauhan.
This was a ‘pukka’ Bollywood style cute romantic love story which stole the hearts of the audience. The music by Pritam in this movie can be tagged as this year’s best movie album. Zara Si sang by the man with the soulful voice, KK still rings a fresh in our ears. So that was all for April.

ROCK ON

Director : Abhishek Kapoor.
Starring Farhan Akhtar, Arjun Rampal, Purab Kohli, Luke Kenny.
This movie is truly speaking one of the best movies of 2008. Director turned actor and the son of celebrated lyricist Javed Akhtar who earlier had entertained us by movies such as Dil Chhata Hai, Don, this time completed his journey from behind the camera to facing it. No doubt Faran Akhar has been out and out successful in doing just that. Strongly supported by his co stars, he proved his mettle in acting apart from directions. This movie really brought out the true essence of friendship after along time. The movie rocked the whole nation and was also critically acclaimed. Music by Shankar Ehsaan Loy was rock based and was equally good compared to their earlier pieces of work.

1920

This movie holds a special place in my life. It marked my debut as film columnist for this magazine. Director Vikram Bhatt starring, Rajneesh Duggal, Adaah Sharma.
In September, Director, Vikram Bhatt gave us a chill down our spine with 1920 inspired by Emily Ross’ Exorcism. This movie was totally different from all other Bollywood horror movies. It showed a new style of movie making and also the technology used was unique in many ways. The actors in this movie, being debutants gave spell-binding performances.

KISMAT KONNECTION

Director : Aziz Mirza. Starring Shahid Kapoor and Vidya Balan.
After a long time, the month of August saw Aziz Mirza, the great showman, who had already made a place in our hearts by delivering hit romantic flicks such as Raju Ban Gaya, Gentleman, Yes Boss, Chalte Chalte, this time also stuck to his genre of movie making by giving us Kismat Konnection (The only difference being, Shahid Kapoor instead of Shah Rukh)
The movie is light hearted romantic comedy. It also did average business in the box office. Many viewers didn’t go with the Shahid –Vidya jodi. Pritam again did a nice job working out great music for the movie.

JAANE TU YA JAANE NA

Director : Abbas Tyrewala. Starring Imran Khan, Geenelia D’ Souza.
Hmmm! Again, another movie with a ‘J’! Seems to be... J proved to be lucky for all our producers as both the movies starting with J were this year’s two biggest hits. In May, Aamir Khan’s nephew, Imran Khan made a sensational debut in the movie produced by none other than Mamujaan Aamir Khan.
Aamir left no stone unturned to promote this movie and soon Imran became the craze of all young girls. The movie nicely showcased college friendship among a group of friends. It was a huge hit with AR Rahman as the music director. Rashid Ali’s Aditi was crooned by all youngsters as well as Papu Can't Dance Sala.

FASHION

Director : Madhu Bhandarkar. Starring Priyanka Chopra, Kangana Ranaut, Mugdha Godssey.
October was the month of celebrations. So how could Bollywood be far away? It kept on entertaining us as Madhu Bhandarkar’s Fashion was releasing this month. The movie dealt with the glitz and glamour of the fashion world. The movie saw never –ever so brilliant and intense Priyanka as she played Meghna in the movie. Kangana Ranaut was brilliant as usual in his role. This movie also had got model turned actress Mugdha Godssey in an important role. The movie won rave reviews from the critics.

DOSTANA

Director : Tarun Tahiliani Starring Abhishek Baachan, John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra.
This year, Piggy Chops seems to be on fire as she gave us two consecutive hit movies of totally two different moods – Fashion followed by Dostana. The comedy in Dostana was the rarest of its kind. The audience had a laugh of their lifetime as watching Abhi and John in an all new comic avatar. Piggy Chops for the first time looked so sizzling (all you Piggy Chops fans hold on! We are not denying the fact that our very own former Miss World is extremely gorgeous). The music of the movie was also a huge hit specially the numbers Desi Girl and Maa Da Laadla. This was announced hit in India as well as overseas.

RAB NE BANA DI JODI

Director : Aditya Chopra
Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma
Released in December, this movie despite being a Yash Raj banner product and having King Khan himself in an all new geeky did not impress the audience. The movie revolves around arranged marriage. Inspired by a Tamil movie, Gajini, our very own Bangalore girl, model turned actress Anushka Sharma makes a strong debut appearance. The music of the movie is not so catchy.

YUVRAAJ

Director : Subhash Ghai starring Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif
Something must really be wrong with out very own Subhash Ghai. It takes a lot of pain to believe that he is the same person, who earlier directed movies like Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak and Pardes. Except the locations and Anil Kapoor’s performance, nothing is worth watching in the movie. The script was too week to attract the audience to the theatres. No wonder bombed at the box office. Thank God, the music scored by AR Rahman saved Yuvraaj a bit. The song, Tu Hi To Meri Dosti Hai is simply absorbing and soothing to the ears.

GHAJINI
Director, Starring Aamir Khan.
Asin, Jiah Khan released.