January Movies: Agneepath, Underworld Awakening And Players
This month, filmmakers are ready to spoil you with choice. We help you decide which ones to watch.
Agneepath
Will Karan Johar’s remake of this classic garner the same publicity as the original? It’s a tough call, but Chikni Chameli makes its easier…
The industry is riding high on remakes and to be honest, we don't know why. Is it because there’s a lack of original ideas? Or just sheer laziness? Whatever it may be, we have to agree that KJo's remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer Agneepath (1990) is looking good.
Donning the role of Vijay Dinanath Chauhan is Hrithik Roshan and Priyanka Chopra will be seen in a de-glamourised role. Sanjay Dutt will essay the role originally played by Danny Denzongpa, while Rishi Kapoor, Zarina Wahab and Om Puri are included in the cast too. However, from the entire ensemble, it is Sanjay Dutt who has received immense praise for his villainous look and sharp dialogue delivery.
Though the trailers haven’t revealed much, the remake of course couldn’t do away with the original tagline – “Vijay Deenanath Chauhan, poora naam, baap ka naam Deenanath Chauhan, gaon Mandwa", which till date is one of the most popular dialogues in the history of Bollywood. Let’s hope Roshan Jr can deliver it with the same elan as Sr Bachchan.
Apart from the demure look of the film (contray to KJo’s style), it is Katrina Kaif’s item song Chikni Chameli that is setting the charts on fire. Then again, her look is a tad similar to Sheila Ki Jawani and we at FHM still drool over that one.
Of course, the film has been modernised a little, but overall it hasn’t lost the essence of the original.
Big B won a National Award for his role. Let’s see if Hrithik can create the same magic on January 26, when the film hits screens.
Underworld Awakening
Kate Beckinsale is back in the fourth installment of this underworld saga. This one’s shot in 3D and promises a lot more action…
With more than 20 film sequels and the same number of remakes lined-up for release in 2012, Kate Beckinsale starrer Underworld couldn’t stay away from the trend either. The Matrix-style film with lots of black leather was a huge success in its genre. And Kate Beckinsale’s body-hugging shiny leather wearing, kick-ass stunt performing role was largely the reason for that.
This great take on vampires and werewolf’s has been shot in 3D and will see Kate reprising her role as vampire warrior Selene. After escaping imprisonment, she learns that humans have discovered the existence of vampires and lycans and are now determined to finish off the immortals, so Selene leads the battle against them.
Charles Dance, Sandrine Holt, Michael Ealy, and India Eisley too get under their character’s skin in this edition, which will include many new characters.
From the promos, Beckinsale is seen doing what she does best – beating the crap out of humans, performing stunts and looking hot (she has a nude scene too!). The previous three in the series were rousing successes and we hope this one is too.
Underworld Awakening is out on January 20, 2012.
Players
Can Abbas-Mustan’s Players recreate the magic of the cult movie – The Italian Job?
Michael Caine's 1969 British crime caper The Italian Job had us at the opening scene of 30 mini's crashing in together. Then it hooked us as three luxury cars were first trashed by machine guns and then eventually rolled into metallic balls by a bulldozer. But it was Caine’s dialogue, “You were only supposed to blow the bloody doors off!" that stole the show.
If you haven’t seen the original, we suggest you grab a DVD before you watch Players, which is a remake of the same, though Abbas-Mustan claim their storyline is inspired from both the original and the 2003 version.
Expect leggy babes, swanky settings and well-dressed men apart from some action, romance and comedy. And of course, Mini Coopers. With some of the tallest actors in Bollywood (Abhishek Bachchan, Sonam Kapoor and Sikander Kher) driving them, it will be an entertaining site. “It took me a good 90 seconds to get in and out of it. Actually that used to be the running joke on set,” Abhishek Bachchan had mentioned in an interview with FHM.
The cast also includes Bipasha Basu, Bobby Deol and Neil Nitin Mukesh. We can tell that the storyline has not been altered much, except the overall stylisation. The film is about a group of thieves who are set to steal gold from a former team member who double-crossed them. They aim to teach the associate a lesson and make this robbery the biggest heist of the century. The plus point is that it’s not only the men who will be performing stunts, but the women too will whip it out good.
After four albums in 2010, Pritam creates another fast-paced, peppered soundtrack somewhat similar to Race. But The Italian Job is a favourite of ours, so let's hope this one lives up to the hype. Otherwise we’ll make do with the bikini scenes!
Players will hit the theatres on January 6, 2012.
From the January 2012 issue of FHM India.
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