4 movies to look forward to this fall

Let's do this in the order of least to most anticipated (according to moi):

1. Aaja Nachle: The only reason I am looking forward to this the least is because the promo was like a particularly unsatisfying amuse-bouche. All we see is Madhuri Dixit dancing and a frame that declares her return. I am sure that once the Yash Raj publicity machine kicks in the movie will garner much more curiosity but for now the return of Madhuri is apparently enough. I was never a big fan of Madhuri so for me one of the main reasons for watching this movie will probably be the presence of Kunal Kapoor and Konkona Sen Sharma.





2. Laaga Chunari Mein Daag: Unfortunately the biggest news about this film: Rani Mukherjee playing a prostitute. Unfortunately because this sort of hype tends to overshadow the other aspects of the film, and from the star cast and director I am hoping for something more than just a vehicle for Mukherjee to display her acting prowess. After Black with Rani and this is again (in the oft repeated words of film critics) an off-beat role for Ms. Mukherjee. From the promo it is easy to glean that the story is about a small town girl from Benaras who is thrust into the big bad world of prostitution. The portions shot in Benares Konkona Sen Sharma look spectacular (this might also be because I am slightly biased towards Benares), I am a little bit worried that the parts with Rani as a prostitute might come off looking cheesy ("Hi, I am Natasha") but I guess only time will tell. I am most looking forward to the Kunal Kapoor and Konkona pairing. This is going to be their season. After Rang De... who doesn't love Kunal? And they were so cute together on Koffee with Karan...in short, I hope they rock!!



3. Om Shanti Om: The expectations from this film are mammoth, Farah Khan's sophomore effort after the blockbuster Main Hoon Na, Shah Rukh Khan riding high on the success of Chak De India the gorgeous Deepika Padukone who in Karan Johar's words is the most beautiful face to hit Indian screens in a while. Forgive me for saying this but with all these expectations something was bound to crumble, and it did. The promo wasn't all that great. I really wanted it to kick ass, and it just didn't. The costumes, however look great (Kudos to Karan Johar), srk was kinda annoying in the promo, but one will have to wait and watch to see how much of the promo will be translated on to the big screen. The expectations are still high and I hope to god this will be a good movie, because frankly I didn't like Main Hoon Na, but I really like Farah Khan, and good movies should happen to good people ;). Om Shanti Om is a sure shot hit, but it would be disappointing if it is successful solely because of its star power. (Deepika Padukone looked like such a star on this Sunday's episode of Koffee with Karan, and they were all having so much fun!!)




AND SAVING THE BEST FOR LAST....

4. Saawariya (squeeee!!!): Possibly the most anticipated movie of this season. Not only because it is Sanjay Leela Bansali's first film after the magnum opus that was Black , but also because he has achieved a casting coup of sorts by pairing Ranbir Kapoor (we all know his lineage) and Sonam Kapoor (Anil Kapoor's daughter). The story of Saawariya has been guarded with the utmost secrecy, but wikipedia is reporting that the movie is an adaptation of Dostoevsky's heartbreaking short story White Nights. If this is indeed true, Saawariya promises to be a wonderful story as well as a visual treat. The promo itself is poetry in motion with the stamp of Bansali throughout. If each frame in Black was a brooding painting in the tones of grey and charcoal, Saawariya's frames are dyed in the hues of greens and blues representing youth and love. Words cannot express the purity and beauty reflected in each frame of the promo. My favourite part: The last frame where SLB - the showman beyond compare of his generation - pays homage to Raj Kapoor - the original showman. Am beyond excited for this movie!!! This much excitement warrants excessive punctuation!!!