'D.K. Bose' Is An Anthem Now: Kiran Rao

Trust Aamir Khan to do things differently. The star organised a first ever success party for a song - "D.K. Bose" from his upcoming film Delhi Belly that his wife Kiran Rao says has become an anthem.

"We are happy that people liked this song so much. It has become an anthem in such a short span. It was an idea that came from the brain of our writer Akshat Verma and then Amitabh Bhattacharya wrote the lyrics and Ram Sampath composed it brilliantly," Kiran told reporters.

The party was attended by director Abhinay Deo, co-producer Ronnie Screwvala, the cast Imran Khan, Vir Das and Kunal Roy Kapoor and other members of the film.

The night also saw composer Ram Sampath playing the unplugged versions of the film's songs, including "Nakkadwale disco" and "Bedardi raja" along with his band, ending with a splendid performance of "D.K. Bose" with Imran, Vir and Kunal providing backing vocals.

"When I had heard this song, I knew that it will be liked, but I never thought that it will become such a rage. I'm happy with the concept of a party for the success of this song," said Imran.

A bold, youth-centric film, Delhi Belly is slated to be released July 1.

Kiran was first one to wish me: Aamir Khan | Video News

‘Dhobi Ghat’ to be commercially released in Germany

New Delhi, Feb 17 – Aamir Khan and Kiran Rao have another reason to celebrate as a German distributor has bought the rights of their critically acclaimed movie ‘Dhobi Ghat’ to release it in theatres in Germany later this year. 

The film has been produced by Aamir Khan and distributed by UTV Motion Pictures. The deal with Rapid Eye Movies includes theatrical distribution rights, home video rights and free TV rights of the movie for screening in Germany.

‘We are excited to work with Kiran Rao who has made a beautiful and touching film about life in Mumbai and we believe it will touch the hearts of German audiences,’ said Stephan Holl from Rapid Eye Movies.

Set in Mumbai, ‘Dhobi Ghat’, which is Kiran’s directorial debut, narrates joy, sorrow and heartbreaks of four individuals who come from distinct backgrounds and how they deal with it.

‘It is a special film and we are pleased to announce that the film will now be seen by German audiences. We are happy to join hands with Rapid Eye movies who is the ideal partner for this film,’ said Amrita Pandey, UTV’s senior vice president, international distribution & syndication.

Aamir, who also stars in the movie, is currently on the jury at the Berlin Film Festival, which is ending Sunday. 

IANS

Salman, SRK avoid each other at Imran's bash

There were little spots of tension on the evening of Imran Khan and Avantika Malik's wedding reception hosted by Maamujaan Aamir Khan and his wife Kiran Rao.

After all, it was touted that Aamir would play mediator between expected guests - Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan, and get the two to patch up on this special night.

But alas, that was not to happen. Salman Khan reached the venue at about 11:45, sporting a jacket on top of his 'Being Human' t-shirt. Salman walked in with brother Sohail. Salman, apparently, made a quick exit, and that too, from the back gate. Salman's exit from the event happened way before Shah Rukh Khan's entry.

Shah Rukh attended the event with wife Gauri Khan. They came in late night - around 2:30 a.m. So a patch up between Salman and Shah Rukh at this do was just not possible, though many a well-wisher of the two Khans was hopeful that the hatchet would be buried, courtesy host Aamir.

We guess, we'll have to wait for another celebration of this magnitude for such magic to happen.

Movie Review of 'Dhobi Ghat '

The city ‘Mumbai’ has inspired many filmmakers to make films making it a backdrop. Kiran Rao’s directional debut ‘Dhobi Ghat’ is also the same. The movie is filmed in Mumbai and speaks about different aspects of the class residing in the city and their varied hopes.

The film is not like a typical Bollywood naach-gaana type. It is unconventional. It does not have a mass appeal. Ideally speaking, the film is made for all but won’t like by everyone. Only a particular section will cherish it and understand what it basically wants to tell. Those who will get into the nerve of the film will recommend it and those who will dig the movie for entertainment will feel boring.

Four different characters form the basis of the story. Shai, played by Monica Dogra is an NRI investment. The second protagonist is Arun, played by Aamir Khan, he is an anguished artist. Munna, played by Prateik Babbar, is a dhobi who aspires to become an actor And the last but not the least is Yasmin, a young married Muslim girl, played by Kriti Malhotra, who makes video diaries.

Four of them belong to different professions, their ideology varies but their path collides at one point of time. Shai meets Arun in an exhibition and both fall for each other. The time period of their togetherness was very short; it was only a one night stand. The next morning, when he woke up, he blames excess drinking for the incident and left Shai.

Then one fine day, Shai happens to meet Munna, a dhobi but a wannabe actor. They make a strange relationship. Shai makes a portfolio of Munna and they happen to spend time together, go out together, watches movie. Both are happy at each other’s company. Munna had a feeling for Shai but she is ignorant about his feelings.

Another character that moved the movie forward is Yasmin. She was Arun’s tenant. When she left his house, she left her videos in the house which Aamir discovers. The rest of the films show how incidences make an imprint in one’s life and mind.

Kiran Rao and her cinematographer Tushar Kanti Ray has very well lifted the city of dreams, ‘Mumbai’, its night life, the rush, the traffic, the local trains, the time of festivity and everything for what Mumbai is basically known for. Gustavo Santaolalla's is convincing. Tushar Kanti Ray's cinematography is first rate.

Speaking about performances, Prateik Babbar has a bright future in the Indian film industry. His body language, dialogue delivery, expressions leaves a mark. He is too impressive. The debutantes Monica Dogra and Kriti Malhotra perform very naturally and deserve kudos. Last but not the least is the Aamir Khan. He is already carrying the tag of perfectionist and this time too his acting shows that he is excellent.

‘Dhobi Ghat’ is a step forward to bring the parallel cinema to the mainstream. As all new transition takes time, this type of films will also take their own suitable time to impress their audience. Good attempt from a debutante director, Kiran Rao.

Aamir to throw a grand bash for Imran-Avantika

Mamu Aamir Khan and Mami Kiran Rao are all set to throw a grand reception for newly married Imran Khan and Avantika Malik on February 5 at a Bandra hotel poolside.

Industries who’s who will be invited and Kiran and Aamir are personally inviting their guests and asked them to keep the particular date free. The invitation card states’ cocktail and dinner party’ with a request ‘blessings only’.

Aamir's spokesperson states, "It is going to be a grand, yet elegant event. Kiran is looking after the various aspects of the party especially the food and the decor.

The venue will be decorated with lots of flowers. The hotel is also opening a special entrance for the wedding guests."

After their wedding, Aamir announced a grand reception for Imran and Avantika but did not fix the date then as he was busy with ‘Dhobi Ghat’ promotions.

The guest list includes, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Amitabh Bachchan, The Ambanis, The Birlas, Sachin Tendulkar and several other members of the Indian cricket team.

Movie Review Dhobi Ghat

Film: ‘Dhobi Ghat’;

Cast: Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra, Kriti Malhotra;

Director: Kiran Rao; 

Rating: **** 1/2

Every year literally hundreds of thousands throng to the city of dreams, Mumbai. To cover so many dreams in a small span of an-hour-and-a-half calls for some brilliant filmmaking. And watching ‘Dhobi Ghat’ will make you realise that there indeed have been very few debuts as stunning as this one.

‘Dhobi Ghat’ is the story of five characters – Yasmin (Kirti Malhotra), Arun (Aamir Khan), Shai (Monica Dogra), Munna (Prateik Babbar) and the city of Mumbai. After a one night stand with Arun, who is a painter, Shai, an investment banker from America and an amateur photographer, obsesses over him, while her dhobi Munna pines for Shai.

Arun, meanwhile, discovers a few tapes in his flat from the previous tenant and, watching them, falls in love and find a muse in the woman who has made them – Yasmin. Each of the character is thus looking for something in one another, while the fifth character, Mumbai, simply stares blankly at them without comment or prejudice.

One of the best things about the film is its casting. Each of the actors complement the film, its director, and the city of Mumbai perfectly. Each is believable in his or her own garb. Prateik is bound to become the heartthrob of the generation, while Kirti Malhotra’s innocence has to be seen to be believed. Real life singer Monica brings out the uncertainty of her character beautifully.

The only one who is a little out of place, and hence the small sore point of the film is actor Aamir Khan. He begins shakily and is self conscious, unable as he is perhaps of shaking away two decades of Bollywood’s acting baggage. By the end of it though, he manages to get into the film’s rhythm and gives a believable performance.

It is hence not Kiran Rao’s luck that she got superstar husband Aamir to act in the film, but Aamir’s luck that he is in this film, which will go down in the history of cinema as one of the best character sketches of a city and its people. Very few people in the world have sketched any city with such tender love, care and affection. And to add to the lilting melody that is Mumbai in the film is composer Gustavo Santaolalla who gives a haunting background score.

Director Kiran Rao brilliantly manages to find a physical representation of Mumbai city, in the old woman who blankly stares at all the characters, but says nothing. The metaphor is simple but powerful – Mumbai is a dying, decaying city, but one that is definitely alive and watches over all.

And like the character of Arun who becomes a voyeur into the life of Yasmin, it is Kiran Rao that has played voyeur on the city of Mumbai.

Another good thing about the film is that nowhere does it slacken or lose pace. On the contrary, it unfolds almost like a mystery, like a rose bud, only to scintillate the senses in full bloom. It thus might become the low budget indie Indian film that will finally make money like big-budget Bollywood fare.

In the end though, that wouldn’t matter much to the audience who will find themselves somewhere in the film. Each one of the characters in the film is like Mumbai, and Mumbai is like each one of us who inhabit it.

IANS

‘Dhobi Ghat’ truly world cinema: Rahul Bose

New Delhi, Jan 18 – Indian actor Rahul Bose, known for his distinct choice of roles, can’t stop praising Kiran Rao’s directorial debut ‘Dhobi Ghat’ and says the movie provides a world-class feel.

‘Just saw ‘Dhobi Ghat’ at a private screening. Take a bow, Kiran Rao! It’s one of the finest Indian films I have ever seen. If we keep wondering which is that Indian film that truly qualifies as world cinema, then our search stops at ‘Dhobi Ghat’ – poignant, touching,’ Rahul posted on his Twitter page.

‘Dhobi Ghat’, produced by Aamir Khan Productions, is one of the highly anticipated films of the year. Releasing Friday, the movie stars Aamir and one-film old Prateik Babbar, apart from new talent like Kriti Malhotra and Monica Dogra.

With Mumbai as its backdrop, the film traces the lives of four people from different backgrounds who meet each other, and their lives change as they go through longing, loneliness, loss and love.

Rahul, who has worked in international projects and been to many film festivals abroad, also wrote: ”Dhobi Ghat’ has wonderful performances – prateik, monica, kriti & aamir shine with easy, true and layered work. Great editing and music too. (sic),’ he added. 

IANS

Kiran Roa reveals Aamir’s bathroom secret

Aamir Khan might be a perfectionist in his work but in certain activities, he is not perfect at all believes his wife Kiran Rao. Kiran reveals that one thing she dislikes about her husband is his bathing habits.

"The one thing that I don't like about him is the fact that he doesn't take a bath. And trust me when I say this, his bathing habits are not very regular," Kiran has been quoted as saying.

But Aamir is smart enough to defend himself, "I do take a bath when I go out for work. And considering most of the time I step out for work, I take a bath most of the time. It is only when I am not stepping out or when I am on a holiday that I don't take a bath."

Well, Aamir is a loving husband, hope he will not give any room to complain Kiran next time.