you continue to return to how sholay was “loved by the masses” as your only criterion for considering ‘sholay’ a classic

as far as my criteria - the two factors I mentioned, creativity and excellence, are not imo the 2 sole factors in determining a classic but definitely 2 important factors which sholay clearly lacks

and I thought you would agree, at least, that a film should achieve excellence in some regard in order to be considered a classic ie. a film that goes beyond clichéd one dimensional character types/performances and incorporates complex/multi faceted subject matter etc… though apparently I thought wrong..

anywayyyyyyyyyyyyy

larger version of poster from indiafm.com

Just the over-all green tone makes it look like an "Indian Matrix." I think we can prepare ourselves for "bullet-time galore."

Yes Commando303, the green does hint at Desi Matrix but I don't think Farhan Akhtar would lean that way. The Matrix (or at least its stunts) have been beaten to death over and over again (sometimes whole scenes exactly). I still think Bollywood has yet to 'conquer' the James Bond world. It would be cool to see if that's what it is. So until new insight, I stand with Bollywood Bond. Let the discussion begin. I also have wondered why is the 'D' on the poster green and not visible as the 'ON' are.

Though I have read that Farhan Akhtar intends to throw in "plenty of gadgets" (whick have come to be a bit of a staple in the "James Bond" films), I somehow don't imagine that the film will otherwise very much echo the immensley popular "Bond" film series. India actually did try its hand at "Bond," back during the 1980s, with Rameh Sippy's Amitabh-Bachchan/Shashi-Kapoor/Parveen-Babi-starrer, Shaan. Though I rather liked it (it wasn't "phenomenal" or anything, but was rather enjoyable), I recall that the movie wasn't the "huge success" (i.e., financially) that it might have been. Barring the "solo-hero," Shaan incorporated much of what is identified with "Bond": a flashy opening song intro.; a megalomaniacal, shaven-headed "super-villain" (really, "Shaakal" couldn't have been more reminiscient of some of the incarnations of S.P.E.C.T.R.E.-leader, "Ernst Stavro Blofield"); a villain-lair that opened into an under-water death chamber (crocodiles rather than piranha, though); and an over-all tone very much like that of a Moore/Connery "Bond outing." Now that even EON seems to be going another way with the series, I don't know how appropriate it would be for India to try to again jump on the "classic Bond" band-wagon. I guess only time will tell what Akhtar has in store for us.

*Just as a fan of the original, though, I do feel it's sacrilege to re-do "Yeh Mera Dil" AND "Khaike Paan Banaras Wala" — !

Prior to Shaan there was a James Bond type of film called Farz in 1967 starring Jeetendra and Babita. The songs were really good from the movie but I can't remember much about the plot aside from Jeetendra is a secret agent.

Wow, I just really can't see Jeetendra as anything "suave or cool." He was/is an all right actor, but I just don't see him embodying the "James Bond" type of persona. Further, if the film is from 1967, then he must have been following the "Sean Connery" model of James Bond (and his film that of Connery's Bond films), and I really don't see Jeetendra pulling off that type of portrayal.

i think i remember hint of the film, don't remember much
is this the film where jeetendra is tortured, his nail getting clipped off, his whole family tears apart b/c he is on an assignment, encounters his sister as a dancing girls to support family while he is among the bad guys as a secret agent
i know that i liked that film alot, it was very good, i had thought

or
am i thinking of a totally different film

If I'm not wrong, the film you're thinking of is Meri Awaaz Suno, an 80s film with Hema Malini as well. I haven't seen the film in years, but the nail thing sounds familiar!!

A bit more about Farz ...

* Initially, Babita had been utterly dismayed by this spy thriller, a nickel imitation of James Goldfinger Bond. When released, Farz proved to be a slow starter but raced to the jubilee post thereafter.

* With Farz, Jeetendra and Babita heralded a style of dancing that was a forerunner to the modern-day aerobics.

* Around the jubilee week, the censors scissored off a portion of the song, Hum to tere ashiq hain. After a lot of public hue and cry, the song was reinstated and gave the film a lease of an additional 25 weeks!

http://www.rediff.com/movies/2003/aug/23dinesh.htm

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"Farz" was a huge blockbuster film when it was released in India. It was an action adventure film with a James Bond style hero, played by newcomer Jeetendra. The film was innovative and modern for its time and one has to remember when watching the film that this is India circa 1967. The James Bond secret agent hero uses (as any secret agent would) all types of gadgets such as, direct line telephones that don't need an dispatch operator to make the connection, CB radios, wristwatches to tell time, bombs with timers, all kinds of super high tech stuff. Yes this was low tech India circa 1967. The film is incredibly dated and stands as a time capsule to how India viewed technological advancement in the mid 1960s.

Besides all the James Bond gadget action, "Farz" starred two actors who's careers were bolstered by the film's golden jubilee (50 week theatrical run) success. They were Babita and Jeetendra. As the ultra suave hero Jeetendra created a sensation with his athletic dancing, and he truly deserved his "Jumping Jack" title for the songs he does in the movie.

http://bollywood501.com/movies/01_03/1Farz02.html

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Some stills:
http://bollywood501.com/classic_f/babita/htm/index.html

Posters:
http://www.thehotspotonline.com/eyecandy/60s/036b.JPG
http://www.thehotspotonline.com/eyecandy/60s/048b.JPG

This looks like the opportunity for Farhan to redeem himself.

http://www.newkerala.com/news2.php?acti ... s&id=57782

Its been a long while since I hoped a movie would flop miserably ! (The last time being..."Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon" ( a REMAKE of ChitCHor ) )

Now its the time to jinx this film also.. I really cant imagine Isha Koppikar as Helen, singing Yeh Mera Dil Yaar Ka Deewana !!!
Neither, can I imagine, Arjun Ramphal essaying Pran's role !! (Yuck Yuck and Yuck)....

As for Shahrukh...He is better off doing roles in Yashraj Films and Karan Johar Films....

Don-2006 R.I.P !!!

BTW..Farz was a copycat of Dr. No and not Goldfinger !

Shan's villain was modeled on Blofeld in Thunderball !!

Actually I think Kareena Kapoor is slated to play Helen's part and thus she will be doing that song.

Sknath, I think I'm with you on this one. I don't know what precisely it is, but it seems just about all of us hate seeing a film we love, get "re-made." Honestly, I think we can all agree that everything draws inspiration from somewhere, but when we're told "this film shall be a re-make of this film," we think of it in a different way. I might have been much more keen to see Farhan Akhtar's upcoming "action entertainer," had it not been so frequently cited as a "Don-re-make" (a different title couldn't have hurt, either).

I remember 2004's Deewaar. The worst thing about the (rather good) movie, was its nostalgic title.

Honest to god, puhleezzz! I can’t stand that fat face Kareena, for a young person she could act mama roles and if you ask me, I’d rather see an older actress with a slim face and figure who looks hot like Tabu, Sushmitra, or Raveena to star as Helen in this film instead of Poo Kareena who can’t act anywayz imo.