From beginning to end Ramuji’s Mehbooba song is a smorgasbord mess of awful gansta hip hop, uninspiring techno, too many singers on the menu and there’s Amitabh’s voice talking in background that sounds totally discombobulated.

Amitabh talking in the backgroup I think pretty much says this film will be what I thought it would be - "style-over-substance".

Not just that but I couldn't stand Urmila's over-the-top 'performance' of "Mehbooba Mehbooba". They made it a point for her to mention the word "Sholay". But that stupid dance with Urmila and the other dancers bending backwards as if they want to offer themselves to the audience, is just embarassing to say the least. What are they trying to get across? And I'm not the type to complain about dancing that is vulgar, but from the promos it just looks terrible. If they were trying to make it sexy, I think they've done a bad job. "Stupid" would better describe that dance sequence. I think even Himesh and Malika did a better music video even though I hated that one too!

As for the film, maybe it's just me but it looks more like a Sanjay Gupta film than a Ram Gopal Varma film.

Holi song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1RkAbIBjzk

Very underwhelming...

Holi song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e1RkAbIBjzk

Very underwhelming...

Re-introducing RGV…

By: Pratim D. Gupta

We love to hate him these days. For reasons as varied as his recent on-screen outings to his off-screen quote martials. Now, with Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag releasing in a couple of weeks, we are long ready with our knives out. And the man knows it that if he flounders one more time the ready obits will be published with elan.

Well we have to wait till end-August to find out if RGV Ki Fire (it’s hopefully not Brokeback Mountain meets Deepa Mehta) backfires or sets screens on fire. Till then we will continue to slam the man for every little twist he turns into his script, from the cleavage drop of Mehbooba o mehbooba to the length of Thakur’s flapping kurta.

For some more food for thought on RGV, I am presenting this anthology of sorts. It’s a list of people he has introduced in this industry. What I started researching as a small box has indeed turned out to be an essay of sorts. It’s just the primary players in the cast and crew. I am sure that there will be a few glitches in the facts and a few additions here and there. Yes, all of them are most welcome.

I am no way defending RGV in any way or asking you to look at his immense contribution to moviedom. I am just laying out the facts. Yes, I was a big RGV fan ever since I saw Shiva (the first one that is) but recent films like Shiva (obviously the new one) have hurt my respect count for the man. But my hat’s always off to the maverick movie mogul who has unveiled creativity with every clapstick, allowed so many to achieve their big dream - their first film. Here it goes…

Shiva

Shankar Suri (Editor) – Also edited Raat and then after 14 years has edited a Telugu film called Rakhi (directed by Shiva assistant director Krishna Vamshi)

J.D. Chakravarthi (Actor) – Played the college mastaan, goes on to play the title role in Satya and then directs three duds — Durga, Darna Zaroori Hai (one episode) and Darwaza Bandh Rakho

Raat

Mani Sharma (Composer) – Goes on to become a popular music director down south and is still a bankable name with hit soundtracks of Pokiri and Stalin.\

Teja (Cinematographer) – Goes on to shoot Bollywood masala movies like Shastra, Rakshak and Krishna (why all Suniel Shetty starrers?)

Rangeela

Sanjay Chhel (Dialogues) – He did Pehla Nasha but Rangeela was his real break. Goes on to write fun dialogues for Yes Boss and Daud and then flounders as director with Khoobsurat and Kya Dil Ne Kaha. Back in business as the dialogue writer of Partner. Last heard, was planning to direct again

Neeraj Vora (Dialogues) – Goes on to write dialogues for many Bollywood movies like Baadshah and Hera Pheri before becoming the Hindi representative and constant collaborator of Priyadarshan. As director, Khiladi 420 flopped, Phir Hera Pheri a huge box office success. No one can forget him as Chako, jiska maa ek bahut bade shikari the

Shefali Shah (Actor) – Does a cameo as a typical Bollywood heroine, goes on to play crucial roles in Satya and Monsoon Wedding. Is a knockout as Kasturba in Gandhi My Father. Awaiting Rituparno Ghosh’s The Last Lear

Nivas (Editor) – Never edited another film. Directed Telugu films like Second Hand

H Sridhar (Sound department) – Goes on to become a pioneer in every aspect of sound. Separated from RGV after Mast. Has worked with everyone from Mani Ratnam to Ashutosh Gowariker

Daud

Manoj Bajpai (Actor) – Since Bandit Queen was banned, this was his first proper release having had a cameo in Drohkaal. Goes on to play Bhiku Mathre in Satya, continues his association with RGV in Kaun? and Shool, and then struggles to get a hit despite doing dozens of mainstream Bollywood stuff. Formally announces his split with RGV and switches to more meaningful cinema with 1971 and The Whisperers

Rasool Ellore (Cinematographer) – First major break after shooting a couple of Telugu films for RGV. Never works with RGV again, goes on to shoot Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya

Bhanodaya (Editor) – Goes on to edit Satya and Kaun. Has also edited the unreleased Shock

Satya

Anurag Kashyap (Writer) – Goes on to write Kaun and Shool for RGV before writing for many directors like Mani Ratnam and Deepa Mehta. Even though his directorial debut Paanch never got a theatrical release, he is billed as the next big thing in the Indian movie industry only from private screenings and pirated viewings. Black Friday officially proves that. Awaiting the release of No Smoking

Saurabh Shukla (Writer) – Goes on to write important films like Dil Pe Mat Le Yaar and Raghu Romeo. His own directorial ventures Mudda and Chehraa have a no-show. The man, better known as Kallu Mama, continues to act and write

Sushant Singh (Actor) – Gets an innocuous role where he slashed on his cheek. Goes on to play one of the three characters in Kaun? before doing Veerappan in Jungle. Said to have given Sambha a new meaning in RGV’s version of Sholay

Sandeep Chowtha (Composer) – Did have a couple of releases before but this was a long-lasting association. Goes on to score music for Shool, Mast, Jungle and Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya. Separated from RGV post-Road

Snehal Dabi (Actor) - Goes on to do brilliant cameos in many RGV and non-RGV movies… especially the fake producer in Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega

Mazhar Kamran (Cinematographer) – Also shoots Kaun. Then separates from RGV. Goes on to shoot Jhankaar Beats

Apurva Asrani (Editor) – As Bhanodaya’s co-editor. Also edits Snip, Om Jai Jagadish and Chhal before directing Out of Control for Vashu Bhagnani with Playboy Playmate Brande Rodericks

Kaun?
No one new!

Mast

Aftab Shivdasani – Launched as a male lead. Finds success in Kasoor but since then has disappointed both loyalists RGV and Vikram Bhatt

Rajpal Yadav (Actor) – Cast as a café boy, given more and more footage in Shool and Jungle. Goes on to emerge as one of the most bankable comedians in Bollywood but continues association with RGV. To appear as Soorma Bhopali in RGV’s Fire

Antara Mali (Actor) – Had a crush on Aftab little knowing one day she will swap gender with him in Mr Ya Miss. Goes on to become RGV’s new davaai for leg-fetish with movies like Company, Road, Gayab and Naach. Last heard she no longer wanted to be Madhuri Dixit

Chandan Arora (Editor) – Goes on to edit Company, Pyar Tune Kya Kiya and Road for RGV. Both directorial efforts – Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Main, Meri Patni Aur Woh receive great acclaim from the few who go to watch it

Vinod Ranganathan (Writer) – Interestingly he acted in Govind Nihalani’s Drishti. Also wrote Ken Ghosh’s Ishq Vishk

Ramesh Katkar (Writer) – Hasn’t written anything else for anyone. Has written and directed the yet-to-be-released multistarrer Rokda

Nitin Raikwar (Lyricist) – Brought in for the conversational lyrics, goes on to compose and even sing for movies like D and James

Jungle

Jaideep Sahni (Writer) – Also writes Company for RGV before separation. Have hence written Khosla Ka Ghosla before moving on to the Yash Raj camp with Bunty Aur Babli and now Chak De India

Vijay Raaz (Actor) – Did have a role in Bhopal Express but his eyes were first noticed in the interrogation scene in Jungle. Does Company and Road with RGV before finding international success with Monsoon Wedding and Raghu Romeo

Dwarak Warrier (Sound designer) – Does breakthrough work in Company and Bhoot. Last worked in Naach for RGV

Shool

E. Nivas (Director) – Great debut but somewhere loses the way with the Fargo copy Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega, Dum and Bardaasht. Awaiting De Taali and My Name is Anthony Gonzalves

Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya

Rajat Mukherjee (Director) – Turned Fatal Attraction into the RGV brand of sex-and-slash movie, also made Road for him before thinking of making Sonu Nigam an actor with Love in Nepal

Love Ke Liye Kuch Bhi Karega
Venkat R. Prasad (Cinematographer) – Also shot a Telugu film called Bobby

Rajnish Thakur (Writer) – Goes on to write Road and Darna Mana Hai. Directed Amar Joshi Shahid Ho Gaya with Shayan Munshi which is yet to release

Company

Viveik Oberoi (Actor) – Makes a great debut as Chandu Nagre, then follows it up with Road and Saathiya before digging his own grave. Separated from RGV post Darna Mana Hai

Hemant Chaturvedi (Cinematographer) – Never works with RGV again but goes on to shoot Makdee and Maqbool for Vishal Bhardwaj

Road

Koena Mitra (Actor) – Item girl with Khullam Khulla, got promoted with time to a heroine. RGV never worked with her again

Sudeep Chatterjee (Cinematographer) – Goes on to break many new grounds with films like Iqbal, Kaalpurush, Dor and now Chak De India. Separated at birth from RGV

Bhoot

Shimit Amin (Editor) – Goes on to direct Ab Tak Chhappan, has to abort Veerappan film with RGV, crosses sides and is now ready with Chak De India

Vishal Sinha (Cinematographer) – Also shot Darna Mana Hai and Ab Tak Chhappan for RGV and then worked on Kalpana Lajmi’s Chingaari

Peeya Roy Chowdhury (Actor) – Also does Darna Mana Hai and Vaastu Shastra with RGV. Comes of age in The Bong Connection

Darna Mana Hai

Prawal Raman (Director) – Mixed reaction to this six-in-one slasher film meant he only got to direct one episode in the sequel. Also directed the Mr India rehash Gayab for RGV

Atul Sabharwal (Writer) – Goes on to write Phir Milenge and My Wife’s Murder

Nipun Gupta (Editor) – Still with RGV, he’s cut most of recent works including Sarkar and Nishabd

Amit Parmar (Editor) – Works in tandem with Nipun, has spliced the same movies

Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon

No one new!

Ek Hasina Thi

Sriram Raghavan (Director) – Despite making a humdinger of a debut, doesn’t get a release for the next three years thanks to Jhamu Sugandh. Ready with Johnny Gaddaar (now where have we heard that before) and slated to make Agent Vinod with Saif as producer-actor

Pooja Ladha Surti (Writer) – Also wrote Naach for RGV

Ab Tak Chhappan

Nakul Vaid (Actor) – Has an important role in Goutam Ghose’s Yatra

Sandeep Srivastava (Writer) – Written dialogues of Kabul Express

Gayab

No one new!

Vaastu Shastra

Sourabh Usha Narang (Director) – TV vet makes his debut and is right now, as you read, scripting another film

Zakir Hussain (Actor) – NSD graduate who got more and more meat in his roles. Last did Darwaza Bandh Rakho with RGV. One of the paanch in Johnny Gaddaar

Sachin K. Krishn (Cinematographer) – Also shot Blue Umbrella, (Onir’s) Bas Ek Pal and Just Married

Charu Dutt Acharya (Writer) – Hasn’t written any other movie yet

Naach

Kiran Reddy (Cinematographer) – Shot Darna Zaroor Hai as well

Musharraf Ali Khan (Writer) – Hasn’t written any other movie yet

Sulekha Bajpai (Writer) – Wrote the new Jai Santoshi Maa

D

Randeep Hooda (Actor) – Touted as the biggest RGV find he is quickly sidelined after another RGV spat

Vishram Sawant (Director) – Made this movie, split with D and then almost made it all over again with Risk

Manish Gupta (Writer) – Wrote most of RGV’s recent flicks and even directed an episode in Darna Zaroori Hai

Sarkar

Nisha Kothari (Actor) – Does a cameo before going on to be the new RGV girl with James. Is the new Basanti aka Ghungroo in RGV’s Fire

My Wife’s Murder

Jijy Phillip (Director) – Also directed an episode of Darna Zaroori Hai

Mr Ya Miss

Satchit Puranik (Writer) - Hasn’t written any other movie yet

Vivek Shah (Editor) – Also directed an episode of Darna Zaroori Hai

Samir Sarkar (Cinematographer) – Is more adept as a still photographer, assisted Rajeev Menon on Guru

Darna Zaroori Hai

Sajid Khan (Director) – Made the prologue as homework for Heyy Babyy

James

Rohit Jugraj (Director) – Public spat with RGV post-release which gave birth to Shiva 2, which in reality was James 2. Very confusing! He is now making another film with Kunal Khemu

Mohit Ahlawat (Actor) – Mr Muscles was RGV’s replacement for Manoj and Viveik but the honeymoon didn’t last long and he was unceremoniously dropped from RGV’s
Sholay

Amal Neerad (Cinematographer) – Went on to make a Malayalam film with Mammootty called Big B after shooting Shiva

Shiva
No one new!

Darwaza Bandh Rakho
No one new!

Nishabd

Jiah Khan (Actor) – RGV’s Lolita has split with him and is doing a Carrie-Anne Moss in Aamir Khan’s Hindi remake of Ghajini

Finally I think the magic of RGV lies not in what he is making but how he is making them. The strength of the man lies in working with an Amar Mohile when AR Rahman and Vishal Bhardwaj are ready to score his films, to survive without a Shah Rukh Khan or a Salman Khan, to remake Sholay without the consent of the original makers. That’s Aag man, the spark of which so many people have felt…

I, for one, will be watching this one opening weekend.

Never was much of a fan of the original movie, and though the title for RGV's interpretation is very b-grade, I'm hoping he will return to his glory days of directing with Aag, Sarkar Raj and Darling. (Nishabd was too morbid and depressing for a love story, despite a very confident Jiah. And Shiva was just plain embarassing.)