NICOLE KIDMAN's "GRACE OF MONACO" co-financed by YRF

Talk about the South of France and Cannes may be a hot topic at the moment due to the worldwide known Cannes festival 2012 but our attention was recently diverted by the news that the South of France will also be the "point of departure" for Nicole Kidman's Grace of Monaco. What does this have to do with Hindi cinema, a reader may ask. YRF Entertainment, a subsidiary of  Yash Raj Films studios in India is a company that focuses on the production of English language films abroad. The company will be participating in Kidman's endeavour in the executive production, script writing and financing/production departments. YRF Entertainment's CEO, Uday Chopra, has met with producer Pierre-Ange Le Pogam (ex co-founder of Europacorp and known for global films such as Colombiana) to organize the financial production of Grace of Monaco, which will be directed by Olivier Dahan (well known in France for La Vie En Rose starring Marion Cotillard).

Films having a mix of Indian and foreign crew and cast include Oscar nominated movies by Shekhar Kapur (Elizabeth and sequel Elizabeth : The Golden Age) or films such as Karma: Crime, Passion, Reincarnation. We are looking forward to see the successful collaboration of entertainment professionals from France, India and the USA in Dahan's film, which retraces the political life of Grace Kelly.

Keep updated about Grace of Monaco at IMDb

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MERA BROTHER KI DULHAN or BODYGUARD?

Both films pulled audiences to the ticketsale counters. Both offer solid and modern entertainment this autumn season.

Mere Brother ki Dulhan is a youthful and pacey tale of the search for the perfect modern day liberated bride, incarnated by Laila (Katrina Kaif) who lives to drink and have fun. It is utterly refreshing to see Katrina Kaif as a full-out rebel, even though her acting still requires developing her individual style more as she somehow often seems to emulate other successful actresses of yesterday and today... She is however very commendable in her role and, as a woman, I have to salute her for not being stick thin but still looking fresh and beautiful. Who wants to be size zero, I say indeed? 

The first half of the film will particularly keep the audience focused completely on this modern ladka-meets-ladki tale. Imran is the quintessential young Indian man who learns to appreciate and ends up falling head over heels for an independent and happy-go-lucky girl despite the fact he has actually found her to marry his own brother. The root of the story develops as a long vaudeville with plenty of topsy-turvy ups and downs, including out of the blue references to Chulbul Pandey, Dil Se, other Yash Raj signature films and even Madhubala. The supporting cast also contributes to lending the story its lightness. Ali Zafar tends to remind me of a young Shah Rukh Khan in almost every scene, from mannerisms to voice to comic timing! I therefore somehow do not find it surprising that Yash Raj would indeed support his style..

The second half of the film drags on in a few scenes but all this is forgivable given the good dose of entertainment, fun and seeing both Khan and Kaif together plus a pleasant soundtrack signed Sohail Sen.

Bodyguard is a story that has a different tone and Salman proves yet once again that he certainly can cater to his fan-base fantastically. 

 

 

A joke turns into a trepidating love story in which Kareena Kapoor is not only busy being majestically beautiful in every scene, but also delivers her role very well. From tears to guilt, from fear to love, her eyes convey just the right amount of feeling. 



This said, the man who steals the show is Salman Khan (Lovely Singh), allowing his voice inflexions and body language to flesh out his humble and modest character: a bodyguard  who is, yes, the usual strong nacho man who can fight the world and win, but also an honest man dedicated to his job. In several scenes, his character’s “purity” is disarming. The finesse with which he portrays his character makes him the most convincing I have seen him yet!

Bodyguard is the third remake of  a Malayalam film that goes by same name.I would recommend making a point of not missing these two entertainers, which both are bound to leave you with a pleasant smile. 

Follow Bodyguard on Facebook

Visit the Mere Brother Ki Dulhan website

Purchase the Bodyguard soundtrack

Purchase the MBKD soundtrack

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