Isn’t it tricky what you should wear when you go shopping? I was headed to the Tommy Hilfiger store in Mumbai to review their spring/summer collection and hopefully, make an addition to my wardrobe.
What I wore: Flower Pot Printed Dress – Chemistry | Clutch – BlackCurrent at Bliss | Shoes – Platinum Mall, Bangkok
Posing in a striped dress at Tommy Hilfiger
What I tried: I put together three different looks so you get a feel and idea of the range.
First up, it was a blue and white dress with piping on the neckline and a waist belt to match. I loved the casual avatar. The fabric is perfect for the summers, the striped pattern is classic and the silhouette comfortable. And you don’t need to break the bank to own it, it’s aptly priced.
I was delighted to receive this gift hamper from Parachute Advansed Body Lotion. The packaging really won me over. The gift box contained a sample of the Parachute Advansed Body Lotion for Dry Skin, an All Season Parachute Advansed Body Lotion, some chocolates, fragrant candles and a CD with romantic hits for the ages. It sure is one way to pamper a girl. Continue reading →
No One Killed Jessica has undoubtedly been an awaited film. The subject is intriguing, the trailer is promising and the song doesn’t leave your head!
Release Date: 7th Jan 2011 Director: Raj Kumar Gupta Cast: Vidya Balan, Rani Mukerji Producer: Ronnie Screwvala (UTV Motion Pictures)
During the period of 1999 – 2006, every time one opened the newspapers in India, s/he came across a snippet carrying news of the Jessica Lall murder case. As time passed by, the articles became confusing and the development convoluted. The result was a general drop in interest rate among citizens. In 2006, the verdict was out and the accused Manu Sharma was let free.
The film, No One Killed Jessica attempts to make a cinematic representation of the events surrounding this hi-profile case and trace the journey of these characters. We can now safely say it succeeds.
In the introductory titles, Rani Mukerji’s voice-over describes the administrative capital of the country, Delhi and importance and abuse of power in the city. One can’t even avail an application to a government office without influence, she states.
As an audience, you witness a model bartender being shot, her sister pursuing the murder case, trials and tribulations that ensue and the final court hearing. And despite knowing what you see to be the truth, you can’t do nothing. Raj Kumar Gupta, director, screenplay and dialogue writer establishes this predicament beautifully. Thousands of informed citizens, 300 witnesses, 7 willing to testify and yet, no one could send Manu Sharma to jail.
Vidya Balan delivers a stellar performance as Jessica Lall’s sister, Sabrina Lall. You choke when she gasps for the first time on hearing of her sister’s injury. While her journey proceeds, your emotions are wrung too. Eventually, you can’t help but well up with tears on watching her break down. It has to be one of the finest roles she has essayed.
Taking the performance a notch higher is the interaction between Vidya Balan and Rani Mukerji. Their scene has to be the one with the most impact. At that point in the film, Meera (Rani Mukerji) delivers a necessary paradigm shift. The audience and Sabrina (a central character) is made to realize that the events so far haven’t been a personal battle, instead, they have been a fight for justice. Following closely is a flashback scene of Jessica that couldn’t have been more aptly timed. Watch out for it.
Rani Mukerji is back with a bang, ladies and gentlemen. She pulls off with gusto an adamant character, a modern day journalist who won’t stop for nothing. She is the show stealer adding the required charm and literally lighting up the screen with her acting chops.
As is already made clear in one of the title slides, the content is influenced by several media reports and articles. A special thanks has been delivered to Tehelka who performed the sting on important witnesses. However, of most importance here is the script that brings together all the available facts and fictionalises what is necessary. The presentation is not that of a docu-drama. It is, instead a cinematic episode that unfolds with passion and vigour. You will appreciate the emphatic presentation of a series of events you were merely acquainted with.
Presenting Dhruvi’s short review service (SRS).
Because reviews should be easily forward-able.
Dabangg
Release Date: 10th September 2010 Director: Abhinav Singh Kashyap Producers: Arbaaz Khan, Malaika Arora Khan, Dhillin Mehta Cast: Salman Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Arbaaz Khan, Sonu Sood, Vinod Khanna
Dabangg Ho! Salman Khan has started a revolution.
While he kicks down a door in the film, cinema hall doors are opening everywhere to packed audiences. When he dances and adjusts his waist belt, travelling folk are rushing out of their seat belts to watch Dabangg. And when his shirt rips open & flies off, there is deafening hooting, clapping and whistling. This is what we call a star’s mass appeal in India.
The film is a classic example of an entertainer, star power, masala magic, catchy music & blockbuster action. The story doesn’t matter, it is the experience that counts. Fans go crazy and non-believers enjoy themselves.
Salman rides Dabangg on his shoulders & Sonakshi Sinha makes a confident debut. Unke mast mast do nain hamare dil ka le gaye chain. Abhinav Kashyap is surely a director most will envy. Go watch it because you surely won’t be able to contain the excitement any longer.
- Dhruvi Shah
Have you taken the SRS polls yet? Let me know when you do!
And of course, send in your opinions of Dabangg! Enjoy!
Release Date: 27th August 2010 Director: Nagesh Kukunoor Cast: John Abraham, Sonal Sehgal, Farida Jalal, Girish Karnad and Anahita Nair
Aashayein
The lesser said about this film, the better it is to keep everyone’s hopes and dreams in films alive.
As is always the case, the plot is convoluted. Rahul Sharma (John Abraham) wins Rs 3 crores in betting all of his and his girlfriend, Nafisa’s (Sonal Sehgal) money. His life plan is simple. He wishes to spend all the money while rich and retire at an early age to ‘The Last Resort’. The only glitch is the discovery of his lung cancer. Refusing to undergo treatment, he decides the live his impending 3 months the way he wishes. He discovers ‘a shelter for hope’ through fate. He leaves behind half of his money for Nafisa and bribes his way into the hospice. Where he meets Padma (Anahita Nair). The annoying 17 yr old collaborates with him to start the wish fairy club. In the process, Rahul shares his dream of an Indiana Jones like adventure. And after all is said and done, he embarks on his adventure to the last resort.
One wonders what the genre of the film is. There are elements of a love story, a fantasy adventure and a morose tragedy.
Other than Rahul’s character, all the characters in the hospice are strange and dimwitted. Their quirks are plain and simple agitating. One fellow (Girish Karnad) who had to have his larynx removed, finds pleasure in smoking out of an artificial larynx replacement. Another woman (Farida Jalal) claims, “Main vaishya hoon” (I am a prostitute). And retorts to a query, “Hum normal logon ke tarah hi hote hain.” (We are just like normal people) Seriously? Of course, the most eccentric of them is Padma, who is introduced screaming, ‘Bastards!’ (Reminds one of Kangna Ranaut in Fashion). Her dying wish is to be made love to by Rahul.
Other than a really weird screenplay that provokes laughter at all the wrong places, there is little the film has to offer.
Indiana Jones | John Abraham
Perhaps, the best lesson one could learn is how to dress like Indiana Jones.
Wouldn’t it be fun to show up at a film screening dressed in this DIY ensemble?
I also found some cool toys on the web.
Indiana Jones toy
Talking Indiana Jones figure
The available toys have been reviewed in detail here
This was fun. At a friends’ place, we aired our grievances about the film and had a good laugh. Please do share your views on Aashayein and Indiana Jones’ ensembles and toys in the comments section.
Alice is now off for another adventure in Wonderland. Until then, keep smiling.
