Entertainment News and Events

By movietalkies Wednesday Dec 24

Article News Source

SRK's Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi hasn't really opened to an overall bumper response, but it is gradually picking up. Carrying mixed reports, the film has managed to attach a 'good opening' tag solely because of weekend collections. It had a slow opening on Friday in Mumbai but the collections went on to improve later. With a slight slump in the collections happening today it remains to be seen whether the film will achieve the same amount of success, which SRK-Aditya Chopra got with their two films, DDLJ and Mohabbatein.

BO collections

Rab Ne... managed to collect Rs 7.5 crore net collections on day-one, with business ranging from good to very good in centers like Punjab, Delhi/NCR, Punjab and Mysore. In Punjab circuit alone the collections were Rs 75 lakh, making the film second best grosser of 2008 after Singh Is Kinng.

In the Mumbai-Thane circuit the film opened in 94 cinemas and while it started at 60% on Friday first show, but the collections saw a rise in the weekend. The centers where the film has opened low are Bihar, CP Berar, CI and Rajasthan circuits.

The opening weekend collections for RNBDJ have been as follows, PVR-70%, Fame-60%, G-7 – 85% and Adlabs 75-85%.

Will Rab Ne... be another DDLJ?

A senior trade analyst tells us, "The budget of RNBDJ seems to be in the range of Rs 18-20 crore. Looking at its opening trends, it seems set to garner at least Rs 20 crore in India alone and between Rs 16-18 crore from the overseas. Music sales may earn Yash Raj Rs. 5 crore. The satellite rights will get the film anywhere between Rs. 13-15 crore. So in total the film will do business of at least Rs. 58-60 crore which doesn't seem bad at all."

Trade Analyst Amod Mehra says, "The film didn't get an opening befitting a well anticipated SRK film. But the collections did improve considerably for the weekend. If the length is reworked then there are chances for the film to do better."

Manoj Desai of G-7 tells us, "Today on Monday the matinee show collections have fallen drastically. The film opened well at our multiplex but the audience response while coming out of the cinema screens is not so encouraging. Not many seem to have enjoyed the film. Flaws such as the film being too lengthy or the illogical situation of SRK's own wife in the film not recognising him in another avatar when even a small kid in the cinema hall can, are going against it."

By Abhijit Mhamunkar . Buzz18 Dec 15, 2008

The music of Chandni Chowk to China is completely irreverent, delightfully cheeky, and a whole lot of fun. It pays tribute to our abiding love for everything Chinese. And it challenges certain musical conventions, what with its curious mix of composers, Shankar Ehsaan Loy, Kailash Naresh Paresh, Bappi Lahiri and Bohemia.

To listen to the Chandni Chowk To China songs CLICK HERE

The first track S.I.D.H.U. simply explodes on your senses. The qawwali-style song by Kailash Paresh Naresh and sung by Kailash Kher, begins with a phrase that goes: "Bade Bade Bade Bade…" almost in a loop. The comic anticipation is heightened by the way Kher renders the phrase, before finally telling you what the heck he means by "Bade Bade." "O Sapney Dekhe Bade Bade," Kher continues, and you can almost see the wicked glint in his eyes. Slapstick songwriting I guess, but it works. Especially when you visualise a completely OTT Akshay Kumar prancing around to the tune.

The song is well arranged, with only Indian instruments - dholak, harmonium, sitar (and not the electronic sitar/zitar as seems the trend these days) and bulbul tara - played by some obviously competent musicians. That coupled with Kher's earnest singing introduces you to Sidhu, the protagonist. And one could not perhaps have asked for a more fun and musically robust introduction.

Up next is the title track: Chandni Chowk to China, (Shankar Ehsaan Loy) performed by Neeraj Sridhar of Bombay Vikings, Anushka Manchanda and Shankar Mahadevan. In food parlance, this song could be best described as Chilli Paneer or Schezwan Paratha. SEL, mix tangy Chinese folk riffs and vocal samples with crunchy Indian folk, adding a dash of pop for a super fusion dish. A word here for Anushka Manchanda, whose voice lends itself beautifully to breezy, funky, jazzy and dance numbers. A domain strictly monopolised by Sunidhi Chauhan all this while. Once again, the lyrics shine in all their nonsensical glory, making it a complete value for money composition.

India Se Aya Mera Dost has a surprise by way of famous percussionist Taufiq Qureshi (wonder why is his name spelt so strangely on the CD sleeve), who lets go on the drums and vocals. A powerful drum intro flows into the opening bars of the old hit, Bombay Se Aya Mera Dost. Originally composed by Bappi Lahiri for the film Aap Ki Khatir, this was for a long time THE song at drunken revelries . The new version features Bappi and his son Bappa, Bombay becomes India, while Qureshi's electrifying body and vocal percussions give it an interesting Afro-Indian feel. Bappida is no singer, but an entertainer. And you will easily forgive his singing or his unapologetic Bengali accent and tend to go with his passion. This song is indeed a crazy mix of styles and genres that makes it a great party number.

By Chandrima Pal . Buzz18 Dec 09, 2008

Article News Source: