[Rant/News] Diwali Mela 2007 (Saanwariya vs OSO and South releases]

November 9th can't come soon enough.

With just about a week left-over till D-Day (D being the Diwali Day), both Sony Pictures and Eros International aren't leaving any stone unturned. From televised promos to fashion shows to press meets to guest appearances and news channels. Yes folks, I'm talking
about the forthcoming biggies: "Saawariya" [Sanjay Leela Bhansali] taking on Om Shanti Om [Farah Khan].

The latter's film comprises of Shah Rukh "King" Khan, Shreyas Talpade and newcomer Deepika while Bhansali's magnus opus consists of the next generation of kapoors, Randhir and Sonam. Already both films have become the rage and talk of the towns as recent releases (ala pre-diwali films) have been nothing short of but flops. The onlyexception to this is Priyadarshan's "Bhool Bhulaiyaa", which is declared "Super-hit" and still running packed [A remake of Malayalam classic, "MANICHITHRANAZHU".] Reasons for the flops? Blame the "Clash of the Titans" of course!

If I had to choose over a film, I definetely go for Om Shanti Om and here's why. Before you folks decide to go and brand me as an "SRK fan follower" or "SRK fan" what so ever, let me explain. Om Shanti Om has all the makings of a blockbuster. If memory serves backto 2004, when her debut film "Main Hoon Na" released, it was filled with speculation and doubt because people didn't believe that Farah had it all to become a director. Yet her film was declared one of the biggest hits of that year and people were waiting for what Farah hadin store. In Om Shanti Om, the story retells about Reincarnation. The closest thing to what we got to reincarnation was Salman's "Hello Brother" and Arjun Rampal's "Moksha" to which both were disasters in that subject. However, Farah has a theme to the 70s and the promos and trailers looks damn impressive. All she has left is to decide how the audience takes it. Secondly is the music. Vishal-Shekhar have earned a big niche for themselves in Bollywood today (they were also music mentors for Zee Tv's SA RE GA MA PA Challenge 2007.) With hits of SALAAM NAMASTE, TAXI 9211 and JHANKAAR BEATS behind them, the duo-composers have successfully earned themselves a musical hit with Om Shanti Om. Songs like "Ajab Si" and "Main Agar Kahoon" are still playing in local stores and cd players while popular charbusters like "Dard E Disco" and "Deewangi" are fast dance numbers and popular among the public
post their music release.

If you remember last year, SRK had DON ( a modern remake of the Amitabh Bachchan starrer) while Salman had JAANEMANN (Shirish Kunder's debut, Farah Khan's husband) pitted together in October 2006. The former had been declared a blockbuster while the latter ended up becoming critically acclaimed but a commercial dud. So really, SRK has the market of making any of his film a hit at the Box Office (Chak De India is a prominent example of this.)

Now let's talk Saawariya. It's a Bhansali film so you expect big production values and glittering humongous sets and whatnot. Recently, he's been faltering somewhere along the line. If you guessed music, you're absolutely right! The Saawariya music was released withgreat fanfare but in terms of public opinion is really...mixed. Barring "Jab se tera" and the title track, the album is nothing really special. It's more or less below average. I distinctly remember the
days when he and Ismail Darbar were an item. They gave us the classic"Hum Dil De Ke Chupke Sanam" and his version of "Devdas." Numbers like "Aankhon Ki", "Dholna Re", and "Dhol Baaje" are still legendary to the public's ears to this very day. By the time the split had spread word,
people were in disappointment that the classic we all loved was now defunct. His last flick, Black [A remake of MIRACLE WORKER] managed to flop at box office but no one really cared about that MD of his. Monty Sharma, an unknown name to all, can't really get his notes right. The
rest of the album is a pass muster and there's no repeat value in them in comparison to Om Shanti Om.

As far as story goes, it's taken from an Italian film classic. Debutants Randhir and Sonam make look fresh and energetic in the promos, but the story looks like a typical Muslim - Hindu tale. We were dragged into one called "Veer-Zaara" 2 Diwali's ago and now it seems to be the case again. However, rumors are agog that it's a tale of Randhir's character who observes muslim Sonam, who awaits her lover, Salman by that infamous bridge you see in those damn promos. Rani as the prostitute observes Randhir and gets that "feeling" going on and whatnot. Knowing Bhansali inspired route, this is LIKELY the case. The big question is: Will the debutant Kapoors live up to their household names? Will Bhansali score another hattrick?

Down South, Kollywood's (Tamil Cinema) awaiting Ilayathalapathy Vijay's forthcoming film "Azhagiya Thamizh Magan" (Handsome Tamilian.) Already the songs tuned by Mozart of Madras, A.R Rahman are a hit with the crowd with numbers of "Ellappugham", "Nee Marlyin Monroe" and "Kelamal". However the suprise packet is the "Ponmagal" remix from the old film, "Sorgam" [Starring the late Sivaji Ganesan.] The film also stars Sivaji fame "Shriya", Namitha, and "Lollu Sabha's" Santhanam. It's said to be a non-remake so let's hope actor Vijay gets it right this time after the critically panned Pokkiri. Also releasing this Diwali is Priya V's [KANDA NAAL MUDHAL fame] film, Kannammochi Yennada. Starring Prithviraj and yesteryear actor Satyaraj, it's another breezy entertainer from the helm of a former Mani Ratnam assistant. The music by Yuvan Shankar Raja have already already become chartbusters. Other major releases down South include MAACHAKARAN [Jeevan (Thirrtu Payale fame)], POLLADHAVAN [Dhanush] and the possiblity of VEL [Surya]. Again, nothing spectacular compared to last year's VARALAARU but ATM and KY should be big starrers while the rest depend on audience's taste.