Kangna Ranaut finds herself scary

After Fashion, Kangna Ranaut is basking in the glory of Raaz 2. We met her at the success party of the film and instead of singing praises of her character, the actress revealed how she got scared of herself in the film!

I don’t want to play a ghost for the next five years atleast. I’ll get scared of myself if I do! Some scenes are so horrifying that I got cramps in my stomach while watching those,” she stated. So don’t treat Kangs for a horror flick for a few years, else she’ll just ‘run-out’!

Emraan Hashmi shares his plans for 'Raaz 3' and fatherhood

His "Raaz 2" has got an encouraging opening and actor Emraan Hashmi (pictured left) is all set to work in the third installment of the spooky thriller. He also feels secure enough to start a family now.

"We're trying for a baby and we should be parents by next year. One is never prepared for fatherhood. And if I wait to be fully prepared, it will never happen. But I'm getting into the mindset now," Emraan, who is married to Parveen Shahani, told IANS.

Talking about "Raaz 3", he said: "Yes we're on," said Emraan. "The third part will also be directed by Mohit Suri and I'll play the lead. The rest of the details are yet to be decided. The cast of the second 'Raaz' film was totally new. And I think I'm going to be the only actor common to 'Raaz 2' and '3'."

Emraan feels vindicated by the audiences' response to "Raaz 2", which also starred Kangana Ranaut and newcomer Adhyayan Suman.

"My wife kept telling me I should try the genre. I had never done horror before. It's believed in the trade that horror films open well and then soon fizzle out. But then it was also believed that a film looking at the seamier side of cricket ('Jannat') would never do well.

"I like to walk the lonely path. That's why you don't see me at parties and functions. Maybe that's why I play the part of the loner and watch another guy take away the girl I love," Emran said, drawing attention to his loser-lover's role in "Awarapan" and now "Raaz 2".

Emraan, who has been lying low during the publicity of "Raaz 2" thanks to all the focus on real-life pair Kangana-Adhyayan, says he didn't feel left out.

"Kangana and Adhyayan were a real-life couple. I can't concoct an affair just to be noticed. I was confident my work would speak for itself. Sure enough I believe people clap when I come on screen the first time. I do have fan base, though it might be small," he said.

Kangana Ranaut going Aamir's way

Raaz- The Mystery Continues has been declared the first smash hit of 2009. The film is said to gross 35 crores before the weekend arrives and naturally this has the main protagonist of the film, Kangana Ranaut, smiling from ear to ear. In fact when we spoke to Kangana, she said she was pretty confident about the success of her film.

Below is an excerpt from the interview:

How was your overall experience of working in Raaz?
It was good in all aspects and the kind of character I have executed in Raaz, it needed a lot hard work. And I went through it and did my part as an actor. And I also discovered that when working in horror film a lot depends on the character and the treatment of the film. I think Mohit has done a really good job. In fact every one in the film has been impressive be it Emraan or anyone.

What about Adhyayan?
He is a good actor. There is no doubt and he absorbs things before enacting it. That's what I saw on the sets of Raaz. He has worked very hard for his part and at the same time he was a great support for his co-stars.

Tell us something about him that no one knows…
(laughs) He is a complete foodie and he eats all the raashan kept in my home!

He sings too!
Yes he sings well but he is self obsesses! I was the first one to hear him singing.

You are one of the very few people who work on one film at a time. Are you learning from Aamir?
Aamir is my all time favourite actor! He is a true actor…And somewhere even I think that rather than doing ten films in a year I should do one film and that's all. But of course risk is there in doing just one film and so I am really careful about the kind of movie I choose to do.

Raaz - The Mystery Continues - Movie Review

By Taran Adarsh

The team behind RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES have often clarified that it's not a sequel to RAAZ, one of the most interesting cinematic experiences, besides being the biggest Hit of that year. Yet, you cannot but draw parallels with the first film of the franchise.

Horror as a genre hasn't been tapped to the optimum in India. We've witnessed spooky fares in the past and some of them have succeeded in making you break into a cold sweat [BHOOT stands tall in this list]. Last year's PHOONK and 1920 were scary movies as well.

There's tremendous curiosity to watch RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES, but does it scare the living daylights out of you? Fortunately, yes!

The story [Mohit Suri] is absorbing and Mohit treats the subject like a veteran, as if he knows the genre very well. There're moments that make your heart beat faster, you watch the events with eyes and jaws wide open. Sure, there're blemishes as well, but they don't overpower the plusses or make you change your opinion about the film. While the beginning and the middle of the film is engrossing, it's the end that could've been better thought of.

Wanna get scared? Wanna get goose pimples? Buy the ticket for RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES pronto. It lives up to the hype and expectations completely.

A brooding artist Prithvi [Emraan Hashmi] experiences mysterious and distressing visions about Nandita [Kangna Ranaut], a woman he has never met, while he paints on canvas. Intrigued by these visions, Prithvi tracks her down and warns her that these are not merely paintings of her, but accidents that are waiting to happen.

At first, Nandita refuses to believe him and dismisses him as an eccentric stalker. However, the striking resemblance between Prithvi's paintings and the near-death incidents in her life is hard to ignore.

Now, one of Prithvi's paintings has revealed her as dead. The only way she can change her fate is to unravel this mystery with his help, at the risk of alienating herself from her boyfriend, Yash [Adhyayan Suman]. But he refuses to believe in Prithvi's premonitions. Will Nandita risk her love and her life to unravel this mystery?

Most of us have heard, witnessed or perhaps had a first-hand experience of supernatural. The present-day generation may, perhaps, term it as wild imagination or hallucination, while the believers may have their point of view. Mohit and screenplay writer Shagufta Rafique's characters in RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES are believers and non-believers, both.

Mohit smartly builds up the atmosphere. Sample these: Emraan and Kangna's first encounter at a mall and minutes later, inside an elevator; the New Year bash when Kangna is 'attacked' by spirits; Kangna's experience in her bathtub and also when she looks at the mirror; Kangna almost jumping off a cliff; the highpoint sequence, when angry bulls attack Emraan and Kangna. Incredible sequences all! Mohit has handled the most difficult portions with panache.

However, the entire flashback part, towards the pre-climax, is not as convincing. The ending too could've been better in terms of writing, although Mohit has filmed it exceptionally well.

Mohit's choice of the subject as also the actors is right. This is, without doubt, his finest effort to date. Shagufta's screenplay is watertight at most times. Like always, the Bhatts come up with a lilting musical score and at least two songs -- 'Soniyo' [Raju Singh] and 'Maahi' [Sharib-Toshi] -- are first-rate compositions. Ravi Walia's cinematography is up to the mark. The effects are impressive.

On the acting front, both Emraan and Kangna vie for top honours. Emraan is excellent. He conveys a lot through facial expressions and that's the sign of a proficient actor. He's just getting better and better with every film. Kangna is top notch. After FASHION, this one's another power-packed performance from the actress. Adhyayan Suman is super-confident and registers a strong impact, especially towards the climax. He shows promise. Jackie Shroff is quite okay in a brief role.

On the whole, RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES is rich in the horror quotient and that is one of its major USPs, besides the highly competent performances by its principal cast and a lilting musical score. At the box-office, this one will continue the winning streak of Mahesh Bhatt and Mukesh Bhatt's Vishesh Films. The 4-day weekend [Monday, January 26 in a holiday] will only cement its status further. Go for it!

Adhyayan Suman: RAAZ - TMC could well be your last horror film

Adhyayan Suman would be making his debut with RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES (he insists that HAAL-E-DIL was a faux pas and hardly a debut) and is obviously mighty excited about its prospects. He also reinstates the belief once again that this is one of the scariest films to have been churned out of Bollywood.

''I have been scared of watching horror films ever since I remember. In fact I used to shut my eyes whenever anything related to horror came on TV. I was watching RING one day and said to myself that 'Boss, this is it. No more horror movies''', says Adhyayan.

When I tell him that RING made me too completely swear off Hollywood horror flicks, he says, ''Then rest assured that RAAZ - TMC would be the last Bollywood horror film of your life. It is going to shock you at so many junctures.''

Ask him if working in the film impacted his psyche as well and he nods in agreement, ''It does become spooky actually. After I came back home after the shoot, all the 'daravana' scenes used to keep playing around in my mind. I used to feel ki kahin peeche se haath na aa jaaye, mera mirror mein face na change ho jaaye! (Someone's hand doesn't come up from behind me; my face doesn't change in the mirror)''

''On the sets it is still okay because the entire unit is there with so many activities happening around you. But once you are alone, you get damn scared. I was glad once the shooting got over'', smiles Adhyayan.

CC2C is last big movie till summer

CC2C is one of the biggest releases of the year. Starring Akshay Kumar and Deepika Padukone in a double role and having been shot extensively in India and China on a big budget, it is being premiered around the globe and promises to be a fun, masaledaar roller coaster ride; a quintessential Bollywood masala blockbuster.

But unfortunately for Bollywood the next big release after CC2C is the other Akki starrer on May 29.

January end will see films like Luck By Chance, Raaz – The Mystery Continues and Slumdog Crorepati releasing. And while no one doubts the story line or success chances of the film, the fact still remains that none of them star big A –list actors.

Slumdog is a brilliant film, no doubt, but it is not a Bollywood film. Luck By Chance stars Farhan Akhtar and Konkona Sen Sharma in the lead. They both are brilliant actors but don't fall in the superstar bracket. Raaz – The Mystery COntinues has Kangana, Adhyayan and Emraan but they aren't A-listers yet. The film, like most Emraan Hashmi films will probably be a hit because it has been made on a small budget and the music is chartbusting. And ending the months is Ajit Pal’s Victory. Harman Baweja and Amrita Rao are not stars. The film might draw in people because of its cricket theme but not for the stars.

The films of February veer on the arty, indie, experimental and small budget side. There is Devdas' modern version, Dev D starring Abhay Deol who is a critically acclaimed actor but hasn't sparkled at the BO yet. Billu Barber has Lara Dutta and Irrfan in the lead. SRK is there only to add star.

Delhi 6 is very intriguing and appealing but AB Jr. hasn’t yet made it into the superstar bracket. Next is Nandita Das' Firaaq which has been applauded at festivals but it isn't a commercial film and boasts of super actors like Paresh Rawal and Naseeruddin Shah and not Bollywood’s masala superstars. Ketan Mehta's biopic on Raja Ravi Verma, Rang Rasiya starring Randeep Hooda and Nandana Sen, has also got standing ovations at festivals but its release keeps getting postponed. Not everyone knows Randeep and Nandana and the film is likely to click with only a niche audience.

March maybe a very hot month but it doesn't have any hot releases. There is Anil Kapoor's Shortkut: The Con Is On which has been in the making for a very long time. Amrita Rao isn't a hottie who sets the BO on fire even if she sports a bikini and Sanjay Dutt hasn't had a hit since Shootout at Lokhandwala in 2007. It is a thriller. This genre seldom draws in the crowds (A Wednesday is a brilliant exception) and recent thrillers like Kidnap and Maharathi have been disappointments.

Deepak Tijori's Fox stars Arjun Rampal and Sunny Deol. Deepak has made awful films like Khamosh, Fareb and Oops in the past so it isn't wise to bank on this film.

April fares even worse than March in terms of sizzling hot releases. Dharma Productions' romantic comedy Wake Up Sid starring Konkona Sen Sharma and Ranbir Kapoor is the only flick that merits a mention. Revolving around a young guy falling for an older woman, it may be a fantastic film but it is a small film that might just become a surprise hit.

Finally, the big Bollywood blockbuster will arrive on May 29 in the form of Kambakht Ishq. It has superstar Akshay Kumar playing a romantic and an action hero, queen bee Kareena Kapoor plays a model in the film and it has been shot on a lavish budget (courtesy producer Sajid Nadiadwala) across USA, Italy and France with certain segments shot in Mumbai.

Hollywood heavy weight Sylvester Stallone has a cameo in the flick along with bombshells Carmen Electra and Denise Richards. Hip hop sensations Beyonce and Sean Kingston will feature on the soundtrack of the film. With an international cast and locations, premieres across the globe are bound to happen. So, it promises to be your quintessential, leave-your-brains-at-home-and-have-a-Bollywood-blast kind of blockbuster.

And so it looks like Bollywood fans will have to wait for the Khiladi Kumar to return to big screen once again to entertain us!

"I don't yell from the top of my voice about being the lead" - Emraan Hashmi

For Emraan Hashmi, playing an integral character in a film is the most important thing to do regardless of the screen space he gets. So whether it is a small but critical role in Kalyug or an obsessive lover with villainous shades in Murder or one of the three key characters in Raaz - The Mystery Continues, he approaches them with all the honesty and integrity.

Ask him if he is the main lead in the film or Adhyayan Suman and he goes on to reply, "I don't really get into topics like these because gone are the days when there was the concept of a hero or a main lead. I pick up a film when I am very convinced about a role because it's the depth in the character that matters most. If I like it, I go ahead and do it. I don't get into matters where I have to worry about whether the person other than me in the film has a meatier role."

Stating examples about how he has maintained this strategy from the very beginning of his career that saw him playing second lead to Aftab Shivdasani in Footpath, he goes on to add, "If I had thought on those lines, would I have done Murder considering it was supposed to be Mallika's film? When I do a film, I move ahead and let the audience decide whose film it was. I don't yell from the top of my voice that 'This is MY film'. The same holds good for Raaz - The Mystery Continues as well."

Some actors choose to do that though. They want the world to know that they have the most important part to play in a film. "Other actors may have different work priorities, I have my own. I work for the betterment of the character; the way the director wants me to play it. At the end of the day, a film is much bigger than the actor. And by the way, whenever I have a special appearance in the film, I haven't hidden it. There is no point being dishonest to your audience. In case of Kalyug, I had told people that I had a special appearance and it was basically a Kunal (Khemu) film", remembers Emraan Hashmi.

Which means he has a full fledged role in Raaz - The Mystery Continues even though all the romance seems to be reserved for Kangna and Adhyayan Suman? "Absolutely. I have a full blown character to enact in Raaz -TMC. As for who romances whom in the film, then well, watch the film", he winks before signing off.

'Raaz' is piping hot

Now this is a real coincidence. While Hollywood studio Warner Bros. awaits, with bated breath, the feedback to CHANDNI CHOWK TO CHINA on January 16, another Hollywood giant, Sony Pictures, is keeping its fingers crossed for RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES, which opens worldwide the following week, on January 23.

The Bhatts are known for qualitative films and RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES is no exception. In fact, those who've watched the rushes feel that the film has the potential to score big time. There hasn't been an eerie movie for a while now and although RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES is dissimilar to RAAZ, the brand should generate tremendous curiosity amongst viewers, translating into serpentine queues at the ticket counters.

Meanwhile, a section of the media has reported that the Bhatts are planning to dub RAAZ - THE MYSTERY CONTINUES in South languages [Tamil and Telugu], releasing it simultaneously with the Hindi version. However, there's no truth to it. "We aren't dubbing in South languages," Mukesh Bhatt states.

Looking forward to 2009 in Bollywood

The New Year has dawned with a promise of more entertaining and thought-provoking cinema from Bollywood. Will new milestones be reached in 2009? Here’s a look.

If 2008 ended on a promising note, 2009 begins with a bang, with some big banner movies set to hog the marquee. The Bhatt camp’s Raaz - The Mystery Continues and the Sippys’ Chandni Chowk To China with Akshay Kumar at the helm would be the two scene stealers of January, which will also witness the release of Zoya Akhtar’s dark comedy on Bollywood, Luck By Chance , due for January 30 release along with Harman Baweja ’s second film Victory . Danny Boyle’s Slumdog Millionaire , a Golden Globe nominee and an Oscar hopeful, might get released in January after its successful run at overseas box office.

The month of February would see the release of movies like Priyadarshan’s Billu Barber and Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra ’s Dilli 6.

This year will see directors like Anurag Basu and Imtiaz Ali returning after a break of one year. While the Rakesh Roshan produced Kites can hit the theatres any time around mid year as the movie is still in the making and its major chunk is still to be shot, Imtiaz Ali will comeback with yet another love story, untitled yet, starring Deepika Padukone and Saif Ali Khan .

Rajkumar Hirani will not give any Munnabhai jhappi, but will return with a thought-provoking film that takes a dig at our education system in 3 Idiots which is based on bestseller novel ‘Five Point Someone’ and has Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor in the lead roles. Most likely, ‘3 Idiots’ would close 2009.

Lavishly budgeted movies in this period of recession may appear absurd but they would be one too many in 2009. London Dreams by Vipul Shah, Kambakkth Ishq by Sajid Nadiadwala , and the Salman Khan -written historical drama ‘Veer’ are some of the celluloid mammoths that would roar in 2009. ‘Kambakkth Ishq’ is particularly special as it has some Hollywood biggies in cameos for the first time in an Indian masala movie.

On the contrary, industry giants like Yashraj and Dharma Productions have few movies lined up this year. There is no news as to when Karan Johar’s much anticipated My Name Is Khan with Kajol and Shahrukh Khan is going to release. Possibly, by this year end. Yashraj will begin this year with New York directed by Kabir Khan and starring John Abraham , Neil Nitin Mukesh and Katrina Kaif . Katrina would also be seen in a love story Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani with Ranbir Kapoor .

Himesh Reshammiya will be back with a movie named A Love Issshtory , again paired opposite two beautiful ladies. You can also watch some off-beat parallel cinema like Dev. D , Aur Devdas , Tera Kya Hoga Johnny , Wake Up Sid , Delhi Belly , Lamha , Teen Patti , Johnny Mastana which has Amitabh Bachchan in the lead, Nagesh Kukunoor’s Eight By Ten or the Bipasha Basu starrer Pankh or Mallika Sherawat ’s nagin act in Hisss .

Some serious directors would dabble in comedy for the first time. Ashutosh Gowarikar is trying some rib-tickling humour in What's Your Raashi with Priyanka Chopra and Harman Baweja. And Vishal Bharadwaj will return with Kaminay which stars Shahid Kapur and Priyanka in the lead.

And not to forget, Sanjay Leela Bhansali is returning back to what he does best and directing a movie with Hrithik and Aishwarya Rai . Ash would also be seen in Mani Ratnam’s next with hubby Abhishek Bachchan .

From the look of it, 2009 holds out a promising spread.

Adhyayan-Kangna chemistry visible in 'Soniyo'

This is what love can do to you. If you act in a film together, especially if you are shown as a romantic couple, the frames start looking more believable, the sequences lively and performances natural. Of course, there is an entire perception factor involved as well and since we have been made aware that Adhyayan Suman and Kangna Ranaut are a couple in real life as well, one tends to look at their mushy antics with a biased approach.

Of course, it has it's repercussions as well. Since one tends to get over critical about the entire affair (pun unintended), a minor slip here or there in the performance could lead to complete breakdown of a scene, something that happened when Vivek Oberoi and Aishwarya Rai could hardly heat up the proceedings in Kyun? Ho Gaya Naa.

However, Adhyayan and Kangna do not let an audience down when they come together in 'Soniyo', the first ever song in which the two are seen together. For the film Raaz - The Mystery Continues, the two are shown as a couple and their chemistry is pretty much visible in each of the frames. What one observes in this one minute clipping is pure love and affection that they demonstrate for each other. Nothing over the top, no gesture screaming of 'Oh, how much we love each other', no body-play at work that may possibly take away the focus. Instead, what one sees is sheer love in the eyes of the two youngsters who seem to have accepted each other as soul mates.

Though there are glimpses of a pensive looking Emraan Hashmi getting into his painting act and in turn getting horrified about what next is in store in Kangna's life, for a change you want to go back to Adhyayan-Kangna love story instead of concentrating on Emraan's brooding expressions. We will wait for your next music video, Emraan!

As per Mukesh Bhatt, the song reminds him of the evergreen 'Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye' which was composed for his Jurm years back. Of course, one can't blame him since 'Soniyo' does come with lyrics that go as 'Tu Dede Mera Saath Thaam Le Haath Chahe Jo Bhi Ho Baat, Tu Bas De De Mera Saath'.

Well, though Adhyayan lip syncs to these words in 'Soniyo', this could well be the call of Kangna who is herself looking for gaining peace for herself in the current times.

And of course, any song or person that could make Kangna smile is worth recognition. After all, looking at the set of movies that she has done in the past, it is not everyday that the pretty young girl moves out of her intense persona and enjoys the goodies offered by life. 'Soniyo' and Adhyayan truly make her do so though!

RAAZ-TMC all set to unfold the mystery

Global music label, SONY BMG is presenting for the first time a Bollywood thriller, RAAZ–THE MYSTERY CONTINUES (RTMC) which is produced by Vishesh Films and directed by Mohit Suri. RTMC is slated to be released on 23rd January 2009 in India. The film stars Emraan Hashmi, Kangana Ranaut, Adhyayan Suman among others.

RTMC revolves around a successful model, Nandita (played by Kangana Ranaut), who is in love with the creative director of a television program (Adhyayan Suman). Nandita's life takes a dramatic turn when she meets an artist, Prithvi (Emraan Hashmi). He tells Nandita that all her paintings made by him are getting disfigured which spells impending danger for her. Initially, she does not believe him but then she starts facing horrifying situations herself. After this, hell breaks loose and an unstoppable storm begins. Thus unfold some of the most thrilling horror sequences of Bollywood with RAAZ – THE MYSTERY CONTINUES. The film is indeed ready to send audiences in frenzy.

The film deals with the issue of the ''evil within,'' highlighting prevalent superstitions and myths in Indian society. Right from the first look of its trailer, film buffs have been awaiting the release, making RTMC one of the most talked–about flicks of the season. The story of RTMC is written by Shagufta Rafique.

Mr. Mukesh Bhatt, Chairman & MD, Vishesh Films, is also very excited about RTMC – ''This film is really important for us in every respect – it is the most expensive horror film in Bollywood and its music and story have become the talk of the town. When you will see this film, you will realize that how much efforts we all have put in. I firmly believe that all the sequences of this film are such that they will keep the audience glued to their seats and terrified thereafter.''

Managing Director of SONY BMG, Mr. Shridhar Subramaniam has said ''Every small detail of this film has been taken care of to make it look realistic. It has immense mass–appeal with brilliant special effects, characterization, story and music. RTMC will be a landmark film to look out for."