Week-in-Review: Feb 7th-12th

Let's take a quick look at some entertainment headlines that have been making the news this week:

+ Priyanka Chopra to play the lead in Dhoom 3? The rumors about Dhoom 3's casting have been doing the rounds--we've heard about Deepika, Katrina, and even Freida Pinto. YRF apparently still maintains that the casting for the female lead has not yet started, so for now rumors will remain rumors and we'll have to wait to see which leading lady makes it to the top. Who are you rooting for?

+ The team of Band Baaja Baaraat reuintes! YRF has a new film in the pipeline titled Ladies V/S Ricky Bahl. What's interesting about this movie is that it features the same cast and crew as Band Baaja Baaraat! Let's hope this team strikes gold a second time around--I know I'm pretty excited for it!

+ Shahid Kapoor co-pilots F-16 aircraft! (video). Shahid Kapoor has reportedly undergone a month of training and a vigorous medical check-up to qualify to fly the F-16 aircraft. He is the first actor in the world to fly the F-16, and is doing so for his upcoming movie Mausam, in which he plays an Air Force pilot.

+ Madhuri wants to invite SRK, Salman and Aamir to dinner. At the launch of a food channel, Madhuri Dixit revealed who she would like on the guest-list of her dinner party: none other than the three Khans themselves, Shahrukh, Salman, and Aamir! Phew, lofty ambitions, Madhuri! I have only one question: how do I get myself on that guest-list?

+  Akshay Kumar to play Dawood Ibrahim in OUATIM sequel. This sequel features a new cast--both Ajay and Emraan won't make it to the film--and perhaps a new plot entirely. I'm actually pretty excited for this sequel since I found Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai highly interesting, and I'd love to see what they come up with this time around. Also, since this film is supposed to be more "action/thriller" than drama, it looks like Khiladi Kumar will fit right in!


Tweetly Roundup
What tweeters are saying about this week's news stories:

Look forward to seeing you in dhoom 3 .. whenever it is decided, may it be you.. @priyankachopra coz w/ action movies, no 1 comes close 2 U - @Last_Clarion

title of the movie is Ladies vs Ricky Bahl. i guess the storyline would similar to Ranbir's #BachnaAeHasenoo. - @i_Jefin

@yrfmovies already super-excited for Ricky Bahl guys! what a team, maneesh, ranveer, devika, habib and of course adi. - @btownbangles

@shahidkapoor I don't think any person except YOU could make flying F-16 look SO frigging hawt and cool all at the same time ;D - @Vaashini

JUST SAW @shahidkapoor ON STAR NEWS GETTING READY TO FLY THE F16!!!! :D He looked hawwwwwt! <3 - @Pari_Twilight

I wish Ekta Kapoor does not make a sequel of OUATIM. Traitors like Dawood should not be glamorized. - @rajendravijay

56th Filmfare Awards

Since we’re splat in the middle of Awards season, I think it’d be a good idea to kick things off with some random thoughts on the 56th Filmfare Awards. I’ve always thought that in India we have a ridiculous amount of award shows—and, well, most of them are pretty bogus—but I’d be lying if I told you they didn’t entertain the hell out of me anyway. In any case, despite the number of award shows we have, the Filmfare Awards are generally considered to be the real deal. Just consider Ronit Roy: he has already won a number of awards for his performance in Udaan (very well deserved, by the way), but he was clearly more excited about his Filmfare award than any other.

So keeping that in mind, here are some of my thoughts on the 56th Annual Filmfare Awards:

+ Filmfare Awards/Sony Entertainment Television, please fire your editor. I mean, like, now. The show was badly pieced together, the lighting was completely off during segments, and—the one I really won’t forgive you for—the audio during the Shahrukh-Madhuri performance was barely audible. I don’t really know what went on there, but the editing really took away from the show, and I hope this doesn’t happen next year.

+ Ranbir and Imran worked well with each other, and definitely provided some laughs. My favourite would have to be their take on Chulbul Pandey and Rizwan Khan--hilarious and spot-on. You know what, though? Next year I’d love to see Deepika and Sonam host the awards, if only because they’ve proved on Koffee with Karan that they’ve got the snark in them.

+ Udaan, Udaan, Udaan. I cannot say this enough. It deserved every single award it got, and then some.

+ Priyanka Chopra’s tribute to Madhuri Dixit was probably my favourite performance of the evening. Girl’s got MOVES and her take on Choli Ke Peeche was unexpected and just plain amazing. I don’t know that there’s anyone in Bollywood currently who would have been able to do Madhuri justice, so kudos to Priyanka for managing it so well.

+ Can somebody explain to me why Sonu Nigam found it necessary to sing ‘My Heart Will Go On’? Oh, and while you’re at it, can you also explain to me why on earth he’s still sporting that hairdo? Ohhhh, Sonu. You’re just one big mistake after another. What’s interesting, though, is that his ‘My Heart Will Go On’ performance was cut out of the international broadcast of the ceremony—a good thing, because it saved a significant portion of the audience from that trainwreck of a performance. One only wishes the Indian audience had a better fate.

+ I was ridiculously excited for the Shahrukh-Madhuri performance, and sadly, the fact that I could barely hear the audio almost ruined it for me. Despite that, it was still beautiful, and how lovely is Madhuri, really? Love love love. I could gush forever, if you gave me the opportunity.

+ I realize no one else had much of a chance winning the newcomer award since Sonakshi was undoubtedly taking it away, but I still wish Amrita Puri (Shefali from ‘Aisha’) got some recognition. I think she was absolutely brilliant in the film and pretty much outshone even Sonam. Award or not, she’s still one to look out for—I know I’m keeping my eye on her.

Overall, it was an entertaining show and is battling with the Star Screen Awards for my favourite awards show this season thus far. I had relatively no issues with the chosen winners, which I think is the first for me when it comes to Filmfare. Here’s to hoping that next year’s show is even better, and that Filmfare/Sony hires a better editor.

Tweetly Roundup
Some thoughts on the Filmfare Awards posted by members on Twitter:

If #Filmfare was so desperate to kill the show they should have roped in Himess Ressamiya (tht aint a grammar mistake) - @Karan__Jain

Looking at the way these film awards go-do they have members in common with the committees deciding Padma awards? #filmfare - @soulinexile

I was expecting at least 3-4 #filmfare awards for #PeepliLive. I think it didn't get even one. What might have went wrong? #sonytv - @kishan_mv

hated the choreography of Filmfare awards.. the steps could be done by class 3 students!!!! #fail #filmfare - @smriti_kulkarni

Ranbir & Imran make a formidable pair as stage show hosts.. The script, gags were better than the last time.. #filmfare @jiteshpillaai - @ritzk15

wait, so, why couldn't imran actually be shirtless for that sequence? cause that would have made my night. #filmfare - @feelthewindxx

Nothing's changed between Shahrukh and Madhuri over the years. Only her hips have gotten bigger. Likewise his ego. - @ajoyadvani