Happy Monday! I made it through my weird weekend, with a nice solid “I am just sitting here reading” 6 hours in the middle. And therefore, I am behind schedule again and Monday Malayalam will be on Wednesday or something. Oh well, at least I managed to scrabble out reviews for both of the new movies.
As always, you can ask me anything you want from the personal (“which movie did you see first, Bhavesh Joshi or Veere Di Wedding?”) to the specific and factual (“which Saturday movie is doing better, Veere di Wedding or Bhavesh Joshi?) to the general discussion question (“which movie should be doing better, Veere or Bhavesh?)
As always, the only rule is that you have to let me answer first, because the conversation goes better that way. But once I answer, feel free to leap in and join the discussion.
Now, question for you!
Keeping the totally ridiculous gossip train going, if Alia and Ranbir is a couple most of us are against, what would be a couple we would be for? Who are two celebrities who are not officially together but we would love it if they were?
I have SO MANY ideas! Starting with my white whale, Karisma and Salman. Age appropriate, he would be a great stepfather, and they have been close friends forever. I’ve been waiting for this to happen for the past 10 years, and it still hasn’t.
Sonakshi Sinha needs someone decent in her life (not the strange promoter type guy she has been dating), maybe Arjun Kapoor? He seems nice enough and they were rumored to be together at one point in the past.
Alternatively, Arjun and Bhumi Pednaker. Both struggled with weight issues, both out of the Yash Raj machine, they’d have a lot in common.
Parineeti needs someone too. Maybe Parineeti and Siddharth? She’s got that manic energy, and he’s so laid back. Or else the real dream, Parineeti and Aditya Roy Kapoor.
dontcallitbollywood 
`
Occasionally, a big-name Indian film star will appear in a Hollywood movie or TV series. Has the reverse ever happened? That is, has a big-name Hollywood star every done even a cameo in an Indian movie?
(and if not, why not?)
–
LikeLike
Oh yes, sylvester Stallone in Kambakht Ishq, Baby Spice in Pyar Main Twist, Kylie Minogue in Blue. It’s more often musicians than movie stars, maybe because music is a more international industry than Hollywood? So they fit in better in the Indian films, and are more comfortable working in a different industry.
LikeLike
And not hollywood, but sexy Toby Stephens in Mangal Pandey: The Rising.
LikeLike
How do you rate this year so far in new Hindi releases? Is it a lackluster year so far or not? I feel like there’s been some good variety at the top of the box office and some decent content. Wrapping up the first half of the year with Veer Di Wedding and Bhavesh Joshi and then Sanju, sounds like continued diversification into genre films with good stories is the continuing trend.
I’m way behind on new releases though…only seen Padmaavat, Love Per Square Foot, Pari, Raid, and Hichki so far of the 2018 releases. Things are taking forever to come out on streaming and even to DVD.
For dream couples…I like the idea of Parineeti and Aditya Roy Kapur or Sid (the latter’s chemistry in HTP is adorable).
Really dislike the idea of Arjun and Sonakshi though I used to like it (there’s some weird tension there I think). Arjun and Malaika for now are making me happy, but I would guess that he will settle down with someone outside film. I’m really looking forward to him paired with Kriti Sanon on screen so maybe them if I had to pick a star? Maybe Jacqueline? They would have a fun chemistry.
Now that Arjun Rampal is single (or with Susanne or whatever), is it weird that I like the idea of him and Sonakshi together? He’s clearly not his physical type…he seems to like model waifs but I like the idea of them!
I couldn’t pick anyone to be with SSR as he will only ever be in love with himself.
Bhumi and Vicky Kaushal would be a nice pairing (looking forward to their film together, too).
LikeLike
I think this year has benefited from having very few large releases in the first half. The kind that tend to be unimaginative because the budget is supposed to carry them, and also tend to suffocate the smaller films. Padmavat did well, for whatever reason, but Padman (another big release) flopped. And besides that, there hasn’t been much. There never is usually in the first half of the year, with IPL and Ramadan and the lack of major public holidays, but this year the studios seem to have taken advantage of that and released their slightly risky films that need word of mouth to grow (Raazi, Raid, Veere, etc.) and given them a decent promotional push.
It’s a familiar cycle, the same thing happened in Hollywood once March releases started being successful. That time of year went from being a dead zone where everyone dumped their trash, to having some surprising hits since the empty calendar gave time for word of mouth to grow, to being yet another space for major releases once the big names started imitating the surprising hits, and then the calendar got overwhelmed and the major films started flopping because it was just too many releases, and it slid back to being a space for surprising hits.
Looking ahead, the whole year seems pretty safe in terms of major releases. Sanju will be big, but probably not record breaking big. Race 3 should do decent business. And Gold and some others will be at that same level. It’s not until Christmas and Thugs that a really major “throw everything else out of the theaters to make space” film will come out.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 8:43 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Oh, and I forgot Arjun is single! How could I abandon that poor man? He must be checking my blog every day, waiting for me to tell him who to date (assuming he isn’t with Susanne).
Arjun, older distuinguished interesting man with two adorable teenage daughters. Any woman would want him! Hmmm. Who is single? I like the idea of Sonakshi, partly because I think she would be a great “cool stepmom” type. There’s also Priyanka, I don’t necessarily like the idea of them together, but Arjun is exactly who she should be dating for her brand.
Oh!!!! I have it!!!! Sushmita. It’s perfect. Two middle-aged single parents of daughters, both former models, both with kind of a cool interesting vibe to them, and they would look super good together.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 8:43 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
I like Arjun and Sushmita, too!
LikeLike
And I somehow feel like her girls and his girls would really hit it off.
LikeLike
Prabhas and Anushka shetty!!
LikeLike
I was waiting for someone to say that!
LikeLike
I ship Preity Zinta and Salman more but I guess shes just not goodenough…
LikeLike
I mean shes Pretty Goodenough for some else already… ok ill stop now 😛
LikeLike
Oh my gosh, how had “Pretty Goodenough” not entered my brain before now! that’s genius, I shall use it constantly.
LikeLike
I was thinking about Preity and Arjun, now that Arjun is back on the market. But she already setted for just “goodenough”, too late to go back and try for better.
LikeLike
Arjun Rampal?? Yess hes so hot plus I loved their movie Dil Hai Tumhaara together
LikeLike
Yes! Only, I have kind of a strange affection for Mr. Goodenough so I don’t want her to just dump him. Maybe if he died or something, and Arjun showed up to comfort her through her grief, and they slowly became close.
LikeLike
So killing him is being more affectionate than dumping him..I’m glad he isn’t married to you😂😂
LikeLike
Hey, I am BRUTAL in my imaginary gossip scenarios. It’s not about being nice to Goodenough, it’s about making Preity remain a viable pleasant person with the public’s support.
If I were Preity’s PR person, and she wanted a divorce from Mr. Goodenough, I might even suggest a fake death scenario. He gets a massive payout, goes back to America, she tells everyone in India he died, gets the widow sympathy card, leverages that to catch Arjun’s eye, marries him, life is perfect.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:37 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
I’m really bad in gossip, and don’t have idea who dates/dated who, but I want Arjun Kapoor date the nicest girl in the industry. Who is famous for being nice and good person? I want her.
And for Parineeti – she should date/marry some not famous traditional man and end her career. I feel for her, what you Margaret feel for Shruti Haasan #nemesis
😉
Did you know that Madhavan will have little role in Zero? I know it will be tiny, but I’m so excited. And SRK was present at Maddy’s birthday few days ago. I didn’t like the photos though.
LikeLike
What about Arjun and Kat? Based on how people keep hiring her for things, and from what everyone says, she is a very nice person in a sort of serious quiet slightly uninteresting way. And marrying Arjun seems like a nice way for her to retire, become part of a respected and liked family, get to be a Bhabhi to his sisters, probably write a fitness book and otherwise stay out of the public eye.
Everyone is in Zero!!!! I wonder if Maddy will be playing himself, like all the other cameos, or an actual character? Since it is an Aanand L Rai film, I could go either way, it seems like he would be willing to do an actual character even if it is a small one as a favor. More importantly, has Jimmy Shergill been confirmed yet? I don’t know why, but I loooooooooooooooove Jimmy Shergill, especially the way Aanand uses him, and Aanand seems to use him in everything.
Also, you are right, the photos are terrible. Shahrukh looks like he is in pain and that hat is terrible. I bet it was in the middle of some kind of tricky shoot, Shahrukh with weird hair for it and maybe uncomfortable prosthetic of some kind.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 9:44 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
But Kat is on every “the rudest bollywood stars” list, so no, I don’t want her. I believe she is nice to her friends, and famous people but I have heard too many stories of her not wanting to take a photo even with kids (!!!)so in my mind she doesn’t deserve our Arjun.
LikeLike
Good heavens, I’m not sure who to pick then! Sonam seems very nice, but of course is already married and also Arjun’s cousin. Juhi’s nice, but too old and also married. I’m at a loss!
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:02 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
I haven’t heard bad thing about Bhumi, and she is so beautiful,I would be happy if there were together. And I like the idea of Arjun and Malaika too.
And Arjun and Parvathy?
LikeLike
Ooo, moving out of the Hindi zone opens up a lot of possibilities for Arjun! Arjun and Anushka Shetty (assuming she isn’t with Prabhas)? Arjun and Tamanah?
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:49 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Arjun should totally date Katrina so that he wins the crown of the ‘guy who dated Salman’s sister, sister-in-law & girlfriend’.
LikeLike
Or, Helen! Sister, sister-in-law, and stepmother.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 9:26 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
that’s just too creepy..like (step)mother of creepiness.
LikeLike
What question do I have for you? Hmmm. Ok, do you enjoy writing silly fun posts more than serious issue posts. Or are film reviews your favorite? My favorite among your posts are usually the reviews. I love dissecting scenes/characters/situations.
Of the scenarios, pari with sid or adi is fine by me. In fact the former pair has a lot of shippers. Arjun pari as a couple have a lot of fans too. Hmm but I don’t see that happening. Is Arjun still with Malaika? Ho hum. I can’t think of anybody for him. Alia maybe. Once alia breaks up with ranbir 🤮
I used to like mehr n Arjun R when they were models n dating. Now I can’t be bothered to spare a second for him. Sush should stay single and be happy imo.
LikeLike
I am very mood based in what I like to write. Sometimes I will have days at a stretch where all I want to do is write reviews. Other times, like today, my brain will feel fried and I will just want to do fluff pieces. And for issue posts, I really have to be inspired to write those. It varies a lot day by day, which is why it sometimes hard for me to stay on a schedule. Lots of times I will write a whole bunch of reviews or issue posts and schedule them in advance while I am in the mood for them.
Ooo, Alia and Arjun is fun! Similar family backgrounds both in terms of industry weight and a close extended family, and having half siblings far apart from them in age. Especially if it is a few years down the line, Alia has gotten Ranbir out of her system, Arjun has been happily lowkey with Malaika while he sorts out his family stuff, and then when they are both mature and at a good place in their lives, Alia and Arjun could be endgame.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 1:11 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Oh I ship Salman – Karisma as well! They just look perfect, I guess its too late for that ship now 😦
Parineeti – Adi would be great! Their energies complement well, did you see the KwK episode with them? Slightly bordering on the friendzone, but hey we an ship. Oh and also Anushka-Prabhas!!
LikeLike
It’s never too late for Salman Karisma!!!!! I’ve been shipping this since before her divorce, and it comes closer every day (I think). She just has to break up with whatever current not-Salman she is with, he needs to get his court case settled, and then they will be married. We just have to faith and it will happen.
Bonus to Parineeti-Adi, it means Parineeti and Vidya would be sisters-in-law, and I love that.
Anushka-Prabhas, always.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 2:20 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Yes! Lets make Salman-Karisma happen! I also want Suzanne to marry Farhan 😛 I feel she could use some goofiness/wit after being with the ever-so-serious Hrithik!
LikeLike
I love Suzanne Farhan! But from the other way around, I feel like Farhan could use someone a little more grounded and serious to reign him in.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 3:25 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Sorry I am not into all this dating game.
When is next part of Sanju 101 coming?
Also as there are lots of talks about female oriented films now. I wanted to know why is piku considered a female driven film?
It had countries greatest ever superstar and irrfan a solid dependable actor, a star in his own way, but every analysis considers it as a Deepika carried movie.
Bachchan was the central character, his issues created the tensions etc so what am I missing?
LikeLike
Working on the next part of Sanju now.
Piku is Deepika’s film because hers is the character perspective we follow through out the film, Amitabh’s issues created the tension, but he had no journey in the film, he didn’t change. It is Dips who changed, going from uptight to something a little looser as she made peace with her past and her childhood and slowly built a connection with Irrfan.
However, I see what you are saying about Piku, I was just thinking about it with Veere. Queen, Piku, even Pink and Raazi, they are considered female-driven because the main character is female. But most of the supporting players are male. While in Veere, it’s not just the main character (Kareena) who is female, it’s most of the people around her. In Piku, Dips was the main character and carried the film, but it was almost like they had to make up for that by surrounding her with two strong male supporting characters.
LikeLike
Queen had Lisa Haydon though, and she and Kangana had a lot of female bonding scenes in a way that seems similar to Veere (though I didn’t get to see it this weekend, dammit)
LikeLike
Oh, definitely. That was one thing I considered putting in my review, Veere is what would happen if the Lisa Haydon storyline had been the whole movie. I like the idea of Queen having her learn to be friends with the diverse group of men in Amsterdam, sort of restoring her faith in men. And I like that she had such a strong supportive family behind her. But it was also cool for this movie to just be about female friendship above all.
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 3:54 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Similarly it can be considered Irfan’s and bachchan’s story also.
Irrfan being a outsider to family dynamics slowly and gradually becomes a part of family and understands their dynamics.
Also bachchan is cranky old men and the movie was sold on his problem. It was never sold on deepika’s growth.
I feel whenever we see a strong female character in a movie we tend to make that a feminist movie irrespective of the circumstances. That movie was about 3 characters let it remain the same, why people want to make it about dips and render the remaining 2 as supporters?
Similarly padmavat was about 3 characters but it got carried as a female movie.
LikeLike
Then technically any film for that matter should be considered any characters movie but whenever there is a male star added to it suddenly its his film ex…. xyz Khan what about the heroines.?.. and what do you mean by feminist movie? I feel like people misinterpret the word because of media trolling it to be something negative just because of some extremist people which exist in anything, when in reality all it means is females having the same rights and opportunities as males do whats so wrong about that? which would automatically make most of us a feminist that is if your progressive.
LikeLike
Maybe Tamannaah with someone, I don’t know if she is dating anyone right now though?
LikeLike
I’d say Tamannaah with Prabhas, but I suspect the comments section would then beat me to death because Pranushka FOREVER.
LikeLike
Omg how can you even think that! I’m not reading this blog anymore haha JK :p maybe her with Rana atleast?
LikeLike
Did she even have a seen with Rana in B1 or 2?
On the other hand, Tamanaah and Anushka, that I would be TOTALLY down for.
LikeLike
Rana & Nithya. Just look at the below pic.
https://goo.gl/images/ebvQ4c
Tamanna & Siddharth Narayanan for no good reason. They were cute as a pair in a Telugu film.
Here, I have found you someone for Rana & Tamanna. Now stay the heck away from Pranushka!
LikeLike
Is Sid N not married yet? Isn’t he like 40?
I will accept Rana and Nithya, they are awfully cute together.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 1:38 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
Sid N was married to his childhood sweetheart whom he divorced shortly after. He has dated Soha Ali Khan, Shruti Hassan(live-in), Samantha Prabhu etc. Apparently he’s a south Ranbir when it comes to relationships. All that charm, intelligence, social consciousness & lively eyes-wasted! Tamannaah is a smart, grounded girl who should just call off his bluff. A worthy Tamil/Telugu remake for your female revenge fanfic.
LikeLike
Yes, I love it!!!!! And then in a special cross over event, Sid N can appear on the Hindi language version as a visiting surgeon, and Ranbir can appear in the southern version the same week.
On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 7:58 AM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
I thought Rana was with Trisha?
LikeLike
OK, I like the idea of Arjun R. with Sush, but you know who else needs a man who deserves her? Tabu. Before I read that I was sort of thinking they would at least look good together. She seems like she’d go well with someone smart and I don’t know who that would be.
LikeLike
Oh oh! Tabu and Jugal Hansraj!!! Just randomly popped into my head, and I love it. He’s quiet and behind the scenes, but most be intelligent for Karan to rely on him so much, and I think it would be cute for Tabu to be with someone a few years younger and a little off the beaten track.
Otherwise, hmmmmm. Most of the age appropriate guys are already taken. There’s Salman, but I don’t see them together, and anyway I put him with Karisma. Farhan Akhtar? Does that feel too incestuous?
On Mon, Jun 4, 2018 at 10:50 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
I had to Google Jugal Hansraj, although turns out I’ve seen him in two movies. (Mark of a good actor). And he looks fine, but unfortunately got married in 2016.
We were talking about Kalki in the other thread so I just thought of Anurag Kashyap. Seems really smart and also seems to have calmed down a bit. Maybe she’d be a good influence.
LikeLike
Ooo, I don’t like Anurag! Somehow he just feels sleazy to me. Good director, but I wouldn’t want any of my friends to date him. Not good enough for Tabu!
On Tue, Jun 5, 2018 at 10:40 PM, dontcallitbollywood wrote:
>
LikeLike
While on Siddharth, Samantha likens him to Gemini Ganesan lol https://www.filmibeat.com/tamil/news/2018/did-samantha-akkineni-take-dig-at-siddharth-with-her-personal-crisis-remark-274193.html?utm_source=/rss/filmibeat-tamil-fb.xml&utm_medium=96.17.180.166&utm_campaign=client-rss
LikeLike
This is Priya btw
LikeLike