Well, we have had a roller coaster of an Easter Weekend – it all started on Easter Friday when we sat in for Nihal and then hot footed it to the suburbs of Harrow to watch Raj Kanwar’s Sadiyaan. We have to say that although the reviews have been mixed, for us it was an absolute pleasure to see to divatastic legends – Hema Malini and Rekha on screen. They were simply superb.
Director Raj Kanwar revealed that the film was inspired by true events told to him by his late mother – a partition tragedy made good. He is a very passionate director who believes that Indian values of emotionalism are the key the success of Bollywood cinema. We were impressed by the candour of the newcomer and leading man Luv Sinha – he seems very focussed and looking forward to developing his craft further and is positive taking all the criticism. His co-star Ferena Wazir is an absolute delight and is over the moon at the reaction to her performance. She’s stuck in London at the moment due to visa problems – but watch this space as she’s got a few movies up her sleeve with a couple of big banners.
AR Rahman is in concert with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra at the Southbank for the Alchemy Festival and wowed the audience. We hooked up with him a few weeks ago at his London Studios and are amazed at his humility. He is so understated a mark of true genius. He enthuses a quiet confidence and cant wait to start his Jai Ho tour.
Check out our interview:
As we write this we are all awaiting the Royal Bandwagon that is Prince. What are we talking about? Well it’s the release of Vivek Oberoi’s highly anticipated film Prince with Vivek and cast dropping into London for a whistle-stop visit. Vivek is on the search to crown his UK Princess as part of the promotion. Vivek is quietly confident that this film will do wonders- and we are keeping our finger royally crossed.
On another note our thoughts are with the Bachchan family – Jaya has been taken ill – she is the epitome of dignity and we wish her a speedy recovery. She was so gracious to us when in London recently.
The British Asian scene is growing in stature – not only is the Alchemy Festival dong wonders this week at the prestigious Southbank Centre – with performances by H Dhami, Jazz Dhami Juggy D, Kuljit Bhamrha’s The Southall Story among some of the highlights. The other exciting project is Rifco Arts production with Theatre Royal Stratford of “Britains Got Bhangra.” We will be celebrating its run at our Raj&Pablo’s Bollywood Nights@The Cobden Club on the 23 April – if you are in London do hope you can join us!
This weeks Raj&Pablo’s REWIND IN TIME is the moving Yash Chopra classic Dharamputra. If you enjoyed the sentiments of Saadyian you will love the original. Produced by the late BR Chopra and directed by his brother this is a moving black&white epic starring Shashi Kapoor in one of his first adult roles. Released in 1961 and far ahead of its time the movie is a moving story about a Muslim woman – Mala Sinha who gets pregnant out of wedlock and gives her son to a Hindu family. Years later the boy – now grown up and raised as a Hindu – becomes a Hindu militant. During the partition with India torn apart by communal hatred Shashi Kapoor decides to take revenge on all Muslims and goes to kill his mother. The film is emotional as well as hard hitting – with great performances by Shahsi, Mala Sinha, Nirupa Roy, and Ashok Kumar. Do have a watch – they just don’t make them like this anymore! If you thought Yash Chopra was all about romance this movie will show you his magic in a different light. Enjoy!
You can see what we mean with this song from the film ‘Mein Jab Bhi Akeli Hooti Hoon’:
Till next week
Love Us, Love Bollywood
Raj&Pablo xx
RAJ&PABLO’S BOLLYWOOD NIGHTS@THE COBDEN CLUB
FRIDAY PHILMI FUNDAAS
Join us as we celebrate the new musical “Britain’s Got Bhangra”. Get ready to “JHATKA MATKHA” with us on FRIDAY 23 APRIL for Raj&Pablo’s Bollywood Nights@The Cobden Club as we celebrate at the most Bollytastic Night in Town!
The best of Bollywood, lashes of Pop, dashes of Bhangra and splashes of Arabic – shake your Bollywood Booty – you know you want to! A night of Cinematic Shenanigans so come dressed in all your “chamak n dhamak,” all your “glitz n glam” and sizzle with us.
THE SENATOR on the decks!
FRIDAY 23 APRIL 2010
9pm till 1:30am
WHERE:
THE COBDEN CLUB
170 KENSAL ROAD LONDON W10 5BN
