Book Review- Housefull

This is a book edited by Ziya Us Salam and is a collection of essays about Hindi films and film-makers mostly from the 'golden era' of the fifties to the seventies. Full of nuggets that might be interesting to film buffs like me. I will give you an example from the essay on Mughal-e-Azam.

Asif's (the director's) second wife Nigar Sultana played Bahar in the film. The role was initially conceived for Sitara Devi, the Kathak dancer, who happened to be Asif's first wife..Nargis was the original heroine of the film, and 10 reels were shot with her. She was replaced with Madhubala because Raj Kapoor did not want Nargis to play opposite the new hero Dilip Kumar(yes, he was replacing Chandra Mohan, who passed away).

Anyway, the narrative, starting from Bimal Roy, V. Shantaram ( he founded Prabhat and then, Rajkamal Kalamandir) and Guru Dutt's films, goes on to those of Navketan, and Shakti Samanta and Yash/B.R. Chopra. Then there are essays by people like Vijay Lokapally, the journalist, and others, about various solo films.

One essay I liked a lot was the one about Bees Saal Baad, the suspense film that had songs by Hemant Kumar such as 'Zara nazron se kehdo jee, nishaana chook na jaaye' and Beqaraar karke hamein yun na jaaiye, aapko hamari kasam laut aaiye'. The review of Jewel Thief and Guide are also very good.

Papa to band bajayein- Housefull 2 Review

I liked Mithun best of all the actors, though the others were pretty good for their parts too. A farce that plays out nicely, so you don't feel the length of the film, it is much better than its prequel, which was hardly funny. The story is pretty hackneyed, and probably the same as in part 1. But the treatment is slick and the laughs are pretty regular and pretty good. The music also adds to it, and so do the animals in the early part- the alligator and the python. For me, 'Papa to band bajayein' was the best, with its catchy tune, and lyrics, and a rollicking dance sequence. Very colourful.

The (old villain and here the'rapist' with a pun on the word) Ranjit takeoff also works, and Asin does a good job of imitating him too. Akshay acts well, though the effort shows a bit, but John is still struggling to act well, or at all. Johny Lever pulls out a few good punches to keep the drama going. Randhir and Rishi are good in parts, and their wives have nothing to do. Anarkali (Malaika) does a good job while dancing, but is not convincing thereafter. Asin, Shazan and Jacquelin are good, though Zarine Khan looks a bit heavy for a glam role.

All in all, good fun while it lasts. Though it has no lasting value. Pretty good time-pass. I think Sajid Khan is improving with time.