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Friday, September 17, 2010

Nandana Sen walks the ramp for Digvijay Singh at Lakme Fashion Week 2010

Life Express

I've often been asked, what makes a film different from another film bearing a similar storyline? My reply is, the execution of the subject makes all the difference. Recall DOOSRI DULHAN. Now recall CHORI CHORI CHUPKE CHUPKE. The issue - surrogate motherhood - isn't new, but if handled expertly, it would make for an interesting viewing. Sadly, LIFE EXPRESS fails and fails miserably.

The serious issue has been tackled carelessly, callously and amateurishly and for this reason, it comes across as an exercise in boredom. In fact, the film falls flat at the screenplay level itself and since the direction [Anup Das] is equally unimaginative, even the talented actors in the cast fail to redeem the enterprise.

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LIFE EXPRESS tells the story of an urban couple, Tanvi [Rituparna Sengupta] and Nikhil [Kiran Janjani], who have no time to spend with each other or start a family. It also tells the story of Mohan [Yashpal Sharma] and Gauri [Divya Dutta], who lead a poverty-ridden life in a village.

The ambitious Tanvi aborts the plans of having a baby since she feels that the impending pregnancy will make her skip her job for a few months and in turn, she would lose out on the golden opportunities in her career. Subsequently, a common friend suggests the concept of surrogate motherhood and they decide to go for it.

Just when you thought that Hindi cinema is evolving and first-time directors are ready to experiment with hitherto untold stories, a film like LIFE EXPRESS makes you change your opinion. The director had a solid plot on hand, but first the writer ruins it with an impoverished screenplay and subsequently, the director wrecks it by showing no maturity, as far as execution of the material is concerned. In fact, barring the sequence in the end - when Divya makes Rituparna realize the importance of being a mother - the writing is lackadaisical and boring at most places. Besides, the story also unravels at a snail's pace. Who's got the patience? The songs are also a sore point.

Rituparna Sengupta is a fine actor, but is bland here. Kiran Janjani is miscast. Divya Dutta is the sole actor who acts convincingly. Yashpal Sharma, as Divya's husband, is okay. Dayashankar Pandey provides some comic relief. Vijayendra Ghatge, Anjan Srivastava and Alok Nath are wasted.

On the whole, LIFE EXPRESS is a lifeless experience.

No supporting parts with Akki anymore: Sunil Shetty

By Subhash K Jha

Of late Suniel Shetty has been saying no to a lot of filmmakers, including his favourite Priyadarshan. Yes, Sunil would rather play the house-husband than do roles that do scant justice to his presence.

Sunil Shetty who has just returned with a new career plan from a long schedule of Anees Bazmi's Thank You in Toronto is ready to do a complete career revamp. After the much-acclaimed part in Red Alert, there will be no more peripheral parts for Sunil.

Now that his two children are stepping out of adolescence Sunil wants to spend as much time with them as possible before they leave home.

He will no more do supporting roles and cameos even for friends. He has just said no to Priyadarshan for a role in a new film featuring Ajay Devgn, Anil Kapoor, Kunal Kapoor, among others.

Sunil had been all but finalized for one of the pivotal parts. Now one hears he is no more in the film. Sunil has said no a cluster of new films. At the moment Anees Bazmi's Thank You is his last assignment on hand.

Sunil explains, “The role did not shape up either to Priyan's or my satisfaction. So we decided to part ways on this one. In fact Priyan himself suggested I pass this one.”

So is there any ill -will between Priyan and Sunil over this matter?

Laughs Sunil, “None at all. Priyan and I go back a long way. I've always done whatever he has offered me. But now it's time for me to think about the next level in my career. I can't be doing supporting parts any more.”

Both of Sunil's children are growing. His daughter will be attending college next year. Rather than waste his time in inconsequential roles Sunil would spend time with his family. After completing the schedule in Toronto Sunil flew to the US to be with his sister for Raksha Bandhan.

He returns to Mumbai with fond memories of his birthday in Toronto on August 11.

Co-star and friend Akshay Kumar threw a surprise party for Sunil.

Sunil was deeply moved by the care Akshay took over detail at the party. “He didn't only arrange the party, he looked into the minutest detail including the food I like. Akki knows I don't drink. So he had arranged my favourite fruit juices. It was just a small party with our friends like Bobby Deol and Anees Bazmi. It was memorable evening.”

Sunil gets emotional over his friend with Akshay. “We started our careers at around the same time and we've done any number of films together. But do supporting parts with him? Thank You, but no thank you.”