Night of the Kapoors

Posted by Sari

It is no accident that Om in Om Shanti Om is reborn as Om Kapoor. Not only are the Kapoors royalty of Indian cinema, there are a number of actors and actresses with the same name not related to The Clan. This was brought home to us on Sunday when we were watching two movies with rising stars starring Ranbir, Sonam, Shahid and Kareena Kapoor.  Now, Ranbir is son of Rishi Kapoor, 1970s hearthrob, Kareena is Ranbir's first cousin, daughter of Rishi’s big brother Randhir. Sonam Kapoor on the other hand is not related to Ranbir or Kareena, but is the daughter of another famous actor, Anil Kapoor. And Shahid (whose name is sometimes translitterated as Kapur) is again wholly unrelated to all the other Kapoors. It is almost as bad as all the Khans!

First film we watched was Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s latest which lost the Diwali box office battle to Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om. Bhansali’s movies are always sumptious affairs, but Saawariya really goes above and beyond his previous films in its color-coded, artificialness. Its like moghuls meet Disney’s idea of Venice in Switzerland. Everything happens at night so the palette is blues and greens with some dark red. The story seems somehow like an afterthought. Ranbir is a poor musician playing in a night-club. Sonam is a girl waiting on a bridge for his lover. They meet, Ranbir falls in love but will Sonam love him back? It is awful pretty but that is about it. Neither of the Kapoors can really carry the movie,  and though there was a general feeling of a fairy tale about the movie, the relentless visual artificiality does make one yearn for a glimpse of bright natural colours. So despite the equal opportunity objecifying and Rani’s excellent performance as the hooker with the heart of gold, I still have to say it was not a keeper.

The Second movie of the evening Jab We Met starred Shahid and Kareena Kapoor which, again had not that much plot. Shahid’s dad died and his ex married someone else, so just walks out of his life and on to a train where he meets a madcap Sikh girl Kareena who is on her way home to Punjab and is plannig to elope with his boyfriend. It is basically a modern indian take on1930s screwball comedies. And I think it works beautifully despite the mountain of cliches. I have always liked Kareena and Shahid was truly excellent in his Gary Grantish role. The music has been a hit for a good reason, and I just have a soft spot for filmi punjabis always having a party. 

Comments

[Tarja]

The Saawariya extras were amusing, since they were full of the beaming fathers. There were two different versions of the music release on the DVD and both Rishi and Anil figured very prominently in them. The youngster only appeared on stage to tell how greatful they were to their elders and to SLB for graciously choosing them to appear in his wonderful wonderful movies. You know, the typical BW 'my director/co-actor/composer/whatever was so great!' type of thing :)

The Kapoor clan seemed to be out in force, since in addition to Rishi, I also recognized Randhir and Rajiv Kapoor (all Raj Kapoor's sons). And from the comments made there, it was obvious that Krishna Kapoor, Raj's wife was also present. Ranbir appeared all humble and greatful to be able to keep the Kapoor name alive and to follow in the late Raj Kapoor's steps.

I just kept thinking that this generation's women seem to have much more presence, since both Karisma and Kareena have made several really good movies. Ranbir still has to prove himself and his capabilities as an actor.

BTW, did you know that Deepika Padukone (from Om Shanti Om) and Ranbir are apparently dating? You need to watch this wonderful wonderful live medley performance that Shahrukh made at the Zee Cine awards this year.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=whSP8-ObncI (if that doesn't work, just search for Shahrukh Zee 2008 at youtube :))

[Sari]

How very Elvis in Vegas :-) I just rewatched Om Shanti Om and boy, did the Phantom of the Opera "homages" sort of stick out this time. Also I loved the blooper reel which basically seems to be Shahrukh making a mess of his choreography.

[filmy keeda]

ranbir and sonam are distant cousins. surinder kapoor who is anil kapoors father is prithviraj kapoor cousin who is rishi kapoors grandfather.. lol all messed up relationships in bollyland :D