Optical Express Testimonial

A while ago, i was asked to do some filming for Optical Express to talk about m y eye laser surgery experience this year. I can't believe i started this year wearing glasses and i am now not wearing them at all! It is very exciting for me and check out my testimonial above!

Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Ishq Shava

I have to say that when i first heard 'Ishq Shava' from Jab Tak Hai Jaan, i was not totally convinced. Even though they have Canadian singer Raghav on the vocals, i was not sure how this song would work and even how it would be enacted on the big screen.

However, when this video released on Friday, i went totally crazy for the song. Seeing Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif groove to this song has totally made me fall in love with this song. The dance moves are so sexy and flirty and the way the song is shot against the London skyline makes it the perfect setting for it too. This song is one those though that needs the video to make it alive with passion. Listening to the song again in the car does not make this song the strongest from the soundtrack, partly because the words and drowned out by the music for the most of it.

Bollywood Legend Yash Chopra passes away at the age of 80

I can't express how upset i am that legendary Bollywood film maker Yash Chopra has passed away today after fighting Dengue at Lilavati Hospital in India. The 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012) director turned 80 this year and in an interview with Shah Rukh Khan, he insisted that 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' would be his last release. Mr Chopra said: "I think I've had enough, Shah Rukh. I have always lived according to what my heart tells me," he said. "I won't make any film after Jab Tak Hai Jaan."

Just weeks before the film was to release, Mr Chopra passed away leaving a huge hole in the Bollywood industry. My personal experience with Mr Chopra's film 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge', a real classic which sucked me into the Bollywood film industry. Since then Mr Chopra invited the audience to come fall in love and i did in every single film made by him. Bollywood has lost a true legend and no one will ever replace him. Rest in peace Yash uncle, you gave this girl at a very young age, belief in love when it never existed in her life.

Twitter has been flooded with tweets from fans and colleagues, here are just a few below:

Jab Tak Hai Jaan: Making of Saans

I may be getting totally obsessed with this film 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' but i am so excited about it coming out. Seeing Shahrukh Khan back in a role he does so well is so great and it does promise to be a fantastic Yash Raj epic love story. Here is the making of the song Saans. I am still not 100 per cent sold on this song but i am still listening to it so that is a start. I actually saw Challa being filmed in London so i know what it was like to be on the sets of this film and it looked like hard work!

Movie Review: Student of the Year

I went to see Student of Year last night and i still have some mixed feelings about this film. It really was not what i expected and that is not in a good way. Check out my review on BizAsia:  http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/movie-review-student-of-the-year

In other news, i am totally addicted to the song 'Radha' from the film and will definitely be dancing to it at a future wedding soon! Check it out below:

Shopping Haul: Primark

I have to say that there really isn't much out there in the shops to buy for the winter at the moment, it just seems to be the same old things from last year. I headed into Primark to check out what they had and ending up buying the most random little bits to keep me warm this winter.

Panda gloves (£4)

Thermal socks (£2.50) Hairbands (£1)

Movie Review: 'Aiyya'

Check out my review of 'Aiyya' on BizAsia: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/movie-review-aiyyaa

Jiya Re- Jab Tak Hai Jaan

 

This is my favourite song off the 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' soundtrack and here's the video and it looks soo good! I can't wait for this film.

Tower of London

Having been a Londoner all my life, it is even surprising me to say this - I have not been to see Tower of London since i was about 5. So when it came to trying to find something to do for my love's work treat, i headed down to the Tower of London to discover the true magic of British history. If you have a child or a younger sibling who does not get British heritage and how it all started then the Tower of London would be the best place to take them to discover history in a fun and informal way.

We went on a tour with the 'Beefeaters' who also known as Yeomen Wardens who 'guard' the Tower of London. We went on a tour with a man called Jimmy who made the stories of the the various towers as grisly as possibly with some sarcastic humour added in for the elders. He led us around the various towers from the outside and told the tales of all the various prisoners kept in them. For the record, even the Beefeaters don't know why they are called so as it may have came from them being given beef which was an honour as the rest of London was starving at the time but this is not confirmed.

The Jewel House is the real star of the tower with the crowns and ornamental items being put on display in all their glory. It was fascinating to see how different Kings and Queens liked to show off their wealth and privileges. 

The Tower of London is a fantastic experience and i highly recommend it whether or not you are interested in History. It is a great day out and the seeing the Tower Bridge in all it's glory from the Tower walls really does make you feel like a real royal!

Planet Hollywood

Ever since i visited Tinsletown, i have always wanted to visit the original Planet Hollywood in Haymarket, London. From the outside, the place looks like a homage to Hollywood and it very much is just that. Relics from Hollywood films past line the outside of the restaurant windows and it is the same on the inside. Memorabilia from films like the Die Hard films, Rambo, Top Gun, Star Trek and many many others line the walls of the restaurant with a very impressive wall of handprints on the first floor with accompanying autographs of big name stars.

The service was rushed but as it was heaving with tourists on a busy Saturday afternoon, that was quickly forgiven. I had a veggie burger and chips with vanilla milkshake which were all so yummy! The music was great as well as the ambience in the place. I will definitely be going back for dessert here because everything coming out of their kitchen looked so good and if i had space after my lunch, i would have definitely opted for one of their desserts!

Songs of the moment: Bollywood

It has been a while since i have done one of these blog posts so i thought i would do one today. There are quite a few songs i have been really enjoying at the moment, mainly because it is Autumn and i start getting into those moods where i like to curl up with a good book and background music in the colder evenings. Strange i know but it helps me recuperate and feel better for it!

First up are my Bollywood songs i have been loving:

Mash- up of the Year - Student of the Year

I have been enjoying the soundtrack of 'Student of the Year' but frankly speaking there are not many songs on that soundtrack i would listen to, all the time. However i have found that this track i do enjoy on a repeat and the fact it takes the best bits of each of the songs makes it sound even better.

Jiya Re - Jab Tak Hai Jaan

'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' is one of the films i am literally dying to see this year. Not only is it a Yash Raj Films which i always adore but it stars one of my all time favourite actors, Shah Rukh Khan. I am not sure who this song will be pictured on as it has not been released as a trailer but i have found myself humming along to it.

 Saiyaan - Heroine

'Heroine' as a soundtrack was one of those that didn't do as well as they had liked, however this track i do still enjoy because it features the vocals of a favourite of mine, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. A lovely tune and some equally touching words to match.

Saiyaara - Ek Tha Tiger

This again is one of the lesser known tracks of this year from 'Ek Tha Tiger' but it is one that i do like to have on repeat because it is heartfelt and very well sung!

Kyon - Barfi

There are some songs from film soundtracks which you love simply because they were part of a great film or scene. In this case, Kyon from 'Barfi' is very much in the same flavour as the happy-go-lucky film and  whenever i listen to it, it reminds me of the simple moments in life.

Anyway i hope you enjoyed this post and let me know if there are any songs that i have missed in the comments box below!

Jab Tak Hai Jaan - Saans

English Vinglish

Check out my review of English Vinglish, it is such a good film and you have to watch it. Read my review on BizAsia: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/movie-review-english-vinglish

Taken 2

Starring Liam Neeson, Maggie Grace and others

Star rating: **

As i hadn't seen the first instalment of Taken, i was coming at this film with totally fresh eyes. Liam Neeson has been complimented for his role in the films and Taken has become a cult classic. His legendary voicemail threat in the first film helped portray Neeson as a man not to be meddled with and this is a hard premise to keep up for a second film. When i saw the trailer for this film, i still wanted to see it. It promised action and adventure in Istanbul and i really was not disappointed.

In this sequel, Bryan Mills (Neeson) is in Istanbul with his ex-wife Lenore (Famke Janssen) fresh from her separation from her second husband and daughter Kim (Maggie Grace). Bryan, having killed many to save his daughter in the first film, forgot that they would have family and the Turkish captors return to seek revenge. This time Bryan and his ex-wife are taken and chained up in a manky basement. This time, Bryan is forced to call upon Kim to come and save them using whispered instructions on a secret mobile phone. Armed with grenades and a gun, Kim is set to rescue her parents.

Neeson is as fantastic as he always is and is brilliantly flawless in his performance as the retired CIA operative. It is a shame that the rest of his cast let him down. Grace is as whiny as ever as Kim and it is a shame that her character is not shown as growing in any way. The setting of Istanbul is one that has been done so often in action films that it is hard to think it is anything new.

Watch this if you want to watch an action film to past the time away but don't expect any huge revelations. Neeson is the star of these films so definitely watch it for him!