Bollywood news: 'Talaash' interviews

As 'Talaash' hits the cinemas this weekend, i was given the unique opportunity to interview some of the stars and the director for BizAsia Showbiz.

My interview with Aamir Khan is here: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/bizasia-talks-to-aamir-khan-about-talaash

My interview with Rani Mukerji is here: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/bizasia-talks-to-rani-mukerji-about-her-role-in-talaash

My interview with the director of 'Talaash' Reema Kagti is here: http://www.media247.co.uk/showbiz/bizasia-talks-to-talaash-director-reema-kagti

Keep an eye on BizAsia Showbiz for my review of 'Talaash' later on this week!

Sanoobar

Fashion runs the world

Fashion is the one thing that i really have a passion for. Whether it be London Fashion Week or a new designer, i am always enchanted with the design and the dedication that goes into creating that dress or that top fascinates me.

It is hardly surprising that fashion envelopes the world in its soft couture hug and each city has its very own identity with its very own designers. I have not had the pleasure yet to visit every fashion capital around the world but coming from London, i can definitely say that we have our own culture and style. Being the home of Burberry and Vivienne Westwood, we are eclectic and sophisticated all the same time. Whatever the trend, a London girl is not afraid to take the piece and give it her own twist.

La Redoute, the French fashion brand (http://www.laredoute.co.uk/) have always been on trend and in typical French style, sell some of the most unique but simple pieces which can update any girl's wardrobe. It is funny but i bought my first dungarees at the age of 10 from the catalogue and i remember it so vividly well

Christmas in Covent Garden

Apple Market at Covent Garden

London is one of the most magical places at Christmas and it has to be said that when it comes to the decorations, we have is sussed. You only have to walk down your local high street to see how gorgeous the streets of London look at night. The lights sparkle in the promise of Christmas and it gets even the most cynical person thinking about family and encourages you to snuggle up warm at home, away from the cold outside.

My bear from the 'Build a Bear' workshop!

I went to visit Covent Garden yesterday and was blown away by their decorations. They really do go all out for this holiday and the massive Christmas tree (see below) always makes me so happy to see it.

Movie Review: 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan'

Starring Shah Rukh Khan, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif

Star rating: ****

No Bollywood has been more eagerly awaited than this one being Yash Chopra's last hurrah as he passed away late last month. Yashji, the man who could make his audience fall in love in a heartbeat had always said that this would be the last of his Bollywood films and he was determined to make his mark on the industry. Shah Rukh Khan was someone who Yashji saw as his eldest son and it is quite befitting that he was cast the  lead in this film. The song trailers for this films caused chaos in the world of social media with 'Saans' and 'Ishq Shava' being songs which have enjoyed constant play since their release. As all trailers for Mr Chopra's films, they did not give much away about the storyline making the audience even more eager to watch this film on the big screen.Would this film live up to the hype of being the love story to end all love stories?

Major Samar Khan (Shah Rukh Khan) rescues fiesty, sexy and fun filled Akira (Anushka Sharma) from drowning in a lake. Inadvertently Akira gets Samar's journal and begins reading about how he joined the army and got the reputation as 'the man who cannot die'. The story begins with Samar being a struggling Indian in London who is getting by doing small time jobs and trying to make his name in the world. Enter Meera (Katrina Kaif) who has a habit of making deals with God to get what she needs. She meets Samar who is busking for money and hires him to give her singing lessons in Punjabi. In return, she promises to teach him English. The pair fall in love and it is all going to plan until Samar gets into a car accident. Meera makes a pact with God to never see Samar again if he lives. Will Meera ever break her pact with God? Why did Samar get known as 'the man who cannot die'?

Honestly i have not been blown away by a Bollywood romance film in a long while but then again this is what Yashji always did best. At the start of the film, Yashji gives a voice over where he says that he puts his life and energy into his film and that is clear to see. His understanding of love, no matter what age the audience or characters on screen, he knew just how to convey it and bring everyone closer to his idea of love. Shah Rukh Khan is at his best as Samar and shows just how amazing he is as an actor. His eyes give away his pain or his love without him reciting a single piece of dialogue. Katrina Kaif redeems herself in this film in my eyes and plays the aloof and scared to love Meera extremely well. In stark contrast, Anushka Sharma plays the fiesty Akira to a tee and brings every scene she is in, to life. 

The musical numbers in this film are brilliant and A. R. Rahman has done a great number on every track. Raghav's 'Ishq Shava' is much better on the big screen and the choreography makes the most of Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif's dancing abilities. Being a Londoner at heart, the landscape of the UK is shown beautifully in this film and the shots during the song 'Challa' show the life of London extremely well. Cameos from Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are lovely to see in the film too.

Yash Chopra, wherever you are, hats off to you. The credits where it shows Yashji in action just proves what a great film maker he was and how much of his heart he put into his films. This film is in one word, brilliant and a befitting tribute who always invited us to fall in love at the start of each of his films. 

Movie Review: 'Skyfall'

Starring: Daniel Craig, Judi Dench, Javier Bardem and others

Star rating: ***

Being the film to mark the 50th anniversary of Bond films, Skyfall had a lot going for it. From the teasers to the trailer to the soundtrack, this film had the audiences guessing and was eagerly awaited by all. Daniel Craig as Bond has been greatly appreciated by the audience and his gritty ruthlessness makes him more true to the books by Ian Fleming than previous Bonds. When it was revealed that Adele would lending her sultry vocals to the opening credits of Skyfall, it made people sit up and listen and was already on everyone's lips even before the film's release. 

James Bond (Craig) is back on his travels again and on a mission in Turkey to track down a list of agents infiltrating terrorist organisations all over the world. With a fantastically orchestrated car chase which ends up on the train where Bond is shot by his fellow agent. After being presumed dead rather than missing, Bond tries to head off and  lead a quiet life when he is sucked right back in after a bomb is planted wrecking MI6 Millbank headquarters. Madame M (Dench) contemplates her future at MI6 as agents lie dead around her in coffins whilst Bond travels to go and find Silva (Bardem), a suave hannibal who holds a grudge against M and MI6 for not appreciating him as an agent. 

It has to be said that this film has felt more British than any other Bond films have been. The London backdrop does make the film a lot more real and reminds the audience that it is indeed a British franchise. The chase through the underground tunnels of Winston Churchill's bunker and the tube tunnels are fascinating to see on the big screen. Craig is at his best as Bond, though looking remarkably older and worn out than he has ever been. It is good to see that even though 007 is indestructible, he still feels the effects of ageing. The Bond girls are as dispensable as always. What was really brilliant to watch was the chemistry between Dench and Craig, both of whom have real tension that has never been noticed before by the audience. Dench's almost maternal instinct towards Bond is endearing and the fact that her intentions were not always strictly pure when it came to her agents really makes the whole relationship even more interesting.

Movie Review: 'The Campaign'

Starring: Will Ferrel, Zach Galifianakis
Star rating: ***

Seeing the trailers for this film made me expect the usual comic chaos which usually follows a Zach Galifiankis and Will Ferrel film. The complete illogical previews of the film meant that i expect a laugh-out-loud political comedy with some very inappropriate jokes thrown in along the way. With the Obama-Romney election race as a backdrop, this political satire was meant to deflect from the realities of the political world.

Congressman Cam Brady is an appalling politician who is a married -womaniser and has the unfortunate tendency for always getting into trouble. After leaving a very sexual phone message by mistake on a very strict Christian family's answering machine, his poll numbers start taking a nosedive leading to the funders of political campaign to start searching for a new candidate. They select chief Marty Higgins (Galifiankis), a local tourism rep, and the campaign quickly turns dirty as both fight to become the next Congressman.

This film does try desperately to be funny but it does fail on many accounts. I can't see to find either of the characters convincing as both of them turn into stereotypes of their characters. A lot of the comedic values are orientated towards an American audience and i simply did find myself losing track of what was going on at some points. The film is entertaining but at no means at the same level of previous films by either Ferrel or Galifiankis. 

Jab Tak Hai Jaan: 'Heer'

The video for 'Heer' from Jab Tak Hai Jaan is finally out! I cannot wait for the release of this film, honestly a must-watch for this year.

Primark Haul!

White long sleeve lounge top (£5)

Long length panda trousers (£5)

Pyjamas (£8)

Necklace (£4)