Both movies released Friday and had star-studded red-carpet premieres in the capital Thursday, but “Ishqiya” took the cake with almost 80 percent collections in the opening weekend. “Rann” got only around 30 percent collections.

“‘Ishqiya’ has got a strong opening in both Delhi and Uttar Pradesh in both multiplexes and single-screens. It has got around 80 percent business over the initial weekend,” Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas, told IANS.

“The dialogue delivery in the movie is very good and it is a typical masala movie but the drawback is that everyone might not like it because it has its own class. While ‘Rann’ is gripping but has managed only around 30 percent opening. There has been no initial for this one. It has its own class but no mass appeal,” he added.

Delhi-based distributor Joginder Mahajan also echoed the same.

“‘Rann’ has fared very poorly thanks to its subject. ‘Ishqiya’ on the other hand has been average vis-a-vis ‘Rann’. It is an ordinary affair with local appeal. Though the masses are watching it but the film is not for everyone because some are finding it a bit cheap,” said Mahajan.

“Surprisingly, ‘Ishqiya’ is performing better in multiplexes and not in B and C sectors. We are expecting it to earn an average Rs.2 crore overall in Delhi and Uttar Pradesh,” he added.

Distributed in India by Boney and Sridevi Kapoor’s film and television entertainment company BSK Network and Entertainment Pvt Ltd, “Ishqiya” has been co-produced by Shemaroo Entertainment and Vishal Bhardwaj.

The directorial debut of Abhishek Chaubey, the movie has actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi.

“Rann” on the other hand has been made at a budget of Rs.30 crore and is primarily about the conflict between business and conscience in the electronic media. It features megastar Amitabh Bachchan along with Riteish Deshmukh, Gul Panag and Paresh Rawal.

“The failure of ‘Rann’ has again given a dud out of Ram Gopal Varma’s camp. While ‘Ishqiya’ has the rustic and poetic appeal very common to Vishal Bhardwaj. No matter whatever the fate, his movies somehow do manage to leave an effect on the audiences’ minds,” said an industry source.

Expected to stretch for the week, “Ishqiya” now sees competition with Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol’s much-awaited first release of the year “My Name Is Khan” releasing Friday.

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ISHQIYA MOVIE REVIEW

You need to have a strong stomach to absorb ISHQIYA. It’s high on drama, it’s wild, it’s real. But it’s not dark, it’s not sleazy, it’s not crass. Frankly, you don’t expect debutante director Abhishek Chaubey to make a stereotypical fare thanks to the tutelage by his guru Vishal Bhardwaj, who loves to swim against the tide and undertake risks in film after film.

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dil to bacha hai { video }

You could call ISHQIYA a distant cousin of OMKARA. Set in Gorakhpur in North India, the film has a rustic feel, depicts characters that may make you uncomfortable and is laced with saucy lingo. Yet, it’s different than OMKARA.

Two thieves, Khalujaan [Naseeruddin Shah] and Babban [Arshad Warsi], are on the run from their boss, Mushtaq. They seek refuge at a friend’s house, but instead meet his widow, Krishna [Vidya Balan]. The time spent together draws the duo to her, Khalu with his tinted vision of old-fashioned love and Babban with his lustful eye. But the past catches up with all three!

There’s no denying that the promos had prepared me of the journey ahead, yet it took me a good 15-odd minutes to get into the world of Khalujaan, Babban and Krishna. But once you get sucked into their world, the blurred images start getting clearer and clearer and you become an active participant in their journey.

The first hour passes in a jiffy, but the story actually gets dramatic and volatile in its second hour. It’s at this stage that things start getting more and more unpredictable. The story does a somersault every 10 minutes and by the time it reaches its finale, you’re curious to know how the debutante director would conclude this saga. The end, of course, will have its share of advocates and adversaries, but the fact remains that it’s offbeat.

Every actor in ISHQIYA delivers a sparkling performance! Naseeruddin Shah is superb as a romantic. He is matchless in the sequence when he learns the truth about Vidya and Arshad. Arshad packs in a bravura performance yet again. Post MUNNABHAI films, Arshad should be liked in this one the maximum. Vidya continues to surprise. It’s a dynamic performance undoubtedly. PAA and ISHQIYA are two landmarks in her career.

On the whole, ISHQIYA is definitely worth a watch. The film has a riveting plot, great performances, soulful music, an absorbing story and skilful direction to make the viewer fall in ishq with it. It should appeal to the hardcore masses as also the multiplex junta.

Recently, while shooting for Balki’s Amitabh-Abhishek starrer Paa in Cambridge, Vidya simply disappeared. The crew returned to Mumbai without her. Laughs Vidya, “It’s nothing so dramatic. Yes, I did stay back in Cambridge. I simply had to. I had no choice.”

Shooting for Balki’s Paa in Oxford and Cambridge proved to be too lovely an experience for the actress to leave behind.

After the whole unit left she decided to stay for an extra week.

Recounting the experience, Vidya says, “I just couldn’t help it. Just being in Cambridge shooting was not enough. I felt a deep connect with the campus and the environment. I just wanted to walk around the campus with books in hand, so I’d look like a student.”

Once the shooting was over Vidya decided to stay over. “Luckily I’ve a friend in Cambridge. I stayed with her and her husband. It was the most enriching experience of my life. Just the air and the feel of the place is so special.”

Vidya now intends to buy herself a quiet escape route. “I can’t afford a place in Cambridge. But I know of a place near Mumbai that offers the same climate and topography. But I am not revealing it.”

Vidya is just back from a month-long trip from New York where she had gone for a fund-raiser and is now all set to shoot for Pa with Amitabh Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan .

‘Pa’ would have Vidya opposite Abhishek while Big B’s character won’t have any female co-star.

And after the debacle of Kismat Konnection at the box office, Vidya has become even more cautious as to how she looks on-screen.

Previously, Vidya used to go by whatever her directors and producers advised her. Now she is sitting through a lot of meetings to decide on her looks.

A dress sensitive decision one can say.

The gorgeous actress let her hair down and threw caution to the winds during the US holiday with her friends. Without caring a hoot for being recognized by anyone, she went on long walks on the American streets.

She also got in a mood to dance while at a local night club and ended up doing Salsa on the dance floor. Such spirited was Vidya’s jig that those who saw her could not stop complimenting her.

Vidya says she did during her holiday all those things she can’t do in Mumbai.

The pretty lady also subjected her taste buds to different cuisines.

She sampled dishes from Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico and Ethiopia. She also tried Fusion food.

Vidya also walked around the Central Park and visited an aquarium in Georgia. Reports have it that a US cop even asked to pose with her for a photograph.

Now, that’s a picture perfect vacation.

With all the Best Debutante awards in her kitty, newcomer Vidya Balan is the current toast of Tinseltown. Tagged as a jinxed actress in he south because all her films were stalled midway Vidya did not lose hope. Her perseverance paid off in the long run as hose days she is working with the likes of Mani Ratnam, Yash Chopra, Nikhil Advani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra. She has also refused films with Sudhir Mishra, Rituparno Ghosh and Kamal Haasan.
She pondered on every question for a minute before answering (had she already learnt the art of being an actress?). lf you are looking for gossipy quotes, Vidya is definitely not someone to look forward to.
Her statements were politically correct and when caught out, she laughed heartily.She hasn’t charted her course of action in Bollywood yet and wants to take things as hey come, she told us when we met her on the sets of Halla Bol. She refused to talk about the film because, “It’s just the second day of shooting” Masalal brings you excerpts from the observation with the gentle lady.

Did you enjoy the IIFA awards in Dubai?
My first IIFA was good because I won the award. It was also great to be in Dubai where I have many relatives. My parents and elder sister were also in Dubai during the IIFA weekend so it was like a huge family vacation. My parents visited all the hotshots of Dubai such as the Burj Al Arab, Jumeriah Beach Resort and Safa Park. I just about managed to hit the City Centre Mall.

Has life changed after all the accolades?
I’m still the same old Vidya with the same quirks and behavioural traits. But yes, l’ve become a lot busier than before.

Are you a spontaneous actor?
I am inquisitive about people in general. I question my directors and scriptwriters   before starting work. Before beginning work on Parineeta, we did an audio sound board to see if things worked or not. Before going to the sets I started watching films of that period. And since I was a tad plump, I went to a gym, lost too much weight and had to put some back on to fit into the character. I   am not a switch-on, switch-off artist – I need a lot of inputs.

Tell us something about your forthcoming film, Nikhil Advani’s Salaam-E-lshq
Salaam-E-lshq is a multi-starrer. The film is set in an urban milieu. The story has many sub plots and it revolves around the love relationships of a few couples .–John Abraham and I play one of the couples.

What role are you playing in the sequel to Munnabhai MBBS?
I wouldn’t say that Lage Raho Munnabhai is a sequel per se. The characters Munna and Circuit are in this movie too but that is where the similarity ends. I am playing the role of a radio jockey, who is Munnabhai’s love interest.
Did you expect Parineeta to be a success? Honestly speaking, I never bargained for it but I am really happy it happened.
Whenever I would see my favorite actors and actresses pick up awards, I wished that one day I would be nominated. When I won my first award, I was numb. I walked up on stage, took the award, mumbled something and walked back down. It took time for the excitement to sink in. Today I feel humbled and blessed.

We heard that you visited many radio stations before starting work on the film?
Actually, Mallishka, a college friend of mine is a radio jockey. When l was offered this role, I decided to visit her radio station for firsthand experience of how the jockeys work, so I did.

How do you tackle the Indian press?
I haven’t considered the indian press as something to be tackled or dealt with, they have been very warm and positive with me. l’m not against press persons nor am l anti interviews. It gets difficult to answer all calls and messages but I try to manage.

Did you have preconceived notions about the film industry and have they changed?
Honestly speaking, I never had any preconceived ideas. I always wanted to be an actress – the medium did not bother me. I had read about the industry being a big, bad world but my experiences have been to the contrary. Everyone has been warm, loving and accepting of me. I hope the journey continues like this.

Were you upset when you were linked you with your mentor, Pradeep Sarkar the director of Parineeta?
Initially, it would irritate me but l’ve learnt not to pay heed to it. Dada and his wife are like family to me. I go by what my dad says, tough situations don’t last tough people do’.

What sort of roles do you enjoy doing?
I want to do roles of substance that require me. I have no problem if people typecast me because being set in an image only shows that you as an actor, have actually convinced the viewer effectively that you are somebody else altogether. I want to do roles without which the film is incomplete.

How have people reacted to your stardom?
Mum’s the usual – biased and loving.Whatever her daughter does is the best. And dad’s on top of the world. They are very happy to see me reach the heights I have reached. When I wasn’t an actress, I would keep yapping to them about how I wanted to be an actress. They are spared of that now.

Are you happy with your demure image on screen or do you want to change it?
My goal as an artiste is achieved when I convince my viewers to See me as Someone other than myself.  This doesn’t mean that I want to keep playing Lolita-esque characters always. Tomorrow, if I am given the role of a city-bred girl then I will try my best to do come justice to that too.

What are the things that make you angry?
I like to be in control of my life. I am like monica in Friends. I need things to be in order I can get edgy about cleanliness. Five years hence, you See yourself as… I would be happy if I knew what I would be doing five hours from now (laughs.) I am not someone who plans things. I do what I feel is right at that moment. Love is essential for every human that unconditional feeling that makes you look beyond being to survive – it’s yourself. Right now I am in love with my work”

In  real life are you Lolita-eszue?
I think in some ways I am, especially when it comes to expressing the emotion of anger. In the film, Lolita isn’t too expressive about her Ager and that’s just the way I am. When I am angry I just shut myself away. I keep quite till I am calm.

Did modelling prepare you for acting?
Yes, my modelling experience did handy. Luckily, while 1 was doing television commercials, 1 got to work a lot of high-profile, extremely talented and experienced directors. Modelling prepared me to face the camera and pick up the technicalities. Advertising turned out to be a good training ground for films.

Tell us something about your character in Mani Ratnam’s Guru?
The cast of Guru consists of Aishwarya Rai, Abhishek Bachchan, Madhavan and myself We’ve just completed the first schedule of the film.
What is your biggest asset as an actor? I think my directors would be better equipped to answer this question. But 1 know one thing for sure, that as an artist my biggest asset is that I am willing to learn.

What are your passions in life?
I am passionate about watching all films – from commercial potboilers to parallel films. I also watch a lot of foreign language films with English sub-titles. I love listening to Indian classical music and spending time with my loved ones. I am quite a chatterbox if I am left with my friends.

What does love mean to you?
Love is essential for every human being to survive. It’s the unconditional feeling that makes you look beyond yourself And right now, I am in love with my work. I don’t want to get into a relationship just for the heck of it. It will happen when it has to.

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