Remaking the Amitabh Bachchan classic ‘Don’ was a risk in itself. Not only because it is one of Bachchan's most iconic characters, but also because films like ‘Sholay’, ‘Don’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Deewar’, ‘Trishul’, ‘Muqaddar Ka Sikander’ [and many, many more] redefined the cinema of 1970s and 1980s. Farhan Akhtar accepted the challenge and attempted a successful remake of ‘Don’ with SRK.
Paanch saal baad, Farhan and his team of writers decide to carry the concept frontward with 'Don 2'. I genuinely feel that sequels shouldn't be attempted if you don't have an enthralling story to narrate. This time, Farhan chooses an entirely new concept, garnishes it with classic action, stunning visuals, giving it an international look and feel... the intention is to make the second part superior and enhanced than the first. Also, the fascination for thrillers such as 'M.I.', 'Bourne' and 'Bond' series is pretty evident.
While one was abundantly aware of what the first part had to offer [since it was a remake], one is completely oblivious about what the sequel has in store. And it is this facet of the film that kindles colossal interest. You cannot tell what Don's next move would be. As the reels unfold, you realize that he's cold blooded. You can't mess with him. He's dangerous to deal with. He has an agenda. Ditto for Roma [Priyanka Chopra], who shares a tumultuous relationship with Don. It's a cat and mouse chase
When viewed in isolation, 'Don 2' looks like the right package to woo the movie-going junta -- SRK in top form, a stylishly crafted story, pulsating and invigorating action and stunts. But it's not without its share of hiccups. In fact, the first hour and the post-interval portions of the film are akin to the two sides of the same coin. The first hour is bland, the second is energetic. The first hour is deficient in thrills; the second keeps you on the edge. The first hour disentangles at a languid pace, the second is feverish with several adrenaline rush moments.
'Don 2' begins in Thailand and moves to Malaysia. Don [SRK] surrenders himself to the cops [Om Puri, Priyanka Chopra] and is sent to a Malaysian prison. There, he meets his old foe Vardhan [Boman Irani]. Don hatches a conspiracy to escape with Vardhan and they succeed as well. They reach Zurich, then Berlin. The motive is to rob the currency plates. It's an unfeasible task, but Don takes the help of a hacker [Kunal Kapoor] to accomplish his plans.
With 'Don 2', Farhan Akhtar reasserts himself as one of Hindi cinema's stylish storytellers. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that 'Don 2' redefines slick in Bollywood. But the film could've done with a tighter script. Besides, the writing is urban-centric and those with an appetite for international thrillers may take to the film instantly, especially the twists and turns in the second hour. Again, the conclusion to the story could've been simplified for the average viewer to decipher. Yet, all said and done, 'Don 2' mirrors the changing trends in Hindi cinema. Those with the conventional attitude or tilting towards the conservative form of cinema may find it difficult to absorb.
'Don' is also acknowledged for its vibrant and eminent dialogue. One can conjure up the lines from the original Bachchan starrer and in 'Don 2'; the lines are in sync with the various guises and situations of the Don. The dialogues are masterly and the flamboyance with which SRK delivers the lines is what makes it exceptional. The lines are cooler, hip, zany, witty and at the same time, easy on the lips. They're sure to become the new catchphrases in times to come, like the one you recall even today: 'Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, na-mumkin hain'.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the trusted and prominent names in Excel's movies, dishearten this time around. In fact, the music is the sole sore point of the film. Sure, it has vigour and spice, but the wow factor is amiss. The film deserved a much, much superior score to match up to the standards set by Farhan Akhtar. Jason West's cinematography is dazzling. Filmed in Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia and Thailand, the film is visually enchanting. The action and stunts are spectacular.
'Don 2' marks SRK's return to anti-hero roles after enacting such roles with flourish so early in his career. Recall 'Baazigar', 'Darr' and 'Anjaam'. He plays a wicked, debonair anti-hero in 'Don 2'. The character he portrays is iniquitous and sinful, but attractive at the same time and SRK lives it up with gusto.
Besides, SRK has also experimented with varied looks in the film, from a debonair looking guy to a person with unkempt hair and stubble. Without doubt, 'Don 2' is SRK's best action movie to date.
Priyanka revisits her character of Roma in the film. Not only is the character more evolved, even her performance is of a high order. In fact, she enacts the role of an angry, tough lady who means business with a vengeance. Lara Dutta looks glamorous and alluring, but her character lacks meat.
Kunal Kapoor is decent, though he doesn't really get the scenes to prove his credentials. An actor of Om Puri's Calibre is wasted this time. Boman Irani lends the right texture to his character. He excels yet again. Nawab Shah should hit big league with this film. He plays one of the baddies with conviction.
Alyy Khan is natural, enacting his part with ease. Sahil Shroff has screen presence and stands out in a brief role. Hrithik Roshan appears in a cameo.
On the whole, DON 2 rides on star power and brand value. The tremendous hype, star power and the lucrative period [Christmas and New Year celebrations] will make its investors reap a harvest.
A larger-than-life bronze statue of the late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs was unveiled in a Budapest science park Wednesday, two months after his death.
A Hungarian software company unveiled what it said was the world's first bronze statue of Apple Inc co-founder Steve Jobs, calling him one of the greatest personalities of the modern age.
Jobs died on October 5 of pancreatic cancer at the age of 56.
The bronze work by sculptor Erno Toth stands in the Budapest campus of architectural software maker Graphisoft.
"He was one of the greatest (personalities) in our era, that's what we wanted to express with this sculpture here," Graphisoft Chairman Gabor Bojar told.
Bojar said Jobs gave cash and computers to Graphisoft, helping it to become a global leader in architecture software from humble roots as a tiny firm in the 1980s in then-communist Hungary.
Steve Jobs represented a technological revolution which can be compared only to the discovery of writing, Bojar said.
"We have felt his spirit every day and now it is embodied," he said. "We hope that we can deserve with our entrepreneurial culture in Hungary what this sculpture expresses as a message."
An assistant of Hungarian sculptor Erno Toth moves his latest work, a bronze statue of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs.
The head of a new bronze statue of late Apple co-founder Steve Jobs awaits the finishing touches in Budapest.
This season's Bigg Boss has seen many twists and turns and as we get close to Christmas, one last bomb is yet to explode. Mahek Chahal, whose eviction received a lot of mixed reactions, has been approached to re-enter the house again as a wild card contestant
But Mahek will have to compete with Shonali and Laxmi to win this chance to re-enter the show. The person who receives the maximum votes by the audience will enter the houseWhen contacted, Mahek confirmed the news, “I have been out for more than a week and in this time all that I have done is viewed the episodes of the 10 weeks that I was in the house. I was quite shocked at most of the footage that I saw and I now know the realities of so many people who are still in the house.”Mahek added, “I very seriously want to enter the house and teach them a lesson for back-stabbing especially since I considered them to be my friends. Moreover I want to settle scores with Sky and make sure the audience knows about the plotting that Pooja Bedi and Sky have done against me to get me out of the house.”Mahek also pointed out, “Each week I fought for my position and I was falsely implicated of being close to Mr Khan just because I have done two films with him and merely knowing him was my crime. Also I have got so much support from people outside that I want the world to know that it was my fans (who call themselves Mahekians) and not a pull that was saving me.”Since Shonali and Laxmi have not really added any spice to the show, we hope that Mahek does come back on the show as the fireworks that would follow would surely be really worth watching
After immortalising himself in the miniature toy form of superhero G.One, Shahrukh Khan will now be seen in a bobbleheaded avatar inspired from his character in Don 2
As Shahrukh Khan’s all set to display some kick-ass gun totting action on screen with Don 2, you can bring home his head bobbling toy avatar! Yes, this is the first time that India will see official licensed bobble headed memorabilia attached to a film. Just a few months ago SRK was busy selling his blue-eyed superhero G.One’s toy avatars and yet again he’s banking on a similar strategy to promote Don 2. Well, we wonder if merchandise has really helped promote a Bollywood film? Hrithik Roshan was one of the first stars to come out with the toy form of his superhero in India, in the form of Krrish. And the film’s popularity amongst kids did help sell the toy. Guess B-town toys can never really compete with Hollywood superheroes like Batman and Spiderman? Anyway, there’s enough hype around the Don sequel and we don’t really know if the bobblehead is going to make a big difference. But SRK can sell anything, can’t he? So we wouldn’t be surprised if he actually finds takers for this. And we think SRK looks quite cute and funny in this avatar. What do you think?
Paanch saal baad, Farhan and his team of writers decide to carry the concept frontward with 'Don 2'. I genuinely feel that sequels shouldn't be attempted if you don't have an enthralling story to narrate. This time, Farhan chooses an entirely new concept, garnishes it with classic action, stunning visuals, giving it an international look and feel... the intention is to make the second part superior and enhanced than the first. Also, the fascination for thrillers such as 'M.I.', 'Bourne' and 'Bond' series is pretty evident.
While one was abundantly aware of what the first part had to offer [since it was a remake], one is completely oblivious about what the sequel has in store. And it is this facet of the film that kindles colossal interest. You cannot tell what Don's next move would be. As the reels unfold, you realize that he's cold blooded. You can't mess with him. He's dangerous to deal with. He has an agenda. Ditto for Roma [Priyanka Chopra], who shares a tumultuous relationship with Don. It's a cat and mouse chase
When viewed in isolation, 'Don 2' looks like the right package to woo the movie-going junta -- SRK in top form, a stylishly crafted story, pulsating and invigorating action and stunts. But it's not without its share of hiccups. In fact, the first hour and the post-interval portions of the film are akin to the two sides of the same coin. The first hour is bland, the second is energetic. The first hour is deficient in thrills; the second keeps you on the edge. The first hour disentangles at a languid pace, the second is feverish with several adrenaline rush moments.
'Don 2' begins in Thailand and moves to Malaysia. Don [SRK] surrenders himself to the cops [Om Puri, Priyanka Chopra] and is sent to a Malaysian prison. There, he meets his old foe Vardhan [Boman Irani]. Don hatches a conspiracy to escape with Vardhan and they succeed as well. They reach Zurich, then Berlin. The motive is to rob the currency plates. It's an unfeasible task, but Don takes the help of a hacker [Kunal Kapoor] to accomplish his plans.
With 'Don 2', Farhan Akhtar reasserts himself as one of Hindi cinema's stylish storytellers. It wouldn't be erroneous to state that 'Don 2' redefines slick in Bollywood. But the film could've done with a tighter script. Besides, the writing is urban-centric and those with an appetite for international thrillers may take to the film instantly, especially the twists and turns in the second hour. Again, the conclusion to the story could've been simplified for the average viewer to decipher. Yet, all said and done, 'Don 2' mirrors the changing trends in Hindi cinema. Those with the conventional attitude or tilting towards the conservative form of cinema may find it difficult to absorb.
'Don' is also acknowledged for its vibrant and eminent dialogue. One can conjure up the lines from the original Bachchan starrer and in 'Don 2'; the lines are in sync with the various guises and situations of the Don. The dialogues are masterly and the flamboyance with which SRK delivers the lines is what makes it exceptional. The lines are cooler, hip, zany, witty and at the same time, easy on the lips. They're sure to become the new catchphrases in times to come, like the one you recall even today: 'Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahin, na-mumkin hain'.
Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, the trusted and prominent names in Excel's movies, dishearten this time around. In fact, the music is the sole sore point of the film. Sure, it has vigour and spice, but the wow factor is amiss. The film deserved a much, much superior score to match up to the standards set by Farhan Akhtar. Jason West's cinematography is dazzling. Filmed in Germany, Switzerland, Malaysia and Thailand, the film is visually enchanting. The action and stunts are spectacular.
'Don 2' marks SRK's return to anti-hero roles after enacting such roles with flourish so early in his career. Recall 'Baazigar', 'Darr' and 'Anjaam'. He plays a wicked, debonair anti-hero in 'Don 2'. The character he portrays is iniquitous and sinful, but attractive at the same time and SRK lives it up with gusto.
Besides, SRK has also experimented with varied looks in the film, from a debonair looking guy to a person with unkempt hair and stubble. Without doubt, 'Don 2' is SRK's best action movie to date.
Priyanka revisits her character of Roma in the film. Not only is the character more evolved, even her performance is of a high order. In fact, she enacts the role of an angry, tough lady who means business with a vengeance. Lara Dutta looks glamorous and alluring, but her character lacks meat.
Kunal Kapoor is decent, though he doesn't really get the scenes to prove his credentials. An actor of Om Puri's Calibre is wasted this time. Boman Irani lends the right texture to his character. He excels yet again. Nawab Shah should hit big league with this film. He plays one of the baddies with conviction.
Alyy Khan is natural, enacting his part with ease. Sahil Shroff has screen presence and stands out in a brief role. Hrithik Roshan appears in a cameo.
On the whole, DON 2 rides on star power and brand value. The tremendous hype, star power and the lucrative period [Christmas and New Year celebrations] will make its investors reap a harvest.
