Saturday, September 23, 2006

Remakes Remade

Today saw the promotional clips of “Umrao Jaan” and “Don”, two much talked about remakes of the originals. My opinion? Both are going to be big flops. They might recover the money invested but no great hits.

Umrao Jaan- Agreed, Aishwariya Rai is extremely beautiful but she is no match to what Rekha was in original Umrao Jaan. I don’t have anything against Ash. She must have played her role with all honesty but I can’t think of anybody else close to the character of Umrao Jaan other than Rekha. The character of Umrao was of a dusky girl from a middle class family. I feel that Ash looks too regal to even look like that character, leave alone playing it.

Also, the evergreen songs sung by Asha Bhosale “Justjoo jiski ki thi, usko to na paaya humne”, “Dil cheez kya hai, aap meri jaan leejiye” and “In aankhon ki masti” are still so admired and full of emotions that they can’t be overlooked (heard) by new songs sung by Alka Yagnik. The magic of Asha Bhosale’s voice is missing completely.

Don- Though I am an out and out fan of SRK but sorry to say that this role doesn’t suit him at all. I am an ardent fan of Amitabh Bachchan also. The original Don had something so macho in his character.. the voice, the physique, the way he walked & talked.. The whole thing is missing from this remake.
I am not talking about the height or the voice only; the whole persona of Don is missing.

Poor SRK has to resort to other methods to mach that Don of yesteryears. Neither he has voice nor the height of senior AB to do justice to the role. Ok, ok, don’t say that even Godfather was of medium height but then he was THE Godfather with other adjectives attached to him.

Lots of close-ups of SRK in the movie to concentrate on his plus points to make him look like a Don e.g. SRK has to twist his fingers in a particular style while smoking/holding ciggie, show his angry eyes to give the scene an appeal or the way he puts on his sun-glasses etc. The director has tried hard by showing only SRK’s moving feet with supporting background music because the moment he’s shown in full, the very effect of being a Don goes away.

Again, the famous song “Ye mera Dil Pyar ka diwaana, Diwaana diwaana, yaar ka diwaana” sung by Asha Bhosale is filmed on Kareena & SRK. It looks horrible.

I don’t think this dialogue “Jeetna meri zid hi nahi, meri aadat hai” of this generation’s Don will save the film.

Again, nothing against new singers, new actors but remake of a good movie is just not right. Why do they have to spoil the charm created by originals?

Current song- Woh ho Kagaz ki kashti, Woh Baarish ka Pani – Jagjit Singh

26 comments:

Ketan said...

Me too think so. no point in remaking, sometimes I think. They are both pretty complete and well-made movies.

Anonymous said...

Another remake which is going to dash on the rocks is "Shiva" by RGV. Too much gory...

And I agree, Aishwarya Rai is definitely not Rekha (though I would like to see the movie). She is graceful in a different way than Umraojaan.

And remember SRK's last attempt to play a don?

Cuckoo said...

Ketan,
Thanks for dropping by. Keep visiting.

Fleiger,
Shiva? The recent flop one?
Yeah, I will also see both the movies and disappoint myself. :)
SRK's last attempt? Are you talking abt Duplicate?

the Scribble-osaurus said...

Methinks SRK is more suited to sly type of negative roles, rather than bold characters, like the role of Don requires.
And, who has ever paid any attention lately to what RGV does?
Those people should jump off the Remix Bandwagon and use their creative talents in a better way.

Anonymous said...

Shiva? The recent flop one?
Yes, the same...

Yeah, I will also see both the movies and disappoint myself. :)
Well, not exactly disappoint, I mean Aishwarya Rai telling us to "Dil cheez kya hai, aap meri jaan lijiye"... not exactly bad thing, you know ;)

Are you talking abt Duplicate?
So you watched that thing called movie? It was partly funny, partly torture...

Cuckoo said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Cuckoo said...

Hey ppl,
Reply to you laters. Excusez-moi s.v.p.

SiD said...

Umrao jaan - i also think Ash's Godess kind image goes against the image of Umrao Jaaan...

Don: Though SRK is no Amitabh Bachchan.. but some how i have faith in Farhaan Akhtar...
And ya the DON SRK is shown making ugly kind of faces in contrast to serene, calm but evil Bachchan.

Anonymous said...

It shows on Google Reader... was that a secret?

And "later" as in you will tell me later? Now, that's one more thing...

Cuckoo said...

Lord,
Your blog looks quite interesting for a 15 year old. Keep it up buddy. Maybe I'll request you to make some for me as well. ;)

SiD,
Let's see. Waise, I am going to see both the movies. Don't want to miss how Ash says "Dil cheez kya hai, aap meri jaan lijiye" to guys like you and Fleiger. :P

Fleiger,
Oh I see. Yes, it was .. getting too many crap being the sole reason. Though friends are always welcome. :) Is it still visible? What else can you see there?

Anonymous said...

Sad luck... just goes to show all secrets are breakable. And while we are on the subject, how did you know my name? And nikichan told me you got my photos too :o

Well, Google Reader just shows that mail id, and your name. So, don't worry...

As for Aish, come on... just imagine the scene...

The Wanderer™ said...

Hi there, I just visited my wanderer blog after a long time and found your message there. Thanks!

I have just returned from a biking trip to the Himalayas, where I found heaven on earth. I will try sharing a few pix and stories soon. Glad to know you like what I write. I will check out your blog soon, as soon as my f#$%#$%#$% boss gives me some breathing space:)

The Wanderer

Cuckoo said...

Fleiger,
Your name?? Well..
1. It's on your blog somewhere, probably on the other one.
2. In some of the comments(old ones) on your blog, ppl have addressed you by your name.
3. Some ppl including SiD have blogrolled you by your name.
I think these reasons are more than enough. :))

Your photos?? Now, that's the interesting part!! Even I wasn't aware of that !! Let's ask nikichan what made her say that. ;)

Wanderer,
Once again welcome to my blog. Glad to have you back. :) yes, I am aware you were on your biking trip and was wondering when are we going to hear about that.
Take your own time. :))

Anonymous said...

I knew some of my friends have blogrolled me by name, but that seemed such an easy explanation. That's ok...

Oh, and forgot to ask yesterday, is it "on the rocks" or just "serve chilled"? ;)

I got a sneak look at one of the songs (must be part of trailer) of Umraojaan. Will be worth watching, if we forget that the movie is remake.

The Wanderer™ said...

Hey,

I must confess that I dont remember visiting your blog before! Also, I'm wondering how you knew I was on a bike trip coz that was not on my wanderer blog. Perhaps you got it from elsewhere and we know each other more than what I think we do? Coz I have no clue who cuckoo is right now, but would love to know. Lemme know!

Cuckoo said...

Wanderer,
Ha Ha..That was the reason I was telling you not to wander too much!! Your memory is too short.
But, you really gave me some work. I had to dig out all my previous posts & comments to prove myself. Here it is. Read this post & its comments.
So, just remember.. if I say something, I have some concrete backing. Hawa mein baaten nahi karti main.

Keshi said...

ur spot on abt remakes. I hate it when they do that cos it kills the original. Anything imitated is bad.

Aishwarya and SRK r overrated. Im tired of them now.

Keshi.

Anonymous said...

Yup, I am chilled (Sorry, don't know the proper usage of this word in this condition). Or are you telling me the answer to my question??? It is "chilled" and not "on the rocks"??? :D

And to think that I went through all the trouble... I told you, that explanation was a letdown :(

The Wanderer™ said...

Yikes, sorry for ruffling up your feathers, that was not the intention! Yes, I have a BAD memory which is why my mobile phone with its reminder service is a LIFE saver, believe you me.

Anyways, thanks for that link, now I realize there are lots of blogs where I may have sown a seed I never knew off..lol

If that makes sense, i'll catch you later. If it doesnt, please dont crucify me :)

Cuckoo said...

Keshi,
Thanks and welcome to my blog. Keep visiting.

Fleiger,
Or are you telling me the answer to my question??? Nice interpretation. I liked it. :)

I told you, that explanation was a letdown :( Tch tch.. poor Fleiger :P

Wanderer,
Ha Ha.. You are excused. You better think before ruffling up next time, I have Eagle as my friend. ;)

Anonymous said...

I am good at interpreting data, sometimes too good for my own good.

Like, when I was searching who you are, I filtered all my female acquint, then checked all libras, and then checked all delhiites/mumbaikars... Of course, I did all this on orkut, which would not have been much use in hindsight... So you see, why it was a letdown...

Anonymous said...

@Wanderer: We birds usually stick together, even though we are not of a feather. So don't ruffle any feathers... and cuckoos are not so harmless as they seem. ;)

Cuckoo said...

Ohhh you really did all that to find out? And couldn't think of the obvious?? LOLLL
Hmm..I am wondering now.....

I liked your way of interpretation..that doesn't mean you got the answer. :)

We birds usually stick together,,,So don't ruffle any feathers Oh so sweet of you. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Agree with you both looks like a flop....

Cuckoo said...

Tarun,
Thanks. :)

Anonymous said...

Got hold of music of both the movies... sounds interesting. Waiting for the movies now :)