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Scary Khan And The Saawariya Edge

Okay, don’t get me wrong here – this is not a Shah Rukh Khan bashing post. But seriously yaar, you cannot ignore the canny resemblance the two superstars share. The minute Shah Rukh appeared on the television screen during the India against Pakistan T20 Finals, the scary image of Michael Jackson flashed in our (me and my gang) minds. The hair, the face, the sunglasses, the entire package (with the exception of skin shade) – makes one wonder, are they brothers from different mothers? [By the way, would like to thank my dear friend Melody for the awesome SRK-Jackson picture job]

Anyway moving onto another related topic – the entire Bollywood (including the fans) are talking gossiping about the Diwali dhamaka, Om Shanti Om vs. Saawariya clash.

Personally, with most certainty I will be one of those who will watch the two films on the same day. Yes, I can be that loony at times, such is my love for the Hindi Film Industry. But if I have to choose between SRK’s full on commercial attempt and Salman’s minor guest appearance – yup, you guessed it right, Sallu wins from all quarters. And so Saawariya will be given the first priority.

Besides the Salman factor, there are other attractive aspects to Saawariya as well.

1.The lead pair, Ranbir and Sonam comes with immense hype and expectations as well. After all they belong to top-notch Bollywood families. Though I doubt the acting capabilities of many filmy sons and daughters, these two compel me to think otherwise.

2. It’s a Sanjay Leela Bhansali production – I am a sucker for melodramatic emotions and SLB is freaking good at stuffing our faces with it.

3. Saawariya has a vibrant and soothing feel to it. Sanjay’s films are often associated with colors; Hum Dil De Chupke Sanam was filled with various lively shades, Devdas was dominated with color red and Black was presented with different degrees of grays. Similarly, Saawariya’s platelet consists of lively sky blue, white and black – very different yet eye-pleasing result.

4.The other praise worthy quality of SLB is that he successfully manages to create the whole larger-than-life persona in his films. Be it the sets, the costumes, the picturization – everything is grand but yet never out of character. And Saawariya seems to have it all.

5.The film’s story is shrouded in mystery – all we know is that it’s a love story.

6.The film also stars Rani Mukherjee, which is an added star attraction.

On the other hand, here are some of the points which I personally don’t think work in favor of the rival team, Om Shanti Om.

1. Every time I watch the promo of the song Dard-E-Disco featuring 6 packs Shah Rukh Khan, I want to scream out loud, Darr-(h) E (y)-Mujhko.

2. Farah Khan’s debut, Main Ho Naa may have been a box-office hit but frankly it didn’t impress me much.

3.The whole 70s-early 80s look is refreshing but not entirely convincing.

4.SRK and Deepika pairing seems odd – it’s more on the lines of Amitabh Bachchan and Tabu’s coupling in the film Cheeni Kum. Okay, maybe I have exaggerated a little here but surely you get the point.

5. The story is mostly out – it’s based on reincarnation. SRK is in love with a top actress but dies before he could express it to her and then comes back in the next life to complete the circle. And therefore the name Om Shanti Om – Om (70s SRK), Shanti (Deepika) and Om (6 packs SRK).

One thing is certain though, even if the film sucks it is mostly likely to recover its investments (and even make some profits), all thanks to the King Khan’s attachment and over-the-top publicity stunts.

But as they say Bollywood only imitates real-life situations and therefore, sometimes even the crappiest of the films are showered with awards and praises while the deserving ones barely manage to sustain their presence for more than a week.So let’s just wait and watch, who wins the battle this time round.

[Cross-Posted on DesiDabba]

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Comments

28 comments | Add your comment »

Raj
Oct 12th, 2007 at 10:34 am | #

Heh! The similarity between the two kings is undeniable! :D

I think Saawariya might turn out to be a better movie but Om Shanti Om would probably end up making more money.

Aramita
Oct 12th, 2007 at 10:50 am | #

Will definitely watch both movies on the first day, which is on the 8th of Nov for me.

The two films are so distinctly different, so I won’t compare.

But of course, first priority will go to OSO, since I’m an SRK fan.

I know Saawariya will be the better movie, but OSO would be more entertaining. As I heard Saawariya has a tragic ending (no spoilers :P ).

Anshul
Oct 12th, 2007 at 11:31 am | #

I think both the films will totally different since OSO is totally a masala film while the Saawariya may be more serious and for the classes and not the masses…

But I agree to Raj, that at the end we may find OSO making more money than the other one at the Box Office; this is mainly coz of SRK’s King Khan Status and popularity in overseas…

Deep
Oct 12th, 2007 at 12:06 pm | #

haha, I was thinking exactly the same thing, I just told my girl that look SRK and MJ look so similar.. haha and you wrote about it.. haha

Gaurav
Oct 12th, 2007 at 12:07 pm | #

:) LOL…Saks, you naughty girl.

Aryan
Oct 12th, 2007 at 12:20 pm | #

Oh come on, give us all a break. How can you compare someone like muscle man Salman to a talented star like Shahrukh. You just wait and watch he will screw SLB’s happiness at the box office.

shadows
Oct 12th, 2007 at 1:05 pm | #

Cant watch either of them. One will be rona-dhona artistic and irritating (remember Black) types, the other will be typical run of the mill reincarnation story.

Though I must say, Ranbir looks smart. Some of his pics remind me of the young Raj Kapoor.. He sure looks smart.. (and slimmer than his dad and uncles at this age :) )
A much younger Raj Kapoor looked a real stylish man. No dont recall Shree 420. I once saw a song of another movie where he smokes away in a bar/pub/casino watching a singer/dancer perform
Kuch to baat hai Kapoor Khaandaan ke looks mein.. (of course, that excludes Kareena.. )

Naresh
Oct 12th, 2007 at 3:10 pm | #

Wont watch both the mves on the first weekend, but am sure Saawariya is more promising than Om Shanti Om, esp after seeing SRK in tht 6-pack. I literally ran into the washroom to puke after watching him! :P

Neeti
Oct 12th, 2007 at 4:56 pm | #

Sakshi I’m surprised that inspite of being a Bollywood buff you think the story of Saawariya is shrouded in secrecy. The word is it is based on a European short story called “The White Night”. A synopsis is given in their official site as well if I’m not mistaken. They haven’t officially acknowledged their source though…
I was keen on seeing Saawariya but the whole “Sanjay sir this and Sanjay sir that” publicity has made me sick… Who cares if Sanjay is their third parent blah…

Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 13th, 2007 at 6:41 am | #

Neeti – Really? But what’s interesting is that none of the Saawariya members disclosed their role details in all the press promos, etc. Whereas, Om Shanti Om gang have been going non-stop discussing their character details in depth. Very wrong move, me thinks!

Shadows – I totally agree with you on Ranbir Kapoor. Many think he is a confused outcome of Neetu and Rishi but the more I see him in the promos, the more I like him. There is something very appealing in his looks. Also, I too believe Kareena is ugly especially after all the weigh-loss jig of hers.

Mario
Oct 13th, 2007 at 11:11 pm | #

SRK rules. Long live the King

Aramita
Oct 14th, 2007 at 12:33 pm | #

Just to let you know, this article of yours created quite a stir on Indiafm forums. Fans of SRK vs. Haters of SRK. Over 20 pages of discussion on what you wrote.

Kudos ;)

indya
Oct 14th, 2007 at 9:37 pm | #

With so much hype and writings everywhere (-ve or +ve) both movies will win at Box Office. Just my opinion. :)

Isn’t OSO seem like a copy successful and good movie Karz?

Vote for this story at BestOfIndya

Sona
Oct 14th, 2007 at 11:48 pm | #

I’ve heard abt Saawariya being based on “White Nights” too. Have read the short story and waiting to watch SLB’s interpretation.

Saakshi O. Juneja
Oct 15th, 2007 at 5:53 am | #

Armita : Wow! Me like it. ;)

ps…Can you put up the link as well. Thanks.

Nerissa
Oct 18th, 2007 at 12:43 pm | #

i wud watch a fun filled movie rather than a sad romantic one which fills my eyes with tears (which i do not want coz i wanna b happppppyy) and i hope saawariya postpones the release date …. i want farah khan’s film to b a hit since SLB’s films hav already bin a hit….i’l watch OSO….and if i can i’ll watch saawariya as well….HAHA

ranbir kapoor is actually an ass….he looks horrendous…and theres smth crappy abt him

Nerissa
Oct 20th, 2007 at 9:57 am | #

the competition is actually between SRK vs SLB and Deepika vs Ranbir…………by the way SLB made sure both the actors were from reputated and famous families…he took his own advantage

shadows
Oct 22nd, 2007 at 8:46 am | #

There used to be a die-hard Saahrook fanboy here.. Where is he ?

Just wanted to tell him that Kaun Banega Crorepati 3 featuring SRK has been scrapped due to Poor Response. Heh..

moon
Oct 27th, 2007 at 8:33 am | #

hy ranbir u r so sweet so sexy yaar i m fan of u

Utopian Max
Oct 30th, 2007 at 8:22 am | #

Hi Sakshi, this might interest you, that you can actually send Saawariya personalized Diwali greetings to your ‘beloved’ or near and dear ones from http://www.saawariyafilm.com/

You can follow updates, news, announcements about Saawariya and their stars – Ranbir Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Salman Khan on http://twitter.com/Saawariya

freshbreeze
Nov 7th, 2007 at 4:44 pm | #

Oh SRK basher…. hold it….. Saawariya would’ve hardly been noticed if not for SRK/ OSO….. I’m suprised to see your ignorance and those anti-SRK talks….. Your SRK bashing will do no evil for OSO and no good for Saawariya except for the difference of few more tickets to Saawariya (courtesy, those handful visitors to your blog who choose to keep a closed mind) .

Firstly, because Saawariya is pited against SRK/ OSO, it started getting noticed. Secondly, Sony Pictures marketing effort brought it notice.
Where as, SRK has almost single-handedly handled OSO.

Way to go, King Khan!!!!! You rock……..

freshbreeze
Nov 7th, 2007 at 4:45 pm | #

Btw, just wait for a few weeks and you’ll know where OSO and Saawariya stand…..

freshbreeze
Nov 7th, 2007 at 6:44 pm | #

@shadows: Buzz is that SRK will be doing KBC4. Shootings to start early next year…. If KBC3/ he was a flop, why would star tv want to bring him on again….. In fact it’s the other way round. Bachchan’s KBC2 didn’t do what it needed to for Star TV (it failed miserably to deliver the expected) and hence he was promptly replaced by SRK…. SRK was given the gargantuan task of reviving KBC’s drowning fortunes and undo the damage caused due to viewership heading south, courtesy KBC2/ Bachchan. And SRK did marvelously well plus out-did the previous 2 KBC’s revenues for Star TV in spite of the format of the show being stale and competition from other channels.

Buddyinus
Nov 8th, 2007 at 8:34 am | #

Khamoshi and Black were some of the most boring films ever made in Bollywood, thanks to SLB. And Saawariya is undoubtedly made on the same lines…If u notice the kind of sets and the darkness in the movie, it gives u an idea bout the film. I bet u will be bound to have a nap in the cinema hall watching this movie. Infact, I’d suggest watch this movie in the morning if u r planning on celebrating Diwali by bursting crackers all night long.

On the contrary, Om Shanti Om has everything in it to make u smile, cry and freak out. On a festival day, wud u rather sleep or have fun? Definitely Diwali is all bout having fun. SRK has proved time and again that therez simply no competition for him in whatever he doz…be it Acting, Producing or Promoting…Hez not called Baadshah for nothing. Roping in that many stars for a song itself says it all. Ppl tend to bask in the glory of SRK. SLB knows that and hez getting that free publicity (indirectly via SRK).

Anyway, bottom line, the ball is clearly in the audience court now. Wait and watch. My only hope is…other than desis…Americans, British, Australians and ppl from every other country shud watch OSO and make it a hit. SRK might as well as act as a cultural bridge between the western world and India. Chak De SRK…u make us proud.

halchal
Dec 11th, 2007 at 3:26 pm | #

fuck you fuckin’ asswipe…..!!!

OSO is a blockbuster n saawariya is nowhr 2 b seen in d vicinity….!

atleast don’t b prejudiced ,you stinkin’ scum bag !!!!

Iram
Feb 5th, 2008 at 1:11 pm | #

srk son’t look like Michael Jackson do u get that.
srk is so handsome and him is …..
dont u ever say this again.
How can people compare srk with him.
srk is so handsooooooooome.

Punsons
Jul 20th, 2009 at 3:09 pm | #

I totally agree with you on Ranbir Kapoor. Many think he is a confused outcome of Neetu and Rishi but the more I see him in the promos, the more I like him.

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Sakshi Juneja

We all have a right to express our views. In many instances; it will be against ours and in some; with us. To hear them out is 'decency' but to let them get to you is 'weakness'. More info »

I also blog at DesiDabba and DesiCritics

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