Badmaash Company full Boxoffice Collection

After Housefull opened to an excellent start last week, it was the turn of Badmaash Company to open to a heartening start at the box-office. Shahid Kapoor's last major release Chance Pe Dance (not counting Paathshaala) had fetched a below average start, so it was imperative that Badmaash Company fetch a good start at the ticket window. The opening numbers of Badmaash Company were an impressive 80% to 90% at places, while at places it ranged from 45% to 75%, which only improved towards the evening shows.

Badmaash Company grossed a decent 13.50 crore nett over its first weekend. The film did around 5 crore nett in Mumbai and around 3 crore nett in Delhi/UP. East Punjab added another 1 crore nett approx. The business on saturday and Sunday was better than Friday but jump was not huge.

The first week is looking to finish in the 19-21 crore nett depending on the how well the weekdays perform. The film will earn for its makers as costs are not very high and revenue from all sources will probably go near 30 crore.

The theatrical performance will should also be decent as the film does not have much competition next week and this should allow the film to hit the 30 crore nett lifetime mark.

Shahid Kapoor's Badmaash Company Review

Badmaash Company give you the feeling that it's a hurried job or the debutante writer-director, in a bid to start his first film, had left blanks incomplete.

The earth provides enough to satisfy every man's need, but not every man's greed. The adage holds true for the youth of today, who wish to attain the riches overnight and take an easy route/shortcut to climb the ladder of success. Just when you start thinking that you've conquered it all, that you're God, a stroke of bad luck brings you back to Ground Zero, to experience the harsh realities of life.

Parmeet walks the tight rope of handling a complex subject and offering entertainment simultaneously, in his very first film. To his credit, the film has several poignant and enjoyable moments that catch you by complete surprise. While the film has it all - the writing has the power to keep the viewer hooked - the film has a handicap in the form of its second hour, especially the penultimate 25-odd minutes.

Let me specify! With a running time of approx. 2.30 hours, the extra footage in the end - Shahid and friends trying to salvage his uncle's business - only adds to the length of the enterprise. Ideally, the film should've ended when the friends forgive each other and shake hands, after a series of personal and professional setbacks.

Final word? Badmaash Company is a decent attempt, with several captivating moments and power-packed performances by each and every member of its cast. We often grudge that entertainment-laden films make no sense these days, but this one entertains and also makes sense. Watch it!

Badmaash Company is set in the 1990s in middle class Mumbai, of four ordinary youngsters (Shahid Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Meiyang Chang and Vir Das), who came together to start an import business of things longed for by yuppie Indians. What made their venture such a stupendous success was the fact that they found a way to beat the system and soon became the undisputed kings in their business, realizing their one dream of making quick money is by doing all the wrong things the right way.

Living the life of champagne wishes and caviar dreams, the four friends discover that to make a business successful, you don't need big money. All you need is a big idea. All is well and hunky dory till one day the four maverick entrepreneurs are forced to shut shop.

The best thing about Badmaash Company is that you identify with the mindset of those who aspire to reach the pinnacle of success using shortcuts. The scams and the con games the youth indulge in are easy to decipher and least complicated, which works in its favour. Another strong point is the camaraderie that the four actors share on screen. The film would've fallen flat if the chemistry was missing, but the bonding looks so real that you forget that they are merely enacting those roles.

Badmaash Company has some terrific moments. The sequences in Bangkok are enjoyable. Ditto for the showdown between the friends in the post-interval hour. The transformation in Shahid's persona is also beautifully depicted. But, like I pointed out at the outset, the second hour tends to get repetitive and the penultimate 25-odd minutes are a strict no-no.

Pritam's music is foot-tapping and almost every song has been filmed very well. Sanjay Kapoor's cinematography is just right.

Every actor puts his best foot forward in Badmaash Company. Shahid gets it right yet again. It wouldn't be erroneous to say that this is amongst his finest works. Watch him blow his lid in the restaurant sequence and also in another sequence, when he meets a pregnant Anushka. He is confidence personified in those sequences.

Anushka is a revelation. She looks stunning, her performance is livewire and the chemistry with Shahid is electrifying. Strangely, she took a backseat after her debut in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but Badmaash Company will bring her back in public eye. Vir Das is another surprise. He's in terrific form here. The film marks the 'birth' of another talent - Meiyang Chang - who adds a lot of freshness and zing to his character. Anupam Kher is wonderful. Kiran Juneja makes her presence felt. Pawan Malhotra is extremely likeable.

On the whole, Badmaash Company is a watchable experience for various reasons, the prime reason being it offers solid entertainment, but doesn't insult your intelligence. Recommended!

3 Stars!

Shahid Kapoor affairs in bedroom

When it comes to unusual birthday gifts, Shahid Kapoor takes the cake. For the janamdin of best friend Ahmed Khan's younger son Subhaan, the actor got the kiddo's bedroom done up.

Producer Ahmed and wife Shaira with their two sons, Azaan (9) and Subhaan (3), shifted into a 6BHK terrace apartment on the 33rd floor in an Andheri high-rise last month.

Fan fare
Khan claims that while his elder son is a fan of his actor-friend, Shak is a fan of his younger son. He says, "Yes, he planned my son's bedroom entirely. Subhaan's birthday is in December and Shahid told us that he wanted to design Subhaan's bedroom. While Shaira and I were planning to do the interior design ourselves, Shahid roped in an architect-cum-interior designer for us."

Poring over books
Ahmed says the actor has invested a lot of time and energy to design his beta's room. "He sat over various interior design books and took a month to come up with the final design. Shahid has given the kamraa lots of bright colours like green, yellow and orange." Shak also put his favourite cartoon character Spongebobs Squarepants on one of the walls.

Ahmed says Azaan watches all of Shahid's films. "He started crying while watching Paathshaala. He thought it would be a happy, funny film but turned out to be a serious one. Of course, I am very happy with my film. It was made at a budget of only 9.5 crore and has already grossed Rs.10.5 crore worldwide. In five days, the distributors will recover all their money. Shahid loves children and I guess it's his connect with them that has made the small-budget film recover its cost. The entire film was shot in one school."

Paathshaala and Phoonk 2 box office results

Shahid Kapoor-starrer 'Paathshaala' and Ram Gopal Varma's 'Phoonk 2' have failed to set the ticket windows buzzing. While the former got an average initial footfall thanks to Shahid's presence, the horror seems to have fallen flat.

The lukewarm response from audiences comes despite round-the-clock promotional activities for both the movies. While Shahid visited various schools to promote 'Paathshaala', Varma organised a digitally monitored scare dare contest for anyone who would watch 'Phoonk 2' alone in the movie hall - but in vain.

"The content for both the movies has been average. While 'Paathshaala' was good with around 50 percent occupancy over the weekend, 'Phoonk 2' wasn't that good enough with just 20 percent footfalls," Amit Awasthi, manager (programming and operations) of Spice Cinemas, told us.

"It was only Shahid Kapoor's presence that brought in the initial footfalls for 'Paathshaala," he added.

Amit Shah, chief manager (programming) of DLF DT cinemas, also had something similar to say.

" 'Paathshaala' was an ok affair and brought in on an average 35 percent footfalls while 'Phoonk 2' has been disappointing with only 15 percent occupancy. The movie did not meet our expectations despite its hype," said Shah.

The debut production of choreographer Ahmad Khan, 'Paathshaala' is the directorial debut of Milind Ukey. Revolving around the commercialization and unethical practices related to the education system in the country, it also stars Nana Patekar, Suniel Shetty and Ayesha Takia.

Popular child actors Swini Khare, Ali Haji, Dwij Yadav and Avika Gor play pivotal roles in the movie.

'Phoonk 2', on the other hand, is a sequel to Varma's earlier film "Phoonk - The Black Magic Story". It has been written and directed by debutant Milind Gadagkar.

Actors Sudeep, Amruta Khanvilkar and child actor Ahsaas Channa play key roles in the movie that captures the fears of a family hostage to a spirit seeking revenge.

"Both movies have nothing much in terms of business. There's no content in them," said Tusshar Dhingra, COO of Big Cinemas.

Added a source from PVR cinemas: "Both movies have been average but 'Paathshaala' is better in comparison to 'Phoonk 2'. While the former got close to 30 percent footfalls, the latter got close to only 20 percent occupancy. The business for both, however, is almost over."

Said Yogesh Raizada, corporate head (cinemas) of Wave Cinemas: "The weekend was average, as the movies have been average. While 'Paathshaala' brought in around 40 percent occupancy, 'Phoonk 2' has been close to only 30 percent."

Paathshaala Movie Review

The film is low key, restrained and often too laid back. Yet it works because it is intensely topical and has an uncluttered charm to it. Set in the precincts of an old world school, it traces the battle of a handful of sincere and committed teachers and students against a newage management that wants to transform the centre of education into a commercial venture.

Needless to say, the malaise within Saraswati Vidya Mandir is symptomatic of the disturbing trend which seems to have overtaken our real-life schooling system too. One where an increasing number of private schools are yelling `show me the money' to a growing band of concerned parents. Again, can't blame them entirely, can we? Blame the competition....

But Paathshaala does strike a chord with its simple tale of how a few good men -- and kids -- first try to cope up with a rapidly changing system of education which has the kids trying to hard sell their school by participating in reality shows and grabbing space in the print and television media.

The management has not only hiked the fee and is implementing any and every scheme to make an easy buck, it has also hired a marketing company to create a buzz about the school. It doesn't take long before the sensitive and guru-like teachers are all side-lined by the cell-phone wielding image-makers who wouldn't care less about a kid's emotions. But, there's only this much moolah-alone-matters mantra that our in-house Sidney Poitier (read Shahid Kapoor) can handle. Soon, he's spearheading an andolan against the brutish management, along with the bachcha log and the noble profession people.

The film does slog somewhat, specially in the second half and tends to lose momentum due to a loose script and an unimaginative screenplay. Shahid Kapoor underplays his underwritten role as does Nana Patekar. Also, surprisingly there is a non-existent romantic track between Shahid and nutritionist Ayesha Takia. But the emotional quotient and the topicality of the film keep the interest running.

Shahid to promote Milenge Milenge Movie with Kareena

The film in question has been in the making for quite sometime now with the starcast apparently having issues about promoting the film. However, now we hear that Shahid Kapoor has decided to go ahead and promote his film with Kareena Kapoor, Milenge Milenge.

Sources close to the film have confirmed that Shahid Kapoor is shooting a promotional music video for the film today. Choreographed by Ahmed Khan, shoot of Shahid's portions are to be finished by today.

However, as for Kareena, it's yet to be confirmed whether she will be a part of the said music video, which also features her one time beau, Shahid Kapoor.

Ayesha Takia quits movies?

She had a huge hit last year in the form of ‘Wanted’, opposite hot star Salman Khan and she has ‘Paathshala’ with Shahid Kapoor releasing shortly. But that’s about it! Ayesha Takia has no more Bollywood projects in hand.

We recently ran into the lady enjoying a coffee with mommy dear at a suburban café and that’s when the lovely actress revealed. “I am just enjoying my break. I haven’t signed any films as of now.” But the actress has a few things planned to keep her occupied as she takes a break from being in the arc lights.

Ayesha, who tied the knot last year with hotelier Farhan Azmi, is all set to turn into a business woman. “I am working with Farhan on plans of opening new hotels in Mumbai and also in Goa,” Ayesha divulged.

Now that’s a lot of work and will require Ayesha’s full time involvement. For sure, it will leave very little time for the actress to do films. Does that mean the girl has made up her mind to bid Bollywood adieu? Only time will tell.

The winners of the 2010 Golden Kela Awards are

Rani and Shahid are the winners of Worst Pair award in Golden Kela Awards. Kareena has been nominated as the worst actress for Kambakht Ishq. The anchor of the show was obviously Cyrus Broacha.

Here is the list of the worst of Bollywood in 2009:

Worst Film - Kambakkht Ishq

Worst Director - Ashutosh Gowariker

Worst Actor - Harman Baweja (What’s Your Raashee?)

Worst Actress - Kareena Kapoor (Kambakkht Ishq)

Worst Supporting Actor - Ranvir Shorey (Chandni Chowk To China)

Worst Supporting Actress - Deepika Padukone (Chandni Chowk to China the role as meow meow)

Worst Debutant Male - Jakky Bhagnani

Worst Debutant Female - Shruti Hassan (Luck)

Worst Pair - Rani Mukherjee and Shahid Kapoor

Most Original Story Award - Dil Bole Hadippa (Copied from She’s The Man)

Baawra Ho Gaya Hai Ke (Have you gone nuts) - Denise Richards and Sylvester Stallone (Kambakkht Ishq)

Most Irritating Song - Love mera Hit Hit (Billu)

Most Atrocious Lyrics - Love me Love me (Wanted)

The Insensitivity Award - Chandni Chowk to China

When Did this Come Out - Fox

Other special awards:

Lajja Award for Worst Treatment of a Serious Issue - Kabir Khan and Aditya Chopra (New York)

Dara Singh Award For Worst Accent - Abhiskek Bachchan (Delhi 6)

Black Award for Emotional Blackmail - Amitabh Bachchan (Paa)

Bas Kijiye Bahut Ho Gaya Award (stop making the films) - Madhur Bhandarkar

Shahid Kapoor finally finds a girl

What took Pankaj Kapoor so long to find a girl for his son Shahid Kapoor? He was looking for someone special and auditioned a number of celebrity daughters but finally pinned down on Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam Kapoor.

Interestingly, Pankaj Kapoor auditioned the likes of Shatrughan Sinha’s daughter Sonakshi, Govinda’s daughter Narmada and Alyque Padamsee’s daughter Shazahn but finally decided to cast Sonam in Mausam.

It is said that everyone involved with the film including the producers Sheetal Talwar and Madhu Mantena are happy with the inclusion of Sonam. Pankaj’s wife Supriya Pathak is said to be exited because she had great time working with the young actress in Delhi 6.

It maybe recalled that the media speculated the reunion of Jab We Met pair Shahid and Kareena Kapoor in Mausam. It was later declared that the makers of the film would go on a nationwide hunt to find Shahid's heroine but they chose Sonam, that too without auditioning.