NEWS: 'Race 2' collects Rs.79.6 crore in first week

'Race 2' collects Rs.79.6 crore in first week

Abbas-Mustan's action thriller "Race 2" has raked in Rs.79.6 crore net in its opening week at the domestic box-office. The film is also minting money in the overseas market.

Co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and Ramesh Taurani of Tips Films, "Race 2" had earned Rs.51.35 crore over first weekend. In the following days, film earned Rs.7.5 crore Monday, Rs.6.5 crore Tuesday, Rs.5.75 crore Wednesday, Rs.5 crore Thursday and Rs.3.5 crore Friday.

The first-week total on the domestic box office sums up to Rs.79.6 crore, while in the international market, "Race 2" grossed over $4.25 million in its opening week.

Made for Rs.60 crore, the film features an ensemble cast of Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Deepika Padukone, Jacqeline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor and Ameesha Patel

Movie Review: RACE 2

Movie Review: RACE 2

‘Race 2’ has every ingredient of an Abbas Mustan flick. It’s got oodles of glamour, scorching style, sleek Bond-ish heroes, gorgeous ladies, characters with more than fifty shades of grey, some enjoyable background music, talks of yachts, and oh boy - some cars, and overshadowing every other thing – money! 

The story involves casinos, generous numbers of Audis – which at times make you wonder whether or not the film is a giant commercial for the car brand. There’s actually a cleverly-put-in sentence promoting a model of the car too. 

People in this film speak of money in millions and billions of Euros – to a point where you stop working out the zeroes in the figures. The style quotient is so much in the film that even in the pouring rain, and sobbing in front of a grave, Saif cannot take his glares off. 

There are twists and turns, some extra-longwinding chase scenes which could definitely have been shortened, and action. The film – apart from the amount of money put in constructing it bit by bit, and its action sequences – is actually nothing. It is very glittery, making it blinding at times. And yes, betrayal is survival – every bit so.

Saif gets to mouth some of the best dialogues in the two and a half hours of blasts and twists and turns. Sample a few: Ranvir saying, “Revenge is a dish best served cold”, “Race humesha meri hi thi aur meri hi rahegi… (The race was always mine, and will always be mine…)”, and the like. 

When it comes to acting, barring Ameesha Patel, most have lived up to their roles. Saif, reprising Ranveer’s role from the original, does a great job this time too. John Abraham’s character is painted in the darker shades of grey, and Action Abraham plays the cold-blooded Arman Malik well. He tries hard to provide his character with the required depth and succeeds mostly. Deepika’s acting skills are going up with every single film of hers. If in ‘Cocktail’ she played the carefree Veronica to the hilt, here she ups her performance with the shrewd Eleana. Jaqueline Fernandez has some really stylish fencing and archery scenes in the film – only that their purpose evades the senses. Anil Kapoor in his fruit-loving Robert D’Costa avatar justifies the role completely. 

An almost blink-and-miss cameo by Bipasha Basu is the basic premise of the film, and the lady doesn’t disappoint. The supporting cast of Aditya Pancholi and Rajesh Khattar play along well. As for Ameesha Patel, enough said already.

Salim-Sulaiman’s background score matches the high-octane action scenes completely and is a huge advantage for the story – without it, the film might have been a pretty damp affair. Music director Pritam has a song for every drop of a hat. 

The most famous song of the film, ‘Allah duhai hai’, ironically, comes across as unintentionally funny – and placed at a moment which makes it so. ‘Be intehaa’ in Atif Aslam and Sunidhi Chauhan’s voice is an enjoyable one. The music of the film is mostly for moments when you have a party on your mind – literally. 

The film is defined by its well defined and crazy action sequences – and a lot of it. Shiraz Ahmed’s story doesn’t come across as the most defining feature of the film: blame the excessive action for that. The film is left open-ended, and – I can bet anything on this – there’s a sequel to this one coming up soon. The story isn’t able to keep one glued to the screen: your attention sways from not-enjoyable to boring several times.

In all, ‘Race 2’ is a grand display of money. The adrenaline-pumping action is the plus point of the film, but too much of that does no good to it. Two and a half stars from me for this Friday’s ‘expensive’ release.

Race 2, pale compare to Race

PHOTO: Race 2 Movie Team Press Meet

NEWS: 'Race 2' to release in over 50 countries

Abbas-Mustan's action-thriller "Race 2" is set to release in more than 50 countries, including Morocco and Vietnam.

It releases Jan 25.

"We have planned a massive international release for 'Race 2'. The film will be released in more than 50 countries. After many years, a Hindi movie will see a simultaneous release in Morocco in four to five screens, including theatres in Casablanca and Marrakech," said Amrita Pandey, executive director, Syndication, International Distribution and Disney Media Distribution, Studios, Disney UTV.

"Newer territories like Myanmar, East Timor, Maldives and Vietnam (with as many as seven screens) are also in our release plan. There is very high anticipation and for this sequel from the 'Race' franchise, and we are excited!" Pandey added in a statement.

Co-produced by UTV Motion Pictures and TIPS Industries, "Race 2" is the sequel to 2008 film "Race". The film features Saif Ali Khan, John Abraham, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, Jacqueline Fernandez and Ameesha Patel in prominent roles.

NEWS: 'Go Goa Gone' to release on Valentine's Day?

Saif Ali Khan's "Go Goa Gone" will hit the screens in the New Year, and director Raj Nidimoru says it might release Feb 14, which happens to be Valentine's Day.

However, he says nothing is final yet.

"We have planned to release 'Go Goa Gone' on 14th February next year. The date has not been confirmed at the moment, but we are trying for that date," Nidimoru said.

The film stars Saif, Kunal Kemmu, Vir Das, and Puja Gupta.

It is a zombie film and the thought behind releasing it Feb 14 is that the story line will be in complete contrast with the significance of the date.

"14th February will be contrast to our story line. 'Go Goa Gone' is a zombie film," said Nidimoru, who has co-directed the project with Krishna D.K.

The shooting for the movie is over, and it is currently under post production.

The director duo has earlier worked on films like "Shor in The City" and "99".

VIDEO: Be Intehaan - RACE 2

RACE 2 comes out with a beautiful track featuring Saif Ali Khan and Deepika Padukone called "BE INTEHAAN" sung by Atif Aslam

NEWS: Sonakshi excited to work with Saif in 'Bullet Raja'

After working with names like Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Ajay Devgn, actress Sonakshi Sinha is now excited about working with Saif Ali Khan in "Bullet Raja". She considers it a "fresh pairing".

"It's a very fresh pairing and I am looking forward to work with Saif Ali Khan. I actually wanted to work with him for quite some time, and luckily got an opportunity with 'Bullet Raja'. I am extremely excited to work with Saif," Sonakshi told IANS.

"Bullet Raja", directed by Tigmanshu Dhulia, is set around Uttar Pradesh-based mafia.

The shooting of the movie has already begun, but Sonakshi will join the crew in February 2013.

"I believe they have already started shooting the film. I was busy shooting for 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai 2' and 'Dabangg 2', so I will join the crew of 'Bullet Raja' in February," she said.

Sonakshi isn't sure where her parts will be shot, but says she might have to travel to Uttar Pradesh.

The actress, who made her Bollywood debut with "Dabangg" in 2010, says she is happy with the roles she has received.

She says, "Luckily I am doing some good films, and I am fortunate to be part of 'Lootera', which has been a tough role and different," she said.

In Vikramaditya Motwane's "Lootera", Sonakshi features opposite Ranveer Singh.

OFFICIAL TRAILER: Race 2

Only view able on Computer

Meet the starcast of RACE 2

FIRST LOOK: Saif Ali Khan in Race 2

Check out the first look of RACE 2

Saif-Kareena's pre-wedding party kept very private affair

Bollywood couple Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor's pre-wedding party on Sunday at her Bandra residence was kept as a private affair with the terrace venue covered to prevent media getting a peek.

Many Bollywood celebrities were spotted at the party including Neetu Singh, Babita, Sanjay Kapoor, Manish Malhotra, Soha Ali Khan, Kunal Khemu among others.

While a source says it's a sangeet ceremony, designer Manish Malhotra said: "It's just a fun party."

Kareena was said to be wearing a traditional orange lehenga with a golden blouse.

The marriage, to be reportedly be held on Tuesday, is planned as a quiet affair with only immediate family members from both sides being present.

Saif, Kareena visit London theatre to check Heroine's response

Kareena recently celebrated her 32nd birthday in London with Saif Ali Khan. Now the actor will be accompanying his ladylove to a screening of Heroine in a London theatre to check out the reasponse the film has been getting from Bebo's UK fans 

Our source says, `In India, the film has been getting a mixed response. But apparently in UK, it is doing well. The film was entirely shouldered on Kareena's performance and she is very happy with the way it has turned out.

So she will visit a London film theatre and get live feedback from her UK fans. She has invited Saif to join her during the screening.` 

Cocktail Movie Stills

Cocktail releases the music video for 'Jugni'

Cocktail has its fans engrossed with their exclusive dialogue promos and music videos. The music has attracted
audiences, with its catchy beats and amazing lyrics. After the praise it has been receiving for the past music
videos, Cocktail is all set to releases yet another music video which will definitely have audiences craving for
more. The latest music video Jugni, is a flipside of all the peppy and happening videos released so far.

Arif Lohar and Harshdeep Kaur have lended their voices for Jugni. The song is a traditional Punjabi track with
western music. A perfect blend of music, lyrics and vocals has led to the creation of this soulful song. The song
was originally designed by Rohail Hyatt and Arif Lohar for Coke Studio and is now an ideal adaptation to the
movie.

The video shows all the three stars Saif Ali Khan, Deepika Padukone and Diana Penty taking probably the
most confusing decisions. It portrays the turmoil one goes through when one is faced with two choices. It is the
perfect song that defines the tagline of the movie ‘Some Friendships are too good to share’.

Jugni is a song about choices, every single day we go through several situations where making choices and
taking the right decisions is very difficult. The song is hand crafted for situations we witness at times, when
love really gets complicated.

Saif Deepika and Diana Rocking