'Dedh Ishqiya' defies censor's rule

Within a week of its release, 'Dedh Ishqiya' runs into trouble with the Censor Board

Huma Qureshi and Arshad Warsi in 'Dedh Ishqiya'

When Dedh Ishqiya was cleared by the Central Board of Film Certification, the board had instructed the makers to blur out a scene where actor Arshad Warsi visits a brothel.
But when one of the members of the board watched the film at a screening on Saturday, it was observed that the scene had not been cut. Says a source, “After one of our members informed the board, the assistant regional officer was sent to watch the film. This time, even the producers of the film were called to the theatre.”
It seems that the producers initially blamed the cinema hall’s faulty lighting, only to agree later that it was their fault. They have now agreed to delete the scene in subsequent screenings. Adds another member of the board who was asked to watch the film after the scene’s deletion, “We know that the scene has been removed from screenings across Mumbai but we still have to ensure that other centres follow suit.”
When contacted, CBFC CEO Rakesh Kumar said that they have issued a showcause notice to the filmmakers seeking an explanation for not following the board’s directive.
“They have accepted their fault claiming that it happened due to a technical hitch. Within the next 24 to 48 hours, they will delete the scenes from the film in cinema halls across the country.” Meanwhile, producer Raman Maru of Shemaroo clarifies that the error is being rectified. “This 20-second film wasn’t blurred out in some theatres due to bad lighting, but that problem is now being checked,” he says.
The film, that released last week, stars Naseeruddin Shah, Arshad Warsi, Madhuri Dixit and Huma Qureshi in lead roles. Acoording to sources, previous instances of films that have defied CBFC cuts include Bhaag Milkha Bhaag, where a lovemaking scene — that was deleted by the Board — was retained in some prints shown in south India. Similarly, an item song from the film Mumbai Mirror was asked to be deleted and yet it made its way to cinema halls.

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'Yaariyan' collects Rs 19 crore at the box office

While 'Yaariyan' is scoring better business than 'Dedh Ishqiya', the Marathi film 'Timepass' looks like the real winner

'Yaariyan'

Marathi film 'Timepass' is making hay at the box-office

Youth power continues to rule the box office this week. While Timepass has done a business of Rs 20 crore in two weeks, last Friday’s release Yaariyan, directed by debutante Divya Khosla Kumar, collected Rs 19 crore at the box office. Abhishek Chaubey’s Madhuri Dixit-starrer garnered collections north of Rs 10 crore in the first weekend.
Atul Mohan, trade analyst, emphasises the contrast between the two Bollywood films. “One targetted the youth while the other was seeking mature audiences. Yaariyan had a great weekend with youngsters thronging cinema halls thanks to its successful music. The satellite rights have also fetched handsome revenue for the makers.
The film is plus for all parties associated. Dedh Ishqiya, on the other hand, had a slow start but the figures improved as the week progressed. The sequel is expected to do well in multiplexes.”
Timepass has brought the attention back to theatre-going audiences whose age ranges between 17 and 25. Its subject, like Yaariyan, revolves around the youth. This supply-demand aspect is best reflected in the numbers both the films have posted. Exhibitor Rajesh Thadani adds, “Yaariyan opened better at the box office than Dedh Ishqiya, and the main reasons are its good music and the film’s frenetic promotion. Dedh Ishqiya is slowly picking up now.”
Interestingly, trade pundits feel that Timepass has certainly affected the business of the two Hindi films that released last Friday. Nitin Keni, producer of the Marathi film, sums up, “The film is about aspiration and broken hearts, and such films work with the audiences.”

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By: Karan Anshuman

Film: Dedh Ishqiya
Cast: Naseeruddin Shah, Madhuri Dixit, Arshad Warsi, Huma Qureshi, Vijay Raaz, Manoj Pahwa
Director Abhishek Choubey
Certification: U/A
Rating: ***

Dedh Ishiqya has very little to do with the first part. It is a lot more fantasy, a lot less real; a lot more about poetry, a lot less about ubiquitous gas cylinders; a lot more love, without diluting the fellowship established in Ishqiya. A melange of genres, the genesis of Dedh Ishqiya's moods might've roots in the works of a cross-section of cinema - from Vishal Bhardwaj himself to Robert Rodriguez (what with the inventive Mexican standoffs), but it stays consistent to the form it chooses and creates an atmosphere that only comes when hearing good poetry. Oh yes, the sequel, the film significantly better than Part I.

Set in made-up Mehmudabad, Begum Para (Madhuri Dixit) is auditioning for a husband who must be a poet. From her past appears Khalujaan (Naseeruddin Shah) masquerading as a nawab, facing off for her hand with another counterfeit royal Jaan Mohammad (Vijay Raaz). Key events in her life shape her decisions as an elaborate ruse of courtship plays out between the pretenders. Babban (Arshad Warsi) tricked into separating from his Mamu, tracks him down with revenge on his mind. But Khalujaan has words at his service, words that fly from his tongue that influence with ease those who hear them and soon they're friends again, playing games of deceit. Only, are their victims smarter?

The highlight of the writing is the dialogue. Vishal Bhardwaj writes songs, poetry, insults, and ideas in Urdu with unrestrained enthusiasm. His lines often act as the honey to help let slide the bitter pill that is an essentially humdrum screenplay with logic loopholes. Dedh Ishqiya also relies on its moments: a hand tremor cured by love, Dixit dancing under the tutelage of Pt Birju Maharaj, Shah singing a song sans music. Treat the film as a light dramedy, and it's hard to be disappointed.

Abhishek Chaubey's direction is sure footed and - like he did with the first film - he pays attention craft, striving for an uncompromised end product. He succeeds by and large. From single frames to entire set pieces, there's deliciousness in their originality. And then there's Kunal Sharma's sound design - one of the best in a long time. What joy it must be for him to work with a voice like Naseer's. His deep intonation of Urdu goes from baritone to bass, and literally makes the floor of the theater quaver. I don't know if you will get a chance to experience this, but it sure was a first for me.

What a relief it so to see good actors choose a script with gravitas. Good writing can only inspire harder work and better performances. Look what it did with Arshad Warsi, coming right out of the shadow of last week's Joe B Carvalho! And, Naseeruddin Shah... thank you. It's delightful to have you back. For a moment it looks like Madhuri Dixit is struggling but then is it possible that in our minds do not allow us to see her as anyone else but Madhuri Dixit? Huma Qureshi keeps her chin up with her deception in the mayhem and gifted Vijay Raaz also gets his due.

Dedh Ishqiya - it's texture, dialogue, and performances - make it good enough to hold up in a repeat viewing. And that's a lot more than you can say about the majority of other films.

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'Dedh Ishqiya' review is Dark comedy at its finest!

Resham Sengar

Back in 2010, there was `Ishqiya`, and now, there is `Dedh Ishqiya`, albeit with edgier characters and a plot that will keep you glued to the screen right till the end.

Director Abhishek Chaubey, takes the risk of taking ahead the storyline from where the trio of Khalu (Naseeruddin Shah), Krishna (Vidya Balan), and Babban (Arshad Warsi) left off after being done with their antics. He has surely come up with an even more convincing picture painted with dark colours with the tinge of comedy.

This time around, Babban, Khalu and the don Mustaq (Salman Shahid) reprise their roles but there is a twist(s) in the story. Khalujaan has a special plan at work. He smartly dons the garb of a shayar called Iftikhaar Hussain in order to win over the beautiful Begum Para of Mahmudabad, who has been holding a massive groom hunt for herself after her husband`s demise. Begum had promised her late husband to remarry the one who could woo her with his shayari.

The graceful Begum Para has an attendant cum confidant, Munira, always by her side. On the other hand, there is a politician named Jaan Mohammad Khan (Vijay Raaz), who is also trying tooth and nail to have the beautiful Begum as his bride. While, the men waiting with bated breath for the Begum`s affections have a conspiracy in place waiting to be executed when the time is ripe. The women too don`t fail to surprise the men and the audiences with their novel shenanigans.

With a cast boasting of pro names of showbiz like Naseeruddin Shah, Vijay Raaz, Arshad, Huma and last but not the least, Madhuri, `Dedh Ishqiya` is a dark gem for the connoisseurs of this genre. Madhuri exudes a charming aura on-screen, and Huma rules every frame she appears on. The chemistry between Madhuri and Naseer saab looks a tad forced perhaps because of their wide age gap, but we will go for the madcap tricks cooked up by the duo Babban and Khalu.

The music delivered by Vishal Bhardwaj is adept in rendering the required force and conviction to the film`s story. Moreover, the neatly edited scenes make the film a captivating treat for the eyes.

Every thing about `Dedh Ishqiya` stands on its own and stands out. Whether you watch it for the Begum`s magic or Babban and Khalu – this caper is sure to delight you.

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Madhuri Dixit: Enjoyed playing Begum Para in 'Dedh Ishqiya'

Bollywood diva Madhuri Dixit says playing Begum Para, the new femme fatale in Abhishek Chaubey's 'Dedh Ishqiya', was challenging but fun.

"It was a challenging role because I could not go overboard with the character or underplay it. The more complex a character, the more taut a performance needs to be. Playing Begum Para was like a tightrope walk. It had to be just right and I had to constantly keep that in mind," Madhuri told PTI.

The 46-year-old actress, however, did not find it difficult to master the nuances or the Urdu diction of her character.

"The diction was not a problem as I have done a little bit of Urdu as Chandramukhi in 'Devdas'. My priority was getting the performance right."

The film, a sequel to 2010 'Ishqiya', is slated to release tomorrow. Both Naseeruddin Shah and Arshad Warsi are reprising their roles as Khalujaan and Babban while Huma Qureshi is the other new face in the movie.

Madhuri agreed to be a part of the sequel because she loved the "unapologetic way" Abhishek presented Vidya Balan's character of a beautiful, willful woman in 'Ishqiya'.

"I had seen 'Ishqiya' and was very impressed with the way a woman's character was etched out in it. Vidya was very well presented. There was no apology for the way she was which I found very interesting. So, I was already impressed with Abhishek and Vishalji's (Bhardwaj) work," she says.

It is her first lead role after 'Aaja Nachle' in 2007 but Madhuri does not consider it her comeback as she has been busy doing television, shooting for 'Dedh Ishqiya' and 'Gulaab Gang', her next release in March.

"It is not a comeback because I have been doing work. If a hero does a film after four years, they don't say it's a comeback but if a heroine does a film in three years, it becomes a comeback. This is the way things work here but that's fine. I just hope that people like my two films," Madhuri said. The actress says it was an honour to work with Shah again after films like 'Tridev', 'Rajkumar' and 'Gaj Gamini'.

"We did not have any scenes in 'Tridev' while in 'Rajkumar', he played a negative role. We were also together in 'Gaj Gamini'. It is an honour to work with him every time. He is very natural, you forget that you are doing a scene with him. Our whole chemistry was very beautiful in the film," Madhuri said.

The film also gave her a chance to work to Pandit Birju Maharaj for a song 'Jagaave saari raina'.

"I have two songs 'jagaawe saari raina' which is choreographed by Maharaj ji. This song does not have lip-sync so everything had to be done through acting and body language. The song comes at a very important moment in the film. I had worked with Maharajji in 'Devdas'.

"The other song is 'hamri atariyaa' which I think was more challenging to Remo D'Souza than me because he has never choreographed a classical number."

Her second film 'Gulab Gang' is coming after a gap of just two months. Madhuri, however, is happy that her fans will get a chance to see her in two completely different roles.

"I spent the last two years working on these two films. I think two months is quite a good gap for another film to release. Both the films are poles apart in terms of character and story."

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