The seasonal chill has just set in the northern India, and the people find it too hard to come out of their homes in the evenings to watch a film. And, this region makes or mars the prospects of a film at the box office. Besides, this Friday is going to decide the fate of three movies at box office. Significantly, Amitabh Bachchan has come as a lead hero in 'Ek Ajnabee' after a long time. Besides, the Yashraj banner that has already given a super hit in 'Bunty Aur Babli' and an above average film in 'Salaam Namaste' this year, is trying its most to make a hat trick with 'Neal 'N' Nikki'. Apart from this, Vishesh Films is also hitting the screen with a film called 'Kalyug' that promises to travel along the porn industry that is blooming rapidly across the world.
As far as the prospects of these three films at box office are concerned, the results are going to be different. While 'Ek Ajnabee' has got a good initial but a bad mouth publicity in return and Neal 'N' Nikki hasn't even clicked the initials, 'Kalyug' has become the hot favorite of the week. Yes, 'Kalyug' is hot; hot enough to make the people come out of their quilts and watch the film in cinema halls. The film is in the news for its music, its leading lady Deepal Shaw and also for its theme that is contemporary.
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'Kalyug' tells the story of a couple -- Kunal (child artist in the past Kunal Kemu makes his debut as a hero) and Renuka (Smilie). The young couple is very much in love and decides to give their love a name --- marriage. The destiny brings Renuka in the arms of Kunal; she gets shelter there. But, on the very first night of their married life, all hell breaks loose as someone shoots them on camera while making love during their honeymoon.
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The CD of their honeymoon reaches the police which instead of finding the real culprit behind it, accuse Kunal of running a blue film racket. Renuka is unable to bear the humiliation and commits suicide. Having lost his love, Kunal is heartbroken. However, he picks up courage to find out the real story. But the voyage for justice turns a treacherous one. It takes him to Zurich.
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Armed with nothing else but a picture of a porn star (Deepal Shaw), Kunal tries to find out the real facts behind the whole story. He enters a world where nothing is behind the curtain. It is the world of sleaze, sex and sensation. Justice takes it own time. So, it is too late for both compensation and consolation. The world of porn is eating every one. Privacy is being invaded everywhere. This is the new MMS world, and 'Kalyug' takes you there. A very contemporary film indeed!
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Directed by Mohit Suri ('Zeher' fame), 'Kalyug' is an eye opener in many ways. No one till date has dared make a film on this subject, at least in Bollywood. So, this is a trendsetter, and the Bhatt camp has always been a trendsetter --right from the days of 'Arth' and 'Saaransh' to 'Aashiqui' and 'Sadak' and now 'Raaz' and 'Kalyug'. The energy of the banner is never ending, and so is its zeal to find out unrecognized talent and provide them a better chance and bigger name. In 'Kalyug', Mohit Suri matures as a director.
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He rectifies all the misdoings of his last film. Challenge was bigger for him this time than in 'Zeher'; there he had known actors like Emraan Hashmi, Shamita and Udita, but in 'Kalyug', he has a bunch of debutants. He has his sister Smilie who was supposed to be launched in Puja Bhatt's 'Holiday' but was later replaced by Ongelle. Then, Kunal Kemu and Deepal Shaw make an impressive debut in 'Kalyug'. And, no wonder they are going to be the favorites soon. Kunal Kemu, who was noticed for his intensity in 'Zakhm' as young Ajay Devgan, gets first byte of the stardom in this film. The boy has archetype looks and has potential to perform in stress.
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Deepal Shaw shows how to handle a hot role on big screen and she has got guts to show all this in front of the camera. She is already a step ahead of other debutants in the film. Smilie doesn't get enough footage but maybe it was meant to be a low profile launch for her. She may not be star material but can get enough work as second lead in films. 'Kalyug' will also be remembered as an Amrita Singh's comeback vehicle. She dons a role that many will fear to tread on even at the peak of their career. This is a bold and daring decision indeed! Ashutosh Rana is effective in her henchman's role. Emraan Hashmi's presence in a special role adds to the glamour.
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But, the review of 'Kalyug' will be incomplete unless we talk about its music. Pakistani music directors -- Rohil and Faiza -- are in India along with singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan this day when 'Kalyug' releases worldwide. The trio has made "Jiya Dhadak Dhadak Jaye" a huge success across the nation. It will be for the first time to taste the success on such a grand scale in their career. Even "Aadat" sung by Aatif is making waves in the music circuit. On the whole, 'Kalyug' emerges as the only savior of the week and it will certainly create some warmth in Dilli ki Sardi.