Karthik Calling Karthik (2010) – Movie Review

Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called “The Pledge”. The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course… it probably isn’t. The second act is called “The Turn”. The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you’re looking for the secret… but you won’t find it, because of course you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making something disappear isn’t enough; you have to bring it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call “The Prestige”.

- The Prestige

Similar to magic tricks, a suspenseful story or play or a film has 3 parts generally termed as Act 1, Act 2 and Act 3, and having similar significance as the 3 parts of the magic trick. How about modifying the meaning of Act 3 a bit and instead of solving everything for the audience, for a change leaving it unsolved. I think it is better to leave some mysteries unsolved instead of ending them badly. Though the general audience may get disappointed because they want closure and mysteries to be solved so that they don’t think about the film at all, but not all mysteries in life get solved. IMO, Karthik Calling Karthik was just that kind of a film that would have worked better for ME if it was unsolved instead of ending in the ridiculous twist that was shown. I was hoping against hope that the director really would not reveal the twist and leave the ending open or something, because the way he was moving the story forward, I knew, the twist won’t be as exciting as the buildup was. But like I said, that would not have been generally appreciated .

The film is about Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) who blames himself for the loss of his brother in childhood and can’t concentrate and focus on his life and tries to commit suicide until he gets a phone call. Karthik Calling Karthik is a confused film, and is a clear example of a the director did not know how to carry the story forward after having thought of a brilliant idea. The film could have been a lot better if it was made into a horror thriller kind of a film just like 13 B. Instead the director chose to take the story forward in a very relaxed manner. A few scenes in the film could have really worked better if it had the horror touch to it. The concept suited the horror genre a lot. But in KCK, most of the scenes instead of giving a thrill, look more like an unintentional comedy. Like when Shefali Shah receives the phone call, I ended up laughing instead of being thrilled. I really think the film should have had that 13 B kind of touch to it.

Though I say the idea of Karthik Calling Karthik was brilliant, I must say it is very much inspired from Fight Club (David Fincher), just that we don’t see the alter ego of Karthik in this film; instead we hear his voice over the phone. I won’t call it a remake of Fight Club, it is hardly that, but yes the concept seems to be inspired. A major part of the film in the second half reminded me of No Smoking where the protagonist tries to run away from himself. But unlike No Smoking this film is not a surreal one and a confusing one.

Read more from HERE

Karthik Calling Karthik (2010) – Movie Review

Every great magic trick consists of three parts or acts. The first part is called “The Pledge”. The magician shows you something ordinary: a deck of cards, a bird or a man. He shows you this object. Perhaps he asks you to inspect it to see if it is indeed real, unaltered, normal. But of course… it probably isn’t. The second act is called “The Turn”. The magician takes the ordinary something and makes it do something extraordinary. Now you’re looking for the secret… but you won’t find it, because of course you’re not really looking. You don’t really want to know. You want to be fooled. But you wouldn’t clap yet. Because making something disappear isn’t enough; you have to bring it back. That’s why every magic trick has a third act, the hardest part, the part we call “The Prestige”.

- The Prestige

Similar to magic tricks, a suspenseful story or play or a film has 3 parts generally termed as Act 1, Act 2 and Act 3, and having similar significance as the 3 parts of the magic trick. How about modifying the meaning of Act 3 a bit and instead of solving everything for the audience, for a change leaving it unsolved. I think it is better to leave some mysteries unsolved instead of ending them badly. Though the general audience may get disappointed because they want closure and mysteries to be solved so that they don’t think about the film at all, but not all mysteries in life get solved. IMO, Karthik Calling Karthik was just that kind of a film that would have worked better for ME if it was unsolved instead of ending in the ridiculous twist that was shown. I was hoping against hope that the director really would not reveal the twist and leave the ending open or something, because the way he was moving the story forward, I knew, the twist won’t be as exciting as the buildup was. But like I said, that would not have been generally appreciated .

The film is about Karthik (Farhan Akhtar) who blames himself for the loss of his brother in childhood and can’t concentrate and focus on his life and tries to commit suicide until he gets a phone call. Karthik Calling Karthik is a confused film, and is a clear example of a the director did not know how to carry the story forward after having thought of a brilliant idea. The film could have been a lot better if it was made into a horror thriller kind of a film just like 13 B. Instead the director chose to take the story forward in a very relaxed manner. A few scenes in the film could have really worked better if it had the horror touch to it. The concept suited the horror genre a lot. But in KCK, most of the scenes instead of giving a thrill, look more like an unintentional comedy. Like when Shefali Shah receives the phone call, I ended up laughing instead of being thrilled. I really think the film should have had that 13 B kind of touch to it.

Though I say the idea of Karthik Calling Karthik was brilliant, I must say it is very much inspired from Fight Club (David Fincher), just that we don’t see the alter ego of Karthik in this film; instead we hear his voice over the phone. I won’t call it a remake of Fight Club, it is hardly that, but yes the concept seems to be inspired. A major part of the film in the second half reminded me of No Smoking where the protagonist tries to run away from himself. But unlike No Smoking this film is not a surreal one and a confusing one.

Read more from HERE

Karthik Calling Karthik All Promos

Kaisi Hai Yeh Udaasi SONG PROMO



Jaane ye kya hua SONG PROMO



Uff Teri Adaa SONG PROMO



Hey Ya ! SONG PROMO



Hey Ya Remix !!




Dialogue Promo 1



Dialogue Promo 2



Dialogue Promo 3



Making of Uff Teri Ada!!



Making of Hey Ya!



Karthik Calling Karthik- Theatrical Trailer



Karthik Calling Karthik - Teaser

Karthik Calling Karthik All Promos

Kaisi Hai Yeh Udaasi SONG PROMO



Jaane ye kya hua SONG PROMO



Uff Teri Adaa SONG PROMO



Hey Ya ! SONG PROMO



Hey Ya Remix !!




Dialogue Promo 1



Dialogue Promo 2



Dialogue Promo 3



Making of Uff Teri Ada!!



Making of Hey Ya!



Karthik Calling Karthik- Theatrical Trailer



Karthik Calling Karthik - Teaser

Farhan Calling Farhan!

(Excerpts from the interview)

So what’s your take on Karthik Calling Karthik?
It’s the story of a guy called Karthik, an introvert, low on confidence and self belief. Then he gets one mysterious phone call from a guy who’s also called Karthik, who says, ‘I’ll change your life’. And it does. The one thing he most wants is this girl, Shonali. They get together and eventually find out who this other Karthik is.

There are dark overtones to the movie...
It’s got elements of mystery for sure. Mystery of course lends itself to being relatively dark. Because you’re building suspense, keeping people on the edge. There’s also the possibility of this new Karthik intending to do something evil. It has portions that are creepy. And though it’s a very on-the-edge-of-the-seat kind of thriller it’s not morbid but entertaining. It does get into a slightly serious zone in the second half. But mainly it’s about this boy and girl.

There was talk that your director Vijay Lalwani was behind the rumours. That he started them as a publicity stunt for his movie.
He called me up when he read that. He was shattered. He was like now they’re blaming me. He’s so new, he doesn’t know anything. I told him to be prepared for anything. He was like we should issue a statement. I told him don’t react, don’t bother about these things. They don’t matter. I told him the two people who’d be most upset with you, if they believed it, would be Deepika and me. I don’t believe it and she doesn’t either. So why worry. Just let it go.

Is there a code you live by?
If at all there were to be a code to live by, it would be never to be happy to give your second best. It’s one thing to get a job done and another to get a job done the way it deserves to be done. I’m not happy just getting the job done. If you’re going to take up something, it could be anything filmmaking, parenting, friendship, you have to give it your 100 per cent.

If you were to spend a weekend with a celebrity, who would it be?
I love hanging out with guys. And that sort of comes through in my movies as well. So I probably love to hang out with Hrithik (Roshan), Shah Rukh (Khan), Arjun (Rampal), play video games, pool and just chillax.

Read more from HERE

Farhan Calling Farhan!

(Excerpts from the interview)

So what’s your take on Karthik Calling Karthik?
It’s the story of a guy called Karthik, an introvert, low on confidence and self belief. Then he gets one mysterious phone call from a guy who’s also called Karthik, who says, ‘I’ll change your life’. And it does. The one thing he most wants is this girl, Shonali. They get together and eventually find out who this other Karthik is.

There are dark overtones to the movie...
It’s got elements of mystery for sure. Mystery of course lends itself to being relatively dark. Because you’re building suspense, keeping people on the edge. There’s also the possibility of this new Karthik intending to do something evil. It has portions that are creepy. And though it’s a very on-the-edge-of-the-seat kind of thriller it’s not morbid but entertaining. It does get into a slightly serious zone in the second half. But mainly it’s about this boy and girl.

There was talk that your director Vijay Lalwani was behind the rumours. That he started them as a publicity stunt for his movie.
He called me up when he read that. He was shattered. He was like now they’re blaming me. He’s so new, he doesn’t know anything. I told him to be prepared for anything. He was like we should issue a statement. I told him don’t react, don’t bother about these things. They don’t matter. I told him the two people who’d be most upset with you, if they believed it, would be Deepika and me. I don’t believe it and she doesn’t either. So why worry. Just let it go.

Is there a code you live by?
If at all there were to be a code to live by, it would be never to be happy to give your second best. It’s one thing to get a job done and another to get a job done the way it deserves to be done. I’m not happy just getting the job done. If you’re going to take up something, it could be anything filmmaking, parenting, friendship, you have to give it your 100 per cent.

If you were to spend a weekend with a celebrity, who would it be?
I love hanging out with guys. And that sort of comes through in my movies as well. So I probably love to hang out with Hrithik (Roshan), Shah Rukh (Khan), Arjun (Rampal), play video games, pool and just chillax.

Read more from HERE

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Casual and chic in Karthik Calling Karthik, ultra- glam in Housefull, khadi-clad in Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey and streetsmart in Lafange Parinde. Deepika Padukone gets daringly different

“Someone just asked me what I had last bought for myself and I realised that I hadn’t gone shopping for a long time,” says Deepika Padukone, as she settles into the cushy settee in Excel Entertainment’s office where she is present for the promotions of Karthik Calling Karthik. The leggy actress is in-between a lot of things. She has just finished Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey and on February 17 she starts shooting for Yash Raj Films’ Lafange Parinde (tentative title), after which her dates have been booked by Kunal Kohli for his BreakKe Baad followed by the release of Housefull. Presently, however she is busy with the promotions of this edge-of-the-seat thriller. “Ever since the promos have been out I have been getting messages from people saying they have loved my look, especially the short hair, and that it makes me look younger than I am. Shah Rukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali said that it has added something to my personality,” smiles the actress,

“But going beyond the physical aspect, the short hair suits Shonali’s character. An architect by profession, she is focussed, driven, totally independent, bubbly, speaks her mind and at the same time she is smart and intelligent,” she continues breathlessly.

Talking about similarities between the character and herself, she narrates that when she came on the sets in a casual top, director Vijay Lalwani thought it suited her character so well that he asked her to continue wearing it and even her poster shot was taken in that! After that there were several occasions when she shot in her own clothes.

Though she concedes that the character is a lot like her, she says that she differs in that she is more shy and reserved. “There is a mad streak in me, and sometimes I do things out of character but generally I am calm and composed, which she is not. And then unlike her, I never make the first move.”

Just then, Vijay Lalwani puts in an appearance. He is young, reasonably good-looking and she makes him blush when she teases him that he should be in front of the camera! “Vijay is the first new director I am working with,” she says looking at him, “I had been offered films with new directors but being so new myself, I did not have the confidence to work with a new director. Apart from having written a great script he exuded confidence and was very sure of himself. In fact, Farhan and I kept teasing him that he is the debutant and we were more experienced. On the sets both he and Farhan were so funny, they were always competing with each other about who could make everyone laugh. Vijay would sometimes end up being the only one laughing at his jokes and literally use a placard saying ‘Please laugh I just cracked a joke’,” she informs, laughing heartily.

2010 is proving to be a very satisfying year for the young actress. If she is charged about Karthik.. she is equally kicked up about Ashutosh Gowarikar’s period flick Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey, in which she plays a revolutionary. Reportedly, Asin, who was first offered the part, turned it down as she found the role miniscule. “I was not aware of that, when Ashutosh offered me the period thriller. I always wanted to do a period film and that too with Ashutosh. When I read the script, I wanted to be a part of the film and do that character. It is one of my most creatively-satisfying experiences and an extraordinary film. For the first time, I will be seen wearing simple khadi sarees.”

A complete contrast will be Sajid Khan’s Housefull, which she describes as a mad, mad, mad comedy . “All I can say is that I am an ultra- glamorous in the film.”

She does not want to reveal much about the Daanish Aslam directed Break Ke Baad either, except that she found the director extremely talented and good-looking! “He looks a lot like Imran Khan,” she smiles, “And yes that will be my second film with a new director. Like Vijay, I found him very self-assured.” In the film, Imran and she play a couple who try to get back after splitting.

If reports are to be believed that seems to be the case with her personal life too. Didn’t we hear that Ranbir Kapoor was trying to woo her back?. But she’s not telling. “This year I am part of some very interesting projects. Each film is different and the best part is that I look different in the varied parts I am playing. And that is what I am focussed on right now. Rumours are an ongoing process and will be a part of my life as long I am in the industry. People just read these things and forget about it. But a good performance is something they will always remember,” she says firmly.

Read more HERE.

TIME FOR A CHANGE

Casual and chic in Karthik Calling Karthik, ultra- glam in Housefull, khadi-clad in Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey and streetsmart in Lafange Parinde. Deepika Padukone gets daringly different

“Someone just asked me what I had last bought for myself and I realised that I hadn’t gone shopping for a long time,” says Deepika Padukone, as she settles into the cushy settee in Excel Entertainment’s office where she is present for the promotions of Karthik Calling Karthik. The leggy actress is in-between a lot of things. She has just finished Ashutosh Gowariker’s Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey and on February 17 she starts shooting for Yash Raj Films’ Lafange Parinde (tentative title), after which her dates have been booked by Kunal Kohli for his BreakKe Baad followed by the release of Housefull. Presently, however she is busy with the promotions of this edge-of-the-seat thriller. “Ever since the promos have been out I have been getting messages from people saying they have loved my look, especially the short hair, and that it makes me look younger than I am. Shah Rukh Khan and Imtiaz Ali said that it has added something to my personality,” smiles the actress,

“But going beyond the physical aspect, the short hair suits Shonali’s character. An architect by profession, she is focussed, driven, totally independent, bubbly, speaks her mind and at the same time she is smart and intelligent,” she continues breathlessly.

Talking about similarities between the character and herself, she narrates that when she came on the sets in a casual top, director Vijay Lalwani thought it suited her character so well that he asked her to continue wearing it and even her poster shot was taken in that! After that there were several occasions when she shot in her own clothes.

Though she concedes that the character is a lot like her, she says that she differs in that she is more shy and reserved. “There is a mad streak in me, and sometimes I do things out of character but generally I am calm and composed, which she is not. And then unlike her, I never make the first move.”

Just then, Vijay Lalwani puts in an appearance. He is young, reasonably good-looking and she makes him blush when she teases him that he should be in front of the camera! “Vijay is the first new director I am working with,” she says looking at him, “I had been offered films with new directors but being so new myself, I did not have the confidence to work with a new director. Apart from having written a great script he exuded confidence and was very sure of himself. In fact, Farhan and I kept teasing him that he is the debutant and we were more experienced. On the sets both he and Farhan were so funny, they were always competing with each other about who could make everyone laugh. Vijay would sometimes end up being the only one laughing at his jokes and literally use a placard saying ‘Please laugh I just cracked a joke’,” she informs, laughing heartily.

2010 is proving to be a very satisfying year for the young actress. If she is charged about Karthik.. she is equally kicked up about Ashutosh Gowarikar’s period flick Khelenge Hum Jee Jaan Sey, in which she plays a revolutionary. Reportedly, Asin, who was first offered the part, turned it down as she found the role miniscule. “I was not aware of that, when Ashutosh offered me the period thriller. I always wanted to do a period film and that too with Ashutosh. When I read the script, I wanted to be a part of the film and do that character. It is one of my most creatively-satisfying experiences and an extraordinary film. For the first time, I will be seen wearing simple khadi sarees.”

A complete contrast will be Sajid Khan’s Housefull, which she describes as a mad, mad, mad comedy . “All I can say is that I am an ultra- glamorous in the film.”

She does not want to reveal much about the Daanish Aslam directed Break Ke Baad either, except that she found the director extremely talented and good-looking! “He looks a lot like Imran Khan,” she smiles, “And yes that will be my second film with a new director. Like Vijay, I found him very self-assured.” In the film, Imran and she play a couple who try to get back after splitting.

If reports are to be believed that seems to be the case with her personal life too. Didn’t we hear that Ranbir Kapoor was trying to woo her back?. But she’s not telling. “This year I am part of some very interesting projects. Each film is different and the best part is that I look different in the varied parts I am playing. And that is what I am focussed on right now. Rumours are an ongoing process and will be a part of my life as long I am in the industry. People just read these things and forget about it. But a good performance is something they will always remember,” she says firmly.

Read more HERE.