I was curious to hear Rajeev Masand's review of 'Singh is Kinng' on CNN-IBN. Not because I adore Rajeev but because that movie was co-produced by Studio 18 and distributed by Indian Film Company, both Network 18 companies and sister concerns of CNN-IBN.
In other words it was a test of Network 18's editorial integrity that whether they keep commerce above journalism or vice-versa. I am happy that they passed the test and whatever else the channel might have done to promote the movie (which is routine stuff nowdays) they didn't use Rajeev Masand to cheat the viewers.
This weekend Times group was taking the test. 'Hari Puttar - A comedy of terrors' produced by Mirchi Movies, a Times Group Company was released and I was eager to read Nikhat Kazmi's review.
Now I must admit that I have not watched the movie so I can't condemn/corroborate Ms Kazmi's opinion of the movie. As a matter of fact by looking at the trailer itself I had anticipated that this is a blatant copy of 'Home Alone' and had decided to miss this movie (and the promos also!).
However the TOI rating of 'Hari Puttar' is astounding 3.5 stars! And that keeps it in the league of 'Mumbai Meri Jaan'!!! Can you believe that?
(To put things in proper context this film ('Hari Puttar') has got 0/5 from Rajeev Masand (CNN-IBN), 1/5 from Taran Adarsh (IndiaFM.com) and 1/5 from Khalid Mohammad (Hindustan Times). NDTV's Anupama Chopra doesn't give ratings but she says for this movie "Steer clear and Rent Home Alone instead.")
Surely Ms. Kazmi has a different taste from her counterparts. And she has every right to stand apart from others undoubtedly. However I wanted to mention another 'news article' titled "Hari Puttar casts a spell' that appeared in Hyderabad Times on friday. It was about an 'exclusive premier' of the film. (I am not saying what T.N. Ninan had said!)
Ummm... ahh... well what is your verdict about Times Group's performance in aforementioned test?
5 comments:
3.5 rating to Hari Puttar!!! Ah shameless promotion of its own movie!!! This movie doesn't deserve tha 3.5 at all! Its a total copy of Home Alone, most importantly by no parameter it can qualify for a rating as high as this. Well, world is moving towards paid reviews i guess!
predictable :)
Even I was shocked when I saw TOI give 3.5 for HP !!
//Steer clear and Rent Home Alone instead//
Haha !! True !! Home Alone is the best anyday !!
Btw, I love Rajeev Masand's reviews !! I remember he had thrown popcorn on the screen for Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag !! *evil laughter*
=P
Hi Abishek
Thanks for stopping by on my blog again and for your message - it's so encouraging!
Regards from a still Hyderabadi at heart -
C
A watchful eye on the media! kewl!
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