Excellent screenplay of director Milan Luthria and admirable performances by actors Nana Patekar and John Abraham has impressed none other than Aamir Khan who made the effort to watch Taxi No. 9211 in a hall recently.

While some said the bonding between Nana Patekar and John Abraham was the most interesting aspect, others commented on its portrayal of Mumbai’s fast-paced life. However, the ever observant Aamir commented that what stood out in the film was the fact that both the heroes had negative shades.

Surely, Luthria must be on cloud nine. His Taxi No. 9211 was probably the only movie that came up to people expectations after Aamir Khan starrer Rang de Basanti. At some point the film was also outdid Rang de Basanti from its no. 1 position.

A.R. Rahman’s hit track ‘Paathshala’ from the film ‘Rang De Basanti’ still rules the top Bollywood album position. It is an energetic number and captures the psyche of today’s youth. Let’s look at the 10 Hindi songs of the week:

1. Paathshala from Rang De Basanti
Singers: Naresh Iyer, Mohammed Aslam; Music: A.R. Rahman.
The song’s popularity is still soaring and it has perched itself in the first position. (more…)

Sameera Reddy is making double shifts as she is loaded with so many films. Right now she talks about her co-stars in the movie Taxi No 9211, Nana and John and director Milan Luthria.

You are doing an international film based on Monica Ali's novel 'Brick Lane'?
Yes, it’s true. The producers chose me after seeing my film ‘Kaal Purush’. It’s an honor to get such an offer, as the book is nominated for the Pulitzer Prize. The film is all about a woman name Nazneen from Bangladesh, who bears lots of hardship in both personal and social levels. It has a strong script and I would love to do it. But the problem is that they want 45 days’ schedule. I don’t know if I will mange to find time, as I am very busy with my other commitments. Still, I will try my best to do this film. (more…)

Recently John went to see his latest film Taxi 9211 with a thousand cab drivers. He told them bikes are better than Taxis and they taught him how to actually put meter down (by making it upside down from right side and not from left side as he was doing). He had so much fun with them. And now John Abraham gets candid about taxis, his co-star Nana and the film Taxi 9211.

John on taxis
Cabs form the pulse of Mumbai. I remember a picture in The Times of India recently when there was a taxi strike in the city and all the cabs were parked outside the airport. The yellow and black combination looks fantastic. They keep Mumbai moving and we all owe a lot to them for their services. (more…)

Movie Review: Taxi No. 9211

Producer: Ramesh Sippy
Director: Milan Luthria
Cast: Nana Patekar, John Abraham, Sonali Kulkarni, Sameera Reddy

Taxi No. 9211 is a fast-paced entertainer that blends comedy with emotional drama. It takes you to an intriguing ride in Mumbai - a city of 20 million people where it has tried to reflect two segments of people, their lifestyle and their problems. The ride becomes bumpy when these two people from different genre of society are forced to travel together in a Taxi numbered 9 2 11. This ride takes out the worst from them and in the end make them take a serious look at themselves which otherwise would not have been possible.

Raghav Shastri (Nana Patekar) is a short tempered cynic, who has changed 23 jobs in last 15 years due to his cynical and egoistic attitude. To the world and his wife Rupali (Sonali Kulkarni), he is an insurance salesman but actually he is a caustic, though witty cabby who needs thirty thousand rupees by the end of today to pay his son’s school fees, to pay the owner of the taxi and to clear his other debts. For this he needs every rich passenger he can.

Jai Mittal (John Abraham) is a wealthy socialite, the acidic heir to a rich business family, who has to go to the court to prove his claim of Rs. 300 crore. Jai Mittal’s father has left a will which states that his loyal employee would get all the money while his son would not get a single penny. Of course he gear to fights this and is ably supported by his girlfriend Sameera Reddy. Just prior to the day of hearing, Jai returns from a party and gets his car banged. So on the day of the hearing he catches a cab to collect his will from the locker and present it in the court. (more…)