That is true. Columbia Tri Star is the exhibitor in India, but that is as far as their association with the film is concerned. In the US and Canada it is Miramax (Disney company) that is distributing it. Most probably the same would hold for the video release too, although I cannot say for sure.

Whaaaaa? I don't remember ZUBEIDAA being a December release at all; in fact, it released here in Canada around January! Anyways, I am going to include it on my list, cause it was a 2001 film for me.

Sunny, I usually respect your opinion, but predictably I disagree with some of your choices, notably NAYAK and EK RISHTAA, especially the later. Seriously, this film didn't make any sense whatsoever, and the scene where the corrupted factory worker gives his "moving" speech was when I turned off the film (no point in watching the rest, I knew what would happen from then on). Anyways, here's my list (I haven't seen K3G yet, but I doubt it will make my list cause I hated KKHH with a passion):

1. LAGAAN - I don't think anyone could argue this one (except you Sunny, but I still haven't seen MONSOON WEDDING). It is possibly the best made film I've seen in years, and I would even include it on my Hollywood film list (this was a pretty lacklustre year as well as 2000. I just came back from VANILLA SKY, and it was a disappointment). Anyways, it will be hard to beat this one, but I think that DEVDAS has the chance of being a masterpiece).

2. ZUBEIDAA - It was hard for me to make this decision, as I believe this film is just as good as LAGAAN. No, it didn't have a huge budget, or huge stars necessarily. But this is a classic reminisent (sp?) of the masterpieces of the 50's and 60's. Karisma Kapoor gives the performance of her career (National Awards, are you listening?), and the woman who plays her mother (Surekha Sikri, I think) almost steals the show.

3. ASOKA - Yes, it did have its flaws, notably an endless second half and an unnecessary "shock" death (at the end) to manipulate us. Yet the hard work spent upon this film was evident, and Shahrukh Khan was just great (even though I don't like the snotty stuck up guy in real life). The songs by Anu Malik are his best after REFUGEE.

4. DIL CHAHTA HAI - Man, I loved this movie. It was so well made, and the first half completely broke the cliched formula for romantic comedies... BUT the second half ruined it for me. The entire drawn out wedding sequence made me squirm in my seat, and I skip the entire section when watching the DVD. Otherwise, brilliant performances by the three leads.

5. CHANDNI BAR - Bold and gut-wrenching film completely took me by surprise. I had no idea what I was in for; the film completely took hold of me, beat me silly and I was left feeling thoroughly violated by the end. Wow. While this also did have its share of flaws (overlong), and technically dull (blame the budget), but Tabu's performance moved me.

6. LAJJA - I really wanted to include this on my top five, but I couldn't make myself. The first time I watched it, I easily rated it a 3 and a half out of four, but upon second viewing, I had to lower it by half a star. Reason - it was just too drawn out and overlong. The Mahima episode was incredibly boring after knowing the jokes, and the ending was absolutely atrocious.

7. AJNABEE - Ok, I know, I know. Unacceptable choice, so shoot me all right! Yes, it didn't make any sense either, but it made a lot more sense than the crap that was EK RISHTAA. Great songs, and a few shocking, bold scenes (yeah, yeah, bring it on!) made this film above average. Great technical values, and if there was a category for sound effects editing in any Indian movie awards ceremony, the award would go here.

8. ABHAY - Flawed but incredibly jarring film with a ridiculous, enjoyable and over the top performance by Kamal Hasan. Some uppers - the directing, cinematography. The downers - Manisha Koirala and ending.

Nothing else has been too good this year, so...

There ya go!

No Sunny, Zubeida was actually released in January of 2001. Check with IMDB. Unless you got one of your special screenings in the UK, it was a January release. Hence, it wasn't up for any of the awards at this year's functions.



Edited By MalFUnXiON on Dec. 16 2001 at 09:10

Looks like it's back to editing my list again. Hey all I remember is that it was sometime during last winter that the movie was released.

but why was there a controversy on the national awards which eventually went to raveena for daman... and karisma was said to have been mega dissapointed not to win the award.. dont they normally consider the previous years films?? well maybe not as i think daman was 2001 too...

I'm guessing that all of you who have seen monsoon wedding are either in India or have seen it at the film festival, because Canada and US are still wating for the release. when's it coming out?????

dunno when miramax will release the film in USA should be sometime early next year. I was lucky enhough to see it at a asian film festivial in London BFI cinema with my class-mates

I remember seeing Zubeidaa days before xmas 2000, it was a special screening. If I saw it in 2001 I would put the film in at number 5 and knock off Ek Rishtaa from my list.

However I placed Zubeidaa in my top ten Y2K list last year, which is why I didn't place it in this year or it would be unfair. (It was number 3 last year).

Whaaaaat? someone actually respects my opinion Normally many don't on this forum (lol)

But its nice to have disagreement...makes the debates more intresting. At least I didn't say Hum Ho Gaye Aapke or Yaddien is at number ten (god forbid).

If I remember correctly, the film should open in the US & Canada in January 2002.

Sunny, Zubeidaa was definitely officially released in January. Even if it was released in December, it would have automatically been counted in as a 2001 film for all film awards or festivals - that is a normal practice. Anyway, you say yourself that it was a special screening - which doesn't count.

As for Shankar - just for the record - Jeans is one of the most atrocious films I've ever seen in my life. It's not even technically good. Having the latest technology incorporated in a film does not inherently make a good product. You need the talent and expertise to use it to the full advantage - which Jeans did not. The dinasaur scene was a showcase of no talent or expertise - just purely showing off. Not too mention that the film has some lip synching problems (Tamil version). A Chinese Singaporean critic watched the film for all the hoopla generated - and there was a very embarrassing review in the papers. The critic wondered if this was the best film India could produce as it was touted as being the most expensive Indian film ever made. Thankfully the Hindi version flopped. The Hindi audience isn't as undiscerning as you sometimes make them to be, Sunny.

TOP MOVIE OF THE YEAR
KABHI KHUSHI KABHIE GHAM
it got into number 3 in the charts this week, and it will stay in the top 10 next week as well!!
The whole of UK loves the movie, except some
"WANNABE-CRITICS" who write on these pages!!
Stop looking for flaws, and just enjoy movies!!

its amazing the money this film took over in the UK...... and it was just screened on 41 screens cool... i wonder how it is faring in USA and canada.... need to check out some figures there....

[quote="congress"][/quote]
Jeans was alright, but do admit that its creativity went down the worng path during the last seqeunce.

But just cause the film has poor content doesn't mean the film is crap? However I do respect your views, cause in this case I understand.

The film did (IMHO) have one of the best music/song score during the 90's. I still love the song Ajooba & Hai Rabba.

Hmmm, is it not the content of the film that decides whether it is crap or not?