OM PURI TO PLAY THE ROLE OF "ANNA HAZARE"

There are rigid social systems that still dominate our modern society. The patriarchal Indian society has many unruly and unaddressed issues that lead to many crimes being committed.

The Khap panchayat in Indian villages follows one such custom, which has been killing young couples in the name of honour for years now.

Actor Om Puri and producer-director Ajai Sinha who feel strongly towards honour killing in our modern society have addressed this issue and voiced their opinion through their upcoming film ‘Khap’.

"Someone has to take the first step to end this. I am not waiting for somebody to wake up one day and that is why I have stood up against it," said Om to a daily.

Ajai, who`s the director of the film, said to a daily the primary motivation behind making this movie was not just success or monetary gain. "It`s for awareness among the youth. I have made this movie to make our country wake up and notice that while we might just fuss over everyday life, there are still customs like Khap in villages that don`t let people live their lives their way."

The film has got no political support because the topic is sensitive and no politician wants to be associated with it.

"It doesn`t matter if anyone supports us or not," said Om.

"We know that we have made the right movie. If Anna Hazare can stand alone, fight against corruption and make the nation realise the importance of it, I am sure we can do the same here. Even if we get support or not, the fight against the Khap panchayats from our side is on!" expressed Om to a tabloid.

The movie hits the film theatres this Friday with a hope that it`s the first step towards enlightening people towards this unaddressed issue of modern India.

OM PURI IN A NEW LOOK IN HIS NEXT MOVIE "KHAP"

Produced by Sangita Sinha and Siddhant Sinha of Ananda Film & Telecommunications Pvt. Ltd., and Directed by Ajai Sinha- best known for his TV shows Hasratein, Astitva, Justujoo and Ghar Ek Sapna. Film KHAP, a story about the Khap Panchayat and the much talked about issue of Honour Killings is all set to release in cinemas on 29th July, 2011. The film stars veteran actors like Om Puri, Govind Namdev, Manoj Pahwa, Anooradha Patel and Mohnish Bahl amongst the new talent Yuvika Choudhary who has acted in films like TOH BAAT PAKKI, SUMMER 2007 and OM SHANTI OM in a cameo and recent release NAUGHTY @ 40. KHAP also introduces a new actor Sarrtaj. The film is being distributed by Percept Picture Company.

The land where KHAP rules, a marriage is not made in heaven. Here, nothing matters, not even true love. What matters is the age old custom that no one has ever dared to challenge. KHAP is a tale of two different worlds colliding each other over a love story which we take as a norm in our world. Till then, in the world of KHAP, a marriage is only sanctioned if it satisfies age old customs. If someone defies their diktat, an unofficial illegal death sentence is passed and executed in the most gruesome manner. But when the guardians of the old faith do it to lovers from Delhi, they challenge their supremacy in a way, no one ever dared to do. Is their marriage made in heaven?

The music of KHAP is by Annujj Kappoo and the songs in the film have been sung by ace singers like Ustad Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Shaan, Shreya Ghoshal, Jagjit Singh and Rekha Bhardwaj amongst others.

Ananda Film & Telecommunications Pvt. Ltd., the producer of KHAP has produced many T.V soaps over the years. They have to their name some fabulous work of fiction in Television World like Hasratein, Astitva, Justujoo, Gudgudee, Samay, Ghar Ek Sapna, Rishtey and many others.

Ajai Sinha has also directed a film titled STOP, which released in 2004 and in 2011 he has another film, 3 BACHELORS starring Sharman Joshi, Riya Sen and Riama Sen, lined up for release other than KHAP. All the mentioned TV serials have also been directed by Ajai Sinha, who is now all set with his new directorial venture, KHAP.

NEW MOVIE - "3 THAY BHAI"

Having been produced by the director of socially relevant films like Rang De Basanti (2006) and Delhi 6 (2009), 3 Thay Bhai automatically bears the burden of being a stunner in its own right, in its own genre. But does having a heavyweight producer behind you relieve you of the responsibility to entertain? Of course not.

From the initial looks of it, 3 Thay Bhai could just as easily have been one of those comic low-budget gems like last year's Phas Gaye Re Obama. But don’t get your hopes too high just yet.

Chicksy Gill (Puri) is the eldest of the Gills, a condescending, self-important Punjabi businessman struggling to find matches for his out-of-shape daughters. Happy Gill is a dentist who blames “shifting pain” for any oral problem, while Fancy Gill, as the name suggests, leads a wannabe, flashy lifestyle, kept alive by dreams of going to Hollywood “shahar”. Needless to say, the three don’t get along and are better off not having anything to do with one another.

As fate would have it, however, the lure of a fortune promised by Dadaji Chhatrapal Gill’s will forces the brothers to live in harmony. Three years after grandpa’s death is when they can get their hands on the property in Himachal Pradesh.

For a comedy to be enjoyable, a smart story and slick, funny dialogue are imperative. The comic timing of characters can do a world of wonders to any film of this genre. Unfortunately, in the case of 3 Thay Bhai, apart from Talpade’s bang-on comic timing, everything and everybody else fall flat. A few chuckles here and there do not guarantee a two-and-a-half hour journey of fun and frolic.

Too many loose ends, a patchy storyline, and unnecessary additions to the plot make this pseudo comedy a sore watch. The story meanders from the farms of Punjab to the snowed-down peaks of North India, adding unnecessary elements along the way.

First-time director Mrigdeep Singh Lamba manages to extract satisfactory performances which constitute the saving grace of the film. While Puri hams his way throughout, Talpade manages to elicit a few chuckles because of his fantastic comic timing. Dobriyal, (seen recently in films like Daayen Ya Baayen and Tanu Weds Manu), is a natural and plays the timid quack with poise. Khanna’s village-belle act looks more like an afterthought though the girl manages to impress in a blink-and-you-miss appearance.

To cut a long story short, you won’t miss much if you skip this tepid tale of three brothers. 3 Thay Bhai has no comedy, no entertainment, and nothing much to look forward to.