Don 2 review

If you are unaware of the latest news make sure you go through Breaking News and Hot News.

The Don franchise is back in most its stammering, self-praising and lopsided grinning glory. Living as much as its prequel, this one is high on slick quotient and it has many meticulously choreographed stunts. The only real grouse: Don has become cockier than ever and loves rambling lines that narrate his characteristic traits in third person- 'Don ke dushmano ko…' Yawn.

We start having a voiceover by the man himself who is the A-PAC head of drug retailing and wholesaling and wishes to spread his distribution channels across Europe. In doing so, he needs to help his old enemy, Vardhaan (Boman Irani) avoid a prison in Kuala Lumpur. So Don stages their own arrest by surrendering in the KL Interpol office towards the delightfully dumb investigators Roma (Priyanka Chopra) and her boss Malik (Om Puri). Soon, Don and Vardhaan have forgotten the incidents that took place the prequel and are plotting a significant heist in icy Berlin.

And before you decide to believe that Don has outdone everyone, the Interpol in Germany informs the Kuala Lumpur office that Don and Vardhaan happen to be spotted in Zurich. And though no visible spots are noticed on either from the gangsters, Roma and Malik are in their woolies trotting about in Berlin in the next scene. No global gangster movie is done with no car chase, a unique disguise (a Hrithik Roshan mask!) and some explosions here and there; to ensure that is what follows.

There are lots of mysteries in 'Don 2' that could make you stumped beyond reason. Like, why does a mastermind evil genius who is wanted across the globe personally get his drug consignments? Lack of trust in his aides or is he only a humble man of the soil? Also, when Don walks out of a hostage situation carrying a wounded Roma in his arms, Roma's boss casually enquires, "Kya hua Roma ko?" What does he expect to have an answer? Upset stomach?

While SRK's looks offer prominent signs of ageing, his acting prowess seems to be carrying out a Benjamin Button. Unless of course, cackling about one's might and monstrosity is Bollywood's formula for a super villain. Boman Irani is renowned for his razor sharp expressions but this is a first where he appears to be a bit lost about when to discrete which. Priyanka Chopra is barely there and quite consequently as she doesn't really foil Don's plans or do anything whatsoever that will result in the audience excited or anxious. Lara Dutta is perfectly sassy in all her cereal goodness and manages her part with practiced ease and confidence.

If you are unaware of the latest news make sure you go through Breaking News and Hot News.

For a movie that rocks in grandeur and elegance, Don 2 has the logical reasoning of the 'Golmaal 5'. There's a part in the movie where Don actually convinces the German intelligence and the Interpol that he's working for them and they buy it. The verdict: The Badshah of bragging and also the king of the hamming is identical person and he's available in multiplexes waiting to con you off your money. The only way to outfox him, wait for satellite release.

Anna fast in Mumbai faces new venue problems

Mumbai: Anna Hazare and his team of activists can't find a suitable venue for his or her protest in Mumbai, which starts on December 27. Their first choice - the city's MMRDA Ground - costs 3.77 lakhs each day. Team Anna says it will not pay these "five-star" rates, even if supporters donate generously for their cause. So they took the Maharashtra government to the court, demanding discounted rates. A verdict is anticipated later today, but the court's observations so far seem to suggest bad news for Team Anna.

If you are unaware of the latest news make sure you go through Breaking News and Hot News.

Anna will start his hunger strike against what he describes like a weak Lokpal Bill on December 27, the day when parliament will debate the balance. "The bill is being debated in parliament...a parallel discussion of the bill can't be justified," said the court.

Anna's group states that they have the right to peaceful protest. And also the 74-year-old Gandhian said, unperturbed, "I will fast in jail. There is lots of space there." He also known his epic fast in August in Delhi, when he needed to fight the government to hold his massive sit-in at Ramlila Maidan. In a massive miscalculation, the federal government had arrested him. As he left of jail, thousands attended his camp.

Anna decided to hold his fast in Mumbai this month because of the biting cold in the capital. Being an option to the MMRDA Ground, Anna's team may use Azad Maidan - the venue made available through the government for protests. But the demarcated space for public protests can accommodate 3000 people. Anna and the Mumbai police expect a daily turnout of 30,000. A huge section of Azad Maidan lies with the Sports Department whose officials have rejected Anna's request to make use of this space for his hunger strike.

The Sports Department states that a legal court has not allowed the part it controls to become provided for public protests. Officials also say that their section includes 22 cricket pitches, which tournaments are scheduled for the end of the season.

If you are unaware of the latest news make sure you go through Breaking News and Hot News.

Law enforcement has warned the state government that with no additional space at Azad Maidan, the crowds will spill onto the roads, causing a complete shut-down of South Mumbai on work days. The police has also pointed out that because of the ground's proximity to important offices and buildings such as the municipal corporation, it's important that roads be keep free of traffic jams and enormous groups of people.