Many have been asking me for my opinion on the much written-about Unforgettable Tour which featured Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Preity Zinta, Riteish Deshmukh and Vishal-Shekhar. The UK leg of the tour also featured Shilpa Shetty.

I'll reprint my review of the tour once it is in print as this is one of the conditions to which I'm bound but what I will say is that it was a truly unique experience. Mr Bachchan was, as always, as legendary in person as he is on screen. To watch him on stage is truly a memorable experience. It was also Abhishek's first world tour although from his confidence, charisma and energy you'd never guess it. He was phenomenal and delivered a stage debut that is by far one of the best ever. Aishwarya had a different setlist from previous tours with the focus being on more upbeat and funky tracks as opposed to the previous heartstring-tugging songs of sorrow which have now become fan favourites. This new segment which included her descending from the heavens on a star and performing some killer moves to the tunes of Dhoom Machale and Crazy Kiya Re were nothing short of what you'd expect from someone dubbed as the 'ultimate live performer'.

Vishal and Shekhar were fantastic. They got the crowd going and proved to truly be masters of their domain. Riteish Deshmukh was also a welcome presence and Preity Zinta entertained the crowd as she has previously. Shilpa Shetty's performance at the UK show had a real highlight when she matched steps with ace choreographer Shiamak Davar in a segment which flowed like poetry in motion.

The truly unforgettable aspect of the show was the crowd participation. Gone are the days when people come to watch shows, the audience got wholeheartedly involved and in the spirit of the show. Dancing, jumping up and down and screaming their lungs out, it made for a great experience for everyone present, including the performers who obviously received a high-octane rush from the energy being dissipated by their well wishers.

Watch for the full coverage soon, and reprints/scans as soon as is permissible.

The Last Lear Set to Release Sept 12

The below was written in October 2007 after The Last Lear was screened at the London Film Festival. I believe the film is finally releasing on September 12 2008. A brilliant and timeless tale of obsession, film and acting, The Last Lear is a film to cherish and soak up.

Here's hoping it gets the success and accolades it deserves.

"THE LAST LEAR WOOS THE LAND OF SHAKESPEARE

Fuad Omar

Rituparno Ghosh's The Last Lear received a rapturous response at the London Film Festival where it was playing alongside the best of world cinema and was showcased to some of the movers and shakers from Hollywood, British and European cinema.

Amitabh Bachchan mesmerises as an aged thespian that spends his life looking back on his stage career and trying to better his last performance. His portrayed execution of Harish, an actor smothered by his own confidence and self-worth to the extreme that his greatest competition is himself, has drawn rave reviews from critics and fans alike. He has been compared with and referenced in the same breath as British Shakespearean stalwarts such as Sir Ian Mckellen and Patrick Stewart, both of which are currently in London's Theatreland portraying King Lear and Macbeth respectively to excellent reviews. A feat previously unheard of and one that has left an indelible mark on the heart of London's West End causing a stir among actors and directors alike. Running to packed gala screenings, The Last Lear has garnered much praise as a "contemporary example of Indian cinema at its finest" with most of the accolades falling on Amitabh Bachchan's performance and the chemistry between his character and that of Siddarth, essayed by Arjun Rampal, in a role that only further cements his acting credentials and scoffs at critics who have previously dismissed his talent.
As an obsessed film director driven by perfection, Rampal underplays his role perfectly, becoming the Yin to Bachchan's Yang creating the balance that makes The Last Lear an enjoyable and educational film experience. Even the first shot of Rampal bathed in the lights of his rushes with the white of his eyes flickering and fading in sync with the reflection of his creation is sheer stylised brilliance. The cinematography, direction and dialogues have all been commended with the only criticism coming from a largely European audience who found the subtitles distracting as the words spoken were clear and had a large impact. Shefali Shah also enjoyed lavish praise as did the presentation of the film. With a thought-provoking glimpse into the narcissist world of acting, the obsessive compulsive side of filmmaking and the all important emphasis on an artiste's previous performance, The Last Lear has all the markings of a cult film that will remain etched in the land of Shakespeare's mind forever.

The film goes on general release in December. "