Reel Wheel

Vibrant, Energetic, Sporty. And ‘Class’

2010-01-07T22:19:00.000-08:00

“The movie and its lead characters emanate vibrancy, energy and sportiness; exactly the qualities represented by our XC90 R-Design. Hence the ideal integration of our brand and the movie,” said Paul De Vojis, managing director, Volvo Auto India, in a press release explaining the presence of the SUV in the movie ‘3 Idiots’.

‘Vibrancy’, ‘energy’ and ‘sportiness’ – exactly the qualities of the lead actor of ‘3 Idiots’, Aamir Khan. (The very same qualities used by Parle brand of biscuits endorsed by the same actor; playing a prank on the coach and free running dispersing free cheeky advice on eating healthy.) So, when it came to zeroing in on the synergies between the product placed (the R-Design) and the lead actor (Aamir), the company is bang on. But there is a catch: through the entire duration of the movie (two hours and fifty minutes) in not one scene is it shown Aamir in the car. In fact, the only scene where the star and car are in the same frame is the last one. Those who have seen the movie will remember that here too the actor was shown running away from it (yeah, the owner of the car – a guy a little short of the ‘vibrant, sporty and energetic’ qualities).

Of course, we all know the reason as to why Aamir maintained this safe distance from Volvo; he was till recently endorsing for rivals, Toyota. Whether he still does it remains not known. But what is known is that his endorsing the Innova hasn’t done much for the vehicle. Probably the company could rope him for the recently launched Fortuner (But be careful when they make him say ‘Fulltime 4 wheel drive’. He he he.) If this weren’t the case, Aamir would have made the best fit brand ambassador for the Swedish car-maker. No two thoughts here. And they could have added one more to the ‘Vibrancy, energy, sportiness’ DNA: ‘Class’ as well.

The press release mentioned also smacks of Paul’s worry along the precise same lines. Hence, as an after thought he has added that the film is ‘about the journey two friends undertake in their search for a third compatriot (sic!), played by Aamir Khan (saving grace). The backdrop of the movie is along the length and breadth of India, covering the beauty of the mountainous region of Ladakh….. (blah blah).” Almost reminded me of Che’s ‘Motorcycle Diaries’ and the ok-ok movie adaptation. The best landscape shot is the unending expanse of the clear blue sky against the snow-capped mountains as the car approaches Ladakh. Then, for anyone who visits any biker group website (I am with one and ride alone as well) and checks out their uploaded album, you will find that this particular shot is staple.

In terms of exposure in a Bollywood film (which Paul has rightly called a ‘cult’) it is win-win for Volvo: the vehicle does occupy lots of screen space and movie time. The director has also done a good job in showing the vehicle the way it should be – all muddied and slushed up, communicating vividly that it is an out-and-out rough-out vehicle. Now, if only the company would cease trying a piggy back on the star’s (already used) USPs.

Now for another statement in the same release: “Artistic integrity is crucial for successful brand placements and the utility of the product has to be woven properly into the script..” I have no idea what this one even tries to mean.

In a marked deviation from my earlier blogs where I tried to figure out the best-fit cars for the movies, here I will turn it around – and figure out a best fit movie for the R-Design. This is also because the car has been positioned articulately enough (vibrancy…etc) and the release sounds like the company scouted around for a movie to make a big screen debut. How better could they have done had they looked around better?

Not a single release from last year could have pulled it off. With the handicap of not knowing the content but merely the star power of those coming up this year, ‘Kites’ is close. As would a John Abraham starrer; quite a handful here – Aashayein, 1800-Love…

Hummer bhajan

2009-09-04T23:34:00.000-07:00

Ever since he got the money to join the Mumbai Indians for the IPL, Harbhajan has been singing praise to the legendary off roader, Hummer. But, his fetish goes a little longer than the cool three crore rupees he pocketed at the auction. Reports say that he rode in one when he was in Australia prior to the IPL season when India won the CB Tri Series. This was when he actually fell in love with this King Kong of cars...yeah, it can scale neat angles too. And recently, he has actually managed to procure one; which drove into the news for the wrong reasons, again. He was challaned by the Punjab Police for driving without proper registration.

Quite a colouful figure, Harbhajan is not new to controversies. The 'Turbanator' as he is called, created the biggest furore when he took off is turban for a advert for the liquor major, Royal Stag. But by then, the off-spinner was quite used to being in a spot, under the spotlight; his debut into international cricket itself was beset with investigations into the legality of his bowling action. The 'Sreesanth slapgate' would have been a minor irk like swatting a persistent fly...

While Reel Wheel dissects the choice of cars of movie stars, at times we do take the off-road, side road and the road less travelled to talk about the choices of other people also. They don't necessarily have to be making a widespread impression with their decisions. The idea is to develop a healthy discussion / debate as to what kind of cars suit best any personality trait or character. This could even help you decide better while choosing your own set of wheels.

The world over, if you care to take a glimpse of those who drive the Hummer, you can see they are far removed from what Bhajji really is. Take the most famous among them, Arnold Schwarzenegger. Do I have to tell you anything about Arnie? Now, THAT would be a sight: a Hummer comes to a stop and Hulk comes striding out. Ok, we can't always expect a seven times Mr Olympia winner to emerge out of a Hummer. But at least a strapping six-footer? If not biceps that suffocate the tee shirt, some muscle? Some attitude and not a scowl? At least some serious fashion sense?

When it comes to 'real world' purchase as opposed to characters on cinema, we have to factor in more than mere personality traits when it comes to car purchases (esp. when we are talking about a 'close-to-a-crore' buy!). Now, what would Harbhajan have wanted in a vehicle that made him buy a Hummer? He will need space to carry around his training gear, of course. And say space to ferry a few team mates from the training or the match ground to the nearest watering hole or shopping mall depending on whether they won or lost or lost or won. Factor in the roads. If we stopped here, you might suggest a Bolero or a Scorpio, a Safari or a Xylo. But throw in an attitude for good measure. And don't forget the serious money we have to burn.

While the Toyota Land Cruiser or the Prado could have been in contention, they don't have the snob value. These are refined statements - no need to be flashy as we are not the nouveau riche. 'An unorthodox bowler' with an 'aggressive attitude' could be the only claim to a 'Hummer personality'. But take a close look at Bhajji and you are tempted to think 'soft spoken, mild mannered, gentle, warm, big-hearted, open minded, generous... ' So even the Hilux won't be the choice, nor the FJ Cruiser as they reek some major 'don't damn' attitude. And the other practical considerations make us zero in on the Sequoia.

Here is a spacious monster that stands out from the crowd due to its sheer physicality of presence, a powerful demeanour and makes a quiet impression. Very much like Bhajji's looks the Sequoia doesn't shouts 'Hey, Look AT Me'. But once it gets to do the talking, then you are rapt attention, held in enthrall and there are no two ways, but to be taken seriously. If the Hummer hollers 'Don't mess with me, keep away' from a mile away, the Sequoia says 'Come near me at your own peril'. It is like a powerful force from within, it intimidates you into leaving it alone.

What you got to say for yourself, about yourself, without saying it is a call you only have to make.

A Galloping Edge With a Mustang

2009-07-13T23:55:00.000-07:00

Yes, we know the Americans as a culture like it big - big cars (or 'trucks' as they call it), big pads (very subtly called a 'crib'), big, baggy trousers (check out those rappers and those NBA stars when they are not on stage / court), big chunks of jewellry (again the rappers and NBA stars) and of course, the Big Mac. And for that matter, anybody who imported themselves into America too - they too, before long, develop this 'huge crush'. Surely we all know the (Austrian) Arnold Schwarzenegger's collection of over a dozen Hummers! Well, it must be something in the air, then.

From the governor to the window cleaner, unless you drive around in one of the 'trucks', then it seems like your citizenship will be revoked. From the presidential cavalcade to the convoy with the hearse, the black truck is ubiquitous. The window cleaner here is John Abraham in Yash Raj Films' new one directed by Kabir Khan, 'New York'. The movie is about how an innocent Mussalman who is taken to task by the FBI switches to full-fledged terrorism to redeem his 'izzat'. Katrina Kaif finally puts her 'twangy' Hindi to good use here. She is the wife who always knew about John's terrorist tendencies but just stood back hoping he would 'come back' some day. No, don't ask whether it was regardless the 'homecoming' would be in a big, black box. These minor flaws in storytelling aside, let's talk cars. Hey, but honestly, the movie isn't bad. Besides we also get a refreshing change from the entire 65 member cast standing and grinning at an inane Johnny Lever joke or the hero walks away as the bad guy writhes in pain / in flames. Here, the lovey-couple dies. Yeah, dies. Really!!

John drives around his black truck, probably an affirmation of his Americanisation. However, while in college, he was the same guy who was into muscle sports. He was the show-off, wanted to be and probably was, the centre of attention / attraction, an all-American-male. Now, as I said, the movie IS different from many being churned out these days. There is a commendable effort at making you think, look around and try and be concerned at what is going on, figuring out who is responsible, et al. Somewhere it lacks the cut, the edge. The characters are all well-defined, flushed out. Nelly boy does have his sparks of adorability. Irrfan Khan holds a bee-stung face making acting a non-necessity. Then, FBI agents don't really emote, do they? Nor can we, the audience wish for some chemistry between John and Katrina either.

But surely what we can hope for was a better choice of wheels which would have added a whole new dimension to the whole film. Instead of the omnipresent black truck, John should have been given the symbol of American muscle, the Mustang. This legendary car from the Ford stables is as much an extension of the virile American as the Bullet bike is for the Punjabi phallus. Imagine John driving around the Mustang, flashing his 'swell' muscles...

Goes on to show how a carefully set of wheels can really add more 'caracter', give an edge. As an extension of the flushed out persona - outgoing, sporty, strong. And a show-off. What else, but a Mustang!!!

Range Rover - the beast in tux

2009-06-29T02:37:00.000-07:00

Only yesterday I remarked casually that 'probably it is time the Tatas introduced their new babies to homecountry India - Land Rover and Jaguar. Reading the newspaper today, I felt like Oracle (the he-version): Lo and behold! Both the 'beauty' AND the 'beast' were coming to India!! About time too. From the Land Rover stables the Range Rover basic model, Range Rover Sport and Rover Discovery. Jaguar models three - the XF, XFR and XKR.

While the Jaguar is just another powerful, super luxury sedan, albeit with a irrefutable lineage, the Range Rover is many things to many people. You don't buy a Rover, in fact you acquire one. It ploughs on quietly with an assured elegance, the lines squeaky clean and straight, with all the surety that comes with the simplicity of inherited wealth and innate charm.

This is not for the diamond-stud-flashing, yo-generation rappers in baggie jeans. While the Lexus is too behemoth to look as benevolent as the Range Rover, its sibling the Land Cruiser is more of a dirt monger - both by taste and reputation. It is kind of difficult to imagine the Range Rover doing a dune bashing. You rarely go into the Amazon wearing a Prada or a Tom Ford!

With the rising global sentiment against the Big Daddy of 'em all - the Hummer - due to it's gas guzzling genes, we can safely assume that the Range Rover will be among the next level of conspicous, indulgent off-roading. Now, that is what a Range Rover is about - it is power, stamina and mammoth terrain resilience, all cloaked in garb of geniality.

Translated into a personality, it pulls off passionate elegance, a handsome style and an easy demeanour. Yes, all of these could be hard to come by early. As it is said, the true owner of a Mercedes Benz is never young. What many termed the 'Raymond rut' turned out to be a myth when Reid & Taylor was endorsed by Amitabh Bachchan. The moral was, however staid and old the product image was, you still have to sell it to the old. The reason being simple: they are the ones who have the money. That is, if we are not talking will paper money or the young, bold entrepreneur who sold his startup for a lifetime of luxury.

Portrayal of a character is different from actually being one. Real life is far removed from the reel. While it would be interesting to see which all movie stars in real life buy a Range Rover, needless to say, this is an ideal vehicle for the now-gen of the happening biz families of India. Cannot rule out our entire film folks from the potential customer list either. A well-groomed, Abhishek Bachchan should be able to pull it off. But not a Salman Khan: for with the Rover, what you see is NOT what you get.

New Vistas in Image Building

2009-06-06T23:49:00.000-07:00

When the 'Big' guys decided to share 50, 42.5, 37.5 and 30 per cent from weeks one to four, the multiplex owners v/s film producers' standoff came to a standstill. Then all the film producers fell in line - with Mukesh Bhatt standing out for a while, only to join in a bit - and even issue a statement to the effect of 'all is honky dory.' (It should be interesting to note how many films will be run after the second week; considering the fact that what the multiplex owners wanted was equal profit sharing over all the weeks.)

What I mentioned here, more than any detour from our main topic is also an apology for not updating the blog for quite a while. Why I didn't dig into any of Amitabh or Jeetendra or Parveen Babi movies is that I didn't want to replace an Padmini with an Ambassador or an Ambassador with at best, an Impala. And it didn't make much difference whether Dharmendra and Amitabh rode and sang on two Hero cycles rather than in a side-car. Or tell a Munna Bhai and Circuit to be in an open jeep than in a side-car when the filmmakers already were keen on repeating the 'Sholay' act. Just for a brief history of this blog. How much ever you may find this an impossible critique ("According to you, Thommen, has anybody on screen EVER driven the right vehicle?". "Yes, Darth Vader.") there is a story behind.

I call him my Caribbean Brother - he is dark, has lost most of the hair on his head and in hugely fun loving, good to be with and has many other physical prowesses identical to those on the islands which I was privy to - being in the same hostel for close to two years (where we walked around not wearing much clothes). He got married to his longtime sweetheart and they are settled in Mysore, both in the service of the central government in different departments. One day he called me up to tell me that he was planning to buy a car and ask what car should he buy. (By then, I had already earned a reputation among my friends for being a long distance driver, car maniac and whatever else that would make anybody ask my opinion, before buying their car.) After getting a lowdown on his budgets and options on hand, I suggested an Indica Vista to him - which was not among his options. Nevertheless he decided to visit the nearest showroom and took out one for a test ride. He bought one in metallic blue though I suggested brighter colours.

Satheesh (as his folks named him) is of medium height - 5 feet and 8 inches. Dark with a ready smile announced by perenially twinkling eyes. Muscular, you will always find him dressed in tees and jeans when he is not in office. Now, I couldn't think of any other car next to him than a Vista. A Swift would have mandated him to have a paunch, bigger, fairer and with a blazer hanging by the passenger seat all the time. A Fiesta would have required him to be more suave and with a more man-of-the-world who knows his way around air about him. A Honda City was an absolute no-no as he wasn't 45, over worked and over paid yet trying to save hard for that family vacation in Mauritius; feeling haggard yet trying hard to look pleasant. All these were options on hand.

Here he is, next to the Vista. Taken when he came visiting me on my recent visit to hometown Kerala. Shot at 7pm and hence the none-too-bright tone. But take a look at the guy and put him next to a Vista. See how they literally eat off each other, breathe off each others' air, a perfect symbiosis betweeen machine and muscle. Now, that's what Reel Wheel is all about.

With 'Big' initiating the breakdown of the impasse, you, dear reader, can now expect more frequent updating of this blog - 30 new releases are lined up over the next 22 weekends. Then, how many of our filmmakers do really try to enhance characterisation with the set of wheels? A politician always drives an Amby, a Gypsy for a policeman, a Merc for the girl's father and a Cielo (remember the sturdy war horse brought out by DCM?) for the villain which invariably goes up PFFFFF over a bomb during the final tiff.

Mr Ray Rode an RX...

2009-05-11T02:53:00.001-07:00

Aa Dekhen Zara came and went from the multiplexes (that the ongoing multiplex owner v/s producers standoff brought it back is a different story. Then, you have even an Om Shanti Om, if you want.. Long live the impasse!) Ray Acharya (Jeez, did any set of parents really come up with a name like that!) is a struggling photographer - he struggles for money, he struggles with feelings, ethics, etc and finally with his RX 100 - trying to kick start it every morning.
There was a time when I rode the (legendary) Yamaha RX 100 too; during my first job as the content (as in 'happy' too) guy for Msn.co.in in Chennai. What a friend and neighbour there told me made me scared and proud at the same time: "Take care of your bike as the Tigers (the LTTE variety) use the RX 100 motor to run their boats." Wow! Wasn't that dude! Me and the saviours (to some sect) swearing by the same machine!!
Thanks to the magical camera, Ray starts seeing the future. He places bets, plays the stock market and becomes Mr Richie Ray - in less than a song. Along with the girl, he also gets a mansion-like house and a Mercedes Benz.
But why the Benns?
No doubt, a 'Benns' enjoys more celebrity clout among everybody, including nobodies. In Hyderabad, I heard a tale of a guy who comes in a battered ol Maruti 800 with a sackload of liquid cash to a Mercedes showroom and pays fully for a 'Benns car'. Such is the stature - even overnight millionaires - who just sold their land for the new airport or to an IT giant guns straight for the three-pointed star. No second thoughts. The new found aura that piggybacks on the traditional enigma is undisputed.
Ray Acharya too points to a sleek pointy; he is shown slicking around one in no time. This is the problem with too much of character study: the writers concluded that anybody, even a nobody, when he comes into lotsa money, will want a Mercedes. True. But, what should also pique their foregone conclusions should also be thoughts like 'What will look better on the character?'
Within Nitin
Neil Nitin Mukesh is a toughie... a sheep in wolf's denims. He looks sweet and nice, but throws a mean punch. He smiles coyly but can be conniving like Bunty's baap. He can win you over with his charm and witty cracks, he can also pull the respirator from you with dewy, remorseful green eyes. Such a guy shouldn't be driving a Mercedes - it is for the traditionally rich, successful, conservative OLD man, for chrissake! And Ray is none of these.
Go Punching in a Gucci
A Prado is more like it. Critics pan it as a vehicle which is somewhere of an in-between between the tarmac and the rocky road. They say it is a sophisticated SUV as there is nothing like a sophisticated SUV. Something like a gentle croc? Yes, it IS a tamer version of the Land Cruiser - both from the Toyota stables. You don't need the Land Cruiser size or power or presence, you get the Prado; like the H3 for those who don't / can't want an H2 (who are those who don't / can't want an H1). Nevertheless, the Prado is a mighty beast - a beast who got a conferred doctorate, hence is trying hard to be immaculate, well spoken and mild mannered. Take it to any off road terrain and it tackles it like a blast. Reminds you of a Jason Statham movie - throughout the chases and stunts, our dude is intact in his Tom Fords.
Put our Ray near the Prado and see them go! We know how in both cases the soft lines on the outside are just a ploy to cover up for the brute inside. Characterisation can also be about making the character look good, yeah.

Big Anna's Big Wheels

2009-05-03T00:11:00.000-07:00

It was 2003 or 2004, I was in Mumbai reporting film stories for 'The Week'. I was talking to Raveen Tandon at H2O, a seaside theme park owned by Suniel Shetty when I first glimpsed 'Anna's' mighty Hummer whiz past. What is anybody doing in a Hummer through Mumbai streets, I wondered quietly. And what is somebody who is not a Mr Olympiad doing with a Hummer, again I wondered quietly. All the while, Raveena was judiciously avoiding Akshay Kumar in her conversations.

Whatever for my quiet musings, Suniel Shetty will always be remembered as among the first Hummer owners in India. And I will always love him for that too! My sentiments aside, he also had the pure brawn to pull it off, probably a little more bulk would have helped. Nevertheless, if any star could vibe with the Humvee, it was Anna!

Back at office, I logged into the fantastically interactive Hummer website and custom-built my dream Hummer and sent it to GM head office. The day I got a reply from some veepee of sales, i bought lunch with beer for my entire bunch of colleagues! The gus was really sad that at the moment I had to import the vehicle as there weren't any outlets in India, thereby nullifying all warranties. I didn't ask whether anybody enquired about airbags in a Volvo. But I replied stating my immense disappointment and frustration (at not being able to raise the couple of crores - not mentioned).

Suniel Shetty is pure brawn, no apologies. No pretensions either - about a genial lineage or a man misunderstood. The equation is very simple: you mess with him, and before you say 'idli' you will be writhing on the ground, counting fallen teeth. The Hummer fits him to the T. The H1 would have been a better fit, though.

But an Endeavour?

An Endeavour is a struggling SUV - doesn't know whether to be a true-blue SUV or a comfy family wagon. It is an imposing goliath - gets as much respect on the road from other cars as my Bullet 500 gets from other bikes (Slimy, me!) But it reminds me more of a yuppie who has rolled up his sleeves for that post lunch session of arm wrestling. Once it is over, he will be back at his desk, staring into the monitor, sleeves down, et al. But watch him going to the coffee machine - he will be flexing his arms and biceps at shiny surfaces all the way and back.

Our Anna is brawny, no apologies. No pretensions, either. He is not your 9to5, rolling up his sleeves after a month of hitting the gym. Anna, I heard, travels with his weights. The Endeavour and Suniel Shetty are like chalk and chocolate; chocolate being the Endeavour. Then, if his decision to plug for the American behemoth has anything to do with Harbhajan showing his interest to get a Hummer, Anna, you are on. Just wear that necktie!

Super Star = Super Car. But, really?

2009-04-22T05:56:00.000-07:00

Billu was made in many Indian languages with the respective super stars. Albeit, with a mass appeal (the character, though a super star, needed to have that 'connect'). And when it was Hindi's turn, who else but Shahrukh Khan!

The director Priyadarshan (Wonder what keeps him going. Certainly, not hits...) gave the super star the most expensive car (that could be recognised too) on Indian roads. The Bentley. Amitabh has one. So does Arindam . Dunno who else. Then, doesn't matter.

The choice of wheels was the safest. Super star, super car. Then, a careful look at Shahrukh could have changed the choice. He is a man of the masses, no doubts. But peer close. There is an edge - you can detect a dot of danger, a spark of kink, a twinge of unease. The Bentley is for that man who has covered the bigger chunk of his life in major indulgences and resplendent luxury. Somebody like the Sultan of Brunei or the Sheikhs of UAE - or their sons.

For a star who came up the hard way, who fought it out with no godfathers (after all, the reference to the real SRK was thinly veiled only), who rose up shaming even the phoenix (will now have to find a better one for Amitabh Bachchan)... the Mercedes Benz G class would have been a sure-hit. Now, that is luxury, comfort and style - all in one rough, tough package. You don't know what to make of its lineage - for what you see is sheer callousness, with utmost disregard for accepted norms of looking good.

Priyan, look closely at Shahrukh and you will understand what I mean.

An SLK Anyday for Mr Singhania

2009-04-15T22:45:00.000-07:00

Despite the ongoing court battle between Skoda India and a customer who has charged the company of fraud (Mr Harish is ably supported by Team BHP... Way to go, guys! Keep up the fight. We... I am with you) the car and all its permutations - Octavia, Laura and Superb - are a hit because it is a good car. Well, as the beleagured Harish found out, all the goodness might come to an The End with the first service!! Skoda took off without anybody plugging it. (Something with the Czechs... remember Yana?)

But good vehicles too need an endorser - as Santro said with Shahrukh. As Innova says with Aamir. Though Aamir looked a bit lost (no, I am NOT insinuating size here) in the endorsement and his usual persona-synergies were lacking, he nevertheless put his might behind the model. Hopefully the Al Gore certification for Toyota as the cleanest car too might have helped him jump into... taking the call.

Thankfully the companies who use the star services do not make it mandatory for them to push the products they endorse in their movies. So, though we saw Shahrukh jumping over a Santro in Rab Ne Bana... Aamir doesn't drive an Innova in Ghajini; he does a Q7 Quattro (Quattro is not any model name, but a tech spec only, available also in Audi sedan A8; just to let you know how informed I am!) Mr Singhania in Ghajini is super rich. But, did the Q7 rise up to the 'occassion'? (The 'occassion' in question being the situation where Mr Singhania's girl calling up to say a villain is going to wrack her head open). No, it didnt! Getting the call the Q7 drifted a U... and let me tell you, SUV stunts are best left to the jungle, off road. NOT on tarmac. But Mr Aamir had to use the Q7 as he OWNED it!

Then, is that reason enough? How would it have looked had he done the same thing in a Mercedes Benz SLK model...with the top down?

An F150 for the Ranger

2009-04-13T23:02:00.000-07:00

Why did I watch '8x10 Tasveer'? Till a few years back, I would have said because it was made by the same guy who made 'Hyderabad Blues'. Ever since Nagesh Kukkunoor came out with the 'Hyd Blue' sequels and stuff like 'Teen Deewarein' my blind faith and high praise for the ex engineer (I guess from the Silicon Valley - before the recession) took a strong beating. It now lies buried with 'Tasveer'.

But there was a reason I saw Tasveer. The promos showed Akshay Kumar with a pickup van. Yeah, we Indians are yet to identify and recognise the hero's set of wheels as an extension of his character / image / persona. At least in movies. Yeah, we are doing it in ads, though. One reason attributed to the success of the Santro was that it is a good car; the first one is Shahrukh. (Then, he should have driven a Santro not a Bentley in 'Billu' for the same reason Ogilvy drove a Rolls in life!) I have always maintained that Akshay would look best in an F150, the legendary pick up from Ford. The ultimate macho machine of the adrenaline-ridden.

With all his 'free running' and 'unbottoning' on display, Nagesh's choice of the Chevy Duramax, which I think it is, is a good one. Yes, a ranger (the character Akshay plays in the movie) needs a set of sturdy wheels like this only. But glad to point it out in case it missed you. And to myself - that some part of the ticket money was vasooled.

But, the choice of wheels could have been bettered....

The legendary pick up sets the heart of any true adventurer a-pounding. It is like a little monster which is forced to behave. The first sly and it will just ride over rocks and gaily wade into deep water. It oozes out the pheromones of adrenaline... whatever that means. Imagine what eye-candy it would have been if only Nagesh had given one of these wheel set to Akshay. I would have happily gone around recommending Tasveer as a rocker...than the sad shocker it is.