Farhan Akhar has acting talent

Farhan Akhtar has acting talent.

Farhan Akhtar, the young director, has already shown his skills in direction in the last few years. Generally it has been seen some of the directors of bollywood industry had acting skills themselves. Raj Kapoor and Guru Dutt were established actors themselves and passion towards direction persuaded them to make landmark films. Even directors like Subhash Ghai , Rakesh Roshan had featured in many films.

Farhan Akhtar amused the viewers with his innovative direction in films like Don. He took a grand risk. No other director would have a film on the same subject like Don and with the same title. In the late 70s, when Big B storm affected Kashmir to Kanyakumari, Don made the viewers crazy about bollywood films. Superstar Shahrukh Khan played the same role with a modernized style.

The story was also twisted and Priyanka Chopra and Boman Irani were given challenging roles in the new version of Don. The music of Don, composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy flabbergasted the viewers with hit sons like “maurya maurya”, “aaj ki raat”, “khaike paan banaraswala”, etc. Even the shooting in Malaysia and other dynamic locations impressed the viewers. The entire credit goes to Farhan Akhtar.

Farhan Akhtar showed his acting skills from Rock On and had a great job in the film Luck By Chance. Very significantly Farhan Akhtar showed the struggle of a newcomer in bollywood industry with his simple style of acting. He did not show any mannerisms. He showed the crude reality existing in bollywood industry. Had any professionally actor acted in the film Luck by Chance, the actor would have overacted and the performance would have brought in larger than life image.

The viewers should also have an improved mentally of appreciating the performance of realistic actors liked Farhan Akhtar. The film should be watched by the viewers and appreciated. Most of the actors and actresses of the present film industry are the products of brilliant direction of eminent directors. If they had not given proper guidance the efforts of the actors and actresses would have gone in vain.

Farhan Akhtar showed continue his acting even more in future films. Sohail Khan, the brother of Salman Khan was also initially interested in production of films rather than direction. Presently he had shown his skills in acting. He had complimented Salman Khan in films like Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya and God Tussi Great Ho.

Farhan Akhtar is an asset for the industry and the viewers expect better performance from him in the years to come.

Happy birthday to Shahid Kapoor

Happy birthday to Shahid Kapoor.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Shahid Kapoor, the successful romantic star on 25th February, 2009. He had acted in very successful films in the recent past, but for some reason or the other did not get the acknowledgement he deserved.

His performance in the film Jab We Met almost pulled the film across the country. His decency and composure in the film was worth mentioning. Yet when the question of recognition did arise the entire credit was taken up by Kareena Kapoor. She received the filmfare award for the best actress for her performance in the film. Even Pritam who composed melodious songs in the film was unrewarded.

Shahid Kapoor’s other successful films included Chup Chup Ke. For most part of the film he pretended to be a deaf and dumb person. He worked with Rajpal Yadav in the house of Om Puri and got associated with Kareena Kapoor. Later in the film his identity was disclosed. His performance in that film was also extraordinary.

The other successful films of Shahid Kapoor include Kismat Connection with Vidya Balan, 36 China Town with Kareena Kapoor, to name a few. In 36 China Town, Shahid Kapoor along with Kareena Kapoor were suspected for murdering a woman in the house. The investigation was carried out by Akshay Khanna and later the servants of the house were found as the actual murderers. The film was serio-comic in nature with Paresh Rawal, Johnny Lever also contributing in respective roles.

Shahid Kapoor had outstanding dancing skills. He exhibited it in films like Jab We Met, 36 China Town, etc. With serious competition in the bollywood industry Shahid Kapoor badly needs a big hit in the future to maintain his stardom.

He had established himself as a romantic actor. He has to contribute well in action films, political films and other types of films in future.

Besides he had been associated with Kareena Kapoor all along his career. He has to create a combination with other actresses in the bollywood industry as well to show his versatility. He has a bright future in bollywood industry.

The success of Luck by Chance lies in its simplicity.

The success of Luck by Chance lies in its simplicity.
The success of the film Luck by Chance lies in its simplicity. Farhan Akhtar had shown the reality that exists in the bollywood film industry. It is not a story relating to success which is dependent on talent and hard work.

Even more than that the film showed that newcomers had to wait for opportunities and then if their luck shined they got the scope of showing their talent in the film. Konkona Sen Sharma, who struggled in her young age for getting a lead role in the contemporary film, got selected after a screen test. But later the producer and director told her that she was not required. When she said that she had acting talent she was told that it was glamour that mattered more than acting capability which was there in the winners of beauty contests and fashion world.

Farhan Akhtar was a friend of her. First Konkona dropped her photo before Rishi Kapoor for reconsideration and later told Farhan about trying his luck in the industry. Hrithik Roshan, the actor in the film asked Rishi Kapoor to skip him and give the role to a newcomer. He wanted a break. Rishi Kapoor accepted his proposition.

It was a coincidence that Farhan Akhtar met Dimple Kapadia, a leading personality in the film industry in one of the premier shows. He told Dimple Kapadia that his parents were very fond of each other and he was indebted to her because the common liking of his parents had brought them together and they got married after that. Dimple Kapadia developed a soft corner for Farhan Akhtar and when Rishi Kapoor, Dimple Kapadia, Sanjay Kapoor and others sat together to select the newcomer for their film, Farhan Akhtar was selected by Dimple Kapadia.

While the shooting for the film was on, Dimple Kapadia’s daughter entered into an affair with Farhan Akhtar. Farhan forgot Konkona Sen Sharma and their story was published in the print media. He even forgot the contribution of Konkona in his life and blamed her for the published. Dimple’s daughter got scolded from her mother for the entire thing.

The success of the Luck by Chance lies in the simplicity with which Farhan Akhtar has unfolded the truth in the film industry. He is the same director who had created larger than life images in the film Don where Shahrukh Khan played the lead role.

He being a director had experience in respect of real life situations in the film industry. The film can be considered a refined commercial venture with brilliant music of Shankar Ehsaan Loy and honest disclosure of reality. The film should do well.

AR Rehman's Oscar rewarded his brilliant work for the last 5 years

AR Rehman’s Oscar rewarded his brilliant work for the last 15 years.

AR Rehman’s receiving of Oscar for specific song and background score of the film Slumdog Millionaire had been a reward for the excellent music he had composed in Indian films during the last 15 years. That includes the music for the films in bollywood industry and South Indian industry.

The film produced by Anil Kapoor had shown the realistic picture of the reaction of the police department whenever a slumdweller earns huge sum of money after participating in a quiz competition held in a TV Channel. The depiction of the life in a slum is well appreciated by both the intellectual viewers and also the general audience.

The background score created by AR Rehman had created theme music for the film. In fact as the film was realistic in nature there was not much scope of creating that many number of songs. In fact the Indians are very happy about the recognition of AR Rehman due to his consistent composition of legendary tunes.

AR Rehman had entertained the viewers with his innovative music for more than 15 years. His music in the film Roja, with Arvind Swamy and Madhu astonished the viewers of bollywood films a lot in the early 90s. The songs “roja janeman” and “dil hai chota sa” became super hit in the early 90s. Chitra, Hariharan and other singers contributed very well in the film Roja.

AR Rehman’s music in the film Bombay was successful as well. Songs like “tu hi re” sung by Hariharan stormed bollywood films. AR Rehman was sublime in the film Saathiya. Sonu Nigam’s song “saathiya” and other songs of the film were very melodious. A R Rehman was brilliant in Taal. Songs like “ishq bina kya jina”, “rabba jogi” etc. were unique in nature.

In 2008, all the tunes of AR Rehman were unique. The songs in the film Jodha Akbar had mughal andaz like the one “khwaja meri khwaja”. In Jane Tu Yaa Jane Na, AR Rehman catered to the tastes of the young crowds. Songs like “pappu cant dance sala”, “kabhi kabhi aditi” were full of energy and rhythm.

On the other hand the music in the film Yuvvraaj, was romantic with songs like “tu hi to meri dost hai”, “shanno shanno”. Viewers feel that AR Rehman still has a lot of music left in him. He is expected to do more experiments in the films in future after winning the Oscar award for Slumdog Millionaire.

Irfan Khan was sublime in Billu Barber

Irfan Khan was sublime in Billu Barber.

Irfan Khan was sublime in his challenging role in the film Billu Barber. Although has banked his resources on the popularity of superstar Shahrukh Khan, the acting in the film had mainly being done by Irfan Khan who made people cry with his realistic performance.

In parallel cinema, those actors who show least amount of mannerisms are considered to be real actors. Naseeruddin Shah and Om Puri created an identity as legendary parallel film actors through their natural performances. They used to understand the uniqueness of the characters they had portrayed in films like Akrosh, Drohkaal, Mirch Masala, to name a few. Irfan Khan belongs to that gharana of actors.

In Billu Barber, in the first part of the film he was not too happy to know that Shahrukh Khan had come to his village to shoot his new film. His children and wife Lara Dutta were excited about it and also told the other villagers about Irfan Khan’s association with Shahrukh Khan. Irfan Khan realized the change of status of himself with Shahrukh Khan and was reluctant to meet him.

When the news relating to his intimacy with Shahrukh Khan spread in the village, different sections of the society came to him and wanted them to be introduced to Shahrukh Khan with his reference. Om Puri even gave him costly equipments for restructuring his saloon which was there in a dilapidated condition. But with strong security created by the local police, Irfan Khan could not get access to meet Shahrukh Khan.

When the police arrested a number of villagers who tried to enter the shooting zone forcefully, Om Puri, Rajpal Yadav and others understood the fact that Irfan Khan had no closeness at all with Shahrukh Khan. Om Puri unnecessarily ransacked his saloon and took back all the expensive items which he gave to him on the understanding of getting introduced with Shahrukh Khan.

The striking part of Irfan Khan’s performance was that he kept his composure when the villagers misbehaved with him after not getting access to Shahrukh Khan. He even remained calm and never got elated when Shahrukh Khan disclosed the contribution of his friend Billu whom he searched a lot but could not find after he became a film star.

Irfan Khan could not even go and visit the speech of Shahrukh Khan that he gave in the school in the village, he heard his words from outside. His realistic performance is a learning experience for commercial actors who believe in mannerisms. Irfan Khan should better roles in refined commercial films in future.

Happy birthday to Pooja Bhatt.

Happy birthday to Pooja Bhatt.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Pooja Bhatt on the 24th February, 2009. She had acted in successful films in the late 80s and created an identity for herself in contemporary films. Her film Daddy with Anupam Kher was critically acclaimed by the thoughtful viewers. It was based on the relationship between the father and the daughter and Pooja Bhatt displayed her relationship with Anupam Kher very well in the film.

Her film Sadak, opposite Sanjay Dutt, was probably the biggest hits in her life. The film was based on the story of a eunuch who maintained a kotha where prostitudes were employed. Sadashiv Amrapurkar played the challenging role in the film. He forcibly brought Pooja Bhatt in that brothel and compelled her to get involved in the illegal business.

Sanjay Dutt came to that place and rescued her. The songs in the film Sadak, composed by Nadeem Shravan became very successful. Sanjay Dutt fought against the men of Sadashiv and rescued Pooja Bhatt. It was a romantic story which had action sequences as well.

Pooja Bhatt also acted in the film Saatwa Aasman. She played the role of a cancer patient who loved Vivek but their affair never matured into marriage. She saw the lighter side of life and imagined things would have been better if she could live for a longer time. The songs in that film became hit as well.

Pooja Bhatt featured in mainly Mahesh Bhatt’s films in the late 80s and 90s. But the films had fantastic storylines. Her film Hum Dono with Rishi Kapoor and Nana Patekar also became super hit. She loved Rishi Kapoor and obstacles were laid in their way for marrying Rishi Kapoor. Nana Patekar, the brother of Rishi Kapoor helped him in the fight against enemies. The film was serio-comic in nature and Nana Patekar and Rishi Kapoor matched her comedy performance in the film.

Her other successful films include Zakhm, Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya. In Zakhm, Ajay Devgan acted very well opposite Pooja Bhatt. In the mid-90s Pooja Bhatt faded away from the bollywood industry. She later directed films on challenging subjects.

Her film Tamanna with Paresh Rawal was critically acclaimed by the intellectual audience. The viewers expect Pooja Bhatt to contribute in bollywood films both as a director and actress in future.

Bollywood lacks handsome actors like Rishi Kapoor these days

Bollywood lacks handsome actors like Rishi Kapoor these days.

Bollywood films lack handsome actors like Rishi Kapoor these days. The peculiarity of success of Rishi Kapoor lies in his domination during the age of action films. From the mid-70s anti-establishment images of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha dominated bollywood films. Just because corruption in the society was rampant, the fight against corruption by all these action stars stormed bollywood.

Rishi Kapoor retained his romantic image in that era with non-violence. Most of his films were based on simple stories related to social norms, practices, etc. His film Sargam with Jaya Prada, was related to the hardships faced by dumb girls in Indian villages. Jaya Prada was a great dancer in the film, but her family never highlighted her skills, on the contrary cursed her for her disabilities. The music of Laxmikant Pyarellal and songs of Rafi and Lata like “koel boli”, “ramjiki nikli sawari”, “dafliwale” amused the viewers in the late 70s.

Raj Kapoor came up with a social message in his film Prem Rog with Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapuri. In the early 80s, the film showed the sufferings faced by widows in Hindu undivided families. Padmini Kolhapuri was married at an early age in a rich family. Her husband died at an early age and from that time her suffering started he even got insulted and molested by her in-laws.

Rishi Kapoor was helpless, as he was not rich enough to have been considered eligible for marriage with the young girl. He was a silent observer of the backdated thinking of the family of Padmini Kolhapuri in the film. The music of the film was extraordinary just like other films of Raj Kapoor. LP’s tunes for Lata and Suresh Watkar had not lost their appeal even today with songs like “mohabbat hai kya chis”, “mai hoon premrogi”, etc.

Rishi Kapoor’s successful films in the late 70s and early 80s like Karz, Laila Majnu, had hardly anything to do with action. He created a separate place for himself in the list of romantic actors and whenever viewers went to watch his films, his romantic face carried a different identity.

Bollywood films these days bank on muscular personalities like Salman Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Akshay Kumar, etc., but refined commercial films with romantic actors like Rishi Kapoor had dried up these days to the astonishment of many viewers. Rishi Kapoor still remains one of the legendary romantic actors of bollywood films of all ages.

Shahrukh Khan believes in publicity more than Abhishek Bacchan

Shahrukh Khan believes in publicity more than Abhishek Bacchan.

Shahrukh Khan believes in publicity more than Abhishek Bacchan. The debate did arise considering the fact that both the films of Abhishek Bacchan and Shahrukh Khan had been released very recently. Shahrukh Khan has banked his assets on Billu Barber while Abhishek Bacchan tried his fortunes with Dilli 6.

If the publicity stand of both the actors are compared everyone will agree that Shahrukh Khan had left no stones unturned to reach the message of his film to every corner of the country. Not only that he had brought all the leading actresses for his film including Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone, he had also interviewed stars who had acted in the film in the different private channels all across this week.

Shahrukh Khan interviewed Irfan Khan about his experience of working in Billu Barber. He asked him questions about his feelings on the director Priyadarshan. Lara Dutta was interviewed in the same program by Shahrukh Khan. She was asked about her feelings in respect of acting in such a deglamourized role. She played the role of the wife of Irfan Khan who had rural background.

If Abhishek Bacchan is taken on the other hand, he had talked about the film Dilli 6 to many persons and shared his experience of working with giant performers like Om Puri, Wahida Rehman, Rishi Kapoor in the film. But he had not publicized the film the way Shahrukh Khan has done for the last few days. According to Abhidhek Bacchan if the film has substance the viewers will automatically see it.

Where as, according to Shahrukh Khan he has the noble duty of informing his viewers about the story and casting of the film before they go to cinema halls to watch the movie. Last year he did the same in respect of the film Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi. He and his choreographer spoke about the reasons why Preeti Zinta did a dance sequence imitating Sharmila Tagore, Bipasha Basu imitated Sadhna and Nutan, Rani Mukherjee imitated Neetu Singh and Kajol imitated Nargis.

Whether the film Billu Barber or Dilli 6 becomes a greater hit is a question to be answered within a short period of time. For the time being the viewers are more informed about Shahrukh Khan’s Billu Barber than Abhishek Bacchan’s Dilli 6 due to the publicity campaign of King Khan. Let’s hope both the film do well and entertain the viewers.

Concept of Brahmchari had been borrowed in films made later on.

Concept of Brahmchari had been borrowed in films made later on.

Some of the concepts that were set up in the bollywood films of the 60s were borrowed by producers and directors of films in the later years. The film Brahmchari, directed by Bappi Soni, and produced by GP Sippy created a trend that was followed by many directors of contemporary period.

The story of Brahmchari was related to Shammi Kapoor’s concerns for orphans in our country. Just because he did not get the love and affection that he deserved from his parents, he created a small orphan home, where children who were not cared for were given shelter.

He was poor himself, but collected funds to rear up the children and whenever he found spouses who were interested in adopting children, he gave the children to them. Although the film was directed with a romantic flavour with fantastic music composed by Shankar Jaikishan which made the viewers speechless, the serious concerns relating to illegitimate children were addressed in the film. Rafi’s songs in the film composed by SJ like “chakke me chakka”, “aajkal tere mere pyar ke charche”, “mai gayun tum so jao”, “dil ke jharoke me”, became super hit, with Shankar Jaikishan and Rafi bagging the filmfare award for best composer and best singer again for Brahmchari.

There were other twists and turns in the story like modernizing Rajashree to make her acceptable to Pran whom she wanted to marry. Pran again promised to marry Mumtaz and defied her. There were tales related to kidnapping of the orphans from Shammi Kapoor’s orphanage by Pran.

But the part that has been borrowed by most of the producers and directors of the following period include the relationship of the Brahmchari with the children. Shekhar Kapoor borrowed the concept in his film Mr. India with Anil Kapoor playing the same character which Shammi Kapoor played in Brahmchari in 1967.

In Mr. India, there were stories relating to fantasy embedded in them like the concept of a human being becoming invisible by wearing a special watch. There were lot of action sequences created for public satisfaction. There were strong comedy sequences in the film with Anil Kapoor, Shri Devi, Annu Kapoor, playing their parts very well.

But the message relating to a young man creating an orphanage for the cause of destitude children remained the same. The concept of Brahmchari is still young even after 42 years of the making of the film and new producers and directors can borrow the concept even today.

Films like Around the World created Oversees Market for Indian films.

Films like Around the World created Oversees Market for Indian films.

Indian films have a very strong oversees market. In the recent years films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna, Dhoom 2, did fantastic business oversees, including US, UK and other countries.

But the oversees market of Indian films, especially bollywood films were created in the 60s, after Raj Kapoor’s acceptance in Russia and other countries with Awara, Shree 420 and other films. The coloured version of RK films started Sangam, and it broke all the records of hit films made till 1963. After Sangam, the director Pacchi, experimented with Raj Kapoor and Rajashree in the film Around the World.

The most significant part of Around the World lies in the depiction of the Niagara Fall all along the film. It forms one of the natural wonders created by God. At least half of the film Around the World had been shot in and around the Niagara Falls. There were shooting done in United States, there were shooting done in Canada, the shots were picturesque, romantic and colourful.

Shankar Jaikishan’s westernized music had always been a grand asset of Raj Kapoor’s films. There was no exception in the film Around the World. The songs “jane bhi de sanam” sung by Sharda, “kitna akela hoon main” sung by Mukesh, “chale jana” sung by Mukesh, matched the romantic mood created by the brilliant locations around Niagara Falls.

Eve the snow-covered regions of Buffalo in USA, were shown where Raj Kapoor and Rajashree were tied with handcuffs by Pran’s men. The scenic beauty cannot be expressed in words. Sir Frank Worrell, the legendary Captain of West Indies cricket tema was also interviewed by Om Prakash, when part of the film was shot in the Carribean Islands. Questions were asked by singer Mohammad Rafi, actor Shammi Kapoor to Sir Frank Worrell, and to everyone’s astonishment he gave correct answers.

The skiing and skating scenes in the snow-clad areas of Canada, ad Northern US created a lasting impression in the minds of the viewers.

The film did not do exceptional business, but created a roadway, whereby other directors started films in international locations. These days Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan and other leading actors are seen shooting in different parts of the world. The scenes and the locations successfully depict the culture of the respective country as well. But Raj Kapoor was the trend-setter in respect of shooting in international locations. In that perspective director Pacchi’s Around the World in 1967 created an impressive trend and can be considered an important milestone in Indian film history.

Character actors were brilliant in Billu Barber.

Character actors were brilliant in Billu Barber.

Those who have watched Priyadarshan’s films in the past know about his capability of utilizing the potentiality of character artists in his films. Furthermore he had the record of using many character actors together in his own films. The best example can be Malamaal Weekly. Paresh Rawal, Om Puri, Asrani, Shakti Kapoor, Sudha Chandran, all contributed in their own way in the film. The comedy sequences were very intelligently directed and the film was well accepted by the viewers.

The same thing happened in the film Billu Barber. The character artists those who were used by Priyadarshan did a great job. Om Puri was a money lender in the film. He relationship with Irfan Khan, the barber in the film, totally changed from the time he came to know that Shahrukh Khan, a star who had come in the village to shoot his film, was a friend of Irfan Khan. Om Puri’s comedy conception had been witnessed by the viewers in landmark films in the past like Jane Bhi Do Yaaron, Chachi 420, etc. He continued his great work in Billu Barber as well.

Rajpal Yadav was an aspiring poet in the film. He also did a great work in the film. He initially never gave that amount of respect to Irfan Khan, the barber in the film Billu Barber. From the time he came to know about Irfan Khan’s association with Shahrukh Khan in the film, his reaction towards Irfan Khan changed altogether.

Lara Dutta acted in a non-glamourous role, playing the role of the mother of two children and the wife of Irfan Khan in the film. Although she had acted in dynamic roles like the role of lawyer in the film Bardasht, or the role of car driver in the film Zinda, this role in Billu Barber was very realistic in nature and Lara Dutta had done full justice to the role.

Irfan Khan himself is known for realistic performances in films of Madhur Bhandarkar and other noted directors. In Billu Barber he exhibited his emotions in respect of love, pride, thoughtfulness together at different intervals of the film. He was the central character and the success of the film depended more on him than Shahrukh Khan.

Even Rasika Joshi, playing the role of the principal of the school, where Shahrukh Khan came and visited during his film shooting, did a marvelous job. The performance did not have mannerisms and was totally down to earth in form.

Only Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone poured in their mannerisms during the dance sequences in the film, but the script required them badly. Overall Priyadarsha had used his resources to perfection and for those reasons the film should do extremely well.

Happy birthday to Randhir Kapoor.

Happy birthday to Randhir Kapoor.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Randhir Kapoor on 15th February, 2009. He being the eldest son of Showman Raj Kapoor and grandson of Prithviraj Kapoor had great legacy to carry forward. He acted in a number of films in the 70s and later on settled down as a director and producer.

He acted in the film Kal Aaj Aur Kal, in early 70s along with Raj Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor. The three generations of the Kapoor generation was shown together in the film and the generation gap between Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor was also shown. Babita was the heroine in the film who was later married by Randhir Kapoor. Shankar Jaikishan composed the music of the film and it became big hit.

Randhir Kapoor’s film Jawani Diwani, opposite Jaya Bacchan became very successful. Randhir Kapoor played the role of reckless young generation of the early 70s. The music of RD Burman brought a new trend of songs which added attraction in the film. The other successful films of Randhir Kapoor included Rampur Ka Laxman with Rekha, Kasme Wade with Big B and Rakhee.

In the mid-70s he again acted in a film under RK Production titled Dharam Karam. He was the son of Raj Kapoor who was interchanged during his birth. Prem Nath’s son lived with Raj Kapoor while Raj Kapoor’s son lived with Prem Nath. Raj Kapoor was a noted singer in the film. Whenever he tried to teach music to his son, he never learned anything. While Randhir Kapoor picked up his tune “ek din bik jayega mati ke mor” sung by Mukesh and composed by RD Burman.

At the end of the film the identity of the two sons were unfolded and it was proved that the genetic origin determined the characteristics of human beings more than the surrounding where they were brought up. In the 80s, Randhir Kapoor added weight and after partial success in films like Chacha Bhatija, Biwi O Biwi, which switched on to direction and production of films.

Randhir Kapoor completed the incomplete project of Raj Kapoor under RK Production titled Henna. It was a cross-border love story, where the affair between Zeba Bakhtiar and Rishi Kapoor were portrayed. The manner in which Henna helped Rishi Kapoor to get back to India against all the odds made the film very interesting. The music of Ravindra Jain in the film was excellent including Lata’s songs “bedardi tere pyar me”.

Randhir Kapoor directed the film Prem Granth under RK Production with Rishi Kapoor and Madhuri Dixit in the early 90s. The film was related to their affair and the manner in which Madhuri Dixit was sexually assaulted by a person and the consequences of such crime. Shammi Kapoor, Om Puri and Anupam Kher acted well in their respective roles in the film.

Randhir Kapoor’s daughters Kareena Kapoor and Karishma Kapoor are busy acting in mainstream cinema in bollywood. The viewers expect Randhir Kapoor to continue making meaningful films under RK Production, the Banner which had nurtured the film culture in India over 60 years.

Saira Banu in the 60s.

Saira Banu in the 60s.

Saira Banu is still considered to be one of the beauty-queens of the 60s. Bollywood films had very serious competition in that era. In respect of major actresses, different types of skills were exhibited in bollywood films in those days, including the classical dancing skills displayed by Vaijayantimala, Rajashree, Padmini, Asha Parekh and others, the versatile acting skills displayed by Meena Kumari, Wahida Rehman, the modernized performances displayed by Mumtaz, and others, to name a few.

In that era, Saira Banu came up with her distinct style and identity. Her carefree attitude in films and supreme screen-presence created a special interest among producers and directors to cast her opposite leading stars of bollywood. She started her career in style with the film Junglee opposite Shammi Kapoor. The excellent music of Shankar Jaikishan created added attraction for viewers with Rafi and Lata’s songs like “ehsaan tera hoga mujhpar”, “meri yaar shabba khair”, etc.

Saira Banu formed a fantastic pair with Jubilee Kumar Rajender Kumar in the 60s. All their films ended up with silver jubilees. The films Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Aman and Jhuk Gaya Aasman, had fantastic locations, beautiful music and romantic stories. Most of the songs of these films composed by Shankar Jaikishan became landmarks in Indian musical history. The successful songs of Rafi and Lata include “aha aye milan ki bela”, “tum khamseen ho”, “o sanam tere ho gaye hum”, “o priya, kaun hai jo sapno me aya”, “kahan chal diye”, “surahidar garden”, “to bura maan gaye”, to name a few. Saira Banu gave excellent lips in the respective songs in these films.

In 1967, Saira Banu acted opposite Raj Kapoor in the comedy film Diwana. Again Shankar Jaikishan’s songs for Mukesh mainly became extremely popular including “diwana mujhko log kahe”, “tumhare bhi jai jai”, “aye sanam jisne tujhe chaand sa surat di hai”, “pate ka baat kahega”, “humto jate apne gaon”, etc. Saira Banu played the role of a rich girl and adapted herself in the romantic role.

She was sublime opposite Joy Mukherjee in the film Shagird and Biswajeet in the film April Fool. Both these films had fantastic music of Shankar Jaikishan and Laxmikant Pyarellal and songs of Rafi and Lata including “woh hai zara, khafa khafa”, “a gale lag ja”, “april fool banaya”, etc.

After marrying Dilip Kumar Saira Banu acted in films opposite him like Sagina, Gopi, Bairaag, etc. Most of these films were made in 70s and by that Saira Banu was not that impressive as in the 60s.

Whenever the viewers recall their romantic experiences in 60s, the beauty-queens appearance in films like Pyar Mohabbat opposite Dev Anand, Parosan opposite Sunil Dutt, etc., still haunts them. The films should be preserved for those reasons.

Happy birthday to Pran.

Happy birthday to Pran.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Pran Sikand, the legendary actor on 12th January, 2009. He was one of indispensable personality in bollywood films without whom most of the films of the 50s and 60s could not be thought about. He also was a big star who was as popular as an antihero as the leading stars of 50s and 60s including Showman Raj Kapoor and Tragedy King Dilip Kumar.

Pran had acted in more than 300 films in his career which spanned over 60s years. He was a notorious dacoit in Raj Kapoor’s Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, who was reformed and persuaded to surrender before the police at the end of the film. He hammered Dilip Kumar all along the film Dil Diya Dard Liya, not knowing his identity. It was later known that Dilip Kumar was the king of the princely estate after the locket in his body was discovered. Dilip Kumar forgave him even after knowing that his affair with Wahida Rehman never blossomed into marriage due to Pran only. Among romantic songs of Rafi and Lata like “sawan aye ya na aye”, “dilruba main ne tere”, “koi sagar dil ko behlata nahi”, Pran kept a balance with his villanish pursuits.

In Ram Aur Shyam, Pran tortured one of the Dilip Kumars who played the role of his brother-in-law. When Dilip Kumar’s twin brother came to his wife he took revenge against the evil deeds of Pran. The film was serio-comic in nature with Dilip Kumar playing a double role for the first time in Ram Aur Shyam.

In the mid-60s, Pran changed his image by playing positive roles like the one he played in the film Upkar. In that film he played the role of a handicapped person but he was an observer who witnessed the good deeds of Manoj Kumar who was a farmer and the bad deeds of his own brother played by Prem Chopra. Pran’s lips in Manna Dey’s songs “kasme wade” is still remembered by cinematic audience today.

Pran was sublime in most of the hit films of the 60s like Shammi Kapoor’s Raj Kumar, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, etc., Joy Mukherjee’s Love in Tokyo, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Biswajeet’s Mere Sanam, Rajender Kumar’s Ganwar, to name a few. In the 70s he even matched himself with the action heroes of the other generation like Dharmender and Big B.

His performance in Big B’s film Zanjeer in the role of a Pathan requires special mention. In Amar Akbar Anthony, he was the father of Big B, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor and he faced the evil operations of Jeevan and his men all along the film. He kept his fit to such an extent that in action sequences, he never looked out of place in a film where Big B, Vinod Khanna who were much younger than him showed their own skills.

Pran continued his villainish performances in films of 80s including Dilip Kumar’s Duniya and Big B and Rajnikant’s Andha Kanoon. With notable actors coming in bollywood industry in the 80s like Amrish Puri, Danny, Paresh Rawal, Kader Khan, Anupam Kher, etc., Pran slowly faded away from the industry. By that time he had performed in more than 300 films.

Viewers remember him for his unique style of dialogue delivery, unique mannerisms and fantastic body. His viewers pay respect to the old actor on his birthday who had already received lifetime achievement award from Filmfare for his unique contribution to bollywood cinema.

Billu Barber can bring back the No. 1 spot of Shahrukh Khan

Billu Barber can bring back the No. 1 spot of Shahrukh Khan.

Billu Barber is the next project of Shahrukh Khan which will address the audience in February. In 2008, Shahrukh Khan had a bad year as such, probably the worst year in the recent past. None of his films did great business and he could not make his presence felt among hit films of Akshay Kumar like Singh is Kinng or Hrithik Roshan’s Jodha Akbar or Amir Khan’s Ghajini.

He has all the possibilities of regaining his number one spot with the film Billu Barber. The film which is going to be released in February probably has most of the celebrities in one film together. It includes names like Priyanka Chopra, Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor to name a few. Even Irfan Khan who makes acting look so easy did a great job.

Shahrukh Khan played the role of the friend of a village barber played by Irfan Khan. Shahrukh Khan returned back to the village for shooting a film. The other actresses in the film like Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra performed with Shahrukh Khan in the village. The moment the story of Irfan Khan’s friendship with Shahrukh Khan spread all across the village, the fellow villagers got excited.

Irfan Khan never had any expectation of Shahrukh Khan being able to recognize him as the status of both the friends was totally different. But Shahrukh Khan surprised everyone when he came for visiting a local school in the village. He disclosed before everyone that Irfan Khan was an old friend of him. Not only that, Irfan Khan had a huge contribution in the life of Shahrukh Khan.

The film ended with a happy note. Lara Dutta played the role of a rustic villager in the film as opposed to the glamourous roles of Deepika Padukone, Kareena Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra. She hardly took any make up and provided natural performance. Probably her performance was the best amongst the rest of the heroines.

As far as Shahrukh Khan was concerned he had done a great job. He almost lost his no. 1 position to Amir Khan and others due to giving flops one after the other in 2008.

2009 can be the year of comeback of Shahrukh Khan. Once he is involved with big productions and believable stories his larger than life image always haunts the viewers. Other than Salman Khan no other actor had the committed viewers like that of Shahrukh Khan. He was bound to make a comeback. Billu Barber has all the masala to become a blockbuster.

Films like Tumko Na Bhool Payenge did not get the respose they deserved.

Films like Tumko Na Bhool Payenge did not get the response they deserved.

Films like Tumko Na Bhool Payenge, did not get the response that they deserved. The film was released few years back. Salman Khan, Sushmita Sen and Diya Mirza played the major roles in the film.

The film had all the elements of entertainment including action, romance and comedy. Yet with its innovative storyline the film did mediocre business. May be the tastes of viewers in the last few years had become unpredictable.

Salman Khan was a good shooter in the film. He and his friend were used by the Home Minister of Maharashtra in relation to a killing operation in the state. But Salman Khan was shot at that time and he drowned in water and was rescued by another family. Sushmita Sen was supposed to marry Salman Khan but the situation totally changed after Salman was shot.

When Salman Khan was rescued he lost his memory and forgot all the events of his past life. Diya Mirza and Rajpal Yadav tried their best in telling false stories about his past. His marriage was fixed with Diya Mirza. His parents lost their own son played by Arbaaz Khan who sacrificed his life in Cargill War.

His parents were very happy to accept Salman Khan as their son. They ever wanted Salman Khan remember his past and continued to tell him that he was their only son. Salman Khan was even shown to a witch doctor in the village played by Johnny Lever.

All of a sudden during an encounter in the village when Salman’s father was beaten up, Salman Khan had intervened. At that time the real story relating to his past life was unfolded. He left for Bombay to know his identity and save his brother.

When he went to Bombay he found that his friend had married Sushmita Sen and the friend was responsible for the injury that he had suffered. He found out his contacts and took revenge against him. In the process Sushmita Sen died after she tried to save Salman Khan.

The music in the film was very impressive which included hit songs of Sonu Nigam like “tumko bhula na payenge”, “kya hua tujhe”, etc. Sushmita Sen and Diya Mirza gave able lips in the songs that were picturized on them.

In the last few years, there has been a tradition that only comedy films did good business in India. That was the reason why Tumko Na Bhool Payenge failed to do adequate business. Instead of persisting on any one type of subject matter, the viewers should liberally watch every type of film. As long as the storyline, the acting, the direction is good, the films should not suffer at box-office.

Anurag Kashyap's Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Sarat Chandra Chatterji would have suffered from heart attack if he had been alive and realized how many times his classic literature Devdas had been misused and made a mockery of. In the early 40s and 50s and twists and turns in the epic literature had haunted creative directors and producers in experimenting with the revolutionary character. That was the reason viewers had seen different versions of Devdas from Pramatesh Barua, K.L. Saigal to Dilip Kumar. Bimal Roy’s Devdas with Dilip Kumar was probably the best endeavour shown in respect of presenting the real story onscreen. In fact the image of tragedy king given to Dilip Kumar in Devdas created an unparallel stardom for the legendary actor which he carried with him for 60 years of his film career.

From the 90s, directors started making mockery of the title Devdas and turned Sarat Chandra Chatterji into a very light insignificant author. Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D has been probably the worst depiction of Devdas in the recent times. Abhay Deol had played the central character Devdas.

It was shown in the film that Abhay Deol, had been sent to London when he was 12 years old. He returned back and reflected on his relation with the childhood girlfriend Paro played by Mahi Gill. From the time he came to know about her marriage with another person he lost his composure.

Abhay Deol started taking drugs. Lenny (Kalki) who was a rich student got involved in a MMS Scandal. Her family left her and she also led an isolated life.

She came in close contact with Abhay Deol and represented her with the character Chanda. The depiction of Chanda had been the modernized depiction of the character Chandramukhi in Devdas.

The question that has come in the minds of cinematic audience all across India is that what wrong had Sarat Chandra Chatterji done to Anurag Kashyap. The character Devdas has been converted into a relief character these days.

The film neither has any strong story-telling or powerful camera work. Abhay Deol’s acting skills had hardly being used in the film. The audience will have a very tough time in the cinema halls in watching the film Dev D.

Anurag Kashyap's Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Sarat Chandra Chatterji would have suffered from heart attack if he had been alive and realized how many times his classic literature Devdas had been misused and made a mockery of. In the early 40s and 50s and twists and turns in the epic literature had haunted creative directors and producers in experimenting with the revolutionary character. That was the reason viewers had seen different versions of Devdas from Pramatesh Barua, K.L. Saigal to Dilip Kumar. Bimal Roy’s Devdas with Dilip Kumar was probably the best endeavour shown in respect of presenting the real story onscreen. In fact the image of tragedy king given to Dilip Kumar in Devdas created an unparallel stardom for the legendary actor which he carried with him for 60 years of his film career.

From the 90s, directors started making mockery of the title Devdas and turned Sarat Chandra Chatterji into a very light insignificant author. Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D has been probably the worst depiction of Devdas in the recent times. Abhay Deol had played the central character Devdas.

It was shown in the film that Abhay Deol, had been sent to London when he was 12 years old. He returned back and reflected on his relation with the childhood girlfriend Paro played by Mahi Gill. From the time he came to know about her marriage with another person he lost his composure.

Abhay Deol started taking drugs. Lenny (Kalki) who was a rich student got involved in a MMS Scandal. Her family left her and she also led an isolated life.

She came in close contact with Abhay Deol and represented her with the character Chanda. The depiction of Chanda had been the modernized depiction of the character Chandramukhi in Devdas.

The question that has come in the minds of cinematic audience all across India is that what wrong had Sarat Chandra Chatterji done to Anurag Kashyap. The character Devdas has been converted into a relief character these days.

The film neither has any strong story-telling or powerful camera work. Abhay Deol’s acting skills had hardly being used in the film. The audience will have a very tough time in the cinema halls in watching the film Dev D.

Anurag Kashyap's Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D is serious insult of Sarat Chandra Chatterji.

Sarat Chandra Chatterji would have suffered from heart attack if he had been alive and realized how many times his classic literature Devdas had been misused and made a mockery of. In the early 40s and 50s and twists and turns in the epic literature had haunted creative directors and producers in experimenting with the revolutionary character. That was the reason viewers had seen different versions of Devdas from Pramatesh Barua, K.L. Saigal to Dilip Kumar. Bimal Roy’s Devdas with Dilip Kumar was probably the best endeavour shown in respect of presenting the real story onscreen. In fact the image of tragedy king given to Dilip Kumar in Devdas created an unparallel stardom for the legendary actor which he carried with him for 60 years of his film career.

From the 90s, directors started making mockery of the title Devdas and turned Sarat Chandra Chatterji into a very light insignificant author. Anurag Kashyap’s Dev D has been probably the worst depiction of Devdas in the recent times. Abhay Deol had played the central character Devdas.

It was shown in the film that Abhay Deol, had been sent to London when he was 12 years old. He returned back and reflected on his relation with the childhood girlfriend Paro played by Mahi Gill. From the time he came to know about her marriage with another person he lost his composure.

Abhay Deol started taking drugs. Lenny (Kalki) who was a rich student got involved in a MMS Scandal. Her family left her and she also led an isolated life.

She came in close contact with Abhay Deol and represented her with the character Chanda. The depiction of Chanda had been the modernized depiction of the character Chandramukhi in Devdas.

The question that has come in the minds of cinematic audience all across India is that what wrong had Sarat Chandra Chatterji done to Anurag Kashyap. The character Devdas has been converted into a relief character these days.

The film neither has any strong story-telling or powerful camera work. Abhay Deol’s acting skills had hardly being used in the film. The audience will have a very tough time in the cinema halls in watching the film Dev D.

Slumdog Millionaire had shown too many details.

Slumdog Millionaire had shown too many details.

The film Slumdog Millionaire had shown too many details in respect of life in a slum in Mumbai. If the aesthetic value and the cinematic value of the film is analyzed it will be found that some of the scenes were impressive while some could be edited.

There were scenes shown where the boy who won more than million rupees award in a quiz contest in television show came to know that Big B had come to their city. Big B obviously was a great icon of the 70s and 80s and childhood hero of many slumdwellers all across the country. But the scene where he left the latrine and ran to get an autograph of the legend hardly had cinematic value. It was crude reality shown without proper cinematic techniques.

Even the children being beaten up by antisocial elements in the slums in the film cause annoyance than amusement for the viewers. Violence can be related to real-life situations, but when it is shown in a one-sided manner the viewers hardly enjoy them. On the other hand the interrogation procedure conducted by Irfan Khan was more realistic and meaningful. It is quite obvious when a slumdweller wins such a huge amount of money in quiz contest which requires lot of knowledge in the eyes of the police the owner of the amount are always brought under scanner.

If the films of storytellers of the past are reviewed it will be found that legendary directors edited those materials in films which could have created adverse impact on the viewers. For example in Shyam Benegal’s Ankur, the son of Shabana Azmi threw a pebble on the river to show that realization and revolt commenced in the village. The entire revolt was not shown in details.

Editing forms a very important tool in the hands of legendary filmmakers and in that respect directors like Satyajit Ray showed the next generation that too many details are required for conveying powerful messages in films. He showed just a slice of cake being taken away by the British General in the film Shatranj Ki Khiladi to show territories within India being annexed by British East India Company which started from the estate of Avadh.

Besides, Govind Nihalini also finished the film Aakrosh on an intellectual note. Nasirruddin Shah asked his Senior Counsel played by Amrish Puri that if he was killed in future would it appear to him similar to a road accident. Amrish Puri said yes and the film ended there.

Slumdug Millionaire has all the attributes of a realistic film, including powerful script, innovative camera work, meaningful dialogues, but too many details could have been avoided by the director of the film.

Directors like Partho Pratim Choudhury never got their dues.

Directors like Parthopratim Choudhury never got their dues.

Directors of intellectual films like Partho Pratim Choudhury never got the recognition that they deserved. Neither were they associated with neo-realistic directors like Satyajit Ray and Hrithik Ghatak, nor got similar recognition like Tapan Sinha or Ajoy Kar.

Yet he was a path-breaker with his brilliant direction in the film Chayasurjo. The film was based on the classic literature of Asha Purna Devi. Among the two daughter of a Bengali middle class family, the younger daughter due to her ugly appearance was always rebuked by the family members.

She grew up and created her own chain of thoughts. Sharmila Tagore played the challenging role. Her elder sister received good education was also got married to a solvent person having recognition in society. While the person Sharmila loved namely Arun Mukherjee, was still looking for a job.

Arun Mukherjee got a job at last, but he became extremely and before solemnizing their marriage his entire relationship with Sharmila was burnt with his ashes. The tragic end of the film left the viewers speechless in the halls.

The entire ill-treatment towards Sharmila was countered by the poet in the film played by Nirmal Kumar. He was compassionate towards his brother’s daughter and found novelty in the creations of Sharmila Tagore who was apparently discarded even by her own mother played by Malina Debi. When at the end of the film Sharmila took her father’s money to complete the cremation of her husband Arun Mukherjee, all the family members accused her of stealing money when she disclosed the purpose for which the money was spend.

Films like Chayasurjo highlight the depth of thought of Bengali directors of 50s and 60s, which were matchless. Partho Pratim Choudhury was even sublime with his creative direction in the films Hongsho Mithun, Palonko, etc. He even did cast Uttam Kumar in the role of Ghanada later in the 70s, in a role which was a departure from his matinee idol image.

Viewers of bollywood films who had recognized Sharmila Tagore’s depth of acting through her performances in Gulzar’s films like Mausam, Namkeen and other notable films like Anand Ashram, Dooriyan, must watch Chaya Surjo which can be considered as the most dynamic performance of Sharmila Tagore in her entire life.

Films of Partho Pratim Choudhury should be restored and displayed in the film institutes of the country for the new generations who have visions towards making innovative films.

Happy birthday to Abhishek Bacchan.

Happy birthday to Abhishek Bacchan.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Abhishek Bacchan on 5th February, 2009. He had entertained the viewers over the last 10 years and is expected to do even better in the years to come.

Being the son of superstars Amitabh Bacchan and Jaya Bacchan, he had a great challenge in terms of proving himself in the early part of his career. He got chance in good films like JP Dutta’s Refugee, Dhai Aksar Prem Ki, Bombai Se Aya Mera Dost, but due to comparison of him with his father, his performance was not appreciated inspite of the success of the film.

Then he formed a fantastic pair with actress Rani Mukherjee and his career took a turn. His film Yuva was very successful. He played a negative character in the film opposite Rani Mukherjee. The film was related to the violent scenario in Kolkata caused by politics in academic institutions and the loss to the students due to such unrest. Ajay Devgan and Vivek Oberoi did extremely well in the film along with Abhishek Bacchan.

Abhishek Bacchan and Rani Mukherjee complimented each other in the film Bunty Aur Babli. Both of them took the recourse of falsehood and duped different people all across the country. Before their plan was unearthed they left the place and got involved in other crimes. The music in the film composed by Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy became super hit with popular songs like “dharak dharak”, “chup chupke chup chupke”, “bunty aur babli”, “kajra re kajra re”, etc. Aishwarya Rai amused the viewers with her item number in the film titled “kajra re”. Big B also did well in the film in the role of police inspector.

Abhishek Bacchan did well in the film Dhoom-2 opposite Hrithik Roshan. He investigated the significant operations carried out by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai who were international thieves and stole expensive items from museums and art galleries. Abhishek Bacchan arrested Hrithik Roshan at the end of the film but did not confine him after he disclosed the places where he stored the stolen items.

His other hit films included Guru, opposite Aishwarya Rai and Dostana opposite John Abraham and Priyanka Chopra. This year his film Dilli 6 had been released where he did extremely well opposite Sonam Kapoor and veteran actors in the film.

His tall height and deep voice impressed the viewers over the last few years and the viewers are looking forward to his depiction of the character Ram that he is going to play in the film Ravan.

Lara Dutta requires a big hit soon.

Lara Dutta requires a big hit soon.

Lara Dutta, one of the most stylish actresses of bollywood films requires a very big hit very soon to survive in the rat race. She came to limelight together with Priyanka Chopra with her powerful performance in the film Andaz, along with Akshay Kumar.

After that she acted in experimental roles and proved her acting potentiality. She even played the role of a lawyer gracefully with her performance in the film Bardasht along with Bobby Deol. She was supposed to unearth a murder mystery, and her submission before the court of law had fewer amount of mannerisms and more amount of natural performance.

She acted in medium-budget films like Bombai Se Aya Mera Dost opposite Abhishek Bacchan and showed her capability of playing rural characters. Even her role in the film Zinda requires special mention. She played the role of a taxi-driver in South-East Asian country.

Sanjay Dutt was confined in solitary prison for many number of years in the film by John Abraham and Lara Dutta helped him a lot in finding out the culprits after he was released. It was a full-fledged action film where Lara Dutta’s smartness require special mention.

Lara Dutta had fantastic comedy conception which she exhibited in the film No Entry. It was a multi-starrer film, yet Lara Dutta’s performance was far better than all the rest of the actresses like Esha Deol, Bipasha Basu and Celina Jaitley, who also had powerful scripts in the film. She complimented Anil Kapoor with her comedy impulse.

Her most successful film probably was Partner where she was cast opposite superstar Salman Khan. She played the role of a widow who had a small son and took challenges for gathering information relating to criminal activities undertaken by Rajpal Yadav who played a comedy character in the film.

Salman Khan played the character of loveguru in the film who had helped Govinda to create impression before Katrina Kaif in the film. Yet he chased Lara Dutta from the time he met him in the film. Lara Dutta kept the condition that she would have married him only if her child accepted him as his father. Salma Khan tried to be friends with the child and at the end of the film managed to impress Lara Dutta as well. Lara Dutta was exceptionally smart, beautiful, stylish and romantic in the film.

From the time Lara Dutta’s film with Abhishek Bacchan and Bobby Deol titled Jhoom Barabar Jhoom became superflop, her stardom got affected. Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif gave superhit films one after the other while Lara Dutta got a backseat.

This year her film Billu Barber is getting released at a very early part of the year. She requires a superhit film very soon to get back her stardom and compete against Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif.

Happy birthday to Urmila Matondkar

Happy birthday to Urmila Matondkar.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy to Urmila Matondkar, one of the style icons of bollywood industry on 4^th February, 2009. She had entertained the viewers over the last 15 years with her variety of performances.

She has been one of the main contributors of Ram Gopal Verma’s films. Most of his films had been related to supernatural power and horror subject matters. Urmila Matondkar had given spirited performances in those films and amused the viewers. Her performance in the film Bhoot meaning ghost requires special mention. She was tortured and ill-treated by a person and after the death of the soul, the unsatisfied spirits entered Urmila’s body and disclosed the truth relating to the sad event to the people at large. The horror, fear, anxiety, etc., were expressed by Urmila in style.

Her comedy performance in films like Daud opposite Sanjay Dutt was also appreciated. The film was related to stealing of property and the chase relating to them by Paresh Rawal and his men. Apparently there was hardly any action but serious comedy all along the film where Urmila Matondkar and Sanjay Dutt complimented each other.

Urmila Matondkar acted in different types films. Films like Pinjar were made for the interest of serious viewers. While films like Rangeela addressed the common crowd. Urmila Matondkar exhibited her stylish andaz in the film opposite stalwarts like Amir Khan and Jackie Shroff. It was a superhit film and made Urmila Matondkar a leading star of bollywood.

Even in films where Urmila Matondkar had acted with ordinary make up, the story and her performance impressed the viewers. Films like Jungle being made with the background of Verappan’s jungle expeditions were admired by different sections of the viewers. Even her performance in the film Tehzeeb along with Shabana Azmi attracted the attention of intellectual audience.

She received filmfare critics award for best actress in 2004 for her superlative performance in the film Bhoot. She also received starscreen award and Zee-cine awards for her powerful performance in Bhoot in 2004.

She also had done impressive item numbers in films like China Gate, Lajja, Ram Gopal Verma Ki Aag, etc. Last year she played the challenging role in the film Karz, opposite Himesh Reshammiya, the same role which was played by Simi Garewal in Rishi Kapoor’s Karz.

The viewers expect her to continue the good work that she started from her childhood in films like Masoom, and contribute in bollywood films in future.

Happy birthday to Wahida Rehman.

Happy birthday to Wahida Rehman.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to legendary actress Wahida Rehman on 3rd February, 2009. She had played a very long innings in bollywood films right from the 50s till today.

In the mid-50s, she cemented her position in bollywood films after giving hits after hits in Guru Dutt’s films. In CID, which was produced by Guru Dutt, she played the role of a seductive character who ultimately led to unfolding of truth relating to murder mystery. She acted opposite Dev Anand and balanced him with her powerful performance. In Pyasa, she played the role of a tawaif who gave shelter to Guru Dutt, an eminent poet in the film. The legendary pair was created in that film and songs like “jane kya” sung Geeta Dutt, “yeh mahalon yeh takhton” sung Rafi became evergreen hits.

Although Kagaz Ka Phool did not do well in the box-office, both Guru Dutt and Wahida Rehman received critical acclamation for their powerful performances in the film. Again hit songs like “waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam” sung by Geeta Dutt and “bichar gaya bari bari” sung by Rafi and composed by SD Burman became landmark songs of the period.

Chaudavi Ka Chaand, marked the most successful film depicting the romantic association of Wahida Rehman and Guru Dutt. Rafi’s song “chaudavi ka chaand” composed by Ravi was dedicated towards Wahida Rehman. The muslim pardanashin community was well depicted by Wahida Rehman in the film. She again did well in the film Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam opposite Meena Kumari and Guru Dutt. It was an adaptation of Uttam Kumar’s legendary Bengali film Saheb Bibi Ghulam directed by Karthik Chatterji.

All time great director Satyajit Ray experimented with Wahida Rehman in the role of a rural woman in the film Abhijan in the early 60s. Wahida Rehman’s broken Bengali having hindi accent attracted the attention of the intellectual viewers. In the 60s she transformed herself into a glamorous heroine.

Her second innings included hit films opposite Raj Kapoor like Ek Dil Sau Afsana, Teesri Kasam, superhit films opposite Dev Anand like Guide, Prem Pujari, and everlasting films opposite Dilip Kumar like Ram Aur Shyam, Aadmi, Dil Diya Dard Liya, to name a few.

The songs in these films composed by Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad, SD Burmna, etc. created history. Wahida Rehman’s dancing skills were also exhibited in these films.

She was even sublime in films like Mujhe Jeene Do, Reshma Aur Shera, opposite Sunil Dutt, Bees Saal Baad, opposite Biswajeet, Neel Kamal opposite Raj Kumar, Dharti opposite Rajender Kumar, Patthar Ke Sanam opposite Manoj Kumar, to name a few.

Articles after articles can be devoted to the legendary actress who had same box-office popularity like that of legendary star Meena Kumari and Madhubala. Directors like Asit Sen experimented with her in the film Khamoshi, Gulzar experimented with her in the film Namkeen, Yash Chopra experimented with her in the film Kabhi Kabhi.

Viewers had seen her character acting in films like Mashal opposite Dilip Kumar in the 80s to Dilli 6, that was released in 2009. Increase in age had increased her variety of performance and she has been growing old gracefully. The viewers expect her to continue the monumental performances that she had been giving for the last 60 years. Viewers pay respect and regard to the living legend.

Why God Tussi Great Ho did not do good business?

Why God Tussi Great Ho did not do good business?

It is quite difficult to justify why God Tussi Great Ho failed to do good business in India and oversees market in the last year. The records of successful films in the last few years show that mostly the comedy films had done best business, excepting few action films like Ghajini, where the purpose of the revenge and the violence was well justified.

In case of God Tussi Great Ho, the comedy formula did not work to that extent. Besides, there was a great message in the film. Salman Khan always had grievances against God that it never did justice to its subjects who always prayed and believed in him. He had many worries in life including the liability relating to his sister’s marriage and his own job concerned.

To make matters worst he manufactured a lie detector and planned a program for his Channel which Sohail Khan stole from him and impressed the boss and Priyanka Chopra who was also the girlfriend of Salman Khan. Amitabh Bacchan played the role of God in the film and he gave his power to Salman Khan for 10 days so that he could change his fortune.

Salman Khan thought if he fulfilled the wishes of all the people in the world in one go saying yes, the miseries in the earth would end. Instead of ending it led to havoc, chaos and disaster. Criminals who were languishing in prisons prayed for release. He released them and they started killing innocent people in the city.

A common person wished to win a lottery ticket. After the award was won, an antisocial came and killed the person and left the wife and children in misery. Ordinary persons who did not have the capability of running important business houses became the bosses and made a mess of their jobs.

Salman Khan understood the truth relating to the destiny of human beings. Big B explained to him that the fortunes of human beings are created by hard work and truthfulness, not by some magic done by God.

He understood the message, asked Sohail Khan to sit in the lie-detector test and he started telling one after the other the truth relating to creation of the lie-detector machine was unfolded. Salman Khan got all his wishes fulfilled at the end of the film.

Although the social message given in the film was done through comedy sequences, there was no reason why the film did not do good business. Public tastes are quite unpredictable and if we look at film history we will find that films made with good social messages like Guru Dutt’s Kagaz Ka Phool or Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker failed in the box-office.

The efforts made by the director, producer and the actors, actresses of God Tussi Great Ho, including Salman Khan, Big B, Sohail Khan, Priyanka Chopra and others should be appreciated by the viewers.

Directors these days never take risks like Salaam-e-ishq any more.

Directors these days never take risks like Salaam – e –ishq any more.

The directors and producers of bollywood films hardly take any more risk of multistarrer films like that of Salaam –e –ishq anymore. It was not a two-starrer or three – starrer film but had around 6 superstars getting involved in separate love stories each.

On one hand John Abraham got involved with a muslim girl played by Vidya Balan in the film. His family members never accepted the marriage. To make matters worst Vidya Balan lost her memory in an accident and could not get back her memory. John Abraham tried everything possible but could not help her to regain any memory. Yet their relationship survived amidst odds.

Salman Khan did playacting by playing the character Rahul who was involved with an item girl Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka wanted a scandal to become famous and get a major role in Karan Johar’s film. In the process she started loving Salman Khan and at the end of the film their dramatic relationship matured into marriage. Salman Khan was sublime in giving lips in Sonu Nigam’s song “salaam- e-ishq” and “tenu le”.

On the other hand their was comedy relationship between Sohail Khan and Isha Kopikaar. They were married in a joint family and whenever they approached to come close to each other it ended up in an accident in one form or the other. Akshay Khanna also could not marry Ayesha Takia taking into consideration the liabilities of a married person. But he could not disown his weakness towards Ayesha Takia in the entire film.

Anil Kapoor got attached to a young girl which led to disharmony in his family life with his wife Juhi Chawla. His relationship with the girl was revealed to Juhi Chawla who wanted to leave him. At the last scene Anil Kapoor stopped Juhi Chawla from boarding a flight and leaving the place. Anil Kapoor was brilliant in his performance as usual.

The relationship that touched the viewers the most included Govinda’s relationship with a foreigner. The lady came to India without knowing any hindi or any local language. She was attached to an Indian person who loved her in the foreign but declined to marry her due to family restrictions.

Govinda took the girl in his taxi to the desired destination and during the travel started loving her. He tried his best to get her married to her boyfriend, but when he failed in his mission he accepted the foreigner as his own wife. The simplicity of Govinda in the role of an uneducated taxi-driver appealed to the viewers more than any other’s performance.

Salaam-e-ishq did good business in India and oversees, but the cost of production was so high that it never ended up being a blockbuster.

These days bollywood producers and directors experiment with two or three stars together in one film but not 6 actors and actresses in major roles like Salaam-e-ishq any more.