Kingkong 1976 was a masterpiece.

Kingkong 1976 was a masterpiece.

The Hollywood film Kingkong made in 1976 was a masterpiece. Although the film was made by director John Guillermin for the children, even older people enjoyed the film.

In the film, a crew full of people was travelling towards an island close to Indonesia including the central characters played by Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin. The crew was filled with members who were related to an oil expedition company. In one of the islands when they landed they saw few indigenous tribes worshipping someone with celebration. There was deposit of oil in the place. The primitive tribe built a wall around themselves to save them from Kingkong. The crew of people took photos. Then the tribes saw the beautiful girl played by Jessica Lange in the crew and wanted her. Other members of the crew fired blankly in the air and came back in the ship.

At night when the ship was some distance away from the shores, the girl climbed down the stairs and enjoyed the moon alone in a wooden raft tied to the ship. Few of the tribes abducted her and kept her as prey for the giant Kingkong. Kingkong took her and fell in love with her.

Kingkong took her to waterfalls and helped her to have bath. Later a trap was set for Kingkong and he was brought to USA in ship. When a show was being held, the moment Kingkong saw the girl being touched by others, he broke the chain and destroyed property. Then he carried the girl in his hand. At the end of the film the US Security killed Kingkong when he climbed up the World Trade Centre.

Actress Jessica Lange won Golden Globe award for best debut in motion pictures. Although some of the critics said that the film was related to fantasy and nothing was great excepting special effects, the film still stands tall in the depiction of the appearance of giant ape like Kingkong. The mask of Kingkong was made of plastic skull and separate were required to provide distinct expressions.

Kingkong 1976 was a masterpiece.

Kingkong 1976 was a masterpiece.

The Hollywood film Kingkong made in 1976 was a masterpiece. Although the film was made by director John Guillermin for the children, even older people enjoyed the film.

In the film, a crew full of people was travelling towards an island close to Indonesia including the central characters played by Jeff Bridges and Charles Grodin. The crew was filled with members who were related to an oil expedition company. In one of the islands when they landed they saw few indigenous tribes worshipping someone with celebration. There was deposit of oil in the place. The primitive tribe built a wall around themselves to save them from Kingkong. The crew of people took photos. Then the tribes saw the beautiful girl played by Jessica Lange in the crew and wanted her. Other members of the crew fired blankly in the air and came back in the ship.

At night when the ship was some distance away from the shores, the girl climbed down the stairs and enjoyed the moon alone in a wooden raft tied to the ship. Few of the tribes abducted her and kept her as prey for the giant Kingkong. Kingkong took her and fell in love with her.

Kingkong took her to waterfalls and helped her to have bath. Later a trap was set for Kingkong and he was brought to USA in ship. When a show was being held, the moment Kingkong saw the girl being touched by others, he broke the chain and destroyed property. Then he carried the girl in his hand. At the end of the film the US Security killed Kingkong when he climbed up the World Trade Centre.

Actress Jessica Lange won Golden Globe award for best debut in motion pictures. Although some of the critics said that the film was related to fantasy and nothing was great excepting special effects, the film still stands tall in the depiction of the appearance of giant ape like Kingkong. The mask of Kingkong was made of plastic skull and separate were required to provide distinct expressions.

Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma were brilliant in Band Baaja Baarat.

Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma were brilliant in Band Baaja Baarat.

Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma were brilliant in the film Band Baaja Baarat. Ranveer Singh acted for the first time in the film Band Baaja Baarat and received the best debutant award in many award ceremonies including the filmfare awards.

In the film Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma were depicted as young people of New Delhi who wanted to create their own name. Anushka Sharma wanted to avoid marriage and begetting children, so created her own company to help out marriage parties. She opened the company as joint venture with Ranveer Singh and took the responsibility of catering, decoration and ancillary activities relating to marriage.

The business flourished and they earned excellent profits. Both of them started loving each other. One day when both became intimate, Ranveer Singh realized that love should not come in between business and partnership. When he said that he was not serious about marriage, Anushka Sharma showed indifference and they ended the partnership.

Both formed their own companies and dealt with marriage related activities again. But individually the business failed. But they got reunited due to the demand of a client. Both of them danced excellently in the song “mai to awe awe awe awe lut gaya”, which became super hit.

Anushka Sharma had previously acted in other films like Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, but her dialogues suited her the best in this film, where she reinvented herself. Ranveer Singh never looked that he was acting in his first film.

Directors and producers should experiment with the pair Ranveer Singh and Anushka Sharma again considering their immense success in the film Band Baaja Baarat.

Shankar Jaikishan had probably done the greatest experiment in Jish Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai.

Shankar Jaikishan had probably done the greatest experiment in Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai.

Legendary musical duo Shankar Jaikishan had probably done the greatest experiment in the film Jish Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai. The film was released in 1960, and became everlasting hit.

Raj Kapoor produced the film while Radhu Karmakar directed it. Raj Kapoor in fact received the second filmfare award as the best actor for the performance of the film, the earlier being Anari. Shankar Jaikishan had the freedom of the using their number of musical instruments as the film demanded all of them.

Lata Mangeshkar’s songs “kya hua, o mujhe kya hua kya pata” and “o maine pyar kiya” was complimented by excellent background music. Mukesh’s song “hoto pe sachai rehti hai” started with a big projection of different instruments where Shankar Jaikishan again showed their class. In the song “hum bhi hai tum bhi ho”, there was excellent chord change during the antara. The song also had the participation of all the giants of music industry including Geeta Dutt, Lata Mangeshkar, Manna Dey, Mukesh, Mahendra Kapoor and others.

The other successful songs included “begane shaadi pe Abdulla diwana”, “o wasanti pavan paawan” and “pyar kar le naito phasi char jayega”. The last song in the film “a ab laut chale” was another grand experiment. There strong chorus appeal used in the song. While Mukesh song the solo, at every verse Lata sang her part in another tune and in another scale which merged together with the chorus.

If Shankar Jaikishan had remained sublime due to their western compositions and eastern classical creations in the other films, in Jish Desh Me Ganga Behti, their folk creations and chorus renditions had mesmerized the audience. The film and the music should be preserved for the immortal appeal and epic creation of the music by Shankar Jaikishan.

Can Ready repeat the magic of Dabaang?

Can Ready repeat the magic of Dabaang?

Can Salman Khan’s film Ready repeat the magic of Dabaang. In 2011 this is Salman Khan’s first film to be released. The date of release had been 3rd June, 2011. The expectation of the viewers had increased after Salman Khan had provided 150 crores business to bollywood industry with the film Dabaang last year.

Ready has been directed by director Aneez Bazmee. Asin had been cast opposite Salman Khan in the film. The film had been a remake of Tamil film Ready directed by Sreenu Vaitla in which Ram and Genelia Desouza played notable roles.

The supporting roles had been performed by Arya Babbar, Paresh Rawal, Mahesh Manjrekar and others. Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Kangana Ranaut, Zarine Khan played guest roles in the film. The music had been composed by composer Pritam. Already the song “humko pyar hua” had been well received by the viewers even before release of the film. The film had been shot in Sri Lanka.

The big challenge the film has to recoup the Rs 55 crores that had been invested. Dabaang had a very unique storyline. The casting also was new. Sonakshi Sinha acted opposite Salman Khan for the first time. Pritam has huge challenge to meet the success of Sajid Wajid in Dabaang. Last year Aneez Baazmee’s film No Problem could not get revenue inspite of star performers like Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt providing successful performances.

The film will be released on 3rd June, 2011. The bollywood industry is desperately waiting for a blockbuster this year. Nothing can be better if Salman Khan comes up with one more with Ready.

Noukadubi is a refined commercial venture.

Noukadubi is a refined commercial venture.

Rituporno Ghosh had made a decent effort with the Bengali film Noukadubi based on Rabindranath Tagore’s literature. The film had been based on the epic story Noukadubi, a piece of literature which attracted the attention of other directors as well. Story-teller Ajoy Kar had also made the film Noukadubi in the 50s on the same piece of literature.

In the film Jishu Sengupta, who was a law student loved the talented uptown girl played by Raima Sen. Due to the insistence of his father he had to sacrifice his love and married a rustic villager played by Riya Sen. He later found out that his wife was already married to Prasenjit Chatterji and was separated from her wife after a boat accident. The story hovers around the theme whether Jishu Sengupta would have reunited Riya Sen to her husband Prasenjit Chatterji or not.

Rituporno Ghosh had made a hindi film Kashmakash with the same subject and it had been a challenge in doing justice with Tagore literature. The story had been read a big section of readers. One of the achievements of Rituporno Ghosh had been the credit of utilizing Raima Sen and Riya Sen in the respective roles. Although Raima Sen had previously done off-beat roles, Riya Sen had done the role of the rustic villager the first time.

There was hardly any make up given to Riya Sen. Her speech had also been soft and folk-based where she did a commendable job. Rituporno Ghosh had amazed the viewers by giving the smart upstart role to Raima Sen and soft villager’s role to Riya Sen. Jishu Sengupta and Prasenjit Chatterji had previously acted in these types of roles so also showed a refined approach. The effort of Rituporno Ghosh had been a decent effort.

The film should get good response and the viewers should appreciate the effort of a director to do a period film based on the life of bengalies more than 70 years back. Viewers should watch the film.

Happy birthday to Paresh Rawal.

Happy birthday to Paresh Rawal.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to veteran actor Paresh Rawal on 30th May, 2011. He had proved himself to be an indispensable actor in the bollywood arena for the last 20 years.

In the late 80s and early 90s he was known for depicting serious characters like Sardar Ballabhai Patel in the film Sardar, the performance in the film Wo Chokri, etc. Then he acted in huge number of films in the role of villain, like Damini, Laadla, Mahanta, Vijeta, Samundar, etc.

From the late 90s, his talented got recognized and he started acting in central characters and serio-characters. He was sublime in the films Hera Pheri and Phir Hera Pheri. The story of both the films revolved around him and Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty were outcast by his brilliance. He was brilliant in Kamal Hassan’s Chachi 420. His performance was as powerful as the performances of Om Puri and Amrish Puri. In the film China Gate he showed his excellence opposite stalwant actors like Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Amrish Puri and others.

During the last 10 years, most of the bollywood directors depend upon him to pull out big projects. He was excellent in the film Chup Chup Ke, with Om Puri and Shahid Kapoor. He was sublime in the role of the father of Akshay Khanna in the film Mere Baap Pehle Aap. He did a cameo in the film 36 China Town opposite Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

He also contributed in the comedy films Malamaal Weekly, Hero No 1, etc. The huge space in bollywood films that was created by the absence of Amrish Puri, Kader Khan and other veteran actors had been filled by Paresh Rawal.

He had received few awards for the best comedian, but he deserves more number of awards, because through his acting variation he had proved his versatility. The viewers expect him to continue the great work in 2011 and the years to come.

Uttam Kumar and Ajoy Kar were sublime in Khelaghar.

Uttam Kumar and Ajoy Kar were sublime in Khelaghar.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar acted in more than 8 films of epic director Ajoy Kar, which included the biggest hits of all times like Harano Sur and Saptapadi. Mahanayak Uttam Kumar gave a brilliant performance in Ajoy Kar’s film Khelaghar released in early 60s. Ajoy Kar always considered Uttam Kumar as his model in most of the films including the greatest hits of all times, Harano Sur and Saptapadi. Uttam Kumar’s appeal had not died out even today after 29 years of his death. That is the reason Railway Minister Mamta Banerjee renamed Tollygunge Metro Station as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar Metro Station in the recent past to show homage to the greatest superstar of all times.

In Khelaghar, Uttam Kumar surrendered before Kolkata Police after being involved in anti-national activities. He was a freedom fighter. He ran out of the prison and entered the room of Mala Sinha, tied her up and by wearing the clothes of Mala Sinha’s father Chabi Biswas escaped.

The entire film was related to the efforts made by the Kolkata Police to arrest Uttam Kumar. In the meantime Mala Sinha did not want to marry the person selected by Chabi Biswas. So she left her house and took Uttam Kumar’s help to escape from the hands of local gundas.

The relationship developed into affection. Rafi sung for Asitboron in the film while Hemant Kumar sang songs for Uttam Kumar. Asitboron gave good lips in the song sung by Rafi. At the end of the film, the actual freedom fighter for whom Uttam Kumar surrendered before the police appeared in Court and disclosed the truth. Uttam Kumar was a musician who had love for his country, so guarded the freedom fighter. Uttam Kumar was send to two years imprisonment for false personification under section 419 of the Indian Penal Code.

There were very few performers in the film including Chabi Biswas, Uttam Kumar and Mala Sinha. So these few characters Ajoy Kar, the giant director managed to deliver a hit film for the audience. The story still has relevance and Uttam Kumar’s appeal in the film had not died out. The film should be restored and preserved.

Bollywood recently depends on comedy films.

Bollywood recently depends on comedy films.
Bollywood producers and directors had changed trends over the last 10 years in respect of the films that are made and the ones that they want to invest one.

There was a successful set of audience for every type of films in the early 40s and 50s. The subject matters included complicated stories like Devdas based on tragedy, Baiju Bawra based on history, Pyasa based on social values. The audience never got bored with these films and the serious stars like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, Balraj Sahani dominated bollywood films. Musical blockbusters featured in 40s, 50s and 60s due to immortal compositions and classical singing in those days.

The 70s and 80s were dominated with action films when Amitabh Bacchan, Vinod Khanna, Shatrughun Sinha, Dharmender and others played anti-establishment roles and the audience appreciated them to a great extent. Comedy films by Gulzar like Angoor, Hrishikesh Mukherjee like Golmaal, Basu Chatterji like Choti Si Baat were made but they were considered refined commercial films. The big budget films of Ramesh Sippy, Prakash Mehra, Yash Chopra, Manmohan Desai were related to action genre.

For the last 10 years, audience due to the stress of life only appreciated comedy films. Salman Khan’s No Entry, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, Mujhse Shaadi Karogi had done greater business than the action films like Veer. Wanted and Dabaang are exceptions. Ajay Devgan’s comedy films Golmaal, Golmaal Returns had done better business than Aakrosh based on social evils. Sanjay Dutt’s Dhamaal and All the Best had done better than Knock Out. Akshay Kumar’s Welcome, Hera Pheri had done better business than Blue.

The only concern is that the heroes who had brilliant comedy timing like Anil Kapoor or Govinda had been brought in the line of other action heroes an romantic actors like Sanjay Dutt, Ajay Devgan, Akshay Kumar, Sunil Shetty, Aamir Khan and others.

The good part of the taste of the audience is that it had led the filmmakers in making entertaining films. The bad part is that serious efforts like No One Killed Jessica, A Wednesday, Guzaarish, are not getting their dues. They are remaining the award winning films but not encouraging the crowds to come to cinema halls.

Kashmakash had been a decent effort.

Kashmakash had been a decent effort.

Rituporno Ghosh had made a decent effort with the film Kashmakash based on Rabindranath Tagore’s literature. The film had been based on the epic story Noukadubi, a piece of literature which attracted the attention of other directors as well. Story-teller Ajoy Kar had also made the film Noukadubi in the 50s on the same piece of literature.

In the film Jishu Sengupta, who was a law student loved the talented uptown girl played by Raima Sen. Due to the insistence of his father he had to sacrifice his love and married a rustic villager played by Riya Sen. He later found out that his wife was already married to Prasenjit Chatterji and was separated from her wife after a boat accident. The story hovers around the theme whether Jishu Sengupta would have reunited Riya Sen to her husband Prasenjit Chatterji or not.

Rituporno Ghosh had made a hindi film and it had been a challenge in doing justice with Tagore literature. The story had been read a big section of readers. One of the achievements of Rituporno Ghosh had been the credit of utilizing Raima Sen and Riya Sen in the respective roles. Although Raima Sen had previously done off-beat roles, Riya Sen had done the role of the rustic villager the first time.

There was hardly any make up given to Riya Sen. Her speech had also been soft and folk-based where she did a commendable job. Jishu Sengupta and Prasenjit Chatterji had previously acted in these types of roles so also showed a refined approach. The effort of Rituporno Ghosh had been a decent effort.

The film should get good response and the viewers should appreciate the effort of a director to do a period film based on the life of bengalies more than 70 years back. Viewers should watch the film.

Kareena Kapoor would be waxed in Madam Tussadd's museum.

Kareena Kapoor would be waxed in Madam Tussadd’s museum.

Kareena Kapoor is the new actress who would be waxed in Madam Tussadd’s museum in London, UK. Previously the Indian actors who were waxed include Amitach Bacchan, Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan.

Kareena Kapoor had been the second bollywood actress after Aishwarya Rai who would be waxed in Madam Tussadd’s Museum. It is a rare honour. Kareena Kapoor had made very valuable contribution in bollywood films over the last 10 years.

She started her career with the film Refugee. Then she followed it up with hit film Mujhe Kuchh Kehna Hai. She acted in off-beat films like Chameli. She received filmfare award for the decent performance in the film Jab We Met.

She was appreciated for her performance in films like Kyon Ki opposite Salman Khan, The Three Idiots opposite Aamir Khan, Kurbaan opposite Saif Ali Khan, Golmaal 2 and 3 opposite Ajay Devgan, to name a few.

The viewers expect her to do even better in the years to come.

Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya and Bengali modern songs.

Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya and Bengali modern songs.

Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya was the one of the legendary classical singer of Bengal of the 50s and 60s, who showed his excellence in films songs, Bengali modern songs and shyamasangeet. He did not get the recognition he deserved as the major attention of the media was focused only towards Hemant Kumar, the romantic singer of Bengal, but along with Manobendra Mukherjee, Manna Dey, Akhilbondhu Ghosh, Satinath Mukherjee and others, Dhanonjoy’s classical touch inspired the composers to compose pure classical and semi-classical songs.

Dhanonjoy’s evergreen modern songs included “matite jonmo nilam” composed by Prabir Mojumdar, “kabir kheyale premomoy tumi samrat shahjahan” composed by himself, “jhanana jhanana baje” composed by Salil Choudhury, “ei jhir jhir jhir batashe” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta, “ruma jhuma jhum” composed by Rotu Mukherjee, “antabihin oi andharater” composed by Salil Choudhury, “shilpi moner bedona”, “tandra elo bolo jaagi kemon kore”, “chameli melona ankhi”, “bashorer deep aaj” to name a few. The song “matite jonmo nilam” was composed by Probir Mojumdar on the background of sacrifice made by Indians during the freedom movement. Dhananjoy Bhattacharya gave able expression in the song.

There were other impressive songs of Dhananjoy Bhattacharya including “hridoye mor rakto jhore”, “hai cholona” and “ogo guni bajao suni”. There were few Bengali version songs sung by Dhananjoy Bhattacharya based on the bollywood songs that were composed in films. Few of them include “shono go priyotama” which was based on Lata Mangeshkar’s epic song “ayega anewala” composed by Khemchand Prakash in the film Mahal. There were other songs like “sono sono kothati sono” based on the song “chori chori”. Dhananjoy Bhattacharya was sublime in songs based on somber mood like “bidae nite ki ele” and “kotodin dekha hoyni dujone”. His bass and classical elegance stands out in these evergreen songs.

Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya acted in Bengali films like Pasher Bari (which was remade in hindi with the title Parosan where Kishore Kumar played his role), nobo bidhan, etc. His brilliant songs in Bengali films included “jagannath swami gamanapathagami bhabatue” sung in the film Nilachole Mahaprobhu, composed by Raichand Boral, “jhir jhir jhir jhir jhir borosha” in the film Pasher Bari, composed by Salil Choudhury, “katharo aghate chinno paye rokto jhare” in Uttam Kumar’s film Sabar Upare, composed by Robin Chatterji, etc. He made major contribution in Uttam Kumar’s film Nabajanmo, Uttam Kumar’s film Shilpi, etc.

Besides, Dhanonjoy Bhattacharya had sung more than 200 shyama sangeet (devotional songs sung for Goddess Kali). Some of his legendary shyama sangeet included “e maya proponchomoy” in the Uttam Kumar’s film Share Chuattor, “gaya ganga prabashadi” in the film Rani Rashmoni, also major songs in the films Sadhok Bamakhepa and Joto Mot Tato Poth. His brother Pannalal Bhattacharya became a legend in the world of Shyama sangeet.

Dhanonjoy died in the early 1990s, after leaving a huge treasure of classical songs and still remains a king (samrat) in the minds of numerous music lovers in the country. His songs and works should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Rajesh Roshan.

Happy birthday to Rajesh Roshan.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Rajesh Roshan on 24th May, 2011. Being the son of Roshan Lal Nagrath, Rajesh Roshan had a great task of matching the great performance of his father as a composer.

He was born in 1955. Although his compositions did not have the classical touch, he composed catchy tunes which attracted the attention for the viewers. He received the filmfare award for the best composer for his brilliant composition in the film Julie in the mid-70s.

He gave good music in Big B’s film Yaarana. Kishore Kumar’s song “chukar meri manko” became big hit. From the 1990s, he concentrated more on composing music in his brother’s films, that is Rakesh Roshan’s film. All the songs of the film Karan Arjun became super hit including “suraj ki peheli kiran se”, “bhangra bole”, etc. The film also became super hit.

The music that he composed in Hrithik Roshan’s films became landmark hits. All the songs of Kahona Pyar Hai, were super hit including “pyar ki kashti me”, “haseeno ki mehfil”, etc. All the songs of the film Koi Mil Gaya became super hit including the title song “koi mil gaya”.

All the songs of the film Krissh became super hit including “dil na liya”, “chori chori chupke chupke”, etc. He also won the filmfare award for the best music director for the composition of music in the film Kahona Pyar Hai in 2000.

In 2010, the viewers expected good performance from Rajesh Roshan as well for the film Kites. It had been produced by Rakesh Roshan with Hrithik Roshan playing the lead role. Always when the dream combination had worked together they had created magic. Although the music was appreciated the film could not do good business due to use of Spanish which was not understandable to the common masses.

The viewers expect grand performance from Rajesh Roshan, Rakesh Roshan and Hrithik Roshan whenever they work together again.

Sai Paranjpye was sublime in Chasme Badoor.

Sai Paranjpye was sublime in Chasme Badoor.

Director Sai Paranjpye was sublime in the film Chasme Baddoor. Sai Paranjpye carried forward the neo-film revolution that was started by Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalini and others. The film was released in 1981. Farooq Sheikh, Ravi Vaswani and Rakesh Bedi were three friends of Delhi University.

Deepti Naval came in their life. Farooq Sheikh completed MA in Economics and was preparing for PhD. Both Ravi Vaswani and Rakesh Bedi went to Deepti Naval’s house but failed to impress her. Deepti Naval came to Farooq Sheikh’s house to advertise Champo Washing Powder.

Deepti Naval’s father gave employment to Farooq Sheikh in his office. Both of them almost got engaged, when Ravi Vaswani and Rakesh Bedi betrayed Farooq Sheikh and tried to end the romantic relationship. The music in the film was impressive. Yesu Das, Haimanti Shukhla and others sang notable songs in the film.

At the end of the film a artificial kidnapping scene was hatched up and the marriage actually took place. All the actors including Saeed Jaffery and Lila Mishra were excellent. Farooq Sheikh and Deepti Naval formed a very impressive pair of actor and actress who featured in other landmark films like Katha, Kisi Se Na Kahe Na, etc.

In the early 80s, the viewers of bollywood films had the taste and patience to appreciate parallel films and refined commercial films having leading performances from the intellectual actors and actresses like Om Puri, Naseeruddin Shah, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Farooq Sheikh, Deepti Naval and others. The Chasme Baddoor should be restored.

Kundan Shah did an excellent job in Jane Bhi Do Yaaron.

Kundan Shah did an excellent job in Jane Bhi Do Yaaron.

Director Kundan Shah did an excellent job in the film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. The film was released in 1983. It was produced by National Film Development Corporation.

Kundan Shah used the best actors of the country in the film including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Ravi Vaswani, Satish Shah, Pankaj Kapoor, Neena Gupta, Satish Kaushik and others. Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Vaswani were professional photographers in the film.

Bhakti Barve the editor of “khabardar” newspaper which exposed scandals gave them job. The Municipal Commissioner Satish Shah died in film. Everyone tried to get the dead body of Satish Shah, including Pankaj Kapoor, Om Puri and others. At the end of the film, the dead body was brought in the set of the drama Mahabharata. The dead body of Satish Shah, was used as Draupadi, and the satire was played at its height, with Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Pankaj Kapoor and others.

At the end of the film, the entire fault was dumped on the shoulders of Naseeruddin Shah and Ravi Vaswani who were sent to jail. Satish Shah, Neena Gupta and others complimented each other in the film. During the early 80s, Naseeruddin Shah and team of actors who learned acting from Drama Schools and Films Institutes created revolution in the field of acting.

Kundan Shah was excellent in his art of utilization of the talented actors and actresses in the film Jaane Bhi Do Yaaron. The film should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Padmabhushan Wahida Rehman.

Happy birthday to Padmabhushan Wahida Rehman.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to legendary actress Wahida Rehman on 14th May, 2011. She had played a marathon innings in bollywood films right from the 50s till today. She had won the Civilian award Padmabhushan on 26th January, 2011, that is republic day.

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. Wahida Rehman played the role of Jaba, which was played by Anubha Gupta in the Bengali film Saheb Bibi Ghulam.

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. In Teesri Kasam, Wahida Rehman played the role of nautanki dancer who was attached to a cart driver played by Raj Kapoor.

The songs in these films composed by Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad, SD Burman, etc. created history. The hit songs of Teesri Kasam included “o aa aa bhi jha”, “paan khai saiya”, “mare gaye gulfam”, the hit songs of Guide included “piya tose naina lagere”, “aaj phir jeene ki tamanna hai”, the hit songs of Ram Aur Shyam included “aaye hai barahen meete zulmon sitam. 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 and Kohra, 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.

Happy birthday to Madhuri Dixit.

Happy birthday to Madhuri Dixit.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to beauty queen Madhuri Dixit on 15th May, 2011. She ruled bollywood films in the late 80s and 90s. In fact after her retirement of films no single actress of bollywood films could be associated with the number one position.

From Tezaab, she dethroned Sri Devi from the number one position and created sensation in bollywood. Her dance performance in the song “ek do teen” in Tezaab, surprised the viewers. Her pair with Anil Kapoor was well accepted by the viewers. The hit films of the immortal pair include Ram Lakhan, Khel, Jeevan Ek Sunghursh, Zindagi Ek Jua, Parinda, etc. In the late 90s, she proved herself in every type of film and was cast by different directors and producers. The successful pair had produced both commercial masala films like Ram Lakhan directed by Subhash Ghai, and also off-beat films like Parinda, which was made for the intellectual audience.

Sanjay Dutt and Madhuri Dixit stormed bollywood with romantic performance in the film Saajan. It was the musical blockbusters of early 90s which shook the industry. All the songs of the film were hit including “jiye to jiye kaise”, “mera dil bhi kitna paagal hai”, “mai shayar hoon”, etc. Madhuri Dixit was considered the best dancer of the country at that time. Even her performances in the other films opposite Sanjay Dutt were also impressive including Thanedaar, Khalnayak and Mahanta.

In off-beat films like Nana Patekar’s Prahar and Parinda, Prakash Jha’s Mrityudand, her performance impressed the intellectual audience. She acted in those films with hardly any make up and still created her impression. She received the filmfare award for the best actress a number of times. Viewers remember her notable performance in the film Beta opposite Anil Kapoor. She fought against her mother-in –law to get justice for her husband.

Her other hit films include Dil opposite Amir Khan, Hum Aapke Hai Kaun opposite Salman Khan, Aarzoo opposite Akshay Kumar, Koyla and Dil To Paagal Hai opposite Shahrukh Khan, to name a few. In fact, her film Hum Aapke Hai Kaun, opposite Salman Khan had remained as one of the greatest blockbusters of all times. She became such a phenomenon in the mid-90s, that the producers associated the success of the film with her more than the heroes of those films.

In Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Lajja, in a multi-starrer film Madhuri Dixit was not cast opposite the leading actors like Jackie Shroff, or Anil Kapoor, yet her performance stands out as one of the best performance of the film. Her womanhood in the film attracted every type of audience.

Also her performance in crime-thrillers like 100 days attracted viewers. It was a murder mystery, where Jackie Shroff, the boyfriend of Madhuri killed her sister Moonmoon Sen. Madhuri Dixit expressed the anxiety and horror in the film to perfection.

Even her performance opposite Anil Kapoor in the film Pukar requires special mention. Anil Kapoor got national award for the best actor for the performance in the film. It was a film related to patriotism and Madhuri Dixit was probably the only actress in bollywood who could match Anil Kapoor in his struggle against terrorists.

She acted in few films few year back like Aaja Nachle, but the films did not create the same magic as that of the 80s and 90s.

Last year she judged the dance competition held in Private Channel in India. She came from USA and gave tips to the different participants including Shekhar Suman, Ankita Lokhunde and others. She also attended the filmfare awards. After judging the program she returned back to USA.

Viewers consider her as the best actress of the last 30 years and want her to make a comeback in character roles in future.

Remembering Naushad on his death anniversary.

Rafi’s greatest success with Rajender Kumar, Shankar Jaikishan and Naushad.

The viewers of bollywood films and listeners of bollywood music pay their homage and regards to legendary composer Naushad on his death anniversary on 5th May, 2011. Dadasaheb Phalke Winner Naushad is considered one of the greatest composers of all times who had shaped the career of immortal Rafi Sahab during his early part of his career after which he never looked back.

Rafi had a dream run in the 60s, mainly in the films of Jubilee Kumar, Rajender Kumar for more than a number of reasons. Firstly Rajender Kumar acted in the production and direction of biggest banners of bollywood in the 60s. Secondly from 1963 to 1966, all his films ended up in silver jubilee showing his immense popularity and strong presence in the box-office. Shankar Jaikishan was equated with God in the early 60s and the main reason of the box-office success of Jubillee Kumar’s films was the superlative music given to him by both SJ and Naushad.

In the film Ayee Milan Ki Bela, all the songs of SJ, picturised on Rajender Kumar and sung by Rafi became super hit The immortal songs include “mai pyar ka diwana”, “aha aye Milan ki bela”, “tum khamseen ho”, “to bura maan gaye”, “o sanam tere ho gaye hum”. Rajender Kumar and Saira Banu’s online chemistry in the film helped in the success of the film.

SJ’s composition in the film Aarzoo, Humrahi and Sasural for Rajender Kumar and Rafi were equally rich. The brilliant songs include “chalke teri aankhose”, “ae nargisi mastana”, “aji ruth kar ab”, “yeh aansoo meri dil ki zubaan hai”, “teri pyari pyari surat ko”, “mujhko apne gale laga lo”, to mention a few. Sadhna complimented the powerful performance of Rajender Kumar in Aarzoo.

The brilliant combination of Rafi, SJ and Rajender Kumar, continued in the film Dil Ek Mandir and Jhuk Gaya Aasman. Prominent songs include “yaad na jaye”, “jahan koi nahi”, “dil ek mandir hai”, “o priya kaun hai jo sapno me aya”, “kahan chal diye”, to mention a few. SJ Rafi and Rajender Kumar continued in the film Aman, where songs like “surahidar garden koel si hi awaz” still mesmerizes the listeners.

Rafi, Rajender Kumar and SJ created history even in the film Suraj. The songs “kaise samjhayun”, “chehere pe giri zulfein”, “itna hai tujhse pyar mujhe”, “baharon phool barsao” had become immortal over the years. Rajender Kumar and Vaijayantimala’s screen presence were as majestic as the voice of Rafi and the quality of music of Shankar Jaikishan. The other films where the magic combination of Rafi, Rajender Kumar and Shankar Jaikishan made people speechless include Zindagi and Sangam, with the prominent songs being “pehle milethe sapno me” and “meherban likhoon”.

A big section of music lovers agree that had Jaikishan not died in 1971, Rafi’s dominance in bollywood music not suffered at all. In fact SJ’s tunes were brilliant and were specifically catered towards the likings of common mass. They were not that technical which could not reach the audience. Besides SJ gave tunes in around 10 films per years all along the 50s and 60s, the era when Rafi was unbeatable. RD Burman’s domination in the 70s would have got very strong resistence had Jaikishan survived few years more. The immortal lyrics of Shailendra and Hasrat Jaipuri also ended with the sad expiry of Jaikishan in 1971.
In the case of Naushad, his gharana was so classically oriented, that his composition for an actor had changed the destiny of the actor. Although Naushad and Rafi’s combination was associated mainly with respect to Tragedy King Dilip Kumar, he preserved a huge treasure of music for Rajender Kumar as well.

Mere Mehboob, stands out as probably one of the greatest creations of Naushad ever in the history of bollywood music. All the songs of Rafi for Rajender Kumar, including “mere mehboob tujhe meri muhobbat ki kasam”, “tumse izhaar-e-haal kar baithe”, “ai husn zara jag tujhe ishq jagaye” had revealed the royal elite culture of Aligarh and Lucknow in the form of shayri and ghazals. Rajender Kumar and Sadhna were at their best in the film.

Naushad and Rafi were sublime in Rajender Kumar’s film Palki. The song “dil-e-betaab ko sine se lagana hoga” shows the class of Naushad. Although Naushad utilized Rafi to perfection in Rajender Kumar’s Ganwar, he used Mukesh in major songs of the film Saathi due to pressure of the producer and director.

Rafi and Rajender Kumar were blessed with the immortal creations of Shankar Jaikishan and Naushad in the 60s and the films and the songs should be preserved as rich assets of the nation which can be cherished for generations after generations.

Sandip Ray gave interview on Zee Bangla.

Sandip Ray gave interview on Zee Bangla.

Sandip Ray, the son of renowned director Satyajit Ray gave interview on Zee TV Bangla on the birth anniversary of Satyajit Ray on 2nd May, 2011. Ray had died almost 20 years ago, but his works had remained immortal over the years.

When Sandip Ray was asked about his experience in working with his father he gave an elaborate answer. He said that he got the greatest teacher ever to be born in the field of filmmaking. But he said while independently working he never thought about being the son of Oscar Winning director Satyajit Ray. It would have created huge pressure which could have affected his filmmaking.

He made his directorial debut with the film Fotik Chand in the 70s. Satyajit Ray had helped him with the script, but after that he allowed his son to direct the film independently. The film received very good reviews. Sandip Ray said, some section of the critics said that the film had been made by Satyajit Ray himself. It did not hurt Sandip Ray because he realized if people associated his work with his father’s work he had made a film which could meet the standard already created by his father.

Later on he made other landmark films like Target, Gupi Bagha Phire Elo, Baksho Rahasya, Bombaiyer Bombete, Tintoretor Jishu, Kolilashe Kelenkari, etc. He mainly worked on stories written by Ray on Feluda series, that means the detective stories of Prodosh Chandra Mitra.

Ray’s films like Pather Panchali, Kanchenjungha, Ghare Baire, still are classical creations which help new directors all across the world the art of film making. His films and works should be preserved and restored.