Happy birthday to Mohammad Aziz.

Happy birthday to Mohammad Aziz.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to successful singer Mohammad Aziz on 2nd July, 2011. He was born in 1954 and his nickname was Munna and real name Syed Mohammad Azizunnabi.

He started his singing career by singing in a Bengali film Jyoti. In Mumbai his career started by singing in the film Ambar in 1984. He rose to stardom by singing the song “mard tangewala” in the film Mard in 1985, which was picturised on superstar Amitabh Bacchan.

Then he got breaks one after the other and sung successful songs in the film Doodh Ka Karz, Allah Rakha, Swarg, etc. His singing style had lot of similarity with legendary Mohammad Rafi whom he idolized.

His song “ameeron ki sham garibon ki sham” in the film Naam became super hit. His song “Disco bhangra” in Big B’s film Ganga Jamuna Saraswati also became super hit. He stormed bollywood with the song “my name is lakhan” in the film Ram Lakhan picturised on superstar Anil Kapoor.

He also sang the successful song “ek doosre se karte hai pyar hum” picturised on Big B, Rajnikant and Govinda in the film Hum released in 1991. Laxmikant Pyarellel used him in many films including Karma, Saudagar, etc. His song “imli ka boota” in the film Saudagar picturised on Dilip Kumar and Raj Kumar became super hit in the early 90s.

He also sang successful songs in the films Khudgarz, Vishwatma, Khuda Gawah, Aadmi Khilouna Hai, etc. He also sang in the film Kaafila. He had been a very humble person and always soft spoken. He also contributed a lot in the Oriya film Industry by singing songs in notable films.

One article is too small to highlight the contribution of successful singer Mohammad Aziz. The viewers of bollywood films and the audience wish Mohammad Aziz to continue the great standard of singing that he started more than 25 years ago.

Happy birthday to Nitu Singh.

Happy birthday to Nitu Singh.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Nitu Singh on 8th July 2011. She had started her career as child actress and later kept a mark as leading actress in commercial films.

In the late 60s, her performance in the film do Kaliyan attracted attention. Biswajeet Chatterji and Mala Sinha were the lead performers in the film. Nitu Singh got double role. Both the sisters were sad due to the separation of their parents. At the end of the film the differences between Biswajeet and Mala Sinha were sorted out.

She acted in many successful films opposite Rishi Kapoor whom she married later. The successful films included Kabhi Kabhi, Khel Khel Me, Amar Akbar Anthony, Rafoo Chakkar, etc. The songs of Amar Akbar Anthony also created history with Rafi’s qawalli “parda hai parda” and “humko tumse ho gaya hai pyar kya Karen”. The film directed by Manmohan Desai stormed bollywood in the late 70s.

Nitu Singh acted opposite all the leading stars of bollywood films in the 70s. Her successful films opposite Big B included Parvarish, The Great Gambler, to name a few. Her successful film opposite Shashi Kapoor included Dewaar. Her successful film opposite Jeetender included Burning Train. Viewers still remember her elegant lips in the song “pal do pal ka saath hamara” sung by Rafi and Asha Bhosle in the film Burning Train.

She acted in the films directed by eminent directors like Manmohan Desai in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Yash Chopra in films like Kabhi Kabhi, Kala Patthar, BR Chopra in films like Burning Train, to name a few. After marrying Rishi Kapoor, she left films in the 80s.

Probably she had concentrated in upbringing of Rishi Kapoor’s son and daughter, including Ranbir Kapoor. But she had a lot of acting left in her. She received a number of awards for the performance in the film Do Dooni Char released last year. The film was extremely successful. She acted in a character role opposite Rishi Kapoor and it appeared before the viewers that she had not forgotten acting at all. The viewers of bollywood films wish her to make comeback in contemporary films in character roles.

Double Dhamaal could not create same magic as Dhamaal.

Double Dhamaal could not create same magic as Dhamaal.

The film Double Dhamaal could not create same magic as Dhamaal. It had been directed by Indra Kumar. It had been produced by Ashok Thakeria and Indra Kumar.

Arshad Warsi, Ritesh Deshmukh, Ashish Choudhury and Javed Jaffery in Double Dhamaal tried to become rich through the devil’s way. When they were chased for their fraud way, they found Sanjay Dutt with his wife Mallika Sherawat and sister Kangana Ranaut. Sanjay Dutt was no longer a police officer but became a millionaire.

They blackmailed Sanjay Dutt through a MMS to become his partner in business. They found Satish Kaushik an investor who invested in Sanjay Dutt’s company. But when Satish Kaushik found that his investment was in vain, he chased the four persons. They took the help of Zakir Hussain to go to Macau in Hongkong.

They found that Sanjay Dutt was running a Casino named the Four Idiots. Arshad Warsi took the disguise of Ghanta Singh, and the rest took their own disguises. Ritesh Deshmukh married Kangana Ranaut and got him killed by Arshad Warsi according to a plan such that both Kangana Ranaut and Mallika Sherawat left Sanjay Dutt. They stole the money from his Casino, but found a video which showed their stealing activity.

They found that Sanjay Dutt and his team had planned everything. Even Satish Kaushik and Zakir Hussain worked according to their plan. When they were chased by Harry Josh, the King of Casino, who wanted his money back, they admitted that Sanjay Dutt did double dhamaal with them but promised to do total dhamaal with him may be in the next film.

The music composed by Anand Raj Anand was also average. Ritu Pathak’s song “jalebi bai” was probably the only popular song, and that too because Mallika Sherawat did an item number.

The performances of Sanjay Dutt, Kangana Ranaut and Mallika Sherawat were decent enough. But the script was not helpful for Arshad Warsi, Javed Jaffery, Ritesh Deshmukh and Ashish Choudhury, who had to take too many make ups and do mannerisms to entertain the audience. The film had done business worth 25 crores, but the story was not as hilarious as Dhamaal. The audience expect a better show in the sequel Total Dhamaal.

The country remembers Amrish Puri - the most versatile villain of all times.

The country remembers Amrish Puri –the most versatile villain of all times.

The country remembers Amrish Puri on his birthday on 22nd June, 2011. Amrish Puri emerged as one of the most powerful character artists in notable films of Shyam Benegal and Govind Nihalini and used his experience of stage and parallel cinema in commercial films where he is considered as one of the most versatile actors of all times. His performance in films like Bhumika, Akrosh had created a great impact on viewers.

He played the role of a notorious smuggler in the film Shakti with the name JK. Dilip Kumar, an honest police officer in the film raided most of his unlawful godowns and seized the smuggled products stored by Amrish Puri. Amrish Puri killed Rakhee to take revenge against Dilip Kumar. Big B, the song of Dilip Kumar chased Amrish Puri and killed him in the Airport. The strong personality of Dilip Kumar was balance by the powerful performance of Amrish Puri.

Amrish Puri was sublime in his villainish performance in the film Mashal opposite Dilip Kumar. Dilip Kumar was a journalist in the film and Amrish Puri destroyed his house and his oppression led to death of Wahida Rehman, his wife without treatment. He reformed Anil Kapoor and he became a journalist at the end of the film. Amrish Puri kept the balance of the film with his criminal acts.

Amrish Puri gave a new dimension to the concept of negative roles by brilliant performance in the role of Mogambo in the film Mr. India. Anil Kapoor got a device by which he became invisible and Amrish Puri wanted the device so that he could rule the world. He dominated the film and his dialogues in the film became famous all over the world.

Amrish Puri played significant roles in the films Ghayal, Damini, etc., opposite Sunny Deol, sometimes as a corrupted industrialist and sometimes as wicked lawyer. He expressed his feelings relating to cruelty, fear, anxiety very well in these films. At one time he became indispensable in bollywood films and films like Andha Kanoon, Aaj Ka Arjun, Teri Meherbaniyan, Vijeta, got added importance due to his performance. Amrish Puri died few years back, but he had become immortal through his works. New actors should learn a lot from the powerful performances of Amrish Puri.

Dev Anand is busy with his film Charge Sheet.

Dev Anand is busy with his film Charge Sheet.

Evergreen star Dev Anand had recently given an interview to journalist Gautam Bhattacharya which had been published in Anandabazar Patrika on 25th June, 2011.

He had said that he had been busy working with his new film Charge Sheet. He had crossed 88 years and still showed the enthusiasm to work on the sequel of the film Hare Rama Hare Krishna, which he made in 1971.

When he was asked about Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar, he said, if Raj Kapoor would have taken care of his health he would have survived for more time and made more films. Dilip Kumar was happy to be an actor and never showed the interest of directing films. Dev Anand missed his team of performers like Vijay Anand, Kishore Kumar, Sachin Dev Burman, but he said that death was also a reality which people should face.

He also said that he never looked back at his work, and whenever his hit films like Hum Dono, or Guide are shown in TV Channels, he hardly had seen them. About the new generation of actors, he had stated that he hated body building and opening of shirts to show the body. He said Raj Kapoor or Dilip Kumar, or he himself never required to open their shirt to show their body. He did not comment about the question why Rajesh Khanna faded out of the industry after ruling bollywood for short time, while Amitabh Bacchan ruled bollywood for a longer time.

In respect of maintaining his health, he replied that he never smoked, nor drunk, he never ate spicy food. That was the secret of his fitness. Whenever the lift failed, he still could climb upper floor on stairs, whenever his car failed, he could board a taxi.

He wanted to work till his last day of life and that was a great message he gave to every section of the society. The new generation should learn from Dev Anand, how to be fit.

Director Sudhir Mukherjee extracted the best performance from Chabi Biswas in the film Dadathakur.

Director Sudhir Mukherjee extracted the best performance from Chabi Biswas in the film Dadathakur.

Legendary actor Chabi Biswas was unparallel in the film Dadathakur. The film was directed by director Sudhir Mukherjee. It was based on the real life of stalwart personality Sharat Pandit. The film was released in 1962.

Chabi Biswas who played the role of Sharat Pandit, who was popularly known as Dadathakur, created his own press during the colonial period. He was known for his wisdom and thought provoking literature. In every piece of literature he tried to make the readers laugh.

Tarun Kumar, a known swadeshi during British Raj took shelter in the house of Chabi Biswas. His wife played by Chaya Debi did not prevent it. Chabi Biswas helped the neighbours. He tried to get Sulata Choudhury married to a neighbouring zamindar played by Biswajeet Chatterji. During a procession when the swadeshis tried to put the Indian flag in place, the British police fired at the Indians and Biswajeet got killed.

Chabi Biswas believed in his own capability and never accepted any gift from the Britishers. When he went to buy the tools relating to his Press machine, he was offered the machine without any monetary consideration but Chabi Biswas bought it by paying money. Once he took contract to print question papers of a nearby high school. He went to give the question papers by travelling in train for the next 8 miles. But during monsoon, the railway track got submerged in water, and Chabi Biswas walked down the railway track to reach the question paper to the high school.

He even sold his own written work in the streets of Kolkata like a hawker. Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose saw him doing it, and being the mayor of Kolkata Corporation, he gave a hawking license to Chabi Biswas. It was a very difficult role to play as Dadathakur had been considered as one of the great intellectuals that graced Bengali soil during the freedom movement. But Chabi Biswas with his asthma, did a brilliant job and tried to depict the character of the maestro in his own way and got awarded also. Chabi Biswas was famous for his performance in egoistic roles. But whenever he displayed soft, witty, sensitive characters there too he portrayed his brilliance and excellence. The film should be preserved for its historical value.

Tapan Sinha was sublime in the film Sabuj Diper Raja.

Tapan Sinha was sublime in the film Sabuj Diper Raja.

Director Tapan Sinha was sublime in the film Sabuj Diper Raja. The film was made especially for children. Tapan Sinha experimented with Sunil Ganguly’s detective stories relating to Kakababu.

In the film, Samit Bhanja played the role of Kakababu. They travelled in a ship from Kolkata to Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Smuggler Panja employed Ramen Roy Choudhury, Biplab Chatterjee and Kalyan Chatterjee to steal a magnetic stone in one of the islands of Andaman. They travelled in the same ship. Samit Bhanja took his nephew Santu with him.

In Andaman, Arun Mukherjee came to attend Samit Bhanja. When a steamer was booked to go to one of the islands, Samit Bhanja jumped from it and swamp towards the island. One of his legs was disabled and that was why he walked on crutches. There he saw one of the Bengali freedom fighters talking with the jarowa tribe. The Bengali was send by the British Government to Andaman for swadeshi activities, then he ran and settled in the islands. He stayed there for another 30 years.

Panja told his men to get the magnetic stone, which always shed light, but the magnet attracted Ramen and he died due to the fire. At the end the police department came, Panja’s men were arrested and Samit Bhanja returned back with Santu to Kolkata. The freedom fighter became the king of the island, and that was why he used to be called Sabuj Diper Raja. He never wanted to return back to India.

Tapan Sinha did excellent shooting in the exotic locations of Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The performance of Samit Bhanja, Arun Mukherjee, Biplab Chatterjee, Kalyan Chatterjee and others were excellent. The film should be preserved.

Happy birthday to Karishma Kapoor.

Happy birthday to Karishma Kapoor.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Karishma Kapoor on 25th June, 2011. She had been probably the only descendant of the Kapoor family who did not arrive in the bollywood industry with pomp and show. Her debut was made in a small manner.

She had to struggle hard and got good roles in films like Hero No.1 opposite Govinda. In Hero No. 1 Karishma showed her good dancing skills in songs like “mai to raste se jar aha tha”. Karishma was very impressive in the film Dil To Paagal Hai opposite Shahrukh Khan and Madhuri Dixit. It was one of the romantic films made under Yash Raj Banner. The film showed triangular love story and strong music of Uttam Singh. Karishma gave good lips in the songs “le gai le gai”. That was one of her successful films under Yash Raj Banner.

Karishma Kapoor ventured in parallel films like Shyam Benegal’s Zubeida. Her performance opposite Manoj Vajpayee amazed the viewers. She was equally impressive opposite Hrithik Roshan in the film Fida. She played a non-glamourous role in the film. She was the sister of Hrithik Roshan. She wanted Hrithik to return back to mainstream society. She did not show any mannerisms in the film.

At the same time Karishma Kapoor played important roles in commercially hit films. In Krishna, her performance opposite Sunil Shetty was appreciated by all the viewers. Her dance performance in the song “jhanjhariya buddhi khanak gayi” was very impressive. Similarly her performance in the song “batti na bujhao” and “hai hooku hai hukoo” opposite Sunil Shetty created sensation in bollywood.

Karishma Kapoor did well in comedy films as well. She was sublime opposite Salman Khan in the film Judwaa where Salman Khan had double role. She did even better in the film Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge opposite Salman Khan. In that film she had to balance the comedy andaz of Paresh Rawal, Anupam Kher and Om Puri and she did that in style. Even her lips in the song “jane kya hua hai dekho jiya bekarar” was very impressive.

She was even more successful opposite Salman Khan in the film Biwi No. 1 directed by David Dhawan. She played the role of the wife of Salman Khan who was neglected. Salman Khan married Sushmita Sen. Anil Kapoor advised Karishma Kapoor to send the children to Sushmita’s house. She failed to fulfil the duties of the mother. So Salman Khan understood that Karishma Kapoor was ideal wife for him and he returned back home. The music of Anu Malik in the film was very successful. Karishma gave good lips in the songs “jangal me aadhi raat”, “biwi no. 1”, etc.

Karishma Kapoor suited Govinda’s style of acting the most and contributed a lot in comedy films opposite him including Haseena Maan Jayegi. It was a multi-starrer film with other actors like Sanjay Dutt, Kader Khan, Anupam Kher and others. She balanced the strong dancing skills of Govinda with her own aggressive dancing style. She also did well in Shyam Benegal’s film Zubeida.

She left films at a time when she learned acting. The viewers expect her to make a comeback in character roles in future.

Mala Sinha and Uttam Kumar complimented each other in Shaharer Itikatha.

Mala Sinha and Uttam Kumar complimented each other in Shaharer Itikatha.

Mala Sinha and Uttam Kumar complimented each other in the film Shaharer Itikatha. Director Bishu Dasupta directed the film. It was released in the year 1960.

In the film Jiben Bose was send abroad by Pahari Sanyal, the father of Mala Sinha. The marriage between Jiben Bose and Mala Sinha had been fixed from the beginning. Mala Sinha used to live in the village near Kolkata, with father Pahari Sanyal and mother Chaya Debi.

When Jiben Bose came back from England, Pahari Sanyal asked him about the marriage, his uncle Ajit Banerjee outwardly rejected the proposal. The reason was that Mala Sinha had hardly any education, so being a village girl she was unfit to marry Jiben Bose. Pahari Sanyal was the diwan of the zamindar Uttam Kumar. He reported the matter to Uttam Kumar.

Uttam Kumar brought Mala Sinha to his house in Kolkata. A trainer played by Kajri Guha was kept in the house to train Mala Sinha. She learned English, Dance, the lifestyle of the elite section of Kolkata. Uttam Kumar asked his friend Tarun Kumar to throw a party where Mala Sinha danced with Jiben Bose. Jiben Bose got attracted to Mala Sinha. But one day when he took her for a drive, he misbehaved, Mala Sinha slapped him and returned back to her village.

Uttam Kumar convinced Jiben Bose to marry Mala Sinha, but Mala Sinha refused to marry him. One day when Mala Sinha argued with Uttam Kumar, she discovered that he made a statue of Mala Sinha. So being convinced about Uttam Kumar’s attachment, she married him.

Composer Robin Chatterjee composed excellent music in the film, with impressive songs of Shyamal Mitra namely “koto faguner”, “ei shaharer itikatha” and impressive songs of Sandhya Mukherjee. The film did excellent business. The film should be preserved and restored.

Tapan Sinha was sublime in the film Safed Hathi.

Tapan Sinha was sublime in Safed Hathi.

Director Tapan Sinha did an excellent job with the film Safed Hathi. He made the Hindi film in 1978 especially for children. He won the National film award for children's film in 1978.

In the film, child Ashwani and her elder sister Gayatri Sharma were orphans. They stayed with their maternal uncle Sadhu Meher and his aunty Mala Jaggi. Both ill-treated them. Vijay Anand got some money from producer Utpal Dutta and came to that place a crew to make a film hovering around the story of Aswani.

One day Ashwani was send by her aunt to give a saree to the grandmother. He travelled across the jungle. There he met a white elephant and he called it safed hathi. The elephant gave him a gold coin. He showed it to his sister. His aunt came to know about it and then started pampering him. She bought new clothes for him.

His sister gave the coin to a postman played by Kalyan Chatterjee to go to the city and find out whether the coin was genuine. Kalyan Chatterjee, cheated her, left his job and was going to the city, in the meantime a tiger came and he got killed.

Shatughun Sinha, the king of the district, saw the white elephant and took the help of Ashwin to bring it to his place and tied it with ropes. Ashwin took the help of a bird mynah and brought all the other elephants from the forest to take back safed hathi. He showed where the gold coins were there to his aunt and uncle. Both dug the place, got the coins, but both got beaten by two poisonous snakes.

Tapan Sinha provided the message that animals should be left free to enjoy their existence and human beings should not interfere with them. The performance of Ashwin, Shatrughun Sinha, and others were excellent. The photography was excellent. Composer Ravindra Jain gave classical music and singers Hemlata and Yesudas did justice to the songs composed in the film including “utho he lal utho he”. The film should be preserved and restored.

Primeval had horrified everyone.

Primeval had horrified everyone.

The Hollywood film Primeval had horrified everyone. The film had been directed by Michael Katlemen and released in 2007.

The film was related to the affairs of an unknown animal staying in the African country Burundi. The unknown animal had killed many human beings in the place. Dominic Purcell, his friend Orlando Jones and Brooke Langton came from USA to Burundi to investigate the case.

At the Burundi airport, they were warned about an animal named Gustave who killed the inhabitants in the place in Burundi. They were helped by a guide Jurgen Prochnow. An artificial cage was built to catch Gustave, which failed. Orlando Jones saw the local terrorists killing a family in the village. Gabrielle Malema was one of the local inhabitants who tried to capture Gustave, but fails. He did so to attract the attention of Dominic, Orlando and Brooke who could take him to USA.

One of the guards attempted to rape Brooke, when Gustave came and killed the man. The guards were corrupt and they injured Jurgen. Gabrielle killed one of them. Dominic found Orlando’s camera. Gustave came and attacked Dominic and Brooke. They rode in a car and managed to escape.

In the last scene it was shown that Gabriel Malema, Brooke Langton and Dominic Parcell returned back to USA. But Gustave still survived and killed people. The direction of the film was excellent and the performances were also excellent.

Ranbir Kapoor came to Darjeeling for shooting of film Barfi.

Ranbir Kapoor came to Darjeeling for shooting of film Barfi.

Superstar Ranbir Kapoor came to Darjeeling in West Bengal to shoot for his new film Barfi. The film is being directed by Anurag Basu.

Very significantly the last time, any bollywood film was being shot in Darjeeling was in 2004, that was for the film Parineeta, directed by Pradeep Sarkar. After that the resentment in the hills, including Darjeeling, Kalimpong, Lava, Lolegaon, Rishop, Kurseong, and other places, led to producers and directors from bollywood industry started shooting in other tourist destinations leaving West Bengal.

It was very sad for the local people. The Himalayas, in the northern part of West Bengal had attracted, huge number of directors from bollywood over the past. The prominent films that were shot in Darjeeling, Mirik, Kalimpong, included Satjyajit Ray’s Kanchenjungha, Gulzar’s Mausam, Shakti Shamanta’s Barsaat Ki Ek Raat, etc.

The change of power in West Bengal, and the arrival of Chief Minister Mamta Banerjee, had sorted out the resentment that existed in the hills. Whenever law and order gets disturbed in any part of the world, directors, producers cannot take the risk of shooting in those places at the cost of the unit. It is a very welcome step that Anurag Basu had shot part of the film Barfi.
Ranbir Kapoor had given super hit films in the past including Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, Wake Up Sid and Rajneeti. The viewers expect a great film from the team of Anurag Basu and Ranbir Kapoor

Sanyasi Raja was Pijush Bose's brave project.

Sanyasi Raja was Pijush Bose’s brave project.

Director Pijush Bose made a brave effort with the film Sanyasi Raja released in 1975. The film was based on the real life story of Bhowal Sanyasi. The last king of the Bhowal Clan was poisoned by his wife Bibhabati Debi, but was rescued by few Naga Sanyasis. When he returned back to his kingdom after 14 years, suit was failed to prove cheating and that the Sanyasi was an imposter. The case went on Appeal before Kolkata High Court, and still remains one of the landmark cases before independence. Bhowal Sanyasi won the case, and the Court held that the Sanyasi and Raja Ramendra Narayan was the same person.

In the film Uttam Kumar played the role of the King. He was shown engrossed in women, alcohol and chess. Composer Nochiketa Ghosh composed excellent songs in the film sung by Manna Dey namely “bhalobashar agun jalao”, “ekotha ki jane indu”, “ei chondromukh na oi chondrahar”, “shashikanto tumi dekhchi”. Uttam Kumar gave able lips in those songs.

Uttam Kumar patronized a doctor played by Robin Banerjee. Uttam Kumar could not give time to Supriya Debi (his wife in the film), as he was involved in listening to the songs of baijees. During those days Robin Banerjee developed physical relationship with Supriya Debi. When Uttam Kumar was taken for a change, Robin Chatterji injected poison. The cremators took him for cremation, but Uttam Kumar was still alive. Few sanyasis gave him shelter and he recovered. He returned back to his land many years later as sanyasi. When Commission was held to prove his identity, he won the confidence of the Commission. Supriya Debi was killed by bullet fired by Robin Banerjee, and the subjects killed Robin Banerjee.

The credit of Pijush Bose was that he could convince the viewers of a fact situation that took place 50 years ago. Uttam Kumar’s performance was brilliant. The supporting actors like Tarun Kumar, Robin Banerjee, Tarun Mitra, Sulota Choudhury, Shambhu Bhattacharya did a commendable job. The film should be preserved and restored.

Crocodile 2 was even more entertaining than Crocodile 1.

Crocodile 2 was even more entertaining than Crocodile 1.

Hollywood film Crocodile 2 was even more entertaining than Crocodile 1. The film was directed by Gary Jones. It was written by Jace Anderson and Adam Gierach. It was released in 2001.

In this film, four criminals did bank robbery and tried to escape to the village of Santa Cristo in Acapulco, Mexico. They hijacked a plane. They killed half of the passengers in the flight including one of the pilots and when the flight crashed into a swamp, they compelled the air-hostess and the other passengers to carry their heavy booty.

While they were travelling, a giant crocodile came and ate the other pilot, then the hijackers killed it by firing from their guns. From then onwards, the mother of the crocodile started killing all of them. The air-hostess Heidi Lenhurt was extraordinary. She poured alcohol in a bottle and made one of the hijackers intoxicated. But by the time she and the other 3 passengers ran through the swamp, the 3 hijackers caught them.

Heidi’s boyfriend Chuck Walzcak, convinced Martin Cove, a tracker to come and rescue the team. Martin Cove agreed to do it for money. Martin Cove with Chuck arrived at the right place and picked up a life boat to rescue the team. But Darryl Thierse, the leader of the hijackers compelled both of them to rescue everyone out. They took shelter in a wooden house inside the swamp. But that was destroyed by the crocodile and it started killing each member of the team one after the other.

Darryl compelled Martin to start the helicopter and go leaving behind Heidi Lenhurt and Chuck Walzcak. Martin killed Darryl by using his gun and after shooting throwing him in water. When Martin turned back to save Heidi and Chuck, the chopper of the helicopter was grabbed by the crocodile and Martin died in explosion.

Heidi and Chuck killed the crocodile by using their lifeboat’s gasoline being lit by a lighter. In the last scene, it was shown than Heidi and Chuck was diving in a pool and a crocodile emerged. Then Heidi woke up to see that she was having a dream.

The film was even more horrifying than Crocodile Part 1. The performances of Heidi Lenhurt, Chuck Walzcak, Darryl Theirse, Martin Cove were excellent. The direction of Gary Jones was brilliant. The film should be restored.

Lake Placid 2 was not as convincing as Lake Placid 1.

Lake Placid 2 was not as convincing as Lake Placid 1.

The Hollywood film Lake Placid 2 was not as convincing as Lake Placid 1. Director David Flores directed the film. It was released in 2007.

In the film, the story continued from it ended in Lake Placid 1. The story of crocodiles became a folklore in the town. A new sheriff played by John Schnieder arrived in the town. A researcher was plucked from the boat when his colleague was present in the same boat.

A member of the Fish and Wildlife Department, played by Sarah Lafleur, came to do the investigation. She had very strange relationship with John Schneider. They went to the lake in a boat to investigate the disturbance. They found a severed head. They stopped at the house a crazy old woman played by Chloris Leachman. She did not aid the investigation.

On their way back to the town they were confronted by a twenty feet long crocodile. They swam to the shore. A seaplane flew overhead with Struthers and his ally Joe Holt. The team was attacked by the crocodile. They found that Chloris Leachman had been the root of all the problems. She had been feeding the crocodiles with hormone enhancing meat. It was prohibited by the Government. The team came to know that there were four giant crocodiles and out of them two had mated leaving two giant eggs. One of the friends of Sheriff’s son had destroyed the eggs of one of the crocodiles and was killed by the crocodile. His son and his friend and girlfriend climbed a tree in fear of the crocodile. The friend fell down from the tree and got killed by the crocodile. Sheriff John Schneider saved the son and his girlfriend by firing the crocodile by a grenade gun.

Struthers was a useless character. His African servant Joe Holt slept in a tent and during struggle against the crocodile to save his master he got killed. Struthers got killed after he too fell from the branch of a tree and the crocodile ate him up. Sheriff John Schneider left the son and the girl friend in Chloris Leachman’s house. She was so wicked that she almost pushed the girl into the lake when the Sheriff’s son pushed Chloris and the crocodile ate her up.

The photography in the film was not of same class as that of Lake Placid 1. The shooting had been done in Bulgaria. The fear factor was not has high too like the first part. Even then the film had entertained the children all across the world and did mediocre business. The performance of John Schneider, Sarah Lafleur, Struthers, Joe Holt, Chloris Leachman had been excellent. The film should be preserved and restored.

Bhanu Banerjee's performance was hilarious in Personal Assistant.

Bhanu Banerjee’s performance was hilarious in Personal Assistant.

Bhanu Banerjee used to be considered the greatest comic hero to have born in Indian films in the 50s and 60s. Personal Assistant was one of his biggest blockbusters during the black and white era. Chitrakar directed the film and Nochiketa Ghosh gave the brilliant music.

In that film Tarun Kumar, the friend of Bhanu Banerjee introduced him to many employers as he was jobless. He lost the job in a shop used for repairing radios. Then he applied in a firm named Gargi and Sons owned by Ruma Guhathakurta. Ruma only wanted female candidates in the post of personal assistant. But as Bhanu’s name was Rama Gupta, she thought it was a female name and called him for interview. He was both BSC, BCom. So qualified in the interview and got the job.

The terms of the company was that if the employee left the job within 5 years of appointment he had to return all his salary. If the employer sacked him he was supposed to pay the entire salary for the 5 years. Bhanu was a poet and asked Tarun Kumar to consult Tulshi Chakravarty, a Publisher who published written works of renowned writers. Tarun Kumar told a lie to Tusi Chakravarty that the poems were written by Minoti Mitra (Bhanu) who admired Tulsi Chakravarty. He agreed to publish his poems.

In the mean time Renuka, a rich lady appointed Bhanu Banerjee to play piano that she bought for her own liking. Bhanu tried to teach her to play the piano, but she failed. She organized a show where Bhanu was supposed to actually play the piano from the backstage and she was supposed to do playacting in front with another piano. Bhanu agreed to do it with the consideration of Rs 1000, the amount he had to return back to Ruma as he wanted to leave the job.

The entire drama ended in a mess, when Tulsi Chakravarty came to Bhanu’s house to give the Book of Poems, when Tarun Kumar told him that Minoti Mitra had died. A public gathering was organized where Tarun Kumar declared before the people that Bhanu was the poet who wrote with the petname Minoti Mitra.

All the comedy sequences ended up with romantic relationship between Bhanu and Ruma Guha Thakurta. The music of Nochiketa Ghosh was excellent with hit songs of Hemant Kumar and others like “k choleche kolkatae”, “tomade notun kuri”, “srichoronkomoleshu noi”, “ei besh bhalo”, etc. Some were catered towards the taste of children while others were romantic as well. Bhanu gave excellent lips in those songs.

All the artists in the film including Ruma Guha Thakurta, Tarun Kumar, Tulsi Chakravarty, Mita Chatterji, Pahari Sanyal, Renuka were sublime and the film ended up being super hit. It is still considered as a black and white classic. New directors should learn to create comedy pictures without any cheap sequence or vulgarity.

The film and the songs stand out as a landmark of Bengali film industry of 1959 and for those reasons should be preserved and restored.

The film Crocodile had horror effect.

The film Crocodile had horror effect.

The Hollywood film Crocodile had horror effect. The film had been directed by Tobe Hooper. It was released in 2000.

In the film eight teenagers went out on a weekend trip in boat in a remote lake in Southern California. After they disturbed the nest of a giant man-eating crocodile they were confronted with the giant animal. The crocodile ate up Greg Wayne for stealing the egg and putting it in Caitlin Martin’s bag.

The boat got untied. The teens woke up in the middle of a swamp and found that Greg was missing. The local sheriff Harrison Young suspected the alligator farmer Shurkin. Rhett Jordan was eaten by the crocodile and the rest ran in the woods. Summer Knight was also eaten.

All the teens went into a local store but the crocodile followed them over there and ate Julie Mintz. Doug Raiser tried to start a vehicle but the crocodile started a fire and killed him too. Mark, Martin and Cris Solari were the only survivors. Sheriff and Shurkin were brutally killed by the crocodile when they chased it.

They found the egg in Martin’s bag and decided to give it to the crocodile. When the crocodile came to shores Chris Solari jumped on it trying to kill it and was swallowed by it. But it sprayed the indigestible bug spray and the crocodile vomited Solari. Martin gave the crocodile the egg and it went back to the nest.

The performance of all the actors and actresses like Cris Solari, Martin, Julie, Rhett, were excellent. The film had a horrifying and terrifying effect. Although the story was partly filled with fantasy, the excellent direction of Tobe Hooper amazed the viewers. The film was very successful and a sequel of the same film was also made in 2002. The film should be preserved.

Lake Placid amazed the viewers.

Lake Placid amazed the viewers.

The film Lake Placid, directed by Steve Miner and released in 1999 had amazed the viewers with the high quality of photography. It was written and produced by David Kelly.

An officer of Maine Fish and Game researching American beaver populations was attacked and beaten into half by something unknown. After finding a tooth in the diver’s remains and assistance was asked for from Natural History Museum in New York city. Paleontologist Bridget Fonda got the job as her superior officer with whom she had an affair wanted her away for sometime.

Upon arriving in the spot, Bridget Fonda informed Fish and Game Officer Bill Pullman and Brendon Gleeson who himself witnessed the attack. They also met an old woman played by Betty White who confessed that she had killed her husband when she was asked about the reason of his death. An eccentric mythology Professor named Oliver Platt came there who said that the creature which killed the diver was a crocodile.

One day while Brendon Gleeson and Oliver Platt were quarelling a brown bear appeared who got dragged by a giant crocodile which killed it. One day they saw Betty White feeding the crocodile with a cow and she agreed that she was doing it for 6 years. She was put to house arrest for not disclosing it before. Bill Pullman and Brendon Gleeson wanted Florida Fish and Game officers to kill the crocodile. But Oliver Platt said they he would lure the crocodile to the shore.

He hanged a cow from a helicopter. The crocodile disturbed the helicopter and then attacked Bridget Fonda and Oliver Platt in the shores. Bill Pullman shoots the crocodile with a tranquilizer rifle. As Oliver Platt came out of the water a second crocodile attacked him. Brendon Gleeson blew it up with his Grenade Launcher. Florida Fish and Game Officers appeared and took the crocodile on a truck. In the last scene Betty White was shown feeding the child crocodiles implying that the two crocodiles previously met together.

The performances of Oliver Platt, Bill Pullman, Brendon Gleeson, Bridget Fonda were excellent. The direction was equally brilliant. Although the story was full of fiction, yet the viewers were entertained by the high quality of photography and powerful direction. Due to the immense success of the film Lake Placid 2 and Lake Placid 3 was also made in Hollywood. The film should be preserved.

Hire Manik was a noble venture.

Hire Manik was a noble venture.

Director Salil Dutta made a noble venture with the film Hire Manik in the late 70s. The film was related to the story of two small children Hire and Manik and released in 1979.

Their father Asim Kumar and mother were on a drive when a lorry collided with their car and both were spot dead leaving the two children as orphans. But Asim Kumar’s Fixed Deposits earned a lot of interest and his lawyer Ajitesh Banerjee asked his brother Bikash Roy to take care of the two children and use the money.

Bikash Roy’s brother in law Chinmoy Roy hammered the children and their life was in misery. At that point they escaped from the house and went to a Dhaba. The owner of the Dhaba gave them work of washing dishes. But Chinmoy Roy chased them up with his assistant, a dog named Bruno and a car. The two children got on Satya Banerjee’s lorry and escaped into a forest.

They reached the house of Anil Chatterjee and Sabitri Chatterjee. Sabitri Chatterjee lost her own son and loved the two children and treated them when they were sick. But just because she suspected that they stole a toy from a shop she asked them to leave. They were confronted with an elephant in the forest who was looking for the young one. At the end of the film, they were rescued by Anil Chatterjee, Ajitesh and Sabitri and brought back to their house.

Mrinal Banerjee, the music composer composed impressive tunes including “aaj amader jatra shuru” sung by Arati Mukherjee, “jongol er naam jongol” sung by Manna Dey and other songs. The performances of the two children Hire and Manik were excellent along with the effort of Chinmoy Roy, Anil Chatterjee, Sabitri Chatterjee and others.

Salil Dutta made a fruitful venture in the late 70s and the film still remains one of the popular Bengali films made only for children.

Shesh Anka was an excellent crime thriller.

Shesh Anka was an excellent crime thriller.

Haridas Bhattacharya, the director of the film Shesh Anka made an excellent film Shesh Anka released in 1963. The film was based on a crime-related suspense story. Uttam Kumar was in love with Sharmila Tagore, the daughter of Pahari Sanyal.

Bikash Roy, the detective in the film, appointed Kamal Mitra, the lawyer of Sabitri Chatterjee, whom he asked to pretend to be the first wife of Uttam Kumar. Uttam Kumar told everyone that his first wife committed suicide by laying down in a railway track.

Uttam Kumar contacted the Police Officer Dipak Mukherjee, who asked him to file case relating to cheating against Sabitri Chatterjee. His lawyer Utpal Dutta produced the post mortem report and death certificate of his first wife. But Kamal Mitra proved that those documents could not establish the death of his first wife and allegation against Sabitri Chatterjee.

The last witness in the case was the naval officer Tarun Kumar who was the brother of Uttam Kumar’s first wife. He came to Uttam Kumar’s house and when he was shown Sabitri’s photo, he said it was the photo of his sister. Uttam Kumar slapped him and confessed before Sharmila that he had killed his first wife and himself threw her in a railway to be killed by a train. Bikash Roy said that there was no other cogent evidence other than Uttam Kumar’s own confession which could prove the crime.

The film did excellent business. All the performers in the film were brilliant including Uttam Kumar, Kamal Mitra, Sabitri Chatterjee, Tarun Kumar, Bikash Roy and others. Uttam Kumar was very bold enough to accept a negative role at the prime of his career when he was the greatest matinee idol of Bengal. The music was composed by Pabitra Chatterjee.

Haridas Bhattacharya, the husband of Kanan Debi, who was associated with Sarat Chandra Chatterjee’s literature like Abhaya Srikanto, Rajlakshi Srikanto, experimented with a crime thriller and got the appreciation of the intellectual community of Bengal. The film should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty.

Happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty on 16th June, 2011. He had contributed in bollywood films for more than 30 years and had also contributed in Bengali films as well.

He brought revolution in the world of dancing in bollywood films. His film Disco Dancer, was related to the struggle of a young man in establishing him in the world of dancing. The music of the film composed by Bappi Lahiri played a big role in the success of the film. All the songs in the film became super hit including “I am a disco dancer”. Kishore Kumar, (Bappi Lahiri’s own relative), and Bappi Lahiri contributed a lot in the success of Mithun Chakravarty.

Mithun Chakravarty acted in successful films in the 80s, including Dance Dance, Pyar Jhukta Nahi, etc. Some of films were dance oriented films, while the other ones were action oriented. Although Mithun’s husky voice was criticized at times, his action sequences had always been appreciated.

Mithun Chakravarty won a number of national awards for his excellence in Bengali films, mainly related to films of intellectual directors like Mrinal Sen and Buddhadeb Dasgupta. His performances in films like Mrigaya and Tahader Katha require special mention. At the same time he acted in many commercially hit films like Anyay Abhichar and Kalankini Kankabati.

In the last 5 years, Mithun had kept his mark in character roles. Last year his performance in the role of a solicitor in the film Yuvvraaj was appreciated. He did a fantastic job in Akshay Kumar’s Chandni Chowk to China released this year. His emotional performance had made a lot of viewers cry. He tried to convince Akshay Kumar that those who tempted him to go to China and create name and fame were not his friends or well-wishers but were flatterers. Mithun had matured over the years. These days whenever he is given any character role, he uses his long experience for the last 30 years in giving expression to the respective character. He played the role of the ancestor of Salman Khan in the film Veer, for two generations he maintained the bravery and glory of the pindary clan.

Mithun had also acted in negative characters and did a great job in those roles as well. His comedy performances in films like Agnipath can inspire many new actors of modern days. Besides Mithun had also been a great human being as he contributed in relief operations during natural calamities and human causes like raising funds for Thalasemia patients or people suffering from cancer, etc.

Mithun Chakravarty also appeared in Sourav Ganguly’s program Dadagiri and there also showed his excellence in answering questions. His success story from the beginning of a middle-class Bengali family can be a learning example for many youngstars.

The viewers expect him to continue the brilliant work that he started years back.

Sagarika was Agragami's masterpiece.

Sagarika was Agragami’s masterpiece.

Sagarika was one of the early films of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen, which cemented their position in Tollygunge film industry and also displayed the directorial skills of Agragami. Agragami was mainly constituted by a number of directors, among whom Saroj Dey was the leading director.
The film was directed and released in 1956. In the film Uttam Kumar was a doctor who required the recommendation of Principal of Medical College played by Kamal Mitra to get scholarship to furnish post-graduate degree abroad. His poetry relating to Suchitra Sen, was copied by Namita Sinha. She showed it to Suchitra Sen who was also a medical student, who complained before Kamal Mitra and Uttam Kumar lost the recommendation.

He managed the passage money from Jahar Ganguly, who payed his uncle Pahari Sanyal the money and made arrangement to marry his daughter Jamuna Singha with Uttam Kumar after he returned back from abroad.

Namita Sinha later confessed to Suchitra Sen about her mischief and she repented about it. Jahar Ganguly brought Jamuna Singha to Suchitra Sen’s house to learn the city culture of Kolkata. Uttam Kumar while staying abroad, met with an accident and became partially blind before returning back to Kolkata.

His friend Jiben Bose who was a wealthy doctor gave him stay in his house during his treatment. Suchitra Sen treated him. At the end of the film when Uttam Kumar got his vision back through operation by an International doctor, Jamuna Singha was send to him. He recognized it was not Suchitra Sen and accepted Suchitra Sen as his wife.

The music composed by Robin Chatterjee played a great role in the success of the film. All the songs composed by Robin Chatterji in the film became super hit including Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “ei to amar prothomo faguna bela”, Shyamal Mitra’s song “amar sapne dekha rajkonya thake”, Alpona Banerjee’s song “hridoy amar sundoro tobo pay” to mention a few.

The film should be preserved and restored for the excellent direction of Agragami, and powerful performances of Uttam Kumar, Suchitra Sen, Jiben Bose, Jahar Ganguly, Pahari Sanyal and others.

Uttam Kumar and Anjana Bhowmick were sublime in Nayika Sangbad.

Uttam Kumar and Anjana Bhowmick were sublime in Nayika Sangbad.

Anjana Bhowmick and Uttam Kumar were sublime in the film Nayika Sangbad. The film was directed by eminent director Agradoot. The film was released in 1967.

In the film Anjana Bhowmick played the role of an upcoming actress. She was travelling in a train along with co-actor Sarbendra and the unit of filmmakers. She got down in a station when the train stopped for lack of green signal, and could not get into the train when it suddenly started. She went to the house of Uttam Kumar who was the station master of that station.

The servant of Uttam Kumar played by Jahar Roy informed Uttam Kumar’s neighbours Pahari Sanyal and Anubha Gupta about Anjana Bhowmick and they thought she was the wife of Uttam Kumar. Uttam Kumar could not defend himself and the drama continued.

While staying in the place for few days Anjana Bhowmick really fell in love with Uttam Kumar. The songs in the film sung by Sandhya Mukherjee, namely “keno e logon chonchol holo”, “ei mishti dekho mishti” all became super hit.

At the end of the film when Sarbendra after enquiry reached the station and took Anjana Bhowmick, she returned back to Uttam Kumar considering him her husband. The romantic relationship between Uttam Kumar and Anjana Bhowmick was presented in style by director Agradoot.

The supporting performance in the film by Pahari Sanyal, Anubha Gupta and Jahar Roy was excellent. Uttam Kumar became mahanayak by that time, so obviously became unparallel as matinee idol. Anajan Bhowmick also instead of depicting mannerism, played her role in an effortless style. The film did excellent business. The film should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Sunil Dutt.

Happy birthday to Sunil Dutt.

The viewers wish happy birthday to Sunil Dutt on 6th June, 2011. He died few years back, but yet his impressive work is still alive in the minds of the viewers.

Sunil Dutt rose to stardom after his brilliant performance in Mehboob Khan’s classic film Mother India in 1957. He played the role of the son of Nargis Dutt who struggled to rear up her two sons after her husband Raj Kumar’s death. Nargis Dutt married Sunil Dutt in real life after the film. The film had been remade in colour sometime back. In the 60s Sunil Dutt acted in musical blockbusters like Hindustani. All the songs in the film became hit including Mukesh’s song “hum Hindustani”. He acted in Bimal Roy’s film Sujata opposite Nutan and gave good lips in Talat Mehmood’s song “jalte hai jiske liye”.

His film Mera Saya directed by Raj Khosla bewildered the viewers in the mid-60s. His wife Sadhna died and her sister was used by Prem Chopra to frighten Sunil Dutt. Sunil Dutt gave good lips in Rafi’s song “aapke pehlu me aakar” composed by Madanmohan. In the film Chirag, Rafi’s song “teri aankhon ke siva duniya me rakha kya hai” composed by Madanmohan had flabbergasted the audience in the late 60s and added popularity for Sunil Dutt. Madanmohan’s music in Sunil Dutt’s film Ghazal was equally impressive. Rafi’s song “rang aur nor ki barat” was one of the most landmark ghazals of the 60s.

Sunil Dutt did a great in BR Chopra’s films like Gumraah, Humraaz and Waqt. In all these films the music was composed by Ravi and Mahendra Kapoor sung landmark songs for Sunil Dutt including “chalo ekbar phir se”. From the early 70s, Sunil Dutt switched on to action films like Zakhmee, Pran Jaye Par Vachan Na Jaye, Nagin, etc., most of which were successful.

In the 80s, Sunil Dutt acted in the role of the elder brother of Shashi Kapoor and Big B in Ramesh Sippy’s film Shaan. He was an honest police officer, who was killed by Kulbhushan Kharbanda in the film. His other successful films during that time included Dard Ka Rishta which was related to cancer, the disease with which Nargis Dutt died in early 80s.

Sunil Dutt became MP a number of times and done a lot of social work for India. He also made huge contribution in eradication of cancer in India. He was shocked when his son Sanjay Dutt got arrested in TADA case and ill-treated in prison. He produced films for his son like Rockey. He acted in the successful film of his son Lage Raho Munnabhai in a guest role.

The viewers remember Sunil Dutt and expect restoration of his great works that spread over 50s years.

Shankar Jaikishan was sublime in Anari.

Shankar Jaikishan was sublime in Anari.

Shankar Jaikishan was brilliant in almost all the films of Raj Kapoor, right from Barsaat to Mera Naam Joker, during a span of 22 years. Among them Anari was one of the films where Shankar Jaikishan’s work stands out.

Anari was producedby Raj Kapoor and directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee. Raj Kapoor, Nutan, Motilal, Lalita Power and Subha Khote were the main actors and actresses in the film. Raj Kapoor received the filmfare award for the best actor for his performance in the film.

Shankar Jaikishan’s compositions were unique and meaningful. Mukesh’s song “kisiki muskurahaton pe ho nisar” reminded the viewers of Raj Kapoor’s prelude oriented beginning. Shankar Jaikishan did the same thing in Awara in the song “awara hoon”.

The use of accordion was outstanding in the song “sab kuch sikha humne na sikhi hoshieri”. Mukesh received the filmfare award for the same song. Manna Dey’s song 1956, 1957, 1958, 1959 was a fast number where Helen showed her dancing skills.

Lata Mangeshkar’ s song “banke panchi gaye pyar ka tarana” was very melodious followed by the chorus group. Nutan was riding in bicycle along with her friends. All of them gave able lips and the song was as good as the picturization.

Two romantic duets were sung by Mukesh and Lata including “dil kis nazar se” and “yeh chand khila” were the soft orchestration of Shankar Jaikishan was very touching. Lata’s solo song “tera jaana” was brilliant by every musical standard.

The film had a great message to give, that the honest, innocent persons in the metros were susceptible to be cheated in the complex world. Raj Kapoor represented one of those characters. While the direction, editing, dialogues, every part of the film was par excellence the music was superf.

Shankar Jaikishan rose up to the standard expected in RK films. The film and the music should be preserved.

Ready had done business worth 60 crores.

Ready had done business worth 60 crores.

During the summer of 2011 viewers wondered whether Salman Khan’s film Ready would repeat the magic of Dabaang. After being released in a week it had earned 60 crores. 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 “jhinka chika jhinka” and “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 had 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 had been released on 3rd June, 2011. The bollywood industry was desperately waiting for a blockbuster this year. Nothing could haveen be better if Salman Khan came up with one more with Ready. The initial predictions show that Ready will go ahead to do business worth 70 to 80 crores and beat the record of Wanted.

There are a number of reasons for the success of the film. Salman Khan’s acting was excellent. Aneez Bazmee’s message in the film had also been well received that families should live together. The two uncles in the film who were at war in the film were united by Salman Khan. Paresh Rawal’s comedy timing was unparallel once again.

The way Salman Khan is giving blockbuster after blockbuster, he will be considered the new ruler of bollywood films. Viewers should watch the film.

Sunny Deol returns with Ghayal Returns.

Sunny Deol returns with Ghayal Returns.

Sunny Deol returns back to bollywood films with the film Ghayal Returns. Ghayal was super hit film of the early 90s. Sunny Deol received a number of awards for the film. It took a long time, almost 20 years for Sunny Deol to make the sequel of Ghayal.

Sunny Deol did not make any announcement regarding the name of the heroine. Meenakshi Sheshadri did a great job. Sunny Deol gave an interview in the Times of India on 5th June, 2011. Sunny Deol talked about other upcoming films like Mohalla Assi. He thanked the audience for appreciating him for the last 28 years.

Sunny Deol has a huge challenge to balance the excellence reached in the film Ghayal. The performances of the supporting actors in the film were unparallel like Om Puri and Amrish Puri. Raj Kumar Santoshi did an excellent job as a director. In those days action films used to get great audience appreciation. Other action films like Sadak, Ghatak, Mohra also did excellent business.

These days action films don’t do same standard of business like comedy films. If Sunny Deol makes a difference with Ghayal Returns it would be great. The viewers expect Sunny Deol to make a dashing return.

Kingkong 2005 was a great effort.

Kingkong 2005 was a great effort.

The film Kingkong 2005 was a great effort. The film was directed by Peter Jackson. The film was a remake of the 1933 film on Kingkong.

In this film actress Naomi Watts was hired by filmmaker Jack Black. While the entire crew was travelling in a ship, with Naomi Watt’s favourite actor Jack Driscoll, they got lost in a fog, and crashed in a rock. The crew entered an island and the indigenous tribes kidnapped Naomi Watts and sacrificed her to huge giant Kingkong.

Kingkong fought against a number of dinosaurs and giant invertebrates to save Naomi Watts. Then Jack Black and his men captured Kingkong and brought him to New York. In USA, Jack Black presented Kingkong in chains as eighth wonder of the world. But Naomi Watts refused to act in the play and Kingkong got angry to see another lady and broke the shackles. Kingkong destroyed Times Square. He met Naomi Watts in Central Park.
Then Kingkong climbed Empire State Building. The military fired at him and he died at the end. The film received Academy awards for Visual Effects, Sound Mixing. But the film was too long, and probably the Kingkong 1976 version was a better one. Most of the shooting in that film took place in day light as against the 2005. Technology developed in 2005, but at times the film became boring. Even then the performances of Naomi Watts, Jack Driscoll and Jack Black were excellent. The director could convince the audience a subject related to fantasy. The film should be preserved.

Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challening job in X Factor.

Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challenging job in X Factor.

Renowned singer Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and powerful Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challenging job in judging the contestants in the program X factor in Sony Television channel. The program is a music competition where new talents are judged by the renowned judges.

The entire team had travelled to different parts of country including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Indore, etc., and selected the best 24 candidates. Every day a fresh session begins and fresh list of candidates are judged.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had taken the help of Kunal Ganjawala for judging the groups. The sajda group from Gujarat consisting of three women candidates and a diwana group consisting of talented men had sung the songs in the preliminary rounds very well. Sonu Nigam used the assistance of singer Anushka Mulchandani to judge the candidates in the Goa round. Some of the candidates sang extremely but could not be shortlisted. Shreya Ghoshal used the help of Salim Merchant to judge the candidates. The best 12 candidates had been selected.

The impressive part of the judges is that while dealing with the contestants Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali never offended any candidate, or spoken rudely with the contestants. Actually creating a yardstick to judge a solo singer with a group singer is very difficult. There can be many criticisms about the final 12 because the fight or the competition had been very close. But having said that the judges had no other way but to make their decisions on the basis of the performance of the candidate in the respective round, whether recording round, or track round, etc. If at that point the candidate had underperformed then the judges can do nothing. Another impressive part of the program is the success of lower middleclass people in the program, including some autorickshaw driver and fruit-seller. They could not make it to the top but had been partially successful in crossing the preliminary rounds.

The big challenge of these music competitions is to groom the best candidates and absorb them in the industry. Previous experience shows that candidates in the Indian idol show like Rahul Vaidya or Imon Chatterjee were so much obsessed about the style of Sonu Nigam that composers started identifying them as clones of Sonu Nigam. Besides the way Zee TV Saregamapa program had shaped the destiny of eminent singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, no other music competition could do the same.

If X factor succeeds in bringing out new talents, it will be a revolution. Viewers should watch the program.

Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challening job in X Factor.

Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challenging job in X Factor.

Renowned singer Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and powerful Sanjay Leela Bhansali are having challenging job in judging the contestants in the program X factor in Sony Television channel. The program is a music competition where new talents are judged by the renowned judges.

The entire team had travelled to different parts of country including New Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai, Indore, etc., and selected the best 24 candidates. Every day a fresh session begins and fresh list of candidates are judged.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali had taken the help of Kunal Ganjawala for judging the groups. The sajda group from Gujarat consisting of three women candidates and a diwana group consisting of talented men had sung the songs in the preliminary rounds very well. Sonu Nigam used the assistance of singer Anushka Mulchandani to judge the candidates in the Goa round. Some of the candidates sang extremely but could not be shortlisted. Shreya Ghoshal used the help of Salim Merchant to judge the candidates. The best 12 candidates had been selected.

The impressive part of the judges is that while dealing with the contestants Sonu Nigam, Shreya Ghoshal and Sanjay Leela Bhansali never offended any candidate, or spoken rudely with the contestants. Actually creating a yardstick to judge a solo singer with a group singer is very difficult. There can be many criticisms about the final 12 because the fight or the competition had been very close. But having said that the judges had no other way but to make their decisions on the basis of the performance of the candidate in the respective round, whether recording round, or track round, etc. If at that point the candidate had underperformed then the judges can do nothing. Another impressive part of the program is the success of lower middleclass people in the program, including some autorickshaw driver and fruit-seller. They could not make it to the top but had been partially successful in crossing the preliminary rounds.

The big challenge of these music competitions is to groom the best candidates and absorb them in the industry. Previous experience shows that candidates in the Indian idol show like Rahul Vaidya or Imon Chatterjee were so much obsessed about the style of Sonu Nigam that composers started identifying them as clones of Sonu Nigam. Besides the way Zee TV Saregamapa program had shaped the destiny of eminent singers like Shreya Ghoshal, Kunal Ganjawala, no other music competition could do the same.

If X factor succeeds in bringing out new talents, it will be a revolution. Viewers should watch the program.

Congo was a masterpiece.

Congo was a masterpiece.

The Hollywood film Congo made in 1995 was a masterpiece. The film was based on the novel Congo written by Michael Crichton. It was directed by Frank Marshall.

In the film it had been shown that Bruce Campbell had been send by Travicom Company and found the ruins of ancient city near volcanic sites of Congo. He was killed and mutilated by a beast which sounded like Gorilla. His girlfriend Laura Linney was send by the same company to Congo to get unique blue diamond from the same site.

Dylan Walsh and his assistant Heslov of University of Berkeley devised a way to give Gorilla the power to speak. His own lady Gorilla Amy used to speak. Tim Curry, a Romanian Philanthropist sponsored a tour to Africa, as Dylan Walsh wanted to send the Gorilla to Africa. She used to paint picture of forest with eyes to show the place where she lived earlier.

A great guide Ernie Hudson helped both Dylan Walsh, Tim Curry and Laura Linney to go to destination in Congo after arriving in Africa. Tim Curry disclosed that he knew a lost city of Zinj near the volcano where there were mine full of diamonds being the kingdom of King Soloman. The expedition was filled with a group of Africans who helped the team against group of hippopotamus while driving in water via a raft.

Solomon’s mine was found. The team discovered in hieroglyphic script it was written that we are seeing you. They found deadly gorillas who killed half of the team. The body of Bruce Campbell was also found. The gorilla Amy saved Dylan Walsh and others when the gorillas attacked them. Tim Curry was killed while picking up the diamonds. All of a sudden the volcano erupted and lava killed the gorillas. Laura used her laser gun to help the other team members. When she realized that her boss was only interested about diamonds and not Bruce Campbell, she destroyed the connectivity and returned back to civilization with Dylan Walsh. Amy gave Dylan a flower and returned to the group of good gorillas in the place.
The film did excellent business. Although critics argued about the costumes used to depict the gorillas, the film had a great social message. The performances of Laura Linney, Dylan Walsh and Ernie Hudson were excellent. The film should be preserved and restored.

Anupam Ghatak used missing note.

Anupam Ghatak used missing note.

Legendary composer Anupam Ghatak used missing in most of his compositions. He used to be considered as one of the most talented composers of the 40s and 50s.

He had used the missing note in Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “ke tumi amare dako” in the film Agniparikkha released in 1954. Incidentally Agniparikkha used to be the starting point of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen’s success story. In the sanchari where the words used were “notun atithi” Anupam Ghatak composed the line in a descending path as against the general trend of doing it in the ascending order. All the songs in the film became super hit including “gane mor indrandhanu” sung by Sandhya Mukherjee.

He used the same style in Sachin Gupta’s song “sararat jole sondha prodip chaya pore ache paye”. It was a bengali modern song. Anupam Ghatak was sublime in Uttam Kumar Suchitra Sen’s film Ekti Raat released in 1956 with Sandhya Mukherjee’s song “prodipero shikha keno kaanpe”. His music in Uttam Kumar’s film Shankar Narayan Bank was also appreciated. He also composed music in the film Surer Parashe.

He composed in landmark films in the 40s and 50s. Some of the notable films where he composed music included Shree Tulsidas, Asitboron’s film Kar Pape, Uttam Kumar’s film Sanjibani, Kalyani, Bosonto Choudhury’s film Debimalini. He also composed music in Utpal Dutta’s film Kirtigarh.

Anupam Ghatak also composed songs for the modern songs in the 40s and 50s for singers like Sandhya Mukherjee, Sabitri Ghosh, Sachin Gupta and others. He used the piano to perfection. His songs and films should be preserved.

Happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty.

Happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty on 8th June, 2011. She had maintained her romantic image and brilliant figure for over 15 years. She had remained indispensable for the last 15 years.

Starting her journey with Shahrukh Khan in the film Baazigaar, in the early 90s, she had acted in different types of films. She acted in romantic films like Dhadkan opposite Akshay Kumar and Sunil Shetty. The film had successful songs like “tum dil ki dhadkan me”. She also acted in action thrillers like Prithvi, opposite Sunil Shetty.

She was also sublime in off-beat films like Tarqueib. Nana Patekar played the role of the crime-investigator in the film. She was the friend of Tabu, the girl killed in the film. She also had speaking terms with Ashutosh Rana who was initially suspected to have murdered Tabu. Nana Patekar at the end of the film found out the murderer. But Shilpa Shetty showed her acting skills while relying to interrogation of Nana Patekar in the film.

Her performance in the film Auzaar opposite Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor, also require special mention. Salman Khan was a CBI investigator in the film and was given the task of investigation the unlawful business affairs of Sanjay Kapoor. In fact the underworld involvement of Paresh Rawal, the father of Sanjay Kapoor was at issue. Shilpa Shetty bridged the gap between Salman Khan and Sanjay Kapoor, after Salman convinced her that he concealed his identity for the benefit of Sanjay Kapoor, his friend. Shilpa gave brilliant lips and danced well in the songs “oye oye oye oyeoye”, and other songs composed by Anu Malik.

Shilpa Shetty had shown her comedy instincts in a number of films like Chor Machaye Shor. She played the role of the daughter of Paresh Rawal, and got attached with Bobby Deol, who was a subordinate of Paresh Rawal. He pretended to be twin brother, one having a moustache, the other without a moustache. In that comedy drama, Shilpa Shetty should her innocence and comedy instinct along with Bipasha Basu, who also played a significant role in the film.

Even at her middle age she had shown dance numbers which could have made young actresses envious about her. For example, in Dostana, released in 2008, she performed in a dance number opposite John Abraham, which amazed the viewers. After marrying Raj Kundra she had reduced signing in as many number of films as she used to do earlier. She also had bought major share of Rajasthan Royals team which played IPL cricket in 2010. In 2011 her team Rajasthan Royals did not fare well in IPL, so she should concentrate in films. She should be followed by the new generation of actresses who want to stay fit and contribute in bollywood films for more than 20 years.

Happy birthday to Dimple Kapadia.

Happy birthday to Dimple Kapadia.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Dimple Kapadia on 8th June, 2011. She had been considered as one of the most dynamic actresses of bollywood films after Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil.

She started her career with a bold, sizzling demeanor in Raj Kapoor’s Bobby in 1973 opposite Rishi Kapoor. Raj Kapoor introduced the concept of teenage romance in the 70s and his effort got justice due to brilliant performance of both Dimple and Rishi Kapoor. Dimple’s smart, dashing lips in the songs “hum tum ek kamre me bandh ho”, “jhoot bole kowa kate”, “mujhe kuch kehna hai” sung by Lata and composed by LP just flabbergasted the audience of the 70s. Viewers thought both Dimple and Rishi Kapoor were made for each other.

But after Rajesh Khanna married Dimple Kapadia, he stopped her acting, and bollywood films lost one of the most promising actresses for 13 years. Again she made a classic comeback in Ramesh Sippy’s Saagar. The film showed a triangular love story with Kamal Hassan and Rishi Kapoor. The brilliant locations, powerful music composed by RD Burman, all contributed for the success of the super hit film. Rishi Kapoor was always considered to be the most romantic actors produced by Indian films. He proved it again in Saagar. Dimple balanced the sacrificing performance of Kamal Hassan who died at the end of the film to save Rishi Kapoor and allow Dimple marry her. All the three performers were brilliant in the lips given in the songs “o maria”, “saagar kinare”, “yeh to bata tera naam kya”, etc., sung by Lata, Bal Subhramanium, Kishore Kumar, etc.

In the mid -80s, Dimple acted in most of the successful commercial films opposite leading stars like Anil Kapoor, Jackie Shroff, Sunny Deol, etc. She was brilliant in Feroz Khan’s Jaanbaaz. In fact her smart performance balanced the cowboy image of Anil Kapoor in the film. She was sublime opposite Jackie Shroff in the film Kaash.

In the late 80s, producers and directors experimented with her in challenging roles. She was exceptional in Gulzar’s film Lekin. Lata’s songs “yara silli silli”, Suresh Watkar’s “surmai sham” composed by Hridaynath Mangeshkar were landmarks of classical music in Indian films. Dimple Kapadia portrayed the character of rajasthani folk community who were used for crying in funerals in the film Rudaali. She played the role of her lifetime and got national and international awards. Her lips in Lata’s song “dil hum hum kare” composed by Bhupen Hazarika, still haunts the listeners 20 years after its creation.

Her other successful films include Ram Lakhan, opposite Jackie Shroff, Krantiveer and Prahar opposite Nana Patekar. Her performance in the off-beat films gave her a special place just like Shabana Azmi and Smita Patil. Even in her middle-age she amazed viewers with brilliant performance in the film Dil Chahta Hai opposite Akshay Khanna who was at least 15 years younger than her. She again amazed the viewers in character roles opposite Rishi Kapoor in the films Pyar Me Twist and Farhan Akhtar’s Luck By Chance.

In 2010, her film Tum Milo Toh Sahi had addressed the concerns for the middle-aged couples and bachelors in Mumbai. Her performance was as brilliant as that of Nana Patekar in the film. The viewers expect her to continue the brilliant work in 2011 and go on astonishing the viewers with dynamic performances like before.