Wednesday, March 22, 2017

In 2015, Shahid Kapoor won best actor award in Star Guild Awards 2015.


Shahid Kapoor won best actor award in Star Guild Awards 2015. The Star Guild Awards 2015 were telecast in Starplus Channel on 18th January, 2015. Shahid Kapoor received the best actor award for the brilliant performance in the film Haider. Tabu received the best supporting actress award for her exceptional performance in the film Haider. Many actors and actresses danced and gave amazing performances in the show. Priyanka Chopra danced in her own songs. Ayushman Khuraana performed in the songs relating to film Hawaizade. Eminent producer director Rakesh Roshan was given the lifetime achievement award. The award was given to him by veteran actor Jeetender. Jeetender said that he was a very good friend of Rishi Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan. Hritik Roshan was very excited about his father. He said that Rakesh Roshan faced many hard days as actor, producer and director and never lost hope. So later on he gave blockbusters like Kaho Na Pyar Hai, Karan Arjun, etc. He was proud to be the son of Rakesh Roshan. Anil Kapoor gave a beautiful speech in the program. Vidhu Vinod Chopra and Raj Kumar Hirani took the award for the best film and that was PK. It was a right decision. Not only that the film did business worth 300 crores, but was appreciated by critics as well. Many section of viewers feel that Aamir Khan deserved the best actor award for his marvelous performance in PK. Ritesh Deshmukh won the award for the best actor in a negative role for his performance in the film Ek Villain. Ankit Tiwari won the best male playback singer award for his song in the film Galliyan. Ankit Tiwari also won the best music director award for his composition of music in the film Ek Villain. Kapil Sharma anchored the program very well.

The film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya was really a trend setting film.


The film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya was a trend setter. The film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya was another brilliant venture of David Dhawan. It was a multi-starrer film produced by Sohail Khan. Three sets of pairs were experimented with in the year 2005, and from that time onwards it has become a trend setter. The actors and actresses who performed in the film included Salman Khan, Katrina kaif , Sushmita Sen ,Sohail Khan, Arshad Warsi , Isha Koppikar, Rajpal Yadav and others. Salman Khan was an orthopedic surgeon in the film. He had an affair with Katrina Kaif, who was a model. To stop the female patients from flirting with him, Salman told everyone that he was married. Katrina also believed in the fact. She asked Salman Khan to introduce her with his wife. He convinced Sushmita Sen, his nurse, to pretend as his wife. Sushmita met Katrina with two children of her relative and spoke about her relationship with Salman. Katrina thought the children were Salman’s children and wanted to meet them. When the children were introduced Katrina came to know that her previous wife had a boy friend. Then she wanted to meet him and for that matter Salman Khan had to ask Arshad Warsi to act with Sushmita Sen. Then came the artificial divorce scene, where Salman Khan’s mother stepped in from Punjab and accepted Sushmita Sen as the wife of Salman Khan. At the end of the film Sushmita Sen went to Karina Kaif and told the truth. Katrina asked Salman Khan to marry Sushmita Sen who agreed to pretend as his wife. Katrina Kaif married Sohail Khan who was struggling actor in the film. The entire story was depicted with comedy sequences. Himmesh Reshamiya’s music composition was very impressive. All the songs in the film became super hits including “just chill chill”, “saajan, tumse pyar ki larayi me”, “teri meri love story ka angle”, etc. Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayan and other singers contributed well in the film. The performance of Rajpal Yadav in the role of soldier who lost his legs in Cargill War requires special mention. Rajpal Yadav’s legs were normal, yet he used to come to Salman Khan’s clinic only to meet Sushmita Sen. He helped Salman Khan to reach the airport to stop Sushmita Sen to leave the country at the end of the film. Arshad Warsi’s acting as lawyer in the divorce scene was phenomenal. Isha Koppikar did not get proper scope of dialogue throwing in the film but her dance performance in the song “saajan, tujhse pyar ki ladayi me” was very impressive. The performance of Salman Khan’s mother by the actress who was also an Officer in the Ministry of Tourism, Rajasthan was extraordinary. Katrina Kaif and Sushmita Sen looked the beautiful in the film if compared with any other film in their career. Sohail Khan spend most of his career in production and direction of films, but in respect of his performance probably he did his best in the comedy role which was as important as Salman’s role. Day by day Salman Khan also has matured as a good comedian, because these days producers and directors rank him after Anil Kapoor and Govinda, whenever they think about comedy films. David Dhawan should continue with brilliant ventures like Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya in future also.

Happy birthday to Jaya Bacchan.


Happy birthday to Jaya Bacchan. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Jaya Bacchan on 9th April, 2017. She was considered to be one of the most powerful actresses of films during the 70s and 80s. Her effortless performance in different types of roles had inspired other actresses to follow her later on. Jaya Bacchan started her career with an impressive role in Satyajit Ray’s film Mahanagar in 1965. She played the role of younger sister of Anil Chatterji and adapted herself in the role of realistic actress who show least amount of mannerisms in that film. In the bollywood film Guddi, she played the role of a common girl who was inspired by bollywood films. Utpal Dutta, her uncle took her to film studios to show that actors like Dharmender and others were made stars by the sheer effort of the cameraman, make-up man, director, producer and others and larger than life image is created by the technicians. Jaya Bacchan showed the innocence required from the role of a common teenager in the film. In the 70s, Jaya Bacchan acted in refined commercial films opposite Sanjeev Kumar and got appreciation from the mass and the critics. She was sublime in Gulzar’s film Koshish, where she herself along with Sanjeev Kumar played the role of a deaf and dumb couple who educated their child and learned communication by attending classes in deaf and dumb schools. She acted in the film Naya din nayi raat, opposite Sanjeev Kumar, where Sanjeev Kumar played 9 roles of 9 different persons. She left her house and met all the nine separate persons and met her husband which was also played by Sanjeev Kumar. She had very peculiar experiences of meeting drunkards, persons suffering from leprosy, smugglers, etc. and expressed her emotions very well. She was sublime in Gulzar’s film Parichay in 1972, where she played the role of the eldest sister of Sanjeev Kumar. She and her brothers and sisters became orphans after the death of their parents and were brought by Pran, their grandfather to their ancestral house. Jeetender was invited to teach the children and she got involved with Jeetender at the end of the film. She expressed her love for her father and hatred towards grandfather for not accepting her mother in the house like any intellectual actress. Her lips in the song “biti na bitai rehna” sung by Lata and Bhupinder Singh require special mention. Jaya Bachhan was equally sublime in commercial films like Sholay, Zanjeer, etc., opposite Big B. If her performance opposite Sanjeev Kumar in films like Anamika, Nauker, showed her class of acting, her performance opposite Big B in films like Bangsi Aur Birju or Abhimaan or Milli showed her spontaneous presence before the commercial crowd. In Abhimaan, all the songs of Lata like “teri bindiya re”, “tere mere Milan ki yeh raina”, etc., almost appeared like songs of Jaya Bacchan. Critics feel that she even did better than Big B in Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s classic film. She became a myth in the 70s, after performing in any time of film including Manoj Kumar’s Shor to Yash Chopra’s Silsila. Even the medium-budget films like Piya Ka Ghar did business due to sheer brilliance of performance of Jaya Bacchan. In the late 90s, she again made a comeback in character roles in films like Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, Fiza, etc., and showed the audience that she had not lost her touch in acting. The viewers expect her to continue the great work in bollywood films, as there is no doubt that she had equal potentiality like Shabana Azmi or Smita Patil and could have been chosen for any art film made by Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalini and others during the 80s, had she not left films for bringing up Abhishek Bacchan and her daughter.

Sunday, March 19, 2017

Happy birthday to Lara Dutta


April is the birthday month of Lara Dutta. She was born on 16th April, 1978. Lara Dutta is perhaps one of the most underrated actress of bollywood films in recent years. She possessed same amount of talent like that of Priyanka Chopra, yet could not attain the level that Priyanka attained within the short time. During the month of her birthday, viewers wonder whether any of new films will bring back the stardom of the attractive actress. She started her career with Priyanka and Akshay Kumar in Andaz and showed a lot of promise. But after doing great job in films like Bardasht opposite Bobby Deol, Zinda opposite Sanjay Dutt, Bombai Se Aya Mera Dost with Abhishek Bacchan, some way or the other lost focus. She was also not as lucky in respect of bagging important roles like Priyanka Chopra. She showed her standard of smartness and comedy instincts in films like No Entry and Partner. No Entry is probably one of the greatest hits of Lara Dutta till now. She balanced the comedy instincts of Anil Kapoor and did outcast Bipasha Basu, Celina Jaitley and Esha Deol in the film. Her lips in the main songs in the film were also appreciated. She was sublime in Partner opposite Salman Khan. Her lips in the songs “maria maria” and others did attract the viewers. Her acting was equally realistic. In 2009, she even showed her daring nature in accepting a role of village girl opposite Irfan Khan in the film Billu Barber. She acted hardly without any make up and brought out the innocence of a village girl in the film. The big question lies in the minds of people whether Lara Dutta can get her stardom back with her performance in the film Housefull. She had learned scuva diving and showed acrobatic stunts which hardly any actress had done in Indian celluloid till now for the performance in the film Blue. Besides she had acted with Katrina Kaif, the reigning queen of bollywood in the same film. But inspite of her performance opposite her in that film being appreciated by the viewers, Blue was considered the biggest flop of Akshay Kumar and bollywood films released in 2009. After huge amount money being spend in underwater shooting the viewers could not appreciate the great pains taken by the entire team of Blue. Let us hope that Lara Dutta retains her popularity with the film No Entry Main Phir Entry and provide stiff competition to Priyanka Chopra and Katrina Kaif in future.

Happy birthday to Arshad Warsi.


Happy birthday to Arshad Warsi. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Arshad Warsi on 19th April, 2017. During the last few years he had featured in one successful bollywood film out of every four films released during that period. In 2011, Arshad Warsi was successful in the film Double Dhamaal. He acted alongside Sanjay Dutt, Ritesh Deshmukh, Javed Jaffery and others. Although the film did not do great business, his performance was appreciated by the audience. His greatest recognition came in the role of circuit in the film Munnabhai MBBS and Lageraho Munnabhai. In both of these films he had played the role of the assistant of Sanjay Dutt and used his gundas to evict tenants and other persons when they were paid for doing so. Both the films were serio-comic in nature and in that respect Arshad Warsi’s comedy conception entertained the viewers. In Munnabhai MBBS he used his muscle power to help Sanjay Dutt for giving exam on medical science and also for treating patients. In Lageraho Munnabhai, he compelled the academicians to give answers to Vidya Balan on questions related to Mahatma Gandhi on behalf of Sanjay Dutt. Sanjay Dutt knew nothing about the questions but due to the help of the academicians proved before Vidya Balan that he was a learned Professor. Arshad Warsi’s lips in the songs “lage raho munnabhai”, and “munnabhai mbbs” in both these films require special mention. Arshad Warsi had been great asset to the bollywood industry for his comedy skills especially due to the fact that in the last few years the only type of films which did steady business includes comedy films. His performance in the film Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, with Sanjay Dutt and Isha Koppikar requires special mention. While Sanjay Dutt was an orthopedic surgeon in the film Arshad Warsi was an actor. He made an excellent submission in an artificial courtroom where the divorce of Salman Khan with Sushmita Sen was organized to impress Katrina Kaif. His comparison of Salman’s relationship with Sushmita Sen with a car whose break had failed and which dashed with every object on the road made everyone laugh. His lips in the song “saajan” along with Isha Koppikar, was equally impressive. Similarly he had done a great job in the film Salaam Namaste with Saif Ali Khan in the role of a lawyer. Whenever Saif Ali Khan required legal assistance during fight against Preeti Zinta he took the help of Arshad Warsi and he gave a witty answer. His performance in the film Dhamaal was equally brilliant. He was one of the four friends including Ritesh Deshmukh, Javed Jaffery and other who went to Goa to get treasure. They were stopped at every point by Sanjay Dutt, the police officer who also went to Goa for the treasure. At the end of the film the money had to be given for the cause of orphan children. In 2010, he had already showed his metal in the film Ishqiya, with Vidya Balan and Naseeruddin Shah and the film You, me and ghost. Ishqiya had got both commercial success and critical acclamation. Arshad Warsi had started his own production and is committed to do well there too. In 2014 he acted in the film Ishqiya 2, with Naseeruddin Shah and Madhuri Dixit. Although the film did not do great business but the film was appreciated. Arshad Warsi was sublime in many films including Golmaal and Golmaal Returns and viewers expect the ever-smiling talented actor to continue his brilliant work in future also.

Happy birth anniversary to Manna Dey.


Happy birth anniversary to Manna Dey. The listeners of bollywood music and also Bengali music wish happy birth anniversary to Legendary singer Manna Dey on 1st May, 2017. He is the only legendary singer who had survived for more than 90 years. He had sung more than 5000 songs in different languages hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Malayalam, etc. He died last year making everyone sad. Manna Dey had a very sweet relationship with Sudhin Dasgupta. He was used by almost all the leading composers of Bengal namely Anil Bagchi, Nochiketa Ghosh, Salil Choudhury and others. But probably his westernized andaz was used to the limit by Sudhin Dasgupta. Sudhin Dasgupta used Manna Dey in Uttam Kumar’s film Goli Theke Rajpoth with the song “lag lag lag lag bhelkir khela”. Manna Dey’s songs “ami agantuk” and “ke prothom kache esechi” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta in Uttam Kumar’s film Shankhabela created sensation in Bengali celluloid in 1966. Manna Dey’s songs “ami kon pothe je choli” and “bachao ke acho” in Uttam Kumar’s film Choddobeshi became super hit as well. In the 70s, Manna Dey’s songs “esechi ami esechi”, “lekha porata shikhe phele” and “paye paye joriye rakho” in Uttam Kumar’s film Har Mana Har created sensation as well. Uttam Kumar gave the lips of his lifetime in the film Har Mana Har. While major success of Sudhin Dasgupta came in Uttam Kumar’s films, he made major contribution in Soumitra Chatterji’s films as well. The songs “ei shohor theke aro anek dure”, “hoyto tomari jonyo”, “jibone ki pabona” in the film Teen Bhubaner Pare, composed by Sudhin Dasgupta and sung by Manna Dey showed the westernized orchestration of the giant composer. Sudhin Dasupta’s songs in Soumitra’s films Prothom Kodom Phul and Bosonto Bilaap were equally successful. Manna Dey’s all round musical skills were used to perfection in these films. Even the song “ogo tomar sesh bichare asay” sung by Manna Dey in bayul andaz in Kali Banerjee’s legendary film Dak Horkora, and composed by Sudhin Dasgupta made the viewers speechless. Manna Dey sang many numbers of solo numbers as basic discs under the compositions of Sudhin Dasgupta. One of the notable songs included “ami taar thikana rakhini”. The songs of Sudhin Dasgupta and Manna Dey combination should be preserved and restored.

Thursday, March 16, 2017

Happy birthday to Ayesha Takia.


Happy birthday to Chubby Star Ayesha Takia. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Chubby Star Ayesha Takia on 10th April, 2017. Actress Ayesha Takia has a very bright future in bollywood films. There are two categories of actresses who perform in bollywood films. The first category includes the daughters of celebrities who make their debut in films made by their parents. Examples include Sonam Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Deepika Padukone, whose first films had lot of curiousness created in respect of the performance. The second category includes the other actresses who prove their capability by performing in films over a period of time. Ayesha Takia fall in that category. She was born on 10th April, 1986. Her father Nisith or mother Faridah were not celebrities to the stature of Jeetender, or Feroz Khan or Hema Malini whose children joined bollywood films. Ayesha did advertisement relating to complain girl and acted in music video of Falguni Pathak titled “meri chunari ur ur jaye”. She received the filmfare award for best debutant for the performance in the film Tarzan, The Wonder Car. After that few average films like Socha Na Tha, Dil Mange Mor followed. She created attention in the film Shaadi No. 1, where Esha Deol and Soha Ali Khan acted with her. All three of them had husbands like Fardeen Khan, Sharman Joshi, etc., who were addicted towards other ladies. Sanjay Dutt came over there and disclosed the truth relating to the affairs of their husbands with other girls like Riya Sen. At the end of the film Ayesha’s husband and the husbands of Esha Deol and Soha Ali Khan understood their mistake and followed the right path. Ayesha Takia was sublime in the film Salaam-e-Ishq opposite Akshay Khanna. Initially Akshay Khanna did not wanted to marry her for not taking up responsibilities of husband. But later he got convinced and married her. Ayesha gave able lips in the songs “salaam –e-ishq”, “dekho to dekho aisa hota to”, etc. Although the film did mediocre business the songs of the film became super hit. In 2008 and early part of 2009 her films De Taali, Sunday and 8*10 Tasveer did mediocre business. In 2009, Ayesha Takia acted in super hit film Wanted opposite Salman Khan. Her romantic performance opposite Salman Khan was appreciated by all sections of the crowd. Her softness and submissiveness is like by different sections of audience. The song “love me love me” became hit in the film. The film did business of more than 75 crore and established Ayesha Takia as a leading actress along with Priyanka Chopra, Kareena Kapoor and Katrina Kaif. The viewers also appreciated the good work of Ayesha Takia in films like Paathshala and Aap Ke Liye Hum in 2010. Viewers expect Ayesha Takia to continue her good acting in future.

Happy birthday to Moushumi Chatterjee.


The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Moushumi Chatterji on 26th April, 2017. Moushumi Chatterji, the Bengali actress acted both in Bengali and hindi films and showed her skills in both of them. She acted in the Bengali film Balika Badhu, where the film was based on child marriage and impressed the directors and producers with her performance. From that time she ventured in Bombay and tried her luck in bollywood industry. Her film Anurag opposite Vinod Mehra became super hit. She played the role of a blind girl and got appreciation of the crowd. The songs in the film became very successful including songs like “woh kya hai” sung by Rafi. SD Burman composed the music of the film. She acted in action films like Goutam Govinda. The film was related to the story of Shashi Kapoor, a police officer who came to the village and trained all the rustic villagers the manner of self-defense. Shatrughun Sinha was his own brother, which was disclosed at the end of the film. Moushumi Chatterji showed her humour in the respective role. Moushumi also acted in suspense-thrillers like Benaam, opposite Big B, where there the anxiety relating to the kidnapping of her son was at issue. She expressed her feelings very well in the film. She was brilliant in the film Manzil Manzil, opposite Big B. It was the remake of Mrinal Sen’s Bengali film Akash Kushum. Akash Kusum was based on the story relating to Soumitra Chatterji presenting a false story about himself before Aparna Sen with the help of his friend Shubendu Chatterji. In the hindi version also the story line was not changed. Moushumi Chatterji’s smile had a beauty of its own which she expressed in majority of films in style. While acting in a number of bollywood films, she stormed Bengali films with her performance in the super hit film Ogo Bodhu Sundari, opposite Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar. The film was released in 1980. The story was based on how Uttam Kumar, an academician brought a girl from the streets and taught her literature. Moushumi expressed the difficulty of forgetting her rustic language which she adopted from the environment she came from and learning the new language. The music given in the film by Bappi Lahiri became super hit. Songs like “ami ekjon shantoshisto”, “shudhu tumi nou obolakanto”, etc., sung by Kishore Kumar became super hit. It was incidentally the last film of Mahanayak Uttam Kumar. Her comedy conception was used by Gulzar and other directors very successfully. Her film Angoor opposite Sanjeev Kumar showed her comedy skills. The film was based on Uttam Kumar’s film Bhranti Bilas and had similarity with Shakespeare’s play Comedy of Errors. Sanjeev Kumar played the double role in Angoor that was played by Uttam Kumar in the Bengali film Bhranti Bilas, while Moushumi Chatterji played the role of his wife which was played by Sabitri Chatterji in the Bengali film. The two brothers were identical twins and Moushumi Chatterji got confused with her own husband and his brother. Deven Verma played a double role along with Sanjeev Kumar as his servant. Her other successful films included Pati Patni Aur Woh, opposite Sanjeev Kumar, Ghayal, as the sister-in-all of Sunny Deol and many other films. Even she had acted in landmark Bengali films like Kori Diye Kinlam based on the epic novel of Bimal Mitra. In 2013, she had acted in successful Bengali film Gainar Baksho. She had acted in the role of a widow who died and the spirit of the widow tortured the other women in the family. She acted with Konkona Sen Sharma and Srabanti Chatterjee in the film. The viewers expect Moushumi to contribute in character roles in bollywood films in future.

In 2015 Salman Khan's Bajrangi Bhaijaan had humanitarian message.


Salman Khan’s Bajrangi Bhaijaan has very good humanitarian message.Salman Khan’s new film Bajrangi Bhaijaan released on 17th July, 2015, did business of more than 32 crores on the first day. The film has excellent humanitarian message. The film had been directed by Kabir Khan who had previously directed Salman Khan’s Ek Tha Tiger few years back. Salman Khan and Rockline Venkatesh produced the film. The music had been composed by Pritam. The film is all about a little girl played by Harshali Malhotra who got lost in India. She belonged to a hilly district of Pakistan. Salman Khan met her in Delhi but as she was dumb he could not make out her place of residence. He kept her in the house of Kareena Kapoor and her father Sharat Saxena. Sharat Saxena incidentally gave Salman place to stay when his father died some time back. After that Salman Khan entered Pakistan without Passport and Visa. He was a devotee of Hanumanji. So told the truth that he entered underneath the fencing in the deserts between India and Pakistan. He got beaten up by the Pakistani police. He got help from a Pakistani journalist played by Nawazuddin Siddique and Om Puri, a religious person. Ultimately he could reach Munni or Shahida, the child to her parents in Pakistan in Sultanpur district. The child at the end spoke out. The film gave the message that nature shares all the assets in both India and Pakistan. Human love and affection could have softened the relationship between the human beings of both the countries. It is the law enforcers and policy makers who had stemmed hatred between the two country men.
Salman Khan played his role in an outstanding way. His innocence and human feeling touched everyone. Kareena Kapoor and Sharat Saxena were brilliant in their roles. Om Puri did a cameo in his short role. Nawazuddin was again brilliant and very different from his villainish roles. The music of Pritam was outstanding. Atif Aslam’s song “tu chahiye”, Adnan Sami’s qawalli “bhar do jholi meri”, Mohit Chauhan and Palak Mucchal’s song “chicken” and Javed Ali’s song “tu jo mila” touched everyone. Salman Khan in the past had shown that he was the badshaah of eid.

Inspite of good performances Bombay Velvet flopped.


Ranbir Kapoor’s Bombay Velvet stands out as the most stylish film of 2015. Anurag Basu the director recreated Mumbai of the 1950s. Vikas Bahl and Vikramaditya Motwane produced the film. Music was composed by Amit Trivedi. The film was shot partly in Mumbai and partly in Sri Lanka. Ranbir Kapoor played the character of Johnny Balraj a street fighter of the 1950s. He was ambitious and was in affair with Anushka Sharma playing the role of a jazz singer Rosy Noronha. It was shown that Anushka Sharma’s parents sold her to Portuguese singer
Fernandez at an early age. He used to beat her up and abuse her. One day she assaulted him and escaped from Goa to Mumbai. She sang jazz songs in the Hotel Bombay Velvet in the Geeta Dutt style. Ranbir Kapoor and Satyadeep Misra were spotted by Karan Johar playing the role of Kaizad Khambhata, wealthy parsee in Mumbai. Ranbir Kapoor went into deal with Karan Johar to be the owner of Bombay Velvet. Whoever came in the way of prosperity Ranbir killed one after the other. There were a lot of character who were powermongering and wanted control including Manish Choudhury playing the role of newspaper editor Jimmy Mistry, Siddharth Basu playing the role of Mayor of Mumbai. They used Ranbir Kapoor in all the evil acts including kidnapping comrade leader in land acquisition case. Ranbir Kapoor brought a prostitute and made her sleep in the house of Anushka Sharma and did fit a time bomb. The operation was to save Anushka Sharma. He took Anushka Sharma and jumped from 1st floor and made the world believe she was dead. At the end of the film Karan Johar kidnapped Anushka Sharma and brought Ranbir Kapoor to Bombay Velvet which was sealed by police officer KK Menon. Karan Johar made Ranbir Kapoor fight against the street fighter. He fired at Anushka. She survived. Ranbir killed Karan Johar. At the end the police officer who was agent of the Mayor Siddharth Basu killed Ranbir Kapoor. The film was based on real life story. Anurag Kashyap recreated Mumbai of 1950s. It was very stylish andaz. Ranbir Kapoor acted very well and showed glimpses of Raj Kapoor. Anushka Sharma did well. Karan Johar amazed everyone with his acting skills. The music of Amit Trivedi mesmerized the audience. The song “fifi” sung by Suman Sridhar and “behroopia” sung by Mohit Chauhan and Neeti Mohan became smash hits.

Both Tabu and Ajay Devgan did well in Drishyam.


Ajay Devgan and Tabu were brilliant in film Drishyam. Ajay Devgan and Tabu did a great job in the film Drishyam. The film was originally made in Malayalam and Mohanlal played the lead role in the film. The hindi version is directed by Nishikant Kamat. It had been produced by Kumar Pathak, Ajit Andhare and Abhishek Pathak. The music had been composed by Vishal Bhardwaj. In the film Ajay Devgan had Cable business in a remote village at Goa. He lived peacefully with his wife played by Shriya Saran and two daughters. Once his daughter went for camping with her college friends. At that camp Rishabh Chaddha (played the role of Sam), the son of Inspector General played by Tabu took ofscene photos of her from his mobile phone and blackmailed her. In haste Ajay Devgan’s daughter hit him with an iron rod and he was killed. Shriya Saran and the daughter buried the body in the garden of the house and told Ajay Devgan about everything. Ajay Devgan made a plan, took the family on holiday, went to Panaji by bus, stayed in a hotel, saw a film and returned back keeping all the bills of expenses. Tabu very seriously interrogated him because one of the police officers Gaikonde saw Ajay Devgan driving the yellow car of Sam. The rest of the film was related to the interrogation. The police tortured Ajay Devgan and his family in the custody, and finally the younger daughter told that the body of Sam was buried in the garden. But when the surrounding area was dug, the body of a dead goat was found. Tabu was suspended along with Gaikonde. Ajay Devgan very intelligently used the stories of films and buried the body in the new foundation of police station. The acting of Ajay Devgan, Tabu were per excellence. Both of them deserve a number of awards for outstanding performance. The film had very unique storyline. The film had done business of 42 crores in 5 days but is destined to do better. The music was good and the song “dum ghutta hai” by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Rekha Bhardwaj stands out. Everyone should watch the film.

Sunday, March 12, 2017

Happy birth anniversary of Pran sahab.


Happy birth anniversary to Pran. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birth anniversary to Pran Sikand, the legendary actor on 12th February, 2017. He was one of indispensable personality in bollywood films without whom most of the films of the 50s and 60s could not be thought about. He also was a big star who was as popular as an antihero as the leading stars of 50s and 60s including Showman Raj Kapoor and Tragedy King Dilip Kumar. He died last year but actually did not leave the hearts of numerous admirers of Bollywood films. Pran had acted in more than 300 films in his career which spanned over 60 years. He was a notorious dacoit in Raj Kapoor’s Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, who was reformed and persuaded to surrender before the police at the end of the film. He hammered Dilip Kumar all along the film Dil Diya Dard Liya, not knowing his identity. It was later known that Dilip Kumar was the king of the princely estate after the locket in his body was discovered. Dilip Kumar forgave him even after knowing that his affair with Wahida Rehman never blossomed into marriage due to Pran only. Among romantic songs of Rafi and Lata like “sawan aye ya na aye”, “dilruba main ne tere”, “koi sagar dil ko behlata nahi”, Pran kept a balance with his villanish pursuits. In Ram Aur Shyam, Pran tortured one of the Dilip Kumars who played the role of his brother-in-law. When Dilip Kumar’s twin brother came to his wife he took revenge against the evil deeds of Pran. Both the sequences when Pran whipped Dilip Kumar and when Dilip Kumar whipped Pran remained sensational. The film was serio-comic in nature with Dilip Kumar playing a double role for the first time in Ram Aur Shyam. In the mid-60s, Pran changed his image by playing positive roles like the one he played in the film Upkar. In that film he played the role of a handicapped person but he was an observer who witnessed the good deeds of Manoj Kumar who was a farmer and the bad deeds of his own brother played by Prem Chopra. Pran’s lips in Manna Dey’s songs “kasme wade” is still remembered by cinematic audience today. Pran was sublime in most of the hit films of the 60s like Shammi Kapoor’s Raj Kumar, Kashmir Ki Kali, An Evening in Paris, etc., Joy Mukherjee’s Love in Tokyo, Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon, Biswajeet’s Mere Sanam, Rajender Kumar’s Ganwar, Raj Kumar’s Maryada, Manoj Kumar’s Gumnaam, to name a few. In the 70s he even matched himself with the action heroes of the other generation like Dharmender and Big B. His performance in Big B’s film Zanjeer in the role of a Pathan requires special mention. He gave excellent lips in Manna Dey’s song “yari hai imaan mera yaar mera zindagi” in the same film. In Amar Akbar Anthony, he was the father of Big B, Vinod Khanna and Rishi Kapoor and he faced the evil operations of Jeevan and his men all along the film. He kept his fitness to such an extent that in action sequences, he never looked out of place in a film where Big B, Vinod Khanna who were much younger than him showed their own skills. Pran continued his villainish performances in films of 80s including Dilip Kumar’s Duniya and Big B and Rajnikant’s Andha Kanoon. With notable actors coming in bollywood industry in the 80s like Amrish Puri, Danny, Paresh Rawal, Kader Khan, Anupam Kher, etc., Pran slowly faded away from the industry. By that time he had performed in more than 300 films. Viewers remember him for his unique style of dialogue delivery, unique mannerisms and fantastic body. He died few years back making everyone sad. His viewers pay respect to the old actor on his birth anniversary who had already received lifetime achievement award from Filmfare for his unique contribution to bollywood cinema.

Happy birthday to Mr Perfectionist Aamir Khan.


Happy birthday to Mr. Perfectionist Star Amir Khan. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Mr. Perfectionist and Committed Star Amir Khan on 14th of March, 2017. He has proved himself as one of the most committed actors of modern bollywood films. He also carried on the legacy of Tragedy King Dilip Kumar of acting in less number of films and meaningful films. In 2016 his film Dangal broke all records and did business of more than 380 crores. These days whenever Amir Khan’s films are released they end up being blockbusters. He started his career with the hit film Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988 opposite Juhi Chawla. His film had brought back the era of romantic films, after bollywood was loaded with action films for more than 20 years. The music of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak composed by Anand Milind and majority of songs sung by Udit Narayan and Alka Yagnik created history. The popular songs included “aye mere humsafar”, “papa kehte hai”, etc. The film did excellent business and Amir Khan became a star at the early part of his career. From that time onwards Amir Khan acted in many romantic films like Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke, opposite Juhi Chawla, Ishq opposite Juhi Chawla, Dil opposite Madhuri Dixit, Mann opposite Manisha Koirala. Being a relative of Nasir Hussain, Amir Khan showed his acting skills from the beginning of his career. He gave able lips in most of the songs of Udit Narayan and with passage of time showed his versatility in different types of films. He did extremely well in Ashutosh Gowarikar’s film Lagaan. Lagaan was based on the story of Indian farmers entering into a challenge with the British Govt. during the colonial rule. A cricket match was held between the British team and the Indian peasants. The condition was that if the Indians won it, the farmers would be excused of the share of produce that they supposed to give the landlords and the British Govt. of such. Amir Khan gave training to the rural Indians and ultimately won the match amidst odds. Amir Khan was sublime in his performance in patriotic film based on the life Mangal Pandey and he did an excellent job in the film Sarfarosh. Even as a director he showed innovative vision by making a film on the subject related to children. The film Taren Zameen Par showed that every child in the world is special. They have their innovative qualities. The job of the teachers and the academicians should be to unearth their skills The songs in the film composed by Shankar Ehsaan Loy were also sensational. Even in 2008, Amir Khan’s film Ghajini was remarkable in nature. He played the role of a person who lost his memory every 20 minutes. He took revenge against the murder of his girlfriend, but he did it with his limitation in respect of the lost memory. He had played probably the role of his career. He came out with even greater hit film in 2009, The 3 idiots. The film had done more than 200 crores business till now. Even more than that the film directed by Raj Kumar Hirani, had a serious social message to give. The message is that the parents should not overburden the students with their own choices. Students should be allowed to specialize in the line they love and enjoy. Although filmfare awards had not been fare to Amir Khan, it does not matter for Amir Khan at all. He is the actor of the refined section of audience and will remain there for periods to come. In 2010, his venture Peepli Live had been ably appreciated by the critics and the audience as a whole. In 2011, his film Dhobi Ghaat did well in most part of India. He had acted well in the film. He also requested hall owners not to give break in the film, because it takes away the concentration in the film. Talash released in 2012 showed the intensity with which Amir Khan played the role of investigating officer who lost his own son who drowned in water. Amir Khan’s Dhoom 3 released in 2013 did business of more than 280 crores. In 2014 his film PK destroyed all records and did business of more than 330 crores. Raj Kumar Hirani directed the film, and Aamir Khan did a brilliant job in the film. He is a very cultured actor and the viewers have lot of hope on the thoughtful personality for innovative ventures in the years to come.

Happy birthday to Jaya Prada.


The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Jaya Prada on 3rd April, 2017. Jaya Prada was considered as one of the most gifted actresses of bollywood films of the 80s. She shook the Indian audience with her dancing skills in the film Shankaravaranam. In the late 70s her film Sargam opposite Rishi Kapoor became superhit with a brilliant story and excellent songs. She played the role of a deaf and dumb girl who had immense dancing callibre which was unearthed by Rishi Kapoor in the film. The film created sensation in both in North India and South India. The music composed by LP was brilliant by every musical standard and Lata and Rafi were sublime in the songs “dafliwale dafli baja”, “koel boli”, “ramjiki nikli sawari”, etc. In an age of action pact films of Big B, Vinod Khanna, Sargam being a romantic film with Rishi Kapoor and Jaya Prada did excellent business. From that time Jaya Prada became the no. 1 bollywood actress and acted opposite all the leading stars of bollywood. Her other superhit films include Sharabi, opposite Big B, Akhree Rasta opposite Big B, Kamchor opposite Rakesh Roshan, to name a few. She acted in a number of films opposite Jeetender as well and all of those films were successful. At that time she got stiff competition from Sri Devi, another South Indian actress who had both acting talent and dancing talent. The films where both of them acted together, the viewers were confused to choose between the two. In Akhree Rasta Jaya Prada did equally well like Sri Devi. In the 90s, also Jay Prada’s films especially opposite Big B did good business, like Indrajeet or Aaj Ka Arjun. In those films while Big B concentrated on action sequences, Jaya Prada played the romantic part to perfection. With the emergence of new actresses in bollywood films in the 90s like Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla, Jaya Prada faded away from the bollywood industry. She joined politics and had been the parliamentarian for more than a decade. Besides she had played important roles in tamil films and other South Indian films over the years. A number of cinema halls in Mysore and Bangalore were named after her. In 2010, she had been expelled from the Samajwadi Party by Mulayam Singh Yadav along with other primary members. That can give her some time to devote in bollywood films as well. The viewers expect her to make a comeback in bollywood films in character roles as many of them feel that she still has a lot of acting left in her.

Memories of Raj Kapoor's celebration of Holi in RK studio.


The holi festival has come again in 2017. The festival of colours brings a large section of the society together. These days holi is losing significance in the context of bollywood films and the stars involved with film-making. During the lifetime of Showman Raj Kapoor, holi was celebrated in RK Studio. It used to be a very prestigious affair. Other than members of the Kapoor family including Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor and others, celebrities from the film industry used to play holi in the studio. These days Holi party is thrown by Raj Kundra and others. The event marked the strengthening of relationship of members of the bollywood film industry. The celebration included directors like Manmohan Desai, actors like Dilip Kumar, singers like Mukesh, composers like Shankar Jaikishan, to name a few. The enthusiasm was there even during the 80s, when most of the celebrities who were contemporaries of Raj Kapoor became old. Raj Kapoor himself stopped it in the late 80s as he started having physical discomfort while playing holi. He had asthma and the contact of colours basically aggravated the disease. The prestigious celebration of holi stopped after 1988, after the death of Raj Kapoor. After that time, a number of other celebrities started the tradition of inviting the film industry to play holi. But the pomp and grandiuer that was there in RK Studio could not be replicated. Holi forms an important festival for Indians and bollywood films had devoted a lot of space for holi. It was shown in films like Paraya Dhan, Sholay, Silsila, to name a few. The songs related to holi like “holi re holi” sung by Manna Dey, “holi ke rang” sung by Kishore Kumar, or “rang barse” sung by Big B had not lost their appeal even after 30 years of the release of the films. Modern producers and directors can also portray the festival of colours in modern films in their innovative style as holi is one of the most popular festivals of the country. Ranbir Kapoor is on the way to be the new superstar of bollywood films with successful performances in films like Bachna Aye Haseeno, Wake Up Sid, Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. He can make an effort to revive the holi celebrations in RK Studio.

Thursday, March 9, 2017

Rafisahab's soothing voice was used brilliantly by Jaidevji and Khayyamsahab.


When we visualise the golden era of music in Indian cinema we primarily think about the giant music directors like Shankar Jaikishan, Naushad, etc., or lyricists like Shakeel Badayani, Shailendra, Majrooh Sultanpuri or singers like Rafi, Lata who made major contribution to the music of that age. Among the legendary giants there were other composers who composed music for less number of films but created their identity and everlasting appeal even with the less number of compositions. Jaidev and Khayyam are two composers who received numerous awards for their classic performance and still remain few of the offbeat composers without whom the firmament of music would be colourless. Jaidev who came to Bombay initially from Ludhiyana to become an actor learnt music from K. Jaokar and Janardan Jaokar and Ustad Ali Akbar Khan and after ashort span of stay in his home town Ludhiyana, returned to Bombay with his immense command of folk and classical music. As he initially worked with Navketan Banner, he got a scope of working with SD Burman also. His debue with Chetan Anand’s film Joru Ka Bhai, 1955, gave him opportunity to compose independant music but he got recognition with the film Humdono in 1961. Humdono was also the starting point of Jaidev’s relationship with the man with the golden voice, Mohammad Rafi. The unique style of Jaidev included his tunes which appeared not to end with the antara or the sanchari and uniting them with the mukhra unlike other composers. Rafi’s voice had the effect of sedative which doctor’s prescribe for patients who cant sleep in the song “Abhi na jao chor kar, ki dil abhi bhara nahi” in Hum Dono. The way Rafi pronounced adhuri yaas, hardly any playback singer can think even today. The emotions of the character were kept intact and the musical value of the song was enhanced by Rafi in a tremendous way in Humdono. The ghazal in the film “kabhi khud pe kabhi halat pe rona aya” can be categorised as one of the ten best ghazals Rafi did sing in his life. At the same time the other song “main zindagi ka saath nibhata chala gaya” which showed the carefree attitude of Dev Anand, who got admitted in military in the film, had the effect of santoor and the prelude and interlude followed the main song of Rafi that music lovers even memorised them as a song itself. Lata Mangeshkar’s performance in the song “Allah tero naam” in raag gara was probably one of her best performances ever. Jaidev’s return path of the sanchari was again evident in the classical bhajan which is still sung sometimes as prayer song at other times in temples and places of worship. The other film he composed music for include Mujhe Jeene Do, 1963, where Lata’s song “Nadi nare na jao sham” became hit. As it was female oriented film with Wahida Rehman providing the lead performance there were hardly sequences for male songs. In the other film Kinare Kinare, in 1963, Jaidev asked Rafi to sing duet song with Usha Mangeshkar titled “maya anchal jale kaya ka abhiman”. His other notable songs for Rafi include “aaj ki raat hai bus jalwa dikhane ke liye” and “roop ki dhoop to dhalke rahegi” from the film Jiyo Aur Jeene Do, in 1969. Both were successful with Jaidev’s folk effect in the respective songs. In the 1970s, Jaidev shifted towards Ghazal singer Bhupinder Singh for most of his songs, with “Do Diwane Shahar Me” and “Ek Akela is shahar me” from the film Gharonda, 1977, directed by Gulzar with Amol Palekar in the lead role. Runa Laila’s song “tumke hona ho mukhko to itna yakeen hai” looked like it was never going to end with the brilliant lyrics of gulzar. The violin was played so brilliantly in the song “Ek akela is shahar me” depicting urbanised folk songs, that it identified the pathos of Jaidev who was a loner in life. The other successful film of Jaidev included Dooriyan, 1979, acted by Uttamkumar and Sharmila Tagore. There Bhupinder Sing’s song “Zindagi zindagi o mere ghar ana ana zindagi” and “zindagi me jab tumhare gham nahi the” showed Jaidev’s unconventional movement in the rise and fall of the antara and sanchari. Jaidev along with Madanmohan had composed music for Rishi Kapoor’s film Laila Majnu, 1977, where Rafi’s songs “barbad muhobbat ki dua saath liye ja”, “is reshmi pazeeb ki jhankar ke sadpe”, “likhkar tera naam zameen par” were superhits and marked Rafi’s tremendous combination with Rishi Kapoor. Jaidev received national award for the brilliant composition of music in the films Reshma Aur Shera, Gaman and Ankahi, most of which included Rajasthani folk music. Jaidev never got the recognition which he deserved. It is a pity that Jaidev got a scope of composing music for female oriented films where he made the best use of Lata Mangeshkar, because Rafi could have made enormous contribution to Jaidev’s remote style of music composition. Even then the combination of Rafi and Jaidev carry enormous musical value for music lovers across the country. Khayyam better known as Mohammad Zahur Khaiyyam is the other music composer, who had such an immortal appeal in his compositions, yet had not received the recognition he deserved. He was born in Jullundher, Punjab in 1927, and learnt music from Pandit Amarnath and Hunslal Bhagatram. Khayyam initially used Tala Mehmood in the song “Sham-e-gham ki kasam” in Dilip Kumar’s Footpath, 1954, where he made his debue and Mukesh in the songs “Woh subah kabhi to ayegi” and “phir na kije meri gustaq nigaho ka gila” in Raj kapoor’s Phir Subah Hogi, 1958. Although Rafi had one song “jo bor kare yar ko us yaar se touba” in Phir Subah Hogi, 1958 where it was a duet with Mukesh singing for Raj Kapoor and Rafi singing for Rehman. But Khayyam acknowledged the golden voice of Rafi in the film Shola Aur Shabnam, 1961, where most of the lyrics were written by Kaifi Azmi and Rafi’s songs “dhunti rehti yeh ankhe mujhme”, “jeet hi lenge bazzi hum tum”, “pehle to aankh milna”, “phool ko dhoonde pyaasa bhawra” had a soft, passionate flavour of the soil of mountains. The songs were picturised on Dharmender. In the film Shagun, 1964, the song “parbaton ke paron par sham ka basera hai” sung by Rafi carried the intoxicating appeal of Khayyam. The next film Mohabbat is ko kahte hai, 1965, picturised on Shashi Kapoor had a fantastic duet song of Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur titled “thehriye hosh me alun to chale jaiyega” which was a form of a poetry where each of the poets answered one another. In Akhri Khat, in 1966, Rafi’s song “aur thori der theher” had the same folk effect of Khayyam. Lata Mangeshkar was brilliant with her performance of “baharo mera jeevan bhi sawaaro” and “mere chanda mere nanhe” in the same film. In the 1970s, Khaiyyam composed music in lesser films but again came up with creative music and received the filmfare award for composing music for the film Kabhi Kabhi, 1975, where the title song written by Sahir Ludhianvi and sung by Mukesh and Lata were well acclaimed by music lovers of India. His composition in Umrao Jaan, 1981, brought him the second filmfare award and amazed the musical pandits with classical mujra, which became extinct from bollywood music at that time. His songs in the film Bazaar, 1982, picturised on Nasiruddin Shah, titled “karoge yaad to” had ghazal andaz and Bhupinder Singh was sublime with his performance. As Khayyam, like Jaidev, composed music in mostly offbeat films their presence was felt whenever the directors came up with thoughtful stories, powerful direction and rich lyrics. Although they have provided less number of songs for Rafi but the creations of the combination should be restored for the epic value of the folk and classical effects in the songs.

The pair of Raj Kapoor Shakila was successful in Shriman Satyawadi.


Raj Kapoor and Shakila were brilliant in Shriman Satyawadi. In the late 1950s and early 1960s, due to high box office of blockbusters, the hit films did not get that recognition. For example, in 1960, Raj Kapoor’s film Shriman Satywadi was released. Due to super hit box office report of Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai and all time blockbuster Dilip Kumar’s Mugha-i- azam, Shriman Satyawadi got lost in the crowd of brilliant films. But the film was successful. SM Abbas directed the film. Mahipatray Shah produced the film. The music was composed by Dattaram. Raj Kapoor was shown as an honest man whose father was an honest medicine seller. His father was falsely implicated by Mehmood’s father Radhakrishan. He deliberately kept narcotic drugs in his shop so that police could arrest him. He got a heart attack and died. Raj Kapoor was brought up by his neighbor uncle who send him to industrialist Nazir Hussain for job in Mumbai. Nazir Hussain and his daughter Shakila allowed Raj Kapoor to work in their advertisement company. Mehmood joined the same company and created a cream and pharmaceutical products which adulterated content. Consumers got skin diseases and one person died. Raj Kapoor left the company and did other jobs and finally worked as journalist in the Newspaper company owned by Moni Chatterjee. In the last scene Raj Kapoor went with Moni Chatterjee in the house of Radhakrishan to tell the truth relating to adulterated products. His son Mehmood shot a bullet on Moni Chatterjee. In a tassle with Raj Kapoor, Mehmood fell in an acidic pool and died. The film proved that honesty was the right policy. The music of the film became super hit. Mukesh’s songs “haal-e-dil hamara”, “ai dil dekhe hai humne” became bumper hit. Rafi’s song “rang birangi botal ka kaisa hai jadoo” was as big hit as Suman Kalyanpur’s song “kyun ura jata hai anchal” and Manna Dey’s bheegi “hawaano me” as well as Mahendra Kumar’s song “ek baat kahoon vallah”. Dattaram’s music was as brilliant as lyrics of Hasrat Jaipuri. Mehmood in a comedy cum villainish role was impressive. Nazir Hussain and Radhakrishan played very impressive roles. Raj Kapoor probably acted only in one film opposite Shakila. Both the artists matched each other. They should have been cast in more roles. The film and the music require restoration.

Happy birthday to Shreya Ghoshal.


Happy birthday to Shreya Ghoshal. The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to sweet singer Shreya Ghoshal on 12th March, 2017. From national awards, Zee Cine Awards, Starscreen awards and filmfare awards, she had remained a frequent recipient of the awards due to her sheer brilliance. Bollywood films in the 50s, 60s and 70s were dominated by Lata, Geeta Dutt, Shamshad Begum, Suraiya, Sudha Malhotra, Suman Kalyanpur, etc. In the 80s and 90s Alka Yagnik and Kavita Krishnamurty made a very notable contribution in bollywood films. Shreya Ghoshal had established herself the future singer of bollywood cinema for the last few years. Born in a Bengali family in Rawatbhata, in Kota district of Rajasthan, Shreya Ghoshal learnt classical music from Mahesh Chandra Sharma. She participated in the musical competition in the TV Channel titled Saregamapa, and when she reached the finals after defeating renowned female singers, the producers, directors and composers were moved by her performance. She made her presence felt with her song in the film Devdas, directed by Sanjay Leela Banshali, with the song “bairi piya” and after that she never had to look back. Just like Sonu Nigam had created a gharana by himself and composers agree about his versatility, similarly Shreya Ghoshal is undoubtedly the future of Indian playback singing. She received the filmfare award for the best female singer along with Kavita Krishnamurty for the song “dola re” from the film Devdas, picturised on Madhuri Dixit and Aiswariya Rai. Her other hits songs include “jadu hai nasha hai” from the film Jism. She also amazed the listeners with the song “piyu bole, piya bole” picturised on Vidya Balan, from the film Parineeta, where Sonu Nigam sang it for Saif Ali Khan. The sweetness of her voice matched the period (late 19th century) when singers of the Bengali traditional families used to present their talent in soft style She also the song “apne aansoo peene ke liye” from the film Paheli, very well, along with powerful performance from Rani Mukherjee and Shahrukh Khan in the film. She also received filmfare award for the best singer for her song in the film Guru, titled “barsdo re” composed by AR Rehman. She had song notable Bengali songs like “pagla hawa” in The Bong Connection, “mon diye mon niye” in Agnipath, etc. In 2010, her song “bahara bahara” in the film I Hate Luv Stories was striking. She was extremely sweet in the duet song “tu ne to palbhar me chori kiya re jiya” with Sonu Nigam, in the film Dabanng, which went to do a business worth 150 crores. She sang brilliant songs in 2012 in different films like Agneepath, Jab Tak Hai Jaan. In 2013 she received a number of awards for her song in the film Ashiqi 2. With a number of songs which are going to be released in different films in 2015, she is expected to continue her good work and the viewers and listeners expect her best in the years to come.

Monday, March 6, 2017

Success of OP Nayyar in Indian films and his phenomenal combination with Rafisahab.


OP Nayyar better known as Omkar Prasad Nayyar was known for breaking trends. During the 1940s and 1950s, when other composers stuck to Hindustani ragas and folk songs in Bollywood films, OP Nayyar experimented with Latin tunes, European tunes and blended them with Indian tunes and brought a revolution in Indian music. Not only the songs became popular, but also reached the masses who got exposure to fast peppy music. The musiclovers had remembered legendary composer Omkar Prasad Nayyar, popularly known as OP Nayyar on his birthday on 16th January, 2017. He had died few years back, but his tunes had remained immortal for the audience of bollywood films for years. Whenever the name of OP Nayyar appeared in the minds of the audience, the name of immortal singer Mohammad Rafi had come together, without whom OP Nayyar was incomplete. The relationship between the two greats can be compared as tea and milk. OP Nayyar started his career with the film Kaneej in 1949. Just like other composers were involved with big banners, namely Naushad Ali worked with Mehboob Khan, Shankar Jaikishan worked with Raj Kapoor, Vasant Desai worked with V Shantaram, Salil Choudhury worked with Bimal Roy, OP Nayyar had great combination with Guru Dutt in the early part of his career. Guru Dutt’s films Aar Par brought him to limelight in 1954. All the songs composed by OP Nayyar became smash hit. While he used Shamshad Begum and Geeta Dutt for the female playback songs, Rafisahab was his first choice and last choice for all male playback songs. The songs with brought him to fame included “kabhi aar kabhi paar”, “muhobbat karlo aji karlo aji kisne roka hai, ho sake to duniya chor do duniya hi dhoka hai”, “sun sun sun sun zalima”, “babuji dheere chalna”, “aye lo ma hari piya”, to name a few. In OP Nayyar tunes, there was room for Rafisahab’s songs for Johnny Walker and sometimes these songs became more popular than the songs of the heroes. In Aar Paar, Rafisahab’s song “are wah wah wah wah wah wah kaisa hoga” became smash hit. In the film Guru Dutt gave great break to Shyama and Shakila who later blossomed as successful actresses. The magic of Guru Dutt, OP Nayyar and Mohammad Rafi continued in the film Mr and Mrs 55, in the year 1955. Again Shamshad Begum, Geeta Dutt were at their best in the film. Rafisahab was sublime as usual. This time Guru Dutt took Madhubala as lead actress. OP Nayyar tunes did magic in songs like “dil pe kiya aisa jadoo tabiyat machal machal gayi”, “thandi hawa kaali ghata”, “idhar tum jawan ho”. Again the Johnny Walker, Rafisahab combination clicked and this time it became the biggest hit of the film namely “jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji”. The same Guru Dutt Production, OP Nayyar music and Rafisahab’s voice created magic in the films 12 O Clock and Dev Anand’s CID. The landmark songs included “tum jo mile mere humsafar raste badal gaye” which had Waltz effect, “mai kho gaya”, “aye dil hai mushkil jeena yahan”, “ankhon hi ankhon me ishara ho gaya”, “leke pehela pehela pyar bharke ankho me khumar jadu nagri se aya hai koi jadugar”. While Shakila had lead role in CID, Wahida Rehman had lead role in 12 O Clock. In 1957, OP Nayyar got the scope of composing music in the film of Tragedy King Dilip Kumar. Dilip Kumar and Vaijayantimala were at the pink of their career, and when music created storms, the film broke records and became blockbuster with the production direction of BR Chopra and Yash Chopra. The super hit songs “saathi hath barana”, “mangke saath tumhara”, “mai bombai ka babu”, “ure jab jab zulfe teri”, contributed a lot in the absolute success of the film. OP Nayyar received the filmfare award for the best music director only once in his career. Credit goes to Rafisahab for the great rendition of each songs of Naya Daur. The brilliant combination of OP Nayyar and Rafi continued in Raj Kapoor’s film Do Ustad. Madhubala acted opposite Raj Kapoor in the film.All the songs in the film became extremely popular including “tu ladki mai ladka”, “ruk ruk ruk, chor na de diwane”, “nazron ke teer mare kas kas kas”, etc. Rafisahab was the first choice of OP Nayyar, and inspite of Raj Kapoor’s voice having closeness with Mukesh and Manna Dey. OP Nayyar gave all the songs of Do Ustad released in 1959 to Mohammad Rafi Sahab. Even in Madhubala and Bharat Bhushan’s Phagun, OP Nayyar composed all the songs for great Rafi Sahab. So of the most super hit songs included “kaun se pardesi mera dil le gaya”, “tum rooth ke mat jana”, “mai soya ankhiya miche”. Qamar Jalalabadi’s words were as brilliant as Rafisahab’s velvety voice. In 1957, OP Nayyar’s music in Shammi Kapoor’s film Tumsa Nahi Dekha brought him to fame. All the songs like “yuh to humne laakh hain dekhe hai”, “sar pe topi lal”, “dekh kasam se”, were big hits. In the early 1960s, many new poets entered Bollywood films and OP Nayyar in addition to combining with Majrooh Sultanpuri, Qamar Jalalabadi combined with Shamshul Huda Bihari in many films. Joy Mukherjee’s film Ek Musafir Ek Hasina did brilliant business in the early 60s. Raj Khosla’s musical thriller released in 1962 addressed every section of the society with romantic performance of Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna. All the songs of Rafi and Asha picturized on Joy Mukherjee and Sadhna became super hit. It includes songs like “aap yuhin agar humse milte rahe”, “mujhe dekhkar aapka muskurana”, “phir tere shahar me”, “mai pyar ka rahi hoon”, “bahut shukhriya, bari meherbani”, “humko tumhari isqh ne”, to name a few. Rafi was elegant as ever in the songs “phir tere shahar me” and “humko tumhare ishq ne”. OP Nayyar was probably at his best in the film and his blend of eastern and western music created the romantic mood for the film. Joy Mukherjee, Rafi and OP Nayyar’s magical combination continued in the film Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. Most part of the film released in 1963 was shot at picturesque locations of Jammu & Kashmir and the landscape was as romantic as the songs sung by Rafi and Asha in the film. The prominent songs included “banda parwar, thamlo jigar”, “lakho hai nigahon me”, “nazneen bara rangeen hai wada tera”, “aanchal me sajalena kaliyan”, “zulf ke chayon me chehere ka ujala lekar”, to name a few. Rafi had shown his excellent classical skills in the songs “zulf ke chayon me”, and “aancal me sajalena kaliyan”. Asha Parekh showed her dancing skills to perfection in the film. Rajender Nath played the role of the relief character in the film. In fact OP Nayyar maintained the same standard of music in Shammi Kapoor’s film Kashmir Ki Kali and Biswajeet’s film Mere Sanam which were made after Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon. Joy Mukherjee’s combination with OP Nayyar continued in the film Humsaya. In that film Sharmila Tagore got the lead role opposite Joy Mukherjee. By that time due to emergence on new actors and actresses in bollywood films, Joy Mukherjee’s popularity declined and the film also did moderate business. In respect of the songs, Rafi’s song “dil ki awaaz bhi sun” became hit. But OP Nayyar gave a number of songs to Mahendra Kapoor was well which did not strike gold in the box –office. Besides Rafi’s western romantic mood is utilized by OP Nayyar in a very stylish way in the songs “Diwana hua badal, sawan ki ghata chayi” and “Yeh Chand Sa Roshan Chehera” in the film Kashmir Ki Kali, 1964 picturised on Shammi Kapoor and “Humne to dilko aap ke kadmome rakh diya, is dil ka kya karenge yeh ab aap sochiye” in the film Mere Sanam, 1965 and “Phir Miloge Kabhi is baat ka wada karlo, humse ek aur mulakat ka wada karlo” in the film Yeh Raat Phir Na Ayegi, picturised on Biswajeet. In all these songs the sarengi and santoor had played a very pivotal role accompanied by the intoxicating appeal of Rafi’s voice. In the film Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi, Rafi’s ghazal “aap ki haseen rukh” composed by OP Nayyar and picturised on Dharmender was extremely romantic and made the audience spellbound in the early 60s. OP Nayyar composed peppy numbers for Rafi Sahab in Dharmender’s film Muhobbat Zindagi Hai in 1966. Rafisahab’s song “na jaane kyun” was as brilliant as “tumhari mulakat se” and “yeh purnur chehra yeh dilkash ada”. The list of films where OP Nayyar and Rafi’s magic flabbergasted the listeners just goes on including films like Tumsa Nahi Dekha, Basant, Phagun, Kismat, etc. One article is too small to explain the domination of OP Nayyar and Mohammad Rafi in bollywood films of the 50s and 60s. But the songs and the films had not become obsolete and listeners can listen to them again and again. The songs and the films should be restored.

Friday, March 3, 2017

Happy birthday to Kangana Ranaut.


The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to successful bollywood actress Kangana Ranaut on 20th March, 2017. Kangana Ranaut had created a strong box-office for herself during her short career till now. Recently her film Rangoon also did well. In 2008 when she acted in the film Fashion, she amazed the audience with her powerful performance in a Madhur Bhandarkar film, which had more elements involving reality than larger than life image. The film showed the new entrants in the fashion industry. Priyanka Chopra played the main role in the film who had come from her native town to Mumbai to create her identity in the fashion industry. Priyanka interacted with Kangana Ranaut in the fashion industry and came to know about her struggle as well. Success in that industry is obtained at the cost of peace, security, happiness. Both Kangana and Priyanka played their part to perfection and created a mark in the minds of intellectual audience. Both Kangana Ranaut and Priyanka Chopra received filmfare awards for their best performance in Fashion as best supporting actress and best actress respectively. Kangana Ranaut played her role to perfection even in the film Gangster and Life in a Metro. Her performance in Gangster brought her the best debutant award in 2007. In Life in a Metro, she played the role of a girl who could not decide about what to do in a Metro city. She was confused about the boyfriends and could not find out who really wanted her. She was probably at her best in the film Raaz, the mystery continues opposite Adhyayan Suman and Imraan Hashmi. It has been released in January, 2009 and already did good business in India and abroad. The unsatisfied soul of Jackie Shroff had entered her body, and Imraan Hashmi could see the future events while he did paint Kangana’s face. At the end of the film, Kangana and Imraan Hashmi went to the place Kalindi, where they unearthed the past events where a chemical plant used to dump its toxic wastes in a sacred lake near a temple. When Jackie Shroff complained about it, he was killed by the gundas sent by the priest. So the unsatisfied soul of Jackie Shroff entered the body of Kangana Ranaut to tell the story to everyone. Kangana again can get nomination for best actress for her horrified performance in the film Raaz –the mysery continues. Although her film Kites opposite Hrithik Roshan and Barbara Mori and No Problem opposite Akshay Khanna did mediocre business in 2010, she bounced back with the film Tanu Weds Manu. R. Madhavan acted opposite her and the film did good business.She did well in those films but the films were not accepted by the audience for different reasons. She has age, beauty and acting talent in her favour which can make an impact in 2015. She had two big successes in 2013 with Shootout at Wadala and Krissh 3. Shoot Out At Wadala opposite John Abraham did business of more than 60 crores while Krishh 3 did business of more than 200 crores. 2014 had been a great year for her. She won the filmfare award for best actress for her performance in the film Queen. The viewers expect her to do well in the films in future.