Urbanized youths like characterless girls.

Urbanized youths like characterless girls.

Urbanized youths in the last few years had shown their affinity towards characterless girls who used to be considered as vamps or villains in the 60s and 70s. That is the reason why actresses like Bipasha Basu have equal popularity like Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor or Aishwarya Rai.

The urbanized men of this age had given up the idea of looking for wives who are god-fearing, docile, feminine which are exhibited in different films by Katrina Kaif, Kareena Kapoor, Ash, etc. Instead they want aggressive girls like Bipasha Basu of No Entry.

Had Bipasha Basu appeared during the 60s, the characters played by her in films like Ajnabee or No Entry, would not have added her popularity. She would have been stamped the villain identity like Nadira and faced problems in getting positive roles.

But the recent trend is different. Both Katrina Kaif and Bipasha Basu acted in the same film Race. While Katrina showed her docile image, the same way as she had shown in films like Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, or Partner, Bipasha showed her aggressive image which suits males better than women. While both the girls were crooked and playing games, Katrina’s style of execution of her character had more feminine attribute than that of Bipasha Basu. But at the end of the film her style icon image got more appreciation from the viewers due to the new tastes of urbanized youths.

Even in Ajnabee, Kareena Kapoor had a more docile image than that of Bipasha Basu. Bipasha Basu along with Akshay Kumar created a false case relating to the death of Bipasha Basu and implicated Bobby Deol for the murder. At the end of the film the truth relating to the murder mystery was unveiled and Bipasha Basu was killed. In No Entry Bipasha’s image of club dancer haunted the viewers more than sweet and feminine Lara Dutta.

Even Aishwarya Rai impressed the viewers with her docile performance in the film Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Taal. But the same viewers hailed Ash with her negative image in the film Dhoom 2 opposite Hrithik Roshan.

The producers and directors should take into account the tastes of viewers of different age groups for selecting the different actors and actresses in new films.

Salman Katrina's end of relationship can affect Salman more.

Salman Katrina’s end of relationship can affect Salman more.

The four year relationship between Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif had ended. Katrina Kaif in recent interview had mentioned that she does not have any more relationship with Salman Khan even as a friend. Sometimes these rumours are created to add popularity in bollywood arena.

But facts and circumstances establish that the relationship had ended. Over-possessiveness of Salman Khan had been the cause of such end. Katrina Kaif found while she was shooting for the film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, with Ranbir Kapoor, that Salman Khan over-interfered in her affairs against her liking. Just as she never interfered in other’s affairs she disliked other’s interference in her affairs.

The relationship grew up in four five years ago and Salman Khan took the credit of introducing Katrina Kaif in Indian films. His film with Katrina Kaif, Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya also bolstered the relationship. In 2008, their film Partner did fabulous business, and viewers started thinking that Katrina Kaif was going to marry Salman Khan.

Even the failure of Yuvvraaj, at the box-office did not raise eyebrows relating to Salman –Katrina relationship. Viewers appreciated their online chemistry, as all the songs composed by the team of AR Rehman, Gulzar and Subhash Ghai became super hit. Prominent songs included “tu muskura”, “shano shano”, etc.

If the losses and gains after the end of the relationship is analyzed, everyone will agree that Katrina Kaif is hardly going to lose her stardom, as she had given hits with other actors like Akshay Kumar in Namaste London, Welcome, Singh is Kinng, etc., Akshay Khanna in Race, Govinda in Partner, to name a few. She is young as has a long future ahead of her.

Salman Khan is in his 40s. He already had got a bad reputation for failing to maintain relationship due to his bad temper. Although his friendship with Asin had created news, but viewers sometimes stop favouring a hero who fail to show any stability in life.

Salman Khan had also not attained such age where he can switch on to character roles and leave the rat race relating to heroes. In that case his star-image would not had been affected at all. Last year had been a bad year for Salman Khan and if his instability with co-actors and actresses continue he has to see bad days in future.

Happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty.

Happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Mithun Chakravarty on 16th June, 2009. 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. 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.

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.

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

Hilary Duff - Early life of career

Hilary Duff's mother encouraged her to take up acting classes alongside her elder sister, Haylie Duff, which resulted in both girls winning roles in various local theater productions. At the ages of 8 and 6, respectively, the Duff sisters participated in the ballet, The Nutcracker Suite with Columbus BalletMet in San Antonio, Texas.

Haylie/ Hilary Duff siblings became more enthusiastic about the idea of choosing acting as a profession, and eventually relocated to California with their mother. Duff's father stayed at the family home in Houston to take care of their business.

After several years of auditions and meetings, the Duff sisters (Haylie Duff and Hilary Duff) were cast in various television commercials.

Happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty.

Happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Shilpa Shetty on 8th June, 2009. 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. She should be followed by 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, 2009. 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.

The viewers expect her to continue the brilliant work and go on astonishing the viewers with dynamic performances like before.

Rafi and Guru Dutt.

Rafi and Gurudutt.

Rafi became a living legend in the mid-50s after dominating bollywood films over ten years and singing for nearly all the giant productions and leading actors of bollywood. He had very strong combination with thinking actor Guru Dutt.

Guru Dutt had created his image in bollywood films in different categories being a thoughtful director and producer, dynamic actor, good choreographer. One of the numerous reasons for which his films became super hit in the 50s and 60s include the brilliant songs sung by Rafi during the golden age.

Rafi’s songs in Guru Dutt’s Aar Paar, composed by OP Nayyar became super hit. It was followed by Mr and Mrs. 55 released in 1955. Songs picturized on both Guru Dutt and Johnny Walker had melody and sweetness. Rafi’s songs like “dil pe kiya aisa jaadu”, “muhobbat karlo aji karlo”, “sun sun sun sun zaalima”, composed by OP Nayyar, created landmark in the mid-50s and Rafi emerged as the greatest singer of bollywood films during that time.

The same combination of Guru Dutt, OP Nayyar and Rafi gave everlasting hit in the film 12 O Clock with songs like “mai kho gaya”. When Guru Dutt used SD Burman for composing songs in the film Pyaasa and Kaagaz Ka Phool, Rafi was used brilliantly for the legendary music of those films. Both the films won national and international awards and remain a landmark in the field of story-telling. Rafi’s songs “sar jot era chakrae” picturised on Johnny Walker and “hum aapke aankho me” and “yeh mahalon yeh takhton yeh taajon ki duniya” picturised on Guru Dutt had emotions, passions, comedy, tragedy everything embedded in them. Rafi’s duet combination with Geeta Dutt was bolstered in the film. The lyrics were outstanding as well. The films marked the best music given by SD Burman in his entire lifetime.

Guru Dutt can boast himself to have given lips in one of Rafi’s best ghazals sung in the history of bollywood films titled “chaudavi ka chaand”. Guru Dutt picturised the song sequence with colour, showing his passionate relationship with Wahida Rehman in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand. Ravi’s music in the film showed the pardanashin culture of muslims in India during the early 60s.

Rafi also sang songs for Guru Dutt in the film Saanjh Aur Sawera, composed by Shankar Jaikishan. The title song “yehi hai who saanjh aur sawera” sung by Rafi became very popular. Meena Kumari balanced the powerful performance of Guru Dutt in the film. The other films where Rafi had contributed for Guru Dutt include Bharosa where Ravi composed melodious tunes including “yeh jhuki jhuki naina” picturised on Guru Dutt and Asha Parekh.

Guru Dutt’s music in the film Baharen Phir Bhi Aayegi composed by OP Nayyar, created sensation in the mid -60s. It was a tragedy, that Guru Dutt died before the release of the film and could not see the success of the film. The songs sung by Rafi and picturised on Dharmender mesmerized the audience and still haunts people all over the world. One of those brilliant songs include “aap ki haseen rukh me aaj naya nur hai, mera dil machal gaya to mera kya kasoor hai”.

The uniqueness of Guru Dutt’s relationship with Rafi lies in the fact that whether the composer was OP Nayyar or Shankar Jaikishan or SD Burman or Ravi, the music composed for whom had philosophical thoughts embedded in them and Rafi gave expression to the mesmerizing lyrics of evergreen tunes which had become immortal over a period of time. The films and the songs should be preserved and restored.