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Home , Amitabh Bachchan, Amjad Khan (actor), Amrish Puri, Anupam Kher, Ardh Satya, Bade Ghulam Ali Khan

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brained young man and you have a super entertainer. Bhola () falls in love with a lovely girl, (), his ‘’ whom he admires from his window every day. Bindu flirts with her TheMovies that bes inspired t music teacher, Master Pillai (). Bhola, with the help of his friends Vidyap- A top ten compilation athi (Kishore ) and his cronies plans like , Chupke Chupke, Mili, Abhi- to win her over. Vidyapathi runs an acting maan and —is a true masterpiece. school and is a singer as well. He turns into Many dialogues and scenes from the film a ‘Dr. Love’ persona for Bhola and Bindu became popular specially the way Rajesh ultimately falls for Bhola. It has some hi- Khanna said ‘ Babumoshai ’. Add to all this larious numbers like ‘ Ik chatur naar karke some beautiful songs and you have a film singaar’ and ‘Mere saamne waali khidki that stays with you forever. ‘Anand’ won the mein’ . with paan dripping Award in 1972. from the side of his mouth, his hair parted at the center with the edge of his dhoti in love and even living together. Rosie played Padosan (1968) one hand and a paan box in the other is an by Waheeda is a dancer who is forced to get rguably the best comedy enduring image from the film. His impecca- married to a middle aged man. She meets of all times, the mere mention ble comic timing and the ability to generate an interesting man, Raju who is a guide by of ‘Padosan’ makes you guffaw. fun even from a simple gesture and a word, profession. The two fall in love and Raju The two uncrowned ‘Kings of is remarkable. One simple ‘Bhole’ uttered gives Rosie the life that she always craved Anand (1970) AComedy’, Kishore Kumar and Mehmood by him sends you rolling with laughter. If for. Things ’t work out between them ajesh Khanna was the first of- are at their best. Add to this an excellent this wasn’t enough there is Mehmood too and in a cheating case Raju lands up in jail. ficial superstar of Hindi cinema. performance by Sunil Dutt as a hare- as a south Indian music teacher with a choti When years later he is released he is mis- He gave a slew of hits in the hanging on his clean-shaven head. The taken as a holy man. He tells the villagers a late 60s and 70s, ’Anand’ being scenes where the two suitors of Bindu are story of a holy man who had kept a fast for theR most important one of them. It was a competing against each other are riotous. A twelve days to bring rain to a drought-hit lighthearted melodramatic tale with deeply true masterpiece! village. Unfortunately, a drought hits the tragic undertones. plays village soon after. He keeps the fast and Anand, a man suffering from cancer, yet Guide (1965) slowly grows week and listless. The rains never seen unhappy or crying. Ironically true classic based on R.K. come on the last day of his fast and while the character is shown to be full of life and Narayan’s novel ‘’, the villagers rejoice he dies quietly. ’Guide’ laughter. played his Anand’s ‘Guide’ starred is a landmark films of Indian cinema, doctor in the film with whom he spends Anand and Waheeda Reh- way ahead of its time. gives a his last days. The film made by Hrishikesh Aman. The film was pretty bold for its time as remarkable performance, perhaps his best Mukherjee — who gave us delightful films it showed a guide and a married woman in winning the Filmfare Award for Best

76 Issue 6 ✱ February 2010 Lifestyle Magazine Feature ✱ that year. But, its Waheeda who brings life backdrop. has never looked miere held simultaneously in 150 theatres to the film, specially in the first half, as a as sensuous as the in ‘Sahib, all over the country. The filmmaker K. Asif free-spirited young woman who doesn’t Biwi aur Ghulam’ with a stray lovelock left no stone unturned to make sure that mind a live-in relationship. She also won peeping out of her head covered with a his film becomes a part of the cinematic the Filmfare Award for Best Actress that silk saree pallu and falling on her forehead folklore. Its a classic tale of rebellious love year. Another plus-point of ‘Guide’ was S.D adorned by a big bindi. She plays the re- between Prince Salim and the Burman’s music with songs like, “Piya Tose spectable bahu from an upper class Bengali . Their love is opposed by the pow- Naina Lage Re”, “Aaj Phir Jeene ki Tamanna household, yet when she starts a slurred “ erful king leading to a father-son rift. Hai”, “Din Dhal Jaaye”, “Gaata Rahe Mera Na jao saiyaan ”, the contrast is striking. The ’s music is spell binding specially “ Dil”, “Tere Mere Sapne Ab Ek Rang Hai”, unshed tears in Meena’s eyes make her wor- Prem Joga”, ”Pyaar Kiya to darna kya ” and “ “Kya se Kya Ho Gaya” and “Wahaan Kaun thy of her ‘Tragedy Queen’ title. Undoubt- Mohe panghat . Hai Tera”. edly, Chhoti Bahu is the most spectacular character in tragedienne Meena Kumari’s he recreation of the Sheesh Sahib Biwi aur career; a role that was uncannily similar to mahal and the shots where the Ghulam (1962) her own life. Chhoti Bahu dares to question reflection of in a ccording to some, ‘Sahib Biwi the system and tries to reclaim her errant giddy twirl is captured in loads Aur Ghulam’ was ghost directed husband. Tof glittering glass pieces is fascinating. The by Dutt. The film was set in humungous set for this legendary song late 19th century against a feudal nlike the other women in the took all the lights available (even 500 truck A house, she is not submissive beams) and about 100 reflectors to bounce instead she wants his adoration off the light. An intoxicated Madhubala de- and time. When in her despera- claring her love with bold lyrics like ‘ Parda Ution she turns to alcohol, one is stunned nahin jab koi khuda se, bandon se parda by her passion and desire to win over her Mughal-e-Azam (1960) karna kya ’ in front of the whole world and husband. Her most forceful dialogue from ughal-e-Azam, a histori- the powerful King himself is awe-inspiring. the film is when she dares to argue with cal, had the grandeur of a ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, has one of the most her husband who equates her to the wives Mughal court and a heady talked about erotic scenes in Hindi cinema. of other landowners, “ Hindu ghar ki bahu defiant note. Each and every teasingly caresses an impas- hokar, kya sharab pee hai kissine ?” Meena Mscene in the film is a masterpiece moving sioned Madhubala’s radiant face with a long Kumari, like the miraculous sindoor she in front of your eyes. The film took almost white feather. She shuts her eyes slowly yearns for in the film mesmerizes you with fifteen years in the making and cost Rs 1.5 with her lips turned towards her lover and her acting skills. The role of Jaba was played crores in those days. The cast had the su- there is a suggestion of a kiss when the two by Waheeda and of Bhootnath by perstars of that time including Dilip Kumar, go behind the veil of the feather. The clas- himself. The film remains with Madhubala and Prithviraj . People sical notes of ‘ Prem Jogan Banke’ sung by you forever simply because of the splendid from all over the country were brought to Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali add a time- performance of Meena Kumari. Bombay to work on the elaborate cos- less quality to the moment. It goes without tumes, props. and sets. It had a grand pre- saying that the film was a blockbuster.

Bollywood Lifestyle Magazine Issue 6 ✱ February 2010 77 ✱ Feature

She works like a beast to feed her children dra Chattopadhyay but this black-and- and pay off the moneylender. Her sons white version remains the best. It is tragic played by and Sunil Dutt tale of lost love and a complex mish-mash help her in getting back their land from the of human relationships. Dilip Kumar as vile clutches of the local moneylender. Su- the self-destructive doomed lover, nil Dutt as the rebel son whom she shoots gives a remarkable performance. His drunk- in the end is brilliant. While shooting for en scenes are understated and that coupled the film Sunil Dutt had rescued with his inimitable style of dialogue deliv- from a fire that had broken out on the sets. ery is a deadly combo. Its dialogue “ Kaun The two later married spinning a romantic kambakht bardasht karne ke liye peeta folklore around the film. hai?” was oft repeated by Dilip Kumar fans. as and Do Aankhen Barah as Paro give sensitive perfor- Haath (1957) mances. as Chunnibabu is a treat to he renowned filmmaker V watch. ‘Devdas’ won Dilip Kumar the Best made a stirring ‘Do Actor award and a Best Supporting Actress Aankhen Barah Haath’; a film award for Vyjayanthimala. about social reform. It’s a stark Tblack-and-white film about a jailor who be- lieves that love and trust can turn even the most hardened criminals into God fearing Mother (1957) responsible citizens. V Shantaram played gradually are reformed. Shantaram makes ehboob’s magnum opus the lead character of an idealistic jailor him- the film believable as the change is gradual ‘’ is a tribute self and his real life wife Sandhya plays a toy and thankfully there is no melodrama in to the Indian woman. The seller. The jailor takes six murderers out of the film. The prisoners keep going back to only film before ‘’ to jail and takes their responsibility to reform their old ways but the jailors faith and psy- Mget a nomination in the Best Foreign Film them. He gives them freedom and trust and chologically handled situations make him a Category at the Oscars, ‘Mother India’ is an winner in the end. epic. Nargis as , a ‘Mother Courage’ like character was spectacular in the film. Devdas (1955) It was a performance of a lifetime, a role to ne of the most accomplished die for. It won her the Best actress award at filmmakers of Hindi cinema, the prestigious Karlovy Vary festival. The made many films film is emotionally charged as Radha repre- that fit the classics list, but sents millions of women across the country ODilip Kumar starrer ‘Devdas’ is an absolute struggling to preserve their dignity while must see. We have seen many versions of bringing up their children single-handedly. ‘Devdas’ based on the novel by Saratchan-

78 Issue 6 ✱ February 2010 Bollywood Lifestyle Magazine Feature ✱

Do Bigha Zameen hair-rebellious persona only adds fuel to (1953) the fire. The film was a runaway success not nother Bimal Roy classic ’Do just in India but also in the erstwhile USSR Bigha Zameen’ is one of the and China. plays Raju an aim- most unforgettable films of less youth turned into a criminal living in Indian cinema. The protagonist the slums who is loved by a respectable law- TheVillains best AShambhu brilliantly played by yer played by Nargis. The film established A top ten compilation migrates to Calcutta from a small village Raj Kapoor as the Chaplin-like ‘tramp’ of where he owns two acres of land. He needs Hindi cinema. The music of the film was to earn money desperately to pay the debt on the lips of not just Indians but people hey get beaten up and sometime as the moneylender wants his plot of land. from all over the world especially Russians. even killed. They are the worst of His son joins him in the city and becomes The songs specially “ hoon”, “Ghar the lot but they are an essential a shoeshine boy. Balraj Sahni becomes a aaya mera pardesi ” and “ Dum bhar jo part of the film. Presenting 10 rickshaw puller. The scenes with him pull- udhar muhn phere ” are remembered even Tof the worst classic character in the Indian ing people in his rickshaw were so com- today. The first ever dream sequence to played by the best . pelling that you felt the anguish and the be filmed in Hindi cinema where a gor- urgency with which he enacts them. To get geous Nargis wafts through the clouds in into the skin of the character, Balraj Sahni, search of her lover, Raj Kapoor took three a well educated westernized actor practiced months to shoot. It is a symbolic picture of rickshaw pulling on the streets of Calcutta the turbulence in the mind of the hero, he and mingled with other rickshaw pullers escapes the hell that the villain has created story but rarely such a non dramatic villain without telling them who he was. The film and climbs up to the angelic heroine. This was presented in the past, who could leave explores the cruelty that is meted out to the song was a big attraction in its time and it such a deep and long lasting impact on the poor in villages and cities alike. The film spawned numerous dream-sequences. audience. Shetty played by Sadashiv wasn’t a big hit but it won major awards at Amrapurkar changed the way villians were the Cannes film festival, Karlovy Vary film Gokul Pandit (Ashutosh perceived to be. A character that could have festivals and . Rana): Film-Dushman been the same in real life. He was no ter- Brilliantly10 played by Rana, Gokul Pandit is rorist blowing up places or ruling a country Awara (1951) a psyco, rapist and a serial killer. He is also trying to attack India. He was an Indian he USP of ‘Awara’ was the now a postman by day. He rapes girls and kills and very much a common man that we face famous Raj-Nargis pairing. them. His potrayal as an possessed evil is everyday. A white kurta, dhoti , baniyan, Whenever Raj Kapoor and worth watching. He also got awards and gold chain and without any flair but his Nargis came together on screen, recognition for this role. mere presence lit up the scene. Cunning, Tsparks flew. Their chemistry was electrify- smart and conniving he takes on an honest ing and it crackles with raw passion in Raj Rama Shetty (Sadashiv Amra- police inspector hell bent on stopping him. Kapoor’s ‘Awara’. Nargis’s wild and carefree purkar): Film- The interactions between the inspector and sensuality pulsates and Raj Kapoor’s scruffy 9Villains are always an important part in a Rama Shetty make it memorable.

Bollywood Lifestyle Magazine Issue 6 ✱ February 2010 79 ✱ Feature

lains. Was bald, had a huge tank with sharks in it, flashing – beeping gadgets, hench- men running around. Although Kharbanda has played villain many a times, it was for Shaan’s Shakaal that he will be remembered for. Loin (Ajeet) : Film – Ajit6 is usually remembered for his cool savy portrayal of negative roles. He is probably the one responsible for giving villains a Dr. Dang () : sophisticated appearance. He even had a Film-Karma personal secretary Mona and a man Friday, Dr.8 Dang was more a terrorist with his con- Robert. Although he wasn’t a fearsome stant blowing up techniques. He escapes villain he is still remembered for Kalicharan from prison and kills the jailer’s family, who and his line, “Saara shaher mujhe Loin ke in turn vows revenge, more like . But naam se janta hai”. it was Anupan Khers’ performance as Dr. Dang that made this film watchable. Anna (): Film – 5Parinda had Maduri Dixit, and . A powerful combination at that time. It also had Nana Patekar as Anna, a ruthless ganglord whos hence men cuts off legs of informers and you have to kill your friends to join his gang. Parinda was also one of the earlier films to show un- derworld gang wars and how they operate. But it is Nana who is remembered for his brilliant performance as Anna. A ganglord afraid of fire. Who is cool but has fiery eyes and does not hesitate to get anyone killed. Shaakaal (Kulbhushan Khar- but the climax shot when Anna is burnt banda) : Film–Shaan alive has been palyed to such perfection Shakaal7 was deeply inspired by Bond vil- that it will haunt you forever.

80 Issue 6 ✱ February 2010 Bollywood Lifestyle Magazine Feature ✱

Sher Khan (): Film-Zanjeer Zanjeer4 was a movie about right and wrong, truth and justice, good and bad. Pran as Sher Khan was the baddie in the first half of the movie but turns good friends with the hero in the latter half. Sher Khan was everything Pathan. His manner- isms, accent, dressing and his red henna dyed hair and beard. He was evil but with a good heart. Pran as Sher Kan is still re- membered for his line, “Sher Khan Kaale ka dhanda karta hai lekin imaandari se”.

he dosent get paid kidnaps the heroine for Every scene, from his tobacco chewing to ransom. But still Lotiya Pathan as the knife his venom spitting scene in the courtroom, wielding thug is something you wouldn’t Gabbar is shown as the mean, ruthless kid want to encounter. Tazaab was a hit, also slaying dacoit. made his debut due to Madhuri and Anil Kapoor. But with as an child artist and did many movies Kiran Kumar rose to such fame for this role later on but Sholay and his role of Gabbar, that people called him Lotiya Pthan for a the dreaded Chambal dacoit, remains Am- long time to come. jad Khan’s most powerful and memorable performance. ping, flashing smile character who has acid Gabbar (Amjad Khan) tanks, missile room with an attendant, the Film – Sholay Mogambo () : world map on his floor and a funny way of Sholay2 undoubtedly is one of the biggest Film-Mr.India dressing. But what he is remembered for blockbuster in India. The script and the Mr1 India was a movie made for kids or at is his famous dialogue “mogambo khush character were so well etched that every least with them as the audience. So there huaa!” and everytime that he is pleased his scene and every dialogue is memorable. It wasn’t much gore and blood or rapes Mogambo gets more and more exagger- is the only movie where you even remem- or bombs for that matter. Shekar Kapur ated. Amrish Puri has played this part to Lotiya Pathan (Kiran Kumar) – ber the horse name was Dhanno, the help wanted a villain but someone who’s more the script and added life to this character. Film: was Ramlal and even Sambha who had only evil in his thoughts rather than his action. Without him I doubt if anyone would take Unlike3 our earlier villains, Lotia Pathan was one dialogue in the entire film. And he thus created Mogambo. A ruler Mogambo to such greater heights, making a street thug. Leader of the Pathan gang he Lets talk about Gabbar. From his entry of his own country, with evil intentions him the number one villain in our list. For didn’t want to take over the world or have shot, his wide leather belt dragged on the to take over India with the help of his those who haven’t seen Mr India yet, we greater ambitions. He ran illegal prostitu- rough mountain stones in his den, till the henchmen, who are more comic than evil. recommend you watch Magambo when he tion joints and local hooch bars. And when end, Gabbar instilled fear in our hearts. Mogambo, is a golden haired, eye pop- is super excited. You will agree.

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