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DLD‰‰†‰KDLD‰‰†‰DLD‰‰†‰MDLD‰‰†‰C Tania keeps Shah Rukh to THE TIMES OF INDIA step with movie buffs: Sunday, November 30, 2003 Bollywood Main Hoon Na! Bridge collapses before inauguration Quite an anti-climax. A concrete br- Page 8 Page 7 idge which cost a Romanian village $ 1,40,000 collapsed a day before its official inauguration at Scortoasa, Buzau county — an area known for its muddy volcanoes. Says Luminita Bacanu, head of the local council’s technical depart- ment, ‘‘We can’t speak about any design or execution fa- ult. We fear that a new volcano might have appeared in the area.’’ Local tradition in Buzau has it that the muddy volcanoes should not be disturbed because human interv- ention could provoke eruptions. Well, the bridge might have collapsed, but the volcanoes are still intact. OF INDIA THANK GOD IT’S SUNDAY Photos: SUNIL KATARIA MANOJ KESHARWANI THE SHOLAY OF DHARMENDRA’S LIFE Arc lights, silver screen... but in reality, this actor’s life has not been cushioned by a filmi script. Today’s celluloid icon was once a rustic youngster who overcame paternal opposition to chase his dreams in tinsel town. Success has come to him only after years of rejection by showbiz and upheavals in his personal life. Yet, Bollywood’s original macho man is as ready for new challenges as he was in his heyday. NIKITA DOVAL freeze frames a take on life through Dharmendra’s eyes I grew up without a care in the world: Life was Humiliation spurred me on: After Arjun cast completely tension-free in Sanhewala, a village in me, Ramesh Saigal signed me on for Shola Aur Sh- Punjab where I was born on December 8, 1935 to abnam. Still, no one recognised me at the premie- Choudhary Keval Krishan, a school teacher, and re of Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere, with people busy Satwant, a housewife. My childhood days were sp- felicitating Balraj Sahni and Kumkum. Feeling ent playing hockey and swimming in a pond. humiliated, I slipped out unnoticed from the ven- Partition scarred me forever: In our village, Hi- ue, determined to make my mark. ndus and Muslims celebrated Diwali and Eid tog- My career took off: While working with Nutan ether.Then, Partition changed everything. Overn- in Bandini, Rajnish Behl offered me a role in Surat ight, the bustling homes became silent. One mor- Aur Seerat. Though Dil Bhi Tera Hum Bhi Tere fl- ning, my father found an eight-year-old opped, my acting skills were noticed. This Muslim girl who had nowhere to go made me feel positive, but commercial su- “ My father opposed my “ and brought her home. When we ccess came only with Phool Aur Path- I love both my families “joining films but, finally, had to take her to a kafila, it was as ar in 1966. Subsequently,my entire “and have tremendous my determination won if we had lost a family member. family moved to Mumbai. respect for Hema Malini Films fascinated me: I was in Dancing was my nemesis: I class VIII when I first heard ab- am not a musical person thou- out films from friends. ‘Tasveerein bolti hain’ is how they described gh all my films have good musical scores. So, whenever a direc- films. I imagined framed pictures with people talking! Soon, I saw tor called for action during a dance sequence, I felt as if a lion had my first film — the Dilip Kumar-starrer Shaheed. I watched seve- been let loose! Although I excelled at action roles and was called ral movies in Phagwara, and even travelled atop the bus, sitting ‘Garam Dharam’, my performance in various films such as An- amidst cycles, milk containers and vegetables. I dreamt of becom- upama, Tevar, Chupke Chupke, Mera Gaon Mera Desh, Naya ing an actor but my father dismissed films as being frivolous. Zamana and Dharamveer was accepted by the audience. Filmfare gave me the chance of a lifetime: After school, I got Sholay is a classic: Everything came together in Sholay. Thou- a job with a company which dealt in boring tubewells. But I had gh initial reports about the film were disappointing, I was sure made up my mind that if couldn’t become an actor,I would join of Sholay’s success. The movie is like a tree with each of its chara- the Army.One day,in 1957, I spotted an ad about a talent contest cters being a branch. However,my personal favourite is Satyakam. conducted by Filmfare. The winner was to be cast by Bimal Roy I have tried to be a good father: My children were brought up and Guru Dutt in their films. I filled in the form and sent it. away from the glamour of films and I stressed on values, studies My father gave in to my persuasion: A few days later,I got to and sports. My daughters from my wife Prakash are happily married. know that I had been shortlisted for the auditions in Bombay.My When Sunny wanted to become an actor, he was sent to London for father was apprehensive about losing me to the film industry.Fi- training. Sunny was launched with Betaab in 1983. I love my da- nally,my determination won and he gave me permission to travel to ughters Esha and Aahana. When Esha told me she wanted to Bombay.I can never forget his advice as I left home: ‘Even if one br- act, I was against the move. Then, realising that even my father ick in a well is loose, the entire structure will collapse’. had opposed my choice of profession, I gave her my permission. Staying at a five-star hotel was an uneasy experience: Although Fi- I am a misfit in today’s film industry: I quit acting in the 1990s lmfare had sent me the fare to travel first class, I travelled by third after acting opposite Sunny’s heroines. Now,I want to act opposite class to Bombay,where we were put up at a five-star hotel. The fo- Bobby’s heroines! The film industry has changed. Today,one rmal atmosphere at the hotel left me perplexed. Once, I saw peo- needs to be in the public eye to be successful and, unfortun- ple peeling mangoes before eating them. I wondered how they co- ately,I still don’t know how to make the headlines. I am a uld enjoy the fruit by eating it in such a manner. I asked the valet son of the soil and would be a misfit in the present set-up. to send mangoes to my room, where I used my hands to eat them. I love both my families: Like all individuals, I too have fall- Finally,I was selected: The Filmfare auditions lasted for six to eight en in love. Romance is wonderful to experience but it is also ve- months but I wasn’t nervous for a minute during this period. God ry personal. There have been several upheavals in my person- smiled on me and I was declared the winner.Bimal Roy promised me al life but I carry my feelings in my heart. I love both my families, a role in Bandini but things didn’t work out with Guru Dutt. Nonethe- interact with them, and respect them — but I am entitled to my privacy. less, I was on top of the world. I have great respect for Hema: She HEAD OVER HEELS! Delhi Times captures Mahima Chaudhary’s upbeat mood as Rejection followed the euphoria: is a lady in the true sense of the wo- the actress, who is readying for LoC’s release, shows what it takes to stand out in As I waited to be cast in Bandini,I rd. I don’t think there has ever been filmdom (To send this photograph to a friend, log on to www.timescity.com/delhi/) auditioned for Love In Shimla.How- AJIT NINAN a lady in the film world as dignified ever, the film’s producer S Muk- as her.Whatever Hema has achi- herjee wanted to give a break to SUNDAY SPECIAL eved is something only she could his son and I was rejected. Left to fend on my own, have done. I see Hema as a woman with dignity. I stayed as a paying guest at garages and in balco- Success is never an absolute term: Today,I spe- Satta on polls? You bet! nies. Everybody discouraged me. Faced with ridi- nd my time writing poetry. After a back problem cule, I lost weight and even contracted jaundice. confined me to bed, I heard my loneliness talking Rs 200 crore rides on wagers as Delhi readies for the assembly elections Arjun Hingorani gave me a break: In 1960, Arj- to me. This gave me the strength to write and I ha- un Hingorani kept a promise he had made during ve even written a film script. I have been through “ ARUN KUMAR DAS Both Azad and Lamba draw returns of an I faced ridicule in the “ the Filmfare contest and signed me on for Dil Bhi so much in life that I can never let success go to my I am a son of the soil Times News Network additional 80 paise per rupee bet. “film industry; everybody Tera Hum Bhi Tere. I was given Rs 51 as my signi- head. Even today,I feel that I can break new grou- “and would be a misfit Incidentally,even as the cops crack down discouraged me ng amount and signed an exclusive contract, whi- nd as an actor.My journey is far from over —there in today’s movies ig names and big promises.

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