Aishwarya Rai says she is fully convinced that actor-husband Abhishek Bachchan will make a good father in real life because he is so “real and rooted”.

“Everybody has been asking me if Abhishek will be a good pa (father) in connection with the release of our forthcoming production ‘Paa’. I think it’s silly for me to be even making the statement. It’s given – I married the man. So obviously I have the conviction in the husband he is or the father he will be,” Aishwarya, 36, told IANS in an interview here.

Asked about Abhishek’s qualities that would make him a good father, Aishwarya laughed and said: “He is very real, very rooted and very human – which I absolutely relate to. His values are evident for everybody to see. We have known each other for so many years.

“I’ve seen him with his niece and nephew since the time they were babies. He is so great with kids and I’ve seen that for the longest time with (his sister Shweta’s children) Navya (Naveli) and Agastya. I have no doubts on him whatsoever.”

Aishwarya, who will be seen with Abhishek in “Ravana”, was in the capital Monday to launch the Longines PrimaLuna, a new watch range inspired by the moon and galaxy.

Sporting a sleek piece herself that matched with an elaborate yet elegant black and cream off-shoulder gown, Aishwarya was at peace talking about her personal life.

Asked whether she would want a daughter or a son, she said: “Come on…Aren’t you like moving at a really fast pace…! Whatever god has in store for us in life (will come)… Life itself is a blessing, let alone to have opportunity to be able to bring a life into this world.

“It’s really not in our hands …it’s in god’s hands. I hope I am just blessed with that experience, I am really looking forward to it and we will certainly cherish it,” she added.

Her mother-in-law Jaya Bachchan is a member of the Samajwadi Party, but Aishwarya is doubtful if she will ever head in that direction.

“Life has been so full – haven’t even thought about it (entering politics). My life is evidently extremely full in terms of the amount of responsibilities and experiences I am currently having.

“And I believe, anything you take, you have to be able to commit to and give a lot of yourself to. And I think at this point, life is full and that’s what I am giving (my best) to,” she said.

On the work front, the former beauty queen is busy with big ticket projects such as Mani Ratnam’s “Ravana”, Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Guzaarish”, Rajnikant starrer “Endhiran” and Vipul Shah’s “Action Replay”.

The actress is likely to feature as Mumtaz Mahal with acclaimed Hollywood actor Ben Kingsley in “Taj”, which is based on Taj Mahal.

“After ‘The Last Legion’, Sir Ben and I were keen to work together in another project. He has now come with the final draft and he has just sent it over to me. Once we agree on everything, we will take the project forward. He will start scouting for the locations soon,” she said.

For now, Aishwarya is looking forward to AB Corp’s “Paa”, which features her father-in-law, megastar Amitabh Bachchan, and Abhishek. The film releases Friday.

Auro is all set to spread his magic soon, that too worldwide! ‘Paa’, directed by R. Balakrishnan (Balki), is brought by AB Corp Ltd. in association with Reliance BIG Pictures.

Come 4th December, Reliance BIG Pictures will release ‘Paa’ in 700 screens worldwide, including print and digital. It will release in 20 countries worldwide including India, UK, US, Canada, UAE, Australia, South Africa, New Zealand and many others.

Brands like Idea Cellular and Bajaj Allianz have tied up with the film to come up with innovative promotional campaigns.

‘Paa’ has followed a week-on-week 360 degree marketing and promotion campaign which kick started with an innovative teaser and progressed to a novel and eye-catching promotion in multiplexes with Auro’s on-screen photo slides which read ‘Please stand up for the national anthem or else I will tell my Paa’, ‘Please switch off your mobile phone or else I will tell my Paa’ and ‘Don’t dirty the theatre or I’ll tell my Paa’ poster on trash cans. On November 14, Paa’s TV promos carried a special message wishing all viewers Happy Children’s Day and a mall activation invited Paa with their children for day long fun filled activities.

Not forgetting the Auro dance that was introduced in the film promos has caught the nation by fire… dabbawalas, fishermen, traffic policemen, school and college kids, housewives have all been dancing to the tunes of Auro. To maintain the essence of the central character, the 13 year old Auro, has been speaking as himself to all radio and TV interactions and Abhishek Bachchan has been dressing up in his Paa get-up of a white kurta pyjama for all media interactions. Besides, Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan, ‘Paa’ also stars Vidya Balan. The music scored by the maestro Illyaraja with lyrics by Swanand Kirkire and cinematography by PC Sreeram.

Shilpa Shetty’s wedding reception at Grand Hyatt was attended by many Bollywood stars including Aishwarya Rai, Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan and his wife Gauri Khan, Hrithik Roshan and his wife, Amisha Patel, Sunil Shetty, Javed Akthar, Shabana Azmi and many more.Here goes……

Nd now for the wedding girl herself..

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan says Shah Rukh Khan left him in a jovial mood after the latter called him to confirm his presence at the premiere of upcoming film “Paa“.

“Shah Rukh has remained with me in the late afternoon. He is a very funny man and shakes me into joviality when I inform him about the premiere and his absolute presence there. He tells me, `He is already there, black suited and with anticipation of seeing `Paa`,” Amitabh posted on bigb.bigadda.com.

“Aamir too communicates today and confirms his presence,” he added.

The cast and crew of “Paa” – including Amitabh, Abhishek and director R Balakrishnan have major plans for the film`s premiere December 3 in Mumbai.

Amitabh plays a 12-year-old progeria patient in “Paa” and he had to stick on several pieces of specially crafted clay to get the right look for the movie. The disease causes premature ageing among children.

International make-up artist Stephan Dupuis designed Big B`s look and the megastar had to sit for five-six hours for the make-up.

The 67-year-old says he is now anxious about how the audience and critics will react to the film.

3 Idiots

‘Three Idiots tells the story of three friends whose dismal grade point averages at their college influence their friendship, romance and career choices. It is rumored to be loosely based on a famous novel, Five Point Someone by Indian writer Chetan Bhagat.

The movie is directed by Rajkumar Hirani ( Munnabhai, Munnabhai 2) and  stars Aamir Khan, Sharman Joshi aswell as  Madhavan. It is ‘the’ most anticipated movie of the year and is expect to hit the cinemas on the 25th of December ( exactly 1 year from ‘Ghajini’). It will be Aamir Khan’s second movie in a calendar year something he hasn’t done since 1999.

Also interesting to see is Kareena Kapoor who also stars in the movie as Aamir’s love interest. This will be the first time they will be seen together on screen, and already there is a hype after the release of the video for the song ‘Zoobi Doobi’ which is picturized on the pair.

Last words: This movie will surely break some box office records !!!

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Teen Patti

Teen Patti brings together the two legends, Amitabh Bachchan and Sir Ben Kingsley. The movie also stars Madhavan (again) and Sushmita Sen.

Teen Patti is a fast paced thriller which has gambling as its back drop.

Ben Kingsley, who essays Perci Trachtenberg, widely regarded as the word’s greatest living mathematician, meets Venkat, played by Amitabh Bachchan, a reclusive math genius from India, at a high rolling casino in London. Venkat tells Perci about an equation that could not only change the dialogue on mathematics forever, but one that has already left an indelible impression of guilt – for many painful reasons – on Venkat’s life.

Their are rumours that this movie is similar to ‘21′ but with no promos or videos out nothing can be proved yet. The music is given  by Salim Suliaman and hence is hoped to be par with their recent chart breaking tunes and songs.

The movie is due to release mid February next year.

Last Words : Can’t wait ….

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My Name is KHAN

Directed by none other than Karan Johar and starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol this movie is the biggest movie to hit the screen early next year (12th Febuary, same as Teen Patti). This will be Karan Johar’s first movie as a director in 4 years after Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gum.

Rizwan Khan (Tanay Chheda) is a Muslim child he grew up with his mother (Zarina Wahab) in the Borivali section of Mumbai. Rizwan has Asperger syndrome. As an adult (Shahrukh Khan), Rizwan falls in love with a Hindu single mother, Mandira (Kajol) who …lives in San Francisco. While not focusing on the events of 9/11, the storyline explores the period afterwards. At that time, authorities arrest and detain Rizwan, after interpreting the visible aspects of his condition as “suspicious” behavior. After his arrest, he meets Radha (Sheetal Menon), a therapist who helps him overcome the ordeal. Rizwan then begins a journey to find and meet President Barack Obama (Christopher B. Duncan) in order to clear his name.

The music is given my Shankar Ehsan Loy (who recently got average response for the music of London Dreams) and will be hoping to start the next year on high.

Last Words: Lets wait and see 

(Note: Extracts from sites taken.. lol  and havent proof  read it .. )

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Like any other die hard Big B fan, I am eagerly waiting for “PAA” December 4th  release. I really count only people in our Hindi Film Industry, who else got that much potential to creatively involve and challenge such a mind blowing movie. The first time I saw the promo of PAA on a news channel, I was fell bound, no word to say.  Only his caliber of people can have the urge to try such an act..

It’s my pleasure to express my fond towards him. I may have missed any of his movies.

PAA will really appeal to people of any genre. I do recount of his “ Black” magic.

The official story from “www.paathemovie.com” is as follows

“ Auro, is an intelligent , witty 13 yr boy with an extremely are genetic defect that causes accelerated ageing.
He suffers from a program like syndrome. Mentally he is 13 , very normal, but physically he looks 5 times older, Inspire of his condition, Auro is a very happy boy, He lives with his mother Viday, who is a gynecologist. Amol Arte , is young, progressive and full of ideals, politician.
He is out to prove to the world that ‘politics’ is not a bad word. He is a man with mission. Auro is Amol’s son.
Paa is a “rare’ story about a father –son, son-father relationship

Best Movie of AB Corp Presentation.

“The Challenge of PAA was to present Amitabh Bachan minus evrything we all know, love about and identify with him……….” R Balki Director

DVDRIP DIVX 1CD

 

Starring : Amitabh Bachchan, Jaya Bhaduri, Ashok Kumar
Director : Hrishikesh Mukherjee
Music Director : S D Burman

Mili (Jaya Bhaduri), a vivacious girl who gets on with everyone in her building. Curious about a new occupant (Amitabh Bachchan) of the top floor of the building, she finds herself thoroughly snubbed when he rudely asks her to stay out of his life! Other occupants of the building oppose his occupancy as he is reputed to be an ill-mannered drunkard. However, he soon finds her getting under his skin and gradually she gets him to open up about his painful past. Mili too has her own secrets which she is loath to let out…..

Jaya Bhaduri and Amitabh Bachchan come together in another sensitive film about two people with burdens to bear. S D Burman composed the music for the film which has just three songs – but every one of them is popular even today – ‘Badi Suni Suni Hai’, ‘Maine Kaha Phoolon Se’ and ‘Aaye Tum Yaad Mujhe’ – tug at your heartstrings everytime you hear them.

نسخة فيديو سى دى تعمل على الكمبيوتر و إجهزة الفيديو سى دى و فلاشة اجهزة الريسيفر
و ايضا على اجهزة الديفيدى و هى نسخه عالية الجودة

VCD 2CD High Quality

CD1 : 545 MB

http://rapidshare.com/files/306250193/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD1.mpg.001

http://rapidshare.com/files/306250202/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD1.mpg.002

http://rapidshare.com/files/306250049/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD1.mpg.003

CD2 : 595 MB

http://rapidshare.com/files/306258910/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD2.mpg.001

http://rapidshare.com/files/306256628/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD2.mpg.002

http://rapidshare.com/files/306256870/Mili.1975.BY.tamercome.CD2.mpg.003

الترجمة الانجليزية

English Subtitles
= == = = = == = = =

 

http://www.divxsubtitles.net/page_subtitleinformation.php?ID=111487

Mili 1975 DVDRIP DIVX 1CD

نسخة ديفكس ملصق عليها ترجمة انجليزية

و تعمل على الكمبيوتر و اجهزة الديفيدى الديفكس

 

DVDRIP_Dvix

SIZE : 696.22 MB

 

http://rapidshare.com/files/307571953/Mili.1975.DVDRIP.BY.tamercome.divx.001

http://rapidshare.com/files/307571935/Mili.1975.DVDRIP.BY.tamercome.divx.002

http://rapidshare.com/files/307572948/Mili.1975.DVDRIP.BY.tamercome.divx.003

http://rapidshare.com/files/307571931/Mili.1975.DVDRIP.BY.tamercome.divx.004

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Just experience it, am getting emotional.No words can summarise this sheer Masterpiece.Typical Ilaiyaraaja’ish.

Note: Thanks a Zillion to the gentleman, who posted this in youtube.

Aladin is the up coming movie of Amitabh Bachchan. Sanjay Dutt, Ritesh Deshmukh and Juhi Chawla are the other lead roles. This movie is going to release on October 30th 2009.

Until the trailed release, expectations on this movie are very low. But the stills and trailers of this film surprising every one. Its going to be visual treat. Technically it will create new history in Bollywood.

Much required hype is already created in Bollywood circles. This hype and Amitabh’s image is enough to give tremendous openings. Jackqulie Fernandez is the extra attraction to movie. Sujoy Ghosh who has directed this movie, has already announced the sequel to this film.

This movie has very tough fight from London Dreams.

अग्नि पथ!

अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!
वृक्ष हों भले खड़े,
हो घने, हो बड़े,
एक पत्र-छॉंह भी मॉंग मत, मॉंग मत, मॉंग मत!
अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ! अग्नि पथ!

तू न थकेगा कभी!
तू न थमेगा कभी!
तू न मुड़ेगा कभी!
कर शपथ! कर शपथ! कर शपथ!

ये महान दृश्य है,
चल रहा मनुष्य है,
अश्रु श्वेत् रक्त से,
लथ पथ, लथ पथ, लथ पथ !

.

Aladin Amitabh Bachchan bollywood international new hindi releases aladin indian upcoming movies 2009.Watch Video

What is there to say about an actor that has withstood the vagaries of time for over 40 years? Governments in India changed, the Indian economy metamorphosed, India went from being known as a country where westerners came to ‘soul-search’ and smoke Ganja with Sadhus to one having the best brains in IT, the tiny-tots of movie stars went on to follow their illustrious (and some not-so illustrious) fathers/mothers’ footsteps in Bombay and the regional film industries, the Indian film music scene was revolutionized by the advent of Mr. A.R. Rahman and later by being the first Indian-born musician to win an Oscar (and more importantly, still operating from India!)-but one man, only the one man, held most of the nation enthralled with his histrionics year after year, decade after decade. That this actor’s following just cuts across generations is proof enough that one might like or hate him, nobody—and I repeat, nobody—can touch him with a barge pole and say he isn’t an accomplished actor. Whether the person is a stead-fast loyalist of the old-world charm of the likes of Mr. Motilal or  Mr. Dilip Kumar; whether the person’s frame of reference is the new school of ‘acting’ dominated by 8-pack-abs- first- and-acting-later of the likes of Mr. Hrithik Roshan or Mr. Salman Khan, they all agree that Mr. Bachchan’s talent is indeed, unique. He didn’t take his audience or his star-status for granted; whether the movies he acted in were of trash-quality or gem-quality, his craft shone through them equally bright.

Mr. Amitabh Bachchan has been entertaining the Indian film audiences – TV audiences too— with his acting prowess and skills with the same zeal and passion that he had in 1969. And it’s 2009 now. He gave us DEEWAR, SHAKTI, DON, etc., then. He has now given us SARKAR, CHEENI KUM, KHAKEE, and BLACK. And his mastery over the medium just blasts through the screen every time his frame appears on-screen.

Agreed that as a person born during the mid-70’s and a cinema-loving child that endlessly imitated Mr. Bachchan’s mannerisms from movies like SHAAN or DON, I am a fanatic follower of the actor. But I have tried to be as objective as possible. Reams of paper cannot do justice to describe this phenomenon called Amitabh Bachchan. And on his 67^th birthday, this is just a tiny effort to explain why Mr. Bachchan means what he means to his plethora of fans. I am picking just 4 of his brilliant performances, which I feel were somehow under-rated. Rock on Mr. Bachchan, and just keep on rocking.

SILSILA (1981) –

By 1981, Mr. Bachchan had already patented the emotions of raw fury and anger in his portrayals. Then came along Kabhie Kabhie, and later, Silsila, a movie way, way ahead of its times—a movie that showed the director Mr. Yash Chopra’s mastery over the depiction of romance on the silver-screen (which sadly deteriorated post-Lamhe into all gloss but no soul). Mr. Bachchan displayed another side to his powerhouse talent in his portrayal of the infidel husband. The sensitivity in his depiction of a die-hard romantic/poet/philosopher is really hard to beat. Just watch him flirt unabashedly with Rekha in the song ‘Rang Barse’ or even better, when he decides to leave his wife and has a sit-down with her to explain to her his decision to leave. His expressions convey a multitude of objectives; that of the guilt on deceiving his wife, that of an escapist in trying to give reasons to his wife for the decision; and, that of helplessness. So powerful is his portrayal that in that particular scene, the audience has no choice but to believe him when he says that it is ‘destiny’s’ fault and not his, for the situation involving him, his wife, and his lover. So heart-rending is the way he infuses life into those beautifully written lines, that the audience almost agrees that it is not the man’s fault, but destiny’s that he turns out to be unfaithful!

SAUDAGAR (1973)—

This is one gem of a movie, rooted in Indian soil so deep that one could almost smell the fragrance. I guess Mr. Bachchan took on this film before the star-dust of stardom yanked him away from such realistic gems. And that is a complaint I will always have. Watch him in this movie and you can realize what he, us, and directors like Mr. Shyam Benegal or Mr. Satyajit Ray missed by not having him star in their movies. It is a complete anti-thesis to his ‘macho’ and angst-ridden persona he embodied later in his commercial madness. I watched this movie a few years back and do not remember exactly each and every scene. But I remember being just awe-struck after watching his performance in this movie. He plays a character so human and to such perfection that never once, and never ever once, during the entire length of this movie do you remember him to be the ‘super-star’ that he is. And remember, I watched this movie only 6-7 years back, after being privy to enjoying all the Hrishikesh Mukherjee-Chopra-Prakash Mehra-Desai-Ram Gopal Varma movies. His perfect portrayal completely wiped out all the hang-over I had of his ‘super-star’ movies! He plays a simple gurd-selling villager who has all the insecurities and selfishness—and maybe more— of the ordinary man. So deftly he portrays the emotions of angst, jealousy, selfishness, and helplessness that one is just stunned and mesmerized by the range that this man possesses when it comes to his craft. It covers a gamut of emotions from lust, to connivance, to greed, to selfishness, to insecurity, to anger, to helplessness, and to redemption. He just nails it, spot-on.

NISHABDH (2007) –

The film begins with Mr. Bachchan standing on the precipice of a hill attempting  suicide. But he doesn’t have the guts. He is weak, emotionally very, very, weak. And his name is Vijay. Vijay? Weak? Thinking of suicide? Yes, it’s the same name; the same Vijay who fought—and killed if he had to— to live his life the way he wanted to in all his other movies. In one cinematic moment, Mr. Ram Gopal Varma, and definitely more so, Mr. Bachchan, successfully blow to smithereens the image of a strong and unyielding Vijay of yore who was always above his emotions, not beneath them. The closest he came to this stage was in KAALA PATTHAR, but again, that weakness was channeled into a brilliant portrayal of latent anger. Mr. Bachchan is just extraordinarily effective as a man caught between the societal morals and that hidden, free-wheeling emotional dynamite in any human being-particularly if that being happens to be of an introverted character. The emotional graph that the actor draws on screen when a matchstick in the form of an 18-year old girl lights up the dormant dynamite is unconquerable—and just impossible for any other actor to better. This is a portrayal so superlative that it just makes weaknesses and emotional instability in life so very appealing to the audience. One just feels compelled to tell the character of Vijay to throw away all obligations and run along with the brazen carelessness of the 18 year old Jiah. The pitch of his performance is more than perfect. Even when he raises his voice, there is mellowness and a subdued nature to his dialogue delivery and demeanor that never ever let the audience forget that this is an introverted man, and will remain so, even if he were to be occasionally stirred by the storm of passion. Isn’t that the hallmark of great performers? This ability to use the same emotions, and then peel different layers off of them?

That the audience and the media alike killed the movie even before its release has been and will always remain my bone of contention. Before the release, it was portrayed as a voyeuristic, Lolita-esque movie; and after, it was a slow, boring movie. Agreed, that cinematically, this one could have been a more fluidly made movie. But it was never, ever, given a fair judgment. It was analyzed for what it was supposed to be, but not for what it was. This is definitely a way above-average movie from Mr. Ram Gopal Varma. Thank you RGV—and thank you Hrishida for balancing a YAARANA with your BEMISAL and many alike before RGV. We –at least I—owe you one for capturing this incomparable actor in an outstanding performance. I rate this performance of his as THE best; better than SARKAR, KHAKEE, and all the other appreciated ones in his post KBC phase.

Mr. Spacey, you were wonderful in AMERICAN BEAUTY, but then, in 1999, NISHABDH wasn’t made yet, and Mr. Bachchan doesn’t act in Hollywood movies, and Hollywood (read the Oscars) didn’t know (want to?) know of an actor named Amitabh Bachchan from India. It still doesn’t recognize this non-English actor; and will probably never know what it is missing.

BOOM (2003)

I know I am going to face huge flak for considering this to be one of his under-rated ones. Say what you will about the movie, but do try to look at Mr. Bachchan’s performance objectively. I was shocked that on the first day of the movie release, there were countless ‘fans’ of Mr. Bachchan outside cinema theaters protesting against the fact that he was playing an offensive, profane character mouthing double entendre-ridden dialogues. And I couldn’t help but sigh thinking,’ Here’s another facet to this man’s acting portfolio that will never again be given a chance to be explored.’ Nevertheless, I saw the movie, and just loved his free-wheeling performance. And I just could not help but remember Mr. Naseeruddin Shah’s statement that the only actor in this world who is better than his movies is Mr. Bachchan. Seeing him play a psychotic retard was such a joy and he so successfully negated his suave and charismatic image of a learned, classy host on KBC with this portrayal. He played an offensive man to the hilt. He was crass and crude, just what the character expected him to be. Watch him read a comic book, lust after models, or ride a kiddies’ car with gay abandon, and you will just be repulsed by his character. But wasn’t that the point?

=====Aneesh (An Jo)

Filmmaker Sujoy Ghosh is such a huge fan of Amitabh Bachchan that he revisited many of the megastar’s hit films, studied key scenes…………read more…

After “Lalu Chalisa” and “Nitish Chalisa”, now there is “Amitabh Chalisa”. A Bihar-based lawyer has composed a specially-structured hymn in praise of the Bollywood megastar………read more…

I am 100 % sure the poor lady was either harassed by her daughter or media to act. Else, how can someone carry a big portrait of jesus christ for protection.

I am also sure that at the end of the day the bachchan family laughs at the tooooooooo unrealisticly filmy Big Boss drama. Big B has tremendous patience. If I were the host, I would have gone a laugh riot…like i am doing now.

Dishoom. I am Amitabh Bachchan, and I am running for Prime Minister of the United States. rajni cool music video hindi bachchan 2008 entertainment american desi superstar dance fun litte superstar breakdance like usher tamil song yeah rajnikanth michael jackson thriller indian india funny 80s … amitabh obama girl crazy indian video hindi bollywood songs politics dumb top funny spoof election music America

Big B in Big Boss…sounds interesting. I am eagerly waiting for the clock to strike 9 only to c how is big B going t b in Big Boss. Alas! i lost my remote…just cannot find…it has become the victim of my 9 month old son. Hope I find it soon!

روابط ترجمة الفيلم
————

Arabic Subtitles

SRT

http://desisubs.com/details.php?id=2773

ENG Subtitles
http://desisubs.com/details.php?id=2774

I’ve watched the movie for almost a dozen times and yet I have failed to refrain from crying every single time. The music, the plot, the characters are very touching. Yes, parents would go extra miles for the children..

and children..they grow up and make mistakes along the way…make more mistakes and learn throughout the journey..

Namak Haraam was Bollywood movie in 1973 starring Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna in lead roles. Hrishikesh Mukherjee has directed this movie. It was second movie from Hrishikesh Mukerjee, Amitabh and Rajesh Khanna combo.

First film in this combination was Anand, which is one of the classic film in Bollywood history. Namak Haraam focuses on friend ship between a poor worker and a rich business man.

Gulzar penned this story. Rahul Dev Burman has composed the music. Rekha was female lead. Amitabh Bachchan won Filmfare award for this movie in Best Actor Category.

In this great nation, there are two Americas. One sees only in black and white. The other prefers HD. One America is retarded—it thinks life is like a box of chocolates. The other America, well let’s just say he has tasted the rainbow. And he has saved his marshmallows for the end. And, he is excited about the purple horseshoes! I am that America (and so can you). Unlike Obaba, McPain and Mr. Clinton, I believe our people are more than just black or white. Sometimes, they are both—like …

Sholay (source: topnews.in)

Directed by Ramesh Sippy

Imagine a movie about which we felt in synthesis what we feel separately for Citizen Kane, Star Wars, The Usual Suspects, and The Princess Bride. This movie is, for Indians, Sholay. It is the Bollywood classic, and it stars the Bollywood superstar of all time (this can’t be exaggerated), Amitabh Bachchan. This is a movie about which it is best to approach knowing nothing of the plot, so I will simply tell you that it is usually put in the category of “curry westerns,” but you should not let this stop you if westerns aren’t your thing. I am not a western fan. This movie is more along the lines of a classic, culture-transcendent epic. The narrative is broad and sweeping, covering the span of several years and told with intermittent, easily-followed flashbacks (Bollywood’s got a corner on flashbacks). The story inhabits many genres easily, as all great epics should, including comedy, farce, tragedy, romance, excitement, war, and social commentary.  This movie was so beloved that a separate soundtrack of just the dialogue was sold; many people have the lines memorized. The acting is superb and never brash—the one case where it might seem such, with a Hitler-like jailer—is appropriate to the farce genre the movie was in at that time.

Song Highlights: The song in which the villagers celebrate Holi, the festival of colors. The directing and cinematography in this item number is joyous, capturing the villagers in a time when they feel they can freely celebrate life. This contributes to an immediate irony in the song, as Holi also celebrates the vanquishing of evil, yet the song opens immediately after the villain asks, “When does the village celebrate Holi?” Another highlight is “Jab tak hai jaan jaan,” when Basanti is forced to sing and dance; it includes a reference to the famous dance scene in Pakeezah, when the main character dances over broken glass for her lost love. Helen does a dance number as well (the requisite sexy-dance-for-the-band-of-bad-guys); Helen is one of the the ladies of Bollywood, most known for her dancing, usually as the vamp. Music by R.D. Burman and lyrics by Anand Bakshi.

Tidbits: The two main love interests in the movie were married in real life; Hema Malini (who played Basanti), although very conservative (as was expected of Indian women), actually became Dharmendra’s second wife (Dharmendra played the other of the two professional thieves with Amitabh). And Amitabh is married to Jaya Bhadhuri. Another interesting fact is that I called an Indian store here to see if they had this movie; their response was “Isn’t that an old movie?” So either the books I read exaggerate its influence, or those owners weren’t major Bollywood fans.

Rating: This is a good choice for the first Bollywood movie to see. The storyline is more than accessible (as I’ve said, it’s cross-culturally epic) and most of the “stereotypes” of Bollywood are nonexistent. Just disregard the first song, “Yeh dosti,” when Amitabh and Dharmendra steal a little bike cart. The song was very popular in India, but does not translate culturally or aurally.

Library Collection: Whatever the motivation for the collection, this should be included. It is Bollywood’s most beloved movie, it is an epic in its own right, it has great music, and it serves to show an important historical point in the Bombay film industry.

© 2009 Jill Wohlgemuth

(This is a very old post of mine, that suddenly went missing from my blog. After a lot of searching…..I have unearthed it from somewhere. I cannot backdate it, and so I have no other alternative than post it right up here. Read it, if you already haven’t.)

Mr Amitabh,

Give me the real Bachchan.

I admit that you are one of the few actors to have evolved so finely. But I cannot help but miss the Bachchan who walked into theatres amidst deafening whistles.

The Bachchan who triggered a frenzy even before the censor certificate appeared. The Bachchan who kicked us out of bed to rush to the theatres and join a snake long queue. The Bachchan who made us sacrifice the popcorn during intervals. The Bachchan who kept us glued onto the seat even if our bladders were bursting. The Bachchan who’s films were reserved to only be screened during Diwali on Doordarshan. The Bachchan that made us aware of theatres we never knew existed. The Bachchan who made us grin and bear the shaky lines that appeared and reappeared in the rented VHS tapes.  The Bachchan where nothing else mattered as long as it was Bachchan.

If I had to pick up a poster of you to adorn my walls, it would still be from the pile of your earlier films.

If a Rajni can still do a Sivaji, why not you?

How can you enter the screen without background music anymore? Why is there no grand revelation to the God on screen? Why does the camera not take it’s time to scan you from toe to head?Why is there even an inch of space between you and the edge of the screen? Why are your opening lines not drowned in the din of the audience? Why is there no reverb to your baritone voice when you utter those first golden words? Why do you not do things that a Naseer or Om Puri can never dream of doing?

There are a hundred actors for us to go ‘wah wah’ about their acting skills. But there is still only one Bachchan to imitate in front of the mirror. So why have you stepped into those easily replaceable meaningful roles? Why have you retraced your steps to being an actor again?

If all this is an attempt to cater to the new generation that wants ‘Bollywood’ to resemble ‘Hollywood’, then what happens to the crores of front benchers like me? Who do we turn to? How long do we rerun those pirated dvds? How many more dvds will you make us buy, by just changing the cover? When do we see you with DTS put to full use? When do we see the seats of multiplexes ripped apart? When do we buy in black again? When will you give us new fodder with which we could spend a few more years happily trying to imitate? When will you stop breaking the formula? When will you surprise us with a cliche that’s now rare?

‘Vijay Dinanath Chauhan…gaon Mandwa……’,

“line wahin se shuru hoti hai, jahaan hum khade hote hai’

‘Ae kancha, bandookh bhi dikhatha hai aur peeche bhi hat tha hai?’

‘Aadmi aisa do heech time bhaagtha hai, olympic ka race ho ya police ka case’……

Don’t you miss saying those lines anymore than competing with mere mortals who are hiding in the shadow of realism? Specially, when you’ve unanimously been granted the license to leap far out of it.

Don’t worry about the New Gen. After all, they are a giggly lot, laughing at silly MTV spoofs of your masterpieces, with no impact of the original on them. Moreover, there are sufficient people who’ve been put in the business to keep them happy. There are enough ‘thinking directors’ catering to them, engaged in remaking foreign flicks or inspired renditions of them. That should keep them busy in comparing it with the original. They have a good understanding going on between themselves. Leave them alone to enjoy that nonsense.

In the meanwhile, please spare a thought to forgotten front benchers like me and wake up the sleeping Salim Javeds, Kader Khans and Tinnu Anands, and let’s start from where we left off last….

Was it Hum?

Bhaktavar…Mein aaaa raha hoon…….tan tan tan tadang taaaaaaaaaannnnnnng…

Now go.