Showing posts with label director. Show all posts
Showing posts with label director. Show all posts

Saturday 15 February 2020

Randhir Kapoor - Made his Debute asDirector and Hero


Randhir Kapoor(15th Feb 1947) the eldest son of Raj Kapoor made his acting and direction debut in a leading role in the family drama Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971). He appeared as a child artist in Shree 420 (1955) and Do Ustad (1959). After his debut, he acted in three consecutive hit films, all released in 1972: JeetRampur Ka Lakshman, and Jawani Diwani.
In 1975, he directed and starred alongside his father again in the critically acclaimed Dharam Karam, which was a box office disappointment.  From 1976 to 1981, his multi-star films such as Chacha Bhatija (1977), Kasme Vaade (1978) were successful
.Randhir married actress Babita, the daughter of actor Hari Shivdasani, on 6 November 1971 when he was just 24 after co-starring with her in Kal Aaj Aur Kal, as the couple fell in love during the shooting of this film. Their two daughters, Karisma Kapoor, born in June 1974, and Kareena Kapoor, born in September 1980, are Indian film actresses. 
 In 1991, he directed and produced the blockbuster Henna (1991), that starred his younger brother, Rishi Kapoor and Pakistani actress Zeba Bakhtiar. The film had started production in 1988 with his father Raj Kapoor directing, but after his death, Randhir took over as director of the film. Henna resulted in a trip to Pakistan, where he was treated royally by then-prime minister Nawaz Sharif, a fan of his father Raj and his uncle Shammi Kapoor.
In 1999, he made his comeback in the film Mother, alongside RekhaJeetendra and Rakesh Roshan. After another break, he appeared in the film Armaan (2003), in a supporting role as Preity Zinta's father. 
Song of Shree 420


Song of Kal Aaj aur Kal 1971


Song of Rampur Ka Lakshman 1972


Song of Jawani Diwani 1972


Song of Haath Ki Safai. 1974


Song of Dharam Karam 1975



Monday 13 January 2020

Shakti Samanta - A Filmmaker who gave us many Great Films


Shakti Samanta (13 January 1926 – 9 April 2009) a filmmaker of the Golden Era of Bollywood gave us films such as Howrah BridgeChina TownSawan Ki GhataKashmir Ki KaliAn Evening in ParisAradhana, Kati Patang, Amar Prem.and many more.
He wanted to become an actor but became a director. He joined the film industry in 1948 as an assistant director starting with Satish Nigam in Raj Kapoor starrer "Sunhere Din.".  He got his break as an independent director fro the 1954 film "Bahu".
He started his own production company, Shakti Films, in 1957, and the first release of his independent banner was the murder-mystery Howrah Bridge, with Ashok Kumar and Madhubala as the lead, With the huge success of this film, his banner became one of the great banners of the 60s and 70s.
Shakti Samanta was among the directors who worked with Shammi Kapoor in the late 1950s and up to the mid-'60s, then with Sharmila TagoreRajesh Khanna, creating a number of classics such as AradhanaKati PatangAnurodh, and Amar Prem.
He directed 37 Hindi films and 6 Bengali films. He worked with many actors of his time  Most popular among the lot was Ashok Kumar, with whom he did as many as nine films which include Inspector, Shero, Isi Ka Naam Duniya Hai, Howrah Bridge, Aradhana, Amar Prem, Anuraag, Anurodh, and Anand Ashram. 

Shammi Kapoor was also his favorite actor with whom he did 6 films, the first film he did with him was "Singapore" released in 1960. 
China Town was the next film released in 1962  It was a black-and-white movie, starring Shammi Kapoor in a double role, as a gangster and his look-alike. Shakila was the leading lady, alongside Helen in a supporting role.
Kashmir Ki Kali was the next film released in 1964. The film stars Shammi Kapoor, Sharmila Tagore in her debut role, Pran, Dhumal, Nazir Hussain, and Anoop Kumar. It was a great hit and its music became super hit.
An Evening In Paris was the next film released in 1967, it was again a hit. After that Pagla kahi ka and Jane Anjane in 1971

Rajesh Khanna became his favorite hero after the success of Aradhana in 1969. Rajesh Khanna also worked with him in 6 films. Kati Patang was the second film with him and then came Amar Prem in 1971.

He received Filmfare Awards for Best Film for Aradhana (1969), Anuraag (1973) and Amanush, which was also made in Bengali
He died of cardiac arrest at his suburban Santa Cruz residence at approximately 5pm on 9 th April 2009,



Song of Howrah Bridge 1958


Song of Jaali Note (1960)


Song of China Town (1962)


Song of Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)


Song of An Evening in Paris (1967)


Song of Aradhana (1969)


Song of Kati Patang (1970)


Song of Amar Prem (1971)


Song of Mehbooba (1976)



Saturday 14 December 2019

Raj Kapoor left an indelible impact on Indian cinema.


Raj Kapoor, the Greatest Showman of Bollywood started as a Clapper Boy assisting Kidar Sharma. Raj Kapoor appeared in a film for the first time at the age of ten in  1935's Inquilab. He appeared as a child artist in many more films It was his Guru Kidar Sharma, who introduced him in the lead role in Neel Kamal (1947) opposite Madhubala in her first role as a leading lady.
 In 1948, at the age of twenty-four, he established his own studio, R. K. Films, and became the youngest film director of his time making his directorial debut with Aag starring himself, NargisKamini Kaushal, and Premnath.
On Raj's 95th birth anniversary today, I give a lowdown on his films which you have and will continue to watch multiple times.
Song of Aag 1948
Aag (1948): This 1948 Bollywood flick, which marked Raj Kapoor's debut as producer and director, was the first of several films in which he was paired opposite Nargis. Interestingly, the film also starred Raj's youngest brother Shashi Kapoor as a child artiste. Shashi had essayed the role of the younger version of Kewal, the character which Raj played.


Andaz(1949)

Song of Andaz 1949
 He got real recognition from 1949 film Andaz, he co-starred alongside Dilip Kumar and Nargis in that film. Though Andaz is talked about its unique casting coup of bringing together  Dilip Kumar and Raj Kapoor, it must be admitted that at the time of Andaz’s making, both were just beginning to become stars Andaz took Nargis right to the top and established her without doubt as India’s finest dramatic actress. Dilip Kumar too consolidated on his image of paying the tragic lover   Raj Kapoor in the more difficult role of the husband suspecting his wife’s infidelity more than manages to match strides with Dilip Kumar while showcasing the comic side of his personality 

Barsaat (1949): 
Song of Barsaat (1949)
Released in 1949, the film starred the already popular Bollywood onscreen couple - Raj Kapoor and Nargis. Actress Nimmi was launched in the film industry with this film. Barsaat is referred to as one of the first key successful films which Raj had directed. Such was the success of the film that it enabled Kapoor to purchase RK Studios in 1950. 

Awara (1951)
Song of Awara (1951)
Produced and directed by Raj Kapoor, and written by Khwaja Ahmad Abbas. It stars Raj Kapoor, NargisPrithviraj KapoorAwaara is considered a milestone in the history of BollywoodIn the film, Kapoor's poor, innocent "little tramp" character references Charlie Chaplin and was further developed in other Kapoor films such as Shree 420



Chori Chori (1956) 

Song of Chori Chori (1956)
This was not a RK film but was an AVM Film.The film starred Raj Kapoor and Nargis again and it was the last film they worked together as Hero and Heroine. The film was a musical hit.Raj Kapoor played a Daku for the first time.

Anari (1959) 
Song of Anari (1959)
The film stars Raj KapoorNutanMotilal, and Lalita PawarThis was among the few movies in which Lalita Pawar played a positive role and Motilal a role with shades of grey. The film was directed by Hrishikesh Mukharjee. Raj Kapoor got a Filmfare Award for this film.

Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960): 
Song of Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
Directed by Radhu Karmakar and produced by Raj Kapoor, the film was a hit at the Box Office. Raj played the role of a poor friendly orphan who ekes out a livelihood by crooning songs.

Mera Naam Joker (1970):
Song of Mera Naam Joker (1970)
It's an RK Film The film was made over six years and a huge portion of the money invested came from Raj's personal fortune. The film stars Kapoor as the eponymous character, with Simi GarewalKseniya Ryabinkina and Padmini in supporting roles.The film was partly made with the participation of Soviet actors and was partly shot in Moscow. The film was rejected by audiences and critics, putting Kapoor into a financial crisis,

Bobby (1973) .
Song of Bobby 1973
After the debacle of Joker, this was the film Raj Kapoor produced and directed It was a Teenager's love story having his son Rishi Kapoor and a newcomer Dimple Kapadiahe film became a trendsetter    The film became a blockbuster, the top-grossing Indian hit of 1973, the second-top-grossing hit of the 1970s at the Indian box office

Sunday 13 October 2019

13 October - A Cruel Co incidence in Bollywood


13th Oct is the Birthdate of Dada Muni, Ashok Kumar and unfortunately, it became the last day of Kishore Kumar, who passed away on this day.  Dada Muni was born on 13 Oct 1911. He was an Iconic Actor of the 1940s and 50s. By 1947, he was the most bankable star of Hindi cinema and started producing films for Bombay Talkies. He was the eldest son of the Ganguli family. Kishore Kumar was the youngest among all.
Kishore Kumar who was 18 years younger than Ashok Kumar. He was a lively child who was passionate about singing. He was especially obsessed with legendary singer and composer KL Saigal and learned music by imitating his style.
Kishore had no formal training in music and Ashok Kumar, who was already a film star, discouraged him from taking up a playback career. He felt that Kishore’s voice lacked ‘modulation’, among other things. But Kishore was in no mood to hang up his boots.
It was in 1945 when Kishore Kumar was in Bombay living with Ashok Kumar, who that time shooting for Shikari gave him a small role in that film. However, Kishore disliked acting. His first few films flopped and then he decided to act so badly that nobody will cast him. Kishore’s decision to perform badly became his calling card and the audience’s started loving him for it. It was the 1951 release of Andolan, however, that propelled him to stardom as a singer-actor and ultimately freed him from the shadow of his brother Ashok.
He was given break for singing by Khemchand Prakash for the 1948 film Ziddi, the song was  “Marne ki duayen kyon mangu The song was a hit but he didn't get many offers for singing.It was S D Burman who advised him not to imitate KL Saigal, sing in your own style.
 It was music director SD Burman who gave Kishore opportunities to sing in one movie after another beginning with Dev Anand’s hit films -- Munimji and Taxi Driver (1954), House No. 44 (1955), Funtoosh (1956), Nau Do Gyarah and Paying Guest (1957) and many more. Not only these movies became big hits but their songs too soared in popularity charts. Dev Anand’s own popularity scaled higher peaks while Kishore Kumar began to be recognized as Dev Anand’s voice.
Kishore Kumar and Ashok Kumar acted together in many films.the first time they acted together in Bhai Bhai released in 1956. Ashok Kumar, who played the lead role and Kishore Kumar (real-life brothers) as the two brothers, with the film being referred to as one of Kishore Kumar's prominent films. In this film sang one song for himself "Mera Naam Abdul Rehman"
Both of them are considered to be one of India’s finest artists who have successfully entertained us. Talking about Ashok Kumar, he was an actor who ruled the silver screen whereas, Kishore Kumar’s melodious voice remains etched in our hearts to date, and maybe forever.

Both the brothers were going great when destiny played a cruel game and one’s happy occasion, unfortunately, turned sad and unhappy for the other one. Kishore Kumar died on the birthday of Ashok Kumar in 1987, which shattered Ashok Kumar, he decided that he will never celebrate his birthday now and onwards. Ashok Kumar died 14 years later in 2001.
Here are 5 Prominent films of both brothers working together
Bhai Bhai 1956


Song of Bhai Bhai 1956
The story is of two brothers, with the younger brother running away from home at an early age. The older brother gets entangled with another woman, leaving his wife and child at home. This situation leads to the meeting of the brothers, with the older one mending his errant ways.


Bandi (1957)


Song of Bandi (1957)
This is a 1957 film directed by Satyen Bose and had all three brothers Ashok, Kishore and Anoop coming together for the first time. Ashok Kumar as his educated elder brother has negative shades to his character. while Kishore played a simpleton. The confrontation scenes between Ashok Kumar and Kishore Kumar are superb especially in the end when they meet after 16 years.


Raagini  (1958)


Song of Ragini 1958
It is a 1958 Bollywood film starring Ashok KumarKishore Kumarand Padmini. Kishore sings "Main Bangali Chhokra" The film was an average.at Box office


Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)-


Song of Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)
 The film featured the 3 brothers once again and Madhubala. The music was given by SD Burman and the Kishore sang most of the sings along with Asha Bhosle. The film was a huge success.



Door Ka Rahi (1971)


Song of Door Ka Rahi (1971)
 The film was directed by Kishore Kumar himself who also wrote the film and featured Tanuja, Ashok Kumar and himself in major roles. The film strives to deliver a very strong message of humanity using the simplest possible language. 

Friday 27 September 2019

Yash Chopra - He Made Films with his Heart


Yash Chopra who made many love stories, also known as the King of Romance, once said that he doesn't make films with a calculator on his hand or eyes on the Box Office collection but put all his heart into telling love stories and was never constrained by budgets. 
His wife Palmela Chopra in an interview said that there was a child inside him, he was always restless. He made great Romantic films but he was not romantic in real life. He was a very practical man. He always thought of films. There was always a story revolving on his mind. He was a master storyteller, No one told a love story quite as bravely and boldly as Yash Chopra did.
Yash Chopra is undoubtedly India's most successful film-maker. With a career spanning over five decades, he has been associated with almost 35 films, most of which have created box-office history. Born on 27th September 1932, in Jalandhar (Punjab), is the younger brother of B R Chopra another Legend of Bollywood.
He started out as an assistant to his brother and went on to direct 5 very successful films for his brother’s banner - B.R.Films. These were Dhool Ka Phool (1959), Dharmputra (1961), Waqt (1965), Ittefaq (1969) & Aadmi Aur Insaan (1969}..
Yash  Chopra founded his own production company, Yash Raj Films, in 1971launched with Daag: A Poem of Love (1973), Starring Rajesh Khanna and Rakhi. In 1976 Yashraj Films Kabhie Kabhie was released. It was an instant hit.
After Kabhie Kabhie he made another love story Noorie in 1979 then Silsila in 1981 with Amitabh Bachhan, Rekha and Jaya Bhaduri. The movie is said to be loosely inspired by the famous triangle between the three stars Amitabh-Jaya-Rekha, which was the most popular affair back then. 
Chandni another Love Story released in 1989, starring SrideviRishi Kapoor and Vinod Khanna in the lead roles, the film is considered one of the biggest successes of all time. The story revolves around Rohit (Kapoor) and Chandni (Sridevi) who are in love and are about to be married.
Lamhe was the next film which was released in 1991, starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor in the lead roles, the film is hailed as a classic and one of his finest films of all time. This has also been cited as Chopra's personal favorite, as well. Though the film was not a hit.
Yash Chopra directed three more romantic films, all starring Khan; Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), Veer-Zaara(2004), and Jab Tak Hai Jaan (2012), before he announced his retirement from directing in 2012.

Romantic Songs from Yash Chopra's Films
Songs of Daag 1973


Songs of Kabhie Kabhie 1976


Songs of Noorie 1979


Songs of Silsila 1981


Songs of Chandni 1989


Songs of Lamhe 1991


Songs of Dil To Pagal Hai 1997


Songs of Veer Zara 2004


Songs of Jab Tak hai Jaan 2012

Sunday 18 August 2019

Gulzar - Humne DekhI Hai Un Aankhon Ki Mehakti Khushboo


Gulzar (Born on 18th August 1934) became popular as a lyricist in the unusually worded song from Khamoshi in 1969 "Humne dekhi hai un aankhon ki mehakti khushboo/Haath sey chhoo ke ise rishtoon ka koi naam na do". .Though he penned his first film song "Mora gora ang laiy ley mohe shaam rang daiye dey/chhup jaoongi raat he mein mohe pee ka sang daiye dey." from Bimal Roy's Bandini released in 1961.
Gulzar, who began as an apprentice with Bimal Roy, joined Hrishikesh Mukherjee after his death. He wrote for Kabuliwala, Sannaata, Do Dooni Chaar Biwi Aur Makan etc. With Mere Apne (1971), he turned director.The success of his Mere Apne encouraged Gulzar to experiment with novel subjects. Next in the line came films like Koshish, Parichay, Achanak, Kinara and Aandhi.
In Aandhi, Gulzar wove a story of estrangement between a couple (Sanjeev Kumar and Suchitra Sen) against the backdrop of politics. Gulzar is at his sublime best in the song "Tere bina zindagi se shiqwa to nahin."The lyrics 3 the agony and regret of the choices made.
However, Gulzar's most successful songs as a lyricist were to come out later, of his association with Rahul Dev Burman who he described later as an anchor in his life.Few of his songs with R D Burman are Beeti Na Bitai Raina, Parichay (1972), Tere Bina Zindagi Se, Aandhi (1975), Aaj Kal Paaon, Ghar (1978), Do Naina Aur Ek Kahani, Masoom (1983), Mera Kuch Samaan, Ijaazat (1988).
Song of Bandini 1963


Song of Khamoshii 1969


Song of Khamoshii 1969


Song of Anand 1971


Song of Aandhi1975


Song of Mausam 1976



Song of Kinara 1977


Song of Sadma 1983


Song of Masoom 1983


Song of Maachis 1996