Celebrity gaze

  Ramyaa :  Janmmejaya shines in this gritty and engaging tale of crime and politics  By Rajesh Ahuja  Two years ago he made heads turn with his charming portrayal of a young man caught between two captivating women in the romantic comedy ' Hum Tumhein Chahte Hain' .  After winning accolades with his performance in his debut film , Janmmejaya Singh turns a new leaf as a crusader taking on the system after being dealt a cruel hand by fate and circumstances in his latest film ' Ramyaa '.  Produced by Anandvan Creations and Sulbha Kala Kruti and  directed by Santosh Parab, Ramyaa is a compelling crime drama that explores human emotions, relationships, and the struggles of individuals trying to find their place in society, unfolding through an intense and engaging narrative.                                               Ramyaa: Janmmejaya shi...

Think of me as a villain, not your uncle: Pran put Amitabh at ease during a scene in Zanzeer  Amitabh was a little nervous during the opening scene between him and Pran  By Rajesh Ahuja  Prakash Mehra's Zanzeer saw Amitabh Bachchan rise on the Bollywood skyway as the new 'angry young man '.  However, a crucial scene between him and veteran actor Pran,  which was among the scenes which established him as 'angry young man', saw Amitabh experience nervousness. It was only  after Pran  put him at ease that Amitabh  could do the scene well enough.  Amitabh Bachchan was nervous during the opening scene between him and Pran in Zanzeer  The scene being referred to was the one where the character Vijay,  a police inspector who has been transferred to a new area, summons the bad man Sher Khan (Pran) to the police station. When Sher Khan arrives at the police station and is about to sit on the chair lying opposite the police inspector, ...

 You look younger than the hero: Nargis complemented Pran after watching Zanzeer  Nargis' comments came after she watched rushes of the film By Rajesh Ahuja  It was not just the cine going audiences who praised veteran actor Pran for his performance in the classic thriller ' Zanzeer '. The legendary actor recieved accolades from no less a star than the acting powerhouse Nargis for his performance in the film.  According to the biography of Pran , the actor's performance in Zanzeer won him effusive praise from Nargis,  considered one of the greatest actresses in Hindi films.  The comments by Nargis came on Pran's performance in the song ' Yaari Hai Imaan Mera Yaar Meri Zindagi '.  Nargis complemented Pran after watching Zanzeer  Speaking in an interview to the biography,  superstar and the leading hero of Zanzeer Amitabh Bachchan, recalling the reaction of Nargis after watching the song ' Yaari Hai Imaan Mere ', said, Pran saab put so much ...

 Mumtaz,  not Jaya Bhaduri, was the original choice for female lead in Prakash Mehra's Zanzeer  Mumtaz's marriage to Mayur Madhvani led to the entry of Jaya in the film  By Rajesh Ahuja  Bollywood history is replete with stories of missed opportunities and one actor's loss turning out to be another actor's gain.  As is well known, Prakash Mehra's action thriller Zanzeer is a typical case of the film proving to be a missed opportunity for actors like Dev Anand,  Dharmendra and Raaj Kumar and turning out to be a fortune for Amitabh Bachchan,  who skyrocketed to fame as the new 'angry young man ' of Bollywood with the film.  Prakash Mehra's Zanzeer also proved to be a missed opportunity for actress Mumtaz.  It turns out that Mumtaz,  a huge star in the late 60s and early 70s, was the original choice for the heroine of Zanzeer .  According to the biography of legendary actor Pran, Mumtaz was originally slated to be the female int...

 Zanzeer: the musical chairs for the casting of hero before entry of Amitabh Bachchan  Dev Anand', Dharmendra and Raaj Kumar were approached by Prakash Mehra before Amitabh's casting for Zanzeer  By Rajesh Ahuja  That Amitabh Bachchan was not the original choice for hero of Prakash Mehra's Zanzeer is well known.  But not many are aware that the casting of the leading man for the action thriller went through a long  musical chairs before Amitabh Bachchan was finally cast for the film,  which catapulted him as the new superstar of the Hindi film industry.  Prakash Mehra's Zanzeer went through a long musical chairs for casting of hero before entry of Amitabh Bachchan in the film  The first actor to be approached for the role of hero in Zanzeer was Dharmendra.  According to the biography of legendary actor Pran,  the story of Zanzeer had been bought by Dharmendra, who was to be its leading man, and he had reached an agreement with Pr...

When Hema Malini was chosen over Meena Kumari for a Filmfare Award  Hema was chosen Best Actress for 'Seeta Aur Geeta' over the late Meena Kumari for 'Pakeezah'  By Rajesh Ahuja   Winning a Filmfare award is considered as a matter of prestige for artists in the Hindi film industry.. However, the Filmfare awards, the topmost awards in the annals of Bollywood, have often been marred with controversy.  One such controversy marred the awards in the year 1973 when the organizers chose Hema Malini, then a relative newcomer, over the talented Meena Kumari for the Best actress award.  In the 1973 awards, the jury for the awards bypassed Meena Kumari, who had the same year given a memorable performance in Kamal Amrohi's classic Pakeezah , and selected Hema Malini, then a relative newcomer, for her performance in ' Seeta aur Geeta '.  When Hema Malini was chosen over Meena Kumari for a Filmfare Award  The episode finds mention in the biography of legendary actor...

 Pran and Ashok Kumar: one of the most enduring friendships in Bollywood  By Rajesh Ahuja  They were two legendary actors of Hindi cinema who started out their careers being on opposite sides of the fence - Ashok Kumar was the lovable hero while Pran was the detestable villain of the piece .  Their on screen rivalry notwithstanding, Ashok Kumar and Pran shared an enduring friendship in Bollywood.  Infact, Ashok Kumar and Pran's  is considered to be among the most enduring friendships in Bollywood.  Ashok Kumar and Pran had the most enduring  friendships in Bollywood  So close were Pran and Ashok Kumar that the legendary Bollywood  villain,  referring in his biography to his bond with Dadamoni,  as Ashok Kumar was  lovingly  referred to in the film industry, recalled Dadamoni saying that if he (Ashok Kumar) was in the bathroom and Pran's movie was being  shown  on  TV,  he would  Immediately...

Raaka in 'Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' was one of Pran's most unforgettable roles in a Raj Kapoor film  Pran did a lot of work on the development of Raaka in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai  By Rajesh Ahuja   Known for his close association with Raj Kapoor,  legendary actor Pran worked with the Bollywood showman in many films, from Aah (1953) to Bobby (1973).  However,  among his various performances in a Raj Kapoor film,  Pran rates his performance in the dacoit drama Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti   Hai (1960)as one of his 'most unforgettable ones'.  In his biography titled ' And Pran ', the legendary actor lists his performance as 'Raaka' as among his 'most unforgettable roles.  'From Aah (1953) to Bobby (1973),I acted in many Raj Kapoor's films. But the most unforgettable role among them all was the one in ' Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai' ,'Pran wrote in his biography.  Pran lists his role as Raaka in Jis Desh Mein Ganga Be...

 Pran and Dev Anand: a lucky combination in Bollywood  Pran and Dev Anand starred in nine films, most of them hits  By Rajesh Ahuja  Legendary actor Pran Sikand, who established himself as a successful villain in the 50s and 60s,  had most of his successful films with the legendary Ashok Kumar and the 'Big Three ' of the Hindi film industry - Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand.  According to the biography of Pran,  titled ' And Pran '','Pran was often the preferred choice to fill bad men's roles from the 1950s onwards.  'Some of his most successful films were with the original 'evergreen actor ' Ashok Kumar and with 'The Big Three '.  The biography reveals that of the triumvirate,  Pran shared a special rapport with Dev Anand.  Pran and Dev Anand were a lucky combination in Bollywood  This special bond developed when Dev Anand and Pran worked together for the first time in Bombay Talkies' ' Ziddi '(1948).  Though Pran h...

Sky Force : a gripping action drama with brilliant performances by Akshay,Veer Pahadia  Rating: 4 stars  By Rajesh Ahuja  After wowing audiences with slick action thrillers like Sooryavanshi and Bell Bottom and the more recent rescue drama Mission Raniganj , Akshay Kumar is back with another emotionally charged performance in his latest release Sky Force , a film based on India’s attack on the Sargodha airbase of Pakistan during the India Pakistan war in 1965.  As Wing Commander Kumar Om Ahuja who led the attack by the Indian Air Force on the Sargodha airbase of Pakistan during the India Pakistan war in 1965, Akshay Kumar comes up with a virtuoso act that leaves the audience in tears and imbues them with a feeling of pride.  Sky Force is a gripping action drama with brilliant performances by Akshay and Veer Pahadia  Sky Force is based on a real life incident of India’s attack on the Sargodha airbase of Pakistan during the India Pakistan war in 1965. ...

When Pran refused Filmfare Award for Be-imaan in solidarity with Pakeezah Music director Ghulam Mohammad  By Rajesh Ahuja  In an industry where receiving a Filmfare award has, over the  years,  been considered as a big honour by people in the Mumbai  film industry,  legendary actor Pran,  in 1973,, declined a Filmfare Award bestowed to him in solidarity with late Music  director  Ghulam Mohammad.  At a time when winning a Filmfare Award every year was considered big news by the winners and refusing one would be absolutely unthinkable, Pran refused to accept in 1973 the Filmfare Award for Best  Supporting actor for his performance as a policeman in Beimaan as he felt that the Filmfare Award for Best Music Director should have gone to the late Ghulam Mohammad.  Pran  refused the Filmfare Award for Best Supporting actor for Be-imaan in  solidarity with late Music director Ghulam Mohammad  News of the Filmfare Award ...

 Pran almost did not do 'Johny Mera Naam' Pran initially turned down the film saying that he did not have the time  By Rajesh Ahuja   One of the significant milestones in the Bollywood career of legendary actor Pran is the 1970s action thriller Johny Mera Naam .  However, not many may be aware that Pran almost did not do the film, that was produced by Gulshan Rai and directed by Vijay Anand.  When he was first approached for the film,  Pran declined the role saying that he did not have the time. However,  impressed by director Vijay Anand's acceptance of his decision,  Pran had second thoughts and decided to accommodate the filmmakers.  Pran initially turned down Johny Mera Naam Writing in the biography of the legendary villain and character actor,  Bunny Reuben said, 'after Gulshan Rai decided to make his first film, he made up his mind to rope in Dev Anand and Pran for the two most important roles of the film'. '  According to the...

When Pran got pat on the back from former Prez Zakir Hussain for portrayal of 'Malang Chacha' in Upkar  Dr Zakir Hussain was astonished that the famous villain had played Malang Chacha's role with such finesse  By Rajesh Ahuja   His portrayal of ' Malang Chacha ' in Manoj Kumar’s Upkar won him the accolades and admiration of film lovers across the country as well as his industry colleagues.  However,  it was not just fans and industry colleagues who gave a resounding approval to Pran for his portrayal of Malang Chacha .  For the portrayal of the iconic role,  Pran got a pat on the back from no less a person than former President Zakir Hussain.  Pran got a pat on the back from President Zakir Hussain for his portrayal of Malang Chacha in Upkar  During the premiere show of Upkar ,  where the then President Zakir Hussain was the chief guest,  the producer and director Manoj Kumar presented the members of the cast to the President, it ...

Kishore Kumar's refusal to sing 'Kasme Vaade Pyar'  for Manoj Kumar’s Upkar paved way for Manna Dey  Kasme Vaade remains Manna Dey's most soulful rendition to date  By Rajesh Ahuja   Listening to the soulful melody ' Kasme Vaade Pyar Wafa ' from Manoj Kumar's classic film Upkaar ,  based on former Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri's slogan of ' Jai Jawaan Jai Kisaan ' during the 1960s, leaves cinelovers teary eyed even today at the soulful rendition of the melody by iconic singer Manna Dey..  However, not many may be aware that Manna Dey was a last minute choice for the song, which was to be rendered by legendary playback singer Kishore Kumar.  According to the biography of legendary villain Pran,  written by Bunny Reuben,  Kishore Kumar was offered the song by Kalyanji Anandji, the music directors of Upkar . However,  Kishore Kumar refused to sing the song as it was to be picturised on Pran, who was popular for his villainous roles at ...

 When Pran charged just one rupee from Raj Kapoor for Bobby  By Rajesh Ahuja  He may have been one of the most dreaded villains of Hindi films but tales of Pran's magnanimity towards his friends and colleagues in the film industry form the folklore of Bollywood  One such story pertains to the casting of Pran for the classic R K Films love story Bobby , which propelled Rishi Kapoor into an overnight star in Bollywood .  After the huge debacle of his 'labour of love ' ' Mera Naam Joker , Raj Kapoor decided to make a teenage love story with Rishi Kapoor in the lead role to recoup the losses that he had incurred in Mera Naam Joker .  For the film,  Raj Kapoor wanted to cast Pran as the hero's(Rishi Kapoor) father, it has been revealed in the biography of Pran, penned by Bunny Reuben.  Since Raj Kapoor was not in a position to pay the prevailing price of Pran, the latter just charged one rupee from the former for doing the film.  Pran charged jus...

 When Manoj Kumar joined the cast of Aadmi after last minute exit of Dharmendra  Aadmi gave Manoj Kumar an opportunity to work with his idol Dilip Kumar  By Rajesh Ahuja  The 1968 emotional drama Aadmi is remembered by film lovers for the great performances by Manoj Kumar and Dilip Kumar .  However,  not many may be aware that Manoj Kumar’s was a last minute entry in the film after the sudden exit of Dharmendra,  who was to play the parallel lead in the film alongside Dilip Kumar.  Manoj Kumar joined the cast of Aadmi after last minute exit of Dharmendra  Writing about this in the biography of legendary actor Pran, Bunny Reuben said, 'the role that was played by Manoj Kumar in Aadmi ,  directed by A Bhimsingh, was to have been played by Dharmendra.  But he had backed out at the last minute. '  Talking about the turn of events that led to entry of Manoj Kumar in Aadmi in Pran's biography ' and Pran ',  Bunny Reuben said, ...