It's no cat out of the bag anymore, the Volcano named BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION has erupted with its release yesterday. And what an eruption in terms of audience response. Picture these few recent tweets:
Mark this tweet , today(Saturday) collection of #Bahubali2 (Hindi) will be 45-50 crs net . May go past that too. THIS IS IT @ssrajamouli
The first day collections of the epic scale release of BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION is being calculated by the trade experts and everyone is waiting with baited breadth for the final actual figure in all languages. But if the pre-release response, the advance booking, the house-full boards which are back after ages outside cinema halls, the seemingly never-ending lines on the second day of release today and the humoungous word of mouth is anything to go by, director S.S. Rajamouli's film is TSUNAMI AT THE BOXOFFICE that will not subside anytime sooner.
The first installment netted ₹ 650 crore at the Box-office a good two years ago. Will BAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION become the first Indian film to gross more than ₹ 1000 crore is something that is to be seen but here's a list of Top 5 Highest Opening Collection by an Indian Film:
Before Indian Independence, many Tamils from South India were sent to Malaysia as indentured laborers. Kabali, the protagonist, fights this oppression. After a lengthy imprisonment, he is more determined than ever to fight for his people.
3. Happy New Year (2014)
1st Day Collection (Net): ₹ 44.97 crores
Language: Hindi
Director: Farah Khan
Stars: Shah Rukh Khan, Deepika Padukone, Abhishek Bachchan, Anurag Kashyap
A team of losers win the love of millions in their quest to pull off the biggest diamond heist ever by
team India.
4. Prem Ratan Dhan Payo (2015)
1st Day Collection (Net): ₹ 40.3 crores
Language: Hindi
Director: Sooraj R. Barjatya
Stars: Salman Khan, Sonam Kapoor, Neil Nitin Mukesh, Deepak Dobriyal
While recovering from an assassination attempt four days before his coronation, a stern prince is replaced by a romantic lookalike.
A kingdom called Rathanpur was taken ruthlessly by a feudal lord named Bhairav Singh. The princess of that empire was in a hopeless situation until a maverick cop named Sardaar Gabbar Singh came along.
It's Friday, April 28 2017, and the release of the Biggest Movie in the Indian Film History. And Bollywood, the most famous and starry film industry in India, has nothing to do with it - except that Karan Johar's Dharma production came on board at a presenter when the first movie was about to release and has been in same capacity till date with the entire series.
BAHUBALI: The Series ia Telugu Language film series, made with cast and crew essentially from South India, a South Indian director who keeps on breaking boundaries unlike anything ever imagined and a production house again from South. Upon its release, the first part shook the nation and world with a fictional world only seen in LORD OF THE RINGS and HARRY POTTER series. BAHUBALI is original writing and the audiences lapped it in epic proportions, making it a global blockbuster unlike any response a Hindi film had also seen by that time.
As we go to watch BAHUBALI: THE CONCLUSION today, made at an estimated budget of Rs 250 crore and releasing in a record-breaking 8000 screens in just India, here's a look at the Top 5 Highest Grossing South Indian Movies:
Before Indian Independence, many Tamils from South India were sent to Malaysia as indentured laborers. Kabali, the protagonist, fights this oppression. After a lengthy imprisonment, he is more determined than ever to fight for his people.
3. Enthiran (2010)
Budget: ₹132 crore Box office:₹314 crore
Director: Shankar Stars: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Danny Denzongpa, Santhanam
An android constructed by a scientist falls in love with the bride-to-be of his creator.
It's confirmed. Shraddha Kapoor is all set to grab the badminton racket and step on the court to play India's pride and World No 1 Badminton Champion Saina Nehwal in the Bollywood movie based on her life. This will be Kapoor's second biopic, the first being the soon to be released HASEENA: THE QUEEN OF MUMBAI, where she essays the role of Underworld Don Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar in the titular role in the film. Both Shradhha and Saina have expressed their happiness on the development and hindi film fans can't be more than happy. Firstly, the recently revealed first look images of Shradhha as Haseen Parker in her young and old days have made that film a hot cake in Bolly bazar. The transformation has piqued everyone's interest in the young actress's dedication in playing such a strong role. And secondly, Saina Nehwal is one of India's best known female sportspersons which an enviable career graph that has not just the heights but also the lows to give her biographical movie the required Hindi movie edge.
The SAINA NEHWAL biopic will be directed by Amole Gupte, who was the creative director of Taare Zameen Par and produced by Bhushan Kumar (T-Series).
Last year's MS DHONI: THE UNTOLD STORY, starring Sushant Singh Rajput, became an instant blockbuster among the masses and the critics. The movie was not the first biopic on a sports personality, but indeed paved way for Film Producers to invest big bucks as India as nation is definitely in no shortage of Amazing Underdog stories from the Sports field.
We already have SACHIN: A BILLION DREAMS all set for release on May 26, 2017 but this one is a docu-drama and not exactly a biopic on Bharat Ratna and Cricket Legend Sachin Tendulkar.
Keeping with the announcement of SAINA NEHWAL movie, here's a look at Top 5 Indian Sports Personalities who deserve a Bollywood Biopic.
1) DHYAN CHAND (Hockey)
Dhyan Chand is considered as one the greatest field hockey players of all time. He played a pivotal role in India winning three consecutive Olympic gold medals in 1928, 1932 and 1936. Widely popular as ‘The Wizard’ due to his control on the ball, his goal scoring ability was phenomenal and the opposition defenders were often made to look like sitting ducks in front of this wizard from India. His birthday, 29th August, is celebrated as the National Sports Day in India and the President gives away awards such as Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, Arjuna and Dronacharya awards on this day. Hockey authorities in the Netherlands once broke his hockey stick to check if there was a magnet inside.
With a life story like, it is pretty surprising that none in Bollywood has still attempted a story on this great's life. But all that seems to be fading in past as recent media reports suggest Filmmaker Karan Johar's dream of producing the Dhyan Chand biopic is finally taking shape.
My friends Pooja...Aarti Shetty and I are honoured and proud to have the rights to tell the story of the legendary sportsman #DHYANCHAND...
Johar had first tweeted in October 2014 about bagging the rights for Dhyan Chand biopic but apparently nothing went through thereafter. Shahrukh Khan was being touted to play the titular role, considering his classic take in the 2007 movie CHAK DE! INDIA. However, names of actors Varun Dhawan, Ranbir Kapoor and Siddharth Malhotra are doing rounds now, as SRK may not fit the age group.
The film is said to be directed by Rohit Vaid who recently won a National Film Award for Best Animation Film for his directorial MAHAYODHA RAM.
2) SAURAV GANGULY (Cricket)
Affectionately referred to as Dada (Bengali from 'Elder Brother') by billions of Cricket fans, Saurav Ganguly is to Modern Indian Cricket like LAGAAN is to Modern Indian Cinema. Like a hero of any Bollywood movie, Sourav Ganguly has gone through many turmoils and controversies and has emerged as a winner in the end. He is one of India's biggest superstars and cricket fans swear by his name and the never seen before agression he brought into the game. It's the same agression we see in Virat Kohli today.
That one scene of Ganguly taking off his Indian Jersey at Lords Stadium in Natwest Finals in 2002 can easily be one of the greatest cinematic moments had that not been real and in a hindi movie. But it was real and WHAT A MOMENT.
It's time Bollywood Fans get to see their beloved Dada's story in a Biopic.
3) YUVRAJ SINGH (Cricket)
Yuvraj Singh, who with his 6 sixes in an over in the 2007 T20 World Cup set the stage for the end of India's dry spell from being a World Cup Champion, has a very interesting and inspiring life and his journey in life is worthy to the told to the whole world with a Bollywood Biopic. The Indian crickter’s battle with cancer and his comeback to the playground has inspired many. He has in fact had the best and most talked about comebacks ever.
According to a 2014 report in bollywoodhungama.com, actor Abhishek Bachchan had confessed that he finds Yuvraj Singh's journey to be quite inspiring and worth documenting to the extent thatg he had expressed a desire to play the role of the cricketer. According to then reports, the actor had also met Yuvraj Singh to seek his approval on the project. But no more development seemed to have taken after that.
Last heard in media circles, Ranbir Kapoor had been in talks for a movie on the celebrated sportsperson who is now happily married to Bollywood actress Hazel Keech.
4) SANIA MIRZA (Tennis)
With an International Tennis carrer unlike none in India, a relentless aces filled story to reach heights unheard and unseen before by a female sports athlete in India and a best friend in Filmmaker Farah Khan, Sania Mirza's biopic has all the ingredients to inspire its audience and to be a sureshot blockbuster.
Tennis ace Sania Mirza's career started as an underdog but she never hesitated from the competition and became World No 1 in Women's Double, winning multiple Grand Slams titles. While she continues to win laurels in Tennis, Sania has been repeatedly dragged into controversies, be it over her marriage to Pakistan cricketer, Shoaib Malik, or through court petitions that have questioned her patriotism or her religious beliefs. Yet she stands tall as an inspiration for Girls around the country.
Perfect story for a Masala Entertainer of a Sports Biopic.
Mirza, who at the age of 29 released her autobiography, has been constantly asked by media about her views on a Biopic on her life. And she had once stated that she would love to see actress Parineeti Chopra step into her role if ever a movie is made on her. The two girls are good friends in real life and will be easy to exchange notes, right? Will Farah don the the director's cap for this awesome venture, please?
5) VISHWANATHAN ANAND (Chess)
At the age of 15, Vishwanathan Anand became the youngest Indian chess player to be bestowed with the international master title and became India's first grandmaster in 1988. And the rest, as they say, is history.
From being the first ever recepient of Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award in the country, Anand's life is littered with National and International accolades. His name is synonymous with Chess in the country and with a sport like that, there is an added scope of a thriller and edge-of-the-seat element in the movie based on his life - if only written well.
In 2015, there were talks of a likely collaboration for a biopic with maverick filmmaker Anurag Kashyap. Back then, Anand had expressed desire of seeing Aamir Khan in his role if the movies goes through. And going by the perfectionist Aamir Khan's track record, there is no one better than him to create the best script and biopic on his life. And an Aamir Khan-Anurag Kashyap combination for a Biopic on Vishwanathan Anand is nothing short of a masterstroke or better put, CHECK AND MATE!
Bollywood and Cricket are like two Religions in India but these two, unlike other religions in the world, have been both always interlinked - not just for entertainment but also for the link-ups and relationships between Indian Cricketers and Bollywood actresses.
Indian pacer Zaheer Khan, who is leading the Delhi Daredevils team in the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) Season 10, on Monday April 24 2017 announced his engagement with Bollywood actress Sagarika Ghatge on Twitter.
The two had been earlier spotted together multiple times at various public events and their relationship was always speculated in media. However, this is not the first time that an Indian Cricketer and a Bollywood actress have been linked. Some have been successful, many others just passing affairs. Indian skipper Virat Kohli and one of Bollywood's top actress today Anushka Sharma also look like heading into the wedding wows soon, if their now very public banters on their social networking websites is anything to go by.
Till Virat and Anushka make anything official, we celebrate the happy union of Zaheer Khan and Sagarika Ghatge by listing Top 5 link-ups between Cricketers and Bollywood actresses:
1) Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore
The first ever celebrity couple from Cricket and Bollywood, Tiger Pataudi and Sharmila Tagore were introduced through common friends and fell in love which was met with some objections by both their families. However, they overcame all the obstacles and were blessed with three kids. The couple remained together until the death of Mansoor Ali in 2011.
2) Vivian Richards and Neena Gupta
Legendary cricketer Sir Vivian Richards and award winning actress Neena Gupta shared an unconventional relationship with each other as he was married at the time two got involved in a relationship, drawing much controversy also. Their affair however could not culminate in a marriage and both decided to go separate paths. The couple was however blessed with a love child named Masaba. Neena raised Masaba on her own and today the young girl has become a famed fashion designer in India with major celebrity clients of her own fashion label.
3) Mohammad Azharuddin and Sangeeta Bijlani
Azhar got married to a 16 year old Naureen in 1987 and the couple had two sons by 1994 when he reportedly first met Miss World 1980 and then Bollywood starlet Sangeeta Bijlani at a commercial shoot. The multiple meetings thereafter made it clear that it was not a passing affair as with passage of time, Sangeeta started to accompany the Indian skipper to all his matches Sources say the Indian players were miffed with her attitude and with the fact that Azhar was so smitten by her that he concentrated more on her than the game leading the Indian team to lose matches on many occasions.
Things seemed serious between Sangeeta and Azhar and the smitten cricketer decided to divorce his wife of eight years, Naureen, to marry Bijli. Sangeeta was suddenly perceived as the home wrecker who had ripped apart a family and Azhar paid a hefty sum to be able to wed his ladylove in 1996.
The wedding came as a shock as media had earlier reported that Sangeeta was not the one to agree to the second wife status. During her relationship with Bollywood's bad boy Salman Khan, she always wanted a marriage. But she left Salman when she caught him cheating on her with Somy Ali. The heartache of divorce which Naureen experienced, Sangeeta had experienced it Salman but this time she was the reason.
The two however finally called quits in 2010 with a divorce. Bijlani is since then back to good terms with former paramour Salman and his family and is keen on making a comeback in films.
4) Harbhajan Singh and Geeta Basra
Geeta Basra may have had an uneventful Bollywood career - she debuted with 'Dil Diya Hai' (2006) and followed it up with 'The Train' (2007), both opposite Emraan Hashmi - but she stayed in news as cricketer Harbhajan Singh's 'special someone'. The two stuck to 'just good friends' for many years whenever quizzed about their alleged relationship.
At an IPL awards ceremony hosted by Shah Rukh Khan, the star had some fun at Harbhajan's expense when he asked: "Bhajji apka ghar kab Basra hai?" While the latter couldn't stop blushing, SRK hurled another googly at him: "Gita ki kasam kha kar kaho!"
After an eight-year courtship, the couple tied the knots in October 2015 at Phagwara, near Bhajji's hometown Jalandhar in Punjab. The happily married couple were blessed with a daughter, Hinaya Heer Plaha, in 2016.
5) Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech
Yuvraj Singh and Hazel Keech had reportedly been dating each other for some time before their relationship garnered the media spotlight. Only a few close friends were privy to Yuvraj and Hazel’s relationship. However, this was not the first time that Yuvraj has been linked to a Bollywood actress. Apart from being in a long-term relationship with actress Kim Sharma, he has allegedly being linked-up with almost everyone from Deepika Padukone and Preity Zinta to Neha Dhupia and Ameesha Patel.
Ever since his good friend Harbhajan's wedding in October 2016, media frequently played reports of Yuvraj's impending marriage. The two cricketers and also good friends indulged in friendly wedding related banter on social networking site Twitter to keep gossip columns happy.
@YUVSTRONG12 u should also come in a line and play straight now. No cut pull 😂😂😂😛😛😛
It was ealry November 2016 when Yuvrajand Hazen got engaged to each other in a very private ceremony in the exotic locales of Bali and the news was announced to media by the cricketer's manager Aneesh Gautam. Yuvraj and Hazel later themselves self confirmed the news with a tweet.
A voice unlike any, a brooding stare that commands attention on screen and an artistry that always gets acclaim, Manoj Bajpayee is considered one of the finest actors of Indian Cinema.
As the actor with brilliant acting chops celebrates his 48th Birthday today, April 23 2017, we list Top 7 watch films of the powerhouse performer.
1) SATYA (1998)
"Mumabi ka Don Kaun? Bhiku Matre"..
Manoj Bajpayee's famous lines from this crime thriller, directed by Ram Gopal Verma and written by Saurabh Shukla Anurag Kashyap, will always be the one of the most influential and iconic dialogue in a Hindi Film. The film turned him a Star overnight.
The film marked the introduction of a new genre of film making, a variation of film noir that has been called Mumbai noir, showing the underbelly of the millennium city - the underworld, the gang wars, the murders and the extortion unlike anything ever seen before. Despite excessive violence and liberal use of expletives, the film was a runaway hit among both masses and classes in non-Mumbai belts.
Bajpayee received the National Film Award for Best Supporting Actor and Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor for the film.
2) SHOOL (1999)
Written by Ram Gopal Verma and directed by E.Niwas, SHOOL portrays the politician-criminal nexus and the criminalization of politics in the Indian state of Bihar, and its effect on the life of an honest police officer.
Manoj Bajpayee portrayal of Inspector Samar Pratap Singh opposite Sayaji Shinde as the borderline psychopath criminal-politician Bachhu Yadav gives the often cited title of one of the Best Cop Movies ever to SHOOL.
Bajpayee won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Performance while the Film was adjudged Best Feature Film in Hindi at the National Film Awards 2000.
3) KAUN (1999)
A psychological thriller by Ram Gopal Verma, Kaun considered to be one of the best collaborations between Ram Gopal Varma and Urmila Matondkar and is touted to be one of the best Manoj Bajpai movies. It features a man claiming to be a white collar worker and another man claiming to be a police inspector, both attempting to get into the house of a young woman.
The edge of the seat thriller has since received cult status.
4) PINJAR (2003)
Based on a Punjabi Novel by Amrita Pritam, PINJAR is a story of Hindu-Muslim problems during the partition of India.
Bajpayee was honored with Special Jury Award at the National FIlm Awards in 2004 for his brilliant performance as Rashid, a muslim, who is pressurised by his family to kidnap Puro, a hindu, to keep the family rivalry alive by definiling her of her modestly. But Rashid is righteous to not do her any wrong and amidst social life of the time, the two get married, after facing dejections but the partition of the country makes the two go seperate ways in an emotional bid.
5) RAJNEETI (2010)
With a huge starcast that included Ajay Devgan, Nana Patekar, Ranbir Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal, Manoj Bajpayee, Sarah Thompson and Naseeruddin Shah, director Prakash Jah drew parallels to the epic Mahabharata where shades of Krishna ,Arjuna, Bheema, Duryodhana and Karna can be seen in the character portrayed.
Bajpai's role was of Veerendra Pratap Singh (based on the character of Duryodhana), a greedy politician, who considers himself the rightful heir of a political family. His mesperic performance grabbed eyeballs of both masses and critics alike, giving him major recognisation in the ensemble piece that proved to be a major commercial success worldwide.
Critically the movie was well received, and earned about 143 crores at the Box Office. It had portrayed the murkiness and the tricks of politicians and the struggle very well. Asequel of Raajneeti has been declared by Prakash Jha. This movie will cast Katrina Kaif as Powerful Politician. It is also one of the best Manoj Bajpai movies and the acting of all the stars has been appreciated by the audience.
6) GANGS OF WASEYPUR (2012)
Centered on the coal mafia of Dhanbad, and the underlying power struggles, politics and vengeance between three crime families, Manoj Bajpayee played the role of Sardar Khan, the most feared man in Wasseypur, in this two part movie series.
According to Bajpayee, the role of Sardar Khan is the most negative role he has done till date. His motivation for doing this role came from the fact that there was "something new" with the character of Sardar Khan. Bajpayee shone in this ensemble never-before-seen movie telling experience which was brutal, sinister yet brilliantly quirky, one which ushered daring new wave of cinema in Indian film industry.
7) ALIGARH (2015)
In Hansal Mehta's biographical film ALIGARH, Bajpayee played the role of Shrinivas Ramchandra Siras, a professor of Marathi and the head of the Classical Modern Indian Languages Faculty at the famed Aligarh Muslim University, who was suspended on grounds of morality - being gay.
Bajpayee gave a riveting, nuanced and extremely powerful performance in this superlative and courageous pice of real life cinema.
Movies are a religion in India. We can talk, walk, eat and sleep on Movies. And Bollywood songs makes us all tick at the end of the day - the taste might be different but Bollywood just runs
Hollywood Superhero flicks have been minting money at Indian box office like Salman Khan movies on Eid. There is no stopping them - the craze for them feels exponential, considering the huge collections they make. So its no surprise Hollywood wants to keep the cash registers rolling by making their films more attractive for a regular Indian.
The first step was dubbing in local Indian languages for a wider release. Hollywood movies now get dubbed not just in Hindi but languages like Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, Malayalam, Bengali, Punjabi, Marathi and even Bhojpuri.
The second step was getting leading Indian (esp Bollywood) Superstars to dub for these versions. So last year, Disney's THE JUNGLE BOOK hindi version itself had voiceovers by Nana Patekar, Priyanka Chopra, Om Puri, Irrfan Khan and Shefali Shah for the main characters. Indeed the film had an Indian setting, but Disney left no stone unturned to market the movie. The result was that the live action children's film became the highest grossing Hollywood movie in India, shattering records with a nett collection of Rs 181.75 crore (figure courtesy BollywoodHungama.com).
2016's THE JUNGLE BOOK also brought together Academy Award winner Gulzar and music composer Vishal Bhardawaj to recreate their 90s popular track for the TV series on the same story. The result was an instant hit- it evoked nostalgia among the grown ups while making the new generation fall for a melodious rhyme.
Marvel Studios today released a promotional trailer for the sequel of its 2014's highly successful American superhero movie GUARDIAN OF THE GALAXY cut on the 80s chartbuster JHOOM JHOOM JHOOM BABA, Hollywood movie fans in India can not stop raving about it. The movie, just like its predecessor, is said to be full of abundant thrills, spectacular action and cheesy humor - just like a quintessential Bollywood Entertainer. And now with Bappi Lahiri's disco track from the 1984 movie KASAM PAIDA KARNE WALE KI also part of the movie, expect nothing but fireworks among the audience.
Hollywood movies have on and off used Hindi tracks in their stories and we have loved watching even the slightest of such reference. Here are 10 other popular times Hollywood showed it's love for Bollywood by using Hindi Songs their movies:
1) LION
Year: 2016
Song: Urvasi
Original Film: KADHALAN (1994)
Originally a Tamil Song composed by Academy Award winner A.R. Rahman from the 1994 film KADHALAN, the song has an equally famous hindi version for the dubbed Hindi film version called HUM SE HAI MUQABLA. But when last year LION used the tamil song to depict the bubbling romance between Dev Patel and Rooney Mara, the scene brought nothing but instant smiles on our faces. It was instant love at first sight wali feeling for the two characters, with shots of Rooney hopping on street and Dev's boy-next-door smile as the Tamil song played in the background.
2) DEADPOOL
Year: 2016
Song: Mera Joota Hai Japani
Original Film: SHREE 420 (1955)
Last year's Blockbuster DEADPOOL, starring Ryan Reynolds, had the Indian audiences mesmerised by featuring the phenomenally popular song Mera Joota Hain Japani from Raj Kapoor-Nargis starrer Shree 420 in the opening scenes. Perfect way to make us music loving country go, WooHoo. The movie also featured Kabhi Humne Nahin Socha Tha.
3) THE DICTATOR
Year: 2011
Song: Mundian To Bach Ke
Original Film: BOOM (2003)
Before RGV KI AAG became synonymous for the term 'epic disaster' in 2007, Amitabh Bachchan starred in the highly inappropriate BOOM in 2003. Directed by Kaizad Gustad, the film was also the launchpad of Katrina Kaif. However the film's soundtrack was a huge chartbuster.
Punjabi MC's popular track Mundian To Bach Ke from BOOM was used for the trailer of Sacha Baron Cohen's wildly inappropriate comedy THE DICTATOR. Quite an explosive combination, a feat that people loved, making at least the trailer a major hit among the masses in India.
4) THE ACCIDENTAL HUSBAND
Year: 2008
Song: Chalka Chalka Re and Swasame
Original Movie: SAATHIYA (2002) and THENALI (2000)
Two more A.R. Rahman composition and another Hollywood mainstream movie. West surely loved the maestro before getting him for themselves with the multiple Academy Award winning 2008 drama, Slumdog Millionaire.
The Umar Thurman flick featured the popular song Chalka Chalka Re from the 2002 Rani Mukherjee-Vivek Oberoi starrer SAATHIYA. The way the music of Chalka Chalka Re makes the entire sequence featuring Uma a super fun watch.
The film also used the song, Swasame from the Tamil film, THENALI in the final scene and beginning of the credits roll. Sung to perfection by S.P.Balasubrahmanyam and Sadhana Sargam, Swasame is love ballad - a perfect way to end the movie.
5) INSIDE MAN
Year: 2006
Song: Chaiyya Chaiyya
Original Film: Dil Se (1998)
The Denzel Washington-Clive Owen-Jodie Foster starrer featured the very popular song Chaiyya Chaiyya from the Shah Rukh Khan-Manisha Koirala movie Dil Se.. This A.R. Rahman classic saw its place in the opening credits of the bank heist thriller as Clive Owen spoke to the camera to explain who-what-where-what-when about himself. Totally awesome feel.
6) LORD OF WAR
Year: 2005
Song: Bombay Theme
Original Movie: BOMBAY (1995)
There is no stopping for A.R. Rahman. The genius's classic theme music from Mani Ratnam's masterpiece Bombay was used in 2005's Nicolas Cage starrer LORD OF WAR in the background as Cage narrates the morality of his work as an Arms Dealer as he is being chased by an Interpol agent. What a bliss!
7) ETERNAL SUNSHINE OF THE SPOTLESS MIND
Year: 2004
Song: Mera Mann Tera Pyaasa & Wada Na Tod
Original Films: GAMBLER (1971) and DIL TUJHKO DIYA (1987)
This Hollywood romantic gem starring Jim Carrey and Kate Winslet featured not just one but two Hindi songs. Mohammad Rafi's soulful Mera Mann Tera Pyaasa from GAMBLER (Starring Dev Anand and Shatrughan Sinha) and Lata Mangeshkeshkar's mellodious Wada Na Tod from DIL TUJHKO DIYA (Starring Kumar Gaurav and Rati Agnihotri) can be heard playing in the backdrop in the the scene after Clementine (Winslet) announces that she is going to marry Joel (Carrey). Pretty neat!
8) SHAUN OF THE DEAD
Year: 2004
Song: Lehron Ki Tarha Yaadein
Original Film: NISHAAN (1983)
Kishore Kumar's Lehron Ki Tarha Yaadein plays in the background as Shaun, played by Simon Pegg walks in to a departmental store just as the zombie outbreak begins. Don't miss the Hindi announcement in the radio about the outbreak!
9) THE GURU
Year: 2002
Song: Chori Chori Hum Gori Se Pyar Kareinge
Original Film: MELA (2000)
From the makers of NOTTING HILL and BRIDGET JONES, 2002's THE GURU is about a man who knows what turns you on. Aamir Khan's MELA was an epic disaster but the prolific makers surely loved the Rajesh Roshan composed track, Chori Chori Hum Gori Se Pyar Kareinge, a lot as the Dancing Sex Guru and all his wide-eyed American disciples dance to the beats of the song.
Caution: Not for faint-hearted.
10) MOULIN ROUGE
Year: 2001
Song: Chamma Chamma
Original Film: China Gate (1998)
The only thing good about Rajkumar Santoshi's attempt for a Sholay with China Gate was Urmila Matondkar's dancing to Anu Malik's tunes of Chamma Chamma. It was an instant hit. And in 2001, when Baz Luhrmann brought musical back to Hollywood with MOULIN ROUGE, the maverick filmmaker picked the same song and featured it as the opening song for Nicole Kidman's Diamonds Are A Girl's Best Friend performance. Not just the music, the dance choreography was and is still a major delight.
11) GHOST WORLD
Year: 2001
Song: Jaan Pehchan
Original Film: GUMNAAM (1965)
It will always be a sight for much cheer watching the 2001 American Black comedy, Scarlet Johansson starrer GHOST WORLD open with the visuals of the peppy cabret number Jaan Pehchaan (sung by Mohammed Rafi) from the 1965 suspense thriller GUMNAAM. Picturised on Laxmi Chhaya and choreographer Herman Benjamin, the song sequence is one not to be missed.
If anyone ever thought that South Indian Film Industry can not get bigger with the soon to be released mega productions Baahubali 2: The Conclusion and Rajnikath and Akshay Kumar's 2.0, get ready to embrace the Baap of All Indian Productions.
On Monday UAE Based Billionaire And Philanthropist Dr BR Shetty announced his collaboration with National Award Winning Malayalam Superstar Mohanlal to produce the big screen adaptation of THE MAHABHARATA which will be India's costliest film with a budget of ₹ 1000 crore. The film is based on MT Vasudevan Nair's Jnanpeeth Award winning Malayam Novel RANDAMOOZHAM, which narrates the Mahabharata story through the perspective of Bhima. To be directed by ad film maker V.S. Shrikumara, the film will be produced in two parts. The shooting of the film will begin in September 2018 for a release in early 2020. The second part will be released within 90 days of the first.
The multi-lingual film, being made in English, Hindi, Tamil, Malayalam, Telegu and Kannada, will have Mohanlal will essay the eponymous character of Bhima, even as the film is touted to have an ensemble of leading national and international stars, besides the crew that will have big names from Hollywood.
Clearly, the makers have beaten Baahubali series and 2.0 record on their mammoth production cost with just one announcement and looking at the world class production of the formers, the audience is clearly the biggest winner and Indian Film Industry on the brink of its biggest revolution.
Taking a breath from the news, we look at Top 5 most expensive Indian films till now, and also how Bollywood stands in the list:
1) 2.0
Year: 2017
Budget: ₹ 400 crore
Lifetime Gross: (In Post Production)
Language: Tamil, Hindi, Telegu
Director: S. Shankar
Starring: Rajnikanth, Akshay Kumar and Amy Jackson
2.0 is a spiritual successor sequel to Shankar 2010 science fiction movie ENTHIRAN (ROBOT in Hindi) which starred Rajnikanth and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Back then, Enthiran was the most expensive Indian movie with a production budget of ₹ 132 crore.
2.0 will feature Rajinikanth reprising the roles of Dr. Vaseegaran and Chitti, alongside Akshay Kumar in a negative role and Amy Jackson as his new leading lady.
2) BAAHUBALI 2: THE CONCLUSION
Year: 2017 Budget: ₹ 250 crore Lifetime Gross: (In Post Production)
The biggest question probably ever raised by an Indian movie among billions of audience members around the world, “Why Did Katappa kill Baahubali?”, will finally be answered and just for this, the movie has been keenly anticipated ever since the release of the first movie two years ago. 'Baahubali 2 - The Conclusion' promises to be a visual masterpiece, and going by the trailer, it has lived up to everyone's expectations. While the first movie won praise and appreciation for its stunning visual backdrop, the makers have now pushed the envelope for this installment, touted to be the most expensive Indian movie ever.
Director SS Rajamouli Staying has stayed true to the story and mystery surrounding 'Baahubali: The Beginning', and packed the the second and final installment that aims at picking up the pieces and mending together the tale of two brothers torn apart by power and jealousy. Expectations are sky-rocketing and the filmmakers had re-released the first part on 7th April to give its audience one last chance to relive the National Award winning Epic Blockbuster.
This is not just a movie, it is the biggest movie event ever.
The first part in the two part epic epic fantasy drama, this film changed the landscape of Indian Cinema in story-telling and production technique unlike any move before. It was rare phenomenon to see the film become a pan-India every-day conversation, with its majestic battle sequences, the mammoth set pieces and the way the film ended leaving everybody in shock and wanting to know, “Why Did Katappa kill Baahubali?”
Both a critical and box-office success, upon its release the film became the highest grossing Indian film within India, the third highest grossing Indian film globally, the first and only South Indian film to gross over ₹ 650 crore (6.5 billion) worldwide, the first non-Hindi film to gross over ₹ 100 crore (1 billion) in the dubbed Hindi version, and the highest grossing Telugu film of all time.
Language: Hindi Director: Sooraj Barjatya Starring: Salman Khan and Sonam Kapoor
Salman Khan was back as his most lovable character, Prem, with the filmmaker whose collaborations with him still make his Bad Boy a lost-in-translation. The film, mounted on lavish sets in filmcity and palaces of Rajasthan for its royal story, had Salman in double role for a Diwali release. The audiences did not disappoint the Khan fan base and made the movie a resounding success, with its title track becoming an online dance phenomenon.
Language: Hindi Director: Vijay Krishna Acharya Starring: Aamir Khan, Katrina Kaif, Abhishek Bachchan and Uday Chopra
With a never seen jodi of perfectionist Aamir Khan and Katrina Kaif, with the former in double role, the third film in the Dhoom series, had the Ace star's Christmas release. And as usual, fans went berserk over the action-adventure heist thriller.
Hindi Film industry got christened with the name Bollywood in the 1980s by Western Media, owing to the abundant movies being made that time with stories that had no rationale or scientific explanation. The biggest story idea that time was Punar-Janam (Reincarnation), even though the Hindi Film Industry ever since its inception dabbled with Punar Janam theme on and off . But the idea of Punar-Janam had all the chief ingredients of a commercial potboiler - Heightened drama, Family tiffs, Friendship tales, Forever love, Parental blessings and Bhagwan-wale-dialogues with lightening and thunder-storms.
Silly as all of it may sound, but audiences have lapped the story idea time and again, especially when combined with Superstar ensemble and Blockbuster Music. Biggest production houses and directors have made movies on the theme and it continues to entice the new crop of filmmakers to give a fresh take to the Reincarnation story.
After Last year's Rakesh Omprakash Mehra's not so successful launch pad to Harshwardhan Kapoor and Sayani Kher with the Reincarnation drama MIRZIYA, debutante director and well-established film producer Dinesh Vijan today launched the trailer of his upcoming film RAABTA. Starring the scintillating on-screen and rumored off-screen couple Sushant Singh Rajput and Kriti Sanon, RAABTA is an edge of the seat reincarnation-themed thriller with undertones of love and revenge. At the trailer launch, when Sushant was asked if he believes in Punar-Janam, the actor admitted, "I don't believe in reincarnation." Kriti, on the other hand, "Through the film I started believing in reincarnation."
No matter the truth or fiction behind the Reincarantion, RAABTA's trailer is indeed piping hot.
Here is a list of Top 7 Punar Janam themed Bollywood movies that have not just set box office buzzing upon their release but are also remembered for the entertainment they continue to provide on repeat watch.
1) OM SHANTI OM
Year: 2007
Language: Hindi Director: Farah Khan Starring: Shahrukh Khan, then debutant Deepika Padukone and Arjun Rampal.
Set in the backdrop of 1970s and 2000s Bollywood, SRK plays a junior artist in the 70s who is head over heels on then superstar played by Deepika Padukone. Both die in the events resulting from a fire accident caused by the antagonist (Arjun Rampal) at a studio. Cut to present day with re-incarnation when SRK is a Megastar and son of a yesteryear Superstar and Deepika is struggling model. But there is a bhatakti aatma for twist and an erray of Bollywood Stars in an Award Ceremony sequence and a mega item song, thanks to the co-writer and filmmaker Farah Khan.
2) KARAN ARJUN
Year: 1995
Language: Hindi Director: Rakesh Roshan Starring: Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan, Kajol, Mamta Kulkarni, Ambrish Puri and Rakhee
Arguably the most popular, a cult classic Punar-Janam story, it starred SRK and Salman as brothers being raised by their mother played to perfection by Rakhee in a manner that can still break your heart into tears. The dialogues, the emotions, the songs, the fight sequences, the mother's cry and the magically ringing bells of a cave temple, KARAN ARJUN is what stories of YORE are.
3) KARZ
Year: 1980 Director: Subhash Ghai Starring: Rishi Kapoor, Tina Munim and Simi Garewal
Margaya wo jawan, Ab suno daastan..
Janm leke kahin, phir wo pahuncha wahin..
Shakl anjaan thi, akal hairan thi..
Saamna jab hua, phir wohi sab hua..
Uspe ye Karz tha, uska ye Karz tha..
Rishi Kapoor lyp syncing Kishore Kumar for "Ek Haseena Thi, Ek Deewana Tha, Kya Umar, Kya Sama, Kya Zamana Tha" is the biggest Punar-Janam love ballad - Haunting and yet bringing a lump in your throat. Subhash Ghai's KARZ is the epitome of Punar-Janam drama which combined Bollywood's chief ingredients - Biggest Star of the time, Hugely Popular Music and a Love-Story to make audiences cry. Rishi Kapoor played Monty who discovers the shocking truth about his past life when he was killed by his gold-digger wife, while his family was rendered homeless. Supported by his lover, he decides to set things right.
The film sprawled reincarnation themed movies but none could math or surpass the popularity, until KARAN ARJUN. Farah's SRK starer OSO had dollops of KARZ hangover elements even as Himesh Reshammiya remade the movie as KARZZZ (with extra ZZZ) in 2008 but to shockingly bad effect.
4) KUDRAT
Year: 1981 Language: Hindi Director: Chetan Anand Starring: Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini and Raaj Kumar
This is the one of the pioneer stories of conventional punar-janam plots. Chandramukhi visits Shimla and learns that she is a reincarnation of Paro, a girl who was raped and murdered. Plagued by her dark past, she attempts to bring the culprits to justice.
It's a love story that happened some time ago in time, and then again. Plus there is the traditional Ramu-kaka character, without whom the punar-janam could not be detected! Also, it has Rajkumar. Must watch!
5) NEEL KAMAL
Year: 1968 Language: Hindi Director: Ram Maheshwari Starring: Waheeda Rehman, Manoj Kumar and Raaj Kumar
Sita (Waheeda Rehman) and her friends go on a trip. Sita sleepwalks and when she is about to be hit by a train on the railway track, Ram (Manoj Kumar) saves her. Impressed, her father decides to get her married to him. After the marriage, Sita discovers that her sleepwalking is not a simple sleepwalking as it takes her to the story of her past life - Chitrasen (Raaj Kumar), an artisan, is in love with the princess Sita (Neelkamal in her past life). The king rejects his alliance for his daughter, and buries him alive. Chitrasen's love for Neelkamal is immortal and his soul survives for centuries to meet her.
Sita is invited to Chitrasen's place by a song, where she sleepwalks to every night. Her mother-in-law, a very cross person, believes that Sita is in love with another and gives her a tough time at home. One night Sita reaches Chitrasen's place and a brief conversation ends with Chitrasen's soul becoming free and Sita falling unconscious. Ram rescues her & they lead a good life.
The song Aaja Tujhko Pukare Mera Pyar in Mohammad Rafi's ever haunting voice is still a must for forever love playlist.
6) MADHUMATI
Year: 1958 Language: Hindi Director: Bimal Roy Starring: Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala
The first and only collaboration between Bimal Roy and Ritwik Ghatak, it was one of their most commercially successful and influential films. It starred Dilip Kumar and Vyjayantimala in the lead roles with Pran and Johnny Walker.
While driving his car on a rainy night, Anand's (Dilip Kumar) car breaks down, and he goes to seek shelter in a nearby house. He is let into the house by the servant, and he is permitted to stay until the rains stop be able to get his car fixed. It is here that he will find out about his previous birth, his true love, Madhumati (Vyjayantimala), their ill-fated, star-crossed and tragic romance, and how events in his previous birth are going to effect him in this life-time. The film had a gothic noir feel to it.
Madhumati won the National Film Awards for Best Feature Film in Hindi and nine Filmfare Awards, including Best Film, Best Director, Best Music Director, Best Female Playback Singer, Best Dialogue, Best Art Direction, and Best Cinematographer.
Janam Janam, the 1988 Hindi film starring Rishi Kapoor, is a remake of Madhumati. In 2007, Farah Khan and Shahrukh Khan made Om Shanti Om using some obvious plot elements from Madhumati, especially in OSO's ending.
7) MAHAL
Year: 1949 Language: Hindi Director: Kamal Amrohi Starring: Ashok Kumar and Madhubala
Mahalwas a groundbreaking supernatural suspense thriller and one of the earliest known films dealing with reincarnation. This Kamal Amrohi's directorial debut launched both playback singer Lata Mangeshkar and the leading lady Madhubala into super-stardom. Its songs, particularly "Aayega Aane Waala" sung by Lata Mangeshkar, are perennial favorites.
In Allahabad, there is a beautiful abandoned palace. When a new owner, Hari Shankar (Ashok Kumar) comes to live in this palace, the old gardener narrates the story of incomplete love.
Mahal made Lata Mangeshkar famous and established playback singers as stars in their own right. Before Mahal, records listed character names and indeed the first batch of records credited "Aayega aane wala" to Kamini, the character played by Madhubala. When the song first played on All India Radio, its phone lines were flooded with callers inquiring the singer's name. All India Radio had to find this out from the record company before it could announce Lata Mangeshkar's name on the air. The film was included in the British Film Institute's list, "10 great romantic horror films".
SPECIAL MENTIONS:
8) MAGADHEERA
Year: 2009 Landuage: Telegu Director: S. S. Rajamouli Starring: Ram Charan and Kajal Aggarwal
Magadheera is a reincarnation themed film directed by BAAHUBALI fame S. S. Rajamouli. The plot revolves around four people: a valiant warrior in charge of the princess' safety; the princess who loves him; her cousin who lusts after her; and an emperor who wants to conquer their kingdom. They all die before their wishes are fulfilled and are reborn after 400 years, at which point the warrior kills the scheming cousin with the support of the reformed emperor and wins over the princess.
Magadheera was to be remade in Hindi on multiple occasions, first with Salman Khan and later Shahid Kapoor but the film could not materialize. RAABTA as a story resembles closest to it but no official confirmation so far.
9) EEGA
Year: 2012 Language: Telegu (Hindi Dubbed Ver - MAKKHI) Director: S. S. Rajamouli Starring: Sudeep, Nani, and Samantha Ruth Prabhu
It's not really a Bollywood movie, but it had to be on the list. Directed by BAAHUBALI fame director S.S. Rajamouli, it's a Telugu movie dubbed in Hindi on popular demand. Against all set conventions, this revolutionary story depicts an inter-species re-incarnation that was never known to us. The hero returns as an angry house fly and takes revenge to win back his girl. If you don't like flies, watch it for the title track! It is amazing!
