Where Bollywood Comes Alive
Posts tagged prem chopra
Where have the good old bad villains vanished from Bollywood?
02 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
As the line between good and bad gets blurred, the villains have disappeared from Hindi films…
Upala KBR (DNA; March 16, 2013)
Bollywood has always had heroes and villains. All our stories are about good vs evil. There was Kanhaiyalal and Jeevan in the ’50s, Ajit and Pran in the ’60s, Ranjeet and Prem Chopra in the ’70s, Amrish Puri and Danny Denzongpa in the ’80s Gulshan Grover in the ’90s…and then the baddies vanished.
Now there is a whole breed of filmmakers (Karan Johar, Imtiaz Ali, Anurag Basu, Aditya Chopra, Rajkumar Hirani, etc) who don’t have villains in their films. There was a time when heroes played the good guys and the villains the bad guys. The lines between the good and the bad have blurred and grey characters have emerged. The success of films with leading men as anti-heroes (Khalnayak, Baazigar and Darr) is responsible for the villains being pushed into retirement. The actors who played baddies started playing character roles. When we need a terrifying character now, we import them from the South (Vikram (Raavan), Prakash Raj (Singham and Dabangg 2) or the heroes play baddies.
A quick survery of recent hits reveal that the concept of villain doesn’t exist anymore. 3 Idiots, the biggest hit in recent years didn’t have a khalnayak. Neither did Zindagi Na Mile Dobara, Barfi!, Rockstar, Cocktail, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, Student Of The Year. Kiran Rao says “Baddies will always be there in mainstream films for as long as there are stories to tell. But perhaps the More >
Check out Sunny Deol-Kangna Ranaut on the sets of I Love NY
02 months ago
Asira Tarannum (MID-DAY; March 9, 2013)
On the sets of Radhika Rao and Vinay Sapru’s upcoming film , I Love NY, both Kangna Ranaut and Sunny Deol went an extra mile to give their very best to the project.
While rehearsing for one of the scenes, Kangs apparently got so engrossed that the entire crew stopped work and couldn’t take their eyes off the actress. Sunny too was intense during his rehearsals, discussing the details with his co-stars, director and crew.
A source says, “Kangs got so immersed in her rehearsal that she even got a round of applause from her crew. Sunny used to personally monitor his scenes to make sure they were shot correctly, with all the right kinds of emotions and expressions.”
Vinay and Radhika discuss a scene with Sunny
Kangna Ranaut and Sunny Deol brainstorm a scene with the director duo
Prem Chopra (right) rehearses his lines with the directors
Pictures: Star-studded 70th bday bash of Amitabh Bachchan
07 months ago
MUMBAI MIRROR (October 11, 2012)
Easily, Jaya Bachchan’s bash for Amitabh’s 70th birthday has been one of the most keenly awaited do’s of the season. And when D-day finally arrived, it was every bit a party befitting the stature of the man being celebrated.
Reliance MediaWorks at Film City, Goregaon resembled a beehive of activity even as a string of actors, industrialists, politicos and bigwigs arrived to wish Big B a happy birthday.
Indeed, the situation got a bit chaotic, what with the traffic jams outside the venue. However, the occasion was marked by lot of warmth ad camaraderie with the Bachchan family being the perfect hosts. Among the megastar’s older contemporaries were Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu, Waheeda Rehman, Asha Parekh and Prem Chopra to name a few. It was most touching to see Big B’s buddy and co-star of many films Shashi Kapoor arrive in a wheelchair.
The guests were invited to take to the mic and speak about the Big B. The quintessential birthday cake was cut at the stroke of midnight followed by a luxurious sitdown dinner. And, the press was invited too…
While Aaradhya slept upstairs, the rest of the Bachchan family posed for the shutterbugs
Big B’s on-screen rival Prem Chopra arrives with his wife
One superstar comes to greet the other: Rajinikanth and wife at the party
Yaari Hai Imaan Mera: Shashi Kapoor and Pran wheeled in for the bash
Dilip Kumar and Saira Banu exchange pleasantries with Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan
Co-star of many More >
Bollywood mourns at Rajesh Khanna’s chautha
010 months ago
MUMBAI MIRROR (July 23, 2012)
Almost the entire film industry attended Rajesh Khanna’s Chautha ceremony held at Mumbai’s Taj Lands End on Saturday, July 21, 2012.
Pictures of the superstar brought back warm memories as colleagues, friends and family reminisced about the times spent with the actor and how he had touched their lives in different ways.
Singer Shubha Mudgal rendered a beautiful prayer song as a mark of respect for the late actor. After which, Khanna’s grandson Aarav thanked her, going on to present a special video to all those gathered. Edited by Akshay Kumar, the video featured excerpts of various interviews with the late actor in them.
Aamir and Kiran Rao, and Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan were among those who came in quite early. The Kapoor clan was in full attendance, including Rishi and Neetu Singh, son Ranbir Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor and Shweta Nanda along with her mother-in-law. Rakesh Roshan came, and so did Hrithik and Susanne Roshan.
Among the superstar’s contemporaries who were present at the ceremony were Prem Chopra, Jeetendra, Asrani, Reena Roy, Bindu and music composer Anandji to name a few. Shashi Kapoor, who had undergone a cataract operation just the day before, came in a wheelchair to pay his last respects.
Yash Chopra, who was partnered by Khanna, when he first decided to become an independent producer and start his own banner Yash Raj Films, looked emotional.
Akshay Kumar was busy looking after the guests while wife Twinkle, who is pregnant with More >
Salman-Big B attend Ferrari Ki Sawaari success party
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Prem Chopra draws the industry together for his son-in-law’s moment of glory
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 22, 2012)
The turnout at Prem Chopra’s Wednesday night party to celebrate the much-lauded performance of his son-in-law Sharman Joshi in Ferrari Ki Sawaari was impressive to say the least. Needless to say, this onscreen baddie has garnered a lot of goodwill in the industry. Amitabh Bachchan, Jeetendra and Tushar Kapoor were among the first to arrive, and left in some time after congratulating the team of Ferrari…
Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s excitement was palpable, so much so he was heard mouthing one-liners like: “I am drinking Vodka, what more can I ask for? I have a sea-facing house, what more can I ask for? I have a Mercedes parked outside, what more can I ask for?” He walked in with his wife Anupama but was later seen escorting her out. He was in such high spirits he evinced interest in working with some of the guests at the party, Ronit Roy and Salman Khan included.
Even as the excitement seemed to have dimmed down, Salman’s entry, two bodyguards in tow, fired up the atmosphere. No sooner did he arrive, the actor hugged Prem Chopra and Sharman Joshi, then seating himself down next to Manoj Kumar and chatting with the veteran actor for a good 10 minutes. Salman floated around for quite some time, meeting almost everyone present, including Randhir Kapoor, Boman Irani and Ramesh Taurani.
Also present were Saawan Kumar Tak, Vashu Bhagnani, Indra Kumar and Pritam. More >
A not-so-private bash for Sharman Joshi
011 months ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 20, 2012)
Known to be a very private person otherwise, Prem Chopra is hosting a party at a suburban hotel on Wednesday night to celebrate his son-in-law Sharman Joshi’s much lauded performance in Ferrari ki Sawaari.
Prem Chopra confirmed the news and added, “I always keep house parties but this time, I have chosen a bigger venue. I am very happy for Sharman and I am inviting all my friends from the industry.”
A source close to Chopra told Mirror, “The bash was a last-minute plan. Prem is very happy that Sharman has finally made it to the big league. He has also seen the film.”
We hear the guest list reads Amitabh Bachchan, Salim Khan, Salman Khan, Jeetendra, Aamir Khan, Ranbir Kapoor and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, among others. And yes, we’ve been invited too.
Industry votes for Pran
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Almost everyone in Bollywood wants the iconic screen villain and perfect gentleman to be conferred the next Dadasaheb Phalke Award before it is too late
Bharati Dubey (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 9, 2012)
Of the three names recommended by the Film Federation of India for the next Dadasaheb Phalke Award– the highest national honour in Indian cinema–that of veteran actor Pran figures prominently. Considering the legendary actor’s name comes up in the national awards committee almost every two years and still misses the list at the last minute, this comes as no great surprise.
Said the President of the Film Federation of India Vinod Lamba, “I don’t think his name has been suggested in the past but this time, we put it up. Pran is one of the greatest character actors of his times with over 250 films to his credit and unforgettable performances like Malang in Upkaar and Sher Khan in Zanjeer.”
Indeed, the entire Hindi film industry is rooting for the actor – who made being a villain adorable, even fashionable – to win the award before it is too late.
Said Prem Chopra, who has worked with Pran in a number of films and continues to be his friend, “Don’t know why they take so long to give an award to an actor. Pran has now stopped moving out of his house. He only moves around with a walker. Besides, even Raj Kapoor was not able to walk properly to receive the trophy.” Late Dev Anand too was awarded the Dadasaheb Phalke Award only in 2003. Word in the industry is that it is not really More >
The day Silsila was launched
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sepia notes
MUMBAI MIRROR; May 11, 2011
Circa 1979. One of the biggest films in Bollywood history was launched. And this was the party.
This picture taken by Jagdish Aurangabadkar on September 30, the same year, captures some of the icons of the Indian film industry in a single frame. It was the launch of Yash Chopra’s blockbuster film Silsila at Rajkamal Studios.
Prem Chopra standing hand in hand with Amitabh Bachchan seems to be sharing a joke with the three Kapoor men Shashi, Randhir and Rishi standing to one side with Sanjeev Kumar holding on to his cigarette.
Their clothes reveal a lot about the men in this picture. While upcoming Rishi Kapoor and the ruling star of the industry then, Amitabh, can be seen in fashionable jersey shirts, the elder Shashi Kapoor and Sanjeev Kumar look relaxed in the desi kurta-pyjama.
The two leading ladies of the film, which released two years later and went on to become a blockbuster, Jaya Bachchan and Rekha, would have made the picture look even better. But maybe their presence would have been a hindrance to the uninhibited laughter being shared on stage by the men.
I am a total hands-on dad-Sharman Joshi
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Sharman Joshi talks to reader Meghana Trivedi about parenting, his bond with his family and surviving in the industry
Reema Gehi (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 03, 2011)
Besides India’s victory against Pakistan in the World Cup semi-finals, the other highlight of my week was that I got to interact with one of my favourite actors Sharman Joshi. Although Sharman has always played character roles, he has managed to carve a niche for himself in Hindi cinema. I have admired his comic timing in films like Golmaal and 3 Idiots, and I even liked him in his serious avatar in Life in a…Metro.
I was accompanied by my two-year-old son Vighnesh, who hit it off with Sharman instantly. The actor is a father to a five-year-old daughter Khayana and one-and-a-half-year-old twins Varryan and Rehan. “I am a total hands-on dad. In fact, my wife and I have a pact. Since I am not a morning person, for six days she wakes up in the morning and I wake up once a week to attend to the kids,” he said fondly.
One doesn’t hear much about his personal life. When I probed about his marriage to Prerna, who incidentally is yesteryear actor Prem Chopra’s youngest daughter, Sharman said, “Rightly so, it was difficult for my father-in-law to accept me.
Had I been in his place, even I would have had the same reaction. I was a struggling actor then; everything was very dicey. My father-in-law knew the perils I’d have to face in this industry. But over time, her family warmed up to me. I More >