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Archive for the ‘The Magic of Movies!’ Category

When the script offers a chance, talented actors do not shy away from portraying different characters in the same movie.

Here is an interesting article on those who have portrayed triple roles in some Bollywood movies.

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

To play a triple role in any film is a rare phenomenon for an actor and not every actor gets this unusual opportunity during his/her career. For the actors it is a wonderful challenge to test their acting prowess and make the characters stand out as three different personalities. For the audience it is fun watching their favourite actor/actress in different get-ups playing different characters.

Understandably the story for triple roles does not offer as much variation as that of double roles and most of the time the script revolves around a revenge saga with the actor getting to play the father as well as his twin sons. Sometimes the actor plays identical triplets and sometimes the story may have three identical but unconnected look-alikes and in these cases it may lead to confusion galore or ‘comedy of errors’.

While the industry has been kinder to male…

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When it comes to playback support, some actors-singers get typified. Some actors have a diversified back up from different singers.

Fans of Shammi Kapoor would love this well-researched blog post!

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

The moment we think of Shammi Kapoor, a variety of songs flash across our mind with Rafi’s inimitable energetic vocals matching Shammi’s unique and exuberant dancing . So deep was Rafi Saab’s understanding of Shammi Kapoor’s personality that he would modify some parts of the song to add that crucial ‘X-factor’ in anticipation of Shammi Kapoor’s on-screen movements. The result was sheer magic…and over the years this magic has remained intact and has only added to the high recall value of Shammi’s songs. Indeed it is difficult to imagine the actor without the singer…

…and yet a careful observation brings to light the fact that not only have ten (10) other singers sung for Shammi Kapoor apart from Rafi, but he probably holds the record of having maximum number of singers-eleven(11)- who have ever sung for an actor in Hindi films!!!

On Shammi Kapoor’s birth anniversary today…

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Purists might scoff at the use of classical music based compositions to connect with Hindi movie buffs, but such endeavours do have the singular advantage of popularizing such uplifting ‘ragas’ amongst the masses.

Here is an interesting post which elaborates on the use of one of the better known ‘ragas’ of Hindustani classical music in Bollywood songs.

Enjoy!

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

The repertoire of our century old Hindi film music boasts of a wide range of songs based on a variety of classical Hindustani raagas. Instead of composing these songs in a typical classical style which may appeal only to true music aficionados, our music directors use the raag to compose semi-classical songs and at times touch upon the raag lightly to include subtle modifications in the raag which makes it easier for the general public to enjoy them. Such compositions not only help to enhance the appeal and reach of these raagas to the large base of film-viewing populace of our country, but also exposes them to our unique heritage.

In this blog, I have chosen to explore the raag ‘Shivaranjani’, an ancient raag which derives its name from the words ‘Shiva’ = Lord Shiva and ‘ranjani’ = to please.  It is said that when Lord Shiva was performing his ‘taandav’ (cosmic dance)…

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One of the classics which Hollywood can justifiably be proud of is ‘Ben-Hur’. Here is an interesting post which many of you may like!

dustedoff's avatarDustedoff

When I was compiling my post of English-language films that might appeal to a lover of old Hindi cinema, I needed to check something about Ben-Hur (which was on my list) on IMDB—and I discovered something I hadn’t realized. That Ben-Hur was being remade. In fact, it was due for release less than a fortnight after my post.

Now, if that isn’t coincidence, serendipity, fate, call it what you will—I don’t know what is. So I made up my mind: this remake had to be watched, and the original (no, I’m not counting the earlier, silent version of the film, but the record-breaking, many-Oscar winning one, directed by William Wyler). Comparisons, of course, would follow.

A moment from the memorable chariot race

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findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

Only a fewactors and actresses either get the opportunity orhave the guts to be cast alongside each other in different roles which allow them to explore their versatility beyond their romantic image.

Take the case of Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri. In Koshish they played husbandandwife, in Sholay they were father-in-law and daughter-in-law, in Parichay they were father and daughter and in the unusual film Naya Din Nayi Raat, one Jaya Bhaduri meets nine Sanjeev Kumars and hence there are nine types of interactions. Likewise Amitabh Bachchan played father to Aishwarya Rai in Mohabbatein, was her elder brother in Hum Kisise Kum Nahin and also does an item number with her in Bunty aur Babli. We also had Raakhee playing Amitabh’s lover in Kabhi Kabhie and his mother in Shakti. Similarly Shammi Kapoor was Saira Banu’s lover in Junglee but became her father in

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There is no dearth of movie fans who straddle the worlds of Hollywood as well as Bollywood. Here is a delectable post from Madhulika Liddle that such souls are bound to relish!

dustedoff's avatarDustedoff

Specifically, Hindi cinema of the 50s and 60s.

This post had its genesis in a post sometime back, in which blog reader and fellow blogger Rahul commented that he tended to not watch foreign films. I decided, then, to create a list of ten foreign films that might appeal to a lover of old Hindi cinema. Then, a couple of weeks down the line, when I reviewed The Woman in Question, Rahul reminded me of that promise, asking me when I’d be posting that list of English films. There had obviously been a misunderstanding somewhere; I had meant non-English films. But it gave me an idea; why not a list of English-language films too?

After all, it’s not as if the plots and themes of Hollywood and British cinema from the Golden Years were completely alien to Indian audiences. In fact, many of them would be familiar to watchers…

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Not everyone can withstand the pressure of stardom and a celebrity status with equipoise. Here is a post which brings out the negative side of being in the arc lights of society.

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By Sharada Iyer

Indeed, the strains and pressures of being in showbiz are best understood only by those deeply immersed in it. Being public figures in the world of glamour does not mean their personal lives are perfect. They have their own share of weaknesses and handling the pressures of public scrutiny and heart-breaks can take its toll…

Recently when Deepika Padukone went public with her own struggles and battle with depression, it sent a shock wave in the industry as well as among her countless fans. It was difficult to imagine how such a beautiful actress with all top banners, endorsements, plum roles, hit films and numerous awards have depressing thoughts!!!

If we look back, the 100-year history of this great industry is dotted with tragic deaths of many artistes who after tasting enormous success became victims of depression and sorrow and turned to alcohol or drugs for succour…

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Here is a great tribute to Kishore Kumar from the stable of Findshars.

Enjoy!

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

A small tribute on his 87th birth anniversary…

Kishore Kumar acted in around 100 films during his career spanning four decades (1946-1987) including a few Bengali films also. He may not have been counted among the so-called suave, dashing and debonair heroes but he had a certain charm of his own which made him extremely popular and he ended up acting opposite almost all the top heroines of that time like Madhubala, Vyjayantimala, Meena Kumari, Mala Sinha, Sadhna,Kum Kum, Shyama,Nimmi etc. He also got to work with great directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Bimal Roy, Phani Majumdar, M V Raman, Satyen Bose, Asit Sen, Mohan Sehgal, etc. Gulzar once said that so impressed was Hrishikesh Mukherjee with his talent that he had been the original choice for the memorable film Anand which could not materialize due to various reasons.

Kishore Kumar was a very natural actor and had a unique body…

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The soft power of India is well known. Spirituality. Arts. Culture. Movies.

Here is a great post on the soft power of Bollywood.

Enjoy!

findshars's avatarMy Views On Bollywood

By

Sharada Iyer

The recently released film ‘Talvar’ by Meghna Gulzar has created such a buzz that not only did the Honourable President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee contact the director’s office and express his desire to see the film, but an online campaign has also been started on social media with a plea to the Chief Justice of India to re-open the case.

IMG-20151021-WA0016 (image source-Bombay Times)

The film has managed to create quite a stir both in the media as well as the public as it brings to light the unbelievable callousness of the investigating police officers involved which resulted in a lot of precious evidence being lost forever. The ego clashes of the two CBI groups have been laid bare for the public to ponder upon thus raising many questions regarding the hurried closure and judgement of the case.

It is indeed remarkable for a Bollywood film…

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Here is a delectable post from ‘dustedoff’ on the songs of the classic Bollywood offering: Pyaasa.Pyaasa_1957_film_poster

Quote

Why not begin, I thought, where I left off in my last post? The last song I listed in my post on my ten favourite Waheeda Rehman songs was Jaane kya tune kahi, from Pyaasa. Interestingly, this was …

Source: Some thoughts on the songs of Pyaasa

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