Shakti (1982) - Directed by Ramesh Sippy, starring the powerful Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan

Shakti released in the year 1982 and was directed by Ramesh Sippy. Written by the inimitable duo of Salim-Javed, it starred thespian actor Dilip Kumar and superstar Amitabh Bachchan as father and son. Although the film was only a moderate success at the box office, it was notable for being the first and the only film to feature these two stalwarts of Bombay film industry. It was not a battle between these two actors but an interesting and intense duet where they played off each other’s strength. As audience you are left wonderstruck at the mastery of these two superb artists.

DCP Ashwini Kumar (Dilip Kumar) is known for his honesty across the police force. He is scrupulously sincere, conscientious, moralistic and hard working. He does not let personal sentiments stand in the way of his duty. His principles are severely tested when his child Vijay Kumar is kidnapped by gangster JK Verma (Amrish Puri). Verma demands that DCP Kumar release one of his accomplices who had been arrested by the honest cop or he will kill Vijay. An intense battle rages inside DCP Kumar as the father and cop battle it out. The cop emerges triumphant and he refuses to bow down to blackmail. He declines to release the criminal. Vijay escapes from the kidnappers himself and is eventually saved.

Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) grows up never forgetting for even a day that his father had placed his duty over and above his son’s life. He feels a particular kind of resentment towards his father even though he is devoted to his mother (actress Rakhee plays Amitabh Bachchan’s mother in this film). Eventually he moves out of his father’s house and starts living with Roma Devi (Smita Patil). As an act of defiance he starts working for mobster K.D Narang (Kulbhushan Kharbanda), an erstwhile accomplice of JK who had saved Vijay as a child by letting him escape. Vijay decides to repay that act of mercy by doing all of Narang’s dirty work and illegal activities. Eventually the rivalry between JK and Narang forces Vijay to act as bodyguard for Narang and go on the run with him. Even though Rakhee tries to mediate between father and son, it is of no avail. However Kumar accepts Roma as his daughter-in-law. The climax of the film sees Kumar gunning down his own son as he tries to escape from the country. Vijay dies in his father’s arms secure and happy in the knowledge that he had never been abandoned by his dad.

The film is a must watch for the once in a lifetime coming together of Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan. The two set the screen on fire with their amazing histrionic powers. Amitabh especially is very good in his brooding understated avatar.

AWARDS WON

Filmfare Best Movie Award
Filmfare Best Actor Award - Dilip Kumar

CAST AND CREW

Directed by Ramesh Sippy
Produced by Mushir Alam, Mohammad Riaz
Written by Javed Akhtar, Salim Khan
Starring Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan, Raakhee Gulzar, Smita Patil, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Amrish Puri
Music by R.D. Burman
Lyrics Anand Bakshi
Cinematography S.M. Anwar
Editing by M.S. Shinde

Shahenshah (1988) - Amitabh's comeback vehicle also starring Meenakshi Seshadri and Jaya Prada

Shahenshah released in the year 1988 and was Amitabh Bachchan’s comeback vehicle after a three year hiatus during which he had become involved in active politics. Directed by Tinnu Anand, the story of the film was written by the superstar’s wife and actress Jaya Bachchan. There was tremendous hype around the film as hordes of die-hard fans of the superstar had been waiting impatiently for his return.

The movie opens with a corrupt and snivelling bank manager Mathur (Prem Chopra) and his partner-in-crime, underworld baron JK (Amrish Puri). Mathur is in a financial mess and he along with JK decides to rob the very bank for which he works. Inspector Shrivastav (Kader Khan) is an honest police officer who gets wind of this plot and is about to crack the case when JK frames in a false case enlisting the help of an exotic dancer Julie (Aruna Irani). Unable to bear the shame of the charges levelled against him, Inspector Shrivastav hangs himself at home after being released on bail. This creates a lasting and powerful impression on his young son, Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan), who retains the noose his father had used to hang himself.

Vijay grows up in the care of Inspector Aslam Khan (Pran) and follows in his dead father’s footsteps to become a cop. Aslam Khan is an honest cop however Vijay is a sycophantic and cowardly inspector, prone to bribery and giving in to powerful criminals. Vijay finds himself in the payroll of JK who now runs a major underworld empire past the cops. Soon a new spectre makes his appearance that calls himself Shahenshah and is a costumed crime fighter. His iron hand is used to attack enemies and smash objects, and Shahenshah's other weapon is a noose. He describes himself as one man army who is out to do the job meant for cops. He not only apprehends criminals but sits on judgement and then executes the punishment. It is revealed a bit later that Shahenshah is actually Vijay, who has created this alter ego so as to punish the guilty and not be bogged down by the corrupt system. He also seeks to avenge his father’s death.

At this time we are introduced to Shalu (Meenakshi Seshadri), a small time trickster who is also out to eliminate JK as the latter had ordered the assassination of her mother Julie. JK then ends up murdering Salim (Vijendra Ghatge) who was about to expose his crime ring. Salim was engaged to Shaheena (Supriya Pathak), the daughter of Aslam Khan. Vijay now decides to openly confront JK. Julie agrees to testify against JK. And JK prepares for an all out war against Shahenshah, Vijay, Shalu and the lot of his enemies. There is a veritable bloodbath on the streets as good fights evil and there is a final showdown where Shahenshah reveals his secret identity and becomes the nemesis for all the culprits.

CAST AND CREW

Directed by Tinnu Anand
Produced by Tinnu Anand
Written by Jaya Bachchan (story), Inder Raj Anand (screenplay and dialogues)
Starring Amitabh Bachchan, Meenakshi Seshadri, Jaya Prada, Amrish Puri, Aruna Irani, Prem Chopra, Kader Khan, Pran
Music by Amar Utpal

Hero - The story of a criminal turned hero (1983)

Hero released in the year 1983, turned its male protagonist (Jackie Shroff) into an overnight star. Jackie had already made his debut (a rather unsuccessful one) in the film Swami Dada under the guidance of Dev Anand. But it needed maverick director Subhash Ghai’s Midas touch to catapult Shroff to the big league of fame and popularity.

In Hero, Ghai takes the time-tested track of star-struck lovers and makes a simple yet heart-warming story of a criminal turning over a new leaf under the influence of love. The movie’s main strength is its outstanding music courtesy Laxmikant-Pyarelal and Ghai’s sensitive handling of the love story. Of course the entire cast also does a commendable job. In the film Jaikishen, or Jackie Dada, as he is called in the film, is a criminal with a heart of gold. He has old scores to settle with the area’s Thakur and his son, a police officer. Pasha (the ever reliable Amrish Puri), a notorious criminal, has been imprisoned by the IG Police, Shrikanth Mathur (Shammi Kapoor). The evil Pasha swears to avenge himself and sends his favourite henchman, Jackie Dada to do this for him. The plan is to abduct Mathur's beloved daughter Radha (Meenakshi Sheshadri) and then bargain for Pasha’s release with the cops.



Jackie takes on the identity of a cop and under the pretext of saving Radha from the local goons abducts her. As fate would have it, the inevitable happens and the two opposites fall in love. Soon Radha comes to learn about Jackie’s true identity but instead of giving up on him, she chooses to repose her faith in this relationship. Determined to make an honest man out of Jackie, she convinces him to surrender o the cops. Jackie by this time is also convinced of his errant ways and is determined to do the right thing. He surrenders to the cops who imprison him for two years. Radha, finds a confidante in her brother Damodar (Sanjeev Kumar) and tells him all about her love for Jackie. In his bid to help Radha, Damodar asks his friend Johnny to pretend to be in love with Radha, thinking this would deter their father from getting her married off before Jaikishen is out of prison. Meanwhile, Jackie completes his term and starts working in a garage, in his bid to lead a life of honesty. But Shrikanth is not convinced of his honest intentions. In another twist, Damodar discovers that Johnny is a drug dealer. Around the same time, Pasha gets out of jail and kidnaps Radha to punish both Shrikanth and Jaikishen. Whether Jackie is able to save his true love and whether Shrikant finally accepts Jackie constitutes the climax of the film.

Songs and lyrics from the movie Hero:

1. Tu mera jaanu hai tu mera dilbar hai (link)

2. Pyar Karne Wale (link)

3. O Baby sing a song (link)

4. Nindiya se jagi bahar (link)

5. Lambi Judai (link)

Gadar Ek Prem Katha (2001) - An incredibly successful movie

The art of movie-making is inherently the art of story telling. The success (and therefore also the failure) of a film is primarily determined by the director’s ability to narrate a story well. The rest of the paraphernalia, read, music, dance, camera work, set design, costume design, sound…all of it is secondary. The immensely successful movie, Gadar-Ek Prem Katha, directed by Anil Sharma, is a superlative example of this simple fact. Many a movie has talked about love and many a movie has also talked about the Partition. So in that sense, Mr. Sharma is not telling a new story. However he has taken these two emotionally-charged elements and woven a wonderfully simple tale that leaves the viewer experience a whole gamut of emotions without being too heavy.

Gadar-Ek Prem Katha, starts off in pre-partition India. Sakeena (Amisha Patel’s soft beauty will take your breath away), a girl from a rich Muslim family is a student at a convent school in Shimla. Tara Singh (Sunny Deol, aptly cast) is a truck driver who fetches supplies to the school and nurtures a very innocent crush on her. A silly prank is the starting point of an unlikely friendship that develops between these two apparently diverse individuals. Then comes Partition and Sakeena’s family headed by Ahsraf Ali (Amrish Puri) depart for Lahore amidst growing tension between the two communities. The ensuing mindless violence that followed Partition is very sensibly captured and in one such incidence Sakeena gets left behind while her entire family boards the train to Pakistan.



Tara Singh rescues her from the clutches of sword wielding men and offers her the shelter and security of his home. After some time they marry and their love matures into a strong bond. The couple have a son and are blissfully happy. After a good seven odd years, Sakeena comes upon a picture of her father in the newspaper and she realises that her family is alive and well.

With the help of Tara Singh, Sakeena is able to re-establish contact with her father Ashraf Ali across the border. Ali is happy that his daughter is alive but is none too pleased that she is now married to a Sikh and also has a son. His devious plotting finds the sweet family torn apart-Sakeena under house arrest in Pakistan; Tara and their son waiting in India. As soon as Tara Singh is able to discover his father-in-law’s true intentions, he sets out for Pakistan to rescue his wife and bring her back home. He is supported in this endeavour by his faithful friend Darmiyan Singh and his little son. In Pakistan Tara has to face many trials and tribulations. Whether Tara is able to bring back his “Madam” (as he refers to Sakeena) forms the second half and the climax of the film.

Heartfelt acting, melodious songs and a simple narrative make this film immensely watch-able.

Awards won:

Winner:
Filmfare Best Action Award - Tinnu Verma
Filmfare Special Performance Award - Amisha Patel
Sansui Best Actress Award - Amisha Patel
Annual Filmgoers Awards - Best Actress - Amisha Patel

Songs from the movie:

1. Aan milo sajna (link)

2. Main Nikla Gaddi Leke (link)

3. Musaafir jaane wale (link)

4. Hum Juda Ho Gaye (link)

5. Udja Kale Kawan (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (starring Shahrukh Khan and Kajol) (released in 1995)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge was a major hit film, early enough in Shahrukh's career that it gave him a big jump. The movie was an incredible success, remembered even today. It was also an a huge event in the career for director Aditya Chopra. The movie is also much appreciated by critics, marked among movies that are worth seeing in any top movie list. It also won a huge number of awards, almost a clean sweep of the popular awards:

Filmfare Awards:
1996 Filmfare Best Movie Award: Yash Chopra
1996 Filmfare Best Director Award: Aditya Chopra
1996 Filmfare Best Actor Award: Shahrukh Khan
1996 Filmfare Best Actress Award: Kajol
1996 Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award: Farida Jalal
1996 Filmfare Best Comedian Award: Anupam Kher
1996 Filmfare Best Lyricist Award: Anand Bakshi, Tujhe Dekha
1996 Filmfare Best Screenplay Award: Aditya Chopra
1996 Filmfare Best Dialogue Award: Aditya Chopra, Javed Siddiqi
1996 Filmfare Best Male Playback Award: Udit Narayan, (Mehndi Lagake Rakhna)

The movie was also acclaimed for its music, with the music by Jatin Lalit and some great singing by Lata Mangeshkar and Udit Narayan. The shooting of the movie, in the scenic beauty of Switzerland, and then in the fields of Punjab were in the line of the movies by Yash Chopra, and supported by some excellent cinematography by Manmohan Singh.



The movie spans across 3 countries and 2 continents. The movie starts in England where aj Malhotra and Simran Kaur (Shahrukh Khan and Kajol respectively) are living in London, with Raj being like any normal London boy, drinking, out with friends, and so on, and spoiled by his father Anupam Kher. Simran has a domineering father, convenience store owner Chaudhry Baldev Singh (Amrish Puri), who is very conservative and would not really want his daughter to have all the freedom of a girl living in London. He would want his daughter to get married to a traditional Indian man, and finds a suitable arrangement with the son of his friends. Simran finally agrees to this, but wants to first travel with friends and see the world.
In the trip, Simran bumps into Raj, who is also on a trip. She does not like him, seeing him as a uncaring person, but there is a situation in which both of them have to depend on each other. They start loving each other, but have to separate at the end of the trip. When Baldev gets to know about this from Simran, he is very angry since he considers that Simran has broken his trust, and flies off to Punjab with the family for marriage. What does Raj do ? How does he manage to persuade Baldev and marry Simran ?

Songs and lyrics from the movie:

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Ghar Aaja Pardesi (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Zara Sa Jhoom Loon Main (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Mere Khwabon Mein (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Ruk Ja O Dil Deewane (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Tujhe Dekha To (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Mehndi Laga Ke Rakhna (link)

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge – Ho Gaya Hain Tujhko (link)