Happy Birthday Shahrukh Khan

He did few T.V serials like 'Fauji', 'Circus', 'Idiot' etc, and I haven't seen any of them, not a single episode.

He has done 56 films till now(not counting the special appearances). And there are few big films that I haven't seen yet like Swades, Chalte Chalte, Ashoka, Devdas and Yes Boss.

Just like Salman keeps doing stupid films, Shahrukh has done many such films too. For me there are 20 excellent films in his entire filmography. 

Shahrukh's Best Performances (along with my fav moments) :

Sunil (Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa) - Scene
'The scene where Sunil is very sad because he realizes he can't have Anna now. Beautiful background music.".

Ajay Sharma (Baazigar) - Scene
"Madan Chopra laughing, feels he has won over Ajay, and suddenly Ajay starts laughing. Whenever I think of the best evil/non-evil laughing scenes, this always comes to my mind."

Rahul Mehra (Darr) - Scene
"Tum kisi aur ki nahi ho sakti,kabhi nahi ho sakti.. Naaaahhhhhh! How well he improvises in this scene, making it extremely dramatic."

Raj Malhotra (Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge) - Scene
"He doesn't know how to pray, but he prays because he founds it cute to see a lovely girl believe so much in prayers, as he ends up praying for her wishes. Very Sweet!"

Rahul (Dil Toh Pagal Hai) - Scene
"She is not happy because her best friend Rahul loves other girl, not her. She doesn't like the fact that she isn't happy in her friend's happiness. She feels she is bad girl. Rahul consoles by telling, its the  God who is bad. Amazing emotions put in by both the actors in this scene, note the repitition of 'tum sorry mat bolo rahul, main ro padhungi'. "

Arjun Saagar (Pardes) - Scene
"One of my personal fav scenes ever! For the 1st time in the film, Arjun speaks against a person he valued the most, to a extent he gave up his love on Ganga. 'Sach, sach toh aap sunna hi nahi chahte hai sir'."

Amarkanth Verma (Dil Se) - Scene
"Its one of few romantic sequences between Amar and Meghna. 'Mujhe sabse jyada pasand tumhari yeh aankhein hai, kyunki inmein main jitna bhi dekhna chaahun, mujhe kuch dikhta hi nahi hai'. And the silence followed after this dialogue, with a background piece."

Rahul Khanna (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai) - Scene
"Among the top romantic scenes ever! A imaginary dance with music, great thought. Shahrukh in black shirt, Kajol in red saree, hotness doubles and its shot very romantically too."

Raj Aryan Malhotra (Mohabbatein) - Scene
"Raj tells his 3 best students, not to ever loose hope from love through his own love life experience. 'Mohabbat bhi zindagi ki tarah hoti hai, har mod aasan nahi hota, har mod pe khushi nahi hoti, par jab hum zindagi ka saath nahi chorte, phir mohabbat ka saath kyun chore.' A good dialogue can be spoilt, if not enacted properly.. but not the case here, Shahrukh enriches the dialogue further."

Rahul Raichand (Kabhie Khushi Kabhie Gham) - Scene
"Its actually 2nd best moment, but other one is dominated by Kajol. Shahrukh adds that extra romance into the scene through his act 'chubha toh nahi'."

Aman Mathur (Kal ho na Ho) - Scene
"He has the 'happy-go' nature in the film. And keeps giving some important advices in between like this  'Ishwar ki prathna karne ka kya fyada, jab uski di huyi zindagi ki kadar karna na jaano.' Fun ka fun, and message ka message."

Veer Pratap Singh (Veer Zaara) - Scene
"Two people deeply in love, meet here to tell each other, that we have to live seperately, bound to our parents wishes. You may not get such kind of lovers in real life, or maybe somewhere they exist. One of best seperation scenes, the 'main yahan hoon' alaap makes it more emotional, with Sonu's do pal rendition. Very romantic way to end your love!"

Dev Saran (Kabhie Alvida na Kehna) - Scene
"Mohabbat ke zamaane guzar gaye janaab, ab choti mote pyar se hi kaam chala lijiye aap. Its one of few sequences of film, where Dev is in good mood, not the angry, rude or chirchirapan nature. I adore this film, and this sequence develops the topic of 'Love after marriage, right or wrong' very well."

Kabir Khan (Chak de India) - Scene
"I don't know if I am the only one to say that this was my fav scene from the film. Absolute anger, rudeness at its high.. because the players needed it to be hurt from inside.  Coach Kabir Khan doesn't spare anyone in this scene, and the dialogue 'Har team mein sirf ek hi gunda ho sakta hai.. aur iss team ka gunda main hoon'.Also special reference to the camera-work and editing in this sequence."


Favourite Quotes -------


'To me, Devdas is the end of love stories. I've portrayed an obsessed lover, a nice lover, an angry lover, a romantic lover. And now I've played Devdas. For someone who doesn't even like love stories, I've played an awful lot of lovers. Personally speaking, I wouldn't see any of the romantic films I've acted in.'
This quote he said during Devdas probably, and here he very rightly covers the point of Versatality. The shahrukh bashers have always said Shahrukh does same kind of roles, but that's not true. The romantic roles differ with each other, one is obsessed like Darr, one is mad like Dil Se, one is nice like Rab ne bana di jodi or Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, one is angry like Kabhi Alvida na Kehna, one is romantic like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai or Dil Toh Pagal Hai. But, as a dialogue of Shahrukh in Pardes says 'Woh sochta hai, jo usne socha.. wahi sach hai', people who don't like shahrukh won't ever accept this point of  versatility.

'I haven't given up smoking. I'm very clear about it, it's a personal choice. I want to cut down on it. It shouldn't be made into an issue to say, damn good or damn bad. Whether I give it up or not shouldn't be an issue.'
Quite right, shouldn't be made a issue as I have seen people make on his smoking. But, yea I do feel, it affects his face, due to which he appears bit aged in comparison to Aamir and Salman.


'You must respect your seniors, but never get intimidated by them. Winning should be a habit, not an option. The four Hs are important when you play to win --- honesty, humor, hard work and a bit of haraamipan.'

He knows how to say out the stuff with a great sense of humour.  

'Togetherness, passion, laughter, faith, trust and jealousy are the essential ingredients of love.'

Absolutely, no wonder.. He and Gauri share a very good married relationship, a inspiration to the youth of today. 

'Directors who treat me with gentleness, I like to work with them. Its a wrong rumour people have that I work with only selected people. I don't listen to story, just be good with me and treat me like a child. I like being loved.'

Its a completely different theory he has, unlike many other well known actors who give importance to 'Script', if not good, they won't do it. But Shahrukh most of the times like the environment, the director to be good and friendly. Though, it backfires too, maybe some of his bad films were a result of this theory. Quite possible! 

'If film does very good on Friday, will feel happy. If not, then hope it does well on Saturday. But I dont calculate these collections. I never ask what the collections are, I only ask people liking the movie ? I have come to this realisation, that I was born so that I can make films.'

Best answer to the bashers who believe in comparing collections of films. May they grow up some day, if at all they do.

Happy Birthday Shahrukh Khan. My love towards your work hasn't changed ever since Kuch Kuch Hota Hai days. To add to it, you are one of those few celebs whom I find interesting as a person too, thanks to your way of talking and the awesome sense of humour, which I don't think any other celeb has. I can never be like your die-hard fans are nor I intend to be ever, so  there will be times when I wont like your work, be it Don or Om Shanti Om or to some extent Ra.One.

Looking forward to see Don2, and the much awaited Yash Chopra film next year. Fully trusted directors, hence expecting two treatworthy films for me. Keep rocking with your good performances, thats all that matters to me. 

'Sitaaron se aage jahaan aur bhi the, abhi ishq ke imtihaan aur bhi the.' Dil Se

The journey is long, keep going as long as your work is good, the journey would be enjoyable.

-------

Yash.

Shahrukh Khan : Special

Happy Birthday to Shahrukh Khan who turned 45 this Nov2nd. He has always been no.2 all time fav actor of mine, ofcourse no.1 is not Aamir Khan but Amitabh Bachchan. So, here I am going to conduct a different kinda of interview where questions will be asked by me and answered by me only, and every question will be related to Shahrukh. Lets start!


How did your love for Shahrukh Khan started ? 
Hmm, it started during the release of Kuch Kuch Hota Hai. I remember how I use to madly watch the film daily, infact 3 times in 3 days I saw it on T.V. Another funny incident is that, one of my school friend told that the film is like dil toh pagal hai due to which I didnt have much craze to see the film. But somehow luckily I made mind to see it when it was coming on T.V and rest is history. Since then not only I have loved watching Shahrukh films but also my love for hindi films or madness for hindi films started.

How was his performance in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai ?
Very Good, he has always been excellent when it comes to portraying romantic characters and this one comes in top5.. actually no.1 shahrukh's romantic film for me.

What do you like the most about Shahrukh ? 
His dedication towards his acting. He is a very hard-working actor as read in many interviews of various directors. He himself said it too that he loves everything about acting. Most important, he enjoys it as a profession. Also, I love his sense of humour seen at many award functions or talk shows like koffee with karan. I love the fact that he is daring, if anyone says anything wrong about him, he wont keep away from giving a hard reply. In all, he is a perfect person... though smoking is one aspect he could have a control on.

Do you consider yourself a Shahrukh Fan ? Have you made any collections regarding him ? 
I would say that I am a fan of his work. I aint like the normal Shahrukh fans who will start abusing you if you say anything against Srk. I do believe Shahrukh has his shortcomings like he aint good at action roles. I like many other actors too, so its hard to say which actor I am fan of. But still after Amitabh, the name I take is of Shahrukh only. Regarding collections, I havent done anything of that sort. Though, I would love to have a poster of Shahrukh probably a romantic one with Kajol.

People say that Shahrukh is a over-rated actor, he is not versatile.. What you say ?
Its their opinion. Though I cant really respect it because the truth is, he is a versatile actor. You can say that he does romantic roles a lot but then those romantic roles have many different shades. Except for 2-3 times, he has mostly done different roles. Ya, I agree films like Swades, Chak de India etc fall completely in different zone but then that is the case with other actors too. So, people have just made it a excuse to show their hatred towards Shahrukh, nothing else.

You didnt like Don.. If original Don was done by someone else than Amitabh would you still have not liked Shahrukh's Don ?
Yea, I still wont have liked it. Though, I dont think anyone else would had done full justice to old don other than Amitabh. But even if someone did, the point is making a new film with same old story and add to it same songs and dialogues. How can then you expect to like the new film when the same stuff you had really loved with other actor-director combo. Its hard not to make comparisons in such cases. Shahrukh surely made the Don look stylish but new dialogues/situations would had been better. Leaving asides the climax and aaj ki raat song, there was just nothing new and exciting about the film.

Which are the over-rated and under-rated films of Shahrukh ? 
I wont say over-rated. Over rated is a touch rude word but there are films which I feel didnt deserve to be Blockbusters or Super-Hits like Om Shanti Om.. I never liked its 2nd half so it was a good watch and deserved Hit tag at maximum. Then, Dil toh Pagal Hain, it was a good film but the melodrama was bit on the higher side.
Among under-rated films, its Dil Se .. I think its flop film, one of best films I have seen ever, among my personal top10. Then, Kabhi alvida na Kehna is under-rated too, people couldnt understand Dev and Maya characters unfortunately and hence film didnt work. And lastly My name is Khan, this time people had funny excuses to dislike film, some said such message films have come before while some were busy finding comparisons to terrorism films.

Which are your Top5 Shahrukh Films ? 
In order it would be, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Chak de India, Dil Se and Veer Zaara. Rest films are close too.

And your fav Top5 songs filmed on Shahrukh ? 
This one is tough but I will answer it. In order it will be : Tu mere Saamne (Darr), Zara tasveer se tu (Pardes), Chaiyya Chaiyya (Dil Se), Humko humhi se chura lo (Mohabbatein) and Tere liye (Veer Zaara). Also, Special Mention to - Abhi ishq ke imtihaan aur bhi the Background Theme from Dil Se, one of my all time favourite and amazingly used in film at various places.

Which actress looked best with Shahrukh apart from Kajol ? 
Rani probably, films like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai,Chalte Chalte (me yet to see it,opinion based on photos), Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna. Preity probably comes next with films like Kal ho na Ho and Veer Zaara. Even Aishwarya was wonderful in Mohabbatein. Also, many debutant actresses have got great start to their career like Mahima,Deepika etc.

How did you find Shahrukh as a host in Kaun Banega Crorepati ?
I hardly saw the shows then, but I did see 1-2 episodes to know how he was. I will say that he was very good but the format dissappointed me like gale milna and all stuff. Also, Shahrukh was too friendly in the sense using "Tu" or "Tum" with elders too which didnt look good on screen.

Which are your Fav alltime three scenes of Shahrukh ? 
Firstly, Dil se Climax scene where Shahrukh asks Manisha to take him with her, brilliantly executed and performed. Second, Pardes climax as here Shahrukh's shows his anger to Amrish Puri who he respects and is like his Dad but is unaware of truth regarding his own son which he shows there. Third, Kuch Kuch hota hai dance scene between Shahrukh and Kajol, it was very romantic and lovely use of title tune in it.

Which was the last Shahrukh film that you loved ? 
My name is Khan. It was very well directed film by Karan, excepted for the final 20 mins that were hurried and not properly told. I specially loved the message of film - There are only 2 kinds of people, good and bad, nothing else, no other division.

Do you think Shahrukh has aged up now to do certain roles ? 
Not really, though his smoking surely is having some effect to his face. Salman and Aamir do look younger then him. But, these artists can use make-up and live a character with ease. Only thing I am waiting to see is, will Shahrukh follow the steps of Amitabh after 15 years and succeed or not in the roles he gets at that age.

What would you like to see in Future from Shahrukh ? 
Probably, few more films like Dil Se, Chak de India to keep the haters impressed! .. And possibly one film atleast on the lines of Darr, its been a while since he did a negative role (Don was remake, so doesnt qualify). Also, I hope his relations gets back to normal with Salman otherwise a film with Salman wont happen in future too.


With that, the interview comes to a end. In the language of Rab ne bana di jodi, "Self Interview" comes to a end.

Happy Birthday to Shahrukh once again! ;)

Amitabh Bachchan : The Living Legend

Amitabh Bachchan turns 68 today. He has been and will always remain my most favourite Actor. I think there would be very few celebrities who would deny the fact that Amitabh deserves all the praise and love of the nation. To start a career with over 10 flops, and still coming out triumph in such a way, is some achievement.

Even though I have loved him in all genres, my favourite without a doubt would be Angry Young man roles that he did, a tag that he was later recognised with. One of great achievement of Amitabh is, the kinda of roles he is doing at this age. When likes of Jackie, Dharmendra etc are finding it hard to impress the audience on a consistent basis, Amitabh is easily been able to do that, with exceptions of few flop films.

Here are My Top10 Fav Amitabh Films :


Deewar ("Aaj khush toh bahut hoge tum")

Don ("Don ko pakarna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai")

Agneepath ("Aaj shaam 6 baje maut ke saath apna appintment hai, appintment, english bolta hai, haain")

Trishul ("Main 5 lakh ka sauda karne aaya hoon aur meri jeb mein paanch phooti kodiya bhi nahi hai".)

Zanjeer ("Jab tak baithne ko na kaha jaaye, sharafat se khade raho".)

Kabhie Kabhie ("Guzar rahi hai kuch iss tarah zindagi jaise isse kisi sahaare ki aarzoo na ho".)

Sholay ("Tumhara naam kya hai basanti.")

Aankhein ("Sach, bahut hi ajeeb o gareeb hota hai yeh sach.")

Mohabbatein ("Mujhe badlaav pasand nahi hai Mr Raj Aryan, I dont like changes".)

The Last Lear ("Cut is a director's word. For an actor, there is nothing called Cut.")

Films like Abhimaan, Namak Haraam, Chupke Chupke, Hera Pheri, Shaan, Yaarana, Lawaaris, Namak Halaal, Satte pe Satta, Shakti, Shahenshah, Hum, Paa etc misses out in Top10. Hmm, thats some list!

I can watch Deewar's bridge sequence between Amitabh and Shashi that has the famous dialogue "Mere paas maa hai" or the sequence in Agneepath with Amitabh and Police Comission having dialogue "Vijay dinnanath chauhan poora naam" numerous times, with exactly same positive effect.

My most favourite song ever also happens to be Amitabh Starrer, "Rote huye aate hai sab" from Muqaddar ka Sikandar. Very well used on Amitabh riding bike in that song. Though, main credit goes to singer here.

Leaving asides some bad films that he has done in his career, which every actor does.. Amitabh's work is truly exceptional and add to it his brilliant hindi dialect during interviews or the KBC Hosting. 

I wish that I could be regular in reading his blog posts, and also lots of films that I am yet to see starring him. 

Happy Birthday to the greatest actor from Hindi Films Industry. Keep it going! Looking forward to your hosting at KBC4 tonight...