On the sets of Naukar - DAY 715

Naukar starring Sanjeev Kumar and Jaya Bhaduri released in the year 1979. Jaya Bhaduri got married to Amitabh Bachchan after the release and super success of Prakash Mehra directed Zanjeer and temporarily quit acting.

In the year 1974 Amitabh and Jaya’s first born Shweta Bachchan was born when Amitabh was shooting for Sholay in Bangalore. Jaya was pregnant during the shooting and it is evident in some of her closeup scenes.

In the year 1976 on the Basant Panchmi day Abhishek was born and Jaya was engrossed in domesticity and children.

Jaya had been careful not to sign new projects once she had decided to get married and while most of her films were completed before she became pregnant, one film that got stuck partly due to lack of finances and partly due to unavailibility of Jaya’s dates was Sanjeev Kumar starer Naukar.

It was in the winter of the year 1978 when I was a cub reporter and sent for the patch up shooting of Naukar at a private bungalow in Pali Hill.

Jaya had gone home for lunch and returned to sets with a group of her friends who patiently waited in her room as she expertly completed her shots.

In between shots she spoke to me about marriage, motherhood and how it alters the life of a performing actor.

This was the phase when Amitabh Bachchan had banned the media and Jaya was not communicating with journalists but because she knew my editor she interacted with me and was her candid best.

After so many decades, Jaya Bhadure nee Bachchan remains the person she was many years ago.

@bhawanasomaaya

Hate Sory 3 avoidable - DAY 714(3)

Vikram Bhatt likhi directed by Vishal Pandya, HateStory 3 ek baar phir murder mystery  film hain.

Wohi alishan ghr, exotic locations, lambi gadiyaan, khubsoorat ladkiyaan, naach gaane aur item numbers.

Film ka plus: film ka music.

Film ka minus: Music ke alava sab kuch.

Hate Story 3 ko Big Entertainment Ratings milte hain 1 star.

@bhawanasomaaya

Angry Indian Goddesses is spunky - DAY 714 (2)

Jungle Book produced aur Pan Nalin directed  Angry Indian Goddesses  kahani hai 6 doston ki.

Goa mein bassi ek dost shaadi kar rahi hai aur apne paanch doston ko apni khushi mein shamil karne ke liye bulati hai.

Inmein se kuch dost, ek doosre ko pehle se jaante hain, aur kuch ki nayi pehchaan hai.

Film ka plus: Film ke characters, unke conflicts aur interactions.

Film ka bada plus: Film ki writing, performances aur Goa ka ghar, jisme jhoomti hain 9 ladkiyaan – 6 dost, 2 helpers aur ek chotti bachi.

Film ka minus: film ka climax jo newspaper headlines se prerit hai isliye predictible hai.

Angry Indian Goddesses ko hum dosti ki kahani keh sakte hai, aurat ki kahani keh sakte hai, Goa ki kahani keh sakte hai, humare double standard society ki kahani keh sakte hain.

Aangry Indian Goddesses dekhni chahiye film ki spirit aur sandesh ke liye...

Ye film auraton se zyaada mardon ke liye hain...

Angry Indian Goddesses ko Big Entertainment Ratings milte hain 3 stars.

@bhawanasomaaya

Kajariya is slow and serious- DAY 714 (1)

Mahurreta Anand likhi directed Kajariya Haryana ke chotte gaon ki kahani hain jahan ladikiyon ka janam hote hi unhe maar diya jaata hain.

Aur ye kaam karti hai Kajariya, jisse gaon wale Maata Kaali ka avtaar mante hain…

Film ka plus: film ki kahani, detailed research, locations aur screenplay.

Director Madhurreta, journalist Meera aur Kajariya ki kahaniyon ko jodkar, shehar aur gaon ki lakeeron ko mitati hain aur aham samajik muddein uthati hain.

Film ka minus: film slow hai, serious hai aur achi neeyat aur sandesh ke bawajood, hum se puri tarha se jud nahi paati.

Agar aap ko manoranjan ki talash hai toh Kajariya aap ke liye nahi hai.

Agar aap female infanticide yaane ‘kanya shishu hatya’ ke khilaaf ho, toh Kajariya zaroor dekhiyeen.

Kajariya ko Big Entertainment Ratings milte hain 2.5 stars.

@bhawanasomaaya

Remembering Devsaab - DAY 713

When I watched Dev Anand shoot his last film with the same joi de vivre like he did many decades ago, I had begun to believe that he was perhaps immortal.

I was wrong.      

                                                                

Devsaab had been keeping unwell for some time just never talked about it and one day, when he could take the exertion no more, he quietly boarded a flight to UK for further treatment.

On December 3 around 10pm Devsaab suddenly felt restless at Washington Hotel, London. 

Immediately two ambulances pulled up outside the hotel and paramedics rushed to Room Number 207 but it was too late because Devsaab had passed away after a massive heart attack.

Dev Anand's son Suneil was by his side when the end came. One of the ambulances took them away to a nearby hospital where Anand was pronounced dead.

Dev Anand, 88 was in London for a medical check up but also for the UK launch of his 1950s superhit, Hum Dono, in colour. As a tribute to his remarkable career, Britain's Channel Four had organized a Retrospective of Dev Anand films featuring Baazi, Guide, Hum Dono and Jewel Thief.

He was very keen to be present for the color version of Hum Dono screening but that was not to be.

Dev Anand did not come back home but his family organized a prayer meeting attended by all his loved ones.

@bhawanasomaaya

Happy Birthday Boman Irani - DAY 712

Today is Boman Irani’s birthday.  I was first introduced to Boman at Locarno Film Festival in the year 2000. 

His director Ram Madhvani was showing Boman’s debut film Let’s Talk. I went for the film without any expectations and came out overwhelmed by the supremely gifted actor. 

Post screening I spent time chatting with the actor and learnt that Boman was from theatre and multi faceted: he was a voice artiste, a photographer and a gifted singer, now trying for a break in Hindi movies.

I was confident he would make it big soon and just two years later in2003 Boman got noticed in Raju Hirani’s Munna Bhai M.B.B.S. followed by Lage Raho Munna Bhai followed by 3 Idiots. Boman has proved his versatality with all kinds of roles be it Happy New Year or soon to be released Dilwale.

Wishing Boman Irani a very happy birthday and I have to say aapro Boman has come a long way.

@bhawanasomaaya

40 years ago… DAY 711

40 years ago RK Banner released a film called Dharam Karam in which Raj Kapoor’s eldest son, Randhir Kapoor debuted as a director.

Written by Prayag Raj and music by RD Burman Dharam Karam was a super hit and Randhir Kapoor in demand as a filmmaker.

It was Randhir’s idea to take Rekha as his heroine since they had worked in Rampur Ka Lakshman and proved a successful pair.

It is said that Raj Kapoor saw early rushes of the film and was so impressed with Rekha that he asked his son to increase her role.

That was Rekha’s first interaction with Raj Kapoor and over four decades spanning three genrations she continues to nurture a close bond with the family.

@bhawanasomaaya