Journalism of Courage
Sanjay Dutt's controversial and complicated life is being put to showcase as a biopic and Bollywood heartthrob Ranbir Kapoor has been roped in to reprise him in the movie. Taking a cue from that, we look at some yesteryear actors whose inspiring and controversial life can be put down to be made a movie.
The first in our list is the legend-waitforit-dary megastar Amitabh Bachchan, because 'jahaan woh khadey hotey hain, line wahin se shuru hoti hai'. If at all a movie should be made on any actor's life and people will flock in hundreds to render a watch it's Big B. His life has been more than just inspiring. From being rejected by All India Radio for the voice not being good enough, to mesmerize the whole world with his baritone and from small but prominent roles in 'Anand' and 'Namak Haraam' to being named as the 'Angry Young Man' and then again from the financial bankruptcy in the late 90s to being the 'Star of the Millenium', Big B has dealt with it all, lived it all.
And we think, who better than his own son Abhishek Bachchan to play the megastar. He has the looks and the talent. Some may disagree with us, but how can one forget how Abhishek faired in movies like 'Yuva', 'Guru' and 'Pa'. Abhishek is a director's actor, so we would suggest a director like Mani Ratnam or R Balki to helm the venture who have earlier too extracted the best out of him.
Another choice to reprise Big B in a biopic can be the young gun Sidharth Malhotra. One can't deny the angst and charm he exuded in 'Ek Villain' and keeping that in my mind, Sidharth can be a perfect option to play the megastar. Also, the height and face-cut might just add to the character.
A simple boy - Jatin Khanna - from Amritsar, Punjab took over the industry by storm and came to be called the 'first superstar of Indian cinema'. He held the record of giving 17 hits movies in a series, without a break. Girls swooned and drooled when he arrived on screen. But this emperor of the box office, went and married an 18-year-old Dimple Kapadia and broke many a hearts. The couple later got divorced and the superstar was then linked with Tina Munim. His meteorological rise to superstardom was faced with a similar downfall when younger stars including Amitabh Bachcan took over.
He then found refuge in politics, but there too his fate betrayed him. The man who once ruled the box office went into a state of oblivion from the world and spent most of his life in solitude, bereft of his wife and two daughters - Twinkle and Rinke. He spent most of his time with Anita Advani, who claimed to be his live in partner.
The hidden facets of this superstar's life can be brought into light by none other than his son-in-law Akshay Kumar. As good looking as his late father-in-law, the Punjabi boy has the dynamism in his personality to carry off the role perfectly. What adds to the character is how Akshay has always managed to stay popular amongst the ladies.
Born in the erstwhile Peshawar in a family of 12 children, Yusuf Khan hadn't had a very easy life. But he faced all the hadships with a smile. When his name changed to Dilip Kumar, his fate too as the Tragedy King of Indian cinema was born. Be it the struggles in the earliest phase of his career or his failed romances with Kamini Kaushal and Madhubala, he had always hit headlines then. Especially the romance which culminated into a sad break up due to their religions being different, Dilip Kumar has never had it easy in life. He married actress Saira Banu, who was 22 years younger than him, in 1966. There were rumours of a second marriage in 1980 to Asma but nothing much came out of it. Even now when he nears the dawn of his life, there are rumours about his ill health making rounds on the social network.
The 'Devdas' actor can be reprised best by another actor who did the most recent 'Devdas' - Shah Rukh Khan. We tell you why. Firstly, while Dilip Kumar was the Tragedy King, SRK is the King of Romance. Only a king can match another.
Secondly, SRK is always accused of aping Dilip saab, so the nuances of the character will come automatically, we believe. Also, Dilip Kumar was considered one of the most good-looking gentlemen of his times.... Need we say more?
He is the greatest filmmaker of 'em all. And a forward thinking one. Movies like 'Shree 420', 'Kal Aaj aur Kal', 'Prem Rogi', 'Mera Naam Joker' among others go to show the rainbow of Raj Kapoor's thoughts. His film career was totally opposed to his personal life. Film historians and movie buffs speak of him as the "Charlie Chaplin of Indian cinema," since he often portrayed a tramp-like figure, who, despite adversity, was still cheerful and honest. True to that image, he made movies with a lot of heart and portrayed emotions which were said to have been felt by himself at certain stages of life. His whirlwind affair with yesteryear actress Nargis and then a rumoured relationship with Vyjyanthimala and yet keeping his marital life distinct has often left the people questioning. Raj Kapoor suffered from asthma in his later years; he died of complications related to asthma in 1988 at the age of 63.
A biopic on him would be perfect tribute to the greatness of this filmmaker and also would throw some light on his personal life. And who better his grandson Ranbir Kapoor to play it. Ranbir, anyhow, always has been saying that he tries to ape his granddad and movies like 'Ajab Prem ki Gazab Kahaani' bear a testimonial to that. He is a nuanced actor and can achieve great heights of acclaim if he dons 'japaani joota' of his granddad.
Vasanth Kumar Shivashankar Padukone, better known as Guru Dutt, made 1950s and 1960s classics such as 'Pyaasa', 'Kaagaz Ke Phool', 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' and 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand'. A tough childhood with financial difficulties and strained relationship between his parents, Guru Dutt never was a happy camper. His friendship with Dev Anand, though became very famous. Guru Dutt married Geeta Dutt in 1953. They had been engaged for three years and had to overcome a great deal of family opposition to marry. They had three children. A master of his art in cinema, he led a diametrically opposite life in real. According to his brother Atmaram, Guru Dutt was "a strict disciplinarian as far as work was concerned, but totally undisciplined in his personal life. He smoked heavily, drank heavily, and kept odd hours. Guru Dutt's relationship with actress Waheeda Rehman also worked against his marriage. At last he died a sad death.
Guru Dutt was found dead in his bed in his rented apartment at Pedder Road in Mumbai. He is said to have been mixing alcohol and sleeping pills. His death may have been suicide, or just an accidental overdose. It would have been his third suicide attempt.
To play the various shades of Guru Dutt's personality, one would need an actor who can emote well enough. And we could only think of Farhan Akhtar to don the hat. When he can make Milkha Singh come alive on screen, boy! he can reprise anybody on this planet. Period.
Dev Anand hasn't led any controversial life as such. Simple man he was with a beyond naturale love for cinema. But why we want a biopic to be made on him is the effervescence he brought onto the screen with his presence. 'Yeh Dil Na Hota Bechaara' is enough to bring back the image of a reckless, carefree hero back to mind.
Effervescence, thy name is Ranveer Singh. We couldn't think of any other person to portray Dev Anand on screen. Only Ranveer has the guts and the madness to play the superstar on screen.
If Madhubala is named the most beautiful actress that ever existed in the Indian cinema, it won't be an understatement. People swooned over her beauty and gave metaphors in her name. Her love affair with Dilip Kumar and her gradual submission to her father's wishes will always be talked about in the corridors of Indian film industry. She later married Kishore Kumar, but got left by him when he couldn't see her in pain as she had a heart ailment. She died a lonely death.
We are talking of beauty, right? So, who else than former Miss World Aishwarya Rai Bachchan who can bring the role to fruition. Actually, if we notice, both are quite similar in many ways - unparalleled beauty, love affairs with a contemporary superstar and they both attracted Hollywood. We can't think of a better name. Can you?
She has experimented and a lot. Hailed as one of the most talented actresses of the Indian cinema, Waheeda Rehman was a beauty-au-naturale. Amitabh Bachchan once was quoted saying that Waheeda Rehman is the most beautiful woman he has ever seen and rightly so, her expressive and emotive eyes held many a heart captive. Having started her career in Tamil movies, she began her Bollywood career with 'CID' as a negative character. But later, gradually, she became one of the most celebrated actresses of the industry. Her involvement in Guru Dutt's life, however, has always been under scanner.
Only one actress from the current lot has the expression to match Waheeda Rehman's and that is Vidya Balan. Let's face it. Both are South Indian beauties; started their film career with Tamil movies and both are National award winners. Also, both have been praised by Amitabh Bachchan for their 'Indian' beauty.
By far, one of the most respected personalities in the industry, Nargis is best remembered for her role in 'Mother India'. And she could do any sort of roles with the utmost ease - be it 'Shree 420' or 'Chori Chori'. Her chemistry with Raj Kapoor is something movie buffs still die for. She married a much younger Sunil Dutt after he saved her from fire on the sets of 'Mother India'.
One would need a very versatile actress to portray another one. And only Kajol, we think, has the demeanour to do this. She can very well outline not only Nargis' cinematic brilliance but also the emotional upheavals in her life, including the love innuendo with Raj Kapoor.
Rekha - the name is enough. She is enigmatic, graceful and still so beautiful. The unparalleled charm she exudes is something guys of every age swoon for. And this reminds us of former Miss World Priyanka Chopra. Both have a strong personality; a strong will and a self-made success to their name. And a link up with a superstar too.
Besides, we also think that Priyanka Chopra, considering her acting prowess, can do full justice to the original 'Umrao Jaan' of the Indian cinema - be it her long movie career or much talked about personal life. Priyanka gave Rekha a tribute on one of last year's Award functions too.
Okay! We give up. This list certainly deserved the mention of Rajinikanth. He started off as a bus conductor and has gradually amassed a fan following that surpasses every element in the Universe. His demeanour, his dialogue delivery, his aura....his whole persona speaks of superstardom. A life as inspiring as his deserves a biopic for sure. But who has the charisma, in the whole world we ask, to carry the Rajinikanth's role in a mere movie? Can you suggest a name?
