Post 16 for the Ultimate Blogging Challenge and another one for the prompt Endings from The Writers Post
This post will probably appeal more to my Indian readers, but I hope you can tolerate a radically different post from the stuff I normally write as this is about Bollywood and one of it's legendary stars.
Rajesh Khanna the mega superstar and king of romance of Bollywood
died at the age of 69 on 18 July 2012.
But I guess the best way to showcase Bollywood and the legend that was, is via some videos of some of my favourite songs and some that trigger some memory.
Roop Tera Mastana (You are beautiful) from Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore, my absolute favourite Bollywood song.
I believe this song was also voted the song of the century (though I don't have any documented clarification of that). It was the song that gave Kishor Kumar his first Filmfare award and established him as the leading playback singer in Bollywood.
Youtube - Roop Tera Mastana
Gunguna Rahe Hain - also from Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore
Just about every song in Aradhana is just great and it was a hard choice but I eventually chose this one as I love the tune of this song and it's such a happy song. You also get a glimpse of the beautiful Himalayas.
Youtube - Gunguna Rahe Hain
Chup Gaye Saare Nazare - from Do Raaste with Mumtaz, my favourite actress
If you have never seen a Bollywood movie ... yep this is Bollywood!
Youtube - Chup Gaye Nazare
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Life is a beautiful journey - from Andaaz (197) with Hema Malini.
Rajesh Khanna only appeared for 5 minutes in this movie and made the song a hit - such was the RK mania.
I chose this song because you get to see my beautiful city of Mumbai and because my class saw this movie together as part of our Hindi subject "excursion" when we were in standard 7.
Youtube - Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana
Jis Gali Mein - from Kati Patang with Asha Parekh
Such a beautiful song, they don't make songs like this now and in my view the actors of today simply could not pull off a song like this.
Youtube - Jis Gali Mein
Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli - Life is a riddle - from Anand
I think this movie (in my opinion) was Rajesh Khanna's best acting performance ever. And tragically the end for him in reality came in the same way as in the movie.
Youtube - Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli
Zindagi kaisi hai paheli, kabhi to hasaye, kabhi ye rulaye
Life is a riddle, sometimes it makes you laugh and sometimes it makes you cry.
RIP Rajesh Khanna.
Warm Regards
This post will probably appeal more to my Indian readers, but I hope you can tolerate a radically different post from the stuff I normally write as this is about Bollywood and one of it's legendary stars.
And though the man who was a phenomenon, a superstar, and
unlikely ever to be surpassed (at least not in my lifetime), is no longer with
us, he lives on in the hearts of many Indians and will forever be remembered as the
greatest ever of the Bollywood screen. He was the only Bollywood star who has had 15 consecutive golden jubilee hit movies.
The following and adoration that he commanded was the stuff that stars dream about but never achieve. He just drove the girls wild. I wasn't that crazy about the guy but I loved a lot of the movies he starred in and I loved his songs.
My first Rajesh Khanna movie was Aradhana, a diamond jubilee hit for him. I was 9 years old when I saw it at the Roxy Cinema at Marine Lines in Bombay and it remains my favourite Bollywood movie. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen it. Some of my other favourite movies that he starred in are Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Anand, Do Raaste.
The following and adoration that he commanded was the stuff that stars dream about but never achieve. He just drove the girls wild. I wasn't that crazy about the guy but I loved a lot of the movies he starred in and I loved his songs.
My first Rajesh Khanna movie was Aradhana, a diamond jubilee hit for him. I was 9 years old when I saw it at the Roxy Cinema at Marine Lines in Bombay and it remains my favourite Bollywood movie. I've lost count of the number of times I've seen it. Some of my other favourite movies that he starred in are Kati Patang, Amar Prem, Anand, Do Raaste.
But I guess the best way to showcase Bollywood and the legend that was, is via some videos of some of my favourite songs and some that trigger some memory.
Roop Tera Mastana (You are beautiful) from Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore, my absolute favourite Bollywood song.
I believe this song was also voted the song of the century (though I don't have any documented clarification of that). It was the song that gave Kishor Kumar his first Filmfare award and established him as the leading playback singer in Bollywood.
Youtube - Roop Tera Mastana
Gunguna Rahe Hain - also from Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore
Just about every song in Aradhana is just great and it was a hard choice but I eventually chose this one as I love the tune of this song and it's such a happy song. You also get a glimpse of the beautiful Himalayas.
Youtube - Gunguna Rahe Hain
Chup Gaye Saare Nazare - from Do Raaste with Mumtaz, my favourite actress
If you have never seen a Bollywood movie ... yep this is Bollywood!
Youtube - Chup Gaye Nazare
Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana - Life is a beautiful journey - from Andaaz (197) with Hema Malini.
Rajesh Khanna only appeared for 5 minutes in this movie and made the song a hit - such was the RK mania.
I chose this song because you get to see my beautiful city of Mumbai and because my class saw this movie together as part of our Hindi subject "excursion" when we were in standard 7.
Youtube - Zindagi Ek Safar Hai Suhana
Jis Gali Mein - from Kati Patang with Asha Parekh
Such a beautiful song, they don't make songs like this now and in my view the actors of today simply could not pull off a song like this.
Youtube - Jis Gali Mein
Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli - Life is a riddle - from Anand
I think this movie (in my opinion) was Rajesh Khanna's best acting performance ever. And tragically the end for him in reality came in the same way as in the movie.
Youtube - Zindagi Kaisi Hai Paheli
Zindagi kaisi hai paheli, kabhi to hasaye, kabhi ye rulaye
Life is a riddle, sometimes it makes you laugh and sometimes it makes you cry.
RIP Rajesh Khanna.
Warm Regards
I don't know much about Bollywood, but I do love a good musical!
ReplyDeleteThanks for your reflections on a talented man, and for sharing these clips I would not have otherwise seen.
Hi Kat, Glad you enjoyed these clips. I think to truly understand the RK mania and the man that he was, you had to be there and grow up during his superstar days, a privilege that I have had.
Deletethanks so much for commenting and taking the time to read this post. that means a lot to me.
He will live on...<3<3
ReplyDeleteHe sure will Janu. I feel so privileged to have grown up during his superstar days. I watched his funeral on youtube and it just brought sadness to my heart and tears to my eyes.
DeleteThanks for bringing back the memories, Suzy!
ReplyDeleteYou are welcome Corinne. So sad though. Those were the days.
Delete