I am not much of a movie buff... however I just watch them as and when I like based on my interest or the movie's casting or at least timing - the important being the star cast. For me, movie means a few good artists whom I always see as the rulers of the cinema in their respective fields - Dev Anand, Rajesh Khanna, Yash Chopra, Madhuri, Shah Rukh and a bit of the two other Khans!
I was introduced to the world of cinema through Aamir Khan starer 'Hum Hain Raahi Pyaar Ke' and I loved every bit of it. Till today, it's one of my all time favorites to watch! However, I could never visualize Aamir the way I see Shah Rukh. I always felt connected to his movies... I have felt love and emotions around whenever I see movies like 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' or 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' or 'Mohabbatein'. I have always found myself laughing or crying while watching these movies... they are truly special! There is no doubt in the fact that SRK is an achiever... the king of Bollywood! But then, He is not the only one!!
The only actor who can beat him in this category would be none other than the real king of romance, the legend himself, the first ever mega star of the Hindi film industry - one and only Rajesh Khanna! He was the one to woo millions of the hearts with his unique charismatic mannerism. His mere presence in a film would burn the silver screen. While girls were giving out their hearts for his fine looks and romanticism (which he acquired through his heart-touching movies), there were guys who would always imitate (or at least try to) his style - dressing or speaking or dancing or even hair styling! No wonder, he was always referred to as The Rajesh Khanna! His larger than life movies like 'Anand', 'Amar Prem', 'Aradhana', 'Bawarchi' etc make him stand out of the crowd even today! To many (including me), he taught how to love. Love, not only to someone but to life too! His movies would always be full of life... though in many of his movies, he would be dead. As goes the dialogue of his most popular movie Anand, "Babu Moshay, zindegi aur maut toh upar wale ke haath mein hain Jahanpanah, jisse na aap badal sakte hain na main. Hum sab toh rangmanch ki katputliyaan hain, jiski dor upar wale ke haath mein bandhi hai, kab kaun kaise uthega ye koi nahi jaanta". True to his words, he left the world in the most saddened and unexpected way. The news of his sad demise was a blow to me. It felt as if I lost someone very dear to me! It was a feeling I would never like to experience ever in my life. Today he is no more, yet he would continue to live in our hearts through his evergreen, full of love and larger than life movies! As one more dialogue of his movie goes, "Anand mara nahi, Anand marte nahi!"
One more actor who has always amazed me with his typical ways would be Dev Anand! I haven't seen much of his movies yet I truly admire the way he presented himself. He was one of the most influential and handsome actors ever of the Indian cinema. His signature style would include the way he delivered his dialogues and that Dev Anand trademark cap and muffler! He, according to me, was one such star who dedicated his life to movies.. kept experimenting, kept directing and introducing budding talents to the industry! He actually knew how to celebrate life. With him fading out of the film industry, there's been a huge gap which can never be filled again. There was and there is only one Dev Anand ever... who still reigns our hearts with his wonderful movies!
Coming to the leading ladies of Bollywood, I could actually never get out of Madhuri's era. Though I admire quite a number of the top grader actors - Waheeda Rehman, Hema Malini, Sridevi, Juhi Chawla and Kajol. But if ever asked to choose one, it would be Madhuri! Her magical smile still works in creating wonders!
Bollywood is not just about the actors and characters... it's also about the makers and creators! It is usually the creativity of a director that makes the film to stand out of the rest. A movie is only the outcome of what the director always visualizes and my favorite here would be undoubtedly the one and only Yash Chopra! He , in true sense, changed the way of Indian cinema. His movies would stand out in terms of the strong and rebellious story line and casting, soothing music, mesmerizing locations and of course, beautiful depiction of beauty! Let it be the dialogues or the costumes, the emotions or the dramas, the sets or the sequence... they would be out and out Yash Chopra types only! I wonder, how could he make simple concepts, lively! One more thing so typical about his movies would be the way the leading ladies would be portrayed... simple, serene yet classy! I believe, Yash Chopra was the man behind the remaking of some of the leading actors from Amitabh Bachchan to Shah Rukh, from Rakhee to Sridevi to Madhuri. In addition to the huge star cast, he is also credited with some of the best works of the Indian cinema ever - 'Waqt' (the first multi-starer), 'Deewar' (redefining the angry young man, Mr. Bachchan), 'Chandni' (the first love story of its kind), 'Darr' (the leading actor in a negative role), 'Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge' (iconic movie which introduced the new lover boy in Shah Rukh), 'Dil Toh Pagal Hai' (typical Yash Raj types dreamy love story) and many more! Only a person with golden heart who can see beauty in everything, portray love in anything can make such beautiful movies... movies so near to our hearts, so full of love! With his sad demise, the void in the film industry is forever yet his magnificent works would still regard him as the game changer and an icon even in the coming generations!
I am sure, God must be busy creating a masterpiece movie with the finest of actors and the wonderful director, up there in his land... leaving us with our losses! For me, movie now just means SRK!
