Category: Yash Chopra

When Sridevi said No 5 times to Yash Chopra

23/5/2015

Any actress would dream to work for Yash Chopra. Some would not even ask about their role or a script and would say yes immediately. Sridevi worked with him in Lamhe & Chandni. Two films that are considered to be the best of Yashji's career. We all know that Sridevi rejected many Yash Chopra's films after Lamhe.

Yashji wanted to launch his dream project with Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi in the lead in 1999. He wanted this film to be the comeback of Sridevi, but Sri rejected the film for unknown reasons. We have no idea why she rejected his film so many times. Even Amitabh Bachchan was very keen to do the film that he asked Amar Singh to speak with her and convince her to do it. but that didn't work too. Yash Chopra has asked Sri so many times for the same project, but Sri politely kept saying no to the film for 5 times in 5 different occasions. Finally Mr. Chopra had to cancel the whole project because he said that this role was made for Sridevi and he cannot imagine anybody else doing it.

All what we know about Sridevi's rejections in the past that she said if she is going to work again with Yash Chopra the film has to be in the caliber of Chandni & Lamhe. We think that Sridevi have taken the right decision with all the previous rejections, but for this project we have no idea but we still trust her decision. As for Yashji may his soul rest in peace he will be remembered for many years for his great work.

0 Comments

Why is Sridevi the Best Bollywood Dancer?

29/4/2015

0 Comments

Sridevi's versatility does not stop in her acting and portraying the different characters. It extends to go on to her dances on screen too. We truly believe that Sridevi is the ultimate versatile dancer in Bollywood. Yes, of course there are other good dancers there. But the difference between them and Sridevi is in the versatility and dancing as per the character. That is what makes Sri's dance outshines others. The Queen has different moods for different songs. She is a true actress. Someone who lives her characters and goes into their skins and that include the songs that involves the character too.

There are many many examples. Last can be mentioned is Navrai Majhi from English Vinglish. Sri have a small part dancing in the song but it is not her who is dancing. It is Shashi Godbole. She was totally in character.

Today is the international dance day and we have made the below picture which depicts Sridevi in different moods. She has many dances but we have chosen these 9 dances:

1- Bubbly: Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Chudiyan (Chandni): Sridevi in a bubbly mood doing all the dance. Saroj Khan did not want any other girl to dance with her. She said that both she and Yash Chopra wanted the full attention to be on Sridevi. The song is one of the most used in weddings and Sridevi's dance is iconic.

2- Elegant: Tandav (Chandni): Are we exaggerating if we say that there is no more beautiful tandav in the whole history of Indian Cinema than this one? Sridevi in white is so elegant and gorgeous that it really makes this like an unearthly or a dream sequence. It is too good that words are not there to explain. This has to be the most elegantly danced and looked tandav.

3- Venomous: Main Teri Dushman (Ngaina): The Song that shot Saroj Khan's name into fame. Even though Saroj was working since the 1960s but it was because of Sridevi that she got a name. Director Harmesh Malhotra said that this song was a normal song and a normal situation but it was because of Sridevi's performance that it became so famous even today. Here you see Rajni confronts her enemy with her sharp facial expressions.

4- Glamorous: Naino Mein Sapna (Himmatwala): Her glittery costumes, her movements, her beauty all what made this song a big hit. The song is shot very beautifully. Yes there are pans and pots but what stands out here besides the music is Sridevi's dance steps with Jeetendra.

5- Funny: Hawa Hawai (Mr. India): Saying she is just funny is underestimation. Sridevi or precisely Seema here is just too fun in the song. The lyrics is funny but what brings it to life is her facial expressions specially in that gold costume. That particular facial expression where she closes one eye and winks is completely priceless.

6- Rage: Dushman Dil Ka Jo Hai Mere (Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja): You want to see rage? then watch this song. Yes grand sets and props but what is more grand is the rage in Sridevi's eyes. The big teary eyes will capture your heart. For us the best moments of this song are when the camera fully focuses on Sridevi's face. The end sequence of the song is magnificent by all means.

7- Sensuous: Har Kisi Ko Nahin Milta (Janbaaz): Sensuous and also Surreal. The song has a catchy beat, an awesome lyrics. but the contribution Sridevi gave to this song is immense. This was to be shot in western clothes but Sri insisted on the sari. She told Feroz Khan that if he did not like it she is ready to reshoot in Western. The cat walk sequence was the first shot. Everyone was so impressed by Sri. Feroz Khan told his cinematographer "She is angel. I want her to fly in the sky" From there the cinematographer added the background skies to the song. Boney Kapoor challenged Shekhar Kapur to represent Sri as sensuous in Mr. India which he did in Kaate Nahin Katte. But we still think that Janbaaz song has more sensuality to it.

8- Folkloric: Morni Baga Ma Bole (Lamhe) Pallavi dancing to the voice of Lata Mangeshkar in Rasjthan's desert. The Yellow blue outfit was such a beauty to look at but it was the saucer eyed Sridevi that you would stare at all the time. The song is such a treat to listen to and watch. It is one of the highlights of the film.

9- Comedian: Na Jane Kahan Se Aayee Hai (Chaalbaaz): Have you ever felt Sridevi resembled those beautiful anime characters? If you never felt so then probably you have not seen this song. Her look, the way she dressed, her big eyes. She is so cute and funny just like those cute anime characters. The portion where she holds her white umbrella and the last part of the song where it says zu zu zu zu zu make you feel that an anime film just became real and that beautiful character came to live!

Sridevi has many more memorable dances but we thought to present the distinctive ones that truly prove that she is the best Bollywood dancer.

Happy International Dance Day guys!

0 Comments

22 Years of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

17/4/2015

1 Comment

Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja was one of the most anticipated films in the 1980s because it had the team of Mr. India again. The film was launched at the Silver Jubilee success party of Mr. India in 1988. This was the second film with the same title. The first was starring Dev Anand & Waheeda Rehman.

Initially Shekhar Kapur agreed to direct the film but he then decided to leave the project. Satish Kaushik who was the assistant director of Mr. India stepped in and made his debut as a director with this film. The film started shooting in 1988. Some scenes and songs were shot. The movie was delayed so many times due to so many reasons. be it stars dates, reshooting some outdated scenes. lavish sets building etc. Even the opening credits of the film was very costly! It was at that time when Yash Chopra requested Boney Kapoor some of Sridevi's dates to be given in favor of his own film Chandni. Boney did not mind but again that added to the delay of the film.
Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja was at that time the costliest film ever made. Its budget has surpassed the Rs. 10 Crore & in our times that means over Rs. 100 Crore! Lots of efforts were put in lavish film sets and costumes, but unfortunately less in story building. The first half was fun to watch specially with Sridevi & Anil Kapoor competing each other in burglary, but in the second half the film started to feel rushed and lacking a solid story & dialogue.

The song Dushman Dil Ka Jo Hai Mere was shot in 1988 and it had a lavish setting. Sridevi was mind-blowing be it her dance, her look and her expressions, they were all something you expect from The Sridevi. Neeta Lulla has done all her costumes for the film and most of them were exquisite and grand. The premiere of the film itself was extraordinary and grand. It had many big names attending be it Amitabh Bachchan, Yash Chopra, Subhash Ghai, Rekha and many other stars. Trophies were given to the cast and crew of the film. Sridevi's trophy was given by none other than Rekha.

The film was released after a long delay in 1993 & opened to full houses but unfortunately could not sustain. The cost was too huge to recover. Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja's failure was due to its cost. If the film hadn't costed that much it would have definitely fared much better commercially. A film is usually considered a hit when its revenues are higher than its cost by a good margin. Some films that year were hit even though they made less money than Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja but they had the advantage of a much lower cost.
To the people who have the film on VHS they will notice that many of the outdated scenes and even some portions of the songs were chopped when the film came in DVD. All the DVDs released for the film from different companies lack some of the original footage. So if you have the VHS then keep it until a DVD that has the full content of the film is released which we doubt will happen.

Sridevi was the highlight of the film. Actually Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja has nothing else other than Sridevi be it her wonderful acting or superior dancing. She did the Madrasi comedy scene to perfection. The Japanese woman and so many other unforgettable avatars. The film has so many lovely moments that cannot be forgotten. At least this film to Sridevi fans will remain one of her carrier's many memorable films. Each one of us have his own reasons to like the film.

It is nice to see The Last Empress herself remembers the film today & tweets about it.

22 years of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja! Sharing a picture from the 1st day of shooting. @BoneyKapoor pic.twitter.com/jckL6non7z
— SRIDEVI BONEY KAPOOR (@SrideviBKapoor) April 17, 2015

Below is the video of launching the film during the Silver Jubilee party of Mr. India in 1988.

& Lastly what the cast and crew of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja say about the film

1 Comment

News

When Sridevi said No 5 times to Yash Chopra

Why is Sridevi the Best Bollywood Dancer?

22 Years of Roop Ki Rani Choron Ka Raja

Author

Archives

Categories