Tag: bollywood

Heeramandi review: A visually stunning yet flawed tale of courtesans

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films, StoriesLeave a comment

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s “Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar” is for people who love his painting-like, opulent world. But if you are looking for a realistic portrayal of history and realism, you may not like what you see.

I mostly like it because it’s one television series, which is different from all other political or thriller Indian series on Netflix. The series has the potential to draw a global crowd and it is so “uniquely Indian”. However, Heeramandi is made in Bhansali’s signature style, which is his strength as well as his handicap. His detailed and contrived filmmaking style restricts him to the known premises of an imaginative work.

Despite all its imperfections, Heeramandi has managed to break the record for the most-watched Indian television series. Set in the early 1940s in pre-Partition Lahore. the series focuses on the lives of “Tawayafs” (courtesans) against the backdrop of the Indian freedom movement.

It immerses the viewers in another world, another time – a dark world of beautiful, cunning courtesans, their patron Nawabs, ruthless British officers, and patriotic freedom fighters.

The dignified portrayal of 6 Tawayafs is one of the highlights of the series. These courtesans, who much like Japanese Geishas, were talented singers and performers, holding high status in society. They entertained and performed only for a niche group of patrons.

Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hyadri and Farida Jalal stand out in their performances. Manisha Koirala looks formidable but admirable as Mallikajaan, the ruling madame. Sonakshi looks delightfully cunning and curvy while Hyadri’s famous “Gajagamini” walk steals the show. Bhansali gets his actors right and pampers them with exquisite jewelry and delicate fabrics embellished with zardozi (embroidery) in silver, gold, and copper. Actor Taha Shah does good work and reminds me of SRK in “Devdas”.

Now, the not-so-nice bits. I wish more attention was paid to the plot as it is incohesive and quite predictable. Another failure is character development. Characters slip from negative to positive or vice-versa quite easily and without justification. So, one moment, you see Sonakshi’s character using Taha Shah and Sharmin Segal’s love story for her benefit while later she has a change of heart. Why? No one knows. There are many instances like this.

This concept, originally by the Indian writer Moin Beg, had the scope to be great, if more attention was paid to the plot-line and historical integrity was maintained.

(Image courtesy google)

The inspiring clappers of the film “12th Fail”

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films, Quotes7 Comments

“Pay close attention to the people who don’t clap when you win.” I disagree with this quote. Rather, it’s important to pay close attention to people, who always clap.

The supporters, the clappers, the facilitators are those who believe in you, even when you doubt yourself – they are the spine of every success story. It’s important to pay attention to this lot.

They are the people, who work in the background “selflessly” to ensure you do what you have to do. You may find them as a passing remark in a book, a side character in a biopic, or in a small thankful note. They do not make history or are in the headlines. They are just there for you.

Yesterday, while watching the biopic, “12th Fail” by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, I noticed the clappers more than the main character, Manoj Kumar Sharma. The film is an inspiring success story of Sharma, a boy from a financially weak background, who becomes an IPS officer despite all odds.

The first clapper is Pritam Pandey, who is based on the author Anurag Pathak, who wrote the book “12th Fail” (the film is based on this book). He is Manoj Sharma’s close friend and fellow UPSC aspirant, who introduces him to the world of UPSC. He is the narrator in the film who tells Sharma’s motivational story.

The second clapper in the movie is Gauri Bhaiya. He might not be based on any specific person, but he represents those individuals who provide selfless and unwavering support to people who share similar dreams as theirs. Gauri Bhaiya is a mentor who follows the philosophy of “restart”- never give up in the face of failure and restart afresh. Despite failing four attempts to crack UPSC, he refuses to give up and starts helping other UPSC aspirants like Manoj Sharma.

The third clapper is Manoj’s girlfriend, Shraddha Joshi (now real-life wife of Sharma), who never leaves his side and is a source of motivation rather than a distraction for him.

Then, there are other clappers such as Sharma’s family and specifically his grandmother, who gives him all her life’s savings and then there is DSP Dushyant – Sharma’s ideal. There are also helpers in the form of former Indian President Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam’s book and former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee’s poem of hope, “Geet Naya Gata Hoon”.

So, why waste your attention on those who do not clap. They may have their reasons.

However, it’s important, I reiterate, to pay attention to clappers. Simply, because – “I attract to my life whatever I give my attention, energy, and focus to, whether positive or negative” and “anything is possible if there are right people to support you.” Without clappers, there can never be a “success story”.

Images courtesy Google

Kangana’s crusade against Bollywood and the System!

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films22 Comments

Kangana Ranaut had come across as a typical frivolous starlet, when I first transcribed her interview for my news channel a decade ago.

In those days, there were a lot of spicy, blind items on her antics and she was termed ‘difficult’ to work with in Bollywood (just like the late Sushant Singh Rajput).

But the Kangana I see now is a revelation! Fearless, rebellious, eloquent, aggressive, angry and ready to take on ‘Bullywood’ and the political system (Shiv Sena) all by herself. She is the new rebel icon of India!

It seems her seething anger against the injustices in Bollywood had begun to built up much before its eruption at Karan Johar’s Koffee show, where she targeted nepotism in Bollywood. And the bad treatment meted out to talented outsiders.

And this year, when a popular actor and talented outsider #SushantSinghRajput died allegedly by suicide, she created a storm after declaring that he was murdered by the nepotists and druggies of Bollywood.

That was the turning point in the Sushant Singh Rajput’s death case.

The public applauded her fearlessness. Seeing the public approval for Kangana, news channels brought up the murder angle. And #justiceforsushant and #cbiforsushant became a global movement. It is still ongoing and everyone wants to know the truth related to Sushant’s death.

Meanwhile, it has been interesting to watch the reactions of social media, media, politicians and Bollywood in relation with Kangana.

Social Media:

Kangana Ranaut’s greatest support comes from the social media (most importantly Twitter) and she has learnt to use it to her advantage. She has dismantled the rosy image of Bollywood and showed their dirty picture.

The fans are no longer servile towards film stars, rather they are judging and critical of them – the film entertainers (no longer stars).

For the first time, social media users have realized their immense power. They can change the system by fighting for any cause (eg, Sushant case)! And they are not going to stop. Move aside politicians, media or celebrities, social media icons have the new power control. And Kangana is one of them.

Media:

The mainstream media, barring a few TV channels, has behaved abnormally during the coverage of Sushant’s death case and the Kangana uprising.

Initially, senior journalists like Rajdeep Sardesai, condemned the obsessive news stories following Sushant’s demise, stating it was a smaller issue compared to bigger problems like the pandemic and economy at hand. But soon, he went on to grab ‘TRP generating’ interview of the accused Rhea Chakraborty, forgetting to ‘walk the talk’.

Kangana has been made the false ‘Queen’ of media as of now because she has the people’s approval. Who knows she might be termed a ‘charlatan’ as soon as the approval ends!

People hardly know whom to trust with journalists losing their integrity and channels changing news angle every moment.

Politicians:

Ironically, Kangana profited from the recent demolition of her office building by BMC at the behest of politicians.

It was clearly an act of vengeance against the actor by powerful politicians in the Maharashtra government because she threatened to reveal the drug nexus, questioned the Mumbai police and condemned the irregularities in relation to Sushant case.

After the incident, #bharatforkangana trended on Twitter and the lady’s approval rate tripled overnight.

Clearly, a very bad PR move by Shiv Sena and cronies who are allegedly a part of the drug syndicate.

Also, Kangana Ranaut might be getting offers to join politics by the opposition. Although, she has expressed disinterest for politics, joining a party might actually be a good safety move for her.

Bollywood:

Now, let’s analyze the powerful land of Bollywood, which was once inhabited by hunk kings and purrfect queens with giant, inflated egos.

They screamed and cried out from every social media tower. And posted sun-kissed pictures in skimpy gowns, dresses and lingeries, ‘ooh-aahing’ over each other’s post, expressing undying fake love for each other. Twitter, Instagram or Facebook – they dominated everywhere blinding commoners with their cheap glitter.

They monetized on social causes and played with public opinion, made films funded by terrorists and mafias while enjoying their debauched lifestyle.

And the public was in trance and so much in love with them. Until Corona and Kangana happened!

Corona hit the financial edifice while Kangana hit their ‘underbelly’ after the unnatural death of Sushant Singh Rajput.

And the loud, chattering, gossiping Bollywood bigwigs went into the silent mode.

They were incredulous that a puny virus and a ‘haramkhor’ woman can do so much damage. But the damage is done and they are facing many uncomfortable questions –

Why are the big actors who were so vocal about everything, suddenly silent?

Why very few from Bollywood spoke on Sushant’s mysterious death case?

Who is behind the unnatural deaths of Sridevi, Sunanda, Jiah Khan and Disha Salian?

Why are Kangana’s questions not being acknowledged or answered?

Who are the druggies in the film industry?

What is the role of the mafia in financing movies?

There are hushed murmurs and a few retorts here and there against Kangana and in favor of Rhea Chakraborty with hashtags like ‘smash the patriarchy’, but nothing upfront and direct.

They know the moment they speak up, they will have to answer very uncomfortable questions. And one wrong answer can cost them their ‘debauched lifestyle’.

The fate of recent flop films like Gunjan Saxena (Jhanvi Kapoor) and Sadak 2 (Alia Bhatt) that suffered due to public outrage, is a warning to the industry. But are they paying attention or just silent till the storm passes?

It’s time for them to do away with old, redundant, debauched ways and adopt new progressive system that integrates outside talents seamlessly.

Already the appeal of the big stars are fading and OTT platforms are on the rise. Bollywood really needs to reinvent itself.

Meanwhile, Kangana Ranaut is not only supported by the public but also by the likes of Arnab Goswami and Subramaniam Swamy.

And she really deserves kudos and applause for taking on and silencing the mighty biggies of Bollywood and the government – a classic repeat of the David vs Goliath tale. And who doesn’t love it when David wins!

What a transformation Kangana, from a conformist to a woman of substance. Way to go!

(Images courtesy Google)

Is the Bollywood Mafia strategically eliminating the talented outsiders?

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films49 Comments

This post is not about the tragic death of actor Sushant Singh Rajput. This is a post about nepotism or bhai-bhatijawaad in the Indian Film Industry. Nepotism was always there in the glam world but the existing ‘Bollywood Mafia’ (as Kangana Ranaut chooses to say) is extremely vicious and we, the viewers need to tackle them.

Why only ageing heroes and half-baked star sons and daughters star in high budget films? Why do we see the same old crafty faces at film award ceremonies? Why does the film industry stink of staleness? Simple! the Bollywood Mafia has been strategically eliminating the outsiders – real talents.

Rajput was an outsider too. There may have been many causes for his suicide, but nepotism was definitely one of them. He was constantly being pushed out of the centerstage, where he belonged. But a group of muscle-flexing, pretty boys and skimpily clad, surgically enhanced, starlets tried to edge him out of sight.

How can real talent survive when they are forced to stay back and remain on the fringe? Let’s think about last year’s Hindi films! Except some of the Ayushmann Khurrana films, what we have been watching are trashy movies. ‘Dabangg 3’, ‘Student of the Year, Housefull 4, Bharat, Kalank… all these films are not worth more than one or two stars. Would you watch any of these again? The below third-rate quality of our films is all due to nepotism.

The industry has been serving concocted success stories of half-baked star sons and daughters. The media is funded by the mafia to carve glorious images for the non-deserving relatives of stars. And they are projected as great actors just after working for one or two films.

Supporters say that nepotism only works for the initial break of the star kid and hard work matters after that. But the point is, despite delivering flops they are privileged to stay around in Bollywood. However, for the talented outsiders, it’s extremely hard to get into the industry and extremely easy to get chucked out.

They have no ‘Godfathers’ to hang on to…and then, there are filmy vultures ready to feed on them. The privileged people of the industry get to stay despite flops after flops. They just refuse to move or make room for talented outsiders.

You and I have seen so many fine and popular actors getting restricted to character roles because they would not be offered main roles. Yes, there are examples of some success stories that survived nepotism…Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, John Abraham, Ayushmann Khurrana…they have been extremely lucky.

And as Ram Gopal Verma said, the outsiders do become insiders of the industry in the long run and promote their family, it happens with every industry. But Verma should remember that every industry is not film industry. Here, the public matters the most! AFTER ALL, WE PAY FOR THE TICKETS TO WATCH YOUR FILMS!

So, we, the viewers should get to decide which actor or actress is deserving. Not Bollywood, Not Media, Not the PR people….!

We, as viewers have the right to expect quality films but what we have been getting is trash after trash. Our regional cinema is more artistic, imaginative, creative and supple than mainstream, which seriously suffers from stagnation and draught of ideas. Every other YouTube or TikTok star seems more talented than our film actors. And look at our performance at international level, our films are pathetic as compared to world cinema. The system needs to be overhauled!

We, the viewers should demand for anti-nepotism policies in the film industry…no son, daughter, spouse, friend or relative should be given privileges. Almost, every organization has anti-nepotism clause then why should it not apply to the film industry?

Only talent should matter, only talent should thrive! Very soon, the film industry will suffer from a public backlash, and we the viewers will run the show biz. It is time the Public takes the power back from them. The revolution has begun… we have the social media on our side to begin with.

(Images courtesy Google)

Masala Dialogues of Hindi Films!

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films6 Comments

Mere paas ma hai! This morning, #Twitter is abuzz with ‘bhari bharkam’ cliched, melodramatic dialogues of Bollywood that were once created to inspire intense emotion, nostalgia and ardent admiration. But these days the audience get tickled and chuckle at the excesses! Replying to Tara Deshpande’s Tweet about sharing favorite Bollywood dialogues, #Twitterati reacted with enthusiasm. Sharing some of my all time favorites!

 

Those iconic dialogues are tadka of our masala films. Whistle, whistle and more whistles for these!!! Which is yours? (To read, what Twitterati has to say – go to @Tara_Deshpande

Indian Beauties in Soap Ads

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films19 Comments

Soap advertisements (especially Lux) have showcased Indian beauties of all times in the most glamorous light. Here are a few of my favorite ones, who is your favourite Soap Beauty?

Ebullient Madhubala!

Elegant Waheeda Rehman

Stunning Suraiya

Charming Asha Parekh

Gorgeous Hema Malini

Sensuous Helen

Striking Saira Banu

Cute Tanuja

Mysterious Rekha

Beautiful Sridevi

Radiant Aishwarya

Charismatic Katrina

And of course, Desi Girl Priyanka Chopra!

(Images courtesy Google)

Listening to Sonu Nigam at Minneapolis concert!

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films17 Comments

PAGE-SANKARA-SONU-NIGAM-SAN-JOSE-CONCERT-03-DSC_0721Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin – when Sonu Nigam crooned this song at a concert in Minnesota, the crowd went still. The singer’s voice had an amazing melody and depth that soothed the over enthusiastic, frenzied crowd and made them listen, intently. Before the singer’s entry, the concert was average, where upcoming singers mostly performed on the latest, peppy Bollywood remixes, but he transformed it into something special. When he sang, it was clear, he did not need additional accompaniments, suggestive dance moves and props to spice up his performance, his voice had it all!

Even when not singing, his voice, carried the same melody. And he did miracles with his song – lifting, lowering, extending, shortening, pausing – unpredictable twists that made the audience respond with thunderous applause. At one point of time, during the concert, the audience went so overboard that they blocked the fire exit, the singer had to make a request to restore order. The security had a tough time containing the crowd who had come to listen to one of the most well loved singers in Bollywood.

Sonu Nigam and Neha Kakkar, the two biggies of Indian Music Industry, are currently performing in a number of cities in the US and Canada. And we had the good fortune of attending one of those concerts in Minneapolis on Saturday, with our lovely family friends. It was a night to remember in amazing company!

neha

Now talking about remix queen Neha Kakkar –  she definitely had the crowd eating out of her hand, as she wriggled and danced akin to Shakira, but was not melodious. She had a shrill and powerful voice, that entertained, but did not really touch the heart. It was her latkas and jhatkas that entertained more!

Coming back to Sonu Nigam, his dedication to music seemed real, palpable and fame seems to be just one part of it. Small wonder then that he has held his own for decades despite a crowd of eager, fresh singers striving in Bollywood and changes in music style. Plus the guy doesn’t seem to age at all! To my great joy, someone in the audience requested to sing ‘Bijuriya’, and he sang with an amazing alacrity, giving it a perfect end with the famous ‘Moonwalk’ step!

If you ask for my personal favourite from his bunch of songs that included – Suraj Hua Madham and Hans Mat Pagli, I would say the song mentioned in the opening line of this post – Abhi Mujh Mein Kahin. That song was sublime!

As I watched the singer’s performance, one thing seemed sure. He did not belong to that rising group of people, who do passable work for instant fame. Unfortunately, the ‘chalu’ type of work has invaded all arts across the world. Integrity, dedication and hard work increasingly replaced by quick something for social media fame. Thankfully, the singer seems to belong to a select, small group of people, who practice art for sake of art!

IMG_9289

I have been listening to Sonu Nigam’s songs right from my teenage years and have always liked him. But it was a different experience to hear him live. In between the songs, the singer paused and remarked – ‘when I’ll die, this song will be played for sure.’ And he sang – Har Ghadi Badal Rahi Hai Roop Zindagi from ‘Kal Ho Na Ho’. Well, none of us would like that to happen, ever. May he continue to enthrall us all with his soulful singing!

(First Two Images courtesy Google)

Sridevi – My Muse

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films31 Comments

When I was a kid, Sridevi was my favourite face. The actress was everywhere – on magazine covers, newspapers and advertisements. And how I loved to draw her! My sketchbook had a lot of rough sketches of the beauty. She was an artist’s dream with large vivacious eyes and gorgeous demeanor. Her sudden, accidental death by drowning has left all her admirers in deep shock. Now, after so many years, I sketch her one last time as a tribute to her. #RIP Sridevi

Nepotism Sucks!

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films34 Comments

There are thousands of talented artists all over India, who have been struggling to make it big in the film industry. But eventually, they fail to shine because the arch lights are always on star kids and those with ‘right connections’. They elbow out everybody else. And the recent crassness deliverd from the IIFA 2017 stage by director Karan Johar, actors Saif Ali khan and Varun Dhawan, as they ganged up against Kangana Ranaut, shows their agressive attitude against the ‘outsiders’. They yelled – ‘Nepotism Rocks’ sounding high and mighty. 

But if we, the cinema goers, take away the lights and their surnames from them, they do not stand a chance even as decent human beings.

I hope some law comes up to check this nepotism menace so that the deserving get their due. And the standard of our Hindi films improves. It is because of nepotism that we lose out on international stage. 

Do have a look at the list below to recall the extent of nepotism in the Indian Film Industry. This is how they gained entry in films –


Karan Johar via Yash Johar

Varun Dhawan via David Dhawan

Saif Ali Khan via Sharmila Tagore

Salman Khan via Salim Khan

Aamir Khan via Tahir Hussain

Tiger Shroff via Jackie Shroff

Hrithik Roshan via Rakesh Roshan

Ajay Devgan via Veeru Devgan

Ranbir Kapoor via Rishi Kapoor

Shahid Kapoor via Pankaj Kapoor

Arjun Kapoor via Boney Kapoor

Sanjay Dutt via Sunil Dutt, Nargis

Abhishek Bachchan via Amitabh Bachchan

Sooraj Pancholi – Aditya Pancholy, Zarina Wahab

Ladies


Kareena Kapoor via Randhir Kapoor, Babita

Shraddha Kapoor via Shakti Kapoor

Sonakshi Sinha via Shatrughan Sinha

Alia Bhatt via Mahesh Bhatt

Sonam Kapoor via Anil Kapoor

Athiya Shetty via Suniel Shetty

Kajol via Tanuja

And the list is swelling. Looks at the instagram follows of would be star kids! Some of the aforementioned actors like Aamir Khan, Kajol are talented but most of these are useless, fake people – pompous with low IQs!

Exceptions like Akshay Kumar, Shah Rukh Khan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone, Irrfan Khan, Nawazuddin… have made it on their own. But they are just a handful and even they have to appease the nepotistic dons. Kangana called a spade a spade, therefore she has been a target since by the likes of Mr Johar.

We repeat, Mr Johar and the likes… Nepotism Sucks! That’s the very reason why our films lack originality.

Images via Google

After Kangana’s Coffee with Karan….

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General, Films26 Comments

Seething with anger, Mr Karan Johar sat in a luxurious room post his ‘Koffee with Karan’ episode with the arrogant actress Kangana Ranaut. He had been contradicted and slammed on his own famous chat show by a little actress, who was weaker than him in every way. She had no ‘godfather’ in the Hindi film industry, she was not the daughter of a renowned filmmaker or celebrity, she had far lesser contacts and connections than him, and less wealth in comparison to him.  Although, red faced after being called a ‘movie mafia’, Karan had tried to maintain his composure, making it all light and good humoured but the cracks had shown on the show…

Breaking his reverie, the phone buzzed! It was his favourite actress. “How could she, the shabby thing, speak to you like that Karan.You poor thing, I know you must be really mad….and did you hear her disgusting accent….what’s wrong with her….,” the actress purred. Karan spoke his heart out for the next ten moments. The staff in the next room could make out that the boss was indeed in a very bad humour.

“The down market thing, needs to be taught a lesson….,” another favourite whatsapped him. By this time, the media and twiterrati were having a gala time at the expense of poor Mr Johar. The man had been stumped at his own ‘masala’ show! The media sided with Kangana, who had chided Karan for his nepotism and tendency to act as the owner of Bollywood.


 The Hindi film industry is indeed brimming with actors and actresses with less talent and more contacts. All the top notch actors are sons and daughters of celebrities – Alia Bhatt, Kareena Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha, Shraddha Kapoor, Sonam Kapoor, Varun Dhawan, Tiger Shroff….to name just a few. Ms Ranaut had won this round of applause.

Mr Johar reacted subtly in his next episode of ‘Koffee with Karan’ with Kapil Sharma. “What would you do if you wake up as Kangana Ranaut?,” he asked the comedian. “I would delete my emails,” Kapil Sharma replied sheepishly. And then both laughed nonsensically, insinuating at Kangana and Hrithik’s affair! But the humour fell flat. 

By this time, more than half of the industry sided with Karan Johar, they needed to be in his good books. Ms Ranaut was always an outsider, a nobody, despite having talent. She had also dared to pick up fights with other prominent goliaths like Roshans and was said to be arrogant and rude. 

Karan struck again! While speaking on the sidelines of an event at the London School of Economics, he hinted that Kangana may not have understood the meaning of the word nepotism, that he was fed up of seeing her play the ‘woman card’ and ‘victim card’ and that if the actress had such a problem with the way  industry worked, she was welcome to leave.


That day, watching Karan’s vengeful speeches, Kangana smiled inwardly! She knew most of the industry people would refuse to work with her now. She had irrepairably damaged her career by being loud and clear but…what made her smile was…atleast she had managed to hit back in some way. She knew that she could be called names and dirty allegations might be made against her but she was here to stay! It was time for her to react again! She straightened her back and strided confidently albeit towards an uncertain future.

(Disclaimer – This is a dramatised version of the ongoing battle between Karan Johar and Kangana Ranaut. It is partly factual and partly fictitious. Images courtesy Google.)

A lady from 60s!

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General49 Comments

I have created this Indian lady keeping the stylish 60s in mind, when flamboyance, colours and exuberance dominated the silver screen. 

Hindi film actresses like Hema Malini, Saira Banu, Sadhana, Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Sharmila Tagore went bolder and experimental with dress and make up during the era. Ladies extensively used winged eyeliners while beehives and fringe cut went on to be a rage. Old teen age pictures of our mothers say it all.

I have once again used pastel pencils and chalks here. As I worked on it continuously for about two hours, I felt I needed a lot of practice to understand the tricks and techniques for blending colours. Do you have any idea how to blend pastels?


Here is a black and white version of the same sketch after putting the charcoal effect through an app. Which one do you like better?

Who is the biggest film star in the world?

On By ShivangiIn Blogs in General28 Comments

If you ask Google – Who is the biggest movie star in the world? Click comes the reply – “The numbers prove that Shah Rukh Khan is the biggest movie star in the world.” Whoa a desi!

We all know his life story – a nobody with a dream, comes to Mumbai to become an actor and eventually becomes the king of the Indian film industry. He did not stop at that – He is the biggest star in the world now!


The fact that he is a self made, hard working family man totally endears him to his fans. I have grown up binge watching his movies, applauding his scenes, defending him and knowing that – Shah Rukh Can! He is romance incarnate in Indian Movies.

From ‘Army’ and ‘Circus’ days when my mom used to exclaim – ‘Ye ladka hero banega'(This boy will be a film star  someday) to ‘Hello Zindagi’, he has come a long way.

Here are my coolest top 10 SRK movies.

  1. Chak de


2. Swades


3. Kabhi haan kabhi na


4. DDLJ


5. Rab ne bana di jodi


6. Chennai Express


7. Kal ho na ho


8. Raju ban gaya gentleman


9. Veer zara


10. Fan 


(Yeah, I liked Fan, despite all the criticism. I am yet to watch his newly released, Dear Zindagi, hence it is not in the list)

Recently, Netflix signed a deal with him in order to capture the coveted film market in India and stay one step ahead of rival Amazon. The charismatic Khan is not much known in the western world but the deal is sure to give him a wider exposure.

But meanwhile, we SRK fans are happy in the knowledge that he is the biggest movie star in the whole wide world with high grossing films, enviable film offers and a huge Twitter following. 

BTW, What is your favourite SRK film?

Images courtesy Google