KHI 19-07-2012_Layout 1 7/19/2012 5:23 AM Page 13
13 an end of an era: Rajesh khanna passes away R
Erum Ahmed and Resham
AJESH Khanna is no more after being critically ill from last few months. He breathed his last in the presence of his ex-wife Dimple Kapadia, daughters Rinkie and Twinkle, son-in-law Akshay Kumar, grand children and close relatives. From the dizzying heights of fame to quiet shadows behind the arclights, Rajesh Khanna’s life had a theatrical sweep, almost like one of his films. In an era long before this age of instant connect of mobile phones and internet, Rajesh Khanna was the man who sparked a frenzy never seen before and never since, not even by the likes of Amitabh Bachchan. His very name spelt magic in the 1970s. He sparked hysteria, particularly amongst his legions of women fans, who would line the road for a glimpse, chant his name, cover his car with lipstick marks and even write him letters in blood. They got married to his photograph, cut their finger, let the blood flow and applied ‘sindoor’. TRULy, “O MeRe DI Ke CHAIN”! Kaka, as he was popularly known, was one of the highest paid actors of his time, his record of consecutive solo super hits still unbroken. Who can forget the years between 1970-1979 when he starred in mega hits like “Safar”, “Kati Patang”, “Sachaa Jhutha”, “Aan Milo Sajna”, “Anand”, “Amar Prem” and “Mere Jeevan Saathi”. Ever the urbane, suave romantic who wooed like few others. Glory and fame galore came his way with the two 1969 films “Aradhana” and “Do Raaste” - where he teamed up with two of his best co-stars, Sharmila Tagore and Mumtaz, respectively. Both the films were super hits. Hindi film’s first superstar was born. Between “Aradhana” in 1969 and “Prem Kahani” in 1975, Rajesh enjoyed god-like status. It was all about charisma - a certain something that went beyond the art of acting. He had that unique way of delivering a dialogue, of crinkling his eyes and that interesting head tilt that were all his own - and designed to get fans swooning. Describing the charm of Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh once said: “I got famous purely because I was working with Rajesh Khanna in
shatrughan sinha has bypass surgery
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‘Anand’. People asked me questions like, ‘How is he to look at? What does he do?’” The mega story had a small beginning in Amritsar. Born Jatin Arora on Dec 29, 1942, he was adopted and raised by foster parents. He went from being Jatin to Rajesh, thanks to his uncle who changed his name, when he decided to join films. In 1965, the journey to filmdom started after he won the All India Talent Contest organised by United Producers and Filmfare. He made his debut with “Aakhri Khat” in 1966. It was a fairly easy road to superstardom after that. He became the heartthrob of the nation, singing timeless melodies like “Mere Sapnon Ki Rani...” in “Aradhana”, “Zindagi Ek Safar” in “Andaaz” or “Yeh Shaam Mastani” in “Kati Patang”. Singer Kishore Kumar and composer R.D. Burman were amongst his closest friends. In his four-decade career, he appeared in about 160 films, of which 106 had him as the solo lead hero and 22 were two hero projects. Rajesh proved his mettle in offbeat films too. He teamed up with Hrishikesh Mukherjee for the critically acclaimed “Bawarchi” and “Namak Haram”. The quintessential romantic also did the intense “Avishkar”, directed by Basu Bhattacharya. But then age caught up and the star began fading away. He moved to television and played the main lead in two serials “Ittefaque” and “Apne Paraye” during 2001-02 and also featured in
“Raghukul Reet Sada Chali Aayi” between 2008-09. The decline to B-grade films was inevitable. There was also the sorry “Wafa” with Laila Khan, who was found murdered this July. He dabbled in politics, being Congress MP from the New Delhi constituency from 1991-1996. Like the Hollywood legends of yore, the personal life also had a larger than life dimension. He fell in love with Dimple Kapadia, who was only 16 and whose first film “Bobby” was yet to release. She was 15 years younger to him but the pull was strong and they got married after a whwhirwind romance in 1973. It was the stuff of tabloid headlines. They had two daughters Twinkle and Rinke. The marriage lasted only 11 years. It was a lonely life for Rajesh after that. He disappeared from the headlines and appeared to be a shadow of his former self in his rare public appearances. But the family came together in his last days. His estranged wife was the one who took care of him during his illness. Son-in-law Akshay Kumar was also a great comfort. Rajesh reappeared in an ad a few months before his death, and once again became the talk of town - he was clearly unwell but the zest in his voice was intact as he intoned “Babumoshai” from his much loved film “Anand”. Like Anand from the film, the man is gone. But the memories will live on. cOURtEsY tOI
Who wants to be India’s Next Top Model? America’s Next Top Model is finally readying to make its India debut. The desi version of the popular modelling-based reality TV competition will be called India’s Next Top Model. If industry insiders are to be believed, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Deepika Padukone are the front-runners for the job held by supermodel-producer Tyra Banks in the American show. Big CBS Love, the channel with female-centric programming, will probably air the show by the end of this year. Network representative Tarun Katiyal confirms the news, saying, “It’s the right time to bring the show to India because the fashion and modelling industry here is huge. After going to so many countries in the world, India was the next obvious destination. If you check out the modelling auditions for the fashion weeks, you’ll know what I mean.” He insists that the show will not follow the lines of existing TV competitions like Channel V’s Get Gorgeous and The Hunt For The Kingfisher Calendar Girl. “We’ve not had one big show like America’s Next Top Model in India so far. There are some that spot modelling talent, but this one will be the game changer. Hopefully, we’ll find a face that can become India’s answer to ‘the supermodel’ concept
of the west.” Ask if Tyra will be seen on the Indian version as well, and Katiyal says, “We’ve opened conversations with a lot of celebrities, but it’s too early for me to confirm any names.” Eighteen months ago, it was reported that actor Bipasha Basu was approached by the TV wing of Shah Rukh Khan’s Red Chillies Entertainment production house, Idiot Box, to anchor a modelling-based show called Female Model Hunt. Basu had confirmed that she was in talks for the show, but it went no further. Where is the desi supermodel? The term supermodel, used to describe icons like Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell, refers to those internationally famous, highly-paid rampwalkers who dominate ad campaigns, fashion shows and editorial spreads. As of now, Lakshmi Menon is the only well-known face from India. But does India’s Next Top Model stand a chance to discover a desi superstar? Fashion industry veteran Anil Chopra doesn’t think so. “Bollywood filmmakers and modelling agencies scour fashion weeks for faces that they can lure away from the ramp. So many women who had the potential to become India’s first supermodel have all moved into Bollywood.” Designer Rohit Bal believes that the gene pool is limited. “In the last seven years, I haven’t seen a single striking face that has the potential to make it big. The basic quality of the talent is so poor that even the best we have is not actually good. I was appalled to see what our new Miss Indias look like,” he says. NEWs DEsK
ETERAN actor and BJP leader Shatrughan Sinha underwent bypass surgery at a city hospital on Monday and will continue to stay there for a few days. The 66-year-old actor-turned-politician had been admitted to Kokilaben hospital in suburban Andheri on July 2 after he complained of breathlessness due to some paint work at his residence. “He was admitted to hospital for severe breathlessness. During investigations blockages were discovered in the coronary arteries. Based on medical advice he underwent bypass surgery,” Kokilaben hospital COO Dr Ram Narain told PTI. The surgery was conducted Monday morning by cardiac surgeon Dr Anvay Mulay. “He is fine now and on the road to a speedy recovery. He has thanked all his well wishers for their unconditional love and support,” Dr Narain said. Following the surgery, Narain said Sinha will remain in hospital for a week. Sinha made his Bollywood debut in 1969 with ‘Sajan’ and has acted in over 200 Hindi films, besides being a part of some Bengali and Punjabi movies. NEWs DEsK
katie holmes tries to change suri’s wardrobe
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OLLOWING divorce with actor Tom Cruise, actor Katie Holmes is trying to change their daughter Suri Cruise’s taste for expensive clothes. The sixyear-old’s wardrobe is estimated to be $3 million and her 33-year-old mother wants Suri to start living in a more conservative and normal manner. “Katie has been returning unsolicited gifts and loans from designers for Suri since she arrived in New York - which is to be her home base now, far away from Tom. She’s issued instructions to remove Suri from all freebie lists. She’s also put the word out in LA to stop any mini-me diva products being sent her way,” Reveal magazine quoted a source as saying. Holmes has been given the primary custody of Suri after the divorce, making New York as her primary base to live. NEWs DEsK
Nephew blames stallone for son’s death
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YLVESTER Stallone’s nephew has accused the action star for neglecting his 36-year-old son, Sage, who was found dead at his home from an apparent overdose. Stallone’s nephew Edd Filiti made the claims on his Facebook page but they have been removed since then, the Daily Mail reported. The 18-year-old slammed Stallone and his current wife Jennifer Flavin for cutting Sage out of their life. “What did he do wrong, say happy birthday? Neither you (Flavin) or he could return a phone call, which is all he wanted, his father. I know you don’t care what happened, but you’ll care when you’re squirming under the burning magnifying glass of public opinion. You people make me sick,” Filiti posted on his Facebook page. Edd, who is the son of Stallone’s halfsister Toni Ann, also went on to make a withering attack to 43-year-old former model, who married the Rocky favourite in 1997. “Jennifer Flavin, you won. You tore this family apart and got your trophy, Congrats! ‘Like you told my family, ‘I’m Sly’s family now, he doesn’t (need) you anymore. Lets see how much he needs you after this,” Filiti added. Sage’s mother Sasha Czack, split with Stallone in 1985 after 11 years of marriage. NEWs DEsK