Doosra Aadmi: A film far ahead of it's Times

DOOSRA AADMI

Doosra Aadmi explores love in its various facets – love, passion, infatuation before and after marriage and the desperate attempt to cling on to memories of love. 

It’s an elegantly simple plot. 

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh are college sweethearts who are so in love they can’t be apart. Their parents reluctantly agree to let them get married very very young.

They exude their passion for each other and very much in love.

Meanwhile, Raakhee is a beautiful older woman who has been living in self-imposed celibacy and seclusion since the tragic death of her boyfriend Shashi Kapoor. She is  hired by Rishi Kapoor and Raakhee is taken by his resemblance to Shashi ( Excellent casting scenario) and begins almost unconsciously gets attracted to him, Rishi is now seeing monotony with Neetu and intrigued by Raakhee, and Neetu is trapped in a one sided love and one sided marriage with Rishi.

Even more simply, Neetu wants Rishi, Rishi wants Raakhee, and Raakhee wants dead Shashi ( in the form of Rishi Kapoor). It’s 3 people trapped in one way love stories.

Neetu (Timsi) is to obsessed over her husband (Karan) and want to spend more time with him, Rishi’s is to look outward to new challenges and, eventually, a new woman ( Nisha) (Typically urbane male)

Raakhee is trapped too. After Shashi’s death, she isolated herself from the world. She killed her natural desires and need for human contact. Rishi breaks through that and it comes out in such a powerful flood that Raakhee is almost unaware of what she is doing. She is lost in a dreamworld, torn between believing Rishi to be Shashi, and believing that she is having a “harmless” fantasy that does no damage to this nice young married man ( which she is unaware of). Both of these things are of course not true.

Now there is a forth angle too..

Her friend and well-wisher Parikshit Sahni, who silently loves her too, warns her of the consequences of a relationship with a married man.

Nisha realizes her mistake and to get a grip on her life, she deliberately avoids Karan to create a distance between them which Karan is not able to endure. He is not aware that Nisha’s intimacy with him is purely on account of his resemblance with Shashi. Caught in this dilemma and on the verge of losing his wife, Karan loses his peace of mind. To make amends, Nisha brings the Karan and Timsi together and clears their misunderstanding.

For the discerning though, there is a hint in Majrooh’s words in the song, “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. The song ends with Raakhee’s character singing, “Achcha hai sambhal jayen”.

Now coming to the music ..

Other Melodies by Rajesh Roshan are still fresh.

For this Yash Chopra production, music director Rajesh Roshan, in a departure from his image, came up with a score that was peppy, cheery and throbbed with life. Not replete with his trademark melodious compositions, this one was a teaser with Lata Mangeshkar letting herself go in songs like “Nazron se keh do pyar mein milne ka mausam aa gaya” and “Chal kahin door nikal jayen”. When a super hit song like “Ankhon mein…kaajal hai” is relegated to the third slot and “Aao manaye jashn-e-mohabbat” not even talked about, it says all that needs to be said about Roshan’s music. As indeed it does about Majrooh Sultanpuri,

Jaan Meri Rooth Gayi is another fun song.

Ramesh Talwar shows competence and to an extent justifies the faith Yash Chopra had reposed in him..

I think this movie was about forgiveness (of both self and others), or maybe temptation, or recognizing the flaws in one's sense of reality, but I'm not sure. 

I was not allowed to see it in 1977 but saw it in a rerun two years later.

Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh chemistry is superb.

Rakhee is restrained and lives her role.

The film was far ahead of its times.

Ravi Tandon On His Birth Anniversary

TRIBUTE TO RAVI TANDON

 Film 1 : Khel Khel Main..1975 super-hit (which came out in the same year as Sholay, Deewar, Chupke Chupke, Aandhi and Dharmatma) held its own then and continues to brim with vivacity and freshness even after 47 years of its release..

College is the most cherished chapter of one's life. Yet to embrace worldly responsibility but free from the contained, protective atmosphere of school, carefree teenagers treat life like a grand adventure.

What happens when harmless fun takes an ugly turn and jeopardises everyone's future?

Director Ravi Tandon's Khel Khel Mein examines the hazards of excessive pranks in his wholesome, engrossing romance mystery starring Rishi Kapoor, Neetu Singh, Rakesh Roshan, Aruna Irani and Iftekhar (a must-have in this genre of Hindi films).

Neetu and Rishi -- one of our sweetest on/off-screen couples -- injected the screen with their spontaneous adoration and ebullience against Rahul Dev Burman's delightfully addictive tunes.What follows is a cat-and-mouse game, complete with an unidentified stalker and mysterious men who aren’t who they seem.

Yet, even in all this we see songs, dance and romance. It’s so nostalgic especially, because R.D. Burman’s tunes for this movie are great fun, and still on every ’70s hits playlist. Decades later, it was a song from this film that gave Rishi Kapoor the title of his memoir, Khullam Khulla. It was how he lived his life, no secrets, no-holds barred, brash, youthful and full of energy.

Owning the DVD of this classic is sheer nostalgia watching it whenever one feels.

Film 2 : Jhoota Kahin Ka ( 1979 )

The Khel Khel Main team come together 4 years later for Jhoota Kahin Ka.

The Rai family ( Om Shivpuri, Indrani Mukherjee, sons Ajay and Vijay) is on a ship back to India, The ship capsizes and they are seperated with Ajay remaining with Mom.

Wealthy Jagat Narayan Khanna rescues Rai, takes him home, ensures that he is treated well, and makes him a business partner. Years later, the Rai sons have grown up. Ajay ( Rishi Kapoor )is a motor mechanic working in Pinto's Garage, but has big dreams, and a dual life as a Casanova, who is a liar and a conman, who dreams of making it big with a wealthy woman named Sheetal Khanna( whose uncle is Rai ). Then there is Vijay, who is now known as Vikram ( Rakesh roshan ), who works for Sheetal Khanna, and hopes to marry her one-day, but has an affair with a gorgeous woman named Mala. Shortly thereafter, Mala is killed, and Vikram is being blackmailed by a man named Prem, who claims he saw Vikram kill her. When Vikram and Prem find out that Sheetal may marry Ajay, they get together and plot against him - and Ajay's lies, and a dual life, make it easy for them to frame him. What will happen when Ajay realizes that he has been romancing the actual Sheetal Khanna this whole time? Is a motor mechanic good enough for a rich girl? Will the Rai family ever be reunited? Or will Ajay and Vikram beat each other to a pulp first?

After many permutations and coincidental combinations the family is united.

The film maintains a comic touch throughout the movie and is very entertaining.

Rishi- Neetu chemistry is absolutely fabulous . Rakesh Roshan doesn't have a big role ( seems he was included for Khel Khel Main continuity but Aruna Irani is missing ( Preeti Ganguly takes her place who plays Sheetal’s best friend and is lively and funny as usual.)

Music by R.D.Burman is blockbuster stuff. All songs are fabulous.

These films were made with Ravi Tandon at his peak.

But he had started off with a suspense thriller Anhonee..

Anhonee.1973

Direction Debut of Ravi Tandon who was Producer too.

The Story Revolves Around Sunil (Sanjeev Kumar) & Rekha ( Leena Chandrawar )...Sunil Who Is A Mental Patient & Rekha Is A Doctor... How They Meet ..How They Fall In Love ...Get Engaged ...And Then Both Have Few Secrets Which Becomes The Suspense Drama Of The Movie...There Are Many Twists & Turns Which Will Keep You Surprising ...A Outstanding Mystery Thriller..

The music by LP is melodious and situational.

Bindu does well with the song Hangama Gaya.

Asrani is hilarious as a mental patient.

Kamini Kaushal is a surprise.

Manmohan is in a positive role.

I won't comment on the Suspense.

But is definitely worth a watch even today after 49 years.

One of the first of Sanjeev Kumar and Leena Chandrawar ( followed by Manchali, Apne Rang Hazaar and Imaan ).

33.Years of Agnipath

16th February 1990

AGNEEPATH

31 YEARS.

Mukul. S. Anand’s Agneepath is iconic both in terms of content and success. It is one of those films which not only redefined Indian cinema but also added a new dimension to its protagonist Amitabh Bachchan persona. With this film he took his angry young man image another step forward. Who could possibly forget that high pitched voice that resounded through cinemas? How could one forget that somewhat twisted posture that came to identify him with the masses and above all how could one forget that simmering drama between him and his mother who loved her son just as much as she detested his ways of getting back at the world.

The film portrays Amitabh Bachchan as Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, the son of an idealistic teacher, Dinanath Chauhan who sets his eyes on changing the life and times of the village of Mandwa. Dinanath not only wants to see the village of Mandwa grow but also tries to bring the light of education in the lives of the villagers. In walks Kancha Cheena (Danny) the marauding businessman who wants to use Mandwa as an epical point for the creation and distribution of his hallucinogens. The master stands as the biggest challenge in his path and so he schemes against him with the help of the local landlord and gets name tarnished and him wacked from the village.

Vijay, his sister and his mother are left all alone in the big bad world. Vijay, who is burning up inside, wants to get his revenge on Cheena and the others but before that he must set foot into the world of crime and smuggling. He does so in style and grows up through the ranks until the day when he axes all competition to emerge as the king of Bombay. He soon makes way to Mauritius to forge a partnership with Cheena who plots to kill him but Vijay emerges successful and is able to forge the partnership. He comes back to take control of Mandwa and soon his crosses path with Kancha who now comes down to India for a final showdown with his adversary for life.

In the midst of all this he is able to find a true friend in Krishnan Iyer MA(Mithun Chakravarti), an educated youth who is forced to selling coconuts to make ends meet. He meets Krishnan during an encounter when a gang of people are all set to kill him but Krishnan saves his life. He also finds the love of his life in a nurse who treats him at the hospital and whom he marries subsequently. Throughout the course of the film his relationship with his mother is a constant source of self criticism as well as self evaluation for him. After every encounter with his mother he either is left to rue the wounds that she forces on him or made to change his path of propagation.

Agneepath can easily be considered as the Indian equivalent of Scarface. While the story takes certain points from the classic the treatment and the screenplay is completely different. The most astute addition that the film contributed to Indian cinema was the iconic character of Vijay. The way it depicts Amitabh Bachchan, his mannerism, his way of speaking and also the action have acquired cult status. The Gangster films from thereon sort of took Agneepath as a parameter and template on which they pictured their protagonists until that was reworked by a film called Satya. For generations, Agneepath remained a benchmark for films of this genre in India.

At 187 minutes, Agneepath is in no way a short film but the amount of material that its screenplay holds is enough to keep the audience interested all the way through. This is one film which is brimming with characters and situations with its protagonist at the center of all things. There are no less than six major negative characters who get dispatched before the film ends. Four of these baddies get a lucrative chance to shoot and kill Vijay but even after putting in four bullets he survives. Later he hands these bullets back to the people as he sends them back to hell.

The film has two romantic tracks, one involving Mithun and Neelam who plays Vijay’s sister and another involving Vijay and his nurse played by Madhvi. While the Mithun Neelam track is  un-poetic, the one involving Bachchan and Madhvi has its share of tender and affective moments. The discussions between Vijay and his nurse are a way for the audience to look at his vulnerable side which at times is great. This part also gives Vijay something to lose apart from his mother and sister. In key scene he is shown insulted in a restaurant in front of his love when people are unable to fathom his presence at the dinner table banishing him as a goon and anti social element.

Amitabh Bachchan turns in one of those performances in which he is more the character and lesser himself. His blood red eyes, twisted posture and heavy voice coupled with a Mumbaiya lingo completes his transformation into the character and people loved him for that. This got him the National Award for that year.

 Rohini Hatangadi as his mother is a revelation. Danny plays Kancha with ferocity. He appears as someone who you feel afraid of. He works as the perfect adversary to Bachchan’s larger than life Vijay. Neelam and Madhavi do their part. Mithun I felt was a tad bit too loud even though his character demanded that. Tinnu Anand as Nathu Kaka and Vikram Gokhale as Police Commissioner Gaitonde add weight to this movie. Both have given too class performances.

Agneepath is a cult classic which has been watched and re-watched across three decades now over and over again. It is one of those films which defined the Indian film industry over the years. 

The Title was taken from a poem of the same name called ''Agneepath'' which was penned by

Harivansh Rai Bachchan ji.

Karan Johar released a Trailer of the movie last year

https://youtu.be/hMt_VO6edRs

The film was released in two versions

One with the original hoarse voice ( which sounds a lot like Tinnuji) but suits the Charecter. But as the feedback came that public did not like the hoarse voice so it was dubbed again in his normal Voice.

For me the Original modulation of voice is the best.

तू न थकेगा कभी,

तू न रुकेगा कभी,

तू न मुड़ेगा कभी,

कर शपथ, कर शपथ, कर शपथ,

अग्निपथ अग्निपथ अग्निपथ।

Bandhe Haath: A gilmpse of the Angry Young Man to be.

I recommended Bandhe Haath is a rare Amitabh film worth seeing.

This Movie Bandhe Haath is actually Amitabh Bachchan's first Double Role.

Shyamu (Amitabh Bachchan) is a thief who decides to go straight after the death of his mentor (Madan Puri). He comes across an ailing Deepak (again Amitabh Bachchan), a poet whom everyone respects. After Deepak dies, Shyamu assumes his identity and tells the police that Shyamu has taken refuge in his house and has now passed away. But a police inspector (Ajit) has his suspicions. So does Rajni (Kumud Chuggani), a girl Deepak liked. Meanwhile, Mala (Mumtaz), who works in a dance troupe falls for Deepak. Shyamu now has to behave like Deepak in front of the police, Rajni and Mala if he doesn’t want to spend his life in jail. 

Shyamu’s first act as "Deepak" is to pack bags and move to Bombay and the theatre where Mala works. He even takes the precaution of burning all specimens of Deepak’s hand-writing, replacing all manuscripts with his own hand-written copies. So now Shyamu is all set to take the world (and Mala) by storm. To his great good fortune, he runs into Mala the moment he steps out of the train. She’s come to receive her cousin Kavita (Tun Tun) with her Mom, and invites Shyamu to stay the night at their house. Shyamu happily agrees, and quickly declares his love to Mala’s portrait that helpfully adorns the walls of the guest bedroom (for the convenience of all love-sick guests?). Mala hears his declaration and makes it clear that she thoroughly approves of his sentiments.

So now Shyamu has a place in honest society and the love of a good woman. You’d think that he’s all set for a good life. You’d be wrong! Inspector Kumar sees him on a visit to the theatre, and is instantly suspicious. But the worse is yet to come! One of Deepak’s fans - Rajni (Kumud Chugani), turns up, out of the blue. She had never met Deepak, but the two had carried out a romantic correspondence and she has every expectation of claiming Deepak’s romantic attentions. She is furious to see "Deepak" getting up-close and personal with Mala, and throws a scene. Once she mentions Deepak’s letters, Shyamu immediately hurries out with her, leaving Mala convinced that she is being taken for a ride by a womaniser!

Shyamu spends some time with Rajni, trying to find out how much of a threat she poses to his new-found identity. Once he realises that she has letters written to her by the real Deepak, he knows he must get to them before they can reveal his imposture. So he plays along with Rajni’s romantic wishes, trying to keep Mala’s suspicions at bay and staying one step ahead of Inspector Kumar’s investigations. But that isn’t the sum of his troubles. Rajni was betrothed to her father’s friend’s son Ranjeet (Ranjeet) who swears that he will fix this or any Deepak who comes between him and Rajni’s wealth. Shyamu does seem to have more than his fair share of perils. 

Whether he’s able to fool everybody forms the crux of the film.

The film has the potential to be a good thriller but it squanders it in favour of giving us a morality lesson about good vs bad! 

Amitabh Bachchan in a Double Role is intense and competent as always.

This film has a unique moment

where Amitabhs voice has been dubbed by a person with a different voice. The scene in question is when Amitabh meets a dieing look alike in the film.  For the dieing character his voice the director chose a dubbing artiste to lend authenticity.

The film was made by O.P.Ralhan and Directed by O.P Goyle and Mumtaz was the bigger star she does her part well. (It is rumoured that distributor G.P.Sippy wanted Amitabh to be replaced by Dharmendra or Naveen Nishcol, both being busy even Sanjay Khan was asked to be considered but till then Bombay to Goa worked and Amitabh Bachchan was cemented ) but O.P Ralhan also didn't risk directing it himself.

Other actors like Ajit , O.P.Ralhan, Ranjit, Kumud and Madan Puri do their part well.

R.D.Burman has composed 5 songs of which the title song is the classic..

Dekho Yeh Mere Bandhe Hath (Kya Jaano Main Hoon Kaun)

Lata Mangeshkar has three songs and Dil lai Gawa has Asha Bhonsle with R.D , Mannadey and Mahendra Kapoor. The music focus was obviously on Mumtaz.

When the film released after being censored on 15th January ( Second week of Feb 73), as predicted, it flopped badly, though after the release of Zanjeer, it picked up slowly in some places. It was re-released later and did better business.

Ironically Amitabh Bachchan and Ajit were on the opposite sides of the table in both . Ajit being the cop in Bandhe Haath and Amitabh as Inspector Vijay of Zanjeer.

Not a Classic Amitabh Film but can be seen for the early shades of the emerging Angry Young Star ( Zanjeer followed in May and changed the scenario).

Trivia : Remake of Shammi Kapoors Mujrim directed by O.P.Ralhan

Joshilaay: A chance gone begging

10th February a movie released which I had wanted to write about.

JOSHILAY

Some may be flummoxed as to why ..but do read on

The film was launched in 1983 with Vijay Anand directing the mahurat shot and giving the clap being uncle of the director Shekhar Kapoor who was on a high after Masoom.

It was delayed by 6 years before seeing the light of the day in 1989

Story Line :

Gang lord Jogi Thakur (Rajesh Kapoor) learns that a police station is about to open in a village he terrorises. He blames a doctor (Alok Nath) and kills him and his wife. Only the son survives the massacre. Soon after, Jogi Thakur becomes a victim himself: his aide

Raja Singh (Kulbhushan Kharbanda) hands him over to the police. 20 years later, Raja has become a rich man and Jogi Thakur breaks out of prison to take revenge. There is a hefty bounty on his head for his capture. Two young men Dara (Sunny Deol) and Karan (Anil Kapoor) are also interested in him. And not only because of that - because both have a fate in the past that has to do with Yogi Thakur and Raja Singh..

Dara wants Jogi thakur alive and Karan wants him dead.

Now Shekhar Kapoor left the film at its climax as he wanted to reshoot it ( Mr.India had hit the jackpot till then). The producer Sibte Hassan Rizvi finished the film.

The script was written (again after a delay) by Javed Akhtar.

Because Javed Akhtar is the scriptwriter( Story, screenplay and dialogue), there are two heroes and the western setting is based on revenge and gangsterism, quite a few critics have compared "Joshilaay" to Sholay . This work, written 15 years after the great classic, clearly draws the short straw. But a comparison with Sholay isn't particularly clever anyway - because the parallels are exhausted just as quickly as they are found. Rather, the makers take inspiration from a range of westerns, particularly spaghetti westerns, and less specifically, one movie. If so, then not with Sholay

but in the work of Sergio Leone, which is evident in the opening scene with Alok Nath as well as in the final standoff, the Morricone-tinged music and the inclusion of the rattle, which is reminiscent of the harmonica in "Play me the song of death".

This is the best thing about "Joshilaay": The dusty western look, the musty clothes and dry plains on which the heroes and villains proudly ride .(Something associated with Feroz Khan.)

Add to that the sound of RD Burman and you have a Bollywood western.

The song Joshilay ye Shehzaade hain zameen ke is the last song Kishore Kumar recorded for R.D

Burman. 

Other songs include Na Ja JaaneJann Na Jaa ( R.D and Asha), Dhak Dhak jiya Kare ( Asha and Usha).

The music and the background score is absolutely superb.

Of the Lead actors Anil Kapoor was the brooding laconic while Sunny Deol had the flamboyant role full of energy (another similarity with the character's  Jai Veeru of Sholay).

The Villan Jogi Thakur was a formidable villain and was tried to be portrayed like Gabbar but he had more Lunacy which was the big difference.

Sridevi and Meenakshi Sheshadri play the female leads, but don't have much to do in this capacity: the film belongs to the men. Last but not least, the Kulbhushan Kharbanda is convincing as a sleazy schemer who tries use Dara and Karan to suit his interest against Jogi Thakur. ( Major difference from Sholay). Satish Kaushik is commendable in his humour.

Why I wanted to review this film as it had the potential to be a great film but the long time I. Making followed by the Many changes in technical crew.. Cinematographer was changed .(Pravin Bhatt to Dilip Mukherjee).

Joshilaay was overshot and went over budget, the materials used for the shooting of this film was enough for making two films. The original editor of this film Renu Saluja found difficult to edit the film. Then I.M.Kunnu edited the film when the producer took over to complete the film.

These affected the continuity and what could have been an entertaining wild western turned out to be Soda without Fizz.

Anil Kapoor Sunny Deol who has given individual hits with Javed Akhtar  Meri Jung and Arjun) could not lift this film and also had two other flops in Ram Avatar ( remake of Sangam) and Inteqam. 

I personally like the film and wonder how a full Shekhar Kapoor directed Joshilay would have been.

A great opportunity gone amiss.

MULTIPLE ROLES IN BOLLYWOOD

#oneactormanyroles 

It's quite some time back that I took up this topic during the release anniversary of Mahaan.

Since then ( end of April) it was on a Back burner.

Recently again saw Bairaag a few days back on Zee Classic and it brought me back to this topic.

While going about collecting more Trivia I stumbled upon 25 actors whobhas done Triple roles or more in Movie's.

Of these 9 are more than a Triple role.

TRIVIA

In One film 3 actors had Triple Roles

(Saif Ali Khan, Reitesh Deshmukh and Ram Kapoor in One Film Hamshakals.

Three  Actors

Kamal Hassan,Rajnikant and Kadar Khan have done this twice.( Triple or more Roles)

Kamal Hassan did his first in Appu Raja (1989) and DASHAVATAR ( Ten Roles ) ( 2010)

Kadar Khan did a Triple role in

 The Don (1995) and a Year before that Five Roles in Pehla Pehla Pyaar.

Rajnikant did a Triple Role in John Jaani Janardan (1984) and the Photorealistic motion capture film Kochadaiyaan (2014)

--------------------------------------------------------

PART 1:

Coming First now to the FOUR Roles and More :

WHATS YOUR RASHI (2009)

Priyanka Chopra plays 12 characters, depicting the signs of the zodiac; each character has traits related to her astrological sign.

Directed by Ashutosh Gowarikar

This had Harman Baweja (Priyanka's then close confidant) playing Yogesh Patel, a Gujarati NRI, who must marry in ten days to save his brother from harm; Yogesh agrees to meet twelve potential brides (all played by Chopra), one from each zodiac sign).

The film Bombed but Priyanka Chopra broke Kamal Hassans record of 10 roles.

DASHAVATAR ( 2010)

Kamal Haasan, who also wrote the screenplay and story of the film, plays TEN distinct roles. Asin appears in two roles and Mallika Sherawat plays a subsidiary role. 

Some critics felt that the plot was confusing and that Kamal Haasan's ten roles were forced, with only three relevant to the plot.

This movie broke the record of 9 roles.Kamal Haasan was keen to break the record for an actor appearing in the most roles, so he came up with an original storyline incorporating Indian religion and mythology.

NAYA DIN NAYI RAAT (1974)

 Sanjeev Kumar (9 roles)

The film is famous as Sanjeev Kumar reprised the nine-role epic performance by Sivaji Ganesan in Navarathri (1964).

Sushma, ( Jaya Bhaduri) a young girl, runs away from home to escape an arranged marriage. On her way, she meets many people, each representing a distinct facet of human nature, who help her in her difficulties.

Sanjeev Kumar's nine roles here represents 'NavRas', the different moods of man as per the Indian art ethos. This is his film all the way. He play lover, a brave hunter, an epileptic, a coward, a transvestite, a drunkard, a poetic heart and a Dacoit.

PRITHVI ( 1997)

Shakti Kapoor played 7 roles

as Sunil Shetty's friend / BellBoy) Embassy Staff/ Mental Patient/ Sikh bypasser / Transgender.

Starring Sunil and Shilpa Shetty 

This had Shilpa Shetty in a Double Role.

HADH KAR DI AAPNE (2000)

Govinda [6 roles]

Govinda enacted 6 roles in the movie. He plays  his grandparents,uncle, mother & sister in the movie.

These roles are situational. See the Video

https://youtu.be/f2Fbb-2vN-c

BADHTI KA NAAM DADHI (1974)

Kishore Kumar [5 roles]

Kishore Kumar as Hero/Theatre Owner / Police Commissioner / Director / Constable in the movie.

It was a comedy with the Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi Trio plus Amit Kumar and Bappi Lahiri ( as an actor)

PEHLA PEHLA PYAAR (1994)

Kader Khan (5 roles)

Kader Khan plays 5 roles in this film, which is a copy of the Hollywood classic, Roman Holiday. 

GAJA GAMINI (2000)

Actress: Madhuri Dixit (5 roles)

In this M.F. Hussain directed movie Madhuri Dixir essayed five character named Gaja Gamini/Sangita/Shakuntala/Monika/Mona Lisa.

The movie also has Shahrukh Khan and Naseeruddin Shah.

Went unnoticed.

TRINETRA (1991)

Actor: Laxmikant Berde [4 roles]

Laxmikand plays roles of Ajit / Akbar / Anthony / Amar in the movie.

Adding the comic Quotient to this action drama.

So these are as I have found the Actors who have done four or more Roles in a film.

Additions , Trivia Welcome.

PART 2 FOLLOWS WITH 

TRIPLE ROLES...,💫

#oneactormanyroles 

PART 2

TRIPLE ROLES.

In Part one we looked at 4 or more roles.

Now the part many were waiting for 

TRIPLE ROLE

Covering till 1990 here (First 10)

Three roles by same actor was first seen in the films 

PHAGUN ( MADHUBALA)

This reincarnation drama directed by Bibhuti Mitra had Madhubala and Bharat Bhushan essaying lovers in a previous birth and husband-wife in the current birth. Madhubala has a triple role as she also gets to play the mother in the previous birth and had a very small role as she dies at childbirth. 

MADHUMATI (VAIJANTIMALA)

This one was a love story-cum-murder drama and featured Vyjayantimala in a triple role giving one of her career-best performances. She plays a village girl in love with Dilip Kumar in a previous birth but sadly kills herself when Pran attempts to molest her. He buries her body without anyone’s knowledge and in his quest to get to the truth Dilip Kumar enlists the help of a young woman, a look-alike of his dead lover. In the third role she is the wife of Dilip Kumar in the current birth.

1970 saw Two unique Triple Roles where the actors took to the screen together.

Actor: MEHMOOD

Movie: HUMJOLI (1970)

In HUMJOLI, Mehmood played the triple role imitating the Kapoor clan by portraying Prithiviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Randhir Kapoor. 

The movie was a big hit and the three Mahmood had even a song together.

Actor: I.S. JOHAR

Movie: JOHNEY MERA NAAM (1970)

He essayed the characters of Pehle Ram / Dooja Ram / Teeja Ram in Dev Anand starrer Johny Mera Naam. 

They are three brothers Pehleraam (a police constable), Doojaram (a purser) and Teejaram (a bartender in a hotel).His performance was so much appreciated that he went on to win Filmfare Best Comedian Award. 

THIS triple role was 3 Brothers.

Vijay Anand used this triple role to the films advantage.

Actor : SHATRUGHAN SINHA

Film : MILAP (1972)

Directed by B R Ishara this reincarnation saga had Shatrughan Sinha playing Reena Roy’s lover in a previous birth as well as the current birth. Apart from these two there is also a snake in the current birth that takes the form of Shatrughan Sinha to be close to his old lover Reena Roy. Though a weird concept for a reincarnation theme, it was certainly a novel one with Shatrughan giving a very good performance in all three roles.

Actor: DILIP KUMAR

Movie: BAIRAAG (1976)

Dilip Kumar was acclaimed for his triple-role in the film and also received a Filmfare nomination for Best Actor. 

Father and two lost sons .

Directed by Asit Sen

Kailash (Dilip Kumar) loses his eyesight after a car accident. His wife gives birth to twin boys, one of them blind. Before his wife gains consciousness, he asks the doctor to get rid of the blind baby, because he doesn't want his son to live a life where he can't see at all. The doctor's wife leaves the blind baby in a Hindu temple, where he is discovered by the temple priest who raises the boy, now called Bholenath (Dilip Kumar). Kailash feels guilty about what he did to the blind baby and confesses it to his wife several years later. She becomes so distraught that she dies.The second son Sanjay plays a spoilt brat.

Saira Banu and Leena Chandavarkar are the female leads 

Dilip Kumar is simply brilliant in all three roles bringing finely etched nuances to each character.

Actor: ASRANI

Movie: Hum Nahin Sudhrenge (1980)

This film was also directed by Asrani.

He played Three different but identical looking people.

This film is a total fantasy, inspired by a real incident in Allahabad, in the Sixties, when three con-men cheated a private general insurance company in connivance with its staff.

Actor: AMITABH BACHCHAN

Movie: MAHAAN (1983)

In the movie, Amitabh Bachchan essayed the role of Amit, a lawyer on the run and he also palyed the role of Amit's two sons who were twins.

Amitabh manages to enact the three characters with a lot of variation and there are interesting confrontation scenes between the different ‘Amitabhs’ to entertain the audience.

Actor: RAJNIKANTH

Movie: JOHN JAANI JANARDAN(1984)

 It is a remake of the 1982 Tamil film Moondru Mugam which starred Rajinikanth and Raadhika. It was successful at the box office and completed 100 days run at the box office.

Here again the Triple Role was Father and Two Sons.

The father Rajnikant who is an honest cop gets killed by the leader of the gang selling illicit liquor and his wife dies giving birth to twin sons.

ACTOR : KAMLAHASSAN

FILM APPU RAJA (1989)

Father and twin sons

This one was a dubbed version of the outstanding Tamil original titled Apoorva Sahodargal where he is murdered in the father’s role and his twin sons get separated after birth. While one of the twin sons becomes a car mechanic, the other son is a dwarf in the circus.

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TRIPLE ROLES IN 1990 AND BEYOND

COMING IN PART 3 (III)#oneactormanyroles 

PART 3 (Triple Role 1990-2020)

Actor: KADER KHAN

Movie: The Don (1995)

In this film starring Mithun Chakravorty and directed by Farooque Siddique, Kader Khan gets to play triple role – as a Chaprasi Rajaram (peon), a Principal (Amarnath) and a Professor(Raghav)- all in the same college. As the Principal and the Professor, they are in love with the same lady Professor and the Principal at times makes cheap attempts to impersonate the Professor to get close to her. This track is only to lighten the otherwise gloomy underworld drama.

SHAHRUKH KHAN

Movie English Babu Desi Mem (1996)

This film features Shahrukh Khan in a triple role 

The story revolves around a wealthy London businessman Gopal and his twin sons Vikram and Hari. (All Shahrukh)

While Gopal and Vikram are busy amassing wealth, Har is a simpleton and to esacpe this life he gets on to a plane and escapes. However the plane crashes and everyone assumes that Hari is dead. But Hari survives, marries a girl and sadly on the the day of delivery, both he and his wife die and the new-born child is left in the care of the wife’s sister. Years later, the nephew stakes claim on Gopal’s inheritance and Vikram comes to India to verify the claim and comes to know of his brother’s truth.

MITHUN CHAKRABORTY

Movie: Rangbaaz (1996)

Rangbaaz is unofficial remake of Tridev where Mithun plays all 3 roles of Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff & Naseeruddin Shah.

He plays Inspector Kundan, happy-go-lucky Kishen and a Robin Hood type of villager Banarsi helping the poor and needy. 

Kanti Shah Directs 

DHARMENDRA

Movie: Jeeo Shaan Se (1997)

Our desi He-man plays triple role in this box-office dud which also stars Vikas Bhalla & Monica Bedi.

Dharmendra plays three identical brothers- Brahma, Vishnu and Mahesh. 

Talat Jaani Directs.

JOHNY LEVER

Movie: Achanak  (1998)

Johny Lever also hasn't stayed behind in donning a triple role. He does it in Govinda starrer Achanak.

This is basically a revenge drama starring Govinda and Manisha Koirala where Govinda’s father is killed and Johny Lever is one of the people who help in nabbing the killers. He gets to play three identical brothers – Joni,  Moni & Toni Kapoor. Being the super actor that he is, the scenes are very enjoyable.

TABU

Meenaxi Tale of Two Cities (2004)

Nawab, a popular Hyderabadi novelist, is suffering from a classic case of writer's block. Five years have passed, and stories of substance seem to have dried up. Then, almost providentially, Nawab comes across a young woman named Meenaxi. She's enigmatic and individualistic – and not quite willing to perform the part of a passive muse. But that doesn't deter a rejuvenated Nawab from giving her different personae – she can be the mysterious perfume trader of Hyderabad, the exotic desert bloom of Jaisalmer or the orphaned Maria of Prague. Inexorably, she consolidates her command over the novelist. 

PARESH RAWAL: 

FILM :Oye Lucky Lucky Oye (2008)

Three different look-alikes

This surprise hit of 2008 directed by Dibakar Bannerjee starring Abhay Deol.

Veteran Paresh Rawal got to play three different characters in it- Abhay Deol’s father, a gang-leader Gogi and a shrewd and calculating Doctor Handa and excels in all three roles.

RAJPAL YADAV: 

Hanstey Hanstey (2008)

In this 2008 film directed by Tony, comedy actor Rajpal Yadav tries to infuse some life into the otherwise listless proceedings with his triple role- a father, his flirtatious son and uncle. Though the film’s publicity centered on Rajpal’s three roles, the film sank without a trace and one wonders if anyone ever heard of this film

SAIF ALI KHAN/

RETEISH DESHMUKH/

RAM KAPOOR

Movie: Humshakals (2014)

This Sajid Khan debacle had Saif Ali Khan, Ram Kapoor and Riteish Deshmukh in triple roles. 

There are three different sets of look-alikes which give rise to amusing situations and cause confusion and misunderstandings. Saif and Ritesh have the same name ‘Ashok’ and ‘Kumar’ in all three roles- as two friends, as two mental asylum patients and another set of look-alikes is created by plastic surgery to confuse issues. Ram Kapoor gets to play the role of Saif’s evil uncle, a dangerous mental asylum patient and a disco owner who agrees to help Saif to thwart the evil uncle’s evil plans.

RAJNIKANT

Movie: Kochadaiiyaan (2014)

India's first photorealistic motion capture film, Kochadaiiyaan had Rajikanth in triple role again after John Jani Janardhan.

The Triple and More Roles Saga Ends as of now..

Open to Trivia , Additions , Suggestions..

Do Aur Do Paanch

Hum woh hain jo Do aur Do Paanch Kara den..

43

years of Do Aur Do Paanch.

This is comparitivly low key movie of Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor with Hema Malini and Parveen Babi to add the glamour.

This action comedy was directed by Rakesh Kumar (who was responsible for bringing Amitabh Bachchan on board in this film being a friend after Khoon Pasina , Mr Natwarlal and with Yaarana on the floors.)

Vijay (Amitabh Bachchan) and Sunil (Shashi Kapoor) are rival petty crooks who have conflicts with each other.

The twist in the movie begins when Uncle(Kadar Khan with black goggles and overcoat) wants to kidnap Bittu son of Multi Millionaire Seth ( Dr Shriram Lagu) to avenge some age old rivalry.The father thus puts his only son to a boarding school ( which is a fortress) under the able guidance of his teacher Shalu(Hema Malini) and principal(Sajjan).Uncle hires Laxman for the job to abduct him .Now both Vijay and Sunil want to have a big loot by kidnapping Bittu.

Vijay and Sunil create fake identities for themselves and join the school as teachers called Ram and Laxman, respectively. Ram joins as the P.E. instructor of the school while Laxman is appointed as the music teacher. The principal's daughter Anju(Parveen Babi) falls in love with Amitabh and Shalu falls for Shashi.What follows is a series of comic situations where both the heroes try to out wit each other.

(Especially the scene when Amitabh is made to eat parothas by all the children and his stomach nearly splits. His expressions in the scene was just outstanding. And the scene when Parveen faints in Ram's room and Laxman blocks his way out of the house. It was hilarious!!! and when Amitabh says "Sangeet Samrat" and starts singing making a fool of Shashi during a bonfire program is just rib tickling).

Obviously they become friends and destroy Uncle's evil plan .

The film maintains a brisk pace through out .

Rajesh Roshan's music is first rate.  All the songs are melodious and fun. "Mere Zindagi Ne Mujhpe Ehsaan Kyaa Kiya Hai", "Do Aur Do Paanch", "Hoti Hai Raat", and a small portion of "Prem Se Humko Jine Do" Kishore Kumar is simply at his best. The song "Yeh Zulfon Ki Bhikri Ghatta Kya Kahti Hai " rendered by Asha Bhonsle is soothing and pleasing to ear.  Furthermore, the background score is noticeable and pleasant.

Amitabh and Shashi who have proved their chemistry in earlier movies excel in this movie  it was their third in a row after Kaala Patthar and Suhaag in 1979 and followed by Shaan in December 80)with their first rate acting and dialogue delivery and timing. Hema Malini and Parveen Babi as love interests have supported ably with their acting and comic skills. Kader Khan has little screen presence but leaves a lasting impression as villain "Uncle" (a different flavor of villain). There is menace in his role but at the same it evokes laughter. Not to forget is Master Bittu the child artist who has acted very well and is the heart of the movie. The list of supporting cast is huge but all of them have acted well. It is necessary to mention that in this huge cast and spectra of talented actors Amitabh Bachchan as always stands tall through his screen presence and persona.

The title sequence of the film had animated versions of Amitabh Bachchan and Shashi Kapoor. This was done in the visual style of The Pink Panther .

(Earlier seen in Chalti Ka naam Gaadi)

The film didn't do well but is a personal favourite.

Dharmendra Mumtaz

Watching Indian Idol

Dharmendra Mumtaz.

How elegant..

They were together in

Mere Humdum Mere Dost and Aadmi Air Insaan but Mumtaz was not the leading lady.

1973 saw two of their releases.

Loafer

Jheel Ke Uss Paar

Both Musical Hits

Who can forget the music of Loafer 

Aaj Mausam Bada Beiman Hai – Mohammed Rafi. Unbelievably good. Impossibly good. Wonderfully good. I just melt when Rafi croons

ऐ मेरे यार ऐ हुस्न वाले |

दिल किया मैंने तेरे हवाले ||

तेरे मर्जी पे अब बात ठैरी |

जीने दे चाहे तू मार डाले ||

तेरे हाथों में अब मेरी जान है ||

Rafi is the absolute king of this type of singing and can never be replaced, absolutely never!

Main Tere Ishq Mein – Lata Mangeshkar. A beautiful song and Lata is in great voice. Mumu looks good too! Open-mouthed smile

Motiyon ki lari who main – Asha Bhonsle. Mumtaz who gyrates in a short red skirt stunning

so a smile for the sake of nostalgia. 

Koi Shehri Babu – Asha Bhonsle. Mumtaz is in her element with songs like this. A good dancer indeed! The song is lovely too and Asha does justice to it. Nowadays marriage songs are almost always group dances with intricate steps. This feels so different ! 

Goosebumps.. seeing them enact that era today.

And the R.D.Burman creations of Jheel Ke Uss Paar.

especially “Kya Nazare” (Kishore Kumar), “Babul Tere Bagan Di Main Bulbul” (Lata Mangeshkar) and “Chal Chalen Ae Dil” (Lata Mangeshkar).

Asha singing Hay Bicchua Dus Gayo Re.

Mumtaz, fabled for her sensuous pout, her unbridled exuberance and her chutzpah gives a surprisingly understated performance, though she does show her sensuous side in the song “Do Ghoont Mujhe Bhi Pila De” .

Loving the Program 💕