“Superstar” is an adjective which is never attached to new actors in 21st century Bollywood. There are stars and actors and there are prodigies and immensely talented youngsters, but are you able to name a single actor who may also be termed a superstar? Shahrukh Khan, Salman Khan and Aamir Khan are perhaps the one current actors who will also be called superstars within the true sense of the word.
Amitabh and Dharmendra in 'Sholay'
If you’re like me and also you like watching old Bollywood movies, I'M quite certain that you just turn on Set Max or Zee Classic every every so often to observe reruns of Bollywood movies from 40 years ago. A SPECIAL kind of feeling rises within – the pace is slower, the dialogues are better, the impact a lot more powerful.
Those are movies from the golden age of Bollywood when superstars similar to Vinod Khanna, Rajesh Khanna, Dev Anand, Dharmendra and of course, the legendary Amitabh Bachchan ruled. Popular actresses corresponding to Parveen Babi, Hema Malini and Rekha donned film posters in all places India.
Today, these very names are often remembered with the term ‘superstar’ and there's no reluctance in saying so.
Many of those superstars who ruled then have faded away, some gracefully, some not so gracefully. Most have opted to retire to a lifetime of memories, spending their years in peace and quiet. There are only a few who still remain and who've managed to stay part of the filmy scene.
We reminisce a few of these superstars from the times of yore.
Aradhana
Rajesh Khanna
Undoubtedly the primary superstar of Bollywood, tales Rajesh Khanna’s superstardom are actually legendary. He debuted in 1966 with the film Aakhri Khat directed by Chetan Anand which was quickly noticed by filmmakers around the industry. However, it was the 1969 blockbuster Aradhana with Sharmila Tagore (a remake of the Hollywood film To every his Own) which propelled him to national fame. His influence also led writer duo Salim-Javed and one of the crucial iconic singers of Hindi music, Kishore Kumar to various opportunities and jobs within the industry. In fact, Kishore Kumar became the voice of Rajesh Khanna in all his films till 1991.
Stories of ladies sending him love letters written with blood, killing themselves, mobbing him in public are quite famous. Film critic Monojit Lahiri remembers -
[quote]“Girls married themselves to images of Rajesh Khanna, cutting their fingers and applying the blood as sindoor. Rajesh was God, there hasn't ever been such hysteria.” [/quote]
Crowds of fans would stand outside his bungalow everyday, chanting and singing his names and songs. Cars of producers can be lined up. His car would often need to trudge through heavy crowds with girls kissing it and covering it with lipstick marks. Imagine someone doing that for a Bollywood actor today!
Amitabh Bachchan
Amitabh Bachchan is likely to be one of the vital oldest and most enduring superstars of classic Bollywood. His first super-hit, blockbuster film, Zanjeer catapulted him to widespread fame and demanding acclaim and he started to be referred to as the “angry young man” of Indian cinema. So powerful and dominating were his films within the 1970s and 1980s that the late French director Francois Truffaut called him a “one-man industry.” Consider the truth that his first film was released over four decades earlier, and he undoubtedly becomes essentially the most enduring star of all times. Currently, Amitabh Bachchan is recuperating in a Mumbai hospital and we are hoping that he recovers soon!
Hema Malini
Hema Malini, fondly remembered as “Dream Girl”, was one of the vital successful female actors within the 70s and 80s. Known for her grace and beauty, Hema held a remarkable presence on screen. Baghban brought her back at the box office stage with a bang and we glance forward to many more years of good performances.
Rishi Kapoor
Rishi Kapoor is another actor who despite having become nice and round, does a super job because the avuncular uncle or father within the newer films. He carries years of expertise and tradition on his shoulders, and his joy in his craft is clear in every role.
Mithun Chakravarty
Mithun Chakravarty, without equal Disco Dancer, is synonymous with such a lot of traits of a perfect star that it’s quite impossible not to include him in this list. He has done a whole lot ridiculous action movies, performed hundreds now legendary dance sequences, and said many hit dialogues in his film career. has become popular as “Dada” on Dance India Dance – a dance based reality show. He may now not be very nimble on his feet, but he still has the grace and the expertise to lead the newer aspirants who want to step into his dancing shoes.
And some others
There are many more superstars who we want to peer once again, although it is also for brief scenes or roles. Dev Anand does keep coming back with new flop shows, but he only seems to remind us of the truth that he's not a superstar, only a mockery of his old self. Naseeruddin Shah was never a superstar, but he in conjunction with Amol Palekar has managed to retain his own niche as a ravishing character actor. We miss Shammi Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Zeenat Aman, Mumtaz and so on – they were the actual superstars and of their heyday they might give any of the brand new “stars” a run for his or her money.
