The Bollywood reruns continue on SABC 3 today with the award winning Raja Hindustani being screened at 2pm and the mediocre Shakti – The Power at 11.30pm.
Raja Hindustani is certainly the pick of the two and if you haven’t yet seen this tender love story starring Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor, check it out this afternoon. The director, Dharmesh Darshan, is on familiar ground with this tale of a poor taxi driver who falls in love with a rich girl and the trials and tribulations of their relationship. The film has all the requisite Bollywood trimmings including over the top drama, searing emotion, lots of songs and exotic locations. But it also features an award winning performance by Aamir as well as the much publicised “kiss” between him and his leading lady Kapoor.
I met Aamir in 1992 during his visit to Cape Town where he was performing in a stage show with other Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan. Even then he exuded warmth and professionalism, unlike his fellow actor Salman. These are attributes he still possesses today.
Aamir is a consummate actor who started his career as a child star with the mega hit Yaadon Ki Baraat in 1974, but his first major success as an adult actor came with the blockbuster Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988. He then went on a signing spree and accepted every offer made to him resulting in loads of flops. But he resurrected his career with the hit film Dil, two years later. Since then he has learned his lesson and become far more selective when accepting projects. In fact in an industry where it is common for actors to be working on numerous films at a time, Aamir strives to keep his assignments to a minimum. He ensures that all the films are different and takes a personal interest in all aspects of the production. This has led to many of his films achieving great success.
Some of the memorable ones are Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1993) and Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke (1994). His transition from teen idol to a mature and sensitive actor came about with the Bollywood adaptation of Kramer vs. Kramer in Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995). Rangeela and Raja Hindustani (1996) allowed him to continue developing his craft by playing two very similar characters in completely contrasting films.
An important aspect of his success is the fact that he has thrived on carefully chosen characters and films. He has backed unknown names such as Ashutosh Gowarikar (Baazi and Lagaan) and John Matthew Mathan (Sarfarosh), creating exciting projects with them. Aamir has even worked with a mediocre director like Vikram Bhatt and given him one of his few hits with Ghulam.
In 2001 he reached another milestone in his illustrious career, when his maiden production Lagaan was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. The film was a labour of love for Aamir who invested much of his own money in it.
Currently he is anxiously awaiting the release of his period drama, The Rising. Based on the life of the freedom fighter Mangal Pandey, the film is reported to be one of the most expensive Indian films produced to date.
He has also just launched two new films that will go into production in this year. Once again the stories will be fresh and different for an actor who constantly tries to re-invent himself.
Raja Hindustani is certainly the pick of the two and if you haven’t yet seen this tender love story starring Aamir Khan and Karisma Kapoor, check it out this afternoon. The director, Dharmesh Darshan, is on familiar ground with this tale of a poor taxi driver who falls in love with a rich girl and the trials and tribulations of their relationship. The film has all the requisite Bollywood trimmings including over the top drama, searing emotion, lots of songs and exotic locations. But it also features an award winning performance by Aamir as well as the much publicised “kiss” between him and his leading lady Kapoor.
I met Aamir in 1992 during his visit to Cape Town where he was performing in a stage show with other Bollywood stars, including Salman Khan. Even then he exuded warmth and professionalism, unlike his fellow actor Salman. These are attributes he still possesses today.
Aamir is a consummate actor who started his career as a child star with the mega hit Yaadon Ki Baraat in 1974, but his first major success as an adult actor came with the blockbuster Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak in 1988. He then went on a signing spree and accepted every offer made to him resulting in loads of flops. But he resurrected his career with the hit film Dil, two years later. Since then he has learned his lesson and become far more selective when accepting projects. In fact in an industry where it is common for actors to be working on numerous films at a time, Aamir strives to keep his assignments to a minimum. He ensures that all the films are different and takes a personal interest in all aspects of the production. This has led to many of his films achieving great success.
Some of the memorable ones are Dil Hai Ke Maanta Nahin (1991), Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1993) and Hum Hai Rahi Pyar Ke (1994). His transition from teen idol to a mature and sensitive actor came about with the Bollywood adaptation of Kramer vs. Kramer in Akele Hum Akele Tum (1995). Rangeela and Raja Hindustani (1996) allowed him to continue developing his craft by playing two very similar characters in completely contrasting films.
An important aspect of his success is the fact that he has thrived on carefully chosen characters and films. He has backed unknown names such as Ashutosh Gowarikar (Baazi and Lagaan) and John Matthew Mathan (Sarfarosh), creating exciting projects with them. Aamir has even worked with a mediocre director like Vikram Bhatt and given him one of his few hits with Ghulam.
In 2001 he reached another milestone in his illustrious career, when his maiden production Lagaan was nominated in the Best Foreign Film category at the Oscars. The film was a labour of love for Aamir who invested much of his own money in it.
Currently he is anxiously awaiting the release of his period drama, The Rising. Based on the life of the freedom fighter Mangal Pandey, the film is reported to be one of the most expensive Indian films produced to date.
He has also just launched two new films that will go into production in this year. Once again the stories will be fresh and different for an actor who constantly tries to re-invent himself.
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