That depends, of course, on the role and the script.
Vivien Leigh, for example, had an absolute memory.
She was able to memorize 7 comedies and dramas by Shakespeare, totaling over 1000 pages of dialogue.
She had an incredible ability to memorize all the lines of a play after reading it only once.
In his book "On Acting" (1986), Olivier said that when Leigh was in one of her "moods," she needed two readings.
She was the best Lady Macbeth he had ever seen.
Publicly? Well, here’s one.
When it was decided to make a Superman movie (the first in decades), the studio wanted star power. Unfortunately, capes and tights were seen as beneath a movie star’s position. Actors were afraid of typecasting, which happened to the likes of George Reeve and Adam West. Still, optimistic producers went to everyone and got flat-out turned down by many big names.
Oh, this guy wanted the role. Went as far as going in to pitch himself to the producers. They thought he was the wrong fit.
All of them (except the last one) were afraid of how the role would affect their status as leading men. (Redford is the exception. He thought he was too famous to be the face of a superhero.) None of them wanted to be seen as Superman. Newman was given the choice of picking who he wanted to play: Supes, Lex, or Jor-El. And was offered more upfront than Brando got. Eastwood gave a very polite but quick hell no.
Of course, any of those actors would’ve given us a completely different movie. Reeves brought freshness to the role because we didn’t know him. He could be the Man of Steel because he wasn’t already Dirty Harry, Hud, or Clyde Barrow.
Keaton and Nicholson turned that fear of typecasting around when they did Batman. And, of course, Marvel Studios made putting “superhero” on your resume a must. I knew the tide had turned when Redford popped up in a Captain America movie.
If you want to watch an immersive family drama directed by the great Raj Khosla with a very young Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz, then switch of your room lights, switch off your mobile and switch on your iPad/laptop/TV and silently watch Do Raste with rapt attention. This fantastic movie was released in 1969.
You must see Do Raste ( 1969) , if you want to see Rajesh Khanna, just before he attained superstardom, if you want to know why Balraj Sahni was the masterclass of acting and if you want to experience the brilliance of Raj Khosla’s direction.
This is the story that will touch you, since it is the story of every average family in India, where there is an undercurrent of unease when a scheming Bindu, enters the house as the ultramodern daughter-in-law and drives a wedge between Prem Chopra, her husband, and the brothers. This movie was the original template for all Bindu’s vampish roles.
Bindu and Leena Mishra ( who Leena Mishra ? The Mausi Ji of Sholay fame )👆
The young , still to be a superstar, Rajesh Khanna shows all the patented mannerisms of blinking eyes and head nodding, that would make the country go crazy in later years.
Mumtaz got her first lead role in this film, after playing second fiddle in many movies including being paired with a much older Dara Singh, before being picked by Raj Khosla for Do Raste.
“chup gaye sare nazare” 👆
The biggest hit song, Bindiya Chamkagi was picturised on Mumtaz, and in 1969 the audience used to erupt with joy on seeing her joyous face on the silver screen.
“Bindiya chamkagi” 👆
(Don’t forget to notice the Mathematics Professor teaching Sin Cos Tan and then giggling at the prank) This movie is not only about college love, that is shown in the first half an hour ; it is much deeper. It showcases the smouldering emotions of the elder brother, Balraj Sahani, to keep the family together when the disruptive force in the form of a daughter-in-law is unleashed upon the unsuspecting mother and her three sons. Kamani Kaushal, plays the elder brother’s wife with great sensitivity. She would remind you of the stoic ladies in your family who were the shock absorbers during times of crisis.
Rajesh Khanna’s smile lights up the screen, and his brooding bearded look in the song “yeh reshami zulfe”is a treat to watch, with the dazzling Mumtaz complementing his star power.
Not many know that Rajesh Khanna, had the bearded look in a few scenes, since he was also shooting for Ittafaq at the same time, that was directed by Yash Chopra.
There are many scenes that you would relate to. One is when Rajesh Khanna lies down on the new sofa that Bindu brings from her parents house. She scolds Rajesh Khanna and says that sofa is for sitting and not lying down. How many of you have visited rich relatives to be told not to misuse the sofa in their well appointed drawing room ?
The other scene that will touch your heart when Veena, playing the mother, is on her death bed and mistakes Balraj Sahani as the younger brother Rajesh Khanna. The dialogue will bring tears to your eyes, if you have ever seen your mother or grandmother on their deathbed. Veena plays the role with great dignity and you can see the strength of her convictions during tough times.
The hilarious sing-song voice of Asit Sen replying to his wife Leena Mishra “bas tang hi to reh gaye hain” will make you laugh. I know you didn’t understand the dialogue. See the exchange between Asit Sen , the harassed husband and Leena Mishra , the domineering wife, to make your day.
In this film Prem Chopra has shown the immense range of his acting skills, and you realise what a great actor he was, but sadly the immense depth of his skills were never exploited for the rest of his career. He shows confusion, rage, love for his brothers, hidden anguish on being disliked by his mother and his compulsion to stand by his scheming wife , in many brilliant scenes in this film.
Two great actors Balraj Sahni & Prem Chopra ( left) 👆
You must see this movie for the restrained acting of Balraj Sahani, the star power of Rajesh Khanna, the effervescence of Mumtaz, the strength of Veena, the screen presence of Mehmood Jr, the pathos of Kamini Kaushal, the all weather friendship of Jayant, the unrecognised helplessness of Prem Chopra, the quick repartee between Asit Sen/Leena Mishra and above all for the superb direction of Raj Khosla.
Don’t miss it.
Do you know that the Amitabh song “mere angane mein” was copied from the Jr Mehmood song in this film.
On a calm night, watch this movie and relive your youth, if you are from my generation or realise that nothing has changed in family dynamics, if you are younger.
Watch it without distractions.
This incident happened on the sets of Merchant Ivory productions Bombay Talkies in 1970.
Shashi Kapoor was the lead actor of the film and this was the time when Amitabh Bachchan was struggling as an actor to get work. Amitabh Bachchan tells us that he was told that he has to be part of the crowd and he will be paid for that so he agreed our of desperation even though he was playing an extra in the crowd. In the film’s last scene when Shashi Kapoor’s funeral scene was picturised Amitabh was part of the crowd. So the crowd scenes were shot without Shashi Kapoor.
When Shashi Kapoor came to set, he was surprised to see Amitabh Bachchan there. He asked him what is he doing there? Amitabh told him he is working as extra for some money. Shashi Kapoor became livid and he scolded Amitabh that he should not ruin his career by doing bit roles as he is meant for bigger things given his performance in his debut film Saat Hindustani which had fetched him a National Award. So why should he work as an extra? Shashi Kapoor got that scene removed from the film.
It was not just Shashi Kapoor but the great director Hrishikesh Mukherjee who believed that Amitabh Bachchan was meant for bigger things. During the same time Amitabh Bachchan was signed by Mukherjee for Guddi, even though it was a heroine centric role and the make lead was a small role. A few months later Amitabh’s and Mukherjee’s film Anand released and became a cult film. Hrishikesh Mukherjee realised that Amitabh has much more potential which should not be wasted in a small role like Guddi. So he asked him to leave the film and do bigger films (Hrishikesh Mukherjee eventually gave him many defining roles of his career including Namak Haraam, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke etc).
I read about this English movie called Boyhood which was 12 years in making.
But there is a Kannada movie which was 38 years in making. Surprised!?
Yes!This is about the movie Saavira Mettilu - Thousand steps .
The film was started in 1968. It was released around 2006.
This film was supposed to be one of Puttanna Kanagal's early movies.The original starcast included Jayanthi,Kalyan Kumar, Ashwath,Pandari Bai,Vajramuni etc.
But due to reasons unknown,the film got stalled.This movie was supposed to be the debut of the much celebrated villian Vajramuni.But since this movie was stopped, Vajramuni's debut was Mallammana Pavaada which was again directed by Puttanna.
Vajramuni's debut in Savira Mettilu
This unfinished movie was taken up by the producer D B Basave Gowda. He was very keen to revive this movie.He collaborated with Ravi(K S L Swami) who was also a pupil of Puttanna to finish this film.
But time had passed.Some of the actors had aged while some others had passed away.Yet the producer and the director did not loose the zeal. As many as 17 actors or more - Anu Prabhakar, Ambareesh , Shivaram ,B V Radha , Padma Vasanti,Master Hirannayya,Ramakrishna, Sunderraj,Lakshmidevi, Hema Chaudhary, Jaya, Girija Lokesh, Ashalatha, Mukyamantri Chandru, Doddanna, Govinda Rao were added as part of the new cast.All of them agreed to work without payment as a tribute to the master Puttanna.
A guest appearance by Ambareesh
One very very rare thing about this movie is that the heroine has lived her age on screen.We have observed in many movies ,the actors grey their hair or put on make up to appear old.But in this movie, actress Jayanthi has appeared as both 20 year old lass as well as a 60 year old woman in real.
Young Jayanthi
Older Jayanthi
Not just Jayanthi, Ashwath who played her father in the movie too reprised his role after so many years.
The middle aged Ashwath
The old Ashwath
The film is no way a great movie by it's storyline . It has its share of flaws and faults. But the idea to pay homage to such a great director is indeed appreciable.
Kannada Film industry would have died long back in 1960’s.
Tamil Kongas, Telugu golties and Mallus wanted to ensure that Kannada film industry should not grow and thrive.Marathigas were also not close with Kannadigas that time period.
Gokak movement was significant in ensuring that kannada language and Kannada cinema should be given prominence and first preference inside Karnataka. Rajkumar was the key man behind it.
However after death of Rajkumar in 2006, now whole film industry has collapsed.
Now at present Kannada film industry is in ICU only few artists like Legend Navarasa Nayaka Jaggesh, Upendra Rao(although he has lost his interest) and few senior Kannada actors are giving some life support to Kannada film industry now.
Since a decade 90 percent of Kannadigas are not interested in Kannada language movies anymore.
Sunny Deol’s next release will be an action film titled Gabru which is slated to release on 8th May, 2026. The initial release date was 13th March, 2026.
The film will also star Simran Bagga, Prit Kamani, Rakulpreet Singh and a child artist. The film is about the personal struggles, social challenges and emotional hardships faced by Sunny Deol and the child artist.
Salman Khan will also be seen in an special appearance for which he shot last year. Salman agreed to do the part due to his close friendship with Deol family.
Salman and Sunny Deol were seen together for the first time in Jeet which released in 1996. After that they were a part of the film, “Heroes”. Salman also played a cameo in Yamla Pagla Dewana: Phir Se.
Image(s) Courtesy: Google
4 Crore Rupee Budget
Anil Kapoor - Madhuri Dixit the biggest hit combination in Bollywood from 1988
Amrish Puri the top billed villain
Anupam Kher the second highest billed villain
Bappi Lahiri the top billed music director
After Beta - a blockbuster hit released barely a month ago
Two #1 Songs - Dil to Dil Hain & Yeh Zindagi hain ek Juaa on the top radio channels
Yet on 25 April 1992, Distributors left the Opera Theatre in Mumbai in DISMAY refusing to pay a cheque to buy the rights to distribute the film in their territories
This was the Prakash Mehra starrer - ZINDAGI EK JUAA
The film was deemed - TOO VIOLENT AND GANGSTER LIKE for its period
This was 1992
The Era of the Angry young man was over and the era of Young Love was beginning
Dil, Aashiqui, Saajan were the biggest blockbusters of the period pushing Bachchan out from the #1 position for the first time in many years
The Story of
The Film just didn't add up
Distributors who went expecting a big success didn't even say “We will let you know”
The film was an INDIANIZED take on SCARFACE (1983) starring Al Pacino
It became the FIRST FILM that distributors across India refused to touch , the first for reasons not related to the 1975 emergency
Prakash Mehra made a deal with Theatres
He went personally and distributed the film to theatres who all demanded a Minimum 21 day run guarantee for the film
Prakash Mehra had been losing money for the past 5 years since 1987 , his Bachchan starrer Jaadugar had lost him ₹53 Lakh personally
He sold his Beach Bungalow (Next to Waheeda Rahmans)
The film took off very well
The First Friday saw an opening in Bombays Top 70 theatres - that beat the record of Beta (1992)
Bachchans Khuda Gawah was running across theatres and it's collections fell sharply as Zindagi ek Juaa was released
The first Monday saw a 80% drop
The First Monday Matinee Show saw a 80% Drop in the Top 70 theatres in Bombay
College Audiences still trickled in one's and twos
Khuda Gawah began picking up again as Bachchan made the LAST FILM announcement
Then something happened that ended the films ambitions completely
A 1 Crore Rupee , small budget film, shot entirely in Ooty gathered steam and knocked out the film completely
The film didn't even make it to a single nomination in 1993
Even though Madhuri had her finest performance , expressions - it was a role she wanted to forget
Suresh Oberoi , father of Vivek Oberoi, believed it was one of his best performances
Asha Bhonsle at the age of 59, sang a song that made her sound like a 20 year old in an era without Auto Tune
The Dance and Song are outstanding in every way
It wasn't until 1998 that GANGSTER CINEMA made a reappearance under the Aegis of the Legendary Ram Gopal Varma with Satya and Mahesh Manjrekar with Vaastav
This time they were both Massive hits and the distributors were not as squeamish