How popular are Bollywood films in Russia?

Awara : This 1954 hindi movie was a mega hit in USSR (now Russia).

It happened to the most successful commercial movie in USSR.

Shri 420 : This hindi movie was also quite popular in erstwhile USSR.

Its songs were often played by orchestras and music bands.

Disco dancer : This 1982 hindi movie was well appreciated by Russian youth.

Its dance and songs are still played by many.

Pushpa : This 2022 multilingual movie was super hit in Russia.

Audience admired its dance and songs ; cinematography ; out of box story.

Facts : Russians admire Indian movies for their entertainment.

Indian actors are quite popular in Russia.

Many Indian movies are shot in Russia for its exquisite locales and technical facilities.

Russians are family oriented ; emotional and practical human beings.

Perhaps, they acknowledge turns and twists of life like their Indian counterparts.

Pic Credits : Google Images / Web

How many movies did Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz star in together?

 Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz is probably the only pair who have given all hits.

From 1969 to 1977 they were seen together in 10 films and almost all of them were hits.

They did Do Raaste and Bandhan in 1969. The movies ended up being the 2nd and the 8th highest grosser of that year.

Rajesh Khanna's double role in Sachaa Jhoota ended up being the second highest grosser of 1970.

The next year, Dushman was a super-hit and the third highest grosser of 1971.

Apna Desh in 1972 was a super-hit and the sixth highest grosser of that year.

Their next release was Raja Rani (1973) in which Mumtaz played a cameo. The film was a super-hit.

Two releases in 1974, Roti and Aap Ki Kasam, ending up as the sixth and the ninth highest grosser of that year.

Their release Prem Kahani in 1975 was also a success.

They were seen together for the last time in Aaina (1977). Rajesh Khanna played a cameo in the film so did Kamal Hassan, Dharmendra and Neetu Singh. The film was a hit.

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

Which were the Indian films that got completed even when one of the actors died in the middle of the filming?

 There are numerous examples in the various film industries for the films which were completed after one of the actors passed away unexpectedly in the middle of the filming, some of them are:

Sanjeev Kumar:

The renowned Bollywood actor Sanjeev Kumar had passed away suddenly due to heart attack in 1985 at the age of 47 years, in the middle of the filming of the comedy film Professor Ki Padosan.

The 75% of filming was completed, Ravi Tandon was directing the film but due to film's leading actor Sanjeev Kumar's demise he left the project and Shantilal Soni took incharge to direct the film. The makers had to rewrite the storyline to make his character invisible in the remaining portions of the film and the film was released in 1993. Sudesh Bhosle dubbed Sanjeev Kumar's remaining dialogues. Shekar Suman and Dalip Tahil were added in the film after Sanjeev Kumar's death. Amitabh Bachchan narrated the film and he paid tribute to Sanjeev Kumar in the last scene of the film. Asha Parekh and Padmini Kolapure also acted in the leading roles.

Shyam:

During this time the most noted actors were Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar and Shyam was lesser popular when compared to them as he passed away at an early age.

1950s actor Shyam lost his life during the shooting itself, unfortunately during the filming of film Shabistan, he fell down while riding the horse in an action sequence, he got a serious head injury and he passed away at the age of 31 years in 1951.

His final scenes were completed by using body double with a similar height and filmed from a distance in the dark. The film had totally 8 songs, Naseem Banu was the leading actress, actors like Murad, Cuckoo, Helen & others acted in the film and Bibuthi Mitra directed the film.

Rishi Kapoor:

Rishi Kapoor had passed away during the filming of Sharmaji Namkeen due to his illness in 2020, later actor Paresh Rawal completed his remaining scenes.

This became the first example in Hindi film industry of two actors performing the same character simultaneously. Juhi Chawla, Satish Kaushik, Sheeba Chaddha and others acted in the film. The film received positive response for performances and direction, especially Rishi Kapoor widely got praised for his good acting.

Malayalam actor Krishnan Nair or popularly known as Jayan died in 1980 in a tragic way during the filming at the age of 41 years.

During the shooting of the climax scene of the film Kolilakkam, he was performing a dangerous stunt scene of boarding an airborne Bell 47 from a moving motorbike driven by Sukumaran. The director accepted the shot in the first take but Jayan was not satisfied and he asked for re-take. During the re-take the helicopter lost its balance and it crashed down alongwith Jayan who was hanging on to the landing skids, due to serious injuries he lost his breath.

Jayan is considered as the first and the most successful action hero of the Malayam Cinema.

This action thriller film was completed by using body double for the remaining few scenes of Jayan and mimicry artist Alleppey Ashraf dubbed his dilalouges. The film was released in 1981, P. M. Sundaram directed the film, alongside Jayan, Madhu and Sukumaran acted in the film. It was box office hit and the remake of Hindi film Waqt.

Divya Bharti:

Regarding this actress most of the people are very much aware of, Divya Bharti died in a tragic way in 1993 at the age of 19 years by falling from the balcony of her 5th floor apartment. At that time she was signed and was acting in several films and she was replaced by other actresses.

During that time she was also filming for Telugu film Toli Muddu alongwith Prashant, after her sudden death, actress Ramba who slightly resembled Divya Bharti completed her remaining scenes and Roja Ramani dubbed her voice. The film was released after 6 months of her demise and it was the remake of Hindi film Dil, it was a commercial hit and was also dubbed in Tamil as Ilan Nenje Vaa.

So, the above are the actors whose films got completed even after their unfortunate demises in the middle of the filming. Most of them had passed away at an young age and their untimely demise had become a big loss for the particular film industries.

What are three of Dilip Kumar’s most iconic films?

 The legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s three most iconic films among his several iconic films are:

Devdas:

Dilip Kumar’s acting in this film is considered as one among his best performances. It has been included in the list of Top 25 Must See Bollywood Films. Dilip Kumar's acting is one of the 25 Greatest Performances of the Indian Cinema.

Devdas was released in 1955, Dilip Kumar was in the titular role alongside side Suchitra Sen as Parvathi / Paru and Vyjayanthimala as Chandramukhi. It was directed and produced by Bimal Roy. This film won National Film Award and Dilip Kumar won the Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Mughal-e-Azam:

It was released in 1960. This film revolves around the love story of Mughal Prince Salim and the court dancer Anarkali. Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala were in the leading roles. K. Asif directed and produced the film. The film had broken all box-office records and remained as the highest grossing Indian film for 15 years. It was the most expensive Indian film made until then. It received numerous awards, highly got praised from the audience and the critics for its grand settings and standout performances of the main cast.

Mughal-e-Azam was the first Hindi black and white film which was digitally coloured and the first film which was re-released in theatres. This film is considered as one of the greatest and the most successful films of Bollywood.

In the same year, Dilip Kumar was nominated for 2 Filmfare Awards for two films Mughal-e-Azam and Kohinoor and he won Filmfare for the film Kohinoor.

Shakti :

In this film a great performance was given by Dilip Kumar as DCP Ashwini Kumar, a honest police officer who did the role of a father for Amitabh Bachchan. This is the only film in which the two legendary actors, Dilip Kumar and Amitabh Bachchan starred together.

Shakti was released in 1982. Ramesh Sippy directed the film, Rakhee, Smita Patil were also in the leading roles. Shakti is considered as one of the greatest films of the Indian cinema.

Dilip Kumar’s performance in the film Shakti remains in the viewer's heart, he won Filmfare Award for Best Actor.

Dilip Kumar had given outstanding performances in almost all his films. He did different types of roles as a leading hero and also in character roles. In character roles too he was striking on the screen in front of his fellow actors. His super quality performances are always memorable and they go on impressing the audience. He became the inspiration for several actors and they want to follow the footsteps of Dilip Kumar. Rarely film industries get actors like Dilip Kumar. It's very difficult to chose his 3 most iconic films because his every film looks like an iconic film and his acting in every film is iconic.

Dilip Kumar had acted in 57 films, some of his other iconic films are Andaz in 1949, Daag in 1952, Naya Daur in 1957, Madhumati in 1958, Kohinoor in 1960, Gunga Jumna in 1961, Kranti in 1981 and Karma in 1986.

What are some examples of other films where the music outshone the movie itself in Bollywood?

 There are many films where the film becomes a massive success because of its music. Examples being -

Love Story (1981)- earned 5.75 crores, Golden Jubilee Hit, Blockbuster. Became one of the best debut for an actor with Kumar Gaurav becoming an instant star.

Bettaab (1983)- earned 6.75 crores, Blockbuster Hit. Sunny Deol became an instant star with the film. Directed by the same Rahul Rawail who directed Love Story.

Hero (1983)- 6.25 crores, Blockbuster Hit. Launched the careers of Jackie Shroff and Meenakshi Seshadri in bollywood

Pyar Jhukta Nahi (1985)- a film which was delayed by 2 years, no distributor was ready to buy the film, music released by a new company called T Series, became such a big musical success that the film ended up becoming a blockbuster Hit with a collection of 4.50 crores

Lal Dupatta Malmal ka (1988)- the film was originally conceived only as an album but the album became such a big hit that they made a film for it and released it directly on casettes. Sold more than 1 lakh video casettes.

Aashiqi (1990)- Again this was conceived as an album but Mahesh Bhatt asked T series to give him the songs for a movie. Result was an extraordinary album which sold more than 2 crores copies. The film was also a massive success with a collection of 4 crores. It was followed by series of such musicals like Sajan (1991), Deewana (1992), Dil hai ki Manta Nahi (1991) etc

Rang (1993)- The last film of Divya Bharti, the last hit of Jeetendra and the only hit of Kamal Sadanah. Reason- beautiful music on the basis of which the film got success.

The second category of films is where the music becomes popular but not the film. So you know the song very well but not the film.

Chalte Chalte (1976): Nobody remembers this film or its hero Vishal Anand but the music was a chartbuster including songs like Pyar me Kabhi Kabhi Aisa ho jaata hai and Chalte chalte mere ye Geet yaad rakhna etc. People listen to these songs but don't know the film.

Waisa bhi Hota hai Part 2 (2003)- There is no part 1 both parts are in the same film. This is a film which is only known for its music and it has two very popular songs even though I bet hardly anyone knows that the songs are from this film. The music was composed by Vishal Shekhar. The first good song is “Sajna Aa bhi Jaa” a romantic song that became popular. And the second song is very very popular. It is called “Allah ke Bande Hans de” sung by Kailash Kher. Many people think that this song is from Kailash kher’s album but the song is in this film and Kailash Kher also features in the film.

What are your top ten most re-watchable films?

 There are more than 10 movies to tell about, so I will tell as many as possible.

1). Hera Pheri

All time favorite, I watch it whenever I feel like it, it never gets boring.

2). PHIR HERA PHERI

Comedy with great humour

3) TITANIC.

the unsinkable ship

4). SPIDER MAN 2002

Pure Goosebumps

5). 3 𝘐𝘥𝘪𝘰𝘵𝘴

"All is well"

6). Munna Bhai M.B.B.S.

When a goon studies to be a doctor.

“Aey….Mamuu”

7). Euro trip 18+

Scott travels to Europe with his friends during the school holidays to confess his feelings to his German girlfriend.

8).The lion king

"Hakuna Matata!"

9). Golmaal: fun unlimited

10). Sholay

A Cult Classic

“Kitne…..Aadmi the?”

11). Gangs of Wasseypur

part1 and part2 16+

"Yeh Wasseypur hai... yahaan kabootar bhi ek pankh se udta hai, aur doosre se izzat bachata hai!"

12). Dangal

“Mari chhorriyan chhoro se kam hai ke”

13). M.S.Dhoni: the Untold story

True Inspiration,I almost watched this masterpiece 15+ time. No one can Replace Shushant singh.

14). Bhag Milkha bhaag

How can this movie stay behind when it comes to inspiration?

“Dhoodh milega…. dhooddh”

15). Malamaal Weekly 2006

When the winner of the lottery jackpot of Rs 1cr dies.

16). HUNGAMA

17). Bajrangi Bhaijaan

How a man takes a mute little girl to Pakistan to find her parents. I was in tears seeing the climax.

18). S/O Satyamurthy

A son's love for his father and lots of comedy with action

I Watched atleast 20 times

19). Taqdeer

A Sweet love story

20). Fidaa

21). Sita Ramam

When a soldier falls in love with a queen but does not find out until the end that she was a queen.

it Is that all, no there is more but now it's your turn