Do you agree with A.R. Rahman's recent hint that "communal" factors might be a reason for his reduced work in Hindi cinema or is this simply a result of changing market trends?

 

Do you agree with A.R. Rahman's recent hint that "communal" factors might be a reason for his reduced work in Hindi cinema or is this simply a result of changing market trends?

It is just changing market trends

When Rahman was at his prime

• An Average film dedicated 24–36 minutes soundtrack, with 4–6 songs to a theatrical release
• 80% of revenues from Music Rights came from Cassettes (1988–2001)/CDs (2001–2009)/DVDs (2009–2015)
• RR or BGM was never monetized and was regarded an extra
• The Average listener happily spent a full 3 :30 minutes to 6:20 minutes listening to a song he liked
• Rahman was the ONLY music director who owned rights to his songs & leased them for 2–5 years (From Rangeela)
• Music contributed 8% to 15% of a films profits (Devdas for instance broke into profits solely because of its soundtrack)
• A Typical movie had 2 very popular songs, 2 mid wave songs

This is a fully different world now

• An Average film has only 6–12 minutes of barely 1–2 songs to a theatrical release
• 80% revenue comes from Streaming Download revenue sharing, Caller Tune revenue sharing, YouTube Revenue Sharing & Platform revenue sharing
• BGM forms a huge chunk of music revenue (90% of Kingdoms music for instance was it's BGM)
• The Average listener listens to maybe 1–2 minutes of music with concentration
• Every music director owns his songs and leases rights for 1–3 years now
• Music does not contribute to movie revenue except in rare cases. It's like what SAMBAR is TO MASALA DOSA rather than THE MASALA WAS ten to fifteen years ago
• A Typical movie has ONE VERY POPULAR SONG (Monica in Jailer, Kutty story in Master) or Two at most.

Rahman in this world is seen as how Matthew Hayden or Tendulkar are seen in Cricket

A Legend who rocked for 30 years but is now 60 years and is PAST HIS PRIME and geared for a graceful retirement

His Library alone is worth ₹150–250 Crore plus his Panchanathan Studio property around ₹50 Crore

He is a legend and he lost only to TIME

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This isn't new

Music Directors are not permanent

The once legendary Pancham Da, who had big directors and producers drive to his studio and meet him, and who once worked 350 days a year - ended his days with his credit being refused at his favorite bar and restaurant, his Mercedes being sold (Later purchased back by Vidhu Vinod Chopra and gifted back to him) & being forced to ask for work to new generation film makers

Ilaiyaraja, MSV, Jatin Lalit, Anu Malik have all had their glory days

None lasted 30 years like Rahman did

That's JOHN WILLIAMS level of legend!!!

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Music Directors go with their Clients

Rahmans biggest clients are shadows of their past selves

• Mani Ratnam
• Shankar
• Aamir Khan
• Ram Gopal Varma
• Asutosh Gowariker
• Rakesh Omprakash Mehra

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Communalism is absolutely a No No

Rahman,a Muslim composed the Soundtrack of CHAAVA, a film that absolutely endorsed Hindutvava

That alone says a LOT on Communalism in Bollywood

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India is beset with Communal nonsense but Bollywood is still SO FAR A BUSINESS

Yes there is Jingo patriotism becausea lot of the Audience are Jingos ..

Not because the Industry is becoming communal

Not yet

Can you name some Hindi songs that mention brand names?

 There are many songs that mention brand names. Sharing a song which has brand names as well as the product displayed.

The song is, “We are made for each other” from the film “Love”, starring Salman Khan and Revathi (1991).

The entire song is just like an advertisement sponsor program which is beautifully intertwined with the song. Some of the brands mentioned in the song are:

Garden Sarees, Vimal Suitings, Colgate, Old Spice, Nivea, Thums Up, Amul Shrikhand, Coldarin etc.

The above mentioned products are used by the characters while expressing their feelings and care for each other.

Besides this, there are many songs where certain product placements are done or brand names are used include Rangeela Re song from Rangeela where Aditya Narayan renders a few lines mentioning names like Cadbury, Amul, Complan and Horlicks.

Other than this Fevicol Se (Dabangg 2), Tere chumme mein Chawanprash (Bhavesh Joshi Superhero), Zandu Balm (Munni - Dabangg 2), Tu meri hai Pepsi Cola, Main tera hoon Coca Cola (Tan Tana Tan Tan Tan Tara - Judwaa) are a few mentions.

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

How does Hindu Gods family tree look like?

 Lord Vishnu sleeps in the cosmic ocean. Vishnu’s sister is Adi Shakti whose husband is Lord Shiva. From his navel appears a lotus and on top of it, sits Brahma. Brahma is the creator of the universe and the grandfather of all gods. His mindborn sons are the Saptarishis, Sanaka Kumara, Daksha, Narada and Rudra. Atri married Anusuya and had Durvasa, Chandra, Dattatreya as sons. Bhrigu married Khyati and had Shukracharya as a son. Vashistha married Arundhati and was a Brahmarishi. Vishwamitra was a Brahmarishi too and gave the Gayatri Mantra. Gautama married Ahalya who was redeemed by Rama. Jamdagni married Renuka and Parshuram was their child.

Prajapati Daksha’s thirteen daughters were married to Kashyap. One was Aditi and another was Diti. Aditi had 12 sons named Adityas or Devas and was the mother of Upendra, Indra, Surya, Agni, Varuna, Tvashta and all the other Devas. These Devas had sons in Mahabharata. One of the Adityas, Manu had a whole lineage of Suryavansh in Ramayana and grandfather of Dhruva. Diti had sons named Hiranyaksha and Hiranyakashyap. Hiranyaksha had an adopted son named Andhaka who was originally the son of Mahadev. Hiranyaksha was killed by Varaha Avatar and his brother by Narsimha. Hiranyakashyap’s son was Prahlada who was the Daityaraja. Prahlada’s son was Virochana. Virochana’s son was Bali. For Bali, arrived Upendra Avatar of Vishnu. Bali’s son was Banasura whose daughter was married to Krishna’s grandson. Kashyapa had wives Kadru and Vinata who were the mothers of Snakes and Garuda respectively. Any personality or figure in Hinduism is definetely related somehow to Brahma’s family.

What are some suspense or mystery genre Hindi songs?

 Few mentions are :

Kahin Deep Jale Kahin Dil - Bees Saal Baad: Highly melodious, highly mysterious song.

The song has the feeling of love, separation and mystery. It's a very important part of the film. It acts as a siren song of the film.

The opening, “oh oh oh oh oh oh”, are enough to give you goosebumps.

Jhoom Jhoom Dhalti Raat - Kohraa: Unique mystery song which appears in the beginning of the film. Kohra means fog.

Waheeda Rehman and the ghostly character are shown in white with long shots in a mansion which adds up to the impact of the song.

The actress in the song is unknown to the audiences as her face is never shown in the movie. Later the hero of the movie Biswajit revealed that she was a lesser known Anglo Indian actor - Thelma.

Naina Barse Rimjhim - Woh Kaun Thi?:

A short version of the song just comes before the titles are displayed and it grips the viewers.

The song is known for its haunting melody, melancholic beauty and emotive rendition by Lata Mangeshkar.

Longing, sadness, pain of unspoken love, sense of sadness, the song perfectly complements the film's storyline with elements of romance and the supernatural.

Aayega Aane Wala - Mahal : This song is considered as one of the most effective picturised song of yesteryears.

The song is used as a recurring theme in the film and acts as a signature tune for the ghostly women picturised along with looming shadows, swinging chandeliers and a mysterious lady.

There are a few lines in the beginning of the song before the song actually begins. The picturisation and camera angles of those lines are sheer brilliance.

Gumnaam Hai Koi - Gumnaam : Overall this has to be numero uno in the list of mystery songs.

The song is picturised on all the main characters of the film.

The mysterious lyrics by Hasrat Jaipuri, the visuals, the melody of Shankar Jaikishan and the mesmerizing voice of Lata Mangeshkar create an enchanting aura throughout the song.

Personal opinion, might differ.

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

What is the most iconic Hindi movie dialogue you have ever heard?

 

1. “Maine kaha tha na, team banane ke liye taakat nahi ... niyat chahiye”

English: As I told you, to make a team we don't need strength but the intention.

Chak De India is not only an inspirational sports film but has won number of awards ,including the National Film Award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment. It contains many inspirational dialogues which had made the film heavier in sentiments.

Dialogues written by Mr. Jaideep Shanni had made it a revolution.

2. “Jo nahin ho sakta ... wahi tho karna hai”

English: What is not possible ... is what I want to do

3. “Injury hai, jaate jaate jayegi”

English: It is an injury, it will go away slowly

4. “Pehli baar kisi gore ko India ka tiranga leharate hue dekh raha hoon”

English: For the first time I am seeing a white guy raising the Indian flag

5. “Apne hi desh mein mehmaan bankar koi khush kaise ho sakta hai”

English: How can one be happy by becoming a guest in their own country.

6. “Marr ke aayenge ... lekin haar ke nahi aayenge”

English: We will die and come ... but we will not loose and come.

What message is being conveyed in the Hindi movie Guide?

 Will not discuss the story but Guide has several messages like faith, salvation, aspiration etc but above all it conveys the message of transformation that one goes throughout his life.

Dev Anand (Raju) as a Guide, involves in forging, goes to jail, supports a woman, falls in love, inspires her, becomes a sage etc. All this shows that there is a good and evil within us and it depends on us as to which side we want to grow.

The movie inspires us that our quest to be a better person should go on. Raju becomes a sage when he realises that he has cheated Rosy. The villagers start blindly believing in him and have many expectations from him.

Instead of getting corrupt he feels a sense of responsibility within him and the faith of the villagers awakens him as a great person. He is worshipped as God by the villagers.

Unable to break their faith he sacrifices his life. Finally it rains in the drought hit village. The villagers rejoice in the rain which is also a reflection of Raju's tears that their faith has won.

Somewhere it also tries to say that the problems of others can also help you to lift yourself as a person and their cause can provide you the ultimate awakening.

Personal opinion, might differ.

Image Courtesy: Google

Which is the first CinemaScope movie of Hindi and also Indian cinema?

 It’s none other than Guru Dutt’s melancolic masterpiece Kaagaz Ke Phool which released in 1959.

The film which is considered a cult classic marked a technical revolution in Indian cinematography. Along with cameraman V.K. Moorthy, Guru Dutt was able to showcase stunning visuals. through the cinemascope format.

The artistic use of light and shadow generated a great film through the cinemascope format which produces a widescreen picture using an anamorphic lens.

Guru Dutt had promised full creative liberty to VK Murthy regardless of the time it consumed. Anamorphic lenses were brought from abroad for this ambitious project.

The film was a commercial failure but gained popularity with time. As Raj Kapoor had rightly commented to Guru Dutt, “You have produced the picture 15 years too early.”

Image(s) Courtesy: Google

How did Divya Bharti manage to star in over a dozen hit films in just one year, setting an unbroken record in Hindi cinema?

 Not true actually. Divya Bharti acted in a dozen Hindi films in just the year 1992–93 including 10 hindi films in 1992 (In Bollywood the record is hold by Reena Roy who had 13 releases in 1982).

Out of those 10 hindi films in 1992

Deewana Superhit

Shola aur Shabnam Superhit

Vishwatma Above Average

Balwan Above Average

Dil hi Dil me Disaster

Dil ka Kya kasoor Disaster

Dil Aashna hai Flop

Dushman Zamana Disaster

Geet Flop

Jaan se Pyara Average

So she had 4 hits out of 10 in 1992. She also had 2 releases in South making her total films in 1992 to 12.

In 1993 she had 3 more releases before her unfortunate d**th. She could have done many more films but couldn't and those roles were passed on to others like Mohra, Laadla, Vijay path etc. Her 1993 releases include

Kshatriya Below Average

Shatranj Flop

Rang Superhit

In total she delievered 5 successful films in Hindi cinema out of 13 total films. This is not really a record as Reena Roy had 8 successes inn1982 and Hema Malini had an unbroken streak of 9 hits. But Divya Bharti was an exceptional talent which was cut short.

Which was Bobby Deol first Hindi Bollywood film?

 Bobby Deol’s first Bollywood film as a child artist is Dharam Veer in 1977 and as a leading hero his first Bollywood film is Barsaat in 1995.

Bobby Deol made his debut as a leading hero in 1995 opposite Twinkle Khanna in the romantic action film Barsaat.

Barsaat is also the debut film of Twinkle Khanna. Rajkumar Santhoshi had co-writen and directed the film. Bobby Deol’s father Dharmendra produced the film.

It was a super hit film with the collection of 34 crore against the budget of 8.25 crore. Bobby Deol and Twinkle Khanna did the roles of Badal and Tina and both received Filmfare for Best Male Debut and Best Female Debut respectively.

Before Barsaat, Bobby Deol had acted as a child artist in an action movie Dharam-Veer in 1977. In this film Dharmendra and Jeetendra acted in the leading roles as twin brothers Dharam and Veer. Bobby Deol performed a brief role in the childhood version of his father Dharmendra‘s character. It was a big hit film.