~:*:~ Happy 62nd Independence Day ~:*:~
Sohail Khan & Kisaan Team planning to celebrate 62 independence day in different way
The wind plucked at their hair and tugged at the flag. But Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor were not letting go of the Indian tricolour.
This Independence Day, they aren’t here — a prior commitment will see them, along with Shah Rukh Khan and Katrina Kaif among others, shaking hands, signing autographs and posing for pictures with 50,000 Indians in Chicago. A Meet-and-Greet with Bollywood’s big stars has been organised as an Independence Day treat for Indian fans in the US today and tomorrow, in Chicago and Houston respectively.
Tomorrow is Saif’s birthday... so it will be a double whammy for old fans and new of the actor-producer who is riding a big high with the super success of his first home production. Before they flew to the US on Thursday night, Bollywood’s most photogenic and happening couple waved the flag and said “Jai ho!” to DT readers. They’d have loved to be here today, of course — swine flu notwithstanding, but the fans abroad have been waiting from ever since...
Kareena is used to the flag hoisting scene. As a child, she would hold elder sis Karisma Kapoor’s hand and toddle off to the RK Studios in Chembur in Mumbai where grandfather Raj Kapoor had a ceremony every Independence Day for the children in the family. Holi, rang barse and bhang, Rajji had for the elders! Then, when Karisma entered Bollywood and the sisters stayed with their mother in Lokhandwala, as a girl of nine or ten she used to attend the housing society’s Independence Day functions. But for the last five years, now, she has been out of the country on August 15. And while the patriotic surge is there, the ears strain to catch Jana Gana Mana wherever she is, it’s not the same as being in India on Independence Day.
Saif, on the other hand, remembers early Independence Days spent at the family’s royal seat in Pataudi, Bhopal, where they had their own flag and coat of arms. His father, Mansoor Ali Khan, was the ninth and last Nawab of Pataudi before Indira Gandhi abolished royal entitlements in 1971 by an amendment to the Constitution. The royal flag came down (he remembers it fluttering from his grandmother’s car) and the Indian tricolour came up at Pataudi. Today, despite the royal blood, and over Kareena’s protests that he sometimes acts like a little angrez, MAK Pataudi’s only son is as Indian is his Punjabi lady love. See the pride in their eyes as they wave the flag? That’s what we mean.
This year, Chicago will witnessed a two-day extravagant fun-fair to celebrate India’s Independence Day and big names in Bollywood like Shahrukh Khan, Katrina Kaif, Bipasha Basu, Diya Mirza, Gulshan Grover, Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor will grace the event.
Shahrukh along with Bipasha Basu, Diya Mirza and Gulshan Grover, will attend the event called South Asian Carnival on 15th August. However, Katrina will grace the event on 16th August along with Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor.
Bollywood fans will have a chance to interact with their favourite stars. The carnival will have non-stop musical entertainment.
'Bharat' Kumar's cult movies like Purab Aur Paschim, Kranti, Shaheed, Upkaar are still considered a yardstick for patriotic cinema in Bollywood.
Fondly called ‘Bharat Kumar’, veteran actor Manoj Kumar is one of the first faces that flashes in our minds when we think of patriotic films.
His cult movies like Purab Aur Paschim, Kranti, Shaheed, Upkaar are still considered the yardstick of patriotic cinema in Bollywood.
“My countrymen are so gracious, they liked my work, my character in Upkaar and I was made Bharat Kumar from Manoj. I rejoice in all the love and respect I have received from my audience. To maintain the dignity of this name I have also worked very hard and sacrificed a lot, at various steps of my life,” says Manoj Kumar.
When asked to pick his favorite character from all his onscreen patriotic avataars, he replied, “The feel of patriotism might be the common factor in my onscreen avatars, yet they were all very different from each other. All the characters had different circumstances and faced different challenges, just like two different individuals. I can’t really compare them, all my characters are very close to my heart.”
The legendary actor is disappointed that patriotic films like Rang De Basanti and Chak De India are rare to come by. He says, “I think, by and large, society is moving away from patriotism. There is an old saying, ‘Jab raja bana vyapari, toh praja bani bhikhari’. It applies pretty well in today’s scenario. Today’s youth has no icons, no role models to follow. They really need leaders who can inspire them. Unfortunately, these days politicians are only in the news for scams and arguments in Parliament.”
He adds, “In the recent past we witnessed a movie named Mangal Pandey. The subject of the movie was slightly shallow and hence it failed at the box office. Still, through the movie, people got to know that someone like Mangal Pandey also existed. Rang De Basanti struck bull’s eye and became really popular. I think the first advantage of the movie was its title, which came from the famous song, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. Though the first half of the movie was a little confused, yet it did very well and youngsters praised it. There are very few filmmakers who take up patriotic subjects, but I really think if given a good treatment, people will surely appreciate such cinema in today’s times too. These days everyone is eager to make films that match international standards. I believe if we can really concentrate on national cinema, it would automatically be at par with international films.”
When we asked the yesteryear actor about whom he thinks can portray patriotic roles with ease from today’s Bollywood biggies, it was only one name that came to his mind. “Aamir Khan is definitely the best suited actor for such roles. I really liked him in Taare Zameen Par and Rang De Basanti. In our times be it Raj Kapoor, Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand or Manoj Kumar, each of us had our own area of expertise and catered to different genres of cinema. But these days all actors seem to be doing similar roles. Today, they have no individuality. Therefore, I'll suggest they become a part of respectable and meaningful cinema.”
The veteran actor shared his memories of the first Independence Day of India. “Though every Independence Day is memorable, I can’t forget the day when Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, raised the flag of independent India in Delhi. I remember going to the Red Fort with my father. I was a fortunate young boy who could witness that historic moment, which is still framed in my mind.”
The cult hero concludes with a powerful Independence Day message, “I wish this Independence Day brings joy and prosperity to our country. Only saying Jai Hind thrice with the Prime Minister does not make a country of patriots. In many ways, we are moving forward, but there remains so much to be done. I wish everyone does their own bit. I pray to God to be kind to our country and bless us with good monsoon and good crops.”
His cult movies like Purab Aur Paschim, Kranti, Shaheed, Upkaar are still considered the yardstick of patriotic cinema in Bollywood.
“My countrymen are so gracious, they liked my work, my character in Upkaar and I was made Bharat Kumar from Manoj. I rejoice in all the love and respect I have received from my audience. To maintain the dignity of this name I have also worked very hard and sacrificed a lot, at various steps of my life,” says Manoj Kumar.
When asked to pick his favorite character from all his onscreen patriotic avataars, he replied, “The feel of patriotism might be the common factor in my onscreen avatars, yet they were all very different from each other. All the characters had different circumstances and faced different challenges, just like two different individuals. I can’t really compare them, all my characters are very close to my heart.”
The legendary actor is disappointed that patriotic films like Rang De Basanti and Chak De India are rare to come by. He says, “I think, by and large, society is moving away from patriotism. There is an old saying, ‘Jab raja bana vyapari, toh praja bani bhikhari’. It applies pretty well in today’s scenario. Today’s youth has no icons, no role models to follow. They really need leaders who can inspire them. Unfortunately, these days politicians are only in the news for scams and arguments in Parliament.”
He adds, “In the recent past we witnessed a movie named Mangal Pandey. The subject of the movie was slightly shallow and hence it failed at the box office. Still, through the movie, people got to know that someone like Mangal Pandey also existed. Rang De Basanti struck bull’s eye and became really popular. I think the first advantage of the movie was its title, which came from the famous song, Mera Rang De Basanti Chola. Though the first half of the movie was a little confused, yet it did very well and youngsters praised it. There are very few filmmakers who take up patriotic subjects, but I really think if given a good treatment, people will surely appreciate such cinema in today’s times too. These days everyone is eager to make films that match international standards. I believe if we can really concentrate on national cinema, it would automatically be at par with international films.”
When we asked the yesteryear actor about whom he thinks can portray patriotic roles with ease from today’s Bollywood biggies, it was only one name that came to his mind. “Aamir Khan is definitely the best suited actor for such roles. I really liked him in Taare Zameen Par and Rang De Basanti. In our times be it Raj Kapoor, Dharmendra, Shammi Kapoor, Dev Anand or Manoj Kumar, each of us had our own area of expertise and catered to different genres of cinema. But these days all actors seem to be doing similar roles. Today, they have no individuality. Therefore, I'll suggest they become a part of respectable and meaningful cinema.”
The veteran actor shared his memories of the first Independence Day of India. “Though every Independence Day is memorable, I can’t forget the day when Pt Jawahar Lal Nehru, raised the flag of independent India in Delhi. I remember going to the Red Fort with my father. I was a fortunate young boy who could witness that historic moment, which is still framed in my mind.”
The cult hero concludes with a powerful Independence Day message, “I wish this Independence Day brings joy and prosperity to our country. Only saying Jai Hind thrice with the Prime Minister does not make a country of patriots. In many ways, we are moving forward, but there remains so much to be done. I wish everyone does their own bit. I pray to God to be kind to our country and bless us with good monsoon and good crops.”
Bollywood's hot favorite bachelors Salman Khan and Ranbir Kapoor were bonded well at the shoot of "Veer".
They both were bonded so well at lunch time that they will spend their time together on this Independence Day. Taking time off from his hectic shoot schedules on Aug 15, Salman has arranged a Football match for his family and several friends. He intends to spend the whole day playing Football.
Salman invited Ranbir Kapoor and also his younger brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan. Arbaaz and Sohail are also inviting their friends. He also invited Dino Maurya, Ashish Chaudhary, Vatsal Seth and music composers Sajid-Wajid.Sources revealed that venue of the match is yet not decided but the boys are planning to play at one of the Bandra Grounds.
They both were bonded so well at lunch time that they will spend their time together on this Independence Day. Taking time off from his hectic shoot schedules on Aug 15, Salman has arranged a Football match for his family and several friends. He intends to spend the whole day playing Football.
Salman invited Ranbir Kapoor and also his younger brothers Arbaaz Khan and Sohail Khan. Arbaaz and Sohail are also inviting their friends. He also invited Dino Maurya, Ashish Chaudhary, Vatsal Seth and music composers Sajid-Wajid.Sources revealed that venue of the match is yet not decided but the boys are planning to play at one of the Bandra Grounds.