Moushumi Chatterjee Puns

Successful movies which are adored by the fans tend to get remade for newer generations over a period of time but it is a rarity that an unsuccessful movie gets revisited. A Kishore Kumar starrer “Do Dooni Chaar" from 1968 which bombed at the box office got remade into one of the most successful comedies of all time in 1982 because of its writer’s resolve to adapt this masterpiece from the bard. Just like its title “Angoor” (Grapes) the movie was sweet and sour and tickled the audience's funny bone to become one of the most iconic comedies of its era.

Angoor (1982)
Directed by Gulzar
Produced by Jai Singh
Starring - Sanjeev Kumar, Deven Verma, Moushumi Chatterjee, Deepti Naval and Aruna Irani
Written by Gulzar based on Shakespeare’s play "The Comedy of Errors"
Music by R.D. Burman
Budget/Box Office - NA/INR 1.5 Crore (INR 25 Crore Adjusted for Inflation)
Awards - Filmfare award for best comedian
IMDB Rating - 8.3/10 
RT Rating - 89% 
My Rating - 9/10

Gulzar had adapted Shakespeare’s play “The Comedy of Errors” in 1968 with Kishore at the helm but the movie had a disappointing run at the box office. Gulzar was extremely disappointed that his interpretation of the Bard’s famous play was largely ignored by the audiences. In the 70s, Gulzar became a highly acclaimed director and created a long list of critically and commercially successful movies, winning audience praise along with National and Filmfare Awards. However the end of the 70s and beginning of 80s wasn’t as auspicious for Gulzar as his movies started to fizzle out at the box office and with critics. That is when he decided to come back with a bang with another re-adaptation of “Do Dooni Chaar” and finally do justice to one of the funniest works penned by the world’s greatest writer.

Like the saying goes, "You are only as good as your last performance”. Gulzar wasn’t hot property in Bollywood in the early 80s after a couple of weak entries at the box office. When he started to look for producers for “Angoor” there were no takers. No one wanted to invest in the next Gulzar movie, especially a remake of a flop movie that he had written. As fate would have it, Gulzar’s script landed at the doorstep of Jai Singh, a Shakespeare aficionado whose favorite stories included “The comedy of errors”. The masterstroke by Gulzar was his amazing casting of his favorite leading man, Sanjeev Kumar along with the comic genius of Deven Verma a

One of the most popular actors of the early 1970s, Anil Dhawan resurfaced in Sriram Raghavan's thriller Andhadhun.

The 72-year-old actor played yesteryear star Pramod Sinha who loves watching his old movie hits till something ghastly happens to him.

Andhadhun brought back many memories about the actor whose hit songs 'Yeh Jeevan Hai' from Piya Ka Ghar (1972) and 'Teri Galiyon Mein' from Hawas (1974) were part of the movie's background score.

Your daughter asked you to sign Andhadhun.

My daughter Shilpa interned with Sriram Raghvan after graduation and she would tell me how talented he was.

A few years ago, Sriram came for my daughter's birthday and he casually said we would meet soon. One day, I got a call to meet him. When I did, he narrated a story. I was the backdrop of the story, so I said yes immediately.

What was the preparation you did for the role?

I did not want to wear a cap. I told him, I have hair. I don't want to wear it. But he insisted. When I wore it and looked at myself in the mirror, I had a different look. I was okay with it.

I gave them my film posters, solo pictures and pictures with other stars... the posters and pictures you see in the film belong to me.

What feedback did you get?

The critics were writing so well about me, I was shocked! My phone didn't stop ringing!

This is the biggest tribute for a senior actor.

Now, I can pack up. People will remember this. Why should I do anything else now? I am most satisfied after this film.

What was it like working with Tabu?

She was a kid when she debuted (Hum Naujawan in 1985). I met her then.

After that, we have met so many times - she and her sister Farah have grown up in front of me. She worked in a film with my brother (David Dhawan). We became close then.

Tell us about yourself.

I am from Lucknow. My father worked in UCO Bank and was often transferred. It was not possible for us to travel with him all the time, so we stayed in Kanpur. I thought Kanpur had nothing for me.

I knew I was good looking. I was inspired by Jeetendra, and that's when I thought about acting. But you cannot tell anyone that you want to act - they will make fun of you.

One day I read about an FTII course in the newspapers. I gave the entrance test without telling anyone at home. I thought I had no chance, but I passed. My father was very supportive.

I was an introvert, and scared of failure. Yet, I decided that I would never go back to Kanpur, even if I did

What's monsoon without some piping hot chai, bhajias and some Kishore Kumar melodies playing in the background.

I am sure you may have heard of these iconic Kishoreda songs, but did you know the interesting tidbits behind these unforgettable monsoon songs?

Rim Jhim Gire Saawan - Manzil (1979)

Possibly one of the first songs which pop up in our mind when it rains, ‘Rim Jhim Gire Sawan’ is the ultimate homage to Mumbai’s monsoons. There are two versions of this timeless musical gem. Kishoreda’s soulful rendition and Lata Mangeshkar’s up-tempo one. It’s the latter which plays in the background as Amitabh Bachchan and Moushumi Chatterjee frolic in the rains near the famous Queen's Necklace and Oval Maidan.

To lend authenticity to the song, director Basu Chatterjee chose not to use a rain machine, but instead filmed the song during the Mumbai rains. There was no choreography involved, so the relatively newbie actors did whatever they felt was best, adding to the authenticity. This improvisation is evident from Moushumi’s running eyeliner (this was before waterproof eyeliners were a thing) and the pair’s natural mannerisms!

Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si - Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi (1958)

We can all agree that ‘Ek Ladki Bheegi Bhaagi Si’ is one of the most iconic rain songs in Bollywood. But did you know that this song is a recreation of the song Sixteen Tons by Tennessee Ernie Ford? Kishoreda was a great fan of country music (as is attested by his yodeling skills) and it is said that S.D. Burman recreated this song on Kishoreda’s express request!

And what a recreation this is! The genius of S.D. Burman and the singing prowess of Kishore Kumar managed to turn this relatively simple melody into a peppy tune that barely sounds like the original but is hummable, nonetheless. What’s especially notable is the way Kishoreda’s playful voice alternates in tempo throughout this lively tune. The mischief in his voice perfectly complementing his impish antics on screen!

Roop Tera Mastana - Aradhana (1969)

‘Roop Tera Mastana’ signaled many changes that would take place in Bollywood in the 70s. It made the film’s hero Rajesh Khanna the nation’s heartthrob. It also brought Kishoreda back into the limelight after being overshadowed by Mohd. Rafi, earning him his first Filmfare award for playback singing.

An interesting fact about the song is that it was shot in just one take! The reason wasn’t aesthetics, but practicality. The crew was pressed for time as the se

1. Did you know that the original choice for the title role was not Deepika Padukone? It was Parineeti Chopra. Shoojit went to Parineeti to play the Big B’s beleaguered daughter in Piku. But PC Jr argued she was already doing a father-daughter film Daawat-e-Ishq. Director Shoojir Sircar shrugged and rang Deepika’s doorbell. As luck would have it, Daawat-e-Ishq bombed. Piku was a cult success. Daane-daane pe likha hota hai khane wale ka naam. Same goes for roles.

2. Irrfan Khan who played Rana Chowdhary preferred Shoojit Sircar over Ridley Scott. In 2014 Irrfan opted out of the Ridley Scott sci-fi spectacle The Martian which later released to raves. Ridley Scott is the director of such futuristic classic blockbusters as Alien and Blade Runner. Irrfan had told me, “Yes, I was offered The Martian. The director Ridley Scott and I met. I had a memorable conversation with him. What an inspiring man and talent. He is so many things at the same time and yet he told me he had seen my Lunchbox. I asked him how he could find the time to see films after being a producer, director and so many other things. He said films like Lunchbox were his bedtime stories. Can you believe it?” Speaking of the role that was offered to him Irrfan had said, “It was that of a NASA scientist. While Matt Damon was in outer space my character was very much on earth. But meri baatein hawa mein ho rahi tthi (but I was talking in the air).”

3. Deepika learnt Bengali to play the character Piku Bannerjee. Not that she had to speak much Bengali. But whenever her character was agitated she was required to break into Bangla. Deepika didn’t want to appear fake when breaking into Bengali. Director Shoojit and his wife helped her with her accent and diction. But there was also a proper voice coach on the sets.

4. Amitabh Bachchan’s character Bhaskar Bannerjee was a direct tribute to Hrishikesh Mukherjee’s Anand. In Hrishida’s film Mr Bachchan’s character was named Bhaskar Bannerjee. Shoojit Sircar is a big fan of Hrishida. Which Bengali director is not?

5. Moushumi Chatterjee who played the chatterbox aunt Chobi Mashi returned to Hindi cinema after 8 years. She was persuaded by Shoojit who is a big fan of the actress. She didn’t know his work. So she watched Vicky Donor and Madras Café. He told Moushumi he would scrap the role if she didn’t play it. I doubt that’s true. But Shoojit got what he wanted.

[Link](https://www.google.ca/amp/s/www.bollywoodhungama.com/v/s/www.bollywoodhungama.com/amp

Harikishan Giri Goswami was a big Dilip Kumar fan who would take on the name of a character played by his idol in the movie “Shabnam” as his stage name “Manoj Kumar”. Initially dubbed as the poor man’s Dilip Kumar due to his similar style, he would gradually create his own identity as a director - producer - actor of several patriotic movies in which he played a role by a name which would become synonymous with him “Bharat Kumar”. His directorial debut “Upkar” which I reviewed earlier introduced the character of Bharat Kumar and contained a storyline and songs which screamed patriotism. He would return to the character of Bharat Kumar in the 70s with two tales of patriotism. For his first tale he would arrive at the doorstep of his idol “Dilip Kumar” who was excited to work with this new director when his audience had flocked towards the new superstar Rajesh Khanna. So he was disappointed to hear that Bharat Kumar had knocked at his door not to offer Dilip Kumar a role but actually to ask for his wife “Saira Bano”. Dilip Kumar was further shocked when he heard the story which required his wife to smoke, drink and wear really small and tight western outfits. Manoj promised Dilip two things - Firstly that Saira was the only actress who could play this role and her story would be an inspiration to the nation and Secondly that he would return later that decade to cast his idol in his magnum opus. Bharat Kumar kept both his promises as Saira played an exceptional role for his next movie as Bharat called “Purab and Paschim” and he returned to cast Dilip Kumar in his mega starrer Bharat epic “Kranti” at the end of the decade. “Purab aur Paschim” is regarded as a trendsetter for patriotic movies set in modern India with a flavor of migrant NRIs. The movie was originally titled “Hare Rama Hare Krishna” but Manoj Kumar would give the title to Dev Anand who wanted the name for his next directorial venture. Hence Manoj Kumar’s east meets west tale would gets a new name “Purab Aur Paschim”.

Bharat Kumar would go back to his Upkar composers and singers to create the music for “Purab Aur Paschim”. The album begins with a prayer as Mahendra Kapoor, Brij Bhushan, Shyama and Chorus sing “Om Jai Jagdish Hare”. This is followed by Mahendra Kapoor’s epic patriotic song of the album “Dulhan Chali Han Pahan Chali, Teen Rang Ki Choli, Baahon Mein Lahraaye Ganga Jamuna, Dekhe Duniya Doli”. This is Bharat Kumar’s true patriotic masterpiece as he brilliantly uses symbolism in lyric

Do your worst!

Zanjeer's angry young man became the distinguished gentleman in the late 90s and early 2000s before settling into the shoes of the eccentric and delightful senior citizen of Bollywood. His illustrious career has been rewarded with 4 National Awards, 16 Filmfare Awards, Dada Saheb Phalke and countless other awards in the last 50 years. Another gem in the crown of Bollywood’s Shahenshah is his funny and odd elderly in Shoojit Sircar’s masterpiece “Piku”.

Piku (2015)
Directed by Shoojit Sircar
Produced by N.P. Singh, Ronnie Lahiri and Sneha Rajani
Starring - Amitabh Bachchan, Deepika Padukone and Irrfan Khan
Written by Juhi Chaturvedi
Music by Anupam Roy
Budget/Box Office - Rs 30 Crore/Rs 171 Crore
Awards - 3 National Awards, 5 Filmfare awards and multiple International Film Festival Awards
IMDB Rating - 7.6/10 
RT Rating - 89%
My Rating - 9/10

Shoojit always visualized Big B and Irrfan in the lead roles for Piku but his original choice for the titular role of Piku was Parineeti Chopra. Parineeti liked the script but declined to work on the movie since she was already doing a movie exploring the Father-Daughter relationship in Daawat-E-Ishq. On the other hand Irrfan Khan was in talks with Ridley Scott for a role in "The Martian" with Matt Damon but chose Piku over the Hollywood master’s blockbuster. Daawat-E-Ishq flopped and Parineeti still repents not doing Piku. The Martian became a huge success but Irrfan was happier with his performance in Piku than the African American actor Chiwetel Ejiofor take on the role of the Indian Vincent Kapoor written for Irrfan.

Shoojit honored his idol and master film maker Hrishikesh Mukherjee by using Big B’s character name “Bhaskar Banerjee" from the Maestro’s “Anand” in Piku. He also persuaded the legendary Bengali actress from yesteryears Moushumi Chatterjee to make a comeback in this movie. Moushumi who hadn’t worked for almost a decade had no interest in returning to movies but Shoojit told her that the role of Piku’s Maasi exists only if she agrees to play Big B’s chatterbox sister in law, otherwise he will scrap the role. Moushumi watched Shoojit’s previous movies, visualized the relevance of the role and agreed to return to the silver screen for one more chance to share the screen with her hero of multiple movies.

Piku played by Deepika Padukone is an Independent Modern Bengali girl living in Delhi with her eccentric, hypochondriac widower

A masterpiece like this comes once in a lifetime where each character big and small is drawn with such detail and perfection, which has such memorable dialogues that each generation continues to quote them and has songs so iconic that are still hummed by all. We know all it's characters - Veeru, Jai, Thakur, Gabbar, Basanti, Radha, Mausi, Kaalia, Sambha. Ramlal, Hariram Naai, Soorma Bhopali, Angrezo ke Zamaane Ke Jailor, Imaam Saheb, Ahmed and even the horse Dhano. We have repeated it’s countless iconic dialogues many many times - "Yeh Haath Humko De De Thakur", "Tera Kya Hoga Kaaliya", "Jo Darr Gaya, Samjho Mar Gaya", "Kitne Aadmi The", "Arre Oh Sambhaa!", "Loha Garam Hai, Maar Do Hathoda", "Tumhara Naam Kya Hai Basanti", "Bhaag Dhanno Bhaag", "Basanti! Inn Kutto Ke Samne Matt Naachna", "Hum Angrezo Ke Zamaane Ke Jailor Hai", "Aadhe Idhar Jaayo Aadhe Udhar Jaayo Aur Baaki Hamaare Saath Aao", "Itna Sanata Kyo Hai Bhai", "Holi Kab Hai, Kab Hai Holi" and Veeru’s memorable monologue, "When I dead, police coming ... police coming, Budhiya going jail ... in jail Budhiya chakki peesing, and peesing, and peesing, and peesing, and peesing". Whether it’s Gabbar’s entry, his capture, his revenge, his end, Jai talking about Veeru’s virtues with Mausi, Veeru’s tankee scene, the big reveal of Thakur’s secret, Soorma Bhopali’s tall tales, Asrani’s Jailor and Jai’s iconic death scene which made every fan cry. This was the perfect storm of talent when the director, actors, writing duo, music director, legendary singers and lyricist all reached the pinnacle of their powers at the same time. BBC recognized this movie as the film of the Millennium, Filmfare recognized it as the best film of last 50 years. It became the 3rd highest grossing Indian movie of all times earning INR 1,500 crore. The Best Bollywood movie of all time is none other than the Masterpiece “Sholay”. One of my favorite movies, which I have seen countless times in multiple countries and multiple languages.

There are so many tidbits about the movie that books have been written about this masterpiece and one review can never do it justice. It’s origin was Akira Kurosawa’s Seven Samurai and Sergio Leone’s spaghetti westerns which inspired buddies Salim Javed to write a story which was met by rejection after rejection in Bollywood till it landed in the lap of famous producer G.P Sippy’s son’s Ramesh Sippy. Fresh of his success from Andaz and Seeta aur Geeta, he saw tremendous potential in the story. Ramesh wa