I Am A Citizen Of The WORLD

The OUTSIDER Always Rules Over Bollywood 

Cinema was introduced to India on July 7, 1896 with Lumiere Brothers’ Cinematography. Over 100 years, Bollywood has grown by leaps and bounds. The viewers are now spread all over the world.

With the passage of time, many filmi families have come into being. The Kapoors, especially Prithviraj and Raj were mass heroes from a dynastic family. But in the last eighty years, it has always been an Outsider, who ruled the masses. The Outsider has always been the Superstar. They had no filmi roots but they became deeply rooted in masses’ psyche.

SOHRAB MODI (1897 – 1984) He was an Indian Parsi stage and film actor, director and producer. Born in Bombay, his first film Khoon ka Khoon (1935) was an adaptation of Hamlet opposite Naseem Bano. He went on to make many more historical films that had audience rooting for him. He did make films based on social issues but he returned to historicals as audience loved him in those. He made his greatest movie Sikander with Prithviraj Kapoor in title role. Modi acted as Porus. He went on to receive Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1980. He remained popular during his lifetime and died of cancer at the age of 88.

PRITHVIRAJ KAPOOR (3.11.06 – 19.05.72) Patriarch of the dynastic Kapoor family, he started his career in the silent era films. Born in Samundri, Lyallpur (Faisalabad), Punjab, with good Punjabi looks, he was well loved in the films. His father, Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor was a cop and had a small role in his film. His paternal grandfather Devan Keshavmal was a great influence on him. In 1928, Prithviraj came over to Bombay from Peshavar. From being an extra to lead roles was a sure but slow journey. Rest as they say was history and the basis for a dynastic family that is now five generations old. Right from Alam Ara, Mughal E Azam to Kal Aaj Aur Kal, he carved a niche for himself.

DILIP KUMAR (b. 11.12.22) was born Muhammad Yusuf Khan at Peshawar, NWFP, British India. A Pathan, he joined his father in his fruit business. The family relocated to Bombay in 1930s. His first film Jwar Bhata (1944) went unnoticed but Jugnu was a hit. Dilip went on to give memorable films like Andaz, Deedar, Amar, Devdas, Madhmati, Mughal E Azam, Ganga Jamuna, Kranti, Shakti, Karma, Saudagar and Qila. He with Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand were known as the trinity of acting. Since 1998 he has retied from the film industry but has been active in public life.

AMITABH BACHCHAN (b. 11.10.1942) Born to poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Suri at Allahabad, UP, Amitabh began his career as an executive in a company in Calcutta. He came to Bombay and debuted in Saat Hindustani (1969). His rise to stardom went on with Anand, Zanjeer, Deewar, Sholay, and many other entertaining films. With a baritone voice and deep brooding looks, he ruled over an entire generation. This angry young man along with Rajesh Khanna turned over a golden period of Hindi cinema. At 66, Bachchan is still a force to reckon with in Hindi films.

SHAHRUKH KHAN (b. 2.11.1965) Popularly known as SRK, King Khan and Badshah of Bollywood, he was born in Delhi. He began his career with TV serials like Fauji and Circus. He made his film debut with Deewana (1992). He arrived with Bazigar, Darr and Anjaam (BAD). He has been the nation’s heartthrob with Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Chak De India, Om Shanti Om, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi among many others. He completes the holy trinity of mighty ‘Khan’daan with Salman and Aamir. At 43, he has been rated as 50 most powerful people in the world.

SHAHID KAPOOR (b. 25.2.1981) was born at Mumbai to Pankaj Kapoor and Neelima Azeem. He is an actor, dancer and model. Beginning with music videos and ads, he made his debut as a background dancer in Taal (1999). Ishq Vishk (2003) saw him as a leading actor. He went on to give hits like Fida, Vivaah and Jab We Met. At 27, he is considered as the most promising and bankable actors in the industry.

AMAN SIDDIQUI (b. 1997) is a child artist, who came into prominence with his first film Bhootnath (2008), where he acted with both Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan. The film went on to be a hit with children. He has done over 40 ads like “Rin Advance” and “Dabur Honey” too. In Eklavya (2007), he has acted as junior Saif Ali Khan. His dad Romi Siddiqui says, Aman has received so many film offers that for the next four years no dates are available. He is currently studying in Class 5. Aman’s beginning has been good. For him, path to stardom has begun quite early. Sky is the limit for him. Watch out for Aman – Darsheel Safary duo.