|
|
|
|
|
Sorry guys, time to move on
|
November 23, 2009
 By Debashine Thangevelo
Before die-hard fans start penning their hate-mail to me, allow me to explain myself.
Firstly, I am in no way undermining Amitabh Bachchan (aka Big B), Sanjay Dutt and Salman Khan's invaluable contributions to the film industry. Nor am I belittling their work. But, going by their films of late, it feels as if they are their own worst enemies right now.
Let's start with Big B. His lanky profile, baritone and debonair personality held him in good stead when he made his debut in Saat Hindustani (1969), a multi-star film, and bagged a National Film Award for Best Newcomer.
Forty years on, he has made the Bachchans a household name around the globe, with son Abhishek making unmistakable in-roads in the industry and doing his dad proud.
Big B's rise to stardom piqued from 1973 until an injury, while performing his own stunts for Coolie (1982), left him out of commission for a while.
He enjoyed a rather short-lived political career between 1984 and 1987 before a career slump saw him go into retirement until 1992. He then made a comeback as a producer and actor in 1996.
It wasn't until the new millennium, though, that the gods of fortune smiled on Big B.
He stepped in as host of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire?, and started to deliver several box-office hits (Mohabattein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham, Baghban, Sarkar, and Black).
That he is a versatile actor, who can slip into any role is a given. But at 67, does he really want to end his career doing mediocre films like Bhoothnath and Aladin?
Film buffs will next see him in Paa, but, if I were to be blunt, he looks frightful in his getup as a 12- year-old boy with a condition that causes him to age at a rapid rate. Maybe sitting back and imparting his wisdom to upcoming actors and directors isn't such a bad idea.
In weathering so many legal storms recently, and that's not forgetting his brief spell in the joint, Dutt is looking the worse for wear. And it shows on camera. I am not even going to get into his villainous character in Aladin, but the time has come for him to leave the action roles to the newcomers.
After 28 years in the industry, the veteran actor, fondly referred to as Munnabhai (after the title of one of his hit films), seems to lack his youthful agility and gusto to play broody characters. Perhaps, he would better serve the film industry as a producer under his home banner, White Feather Films.
Bollywood's resident bad boy, Khan attracted a fair amount of ogling for his shirt-ripping moves in films. But as much as he has been a sex symbol in Tinseltown, he is fast losing that hunk factor. Aside from his string of flops of late (God Tussi Great Ho, Heroes and Yuvvraaj), Khan is looking every bit his 43 years. Anyone who saw London Dreams will have noticed his gaunt expression and receding hairline that's embarrassingly camouflaged by his long locks (hopefully, he will fire his stylist).
Soon to be seen as a warrior in Veer, a period film directed by Anil Sharma, perhaps he should give more thought to taking after his scriptwriter dad Salim - it could be his new niche!
[Email this story...]
[Easy Print...]
|
|
