Manju Warrier’s ‘How Old are You?’ hits theaters on May 17, 2014

It was nothing short of a historic moment for Malayalam cinema when ‘How old are you?’ directed by Rosshan Andrrews hit theatres on 17 May 2014 Friday across Kerala. All Keralites celebrated this event with great enthusiasm as it marked celebrated comeback of the iconic actress Manju Warrier after 15 long years! The movie is a simple story with some excellent performances and a powerful script. The movie is running in fully packed houses, making it one of the biggest hits in the recent times. Why audience loved her comeback so much? Those three magical years – 1996 to 1999, its answer lies in those 19 movies!

A small journey to late 1990’s

Manju Warrier debuted silver screen in 1996 at the age of 16 and in 1999 she surprised everyone when she got married to co-actor the then struggling Dileep and decided to say good bye to silver screen forever. She was only 19 then! They together have paired in lead roles in a few movies like Sallam and Ee puzhayum kadannu and when the news came in the newspaper first page with caption, “It’s not a film shooting, it’s reality”, I too was one among those surprised viewers who had never read about the rumours of Manju-Dileep affair. The decision of their sudden marriage at Aluva temple shocked the whole film world as not many people knew about the matter earlier.

She acted only 19 movies in 4 years with one state award and one National award (Special Jury mention). A couple of movies got released in 2000. She was at her career peaks with a promising and surprising career ahead. Many film critics had predicted her bright future and many National awards, as she was easy in handling a college girl or a matured wife onscreen, at a younger age. Sallapam, Kanmatham, Pranayavarnangal, Summer in Bethlehem, Kannezhuthi Pottum Thottu, Ee Puzhayum kadannu, Kaliveedu, Pathram, Krishnagudiyil oru pranayakaalathu; her movies can be counted in finger tips. But in most of these movies, she overshadowed the lead male actor! Most surprisingly, in those four years (from 1996 to 1999), all the 4 Filmfare awards for best Malayalam film actress were won by Manju, showing that she completely dominated Malayalam silver screen in those 4 years. In the past 15 years, no other actress has been able to replicate the same roles with such a powerful performance onscreen. After her, many actresses have come and gone in the past 15 years. But none of them have been able to give the same screen presence as Manju has done one and a half decade back.

Yes I have to admit the fact, though Malayalam screen has given so many wonderful actors to Indian Cinema, it has failed to give wonderful ladies to Indian screen. Sharda, Shobana, Urvasi and Manju are the only exceptions. Apart from the three superstars of Malayalam, and a few veteran actors, two well-established comedians have also won National award for best actor – Salim Kumar and the latest Suraj Venjaramoodu known for mocking ‘Thiruvananthapuram accent’ is his own, ‘Thirvanthoram’ style. Really a unique credit to Malayalam cinema!

I watched the movie on its third day of release

I too was among those who waited for the much anticipated movie, to get released on theatres. We were already prepared to watch the movie on Sunday Night show and reached the theatre before one hour. But seeing the huge crowd camped there, I was so surprised. Mohanlal’s Mr. Fraud also got released on Friday. Yet audience preferred to watch the old Manju once again back onscreen. Balcony was fully reserved and we had to satisfy sitting in the first row of the theater. Yet I should say I enjoyed the movie every bit.

The movie gives a clear message that age is just a number and anyone can pursue his/her dreams even if he/she has passed her half-life journey. Truly the movie inspires middle-aged people a lot, particularly if they want to cherish their hidden dreams. I liked the movie very much and the brilliant performance given by Manju. The lead actor Kunchakko had only little roles to play, as Manju is the real player of the show. But the fact that surprised me most is my husband too was very much impressed by the movie and performance of Manju and the supporting character of her colleague played by Vinay Forrt. He praised the movie’s script despite being a female-oriented story.

The movie in a snapshot and the message it gives

Manju plays the role of a 36 year old LD clerk Nirupama Rajeev and her husband Rajiv, played by Kunchako Boban is a newscaster of a radio station. Though she was very smart and extra talented during her college days in the late 1990’s, her responsibilities as a wife and mother kept her away from her pursuing dreams. As time passed by, she looked aged similar to other government employees, yet so busy with her daily activities. She is a true representation of a middle-aged Indian government servant. For one reason or other, she is being ridiculed by her husband, daughter, officials and even the society, following her meeting with President of India and the funny incidents took place after that. The incident that she falls unconscious before Indian president goes viral over net and cameo appearance of Quiz Wizard Siddhartha Basu as Indian president are also the highlights of the movie. The question, “What is that question asked by her 13-year old daughter to President of India”, which remains a suspense till movie’s climax is really one of the highlights of the family entertainer. This single question keeps our brain engaged always too.

She couldn’t clear an interview to get settled with her family in Ireland. Her husband takes their 13-year old daughter along with him when he leaves India, the incident which breaks her heart. The way she behaves to the incident – we can relate it to any Indian lady who is so much dedicated to her family. In fact, many scenes of the movie looked to be taken from our own real lives or persons around. At this point she meets her old friend who inspires Nirupama to fight back and pursue her dreams. After the interval it is how Nirupama brings back her lost smartness and her dreams alive and makes her family feel proud of her. She becomes popular across the state and the favourite icon through social network sites. Though her family invites her to Ireland, she decides to stay back in Kerala with her new responsibilities and visits her family in Ireland once in a while.

The movie is nothing short of an inspiration book and it inspires both men and women to pursue their dreams, though they have passed their young ages. The movie also gives a clean message that women are no way inferior to men and that any person can bounce back from bottom if he truly believes in himself.

A short note on Manju’s performance

No doubt, Manju has surprised everyone with her acting skills and no other movie can celebrate her comeback a better way than ‘How old are you?’. In some scenes, I could see those old shades of Manju in her 18, her naughty mannerisms and witty dialogues with her unique dialogue delivery skill. She has not have faced the camera in the past 15 years. Yet it never appears onscreen that she is doing a movie after a long time.

It’s for the first time in the history of Malayalam cinema a heroine given more importance than the movie and her comeback celebrated in such a grand way. It usually happens only in the case of superheroes of all Indian languages, Manju being the only exception. Yes, it’s an excellent comeback of Manju on a brilliant script and supported artists. All the characters of the movie have done their better part.

But the movie has a striking similarity with her real life

• No doubt, the movie has a powerful script lovely crafted. But I felt that the movie is strongly inspired from her real life too, for many reasons.
• In this movie, it’s shown that she was a student leader in the late 1990’s, an extraordinary smart student and an excellent orator. It’s her real life too! She was the top heroine of Malayalam, after Shobana took a break with mid-1990’s. When she got married in 1999, she was rated as the top heroine, both critically and commercially.
• She ruined her career and dreams for the sake of her family. It’s true in her real life too!
• Nirupama is always demotivated by her husband throughout the movie. In real case too, Manju has never been promoted by her husband in any event and she was not allowed to act in movies, though Dileep faced severe criticisms from media persons, film celebrities as well as common people. 
• She plans a comeback to movies in her mid-30’s. It’s same in the case of movie too, where she pursues her dreams at the age of 36. In the movie Nirapama Rajiv’s age is wrongly shown as 36, and for the same reason she couldn’t pass an interview. In real life too, she is only 33 or 34. 
• She is being repeatedly mocked by her husband and teenage daughter who couldn’t identify her real potential or establish her identity. In real life too, Dileep-Manju Warrier couple has only one daughter. Surprisingly both the teenagers have same age – 13!
• In the movie, Kunchakko Boban leaves to Ireland with teenager daughter, though Nirupama requests him not to take away the teenage daughter from her. It was Lekshmi’s insistence that her father takes her away. In the real life too, when Dileep - Manju Warrier couple filed for a mutual divorce, their daughter decided to be with her father. At present Manju is alone and Meenakshi stays with her father Dileep. The incident of Kunchakko and daughter leaving to Ireland has a striking similarity of their divorce in real life.
• In the movie, she succeeds to show the society that she has enough calibers to take a responsibility and give it a good finish. With the release of ‘How old are you?’ and a series of television ads, Manju has showed that she has enough potential to turn everything upside down. Now her brand value has reached crores and many film projects, including one Bollywood movies give us a lot of new promises. She is not less than the megastars of Malayalam right now, who rule the box office for more than 2 decades. 

She faced camera after years with Big B

Manju regards it to be the happiest moment of her life, when she faced camera after 15 years aside legendary actor, Amitabh Bachchan. It was for a television ad of Kalyan Jewellers, a popular brand she endorses right now. She also appeared in television ads aside Aishwarya Rai, who too is the brand ambassador of the same brand and together they have inaugurated many showrooms.

Is it the beginning of a star war between the spouses?

Dileep’s latest release is ‘Ring Master’, released on Vishu celebrations in April, in which he plays the role of a dog trainer in a circus company. In this movie, it’s shown that his love interest leaves him and that she is a ‘Kalathilakam’ title holder. In real life too, Manju is a Kalathilakam title holder (Title given to a single artist for excellence in state wise/university wise arts competition conducted by schools/colleges), the title which gave her direct entry to movies at a younger age. So, did Dileep pick the theme from his real life? He gives his lover’s name to his pet dog? Is it purposefully to insult his ex-wife? I have not seen the movie yet. Otherwise I would have given a few more instances.

Manju too, through her comeback movie ‘How old are you?’ showed that age can never conquer her talents and in all terms, she is far better than her husband. She has celebrated her comeback with a grand opening at box office. Now let us wait for some interesting and spicy news that may fill gossip columns in the distant future!

Now let me conclude with the question which impressed President of India

“Among Indian Presidents only one woman; among Lok Sabha speakers there is only one woman; why is it so? What’s the hindrance to Indian women that they are not able to pursue their dreams?” That’s the question asked by Nirupama’s daughter to Indian President which prompted him to ask her who has tagged the question for her. He plans a breakfast with Nirupama and to his big surprise she faints before the Indian President as soon as she meets him, the news which becomes viral over net.

True or not, I personally believe that, though the movie will be widely promoted by feminists, it gives a strong message to all people, regardless of gender we can start a new beginning at any stage of our life, if we truly believe so and believe in ourselves. Age is just a number. It’s our mind which makes us believe if we are young or old. And through this article, let me wish Manju Warrier to conquer all peaks of her acting skills and bring a much awaited National award for Malayalis. All the very best Manju. 

Image source: Wikimedia commons - Page Manju warrier

http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Manju_Warrier_-_%E0%B4%AE%E0%B4%9E%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%9C%E0%B5%81_%E0%B4%B5%E0%B4%BE%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D%E0%B4%AF%E0%B4%B0%E0%B5%8D%E2%80%8D_by_Jayan_Kanjunny.jpg
 

In the 100 year old Hindi film industry, there have been a large number of leading male actors, who in their time entertained the audiences and in turn were adored by the film goers. However today they are a forgotten and hardly ever mentioned. In the world of Hindi cinema and its history , they have a place of respect and in their own way they were also important milestones. Every generation has its heroes and it is natural that the older ones will be remembered less and less with passage of time. But it is worth while to remember a few forgotten heroes from time to time. Five such heroes are remembered below:

1. Bharat Bhushan : 

He was the star of the 1940's, making his highly successful debut in director Kidar Sharma's 1941 hit movie, Chitralekha. He was to star in many hugely successful mythological movies, that celebrated golden jubilee runs at the box-office. He is best remembered for his title role in the musical film Baiju Bawra, released in 1952 and whose songs are a listened with great relish today also.

He born in June,1920 in Meerut, UP and lost  his mother at the age of two. His elder brother was a film producer and also owned a film studio in Lucknow. After completing his studies, against the wishes of his father, he went to Kolkatta and Mumbai to seek a career in films. After the success of his first movie Chitralekha, he had to struggle for a decade before he could make it big. It was the highly acclaimed musical 1952  film, Baiju Bawra which established him. He was to play the role of a tragic musician in many films thereafter. He was equally a good script and story writer and wrote for many successful films.

He had the distinction of getting the second Filmfare Best Actor Award for his role in Shri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu in 1955. The inaugural first Award had gone to the legendary actor Dilip Kumar. He was the first of the good looking stars of the Hindi films and enjoyed playing historical and mythological characters the best. Most of his movies met with success at the box-office and were almost always backed with melodious music and songs,which are enjoyed today also.

Like a few other actors of that time, he also did not properly plan his financial savings and when roles stopped , he fell into dire straits. His last years were spent in great financial difficulties and it is reported that he even worked as a watchman in a film studio and did small roles in some TV serials. He had married twice and his second wife was the leading lady of his film Barsaat ki Raat. He died in a rented flat in 1992.

In the 1950's and 60's he starred in hit films like Suhaag Raat (1948), Baiju Bawra (1952), Anand Math (1952), Mirza Ghalib (1954), Basant Bahar (1956), Pardesi (1957), Rani Roopmati (1957), Phagun (1958), Soni Mahiwal(1958), Angulimal (1960), Barsaat ki Raat (1960), Jahan Ara (1964), Pyar ka Mausam (19690, Jai Santoshi Maa (1975), Hero (1983). His last appearance was in Maachis in 1996.

Bharat Bhushan had the distinction of acting in some of the most famous Hindi movies of the golden era of Indian films.

2. Pradeep Kumar :

He was another fine actor of the 50's and 60's and hailed from Bengal. He was born in 1925 and decided to become an actor at the age  of seventeen, notwithstanding his father's objection. He stared acting on stage till he was spotted by the renowned director Debaki Bose who introduced him in his Bengali film  Alaknanda in 1947. Soon he moved to Mimbai and got an opportunity to work in the 1952 Anand Math along with Bharat Bhushan. The Vande Matram song if this movie has attained a cult status.  However it was the 1953 Anarkali opposite Bina Rai and the 1954 Nagin opposite Vyjantimala that shot him to fame. Both films were highly successful and there music is evergreen and songs are popular today also.

He had a series of films in the fifties and formed a good pair with the legendary actress Meena Kumari in seven movies following the success of Aarti in 1962. He had ten releases in 1956. His regal looks made him very suitable to play historical characters. He played the character of Shah Jahan in the highly successful movie Taj Mahal in 1963.

Some of his other famous films are Swami (1949), '42 (1951), Anarkali (1953), Subah Ka Tara (1954), Nagin (1954), Badshah (1954), Sitara (1955), Adil-e-Jahangir (1955), Durgesh Nandini (1956), Heer (1956), Yahudi Ki Ladki (1957), Naya zamana  (1957), Miss India (1957), Duniya na Mane (1959), Tu Nahin Aur Sahi (1960), Ghunghat (1960), Apsara (1961), Rakhi (1962), Meri Surat Teri Ankhen (1963), etc. His last appearancewas in Badmaash in 1998.

He passed away in 2001 in Kolkatta leaving behind a rich portrayal in many films.

3 Mahipal Singh:

Perhaps very few readers may know that an actor by the name Mahipal ruled the roost once in Hindi films. Born as Mahipal Chand Bhandari in Jodhpur in 1919, he came to Mumbai to seek an acting career. He made his debut in Nazrana  in 1942. It launched him into a successful career in Hindi films. He specialized in playing mythological and religious characters. He gained fame in Gulf countries also when he acted in a few fantasy films based on stories from Arabian Nights.

He was an excellent dancer who could outperform his female counterparts. He became a household name for his dance in the V Shantaram directed Navrang on the songs Tu Chhupi Hai Kahan Me Tadapta Yahan and Aadha Hai Chandrama Raat Aadhi. He was a popular actor in the 1950's and 60's in the golden black and white era of Hindi films. His movies had strong musical back up and popular songs which delighted the audiences. He had seven releases in 1957 and  nine releases in 1963.

He loved travelling. In fact he went on a world tour after he stopped working in films. 

Some of his famous films are Nazrana (1942), Shankar Parvati (1943), Mali (1944), Lakshmi Narayan (1951), Jai Mahalaxmi (1951), Devyani (1952), Aladdin Aur Jadui Chirag (1952), Khoj (1953), Tusidas (1954), Lal Pari (1954), Aladin and 40 Thieves (1954),  Roop Kumari (1956), Hatimtai Ka Beta (1955), Mast Qalandhar (1955), Roop Kumari (1956), Sher-e Bhagdad (1957), Chamak Chandni (1957), Navrang (1959), Zabak (1961), Sampoorna Ramayana (1961), Pyar ki Jeet (1962), Naag Devata (1962), Been ka jadoo (1963), Parasmani (1963), Cobra Girl (1963), Vishnu Puran (1973), Amar Jyoti (1984) etc.

The fine actor passed away in 2005 in Mumbai. After retiring from films he had kept away from them totally, even though he had acted in nearly 90 films.

4. Sheikh Mukhtar:

The tall six feet two inches Mukhtar was the Hindi films first anti hero , long before Amitabh Bachchan started doing soon the screen. He had a rugged body of hefty proportions with roughness on his face, all of which made him a hunk. He excelled in playing toughie especially the 'dada' type roles.

He made his debut in Ek Hi Rasta in 1939 and went on to carve out a niche by playing roles of the tough characters. His career lasted for nearly four decades and he acted in more than 70  movies and also produced eight movies. He fitted well into historical characters like Babar and Changez Khan, and at the same time acted as the uncouth lover. 

His pairing with the beautiful Begum Para was especially a hit with the audiences. It was the classic pairing of the beauty and the beast. He also formed a hit partnership on the screen with Mukri the comedienne less than half his height.

His undoing was the film he produced with all his savings, Noor Jahan, which miserably bombed at the box-office. Life became difficult for him as debtors mounted pressure. One fine day, along with a few of his film prints he escaped to Pakistan. However he found it difficult there also but manged to get Noor Jahan released.

It was tragic that he suffered a heart attack on the day Noor Jahan was released in Pakistan in May, 1980 and  passed away. The film became a box-office hit in Pakistan. However it was too late for Mukhtar.

Some of his films are Ek Hi Rasta(1939), Bahen (1941), Roti (1942), Bhookh (1946), Anokha Pyar (1948), Ghayal (1951), Annadata (1952), Mangu (1954), Mr Lambu (1956), Changez Khan (1957), Qaidi No 911 ( 1959), Do Ustaad (1959), Tel Malish Boot Polish (1961), Bada Aadmi (1961), Gangu (1962), Dilli Ka dada (1962), Birju Ustaad (1964), Lal Bangla (1966), Nadir Shah (1968), Noor Jahan (1968), Mangu Dada (1970), Ustad Pedro (1971), Hum Sab Chor Hain (1973).

Mukhtar was an actor of a different type who succeeded in making a place for himself with the audiences.

5. Motilal:

He came to Mumbai to join the Navy but ended up becoming a part of Hindi films. Born as Motilal Rajvansh in an affluent family in Simla in 1910, he got a break in 1934 as a hero in Shaher ka Jadoo.

He is considered to be the pioneer of natural acting and is also remembered as a powerful character actor. He had as his competitiors the powerful actors like Prithviraj Kapoor and Sohrab Modi who gave theatrical performances. He was a flamboyant personality who believed in living and spending lavishly. By the 1950'she had lost most of his money and from hero he now became a character actor and did some memorable rloes.

He is best remembered for his role of Chunilal in the Bimal Roy directed classic Devdas in 1955 for which he won his first  Filmare Best Supporting Actor Award. He was also at his best as the gentleman crook in S S Vasan's adaptation of R K Laxman's Mr Sampat in 1952. He earned accolades for his comic timing and stylish mannerisms in his portrays of various characters. His role in Parakh (1961) got him him second Filmare Award.

He was full of life and humour. He was also good at cricket and used to joke that if not for his films he would have become captain of Indian team. He learnt to fly and owned  a plane and had been upto Andamans.

Some of his famous movies are Silver King (1935), Dr Madhurika (1935), Lagna Bhandhan (1936), Do Diwane (1936), Jagirdar(1937), Hum TUm Aur Woh (1938), Sach Hai (1939), Sasural (1941), Pardesi (1941), Umang (1944), dost (1944), hamari beti (1950), Mr sampat (1952), ek Do Teen (1953), Devdas (1955), Jagte Raho (1956), Bhandan (1956), Ab Dili Door Nahin (1957), Paigham (1959), Leader (1964), Waqt (1965), etc

He acted in more than 60 movies. 

He was married but still got entangled with Shobna Samarth a famous  actress and mother of Nutan and Tanuja. He died almost penniless because of his lavish life style and love of horse racing and betting. He was famous for his felt hat and was always immaculately dresses. He was known for his effortless acting.

He became director of Chhoti Chhoti Baatein in 1965 but passed away before its completion. In his death Hindi film industry lost its smartest hero.

The above actors in their hey days were the toast of the audiences and their fans. Today they are hardly remembered except by some old timers and film buffs with a sense of history. Every generation has its own heroes and all pass on into history with passage of time. But what remains behind is their work.

Hindi films have just entered into its 101st year and the yester year heroes are a legacy to be nourished and remembered with love and gratitude. 

While bidding goodbye to 2013 it would be worthwhile to recall that this has been a good year for Bollywood and its fans. It saw many films cross the coveted earning figure of Rs 100 crore and beyond. The subject range was also widened giving discerning film buffs also a chance to enjoy a movie or two.

The year otherwise was a bleak one in almost all areas especially economics and safety of women. The GDP fell to between 4 - 5% and the carry over grief of the Nirbhaya rape incident in December 2012 made a very grim beginning to 2013. The glum mood was neutralised considerably by a wonderfully crafted biopic Bhag Milkha Bhag based on the life of the legendary sprinter Milkha Singh. The effort put in by Farhan Akhtar to resemble like young Milkha was a strong feature which lifted the movie in popularity charts very high. The very well directed film told the story of Milkha's successes and failures and audiences clapped and cried along. The nation once again showed that it wants to know more about its past heroes other than politicians.

The sequel movies like Aashiqui-2, Krrish-3 and Race-2 showed that if the brand is strong the fans will return to patronise it again and again. Continuity of the success formula of their earlier versions has established a bond with the viewers who now would be looking forward to the third instalments to carry forward the plots. Till a sequel flops the producers of these movies have a hot selling product in their hands. 

Shah Rukh Khan once again had a movie which broke all previous records and critics are still wondering how did it do so. Chennai Express had the golden girl Deepika Padukone dancing away to glory while running away from a forced marriage in the title train. The movie also a tribute to the South Indian film industry from whom increasingly Bollywood is now borrowing plots rather than from Hollywood. 'Lungi dance' is still hitting the charts and listeners are enjoying this tribute to Rajnikant.

Another movie to catch attention was Madras Cafe  based on many true life incidents in India's involvement in Sri Lanka during the fight between LTTE and Lankan government during  Rajiv Gandhi's term as PM. The fast paced movie was well shot in a racy manner and John Abraham depicted his role very well. The movie was a deviation from the run of the mill type churned out by Bollywood. It was an out and out political drama which received a good reception at the box office. One hpoes to see more of such movies.

Bollywood did not disappoint on the romance front - its forte. Only the treatment this time was not only different but was on a grand scale and canvass. A film like Raanjhana treated so casually the romance between a Muslim girl with a Hindu boy making it look absolutely normal which is the way it should be. Sign of attitudes changing even when politics is still busy polarising society on religious lines. The colourful movie was a treat to watch.

Ram - Leela was another romantic plot emerging from hatred promoting two groups in a village in Saurashtra. Strong performances by its lead pair especially Deepika Padukone and Ranveer Singh and equally strong direction with catchy music and songs on lavish sets made this movie a must watch. It received a very strong response at the box office.

Yet another romantic movie of Deepika this time with Ranbir Kapoor smashed the box office records. Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani told of how romance never goes out of once life. Time and distance may dim it but can never suppress it. When given a chance it rekindles again and again. Very fine performance, beautiful sets and backdrops helped the movie click with the audiences of all ages.

The Lunchbox offered a totally different twist to romance between strangers brought together by of all things by a lunchbox. A film equally acclaimed by critics and film goers it lifted Bollywood to a new height in story telling. Its lead actor Irrfan Khan once again did not disappoint with his subtle and underplayed style of acting. A movie worth seeing for its different plot.

There were movies that touched upon tragedies in our society the answers to which are still being sought. Shahid told the story of the human rights activist and lawyer Shahid Azmi. Prakash Jha's Satyagraha told the story of Anna Hazare's fight against corruption and Kai Po Che revived the memories of 2002 Gujarat riots. Discerning audiences appreciated these sincere efforts.

Even a movie like Special 26 with no romance or action but a racy plot went on to earn nearly Rs 67 crores at the box office signalling that audiences were looking for alternative like the AAP party and not the BJP to the historical plots like Congress. The comedy movie Grand Masti crossed Rs100 crore figure by a crore once again signalling that when will a movie tick is still not a formula that has been cracked even in the 100th year of Indian cinema.

The there were movies like Jolly LLB, Fukrey, ABCD- Any Body Can Dance, Shud Desi Romance, which also went on to have successful run at the box office and offered a satisfying experience to its viewers. The much awaited high cost Vishwaroop starring Kamal hassan also made it in its Hindi and Tamil versions in the beginning of 2013.

However the year seems to belong to Dhoom -3 which has gone to smash all box ofice records both in India and outside. The Aamir Khan starrer  also has Abhishek and Katrina Kaif and is on its way to cross a predicted Rs 300 crore collection at the box office. The action packed movie is now declared to be an all time blockbuster even though critics rated it as slightly above average.

There were many duds also produced but it is not the time to remember them.

Till date, Dhoom-3 has earned Rs 217 crores followed by Chennai Express at Rs 207 cr. Krrish-3 has mopped up Rs 187 cr and Yeh Jawani Hai Deewani has collected Rs 179 cr. Ram-Leela is still earning at Rs 113 cr. Bhag Milkha Bhag has settled at Rs 109 cr followed by Grand Masti at Rs 101 cr and Race-2 at Rs 100cr. Still trying to touch this exclusive club are Aashiqui-2 at Rs 78.5 cr and Special 26 at Rs 67 crores. These are the top ten earning films of Bollywood during 2013 cumulatively earning Rs 1358.5 crores.

One thing in favour of Bollywood is that unlike politicians they are in touch with the pulse of the masses and understand their preferences and tastes much faster. Sooner or later they mirror the society. 

Here is wishing that 2014 produces an equally if not more number of successful movies with diverse stories and plots to continue its march into the second centenary.

Hindi movies in India are celebrating hundred years of film making. In this centenary year it is worth recalling the contributions of the directors the real creators of the films. It is rightly said that films are a directors medium. It is direction which elevates a movie or drowns it. Many directors have made a name for themselves by directing path breaking movies which are remembered by audiences long after their releases. Many directors have specialized in family dramas, some in social causes, some in pure entertainment and so on.

There are hundreds of directors who have made thousands of Hindi movies in the last hundred years. I have chosen my ten top favourites, which can differ with reader's individual choices. This is an attempt to recall their immense contributions and pay humble tributes to them.

The ten directors are as follows in no particular order of preferences:

1. Sohrab Modi:

Dadasaheb Phalke Award winner Sohrab Modi was famous for producing, directing and acting in historical movies beginning in the pre-independence era. He was loved for the manner in which he delivered his dialouges while playing the roles of Kings and common persons.

He was born on November 2, 1897 in a Parsi family in Mumbai. His full name was Sohrab Merwanji Modi. After finishing his schooling at the age of sixteen he joined his elder brother Keki Modi in the latter's exhibition business in Gwalior. At the age of 26 he set up his theatrical company and made a mark as a powerful Shakespearean stage actor. He performed all over the country and became well known. It was the era of silent movies. However when sound films came in 1831 the appeal of theater started declining. 

Modi formed a film company and made two of his stage plays into movies namely Khoon Ka Khoon and Saed-e-Hawas both based on Shakespeare's plays Hamlet and King John resp. Both movies flopped. He then set up Minerva Movietone in 1936. In 1938 it produced Meetha Zaher  and Talaq dealing with the issues of alcoholism and women's right for divorce. Both did well at the box office.

Then came the historical movies which catapulted Modi to high pinnacle of fame especially his powerful oratory in dialouge delivery. The triology of spectacular historical movies most of which were shot on actual locales consisted of Pukar (1939), Sikander (1941) and Prithvi Vallabh (1943). Pukar was a Mughal period film based on Jehangir's court and his dispensation of justice. Sikander is seen as his greatest film. In it he acted the role of Porus and Alexander's role was played by Prithiviraj Kapoor. The movie was made on a lavish scale and its poduction values were comparable with the best of Hollywood movies at that time. The dramatic dialogue deliveries by Modi and Kapoor were to mesmerise the audiences and created a patriotic atmosphere in the then British India. The then government did not allow its screening near military cantonments. The trhird movie Prithvi Vallabh was to tell the story of a mighty queen played by Durga Khote versus Vallabh played by Modi whom she wants condemned but instead falls in love.

Some of the  other movies produced by him were Jailor (1938 and remade in 1958), Bharosa (1940), Sheesh Mahal (1950), Nausherwan-e-Adil       (1957), Jhansi Ki Rani (1953), Mirza Ghalib (1954), Kundan (1955) and  Yahudi (1958).

He was awarded the Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 1980.              

His movies consisted of magnificient sets, strong historical or other characters, a social theme or an current issue with powrrful dialogues delivered in a very effective style. Some of his dialouges have become legendary like the one " Kya Tumhare Liye Hi Chamkte Hai Yeh Chand Sitare, Kya Tumhare Liye hi Hai Mojoon Main Ravani, Tumhara Khoon khoon aur Hamara Khoon Pani', spoken with Parsi accent

Modi was a product of the strong Parsi Theater movement and had the stage style of acting in his film roles. In the times he lived and worked it was a powerful style . He had his share of die hard followers

He passed away in Mumbai at the age of 86 in January, 1986.

2. V. Shantaram;

Shantaram Rajaram Vankudre popularly known as V Shantaram was another great writer, actor, director and producer of the pre and post 1947 era. He was born on November 18, 1901 in Kolhapur in a Marathi family.

He started his journey into films from Kolhapur itself where he worked in a film company doing odd jobs. He made his acting debut in the silent era by acting in the film Surekha Haran in 1921. He went on to act, direct and produce nearly  55 films in a career which lasted more than six decades. He used films as a means of social change and most of his films would have stories revolving around social issues or exposing the injustices prevalent in society.

He directed his first movie Netaji Pulkar in 1927 and formed The  Prabhat  Film Company in 1929 along with many partners. In 1942 he founded his own Rajkamal Kala Mandir in Mumbai which was at one time one of the most sophisticated studios in the country.

He had the distinction of directing the first ever Marathi film Ayodyecha Raja in 1932.

Shantaram was also called a visionary director who had a mastery over the art of film making. He also had a good sense of music and songs of some of his movies are evergreen. His film Amar Bhoopali won the Grand Prize at the Cannes Film Festival in 1951. Some of his note worthy films are  Teen Bhatti Char Rsata (1953), Jhanak Jhanak Payal Baaje (1955), Toofan Aur Diya (1956), Do Aankhen Aur Barah Hath(1957), Navrang (1959), Stri (1961), Sehra (1963), Geet Gaya Pathroon Ne (1964), Boond Jo Ban Gayi Moti (1967), Jal Bin Machli Nritya Bin Bijlee (1971), and Pinjra (1973) among others.

His 1946 film Dr Kotnis ki Amar Kahani was to become very famous as it told the real story of Dr Kotnis's service to humanity in China. He played the role of Dr Kotnis. His Do Aankhen Barah Hath  was a story on open jail system for reforming hardened criminals and was very well received all over the world and brought him lot of fame and laurels both for his acting and direction. it also had the iconic song "Aey malik Ter Bandhey Hum--". It went on to win many Awards in India and foreign Film festivals.

He introduced his daughter Rajshree and Jeetendra in Geet Gayta Patharoon Ne in 1964. He had the distinction of marrying three times to Vimla and two actresses Jayshree and Sandhya.

He passed away in October 1990 leaving behind a very rich body of socially relevant films

3. Mehboob Khan

A young boy runs away from his home in Billimoria, Gujarat and starts doing odd jobs in Mumbai film studios. He rises to being an assistant in the silent era and graduates to an extra thereafter. But after the coming of sound in 1931, he directs his first movie Judgement of Allah. In 1945 he sets up his own Mehboob Productions.

He started churning hit romantic and swashbuckling films like Andaz (1949), Aan (1951), Amar (1954), and the social Mother India (1957). It was the last movie that was to catapult him to global fame and bring him immense laurels and national and international recognition and awards. The movie was a remake of his earlier directed Aurat  (1940). Mother India is now considered to be the number one classic Hindi movie ever produced. The story of a rural widow who has to fight all odds to bring up her two children and ward off the advances of a lecherous moneylender while in poverty, choses honour and sides the truth even while she has to kill her son for upholding the cause of justice. The super effective acting by the leading lady Nargis was the high point of the movie. Another high point was the melodious music by Naushad especially the holi song "Holi Aayi re--- " sung by Shamshad Begum. It was also on the sets of Mother India that Sunil Dutt fell in love with Nargis and later married her.

Mehboob Khan played an important role in the acting careers of many actors of his time like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar, Raaj Kumar, Nargis, Nimmi and Nadira. His last directed movie was Son of India in 1962.

Born in 1907 he passed away on May 28, 1964 in Mumbai at the age of 57. For some one who ran away from home as a child his filmy career was indeed magnificent and he will always be remembered for many excellent films and especially Mother India, which moves audiences today also love to watch..

 4. Bimal Roy

Bimal Roy or Bimalda was born near Dacca now in Bangladesh. He migrated to Calcutta at a very young age. After starting his filmy career as a camera assistant he got a chance to direct his first movie Udayer Pathyr in Bengali in 1943. However in 1950 he had to leave Calcutta for Bombay as the film activity in the former was going down. These dislocations were perhaps instrumental in his making Do Bhiga Zameen (1953), the graphic tale of a small rural farmer who is uprooted from his land by a city based industrialist who wants to set up an industry on his and others land. The hapless farmer knows no other trade and is forced to earn his living by driving a cycle rickshaw in Calcutta. The travails he has to go through are portrayed on the screen with great pathos by Balraj Sahni under the able direction of Bimalda. The  neo classic movie went on to become his signature and earned him  laurel and fame throughout the cinema world besides fetching prestigious Awards.

The Bengali director turned to Bengali literature many times to make fils based on women characters like Parineeta (1953), Sujatha (1959), Parakh (1960) and Bandhini (1963). These films are acclaimed for their superb direction in effectively telling their stories. He made Devdas with Dilip Kumar and Vyjantimala in the lead roles in 1955. He had earlier in 1944 assisted P C Baruah in making his version of Devdas (1935) starring K L Saigal. Both the versions were well received.

However it was  his Madhumati (1958) which brought him commercial success. The movie was based on the theme of reincarnation and had very melodious music which is heard with relish today also. He also produced Kabuliwala(1961) with Balraj sahni in the lead. It was a touching story of a Pathan living far away from his native kabul and pining for his homeland. The Manna Dey sung 'Aey Mere Pyare Watan---" is a song which brings nostalgic feelings in the listener.

He won 11 Filmfare Awards, three of them in a row. Madhumati won a record nine Filmfare Awards and it was after 37 years another picture matched it. 

Bimal Roy's movies had excellent music either by Salil Chaudhry or S D Burman. The songs composed by them are evergreen and will be listened with pleasure for ever.

Bimal Roy passed away in 1965 aged 55 but left behind a very decent body of work which was to inspire other film makers who followed him.

5. Guru Dutt

At the age of 39 Guru Dutt committed suicide. An extraordinarily sensitive person he perhaps became a victim of his obsession with the complex, of his feelings being injured and being misunderstood. Many of his movies showed the hero a misfit in the society and suffering from neglect and isolation. He was not always like that. His earlier movies as an actor or director were fast paced, full of energy and were indeed lighthearted with good music and melodious songs.

Vasanth Kumar Shivshankar Padukone popularly known as Guru Dutt was born in Bangalore in 1925. He spent his childhood in Calcutta and became fond of Bengali literature and culture. He adopted the name Guru Dutt under Bengali influence. He had a tough childhood in which he faced financial difficulties and also the fact that relations between his parents were not good. He also faced lot of hostility from his maternal uncle and saw a small brother die. All this was to affect him  and his later films. From childhood itself acting interested him. After schooling he joined the famous troupe of Uday Shankar and learned dance, drama and music from him.

He began his journey in the film world as an employee under a three year contract with the Prabhat Film company, Pune from 194 to 1947. It was there he met Dev Anand and character actor Rehman and they became lifelong friends. In 1944 he acted in a small role in the film Chand. When Dev Anand formed his Navketan Films he offered Dutt the job of directing his first movie Baazi starring Anand and Waheeda Rehman. The movie became a huge hit. It was during the manking of the movie that he met Geeta Dutt and after a three year courtship they got married.

Jaal and Baaz follwed the success of Baazi but did not perform well at the box office. However the 1854 Aar Paar was a super hit and so where the films that followed namely  Mr & Mrs 55, C.I.D and Sailab. However the real Guru Dutt that we all ow emerged in 1957 with his movie Pyasa starring himself and Waheeda Rehman. The story of  a struggling poet who gets recognition only after his false death, catapulted him as a sensitive director who was ahead of his times. The next movie Kagaz Ke Phool (1959) made with heavy investment told the story of an ageing and fading director and an upcoming young actress. It bombed at the box office. His next two films Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam and Cahudvin Ka Chand were not directed by him but produced and he played the lead roles. Both were well received and were commercial hits. He received the Filmfare Best Director Award for his role in Sahi Bibi Aur Ghulam.

While he was succeeding in making melancholy and depressing films his own personal life was in turmoil. His married life was in shambles and he separated from Geeta Dutt. He was a heavy smoker, heavy drinker and had sleeping problems. It is alleged that he also had a one sided crush on aleading lady of his times. All this was to take a heavy toll of his health and life. He had to take sleeping pills to fall asleep. One such evening he took a heavy dose of drink and sleeping pills, not to wake up next morning. Accident or suicide will never be known.

His body of work was relatively small but its quality was very high. His Kagaz Ke Phool and Pyaasa have almost become cult movies. His movies when re-released go houseful even in Germany, France and Japan. His movies were also supported by very fine performances by Rehman and Johnny Walker the comedian and music.

He left this world on 10 October, 1964 at the age of 39. Many years later his friend and star Dev Anand is supposed to have  said "He was a young man who should not have made depressing movies."

6. Raj Kapoor :

At the age of 24 in 1948, Raj Kapoor established the R K Films and became the youngest director in his debut venture Aag starring besides himself Nargis, Kaminini Kaushal and Premnath. The future showman went on to make many more movies under the famous banner, almost all of them went on to become blockbusters and are remembered to this day especially for their super music.

Born in Peshawar, Pakistan,  in 1924 his father was the great stage and film actor Prithviraj Kapoor. Raj acted in small roles in many films before getting a break in Neel Kamal opposite Madhubala in 1947. However it was Andaz made by Mehboob Khan and starring Raj, Dilip and Nargis which brought  him recognition and success as an actor in 1949.

He went on to make blockbuster movies like Barsaat (1949), Awaara (1951), Shree 420 (1955), Chori Chori (1956), Jagte Raho (1956)  and Jis Desh Main Ganga Behti Hai (1960). These had thematic stories many of which were written by the leftist ideologist K A Abbas. Hia Awaara became hugely popular not only in India but in the whole communist world especially Russia and China. Its song 'Aawaara hoon---" is hugely popular in these countries today also. Jagte Raho was the one night story of a village simpleton who wants a glass of water in a modern city. Shree 420 was the story of how the poor are swindled by builders and Jis desh Main Ganga Behti Hai told the story of bringing the Chambal Dakus into the mainstream.

Music was a very strong point in his films. Shankar-Jaikishen have given immmortal music in most of his films and the songs are going to be popular always. Mukesh wa his voice and has sung almost all his sfilm songs. Shailendra was his favourite lyracist and has penned many immortal songs. He reportedly had a crush on Nargis and she starred with him in all his early movies.

Later on he went on to produce and direct the super blockbuster Sangam in 1964 his first movie in colour with himself, Rajinder Kumar and Vyjantimala in the lead roles. The movie went on to become a cult movie and celebrated 75 week runs in many cities.

However it was Mera Naam Joker (1970) that was to give him a taste of box office failure and put him into financial pressure. Made over a period of six years it starred circus artistes from Russia and launched his son Rishi Kapoor who played Raj's childhood role. It was an autobiographical movie and many say was his attempt at taking a farewell from movies. But it flopped at the box office. However today it is considered a classic.

He bounced back with producing and directing Bobby (1973) in which he launched his son Rishi in the lead role opposite 16 year old Dimple Kapadia. The film was a smash hit and went to break many records. He went on to produce women oriented films like Satyam Shivam Sundaram (1978), Prem Rog (1982) and Ram Teri Ganga Maili ( 1985) all of which met success at the box office.

He had also launched his elder son Randhir Kapoor in Kal Aaj Aur kal in 1971 along with his to be wife Babita. He also acted in movies made by other directors and some of them were notable like Anari (1959), Chalia (1960) and Teesri Kasam (1966).

In his earlier films he had modeled himself as a tramp on Charlie Chaplin and it was this image which made him very famous worldwide. He made films on a lavish scale with great visuals. His movies had evergreen music and songs. Many of his movies had patriotic themes which the audiences loved. One of Indian movies all time hit song ' Mera Joota Hai Japani ---- Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani' summed up the life of an average Indian very aptly.

He received 2 national Awards and ( Filmfare Awards. He was conferred with Padma Bhushan and Dadasaheb Phalke Award by Government of India. He laso received international Awards for Boot Polish,Jagte Raho and Awaara.

He was a real showman also famous for his celebration of Holi festival in his R K Film studios. His two brothers Shammi kapoor and Shashi Kapoor also went on to make a name for themselves as superb actors.

He passed away in 1988 at the age of 63 suffering from asthama attacks  leaving behind a great body of fantastic movies and music for ages to come.

7. Hrishikesh Mukherjee :

Hrishikesh Mukherjee also known as Hrishida was the pioneer of a school of cinema which offered  a welcome change to the audiences who were subjected to art cinema on one side and extravagant cinema on the other side. The rising middle class and the changing social milieu needed a different cinema for ots  entertainment. This was were Hrishida stepped in at a very opportune time.

He directed 42 films and gave simple entertainment to the film goers. Simple day to day stories played on the screen by real life actors gave his movies an authenticity which audiences loved to watch.

Born in 1922 in Kolkatta he was a science graduate who taught science and mathematics for a living. He entered films as a cameraman and soon became a film  editor, in the late nineteen forties. He got an opportunity to assist Bimal Roy as a film editor and assistant director from 1951 onwards. He directed his first independent movie Musafir in 1957. However he established his reputationas a director with Anari in 1959 with it winning five Filmfare Awards but missing on Best director which went to his mentor Bimal Roy.

He went on to make very popular films like Anand (1971), Satyakam (1969), Mili (1975),Guddi (1971), Cheemeen (1966), Anupama (1966), Asli Naqli (1962), Anuradha (1960), Bhawarchi (1972), Namak Haram (1973), Sanjh Aur Savera (1964), Gaban (1966), Abhiman (1973),  Chupke Chupke (1975), Khubsurat (1980) and  Ashirwad (1966). These are all movies which are popular today also and some of them are sown on TV channels repeatedly. He introduced Jaya Bahaduri in Guddi and Amitabh Bachchan got his big break in Anand. His Gol Maal in 1979 is a trend setter with follow up movies being made today also like Gol Maal 2 and so on.

His films were realistic and light comedies. They told simple day to day stories which the country's urbane, educated middle class related to. He worked with non glamourous  actors like Amol Palekar and still tasted success at the box office. He worked with all the top stars of the Hindi film industry post 1947.

He was awarded the Dada Phalke Award in 1999 and Padma Vibhushan in 2001. He also acted as the Chairman of the Censor Board.

He passed away on 27 August 2006 due to renal failure leaving behind a collection of socially relevant but simple comedy films which are watched with great interest today also.

8. Ramesh Sippy:

Ramesh Sippy made the iconic Sholay but in reality it was the other way around. This wonder film got his name etched in the hall of Fame in Hindi movies because of the extraordinary success it went on to garner in all departments of film making especially its dialouges which are famous today also. 'Kitne admi the--', 'Kalia tera kya hoga---', " Bhag Basanti Bha--', 'itna sannata kyon hai bhai--', ' basanti tumhara naam kya hai' and so on.

Sholay was released in 1975 and went on to become a legendary movie highly acclaimed by critics. Is story line and powerful dialouges made it a must see movie. Its dialouges caught the fancy of the nation and are spoken today also with great fondness and vigour. Some of its characters like Gabbar Singh, Sambha, Kalia, Rahim Chacha, Mausi have become legendary. The trio of Sanjiv Kumar, Amitabh Bhachchan and Dharmendra along with beautiful Hema Malini and the comediennes Asrani and Jagdeep gave superb performances. Its music also became a hit. Salim & Javed wrote the story and dialouges. Ramesh Sippy rightly deserves all the fame and success he got for directing such iconic movie.

However the other films of Sippy excepting Shakti, Seeta Aur Geeta  and to some extent Sagar did not succeed at the box office. However he very successfully directed the highly acclaimed and popular serial Bhuniyad for Doordarshan in 1987.

Born in 1947 he now produces films and his son Rohit Sippy is also a  film director. The legendary status of Sholay has granted him everlasting fame.

9 Manmohan Desai

Manmohan Desai made films purely for entertainment and most of the times his stories were based on impossible plots like a patient receiving simultaneous blood transfusion from multiple donors, a medical impossibility. High on symbolism, full of rhetoric and large star casts his movies would set the box office on fire. 

Born in 1937 in a family which was into films- his father was a film producer and owner of Paramount Studios later on known as Filmalaya. His elder brother was also into production and gave young Manmohan  a break in 1960,  by allowing him to direct the hit movie Chalia starring Raj Kapoor, Nutan and Pran. He also directed Bluff Master (1963), Dharam Veer (1977) and Desh Premee (1982) for his elder brother Subash Desai. 

His films were family centered with lots of action, full of song and drama and impossible situations. The masses loved his films and most of them were blockbusters. Amitabh Bhachchan was in many of his 1970/80 films and these had a big role in establishing him as an star in Hindi movies. His type of films gave rise to the term masala films.

A happy go lucky person in real life he made films which were secular in nature and appealed to Hindus, Muslims, Christians etc ensuring huge audiences. Some of the other blockbusters directed by him are Sucha Jutha (1970), Rampur Ka Laxman (1972), Roti (1974), Amar Akbar Anthony (1977), Naseeb (1981), Coolie (1983) and Mard (1985). Amitabh Bhachchan acted in nine of his films. The last movie he directed was Toofan in 1989.

He was also known as the "lost and found" man because most of his movies were based on this theme. However towards the late 1980's audiences were tired of this repeated theme and some of his later movies dod not do good at the box office. Music was a strong point in his movies.

In March 1994 he had a fall from the balcony of his apartment and he breathed his last. His created a separate genre of movies which became  very popular and his these are a delight to watch today also.

10. Yash Raj Chopra:

Yash Chopra was the King of romance in Hindi films. He produced and directed many romantic films on a lavish scale which created an aura of love in the minds of the audience.

He was the younger brother of B R Chopra himself a director of repute. He began his career as an assistant to his elder brother, who gave himhis first directorial assignment in 1959, in form of the hit movie Dhool ka Phool starring Mala Sinha and Rajendra Kumar. The second movie he directed again for his brother was Dharamputra (1961) based on the theme of partition. However it was the third movie he directed for his slder brother Waqt which established his reputation. Waqt went on to became a mega hit and was perhaps the first multi cast Hindi film and won him his first Fimlfare Award for direction.

After directing two more movies Aadmi Aur Insan and Ittefaq for his elder brother he broke away to form his own Yash Raj Films in 1971. Its first movie Daag (1973) starring Rajesh Khanna was a commercial success. The banner gave the cult movie Deewar in 1975 starring Amitabh Bachchan and Yash Chopra won his second Filmfare Award for Best Direction. Kabhie Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978), Silsila (1981) were romantic films which the audiences loved to watch and hum their songs. The noted lyricist Javed Akhtar launched his career from Silsila.

After a series of setbacks he bounced back with another romantic cult movie Chandini starring Sridevi in 1989. Its titillating music and extensive outdoor scenic shots of Switzerland made the film a huge commercial success and heralded the return of romance in Hindi movies. In 1991 he made Lamhe which also wen on to become a cult classic movie starring Sridevi and Anil Kapoor it was cited by Yash as his personal favourite movie he made.

In 1993 he started his association with Shah Rukh Khan in Darr which went on to become a super hit. It was followed by the super duper evergreen romantic Dil To Pagal Hai in 1997 starring Shah Rukh, Madhuri Dixit and Karishma Kapoor. It became a global hit and did roaring business everywhere. It has also become a cult film. After a break he returned in 2004 with Veer Zara, a cross border romantic story, featuring Shah Rukh, Preity Zinta and Rani Mukerji. It was also a smashing hit. His last directed movie was Jab Tak Hai Jaan in 2012 starring Shah Rukh and Katrina . It was during the remaining shooting of a song in Switzerland that he passed away due to an attack of dengue in Oct. 2012 at the age of eighty.

Yash Chopra was a producer, script writer and director. He set up the most powerful Yash Raj Films which has become an international venture now. In fact he was an institution in himself. He elevated romance to new heights through his films. He shot his movies mostly in Switzerland especially the song sequences and in the process Indian tourists started flocking there. Its government always recognised Yash's role in promoting their country. 

He and his films won a total of 12 Filmfare Awards besides six National Awards. He was awarded the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2001. He received many national and international awards in his long more than five decades career in films. His two sons Aditya and Uday Chopra are also into films.

The king of romance has let behind a body of work many of which have attained a cult status.