Latest news with #Daag
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Rajesh Khanna Allowed His Stardom To Slip, People Began To Mock Him, Says Sharmila Tagore
Last Updated: Rajesh Khanna, India's first superstar, rose quickly but couldn't sustain fame. Sharmila Tagore revealed he failed to adapt to changing audiences. Late actor Rajesh Khanna was regarded as one of India's first superstars. His charming personality, good looks and film choices in the early days of his career catapulted him to fame almost overnight. Khanna also enjoyed a robust fan following, especially from females. His hairstyle became a trend, and 'Kaka' became almost synonymous with sensation. Unfortunately, Rajesh Khanna's downfall was as swift as his success. Sharmila Tagore, his co-star in many films, revealed why the late superstar couldn't grasp his own success. Sharmila Tagore wrote the foreword to Rajesh Khanna's biography, Dark Star The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, penned by Gautam Chintamani and published by Rupa Publications. In the prologue, she reflected on why her co-star couldn't hold on to his fame. She wrote in the book, 'Like his friendships, Kaka didn't nurture his stardom and allowed it to slip from his grasp. He failed to notice that the audience was changing, and that the roles he had been doing were becoming less and less relevant. Kaka either couldn't or didn't reinvent himself to remain contemporary; so much so that he became almost a caricature of himself, and people began to mock him." Tagore also observed that Khanna was too generous with some of friends. He would splurge them with expensive gifts, even giving them flats. 'But, in return, he expected far too much which ended up putting a strain on the relationship," the Aradhana actor further penned. The veteran actor, in all honesty, wrote about what she didn't like about everyone's beloved Kaka. 'But what affected me personally was his habit of coming late to work. I went to the studios at 8.00 a.m. and wanted to be back with my family by 8.00 p.m. But this was impossible, since Kaka never arrived before 12.00 noon for a 9.00 a.m. shift. And we could never finish on time. As a result, the entire unit would pressurize me to work overtime and complete the schedule. This became the norm, and since I had many films with Kaka, I found myself in a quandary," she wrote. The Safar actor further penned, 'So, I opted to work with other actors more and more despite the fact that our pairing had been so successful. Probably even Kaka felt it was not such a good idea to have so many films with one actress—one runs the risk of becoming stale. Whatever it was, we found ourselves working together in less and less films. And I must confess, it was a huge relief." Rajesh Khanna and Sharmila Tagore were one of Hindi cinema's most iconic on-screen pairs, delivering a string of memorable films in the late 1960s and 1970s. Their chemistry lit up classics like Aradhana (1969), Amar Prem (1972), Daag (1973), and Avishkaar (1974). First Published: July 14, 2025, 15:51 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
India Today
6 days ago
- Entertainment
- India Today
Does 'Raj' in Yash Raj Films stand for Rajesh Khanna? The partnership that wasn't
Gautam Chintamani's 'Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna', a story told through the actor's cinematic marvels and misses, includes an intriguing anecdote - one that may change how you look at Yash Raj Films (YRF).One of India's biggest film production houses, YRF was founded by Yash Chopra, known for directing classics, and revolutionising Bollywood's idea of romance. And it all began with 'Daag: A Poem of Love' (1973).advertisementStarring Rajesh Khanna, Sharmila Tagore and Rakhee in the lead roles, 'Daag' was Chopra's directorial debut under his own production banner. That Khanna and Chopra didn't collaborate again for over a decade despite the roaring success of the film is a well-known fact. What remains lesser known is the depth of their creative bond before the legendary fallout. As mentioned in 'Dark Star', Chopra had already established himself as a promising director but had worked only under his brother Baldev Raj Chopra's banner, BR Films. Yash Chopra wanted a fresh start, and in Rajesh Khanna, he saw that beginning. According to a section of the industry insiders, their rapport during the making of 'Daag' was so strong that they reportedly decided to co-produce the film. An excerpt from the book reads:The film also went on to create an urban legend that remains one of the Hindi film industry's most romanticized myths. According to a cross-section of people from within the industry, especially Khanna's close confidants, Rajesh Khanna and Yash Chopra had an unofficial agreement that 'Daag' would be a co-production between the two. Even though Yash Chopra, like his brother Baldev Raj Chopra, was officially Yash Raj Chopra, the presence of 'Raj' in Yash Raj Films banner is believed by many to stand for 'Rajesh' (sic). Even with Chopra's proven talent, the project may not have taken shape without Khanna's book further states: "If stories are to be believed, the circumstances in which Yash Chopra started his production house were far from rosy. It had been a decade since he started directing, and all his films had been for BR Chopra's production house, and it was Khanna, along with producer Gulshan Rai, who helped Yash in more ways than one when he decided to go independent (sic)."Khanna's presence in the film helped Yash put the project together with less difficulty than it otherwise might have entailed, because when 'Daag' was beginning to be filmed, Khanna was at the peak of his popularity. The falling out between Khanna and Yash Chopra following 'Daag' that resulted in the actor not featuring in any of the director's ventures over the next decade and a half, and Khanna teaming up with BR Chopra, add to the mystery surrounding the whole issue. But the perceived veracity of his tale depends largely on which side one chooses to view the whole affair from, as the bigger the myth, the more sides a story tends to have in the world of Hindi cinema (sic). What led to the rift between them remains a mystery. Chopra, in later interviews, hinted that he didn't want to deal with Khanna's infamous "tantrums," Khanna, on the other hand, claimed Chopra would make him work unnecessarily long hours."Regardless, the success of 'Daag' should have ideally inspired a creative partnership between Rajesh Jhanna and Yash Chopra, who had seen a successful collaboration with 'Ittefaq' too. But that wasn't meant to be (sic)," Chintamani it was not just Chopra's journey that Khanna played a role in. According to the book, Khanna is believed to have discovered the iconic writing duo Salim-Javed. But like Chopra, they too eventually drifted away.'Dark Star' notes:And while Chopra went on to helm 'Deewar' which, in a way, sealed Khanna's fate, Khanna not only had to be content with seeing Yash collaborate with the very man who would take away his crown, but was also at the receiving end of the wrath of Salim-Javed, the writing duo he practically discovered (sic). Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of the Hindi cinema, died on July 18, 2012 in Mumbai after a prolonged illness. He is survived by his wife, Dimple Kapadia, and daughters, Twinkle and Rinke Khanna.- EndsMust Watch
News18
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Mahima Chaudhry Celebrates Daughter Ariana's Graduation, Fans Say 'Like Her Mother'
Last Updated: Sharing a video on her Instagram handle, Mahima wrote an emotional note mentioning how proud she is feeling Mahima Chaudhry is very happy as her daughter, Ariana, marked a major milestone—her graduation. Taking to Instagram, the Pardes actor shared heartfelt glimpses from the moment, leaving fans both emotional and nostalgic. Ariana, dressed in her graduation gown and cap, looked happy, Sharing a video on her Instagram handle, Mahima wrote, 'The Graduate Watching you Graduate fills me with pride. Congratulations, my sweetheart. I started this journey alone, but I had you. I didn't know how it would all work out, but I just knew I wanted you to have the best education. I went back to work because of you. I thought I was doing this all for you, but my baby, you ended up doing so much more for me. So many years later watching you finally graduate today, I've never felt more proud. You've grown into someone so kind, full of heart, and I feel lucky to be your mama. This moment is ours. You and I did this together. May you go far, may all your dreams come true. I love you so much my baby." Watch the video here: Fans mentioned that Ariana looked like her mother. One of the fans wrote, 'She looks just like you! @mahimachaudhry1" Another wrote, 'Congratulations and lots of love to you both.. Mom and daughter." On the work front, Mahima Chaudhary was last seen in Nadaaniyan, a film that not only marks Ibrahim Ali Khan's grand Bollywood debut but also brings Khushi Kapoor into the spotlight as his leading lady. Mahima Chaudhry's 17-year-old daughter, Ariana Chaudhry, made her dazzling public debut, and social media has been buzzing about her ever since. Dressed in an elegant all-white ensemble with delicate bangs framing her face, Ariana looked effortlessly stunning, drawing comparisons to Hollywood star Selena Gomez and even the iconic Amul Girl from nostalgic advertisements. Mahima Chaudhary made her Bollywood debut alongside Shah Rukh Khan in 'Pardes'. Directed and produced by Subhash Ghai, the film catapulted Mahima into the big league of actresses. Apart from the film's success, the music of 'Pardes' was also a major hit. After 'Pardes', Mahima appeared in multiple films, including 'Dil Kya Kare', 'Daag', and 'Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin'. However, none of these films could repeat the success of 'Pardes'. Mahima also delivered notable supporting performances in big hits like 'Dhadkan', 'Baghban', and 'LOC Kargil'. Mahima was also diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022. She underwent treatment for the same. Mahima revealed that her parents got to know about her illness through Anupam Kher's video which he uploaded on his social media handle. First Published: June 06, 2025, 14:06 IST
Indian Express
21-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Aditya Chopra: The businessman Yash Chopra never was
When you Google 'define a good businessman,' the AI assistant doesn't hesitate: 'A good businessman is someone who is skilled and successful in business, demonstrating strong leadership, decision-making, financial acumen, and an understanding of market dynamics.' If anyone in the Hindi film industry fits that definition with surgical precision, it is Aditya Chopra — the heir to a cinematic dynasty, who didn't just inherit the throne but rebuilt the entire kingdom. Born with a silver spoon, Aditya didn't just hold on to it, he forged it into gold. As actor Anil Kapoor aptly put in Netflix documentary, The Romantics, 'Aditya is one of those few sons who, I think, has surpassed his father's legacy.' And that legacy? It belonged to the towering figure of Yash Chopra, a romantic visionary whose films defined Bollywood's golden era. However, his business instincts often lagged behind his artistic flair. Yash Chopra began his career under the shadow of his elder brother B.R. Chopra. After directing five films as a salaried employee, Yash finally stepped out on his own and founded Yash Raj Productions in 1970. Soon, he delivered a smashing hit with Daag (1973). This was followed by a series of classics — Deewar (1975), Kabhi Kabhie (1976), Trishul (1978), Kaala Patthar (1979). But success, like fashion, is seasonal. In 1981, he released his dream project Silsila. It flopped. And so did every film he made through the 80s. The country was changing. India was talking about caste-based reservations, the Ayodhya dispute, civil rights, and social justice. Yash Chopra was still filming tulips in Kashmir. The audience had moved on. The director hadn't. A mistake that Aditya Chopra learnt from. 'He used to have a book in his room. In these books he used to write box office expectation, his analysis, and eventuality. He has done this for decades. He used to have one fat book,' shared Karan Johar as he spoke about Aditya Chopra in The Romantics. Hrithik Roshan added, 'The whole film used to be broken down into categories, column and questions and then he had the box office numbers. He did all this when he was 12 or 13 years old. And he did this over and over again.' 'Now when you look at these things, you know that these are the things that make him the director-producer he is,' said Abhishek Bachchan. In 1989, Yash Chopra returned with Chandni, a hit that revived his career. But he never ventured beyond romance. A comfort zone that Aditya had already begun to challenge. When Lamhe flopped, a young Aditya (who worked as an AD in the film) had predicted it. Not because he knew the box office, but because he understood the audience. ALSO READ | Sharmila Tagore stayed in a chowkidar's room while Simi Garewal got a bungalow during the shoot of Satyajit Ray's Aranyer Din Ratri: 'You cannot imagine how hot it was' 'This was the first film I put so much of myself into, and I realised… I am a slave to the audience. That shaped me. I decided I wouldn't let success affect me, so failure wouldn't break me,' said Aditya in The Romantics. Aditya Chopra first proved his business acumen when he decided to self-finance his debut film Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (1995). That single decision changed the trajectory of Yash Raj Films. 'Imagine sharing 50% of DDLJ's revenues, I don't think we'd be where we are today', said Aditya Chopra. The decision became the seed that funded YRF's transformation into a full-blown media empire. In 2004, YRF launched its own music label, eliminating third-party licensing. In 2005, the production house launched YRF Studios — a 20 acre facility offering multiple services in filmmaking. Eventually, the director decided to produce multiple films a year. 'We used to do one film in two years,' Aditya said in his rare interview in the docuseries The Romantics. 'I thought, if we know how to produce, why not do more and see where it takes me as a producer?' Yash Raj Films, once synonymous with classic romance, underwent a bold transformation under Aditya Chopra. In 2004, he shocked the industry by announcing a diverse slate: Hum Tum (a fresh romantic comedy), Dhoom (a genre-defining action thriller), and Veer-Zaara (a sweeping cross-border love story). All three released the same year — and all became commercial hits. With this move, Aditya not only expanded the studio's creative horizon but also proved that YRF could thrive beyond its romantic legacy. Apart from direction and production, through YRF Talent, Aditya Chopra also launched the careers of actors Anushka Sharma, Ranveer Singh, and Bhumi Pednekar. He was the visionary, who advised Shah Rukh Khan to not shut doors for romantic films–the advise which made him a global star. He is the man who spotted a filmmaker in Karan Johar (who otherwise was convinced to go to Paris to learn fashion designing). He created the YRF Spy Universe with his Ek Tha Tiger franchise, War and Pathaan. This is the closest India has come to a Marvel-style franchise. While Yash Chopra gave Bollywood its most beautiful dreams, Aditya Chopra made sure those dreams were bankrolled, protected, and owned. Jyothi Jha works as a Copy Editor at the Indian Express. She brings in more than 5 years of experience where she has covered Entertainment majorly for TV9, NDTV and Republic Media. Apart from Entertainment, she has been an anchor, copy editor and managed production team under the Politics and Daily News segment. She's passionate about Journalism and it has always been her first choice, she believes in what George Orwell had once said, " Journalism is printing what someone else does not want you to do, rest everything is public relations". ... Read More
Time of India
23-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Mala Sinha allegedly slapped Sharmila Tagore on set: A Throwback to ‘Humsaya' shoot
Bollywood's golden era was filled with timeless classics, legendary stars, and occasional behind-the-scenes drama. One such tale from the 1960s involves a reported feud between yesteryear stars Sharmila Tagore and Mala Sinha during the shooting of the 1968 film Humsaya , directed by Joy Mukherjee . Clash of the Queens on set As reported by Masala, the tensions began early on during the shoot of Humsaya, where Sharmila Tagore and Mala Sinha were cast opposite Joy Mukherjee, who also directed the film. Reportedly, ego clashes surfaced over screen time, dialogues, songs, and even costumes. Petty disagreements snowballed into full-blown rivalry, with each actress allegedly insisting that the other arrive first on set to assert seniority. The slap that made headlines The feud allegedly reached a dramatic peak during a confrontation scene when Mala Sinha, considered the senior star at the time, was rumoured to have slapped Sharmila Tagore. While the moment was reportedly witnessed by a few on set, the details remain murky. Years later, when the story resurfaced, both actresses publicly denied the incident. Mala went on record calling the rumour 'loose talk for the film's publicity.' Cold Wars and repeated patterns This wasn't the last time Sharmila Tagore found herself in a cold war with a co-star. Years later, during the filming of Daag, she and Raakhee reportedly shared similarly frosty vibes. Director Yash Chopra had to play peacemaker on multiple occasions, while Rajesh Khanna was said to have worsened matters by manipulating both actresses. Did you know Sharmila Tagore once shared that people predicted that her marriage wouldn't last a year due to this reason?
