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Bollywood bigwigs pay homage to Yash Chopra in Netflix series

SRK, Karan Johar, Katrina Kaif, Amitabh Bachchan speak about why Yash Chopra is a legend in Netflix’s docu-series The Romantics! Preview feature by columnist Riccha Grrover for Asian Lite International.

Iconic director Yash Chopra’s impact on Hindi cinema is an everlasting one and Netflix pays tribute to the legend and Yash Raj Films’ cultural impact on India for the past 50 years in a new docu-series The Romantics which is releasing globally on Feb 14th!

The docu-series will see the Hindi film industry come together to celebrate Yash Chopra. The mega-stars of the Indian entertainment industry like Amitabh Bachchan, Shah Rukh Khan, Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, Ranbir Kapoor, Anushka Sharma, Katrina Kaif, etc will pour their hearts out to speak about how the legend’s work shaped their cinematic vision!

Yash Chopra is celebrated widely for his envelope-pushing romantic films like Silsila, Lamhe, Kabhi Kabhie, Veer-Zaara, Dil To Pagal Hai, Chandni, Jab Tak Hai Jaan, etc. SRK, who has been directed by Yash Chopra four times,talks about how mesmerized he was watching those films. He says, “As a professional, if I would have to spend 100 days on a set, I would rather do it on a Yash Chopra set than anybody else’s.”

Karan Johar, who knew Yash Chopra closely and is also widely known for his cult romantic films, says, “I just became obsessed by watching his films and I felt that who is this man, who is constantly responsible for mesmerizing me as a child.”

Meanwhile, superstar Katrina Kaif loved how Yash Chopra portrayed his heroines, who were all independent-minded, forward-thinking, self-reliant, and strong. Yash Chopra’s heroines contributed to how women were projected on screen by the Indian film industry. She says, “The way that Yashji portrayed his heroines was so dignified, graceful, and layered.”

Amitabh Bachchan, who has collaborated with the icon for landmark films like Deewar, Silsila, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, Kaala Patthar and Veer Zaara, calls Yash Chopra a true master of cinema in The Romantics, given how brilliant he was with diverse genres!

Amitabh says, “We shot for Deewar for several months within ten or fifteen days. We started Kabhi Kabhie suddenly to shift to an environment which is full of flowers and mountains and snow but the ease with which he just adapted to that was just quite remarkable!”

The Romantics has been directed by Oscar & Emmy-nominated filmmaker Smriti Mundhra, who returns to Netflix after the phenomenal success of Indian Matchmaking and the Never Have I Ever franchise.

Netflix, one of the world’s leading entertainment services, in this four-part docu-series, will also feature 35 leading personalities from the film industry, who have closely worked with YRF through its 50-year glorious existence.

Interestingly, the reclusive head of the iconic Yash Raj Films, Aditya Chopra, has also recorded his first on-camera interview for ‘The Romantics’! Hearing him share insights about YRF and the Hindi film industry in this docu-series would be a huge highlight for the film fraternity, cinephiles & Hindi cinema audience at large.

YRF is currently at an all-time high as their latest release Pathaan, the fourth film of YRF’s Spy Universe is breaking all records at the global box office. Pathaan is now the number one Hindi film worldwide and has become the biggest all-time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema. YRF is home to some of the biggest blockbusters that Indian cinema has ever witnessed like Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, War, Sultan, Ek Tha Tiger, Tiger Zinda Hai, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Mohabbatein.

ALSO READ: Kaftan…Bollywood’s favourite winter style

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Bollywood Films Lite Blogs

BIG B: Epitome of humanity and simplicity

Big B has seen his popularity soar with the TV show at an age when most of his counterparts have very little work on hand or the common 80-year-old crowd has almost no dreams to pursue…reports Asian Lite News

Copying film actors and stars is nothing new, but when parents and elders tell you to learn from one is something surprising. Rarely does one come across a personality from the film industry whom the common families love to present as an example before the youngsters, in particular. Amitabh Bachchan fits this idea for a typical Indian family that loves to cling on to benevolent values and duties.

Big B, for millions in India, represents the epitome of humanity, simplicity but full of grace, patience, kind-heartedness and above all so much rooted to culture and yet open for change. This is best manifested by the immense popularity of his KBC show. The fact that there were other stars, who tried to anchor the show and those similar to it could not last long, proves Big B’s aura to pull the audience with his modesty, both in words and deeds.

At an age when most retire to a very quiet and uneventful phase which is mostly spent in and out of hospitals and doctor’s advice, this tall man amazes the young and old with his energy, dedication and passion. It is not that he has no ailments, but his strength and never-diminishing will to do is what sets him apart from the rest. Sitting in the KBC chair, he is a friend to all contestants, humbly treating all and making the people around him feel that they are king-like.

What endears Bachchan to all, especially the middle class is the way he approaches the people. All women are Devis to him and their mothers as Mataji, no matter the Mataji may be half his age and similar goes for the men, who are ‘sajano (gentlemen)’. He uses “aap” for all and even though the person may be like his grandson, it is never “tu” for anyone. It is “aabhar (thankful)”, “abhinandan (greetings)”, etc. words that parents and elders want the children to learn. Whenever he mentions his parents, there is a kind of reverence that his expressions and words manifest. This is something which touches the people’s hearts making them feel that he is real and not just a makeup-laden actor.

Big B has seen his popularity soar with the TV show at an age when most of his counterparts have very little work on hand or the common 80-year-old crowd has almost no dreams to pursue. He had his share of initial ups and downs, but ‘Zanjeer’ in 1973 catapulted him out of nowhere to the big league and the youth discovered their agitative emotions in him. The ‘Angry Man’ became the symbol of the then restless youth. The 1970’s, ’80’s and a bit of 1990’s were his, but it was the 2000s that saw him again come up after a series of failed ventures and miserably flopped movies.

When all had written him off, he was again catapulted from the depths of failures to the national stage, first through KBC and then a series of movies where his performances were too remarkable to go unnoticed. Amitabh Bachchan was back in the new Avatar, the Big B of Bollywood.

A child in ‘Paa’, the nagging father in ‘Piku’, stubborn teacher in ‘Black’, the 102-year-old father of 75-year-old Rishi Kapoor in comic ‘102 Not Out’, or the striking role of a retired lawyer in ‘Pink’. These are just a few, there are so many others like the ‘Sarkar’, etc.

Each of these roles is a masterpiece, with a certain message. ‘Pink’ gave the voice to millions of women, who got the phenomenal statement in that conspicuous word “No”, which the retired lawyer so effectively uttered during the courtroom scene. “No means no” — the three words struck a chord with young women who want to enjoy life as individuals with liberty. The courtroom drama was well appreciated and Amitabh Bachachan as lawyer Deepak, forces one to face up to some uncomfortable truths of the society.

Before ‘Pink’, ‘Baghban’ touched the raw nerve of the people which showed how elders are treated as a burden by their children. Many related themselves to the movie characters.

Amitabh Bachchan

If the ’70’s and the 80’s movies of the Big B were mostly about anger, action and show, the 2000s has seen his superb acting skills in movies, and remarkable and unparalleled hosting for the TV programme.

At an age when memory for most is failing and bone and muscle health is declining, Big B presents an example that proves it’s all about attitude and will power.

There is no stopping this legend. He has proven that age is just a number and this is just what the people are loving him for.

On his 80th birthday, the living legend is all the more towering and humbler.

ALSO READ-Arduous journey of BIG B with ABCL

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Films Lite Blogs

Amitabh: KBC is the most generous show

On the Friday special episode, Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda will be on the hot seat…reports Asian Lite News.

Legendary actor Amitabh Bachchan talks about his journey on ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ as the show completes a thousand episodes on December 3.

He says: “This year the show completes 1,000 episodes, and I couldn’t be happier. I believe this is the most generous show and it continues to give to the contestants, audiences and to all of us associated with it – be it ‘Gyaan’, ‘Dhan’ or ‘Sammaan’ (Knowledge, wealth, respect). Each season of KBC has been a learning for me and to be with the team, the contestants who come from different parts of our country and to interact with them is a joy. I hope that this show continues to create history just like it has, in every way.”

On the Friday special episode, Shweta Bachchan Nanda and Navya Naveli Nanda will be on the hotseat.

Furthermore, Siddhartha Basu, who is the consultant for ‘KBC 13’, shares about the show and Amitabh as the host. The show has seen 1,588 participants on the hotseat and has given 25 ‘Crorepatis’.

He says: “It’s rare enough to be part of a knowledge show that made television history, holding a nation in its thrall, but rarer still to be associated with it throughout its run, 21 years on. With Amitabh Bachchan driving the show with unique flair and empathy, it remains one that not only engages both hearts and minds but one that touches lives.”

The Friday special episode will air on December 3 on Sony Entertainment Television.

ALSO READ-Big B pens heartfelt note for father Harivansh Rai Bachchan

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Bollywood Fashion Lite Blogs

Big B recalls modelling life of 80s

Amitabh looked dapper in two pictures, where he is seen dressed in a formal black and grey outfit and another one in multi-coloured trousers and a black T-shirt carrying a duffle bag…reports Asian Lite News.

Megastar Amitabh Bachchan has shared throwback pictures from his modelling days on his social media.

Big B took his fans down memory lane with pictures from his modelling days on his Instagram.

In his nostagia trip post, he expressed the desire to go back to those days.

Amitabh looked dapper in two pictures, where he is seen dressed in a formal black and grey outfit and another one in multi-coloured trousers and a black T-shirt carrying a duffle bag.

“…would be so nice to be back to such days..but..,” he wrote.

Big B’s Instagram got flooded with comments from Bollywood and fans.

Amitabh Bachchan (ANI)

Actor Rohit Roy commented, “My life is centered around those days Amit ji..my existence is a sum total of THOSE days,” with a heart emoji.

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