Bharat Ratna for Dilip Kumar

AFTER recently watching Sanghursh I could not but admire Dilip Kumar's acting abilities. More so as the film boasts two other acting greats - Balraaj Sahni and Sanjeev Kumar.

For someone who has grown up watching Amitabh Bachchan's films Dilip Kumar was a star from an older generation. I still remember the fights we had in the family over who was better - Amitabh Bachchan or Dilip Kumar. My father's generation used to dote on Yusuf saheb and we on Mr Bachchan.

During my school days I bought Amitabh Bachchan's biography. It mentioned Dilip Kumar as his favourite actor and my long standing bias towards Yusuf saheb lessened. I started watching his films.

Gradually I realised that Dilip Kumar was more than an actor - he was an institution! His methodical approach to acting made the craft look different.

The language his character speaks fluently in 'Ganga Jamuna' (a local dialect from the rural north of India) was something of a first in a mainstream Hindi movie. 'Ram Aur Shyam' can rightly be called the mother, or rather the father, of all twins-separated-at-birth Hindi films.

Dilip Kumar shared screen space with almost all the greats of Indian cinema and somehow always stood out. Perhaps the biggest testimony to his acting skills is the fact that he won his first Filfare Best Actor Award in 1954 (the same year it was incorporated) for 'Daag' and his last Filmfare Best Actor nomination for 'Saudagar' in 1992. During the years in between he managed to win 8 Filmfare Best Actor trophies, a record he still holds.

Dilip Kumar was always a big star but the actor in him was even bigger. Today Dilip Kumar is a role model for all those who dream of a acting career in Mumbai.

Apart from movies Yusuf saheb did his bit for the upliftment of Urdu language. His own chaste urdu leaves one wanting for more. He has been working tirelessly all his life towards the betterment of Indo-Pak relations. He is also known for his charity work.

Honouring such rare individuals is natural. Dilip Kumar has touched enough lives in India and abroad with his work to deserve India's highest honour. He is already a jewel of India, only the citation has to come from the Government of India.

Awards & Honours

* National Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)
* Satyajit Ray Lifetime Achievement Award (B.F.J.A. Awards, 2005)
* Nishan-e-Pakistan (1997)
* NTR National Award (1997)
* Dada Saheb Phalke Award (1994)
* Fimfare Lifetime Achievement Award (1994)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Shakti, 1983)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Ram Aur Shayam, 1968)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Leader, 1965)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Kohinoor, 1961)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Naya Daur, 1958)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Devdas, 1957)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Azaad, 1956)
* Filmfare Best Actor (Daag, 1954)

Join in the facebook campaign to honour Dilip Kumar with Bharat Ratna: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=128792135718&ref=mf

Rediscover Your Roots

WHEN Rakesh Omprakash Mehra made the movie Aks it was out rightly rejected by most. Some later called it a classic that would be remembered later. So when Rang De Basanti was released there were not many expectations.

The story revolves around a British woman (played by Alice Patten) who wants to make a documentary on the Indian freedom struggle based on her grandfather's diary involving young revolutionaries like Bhagat Singh. She comes to India and with the help of an Indian friend (Soha Ali Khan) starts on her project. In the process of selecting people suited for her characters she changes the perspective of a college going fun-loving group. The film itself evolves with her documentary. Nothing sums this up better than Alice's dialogues in the movie, "Shayad ab wo jaag uthe the." [ENGLISH: Maybe they've awaken!]

The constant back and forth between the past and present reflects the struggle that the characters are going through in the film. Through his film Mehra has both managed to tackle the ills of the Indian society and given the youth of India a social commentary to ponder over.

The script of the movie holds it together. Unlike most patriotic movies the dialogues by Prasoon Joshi and Rensi D Silva don't go overboard but still have the desired effect. One stands out, "Koi bhi desh perfect nahin hota use behtar banana padta hai" [No country is perfect, it has to be made better].

Cinemotography by Binod Pradhan is top-notch.

The youthful music is in keeping with the mood of the film. The man behind it, AR Rahman, has given another memorable score. I especially like his take on Ram Prasad Bismill's famous Urdu poem 'Sarfaroshi ki tamanna' [Desire for sacrifice]. It's very original and very inspiring. It's difficult to choose between the rest of the songs and that speaks for his effort. RDB is another jewel in Rahman's crown.

The acting honours are evenly divided amongst the supporting cast. Steven Mackintosh as the jailor Mr McKinley acts with his eyes. He gives a certain respect to his character. Alice Patten as his grand-daughter is the surprise package of the film. She charms you with her sensitive portrayal and her accented Hindi.

Soha Ali Khan as Sue's friend Sonia makes full use of such an early opportunity in her career. Her character provides her ample scope to display her acting skills. She does it really well. Her on-screen chemistry with her friends is worth a mention.

Atul Kulkarni, Kunal Kapoor, Sidharth, and Sharman Joshi have given career defining performances. Madhavan is a different class and has proved it again as Flight Lt. Ajay Rathod in the movie. Waheeda Rehman, Anupam Kher, Kiron Kher and Om Puri are seasoned actors who shine in their small roles.

That said it all the film belongs to Amir Khan. How Amir comes up with performances like these so often in his career is something remarkable. He makes you laugh, sing, cry and think. You can't help falling in love with the character of DJ played to absolute perfection by Amir. The scene on the dining table where DJ looks at Sue, in both surprise and admiration for her Hindi speaking abilities, shows Amir's depth of acting.

On the downside, the climax is a little far fetched but it did succeed in giving the desired impact.

Rang De Basanti is more than a film. It's an inspirational piece of visual art that every Indian should watch.