- Bobby Deol: The Long-Awaited Spotlight
Bobby Deol has now completed 30 years in the tinsel town. Despite being the younger son of our beloved “He-Man,” Dharmendra, he hasn’t quite managed to replicate the stellar success of his legendary father. Neither Bobby nor his elder brother, Sunny Deol, have reached those towering heights.
Sunny kicked off his career with their home production, Betaab (under Vijeta Films), and Bobby got his chance with the family banner’s film, Barsaat. However, the much-hyped Barsaat started with a bang but ended with a whimper. It wasn’t a blockbuster, only a semi-hit that just about managed to make a table profit. Bobby’s career kept going, but he was never quite considered an A-lister.
His career took a nosedive in the middle years. But after a period of self-imposed exile, he has returned in a new avatar. He smartly chose the OTT platform and embraced roles with grey shades. Though well-wishers like Salman Khan tried to salvage his career by offering him a role in the hit franchise Race 3, it didn’t achieve the success of its previous versions.
Bobby’s latest gamble has truly clicked. He has tasted blood with OTT, and recently, Aryan Khan’s series, Bads of Bollywood, brought him a long-overdue success. He is finally hogging the limelight and seems relaxed. He now has just one desire left: to follow in his father Dharmendra’s footsteps and complete 50 years in Bollywood.
- The Duel: Shah Rukh vs. Aryan
Shah Rukh Khan is currently on cloud nine after his son Aryan Khan’s OTT series, Bads of Bollywood, created an unprecedented sensation both in India and abroad, making history. An elated Netflix is desperate to renew the contract with Aryan, but smelling blood, other OTT platforms are also approaching him with lucrative offers that are hard to resist.
Shah Rukh has faced many challenges in his long career, but now his own son is challenging him. And Shah Rukh loves challenges! He is back in the race with his latest film, King. Let’s wait and watch the duel between the Father and the Son unfold.
- Missing the Maestro: Kamal Haasan
Veteran pan-Indian actor Kamal Haasan has just turned 70. Although I primarily cover Bollywood, I have never managed to meet him.
Once, I came agonizingly close but missed him by a whisker. It was Dilip Kumar’s birthday, and I had heard that Kamal, a great admirer of the Bollywood icon, had come to pay his respects and wish him. Your truly, along with his friend from Screen, Peter Mar, was waiting outside Dilip Saab’s Pali Hill bungalow. Just as we were losing patience, a black car sped out, and our dream was shattered. We were told Kamal had to catch a flight, which is why no interview would take place. We were so shocked we ended up leaving without even having dinner there.
Though I haven’t met him, I did receive a handwritten note from him for his film, Hey Ram. I have seen his mind-boggling act alongside Sridevi in Sadma, though his film Ek Duuje Ke Liye remains my all-time favorite. This maverick actor constantly surprises us with his innovative acting skills and mastery of make-up. I hope the star, Kamal Haasan, continues to thrill us with his performances in the years to come.
