Latest news with #Kaka
Daily Mirror
4 hours ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Jack Wilshere's comments about Arsenal wonderkid, 15, likened to Kaka speak volumes
Max Dowman is one of English football's bright young stars, but two coaches who worked with the teenager at Arsenal saw his potential long before he began making headlines on the pitch Arsenal starlet Max Dowman has made headlines this summer for his cameos on the club's pre-season tour of Hong Kong and Singapore. Gunners boss Mikel Arteta has previously spoken in glowing terms about the 15-year-old, who has impressed in games against AC Milan and Newcastle and even embarrassed some Arsenal stars in training. Yet for those in and around the north London club, Dowman's rapid ascent to the first team is nothing new, with some fans even labelling him the next Lionel Messi. Former Arsenal star and ex-coach of the club's under-18s, Jack Wilshere, praised the youngster for his performances, while another mentor once likened the youngster to Brazilian icon Kaka. After Arsenal's youth side beat Fulham 5-2 last year, with Dowman assisting four goals, Wilshere backed the young star to make it to Arteta's first XI. High praise indeed from a man who once made his bow at just 16 years and 256 days, becoming Arsenal's youngest-ever league debutant at the time. "There's always a concern when fielding such a young player in these matches, but if you're good enough you're old enough," Wilshere told club media in April 2024. "He can be more consistent but he's only 14 and hasn't even started his GCSEs yet. "We need to find a balance of letting him play and enjoy the game because of his age but also trying to get as much work into him as we can. Hopefully we can fast-track him and when he goes over to the first team, he'll be more ready." On Dowman's reliability and how he deals with pressure, Wilshere added: "It's reassuring to know that if I field an under-14 who isn't a regular in our training sessions, I can trust that they grasp our playing style and tactics. Debut opportunities aren't handed out lightly, and Max has demonstrated over the past few months that he deserves this chance." Dowman's thrilling comparison to Milan legend Kaka came from academy coach Gustavo Oliveira. Heartened from what he had seen from the then 14-year-old, Oliveira said: "He plays in the style of Kaka. He can write his name. One day he will play for the England national team and in the Premier League." However, even the Champions League -winning Brazilian had to wait until he was 18 until his professional debut for Sao Paulo. Arteta has spoken recently about how he wants to give more Arsenal academy stars a chance to prove their worth in the first team, something Dowman is currently doing in abundance. He said: "We want to get as much talent as we possibly can from the academy and bring it up to the first team. This is a beautiful context for them to get involved. "The way they adapt at that age, I could not do - but I think this generation goes faster. They are ready a little bit earlier. We don't have to rush. Make sure we manage the right steps and the right expectations for all of them, and then let's see what they demand." Dowman's talent isn't going unnoticed outside the walls of Arsenal either. Former Manchester United and England star Rio Ferdinand recently branded the 15-year-old as "the best in the world" in his age group and even hailed the youngster's frightening talent as "a joke.' Fans may get another glimpse of Dowman in action on Thursday, as Arsenal face bitter rivals Tottenham Hotspur in a pre-season clash in Hong Kong.
News18
5 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.com
20-07-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna
Home Entertainment This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna This actor gave 17 back-to-back hits, Kishore Kumar was his voice in most of the films, name was…, not Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Vinod Khanna Even decades after his stardom, no one has come close to breaking Kaka's golden streak at the box office. From Dilip Kumar to Amitabh Bachchan, Bollywood has seen many legends. But he was the first to be called a superstar. When the actor appeared on screen, audiences were spellbound. His delivery of lines like 'Babu Moshai, zindagi aur maut upar wale ke haath mein hai' from Anand still echoes through cinema history. People didn't just watch him, they felt him. Yes, we are talking about Rajesh Khanna! His presence was electric. His dialogue delivery, full of rhythm and emotion, created a unique connection with viewers. Fans called him Kaka, with love, and rightly so. Rajesh Khanna's 17 consecutive hit films He delivered 17 consecutive hit films, a record that no actor has touched to this day. At a time when stardom depended only on talent and public love, Kaka stood tall without the crutches of aggressive PR. And it wasn't just him. His films featured the timeless voice of Kishore Kumar, perfectly complementing Rajesh Khanna's romantic aura. Songs from Amar Prem, Kati Patang, and Mere Jeevan Saathi still rule retro playlists. Who was the man behind the star? Born on 29 December 1942 in Amritsar, Rajesh Khanna rose to unmatched heights but also saw career lows. Yet, he never gave up. He married actress Dimple Kapadia when she was just 16 and a fan. While their relationship faced rough patches, he remained in the public eye, acting, producing under RK Films, and later entering politics as a Congress MP. Those who knew him during his political career remember him as yaaron ka yaar, always ready to help, never saying no. Why is 'Anand' still considered his masterpiece? In Anand (1971), he portrayed a man living joyfully despite a terminal illness. That role didn't just touch hearts, it immortalised him. Rajesh Khanna passed away on 18 July 2012 after a long illness. But even in absence, his work continues to inspire. His charm, his smile, his head-tilt, they remain iconic, making Kaka an eternal star of Indian cinema. For breaking news and live news updates, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram. Read more on Latest Entertainment News on
Time of India
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
'Rajesh Khanna didn't nurture his stardom just like his friendships,' says Sharmila Tagore: 'He allowed it to slip'
Rajesh Khanna , often hailed as India's first true superstar, took the nation by storm with his magnetic charm, striking looks, and carefully chosen film roles in the early phase of his career. At the height of his fame, he became a cultural phenomenon—his hairstyle became iconic, and the name 'Kaka' was etched into pop culture. Female fans adored him, and he enjoyed a fandom unlike anything seen before. But while his rise was meteoric, his fall was equally dramatic. Sharmila Tagore , who shared the screen with him in several memorable films, offered candid reflections on Khanna's life in the foreword of Dark Star: The Loneliness of Being Rajesh Khanna, a biography by Gautam Chintamani. In the book, she revealed why she believed Khanna's stardom slipped through his fingers. '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,' she wrote. Tagore also pointed out how Khanna's generosity, though admirable, sometimes backfired. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Esta nueva alarma con cámara es casi regalada en Cordoba (ver precio) Verisure Más información Undo by Taboola by Taboola He was known to shower friends with lavish gifts, including apartments. But, she noted, 'in return, he expected far too much which ended up putting a strain on the relationship.' Her reflections didn't stop at the professional front. Sharmila spoke honestly about some of the challenges she faced while working with the superstar—particularly his tendency to show up late on set. '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. Through her words, Sharmila painted a vivid picture—not just of a superstar who once ruled the silver screen, but of a complex, sometimes flawed man who couldn't quite navigate the changing tides of fame and relationships.
Indian Express
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Rajesh Khanna treated me like a child, guided me through scenes, shares Poonam Dhillon: ‘I was terrified on the sets of Red Rose'
Everyone who worked with Rajesh Khanna — fondly known as Kaka — has a story to tell. While some described him as moody or difficult, others cherished a warm camaraderie with the legendary star. Tales of his temper, larger-than-life persona, and walking around with sycophants often surface in retrospectives of his life. But for actress Poonam Dhillon, her experience with the superstar was nothing like the warnings she received. In fact, Kaka treated her with kindness, patience, and an almost protective affection. In a recent interview with ANI, Poonam recalled her early memories of Rajesh Khanna, long before she entered the film industry. 'I didn't witness his peak because I wasn't really into films back then,' she said, adding, 'But as a child, I once went to see a film shoot while I was in the eighth grade. It was a BR Chopra film being shot in Chandigarh. Rajesh Khanna was there, and I think Vidya Sinha was his co-star. That was the only time I saw him back then.' Years later, when she joined the film industry and began acting, their paths crossed again. 'By the time I was doing my third film, people warned me about him — they said he was difficult to work with,' Poonam recalled. 'But honestly, I never experienced any of that. He was never temperamental with me.' Also Read | Aamir Khan says Reena Dutta's family cut ties with her after their secret inter-faith wedding: 'Her father suffered heart attack, ladies started to cry' Poonam Dhillon went on to explain how supportive Rajesh Khanna was during their first film together, Red Rose, a psychological thriller that posed a considerable challenge for her as a newcomer. 'It was a tough role, and I was nervous. The director, Bharathiraja, didn't speak Hindi. He would talk to his assistant in Tamil, and I could never tell if he liked my look or my performance. I was terrified. But Kaka really helped me — he guided me through scenes and offered reassurance.' Though not close friends, Poonam says she always felt a deep sense of respect and warmth from Kaka. 'I wouldn't say we were buddies — he was very senior to me — but because he had seen me from such a young age, he treated me like a child. He was always protective on set.'
