Latest news with #Mard
Indian Express
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Iconic Bollywood composer turned his back on parents after becoming famous, left them to ‘suffer in silence' in small house: ‘Thought of family as excess baggage'
Without a doubt, composer Anu Malik has had a tumultuous career, with more troughs and crests than anyone could expect. He composed his first full album for the film Poonam, starring Raj Babbar and Poonam Dhillon, just before attaining mainstream success with the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Mard (1985). Apart from the many notable albums he has composed, Anu isn't a stranger to controversy and has been accused of plagiarism and sexual misconduct on several occasions. Another dark chapter in Anu's life is his relationship with his family, and his brother Daboo Malik recently talked about the same during an interview. On the Vickey Lalwani podcast, Daboo was asked point blank what Anu's relationship was like with the rest of the family. He said, 'Maybe people might want to hear this, and I have even mentioned this in my book. What happened was that Anu became too famous, and his career went forward with stupendous pace. He was so quick to success that his family was left behind, including me, Abu (brother), and our parents. We were never part of his success; he had his own family and his own life, and we could never directly enjoy the wealth, the name and the position that came with Anu's career. We were definitely known as his brothers, but we had a separate life.' ALSO READ: Anu Malik 'betrayed' his brother Daboo Malik, 'sabotaged' his career, claims Amaal Mallik: 'He dealt with depression, was too naive to fight back' He admitted that Anu has had a stellar career in Bollywood, which created an economic gap between him and the others. 'He was the man that broke the clutter, the one who broke free. People should remember the fact that he saw immense struggle all the way from the age of 17. Everyone should acknowledge all that he has achieved in his life, but he never let anyone use his position or the power that came with it. He was trying to safeguard himself, but that caused the distance between us to grow. Ameer aur gareeb ka chakkar hogaya. Mere papa toh wahi rahe chote se ghar ke andar (It became a matter of rich and poor. My father still continued living in that small house. He never saw the inclusive success, and Anu never invited the parents to live with him,' said Daboo. When asked about why Anu never invited their parents to live with him, Daboo explained that people have different expectations with lives, and sometimes certain aspects of your life don't fit in your plan anymore. He made it clear that he can't exactly speak for his brother but said, 'I think that some people might equate taking care of parents to something of a liability. A lot of relationships follow your parents, and you might not like those people. You will have to respect those people as well, and maybe he didn't want to accommodate for that. In this case it can be us as younger brothers and our families, associates and extended relationships. The disparity in our positions in society was the biggest reason for the distance. If a person is watching the world from a peak, from the very top, he wouldn't want to take care of excess baggage. Still, my parents never held a grudge and just suffered in silence. All of us could have taken better care of our parents.' The Malik family has experienced separation after Anu also, as Daboo's own son Amaal Mallik announced a split from family earlier this year over reported rifts with his parents. They eventually made up.
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Mithun Chakraborty was more successful than Amitabh Bachchan at one point,' says an exhibitor: 'He would charge Rs 1 lakh per day'
Mithun Chakraborty is known as the OG 'Disco Dancer' of Hindi cinema. His popularity and fan following was huge and he made his way despite several stereotypes around Hindi cinema heroes at that time. Talking about his popularity, a theatre owner reflected on those times and lauded the actor for making financially viable movies. The box office and the reception in theatres is always the ultimate goal for every actor and if exhibitors, distributors approve of an actor, he's clearly successful. In a recent interview, Vishak Chauhan, owner of one of the oldest cinemas in Bihar, Roopbani cinema hall, said on Digital Commentary podcast, "Mithun is a legend no matter what anyone says about him or his work. There was a time when he was giving us two films every month. He did a lot of films during the days when he had the parallel industry in Ooty, and Raj Babbar was the prime producer. Every Mithun film used to open with 100% occupancy, and we knew that we were going to have a good week ahead.' He further added, "The action sequences became iconic, and films like Cheetah, Ravan Raj, Sanyasi Mera Naam, Zahreela, Mard, and Hitler were all superhits. I remember that one day we were screening Mard, and the next film was a Mithun film, and the posters for the two upcoming films were also Mithun films. During those days, before the Bhojpuri industry boom, Mithun was the support system for all single-screen theatres in Bihar. He was single-handedly taking care of these theatres while Bollywood was now moving to a more elitist phase.' He also spoke about the business model of Mithun's movies which was implemented by producers and added, "The films were made at a low cost and weren't very high quality. They were made for the single screen with a limited budget, and their business concept was very clear. He used to charge Rs 1 lakh a day, and the condition was that the film had to be shot in Ooty. The entire crew used to stay in the Monarch Hotel, which was owned by him, and as long as he was paid his fees, he was ready to shoot whatever the film required. ' Further recalling an anecdote, Vishak shared that at one point of time, Mithun was more successful than Amitabh Bachchan . Recalling a funny anecdote, he shared how a choreographer was not okaying a shot as Mithun's hand was going in the wrong direction. After Mithun got frustrated, he said, "Agar haath udhar jayega to film hit ho jayegi kya (If my hand goes in the other direction, will my film become a hit)?'
Indian Express
30-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
‘Mithun Chakraborty was more succesful than Amitabh Bachchan': When Mithun's films opened houseful, he would charge Rs 1 lakh per day and shoot only in Ooty
Actor Mithun Chakraborty will go down in history as one of the most well-known and prolific performers of his generation. For a good part of his career, Mithun focused on making financially viable films and had no intention of becoming a huge star. Vishek Chauhan, the owner of Roopbani cinema hall, one of the oldest in Bihar, reflected on Mithun's popularity in Bihar and how the parallel industry located in Ooty proved quite successful for the actor. While appearing on the Digital Commentary podcast, Vishek talked about how Mithun carried the single-screen industry in Bihar single-handedly. He said, 'Mithun is a legend no matter what anyone says about him or his work. There was a time when he was giving us two films every month. He did a lot of films during the days when he had the parallel industry in Ooty, and Raj Babbar was the prime producer. Every Mithun film used to open with 100% occupancy, and we knew that we were going to have a good week ahead.' ALSO READ: Mimoh Chakraborty opens up about dealing with Jimmy's failure; recalls parents Mithun Chakraborty and Yogeeta Bali's reaction: 'I didn't step out of the house for a year' He admitted that all the movies that came from Mithun's Ooty phase became iconic in their own right and how there were more Mithun movies than screens to play them on. 'The action sequences became iconic, and films like Cheetah, Ravan Raj, Sanyasi Mera Naam, Zahreela, Mard, and Hitler were all superhits. I remember that one day we were screening Mard, and the next film was a Mithun film, and the posters for the two upcoming films were also Mithun films. During those days, before the Bhojpuri industry boom, Mithun was the support system for all single-screen theatres in Bihar. He was single-handedly taking care of these theatres while Bollywood was now moving to a more elitist phase.' Vishek also commented on the business model that Mithun and his producers had implemented and how quality assurance wasn't exactly on the top of their priority list. He said that everyone knew what the goal was, and they all did their part in the circus, while Mithun was the ringmaster. 'The films were made at a low cost and weren't very high quality. They were made for the single screen with a limited budget, and their business concept was very clear. He used to charge Rs 1 lakh a day, and the condition was that the film had to be shot in Ooty. The entire crew used to stay in the Monarch Hotel, which was owned by him, and as long as he was paid his fees, he was ready to shoot whatever the film required.' He recalled how during a shoot, the choreographer was not okaying a shot as Mithun's hand was going in the wrong direction. After a few takes, an exasperated Mithun said, 'Agar haath udhar jayega to film hit ho jayegi kya (If my hand goes in the other direction, will my film become a hit)?' Vishek said that at that point of time, Mithun was more succesful than Amitabh Bachchan.
Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Bollywood villain, who shared screen with Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar, left the industry disillusioned by its politics
Anyone who has seen the Amitabh Bachchan-starrer Mard would vividly remember the entry of the film's villain, played by Dan Dhanoa. Introduced riding a horse, he delivers the unforgettable line: 'Main hoon General Dyer ka beta Danny (I am General Dyer's son, Danny),' a moment that became legendary in Hindi cinema. Dan, who portrayed the evil Danny Dyer in Mard, quickly rose to fame and became a go-to villain for Bombay's film producers. Interestingly, Dan never intended to enter the film industry. His father, Major General Dr. Sardar Singh Dhanoa, had hoped he would follow in his mother's footsteps, and become a doctor. However, since academics didn't interest him, Dan opted for a career in Merchant Navy. Due to a shortage of job opportunities at the time, he turned to modelling instead. Even then, films were never on his radar. As, during his years at The Doon School, he preferred watching Western films and remained largely unfamiliar with mainstream Hindi cinema. Fate, however, had other plans. In 1984, legendary filmmaker Feroz Khan organized a silver jubilee celebration for his hit film Qurbani. It was at this event that Feroz noticed Dan and, impressed by his looks and personality, approached him with a film offer. In a recent interview on Chai Ke Saath Dil Ki Baat, Dan recounted the meeting: 'Feroz Khan came up to me at the party and quickly asked, 'Do you act?' I said, 'Sir, I don't know how to act.' To this, he replied, 'That's my lookout.'' Feroz Khan even conducted a test shoot with Dan Dhanoa and enrolled him in a short-term acting workshop alongside actresses Mandakini and Reema Kapadia. He also suggested changing Dan's birth name, Indrapreet, to Dan. However, the original version of Janbaaz, in which Dan was to be launched, was shelved. When the film was eventually revived in 1986 with a different script and cast, there was no role for Dan. Soon after parting ways with Feroz Khan on amicable terms, Dan met director Manmohan Desai, who was casting for Mard. Desai saw potential in him and offered him the role of the main villain opposite Amitabh Bachchan. Also Read | Bollywood star spent her final days alone, battling illness, poverty, and legal troubles In an interview for the YouTube channel Chai Ke Saath Dil Ki Baat, Dan Dhanoa spoke fondly of working with Amitabh: 'He was very welcoming and supportive. He constantly helped me throughout the shooting process and was a thorough gentleman despite being a superstar.' Mard was a massive hit, and Dan's portrayal of Danny Dyer made him a household name. From there, there was no turning back. He went on to appear in several notable films, Shahenshah, Tridev, Toofan, Phool Aur Kaante, Vishwatma, and even worked alongside legends like Dilip Kumar in Karma. Dan witnessed the transition of Hindi cinema from the Bachchan era to the rise of stars like Sunny Deol, Salman Khan, Ajay Devgn, and Akshay Kumar. He also revealed in the same interview that he was once offered a role in Ravi Chopra's Mahabharat television series but turned it down, preferring to stay focused on films. His growing fame also brought with it a massive female fan following. 'There used to be instances where women fans would call on my landline just to get a chance to meet or speak with me,' he recalled. However, by the late 1990s, Dan Dhanoa chose to walk away from the industry. Tired of being typecast and disillusioned with the internal workings of the film world, he decided to return to his original profession. 'I wasn't a film industry man… I was an outsider. I didn't understand the ways of the industry, like going around asking for work and later asking for payment. That just wasn't for me.' Disillusioned by how some producers treated him, Dan Dhanoa left Bollywood around the year 2000, returned to the seas, and resumed his career with the Merchant Navy, where he went on to have an illustrious career as a naval officer, traveling across the globe. Now a full-time sailor, Dan leads a quiet life away from the limelight in Chandigarh. He recently made a comeback to acting after 23 years with a role in the Tamil film Soorarai Pottru. He played a negative character loosely inspired by fugitive businessman Vijay Mallya, marking his return to cinema with the same intensity that once made him a star villain.
India.com
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
Meet man who styled Isha Ambani, Akash Ambani, Anant Ambani and Anand Piramal during...,his name is..., services starts from Rs...,
This man is the go-to hair expert for big Bollywood stars and top business families. He's the one who gives Virat Kohli, Ranbir Kapoor, Allu Arjun and even the Ambanis their standout styles. Recently, during Anant Ambani's pre-wedding celebrations, Aalim revealed that he styled Anant Ambani, Akash Ambani, and Anand Piramal during Anant's wedding festivities. In the same interview, Aalim Hakim also spoke about styling Ranbir Kapoor for the film Animal , where Ranbir's character goes through different stages in life. To show this journey, Aalim created several unique hairstyles. In the movie, Ranbir has long hair both in his younger days and after coming back from the US, Aalim made sure each look stood out to the audience. He was also inspired by the fact that the character was a Michael Jackson's fan. Using MJ's classic style like leather jackets, white t-shirts, and curly hair, he gave Ranbir a fresh look by blending these elements with a stylish man bun. Cost of getting service done by Aalim Hakim He revealed that his starting price is Rs. 1 lakh per session. This rate applies to everyone whether it is a movie star or a regular person. It's not just a haircut, though. It includes expert advice, personal styling, and top-quality results. Aalim also mentioned that every deal is done professionally, with proper bills and GST invoices. However, he doesn't charge his close friends when it's work, it is all business. About Aalim Hakim Aalim Hakim comes from a family with a strong legacy in hairstyling. His father, Hakim Kairanvi, was a well-known hairstylist in the film industry. He worked with some of the biggest names in Indian cinema like Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Vinod Khanna, Sunil Dutt, and Anil Kapoor. He even styled international star Bruce Lee. One of the most life changing moments in Aalim Hakim's life was when his father passed away when he was just 9 years old. His father, Hakim Kairanvi, was working on the set of the movie Mard , styling Amitabh Bachchan's hair when he uddenly felt chest pain and passed away the very next day at the young age of 39. he family was left devastated, with hardly any savings in their name and only had Rs. 13 in the house. Despite such a painful and difficult staart, Aalim rose above the challenges and carried forward his father's legacy, becoming one of the most sought-after hairstylists in the country.
