Latest news with #Rangeela
Gulf Today
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Gulf Today
Amazing Aamir
I have always liked Aamir Khan's films. I am a huge fan of his kind of films. Since my college days, I have been watching his films. I started following him from 'Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke,' while I was at the cusp of leaving my school and fell in love with the superstar. Since then I have watched all his films, be it 'Rangeela,' 'Ghulam,' 'Sarfarosh,' 'Mann,' 'Mela,' 'Lagaan,' 'Fanaa,' 'Taare Zameen Par,' '3 Idiots,' 'Talaash,' 'PK,' and 'Dangal.' His filmography speaks volumes for the character he has played throughout his career. In between, few of his films tanked at the box office like 'Thugs of Hindostan,' and 'Laal Singh Chaddha,' but overall he has always delivered his best and entertained his audience. I have always found him a great actor. He is a versatile star, who has never shied away from experimenting different roles. Now, I am eagerly awaiting his latest 'Sitaare Zameen Par,' which is expected to hit theatres this month. The trailer looks very impressive and songs are very good and pleasing to our ears. I once again appreciate the star for choosing a unique subject for this film. I hope this films works so he can feel good about his choice. Zulfi Saaed, By email
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Nisho's note for Rambo
When veteran actor Nisho (also affectionately known as Nisho Jee) takes the stage, expect fireworks, flair, and maybe even a little family poetry. Appearing on a local chat show on DAY, the Rangeela icon lit up the studio with a delightful tribute to son-in-law and actor Jan Rambo. Rambo, born Afzal Khan, rose to fame with '90s action-comedy films and tied the knot with Sahiba, Nisho's daughter and fellow film star, in 1998. Still going strong, the couple has raised two sons. In the middle of the segment, Nisho playfully launched into a couplet that had the audience roaring with laughter, and then sighing with admiration. With her signature flair, she described the curious evolution of Pakistani sons-in-law: "Neechi nazrein aur phool sa lehja, har khata se yeh paak hotay hain / Joon he shaadi ho aur banein damaad, bohot khaufnaak hotay hain." As the room erupted in response, Nisho clarified that this was not a cheeky dig at Rambo. "There is no need to praise my son-in-law. Everyone already knows Jan Rambo!" She furthered on, "When daughters marry men like him, their futures are nothing short of radiant." Clips from the show quickly went viral, with many calling it "the mother-in-law moment of the year." In the same interview, she revealed that suitors still propose to her but added, "Men are disloyal; they're often after a woman's money." She clarified, "Not all, but some." While her contemporaries like Sangeeta, Bushra Ansari, and Samina Ahmed married, she said she won't. "I was foolish about love and marriage when I was young. Now, I have wisdom," she said, laughing, a moment that made everyone else laugh too. Tensions once brewed between the actor and her son-in-law, particularly when Rambo reunited Sahiba with her estranged father after decades. This act of love, though complicated, led to a moment Sahiba would never forget. In March 2024, she met her biological father, Inam Rabbani, for the very first time, an emotional reunion captured in a video on her YouTube channel. Clips circulating online showed tearful embraces, hesitant confessions, and a father overwhelmed by guilt and gratitude. After 42 years of silence, Rabbani told Sahiba he had held on just to apologise before he died. Sahiba, moved by his remorse, chose to forgive him. While she expressed lingering fears of abandonment, she listened as he acknowledged Rambo as a good husband.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
How Ram Gopal Varma's Kaun? starring Urmila Matondkar Became a Cult Psychological Thriller That Changed Bollywood
Bollywood's psychological thrillers, though niche, are gaining traction, with films like 'Kaun?' setting a precedent for minimalist suspense. The genre's struggle for mainstream acceptance stems from its reliance on subtlety, contrasting Bollywood's typical spectacle. OTT platforms are now fostering a renaissance, offering creative freedom and audience openness for these mind-bending stories, signaling a promising future. Bollywood is best known for its colorful musicals, larger-than-life heroes, and high-octane drama. But beneath this glittering surface lies a small, remarkable niche — psychological thrillers that probe the human mind, build suspense through silence and subtlety, and often unfold in confined, claustrophobic spaces. These films, though critically praised, have rarely become mainstream blockbusters. Take 'Kaun?' (1999), for example. Directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starring Urmila Matondkar and Manoj Bajpayee , it is a masterclass in minimalist suspense — set entirely inside a single house, with no songs, and just three characters. The film's taut narrative and eerie tension earned it cult status, yet such gems remain exceptions rather than the rule in Bollywood. Reflecting on what drew her to the role, Urmila Matondkar shared, 'I think as an actor, I have always looked for challenges—bigger and greater than the ones I've faced previously. So, having had a huge hit with Rangeela and carrying the image of a glamour star, I was definitely looking to explore different avenues and try something new. And I think nothing challenges an actor more than a psychological thriller... Everything is literally in the actor's head—you're trying to bring that alive for the audience. ' She added, 'The beauty of 'Kaun?', which is also one of its biggest challenges that people often don't realize, is that I'm alone in the house. There are no lines, no dialogues to show what she's thinking or feeling. It all had to be conveyed through body language, expressions, and the overall energy—just by myself... It was both terrifying and incredibly exciting as an actor. That's what drew me in.' So why has Bollywood struggled to embrace psychological thrillers fully? And is the tide finally turning, thanks to the OTT revolution? 'ETimes' explores the journey of Bollywood's underrated psychological thrillers, their challenges, and their promising future. A Timeline of Bollywood's Psychological Thrillers Psychological thrillers in Bollywood have often come in waves, typically led by visionary directors willing to experiment. Raat (1992): One of Bollywood's earliest blends of horror and psychological suspense, 'Raat was directed by Ram Gopal Varma and starred Revathi. It remains notable for its eerie atmosphere and complex storytelling. Kaun? (1999): A defining psychological thriller made on a modest budget, Kaun? was written by Anurag Kashyap and directed by RGV. With only three characters and no songs or outdoor scenes, it subverted every Bollywood norm. The plot, which begins as a home-invasion scenario, gradually reveals that the supposed victim is, in fact, the true threat. Kashyap explained, "We wanted to create a sense of paranoia not just for the character, but for the audience too. The film had to work purely on atmosphere and suspicion.' Subtle clues — a dead cat, dream sequences, and news of a killer on the loose — only gain meaning after the twist is revealed. The eerie score by Sandeep Chowta and tight 94-minute runtime further amplify the tension. Though underappreciated at the time due to lack of songs and its unconventional form, 'Kaun?' is now regarded as a cult classic that anticipated the minimalism seen in modern digital thrillers. As Matondkar explained, 'In Stephen King 's books, there's often an entire chapter dedicated to describing what a character is going through. Here, I had just one shot. How much more challenging can it get?' She also noted, 'So today, I feel the audiences have seen many more movies and genres like this. And that's why they feel a little more comfortable with this kind of format. And they're ready to explore more. And therefore, it's really beautiful and fabulous to see how much of Gen Z also knows about Kaun? , and they have seen it, and they really are shocked if somebody hasn't seen it—who really likes good movies and, you know, things like that.' Ek Hasina Thi (2004): Directed by Sriram Raghavan and starring Urmila Matondkar and Saif Ali Khan, this film explored revenge and psychological manipulation with a gritty, noir-inspired tone. No Smoking (2007): Anurag Kashyap's allegorical thriller starred John Abraham and boldly mixed surrealism with dark themes of addiction and control. 13B : Fear Has a New Address (2009): This horror-thriller starring R Madhavan combined supernatural elements with psychological tension, marking a crossover between genres. Table No. 21 (2013): Directed by Aditya Datt, this film used the structure of a game to explore guilt and morality, blending thriller elements with social commentary. Phobia (2016): Starring Radhika Apte and directed by Pawan Kripalani, Phobia focused on agoraphobia and trauma, delivering a tightly wound psychological narrative. Andhadhun (2018): Perhaps the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed recent example, Sriram Raghavan's Andhadhun starred Ayushmann Khurrana and Tabu in a black comedy thriller that delighted audiences with its unpredictability. Raat Akeli Hai (2020): Directed by Honey Trehan, this crime thriller starring Nawazuddin Siddiqui and Radhika Apte layered mystery with psychological complexity, gaining praise on OTT platforms. Why Bollywood Has Shied Away Bollywood's traditional storytelling thrives on spectacle: vibrant songs, melodrama, and clear-cut heroes and villains. Psychological thrillers, on the other hand, depend on silence, ambiguity, and nuance — elements that can feel alien to the typical Bollywood formula. Urmila Matondkar noted, 'I definitely feel the reason this genre hasn't traditionally done well in India is because... movies like 'Kohraa', 'Woh Kaun Thi?', 'Bees Saal Baad'—even though they had thriller elements—still leaned heavily on songs, misty visuals, dark bungalows... I think filmmakers were a little wary of pushing boundaries further and diving into a clean-cut psychological horror or thriller format. ' She continued, 'That's also partly why 'Kaun?' didn't do well when it first released. People just weren't ready for a film like that... It was almost too intimate, too intense for audiences at the time.' This hesitancy extends to the market as well. Bollywood stars often avoid such films due to their risky narratives and lack of glamorous 'hero' arcs. However, actors like Urmila Matondkar, Radhika Apte, Nawazuddin Siddiqui, and Ayushmann Khurrana have bucked this trend, bringing critical acclaim to their performances in this genre. The OTT Renaissance: A New Home for Mind-Benders The rise of OTT platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Disney+ Hotstar has sparked a new interest in psychological thrillers. These platforms offer creative freedom to filmmakers, unbound by traditional box office pressures and censorship constraints. Shows like Paatal Lok and films like Freddy and Raat Akeli Hai demonstrate the trend of intelligent thrillers, providing fresh and daring narratives that delve deep into the psyche. Still, not all episodic thrillers have delivered consistently. Several 2023 shows like Kohrra, Guns & Gulaabs, Dahaad, and even Manoj Bajpayee's Killer Soup were praised for their potential but criticized for sagging narratives and overlong formats. In contrast, compact thrillers like Kaun? remind us of the power of brevity and tight storytelling — especially when suspense is the core engine. Matondkar remarked, 'Over the years, the rise of OTT platforms and the variety of genres they offer... have really opened people's minds in ways that weren't possible back when Kaun? hit theaters.' She recalled, 'In fact, I remember it being the biggest risk of my career... One of my producers or directors even told me, 'Thank God it didn't do well,' because I played someone who's almost a psychopath... I was completely amused by that comment.' 'But yes, filmmakers' mindsets have changed, and so have audiences'. Thank God for that,' she concluded. 'Whenever any kind of work is appreciated—no matter when it happens—an actor truly looks forward to that and enjoys it deeply.' The Psychological Pull of Thrillers Psychologists point to the unique engagement psychological thrillers provoke in viewers. Ambiguity and silence create a space where viewers' imagination takes over, making the experience intensely personal and unsettling — a quality that Bollywood is only beginning to explore more consistently. Conclusion: The Dawn of a New Era? The appetite for psychological thrillers in India is growing, buoyed by sophisticated audiences and the expansive reach of digital platforms. While Bollywood has only sporadically embraced the genre, the future looks promising. If Kaun? was the spark, today's psychological thrillers could be the flame lighting the way for Bollywood's darker, more thrilling stories to take center stage. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . Don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
Pink Villa
25-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Pink Villa
When Karthi was 'thrown out' of theater while enjoying Aamir Khan and Urmila Matondkar's Rangeela– Throwback
In today's throwback, we revisit when actor Karthi spoke about being a huge fan of Aamir Khan's film Rangeela. Yes, you read that right! While promoting Ponniyin Selvan, the Meiyazhagan star recalled an incident from his college days about watching the movie. During a 2022 media interaction in Mumbai, Karthi spoke in detail about watching many Hindi films in college. He specifically recalled his memory about Rangeela and revealed going to watch the song "Tanha Tanha" running inside the theater. Because of the same, he was thrown out. "I've watched so many Hindi films during my college times. I clearly remember Rangeela (1995). We went there to watch Tanha Tanha. We were running inside the theatre. We had to be thrown out. But we got the tickets for the next shows and that is how we came back inside," Karthi said. Let's not forget that today is Karthi's birthday. The actor is now 48, and fans across the country have been showering him with well wishes. The makers of his upcoming film Sardar 2 unveiled his new look poster and wrote on X, "We at @Prince_Pictures wish the stellar actor and our dearest @Karthi_Offl sir a very happy birthday." Take a look at the post below: On the work front, Karthi has several promising films lined up, including Vaa Vaathiyaar, Sardar 2, and Lokesh Kanagaraj's Kaithi 2. Recently, he made a cameo appearance in Nani's HIT 3, which confirmed that he will be leading 4th part, HIT: The Fourth Case. Karthi is currently filming Sardar 2, a spy action thriller directed by P. S. Mithran. This movie serves as a sequel to Sardar, which hit theaters in 2022. The film is slated for release in 2025 and will see the actor and Rajisha Vijayan returning to their original roles. The cast also includes notable actors like Malavika Mohanan, S. J. Suryah, and others in key roles. Stay tuned to Pinkvilla for more updates!
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Ahmed Khan on bagging 'Rangeela' after Saroj Khan-Ram Gopal Varma fallout: ‘I was just the boy swaying to 'Tanha Tanha'
Renowned choreographer and filmmaker Ahmed Khan recently opened up about his early years in the Hindi film industry, reflecting on his journey from being mentored by the legendary Saroj Khan to carving his own path. Speaking to The Indian Express, Ahmed recalled the changing landscape of Bollywood choreography in the 1990s and how it shaped his career. 'I used to keep telling Saroj aunty that the time has come; we need to understand, we need to change,' he said, referring to the shift in musical trends with the rise of hip-hop and fusion influences. Songs like Ole Ole and Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen , which he choreographed, exemplified his contemporary style and helped redefine dance on screen. Although Saroj Khan initially found the emerging musical style unfamiliar, she and Ahmed Khan eventually collaborated on a song in Baazigar that blended her classical finesse with his modern rhythm. Ahmed recalled that after "Yeh Kaali Kaali Aankhen...", Saroj Khan had hugged him and told him that he had changed things for her. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Readers says this maybe the best Cable TV Communications Undo Ahmed also recounted how he unexpectedly landed the iconic Aamir Khan-Urmila Matondkar starrer ' Rangeela '. Originally, the film's choreography was to be helmed by Saroj Khan, but creative differences with director Ram Gopal Varma led to her stepping away. 'The first song was ' Tanha Tanha ' and I used to sway to it on set,' Ahmed said. 'Ram Gopal Varma saw me and told Saroj ji, 'I want something like this boy's style.' He didn't even know my name at the time.' According to Ahmed, Saroj Khan envisioned a more traditional style for the film, while Ram Gopal Varma was keen on experimenting with a freer, more contemporary visual aesthetic. 'That's where the creative conflict happened,' he explained. 'She said she wanted to do it one way, and he wanted something entirely different.' The disagreement eventually led Saroj Khan to exit the project, citing date issues, and Ahmed was offered the film. Although it was a big opportunity, he was apprehensive. 'Today, people talk about how I got Rangeela , but back then, it wasn't a big deal for Saroj ji—she had films like 'Khalnayak'. For her, if it was gone, it was gone,' he said. 'I was scared. I kept thinking, 'What if it doesn't work? What if Saroj ji doesn't take me back?'' Despite his initial apprehensions, 'Rangeela' became a defining moment in Ahmed Khan's career. He revealed that he was paid ₹25,000 per song—an impressive amount for a choreographer in the 1990s, particularly since Saroj Khan was known to charge ₹20,000. 'It was a big deal back then,' he recalled. The film not only established him as a leading choreographer but also marked a stylistic shift in Bollywood dance, reflecting the evolving tastes of a new generation. Check out our list of the latest Hindi , English , Tamil , Telugu , Malayalam , and Kannada movies . And don't miss our picks for the best Hindi movies , best Tamil movies, and best Telugu films .
