5 Films: Bad Boys of Bollywood

Mogambo, Mr. India (1987)

The megalomaniac from Shekhar Kapoor's classic is perhaps the most feared and most loved bad man among cinema lovers in the country. With his grand plans to destroy the country, his private army and eerie den; Mogambo causes ripples not only among kids but among adults too. 'Mogambo khush hua' is not only a catch phrase in the movie, but has cultural connotations in contemporary India as well. Amrish Puri in one of his career-defining roles as the super-villain, assimilates the quirkiness and evil like he was never meant to do anything else. And like every bad-ass super-villain, you are relieved at the sight of his death.

Langda Tyagi, Omkara (2006)

Saif Ali Khan's Langda Tyagi in Vishal Bhardwaj's adaptation of William Shakespeare's Othello, Omkara, is perhaps the most memorable negative roles in Indian cinema's recent history. Langda Tyagi is the character of Iago from the original play, and in its spirit is a character that personifies envy. His ruthlessness and hunger for power compel him to snatch control, which he feels is rightfully his. He devices a plan to destroy Omi, his superior, and Kesu Firangi, who was chosen as the Bahubali instead of Langda. The great Shakespearen tragedy has been adequately Indianised and Langda Tyagi is an unforgettable ferocious man who is responsible for the destruction of several lives, including his own.

Kancha Cheena, Agneepath (1990)

Although the film's highlight is Vijay Dinanath Chauhan's struggle for justice; Danny Denzongpa's Kancha Cheena is, in one way, the central character of the film. Mukul Anand's Agneepath, which takes inspiration from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's namesake poem, talks of a man's life as a journey through a path of fire. In the movie, Kancha is the aforementioned path of fire. A man who lacks moral bondage and is willing to go to any depth to have his way, Kancha is the ultimate bad guy. Vijay goes through a tremendous ordeal to finally defeat the monster and liberates Mandwa, his village, at the cost of his life. Kancha is a rigid demon that can only be killed by bringing out the worst of your demons – your will to destroy him slowly turns you into a monster too.

Subedaar, Mirch Masala (1987)

He may be a low profile villain, but the gauntlet of his evil deeds equals, if not supersedes, any of the others on the list. Naseeruddin Shah plays Subedaar – a haughty and cruel man in a position of power. The film, set in a small village in India during the British Raj, is about Sonbai (Smita Patil) who is one of the women oppressed and exploited by the Subedaar's might. He's a greedy, narcissistic, inconsiderate womaniser whose wrongdoings are more than one can count. Finally, when it all becomes intolerable, Sonbai and her associates, who are producers of chilli powder, ambush the Subedaar with fistfuls of chilli powder and he wails in pain. Ketan Mehta's Mirch Masala intrigues, disturbs but later satisfies all the viewers.

Gabbar Singh, Sholay (1975)

Any list of villains in the world would be incomplete without the name of Gabbar Singh on it. Ramesh Sippy's Sholay gave Indian cinema a lot, and Amjad Khan's Gabbar was its foremost contribution. Beta, so jaa warna Gabbar aa jayega... Yeh haath humko de de Thakur... Kitne aadmi the?... Tera kya hoga Kaalia?... Ab goli kha... Kya laga tha? Sardar khus hoga? Sabbasi dega?...And a man who lived by his simple philosophy – Jo darr gaya, samjho mar gaya. The lesser said about this legendary character, the better. And in the hearts of every Indian, who at some point of time in his life cites Sholay, Gabbar will always remain immortal.

Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on October 26, 2012

5 Films: That You Must Watch Before You Are 12

Toy Story 1 & 2, 1995/1997

Animation is the process of putting life into inanimate objects. But Toy Story takes this definition a level ahead. It creates a world of inanimate objects and then, tells a story of the toys of that world. It dwells in the realm of every child's dream of having toys that talk among themselves when nobody is watching. Woody the cowboy, Jesse the cowgirl, Buzz Lightyear and others are characters who make a place for themselves in your heart. There are a few timeless moments in the film, like every Pixar film, which touch a chord no matter when one is watching it. For instance, you hear the lament of Jesse, through "When She Loved Me" - a heartbreaking number. The child in you will be at the edge of his seat while watching the intriguing action scenes and the drama, interspersed with a genuine portrayal of human emotions.

Mr India, 1987

A simple man thrust into a life altering role, a megalomaniac, a device of invisibility and a gang of little brats - the ingredients for a great children's film are all there. Arun Verma, an orphan himself, rents a big house and runs an orphanage. One day, he gets a mysterious letter stating his late father had created a device to make a man invisible. The letter directs him to a laboratory where he finds out that the device actually exists and better still, works. Arun then takes up the alter ego of Mr India and fights petty as well as large crimes. The exaggerated reality of it all appeals to kids and witnessing perhaps India's greatest super villain is a treat. The humour, drama and the thrill makes it a must watch.

ET, 1982

Befriending an alien is a concept lost on adults. We have seen way too many sci-fi action thrillers to think of those eerie creatures from outer space as friends. But this Spielberg classic is a clutter breaking idea that plays with your heart. A ten year old boy, Elliot, finds an alien seeking refuge and makes friends with him. They form a bond which, thanks to the alien, is on a psychic level. The alien mixes with Elliot and his friends and becomes a part of their lives. But Elliot and ET (as they call him) are separated for the risk the higher ups feel he poses to the child. Elliot is disappointed and lonely again. A defining moment in the film is when those withered flowers in the vase come back to life, confirming that little ET is, against all odds, doing precisely the same. Acclaimed by critics as a timeless story of friendship, ET must be a part of every kid's childhood.

Lion King, 1994

Simba, the underdog, is a little cub whose father has been dethroned by the evil lion Scar. He is also tricked into thinking that he is the reason behind his father's death and forced into a guilt ridden exile. The film traces his journey from being the son of a king to an exiled orphan and his return to become the king. While in exile, Simba makes new friends, learns to have a little fun. Timon and Pumba - the meerkat and the warthog, are the personification of the Hakuna-Matata - a philosophy of living carefree. Simba also meets Nala, and falls in love with her. The film gives hope and a fighting spirit and is an account of the victory of good over evil - something that kids should believe in while growing up.

Halo, 1996

An epitome of incorruptibility, this Santosh Sivan film is a reminder for all of us as to how it is like to be a child. Halo is a story of a seven-year-old girl - Sasha, who has lost her mother and tends to remain aloof and lonely. Her servant fabricates a story to cheer her up, stating that a miracle would happen in the form of a halo - and a puppy comes into her life. She names the puppy Halo and it becomes the center of her life. She eats, plays and is happy now. But one day, the dog is lost. Here on, the director tells an intricately woven simple tale of a little girl who is looking for her dog in a big city. She comes across various imposing people and also a gang of street kids who decide to help her. Halo is a film of innocence and a reminder of what we give up in order to grow up.


Published in DNA After Hrs (Pune) on August 24, 2012