Bollywood Masala of Year 2006

I wouldn’t be wrong in saying that we, the masses share a very unique relationship with our country’s most popular industry – Bollywood, the Hindi film Industry. From a Raghu living in Dharavi’s chall to a Ambani living in a posh penthouse house in Worli’s high-rise building, from a Rajni working in a multi-national call center to a Suzanne who spends most of her time attending kitty-parties; they all walk, talk and breathe Bollywood practically everyday of their lives.

Though we are more exposed to this industry’s glittery side but we are equally effected by its dark and much-more reality side – after all these “famous” faces also survive on emotions and sentiments.

Year 2006 will not only be known as the year of big-budget, multi-starer releases but also a year of controversies and gossips involving the top-notch personalities of desi-filmy duniya.

Here is a re-cap of such incidents and episodes that made headlines across all media sections.

Himesh Reshammiya – The nasal singer with an inflated ego

Armed with his high-pitched notes, dressed in tight-fit denims and a sporty cap with a (mostly) constipated facial expression, Himesh made it to very top of Bollywood music countdowns. Every film he touched turned to gold; films such as Aashiq Banaya Aapne, Aksar and Tom, Dick & Harry till date are only known for their foot-tapping music. Songs like “Jhalak Dhikla Ja” and “Aashiq Banaya Aapne” became national anthems for many Bollywood lovers and misery for many well-tuned Bollywood singers and music composers.

Such was his nasal impact that many even accused his creations of being possessed with super-natural powers. But as they say, “With great power comes great responsibility” but sadly, our Sindhi bhai managed to even top the un-popularity charts with his starry tantrums and big mouth.

You either love him or truly hate him but undoubtly year 2006 belonged to this man and his even more popular nose.

Aamir Khan – The Basanti effect on and off-screen

Rand De Basanti was the past year’s first super-duper hit film at the box-office. The whole patriotism effect became an instant fashion statement among the youngsters while the main stream media went gaga over leading actor and his no-show-sha marriage with his girl-friend.

But Aamir didn’t stop there, known to take his work way too seriously Mr. Khan took on the battle of words (and chappals) with senior BJP leaders over the Sardar Sarovar Dam subject. The actor refused to budge from his stance inspite of several threats and banning of his next film release “Fanaa” in several theatres in state of Gujrat.

With two big hits under his belt, Aamir Khan once again proved his power at the Box-office and with his stance over the rehabilitation process for the villagers affected by the Dam Project; he is a perfect example when we say “Practice what you preach”.

Sanjay Dutt – Saved by Gandhi-giri

This is the year that Mr. Dutt (also know lovingly known as Munnabhai) will remember for the rest of his life. Not only did his film “Lage raho Munnabhai” set the cash-registers ringing non-stop but it also helped the star in creating a positive public image. And not to forget, Gandhigiri has once again become the talk of the town.

On personal front, his long pending court case over his involvement in 1993 Mumbai blasts also came to a happy ending – well nearly. The court acquitted him of serious conspiracy charges which could have landed him up in jail for a very long time. However he was found guilty under the Indian Arms Act and sentencing for this is still pending.

Currently Dutt Jr. is out on bail, thanks to his of very well-paid and highly-qualified lawyers who have managed to extend his bail application not once but on three occasions.

Whether the Munnabhai star will spend his 2007 New Years Eve in police custody or not, guess we will just have to wait and watch.

Abhishek Bachchan & Aishwarya Rai – Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya

Better half of Year 2006 was spent over gossips and news headliners involving Bollywood most talked about real-life jodi, Abhishek and Aishwarya.

Going by leading tabloids, it all began during the shooting of Umrao Jaan. Though the film was at its best only for putting its audience to sleep, the leading pair’s romance moved on from reel life to real life. Their affections were further fueled by the time the two were spending together while shooting for Dhoom 2 and other forthcoming movies like Guru and Sarkar 2.

The funny bit is that even though the couple themselves and their respective families have never uttered a word about their relationship or marriage but there have been many others who claim to know everything – family astrologer, uncle, temple priest and even a sari-shop owner.

Besides their romance, the two have been center of news for many other reasons as well. Abhishek started the year with a black-out, was the only positive performance in KANK, was honored with Yash Bharati award by the UP Government and ended the year with success of his recently released film Dhoom 2.

Ash manages to make news even with her giggly laughter. Known as the face of Bollywood across borders, she managed to hit the right notes with the success of her cross-over film Provoked and international cosmetic brand L’Oreal’s ad campaign. But as they say “With good comes bad”, she was quizzed by the Indian customs over a mystery parcel sent by one of her fans and was also accused of corrupting the minds of Bharitiya women with her lip-lock scene in Dhoom with super-stud Hrithik Roshan.

Whether the two super personalities will enter into a holy-matrimony or will Ms. Rai continue with her “Use them and leave them” attitude, well I guess only time will tell.

Besides the above mentioned Bollywood personalities, there were some others too who managed to grab our attention with their on and off screen antics and here are the honorable mentions.

Ram Gopal Verma: For controversial forthcoming remake film Ram Gopal Varma Ke Sholay.

Shah Rukh Khan vs. Amitabh Bachchan: It started with KANK, then went onto Don and now KBC3, what’s next to come as the result of this cold-war between Bollywood’s two megastars?

Hrithik Roshan: After many flops, Year 2006 has been really lucky Roshan Jr who has been riding high on success of India’s first very own superhero Krrish and the most stylish villain to ever hit the Bollywood screen in Dhoom 2.

Don vs. Jann-e-mann: Such incidents don’t happen very often in our Hindi film industry when two big-budget films hit the theatres on the very same Friday. But 2006 was a complete different story where we had Farhan Akhtar’s Don remake at one end and new comer Shirish Kunder’s multi-starer Jann-e-maan at the other end. Both films hogged the media attention for many weeks before and after release, though Don managed to gain 100% box office opening and overall success. On positive side, Jann-e-mann was gifted with critic’s praises and accolades.

Khosla Ka Ghosla – A film that no one had heard off, a film with bare minimum publicity, a film with an amazing starcast, a film with humor galore, a film that captured our heart. If you still haven’t watched this masterpiece, dude where the heck have you been living?

Overall Year 06 was bustling not only in terms of big releases and success of many small budget films but it also gave us a sneak peak in the lives of many high-profiled filmy celebrities with their ups and downs.

Now as a typical Bollywood fan, I hope the New Year manages to keep up with the pace of the previous year and turns out to be ever more entertaining. Here’s wishing you all a very Happy New Year, Bollywood Ishstyle.

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