LEGENDARY ROMANTIC ACTORS: INDIAN
CINEMA
Romance has been paramount and predominant segment of Indian
cinema since its inception, expressed in different dreamy imageries,
illustrations of pleasure /pain, emotional presentation with nostalgic sensitivity,
curious mystifying complexity and subjective psyche. The amazing virtuosity of
actors and film makers, their commendable visualization and portrayal of
romance has influenced the society through the ages, at times bringing about
significant behavioral and social changes. Classical romantic movies have
brought artistic facility, drama, poetry, music and inflection of soul in
Indian cinema.
In contemporary cinema,
some of charismatic Indian film stars such as Rajesh Khanna, Rekha, Shahrukh Khan with their emotive,
empathetic and beautiful performances intensified romance on screen and epitomized their famous
predecessors Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nargis and Raj Kapoor with their
original style, these Bollywood legends are esteemed for exemplary portrayals
in Indian cinema, as we reminiscence mythical
innocent romance on screen produced with such eloquent artistry. The male lead
usually exhibited the odyssey of a typical young rebel in love, gallant but yet
in throes of emotion and agony, presented the romantic appeal with perfect sad
pathos, a ‘DEVDAS’, an Indian Shakespearean character which we see in some of
the movies even today.
Dilip Kumar, one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema, a heart
throb in his times with unmatched brilliant attributes, oratory skills,
elegance in romance and tragedy, he was effortless with typical remarkable
style, appealed to masses, a legend labelled as tragedy king.
It was the
portrait of allure with passion in her eyes, beautiful and magical smile,
everything looked angelic with the lovely features and expressions of classic
beauty Madhubala, our feelings enabled us to appreciate enchanting Madhubala on
screen.
As in literature Shakespeare argued a strong link between truth and
beauty, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala with natural attributes presented a
foundation of romance with deep emotions of love, beauty, truth and purity of soul,
the pair gave us some of the most profound romantic characterizations.
Dilip Kumar in Andaz, Daag, Aan, Amar, Madhumati, Bimal
Roy’s classic Devdas and few more movies, romanced his co-stars on screen with
genius and sensitivity, he displayed superb acting talent. Madhubala’s legacy lives on iconic performances
in Mr and Mrs 55, Amar, Barsaat Ki Raat and classical song ‘Pyar Kiya toh Darna
Kya’ from Mughal- E-Azam with superb picturization and universally acclaimed, one
of the treasures of Indian cinema.
Nargis and Raj Kapoor in Aag, Barsaat, Aah, Shree420,
Awara and few more remain as memorable as ever, their long journey of romance
in black and white cinema, where love was obsession and they looked at each
other with tender loving care of hope and life.
Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Nargis and
Raj Kapoor filled Indian cinema screens with art, beauty and romantic
aesthetics, expressed love in simplest way, the sensitivity of romance easily
in timeless classic movies of 50’s and 60’s based on iconic drama, music, romance
and comedy left a lasting mark depicting the rays of beauty and art in cinema.
In late 60’s the film makers painted a new canvas of
romance, vigour and youth in Indian film Industry. Rajesh Khanna, famously
known as the ‘King of Romance’ with bright eyes, youthful, shining with immense
perfection in romance as he stimulated charisma and romance in films, the
public was overnight smitten by the magnetism of Rajesh Khanna, girls
would write love letters in blood to him. Such was the charm that he had to
just look and smile, the young girls would be infatuated, the women would be enamored
and men would hum ‘meray sapno ki rani’, Rajesh Khanna had incredible dialogue
delivery, sang best of Kishore Kumar’s exquisite romantic songs, possessed
obvious talent and originality, which made him tremendously famous. His
superstardom phenomena produced an essay ‘The Charisma of Rajesh Khanna’ in
Bombay University curriculum.
Rajesh Khanna's powerful
romantic portrayals with Sharmila Tagore, Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Hema Malini in
films Sachcha Jhoota, Do Rastee, Aradhana, Amar Prem, Daag, Kati Patang, Andaz,
Prem Nagar, Mehbooba and many box office hits presented the magnificent scenes
of exhilarating romance on screen in the times of first ever super star of
Indian cinema, Rajesh Khanna.
Cute romance started with Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia in
Bobby, the movie became an integral part of innocent romance among youth in
India ,continued with Neetu Singh and Rishi Kapoor in teen love movies, the romance
presented the spirit of sweetness and innocence of the youth in light films like
Rafoo Chakkar, Khel Khel Main, Jhoota
Kahin Ka and few more entertaining movies evoke fun memories.
Rekha represents romanticism in her ‘real’ and ‘reel’ life
with equal honesty, love of romance, an instinctive framework of passion and
emotions in her characters and life everywhere. Her subtle and ethereal
finesse, oratorical fluency, sentimentality, poetry, exuberance and
youthfulness transcends her as an ultimate romantic.
Rekha with blend of individualism possesses true inner
beauty, her emphasis on feelings, emotions, sentiments, sensitivity endure to persevere
her spirited characteristics with perfection. Rekha motivates and encourages tenderness
as love reflects in her eyes and romance illuminates her face, and the memories
of Rekha will emanate as eternal ‘Umrao Jaan’. An inquisitive fascination about
Rekha endures and she is a fabulous part of Indian film Industry for decades.
In recent past, Shahrukh Khan started as a teenager in love,
the usual college romance and invoking romantic impression among the youth. He
became a romantic star with romantic comedies like Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Dilwale Dulhania
le Jayenge, Dil ToPagal Hai before becoming a serious romantic actor in films
like Mohabbatein, Veer-Zaara, Devdas and few more, the masses applauded
whirlwind romance on screen.
It is indeed difficult to comprehend that the actors of today are as good in romance and passion as in the times of legendary Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Rajesh Khanna, as the scripts and stories are not overly romantic as they used to be, the audience simply feel nostalgic for the most sought after legends as they arouse memories of the precious gift they gave to Indian cinema, we still remember quintessential dialogues and songs, the movies focused on meaning of life, the essence of love evoke dreams of sublime passion and romance.
Shahrukh Khan, the perfect method actor with his
balanced performances, his characters are strengthened by romance, serenading passionate
songs with his typical mannerisms in films, arms wide open and head shaking
number of times, waiting for his heroines to hug him. He brilliantly attributes
dramatic expressions to his character easily, mostly in romantic tragic roles.
It is indeed difficult to comprehend that the actors of today are as good in romance and passion as in the times of legendary Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, Rajesh Khanna, as the scripts and stories are not overly romantic as they used to be, the audience simply feel nostalgic for the most sought after legends as they arouse memories of the precious gift they gave to Indian cinema, we still remember quintessential dialogues and songs, the movies focused on meaning of life, the essence of love evoke dreams of sublime passion and romance.
Anuradha Singh
28th November, 2019
Copyright©2019 Anuradha Singh.
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My articles on
the related subject are as follows...
Anuradha Singh
(2020). ICONIC ROMANTIC PAIRS – INDIAN CINEMA https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2020/06/iconic-romantic-pairs-indian-cinema_6.html?m=1
Anuradha Singh
(2019). LEGENDARY ROMANTIC ACTORS: INDIAN CINEMA https://asingh2019.blogspot.com/2019/11/legendary-romantic-actors-indian-cinema.html?m=1
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Good one, miss the good clean romantic movies
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