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LEGENDARY ROMANTIC ACTORS: INDIAN CINEMA



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.

                                           
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.
All rights reserved. This article or any portion thereof can not be reproduced
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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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