Nov 09, 2006 03:11 PM
15253 Views
*After** a long slumber, India suddenly seems to be awakening to the messages of Mahatma Gandhi. With a renewed passion people are turning towards Gandhism, socialism and nationalism to find the right path to living a life fulfilled. People are searching in Indian history books to find solutions to their everyday problem.
*When** it comes to Bollywood, there is just one name that is synonymous with nationalism, patriotism and socialism; he is the one-man machine who has given to Bollywood some of the best nationalist and patriotic films ever. He is the man who has unflinchingly churned out movies after movies that have re-introduced India to Indians and bring across the messages of its great leaders, the likes of Mahatma Gandhi and Lal Bahadur Shashtri to name a couple. He is known as BHARAT, he is MANOJ KUMAR.
*Who is Manoj Kumar?** A trivia in Bollywood goes that in the line of Charlie Chaplin; at a conference Dilip Kumar announced, “I am a lesser Dilip Kumar” and he went on to say that the first Dilip Kumar was Rajendra Kumar, the second best Dilip Kumar was Manoj Kumar and followed he. So you know now who Manoj Kumar is?
*Manoj Kumar** was the man who brought to Bollywood nationalism and patriotism, he also gave us another prolific director, Chandra Barot (his assitant) who made his debut with one of the greatest thriller of its time, DON.
*Naming** five best movies of Manoj Kumar is no mean task, however it is made easy if you are to select the ones that have been produced and directed by him. Thus my repertoire includes the movies now available on a Super Saver Pack of Manoj Kumar Movies:
*UPKAR**, the gripping tale of a farmer who under dire circumstances turns solider. With this film, Manoj Kumar subtly conveys the hard-hitting slogan, Jai Jawan Jai Kishan of erstwhile leader Lal Bahadur Shashtri. The movie starred Asha Parekh, Prem Chopra and Pran in a character role for the first time. Upkar had won four Filmfare Awards.
*Manoj Kumar** drove home Mahatma Gandhi’s message of swadesh and simple living in the cult movie **PURAB AUR PACHHIM**. Through Purab Aur Pachhim, Manoj Kumar presented a contrast in cultures, his son-of-the soil (Bharat), simplicity against Westernised depravity, the film was a super duper hit when it was released in 1970.
*Revolution** comes forth in the hard-hitting multi-starred **KRANTI**. Starring the thespian Dilip Kumar along with Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Hema Malini, Parveen Babi besides Dilip Kumar and others, this gun-totting story of revolution was a hit when released in 1981.
*Manoj Kumar’s SHOR** (1972) gave a social message in an emotional drama revolving around a labour and his relationship with his son the film did continue to subtly give away messages of living with the truth.
*His** 1974 presentation **ROTI KAPADA AUR MAKAAN** was his protagonist, Bharat’s ‘experiment with the truth’ in a selfish world surrounded by smugglers and criminals. Roti Kapada Aur Makaan also won three Filmfare Awards.
*The** Super Saver Pack containing these five movies have been made available in DVD and VCD packs. The DVD pack is priced at the unbelievable MRP of Rs. 225/- while the VCD pack is priced at MRP of Rs. 180/-.
