The Clash

So I am thinking about Shivaay and ADHM. The whole clash brings back the memory of Ajay's debut release- Phool aur Kante.

We take a page out of my mom's memory from 90's. So every Thursday there would be a promo for upcoming and just released movies. I think it was called Chitrahaar or something.

So one day from lack of anything to do, my mom had taped the whole segment. The first song was from movie Lamhe- a gorgeous song featuring Sridevi -called "Kabhi Main Kahoo". People who love this movie will attest to the fact that Sridevi has never looked as good as she did in this movie. The second was from movie "Love" that featured Salman and Revati who looked surprisingly good together. The song was "Sathia Tune Kya Kiya" -which any 90's bollywood buff will let you known is a treat to ear. The third was from till then little known movie called "Phool Aur Kante" which starred debut star son Ajay and little known actress Madhoo who had became butt of all jokes for her round as coin face(she got her revenge when Roja became hit). The song was terribly generic, the chemistry poor.

What made the song stand out was Ajay standing and riding on the motorcycle. That was genuine A class act that 90's had not witnessed in Bollywood. At least not by a debuting actor. My mom said she remembered being worried about the fate of this movie till she saw Ajay stand on the bike. That she said was a watershed moment in history of Bollywood -A star was born on screen. Friday's verdict proved my mom's theory correct.

Phool aur Kante was super hit on release. Love (updated version of Millie) did not last long. The news was upcoming heart throb Salman should not act in weepie. Lamhe was declared disaster- Yash gone wrong.

By people who loved Lamhe, the movie was one which was ahead of time. It did become classic. My mom who loves the movie has another take on the failure. According to her with this movie, Yash Chopra was finally asking too much from his audience. Anil who had till then mostly played road side Romeo was now playing 18 year old kunwarsa(???). Sridevi - his contemporary was playing woman more than decade older than him. Cut to interval. Anil grows mustache and now plays several decade older man opposite same actress.

In the word of another cine goer, if Sridevi had not tried to play both parts and if Yash had roped in someone younger to play role of Pooja - some one like Divya Bharthi who resembled Sridevi, movie would have been lot more successful. Sridevi's mature woman part was 1 in million act which was diluted by the second role which was more pedestrian in nature. Phool aur kante on other hand went on to become template for next star sons to be launched- broken by few.

So we come back to the Shivaay- ADHM clash.

On one hand we have Ajay's Shivaay- another venture that is yet another action movie . Same generic songs, same non descript heroine, poor chemistry between leads ,excellent cinematography and Class A action scenes. Fortunately this one is receiving much more publicity than the debut.

Ajay who is still an outsider even after his father's 100 + movies and his own decades of work, is still relying more on quality of his action scene and his wife to get the success. And make no mistake Ajay needs Shivaay to be a hit. This movie is simply fueled by his own star power. The success will decide his future- just not his immediate one.

It is unspoken rule that actors who turn 50 have to re-invent themselves. Apart from the fact that their own act gets staled by decades of work, there is also the health factor. No matter how fit there are, it is simply not easy to push one's body to same level as in 20's and 30's. The re-invention brings out freshness and also gives producers a fair knowledge on how to re-package these stars. A kind of new beginning. CTRL+ALT+DELETE but with no loss of star power.

So we have Shahrukh and Akshay working with younger proven directors (who have here though worked with younger set and want to break into bigger league). Akshay is trying different genre to find his perfect niche. Salman has surrounded himself with better actors while he adds his name on the marque to lend his star power. A la Quentin Tarantino. Aamir has become super choosy. Ajay with Shivaay wants to be next "Liam Neeson" of Bollywood. Which is not a bad aspiration seeing how Liam has become a name to reckon with at his age.

On other hand, we have ADHM which seems to be like Lamhe done right. So it does not have mother daughter relation but there is a younger-older woman and single man angle. The age is more realistic as it is keeping up with reality. Ranbir is not playing against his screen image. The cameo promises not to bring memories of "Pallo" moment. Fawad for all his imaginary shortcoming can never bring the house down with single wrong cry at the most emotional part of the movie. And then there is a rumor that Shahrukh will be saying the most prominent dialogue of the movie trailer in the movie, adding it to his already formidable list of one liners.

Also, it is make or break movie for its own star, Ranbir -who needs this success to secure his fading stardom. For Anushka (who has always been "never the bride always the bride's maid"), the movie's success will put her into another league . Ash is already a winner, any way you see. Karan will be able to drink his chai/ coffee with more relaxed posture.

So the question is -Will Ajay's Shivaay repeat success of his Phool aur Kante. Or will Karan be able to break the Lamhe Jinx and bring success to ADHM.

Or more importantly the million dollar question is - will both movies be successful and bring some money to Bollywood which has had dismal rate of success this year. I will go with last sentiments. Success to both.
Amen.

Both films should be super hits

You're a really good writer. Put forth both perspectives really well and without any bias. Loved the write-up. Let's hope it works well for both the parties. 👍🏼

You write so well! :)