In 1973, Raj Kapoor created history in B'town by producing and directing a film such as Bobby with rank newcomers. That was more than 30 years ago. But even today, filmmakers are 'inspired' by the Bobby phenomenon. We have the director-producer-fathers of the film industry who hope their sons become overnight success stories like Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia did with Bobby. And then directors who are tired of chasing established stars hope to recreate cinematic magic with newcomers.
After Bobby more than a dozen films have been made with newcomers and one trend is clearly visible. No film with two newcomers ever generates mediocre business. It's either an astounding success or a dismal flop.
This week there are two films up for release Love Story 2050 and Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. Harman Baweja and Imran Khan aren't working with newcomers but both come from film families and expectations from both are sky high.Refugee
Despite being Amitabh Bachchan's son Abhishek Bachchan never took up any roles as a child artiste. Refugee was the launch pad for two of the most well known star kids in the industry Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor. It was a love story based across borders. This theme normally has timeless appeal but Refugee just did not click. The initial draw happened because audiences were curious about Abhishek Bachchan and Kareena Kapoor but the film was a box-office dud and didn't help either Abhishek or Kareena's career.
Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak
Aamir Khan played a small role in Ketan Mehta's Holi while he was still a college student but he is not really remembered for that. It was his uncle Nasir Hussain who decided to launch him in a film being directed by his son Mansoor Khan. Nasir Hussain was taking a big risk, as it was the debut for the director, and the lead actors. Juhi Chawla was an upper middle class South Mumbai girl who stumbled into modelling as she had a photogenic face and a charming smile. And then Mansoor discovered her. Nassir Hussain promoted his nephew in style and overnight Aamir became a star. And the rest as they say is history.
Prem Aggan
Feroz Khan had hoped his son Fardeen Khan would attain the heights of stardom, which he himself had never attained. And he thought he was the best person to do it. Prem Aggan was written, produced and directed by Feroz Khan. Thankfully, he didn't put in an appearance. Feroz Khan's films before Prem Aggan such as Dayavan, Yalgaar, and Ajooba were flops but Prem Aggan was a total disaster. Fardeen was paired opposite Meghna Kothari who has almost disappeared from the scene. While Fardeen is very much around, he remains a second rung hero even eight years after his first release.
Probably the person who was most influenced by Raj Kapoor was his close friend and co-actor Rajendra Kumar. Rajendra Kumar gave his son Kumar Gaurav a dream debut with Love Story a film that he produced and directed. Love Story made Kumar Gaurav and Vijayata Pandit the teen sensations overnight. Although, their careers did not take off later on, for about one year after Love Story released Kumar Gaurav was inundated with offers and he was predicted as the next big hero after Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan.
Today Kumar Gaurav may be a non-entity but for most of the women born in the '60s and '70s he was their first crush.
Ritesh Deshmukh may be the son of Chief Minister Vilasrao Deshmukh but his son has had to climb up the ladder like every other newcomer. Riteish was cast opposite Genelia in his debut film Tujhe Meri Kasam but the film did not really get him noticed. It was with only after Masti that producers and directors began to take Ritesh seriously.
Two new faces, Salman Khan, Bhagyashree and a story about how close families fall apart but love wins eventually. This simple tale with all the ingredients of a typical mainstream film had people scurrying into the theatres and patiently waiting in long queues. (The multiplexes hadn't come to India then.) Bhagyashree went on to get married and have kids but Salman has been a star for the last 20 years and shows no sign of slowing down.
Rishi Kapoor thought his son Ranbir Kapoor had hit the jackpot, as his debut was Sanjay Bhansali's Saawariya. In fact almost everybody in the unit also believed the film would be a top grosser. But unfortunately Saawariya could not be saved despite Sonam Kapoor's presence. Although Ranbir Kapoor's career has gone from strength to strength his debut film is something he'd rather forget.
Kaho Na Pyaar Hai
If there is one film which proved all the industry pundits wrong it's Kaho Na Pyaar Hai. The story was clichd; the style outdated and most people felt the film would bomb outright like Koyla. But strangely the film worked and Hrithik became an even bigger hit. And for all those soothsayers who said KNPH was a flash in the pan every subsequent film in which Hrithik Roshan and Rakesh Roshan (Koi Mil Gaya, Krrish) have come together has spelt magic at the box-office.
Guess a dream debut can carry you forward in life…
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