Posted:
Here are 10 of my favorites - just my favorites, remember, this is NOT an objective list.
#10 Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham
As seen in: Dostana (2008)
Why I love them: Neither Abhishek nor John is all that powerful of a Hero on their own, together, however, they create enough screen presence to make Rajesh Khanna jealous! John's weak acting skills are not overpowered by Abhishek's comedy, the way they were by Akshay Kumar in Garam Masala and Abhishek seems much more at home playing a low-key comedic character rather than his painful tough-guy persona from Dhoom and Bluffmaster. I am dying to see more of the two of them together ' and it doesn't even have to be in a gay way!
#9 Ajay Devgan and Shreyas Talpade
As seen in: Golmaal Returns (2008)
Why I love them: Ajay Devgan is a tricky actor to play opposite of. His stock character for comedies - the Very Serious Straight Man - needs a good sidekick. The lack of a good sidekick for him in Sunday really tanked his scenes. He had good chemistry with the boys in Golmaal: Fun Unlimited - how much do I love typing out that entire title ' but nothing really one on one. Golmaal: Fun Unlimited was more of a group effort. Golmaal Returns, on the other hand, gave Ajay a chance to take some jokes. He was great with Kareena but even better with Shreyas! Shreyas was able to puncture Ajay's pompousness with just the right amount of over-the-top flailing. I want to see these two paired together again!
Check them out in Golmaal Returns! (It's not a duo-song because they didn't have one, but you can get a sense of Ajay's overly pompous character. Also, I always feel bad for Arshad in these picturizations because he is such a good dancer but the choreography has to be really easy for Ajay to do it')
#8 Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra
As seen in: Chupke Chupke, Sholay, and Ram Balram
Why I love them: At first glance, they seem mismatched ' two leading men, paired together. Usually, these buddy pairs featured a Hero and a Comedian or a Hero and a lesser Hero. Dharm and Amit are both capital "H" heroes in their own right and yet managed to create on-screen magic ' giving and taking as appropriate in Sholay. Amit is cool and collected; Dharam is wild and free. Lightening couldn't be bottled twice and the pair flopped in 1980's Ram Balram, but the duo in Sholay comes in at #8 on my humble list.
#7 Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan
As seen in: Mujshe Shaadi Karogi and Jaan-e-Mann
Why I love them: Much like in the pair in number #8, it seems unusual to pair two Capital "H" Heroes together, yet, this duo manages to work very well together. First, in Mujshe Shaadi Karogi, we have Akshay playing second banana to Salman's leading man in a bromance masquerading as a romantic comedy and then they repeat the pairing in a meta-look at that same dynamic. The two films can be viewed as a pair, exploring the dynamic between the Hero and the Spoiler. Style-bhai's abrasive and macho Hero is made to seem more normal by Akki's exaggerated version of that same character in Mujshe Shaadi Karogi. Jaan-e-Mann goes one step further by having Style-bhai actually feeding Akki instructions on how to be a stylish, macho Hero ' the character as literal caricature.
#6 Govinda and Salman Khan
(Check out that navel piercing, BTW...)
As seen in: Partner
Why I love them: Two heroes past their primes combined together ' one known for his overly muscled physique, violent romantic life, and propensity to take his shirt off and the other known for tempermental on-set behavior, dim political career, and his dancing skills. It sounds like a recipe for disaster and yet the two forces together created one of the best male jodis of recent years in Partner. Salman Khan's pompous ass of an on-screen persona made Govinda's teddy bear persona just that much more lovable. And Govinda's emotional character humiliated Salman-bhai's tough character just enough to make him tolerable! A match made in heaven. I beg The Powers That Be to let us see more of these two together.
#5 Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar
(The dynamic duo with Manna Dey!)
As heard in: Too many songs to count including "Janu Meri Jaan" (Shaan), "Sa Re Ga Ma" (Chupke Chupke), "Ek Rasta Do Rahi" (Ram Balram), and the entire soundtrack to Dostana
Why I love them: The voice of the 1960s united with the voice of the 1970s' Rafi's more traditional voice blends so well with Kishore's unique filmi sound. The two together are the complete filmi playback package. Other male duets just don't have the same magic'
Check them out singing for Garam Dharam and Amit-ji in Chupke Chupke:
#4 Pran and Ashok Kumar
As seen in: Victoria No. 203 and as dushmani in more films than I can reasonably list ' such as Purab aur Pachhim.
Why I love them: The character actor and the former Hero ' friends in real life, they were amazing reel life friends, too. They were both cast against type ' Pran as the petty thief with a heart of gold and Dadamoni as the womanizing drunk with a heart of gold ' and showed that great actors are great actors no matter the part or their age!
#3 Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
As seen in: Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi, Keemat: They Are Back, and Tashan
Why I love them: It's a sign of how many wonderful male jodis there are that Sakshay come in at #3. Akshay's enthusiastic physicality meshes so well with Saif's manicured urbanity. Each is firmly convinced that the other is the sidekick in their adventure! Hilarity will most definitely ensue when these two get together. Tashan (2008) was supposed to have been the big Sakshay comeback but featured very little of their chemistry. Perhaps, Saif was no longer content to act as second banana to Akshay. Whatever the reason, it didn't stop the few scenes they did have together from being magical ' from the fight in the car over whether to listen to Mukesh or AC/DC to Saif's advice on how to woo a lady'
Check them out in Main Khiladi Tu Anari
#2 Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi
As seen in: Munna Bahi and Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Why I love them: Arshad Wari's Circuit is one of the best second banana characters to come out of Bollywood in recent years. Not only does he compliment Sanjay Dutt physically ' his short frame only emphasizing how big and hulky Sanju-uncle is ' but his quick wit and tongue play very well opposite Sanjay Dutt's slow and deliberative way of acting. And what a second act for failed Hero Arshad Warsi. Sadly for me, he was never able to score a big break as a leading man, but he found his niche playing these comic ' yet very sympathetic ' side characters. And there is nobody you want more on your side than Arshad Warsi. Circuit also humanized Sanjay Dutt's gangster avatar. That guy from Vastaav couldn't be all that bad if a guy like Circuit stuck around, right?
#1 Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan
As seen in: Deewar, Immaan Dharam, Shaan, Namak Halal, Trishul, Silsila, Suhaag'.
Why I love them: Do I have enough time or space? Despite being a single-Hero film Hero all on his own, pretty boy Shashi Kapoor easily slips into the role of second banana to Amitabh Bachchan. Shashi's easy charisma makes Amitabh appear much less arrogant and in reverse Amitabh's long-limbed presence makes Shashi look less angelically perfect. The two together are such a perfect pair that they end up playing the role of a single Hero between the two of them. Just think of them in Shaan, where they basically play the good brother to Shotgun's reformed brother or in Immaan Dharam where they play two halves of the same character ' just one is Hindu and the other Muslim.
So, what are your favorites? What do you think of Heroes who just don't pair well opposite any other male actor - SRK, Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna...
http://filmi-girl.livejournal.com/210588.html#cutid6
#10 Abhishek Bachchan and John Abraham
As seen in: Dostana (2008)
Why I love them: Neither Abhishek nor John is all that powerful of a Hero on their own, together, however, they create enough screen presence to make Rajesh Khanna jealous! John's weak acting skills are not overpowered by Abhishek's comedy, the way they were by Akshay Kumar in Garam Masala and Abhishek seems much more at home playing a low-key comedic character rather than his painful tough-guy persona from Dhoom and Bluffmaster. I am dying to see more of the two of them together ' and it doesn't even have to be in a gay way!
#9 Ajay Devgan and Shreyas Talpade
As seen in: Golmaal Returns (2008)
Why I love them: Ajay Devgan is a tricky actor to play opposite of. His stock character for comedies - the Very Serious Straight Man - needs a good sidekick. The lack of a good sidekick for him in Sunday really tanked his scenes. He had good chemistry with the boys in Golmaal: Fun Unlimited - how much do I love typing out that entire title ' but nothing really one on one. Golmaal: Fun Unlimited was more of a group effort. Golmaal Returns, on the other hand, gave Ajay a chance to take some jokes. He was great with Kareena but even better with Shreyas! Shreyas was able to puncture Ajay's pompousness with just the right amount of over-the-top flailing. I want to see these two paired together again!
Check them out in Golmaal Returns! (It's not a duo-song because they didn't have one, but you can get a sense of Ajay's overly pompous character. Also, I always feel bad for Arshad in these picturizations because he is such a good dancer but the choreography has to be really easy for Ajay to do it')
#8 Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra
As seen in: Chupke Chupke, Sholay, and Ram Balram
Why I love them: At first glance, they seem mismatched ' two leading men, paired together. Usually, these buddy pairs featured a Hero and a Comedian or a Hero and a lesser Hero. Dharm and Amit are both capital "H" heroes in their own right and yet managed to create on-screen magic ' giving and taking as appropriate in Sholay. Amit is cool and collected; Dharam is wild and free. Lightening couldn't be bottled twice and the pair flopped in 1980's Ram Balram, but the duo in Sholay comes in at #8 on my humble list.
#7 Akshay Kumar and Salman Khan
As seen in: Mujshe Shaadi Karogi and Jaan-e-Mann
Why I love them: Much like in the pair in number #8, it seems unusual to pair two Capital "H" Heroes together, yet, this duo manages to work very well together. First, in Mujshe Shaadi Karogi, we have Akshay playing second banana to Salman's leading man in a bromance masquerading as a romantic comedy and then they repeat the pairing in a meta-look at that same dynamic. The two films can be viewed as a pair, exploring the dynamic between the Hero and the Spoiler. Style-bhai's abrasive and macho Hero is made to seem more normal by Akki's exaggerated version of that same character in Mujshe Shaadi Karogi. Jaan-e-Mann goes one step further by having Style-bhai actually feeding Akki instructions on how to be a stylish, macho Hero ' the character as literal caricature.
#6 Govinda and Salman Khan
(Check out that navel piercing, BTW...)
As seen in: Partner
Why I love them: Two heroes past their primes combined together ' one known for his overly muscled physique, violent romantic life, and propensity to take his shirt off and the other known for tempermental on-set behavior, dim political career, and his dancing skills. It sounds like a recipe for disaster and yet the two forces together created one of the best male jodis of recent years in Partner. Salman Khan's pompous ass of an on-screen persona made Govinda's teddy bear persona just that much more lovable. And Govinda's emotional character humiliated Salman-bhai's tough character just enough to make him tolerable! A match made in heaven. I beg The Powers That Be to let us see more of these two together.
#5 Mohammed Rafi and Kishore Kumar
(The dynamic duo with Manna Dey!)
As heard in: Too many songs to count including "Janu Meri Jaan" (Shaan), "Sa Re Ga Ma" (Chupke Chupke), "Ek Rasta Do Rahi" (Ram Balram), and the entire soundtrack to Dostana
Why I love them: The voice of the 1960s united with the voice of the 1970s' Rafi's more traditional voice blends so well with Kishore's unique filmi sound. The two together are the complete filmi playback package. Other male duets just don't have the same magic'
Check them out singing for Garam Dharam and Amit-ji in Chupke Chupke:
#4 Pran and Ashok Kumar
As seen in: Victoria No. 203 and as dushmani in more films than I can reasonably list ' such as Purab aur Pachhim.
Why I love them: The character actor and the former Hero ' friends in real life, they were amazing reel life friends, too. They were both cast against type ' Pran as the petty thief with a heart of gold and Dadamoni as the womanizing drunk with a heart of gold ' and showed that great actors are great actors no matter the part or their age!
#3 Akshay Kumar and Saif Ali Khan
As seen in: Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Yeh Dillagi, Tu Chor Main Sipahi, Keemat: They Are Back, and Tashan
Why I love them: It's a sign of how many wonderful male jodis there are that Sakshay come in at #3. Akshay's enthusiastic physicality meshes so well with Saif's manicured urbanity. Each is firmly convinced that the other is the sidekick in their adventure! Hilarity will most definitely ensue when these two get together. Tashan (2008) was supposed to have been the big Sakshay comeback but featured very little of their chemistry. Perhaps, Saif was no longer content to act as second banana to Akshay. Whatever the reason, it didn't stop the few scenes they did have together from being magical ' from the fight in the car over whether to listen to Mukesh or AC/DC to Saif's advice on how to woo a lady'
Check them out in Main Khiladi Tu Anari
#2 Sanjay Dutt and Arshad Warsi
As seen in: Munna Bahi and Lage Raho Munna Bhai
Why I love them: Arshad Wari's Circuit is one of the best second banana characters to come out of Bollywood in recent years. Not only does he compliment Sanjay Dutt physically ' his short frame only emphasizing how big and hulky Sanju-uncle is ' but his quick wit and tongue play very well opposite Sanjay Dutt's slow and deliberative way of acting. And what a second act for failed Hero Arshad Warsi. Sadly for me, he was never able to score a big break as a leading man, but he found his niche playing these comic ' yet very sympathetic ' side characters. And there is nobody you want more on your side than Arshad Warsi. Circuit also humanized Sanjay Dutt's gangster avatar. That guy from Vastaav couldn't be all that bad if a guy like Circuit stuck around, right?
#1 Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan
As seen in: Deewar, Immaan Dharam, Shaan, Namak Halal, Trishul, Silsila, Suhaag'.
Why I love them: Do I have enough time or space? Despite being a single-Hero film Hero all on his own, pretty boy Shashi Kapoor easily slips into the role of second banana to Amitabh Bachchan. Shashi's easy charisma makes Amitabh appear much less arrogant and in reverse Amitabh's long-limbed presence makes Shashi look less angelically perfect. The two together are such a perfect pair that they end up playing the role of a single Hero between the two of them. Just think of them in Shaan, where they basically play the good brother to Shotgun's reformed brother or in Immaan Dharam where they play two halves of the same character ' just one is Hindu and the other Muslim.
So, what are your favorites? What do you think of Heroes who just don't pair well opposite any other male actor - SRK, Rishi Kapoor, Rajesh Khanna...
http://filmi-girl.livejournal.com/210588.html#cutid6
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