A big Hi to everyone who reads this blog! I know I have not written in a long time, and this is to apologize for doing just that. Matter of fact, I have been reading up on several books to gather interesting stuff for you to read, but it so happens that I need permissions of the publishers. And that takes time. So when that ordeal gets over, I will be back with a new story! Till then, Adios!
Love
Neha
The everlasting King of Tragedy, Dilip Kumar surpassed his talent in this film and left no doubt in anyone’s mind that he was the best at portrayal of tragedy.
In this film, where he worked with Nargis, Ashok Kumar and Nimmi, Dilip Kumar’s character turns blind due to an accident. When Dilip Saab asked Ashok Kumar how he should go about acting blind, Ashok Kumar suggested he close his eyes. But he wasn’t satisfied. It occured to him that closing his eyes wouldn’t create the effect of reality, and plus, he had been asked to perform the role with his eyes open anyway.
Ashok Kumar then suggested he go to Mahalaxmi, where a beggar sat who was blind but his eyes were open. When I read this bit, I couldn’t believe how observant Ashok Kumar must have really been to give this bit of advice!
Anyway, Dilip Kumar went to Mahalaxmi, and met the blind man. He spent time with him and observed how he was. The man was quite an amicable person and Dilip infused that quality into his own character in the film too. (see the pic above?) The effort is visible in the film where he really does lend an air of authenticity to his character. Goes to show what extent true, dedicated actors like him would go to to attain perfection in everything they do.
Credit: Dilip Kumar, The Last Emperor, Sanjit Narwekar, Rupa & Co Publishers.
P.S. The name of the film is Deedar.
The King of Comedy – Mehmood. I have heard that people have silly superstitions but this one tops the list. One day on sets, Guru Dutt decided to have some fun with Mehmood and accordingly gave instructions to one of his assistants, Shyam.
So Shyaam walks up nonchalantly and touches Mehmood’s nose. Yep. His nose. And that’s not the funny part. As onlookers watch, Mehmood yelled and started after Shyam. He took off and chased him all over the sets but suddenly Shyaam was nowhere to be seen.
Mehmood was extremely superstitious about someone touching his nose, he thought it brought bad luck. And yes, the only way the ill effects could be warded off? He had to touch that person’s nose. 😀
Apparently, he was so distressed when he couldn’t find Shyaam that he went and complained to Guru Dutt, who asked Shyam to show himself. And when Mehmood saw him, the chase resumed. The matter came to a rest only when Shyam finally stopped and let a distraught Mehmood touch his nose. I had heard about getting in someone’s hair but they should invent a new expression just for this incident. “To touch someone’s nose”. 😛
Credits: Ms Saran!
In Black and White 