FF:Men We Love-Dev Anand;Sanjeev Kumar;Rajesh Khanna;AB Sr:img heavy

All you need is a little smattering of hope, a little dollop of love to tide over life's drudgery, never mind the fact that it comes packed in frills every Friday or can be downloaded on your smartphones. It helps if hope' has a lean mean physique, smouldering eyes, a face to die for and a sense of style that sets the trend nationwide. We are talking about our leading men who have provided us with hope over the years. Who like magicians, transport us to another plane and make us feel special for those three hours.

Men like Dilip Kumar, who have time and again taught us how to be stoic in front of grief. How to behave like a man in the midst of heartbreaking tragedy. Or Dev Anand who dressed with such panache and flirted with his heroines with such abandon that he became a gold standard, not only for his colleagues but for the common man as well. Like Raj Kapoor, the Peeping Tom with a conscience, who made us laugh at our foibles and made us familiar with our deep-seated sexuality.

Shammi Kapoor brought out the notion that real men could dance too and Jeetendra carried forward the idea in a more robust, vigorous way. Dharmendra brought out the fact that it was okay to take off your shirt once in a while, a legacy carried forward by the likes of Salman Khan, Akshay Kumar and Hrithik Roshan. The He-Man culture does have a say as to why college kids are busy pumping iron these days. Sanjeev Kumar pounded home the adage that God is in the details. The little touches he added to his characters helped him elevate even the ridiculous roles to sublime acts. Aamir Khan carries forward the torch, thanks to his yen for perfection towards everything he touches.
Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna have proved that complete outsiders can turn into superstars. That you make your own luck. That the world will create a road to your doorstep if you have the talent. Keep honing your assets. Keep walking. Keep believing. Shah Rukh Khan did just that and came up trumps.

These and other heroes like Ajay Devgn, Saif Ali Khan and the latest superstar on the block, Ranbir Kapoor, have contributed to our joys and softened our sorrows. Here's looking at their journey down the years...

On The Cover:

SRK, Salman and Aamir. Men who redefined showbiz rules. 🥳

EMPEROR OF STYLE: DEV ANAND

Legend has it that Dev Anand was barred from wearing a black shirt as girls used to swoon seeing him in one. For a country coming to terms with its newfound independence, he presented the ideal of a sophisticated urban youth whose Savile Row suits and dignified elegance deemed him on par with European or American stars. He remained dapper right till the ripe old age of 88. Even death perhaps had a new suit made when it paid him a visit.

Solva Saal was shot on real locations. This scene, shot at a railway station, has a plague that all the tickets of the train, Frontier Mail have been sold. The date is 26.4.1957. The film was released a year later.

He was a student of cinema and was interested in all its aspects. Seen here seeking the cinematographer's perspective.

With Hollywood hearththrob Shirley MacLaine. He was well connected and played host to various international celebs.


Love icon
Dev Anand started by playing the leading man opposite singing star Suraiya in the late 40s. She was besotted by American star Gregory Peck and he allegedly styled himself after the actor to impress her. He was madly in love with her and had even brought a ' 3000 diamond ring for her. But Suraiya's grandmother was dead against her marrying a Hindu and his advances got rebuffed. But Dev soon grew out of Suraiya's shadow. Baazi (1951), a noir drama directed by pal Guru Dutt, made him not only a star but a style icon. Films like Jaal, Taxi Driver and Munimji furthered his popularity and he became the third member of the formidable Dilip-Raj-Dev troika, which ruled our hearts from the early '50s to end '60s. His marriage with co-star Kalpana Karthik in 1953 on the set of Taxi Driver further added to his fan frenzy.

With Bhutanese princess Ashi Pemlhaden Wangchuk and the king's aunt Ashi Choki.

With the then king of Nepal Mahendra Bir Bikram Shah Dev. The actor had ties with royalty throughout the Indian subcontinent.

Dev Anand had close ties with IPTA and the Indian people's movement. He had definite views on democracy and couldn't tolerate the state of Emergency imposed by Indira Gandhi in 1975. He was one of the few actors who raised their voice against this oppression and even formed a political party to rally the support of the people.


Guided missile
The suave star was ahead of his times and tried to bring an American flair to his films. He broke away from the mould of family dramas, which was the staple of Hindi films in the '50s and the '60s and invested in rom coms and thrillers instead. He broke the norm once again by bringing in American backers for the most prestigious project of his career - Guide - a dramatisation of RK Narayan's novel of the same name. Though the Tad Danielewski directed English version didn't do well, Vijay Anand's Hindi version is a classic.

He lived life to the fullest and found time to celebrate even the smallest of events. Seen here with Zeenat Aman, one of the beauties discovered by him.

ACTOR FOR ALL SEASONS: SANJEEV KUMAR

Hair dye, the grey one was Sanjeev Kumar's most prolific prop. Though he died a 47-year-old, almost all through his career he won accolades for playing old men. It was his fans who objected to him playing Amitabh Bachchan's father in Trishul. Off screen, he was more than content in the company of single malts. He was the spirit of many a party and an equal amount of movies. Entertainment was his forte. Whether he made you cry in Koshish, or laugh in Angoor, put you on the edge in Sholay or shocked you in Khilona, he could do it with ease. When a director hired Sanjeev Kumar, he hired the luxury of going to sleep. The actor would arrive at the fag end of the shift and wind up before the rest of them. Such was his easy talent. Sanjeev Kumar was a real actor.

(L) Sanjeev Kumar and Dilip Kumar formed a mutual admiration society. The two featured in Vidhata as well. Here they are seen exchanging pleasantries at an event.

(R) Sarika and he shared a close bond. The two photographed celebrating Holi with his nephew.

Seen here in a jovial mood with Randhir and Shammi Kapoor and actress Simi Garewal.

(L) Sanjeev Kumar was not a conventional-looking hero. His charm lay in his simplicity.

(R) Sanjeev during his lean' days. Haribhai, with his penchant for food and drink, later developed a paunch. Not that it bothered his female fans.


The world's a stage
Harihar Jariwala became Sanjeev Kumar on the stage of IPTA in Mumbai. Even as a stage actor, he had a penchant for playing older roles. At age 22, he portrayed an old man in an adaptation of Arthur Miller's All My Sons. The following year, in AK Hangal's play, he again played the role of a 60-year-old with six children. The story in films was different. Kumar made his debut with a small role in Hum Hindustani in 1960. His first film in the lead was Nishan. In 1968, he acted with Dilip Kumar in Sangharsh. It was with Khilona in 1970 that he got his first whiff of popularity. With hits like Seeta Aur Geeta, Manchali and Aap Ki Kasam, Kumar became a certified star. His work with Gulzar was some of his best - Koshish, Aandhi, Mausam, Angoor and Namkeen. Kumar had defied the norms and carved a niche for less swashbuckling and real-looking heroes.

Sanjeev and Zeenat Aman at a party. The duo shared great chemistry in the comedy Manoranjan.

Being honoured by President Fakhruddin Ali Ahmed with an award.

Photographed with a fan and co-star Jaya Bhaduri on the location of Anamika. Jaya and Sanjeev also did films like Koshish, Naya Din Nayi Raat, Nauker and Silsila.

(L) Photographed with a fan and co-star Jaya Bhaduri on the location of Anamika. Jaya and Sanjeev also did films like Koshish, Naya Din Nayi Raat, Nauker and Silsila.


(R) Sanjeev took to hosting shows easily. Seen here at the Filmfare Awards function.

(L) As the iconic Thakur Baldev Singh Sholay. Sanjeev stood his own in front of stars Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra.

(R) His last public appearance at the 32nd Filmfare Awards. His massive weight loss was noticeable.



Old is gold
He held his own against more established stars in epics like Sholay and hits like Arjun Pandit and Trishul. Films like Biwi O Biwi, Pati Patni Aur Woh and Naya Din Nayi Raat added to his reputation. In Naya Din..., Kumar played nine roles and was compared to Tamil legend Sivaji Ganesan for the same. His role as Mirza Sajjad Ali, a chess-obsessed Lucknowi nawab, in Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khilari exemplified his desire to experiment. This was also the time that Kumar found himself head-over-heels in love with Hema Malini. She didn't reciprocate his advances though. Later, Kumar shifted focus to movies like Vidhata and Namkeen.



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Holi-day with Jeetendra, Rakesh Roshan, Subhash Ghai, Randhir Kapoor and Sujit Kumar

Sharing a joke with Mehmood at a birthday party!

Enjoying a light moment with co-stars Farooque Shiekh and Anita Raaj.
With RK Nayyar, Poonam Sinha, Shatrughan Sinha, Prakash Mehra and Sadhana at the Qatl party.

Bitter end
Truth was, Kumar was born with a congenital heart condition and sadly most male members of his family never lived past 50. When he suffered a heart attack, on the insistence of good friend Gulzar, he underwent a heart surgery in the US. Kumar returned with supporting roles in Hero, Yaadgar and Laakhon Ki Baat. But his lively ways and tryst with alcohol continued. Again Gulzar came to the rescue and forced Kumar to get his kidneys treated. On November 6 1985, at the age of 47, he suffered a fatal heart attack. More than 10 movies starring Kumar released after his death, the last of which was Professor Ki Padosan.

THE PHENOMENON: RAJESH KHANNA

His sparkling smile and soft face was every Indian woman's dream. His demeanour was the almanac for every Indian man. Rajesh Khanna was part of everyone's life - be it filmmakers, heroines, fans and even haters. Watching the media circus around his last rites you might've wondered why the hullabaloo? Well, it symbolised the end of an era. Rajesh Khanna is not a name you can forget. It's a name you come to learn about because, without him there can be no documentation of the phenomenal' '70s.

(L) Young Rajesh Khanna was the life of every set and party. Here he's seen cajoling unit members of Raaz (1967)

(R) He was reportedly dating actress Anju Mahendru for seven years. They're seen here celebrating Kaka's birthday on his film set

He decided to tie the knot in a hurry but the Khanna family with Dimple Kapadia followed all the rites and rituals

He shocked the world when he decided to marry a relatively unknown girl Dimple Kapadia in 1970. This when Dimple's debut Bobby was still not released

He used to receive fan mail in droves. Most used to be love letters while some were actually written in blood

He's seen kissing young Twinkle as she visits him on the set

(L) Dharmendra plants a peck on Khanna's cheek

(R) He was the romantic icon of his times and a ladies' man. Here Kaka is seen entertaining Sharmila Tagore at a party

Reportedly, Raj Kapoor had played an important role in getting Khanna and Dimple hitched. They're seen here having a conversation at a film mahurat


The fade out
Kaka had exclaimed his time was up when he first saw Amitabh Bachchan on screen even as BBC made a film on him, titled Bombay Superstar, in 1974, post his marriage and around the time Daag premiered. Later, to everyone's dismay, Khanna changed from romantic and social movies to action oriented multi-starrers. It caused the decline of his career. He had hits like Chhaila Babu, Anurodh and Karm. But he also had duds like Bundal Baaz and Junta Hawaldar. While his career was going through its ups and downs, Kaka's family life was in shambles. Wife Dimple and daughters Twinkle and Rinkie distanced themselves from the allegedly hostile fading star. There was a mild resurgence in his career though. Movies like Avtaar, Aaj Ka MLA and Kudrat were hits but there were also flops like Red Rose and Chakravyuha. Khanna found a new calling with his pairing with Tina Munim. They became the on and off screen couple of the '80s with hits like Fiffty Fiffty, Souten and Adhikar.
When he used to check in to hotels girls used to line up by the hundreds in the corridor waiting for a glimpse of the star
Khanna was not on talking terms with wife Dimple and ex- Anju Mahendru for a long time. They buried the hatchet sometime in the late 80s
(L) He took to politics in 1984. He won the election contesting against Shatrughan Sinha by 25,000-plus votes

(R) Khanna made many public appearances in 2012. Many thought that he had completely recovered from his ailments

Khanna passed away in July 2012. A public procession was held by Dimple and son-in-law Akshay Kumar in Mumbai

The last act
By the '90s, Khanna's career was taking its last wobbly steps. David Dhawan's Swarg (1990) was Khanna's last hit. But Kaka was still a crowd favourite. He got elected to the Parliament in 1992. But by 1996 he had lost interest in politics. He tried to make a comeback with films like Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999), Kyaa Dil Ne Kahaa (2002) and Wafaa (2008). But he wasn't cut out for the game any longer. Over the years, his health deteriorated. The superstar breathed his last on 18 July, 2012. His last rites were followed by a huge procession. It was also preceded by a legal hassle in the Khanna household, led by Dimple and son-in-law Akshay Kumar against Khanna's alleged live-in partner Anita Advani. A controversial end to a historic life!

ONE IN A BILLION: AMITABH BACHAN

His name resonates greatness. He carries India's cultural identity across the globe. His pan-global reach is second only to Mahatma Gandhi. Amitabh Bachchan has transcended the barrier of being just an actor. But like every unassailable iron giant in history, he's had his baptism with fire. Big B's life has played out every good, bad and ugly plot any classic could ever have. Amitabh Bachchan is a one-shot edition.

(L) Bachchan married Jaya Bhaduri in a traditional Bengali wedding in 1973

(R) Seen here are Harivansh Rai Bachchan, Teji Bachchan, Amitabh and Jaya at a film party

With director Prakash Mehra and wife Jaya celebrating the golden jubilee of Zanjeer

Bachchan celebrates the success of a Filmfare Award with co-winners Raakhee and Gulzar as wife Jaya cheers them on. Bachchan has won 14 Filmfare Awards to date


Fail to succeed
It was his baritone that got Bachchan his first movie job in 1969 as the narrator in Mrinal Sen's Bhuvan Shome. Bachchan then got cast in a supporting role in Saat Hindustani. But his tryst with the spotlight came with Anand opposite Rajesh Khanna. Ironically, Bachchan eventually overtook Khanna as the superstar with Zanjeer (1973). This purple patch came only after a spate of 13 flops including Sanjog, Parwana, Bansi Birju and more. But once Bachchan got his first epithet, the angry young man', he never looked back. Movies including Sholay, Deewaar and Amar Akbar Anthony, Don, Muqqadar Ka Sikandar and Mr Natwarlal made him the numero uno star in showbiz.

Bachchan was severely injured on the set of Coolie. The country came to a standstill. He's seen resuming the shooting after a full recovery

(L) President Giani Zail Singh presented Bachchan a Padma Shri honour in 1984. Consequently, Singh had to launch an investigation on the actor when the latter was framed in the Bofors scam

(R) He made a return from his political sabbatical with Shahenshah in 1988. The film was a runaway hit but most of his following films turned out to be flops



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He launched Filmfare's first ever website in 1999

A candid photo of Bachchan caught in a playful mood with young Abhishek


Cruise control
The '80s only added to his power. The casting coup of Bachchan, his wife Jaya and alleged ladylove Rekha in Silsila created news. Films like Shakti elaborated his prowess as a performer on screen and incidents like his accident on the set of Coolie showed his off-screen importance. The mishap had the nation come to a halt. In 1984, Bachchan took a break from acting and entered politics in support of family friend, Rajiv Gandhi. He won by one of the highest victory margins in election history. His political career, however, was short-lived: he resigned after three years, calling politics a cesspool'. The resignation was followed by allegations of the Bachchan brothers' (Amitabh and Ajitabh) involvement in the Bofors scandal. He was eventually found not guilty. This was also the time when Bachchan banned the press until 1989.

Amar Singh, Bachchan and director Rajkumar Santoshi at a film mahurat of an ABCL production. Bachchan's company produced five films and a TV show (Dekh Bhai Dekh) in the '90s

The Bachchans have always been good friends with the Thackerays. Late Balasaheb Thackeray, Amitabh and Jaya have collaborated on social causes many times

(L) Bachchan found a new lease in his career when Kaun Banega Crorepati redefined television ratings and popularity in 2000. He continues to be part of the show till date

(R) Bachchan redefined acting when he put on prosthetics to play a 14-year-old child suffering from progeria in Paa

Bachchan redefined acting when he put on prosthetics to play a 14-year-old child suffering from progeria in Paa

Celebrating his 70th birthday with the family. (L-R: Amitabh, Jaya, Nikhil Nanda, Agastya Nanda, Shweta Nanda Abhishek and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan)


Reinvention
Bachchan returned to films with the superhit Shahenshah. There were sporadic hits like Hum and emotional performances as in Agneepath. But debacles like Jadugar and Insaniyat dented Bachchan's career. The fading superstar took a sabbatical to set up his entertainment conglomerate ABCL (Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited). But all his productions failed and Bachchan hit bankruptcy. However he was meant to bounce back. Kaun Banega Crorepati catapulted him into lucrative territories and suddenly Bachchan became the most wanted man on television. He went on to endorse countless brands. In June 2000, he became the first living Asian to have been modelled in wax at London's Madame Tussauds Wax Museum. Simultaneously, Mohabbatein, Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Baghban resuscitated his movie career. Black won him rave reviews and awards while Sarkar, Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna, Bunty Aur Babli, Cheeni Kum and Paa added further steam. Since then, Bachchan's movie report card has been bittersweet, but his presence as an e-age icon who dominates the world of Twitter and blogging is unprecedented. Recently, he debuted in Hollywood with The Great Gatsby. Big B's is a story, which has no end, just a series of epic episodes...

quoted instead of editing!

SRK & Rajesh Khanna<3