Dharmendra Movies
Love and dreams follow two starry-eyed actors across three decades and two incarnations in this splashy Hindi musical. It's the early Seventies, and Om Prakash Makhija (Shah Rukh Khan) is a young would-be actor who has been playing bit parts in Bollywood musicals while looking for his big break. Om's ambition is to become a film star and win the heart of beautiful screen siren Shantipriya (Deepika Padukone), and his pal Pappu (Shreyas Talpade) and his mother Bela (Kirron Kher) both encourage him not to give up on his dreams. One day, Om meets Shantipriya on a movie set, and he feels as if destiny is finally smiling on him, but when he overhears her having an argument with studio chief Mukesh Mehra (Arjun Rampal), Om senses things are not as they should be. Before Om can decide what to make of his misgivings, the studio burns to the ground, claiming the lives of Om and Shantipriya. Thirty years later, a bit of Om's spirit seems to live on in Om Kapoor (also played by Shah Rukh Khan) a popular film actor with a large ego and a fear of flame who was born the day the old studio burned down. Despite his fame, Om is lonely, at least until he meets Sandhya (also played by Deepika Padukone), a shy but eager would-be actress looking for her chance to become a star. Om Shanti Om was directed and co-written by Farah Khan, who was a top choreographer in the Indian film industry before moving up to the director's chair, and features guest spots from a number of Bollywood's greatest stars, a few appearing in the form of digital recreations taken from films of the Seventies. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, (more)
- 2007
An ex-boxer whose career in the ring was cut tragically short trains his son in hopes that the boy will fulfill his abbreviated legacy in this sports drama from director Anil Sharma. Baldev Choudhary (Dharmendra) was once a formidable force in the ring, but a financial crunch forced the fighter to sacrifice his dream in the name of family. While Baldev's son Angad (Sunny Deol) seemed poised to achieve the feats only dreamt of by his father, his career too is unexpectedly cut short. When an aspiring pugilist looking to make a name for himself on a popular boxing show requests that Baldev train him for the big event, it begins to appear as if Baldev has gotten a second chance at stardom. Baldev's dreams are hopelessly dashed, however, when the young fighter ditches him for a more experienced coach just before the show goes to air. Though Baldev's other son Karan (Bobby Deol) is on the verge of a successful music career, family comes first for the devoted boy and he agrees to take up boxing instead. But even after Karan has achieved world fame in the ring, the question of whether his embittered father and brooding brother can truly let go of the past leaves all involved facing an uncertain future. ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dharmendra, Sunny Deol, (more)
- 2006
A soft-spoken and cynical workaholic doctor crosses paths with an outgoing and boisterous female singer in director Tanuja Chandra's alternately hilarious and moving meditation on the true nature of love, and the manner in which opposites always seem to attract. Dr. Suraj Rihan (Shiney Ahuja) is all work and no play, but when he meets the fun-loving Kria (Sushmita Sen) one night in the hospital, there's just no denying the pathologically friendly girl's infectiously joyous outlook on life. Her family is equally as colorful, too. Kria isn't the kind of girl to take "no" for an answer, so when she invites the shy doctor over to meet the whole gang, he reluctantly agrees. Suddenly transformed by such a lively group, Dr. Rihan soon finds himself falling deeply in love with the dynamic Kria. Though the feelings are indeed mutual, it isn't long before the transformed doctor and the lively singer find themselves faced with the biggest crisis either has ever encountered. Will their burgeoning love prove strong enough to keep the pair together even in their darkest hour and will the powerful bond that they have formed provide each with the strength and support needed to brave the coming storm? ~ Jason Buchanan, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Sushmita Sen, Shiney Ahuja, (more)
A woman is torn between two men -- one who loves her, and one who wants to see her dead -- in this drama from India best remembered for launching the career of Bollywood star Bobby Deol. Twinkle Khanna co-stars, and Raj Babbar and Danny Denzongpa round out the supporting cast. ~ Mark Deming, All Movie Guide
- 1989
The East Indian Ilaaka stars Sanjay Dutt as a young bootlegger. Orphaned at an early age, the bootlegger was raised by a criminal, thus he knows no other life than crime. Even so, he's an affable sort, and as such becomes good friends with police inspector Mithun Chakraborty. Once the inspector discovers what the bootlegger is up to, he attempts to reform the boy. Ilaaka was one of three Indian films released in 1989 to feature the precociously talented young actor Sanjay Dutt. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Filmed in the Hindi language, the Indian Hathyar spotlights Sanjay Dutt in the leading role. Dutt becomes disoriented when his family leaves their remote village for the city. Unable to successfully adjust to the culture shock, Dutt falls in with the wrong crowd. He becomes a petty criminal, while his parents can only stand aside in anguish. Director J.P. Dutta also collaborated on Hathyar's screenplay. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1989
Indian audiences apparently like their films long, and the 160-minute Nafrat ki Aandhi is no exception. Despite its length, the film's plot can be summarized rather quickly. Jeetendra plays a police inspector who befriends gambling house owner Dharmendra. The two pals join forces to get the goods on mob boss Amrish Puri. 1989 was a busy year for Puri, villainy-wise; he also appeared in the 142-minute revenge tale Na-Insaafi. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- 1979
Director Shah Krishna compiled this compelling documentary of Indian cinema after spending two years searching through film archives from all over the world. Included are films from the turn of the 20th century through the 1970s to illustrate various schools of filmmaking and the historical progression of the art form. ~ Dan Pavlides, All Movie Guide
- Starring:
- Dharmendra, Hema Malini, (more)
Deadly Thief is the American video title of the Indian feature Shalimar. The title character is played by, of all people, Rex Harrison. He's an eccentric millionaire who assembles the cream of the world's criminal crop for the mother of all heists. They are to steal a valuable ruby-from Shalimar himself. If they fail, the penalty is death-which may be preferable compared to the perils they face in trying to succeed. Interesting variation on themes explored in earlier Harrison vehicle The Honey Pot. The Hindi-language version of Shalimar did OK in Indian theatres, but the English-language version never received British or American release. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
