Did You Know? - Bollywood Personalities Who Fell On Bad Days
Did you know that Vinod Mehra the “chocolate hero” of the 1970s, running into the 1980s, died when he was unable to bear the worries of his delayed film projects?
Did You Know Bhagwan, who was the ultimate in romantic songs and whose lullaby is still hummed today, died a pauper? Did you know that Vinod Mehra the “chocolate hero” of the 1970s, running into the 1980s, died when he was unable to bear the worries of his delayed film projects? Or, did you know that poet Shailendra, whose songs are still sung today, died a broken man when his film “Teesra Kasam” flopped at the box office?
Bollywood is an uncertain place to be. Talent and ambition drive you, but Lady Luck must smile too. But even after that, one false move and if Lady Luck moves her face away, you are doomed.
For every film released, whether it is a hit, average-run or bomb, there are many more unfinished and unsung that do not see the inside of a cinema hall.
Films that flop leave deep scars on the makers, even families. Even the likes of Raj Kapoor, when his Mara Naam Joker failed, and Amitabh Bachchan when his film company AB Film Corporation made films that failed. He recovered by doing endorsements for Doordarshan. Shahrukh Khan floated a film company with Juhi Chawla. When it flopped, he later said, “We cried together.”
Called Bhagwan Dada, his dance number opposite Geeta Bali, “Bholi Surat Dil Ke Khotey” and his hunting lullaby “Dhire se aaja” (both in the film Albela) can still be enjoyed on YouTube. One of the Bollywood's richest in the 1950s, he ventured into film production – and lost all he had.
Bharat Bhushan was the first choice for playing a poet or a singer, from Baiju Bawra to Barsaat Ki Raat. He lived well but did not innovate or invest his earnings. He took to playing bit roles and his wife Ratna took to doing the same. His last days, it is said, were bad.
Vimi was the star of the late 1960s after Humraaz. But she took to drinking, had marital problems, left Bollywood to pursue a business that flopped and eventually died in penury.
Raj Kiran held great promise in the 1970s and 1980s (Arth and Karz among many that were hits), till he stopped getting work for some reason. His migration to the USA did not help. Last heard he was without money and living in an asylum.
Sanjay Khan was severely burnt when there was a fire on the set of "The Sword of Tipu Sultan." Many people died and besides being hospitalised, he was under pressure from his many creditors. He was able to persuade them that once the serial was sold to Doordarshan, he would repay all his debts. It worked.
Shailendra suffered even though he had been part of the most successful team led by Raj Kapoor. And Raj was the hero of his film that flopped. He ran around but got no help. Even Raj was supposed to have lifted his hands in despair. Ironically, a few days after Shailendra died, unable to bear the trauma, “Teesri Kasam” won the National Award and did well thereafter. The man whose songs inspired two generations died in penury. Such is life in Bollywood.
