Hindi cinema had it all in 2011 — a superhero, a rockstar, a bodyguard, three men on a road trip, a petty thief in gritty Mumbai, a film that capitalised on yesteryear sex siren, Jessica Lal murder case, a dhobhi ghat, and no-brainer comedies. Here's a look at a few memorable moments.
Jugalbandi between generations
Towards the later half of Imtiaz Ali's Rockstar , when Jordan a.k.a. Janardhan (Ranbir Kapoor) engages in a jugalbandi with Shammi Kapoor, he strumming the guitar and the grand old actor on the shehnai, an unforgettable cinematic moment had been created. The original rockstar appeared in front of the camera after a decade in a role modelled after Ustad Bismillah Khan. Post the demise of the 79-year-old veteran actor, Imtiaz was hesitant to play up Shammi Kapoor's involvement during the release of the film. “I didn't want to look like I am gaining mileage out of him,” reasons Imtiaz. Fair enough. But for those who watched Rockstar , the jugalbandi is a sequence to remember.
One for Doordarshan
It was co-incidence rather than a planned move that Zoya Akhar's Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara released in 2011, which also marked a decade of Dil Chahta Hai . Instead of three guys on a boat in Goa, we had three guys embark on a road trip in Spain. In a film that unfolds at a leisurely pace, punctuated by adrenaline-pumping adventure sports, the ‘mantal bwoyz' Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay break into an out-of-sync signature tune of Doordarshan. “Men, in general, don't talk it out like women. Even in the Doordarshan sequence, Hrithik's character is reluctant to open up and confess his love for Katrina,” says Zoya. The Doordarshan scene competed with ‘bagwati' and Javed Akhtar's soulful poems for most number of hits on Youtube.
Men in black
Whether you liked it or not, there was no escaping Delhi Belly . The film was a game changer in more ways than one, drawing criticism for its liberal use of expletives and simultaneously making the urban youth double up in laughter.
As Kunal Kapoor and Vir Das stole the show from Imran Khan with their comic timing, a section of the audience crossed off orange juice from their menu soon after the film.
The jewellery store sequence with the three men, clad in burqa, taking the owner for a ride had the audience in splits.
The film came in for flak for hurting religious sentiments, but the intended message was light hearted fun.
Vir Das attempting to drink a glass of water through the veil is one of the highlights of the film.
2011 hit list
No One Killed Jessica, Yamla Pagla Deewana, Tanu Weds Manu, Shor in the City, Haunted, The Dirty Picture, Ready, Buddah Hoga Terra Baap, Delhi Belly, Murder 2,
Singham, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Bodyguard, Force, Ra. One, Damadamm and Rockstar.
Zare hatke
Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster, Mod, I Am Kalam, Bol, Chillar Party, Stanley ka Dabba, Shaitan and Dhobi Ghat.
…and the big misses
Patiala House, 7 Khoon Maaf, Mausam and Dum Maaro Dum
(This week's release Don 2 will hope to find its place among hits.)
Published - December 24, 2011 03:41 pm IST
