We didn't know we were creating magic: Ahmed Khan on choreographing 'Rangeela'
New Delhi (PTI): It's been 30 years since the release of "Rangeela," and Ahmed Khan, who debuted as a choreographer with the film alongside late Saroj Khan, says the movie is still among his most cherished memories.
Directed by Ram Gopal Varma, "Rangeela" was released on September 8, 1995, featuring Urmila Matondkar and Aamir Khan in the lead roles. On the occasion of its 30th anniversary, the makers re-released the film in theaters on Friday.
"Memories are still bright after those 30 years... It was my first film, so definitely every moment is right in front of my eyes, and it's fun. Every memory is fond, and it's in the most beautiful part of my heart... It was a complete career-building first match, and I got man of the match," he told PTI in an interview.
"Rangeela" had popular songs such as "Rangeela Re," "Pyaar Yeh Jaane Kaise," "Hai Rama," "Mangta Hai Kya," "Tanha Tanha," and "Yaaron Sun Lo Zara."
At the time, the film's choreography stood out as it introduced a fresh, contemporary visual language to mainstream Hindi cinema. The dance moves were far more natural and fluid than the exaggerated styles common at the time.
The songs, particularly “Mangta Hai Kya” and “Yaaron Sun Lo Zara” featuring Aamir and Urmila, appeared effortlessly cool, youthful, and stylish.
The choreography blended seamlessly with A R Rahman’s modern soundtrack, giving the film a distinctive rhythm and attitude that felt new for Hindi cinema in the mid-1990s.
The choreographer-turned-director said when he worked on the movie, he did not know the team was creating magic on screen.
"But we definitely knew that we were up to something that either would be accepted or rejected completely. The only man who was sure about it was Ram Gopal Varma, and we just followed his guidance. And today, when you look at it, you realise that we poured in everything with honesty. That's why the result was this great."
After choreographing for films such as "Mudhalvan" and "Nayak: The Real Hero," Ahmed ventured into filmmaking with his 2004 film "Lakeer," featuring Sunny Deol, Suniel Shetty, and John Abraham. Although the film didn't perform at the box office, he went on to make "Fool & Final" and the "Baaghi" sequel.
The 51-year-old filmmaker, who also worked as a child actor in the Anil Kapoor-Sridevi starrer "Mr. India," said he always wanted to become a director, and he is happy that he managed to do that eventually.
"When I was a child actor during 'Mr India,' there was a call from the direction to me. When I saw Shekhar Kapur working on the sets, I somehow knew that the man who does it all is the director. The rest, all of them, are the horses of the chariot, but the man who's running the chariot is the director. So when I was 10-11, I had in my mind that I would like to be called a filmmaker," Ahmed said.
"Throughout the years, I directed, I wrote, and I produced. So complete the circle, I feel. And still more to come. Many more to come," he added.
Asked about the film he would want to re-release, Ahmed said he can't name any specific project but admitted his 2020 film "Baaghi 3" didn't get enough credit, as it was released during the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I cannot pick a particular film. I don't know what is in the mindset of the audience, what they want to see, what they don't want to see. But definitely, I would say that my one film that didn't get its due or didn't get its run was 'Baaghi 3.' It didn't get a clear run. It came in the pandemic, and it was the last film to release, and the theater shut in 5-6 days."
His upcoming directorial is "Welcome to the Jungle," the third installment in the "Welcome" franchise. The film has an ensemble cast comprising Akshay Kumar, Suniel, Arshad Warsi, Raveena Tandon, and Jacqueline Fernandez, among others.
The filmmaker is sure the film will appeal to the audience.
"It's a fun film. I think we have got a healthy cast, which is by itself a jungle... You got all the top comedians in the film and put them together, so definitely you will get something which people will love. So that's what I have in process," he said.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Protests against Khamenei's killing: Curbs remain in force in Kashmir
Srinagar (PTI): Strict restrictions remained imposed in many areas of Kashmir for the third consecutive day on Wednesday following massive protests across the valley against the killing of Iran's Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, officials said.
As a precautionary measure, the government shut educational institutions till Saturday, while mobile internet speed continued to remain throttled.
"Restrictions on the movement and assembly of the people continued in many parts of Kashmir on Wednesday," the officials said.
They said strict restrictions were being enforced especially in the parts having large Shia population and those areas which have witnessed massive protests over the last three days.
A large number of police and paramilitary CRPF personnel were deployed across the city to prevent gatherings of protestors, the officials said.
ALSO READ: Family of five from Bengaluru killed in road accident in Andhra
They added that concertina wires and barricades were placed at important intersections leading into the city, while asserting that these were precautionary measures imposed to maintain law and order.
The iconic Ghanta Ghar in the city centre of Lal Chowk here continued to remain a no-go zone after the authorities sealed area with barricades erected all around it on late Sunday night.
The move to seal the Ghanta Ghar came after it witnessed massive protests on Sunday after Khamenei's assassination in the joint air strikes by the US and Israel.
This is the first time since August 2019 that protests on such a large scale have taken place in Kashmir.
The government had first ordered the closure of schools, colleges and universities for two days. However, on Tuesday it decided to close the educational institutions till Saturday as a precautionary measure in view of the protests.
Mobile internet speeds continued to remain throttled while some prepaid mobile connections were also barred, the officials added.
On Tuesday, protests rocked several places in the valley, including Sumbal and Pattan areas of North Kashmir.
In Sumbal of Bandipora district, security forces had to resort to force to disperse the demonstrators.
Some media outlets and individuals, including National Conference Lok Sabha MP from Srinagar Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi, and former Srinagar mayor Junaid Azim Mattu, faced police heat for allegedly circulating misleading information.
A case was filed against Mehdi and Mattu under BNS sections 197(1)(d) and 353(1)(b) at Cyber Police Station, Srinagar, for allegedly circulating "false, fabricated and misleading content" on digital and social media platforms.
"The content in question, prima facie, reflects the dissemination of distorted narratives and unverified information capable of causing public unrest and societal disharmony. Such deliberate attempts to spread misinformation pose a serious threat to peace, security, and overall stability," the police said in a statement.
Both have been condemning the killing of Khameinei and the attacks by the US and Israel on Iran.
However, hours after the registration of the case, Mehdi, an influential Shia leader, said he would not be deterred from speaking the truth.
"The people of Srinagar did not elect their MP to recite government-approved condolences. They elected him to speak truth. That mandate does not expire with an FIR," he said in a post on X.
Police has issued an appeal to people to refrain from violence and provocation.
"We appeal to all sections of the society to exercise restraint and refrain from violence and provocation," it said.
Police said they will take strict legal action against instigators of violence and those involved in unlawful activities.
On Tuesday, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha directed officials to be on high alert and chaired a meeting of top officials of the police and army here.
ALSO READ: Man held for molesting, extorting Rs 50,000 from schoolgirl in Thane
"Chaired a meeting of senior police & civil administration officials at the Police Control Room, Kashmir, to review the law and order situation. Directed the officers to remain on heightened alert and take all necessary measures to ensure public peace and tranquillity," Sinha said on X.
He appealed to the people and community leaders to maintain peace.
"I also appeal to the citizens and community leaders to uphold harmony and contribute to an atmosphere of calm and goodwill in society. Preserving peace and sustaining the progress of society is a shared responsibility that rests equally upon each one of us," he said.
