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.
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Have sanctioned 1,000 buses for next fiscal, says K'taka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy
Bengaluru (PTI): Karnataka Transport Minister Ramalinga Reddy on Wednesday said the government has sanctioned procurement of 1,000 government buses in the next year’s budget.
According to him, in the current fiscal, 2,000 buses were sanctioned and many of them have already arrived.
Speaking in the Legislative Council, he alleged that the previous BJP government neither bought a single bus nor recruitment was done in the state transport department.
He was replying to BJP MLC Y M Satish’s request for buses for Ballari and Vijayanagara districts.
“From 2019 to 2023, not a single bus was purchased in the four corporations. Not even one bus. If buses are not purchased continuously for four years, what will happen to the organisation?” Reddy asked.
He recalled that the last time buses were procured and recruitments took place were in 2016, when he was the transport minister during the previous Congress government from 2013 to 2018.
“After we came to power (from 2013), we procured 6,080 new buses. Then last year, 2,000 buses were provided, and many of them have already arrived. This year too, 1,000 buses have been sanctioned in the budget,” Reddy told the House.
He noted that 9,000 people were recruited and 1,300 people were appointed on compassionate grounds during the Congress tenure.
The Minister added that around 2,000 to 2,500 buses have been refurbished.
“In total, 6,080 buses came in two years. Last year’s 2,000 buses, and now 1,000 more. Altogether, we have about 26,000 buses. Out of these, nearly one-third have been added in the last two-and-a-half years,” Reddy said.
Satish told the Minister that at least 100 red buses and about 20 Volvo buses are required for Ballari and Vijayanagara districts.
In response, Reddy said in 2022-23, 720 buses were given, and in 2024–25, 307 buses; in 2026, 140 buses—totalling 1,173 new buses were given to Kalyana Karnataka region.
There are around 4,000-odd buses in Kalyana Karnataka region, he said adding that another 400 buses have been tendered and funds have to be released.
“Additionally, 56 high-end buses—sleeper AC, non-sleeper AC, and Volvo buses—are also coming. Now, 400 buses are coming. Priority will be given to Ballari and Vijayanagara districts,” Reddy said.
