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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Karnataka issues nutrition advisory for govt events; recommends millets, healthier options
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Bengaluru (PTI): The Karnataka government on Monday issued a nutrition advisory recommending healthier food and beverage options at meetings, functions, and other official gatherings held in the state.
The advisory has been issued by the Department of Karnataka Health and Family Welfare Services to promote healthy dietary and nutritional habits among officials and staff, noting that food, refreshments and beverages served in government offices and official programmes are "often not aligned with nutrition standards."
The advisory recommends serving snacks such as millet-based, low-fat and low-sugar foods, fresh fruits, vegetable salads, sprouts, roasted nuts and seeds during in-house office meetings and breaks.
Beverages such as green tea, low-fat buttermilk, and locally filtered or boiled water served in glass bottles or steel flasks have also been suggested.
According to the advisory, for larger government events, conferences and exhibitions, departments have been advised to include at least one millet-based item during snacks and a minimum of two millet dishes in meals, along with local cuisine and at least one regional recipe.
It also recommends the use of brown rice instead of white rice, freshly prepared vegetable salads, and fresh fruits or low-sugar fruit juices.
If non-vegetarian food is served, it should consist of well-cooked lean or white meat, the advisory stated.
In eateries operating within government office campuses, the department has recommended millet-based foods, fresh vegetable salads, boiled pulses such as horse gram or chickpeas, and low-fat beverages.
It suggests serving food using reusable metal plates and glasses.
The advisory also recommends avoiding microwave-heated food, industrially processed food, fried snacks, high-fat or heavily spiced dishes, carbonated drinks, high-sugar fruit juices, and alcoholic beverages.
It further discourages serving milk-based tea or coffee and plastic-bottled water during official events.
“Overall, hygiene and cleanliness should be maintained while serving food and water. Local cottage industries, self-help groups, prison kitchens, nutri-gardens and others should be preferred for placing food and beverage orders,” the advisory added.
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