Beyond Bollywood

The 90’s weren’t kind to the Big B. After a short but unsuccessful stint in politics, he found himself competing with a new generation of actors playing college kids and mimicking versions of his earlier ‘angry young man’ years. Haroon, Amn and Shehzaad relive some films his fans believe are best forgotten and ponder what other actor could return so spectacularly with a career that appeared to be firmly in the ashes.

In the 80’s, Amitabh left his Angry Young Man phase behind to take on some romantic roles in movies like Silsila and Kabhie Kabhie. The team discuss his romantic roles as well as talking about some of their favourite pairings with actresses like Rekha, Parveen Babi and Zeenat Aman.

The son of a poet, Allahabad-born Amitabh Bachchan landed in Mumbai with just two things – a driving license and a dream. His first part in film Saat Hindustani went unnoticed. Thirteen flops later, it took Zanjeer for Bollywood wake up to his appeal, winning him the Angry Young Man tag.

Known as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, actor Amitabh Bachchan is without a doubt, Indian cinema’s biggest ever star. 200 films later over 50 incredible years including genre defining Deewar, Sholay and Coolie, Amitabh Bachchan is without doubt The Biggest B.

Kriti Sanon tells Haroon Rashid she’s playing a surrogate mum in her next film but challenging scripts haven’t always come easily - despite starring in big films such as Heropanti and Diwale. She also reveals what she does when she knows a film is rubbish but still has to promote it!

Kiara Advani stars in two of 2019’s biggest films but tells Haroon Rashid it hasn’t always been smooth sailing. She admits having easy access to the great and the good at the beginning but it ultimately comes down to talent. They also discuss controversial film Kabir Singh, how she’s living her dream and her exciting slate for 2020.

Kartik Aaryan is a heart throb today but it wasn’t always the case. He tells Haroon Rashid his story to stardom, how used social media to get the gigs and what it feels like to be part of Bollywood’s ‘cool gang’ today. Kartik is a self-confessed workaholic and a control freak but says it’s all part of the plan.

Bhumi Pednekar talks to Haroon Rashid about how she’s redefining the Bollywood heroine. Since making her debut as a rejected overweight wife in 2015’s Dum Laga Ke Haisha, Bhumi has developed a reputation for choosing unconventional and boundary pushing films.

Janhvi Kapoor knows what expectation is. The daughter of legend Sridevi and producer Boney Kapoor tells Haroon Rashid that she wants to earn the love for who she is. They chat about the pressures that come with life under the spotlight and how Janhvi navigates her rising star on her own terms.

Join BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid for your fix of Bollywood movie chat, big star interviews and all things Desi entertainment. From new movies to love of the classics – this is the only place to be!