A newbie guide to Bollywood's most famous family

I find Bollywood such an interesting and different beast. Not just because the movies themselves are different (most are musicals, with long run times and a bit of everything thrown in) but because in a way, the way it's run is entirely different: the crazy cult of stars (think old-time Hollywood times 100), the informality of a lot of business arrangements, the fact that a lor of actors/actresses film movies simultaneously, sync sound is rare, etc etc. Oh, and Bollywood is run by families. Most current actors/actresses are either children of previous stars, or former models or beauty contest winners. Very very different to me. Sometimes you luck out and get Kajol (duahgter of Tanuja) and sometimes you don't and get Esha Deol (daughter of Dharmendra and Hema Malini, but IMO the worst actress ever). There are very few exceptions. Interestingly both the biggest male star, Shahrukh Khan, and the biggest until she retired female star, Madhuri Dixit, are exceptions. I wonder if it's a hint to Bollywood to take in new blood. If it's a hint, they are happily ignoring it.

So because of it, and because Saawariya is opening this week, with tons of fanfare, and it's the debut movie of Ranbir Kapoor, the fourth (!!!) generation of the Kapoor family to be a movie star, here is a bit of a look at the most famous family of Bollywood: the Kapoors. More stars per capita than anywhere else :)

( Kapoors, Kapoors, Kapoors )

A newbie guide to Bollywood's most famous family

I find Bollywood such an interesting and different beast. Not just because the movies themselves are different (most are musicals, with long run times and a bit of everything thrown in) but because in a way, the way it's run is entirely different: the crazy cult of stars (think old-time Hollywood times 100), the informality of a lot of business arrangements, the fact that a lor of actors/actresses film movies simultaneously, sync sound is rare, etc etc. Oh, and Bollywood is run by families. Most current actors/actresses are either children of previous stars, or former models or beauty contest winners. Very very different to me. Sometimes you luck out and get Kajol (duahgter of Tanuja) and sometimes you don't and get Esha Deol (daughter of Dharmendra and Hema Malini, but IMO the worst actress ever). There are very few exceptions. Interestingly both the biggest male star, Shahrukh Khan, and the biggest until she retired female star, Madhuri Dixit, are exceptions. I wonder if it's a hint to Bollywood to take in new blood. If it's a hint, they are happily ignoring it.

So because of it, and because Saawariya is opening this week, with tons of fanfare, and it's the debut movie of Ranbir Kapoor, the fourth (!!!) generation of the Kapoor family to be a movie star, here is a bit of a look at the most famous family of Bollywood: the Kapoors. More stars per capita than anywhere else :)

( Kapoors, Kapoors, Kapoors )

A newbie guide to Bollywood's most famous family

I find Bollywood such an interesting and different beast. Not just because the movies themselves are different (most are musicals, with long run times and a bit of everything thrown in) but because in a way, the way it's run is entirely different: the crazy cult of stars (think old-time Hollywood times 100), the informality of a lot of business arrangements, the fact that a lor of actors/actresses film movies simultaneously, sync sound is rare, etc etc. Oh, and Bollywood is run by families. Most current actors/actresses are either children of previous stars, or former models or beauty contest winners. Very very different to me. Sometimes you luck out and get Kajol (duahgter of Tanuja) and sometimes you don't and get Esha Deol (daughter of Dharmendra and Hema Malini, but IMO the worst actress ever). There are very few exceptions. Interestingly both the biggest male star, Shahrukh Khan, and the biggest until she retired female star, Madhuri Dixit, are exceptions. I wonder if it's a hint to Bollywood to take in new blood. If it's a hint, they are happily ignoring it.

So because of it, and because Saawariya is opening this week, with tons of fanfare, and it's the debut movie of Ranbir Kapoor, the fourth (!!!) generation of the Kapoor family to be a movie star, here is a bit of a look at the most famous family of Bollywood: the Kapoors. More stars per capita than anywhere else :)

( Kapoors, Kapoors, Kapoors )

Worst drama family members list....

Let’s be frank, here. Drama families are a nightmare. Lucky is the hero or heroine who is a complete and utter orphan. If they aren’t breaking you up with the love of your life, they are probably busy swindling, killing or otherwise engaging in occupations which should earn them 15 to 20, with time off for good behavior.

I decided to compile a list of the 20 most awful family members. I had to limit myself to one character per drama (otherwise What Happened in Bali and Mars would have probably filled the list between themselves) and this is limited to only the dramas I’ve seen, so some famous examples of evil families (e.g. Stairway to Heaven) are missing from the list. Just be lucky I chose not to include evil exes or wannabe OTPers. That list would have to be 100 pages long. This is not in order, except the first three view for first place.

( Nasties here )

Now what are your evil drama family figures?

Worst drama family members list....

Let’s be frank, here. Drama families are a nightmare. Lucky is the hero or heroine who is a complete and utter orphan. If they aren’t breaking you up with the love of your life, they are probably busy swindling, killing or otherwise engaging in occupations which should earn them 15 to 20, with time off for good behavior.

I decided to compile a list of the 20 most awful family members. I had to limit myself to one character per drama (otherwise What Happened in Bali and Mars would have probably filled the list between themselves) and this is limited to only the dramas I’ve seen, so some famous examples of evil families (e.g. Stairway to Heaven) are missing from the list. Just be lucky I chose not to include evil exes or wannabe OTPers. That list would have to be 100 pages long. This is not in order, except the first three view for first place.

( Nasties here )

Now what are your evil drama family figures?

Worst drama family members list....

Let’s be frank, here. Drama families are a nightmare. Lucky is the hero or heroine who is a complete and utter orphan. If they aren’t breaking you up with the love of your life, they are probably busy swindling, killing or otherwise engaging in occupations which should earn them 15 to 20, with time off for good behavior.

I decided to compile a list of the 20 most awful family members. I had to limit myself to one character per drama (otherwise What Happened in Bali and Mars would have probably filled the list between themselves) and this is limited to only the dramas I’ve seen, so some famous examples of evil families (e.g. Stairway to Heaven) are missing from the list. Just be lucky I chose not to include evil exes or wannabe OTPers. That list would have to be 100 pages long. This is not in order, except the first three view for first place.

( Nasties here )

Now what are your evil drama family figures?

James McAvoy, Rufus Sewell AND Kenneth Branagh? Sign me up for the revolution.

Lookie what I found!

Channel 4 sexes up the Puritans
By Chris Hastings, Arts and Media Editor and Beth Jones, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:23am BST 11/06/2007

For almost four centuries the Roundheads have been seen as the Puritan killjoys of history, intent on cancelling Christmas and waging war on fun.

Now, however, their story is about to be retold as one of dashing heroes, passionate people as preoccupied with romance as with rebellion, in a £7 million television drama on the English Civil War.

The Devil's Whore, written by Peter Flannery, who created the acclaimed serial Our Friends in the North, will chart the sexual awakening of a fictitious young aristocratic woman who is drawn to the anti-monarchist cause.

Some of Britain's biggest stars, including Kenneth Branagh, Emily Blunt, James McAvoy and Rufus Sewell, have been lined up to take starring roles in the four-part serial, which opens shortly before the outbreak of civil war in 1642 and concludes with the restoration of the monarchy 18 years later.

( Continued article )

I don’t know how Rufus Sewell looks now (though he looks quite scrumptuous in Tristan and Isolde a few years back), but if it’s anything to how he looked in the late 90s (Dangerous Beauty, Dark City), I’d defiinitely betray the royalist cause.

Going to be beyond ahistorical though.

Also, someone should make something on Prince Rupert.

I promise to get to replies soon.

James McAvoy, Rufus Sewell AND Kenneth Branagh? Sign me up for the revolution.

Lookie what I found!

Channel 4 sexes up the Puritans
By Chris Hastings, Arts and Media Editor and Beth Jones, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:23am BST 11/06/2007

For almost four centuries the Roundheads have been seen as the Puritan killjoys of history, intent on cancelling Christmas and waging war on fun.

Now, however, their story is about to be retold as one of dashing heroes, passionate people as preoccupied with romance as with rebellion, in a £7 million television drama on the English Civil War.

The Devil's Whore, written by Peter Flannery, who created the acclaimed serial Our Friends in the North, will chart the sexual awakening of a fictitious young aristocratic woman who is drawn to the anti-monarchist cause.

Some of Britain's biggest stars, including Kenneth Branagh, Emily Blunt, James McAvoy and Rufus Sewell, have been lined up to take starring roles in the four-part serial, which opens shortly before the outbreak of civil war in 1642 and concludes with the restoration of the monarchy 18 years later.

( Continued article )

I don’t know how Rufus Sewell looks now (though he looks quite scrumptuous in Tristan and Isolde a few years back), but if it’s anything to how he looked in the late 90s (Dangerous Beauty, Dark City), I’d defiinitely betray the royalist cause.

Going to be beyond ahistorical though.

Also, someone should make something on Prince Rupert.

I promise to get to replies soon.

James McAvoy, Rufus Sewell AND Kenneth Branagh? Sign me up for the revolution.

Lookie what I found!

Channel 4 sexes up the Puritans
By Chris Hastings, Arts and Media Editor and Beth Jones, Sunday Telegraph
Last Updated: 1:23am BST 11/06/2007

For almost four centuries the Roundheads have been seen as the Puritan killjoys of history, intent on cancelling Christmas and waging war on fun.

Now, however, their story is about to be retold as one of dashing heroes, passionate people as preoccupied with romance as with rebellion, in a £7 million television drama on the English Civil War.

The Devil's Whore, written by Peter Flannery, who created the acclaimed serial Our Friends in the North, will chart the sexual awakening of a fictitious young aristocratic woman who is drawn to the anti-monarchist cause.

Some of Britain's biggest stars, including Kenneth Branagh, Emily Blunt, James McAvoy and Rufus Sewell, have been lined up to take starring roles in the four-part serial, which opens shortly before the outbreak of civil war in 1642 and concludes with the restoration of the monarchy 18 years later.

( Continued article )

I don’t know how Rufus Sewell looks now (though he looks quite scrumptuous in Tristan and Isolde a few years back), but if it’s anything to how he looked in the late 90s (Dangerous Beauty, Dark City), I’d defiinitely betray the royalist cause.

Going to be beyond ahistorical though.

Also, someone should make something on Prince Rupert.

I promise to get to replies soon.