Film titles have gone from baffling to whacky to mindless and very articulate to extremely lengthy. Most titles are longer than the relationship that co-stars share! Every alternate film is known by a short form. If you don’t know what RNBDJ is or if you are unsure about the full-form of CC2C, you are just not in the ring! You need to brush up. We pick the top actors of today to see how the film-title trend has got to them.
Aamir Khan
The leading Khan of today, post Ghajini, made his debut in Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (19 letters) in 1988. He was then seen in films like Raakh, Dil and Parampara in the late 80’s and early 90’s. His hit films however, were those with lengthy titles like Dil Hai Ki Maanta Nahin (19 letters) in 1991, Jo Jeeta Wahi Sikander (19 letters) in 1992, Hum Hai Raahi Pyaar Ke (18 letters) in 1993 and Akele Hum Akele Tum (16 letters) in 1995 to name a few. Of course also he had short film titles that were hits; viz Rangeela (8 letters) in 1995, Ghulam (6 letters) in 1998 and more recently Ghajini (7 letters) in 2008. Post 2000, we see Aamir acting in films with a short film titles with the exception of Dil Chahta Hai (12 letters) in 2001, Mangal Pandey: The Rising (21 letters) in 2005, Rang De Basanti (13 letters) in 2006 and Taare Zameen Par (14 letters) in 2007.
Shah Rukh Khan
His recent performance in Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi won the hearts of many and brought back tears of joy in the eyes of his fans. SRK started his Bollywood journey with Deewana (7 letters) in 1992. He soon climbed up the hit list with hit performances in Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman (20 letters) in 1992, Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa (17 letters) in 1993, Dil Toh Pagal Hai (14 letters) in 1997, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (15 letters) in 1998, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham (20 letters) in 2001, Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna (18 letters) in 2006, Chak De India (11 letters) in 2007 and his latest hit Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi (16 letters) in 2008. His trend for long film titles will continue into 2009 where he will be seen in My Name is Khan (12 letters), Koochie Koochie Hota Hai (21 letters) and Dulha Mil Gaya (12 letters). Will they spell a hit for him?
Salman Khan
The Khan of yesteryear is better known for his controversies now, than his films. He isn’t out of the limelight but he hasn’t been getting the right offers and Salman isn’t able to make the right choice. First seen in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi (13 letters) in 1988, his efforts were only recognized for Maine Pyaar Kiya (14 letters) in 1989 for which he also won the Filmfare Best Male Debut Award. Since then he has been seen in the huge hit Andaz Apna Apna (13 letters) in 1994, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (16 letters) where he shook his booty with the oomphy Madhuri Dixit. He was also seen in Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya (19 letters) in 1998 and Hum Saath Saath Hain (17 letters) in 1999. Post 2000 the number game didn’t seem to work for him. Whether it was Lucky: No Time or Love (18 letters) in 2005 with Aishwarya Rai look-alike, Sneha Ullal or God Tussi Great Ho (15 letters) in 2008 with lovely lass Priyanka Chopra, nothing seemed to work. Yuvvraaj (8 letters), Hello (5 letters) and Heroes (6 letters) all in 2008 flopped miserably as well. We hardly have a solution to his numerology and now Sallu’s forthcoming films like Veer(4 letters),Wanted Dead and Alive(18 letters) then its Main Aur Mrs.Khanna(16 letters) so we hope that these letters will work for Salman Khan.
Akshay Kumar
Starting off as a small time chef in Bangkok, this man worked his way up in Bollywood and how! Today, one of the highest paid actors and the countries only khiladi man, Akshay Kumar rakes in the moolah be it a long film title or a short one! He started off with Saugandh (8 letters) in 1991. His first lengthy film title came in 1993 called Waqt Hamara Hai (13 letters). After a series of one to two word titles, Akshay transformed into khiladi man with his film Khiladiyon ka Khiladi (19 letters) in 1996. Soon every film of his had the mention of khiladi either in the film’s title or in dialogues in the film. He did a series of action-romance films like Main Khiladi Tu Anari (18 letters) in 1994, Sabse Bada Khiladi (16 letters) in 1995, International Khiladi (20 letters) in 1999 and Khiladi 420 (7 letters) in 2000. Post this, he was seen in more versatile roles in films with shorter titles like Ajnabee (7 letters) in 2001, Aankhen (7 letters) in 2002, Khakee (6 letters) in 2004, Aitraaz (7 letters) in 2004 and Welcome (7 letters) in 2007. His bigger hits have been Bhool Bhulaiya (13 letters) in 2007 and Singh is Kinng (12 letters) in 2008. We don’t think the name is of much importance for this superstar as in 2009 his films like Blue (4 letters), Eight By Ten (10 letters), Kambakth Ishq (12 letters),De Dana Dan (9 letters),Helloo India(11 letters)…will these numbers will be lucky for Akki..?
The trend of long film names and names taken from a hit song of yesteryear won’t meet its end too soon. Newer actors like Ranbir Kapoor (Saawariya to Bachna Ae Haseeno and now to be seen in Ajab Pyaar ki Gajab Kahani) and Deepika Padukone (Om Shanti Om to Bachna Ae Haseeno and now Chandni Chowk to China) are starring in films with lengthy titles…
