Thursday 6 August 2020

Rajinikanth and Sridevi's hysterical song in Chaalbaaz (1989): Oh bhoot raja: Johnny Lever adds to the comedic genius of this hysterical comedy

A series of stills of Rajinikanth and Sridevi's hysterical song from the film Chaalbaaz (1989), "Oh bhoot raja." Topped with the comedic genius of Johnny Lever thrown into the mix.  

Johnny Lever is a polarising figure as a comedian but we are MASSIVE fans of Johnny bhai. Every time he's on screen, we've cracked up - and he's the original OG of standup comedy in India. There's a bit he's done on Michel Jackson coming to India versus Pandu going to America that cracks us upppppp till date.

Sridevi is comedic genius in Chaalbaaz - with her perfect foil: superstar Rajinikanth. The two played off each other so exceptionally well. Every moment in the film where they shared the screen is hysterical. 

Meanwhile, magnificent Sridevi in a flaming red sari. She was a Goddess! 

One of her many award-winning performances. 



There's some dodgy editing near the end of the film, but that's a minor irk - watch the actress Sridevi CARRY a film on her mighty shoulders. 

Sridevi went on to win Best Actress and her performance in Chaalbaaz, and its is considered the touchstone for any leading lady - be it Kareena Kapoor, Shradhaa Kapoor or Katrina Kaif, many have said, Sridevi's performance in the movie is the definitive gold standard. 

The leading lads - Sunny Deol and Rajinikanth - were left in another lane altogether. 

Sunny Deol spoke out against Sridevi years later (sour grapes?) but the movie will forever be a feather on Sridevi's highly festooned cap. 

Sridevi is magnificent, an acting tour-de-force in her dual roles as Anju and Manju. You know what they say, Dying is easy, comedy is hard. The ease in which she slips in and out of the duality is incredible... 




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