With a dog playing a pivotal role in Akshay Kumar’s its Entertainment; we take a look at other films that have featured animals in prominent roles
Dog-Entertainment: Akshay Kumar has a very special co-star in the upcoming film it’s Entertainment. No, we are not talking about Tamannaah Bhatia, with whom he is teaming up for the first time, but a huge Golden Retriever. The dog, which will be seen with the Khiladi throughout, has an important role in the film. This is not the first time; an animal has been given so much importance in film. Bollywood has had a unique relationship with the four-legged creatures. From playing cupid to saving the hero/heroine’s life, animals have gone beyond just being pets in cinema. Here’s taking a look some of the most memorable roles played by canines, pigeons, tigers and elephants.
Dog-Teri Meherbaniyan: This was one film that had a dog not only playing the lead role but taking over completely after the hero dies! Jackie Shroff and Poonam Dhillon starred in the film, but their characters get killed midway by the villain. Moti, Jackie’s pet who witnesses the killing decides to avenge his master’s death. The canine with his sharp jaws and intelligence kills the Thakur. The scene where he is shown yearning at his master’s graveyard moved everyone to tears. Even the emotional title track that Jackie sings to the dog was a chartbuster and the film a big hit.
Pigeon-Maine Pyaar Kiya: Kabutar jaa jaa… this song from Maine Pyaar Kiya has the heroine Bhagyashree pleading with the pigeon to deliver a love letter to Salman Khan. When the pigeon delivers it to him, he rushes back to meet Suman. That’s the first time the duo realise they are in love with each other. That’s not all, the pigeon is again seen in the climax of the film when it attacks the baddie Jeevan (Mohnish Behl) remembering how he had tried to kill the bird earlier. Here the pigeon not only played cupid to the lovers but was instrumental in bringing about a happy ending!
Pomerian-Hum Aapke Hai Koon: If not for Tuffy, the cute pomerian dog, Madhuri Dixit and Salman Khan would never have got married in Hum Aapke Hai Koun! Yes, the dog plays a crucial role in bringing the lovers together. When Nisha (Madhuri) is on the verge of getting married to her brother-in-law Rajesh (Mohnish), she writes a letter to Prem (Salman) explaining why she cannot be his wife. She tells Tuffy to give the letter to Prem, but Tuffy decides to give it to Rajesh, who on reading it confronts Prem and Nisha. When he dsicovers the truth that they love each other, he steps aside to let his brother Prem marry Nisha. The film was a blockbuster and Tuffy with his designer goggles and outfits a big hit!
Tiger-Life of Pi: Completely based on the relationship between a tiger Richard Parker and a young boy Pi who are stranded on a boat in the ocean, it was the highest grossing film of director Ang Lee. Though it was a fantasy drama, and the tiger was created by CGI it managed to make you angry and emotional. The tiger made the entire journey on the sea real!
Snake- Doodh Ka Karz: Aroona Irani’s character, Parvati is widowed after her snake-charmer husband is wrongly accused of theft and murdered by three evil Thakurs. She takes care of her new born child and the snake and breast feeds them both. Yes, I am not joking! That’s where the film’s title Doodh Ka Karz comes from; the snake repays her back by avenging her husband’s death while the human son (Jackie) runs around the trees with the enemy’s daughter Reshma, (Neelam Kothari). Compared to the other snake films where snakes take human form, this film stayed true to the actor’s original form and was maybe much ahead of its time.
Goat-Yeh Hai Bakrapur: Shahrukh, the goat in this film is nothing less than a central protagonist as the plot’s crisis revolves around him. The film is a social satire and has the goat acquiring a rock star’s status. But it also has the character of Zulfi (Shameem Khan), the child who adores Shahrukh a lot and does everything in his power to prevent him from being sold.
Dog-Chillar Party: Chillar Party is a 2011 Indian childrens film directed by Nitesh Tiwari andVikas Bahl and produced by Ronnie Screwvala under the UTV Motion Pictures and Salaman Khan under his SKBH Productions (Salman Khan Being Human Productions).The film has a multiple-cast of debuting child-artists particularly named after movies such as, “Silencer”, “Aflatoon”, and “Shaolin” etc. It also features Ranbir Kapoor Ranbir in an item-number. Chillar Party won the 2011National Film Award for Best Childrens Film. A group of kids come together to fight for the rights of a dog and take on corrupt politicians while doing the same. The film had a fantastic plot and the gang of naive kids transforming into a group of responsible citizens to save a stray dog’s life made the right noise among audiences.
Fish-What the Fish: Dimple Kapadia plays an insufferable croon and while she bites the rest of the world she bears unbounded affection of her fish Mishti. Though the film wasn’t really the best of cinematic works ever produced, Dimple’s fondness for a fish in a bowl was certainly worth a watch
Eagle-Coolie: “Bachpan se hain sar par Allah ka haath, aur Allah Rakha hai mere saath…” is the famous Amitabh Bachchan dialogue from the film. Allah Rakha is an eagle that formed an integral part of the film. A faithful companion of Bachchan, it was always shown perched on Bachchan’s wrist. The bird played an important role in the final fight sequence clawing the villains and saving Bachchan.
We didn’t go too far back in time but films like Haathi Mere Saathi, Maa and Betaaj Badshaahhave also had animals playing central characters.
A latest film that piqued our interest is Dil Dhadakne Do as in the poster you can see the six main characters chilling on a deck but along with them is also a sad-looking doggy who is gazing at the sea. We wonder if the dog will play an important role in DDD, perhaps more on that once the release date approaches!
By Shamim Noorani.
Doggies <3 <3