The unknown brother'n sisters of B'wood

By: Praveen Lance Fernandes, IndiaFM

Wednesday, August 09, 2006

The pure bond of love between a brother and a sister is one of the deepest and noblest of human emotions. Raksha Bandhan is a special occasion to celebrate the chaste bond of love between a brother and a sister by tying a holy thread - the Rakhi around the wrist. Year after year, the usual brother-sisters of the industry are focused upon like Tusshar and Ekta Kapoor, Ashmit and Amisha Patel, Saif and Soha Ali Khan, etc. Not that their love for each other is any less, this time we decided to speak about those siblings who one may not exactly recall today.

Nargis and Anwar Hussain

Nargis, who immortalized herself with such fine performances in movies like Mother India (1957), Awara (1951), Jagte Raho (1956) and Shree 420 (1955) is still remembered today as one of the finest leading ladies of Indian cinema. Not many people know that it was her brother Anwar Hussain who managed to get her a break in films because he was a popular character actor in the 40's and had about 50 films to his credit. The acting bug must have bit them both because their mother Jaddanbai was a popular courtesan, actor and director. Anwar Hussain though not really remembered today has acted in over 80 films. Though not much is known about their equation with each other, it is known that they both had different fathers.

The two worked together a few times in films like Romeo and Juliet (1947) and Raat Aur Din (1967).

Mehmood and Minoo Mumtaz

Believe it or not but one of the best Indian comedians of all time had reservations of his sister acting in films and he even objected it to his parents. However, this was before he had joined the industry and he finally got bitten by the acting bug thus taking over from Johnny Walker as the Numero Uno comic in the industry with films like Bhoot Bangla, Sadhu Aur Shaitaan, Padosan, Gumnaam, Bombay To Goa and Main Sunder Hoon to name a few.

Minoo Mumtaz started out as a dancer and subsequently as a character artist in quite a lot of films. Her debut film was K Amarnath's Baradari (1955). They both are the children of Mumtaz Ali, a film and stage actor-cum-dancer.

The two of them subsequently ended up acting together in about 10 films together including Chitralekha, Jahan Ara, Akeli Mat Jaiyo, Faulad, Jagir, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Qaidi No. 911, Howrah Bridge, Ek Saal and C.I.D.

Shobha and Viju Khote

The only set of twins to have survived this long in the industry, this brother-sister duo has acted in innumerable number of films. It was only natural the two strayed into show business. Their father Nandu Khote was a star on stage and in the silent movies and Durga Khote, a famous movie personality of yesteryear was their aunt. Be it Shobha Khote's constant pairing with Mehmood in films like Hamare Tumhare, Hamrahi, Kanoon, Sanjog, Tumse Achcha Kaun Hai or Viju Khote's memorable 5 minute role of Kaalia in Sholay, they have always made their presence felt. The two have appeared in a number of films together including Raksha Bandhan (1984) and more recently played brother and sister in Shararat (2002). They also have appeared together on the small screen in Zabaan Sambhalke and have also done theatre together.

Their other films include Ghar Grihasti, Pyaar Diwana Hota Hai, Waqt Hamara Hai, Pyar Hua Chori Chori, Karz Chukana Hai, Jawani Zindabad, Vardi, Haqeeqat, Aaj Ka M.L.A. Ram Avtar, Zindagi Jeene Ke Liye, Pukar, Naseeb, Mazaaq, Benaam and Kasauti.

Mumtaz and Roopesh Kumar

Mumtaz one of the most promising actors of the 60's and 70's doesn't need an introduction. Not many might know but small time villain Roopesh Kumar and she were both cousins. Roopesh displayed his acting histrionics in films like Kal Aaj Aur Kal, Andaz, Seeta Aur Geeta, Raampur Ka Lakshman, Nagin, Doosra Aadmi, Chacha Bhatija and The Great Gambler. He also produced and directed three films the last being Meri Aan (1993) starring Sanjay Dutt.

This cousin duo has worked together in Nagin, Dharkan, Maa Aur Mamta, Aadmi Aur Insaan, Bandhan and Tarzan and King Kong.

Shabana and Baba Azmi

Shabana Azmi is quite well known in the industry for the various kinds of roles that she has played. However, not many might know her brother Baba Azmi. The children of the late poet Kaifi Azmi were both attracted to this creative medium though in different departments. So as Shabana shone on celluloid, Baba was content by working behind the camera as a noted cinematographer. He has used his lenses in films like Arjun, Beta, Dil, Tezaab, Mr India, Akele Hum Akele Tum and Pukar. In fact, Baba began as an assistant director to none other than Chetan Anand and recently directed Kaifi Azmi's compilation of poem Pyar Ka Jashn. Right now he is focusing more on covering commercials.

Their associations together were in two films which include Bapu's Hum Paanch (1980) and Vijay Talwar's Lorie (1984).

Aruna Irani and Inder Kumar

In the mid sixties, Aruna Irani transformed into vamp characters providing item numbers and a lot of cleavage. Her brother's too seem to have been inspired by her and entered the film industry. Inder Kumar directed some memorable films like Dil, Beta and Masti. Then there is their brother and small time actor Adi Irani who too has acted in quite a few films. Aruna and Adi Irani worked in Inder Kumar's Beta and Adi went onto work in Inder's Raja and Rishtey. Apart from Beta, Aruna and Adi Irani worked with each other in Hote Hote Pyar Ho Gaya, Zakhmo Ka Hisaab and Baat Ban Jaye.

Sanjna, Kunal and Karan Kapoor

The off-springs of Shashi and Jennifer Kapoor too tried their luck in Bollywood. The three appeared together in their father's home production Junoon (1979) directed by Shyam Benegal (all of them made their debut in the film as child actors). Sanjna and Karan subsequently were again seen in a small role in their father's acclaimed 36 Chowrangee Lane (1982) directed by Aparna Sen. However, because of having a British mother, their skin color was a bit too white for the Indian celluloid and hence they could not really sustain themselves in the industry.

Sanjna acted in a few more movies like Hero Hiralal (1988) and Salaam Bombay (1989) while Kunal too did a few movies. He is an Ad-film-maker now. Sanjna went onto revive and handle Prithvi theatre and Prithvi Art Gallery. Karan Kapoor is a successful photographer in London.