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Rediff.com  » Movies » When Bollywood stars were inspired by real life icons
This article was first published 10 years ago

When Bollywood stars were inspired by real life icons

May 19, 2014 08:36 IST

Image: Laila Ali, Sonakshi Sinha in Holiday

Sonakshi Sinha does a Laila while Raj Kapoor aced the Charlie Chaplin walk.

If Tom Cruise’s look in Rock of Ages was inspired by rock idols Axl Rose, Bret Michaels and Bon Jovi, Johnny Depp’s avatar in Lone Ranger is based on Kirby Sattler’s painting I am Crow. 

At home too, filmmakers and stylists often travel back in time or to Hollywood to seek real personalities for ideas to present its protagonists with realism, novelty or interest. 

Here’s a look at when Bollywood stars modelled their look in a movie after a real life icon.

Sonakshi Sinha, Holiday

In the upcoming movie Holiday, Sonakshi Sinha plays a younger boxer and sports sleek cornrows too.

And her muse for this eye-catching look is none other Laila, retired three-time world heavyweight boxing champion and daughter of boxing legend, Muhammad Ali.

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Tamanna, Himmatwala

Image: Sridevi in Himmatwala, Tamanna in Himmatwala (2014)

The 24-year-old South sensation tried to fill in Sridevi’s shoes and styling for Sajid Khan’s remake of Himmatwala.

Be it the skin-tight leather bodysuit or copying Naino Mein Sapna to the T, Tamanna leaves no stone unturned in trying to impersonate the erstwhile reigning queen.

Sanjay Dutt, Agneepath

Image: Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now, Sanjay Dutt in Agneepath

Playing the physically ferocious version of Kancha Cheena, originally played by the suave Danny Denzongpa, required Sanjay Dutt to shave off his hair and slip into an all-black ensemble.

Dutt’s Kancha Cheena takes obvious inspiration from Marlon Brando’s look in Francis Ford Coppola’s Apocalypse Now.

Antara Mali, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon

Image: Madhuri Dixit in Sailaab, Antara Mali in Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon

With a title and theme like Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon, it’s only fair to expect Antara Mali mimicking the Tezaab actress to the hilt.

And she does.

From Ek Do Teen to Sailaab’s sizzling Humko Aaj Kal Hai Intezar dance, Antara does a perfect Madhuri Dixit

Rani Mukerji, Aiyyaa

Image: Sridevi in Mr.India, Rani Mukerji in Aiyyaa

Sridevi’s stunning blend of sizzle and histrionics has inspired an entire generation of actresses.

Looks like Rani Mukerji watched the actress in good doses. It surely reflects in her flawless reproduction of Sri’s memorable blue sari dance in Mr India as the foolish, filmi Meenakshi in Aiyyaa.

Katrina Kaif, Raajneeti

Image: Katrina Kaif in Rajeneeti, Sonia Gandhi

In Prakash Jha’s political drama Raajneeti, which marries the plot points of Mahabharata with contemporary narrative, Katrina Kaif attracted notice with her serious portrayal of a politician’s wife compelled to contest elections after his tragic demise.

It’s not hard to notice Congress president Sonia Gandhi’s influences in the grace and diplomatic nuances Kat captures in her performance.

Priyanka Chopra, Teri Meri Kahani

Image: Mumtaz, Priyanka Chopra in Teri Meri Kahaani

The perky, impish and playful adas of Mumtaz inspires Priyanka Chopra’s first segment, portraying a Hindi film actress in Teri Meri Kahaani, which is narrated in three different timelines.

And PC nails Mumu’s famous pout and Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyaar Ke Charche moves and drape rather daintily in this rom-com, which otherwise tanked at the box office.

Jackie Shroff, Bhoot Unkle

Image: Johnny Depp in Pirates Of The Caribbean, Jackie Shroff in Bhoot Unkle

Call it lack of inspiration or plain plagiarism, but no prizes for guessing Jackie Shroff’s poor man’s pirate is a Jack Sparrow rip-off.

Incidentally, Johnny Depp modelled his performance in the super-hit franchise on the Rolling Stones’ guitarist, Keith Richards.

Prachi Desai, Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Image: Dimple Kapadia in Bobby, Prachi Desai in Once Upon A Time In Mumbai

Set in the 1970s, Milan Luthria’s crime caper uses a lot of props and souvenirs from the retro decade to add authenticity.

That explains Prachi Desai teasing her inner Dimple Kapadia in that iconic polka dot blouse and mini skirt from Bobby.

Preity Zinta, Kal Ho Naa Ho

Image: Ali MacGraw in Love Story and Preity Zinta in Kal Ho Naa Ho

Preity Zinta’s bespectacled look and ironed hair chicness as Naina in Kal Ho Naa Ho made quite a fashion statement.

But a lot of credit for her look goes to Jenny aka Love Story’s Ali MacGraw.

Raj Kapoor, Shree 420

Image: Charlie Chaplin and Raj Kapoor in Shree 420

And if there’s one actor who paid visible tribute to his idol, Charlie Chaplin, it’s Raj Kapoor.

His characters in Awara and Shree 420 were modelled on the bumbling tramp and played on Chaplin's deprived but good-hearted persona that not only endeared moviegoers but also added to his common man appeal.