Happy Birthday Varun Dhawan

A unique blend of cuteness and sexiness, Varun Dhawan has grabbed the right eyeballs to make his way into the A-list of Bollywood newbies. However, it is this blend topped with his acting prowess that has been the icing on the cake. It has made him skyrocket from being just another face in Bollywood to starting to be considered as an actor to reckon with. Varun has not only made a quick foray to the list of leading actors in Bollywood, but has firmly sealed his place in the film industry.

The 4-movie-old Varun has emerged as one of the current favourites of the fairer sex and it is no shock that his female fan base keeps growing with each passing day.

Check out the oh-so Varun Dhawan qualities that have made girls and women go gaga over him, and made him every young guy’s idol, right from his Student Of The Year days:

Play the character - Whether it is the flamboyant and flirtatious Rohan from SOTY or the ‘madly-in-love’ Humpty in Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Varun has smoothly slipped into the role of all the characters that he has played till date – the trademark of a true actor, indeed! The characters have fitted on him like second skin and suited him to a tee.

Enchanting smile - The dazzling smile that can make its way to any girl's heart and make the heart flutter!

Connect with the audience - Varun's boy-next-door image and earthiness cements and enhances the connection that he shares with his fan base.

Oozing confidence - A strong connect with the audience coupled with confidence is a deadly combination, any fan will agree, irrespective of the gender.

Relatable - A celebrity with whom the audience can easily relate is definitely a major step forward; and this is exactly what the audience love about Varun!

Must say, Varun Mr-Calm-Cool-And-Casual Dhawan has come a long way since his first film and the pace with which he has evolved is commendable. Today, on his 28th birthday, we wish the talented young star a splendid year ahead!

One Glorious Year Of 2 States

Dharma has had a long history of making movies that have a lasting impact on the minds of the people.

One such modern day classic is the movie 2 States - the love story of a North Indian boy and a South Indian girl – that enthralled the audiences and took them on an emotional ride that till date brings a smile on everyone’s face.

But all this started with a vision, a vision to give the audience an out of the box story to rejoice in. Karan Johar, the man at the helm of it all, thought of adapting the famous novel of the same name. From there on, the wheels were set in motion, the casting of the vivacious Alia Bhatt as Ananya and the dashing Arjun Kapoor for Krish Malhotra’s role added the much needed spice.

A full-fledged campaign was set in motion to reach out to people. The Facebook page and Twitter handle received instant engagement the moment they were started. Innovation was at the heart of this campaign. The curiosity generated by the release of the first trailer was taken to newer heights by the introduction of songs, songs which went on to become youth anthems. A whopping 4 million people liked the trailer in a matter of a week.

Hashtags like #ReasonsToDateANerd and #InCaseOfPrettyGirls also added a new dimension to proceedings with fans from all quarters giving in their own versions. A live chat session with the team of 2 States before the film’s release ensured that the fans got to speak with their favourite stars and ask them the nitty-gritty of the movie.

The entire buzz that was created pre-release got its due reward as the movie went on to become a massive success. It also crossed the coveted Rs. 100 crore mark and was loved by critics and audiences alike.

The awards and nominations followed suit with Abhishek Varman winning the Filmfare award for Best Debut Director, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy got the Filmfare award for the Best Music Director for their fantastic music. The lead duo of Ananya and Krish bagged the BIG Star Most Entertaining On-Screen Couple award. The film added another feather in its cap when it won the award for Best Film Marketing at the 21st Life OK Screen Awards.

The glorious journey has just completed its first year and we wish that you continue to love this epic tale of romance for many more years to come.

Friday Fever – Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna

'Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna' or KANK, as it is popularly known as, narrates the story of how two couples going through turbulent times in their marriages get another lease of life and gets an opportunity to start their lives anew. Maya(Rani Mukerji), who is married to her childhood friend, Rishi Talwar (Abhishek Bachchan), had met Dev Saran (Shah Rukh Khan) on her D-Day and both of them had hit off instantly after a deep conversation about love and life. They met again four years later when both their marriages are going through a dark patch. They find themselves start off from where they had left four years back, fall in love eventually and get into an extramarital affair, as a result of their own unhappy marital lives. Though both their marriages end in a divorce, followed by them deliberately wanting to stay away from each other, life surprises them when they meet again on the occasion of Rishi's marriage.

Despite dealing with a dark subject, the film instills a strong positivity with the thought that life does give us a second chance. It also leaves a message that a divorce does not necessarily end a relationship bitterly. Rishi, after his divorce from Maya, welcomes life with open arms, allows love into his life, decides to get married again, invites Maya to his wedding and resumes the friendship that they had shared since childhood.

KANK's unique storyline that true love in a marriage surpasses all, tugs at our heart strings and strikes a chord with the audience. Besides, the acting prowess of the cast of the film makes it a must-watch for lovers of good cinema across genres. It beautifully conveys that the compatibility of a couple is necessary to ensure that a marriage is successful. It presents a relevant message that an extramarital affair is not the solution to a failed marriage. Rather, it is best to be brutally honest to oneself and the spouse and embrace a new life. The modern take on the issues that the Y-Gen faces in the contemporary times make for a delightful watch.

Happy Birthday Jaya Bachchan!

The versatile and magnificent Jaya Bachchan celebrates her birthday today and we wish her a very happy birthday. The Bachchan matriarch turns 67 today. A power-packed performer, she has enthralled audiences over the years with her fabulous performances in movies like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham and Kal Ho Naa Ho.

Who can forget the character of Nandini Raichand, ideal mother in K3G? The doting mother who shares a very close bond with her sons, but stays in her husband’s shadow. The scene where she senses her son Rahul’s presence and opens the door before his arrival is deeply etched in every Dharma fan’s memory.

Her prowess and stature made her the perfect choice for the role, according to Karan Johar. The chemistry between her and Mr. Amitabh Bachchan and SRK brought about some memorable moments on screen. No wonder it was reflected in the awards, as she bagged the coveted Filmfare and IIFA Best Supporting Actress Award for her role.

We, at Dharma, hope that God showers her with all the good health and blessings on her birthday. May she continue to mesmerize us with her performances on screen. Once again, we wish her many happy returns of the day.

A Song For Every Mood

Human emotions are cherished at Dharma. The movies are known to highlight human emotions in ways that connect with people at a deeper level. One aspect that helps make this deep connect is the songs. And Dharma movies have one for every emotion. We pick out five such songs whose lyrics and music made you go on that emotional rollercoaster ride.

Chaandaniya 

The love story of Krish and Ananya is perhaps aptly described in this song. The pain of separation is hard to bear and any couple who has been a part of such a situation could relate to the lyrics of the song. The tears in Krish’s and Ananya’s eyes are sure to make you sad. But, that’s the impact that the song has on you.

Suraj Hua Maddham                                                              

There is hardly a love story that is as intense as the one between Rahul and Anjali in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. The young and vibrant Rahul romancing the vivacious Anjali is a sight most moviegoers still behold. And when ‘Suraj Hua Maddham’ was played, that fact was imprinted on people’s mind. Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik’s mesmerizing voice captivated the young and old.

Where’s The Party Tonight! 

Every generation in Bollywood has had a party song of their own. KANK gave the current generation one when ‘Where’s The Party Tonight?’ came out. The DJs had it on their system and so did the general public. The duo of Rhea and Rishi showed how to part hard and have a ball as they grooved to the song’s tune.

Maahi Ve                                      

In India, music and weddings go hand in hand. Over the years, many songs have been danced to during various wedding ceremonies. But, ‘Maahi Ve’ made sure that not just individuals but the entire family shook a leg or two and joined in the fun. The catchy lyrics and the peppy music provided a lethal combination to set people free of their inhibitions.

Deva Shree Ganesha                                                        

Lord Ganesha is one of the most loved Gods in the country. And Ajay-Atul’s composition ‘Deva Shree Ganesha’ captured the fervor of a religious activity to perfection. The song was played over and over again during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi and brought about a religious inclination in the minds of the people.

Thus, Dharma serves you a song for every mood. What’s your mood today?

5 things that prove you are a true Dharma fan

Do you find yourself eat, sleep and dream about Dharma Films? 

Here is a list of how Dharma films have inspired a true-blue Dharma fan like you, made life brighter and inspired you to live life to the fullest:

1. Make you want to fall in love hard: You are a die-hard fan of romantic movies and, for you, no one else presents romance better than Dharma Films does. You have lost count of the number of times you have dreamt of the climax scene from 'Wake Up Sid' where Sid drives down to Marine Drive during the monsoons, after realizing his love for Aisha.

2. Defines your concept of romance: KKHH, and not 'P.S. I Love You', is your definition of evergreen romance. '2 States' inspires you to yearn for your love interest and pursue him/her against all odds. You are head over heels in love with the idea of love in Dharma Films.

3. Feel the pangs of unrequited love: Every time you are friend-zoned and end up with a heartbreak, it makes you think of Rahul in 'Ek Main Aur Ekk Tu'. You realize that you have experienced what it is like to be in his place, which makes you empathize with him even more.

4. Feel the adrenaline rush: KKHH had made you obsessed with summer camping and had made you nag uncountable times to convince your parents to allow you to go to the one organized by your school. It is a Dharma movie again that had encouraged you to plan a trekking trip with your pals.

5. Occupies a major part of your playlist: You sometimes feel that the songs from Dharma Films is especially made to describe the myriad of emotions you experience. It has one to perfectly describe your emotions at any given time!

Happy April Fools' Day!

April Fool’s Day is a good reason to wash away worries and laugh some as life is all about laughter and…uh…jokes!! Well, yes, healthy jokes that make your stomach twist with bouts of laughter. We all enjoy that, don’t we?

The jokes we made in school, the pranks we pulled in college, become memories that make us laugh when revisited with a bunch of friends or family. Life is all about such memories, such jokes, such light moments and no matter how old you grow you will always cherish such memories.

On April Fool’s Day, we think of all those times and laugh some more. And while we are at it, let’s peek at the very many laughable memories Dharma movies put together for us. Who did not enjoy the funny Mr. Almeida from Kuch Kuch Hota Hai who added flavours of fun to the scenes! Or the hysterically entertaining Kantaben pranks in Kal Ho Naa Ho that was a perfect blend of humour and wit, all the same.

Talking about humour, can we ever forget the rib-tickling jokes passed by our very own fun-loving Bunty from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani, who doesn't miss a chance to make his friends laugh?

We hope you enjoyed revisiting your favorite funny scenes from Dharma movies. If you made someone laugh today, we’d love to know all about it. Share your pranks in the comments below.