New Delhi: John Abraham-starrer Rocky Handsome opened to collections of Rs.16 crore last weekend. The action thriller may not have garnered the best reviews but there are plenty of action films that have set the benchmark and redefined the genre in Bollywood long before foreign technicians and computer effects came in. Here’s taking a look at ten of them.
1.Sholay (1975)- Ramesh Sippy’s cult classic is still remembered for its path-breaking chase and action sequences and effective use of animals. Stunt coordinators Mohammed Ali and Gerry Crampton left no stone unturned to make the revenge saga as powerful and hard-hitting as possible. The fact that each sequence of the Rs.15 crore earner is recounted even today is proof.
2.Deewar (1975)- In a historic moment in Yash Chopra’s crime drama, Amitabh Bachchan’s dockyard worker locks the door on a gang of bullies and takes them on single-handedly. More than 40 years later, the scenes designed by Kodi S. Irani and M.B Shetty continue to inspire films like Wanted and Pokiri. The film made Rs. 6 crore at the box office.
3.Arjun (1985)- The tale of an unemployed youth exploited by the political system may be age-old but Arjun was one of the first films to bring it to the fore. Rahul Rawail directed the film that possibly helped establish Sunny Deol as the biggest action star of the time while bringing in collections of Rs. 5.50 crore.
4.Ghayal (1990)- Sunny Deol took on the corridors of power in the Rajkumar Santoshi directed action drama and with a national award, emerged more than victorious. Action directors Bhiku and Tinu Verma coordinated the stunts and the film made collections of Rs. 6 crore.
5.Phool Aur Kante (1991)- There was little else newcomer Ajay Devgn could’ve done to make the impact he did— standing and balancing on two moving motorcycles in his introductory scene. Establishing a pattern for the rest of the actor’s career, the Kuku Kohli directed film made Rs.5 crore at the box office.
6.Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi (1996)- Long before foreign technicians and their brand of action came to Bollywood, Akshay Kumar was seen taking on Canadian wrestlers in the Umesh Mehra directed film. The brutal stunts were styled by Akbar Bakshi and the movie managed collections of Rs.14.50 crore.
7.Satya (1998)- Often labeled as one of the most influential films of the decade, the Ram Gopal Varma film made for a fine introduction to the Mumbai underworld and the many outings that were to follow in the genre. Action director Allan Amin coordinated the stunts and helped bring in collections of Rs. 11 crore.
8.Krissh (2006)- Rakesh Roshan’s science fiction superhero film famously incorporated stunts choreographed by Chinese martial arts expert Tony Ching. Known for its Hollywood feel and effects, the Hrithik Roshan-starrer minted Rs.41 crore at the box office.
9.Ghajini (2008)- Aamir Khan’s by-now classic psychological thriller was the first Indian film to cross the Rs.100 crore mark. The gore and bloodshed, thrown in abundant measure added to the slick appeal of the stunts styled by Peter Hein and Stun Shiva.
10.Dabangg (2010)- Following close in the heels of his action hit Wanted, Dabangg helped establish Salman Khan as a truly bankable action star. Not only is Chulbul Pandey a part of Bollywood folklore but his bare fist fight has also become the benchmark for Hindi film action. Arbaaz Khan’s directorial debut earned more than Rs.138 crore at the box office.
All figures have been sourced from movie websites Bollywood Hungama and IBOS Network.
