IN THE early 1950s, legendary music icon Mukesh was so desperate to become a leading man that he stopped singing for major movies to focus on making an acting breakthrough.
Decades later, Sonu Nigam also tried his hand at acting by starring in a few films. What these two singing stars had in common was that they both failed as actors and quickly realised when to stop. Both quit acting, concentrated on music, and went on to have incredible singing careers.
The same, however, cannot be said about deluded singer and musician Himesh Reshammiya. A string of successful songs as a composer and singer turned Reshammiya into a huge star in the early 2000s. With his all-round talent, he arguably became the number one music name in Hindi cinema. Instead of powering on to even greater heights, he reportedly underwent hair transplant surgery and launched himself as a hero with the 2007 film Aap Kaa Surroor.
Despite the movie and his acting being shockingly bad, it became a surprise hit, largely due to the songs and curiosity value. In many ways, that was perhaps the worst thing that could have happened to Reshammiya because he has been trying to recreate that success ever since – for 18 long years. Every single one of his films as an actor released since then has flopped disastrously at the box office. His acting has not improved, and each film seems to have got progressively worse. Reshammiya has been ridiculed, trolled on social media for his acting, and has likely caused significant losses for those who financed his films.
Reshammiya in Badass Ravi Kumar
His absolute stinkers as a leading man have included Karzzzz, Radio, Kajraare, Damadamm!, The Xposé, and Teraa Surroor. He also attempted a supporting role alongside Akshay Kumar in the 2012 flop Khiladi 786. This shift in focus took him away from music, and during this time, other talents overtook him in the industry.
After his last stinker, Happy Hardy And Heer, was released in 2020, it seemed as though he would stop subjecting audiences to his acting. However, after a five-year break, he is set to likely play to empty cinemas again next Friday (7) with his upcoming film Badass Ravi Kumar.
In Badass Ravi Kumar, he stars opposite actress Kirti Kulhari, whose career seems to have derailed after playing supporting roles in two successful films in 2019.
Unsurprisingly, the film’s trailer is an absolute shocker in every way – from the terrible acting and silly outfits to the awful special effects. Even his now dated-sounding music is unlikely to save it from certain disaster. The only thing Badass Ravi Kumar has going for it is that it is unintentionally funny and may motivate some to watch it in cinemas purely to laugh at Reshammiya.
They won’t struggle to get tickets, as the theatres are expected to be as empty as they have been for his previous films.
Will this finally make him realise he doesn’t have what it takes to be a Bollywood hero? Probably not.
Migrants in a dinghy crossing the English Channel
Sunder Katwala
