Bollywood's iconic banners set for a comeback

Popular banners like RK Films, Bombay Talkies, Navketan and Nasir Hussain Films might be revived soon as the new generation actors get set to produce films under their family production houses.

Although actor Imran Khan is occupied with several big projects, his dream to revive his grandfather’s production house, Nasir Hussain Films, hasn’t taken a backseat. “But I can’t put a deadline to it,” he admits. Incidentally, Nasir Hussain Films isn’t the only iconic banner that’s looking to make a comeback.

Imran-Khan

The coming year or so will also see the revival of such popular banners from the past as RK Films, Bombay Talkies and Navketan.

Talking about the biggest challenge in the way of bringing the banner back, Imran adds, “I need to gain more experience before taking up such a responsibility. He (Hussain) spent his entire life making films under this banner. So I can’t gamble with its reputation. But my mother (Nuzhat Khan) and I have already spoken about it and it will happen for sure, but in a few years.”

Nasir Hussain Films has produced hits like Teesri Manzil (1966), Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) and Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar (1992), among others.

Ranbir Kapoor, who will soon turn producer himself, is waiting for the ideal project to re-launch his family banner, RK Films, with. “Whenever we have a good director, we will produce a film under it,” says Ranbir. RK Films’ last release was Aa Ab Laut Chalen (1999) — the film was Rishi’s first and last directorial venture.

Meanwhile, Abhay Kumar and Suniel Anand have already started work on projects under their family banners — Bombay Talkies and Navketan, respectively. Abhay, the grandson of Rajnarayan Dube — Bombay Talkies co-founder — has reportedly signed Viveck Vaswani and Johnny Walker’s son, Nasir Khan, to direct two ventures for his banner.

Meanwhile, Dev Anand’s famous banner, Navketan, will return to business with the English film, Vagator Mixer, which his son, Suniel, is directing and acting in.

While Navketan has delivered hits like Hum Dono (1961), Guide (1965) and Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971), Bombay Talkies has produced a total of over 100 films in its time. The latter introduced some of the biggest names to the industry, including the likes of Dilip Kumar (in 1944’s Jwar Bhata) and Madhubala (Mahal in 1949).