Though little-known actor Vijay Maurya did a fairly decent impersonation of India's most dreaded don in 'Black Friday', the one who really got people to sit up and notice him as Dawood Ibrahim was Ajay Devgn in RGV's Company. With his broody looks and quiet demeanour, Ajay gave Dawood's screen image a fantastic boost.

Ram then cast Randeep Hooda as Dawood in 'D', but neither the film nor Randeep got noticed. Milan Luthria, who recreated Mumbai in the 70s most authentically, cast Ajay Devgn as Haji Mastan and for Haji's protege Dawood, Milan brought in the irreverent Emraan Hashmi.

Says Milan, "You cannot have made a film on Mumbai in the 70s and not touched upon Dawood. Emraan fit the bill of the young Dawood perfectly.

" Now the filmmaker is ready with the script of the sequel to 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai', and this time it is Akshay Kumar who will fill in the shoes of Mr D in his later years. Says a trade analyst, "When he unveiled the look of Dawood, dressed in white, at Ekta Kapoor's award ceremony last year, Akki brought the house down.

" Of course, Ekta's fascination for Dawood continues. On February 29, she will unveil her 'Shootout at Wadala'.

Meanwhile, Sanjay Gupta plans to create a huge splash when he shows off 'Dabangg' baddie Sonu Sood as his Dawood. And Sonu actually feels the role is iconic.

They've all played Dawood. And while B-town continues to debate who fits the bill of the don perfectly, there are at least two other films in the pipeline about Dawood (less)

Incidentally, they also became the basic role-models(!), and have, almost been idolised by script writers down the ages when it comes to penning villains' roles. Also, our stars have, since long, been very proud of playing don on screen, and have even won awards for the same.

Think Shabana Azmi ("Godmother"), Nayagan ("Kamal Haasan"), Amitabh Bachchan (" Agneepath "). The latest in the line is Bollywood's brand new villain Sonu Sood, who is going around saying, "I am super excited to be playing Dawood Ibrahim.

" He will be essaying the role of the underworld don in "Shootout At Wadala" and he also says he is doing his bit to carry off the role perfectly. Now all of them say this - that they are doing their bit to perfect the role.

Wonder what they do to 'perfectly' portray a guy no one has really seen much in public and someone they (hopefully) have never interacted with, nevertheless, here's bringing you a list of asli dons and their screen versions portrayed by our stars over the years..

. with Dawood Ibrahim and Haji Mastan emerging clear favourites with Bollywood! 'Deewar' (1975): Amitabh Bachchan based on Haji Mastan It was the movie that introduced the 'angry young man' in B-wood, the movie that made Amitabh Bachchan a superhero.

And yet, the fact that the storyline of "Deewar" was based on a don - was actually the making of Haji Mastan - was kept a less-publicised fact. Interestingly, Bachchan's character, Vijay is believed to be one of the first real-life inspired gangster roles in Hindi cinema.

It is rumoured that when he heard that the story of the movie was based on him, Mastan asked for the movie to be shown to him first. Not surprising, since the writer Salim Khan and Bachchan often visited Mastan while the film was being shot, making people believe that the duo took inputs from the real-life don.

Years later, when moving court for another movie based on her dad's life, "Once Upon A Time In Mumbaai", his daughter said, "My father had seen "Deewar" and did not exactly find Amitabh Bachchan's character modelled on him!" 'Nayagan' (1987) and 'Dayavan' (1988): Kamal Haasan and Vinod Khanna based on Varadarajan Mudaliar Both the movies were based on the life and times of the Matunga muscleman, Varadarajan Mudaliar. While "Nayagan" (Tamil) saw Kamal Haasan play Vardhabhai (as the don was known), "Dayavan", the Hindi version had Vinod Khanna playing VM.

But unlike "Nayagan", which got an Academy nomination in the foreign films category, "Dayavan" was talked about for the hot kiss shared by Khanna and Madhuri Dixit. 'Godmother' (1999): Shabana Azmi based on Santokben Jadeja Shabana Azmi added one more National Award to her kitty for playing a woman don in a male-dominated society.

The movie was ostensibly inspired by the life of Santokben Jadeja , who rose to notoriety with her underworld gang in the 1980s and was known as the godmother of Porbandar, and the lady did not take kindly to being shown as a smoker and drinker on screen. Before the film's release, the real godmother filed a case of defamation against the producers.

"Smoking, drinking and swearing are taboo for Mehr women, and I have never indulged in any of these activities," said her petition. The court issued a stay, prompting the film's director, Shabana and Javed to go to Gujarat to placate Santokben.

Their first attempt failed, but nevertheless, a consensus was arrived upon and the movie was finally released. 'Agneepath' (1990): Amitabh Bachchan based on Manya Surve Vijay Dinanath Chauhan, played by the Big B in the film, was apparently modelled on Manya Surve , a dacoit and gangster in Mumbai, also the man in the police records as Mumbai's first recorded encounter killing.

It is said that so heavily was the movie based on Surve, that Bachchan was even asked to copy the gangster's voice. But years later, in a TV interview, Bachchan said his dialogues were modelled on Varadarajan Mudaliar.

The film was a flop at the box office, but earned Bachchan a National Award. The movie was then remade by Karan Johar in 2011 with Hrithik Roshan in the lead.

'Company' (2002): Ajay Devgn based on Dawood Ibrahim, Vivek Oberoi based on Chhota Rajan This Ram Gopal Varma film is considered one of the truest depictions of Dawood and his underwoold activities - though no one associated with the film ever openly said so, the sequence of events that let to the split between Dawood and Chotta Rajan in the film were too close to truth for comfort. Ajay Devgn's role was modelled on Dawood (called Mallikbhai in the film).

Ajay once recalled in an interview, "A lot of research went into the kind of dressing sense they followed, language, the ancient structures and the heritage cars they shuttled around in. And Vivek Oberoi played Chandu (Chhota Rajan).

Apparently, the recruitment of Chandu into Aslam Ali's gang by Mallik was almost identical to that of Chhota Rajan's into Dawood's after Rajan's mentor Bada Rajan died in the early 1980s. It was said that Daya Nayak, Mumbai Police's encounter specialist, who is a good friend of RGV, helped him with the script.

It showed, in the details. 'D' (2005): Randeep Hooda based on Dawood Ibrahim Though this came later, this movie is considered to be a prequel to "Company", and had Randeep Hooda playing a mechanic who comes to India after his mom's death, and rises in the crimelord legions of Mumbai's underworld.

The movie ends with Deshu (as Randeep is called in the movie) planning to form a 'D' company and operate it from outside India. Shades of Dawood, anyone? Shootout at Lokhandwala in (2007): Vivek Oberoi based on Maya Dolas This was based on the Maya Dolas encounter of 1991.

Vivek Oberoi played Maya, a gangster who worked with Dawood. But the real Maya's mother Ratnaprabha did not take nicely to it and moved court to ban the film, stating that it paints a wrong picture of her son, and shows her egging her son to become a criminal, which is not true.

In their defence, the directors claimed that the movie was a highly fictionalised account, though they used real names and places. Chhota Rajan also objected to the film, saying that it "grossly distorts the facts, leading AA Khan, one of the cops who led the team that gunned down Maya Dolas, to rubbish Rajan's claim.

'Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai' (2010): Emraan Hashmi based on Dawood Ibrahim, Ajay Devgn based on Haji Mastan Again inspired by Dawood, this time played by Emraan Hashmi (called Shoaib Khan in the film). Ajay Devgn played Haji Mastan ( Sultan Mirza ).

Emraan said his look was not inspired by Mr D, but the dark aviators and the moustache he sported in the movie were a dead giveaway. And this film saw its fair share of controversies.

First, Haji Mastan's adopted son Suleiman Mirza moved court asking the makers of the film to put a disclaimer stating saying it is not based on Mastan. Also, Mastan's daughter Shamshad Supariwala filed a lawsuit for the same reason.

She then asked to be shown the movie before release to ensure that details of her father's life were not misconstrued. "I only want to see if they portrayed my father correctly and if they have not, then get particular scenes deleted," Supariwala had said.

But later, the makers added a disclaimer. In the pipeline 'Shootout at Wadala' Buzz is that Vivek Oberoi will play Dawood Ibrahim's character in "Shootout At Wadala", and will also use Dawood Ibrahim as his screen name according to rumours.

Incidentally, the filmmaker studied the legal pros and cons of using the name Dawood in the movie. 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai Again' The sequel to the Haji Mastan movie by the same name has one more B-Town A-lister gunning for Dawood's role - Akshay Kumar .

'Lakeer Ka Fakir' This is being made by none other than Zubair Khan, son-in-law of Dawood Ibrahim's sister Haseena Parkar . It's a movie on the don, and guess because of the lineage, we will have to take him seriously when he says, "Mine is the most authentic movie on the underworld.

" Incidentally, Zubair shares a birthplace with some of the most dreaded underworld dons, including Karim Lala, Dawood and Chhota Shakeel - he was born in the hospital in Do Taaki, Dongri. The downtown area has been associated with the rise of Mumbai's gangsters.

Zubair claims to know every corner of the area and he says that he feels comfortable shooting in the area. 'Mastaan' Naseeruddin Shah is supposed to play Karim Lala in this one, with his younger son Vivaan debuting as Haji Mastaan.

Another don-protege movie, but in an era before Dawood. Movie on Sharman Sanjay Dutt is all set for yet another gangster movie.

This time, based on a real-life don - a take off from Shabana Azmi's "Godmother". Dutt will play her son, the real-life Gujarat-based gangster Sharman Munjha Jadeja, Santokben Jadeja's son, because of whom the godmother gave up her don-ways.

Known as the Robin Hood of Gujarat, Sharman Munjha and his family ruled Porbandar and other areas of Gujarat in the 80s. 'Tamanchey' Starring Nikhil Dwivedi and newcomer Richa Chadda, this one is rumoured to be based on the romance between Abu Salem and Monica Bedi.

But Nikhil has already said it is not based on Abu Salem's life (less)

He was unable to walk without help as his weight had increased. The neglect and indifference towards the physical fitness his father had insisted on began after S.

Mukherjee Sahab's (father) passing away," Dilip Kumar wrote on his blog thedilipkumar.mouthshut.

com. Joy, known for films like Love in Simla, Shagird and Love in Tokyo , passed away on March 9.

He was suffering from thalassemia. "I was witness to the care and love he (Sashadhar Mukherjee) lavished on his son Joy.

He wanted to see Joy scale great heights as a star. It was not just a loving father's desire to see his son shine as a star on the screen; it was the conviction of the man who had spotted, groomed and launched some of the more adored stars of the Hindi cinema besides writers, directors, technicians, singers and composers.

The 89-year-old actor said that Mukherjee had even hired a wrestler, who would help Joy through regular exercise regime. "For Joy's physical fitness and part of his 'gyming', Mukherjee Sahab had hired a wrestler, a tough pleasant guy who knew his job well with oiled curly hair falling over his forehead," wrote Dilip Kumar.

"A wrestling ring was created a regular sand 'akharda' and it was the wrestler's duty to see that Joy and his brothers take regular lessons from him..

. Joy had no option but to obey his father and I guess he knew what his father expected from him.

Joy became one of the heartthrobs of the nation after his debut and I could see the pride in Mukherjee Sahab's eyes," he added. Tweet (less)

He was unable to walk without help as his weight had increased. The neglect and indifference towards the physical fitness his father had insisted on began after S.

Mukherjee Sahab's (father) passing away," Dilip Kumar wrote on his blog thedilipkumar.mouthshut.

com. Joy, known for films like Love in Simla, Shagird and Love in Tokyo , passed away on March 9.

He was suffering from thalassemia. "I was witness to the care and love he (Sashadhar Mukherjee) lavished on his son Joy.

He wanted to see Joy scale great heights as a star. It was not just a loving father's desire to see his son shine as a star on the screen; it was the conviction of the man who had spotted, groomed and launched some of the more adored stars of the Hindi cinema besides writers, directors, technicians, singers and composers.

The 89-year-old actor said that Mukherjee had even hired a wrestler, who would help Joy through regular exercise regime. "For Joy's physical fitness and part of his 'gyming', Mukherjee Sahab had hired a wrestler, a tough pleasant guy who knew his job well with oiled curly hair falling over his forehead," wrote Dilip Kumar.

"A wrestling ring was created a regular sand 'akharda' and it was the wrestler's duty to see that Joy and his brothers take regular lessons from him..

. Joy had no option but to obey his father and I guess he knew what his father expected from him.

Joy became one of the heartthrobs of the nation after his debut and I could see the pride in Mukherjee Sahab's eyes," he added. Tweet (less)

A source reveals, "She's been working on the script for the last few months. Bhushan too has been giving his inputs and he's quite excited for his wife directorial debut.

" Needless to say he will produce the film. Pati ho toh aisa (less)

"Even after over 20 years in this industry, it never fails to make me smile when I see myself on the side of a bus that I once used to run after," tweeted Akshay, who came across the poster of his forthcoming release " Housefull 2 ". Akshay's struggle for success saw him passing through the bylanes of Chandni Chowk in the capital of Bangkok , where he learnt martial arts as well as worked as a chef and waiter.

He returned to Mumbai, and a small modeling assignment ticked off his career in showbiz and changed his life (less)

. It was reported that not all was well in Akshay Kumar-Twinkle Khanna's paradise.

And that the handsome couple was heading for a split. What triggered the rumours was the observation that Akshay Kumar and Twinkle Khanna hadn't attended any social do together for a long time now - something that they did more often a few months ago.

It was noticed that Akshay didn't go where Twinkle did, and vice versa. However, a source close to the couple says that it's silly to assume things like these.

"Akshay and Twinkle are perfectly happy. Akshay takes out time for the family; he is crazy about Twinkle and dotes on Aarav.

" We are told that Akshay, too, was so miffed with the rumours, that he is heard to have said, "You speak anything about me and my work, it's ok, but getting family into it all is insensitive, and especially news that is false and would upset my family." The actor is extremely guarded about his parivaar and wouldn't let any harm come to them.

Only a few weeks ago, problems between Shah Rukh Khan and Gauri Khan were reported. But all's well that ends well.

And fortunately, no one's doing the 'split' in Bollywood just yet (less)

Akki posted a funny picture of him pampering his wife Twinkle on his social networking site this morning. Writing about this special day he wrote "Happy Slavery Day to all devoted men! If we can't appreciate the Woman we love on Valentine's Day then we don't deserve them.

So be a man and pamper your lady just like me." Akshay has said in his earlier interview that Twinkle's every wish is his command.

But more than anything else his wife craves for his time. Thus, the actor has decided to spend some quality time with her and son Aarav this Valentine's Day.

Being happily married to Twinkel Khanna, the duo celebrated their 11th marriage anniversary recently. Akshay doesn't deny the fact that he is die-hard romantic and would love to celebrate love not just one day in the year but every day of every week (less)

An industry analyst explains, "No actor dares to release his film during the first and last week of the IPL, which are considered the most significant weeks of the tournament. But Akshay and producer Sajid Nadiadwala took a chance and it has paid off.

" The film took a strong opening in both multiplexes as well as single screen theatres, thanks to a mega-cast, aggressive promotion, a popular soundtrack and of course, the presence of Akki. Nadiadwala is all smiles, ""Housefull 2" has taken the biggest opening for Akshay Kumar and my production house, Nadiadwala Grandsons.

It is also Akshay's biggest hit overseas. In India the IPL hasn't affected it at all.

As of now, it's among big openers like "Bodyguard" and "3 Idiots", but these films released during festive periods (Eid or Christmas)." In the overseas market, Akshay's new release is all set to rewrite history.

"Housefull 2" is his biggest opener in the UAE so far. In the UK, the film topped the charts over the weekend.

Not just that, his performance in the film too has been lauded. So this time, it's a double whammy for AK.

Director Sajid Khan is also ecstatic about the response to his film. "All screens are going housefull," he says.

"I attribute a major part of its success to Akshay. He's been a superstar for the last eight years or so and will be one for many more years to go.

The best thing about the film is that Akshay's work has been appreciated a lot. As far as the IPL is concerned, I have always maintained that if it's an entertaining film, it doesn't matter when it comes - the audience will accept it and that's precisely what's happened with this film.

" Akshay Kumar is on a roll. Now, all eyes are on his next release, "Rowdy Rathore".

The film will see him returning to hard-core action and its promo is already a rage (less)

According to the reports, Akshay was not happy the way Joker has shaped up and asked the director to make some modifications. Joker , which also stars Sonakshi Sinha in the female lead, is due fpr release Aug 31.

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