Happy birthday to Kajol

Happy birthday to Kajol.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Kajol on 5th August, 2010. She had dominated bollywood films during the mid-90s.

Besides her combination with Shahrukh Khan had given many everlasting hits like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Karan Arjun, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Kabhi Khushi Kabhi Gham, etc. Most of these films were musical blockbusters as well. The songs in these films like “yeh kaali kaali ankhen”, “jaati hun mai”, “kuch kuch hota hai” became landmark hits over the years.

Besides, the directors and producers of the late 90s experimented with different types of roles with Kajol. She played the role of a villain in the film Gupt opposite Bobby Deol. She went on killing Raj Babbar, Kulbhushan Kharbanda and others to maintain his attachment with Bobby Deol. She also received the filmfare award for the best villain for her performance in the film Gupt.

Kajol did well in comedy films like Ishq opposite Ajay Devgan, whom she married later on. She played the role of the friend of Juhi Chawla and got involved into incidents with Ajay Devgan and Juhi Chawla. Kajol did well opposite Sanjay Dutt in the film Dushman. She played a double role in the film. Her performance relating to fear against Ashutosh Rana astonished the viewers. Her sister was killed by Ashutosh Rana, and Kajol took the help of Sanjay Dutt, an Army Officer to learn fighting skills and combat the villain played by Ashutosh Rana.
After the fading away of Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla from the bollywood industry, Kajol got the maximum number of chances in big productions. After marriage with Ajay Devgan, she reduced the number of films. She made a comeback but could not maintain the success rate as she did in the past.

In 2010, Kajol gave another super hit film My Name is Khan with her successful co-actor Shahrukh Khan. Shahrukh Khan’s abnormality in the film was ably balanced by Kajol in the film. She was compassionate towards him and that helped him to recover. The music in the film was also well appreciated by the viewers.

The viewers are looking forward to better performances from Kajol in future as many people feel that she still has lot of acting left in her.

Happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan

Happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Arbaaz Khan on 4th August, 2010. Actor Arbaaz Khan did well in the film Daraar. It was the film where he created attention for the first time. He acted in a negative role opposite Rishi Kapoor and Juhi Chawla and created an impact in the film.

His rough style of acting gave him an image of his own. His brother Sohail Khan till now had generally done positive characters, but as there had been huge similarity with Salman Khan, he still now had not created his own identity.

The film Daraar, directed by Abbas Mastan was released in 1996. The film was inspired by the Hollywood film Sleeping With The Enemy where actress Julia Roberts played a notable role. Arbaaz Khan received the filmfare award for the best villain for his performance in the film Daraar.

Arbaaz Khan married Juhi Chawla, but whenever he saw any person praising his wife, he got angry. He became over-possessive and did beat Juhi Chawla. He asked her whether she could swim. She said no. Then Juhi Chawla sailed in a boat and later on escaped to Shimla. Arbaaz Khan thought that she had drowned.

Rishi Kapoor met her and wanted to marry her. When Juhi Chawla gave a letter to him mentioning that she was married, Johnny Lever lost the letter and send a wrong letter. Rishi Kapoor declined to marry Juhi Chawla. But when the original letter was found, Rishi Kapoor agreed to marry Juhi Chawla.

Arbaaz Khan read in newspaper that Juhi Chawla was alive. He went to Shimla and wrongly send Rishi Kapoor to prison. He killed Juhi Chawla’s friend. Later on when she tried to kill Juhi Chawla, she was saved by Rishi Kapoor.

The songs sung in the film by Kumar Shanu, Alka Yagnik, Udit Narayan, Abhijeet, Sadhna Sargam and others became successful. Music was composed by Sandip Chowta and Anu Malik. Songs were written by Hasrat Jaipuri, Majrooh Sultanpuri and others. The film did good business.

Many of the following roles played by Arbaaz Khan in the future in films like Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya or Hulchul were inspired by the performance in the film Daraar. In all the serious roles he kept his mark. Even in comedy roles in films like Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya, Malamaal Weekly he was very impressive. Presently he had produced the film Debaang, where his elder brother Salman Khan is playing the lead role. The viewers provide their best wishes for career of Arbaaz Khan both as an actor and a producer.

Khatta Meetha will do good business.

Khatta Meetha will do good business.

Priyadarshan’s new film Khatta Meetha will do good business. Director Priyadarshan had cast Akshay Kumar and Trisha Krishnan in the lead roles. The main subject matter of the film includes road development. The road development project is subjected to the interference of road mafias.

The contractors who take up road projects are always subjected to criticism. Priyadarshan had given a message to what type of substandard material they provide while making the roads. The strategy is to make weak roads deliberately and thereafter expecting the roads to break. Once they are damaged the same development contract again reverts back to the same contractor.

While the subject matter is serious in nature, Priyadarshan had presented it in a very light-hearted manner. He had directed the film Vellanakalude Nadu in 1989 with the same subject matter. In that way, the film was a remake of the earlier one. Akshay Kumar had performed very well in the role of the assistant of Akshay Kumar. Especially in the scene where they tried to clean the house of Asrani before the eve of a family function, the entire act was very hilarious. Even Johnny Lever’ s attempt for repairing a road roller also was hilarious.

Pritam had composed the music of the film. He had previously provided catchy numbers in Priyadarshan’s films like Billu Barber. Urvashi Sharma, Rajpal Yadav, Johnny Lever and Asrani had played significant roles in the films aside Akshay Kumar and Trisha Krishnan.

Akshay Kumar is a brilliant start in the year with the success of the film Housefull. Although the film a number of stars together like Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Ritesh Deshmukh, yet the credit for the success primarily to Akshay Kumar. He required hit films desperately, as his last year was very average with flop films like Chandni Chowk to China, Kambakht Ishq, 8*10 Tasveer, De Dana Dan, etc.
The film has all the elements of entertainment and it would end being another hit in July, 2000.

Salman Khan wants to make a comeback with Debaang.

Salman wants to make a comeback with Debaang.

Superstar Salman Khan wants to make a comeback with his upcoming film Debaang which is slated to be released in September, 2010. It has been almost one year after the release of Wanted that he had no hit films under his belt.

His huge expectation relating to Veer had been frustrated due to below average business of the costly film. Although Salman Khan is too big a star to get carried away by failure of any one film. But once the superstars go in their 40s, they always want a comfort zone to see at least one hit film under his belt every year. New actors come in competition and that sways the taste of the new audience and specially the young audience. For example Amir Khan provided more than 250 crores business with the film The Three Idiots. In that respect Salman Khan badly requires a hit film this year before new superstars like Ranbir Kapoor take away his command in position in box-office.

Debaang had been produced by his brother Arbaaz Khan. It had been directed by Abhinav Kashyap. Along with Salman Khan the film has a lot of importance for Sonakshi Sinha, the daughter of Shatrughun Sinha, who had made her debut in the film. It had been made on the backdrop of corruption in the police department in Uttar Pradesh.

Salman Khan had played the role of one of the police officers in the film. There are other co-actors and actresses in the film namely Arbaaz Khan, Sonu Sood, Vinod Khanna, Dimple Kapadia, Om Puri and others.

The music had been composed by Sajid Wajid. Salman Khan has a lot of hope in the film. The viewers also expect that once the film is released in September, 2010, Salman Khan will make a huge comeback with the film.

Happy birthday to Sanjay Dutt

Happy birthday to Sanjay Dutt.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Sanjay Dutt on 29th July, 2010. For the last 30 years, Sanjay Dutt remained one of the actors who had a very steady box-office.

While his first film Rocky was successful in the early 80s, he struggled to create a name till his film Naam with Kumar Gaurav struck box-office. He did undergo a makeover and from the late 80s, his long hair and muscular body changed his career. His performance in the role of a handicapped poet in the film Saajan opposite Madhuri Dixit was well appreciated. The film ended up being blockbuster with hit songs like “mera dil bhi kitna paagal hai”.

Sanjay Dutt’s action films always created an impact in the minds of the viewers. The hit films included Sadak, Khalnayak, Daag –The Fire, etc. He received the filmfare award for the best actor for his performance in the film Vaastav.

Sanjay Dutt and Vidya Balan formed one type of such an unique pair who had been accepted by the viewers of bollywood films. Sanjay Dutt got the scope of performing opposite Vidya Balan at middle-age as opposed to his performance opposite Madhuri Dixit in during his young age in films like Thanedaar, Saajan, Khalnayak, etc.

In Pradeep Sarkar’s Parineeta, Sanjay Dutt’s role was based on the character of a middle aged person who was considerate about the family of Parineeta. Although Vidya Balan was attached with Saif Ali Khan according to the classic literature of Sarat Chandra Chatterji, Sanjay Dutt’s contribution was even greater in the film than Saif Ali Khan. All the songs in the film composed by Shantanu Moitra ended up being super hit, including Sonu Nigam and Shreya Ghoshal’s song “piyu bole”.

Lage Raho Munnabhai was probably the greatest hit film of Sanjay Dutt in his entire career. He was a bhai ( underworld don) who pretended to be a Professor and impressed Vidya Balan who was attached to an old-age home. He impressed her with his knowledge on Gandhiji. Mahatma Gandhi’s soul instructed Sanjay Dutt to follow his path related to ahimsa.

The romance in the film was related to matured level of understanding. Sonu Nigam’s song “pal pal pal pal pal pal”, was a landmark hit. After that song Vidya Balan slapped Sanjay Dutt after reading the letter where he mentioned that he was not a Professor. The film with Vidya Balan forgiving Sanjay Dutt for the lies he said to her.

The viewers are looking forward to more films of Vidya Balan with Sanjay Dutt, as the pair had shown matured level of performance which touched the hearts of millions of viewers all across the world. Sanjay Dutt these days had restricted himself in acting in action films, so if he signs romantic films, the producers and directors should think about Vidya Balan who suits him better than any other actress of bollywood industry.

Uttam Kumar is remembered in Bangladesh.

Uttam Kumar is remembered in Bangladesh.

Mahanayak Uttam Kumar had been remembered in Bangladesh during his 30th death anniversary on 24th July, 2010. The ceremony had started on 24th July and will end on 26th July, 2010.

The Uttam Kumar festival taken place in the capital city Dhaka in Bangladesh. Uttam Kumar had been few of the celebrities who had been remembered and honoured in foreign country like Bangladesh. Previously Bangladesh had honoured the legendary directors Satyajit Ray and Hritwik Ghatak in their country.

During the Uttam Kumar festival, few of his landmark films had been telecast. As the legendary actor had ruled Bengali silver screen over a period of 35 years, so in one festival all his films cannot be covered. So the films like Nayak, Saptapadi, Pathe Holo Deri, Choddobeshi, Dhanni Meye, Harano Sur, etc. , had been telecast.

The striking part of the Uttam Kumar festival lies in the diversity of directors, whose films had been selected where Uttam Kumar had shown his excellence. Nayak had been directed by Oscar Winning Director Satyajit Ray. The film showed the complexity of the life of a matinee idol, which according to the critics had remained the biography of superstar Uttam Kumar.

Harano Sur and Saptapadi were the two greatest blockbusters of Bengali celluloid directed by stylish director Ajoy Kar. Uttam Kumar was the producer of both the films. The films also bolstered the eternal pair Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen, who had remained the greatest romantic pair ever to grace Asian silver screen.

Pathe Holo Deri was a romantic film of Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen directed by Agradoot. It was a musical blockbuster, where composer Robin Chatterji and singer Sandhya Mukherjee had created history with the romantic songs which became immortal over a period of time.

Dhanni Meye was a comedy film directed by Aurobindo Mukherjee. The film was related to the eternal craze of bengalies with respect to the sport of football. Uttam Kumar played the role of a business tycoon who was still obsessed with football and made his brother a footballer. The comedy sequences were related to the marriage of his brother Partho Mukherjee with the village girl played by Jaya Bacchan. The film did fantastic business in the early 70s. Similarly Choddobeshi was a comedy film where Uttam Kumar and Madhabi Mukherjee played the lead roles. It had been remade in hindi by Hrishikesh Mukherjee with the title Chupke Chupke, where Dharmender played the role of Uttam Kumar.

It had been a great honour for bengalies all across the world that Uttam Kumar had been remembered by a neighbouring country, who share the same mother tongue, to whom still Uttam Kumar still remain a living God. The viewers pay homage and respect to the departed soul and wish his films to be preserved and restored.

Mukesh is remembered on his birthday.

Mukesh is remembered on his birthday.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to legendary singer Mukesh on 22nd July, 2010 and remember his great works. Mukesh was probably the most popular singer of the 50s, 60s and 70s after Mohammad Rafi.

His nazal tune had huge amount of sensitiveness and he gave expression to brilliant composers of the golden age with the romantic voice. His combination with Showman Raj Kapoor was considered one of the golden combinations of the 40s, 50s, 60s.

His notable songs for Raj Kapoor included “awara hoon” from film Awara, composed by Shankar Jaikishan, “aaja re” from film Aah, composed by Shankar Jaikishan, “ramaiya vasta maiya” and “mera joota hai japani” from film Shree 420 composed by Shankar Jaikishan, “sab kuch sikha humne” and “kisiki muskurahaton pe ho nisar” from film Anari, composed by SJ, etc. The list can go on. Shankar Jaikishan stormed bollywood films with their everlasting tunes for more than 25 years, and wherever they were associated with Raj Kapoor, Mukesh sang the songs of his lifetime. The combination gave everlasting hits in films like Barsaat, Jis Desh Me Ganga Behti Hai, Sangam, Ek Dil Sau Afsana, Around the World, Diwana, Teesri Kasam, Mera Naam Joker, to name a few.

In non-Raj Kapoor films also Mukesh did a superlative job. His performance in Dilip Kumar’s Madhumati, composed by Salil Choudhury, Manoj Kumar’s Hariyali Aur Raasta composed by Shankar Jaikishan, Rajender Kumar’s Saathi composed by Naushad, Manoj Kumar’s Pathar Ke Sanam composed by LP, require special mention. Some of the notable songs of Mukesh which had remained immortal in those films included “dil tarap tarap ke kehrahahe aabhi ja”, “ifteda-e-ishq me”, “mera pyar bhi tuhe”, “tauba yeh matwali chal”, etc.

He died in 1976, and ended the era relating to soft romantic songs. His journay from the film Nirdosh in 1941 to Amar Akbar Anthony in 1977, remained unblemish. In 1974, he received national award for best singer for the song “kai baar yun hi dekha hai” from the film Rajnigandha, composed by Salil Choudhury. Besides he received filmfare awards for his best performance in films like Anari, Pehchan, Beimaan, Kabhi Kabhi. Even in the 70s, when slow music gradually lost its predominance, Mukesh’s songs in somber mood like “mai pal do pal ka shayar hoon” and “kabhi kabhi mere dil me” composed by Khayyam and written by Sahir Ludhiyanvi created a permanent place in the hearts of millions of musiclovers.

Articles after articles can be devoted on the successful combination of Mukesh with Shankar Jaikishan, Salil Choudhury, Naushad, Roshan, and others. His films and songs should be preserved.

The nation remembers Uttam Kumar on his death anniversary.

The nation remembers Uttam Kumar on his death anniversary.

The nation remembers Uttam Kumar, one of the greatest superstars of Indian celluloid on his death anniversary on 24th July, 2010. He had died almost 30 years ago, yet the viewers had not forgotten his films and still his presence is felt in the life bengalies in different parts of the world.

Last year the Governer of West Bengal launched the 50 rupees postal stamp having the engraving of Uttam Kumar in it. Previously Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar’s faces were engraved in Postal stamps for remembering their contribution to Indian cinema.

Last year, Mamta Banerjee, the Union Railway Minister, renamed the Tollygunge Metro Station as Mahanayak Uttam Kumar station. In fact the people of Tollygunge cannot associate the place without the existence of Uttam Kumar whose works glorified the different studios which carried on the legacy of Bengali Film Industry.

Oscar winning director Satyajit Ray acknowledged the dynamic presence of the legendary superstar in Bengali films and made a film Nayak based on the story of Uttam Kumar. His original name was Arun Kumar Chatterji, who was a clerk in Port Commission before joining Bengali films.

When he joined films with Drishtidaan in 1948, he had to struggle to create his image as against he established heroes like Asit Boron, Bikash Roy and others. In 1952, his film Basu Paribar struck at the box-office and he overtook Bosonto Choudhury, Asit Boron and became the leading superstar of Bengali films. All the qualities of a romantic hero was possessed by him, including a standard height, good complexion, manly voice, romantic hairstyle and unique dialogue delivery. Any dress suited the legendary superstar including Punjabi, dhoti, coat, Bengali dresses, etc.

He had acted in the films of all the legendary directors of the golden age including Satyajit Ray’s Nayak, Chiriakhana, Tapan Sinha’s Jhinder Bandi, Upahaar and Jotugriha, Ajoy Kar’s Harano Sur, Saptapadi, Suno Bara Nari, etc., Agradoot’s Bipasha, Surjo Toron, etc., Agragami’s Sagarika, Shonkhobela, to name a few. Uttam Kumar acted opposite all the leading actresses of Bengali celluloid including Suchitra Sen, Arundhuti Debi, Manju Dey, Sabitri Chatterji, Supriya Choudhury, Mala Sinha, and others. His combination with Suchitra Sen had given everlasting classics and both of them still remains the most romantic pair in Indian silver screen.

Uttam Kumar’s films were based on rich literature including Tagore’s Khokababur Protyaborton, Subodh Ghosh’s Suno Bara Nari, Samaresh Bose’s Kuhak, Sorodindu Bondhopadyay’s Chiriakhana, Shankar’s Chourangi. The films were related to different types of stories including comedy stories, tragic stories, soft romantic stories, etc.

Uttam Kumar had acted in around 205 films (including bollywood films like Amanush, Anand Ashram, Choti Si Mulakat, Dooriyan, Kitaab etc., ) in a span of 35 years, and all his films had remained everlasting treasures. Out of his 205 films, around 37 of them ended up being blockbusters, around 50 were super hit films and around 50 were hit films. Actor Shatrughun Sinha in his interview before Bengali media had disclosed that when he was working in Pune Film and Television Institute, the graduates had unanimous view that Uttam Kumar, Raj Kapoor and Dilip Kumar were the greatest superstars of celluloid and had Uttam Kumar acted in more number of bollywood films, he would have remained as great a legend as Dilip Kumar or Raj Kapoor.

Even the singers who had sung for him including Manna Dey, Shyamal Mitra, Hemanta Mukherjee, etc., agreed that they did not find any actor who was parallel to Uttam Kumar in giving lips in songs. He made the viewers feel that he only sang the songs.

Articles after articles can be devoted to Uttam Kumar who was one –man –industry in Bengali films. His films should be revisited to create motivation for making better quality films in future.

The filmfare award for best male singer should be renamed as Mohammad Rafi award.

The filmfare award for best male singer should be renamed as Mohammad Rafi award.

The nation remembers Mohammad Rafi on his death anniversary on 31st july, 2010. It was a very painful experience for most of the music lovers of India and abroad to recollect the experience of 31st July, 1980. 30 years had passed since his death and yet time could not heal the wound inflicted in the hearts of numerous music lovers of the country.

He is still alive in the hearts of millions of Indians with his 26000 songs. He had given expression to almost all the leading stars of bollywood and also the poets and composers of the golden age. He had created such an invaluable treasure of songs most of which can be termed as masterpieces, that the listeners can cherish his work for ever.

Rafi admirers all across the world feel that the filmfare award for the best playback singer can be renamed as Mohammad Rafi award. The reason is that he received the filmfare award for the best male playback singer 6 times, and also his songs helped the legendary composers to win the filmfare award many times. The awards ceremony looked incomplete without Rafi’s association in them during the 50s, 60s and 70s.

Rafi’s awards and nominations are hereby listed as follows.

Government Awards1948 - Rafi received a silver medal from the Indian Prime Minister Jawaharlal Nehru, on the first anniversary of the Indian Independence Day.1965 - Rafi was honoured with the Padmashri by the Government of India.National Film Awards Winner1977 - National Film Award for Best Male Playback Singer for Kya Hua Tera Wada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin), composed by RD Burman, lyrics by Majrooh Sultanpuri.
Filmfare Awards Winner1960 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho song in the film Chaudhvin Ka Chand1961 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Teri Pyaari Pyaari Surat Ko song in the film Sasural1964 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Chahunga Mein Tujhe song in the film Dosti1966 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Baharon Phool Barsao song in the film Suraj1968 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Dil Ke Jharoke Mein song in the film Brahmachari1977 - Filmfare Best Male Playback Award for Kya Hua Tera Vaada song in the film Hum Kisi Se Kum NahinNominated1961 - Husnwale Tera Jawaab Nahin song in the film Gharana1962 - Aye Gulbadan Aye Gulbadan song in the film Professor1963 - Mere Mehboob Tujhe song in the film Mere Mehboob1965 - Choo Lene Do Nazuk Hothon Ko song in the film Kaajal1968 - Mein Gaaon Tum Sojaao song in the film Brahmachari1968 - Babul Ki Duayein Leti Ja song in the film Neel Kamal1969 - Badi Mastani Hai song in the film Jeene Ki Raah1970 - Khilona Jaan Kar song in the film Khilona1973 - Hum Ko To Jaan Se Pyaari song in the film Naina1974 - Achha Hi Huva Dil Toot Gaya song in the film Maa Behen Aur Biwi1977 - Pardah Hai Pardah song in the film Amar Akbar Anthony1978 - Aadmi Musaafir Hai song in the film Apnapan1979 - Chalo Re Doli Uthao Kahaar song in the film Jani Dushman1980 - Mere Dost Kissa Yeh song in the film Dostana1980 - Dard-e-dil Dard-e-jigar song in the film Karz1980 - Maine Poocha Chand Se song in the film AbdullahBengal Film Journalists' Association Awards Winner1965 - Best Male Playback Singer for Dosti1966 - Best Male Playback Singer for Arzoo

Very significantly, Rafi’s immortal presence contributed to the composers’ awards won in the respective years. In 1953, Naushad won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Baiju Bawra. Rafi’s songs “tu ganga ki mauj”, “wo duniyake rakhwale”, “man tarapat hari darshan” were the backbone of Naushad’s legendary creation.

OP Nayyar won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Naya Daur in 1958. Rafi’s songs like “ure jab jab zulfen teri”, “saathi haath barana”, “mai bambai ka babu” glorified OP Nayyar’s melodious creations.

Salil Choudhury won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Madhumati in 1959. Rafi sang two landmark songs in varying moods including “jangal me mor nacha kisi ne na dekha” and “tute hue khwabon ne”.

Ravi won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Gharana in 1962. Rafi sang the landmark songs in the film including “husnwale tera jawab nahi” and “jab se tujhe dekha hai”.

Shankar Jaikishan won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Professor in 1963. Rafi was instrumental in most of the westernized songs like “awaz deke hume tum bulayo”, “ay gulbadan, ay gulbadan”, etc.

Roshan won the filmfare award for the best music director for his contribution in the film Taj Mahal in 1964. Rafi’s songs “payon chulene do phoolon ko inayat hogi”, “jo wada kiya hai”, “jo baat tujhme hai” had emerged as timeless classic and made Roshan immortal through Rafi’s brilliance.
Shankar Jaikishan won the filmfare award for the best music director again in the years 1966, 1968. In 1966, SJ’s efforts in the film Suraj was given adequate expression by Rafi. All the songs were super hit including “baharon phool barsao”, “gustaqi maaf”, “itna hai tujhse pyar mujhe”, “kaise samjhayun bari na samajh ho”, to name a few. In 1968, SJ won it for Brahmachari, where Rafi’s songs “mai gayun tum so jayo” “chakke pe chakka”, “dil ke jharoke mai”, “aajkal tere mere pyar ke charche” had made the viewers and listeners spell bound.

In the late 70s, when Laxmikant Pyarellal won filmfare award for best music director back to back in the 4 years, 1977, 1978, 1979, 1980, Rafi’s contribution was immense. In the film Amar Akbar Anthony, the film for which LP won the filmfare in 1978 Rafi sang landmark songs like “parda hai parda”, “shirdiwali saibaba”, “humko tumse ho gaya hai pyar kya Karen”. In the film Sargam, LP’s songs sung by Rafi including “dafliwale dafli baja”, “ramjiki nikli sawari”, “koel boli”, etc., stormed bollywood in the late 70s. LP won the filmfare once again in 1980, for Karz where Rafi’s song “darde dil darde jigar” created everlasting impact in the minds of youngstars for generations after generations.

There are no words to pay homage to the noble soul Mohammad Rafi, whom Raj Kapoor used to call Sufisahab. Neither awards can judge Rafi’s worth, nor praises can describe the godliness, of the giant singer whose down to earth nature had swept the world of music with peace, romance, love and friendship.

The listeners should revisit the songs of Rafi and restore the creations to pay homage to the noble soul who departed the music -lovers 30 years ago.

The nation remembers Guru Dutt on his birthday.

The nation remembers Guru Dutt on his birthday.

The nation remembers Guru Dutt on his birthday on 9th July, 2010. He had died more than 40 years ago, yet his reference comes whenever history relating to thoughtful films is revisited. Guru Dutt was innovative as a director and from the time he created Baazi with Dev Anand in 1951, he showed his spark. As an actor his films Aarpar with Shyama gave a new team in bollywood films with OP Nayyar, Rafi, Geeta Dutt, Johny Walker and others. The song in the film Aar Paar namely “kabhi aar kabhi paar” became super hit. The other actress who was discovered by Guru Dutt included Shakila who acted in Aar Paar and CID.

From that time onwards Guru Dutt created his identity in picturising song sequences and was regarded by the film community after Raj Kapoor. In CID, all the songs of the film like “ay dil mushkil jeena yahan”, “ankhon hi ankho me ishara ho gaya”, “leke pehla pehla pyar” became super hit. Johnny Walker became a leading comedian in the 50s, due to his brilliant relationship with Guru Dutt and Mohammad Rafi and their combination gave numerous hits for the next ten years. Guru Dutt worked with Raj Khosla in the film and he also learned the art of filmmaking to some extent from Guru Dutt.

Mr and Mrs 55 was Guru Dutt’s super hit project opposite Madhubala. All the songs in the film became successful including “thandi hawa kali ghata”, “jaane kahan mera jigar gaya ji”, etc. Rafi’s songs for Johnny Walker and Guru Dutt like “sun sun sun sun zalima”, “muhobbat karlo aji karlo”, “dil pe kiya aisa jadu” remained everlasting hits and still is considered as some of the most innovative creations of OP Nayyar. Geeta Dutt sang many successful duets with Rafi in those films. The songs of the film 12 O Clock were also hit including “mai kho gaya” sung by Rafi.

From 1957, the viewers saw thoughtful Guru Dutt in films like Pyaasa and Kagaz Ka Phool. Both the films were based on eternal truth. Pyasa was related to recognition of a poet in a materialistic world. Kagaz Ka Phool was related to story of directors and performers in celluloid, their rise and their fall due to ungratefulness of opportunists in society. The music composed by SD Burman in both these films were of high standard. Also the lyrics of Sahir Ludhiyanvi were very meaningful. The notable songs included “yeh mahalon yeh takhton yeh tajon ki duniya”, “sar jo tera”, “bichar gaya bari bari” sung by Rafi, “waqt ne kiya kya haseen sitam” sung by Geeta Dutt, to name a few. It was very unfortunate that Guru Dutt did not receive the filmfare award for the best actor for his thoughtful performance in the film Pyaasa.

Guru Dutt and Wahida Rehman’s onscreen chemistry was accepted by viewers in the film Chaudavi Ka Chand. The title song “chaudavi ka chand ho, ya aaftab ho” sung by Rafi and composed by Ravi can be considered as one of the ten best ghazals composed in the history of bollywood music. Guru Dutt bought colour in the song sequence. The film did great business. It was listed in the top five grosser of bollywood after Mughal-i-Azam, Kohinoor and Barsaat Ki Raat in the year 1960. Guru Dutt as an actor did great job in films like Bharosa, Saheb Bibi Aur Ghulam, Saanz Aur Sawera, etc. His early demise in the mid-60s led to huge loss in the film industry as his works were filled with deep thoughts. The viewers pay respect to the departed soul on his birthday and want the restoration of his works to acknowledge his creativity as a director, producer and actor.

Milenge Milenge will do average business.

Milenge Milenge will do average business.

The film Milenge Milenge will do average business. The film had been directed by Satish Kaushik and had the fifth film of Kareena Kapoor and Shahid Kapoor together.

Had the film being released three years back, when Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor starrer Jab We Met stormed box-office the film would have done great business. At that time they were hot pair. After that Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor had acted in several films separately and got successes with them. Presently the viewers hardly are inclined to see both of them together.

In this film, Kareena Kapoor was in search of a prince, and a carrot reader Kiron Kher told her that she would get one very soon. She went to attend a youth festival in South Africa. There Shahid Kapoor, read the diary of Kareena Kapoor and realized the type of person Kareena was looking for.

Shahid Kapoor pretended to be the type of young man, Kareena wanted. But when Kareena came to know about it, she left Shahid Kapoor. They shared a 50 rupee note and diary and decided that if destiny brought them together again they may have met once more. The film hovered around that theme whether they met each other when they were destined to marry somebody else after three years.

The music of the film had been composed by Himmesh Reshammiya. The song “tum chain ho” sung by Sonu Nigam and Alka Yagnik, had been very romantic, and had been very popular even before the film was released. The other songs like “milenge milenge” and “ishq ki gali” were also impressive.

The film had been released on 9th July, and in the first week had collected around 10 crore rupees. The performance of Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor had been impressive as ever. The supporting artists like Aarti Chabria, Satish Shah, Delnaaz Paul, did well in their respective roles.
May be the timing of the release of the film was wrong for Milenge Milenge. The most popular pair of the present period is Katrina Kaif and Ranbir Kapoor. Shahid Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor remained popular romantic pair during the days of Chup Chup Ke, 36 China Town and Jab We Met. Viewers can watch Milenge Milenge for light entertainment.

Happy birthday to Manoj Kumar.

Happy birthday to Manoj Kumar.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Manoj Kumar on 24th July, 2010. He started his career as a romantic hero, then showed his skills in the field of direction and created a separate identity as a patriotic hero. He later on earned the name of Bharat Kumar.

Harikishan Giri Goswami, better known as Manoj Kumar, was a big admirer of Tragedy King Dilip Kumar. He was obsessed with Dilip Kumar’s performance in the film Shabnam, in 1949, and kept the name of the character of the film, which was Manoj Kumar.

Although he started his career in the film Fashion in 1957, he got recognition with a lead role in the film Kaanch Ki Gudiya in 1960. Vijay Bhatt directed Hariyali Aur Raasta in 1962 changed the destiny of Manoj Kumar as a romantic hero. The songs of the film were composed by genius of genius Shankar Jaikishan, and with Mala Sinha’s assistance Manoj Kumar reached the hearts of millions of music lovers in the country. The songs in the film including “ifteda-e-ishq”, “yeh hariyali aur yeh raasta”, sung by Mukesh and Lata astonished the viewers. The film became super hit.

In the mid-60s, Manoj Kumar landmark roles in suspense thrillers like Woh Kaun Thi, 1964, and Gumnaam, 1965. Woh Kaun Thi was a horror film of Raj Khosla where Manoj Kumar played the role of the doctor who got scared with the ghostly appearance of Sadhna, who played a double role in the film. He solved the mystery in the film got Prem Chopra arrested at the end after realizing that his wife had a twin sister who was used as a ghost. The music of Madan Mohan was brilliant and Lata’s songs “naina barse rimjhim”, “lagja gale”, etc., created sensation.

Gumnaam was a murder thriller which stormed bollywood in the mid-60s. More than seven friends were given offer of going for holidays, but the flight was hijacked and the friends had to land at an island. Each of them was killed one after the other and no one knew who killed them. Manoj Kumar solved the mystery and unearthed the truth that Tarun Bose was the actual murderer. The music composed by Shankar Jaikishan was extraordinary with songs like “jane chaman shola badan” sung by Rafi and Sharda, “gumnaam hai koi” sung by Lata, “is duniya me jeena ho to”, “hum kale hai to kya hua dilwale hai”, etc.

Manoj Kumar started his second innings with patriotic films like Shaheed, Upkaar, Purab Aur Paschim, Roti Kapra Aur Makaan, Kranti, moved the viewers and earned him respect. He directed of those films and got filmfare award for best director for excellent work in films like Upkaar and Roti Kapda and Makaan. His film Upkaar also received the national award for best film in 1967, and he gave life to the slogan of PM Lal Bahadur Shastri titled “jai jawan jai kisan” with Upkaar. In fact Upkaar, was the highest grosser film in 1967, surpassing all the other super hit films like Ram Aur Shyam, Jewel Thief, etc.

His other successful films as hero also include Patthar Ke Sanam, Anita, Aadmi, etc. He acted with childhood idol Dilip Kumar in Aadmi and Kranti. The songs of most of his films were of excellent class. Naushad’s creation in Aadmi, and Rafi’s songs like “na aadmi ka khoi bharosa”, “aaj purani rahon se”, etc., had remained invalueable assets over the period of time.

The viewers expect him to continue the excellent work as a director in the years to come.

Remembering Rajender Kumar on his birthday.

Remembering Rajender Kumar on his birthday.

The viewers remember Jubilee Kumar Rajender Kumar on his birthday on 20th July, 2010. He had died few years back and his viewers all over India and outside India had mourned the death of the legendary romantic actor.

From 1963 to 1966, all his films celebrated silver jubilees. From that time he became Jubilee Kumar. His films were designed in the same lines as that of Dilip Kumar, and he was successful in getting appreciation of the refined viewers of the country. Right from Goonj Uthi Shehnai, he acted in roles which were sacrificing nature and most of the roles touched the hearts of the viewers. He was sublime in Mere Mehboob and Aarzoo opposite Sadhna, Dil Ek Mandir, Chirag Kahan Roshni Kahan, opposite Meena Kumari. He acted in many films opposite Vaijayantimala and most of them ended up becoming superhit films, including Zindagi, Sangam, Aas Ka Panchi, Ganwar, Suraj, Saathi, to name a few. Mere Mehboob ended up being the biggest blockbuster in 1963, surpassing the other successful films made that year including Taj Mahal and Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon.

Rajender Kumar acted in superhit films opposite Saira Banu as well including Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Jhuk Gaya Aasman, Aman, etc. Rajender Kumar’s films were also remembered by the audience for their everlasting music composed by Shankar Jaikishan and Naushad. SJ’s music in the film Ayee Milan Ki Bela, with Rafi’s songs like “mai pyar ka diwana”, “aha aye Milan ki bela”, “o sanam tere ho gaye hum”, “tum khamseen ho” became invaluable hits. SJ’s music in the film Suraj was equally impressive with Rafi’s songs like “chehere pe giri zulfein”, “kaise samjhayun”, “baharon phool barsao”, “itna hai tujhse pyar mujhe”, etc., storming bollywood in the mid-60s. The sad songs of Rafi composed by Shankar Jaikishan for Rajender Kumar had become immortal over the years like “yaad na jaye”, “dil ke mandir hai” sung in the film Dil Ek Mandir, “surahidaar garden koel si hi awaz” in Aman, “saccha hai ghar” in Jhuk Gaya Aasman, “khuda bhi aasman se” in Dharti, “meherbaan likhoon” in Sangam, to name a few.

Naushad gave his career’s best music in the film Mere Mehboob. All the songs sung by Rafi and Lata including “mere mehboob tujhe”, “ai husn zara jag tujhe”, “tumse izhaar – e – haal”, etc., astonishing listeners in India and abroad. Also the songs of Palki, like “dil –e –betaab ko seene se lagana hoga”, showed the high quality of ghazals which were given adequate expression by Rafi.

Rajender Kumar never received any filmfare award for his performance, but the viewers in India and abroad acknowledged his creditable performance in most of the films. His films should be revisited.

Classical songs sung by Rafi and Manna Dey together.

Classical songs sung by Rafi and Manna Dey together.

Music of bollywood films reached its zenith during the 50s and 60s. Composers, lyricists and singers of diversified cultures and came together and produced masterpieces. During that period the classical rendition of orthodox songs sung by Rafi and Manna Dey had made the listeners spellbound and still remain immortal more than 50 years after their creation.

Qawallies were composed in style during that period. In the film Barsaat Ki Raat in 1960, composer Roshan’s qawalli “na to karwan ki talash hai” started by Manna Dey and continued by Rafi with the lyrics “yeh ishq ishq hai ishq ishq”, was the major attraction in the film. Both Rafi and Manna Dey sang the qawalli in their own style and with their own harkats. Barsaat Ki Raat had other brilliant songs including the title song, but the qawalli stood as one of the superlative creations.

In the film Taj Mahal in 1963, the qawalli “chandi ka badan, sone ka nazar” composed by Roshan was another masterpiece. Rafi’s style of performance was as unique as Manna Dey’s one. The same was equally brilliant as the other songs like “jo wada kiya hai” sung by Rafi and Lata and “paon chu lene do” sung by Rafi.

In the film Bahu Begum in 1967, Rafi and Manna Dey probably competed against each other to prove their supremacy in the qawallies composed by Roshan. The song “dhoond ke layun kahan se mai” almost created an environment lying in a dargah. The individual classical touch given by Manna Dey was as brilliant as Rafi. The other song “waqib hoon khub ishq ke” sung by Rafi and Manna Dey made the audience speechless. Probably these songs were more difficult to sing than the solo songs like “hum intezar karenge” by Rafi or “duniya kare sawal” by Lata.

There were light songs sung by Rafi and Manna Dey together also. In Kalpana, their song “tu hai mera prem devta” composed by OP Nayyar was one example. In Parvarish, Dattaram composed the song “mama ho mama” for Rafi and Manna Dey. In the film Rustom Sohrab, Sajjad Hussain composed for Rafi and Manna Dey the song “phir tumhari yaad ayi”.

In the film Sachai, Shankar Jaikishan composed the song “ai dost mere” for Rafi and Manna Dey. Whenever Rafi sung duet with other playback singers the classical andaz could not be balanced by anyone. Whenever Manna Dey sang any duet with Rafi, whether a qawalli or any other semi-classical song, both the singers took their singing to a higher dimension, and the audience enjoyed the brilliant performances in the long run.

The songs and the films should be preserved.

IIFA Awards 2010 had some new faces.

IIFA Awards 2010 had some new faces.

IIFA Awards 2010 had some new faces. It had been held in Sri Lanka, and the awards function was glorified by some brilliant dance performances of superstar Salman Khan, Anil Kapoor, Govinda, Saif Ali Khan and others.

In the music composer category, Pritam received the award for the best composer for the first time Love Aaj Kal. It would have been had he won it for the composition in the film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani, which had the most romantic tunes of the year. But at least someone else had won it other than AR Rehman who had remained unbeatable at least in the filmfare awards for the last 5 years. But to everyone’s surprise, the best playback singer male went to Shaan for his song “behti hawa” in the film The 3 idiots. It was really sad that Atif Aslam did not win it for his song “tu jane na” in the film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. Shaan sang the song very well, but new aspiring singers should also get their dues. Atif Aslam is probably the most stylish singer of the present age after Sonu Nigam. Sonu Nigam also had the nomination for the song “all is well” but he lost it to Shaan for the performance in the same film.

The best female singer award went to Kavita Seth for her song in the film Wake Up Sid. It was a welcome surprise. Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chouhan used to dominate the scene. They were in the nominations for their performances in the film The Three Idiots and Love Aaj Kal. These days new singers like Rekha Bharadwaj, Shilpa Rao and others create high competition in the bollywood arena.

The best actress award was won by Kareena Kapoor for The Three Idiots and Vidya Balan for Paa. Both are great artists and deserved the award. Amitabh Bacchan got the best actor award for his brilliant performance in the film Paa. He is considered as one of the most dynamic actors of bollywood of all times after Dilip Kumar and Sanjeev Kumar. But new talents like Ranbir Kapoor should win best actor award very soon. The new generation can shape the future of bollywood. Besides, IIFA could have shown courage by giving the award to Boman Irani for his brilliant performance in the film The Three Idiots. He is considered to be the most versatile actor of the present period after Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah.

Sanjay Dutt won the award for the best comedy performance in the film All The Best. He deserved it. For a long time he had given landmark performances in comedy role in films like Ek Aur Ek Gyarah, Haseena Maan Jayegi, etc. Sometimes his performances got overshadowed by comedy performances of Govinda. He had been a phenomenon over the years. Boman Irani got the award for the best villain for his performance in the film The Three Idiots.

Hrithik Roshan’s grandfather J. Om Prakash was felicitated for lifetime contribution to bollywood films. He had made romantic films like Ayee Milan Ki Bela, Aye Din Bahar Ke, Aap Ki Kasam, Aasha, etc. Hrithik Roshan gave the award to the legendary filmmaker. Omi Vaidya received the award for the best male debutant for his performance in the film The Three Idiots.

The best supporting award male went to Sharman Joshi for his performance in the film The Three Idiots. He deserved it. The best supporting actress award went to Divya Dutta for her performance in the film Dilli 6. The program had been elegantly hosted by Boman Irani and Ritesh Desmukh. The scene where they imitated Amitabh Bacchan and Shahrukh Khan, the entire act was hilarious. Anil Kapoor won the award for outstanding contribution to bollywood films. He had been an institution by himself for the last 30 years.

It was a good sign, that IIFA had been awarding new faces and changed the monotony of same performers winning the awards year after year.

Nirmal Kumar - the sophisticated actor of Bengali cinema, should have won more BFJA awards.

Nirmal Kumar – the sophisticated actor of Bengali cinema, should have won more BFJA awards.

Nirmal Kumar had acted in landmark Bengali films during the 50s and 60s. But inspite of his effortless performance in sometimes thoughtful and sometimes complex characters did not earn him many BFJA awards. He acted in the role of literary educated character in the film Sesher Kobita in the early 50s. Then he got a landmark role in Tapan Sinha’s Louha Kapat. He played the role of a jailor who witnessed the stories of different prisoners in his prison. He almost portrayed the observation of Jorasondho, the author of the epic novel.

He played the role of a compassionate doctor in Tapan Sinha’s film Khaniker Atithi. He treated a small boy who was suffering from infirmity in the legs. Later on he came to know that the boy was the child of Ruma Guha Thakurta, the woman he was supposed to marry but could not marry due to different reasons. He even took the child to Kolkata to show him to his senior doctor played by Radha Mohan Bhattacharya who ultimately cured him. His ability to interact with the little child had created a lasting impact in the minds of cinematic audience. He did not win BFJA award for it.

He received the BFJA award for best performance in the film Kamal Lata. He played the role of a muslim poet depicted by writer Sarat Chandra Chatterji who had stayed in Baishnov Ashram and composed devotional songs. His association with one of the devotees played by Suchitra Sen compelled the other members from boycotting her from society. Uttam Kumar played the role of (Srikanto) Sarat Chandra Chatterij and he took Kamallata ( Suchitra Sen) from the place. Nirmal Kumar died at the end of then film. His lips in the song “o mo kokhon shuru” sung by Shaymal Mitra and composed by Robin Chatterji had touched the souls of the viewers of classic films. That was the only time Nirmal Kumar won a BFJA award.

His performance in the film Chaya Shurjo requires special mention. He played the role of the uncle of Sharmila Tagore who was disliked by all the family members and who lost his husband also due to illness. Nirmal Kumar was the poet in the film who was the silent observer of the ill-treatment towards the unfortunate girl in Partho Pratim Choudhury’s epic film. He did not win any award for the landmark performance. His other successful films include Upahaar, Kono Ekdin, Lal Pathor, Bishkonya, etc. In Kono Ekdin, he played the role of a wealthy person, who drove his own taxi in Kolkata and gathered diversified experiences of different persons who drove in his taxi. The role of a thoughtful observer did not earn him any award.

His soft style of performance in majority of films had touched the viewers and for those reasons his films should be preserved and restored.

Happy birthday to Naseeruddin Shah.

Happy birthday to Naseeruddin Shah.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Naseeruddin Shah on 20th July, 2010. Along with Om Puri, Smita Patil and Shabana Azmi, Nasir was the leading actor who had shaped parallel cinema in India. He became the leading actor of art films directed by Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihalini, Sudhir Mishra, Mrinal Sen and others. He was sublime in films like Aakrosh, Sparsh, Khandahaar, etc.

Viewers cannot forget his realistic acting in Goutam Ghosh’s film Paar. He was unparallel in the scene where he along with Shabana Azmi, took the herd of animals across river Ganges for their livelihood. Their standard of acting was extraordinary. He was equally brilliant in a sensitive role in Shekhar Kapoor’ s film Masoom. His son Jugal Hansraj was not accepted by Shabana Azmi, as he was her step son, but at the end of the film Nasir convinced Shabana about accepting the child. The songs in the film like “huzoor is kadar bhi na itra ke chaliye” sung by Bhupinder Singh and Suresh Watkar and composed by RD Burman became extremely popular in the early 80s.

In the late 80s, Nasir got influenced by veteran actor Amrish Puri and joined mainstream cinema. There also he became a grand winner. He gave fabulous performance in the film Tridev along with Sunny Deol, Jackie Shroff, and also Vishwaatma wit Sunny Deol and Chunkey Pandey. His action skills, comedy skills all were utilized by the commercial directors and became an indispensable figure in the early 90s.

Even as villain he astonished the viewers in films like Mohra. He did outcast the heroes in the film like Sunil Shetty and Akshay Kumar and ended up being the main actor in the feeling. Nasir could play any type of role and in the long run no other actor other than Om Puri could match Nasiruddin Shah’s versatility. In China Gate, both of them faced each other and the viewers enjoyed the dynamic performances of the two legends. Even in films like Monsoon Wedding, Nasir showed that his skill in realistic acting just had got enhanced day after day.

In 2008, he performed perhaps the best film of the year, A Wednesday. He killed the terrorists as an ordinary citizen, to end the threat they had created over a period of time.

In 2010, his performance in the film Ishqiya opposite Vidya Balan and Arshad Warsi had been highly appreciated by the critics. The film did good business as well. Even his performance in Prakash Jha’s film Rajneeti impressed the masses. Rajneeti ended up being a blockbuster. The viewers expect the legendary actor to continue his dynamic performance as he is still irreplaceable in bollywood films.

Happy birthday to Priyanka Chopra.

Happy birthday to Priyanka Chopra.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Priyanka Chopra. Priyanka Chopra is today’s most popular actress of the bollywood film industry. She had started her career in bollywood films after she won the Miss India contest title. Since then she never looked back. Her first film Andaz opposite Akshay Kumar and Lara Dutta did well in the box office. But initially she haven’t got that much recognition, but with the film Mujshe Shaadi Karogi opposite Salman Khan and Akshay kumar , Priyanka Chopra became a leading star of the period.

She had got the grace, glamour and attitude in her which is very much wanted by today’s audience and young crowd. She gave stunning performance in the Fashion and got the filmfare award for the best actress for the year 2009. She even won her first prestigious National award for the performance in the film Fashion. Director Madhur Bhandarkar had been known for making realistic films and Priyanka Chopra did adapt her style of performance in the ideal way that Madhur Bhandarkar expected. In the same year she did perform in many films including God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku , Love story 2050, Dostana and Billu Barber in 2009. Her next upcoming film was released in 2009 was titled Kamina opposite Shahid Kapoor. This film also did fabulous business.

The big factor which had kept Priyanka Chopra ahead of Lara Dutta, Ash, Katrina and others, include her capability to adapt herself in different roles. Whenever the situation demanded she played the role of an upstart American in the film Dostana. She effortlessly managed the comedy sequences along with Abhishek Bacchan and John Abraham. In the film Love Story 2050, she adjusted herself to the hi-tech world that would have emerged around 40 years from now on.

Her role in God Tussi Great Ho was totally different. There were misunderstandings and traps set by either Sohail Khan or Salman Khan. She faced the events and was firm in her affection towards Salman Khan.

Similarly in Billu Barber, her performance in a dance number opposite Shahrukh Khan requires special mention. In fact she had given elegant lips in the songs “tujhe aksa beach dikhadun”, “salaam-e-ishq”, “tenu le”, etc.

The viewers expect her to continue the brilliant work that she had started in 2008 and do even well in 2010 and the years to come.

Remembering Chabi Biswas on his birthday.

Remembering Chabi Biswas on his birthday.


Chabi Biswas was probably the greatest character artist Indian celluloid had ever produced. He has been remembered on his birthday on 13th July, 2010. His superlative class of performance had been acknowledged by brilliant directors like Satyajit Ray, Hrithik Ghatak, Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, but he had remained unsung, unhonoured, unlamented.

Ray had a very serious personality and hardly required any improvisation as his innovative scripts had almost everything embedded in them. But Chabi Biswas brought out his own dimensions in the role of Feudal Lord in the film Jalsaghar. He combined the aristocracy and the dignity of the feudal lord in the colonial period and at times astonished Ray himself with his dynamic performances.

He even sold his wife’s ornaments to organize a musical program in his banquet room to maintain his dominance as a feudal lord. Singers from renowned classical gharana came and performed in the show and the entire village was invited to witness it. With the loss in revenue and poverty during British regime, he committed suicide by dying on horseback.

He was sublime in the film Debi, where he visualized Goddess Kali in the human form in Sharmila Tagore, his daughter –in –law. The entire concept was related to his belief and his son Soumitra took exception about the thing but was helpless. Sharmila became sick as it was awkward on her part to see his father-in-law touching her feet as she was believed to be Debi, the human form of Goddess.

Chabi Biswas was majestic in his classic role in the film Kanchenjungha. Ray experimented with a remote subject where the greatness of the Himalayas freed the mental blockade of middle-class bengalies. Arun Mukherjee, one of the unemployed youth even did not accept the job offered by big industrialist played by Chabi Biswas. At the end of the film Chabi Biswas realized the greatness of the great mountain range and surrendered before it. The film could not be understood by mass audience as it dealt with the concept of realization although the colourful photography of Ray in Darjeeling was well appreciated. But critics had acclaimed Chabi Biswas and said that he was the last name for the depiction of aristocracy in any form.

His dignified performance in the films of legendary directors like Ajoy Kar, Tapan Sinha, Prabhat Mukherjee, Agragami, Agradoot had not been forgotten by the mass. He had remained sublime in Prabhat Mukherjee’s Bicharak in the role of a charishmatic advocate, Tapan Sinha’s Kabuliwala in the role of an Afghan father, Ajoy Kar’s Suno Baranari in the role of a wealthy Barrister, Agragami’s Headmaster in the role of an old headmaster, to name a few. He died in a tragic accident in 1962 and Indian celluloid lost one of its greatest actors ever. His films should be preserved for projection of dynamism, class, dignity, aristocracy and majestic demeanour.

Happy birthday to Katrina Kaif.

Happy birthday to Katrina Kaif.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Katrina Kaif on 16th July, 2010 .When Katrina Kaif initially had successful films opposite leading stars of bollywood, many section of the viewers anticipated that she would not be the horse which will run a long distance. Her dialogues had to be dubbed and as she had nothing other beauty.

But Katrina Kaif in the last two years had proved herself and established her indispensability in bollywood films. She was brilliant in Maine Pyar Kyun Kiya opposite Salman Khan, in a film where the other beauties like Sushmita Sen and Isha Kopikaar were tested opposite her. Yet she came out successful. Her songs “just chill chill” created the maximum attention.

She was successful in the film Race opposite Akshay Khanna and Saif Ali Khan. The beauty of Katrina Kaif overpowered the performances of other style icons like Bipasha Basu and Sameera Reddy. Katrina Kaif was sublime in films like Welcome and Namaste London where she was the most appropriate character opposite Akshay Kumar.

Katrina Kaif was absolutely successful in the film Singh is Kingg. The song that was picturised on Katrina Kaif namely “teri ore teri ore” sung by Shreya Ghoshal received most of the awards of last year. Katrina Kaif complimented Akshay Kumar in the film.

Even in 2009, Katrina Kaif had big releases like Blue and Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani. In both these films other stars had acted along with Katrina Kaif, but the beauty of Katrina Kaif had been a big asset for the films.

These days Katrina Kaif had learned hindi and got Rajib Gandhi award for excellence in bollywood films. In 2009, her film Ajab Prem Ki Gazab Kahani opposite Ranbir Kapoor did business worth Rs 65 crores. That had made her presence in bollywood films more material. Her film Rajneeti opposite Ranbir Kapoor had done business worth Rs 80 crores and emerged as the greatest blockbuster of 2010.

She is expected to storm bollywood with her upcoming films and continue her dream run.

I Hate Luv Stories will do decent business.

I Hate Luv Storys will do decent business.

Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor paired together for the first time in the film I Hate Luv Storys. The film had been directed by Punit Malhotra and produced by C Ashwini Dutt and Karan Johar. Imran Khan had not shown any spark after his super hit debut in the film Jaane Tu Ya Jane Na. Sonam Kapoor had been longing for a successful film from a long time. Neither Sawaariya, nor Dilli 6 would have made her a super star. In that respect this film had a lot of importance in the career of Imran Khan and Sonam Kapoor.

Sonam Kapoor in the film loved love stories. He was engaged with Sameer Dattani. But assistant director Imran Khan changed her life. He hated love stories. According to him having an affair is a kind of sickness which people have.

When Sonam Kapoor was employed as an art director in the set of a film where Imran Khan was the assistant director she hated Imran Khan. A number of other stories came into being and Sonam Kapoor awakened from her dream. The film revolved around the debate relating to loving love stories and hating love stories.

The music was composed by Vishal Shekhar. Some songs became popular namely “jab mila tu” sung by Vishal Dadlani, “bahaara bahaara” sung by Shreya Ghoshal and Sona Mahapatra. But the film was slow in certain respects.

Even then, the soothing performance of Sonam Kapoor, Imran Khan and the character artists like Anju Mahendra had a charming effect on the audience. The film had already earned Rs 22 crores. In the days to come it will do even better business.

The film is destined to do decent business.

Happy birthday to Zarina Wahab

Happy birthday to Zarina Wahab.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Zarina Wahab on 3rd July, 2010. She was born in a muslim family in Vishakapatnam.

She learned acting in the Film and Television Institute of Pune. She started her film career in Dev Anand’s film Ishq Ishq Ishq in 1974. She attracted the attention of the viewers with her effortless performance in Basu Chatterjee’s film Chitchor.

She played the role of a village girl in the film who was impressed by the down to earth nature of Amol Palekar. She and her family thought that he was a wealthy engineer. But later they came to know that the actual engineer was Vijayendra Ghadge. The family of Zarina Wahab namely Deena Pathak and AK Hangal stopped Zarina Wahab from mixing with Amol Palekar. But she could not forget his memories, nor her neighbouring brother Master Raju. The film became silver jubilee hit. The music composed by Ravinder Jain stormed bollywood with songs like “tu jo mere sur me”, “kahin deep jale”, etc., sung by Yesu Das and Hemlata. The same plot was used in the film Mai Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, where Hrithik Roshan, Kareena Kapoor and Abhishek Bacchan played the lead roles.

Zarina Wahab formed a brilliant pair with Amol Palekar and their next film Gharonda was a masterpiece. She played the role of the daughter of Sriram Lagoo. Amol Palekar struggled to get decent job in Mumbai. The film was related to the extreme competition of work in Mumbai and struggle of getting a place to stay. The music of the film composed by Jaidev was excellent. Bhupinder Singh’s song “ek akela is shahar me”, “ do diwane shahar me” and Runa Laila’s song “tumhe honaho mujhko to itna yakeen hai” stormed bollywood in the mid-70s. Zarina Wahab got filmfare nomination for best actress in the film.

Zarina Wahab acted in other films like Tumhare Liye directed by Basu Chatterjee, Sawan Ko Aane Do, and many South Indian films like Gajula Kishtavya, Madanolsavam, etc. As character artist she played the role of the mother of Shahrukh Khan in the film My Name is Khan. She married actor Aditya Pancholi and has son and daughter.

The viewers expect her to continue the great work that she had started 30 years back.

Happy birthday to Nitu Singh.

Happy birthday to Nitu Singh.

The viewers of bollywood films wish happy birthday to Nitu Singh on 8th July 2010. She had started her career as child actress and later kept a mark as leading actress in commercial films.

In the late 60s, her performance in the film do Kaliyan attracted attention. Biswajeet Chatterji and Mala Sinha were the lead performers in the film. Nitu Singh got double role. Both the sisters were sad due to the separation of their parents. At the end of the film the differences between Biswajeet and Mala Sinha were sorted out.

She acted in many successful films opposite Rishi Kapoor whom she married later. The successful films included Kabhi Kabhi, Khel Khel Me, Amar Akbar Anthony, Rafoo Chakkar, etc. The songs of Amar Akbar Anthony also created history with Rafi’s qawalli “parda hai parda” and “humko tumse ho gaya hai pyar kya Karen”. The film directed by Manmohan Desai stormed bollywood in the late 70s.

Nitu Singh acted opposite all the leading stars of bollywood films in the 70s. Her successful films opposite Big B included Parvarish, The Great Gambler, to name a few. Her successful film opposite Shashi Kapoor included Dewaar. Her successful film opposite Jeetender included Burning Train. Viewers still remember her elegant lips in the song “pal do pal ka saath hamara” sung by Rafi and Asha Bhosle in the film Burning Train.

She acted in the films directed by eminent directors like Manmohan Desai in films like Amar Akbar Anthony, Yash Chopra in films like Kabhi Kabhi, Kala Patthar, BR Chopra in films like Burning Train, to name a few. After marrying Rishi Kapoor, she left films in the 80s.

Probably she had concentrated in upbringing of Rishi Kapoor’s son and daughter, including Ranbir Kapoor. But she had a lot of acting left in her. The viewers of bollywood films wish her to make comeback in contemporary films in character roles.

Manna Dey recently gave interview in Zee Bangla.

Manna Dey recently gave interview in Zee Bangla.

Manna Dey gave recent interview before Anurag Basu in a program held in Zee Bangla on 1st July, 2010. Anurag Basu had hosted the program for more than a month now. Notable celebrities like Pritam, Shaan, Prasenjit Chatterji, Konkona Sen Sharma had been interviewed in the program. Questions were asked to the fans of the celebrities.

Manna Dey when asked between himself, Rafi and Kishore Kumar, where would he rank himself. He said that he would keep Rafi at no. 1 because according to him no one had sung sugam sangeet to the level of perfection of Rafi. He had kept Kishore Kumar at 2 and mentioned that after Rafi he was versatile and modulated the voice brilliantly for decades. He kept himself at no. 3. He said his songs were difficult to sing as they were classically oriented, but listeners enjoyed them. He sang the song “hey bhai zara dekh ke chalo” from Raj Kapoor’s film Mera Naam Joker in the program. He talked about lyricist Pulak Banerjee who had died some time back, but had given majority of songs to Manna Dey.

Manna Dey had a very sweet relationship with Sudhin Dasgupta. He was used by almost all the leading composers of Bengal namely Anil Bagchi, Nochiketa Ghosh, Salil Choudhury and others. But probably his westernized andaz was used to the limit by Sudhin Dasgupta.

Sudhin Dasgupta used Manna Dey in Uttam Kumar’s film Goli Theke Rajpoth with the song “lag lag lag lag bhelkir khela”. Manna Dey’s songs “ami agantuk” and “ke prothom kache esechi” composed by Sudhin Dasgupta in Uttam Kumar’s film Shankhabela created sensation in Bengali celluloid in 1966. Manna Dey’s songs “ami kon pothe je choli” and “bachao ke acho” in Uttam Kumar’s film Choddobeshi became super hit as well.

In the 70s, Manna Dey’s songs “esechi ami esechi”, “lekha porata shikhe phele” and “paye paye joriye rakho” in Uttam Kumar’s film Har Mana Har created sensation as well. Uttam Kumar gave the lips of his lifetime in the film Har Mana Har. While major success of Sudhin Dasgupta came in Uttam Kumar’s films, he made major contribution in Soumitra Chatterji’s films as well. The songs “ei shohor theke aro anek dure”, “hoyto tomari jonyo”, “jibone ki pabona” in the film Teen Bhubaner Pare, composed by Sudhin Dasgupta and sung by Manna Dey showed the westernized orchestration of the giant composer.

Sudhin Dasupta’s songs in Soumitra’s films Prothom Kodom Phul and Bosonto Bilaap were equally successful. Manna Dey’s all round musical skills were used to perfection in these films. Even the song “ogo tomar sesh bichare asay” sung by Manna Dey in bayul andaz in Kali Banerjee’s legendary film Dak Horkora, and composed by Sudhin Dasgupta made the viewers speechless.

Manna Dey sang many numbers of solo songs as basic discs under the compositions of Sudhin Dasgupta. One of the notable songs included “ami taar thikana rakhini”. The songs of Sudhin Dasgupta and Manna Dey combination should be preserved and restored.

Manna Dey received Dada Sahab Falke award and really deserved it. He is probably the last living legend. Viewers and listeners owe their respect to the versatile singer.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2010.

Remembering Sanjeev Kumar on 9th July, 2010.

The viewers of bollywood films would remember Sanjeev Kumar on his birthday on 9th July, 2010. He was one of most gifted actors that bollywood films had produced and still remains immortal in his memorable works. He was sublime in the role of a deaf and dumb character in Gulzar’s film Koshish. He received national award for his brilliant performance and also inspired Jaya Bacchan to reach the same level of excellence in the film.

In Sholay he played the epic role of Thakur of north Indian village. His personality in the film amazed the Indian viewers and many aspects he superseded Dharmender and Big in the same film where they were sublime. His personality matched the cruel instincts of Amzad Khan in the role of Gabbar Singh in the same film. Again his role in the film Aandhi opposite Suchitra Sen in 1975, showed his softer side. He could feel the emotions of his wife who was a popular political leader but was corned by many members of the opposition. He received filmfare award for best actor in 1975 for his epic performance in Aandhi.

Gulzar probably had made the best use of the versatile actor. His role in the film Mausam was full of reflections. He recollected his past experience with Sharmila Tagore when his car ascended the roads to his destination in Darjeeling. Bhupinder Singh’s song “dil dhoonta hai phir wohi fursat ke raat din” written by Gulzar and composed by Madan Mohan matched him ideally. Probably Bhupinder Singh’s deep voice suited Sanjeev Kumar better than no other actor in bollywood . He gave elegant lips in the film Parichay in the song “bite na bitai rehna”.

Besides, Sanjeev Kumar kept his mark in comedy films like Seeta Aur Geeta opposite Hema Malini, also Angoor opposite Moushumi Chatterji. He was sublime also in films like Satyakam and Shikar. Critics argue that he was the most versatile actor after Dilip Kumar and Balraj Sahani and he showed his variation in films like Naya Din Nayi Raat. All the nine roles were different and Sanjeev Kumar treated each of them with separate andaz. His role in Khilouna showed the characteristics of a mad person and was worth mentioning. He gave elegant lips in Rafi’s song “khilouna jaan kar mujhko”.

Sanjeev Kumar was an indispensable figure in the entire 70s and early 80s. Whether it was Trishul or Khuddar, whether it was Qatl or Hero, whether it was Alaap or Angoor, Sanjeev Kumar played every type of character possible in bollywood films. Before Om Puri and Naseeruddin Shah stepped in the arena of bollywood films, Sanjeev Kumar was probably the automatic choice of all the thoughtful directors of the country including Gulzar, Basu Bhattacharya, Basu Chatterjee, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, etc. He could modulate his voice to suit even old characters very well. In Sholay, Mausam and Aandhi he played old characters at a time when his own age was in the 40s.

The works of Sanjeev Kumar should be preserved and actors of the new generation learn from his versatile performances.