January 04, 2015

PK

 Raj Kumar Hirani's PK has evoked mixed reactions from cinegoers but Aamir's smile proves that -it is the success at the end that matters. The movie continues to do well at box office
Movies List 2015

Ungli



Emraan Hashmi  Kangana Ranaut, Randeep Hooda and Sanjay Dutt.

Poor performances, weak storyline,
Rated    *
2014 was not less eventful; Three great artists (all April Born) passed away in 2014 leaving  their memories behind. 
Suchitra Sen, Zohra Sehgal and Deven Verma, each of them at one point had won the hearts of millions by their  performances, each contributed to Indian Cinema. Sooner or later they will be part of our faint memories, yet whenever, their films will be replayed, they will continue to leave an impact on those watching. 





                                                    Suchitra Sen (April 6,1931- Jan 17, 2014)

Suchitra Sen, Being a bengali actress, was one of the top artistes of  her time , remembered for Agnipariksha, Harano Sur, Saptapadi, Pathey Holo Deri, Kamal Lata, Indrani, Sabar Upore, Suryatoran, Shaare Chuattor, Sadanander Mela, Jiban Trishna, Ekti Raat, Chaawa Paawa, Shapmochan, Bipasha, Naborag, Trijama, Rajlakshmi Srikanto, Har Mana Har, Alo Amar Alo, Ora Thakey Odhare, Grihaprabesh. She & her co star Uttam Kumar together became the most adored and loved pair of over two decades. 
Her last few years were of self denial and in solitude, away from public life.Howevever,those who watched her  will not be able to erase the memory of her profound performances and romatic era, she belonged to.               
                                                 


                                              Zohra Sehgal (April 27, 1912-July 10,2014)


The Veteran adorable actor of Cheeni Kum, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam,Bend it like Beckham,Veer Zaara she lighted up the audience with her lively and cute twinkle in her eyes and pinch of comic role she was so good to perform at.
Her performances and zest for life always made headlines on media.



                                             


                                                 Deven Verma( April 23,1937- Dec 2,2014)

Who can forget Bahadur of  Film "Angoor" which won him Filmfare Award in 1983. Acted in several films from 1960 to  early eighties, he created his own comic style different from  those who saw Johny Walker or Mehmood, Rajendra Nath or Mukri in  early fifty or late sixties. Movie after movie, his popularity grew over time and whether in a smaller or pivotal  role  Deven Verma was  noticed and praised for his talent- Natural and effortless.

Gulzar, his director of  "Angoor" and a friend had this to say about him:
"Gulzar : He was a great actor, I wouldn't call him a comedian
'Angoor' (1983) was one of the major films we worked on together. I was in regular touch with him, even though he had moved to Pune. He had told me about his heart problem. He wanted to have a screening of 'Angoor' at a club and wanted me to present it, but it didn't happen. He was a great actor, I wouldn't call him a comedian. He never used buffoonery that we're used to attaching with comedy, now. He played his two characters in 'Angoor' differently. The only similarity between the two is the name, rest everything — from the body language to the way they spoke — every nuance was distinct. I got the news of his demise from a common friend in Pune and immediately conveyed my condolences. It sounds cliched... There's only so much you can do, hold the hand.. one can't do more than that.. He lived his life well, his sense of humour was there till the end, despite being unwell. While he had a sense of humour and was a very lively person, with spirit and energy, he was also a sober person at the same time. One could consult him on personal matters and he would give sound advice. His demise is a loss."





November 03, 2014

Sadashiv Amrapurkar

  Veteran actor Sadashiv Amrapurkar dies at a Mumbai hospital. He was 64.

September 22, 2014

D-Day released in 2013 is fictional underworld movie by Nikhil Advani who has convincingly unfolded a story of an underworld and lives of agents who work tirelessly to nab him.
 Rishi Kapoor,Irrfan Khan, Arjun Rampal, Shruti Hassan and surprisingly a new face Shriswara as Nafisa - all give excellent performances.

Irrfan is one actor who is always a delight to watch and puts his heart and soul in every role he plays but it's the  director who  deserves the kudos to have got such performances from every artist.
One of  well made and  appreciated movies.

Rating 8/10


Shriswara

September 14, 2014

"Margarita with a straw "-A new generation movie with difference -starring Kalki Koechlin is about a bisexual Laila who finds love with outspoken activist Khanum(Sayani Gupta)

According to Kalki the role was truly demanding as she had to portray a character which has  a disability(Cerebral Palsy). Written & directed by Shonali Bose, story is inspired by Shonali's cousin, Malini who has cerebral palsy. Kalki was introduced to Malini who she lived with, watched movies together to get to see the world from her perspective and play a true life role. In today's context of Bollywood style of filmmaking, such initiatives have rarely been taken. However, as new generation of movie makers and actors are ready to take plunge into realistic cinema, no wonder we will get to see more meaningful films like "Margarita With a Straw" in very near future. The makers and actors deserve accolades.
(Cerebral palsy (CP) is an umbrella term that refers to a group of disorders affecting a person’s ability to move. It is a permanent life-long condition, but generally does not worsen over time. It is due to damage to the developing brain either during pregnancy or shortly after birth-https://www.cerebralpalsy.org.au)

Film was recently screened at Toronto International Film Festival(TIFF)

September 06, 2014

Mary Kom

Priyanka Chopra appeared on front page of Toronto Star when she arrived for the world premiere of her film " Mary Kom" in which she portrays a five time world amateur boxing  champion.
Linda Barnard movie writer for Toronto Star had this to say about Priyanka

"India's Angelina Jolie, Bollywood superstar Priyanka Chopra, changed her body and hopes to change a few minds by playing Indian boxing champion Mary Kom in the self-titled biopic, which had its world premiere at TIFF Thursday"
"Videos of Kom's fights "were my bedtime stories" as Chopra watched them over and over to learn the fighter's style. The right handed Chopra also had to learn to fight "like a southpaw" to match the left-handed Kom and ate a high protein diet to bulk up while doing punishing workouts with heavy weights "to exhaustion"



Priyanka Chopra at Toronto International Film Festival September 6 2014


August 29, 2014

Sunny Deol

On launch of "Betaab"- 1983 successful film which took Sunny's career instantly to greater heights in the years to follow.

August 11, 2014

Humpty Sharma ki Dulhan

August 9,2014

 Varun Dhawan, Alia Bhatt lead the cast of  "Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhan"- a Karan Johar production which is latest and instant box office success.
With new fresh and talented faces, film's credit goes more to performances of young stars than the script or overall movie per se. Thinly woven plot goes fast forward obviously  as new version of "Dil Wale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge style" with predictable end. 
Apparently, makers have understood the pulses of younger moviegoers and know how to keep audience engaged with insensate humour and dumb turns.

Wow, "wish such things could happen in real life "but that's not a statement you make while watching a typical spiced Bollywood extravaganza with multi million investment and with a smart film maker who knows how to churn out a successful  and not bother about making a great film.
Rating: **/*****

August 07, 2014

Salman Khan


August 6,2014
Salman Khan's latest movie "Kick" has proved to be another blockbuster with news of its collection having crossed already 34 Million US$(207 crores INR)

August 01, 2014

Mohammad Rafi






July 31, 2014

On his 34 th death anniversary- Remembering Mohammed Rafi who sang over four thousand songs and continues to be favourite even with new generation when many singers come and go without leaving any impression of great singing.Every song he  recorded became popular-This couldn't be attributed to his luck or  wouldn't it be unfair to say that he belonged to an era when lyricists, music directors knew how to create great music  with his voice. His voice suited almost every actor and perfectly pitched to any film situation speaks about ingenuity and God gifted talent he owned.
Whether it was Dilip kumar, or Devanand, Rajendra Kumar,Shammi Kapoor, Jeetendra, Sanjeev Kumar,Dharmendra, Shashi Kapoor,Joy Mukherjee, Pradeep Kumar, Guru Dutt,Raaj Kumar and even Mehmood and Johnny Walker - his voice suited every actor or in other words every actor wanted his playback singing on screen.
It's once in a life time such artistes are born. Regretfully, he left too early and entire industry was shocked to hear about his passing away this day but Maestro had written his name with a golden ink on history pages of Indian cinema and his voice will keep enthralling music lovers for years to come.

July 28, 2014

Dilip Kumar




"If I can be an actor, any one can become an actor" Easlly said by him but so hard to believe. In one of videos he speaks out about his early days.
Watch this:

Sanjay dutt




In one of rare pictures Sanjay Dutt with his father Late Sunil Dutt,his brother in law Kumar Gaurav,Late Rajendra Kumar and Mahesh Bhatt.

Sanjay Dutt



Sanjay Dutt spending his term in Pune's Yerawada prison appears to have lost lots of weight and struggling with his health in some released released pictures. His sister Namrata in an interview said she is concerned that her brother's health issues shouldn't aggravate in conditions he is living on and wants him to a be free man.
Family has been denied meeting with him.
According to her he has vein thrombosis,borderline sugar and high cholesterol and triglycerides and due to inadequate medical facilities his health could deteriorate further.

July 19, 2014

Humpty Sharma ki Dulhan box office news

Boxoffice
A tribute to one of the greatest poets, lyricists of  Indian Cinema Industry -his website was launched by Shabana Azmi

Here is the  Link

Kaifi Azmi Website

July 11, 2014

Zohra Sehgal, one of the finest artistes and most admired 102 years young actress of Indian cinema industry passed away on Thursday July 10,2014 at her Delhi home.Her role in Cheeni Kam and many more will  remind of her smiles and zestful twinkling eyes.
May God rest her soul in peace and may  she be as  happy in other world as she was here.

July 06, 2014

Waheeda Rehman







She found Devanand very supportive. In one of her interviews, she mentioned that Director Raj Khosla in one scene,wanted her to wear a revealing dress which she wasn't very comfortable doing .Director initially agreed but began picking faults for every dance step in the movie shoot and was apparently showing her the grudge he had for having been refused by actor to wear a sexy outfit.
Devanand on the sets of film argued with director and supported Waheeda's decision.They worked  together in films like Guide, Prem Pujari,Solva Saal, C.I.D, Kaala Paani