February 14, 2011
On February 12th 2011, Pran, one of the all time great actors of Hindi Cinema celebrated his 91st Birthday.Like every year, I sent him my best wishes this year too. His reply came quick with some pictures he sent me. I really appreciate his zeal for life and being so popular within Industry speaks a lot about his personality.His family support and happiness, love of millions of his arden fans will make him always one of the most shining stars of Indian Cinema.
Once again,Pran ji , Wishing you all the happiness, good health and many years to live. Your films will continue to entertain every one .
Once again,Pran ji , Wishing you all the happiness, good health and many years to live. Your films will continue to entertain every one .
February 07, 2011
What`s troubling Shahrukh Khan
Shahrukh, acclaimed King of Bollywood has not been very likeable with Industry in recent years. I remember, Rajesh Khanna in 70's had similar accolades showered on him by everyone while there were greats of Dilip Kumar, Devanand and ohers overshadowed by his current Charisma.History repeats itself and I am seeing same story being repeated by Shahrukh. His claim to kingdom( self claimed or created by his circle of friends- not known)has invited wrath of his several contemporaries. In every award fuction, he was seen making fun of others. Not to every one liking, he obviously is loathed by every one. From Aamir Khan to Salmaan, Neel Nitin Mukesh and others he has found himself in troubled waters recently.
Money and glory are phases and continue to change their courses. Only those with modesty and down to earth approach continue to play long innings in this Industry.
Will Shharukh will be there to rule the industry in the years to come is difficult question to answer but odds are not too favourite. I hope,Shahrukh's story doesnot look like a sequel to Rajesh Khanna's era of 1970s
Romancing with Life
At the launch of his book in Bhartiya vidya Bhawan, New York
I am still looking for Dev Saheb's book "Romancing with life" No wonder the title of the book perfectly matches his zest to live life to fullest. Devanand is one actor in bollywood who is always seen brimming with unimaginable amount of energy and enthusiasm. Like contemporaries of Dilip Kumar and Pran , I wonder there should be some common factors for these artistes to live such a beautiful long journey of life and still remaining as excited as before. An industry where people climb glorious heights and fade away soon, there remains enigma of these people who are still around and enjoying life as ever. God bless them!
January 29, 2011
1960s
1960's period was the golden era of Indian film industry.Shankar Jaikishen,kalyanji-Anandji,Madan Mohan, Naushad,SD burman,Roshan,OP Nayyar created popular and melodious numbers in every film they worked for.Sangam, Jis desh me ganga behti hai, Hum Dono, Tere ghar ke Samne, Aarzoo, Mere Mehboob, Anpad, Dil Apna preet parayee, Dil ek mandir, Professor,Dosti,Guide,Jewel thief, Mugle e-azham, Aadmi, Upkar,Himalay ki God main, Haryali aur Raasta, Aarti were few films which had such good music that their songs are even today refresh pleasant memories.Each music director and Lyricist as if was trying to out pace other. Lyrics reflected by pre partition urdu inflence and poetry style.
Sahir,Shailendra, Raja mehndi Ali khan,Indivar became most sought after lyricists.
Most the films in this period had successful run due to good music.
Sahir,Shailendra, Raja mehndi Ali khan,Indivar became most sought after lyricists.
Most the films in this period had successful run due to good music.
December 09, 2010
Kaun Banega Crorepati
Amitabh Bachachan at the almost end this season kept saying goodbye and weird adieu.His come back in KBC was more impressive than before. Love and cheer he received showed enormous popularity, he commands today.Unlike his peers, he keeps himself in touch with his fans, through his blog and twitter, contemporary IT Tools which help building stream of young generation of followers. His elegance and screen presence is unparalleled.
September 10, 2009
I recall one incident when my aunty came home after watching a very famous hindi film and instead of praising the movie, she kept sayingthat she hated Pran. This man shouldn't be in films. I can imagine how natural this person would have looked on screen to evoke such strong emoions. How many of today's actors in negative roles can live up to this actor's versatility?Not even one worth mentioning. But on flip side, in his personal life he is known a gentleman , most adorable and loved artistes in Indian Film Industry.
Once googling I found his webbsite (find it in Link section) and sent him a personal message greeting him on his birthday. I am sure a family member would ave launched this site but came a reply soon thanking me for witing to him. Every year comes February and I remember his birthday and send him wishes. He still watches Cricket matches and television and spends his quality time with his fanily.Below is reply I received from him:
fromPran Sikand <pransikand@gmail.com>toPran Sikand <pransikand@gmail.com>
dateWed, Sep 9, 2009 at 8:09 AM subjectThank youmailed-bygmail.comsigned-bygmail.com
hide details 8:09 AM (15 hours ago)
Thank you for your good wishes. I thank you for your love and support over the years. I recently celebrated my birthday with friends and family. It is my family and well wishers like you, who keep my spirits high
dateWed, Sep 9, 2009 at 8:09 AM subjectThank youmailed-bygmail.comsigned-bygmail.com
hide details 8:09 AM (15 hours ago)
Thank you for your good wishes. I thank you for your love and support over the years. I recently celebrated my birthday with friends and family. It is my family and well wishers like you, who keep my spirits high
My autobiography, titled ‘…and PRAN ’ by the late Bunny Reuben, published by Harper Collins was released by Amitabh Bachchan . The book is now available in Hindi and Marathi as well,at all leading book stores. I now spend my time watching sports and current affairs on the television. With warm regards to you and your family.
Here is piece of news clip from The Statesman
Pran Colourful villain The Statesman 28 March 2005 (on line)
... And Pran: A Biography By Bunny Reuben HarperCollins India 446pp, Rs 500
'Some actors aren't artistes we admire, or chessmen in a strange game.They are us, expressing our brightest and darkest thoughts, enacting agamut of roles ranging from the psychologically complicated to theabsolutely simple," writes Amitabh Bachchan in the foreword to thisbiography of the arch villain of the Indian screen. It is indeed aneye opener to many actors who look up to Pran as an idol.
The book stretches across Pran Sikand's career spanning a period ofalmost six decades. It vividly captures his early days at Lahore, andgoes on to discuss his marriage. As Reuben rightly says, ''Marriagewas a new chapter in Pran's life.'' His destination was Mumbai and histryst with destiny as interesting as that of any leading actor of histimes.
Though Pran acted in a number of films like Yamla Jat, Choudhury andKhandaan in the early forties, he was noticed as an actor in BombayTalkies' Ziddi in 1948. His co-stars were Dev Anand and KaminiKaushal. Reuben aptly traces Pran's career and specially mentionsPran's association with the trio of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and DevAnand. Pran shared excellent working as well as personal rapport withall the three stalwarts.
A biography of Pran is incomplete without his association with ShammiKapoor. Reuben does mention at length the screen encounters of ShammiKapoor and Pran. An interesting anecdote in this context is the momentwhen Shammi really punched Pran hard during a fight sequence in TumsaNahin Dekha in 1958. Shammi was very repentant about his action butPran took it very sportingly, stating it was an accident.
In the sixties Pran still ruled the roost and acted in the maximumnumber of films. Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Jis Desh Mein Ganga BehtiHai, Brahmachari etc were some of his major releases. Reuben superblyrecounts icon Pahari Sanyal's compliments to Pran after seeing JisDesh Mein Ganga Behti Hai in Kolkata in the early 60s.Pran is a versatile actor who never shied away from accepting offbeatroles. So he experimented with the maximum make-ups and mannerisms.Reuben makes due mention of this aspect of the actor.
Upkar in 1967 totally transformed Pran's image. So did Nanha Farishta.Reuben mentions at length these aspects of Pran's career with rareinterviews of Manoj Kumar and Vijay Anand, who directed Pran in thesuper hit Johny Mera Naam in 1970. Pran himself rates Gulzar'sParichay as one of his best performances.
How Pran along with Amitabh Bachchan made a superhit duo in Zanjeerforms an integral part of the book. Reuben mentions the superbrelations Pran shared with juniors like Amitabh Bachchan and RandhirKapoor.
Though he is terrifying on screen, Pran is a thorough gentleman. He iswarm, generous and very down to earth. Reuben sketches these personalaspects of Pran in detail, providing a rare picture of one of thegenuine immortals of the Hindi film industry.A must read for all serious film buffs. – Ranjan Das Gupta .
... And Pran: A Biography By Bunny Reuben HarperCollins India 446pp, Rs 500
'Some actors aren't artistes we admire, or chessmen in a strange game.They are us, expressing our brightest and darkest thoughts, enacting agamut of roles ranging from the psychologically complicated to theabsolutely simple," writes Amitabh Bachchan in the foreword to thisbiography of the arch villain of the Indian screen. It is indeed aneye opener to many actors who look up to Pran as an idol.
The book stretches across Pran Sikand's career spanning a period ofalmost six decades. It vividly captures his early days at Lahore, andgoes on to discuss his marriage. As Reuben rightly says, ''Marriagewas a new chapter in Pran's life.'' His destination was Mumbai and histryst with destiny as interesting as that of any leading actor of histimes.
Though Pran acted in a number of films like Yamla Jat, Choudhury andKhandaan in the early forties, he was noticed as an actor in BombayTalkies' Ziddi in 1948. His co-stars were Dev Anand and KaminiKaushal. Reuben aptly traces Pran's career and specially mentionsPran's association with the trio of Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor and DevAnand. Pran shared excellent working as well as personal rapport withall the three stalwarts.
A biography of Pran is incomplete without his association with ShammiKapoor. Reuben does mention at length the screen encounters of ShammiKapoor and Pran. An interesting anecdote in this context is the momentwhen Shammi really punched Pran hard during a fight sequence in TumsaNahin Dekha in 1958. Shammi was very repentant about his action butPran took it very sportingly, stating it was an accident.
In the sixties Pran still ruled the roost and acted in the maximumnumber of films. Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Jis Desh Mein Ganga BehtiHai, Brahmachari etc were some of his major releases. Reuben superblyrecounts icon Pahari Sanyal's compliments to Pran after seeing JisDesh Mein Ganga Behti Hai in Kolkata in the early 60s.Pran is a versatile actor who never shied away from accepting offbeatroles. So he experimented with the maximum make-ups and mannerisms.Reuben makes due mention of this aspect of the actor.
Upkar in 1967 totally transformed Pran's image. So did Nanha Farishta.Reuben mentions at length these aspects of Pran's career with rareinterviews of Manoj Kumar and Vijay Anand, who directed Pran in thesuper hit Johny Mera Naam in 1970. Pran himself rates Gulzar'sParichay as one of his best performances.
How Pran along with Amitabh Bachchan made a superhit duo in Zanjeerforms an integral part of the book. Reuben mentions the superbrelations Pran shared with juniors like Amitabh Bachchan and RandhirKapoor.
Though he is terrifying on screen, Pran is a thorough gentleman. He iswarm, generous and very down to earth. Reuben sketches these personalaspects of Pran in detail, providing a rare picture of one of thegenuine immortals of the Hindi film industry.A must read for all serious film buffs. – Ranjan Das Gupta .
August 29, 2009
Tree of Hindi Films
When DadaSaheb Phalke made first silent film "Raja Harishchandra "in 1913 he would have never imagined that he was planting a sapling which would eventually grow to huge tree in twenty first century and Bombay ( Mumbai) Studios will be churning out as many as 200 films in a year and about one thousand films would be made nation wide in year earlier part of this century.
The success of Hindi Cinema can be attributed to many stalwarts and artistes who worked hard . Several names from Ashok Kumar to present generation of actors come to mind. Balraj Sahni, Devanand, DilipKumar, Motilal, Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar,Pran,Madhubala,Meena Kumari,Nargis,Vyjantimala, Waheeda Rehman became the icon stars in this family tree of Indian Cinema industry and will shine and be part of its history forever. They ruled from 1950s to late 60,s. Seventies saw Rajesh Khanna born as a new shining star. Amitabh Bachchan was to follow with equal and more powerful performances and history continued to be written.Sanjeev Kumar was another actor without whose mention history will remain incomplete.
1980s saw new generation of actors like Amrish Puri,Naseeruddin Shah, Ompuri, Smita Patil ,Shabana Azmi,Nana Patekar coming to limelight of Indian Cinema.
August 15, 2009
August 11, 2009
Dharmendra
August 10,2009In 1968 results for Grade 8 were announced for Board exams in Ranchi and our principal Dubyji was thrilled to have 100 percent success for his students. He announced to screen a film for all staff and students . A 35 Mm Projector was brought in and I watched Dharmendra's movie "Devar" . I didn't like the story but was amazed at good looks of Dharam. He became one of my favourites. I didn't watch all his movies but remember not missing a single of his very good films.
From Haqeequt , Satyakam, Guddi , Anpad( Movie was released much before I started admiring him but I saw on rerelease couple of times), Naya Zamana, Chupke Chupke and several others I will write again.
August 10, 2009
Amitabh Bachchan
August 9,2009
Amitabh Bachchan's Blog is worth read and I always appreciate his flow of expression and few lines he quotes from Harivansh Rai Bachchan's Madhushala. They are so inspiring. Click on my resources tab to read about him and his blog. His down the memory lane of 1960's and Karori Mal college days was so much interesting and personally relate to every one in India.
Read his Day 475 of his Blog.
May 23, 2009
January 19, 2008
January 11, 2008
Tare Zamin Par
After watching Taare Zameen Par no one can say that Indian films have now been maturing to new heights of quality and realistic cinema. All credit will obviously go to Aamir Khan who in his first directorial and home production venture has created a niche for himself and will go in the history of indian cinema as one of select band of film personalities. His this work will hopefully bring in great acclodes and will be praised by all. His need to be congratulated for this masterpiece he has created. Undoubtedly child artiste Darsheel Safary will be a new star and will be remembered for his acting in years to come.
It was not so much out of conscious choice and pre-planning than because of compulsion of circumstances that actor Aamir Khan to become the director of Taare Zameen Par .Aamir had never made a secret of his desire to turn director someday. But even he did not anticipate that his desire would materialize sooner than expected.
It all started when Aamir’s good friend Amol Gupte approached him with a subject that caught Aamir’s imagination. After having worked with children for many years, Amol had penned a story that Aamir found “deeply touching and enlightening”.So fascinated was Aamir by the subject that he decided to produce it and act in it as well. Amol took the role of writer and director. He also found the cute kid Darsheel Safary from Shiamak Davar’s troupe to play the child protagonist in the film.Everything was going smooth and the film’s shooting began. But one week into the shooting Aamir saw the rushes of the film and he was disappointed. He felt the movie was not turning out as good on celluloid as it was on paper.Creative difference sprang between Aamir and Amol. It was time for a serious meeting.Aamir says he frankly expressed his reservations to Amol in the meeting and offered to back out of the project. Without bringing their egos in between, the two decided that the director’s baton must pass on to someone else.But there was one more problem. Aamir says finding a new director at that point in time meant delaying the project for eight months. This was not feasible because in that period the child artist Darsheel Safary would have grown older.Says Aamir: “Amol had suggested that I take over as the film’s director. For a whole night I thought deeply about it. It was a very tough decision. But the next morning I was on the sets as the director.”Aamir re-shot many of the scenes that Amol had already canned. The actor did face some initial difficulty in his new role. But gradually as the shooting progressed, Aamir became more deft at direction. Amol, who was relieved from directorial responsibilities, was still part of the project, as a creative director and writer. But it was Aamir who was calling the shots.
It was not so much out of conscious choice and pre-planning than because of compulsion of circumstances that actor Aamir Khan to become the director of Taare Zameen Par .Aamir had never made a secret of his desire to turn director someday. But even he did not anticipate that his desire would materialize sooner than expected.
It all started when Aamir’s good friend Amol Gupte approached him with a subject that caught Aamir’s imagination. After having worked with children for many years, Amol had penned a story that Aamir found “deeply touching and enlightening”.So fascinated was Aamir by the subject that he decided to produce it and act in it as well. Amol took the role of writer and director. He also found the cute kid Darsheel Safary from Shiamak Davar’s troupe to play the child protagonist in the film.Everything was going smooth and the film’s shooting began. But one week into the shooting Aamir saw the rushes of the film and he was disappointed. He felt the movie was not turning out as good on celluloid as it was on paper.Creative difference sprang between Aamir and Amol. It was time for a serious meeting.Aamir says he frankly expressed his reservations to Amol in the meeting and offered to back out of the project. Without bringing their egos in between, the two decided that the director’s baton must pass on to someone else.But there was one more problem. Aamir says finding a new director at that point in time meant delaying the project for eight months. This was not feasible because in that period the child artist Darsheel Safary would have grown older.Says Aamir: “Amol had suggested that I take over as the film’s director. For a whole night I thought deeply about it. It was a very tough decision. But the next morning I was on the sets as the director.”Aamir re-shot many of the scenes that Amol had already canned. The actor did face some initial difficulty in his new role. But gradually as the shooting progressed, Aamir became more deft at direction. Amol, who was relieved from directorial responsibilities, was still part of the project, as a creative director and writer. But it was Aamir who was calling the shots.
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