Farooq Sheikh

Indian film industry lost on December 27th,one of most talented,admired actors whose selected film appearances would be remembered and will linger in memories of film lovers for years to come.

Farooq Sheikh impressed everyone with his first film "Garam Hawa"(1973) sharing screen presence with stalwart like Balraj Sahni.

Late seventies and eighties saw him in a parallel cinema which didn't have typical hindi films' ingredients but started a new stream and genre of films which belonged to non glamorous, talented actors like him,Nasiruddin Shah,Smitha Patil ,Shabana Azmi and few others.

He will be remembered for  his roles in Shatranj ke khiladi, Bazaar, Chasme Buddoor,Noorie,Katha, Umrao Jaan.

As an actor he admitted once that he was not commercially viable as much as actors like Rajesh Khanna or Amitabh. His era was of small budget, meaningful and emerging off stream cinema which found equal acceptance with popular Bollywood style mega stars films . Later in his career few  appearances in films, television and famous play "Tumhari Amrita"  he kept  winning accolades and appreciation from his fans.

One more shining actor first and  a star of Hindi Cinema disappears.

 

Sanjay Dutt was granted parole second time within a month. This time for 30 days on the ground that his wife is said to be unwell.
Parole in October was on health grounds.
Dec 6,2013

Manna Day whose countless gems of songs will linger in memories for years to come died on October 24th at Bangalore.
Homage to legendary singer and a musician who earned fame, name, wealth in Indian Film Industry and was still a modest simple man till his last days.
 Click on link to his website.
http://www.mannadey.in/index2.html

Hindi Films history will be incomplete without mentioning Johny Walker, Famous comedian of 50's and 60's who passed away in 2003.In one of his interviews, he mentioned how poverty stricken and earlier struggle marked his early days in Bombay in 1947 when his family moved from Indore.
By early 60's however, he had created name and fame for himself being one of most sought after actors.
Retired from films in late seventies, he continued to live happily with his family (Wife, three daughters and three sons). All sons studied abroad and he would frequently visit them.
According to his own words he had a principled life and was contended for what he had.
Born as Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi, he worked as a bus  conductor in Bombay  Electric Supply & Tramways Company.One day late Balraj Sahni boarded a bus and noted Mr.Kazi entertaining passengers with his unique style. He introduced Mr. Kazi to Guru Dutt who was in making of film 'Baazi". Guru Dutt gave his screen name Johny Walker after a Scotch whisky brand.
 

Rajesh Khanna

July 18,2014
Two years since superstar died, his fans haven't yet forgotten the magic spell and charisma he once had.  Veteran actor Ramesh Deo had acted with him in "Anand' says Rajesh was basically a very good man at heart. Once he saw a junior artiste on a set and inquired whether he and his family were fine. Once throwing at a party at Sun N Sand Hotel , he invited who's who of industry to celebrate his success. According to Ramesh Deo, Rajesh mentioned that most of theatres in Bombay at that time were showing his movies and it was an occasion to celebrate.But Ramesh recalls that moment when he thought, that Rajesh fall seemed imminent. His  acting style, mannerisms didn't change with time. His coterie  of sycophants were always surrounding him barely giving him moment of think and differentiate between what was right and wrong with his career.


 Born: 29th December 1942
Died: 18th July 2012

Rajesh Khanna once icon of Hindi Cinema died on July 18th 2012 at the age of 69.Lost and forgotten he was as much non existent as opposed to once upon a time when stardom and fame was all his and he was all time favourite of every filmgoer of that time. He was named Super star and no one could come close to glory he ever enjoyed.
It's been over a year since Rajesh Khanna, the first superstar of Bollywood, passed away. And it looks like his family will soon be done with the legal cases filed by Anita Advani, who claimed to be the late actor's live-in partner. 

Earlier this year, she had filed cases against Dimple Kapadia, her daughters Twinkle and Rinkie, and son-in-law Akshay Kumar, for allegedly throwing her out of Khanna's bungalow on Carter Road, Bandra.

Reportedly, Advani is asking for a compensation of 50 crore through her petition.

A source close to the family reveals that Advani offered to settle the dispute out of court.

Our source says, "Anita has conveyed to sort the case with a settlement. But Dimpleji has refused, preferring to get the judgment in the family's favour on their merit. Dimpleji feels Anita tried to take undue advantage of the situation and also tried to garner publicity and sympathy by suing the family members after the demise of Kakaji."

Manish Koirala elegant,talented actress who made her bollywood debut with "Saudagar" (By Subhash Ghai) was diognosed with cancer and has undergone successful treatment, is said to be back to normal life and is looking forward to resume work.

Bhaag Milkha Bhaag

Pavan Malhotra

Divya Dutta and Farhan Akhtar

Farhan Akhtar as Milkha Singh

So far the greatest surprise of 2013 was Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra's "Bhaag Milkha Bhaag" based on life of former Indian track and field sprinter Milkha Singh who also is known as a "Flying sikh"
Having done over 104Crore(17Million US$) business world wide, it entered the elite membership of 100 Crore business Club of Bollywood Fillms in recent times.
But besides the money spinning , Film will be remembered for time to come for its honest story telling, stellar performances and overall high quality and technical achievements.
Such films will set the foundation for a new era of Indian films to be  made in future,which will  compete on international level and will be appreciated by much larger audiences beyond global boundries.

Farhan Akhtar's, Divya Dutta's and every character in the film is so beutifully crafted and have been performed by artists that for a moment one  it allows you to forget that  you are watching a movie.
Pavan Malhotra as a trainer is amazingly good(see inset pic)

A lot of hardwork, dedication and efforts are put in to create such masterpiece. Only a critic eye can dissect and see all the aspects of a film
Music is the only weak shade of BMB- may be due to fact there was nothing much of a scope to render melodies in between when makers were busy narrating a very emotional story and one can give a benefit of doubt to that part.
Overall an immensely Enjoyable Film


Rating: Very Good -**** 4/5

 
Shah Rukh Khan Deepika Starrer "Chennai Express" surpassed all previous box office records in Indian film Industry as it crossed 300 crore(About 48 Million US$) business at this time. 
Rohit Shetty the Director of the film has proven himself again. His earlier films Singham, Bol Bachchan, Golmaal 3 have already been very successful in box office.
Deepika Padukone is lucky again after her last very popular film "Yeh Jawanee hai Diwanee" with Ranbeer Kapoor. 
She is in a phase where every hit film will consolidate her position as an actress in bollywood where as of now not many young female artistes are vying for top position after Kareena's little slow post marriage pace and not any other  notable actress worth mentioning other than Priyanka Chopra who has been in indusrty for over 10 years and a much younger actor should be ready to overtake, Deepika certainly has her age and looks advantage to go ahead of any other contemporary actresses for at least few years to come.
Shah Rukh on the other hand has  definitely all reasons to be more than happy with this film proving a lucky mascot after his few earlier films didn't fare well (Ra. One,Billoo Barber) His "Jab Tak Hai Jaan" had Yash Chopra  tag to create late director's magical spell ti bring crowd to theatres but as a film it had nothing much to talk about. 
Some rightly put an arguement "Who Cares for quality of films these days?" How much business it does is all that matters to be successful. 
If doing business of over 100 crore  is yardstick for films to be remembered, we will see how in years to come, a film will be remembered,watched or loved for its content as much as some of films of golden era(1960-70) are remembered and appreciated even today.

The movie per se is a typical bollywood formula film with South Indian  precepts and tamil diologues  to appeal South Indian filmgoers in particular. But its novel comic stroy line seems to have got acceptance by others across the country and abroad to make it so successful. 
Yet one wonders,  the strange outcome of a film's success or failure whether  has anything to do with 
content or quality of film in its entirety.
Deepika has done full justice to her role with freshness and poignancy. 
Shah Rukh has only his star value to add.
It was nice to see veteral Kamini Kaushal after a long time.

Rated: ** 2/5- (Average)

Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai Lyrics( Film:Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi-2008)
Tu hi toh jannat meri, Tu hi mera junoon
Tu hi to mannat meri, Tu hi rooh ka sukoon
Tu hi aakhion ki thandak, tu hi dil ki hai dastak
Aur kuch na janu mein, bas itna hi jaanu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Sajdhe sar jukhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Ohhhh hoooo ohh….
Kaisi hai yeh doori, kaisi majboori
Meine nazron se tujhe choo liya
Oh ho ho Kabhi teri khusboo
Kabhi teri baatein
Bin mange yeh jahan pa liya
Tu hi dil ki hai raunak,
Tu hi janmo ki daulat
Aur kuch na janoo
Bas itna hi janoo
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Sajdhe sar jukhta hai
Yaara mein kya karuo
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karuo
Vasdi vasdi vasdi, dil di dil vich vasdi
Nasdi nasdi nasdi, dil ro ve te nasdi
Rab Ne… Bana Di Jodi…..haiiiiii
Vasdi vasdi vasdi, dil di dil vich vasdi
Nasdi nasdi nasdi, dil ro ve te nasdi
Cham cham aaye, mujhe tarsaye
Tera saaya ched ke chumta
Oh ho ho… tu jo muskaye
Tu jo sharmaye
Jaise mera hai khuda jhumta
Tu hi meri hai barkat, tu hi meri ibadat
Aur kuch na janu, bas itna hi janu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Sajdhe sar jukhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Tujh mein rab dikhta hai
Yaara mein kya karu
Vasdi vasdi vasdi, dil di dil vich vasdi
Nasdi nasdi nasdi, dil ro ve te nasdi

Sanjay Dutt

The Supreme Court today dismissed actor Sanjay Dutt's petition that his conviction in the 1993 Mumbai bomb blasts case be reconsidered.
A curative petition was filed after the dismissal of the review petition.

He is at Yerawada jail in Pune.

When opposites meet, there is a flutter.
According to recent news ,at a Iftar party hosted by Congress leader Baba Siddique both Salman Khan and Shah Rukh Khan met,shook hands and hugged each other.
Personal differences and confrontations have kept two stars not seeing each other and several attempts for reconciliation having failed in the past, hope this gesture brings animosity,bitterness to an end

Sanjay Dutt

Sanjay Dutt came out of jail after two months for a medical check up. Sources confirmed he had full medical checkup that lasted three hours.The reason for check up was not disclosed but he is believed to be not well for some time.

Anu Agarwal

Remember Actress of Original "Aashiqui" ?
This video was a surprise and painful to see how Anu Agarwal life had turned topsy turvy.

Pran no more

Legendary actor passed away on July 12th leaving behind a legacy in Indian film industry and a history of films  and roles he played, he will be always remembered for. A gentleman, family person , perfectionist, very few can achieve what Pran accomplished over six decades of his career.

Before tributes began pouring in and world wakes up to learn about his demise, this piece is just a reverent homage to man most respected, admired and loved by every one in the industry and by his fans across the world. Once I wished him on his birthday through an email and quickly came the reply with his autograph and few pictures .

Every year thereafter, I made a point to send him wishes and always there was a response.

Once a woman mentioned that only actor she would always hate was Pran shows the impact he had with characters he played. Same Actor who always excelled in negative roles changed his image with film Upkar and left an I indelible print on the minds of filmgoers. That role till today, stands out and "Upkar"is one of his signature films.

His cremation was done on July13th Surprisingly, very few film personalities turned up to pay homage.Amitabh, Shatrughan Sinha, Danny, Gulzar, Karan Johar, Raza Muraad, Pankaj Dheer, Shakti Kapoor were the only present.
If Twitter is platform to say everything, many of course posted their message on social media platforms.
Somewhere, personal values and respect for relations are on low ebb. Many were reacting for not having most of film artistes showing up to pay respect for a senior artiste like Pran.

Was it  a rainy day or other engagements or total disregard for one who gave so much to industry, will be known soon but this is not becoming unusual now a days. Only when publicity and need are sought, most film fraternity gather whatever be the occasion. Be a party thrown or an award function, people travel thousands of miles to attend but on a sombre and sad day, when some one is no more, few think it proper to attend the last journey and bid adieu to  a colleague.

All said, Pran will be remembered for years to come and will be part of glorious history of Indian Cinema. He needed no recognition, love, respect as he always had abundance of everything.
Some one pays respect or not doesn't matter to  one who is gone but it pains every one who was close to Pran sahib.

A tweet from Dilip kumar mentioned how he and Pran enjoyed lighter moments and Punjabi jokes  together
Other tweeted:
Amitabh Bachchan:

Pran Saheb passes away ! A gentleman, most collaborative colleague, a senior of immense distinction, a true disciplined professional.

"Another magnificent pillar of the Film Industry, falls. Our illustrious edifice in ruins, as stalwart after stalwart leaves !"

Shah Rukh Khan:

"Why do icons who shaped our lives and emotions have to go away? U will sir, remain etched in our hearts. Allah bless ur soul Pran Sahib"

Riteish Deshmukh: SHER KHAN u will live for ever- RIP Pran Saab
Preity Zinta: R.I.P Pran Saheb ! Did not know him personally but heard he was a perfect gentleman with a heart of gold ! May your soul rest in Peace...
Madhur Bhandarkar: Extremely saddened by the demise of the LEGENDARY PRANSAAB, who revolutionised Villainy on Indian Celluloid !!!
Abhishek Kapoor: oh dear.. RIP Pran saab.. thank you for all those wonderful movies
Manoj Bajpayee: May pran saab's soul rest in peace!in an industry of hero an villain he ruled the space he was given.thank you praan saab!
Sophie Choudry: Just heard the news. End of an era. RIP #Pran Saab. U will always be our Sher Khan. #Legend

Kabir Bedi: Farewell Pran sahib, Godfather of Indian villains, your legendary characters illuminated the annals of Indian cinema. Deepest respects. RIP

Smriti Z Irani: Its your talent that will define your career as an actor not the tag of 'hero' or 'villain'-- that's the example set by Pran Sahab. RIP.
Anupam Kher: Final Curtain Call for one of the Most Loved Actors of Indian Cinema. An Actor & A Gentleman. Pran Saab- We will miss you & your Warmth.RIP

Hrithik Roshan

Hrithik underwent a successful brain surgery for removal of a clot, which is said to have been caused by a head injury he suffered during the shoot of Bang Bangin Phuket, his father and filmmaker Rakesh Roshan had earlier revealed.

The 39-year-old, who was diagnosed with chronic subdural haematoma, was admitted to the hospital on July 6 evening, and he was operated upon the following day.

Jiah Khan

Jiah Khan, 25 -a young actress who shot to fame for  her first role in “Nishabdh” opposite Amitabh Bachchan in 2007 committed Suicide on June 3^rd.

She also acted in Ghajani (Aamir Khan Starrer )and “Houseful”.

Depression was attributed as cause of her untimely death. Her Boyfriend Suraj Pancholi, son of actors Aditya Pancholi and Zarina Wahab was taken to custody for initial investigations.  Released on bail after three weeks, Suraj will have to continue reporting to police authorities for some more time, until his name is cleared from legal files.
Media has been reporting various versions and stories about her. Probably she made more news after her death than while she was alive. 

Dada Saheb Phalke award for Pran

Pran the veteran actor is awarded Dada Saheb Phalke award, India's highest film award conferred by Government. Award comes in the form of a golden lotus trophy a shawl and 1 million Indian Rupees. Other prominent personalities from industry who received the award are Naushad,Ashoka Kumar,Satyajit Ray,Lata Mangeshkar,Dilip Kumar,Dev Anand,RajKapoor,Manna Dey,B.R.Chopra and Yash Chopra.

Ranbir and Deepika

Ranbir and Deepika were  spotted in a night club "Live". After parting, they are reported seen together quite often. Old flames seemingly, are still kindled and bright.- Source: Filmfare

What stars have to say

"I think ( awards season) is total,utter bull-bleep,and I don't want to be part of it.I don't believe in it.
It's a carrot but it's worst tasting carrot I have ever tasted in my whole life.
I don't want this carrot"

JOAQUIN PHOENIX

What Stars Have to say

"I have always wanted(babies)...I am going to be 38-It's time (my eggs are) hard-boiled and fried and scrambled up in there, so it's time to get those eggs working"

Tyra Banks