HOMAGE TO GREAT MOHAMMED RAFI!

Today is 41st death anniversary of one of the music icons of the world of music and golden era of our Indian cinema..most popular Singer and my favourite..Mohammed Rafi ji!

I have written detail big article on Rafi sahab in music special issue of my 'Chitrasrushti'..

14 years ago!

Salaam Rafisahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

CONTRIBUTION OF MAHASWETA DEVI TO CINEMA!

Five years are over..'Jnanpith' winner Mahasweta Devi left this world! Remembered some notable films based on her novels!

Mahasweta Devi's various written works adapted for cinema. In this first film was 'Sunghursh' (1968) based on her novel 'Layli- Asmaner Ayna'! This movie was directed by H. S. Rawail. Dilip Kumar, Vyjayanthimala, Sanjeev Kumar & Balraj Sahani acted in it. And Naushad composed the music!

Twenty five years latter Kalpana Lajmi made film 'Rudali' (1993) on the story with same title by Mahasweta Devi! Dimple Kapadia, Rakhi, Raj Babbar & Amjad Khan acted in it!

After this Gautam Ghose made a movie.. 'Gudia' (1997) based on the play written by her. Mithun Chakraborty & Nandana Sen performed in it!

Then Govind Nihlani made 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Maa' (1998) on the novel written by her! Jaya - Bhaduri-Bachchan, Anupam Kher, Nandita Das and Joy Sengupta acted in it! I still remember meeting this legendary writer with its director & artists during the premier of it in 'MAMI's.. International Film Festival at Mumbai! This film won National Award!

After that Chitra Palekar made Marathi movie 'Maati Maay' (2006) on the short story by - Mahasweta Devi! Nandita Das and Atul - Kulkarni acted in it! Still remember the press show of it with good interaction with them!

Then her written work adapted under the Italian production for film 'Gangor' (2010) which was directed by Italo Spinelli. Priyanka Bose and Adil Hussain acted in it! This won awards at international film festivals!

While remembering this great writer..the song from 'Rudali' which composed and sung by.. Bhupen Hazarika lingering in mind..Dimple Kapadia won the Best Actress National Award for this intense performance..

"Dil hoom hoom kare..."

It's the Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

DUTCH GREAT FILMMAKER HAANSTRA

This is 105th birth anniversary year of world famous Dutch Filmmaker.. Bert Haanstra!

 

Dutch Filmmaker..Bert Haanstra with camera!

Leading pioneer of non-fiction Dutch cinema..Albert 'Bert' - Haanstra became professional documentary maker in 1947. 

 

He got international acclaim with his short film 'Mirror of Holland' for which he won 'Grand Prix du court metrage' at 'Cannes Film - Festival' in 1951!

In 1958, Bert Haanstra's film 'Glass' won the..'Academy Award for Best - Documentary Short'!

 

Bert Haanstra's film 'Glass' (1958).

He also made fiction films in which a comedy.. 'Fanfare' (1958) is Netherlands' popular classic movie!

Haanstra was famous for making fun between objects in films & human beings..like in 'Glass'..And in short film 'Zoo' (1962) he compared behaviour of animals with human attitude!

Tribute to this master documentary maker!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

BENGALI SOCIAL WRITER MAHASWETA DEVI!

Today is 5th death anniversary of..'Jnanpith' winner Bengali writer.. Mahasweta Devi!

Writer Mahasweta Devi at work!

Her notable literature includes.. 'Sahitya Akademy Award' winner 'Aranyer Adhikar', 'Agnigarbha', 'Tin Korir Sadh' & 'Dust on the Road'!

Several of her written works were adapted for films like 'Sunghursh' (1968), 'Rudali' (1993), 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Maa' (1998), 'Maati Maay' (2006) & 'Gangor' (2010).

She was also a social activist and worked for the welfare of tribal people. She supported 'Budhan Theatre' group of Chhara Denotified Tribals of Gujarat!

Jaya Bachchan in 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Maa' (1998)

Mahasweta Devi was a recipient of..

'Padma Vibhushan', 'Bangabibhushan' and 'Magsaysay' award too!

I still remember great meeting with this legendary writer during the premier of.. Govind Nihlani's 'Hazaar Chaurasi ki Maa' in 'MAMI's International Film Festival at Mumbai!

Humble Homage to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

KALPANA MERGED IN SKY!

Classical dancer-choreographer..Amala ji Shankar..at young & old age!

One year is over now..an institution of choreography..our Indian dancer Amala ji Shankar (at age 101) left this world!

Uday Shankar & Amala Shankar in famous dance pose from 'Kalpana' (1948)

She was a wife of.. legendary dancer-choreographer Uday Shankar. At teen age she joined his dance troupe & latter they got married! Their daughter Mamta - Shankar is famous dancer & actress of Bengali cinema!

In year 1948 Uday - Shankar wrote, co-produced & directed film 'Kalpana' which was the first to present our Indian classical dancers in lead and entirely shot as ballet! In this Amala ji acted as Uma with him!

Colour poster of classic film 'Kalpana' (1948).

In 2008 'Kalpana' was shown at our 'International Film- Festival of India' in Goa. Then in 2012.. 'Cannes Film Festival' had special screening of this film which.. Amalaji Shankar attended!

I still remember... watching 'Kalpana' in main theatre of 'FTII' Pune during my 'Fim- Appreciation Course' 30 years ago!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'PRETTY WOMAN'S FILMMAKER GARRY MARSHALL!

Famous Hollywood filmmaker..Garry Marshall.

Five years are over...famous American Writer-Producer-Director..Garry Marshall left this world!

Pretty Julia Roberts, director Garry Marshall & handsome Richard Gere!

Started working on theatre & television 

in early 1970s..

Garry Kent Marshall produced hit TV - programmes like..

'The Lucy Show'! And in 1982 he directed his first film 'Young- Doctors In Love'!

He became famous with Julia Roberts & Richard Gere starrer superhit film 'Pretty Woman' (1990). After that he made another film 'Runaway Bride' (1999) with same hit couple!

It's wonderful to see his creative work with 'Day' title, in which includes.. famous TV show 'Happy Days' (1974) and films 'Valentine's Day' (2010) & 'Mother's Day' (2016).

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"KABHI TANAHAIYON.."..MUBARAK BEGUM!

Singer Mubarak Begum ji!

Five years are over..intense singer Mubarak Begum left this world!

Mubarak Begum with music director Jaikishan (SJ) & singer Mohammed Rafi! 

 

 

 

Known for singing ghazals & classical base songs during 1950s and 1970s.. Mubarak Begum began her playback singing with film 'Aaiye' (1949) in the music of Indo-Pak composer Nashad!

 

She became famous with the title song of Kidar Sharma's film 'Hamari Yaad Aayegi' (1961).."Kabhi tanahaiyon mein.." which was composed by Snehal Bhatkar!

 

She sung over 178 films songs including duets..like the popular title song of film 'Humrahi' (1963).."Mujhko apne gale lagalo.." which in the music of Shankar-Jaikishan she sung with Mohammed Rafi!

The song which she sung in the music of S. D. Burman for Bimal- Roy's film 'Devdas' (1955) is lingering in the mind..

"Woh na aayenge palat kar.."

Homage to Mubarak Begum ji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

 

SILENT CINEMA MASTER.. CHAPLIN'S SENSE OF PATHOS..

GREAT!

-Manoj Kulkarni

IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE..20!

Maggie Cheung & Tony Leung in an iconic scene of 

Hong Kong's film 'In the mood for love' (2000).

Twenty years ago Hong Kong's romantic film 'In the mood for love' (2000) was premiered at 'Cannes Film Festival'. On this occasion remembered I interviewed its beautiful star Maggie Cheung in our 'International Film - Festival of India' (IFFI) before that!

In this..I am with Hong Kong's famous pretty actress..

Maggie Cheung in our 'IFFI', 1997 at Trivandrum!

Few years back, its renowned - Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-wai was felicitated in our 'IFFI', at.. Goa! He himself wrote story of this film (original 'Flowery Years'). It's about rising romantic feelings between two neighbors, man & woman whose spouses have an affair together! Hong Kong - cinema's famous actor-singer Tony Leung and star actress.. Maggie Cheung did these roles with intense sensitivity!

Producer & director Wong Kar-wai is known for his nonliner narratives in which includes.. filming in bold saturated colours and atmosperic music! According to that Art Director Lim Chung Man & Cinematographers Christopher Doyle, Mark Lee Ping Bin worked accurately for this film. With them production Designer and Editor William Chang contributed perfectly. And Music directors Michael Galasso & Shigeru Umebayashi made romantic tunes for it!

Tony Leungon & Maggie Cheung in romantic

scene of film 'In the mood for love' (2000).

.

'In the mood for love' film got - huge international recognition. Also won 'Hong Kong Film - Awards' for director & artists 

and 'Cannes Film Festival's for technical & actor!

Tribute to this, one of the greatest contemporary films of Asia!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

'BERGMAN ISLAND' FILM IN 'CANNES'!

Poster of French feature film 'Bergman Island' (2021).

French actress-director Mia Hansen-Love!

It's a great coincidence!.. Yesterday 103rd Birth - Anniversary of Swedish master filmmaker Ingmar Bergman happened. And recently there was world - premiere of a new feature film 'Bergman Island' in this '74th Cannes Film Festival'!

Faro is a Baltic sea largest island of Sweden. Bergman made most of his films in that beautiful nature and he also lived there! Keeping it in mind, Swedish filmmaker Marie Nyrerod first made documentary with name 'Bergman Island' in 2004!

Poster of documentary 'Bergman Island'!

And now French actress-director Mia Hansen-Love wrote & filmed her movie on that location and gave the same title..'Bergman Island'! 

Its plot revolves around filmmakers couple who arrives to this island for writing the screenplay of their new film. Beautiful Luxembourgish actress Vicky Krieps and English actor Tim Roth played these roles intensely! This co-produced film is cinematographed by Denis Lenoir & edited by Marion Monnier..both French!

So it's like a tribute to great Bergman and his favourite island by these filmmaker & artists!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

BERGMANS AND 'AUTUMN SONATA'!

Liv Ullman, Ingrid Bergman & Ingmar Bergman during 

filming the scene of 'Autumn Sonata' (1978).

Today is 103rd Birth Anniversary of great Swedish Filmmaker Ingmar - Bergman! And his classic film 'Autumn Sonata' completed over 40 years!

Bergman was a master to handle human relationships in different ways in his films. In such films his 'Autumn Sonata' (1978) focused on the mother and daughter relation. This was the special film in which Hollywood's beauty icon Ingrid Bergman acted in (her own).. Swedish cinema. She appeared as celebrated pianist mother with (Ingmar Bergman's favourite)..

Liv Ullman as her neglected - daughter in this film.

Bergman himself wrote & directed this complex drama and this was his last film made for theatrical exhibition. This was cinematographed by Sven Nykvist who took meaningful close-ups of both the actresses. And Frederic Chopin composed the effective music for it! This was also final performance of legendary Ingrid Bergman. She won 'New York Film- Critics Circle's 'Best Actress' award for it. And 'Golden Globe' awarded this as 'Best- Foreign Language Film'!

 

Liv Ullman & Ingrid Bergman in scene of 'Autumn Sonata' (1978)

This film gave inspirations to some films and prominently in our India..Rituparno Ghosh's Bengali film 'Unishe April' - (1994) was based on 'Autumn- Sonata'!..In this Aparna Sen appeared as classical dancer mother with Debashree Roy as her daughter doctor.  Plot and complexity was same in both!

 

Tribute to Bergman & classic 'Autumn Sonata'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TRIBUTE TO..GREAT SWEDISH FILMMAKER INGMAR BERGMAN ON.. HIS 103RD BIRTH ANNIVERSARY! AND TO HIS WORLD FAMOUS FILM 'THE WILD STRAWBERRIES' (1957).

Bergman discussing its scene with artists Bibi Andersson & Victor Sjostrom! 

Scene filmed with those artists in 'The Wild Strawberries'! 

This film explored Bergman's famous philosophical themes..such as introspection and human existence!

In '8th Berlin International Film Festival' this film won 'Golden Bear Best Film' award!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

POET OF CINEMA..BUDDHDEB DASGUPTA!

 

Renowned Bengali filmmaker Buddhadeb Dasgupta & his films!

 

Now one month is over..renowned Bengali filmmaker Buddhdeb Dasgupta left this world!

 

Filmmaker Buddhdeb Dasgupta with camera!

Dasgupta began making films with documentary and short. He made his first feature film 'Dooratwa' in 1978. After that his contemporary & poetic films got the national & international recognition!

 

I first saw his film 'Bagh Bahadur' (1989) in FTII. Then since 1995, I have been watching his films like 'Charachar', 'Lal Darja', 'Mondo - Meyer Upakhyan' to 'Kaal Purush' (2008) in the Panorama of our 'International Film Festival of India'!

 

Buddhdeb Dasgupta & myself in our 'IFFI' at Goa!

We had good discussion on his - cinematic work. In that he always emphasized on the language of.. camera! 

 

Most of his films won national awards and international too in the festivals like Venice, Berlin & Karlovy Vary!

 

Homage to him!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

BLAME ON STARS!

Sushant Singh Rajput & pretty Sanjana Sanghi in film 'Dil Bechara' (2020).

 

This is a remembrance of sensible actor Sushant Singh Rajput's last film 'Dil Bechara', which was shown last year by 'Fox Star Studios'!

Film was based on a best selling novel 'The Fault in Our Stars' written by John Green in 2012. On this earlier 'Fox 2000 Pictures' produced an American romantic film with the same title!

Handsome Ansel Elgort & pretty Shailene Woodley

in Josh Boone's film 'The Fault in Our Stars' (2014).

Scott Neustadter & Michael Weber wrote the screenplay for that film. It's about two teenage cancer patients who meets in support group and falls in love, then how their approach to live life change! In 2014 director Josh Boone sensibly made this film. In this young pretty Shailene - Woodley & young handsome Ansel Elgort did the main roles very sensitively! This hit film won 'Young Hollywood Award'!

Sushant Singh Rajput in & as 'Dil Bechara' (2020)

And our Indian (Hindi) movie version of that novel came with the name 'Dil Bechara'! 'Badrinath ki dulhania' movie fame Shashank Khaitan wrote screenplay of this with Suprotim Sengupta and.. Mukesh Chhabra made his - directorial debut with this film! Talented (late) actor Sushant Singh Rajput & pretty Sanjana Sanghi have played these main roles nicely!

It was homage to Sushant Singh!

- Manoj Kulkarni