"Sacrifice yourself for Cinema.!"

Great Soviet/Russian filmmaker & theorist Andrei Tarkovsky stated!

 

And coincidentally title of his last film was 'Sacrifice'!

I think, I followed his advice and devoted my life to Cinema!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TRIBUTE TO BEAUTIFUL..INGRID BERGMAN!

 

One of the Hollywood's greatest stars & most favourites..Pretty Ingrid Bergman's 106th Birth Anniversary just happened!

Ingrid Bergman in film 'Casablanca' (1942).

A Swedish actress best known for Exceptional Beauty & Intelligence Ingrid Bergman starred in variety of European & American films. 

With English remake of Swedish film..'Intermezzo' (1939) she was introduced to Hollywood! After that became famous with her roles like..Ilsa Lund in Michael Curtiz's 'Casablanca' (1942) and Alicia - Huberman in Alfred Hitchcock's 'Notorious' (1946). Then in & as 'Joan of Arc' (1949) by Fleming!

Ingrid Bergman in film 'Notorious' (1946).

Renowned filmmakers Roberto Rossellini's Italian 'Stromboli' (1950) and Ingmar Bergman's Swedish 'Autumn Sonata' (1978) were also important films in her acting career!

She won three 'Oscar' Awards in which includes 'Best Actress' for 'Gaslights' (1944) and 'Anastasia' (1956), four 'Golden Globe' Awards in these includes 'The Bells of St. Mary's' (1945) & 'A Woman called Golda' (1982) and two 'Emmy' Awards!

Tribute to this beautiful legendary actress!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GREAT ACTOR-FILMMAKER ATTENBOROUGH!

 

Filmmaker Richard Attenborough with camera!

Giant of British Cinema..Actor, Director & Producer Richard Samuel - Attenborough's 98th Birth Anniversary just happened!

 

Actor Richard Attenborough!

As an actor Richard Attenborough best known for films like 'Brighton Rock', 'The Great Escape' and 'Jurassic Park'!

 

As a filmmaker Attenborough gained international admiration with his great directorial work on great Indian Personality..'Gandhi' (1983). This film won 8 'Oscars' including two Best Producer & Director for him only!

 

Attenborough with Oscars

He also won 4 'BAFTA' & 4 'Golden Globe' Awards for that film! And he was awarded the 'Padma Bhushan' our India's third highest civilian award!

He was the president of 'Royal Academy of Dramatic Art'!

 

Humble Homage to him!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

HANDSOME TELUGU STAR NAGARJUNA..60+

 

Today is 62nd birthday of well known South-Indian Actor & Producer.. Nagarjuna Akkineni!

 

Nagarjuna in Hindi film 'Shiva' (1990).

Popular as Nagarjuna who works primarily in the Telugu & Tamil Cinema! And with Ram Gopal - Varma's Hindi film 'Shiva' (1990) he got fame in Bollywood!

 

He received critical reception for his performances in biographical and historical films. He enacted the role of 15th century composer Annamacharya in the 1997 film 'Annamayya', as Yavakri (the son of the ascetic Bharadwaja) in the 2002 film 'Agni Varsha' & as Major Padmapani Acharya in 2003 war film 'LOC Kargil'!

 

Nagarjuna in film 'LOC Kargil' (2003).

As a co-owner of 'Annapurna Studios' he produced different genre of films. In these includes romantic 'Prema - Katha' (1999) and 'Manmadhudu' - (2002), action 'Super' (2005) and period 'Rajanna' (2011). He also acted in other productions like again with RGV for Telugu film 'Officer' (2018).

 

He also worked for television and in 2009 produced serial 'Yuva'. In 2015 he was honored with 'Entertainment Leader Award' in this field. Then he hosted Telugu 'Bigg Boss' for the years 2019 & 2020.

 

He received two National Awards, nine State Awards & two Filmfare (South) Awards! 

 

Best wishes to him!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

MASTER CINEMATOGRAPHER HOWE!

 

Cinematographer James Wong Howe with camera!

Today is 122nd birth anniversary of Chinese American Cinematographer.. James Wong Howe!

James Wong Howe with Oscar

Master in use of shadow and deep focus cinematography... Howe was one of the most influential cinematographers in history of world cinema!

 

Ten time nominated for Academy awards..Howe won 'Oscar' twice for the films 'The Rose Tatto' (1955) and

'Hud' (1963).

 

Tribute to him!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

FILM STUDIES LEGEND..FATHER ROBERGE!

Father Gaston Roberge!

Today is 1st death anniversary of..one of the legends in film studies..

Father Gaston Roberge!

 

 

 

Filmmaker Ray with Father Roberge!

He was guest lecturer for 'Film Theories' in our 'Film Appreciation Course' in 1989 at 'FTII', Pune.

Originally French-Canadian, in 1970 Father Roberge formed 'Chitrabani'.. the mass-media studies institute in our India at Calcutta!

Humble Homage sir!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

RESPECTABLE LEGEND..A. K. HANGAL!

Today is 9th death anniversary of respectable stage-film actor & our Indian freedom fighter..Avtar Kishan Hangal!

A. K. Hangal in film 'Sholay' (1977)

From 'Teesri Kasam' (1966) to 'Humsey Hai Jahaan' (2008)..Hangal acted in around 225 films. Some of his notable roles were in films..'Garm Hava' (1973), 'Aandhi' (1975), 'Aaina' (1977)..to 'Lagan' (2001).

 

He received 'Padma Bhushan' award in 2006!

 

A. K. Hangal in film 'Lagan' (2001).

Still remember his dialogues..

of the memorable characters he portrayed..

Imam sahab's in 'Sholay' (1977).. "Itana sannata kyon hai bhai!"

And Bhisham Chand's in 'Kalyug' (1981).."Aatmahatya karane ke karan ho sakate hai..to zinda rahane ke bhi karan ho sakate hai.!"

Homage to Hangal sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

CINEMATOGRAPHER LEGEND..RAMANANDA SENGUPTA!

Four years are over..our great Cinematographer Ramananda Sengupta left this world at the age of 101. He was a camera eye of great filmmakers like.. Ghatak & Renoir!

 

Ramananda Sengupta with camera & crew!

Born in Dhaka..Ramananda Sengupta first in 1938 stood behind the lens as an apprentice at Calcutta in 'Aurora Film Corporation'! 

Then in 1946, he independently cinematographed film 'Purbaraag' directed by Ardhendu Mukherjee!

Soon Ramananda Sengupta achieved international recognition with his work as a cinematographer for film 'River' (1951) made by renowned French filmmaker Jean Renoir!

Real pioneer of our Neo-realistic - Indian cinema..Ritwik Ghatak made his such first Bengali film 'Nagarik' (1952) with this cinematotrapher.. Ramananda Sengupta. And he greatly picturised it's shots with effective use of lighting, lens & camera movement!

Ritwik Ghatak's Bengali film 'Nagarik' (1952).

Then pioneer of our New-wave - Indian cinema..Mrinal Sen made his directorial debut with Bengali film.. 'Raat Bhore' (1955). And Ramananda Sengupta was cinematographer for it!

 

After that he was a camera eye for almost 70 films made by different directors. Nabyendu Chattopadhyay's film 'Shilpi' (1994) was one in that!

Ramananda Sengupta cinematographed documentaries also like 'Modern and Ancient Architecture of India'!

Homage to this great Cinematographer!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

VINCI & HIS 'MONALISA'!

'Monalisa Smile' became famous with its portrait made by great Italian painter Leonardo da Vinci. He left this world five hundred years ago!

In these days in 1911 that picture was disappeared! It created media sensation. Latter in 1913 that picture was recovered!

So it's tribute to this great painter & his great creation!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

HUMBLE TRIBUTE!

Today is 77th Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister of our Secular India..Respected Shri. Rajiv ji Gandhi!

It was Shri. Rajiv ji Gandhi's initiative to drive India towards modernism!

The Real 'Pioneer of Digital India'!

Salute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GOLDEN JUBILEE CELEBRATING NANDANA!

 

Pretty talented actress, writer Nandana Sen's 54th birthday just happened!

Nandana with renowned parents..Amartya Sen & Nabanita Dev Sen!

Daughter of Nobel Laureate economist Amartya Sen and Padmashri holder writer Nabanita Dev Sen..this intelligent Bengali girl's writing at teen age published in the 'Sondesh' a magazine edited by renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray!

Detur Prize holder in literature studies from Harvard University.. Nandana learnt Film Production from USC Film School! She wrote and directed short films there. She also got training in acting from 'Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts', London.

Nandana Sen in film 'Tango Charlie' (2005).

Pretty Gorgeous Nandana made her screen debut with title role of 'Gudia' (1997) a film directed by renowned filmmaker Goutam Ghose & Mithun Chakroborty was with him! This film screened at 'Cannes Film Festival'. Then she acted in mostly foreign films like.. Canadian 'Forever' (1999) & American 'The War Within' (2004).

Then in 2005 she appeared on our Indian screen with multi-starrer war film 'Tango Charlie' and Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film 'Black'! After that she acted in Bengali film 'Autograph' (2010) which was tribute to Ray's film 'Nayak' (1966). Srijit Mukherji directed in this film Prosenjit was a hero!

Nandana Sen came in big news with her portrayal of Sugandha as an inspiration of 19th century painter Raja Ravi Varma in film 'Rang Rasiya' (2014). Renowned film - maker Ketan Mehta directed in this film Randeep Hooda played the title role! Some of her bold scenes in this created unnecessary controversy; but critically acclaimed. And she won Kalakar Award!

Nandana Sen & Randeep Hooda in film 'Rang Rasiya' (2014).

Nandana acted in over 20 films during her more than 20 years of film career. Apart from this she has been writing in various genre like.. non-fiction & poetry. But mostly writing for children and working for their rights!

I first met beautiful Nandana in our - 'Internatioanl Film Festival of India' held at New Delhi in 2000. And have been meeting her in various festivals. Her enthusiasm & desire to do offbeat roles are commendable!

All the best Nandana!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SOCIAL REFORMER DABHOLKAR!

 

Today is 8th death anniversary of rationalist author and social reformer Dr. Narendra Dabholkar!

He was a Founder-President of 'Maharashtra Andhashradha Nirmoolan Samiti'..

an organisation set up to eradicate superstition!

He was also Editor of 'Sadhana' Marathi weekly founded by Sane Guruji!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SATIRIC MARATHI CINEMA LEGEND MASTER VINAYAK!

Today is 74th death anniversary of one of the pioneers of our Marathi Cinema..Vinayak Karnataki!

Known as Master Vinayak..was a famous actor and filmmaker during 1930s to 1940s.

Master Vinayak & Meenakshi Shirodkar in Marathi 'Brahmachari' (1938).

He acted in our - India's first colour film 'Sairandhri' (1933). 

 

And his role with.. Meenakshi Shirodkar in classic Marathi film 'Brahmachari' (1938) is one of the best satires on.. Marathi screen! 

 

He also directed early social films like 'Vilasi Eshwar' (1935). And he co-founded the 'Huns Pictures' in 1936.

Master Vinayak in social film!

He introduced our great singer Lata Mangeshkar to cinema..in 'Pahili Mangalagaur' (1942) in which she appeared on screen too!

Late famous actress Nanda was his daughter!

Homage to this Master of his own cinema!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

EVERGREEN SACHIN 60 +

Sachin is reading my 'Chitrasrushti' special issue in it!

Today is 64th birthday of our all-round artist-director Sachin Pilgaonkar!

He already completed 50+ years in our Indian film industry!

Regards to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TWO POETS..STATESMEN!

Shri. Atal Bihari Vajapayee ji!

Former Prime Minister of our India..(late) Shri. Atal Bihari Vajapayee ji was a good poet!

Mr. Vaclav Havel.

The first President of Czech Republic..(late) Mr. Vaclav Havel was also a good poet! (wrote plays & film too).

Coincidence was..in 2004 'Gandhi Peace Prize' conferred on.. Mr. Vaclav Havel & his name for this award was recommended by the jury chaired by that time Prime Minister of our India.. Shri. Atal Bihari Vajapayee!

Homage to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

HOLLYWOOD'S SINGING STAR..MADONNA!

Madonna's great performance in title role of film 'Evita' (1996).

Today is Birthday of popular American Singer, Song Writer & Actress.. Madonna Lousise Ciccone!..She is 60+!

Famous as 'Queen of Pop'..Madonna written, sung and produced most of her hit songs like "Papa don't preach.."

She also played nice roles in films like 'Who's that girl' - (1987) and super hit musical 'Evita' (1996)..the portrait still lingering in mind!

Best wishes to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

KING OF ROCK & ROLL..ELVIS PRESLEY!

Today is 44th Death Anniversary of Hollywood's most famous Singing-Dancing Star..Elvis Aaron Presley!

At very young age Elvis Presley recorded his first song and.. popularized Rockabilly! 

Then he appeared on television and became famous as Rock & Roll artist. At the age of 20 he made his film debut with film 'Love Me Tender' (1956).

In 1958 he went for military service and after two years he returned to his music world & produced most successful work in singing..like music albums. One of the best selling solo artists, he handled various genres of music like Pop, Blues & Gospel.

Simultaneously he acted in films with mixed genres like 'Flaming Star' (1960) & 'Follow that Dream' (1962). Then he achieved big success with romantic - musicals like 'Kissin' Cousins' (1964) & 'Girls Happy' (1965). With physical - attractiveness and appealing look he became popular Casanova!

In 1968 he returned to TV shows with famous 'Elvis'! Then in 1973 he featured in globally broadcast concert 'Aloha - from Hawaii' via satellite! He was one of the most celebrated & influential music personalities of 20th Century. 

Elvis Presley won three Grammy awards including 'Lifetime Achievement Award'!

He also insisted on pursuing logical roles in films like 'Live a Little, Love a Little' (1968). Then two documentaries made with him..'Elvis: That's the way it is' (1970) & 'Elvis on Tour' (1972). He was known for a life of luxury!

Homage to this Rock Star!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

LEGENDARY COMIC ACTOR ROBIN WILLIAMS!

Seven years are over..famous American Actor and Stand-up Comedian Robin Williams left this world!

Various faces of actor Robin Williams on the screen!

He became famous.. with TV Serial 'Monk & Mindy' (1978) and got success with films like..''Good Morning, Vietnam' (1987), - 'Aladin' (1992), 'The Birdcage' (1996) and 'Night at the Museum' (2006).

 

He became House - hold name with his wonderful role as-in film 'Mrs. Doubtfire' (1993). He won 'Oscar of Best Supporting - Actor' for his role in film 'Good Willing Hunting' (1997).

 

He also received Emmy, Grammy, Golden Globe & Screen Actors Guild awards!

 

Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni