FILMMAKER OF MEANINGFUL MARATHI CINEMA!

Marathi Filmmaker Rajiv Patil.

It's 8th death anniversary of meaningful Marathi Filmmaker Rajiv Patil.

Film 'Jogawa' (2009).

He started making Marathi films with 'Savarkhed Ek Gaon' (2004). After famous 'Sanai Choughade' (2008), his social film 'Jogawa' (2009) got national awards!

His last Marathi movie '72 Mails - Ek Pravas' (2013) was also realistic. Remembered meeting him!

Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Sad to know that veteran Russian Film Critic Kirill Razlogov is no more!

 

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

“Agar firdaus bar roo-e zameen ast...

Hameen ast-o hameen ast-o hameen ast!”

Many centuries ago..one of the greatest poets of our India...Amir Khusrow wrote this couplet in Farsi! Then after two centuries it was repeated by Emperor Jahangir when he saw the beauty of Kashmir!

It means..

“If there is paradise on earth,

It is this..it is this..it is this..!”

 

HAPPY WORLD TOURISM DAY!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"Tere mere beech mein..

kaisa hai ye bandhan.. anjana.."

Remembered this sad song on 1st death anniversary of its legendary singer S. P. - Balasubrahmanyam!

And this is 40th anniversary year of song's superhit film 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' - (1981) made by..

K. Balachander!

Still the passionate love from this film and voice of SPB touch the heart!

 

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

DIANA'S BIOPIC ON SCREEN!

Beautiful Kristen Stewart in & as 'Spencer' (2021).

'Spencer' is a new biographical film which had world premiere in '78th Venice International Film Festival'. This is a real life story of beautiful.. Princess of Wales Diana (Spencer).

Filmmaker Pablo Larrain!

 

British screenwriter Steven Knight has written 'Spencer' which focuses on Diana's marriage life and quitting royal family! Chilean filmmaker Pablo Larrain co-produced & directed this film! And famous American actress pretty.. Kristen Stewart portrayed this character!

Best wishes!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ACTRESS & FILMMAKER LOVE!

Here is joyous rare picture of beautiful Danish actress Anna Karina and one of the leading filmmakers of French New Wave..Jean-Luc Godard!

In 1960s..Anna Karina was the leading lady in Godard's famous films like..

'A Woman is a woman' and 'My life to live'!

Today is her 81st birth anniversary!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

PENELOPE & WOMAN CENTRIC FILM WON AT VENICE!

Penelope Cruz with her 'Best Actress' trophy

at '78th Venice International Film Festival'.

Glad to know that my favourite Penelope Cruz won 'Best Actress' award at this '78th Venice International Film Festival'.

Anamaria Vartolomei in film

 'L'Evenement' ('Happening').

I was expecting this! Penelope won this award for her role in famous Pedro Almodovar's Spanish film 'Madres paralelas' ('Parallel Mothers'). I already wrote about her and this film which was premiered at Venice.

[Before this my (new) favourite Renate Reinsve won 'Best- Actress' in 'Cannes Film Festival'. I was expecting that also when I wrote about it earlier!]

Audrey Diwan with her 'Golden Lion' at 

'78th Venice International Film Festival'.

In '78th Venice Inter - national Film Festival' Audrey Diwan's French film 'L'Evenement' - ('Happening') won 'Golden Lion' of Best Film.! Coincidentlly this is also about pregnancy, but unwanted and beautiful French-Romanian actress Anamaria Vartolomei played the main role in it!

Congratulations to Ms. Penelope and Ms. Audrey & her film!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GREAT BENGALI WRITER BIBHUTIBABU!

Great writer Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay!

Today is 127th Birth Anniversary of respectable writer of our India... Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay!

One of the leading authors of modern Bengali literature..Bibhutibabu wrote 16 novels & over 200 short stories. His 'Ichhamati' was awarded prestigious 'Rabindra Puraskar'!

Most of his literature was adapted for films. 

In this includes autobiographical 'The Apu - Trilogy' ('Pather Panchali'/1955, 'Aparajito'/ 1956, 'Apur Sansar'/1959) directed by great Satyajit Ray! And on his short story 'Hinger- Kochuri' famous Hindi movie 'Amar Prem' (1971) made by Shakti Samanta with stars.. Rajesh Khanna & Sharmila Tagore!

Humble Tribute to Bibhutibabuji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TRAFFIC JAM ON SCREEN!

Beautiful traffic sequence from Tarkovsky's Soviet/Russian film 'Solaris' (1972)

 

Last year when watched advertisement about Mumbai Metro as the solution for traffic jam..I remembered three nicely pictured traffic sequences from history of cinema!

Romantic traffic jam in French film 'Happy Anniversary' (1963)

First: French Short Film with reference to Paris traffic jam.. 'Heureux Anniversaire' (Happy Anniversary'/1963) made by.. Pierre Etaix! In this at one side modern wife is preparing nice romantic dinner and other side husband is struggling (with gifts) in traffic jam! In parallel cutting this film used shot composition effectively with appropriate close-ups & long shots! It won 'Oscar'!

 

Second: Opening scene of Italian film 'Otto e mezzo' ['8 and 1/2' (1963] made by great Federico Fellini! In this film maker tries to find his way in traffic jam of Rome..It was symbolic and shown in a satiric way!

Opening traffic jam scene of Italian film '8 and 1/2' (1963).

 

Third: Stunning car-traffic sequence from Soviet/Russian film 'Solaris' (1972) made by master Andrei - Tarkovsky! This starts in black & white and reaches at high way in colour with nicely taken long shots!

 

All such scenes are still inspirational.. for effective social advertising film also!

- Manoj Kulkarni

GRATITUDE..!!!

On today's Teacher's day...I express my gratitude towards all my (school, college) 'B.C.J.' & 'Film Appreciation course' teachers..And the masters of cinema!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SALUTE.!!!

Humble Tribute to great Educationist, Philosopher and former President of our India...Dr. Sarvepalli Radhakrishnan on Birth Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBRANCE..!

Today is the 4th death anniversary of noted Journalist & social activist.. Gauri Lankesh!

Her work against religious extremism, caste based discrimination; and for women - rights was commendable!

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBRANCE OF MUSICIAN AADESH SHRIVASTAVA!

 

It's a 6th death anniversary of Music director-Singer Aadesh Shrivastava!

During music career over a decade he composed music for almost 100 films. 'Aao Pyar Kare's(1994) "Hathon mein aa gaya jo kal" was his first hit song! Then 'Chalate Chalate', 'Baabul' (2006)..his music continued! His song from film 'Raajneeti' (2010).. "Mora piya.." was superb!

Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

BENIGNI HONOURED & PENELOPE AT VENICE!

Italian actor-director Roberto Benigni with 'Golden Lion'

at '78th Venice International Film Festival'.

Renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar & pretty..

Penelope Cruz at '78th Venice International Film Festival'.

 

One of my favourite film personalities of the - contemporary world cinema (great 'Life is Beautiful' fame) Italian actor and director.. Roberto Benigni recently received an honour of - lifetime achievement 'Golden Lion' at this '78th Venice - International Film Festival'.

Milena Smit & Penelope Cruz in Spanish film..

'Madres paralelas' ('Parallel Mothers').

Another good thing, one of my favourite actresses of the - contemporary world cinema.. pretty gorgeous Penelope Cruz is once again at Venice! Renowned Spanish filmmaker Pedro - Almodovar's 'Madres paralelas' ('Parallel Mothers') did opening of this festival. And this time also - Penelope is a part of his film. It's a story of two women who give birth their babies same day! This film's second actress Milena Smit is also with them for its world premier!

Congratulation Mr. Benigni and best wishes to 'Parallel Mothers'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TWO MASTERS OF CINEMA AT VENICE!

“Not to have seen the cinema of Ray means existing in the world without seeing the sun or the moon!”..Renowned Japanese Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa once stated!

And above is a rare picture of Kurosawa with our renowned filmmaker - Satyajit Ray..which was taken at 'Venice Film Festival' in 1982!

Tribute to them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

LEGENDARY MUSIC DIRECTOR PYARELAL SHARMA..80+

Today is 81st Birthday of veteran music director of our Indian Cinema (from famous duo Laxmi-Pyare)..Pyarelal Sharma!

 

Famous music director duo Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

He started playing violin at young age in film studios at Mumbai & then met mandolin player Laxmikant Kudalkar in 'Sureel Kala Kendra' music academy run by Mangeshkar family!

 

After assisting to few music directors they started giving music with name.. Laxmikant-Pyarelal! And in 1963 their first music directed film released - 'Parasmani' and its song "Hasata hua noorani chehera.." became popular!

Then film 'Dosti's (1964) big success gave appropriate start to friends - Laxmikant-Pyarelal! After that 'Farz' (1967) was this music director duo's first golden jubilee hit! Almost four decades of musical journey they - composed songs for 635 films...and gave many melodious songs like.."Jyot se jyot jagate chalo.." ('Sant Dnyaneshwar'), "Sawan ka mahina.."('Milan'), "Bindiya chamakegi.." ('Do Raste'), "Ek banjara gaye.." ('Jeene ki Rah'), "Ek pyar ka nagama hai.." ('Shor'), "Na chahu sona chandi." ('Bobby'), "Mere dil mein aaj kya hai." ('Daag'), "Hamko tumse ho gaya hai pyar.." '('Amar Akbar Anthony'), "Dafaliwale.." ('Sargam'), "Hum bane tum bane.." ('Ek Duje ke Liye') & "Tu mujhe kubool.." ('Khuda Gawah').

Pyarelal Sharmaji playing violin!

 

They won Filmfare Awards seven times..in these includes 'Dosti' (1965), 'Milan' (1968), 'Jeene ki Raah' (1970), 'Amar Akbar - Anthony' (1978), 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' (1979), 'Saragam' (1980) & 'Karz' (1981).

I am remembering nice meeting Pyarelal Sharmaji!..Such a good human being too!

Happy birthday Pyarelal sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

LEGENDARY FILMMAKER FRANK CAPRA!

Great Filmmaker Frank Capra with honour!

Today is 30th Death Anniversary of Great Filmmaker Frank Capra!

Clark Gable & Claudette Colbert in Capra's

film 'It Happened One Night' (1934).

An Italian born American film director.. Frank Russell Capra was a prime creative force behind award wining films during 1930s to 1940s!

He began his film career in Silent era with writing & directing comedy films. In 1928, he started making feature films for Harry Cohn's studio (now 'Columbia Pictures') and there he directed his classics!

Capra's masterpiece is 'It Happened One Night' (1934) one of pioneering films with 'Boy meets Girl' romantic plot!

Capra won many awards in various inter- national film festivals and 'Oscars' too!

Homage to him.!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

LEGENDARY TELUGU FILMMAKER BAPU!

Seven years are over..legendary South-Indian Filmmaker..Sattiraju Lakshmi Narayana aka Bapu left this world!

Raju Shrestha, Padmini Kolhapure, Anil Kapoor in 'Woh saat din' (1983)

In his career over 40 years..Bapu directed 51 films..predominantly in Telugu & few in Hindi!

 

He introduced famous actor Anil Kapoor in 1980 with films 'Vamsa Vruksham' (Telugu) & 'Hum Panch ('Hindi). Then he made Hindi films 'Woh saat din' & 'Mohobbat' with him.

Bapu's 'Saakshi' was showcased in the 'Takshkent Film - Festival' in 1968!

He won 2 national,

5 state & 2 Filmfare (south) awards with Lifetime achievement award! He was also honored with the 'Padma Shree'!

Homage to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni