Making contemporary films better than focusing (uncertain) history & mythology!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MOTHER-DAUGHTER LOVE!

 

Mother-actress Debbie Reynolds & daughter-actress Carrie Fisher!

Now five years are over..Actress-singer Debbie Reynolds had left this world after the death of her daughter-actress Carrie Fisher!

 

Debbie Reynolds & Gene Kelly in 'Singing in the Rain' (1952).

Singing actress of Hollywood musicals..Debbie Reynolds got recognition with her character of Helen Kane in film 'Three Little Words' (1950). Then she became famous with the musical 'Singing in the Rain' (1952) which made by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly the dancing star who played lead in it! Then her performance in song "Tammy.." of film 'Tammy and the Bachelor' (1957) was hit! Her other notable films were 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' (1964), 'What's the matter with Helen?' (1971) & 'Mother' (1996).

 

Mark Hamill & Carrie Fisher in film 'Star Wars' (1977).

Actress Carrie Fisher appeared on screen with 'Shampoo' (1975). Then she starred as Princess Leila!

 

In George Lucas' science fiction 'Star Wars' (1977) she acted with Mark Hamill & Harrison Ford! Her other notable films were 'The Blues Brothers' (1980), 'Hannah and Her Sisters' (1986) & 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989).

 

Homage to them!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

CINEMA LEGEND SETHUMADHAVAN NO MORE

Sad to know that veteran Malayalam Screenwriter & Filmmaker K. S. Sethumadhavan passed away at the age of 90!

 

He made meaningful cinema in South Indian languages like Malayalam, Tamil & Telugu and in Hindi also! During six decades of his film career he made over 60 films and won state & national awards!

Some of his classic films were based on novels, in which legendary Malayalam star Prem Nazir acted. He handled very sensitive social issues in some of his contemporary films like in Malayalam 'Chattakkari' (1974) which latter became superhit Hindi movie 'Julie' (1975).

Most of his films were screened in our 'International Film Festival of India's Panorama. I still remember the conversation we had with him in the press conference of his Telugu film 'Stri' (1995) in 'IFFI'.

In 2009, 'Kerala State Chalachitra Academy' honoured him with the 'J C Daniel award' for contributions to Malayalam cinema!

Few years back I wrote an article on Sethumadhavan's Cinema here!!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TAMIL CINEMA LEGEND K. BALACHANDER!

Seven years are over..Legendary South Indian Film Director, Screenwriter & Producer K. Balachander left this world!

One of the most prolific filmmakers of India..Kailasam Balachander was a master of unconventional themes! Films with the social issues like his award winning 'Thaneer Thaneer' and focusing contemporary issues like 'Apoorva Raagangal' and 'Avaloru Thodharkadai' were the kind of landmarks in Tamil cinema!

K. Balachander with Tamil superstars Kamal Haasan & Rajinikanth!

He introduced South Indian superstars Kamal Haasan & Rajinikanth! Both the actors worked together in his films like 'Avargal'!

 

He also made films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi like super hit 'Ek Duje Ke Liye'!

Rati Agnihotri & Kamal Haasan in famous scene of  'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981).

 

With many Filmfare & other awards he won 9 National Awards and most prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalake Puraskar'!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'CHITRASRUSHTI' ANNIVERSARY YEAR!

In that 'Chitrasrushti's publication ceremony (from right) Dr. Jabbar Patel,..

Mr. Shashidharan, Shri. Ram Gabale, Shri. P. K. Nayar, Prof. Satish Bahadur & me!

Today 22nd December...Anniversary day of my film magazine.. 'Chitrasrushti' which I launched on this day in 2002!

During this period 'Chitrasrushti's six special issues published..in which includes.. 'World Talkies', 'World Colour Cinema', 'World Musicals', 'World Neo-Realistic - Cinema', 'World New Wave Cinema' & 'World Actors'. 'Chitrasrushti' got six awards during this period!

Hope I will publish such special issues of my  'Chitrasrushti' in future!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'IFFI' MEMORY WITH MEDIA FRIENDS!

Here is a memory photograph of mine with senior media friends..

BBC (B.B.Chaturvedi) & Shrikant Prabhu at the concluding ceremony of our '45th International Film Festival of India' at Goa!

- Manoj Kulkarni

VIJAY DIWAS..50!

Bijoy Dibos 50th Anniversary!

Salute to its Great Leaders..

Former Prime Minister of our India, Smt. Indira Gandhi and Founding Father of Bangladesh 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman!

🙏🙏

- Manoj Kulkarni

PIZZA & ITALIAN CINEMA!

Enzo Staiola in film 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948).

Today's Google Doodle is celebrating most popular Italian dish 'Pizza', loved all around the world! As stated (on this day in 2007) 'Pizzaiuolo' was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!

So I remembered above scene from Vittorio De Sica's Italian neo-realist masterpiece.. 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948). In this, to cheer upset son Bruno, father Antonio offers pizza to him!

This role played by Enzo Staiola who is 80+ now!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Remembered last year watched a/v of New Thought..

French New Wave and YouTube Similarity?

Both Unconventional with Scope for Experiments!

All deserve this beautiful world

that was the only desire he had

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

(Humble homage to great Nelson Mandela on 8th death anniversary!)

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBRANCE OF GREAT MEETING!

Today is 111th Birth Anniversary of former President of our India...

Shri. R. Venkataraman!

Remembered great meeting Sir at Delhi in our 'B. C. J.' study tour, 1988..which now completed more than 30 years!

Salute Sir!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"You return like Autumn,
and I fall every time!"

(Emotional quote)

Still girls/women are not safe!
What is going on?
Horrible reality!