KASARAVALLI..75!

Today is 75th Birthday of one of the pioneers of our Indian Parallel Cinema..renowned Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli!

He won 14 National Film Awards & honoured with 'Padmashri'!

We have been meeting in film festivals for last so many years and I wrote a lot on his cinema!

I published his interviews twice in my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti'.

Here is our photo which was taken in our 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) more than 25 years ago!

Best wishes to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

KAMAL HAASAN..70+!

Kamal Haasan & I at 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) many years ago!

Today is 71st Birthday of one of the legendary actors & filmmaker of South Indian Cinema..Kamal Haasan! His film career (from child artist to now) completed more than 60 years!

Apart from romantic hero, as versatile actor he is known for portraying diverse and complex roles! These are a few of his special-mention films..most popular Hindi 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981) & 'Saagar' (1985), Telugu 'Sagar Sangamam' (1983), 'Swathi Muthyam' (1986) and Tamil 'Moondram Pirai' (1982) 'Nayakan' (1987), 'Thevar Magan' (1992) & 'Dasavathaaram' (2000). In his career over 65 years he worked for more than 250 films.

He won various awards in which includes 5 National, 20 Filmfare, & 11 State awards. And he was honoured with 'Kalaimamani', 'Padmashri' & 'Padmabhushan!

Remembered meeting him in our 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) many years ago!!

Best Wishes to him!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'SHOLAY' CELEBRATES ITS 50!

Legendary film in the history of our Indian Cinema..'Sholay' is celebrating its 50th anniversary year!

Screenplay-Dialogue writers Salim-Javed!

Produced by G. P. Sippy ji and greatly directed by Ramesh Sippy ji..'Sholay' was first released in 70 mm on 15th Aug.,1975! Western in genre it was a revolutionary film of our popular Indian cinema!

Salim-Javed powerfully wrote the screenplay-dialogue of this film, which excellently cinematographed by Dwaraka Divecha and effectively edited by M. S. Shinde! Aanand Bakshi wrote the lyrics for it, which composed by R. D. Burman with superb background music! In this film artists who lived their characters were Sanjeev Kumar, A. K. Hangal, Jaya Bhaduri, Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Hema Malini, Asarani & Amjad Khan!

I am with filmmaker of 'Sholay'..Ramesh Sippy ji!

'Sholay' is considered a classic & biggest bollywood blockbuster film which also re-released in 3D few years back!

Ten years ago, I met its renowned filmmaker Ramesh Sippy ji in our 'International Film Festival of India' ('IFFI') at Goa. We had informal discussion in which he talked on his genre, craft of film making & the classics inspired him! I suggested him to make a documentary on the ''Making of 'Sholay" which will be like a guide to new filmmakers!

Congratulation Sippy sahab on 'Sholay's 50!..All the best!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

It was nice to recite my shayari/poetry in 'Kalamanch' programme on last week Sunday at 'The Stage Studio' Baner, Pune!
Thanks to Mr. Bhopatkar of 'Kalamanch'!

Here is video link of my recitation:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1kxR7MfCC-UGYQ43ax7nmO443deJqnnFx/view?usp=drivesdk

- Manoj Kulkarni (maanas roomani).

BEST WISHES TO LEADER OF 'INDIAN NATIONAL CONGRESS'..
MR. RAHUL JI GANDHI ON HIS 55TH BIRTHDAY!

- Manoj Kulkarni