KAKA & DAUGHTER SAME BIRTHDAY..LOVE!

 

 

What a emotional & lovely coincidence!..First superstar of our Indian cinema..Rajesh Khanna and his beautiful daughter actress-writer Twinkle Khanna have same birthday!

Today is Kaka..Rajesh Khanna's 75th birth anniversary! Tribute to him!

And Twinkle Khanna is now 40+! Happy Birthday to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

CROATIAN FILMMAKER MR. BRANKO IVANDA..75+!

 

Renowned Croatian writer-director of cinema, drama & tv..Mr. Branko Ivanda is 75+ now!

Started in Yugoslav cinema with directing 'Gravitation' (1968)..he then made various Croatian films like 'Court Martial' (1978), 'Zlocin u skoli' (1982) to 'Lea and Darija' (2011).

Apart from this since 1980 he is a regular professor of Film and TV at the 'Academy of Dramatic Arts' in Zagreb. He has received several international awards for his tv and feature films!


I met Mr. Branko Ivanda in our 'International Film Festival of India' held at Goa a decade back..after watching his Croatian film 'Konjanik' (2003) there. It was nice meeting him and actress of this film Zrinka Cvitesic whom I interviewed!


Wishing all the best to them!!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

AUDREY HEPBURN OF INDIAN CINEMA..SADHANA!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

Pretty gorgeous Sadhana in film 'Rajkumar' (1964).

Two years over..beautiful star of our Indian cinema during 1960s & 1970s..Sadhanaji left this world!

Sadhana & Joy Mukherjee in 'Ek Musafir Ek Hasina' (1962).

First appeared in Sindhi film 'Abaana' (1958) at teen age..Sadhana Shivdasani was introduced to Hindi cinema by S. Mukherjee in 'Love in Simla' (1960) with her iconic hairstyle ('Sadhana cut') which was inspired from that time Hollywood star Audrey Hepburn!

Sadhana & Dev Anand in 'Hum Dono' (1961).

After successful start in films like 'Ek Musafir Ek Hasina' with Joy Mukherjee..Sadhana's intense simple role in Bimal Roy's award winning film 'Parakh' was critically acclaimed! Then with Dev Aanand in 'Hum Dono' & Asli Naqli' (1962) she was so natural!

Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana in 'Mere Mehboob' (1963).

After that her nazaqatdar husn in H.S.Rawail's 'Mere Mehboob' (1963) was superb! In Raj Khosla's 'Woh Kaun Thi' (1964) & 'Mera Saya' (1966) she played double role!

Sadhana's beautiful appearance in romantic musicals like..with Shammi Kapoor in 'Rajkumar' (1964) and with Rajendra Kumar in 'Aarazoo' (1965) & 'Aap Aaye Bahar Aayee' (1971) also unforgetable! 

Sadhana & Manoj Kumar in 'Woh Kaun Thi' (1964).

In 1994 her last film 'Ulfat ki Nayee Manzeelein' released and in 2002 she was awarded the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by 'IIFA'!

Old Sadhanaji felecitated!

Homage to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

['Chitrasrushti']
 [Pune, India]

HOMAGE TO JAPANESE ACTOR..TOSHIRO MIFUNE!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Young Toshiro Mifune!

Today is 20th death anniversary of one of the great actors of world cinema..Japanese legendary actor Toshiro Mifune!

Toshiro Mifune in 'Rashomon' (1950).

Started working in 1947 as assistant cameraman Toshiro Mifune appeared on screen with 'Shin Baka Jidai'! Then he acted in film 'Drunken Angel' (1948) directed by great master Akira Kurosawa who then made him most famous actor of Japanese cinema!

Mifune acted in Kurosawa's 16 films in which includes famous 'Rashomon' (1950), 'The Seven Samurai' (1954), 'Throne of Blood' (1957), 'Yojimbo' (1961) & 'High and Low' (1963).

Akira Kurosawa directing Toshiro Mifune on the set of 'Yojimbo' (1961).

He also acted in the films made by other filmmakers like Hiroshi Inagaki's 'The Birth of Japan' (1959) & Terence Young's 'Red Sun' (1971). He acted in 170 films & Kei Kumai's 'Deep River' (1995) was his last! He also acted in TV series like 'Shogun'!



Became world famous Toshiro Mifune won many awards in which includes 'Volpi Cup for Best Actor' twice! And he got 'Medal of Honor with Purple Ribbon' (1986) & 'The order of the Sacred Treasure' (1993) by the Japanese Government!


Homage to great Mifune!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

'CITIZEN KANE'..75 Years!

Filmmaker-actor Orson Welles!

One of the all time greatest films..'Citizen Kane' (1941) completed 75 years!

Birth centenary completed American filmmaker-actor Orson Welles's first feature film 'Citizen Kane' focused on the media, power & politics! After the Broadway success of 'Mercury Theatre'..Welles wrote this film! Story investigate the newspaper tycoon's life, yellow journalism & power game!

Newspaper office scene of 'Citizen Kane'!

The story of this film narrated principally through flashback and by the research of newsreel reporter seeking to solve the mystery of the media tycoon's dying words! As a director Orson Welles tried to create a new style of film making for it by studying various forms!

One of the great (meaningful) scenes from 'Citizen Kane'!

The docu-drama kind structure of this film effectively cinematographed by Gregg Toland who did experiments with lenses & used deep focus! And famous Robert Wise edited this film which had music by Bernard Herrmann!

Orsen Welles directing film!

Orsen Welles himself played the main role of Kane in it with artist Joseph Cotton, Ruth Warrick, Agnes Moorehead, Dorothy Comingore, Everethy Sloane, Ray Collins, George Coulouris, Paul Stewart, Erskine Sanford & William Alland!

Orsen Wells & Ruth Warrick in 'Citizen Kane'!

'Citizen Kane' won 'Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay' which Welles wrote with Herman Mankiewicz! It got 'New York Film Critics Circle Award' & 'National Board of Review's Best Film of 1941'! Renowned critics like Andre Bazin praised this film internationally!

A TRIBUTE.!!
 
- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti, Pune, India]

MUBAARAQ HO!!

Today is 95th Birthday of real Shahenshah (emperor) of our Indian Cinema & one of the greatest actors of World Cinema...Dilip Kumar whom I admire a lot!

Wishing him very Happy Birthday with good health!
Saalgirah Mubaaraq ho Yusuf Khan sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

Legendary Shashi Kapoorji!

HOMAGE.!!

ROMANTIC LEGEND OF INTERNATIONAL CINEMA SHASHI KAPOOR!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Shashi Kapoor in 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' (1965).

"Pardesiyon ko hai ek din janaa.."

An icon of our romantic cinema..handsome Shashi Kapoor left the world as he sung this line in his own favourite 'Jab Jab Phul Khile'!

From child artist to lead hero and filmmaker..He contributed a lot to our Indian Cinema! During his era..He was a very stylist & charming hero..who acted in Hindi & English films too!..His image was a popular mainstream hero; but as a producer he always made offbeat art films!!

Child Shashi Kapoor in 'Aawara' (1951).

Balbir Raj Prithviraj Kapoor...real name of Shashi Kapoor who at the age of 4 started acting in plays produced-directed by his father Prithviraj Kapoor!..Then in 1940s..as a child artist he appeared on screen! In RK's 'Aawara' (1951) he played younger version of the title role played by his older brother (actor-filmmaker) Raj Kapoor!

Shashi Kapoor in 'Dharmputra' (1961).

In the beginning Shashi Kapoor worked for few films as assistant director and then in 1961 he made his debut as leading man in B. R. Chopra's film 'Dharmputra'..which was based on novel of same name by Acharya Chatursen!..It depicted the partition of India & Communalism! Yash Chopra directed in this movie Mala Sinha was with him!..The picture is still contemporary!

Handsome Shashi Kapoor with wife Jennifer Kendal!

After his first three Hindi films..'Dharmputra, 'Prempatra' & 'Char Diwari'..Shashi Kapoor started acting in English language films in 1963..like 'The Householder' and 'Shakespear-wallah'!  

'The Householder'..first 'Merchant-Ivory Production's film was based on the novel of Ruth Prawer Jhabvala!..It was a family drama about relationship in which Leela Naidu was with him! Later in 'Bombay Talkie' (1970) & 'Heat and Dust' (1982) he acted with his wife Jennifer Kendal!

Shashi Kapoor & Nanda in 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' (1965).

In 1960s Shashi Kapoor acted in several romantic movies with that time established actress Nanda and their pair was hit! In this includes 'Char Diwari' (1961), 'Mehndi Lagi Mere Haath' (1962), 'Mohabbat Isko Kahate Hai' (1965), 'Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare' (1966), 'Raja Saab' (1969) and 'Rootha Na Karo' (1970). Among these..super hit was Suraj Prakash's 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' (1965) in which they romantically performed the scenes & songs like
"Ek tha Gul..aur ek thi Bulbul.."
[Aamir Khan & Karishma Kapoor starrer 'Raja Hindustani' (1996) was a remake of it!]

Rakhi & Shashi Kapoor in 'Sharmilee' (1971).

Then Shashi Kapoor became a very popular romantic hero in Indian cinema with films like Nasir Hussain's hit with Asha Parekh..'Pyar Ka Mausam' (1969) and with Rakhi 'Sharmilee' (1971).

Apart from this he made a popular pairing with Amitabh Bachchan and the two co-starred in a total of 12 films..'Roti Kapada Aur Makaan' (1974), 'Deewaar' (1975), 'Kabhi Kabhi' (1976), 'Immaan Dharam' (1977), 'Trishul' (1978), 'Kaala Patthar' (1979), 'Suhaag' (1979), 'Do Aur Do Paanch' (1980), 'Shaan' (1980), 'Silsila' (1981), 'Namak Halaal' (1982) and 'Akela' (1991). Among these their debate scenes in Yash Chopra's 'Deewar' (1975) written by Salim-Javed..got admiration, in which his famous dialogue was "Mere paas Maa hai!"..Shashi Kapoor won Filmfare award for it!

Amitabh Bachchan & Shashi Kapoor in 'Deewaar' (1975).

In 1978 Shashi Kapoor set up his production house 'Film Valas' and produced critically acclaimed films 'Junoon' (1978) which was based on Ruskin Bond's novel set around Indian Rebellion 1857..And 'Kalyug' (1981) which was a modern version of an Indian epic 'Mahabharat'..depicted conflict between rival business houses! He himself played main roles in both the films which directed by Shyam Benegal! Then sensible actress Aparna Sen directed the film he produced '36 Chowringhee Lane' (1981) in which his wife Jeniffer Kendal-Kapoor did main role!

Jeniffer Kendal in '36 Chowringhee Lane' (1981).

After this Govind Nihlani directed film for Shashi Kapoor..'Vijeta' (1982) in which his elder son Kunal Kapoor was in main role! Then Girish Karnard directed his art film 'Utsav' (1984) was based on Sanskrit play 'Mrichakatika'..And beautiful Rekha's performance in it was superb! In 1991 he produced and directed a fantasy film 'Ajooba' which also made in Russian language and co-directed by Soviet filmmaker Gennadi Vasilyev! Title role played by Amitabh Bachchan with Dimple Kapadia and Rishi Kapoor!

Shashi Kapoor in 'New Delhi Times' (1986).

Shashi Kapoor also did unique characters in few offbeat films and won national awards! In 1986 he portraited newspaper editor in Ramesh Sharma's political thriller 'New Delhi Times' (Role was similar to that time famous journalist!). And he won Best Actor National Award for it! In 1993 he portrayed old Urdu Poet in 'Merchant-Ivory Production's film 'Muhafiz'..directed by Ismail Merchant! It was based on novel 'In Custody' by Anita Desai..Story documents a grand era in decline!

Shashi Kapoor & Om Puri in 'Muhafiz' (1993).

Shashi Kapoor won Special Jury Best Actor National Award for it! In 1998 he last appeared in films 'Jinnah' and then Merchant Ivory's 'Side Streets'!

In 2007 'Shashi Kapoor Film Festival' held at Muscat, Oman! Then he got 'Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award'. In 2011 he was honoured with 'Padma Bhushan' and in 2015 he was conferred with the highest 'Dadasaheb Phalake Award' from our Government of India!

 Shashi Kapoorji with 'Dadasaheb Phalake Award'!

I am remembering meetings Shashi Kapoor sahab in Pune many years ago..Then in Mumbai at Prithvi Theatr..there he kindly appreciated my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti'!

My Humble Homage!!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti'] 
 [Pune, India]

Graceful screen-theatre personality Sanjna Kapoor!

HAPPY GOLDEN JUBILEE TO MS. SANJNA KAPOOR!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Golden Jubilee Birthday of graceful screen & theatre personality and co-founder of 'Junoon'..Ms. Sanjna Kapoor just happened!

Pretty Sanjna Kapoor with mother-artist Jennifer Kendal!

Daughter of famous artists Shashi Kapoor and Jennifer Kendal..pretty gorgeous Sanjna Kapoor had a love for acting and her first step was on theatre..naturally their 'Prithvi Theatre'!

In 1983 she made her screen debut in father Shashi Kapoor produced & Aparna Sen directed film '36 Chowringhee Lane' in which she played young Violet Stoneham..the main character which greatly portraited by her mother Jennifer Kapoor. Later she also appeared in their home production 'Utsav' (1984)..And then she played lead role in Ketan Mehta's film 'Hero Hiralal' (1988) in which she was film actress only!

Pretty gorgeous Sanjna Kapoor in film 'Hero Hiralal' (1988).

After that she acted in few offbeat films..like Mira Nair's critically acclaimed 'Salaam Bombay' (1988) in which she did a role of foreign reporter..And then in A. K. Bir's 'Aranyaka' (1994) which I remember saw in our 'IFFI', 1995 held at Mumbai!

Beautiful Sanjna Kapoor in show!

Meanwhile she shifted to theatre with which she so much attached. In 1991 she played the role of wife in the theatre adaptation of 'Rashomon' (famous film of Japanese master Akira Kurosawa) which was based on the Broadway play by Fay & Michael Kanin! She also hosted the 'Amul India Show' on television for more than three years..and her appearance on small screen was very beautiful!

With father-actor Shashi Kapoor theatre activist  Sanjna Kapoor!

During 1993 to 2012 she looked after their family's 'Prithvi Theatre' Mumbai. Then she launched her own theatre company 'Junoon' (name of Shashi Kapoorji produced film) which organise theatre workshops for children..And came to know that it would work with travelling groups staging plays at smaller venues across India..This recollect her maternal grandparents' 'Shakespeareana' kind devoted work towards theatre!

Sanjna Kapoor in programme!

I wish all the very Best to her!!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

ASSAM'S ICONIC ACTOR..

BIJU PHUKAN NO MORE!

Assamese legendary Actor who worked in both genre popular & social films..Biju Phukan passed away at the age of 70!

Assam's first thriller 'Dr. Bezbarua' (1969).

He made his screen debut in Assamese first thriller 'Dr. Bezbarua' (1969) which began commercial cinema there! Then 'Baruar Songshar' (1970) & 'Aranya' (1971) established him as hero!

Suhasini Mulay & Biju Phukan in Jahnu Barua's 'Aparoopa' (1982).

Remembered his different performances in two notable films..one in renowned Assamese filmmaker Jahnu Barua's first film 'Aparoopa' (1982)..and second in legendary Assamese writer-director Dr. Bhabendra Nath Saikia's classic film 'Agnisnaan' (1985)..Both the films won Best Regional Film National Awards!

He acted in eighty films and last was 'Dur' (2016)..a title proved it!

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

Beautiful Setsuko Hara!

REMEMBERING JAPANESE STAR SETSUKO HARA!

Symbol of the golden age of Japanese cinema beautiful actress Setsuko Hara left the world two years back!

Setsuko Hara in 'Late Spring' (1949).

Best known for her performances in renowned filmmaker Yasujirō Ozu's films like 'Late Spring' (1949) and 'Tokyo Story' (1953). Hara had already appeared in 67 films before working with him!

She also acted in Japanese master Akira Kurosawa's films like 'No regrets for our Youth' (1946).

Chieko Higashiyama, Setsuko Hara & Chishu Ryu in 'Tokyo Story' (1953).

Still remember her great performance in Ozu's masterpiece 'Tokyo Story'..in which she played a widow whose husband was killed in war & her devotion towards her in-laws who insist that she should remarry! Touched the heart!!

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]

GRACEFUL IRANIAN ACTRESS-FILMMAKER 

AZAR FARAMARZI! 

Today is Birthday of graceful Iranian actress, writer & producer-director..Azar Faramarzi!

Studied acting & graduated in film-tv direction..Azar Faramarzi played supportive & lead roles in television serials and films!..And in 2010 she made her first documentary 'Holly' on the historical places & festivals of India!

Actress & Filmmaker Azar Faramarzi's films!

In 2011 she made short fiction 'Loneliness' in which she acted also. This film was about a woman unhappy with her married life! I saw it in the 'Asian Film Festival' at Pune..and first time met her! After that she has been making films mostly with social genre!

Her second short fiction was 'Orange Dressed Man' (2012) about reality of life! Then she made second documentary on athletic Iranian girl..'The Snowy Way' (2015) which I saw!

Actress-Filmmaker Azar Faramarzi & I.!

She was a jury member at 'Asian (Third Eye) Film Festival', Mumbai in 2010 & 2014!

Her new two short films 'Unknown' and 'Destiny' also got international recognition!

Salgirah Mubarak Azar!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India]