Graceful Serbian Actress Milena Jaksic!

BEAUTIFUL SERBIAN ACTRESS

MILENA JAKSIK!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Birthday of known Beautiful & talented Serbian Actress of Stage, Film and TV..Milena Jaksic just happened!

Beautiful pose of Actress Milena Jaksic!

Born in Kosovska Mitrovica..Milena Jaksic earlier studied in 'Faculty of Dramatic Arts ', Serbia. Then she nicely worked on National Theatre Pristina for last a decade. Then she started acting in films like 'Sisyphus K.' (2015) and in Television series like 'Sumnjva Iica' (2016).

She is also good in other performing arts like Singing & Dancing! Recently she studied in 'Cinematography and Theatre Academy of Nikita Mikhalkov'at Moscow..Came to know that she is performing 'Metamorphosis' with their group!

Milena Jaksic & Filip Subaric in Serbian film 'Enklava' (2015).

I saw her in a small but notable role in award winning Serbian film 'Enklava' (2015) in the Film Festival here at Pune in India. Goran Radovanovic directed this film was about a life of Kosovo Serbs in a small isolated communities called Enclaves. And Milena Jaksic nicely played the role of teacher in it!

Romantic mood of gorgeous Milena Jaksic!

As watched in her Show-reel of acted films observed that she intensely performed in various genre of films!..I am keen to watch her performances in films like 'At the border' (2016).

Warm Regards to Dear Ms. Milena!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

['Chitrasrushti', Pune, India']

'JUDAAI'..SAD COI-INCIDENCE!

Sad coi-incidence of first superstar of Indian Cinema..Sridevi..

Twenty years back her last superhit bollywood movie as heroine..'Judaai' released on 28th February, 1997..And twenty years after that she left this world on same date 28th February!

Sridevi in film..'Judaai' (1997).

Title made it true!!

Homage!!!

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

In 54 years of life..50 years devoted to Indian cinema!

This is called great contribution to cinema!!

Salam..Benazir..Sridevi!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

POPULAR FILMMAKER..MANMOHAN DESAI!

Popular filmmaker of  Bollywood..Manmohan Desai!

Today is 81st birth anniversary of popular filmmaker of blockbuster bollywood cinema Manmohan Desai!

Message of Secularism..'Amar, Akbar & Anthony'!

Famous for 'lost & found' formula hit films..Manmohan Desai always entertained masses with hidden messages like Secularism ('Amar Akbar & Anthony') and National Integration (title song "Mere deshpremiyon aapas mein prem karo..).

Message for National Integration in..."Mere deshpremiyon.."

 
Though he was mainstream filmmaker with popular genre..he was also aware of the quality of world cinema! Many years ago (late) P. K. Nayarsahab told me that 'Manmohan Desai keen to watch Eisenstein's Russian film 'Battleship Potemkin' (1925) at 'NFAI', Pune!' 
And in his movie 'Roti' (1974) there was one scene inspired from classic film 'Zorba The Greek' (1964).

 
So there was 'class' in his Man (mind), but he focused on Manoranjan (entertainment) of 'masses'!

Tribute to Manji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

Unbelievable!

 

Our favourite Chandani left this world!..Benazir thi woh!!

We will miss you...Sridevi!!

 

My Heartfelt Homage!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

MASTER OF CZECH CINEMA!

JIRI MENZEL..80!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 Today is 80th birthday of renowned Czech Filmmaker, Screenwriter & Actor..Jiri Menzel!

Renowned Czech Filmmaker Jiri Menzel at young age!

I first got introduction of Jiri Menzel's genre of Czeck cinema through his retrospective in 'MAMI's '3rd International Film Festival' at Mumbai in 2000. There I watched his all important films and impressed by his cinematic excellence!

Basically an actor of stage & film..Jiri Menzel studied direction in 'Prague Film School' during 1958 to 1962..the time which produced a generation of Czech New Wave filmmakers! He started working at 'Kratky Film Prague' as assistant to prominent filmmaker Vera Chytilova..and then in 'Barrandov Film Studios'!

Famous scene of Jiri Menzel's 'Oscar' winner 'Closely Watched Trains' (1966).

After making short documentary 'Concert '65' he co-directed a segment of Czechoslovak anthology film 'Pearls of the Deep' (1966) based on short story by Bohumil Hrabal. Then same year he independently directed his first feature film 'Closely Watched Trains' on Hrabal's novel only. It was a coming-of-age story about young man working at railway station in German-occupied area during World War II. This black humour kind film won 'Best Foreign Language Oscar'!

Novel based Menzel's film 'Capricious Summer' (1968).

Immediately Jiri Menzel became internationally famous. Then he made some films on classic literature like 'Capricious Summer' (1968) a humorous story of three men..based on the novel of Vladislav Vancura! Then his controversial film 'Larks on a String' (1969) released after the fall of Communist regime (1990). And won 'Golen Bear' at '40th Berlin International Film Festival'!  His films combine humanistic view of the world with sarcasm & provocative cinematography!

Romantic scene of Menzel's Czech Film 'Larks on a String' (1969).

 
He made films with different subjects but related to human life like social 'Who looks for God?' (1974), on ordinary family life 'Seclusion Near a Forest' (1976), focusing survival of people 'Cutting It Short' (1980) and on lives, hobbies & relationship 'The Snowdrop Festival' (1984) in which writer Hrabal also played small part! In this popular 'My Sweet Little Village' (1985) was a comedy about the people who inhabit a small town!

Funny scene of Film 'My Sweet Little Village' (1985).

In 2002 again he co-directed film 'The Minutes Older'..the project conceived by producer Nicolas McClintock as a reflection on the theme of time at the turn of the Millennium..in which fifteen renowned filmmakers were co-directors like Istavan Szabo (Hungary), Bertolucci (Italy), Herzog (Germany) & Godard (France). All they created their own visions of what time means in ten minutes..in this Menzel directed 'One Moment'! In 2013 he independently directed 'The Don Juans' English name 'Skirt Chasers' was that kind comedy which was the re-edited version of mini-series aired on Czech TV!

Menzel's Film 'The Don Juans' (2013).

Jiri Menzel was a member of the jury at prestigious international film festivals like Berlin & Moscow! In 2013 after 'IIFA' he was honoured with 'Lifetime Achievement Award' in our '44th International Film Festival of India', Goa..And that time I had a nice interaction with him in the informal meeting at the festival dinner party!

Best Wishes and Regards for the good health to Mr. Jiri Menzel!!

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

I am with renowned Czech Filmmaker Jiri Menzel in the dinner party of our '44th International Film Festival of India' at Goa!

Russian Filmmaker Aleksandr Kott!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY..MR. KOTT!

Today is birthday of known contemporary Russian Filmmaker..Aleksandr Kott!

Started directing feature film with 'Fortress of War' (2010)..Mr. Kott focused on the bad effects of war..with reference to history!

Aleksandr Kott's Russian Film 'Test' (2014).

His sensible cinematic comment on suffering of innocent people on such contemporary scenario came in the film he written & directed..'Test' (2014) in which without words visuals expressed it powerfully!

I am with Russian Filmmaker Aleksandr Kott!

I remember nice meeting Mr. Kott in 'piff' at Pune..after he got audience award in it!

All the best!!

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

Music director Khayyam sahab.

"Zindagi jab bhi teri bazm mein.."

Our legendary music director Khayyam composed this romantic ghazal of 'Umrao Jaan'! Today is his 91st birthday!

Mohammed Zahur Hashmi..best known as Khayyam composed the music for meaningful Indian cinema for over last five decades..and the songs he composed are always consider as a Classic music..like Talat Mahmood sung.."Sham-e-gham ki kasam.."

Dilip Kumar & Meena Kumari in 'Footpath's(1953) song "Sham-e-gham."

Mostly famous for ghazals...he composed the best lyrics of notable shayars..like Sahir Ludhianvi's "Woh subah kabhi to aayegi..", Kaifi Aazami's "Jeet hi lenge baazi hum tum.." and great Mir Taqi Mir's "Dikhayee diye yun.."

Music director Khayyam sahab and ghazal singer Talat Aziz!

'Kabhi Kabhi', 'Noori' to 'Yatra'..his musical journey is still going on!

In 1982 he received National Award for 'Umrao Jaan'..which superbly portrayed by Rekha & her mujra on "Dil cheej kya hai.." was lajawab!

Beautiful Rekha in 'Umrao Jaan' (1981).

He won three 'Filmfare' awards..including lifetime achievement award!..And in 2011 he was honoured with 'Padma Bhushan' by the Government of India!

Music director Khayyam sahab with wife singer Jagjeet Kaurji!

Still remember meeting Khayyamsahab in the function 'Celebrating 75 years of Indian talkie cinema' held at Mumbai..and latter in Pune when he was awarded by 'PIFF'! While interacting him..when I mentioned one of his best compositions..sung by his wife Jagjeet Kaurji in 'Shagun' (1964).."Tum apna ranj-o-gham.." he emotionally talked on it!

Saalgirah mubarak ho Khayyamsahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

Beauty Queen of Indian Cinema..Madhubala.

VALENTINE SPECIAL!

MALIKA-E-HUSN KI 

DASTAN-E-ISHQ!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Romantic coi-incidence..on Valentine's Day there was Birth Anniversary of our India's most Beautiful Actress Malika-E-Husn Mumtaz Jehan Begum Dehlavi MADHUBALA!..On this occasion thought to focus on her love story!!

Malika-E-Husn Madhubala & Dilip Kumar 'Mughal-E-Aazam' (1960).

Malika-E-Husn Madhubala acted with most of the leading actors of her time. But her romantic love association was only with Shahenshah of Indian Cinema Yusuf Khan means Dilip Kumar!..This great pair first appeared together in film 'Har Singar' (1949).

Madhubala & Dilip Kumar intense romantic in 'Tarana' (1951).

Then their intense love observed in  film 'Tarana's (1951) songs "Nain mile nain hue baware.." & "Seene mein sulagate hai armaan.." (sung by Talat Mehmood & Lata Mangeshkar).

Their on screen chemistry developed with film 'Sangdil' (1952). It's romantic song "Dil mein sama gaye sajan.." (sung by Talat Mehmood & Lata Mangeshkar) showed the love between them! After that they came in Mehboob Khan's 'Amar' (1954). Their love was on high idealism in it's climax (Rafisahab's) song "Insaaf ka mandir hai yeh.."

Madhubala & Dilip Kumar in 'Sangdil' (1952)..natural love!

After that they were supposed to do B. R. Chopra's Naya Daur' (1957) but that did not happen because of family disturb! Finally Vyajayanthimala came with Dilip kumar in 'Naya Daur'!

Madhubala & Dilip Kumar in romantic scene of 'Amar' (1954).

All their hidden romanticism came on screen through historical epic follows the love affair of Prince Salim & court dancer Anarkali in 'Mughal-E-Aazam'..a masterpiece of great filmmaker K. Aasif..who started film in 1944 and completed in 1960; because of it's rich production values! Thus Dilip Kumar first met Madhubala in 1944 and during 16 years of making this great film their real love also developed!

Madhubala & K. Asif on set of 'Mughal-E-Azam'!

You can observe the emotions of their on screen faces in 'Mughal-E-Azam'...Specifically there was a debate scene between Badshah Akbar (Prithviraj Kapoor) and his son Salim (Dilip Kumar) related to Anarkali (Madhubala)...In which Salim strongly says.."Anarkali kisi Shehanshah ki saltanat nahi..Jo uspar huqumat kar sake!..Anarkali Salim ki hai aur Salim ki rahegi!!"..And his face talked much in it!

Prithviraj Kapoor (Akbar) & Dilip Kumar (Salim)..Debate!

Then see how Dilip Kumar and Madhubala portrayed classic royal kind love of Salim & Anarkali in the romantic garden scene of 'Mughal-E-Azam'. In this particular scene where Sangeet samrat Tansen sings in the background Aasifsahab wanted great Hindustani classical vocalist Bade Ghulam Ali khan's voice...and for that with it's Music director Naushadsahab he approached to Khansahab, who first refused to sing for film..but latter agreed with his 'great' terms and sung in Darbaari raagas.."Prem Jogan ban ke.."

Shahenshah Dilip Kumar & Malika-E-Husn Madhubala in 'Mughal-E-Aazam' (1960).

This is my most favourite love scene from our Indian Cinema!


Tribute to this real Mumtaz Mahal..Madhubala!!

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

Olivia Hussey as Juliet & Leonard Whiting as Romeo!

VALENTINE WEEK SPECIAL-7.

IMMORTAL LOVERS!

'ROMEO AND JULIET'.

- Manoj Kulkarni

My top most favourite screen adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic 'Romeo and Juliet' is made in 1968..by prominent Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli. Film is completed 50 years and Mr. Zeffirelli is 95 now!

Italian filmmaker Franco Zeffirelli of 'Romeo and Juliet'!

Olivia Hussey (Juliet) & Leonard Whiting (Romeo)..balcony kissing scene!

Special thing about this film is pretty gorgeous Olivia Hussey portrayed Juliet in it. This English-Argentine theatre actress was only 15 years old that time! With her handsome English actor & singer Leonard Whiting played the Romeo..who was 17 years old!

Song sequence of "What is a Youth.? "in 'Romeo and Juliet' (1968).

BHE Films' produced this Italian-British film 'Romeo and Juliet's (1968) director Franco Zeffirelli co-written it's screenplay with Franco Brusati & Masolino D'Amico! While adapting the original play (wrote by great William Shakespeare) Zeffirelli did some modification for instance long speeches were trimmed and emphasized reaction shots! For this Pasqualino De Santis camerawork and Reginald Mills editing did excellent jobs! In addition to this Eugene Walter written & Nino Rota composed it's sensitive song "What is a Youth..?" which emotionally sung by Glen Weston!

Argentine Pretty gorgeous actress Olivia Hussey as Juliet in it!

This commercially super successful film was very popular among that time teenagers & critics also highly appreciated! It won 'Academy Awards' for 'Best Cinematography' (De Santis) & 'Best Costume Design' (Danilo Donati)..And Olivia Hussey won 'Golden Globe' and 'David di Donatello Award' for her best portrait of beautiful Juliet! She expressed emotions of love intensely!!

I always remember the famous balcony scene of it with Shakespeare quote..for this beautiful (favourite) Juliet Olivia..
"It is the East and Juliet is the Sun!"

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

Romantic 'A Man and a Woman' (1966).

VALENTINE WEEK SPECIAL-6.

FRENCH ROMANTIC 

'A MAN AND A WOMAN'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Filmmaker Claude Lelouch directing!

One of my most favourite romantic French films..'Un Homme Et Une Femme' ('A Man and a Woman'/1966) is already completed 50 years; But it's relationship theme is still contemporary! This unconventional matured film written-produced & directed by renowned French filmmaker Claude Lelouch who is 80 now!

Poster of 'A Man and a Woman' (1966) capturing main scenes!

The film is about a young widow and widower who meet by chance at their children's boarding school and whose budding relationship is complicated by the memories of their spouses! Beautiful Anouk Aimee and Jean-Louis Trintignant portrayed this romantic lead sensibly with Pierre Barouch, Valerie Lagrange & Antoine Sire!

Jean-Louis Trintignant & Anouk Aimee in 'A Man and a Woman's song!

Lelouch himself nicely cinematographed this film on the screenplay which he wrote with Pierre Uytterhoeven...And also himself edited the film with Claude Barrois! Francis Lai nicely composed it's music & theme song which superbly sung by Nicole Croisille & Pierre Barouh!

Beautiful Anouk Aimee & Jean-Louis Trintignant

Commercially very successful this film was screened in various prestigious international film festivals & won several awards! This won 'Palme d'Or' at 'Cannes Film Festival' and 'Best Foreign Language Film' & 'Best Writing' of 'Oscar'! In addition to this Anouk Aimee won 'Best Actress' of 'Golden Globe'!!

'A Man and a Woman'..Part I (1966) & II (1986).

In 1986 Lelouch made a sequel of this film as 'A Man and a Woman: 20 Years Later' (Un Homme et une Femme, 20 Ans Déjà) with same lead artists!

I remember nice meeting with it's filmmaker Claude Lelouch at our 'International Film Festival of India' about 20 years ago!!

It's theme song "Chabadabada.." with intense romantic scenes still lingering in mind!

Renowned French filmmaker Claude Lelouch.

[Bollywood's hit film 'Andaz' (with stars Rajesh Khanna, Hema Malini & Shammi Kapoor) made by Ramesh Sippy in 1971..had a similar plot! I mentioned this while interacting with Mr. Sippy in 'IFFI' at Goa few years back!]

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

VALENTINE WEEK SPECIAL-5.

'MERE MEHBOOB'

MY KIND EXPRESSING LOVE!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Rajendra Kumar in song "Ae husn zara."

"Ae Husn zaraa jaag..Tujhe Ishq jagaaye.."

This is a song from one of my top most favourite romantic movies with Urdu Shayaari..'Mere Mehboob' (1963)..the love expressed with shayaarana andaz in it is like the way of expressing love in our Indian style..rather my kind of expressing love!

.Ameeta, H.S. Rawail & Sadhana on set of 'Mere Mehboob' (1963).

Filmmaker who made such kind of (Muslim socials the term used by film scholars) lyrical romantics..Harnam Singh Rawail best known as H. S. Rawail written (with Vinod Kumar), Produced & Directed this classic Hindi-Urdu film 'Mere Mehboob' (1963). Story takes place in traditional Lucknow..in which courtesan's poet brother falls in love with the sister of nawab!

In this jubilee star Rajendra Kumar and (Indian Audry Hepburn) beautiful Sadhana performed the romantic lead..Anwar and Husna in requied Luckhanavi nazaakat with Ashok Kumar as Nawab Buland Akhtar and others Nimmi (Anwar's sister Najma), Ameeta (Husna's cousin Naseem) and Pran & Johney Walker in their fixed roles!

"Mere Mehboob tujhe.."

Rajendra Kumar.."Mere Mehboob.."

Film start with this romantic song in which Anwar remembers his first romantic meet with Husna on farewell day..such scenes picturized in the hall and few places of 'Aligarh Muslim University'!

Apart from this famous Art Director Sudhendu Roy created the Luckhanavi shayarana mahol nicely for the romantic song sequences like in first mentioned piano song and when Anwar expressed his love to Husna in song "Tumse Izhar-E-Haal Kar Baithe." In such scenes romantic andaaz of Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana was beautiful with Hindustani tehzeeb!

Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana in song "Tumse Izhar-E-Haal Kar Baithe."

Naushad, Mohammed Rafi & Shakeel Badayuni.

Shakeel Badayuni wrote such nine romantic songs of this film which music director Naushad Ali composed in that lyrical Luckhanavi andaaz..And sung by Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle! In addition to this G. Singh beautifully cinematographed (with romantic close ups) and Krishan Sachdev sensibly edited this film!

This film became a big hit! After this H. S. Rawail made two such hit romantic films with same genre..'Mehboob Ki Mehndi' (1971) with Rajesh Khanna & Leena Chandavarkar and 'Laila Majnu' (1976) with Rishi Kapoor & Ranjeeta! Both also got big success!

Sadhana & Rajendra Kumar in romantic scene!

This film became all time favourite of lovers who are such romantic..Whenever I hear it's title song "Mere Mehboob tujhe.." or "Ae Husn zaraa.." I feel nostalgic with lovely memories..and imagine making love in that shayaraana andaaz!!

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