'TITANIC' SINGER CELINE DION..50!

 

Favourite Celine Dion singing 'Titanic's (1997) "My Heart Will Go On.."

Little star Celine Dion!

"Near, far, wherever you are...
I believe that the heart does go on
Once more you open the door..
And you're here in my heart....
and my heart will go on and on.!"

Teen star Celine Dion!

Today is 50th Birthday of this hit romantic song fame favourite Singer Celine Dion!


Canadian singer Celine Dion emerged as a teen star..and in 1982 she won popular world song contests!

Then in 1990 she released her debut album 'Unison' & established as Pop-Artist! After that in 1996 she got fame with song "Falling In Love.."

Celine Dion with 'Grammy award'!

In 1999 for this love song of 'Titanic'..."My Heart Will Go On.." Celine Dion won 'Grammy award'!..Then she won many awards including 5 'Grammy'!

Leonardo DiCaprio and Kate Winslet in..

'Titanic's (1997) song "My Heart Will Go On.."

Wishing Happy Birthday to her!!

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

FIRST BEAUTY QUEEN OF INDIAN CINEMA..DEVIKA RANI!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Coloured portrait of first beautiful star of Indian cinema..Devika Rani!

Today is 110th Birth Anniversary of most beautiful first lady of our Indian Cinema..Devika Rani!

Producer-Director & Actor Himanshu Rai and pretty Devika Rani!

London based Bengali girl Devika Rani Choudhary met producer-director Himanshu Rai in 1928...and assisted him in art direction for his silent film 'Thrown of Dice' (1929). Then they married & went to Germany where she learnt filmmaking in 'UFA Studio'! There she influenced by actress Marlene Dietrich!

Revolutionary kiss scene of Devika Rani-Himanshu Rai in 'Karma' (1933).

In 1933 Himanshu Rai made Devika Rani heroine of his first talkie 'Karma' which received critical acclaim! Then in 1934 they formed 'Bombay Talkies' & produced films..with Devika Rani in the lead role! She starred with Najm-Ul-Hassan in it's first film 'Jawani ki Hawa' (1935) which was shot on train! They developed on-screen and off-screen love too!

Devika Rani & Najm-Ul-Hassan in film 'Jawani ki Hawa' (1935).

After that Ashok Kumar came as her hero in it's film 'Jeevan Naiya' (1936)..And same year they did social issue based film 'Achut Kanya' in which Devika Rani portrayed the title role and Ashok Kumar played Brahmin boy. Film raised voice against Untouchability sensitively! They sung "Main ban ki chidiiyani.." and their pair became hit!

Devika Rani & Ashok Kumar in ''Achut Kanya's
song "Main ban ki chidiyan.." which they sung!

Then 'Bombay Talkies' produced woman centric films with Devika Rani in main lead like..'Jeevan Prabhat' (1937). In 'Nirmala' (1938) she was childless woman and in 'Vachan' (1938) she was Rajput princess! In 'Durga' (1939) she was orphaned girl & Ashok Kumar was village doctor..who loved each other!

Devika Rani and Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich!

After the death of Himanshu Rai she took over the studio alongwith Shashadhar Mukherjee! In 1941 they produced film 'Anjaan' in which she also acted with Ashok Kumar. Then her last screen appearance was in 'Hamari Baat' (1943). 


After that Devika Rani married Russian painter Svetoslav Roerich in 1945. Latter she made documentaries on wild life!

Our Government of India honoured Devika Rani with 'Padmashree' and in 1969 she became the first recipient of 'Dadasaheb Phalke Award'! In 1990 Soviet Russia honoured her with 'Soviet Nehru Award'!

Devika Rani relaxing at her old age! (She died in 1994!)

In beauty & acting style Devika Rani compared with that time Hollywood queen Greta Garbo and named as 'Indian Garbo'!!


Tribute to this first Queen of our Indian Cinema!!!

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

HOMAGE TO POET-LYRICIST 

ANAND BAKSHI

- Manoj Kulkarni

Today is death anniversary of Poet and Lyricist of popular Indian cinema..Aanand Bakshi!

Poet & Lyricist..Aanand Bakshi!

He came in film industry to make a name in writing & singing too, but became successful lyricist only! Started writing songs with the film 'Bhala Aadmi' (1958)..He got success with film 'Mehendi lagi mere hath' (1962).

Shashi Kapoor-Nanda..'Jab Jab Phool Khile'.

He became famous with his lyrics in film 'Jab Jab Phool Khile' (1965) for which Mohammed Rafi sung his romantic lines " Ek tha gul aur ek thi bulbul.." which on screen performed by Shashi Kapoor!

Anand Bakshi with music directors Laxmikant-Pyarelal.

He first time sung "Baaghon mein bahaar aayi.." for film 'Mome ki Gudiya" (1972)..that was with Lata Mangeshkar & in the music of Laxmikant-Pyarelal for whom he wrote many songs! After that he sung for four films in which his starting voice in song "Aaja teri yaad aayi.." ('Charas'/1976) became popular!

Kajol-Shahrukh Khan in 'DDLJ'.

There are lot of his memorable songs which are from films like..'Aaradhana', 'Amar Prem', 'Jeene ki Raah', 'Bobby', 'Sholay' to recent hit 'DDLJ' & 'Mohabbatein'!

Homage to Bakshi sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni 
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

CHINESE GREAT LOVE FILM..'THE ROAD HOME'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Zhang Yimou directed Chinese great love film 'The Road Home' (1999).

(Beautiful Zhang Ziyi and Zheng Hao in the lead!).

While watching the news of China..remembered the great love film of that country saw in film festival..And that was 'The Road Home' (1999). Actually I wanted to write about this film in my series of articles on romantic world cinema..during the Valentine week!

Zhang Ziyi & Zheng Hao in introductory scene of 'The Road Home' (1999).

On the backdrop of socio-economical-political history & changing cultural scenario of China..this film 'The Road Home' (wo dofu quin mu quin/My Father and Mother) developed the tender love story! This is a film adaptation of novel 'Rememberance' by Bao Shi..who also wrote the screenplay of it!

Zhang Ziyi, Li Bin & Zheng Hao in intense scene of  'The Road Home' (1999).

This film goes with flashback in which a man recalls the life story of his parents on the arrival in their village. It's intense love story of a country girl and a young teacher!

It's director renowned Chinese filmmaker Zhang Yimou.

This is a screen debut of beautiful Zhang Ziyi who played this innocent country girl sensitively with Zheng Hao who is in the role of that sensible young teacher! With them Sun Honglei played their son and Zhao Yulian is in the role of old version of his mother & Li Bin appeared as his grandmother!

Pretty Zhang Ziyi & Zheng Hao in the romantic scene of 'The Road Home' (1999).

Zhang Yimou and Zhao Yu produced this epic love story which greatly directed by renowned Chinese filmmaker.. Zhang Yimou with his best cinematographer Hou Yong who beautifully visualised it! Then editor Zhai Rui did excellent job in showing different periods in the film. And Zhai Rui composed the music in lyrical form!

Nice pose of beautiful Zhang Ziyi!

This film won many awards in several international film festivals like Berlin and Chicago!

This is one of my most favourite films..which touched the heart!!

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

SERBIAN TALENTED FILMMAKER..JELENA BAJIC JOCIC. 

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

Serbian Filmmaker Ms. Jelena Bajic Jocic with poster of her film 'Led' ('Ice'/2012).

Serbian known talented filmmaker..Jelena Bajic Jocic's birthday recently happened!

Jelena Bajic Jocic on set of film 'Led' (2012).

She studied in London Institute of Art. At the young age she assisted her father Rados Bajic in direction. She also worked as executive producer of he wrote 'Selo gori a baba se ceslja' a famous television serial in Serbia!

After making documentary 'Kako smo cesljali babu' (2009)..Jelena Bajic directed her first feature film 'Led' ('Ice'/2012) which got international recognition! Then she made 10 episodes each of Television series 'Psi laju vetar nosi' and 'Password Despot'!

Scene of Jelena Bajic Jocic directed Serbian film 'Led' ('Ice'/2012).

I saw her Serbian film 'Led' in our 'International Film Festival of India' held at Goa. It was like a metaphor! On the backdrop of Marshal Tito era during 1970s..it's story centres around a young man hunted by memories of his father. In a sensible direction it beautifully visualised! All artists like Velimir 'Bata' Zivojinovi, Olga Odanovic & Danijela Mihajlovic acted superbly in it! I was impressed by it's sensitive cinematic treatment and that I told to it's co-producer Ms. Jelena Mila who was there in 'IFFI' to introduce the film!

Strong female character of Serbian film 'Led' ('Ice'/2012).

Keen to watch such nice films of Jelena Bajic Jocic!

All the best to her!!

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

'QUEEN' FOREVER...KANGANA RANAUT!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'Queen' of Popular Indian Cinema..Graceful Kangana Ranaut!

One of the favourite & Beautiful Actresses of Bollywood..Kangana Ranaut's birthday just happened! (She is 30 + now!) She achieved top position on our Popular Indian Screen with hardwork & talent only!

Kangana Ranaut in 'Woh Lamhe' (2006).

 

I first impressed by acting depth of Kangana's beautiful face in..Mohit Suri's film 'Woh Lamhe' (2006) which was a tribute by it's producer Mahesh Bhatt to late glamorous actress..Parveen Babi!

Kangna Ranaut modeling!

 

Kangana Ranaut in 'Fashion' (2008).

Small town pretty girl from Himachal Pradesh.. teenage Kangana chose her path & came to Delhi. There she entered in modeling & latter came to Mumbai to become an actress. In 2006 she appeared on screen in Mukesh Bhatt produced & Anurag Basu directed 'Gangster' with Emraan Hashmi! That year she won 'Filmfare's Best Debut award!

Then after worked in contemporary film 'Life in a Metro' (2007)..turning point came in her acting career with Madhur Bhandarkar's 'Fashion' (2008). She intensely played struggler in modeling. And she got first national award of 'Best Supporting Actress' for this role! But then she did few typecast roles in films like 'Raaz' (2009) and 'Once Upon a Time in Mumbai' (2010).

She then changed her screen appearance and in 2011 came as a happy go lucky girl in Anand Rai's film 'Tanu Weds Manu' (2011). This appealed masses a lot and film became hit! 

R. Madhavan & Kangana Ranaut in 'Tanu Weds Manu' (2011).

In 2013 she acted with Hrithik Roshan in science fiction 'Krrish 3'. This screen association was also discussed. Before this it was with 'Raaz' co-actor.. Adhyayan Suman! But latter she concentrated on her acting career only!

Hrithik Roshan & Kangana Ranaut in  'Krrish 3'!

In 2014 she came with best performance in Vikas Bahls' film 'Queen' (2014). She played role of Delhi girl from a traditional family..sets out on a solo honeymoon to Europe after her marriage gets cancelled! The way she showed the transition in her character during the journey was excellent. With this super hit film she proved that her female oriented film can gain equal big success in this male oriented film industry! She won 'Filmfare' and National Award of 'Best Actress' for this role!

Kangana Ranaut..rocking in super hit film 'Queen' (2014).

In 2015 she again paired with R. Madhavan in a sequel 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' (2015). She played different kind of dual roles superbly in it..for which she got 'Filmfare Critics Award'. And again won 'Best Actress National Award'! With such critically acclaimed roles and huge successful films she really became Queen of Bollywood!

Kangana Ranaut in different dual roles of 'Tanu Weds Manu Returns' (2015).

Last year in Vishal Bhardwaj's film 'Rangoon' her portray of Julia is like a tribute to yesteryear's stunt queen on Indian cinema..Fearless Nadia! It shows that through her roles she raising voice of Woman Empowerment in our society!

Kangana Ranaut receiving National Award from President Mr. Pranab Mukherjee!

Then released Hansal Mehta's 'Simran' for which apart from playing leading role she shared the screenwriting with Apurva Asrani! Before this she co-written the dialogues of her super hit film 'Queen'!..Now she will be making her production & directorial debut with an English short film 'The Touch'!

Kangana Ranaut as Julia in film 'Rangoon' (2017).

Within a span of 10 years only Kangana Ranaut established herself as one of the leading actresses of our Indian Cinema..which is really appreciable! She won several awards including 4 Filmfare and 3 National awards!

Now she is doing a great role of Rani of Jhansi in 'Zee Studio's 'Manikarnika-The Queen of Jhansi'! Best wishes for that! 

Kangana Ranaut in upcoming 'Manikarnika'!

I always admire her screen performances and independent style of life!

Wishing Her All The Best!!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY..ANANYA KASARAVALLI!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Actress & Filmmaker Ananya Kasaravalli.

Today is birthday of young talented Kannada actress & filmmaker..
Ananya Kasaravalli!

Ananya Kasaravalli with father filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli.

She is daughter of renowned Kannada filmmaker Girish Kasaravalli. Her mother Vaishali Kasaravalli was actress, costume designer & tele-serial director!

Ananya Kasaravalli also acted in father's Kannada film 'Naayi Neralu' (2006). She studied in 'L.V. Prasad Film and Television Academy', Chennai. 

 

 

Ananya Kasaravalli acted with Pavitra Lokesh in..
Girish Kasaravalli's Kannada film 'Naayi Neralu' (2006).

Then she made few telefilms and documentaries includes 'Vasiyatnama' based on short stories by Bolwar Mohamed Kunhi and Sadat Hasan Manto!

In 2016 she directed her first feature film in Kannada 'Harikatha Prasanga' (Chronicles of Hari). About the struggle of Yakshagana actor who does female roles..based on short story by writer Gopalakrishna Pai! This film screened in various film festivals & received admiration!

Ananya Kasaravalli directed
film 'Harikatha Prasanga' (2016).

I wrote about Girish Kasaravalli's parallel cinema with his interviews..which published in my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti's special issues. So it's pleasure writing on his daughter's filmmaking also!

I am with Ananya Kasaravalli in film festival, Pune!

Wishing all the best to her!!



- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

"Jago mohan pyare.." 
Last song sequence of one of our India's neo-realistic films..'Jagate Raho' (1956) Produced-Acted by Raj Kapoor and Directed by Amit Mitra & Sombu Mitra..with them K.A. Abbas wrote the film!..And excellent cinematographed by Radhu Karmakar!

Nargis did cameo in it!..And it was the last time she appeared in 'RK' Film!

'Jagate Raho' won national award and 'Crystal Globe Grand Prix' at 'Karlovy Vary International Film Festival' in Czechoslovakia!

On this 'World Water Day' I remembered this..as metaphor!

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

JEWEL OF MANIPURI CINEMA..ARIBAM SYAM SHARMA.

- Manoj Kulkarni

Legendary Filmmaker & Music Composer of Manipur..Aribam Syam Sharma!

There are two legends in the field of Drama and Cinema in Manipur.. Playwright & Theatre Director Ratan Thiyam and Actor, Filmmaker & Music Composer Aribam Syam Sharma! I got opportunities to meet both of them two decades ago!..A. S. Sharma is 80 + now!

Aribam Syam Sharma in film 'Matamgi Manipur' (1972).

In 1972 Aribam Syam Sharma entered in the Manipuri Cinema as an actor with film 'Matamgi Manipur'..which focused on the social life of Manipur that time! Karam Manmohan produced and Debkumar Bose directed this film considered the first film made in Meitei!

After acting in above national award winning film..in 1974 Aribam Syam Sharma directed his first film 'Lamja Parshuram' (Parshuram the Orphan) for which he also composed the music. This film successfully completed 100 days in theatre..which first time happened there!

Aribam Syam Sharma directed Manipuri film 'Ishanou' (1991).

Then his film 'Olangthagee Wagmadasso' (1979) means 'Even Beyond the Summer Horizon' was philosophical kind and experimental in genre! This was the first ever & the only Manipuri film which did silver jubilee! This film also won National Award!

After this his film 'Imagi Ningthem' (1981/My Son My Precious) won 'Montegolfiere d'Or' at the 'Festival of Three Continents' and he got international recognition! Then in 1991 his film 'Ishanou' (The Chosen One) was screened in the 'Un Certain Regard' section at the 'Cannes Film Festival'!

Filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma with Camera!

He made around 13 feature films and 19 Non-Feature films. His films mostly came with the socio-economical-political backdrop..in which humans in different situation showed. For that Manipur's folk, performing arts & culture also used as metaphor!

Screenwriter M. K. Binodini!

Most of the scripts of A. S. Sharma's critically acclaimed films wrote by M. K. Binodini..renowned author of Manipur. In 2001 Sharma made a documentary on her literary career..'Binodini: A Writer's Life'!

In 2006 Aribam Syam Sharma was honoured with 'Padmashri'! Then in 2015 'Film Forum of Manipur' and 'Manipur State Film Development Society' conferred him 'Jewel of Manipuri Cinema'!

Aribam Syam Sharma made Manipuri film 'Sanabi' (1995).

I still remember nice meeting Aribam Syam Sharma during our 'International Film Festival of India' held in 1996 at New Delhi. After watching his film 'Sanabi' in it's Indian Panorama we had good conversation there! Simple living gentleman!

Filmmaker Aribam Syam Sharma.

Wishing all the best with good health to Sharma sahab!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]