MAKER OF SATIRIC CINEMA..SAEED AKHTAR MIRZA!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Satiric Filmmaker..Saeed Akhtar Mirza!

Today is 75th birthday of..one of the important filmmakers from Parallel cinema movement in our India.. Saeed Akhtar Mirza!

Saeed Mirza's 'Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro' (1989).

He made mostly social satiric films..but today I remember his two off-beat movies which were his cinematic comments on the particular social issues..

One I saw in my Film Appreciation course at FTII in 1989...'Salim Langde Pe Mat Ro' starring Pawan Malhotra & Ashutosh Govarikar! It was on impact of 1980s communal conflict on the lives of young men! After the screening we had good interaction with Mirza sir in the classroom!

And another..my favourite..'Naseem' (1995) which I saw in our '27th International Film Festival of India' held at New Delhi in 1996! A sensitive film about the young school girl who shares a deep bond with her grandfather..on the backdrop of communal tension in U.P. during second half of 1992!

Mirza's..my favourite 'Naseem' (1995).

Urdu poet Kaifi Aazami first time acted on the screen in this 'Naseem' as grandfather and pretty gorgeous Mayuri Kango played grand-daughter superbly! Kulbhushan Kharbanda, Surekha Sikri & K. K. Menon were also in it! This film won two national awards..Best screenplay & direction!

I still remember Kaifisahab's dialogue in it.."Naseem tu ho na seem!"

Salgirah mubaarak Mirza sahab!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

LEGENDARY ACTRESS..KATHARINE HEPBURN!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Today is 15th Death Anniversary of legendary actress..Katharine Houghton Hepburn!

Leading lady in Hollywood for more than 60 years..Katharine Hepburn appeared in a range of genres. She won four 'Academy Awards for Best Actress'..in which films includes..'Morning Glory' (1934), 'Guess who's coming to Dinner' (1968), 'The Lion in Winter' (1969) & 'On Golden Pond' (1982)..It's a record for an artist!

In addition to this she was also nominated eight times for the 'Oscar'..for her performances in films like..'Woman of the year' (1943), 'The African Queen' (1952) & 'Summer time' (1956). In 1999 she was named by the 'American Film Institute' as the Greatest Female Star of Hollywood!

Humble Homage!!

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

FAMOUS POLISH FILMMAKER..KRZYSZTOF KIESLOWSKI.

- Manoj Kulkarni

'Dekalog' fame renowned Polish filmmaker..Krzysztof Kieślowski!

Today is 77th Birth Anniversary of renowned Polish filmmaker..Krzysztof Kieślowski!

Kieslowski's 'Three Colours Trilogy: Blue, White, Red'!

Still remember how his films started fascinating in our 'International Film Festival of India'...First observed in '26th IFFI', 1995 at Mumbai..in which his 'The Three Colours Trilogy - Blue, White & Red' (1993–1994) attracted huge crowd! 
Then in '28th IFFI', 1997 at Thiruvananthapuram in which his retrospective was there..Seen 'Camera Buff' (1979) and his various films in it!












Bollywood also influenced by his films!..Shashilal Nair directed & Manisha Koirala acted Hindi film 'Ek chhoti si love story' (2002) was an adaptation of Kieslowski's 'A short film about love' (1988).

He received numerous awards in prestigious film festivals like..Cannes, Venice, Berlin!

Tribute to Kieslowski..the genius!!

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

HUSN PARI'S GLORY OF ART!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Pretty gorgeous Mrinal Kulkarni in & as 'Son Pari'!

Mrinal Deo (Kulkarni) as Rama in 'Swami'.

Birthday of most favourite Graceful Actress, Writer & Filmmaker friend Mrinal Kulkarni..just happened! Recently Maharashtra Government's 'V. Shantaram Vishesh Yogadan' (Special Contribution) award conferred on her!..So here is I wrote on her glorious career so far..

Mrinal (Kulkarni) & Farooq Shaikh in Doordarshan's 'Shrikant'!

Mrinal Kulkarni & Ashutosh Govarikar in 'Kamala Ki Maut' (1989).

From the family of literature & art (Go.Ni. Dandekar & Deo)..pretty teenage Mrinal first appeared on small screen as Rama wife of Peshava in Marathi TV serial 'Swami' which directed by Gajanan Jahagirdar! After that in 1985 she acted in Doordarshan TV show 'Shrikant' which was based on a Bengali novel of same name wrote by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay!

Mrinal Kulkarni in award winning role of film 'Jodidar' (2000).

Meanwhile Mrinal did 'M.A.' in Marathi Literature from 'University of Pune'. While appearing as young bride in 'Vicco' advertisement..She married to Adv. Ruchir Kulkarni!

Beautiful Mrinal Kulkarni's glamours look!

In the pick of Parallel Cinema movement..She came on big screen with Basu Chatterjee's Hindi film 'Kamala Ki Maut' (1989) in which (today's director) Ashutosh Govarikar was with her! But after that she disappeared from big screen, because she was busy doing television daily soap operas like 'Zee TVs Hindi 'Hasaratein'! She also portrayed some important women characters on TV like 'Meera' and Habba Khatoon in 'Noorjahan' & latter Jijabai in 'Raja Shiv Chhatrapati'! 

Meanwhile she acted in couple of Marathi movies like 'Jamala Ho Jamala' (1995) and 'Majha Soubhagya'! Her roles in autobiographical films 'Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar' (2000) and 'Veer Savarkar' (2001) were notable!

She also appeared in very few bollywood films like Indra Kumar's 'Ashik' (2001), 'Uff Kya Jadoo Mohabbat Hai' (2004) & 'Kuchh Mitha Ho Jaye' (2005). I think, she did not take popular mainstream cinema seriously and came late on it's screen; otherwise she could have achieved big stardom (like Leena Chandavarkar) with her beauty & talent in it!

Mrinal Kulkarni in & as 'Avantika'!

She got huge fame with her beautiful role as & in 'Son Pari' the popular Hindi serial came on 'Star Plus'. With this she got lot of love from children in our country & abroad too! Likewise her title role in Smita Talvalkar's Marathi TV serial 'Avantika' on 'Alpha Marathi' became hit and favourite of women in our male oriented society! She also did some socio-political Marathi films like 'RajKaRan' (2005), 'Made in China' (2009) & 'Yellow' (2014).

Mrinal Kulkarni in she directed film..

'Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asata' (2013).

In 2013 she wrote & directed first film 'Prem Mhanje Prem Mhanje Prem Asata'..the title inspired from eminent Marathi poet Mangesh Padgaonkar's verse! She also acted in this film which had romantic plot & treatment was as expected as from sensible artist like her! 

Beauty & talent...Mrinal Kulkarni!

Next year she took unique love story of Peshavas in her film 'Rama-Madhav' (2014) on the backdrop of that historical scenario! She handled this love saga greatly with intense acting of lead pair Alok Rajwade & Parna Pethe!..It was like her tribute to the great role of 'Rama' which she did in the beginning of her acting career!

Mrinal Kulkarni while directing her film 'Rama-Madhav' (2014).

She won awards during her long TV-film career like 'Screen's Best Actress' for her role in Marathi film 'Jodidar' (2000) & 'Star Pravah's 'Best Jadui Kirdar' for her role as 'Son Pari'! And she acted Palekar's film 'Thang' (2005) got national award! Her own made films also got international recognition!

Now their son Virajas also came in this field with appearing in Marathi film 'Hostel Days'. 
And he wrote the script of Mrinal Kulkarni's next directorial Marathi film 'Ti And Ti'!..She is also active in social work!

I wish her big success in film career & all the happiness of a creative world!
Stay always like Husn Pari!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

BIRTHDAY WISHES TO..DR. JABBAR PATEL!

- Manoj Kulkarni

I felicitated Dr. Jabbar Patel in the ceremony of my 'Chitrasrushti' held at 'NFAI'.

Today is birthday of veteran filmmaker & pioneer of Parallel Marathi Cinema..Dr. Jabbar Patel!..He is 75 + now!

Nice moment..Dr. Jabbar Patel launched my 'Chitrasrushti'!

Since 1983..I have been meeting him during his film making, related events & in various film festivals..And wrote on his realistic cinema a lot!

I felicitated Dr. Jabbar Patel in the 'PIFF'.

Today I remembered special moments with him..First the inauguration ceremony of my film magazine 'Chitrasrushti' held at 'NFAI' in 2002..in which he was the Chief Guest!..And second I wished him to start 'PIFF' too!

Wish you happiness & good health..Doctor sahab!!


- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

HOMAGE TO..JAMES HORNER!

"My heart will go on..."

Beautiful pair..Leonardo Dicaprio & Kate Winslet in 'Titanic' (1997).

Remembering this 'Titanic's(1997) song's 'Oscar' winning music director James Horner who left this world 3 years back!

 

James Horner became famous with his super hit music of 'Titanic' (1997) for which he won two Academy awards! Before this he scored for other Hollywood blockbusters like 'Braveheart' (1995), 'Avatar' (2009) & offbeat 'A Beautiful Mind' (2001).

James Horner composing music!

While homage him..remembering above romantic song he composed!

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

AUSTRALIAN INDEPENDENT FILMMAKER..PAUL COX!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Australia’s most prolific film auteur..Paul Cox!

There was a death anniversary of..Father of Independent cinema in Australia..Paul Cox!

Young Paul Cox with camera!

Paulus Henriqus Benedictus 'Paul Cox'..was Australia’s most prolific film auteur! His unique films focused on uncertainty in life & loneliness within relationships!

Paul Cox's film 'Innocence' (2000).

Started with 'Illuminations' (1976)..Paul Cox's films reflected such genre in 'Lonely Hearts' (1982), 'Man of Flowers' (1983), 'Island' (1989)', 'Exile' (1994), 'Lust and Revenge' (1996), 'Innocence' (2000) & 'Human Touch' (2004).

I am with Paul Cox in 'IFFI' held at Trivandrum in 1997!

He also made 14 short films and 12 documentaries in which includes some on our India like..'Calcutta' (1971). He received many awards in prestigious international film festivals! Last heard about his film 'Force of Destiny' (2015) with David Wenham & Indian Actress Shahana Goswami!

I remember nice meeting to Paul Cox in our 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) held at Trivandrum in 1997!

Humble Homage!!


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

FOUNDER OF ASSAMESE CINEMA

JYOTI PRASAD AGARWALA!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

Pioneer of Assamese Cinema..Jyoti Prasad Agarwala!

Recently there was 115th Birth Anniversary of Assamese Playwright and Filmmaker Jyoti Prasad Agarwala! He made first Assamese feature film 'Joymoti' in 1935!

Jyoti Prasad Agarwala in making of first Assamese film!

After studying Film-making at 'UFA Studio', Germany..Jyoti Prasad Agarwala participated in Indian Independence activities! Then in 1932 he formed 'Chitraban Studio' in Bholaguri Tea Estate. In 1933 he started making film on a play 'Sati Joymoti' by Laxminath Bezbarua.

Released in 1935 his 'Joymoti' was the first Assamese film in which Aideu Handique portrayed title role of Ahom Princess Soti Joymoti! After this in 1939 he made romantic film 'Indramalati' on his own story! He also wrote songs and composed music..which called 'Jyoti Xongit'!

Aideu Handique in & as 'Joymoti' (1935).

Considered as Assamese Cultural Icon..he popularly known as Rupkonwar! He died on 17th January, 1951..And his death anniversary called as 'Silpi Divas' (Artist's Day).

Tribute to this pioneer of Assamese Cinema!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

Graceful Actress-Singer..Suraiyya!

SINGING STAR SURAIYYA

- Manoj Kulkarni

It's Birth Anniversary of one of the most popular singer-actresses of Indian sub-continent...
Suraiyya Jamal Sheikh!

Suraiyya's beautiful screen appearances!

Suraiyya appeared on screen as child artist..and played young Mumtaz in film 'Taj Mahal' (1941). Then music director Naushad Ali chose her to sing in A.R. Kardar's film 'Sharda' (1942). In Mehboob Khan's classic 'Anmol Ghadi' (1946) she acted with big singer-actress of that era.. NoorJehan!

After the hit films 'Pyar ki Jeet' (1948) & 'Dillagi' (1949) Suraiyya became highest paid female star of 1940s & 1950s!

Romantic pair..Suraiyya & Dev Anand!

Star of beautiful face & romantic voice.. Suraiyya's songs lingering in mind..
 
'Dillagi's "Tu mera chand main teri chandani.." and 
1954 national award winner film 'Mirza Ghalib's.."Nukta cheen hain gham-e-dil.."


- Manoj Kulkarni 
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

TRIBUTE TO ASIF-E-HINDUSTANI CINEMA!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Great Filmmaker K.Asif on set of sheeshmahal of his great love saga 'Mughal-E-Azam'!

Legendary Film Producer-Director & maker of great love saga 'Mughal-E-Azam'...K. Asif's Birth Anniversary just happened!

K.Asif first directed film 'Phool' (1945)

Born Asif Karim came Bombay with a big dream of cinema! In 1944 the first thought in his mind was to make a film on Salim-Anarkali's intense love story based on a Urdu novel wrote by Syed Imtiaz Ali Taj. But it was not happened that time..And he became director K. Asif with film 'Phool' (1945) in which famous Prithviraj Kapoor, Durga Khote & Suraiyya were in the main roles..This film got big success!

Dilip Kumar-Nargis acted K.Asif's 'Hulchul' (1951).

Meanwhile he started working on a film based on Ali Taj's novel 'Anarkali'...For that he first casted Chandramohan and Nargis in the main lead..But in 1946, before the production Chandramohan died! At that time he temporarily shelved that project and in 1951 produced film 'Hulchul' in which Dilip Kumar & Nargis acted.!

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

Then he started working on dream project 'Mughal-e-Azam' with recast Dilip Kumar & Madhubala in the romantic lead! For this film he took 12 years to complete..that film which had rich production values with colourful sheeshmahal in which beautiful Madhubala's song "Jab pyar kiya to darana kya.." picturized! This film released in 1960..and became a huge hit all over India. With this he attained legendary status!

Poster of K. Asif's great movie 'Mughal-E-Azam' (1960).

After that he planned his first complete colour film 'Love and God' and began production..with great Guru Dutt and Nimmi in the lead. And he faced same difficulty when Gurudutt died in 1964. Then he recast Sanjeev Kumar in the male lead and started shooting film again..which took long time and K.Asif himself died in 1971 at the age of 48 only! Then in 1986 his wife Akhtar Asif released this film in an incomplete form!

Poster of K.Asif's first & last colour film 'Love and God'!

He won 'Filmfare's Best Film and Best Director awards for his great movie 'Mughal-E-Azam' and also got President Silver Medal for Best Hindi Film!

Humble Tribute To Asifsahab!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]