OUR MOST RESPECTED VETERAN ACTRESS SULOCHANA JEE..NOW 90 AND HER FILM CAREER COMPLETED 75 YEARS!

Sulochanaji with state award!

I STILL REMEMBER INFORMAL INTERVIEWING HER FOR MY 'CHITRASRUSHTI'!

Sulochanaji in 'Vahinichya Bangadya' (1953).

HOPE THIS YEAR 'DADASAHEB PHALKE AWARD' WILL COME TO YOU!

WISHING BEST WITH GOOD HEALTH..DIDI.!!

- MANOJ KULKARNI
 ['CHITRASRUSHTI', PUNE]

LYRICAL ROMANTICISM & REALITY DEPICTED IN 'EUFF'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Omiros Poulakis & Iro Bezou in Greece's 'Ontos Filiounte?' (Kissing)

"kanoristika...kanjalistika.."
(wrote these words as heard from song)

This romantic song on the background of young couple's kissing scene in Greece's film 'Ontos Filiounte?' ('Kissing?') creates that kind of feelings! Yannis Korres directed in this film Alexander Voulgaris composed this tune nicely! In this Omiros Poulakis & Iro Bezou acted romantically!

Albert Dupontel's French film '9 Mois Ferme' (9 Month Stretch)

That romantic tune recollected Claude Lelouch's classic French film 'Un homme at une femme's ('A Man and a Woman'/1966) famous romantic song "Ba da ba da.."

'European Union Film Festival' recently over at NFAI in Pune. In one week total 24 recent films from different European countries screened in it! Inaugurated with Albert Dupontel's French film '9 Mois Ferme' (9 Month Stretch)..which was a black humour & used some scientific gimmicks!

Madeleine Martin & Filip Berg in Swedish film 'Eternal Summer'!

This time mostly road movies were there and observed lyrical romanticism! In this Andreas Ohman's Swedish film 'Eternal Summer' showed a unique picture of carefree youth to enjoy love life..in which two youngsters meets on a summer night and their adventurous trip ends on a surprising climax! In this pretty Madeleine Martin & handsome Filip Berg played this romantic couple nicely! Then Latvia's 'The Lesson' also travelled on the path of love in which youthful student falls in love with a teacher who then face personal conflict! Beautiful Inga Alsina did this role sensitively! And Samuli Valkama's Finland film 'Unexpected Journey' was about friendship which breaks borders!

Inga Alsina & Marcis Klatenbergs in Latvia's film 'The Lesson'!

Constatinos in Cyprus' 'Boy On The Bride'.

There were few good films on children psychi.. first was Petros Charalambous directed Cyprus film 'Boy On The Bride'. In this teen age boy finds out that the family of his cousin are being abused by their violent father. And then his brave attempt to teach lesson to that cruel man create a blunder! Constatinos Farmaks played this role powerfully!

Pretty Vanessa Szamuhelova in Slovakian film 'Piata Lod'!

After this there was a sensible Slovakian film 'Piata Lod' (Little Harbour) which was inspired from a true story of two cute children who took care of abandoned twin babies..and this is in the context of current social scenario where elders are not ready to take responsibilities! Iveta Grofova handled this issue very sensitively and pretty cute girl Vanessa Szamuhelova played this role very sensibly! Then there was a Lithuanian road movie 'When you wake up' made by Ricardas Marcinkus. This was a lyrical journey in which little girl reunite her parents! In this  Dzesika Vienazindyte & Mantas Jankavicius played these roles superbly..with meaningful songs picturised on them!

Dzesika Vienazindyte & Mantas Jankavicius in Lithuanian film 'When you wake up'!

Denmark's Martin Pieter Zandvliet's 'Uner Sandet' (Land of Mine)..war reality!

There were few films with the war backdrop in which two features from Denmark first Martin Pieter Zandvliet's 'Uner Sandet' (Land of Mine) showed how the hate & revenge psychi continued even after the end of the war. And second Lisa Ohlin's sensible 'De Standhaftige' (Walk with Me) showed how love overcome the physical inability happened because of the bad effect of war! In this Mikkel Boe Folsgaard & Cecilie Lassen did their roles sensibly! After these powerful films there was one short documentary from Poland..'A Brave Bunch'- The Uprising Through Children's Eyes..in which filmmaker Tomasz Stankiewicz focused on the heroic & tragic struggle to liberate Warsaw from Nazi Germany occupation during World War II.

Cecilie Lassen & Mikkel Boe Folsgaard in Denmark's film 'De Standhaftige'!

Then there were psycho-dramas in it..Nuto Rocha's Portugal film 'Mother knows Best' revolves around one middle age woman who recollect her memories about mother & family members and gradually became a split personality! After this Radek Bajar's film 'Teorie Tygra' (Tiger Theory) was on aged man who purposely shows mentally ill to enjoy the life he want!

Family scene from..Nuto Rocha's Portugal film 'Mother knows Best'!

Belgium's Douglas Boswell's film 'Labyrinthus'!

Apart from such films there were films with inspiration from two genre of generations. In this Tomislav Mrsic's Croatian film 'Cowboys' shows how theatre artists inspire from classic Hollywood Westerns! And Belgium's film 'Labyrinthus' connects to modern cyber world! It's enthusiastic director Douglas Boswell was present in this festival..and had good conversation with him! He said 'this is coming of age film on friendship which used computer games to show children's adventure!

As compare to last 'EUFF' this time films were better in this festival! Mostly showed emotions of youngsters while looking towards the life..in lyrical way & with poetic treatment! Hope to see more contemporary films from Europe in next festival!

All the best!!

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

KUROSAWA'S SCREENWRITER HASHIMOTO NO MORE!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Japanese Screenwriter Shinobu Hashimoto & master Filmmaker Akira Kurosawa!

Veteran Japanese Screenwriter Shinobu Hashimoto passed away at the age of 100!

Scene from 'Rashomon' (1950).

He was known for scripting the films of Japanese master filmmaker Akira Kurosawa..who first adapted Hashimoto's script (based on Akutagawa's short story 'In a Grove') in 1950 for his masterpiece 'Rashomon'! This film won 'Golden Lion' in 'Venice Film Festival'!

Sensitive film 'Ikiru' (1952)

Then most of Kurosawa's internationally acclaimed films like 'Ikiru' (1952), 'Seven Samurai' (1954) & 'Dodeskaden' (1970) were mainly scripted by Hashimoto! He also wrote the screenplays for other filmmakers like 'Masaki Kobayashi ('Harakiri'/1962).

Kurosawa-Hashimoto's legendary film 'Seven Samurai' (1954).

Hashimoto wrote almost 70 films and won 16 awards. He also made few films!

Scriptwriter Shinobu Hashimoto!

Notable that Hollywood got inspiration from Kurosawa-Hashimoto's 'Seven Samurai'..and made hit 'The Magnificent Seven' (1960)..And Bollywood's blockbuster 'Sholay' (1975) also! Even Indian classic 'Anand' (1971) was inspired from their 'Ikiru'!

Humble Homage!!


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

'DE SICA AWARD' WINNER

BENGALI FILMMAKER GOUTAM GHOSH!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Renowned Bengali Filmmaker..Goutam Ghosh with camera!

Goutam Ghosh's 'Antarjali Yatra' (1987) 

in which Shatrughna Singha acted!

Basically from theatre, while doing photo journalism Goutam Ghosh turned to documentary making in 1973 with 'New Earth'! He made first feature film 'Maabhoomi' (1980) which was in Telugu. Then his feature films with strong social issues in Bengali like 'Paar' (1981) got critical acclaim!

I remember interaction with him after the screening of his Bengali film 'Antarjali Yatra' (1987) in our 'Film Appreciation Course' at FTII, Pune. Then his Bengali/Hindi films like 'Gudia' (1997) to 'Abar Aranye' (2003) & 'Yaatra' (2006) I watched in 'Indian Panorama' of our 'International Film Festival of India'.

Goutam Ghosh's 'Shankhachil' (2016) 

India-Bangladesh joint venture!

After many years he acted in Srijit Mukherjee's two films 'Baishe Shrabon' (2011) and 'Chotushkone' (2014).

Then Goutam Ghosh's 'Shankhachil' (2016) was India-Bangladesh joint venture in which Indian Prosenjit & Bangladeshi Kusum Sikder acted!

Almost all of his films won National Awards & international recognition. And he is the only Indian filmmaker to have received 'Vittorio Di Sica Award' in 1997 by Italy!

Goutam Ghosh in 'Baishe Shrabon' (2011)

His birthday just happened!
Best wishes Goutamda!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune,]

Documentary maker..Flaherty!

PIONEER OF DOCUMENTARY!

Today is 65th death anniversary of Robert Joseph Flaherty...an American filmmaker, who made first feature length Documentary film...'Nanook of the North' in 1922!

A Salute!!

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

Today is 14th death anniversary of versatile actor, singer & director-producer..Mehmood Ali!

Best known as Comedy King of Indian Cinema..Mehmood started doing small roles in films during 1950s..like in 'Do Bigha Zamin' & 'Pyasa' and became hero in 1960s as 'Chhote Nawab'! Then he started directing films from 'Bhoot Bangala' (1965) & became producer too!

In film 'Humjoli' (1970) Mehmood did mimicry of kapoors of three generations!

Mehmood's hit roles in films includes 'Gumnam' (1965), ''Pyar Kiye Jaa' (1966), 'Padosan' (1968), 'Humjoli' (1970), 'Bombay to Goa' (1972), 'Do Phool' (1973) & many more! During his career of more than four decades he worked for over 300 films and won Filmfare awards five times!

Mehmood's pathos in 'Kunwara Baap' (1974) touched the heart!

Mehmood created special place for comic actor in films..which some times had a equal importance with hero! In 'Main Sunder Hoon' (1970) Biswajeet was a hero of a film but Mehmood played the main title role superbly! And in his directorial film 'Kunwara Baap' (1974)..the pathos in his role touched the heart!

Homage to Him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

PRETTY TALENTED CROATIAN ACTRESS..ZRINKA CVITESIC!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Pretty gorgeous..Zrinka Cvitesic.

Birthday of Pretty talented Croatian Actress of Film, Television & Theatre..Zrinka Cvitesic just happened!

Zrinka Cvitesic & Niksa Kuselj in 'Konjanik' (Horseman/2003).

Born in Karlovac..Zrinka started acting in school days and her first act was pretty Cindrella! Then she studied acting in institute and in 1999 first acted in short film 'Rano Budenje'. After that she started doing various roles in feature films like 'Veliko spremanje' (2000).

Pretty Klara Naka & Zrinka Cvitesic in 'Lea and Darija' (2011).

Her main roles in films like 'Lea and Darija' (2011) and 'My Beautiful Country' (2012) were appreciated! Last year she acted in film 'Lost in London'!

In 2005 she became a member of 'Croatian National Theatre'. And in 2013 she made her West End debut as 'Girl' in the musical 'Once' at Phoenix Theatre, London. She won 'Laurence Olivier Award' for Best Actress in a Musical for her performance in this!

Zrinka Cvitesic in 'My Beautiful Country' (2012).

She also did different kind of roles in Television programmes like 'Vratice se rode' (2008) and 'Tito' (2010).

She won Best Actress Award for her leading role in film 'What is a Man without Moustache?' (2005) at '53rd Pula Film Festival' & '11th Sarajevo Film Festival'. Then in 2010 she won 'Shooting Stars Award' of European Film Promotion at '60th Berlin International Film Festival'!

I am with renowned Croatian filmmaker Branko Ivanda & 

beautiful actress Zrinka Cvitesic in 'IFFI', 2004 at Goa!

Zrinka Cvitesic with 'Olivier Award'!

I interviewed this pretty actress Zrinka in our 'International Film Festival of India' ('IFFI') held at Goa in 2004. She acted Croatian film 'Konjanik' (Horseman) was in it'. Renowned filmmaker Branko Ivanda directed this film was a inter-community love story on the backdrop of Bosnia & Dalmatia the crossroads of the Ottoman Empire & the Republic of Venice! And Zrinka played lead character Lejla superbly in it!


Congrats on award and 
All The Best..Zrinka!!


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

INTERNATIONAL ARTIST & SINGER..PRIYANKA CHOPRA!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Priyanka Chopra received Padmashri from President Mr.Pranab Mukherjee!

Today is Birthday of international talented Actress, Singer & Film Producer Priyanka Chopra!

'Miss World'..Pretty Priyanka!

After winning 'Miss World' (2000) she achieved success in bollywood with films like 'Andaaz' (2003) & 'Aitraaz' (2006).

Priyanka Chopra in film 'Barfi' (2012).

She got critical acclaim for her roles in films like 'Fashion' (2008), '7 Khoon Maaf' (2011), 'Barfi' (2012) & 'Mary Kom' (2014). 

She got five Filmfare awards and (for 'Fashion') one Best Actress national award!

Priyanka Chopra in 'Bajirao Mastani' (2015).

In 2015 she started working internationally with American thriller series 'Quantico'!

Singer..Priyanka Chopra!

Then she entered in singing and released her pop music albums.!

Last year she founded her film production company 'Purple Pebble Pictures' and started producing films like Marathi 'Ventilator'!

She got international recognition and worked for UNICEF as Goodwill Ambassador. In 2016 she honoured with 'Padma Shri'!

Wishing her All The Best!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

BEAUTY & TALENT..KATRINA KAIF!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Birthday of my most favourite actress of Bollywood...Pretty gorgeous Katrina Kaif..just happened! She is 35 now!

Barbie Doll. Pretty gorgeous Katrina!

As a successful fashion model beautiful Katrina entered in bollywood film industry with 'Boom' (2003) and got fame with 'Namastay London' (2007) & 'Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani' (2009).

Ranbir Kapor & Katarina Kaif in film

'Ajab Prem ki Ghazab Kahani' (2009).

Katarina's performances in films 'New York' (2009), 'Rajneeti' (2010) and 'Zindagi na Milegi Dobara' (2011) got critically acclaim! She acted films 'Ek tha Tiger', 'Jab Tak Hai Jaan' (2012) & 'Dhoom 3' (2013) are among the highest-grossing bollywood hits!

Katrina Kaif in 'Rajneeti' (2010).

She won Best Actress awards for her performances in films 'New York' & 'Rajneeti'! With 'Bang Bang' (2014) her beautiful appearance on screen continuing mesmerising..And her characters in films like 'Fitoor' (2016) showing intensity in acting!

Salman Khan & Katrina Kaif in 'Tiger Zinda Hai' (2017).

Katrina in Indian beauty look!

She is celebrity spokesperson of number of well known brands. In 2010 & 2011 'Mattel' released two sets of Barbie Dolls inspired by her! In 2015 a wax figure of her installed at 'Madame Tussuad's Museum' in London!

She is the best combination of beauty, glamour & talent!

Wish you all the best..Katrina!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

TODAY IS 100TH BIRTH ANNIVERSARY OF GREAT SWEDISH FILMMAKER..INGMAR BERGMAN!..A TRIBUTE!!

MY MOST FAVOURITE FILMS OF BERGMAN:

'SUMMER INTERLUDE' (1951).

'THE VIRGIN SPRING' (1960).

- MANOJ KULKARNI
 ['CHITRASRUSHTI']
   [PUNE, INDIA]

BEST FILM ON SOCCER CRAZE

'THE CUP'!

In FIFA month..I remembered best film with the backdrop of Soccer..'The Cup' ('Phorpa'/1999) produced in Bhutan!

Scene from film 'The Cup' ('Phorpa'/1999).

Khyentse Norbu directed this film is based on true story of two young football-crazed Tibetans refugee novice monks in a remote Himalayan monastery! Artists Orgyen Tobgyal & Neten Chokling played their roles nicely in it! This film got International recognition!

Tribute!!


- Manoj Kulkarni

 ['Chitrasrushti']
  [Pune, India]