HAPPY BIRTHDAY..RANBIR AND MAWRA!

Indian handsome star Ranbir Kapoor and Pakistani pretty star Mawra Hocane!

Today is Birthday of two popular stars..one is our Indian film actor Ranbir Kapoor and another is Pakistani TV & film actress Mawra Hocane!

Ranbir Kapoor in & as 'Rockstar' (2011).

In a decade of his film career handsome Ranbir Kapoor did notable roles like 'Rockstar' (2011) & 'Barfi' (2012). He also gave romantic hits like with Katrina Kaif 'Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani' (2009) & with Deepika Padukone 'Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani' (2013).

Mawra Hocane in 'Sanam Teri Kasam' (2016).

And beautiful Mawra Hocane did superb roles in drama serials there..like 'Nikhar Gaye Gulab Saare' & social 'Kitni Girahain Baqi Hain'! 

In 2016 Mawra appeared on big screen with Bollywood film 'Sanam Teri Kasam'..in which her intense character touched heart!..Then this year she made her Pakistani film debut in 'Jawani Phir Nahi Ani 2'!

There were news about Mawra's fascination for Ranbir and he also praised her beauty & talent!
She adore him!!

Saalgirah Mubaaraq ho!!!

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

HAPPY 89TH BIRTHDAY TO 'MELODY QUEEN'..LATA MANGESHKARJI!

[This is her 89th birthday (born: 28th Sept., 1929)..not 90th which is going on in TV news channels!]

Remembered meeting her with my 'Chitrasrushti's music special issue!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

NATIONAL AWARD (!)..AND TO 'OSCAR'?

Filmmaker Rima Das & picture of her Assamese film 'Village Superstars'!

It is surprising..Assamese film 'Village Superstars' won National Award and sent for 'Oscar'!

Anyway, I already wrote a lot about this film!

Congratulation to it's Filmmaker Ms. Rima Das!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

 FILMMAKER KALPANA LAJMI..NO MORE!

"Dil hoom hoom kare.."

Sensible Filmmaker Kalpana Lajmi left this insensible world!

Remembering meeting her with Bhupenda in our various film festivals!!

Homage to her!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

"NO MEANS NO!"

In 2016..Amitabh Bachchan, Tapasee Pannu, Kirti Kulhari & Andrea Tariang acted and Anirudha Roy Choudhary directed Hindi film 'Pink' was in the discussion with it's dialogue "No Means No!" The reality showed in it & message is noteworthy!..But this subject is not new to our Cinema too!








In 1980 our renowned filmmaker B. R. Chopra made 'Insaf Ka Tarazu' (with different story) and handled this subject effectively! Zeenat Aman, Raj Babbar, Padmini Kolhapure & Simi Garewal were in the important roles in it. That time also the film was very much discussed and got awards too!
 

That 'Insaf Ka Tarazu' was based on famous American film 'Lipstick' (1976)..Lamont Johnson directed in this film Margaux & Mariel Hemingway, Chris Sarandon & Anne Bancroft were in the lead roles!..And female protagonist's "Please No!" words in it..touched!

Now more than three decades over..but the situation not changed and new movie on the same subject will become Contemporary!!

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

KAMAL HASSAN IN POLITICS.!!

Now the picture is almost clear about South Indian Cinema's superstar Kamal Hassan's entering in Politics!

Kamal Hassan & Shahrukh Khan 

in film 'Hey Ram' (2000).

He has been commenting on the socio-cultural scenarios before the releases of his films like 'Vishwaroopam' I & II (2013/2017). His ideology 
is also depicted in the films he made like 'Hey Ram' (2000)..and he acted like 'Indian' (1996).

Rati Agnihotri & Kamal Hassan 

in hit 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981).

I am with Kamal Hassan in 'International Film Festival of India'.

He completed more than 50 years in film industry and acted in different genre of films like Tamil 'Apoorva Raagangal' (1975) & 'Sagar Sangamam' (1983) and Hindi hit 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981) & 'Sagar' (1985)...Silent 'Pushpak' (1987) too! He also wrote, produced & directed notable films under his 'Rajkamal International'!

He won many awards which includes 3 National and 19 Filmfare. And he also honoured with 'Padma Bhushan'!

I remembered meeting Kamal Hassan long back in our 'International Film Festival of India' and his free style of expressing!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

Happy International Day of Peace.!

- Manoj Kulkarni

HONGKONG'S PRETTY ACTRESS..MAGGIE CHEUNG!

Today is birthday of Asia's one of the most famous actresses..Hong Kong born beautiful Maggie Cheung!

Young Jackie Chan & Maggie Cheung!

From modeling Maggie appeared on screen in comic roles; but soon famous martial artist Jackie Chan noticed her and cast as his heroine May in his adventure films series started with 'Police Story' (1985)..and she became star!

Maggie Cheung in 'Irma Vep'!

Apart from commercially hit action movies Maggie Cheung also acted in different genre of films..in which her own favourite works were 'Song of Exile' (1990), 'Centre Stage' (1991), Comrades: Almost a Love Story' (1996) and 'In the Mood for Love' (2000) directed by Hong Kong's second wave filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai!

Maggie Cheung & Tony Leung in 

'In the Mood for Love' (2000).

Till date she acted in almost 80 films. Her recent appearance was as Mazu, Chinese goddess of the sea in film 'Ten Thousand Waves' (2010) made by British filmmaker Isaac Julien!

Maggie Cheung in award winning role of 'Clean' (2004)

Maggie Cheung won many awards and became the first Asian actress to win a prize at the 'Cannes Film Festival' for her role in 'Clean' (2004). 

She was appointed as UNICEF's Ambassador to China! And..
In 2011 she awarded Doctor Honoris Causa at University of Edinburgh!

I am while interviewing Maggie Cheung in 'IFFI', 1997.

I interviewed Maggie Cheung in our '28th International Film Festival of India' (IFFI') held at Thiruvananthapuram in 1997! That time she acted French director Oliver Assayas film 'Irma Vep' was there. She played the film within the film heroine in it!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

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

SINGER ACTRESS..CHARMIAN CARR!

Veteran (late) Singer-Actress..Charmian Carr!

Two years over..'Sound of Music' fame beautiful American Singer-Actress Charmian Carr left this world!

Pretty Charmian Carr in film 'Sound of Music' (1965).

Charmian Carr & Daniel Truhitte in "I am sixteen.."

She was best known for her role of Liesl, the eldest daughter of Von Trapp in Robert Wise's 'Oscar' winning film 'Sound of Music' (1965). 

After that she starred with Anthony Perkins in Stephen Sondheim's TV musical 'Evening Primrose'!

Still her romantic singing performance in Rodgers-Hammerstein's superb tune from 'Sound of Music' is lingering in mind..

"I am sixteen going on seventeen.."Daniel Truhitte

which became the pioneering teenage love song!!

Homage to her!!

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

PRETTY ICON OF HOLLYWOOD..GARBO!

Pretty gorgeous..Greta Garbo!

Greta Garbo in 'Camille' (1936).

It's 113th Birth Anniversary of Hollywood's icon of silent era's 
classic cinema & beautiful star 
of those days..Greta Garbo!

She became most famous with her award 
winning roles as 'Anna Karenina' (1935) 
and 'Camille' (1936).

Tribute to her!!

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

SALGIRAH MUBARAK..SHABANAJI!

Today is birthday of one of the pillars of Parallel Indian Cinema...graceful & talented actress..Shabana Aazami!

Shabana with father Kaifi Aazami & mother Shaukat Aazami!

Daughter of Urdu Poet Kaifi Aazami & 'IPTA' artist Shaukat Aazami..and alumni of 'FTII'..Shabana Aazami started her film career in 1973..with K.A. Abbas film 'Fasala' & K.L. Rathod's film 'Parinay'!

Shabana Aazami & Anant Nag in 'Ankur' (1974).

But Shabana Aazami's first released film was Shyam Benegal's 'Ankur' in 1974! 
That was Shyambabu's first feature film and it's actor Anant Nag's too!

An art film 'Ankur' started Parellel Cinema Movement in India! It won three national awards, in which Shabana Aazami got 'Best Actress' award!

I am while interviewing Shabana Aazamiji in '31st IFFI', Delhi!

While expressing regards to Shabanaji remembered interviewing her during our '31st International Film Festival of India' in 2000 at New Delhi!

Saalgirah Mubaarak!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

LEGENDARY SINGER..MS!

Renowned Carnatic Vocalist...M. S. Subbulakshmi.

Today is Birth Anniversary of..renowned Carnatic Vocalist...Madurai Shanmukhavadivu Subbulakshmi..known as MS!..Her birth centenary happened two years back!

M.S. Subbulakshmi in title role of 'Meera' (1945).

She performed variety of musical forms in various Indian languages! Especially her Sanskrit devotional ''Sri Venkateswara Suprabhatam" song is very famous!

M. S. Subbulakshmi singing!

M.S. also acted in few Tamil films. Her first movie was 'Sevasadanam' (1938)..Her title role of 'Meera' (1945) gave her national recognition! This film remade in Hindi..and with singing Meera's bhajans, she acted with Dilipkumar Roy as Music director!

M.S. was the first Musician..awarded with 'Bharatratna'!

Humble Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni
['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

LEGENDARY FRENCH FILMMAKER..JEAN RENOIR!

 

Great French Filmmaker...Jean Renoir!

Today is 124th Birth Anniversary of one of the pioneers of French Cinema..
Jean Renoir!

Renoir's 'Madame Bovary' (1934) portrayed by Valentine Tessier!

Screenwriter, actor & filmmaker Renoir directed his first silent film 'Une Vie Sans Joie Or Catherine' in 1924 and then made his first sound film 'On Purge Bebe' ('Baby's Laxative') in 1931! He also made film on Gustave Flaubert's popular French novel 'Madame Bovary' in 1934!

'The River's (1949) poster.

Latter his films like 'Life Belongs to Us' (1936) reflected politics!

In 1949 he came to India and made his first colour film 'The River'..That time our renowned filmmaker Satyajit Ray met him and got inspiration!

Renoir made more than 40 films in which his directorial work like 'La Grande Illusion' (1937) often cited as among greatest! He received 'Lifetime Achievement Academy Award' in 1975!

Renoir in his famous film 'The Rules of the Game' (1939).

Still remember his superb role as Octave in the masterpiece he made 'The Rules of the Game' (1939) which was a satire on contemporary French society!

Tribute to this master filmmaker!!

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

PIONEER & 'WADIA MOVIETONE'S..J. B. H.!

Legendary Film Producer-Director..J.B.H. Wadia!

Fearless Nadia in 'Circus Queen' & 'Hunterwali'!

Today is 117th Birth Anniversary of 'Wadia Movietone's legendary Producer-Director..J.B.H. Wadia!

One of the pioneers of Indian cinema Jamshed Boman Homi Wadia began making films in silent era & with director brother Homi Wadia made their first silent film 'Vasant Leela' in 1928. After 11 silent films in 1933 he founded 'Wadia Movietone' company and made their first talkie 'Lal-E-Yaman'!

Homi & JBH Wadia.

Famous as JBH best known for popular stunt genre and hit films they made with Fearless Nadia & John Cawas..like 'Hunterwali', 'Miss Frontier Mail' & 'Diamond Queen'! 

Wadia's 'Hatimtai' (1956).

Their costume dramas like 'Aladdin & the wonderful lamp' (1952) and 'Hatimtai' (1956) were also in the popular movies!

Tribute to Wadia sahab!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

PRETTY AMALA..50!

Today is 50th Birthday of beautiful Actress of South Indian cinema...
Amala Akkineni!

Kamal Hassan & Amala in film 'Pushpak Viman' (1987).

Amala with actor-husband Akkineni Nagarjuna!

She completed three decades of her screen appearance from her debut Tamil film 'Mythil Ennai Kaathali' (1986). Still remember her beautiful performance in silent black comedy 'Pushpak Viman' (1987) with Kamal Hassan!

In 1992 Amala married to Telugu film star Akkineni Nagarjuna with whom she acted in hit movie 'Shiva' (1989). She won two Filmfare Awards South and a 'CineMAA' Award!

Last year she acted as lawyer in Malayalam contemporary social film 'C/o Saira Banu'!

Happy Birthday to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

['Chitrasrushti', Pune]

HOLLYWOOD'S UNIQUE FILMMAKER..ROBERT WISE!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Hollywood's legendary popular Filmmaker..Robert Wise!

Today is 102nd Birth Anniversary of legendary American Producer-Director-Editor..Robert Earl Wise!

Famous dance sequence from Robert Wise's hit film 'West Side Story' (1961).

Robert Wise first got fame with Orson Welles' great film on media & politics..'Citizen Kane' (1941) which he edited! With film 'The Curse of the Cat People' (1944) he became director!

Robert Wise with artists on the set of film 'Star Trek' (1979).

Then Wise directed different genre of movies like..film noir 'The Set Up' (1949), science fiction 'The Day The Earth Stood Still' (1951), world war film 'Destination Gobi' (1953), comedy 'This could be the Night' (1957) & thriller 'The Haunting' (1963) which he produced also! His film 'The Sand Pebbles' (1966) was critically acclaimed and science fiction 'Star Trek' (1979) became popular!

Singing scene from Robert Wise's famous musical 'The Sound of Music' (1965).

But Wise is best known for his all time hit & influential musicals 'West Side Story' (1961) and 'The Sound of Music' (1965)..Both the films won Best Director & Best Picture 'Oscar' Awards! Indian classic film which Gulzar directed 'Parichay' (1972) was inspired from his 'The Sound of Music' (1965). And Bollywood's Mansoor Khan directed movie 'Josh' (2000) was inspired from his hit 'West Side Story' (1961).

Robert Wise with 'Oscar' awards!

Robert Wise was President of the 'Directors Guild of America' (1971-1975) and most prestigious 'Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences' (1984-1987). He received various awards and in 1998 'AFI's Lifetime Achievement Award' too!

Tribute to this genius!!


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

GREAT RUSSIAN AUTHOR..LEO TOLSTOY!

Today is the 190th Birth Anniversary of most admired Russian Writer and Philosopher..Leo Nikolayevich Tolstoy!
 

Leo Tolstoy was one of the greatest novelists of all time and master in realistic fiction! 


He achieved literary acclaim in his twenties with semi-autobiographical trilogy 'Childhood, Boyhood and Youth' (1852 - 1856). He also wrote plays!




Tolstoy best known for his novels 'War and Peace' (1869) & 'Anna Karenina' (1877)..And most of his such famous literature adopted for films!


Humble Tribute!!


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