PHALKE AWARD TO BIG B!

Good news that..one of the most popular actors of world cinema and.. legendary megastar of our Indian Cinema..favourite Amitabh Bachchan has been selected for 'Dadasaheb Phalke Award', 2019.

It's great coincidence that this is golden jubilee year of Amitabh Bachchan's film career!

I  have written a lot on Amitabh Bachchan..And published detail special article on  him as cover story in my 'Chitrasrushti's Diwali issue, 2014!

Congratulation Big B!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'Gully Boy' for 'Oscar'??? 

"Apana time (shayad) iss baar bhi nahin aayega..!"

MAGGIE'S 'IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE'!

Beautiful actress from Hong Kong..Maggie Cheung!

Today is birthday of favourite beautiful actress from Hong Kong..Maggie Cheung! She is 55 now!

Maggie Cheung & Tony Leung in film 'In The Mood for Love' (2000).

Maggie Cheung's famous 'In The Mood for Love' (2000) is in the top 5 of 100 best films of 21st Century as.. 'Guardian' stated! Hong Kong - cinema's hit pair Maggie & Tony Leung acted that film was made by renowned Chinese director Wong - Kar-Wai who is now 61! 

Renowned Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai!

One of my favourite films from contemporary world cinema..'In The Mood for Love' (2000) is about two neighbours..woman and man who develops platonic relations, after they suspect extramarital activities of their spouses! Wong Kar-Wai.. romantically pictured this film with unique light system & sets! This film was premiered at Cannes & screened at various film festivals and won awards!

I met to Maggie in our 'IFFI', 1997 at Trivandrum and to Wong Kar-Wai during his felicitation at 'IFFI', Goa few years back!

Regards to both of them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'PRABHAT'S GREAT SOCIAL 'MANUS'/'AADAMI'..80!

'Prabhat's social film 'Manus/Aadami' (Marathi/Hindi-1939).

One of the prominent film companies of our India..'Prabhat's social film.. 'Manus'/'Aadami' (Marathi/Hindi) made in 1939..completed 80 years!

Great filmmaker V. Shantaram with camera!

Great maker of social reformist films..V. Shantaram directed this film was based on the short story 'The Police Constable'.. wrote by Bhaskarrao Amembal. It's screenplay-dialogues were written by Anant Kanekar. This film was simultaneously made in Marathi and Hindi.

Shahu Modak & Shanta Hubalikar in 'Manus/Aadami' (1939).

It was an unusual love story of policeman and prostitute..in which he goes against the society & rehabilitates her! Shahu Modak (known for acting in mythological films) did the character of Ganapat Hawaldar and powerful actress Shanta Hubalikar played the role of Maina in it! With them Sundara Bai, Ram Marathe, Narmada & Raja Paranjpe played notable parts in it!

Shanta Hubalikar in that song of 'Manus/Aadami' (1939).

Art Director S. Fattelal created the sets of this film realistically in 'Prabhat Studio', Pune. 
Then V. Avadhoot did the cinematography effectively in which includes meaningful close-ups of Ganapat & Maina with proper lighting ! Music was also essential part of this which composed by Master Krishna Rao..And Shanta Hubalikar herself sung her songs in which includes multi-lingual "Kashala udyachi baat.."

Shanta Hubalikar & Shahu Modak in 'Manus/Aadami' (1939).

However, this film had some similarity to American classic 'Waterloo Bridge' (1931) made by James Whale! Apart from that 'Manus'/'Aadami' kept it's own identity with handling the social problem in different way! Our audiences appreciated this film..And special thing was great artist Charlie Chaplin admired it!

I got opportunities to meet Shahu Modak and Shanta Hubalikar in their old age..And heard about the characters they portrayed from them!

Tribute to this 'Prabhat's landmark film!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TRAFFIC JAM ON SCREEN!

Famous car-traffic sequence from Tarkovsky's Soviet/Russian film 'Solaris' (1972).

When watched advertisement about 'Mumbai Metro' as the solution for traffic jam..I remembered three nicely pictured traffic sequences from history of cinema!

Romantic scene from French Short 

Film 'Happy Anniversary' (1963).

Satiric scene from Pierre Etaix' French 

Short Film 'Happy Anniversary' (1963).

First: French Short Film with reference to Paris traffic jam..'Heureux  Anniversaire' 'Happy Anniversary'  1963) made by Pierre Etaix! In this at one side modern wife is preparing romantic dinner and other side husband is struggling (with gifts) in traffic jam! In parallel cutting it used shot composition effectively with appropriate close-ups & long shots! This film won 'Oscar'!

Second: Opening scene of Italian film 'Otto e mezzo' ['8 and 1/2' (1963] made by great Federico Fellini! In this filmmaker tries to find his way in traffic jam of Rome..It was symbolic and shown in a satiric way! 

Satiric scene of traffic jam from Federico Fellini's 

Italian film 'Otto e mezzo' ['8 and 1/2' (1963].

Third: Stunning car-traffic sequence from Soviet/Russian film 'Solaris' (1972) made by master Andrei Tarkovsky! It starts in black & white and reaches at high way in colour with beautifully taken long shots!

All such scenes are inspirational ..for effective social advertising film also!

- Manoj Kulkarni

PRETTY PENELOPE AT VENICE!

Gorgeous Penelope Cruz in this 'VIFF'.

My favourite beautiful Spanish actress Penelope Cruz is at this '76th Venice International Film Festival'. She acted French film- maker Oliver Assayas' political thriller 'Wasp Network' is in the competition of this festival & also for world premier!

Pretty look of Penelope Cruz!

This year she was also at '72nd Cannes Film Festival' for the premier of her film 'Pain and Glory' semi-autobiographical of renowned..
Spanish filmmaker Pedro Almodovar!

All the best to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'VENICE' HONOURS JULIE ANDREWS!

Veteran Actress-Singer Julie Andrews.

This '76th Venice International Film Festival' is honouring veteran Actress & Singer Julie Andrews with 'Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement'!

Julie Andrews in Disney's film 'Mary Poppins' (1964).

In the beginning of her film career Julie Andrews won 'Oscar' Award of Best Actress for her title role in Disney's film 'Mary Poppins' (1964). Then her famous role came as Maria Von Trapp in Robert Wise made classic musical 'The Sound of Music' (1965) for which she won 'Golden Globe of Best Actress'. Then films from 'Star' (1968) to 'That's life!' (1986) she gave notable performances on screen!

Julie Andrews & that time child artists in classic 'The Sound of Music' (1965).

I still remember nice scene from 'The Sound of Music' in which Julie Andrews as Maria gives lesson of music to children in the beautiful nature saying "A very good place to start"..And then all sings with her "Do..Re..Mi.."

Congratulation to her on award!!

- Manoj Kulkarni