Rare/old picture of 1949 before shooting of our classic Indian film 'Andaz'!

It's great filmmaker Mehboob Khan and great artists Nargis & Dilip Kumar talking with Nargis' mother JaddanBai in it!

MAKING & PRESENTING OF MASTERPIECE!

Here are two rare pictures of great filmmaker of our India..Mehboob Khan and his milestone movie' Mother India' (1957)..

Mehboobji directing one of the important scenes of ..
this film to Sunil Dutt, Rajendra Kumar & Nargis!

Mehboobji at premier of this film with..

Nargis, Rajendra Kumar, Raj Kumar & Sunil Dutt!

This film focused on exploitation of farmer & woman by moneylender through a story of poverty-stricken woman who raises her sons in hard struggle!
Nargisji greatly portrayed this character!

This film achieved international recognition with awards and entered in 'Oscar' also!

Mehboob sahab's death anniversary just happened!..Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Like Father Like Son!!

Bllywood king Khan Shahrukh's cute son AbRam is growing in SRK's pose!

Now here is very old & rare picture..

Respected First Prime Minister of our India..Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and..
acting king of our Indian Cinema..Yusuf Khan..Dilip Kumar!

An informal meet!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TWO 'BHARAT RATNAS'!!

Rare picture of two great Prime Ministers of our India..
Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru and Shri. Lal Bahadur Shastri!

These days we can not see such informal picture!

Salute them!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ROLES CHANGED!

"Har ghadi badal rahi hai roop zindagi
Chaav hai kabhi, kabhi hai dhoop zindagi
Har pal yahaan.. jee bhar jiyo..
Jo hai samaa.. kal ho naa ho.."

Javed sahab wrote this touchy title song of..
'Kal Ho Na Ho' (2003). And in the music of.. Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy..nicely sung by Sonu Nigam! Bollywood's sensible filmmaker Karan Johar wrote and produced this after his first two directorial ventures! Superstar Shah rukh Khan - portrayed it's central intense character!

Though Nikhil Advani directed this movie, we can not ignore Karan's touch!

But in this outdoor shooting picture.. roles changed -
Karan giving pose & Shahrukh taking shot with camera!

Today is Karan - Johar's birthday

Regards to him!!

-Manoj Kulkarni

"Maine poochha Chand se..
ke dekha hai kahi mere yaar sa hasin."

On Chand raat of Eid..here is romantic song from 40 years old classic film 'Abdullah'!

Written by Anand Bakshi and in the music of R. D. Burman..sung by Mohammed Rafi!

In 1980..actor-director Sanjay Khan made this unique film. 
Cinematographer V. Gopi Krishna superbly pictured this song on handsome Khan & beautiful Zeenat Aman in it!

Roomani ho jaaye.!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"Mujhe mil gaya bahaana teri deed ka.."

On the eve of Eid..here is appropriate song from 60 years old film 'Barsat ki raat'!

Written by Sahir and in the music of Roshan..sung by Lata Mangeshkar!

In 1960 P.L. Santoshi made this film in which Bharat Bhushan & Madhubala were lead!
But this song was pictured on Shyama and Ratna (Bhushan).

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Pretty Leena Chandavarkar & superstar Rajesh Khanna in 

'Mehboob Ki Mehndi's (1971) song "Yeh jo chilman hai.."

Romantic song sequence..starts in rangeen mahal with Lakhnavi shan-o-shaukat..And hero comes in nawabi tahzeeb..goes towards beautiful young heroine behind the curtain..

He express.."Yunhi kabhi kabhi to nazara karenge hum.."
Then she replies from the curtain.."Parda utar gaya jo rukh-e-mahtab se.."

Roomani shayari comes in the beginning of Rafi's romantic song "Yeh jo chilman hai.."

That time superstar Rajesh Khanna & pretty gorgeous Leena Chandavarkar portrayed this scene of Izhar-E-Mohabbat in Lakhnavi nazakat!

This is my sixteenth picture..from 'Mehboob Ki Mehndi' (1971)..Again a film made by my favourite filmmaker H. S. Rawail..famous for making romantic Muslim Socials!

Pretty Leena Chandavarkar and superstar Rajesh Khanna in

'Mehboob Ki Mehndi's (1971) song "Mere deewanepan ki.."

Special thing about this was Rajesh Khanna co-produced this film (with the fascination of this genre) with H. S. Rawail. And on his story-screenplay.. Gulzar & Anjana Rawail wrote the dialogues of it!

Reflecting the Muslim culture & tahzeeb of Nawab era..it's story takes place in complex social situation..Yusuf from royal family attracts towards beautiful singer Shabana who is a daughter of courtesan..and then their marriage becomes difficult! Here is also this genre focused on the importance of education in this community. It's Shabana does the job of tutor and takes care of her family!

Rajesh Khanna and Leena Chandavarkar beautifully played the romantic lead of this film! Character artists acted with them were Mumtaz Begum, Iftekhar, Jagdish Raj & Pradeep Kumar in a different kind of role!

Munir Khan cinematographed and V. K. Naik (who latter became Marathi filmmaker).. edited this film! For this well known art director Sudhendu Roy created classic nawabi mahol and Rawail sahab directed this love story with his roomani shakhsiyat!

Pretty sweet look of Leena  Chandavarkar in it!

This film is also considered as romantic musical in this genre. Anand Bakshi wrote the lovely lyrics for this. And music - director Lakshmikant-Pyarelal composed them superbly! These songs were sung by Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar, Kishor kumar and Hemlata! In this, Lataji's title song & meaningful "Jane kyon log mohabbat kiya karate hain.." and duets with Rafiji (above mentioned &).. "Itna to yaad hai mujhe.." and with Kishorji.. "Mere deewanepan ki.." are still touches the romantic hearts!

This film is counted among the 17 consecutive hit films of superstar Rajesh Khanna!
And memorable for beautiful sweet look of Leenaji!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Jaya Bhaduri & Amitabh Bachchan in film 'Ek Nazar's(1972) song "Patta patta."

"Patta patta buta buta..haal hamaraa jaane hai..
Jane na jane gul hi na jaane baagh to sara jane hai.."

This was original great Urdu poet Mir Taqi Mir's sher!
Like Ghalib,..Mir's shayari also inspired to our renowned poets to write lyrics on that!

Fimmaker B.R. Ishara with Jaya Bhaduri & Amitabh Bachchan

during shooting of his 'Ek Nazar' (1972).

So our favourite Majrooh - Sultanpuri wrote a song.. started from this sher for Hindi film 'Ek Nazar'! 
In the music of Laxmikant-Pyarelal it was nicely sung by Mohammed Rafi and Lata - Mangeshkar. And that was filmed on Amitabh Bachchan & Jaya Bhaduri. This is my fifteenth picture!

In 1972, B. R. Ishara wrote-directed this social film 'Ek Nazar' for producers Anil - Khanna & A. C. Diwan. And Rajkumar Bedi wrote lyrical dialogues of it. This film is not directly related to the genre of this series; but the female protagonist of this.. Shabnam's difficult social background was connected to that. And this was an - emotional inter-religion love story between poet Akash and tawayaf Shabnam!

In this (like his father) - Amitabh Bachchan appeared as sensiteve poet. It was before the making of his 'angry young man' image and he was not a star. But Jaya Bhaduri was star-actress that time. People loved their on screen chemistry..which latter turned in to their marriage!

Anyway, this film was one of their unique association on screen!
And that song is..one of my favourite romantic songs!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Shashi Kapoor as Urdu poet in 'Merchant-Ivory Productions' 'Muhafiz' (1993).

I admire the culture of Muslim Social genre and specifically Urdu language & shayari is my favourite!

So my forteenth picture is about a tragedy of veteran Urdu poet who used as metaphor for showing clash between modernization & tradition in.. film 'Muhafiz!

In 1993..internationally famous 'Merchant-Ivory Productions' made this film which - was based on novel 'The Custody' written by Anita Desai. She also wrote it's script with Pakistani screenwriter Shahrukh Husain! Then Ismail Merchant directed this film very sensibly! Lovleen Bains designed costumes for it. Larry Pizen did the cinematography and Roberto Silvi edited the film!

Sushama Seth, Shabana Azmi & Shashi Kapoor in film 'Muhafiz' (1993).

This film shows one renowned Urdu poet Nur who is living (retired) comfortable life surrounded by well-wishers, relatives and wives. One this language and shayari lover professor Deven comes to visits him in Bhopal for writing article about this veteran! And what he sees is..this overweight poet's boring lifestyle and complex situation..in which poet's third wife selling his poems as her own!

Shashi Kapoor & Om Puri in film 'Muhafiz' (1993).

Merchant Ivory's favourite our legendary actor Shashi Kapoor portrayed Urdu poet Nur in it! And..Sushama Seth, Shabana Azmi & Neena Gupta played the roles of his wives. Great Om - Puri acted as professor Deven! Apart from these main artists there are other supportives like Parikshit Sahni, Tinu Anand & Amjad Khan played special role as musician!

Two maestros..Zakir Hussain & Ustad Sultan Khan!

This film was musically royal. Tabla maestro Zakir Hussain and Sarangi maestro Ustad - Sultan Khan composed music 
of it. Artists with instruments involved in it were..Sunil Das (sitar), Ulhas Bapat (santoor), Ronu Majumdar (flute) & Sadiq Qureshi (duf). Vocalists were.. Hariharan, Suresh Wadkar, Shankar Mahadevan & Kavita - Krishnamurthy!

This internationally acclaimed film was specially screened at 'Tokyo Film Festival'. And this film won two national awards includes..'Best Art Director' to Suresh Sawant and 'Special Jury Award' to.. Shashi Kapoorji!

- Manoj Kulkarni

BAD HUMAN BEING!

In my series of..I wrote here about contemporary film 'Bazaar' (1982) which raised serious issue regarding young girls in this community! 
In film, roles & intensity of Smita Patil, Farooq Shaikh & Supriya Pathak were so touchy!

But I can not talk about other (in beard) in this poster. Artist should be good human being! Unfortunately my experience about this arrogant, rude person is not good!

Like earlier I mentioned about few artists..their screen image and reality not same!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Supriya Pathak & Farooq Shaikh in emotional scene of Sagar Sarhadi's 'Bazar' (1982)

Yesterday while posting the twelfth picture..I focused on the pioneering films in our Muslim Social cinema..which started showing the struggle of young generation to live the life they prefer & with whom they want!

Sagar Sarhadi & Smita Patil during filming 'Bazar' (1982)

Now here is my thirteenth picture of contemporary film 'Bazaar' (1982).. on very serious problem which girls of this community are facing!
Vijay Talwar produced this film and was directed by Sagar Sarhadi..the screenplay writer of 'Yash Raj Films' famous 'Noorie' and 'Kabhi Kabhi'!

Ibrahim Rungala wrote this film.. which raised the issue of poor young girls selling in this country..mostly to Arabs! For this..there is tragic - story of a young girl in Hyderabad in the centre. It shows how she forced to go with rich middle-aged man in gulf..just because the financial need of her parents..how the surrounding society & some 'progressive persons' reacts on it!

Sagar Sarhadi handled this plot very sensibly in realistic approach towards the making of film! Great 'Garm Hawa' fame cinematographer Ishan Arya - worked on it and made the visuals effective. In this S.Chakravarty's editing also supported! Artists like Smita Patil, Naseer, Bharat Kapoor, B.L.Chopra, Neesha Singh, Farooq Shaikh and Supriya - Pathak performed the characters in it. And today's star Tabu appeared as a child artist!

Supriya Pathak & Farooq Shaikh in 'Bazar's(1982) song "Phir chhidi raat.."

Well known urdu poets' shayari used for it..and music director Khayyamji composed them with that standard! In this includes.. Lata Mangeshkar sung great Mir Taqi Mir's "Dikhayee diye yun..", Bhupendra Singh sung Bashar Nawaz's "Karoge yaad to har baat yaad aayegi.." and Khayyamji's singer-wife Jagjit Kaur sung Mirza Shauq's "Dekh lo aaj humko jee bharke.." were superb! On such emotional lyrics..Supriya Pathak who portrayed central main character..expressed powerfully!

In this, Hyderabad's progressive Urdu poet Makhdoom Mohiuddin wrote.. "Phir chhidi raat..baat phoolon ki.." is my favourite duet which sung by.. Talat Aziz & Lata Mangeshkar..and picturized on Farooq Shaikh & Supriya Pathak. (see it's photo on cover here). In this their passionate love touches the heart!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Sunil Dutt, Rehman, Prithviraj Kapoor & Meena Kumari on poster of 'Gazal' (1964).

"Rang aur Noor ki baarat kise pesh karoon..
Yeh muraadon ki hasin raat kise pesh karoon.."

"Rang aur Noor ki barat kise pesh karoon.."
Sunil Dutt-Meena Kumari in 'Gazal's(1964) song!

Progressiv writer express this emotions.. when sees his love getting marry to nawab!

This is my twelfth picture or focus on the Muslim Social cinema.. which shows the struggle of young generation to live life..
they prefer and with whom they want.. through films like this 'Gazal'!

Urdu poet Agha Jani Kashmiri & Majnu Lucknowi wrote classic film 'Gazal' (1964) which produced & directed by Ved-Madan! Story set in Agra where editor of 'Inquilab' Ejaz (Sunil Dutt) loves Naaz Ara Begum - (Meena Kumari) and her singing; but her Nawab father (Prithviraj Kapoor) arrange her nikah with Umrao Akhtar (Rehman). 

Sahir Ludhianvi wrote the ghazals of this film and Madan Mohan composed the music for them! In this Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar sung (male-female versions) title song and "Naghma o sher ki saugaat.." And Duttsahab & Meena Kumariji's tragic performance in it..lajawaab!

Munawar Sultana & singer-actor Surendra 

in Mehboob Khan's film 'Elaan' (1947).

Now we go in flash back and see two pioneering films of this 'Muslim Social'..made by our great filmmaker Mehboob Khan! In 1947 he made.. 'Elaan' which was the first film to look at Indian Muslims from the inside. This film critisized.. traditional thinking and backwardness! This - successful film wrote by Zia Sarhadi who made good films in India and went to Pakistan after partition! Munawwar Sultana and singer-actor Surendra were the lead artists of this film and Naushad Ali composed the music for it!

Ashok Kumar & Veena in 'Mehboob -

Productions' first film 'Najma' (1943).

Before that in 1943 'Mehboob Productions' made first film 'Najma' was like a blueprint for this genre! This emphasized importance of education and necessity for development within Muslim community! But this film's upper class Lakhnawi protagonists follows
the traditions & tehzeeb! This film was also written by Agha Jani Kashmiri and Anjum - Pilibhiti wrote the lyrics which composed by Rafiq Ghaznavi! Veena portrayed wealthy - girl Najma and Ashok Kumar did the role of medical student in it! For this, Khansahab - paid Dadamuni one lakh which was a record at that time!

Anyway, these films started this sensitive genre which became a special identity of our Indian cinema!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Beautiful Mala Sinha in Hindi-Urdu film 'Mere Huzoor's (1968) gif image of title song!

"Rukh se zara naqaab utha do Mere Huzoor.."

Handsome Jeetendra asks for showing face in shayarana andaz to beautiful Mala Sinha in this! And it's my eleventh picture here..from 'Mere Huzoor'!

Handsome Jeetendra+pretty Mala Sinha in 'Mere Huzoor'(1968)

Yesterday I uploaded my favourite..H. S. - Rawail's film 'Mere Mehboob's (1964).. picture as 10th cover of my this series! For that film writer Vinod Kumar was associate to Rawail sahab! And next year he became filmmaker with same lyrical and romantic Muslim social genre!

'Jahan Ara' (1964) his debut film was based on life of Jahanara Begum and her... sacrifice. Beautiful Mala Sinha portrayed this character and - Bharat Bhushan came as her love Mirza - Yusuf Changezi!

This film did not achieve commercial success but became good musical. For that music director Madan Mohan composed the meaningful ghazals of Rajinder Krishan. Almost all songs of Talat Mahamood & Lata Mangeshkar like "Aye sanam aaj yeh qasam khaye.." touched the hearts!

Mala Sinha, Jeetendra & Raj Kumar in 'Mere Huzoor'(1968)

Then with Malik Chand Kochar under banner - 'Movie Mughals'..Vinod Kumar produced Hindi-Urdu film 'Mere Huzoor' (1968). He wrote it's - unique triangular love story in which Nawab Salim marries his love lady Saltanat (divorcee with child from her love partner Akhtar) but life of these three takes another turn! Again beautiful.. 
Mala Sinha appeared in this film as Saltanat & handsome Jeetendra did role of her lover Akhtar.. And Raaj Kumar portryed generous Nawab!

Same Lucknowi roomani mahol..which nicely cinematographed by Prakash Antra. Hasrat Jaipuri wrote its romantic songs and Shankar-Jaikishan composed the music. In this they used raga Darbari kanada for Manna Dey sung cassical song "Jhanak - jhanak tori baaje payaliyaa.." which won national award! Apart from this Mohammed Rafi's sung "Gham uthane ke liye main to jiye jaunga.." was also great!

And Jeetendra-Mala Sinha's roomani andaaz in title song..
"Rukh se zara naqaab utha do.." became memorable!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Rajendra Kumar performing Mohammed Rafi sung romantic song..

"Ae Husn zaraa jaag.." on piano in film 'Mere Mehboob' (1963).

"Ae Husn zaraa jaag..Tujhe Ishq jagaaye.."

This song is from one of my top most favourite romantic movies with Urdu Shayaari..'Mere Mehboob' (1963)..the love expressed with Nazakat in it is the real Tehzeeb of expressing love in our Indian style..rather My kind of expressing love!

Romantic director H. S. Rawail discussing with Amita & Sadhana 

before filming song "Mere mehboob' mein kya nahin.." on them!

So my tenth picture here is from 'Mere Mehboob!
My favourite film - maker who was - famous for making lyrical romantic Muslim socials.. Harnam Singh - Rawail best known as H.S.Rawail made this classic movie!

Rawail sahab Produced & Directed this classic Hindi-Urdu film 'Mere Mehboob' (1963) on his co-written script. Story takes place in traditional Lucknow..in which courtesan's poet brother falls in love with the sister of nawab!

Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana in romantic song sequence "Mere Mehboob tujhe."

In this Jubilee star Rajendra Kumar and (Indian Audry Hepburn) pretty Sadhana were the romantic lead.. Anwar and Husna in a Luckhanavi andaaz! With them other artists were.. Ashok Kumar as Nawab Buland - Akhtar, (recently passed away) Nimmi as Anwar's sister Najma, Ameeta as Husna's - cousin Naseem and Pran & Johney Walker in their fixed roles!

Film start with romantic song "Mere Mehboob tujhe.." in which Anwar remembers his first romantic meet with Husna on farewell day..such scenes picturized in the hall and few places of 'Aligarh Muslim University'! G. Singh beautifully cinematographed (with romantic close ups) and Krishan Sachdev sensibly edited this film!

Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana in 'Mere Mehboob's (1963)..

 romantic song "Tumse izhaar-e-haal kar baithe.."

Apart from this..
great Art Director Sudhendu Roy created Lucknowi shayarana mahol nicely for film's romantic song sequences like..
in first mentioned piano song & when Anwar expressed his love to Husna..
in song "Tumse - Izhaar-E-Haal kar baithe." In such scenes..romantic andaaz of Rajendra Kumar & Sadhana was beautiful with Hindustani Tehzeeb!

Shakeel Badayuni wrote nine romantic songs of this film..And music director Naushad Ali composed them in lyrical Lucknowi andaaz. These romanticlly sung by Mohammed Rafi, Lata Mangeshkar & Asha Bhosle!

This film became all time favourite of lovers who are such romantic! Whenever I hear it's title song and other like "Ae husn.." & "Tumse izhaar-e-haal.." I feel nostalgic with lovely memories..and imagine making love in that shayaraana andaaz!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Beautiful Ranjeeta & romantic Rishi Kapoor in H.S. Rawail's 'Laila Majnu' (1976)

"Sangemarmar se tarasha hua ye shokh badan..
itana dilkash hai ki apanane ko dil chahata hai!
..Tumse kya rishta hai, kabse hai..malum nahi
lekin is husn par mar jane ko jee chahata hai!"

Roomani shayari comes in beginning of song sequence "Is reshmi pazeb ki jhankar.."
which Majnu passionately express in front of sleeping Laila in her royal bedroom!

Famous for making romantic costume dramas..H. S. Rawail.. 

filming 'Laila Majnu' (1976) with Rishi Kapoor, Ranjeeta & others!

This is ninth - picture of costume drama scene.. of 'Laila Majnu'(1976) acted by beautiful Ranjeeta & Rishi Kapoor..romantic actor of our cinema ..left us recently!

This film was made by Harnam Singh.. H. S. Rawail who was famous for making romantic Muslim Socials like 'Mere Mehboob'!

Here is a brief history about this immortal love epic & films made on it..

Name of that original Arabic story is 'Majnum Layla' which is about 7th century Najdi Bedouin poet Qays ibn al-Mullawah and his ladylove Layla bint Mahdi (Layla al-Aamiriya). Then during 584-1188 Persian poet Nizami Ganjavi composed this narrative poem as the third part of his 'Khamsa'. It's a popular poem praising their love story! Famous English poet Lord Byron called it "The Romeo and Juliet of the East"!

Shammi Kapoor & Nutan in 'Laila Majnu'(1953)

There are about ten films made on this love epic in various languages 
and regions made on this love epic. 
In 1937 'East India Film Studios' produced this romantic Iranian film with title similar to the original..
'Layla and Majnun!..Pioneer of - Persian sound cinema Abdolhossein Sepanta directed this film and Haji Abed, Manouchehr Arian & Abed - Basravi acted in it!

Then in our South India..three films made on this story. First in Telugu as 'Laila Majnu' (1949) which was - produced & and directed by P. S. - Ramakrishna Rao. In this hit film Akkinei Nageswara Rao & Bhanumathi Ramakrishna portrayed these characters. After that in 1950 Tamil film with same title made by F. Nagoor and..T. R. Mahaligam & M. V. Rajamma did these roles. Then in 1962 Malayalam film with same name made by poet-lyricist P.Bhaskaran and famous stars of those days Prem Nazir & L.Vijayalakshmi played the romantic lead in it!

Rishi Kapoor-Ranjeeta's romantic image

on Rawailji's 'Laila Majnu's(1976) poster.

In 1953 'Laila Majnu' came in 'Hindi.. For that Munshi Dil wrote screenplay and Tabish Sultanpuri written the dialogues. P. N. Arora produced this film directed by K. Amarnath. And Rishi Kapoor's uncle Shammi Kapoor (with mustache) acted with Nutan in it. Shakeel Badayuni wrote the lyrics for this film and..Sardar Malik and Ghulam Mohammad composed the music. Memorable songs in this were Mohammed Rafi sung "Bulbul mein naghme tere..", Talat Mahmood sung "Chal diya karwan.." and Lata - Mangeshkar sung "Aasman wale teri duniya se.."


But as an admirer of H. S. Rawail's cinema.. he made Hindi/Urdu film 'Laila Majnu' (1976) is my favourite! Sahir Ludhiyanvi wrote the songs and Madan Mohan and Jaidev composed the music of it. In this, excellent - natural performances of Ranjeeta-Rishi (as immortal title characters) touched heart! Can not forget their emotional expressions in songs like..

Lata Mangeshkar's "Husn hazir hai.." & Mohammed Rafi's "Barbad-E-Mohabbat.."

That Arabian romantic atmosphere and nazakatdar izahar-e-mohabbat..I love it!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' (1977) Saeed Jaffrey & Sanjeev Kumar!

This is the Birth Centenary year of..one of the greatest filmmakers of world cinema..our 'Bharatratna' and 'Oscar' honoured Satyajit Ray! 
So today's seventh picture is from he made film 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi'..
('The Chess Players'/1977).

Great Hindi writer..Munshi Premchand!

This was Ray's first Hindi/Urdu film which he produced with Suresh Jindal! For this he took the story of same name written by great Hindi author Munshi Premchand! Then Ray wrote screenplay for directing film on it. And assigned to Shama Zaidi & Javed Siddiqi for writing the dialogues according to its mahol & mannerism! After 'Teen Kanya' again Soumendu Roy came as cameraman for Ray in it! And Dulal Dutta did editing! Ray also composed music for this film!

It's story set during the luxurious period of last independently ruling Nawab.. Wajid Ali Shah of Awadh! In this, two noble Mirza Sajjad Ali and Mir Raushan Ali spends their days in playing chess only. They ignore their duties towards family & society..and plays shatranj endlessly!

Ray called superstar Amitabh Bachchan to give his voice as narrator for this film. (This was not that surprising because AB also did same job for Mrinal Sen's landmark film.. 'Bhuvan Shome' few years back).

Great filmmaker Satyajit Ray with great actors Sanjeev Kumar & Saeed Jaffrey

during shooting of his film 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' (1977) in Lucknow!

Then Ray chose - two great actors.. Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey for the roles of Mirza & Mir. With them.. Shabana Azmi & Farida Jalal acted as their wives. And Amjad Khan did the role of Wajid Ali Shah! Apart from these main characters, Victor Banerjee acted as Madar-ud-Daula (Prime Minister) whereas great - Richard Attenborough came as British General & Tom Alter as Captain!

Sanjeev Kumar and Saeed Jaffrey superbly played these unique characters in Lucknavi nawabi andaz of living! This film won 'National Award'!

I still remember simbolic scene of this film..when Britishers were steping in Awadh, these two chess crazy men were in their game saying..
"Chal mere pyade bismillah..!"

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Cute Sonu & great Balraj Sahni as/in film 'Kabuliwala' (1961).

Recently there was a birth anniversary of our great Indian Author and Poet.. Rabindranatha Tagore! There are some classic films made on his literature!

So today's sixth picture is from a film based on his sensitive story..'Kabuliwala'! 
It's not exactly related with Muslim Social genre but its protagonist..Afghan Pathan was from such background! In 1892 Tagore wrote this story which is about Hazara merchant who comes from Kabul to Calcutta for selling dry-fruits and while living in India he becomes a friend with little girl Mini!

In 1961 legendary Bengali filmmaker Bimal Roy produced this film and Marathi author- filmmaker Vishram Bedekar wrote it's screenplay with S. Khalil. And Hemen Gupta directed this film. Bimalda's master cameraman Kamal Bose cinematographed this film & Madhu Prabhavalkar did editing.

Balraj Sahni, Usha Kiran & Sonu on poster of Bimal Roy's 'Kabuliwala' (1961).

In this film great actor Balraj Sahni portrayed title role Abdul Rehman Khan sensitively and Sonu acted as little Mini cutely! Marathi actress Usha Kiran did girl's mother's role. Sajjan, Baby Farida were also there!

Music was also important part of this film..which contributed in expressing emotions! Prem Dhawan & Gulzar wrote the lyrics for it and Salil Choudhury composed..like a mixture of Bengali & Afghani tunes. One side Hemant Kumar sung "Ganga aaye kahan se.." and another side Manna Dey sung "Aye mere pyaare watan.." In that he used instrument Rabab also!

In this, away from home..Kabuliwala sees his daughter in Mini. His emotional - involvement in her touched the hearts! Balraj ji just lived this character as usual!

I still get emotional while watching it!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

WHEN TWO 'NOBEL' LAUREATE MEETS!

Meeting of great Physicist Albert Einstein & Guru Rabindranath Tagore

Recently there was a 159th Birth Anniversary of Our great Indian Author and Poet.. Rabindranath Thakur..known as Tagore! He was the first non-European to win the 'Nobel Prize in Literature'!

Great Tagore & Einstein..after historical Meeting!

And last month there was death anniversary of German born - great Physicist Albert Einstein! Now 65 years over..he left this world! He developed 'Theory of Relativity' and won 'Nobel Prize in Physics'!

These two great intellectuals met in 1930 at Berlin. They discussed age-old friction - between science and religion. Their conversation centered..
on the 'Nature of Reality'!

This is a rare picture of their almost 90 years old historical meeting!!

Humble Tributes to these two genius!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

IMAGES ON SCREEN & REAL!!

On today's 'Mother's Day' remembered our great Marathi film 'Shyamchi Aai' (1953)..based on an autobiography of very sensitive writer Sane Guruji!

Madhav Vaze & Vanmala in Marathi film 'Shyamchi Aai' (1953)

Famous writer-journalist P. K. Atre made this film..which was the first to.. win our 'President Award'!

Very natural performances of these two main artists in this film..touched the hearts! 
But in reality, I observed their different attitude!

Again like RK some artists on & off screen not same!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SPECIAL FOCUS ON FAVOURITE GENRE OF OUR CINEMA!

Shayar Kaifi Azmi & pretty Mayuri Kango in Mirza's film 'Naseem' (1995)

Today is 18th death anniversary of progressive Urdu Poet Athar Hussein Rizvi..known as Kaifi Azmi!..His contemporary & progressive poetry came in our Indian cinema and got admiration! But few knows that he also acted in film!

Strong contemporary filmmaker Saeed Akhtar Mirza!

So today's fifth picture is from strong contemporary filmmaker Saeed Akhtar Mirza's movie 'Naseem' (1995) in which Kaifi sahab did memorable character! He acted as grandfather of teenage girl which played by pretty cute Mayuri - Kango. Their delicate relationship is used to describe the growing socio-political tensions between two main communities of our country (due to demolition of Babri mosque) during June and December, 1992!

Famous for making films with long.. titles Saeed Akhtar Mirza is one of the prominent directors in the Parallel - Cinema movement of our country! This time he made film with one word title 'Naseem' which has great hidden meaning..and this comes in the dialogue of Kaifisahab's character!

'NFDC' produced this film and Saeed Akhtar Mirza sensibly wrote and directed. Its suggestive visuals cinematographed by Virendra Saini and edited by Javed Sayyed. Mirza won two National Awards for his screenplay & direction of this film!

Kaifiji & Mayuri in emotional scene of Mirza's film 'Naseem' (1995).

I watched 'Naseem' in the 'Indian - Panorama' of our 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) held at Delhi in 1996. And I had good interaction with Mirzaji and Mayuri in it! I have been meeting this strong filmmaker for the last thirty years. In 1989 he showed his film 'Salim langade pe mat ro' in our 'Film Appreciation Course' at 'FTII'. That was also his strong cinematic comment on the contemporary social situation!

But I very much admire his film 'Naseem' because of controlled & sensitive approach!

I still remember Kaifisahab's dadaji meaningfully says to lovable granddaughter in it, 
"Naseem tum ho na seem!"
(Meaning of Urdu word 'Naseem' is 'fresh good air' and 'seem' means opposite that!)

Tribute to this one of my favourite contemporary films!!

- Manoj Kulkarni