BYE BOND!

JAMES BOND SEAN CONNERY..

NO MORE!

MISSION COMPLETED AND HE LEFT THIS WORLD!

HOMAGE!

- Manoj Kulkarni

IRON LADY OF INDIA!

Today is 36th death anniversary of former Prime Minister of our India.. Smt. Indiraji Gandhi!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

IRON MAN OF INDIA!

Today is 145th Birth Anniversary of..Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel!

He was the first Deputy Prime Minister & Home Minister of our India!

Here are rare pictures of Sardar with first Prime Minister of our India..Pt. Jawaharlal Nehruji!

Humble Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"PRETTY WOMAN.."

TODAY IS BIRTHDAY OF HOLLYWOOD'S FEMALE SUPERSTAR FAVOURITE BEAUTIFUL JULIA ROBERTS!

AND THIS IS 30TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR OF HER MOST FAMOUS FILM 'PRETTY WOMAN'!

BEST WISHES TO HER!!

- MANOJ KULKARNI

TODAY IS 75TH BIRTHDAY OF MS. APARNA SEN..RENOWNED BENGALI ACTRESS AND FILMMAKER!

WE ALWAYS HAD NICE MEETINGS & INTERACTIONS IN FILM FESTIVALS!

WARM REGARDS..APARNAJI!

SUBHO JANMODIN!!

- MANOJ KULKARNI

EMOTIONAL MEET OF LEE WITH BERGMAN!

This picture is, when Taiwanese master filmmaker Ang Lee met great Swedish filmmaker Ingmar Bergman in 2006!

Bergman's great film 'The Virgin Spring' (1960) had a tremendous impact on Ang Lee when he was a student of cinema in Taiwan! And coincidence that Lee introduced Criterion Collection of DVD of this film!

Climax of Bergman's great film 'The Virgin Spring' (1960).

So when Lee met to Bergman for that, he became very emotional!

Yesterday was Ang Lee's birthday and I remembered this!

'The Virgin Spring' is my favourite film also and I wrote a lot on it!

- Manoj Kulkarni

LOLLYWOOD SPECIAL!

MAYA ALI IN SHOAIB MANSOOR'S FILM!

Beautiful Pak actress Maya Ali!

Pak filmmaker Shoaib Mansoor

This is good news that, Maya Ali is going to play lead role in Shoaib Mansoor's next film. I always admire the work of these finest actress & director of contemporary Pakistani Cinema!

Recently I wrote here about beautiful Maya Ali's come back on small screen with serial 'Pehli si.. Mohabbat'! And now this news about her acting in renowned Shoaib Mansoor's film. This is her just third appearance on big screen. Emmad Irfani is acting alongwith her in it which is titled 'ABG'!

Shoaib Mansoor is brilliant filmmaker who always comes with strong social themes. I watched his - earlier films 'Khuda kay liye' (2007) & 'Bol' (2011) in film festivals here! But missed his third film.. 'Verna' (2017). 

Recently I watched song "Dua-E-Reem" wrote, composed & directed by Shoaib Mansoor! This is a statement of woman and pretty Mahira Khan performed nicely in it!

Best wishes to both!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

RAY'S STRONG SOCIAL 'DEVI'!

Sharmila Tagore on Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Devi's (1960) poster.

In these days I also remembered great Satyajit Ray's Bengali film 'Devi' (Goddess) which focused on 'Superstition'!

Chhabi Biswas & Sharmila Tagore in film 'Devi' (1960).

In 1960, Ray made this film 'Devi' on a short story written by Provatkumar Mukhopadhyay. This story take place in the landlord family of rural Bengal. Kalikinkar Choudhuri (devoted follower of goddess Kali) sees his daughter-in-law Doyamoyee as an avatar of goddess in dream. And starts worshiping her. His elder son and other people also joins him in it. But her sister-in-law finds this ridiculous and she calls Doyamoyee's husband Umaprasad. He returns from Kolkata and sees his wife confused & bound to superstitions!

Soumitra Chatterjee & Sharmila Tagore in 'Devi' (1960).

Legendary actor Chhabi Biswas did the role of father-in-law Kalikinkar in it. Sharmila Tagore portrayed his daughter-in-law Doyamoyee who had to behave like avatar. Soumitra Chatterjee acted as her husband. Purnendu Mukherjee, Karuna Banerjee, Anil Chatterjee, Arpan Chowdhury are in supportive roles!

 

This is Satyajit Ray's strong cinematic comment on social issue. His cinematographer Subrata Mitra appropriately captured the scenes and Dulal Dutta precisely edited a film. Ustad Ali Akbar Khan composed the music accordingly!

Great Satyajit Ray.

This 60 years old film is still contemporary in this so called educated & intellectual society, in which people are still lives with 'such beliefs'!!

Tribute to this important film!!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

RITUPARNO'S 'UTSAB'!

Poster of Bengali film 'Utsab' (2000).

In these festive days, I remembered sensitive Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh's film 'Utsab' (2000) which is now in its 20th anniversary year!

Bengali filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh

Rituparno himself wrote this film which was produced by Tapan Biswas. On the backdrop of Durga Puja festival, this is contemporary picture of cultured Bengali family. Its members gathers to celebrate Durga Puja in their tradional old house. But all are with their problems like relationships & commercial matters!

Through his sensible style of direction, Rituparno focused on all such emotions in it! For this Abhik Mukhopadhyay did effective camera work and Arghya Kamala Mitra edited film properly. Then Debajyoti Mishra composed the music suitable to this Bengali festival!

Scene of Bengali film 'Utsab' (2000).

All artists naturally portryed their characters in this film. These includes.. veterans Madhabi Mukherjee, Pradip Mukherjee, Deepankar De, Mamata Shankar to Arpita Pal. And Bengali cinema's superstars too..handsome Prasenjit Chatterjee & beautiful Rituparna Sengupta!

I watched 'Utsab' in 'MAMI's 'Mumbai Film Festival'. After its screening we had memorable interaction with Rituparno. In discussion, I mentioned "this film recollects Satyajit Ray's 'Shakha Proshakha' (1990)". He agreed on it and said "Yes, 'Shakha Proshakha' and Ray's 'Kanchenjungha' (1962) too!"

Rituparna Sengupta & Prasenjit Chatterjee in 'Utsab' (2000)

Rituparno Ghosh won 'National Award of Best Director' for this film!

It's tribute to 'Utsab'!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

THEN SHE GOT FILM 'GANDHI'!

Two legends..Bhanuji Athaiya & Richard Attenborough with 'Oscar' Awards!

Renowned Costume Designer of our India..Bhanuji Athaiya is no more! She got worldwide fame due to her work for Richard Attenborough's film 'Gandhi' for which she won 'Oscar'!

But that was not her first international assignment. Before that in 1972 she worked for Indo-American film 'Siddharth' which was directed by Conrad Rooks! That was film adaptation of German-born Swiss poet Hermann Hesse's novel of same name. It tells the story of young Siddhartha and his search for a meaningful way of life!

Cinematographer Sven Nykvist

Filmmaker Conrad Rooks!

This film 'Siddharth' was.. cinematographed by renowned Swedish cameraman Sven Nykvist who was wellknown for his outstanding work for great filmmaker Ingmar Bergman. In this includes my favourites 'Virgin Spring' & 'Persona'!

Our famous international star Shashi Kapoor portrayed the title role in film 'Siddharth'. Another such actress beautiful Simi Garewal played the role of Kamala, who comes in his sensual life! And their costumes were designed by Bhanu Athaiya. For that she made appropriate simple & royal attire!

Shashi Kapoor & beautiful Simi Garewal in film 'Siddharth' (1972).

Simi Garewal was so impressed by that iconic costume for her. Then she recommended Bhanu Athaiya to legendary Richard Attenborough who was going to start his great film 'Gandhi'!

And rest is history! 

Bhanu Athaiya won 'Oscar' for film 'Gandhi'!!

Tribute to Bhanuji Athaiya & film 'Siddharth' too!!

And it's 73rd Birthday of this evergreen pretty actress of Cinema & TV.. Simi Garewal.  

Best wishes her!

- Manoj Kulkarni 

BHANU ATHAIYA NO MORE!

Renowned Costume Designer Bhanuji Athaiya with 'Oscar' Award!

Sad news that our legendary Costume Designer Bhanuji Athaiya passed away today!

Vyjayanthimala costume designed by

Bhanu Athaiya for 'Amrapali' (1966).

During her almost 50 years of career she did outstanding costume design work for over 100 films. In this includes films of Guru Dutt, Raj Kapoor, Yash Chopra to Vidhu Vinod Chopra & Ashutosh Gowarikar. And for English filmmaker Richard Attenborough!

She won Filmfare and National Awards too. And she became the first Indian to win 'Oscar' & that was for Attenborough's film 'Gandhi'!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

DOVZHENKO'S GREAT FILM 'EARTH'..90!

On current farmers issues here, I rememberd Soviet/Ukrainian master filmmaker & screenwriter Alexander Dovzhenko's 'Earth' (1930) which is in its 90th anniversary year!

Soviet/Ukrainian filmmaker Alexander Dovzhenko shooting 'Earth' (1930)

This film shows.. clashes between rich landlords and poor farmers who are in process of collective farming! Dovzhenko wrote the scenario of this film keeping in mind the newfound collectivisation of villages in Ukraine and described as.. 'Period of economic transformation'!

This was Dovzhenko's first film with historic 'Kiev Studio'. He himself edited this film which was realistically cinematographed by Danylo Demutsky. For this film Levko Revutsky composed the music. Artists Stepan Shkurat, Semyon Svashenko, Yelena Maksimova, Nikolai Nademsky & famous Yuliya Maksimova naturally portrayed their characters in this film.

'Earth' (original name 'Zemlya') is the third part (after 'Zvenigora' and 'Arsenal') of Dovzhenko's 'Ukraine Trilogy'. Agricultural developments of his home country and socio-political scenes of this film became hot topic that time!

Tribute to this masterpiece of great Dovzhenko!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Sad to know renowned Serbian filmmaker & screenwriter Goran Paskaljevic passed away!

Remembering nice meetings him in our film festivals!

Admired his cinema and wrote on it!

 Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

 

SHEKHAR KAPUR ON 'FTII'!

Good news that, veteran actor-filmmaker Shekhar Kapur has been appointed as the President of 'Film and Television Institure of India'!

As a director he handled different genre of cinema. In this includes films.. sensitive 'Masoom' (1983), contemporary 'Bandit Queen' (1994) and biopic 'Elizabeth' (1998) with which he achieved international fame!

I had always nice interaction with Shekhar Kapur during film festivals like our 'IFFI'!

Best wishes to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'PAADUM NILA'..WENT TO SKY!

South Indian legendary singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam!

"Tere mere bich mein kaisa hai yeh bandhan anjaana.."
It's SPB song which is lingering in cine music lovers mind after his death!

Rati Agnihotri & Kamal Haasan in 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981)

This song is from K. Balachander's superhit film.. 'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981) which introduced singer S. P. Balasubrahmanyam to Hindi Cinema. That was a remake of director's hit Telugu film 'Maro Charitra' (1978). Kamal Haasan was also there in lead with Saritha & in it's Hindi version he played same intense lover with pretty Rati Agnihotri. Their passionate love touched our hearts in college days!

In 1966 SPB got break as playback singer in Telugu film industry with 'Sri Sri Sri Maryada Ramanna'! After few days he got opportunity to sing for Kannada film 'Nakkare Ade Swarga'. Coiincidently both the films were connected to comedians. First produced by B. Padmanabham and second was acted by T. R. Narasimharaju!

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam singing composition of  Ilaiyaraaja!

Surprisingly, he recorded first Tamil song not released! In 1969 he became known in this prominent film industry with duets he sung with P. Sushila. Those songs were "Iyarkai ennum.." for Gemini Ganeshan acted 'Shanti Nilayam' and "Aayiram nilavae vaa.." for legend M. G. Ramachandran's 'Adimaippenn'. After that he sung for Malayalam with G. Devarajan's film 'Kadalppalam'!

SPB achieved national & international fame with K. Viswanath's film 'Sankarabharanam' (1980). This film focused on the roots of classical music and even though he was not trained, sung Carnatic music composed by K. V. Mahadevan. J. V. Somayajulu and Manju Bhargavi intensely portrayed characters devoted to classical music in it!

S.P. Balasubrahmanyam & Kamal Haasan singer-actor hit combination!

SPB won National award of 'Best Play-back Singer' for 'Sankarabharanam'. Then again he won same for Hindi film 'Ek Duje Ke Liye'. For this he sung with legendary Lata Mangeshkarji. All songs wrote by Anand Bakshi and composed by Lakshmikant-Pyarelal became hit. Among these my favourite is.."Hum tum donon jab mil jayenge.."

Then SPB sung more Tamil songs with S. Janaki composed by the maestro.. Ilaiyaraaja with whom he attached in early days of music troupe. There notable combination includes K. Vishwanath's films 'Saagara Sangamam' (1983), 'Swathi Muthyam' (1986) and K. Balachander's 'Rudraveena' (1988). For these films both won National Awards!

Bhagyashree & Salman Khan in hit Hindi film..
'Maine Pyar Kiya's (1989) song "Mere rang mein.."

Again in 1989 SPB became sensation with his playback in Hindi cinema which happened due to Salman Khan's first hit 'Maine Pyar Kiya'. I saw the picturisation of his song "Mere rang mein ranganewali.." in 'Nataraj Studio' at Mumbai. 'Rajashri's Sooraj Barajatya nicely filmed that on Salman & pretty Bhagyashree! He won 'Filmfare's Best Playback Singer' awad.Then he became Salman's voice. With hit film 'Hum Aapke Hain Koun' (1994) again actor-director-singer & music director RamLaxman collaboration hit the box-office!

In new era..SPB sung with music directors like A. R. Rahman for film 'Roja' (1992). Title song of this Mani Ratnam's contemporary film touched the hearts! Then after big gap he sung for Hindi film 'Chennai Express' (2013) in the music of Vishal-Shekhar and that was for Shahrukh Khan!

Hit combination for Bollywood..Salman Khan & S.P. Balasubrahmanyam

SPB sung over..

40000 songs in our 16 Indian languages during his career which is 'Guinnes World Record'! He won various awards includes 6 National and about 7 Filmfare. And he was honoured with state 'NTR Award' and 'Padma Bhushan' by our Government of India!

SPB was named as 'Paadum Nila' (Singing Moon)..So went to sky.!

Homage to this devoted singer & good human being!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Hope in Sight & Rani's great role!!

Rani Mukerji & Amitabh Bachchan in Bhansali's film 'Black' (2005).

On 'World Sight Day', I remembered great performance of pretty Rani Mukerji in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's offbeat film 'Black' (2005). This was inspired from the real life of blind academic & activist Helen Keller! In this film Rani portrayed blind-deaf girl very intensely which touched the heart!

Rani Mukerji & Amitabh Bachchan in well filmed scene of 'Black' (2005)

In this film Rani superbly shared frame with legendary Amitabh Bachchan who did the role of her teacher. This critically acclaimed film was premiered at 'Cannes film festival' and got admiration internationally!

Rani Mukerji's touching performance in 'Black' (2005).

'Black' won National Awards of Best film, costume design & to actor Amitabh Bachchan! And Rani won 'Filmfare Best Actress'; But missed her national award which that time Sarika won for film 'Parzania'! Actually Amitabh's role (latter comes in Alzheimer) was sympathetic. Compare to that, Rani was the real protagonist of that film and she was deserving national award for her powerful performance!

I admired Rani for that role, which is her career best performance!

- Manoj Kulkarni