Making contemporary films better than focusing (uncertain) history & mythology!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MOTHER-DAUGHTER LOVE!

 

Mother-actress Debbie Reynolds & daughter-actress Carrie Fisher!

Now five years are over..Actress-singer Debbie Reynolds had left this world after the death of her daughter-actress Carrie Fisher!

 

Debbie Reynolds & Gene Kelly in 'Singing in the Rain' (1952).

Singing actress of Hollywood musicals..Debbie Reynolds got recognition with her character of Helen Kane in film 'Three Little Words' (1950). Then she became famous with the musical 'Singing in the Rain' (1952) which made by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly the dancing star who played lead in it! Then her performance in song "Tammy.." of film 'Tammy and the Bachelor' (1957) was hit! Her other notable films were 'The Unsinkable Molly Brown' (1964), 'What's the matter with Helen?' (1971) & 'Mother' (1996).

 

Mark Hamill & Carrie Fisher in film 'Star Wars' (1977).

Actress Carrie Fisher appeared on screen with 'Shampoo' (1975). Then she starred as Princess Leila!

 

In George Lucas' science fiction 'Star Wars' (1977) she acted with Mark Hamill & Harrison Ford! Her other notable films were 'The Blues Brothers' (1980), 'Hannah and Her Sisters' (1986) & 'When Harry Met Sally' (1989).

 

Homage to them!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

CINEMA LEGEND SETHUMADHAVAN NO MORE

Sad to know that veteran Malayalam Screenwriter & Filmmaker K. S. Sethumadhavan passed away at the age of 90!

 

He made meaningful cinema in South Indian languages like Malayalam, Tamil & Telugu and in Hindi also! During six decades of his film career he made over 60 films and won state & national awards!

Some of his classic films were based on novels, in which legendary Malayalam star Prem Nazir acted. He handled very sensitive social issues in some of his contemporary films like in Malayalam 'Chattakkari' (1974) which latter became superhit Hindi movie 'Julie' (1975).

Most of his films were screened in our 'International Film Festival of India's Panorama. I still remember the conversation we had with him in the press conference of his Telugu film 'Stri' (1995) in 'IFFI'.

In 2009, 'Kerala State Chalachitra Academy' honoured him with the 'J C Daniel award' for contributions to Malayalam cinema!

Few years back I wrote an article on Sethumadhavan's Cinema here!!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TAMIL CINEMA LEGEND K. BALACHANDER!

Seven years are over..Legendary South Indian Film Director, Screenwriter & Producer K. Balachander left this world!

One of the most prolific filmmakers of India..Kailasam Balachander was a master of unconventional themes! Films with the social issues like his award winning 'Thaneer Thaneer' and focusing contemporary issues like 'Apoorva Raagangal' and 'Avaloru Thodharkadai' were the kind of landmarks in Tamil cinema!

K. Balachander with Tamil superstars Kamal Haasan & Rajinikanth!

He introduced South Indian superstars Kamal Haasan & Rajinikanth! Both the actors worked together in his films like 'Avargal'!

 

He also made films in Telugu, Kannada and Hindi like super hit 'Ek Duje Ke Liye'!

Rati Agnihotri & Kamal Haasan in famous scene of  'Ek Duje Ke Liye' (1981).

 

With many Filmfare & other awards he won 9 National Awards and most prestigious 'Dadasaheb Phalake Puraskar'!

Humble Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'CHITRASRUSHTI' ANNIVERSARY YEAR!

In that 'Chitrasrushti's publication ceremony (from right) Dr. Jabbar Patel,..

Mr. Shashidharan, Shri. Ram Gabale, Shri. P. K. Nayar, Prof. Satish Bahadur & me!

Today 22nd December...Anniversary day of my film magazine.. 'Chitrasrushti' which I launched on this day in 2002!

During this period 'Chitrasrushti's six special issues published..in which includes.. 'World Talkies', 'World Colour Cinema', 'World Musicals', 'World Neo-Realistic - Cinema', 'World New Wave Cinema' & 'World Actors'. 'Chitrasrushti' got six awards during this period!

Hope I will publish such special issues of my  'Chitrasrushti' in future!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'IFFI' MEMORY WITH MEDIA FRIENDS!

Here is a memory photograph of mine with senior media friends..

BBC (B.B.Chaturvedi) & Shrikant Prabhu at the concluding ceremony of our '45th International Film Festival of India' at Goa!

- Manoj Kulkarni

VIJAY DIWAS..50!

Bijoy Dibos 50th Anniversary!

Salute to its Great Leaders..

Former Prime Minister of our India, Smt. Indira Gandhi and Founding Father of Bangladesh 'Bangabandhu' Sheikh Mujibur Rahman!

🙏🙏

- Manoj Kulkarni

PIZZA & ITALIAN CINEMA!

Enzo Staiola in film 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948).

Today's Google Doodle is celebrating most popular Italian dish 'Pizza', loved all around the world! As stated (on this day in 2007) 'Pizzaiuolo' was inscribed on the UNESCO Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity!

So I remembered above scene from Vittorio De Sica's Italian neo-realist masterpiece.. 'Bicycle Thieves' (1948). In this, to cheer upset son Bruno, father Antonio offers pizza to him!

This role played by Enzo Staiola who is 80+ now!

A Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Remembered last year watched a/v of New Thought..

French New Wave and YouTube Similarity?

Both Unconventional with Scope for Experiments!

All deserve this beautiful world

that was the only desire he had

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

(Humble homage to great Nelson Mandela on 8th death anniversary!)

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBRANCE OF GREAT MEETING!

Today is 111th Birth Anniversary of former President of our India...

Shri. R. Venkataraman!

Remembered great meeting Sir at Delhi in our 'B. C. J.' study tour, 1988..which now completed more than 30 years!

Salute Sir!!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

"You return like Autumn,
and I fall every time!"

(Emotional quote)

Still girls/women are not safe!
What is going on?
Horrible reality!

What a coincidence..South African film 'Barakat' won Best Film Award in this BRICS Film Festival.

SONAM HONOURED WITH 'NEERJA'S TERESA AWARD!

Sonam Kapoor collected 'Mother Teresa Memorial Award'

on behalf of (late) Neerja Bhanot!

Five years back, beautiful favourite Sonam Kapoor got big honours for her portrayal of a braveheart 'Neerja Bhanot' on screen!

After Best Actress award in 'IFFM'..Sonam Kapoor received 'Asia Vision Movie Award' for the same at Dubai too!

And then as decided by Bhanot family, Sonam Kapoor collected the 'Mother Teresa Memorial Award' on behalf of (late) Neerja!

Sonam Kapoor quoted..."Neerja' has been a turning point in my life! Kindness is very rare these days and that she taught me!"

 

Admire her!..Congrats again!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SAME FRAMES..DIFFERENT FILMS!

 

Here are the similar frames of same visuals from two different bollywood films of different filmmakers!

First side vertical (new): Sooraj Barajatya's hit 'Prem Ratan Dhan Payo' (2015) starring Salman Khan & Sonam Kapoor!
AND
Second side vertical (old): Sanjay Leela Bhansali's superhit 'Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam' (1999) starring Salman Khan & Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan!

- Manoj Kulkarni

KOREAN ART HOUSE FILMMAKER KWON TAEK

 

Legendary South Korean Filmmaker Im Kwon Taek with camera!

South Korean legendary Filmmaker Im Kwon Taek is now 85!

 

After directing first 'Farewell to the Duman River' in 1962, during initial years Kwon Taek made movies like commercial filmmaker and handled various genres! In 1978 with 'Jokbo' he began making artistically satisfying films. And from 'Mandala' (1981) his films have been regarded as 'Art House Cinema'!

 

Artistic frame of..Im Kwon Taek made South Korean film 'Sopyonje' (1993).

 

Im Kwon Taek has continued to explore themes from Korea's past while focusing on Korean cultural identity in modern times. His notable films are 'Sopyonje' (1993), 'Chunhyang' (2000) & acclaimed 'Chihwaseon' (2002) for which he got the best director award at Cannes Film Festival!

 

In 2005 Im Kwon Taek got 'Honorary Golden Bear' award in 'Berlin Film Festival'! In 2007 he released his 100th film 'Beyond the years'. He received box office success and many awards including international for his films!

 

Kwon Taek was honoured in our '47th International Film Festival of India' with the 'Lifetime Achievement Award' at Goa!

Regards to this genius!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni 

SALUTE!!!

Today is 104th Birth Anniversary of former Prime Minister of our.. Independent Secular India..Shrimati Indira ji Gandhi!

This is National Integration Day also!

Humble Tribute & Regards!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

On the current socio-political scenario, saw this good picture of our Mahatma Gandhi and Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose!

Humble Tribute!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ROMANTIC GABLE-LEIGH!

Clark Gable & Vivien Leigh in film 'Gone With The Wind' (1939).

There was a 61st Death Anniversary of The King of Hollywood's romantic era..handsome Clark Gable!

Here is a picture of Victor Fleming's more than 80 years old legendary film 'Gone With The Wind'!

Recently in this month, there was 108th birth anniversary of its beautiful actress Vivien Leigh, who was born in our India at Darjeeling!

Tributes!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

RUSSIAN MASTER NOVELIST DOSTOEVSKY!

This is 200th Birth Anniversary year of great Russian author/journalist.. Fyodor Mikhailovich Dostoevsky!

Maria Schell & Marcello Mastroianni in this film!

He first wrote social novel 'Poor Folk' (1845). His literary works includes novels, short stories & other journalistic writings. He explored human psychology in... spiritual, social & political atmospheres through it!

Some of his great novels are...mature period writing 'Crime and Punishment' (1866), socio-political satire 'Demons' (1872) & philosophical 'The Brothers - Karamazov' (1880). 

 

Dostoevsky's numerous books translated into more than 170 languages.

Sonam Kapoor &  Ranbir Kapoor in film 'Saawariya' (2007)

Apart from that, many acclaimed films were made on his famous literary works like...Kurosawa's Japanese film 'Hakuchi' (1951), Visconti's Italian 'Le notti bianche' (1957), Borisov's Soviet 'The - Gentle Creature' (1960), Godard's French 'La Chinoise' (1967) then Sarquis' Argentine 'The Under - ground Man' (1981), Wajda's.. Polish 'Nastasja' (1994) and some of our Indian Hindi films like.. Mani Kaul's offbeat 'Nazar' (1991) & Bhansali's popular romantic.. 'Saawariya' (2007).

 

This legend was honoured in different ways, like Soviet Union released postage stamp dedicated to him in 1956 and formed 'A Dostoevsky Museum' in 1971.

Humble Homage to this genius writer!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

I think we must live with progressive thinking & creativity in present situation and should not go back in mythology and history!

- Manoj Kulkarni

In this socio-political scenario, can not quote Shakespeare's "What's in a name?" because there is lot hidden in name!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Salute to first Prime Minister of our independent secular India.. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru ji on 132nd Birth Anniversary!

- Manoj Kulkarni

ALL TIME CONTEMPORARY METAPHOR!

Keshavrao Date & Gajanan Jagirdar in film 'Shejari'!

 

Tribute to 'Prabhat Film Co.'s great social 'Shejari' (1941) on 80th anniversary year!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REAL BEAUTIFUL RITUPARNA OF BENGALI CINEMA!

Graceful Bengali superstar Rituparna Sengupta!

 

It's a Golden Jubilee Birthday of one of my favourite actresses of our contemporary Indian Cinema..Beautiful superstar of Bengali Cinema.. Rituparna Sengupta!

Rituparna Sengupta in 'Dahan' (1997)

 

I have been watching her excellent performances in our various film festivals. In these includes strong socials like Rituparno Ghosh's 'Dahan' (1997) for which she won Best Actress national award and Buddhadeb Dasgupta's 'Mondo Meyer Upakhyan' (2002). She also gained popularity in mainstream Bengali & Hindi cinema!

Prosenjit Chatterjee & Rituparna Sengupta in 'Drishtikone' (2018).

 

I remember meeting Rituparna in our IFFI at Goa. A graceful shy personality in reality; who express intensely through her beautiful eyes on screen!

My warm regards to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

DOWN MEMORY LANE!

When I interviewed actress Nandita Das in 'IFFI', 1997!

I first met sensible actress of parallel cinema..Nandita Das at our '28th International Film Festival of India' held at Thiruvananthpuram in 1997.

She acted and Deepa Mehta directed Indo-Canadian film 'Fire' was screened in that 'IFFI'. The film was based on Ismat Chugtai's short story.. 'Lihaaf'! And Nandita's that (controversial) role with a prominent actress Shabana Azmi was most discussed! It was nice interviewing her there!

Nandita Das is 50+ now and director with films like 'Manto'!

Wishes to her on birthday!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MONICA..PRETTY LEGEND!

She filled colours with her beauty..

in Antonioni's visual composition!

She had seen the glory of blue sky..

in Italian cinema of post neo-realism!

- Manoj 'manas roomani'

Today is 90th Birthday of favourite legendary Italian actress Monica Vitti! 

Regards to her!

- Manoj Kulkarni

TALENTED ACTRESS SONALI KULKARNI!

Today is birthday of one of the talented actresses of our contemporary Indian cinema..Sonali Kulkarni!

I have observed almost 25 years of her acting journey..from experimental theatre in Pune to regional, offbeat &  mainstream national and international cinema of Italy!..And wrote about it!!

Best wishes to her!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

WHEN AISH APPEARED AS JAYALALITHAA!

Mohanlal & Aishwarya Rai in Mani Ratnam's Tamil film 'Iruvar' (1997). 

Today is 48th birthday of pretty famous actress Aishwarya Rai-Bachchan!

On this occasion, I remembered her screen debut, which was in Tamil film 'Iruvar' (1997).Renowned South-Indian filmmaker Mani Ratnam made this political drama was inspired from the lives of legends M. G. Ramachandran & J. Jayalalithaa!

I also remembered the craze of this film during our 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) which was at Trivandrum in 1997. It happened because Malayalam cinema superstar Mohanlal was in MGR's role & 'Miss World' Aishwarya was in the role of Jayalalithaa in this film!

Specifically I have written this, because Kangna Ranaut portrayed this character in Tamil film 'Thalaivi' recently!

Wishes to both!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Happy Birthday to my favourite Hollywood Actress..Julia Roberts!

She is still best known as 'Pretty Woman' the 30 years old film, for which she won 'Golden Globe'!

Always stay like this..Ms.Julia!!

- Manoj Kulkarni