LEGENDARY MUSIC DIRECTOR!

Today is 18th Death Anniversary of Music composer & one of the pioneers of playback singing in Indian cinema...Anil Krishna Biswas!

Singer Talat Mehmood and Music director Anil Biswas!

He credited for introducing the - orchestral music and was known for using Indian classical or folk elements! Besides, he was the first one to start extensively using the Ragmala!

During his career from 1935 to.. 1965 Anilda had composed music for over 90 films..in which most memorable were 'Roti' (1942), 'Kismat' (1943), 'Anokha Pyaar' (1948), 'Taraana' (1951), 'Waaris' (1954), 'Pardesi' (1957) & 'Char Dil Char Rahen' (1959).

He was awarded the 'Sangeet Natak Akademi Award' in 1986!

Still remember his songs..like one great which Pradeep wrote..

"Aaj Himalay ki choti se phir hamane lalakara hai..

dur haton e duniyawalon Hindostan hamara hai.."

Sung by Amirbai Karnataki & chorus. Anilda composed this for 'Bombay Talkies' film 'Kismat' (1943).

Madhubala & Dilipkumar in 'Tarana's (1951) song "Sine mein sulagate hai."

And an intense song Anilda composed for classic film 'Taraana' (1951)..

"Sine mein sulagate hai araman.." 

which sung by Talat Mehmood and Lata Mangeshkar!

Homage to this music master!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SOUTH INDIAN CINEMA LEGEND DASARI NARAYAN RAO

Doyen of South Indian Cinema..Dasari Narayana Rao!

Four years over..One of the doyens of South Indian Cinema, newspaper owner and politician..Dasari Narayana Rao left this world!

A. Nageswara Rao & Jayaprada in.. 

Telugu film 'Megha Sandesham' (1982).

From Aandhra Pradesh..Dasari Narayan - Rao started acting on stage & latter entered in the film industry. He acted in Telugu, Tamil & Kannada films. 

In 1972 he made his directorial debut with film 'Tata Manavadu' in which S. V. Ranga Rao & Anjali Devi acted. He also started writing scripts & lyrics!

Then he started directing films in other languages like..entered in Hindi cinema with 'Swarg Narak' (1978) and directed famous artists Jeetendra, Moushami - Chatterjee, Vinod Mehra, Shabana Aazami and Sanjeev Kumar! 

Reena Roy, Jeetendra & Rekha..

in Hindi film 'Prem Tapasya' (1983).

 

After that hit movie he made many family films for Bollywood..like 'Prem Tapasya' (1983) with Rekha & Jeetendra who were hit stars for South Indian film industry that time!

He also directed Tamil films like 'Natcharitram' - (1980). He handled various genres with legendary actors of that time..like he made romantic film.. 'Premabhishekam' (1981) with A. Nageswara Rao and action film.. 'Bobbili Puli' (1982) with N. T. - Rama Rao. And in both Sridevi was their heroine! 

He also made political drama film in Hindi..'Aaj ka MLA Ram Avtar' with most famous Rajesh - Khanna! But his films emphasized social injustice!

Dasari Narayana Rao in his

last film 'Erra Bus'(2014).

Meanwhile in 1995 he made big Television serial 'Viswamitra'. And he also started his Newspaper 'Udayan'!..Latter in 2011 he made War movie 'Parama Veera Chakra' with actor Nandamuri Balakrishna! 

In 2014 he produced and directed his last film 'Erra Bus' in which he did character role with new artists Vishnu Manchu and beautiful.. Catherine Tresa!

He made more that 150 films and did 'Limca - World Record' for directing maximum number of films! He won two National Film Awards, nine state Nandi Awards and four Filmfare Awards South..including 'Lifetime Achievement Award'! 

 

His films screened in our 'International Film Festival of India' and at international film festivals abroad like..Cannes, Moscow & Tashkent!

Homage to this legendary filmmaker!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

SENSITIVE FILMMAKER RITUPARNO GHOSH!

Rituparno Ghosh in & as 'Chitragandha' (2012).

Today is 8th death anniversary of sensitive writer-filmmaker-actor of Bengali cinema..Rituparno Ghosh!

Rituparna Sengupta in 'Dahan' (1997).

I remember our 'International Film Festival of India' held at New Delhi in 1996. His 'Unishe April' was a opening film of 'Indian Panorama' section in it. After that we had good interaction with him. That film was about the sentimental relationship between mother and daughter..in which Aparna Sen & Debashree Roy played the roles nicely. Plot and treatment of that film recollected Ingmar Bergman's classic film.. 'Automn Sonata' (1978)..which I mentioned!

After that his films were regularly screened in film festivals..in which I remember premier of his film 'Dohan' in 'MAMI's first film festival at Mumbai in 1997! In this social issue based film Rituparna Sengupta acted excellent! Latter he also handled sensitive family issue in film 'Dosar' (2006).

His approach of film making was feminist! He also inspired from the great master Satyajit - Ray! Some of his films reflected it..like 'Utsab' (2000) which recollected Ray's film 'Ghare - Baire' (1985). And that I said him after it's premier in 'MAMI's film festival at Mumbai!

He was admirer of great Rabindranath Tagore and made three films on Tagore's literature in which includes Aishwarya Rai acted 'Chokher Bali' (2001), Prosenjit and Raima Sen acted.. 'Nauka Dubi' (2010) & 'Chitragandha' (2012) in which he acted too! And he made film 'The Last Lear' (2008) about an emotional struggle of aging Shakespearean actor for which he - directed Amitabh Bachchan!

Rituparno Ghosh discussing with BigB..'The Last Lear' (2007).

 

 

 

 

In his career spanning of two decades he made 25 films and won 12 National Awards..with international recognition.

 

His last bilingual film 'Taak - Jhaank' (2013)  was honoured at '19th Kolkata International Film Festival'!

A Homage!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'SAIRAT' FROM 'ISHAQZAADE!

Arjun Kapoor & Parineeti Chopra in action 

scene of Hindi movie 'Ishaqzaade' (2012).

Akash Thosar & Rinku Rajguru in action 

scene of Marathi movie 'Sairat' (2016).

Five years back, Marathi movie 'Sairat' - became block buster with huge collection on box office. But its plot was not original. 

It was based on the superhit Hindi movie.. 'Ishaqzaade' which was released two years before that. I already wrote about it!

Arjun Kapoor & Parineeti Chopra on bike

in Hindi movie 'Ishaqzaade' (2012).

Marathi movie 'Sairat' (2016) was written-directed by Nagraj Manjule. It's a tragic love story with the backdrop of caste discrimination. Rinku Rajguru & Akash Thosar played main roles naturally in it!

Whereas, Hindi movie 'Ishaqzaade' (2012) was - written & directed by Habib Faisal. It's an intense inter-religion love story. Parineeti Chopra & Arjun Kapoor played the protagonists in it. Both the films raised the issue of honor killing!

 

Rinku Rajguru & Akash Thosar on bike

in Marathi movie 'Sairat' (2016).

And two years back Hindi movie 'Dhadak' (2018)

was made by Shashank Khaitan on that same plot. Newcomers Ishaan Khatter and Janhavi Kapoor played those roles!

However, 'Ishaqzaade' was also inspired by the plot of 'Romeo and Juliet'! Anyway, see these pictures of scenes from both Marathi-Hindi films, then you can find the similarity between them!

- Manoj Kulkarni

EXCLUSIVE!!

TRUE 'SON OF INDIA'!

First Prime Minister of our India..Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru!

Saw an exclusive information on net. It's news published in 'The Print' (dt.28th May2019) in which mentioned that (as 'The New York Times' report)

Great filmmaker of our India, Mehboob Khan had a heart - attack upon hearing..death news (on 27thMay,1964) of our first Prime Minister of India..Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru!

Legendary filmmaker Mehboob Khan!

And next day Mehboob Khan died on 28th - May, 1964. Notable that his last film was 'Son of India' (1962).

This incident says a lot on how much our great film personalities like..Mehboob sahab loved our leaders & nation!

I remembered classic song from his 'Son - of India'..which was famous in our school days..

"Nanha munna rahi hun..

Desh ka sipahi hun..

bolo mere sang..

Jai Hind..Jai Hind..Jai Hind.!"

 

It's so touchy!!

Salute to both!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

MEHBOOB-E-HINDOSTAN!

Today is 57th Death Anniversary of one of the greatest Filmmakers of our India...Mehboob Khan!

He started working in silent film era and became director with film 'Al Hilal' (1935). After directing films..social 'Aurat' (1940) & musical 'Anmol Ghadi' (1946), he became successful producer-director with film.. 'Andaaz' (1949). 

Mehboob Khan set up his 'Mehboob - Productions' & formed his own 'Mehboob Studio'! As one of the pioneers..He made India's first technicolour film 'Aan' in 1952. 

After 'Amar' (1954)..he made prominent film 'Mother India' (1957) which was a nominee for the 'Oscar's Best Foreign - Language Film'! 

 

Mehboo Khan was the maker of spectacular sagas and acknowledged as the 'Cecil B. De Mille of India'!

He was in the jury at '2nd Moscow International- Film Festival'. He was the President of the 'Film- Federation of India'. 

He was awarded the title of 'Hidayat Kar-e-Azam' by our Indian Government!

Homage to Mehboob sahab!!

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

KOREAN CLASSIC FILM ON BUDDHIST MONASTERY!

On today's Buddha Purnima, I remembered beautiful South Korean film 'Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter..and Spring' (2003) about a Buddhist - monastery!

Kim Ki-duk with camera & script!

Karl Baumgartner and Lee Seung-jae produced this film was directed by..Kim Ki-duk..who passed away last year! He was famous for idiosyncratic art-house cinema. This film reflected his that kind cinematic work. He also edited this film which was beautifully cinematographed by Baek Dong-hyun. And Park Ji-woong composed traditional folk music for it!

Kim Ki-duk himself wrote this film which also known as 'Spring, Summer, Autumn, Winter...and Spring' is about the life of Buddhist monk as he passes through the seasons of his life. This film also goes through.. eyes of a boy who is raised by Buddist monk in an isolated floating temple! Artists like Su Oh-yeong, Kim Young-min, Seo Jae-kyung & Kim Jong-ho performed their roles nicely in it. And director also appeared as old age protagonist!

Filmmaker Kim Ki-duk with award!

This film used metaphoric elements to comment on human life. Through the natural feelings of growing boy, this also focused on the..normal human life!

I still remember watching this film in festival. It was like reading beautiful poetry on screen!!

- Manoj Kulkarni

REMEMBRANCE OF 'MICHAEL COLLINS'!

Poster of Neil Jordan's Irish film 'Michael Collins' (1996)

This day..recollects the Irish revolution and most influential figure in it.. Michael Collins! That one year long (1922-1923) Irish Civil War fought for independence from United Kingdom!

Liam Neeson powerful in-as 'Michael Collins' (1996)

On this occasion I remembered Neil Jordan made biopic 'Michael Collins'! 

This was an inaugural film of our.. 'International Film Festival of India' (IFFI) held in 1997 at Trivandrum!

Renowned Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan wrote and directed this in 1996! Handsome northern Irish actor Liam Neeson portrayed it's title role very strongly! And beautiful Julia Roberts appeared as his fiancee in it! Other artists like Aidan Quinn, Stephen Rea, Alan Rickman & Ian Hart also did some important roles in this historical film!

 

Renowned Irish filmmaker Neil Jordan.

Neil Jordan gave a very powerful cinematic treatment to this biopic with alterations & fictionalisation such as dramatised circumstances. Liam Neeson completely lived his patriot character!

Notable, film's producer Stephen Woolley, cinematographer Chris Menges and editor Tony Lawson were British!..With reference to this, I remembered the great film on our Mahatma..'Gandhi' (1982) by British Richard Attenborough!

Anyway, 'Michael Collins' received good admiration in the world!..And Liam Neeson won 'Golden Lion' in 'Venice Film Festival'!

- Manoj Kulkarni

DOWN MEMORY LANE WITH SHABANAJI!

Here is a rare picture of actress Shabana Azmi and Neelam Mehra.. students of first Acting Course,1971 of Film Institute, Pune. In this they are in Jaykar Bungalow campus which was NFAI at that time!

Those who are familier with old NFAI..they can recollect their memories with it! Behind them there was a library on down floor and..you can see the window of first floor..that was office of NFAI's founder-director P.K. Nair who devoted his entire life for it and world cinema!

My memories of NFAI from 1983 onwards & during my Film Appreciation Course,1989 are still fresh with it!

- Manoj Kulkarni

'LIGHT OF ASIA'..SILENT FILM ON BUDDHA!

Anglo Indian Renee Smith..Seeta Devi & Himansu Rai in 'The Light of Asia' (1925)

On today's Buddha Purnima I remembered one of early landmark films from history of our Indian cinema and that is..'The Light of Asia' which focused on the rise of Buddhism!

'Great Eastern Film Corporation' made this film with the cooperation of Maharaja of Jaipur in 1925. It tells the story about our Indian Prince Siddharth Gautam who.. became the Buddha! Film was based on the book 'The Light of Asia' by English writer Edwin Arnold who also wrote screenplay of it with our Indian playwright Niranjan Pal.

 

Anglo Indian Renee Smith named as Seeta Devi in 'The Light of Asia' (1925).

Notable that founder of 'Bombay Talkies'.. Himansu Rai got his first assignment with this film as codirector & Bavarian filmmaker Franz Osten was his associate for it! And Himansu's wife an actress Devika Rani did the set decoration for it! Shooting of this film took place in - Jaipur and..in Lahore (now in - Pakistan). German cameramen Josef Wirsching & Willi Kiermeier did the cinematography for this!

Poster of silent film 'The Light of Asia' (1925).

Bengali artists Sarada Ukil acted as King Suddhodhana & Rani Bala as Queen Maya in it. With them Anglo Indian Renee Smith who was named as 'Seeta Devi' appeared as.. Gopa. And Himansuji got the main role of.. Gautam in this film!

This well made & critically acclaimed film first released in our India on.. 22nd October, 1925 and then in USA on 11th May, 1928.

Tribute to this great film & early work of our cinema!

- Manoj Kulkarni

Beautiful flower in our bungalow's garden after storm..

Gives inspiration to bloom in adverse situation!

 - Manoj Kulkarni

"Sab kuchh to mang liya Khuda se tujhko mangkar

Uthate nahin hai mere haath..ab is dua ke baad!"

Raj Kapoor used this in romantic scene with.. Vyajayanthimala in his film 'Sangam' (1964).

 

 

But he did not mention name of it's original writer Agha Hashar Kashmiri!

 

He was Urdu Poet & playwright. He wrote some of the classic Muslim Social films!

Remembered this 'Sangam's scene with his sher! 

Even 'RK' used plot of great Mehboob Khan's..

'Andaaz' (1949) for this film!

 

 

- Manoj Kulkarni

SENSITIVITY OF TRAGEDY QUEEN!

A rare picture of our Indian Cinema's great actress..Mahjabeen Bano.. known as Meena Kumari!

Taken in 1959 during Eid..when she was putting up Charity Box at the gate of..

'Kamal Studio' to collect "Eidi" for poor people!

Such a noble act of this real sensitive actress!

- Manoj Kulkarni

VERSATILE MUSIC DIRECTOR..RAJESH ROSHAN!

Today is 66th Birthday of versatile Music director Rajesh Roshan!

 

Young Rajesh Roshan with guitar

Completed 47 years of his music.. Rajesh Roshan Lal Nagrath is a son of yester years Music director Roshanji and younger brother of actor and producer-director.. Rakesh Roshan & uncle of actor Hrithik Roshan!

Rajeshji got break from actor - filmmaker Mehmood to compose the music of his 'Kunwara Baap' in 1974! He became famous with his music for film 'Julie' (1975). 

Music director Rajesh Roshan with brother filmmaker Rakesh Roshan!

He was the first music director who made superstar Amitabh - Bachchan sing for film 'Mr.Natwarlal' (1979) & then he gave music for Amitabh starrer hit movies like 'Yaraana' (1981) & 'Khuddar' (1982). 

He also had good association with filmmaker Basu - Chatterjee for whom he composed the music of films like 'Baton Baton Mein' (1979) and 'Khatta Mitha' (1981).

From 'Kamchor' (1982) to 'Karan Arjun' (1995) & onwards..Rajeshji composed music for the films of his brother Rakesh Roshan produced and directed! And he has been composing music for his nephew Hrithik starrer films from first hit 'Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai' (2000) to 'Krish 3' (2013).

Best Wishes to him!!

- Manoj Kulkarni