'Javed (Akhtar) and I are inviting only very close friends for Holi this time.'
Film folk enjoyed a soulful evening at Kaifi Azmi's 107th birth anniversary.
Tina Ambani, wife of Anil Ambani, skipped the Enforcement Directorate (ED) summons for the second time in connection with a money laundering case. Anil Ambani has been asked to appear before the agency as well.
'Somewhere our society's collective morality is lost. There's a kind of moral confusion in our society which reflects in our films.' 'Filmmakers are hiding behind romance, ghost stories, murder mysteries and sex. No film is looking at social issues.'
On Kaifi Azmi's death anniversary on May 10, Subhash K Jha revisits some of his best songs.
'The war scenes in which Indian soldiers fight fearlessly and the powerful dialogues are meant to make the audience proud of the loyalty and valour of Indian soldiers,' observes Deepa Gahlot.
Singer-actress Sulakshana Pandit, 71, passed into the ages on November 6 after a prolonged illness. Besides her acting roles, she leaves behind some beautiful songs to remember her by.
S D Burman enjoyed a productive partnership with Dev Anand's production house Navketan for two decades, but their collaboration reached its apogee with Guide.
'It was Kishoreda who suggested to Sulakshanadidi that she should become an actress and sing her own songs in her films. This transformed her life and career.'
'I played five different versions of Woh Subah Kabhie Toh Aayegi for Raj Kapoor, only to be greeted with a totally blank reaction.' 'Thereafter, for 40 minutes, he disappeared, leaving us baffled.' 'But when he emerged, he couldn't stop appreciating our efforts!' 'He said Sahir Ludhianvi's writing was sheer poetry and since all my five tunes were equally wonderful, he would leave it to my discretion to chose the final tune.' 'What could be greater appreciation for an artiste?'
'Bappi Lahiri was looking for a break so he and his father would meet me.' 'I told Director Bhisham Kohli about this promising young boy from Kolkata, and Bappi came over with his harmonium.' 'Bappi played this composition and Bhisham liked it immediately.' 'As we were discussing, I said I would give the words, and that's how I wrote this song.'
'Abrar uncle said he had started drinking from the afternoon on that fateful day. And he continued drinking till late at night.' 'Thereafter, he must have consumed some sleeping pills, as was his habit.' 'I think that combination went fatally wrong.'
'My mom is a riot! I thank her with all my heart.'
The distinguished actress Shaukat Kaifi, mother to Shabana and Baba Azmi, passed away on September 22.
Here are some beautiful excerpts from Shaukat Azmi's book.
It was a day of mourning for the film fraternity.
'Naseer does not have the sense of humour that Om Puri has. 'Also Om has a great deal of compassion as a human being. Naseer was too focused on his own self.' A fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book, Shyam Benegal.
'I don't think Waheeda had the confidence that I could pull it off, so she said no.'
'Garm Hava understands that the scorching, hate-filled, doubt-filled affair between Hindus and Muslims is our national love affair.' Sreehari Nair revisits M S Sathyu's classic film, featuring the incomparable Balraj Sahni at his finest in his final role.
Nearly half a century later, Shyam Benegal's Manthan will be showcased in restored print at this year's Cannes Film Festival. It still serves as a much-needed reminder of setting aside differences in the favour of combined progress and profit, notes Sukanya Verma.
'As we grow older, we fight much less with each other.' 'The magic mantra is 'Drop it!'' 'I would recommend it for all relationships.' 'In anger, we can say many hurtful things that can leave a deep scar, so dropping it is the healthy way of preventing that from happening.'
Two people identified as Mohammad Mudassir Kaifi and Mohammad Sahil died and over two dozen people were injured in protests and subsequent clashes that rocked the state capital on Friday over the remarks made by two suspended Bharatiya Janata Party functionaries against Prophet Mohammad, officials said.
'The problems that the film explores still remain. It was a different time when we made the film. We were young and we thought we could change the world.'
Bollywood stars celebrate Women's Day on March 8 in a special way.
Kaifi's acting credits include "Bazaar", "Umrao Jaan" and Mira Nair's Oscar nominated film "Salaam Bombay!".
Ever wondered why Shabana Azmi is the way she is?
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is a light glimpse into healthy young lives ready to soar in their own sweet skin, applauds Sukanya Verma.
The 10th edition of Mijwan Couture Show was all about extravagant red-carpet looks.
'Diwali is such a happy festival that we have celebrated over the years.'
Celebrities from the music fraternity paid their respects to Panditji at his State funeral in north west Mumbai.
'It is only recently that a lot of warmth has slid into our relationship.'
'Javed Akhtar, Naseeruddin Shah and Shabana Azmi have collectively brought more pride and honour to our country than the entire film fraternity put together.' 'Sir, the names you have taken are institutions, pillars of India's popular art, symbolising the very essence of humanism and nationalism.'
There are so many patriotic songs that make us proud to be Indians.
'I was attracted to Javed because he was exactly like my father.'
Shabana Azmi and her brother Baba Azmi hosted a special screening of the film, Mee Raqsam on their father Kaifi Azmi's birth centenary.
Bhupinder's magical legacy lives on in the musical masterpieces he left behind.
'I've never been more nervous about any of my own films. I can't eat, sleep or speak. I can barely breathe.'
'Bhupinderji was an amazing singer, a unique voice which had romance and nostalgia.' 'It was soothing, caressing, sentimental, soulful, all rolled into one.'
Hindi cinema lost some of its most celebrated faces in 2019, leaving a void in the fraternity as well as in the hearts of the audiences. We take a look at those who passed on.
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