We celebrate Raj Khosla's birth centenary on May 31 by looking at his best films.
Dharmendra got his He Man image with Phool Aur Patthar, which was so strong that he never managed to fully shrug it off.
'If you watch songs like Acha Ji Main Haari Chalo Maan Jao Na, Lag Ja Gale or Jhumka Gira Re, you'll notice they're not just a distraction. There's a story unfolding within them.'
'Madhubala in Kala Pani looks divine and yet, she's not just there for glamour.' 'In Do Raaste, the character of Neelambari (played by Bindu) isn't a heroine in the traditional sense but she has such a pivotal role.' 'That Raj Khosla gave a non-heroine such a central role, instead of the heroine, says a lot about how he valued female characters.'
In half a century, actors have aged or passed away, the shape of the city has altered, the film industry has changed beyond recognition, most single screens have made way for multiplexes, audiences tastes have changed, rural life is very different now, and inflation has devalued the rupee. But a great film is forever. Deepa Gahlot salutes Sholay, as it re-releases in theatres.
'I don't have many friends. The ones that I have, I'm very proud of and happy with.'
Dharmendra's oeuvre was so phenomenal that there was never a phase in his professional life when he was in danger of falling into a rut, in terms of either the kind of films he starred in or the sort of co-actors he worked with.
Dharmendra remained one of the most loved stars of all time, even when his movies tapered off, and age caught up with him.
'The moment a movie was declared a hit, he would immediately start planning his next.'
'Suchitra Sen threatened to leave, with the film only 80 per cent complete.'
'I fell in love with Suraiya and that was my first real gafla. The more I couldn't get her, the more I wanted her. When I couldn't marry her because the world didn't want it, I cried for the first time.'
'I always considered him as a director, never an actor. Do you know he always considered other actors for his films first?' 'For Pyaasa, he wanted to cast Dilip saab; only when Dilip saab refused did Guru Duttji decide to do the role himself.'
Guru Dutt took an overdose of pills twice, once even swallowing opium, calling out for Geeta Dutt even when he was not fully conscious. One suicide attempt, according to sister Lalita Lajmi, was definitely deliberate with Guru Dutt leaving a letter for brother Atma Ram asking him to take care of the production company, his wife and the kids. But she always wondered if the third attempt was actually suicide since there were no calls and no letters.
'You have become a big star. How can you play a secondary role to Meena Kumari?'
'The pain of not having a home is bearable, but the pain of having one -- and not finding peace in it -- is far worse.'
'I didn't like doing jhatak-mataks. I would subconsciously start feeling, 'Oh my God, my makeup man and my driver will be watching this.''
Shor was a masterpiece and the song Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Maujon Ki Ravaani Hai, Zindagi Aur Kuch Bhi Nahin, Teri Meri Kahaani Hai plays in my mind every time I think of my sweet wife, who passed away nine years ago. A Ganesh Nadar applauds the fabulous songs in Manoj Kumar movies.
Dinesh Raheja looks back at Manoj Kumar's brilliant 1964 thriller Woh Kaun Thi, and explains just what made it an audio-visual treat.
Bollywood's biggest stars arrived at the Jio World Convention Centre in Mumbai on May 1 to take part in the inaugural edition of World Audio Visual and Entertainment Summit (WAVES) 2025.
The veteran actor passed into the ages in the early hours of Friday, April 4, 2025. Sukanya Verma looks back at his most memorable performances.
'We were asked to add a dialogue where the politician says she admires Mrs Gandhi.'
'Rekha and my wife were close friends, and my so-called cold war with Rekha was causing difficulties in my wife's friendship with her.' 'She patched us up for her own selfish reason.'
At many stages, it has appeared as though Sunny Deol's career was running out of steam, but each time he has risen Phoenix-like from the ashes. Dinesh Raheja gives us a closer look at the man on his 67th birthday on October 19.
When mainstream Hindi cinema is preoccupied with romance, comedy, horror and action, stories about sisters and brothers are very rare. Vasan Bala has made a first-of-its-kind film where the leads play sister and brother, notes Aseem Chhabra.
If you fail to make the lump sum deposit before April 5, do so at least before the 5th of the next month (May). That way you will only lose out on the interest for April.
Do not shop around for loans immediately after getting a secured credit card. Such loan enquiries can also pull down credit score, as they are treated as a sign of credit-hungry behaviour.
Gems you can enjoy from the time he was at his handsome and magnetic best.
'She brought so much craft, skill and spontaneity to her songs, it was almost impossible for me to match up to her voice on screen.'
While the RBI's guidelines aim to streamline the loan closure process, borrowers must remain proactive.
Section 19(4) of the RERA Act entitles allottees to a refund if the developer doesn't comply with the terms of the sale agreement.
Prospective buyers must make a well-considered decision regarding whether this is the right time to buy a house, particularly with home loan rates at near-peak levels, and the risk of job losses looming in many sectors.
The filmmaker turns 70 today!
Such a person is rare in today's film world, notes Amit Khanna.
'If you wish to make a big-ticket purchase on EMI without having to pay additional charges, no-cost EMI would be the right choice for you.'
The iconic Waheeda Rehman tells Subhash K Jha why she refused her most memorable role in Guide until...
In these pandemic stricken, music bereft times, what can be more joyous than a playlist of 25 golden melodies?
The Reserve Bank of India's (RBI) new rules for credit and debit cards came into effect from October 1. These include tokenisation, one-time password (OTP) for activation after 30 days, written permission for enhancement of credit limit, and greater clarity on interest calculation.
'It's my humble tribute to a talent that has no limits, no boundaries.'
Qarib Qarib Singlle turned 4 this week. Subhash K Jha recalls his conversations with Irrfan, its male lead, and Sutapa Sikdar, the film's producer and Irrfan's wife.
'There's no point making grand plans all our lives when life itself is so fragile.'