When Arundhati Roy wrote her first novel God of Small Things, her team reached out to Shah Rukh Khan inviting him to read a passage from the book at its Mumbai launch. Perhaps because he still held a grudge, Khan refused the invitation.
Arundhati Roy's 1989 film, In Which Annie Gives It Those Ones, which won two National Awards for Best Screenplay for Roy and Best Feature Film in English, is among the line-up of 10 films for the Berlinale Classics segment.
Inderjit Bindra, who raised Indian cricket on the world stage in the 1990s and early years of this century, passed into the ages on Sunday. 26 years ago, Mr Bindra spoke at length to Rediff about his vision for Indian cricket, an interview which we republish in his memory.
'Gursharan came and helped me reach my hundred and I got selected to play for India after that.'
Mohinder Amarnath will always be remembered as a giant-hearted cricketer who stood tall against the fiercest attacks, carried the bruises with pride, and turned every setback into a comeback.
'When you are a pioneer and someone who's put on a pedestal, but then the pedestal gets dusty, people don't look at the statue anymore.' 'They would say, 'Yes, yes, of course I know Bimal Roy. He made Do Bigha Zamin.'.'
'The way the anticipation is built up for Gabbar Singh's introduction scene with sound, image and details of his personality, like the combat boots he wears.' 'The camera comes so close -- not a tele lens shot, but a wide-angle close-up -- that you can almost smell Gabbar's breath.'
Former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur died in Mumbai on Saturday following protracted illness. Affectionately called as 'Rajbhai' in the cricket fraternity, the 73-year-old Dungarpur, who was president of the Cricket Board for three years in the late 1990s, was suffering from Alzheimer's disease.
"The adulation and admiration for Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and total belief in the philosophy of the BJP prompted me to join the party," the former BCCI president told PTI.
42 years of World Cup triumph: A Day that made Indian cricket what it is
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan was spotted at Mumbai airport as she left for Cannes.
'The censor board asked me for some strange cuts.' 'Otherwise, they would have given me an 'A' certificate.' 'One cut was where Girish Karnad was explaining artificial insemination in cattle.' 'These cuts never made any sense to me.'
'Outside the house, he was this iconic deified figure.' 'Inside, he was a sorted-out, genial householder, always ready to lend a patient ear to our problems.'
Never before in history have Cannes and its sidebars found space for eight Indian, or India-themed, films.
'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.'
'...and showcased in their original beauty.'
Would there have been an incomparable batsman named Sachin Tendulkar had Doordarshan not telecast Guide one summer afternoon? A fascinating excerpt from Abhishek Mukherjee and Joy Bhattacharjya's must-read book, The Great Indian Cricket Circus.
'I am not envious of those who are making millions. It's their era and I had my era.'
'What an incredible opportunity to bring back one of the greatest actors of Indian cinema on the big screen.'
Batting legend Sachin Tendulkar fondly remembered former BCCI president Raj Singh Dungarpur's big role in shaping up his cricket career.
'He provokes you intellectually so hard that you really break out of your shell and come up with something creative.' 'He can extract a creation out of you, such is the power of Godard and his films.'
When Kapil Dev lifted the 1983 World Cup at the Lord's balcony, the erstwhile BCCI president and one of the powerful ministers in the Indira Gandhi cabinet, late NKP Salve had a different worry.
Tendulkar inaugurated a gate named after the late former selection committee chairman at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai.
The following is the list of BCCI Presidents till date:
Biswajit, movie heart-throb of the 1960s, remembers The Legend.
Former England skipper Mike Brearley feels that the constant talk around his 100th international century has made Indian batting great Sachin Tendulkar jittery.
India's domestic cricket season begins with the BCCI Corporate Tournament from September 1 while the league stage of the Ranji Trophy elite competition will be held from November 3 to December 24, the Board of Control for Cricket in India announced on Wednesday.
On behalf of the Apex Council members of MCA, all the member clubs as also the cricketing fraternity we condole his demise," secretary Sanjay Naik and joint secretary.
Batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar on Wednesday unveiled Raj Singh Dungarpur's portrait at the Cricket Club of India (CCI) in Mumbai and recalled his long association with the late cricket administrator.
When movie aces meet, what do they talk about?
Former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi, who never misses an opportunity to take a dig at Muttiah Muralitharan and Harbhajan Singh, has once again lashed out at the two premier off-spinners.
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Raj Singh Dungarpur, who died in Mumbai on Saturday at the age of 73 after protracted illness, will be remembered in the history of Indian cricket as the chief selector who introduced Sachin Tendulkar at the international stage.
The bitter feud in the Rajasthan Cricket Association has prompted the Board of Control for Cricket in India to shift the opening One-Day International in the best-of-seven series between India and Australia, on October 25, from Jaipur to Vadodara.
Even though he is longer associated with the club, Raj Singh Dungarpur made it a point to visit his long-time companion, the Cricket Club of India, to see the Indian team practice on Friday.
The India captain will become the first Indian cricketer to be bestowed with the honour on three occasions.
Former Board of Control for Cricket in India president Raj Singh Dungarpur termed the Board's handling of the coach's selection as "unprofessional".
"It was an emotional and touching moment for me to be welcomed by everyone. It was a grand reception for me and this was only possible because of the good relationship I shared with the members and the staff," Dungarpur said after being elected president of the 75-year-old institution.
Former Cricket Board President Raj Singh Dungarpur has been suspended from the Cricket Club of India for two years by the club's Executive Committee.
Just what do actors *do* the whole day?
He attended the meeting as a special invitee for being a former president of the BCCI but not as CCI representative.
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