'Despite acting in some 100 films and television plays, people still remember the daadi of Hum Log.'
Dazzling, dancing and decked to the hilt, courtesans in Hindi films are a breathtaking mix of shiny fantasy and flirtatious poetry to behold.
Twenty four years after it first released in 1981, Rekha's Umrao Jaan re-releases in theatres on June 27.
The greatest films on the kotha culture are the ones with the best poetry and music.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
'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.'
If Sanjay Leela Bhansali could make Mumbai's Kamathipura sparkle in Gangubai Kathiawadi, Heera Mandi is bound to be drowned in glitter, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Heeramandi, a passion project that took off after years in development and planning, mirrors Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film-making's finest and frustrating features, observes Sukanya Verma.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
'I was completely in awe of him. After the shot was okayed, I would quickly run back to my chair and sit quietly till I was called again.'
Ready for a round of our fun and filmi quiz this week?
'The primary set took over three months to build with 14,000-15,000 workers employed at a time.'
'We ensured that Mallikajaan's Shahi Mahal lived up to its name.' 'One zardosi panel cost around Rs 4 lakh; the one with the kalpavriksh was around Rs 5 lakh.'
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
'Over a span of three years, our entire studio was devoted to Heeramandi.'
'When it was confirmed that I would do the song, Manishaji walked up to me and asked, "Please Vijayshree, tell me how are you planning to do the song. Give me a rough idea so that I am mentally prepared".'
'When you walk on to a Sanjay Leela Bhansali set, it is complete surrender. You have to become a sponge.'
Just in case anybody's forgotten how gorgeous Sonakshi Sinha can look, the actor sends a timely reminder.
'You don't have to be screaming and making faces to be evil.'
Sukanya Verma challenges you to find out how much you know about the movies.
'While I was performing it, I had a weird feeling that people would love it because it's so bizarre.'
'Heeramandi is not for audiences of the Pakeezah/Umrao Jaan era. SLB has designed it as attuned to today's youngsters.'
'My character Meena seemed like a selfish, cold, heartless woman, who abandons her lover because he is moneyless. But look the girls today. They are as practical as my Meena was in Pyaasa so many years ago.'
Subhash K Jha is not recommending Pakeezah and Umrao Jaan. They are beyond recommendation, he says.
'There are songs -- quite a few of them -- but the focus will be on the drama.'
Meena Kumari's classic film released 50 years ago, on February 4, 1972.
Subhash K Jha gives us the very best of Waheeda Rehman.
Among Hindi cinema's leading men of the last century, Sunil Dutt, who passed away 16 years ago on May 25, did not hesitate in doing women-oriented films which addressed the issues of their upliftment, empowerment and equality.
Subhash K Jha lists five relatively unknown Asha Bhosle classics on her birthday.
You are neither entertained nor enticed in Rasbhari, complains Joginder Tuteja.
Eid-ul-Fitr has been celebrated in a big way in Hindi films.
Subhash K Jha gives us some lesser known about the late actress on her birth anniversary, August 1.
Besides their terrific acting talent, of course!
'I knew that since I would be designing for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's film, the aesthetics would have to be correct.' 'He doesn't show poverty in his films.' 'He won't show someone standing on the streets in phate hue kapde.'
Subhash K Jha lists his 10 favourite romantic Hindi films.
'Rishi Kapoor was a complete original.' 'He dazzled the screen and stayed a livewire off it as well,' remembers Sukanya Verma.
As the talented actress celebrates her birthday on November 4, we take a look at some of her best movies.
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