'What a talent, what an actor! 'Cast him as anyone, anything, and he is ready for the challenge. I get restless when I don't have him in my film.'
Music director duos are a unique Bollywood feature, and many have become iconic. In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and their dynamics.
Dinesh Raheja charts the highs and lows of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's creative association with five megastars -- Amitabh Bachchan, Rajesh Khanna, Raj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Dharmendra.
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.
Manish Malhotra held a grand premiere for his debut production, Gustaakh Ishk, and invited friends from the film industry.
As the year draws to a close, Rediff's Senior Contributor Roshmila Bhattacharya takes a look at the hits and misses, the highs and lows, the newsmakers and the dealbreakers in alphabetical order.
Aishwarya Rai Bachchan attended Sri Satya Sai Baba's birth centenary celebrations in Puttaparthi, Andhra Pradesh, and reflected on his teachings and principles.
'So much pride you have brought for us all.'
Film folk said their last goodbyes to Dharmendra, who passed into the ages on November 24.
After being unwell for several days, Dharmendra breathed his last on November 24.
'In these times of vitiated politics, we miss people like Advaniji and Atal Bihari Vajpayee in active politics more than ever.'
After spinning into the spotlight with the hit song-and-dance number Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu in Howrah Bridge (1958), Helen signed scores of films as a dancer. But Helen was raring to step out of her dancing shoes, and play heroine instead.
Nancy Tyagi's sari-inspired look for Tyla's maiden visit to India is the inspiration moment that aptly blends global glam with desi charm.
Manish Malhotra kicked off the Diwali party scene by inviting his A-lister friends over. The ladies did come over, and it looked like a Manish Malhotra ramp walk into his home.
With cricket being included in the 2028 Olympics, its popularity will further surge. I'm humbled and excited about this unique collaboration between the cricket boards of Ireland, Scotland, and the Netherlands.
Sachin Tendulkar attended the birth centenary celebrations of Sathya Sai Baba in Puttaparthi, where he shared a heartfelt memory from India's 2011 World Cup triumph.
Bappi Lahiri realised disco was a winning ticket and escalated his game with several more dancefloor perennials. Soon, every film producer and music director in town was down with disco fever. On what would have been Bappi Lahiri's 73rd birthday this November 27, Dinesh Raheja rewinds to the late music composer's halcyon days.
S D Burman is that unique composer who remained successful right up to his death with his creative engines never running on empty.
Dharmendra got his He Man image with Phool Aur Patthar, which was so strong that he never managed to fully shrug it off.
The Delhi high court on Wednesday said it would pass order on Bollywood actor Abhishek Bachchan's plea seeking to protect his publicity and personality rights, and restrain websites and platforms from using his image, likeness, persona and fake videos, including sexually explicit material.
'I have always broken my image every time I went on screen. I don't know what it means to be a Greek God but people used to call me one.'
Several film folk paid their last respects to Sanjay Khan's wife Zarine Khan, as she passed into the ages on November 7. The funeral was held at the Juhu crematorium in northwest Mumbai.
'It must have been the nervous excitement of shooting with THE Amitabh Bachchan. I had kept tossing and turning all night. The next morning, I promptly fainted in my choreographer Farah Khan's arms. When I came round, I heard Amitji saying, 'Please don't faint. I promise I'll dance well.''
'Farah Khan is one of the only women in my career who supported me right from the beginning. That support meant the world because it opened up a lot of doors for women in the industry.'
Dharmendra remained one of the most loved stars of all time, even when his movies tapered off, and age caught up with him.
'When he was not shooting, he was telling us stories and anecdotes. And reciting poems.'
Film folk have been looking very glamorous in the last two days, thanks to the Bollywood Hungama OTT India Fest.
Durga Puja celebrations hit a notch higher as many more film folk paid the North Bombay Sarbojanin Durga Pooja pandal a visit to seek blessings, partake in the bhog and even serve it.
As AI deepfakes threaten star personas and commercial interests, celebrities approach the courts with personality rights petitions.
Govinda and Chunky Panday are an absolute delight in the fourth episode of Too Much With Kajol and Twinkle.
'I won't do anything I don't believe in just for money.'
As a storm brews online over a child's conduct on Kaun Banega Crorepati, Team India cricketer Varun Chakaravarthy has urged restraint and empathy.
A video of Abhishek warmly embracing Neeraj post the event has gone viral, with netizens showering praise on the younger Bachchan for his support for the athlete.
Film folk mourned Zarine Khan and condoled with her family at her prayer service on November 10 at Mumbai's JW Marriott hotel.
Asrani may have never been a marquee name up in sparkling lights or on outsized posters but the sheer proficiency with which he realised his characters has unleashed gales of laughter over five decades and made a significant contribution to several landmark films. Dinesh Raheja salutes the iconic actor.
Is all well between Aishwarya and Abhishek?
As the nation bid farewell to one of its beloved actors, we take a look at Dharmendra's remarkable life through pictures.
From emotional showdowns to the ultimate happily-ever-afters, we recap 10 times Bollywood showed us couples fighting their gharwale for their love.
The cricketing fraternity on Monday paid glowing tributes to veteran actor Dharmendra, who passed away in Mumbai at the age of 89.
