In this series, InstaStories, we let pictures on social media tell their beautiful back stories.
In #InstaStories, we show you a different side to Bollywood.
Seventy years after Pather Panchali released on August 26, 1955, we finally get it. Shuttling between the village of Boral and a studio in Calcutta, caught between worrying about the next purse of funds and wondering which item to mortgage next, Satyajit Ray was explaining Indians to themselves, discovers Sreehari Nair.
'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 stood in the line for potty. So there was no extraordinary feeling that I had become a hero.'
'My mom had told me a great deal about Meena Kumari and how she could make a tear drop at the right moment. A legend who was in total control. But when I finally met her, I saw a frail, shrivelled and petite woman -- just a bag of bones. Very tiny. She was dying.'
'She was gutsy and rebellious enough to take on roles other more conventional actresses wouldn't dare and she excelled in them.'
His cinema of compassion inspired me, gave me tools to develop empathy for others. But it also made me understand that serious, socially committed cinema with deeply engaging narratives and great performances is an art form to admire, appreciate and explore. Aseem Chhabra remembers Shyam Benegal, who passed into the ages on Monday evening.
In #InstaStories, we show you a different side to Bollywood.
Smita has left behind a rich haul of films that showcase her enormous ability to offer us a glimpse into her soul each time she performed a role.
Shailendra's songs were attuned to Raj Kapoor's explorations of the themes and dreams of the Everyman.
When he left his job in Calcutta to go to Bombay to become a film actor, Amitabh Bachchan took his driver's license along.
Andaz Apna Apna is practically the most quoted film since Sholay, observes Sukanya Verma, as she celebrates 30 years of this cult classic movie.
Remembering the Eternal Charmer. Remembering an Awesome Human Being. Remembering an actor and film-maker, the likes of whom we will not see again.
Bollywood stars celebrate Teacher's Day by sharing anecdotes and childhood memories with their teachers.
She sang the chartbusters Aaj Kal Tere Mere Pyar Ke Charche in Brahmachari, Tumse Oh Haseena Kabhi Mohabbat Na Maine Karni Thi in Farz and Ajhu Na Aaye Balma in Saanjh Aur Savera.
If there's one thing the full-of-beans star knows, it's how to stay happy, observes Dinesh Raheja.
It's the most romantic day of the year, and the best time to hum romantic songs!
Girish Karnad lived several lives not only on the stage but also as a scholar, theatre personality, an actor and director in a career spanning over five decades.
What is Sunjay Dutt doing in this photograph?
'Many have tried to imitate her. They've fallen flat on their faces.'
Forty four years after Mohammed Rafi's untimely demise on July 31, 1980, at the young age of 55, the singer's work continues to enjoy a musical afterlife on radio, television and modern streaming channels.
We take a look at his life through his pictures over the years.
'When the Shakti team had their meals, Dilisaab would squat with us and say, "Bhai mujhe bhi khilao".'
If Rajesh Khanna was the greatest star of Hindi cinema, the songs played a major part in his superstardom.
'He was a man of immense conviction.' 'Whenever I'd question him, he would say, "Leave aside your logic-wogic. Just do what I tell you".' '"Just trust me. It will work".'
'As soon as the plane touched down and we emerged, barricades came down and his fans rushed towards us.' 'Then, before my astonished eyes, they had lifted him up and he was being passed along over the heads of people.' 'It was an incredible sight!'
'Among the many composing geniuses, who created beautiful tunes for me to sing, Khayyamsaab was the last to remain alive.'
Satyajit Ray would have been a hundred years old on May 2. To mark the legendary film-maker's birth centenary, Rediff.com bring you a treasure trove of features from our archives.
Mukesh was most emotionally bonded to this tune, so all we will do is look at his songs engaging with this raag in films. In his fascinating book, Windows To The Soul: And Other Essays on Music, Manek Premchand reveals something we don't much know about the legendary singer, who was born 100 years ago on July 22.
'Films like Arth don't happen again and again. They come once in a lifetime. I was lucky to make it, and I couldn't have done it without Smita and Shabana.'
'If I had done Sholay, we would have missed seeing the performance of a wonderful actor called Amjad Khan.'
'Sridevi was known as this elusive movie star, but there was a ticking brain there that I don't think she got enough credit for.'
Just how much do *you* know about Lataji?
'I joined Hrishida when I was 17.' 'He left me with a lifetime of memories.'
'Proudly representing & winning for Indian Cinema. #jaihind...'
Sunny Deol and Ameesha Patel are taking their new film Gadar 2 to interesting places in India, as they promote it extensively.
Tokyo -- the songs Japan, Love In Tokyo and Sayonara from the 1966 Hindi film automatically pop up in the mind -- is buzzing and crowded like any other metropolis, discovers Deepa Gahlot. The modern apartment blocks are built cheek by jowl, so close together that one can open the window and borrow sugar from the neighbour in the next building. One of the fears of the Indian traveller is the unavailability of vegetarian food. Every city and town in Japan has an array of Indian restaurants that serve every variety of cuisine, right from Gujarati to Punjabi to Andhra and Kerala meals.
When the filmmaker took Rediff.com on a tour of his lavish New York estate.
No one deserves the title thespian more than Dilip Kumar, notes Shreekant Sambrani.
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