Govind Nihalani made some of the finest films of the 20th century: Aakrosh, Ardh Satya, Party, Aaghat and, of course, the Partition epic television series Tamas. On his 84th birthday on December 19, a tribute.
Every day a Party unfolds on social media where armchair activists, politically charged influencers, trend pundits, gyaan givers and troll armies change the world in their heads but remain clueless about the nation's grassroots reality, feels Sukanya Verma.
'When I started reading Tamas I instantly knew it had to be made into a film. I could relate to the tragedy in the lives of the characters.' Govind Nihalani remembers Bhisham Sahni on his centenary.
Om Puri would have been 75 in October. We look back at his early years through these 16 pictures from his life.
If the stories are food for the mind then our digestive system has changed. If they are a piece of art, our gaze has altered. This calls for a change not in stories, but in the grammar of storytelling so that it can cut through the deluge and gluttony and force people to savour, appreciate and re-visit it. That is what the creators of Taskaree or Dhurandhar are trying, points out Vanita Kohli-Khandekar.
We look at the longest Hindi movies through the years, and interestingly, most of them have done well.
Dhurandhar may not have the dark realism of a spy story which a web show can manage. But it does not have the flamboyance either, that has come to be associated with espionage movies, observes Deepa Gahlot.
Wondering where to catch some overlooked, understated gems. Here are some OTT recommendations for you.
'Naseer does not have the sense of humour that Om Puri has. 'Also Om has a great deal of compassion as a human being. Naseer was too focused on his own self.' A fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book, Shyam Benegal.
'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'
'...be it a comedy, thriller or a love story.' 'The bhindi costs Rs 30 per kilo, but the price of potato remains unchanged.'
'On the set, he was this big personality, the great Om Puri. But at home, he was like a fluffy teddy bear.'
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movie legend who turns 70 on October 10.
Rajkumar Santoshi hosted two screenings of his film Gandhi Godse - Ek Yudh over the weekend.
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
'I don't know how long cinema will survive.'
'He treated stars and assistants with the same unfailing courtesy.'
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary special premiere of Sarfarosh, actor Aamir Khan treated fans with a big update on the sequel of the film.
'I find his sense of history astounding, not just history of film, but of life in general.' Another fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book Shyam Benegal.
Shyam Benegal, the shining beacon of the Indian cinema, was laid to rest on Tuesday around 3 pm with full state honours and a three-gun salute at Shivaji Park, central Mumbai.
Film folk step out for a movie.
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Take a look at the arrivals.
Forty-one well-known names share their love for their daughters in a heartwarming coffee table book.
'The ending Vijay Tendulkar had written was different.' 'According to him, the film ended with Anant Welankar's suicide.' 'I felt such an ending would be too nihilistic.' 'Bahut zyada defeatist ho jaata.'
'With his passing, Indian cinema has lost its most undaunted voice, a voice of unsettling truths, a window to history, a school of filmmaking.'
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