From sultry cabaret numbers to soul-stirring ghazals, Asha Bhosle crafted a sonic universe where boldness met beauty and mischief mingled with melancholy. Her voice didn't just soundtrack cinema, it liberated expression, challenged norms and gave generations permission to feel, flirt, ache and celebrate without restraint. Sukanya Verma salutes the legend.
'She brought to life every song she sang, whether it was a soft, romantic track, a swinging, cabaret number or a heart-wrenching song.' 'There were so many emotions in her voice, so many variations.'
'He had wanted to present me in the likes of the heroines of the 60s whose churidar-kurta look with winged eyeliner and bouffant had captivated fashionistas at the time.'
Eagle-eyed movie buffs don't miss a thing. Part of their passion for cinema is noticing clever little details slipped in by the filmmaker as ardently as the creative. With Easter Sunday just around the corner, Sukanya Verma digs up some super filmi easter eggs just for you.
Walking for Designer Jayanti Reddy to the sultry tune of Aaj Ki Raat at the India Couture Week 2025, the star looked particularly stunning.
Much, much, much before Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani fussed over What Jhumka, Asha Bhosle trilled in her alluring voice and teased us with tantalising details about the events leading to her precious Jhumka's loss.
'She was the last of the diggaj kalakaars after Lataji, Kishoreda, Rafi saab and Mannada and with her demise, the golden era of Hindi film music has truly ended.'
It is impossible to discuss Asha Bhosle without mentioning the word 'versatility', notes Dinesh Raheja.
The foxy lady has a wardrobe of sexy frocks.
For killa vibes in black look no further than Disha.
The singing who turns 79 over the weekend, celebrated her birthday with the launch of her acting debut film Mai.
'It cannot be the case that there's fighting on the border, tensions between the two nations, and we go to play cricket. Until these big issues are resolved, cricket is a very small matter. The nation always comes first.'
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.
Actor-Writer-Director Tigmanshu Dhulia (known for films like Paan Singh Tomar, Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns, Haasil and Charas) shared an interesting memory when he served tea to Shah Rukh Khan.
Dinesh Raheja celebrates Lata's 96th birth anniversary on September 28 by picking some choice examples of her non-typical songs that are tinged with a rare eroticism.
'Panchamda created an exclusive theme music for Gabbar Singh, which is used throughout the film every time the dacoit makes an appearance, and in both concept and sound, is so eerie and evil.'
Because of Mukesh's much-hailed association with Raj Kapoor, it is often overlooked that the singer has also scored hits with almost all major heroes. On Mukesh's 102nd birth anniversary on July 22, Dinesh Raheja recalls some of his classic songs.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
Audiences will hope that Rajinikanth's Coolie, Lokesh Kanagaraj's action film and Rajkumar Hirani's Dadasaheb Phalke biopic are not marred by Aamir Khan's disconcerting, repetitive performances. Aamir's real strength lies in championing stories that challenge conventions and are considered risky by mainstream filmmakers.
'K Asifsaab was very definite that 'woh Hindustan ka honewala Badshah hai -- woh gana nahin gayega.'
Bhool Chuk Maaf released last Friday, we decided to look at 10 instances of tinsel town's famous folks burying the hatchet.
'On the governmental level, we are saying all the right things, like beti bachao, beti padhao. Yet, a High Court judge in Prayagraj, who is highly educated, has studied the Constitution and its laws, says breaking the naada of a pyjama or touching the breasts of a minor girl is not part of the reform process. Just giving lip service is not enough, the general mindset has to change.'
Zeenat Aman had scored more hit songs than any of her contemporaries. This can be attributed partly to happenstance and partly to the fact that her forte for high glamour could be showcased most winningly in a crowd-pleasing number, observes Dinesh Raheja.
'I want to end the year with a film for me.'
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan is a light glimpse into healthy young lives ready to soar in their own sweet skin, applauds Sukanya Verma.
As we celebrate singer Mukesh's birth centenary on July 22, it is a nice time to recall his closeness to Lata Mangeshkar, who would call him 'Mukesh bhaiyya'.
It was raining stars at the wedding reception of Aamir Khan's only daughter Ira and Nupur Shikhare, as the proud father invited *everyone* from the film industry.
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.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
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 never had any nakhras, never threw tantrums, so I got along with all my heroes.'
If Rajesh Khanna was the greatest star of Hindi cinema, the songs played a major part in his superstardom.
Sukanya Verma challenges you to find out just how much you know about Hindi movies.
From aadmi to andas, Bollywood songs dispense gyaan for every occasion. But nothing beats its obsession with pyaar.
Twenty years ago, Aziz Mirza had the foresight to predict the great discord India would witness and revolt against, notes Sukanya Verma.
'Here are 25 stories special to me for one reason too many,' says Sukanya Verma who scored 25 years writing about the movies last week.
If he wasn't an actor, Aamir Khan could have made an excellent life coach.
On his 50th birthday on May 25, Sukanya Verma celebrates the man and his movies.
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