Rajinikanth may have made his last Hindi film two decades ago but he can still set the screen alight, blazing away with a gun that has dozens of barrels. As Thalaiva turns 75 on December 12, Dinesh Raheja looks back at his 17 year journey in Hindi cinema.
'Global politics are in a pretty rough shape and always have been. But the speed and extent with which we receive the insanity surrounding us makes it feel more present and immediate.'
In 1973, several major leading ladies like Mumtaz, Raakhee, Jaya Bhaduri, Dimple Kapadia, Tanuja, had married and retired from films. Producers wanted a new heroine as a replacement. Many thought Sulakshana was a Mumtaz lookalike and was soon persuaded to sign on multiple films as a leading lady.
'I believe that whether it is Rajini sir or Shah Rukh Khan or Dilip Kumarsaab, these stars are blessed with a cosmic energy. It's a phenomenon that is hard to describe, but it makes you fall in love with them.'
'Madhubala in Kala Pani looks divine and yet, she's not just there for glamour.' 'In Do Raaste, the character of Neelambari (played by Bindu) isn't a heroine in the traditional sense but she has such a pivotal role.' 'That Raj Khosla gave a non-heroine such a central role, instead of the heroine, says a lot about how he valued female characters.'
Dharmendra remained one of the most loved stars of all time, even when his movies tapered off, and age caught up with him.
'It was Kishoreda who suggested to Sulakshanadidi that she should become an actress and sing her own songs in her films. This transformed her life and career.'
Speaking at the ceremony, Deepti said it was a matter of great pride to address the gathering at the Police Headquarters.
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.
Veteran filmmaker Chandra Barot, best known for directing the 1978 Amitabh Bachchan-starrer 'Don', passed away on Sunday due to cardiac arrest at a hospital in Mumbai. He was 86.
'Vinod Khanna asked Mehmood if I could play his heroine in a film.' 'He asked Mehmood if we were married.' 'Mehmood just looked at me, smiled and didn't say anything.'
From facing Dennis Lillee to filming with Dharmendra, Mohsin Khan goes back in time in a freewheeling interview.
'Why don't I organise an auction of cinematic memorabilia?' recalls Dinesh Raheja. 'There are sure to be legions of film buffs who will cherish the chance to own souvenirs intimately associated with their favourite stars onscreen.'
The gangster saga Nayakan not only earned Mani Ratnam's reputation as a great director, the dubbed version of the film also did well in Mumbai, so much so that Feroz Khan's Hindi remake, Dayavan, starring Vinod Khanna, could not compare, recalls Deepa Gahlot.
Sadly, Rahul and Akshaye lose both their parents within 18 months.
'People ask me about my biggest action sequence; this is it, because it involved two giants of Indian cinema.'
'Some time back, music was just noise.' 'Producers wrongly think item songs sell better.' 'Audiences are intelligent, they accept whatever you give, but that doesn't mean you can fool them.'
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Given his recent spate of successes and acclaim in solo leads, one would have thought the 12th Fail star would want to make the most of it. Instead, he's keen to shift the focus on his family life.
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Amitabh Bachchan: 'Success didn't affect me at all.' Rajesh Khanna: 'I felt next to God!'
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Days after announcing her joining the BJP party, Kangana Ranaut is taking her political stint rather seriously.
Just who are the reining stars of Bollywood? One look at Maddock Films' 20th anniversary party gives you a pretty good idea.
'He was always sweet and polite with me.'
Hema Malini is a rare Bharatiya Janata Party star politician who has been asked to contest the 2024 Lok Sabha election for a third time.
'The one thing she needs to do is be patient, and not sign the wrong films in desperation. She should rely on her buffer funds for now and wait for the industry to forget this episode.'
In a special series, we will put YOU to the test everyday!
Perfect occasion to list 30 real-life educators whose unique methods, unwavering dedication or scholarly persona impressed us.
Perfect occasion to list 30 real-life educators whose unique methods, unwavering dedication or scholarly persona impressed us.
Entertainers can be good politicians if they treat the citizens as the audience, and treat their job like a live show, and work hard to make sure the audience likes them, asserts Sandeep Goyal.
Sukanya Verma compares yesteryear stars and the contemporary ones at about approximately the same age and the results are glaring.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was among those who mourned her loss, and visited her home.
'As a storyteller, one always looks to create something for the audience which is thrilling, engaging and entertaining and that is exactly what we have endeavoured with Sikandar Ka Muqaddar.'
When you are in love, you are preoccupied just with that.' 'Nothing else registers. It's like being drugged.'
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.
'It was because of the strength of Helenji's performance that I was even called on stage to present her with the coveted Black Lady.'
Bollywood doesn't need fire-breathing dragons when it has Bhai.
It's #ThrowbackThursday and we look at film folk and their lovely memories.
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