Veteran actor Asrani, who cemented a special place in the hearts of audiences through his portrayal of the eccentric jailer in Sholay and best known for his comic roles, passed away in a hospital in Mumbai on Monday, his manager said.
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.
'We had just shared the warmest of hugs just a week back at the shoot of Haiwaan.'
'Just before his death, he did Bhoot Bangla with me. What a honour for that boy from the village who watched him in Sholay!'
'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.'
'It is wrong to say he turned director to create starring opportunities for himself. He was happy with what he had.'
Govardhan Asrani passed away on October 20 at the age of 84, and the news became public only after his family had performed the last rites, leaving members of the film industry unaware of his demise until after the cremation.
Akshay Kumar and Vidya Balan are shooting their fourth film, directed by Anees Bazmee, in Keralam.
Akshay Kumar and Priyadarshan's reunion in 'Bhooth Bangla' attempts to capitalise on nostalgia but ultimately delivers a noisy, recycled, and uninspired horror-comedy that struggles with weak humour, ineffective scares, and miscasting.
Dhurandhar dominated the March theatre scene, but April offers much more variety. Joginder Tuteja lists the threatrical releases for the month.
Akshay Kumar, joined by his mother-in-law Dimple Kapadia, sought divine blessings at the Shri Mahakaleshwar temple in Ujjain, praying for national prosperity and family well-being.
Akshay Kumar opens up about his upcoming horror-comedy Bhooth Bangla, and reveals his fitness philosophy: 'Fitness should not be an instant coffee or two-minute noodles.'
'I have returned to work with Priyan Sir after 14 years. Aisa laga vanvaas khatam hone ke baad phir se mauka mila hain.'
As we await the much-anticipated reunion of Priyadarshan and Akshay Kumar in Bhooth Bangla, Sreeju Sudhakaran looks back at their six memorable collaborations, ranking them by how consistently they deliver on entertainment.
Before you watch Bhooth Bangla on the big screen on April 10, unscramble this puzzle.
Some of Asrani's work can be watched on streaming platforms. A pick of 10 out of over 350.
Sukanya Verma quizzes you to find out just how much you know about the movies.
'As soon as Salman saw me, he immediately left Aamir's side and came towards me. He hugged me.' 'Then he introduced me to Aamir, saying, 'This is J K Bihari who launched me in Biwi Ho Toh Aisi".'
In half a century, actors have aged or passed away, the shape of the city has altered, the film industry has changed beyond recognition, most single screens have made way for multiplexes, audiences tastes have changed, rural life is very different now, and inflation has devalued the rupee. But a great film is forever. Deepa Gahlot salutes Sholay, as it re-releases in theatres.
Kis Kisko Pyaar Karoon 2 may be a comedy filled with chaos, but in its indirect way, it speaks about a time when the Constitution mattered more than one's religion and when the idea of India was larger than personal hate, observes Syed Firdaus Ashraf.
'He was a joyful man. He was always content with his life and never ran after money.'
'The heavens will be a merrier and a happier place now.' Colleagues pay homage to Satish Shah who passed into the ages on Saturday.
'Sholay had a sargam of human emotions.'
'Editor M S Shinde deserves full credit because, I'm told, Ramesh Sippy had shot 300,000 feet of footage, which was brought down to 18,000. 'He died in 2012, in a 126 square foot flat in Dharavi, penniless, a forgotten hero.'
'I make films which I think have the possibility of being liked by a majority of people, and you present it with the right emotions.'
Even after 50 years, Sholay remains a lasting reminder of unity, shared memories and the joy of cinema, notes Mohammad Asim Siddiqui.
Father-son duo of Niranjan and Kapil Asrani tell us why they lost the Amazing Race Asia, and the fun they had on the show.
Tabu will unite with Akshay Kumar after 25 years!
'Life does not change in such a way that everything becomes easy. Struggle and hustle is there for everyone. 'The difference is that people have started knowing me.'
Reader Afsar Madathil has sent us a photograph.
'Do films today even have the courage to question the establishment?'
Anushree Mehta will direct the remake of Hrishikesh Mukherjee's classic film Bawarchi.
'Mohanlal and Akshay are two actors who trust me implicitly.'
Veteran actor Satinder Kumar Khosla, popularly known as Birbal, succumbed to a cardiac arrest on Tuesday, September 12. He was in his 80s.
After their film Dream Girl 2 released in theatres, it was time for Ayushmann Khurrana and Ananya Panday to eat cake!
On Tuesday, when trends indicated she was going to win her election, the four-time National Award winner said, 'Heartfelt gratitude to all the people of Mandi for this love and trust... This victory belongs to all of you, this is the victory of your trust in Prime Minister Modi and the BJP, this is the victory of Sanatan and in the honour of Mandi.'
'We want Ayushmann Khurrana's character to look perfect as Pooja in Dream Girl 2 and that's why we are taking extra time to perfect the VFX work for the face.'
The Dream Girl sequel is scheduled for release for Eid 2023, the day usually reserved for Salman Khan's movies.
Kudos to Ayushmann for taking the risk and going by the trailer it's seems he has nailed the character to perfection. Guess we won't be surprised if he rules the award shows this year.
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