'Back then, Shah Rukh Khan had no style, but he understood his strengths.' 'He knew he was appreciated for his energy and that boosted his confidence.' Rediff celebrates Shah Rukh Khan's 60th birthday on November 2 with a special series that introduces us to the man behind the superstar.
'Look after your own mother before looking after your neighbour's mother.' 'I don't believe in starving my own mother and feeding sweets to the neighbours.'
Saeed Mirza, best known for his work in films -- he was the writer-director of movies like Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho! and Albert Pinto ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai as well as the popular TV serial Nukkad -- has written a novel in the form of a lengthy, thoughtful letter addressed to his mother, who died in 1990.
'So my question was, 'What is it that you are proud of? What have you achieved? What is your contribution?' 'He had no answer.'
'God can you get work, but once you get it, you have to do it with honesty and put your 100 percent into it.'
Anger cannot be an end in itself to Rahul Gandhi's politics -- it must instead catalyse a new political strategy, argues Nilanjan Mukhopadhyay.
Kapil's selfie with Trisha... Hina's thought for the day... Kartik's pensive mood...
'Bahut mazaa aaya tha doing Agneepath. When you are working with good actors, it enriches your acting.' 'Amitabhji and I had done Shahenshah before, but that was a fun film.'
'A lot of actors auditioned for Wagle Ki Duniya, but R K Laxman rejected them all.' 'He was the decision-maker, as the serial was based on his Common Man.' 'He wanted a natural, who looked like a common man.'
An actor of remarkable presence and gravitas, Vikram Gokhale's dramatic eloquence and cocksure authority sparkled every time he had to call on someone's bluff or leave them too tongue-tied to beat around the bush. Often though, his cold, composed stare was enough to put a dolt in place.
On her 72nd birthday on September 18, Sukanya Verma gives three cheers to the legend and lists 20 of her stellar performances.
Saeed Mirza's advice for young India
An effortless artist at all times, Surekha Sikri's emotional eloquence and authoritative presence showed a knack for turning moments into meaning.
A look at the guest list.
'Kundan was so knowledgable, and not just about cinema. Way back in 1986, he revolutionised the way we looked at television.'
'The top level will be development and then sab ka saath, sab ka vikas.' 'But at the street level, the tongue will be vicious.'
'Everywhere Anil Dharker went, he assembled teams of talented people, gave them opportunities, then got out of the way and allowed them to flourish.' Meenakshi Shedde remembers a very special editor.
'Albert Pinto Ko Gussa Kyon Aata Hai neither asks nor answers,' complains Sukanya Verma.
The director had passed away on October 7.
'Will you take a Mercedes Benz or Rolex watches or fancy shoes to your grave?'
Vanraj Bhatia, the creator of unforgettable music, hated the fact that the 'New Wave' directors did not respect Hindi cinema's multi-song format.
Bollywood bids adieu to Kundan Shah.
Saeed Mirza on two young men who have broken barriers and emerged as beacons for a New India.
Twenty years ago, Aziz Mirza had the foresight to predict the great discord India would witness and revolt against, notes Sukanya Verma.
Journalist Rana Ayyub refuses to allow our collective memories to fade. That, says respected filmmaker Saeed Mirza, is why he cannot stop worrying about her.
Sukanya Verma celebrates the acting legend.
'Nobody laughed during the shooting. There were fights, swearing and what not. Tempers were high but the unit and the actors stayed on, and finally, the film was made. But it was like riding a wild horse!' Kundan Shah's last interview.
Another 24 filmmakers including Kundan Shah of "Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro" fame and Saeed Mirza and writer Arundhati Roy today returned their National Awards over "growing intolerance", voicing fears that the country's robust democracy might be "coming apart" in the current atmosphere.
Alas, as an indictment of our legal system, Court doesn't prick deeply, says Raja Sen.
'Nikkhil Advani's POW shows a director's deft touch and is a promising start of a great story, top notch acting talent and great behind the scenes production team,' says film director Suparn Verma.
'I defy all the controversy. For me, it is meaningless. They say the students are unhappy that I have been appointed as the head of FTII. They have not seen my work so how can they be unhappy?' Gajendra Chauhan tries to justify his appointment to head the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India.
Pavan Malhotra, one of our finest actors, shows us another side of Bollywood.
Nandita Das on why she wants to make Manto so badly.
P K Nair dedicated his life to restoring and archiving films.
Filmmaker Prakash Jha opens up about his life.
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