Guru Dutt took an overdose of pills twice, once even swallowing opium, calling out for Geeta Dutt even when he was not fully conscious. One suicide attempt, according to sister Lalita Lajmi, was definitely deliberate with Guru Dutt leaving a letter for brother Atma Ram asking him to take care of the production company, his wife and the kids. But she always wondered if the third attempt was actually suicide since there were no calls and no letters.
'The pain of not having a home is bearable, but the pain of having one -- and not finding peace in it -- is far worse.'
'Abrar uncle said he had started drinking from the afternoon on that fateful day. And he continued drinking till late at night.' 'Thereafter, he must have consumed some sleeping pills, as was his habit.' 'I think that combination went fatally wrong.'
Sweet surprises are made of actors best known for their dramatics taking us by surprise by shaking a leg on screen.
'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.'
Shor was a masterpiece and the song Ek Pyaar Ka Nagma Hai, Maujon Ki Ravaani Hai, Zindagi Aur Kuch Bhi Nahin, Teri Meri Kahaani Hai plays in my mind every time I think of my sweet wife, who passed away nine years ago. A Ganesh Nadar applauds the fabulous songs in Manoj Kumar movies.
'I played five different versions of Woh Subah Kabhie Toh Aayegi for Raj Kapoor, only to be greeted with a totally blank reaction.' 'Thereafter, for 40 minutes, he disappeared, leaving us baffled.' 'But when he emerged, he couldn't stop appreciating our efforts!' 'He said Sahir Ludhianvi's writing was sheer poetry and since all my five tunes were equally wonderful, he would leave it to my discretion to chose the final tune.' 'What could be greater appreciation for an artiste?'
'If you watch songs like Acha Ji Main Haari Chalo Maan Jao Na, Lag Ja Gale or Jhumka Gira Re, you'll notice they're not just a distraction. There's a story unfolding within them.'
Bollywood is such an integral part of Mumbai that it spills out in the city's busy streets!
'Bappi Lahiri was looking for a break so he and his father would meet me.' 'I told Director Bhisham Kohli about this promising young boy from Kolkata, and Bappi came over with his harmonium.' 'Bappi played this composition and Bhisham liked it immediately.' 'As we were discussing, I said I would give the words, and that's how I wrote this song.'
Manoj Kumar's musical imprints are as deep as his cinematic ones.
'I would like to feel that he had a special place in his heart for me as I do in my heart to this day.'
'My character Meena seemed like a selfish, cold, heartless woman, who abandons her lover because he is moneyless. But look the girls today. They are as practical as my Meena was in Pyaasa so many years ago.'
'They can't take even the smallest step.' 'The mental abuse is so insidious that sometimes they don't even realise it's happening.'
Sukanya Verma compares yesteryear stars and the contemporary ones at about approximately the same age and the results are glaring.
'She has lived through a lot,' close friend Asha Parekh revealed to Subhash K Jha.
'Actresses of our generation were genuinely fond of one another.'
As India successfully lands Chandrayaan-3, does the moon look as beautiful as one's beloved or has the Chanda Mama of folk ditties acquired a whole new meaning?
'She is the gorgeous Lata, the love of my life.'
Dazzling, dancing and decked to the hilt, courtesans in Hindi films are a breathtaking mix of shiny fantasy and flirtatious poetry to behold.
Asha Parekh and Waheeda Rehman on Super Dancer Chapter 3.
Subhash K Jha lists the inimitable Mohammad Rafi's five most enduring romantic songs.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Eknath Shinde was among those who mourned her loss, and visited her home.
Allu Arjun is the first Telugu actor to receive a National Award for Best Actor.
These are the roles Ms Aman would have loved to try her hand at.
Angry Young Men gloats in Salim-Javed's well-known attributes yet never gains access into the process or passion behind one of Indian cinema's greatest chemistries at work, observes Sukanya Verma.
Subhash K Jha celebrates the Ram Mandir pran pratishtha ceremony by picking some memorable Ram bhajans from movies you may not have heard of.
'When she is on screen, you can't take your eyes off her.'
Are you looking forward to watching Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga?
Nasreen Munni Kabir: The Berlin Film Festival was held between 21 June and 2 July 1963. So that means you did not meet him for a whole year, and then you heard he had passed away in October 1964. Is that right? Waheeda Rehman: Yes. The last time I saw him must have been in Berlin. We did not work together after Sahib Bibi...Waheeda Rehman on Guru Dutt, and the last time they worked together.
A day after the mega launch, the party continues at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre.
On the occasion of Ram Navmi, five Ram bhajans from Hindi films that you probably haven't heard, but should right away.
Did you know Dev Anand worked as a clerk at a salary of Rs 85 before he became an actor?
Dulquer Salmaan, Pooja Bhatt and Sunny Deol invite their friends from the industry to watch Chup: Revenge Of The Artist.
Yesteryear actresses Waheeda Rehman, Vyjayanthimala, Asha Parekh and Hema Malini remember Dev Anand.
'He was one of his kind.' 'He walked at the speed of a run.' 'He wore full-sleeve shirts no matter what or when.' 'He always drove himself.'
Pamela Chopra, playback singer, writer and late film-maker Yash Chopra's wife, passed into the ages on Thursday, April 20, at Mumbai's Lilavati hospital. She was 74.
Subhash K Jha picks songs to celebrate Maha Shiv Ratri.
'Wonder of wonders we finished the Janmashtami song and can you believe it within the next few days it so happened that Dilip Sahab walked into my life, gazed into my eyes and asked my grandmother and mother for my Hand in marriage.'
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.
