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Subhash K Jha turns the spotlight on the filmmaker of some of the classics of Indian cinema — Asit Sen.

Having grown up watching Asit Sen’s intensely romantic drama, I felt a twinge of regret and rage at the way the film industry forgot the man who made neo-classics like Khamoshi, Safar and Mamta.

Bindiya Dutta had the privilege of working with him in 1983 in a film called Mehndi . Bindiya grew mishti-eyed at the mention of this Bengali Babu’s work. “I saw Asitda’s Mehndi on television the other day. It’s amazing how well the film holds together in spite of the passage of time. I really enjoyed working with Asitda.

When Vyjayanthimala Turned Down The Award For The Film Devdas(Photo Credit –Wikimedia/Prime Video)

Vyjayanthimala has had a glorious contribution to Indian cinema with her stellar filmography and phenomenal dancing chops. The actress was in the peak of her career during the 1950s and 1960s wherein she was a part of many critically acclaimed and commercially films. These movies not only required her to look beautiful and dance gracefully but her role also had a substance in the storyline.

Some of her memorable performances were for movies like Sadhna, Madhumati, Devdas, Sangam, Ganga Jamuna, Sangharsh, Amrapali, and Hatey Bazarey. When it came to the 1955 film Devdas, Vyjayanthimala starred alongside the legendary Dilip Kumar and essayed the role of Chandramukhi. However, did you know that the actress was offered the Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actress for the film which she was quick to refuse? Not only this but...

After Aamir Khan Blames Ott, Tigmanshu Dhulia Reveals New Films Are Box Office Disasters! (Photo Credit – Wikipedia/Prime Video/Instagram)

Recently, Aamir Khan, in an interaction with the media, blamed Ott platforms for the failure of films at the box office. Now, filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia has discussed another reason for the failure of Hindi films and the success of South Indian films at the box office!

In an interview, the filmmaker blamed one basic reason for audiences not turning in the theaters to watch the film – the ever-high ticket prices in the multiplexes. Pointing out how this is a real-estate business model, Dhulia discussed the difference in ticket rates between the North and South.

Discussing the issue in a podcast Ani, Tigmanshu Dhulia said, “Aapko ticket thodi bech rahe hain picture ka, aapko parking ka ticket bech rahe hain, popcorn bech rahe hain, samosa bech rahe hain, kya kya tacos bech rahe hain,...

Suchitra Sen Once Refused To Work With Raj Kapoor! ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Suchitra Sen is a name that is synonymous with Indira Gandhi. The actress played a version of the powerful leader in a fictional film by Gulzar called Aandhi. However, fans love her for being the feminine yet strong Paro she played to a charming yet tragic Dilip Kumar in the 1955 film Devdas!

Devdas, directed by Bimal Roy, was Sen’s debut in the Hindi Cinema. The actress, turned into one of the most sought after actresses in Hindi Cinema and of course, showman Raj Kapoor became too eager to work with her!

However, to everyone’s surprise, they never worked together, and the reason was Raj Kapoor himself. Suchitra Sen, in one of her very early interviews, revealed she did not like Raj Kapoor as a person and refused to work with him in any Hindi film!

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Gulzar Saab gave us three classics in 1975. Khushboo, Mausam, and Aandhi. Among them, Aandhi was the one that whipped up a serious storm. Subhash K Jha looks back at the film that was released 50 years ago and also shares some unknown facts!

Set in the same year of Sholay and the just released dreaded Emergency came this political fable that was far-reaching in its resonances. Aandhi is the story of Aarti Devi (Suchitra Sen), who arrives in her constituency to fight the elections with Chandra Sen(Om Shivpuri). All hell breaks loose when Aarti Devi is espied with the owner of the hotel where her entourage stays. In a series of typically Gulzarian flashbacks, Aarti Devi re-lives her past with Jk (Sanjeev Kumar).

The film seems to borrow sheaves from Mrs Indira Gandhi’s life story down to an overbearing politician-father (Rehman) whose ambitions on his daughter’s behalf destroy her marriage.

In Dev.D , Anurag Kashyap at last shed his obstinate inaccessibility as a filmmaker. More a homage to Sanjay Leela Bhansali than litterateur Saratchandra Chatterjee’s Devdas, Kashyap’s Dev.D is that deep liberating, lascivious, luscious, provocative, tantalizing, and tragic view of tragic hedonism, ruinous self-indulgence, and vain miscommunication that Saratchandra barely thought about but couldn’t articulate.

Fiery, unforgettably unstoppable in her self-worth…Paro, now transposed to Punjab, knows her Devdas just got back from England and wants some quality sex.

As determined as ever, she cycles to the nearest sugarcane fields with a bulky bedroll tied to the carrier and spreads it out for her foreign-returned lover-boy…That image of the super-determined Paro cycling to sex in the fields, compounded with that brilliantly shot sequence where she explodes her bitterness, frustration, and anger by pressing down on a handpump as though it were a….never mind qualify as two...

Deewar, directed by The Yash Chopra, released 50 years ago. Starring Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan Deewaar was a critical and box-office hit and is considered one of the best, a classic, and an iconic film of Hindi cinema.

Here are seven unknown facts about Deewaar.

1. The first choice for Vijay’s role in Deewaar was not Amitabh Bachchan. It was Rajesh Khanna. Director Yash Chopra, who had directed Rajesh Khanna in his first home production Daag, was keen to reunite with Rajesh Khanna. However, writers Salim-Javed put their collective clout into action and insisted on Ab. And who said no to Salim-Javed those days?!

2. But here is the thing. Ab was doing another film with Yash Chopra at that time. And post Zanjeer, there was no way he could accommodate two Yash Chopra films into his clogged date diary. Luckily, better sense prevailed. Ab and Yc trained their guns on Deewaar.

When Rakhee Resumed Her Acting Career After An Unpleasant Experience With Gulzar ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia; Facebook )

Legendary writer and lyricist Gulzar tied the knot with veteran actress Rakhee on May 15, 1973. They also had a daughter, Meghna Gulzar, who is one of the most celebrated directors today. However, Gulzar was against his wife working in the movies after their marriage, so the Bemisal actress quit the film industry. However, an unpleasant incident with her husband not only made her return to the movies but also caused her to separate from the writer-lyricist.

When An Unpleasant Experience Sealed The Fate Of Rakhee And Gulzar’s Marriage

According to Bollywood Shaadi, during the shooting of the 1975 film Aandhi, the entire team was partying in Kashmir. When the actress of the film, Suchitra Sen, got a little drunk and was moving towards her room, her co-star Sanjeev Kumar grabbed her and pulled her towards him.

National Awards are widely regarded as one of the most prestigious honors in Indian cinema, valued for their integrity, lack of commercial flamboyance, and support for alternative, parallel, and small-budget yet impactful films across various languages and regions of the country. The National Award is a badge of honor for the filmography of any actor. Compared to other award ceremonies, National Awards are largely considered more authentic and unbiased, as these awards are selected by a jury of esteemed people.

Over the years, National Awards have diversified with many new awards introduced over some time. However, the diversification of the awards has also led to controversies regarding the awards and their adherence to unbiased selection. Time and again concerns were raised regarding the selection of artists for the National Awards, particularly in the case of films like “Rudaali” (1992), “Daman” (2000), Hum Tum” (2004), “The Kashmir Files” (2021), etc., and artists like Kirron Kher,...

The Indian political landscape has seen an interesting blend of personalities from various fields, including sports, business, and entertainment. Among the most captivating transitions are those of Bollywood actresses who have successfully made the leap from the silver screen to the parliamentary floor. Here, we delve into the journeys of some film actresses who have won Lok Sabha election seats, highlighting their paths and contributions to Indian politics.

Hema Malini: The Dream Girl of Indian Politics

Known as the “Dream Girl” of Bollywood, Hema Malini’s charm and grace transcended the screen, making her a beloved figure in Indian cinema. Her transition into politics was marked by her candidacy from the Bharatiya Janata Party (Bjp). In 2004, she was nominated to the Rajya Sabha, and later, in 2014, she contested from the Mathura constituency in Uttar Pradesh. Her victory was resounding, as she defeated her rivals with a significant margin, securing...

Noted Bengali actress of yesteryear Anjana Bhowmik (79), who received critics’ accolades for her portrayal of ‘Sujata Mitra’ in the 1968 hit film ‘Chowringhee’, passed away at a hospital in Kolkata on Saturday. She is survived by her two daughters – Nilanjana Sengupta and Chandana Sharma. Nilanjana is married to popular actor Jisshu Sengupta.

The family members of the actress told mediapersons that Bhowmik was admitted to a city hospital for some time now owing to age-related ailments.

Many critics feel that despite her acting talent, Bhowmik was unable to reach the height of popularity she deserved because of the presence of other prominent actresses during her time, namely Suchitra Sen, Sabitri Chattopadhyay and Supriya Devi.

However, in the cinemas where she appeared in lead roles, she won the hearts of the viewers and drew accolades from the critics because of her natural acting talent.

Apart from ‘Chowringhee’, other films with Bhowmik in...

After the recently-concluded ‘Bachchanalia’ where Amitabh Bachchan memorabilia went under the hammer, the auction house DeRivaz & Ives has announced a similar tribute to ‘feminine icons’ of Indian cinema.

Vintage souvenirs of Bollywood actresses that will also celebrate a saga of beauty and their acting prowess will be auctioned in Mumbai.

The auction will celebrate actresses like Nadia, Jayashree, Devika Rani, Noor Jahan, Suraiya, Nargis, Geeta Bali, Bina Rai, Madhubala, Madhabi Mukherjee, Mala Sinha, Suchitra Sen, Shashikala, Sharmila Tagore, Meena Kumari, Jaya Bhaduri, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and many more.

Titled ‘Feminine Icons of Indian Cinema’, the auction will be held on November 23-25, and a variety of iconic photographs, film posters, lobby cards and other original artworks will be on offer for film buffs.

Among them will be a rare ‘The Light of Asia’ original publicity still in silver gelatin, of the classic 1925 Indian silent film...

After the recently-concluded ‘Bachchanalia’ where Amitabh Bachchan memorabilia went under the hammer, the auction house DeRivaz & Ives has announced a similar tribute to ‘feminine icons’ of Indian cinema.

Vintage souvenirs of Bollywood actresses that will also celebrate a saga of beauty and their acting prowess will be auctioned in Mumbai.

The auction will celebrate actresses like Nadia, Jayashree, Devika Rani, Noor Jahan, Suraiya, Nargis, Geeta Bali, Bina Rai, Madhubala, Madhabi Mukherjee, Mala Sinha, Suchitra Sen, Shashikala, Sharmila Tagore, Meena Kumari, Jaya Bhaduri, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Rekha, Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit and many more.

Titled ‘Feminine Icons of Indian Cinema’, the auction will be held on November 23-25, and a variety of iconic photographs, film posters, lobby cards and other original artworks will be on offer for film buffs.

Among them will be a rare ‘The Light of Asia’ original publicity still in silver gelatin, of the classic 1925 Indian silent film...

New Delhi, Sep 26 (Ians) Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there, said Meryl Streep.

The 85-year-old veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman has been nominated for this year’s Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Some of her best movies include “Khamoshi”, “‘Guide”, and “Kagaz Ke Phool”.

Rehman made her film debut with the Telugu film “Rojulu Marayi” (1955), ….and rose to prominence with her association with filmmaker Guru Dutt: the romantic dramas “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959), the musical romance”Chaudhvin Ka Chand” (1960) and the drama “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962).

Rehman also had success with the romantic drama “Guide” (1965), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

This was Dev Anand’s work.

She won the award again for her performance in the romantic thriller “Neel Kamal” (1968), and additionally earned nominations for her roles in the...

Dev Anand was forever on our TV screens. My mother and aunts were huge fans. But my mother also had bundles of Filmfare magazines, and large black discs of gramophones with beautiful covers of Indian actors and actresses.

Her favourite was Dilip Kumar and a close second was Dev Anand. Dev Anand lit up the screen with his perfect groomed hair, perfectly fitted clothes and the aura he gave off of wealth and sophistication other stars of his time lacked. Dev Anand could be playing an alcoholic and he would have not a single hair out of place like in “Sharabi” (1964).

When I went to Government College University Lahore for my MPhil, my mother’s response was: “Dev Anand went to Government College.” How cool was I!

Dev Anand did his BA in English from the college – and fell in love with a classmate too, according to his autobiography, but...

Dev Anand was forever on our TV screens. My mother and aunts were huge fans. But my mother also had bundles of Filmfare magazines, and large black discs of gramophones with beautiful covers of Indian actors and actresses.

Her favourite was Dilip Kumar and a close second was Dev Anand. Dev Anand lit up the screen with his perfect groomed hair, perfectly fitted clothes and the aura he gave off of wealth and sophistication other stars of his time lacked. Dev Anand could be playing an alcoholic and he would have not a single hair out of place like in “Sharabi” (1964).

When I went to Government College University Lahore for my MPhil, my mother’s response was: “Dev Anand went to Government College.” How cool was I!

Dev Anand did his BA in English from the college – and fell in love with a classmate too, according to his autobiography, but...

Mumbai, May 21 (Ians) Basking in the critical acclaim for “Jubilee” (where he plays a studio boss modelled after Himanshu Rai of Bombay Talkies) and the positive buzz about the upcoming series “Scoop” (where his character is inspired by crime journalist J. Dey), Prosenjit Chatterjee has announced that he’ll be next seen in the Bengali film “Devi Chowdhurani: Bandit Queen of Bengal”.

Based on the novel by Bankim Chandra Chattopadhyay, “Devi Chaudhurani”, a role that was first essayed by Suchitra Sen, is about a young woman in 18th-century Bengal who, after being abandoned by her in-laws, is adopted by a dacoit and ends up becoming a female Robin Hood.

Sharing the motion poster and details about the film, Prosenjit took to his social media profile and shared a prayer addressed to Goddess Kali, the deity of dacoits: “Muktakeshi khargahaste, tamas binashini, namami Maate Kalike, sarvasiddhi dayini.”

After the benediction came...

Guwahati, May 15 (Ians) Actresses Raima and Riya Sen – the two daughters of Bengal who have always been in the limelight due to their grandmother Suchitra Sen and mother Moon Moon Sen, and later for their own acting skills, have expressed their interest in joining politics – in the future.

While Raima clearly mentioned a timeline for her to jump into the political arena, her younger sister, Riya has not given a clear answer. However, after Riya was seen joining the Bharat Jodo Yatra along with Rahul Gandhi, speculations were rife that she might soon join the Congress.

Speaking to Ians, the Sen sisters, though they avoided revealing their political affiliations, conveyed their desire to be future politicians.

Raima said: “As of now, I am not joining politics and concentrating on my acting career, but yes, within the next 5 years, I have a wish to try my luck in politics too.”

Their mother,...

The ban culture and the jail culture have always existed in India. The British did it and so did the post-independence rulers. The first prime minister of India did it and the rest of the family, which ruled the country, followed suit.

Jailing a person was the privilege of the rulers, the one enjoying the high office of the prime minister. It had nothing to do with the excuses that are offered now, such as: disturbing harmony, spreading unrest, hurting religious sentiments, and so on. Books, talks and creativity were banned randomly.

In between, the trend was to jail people. It had nothing to do with public perceptions, but all about the undemocratic way of running a democratic country.

Things have changed and the politicians don’t muddy their hands by directly giving calls to ban a book or a film. Why do they need to do that? There are so many ambitious,...

Well-known singer Neha Kakkar has been bowled over by ‘Indian Idol 13′ contestant Sonakshi Kar’s rendition of a Lata Mangeshkar song. Sonakshi also amazed the other judges, including Himesh Reshammiya and Vishal Dadlani, with her melodious rendition of Lata’s famous romantic track ‘Rahen Na Rahen Hum’ from the 1966 film ‘Mamta’ starring Suchitra Sen, Ashok Kumar and Dharmendra.

Kakkar told Sonakshi: “I loved your performance. We have contestants like you who are singing Lata didi’s songs. It sounds like our music is safe in your voice.”

Expressing her gratitude, Sonakshi said: “I have grown up watching ‘Indian Idol’ and have learnt so much just by watching the show. I am really excited as to what this journey will bring for me after being mentored by the trio of judges who have mastered the art of music.”

‘Indian Idol 13’ airs on Sony Entertainment Television.

Gulzar in Griha Pravesh (1979).Cinema and poetry seem to be such kindred art forms that one would imagine a lot of poets to have turned to filmmaking. In reality, such instances are relatively rare. Maya Angelou directed just the one film, Down in the Delta (1998), and Ethan Coen published a book of poetry called The Drunken Driver Has the Right of Way. Kiarostami was a poet, so were Pasolini and Jean Cocteau. Indian cinema has produced a few poet-filmmakers of its own, such as Buddhadeb Dasgupta and Kidar Sharma. But probably the one filmmaker who has also been staggeringly prolific as both a poet and songwriter is Gulzar.The Western world predominantly sees Indian cinema in two extremities: either as the garish vaudevillian spectacle that everyone broadly recognizes as Bollywood, or the stark realistic storytelling by the likes of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak. But with at least eleven major...

My parents were born and raised in Kolkata, India, and experienced the golden age of Bengali cinema. They could see themselves in characters onscreen solving mysteries like Soumitra Chatterjee in “Feluda,” courting like legendary stars Uttam Kumar and Suchitra Sen, and living everyday village life as seen through the poignant lens of Satyajit Ray.

As a first generation Bengali-American girl, I grew up with two different cultures in a suburban, Irish-Catholic neighborhood. I went to Catholic school for six years, but I also went to Hindu temple camp and spent most of my summer vacations in Kolkata. I speak fluent Bengali and slayed my AP English exam. I danced Bharatnatyam for over 10 years while taking ballet and hip-hop.

I watched a handful of Bollywood films growing up, but I didn’t speak or understand Hindi and couldn’t really connect to the stories. Something clicked when I saw “Bend It Like Beckham,...

Raima Sen will remember Soumitra Chattopadhyay as the first actor she worked with in the new normal. She shared screen space with the iconic actor in "The Bong Connection", "Nishijapon", "Maach Mishti & More" and "Chhaya Manush".

By Raima Sen

I just got the news (of his death). We had shot together recently, in August. We were shooting for a documentary. I had a guest appearance in the film and I remember he was fine at that time.

Because of the current situation, there was social distancing the last time we worked together. That's my last memory of him. I will always remember how, after lockdown, he was the first person I shot with.

It is sad to know that he had Covid and was hospitalised. There were other complications, too.

It is a huge loss to the Bengali film industry because he was working very actively. He was 85 and it...

by Shantanu Ray Chaudhuri

(The article was published initially in Projectorhead.in)

The Golden Era: The 1950s and 1960s

The next two decades witnessed Bengali cinema at its best, with a never before coming together of exceptional directors, actors and technicians, a willingness to experiment with forms, techniques and content, and nuanced understanding and application of film techniques. Fittingly enough, the era began with Nemai Ghosh’s Chinnamul (The Uprooted, made in 1951), which despite certain aesthetic glitches, is a telling document of partition and a landmark in the growth of socially conscious cinema in India. Hemen Gupta’s Bhuli Nai (We Shall not Forget) and ’42 (1942), both made in the late 1940s but releasing only in the 1950s, were entirely original subject matters that owed themselves to the director’s experiences as a freedom fighter and were remarkable for the director’s uncompromising sincerity. The First International Film Festival held...

Veteran filmmaker who churned out matinee classics like "Aayee Milan Ki Bela", "Aaya Saawan Jhum Ke" and "Aap Ki Kasam" in the 1970s and 80s, but is now more well known for being actor Hrithik Roshan's maternal grandfather, J. Om Prakash breathed his last at his residence here on Wednesday, a close family friend said. He was 92.

"He was very active all through his career, making women-oriented films and an important functionary of the Indian Motion Pictures Producers Association and other industry associations," close family associate and veteran journalist Indermohan Singh Pannu told Ians.

Also Read:?Hrithik Roshan starrer Super 30 lands in Ladakh

Prakash's daughter Pinky is married to veteran Bollywood actor and filmmaker, Rakesh Roshan, Hrithik's father.

"My dearest uncle Mr J. Om Prakash passed away about an hour ago. So saddened as he joins his friend, my Mamaji Mr Mohan Kumar in heaven! Their contributions to...

The 1975 political drama had music by Rd Burman and lyrics by Gulzar, who created evergreen songs like Tere Bina Zindagi Se Koi and Tum Aa Gaye Ho. Directed by Gulzar, Aandhi starred Suchitra Sen and Sanjeev Kumar...

Yesteryear Bengali and Bollywood actress Suchitra Sen has been one of the most intriguing actresses of her times. Speculations about a biopic on her has been doing the rounds for a couple of years but putting all of it to rest, Suchitra’s granddaughter and popular actress Raima Sen has decided to speak about it. InRead More

The post Not a biopic but legendary actress Suchitra Sen will now get a biography appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Parambrata has completed two Hindi films since Kahaani, one is Traffic the Hindi remake of the Malayalam drama-thriller directed by Rajesh Pillai. The actor has also completed homage to the cinema of Gulzar called Yaara Silly Silly. Says Parambrata, "It's directed by Subhash Sehgal who has edited Gulzar saab's films. It features me and Paoli Dam in a cute love story about two people in love who separate and meet again after many years. I liked the fact that it saluted the cinema of Gulzar Saab. It's complete." Parambrata was supposed to be in Sujoy Ghosh's next film Durga Rani Singh. Says Parambrata, "Sujoy said, 'You are on'. I was looking forward to working with him again. But the dates he wanted were committed elsewhere. I just couldn't free myself for his film." Kahaani was a turning-point in Parambrata's career, though he isn't exactly clamouring to do Hindi films,...

Vidya Balan, who has always expressed her wish to star in a biopic, has finally found the role of her dreams and it is of yet another yesteryear actress. The actress will be seen playing Suchitra Sen, who is known to be one of the most talented and beautiful actresses of Indian cinema. Raima and Riya Sen, granddaughters of Suchitra Sen, had previously mentioned about making a film on their grandmother and Vidya Balan, who is known for her love for Bengali culture and Kolkata, has now got an opportunity to explore it further by portraying the life of the popular Bengali actress on screen. Also, prior to this, the actress who is busy wrapping up the Emraan Hashmi starrer Hamari Adhuri Kahani, was reading about four scripts which included this biopic and one on Benazir Bhutto. Moreover, from what we hear, Vidya Balan will also be training in Kathak,...

It’s raining biopics in Bollywood. After Priyanka Chopra (Mary Kom) and Farhan Akhtar (Bhaag Milkha Bhaag), Vidya Balan is all set to play yesteryear actress Suchitra Sen.

Sources say, Vidya had two choices. The first script that was offered to her was based on the life and times of Suchitra Sen. The second was on the life of late Pakistan Prime Minister Read More...

The classic Bengali novella Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay has been told countless times in Bollywood. Well now director Sudhir Mishra is making a new film based on the story which will be told in a unique style.

Actress Richa Chadha has told the Indian press that she watched 8 versions of Devdas as part of her preparation in playing the memorable character Paro. “Essaying a role of a timeless character like Paro is a great responsibility,” said Richa. “I had only seen the two Hindi adaptations till date but when I did my homework for Sudhir sir’s film I felt it was a great opportunity to study all the movies. I have done my best by adding newness to my character.”

The character of Paro has been played by renowned actresses like Suchitra Sen and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan and Richa is now the new addition to a character which many actresses dream of portraying.

Busy with the schedule of films, Amitabh Bachchan will be taking time out to attend the festival that celebrates the art of filmmaking, the 45th International Film Festival of India (Iffi) which will be held in Goa from November 20 to 30.

While Amitabh Bachchan will attend the ceremony as the chief guest, the festival will also honour the work of superstar Rajinikanth by conferring him with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year.

Moreover, the festival will have films coming from the globe whereby it will screen 170 films that have come from 75 countries. The President directed by Mohsen Makhmalbaf will be screened at the opening ceremony and The Grandmaster by Wong Kar-wai will be a part of closing ceremony.

Also, special features on renowned personalities like Gulzar, Zohra Sehgal, Suchitra Sen, a tribute to Farooq Sheikh and filmmaker Richard Attenborough is on the cards.

Wong Kar Wai’s Grandmaster will close Iffi 2014

Celebrated Hong Kong director Wong Kar Wai will be honoured with the Lifetime Achievement award at the 45th International Film Festival of India (Iffi), to be held in Goa from November 20-30.

The festival will open with Iranian director Mohsen Makhmalbaf’s The President. Superstar Amitabh Bachchan will be the Chief Guest of the opening ceremony of the festival to be held on November 20 which will be attended by Chinese film actress Zhang Ziyi and Swedish filmmaker Jan Troell. Polish film maker Krzysztof Zanussi will be the Guest of Honour of the ceremony.

Wong Kar Wai’s Grandmaster will close the festival on November 30.

Superstar Rajnikanth will be honoured with the Centenary Award for Indian Film Personality of the Year.

Iffi will hold Retrospectives of filmmakers Gulzar and Jahnu Barua and pay homage to Richard Attenborough, Robin Williams, Zohra Sehgal, Suchitra Sen and Farooq Sheikh.

Suchitra Sen

What:

Suchitra Sen Film Festival- a tribute.

Screening of acclaimed films of Suchitra Sen like Harano Sur, Bombai Ka Babu, Aatmiyo Swajan, Aandhi, Guerrilla and Lal Tip.

The festival is being organised by the Entertainment Society of Goa.

When:

11-16 April.

Entry:

Free and open to all.

Venue:

Auditorium 1

Maquinez Palace

Panaji, Goa.

About the event:

List of films

Harano Sur (11 April)

Director: Ajay Kar

(1957, 162min, B/W)

Cast: Suchitra Sen, Uttam Kumar, Pahari Sanyal, Utpal Dutta.

Aloke Mukherjee (Uttam Kumar), mentally imbalanced, following a train accident, is rescued on escaping from the asylum by Doctor Roma Banerjee (Suchitra Sen). There, while treating him at her home they fall in love, and marry. But a second accident makes Aloke recall his past life as a rich businessman in Calcutta and forget Roma. Could Aloke ultimately remember the days he spent with wife Roma?

Bombai Ka Babu (12 April)

Director: Raj Khosla

Cast: Suchitra Sen,...

Kolkata, April 1: Former Bollywood actress Moon Moon Sen Tuesday launched her campaign as the Trinamool Congress candidate from the Bankura Lok Sabha constituency.

The daughter of Bengali screen icon Suchitra Sen, who passed away early this year, the Oxford educated Sen sought blessings at a mosque as well as a temple in Metia Narayanpur village in Bankura district.

Known as "Suchitra Sen er meye (Suchitra's daughter)" in the interiors, her calm demeanour was in sharp contrast to the aggressive body language of battle-hardened politicos as she interacted with residents in her constituency.

Sen made head turns as.

Kolkata, March 6: With reigning Bengali superstar Dev and actor Moon Moon Sen featuring in the Trinamool Congress' star-studded candidate list from West Bengal for the April-May Lok Sabha polls, congratulations poured in for the two from the regional film fraternity Thursday.

Dev will be contesting from Ghatal in West Midnapore district and Moon Moon - daughter of legendary Bengali heroine Suchitra Sen and herself a film actress - will be in fray from Bankura.

Party chairperson Mamata Banerjee announced the names at her residence hours after the Election Commission notified the polls Wednesday.

Tollywood actress.

Kolkata, March 5: Reigning Bengali matinee idol Dev, film personalities Moon Moon Sen and Satabdi Roy, and former Indian soccer skipper Bhaichung Bhutia figure in the list of Trinamool Congress candidates for the April-May Lok Sabha polls, party chief Mamata Banerjee announced Wednesday.

Bhutia will contest the election from Darjeeling, and Dev from Ghatal in West Midnapore district, as per the list which includes a number of renowned cultural personalities and non-political people.

Moon Moon, daughter of legendary Bengali heroine Suchitra Sen and herself a film actress, will be in fray from Bankura.

Sugata Bose,.

Kolkata, March 5: Film personalities Moon Moon Sen, Deb, Shatabdi Roy, and former Indian soccer skipper Bhaichung Bhutia figure in the list of canidates of the Trinamool Congress for the coming Lok Saba polls, party chief Mamata Banerjee said Wednesday.

Bhutia will contest the election from Darjeeling, and Deb from Ghatal in West Midnapore district.

Sen, daughter of legendary Bengali heroine Suchitra Sen and herself a film actress, will be in the fray from Bankura.

Ians...

Kolkata, Feb 20: A new book on the late Bengali cinema icon Suchitra Sen offers a peep into the life of the elusive actress through rare photographs, replica of posters and insights offered by renowned filmmakers.

Titled 'Mahanayika' (great actress), the 500-page book was released Wednesday and has write-ups on Sen by director Ritwik Ghatak, Ajay Kar and Asit Sen, among others.

It also carries an article by Sen's biographer and friend Gopal Krishna Roy.

"Besides photographs and posters, there is a collection of news clippings reporting her death," Roy, who was present at the launch, told Ians.

The 82-year-old actress died at a nursing home here Jan 17 following a massive cardiac arrest.

Ians...

Mumbai, Jan 23: She enjoyed stardom like no one did in Bengali cinema. Yet, screen goddess Suchitra Sen let go of it easily, but stardom never left her mother, says Moon Moon Sen.

After ruling the silver screen for decades with Bengali films such as "Deep Jwele Jaai" and "Uttar Falguni" as well as Hindi movies like "Devdas", "Bombai Ka Babu", "Mamta" and "Aandhi", Suchitra quit acting because of "kitschy mediocrity" that overtook Bengali cinema in the 1970s and 1980s.

Post retirement, she lived a hermit's life for three-and-a-half decades and shunned everything - from arclights to socialising. In fact, she was so determined that in 2005 she even turned down the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the highest honour in Indian cinema,.

Mumbai, Jan 23: Raima Sen, who bears a strong resemblance to her late grandmother and legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, says initially filmmakers tried to portray her like her granny and it took her a long time to get out of her shadows.

"Initially, when I came into the industry, everyone would look at me in that funny way as if they were not seeing me, but someone else. When I was doing my first film 'Godmother', I'd be told to look into the camera in a certain way. It took me a while to realise they were seeing my grandmother in me," said Raima.

She feels that late filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh's "Chokher Bali".

Mumbai, Jan 23: Actress Moon Moon Sen is contemplating the idea of penning a coffee table book about her late mother, the reclusive Bengali screen goddess Suchitra Sen. But the book will be sans details of her personal life.

"She (my mother) kept urging me to do a few more films and to write. I suppose now I will write again. Maybe a coffee table book about my mother," said Moon Moon.

"You know, I promised her I'd never write about her personal life. Keeping out her personal details, it'd be very easy for me to wr1ite a coffee table book on my mother," she added.

Suchitra died Jan 17 following a cardiac arrest. She was 82 years old.

For her daughter, "it's hard to imagine she is gone".

What was she.

Mumbai, Jan 21: Raima Sen, who is confused about her feelings of grief and guilt after the death her grandmother and legendary actress Suchitra Sen, says that her granny wanted her to get married and she will fulfil her last wish.

This is the first time Raima has lost someone so close to her.

"I am stricken with guilt and regret. It's going to take a long to heal. Should I have spent more time with my grandmother? I guess the time you get with those you love is never enough. Thank god I wasn't somewhere else when she went," said Raima, daughter of Moon Moon Sen.

"Her last wish was to see me get married. I want.

Curtains came down on an era in Bengali cinema as the iconic and enigmatic Bengali actress Suchitra Sen, who remained away from public life for nearly three and half decades, died on Friday (Jan 17, 2014) in a Kolkata hospital. She was 83. After a gun salute, she was cremated at the Keoratala burning ground on a sandalwood pyre in the presence of her daughter Moon Moon Sen, grand-daughters Raima and Riya Sen, West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee and some noted film personali...

Kolkata, Jan 17: Bengali cine icon Suchitra Sen's association with Ramakrishna Mission helped the actress forget worldly pains and attain peace in life. After becoming a disciple, she spent most of life soaked in spiritualism.

"There was a point of time in her life when she lacked internal and familial peace. That is when she got in touch with our gurus and a desire rose in her to lead a life following the footsteps of Swami Vivekananda," said Swami Bimalatmananda of Ramakrishna Math and Ramakrishna Mission.

"She is a prime example of how a person's life can change after taking deeksha (initiation into the Ramakrishna order). This new found faith enabled her to forget all materialistic thinking and sufferings and allowed.

Kolkata, Jan 17: Former West Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee Friday paid homage to late actress Suchitra Sen and said the Bengali film industry would forever remain indebted to her.

"A fine mix of personality and beauty, Suchitra Sen occupied a unique place in Bengali films," Bhattacharjee said in a condolence message.

"Her acting ability made her a centre of attraction for long. The Bengali film industry will forever remain indebted to her," he said, expressing sadness at Sen's demise.

Sen, who captivated generations of film buffs with her looks and grace, died at a nursing home here Friday following a massive cardiac arrest.

The 82-year-old actress was under treatment at the Belle Vue Clinic.

Kolkata, Jan 17: Bengali screen goddess Suchitra Sen, who had captivated generations of film buffs with her looks and grace, died at a south Kolkata nursing home Friday following a massive cardiac arrest, an attending doctor said.

The 82-year-old actress, under treatment at the Belle Vue Clnic for the last 26 days following serious respiratory problems, breathed her last at 8.25 a.m., Subir Mondal, part of the medical team treating her, told Ians.

A widow, Sen leaves behind her daughter Moon Moon Sen and grand-daughters Riya and Raima -- all three having taken to acting as a career.

West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee rushed to the nursing home soon after receiving the sad news, and officially announced it.

Kolkata, Jan 17: From matinee idols to seasoned politicians, well-heeled socialites to faceless homemakers, West Bengal wept for reclusive cine goddess Suchitra Sen, as thousands turned out on the streets to bid adieu on her final journey Friday.

Saluting Sen, who captivated generations of Bengali speaking people with her grace, beauty and restrained performances, the actors of the regional film industry termed her death as the end of an era.

Apart from the hundreds who had been gathering daily before the city nursing home where the "Mahanayika" was admitted with a serious respiratory problem 26 days ago, a large number of fans were seen at her residence where the body was taken for a brief five minutes after she died of.

Kolkata, Jan 17: The West Bengal government Friday renamed the road leading to the residence of legendary Bengali actress Suchitra Sen after her besides deciding to erect a monument in her honour at a city crematorium.

"A memorial will come up at Mysore Garden where Suchitra Sen was cremated. Besides, the Ballygunge Circular Road will be renamed as Suchitra Sen Sarani," said Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee here.

Sen, 82, died Friday morning following a massive cardiac arrest after remaining at a city nursing home for nearly a month.

Sen was cremated at the Keoratola crematorium (Mysore Garden) with full state honours and a 21-gun salute.

In 2012, the state government conferred its highest award "Banga Bibhushan".

Dhaka, Jan 17: Bangladesh Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina Friday condoled the death of Bengali cinema icon Suchitra Sen whom she described as one of her "favourite actresses", state media reported.

Hasina said the 82-year-old Suchitra Sen, often termed the Greta Garbo of Bengali movies, was the actress she admired most, reported Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha (Bss), the country's national news agency.

"Bengali people have lost a distinctive figure of classical Bengali daughter, wife and caring mother at her death," Hasina said.

President Abdul Hamid, in a message of condolence, said the death of Suchitra Sen signalled the end of an era of Bengali cinema.

Suchitra Sen was also an asset of the country as her native.