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Smita Patil’s Last Wish Was Refused By Raj Babbar, Not Knowing It Was The Last! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

It was 38 years ago that one of the brightest stars of the film industry passed away, leaving everyone shocked. It was December 13, 1988, when Smita Patil was having a normal day after delivering her son Prateik Babbar, and none in her family could contemplate what was about to happen.

Smita delivered a baby boy, and ever since, she has been a little under the weather. Feverish on most days. Even on December 13, she felt feverish but could not bear the distance from her son anymore. She woke up to a crying baby and decided to breastfeed him after putting a damp cloth around her body to control the temperature.

The doctor came for a regular check-up and put her on saline after her husband, Raj Babbar, left for work. Smita decided to rest as she felt uneasy.

This could well be a rare instance when a Bollywood celebrity has seen two biographies coming her way. Hema Malini had earlier seen one in the form of Bhawana Somaaya’s Hema Malini – The Authorized Biography. The book hadn’t really created many ripples. Now author Ram Kamal Mukherjee, who has already put together a coffeeRead More

The post Book Review: Hema Malini – Beyond the Dream Girl appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

First things first, Once Upon A Time In India: A Century of Indian Cinema is not actually a book. It is actually half book, half diary. This means you have date wise pages embedded along with countless records, anecdotes and happenings from the world of Indian films that makes this attractive spiral bound book aRead More

The post Book Review: Bhawana Somaaya’s Once Upon A Time In India: A Century of Indian Cinema appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

2015 was a year in which many a filmmaker took objection to the rather strict censor guidelines being imposed by censor chief Phalaj Nilhani. However with the start of the New Year, the I&B Ministry has given all those who suffered under the Cbfc's scissors a ray of hope, with the announcement of launching a special committee headed by the film-maker Shyam Benegal, to suggest measures to help Board members understand the nuances of film certification. According to a press note released by the Union Information and Broadcasting Ministry, a committee headed by Shri Shyam Benegal has been constituted to suggest the paradigm for ensuring such a milieu. The recommendations of this Committee are expected to provide a holistic framework and enable those tasked with the work of certification of films to discharge their responsibilities keeping in view this framework. Apart from this, the Committee would be expected to take...

A Tragedy Queen. Wild Child. Karma Chameleon. Woman of Substance. Kangana Ranaut has had a meteoric rise and emerged as the dark horse of the industry, creating a unique irreplaceable identity for herself.

The actress who hailed from a small town, traveled a long way with big dreams of being a superstar, and has successfully managed to do so on her own terms.

Unconventional and eccentric, Kangana never shieds away from experimenting and shedding her skin to transform into her memorable characters. While she showed tremendous promise in films like Life in a Metro and Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai, Kangana defied stereotypes with films like Fashion and Tanu Weds Manu.The actress also stole the show in Krrish 3, as she metamorphosed into the edgy Kaya, and then went on to cement her position as possibly the best actress of her generation with Queen, for which she won a National Award.

Filmmaker-activist Mahesh Bhatt moderated a lively debate on the topic of censorship with Bollywood stalwarts Amit Khanna, Sudhir Mishra, Bhawana Somaaya, Anu Ranjan and Ketan Mehta making their stand at The Third Eye’s program Elevate 2015, the second annual conclave held at The Club, Mumbai, this week.

With a discussion on creating synergies between regulatory bodies and industry leaderships, the industry heavyweights mulled on how the Central Board of Film Certification (Cbfc) and other regulatory authorities can look ahead in time and create a vision for creative communities; thus empowering audiences.

Bhatt asked some thought-provoking questions. “Is there a role that the regulators really have to play in the digital age,” he wondered. “Is there a way for content creators to establish a non-confrontational dialogue with the government regulatory bodies?”

Industry doyen Amit Khanna opined, “In the 21st century, given the way technology has allowed us to interact with each other,...

Imtiaz Ali’s movie Highway, the Star Plus daily soap Diya Aur Baati Hum, Colors social message show Udann and Anu Ranjan’s Ngo Beti fighting for the cause of the girl child, were honoured with felicitations at The Third Eye’s program Elevate 2015, the second annual conclave held at The Club, Mumbai, this week.

In partnership with The Club, the event was marked by panel discussions and felicitations of various network and studio teams, Bollywood film and television writers, producers and directors, whose projects have made a profound impact on audiences.

Coinciding with the International Women’s Day, Garry Lyons of the University of Leeds, UK, along with activist-filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, presided over the conclave. Ms Vinta Nanda, CEO and managing director, Acee The Third Eye gave the opening address.

Prominent speakers including Amit Khanna, Ketan Mehta, Deepa Sahi, Sudhir Mishra, Dr. Sanjiv Badhwar, Sanjay Tripathy, Dr. Nikhil Datar,...

With the intention of celebrating, promoting and facilitating the Art and Artists of India, Kiran Joneja Sippy- Bollywood actor, producer and wife of eminent film director, Ramesh Sippy, officially be launched Respond foundation on the 26th of July, Hyatt Regency, Andheri(E), Mumbai. Extending their support, noted guests such as veteran actor turned politician Shatrughan Sinha, politicians Praful Patel, V. N. Dhoot, Ashwani Kumar, film director Madhur Bhandarkar, Bhushan Kumar and his wife, Divya, Kishen Kumar, veteran actor Kabir Bedi and daughter Pooja Bedi, theatre personality Lillette Dubey, Sharon Prabhakar, actors Ayushmaan Khurrana, Isha Koppikar, Divya Dutta, Suchitra Krishnamurty, Suchitra Pillai, Preeti & Parvin Dabas, Rhea Chakraborty, musicians Adnan Sami, Anu Malik, Sunidhi Chauhan, Bappi Lahiri, Madhu Nigam(Sonu Nigam’s wife) Socialites Debbie Hitkari, Priyanka Thakurwa, Neelam Shah, designer Neeta Lulla, dress designer Rohit Verma, jewellery designer Poonam Soni, socialite Pooja and her husband, famous lawyer, Vikram Nankarni, actor Sheeba and her director husband Akashdeep,...

Coming up on 7th to 17th March 2013 Tongues on Fire is proud to present the 15th London Asian Film Festival (Laff). The London Asian Film Festival is an eclectic mix of films, stimulating interviews, outstanding lectures series, workshops, master classes and the annual short film competition. The Festival pushes boundaries and overlaps with other cultures through films with a broad crossover appeal.

This cool festival is celebrating the centenary of Indian cinema this year with a focus on the journey of women in film with exciting mix of great new independent films, some old classics and recent thought provoking films you may have missed.

The opening night film is the UK premiere of Listen…Amaya, at BFI on 7th March. Listen… Amaya is a contemporary film about relationships and family dynamics. The Hindi film focuses on pre-conceptions and priorities in life. The screening will be followed by a Q&A session with the director,...

Mumbai, March 9: Singer Shaan, actor Ronit Roy and director Kabir Khan have been roped in to judge this year's Big Star Young Entertainer Awards.

The jury panel also comprises Bollywood critic and writer Bhawana Somaaya.

The award function, which recognises the young talents from the entertainment industry, is scheduled for March 23.

"There is a need for young talent to be nurtured in our country where reality shows have become a medium for instant popularity, which is often fleeting. Properties like The Young Entertainers Award will act as a medium for recognition and appreciation of young talent," Shaan said in.

Singer Shaan, actor Ronit Roy and director Kabir Khan have been roped in to judge this year.s Big Star Young Entertainer Awards.The jury panel also comprises Bollywood critic and writer Bhawana Somaaya.The award function, which recognises the young talents from the entertainment industry, is scheduled for March 23..There is a need for young talent to be nurtured in our country where reality shows have become a medium for instant popularity, which is often fleeting. Properties like The Young Entertainers Award will act as a medium for recognition and appreciation of young talent,. Shaan said in a statement.Kabir Khan, who is now directing Salman Khan-Katrina Kaif starrer Ek Tha Tiger added .I was fortunate to have got a break five years ago with Kabul Express. In future it would be platforms like the Big Star Young Entertainers Awards which will showcase the talents of tomorrows young stars.

Filmbooth in association with Stand Up Coalition Team is organising ‘Eight’, an international short film festival in New Delhi. ‘Eight’ which will take place on September 17 and 18 is part of the “Stand Up & Make a Noise” Campaign. The theme of the festival is the 8 Millennium Development Goals (Mdg's).

Entries are invited from short filmmakers on the subject. “The idea is to elicit great ideas and thoughts manifesting in the form of exceptional short films on these solemn issues. The real test for the film maker will be to cut across constraints of time, resources and opinions – most importantly the conflicts, taboos and mental blocks that exist in the minds of the masses – and motivate the audience to make a difference,” says a festival release.

As per the competition rules, the format of the films can be- ‘Fiction, animation, live footage, imagery, narrative, or any radical style.’ The maximum duration of the films should be 20 minutes.