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Padma Khanna, a trained Kathak exponent who turns a year older on March 10, was a better dancer than all the other dancing stars of her era. She could sizzle in cabarets and mujras without ever looking vulgar. Many iconic songs of the dance genre in the Hindi films of the 1960s-1980s were filmed on her.

To begin with, she had a minor role in the Biswajit starrer Biwi Aur Makaan in 1966, where she was billed as ‘Kumari Padma’. The really big break was the bold striptease in Vijay Anand’s Johnny Mera Naam. The song ‘Husn ke lakhon rang aag hai yeh badan kaun sa ang dekhoge’, and her provocative but never obscene dance moves as she stripped down to a bikini in front of a drooling Premnath, placed Padma on the perch of the prancing pyramid.

The offers poured in. And Padma made sway while the song shined.

Bollywood director Nitesh Tiwari, who is known for his blockbuster films like Dangal and Chhichhore, has announced his next project, which is a big-screen adaptation of the epic Ramayana. The film will feature Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash in the lead roles of Rama, Sita and Lakshmana respectively.

Tiwari said that he has been working on the script of Ramayana for a long time and he is excited to bring it to life with a talented cast and crew. He said that he chose Ranbir Kapoor, Sai Pallavi and Yash for their acting skills and their suitability for the characters. He also praised their dedication and passion for the project.

Dangal Trailer

The film will be produced by Earthsky Pictures, which is co-founded by Tiwari and his wife Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari. The film will be shot in various locations across India and abroad, with a budget of over ₹300 crore.

By Quaid Najmi

As he turns 80 on October 11, the living legend Amitabh Bachchan – Bollywood’s biggest superstar in its 110-years’ history – can look back with satisfaction at his long career on the silver screen, where he became a icon along with a galaxy of leading ladies.

It was in 1969 – when man landed on the moon – that Bachchan took his first small step with “Saat Hindustani”, which ultimately proved to be a gigantic leap for his megastar-dom.

But he stood out in his maiden film – in the crowd of six other actors jostling for screen space in the pacey thriller themed on the Goa Liberation – with the sole female revolutionary – Shahnaz Vahanvati (daughter of the comedian Agha), gunning to free the west Indian territory from Portuguese clutches.

Subsequently, Bachchan notched a record of sorts, working with six generations of new, established, senior or junior heroines ranging from Mala Sinha and Nutan...

As he turns 80 on October 11, the living legend Amitabh Bachchan – Bollywood’s biggest superstar in its 110-years’ history – can look back with satisfaction at his long career on the silver screen, where he became a icon along with a galaxy of leading ladies.

It was in 1969 – when man landed on the moon – that Bachchan took his first small step with “Saat Hindustani”, which ultimately proved to be a gigantic leap for his megastar-dom.

But he stood out in his maiden film – in the crowd of six other actors jostling for screen space in the pacey thriller themed on the Goa Liberation – with the sole female revolutionary – Shahnaz Vahanvati (daughter of the comedian Agha), gunning to free the west Indian territory from Portuguese clutches.

Subsequently, Bachchan notched a record of sorts, working with six generations of new, established, senior or junior heroines ranging from Mala Sinha and Nutan to Rani Mukherjee and Jiah Khan,...

The festival returns this month for its sixth edition. Every year Liff aims to bring audiences some of the very best new Indian independent cinema, which includes features, documentaries and short films by both acclaimed and emerging filmmakers. This year’s line up promises to leave you entertained, informed, thought provoking and even in some cases leaving a screen shocked.

We now present the films that will be screened at this prestigious festival

Umrika | Opening Night | UK Premiere | cert 12A

Hindi with English subtitles | 98 min | India 2015 | Dir. Prashant Nair | with: Suraj Sharma, Tony Revolori, Adil Hussain, Smita Tambe, Prateik Babbar.

This year’s Sundance Audience Award winner is an uplifting, rights of passage tale about two brothers from a small village who have dreams of making it big in Umrika (America). Udai (Pratiek Babbar) is the eldest and adored by his hard-working mum. He leaves their hamlet on a bullock...

Kattassery Joseph Yesudas, the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan and seven-time National award winner, who has recorded over 50,000 songs till date, recently recorded a Hindi song after almost two decades. The renowned singer has lent his voice for Praveen Morchhale’s internationally acclaimed Barefoot to Goa and the debutant director is naturally elated having roped in the maestro for his film.

And while Yesudas is known to have recorded as many as 16 songs in a day, for the song Naina Do Nyare in this film, the singer took nearly four hours to record it, as he wanted the song to turn out perfect. And industrywallahs who’ve heard the song vouch that the lyrics of the song in his voice makes it even more beautiful and nostalgic. The film revolves around the relationship of a grandmother and her two grandchildren and the song fits in perfectly with the theme, reveals an insider.

Whenever Bollywood would talk about dancers, particularly the actresses who excelled in cabaret, the actress whose name will pop up instantaneously after the legendary Helen, is Padma Khanna, the sexy and voluptuous actress best remembered for her sizzling hot number Husn Ke Lakh Rang... in Johny Mera Naam. The brilliant actress turns 65 on March 10. Glamsham.Com wishes her a very happy birthday and enlightens the young generation more about Bollywood...

Sequel fever is still raging on, this time Akshay Kumar steps into Shoaib’s shoes for Once Upon Ay Time in Mumbai Dobara, with Imran Khan and Sonakshi Sinha joining Milan Thuria’s gangster drama. Pritam is back with this new album and he has already captured the airwaves with the melodious ‘Yeh Tune Kya Kiya’ and the remake of ‘Tayyab Ali’ from Amar Akbar Anthony which has not produced too much vitriol just yet. The album is quite good and sticks to the elements that made the previous album a raging success: kitsch and qawallis!

The standout of the album is Yeh Tune Kya Kiya , which would seem to conjure up more lamenting and accusatory lyrics, but this one is a dreamy qawalli that tweaks this expression around. Listeners may bristle at Javed Bashir blunt and raw vocals, but it’s that quality that makes Rajat Arora’s lyrics...

Chicago, June 14: Padma Khanna, a popular name in Hindi and Bhojpuri films in the 1970s, who currently resides in New Jersey and runs the Indianica Dance Academy, says she never really gave up acting. And she says she still gets offers from Mumbai and is ready to return to celluloid if given a "very special role".

Still remembered for her dance in the song "Husn ke lakhon rang", the actress took life the way it came. "I never really gave it up; however, life brought me to a precipice. I was at a point in life where I had a choice and chose to start anew - to share the art and culture that drives me till this day."

At the young.

The evergreen superstar Dev Anand breathed his last in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. The 88 year old star was in London for health check up as he was unwell since a few days. Dev Anand made his film debut as an actor in 1946 with Hum Ek Hain. During his career as an actor, he gave countless hits which included Paying Guest, Baazi, Funtoosh, Jewel Thief, Hum Dono, Nau Do Gyarah, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Guide, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Des Pardes and more. His film production banner Navketan International Films has produced more than 35 movies. Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2002. Irrespective of his age and health issues, Dev Anand was busy making films passionately. His last movie as a director and actor was Chargesheet released in September 2011. Bollywood Hungama bids farewell to the evergreen...

The evergreen superstar Dev Anand breathed his last in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. The 88 year old star was in London for health check up as he was unwell since a few days. Dev Anand made his film debut as an actor in 1946 with Hum Ek Hain. During his career as an actor, he gave countless hits which included Paying Guest, Baazi, Funtoosh, Jewel Thief, Hum Dono, Nau Do Gyarah, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Guide, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Des Pardes and more. His film production banner Navketan International Films has produced more than 35 movies. Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2002. Irrespective of his age and health issues, Dev Anand was busy making films passionately. His last movie as a director and actor was Chargesheet released in September 2011. Bollywood Hungama bids farewell to the evergreen...

The evergreen superstar Dev Anand breathed his last in London on Saturday night following a cardiac arrest. The 88 year old star was in London for health check up as he was unwell since a few days. Dev Anand made his film debut as an actor in 1946 with Hum Ek Hain. During his career as an actor, he gave countless hits which included Paying Guest, Baazi, Funtoosh, Jewel Thief, Hum Dono, Nau Do Gyarah, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Guide, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Des Pardes and more. His film production banner Navketan International Films has produced more than 35 movies. Dev Anand was honoured with the prestigious the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2002. Irrespective of his age and health issues, Dev Anand was busy making films passionately. His last movie as a director and actor was Chargesheet released in September 2011. Bollywood Hungama bids farewell to the evergreen...

Actors can come and go but very few manage to paint a career to span over 6 decades. Yesterday the world was forced to say goodbye to such a legend and the film industry left a little empty with the passing of the great Dev Anand,who despite being 88 years of age was loved for his ever youthful personality. The ‘Evergreen Romantic Superstar’ passed away during the night in London following a cardiac arrest. His son Suneil stayed by his father’s bedside throughout the night. It is understood that he had attended a medical check up in London as a result of continuos ill health over the past few days.

Dev was born 26 September 1923 to the proud Punjabi-speaking Anand family. After graduation from Government College, Lahore, British India a young Dev Anand left his hometown to travel to Bombay for work at a Military Censor Office. The film industry...

Dev Anand

Veteran actor Dev Anand known as the ‘Evergreen Romantic Superstar’ of Indian cinema passed away in London on Saturday night. The actor, 88, died of a cardiac arrest.

He was reportedly in London for a medical checkup.

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in Hum Ek Hain. He was known for his performances in films like Paying Guest, Baazi, Jewel Thief, Cid, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes.

He was awarded the Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his contribution to Indian cinema.

His production company Navketan Films has produced more than 35 films since 1949.

The Veteran actor Dev Anand the evergreen Romantic superstar of Indian cinema passed away in London on Saturday night by cardiac arrest. He was 88 year old.

Dev Anand was not keeping well since few days and went to London for for medical check up. His son Sunil was with him when he breathed last.

Dev Anand made his debut as an actor in 1946 in Hum Ek Hain. By the time his Ziddi was released in 1947 he was a superstar.

He as an actor did many superhit films Paying Guest, Baazi, Jewel Thief, Cid, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna And Des Pardes.

He was also awarded Padma Bhushan in 2001 and Dada Saheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his outstandin ...

Legendry actor Dev Anand died in London last night following heart attack. He was 88. Dev Anand acted in over 100 films. He travelled to London with his son Sunil Anand for medical check-up as he was not keeping well for few days. He debuted with the film, ‘Hum Ek Din’ in 1946. His biggest blockbuster was ‘Ziddi’ and from this there was no looking back. He has in his credits films like Paying Guest, Baazi, Jewel Thief, Cid, Guide, Johny Mera Naam, Amir Garib, Warrant, Hare Rama Hare Krishna and Des Pardes. He was honored with Padma Bhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 2002 for his outstanding contribut...

Inspirational Indian singer, lyricist and political activist

One of the most important cultural figures of north-east India, Bhupen Hazarika, who has died aged 85, used music, cinema and the written word to stitch political ideology and ancient traditions into the fabric of popular culture. His distinguished career as a film-maker, singer, lyricist and political activist spanned 70 years. He won many major awards in India and leaves an impressive body of work that includes more than 1,500 songs.

The eldest of 10 children, Hazarika was born in the village of Sadiya, Assam. He said his musical talent came from his mother, Shantipriya: "Although listening to the rhythms of tribal music growing up developed my love for singing, I inherited my voice from my mother, who regularly sang lullabies to me as a child." His father, Nilakanta, a teacher, instilled in him from a young age the importance of education. By the time he was...

Zakir Hussain

The makers of the film cover the tabla maestro?s name under a din of sounds in the controversial scene

Padma Bhushan Tabla Maestro Zakir Hussain will no longer be part of debutant director Bejoy Nambiar?s upcoming film Shaitaan. The Censor Board of India had taken objection to a particular scene in which the character played by actor Neil Bhoopalam uses the Grammy award winner?s name while masturbating.

Though the scene is still part of the film Nambiar explains, ?The scene hasn?t been removed. Instead, we?ve increased the volume of the accompanying music to cover up the words, ?Zakir Hussain?. We never intended to hurt or malign anyone.?

A still of the controversial scene

The controversial scene involves Neil?s character masturbating and his mom walks in on him while he is at it. To distract his mom he pretends to look for a...

The International Indian Film Academy (Iifa) and Toronto International Film Festival (Tiff) are teaming up to honour the work of actor-filmmaker Raj Kapoor.

On June 26, after the 12th Iifa awards (June 23 to 25) in Toronto, Canada, the organisations will launch a retrospective film series called Raj Kapoor and the Golden Age of Indian Cinema, which will run for six weeks at the Tiff Bell Lightbox.

With a career spanning over five decades, Raj became the youngest director of his time at age 24 when he opened his own studio, Rk Films.

Known as The Showman, he won nine Filmfare awards and was nominated for the Palme d'Or at the Cannes Film Festival. He was also awarded the Padma Bhushan and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his contributions to the Indian film industry.

Raj, who was the son of Indian theatre and cinema pioneer Prithviraj Kapoor, died in 1988. His sons Randhir, Rishi and...

The super talented actors Kajol, Tabu and Irrfan Khan and singer Usha Uthup have been named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day, today. Kajol started her career with Bekhudi and then went on to become one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood with films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and so on. Tabu, on the other hand, has been known for creating a niche for herself with films like Chandni Bar, Astitva, Maqbool, The Namesake and Cheeni Kum. Irrfan Khan can undoubtedly be called as the international Indian face with films like The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire to his credit. Usha Uthup started as a famous pop singer in Bollywood in the 70s and became a rage for her unique heavy voice and singing style. Her songs like 'Ek Do Cha Cha Cha',...

The super talented actors Kajol, Tabu and Irrfan Khan and singer Usha Uthup have been named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day, today. Kajol started her career with Bekhudi and then went on to become one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood with films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and so on. Tabu, on the other hand, has been known for creating a niche for herself with films like Chandni Bar, Astitva, Maqbool, The Namesake and Cheeni Kum. Irrfan Khan can undoubtedly be called as the international Indian face with films like The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire to his credit. Usha Uthup started as a famous pop singer in Bollywood in the 70s and became a rage for her unique heavy voice and singing style. Her songs like 'Ek Do Cha Cha Cha',...

March 2, 2010: Jyoti (Sneha Wagh) is the step-daughter of Padma (Zaida). Poonam (Geetu Bawa) will get to know about this fact next week in“Jyoti”, which is produced by Sphereorigins.

Jyoti’s family has recently witnessed a lot of happiness after Sandeep’s(Varun Khandelwal) marriage with Poonam. Poonam, like several girls of her age, has fantasized about her knight in shining armor, who will come to marry her and thus save her from a life of drudgery. In that sense, she is immature..