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Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s debut as a director in 1996’s Khamoshi: The Musical was a triumph of artistry. But a box office disaster. Looking back at this sleeper classic one can see it was flawless in its storytelling almost to the end, when suddenly the tragic end was changed into a happy one.

Some say Slb’s first film about the beautiful vulnerable Annie (Manisha Koirala) trying to cope with the possessive demands of her deaf and mute parents is still his most honest work.

The truth is Khamoshi: The Musical fell prey to dishonesty when the original tragic ending of Annie’s death had to be changed on distributors’ demand. The dark passionate redemptive tale was rejected on the day it was released. Manisha immortalized herself with her porcelain looks and delicately nuanced performance. Salman sportingly slipped into a supporting role, just to give his friend a boost up in his directorial debut.

Subhash K Jha turns the focus once again on the Farah Khan directed Main Hoon Na, which released in 2004 and is now considered a cult classic. As a bonus, there is a throwback interview with the star Shah Rukh Khan that is not to be missed!

Hefty hints and wacky whispers harking back to the ‘golden’ era of masala cinema, carpet this perky piece of pop-art, buoyed and held aloft by the defiance of every law of gravity.

And how can you stay grave when Shah Rukh Khan as Ram Prasad Sharma (giggle!), in his most politically correct role ever( ahem!), goes back to college to protect his army- boss Kabir Bedi’s rebellious daughter Amrita Rao from harm? How can you stay serious as (chuckle!) Ram, disguised as an over-age student in scenic St Paul’s in Darjeeling(Munnabhai, move over), is heckled by the long-haired dude-with-an-altitudinal-attitude Laxman (Zayed Khan...

When Rishi Kapoor Predicted He Would Die At A Young Age! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

It’s rare to find a personality like Rishi Kapoor—a charming, brutally honest man who lived life to the fullest. Plus, he was a super-talented actor. Many wouldn’t remember, but the veteran star once predicted his death. Scroll below for the lesser-known details!

In 2018, Ranbir Kapoor’s father was diagnosed with Leukemia. He was rushed to New York for treatment. Amid all the chaos, there were also sweet memories as Alia Bhatt, Deepika Padukone, Priyanka Chopra Jonas, and Shah Rukh Khan, among other Bollywood celebrities, visited him. The treatment was successful, and he returned to India in September 2019.

Unfortunately, in April 2020, Rishi Kapoor passed away due to a relapse. His funeral took place in Mumbai in the presence of close family members and friends. Many wouldn’t know that the Kapoor & Sons actor predicted...

Was Kajol the initial choice for Gadar instead of Ameesha Patel?

In an industry where speculation often travels faster than confirmation, Bollywood has always had its fair share of casting rumors that are nothing more than a myth. One such longstanding rumor has revolved around the blockbuster Gadar: Ek Prem Katha. It was a film that not only defined Sunny Deol’s legacy but also catapulted Ameesha Patel to stardom as the soft-spoken, resilient Sakina.

For years, whispers suggested that the role was first offered to Kajol, one of the most celebrated and discerning actors of her generation. The idea has intrigued fans, imagining how Kajol’s dynamic screen presence might have shaped the film. But as it turns out, that image is purely fictional. At a recent event, Kajol finally addressed the speculation, setting the record straight.

Kajol denies getting an offer from Gadar: Ek Prem Katha

Speaking at...

Naomika Saran Public Debut (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Bollywood royalty runs deep, and every now and then, a fresh face from a legendary lineage surfaces to take the internet by storm. This time, it’s Naomika Saran, granddaughter of veteran actress Dimple Kapadia and daughter of former actress Rinke Khanna, who has captured the spotlight.

The girl has kept a rather low profile, but she was recently seen walking into the Maddock Films party in Mumbai with her grandmother, Dimple Kapadia. The girl has kept a rather low profile, but she was recently seen walking into the Maddock Films party in Mumbai with grandmother, Dimple Kapadia. Naomika looked an absolute showstopper in an exquisite black mini dress, with subtle makeup, understated jewels, and an air of attitude that screamed confidence.

Who Is Naomika Saran?

Naomika is the daughter of Rinke Khanna (Dimple Kapadia’s younger daughter) and Sameer Saran, and the granddaughter of two Bollywood greats.

Did Govinda Speak To His Dead Mother On A Movie Set? (Photo Credit – Sony Liv)

As one would expect, Bollywood star Govinda was extremely close to his mother. Nirmala Devi, aka Dulari, was a renowned Padma-Shri recipient singer-actress. She passed away in 1996 at the age of 69. But do you know Chi Chi once spoke to his dead mother on a movie set almost 13 years after her passing? Scroll below for the lesser-known tale.

In 2009, Chi Chi was shooting for his film Life Partner in Mumbai. The romantic comedy, directed by Rumy Jaffery, also starred Fardeen Khan, Tusshar Kapoor, Genelia D’Souza, and Prachi Desai. It, unfortunately, isn’t one of the most memorable films of his career, but what allegedly happened on sets will be remembered in history!

As per mid-day, Govinda once believed that his late mother arrived on Life Partner sets. To bring her to the shooting location was his brother,...

When Raj Kapoor Narrated The Story Of Mera Naam Joker While The Heroines Were Seated On His Lap (Photo Credit – YouTube)

Legendary actor-director-producer Raj Kapoor is known for his glorious contribution to Indian cinema. However, some of the aspects of his personal life often appear to be scandalous to people. Did you know that actor Ranjeet who was known for his villainous roles in Hindi movies had once recalled a rather bizarre incident about the script reading session of the 1970 film, Mera Naam Joker?

For the unversed, Mera Naam Joker starred Raj Kapoor in the lead role and was also directed by him. According to a report in Bollywood Shaadi, in an interview with Ani, Ranjeet recalled how Kapoor would narrate the story of Mera Naam Joker to the heroines of the film while they were seated on his lap. The actor said, “Mera Naam Joker picture thi na… uski...

in Memoriam: Subhash K Jha reflects on the life and illustrious career of Manoj Kumar and mourns the man who passed away today at the age of 87.

Farewell, Bharat!

Once, Farah Khan, who lampooned Manoj Kumar in Om Shanti Om, thought she insulted me by calling me ‘The Manoj Kumar Of Journalism’.

It was actually the greatest compliment of my life. To be compared with the artiste who directed some of the greatest Hindi films like Upkar, Shor and Roti Kapada Aaur Makaan and whose collaboration with Laxmikant-Pyarelal yielded a harvest of melodies including ‘Ek pyar ka naghma hai’, ‘Zindagi Main na bhoolunga”, and ‘Hai hai yeh majboori…’ was incredible.

What can be said about Manoj Kumar to illustrate his pervasive impact on mainstream Hindi cinema?

My first encounter with Manoj Kumar could have been disastrous. Years ago, the outspoken Jaya Bachchan had done an interview with me in...

In another excellent installment of Subhash K Jha’s This Day That Year feature the spotlight is turned to revisiting Meenaxi: A Tale Of 3 Cities, the 2004 M. F. Husain directed film that starred Tabu.

Madhuri Dixit was not the only muse in legendary painter M F Husain’s life. After he directed Gaja Gamini as a homage to Dixit’s beauty, he directed Meenaxi: A Tale Of 3 Cities which turned 21 on April 2.

Husain Saab cast the then-incandescent Tabu in three roles: Meenaxi, Tanu, and Tabu, each set in a different city: Hyderabad, Jaisalmer, and Prague.

Though far less inaccessible for the viewer than Gaja Gamini (Naseeruddin Shah tells me to let him know when I know what that was all about), Meenaxi nonetheless suffered from bouts of incurable esotericism.

Tabu may not be as graceful and nimble-footed as Madhuri Dixit. But she carried the weight of the film’s basic debate on art,...

Lamhe released in 1991 was arguably Yash Chopra’s finest directorial venture. Its return to the movie theatres on March 21 would have pleased the Raja of Romance. Its still-progressive theme of a generation-challenged romantic alliance is deeply moving and romantic.

I remember meeting Yash Chopra some years after the release of Lamhe, and he was still mourning its commercial failure. “ Lamhe will always remain close to my heart. I made it out of a deep sense of conviction. The love story between the hero Anil Kapoor and the daughter of a woman whom the hero loved was tricky; I knew it. In fact, I had gone with the role to another superstar, whom I wouldn’t like to name, and he said no immediately, ‘Yash, have you gone mad? You want me to romance the daughter of the character I love?’ But I was adamant. I had to make this film.

While I am still trying to figure what Iifa means by giving the two actresses from Laapata Ladies the Best Actress and the Best Debutante awards, I am yet to understand why one of the best films of 2024, if not The best, Do Aur Do Pyaar was completely obliterated from the awards.

Forget winning; Applause Entertainment’s Do Aur Do Pyaar didn’t even get nominated in any of the categories. So, were the Iifa awards only celebrating the successful films of the past year?

If so, imagine what would have happened to Guru Dutt’s Kagaz Ke Phool or Raj Kapoor’s Mera Naam Joker.

Do Aur Do Pyaar is a far superior work to almost every film we’ve seen in 2024. It is breezy and lighthearted, but never frivolous. Director Shirsha Guha Thakurta dives deep into a marriage in crisis. Miraculously, she finds a lot of laughter and humour in the crisis.

The first time I spoke to Abhishek was also the first time he spoke to the press. “You’re the one person Dad asked me to speak to,” he told me. There was no trace of nervousness in his voice, no tentativeness, and certainly no fear of the unknown.

This was a week before the release of J.P. Dutta’s Refugee. Much water has flown under the bridge since then.

Abhishek and I share a very special bond.

Chronologically, I come right in the middle of Abhishek and his Dad. So I am able to share a warm bonding with both.

Abhishek is hard to beat in arguments. He talks you down with such intense velocity that you are left looking helplessly around for help. The last time it happened, I looked pleadingly at his Dad for help. Ab Sr smiled and shrugged, like a referee who had left the fighters to their own devices.

Raj Kapoor Held A Huge Box Office Record For 10,959 Days Straight! (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The showman of Indian Cinema who made us believe—Jeena Yahan Marna Yahan, Iske Siwa Jaana Kahaan—the great Raj Kapoor was born exactly 100 years ago. As the Kapoors celebrate his 100th birth anniversary, we decided to take a quick recap on an insane achievement of his career.

He was the greatest – Shashi Kapoor & Shammi Kapoor’s brother, Randhir, Rishi, and Rajiv Kapoor’s father, Babita and Neetu Kapoor’s father-in-law, Karisma, Kareena, Ranbir, Riddhima Kapoor, Adar & Armaan Jain’s grandfather, Taimur, Jeh, Navya Naveli Nanda & Agastya Nanda’s great-grandfather! The legacy he left was imbibed by the youngsters of the Kapoor – Nanda family.

Raj Kapoor’s First Step In Cinema

Raj Kapoor holds an impeccable box office record that was unbeatable for 20 long years. He made his debut in 1943 with a film called Gauri, which...

During a meeting commemorating the director’s centenary, actor Ranbir Kapoor shared personal stories about his grandfather, famed filmmaker Raj Kapoor.

Speaking with director Rahul Rawail, Kapoor paid a heartfelt homage to one of Indian cinema’s most significant artists. He remembered childhood memories of the famed filmmaker’s lighter side, such as Raj Kapoor gathering his grandchildren to sing the popular song “Awaara Hoon” from his 1951 film.

Beyond personal memories, Kapoor emphasized his grandfather’s dedication to social commentary. “If you watch ‘Awaara,’ it was based on casteism. ‘Shree 420’ was about greed and the impoverished,” he explained. This revelation demonstrated Raj Kapoor’s capacity to approach complicated social concerns through movies.

The discussion also underlined the filmmaker’s perseverance. Despite the commercial failure of “Mera Naam Joker” in 1970, which caused him financial hardship—even to the point of mortgaging his house—Raj Kapoor launched “Bobby” in 1973, starring entirely new talent.

Bollywood star Ranbir Kapoor shared personal memories and professional insights about his grandfather, pioneering Indian filmmaker Raj Kapoor, during a discussion with director Rahul Rawail at the International Film Festival of India (Iffi) in Goa, where Kapoor’s centenary is being celebrated.

“My memories of him are very personal,” said Kapoor, recalling his grandfather who passed away when he was six. “He used to take us to his room, and he used to hide these caramel toffees in his fridge. He used to make us stand in a line – all the cousins, Kareena, Karishma, my sister, myself – and ask us to do ‘Salaam’ and to sing ‘Awaara Hoon’ [from “Awaara,” 1951].”

Discussing Raj Kapoor’s filmmaking, the younger Kapoor noted his grandfather’s ability to tackle varied social themes throughout his career. “If you see ‘Awaara,’ it was based on casteism. ‘Shree 420’ [1955] spoke about greed and the underprivileged. In his latter films,...

Lata Mangeshkar & Raj Kapoor Made A Powerful Team Till A Massive Fallout. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Lata Mangeshkar is a legend who has marked her impression on the souls of every music lover across the globe. The daughter of the nation was the refuge for many who sought solace in her voice. Every one of us have our individual Lata Didi Ke Nagme playlist. The late playback singer was the heart of the nation and the first choice for most of the directors.

The late singer had a brilliant working and personal equation with Raj Kapoor since the beginning. However, it was twice that the two locked horns. And the first fight was rather brutal with Raj Kapoor getting a straight refusal from the singer to sing for his film.

The film was Mera Naam Joker, that was made in the year 1970. Lata Mangeshkar had a tiff with Raj Kapoor over a song that said,...

In his over half-a-century-long Hindi film career, he sang more than a thousand songs, but just three serve to demonstrate his position in the industry’s scheme of things – the madcap “Ek Chatur Naar” where Kishore Kumar beats him; the enchanting qawwali “Na to karvaan ki talash hai” where Mohammed Rafi emerges triumphant eventually; and the classical contest “Ketaki gulab juhi”, where he beats Pandit Bhimsen Joshi.

This was part of the misfortune of Prabodh Chandra ‘Manna’ Dey, born on this day (May 1) in 1919 in Calcutta. His classical training, innate talent, and “masculine” voice made him perfect for all shades of songs – romantic (including those for the vintage-aged), folk ballads, philosophical musings, and more, but he was never deemed a top-notch singer.

A nephew of gifted blind singer-composer Krishna Chandra Dey, who paved his way into music and films, Manna Dey’s forte was challenging, classical-based songs, especially those that his contemporaries considered difficult,...

Before Playing Hanuman In Ramayana, Dara Singh Was The Highest-Paid B-Grade Actor ( Photo Credit – IMDb )

The entire country is immersed in Ram Bhakti right now, and we decided to bring some interesting stuff about the actor who played the biggest Ram Bhakt on-screen – Dara Singh. The Punjabi Pahalwan turned actor, who was given the title of Rustam-e-Hind, was one of the highest-paid actors of B-grade Bollywood films.

The actor was approached to play Ram Bhakt Hanuman for Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan, where he was paid almost 35 lakh for the TV series. However, guess how much was he paid to star in B-grade Bollywood films?

Well, according to various reports, Dara Singh was paid 4.5 lakh for every Bollywood film he did in those days. During the 60s and 70s, he starred in almost 16 films with the actress Mumtaaz. Some of them earned a superhit tag. He earned almost 72 lakh doing these 16 films with Mumtaaz.

Ramayana Star Cast Guide: What Ram Arun Govil, Sita Dipika Chikhlia, Luv-Kush Swapnil & Others Did Over The Years

The entire country these days is hooked on chanting Jai Shri Ram, thanks to Ram Mandir’s Inauguration in Ayodhya, scheduled on January 22. But while we sit at home and watch the parts of the temple on our screens, we decided to take you on a nostalgia trip while you remember and recall Ramayan scenes, episodes, and chapters.

This piece includes actors from your memories of the past. The actors whom you have watched play the most beloved names from Hindu scriptures – Lord Ram, Devi Sita, Lord Hanuman, and more.

It was Ramanand Sagar’s Ramayan that brought these characters alive on screen, and while it is a long wait to tour Ayodhya and Ram Mandir, we thought to brush your memories about the actors who played characters from Ramayan on screen.

It was indeed a marathon six-hour long radio interview, a first, longest ever and last such – given by the legendary Bollywood singer, the late Lata Mangeshkar, to All India Radio, spread in two sessions in September 1999 – January 2000.

The interviewer was Rj Anirudh Chawla who said “Lataji wanted it to be a tribute to all the people” associated with her since she sang her first playback song in 1945, till 2000, and of course, those who contributed to her long and illustrious musical journey of over 75 years.

“I have now written a book on that interview of Lataji, ‘Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet’, and it will be released on Friday, to coincide with the National Cinema Day being celebrated on October 13,” Chawla said.

The 550-pages magnum opus, described by a veteran music director as an ‘epic’ (‘granth’) includes the free-wheeling A.I.R. interview with the unconquered ‘Nightingale of India’, four hours in...

It was indeed a marathon six-hour long radio interview, a first, longest ever and last such – given by the legendary Bollywood singer, the late Lata Mangeshkar, to All India Radio, spread in two sessions in September 1999 – January 2000.

The interviewer was Rj Anirudh Chawla who said “Lataji wanted it to be a tribute to all the people” associated with her since she sang her first playback song in 1945, till 2000, and of course, those who contributed to her long and illustrious musical journey of over 75 years.

“I have now written a book on that interview of Lataji, ‘Tere Sur Aur Mere Geet’, and it will be released on Friday, to coincide with the National Cinema Day being celebrated on October 13,” Chawla said.

The 550-pages magnum opus, described by a veteran music director as an ‘epic’ (‘granth’) includes the free-wheeling A.I.R. interview with the unconquered ‘Nightingale of India’, four hours in...

New Delhi, Sep 4 (Ians) On the 71st birth anniversary of actor Rishi Kapoor, veteran actress Neetu Kapoor remembered her late husband.

Known for his first leading role in 1973 teen romance film ‘Bobby’ opposite Dimple Kapadia, Rishi’s acting career spanned 50 years. His notable works include ‘Khel Khel Mein’, ‘Kabhi Kabhie’, ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’, ‘Karz’, ‘Prem Rog’, ‘Coolie’ ‘Nagina’, and ‘Chandni’ amongst others.

He married actress Neetu Singh in 1980, and the couple have two children— son, actor Ranbir Kapoor, and daughter Riddhima.

Taking to the photo sharing app Instagram, Neetu shared a montage video of Rishi, wherein we get a glimpse of the actor from his several movies. The video includes snippets from the movie ‘Mera Naam Joker’ in which he played the role of Junior Raju.

It also has the clipping of famous tracks ‘Hum Tum Ek Kamre Mein Band Ho’ from the movie ‘Bobby’; ‘Chandni O Meri Chandni’ from...

When nothing works, how to make things work? No filmmaker, nor trade pundits have ever been able to predict this. In fact, there have been many instances of some film critics who could not predict a film’s success after watching it! Let alone film critics, even distributors who rejected a film after seeing it, have been proved wrong. In those days, a film was open for all distributors to watch during various stages of its making or even when completed. Many a time, a film thus rejected went on to become a blockbuster.

There were no buyers for ‘Zanjeer’, the Amitabh Bachchan blockbuster. The producer had to sell it for a song where the terms let the distributor keep the entire profit, instead of sharing it 50-50 with the producer as per the norm.

Raj Kapoor’s regular distributors had deserted him after the debacle of ‘Mera Naam Joker...

Actor Praneet Bhatt, who is currently seen portraying the character of Amit in the show ‘Aashao Ka Savera Dheere Dheere Se’, said that he would like to play a joker on screen like actors Raj Kapoor and Heath Andrew Ledger.

He said that he is inspired by the characters of Joker played by Heath in ‘The Dark Knight’ and Raj Kapoor in his film ‘Mera Naam Joker’.

He said: “I’ve done many legendary roles before but I’m really inspired by Heath Ledger and Raj Kapoor’s character of joker in their films. I feel their character was very strong and it’s impeccable how these two actors have portrayed that character and made it look so real on screen. Playing the character of the joker is a tough job. One needs a lot of emotions and timing to do that role and as an artist, it’s my...

“Jeena yahan marna yahan”. With these words immortalised by the voice of Mukesh in Raj Kapoor’s classic ‘Mera Naam Joker’, popular comedienne Bharti Singh remembered the late Raju Srivastava.

Bharti said from the sets of a show she is working on: “Just a few days back, I spoke to his wife and told her that he will be fine. He had made everyone laugh, so God will do justice to him. She asked me to pray for him and I said I pray for him every day. But today, just five minutes ago, I came to know about his demise and it came as a shock to me during the shoot.”

She told Ians: “I am at the shoot and have to make everyone laugh, but I don’t know how to do it. I am in pain but even then I can’t say this to anyone that I want to cry.

During the school times the first-hand experience of enacting the role of a teacher on the Teacher’s Day (5th September) was an anticipated day as on this day we got a chance to play the role of a teacher. While preparing for that day had a palpable excitement, the occasion during those school times also underlined how did the Teachers enacted their role in moulding the future of the children day in and day out. Hindi cinema has also over the course of 75 years of its journey time and again touched this unique institution and reminded the citizens of the country about the important role a teacher plays in the life of an individual!

Evolution of the character of Teacher on the silver screen has been a study in motion. It has evolved from being an idealist and non-compromising one to being a teacher with his or her human fallibilities as well.

Raj Kapoor’s naive innocence, as seen in “Mera joota hai Japani” to “Sab kuch seekha hamne”, Dilip Kumar’s restrained sorrow in “Toote hue khwabon” or “Yeh mera diwanapan hai”, Shammi Kapoor’s exuberant ebullience in “Chahe koi mujhe jungli kahe”, or Dev Anand’s cheerful jauntiness in “Khoya khoya chand” to “Gaata rahe mera dil” — all owe their origin to one man.

One of Hindi cinema’s most inspired, capable yet self-effacing wordsmiths, acknowledged duly by his peers — Raj Kapoor called him his “Pushkin” — and seen as inspiration by a later generation of lyricists, especially Gulzar, Shailendra, born Shankardas Kesarilal on this day (August 30) in 1923, left an indelible impact on film songs.

His oeuvre may not even add up to four figures in a career cut short by his untimely death, but in the span of a decade and half, his richness of thought entwined with an endearing...

Cinema'Sharmaji Namkeen' starring the late Rishi Kapoor in his last on-screen portrayal, will release on Amazon Prime Video. IANSTwitter/ Amazon Prime VideoUpcoming Hindi film Sharmaji Namkeen which stars late Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor in his last on-screen portrayal, is heading for an Ott release as it will premiere on March 31. The film marks Rishi Kapoor’s posthumous release. Dealing with the themes of self-realisation and discovery, Sharmaji Namkeen tells the story of a recently retired man, who discovers his passion for cooking after joining a women's kitty circle. It will premiere on March 31 on Amazon Prime Video. The film, directed by Hitesh Bhatia, also stars Paresh Rawal alongside Juhi Chawla, Suhail Nayyar, Taaruk Raina, Satish Kaushik, Sheeba Chaddha, and Isha Talwar. In fact, it is the first Hindi movie where the two actors — Rishi Kapoor and Paresh Rawal — have come together to play one character. Sharmaji Namkeen has been produced...

2020 Year-EnderMany celebrities passed away after battling long-term illnesses.Shiba KurianApril 29 this year was a painful day as Indians and movie buffs across the globe woke up to the news that Irrfan Khan, one of the most promising actors of Indian and international cinema, passed away. Since then, cinema across the world has lost some of its celebrated actors, musicians and filmmakers — Rishi Kapoor, Chadwick Boseman, Sp Balasubrahmanyam (Spb), Sushant Singh Rajput and Nishikant Kamat, among others. All these losses added to the trepidation of the Covid-19 pandemic that the world is still reeling under. Many passed away after battling long-term illnesses. Here is a list of celebrities who passed away in 2020. Irrfan Khan The 53-year-old The Lunchbox actor was making a mark across the globe with his phenomenal acting when he succumbed to a colon infection on April 29, 2020. Irrfan, who has acted in films like Qarib Qarib Singlle, Paan Singh Tomar and Piku,...

Mumbai, Dec 18 (Ians) Actress Neetu Kapoor posted a note in remembrance of her late husband Rishi Kapoor, who first appeared on screen as a child artiste in Mera Naam Joker, which released 50 years ago on this day.

Neetu posted a picture collage of Rishi as a child star in the film and his most recent image. She captioned the collage: "Mera naam joker released on 18th dec. 1970 .. today would have been his 50 years in the indian film industry #rishikapoor."

Filmmaker Karan Johar, who cast Rishi as a negative character in his 2012 production Agneepath, commented: "My absolute favourite actor of all times."

Mera Naam Joker, released in 1970. revolves around a boy named Raju, who faces many hurdles and disappointments in matters of the heart throughout his life. The film starred Rishi Kapoor's father, the legendary Raj Kapoor.

Rishi Kapoor breathed his last in April after battling with cancer. The last rites...

The clown as a tragi-comic icon has been a favourite device of filmmakers to define the quirks of life. From the Raj Kapoor classic Mera Naam Joker in Bollywood to Appu Raja starring Kamal Haasan among other films, numerous instances abound. Dig deeper for a profound subtext, and you would recall the recent Hollywood gem, Joker.

Watch Ram Singh Charlie official Trailer https://youtu.be/k0X24MEvyMg

Ramsingh Charlie is about the protagonist Ram Singh who excels in Charlie Chaplin acts, but is forced to eke out a living as a rickshaw puller in Kolkata once the circus that employed him folds up. Kumud Mishra essays the titular role that anchors an uncomplicated story of dreams and despair.

The narrative starts off tracing the backstory of Ram Singh who relished his job as Charlie the clown at Jango Circus. The ageing owner Masterji (Salima Raza) makes way for her...

Bollywood star and popular member of India’s celebrated movie dynasty

Rishi Kapoor, who has died aged 67 of bone marrow cancer, starred as a leading man in almost 100 Bollywood films and was a member of the remarkable Kapoor family of actors and film-makers.

The son of the great director, producer and actor Raj Kapoor, Rishi started as a child actor, aged three, in his father’s hugely popular film Shree 420 (1955). But his proper debut came in Raj’s 1970 film Mera Naam Joker, playing the younger version of his father’s leading role. Rishi said that his father only gave him the part as he was unable to pay for a recognised star, and the film was not a commercial success in any case. The movie that gave Rishi stardom was his next, Bobby (1973), the story of a love affair between Raja, a rich Bombay teenager, and a poor girl,...

The celebrated Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor, famed for his romantic roles, has died of cancer aged 67. Kapoor began acting as a teenager and received the National Film Award for his debut role as a child artist in his father’s 1970 film Mera Naam Joker. He went on to act in more than 90 films and became well known for his talents in singing and dancing

Rishi Kapoor, Bollywood star, dies of leukaemia aged 67...

Bollywood star Rishi Kapoor has died after a long cancer battle. He was 67.

Part of Bollywood’s Kapoor acting dynasty, Rishi Kapoor made his film debut in 1970 as a child actor in his father Raj Kapoor’s movie, Mera Naam Joker.

Three years later, Kapoor landed his first lead role in the 1973 Bobby. It led to a string of romantic lead roles Kapoor played in dozens of films for over two decades. Later in his career, he transitioned to being a character actor.

The actor’s family confirmed his death in a message reported by the BBC:

“The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was...

Rishi Kapoor, a pillar of Indian cinema who starred in more than 100 films over his 50-year career and also produced and directed, died early Thursday morning after a two year battle with cancer. He was 67.

“Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am Ist in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last,” Kapoor’s family said in a statement to the Hindustan Times.

The statement continued: “He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of him.”

“He was grateful for the love of his fans that poured in from the world over.

Rishi Kapoor, one of India’s most loved film actors, best known for his romantic roles, has died. He was 67.

Kapoor was admitted to a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday. “He is suffering from cancer and he has some breathing problem, so he has been admitted to the hospital,” his brother Randhir told Indian media on Wednesday.

Kapoor died on Thursday morning, a day after the disappearance of another Indian star, Irrfan Khan.

Kapoor was first diagnosed with cancer in 2018, and received treatment initially in the U.S., before returning to India late in 2019. He has been hospitalized in India several times since with a variety of complications.

Despite his health problems, Kapoor recently announced that he would co-star with Deepika Padukone in a remake of Hollywood hit “The Intern.” But his regular social media activity has gone quiet since the beginning of April.

After a cameo in his father Raj Kapoor’s 1955 “Shree 420,...

DeathThe actor had been admitted to a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday.Tnm StaffVeteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on Thursday. The 67-year-old actor had been admitted to Sir Hn Reliance Foundation Hospital in Mumbai. Actor Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to announce the actor’s demise. “He's Gone .. ! Rishi Kapoor .. gone .. just passed away .. I am destroyed !” Bachchan tweeted. In 2018, Rishi Kapoor was diagnosed with cancer for the first time, following which the actor was in New York for nearly a year to undergo treatment. He returned to India in September 2019 after recovering. Rishi's elder brother, actor Randhir Kapoor, had told the media on Wednesday that he was not feeling well and thus was rushed to hospital. “It's true that he has been admitted to the hospital. He is in Sir Hn Reliance Foundation Hospital. He was not keeping well and had some problem, so we admitted him early this morning,...

By Rima Bhatia and Stacey Yount

So you think you know Bollywood? The glamour, the gossip and all the secrets? Do you consider yourself a Bollywood expert? Well, to test our research skills to find some of the most hidden and obscure facts, we have put together a list to test your Bolly-knowledge.

So settle down with a warm drink and read away… and don’t forget to comment how many facts you knew… and which fact blew your mind!

The first short film from India was 1898’s Hiralal Sen’s The Flower of Persia.

Dadasaheb Phalke’s Raja Harishchandra is known as The first full length feature film from India. The black and white film released on May 3, 1913 in Mumbai. It was only 40 minutes long.

Ram Chandra Gopal “Dadasaheb” Torne’s Shree Pundalik was the very first film; it was shown in Mumbai on 18 May 1912. However, it was processed overseas and is only 22 minutes.

Remembering Raj Kapoor on his 31st death anniversary on Sunday, his son and actor Rishi Kapoor took to Twitter to share two photographs of his late father.

Raj Kapoor died of complications related to asthma in 1988 at the age of 63.

Rishi, who is currently undergoing treatment in the Us, tweeted one image from the 1970 film "Mera Naam Joker" and a black and white image of Raj Kapoor holding him.

The "102 Not Out" actor captioned the image with a line from the song "Jeena yahan marna" from "Mera Naam Joker".

He wrote: "Par hum tumhare rahengay sada... 14 December 1924, Peshawar to 2 June 1988, New Delhi."

Actor-politician Shatrughan Sinha also remembered Raj Kapoor and called him "exceptionally powerful actor, director in the history of Indian cinema".

"He established himself at an extremely young age with his own studio and debut film 'Aag' as a director. He was known for his ostentatious style of...

As actress Sonam Kapoor Ahuja is being lauded for promoting the Lgbtq community in her latest release Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga, her father and actor Anil Kapoor, who has shared screen space with her for the first time in the film, says she is making brave choices in her film career.

"She is making such brave choices. Neerja was a film that broke many myths. It gave Sonam a chance to prove herself as an actor. I am thankful to (director) Ram Madhvani for believing in Sonam."

"Now I feel Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga gives Sonam another opportunity to prove what she's worth. Her performance is not over pitched. She is never over dramatic because she relates with real people and situations through her first hand experiences. She's widely read and travelled. She connects to her character in Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga...

Motther India, Mera Naam Joker, Pather Panchali and other renowned classics go missing from Nfai...

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor turned 64 on Sunday, and his friends and colleagues from the Hindi film industry have wished him a year full of love and happiness.

And the celebrities also had a special message for the “Bobby” star — keep on inspiring.

The actor has been part of the industry for over four decades and has given hits like “Mera Naam Joker”, “Bobby”, “Khel Khel Mein”, “Hum Kisise Kum Naheen”, “Karz” and “Prem Rog”.

The actor was last seen on screen in the “Kapoor & Sons”.

Here’s what the celebrities had to say on Rishi’s birthday:

Amitabh Bachchan: Happy Birthday Chintu ji…Love and happiness always…Chintu, we did some great films together!

Sajid Khan: Happy birthday Rishi Kapoor a friend whom I admire and respect a lot…Twitter is your domain sir…keep tweeting.

Huma Qureshi: Happy birthday Rishi Kapoor. Wish you all the joy and happiness in the world…...

Challenging stereotypes of India and South Asia, and wrestling with some very hard issues the 7th Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival returns this Summer.

The Director of the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival, Cary Rajinder Sawhney states,”We aim to showcase films that entertain but challenge and make one think about the many social issues happening in India today, and that includes many positive changes including the fact that so many emerging Indian women filmmakers who are producing world-class films that are giving their male counterparts a serious run for their money.”

The diverse programme of brand new features, documentaries and shorts includes seven films directed by power-packed women filmmakers that give the Bechdel Test a run for its money, including the Thelma and Louise-esque opening night buddy movie, Parched, set in the desert villages of India’s Gujarat (female director Leena Yadav and Producer and Bollywood star Ajay Devgn, is expected). Double Oscar® winner Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, introduces her punch in the guts, documentary, A Girl In The River – The Price of Forgiveness.

With a strong Lgbtq+ following, the festival proudly hosts its first Transgender movie based on an empowering true story – I am Not He…She, at BFI Southbank, supported by Mac Cosmetics and Sun Mark Ltd, amongst others. Bangalore Director Bs Lingadevaru, is expected.

Reflecting the linguistic diversity of UK’s South Asian communities, the carefully curated programme will include 15 major languages, including films from Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal and Sri Lanka. All films are English subtitled.

This celebration of Indian regional diversity includes a very rare on-stage Q&A at BFI Southbank with one of South India’s greatest ever superstars – Kamal Haasan, who moved from child actor to Tamil cinema star, to produce, write and direct some of India’s most acclaimed features, including many Bollywood hits. He is adored by millions of fans, worldwide.

The closing night gala, is the world premiere of the incredibly moving and intense Toba Tek Singh, which focuses on patients locked in a Punjabi mental health hospital during the Partition (legendary director Ketan Mehta, is expected).

Sri Lankan breakout filmmakers Kalpana & Vindana Ariyawansa explore the taboo subject of obsessive compulsive disorder (Ocd) in a very personal family drama Dirty, Yellow, Darkness, while at the Ica, Director Jayaraj from Kerala, presents the Berlinale Crystal-Bear winner, Ottaal (The Trap), a heart-wrenching drama, based on the roots of child slave labour.

On a lighter note the festival also celebrates two icons of cinema with on-stage interviews with Satyajit Ray’s favourite actress Sharmila Tagore from Kolkata and the only Indian filmmaker to truly cross from Bollywood to Hollywood – Shekhar Kapur, who will discuss his plans for Elizabeth 3. Let’s hope that Cate Blanchett continues her reign in this expected sequel.

Also in the line-up is a special screening of the risque film Brahman Naman, directed by India’s leading indie director Q, the hilarious coming-of-age comedy is exclusive to Netflix. The Mumbai music industry focused Jugni, shows that love and a damn-good Punjabi song, can conquer even the toughest hearts (female director, Shefali Bhushan, is expected).

As well as synchronous screenings in London and Birmingham from 14-24 July, the Bagri Foundation London Indian Film Festival goes live on digital, with the festival showing a selection of films on BFI Player into the Autumn.

Festival Patron Tony Matharu, who is also our founding sponsor, from Grange Hotels, continues to support with full fervour, and the festival welcomes back supporters including title sponsor, the Bagri Foundation, who share our passion for South Asian arts and culture. The British Film Institute and Cineworld Cinemas have supported Liff since year one. The festival enjoys on-going essential support from major sponsor, Sun Mark Ltd.

Title Sponsor Alka Bagri of the Bagri Foundation says, “We are delighted to support such an incredible festival which reveals the richness of South Asian culture and offers a wonderful platform for emerging talent. This year’s programme epitomises the diversity and dynamism of South Asian cinema, and through films, debates and panel discussions, we will explore topical issues such as gender, identity, mental health and equality. We look forward to being joined by two acclaimed figures of Indian cinema: Kamal Haasan and Shekhar Kapur who will take us on their cinematic journey”.

Liff presents the prestigious annual Satyajit Ray Short Film Competition, in association with the Bagri Foundation, with a prize of £1,000 to the winning film. The short film programme screens at the Ica on Wednesday 20th July and the winning short will be announced at the closing night gala, on 21st July, at BFI Southbank. The festival continues in Birmingham, until 24th July.

Participating cinemas’ in London are: Cineworld (Haymarket, O2, Wandsworth, Wembley), BFI Southbank, Ica, Picture House Central, Crouch End Picturehouse, East London’s rustic Boleyn Cinema, with Cineworld Broad Street and Midland Arts Centre (Mac), in Birmingham.

Opening Night | Dual English Premiere: Parched

– Hindi with English subtitles | 117 min | India 2015 | Dir: Leena Yadav | with: Radhika Apte, Tannishtha Chatterjee, Surveen Chawla, Lehar Khan.

Director Leena Yadav tells a wonderfully joyous and inspiring tale of female comradery.

– Q&A with Director Leena Yadav and other special guests.

14 July | 18:00 | Cineworld Haymarket, London

15 July | 19:00 | Cineworld Broad Street, Birmingham

16 July | 17.30 | Cineworld Wembley, London

20 July | 20.40 | BFI Southbank, London

Closing Night | World Premiere: Toba Tek Singh

– Hindi / Punjabi with English subtitles | 75 min | India 2016 | Dir: Ketan Mehta | with: Pankaj Kapur, Vinay Pathak.

Acclaimed director Ketan Mehta delivers this unforgettably moving and at times joyous version of Manto’s legendary story, produced by the Zeal for Unity project.

– Q&A with Director Ketan Mehta and other special guests.

21 July | 18:00 | BFI Southbank, London

24 July | 18:00 | Cineworld Broad Street, Birmingham

– Icons from India, polymath Kamal Haasan (whose films have the highest number of Academy Award submissions from India), and director of the exquisite BAFTA & Oscar® winning Elizabeth & The Golden Age films, Shekhar Kapur, will give masterclasses at BFI Southbank, with the famous female scion of the Tagore family, who married into Indian royalty, Sharmila Tagore, speaking at the historic art deco cinema, Cineworld Haymarket.

– A 2016 highlight, is a rare opportunity to hear female filmmakers like Pakistan’s double Oscar®-winning Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy, Mumbai’s multi-award winning Leena Yadav, documentary filmmaker Rinku Kalsy and other special guests, talking about their unique careers and exploring commonalities of experience, with women filmmakers around the world.

– The UK premiere of the restored verison of the 1948 film Kalpana (Imagination), by the legandary dancer, Padma Vibhushan Uday Shankar (brother of the late Sitar stalwart Ravi Shankar), starring the legendary dancer and actress Padmini (Mera Naam Joker/Thillana Mohanambal), in her cinematic debut, gets a one off special screening in Birmingham.

– Winner of the best directing debut at the Venice Film Festival, the Hindi language film directed by Ruchika Oberoi, Island City, tells three stories, of a drone employee at a soulless corporation wins an office competition entitling him to a whole day of fun at the mall; a domineering head of a family who suffers a stroke and is on life support, and a woman who is leading a mechanical existence blossoms, when she gets a series of anonymous love letters.

– Actor, Leader, Hero, God. For his fans, the superstar Rajinikanth is all of these. Men from various generations alter their lives, sell their belongings, and place fandom above their families in devotion to the iconic actor, a man who has inspired a fanatic cult following across the world ranging from India to Japan. This is explored in the riveting documentary, For The Love Of A Man.

– Made under the Zeal for Unity India-Pakistan filmmaking initiative, Khaema mein matt jhankain (Don’t Peek Into The Tent) and Jeewan Hathi (Elephant In The Room) explore different facets of life in Pakistan. Tamil Naidu’s hottest young filmmaker M Manikandan returns to the festival, after last year’s hit Kaaka Muttai (Crow’s Egg), with the stylish, twisted plot thriller, with Kutrame Thandanai.

– The new tale by Kaushik Ganguly, one of West Bengal’s most accomplished directors, depicts a love-torn nostalgia for the passing age of film called Cinemawala, while Liff’s first Nepali screening is directed by new hot-property director Min Bahadur Bham, who has been delighting audiences around Europe with his film Kalo Pothi (The Black Hen).

– For more information on the festival please visit:

http://www.londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk

– The full festival programme for London and Birmingham:

http://londonindianfilmfestival.co.uk/programme.htm

The post The London Indian Film Festival brings cinematic diversity to London and Birmingham: 14-24 July appeared first on BollySpice.com.

Bombay Velvet is the kind of crippling disaster that is bound to stymie any actor's career. Ranbir Kapoor is saddened by the setback, but far from defeated. Says his pragmatic dad Rishi Kapoor, "We did speak about it. I have only one piece of advice for my son, 'Don't let success go to your head, and failure to your heart.' In his brief career so far he has seen quite a lot of ups and downs. And he's taken it all in his stride." Rishi Kapoor admits his son is not quite at the top of the world at the moment. "Ranbir is naturally disappointed by the outcome of Bombay Velvet. But it's okay. He will get over it. Setbacks are part of every actor's career. I am glad it's happening to him now when he recently started out. I also had more than my share of debacles after Bobby.

Tamil-Bollywood star-actor R Madhavan who turned 44 on Monday invited all his heroines to a birthday bash at Royalty, a posh club in Mumbai, for what Maddy described as a "grand reunion scene straight out of Mera Naam Joker". "It was an occasion I wanted to celebrate. I not only completed 44 years on this earth. But I also completed 15 years in this film industry which is my universe. I've done some really satisfying work with some terrific directors and some of the most beautiful women on this earth that I've met since my wife," chuckled Maddy as he prepares for what he calls the second innings. "The success of Tanu Weds Manu Returns has rejuvenated me. I feel like I did when I worked with Mani Ratnam in my first film Alai Payuthe." Maddy's main mentor Mani could not attend the birthday celebrations. "He was in Chennai and unable to fly down to Mumbai.

Last week, Deepika Padukone threw a happening party for the success of her latest film Piku. Ironically, it coincided with the thundering failure of Anurag Kashyap's Bombay Velvet. But that didn't deter Kashyap from braving the party mood at a time when his producers are looking at heavy losses. Says a filmmaker friend, "There was absolutely no sign of any regret in Anurag. In fact he was hardly speaking about it. He did mention his plans of moving to Paris to some friends. But we feel he's just saying that because of what has happened to Bombay Velvet. Interestingly Kashyap's colleagues at Phantom, the company of which he helms along with Vikas Bahl, Vikramditya Motwane and Madhu Mantena stand by Kashyap even after the Bombay Velvet debacle. One of them spoke in Kashyap's defense, "Every great filmmaker makes one such box office disaster during his lifetime which...

On the weekend, it was reported that actress Sridevi and her husband Boney Kapoor had sent a legal notice to Ram Gopal Varma for the apparent inappropriate usage of her name as the title of his next venture, the theme of which deals with a young boy's fascination with an older woman. Now responding to the same, Rgv posted on Facebook talking about his idea of making the film, while also attaching a copy of the legal notice that he had received. Below is a reproduction of the Rgv's explanation for titling his film Sridevi. "My response to the legal notice sent to me by Sridevi with regard to my film Sridevi In the legal notice sent to me, there seems to be an apprehension that the film Sridevi is based on a crush I personally had for Sridevi in my college years...I, many times over the last 5 years...

Mumbai, March 5: Yesteryears actress and TV host Simi Garewal says she would love to return to her first love, acting, provided she gets something interesting.

"I would love to act on big screen again," Simi told reporters here Tuesday at the press meet for Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2014.

"It has been my first love. It brought me to the film industry. If the role is suitable, I would love to act again," she added.

The 66-year-old made her acting debut in 1962 with "Tarzan Goes to India" and later gave some remarkable performances in films like "Do Badan", "Saathi", "Karz" and "Mera Naam Joker", among others.

Besides.

Presenters extraordinaire Raj and Pablo treated a super excited audience to an electrifying live interview with Ranbir Kapoor for a special In Conversation for BBC Asian Network. The duo made Ranbir dance, hug ecstatic female fans, propose to a lucky few, take questions from the audience, re-enact scenes from his recent films and yes guys – they even dared to quiz him about Katrina Kaif! Not only that, our entertaining duo made Ranbir feel at home, sharing with him special never seen before BBC archive footage of him as a child with his legendary grandfather Raj Kapoor and an interview of his father Rishi Kapoor in his younger years, talking fondly about his expectations for his young son Ranbir. Never have UK fans been able to get so close to Ranbir Kapoor, in what was an entertaining and insightful interview.

BollySpice was lucky to be there to witness the fun and...

There is very little on this planet to rival the sheer magnetism of three Kapoors in one room. When Ranbir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh Kapoor landed in New York City for the Besharam promotional tour, they bowled over fans and media alike. Joined by newcomer co-star Pallavi Sharda, producer Himanshu Mehra and Reliance executives, they entertained reporters at the press conference in typical Kapoor fashion- with e′lan, flamboyance tempered by humility and the charm always, always turned up a trillion notches.

BollySpice brings you snatches of the conversation with the Besharam team in New York.

What was your favorite memory of being on the sets with your respective fathers?

Rishi Kapoor (emotional): I’m very fortunate to have worked in three films with my late father Raj Kapoor – Mera Naam Joker, Bobby and Prem Rog. I cannot single out one memory of him, because with your father,...