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One of the salient factors that contributed to the excellence of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 1942: A Love Story, released in July 15, 1994, was its imperishable music score by Rahul Dev Burman. Every song from ‘Pyar hua chupke se’ to ‘Kuch na kaho’ is tattooed on every music lover’s heart.

If Rahul Dev Burman’s swan song ‘Kuch na kaho kuch bhi na kahok is remembered so vividly to this day it has more to do with the staying power of the limitlessly talented composer rather than any intrinsic merit of the song’s parent film 1942: A Love Story.

Of the two versions of the songs sung by Lata Mangeshkar and Kumar Sanu there was a bit of controversy over the female version, sung to immortality by Lataji.

The song had already been recorded in Kavita Krishnamurthy’s voice when it was done again by Lataji. Was Lataji aware of the song’s history?...

Which Vidhu Vino Chopra Film Did Aamir Khan Turn Down? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Eminent Indian actor Aamir Khan has delivered many stellar performances throughout his prolific acting career. Right from Lagaan, Sarfarosh, and Dil Chahta Hai to Rang De Basanti, Taare Zameen Par, and Dangal, the list is virtually endless. But did you know that Aamir Khan was once offered a fantastic role in a Vidhu Vinod Chopra film? The period romantic drama went on to attain cult status among cinephiles. Any idea what that film was? Read on to find out.

Aamir Khan Said No To This Vidhu Vinod Chopra Project — Here’s Why

That film was 1942: A Love Story, which came out in 1994. According to an earlier report by Peeping Moon, the film was initially offered to Aamir Khan, who was expected to play the lead role eventually portrayed by Anil Kapoor. Aamir Khan turned down the...

The first time I met her she was shooting for that marathon movie called Hum Tumhare Hain Sanam with Salman Khan in a bungalow. “I wanted to meet you to give you a piece of my mind? You had said some very nasty things about my song ‘Choli ke peechhe kya hai’,” she greeted me with a sneer. It was rather strange that she wanted to give me a piece of her mind when it was she who had the nation aghast with her suggestive song. Anyway the ice broke (though it never melted) and we chatted. Salman peeped in later, saw me sitting with Madhuri, froze and left. When I was ready to do the same, I realised to my horror that Salman had bolted the door of the makeup room from outside. She grinned in embarrassment and shouted for help. I left.”

Many years later I met Madhuri...

When Vidhu Vinod Chopra Lashed Out At Then Assistans Sanjay Leela Bhansali And Rajkumar Hirani ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Sanjay Leela Bhansali and Rajkumar Hirani are one of the most celebrated filmmakers out there in Indian cinema. However, did you know that they had one assisted director-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra during their beginner days. In a recent interaction, Chopra revealed that he had once lashed out at the two for cutting a trailer of his cult romantic drama, 1942: A Love Story which he found underwhelming.

When Vidhu Vinod Chopra Lashed Out At Sanjay Leela Bhansali And Rajkumar Hirani

While interacting with Kellog School Of Management this year, Vidhu Vinod Chopra recalled his first meeting with Rajkumar Hirani which was not quite pleasant for the latter. The 12th Fail director said that Sanjay Leela Bhansali who was his assistant during that time was asked to cut the trailer for 1942: A Love Story by him.

Heeramandi’s Manisha Koirala, Peaky Blinders Still. (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi series was released on Netflix on May 1, 2024. The series marked the director’s Ott debut and has received mixed reactions. It stars Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Richa Chadha, Sharmin Segal, Sanjeeda Sheikh, Fardeen Khan, Shekhar Suman, Adhyayan Suman, and others. The period drama has eight episodes overall, each lasting at least an hour.

Heeramandi on Netflix is based on the life of courtesans during India’s pre-independence period. It’s a story of love, revenge, power, and politics. Manisha Koirala plays Mallikajaan, the one who decides the way of tawaifs and how things function in Heeramandi. The actress has received praise for her clever, sinister, cold, but graceful performance as Mallikajaan.

Trending “Kapil Sharma Ka Show Band Karna Pad Raha, Bahut Accha…,” Comedian Sunil Pal Questions Sunil Grover, Krushna Abhishek’s Commitment...

As the Vidhu Vinod Chopra directorial ‘1942: A Love Story’ clocked 30 years on Monday, veteran actor Jackie Shroff celebrated the occasion by sharing a video montage on his social media.

Jackie took to Instagram stories to share a video montage featuring memorable moments from the film, which also stars Anil Kapoor, Manisha Koirala, Anupam Kher, Danny Denzongpa, Pran, and Brian Glover.

The video shared by the actor was captioned: “Celebrating 30 years of ‘1942: A Love Story’.”

The film talks about lovers, who come from different family backgrounds, and showcases how their relationship is threatened due to the outbreak of the Indian revolutionary movement.

Meanwhile, Jackie, who was last seen in ‘Mast Mein Rehne Ka’. He will next be seen in ‘Two Zero One Four’, ‘Baby John’ starring Varun Dhawan, and Rohit Shetty’s ‘Singham Again’.

Jackie shroff celebrates 30 years of vidhu vinod chopra classic ‘1942: a love story’...

For veteran Bollywood filmmaker Vidhu Vinod Chopra, his latest film “12th Fail” is the gift that keeps on giving.

Based on the 2019 book of the same name by Anurag Pathak, the film tells the true story of Manoj Kumar Sharma who conquered extreme familial poverty to pass one of the world’s toughest examination processes and become an Indian Police Service officer.

Distributed by Zee Studios, the modestly budgeted “12th Fail” released theatrically in October 2023 in a Bollywood market where only big-budget action spectacles were working and many smaller films were taking the easier route to bowing directly on a streamer. The lead cast of Vikrant Massey (Disney+ Series “Criminal Justice”) and Medha Shankr, while extremely competent, were not marquee names.

The film struck a chord with audiences and has grossed $8.5 million to date, more than three times its budget. “Each film has its own God, and it’s always...

Mumbai, Feb 20 (Ians) Manisha Koirala has shared as to why she slowed down after turning 50.

The acclaimed actress shared that after having a career spanning over three decades. And 100 films, she has “earned” her “me time”.

Manisha took to Instagram, where she shared a slew of pictures, which she captioned: “A lot of people ask me what I’m doing these days…some genuinely asking but sometimes it’s like asking at 53 you couldn’t be doing much…true !!”

She added: “But happy too for I m tasting different flavour of life, doing only those things I love and that means, at times doing absolutely nothing and relaxing with my cats n dogs or with book, music and perusing spiritual learnings, learning to sing and dance, walk in the nature, gymming, globe trotting..”

“After 30 years and 100 films I think I have earned my me time…l work when I know...

Netflix has unveiled the first footage from ‘Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar,’ a period drama series by Bollywood’s supreme on-screen stylist Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

Netflix describes the series as “an epic saga of love, power, revenge and freedom [which] promises to be a profound celebration of art, culture, beauty, and Bhansali’s legacy.” It also describes series as a “passion project” that Bhansali has worked on for some 14 years.

With a cast that includes Manisha Koirala, Sonakshi Sinha, Aditi Rao Hydari, Sharmin Segal, Richa Chadha, and Sanjeeda Sheikh, the series is set in the midst of multiple power struggles in Heeramandi, Lahore (now part of Pakistan) and more generally in undivided, pre-independence India, where anti-colonial freedom movements were emerging.

A young heir is caught in the crossfire and chooses love over succession, thus disrupting the status quo. It also describes how the final thread holding the art of tawaifs, or courtesans,...

Anil Kapoor still gets meetings he can trace back to “Slumdog Millionaire.”

Chatting with IndieWire shortly after the premiere of Viacom18’s “Fighter,” the Indian actor is one of the rare global stars to enjoy “crossover success” — a buzzy term that, these days, seems to mean less crossing over and more crossing back-and-forth. Indian film stars, once compelled to journey West to Hollywood, now enjoy rich storytelling opportunities at home that also exist abroad. Between “Fighter,” “Animal,” a remake of “The Night Manager,” and daughter Rhea’s TIFF premiere, Kapoor’s last 12 months demonstrate the diversity of projects available for Indian actors today — though he still gets the most worldwide acknowledgement for “Slumdog.”

“I get really surprised sometimes at the kind of people who still know me, still remember me, and want to work with me. It’s still continuing,” Kapoor told IndieWire. “As a matter of fact, I insist...

12th Fail is a biographical drama film that tells the inspiring story of Manoj Kumar Sharma, a boy from Chambal who overcame extreme poverty and academic failure to become an Indian Police Service officer. The film is based on the 2019 non-fiction book by Anurag Pathak, who interviewed Sharma and chronicled his journey from a cheat-sheet maker to a civil servant1

The film is written, produced and directed by Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is known for his acclaimed films like Parinda, 1942: A Love Story, Munna Bhai M.B.B.S., and 3 Idiots. The film stars Vikrant Massey in the lead role, along with Medha Shankar, Anant V Joshi, Anshumaan Pushkar, and Priyanshu Chatterjee in supporting roles. The film also features narration by Anant V Joshi, who plays Sharma’s friend and mentor in the film1

The film was released theatrically on 27 October 2023, and received positive reviews from critics and audiences alike. The...

Filmmaker-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is best known for films such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Khamosh’, ‘1942: A Love Story’, ‘Mission Kashmir’ and for bankrolling the ‘Munna Bhai’ franchise, has completed 45 years in cinema.

The filmmaker is gearing up for his upcoming release ’12th Fail’ and his work is being celebrated across the country with a festival of his most memorable films.

As he completes 45 years in cinema and turns a new leaf, here are some interesting facts about Chopra.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s parents came from Peshawar, now in Pakistan, but he was born in Srinagar, where he did his schooling mainly in Hindi and Urdu. Memories of his homeland come through in his films ‘Mission Kashmir’ and ‘Shikara’.

He got selected to the Film and Television Institute of India (Ftii), Pune, where his diploma film titled ‘Murder at Monkey Hill’ bagged the National Film Award for Best Experimental Film.

His next film,...

Filmmaker-producer Vidhu Vinod Chopra, who is best known for films such as ‘Parinda’, ‘Khamosh’, ‘1942: A Love Story’, ‘Mission Kashmir’ and for bankrolling the ‘Munna Bhai’ franchise, has completed 45 years in cinema.

The filmmaker is gearing up for his upcoming release ’12th Fail’ and his work is being celebrated across the country with a festival of his most memorable films.

As he completes 45 years in cinema and turns a new leaf, here are some interesting facts about Chopra.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s parents came from Peshawar, now in Pakistan, but he was born in Srinagar, where he did his schooling mainly in Hindi and Urdu. Memories of his homeland come through in his films ‘Mission Kashmir’ and ‘Shikara’.

He got selected to the Film and Television Institute of India (Ftii), Pune, where his diploma film titled ‘Murder at Monkey Hill’ bagged the National Film Award for Best Experimental Film.

His next film,...

Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the prominent Bollywood production designer of the Oscar-nominated music sports drama Lagaan, has died. He was 57.

Desai reportedly was found dead at his studio in Karat, near Mumbai. The Indian Express and other local news agencies have reported police initially are suspecting suicide. Investigations are continuing.

Desai was known for his colorful work on the 2001 blockbuster Lagaan and Devdas, the BAFTA-nominated Indian drama from a year later. During his long career he also worked on another Oscar-nominated feature, 1988’s Salaam Bombay!, and on 1942: A Love Story (1993), Hum Do De Choke Sanam (1999) and Jodhaa Akbar (2008), among others. He also designed the set for Kaun Banega Crorepati? in Slumdog Millionaire and worked as a producer on several films and TV shows. He also directed Hello Jai Hind! and Ajintha, the former of which he also acted in.

Desai set up Nd Studios in Karjat, where he is believed to have been found,...

Nitin Chandrakant Desai, the Indian production designer best known for his work on the Oscar-nominated “Lagaan” (2001) and BAFTA-nominated “Devdas” (2002), was found dead Aug. 2 at his studio in Karjat, near Bollywood capital Mumbai. He was 57.

According to Indian news agency Pti, local police suspect that Desai allegedly died of suicide, though they are investigating further.

During his distinguished career, Desai worked with Mira Nair on the Oscar-nominated “Salaam Bombay” (1988) and “Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love” (1996). He also worked with several leading Bollywood filmmakers including Vidhu Vinod Chopra on “Parinda” (1989) and “1942: A Love Story” (1993); Sanjay Leela Bhansali on “Khamoshi: The Musical” (1995), “Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam” (1999) and “Devdas” (2002); Ashutosh Gowariker on “Lagaan” (2001) and “Jodhaa Akbar” (2008); and Rajkumar Hirani on the “Munna Bhai” franchise. He also designed the “Slumdog Millionaire” (2008) set for “Kaun Banega Crorepati?,” the Indian version of “Who Wants to Be a Millionaire?”

In 2003, Desai produced “Desh Devi Maa...

Mumbai, Feb 2 (Ians) Bollywood star Anil Kapoor has summed up his journey of over 40 years in Hindi cinema, where he has been feted with numerous awards and honours.

Anil took to Instagram, where he shared a string of photographs featuring his journey of four decades in Bollywood. The pictures show Anil winning multiple award during his run in the showbiz industry.

He captioned it: “In the 4 decades that I’ve been around, tides have changed, talent has changed, tastes have changed and audiences certainly have changed… The one thing that hasn’t changed is the virtue of hard work, persistence and conviction, and they are rewards enough.. But a few awards don’t hurt.”

The 66-year-old star, who has appeared in over 100 films in his career, established himself as a leading man with his roles in ‘Meri Jung’. He was later seen in blockbusters such as ‘Karma’, ‘Mr. India’, ‘Parinda...

With over 90 films to her career, Manisha Koirala is acknowledged as one of the finest Indian actresses to grace the big screen. With each new movie and character, the actress would completely disappear into her role in films like 1942: A Love Story, Khamoshi: The Musical, Dil Se, Company, and most recently Lust Stories and Sanju. Earning rave reviews for her work, audiences are always eager to see what brilliance she will bring to the big screen and this newest film does not disappoint. She is outstanding once again.

Directed by Geeta Malik, India Sweets and Spices is an entertaining film, often funny, and truly thought-provoking. It gives a glimpse of the life of an Indian American family. Ms. Koirala takes on the role of Sheila, a perfectionist, who is very proper and always acts in the manner that she thinks is the right way to be in her life.

Indian film director Sanjay Leela Bhansali has seen it all – from being physically attacked on the sets of “Padmaavat” to walking the red carpet at a triumphant Cannes screening of “Devdas” – in his 25 years of filmmaking.

A graduate of the prestigious Film and Television Institute of India, in Pune, Bhansali equally consumed the oeuvre of Tarkovsky, Uday Shankar’s “Kalpana” and Francis Ford Coppola’s “One From the Heart.” While he could not fathom the Russian auteur’s work in its entirety, “something about how a visual works on the soul of the audience if it’s receiving correctly, and the power of the images, is what I imbibed more than anything else,” Bhansali told Variety.

These days, striking imagery and grand storytelling is what Bhansali is best known for.

He made his mark choreographing the songs of Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s “1942: A Love Story” (1994), starring Anil Kapoor and Manisha Koirala,...

Mumbai, Nov 23 (Ians) Bollywood actress Yami Gautam is currently shooting for her forthcoming flick Bhoot Police in Himachal Pradesh. On Monday the actress teased fans by sharing a photograph of a bungalow located in Dalhousie where the film is being shot.

"Can you guess which film in the 90s was shot at this beautiful heritage home #BhootPolice," Yami posted on her verified Instagram account along with the photo of the bungalow.

Commenting on her post, many netizens correctly replied saying that Vidhu Vinod Chopra's 1994 Anil Kapoor-Manisha Koirala film "1942: A Love Story" was shot in the same bungalow.

The bungalow seems to be a favourite shooting destination for B-Town filmmakers, as actor Vikrant Massey also recalled shooting for the 2013 film "Lootera" in the house.

Commenting on Yami's post, Vikrant revealed: "I shot Lootera here."

Yami has been shooting in the mountains of Himachal for a while now.

Bhanu Athaiya, the costume designer who became the first Indian to win an Oscar, for Richard Attenborough’s “Gandhi” (1982), died at her home in Mumbai Thursday after a prolonged illness. She was 91.

Athaiya was suffering from a brain tumor for the last eight years, her daughter Radhika Gupta told news agency Pti.

Athaiya was born in Kolhapur, western India, in 1929. She began her career as a fashion illustrator for magazines before she moved to designing costumes for films. She made her debut with Raj Khosla’s “C.I.D.” (1956) and went on to design for some of the landmark films of Indian cinema, including Guru Dutt’s “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959) and Abrar Alvi’s “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962).

She designed for more than 100 Indian films over a career spanning nearly 60 years. Her output in the 1960s included “Gunga Jumna,” “Waqt,” “Amrapali,” “Teesri Manzil” and “Milan.” In the 1970s she worked on “Johny Mera Naam,...

1.??Vidhu Vinod Chopra ? This master director-producer has directed some of the most iconic films like Parinda, 1942 A Love Story and Mission Kashmir. He is directing a film in India after 13 years since his last film Eklavya. He has spent 11 years making this sensitive film despite many advising him against it.

2.?The Untold Story ? more than 400,000 Kashmiri Hindu Pandits had to forcibly leave their houses overnight due to religious persecution. These people continue to live as refugees in their own country. No media, political party or public at large came to their rescue or support. Their truth remains either denied or silenced. Shikara is, for the first time, bringing this to the mainstream consciousness.

3.?Real Refugees in Shikara ? Over 4000 real Kashmiri Pandit Refugees from Jagti refugee camp have acted in the film and recreated the real scenes of the exodus as it happened in 1990. This is the first time in...