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Producer Prerna Arora has the fondest memories of her interaction with the late Manoj Kumar, who died at age 87 today.

“As a huge fan, it was my sincere wish to remake one of his most popular films Woh Kaun Thi?. I was told he would not like the idea as he doesn’t believe in remakes. But I was adamant. When I contacted him he was so warm and welcoming, and encouraging, and so knowledgeable. He was an encyclopaedia on Indian cinema. Just listening to him was like reliving the golden era of our cinema,” says Prerna feelingly.

The remake of the Manoj Kumar starrer Woh Kaun Thi? was to star Shahid Kapoor in Manoj Kumar’s role.

“Sadly, the project never took off. But I got a chance to interact with one of the most brilliant minds in the film industry. As an actor, Manoj Sir was the handsomest and most adorable.

Manoj Kumar, the Indian actor-filmmaker best known for infusing the country with a brand of fervent nationalism through films like “Upkar” and “Purab Aur Paschim,” died April 4 in Mumbai. He was 87. He died of a heart attack caused by cardiogenic shock.

Born Harikrishan Goswami in Abbottabad, Kumar and his family relocated to Delhi after the Partition. He studied at Hindu College, Delhi University, before entering the film industry in the late 1950s.

After early screen roles in “Kaanch Ki Gudiya” (1961), “Hariyali Aur Raasta” (1962), and “Woh Kaun Thi?” (1964), Kumar’s performance as freedom fighter Bhagat Singh in “Shaheed” (1965) established him as a serious dramatic presence. But it was “Upkar” (1967)— a film he directed and starred in, inspired by Prime Minister Lal Bahadur Shastri’s slogan “Jai Jawan, Jai Kisan” — that cemented his on-screen persona as the face of patriotic cinema.

Nicknamed “Bharat Kumar” (India Kumar) for his commitment to patriotic themes,...

By numbers, her work in the Hindi film industry seems quite scanty — at 33 films in around a decade and a half. But the statistics fail to reveal that, save around five, all were box-office hits, and some of them broke new ground, making her one of the most popular and successful actresses of all times — and a fashion icon too.

Though she struck gold right from her debut as female lead, and went on to become an “in demand” actress for everything, from frothy romances to tear-jerkers, Sadhana is most remembered for her trademark hairstyle — the famous “Sadhana cut” of fringes or short bangs (itself inspired by the elfin and charming Audrey Hepburn) — and pioneering form-fitting kurtas and churidar pyjamas.

But in her comparatively limited outings, Sadhana, who was born on this day in 1941, showcased her acting prowess. She could essay roles of a rich heiress to a village belle...

By Arundhuti Banerjee

Mumbai, Sep 10 (Ians) New-age Bollywood lyricist Manoj Muntashir says recognition is the right of every creative person. He adds that although award-winning lyricists do get due recognition these days, there still exists an ignorance about lyrics writers, which discourages many budding talents to pursue good writing.

"One has to give due credit to the lyricist and some of my colleagues including Swanand Kirkire, Varun Grover, Amitabh Bhattacharya and others are raising their voice in the matter. Look, no one is doing a favour by giving credit to a lyricist. It is our right, not a prize. I am not talking it for myself because I always got my credit. But many budding lyricists do not get that and the fact surely is a sign of discouragement," Muntashir told Ians.

The lyricist who has written some memorable songs lately, including "Teri mitti" in last year's Akshay Kumar-starrer...