The Indian Panorama

Tag: Amitabh Bachchan

  • Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    HYDERABAD (TIP): Legendary Telugu actor and film producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao, also known as ANR, died January 22 in Hyderabad at the age of 90. Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner ANR, who is the father of famous Telugu actor Nagarjuna, had been battling cancer for several months.

    He had in October last year told media that he was diagnosed with cancer and that he would fight it till the end. Nageswara Rao, who recently underwent a surgery for intestinal cancer, is survived by three daughters and two sons. His funeral on January 23 was attended by thousands of grieving admirers. The Telugu film industry wants a monument to be constructed for Akkineni Nageswara Rao on the premises of Annapurna Studios which he founded.


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    Thousands of grieving admirers of Akkineni Nageswara Rao joined the funeral procession on January 23, 2014Photos/

    Paying respect to ANR, Movie Artistes Association (MAA) president M Murali Mohan said it would be appropriate to have a monument near ANR’s museum where his awards are located. “We have made a suggestion to the family about it,” he said. Meanwhile, as a mark of respect, the film industry cancelled all shootings for two days. Mohan said an appeal has also been made to theatre owners to stop screenings and cancel shows on Thursday, January 23. Throughout the day, condolences and praises flooded in for the late actor from his Tollywood and Bollywood colleagues and politicians.

    Dadasaheb Phalke award winner D Rama Naidu said ANR had always adopted a discipline towards his work and life. “It used to be a pleasure working with him,” he said. Union minister for tourism Chiranjeevi said he had met ANR only a couple of weeks ago and spent nearly an hour with him. “I want to hit a century with the best wishes of the people,” ANR reportedly told him. “It is sad that he is no more,” Chiranjeevi said. He also recalled how his mother was a big fan of ANR and how when she was pregnant she wanted to watch a film. “My father was concerned. However, she did go to watch the movie in which ANR had acted,” he said, adding that his mother gave birth to a boy a few days later.

    “That boy was me,” he reminisced. Filmmaker S S Rajamouli said he was “saddened by the news of the legendary Nageswararao garu.” “He stood as a towering father figure for the Telugu film industry. Irreparable loss,” he said. Tributes also poured in from other parts of the country. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “Another great iconic legend of cinema passes away this morning: Nageshwar Rao, of Telugu cinema, a most affable considerate human!” Actor Anupam Kher described ANR as “an actor, a gentleman and a cinematic phenomenon”. “Have learnt a lot from him,” he . “He was not just a great artist but a wonderful human being. I had the opportunity to meet him four years ago… I had received an award from him.

    May god bless his soul and I pray for his family,” 84-year-old singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted. Several political leaders also joined in paying tributes. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi described ANR as “one of Indian cinema’s stalwarts who will be remembered for his rich contribution. Saddened by his demise. RIP.” Union minister of state for information and broadcasting Manish Tewari recalled that he had met Nageshwar Rao in Hyderabad last January, describing it as an “inspirational experience”. BJP leader Rajnath Singh said Nageshwar Rao’s contribution to Indian cinema would always be cherished. TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also said he was grieved beyond words at the demise of ‘legend’ ANR. “An era comes to an end.

    Great actor & a great human being,” he said on a social networking site. Naidu also visited Annapurna Studios to pay tributes to actor. In New York, Rao Anumolu, President, CEO & Founder at ASR International Corporation, a close friend of late ANR, said he was deeply saddened to hear of ANR’s death and that whereas in his death, Telugus had lost a great actor and a fine human being, for him it was the loss of a close friend and end of an era.

  • Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    Akkineni Nageswara Rao is dead: Condolences pour in from across the world

    HYDERABAD (TIP): Legendary Telugu actor and film producer Akkineni Nageswara Rao, also known as ANR, died January 22 in Hyderabad at the age of 90. Dada Saheb Phalke Award winner ANR, who is the father of famous Telugu actor Nagarjuna, had been battling cancer for several months.

    He had in October last year told media that he was diagnosed with cancer and that he would fight it till the end. Nageswara Rao, who recently underwent a surgery for intestinal cancer, is survived by three daughters and two sons. His funeral on January 23 was attended by thousands of grieving admirers.

    The Telugu film industry wants a monument to be constructed for Akkineni Nageswara Rao on the premises of Annapurna Studios which he founded. Paying respect to ANR, Movie Artistes Association (MAA) president M Murali Mohan said it would be appropriate to have a monument near ANR’s museum where his awards are located. “We have made a suggestion to the family about it,” he said. Meanwhile, as a mark of respect, the film industry cancelled all shootings for two days.


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    Thousands of grieving admirers of Akkineni Nageswara Rao joined the funeral procession on January 23, 2014

    Mohan said an appeal has also been made to theatre owners to stop screenings and cancel shows on Thursday, January 23. Throughout the day, condolences and praises flooded in for the late actor from his Tollywood and Bollywood colleagues and politicians. Dadasaheb Phalke award winner D Rama Naidu said ANR had always adopted a discipline towards his work and life. “It used to be a pleasure working with him,” he said.

    Union minister for tourism Chiranjeevi said he had met ANR only a couple of weeks ago and spent nearly an hour with him. “I want to hit a century with the best wishes of the people,” ANR reportedly told him. “It is sad that he is no more,” Chiranjeevi said. He also recalled how his mother was a big fan of ANR and how when she was pregnant she wanted to watch a film. “My father was concerned. However, she did go to watch the movie in which ANR had acted,” he said, adding that his mother gave birth to a boy a few days later. “That boy was me,” he reminisced.

    Filmmaker S S Rajamouli said he was “saddened by the news of the legendary Nageswararao garu.” “He stood as a towering father figure for the Telugu film industry. Irreparable loss,” he said. Tributes also poured in from other parts of the country. Veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan tweeted: “Another great iconic legend of cinema passes away this morning: Nageshwar Rao, of Telugu cinema, a most affable considerate human!” Actor Anupam Kher described ANR as “an actor, a gentleman and a cinematic phenomenon”. “Have learnt a lot from him,” he . “He was not just a great artist but a wonderful human being.

    I had the opportunity to meet him four years ago… I had received an award from him. May god bless his soul and I pray for his family,” 84-year-old singer Lata Mangeshkar tweeted. Several political leaders also joined in paying tributes. Gujarat chief minister Narendra Modi described ANR as “one of Indian cinema’s stalwarts who will be remembered for his rich contribution. Saddened by his demise. RIP.” Union minister of state for information and broadcasting Manish Tewari recalled that he had met Nageshwar Rao in Hyderabad last January, describing it as an “inspirational experience”.

    BJP leader Rajnath Singh said Nageshwar Rao’s contribution to Indian cinema would always be cherished. TDP president N Chandrababu Naidu also said he was grieved beyond words at the demise of ‘legend’ ANR. “An era comes to an end. Great actor & a great human being,” he said on a social networking site. Naidu also visited Annapurna Studios to pay tributes to actor. In New York, Rao Anumolu, President, CEO & Founder at ASR International Corporation, a close friend of late ANR, said he was deeply saddened to hear of ANR’s death and that whereas in his death, Telugus had lost a great actor and a fine human being, for him it was the loss of a close friend and end of an era.

  • THE LEGEND WHO WAS HIS OWN VOICE

    THE LEGEND WHO WAS HIS OWN VOICE

    Irony was the constant refrain of Manna Dey’s life. A world happy to sway to jingles could not always appreciate the steeped-in-classicism kalaam of Manna Da. Not blessed with the rare yodelling skills of Kishore Kumar or the soaked-in-romance style of Mohammed Rafi, there were a few things Manna Dey could do which his contemporaries could not aspire to. He could whip up a Lagi chunari mein daag, or Aayo kahan se Ghanshyam with such ease that he made a mockery of all predictions of the songs being difficult or challenging. Music directors Shankar-Jaikishen, indeed Mohammed Rafi too, felt he was the best choice when it came to songs with classical leanings. Manna Da though wanted to break the stereotype, ready at a moment’s notice to improvise, to innovate. He could dish out Aao twist karein too but the Hindi film world gave him only occasional opportunities to show his range, always keen to tap into his classical reservoir. In some ways, he remained an under-valued genius, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award notwithstanding. His voice was never associated with any hero, his name never doing the rounds of any music director’s camp for all songs of a movie; he charted his own path. A man most humble who did his own grocery purchases, he, however, was not happy about being the voice of Mahmood in Padosan. The song, Ek chatur naar, a kind of a singing contest in which he shared the baton with Kishore Kumar, was filmed on Sunil Dutt and Mahmood with Manna Da’s voice being used for the comedian. It left him unimpressed and he had to be persuaded to allow the song to be used in the film. Yet the same Manna Da once refused to sing with Pandit Bhimsen Joshi out of reverence for Pandit ji.

    The song in question, Ketki gulab juhi had Bhimsen’s character losing to Manna Da’s character in the film Basant Bahar. So Manna Da lost to Kishore Kumar in Padosan and defeated Bhimsen Joshi a decade before that! Ketki gulab juhi, however, was the not the biggest hit from Basant Bahar. That honour went to Sur na saje kya gaoon main”, where again only Manna Da could have done justice to all the ebbs and crests of music. Sur na… was picturised on Bharat Bhushan, a fine case of Manna Da singing for the hero, otherwise though his voice continued to be used for non-heroes. Another memorable case being Yaari hai imaan mera in Zanjeer, which was lipsynced by Pran, not the hero Amitabh Bachchan. The ironies did not leave Manna Da there. Mukesh was generally regarded as the voice of RK Films. Yet Manna Da gave some of his best songs for Raj Kapoor in films like Chori Chori, Shree 420 and even Bobby. In Chori Chori he gave us superhits like Aaja sanam madhur chandni mein hum and Ye raat bheegi bheegi while Rafi had to make do with the now forgotten “All line clear”. Born in 1919, he started as a music assistant in 1942. The following year he got his first whiff of public appreciation with songs of Ramrajya. It was, however, not until Upar gagan vishal in Mashaal (1950) that he began to be taken seriously as a solo singer. By the time he left youth, he was an accomplished performer, a diligent artiste who toiled endlessly yet never compromised on his music.

    In a delicious irony of life, Manna Da, who was never taken to be voice of any romantic hero of the era – the likes of Dev Anand, Shammi Kapoor and Rajesh Khanna used Kishore Kumar and Rafi’s voice – managed to give us two ultimate romantic songs for people young, and those young at heart. His Pyar hua iqrar hua hai pyar se phir kyun darta hai dil from Shree 420 (1955) was used in an advertisement campaign to promote contraceptives some 40 years after it became a chartbuster. If this song was an ode to love young and fearless, his number in Waqt was all about love that has withstood the test of tide and time. The song Ae meri Zohra Jabeen under the baton of music director Ravi, was a mischievous blend of seasoned love with innocent pranks with both Balraj Sahni and Achala Sachdev doing a wonderful job on the screen. Little appreciated, but Manna Da was a constant factor in the films of V. Shantaram; his songs of Do Ankhen Barah Haath and Navrang have scarcely been forgotten. His voice which could encapsulate almost all shades of life was used for patriotic as well as devotional songs. The irony could not have been greater – at one time Manna Da was ready to quit the country when an article by Rupayan Bhattacharya in a Kolkata daily compelled him to change his mind. And in the industry cine-goers hardly thought beyond Rafi or Mahendra Kapoor when it came to patriotic songs. Yet Manna Da gave us Ae mere pyare watan in Kabuliwala. Similarly, he lent his voice to the ever soothing Tu pyar ka sagar hai, a song from Seema, which the faithful play in praise of the Almighty. His voice had the haunting quality of a companion left behind.

    It could also have a tinge of a friend extolling you to march on. The two examples being provided by songs of Safar and Shor, where he sang Nadiya chale chale re dhara and Jeevan chalne ka naam — the latter being one of the few songs he sang with Mahendra Kapoor. Interestingly, he sang more than 50 songs with Rafi and 100 songs each with Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhonsle. Memorable as his songs were in Hindi cinema, Manna Da, who, for all his accomplishments, lived a humble life, sang in many Indian languages — notably Bengali, Assamese, Gujrati and Malayalam. His non-film albums too made a mark in the market, Yeh Awaara Raatein being truly remarkable. In ‘live’ shows too, he was peerless. Always holding the audience captive with his mastery over the medium. For many years, he confined himself to his residence in Bangalore, venturing out but rarely. Old age did not allow him to grace Kolkata on the opening day of IPL-VI, which was a disappointment for all, notably for Manna Da too as he was a keen student of the game. He had deep interest in soccer as well, being among a handful of artistes in cinema whose interests went beyond movies. His departure leaves a vacuum nobody will dare attempt to fill. But as Manna Da himself sang Chalat musafir, it is time for the second innings of the journey called life. History might appreciate him better.

    BOLLYWOOD MOURNS LEGEND’S DEATH
    Amitabh Bachchan: Manna Dey, stalwart of the music world, passes away. Flooded with memories and his songs. In particular his rendition of Madhushala. RIP… Prayers and condolences to loved ones and family! Strange how we connect events of our life with his songs! At work but shall keep a minutes silence, in Manna Dey’s memory on set before we start…
    Mahesh Bhatt: Manna Dey passes away. His voice shall linger forever.R.I.P.
    Manoj Bajpayee: Manna Dey is no more! A great singer! Lets pray for him! My condolences to his family! His music will live for 1000 yrs. RIP.
    Kailash Kher: Manna Dey, the legend is no more, and his contribution to music and films is unmatchable, RIP. Transformed from physical to divine, prayers.
    Sunidhi Chauhan: Heartbroken at Manna Da’s shocking demise.
    Vishal Dadlani: The world is a darker place, as one of the greatest musical lights to ever shine, has left us. May the immortal Manna De-saab rest in peace.
    Shekhar Ravjiani: The legend is no more… But he’ll forever live in our hearts through his songs and his
    voice. RIP Sir Manna Dey.
    Madhur Bhandarkar: Manna da, a legendary singer with a golden voice, that ruled our hearts for decades, will be missed by all. Zindagi kaisi hai paheli haye.
    SHABANA AZMI: Manna Dey had a unique voice. He will live on through his songs Ai Meri Zohra Jabeen/ dil ka haal suney dilwala/ poocho na kaise maine RIP.
    KUNAL KOHLI: Manna Dey, last of the greats, along with Kishore, Rafi and Mukesh, passes away.RIP.’ek chattur naar’ to ‘ae mere pyaare watan’ what a range.
    Shaan: From Rock n roll to pure classical to melancholy to slapstick… no one like Manna Da! Long live Manna Dey!
    Shreya Ghoshal: Zindagi kaisi hai paheli, Puchho na kaise, ek chatur naar, aao twist karein, aaja sanam madhur.. Such versatility and command over all genres. Rest in peace Manna Dey saab.. You and your voice are immortal.. Your songs will continue to inspire millions forever..
    Shankar Mahadevan: Zindagi … Kaisi hai paheli haaye .. Kabhi toh hasaaye … Kabhi ye rulaaye .. Manna da … Bless us!
    Anupam Kher: Manna Dey was one of the first legendary singers I heard live on stage in Shimla. He was gentle and calm. Just like his voice. Will miss him. RIP.
    Paoli Dam: ‘Coffee house er shei adda ta aaj aar nei’… the legend passes away! Manna Dey… RIP.
    Ashoke Pandit: Sad to hear about the demise of Manna Dey. A geart singer and a great human being. RIP.
    Sushma Swaraj: My respectful homage to the memory of the great singer Manna Dey
    Harsha Bhogle: Oh no. Such terrible news to get up to. Manna Dey no more? Less melody in the world.

  • Xoom Announces Money Transfer Service to NRE and NRO Bank Accounts in India

    Xoom Announces Money Transfer Service to NRE and NRO Bank Accounts in India

    Money transfers to India bank accounts within four hours

    SAN FRANCISCO, CA (TIP): Xoom Corporation (NASDAQ: XOOM), a leading digital money transfer provider, announced July 30 that NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) can now use Xoom’s money transfer service to send bank deposits directly to their NRE (Non-Resident External) and NRO (Non-Resident Ordinary) bank accounts in India. NRIs can now send bank deposits within four hours to recipients with NRE/NRO accounts, with great locked-in exchange rates.

    “In a continued effort to provide superior services to our customers, Xoom now introduces bank deposits to NRE/NRO accounts, giving NRIs every reason to use Xoom,” said Julian King, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Corporate Development for Xoom. “Plus, with our new App for Android and iOS devices, Xoom is committed to making money transfers easy and trustworthy for everyone.” “Xoom takes care of all your money transfer needs,” said India’s biggest superstar and Xoom brand ambassador Amitabh Bachchan.

    “No one gets your bank deposits to India faster than Xoom.com, and now to NRE and NRO accounts too!” Bank deposits are processed in India through Xoom’s partner Punjab National Bank. “We are pleased to partner with Xoom to provide NRIs a fast and easy way to send remittance to their NRE/NRO accounts, and other Rupee denominated Bank accounts in India,” said Mr. Thyagarajan, GM IBD, Punjab National Bank. With Xoom, customers can send money to all Rupee-denominated bank accounts in India, including NRE/NRO accounts within four hours, when sent during India bank processing hours. Service is available to all major banks in India including Punjab National Bank, ICICI, HDFC, SBI, Axis Bank, Citibank and many more.

    Customers can send up to $2,999 per transaction. Indian bank processing hours are generally Monday through Friday, 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. (India Standard Time), and Saturday, 9:00 A.M. to noon (India Standard Time). Individual bank branch operating and processing hours may vary. Customers can visit https://www.xoom.com/india for more information. About Xoom Xoom is a digital money transfer provider, focused on helping consumers send money in a secure, fast and cost-effective way using a smartphone, tablet or computer. During the 12 month period ended June 30, 2013, Xoom’s more than 915,000 active customers sent more than $4.3 billion to family and friends in 30 countries. The company is headquartered in San Francisco and can be found online at ww.xoom.com.

  • Indian Journalism At Ground Zero

    Indian Journalism At Ground Zero

    Those opposing Justice Katju’s suggestion of minimum qualifications for journalists are out of touch with reality, argues the author.
    Some years ago, the journalism entrance test at a career development institute in Mumbai had this objective-type question: Kofi Annan is (a) a Nigerian footballer(b) lead singer of a Sierra Leone pop group (c) a Sri Lankan delicacy (d)Secretary-General of the United Nations. The 100-odd candidates who appeared for the test were graduates with a sprinkling of post graduates. For nearly 25 of them, Kofi Annan was a Sri Lankan delicacy.

    At a TV Bachelor of Mass Media (BMM) university examination, where students were asked to identify and comment on a recent war which had divided the United States of America, more than a dozen students, obviously from the same college, elaborated on the “Vitamin War.” Another TV BMM class was learning the basics of book reviews. The teacher was shocked when the 40 plus students admitted that none of them had ever read a book outside their prescribed course of studies.

    The BMM course, where students could opt for journalism or advertising in their final year, had proved to be extremely popular. For 11 years I taught almost all subjects at many of Mumbai’s best colleges. Earlier, I taught journalism at some of the best institutions offering PG diploma courses in the subject. It was an exhilarating but often despairing experience. I was still an active journalist and often wrote on the need to improve standards at the BMM level.

    Now, the irrepressible Press Council of India (PCI) Chairman Markandey Katju, has spoken clearly on the same issue. It is shocking that his comments are being attacked fiercely by (of all people) senior journalists. The PCI Chairman also appointed a committee to suggest qualifications for those who wanted to be journalists. He pointed out that though journalism schools operated in India, many of them were of poor quality.

    Then and now

    A senior journalist like Vinod Mehta admitted he had a poor academic record but that did not prevent him from becoming what he is today. Mr. Mehta dabbled in advertising before becoming a journalist. That was decades ago. Today, a non-graduate would not be accepted in any journalism school nor get a job except perhaps in shady, third-rate publications. More important, journalism has become a highly skilled profession needing not only education but also expertise. Yes, in the “good, old days,” young men, mostly from the South, landed in Bombay with copies of their SSC examination and shorthand and typewriting diplomas.

    They quickly got jobs as stenographers, clerks and, if nothing else was available, joined the Free Press Journal daily because of their “superior” knowledge of English. Many of them learnt on their jobs and became outstanding journalists but nothing much was expected from the profession. Life was simple, journalism was not asked to handle the myriad problems of life. Mr. Katju argued that if other professions like medicine, law and management required adequate training, why not journalism.

    Dickens created two immortal medical students in The Pickwick Papers, Bob Sawyer and Benjamin Allen (Sam Weller called them “Junior Sawbones”), who relied on “bleeding” to cure all ailments and relished talking about it. Could they have functioned in the modern era? That was why it was shocking that professionals like Vinod Mehta and Barkha Dutt dismissed Mr. Katju’s comments with such contempt. Yes, learning on the job is fine, but how? A cub reporter assigned to cover a major event would not know how and where to begin or end.

    On the desk, can an untrained sub-editor cut a long story to its required length, provide subheads and give a suitable, catchy heading? Will the journalists who made snide comments on the Katju remarks appoint young people without previous experience in their publications or channels? How proud is Ms Dutt of the interview techniques of the modern TV reporters who thrust a microphone near the mouth of a woman who has just been assaulted and exclaim breathlessly, “Aap ko kaise lagta tha?” Or the ones assembled at Mumbai’s Lilavati Hospital when Amitabh Bachchan was admitted for some illness who came out with brilliant “Breaking News”: “Amitabh Bachchan ate khichdi” or “Amitabh Bachchan had orange juice”? Didn’t our TV editors find all this embarrassing?

    Live on TV
    There was a time in print journalism when editors prided themselves on their “intellectual superiority” and cared only for their weekly edit page pontification which they believed changed the world. For them, the rest of the paper did not exist. The same is happening in today’s TV journalism, where anchors seem to care only about their daily shouting matches, gift-wrapped as “discussions,” where they seldom allow panelists to speak or bother about how the rest of the news is presented.

    I would argue that formal training should be given not only to newcomers but also to senior editors and anchors on how to speak calmly, eliminate their bias, treat panelists with less contempt and perhaps go back to school to learn basic courtesy and good manners. Their present attitude does not reflect their public school education or Oxbridge/Columbia School of Journalism background. Once this is done, they could think of educating and training their juniors.

    In the classroom
    Meanwhile, journalism schools must improve. Mumbai University granted affiliation to dozens upon dozens of BMM and BMS departments without caring to examine whether they had any kind of infrastructure, like library facilities, classrooms and qualified teachers. After a couple of years, the university, in its wisdom, abolished entrance tests and decided that applicants to these courses should be admitted on the strength of their standard 12 marks, completely ignoring the fact that the cramming habits of and inflated marks awarded by junior colleges are not enough to judge the different needs of a journalism course.

    Teaching was another farce. With trained senior journalists unwilling to devote their time, teachers with no background or interest in journalism were roped in. Of course, some of them took pains to study topics like regional journalism and managed. But others were disasters. One such faculty member asked me how I taught reporting. “How many times did you put on disguises?” he asked in all earnestness! The ultimate depressive moment came with the fact that most students were least bothered with current affairs; not even to the extent of reading at least one newspaper regularly.

    Nor did they watch TV news shows. “Projects” were cut and paste jobs from the net. Students who found financial journalism “difficult” and who could not even differentiate between surplus and deficit, turned in immaculate 3,000 word projects with quotes from leading economists. The net was the source. The college authorities often pressurized the teachers including the visiting faculty to give high marks to project work so that their students would figure in the university merit list.

    Our stars in elite journalism who blamed Mr. Katju for speaking out of turn hardly know what is going on in most journalism schools. How can they? The average student who is keen to learn journalism is left in the lurch. If the media world refuses to listen to men like Mr. Katju, the deterioration in existing standards will continue.

  • RITUPARNO GHOSH, TRAILBLAZER OF NEW WAVE BENGALI CINEMA, DIES

    RITUPARNO GHOSH, TRAILBLAZER OF NEW WAVE BENGALI CINEMA, DIES

    KOLKATA (TIP): Noted filmmaker Rituparno Ghosh died of cardiac arrest at his south Kolkata residence on May 30. He was 49. Winner of 12 national and some international awards, Ghosh was suffering from pancreatitis and died of heart attack at 7.30 am, his family said. Credited for ushering in a new wave in Bengali cinema by his trailblazing films like ‘Unishe April’ and ‘Dahan’, director-turned-actor Rituparno Ghosh was known for glorifying women besides exploring the touchy subject of same-sex relationships.

    As someone who had a different take on sexuality, life, filmmaking and equally adaptive to the trends and changes of contemporary filmmakers, Ghosh blazed the turf of Bengali film industry with his works. Ghosh played an important role in the revival of the film industry post the nineties with his arty and sensitive films like ‘Unishe April’, ‘Dahan’, ‘Chokher Bali’, which were not essentially melodramatic.

    A self-confessed Satyajit Ray fan, Ghosh’s films glorified women, their inner feelings, passion and sufferings. The filmmaker also explored same-sex relationship in his last release ‘Chitrangada’. Fondly known as Ritu da, Ghosh was never apologetic about his crossdressing or his sexuality and in Kaushik Ganguly’s ‘Arekti Premer Galpo’ and Sanjoy Nag’s ‘Memories in March’, he played pivotal gay roles.

    Born on August 31, 1963, Ghosh grew up in Kolkata. His father was a documentary filmmaker and so he was exposed to the world of art and cinema right from childhood. He started his career as a creative artist in an advertising agency, and later shifted to films. He made his directional debut in 1994 with children’s film ‘Hirer Angti’. His second film ‘Unishe April’ starring Aparna Sen and Debashree Roy won him his first of the 12 National Film Award.

    Having an uncanny grasp on the prowess, Ghosh has been credited discover the other side of actors like Rituparna Sengupta. Earlier only known to be part of hardcore formula Bengali films opposite Prosenjit Chatterjee mostly, Sengupta’s second innings as an actor began after starring in Ghosh’s 1997 film ‘Dahan’, which earned her a National Film Award for Best Actress alongside co-star Indrani Halder. Ghosh also mentored Raima Sen, grand-daughter of legendary actress Suchitra Sen, and gave her the turning point of her career in ‘Chokher Bali’.

    He later shifted from working with only Bengali actors to Bombay-based ones. He worked with Kirron Kher in ‘Bariwali’, Raakhee in ‘Shubho Mahurat’, Aishwarya Rai in ‘Chokher Bali’ and ‘Raincoat’, which also starred Ajay Devgn. For his first English language film ‘The Last Lear’, Ghosh roped in megastar Amitabh Bachchan, Preity Zinta and Arjun Rampal. Bipasha Basu also made her debut in Bengali films with Ghosh’s ‘Shob Charitro Kalponik’ in 2008.

    His other National award winning films include ‘Dahan’, ‘Asukh’, ‘Chokher Bali’, ‘Utsab’, ‘Raincoat’, ‘Shubho Mahurat’, ‘Abohoman’, ‘Shob Charitro Kalponik’ and ‘The Last Lear’. Ghosh made his acting debut in 2003 with an Oriya film ‘Katha Deithilli Ma Ku’ directed by Himanshu Parija. He hosted two celebrity chat shows- ‘Ebong Rituporno’ and ‘Ghosh and co’. He also was the scriptwriter of hit soap ‘Gaaner Opare’ for few initial episodes. His last release was ‘Chitrangada’, a modern take on Rabindranath Tagore’s tale of the same name.

    The film won the special jury award at the 60th National Film Awards. Charting a different course from his last few films on relationship and alternative sexuality, Ghosh took up the ambitious work of filming the exploits of popular Bengali sleuth Byomkesh Bakshi. The film starring ‘Kahaani’ director Sujoy Ghosh and actress Arpita Chatterjee, was in postproduction stage.

  • Bollywood Biggies Wax Eloquent in Washington

    Bollywood Biggies Wax Eloquent in Washington

    WASHINGTON (TIP): India’s growing soft power has got a brief toehold in the world’s hardball capital. Madame Tussauds, the famed wax gallery, unveiled on Tuesday the moulded likeness of Bollywood’s best in an intensely political city that is more into power than entertainment. For the next few weeks, a cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Hritik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor will rub shoulders with 43 US Presidents and dozens of American celebrity journalists and sportsmen at the popular gallery, among the newest of 14 Madame Tussaud’s museums around the world. They will then go to New York, Las Vegas, and Hollywood.

    It’s the first time that Bollywood stars have made a waxy entry into the US, although they come here often enough in flesh and blood. America is now the second largest Bollywood market outside India, and gallery officials explained that Indian visitors to their attraction had voted through visitor logs and guest feedback a desire to see their favourite desi movie stars. An in-house panel chose the five most popular stars through such feedback. The Indian movie industry, commonly arrogated to Bollywood, is at the centre of India’s much-ballyhooed soft power, a term coined by US political scientist Joseph Nye to describe persuasive diplomacy through the arts, culture, entertainment and other “soft” elements rather than hard military power projection. Although Bollywood’s revenues of around $2 billion annual is a fraction of the nearly $70 billion Hollywood rakes in, its footprint is as large as its American counterpart because it sells more tickets worldwide even if revenue per capita is lower.

    At the surreal Madame Tussauds, a few blocks from the White House, workers wheeled in the Indian stars shipped here after similar appearances in Sydney and Vienna. Two performers from a local dance studio called Rhythmaya swayed to popular Bollywood songs. Attesting to the impact of Bollywood’s outreach, the hack pack from the Afghan press was as large as the Indian media contingent. Such is the devotion Bollywood inspires that Madame Tussauds’ spokespersons delightedly relate how fans have a meltdown even with the wax models. Apparently, a young lass in Bradford, UK, travelled down to the gallery in London shortly after Shahrukh Khan’s cast was unveiled in April 2007 to propose marriage and present a diamond engagement ring. She is still said to be waiting for a reply. Indeed, the gallery is one of the spookier ones in a city of museums that is Washington DC, as your correspondent found out.

  • Wax Indica: India’s Soft Power in World’s Hardball Capital

    Wax Indica: India’s Soft Power in World’s Hardball Capital

    WASHINGTON (TIP): India’s growing soft power has got a brief toehold in the world’s hardball capital. Madame Tussauds, the famed wax gallery, unveiled on Tuesday the molded likeness of Bollywood’s best in an intensely political city that is more into power than entertainment. For the next few weeks, a cast of Amitabh Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, Aishwarya Rai, Hritik Roshan, and Kareena Kapoor will rub shoulders with 43 US presidents and dozens of American celebrity journalists and sportsmen at the popular gallery, among the newest of 14 Madame Tussaud’s museums around the world. They will then go to New York, Las Vegas, and Hollywood.

    It’s the first time that Bollywood stars have made a waxy entry into the US, although they come here often enough in flesh and blood. America is now the second largest Bollywood market outside India, and gallery officials explained that Indian visitors to their attraction had voted through visitor logs and guest feedback a desire to see their favorite desi movie stars. An in-house panel chose the five most popular stars through such feedback. The Indian movie industry, commonly arrogated to Bollywood, is at the center of India’s muchballyhooed soft power, a term coined by US political scientist Joseph Nye to describe persuasive diplomacy through the arts, culture, entertainment and other “soft” elements rather than hard military power projection.

    Although Bollywood’s revenues of around $2 billion annual is a fraction of the nearly $ 70 billion Hollywood rakes in, its footprint is as large as its American counterpart because it sells more tickets worldwide even if revenue per capita is lower. At the surreal Madame Tussauds, a few blocks from the White House, workers wheeled in the Indian stars shipped here after similar appearances in Sydney and Vienna. Two performers from a local dance studio called Rhythmaya swayed to popular Bollywood songs. Attesting to the impact of Bollywood’s outreach, the hack pack from the Afghan press was as large as the Indian media contingent.

    Such is the devotion Bollywood inspires that Madame Tussauds’ spokespersons delightedly relate how fans have a meltdown even with the wax models. Apparently, a young lass in Bradford, UK, traveled down to the gallery in London shortly after Shahrukh Khan’s cast was unveiled in April 2007 to propose marriage and present a diamond engagement ring. She is still said to be waiting for a reply. Indeed, the gallery is one of the spookier ones in a city of museums that is Washington DC, as your correspondent found out much to everyone’s mirth. He waited patiently for several seconds to allow a young lady to finish taking a picture of a celebrity so as to not cross her line of vision, before realizing that the photographer was also a wax model.

    When the museum opened at noon (entry fee is a steep $21 for adults and $17 for children), visitors milled around posing for photos with their arms around celebrities. “That’s what makes Madam Tussauds unique,” General Manager Dan Rogoski said. “There are no barriers and velvet ropes. Visitors can be all over their idols.” A maintenance team works round the clock to keep the waxy celebrities spiffy, with every hair in place. It’s an expensive and tedious proposition which probably explains the high entry fee. At the aesthetic level, each wax clone — costing around $ 300,000 apiece — involves six months of painstaking work by 12-15 artists. This includes a two-hour sitdown session with the celebrity during which hundreds of photographs and detailed measurements are taken to make an exact replica primarily using fiber glass and bees wax. Just doing the hair and dentures takes weeks, considering they get the exact color and tone down to the last shade. The final product has to meet the approval of the celebrity being cast.

  • Baby Aaradhya Bachchan turns 1

    Baby Aaradhya Bachchan turns 1

    As the well wishers waited with bated breath, Aaradhya Bachchan was born on November 16, 2011 to the world’s most beautiful woman,Aishwarya Rai Bachchan. Oblivious to the news and the roar created by her birth, she lay in her mom’s arms just like any other baby that is sent upon to this world as a blessing from above. During her initial days in this world, her family addressed her as Beti B when they were still deciding for a suitable name for their little angel.

    The Bachchans later named Beti B ‘Aaradhya’ which means ‘the worshipped one’. Aaradhya’s grandmom Jaya Bachchan even commented that her grand daughter is as cute as a strawberry. Though the family shielded her from the media glare for quite some time, Aardhya grabbed the limelight at the recent French honor for her mom Aishwarya Bachchan.

    However, her birthday is going to be a private affair with only close family members. As Aaradhya crosses the first landmark of her one year of life she warms the heart of her grandad by calling him ‘dada’. Amitabh Bachchan tweeted, “One of the most endearing moments of life … when your grandchild, without any prompting calls out on seeing you .. DADA !!”

  • Rajesh Khanna likely to be awarded Padma Vibhushan

    Rajesh Khanna likely to be awarded Padma Vibhushan

    NEW DELHI (TIP): Legendary film actor late Rajesh Khanna, reputed director of Sholay fame Ramesh Sippy and singer Kailash Kher may get next year’s Padma awards – the country’s prestigious civilian awards – that will be announced on the eve of the 2013 Republic Day.

    The information and broadcasting ministry has recommended these three names to the home ministry for conferring the awards under the arts category.

    While the name of Khanna, who passed away July 18, has been recommended for Padma Vibhushan (the highest category among the Padma awards), Sippy and Kher have been recommended for Padma Shri.

    Though the Padma awards are usually not conferred posthumously, there is an indication that the government could consider Khanna’s case as “highly deserving”, and honour him with Padma Vibhushan by making an exception.
    The rule says that the government can consider the highly deserving case “if the demise of the person proposed to be honoured has been within a period of one year preceding the Republic Day on which it is proposed to announce the award”.

    Government had made such exception in the past. Music director and singer Bhupen Hazarika, who had passed away last year, was conferred with Padma Vibhushan posthumously in 2012.

    Khanna, who was also Congress MP from New Delhi constituency from 1992 to 1996, was never given the Padma award in his lifetime, whereas most of his contemporaries, including Dharmendra, Dev Anand, Shashi Kapoor, Amitabh Bachchan, Dilip Kumar, Hema Malini and Waheeda Rehman, had got one or the other category of the Padma award over the years.
    Similarly, film producer and director Ramesh Sippy (65), too, would be a late entrant of the Padma hall of fame, if the government finally selects him for this award. A number of film producers and directors of his generation has been conferred with the Padma awards through the years.

    The final decision will be taken by the Padma Awards Committee, which is to be constituted by the Prime Minister. The recommendations made by the seven or eight-member panel will be submitted to the Prime Minister and the President for their approval.

    Though the home ministry every year, on an average, receives around 1,000-1,200 recommendations from various ministries, state governments, chief ministers, governors and private individuals\bodies, the committee usually selects nearly 1\10th of them under the existing rules.

    The total number of awards to be given in a year, under the rule, should not be more than 120 (excluding posthumous awards and to foreigners).

    The Padma award is given to persons from any fields of activities like art, literature and education, sports, medicine, social work, science and engineering, public affairs, civil services and trade and industry.

    Padma Shri is awarded for distinguished service, whereas Padma Bhushan for distinguished service of a high order, and Padma Vibhushan for exceptional and distinguished service.

  • Amitabh Bachchan turns 70

    Amitabh Bachchan turns 70

    MUMBAI (TIP): It was dance, music and masti galore at Amitabh Bachchan’s 70th birthday bash, says Shah Rukh Khan who shook a leg with the “birthday boy”. Vishal Dadlani called it a “stellar party” and for Karan Johar it was a beautiful blend of nostalgia, reverence and legendary.

    Bollywood celebrities can’t stop raving about the fun they had while ushering in Amitabh’s 70th birthday at the Reliance Media Works, Film City, Goregaon.

    Here`s what the guests have to say:

    SALIM MERCHANT: Nice speeches by the family, Yash Chopra especially Javed Akhtar’s speech was heartwarming! Karan Johar was a fab master of ceremony. And it ended with a mashup of Bachchan’s biggest hits on the dance floor! I’ll always cherish this party.

    SHAH RUKH KHAN: Danced with Amitji and Jaya aunty to all the songs I have grown up listening. Too much fun. Thanks Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya for the warmth.

    KARAN JOHAR: The B70 bash was a beautiful blend of nostalgia, reverence and legendary acknowledgement… SrBachchan has a legacy of abundant goodwill….

    VISHAL DADLANI: Feet hurt, voice hoarse, heart full of love for Amitabh Bachchan, Mrs. (Jaya) Bachchan, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Aaradhya! Stellar hosts, stellar party! Happy Birthday Sir! There can only ever be one ‘Amitabh Bachchan’! Much love and respect, always!

    MADHURI DIXIT: Had an amazing time at Amitji’s party. Was a re-union of sorts. Got to spend time with so many of my friends! It was great seeing everyone! It was an honour to be in the presence of so many talented people. It brought back so many amazing memories. Looking forward to more!

    RITEISH DESHMUKH: Love and respect to the entire Bachchan family for hosting such a gracious function last night, specially Jaya aunty. everything was mesmerizing.

    KAILASH KHER: What an epic birthday bash… a true larger than life kind of experience… God Bless you sir.

    SANJAY GUPTA: Sir Happy Birthday and thank you for a fantabulous party. Wishing you health and happiness.

    ARSHAD WARSI: Mr Bachchan`s party last night was absolutely amazing, it was great to see the entire film industry under one roof….

    RANGANATHAN MADHAVAN: The most wonderful evening yesterday… Whatever the Bachchans do has to be classy and this was right up there. Met the industry after the longest time, but the highlight was to realise that I was part of
    the industry as the same time as Mr. Bachchan.

    KUNAL KOHLI: What a great party.Party is the wrong word. Event. To celebrate Bachchan`s bday. Honoured to be there. He`s a legend. He`s the ultimate hero. He`s Amitabh Bachchan.

    RAJ KUNDRA: Many many happy returns of the day sir. Thank you for a lovely party. Love and respect.Who was present

    Who attended the party? Everyone who is anyone! Well, everyone except for the three Khans, who seemed conspicuous by their absence. Celebrities like Karan Johar and mother Hiroo, business tycoon Mukesh Ambani’s mother Kokilaben, late actor Shammi Kapoor’s wife and son Aditya Raj Kapoor and others arrived to the main gate in a golf cart-like vehicle. Shashi Kapoor came on a wheel chair.Shah Rukh Khan arrived with wife Gauri Also present at the bash were Vinod Khanna, Hema Malini, Pran, Jeetendra, Waheeda Rehman, Prem Chopra, Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor with wife Neetu, Moushmi Chatterjee, Aruna Irani, Yash Chopra with wife Pamela, Sridevi with husband Boney Kapoor, Subhash Ghai, Jeetendra, Ashutosh Gowarikar, Priety Zinta, Vidya Balan, Bipasha Bau, Sanjay Dutt, Madhuri Dixit with husband, Ajay Devgn, Kajol, Juhi Chawla, Anil Kapoor, Deepika Padukone and Govinda.

    Apart from the film industry, others who came to greet the actor included Anil Ambani, Aditya Godrej, Kumar Manglam Birla, Mulayam Singh Yadav with son Akhilesh, Chaggan Bhujbal, Uddhav Thackeray with wife and son.

    Wishes for Big B

    He has everything. But I have all my love for him – TABU

    Blessings – WAHEEDA

    May God wish him good life and good health – RAJINIKANTH

    Well, we’re all here, the whole city’s here to wish him – ANIL KAPOOR

    I’ve just come for the love of Amitji – SHILPA SHETTY

  • Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

    Aishwarya Rai Bachchan appointed UN Goodwill Ambassador

    UNITED NATIONS (TIP): The United Nations Program on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) has appointed global Indian icon, Mrs. Aishwarya Rai Bachchan as International Goodwill Ambassador. UNAIDS Executive Director Michel Sidibe announced Aishwarya as the Goodwill Ambassador at a press conference in New York on Monday, September 24.. Ash will raise global awareness on protecting children from HIV infection & increasing access to antiretroviral treatment.

    In her acceptance remarks, Aishwarya said, “I am honored to accept this appointment. Spreading awareness on health issues especially related to women and children has always been of concern. And now as a new mother, I can personally relate to this – the joys and concerns of every mother, and the hopes that we have for our children. I pray and strongly believe that no baby should be born with HIV. And I wish that every woman living with HIV stays healthy and has access to treatment. I promise that with UNAIDS, I will do my utmost to make this happen. My father-in-law Amitabh Bachchan had served as the International Goodwill Ambassador for UNICEF.”

    Dressed in black outfit and clearly happy about her appointment, Aishwarya said that she does not just want to be a poster girl but will work at the grassroots level to eradicate the social barriers and stigmas attached with the disease. Ash also said she would be going to sites across India and other countries, interact with people, appeal to governments and talk with pharma companies to see what works need to be done in the area.