News

On Kapil Sharma’s show some weeks ago, the once-elusive, now over-gregarious Rekha submitted a slammer when she did an imitation of the Goddess Of Music Lata Mangeshkar. Seeing the cheering (or was it jeering?) response, Rekha was encouraged into launching into a shocking anecdote that concluded with Lataji calling Rekha ‘Mumma Mumma’ in public.

A source very close to Lataji has now come forward questioning the authenticity and dignity of the anecdote. “First of all, that is not Lata Didi’s language. If she had to call out anyone as a mother—which is impossible—Lata Didi would say Maai Or Maa, not Mumma. Secondly, the entire incident was twisted out of all recognizable proportion.”

So what really happened? “Rekhaji for all her quest for cuteness, had spoken to Lata Didi about the desire to have Lata Didi as her daughter in her next life. Lataji laughed goodnaturedly at Rekha’s wish,...

We have a brand new track from Akshay Kumar’s Sky Force. Featuring a powerful blend of patriotism and classic music ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ pays homage to India’s soldiers bravery and sacrifices.

Some may recognize that ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ was originally sung by the legendary late Lata Mangeshkar. The iconic lyrics, penned by the late Pradeep, and the timeless music composed by the late C. Ramchandra, continue to remain etched in the hearts of millions. In Sky Force, this classic is brought to life by music producer Tanishk Bagchi, under the banner of Saregama, with modern arrangements that honor its profound emotional depth.

Speaking about the legendary track, Tanishk Bagchi said, “Working on ‘Ae Mere Watan Ke Logon’ has been an emotional journey for me. This iconic song, brought to life by the divine voice of Lata Mangeshkar ji, the profound words of Pradeep ji,...

It’s been 20 years if you can believe it, since Madhur Bhandarkar’s masterpiece, Page 3, was released. We take a look back at the film, which starred Konkona Sen Sharma, Atul Kulkarni, and Boman Irani.

Welcome to the beau monde, where everything is for sale, especially the conscience…where the rich and famous blow kisses in the air. As the humid room records their passionate pretenses, the emptiness of their ecstasy is exposed in recriminating rings of ricocheting realism.

The slimy Nri social climber is informed that a well-known socialite has committed suicide,

“Get me my fashion designer!”, he screams hysterically.

The funeral sequence that follows with all the deceased woman’s contacts and acquaintances shedding sobs into TV cameras is savagely funny and cruel, bitter and tragic.

Often, in the course of this mordant view of decadent elitism, you don’t know whether to laugh or cry. Or just...

Goldfish

Starring Deepti Naval, Kalki Koechlin, Rajit Kapoor, Bharti Patel

Directed Pushan Kripalani

On Amazon Prime Video

Why does the well-qualified Kalki Koechlin always play such surly actors? She plays characters who will always find a way to make herself unhappy. She doesn’t disappoint, although it doesn’t help much that she looks nothing like Deepti Naval’s daughter in Goldfish, an oddly satisfying film about fractured lives looking for closure.

Since the film is set in London (though not shot with any touristic flourishes), the Indian characters don’t have to behave like they would if they were placed in the same situation back home. This is not to say that they are not shackled by their cultural heritage. But I am pretty sure the mother and daughter, played with powerful predilection by Naval and Koechlin, would never be allowed to behave the way they were in Ludhiana.

When Fans Criticized Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah Over A Wrong Fact About ‘Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon’ Song (Photo Credit – SonyLIV)

Taarak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah continues to run even after completing 16 years in July. This journey has been legendary, and over the years, the show has given us uncountable pleasant memories. However, during this long run, there have been instances where the show’s makers have had to face criticism from fans. One such occasion happened a couple of years ago when fans called out the makers over an incorrect fact.

Managing a successful run for over one and a half decades is not an easy job, and mistakes are bound to happen while creating episodes one after another. One such mistake was about the iconic song, Aye Mere Watan Ke Logon. Back in 2022, during one of the episodes, the iconic song sung by Lata Mangeshkar was discussed,...

When Sunil Pal Criticized Tanmay Bhatt With Homophobic Comments (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Comedian Sunil Pal grabbed a lot of headlines recently after he claimed that he was kidnapped by some people who demanded a 7.5 lakh ransom. This was after the comedian went missing on Tuesday (December 3), after which his wife filed a missing person complaint at the police station. Sunil returned home on Wednesday and made these shocking claims to the police authorities, who are now investigating the matter. However, Pal has had his own share of some controversies before. H had once come under the scanner for making homophobic statements against comedian Tanmay Bhatt’s show.

What Did Tanmay Bhatt Do?

Back in 2016, Tanmay Bhatt had sparked a major fiasco after he had allegedly mocked Bharat Ratna awardees Sachin Tendulkar and the late Lata Mangeshkar in his Snapchat video. As the video received some backlash, Sunil Pal also joined...

Double Oscar-winning composer A.R. Rahman has music projects in every corner of the world. But none is bigger than his long-term plan to build a better India through culture.

Rahman (“Slumdog Millionaire”) lifted the veil on his nation-building exercise and some of his immediate projects at a masterclass at the Internation Film Festival of India, in Goa, where he was interviewed by Variety’s Naman Ramachandran and introduced by filmmaker and festival director Shekhar Kapur.

The session was ostensibly held to honor the late playback singer Lata Mangeshkar, who died in 2022. But the scene for a wider-ranging session was set when the “Elizabeth” director said that for all his musical genius Rahman is also “an entrepreneur, a technologist and a spiritualist.”

The session got under way with a clip from “Headhunting to Beatboxing,” a documentary film that Rahman produced set in and about Nagaland, a part of India once considered to be wild frontier territory.

Welcome to a seven-part series on the History Of Hindi Cinema. Through individual films and the larger oeuvres of some Hindi filmmakers, we’ll explore the highlights of 70 years of cinema, starting with 1950, just three years after India won its independence from British rule, and ending in the 2010s.

In the 1960s,...

Veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty has been named the recipient of the Dadasaheb Phalke award, India’s highest honor in cinema.

The announcement was made by Ashwini Vaishnaw, India’s Minister of Information and Broadcasting, Railways and Electronics and Information Technology.

The award is given for lifetime contribution to Indian cinema and is named after Phalke, director of “Raja Harischandra” (1913), India’s first full-length feature, who is considered the father of Indian cinema.

Chakraborty, 74, has appeared in over 350 films across multiple Indian languages during his nearly five-decade career. He rose to prominence with his debut in “Mrigayaa” (1976), which earned him his first Indian National Film Award for Best Actor. The actor gained widespread recognition for his role in “Disco Dancer” (1982), a film that also found success beyond Indian shores across Asia, the erstwhile Soviet Union, eastern Europe, the Middle East, Turkey and Africa.

Throughout his career, Chakraborty has collected three acting...

Iconic and one of the best actresses in Hindi films, Shabana Azmi, is celebrating 50 years of incredible, outstanding, brilliant and many more adjectives performances.

Shabana Azmi’s unparalleled triumphs do not impress her. “I don’t feel like The Shabana Azmi at all. It is very important to preserve a sense of normalcy, not to let all the recognition awards and milestones go to your ahead, which I’ve tried to throughout my life. I would kill myself if I behaved like The Shabana Azmi. Tell me, Subhash, did your most favourite Lataji ever behave like The Lata Mangeshkar?I am shocked at how quickly these fifty years have gone by. Mujhe toh pataa hi nahin chala waqt kab nikal gaya,” says the great Shabana Azmi about fifty years acting on stage and on screen.

“It is very therapeutic for me even now, after so many years to perform on stage and on screen.

Veteran music director Vipin Reshammiya, father of singer-composer Himesh Reshammiya, passed away at the age of 87 on Wednesday, September 18, 2024. He was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani Hospital in Mumbai due to breathing difficulties and age-related health issues. His passing was confirmed by a close family friend, Vanita Thapar, who said, “He was in Kokilaben and passed away today at 8.30 pm.”

Vipin Reshammiya had a significant influence on Himesh’s career, and the two shared a close bond. Vanita Thapar, who had known Vipin for a long time, mentioned their strong connection, adding that she considered him like family. The last rites for Vipin Reshammiya will be held in Juhu on September 19, 2024.

In 2021, Himesh Reshammiya had spoken fondly of his father on *Indian Idol 12*. He shared that Vipin had composed a song with legendary singers Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar that had never been released. Himesh had planned to release this...

Janmashtami is a vibrant Hindu festival celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna, and music plays a central role in its festivities. Here are ten popular Janmashtami songs that you might enjoy playing during the celebrations:

“Hare Krishna Hare Rama” – This is a classic chant often used during Janmashtami and other Krishna-related events.

“Chhoti Chhoti Gaiya” – A devotional song celebrating Krishna’s childhood, sung by many artists including Anuradha Paudwal.

“O Palan Hare” – This song from the movie Lagaan features beautiful devotional lyrics that honor Lord Krishna.

“Govind Bolo Hari Gopal Bolo” – A popular bhajan sung by Hariharan that praises Lord Krishna.

“Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache” – Sung by Mohammed Rafi, this song from the movie Kohinoor describes Krishna’s playful nature.

“Krishna Kanha Radha” – A traditional bhajan that is often played during Janmashtami to celebrate Lord Krishna.

“Yashomati Maiya Se” – A touching song from the film Satyam Shivam Sundaram, depicting...

Kishore Kumar Was Given Only One Line In This Mohd Rafi Blockbuster Song ( Photo Credit – Facebook; Wikimedia )

Kishore Kumar is one of the most legendary singers who pushed Indian Cinema to new heights. The late singer-actor was one of the most celebrated in Hindi films. Be it funny appearances as the lead actor in films like Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi and Dilli Ka Thugs or brilliantly sung songs like Ek Chatur Naar.

Ashok Kumar’s younger brother, Kishore, always wanted to be a singer despite his elder brother wanting him to be an actor. However, he nailed both art forms. At one point, he became the most established singer in the industry and the only rival to Mohd Rafi.

Kishore Kumar was shot to fame in the industry, and people started debating about Goat. Suddenly, an unsaid line was drawn between him and Mohd Rafi. However, the Roop Tera Mastana...

Sanjay Leela Bhansali & Aishwarya Rai Bachchan ( Photo Credit – Instagram )

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has worked with Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in three movies—Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas, and Guzaarish. The filmmaker wrote three of the most memorable roles for the blue-eyed beauty. The characters Nandini, Paro, and Sofia are entirely different from each other. Slb not only makes Ash look breathtaking on the big screen but also brings out the best in her as an actress.

In the past, Sanjay Leela Bhansali has showered praise on Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in many interviews. From her beauty to her talent to her dedication, Slb always had good things to say about her. Even when there were differences, the duo maintained grace and respected their bond. In one interview, Bhansali said that he would like to make ‘Taj Mahal‘ for the Ae Dil Hai Mushkil actress. In the same interview, Bhansali said that...

Akshay Kumar & Paresh Rawal Have Starred in 20 Movies Together (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Akshay Kumar & Paresh Rawal have been crowned as the mavericks of comedy in Indian Cinema, with both the stars starring in culture-shaping comedy films in India. The two are set to reunite on the big screen after 12 years with Sarfira. But did you know that this will be their 21st collaboration, and most of the twenty films they have done together have been huge successes? Decoding their box office collection ratio here!

Sarfira’s energetic trailer has been buzzing on all social media platforms this week. Following a poster release from Akshay Kumar’s much-anticipated film, Sarfira released its trailer, which took the internet by storm. The trailer, trending #1 on YouTube for several days, reflected the entrepreneurial energy of the film and the “can-do” attitude that Akshay Kumar’s character possessed. The fans are ecstatic about Kumar’s...

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,...

Since 1995, it has been in the minds and hearts of Bollyfans and it still sings! Aditya Chopra’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, lovingly called Ddlj by Indians and South Asians across the globe, and one of its signature songs ‘Tujhe Dekha To’, has been voted the favorite 90s Bollywood song by BBC Asian Network!

Ddlj is an all-time blockbuster in the history of Hindi cinema that has made Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol India’s and even worldwide most loved movie stars for generations. A number one film on many fans’ lists of favorite films, Ddlj is still the longest-running film in the history of Indian cinema and still shows every day at the iconic Maratha Mandir Theatre in Mumbai.

Ddlj, as we all know, tells the story of Raj, played by legendary actor Shah Rukh Khan, and Simran, played by actress Kajol. The two are Indians living in London...

Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar

Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, now on Netflix in eight episodes is everything that Bhansali has come to be associated with, then some more. It is a feast for the eyes and soul with a gallery of female actors giving their best to every shot. At times the best of these actresses is not good enough. One of the lead actresses pretending to be drunken dancing is ludicrously caricatural. But then there is Aditi Rao Hydari looking every inch the ethereal kothewali, a distant cousin to Rekha in Umrao Jaan. And Shruti Sharma as ill-fated-in-love Saima makes her space. I must also mention Jayati Bhatia as Manisha Koirala’s faithful woman-Friday. Even when in the background she makes her presence felt.

Bhansali’s vision and execution are impeccable so much so that you wonder what this kotha classic would look like on the big screen.

On...

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,...

Mumbai, April 25 (Ians) Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who was feted with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for his remarkable contributions to the field of cinema, has expressed his gratitude for the honour.

Amitabh took to X (formerly called Twitter) and shared a picture of himself receiving the award from Usha Mangeshkar, sister of the late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar.

“Aabhaar aur mera param saubhagya,” he wrote in the caption.

Actor Randeep Hooda, actress Padmini Kolhapure, and music composer A.R. Rahman were also seen sharing the stage with Amitabh, who received the honour on the memorial day of Deenanath Mangeshkar, the theatre-music veteran and father of the Mangeshkar siblings.

Rahman was also feted with the Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Award for his contributions to the field of music, along with Randeep, Ashok Saraf, and playback singer Roopkumar Rathod.

–Ians

dc/prw...

Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan shall be conferred the ‘Lata Deenanath Mangeshkar Puraskar’ at a function scheduled here on April 24, while music maestro A. R. Rahman shall be bestowed the ‘Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Award,’ next week, the organisers said.

The award is given by the Master Deenanath Mangeshkar Smruti Pratisthan, Pune, nurtured by the eminent Mangeshkar family, and shall be given away to Bachchan on his 82nd death anniversary, along with a musical tribute.

Earlier, the inaugural award was given to Prime Minister Narendra Modi (2022), followed by veteran singer Asha Bhosale (2023), for their path-breaking, spectacular and exemplary contributions to the country, its people and society.

Besides Bachchan and Rahman, the other prominent awardees in different categories are: ‘Ghalib’ as Best Marathi Play of the Year, Ngo Deepstambh Foundation Manobal of Jalgaon, litterateur Manjiri Phadke, comedian Ashok Saraf, actress Padmini Kolhapure, singer Roopkumar Rathod, journalist S. B. Torsekar, actor Atul Parchure, producer-actor Randeep Hooda.

Vidya Balan Addresses Animal’s Controversial Success At The Box Office! ( Photo Credit – Instagram; IMDb )

Animal, starring Ranbir Kapoor and Rashmika Mandanna in lead roles, was a blockbuster success. Sandeep Reddy Vanga was brutally slammed for his misogynistic approach towards the action thriller. But Vidya Balan feels his unapologetic storytelling with utmost conviction worked in favor of the film. Scroll below for all the details!

Vidya is currently busy promoting his upcoming flick, Do Aur Pyaar Do, alongside Pratik Gandhi. She has been unapologetically sharing her opinion on various subjects, including male actors’ insecurity over women taking over in films, marriage with Siddharth Roy Kapur, Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, and more.

Vidya Balan on Animal success

In an interview with Pinkvilla, Vidya Balan doesn’t believe in the theory that “content is king.” Instead, she feels it is the conviction that plays the actual game in success. One may or may not...

When Lata Mangeshkar Thought Kishore Kumar Was Following Her ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar are the most significant assets of the music world in our country. They have presented us with countless melodious songs, both duets and individually. Unfortunately, both the legends have passed away, leaving a massive void in the music world. Throughout their career, there have been several exciting incidents that sometimes resurface and become amusing for fans.

Mangeshkar was fondly known as the Nightingale of India, and in her book, she talks about the first time she met Kumar. She was working on the movie Ziddi when she came across Kishore Kumar for the first time and thought that the late singer was stalking her. Keep scrolling for more.

According to Hindustan Times, Lata Mangeshkar in her book, Lata Mangeshkar: In Her Own Voice, author and documentary maker Nasreen Munni Kabeer recollected the incident.

New Delhi, April 14 (Ians) Her influence persists in Bollywood even after her name has faded from public memory, althrough remixes of her rollicking hits from the 1950s continue to be in circulation. Another, and not that well-known, legacy of Shamshad Begum, though, was initiating what later became “item numbers”, though her contributions were more perky than provocative, saucy than raunchy, and racy without being ribald.

And then, they were delivered in a robust voice, whose clarity was compared to a temple bell by composer O.P. Nayyar, with a full-blown gusto and sense of abandon.

“Udan khatole pe udh jaaun”, “Mere piya gaye Rangoon”, “Kabhi aar kabhi paar”, “Bisvi sadi hai ye bisvii sadi”, “Leke pehla pehla pyar”, “Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana”, and “Boojh mera kya naam re” are prime examples.

And then, nearly forty years before Madhuri Dixit in “Tezaab” (1988), Shamshad Begum, who was born on this day...

New Delhi, April 11 (Ians) Soon after he revolutionised Indian film music with ‘Babul mora naihar’, top classical musicians, meeting in Calcutta, decided that Ustad Faiyyaz Khan, who had sung the thumri earlier, should tie a ritual thread to K. L. Saigal to signify discipleship. The Ustad wanted to meet the singer alone first, and after an hour, someone checked to find that both, in high spirits, were insisting on calling each other their ustad.

This was revealed by santoor maestro Pandit Shivkumar Sharma, who heard it from music director S. D. Burman, a disciple of top ustads then and an eyewitness, but a more attested incident is of the Ustad, doyen of the Agra Gharana, telling Saigal that he had nothing to teach him that would make him a greater singer.

Then, Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, of the Kirana Gharana, visited a cinema hall for the first time only to...

Amar Singh Chamkila’s Jukebox Is An Asset To Be Treasured ( Photo Credit – Netflix India / YouTube )

Rating – 10 out of 5 stars! Some Albums outperform!

The release of Amar Singh Chamkila is still a few days away, but the jukebox of the film is out, and this is one film where Bollywood outperformed after a very long time. Recently, I was putting all my hopes for a good Bollywood music album from Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Heeramandi, totally forgetting about the Chamkila biopic. But finally, Ar Rahman, Imtiaz Ali, and Irshad Kamil’s magical trio arrived unannounced, taking my breath away. And this album is the only soul music you need right now.

If you talk about a brilliantly balanced album from a commercial film, you would struggle when you encountered it last. Last year, Animal had a good album, undoubtedly, but it never stayed with you. Similarly, Rocky Aur Rani Ki...

Actress Hina Khan has shared a glimpse of her ‘simple and elegant’ traditional look, shelling ethnic fashion goals to her huge fandom. The ‘Kasautii Zindagii Kay’ fame actress, who enjoys 19.1 million followers on Instagram, shared a series of pictures wearing an ethnic suit.

Hina is donning a beige-coloured kurta, matching palazzos with golden embroidery work on it. She paired the suit with a magenta pink-coloured heavily embroidered dupatta.

For the makeup, she opted for– matte pink lips, black eyeliner, mascara, thick brows, and blushed cheeks. She kept her straight hair open. For the accessories, she sported golden and pink jhumkas and a ring.

The post is captioned as: “Fit check.. Simple and elegant… Traditional wear never goes wrong…”

She gave the tune of the song ‘Aap Ki Ankhon Mein Kuch’, by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar.

A fan commented on the post and said, “Akshara miss you”, referring to her...

Sara Ali Khan will be seen shortly in the upcoming Amazon Prime Video presentation, ‘Ae Watan Mere Watan’, which is based on the life of the young Gandhian, Usha Mehta, and her Congress Radio, which became the voice of the 1942 Quit India Movement.

Mehta was an ordinary young woman with extraordinary resilience, but she may never have been known, had her voice not benefited from the amplification provided by equipment supplied by Nanik Motwane.

He was the Bombay industrialist who ensured, literally, that Mahatma Gandhi got heard by the masses by providing the Congress with mics for its sessions and rallies. In fact, Motwane’s Chicago Radio branding appears on mics in all pictures of Mahatma Gandhi, Jawaharlal Nehru and other Congress leaders photographed during some of the iconic moments of the freedom struggle.

Motwane, who was moved by the sight of the Mahatma going from one group of people...

Raj Kapoor directed Padmini Kolhapure In Two Movies: Prem Rog and Satyam Shivam Sundaram(Photo Credit –IMDb/Instagram)

It is said that the Bollywood showman Raj Kapoor had a Midas touch. Raj Kapoor’s 1982 directorial Prem Rog has become a classic cult movie in Bollywood history. The blockbuster musical drama starred Rishi Kapoor and Padmini Kolhapure in lead roles.

Padmini Kolhapure started her acting and singing career at a very young age. The actress went on to become one of the leading ladies of the 80s Hindi cinema, delivering hits like Satyam Shivam Sundaram, Dream Girl, and Ishk Ishk Ishk, all while she was a child artist.

As the niece of legendary singers like Lata Mangeshkar and Asha Bhosle, she tried to carry the family’s musical legacy forward. She sang choruses for mega-hit songs like Yaadon Ki Baaraat, Kitaab, and Dushman Dost.

Trending Did Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar & Abhay Deol...

Zanai Bhosale, the grand-daughter of veteran playback singer Asha Bhosale, has been cast in the upcoming film ‘The Pride of Bharat – Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’.

Zanai will be seen essaying the role of Shivaji Maharaj’s wife, Rani Sai Bhonsale in the theatrical film.

The film is directed by Sandeep Singh.

Talking about the casting, Sandeep said: “l feel so honoured and absolutely privileged to be launching Zanai Bhosale, who is a descendant of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s family lineage and also shares her lineage with extremely brilliant and accomplished family, with the late Lata Mangeshkar being her aunt and being Asha Bhosale’s granddaughter.”

“She is a proud Bhosale, who has already been gifted with a soulful voice and has a ear for music. But few know what a talented dancer and a skillful performer she is. She will do full justice to the character of Rani Sai Bai. As Shivaji Maharaj’s wife,...

Tera Kya Hoga Lovely

In A. C. Tirulokchandar’s Main Bhi Ladki Hoon, which released 60 years ago, Meena Kumar (all smeared in dark colouring) played a dark-complexioned girl Rajni who finds herself being humiliated and ridiculed every step of her way.

At one point in the melodramatic rendition of colour prejudice, the Tragedy Queen stands before a statue of Lord Krishna and sings (in Lata Mangeshkar’s voice) Krishna oh kaley Krishna/tuney yeh kya kiya kaisa badla liya/Rang deke mujhe apna.

Ileana D’Cruz , no Meena Kumari, stands before a picture of Lord Krishna in director Balwinder Singh Janjua’s surprisingly sassy and funny romcom, wondering what the hell happened.

D’Cruz as the spirited dusky Lovely is miscast. It would have been better to cast an actual dark-complexioned actress in the role rather than smear the actress with a weird tan.

That apart, the rest of the cast...

Pankaj Udhas earned his first accolade as a singer when he was 11 years old. He sang the patriotic song ‘Ae mere watan ke logon’ at a public event in his hometown Rajkot when the Sino-Indian War was raging in 1962, and he so impressed a member of the audience that he gifted the young singer what was then a princely sum of Rs 51.

Udhas, who passed into eternity on Monday, February 26, at the age of 72, however, had not planned to become a singer. He was training to play the tabla at the Sangeet Natya Academy in Rajkot, where he had been enrolled along with his brothers by his father, Keshubhai Udhas, a government official who had learnt to play the dilruba from Ustad Abdul Karim Khan.

Seeing his father play his favourite dilruba in his spare time inspired Udhas to pursue music seriously. His elder brothers, Manhar and Nirmal Udhas, also...

Bollywood icon, Shreya Ghoshal, has spoken exclusively to BBC Asian Network’s Haroon Rashid about what it’s like to be touted as the next Lata Mangeshkar, bridging the gap for the next generation, and finding her place in the industry.

Speaking on how she feels about being called “the next Lata”, Ghoshal says, “I refuse to process it”. Adding, “It just goes in one ear and out the other.”

“I’m sure there’s a generation that’s not heard Lata Ji and I am probably trying to bridge that gap for them to access her. That’s why I keep singing her songs and talking about her, because we need to celebrate greats.”

Ghoshal recently performed two packed out shows in London and Manchester for the UK leg of her world “All Hearts Tour”, where she has paid tribute to legendary artists to ensure the next generation doesn...

Her incandescent beauty, innocent sensuality, and effervescent persona still send hearts aflutter and earned her the sobriquet of “Venus of Indian films”, but Madhubala’s enigmatic and beguiling smile and charm masked a lifetime of pain and suffering.

Madhubala, who passed away on this day (February 23) in 1969, earned tributes that have rarely been matched, leave alone surpassed.

She acted in a film named after her when she was not even midway through her career, was being copied or parodied when she was still acting, and is possibly the only Indian, film or otherwise, with a song dedicated to her being played at the Olympics.

She was also compared to the near-contemporary Marilyn Monroe – the two would pass away within a few years of each other, both aged 36, but did not welcome this as she did not consider herself a sex symbol.

Performances as the captivating but star-crossed Anarkali of “Mughal-e-Azam...

American wrestler, actor and rapper John Cena is a big fan of Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan. He recently sang a rendition of the song ‘Bholi Si Surat’ from the 1997 musical romantic drama ‘Dil To Pagal Hai’. On Sunday, athlete, and wrestler Guru Sihra took to his Instagram account and shared a Reel video with John Cena.

In the video, Gurv can be seen introducing John during their workout sessions, and saying, “I am here with a pretty big Shah Rukh Khan fan.”

The video also shows John wearing a black tee shirt and a matching cap. He can be heard saying, “You never know what you can learn when you choose the path of growth. Here we are in the gym, so we are trying to grow, but there’s tons of paths of growth, and I’m gonna try my best to learn a song.”

Gurv then said:...

Sampooran Singh Kalra, more famous by his pen name ‘Gulzar’, is renowned as a man and master of letters, in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, with over seven decades of rich contributions to the literary arena as well as Bollywood. On Saturday, Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Sanskrit scholar, spiritual leader and educator, were declared the recipients of the coveted 58th Jnanpith Award-2023.

For Gulzar (89), this is yet another feather in his artistic cap brimming with an Oscar Award, a Grammy Award, five National Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award (Urdu), Padma Bhushan, and 22 Filmfare Awards. He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Assam Central University besides being decorated with many more honours and accolades.

Born in Dina, Jhelum district (now in Pakistan), Gulzar started coining and penning couplets and ‘shayris’ from an early age, earning his father’s ire over his passion.

Post-Partition, when his clan also suffered a split,...

There are a number of stories about how Gulzar, who has been awarded the 58th Jnanpith Award along with Sanskrit scholar Jagatguru Rambhadracharya, became one of Hindi cinema’s most celebrated lyricists after being better known in his years as a struggler after Partition in Mumbai for his expertise in re-painting cars mauled in crashes.

The one that seems most credible, however, has come from him. Despite his skill with car colours, Gulzar’s first love was the written word and he was a regular at the Progressive Writers Association (Pwa), which was then a creative hub of just about every Titan in Hindi and Urdu literature.

It was at Pwa meetings that the undiscovered poet struck up a friendship with lyricist Shailendra, who introduced him to Bimal Roy, who, in turn, told him that he was wasting his time and talent at a car workshop.

Roy drafted Gulzar, till...

Today, Hema Malini offers a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Nightingale of India, Lata Mangeshkar, who departed on this day in 2022. Remembering her with love and gratitude, Hema recalls the special bond they shared and the invaluable contributions Lata ji made to the Indian music industry.

Memorable Collaborations:

Expressing her admiration for Lata Mangeshkar’s talent, Hema acknowledges the iconic singer’s unforgettable renditions in her films. Lata ji’s melodious voice has left an indelible mark on countless hearts, including those of fans and fellow artists like Hema Malini.

Reminiscing about their personal connection, Hema fondly recalls Lata ji’s affectionate gestures, such as sending her a beautiful saree every year on her birthday. This gesture symbolized the deep bond of friendship and respect they shared.

Today we remember with love and gratitude the legendary Nightingale of India, our own Bharat Ratna Lata Mangeshkar ji who left us on...

Lata Mangeshkar, the Nightingale of India, was born on September 28, 1929, in Indore, Madhya Pradesh. Her childhood was marked by hardships, including the untimely demise of her father when she was just 13. Raised by her father’s friend, Master Vinayak, Lata emerged as the eldest among her five siblings, prioritizing their education.

Early Career in Marathi Theater:

Commencing her artistic journey at the age of 14, Lata initially ventured into Marathi music and theater. Her talent quickly garnered attention, propelling her into larger performances and plays.

Versatile Contribution to Indian Music:

Lata Mangeshkar’s monumental career spans over 36 languages, encompassing more than 50,000 songs. Her unparalleled contribution to the music industry earned her titles like the “Queen of Melody” and “Voice of the Millennium.” Notably, she has lent her voice to over 1,000 Hindi songs.

Awards and Honors:

In recognition of her musical prowess, Lata Mangeshkar received numerous accolades, including Filmfare Awards, a National...

Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath of Uttar Pradesh paid a heartfelt tribute to the iconic singer Lata Mangeshkar on her death anniversary. Revered as the ‘Bharat Ratna’, Lata Mangeshkar’s legacy continues to inspire generations, transcending borders and languages.

Cm Yogi praised Mangeshkar’s remarkable musical journey, acknowledging her transformative impact on the world of art. Her ethereal voice not only mesmerized audiences but also served as a unifying force, binding people across the Indian subcontinent.

Lata Mangeshkar, born Hema Mangeshkar on September 28, 1929, left an indelible mark on the music industry with her unparalleled talent. Renowned as the ‘Queen of Melody’, she recorded songs in over thirty-six Indian languages, showcasing her versatility and mastery of the craft.

माँ सरस्वती की अनन्य साधिका, अपने स्वरों से विश्व को अभिभूत करने वाली स्वर कोकिला, 'भारत रत्न' लता म...

Actress Shehnaaz Gill and social media influencer Kusha Kapila have revealed what a Valentine’s week is like for single people, and it is hilarious. As Valentine’s week commences with Rose Day on February 7. Following it is Propose Day, Chocolate Day, Teddy Day, Promise Day, Hug Day, Kiss Day and then on February 14 is Valentine’s Day.

Shehnaaz and Kusha took to their Instagram accounts and shared a reel video, where they are seen looking for their Valentine’s day partner. The clip ends with both going back to bed in an angry mood as they don’t find anyone.

The clip has “Mere Khwabon Mein” sung by late legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar from the film ‘Dilwale Dulhania Le Jaayengay’ starring Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol. The video has the title: “Singles during Valentines week” written on it.

For the caption, they wrote: “Sab theek ho jayega behen.”

Shehnaaz...

Music composer Pyarelal Ramprasad Sharma, of Laxmikant-Pyarelal fame, has been honoured with the prestigious Padma Bhushan, not only as a celebration of his musical prowess, but also in acknowledgment of his role in defining the golden era of Hindi film music.

The octogenarian learnt the basics of music from his father, the renowned trumpeteer of his time, Ramprasad ‘Babaji’ Sharma. He then aced the violin under the guidance of the Goan musician Anthony Gonsalves, whom he went on to immortalise in the song ‘My Name Is Anthony Gonsalves’, which was picturised on Amitabh Bachchan (who also contributed to the vocals) in the 1977 film ‘Amar Akbar Anthony’.

Pyarelal teamed up with Laxmikant Kudalkar and they worked in more than 750 Hindi films between 1963 to 1998. They collaborated with the biggest names of the industry, including Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand, Shakti Samanta, Manmohan Desai and Yash Chopra.

The duo, whose partnership spanned over three decades,...

Singer and actor Amit Kumar was left mesmerised by the performance of the ‘Indian Idol 14’ contestant Piyush Panwar as he sang the soulful rendition of the song ‘Aake Seedhi Lage Dil Pe Jaise’, and shared how he used to sing this song in Kolkata during his teen days.

Amit is the son of legendary singer Kishore Kumar. The singing reality show celebrated the life of Kishore Kumar in a special episode titled ‘Hum, Aap Aur Kishore’, in the presence of Amit.

In a humble tribute to Kishore Kumar, who is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most dynamic singers in the history of Indian music, the contestants sang memorable songs of renowned music composers who have worked with Kishore Da.

Rajasthan’s Piyush belted out the song, ‘Aake Seedhi Lage Dil Pe Jaise’ from the 1962 film ‘Half Ticket’, the same way Kishore Da did in the original movie,...

Ustad Rashid Khan Was The Voice Behind The Popular Song Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajana In Jab We Met ( Photo Credit – Wikimedia; IMDb )

Music maestro Ustad Rashid Khan passed away on January 9, battling cancer and leaving a void in the music world forever. The voice probably echoed in each of our mornings with Jab We Met’s semi-classical beauty, Aaoge Jab Tum O Saajna. Padma Bhushan Ustad Rashid Khan belonged to the Rampur-Sahaswan gharana of music, which is closely related to the Gwalior gharana.

Though Rashid Saab was a master in vilambit khayals, a style of Indian classical music, he preferred taking up tarana. Bollywood got to know him with Kisna’s song Tore Bina Mohe Chain Nahi, composed by Ar Rahman. He even sang another piece in the film Kahe Ujadi Mori Neend. However, since both were typical classical pieces, not many might remember them.

People remember Ustad Rashid...

Bollywood diva Janhvi Kapoor is known for her love for classical dance, and she is often seen posting videos of the same on social media. The ‘Dhadak’ actress again took to her Instagram account and shared a mesmerising video of herself, wherein she can be seen performing a classical dance, in a white anarkali kurta and palazzo set.

The video, which seems to be shot at her residence, shows Janhvi in a no-makeup look with her hair tied in a bun, and she’s wearing earrings.

The song on which she is performing is the iconic track ‘Jiya Jale’, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and M.G. Sreekumar. The song is from 1998 romantic thriller movie ‘Dil Se’ starring Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta.

Janhvi captioned her reel video as: “Finally back to dance classes post cricket injuries, missed it.”

The actress has mentioned about the injuries that she has...

Bollywood diva Janhvi Kapoor is known for her love for classical dance, and she is often seen posting videos of the same on social media. The ‘Dhadak’ actress again took to her Instagram account and shared a mesmerising video of herself, wherein she can be seen performing a classical dance, in a white anarkali kurta and palazzo set.

The video, which seems to be shot at her residence, shows Janhvi in a no-makeup look with her hair tied in a bun, and she’s wearing earrings.

The song on which she is performing is the iconic track ‘Jiya Jale’, sung by Lata Mangeshkar and M.G. Sreekumar. The song is from 1998 romantic thriller movie ‘Dil Se’ starring Shah Rukh Khan, Manisha Koirala and Preity Zinta.

Janhvi captioned her reel video as: “Finally back to dance classes post cricket injuries, missed it.”

The actress has mentioned about the injuries that she has...

New Delhi, Nov 12 (Ians) The festivities are on and the anticipation for the celebrations in the evening is building up as Diwali is here.

On this Diwali, here are our suggestions for the Top 10 movie tracks to celebrate the festival of lights with songs that can make you sing, dance, smile, or just put you in a great mood:

‘Deepavali Deepavali’ (‘Mudduni Maava’) – Perhaps the ultimate song for celebrating Diwali, this song from the 1993 Kannada film starring veteran actors Shashi Kumar, and Shruti in the lead role, is a timeless Diwali song. It was sung by the legendary actor and singer Dr. Rajkumar, alongside composer S.P Balasubrahmanyam, and Manjula Gururaja. However, this is sadly one of the most overlooked songs for Diwali. The go-to song for the celebrations, ‘Deepavali Deepavali’ is nonetheless a timeless song which is perfectly suited for the occasion.

‘Naatu Naatu’ (‘Rrr’) – While not a song of Diwali by itself,...

New Delhi, Nov 12 (Ians) The festivities are on and the anticipation for the celebrations in the evening is building up as Diwali is here.

On this Diwali, here are our suggestions for the Top 10 movie tracks to celebrate the festival of lights with songs that can make you sing, dance, smile, or just put you in a great mood:

‘Deepavali Deepavali’ (‘Mudduni Maava’) – Perhaps the ultimate song for celebrating Diwali, this song from the 1993 Kannada film starring veteran actors Shashi Kumar, and Shruti in the lead role, is a timeless Diwali song. It was sung by the legendary actor and singer Dr. Rajkumar, alongside composer S.P Balasubrahmanyam, and Manjula Gururaja. However, this is sadly one of the most overlooked songs for Diwali. The go-to song for the celebrations, ‘Deepavali Deepavali’ is nonetheless a timeless song which is perfectly suited for the occasion.

‘Naatu Naatu’ (‘Rrr’) – While not a song of Diwali by itself,...

The Maharashtra government has selected veteran playback singer and National Award winner Suresh Wadkar for its prestigious ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’ for 2023, Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced here on Saturday. A Sangeet Natak Akademi laureate (2018), Wadkar, 68, will be presented with a cash prize, a commendation and a memento as part of the award at a ceremony later, an official said.

Hailing from an ordinary family of Kolhapur, in his younger days, Wadkar was a wrestler and then became a music teacher in Mumbai before winning a singing competition 1976 that got him his first playback singing break with the late music director Ravindra Jain in 1977.

His earliest hit numbers were “Sona Kare jhilmil jhilmil” (film ‘Paheli’), “Seene Me Jalan” (‘Gaman’), which caught Lata Mangeshkar’s attention and she recommended him to other top music composers of the day.

Over the years, Wadkar sang for top Hindi and Marathi directors giving...

The Maharashtra government has selected veteran playback singer and National Award winner Suresh Wadkar for its prestigious ‘Gansamragini Lata Mangeshkar Award’ for 2023, Cultural Affairs Minister Sudhir Mungantiwar announced here on Saturday. A Sangeet Natak Akademi laureate (2018), Wadkar, 68, will be presented with a cash prize, a commendation and a memento as part of the award at a ceremony later, an official said.

Hailing from an ordinary family of Kolhapur, in his younger days, Wadkar was a wrestler and then became a music teacher in Mumbai before winning a singing competition 1976 that got him his first playback singing break with the late music director Ravindra Jain in 1977.

His earliest hit numbers were “Sona Kare jhilmil jhilmil” (film ‘Paheli’), “Seene Me Jalan” (‘Gaman’), which caught Lata Mangeshkar’s attention and she recommended him to other top music composers of the day.

Over the years, Wadkar sang for top Hindi and Marathi directors giving...