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The following review contains no spoilers for “Pushpa 2: The Rule” apart from what is contained in teasers, trailers, and lyrical song videos. The review is based on the Telugu-language IMAX release, subtitled in English.

The question of “What is the biggest Indian film of all time” has many different potential answers. International gross? “Dangal”. Domestic? “Baahubali 2: The Conclusion.” Footfalls? Likely “Sholay” or “Mughal-e-Azam”, though “Baahubali 2” has a claim there too. In a year that has been frankly disappointing for mass cinema overall, cinephiles have watched the promise of the next “1000cr Club” movie bandied about for films that struggled to earn a tenth of that amount, or whose inflated budget made even a record-breaking gross barely break even. Beloved directors known for making mass films with sophisticated twists have let down audiences with trite and outdated content and stories that seem to only exist to set up a sequel.

Over the last few years, globally, there has been a significant increase in our degree of viewership due to the proliferation of various Ott platforms. As it has embraced niche audiences and content, it has empowered filmmakers and emerging talent to showcase their work to a wider audience. In India too, the wave has been felt with web series such as Sacred Games (2018), Scam 1992 (2020), Paatal Lok (2020), Jubilee(2023), and The Railway Man (2023), among others. The recent Netflix extravaganza, Heeramandi, directed by auteur filmmaker Sanjay Leela Bhansali, whose image among cinephiles and general viewers is held with respect, also roused similar expectations. Unfolding across eight episodes, the ambitious series centers around the lives of tawaifs (nautch girls) in the red-light district of Heera Mandi in Lahore, before the partition of India. The series has all the signature styles of the filmmaker of displaying exuberance and is crammed with exquisitely choreographed songs,...

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...

A biopic on the life and legacy of late veteran star Madhubala, famously called ‘the living Taj Mahal’ and ‘India’s Marilyn Monroe’, has been announced by Sony Pictures International Productions, India.

The studio has signed Jasmeet K. Reen, who made her debut feature film ‘Darlings’ starring Alia Bhatt.

The studio is developing the cinematic journey and the challenges she confronted as a woman navigating the complexities of the entertainment industry during her era.

The film is produced by Sony Pictures International Productions and Brewing Thoughts Pvt. Ltd. (Prashant Singh and Madhurya Vinay), with whom the studio has already started working on India’s biggest superhero trilogy, ‘Shaktimaan’.

Madhubala’s sister Madhur Brij Bhushan and Arvind Kumar Malviya (Madhubala Ventures) are co-producers on the film.

However, details about who will play the titular role are still under wraps.

One of the highest-paid and greatest actresses in the history of Indian cinema,...

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...

Finally, a biopic on K. Asif, the director and screen writer who helmed ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, the 1960 Hindi cinema classic, is on its way.

Filmmaker Tigmanshu Dhulia is planning the biopic that will delve into Asif’s brief but brilliant cinematic career. Asif, incidentally, was born in Etawah in Uttar Pradesh.

Dhulia, 56, who was here to participate in a literary festival, said there are not many films or documentaries that talk about directors from that era at length.

“Though I have been asked not to talk much about it, but a movie on him (Asif) is in the pipeline,” said the director who has made acclaimed movies such as ‘Paan Singh Tomar’ and ‘Haasil’.

“If I make a movie, it will be a grand one. The subject will be big but not the actor,” he said referring to the trend in recent movies.

Explaining further, Tigmanshu Dhulia said, “K. Asif saw struggles.

It was still some years before he attained iconic status as a Bollywood villain while revealing his real identity to the bemused hero in his trademark soft yet menacing drawl, but before Ajit, whose birth anniversary falls on January 27, became the “Loin”, he had to receive a salutary lesson in dealing with big cats onscreen – from Balraj Sahni.

Ajit recalled they were shooting for costume swashbuckler “Dharti” (1970) – a remake of Tamil film “Sivandha Mann” with Rajendra Kumar stepping into the shoes of Sivaji Ganesan, and a scene had him, as the evil Diwan, coming down on a lift with a tiger on a leash to where Sahni was waiting.

However, Sahni refused to go along, noting that he had agreed to “work with humans, not beasts”, and the scene had to be shot without him.

After this, Ajit, in an article for Urdu film magazine ‘Shama’ in 1975, said that he...

Cinema legend Dilip Kumar is remembered as one of the most versatile and accomplished Indian movie stars of all time. Some of his finest performances are seen in masterpieces like ‘Devdas’, ‘Gunga Jumna’, ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ and many more. A true gentleman off-screen, he influenced a generation of actors after him. Remembering Dilip Kumar, Shabana Azmi spoke about her admiration for the late cinema legend, while recalling some fond memories of the icon.

Opening up about what really made Dilip Kumar one of a kind and the fact that there can be no one like him, Shabana Azmi said, “There’s only one Dilip Kumar. If people have not seen the work of Dilip Kumar, they should not say that they are fans of Hindi cinema or that they know anything about any cinema. Because of Dilip Kumar and the kind of acting he brought, the method acting which,...

Cinema legend Dilip Kumar is remembered as one of the most versatile and accomplished Indian movie stars of all time. Some of his finest performances are seen in masterpieces like ‘Devdas’, ‘Gunga Jumna’, ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Ram Aur Shyam’ and many more. A true gentleman off-screen, he influenced a generation of actors after him. Remembering Dilip Kumar, Shabana Azmi spoke about her admiration for the late cinema legend, while recalling some fond memories of the icon.

Opening up about what really made Dilip Kumar one of a kind and the fact that there can be no one like him, Shabana Azmi said, “There’s only one Dilip Kumar. If people have not seen the work of Dilip Kumar, they should not say that they are fans of Hindi cinema or that they know anything about any cinema. Because of Dilip Kumar and the kind of acting he brought, the method acting which,...

He is the only actor who has played the roles of Rama (twice) – and of Raja Dashrath, Arjuna – and Karna, Vikramaditya, Harishchandra, Emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan, Alexander the Great – and a quarter-century later, his determined Indian opponent, Raja Porus, and for good measure, Persian strongman Rustom, and Hannibal of Carthage.

With his chiselled looks, strapping figure and emoting abilities, which made him consummate performer on stage, screen, and in his own life, Prithviraj Kapoor was a patriarch in all senses, be it with a range of regal roles in a career spanning silent films to the technicolour era, and in bequeathing Indian filmdom its most famous family, whose fourth generation is still flourishing.

As part of the latter, he is possibly the only Indian actor who has appeared in two films featuring three generations of a family – with his father and sons in “Awaara” (1951) and his son and grandson...

He is the only actor who has played the roles of Rama (twice) – and of Raja Dashrath, Arjuna – and Karna, Vikramaditya, Harishchandra, Emperors Akbar and Shah Jahan, Alexander the Great – and a quarter-century later, his determined Indian opponent, Raja Porus, and for good measure, Persian strongman Rustom, and Hannibal of Carthage.

With his chiselled looks, strapping figure and emoting abilities, which made him consummate performer on stage, screen, and in his own life, Prithviraj Kapoor was a patriarch in all senses, be it with a range of regal roles in a career spanning silent films to the technicolour era, and in bequeathing Indian filmdom its most famous family, whose fourth generation is still flourishing.

As part of the latter, he is possibly the only Indian actor who has appeared in two films featuring three generations of a family – with his father and sons in “Awaara” (1951) and his son and grandson...

Like many other starstruck youths, he came to Bombay with dreams of becoming a hero, banking on his imposing stature, rough-hewn looks, and a baritone voice. He did succeed in his aim, but only partially, for most of his films sank without a trace, and playing second leads was no consolation.

It was only by crossing the moral line – onscreen – didAjit make his name in Hindi films – of a larger than life, deep-dyed, but suave and sophisticated villain. He was always clad in the height of fashion – with accessories like outsized sunglasses, accompanied by glamorous molls, and scorned to do the dirty work himself, relying on a cohort of henchmen.

He complemented the entire package by lowering his trademark voice to a beguilingly softer, yet with sinister undertones, conveying both menace and mockery.

Be it the nasal languid drawl call out to moll “Mona Darling” or henchman “Raabatt” (Robert), telling...

Like many other starstruck youths, he came to Bombay with dreams of becoming a hero, banking on his imposing stature, rough-hewn looks, and a baritone voice. He did succeed in his aim, but only partially, for most of his films sank without a trace, and playing second leads was no consolation.

It was only by crossing the moral line – onscreen – didAjit make his name in Hindi films – of a larger than life, deep-dyed, but suave and sophisticated villain. He was always clad in the height of fashion – with accessories like outsized sunglasses, accompanied by glamorous molls, and scorned to do the dirty work himself, relying on a cohort of henchmen.

He complemented the entire package by lowering his trademark voice to a beguilingly softer, yet with sinister undertones, conveying both menace and mockery.

Be it the nasal languid drawl call out to moll “Mona Darling” or henchman “Raabatt” (Robert), telling...

Jasmeet K Reen, who made her directorial debut with the dark comedy Darlings starring Alia Bhatt, Shefali Shah and Vijay Varma, is all set to helm another ambitious project. The filmmaker has been roped in to write and direct the biopic of the legendary actress Madhubala, who is regarded as one of the most iconic and influential figures of Indian cinema.

The biopic, which is currently in the scripting stage, is being produced by Madhubala’s younger sister Madhur Brij Bhushan along with Brewing Thoughts Private Limited. The film will cover various aspects of Madhubala’s life, from her childhood and early career to her rise to stardom and her tragic demise at the age of 36 due to a congenital heart defect.

According to a report by Pinkvilla, the makers want to have a script that does justice to the events of her life and Jasmeet was brought on board...

In a display of admiration towards ‘Abhinay Samrat’ Dilip Kumar, megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared how the former was offered three screen names, calling him an extraordinary artist and human being. Born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Dilip Kumar was credited with pioneering method acting in cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, he holds the most dominant box-office record for a star in Hindi cinema.

In the episode 32 of the quiz-based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ season 15, host Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Pinki, a homemaker from Hisar, Haryana, to the hot seat.

For the 12th question for the amount of Rs 12,50,000, she was asked: Which of these names was one of the options suggested to Yusuf Khan as his screen name before he took up the name Dilip Kumar?

The options given were – Akbar, Shah Jahan, Babur and Jahangir.

Big B said: “I’m the biggest fan of Dilip Kumar. But even I don’t know,...

In a display of admiration towards ‘Abhinay Samrat’ Dilip Kumar, megastar Amitabh Bachchan shared how the former was offered three screen names, calling him an extraordinary artist and human being. Born as Mohammed Yusuf Khan, Dilip Kumar was credited with pioneering method acting in cinema. With a career spanning over five decades, he holds the most dominant box-office record for a star in Hindi cinema.

In the episode 32 of the quiz-based reality show ‘Kaun Banega Crorepati’ season 15, host Amitabh Bachchan welcomed Pinki, a homemaker from Hisar, Haryana, to the hot seat.

For the 12th question for the amount of Rs 12,50,000, she was asked: Which of these names was one of the options suggested to Yusuf Khan as his screen name before he took up the name Dilip Kumar?

The options given were – Akbar, Shah Jahan, Babur and Jahangir.

Big B said: “I’m the biggest fan of Dilip Kumar. But even I don’t know,...

It is one of the apparent paradoxes that while Duryodhan is blamed for triggering the Mahabharata, in the real sense all the fathers after Duryodhan and even around Duryodhan are blind towards the love they have for their sons, and they are in most of the cases oblivious to its repercussions. Hindi cinema has celebrated this relationship which is catalyzed on blindness since eons. We all are Dhritrastras in actuality.

But Jailer seems to have made the argument stand on its head, and it is one of the primary reasons, inspite of the usual kitsch that it has been packed with that it has achieved the phenomenal success. Here is a father, who comes out of retirement to save his son, a modern Dhritarashtra, but when he finds that the son is recalcitrant and has erred on the wrong side of law, he gives him a long rope, but when...

Veteran actress Saira Banu, recalled her first meeting with Shah Rukh Khan, saying that the Bollywood superstar bore a very strong resemblance to her late husband, the legendary actor Dilip Kumar, even telling him that her son would have been just like Srk.

Taking to Instagram, the veteran actress shared an old video of Srk meeting Dilip Kumar, where he presented him one of the original posters of his classic ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, which Dilip Kumar went on to sign. She posted a very lengthy story after that, detailing the meeting.

In the video, Srk could be heard saying: “I watched ‘Mughal-e-Azam long ago, then again I watched it when it first appeared in colour.

Presenting the poster, he continued: “This is one of the original posters for the film which came at that time, and someone had gifted it to me. I accepted on condition, that Dilip sahab would sign it for me.

On the occasion of the 63rd anniversary (5th August) of epic historical drama ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, veteran actress Saira Banu penned a heartfelt note, saying that the “mesmerising” portrayal of Prince Salim by late actor Dilip Kumar “added an extra layer of brilliance to the magnum opus.” Produced and directed by K Asif ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ is a 1960 film, which starred Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote in the lead.

The story follows the love affair between Mughal Prince Salim (who went on to become Emperor Jahangir) and Anarkali (played by Madhubala), a court dancer. Salim’s father, Emperor Akbar (played by Prithviraj) disapproves of the relationship, which leads to a war between father and son.

Saira Banu and Dilip Kumar _ pic courtesy instagram

Saira took to Instagram and shared a video, wherein we can see glimpses of the cult movie. The Reel video shows both black and white, and coloured snippets from the film.

Veteran actress Saira Banu made her Instagram debut on Friday, sharing a heartfelt picture in remembrance of her late husband, the greatest actor ever Dilip Kumar.

Saira’s profound gesture invites us to reflect on Dilip Kumar’s monumental talent and enduring legacy of about 50 years in the Film Industry, as he is still considered one of India’s greatest actors ever.

In her note, she beautifully embraced the digital realm with the legend’s memory for generations.

The evergreen actress shared two photos in her first post — one monochromatic and the other coloured — with Dilip Kumar.

She wrote one of the Dilip Sahab’s favourite Urdu couplets in the caption: “Sukoon-e-Dil Ke Liye Kuch Toh Ehtemaam Karoon, Zara Nazar Jo Miley Phir Unhe Salaam Karoon, Mujhe Toh Hosh Nahin Aap Mashwara Dijiyey Kaha Se Chedoon Fasana Kahan Tamaam Karoon.”

She goes on to add: “I am writing this note...

Kathak dancers from ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ performed to music composer Naushad’s ‘Pyaar kiya toh darna kya’ at the Niagara Falls. The group of three waterfalls spanning the border between Ontario (Canada) and New York (US) became the backdrop against which team ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ announced the beginning of their Canada tour. The stage musical will put up performances in Toronto and Vancouver.

Earlier, the dancers performed the same song in New York’s Times Square on May 24.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan said in a statement: “It is thrilling that even more than 60 years after its release, the music from K Asif’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ continues to move and stir even those who don’t understand Hindi or Urdu.”

Deepesh Salgia, who helms the Creative & Strategic Vision for the musical, added: “I will never be able to forget the expressions of awe and wonder on the faces of the onlookers at Niagara Falls.

‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical,’ a Broadway-style extravaganza based on K. Asif’s timeless classic began its 13-city tour of the US with a sensational flash mob in New York’s Times Square. The musical, directed by Feroz Abbas Khan and produced by Shapoorji Pallonji Group will regale audiences across North America. The 13 city tour kicks off in Atlanta on Friday, May 26.

However, it was at Times Square that the dancers gave onlookers a glimpse into the magnificence that has made this musical a long running success around the world. The vintage score and the lyrical choreography mesmerized people from all nationalities in a location that is known to be the world’s biggest melting pot.

https://bollyspice.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/Mughal-e-Azam-Times-Square-Promo.mp4

Says director Feroz Abbas Khan, “A carnival-like atmosphere was created as passersby joined the dancers. It was thrilling to see the unifying power of art and music, bringing so many people together,...

Actor Aashim Gulati, who is gearing up for the second season of the historical fiction streaming show ‘Taj: Divided by Blood’, has revealed that sharing the screen with an actor of Naseeruddin Shah’s stature did make him feel nervous but he overcame the nervousness by tricking his mind into believing that he was just serving a character and drawing from Naseer’s character.

Aashim portrays the role of Salim, the son to Naseer’s character of Akbar in the series.

The second season will take a leap of 15 years after the end of the first season, and will chart Salim’s journey from being the exiled enemy of the Mughal Empire to seeking blood and revenge in an attempt to become the next emperor.

Reflecting on his experience of working with Shah, the actor said, “From the very first reading of the script to the time I finished shooting,...

She had a film named after her even before she hit her career’s peak, was being parodied when she was still active, and is the only Indian film actress who has a song to her played at the Olympics. That was the spell of Madhubala, whose angelic features, beguiling yet enigmatic smile, and incandescent beauty, coupled with her restrained but undeniable talent, made her part of some of Hindi cinema’s most iconic films.

While she is imprinted in the hearts and minds of film-watchers as the winsome, entrancing but star-crossed Anarkali of “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960), as the entrancing nightclub singer in “Howrah Bridge”, and for her exuberant, effusive, and elfin charm in romantic comedies “Chalti Ka Naam Gaadi” (1958), “Jhumroo” (1961) and “Half Ticket” (1962), she left her mark across film genres from ghost/gothic stories to comic crime capers to film noir, beyond the usual romantic dramas in a relatively short career.

K Asif’s musical masterpiece ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ completes over 60 glittering years in 2022 but its influence on popular culture, theatre, and cinema refuses to fade away. Feroz Abbas Khan’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ is a soulful and spectacular tribute to the classic and does complete justice to its stature and majesty.

For over 6 years, the lavishly mounted musical has travelled the world and won over legions of fans, but the pandemic proved to be challenging for its cast and crew. In its 18th season, it will now return once again to grace the Mumbai stage after a span of two difficult years due to the pandemic. Fourteen shows of ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ will be staged between 21st and 30th October 2022 at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan says, “Our country and the people have gone through a lot during these two years of the pandemic. The worst...

Mumbai, Sep 16 (Ians) Feroz Abbas Khan’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ is all set to return to the stage in Mumbai after two years due to the pandemic.

Fourteen shows of ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ will be staged between October 21 and 30 at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan said: “Our country and the people have gone through a lot during these two years of the pandemic. The worst is now behind us and all of us can finally come together to celebrate music, poetry, and timeless, magical stories once again. I feel this is the perfect time for ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ to return to Mumbai where we will kick off our 18th season.”

Deepesh Salgia, who steers the Creative and Strategic Vision of ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ added: “With Mughal-e-Azam, Shapoorji Pallonji has worked with K Asif in 1950s and now with Feroz Abbas Khan. In every season,...

Feroz Abbas Khan’s ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ is all set to return to the stage in Mumbai after two years due to the pandemic.

Fourteen shows of ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ will be staged between October 21 and 30 at Bal Gandharva Rang Mandir, Bandra West, Mumbai.

Director Feroz Abbas Khan said: “Our country and the people have gone through a lot during these two years of the pandemic. The worst is now behind us and all of us can finally come together to celebrate music, poetry, and timeless, magical stories once again. I feel this is the perfect time for ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ to return to Mumbai where we will kick off our 18th season.”

Deepesh Salgia, who steers the Creative and Strategic Vision of ‘Mughal-e-Azam: The Musical’ added: “With Mughal-e-Azam, Shapoorji Pallonji has worked with K Asif in 1950s and now with Feroz Abbas Khan. In every season, this musical has...

Mumbai, Aug 3 (Ians) Bollywood producer Tutu Sharma, who has produced over 25 films, has set his eyes on producing a biopic on yesteryear’s star Madhubala. The movie, based on a book, will showcase Madhubala’s rollercoaster life journey. Her iconic role as Anarkali in ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ was described by critics as one of the finest performance […]...

Lata Mangeshkar, the singing voice behind many Bollywood actresses, died Sunday at Breach Candy Hospital in Mumbai, India. She was 92 and the cause was complications of Covid-19, said Pratit Samdani, a doctor at the hospital, according to Indian news outlets.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi said on Twitter that he was “anguished beyond words.”

Mangeshkar was a “playback” singer, who recorded the dubbed voices for tens of thousands of songs, mostly in Hindi, but also in several other Indian languages.

Although she never appeared on screen, Mangeshkar was well-known. She received the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest honor, in 2001. The Ministry of Home Affairs also said that she would be given a state funeral and that flags at government buildings would be flown at half-staff for two days.

A four-octave singer, she recorded some of Bollywood’s biggest hits, including “Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya” (Why Fear to Be in Love) from the 1960 film “Mughal-e-Azam.

As the Shahid Kapoor and Amrita Rao-starrer family drama ‘Vivah’, that was released in 2006, completes 15 years, Amrita recalls the best memories and challenges she faced while shooting the film. Amrita adds, “‘Vivah’ is the ‘Mughal-e-Azam’ and ‘Hum Aapke Hain Kaun’ of my career.” The film was directed by Sooraj R. Barjatya, revolves around […]...

Hindi superstar Dilip Kumar has died in Mumbai at the age of 98. He had been ill this year and was admitted to hospital on June 30 suffering from breathlessness, according to widespread reports.

Tributes have been made to Kumar by prominent public figures and movies stars including Indian prime minister Narendra Modi and Amitabh Bachchan. Scroll down to see some of those embedded.

Known as the ‘Tragedy King’, Kumar was one of India’s earliest and brightest stars. Kumar’s first film role came in 1944, but his breakout was the 1949 pic Andaz, in which he acted opposite Raj Kapoor, who had grown up in the same neighbourhood as him.

The 1950s saw a string of box office hits for Kumar that firmly established him as one of the biggest draws for audiences during that period. He became the first actor to win the Filmfare Best Actor Award, for 1952 romantic drama Daag,...

Dilip Kumar, one of the biggest stars of Indian cinema, died in Mumbai on Wednesday after being hospitalized for breathlessness. He was 98.

The star had been ailing for several months and was in and out of hospital prior to his death.

Born Mohammed Yusuf Khan in Peshawar, British India, in 1922, Kumar debuted in films with “Jwar Bhata” (1944). Though he was known as the ‘tragedy king’ for his roles in sombre films like “Daag” (1952) and “Devdas” (1955), Kumar displayed range throughout his career including comedies “Azaad” (1955), “Kohinoor” (1960) and “Ram Aur Shyam” (1967), swashbuckler “Aan” (1952), historical “Mughal-e-Azam” (1960) and bandit drama “Gunga Jamuna” (1961).

After the indifferently received “Bairaag” (1976), where he played three roles, Kumar took a break from acting and returned with playing older characters in films like “Kranti” (1981), “Shakti” (1982), where he played alongside fellow Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachchan in a casting billed as the clash of the titans, “Mashaal” (1984), “Karma” (1986) and “Saudagar” (1991).

Kumar’s...

Mirchi, the city-centric music and entertainment company, hosted the 13th edition of the Smule Mirchi Music Awards on 11-12th March, which focused on celebrating the best of the music industry and its talent in the last ten years. With its ‘Dus Saal Bemisaal’ theme, India’s biggest music platform, hosted by Sonu Nigam witnessed some of the most scintillating performances.

Several Bollywood actors and singing sensations attended the musical evening, which created a perfect blend of cinematic brilliance. Celebrities and artists like Sonu Sood, Ila Arun, Shravan Rathod, Mithoon, Ajay Atul, Armaan Malik, Amitabh Bhattacharya, Aditya Narayan, Antara Mitra, Shruti Pathak, Javed Ali, Palak Muchhal, Yashraj Mukhate, Shweta-Shraddha Pandit, Salim-Sulaiman, Jigar & Krystal D’Souza, Iulia Vantur, Jeet Ganguly, Shantanu Moitra, Shail Hada, Vijay Dayal, the Miss India winners and many more added to the charm of the celebration.

The spectacular evening witnessed Sonu Nigam’s heartfelt tribute to all...

Legendary actor Dilip Kumar says he is under complete isolation and quarantine due to the outbreak of coronavirus.

Dilip Kumar took to Twitter on Tuesday to give an update about himself to his fans and followers. He also shared that his wife and former veteran actress Saira Banu is taking good care of the 97-year-old icon.

Also Read:?Mahesh Babu requests fans to wash hands frequently

"I am under complete isolation and quarantine due to the #CoronavirusOutbreak. Saira has left nothing to chance, ensuring I do not catch any infection," he tweeted.

Last seen on the big screen in "Qila" in 1998, the actor was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1994 and the Padma Vibhushan in 2015.

Known for films like "Devdas", "Mughal-e-Azam" and "Karma", Dilip Kumar got married to Saira -- over 20 years younger to him -- in 1966.

Expressing concern over the future of movie theatres in the age of digital entertainment, Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan on Friday suggested that films should be released first on big screens and then on online platforms and devices, but cautioned that realistic pricing of tickets and good content were a must to draw people out of their sofas.

"Today, when men and women are toiling in the Indian film industry shoulder to shoulder, we also have several options for viewing content in the comfort of our homes. Yet the thrill of watching movies on the big screen remains unmatched.

Also Read:?Amitabh Bachchan discharged from hospital

"We need to find ways to protect these traditions. I like the idea of pictures first showing in cinema halls, and then, perhaps, going to streaming and other devices. I am a loyalist to that degree," Bachchan said in a video speech at the closing...

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Milan Talkies movie review is here. Released today, the Tigmanshu Dhulia directorial stars Ali Fazal and introduces Shraddha Srinath along with Ashutosh Rana, Sanjay Mishra, Reecha Sinha and Sikandar Kher. Has Tigmanshu Dhulia created the magic again, let?s find it in Milan Talkies movie review.

Immediate reaction after watching Milan Talkies

Tigmanshu Dhulia?s love for vintage Bollywood and Allahabad will be forever. Is Milan Talkies the desi version/a tribute to Giuseppe Tornatore?s 1988 unforgettable masterpiece Cinema Paradiso in any way?!.

The Story of Milan Talkies

A single screen movie theatre in Allahabad, a local filmmaker Anu (Ali Fazal), his love affair with movies and his beloved Maithili (Shraddha Srinath), watched by an ageing projectionist Usman (Sanjai Mishra). Spanning three years, the movie juxtaposes the reality between reality and fiction. The change in times, the idea of romance and how cinema influences our lives and how life influences our cinema.

A scion of the Kapoor film-making dynasty, the celebrated actor appeared in a string of Indian features and Merchant Ivory films

Veteran Indian film industry stalwart Shashi Kapoor has died at the age of 79, it has been confirmed. His nephew Randhir told the Press Trust of India (Pti) that the actor had died in Mumbai on Monday after several years of kidney problems.

Kapoor was a scion of the celebrated Indian film-making dynasty, the son of Mughal-e-Azam star Prithviraj Kapoor, and brother of Raj Kapoor. Shashi Kapoor’s own screen career started as a child actor in the 1940s and 50s, appearing in films such as Aag and Awaara, in both of which he played the younger version of his already established brother Raj. His first leading role was in the award-winning 1961 Dharmputra, directed by Yash Chopra, which was one of the first Indian features to deal with partition.

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The 1960 magnum opus featured a majestic soundtrack matching the scale of the film by composer Naushad and lyricist Shakeel Badayuni, who created iconic songs like Jab Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya and Mohe Panghat Pe. Directed by K Asif, Mughal-e-Azam starred Madhubala, Dilip Kumar and Prithviraj Kapoor...

One of the finest actresses in the history of Hindi cinema, Madhubala, finally got her own wax figure which was unveiled at Madame Tussauds in Delhi. Inspired by her legendary character Anarkali from the film Mughal-e-Azam, the wax figure was unveiled on Thursday, August 10. The late actress Madhubala’s wax figure has been created beautifullyRead More

The post Check out: Madhubala gets a wax statue as Mughal-e-Azam’s Anarkali at Madame Tussauds in Delhi appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Veteran actor Dilip Kumar is an actor and inspiration for ages to come! In what may be termed as a surprise to the actor’s fans across the globe, the Mughal-e-Azam actor gave a glimpse of his life currently on social media site, Twitter. The actor said he was hale and hearty and thanked fans for their constant support. He also took a moment to thank the Punjab film association for honoring him with an award for the Living Legend Lifetime Award. He posted some pictures with the same. Indeed Dilip Kumar looks really happy with his wife, Saira Banu by his side. We also got to see a beautiful wall art dedicated to the celebrity couple by Artist Asif Farooqui. The actor wrote, thanking the artist, “So much love from Asif Farooqui….. God bless you.” The legendary actor was last seen on the big screen in 1998 in a film called ‘Qila’. Ever since,...

The Broadway-style musical play adaption of K.Asif’s legendary classic ‘Mughal E Azam’ starring Dilip Kumar, Madhubala and Prithviraj Kapoor, which premiered at the Ncpa (National Centre For Performing Arts) on October 21st, seems to have become an instant hit with one and all.

The production, which was helmed by acclaimed director Feroz Abbas Khan has opened to near unanimous acclaim and it is quite clear now that the makers have a winner on their hands. So much so that the public demand for the play prompted the makers to have additional shows of the musical extravaganza on Monday and Tuesdayconsidering the fact that all the shows are going housefull and tickets are selling like hot cakes.

The play, which is smashing records all over, will have an extra show on Monday (October 31, which is celebrated as New Year) at 4 pm and on Tuesday(November 1, which is celebrated as...

It’s been over five decades, since its release but Indian cinema’s magnum opus Mughal-e-Azam still rules every cine-lover’s heart. And now, film enthusiasts can relive the magic as the epic historical love story is coming back to enthrall the audiences as a spectacular musical play.

Acclaimed director Feroz Abbas Khan is bringing India’s greatest motion picture, whose grandeur and enormity remains untouched till date, as a Broadway-style musical play. The makers have just released its teaser poster.

The poster just shows Anarkali’s shackle-bound delicate hands, which keeps the intrigue factor intact. It has Mughal Empire’s most beautiful court dancer’s chain bound, henna painted hands with the words ‘pyar kiya toh darna kya’ written on it and that instantly reminds you of Anarkali and Salim’s epic love story and makes you travel back in time. The poster looks like an enchanting painting from the Mughal era itself.

K. Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam starring Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar and Madhubala, which was the most expensive film made at the time (in 1960), is still considered the greatest Indian motion picture ever and now, we have some good news for fans of the eternal love story.

Acclaimed director Feroz Abbas Khan, known for his award-winning film Gandhi, My Father and successful plays like ‘Tumhari Amrita’, ‘Salesman Ramlal’ and ‘Mahatma Vs Gandhi’, will soon helm ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, a Broadway-style musical play, which will be a tribute to the original film and is being prepared on a grand scale to be performed at the Ncpa (National Centre For Performing Arts), where it will play daily from October 21 till first week of November for a limited engagement of two weeks followed by the staging in end November for another two weeks into December at Siri Fort Auditorium in New Delhi.

Readers will be delighted to...

Happy Bhaag Jayegi

Starring Abhay Deol, Diana Penty, Momal Sheikh, Ali Faizal, Jimmy Sheirgil

Written & Directed by Mudassar Aziz

“Woh jo chahti hai karti hai,” Abhay Deol playing a suave Pakistani politician’s dissatisfied son trapped in a life he doesn’t relish, says at some point about the protagonist.

Abhay has a complex role in a narrative that floats freely gently and elegantly on the surface level. We know all along the complications in the plot—including the heroine landing up accidently in Lahore from Amritsar—are going to iron themselves out magically. Yes, this is that kind of a film where laughter can wipe out 69 years of bitterness between hostile neighbours. At least for a couple of hours.

Yes, this is the kind of Utopian cinema where the entire city of Lahore, including benevolent autorickshaw drivers and a compassionate though cranky cop (Piyush Mishra, brilliant), gets together to...

This is not the first time that a pair in love has enthusiastically signed a film only to find that love has gone out of the window. Jagga Jasoos, that strange-sounding film about a boy-man detective was a project beleaguered from the beginning. The story of how Jagga Jasoos (Jj) got itself into a deadlock makes for a great movie script. When the film was announced two years ago Ranbir Kapoor-Anurag Basu-Utv were seen as a super-winning team after Barfi. Basu was on top of the world. He suggested another out-of-the-box venture, this time minus Priyanka Chopra, but with Katrina Kaif playing the female lead instead. When Jj was announced love between Ranbir and Katrina was at its acme. Who was to know it (love) would evaporate in no time at all? What would remain is a residue of bitterness and coldness. But that came later. When...

Bollywood had an interesting year of music, whether it was A.R.Rahman delivering a cohesive soundtrack in Tamasha or Amit Trivedi conjuring up the jazz and swing sounds of Bombay’s jazz age in Bombay Velvet. There was also less pressure on one music director to deliver when multiple artists contributed to the film’s hits like Roy’s ‘Chittiyaan Kalaiyaan’ by Meet Bros, and ‘Sooraj Dooba Hai’ by Amaal Mallik. 2015 was definitely a year for experimentation for music directors, which we completely appreciated including the retro albums like Prem Ratan Dhan Payo with the title track capturing the nation on Dubsmash. Read on for our picks of the year, and let us know what your faves were.

1. Bombay Velvet – Irrespective of what you thought of Anurag Kashyap’s magnum opus of Bombay’s murky past filled with gangsters, business tycoons, torch singers, and hitmen, you can’t dispute...

Rivalry and exacerbated competitiveness apart, Kangna Ranaut and Deepika Padukone have one thing in common. They've both paid a tribute to the mythical Madhubala. In Milan Luthria's Once Upon A Time In Mumbai, Kangna played a character that was partly inspired by Madhubala. Now in Sanjay Leela Bhansali (Slb)'s Bajirao Mastani Deepika Padukone has paid a full-on tribute to Madhubala's legendary Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya from K Asif's Mughal-e-Azam. According to sources from the film's team, Slb designed the entire song on Asif's spectacular vision. "The Pyar Kiya Toh Darna Kya number in Mughal-e-Azam was designed to showcase Madhubala's beauty in all its glory. Director K Asif had shot the song in a spectacularly constructed 'Sheesh Mahal' set. Sanjay Bhansali has designed his song on his 'Aaina Mahal' set as a tribute to K Asif, Mughal-e-Azam and Deepika," says a source from the film. Apparently...

This week Deepika Padukone's character will perform an elaborate Kathak dance number in front of Ranveer Singh's character for Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Bajirao Mastani, although Ranveer is Missing In Action.

The song to be shot over the next week would stretch into a good 7 minutes of non-stop dancing by the indefatigable Deepika Padukone.

Says a source close to Sanjay Leela Bhansali productions, "The last time Deepika danced for Mr. Bhansali, she created magic in the garba dance number 'Nagara sang dhol'. This time the duo will be going even further in the pursuit of elegant dancing. The only difference is Deepika's co-star Ranveer Singh would be missing."

It is believed that love blossomed between the couple during the shooting of the 'Nagara' song in Goliyon Ki Raasleela Ram Leela.

Now a song choreographed by the legendary Kathak exponent Birju Maharaj where 'Mastani' Deepika Padukone expresses her love...

The story of India’s first unmanned plane is told in the new period drama Hawaizaada which releases on January 30. Ayushmann Khurrana headlines this moving new motion picture event which is set in Colonial India, 1895. Also starring in the film is Mithun Chakraborthy and actress Pallavi Sharda.

Pallavi plays Sitara, a Tamasha dancer and the love of Ayushmann’s Shivkar Bapuji Talpade but the course of their love does not run smooth.

The actress talks dancing, working with director Vibhu Puri, Ayushmann and more in this cool Q and A! Check it out!

Tell us something about your role in Hawaizaada.

Hawaizaada is mostly based on Ayushmann and Mithun-da’s story, my love story. I play a ‘Tamasha’ dancer in the movie. I think my character has come up very well. All thanks to our director Vibhu Puri & my co star Ayushmann Khurrana who encouraged me to give my best to the film.

We all know that a Bollywood film is incomplete without a few songs being thrown in with them. It is sort of like bread and butter, you can’t enjoy one without the other. Combining them together makes it all the more delicious. Over the last 100 years of filmmaking, the world has been exposed to some of the most iconic Bollywood numbers that we cannot erase from our minds and consider them to be eternal classics. As part of our mini-feature, BollySpice presents to you 15 songs that have changed Bollywood forever. Enjoy!

1. ‘Aayega Aane Wala’ from Mahal (1949) – Though this song won’t be as well known amongst the younger generation, the song ‘Aayega Aane Wala’ from the chilling film Mahal, is important for one major reason. This song made India’s nightingale Lata Mangeshkar a nationwide superstar and she went on to sing for Bollywood films for another six decades.