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National Film Award for Best Feature Film

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Bairaag, Bollywood, Daag, Diction Trainer, Dilip Kumar, Film, Hindi Teacher, India, Kader Khan, Mumbai, Obituary, Rajesh Khanna, Sarfaraz Khan, Shahnawaz Khan, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students | Leave a comment »

Mrinal Sen – The Last of the Triumvirate

Posted on January 3, 2019 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

Mrinal Sen

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA January 03, 2019 06.30 P.M.

Mrinal Sen

[ 14 May 1923 – 30 December 2018 ]

Mrinal Sen was a Bengali filmmaker based in Kolkata. Along with his contemporaries Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, he was often considered to be one of the greatest ambassadors of Bengali parallel cinema on the global stage. Like the works of Satyajit Ray and Ritwik Ghatak, his cinema was known for its artistic depiction of social reality. The three directors were ardent admirers of each other’s work, and in so doing, they charted the independent trajectory of parallel cinema, as a counterpoint to the mainstream fare of Hindi cinema in India.

Minal Sen first feature film, Raat Bhore [ 1955 ] featured Uttam Kumar who was not yet the Major star of Bengali cinema that he became. The movie was a let-down. His next film, Neel Akasher Neechey [ 1958) ] earned him local recognition, while his third film, Baishey Shravan [ 1960 ] was the first film that gave him international exposure.

After making five more films, he made a film with a shoestring budget provided by the Government of India. This film, Bhuvan Shome [ 1969 ] finally launched him as a major filmmaker, both nationally and internationally. Bhuvan Shome also initiated the “New Cinema” film movement in India.

Mrinal Sen had been suffering from age related ailments for many years. He died on 30 December 2018 at the age of 95 at his home in Bhawanipore, Kolkata.

Funeral Procession of Mrinal Sen

I came to know about him when his film Bhuvan Shome [ 1969 ] was released. It was the year when I just finished intermediate from Government Inter College , Allahabad [ now PRAYAGRAJ ] and took admission in Allahabad University. I was curious about the film but I could not watch it. I became aware of Mrinal Sen because of the buzz around the film.

Poster of BHUVAN SHOME

After Bhuvan Shome , other gems like Interview [ 1971 ] , Ek Adhuri Kahani [ 1971 ] , Calcutta 71 [ 1972 ] , Padatik [ 1973 ] , Chorus [ 1974 ] and Mrigayaa [ 1976 ] were released in quick succession.

Poster of MRIGAYAA

Mrigayaa [ 1976 ] became talk of the town . It introduced a naxalite as the protagonist. His name was Mithun Chakraborty. He got national award for the best actor for the film and soon became a sensation and later on came to be known as poor man’s Amitabh Bachchan.

Mrinal Sen was an ardent follower of Marxist philosophy. This is precisely the reason , I avoided watching his films. Till date I have watched none of his films . Neither Bhuvan Shome nor even Mrigayaa .

After his demise , I am thinking of watching all his films. List of awards , which his films won , tell us about his craft and his greatness.

National awards

1969: Bhuvan Shome
1974: Chorus
1976: Mrigayaa
1980: Akaler Sandhane

National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Bengali

1961: Punascha
1965: Akash Kusum
1993: Antareen

National Film Award for Best Direction

1969: Bhuvan Shome
1979: Ek Din Pratidin
1980: Akaler Sandhane
1984: Khandhar

International awards

Moscow International Film Festival – Silver Prize
1975 Chorus^[13]
1979 Parashuram^[14]

Karlovy Vary International Film Festival – Special Jury Prize
1977 Oka Oori Katha

Berlin International Film Festival
Interfilm Award
1979 Parashuram
1981 Akaler Sandhane
Grand Jury Prize^[15]
1981 Akaler Sandhane

Cannes Film Festival – Jury Prize
1983 Kharij

Valladolid International Film Festival – Golden Spike
1983 Kharij

Chicago International Film Festival – Gold Hugo
1984 Khandhar

Montreal World Film Festival – Special Prize of the Jury
1984 Khandhar

Venice Film Festival – OCIC Award – Honorable Mention
1989 Ek Din Achanak

Cairo International Film Festival – Silver Pyramid for Best Director
2002 Aamar Bhuban

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On behalf of all the students & staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my condolences and tribute. It is sad that because of the aversion of Marxism , I refrained from watching his films .

[ Basic information about Mrinal Sen has been taken from Wikipedia . His photo posted here is from Google, I express gratitude .]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Akaler Sandhane, Allahabad, Allahabad University, Amitabh Bachchan, Baishe Sharavan, Baishey Shravan, Bengali Cinema, Bhuvan Shome, Bollywood, Diction Trainer, Ek Din Achanak, Ek Din Pratidin, Government Inter College Allahabad, India, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Khandhar, Kharij, Marxism, Marxist Theory, Mithun Chakraborty, Mrigayaa, Mrinal Sen, Mumbai, Neel Akasher Neechey, New Cinema, Obituary, Parallel Cinema, Prayagraj, Raat Bhore, Ritwik Ghatak, Satyajit Ray, Uttam Kumar, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students | Leave a comment »

150th Birthday of ROSOGOLLA

Posted on December 31, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA December 31, 2018 05.45 P.M.

It is 150th year of Mahatma Gandhi.

But few people know that it is 150th year of a Bengali sweet known and called ” ROSOGOLLA ” also.

Rosogolla

But here lies the controversy. Rosogolla is always known as a Bengali sweet. But all of a sudden Odisha started claiming that Rosogolla is Odia.

I was perplex. For all my life I always knew and believed that Rosogolla is a Bengali sweet . Nobin Chandra Das , the famous Bengali , is credited to invent this sweet in 1868 . He , along with his family , used to live in the Baghbazar locality of northern Calcutta [ now known as Kolkata ] .

Columbus of Rosogolla – Nobin Chandra Das

Despite these known facts , some Odia zealots started claiming that Rosogoll has Odia origins. Watch the photos and realize that Bengalis have not only invented this sweet but they have become connoisseurs and gave several variations to Rosogolla, which is not common in Odisha .

Rosogolla

Nolen Gurer Rosogolla

Khejur Gurer Rosogolla

Dry Rosogolla

Coloured Rosogolla

Creamy Baked Rosogolla

Chocolate Rosogolla

Payesh Rosogolla

This brazen and bizarre claim of Odisha was not supposed to be taken lightly in West Bengal . Matter was fiercely debated in Bengal and finally West Bengal government reached GI [ Geographical Indication ] . After a 26-month legal tussle, West Bengal government won the case on November 14, 2017 .

In 2018 Rosogolla became 150 years old and to commemorate the auspicious event West Bengal government issued a special stamp . It was launched at the inaugural function of ” Baghbazar-O-Rosogolla Utsab ” .

Earlier this year, the State government observed November 14 as Rosogolla Day to mark one year of obtaining the GI tag.

My tryst with Rosogolla in particular and other Bengali sweet in general started very early in my life . In my Deoria house , there was a shop of Bengali sweets , known as Jalojog . I tasted Rosogolla once and became a life-long fan and now I can proudly claim that I am a Rosogolla connoisseur . So I refused to believe that Rosogolla is in any way related to Odisha .

I am happy that finally this unnecessary controversy will be put to rest. Odisha has many good things to offer but Rosogolla is quintessential Bengali and it should remain so.

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I have taken some facts and figures from Sunday edition of DNA – Daily News & Analysis , a popular news paper. Pictures of various Rosogollas have been taken from Wikipedia .

I express gratitude on behalf of all the students & staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Haute Cuisine | Tagged: 150 Years of Mahatma Gandhi, 150 Years of Rosogolla, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Baghbazar, Bengali Sweets, Calcutta, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Hindi Teacher, India, Jolojog, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kolkata, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Nobin Chandra Das, Odia, Odisha, Rosogolla, Rosogolla Connoisseur, Rosogolla Day, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, Vidur's Blog, West Bengal | Leave a comment »

Alas ………. Eros Cinema is also gone !!

Posted on December 29, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

Eros Cinema Hall at Churchgate

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA December 29, 2018 04.45 P.M.

I’m so sad , crestfallen and heartbroken today.

Last month on November 28, 2018, I wrote about closure of Rhythm House and Cafe Samovar . I felt deep sense of loss at that time.

Now comes news of closure of Eros Cinema hall. When I saw the photograph of the gate of this majestic building being locked, my heart melted.

Eros Cinema Hall at Churchgate being locked

I had so many warm memories of this particular cinema hall. In 1972, I went there to watch a Hollywood film ” KLUTE ‘ [ 1971 ] starring Jane Fonda , Donald Sutherland and Roy Scheider. Sylvester Stallone was also in the film but as an extra. Jane Fonda won an Academy Award for Best Actress. ” KLUTE ” was huge hit .

When I reached there to watch the movie, ticket windows were closed. I stood on the staircase and was very disappointed. There was a man in sky blue top and denim pants and he gently said, ” do you want to watch the film? ” I simply nodded. He gave me one ticket saying that he bought it for his friend but it seems he won’t be able to make it. So you take this ticket and enjoy the film. When I offered to pay the price, he politely refused. Few days later, I watched the same man in a Satyadev Dubey directed play ” AADHE ADHURE ” at Patkar Hall.

Three years later, while in my native place Deoria, Uttar Pradesh , I went to watch a Hindi movie ” SALAAKHEN ” [ 1975 ]. This Shashi Kapoor and Sulakshana Pandit starrer movie had a villain. I suddenly recognized the man. He was the same person who offered me a ticket of ” KLUTE ” and whom I watched in ” AADHE ADHURE “. Then I got to know his name. His name was Amrish Puri. Those days he was known as the younger brother of Madan Puri. Few years later he became a huge , gigantic star and later on a legend.

Many years later, when I became an acting trainer, I trained his grand-son Vardhan Puri , who is making his debut in a Hindi film called ” PAAGAL “.

Eros Cinema Hall at Churchgate

Later on I watched many Hollywood and Bollywood films at Eros. If I am remembering correctly, Amir Khan and Urmila Matondkar starrer film ” RANGEELA ” [ 1995 ] , was the last film , which I watched there. There after multiplex boom hit Mumbai and many swanky plexes sprung up in suburbs. So Sunday routine of watching film at South Mumbai single screen theatres lost its charm . And I got busy in my acting training activities and watching films at Eros and other single screen theatres was discontinued.

But when I heard the news of its closure and saw the gate being locked, I was devastated.

One more iconic place of my struggling days is going to be finished for ever.

There won’t be another Eros. There won’t be same movie watching experience again.

But journey of life moves ahead.

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VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Sunset Boulevards | Tagged: Aadhe Adhure, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, AMIR KHAN, Amrish Puri, Bollywood, Cafe Samovar, Churchgate, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Donald Sutherland, Eros, Eros Cinema Hall, Film, Hindi Teacher, India, Jane Fonda, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Klute, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Paagal, Pandit Satyadev Dubey, Patkar Hall, Rangeela, Rhythm House, Salaakhen, Shashi Kapoor, Silvester Stallone, South Mumbai, Sulakshana Pandit, Urmila Matondkar, Uttar Pradesh, Vardhan Puri, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students | Leave a comment »

Peter O’Toole : An Icon Passes Away

Posted on December 8, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

English: Cropped screenshot of Peter O'Toole f...

Peter O’Toole in the film Lawrence of Arabia (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Peter James O’Toole

2 August 1932 – 14 December 2013

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA December 08, 2018 03.30 P.M.

Peter James O’Tool aka Peter O’Tool was a British stage and film actor of Irish and Scottish descent. He attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art and began working in the theatre, gaining recognition as a Shakespearean actor at the Bristol Old Vic and with the English Stage Company before making his film debut in 1959.

He achieved international recognition playing T. E. Lawrence in Lawrence of Arabia (1962) for which he received his first nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actor. He was nominated for this award another seven times – for Becket (1964), The Lion in Winter (1968), Goodbye, Mr. Chips (1969), The Ruling Class (1972), The Stunt Man(1980), My Favorite Year (1982), and Venus (2006) – and holds the record for the most Academy Award nominations for acting without a win. In 2002, O’Toole was awarded the Academy Honorary Award for his career achievements. He was additionally the recipient of four Golden Globe Awards, one British Academy Film Award and one Primetime Emmy Award.

Peter O’Tool with Richard Burton in ” BECKET “

I came to know about him in 1973. I was studying in Prayagraj [ then known as Allahabad ] , Uttar Pradesh. A Hindi film ” NAMAK HARAM ” was released in 1973 in Vishwambhar cinema hall. I, along with my friends, went to swatch it. It was huge hit and everyone was praising Amitabh Bachchan and Rajesh Khanna’s acting. One day I read an article about ” NAMAK HARAM ” in Northern India Patrika, a popular daily of those days. It was written that this film is based on the iconic Hollywood film ” BECKET ” and how Richard Burton and Peter O’Tool were so brilliant. Richard Burton’s role was played by Rajesh Khanna and Peter O’Tool’s role was essayed by Amitabh Bachchan.

Soon ” Becket ” was re-released in cinema halls and I saw the film. I had already watched many films of Richard Burton but this was my first brush with Peter O’Tool. I was awe-struck. Later on I watched his first film ” Lawrence of Arabia “. My admiration for his craft grew manifold.

After completing my studies I left Prayagraj [ then named as Allahabad ] , and after spending 15 years in my native town Deoria, I settled in Mumbai [ then know as Bombay ] . Here in 1990 I watched his film ” THE LAST EMPEROR ” ( 1987 ) . One day while roaming around Hutatma Chowk, [ earlier known as Flora Fountain ] , I got his biography in a road side bookstore. After reading it , I became a life-long admirer.

So when I read about his death, I felt a vacuum in my life. Life is cruel. I got to know about Peter O’Tool in 1973. And in December 2013, I was reading his obituary. A relationship of 40 years came to a sudden end.

Movie business will go on. Many stars will come and fade away. But stars like Peter O’Tool are rare. As is the saying, they don’t make people like him any more.

Peter O’Tool in his sunset years

Peter O’Toole will never return to enthrall us by his histrionics in cinema. There will be many great actors but there will never be another Peter O’Tool.

[ Some personal information and nuggets about his career is taken from Wikipedia. I express my gratitude. ]

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On behalf of all the students & staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my deep condolences.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Academy Award, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Allahabad, Amitabh Bachchan, Becket, Bollywood, Bristol Old Vic, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Film, Flora Fountain, Golden Globe Award, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Hindi Teacher, Hutatma Chowk, India, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Lawrence of Arabia, Maharashtra, Mumbai, My Favorite Year, Namak Haram, Northern India Patrika, Obituary, Peter O'Tool, Prayagraj, R.A.D.A., Rajesh Khanna, Richard Burton, Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, T. E. Lawrence, The Lion in Winter, The ruling Class, The Stunt Man, Uttar Pradesh, Venus, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur's Blog, Vishwambhar Cinema Hall | Leave a comment »

100 Years of Government Inter College , Deoria

Posted on November 29, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA November 29, 2018 01.45 P.M.

KING EDWARD GOVERNMENT INTER COLLEGE , DEORIA

Now

GOVERNMENT INTER COLLEGE , DEORIA

1912 – 2012

Government Inter College , Deoria

In hot and scorching month of April 2013, I visited my native place Deoria . I was passing through Kotwali road. Whenever I go to Deoria and walk through Kotwali road, I always watch my college KING EDWARD GOVERNMENT INTER COLLEGE, now known as GOVERNMENT INTER COLLEGE , DEORIA. A board on the main building of the college reminded me that my alma mater is 100 years old . In fact it is 106 years old now. It was established in 1912.

Apart from being alma mater of mine, it is alma mater of my father , my two brothers and my sons also .

When I saw the board announcing Centenary Year celebration of the college , a floodgate of memories got opened and various asinine incidents of my schooling days suddenly flashed on the faded firmament of my memory. Some obfuscated incidents started shinning and gushed into my memory lane . From July 1962 to March 1967 , it was my home away from my home . For 5 long years it was my world away from the outer world . Sitting on the staircase or roaming aimlessly in the long corridors or sprinting in the vast lawns of the college , I used to dream some beautiful dreams of my future. I have many sweet and sour memories of this opulent and grand building.

Eastern entrance of the college

Apart from me and my memories, this college also reminds me about my father Shri Lakshmi Kant Chaturvedi. During freedom struggle, while he was in High School , he climbed the top of the building , removed Union Jack and hoisted National Flag on the mast and proudly unfurled it. British Superintendent of police wanted a shoot at sight order from the then magistrate Raghubar Dayal. But he refused and said that this is not treason. This is childish prank, act of a small enthusiastic boy. So it should be overlooked. He ordered that Indian national flag should be removed and Union Jack should be hoisted again.

My Father Late Shri Lakshmi Kant Chaturvedi
[ 16 May 1908 – 27 February 1974 ]

British SP was furious and complained about the magistrate Raghubar Dayal. Raghubar Dayal, who later on became Justice Raghubar Dayal, paid the price and his subsequent promotion was cancelled.

This incident , which happened around 1922 , became folklore of Chaturvedi clan. It was narrated to me by the elders of the family. When I took admission in 6th standard and entered into the main building and saw the flag mast, I was filled with pride for my father. After 4 years , in 2022 , this incident will complete 100 years. May be future generations of my family will not remember it. But for me it is still fresh in my memory.

My father never ever boasted about his heroic act . He never claimed or demanded TAMRA PATRA , which so many freedom fighters took and flaunted it with pride. My father never claimed the monthly pension , which was given to every freedom fighter during Indira Gandhi’s regime. For him it was his national duty. He did it as his contribution to the freedom struggle and forgot it. Though like Raghubar Dayal, he also paid the price for this incident. He got selected for judicial services. But CID reported that he has nationalistic leanings and quoted this flag incident. Thus he was not selected. Later on he became immensely successful advocate in Deoria.

Life moves on. My father died in 1974. Now I am also an old man . But my college building , though older than both of us , still stands magnificently.

I think it will remain like that when I am also gone. And my future generation may walk past the same Kotwali road . But they will be oblivious of the glorious incident of my father, which once upon a time , was the talking point of my clan in the long wintry nights and hot and dull summer afternoons in my family home , the KRISHNA KUNJ.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Memoirs | Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Deoria, Diction Trainer, Freedom Fighters, Government Inter College Deoria, Hindi Teacher, India, Indira Gandhi, Justice Raghubar Dayal, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, King Edward Government Inter College Deoria, King Edward Inter College Deoria, Kotwali Road Deoria, Krishna Kunj, Lakshmi Kant Chaturvedi, Mumbai, Tamra Patra, Union Jack, Uttar Pradesh, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur's Blog | Leave a comment »

Life Without ” Rhythm House ” & ” Cafe Samovar “

Posted on November 28, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

RHYTHM HOUSE at Kala Ghoda

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA November 28, 2018 01.30 P.M.

On November 29, 2015 I read in the newspapers that RHYTHM HOUSE ” , the iconic music shop at Kala Ghoda area of south Mumbai , is going to be closed.

It finally got closed in February 2016.

What is so special that even after 2 years I am forced by emotions to write about this shop. After all it was just a shop.

Today’s generation can’t imagine it’s importance. It was lifeline of Mumbai’s cultural world. Long before Bombay became Mumbai, it was a must visit place for all the connoisseurs and aficionados of music world. In Bombay city of early 70s, 80s and 90s , it was a happening place , where all the connoisseurs of music used to descend every day.

Interior of Iconic RHYTHM HOUSE

There are talks to revive this place but in today’s world, when you can download any song for free , who will go and buy LP, EP, records, cassettes and CDs.

I have so many fond memories of this place. Though I didn’t have much money those days but still I used to go there to buy cassettes and CDs of old Hindi films, old songs of Lata Mangeshkar, Bengali songs, Robindro Sangeet and song of Elvis Presley. Alas! those days are just memory.

Rhythm House is not alone. In the same year when it got closed, another iconic south Mumbai place CAFE SAMOVAR also got close in March 2015. Started by Usha Khanna in 1964, Cafe Samovar in Jehangir Art Gallery has been an icon of Mumbai’s cultural landscape for decades.

One by one all the iconic places of old Bombay are becoming memories. After Bombay became Mumbai, I feel there is no love lost for old icons of the city. I feel sad . Government of the day should try to preserve the heritage of old city.

The new Mumbai doesn’t mean that old Bombay should fade away from the landscape.

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VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Sunset Boulevards | Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Cafe Samovar, Diction Trainer, Elvis Presley, Hindi Teacher, Jehangir Art Gallery, Kala Ghoda, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Lata Mangeshkar, Maharashtra, Mumbai, Rhythm House, Robindro Sangeet, South Mumbai, Usha Khanna, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, Vidur's Blog | Leave a comment »

Remembering Alyque Padamsee

Posted on November 27, 2018 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

Alyque Padamsee

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA November 27, 2018 01.45 P.M.

I’m posting this blog after 1 year and 3 months gap. My last blog was posted on August 30, 2017.

Reasons are many. One is writer’s block. I never ever thought that one day I could also be a victim of this dreaded writer’s block. But it struck me with all ferocity. Anyhow I fought a valiant battle and overcame that. So now I am ready with this much delayed blog.

Other reason is that during this period I was inundated with work. In this one year, apart from regular batches, I did workshop for 3 serials ; ” PORUS ” , ” RADHA KRISHNA ” & ” TANTRA “. I also did workshop for films ; ” KAABIL ” , ” STUDENT OF THE YEAR 2 ” , ” HUM CHAAR ” and 2 upcoming films of DHARMA PRODUCTIONS.

So it was 16 hour workdays for 15 long months. All the work took its toll on my time and body. I was left with no time. Hence this inordinate delay.

Last week when I heard about sudden death of Mr. Alyque Padamsee, I decided to leave my inertia and write something about him.

It was a cold November evening of 2009. I got a call. The person on the other side spoke in broken Hindi, ” Hi ! This is Alyque Padamsee. Am I talking to Mr. Vidur ? ” I was stunned. Am I really talking to the legend?

But yes. The person on the other side of phone was The legend himself. He wanted me to train his daughter Shazahn Padamsee.

I started training Shazahn for her debut film ” ROCKET SINGH : SALESMAN OF THE YEAR ” .

With Shazahn Padamsee in my office

And one day there I met the legend whom the world knew as Alyque Padamsee. He was so unassuming and soft spoken. I was taken aback. He talked to me for some time and then left.

It is almost 9 years but the memory refuses to fade.

He was Chief Executive of Lintas for 14 long years and created much acclaimed campaigns like ; Lalita ji for Surf, Cherry Charlie for Cherry Blossom, MRF Muscle Man , the Liril Girl in the waterfall and Hamara Bajaj.

I also liked him as Mohammad Ali Jinnah in Richard Attenborough’s much acclaimed film ” GANDHI ” .

I still possess his signed autobiography , A Double Life : My Exciting Years In Theatres and Advertising.

Rest in peace sir ! There won’t be anyone like you.

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On behalf of all the students & staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I express my condolences . My sympathies are with Shazahn Padamsee. May God give her strength to bear this loss.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

http://www.bollywoodhungama.com

Filed under: Obituary | Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alyque Padamsee, Cherry Blossom, Cherry Charlie, Dharma Productions, Diction Trainer, Gandhi, HAMARA BAJAJ, Hindi Teacher, Hum Chaar, India, Kaabil, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Lalita ji, Lintas, Liril, MRF Muscle Man, Muhammad Ali Jinnah, Mumbai, Porus, Radha Krishna, Richard Attenborough, Rocket Singh Sales Man of the Year, Shazahn Padamsee, Student of the Year 2, Surf, Tantra, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students | Leave a comment »

Vidur’s Film Diary – April 2017

Posted on August 30, 2017 by VIDUR [ Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi ]

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA August 30, 2017 07.10 P.M.

[ MILESTONE : Vidur’s Film Diary is now in the 8th year of its existence. 8 long and uninterrupted years! ]

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VIDUR ACTING INSTITUTE

SUCCESS RATE : 2012 to 2016

Success Rate : 2012 – 2013 = 40 %

Success Rate : 2013 – 2015 = 55 %

Success Rate : 2015= = ==== = = 62.35 %

Success Rate : 2016= = = ==== = 72.60 %

It is evident that my success rate is increasing every year. It is unprecedented.

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Actors, whom I trained and who hit the screen as lead actors [ Hero & Villain ] in films

January 2017 to April 2017 :

YAMI GAUTAM – Kaabil [ Hindi ]

MEHERENE KAUR PIRZADA – Phillauri [ Hindi ]

CHIRAG JANI – Rogue [ Telugu ]

VISHAL PATNI – Maa Abbai [ Telugu ]

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Obituary :

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Kishori Amonkar

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A classical singer of repute, Kishori Amonkar died in Mumbai on April 03, 2017 at the age of 85 . A performer of classical music, she also excelled in khayal, Thumri & Bhajan singing.

She gave play back for only 2 Hindi films and in total sang just 6 songs. 1st was V. Shantaram’s ” Geet Gaya Patharon Ne ” [ 1965 ] , which was incidentally Jeetendra’s debut movie. She sang the title song in the film.

Her 2nd film was ” Dristi ” [ 1991 ]. She sang all the 5 songs and also composed music.

Vinod Khanna

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A mighty super-star during Amitabh Bachchan era, Vinod Khanna succumbed to cancer and died in Mumbai hospital on April 27, 2017. He was 71 at the time of his death.

He made debut as the main villain with ” Man Ka Meet ” [ 1968 ]. This film was directed by A. Subba Rao and produced by Sunil Dutt. Later on he acted in supporting roles; as an angry young man in the movie Mere Apne, as the main villain in the super-hit movie Mera Gaon Mera Desh, and as the military officer turned fugitive in the critically acclaimed movie Achanak .

After above mentioned films, Vinod Khanna played lead roles in many films and is best remembered for his performances in Kuchhe Dhaage, Gaddaar, Imtihaan, Muqaddar Ka Sikandar, Inkaar, Amar Akbar Anthony, Rajput, The Burning Train, Qurbani, Kudrat, Parvarish, Khoon Pasina, Dayavan, Chandni and Jurm.

In 1982, at the peak of his film career, he temporarily quit the film industry to follow his spiritual guru Osho . After a 5-year hiatus, he returned to the Hindi film industry with two hit films; Insaaf and Satyamev Jayate.

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Hindi Films in April & Vidur Acting Institute :

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First Week – April 07

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1 – Laali Ki Shaadi Mein Laddoo Deewana ….. Gurmeet Choudhary

2 – Mirza Juuliet ……………………………………………………………………………… X

3 – Mukti Bhawan …………………………………………………………………………… X

4 – The Mountains ………………………………………………………………………….. X

Second Week – April 14

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1 – Begum Jaan ………………………………………………………………………………… X

2 – Romeo – N – Bullet ………………………………………………………………………. X

3 – Saanjh …………………………………………………………………………………………. X

Third Week – April 21
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1 – Ajab Samajh Ki Gajab Kahani ………………………………………………….. X

2 – Ek Thi Rani Aisi Bhi …………………………………………………………………… X

3 – Maatr ………………………………………………………………………………………….. X

4 – Noor ……………………………………………………………………………………………. X

Fourth Week – April 28
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1 – Baahubali 2 : The Conclusion ……………………………. Anushka Shetty

In total ………..……… 12 ………..….. films got released in April 2017 . Out of these ……………..….. 12 …………………… released films ………………….. 03 ……………………… films have …………… 03 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

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Summary of April 2017

My 03 students appeared in 03 films.

Total number of students working in the month of April 2017 is 03.

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On behalf of all the students & staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I congratulate my above mentioned 03 students .

May God bless them for making me proud and they shine in their chosen field .

[ List of released films, dates and other information have been taken from

I am indebted and I express gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA