Dulari Ji Is Gone; Unwept, Unheard , Unsung !

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MAY 09 , 2013           06.45 P.M.

Dulari In Her Twilight Years

On Monday morning I was shocked to read the news of death of Dulari , a veteran yesteryear Hindi film actor . It is so heart-wrenching that she died in January 2013 and the news came in May 2013 , in Monday’s Times of India . If a popular actor dies and the news comes out a full four months later , it shows the callousness of our film industry . How come no one tried to contact her ? How come no one ever called her to say hi ? How come no one inquired about her health and well-being ? I must admit , our film industry is full of cussed , cruel and selfish people .

Today as I am writing this blog , I suddenly remember these lines , which was filmed on her in ” Devdas ” , a Bimal Roy classic .

साजन की हो गयी गोरी ………

अब घर  का आँगन बिदेस लागे  रे  , नैहर का जीवन कलेस लागे  रे …..

साजन की हो गयी गोरी ………

She left this ephemeral , painful world for her eternal journey . She joined her lover , the God , and became one with him .

A Young Dulari

Hindi cinema had many famous and powerful mother figures . Durga Khote , Lalita Pawar , Leela Chitnis , Kamini Kaushal , Achala Sachdev and Sulochna are some of the most famous mothers of Hindi cinema . In recent history Nirupa Roy became an ultimate mother figure . Dulari, though not as famous as her other illustrious peers , was also a popular mother figure of Hindi films .

Dulari – The Poorman’s Mother

She started as a heroine in a couple of films . Immortal hits like  ” Aana Meri Jaan Meri Jaan , Sunday Ke Sunday “  and ” Jawaani Ki Rail Chali Jaaye Re “ , both from ” Shehnai ” [ 1947 ] were filmed on her .

I first noticed her in Bimal Roy’s ” Devdas “ [ 1955 ] . Two songs , written by Sahir Ludhianvi and tuned by Sachin Dev Burman , were filmed on her . ” Aan Milo Aan Milo Shyam Sanware ” and ” Sajan Ki Ho Gayi Gori “ are connoisseurs delight even today .  She played a Vaishnavi Saint with Nana Palsikar as her screen companion . A young Paro , played by Baby Naaz , was sitting on a branch of a mango tree and was remembering Devdas , while Nana Palsikar sang the song and danced . Dulari was just sitting calmly and singing the female version sung by Geeta Dutt . Her calm and serene face remained in my memory . In the same film , years later , when Paro grew older [ played by etherial Suchitra Sen ] , she was again sitting and remembering Devdas . Again same Vaishnav saints came and started singing . Now the song was ” Sajan Ki Ho Gayi Gori ” . I am unable to forget these scenes , these two songs , melancholic face of Paro , played by Baby Naaz and Suchitra Sen respectively and of course Nana Palsikar and Dulari .

Then , years later I watched ” Padosan ” [ 1968 ] and ” Gopi ” [ 1973 ] . In both the films she played the maternal aunt of lead actors ; Sunil Dutt and Dilip Kumar . Memory of her earlier starrers ” Shehnai ” [ 1947 ] , and ” Devdas ” [ 1955 ] once again became fresh in my mind . It is not that I have seen only above mentioned 4 films . I have seen innumerable films of her . But these 4 remain in my memory .

Dulari as Mother Figure

A Kanyakubj Brahman from the Awadh region of Uttar Pradesh , she was born and brought up in Maharashtra . She spent her childhood in Nagpur , where she was born on 18^th April 1928. Her name was Ambika but she was nick-named Rajdulari and later on only Dulari remained and the world knew her as Dulari .

Dulari ji’s first film was ‘Bombay Talkies’s’ famous movie ” Jhoola “  [ 1941 ] with Ashok Kumar . Later on she played Jairaj’s younger sister in a Bombay Talkies film ‘Hamari Baat’ . She was also seen as the second lead in  ‘Amar Pictures’ film ‘Adaab Arz’ where her leading man was the famous singer Mukesh . Both the films were made in 1944 .

shayar

Later on she played small roles in films like ” Ghar ” [ 1945 ] , ” Kulkalank “  [ 1945 ] , ‘Ahinsa’, ‘Black Market’, ‘Namak’, ‘Pati Sewa’, ‘Rangeen Kahani’ [ all 1947 ] . But Dulari got her real due with ‘Filmistan’s super hit film ” Shehnai ” [ 1947 ] . She played Rehana’s elder sister in the movie and her leading man was Mehmood’s father Mumtaz Ali . As I mentioned earlier two immortal songs were picturized on her in this film . ” Aana Meri Jaan Meri Jaan , Sunday Ke Sunday “  and ” Jawaani Ki Rail Chali Jaaye Re “ .

After ” Shehnai “ she did films like ” Gunsundari ” , ” Mitti Ke Khilone ” , ” Naav’ ” [ all 1948 ] , ” Nanad Bhaujai ” , ” Shayar “  [ both 1949 ] , ” Apni Chhaya ” , ” Man Ka Meet “  [ both 1950 ] , ” Albela “  [ 1951 ], ” Anjaam ” , ” Bhoole Bhatke ” and ” Veer Arjun “  [ all 1952 ] .

Dulari was seen in an important role in the movie ” Paapi ” [ 1953 ] . In this Ranjeet Movietone film Raj Kapoor played his career’s only double role. Nargis and Dulari played his two heroines .  After it she worked in ” Jeewan Jyoti ” [ 1953 ] , ” Devdas “  [ 1955 ] , ” Zindagi Ke Mele “  [ 1956 ] , ” Ek Gaon Ki Kahani ” , ” Johny Walker ” ,  ” Paying Guest “  [ all 1957 ] ,  ” Kavi Kalidas “  and ” Santaan ” [ 1959 ] .

Devdas (1955 film) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

After 1959 , after two years hiatus , she started her second innings from 1961 and for the next 35 years, Dulari played many big and small roles in almost 135 films like ‘Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai’, ‘Mujhe Jeene Do’, ‘Apne Hue Paraye’, ‘Aap Aaye bahaar Aai’, ‘Aaye Din Bahaar Ke’, Anupama’, ‘Teesri Kasam’, ‘Padosan’, ‘Aradhna’, ‘Aaya Sawan Jhoom Ke’, ‘Chiraagh’, ‘Inteqaam’, ‘Aan Milo Sajna’, ‘Heer Ranjha’, ‘Johny Mera Naam’, ‘Caravan’, ‘Laal Patthar’, ‘Beimaan’, ‘Seeta Aur Geeta’, ‘Raja Rani’, ‘Ameer Gareeb’, ‘Haath Ki Safai’, ‘Deewar’, ‘Do Jasoos’, ‘Aahuti’, ‘Ganga Ki Saugandh’, ‘Biwi O Biwi’, ‘Naseeb’, ‘Prem Rog’, ‘Agar Tum Na Hote and ‘Dharmadhikari’. And then one day she quietly retired from the world of movies.

Later on she did only two films . ” Surya ” [ 1989 ] and ” Ziddi ” [ 1997 ] . Ziddi directed by Guddu Dhanoa is her last film . Thus from ” Jhoola “  [ 1941 ] to ” Ziddi ” [ 1997 ] , her career span was 56 years .

After a career spanning 56 years and after 171 hindi, 35 Gujarati, 3 Marathi and 1 Rajasthani film , she left Mumbai and went to live with her daughter in Indore . She also acted in a ‘Shri Adhikari Brothers’ serial called ‘Waqt Ki Raftaar’ .

During her final years Dulari ji was suffering from Alzheimer and was admitted to ICU in a hospital in PUNE in the last week of December ’12 where at the age of 85 she breathed her last on 18th January 2013 around 10 a.m. She was cremated on 19th January 2013 in the noon in Pune.

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Few links of songs filmed on Dulari :

1 – aana meri jaan sunday ke sunday /shehnai/1947

http://youtu.be/eQT_HmOUdRc

2 – jawani ki rail chali jaaye/shehnai/1947

http://youtu.be/oVU-LNCiHWc

3 – aan milo aan milo shyam sanware/devdas/1955

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7bUkuqTgeqc&feature=share&list=PL8D7917AD954EC446

4 – sajan ki ho gai gori/devdas/1955

http://youtu.be/9-Ij7oJlUlo

5 – madhav bin saara brij soona/sautela bhai/1962

http://youtu.be/Sv5V4-uSZrY

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I offer my condolences on behalf myself and on behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . May God give eternal peace to Dulari Ji and strength to her daughter and other near and dear ones to bear this loss .

I can visualize a frail ,  85-year-old , lonely lady suffering from Alzheimer , sitting without a friend or companion in an old age home with blank eyes and waiting for some elusive loving one . Long windy nights of winter , dull and dusty days of summer and wet , pouring and dreary evenings of  rainy season must have come and gone  without any trace of succour . It is painful , very painful . Finally , only death could relieve her from her pain .

साजन की हो गयी गोरी ………

अब घर  का आँगन बिदेस लागे  रे  , नैहर का जीवन कलेस लागे  रे …..

साजन की हो गयी गोरी ………

Rest in peace Dulari ji ! A tearful farewell from an ardent fan . I am happy that you left this cruel , selfish , cussed world . May , in next life , you get everything that you have ever desired for you .

[ While writing this blog , I have taken few facts and materials from the article " Aan Milo Aan Milo Shyam Sanware’-Dulari " , written by Shri Shishir Krishna Sharma for his ‘Sahara Samay’ column ‘kya bhooloon kya yaad karoon’ . I am indebted . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Legendary ? Oh My God !!

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MAY 05 , 2013           07.00 P.M.

As an acting trainer [ some upstarts call me acting tutor - as if it is derogatory . They also mis-spelt tutor ] I run an acting institute in Mumbai . It is VIDUR Acting Institute known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . And to communicate with my acting students , friends & well-wishers around the world , I regularly write blogs , tweet quite frequently and update my activities on facebook account and facebook like page . I am also active on various other social net-working sites . But blog is my most potent tool , most favourite medium of expression .

Almost all the other acting trainers of India have their facebook pages . One gentleman has twitter account also . But no one is an active blogger . Recently some upstarts have started writing blogs .

Since writing blogs is not my sole prerogative , so any one can write blogs after creating  blog-space . But for that you have to know the language . You should know at least basics of the grammar . You should take care that your spelling is correct . But these upstarts are masters of bad English and wrong spelling . They have dearth of matter so abusing me is the only topic they know . They claim to be veterans but the fact of the matter is that they were my students once upon a time .

In one of their recent blog they used the adjective ” LEGENDARY ” for a B-Grade actor . The said actor , in one of his film , played second fiddle to an animal . As for his acting calibre , a video on YouTube can be watched . The so-called ” legendary ” [ ? ] actor was supposed to mouth few lines . He failed repeatedly and instead of being ashamed , he was laughing uproariously and was openly dishing out choicest cuss words and expletives .

So why this generosity to honour such a person with the word ” LEGENDARY ” . It is a syndrome . I call this Pakistan syndrome . Pakistan is just 66-year-old state . So she desperately needs national heroes . Since they don’t have any so they started importing names from Afghanistan . They invoke names of Ghazni and Ghori . Though Mehmood of Ghazni and Mohammad Ghori were the warlords of Afghanistan and they both invaded India to loot and plunder . But Pakistan appropriated them because she was in search of national icons . In the same manner these upstarts need icons for themselves . And they don’t have any . So in desperation they are calling this B-Grade hero ” LEGENDARY ” so that they can feel satisfied that they also have some one in their kitty .

In the process they are insulting the true legends . Only age or seniority cannot be the deciding factor in determining the legends . Ashok Kumar is a legend but Rashid Khan is not . Dilip Kumar is a legend but his contemporary Rajan Haksar is not . Amitabh Bachchan is a legend but Krishna Dhawan is not . Madhubala is a legend but Fariyal is not . Helen is a legend but Lakshmi Chhaya is not .

It is one thing to proclaim his / her acting institute as the most famous acting school of Mumbai , or the most famous acting institute of India , or the most famous acting academy of bollywood , but it is totally different to become the real one . One can blow one’s own rickety and rotten trumpet and proclaim to run the most famous acting school of the world . But this cacophony will not succeed . Time has come and dust is settling down . Soon , very soon , everything will be clear . Till then , abuse me profusely you uncouth morons . It shows your class and upbringing .

I thank God that for becoming famous or for self-glorification  VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters   is not resorting to such tactics .

God is kind . God is great .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Vidur’s Film Diary – April 2013

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           MAY  03 , 2013          11.35 P.M.

Month of April started with a surprise hit ” Chashme Baddoor ” . For the first time in the history of Indian cinema two films ; the original ” Chashme Buddoor ” and the new ” Chashme Baddoor ” got simultaneous theatrical release and the new version became hit and got appreciation from the critics and public alike .

Tweets

Tweets of eminent trade analysts Mr. Komal Nahta and Mr. Taran Adarsh , which I re-tweet , present the current and authentic trend of film industry :

Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta30 Mar

#Himmatwala day 1 net collections 10.5 cr. Considering super wide release & good Friday holiday, collections are below the mark.

Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta31 Mar

#Himmatwala collections drop badly. Day 2: Rs. 7.5 crore only. Total: Rs. 18 crore only. Sunday collections below d mark..

Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta 2 Apr

Expected loss in HIMMATWALA: Rs. 20 crore at least. May be more!

Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta5 Apr

CHASHME BADDOOR is a fair entertainer for the young at heart. Read my complete review at http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/04/05/chashme-baddoor-review/ …

 Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta5 Apr

For those of u who want to read my review of CHASHME BADDOOR in Hindi, u can do so at http://www.bbc.co.uk/hindi/entertainment/2013/04/130405_chashme_baddoorreview_pkp.shtml …

 Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta10h

Early estimates suggest that day one for #chashmebaddoor is 5~ 5.25cr!

 Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta10h

First day net collection of #Commando Rs 3.75 cr. & #NautankiSaala Rs. 3.25

1. Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta 2h

   Ek thi Dayaan: fri – 5.25 cr. Collections on the lower side considering that it stars Emraan Hashmi.

1. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5 Apr

   #Himmatwala collected approx. Rs 44.89 cr nett in Week 1. Rejected!
2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5 Apr

   #MereDadKiMaruti [3rd Week]: 1.05 cr to 1.10 cr. Grand total: approx Rs. 12.20 cr to 12.25 cr.
3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5 Apr

   Update: #ChashmeBaddoor has fairly good start… Respectable [weekend] total on the cards! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/update/id/317/date/2013-04-05 …
4. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

   #ChashmeBaddoor is off to a super start in India. North India and Mumbai circuits leading. Even mass-dominated belt very good!
5. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 4h

   #ChashmeBaddoor *early estimates* should cross 5.5 cr. May even touch 6 cr. Data still pouring in. Super start!

1. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 7h

   #ChashmeBaddoor *revised total* Fri 5.18 cr, Sat 6.27 cr, Sun 7.85 cr, Mon 3.30 cr. Total: Rs 22.60 cr. Rock-steady!

1. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 12 Apr

   #MereDadKiMaruti collected approx. Rs 34 lacs in Week 4. Grand total: Rs 12.54 cr. Above average.

   taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 11 Apr

   #NautankiSaala review: Uncontaminated, witty, amusing. Offers an interesting premise with plenty of good laughs! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/563926 …
2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 12 Apr

   Update: #NautankiSaala decent at plexes, #Commando lead at single screens! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/update/id/318 …

   taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

   #NautankiSaala Fri 3.25 cr. Picked up at plexes of urban centres.
3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 12 Apr

   #ChashmeBaddoor collected approx. Rs 30 cr nett in Week 1 [domestic BO]. The Overseas total stands at approx. Rs 5 cr. HIT.

   taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

   #Commando Fri 3.75 cr. Excellent at single screens of mass circuits.

   taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

   #ChashmeBaddoor [2nd Week] Fri 1.50 cr. Total: 31.50 cr.

   2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 15 Apr

      #ChashmeBaddoor collected approx Rs 6 cr nett in Weekend 2. Breakup: Fri 1.50 cr, Sat 2 cr, Sun 2.50 cr. Grand total: Rs 36 cr nett. Hit.
   3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 15 Apr

      #Commando collected approx Rs 11.18 cr nett in its opening weekend. Breakup: Fri 3.69 cr, Sat 3.39 cr, Sun 4.10 cr.
   4. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 15 Apr

      #NautankiSaala collected approx Rs 13.25 cr nett in its opening weekend. Breakup: Fri 3.25 cr, Sat 4.75 cr, Sun 5.25 cr.

      1. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 3h

         #EkThiDaayan collected approx Rs 18.07 cr in its opening weekend. Breakup: Fri 6.24 cr, Sat 5.63 cr, Sun 6.20 cr.

         taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 26 Apr

         #Shree movie review: Has a fascinating premise, but the erratic writing plays the spoilsport! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/590335 …

         2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

            One of those rare Fridays when two new releases have notched solid numbers. Good films can co-exist, #Aashiqui2 and #IronMan3 prove it!
         3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 5h

            #IronMan3 is on a record-smashing spree. Numbers being compiled, but it’s a stupendous start. Biggest Hollywood opener? Let’s wait!
         4. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 6h

            #Aashiqui2 has had a fantastic start. Though numbers still being compiled, it’s one of the biggest starts for a film starring newcomers!

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Obituary :

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P. B.Sreenivas  : 

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A Legendary playback singer P. B. Sreenivas a.k.a. PBS died on April 14, 2013 in Chennai . He made his début in 1952 in Gemini’s Hindi film “ Mr Sampat ”, where his song “Aji hum Bharat ki naari”, a duet with Geeta Dutt, became popular.

He sang his most popular duet in Hindi “Chanda Se Hoga Wo Pyaara” with Lata Mangeshkar in the film “ Main Bhi Ladki Hoon ” in 1964 . Years later , after a gap of 37 years , he again came to Hindi film and sang super-hit number ” Kaisi Hai Ye Rut Ki Jisme Phool Banke Dil Khile ” in ” Dil Chahta Hai ” [ 2001 ] .

Though PBS had hit numbers in all the languages that he sang, it was in the Kannada Film Industry that he sang the highest number of songs and delivered the highest number of hits. P. B. Sreenivas ruled the Kannada Industry for over three decades and was the voice for Super Star Dr. Rajkumar .

Posting link of the blog , which I wrote about him :

Kamal N. Chaturvedi ‏@VidurChaturvedi 18 Apr

P. B. Sreenivas : The Golden Voice Is No More http://wp.me/ptyXI-2Sj

Shamshad Begum :

——————————-

Iconic playback singer Shamshad Begum died in Mumbai on April 23 , 2013 at the age of 94 .

Posting link of the blog , which I wrote about her  :

1. Kamal N. Chaturvedi ‏@VidurChaturvedi 1h

   Shamshad Begum : छोड़ बाबुल का घर, आज पी के नगर, मोहे जाना पड़ा http://wp.me/ptyXI-2TF

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New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

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First Week – April 05

————————————————

1 – Chashme Baddoor …………………………………………………. Ayaz Khan

………………………………………………………………………………. Divyendu Sharma

2 – Rise of the Zombie ………………………………………………… X

Second Week – April 12

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1 – Commando – A One Man Army………………………………… X

2 – Nautanki Saala …………………………………………………….. Krishan Kumar

Third Week – April 19

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1 – Ek Thi Daayan …………………………………………………….. Emraan Hashmi

…………………………………………………………………………….. Kalki Koechlin

2 – Saanwariya ………………………………………………………… Ashmit Patel

Fourth Week  – April 26

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1 – Aashiqui 2 …………………………………………………………. Krishan Kumar

2 – Shree ……………………………………………………………….. Hussain Kuwajerwala

3 – Kya Yaaron ……………………………………………………….. X

4 – Life Mein HUngama Hai ……………………………………….. X

 

 

In total …………… 10 …………….. films got released in April . Out of these ………….. 10 ………… released films ……….. 06 ………… films have …………… 07 ……………. persons , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 07 ……… persons , Krishan Kumar is the Co-Producer of  ” Nautanki Sala  ” and ” Aashiqui 2 “ .

Remaining ………. 06 ………. are actors .

 

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New Regional Films & Me :

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1 – Telugu : Sirish Allu  is making his debut in ” Gauravam “.

My ………….. 01 ………………. student in ……….. 01 ………….. regional film .

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TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Aamir Ali  is playing an important role in   ” Jhilmil Sitaaron Ka Aangan Hoga “ on Sahara One .

2 – Gaurav S. Bajaj is playing lead in ” Kaisa Ye Ishq Hai , Ajab Sa Risk Hai “ on Life OK .

3 – Rajnish Gore is playing a role in ” Chidiya Ghar “ on SAB TV .

4 – Sachin Chhabra is playing an important role in ” Ek Ghar Banaunga “ on Star Plus .

My ……………. 04 ……….. students in ………… 04 ……………. shows on different channels .

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Theatre & Me :

======================

1 – Viraf Patel is playing an important role in ” Bombay Talkies ” .

My ……………… 01 ……………… student in ………………… 01 …………….. play .

 

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Commercials & Me :

=======================

1 – Hritik Roshan is the brand ambassador of Mountain Dew of PepsiCo .

2 – Mahima Chaudhary is the brand ambassador of Pioneer Herbals .

My ………….. 02 …………… student in …………… 02 …………… commercial campaigns .

I am happy as an acting trainer or acting tutor because my 07 students appeared in 06 films , 04 students in 04 TV serials , 01 student in 01 regional film , 01 student in 01 play and 02 students appeared in 02 Ads also . Thus total number of my students working in the month of April comes to 15 . On the contrary self-proclaimed most famous acting school of Mumbai , self-anointed most famous acting institute of India and self-appointed most famous acting academy of bollywood are busy celebrating blink and miss roles of their alumni .

I congratulate all my above mentioned students on behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . May they shine in their chosen field . May , through their endeavour , VIDUR Acting Institute will one day become one of the most famous acting institutes of the world .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

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Shamshad Begum : छोड़ बाबुल का घर, आज पी के नगर, मोहे जाना पड़ा

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 30 , 2013           07.00 P.M.

Shamshad Begum

April 14, 1919 – April 23, 2013

Shamshad Begum was one of the first playback singers in the Hindi film industry. She had sung over 6000 songs in Hindi , Bengali, Marathi, Gujarati, Tamil and Punjabi languages. Her songs from the 1940s to the early 1970s remain popular and continue to be remixed.

Young Shamshad Begum

Shamshad Begum died this month on April 23 , 2013 at the age of 94 and I am forced to write 7th obituary in continuation in the month of April . Shamshad Begum , along with Noor Jahan and Amirbai Karnataki , dominated the pre-Lata Mangeshkar era in Indian playback singing .

Among female playback singers , She was blessed with a distinct voice with slight nasal twang and any lover of Hindi film music can immediately recognize her voice .

Since I was born and brought up in the Lata Mangeshkar era , I was not a fan of Shamshad Begum’s voice initially. But slowly , as my understanding grew , I started appreciating her voice .

The first song of hers , which caught my fancy , was ” Pee Ke Ghar Aaj Pyari Dulhaniya Chali ” . This ” Mother India ” [ 1957 ] song was immensely popular . Other songs of the same film ; ” Holi Ayee Re Kanhayi Rang Chhalke Suna De Zara Bansuri ” and ” Gadiwale Gadi Dheere Haank Re “ are also hit even today . Then I watched ” Mughal – E – Azam ” [ 1960] and its immortal qawwali is still fresh in my mind . ” Teri Mehfil Me Qismat Azma Ke Hum Bhi Dekhenge “ is a connoisseur’s delight . Then I watched ” Aan ” [ 1952 ] and I was permanently hooked to Shamshad Begum’s voice . All her popular songs , like ; ” Aag Lagi Tan Man Me Dil Ko Pada Thamna , Ram Jaane Kab Hoga Saiyyan Ji Ka Samna ” and ” Khelo Rang Hamare Sang Aaj Din Rang Rangeela Aaya “ are still my favourites . But ” C. I. D. ” [ 1956 ] was another revelation . ” Le Ke Pehla Pehla Pyaar , Bhar Ke Aankhon Me Khumar ” and ” Kahin Pe Nigahen Kahin Pe Nishana , Jeene Do Zalim Banao Na Deewana “ are just immortal . It is surprising that I heard her most popular song very late in my life . ” Mere Piya Gaye Rangoon Kiya Hai Wahan Se Telefoon , Tumhari Yaad Satati Hai “ . This song from ” Patanga ” [ 1949 ] is unforgettable and its several re-mixed versions are still extremely popular . ” Naya Daur ” [ 1957 ] film’s ” Reshmi Salwar Kurta Jaali Ka “ was a craze of its time . Her last hit  ” Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon Me Aisa Dala “  from ” Kismat ” [ 1969 ] is one of the songs which was re-mixed again & again .

Shamshad Begum’s career was somewhat eclipsed with the advent of Lata Mangeshkar . She sang her first duet ” Dar Na Mohabbat Kar Le “ with Lata Mangeshkar in ” Andaz ” [ 1949 ] and her last duet with Lata Mangeshkar was ” Teri Mehfil Me Qismat Azma Kar Hum Bhi Dekhenge “ from ” Mughal – E – Azam ” [ 1960 ] . Within these 13 years Shamshad Begum’s career went downhill and after giving her last hit ” Kajra Mohabbatwala “ in 1969 , she bid adieu to playback singing .

Some Famous Songs of Shamshad Begum :

• Leke pehla pehla pyar, (CID 1956), (music: O.P. Nayyar)
• Milte hi aankhen dil hua, (Duet with Talat Mehmood), (Babul), (music: Naushad)
• Chali chali kaisi yeh hawa yeh, (Duet with Usha Mangeshkar), (Bluffmaster 1965), (music: Kalyanji Anandji)
• Kabhi aar kabhi paar lagathi re nazar, (Aar Paar), (music: O.P. Nayyar)
• O Gadiwale Dheere – Mother India – Naushad
• Kahin pe nigahen kahin pe nishana – CID (1956) – music O.P. Nayyar
• Boojh Mera Kya Naam Re – (1956) – music O.P.Nayyar
• Mere piya gaye Rangoon – Patanga – music C.Ramchandra
• Ek Tera Sahara – Shama – music Master Ghulam Haider
• Holi aayee re Kanhaai – Mother India (1957) – Lyrics: Shakeel Badayuni, Music: Naushad
• Naina Bhar aye neer – Humayun – music Master Ghulam Haider
• Nazar Phero Na Humse -(Duet with G M Durani) – Deedar (1951) – music Naushad
• Chod Babul Ka Ghar – Babul – music Naushad
• Kajra Mohabbatwala Ankhiyon mein Aisa dala (Duet with Asha Bhosle) – Kismat (1968) – Music: O.P. Nayyar
• Meri neendon main tum, meri khwabon mein tum (Duet with Kishore Kumar) – Naya Andaz – Music: O.P.Nayyar
• Teri Mehfil Mein Qismat (Duet with Lata Mangeshkar) – Mughal-E-Azam
• Saiyan Dil mein aana re – Bahar
• Reshmi salwar kurta jaali da – Naya Daur
• Milte Hai Ankhen Dil Deewana Hua Kisika – Babul – with Talat Mahmood
• Kisike Dil Mein Rehna Tha – Babul – with Lata
• Dharti Ko Aakash Pukare – Mela – with Mukesh
• do teen aaja mausam hai rangeen – Awara

Shamshad Begum’s fans often allege that her career suffered because of the monopolistic politics of Lata Mangeshkar . I beg to differ . Shamshad Begum played her innings and retired gracefully . Her career suffered because of the changing times and changing taste of film-goers . Talat Memood’s career went downhill with the advent of Mohammad Rafi . Even mighty Mohammed Rafi , towards the end of his career , was confined in his home for many years without recording a single song and Kishore Kumar ruled that era . In the field of art such things happen .

Her distinct style , her nasal twang and her strong voice , which was her forte in the earlier years of her career , became her nemesis towards the end . It is not for nothing that towards the fag-end of her career , her voice was used for vamps and her last hit ” Kajra Mohabbatwala “ in ” Kismat ” [ 1969 ] was filmed on Vishwajeet , who was masquerading as woman in the said film .

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , I offer my condolences to the family of the iconic singer . Self-proclaimed most famous acting school of Mumbai , self-anointed most famous acting institute of India and self-appointed most famous acting academy of bollywood has no time for such courtesy .

Shamshad Begum

May her soul rest in peace ! Her ephemeral body is gone but her perennial voice , the temple bell , will live on forever .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

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P. B. Sreenivas : The Golden Voice Is No More

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 18, 2013           00.50 A.M.

Legendary playback singer P. B. Sreenivas a.k.a. PBS died on April 14, 2013 in Chennai at the age of 82 .

P. B. Sreenivas

He made his début in 1952 in Gemini’s Hindi film “ Mr Sampat ”, where his song “Aji hum Bharat ki naari”, a duet with Geeta Dutt, became popular. I still remember ” Mr. Sampat “ because of the sterling performance of Late Moti Lal , who played the lead in the film . He played a con man and played it with such aplomb , that his sherwani clad persona with swagger in his walk is still etched in my memory and his histrionics is still fresh . Though I had forgotten the above mentioned song .

PBS sang his most popular duet in Hindi “ Chanda Se Hoga Wo Pyaara , Phoolon Se Hoga Wo Nyara ; Naachega Aangan Men Chham Chham , Nanha Sa Munna Hamara ” with Lata Mangeshkar in the film “ Main Bhi Ladki Hoon ” in 1964 . Music director of this song was Chitragupta and lyrics were written by Rajendra Krishan . It is sad that till recently I was under impression that the male voice in this song is of Hemant Kumar . It is only after the death of PBS that I got to know through the newspaper articles that the male singer in this song is P. B. Sreenivas and not Hemant Kumar .

This film was made by A.V.M. studio Chennai and it had Meena Kumari and Dharmendra in stellar role . Balraj Sahni , Om Prakash , Manorama and Bhagwan Dada also starred in the film . Meena Kumari’s enchanting persona and this melodious song is still remembered by the connoisseurs of Hindi cinema . ” Main Bhi Ladki Hoon “ is unforgettable even today .

Lata Mangeshkar as a young woman (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Meena Kumari (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Dharmendra (Photo credit: Kaddele)

Though PBS had hit numbers in all the languages that he sang, it was in the Kannada Film Industry that he sang the highest number of songs and delivered the highest number of hits. P. B. Sreenivas ruled the Kannada Industry for over three decades and was the voice for Super Star Dr. Rajkumar . His first song for Rajkumar was in 1956 film ” Ohileshwara “ . He , later on , sang almost 300 hit songs for the Kannada Super Star .

In the Tamil industry, his maximum number of songs are for Gemini Ganesan. The most memorable hit of this duo was ‘Nilave ennidam nerungathe’.

 

Gemini Ganesan in the 1947 Tamil film Miss Malini (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

 

 

Gemini Ganesan & PBS

He had sung for other actors as well but incidentally, he had sung very few songs for M. G. Ramachandran and Sivaji Ganesan .

Legend of Kannada cinema industry, Dr. Rajkumar. This was clicked in his residence on Oct 1993. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

With Dr. Rajkumar

Almost all his Kannada songs became famous and though he sang in many languages , he is considered a Kannadiga playback singer .

Most famous acting school of Mumbai , or most famous acting institute of India , or most famous acting academy of bollywood will not recognise him . They are oblivious of his contribution . God bless them !

On behalf of all the students and staff of  VIDUR Acting Institute , which is known as  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , I offer my heartfelt condolences .

May eternal peace be bestowed on him !

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

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www.facebook.com/vidur.chaturvedi

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Related articles

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• Missing PBS. Wishing Pran. (tcrcindia.wordpress.com)

Phalke Award ……………….. And Pran

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 16 , 2013           00.10 A.M.

I was happy to read the news that Pran Saheb was awarded Dada Saheb Phalke Award 2012 . As a veteran actor , who has worked in more than 400 films , he deserved much better . He should have got the award long back . But Pran Saheb , the gentleman villain of Hindi film industry got it very late . If you count his active years in films , he stands second in the hierarchy . Dev Anand [ Hum Ek Hain - 1946 to Chargesheet - 2011 === 113 films === 65 active years ] . Pran [ Yamla Jat - 1940 to Kiska Dosh - 2003 === 400 films === 63 active years ] . Legendary Ashok Kumar comes third . From [ Jeevan Naiya - 1936 to Aankhon Me Tum Ho - 1997 === 301 films === 61 active years ] . These three are the only Indian actors who can boast of such long and illustrious innings in Hindi films . In seniority he is second and second only to Ashok Kumar . Dilip Kumar , Dev Anand and Raj Kapoor came much later .

I have seen his films and in his films invariably Pran Saheb’s name used to come at the end . He used to be billed as ……………. and Pran . It is uncanny that this happened to him this time also .

Pran (Photo credit: Kaddele)

In his prolific career , he did more than 400 films . I am fortunate that I have seen more than100 films of Pran Saheb . I am posting names of important films of his career .

1940s

• Yamla Jat (1940)
• Chaudhry (1941)
• Khajanchi (1941)
• Khandaan (1942)
• Sahara (1943)
• Dasi (1944)
• Kaise Kahun (1945)
• Ragini (1945)
• Pardesi Balam (1945)
• Badnami (1946)
• Khamosh Nigahen (1946)
• Paraye Bas Mein (1946)
• Rehana (1946)
• Shahi Lutera (194?)
• Gupt Raj (194?)
• Do Saudagar (194?)
• Arsi (1947)
• Mohini (1947)
• But Tarash (1947)
• Barsat Ki Ek Raat (1948)
• Birhan (1948)
• Chunaria (1948)
• Nek Dil (1948)
• Ziddi (1948)
• Grahasti (1948)
• Aparadhi (1949)
• Badi Bahen (1949)
• Roshani (1949)
• Janmapatri (1949)
• Rakhi (1949)

1950s

• Biwi (1950)
• Putli (1950)
• Lajawab (1950)
• Sangeeta (1950)
• Sheesh Mahal (1950)
• Afsana (1951)
• Bahar (1951)
• Daman (1951)
• Sabz Baag (1951)
• Pyar ki baaten (1951)
• Bewafaa (1951)
• Chham Chhama Chham (1952)
• Sanskar (1952)
• Sindbad The Sailor (1952)
• Zamane Ki Hawa (1952)
• Moti Mahal (1952)
• Aah (1953)
• Alif Laila (1953)
• Ansoo (1953)
• Baagi (1953)
• Farmaish (1953)
• Malkin (1953)
• Rahbar (1953)
• Biraj Bahu (1954)
• Pehli Jhalak (1954)
• Pilpili Saheb (1954)
• Sheeshe Ki Diwar (1954)
• Angaarey (1954)
• Lakeeren (1954)
• Meenar (1954)
• Toofan (1954)
• Aab-e-Hayat (1955)
• Amanat (1955)
• Azad (1955)
• Baradari (1955)
• Chingari (1955)
• Bahu (1955)
• Jashan (1955)
• Kundan (1955)
• Munimji (1955)
• Devdas (1956)
• Aan Baan (1956)
• Chori Chori (1956)
• Hum Sab Chor Hain (1956)
• Hotel (1956)
• Halaku (1956)
• Kar Bhala (1956)
• Inspector* (1956)
• Naya Andaz (1956)
• Tankhah (1956)
• Ek Jhalak (1957)
• Miss India (1957)
• Asha (1957)
• Champakali (1957)
• Tumsa Nahin Dekha (1957)
• Mr.X (1957)
• Chandu (1958)
• Adalat (1958)
• Amar Deep (1958)
• Daughter Of Sindbad (1958)
• Madhumati (1958)
• Raj Tilak (1958)
• Chandan (1958)
• Bedard Zamana Kya Jaane (1959)
• Daaka (1959)
• Do Gunde (1959)
• Guest House (1959)
• Madam X.Y.Z. (1959)
• Pyar Ki Rahen (1959)
• Jaalsaaz (1959)

1960s

• Basant (1960)
• Bewaqoof (1960)
• Chhalia (1960)
• Delhi Junction (1960)
• Gambler (1960)
• Jis Desh Men Ganga Behti Hai (1960)
• Maa Baap (1960)
• Trunk Call (1960)
• Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai (1961)
• Dil Tera Diwana (1962)
• Half Ticket (1962)
• Manmauji (1962)
• Jhoola (1962)
• Bluff Master (1963)
• Phir Wohi Dil Laya Hoon (1963)
• Ek Raaz (1963)
• Mere Armaan,Mere Sapne (1963)
• Dil Hi To Hai (1963)
• Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (1963)
• Mere Mehboob (1963)
• Door Ki Awaz (1964)
• Ishara (1964)
• Kashmir Ki Kali (1964)
• Pooja Ke Phool (1964)
• Rajkumar (1964)
• Do Dil (1965)
• Khandan (1965)
• Gumnaam (1965)
• Mere Sanam (1965)
• Shaheed (1965)
• Teesra Kaun (1965)
• Biradari (1966)
• Dus Lakh (1966)
• Do Badan (1966)
• Dil Diya Dard Liya (1966)
• Sawan Ki Ghata (1966)
• Love in Tokyo (1966)
• An Evening In Paris (1967)
• Around The World (1967)
• Patthar Ke Sanam (1967)
• Ram Aur Shyam (1967)
• Aurat (1967)
• Milan (1967)
• Upkar (1967)
• Safar (1968)
• Aadmi (1968)
• Brahmchari (1968)
• Kahin Din Kahin Raat (1968)
• Sadhu Aur Shaitan (1968)
• Muskurahat (1968)*
• Anjaana (1969)
• Aansoo Ban Gaye Phool (1969)
• Bhai Bahan (1969)
• Madhvi (1969)
• Nanha Farishta (1969)
• Tum Se Achcha Kaun Hai (1969)
• Pyar Hi Pyar (1969)
• Sacchai (1969)

1970s

• Bhai Bhai (1970)
• Ganwaar (1970)
• Tum Haseen Main Jawaan (1970)
• Gopi (1970)
• Heer Raanjha (1970)
• Humjoli (1970)
• Johny Mera Naam (1970)
• Kab Kyon Aur Kahan (1970)
• Nanak Dukhiya Sab Sansar (1970)
• Purab Aur Paschim (1970)
• Samaj Ko Badal Dalo (1970)
• Yaadgaar (1970)
• Guddi (1971)
• Johar Mehmood In Hong Kong (1971)
• Jawan Mohabbat (1971)
• Jwala (1971)
• Lakhon Mein Ek (1971)
• Naya Zamana (1971)
• Maryada (1971)
• Adhikaar (1971)
• Parde Ke Piche (1971)
• Ganga Tera Pani Amrit” (1971)
• Preetam (1972)
• Aan Baan (1972)
• Aankhon Aankhon Mein (1972)
• Be-Imaan (1972)
• Buniyaad (1972)
• Ek Bechara (1972)
• Jangal Me Mangal (1972)
• Parichay (1972)
• Roop Tera Mastana (1972)
• Victoria No. 203 (1972)
• Sazaa (1972)
• Yeh Gulistan Hamara (1972)
• Zanjeer (1973)
• Bobby (1973)
• Ek Kunwari Ek Kunwara (1973)
• Ek Mutthi Asmaan (1973)
• Dharma (1973)
• Jugnu (1973)
• Gaddaar (1973)
• Insaaf (1973)
• Jeewan Rahasya (Bengali) (1973)
• Joshila (1973)
• Jheel Ke Us Paar (1973)
• Rikshawala ( 1973)
• Panch Dushman (1973)
• Kasauti (1973)
• Jeewan Rekha (1974)
• Majboor (1974)
• Zehreela Insaan (1974)
• Chori Mera Kaam (1975)
• Do Jhooth (1975)
• Lafange (1975)
• Sanyasi (1975)
• Zinda Dil (1975)
• Warrant (1975)
• Dus Numbri (1976)
• Khalifa (1976)
• Shankar Dada (1976)
• Amar Akbar Anthony (1977 )
• Chandi Sona (1977)
• Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1977)
• Dharam Veer (1977)
• Hatyara (1977)
• Chor Ho To Aisa (1978)
• Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)
• Des Pardes (1978) – Samir Sahni
• Do Musafir (1978)
• Don (1978)
• Ganga Ki Saugandh (1978)
• Kala Aadmi (1978)
• Khoon Ki Pukar (1978)
• Phaansi (1978)
• Rahu Ketu (1978)
• Vishwanath (1978)
• Atmaram (1979)
• Teen Chehrey (1979)

1980s

• Aap Ke Deewane (1980)
• Bombay 405 Miles (1980)
• Desh Drohi (1980)
• Dhan Daulat (1980)
• Dostana (1980)
• Jwalamukhi (1980)
• Jal Mahal (1980)
• Karz (1980)
• Patthar Se Takkar (1980)
• Khuda Kasam (1980)
• Zalim (1980)
• Kaalia (1981)
• Khoon Ka Rishta (1981)
• Krodhi (1981)
• Ladies’ Tailor (1981)
• Naseeb (1981)
• Man Gaye Ustad (1981)
• Waqt Ki Deewar (1981)
• Jiyo Aur Jeene Do (1982)
• Takdir Ka Badshah (1982)
• Partner (1982)
• Taaqat (1982)
• Andha Kanoon (1983)
• Daulat Ke Dushman (1983)
• Ek Jaan Hain Hum (1983)
• Film Hi Film (1983)
• Janwar (1983)
• Laalach (1983)
• Naukar Biwi Ka (1983)
• Souten (1983)
• Woh Jo Hasina (1983)
• Nastik (1983)
• Bade Dilwala (1984)
• Insaaf Kaun Karega (1984)
• Farishta (1984)
• Haisiyat (1984)
• Jagir (1984)
• Laila (1984)
• Raja Aur Rana (1984)
• Rajtilak (1984)
• Duniya (1984)
• Sohni Mahiwal (1984)
• Sharaabi (1984)
• Inquilab (1984)
• Durga (1985)
• Hoshiyar (1985)
• Bewafai (1985)
• Karamyudh (1985)
• Maa Kasam (1985)
• Sarfarosh (1985)
• Yudh (1985)
• Paatal Bhairavi (1985)
• Dosti Dushmani (1986)
• Dilwala (1986)
• Dharam Adhikari (1986)
• Jeeva (1986)
• Love & God (1986)
• Ricky (1986)
• Suhaagan (1986)
• Dilruba Tangewali (1987)
• Goraa (1987)
• Insaf Kaun Karega (1987)
• Imaandar (1987)
• Kudrat Ka Kanoon (1987)
• Hifazat (1986)
• Muqaddar Ka Faisla (1987)
• Maa Beti (1987)
• Sitapur Ki Gita (1987)
• Dharam Shatru (1988)
• Paap Ki Duniya (1988)
• Sherni (1988)
• Aurat Teri Yahi Kahani (1988)
• Dharma Yudh (1988)
• Gunahon Ka Faisla (1988)
• Kasam (1988)
• Shahenshah (1988)
• Mohabbat Ke Dushman (1988)
• Ram O Rama (1988)
• Bade Ghar Ki Beti (1989)
• Chingari (1989)
• Jaadugar (1989)
• Mitti Aur Sona (1989)
• Nigahen (1989)
• Shukriya (1989)
• Toofan (1989)
• Zooni (1989)

1990s

• Azaad Desh Ke Ghulam (1990)
• Pyar Ka Toofan (1990)
• Roti Ki Keemat (1990)
• Sanam Bewafaa (1990)
• Lakshman Rekha (1991)
• Banjaran (1991)
• Jigarwala (1991)
• Mashooq (1992)
• Meera Ka Mohan (1992)
• Do Hanson Ka Joda (1992)
• Bewafa Se Wafa (1992)
• Panah (1992)
• Isi Ka Naam Zindagi (1992)
• Chandramukhi (1993)
• Dosti Ki Saugandh (1993)
• Gurudev (1993)
• Kohra (1993)
• Aaja Meri Jaan (1993)
• Bhagyawaan (1993)
• 1942: A Love Story (1994)
• Hum Hain Bemisal (1994)
• Saajan Ki Bahon Mein (1995)
• Vaapsi saajan Ki (1995)
• Lalchi (1996)
• Dadagiri (1997)
• Gudia (1997)
• Lakha (1997)
• Luv Kush (1997)
• Kaun Rokega Mujhe (1997)
• Mrityudaata (1997)
• Salma Pe Dil Aa Gaya (1997)
• Badmash (1998)
• Tere Mere Sapne (1999)
• Jai Hind (1999)

2000s

• Dosh (2002)
• Ek Hidustani (2002)
• Mohabbat Pehli Nazar Mein (2002)
• Suryakant (2002)
• Tum Jiyo Hazaron Saal (2002)
• Deewan Tere Pyar ka (2003)
• Kiska Dosh (2003)

If my memory is not failing me , the first movie of Pran Saheb , which I watched was ” Khandan ” [ 1965 ] . It was in Vijay Talkies , Deoria and perhaps the year was 1966 . Same year I watched ” Dil Diya Dard Liya “ and my admiration for Pran Saheb , in the garb of hate , began . Next year I watched ” Ram Aur Shyam ” [ 1967 ] in Pushparaj Talkies , Allahabad and it fortified my admiration for him and since then I am a die-hard fan of this legendary actor .

I may not be running most famous acting school of Mumbai , or most famous acting institute of India or most famous acting class of bollywood or most famous acting academy of world but I think it is my duty to offer my greetings to the legend .

I congratulate Pran Saheb on behalf of all the students and staff of Vidur Acting Institute , which is known as  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . May God give long and healthy life to the legend called Pran Krishna Sikand , a.k.a. Pran.

Dada Saheb Phalke Award was instituted in 1969 . Till date 43 luminaries have got this prestigious award . Pran Saheb is 44th .

Devika Rani got it in 1969

…………………….. and  Pran in 2012

[ List of his flms is being re-produced from Wikipedia . I express profound gratitude . ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.facebook.com/VidursKreatingCharacters

www.facebook.com/vidur.chaturvedi

www.vidurfilms.com

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Roger Ebert – A Film Critic With Poet’s Heart

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 11 , 2013           04.35 P.M.

Roger Ebert Memorial Portrait (Photo credit: faithmouse)

Roger Ebert , the renowned US film critic and TV anchor , who was almost as famous as many of the Hollywood stars , died on April 04 , 2013 aged 70. It is sad that I got introduced to his world very late in my life . I am thankful to internet that I could know him intimately through his blogs , his twitter-handle and his hugely popular columns in newspapers . Now I do follow him on twitter but it all started recently . It all began just now .

Roger Ebert, American Film Critic. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Roger Joseph Ebert

June 18, 1942 – April 4, 2013

” No good film is too long and no bad movie is short enough ”.

Roger Ebert was an American journalist, film critic, and screenwriter . He was a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death . In 1975, he was the first film critic to win the Pulitzer Prize for Criticism, an award given to newspaper writers . As of 2010, his reviews were syndicated to more than 200 newspapers in the United States and abroad . Ebert also published more than 20 books and dozens of collections of reviews .

Described as a “critic with the soul of a poet” Roger Ebert was named the most powerful critic in America by Forbes in 2007.

Writing on his blog on Tuesday i.e. April 02 , 2013 , he said he planned to take a “leave of presence”. He explained: “It means I am not going away. My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me. I’ll be able at last to do what I’ve always fantasized about doing : reviewing only the movies I want to review.”

But two days later on April 04 , 2013 , he died early in the afternoon at the Rehabilitation Institute of Chicago.

Ebert, a guest lecturer at the University of Chicago, was said to have been “prolific, almost to the point of disbelief” with the weekend section of the Sun-Times often featuring as many as nine of his interviews, profiles and reviews.

His work included interviews and profiles of notable actors and directors in addition to his reviews – celebrating such legends as Alfred Hitchcock, John Wayne and Robert Mitchum.

In 1969 he took a leave of absence from the Sun-Times to write the screenplay of ” Beyond the Valley of the Dolls “ for Russ Meyer .

Cover of Beyond the Valley of the Dolls

He also found television fame on Sneak Previews on PBS . It made Ebert a household name along with fellow critic Gene Siskel – who died in 1999 .  Ebert’s television career was curtailed in 2002 when he was diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer. He was unable to speak and eat after further surgery in 2006.

Movie critic Gene Siskel at the Governor’s Ball party after the 1989 Academy Awards, March 29, 1989 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Writing his last blog this week in April 2013 he said: “It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital . So, on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.”

His thumbs up and thumbs down reviews were very famous among the connoisseurs of cinema , who read his column or watched his show .

Thumbs down : Classic Ebert reviews :

Stargate (1994) “The movie Ed Wood, about the worst director of all time, was made to prepare us for Stargate.”

Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen (2009) “If you want to save yourself the ticket price, go into the kitchen, cue up a male choir singing the music of hell, and get a kid to start banging pots and pans together. Then close your eyes and use your imagination.”

Battlefield Earth (2000) “Battlefield Earth is like taking a bus trip with someone who has needed a bath for a long time. It’s not merely bad; it’s unpleasant in a hostile way

Armageddon (1998) “No matter what they’re charging to get in, it’s worth more to get out.”

North (1994) “I hated this movie. Hated, hated, hated, hated, hated this movie. Hated it. Hated every simpering stupid vacant audience-insulting moment of it. Hated the sensibility that thought anyone would like it. Hated the implied insult to the audience by its belief that anyone would be entertained by it.”

His last blog amplifies his persona in the best possible way . I am re-producing the whole piece from his website :

A Leave of Presence

by Roger Ebert

April 2, 2013   |   1032

Thank you. Forty-six years ago on April 3, 1967, I became the film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times. Some of you have read my reviews and columns and even written to me since that time. Others were introduced to my film criticism through the television show, my books, the website, the film festival, or the Ebert Club and newsletter.  However you came to know me, I’m glad you did and thank you for being the best readers any film critic could ask for.

Typically, I write over 200 reviews a year for the Sun-Times that are carried by Universal Press Syndicate in some 200 newspapers. Last year, I wrote the most of my career, including 306 movie reviews, a blog post or two a week, and assorted other articles. I must slow down now, which is why I’m taking what I like to call “a leave of presence.”

What in the world is a leave of presence? It means I am not going away. My intent is to continue to write selected reviews but to leave the rest to a talented team of writers handpicked and greatly admired by me. What’s more, I’ll be able at last to do what I’ve always fantasized about doing: reviewing only the movies I want to review.

At the same time, I am re-launching the new and improved Rogerebert.com and taking ownership of the site under a separate entity, Ebert Digital, run by me, my beloved wife, Chaz, and our brilliant friend, Josh Golden of Table XI. Stepping away from the day-to-day grind will enable me to continue as a film critic for the Chicago Sun-Times, and roll out other projects under the Ebert brand in the coming year.

Ebertfest, my annual film festival, celebrating its 15th year, will continue at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign, my alma mater and home town, April 17-21. In response to your repeated requests to bring back the TV show “At the Movies,” I am launching a fundraising campaign via Kickstarter in the next couple of weeks. And gamers beware, I am even thinking about a movie version of a video game or mobile app. Once completed, you can engage me in debate on whether you think it is art.

And I continue to cooperate with the talented filmmaker Steve James on the bio-documentary he, Steve Zaillian and Martin Scorsese are making about my life. I am humbled that anyone would even think to do it, but I am also grateful.

Of course, there will be some changes. The immediate reason for my “leave of presence” is my health. The “painful fracture” that made it difficult for me to walk has recently been revealed to be a cancer. It is being treated with radiation, which has made it impossible for me to attend as many movies as I used to. I have been watching more of them on screener copies that the studios have been kind enough to send to me. My friend and colleague Richard Roeper and other critics have stepped up and kept the newspaper and website current with reviews of all the major releases. So we have and will continue to go on. At this point in my life, in addition to writing about movies, I may write about what it’s like to cope with health challenges and the limitations they can force upon you. It really stinks that the cancer has returned and that I have spent too many days in the hospital. So on bad days I may write about the vulnerability that accompanies illness. On good days, I may wax ecstatic about a movie so good it transports me beyond illness.

I’ll also be able to review classics for my “Great Movies” collection, which has produced three books and could justify a fourth.

For now, I am throwing myself into Ebert Digital and the redesigned, highly interactive and searchable Rogerebert.com. You’ll learn more about its exciting new features on April 9 when the site is launched. In addition to housing an archive of more than 10,000 of my reviews dating back to 1967 we will also feature reviews written by other critics. You may disagree with them like you have with me, but will nonetheless appreciate what they bring to the party. Some I recruited from the ranks of my Far Flung Correspondents, an inspiration I had four years ago when I noticed how many of the comments on my blog came from foreign lands and how knowledgeable they were about cinema.

We’ll be recruiting more critics and it is my hope that some of the writers I have admired over the years will be among them. We’ll offer many more reviews of Indie, foreign, documentary and restored classic revivals. As the space between broadcast television, cable and the internet morph into a hybrid of content, we will continue to spotlight the musings of Pulitzer Prize-winning TV critic Tom Shales, as well as the blog “Scanners” by Jim Emerson, who I first met at Microsoft when he edited Cinemania. The Ebert Club newsletter, under editor Marie Haws of Vancouver, will be expanded to give its thousands of subscribers even bigger and better benefits.

For years I devoutly took every one of my tear sheets, folded them and added them to a pile on my desk. The photo above shows the height of that pile in 1985 as it appeared on the cover of my first book about the movies published by my old friends John McMeel and Donna Martin of Andrews & McMeel. Today, because of technology, the opportunities to become bigger, better and reach more people are piling up too. The fact that we’re re-launching the site now, in the midst of other challenges, should give you an idea how important Rogerebert.com and Ebert Digital are to Chaz and me. I hope you’ll stop by, and look for me. I’ll be there.

So on this day of reflection I say again, thank you for going on this journey with me. I’ll see you at the movies.

[ Above portion is Taken from his website ]

Ebert compiled “best of the year” movie lists beginning in the 1960s, thereby helping provide an overview of his critical preferences . His top choices were :

1967: Bonnie and Clyde 1968: The Battle of Algiers 1969: Z 1970: Five Easy Pieces 1971: The Last Picture Show 1972: The Godfather 1973: Cries and Whispers 1974: Scenes from a Marriage 1975: Nashville 1976: Small Change 1977: 3 Women 1978: An Unmarried Woman 1979: Apocalypse Now 1980: The Black Stallion 1981: My Dinner with Andre

1982: Sophie’s Choice 1983: The Right Stuff 1984: Amadeus 1985: The Color Purple 1986: Platoon 1987: House of Games 1988: Mississippi Burning 1989: Do the Right Thing 1990: Goodfellas 1991: JFK 1992: Malcolm X 1993: Schindler’s List 1994: Hoop Dreams 1995: Leaving Las Vegas 1996: Fargo

1997: Eve’s Bayou 1998: Dark City 1999: Being John Malkovich 2000: Almost Famous 2001: Monster’s Ball 2002: Minority Report 2003: Monster 2004: Million Dollar Baby 2005: Crash 2006: Pan’s Labyrinth 2007: Juno 2008: Synecdoche, New York 2009: The Hurt Locker 2010: The Social Network 2011: A Separation 2012: Argo

On behalf of all the students and staff of my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters  , I offer my condolences to Ebert’s wife Madame Chaz Hammel-Smith and his family and admirers .

I may not be running the most famous acting school of Mumbai , or the most famous acting institute of India , or the most famous acting academy of bollywood , or the most famous acting institute of the world , I may be small and very insignificant , but I thought it proper to offer my condolences to Madame Chaz and show my respect to the most famous film critic of the world . On his death even Barack Obama , the president of United States of America , expressed his grief . It shows his stature and importance .

Rest in peace sir ! You will be missed a lot . I will always be in touch with you through your website and your books . I will always regret the fact that I came to know you when the end was so close .

[ This blog is not entirely written by me . Name of the movies posted above is taken from Wikipedia . Long introduction of Roger Ebert is taken from his website and his thumbs down quotes about movies have been taken from the various sources and articles posted on the internet . I am indebted and express my gratitude .]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.facebook.com/VidursKreatingCharacters

www.facebook.com/vidur.chaturvedi

www.vidurfilms.com

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Remembering Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 10 , 2013           01.10 A.M.

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala , CBE

7 May 1927 – 3 April 2013

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala in Younger Days

Ruth Prawer Jhabvala

She was a German-born British and American Booker prize-winning novelist, short story writer and two-time Academy Award-winning screenwriter. Ruth Prawer Jhabvala wrote a dozen novels, 23 screenplays and eight collections of short stories . She was made a CBE in 1998 ^. She is the only person to ever have won both a Booker Prize and an Oscar.

She mainly wrote screenplay for Merchant Ivory Productions . In 1963, Jhabvala was approached by James Ivory and Ismail Merchant to write a screenplay for their debut film ” The Householder  ” based on her 1960 novel.  The movie, released by Merchant Ivory Productions in 1963 and starring Shashi Kapoor and Leela Naidu met with critical praise and it marked the beginning of a partnership that resulted in over 20 films.

The Triumvirate : Ivory , Merchant & Jhabvala

The Householder was followed by Shakespeare Wallah (1965) , Roseland (1977) ,  Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie’s Pictures (1978) , The Europeans (1979) , Jane Austen in Manhattan (1980) , Quartet (1981) , The Courtesans of Bombay (1983) , Heat and Dust in (1983 ) , The Bostonians (1984) , Madame Sousatzka (1988) , Mr. and Mrs. Bridge (1990) , Jefferson in Paris (1995) , Surviving Picasso (1996) , A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries (1998) , the screenplay for which she co-authored with Ivory, The Golden Bowl (2000) and The City of Your Final Destination (2009) which was adapted from the eponymous novel by Peter Cameron and was her last screenplay.Le Divorce which she co-wrote with Ivory was the last movie that featured the trio of Merchant, Ivory and Jhabvala before Merchant’s death that year.

The Triumvirate : Ivory , Merchant & Jhabvala

She won her first Academy Award for her screenplay for A Room with a View (1986) and won a second in the same category for Howards End (1992) . She was nominated for a third Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay the following year for The Remains of the Day  (1993) .

Selected screenplays

Year	Title	Other notes
2008	The City of Your Final Destination	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Peter Cameron
2003	Le Divorce	co-written by James Ivory, adapted from the novel by Diane Johnson
2000	The Golden Bowl	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Henry James
1998	A Soldier’s Daughter Never Cries	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Kaylie Jones
1996	Surviving Picasso	screenplay
1995	Jefferson in Paris	written by
1993	The Remains of the Day	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Kazuo Ishiguro
1992	Howards End	screenplay, adapted from the novel by E. M. Forster
1990	Mr. and Mrs. Bridge	screenplay, adapted from the novels by Evan S. Connell (“Mr. Bridge” & “Mrs. Bridge”)
1988	Madame Sousatzka	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Bernice Rubens. Directed by John Schlesinger
1985	A Room with a View	screenplay, adapted from the novel by E. M. Forster
1984	The Bostonians	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Henry James
1983	Heat and Dust	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Jhabvala
1981	Quartet	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Jean Rhys
1980	Jane Austen in Manhattan	written by, inserted libretto “Sir Charles Grandison” by Jane Austen
1979	The Europeans	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Henry James
1978	Hullabaloo Over Georgie and Bonnie’s Pictures	written by
1977	Roseland	story and screenplay
1975	Autobiography of a Princess	written by
1972	Bombay Talkie	screenplay
1969	The Guru	screenplay
1965	Shakespeare Wallah	screenplay
1963	The Householder	screenplay, adapted from the novel by Jhabvala

This two-time Oscar winner for her screenplays will also be remembered for her unforgettable novels and short stories like :

Novels and short stories

• To Whom She Will (1955; published in the United States as Amrita)
• The Nature of Passion (1956).
• Esmond in India (1958)
• The Householder (1960)
• Get Ready for Battle (1962)
• Like Birds, Like Fishes (1963)
• A Backward Place (1965)
• A Stronger Climate (1968)
• An Experience of India (1971)
• A New Dominion (1972; published in the United States as Travelers)
• Heat and Dust (1975)
• How I Became a Holy Mother and other stories (1976),
• In Search of Love and Beauty (1983)
• Out of India (1986)
• Three Continents (1987)
• Poet and Dancer (1993)
• Shards of Memory (1995)
• East Into Upper East: Plain Tales from New York and New Delhi (1998)
• My Nine Lives (2004)

She will be missed . I saw her film ” The Householder ” in Palace talkies of Allahabad and was moved that two Indian actors ; Shashi Kapoor and Leela Naidu , played the main protagonists in the film , which she wrote . Though at that time I didn’t know that the writer of the film is Ruth Prawer Jhabvala .

On behalf of all the students and staff of my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters , I offer my condolences . May her soul rest in peace !

 

[ I have taken the list of her films and name of the novels and short stories written by her from Wikipedia . Certain other facts and data is also taken from Wikipedia . As I always do , I express my profound gratitude . ]

 

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

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www.facebook.com/vidur.chaturvedi

www.vidurfilms.com

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Stella Adler & Her Mumbai Connection

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL 07 , 2013           11.00 P.M.

One of the most influential but not-so-well-known acting trainer of the world , Stella Adler was briefly associated with Mumbai through her acting institute . Famous film director Rahul Rawail signed MOU with her acting institute , got the franchise and finally opened ” Stella Adler Studio of Acting ” in Mumbai .

Cropped screenshot of Stella Adler from the trailer for Shadow of the Thin Man (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

General public is not aware of her stature . Even in Indian acting training world she is not so well-known . For my readers and general public , I am quoting the complete preface written by legendary actor Marlon Brando , who was one of her many students . He wrote this preface for the book ” The Art of Acting ” , written by Howard Kissel :

A photograph promoting the film The Wild One depicts actor Marlon Brando. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

” To me Stella Adler is much more than a teacher of acting . Through her work she imparts the most valuable kind of information – how to discover the nature of our own emotional mechanics and therefore those of others . She never lent herself to vulgar exploitation , as some other well-known so-called ” methods ” of acting have done . As a result , her contributions to the theatrical culture have remained largely unknown , unrecognized and unappreciated .

As far as I know , she was the only American artiste who went to Paris to study with Constantin Stanislavski , who was himself a skilled observer of human behaviour and a most prominent figure in Russian theatre . She brought back to this country knowledge of this technique and incorporated it in her teaching . Little did she know that her teachings would impact theatrical culture worldwide . Almost all film-making anywhere in the world has been affected by American films , which has been , in turn , influenced by Stella Adler’s teachings . She is loved by many and we owe her much .

I am grateful to the inestimable contributions she has made to my life and I feel privileged to have been associated with her and her family professionally and personally throughout my life . “

Stella Adler Theatre, 6777 Hollywood Boulevard, Los Angeles (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Stella Adler Theatre (Photo credit: Thomas Hawk)

This preface says everything about Stella Adler and I don’t think I can add anything more substantial . Though , compared to Lee Strasberg , she is not so well-known but according to many actors , directors and film personalities of the world , she was a better acting teacher . Every single-acting teacher of the world follows the principles laid down by Stanislavski but she was the only one who got trained under Stanislavski .

I am a great fan of Stella Adler . When I read about her life and work , I found to my amazement , that my behaviour in my class is quite similar to Ms. Stella Adler . Unintentionally and unknowingly I always shared same kind of relationship and vibes with my acting students .

It is sad that her foray in Mumbai was short-lived . It would have been pleasure to have her here . I personally feel that Mr. Rahul Rawail did not comprehend her importance and thus lost an opportunity . I am reproducing a news item from Mumbai Mirror of September 19 , 2012 about this stupendous failure .

Rawail’s acting school shuts shop?

VICKEY LALWANI, Mumbai Mirror Sep 19, 2012, 09.21AM IST

• 

(Rahul Rawail )

Filmmaker Rahul Rawail’s (of Betaab and Arjun fame) acting school that was launched by Rishi Kapoor, Kajol, Priya Dutt and Poonam Dhillon amidst a lot of fanfare has shut shop. When we visited the academy situated in Ajivasan Building ‘B’ Wing on Juhu Tara Road, we found the place locked. We learnt that playback singer Suresh Wadkar is now using the place to hold his music classes every evening.

Acting trainers of India swear by Constantin Stanislavski and Lee Strasberg . They are not so fond of Stella Adler . Self-proclaimed most famous acting school of Mumbai , self-anointed most famous acting institute of India and self-appointed most famous acting academy of bollywood have no place in their heart for Stella Adler . They are blissfully unaware of her existence and her immense contributions to the world of acting training .

I keep on mentioning her theories of acting to my students in my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . One day I wish to visit ” Stella Adler Studio of Acting ” to pay my tribute . I wish and pray that as an acting trainer / tutor / teacher I should be able to achieve even 1/4 th of what she attained in her teaching life . I pray to God that like ” Stella Adler Studio of Acting ” , one day my acting institute Vidur’s Kreating Charakters will also be recognized as one of the most famous acting institutes of the world .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

www.kreatingcharakters.net

www.facebook.com/VidursKreatingCharacters

www.facebook.com/vidur.chaturvedi

www.vidurfilms.com

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www.twitter.com/VidurChaturvedi

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Vidur’s Film Diary – March 2013

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA           APRIL  04, 2013          00.20 A.M.

Month of March 2013 will be remembered for the average run of films . In the beginning of the month only ” Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns ” got favourable response from the critics and the public . ” Mere Dad Ki Maruti ” and ” Jolly LLB “ had slow starts but picked up miraculously with positive word of mouth . ” Himmatwala “ came towards the end of the month and bombed miserably .

The first quarter of 2013 can boast of only 7 hits and average hit films . They are : ” Jolly LLB ” , ” Special 26 ” , ” ABCD ( Any Body Can Dance ) ” , ” Kai Po Che ” , ” Mere Dad Ki Maruti ” , ” Table No. 21 ” and ” Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns ” .

Tweets

Tweets of eminent trade analysts Mr. Komal Nahta , Mr. Taran Adarsh and Ms. Bhawana Somaaya , which I re-tweet , present the current and authentic trend of film industry :

1. 46 mins Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta

   JOLLY LLB has some entertainment but ltd. b.o. potential.Read my review on at http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/03/15/jolly-llb-review/ …
2. 3 hrs Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta

   #meredadkimaruti : what an entertainer!! Entire team deserves a huge hug. Poor start but WILL pick up…

   2. Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta 22 Mar

      RANGREZZ is too melodramatic for today’s youth. Read my review at http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/rangrezz-review/ …

      View summary

   3. Komal Nahta ‏@KomalNahta 22 Mar

      AATMA does not send chills down your spine. Read my review at http://komalsreviews.wordpress.com/2013/03/22/aatma-review-2/ …

1. Mar 8 taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

   #IMeAurMain had a lacklustre weekend and maintained low figures on weekdays. Collected approx Rs 7.90 cr nett in Week 1.
2. Mar 8 taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

   ‘The Attacks Of 26/11′ performed slightly better in pockets of Maharashtra and South India, but remained below the mark elsewhere.
3. Mar 8 taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

   #KaiPoChe [revised] collected approx Rs 16.42 cr nett in Week 2. Grand total: approx Rs 45.52 cr nett.

   Mar 8 taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

   Update: #SahebBiwiAurGangsterReturns has tepid start in morning shows! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/update/id/313/date/2013-03-08 …

   1. 7 hrs taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

      #SahebBiwiAurGangsterReturns collected approx Rs 12.75 cr nett in its opening weekend. Breakup:- Fri 3.50 cr, Sat 4.25 cr, Sun 5 cr.
   2. 7 hrs taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

      #KaiPoChe collected approx Rs 4.15 cr nett in Weekend 3. Grand total: approx Rs 49.67 cr nett.
   3. 6 hrs taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

      #SahebBiwiAurGangsterReturns, #KaiPoChe Boxoffice report! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/id/946 …

      2. 7m taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

         ‘Saheb Biwi Aur Gangster Returns’ collects Rs 18.25 cr in Week 1 – the detailed report! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/id/947/date/2013-03-15 …
      3. 52m taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

         #MereDadKiMaruti movie review: A joyride. Mazedaar, masaledaar, full-on entertainer! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/551525#.UULkkNF11B8.twitter …

         1h taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

         #3G movie review: It doesn’t work despite potential in its premise! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/551228#.UULclO7KjHY.twitter …

         13 Mar taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

         #JollyLLB movie review: A power-packed courtroom drama. Just don’t miss this jolly good film! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/541266#.UUBiw5lAB1Y.twitter …

13h taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

#JollyLLB picked up substantially in evening/night shows across the nation. Collects *early estimates* Rs 3.12 cr on Friday.

h taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh

1. #JollyLLB witnesses 40%-50% jump at plexes on Saturday. Collects 4.23 cr on Sat. Total: Rs 7.35 cr.

   2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

      ‘Jolly LLB’ 19.52 cr, ‘MDKM’ 8.09 cr, ‘3G’ 5.82 cr – the detailed report! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/top5/id/949/date/2013-03-22 …
   3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

      #3G collected approx Rs 5.82 cr in Week 1. Fri 1.10 cr, Sat 1.12 cr, Sun 1.40 cr, Mon 66 lacs, Tue 61 lacs, Wed 52 lacs, Thu 41 lacs.
   4. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

      #MereDadKiMaruti collected Rs 8.09 cr in Week 1. Fri 1.03 cr, Sat 1.51 cr, Sun 2.05 cr, Mon 89 lacs, Tue 91 lacs, Wed 90 lacs, Thu 80 lacs.
   5. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

      #JollyLLB Collected approx Rs 19.52 cr in Week 1. Fri 3.12 cr, Sat 4.23 cr, Sun 5.16 cr, Mon 1.90 cr, Tue 1.83 cr, Wed 1.76 cr, Thu 1.52 cr.

      2. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

         Update: #Aatma, #Rangrezz have lacklustre start! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/trade/update/id/315/date/2013-03-22 …
      3. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

         #Rangrezz movie review: Impressive first half, loses focus in post-interval portions. One definitely expected more! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/553635#.UUvyDQd6xDg.twitter …
      4. taran adarsh ‏@taran_adarsh 22 Mar

         #Aatma movie review: Stands on a weak script. Besides, there are hardly any scares here. Disappointing! http://www.bollywoodhungama.com/moviemicro/criticreview/id/553290#.UUvwMTLL2iw.twitter …

2. Bhawana Somaaya ‏@BhawanaSomaaya 18 Mar

   Saheb Biwi Gangster Returns Day 1 collections: 3.25 CR. Weekend collection: 11.5 CR. Full week collection: 17 CR. Budget of film: only 4 CR
3. Bhawana Somaaya ‏@BhawanaSomaaya 18 Mar

   Jolly LLB Fri collection:2.35 CR.Sat collection:3.10 CR.Wk end collection: 5.45 CRMere Dad ki Maruti Fri 2.5 CR. Sat 4.0 CR. Sun 4.8 CR nett

1. Bhawana Somaaya ‏@BhawanaSomaaya 3h

   Finally Monday ka Mantra: Aatmaa Fri 1.5 cr Sat 1.6 cr Sun 1.9 cr. Total 9cr. Rangrezz fri 1 cr Sat 1.2 cr Sun 1.3 Total 3.5 cr.

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Obituary :

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B. M. Vyas  : 

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A veteran actor of mythological films and some social films , Shri B. M. Vyas died on March 11 , 2013 at the age of 93 .

Famous for his portrayal of Ravan in several mythological films , Vyas started his career with Chetan Anand’s ” Neecha Nagar “ but was noticed with Raj Kapoor’s ” Barsaat “  in 1949 . He acted in over 300 mythological and social films including films like ” Baiju Bawra ” , ” Do Aankhen Barah Haath “ and ” Sarawasti Chandra ” . His last big film was Shah Rukh Khan starrer ” Oh Darling Yeh Hai India ” .

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New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

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First Week – March 01

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1 – I , Me Aur Main ……………………………………………………… John Abraham

……………………………………………………………………………….. Sameer Soni

……………………………………………………………………………….. Raghav Sachar

2 – Bloody Isshq ………………………………………………………… Daisy Shah

3 – The Attacks of 26/11 ……………………………………………… X

Second Week – March 08

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1 – Saheb , Biwi Aur Gangster Returns …………………………… Jimmy Sheirgill

………………………………………………………………………………. Soha Ali Khan

2 – Saare Jahaan Se Mehnga ………………………………………… X

Third Week – March 15

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1 -3G ……………………………………………………………………. Neil Nitin Mukesh

……………………………………………………………………………. Mrinalini Sharma

2 – Jolly LLB …………………………………………………………… X

3 – Mere Dad Ki Maruti ……………………………………………… X

Fourth Week  – March 22

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1 – Rangrezz …………………………………………………………… X

2 – Aatma ……………………………………………………………… Amita Pathak

3 – Sona Spa …………………………………………………………… X

4 – Zindagi 50-50 …………………………………………………… Riya Sen

…………………………………………………………………………… Aarya Babbar

Fifth Week – March 29

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1 – Himmatwala …………………………………………………….. Sajid Khan

 

In total …………… 13 …………….. films got released in March . Out of these ………….. 13 ………… released films ……….. 07 ………… films have …………… 12 ……………. persons , who are trained by me .

Out of these ……….12 ……… persons , Daisy Shah made guest appearance in ” Bloody Isshq ” . Raghav Sachar is the music director of ” I , Me Aur Main “ , Amita Pathak is the Ex. Co-Producer of ” Aatma “ and Sajid Khan is the director of  ” Himmatwala “ .

Remaining ………. 08 ………. are actors .

 

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New Regional Films & Me :

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1 – Telugu : Sayali Bhagat  is playing main lead in ” Blade Babji “.

2 – Telugu : Sayali Bhagat is playing lead in ” Inkosaari ” .

3 – Tamil : Sayali Bhagat is playing lead in ” Newtonin Moondram Vidhi ” .

4 – Bengali : Priyanshu Chatterjee is playing an important role in ” Shunya Awnko ” .

 

My ………….. 02 ………………. student in ……….. 04 ………….. regional film .

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TV Trivia & Me :

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1 – Sonali Bendre  is judging  ” India’s Best Dramebaaz “ on Zee TV .

2 – Vivek Oberoi  is judging ” India’s Best Draembaaz “ on Zee TV .

3 – Monica Bedi is playing an important role in ” Saraswatichandra “ on Star Plus .

4 – Resshmi Ghosh is playing an important role in ” Savitri “ on Life OK .

5 – Eijaz Khan is playing an important role in ” Shubh Vivah “ on Sony TV .

6 – Apurva Agnihotri is playing an important role in ” Aasman Se Aage “ on Life OK .

7 – Manav Gohil is doing ” Buddy Project “ on Channel V .

8 – Sandesh Gour is playing an important role in ” Sarawatichandra “ on Star Plus .

9 – Smita Pawar is playing an important role in ” Tujh Sang Preet Lagayi Sajna “ on Sahara One .

My ……………. 09 ……….. students in ………… 07 ……………. shows on different channels .

 

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Theatre & Me :

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1 – Adhir Bhat is playing one of the leads in  ” Gasha ” .

2 – Bhavna Pani is playing supporting role in ” So Many Socks ” .

3 – Veebha Anand is playing lead in ” Rishto Ka Live Telecast ” .

 

 My …………… 03 ………….. students in ………….. 03 …………. plays .

It was such a satisfying month for me as an acting trainer or acting tutor [ as my detractors call me ] . My 12 students appeared in 07 films , 09 students in 07  TV serials , 02 students in 04 regional films and 03 students appeared in 03 plays also . Thus total number of students working in the month of March comes to 25 . Self-proclaimed most famous acting school of Mumbai , self-annointed most famous acting institute of India and self-appointed most famous acting academy of bollywood will fail miserably on this count .

I congratulate all my above mentioned students on behalf of all the current students and staff of my acting institute  Vidur’s Kreating Charakters . May they shine in their chosen field . May , through their endeavour , our acting institute will one day become one of the most famous acting institutes of the world .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.vidur.co.in

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