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Kolkata: Guru Dutt was not born in Kolkata but the city had lived in him since he shifted here and grew up as a Bhowanipore resident. Fluent in Bengali and an avid reader of Bengali literature, Dutt married iconic Bengali singer, Geeta Ghosh Roy Chowdhuri, and filmed at least two of his cult movies in Kolkata. To commemorate his centenary, film enthusiasts from across India will gather for a day-long event at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity on Friday. Richa Agarwal, chairperson of the centre, described "Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaye Toh: Remembering Guru Dutt" as a space to reflect on cinema and not just a tribute. After completing his schooling in Kolkata, Dutt took up a job of a telephone operator in the city in 1942. "He watched Bengali films at Jyoti theatre next to his home, attended jatras, heard Baul songs and watched the dance dramas of Uday Shankar that had a deep impact on him. He admired the work of PC Barua, Debaki Bose, Nitin Bose, Phani Mazumdar. In his own cinema, we see the influence of these film-makers," said Ira Bhaskar, former dean of School of Arts and Aesthetics, Jawaharlal Nehru University, who will deliver the keynote address.Bhaskar will present the programme's keynote address, titled 'Affect, Authorship, and Ideology. Dutt's association with Uday Shankar's School of Dance and Choreography in Almora impacted his work. JU professor Madhuja Mukherjee, who will also deliver a talk at the event, said Dutt's 'Pyaasa' is set in Kolkata. The song, 'Jaane kya tune kahi' featuring Dutt and Waheeda Rehmanwas shot at the Prinsep Ghat. Stories abound about Dutt's friendship with novelist Bimal Mitra whose 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam' was adapted for the 1962-classic. It was partially shot at the Indo-English castle of the Gaines in Dhanyakuria. "Guru Dutt began to remake Nitin Bose's 'Saathi'/'President.' When he died in October 1964, he was remaking this film as 'Bahaaren Phir Bhi Aayengi' -- set in Kolkata -- with Mala Sinha and Tanuja as his co-stars. As he died, it was finished by his team, including his brother Atma Ram and released as a Guru Dutt production in 1966 with Dharmendra playing his role," Bhaskar said. Dutt had also started shooting his Bengali directorial debut titled 'Gouri', based on the life of a sculptor. But the project was shelved. "Geeta Dutt sang for all his films. In many of his films, SD Burman and Hemant Kumar composed the music," Bhaskar added.
New Delhi: Actor Kajol says she isn't a fan of horror films and will be watching "Maa", her own entry in the genre, solely for professional reasons. "Maa", directed by Vishal Furia, is the first horror project of Kajol's career of over 30 years. The movie shares the same universe with the 2023 movie "Shaitaan", which featured her actor-husband Ajay Devgn. "I don't watch horror films. I have watched a lot of big films. I'm not a horror film aficionado at all. "I haven't watched 'Maa' yet. Only in parts with lots of green screens behind me so that I don't get scared, and no background music, ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 9 (SocialNews.XYZ) One of the greatest filmmakers and actors in Indian cinema, Guru Dutt's 100 years will be celebrated at the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne 2025 with special tribute screenings of his 1957 movie "Pyaasa" and "Kaagaz Ke Phool", which was released in 1959. "Pyaasa" stars Guru Dutt, Mala Sinha, Waheeda Rehman, Rehman, and Johnny Walker. The drama film, which was directed by Guru Dutt, was set in Calcutta and told the story of Vijay, a disillusioned Urdu poet whose works are underestimated by publishers and criticized for focusing on social issues rather than rom ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) Guru Dutt lives on only in the memories of those who knew him personally or professionally, his own voice "completely absent", says his biographer Yasser Usman describing the actor-director as a "chronic introvert". As reams get written about the legendary filmmaker, who would have been 100 on Wednesday, Usman says he remains an enigma despite so many books and documentaries analysing his life and works. Usman, the author of the 2021 "Guru Dutt: An Unfinished Story", said he researched various archives, magazines and newspapers of Guru Dutt's time but couldn't find a s ...Read More >
New Delhi: Tamil cinema star Dhanush expressed his disappointment over the altered AI ending of his Bollywood debut film "Raanjhanaa". The film, which originally came out in 2013, was directed by Aanand L Rai and also starred Sonam Kapoor in the lead role. It was recently re-released in theatres. But this time, the ending was altered with the help of an AI, which got mixed reactions from the audience and was also pointed out by the filmmaker. Now, the lead actor Dhanush shared his take on the same and said it wasn't the film he committed to 12 years ago. The 42-year-old actor shared a post ...Read More >
Himachal Pradesh faced nature's fury. Bridges collapsed in Shimla, Lahaul, and Spiti. Cloudbursts and flash floods caused widespread damage. Over 300 roads closed, disrupting travel. A police post swept away, shops damaged. No casualties reported yet. Orange alert issued for more heavy rain. The state has suffered significant financial losses this monsoon. Many people have died in rain-related incidents. Several bridges were washed away in Shimla and Lahaul and Spiti districts, while over 300 roads, including two national highways, have been closed across Himachal Pradesh following fresh inci ...Read More >
Mangaluru: Travellers departing from Mangaluru International Airport will now be greeted by a striking 10.25-foot granite statue of Yakshagana, unveiled on Friday. The installation is the latest addition to the airport's efforts to highlight Karnataka's folk traditions. Perched on a three-foot pedestal and weighing nearly four tonnes, the statue captures a serene expression of a Yakshagana performer, symbolising the grandeur of the coastal theatre art. The work was executed by Himanshu Kumar, 38, a sculptor originally from Bihar who has embraced coastal Karnataka's culture as his own. Throug ...Read More >
Video: Kerala Man's 'Gangamma Thalli' Get-Up Goes Viral On The Internet | Vlogger Mukesh Mohan Pushpa 2 was released on December 5 and several fans rushed to the theatres to watch the much-awaited sequel film. While visuals from several areas in India showed excitement and energy among people when the movie hit the big screen, something quite amusing was reported from a cinema hall in Thrissur, Kerala. A topless man covered with body paint was seen raising the Pushpa fervour. He recreated the looks of Allu Arjun as seen in the majestic dance performance to the song 'Kaali Mahaa Kaali'. The K ...Read More >
Mumbai: Bollywood actress Rekha's cult film 'Umrao Jaan' is all set to enchant the audience once again on June 27. Director Muzaffar Ali and Rekha hosted a special re-release screening of the film today in Mumbai. The event was graced by AR Rahman, Tabu, Anil Kapoor and others. Rekha stunned everyone in a traditional white outfit with golden embroidery that reminded of her iconic character of Umrao Jaan from the film. She posed for the camera with the director and ace music composer AR Rahman. Rekha can also be seen dancing with Anil Kapoor in a fun moment. Superstar Aamir Khan looked dash ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 1 (PTI) Actor Rajkummar Rao on Tuesday said he was looking for an opportunity to step out of the box and he found it in "Maalik" where he essays the role of a gangster. Set against the gritty backdrop of 1980s Allahabad, the action thriller is a hard-hitting tale of ambition, power, and survival that explores the price of rising in a world ruled by guns, greed, and loyalty. It is directed by filmmaker Pulkit of "Bhakshak" fame. "There are very few instances when an actor gets the opportunity to break an image, and I'm always looking for such roles, like I did with 'Srikanth'. "A ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 9 (PTI) Guru Dutt lives on only in the memories of those who knew him personally or professionally, his own voice "completely absent", says his biographer Yasser Usman describing the actor-director as a "chronic introvert". As reams get written about the legendary filmmaker, who would have been 100 on Wednesday, Usman says he remains an enigma despite so many books and documentaries analysing his life and works. Also Read | 'Baaghi 4': Tiger Shroff Calls It a Wrap for A Harsha's Action Thriller, Actor Shows Off His Toned Abs From Final Day of Shoot (View Pics). Usman, the aut ...Read More >
Dehradun (Uttarakhand) [India], July 16 (ANI): Following the tragic road accident in the Muwani area of Pithoragarh district on Tuesday that claimed eight lives, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami announced that the state government would provide Rs 2 lakh each to the families of the deceased and Rs 50,000 to the injured. This would be in addition to the ex-gratia of Rs 2 lakh from the Prime Minister's National Relief Fund (PMNRF), announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, which would be given to the next of kin of the deceased. Also Read | Weather Forecast Today, July 16: Check ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 18 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actress Freida Pinto is all set to star in streaming giant Netflix's upcoming series "Unaccustomed Earth," an adaptation of the Jhumpa Lahiri short story collection. Pinto will play Parul Chaudhury in the series, which was originally announced in April. As previously reported, Netflix has commissioned eight episodes, reports variety.com. The official tagline for the show states that it is "an epic, soapy, and culturally vibrant drama about a tight-knit Indian American community navigating love, desire, and belonging." "Rich with nuance, passion, and unforget ...Read More >
Patna, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) In a major action against corruption, the State Vigilance Unit (SVU) on Saturday arrested Sub-Inspector Putul Kumari, the SHO of the Women's Police Station in Samastipur, for accepting a bribe of Rs 20,000. Her driver was also arrested in the case. The arrest has created a stir within the police department. According to an official, Putul Kumari was caught red-handed while taking the bribe from Rajiv Ranjan, a resident of Chhatauna village under Mufassil police station limits, in connection with an assault case. Rajiv Ranjan had filed a written complaint with ...Read More >
Mumbai, July 19 (SocialNews.XYZ) Actor Harshvardhan Rane, who was last seen in 'The Miranda Brothers', is heaping praise on the recently released film 'Saiyaara', and its team. On Saturday, the actor took to the Stories section of his Instagram, and penned a special note for the film and its makers after it witnessed a stellar opening day. He wrote, "Another melodious example of a love story shattering all myths and formulas of the industry. Honest heart wrenching love story wins again in 2025! #Saiyaara". 'Saiyaara', which stars Aneet Padda, and marks the debut of Ahaan Panday, is helmed b ...Read More >
Hyderabad: It wasn't just die-hard fans who made a beeline for theatres on the opening day of the highly anticipated movie Coolie. Several prominent Tamil film celebrities, including actors Dhanush, Sivakarthikeyan, and Priyanka Mohan, joined the crowd to watch filmmaker Lokesh Kanagaraj's much-anticipated Rajinikanth-starrer on its first day, first show. In Chennai, Rohini Silver Screens, also known as "Fans Fort Rohini" for its history of hosting electrifying star-studded screenings, was at full capacity. Among the early viewers spotted at the venue were Dhanush, his son Yatra, Priyanka Moh ...Read More >
Kolkata, Sep 15 (SocialNews.XYZ) Trinamool Congress state general secretary Kunal Ghosh has taken a swipe at the Enforcement Directorate (ED) after the agency summoned Bengali actress and former TMC MP Mimi Chakraborty in connection with its probe into an illegal betting app. Using his social media handle, Ghosh quipped that the central investigation agency is helping Chakraborty promote her upcoming movie 'Raktabeej 2' by sending the summons. "ED notice to Mimi. The law will take its own course. I am no one to talk about the notice. However, thanks to the central investigation agency on beh ...Read More >
'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (2001) is a romantic drama directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, marking the Bollywood debut of R Madhavan and Dia Mirza. At the 55th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa, actor R Madhavan opened up about the emotional journey of his iconic film 'Rehnaa Hai Terre Dil Mein' (RHTDM), which has achieved cult status over the years. The film, initially released in 2001, marked a significant milestone in Bollywood, both for R Madhavan and his co-star Dia Mirza, as it was their debut film. Directed by Gautham Vasudev Menon, the romantic drama also starred Saif ...Read More >
Bengaluru (Karnataka) [India], July 14 (ANI): Superstar Rajnikanth paid tribute to the veteran actress B Sarojadevi, who passed away at the age of 87. Taking to his official handle X, he wrote, "The great actress Saroja Devi, who won the hearts of millions of fans, is no longer with us. May her soul rest in peace. #SarojaDevi" Also Read | Model San Rechal Gandhi Dies by Suicide at 26 Amid Financial Struggles; Here's Everything To Know About the Former Miss Pondicherry. https://x.com/rajinikanth/status/1944638878973087994 Former Chief Minister and YSR Congress Party President YS Jagan also ...Read More >
Patna, Aug 1 (PTI) Healthcare services were affected at AIIMS-Patna on Friday as resident doctors went on an "indefinite strike" in protest against the alleged high-handedness of Sheohar MLA Chetan Anand. According to a press statement issued by the Resident Doctors' Association (RDA), AIIMS-Patna, on Friday, "The RDA expresses deep disappointment and anguish over the lack of action by the administration following the violent and traumatic incident that occurred on Wednesday, when MLA Chetan Anand, his wife and their armed guards breached hospital security, physically assaulted staff, and thr ...Read More >
New Delhi: Protest at the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) against a recently announced fee hike, the long-standing suspension of students' union elections and calls for administrative accountability have entered their sixth day, with students boycotting classes and staging sit-ins at the Bab-e-Syed gate (the iconic entrance of the varsity). The fee structure for different courses has witnessed a sharp revision. Students say the hike ranges from 25% to over 60% across various programmes. Many claim they first learned of the revised fees only while trying to pay through the university's online ...Read More >
Prayagraj: The Sangam city is immersed in devotion as Navratri festivities continue with fervour. Adding to the spiritual atmosphere, the prominent Ramlilas, including Patharchatti, Pajawa, Katra, Naini, and Civil Lines, are underway, staging episodes from the Ramayan and drawing huge crowds.The group of artists, including professional actors who travelled from Mumbai to Prayagraj to perform the prominent Ramlila characters during Navratri, are enthusiastic to play their assigned roles in the cen ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 1 (PTI) Jawaharlal Nehru University will conduct its own entrance exam -- JNUEE -- for admissions in PhD courses for Korean Studies and Cinema Studies, which are not covered under the UGC-NET, while admissions for all other doctoral degree courses will be based on NET scores. According to university sources, the decision to hold JNUEE for these two programmes was taken by the respective schools. Also Read | India Developing Its Own Bunker-Buster Missile? Reports Say DRDO Modifying Agni-5 ICBM To Carry Massive Conventional Warhead. "All the deans have accepted and signed the p ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) Guru Dutt's legacy is not of awards but of silence, the kind that lingers on after the screen fades to black, says Mahesh Bhatt about the legendary filmmaker who "let beauty crumble into truth". Dutt, regarded as amongst the greatest filmmakers of Indian cinema with films such as "Pyaasa", "Kaagaz Ke Phool" and "Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam", would have been 100 on July 9. He was found dead, possibly from a cocktail of sleeping pills and alcohol, in 1964 when he was just 39. "He took the aching mess of human life, and turned it into poetry that could pierce even silence. Those o ...Read More >
New Delhi, Neeraj Ghaywan's "Homebound", horror-comedy "Stree 2" and hit shows like "Black Warrant" and "Paatal Lok 2" are among the films and shows nominated for the 2025th edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne. IFFM, which celebrates the best of Indian cinema and streaming, on Monday unveiled its nominations list for the 2025 edition, which will take place between August 14 and August 24, in Melbourne, Australia. The IFFM Awards Night, during which the winners of the categories wil ...Read More >
New Delhi, Jul 18 (PTI) Actor Tillotama Shome's Bengali film "Baksho Bondi" will serve as the opening at the 2025 edition of the Indian Film Festival of Melbourne (IFFM). The film, co-produced by Shome and actor Jim Sarbh, will have its official Australian premiere on August 14, setting the stage for the 16th edition of the festival. Directed by first-time filmmakers Tanushree Das and Saumyananda Sahi, the film is set in a Kolkata suburb and follows Maya, played by Shome, a working woman whose story unfolds through moments of quiet strength and resilience. The movie, titled "Shadowbox" in E ...Read More >
Kolkata: Director Arun Roy, known for five feature films including 'Egaro', 'Hiralal', '8/12 (Binay Badal Dinesh)' and 'Bagha Jatin', died of a severe lung infection on Thursday morning at the RG Kar Medical College after battling cancer. Roy, who had an intense passion for making historical films based on the freedom movement, was 52. The one word that defines Roy as a director is "courage". It was manifested in his conviction of being able to direct period films in Bengal on a meagre budget and the resolution to direct films on freedom fighters while working in thriller-obsessed Tollywood. ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 7 (PTI) They have grown up on stories of their grandfather, the fabled Guru Dutt, carry his name with pride and say the best tribute to him would be to work on films that connect with people. Karuna and Gouri, daughters of Guru Dutt's son Arun, are both in the film industry and have worked with several filmmakers as assistant directors. As grandchildren of the legendary Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutt, one an actor-filmmaker and the other a singer, the sisters say they don't introduce themselves when they start a project. "... We're not like, 'Oh, you know who I am'... in the end they'r ...Read More >
Mumbai, Jul 12 (PTI) The 2025 edition of the Venice Film Festival is set to showcase a 4K restored version of "Do Bigha Zamin", the 1953 classic directed by acclaimed filmmaker Bimal Roy. The announcement coincides with the legendary filmmaker's 116th birth anniversary. Presented under the Venice Classics section, "Do Bigha Zamin", titled "Two Acres of Land" in English, has been selected among a distinguished lineup of restored cinematic masterpieces, which also includes "Matador" by Pedro Almodovar, "Roma Ore 11" by Giuseppe De Santis, "Przypadek" by Krzysztof Kieślowski and "Lolita" by Sta ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 4 (PTI) Tamil cinema star Dhanush expressed his disappointment over the altered AI ending of his Bollywood debut film "Raanjhanaa". The film, which originally came out in 2013, was directed by Aanand L Rai and also starred Sonam Kapoor in the lead role. It was recently re-released in theatres. But this time, the ending was altered with the help of an AI, which got mixed reactions from the audience and was also pointed out by the filmmaker. Now, the lead actor Dhanush shared his take on the same and said it wasn't the film he committed to 12 years ago. The 42-year-old actor s ...Read More >
New Delhi, Aug 14 (PTI) When Salim-Javed envisioned "Sholay", the character to first take shape was that of a dreaded dacoit. Little did they imagine that the role played by a newcomer in an otherwise star-studded film would create cinema history. Gabbar Singh was unlike any antagonist audiences had seen before, portrayed to the T by Amjad Khan in his first major role in the industry -- a sadistic, unpredictable and merciless outlaw who killed without hesitation, mocked fear, and treated cruelty as a form of entertainment. Film historian, author and archivist, S M M Ausaja, said Khan's role ...Read More >