Latest news with #Rajnigandha
Hindustan Times
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Review: Viewfinder – A Memoir by Amol Palekar
Amol Palekar and I live within a two kilometre radius of each other in Pune. I have often seen him at the walking track that he helped to build (incident mentioned in the book) accompanied by spouse and creative force behind this book, Sandhya Gokhale. He certainly doesn't know me. In my case and for many others, he has been the quintessential common man's actor who looked different and was more relatable than the usual Hindi film leading man. That's all thanks to the Basu Chatterjee films that bolstered that image and gave us an endearing middle-class hero. Those were confidence-boosting films for a whole generation of fairly ordinary looking men with ambitions of being a movie star. Amongst other things, Viewfinder unravels the construction of this screen persona, which Palekar essayed with such effortless ease. The book also affirms his strong ideological proclivities especially reflected in the films that he directed. Needless to say, the memoir is dedicated to 'those who believe in the power of resistance.' PREMIUM Smita Patil and Amol Palekar in Tarang (1984). (Film still/HT Photo) 332pp, Rs999; Westland Books I have often wondered about the purpose of a Hindi film actor's memoir, which is now a peculiar category unto itself often given to exaggerated self-praise or attempts to sanitize a life by presenting a narrative counter to existing popular gossip. Every attempt is made to hide the star's vulnerability; as if being vulnerable is a crime and actors are beyond the pitfalls of human life. Amol Palekar is not that sort of Hindi film actor; not if his body of work and public stances are anything to go by. His account is expectedly candid, reflective, and filled with introspection about the life he has lived both on and off screen. His films also found commercial success. Slotting him as a parallel film actor therefore would be historically incorrect. At the same time, he wasn't a mainstream Hindi masala film actor either. This is a very interesting quandary for film viewers and readers of the book to think about. But why are we so obsessed with categories? Let us just treat this as a delightful Hindi film moment which cannot be repeated in current times. The appearance of this book, however, presents a good opportunity to think about why mainstream Hindi cinema has completely abandoned this sensibility or genre of films. There's a lot in the book and perhaps in the public domain too about films such as Chitchor, Rajnigandha, Baaton Baaton Mein, Gol Maal and many more. But my favourite Amol Palekar performances are in Shyam Benegal's Bhumika and Kumar Shahani's Tarang. In both films, he plays characters with shades of grey. Not the usual boy next door. The facet of his life that many beyond Maharashtra may be unaware of is his extensive theatre work, which is discussed in considerable detail in the book. He mentions that the money he made from films would often be used for making plays. Theatre, perhaps, gave him the creative satisfaction that he craved for in films but didn't really find. Viewfinder also eschews a chronological rendition of his life. Really, can human life and especially a life like Palekar's conform to a linear narrative? The book begins with his extensive work in theatre and discussions on creative freedom and includes his fond memories of working and learning from two stalwarts of Indian theatre, Badal Sircar and Satyadev Dubey. These are not mere adulatory accounts. His appreciation for their genius is on full display. The reader learns that there were fierce debates and disagreements too that eventually led to a complete falling out with Satyadev Dubey. At every juncture, Palekar exercised his creative autonomy. This is an important takeaway for any aspiring art practitioner: don't give up without a fight whether you are pursuing creative work or social justice. The book makes no attempt to hide the actor's politics, which especially stands out in an era when divergent viewpoints are barely tolerated. The book also includes much material about Palekar's association with Hindustani classical exponent Kishori Amonkar and the music composer Jaidev. Asha Bhosale makes fleeting appearances too. Amol Palekar, Ranjit Chowdhry, Tina Munim and Pearl Padamsee in a scene from Baton Baton Mein (1979). (HT Photo) There is a constant tussle with stardom. Palekar says, at various points in the book, that he didn't want to be a star. He remained a misfit in the star-dominated Hindi film industry and never made a special attempt to blend in. He just wanted to be an actor. A good one. Was he successful? I think the mandate has been delivered. Kunal Ray is a critic and cultural commentator. He teaches at FLAME University, Pune.
NDTV
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- NDTV
Viral Video: Comedian's Hilarious Take On Korean Flavoured Snacks Leaves Internet In Splits
Korean flavours have taken the world by storm, infiltrating our snack cabinets, restaurants and social media feeds. But does this global culinary takeover hit the mark? A man's viral review of Korean-flavoured snacks has sparked debate. In a video shared on Instagram, comedian Govind Menon requested snack companies to stop making any more Korean-flavoured chips and treats. He said, "Stop making Korean as a flavour, enough, we've had enough. You can't just put in Korean as a flavour and then expect it to work." Govind further criticised Korean-flavoured makhana and instant noodles, saying that they don't have any specific Korean taste. He quipped that, going by the trend, in the next year, we will have Korean-flavoured paan masala. "Then what, what do we do with Korean flavoured Rajnigandha?" he concluded. Watch the full video here: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Govind Menon (@agovindmenon) The hilarious video amused the internet. People shared their thoughts in the comment section. One user wrote, "Your sense of humour is very spicy… spicy Korean." Another added, "McDonald's has a list of Korean-flavoured is Korean in that... no idea." A viewer agreed, writing, "Someone said it finally." "Oh istg- every beauty and clothing brand also- pls stop! No I don't want Korean brightening serum and high-waisted Korean street-style pants," read a comment. A person commented, "McDonald's Korean spicy fries are the exact same as peri peri Shake Shake. With Korean alphabets." "Spicy Korean room freshener on its way...," read a comment. A user quipped, "It's actually insanely hard to find spicy chips in Korea." Several people applauded the comedian for sharing his honest thoughts, writing, "Kudos for asking the correct questions!" So far, the video has garnered more than 672,000 views on Instagram.
India Today
09-06-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Neil Nitin Mukesh: Hitting a high note
(NOTE: This article was originally published in the India Today issue dated June 16, 2025)Q. Tell us about your new musical drama series Hai Junoon! Dream. Dare. Dominate on show is a coming-of-age tale set in a Mumbai college, where music and dance clubs compete fiercely. I play Gagan Ahuja, a seasoned musician and mentor to the SuperSonics, who embody discipline and tradition. The series explores themes of ambition, competition and self-discovery, promising an emotional rollercoaster with thrilling performances and nuanced As the son of Nitin Mukesh and grandson of Mukesh, did you ever consider a career in music? Playing Gagan allowed me to tap into this musical heritage, and is my homage to my beloved grandfather. In Hai Junoon!..., I've had the opportunity to lip sync his iconic song 'Jeena yahan marna yahan' on screen 55 years after its original release. What could be a better way to feel connected to him and my legacy?Q. What are your memories of your grandfather? Which song of his is your favourite?My grandfather passed away before I was born, but my darling grandmother bridged that gap for us kids. She told us numerous stories of his life and journey, which made us feel connected to him. One of my favourite songs by him is 'Kai baar yun bhi dekha hai' from Rajnigandha, for which he won the National Award. His legacy continues to inspire What are you working on next?My upcoming film is an exciting comic caper thriller that releases in September. Down South, I'm doing a pan-India sci-fi thriller called MaayaOne with Sundeep Kishan. It should complete filming sometime soon. As a filmmaker, I continue writing scripts passionately and have an exciting lineup. I'm eager to collaborate with talented creators and bring meaningful stories to to India Today MagazineMust Watch
Khaleej Times
14-02-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
Revealed: Why Bollywood is obsessed with flowers and what they represent
Flowers – for some, they are overrated, while for others, they are considered one of the best ways to communicate. They've been the poet's companion for centuries, and archives are brimming with songs that reference the precious 'phool' (flower). Bollywood songs, too, frequently bring up flowers. But not all flowers bask in glory – some are reserved for mausoleums. As a famous poet once said, ' Har phool ki qismat mein kaha naz-e-uroosa, kuch phool toh khilte hi mazaron ke liye hain. ' (Not every flower is destined for a lover's gaze; some are meant to bloom in the graveyard). However, on Valentine's Day, let us present some of the best songs that reference flowers. 1. Dekha Ek Khwab Toh This song is from the film Silsila, released in 1981, sung by Kishore Kumar and Lata Mangeshkar. The romantic track, picturised in the vibrant tulip fields of the Netherlands, has become the go-to song for anyone in love. 2. Phool Tumhe Bheja Hai Khat Mein From the movie Saraswati Chandra, this classic is brought to life by the iconic duo Mukesh and Lata Mangeshkar. The song features Nutan who is sending flowers through a letter as a token of affection. It remains one of Bollywood's most beloved romantic songs. 3. Likhken Jo Khat Tujhe This romantic ballad from Kanyadan features Shashi Kapoor and Asha Parekh. It is sung by the legendary Mohammed Rafi, with lyrics by Javed Akhtar and music by S.D. Burman. 4. Phool Gendwa Na Maaro Featured in Heeramandi: The Diamond Bazaar, sung by Barnali Chattopadhyay, this song is a modern take on a classic from the 1964 film Dooj Ka Chand. Originally sung by Manna Dey and set in the haunting Raag Bhairavi, this piece blends rural dialect with Hindustani classical music beautifully. 5. Phoolon Ka Taron Ka Sabka Kehna Hai A true anthem of sibling love, this iconic track from Hare Rama Hare Krishna features Lata Mangeshkar and Kishore Kumar. The carefree spirit of the song, backed by the duo Dev Anand and Zeenat Aman, has made it unforgettable for generations of brothers and sisters. 6. Phoolon Ke Rang Se, Dil Ki Kalam Se This evergreen romantic number from Prem Pujari is a heart-stealer. Sung by Kishore Kumar and picturised on Dev Anand, the song captures the essence of love through its poetic lyrics and timeless melody. 7. Rajnigandha Phool Tumhare From the 1974 film Rajnigandha, this heartfelt song by Lata Mangeshkar captures the charm of a love story beautifully. Directed by Basu Chatterjee, the film stars Amol Palekar and Vidya Sinha, with an enchanting composition by Salil Chowdhury. 8. Phir Chhidi Raat, Baat Phoolon Ki Written by Makhdoom Mohiuddin, this lovely ghazal featured in Rajnigandha is sung by the legendary Talat Aziz and Lata Mangeshkar. With Khayyam's evocative music set in Raag Baageshri, the song brings together the innocence of love and the ethereal beauty of the night.
