Shyam Benegal’s last work, Mujib (2023), was possibly the most important film for Bangladesh; a biopic on the neigbouring nation’s founder, Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He was 89, when the movie released. You did well, Mr Benegal. His first feature, Ankur (1974), was possibly the most important Hindi film for India’s art-house movement, heralding the Indian New Wave, from Bombay. In between is a life so full of all kinds of cinema—shorts, documentaries, features, TV movies, series—that his CV alone, let alone its range, might be longer than an obituary can do justice. This would include a series of firsts; again, starting with Ankur itself, that was actor Shabana Azmi’s screen debut. Nishant (1975) was Naseeruddin Shah’s. He picked both actors, after they’d graduated from Pune’s Film & Television Institute of India. Shyam Benegal. Pic/AFP One evening, while watching news on television, the anchor caught his eye, and he cast her in his children’s film, Charandas Chor (1975). That was Smita Patil. Bhumika remains, arguably, her greatest performance. Between Naseer, Shabana and Smita, forming an alternate, Bombay star-system of their own—besides Om Puri (Susman, Arohan), Anant Nag (Konduran, Kalyug), Rajit Kapur (The Making of the Mahatma, Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda), and so many others—Benegal didn’t just make films. He built an entire eco-system, for what came to be known as Hindi parallel cinema. Named such, because it did not intersect with the Bombay mainstream—remaining true to its realism, social consciousness, barely appeasing to audience’s baser instincts, or ignoring its intellect, while staying within commercial cinema, after all, for his features were still mostly privately funded (Blaze Productions, in particular). An unassuming, gentle soul, gifted with gravitas, foremost, Benegal was a young mind. How else do you explain a career scripted over seven decades. Consider that when he made his first short, in 1962 (Ghar Betha Ganga), Jawaharlal Nehru was still India’s Prime Minister; man was several years away from stepping on the moon; and it’d be 20 years before we’d get Doordarshan (DD) for a proper national broadcaster. Last checked, Benegal was still making movies. His partner, Nira, both in life and films, was his sounding board. He gave DD, and indeed Indian television, its greatest OTT slow-burn, decades before there was OTT, with Bharat Ek Khoj (1988), based on Nehru’s Discovery of India. He made India’s crowd-funded film, Manthan (1976), based on the life of dairy engineer, Verghese Kurien, with contribution of 500,000 farmers, decades before crowd funding became a term. With Junoon (1979), he made the sharpest effort, until then, to take art-house into a big-budget space, with stalwarts of the time, adapting Ruskin Bond’s A Flight of Pigeons. At the turn of the century, when multiplexes offered a short-lived window into exploring meaningful yet entertaining content, beyond simply the starry space, he brought forward intelligent comedies, Welcome to Sajjanpur (2008), Well Done Abba! (2009). This is before he swiftly switched gear, and embarked on the astoundingly ambitious series, on the making of the Indian Constitution, Samvidhaan (2014), for Rajya Sabha TV. Yup, Benegal has always been there. Not just in terms of works, but also for how he inspired. What’s the final shot in Nagraj Manjule’s Fandry (2013), if not the stone-throwing finale of Ankur! Given the widest possible gamut, surely, everybody has a Benegal Top 10. And each might read so different from the other. Kalyug (1981), modern adaptation of Mahabharat, set in Bombay’s corporate world, tops mine; Mammo (1994) might be a second; Mandi (1983) could be yours, or Zubeidaa (2001), if you’re younger. A cousin of Guru Dutt, who got interested in cinema, because of his photographer-father Sridhar Benegal, who gave him access to a movie camera, when he was only 12—once Benegal moved to Bombay, from Hyderabad, he started out as a man of advertising. It’s something he shared with Satyajit Ray, his inspiration of sorts. One of the most enlightening conversations on cinema that Benegal left behind for film buffs was his interview with Ray himself, for a documentary (that occasionally appears and disappears from YouTube). It’s where you see Benegal for simply a curious movie mind. And a consummate movie buff, you would always spot at screenings at cinemas and festivals. The last I met him, in 2019, at his Tardeo office, which is a shrine of sorts in filmmakers in Mumbai—it was right after his Manthan actor and long-time associate, Girish Karnad, had passed on. “Everybody’s leaving now,” he said. The very next minute, he began revealing how the then Bangladesh PM, Sheikh Haseena, had entrusted him with a film on her father, Mujib, along the lines of Richard Attenborough’s Gandhi. Benegal was 85 then—speaking about recommendations to the Indian censor board that never got implemented, or his public commitments in Goa, initiated from his Member of Parliament fund. We discussed movies as a changing medium. He told me the cellphone was the best way to watch films—the eye’s distance should, anyway, be one and half times the length of the screen’s diagonal, and the sound doesn’t get better than a headphone. I’ve followed his advice since. There was so much more to learn. The movies remain. He lives on forever.
24 December,2024 09:32 AM IST | Mumbai | Mayank Shekhar"We always want our greats to live on forever,” says Manoj Bajpayee, moments into our call with him. On Monday evening, that wish was shattered as Shyam Benegal, one of the finest filmmakers of Hindi cinema, passed away at 90. For Bajpayee, Benegal, who cast him as the male lead in Zubeidaa (2001), represented someone who made him confident about his looks. “When nobody could understand why he cast me as a prince in Zubeidaa, he had his own idea. For him, I was a better-looking guy than all the real princes at that time. He gave me a lot of confidence when I didn’t have confidence in my own looks. Every day, I would rush to be on the sets with him, to listen to him and be directed by him. It was a time that I will never be able to forget,” recounts the actor. Amol Palekar Bajpayee echoes the sentiments of many in the film industry when he describes Benegal as “a pioneer, a pathbreaker, and a guiding light for so many filmmakers of this generation”. “It was all started by that great man. It’s a sad day for all of us, who define cinema not as a commercial medium, but as one of art. He never compromised with the art of cinema. He kept changing the grammar of cinema. I admire him because he was existing in the extreme times when mainstream cinema was ruling the roost, where Mr Amitabh Bachchan came like a tsunami. Here was a man quietly carving a niche for himself, carving a new path for all the new generations to come.” Amol Palekar fondly remembered the filmmaker with whom he collaborated on Bhumika (1977), which was fronted by the late Smita Patil. Saddened by the loss, Palekar said, “The film industry should bow to the last Trojan! I do.” The rich legacy Ankur (1974)Nishant (1975)Manthan (1976)Bhumika (1977)Junoon (1979)Kalyug (1981)Mandi (1983)Suraj Ka Satvan Ghoda (1993)Mammo (1994)Zubeidaa (2001)Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023)
24 December,2024 09:31 AM IST | Mumbai | Upala KBR | Priyanka SharmaBack in the early 1970s, during the black n' white Doordarshan era, one often saw actor Bharat Bhushan in the song ‘Man Tadapat’ from the 1952 film ‘Baiju Bawra’. Over time, the other details became familiar—it was sung by Mohammed Rafi to the tune composed in raag Malkauns by Naushad for words written by Shakeel Badayuni. Those days, another song was popular on the radio. ‘O Haseena Zulfonwali’, also sung by Rafi, but this time for an R D Burman creation written by Majrooh Sultanpuri in the 1966 film ‘Teesri Manzil’, was a complete contrast, with its sheer energy depicted by Shammi Kapoor. Though it was the period Rajesh Khanna was ruling the screen, with most of his hits sung by Kishore Kumar, there were many Rafi songs that ruled the airwaves. Those melodies are popular even today, as we celebrate the legendary singer's birth centenary. Some 60 or 70 years after they were recorded, the tunes are still part of talent hunt contests, prominent on streaming platform playlists and sung at tribute shows by singers a couple of generations younger. Rafi lives on, and will continue to do so. The two songs mentioned above are evidence enough to prove the maestro's versatility. Of course, that was one of his main qualities. From a humour-laced song like ‘Sar Jo Tera Chakraye’ from ‘Pyaasa’ (1957) and the drunken slur of ‘Chalka Yeh Jaam’ from ‘Mere Humdum Mere Dost’ (1968) to the filmi Qawwali ‘Parda Hai Parda’ (Amar Akbar Anthony, 1977) and the sheer poetry of Mirza Ghalib's non-film ghazal ‘Yeh Na Thi Hamari Qismat’, his palette was filled with a variety of colours. And there were those numerous duets with Lata Mangeshkar, Asha Bhosle, Geeta Dutt and Suman Kalyanpur, which still fill the ears and hearts of fans with romantic, youth-reminiscing nostalgia. There were other features that made Rafi unique. Starting from the very basics, there was the very texture of his voice. Divine. A singer's timbre is like his or her autograph, and Rafi had a distinct one. What was equally significant was the way he used that voice to express emotion. Listeners would feel the words, get gooseflesh from the nuances, sing along. Just check four of his songs closely and that connection is obvious—‘Insaaf Ka Mandir Hai Yeh’ (Amar, 1954), ‘Chaudhvin Ka Chand Ho’ (Chaudhvin Ka Chand, 1960), ‘Yaad Na Jaaye’ (Dil Ek Mandir, 1963) and ‘Din Dhal Jaaye’ (Guide, 1965). If one takes only these four songs, one notices two other things besides the voice texture and expression. They have been composed by four different music directors—Naushad, Ravi, Shankar-Jaikishen and S D Burman—and filmed on four different actors—Dilip Kumar, Guru Dutt, Rajendra Kumar and Dev Anand. And these were Rafi's other hallmarks. He sang for a variety of music directors, and his voice suited many actors, from Dev Anand, Bharat Bhushan and Shammi Kapoor to Guru Dutt, Joy Mukherjee and Rishi Kapoor. Even for these actors, he would sing in contrasting styles, depending on the moods they portrayed in the film. Take the 1961 movie ‘Junglee’, for instance, where he sang for Shammi Kapoor under Shankar-Jaikishen's baton. On the one hand, there were the exuberant ‘Chaahe Mujhe Koi Junglee Kahe’ and ‘Karoon Main Kya Suku Suku’, which had listeners screaming ‘Yahoo’ and ‘Ai Yai Ya’ (the latter was inspired by a song by Bolivian singer Tarateno Rojas). In a totally opposite style, he sang ‘Ehsaan Tera Hoga Mujhpar’. Likewise, there was ‘Pyaasa’, composed by S D Burman. Both ‘Yeh Duniya Agar Mil Bhi Jaaye’ and the Geeta Dutt duet ‘Hum Aapki Aankhon Mein’ were picturised on Guru Dutt. But see the difference in styles. The first relied on the brilliance of Sahir Ludhianvi's poetry and the other was a melodious romantic tune. In the 1956 film ‘CID’, composed by O P Nayyar, he had one tone for Dev Anand in ‘Aankhon Hi Aankhon Mein’ and another for Johnny Walker in ‘Ae Dil Hai Mushkil’. And there were those actors who were identified largely by Rafi songs—Vijay Arora for ‘Chura Liya’ in ‘Yaadon Ki Baraat’ (1973) and Tariq for ‘Kya Hua Tera Vaada’ in ‘Hum Kisise Kum Naheen’ (1977). Rafi's other trademark was his use of classical raags. In ‘Baiju Bawra’, besides Malkauns in ‘Man Tadapat’, he rendered a brilliant Darbari in ‘O Duniya Ke Rakhwale’. His rendition of raag Hameer in ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika’ (Kohinoor, 1960) and Shivranjini in ‘Baharon Phool Barsao’ (Suraj, 1966) are exemplary. Music directors of the 1950s and 1960s had a soft corner for Pahadi, and Rafi delivered many hits in this raag—‘Jo Vaada Kiya Who’ (with Lata in Taj Mahal, 1963), ‘Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere’ (Dosti, 1964), ‘Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salaami Lelo’ (Ram Aur Shyam, 1967), ‘Chalo Dildar Chalo’ (with Lata in Pakeezah, 1972). A combination of these factors makes Rafi's songs memorable to this day. Though each fan would have a different set of favourites, time hasn't diluted the impact of these charming melodies. On his birth centenary, it would be appropriate to spend the day in the company of his magical voice. There can be ‘Savere Wali Gaadi’ (Laat Saheb, 1967) in the morning, ‘Din Dhal Jaaye’ in the afternoon, ‘Hui Shaam Unka Khayal Aaya’ (Mere Humdum Mere Dost) in the evening and ‘Aaj Ki Raat Mere Dil Ki Salaami Le Lelo’ at night, with ‘Chahoonga Main Tujhe Saanjh Savere’ at any time. There's a Rafi song for every time of the day, every mood, everyoccasion.
24 December,2024 08:11 AM IST | Mumbai | Narendra KusnurActor Junaid Khan says three of Bollywood's biggest icons -- his father Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, and Salman Khan -- have done "fantastic work" for decades and that's the reason behind their longevity in showbiz. Junaid, who made his acting debut with the 2024 period drama "Maharaj", was recently in Lucknow for the staging of his play "Runaway Brides". "They've all been at the top of their game not just for years but for almost three decades, close to 40 years. That is no small feat. They've done fantastic work for decades, which isn't easy," the actor told PTI when asked about the trio's enduring legacy. Do comparisons with his father burden him? Dismissing the notion, Junaid said: "It hasn't happened to me so far. Papa and I are physically very different, so we'd never play similar kinds of characters. It doesn't bother me, and I haven't experienced it yet." The actor was in Lucknow for the 12th edition of the Repertwahr festival. Junaid, 31, expressed delight at the reception of his comedy drama "Runaway Brides", directed by Faezeh Jalali. "It was a lovely experience here. The energy was great, and the audience has been fantastic," he said. This marked his third visit to the city, following previous trips for a friend's wedding and his 2019 play, "Bone of Contention", staged at the Sangeet Natak Akademi. On balancing his passion for theatre with a growing film career, the newcomer said, "For stage plays, you need to dedicate about six to eight weeks. After that, it's about taking out a couple of days for rehearsals and performances." Despite juggling projects across mediums, he emphasised that theatre remains his first love. "Theatre is my passion. I've been performing in India since 2017, after training at the American Academy of Dramatic Arts and briefly working for their repertory company. Since then, I've done about seven to eight plays and a hundred shows," he added. Junaid also shared his admiration for actors across generations. "There are so many fantastic actors like (Amitabh) Bachchan sahab, Irrfan Khan, Shah Rukh, Kareena (Kapoor Khan), Rani (Mukerji), and Shabana Azmi, who excels both on screen and stage," he said. However, assessing performances, especially in films, isn't something he engages in. "A film performance depends so heavily on the director and the technical setup. On stage, you can evaluate a performance, but it doesn't hold much value for films," he remarked. Junaid has two theatrical releases lined up for 2025. "I have a film produced by Phantom Films releasing on February 7. It's a fun rom-com starring Khushi Kapoor, quite different from my last period drama 'Maharaj'," he said. The other project is a film directed by Sunil Pandey and backed by his father's banner Aamir Khan Productions. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 07:51 AM IST | Lucknow | ANIBollywood actor and BJP Lok Sabha MP from Mandi Kangana Ranaut on Monday inaugurated the Craft Handloom village at Sharan in Himachal's Kullu district and inspected the local craft and handloom produced by women. She also visited a local craft and handloom exhibition and distributed certificates and tools to women entrepreneurs. The craft village is a modern-day concept to promote craft and Handloom products and tourism as a destination with artisans and weavers living and working at the same place provided with the opportunity to sell their products. The village scheme would prove to be a boon for craftsmen engaged in weaving and producing traditional products like shawls and pattoo, as there is a huge demand for these products across the country, and the products are exported to 30 countries, she said while talking to reporters. "It is a big step taken by the central government and Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the local artisans of Himachal Pradesh. He understands that Himachal is more than its mountains, rivers and scenic beauty...We want our locally designed and made woollens to be cherished by the people of India," Ranaut noted. The traditional shoes of Manali, locally called 'pule', are unique specimens of craftsmanship, and besides being comfortable, it is also environment friendly, she added. Local Congress MLA Bhuvneshwar Gaur and Kullu Deputy Commissioner Torul S Ravish were also present on the occasion. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 07:42 AM IST | Shimla | PTIVeteran director and screenwriter Shyam Benegal has passed away at the age of 90. He breathed his last today at 6:38 pm at Wockhardt Hospital, Mumbai Central, where he was undergoing treatment for chronic kidney disease. From Chiranjeevi to Akshay Kumar, actors expressed their grief over the passing away of the legendary filmmaker. Taking to X, actor Chiranjeevi wrote, "Deeply saddened at the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal,one of the finest film makers and great intellectuals of our country. He discovered & nurtured some of the brightest film talents of India. His films, biographies and documentaries form part of India's greatest cultural treasure!! A fellow Hyderabadi & former Rajya Sabha member, Benegal Sab's masterful works will always be held in great esteem in Indian Cinema! Rest In Peace Sir!!" Deeply saddened at the departure of Shri Shyam Benegal,one of the finest film makers and great intellectuals of our country. He discovered & nurtured some of the brightest film talents of India. His films, biographies and documentaries form part of India’s greatest cultural… — Chiranjeevi Konidela (@KChiruTweets) December 23, 2024 Bollywood star Akshay Kumar also mourned the demise of the veteran filmmaker and wrote, "Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji's demise. One of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend. Om Shanti" Pained to know of Shyam Benegal ji’s demise. One of the finest filmmakers in our country, truly a legend. Om Shanti 🙏 pic.twitter.com/FGbMf0l0jO — Akshay Kumar (@akshaykumar) December 23, 2024 "He created 'the new wave' cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian Cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide," filmmaker Shekhar Kapur wrote on X. He created ‘the new wave’ cinema. #shyambenegal will always be remembered as the man that changed the direction of Indian Cinema with films like Ankur, Manthan and countless others. He created stars out great actors like Shabama Azmi and Smita Patil. Farewell my friend and guide pic.twitter.com/5r3rkX48Vx — Shekhar Kapur (@shekharkapur) December 23, 2024 Veteran actor Anupam Kher said he was deeply saddened to know about the sad demise of the legendary filmmaker. "He was the messiah for actors, writers and technicians of alternative cinema in #India. He told stories differently. When I went to meet him to ask for a role during the making of #Mandi, he looked at me and said, "I don't have anything substantial for you in this film. And I don't think you should do a smaller role! Why don't you wait. May be something substantial will come your way!" And when #Saaransh happened he was extremely happy for me!! Goodbye #ShyamBabu. Thanks for your brilliance and generosity. Will miss you and your infectious smile." View this post on Instagram A post shared by Anupam Kher (@anupampkher) For Manoj Bajpayee, it is a "heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema." "Shyam Benegal wasn't just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced understanding of performances. I'll forever be grateful for the lessons I learned under his direction. It was an absolute honor to have had the opportunity to work with him. His legacy will live on in the stories he told and the lives he touched. Rest in peace Shyam Babu, Om Shanti" A heartbreaking loss for Indian cinema. Shyam Benegal wasn’t just a legend, he was a visionary who redefined storytelling and inspired generations. Working with him in Zubeidaa was a transformative experience for me, exposing me to his unique style of storytelling & nuanced… pic.twitter.com/EH0eosqkAR — manoj bajpayee (@BajpayeeManoj) December 23, 2024 Filmmaker Subhash Ghai remembered the late filmmaker and called him an inspiration for young generation. "The Pioneer master of indian parallel cinema shri # SHAM BENEGAL is no more with us but his teachings inspirations n definitions of cinema with social issues will always remain with us n younger generations of film makers - he has been our mentor n founder architect of all the courses in film making at #WHISTLINGWOODS since 2006 - specially to me in my growth as mainstream film maker.Sir you will always live with us as a master n guide both in the growth of indian cinema. Your contribution in indian cinema is invaluable for good.RIP. WE LOVE YOU ALWAYS. WITH GRATITUDE" View this post on Instagram A post shared by SG (@subhashghai1) Director Karan Johar wrote on his Instagram stories, "RIP Sir, Thank you for your Cinema... for stories that shaped incredible talent and for pushing boundaries and creating pride in Indian Cinema." Kajol expressed grief over the demise of the filmmaker and wrote, "Deeply saddened by the loss of legendary Shyam Benegal. His contribution to Indian cinema are immeasurable and his legacy will live on through his incredible body of work". "Much will be written about Shyam Benegal but for me not many talk about the fact that there was a lament in his films and a sadness about the fact we were not living in the best of all possible Worlds," wrote filmmaker Sudhir Mishra. Much will be written about Shyam Benegal but for me not many talk about the fact that there was a lament in his films and a sadness about the fact we were not living in the best of all possible Worlds . — Sudhir Mishra (@IAmSudhirMishra) December 23, 2024 Benegal's films, including Ankur, Nishant, Manthan, and Bhumika, established him as a pioneer of the Indian parallel cinema movement in the 1970s and 1980s. Benegal was honoured with the National Film Award for Best Feature Film in Hindi seven times and received the V. Shantaram Lifetime Achievement Award in 2018. Born on December 14, 1934, in a Konkani-speaking Chitrapur Saraswat Brahmin family in Hyderabad, Benegal collaborated extensively with actors from FTII and NSD, including Naseeruddin Shah, Om Puri, Smita Patil, Shabana Azmi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda, and Amrish Puri.His films left an indelible impact on audiences, addressing relevant socio-political themes with remarkable depth. His most recent project, Mujib: The Making of a Nation (2023), was an India-Bangladesh co-production depicting the life of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the founding father of Bangladesh. Shot extensively in both countries during the COVID-19 pandemic, the biographical film added another feather to his illustrious cap. In addition to feature films, Benegal contributed significantly to documentaries and television. His iconic series Bharat Ek Khoj and Samvidhaan remain benchmarks in Indian television. He also served as the Director of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 1980 to 1986 and was a member of prestigious juries, including the 14th Moscow International Film Festival (1985) and the 35th National Film Awards (1988). This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
24 December,2024 07:36 AM IST | Mumbai | ANIThere’s a new kingmaker Sujoy Ghosh and Siddharth Anand Shah Rukh Khan and daughter Suhana Khan’s King hasn’t gone on floors yet, but there is a plot twist already. The highly anticipated action thriller, which was to be helmed by Sujoy Ghosh, is now being directed by Siddharth Anand. What led to the change? Your guess is as good as ours. Even before this development, Siddharth was involved in King as a producer, and co-writer alongside Sujoy. Some reports at that time had also suggested that he would direct the action set-pieces, while Sujoy was to steer the rest of it. Now, with Siddharth as the new captain of the ship, it will mark his reunion with Shah Rukh after their blockbuster Pathaan (2023). Can they recreate their magic? We can already hear the superstar’s fans going, “Yes!” You’ll get hell next year How long can you wait for the next season of a series that you absolutely love? The answer to that question can vary, but one thing’s for certain—fans of Paatal Lok have been patient. And now, it’s time for them to be rewarded. The gritty crime thriller’s second season will première on January 17, over four years since the show opened in May 2020. While Jaideep Ahlawat will reprise his role of the cynical but trusted cop Hathiram Chaudhary, the new season will also see Tillotama Shome, Nagesh Kukunoor, and Jahnu Barua join the cast.
24 December,2024 06:48 AM IST | Mumbai | The Hitlist TeamVeteran filmmaker Shyam Benegal has passed away at the age of 90 at Wockhardt hospital in Mumbai. His daughter confirmed to Mid-day that he passed away on Monday evening. He was suffering from a kidney ailment for a while. His funeral will take place on December 24 at Shivaji Park. Shyam Benegal passes away in Mumbai The filmmaker's daughter Pia Benegal told Mid-day, "Mr Shyam Benegal passed away today at 6.38 pm at a city hospital." He had been unwell for some time. Shyam Benegal is often regarded as the pioneer of parallel cinema. He is widely considered one of the greatest filmmakers post-1970s. He has received several accolades, including 18 National Film Awards, and a Nandi Award. In 2005, he was honoured with the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, India's highest award in the field of cinema. In 1976, he was honoured by the Indian government with the Padma Shri, the fourth-highest civilian honour of the country, and in 1991, he was awarded Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian honour for his contributions in the field of arts. Shyam Benegal turned 90 on Dec 14, was working on 2-3 films The filmmaker, who directed path-breaking films such as ‘Ankur’, ‘Nishant’, ‘Manthan’, ‘Bhumika’, ‘Junoon’, and ‘Mandi’, turned 90 on December 14. "We all grow old. I don’t do anything great on my birthday. It may be a special day, but I don’t celebrate it specifically. I cut a cake at the office with my team,” Benegal told PTI on his birthday. Despite the physical challenges that come with age, including frequent hospital visits for dialysis three times a week, Benegal remained committed to his passion for filmmaking. "I'm working on two to three projects; they are all different from one another. It’s difficult to say which one I will make. They are all for the big screen," said the director, whose most recent film was the 2023 biographical Mujib: The Making of a Nation. Shabana Azmi had shared photos from Benegal's 90th birthday celebration. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Shabana Azmi (@azmishabana18) He received independent financing for 'Ankur' in 1973. It was a realistic drama of economic and sexual exploitation in his home state, Telangana. The film introduced actors Shabana Azmi and Anant Nag, and the director won the 1975 National Film Award for Second Best Feature Film. Shabana won the National Film Award for Best Actress.
24 December,2024 12:06 AM IST | Mumbai | Priyanka SharmaAfter delivering tracks like Guli mata and Zaalima, Indian music producer Anshul Garg shares that he is set to release a song in collaboration with American singer Selena Gomez next year. Garg, who had, until now, not confirmed his association with the singer, tells mid-day that they are set to shoot soon. In this interview, he shares why his keen interest in artistes from the west is beneficial for Indian music, and its musicians. Edited excerpts from the interview. How did your association with Selena come about?I did my first international collaboration for a song called Guli Mata. When I made that song, and made my team hear it, they opined that half of the song was incomprehensible. But, we know that when south music became popular in the north, many people from that area also did not understand the lyrics, but grooved to the music nonetheless. Also, while traveling abroad, I heard a lot of French and Afro music, and enjoyed them. So, I was keen to be part of international collaborations. Eventually, the song did pretty well on the global charts. In fact, we received an award for it in the UAE recently. I subsequently collaborated with other international artistes and kept building relationships with them and their management teams. Now, apart from Selena, we are in talks with to three to four big artistes. In 2025 or 2026, I should be able to bring them to India. What can you share about the song that you’ve done with her?Selena is an icon, and everyone I meet knows who she is. Even in India, she is a celebrated name. She has never come here, though. We’ve locked the song, and have decided which Indian singer should render it, but that’s a detail I am not permitted to reveal just yet. It’s a Hindi and English number, and we’ll have clarity around when it can be released after we shoot it next year, probably in March. What sparked your interest in creating fusions with artistes from the west?A lot of people told me to train my attention on the Indian market, and [criticised me] for changing the positioning of Indian music. They’d tell me that this development would lead people to forget our own music. But, I believe, the things I am doing will help take Indian music to the global stage. When I’m in Los Angeles, I don’t hear any Indian songs there. While I am at a restaurant, I’d like to listen to at least two to three Indian numbers. Hopefully, in the next five years, we will see that happening. Punjabi numbers are becoming so popular in the west. It will boom in the next three years. So, I feel, Indian music will be the next big thing in the world. You will see international artistes becoming inclined towards Indian music, and international actors putting Indian songs on their social media reels. That’s going to happen really soon. What makes you so confident about this statement?I’ve been in this industry for eight years, and have seen the conversation around Indian music change in the last two years. I’ve been talking to many artistes abroad, and they are [all] keen to come to India and collaborate with the musicians here. Martin Garrix is collaborating with Arijit Singh now. Have there been instances when you collaborated with an international artiste but had to shelve the song because it didn’t feel right?Many times. [Recently] I collaborated with a female Russian artiste. We were [in discussion] for months, and suddenly, I felt [it wasn’t right]. If I get bored of the song too soon, then I will [shelve it]. We aim to be at the Grammys. Hopefully, we should be nominated in 2026 or 2027. For that, we need to be very sure about what we do. Working on an international number takes time because there’s a whole lot of paperwork involved. We also want to ensure that the Indian and international parts are [appropriately included]. It’s a process that takes eight months. So, we make five to six songs with all the artistes that we work with, and shelve most of them. We retain only one or two. Is there any artiste you’re keen to join hands with?Drake and The Weeknd. Those will be very exciting. Getting them to India and having them sing a line or two in our language will also be very exciting.
23 December,2024 10:59 PM IST | Mumbai | Sonia LullaAnil Kapoor is known for his stellar acting over a career spanning more than four decades. His versatile and iconic roles are a household name. He has done different kinds of roles showcasing his versatility. At the age of 67 too, the actor is fit and is always seen jumping around with full energy, trying to make the audience laugh. On the occasion of his 68th Birthday, let us have a look at some of his quirkiest and funniest roles: Gharwali Baharwali (1998)in this dramedy, Anil Kapoor plays the character of Arun who is torn between loyalty towards his wife, Kaajal, and his father's wish to have a grandchild as Kaajal can't bear a child. However Arun rejects his father's plea to remarry but in a turn of events, Arun has to tie the knot with Manisha, a Nepali girl. This leads to chaos, comedy, and funny attempts to hide the truth. Quite problematic, but the film displayed Anil Kapoor's comic side. Dil Dhadakne Do (2015)Anil Kapoor essays the character of Kamal Mehra, a Delhi-based self-made billionaire. This comedy-drama film revolves around the Mehra family and their strained relationships with each other which are revealed on a 10-day cruise trip that commemorates Kamal and Neelam Mehra's 30 years of married life. Anil's character in this film is unpredictable, flirty, and quirky. Welcome (2007)One of the most iconic characters of Anil Kapoor is from this film. Anil portrays Majnu Bhai, a feared yet funny gangster who has a thing for painting and believes he can become a great painter someday. This is surely one of the quirkiest and funniest roles of Kapoor. Mr. India (1987)This 1987 sci-fi comedy film revolves around a criminal Mogambo who wants to conquer India and performs misdeeds. On the contrary, Anil's character Arun is a teacher and kin-hearted person who adopts 10 orphans to look after them. His poverty-laden life transforms when he discovers his late father's watch which makes the bearer invisible. What follows further is comedy, confusion, and chaos besides action and drama. No Entry (2005)Anil Kapoor essays a faithful man, Kishan, who is married to Kajal, who is always suspicious and suspects that he is cheating on her. Kishan's feud with his friend Prem puts him in an uncomfortable situation where he has to lie to his wife, further leading to a web of lies. As these lies are told, laughs are ensured. Eventually, the secrets unfold hilariously. Ek Ladki Ko Dekha Toh Aisa Laga (2019)Anil portrays a happy-go-lucky single parent, Balbir Chaudhary, whose life is going happily until his quest to find a suitable match for his daughter reveals that she is not interested in guys and instead likes girls. Anil's character adds humour, his chemistry with Juhi Chawla keeps the audience hooked in this social message-driven film. Jugjugg Jeeyo (2022)This comedy-drama film presents a strained relationship between two couples of different generations and their approach towards them. Anil Kapoor plays a flirty, infidel middle-aged man, Bheem, who undergoes character development by the end. Anil's presence in the film uplifts it and ensures that laughter is made through serious conversations. Biwi No. 1 (1999)Anil Kapoor plays Dr. Lakhan Khurana, who agrees to help Pooja win her husband, Prem, back from his affair. He helps her get a makeover that makes her look modern. By the end, Lakhan also reunites with his wife, Lovely. Anil's character has incredible comic timing in this film.
23 December,2024 10:55 PM IST | Mumbai | Divya KhuranaMohammed Rafi was India's most renowned singer, and December 24 marks his 100th birth anniversary. As we celebrate this milestone of the legendary artist, here is an interesting fact about him. Rafi has sung some of the most iconic songs, including Aaj Mausam Bada, Kya Hua Tera Vada, Yeh Reshmi Zulfein, among hundreds of others. But what if we tell you that he has also sung Pehle Bhi Main from Animal, Lutt Put Gaya from Dunki, Tera Ban Jaunga from Kabir Singh, among others? Confused? You don’t need to be, because we are here to tell you the reality behind these songs in Mohammed Rafi's voice. New popular songs in Mohammed Rafi's voice When artificial intelligence gets to work, everything is possible. While we miss the singer with our whole hearts, several experts have found a way to recreate the magic by having the latest songs sung in Mohammad Rafi's voice using AI tools. It’s a fact that AI can be dangerous, but this same technology has helped many relive the magic of Rafi sahab's voice. Some of these popular edits include Pehle Bhi Main from Animal, Lutt Put Gaya from Dunki, Tera Ban Jaunga from Kabir Singh, among other popular songs. Fans react to Mohammed Rafi's AI voice As these Mohammad Rafi versions of the songs go viral, fans have poured their love for the legendary artist. One wrote, "No doubt this AI version of The Great legendary singer Mohd Rafi Sahab is far better than the original. We all miss you Rafi sahab". "Suro ki Taj hai moha sahab ji Koyeli awaaz hai beautiful voice CooooooL world famas singar My Rafi sahab ji ko salam Mastar voice CooooooL," another comment reads. A third comment reads, "Ye sunn ke pata chala ki mohammad Rafi sir ji kitne Great Legend singer hai". "Still Bollywood is living in legend song which was70s 80s........and in2024 this song are the top songs of the year, one wrote. Another fan, while reacting to clip, said, "people are still listening this voice, 44 saal pahle Rafi sahab chale gaye but His voice is still alive cause "Awaz kabhi nahi marti" Rafi sahab Kishoreda are immortal" Reportedly, IFFI this year will pay homage to the extraordinary legacy of Raj Kapoor, Tapan Sinha, Akkineni Nageswara Rao (ANR), and Mohammed Rafi through a series of tributes, screenings, and interactive events, providing the delegates a closer look at the contributions of these legendary film personalities to the world of cinema.
23 December,2024 09:58 PM IST | MumbaiADVERTISEMENT
