Directed by: KA Abbas Music: Anil Biswas Lyrics: Sahir Ludhianvi Starring: Raj Kapoor, Meena Kumari, Nimmi, Ajit, Shammi Kapoor, Kumkum, P Jairaj, Anwar Hussain, David, Nana Palsikar, Achala Sachdev, Jagdish Kanwal, Vishwas Mehra, Badri Prasad After watching Pakeezah and feeling sad at how old Meena Kumari looked and how ill, I wanted to watch a film in which she was neither. I’d been sitting on subtitling Char Dil Char Rahen for Tom for over a year now. Tom was remarkably patient, and when I finally completed the subbing, I decided I might as well review it. After all, apart from Me ..read more

Films have always been defined by the periods in which they were made. Though, initially, films borrowed from stage plays and were, therefore, adaptations of literary works, or told us stories from religious texts or mythology, filmmakers and storytellers soon began to understand the reach of this new medium. Film-makers with a social consciousness began to make movies based on societal ills, harnessing the power of the medium to take their point of view across to audiences. With the birth of a new nation, stories began to express the aspirations of a populace long accustomed to being second-c ..read more

Directed by Kamal Amrohi Music: Ghulam Mohammed, Naushad Lyrics: Kamal Amrohi, Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kaif Bhopali Starring: Meena Kumari, Ashok Kumar, Raj Kumar, Veena, Nadira, Sapru Today is the 52nd death anniversary of one of India’s finest actors (and my favourite heroine) – Meena Kumari. I have reviewed many of Meena’s films on this blog before – Sahib Bibi aur Ghulam,Azaad, Kohinoor, Yahudi, Mem Sahib, Miss Mary, Chitralekha, Dushman, Mere Apne,Parineeta, Baharon ke Manzil, Bheegi Raat…  Yet, when I was looking for a film that would be a tribute to Meena’s talent ..read more

08.01.1939-25.03.2014 Truthfully, I have never been a great fan of Nanda’s. Perhaps it’s because I first saw her in regressive weepfests like Bhabhi and Chhoti Bahen – where she was saccharine sweet – or in regressive melodramas like Jab Jab Phool Khile, where her western avatar did her no great favours. However, now that I am older and have been exposed to more of her work, I have begun to have a sneaking liking for her vulnerable sweetness. Read more ..read more

14.03.1913-28.03.1988 For every 'great' music director, there are those who were no less talented but whose circumstances did not allow them to rise to the heights their more successful contemporaries did. Yet, their music lives on after them. I begin this section with Shri Nath Tripathi – or SN Tripathi, as he was popularly known. Except for music aficionados, few people remember the composer even though the songs he composed continue to be popular. But SN Tripathi was not just a composer; he was a musician, a music director, a singer, an actor, a writer and a director. For a man w ..read more

Stray Dogs Directed by: Akiro Kurosawa Music: Fumio Hayasaka Starring: Toshiro Mifune, Takashi Shimura, Keiko Awaji, Isao Kimura, Eiko Miyoshi, Masao Shimizu, Noriko Sengoku, Noriko Honma, Hajime Izu, Ichiro Sugai, Minoru Chiaki, Eijirō Tōno, Yasushi Nagata, Teruko Kishi, Iida Chōko, Kan Yanagiya, Reizaburô Yamamoto, Reikichi Kawamura I have been away from my blog for far too long. My sincere apologies to my readers, several of whom have sent me private messages asking me why. Since circumstances are still not conducive to my writing or posting, my husband has generously stepped into ..read more

  I am not a great fan of Kishore Kumar, the actor, except in rare circumstances. But his physical comedy is absolutely fantastic, especially when restrained by the firm hand of the director. He seems almost ‘boneless’ at times, and can dance like a dream, albeit in the most comical fashion ever. His yodelling skills, the almost-farcical facial expressions, the uninhibited-ness that he portrayed on screen – together, the combination was lethal. So, the songs picturized on him inevitably become an avenue for him to express his comic side. One can only imagine that he must choreograph the ..read more

Directed by: Hrishikesh Mukherjee Music: Salil Chowdhury Lyrics: Rajinder Krishan Starring: Sunil Dutt, Asha Parekh, Nirupa Roy, Nasir Hussain, Lalita Pawar, Mohan Choti, Krishan Dhawan, Achala Sachdev I first watched Chhaya when they showed it on DD. Then, a few years ago, while I was trawling through YouTube to find something to watch, I came across the film, and promptly watched it again. A handsome Sunil Dutt, a very pretty (and not as irritating) Asha Parekh and great songs – what more do you need for lazy Sunday evening? Read more ..read more

18.02.1914 - 19.08.1976 When veteran music director Khayyam was complimented on his compositions, he said, “Where would my songs be without the musicians who bring my tunes to life, the lyricists who adorn those melodies with words, and the singers who gave voice to them?” Composers like Khayyam are vocal in their recognition of the importance of collaborative efforts in creating the classic Hindi film song. So also, directors who used songs, not just as interludes in the script, but as a way to push the narrative.  The songs of the age also demanded a high calibre of lyrics –ly ..read more

Courtesy: Pexels.com - Karolina Grabowska Ah, February – the season of love. And Valentine’s Day – where love is measured by outpourings on social media. Exorbitantly prized red roses. Boxes and boxes of chocolates. Even Hallmark makes a killing, selling sappy cards. And me? I usually get more and more Grinch-like as the date nears. It’s not that I am anti-romance. I am not. I do believe in love. Truly What I don’t like are made-up customs that mandate that someone should do something particular (and very expensive) to show you they love you. And on this one day, I find myself ranged ..read more