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Feroz Abbas Khan talks with Subhash K Jha about adapting K Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam for the stage and shares his thoughts 65 Years the timeless classic.

What inspired you to adapt Mughal-e-Azam to the stage?

A musical needs a grand setting, a compelling conflict with very high stakes, outstanding music , memorable characters and a script that pulsates every moment .. Mughal-e-Azam had all of this and more .

How much did you modify the original film for the stage adaptation?

It is the same script with some deletions and additions . The character of Santarash ( the sculptor) in the film is the narrator of the play .The musical is a tribute to the genius of K. Asif and I am only carrying forward his legacy in a different medium.

Did you miss having Dilip Kumar and Madhubala in your stage musical?

Dilip Kumar and Madhubala are stars born in heaven , they visit planet...

Did you know…Dilip Kumar was not nominated for a Filmfare Award… Subhash K Jha brings to light this and other unknown facts about Mughal-e-Azam, which was directed by K. Asif and starred Prithviraj Kapoor, Dilip Kumar, Madhubala, and Durga Khote, as the iconic film turns 65!

There has never been a film quite like K Asif’s Mughal-e-Azam. There were stampedes outside theatres; people clamoured to catch a glimpse of the poster of Dilip Kumar stroking Madhubala’s face with a feather. K Asif’s pseudo-historical epic, which was nine years in the making, was indeed something people were looking forward to. The sheer opulence and magnitude of the epic, Naushad’s magical score, the enduring charm of the Salim-Anarkali story, and the star power represented by Dilip Kumar and Madhubala’s real-life romance, took Mughal-e-Azam to the peak even before its release. Kamal Haasan, a diehard Mughal-e-Azam fan, says,...

Subhash K Jha, in this special feature, discusses a certain National Award: It’s like giving Dilip Kumar the National Award for Bairaag.

Shah Rukh Khan’s National film award for his performance in the questionable Jawaan is a laughably mistimed attempt to make amends.

They didn’t give it to him when he actually deserved it for Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Devdas and Ashutosh Gowariker’s Swades. So the Jury, in all its collective wisdom, got guilt pangs on behalf of all the jury members in the past 32 years who bypassed Srk(not that he deserves to be honoured for most of his performances).

It reminds me of R D Burman who didn’t win any awards for his music in Amar Prem or Kati Patang , but got honoured for arelatively mediocre soundtrack in Sanam Teri Kasam.

There is a time and place for everything. Shah Rukh’s Jawaan...

Bollywood and the underworld have often had shadowy overlaps, especially during the 1980s and 90s. One such unexpected story comes straight from the autobiography of legendary actor Rishi Kapoor, who candidly revealed his encounter with underworld don Dawood Ibrahim.

In his memoir, Rishi Kapoor mentioned that he met Dawood not once, but twice—first in 1988 and again in 1989, both times in Dubai. What began as a brief interaction turned into a four-hour-long meeting filled with conversation, tea, and revelations.

Dawood’s Favorite Bollywood Stars

During their second meeting, Dawood Ibrahim opened up about his admiration for several iconic Bollywood actors. According to Rishi, Dawood had a deep appreciation for the Kapoor family, particularly Raj Kapoor. He also expressed fondness for classic actors like Dilip Kumar, Mehmood, and Mukri—legends who shaped Indian cinema during its golden age.

Rishi Kapoor himself was on Dawood’s list of favorites. In fact, Dawood...

Mahavatar Narsimha: 3 Reasons Why You Should Watch This Film In Theatres(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Mahavatar Narsimha is not your typical animated movie. It brings to life one of the most powerful avatars of Lord Vishnu, Narsimha, in a bold and visually stunning way. With mythological stories gaining popularity again, this film offers something new for both young and old audiences.

If you’re wondering why this film deserves to be experienced on the big screen, here are three reasons to grab your tickets.

The Film Is Getting Positive Reviews Everywhere

People who’ve seen the film love it. From early viewers, Mahavatar Narsimha is getting a lot of praise for its Sanatan Dharma depiction and divine storytelling.

Many are calling it a must-watch movie.

देश मे ऐसी मूवी को सब जगह लगानी चाइये पर सब सैयारा देखने मे पागल है और...

When Rajesh Khanna Reflected On His Romantic Hero Persona( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Rajesh Khanna was a versatile and legendary actor in the history of Indian cinema. He was the First Superstar in Bollywood and achieved that title after giving multiple hits back to back. From Aradhana to Kati Patang and Amar Prem, Rajesh Khanna rose to unparalleled fame as Bollywood’s quintessential romantic hero. Yet, the journey wasn’t without its challenges—he once admitted that sustaining such an image was no easy feat, and considered himself fortunate to have done so. Keep scrolling for the deets.

Khanna captivated viewers with his soulful eyes, charismatic smile, and unparalleled screen presence. He redefined romance for an entire generation. Fondly known as Kaka, the actor portrayed love with vulnerability and intensity that made hearts flutter. He ruled the screens in the 1960s and 1970s. Khanna’s stardom was not just about box...

Subhash K Jha profiles the brilliant career of the late Manoj Kumar in this special feature celebrating his birth anniversary.

The little boy in Abbottabad in the North-West Frontier province saw Dilip Kumar in a film called Jugnu. Then and there, little Manoj Goswami decided he wanted to be a film actor. Many years later, when Manoj was a handsome young man, eeking out a living with his large family in Delhi, a cousin, Lekhraj Bhakri, who was also a filmmaker, suggested that Manoj try his luck in films.

Manoj left Delhi for Mumbai in 1955. He got his first break one year later in a bit role for a film called Gangu Teli. The director Homi Sethna was so happy with the debutant’s work that he paid him Rs 1,000 extra. In his cousin Bhakri’s film Fashion, Manoj played a walk-on part of a beggar. He was only 19.

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In another great installment of This Day That Year, Subhash K Jha looks back at Vikramaditya Motwane’s Udaan which released in 2010.

Udaan which completed 15 years on July 16, was a ballsy debut by Vikramaditya Motwane, who once assisted the angst-laden Sanjay Leela Bhansali and then his angst-cousin Anurag Kashyap. You can see the lasting impression of both the senior creators in the way Motwane designs the uneasy and violent relationship between the 17-year old Rohan (Rajat Barmecha) and his tyrannical father (Ronit Roy) who’s almost villainous in his despotism.

When Udaan is not busy trying to be a regular nudge-nudge-wink-wink coming-of-age film (Billy Elliot-goes-to-Jamshedpur) it gives us some great moments of cinema , done in shades that leave the camera lens far behind to romance the very core of middleclass life (no doubt corroded and outdated) in the soporific ‘steel town’ . The film starts with a mildly amusing boys-disastrous-night-out-from-boarding-school...

War 2 Will Soon Be Dethrone In Pre-Box Office Battle, Guess Which Bollywood Film Will Surpass The Massive Feat?(Photo Credit –Facebook)

War 2 is scheduled to release in theatres worldwide on August 14, 2025. There’s still more than a month to go, but the anticipation has been sky-high for a long time. It is clashing with Rajinikanth’s Coolie, which is lagging in BookMyShow interests. Not even The Raja Saab but an unexpected Bollywood movie may soon topple Hrithik Roshan & Jr Ntr starrer in pre-box office battle! Scroll below for the interesting details.

War 2 dominates Bms interests

Since the first half of 2025, War 2 has been dominating BookMyShow interests. As per the live data, 166.6K users have showcased their excitement for watching Ayan Mukerji’s directorial. No other Indian film except Hari Hara Veera Mallu has been able to cross the 150K mark yet, but there’s a surprising entry!

Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge: More Mistakes I Never Noticed! (Photo Credit –Prime Video)

So, if you have not noticed, Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol’s Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge is yet again trending on the internet after Grammy winner Ricky Kej decided to troll the film, with the most glaring mistake which was pointed out a few years ago and since then the video keeps popping up on the internet surprising someone or the other!

For those who do not know, the climax scene of Ddlj, which might clearly pass the test for being one of the most iconic climax, with one of the most iconic dialogue – Jaa Simran Jaa, Jee Le Apni Zindagi, has a glaring mistake! In the scene, Kajol is seen running towards Shah Rukh Khan who extends his hand standing at the gate of a moving train, while Kajol, runs along with the train to catch Shah Rukh Khan’s hand!

Salman Khan & Sangeeta Bijlani(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Salman Khan and his ex-girlfriend, Sangeeta Bijlani, have once again made headlines. The Dabaang actor was spotted at Bijlani’s 65th Birthday party last night. The snap was uploaded by actor Arjun Bijlani on his Instagram, where he was seen standing with Salman, Sangeeta, and his wife, Neha Swami.

The get-together picture of Salman Khan and Sangeeta has once again rekindled all the memories of their relationship. Sangeeta Bijlani is said to be Salman’s first girlfriend. The two started dating each other in 1986 and stayed together for nearly eight years. Their relationship had reached the zenith at one point, and they were about to tie the knot in May 1994. The cards were printed, and there was a tremendous buzz around their wedding in Bollywood circles.

However, as fate would have it, the wedding was called off weeks before, as Khan was caught...

Kusha Kapila In Vyarth

Kusha Kapila has carved her path through the entertainment industry, starting as a social media content creator and taking on some big Bollywood projects. The influencer and now actor has a few Bollywood films like Thank You For Coming and Sukhee to her credit. Kapila, who entertains the audience through her Instagram reels, continues to do so through her movie projects, and next in her kitty is a short film titled Vyarth.

Reportedly, a brilliant cinematic experience awaits the actress in her latest venture, Vyarth. The anticipation is rising as the team behind the short film has dropped the official poster, offering the very first glimpse into the world of this intriguing film. This is not just another project in her filmography, but Kusha Kapila will add another feather to her cap since she steps into the realm of production as a co-producer of this short film – Vyarth.

When Sajid Khan Blamed Sanjeev Kumar For His Late Father Going Bankrupt (Photo Credit – Instagram/YouTube)

Actor Sanjeev Kumar was known for his versatile roles and intense performances in his glorious career spanning many critically acclaimed and commercially successful movies. However, there was a time when a pretty serious allegation was thrust on him. We are talking about director Sajid Khan, who alleged that his late father had become bankrupt and succumbed to alcoholism because of Kumar.

What Had Gone Wrong Between Sanjeev Kumar And Sajid Khan’s Father?

In a throwback conversation with the YouTube channel Timeout With Ankit, Sajid Khan recalled how he and his sister, Farah Khan, suffered a difficult trajectory after their father became bankrupt. However, he added how it started after their late father, Kamran Khan, decided to make an A-grade film with Sanjeev Kumar. But, Sanjeev left the movie mid-way, and this resulted in...

When Dilip Kumar And Vyjayanthimala’s Friendship Had Gone Sour (Photo Credit – YouTube)

The Hindi film industry is not uncommon with fallouts. However, some friendships that are destined to thrive often manage to mend their ways. One such bond was of Vyjayanthimala and the late Dilip Kumar. The duo was touted to be one of the most loved onscreen pairs during the 50s and the 60s. They also shared a warm friendship offscreen but they had an infamous fallout once which had led to their equation being tarnished for a brief period of time.

What Had Gone Wrong Between Vyjayanthimala And Dilip Kumar?

According to Etimes, Vyjayanthimala was originally cast for the 1967 film, Ram Aur Shyam opposite Dilip Kumar and had also shot for a few scenes of the movie. However, the producer of the movie, Nagi Reddy felt that the actress was being too fussy about things like her costume and jewelry.

Khazanchi Box Office (Photo Credit – YouTube)

There have been many movies in Hindi cinema that have formed an important milestone and paved the way for other films. One such movie was the 1941 mystery thriller film, Khazanchi which went on to become the first golden jubilee hit of Hindi cinema. Yes, you heard that right! Let us revisit the stellar box office trivia and other fascinating facts surrounding the movie.

Khazanchi Box Office Revisit

The Moti B Gidwani directorial was the first golden jubilee hit of Hindi cinema despite witnessing a pre-Independence release wherein the fate of the movies at the box office was a slippery slope. It emerged as the highest grossing movie of 1941. According to Sacnilk, in its theatrical run of 50 almost days, the movie amassed 65 lakh at the Indian box office.

Including the taxes, the gross collection came to 76 lakhs. The movie was mounted at a budget of a mere 5 lakh.

Ratna Pathak Shah Once Spoke On Naseeruddin Shah’s First Marriage ( Photo Credit – Instagram; Facebook )

Veteran actors Ratna Pathak Shah and Naseeruddin Shah are one of the most iconic couples of Bollywood. Their love story began in the world of theatre, and after dating for a couple of years, they tied the knot in 1982 and now have been together for over four decades. Let’s look back at the time when Ratna Pathak Shah opened up on her marriage with Naseeruddin Shah. Read on to know more.

Ratna Pathak Shah’s First Meeting With Naseeruddin Shah

In an interview with Humans Of Bombay, Ratna shared how she first met Naseeruddin for the first time. She shared, “We were doing a play together. It was precisely called ‘Sambhog Se Sanyas Tak.’ I don’t know when we realised we wanted to be together, but we did. By pretty soon actually we met,...

Subhash K Jha turns the spotlight on the brilliance of Dilip Kumar on reel as one of the finest actors, comedy and drama and everything in between, in the world.

He didn’t act. He reacted. Dilip Kumar was to the acting profession what Lata Mangeshkar was to playback singing. Take them away, and what are we left with in Hindi cinema?

Born as Yusuf Khan in a family of 12 children, the future doyen of on-screen dramatics moved with his family from his native town in Peshawar to Mumbai, where the Khans made a living as fruit sellers. For a brief while, Yusuf Khan even worked in an army canteen, when Devika Rani, the wife of the legendary Himanshu Rai of the Bombay Talkies studios, spotted the lanky but intense young man in a crowd.

Yusuf Khan was re-christened Dilip Kumar by Hindi litterateur Bhagwati Charan Verma. He made his...

Dilip Kumar Demanded 42% Of This Blockbuster’s Budget & Walked Out In 6 Hours! (Photo Credit –Prime Video/YouTube)

Indian Cinema is a goldmine when it comes to the stories of how some iconic films were made. What went right, what went wrong, who was initially cast, and who was finally replaced? One such iconic and cult films in the history of Indian Cinema is Guru Dutt’s Pyaasa, or rather we should say Dilip Kumar’s Pyaasa?

The First Choice Of Pyaasa – The Og Superstar!

The first choice for Pyaasa was the Og superstar of the Indian Cinema – Dilip Kumar! While he was witnessing a never-seen-before stardom during the 50’s, Guru Dutt decided to cast him for his passion project, because he wanted the best actor to lead the film!

Pyaasa Budget Vs Dilip Kumar’s Fee!

Even in those days, actors and their paychecks were huge! Dilip Kumar demanded 42% of...

Subhash K Jha revisits the history of the hit game show Kaun Banega Crorepati to celebrate 25 years!

Within one week of this millennium, the face of Indian television changed beyond recognition. Nobody—not even the enterprising far-sighted Star Plus boss Sameer Nair who surreptitiously initiated moves to import Who Wants To Be A Millionaire into this country—could have guessed what was in store for and on Indian television in and from July 2,000 onwards.

The other channels were left looking like honorary denizens of the idiot box ( with the stress on idiot). From being a distant third Star Plus simply swept past the competition to emerge way ahead of Zee and Sony Entertainment who didn’t know what hit them until it was too late.

Who would have thought that Kaun Banega Crorepati would change us into a nation of knowledge-thirsty gamblers? Children in their free time no longer play—or watch—Antakshari.

Looking back at the gritty political thriller Sarkar, in this fascinating installment of Subhash K Jha’s This Day That Year series, where we also hear from the star Amitabh Bachchan about making the Rsm Gopal Varma film which released in 2005.

In Sarkar, nothing is as apparent as it seems. Take a look at the plot: a saviour-of-the-masses hero, his two heir-apparent – the bad son and good son, the tussle of power between the two sons in a world that Varma has over the years patented and portrayed inside-out.

Dark, gleaming, ominous corridors hiding anguished pain, characters who look like they could do with a bath… and a massage to release some of the nervous tension that comes from a blurred perception of crime and morality – these characterize the givens in a Varma film.

Sarkar too takes us through a world governed by the rules of survival of the fittest.

Bigg Boss 13 Fame Shefali Jariwala Dies (Photo Credit – Instagram)

In a very shocking news coming from the industry, Bigg Boss 13 fame Shefali Jariwala has died at the age of 42. The actress who shot to fame with the music video Kaanta Laga was brought dead to the hospital. Fans and friends from the industry still cannot process the news of Shefali’s sudden demise!

As per reports, Shefali was rushed to Bellevue Multispeciality Hospital in Mumbai on Friday by her husband, actor Parag Tyagi, and three others but a nightmare awaited them!

Shefali Jariwala’s Cause Of Death

The sad news was confirmed by senior journalist Vickey Lalwani in an Instagram post, where he conveyed what he was told by a hospital staff – “Shefali had expired before she was brought in. Her husband and a few others accompanied the body.” The staff however could not confirm the cause of Shefali’s death.

When Raj Kapoor Died A Day After Nargis’s Birthday! (Photo Credit – Prime Video)

Raj Kapoor is a man who witnessed love like never before. In fact, the man was obsessed with love stories on-screen and off-screen as well. While his wife Krishna Raj Kapoor was the love of his family life, Nargis was said to be the love of his heart! They came together for a film and could never be apart until Nargis decided to move on with her life after knowing that Rk senior would never marry her!

However, the two seem to have a soul connection, so much so that the Showman passed away a day after Nargis‘s birth anniversary! Nargis died on May 3, 1981, much before the Awaara actor’s death due to cancer!

After a few years, Raj Kapoor passed away on June 3, 1988, due to Asthma! While the actor passed away happy and content,...

Subhash K Jha shines the spotlight on Nargis the reel and the real her in this special feature.

There were so many facets to the iconic Nargis Dutt .

I once remember her son Sanjay telling me, “Others knew her as the joyous, generous, large-hearted woman. For the world, she was Mother India. For me, she was my mom. Yeah, she pampered me silly. She would deny me nothing. Dad was the disciplinarian. For me, she was…everything.”

When we think of Nargis, we think immediately of Mehboob Khan’s Mother India. It is to Nargis’ career what Sholay was to Amjad Khan. Nothing that Nargis did thereafter could compare favourably with Mother India.

Indeed, Nargis in Mother India is a marvel of Nature. She was only 28 when she played mother to Sunil Dutt and Rajendra Kumar so convincingly. To take such a bold risk of playing a mother so early...

Is Tara Sutaria Dating Veer Pahariya? (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Tara Sutaria is once again making headlines, but this time it’s about her personal life. Rumors are buzzing that she’s dating actor Veer Pahariya, known for his role in Sky Force. This comes just months after Tara’s ex-boyfriend Aadar Jain got married to Alekha Advani, his childhood friend. Fans are curious if Tara has found a new romance, so here’s everything we know so far.

The Rumored Romance: How Did It Start?

According to India Today, Tara Sutaria and Veer have been dating for about two months now. A source revealed, “The two started dating just a couple of months ago. And they are trying to figure things out. They often keep going out for dates.” Even though neither Tara nor Veer has officially confirmed anything, recent sightings have made fans speculate.

A few days ago, Tara...

Kankhajura (SonyLIV)

Starring Roshan Mathew, Mohit Raina, Usha Nadkarni, Heeba Shah, Sarah Jane Dias, Ninad Kamath, and Mahesh Krishna Shetty

Directed by Chandan Arora

If Kankhajura’s dark, sinister criminal mood flows by like a breeze in spite of eight episodes, it is for Roshan Mathew, that chameleon-like Malayalam actor who transforms in front of our incredulous eyes into a severely traumatized borderline-psychotic, kind gentle naïve yet devious man named Ashu who seeks only one thing in life: validation from his brother Max, played effectively by Mohit Raina.

Very rarely are we forced to wonder what a film/series would be like without an actor: Dilip Kumar in Devdas, Shabana Azmi in Arth, Kamal Haasan in Hey Ram…

Add Roshan Mathew to this rarefied roster. Were it not for Roshan, Kankhajura would collapse like a house of ‘cads’, and I do mean cads. The characters, including Mathew and Raina, have...

When Anil Kapoor Revealed Wearing This Actor’s Suits (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Anil Kapoor is a renowned Bollywood actor who has also worked in Hollywood productions. But the road to that success was not easy, and he had his own struggles in the initial days. The versatile actor, along with Gulshan Grover, once revealed that he used to wear suits belonging to another huge Bollywood star. They have shared screen space and are contemporaries. Scroll below to find out.

Anil is known for playing a wide range of characters, from romantic leads to intense dramatic roles. Some of his best-known movies are Mr India, Tezaab, Ram Lakhan, Lamhe, Nayak, and more. His most notable international projects include the Oscar-winning movie Slumdog Millionaire.

Anil Kapoor once recalled wearing a rented suit to Ram Lakhan’s premiere

According to a Hindustan Times report, over half a decade ago, at the 30th anniversary of the film Ram Lakhan,...

Farah Khan Once Recalled The Frenzy Over Dilip Kumar At A Wedding(Photo Credit – Instagram/Wikipedia)

Farah Khan once recounted a memorable incident from a wedding reception, where legendary actor Dilip Kumar’s arrival caused an unexpected commotion. The choreographer turned director was just a toddler when she witnessed the aura of the legend. The commotion also resulted in an unfortunate incident at the wedding. Keep scrolling for the deets.

Farah is one of the most eminent people in Bollywood who has choreographed over a hundred songs in over eighty films and won the National Film Award for Best Choreography and multiple Filmfare Awards. She was nominated for two Best Director awards at the Filmfare Awards for Main Hoon Na and Om Shanti Om. Kumar needs no introduction; he was one of the greatest actors in Indian film history and is referred to as Abhinay Samrat. He held the record...

Subhash K Jha revisits Welcome to Karachi, which starred Jackky Bhagnani and Arshad Warsi as it hits 10 years since it released on the big screen.

What can we say about a comedy where our two goofy heroes from Gujarat named Kader and Shammi end up in Pakistan playing two terrorists .

The narrative captures the silly sur and clings to it till the end.

At first, you hate all the suffocating stereotyping. Once our two errr… heroes reach ‘Karachi’ (looks like some exotic non-Asian destination) we are subjected to a surfeit of terrorists, bombs and yes, one item bomb named Lauren Gottlieb who plays , don’t laugh, a Pakistani Intelligence officer.

Honestly, we could do with less of such aggressive and provocative portrayal of Pakistan, if for no other reason, than to avoid them on the other side, making a film where they show every Indian as a rabid fanatical fundamentalist.

“It’s like the Rajendra Kumar replacing Dilip Kumar in Sangam,” a close friend of Deepika Padukone says, shedding light on the raging controversy over the actress’ ouster from Sandeep Vanga’s next project entitled, apparently, Spirit.

Ever since then, Vanga, true to his volatile nature, has been taking angry swipes at Ms Padukone, even accusing her, indirectly, of “outing” the film’s script.

However, a close friend of Ms Padukone has another story to tell. “A lot is being said about Deepika making unreasonable demands. But that is not Deepika. As for revealing the film’s subject. To whom? And why would she do that? The only demand—and it sounds pretty reasonable—she will make for her all future projects is that she will work only certain hours, keeping in mind her child’s timetable.”

The friend describes the director’s insinuated allegation that the Piku actress has...

Mukul Dev Passes Away: Vindu Dara Singh Reveals Unknown Details! ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

The entertainment industry is mourning the demise of actor Mukul Dev. He passed away at 56 after winning hearts for his acting chops in Hindi, Punjabi as well South Indian cinema. The reason behind his death is unknown, but the Son Of Sardar 2 co-star Vindu Dara Singh is revealing shocking details behind the curtains. Scroll below for all the details!

Vindu Dara Singh on Mukul Dev’s death

In an interview with ETimes, Vindu Dara Singh was all set to make his comeback in Son Of Sardar 2. The duo closely worked together on Ajay Devgn’s upcoming film. As per the Bigg Boss 3 winner, Mukul Dev was not suffering from any health issues.

Vindu Dara Singh revealed, “I don’t think he was suffering from any disease, but he used to drink a lot and would consume gutkha.

Actor Mukul Dev Passes Away At 54! (Photo Credit – Instagram)

Actor Mukul Dev who is known for his work in Son Of Sardar 2, K Street Pali Hill, Gharwali Uparwali has passed away at the age of 54. The reason of his death is still not known and his family including his actor brother Rahul Dev is yet to issue an official statement regarding the same.

His passing has come as a shock to his friends and family. Actress Deepshikha Nagpal mourned his demise and paid tribute to the actor through her Instagram account. His friend Vindu Dara Singh also expressed grief on X.

Mukul Dev’s Reason For Death

Talking to Aaj Tak, Vindu Dara Singh confirmed Mukul Dev’s death and informed that the actor had not been keeping well for the past few days and was in the hospital. He had distanced himself from everyone after his parents passed away...

When Vyjayanthimala Turned Down The Award For The Film Devdas(Photo Credit –Wikimedia/Prime Video)

Vyjayanthimala has had a glorious contribution to Indian cinema with her stellar filmography and phenomenal dancing chops. The actress was in the peak of her career during the 1950s and 1960s wherein she was a part of many critically acclaimed and commercially films. These movies not only required her to look beautiful and dance gracefully but her role also had a substance in the storyline.

Some of her memorable performances were for movies like Sadhna, Madhumati, Devdas, Sangam, Ganga Jamuna, Sangharsh, Amrapali, and Hatey Bazarey. When it came to the 1955 film Devdas, Vyjayanthimala starred alongside the legendary Dilip Kumar and essayed the role of Chandramukhi. However, did you know that the actress was offered the Filmfare Award for the Best Supporting Actress for the film which she was quick to refuse? Not only this but...

Subhash K Jha turns the spotlight on noted actor Nawazuddin Siddiqui, known for completely transforming into his character in films like New York, Gangs of Wasseypur and so many more in this special focus at his varied and storied career.

There was something extraordinary about Nawazuddin Siddiqui when I saw him for the first time in Kabir Khan’s New York. He played a victim of cultural targeting. In a monologue that rips a hole in your soul, Nawaz’s character comes on camera to tell us what was done to him and his family by the cops on suspicion of terror activities.

Nawaz never gave a better performance.

The voice, the eyes, brimming with unspeakable pain, looked like a video recording of a real-life victim, like a Jew or a Kashmiri Pandit telling us what he has gone through during the holocaust. When I asked Kabir where he had got that documentary footage,...

As a special tribute to the legendary filmmaker Guru Dutt’s 100th birth anniversary this year, Ultra Media & Entertainment Group is unveiling the fully restored versions of Guru Dutt’s timeless classics at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival.

Restored gems of Guru Dutt like Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Chaudhvin Ka Chand, Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam & others are being presented at the Cannes as a celebration of Indian creativity, its past, present & future and a step toward honoring and restoring the films and showcasing them to global audiences.

Cannes is not the only place where the legendary Guru Dutt is being celebrated. As part of his 100th Birth anniversary Celebrations, Ultra is paying a month-long tribute to him across India in July 2025. His fully restored films will be re-released in theatres all over India. Besides the re-released films, there will be curated exhibitions & engaging panel discussions on Guru Dutt’s timeless legacy by other prominent filmmakers.

Subhash K Jha celebrates the movies of Prakash Mehra, who brought such classics to audiences like Haseena Maan Jayegi, and Zanjeer and so many more.

Manmohan Desai and Prakash Mehra are the two movie makers who are credited with “making” Amitabh Bachchan.

A doubtful assumption. Did Shakti Samanta “make” Rajesh Khanna with Aradhana?

If you have it in you, success will find you sooner or later.

Prakash Mehra was a successful producer-director before he began working with Amitabh Bachchan. Way back in 1968, when Prakash Mehra directed Haseena Maan Jayegi with Shashi Kapoor and Babita, it surprised the hell out of the box office by turning into a moneyspinner. The music by Kalyanji-Anandji was a big Usp.

Mehra collaborated with Kalyanji-Anandji for a total of twelve films, including musical blockbusters like Lawaaris (featuring Amitabh Bachchan’s self-rendered chartbuster ‘Mere angne mein’), Muqaddar Ka Sikandar (featuring the all-time hit ‘Salaam-e-ishq’), and of course Zanjeer,...

Subhash K Jha takes a look back at Honey Irani’s 2003 Armaan which starred Preity Zinta, Anil Kapoor, Gracy Singh, Randhir Kapoor, and the Amitabh Bachchan. The feature not only revisits the terrific medical drama, but it also shares highlights from an interview he conducted with Amitabh Bachchan.

The aged but agile doctor swoops up the dying child in his arms and runs through the jungle to the hospital. In the process, he loses his own life. The most memorable moment in Honey Irani’s noble but finally unsuccessful large-screen soap opera reminds you of Dilip Kumar trying to stop vehicles on the road to take his dying wife to the hospital in Yash Chopra’s Mashaal.

Coincidentally, Mashaal too starred Anil Kapoor. As Dr Aakash Sinha, Kapoor puts in an earnest performance. His sequences with his father, played with sophisticated wisdom by the inimitable Amitabh Bachchan, are the muted highlights of the film.

Veteran photojournalist Pradeep Chandra, whose illustrious career spans over fifty-five years, unveiled a special exhibition titled Bombay Through the Eyes of Pradeep Chandra at Floor One in Juhu. The showcase features a remarkable collection of his photographs capturing iconic figures from the realms of cinema, music, art, literature, business, and politics. The exhibition was inaugurated by lyricist Javed Akhtar and Anupam Kher, with notable attendees including producer Anand Pandit, philanthropist Dr. Aneel Kashi Murarka, actors Deepak Qazir and Deepak Parashar, artists Prakash Bal Joshi, Charan Sharma and Vinod Sharma, art enthusiast Parvez Damania, curator Kisalay Vora among many others. Besides Pradeep Chandra’s family, the evening also saw a warm turnout from members of the media fraternity, who gathered in large numbers to celebrate the acclaimed lensman. The exhibition is open to the public until May 21, 2025.

“We all know how good he is at his work, but what’s truly...

Hansal Mehta has been a prominent filmmaker for over three decades, and some of his most well-known titles include Shahid, Aligarh, and The Buckingham Murders, among many other incredible films. He is also widely known for Scam 1992, a show that ranked third on the list of the IMDb Top 50 Most Popular Indian Web Series of All Time. Mehta recently curated a list of his all time favourite Indian male actors, listed alphabetically, exclusively on IMDb.

The list includes new actors, established stars, and yesteryear icons like Balraj Sahni, Dilip Kumar, Motilal, Om Puri, Sanjeev Kumar, Satish Kaushik, Shashi Kapoor, and Utpal Dutt.

Of course, the director has already worked with 10 of the actors, including Adarsh Gourav, Gagandev Riar, Manav Kaul, Manoj Bajpayee, Mithun Chakraborty, Nana Patekar, Naseeeruddin Shah, Pratik Gandhi, Rajkummar Rao, and Satish Kaushik.

This truly was a list that encompassed all the film industries in India. Along with the Hindi film actors,...

( Photo Credit – YouTube )

Waheeda Rehman once revealed how Guru Dutt and Raj Khosla tried to make her change her name when she debuted at the movies. However, the actress refused to do that and stood by her decision despite being a newcomer. According to them, her name was not sexy enough, and they even cited examples of other successful actors who changed their names, including Dilip Kumar. Scroll below for the deets.

Rehman’s Hindi film debut was Cid, directed by Khosla, and it was opposite Dev Anand. Dutt was her mentor, and her collaborations with him resulted in some timeless classics, including Pyaasa, Kaagaz Ke Phool, and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam. She has won a National Film award and India’s civilian honors, including Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan. Rehman was also honored with the Dadashaheb Phalke Award.

According to Ndtv Movies, Waheeda Rehman, in a session at the ongoing Jaipur Literature Festival,...

When Asha Parekh Made A Controversial Statement On Women’s Clothes (Photo Credit – Sony Liv)

Yesteryear actress Asha Parekh had grabbed several eyeballs when she had made a bold statement regarding women resorting to westernization when it comes to their fashion choices. The actress expressed her unhappiness with women choosing to wear gowns rather than traditional Indian attires at weddings and other occasions. She further added that even fat women wear gowns and other western clothes which does not look appealing.

Her statement had inevitably stirred some controversy wherein people accused her of allegedly being a moral police and also bodyshaming plus sized women. The incident occured when Asha Parekh was invited to speak at the 53rd International Film Festival in 2022. The Kati Patang actress revealed that she prefers women wearing a Saree, Salwar-Kameez or Ghagra-Choli instead of gowns and other western outfits.

According to Hindustan Times, Asha Parekh was quoted as saying,...

Saif Ali Khan Aishwarya Rai Jaane Jaan(Photo Credit –Instagram/Netflix)

Before Jaideep Ahlawat and Kareena Kapoor Khan were cast in Sujoy Ghosh’s Jaane Jaan, Saif Ali Khan and Aishwarya Rai were considered to play the lead roles.

When Sujoy Ghosh’s mystery thriller film Jaane Jaan arrived directly on the Ott platform Netflix back in September 2023, it was received with widespread critical acclaim. The film featured Kareena Kapoor Khan, Jaideep Ahlawat, and Vijay Varma in the main roles.

Saif Ali Khan and Aishwarya Rai Were Sujoy Ghosh’s First Choice for the Film

Did you know that earlier, the film’s director, Sujoy Ghosh, had someone else in mind for the roles eventually played by Kareena Kapoor Khan and Jaideep Ahlawat? According to a report by The Times of India, Sujoy Ghosh wanted to cast Saif Ali Khan and Aishwarya Rai for these two key roles. But as every film has its destiny,...

Ranbir Kapoor’s Grand Uncle Shammi Kapoor Wanted Him To Marry This Bollywood Actress (Photo Credit – Wikipedia/Zee5)

Ranbir Kapoor was known to share a close bond with his grandfather Shammi Kapoor. The legendary actor’s last big screen appearance was also Ranbir’s 2011 film Rockstar, wherein he was seen in a cameo appearance. The film was posthumously released after the actor’s demise on November 11, 2011. However, did you know that the late actor had once manifested his grandson to end up with this popular Bollywood actress, and no, we are not talking about Alia Bhatt.

We are talking about none other than Ranbir Kapoor’s ex-girlfriend Deepika Padukone. Yes, you heard that right! Shammi Kapoor had a strong liking for the Pathaan actress and expressed his desire for her to end up with his grandson. A fan-made edit on Instagram showed a throwback interview of the Junglee actor wherein...

When Preity Zinta Spoke About Not Wanting To Be A Home Breaker(Photo Credit –Instagram)

Not only for her glorious contribution to Indian cinema, but Preity Zinta was also known for her no-nonsense interviews and opinions. One such example was her appearance on Simi Garewal’s show, Rendezvous With Simi Garewal. A throwback clip from the chat show has been going viral wherein the actress had spoken strongly against getting involved with a married man.

What Did Preity Zinta Say?

Preity Zinta could be seen telling Simi Garewal, “I don’t want to be the third person. I have too big an ego to be number 2 or 3 in anybody’s life. I don’t believe in breaking homes, especially where kids are involved. Those kids end up growing complex.”

The Kal Ho Na Ho actress further added that she also tried to understand whether she would have a future with...

Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 Bilingual Release(Photo Credit –Prime Video/Facebook)

Earlier this year, it was confirmed that veteran actor Mohanlal will be coming back for Drishyam 3, which will be directed by franchise veteran Jeethu Joseph. But as per a recent Mid-Day report, the stakeholders of Mohanlal’s Drishyam 3 are now purportedly planning a pan-India release for the film’s next instalment. In other words, the makers plan for a bilingual release in Malayalam and Hindi.

After the much-talked-about Drishyam 3 update, many film enthusiasts and cinephiles expressed their concern that the move might adversely affect the prospects of Ajay Devgn’s upcoming Drishyam sequel. On the contrary, we believe that Mohanlal‘s bilingual release strategy might not pose that big a threat as it is being widely perceived. Here is why we think so.

Major Hindi Audience Haven’t Seen The Malayalam Drishyam Films

Most of the...

When Waheeda Rehman Said Dilip Kumar Lacked Courage (Photo Credit –Wikimedia)

Waheeda Rehman is regarded as one of the finest actresses who gave some timeless classics back then. Her collaborations with Dev Anand and Guru Dutt are widely discussed, but she also shared the screen with Dilip Kumar. Rehman once shared her thoughts on the late actor and claimed he was not courageous enough. Scroll below to know the reason behind this deduction of her.

Waheeda and Dilip worked in films including Dil Diya Dard Liya, Ram Aur Shyam, and Aadmi. The most notable film is Aadmi, which was released in 1968 and featured an ensemble cast led by Kumar, Rehman, Manoj Kumar, Simi Garewal, and Pran. It was a remake of the Tamil movie Aalayamani and a commercial success. Both Waheeda and Dilip are known for their naturalistic and nuanced performances. She has always admired the late actor’s work...

Reexaming Dilip Kumar’s film especially his last film, the misconceived Quila, which the actor said at the time he would like to forget, that released 27 years ago

The mythical Meena Kumari’s last film was not the timeless Pakeezah but an atrocity named Gomti Ke Kinare where she looked ill at ease, and not only for health reasons. And India’s biggest celluloid superstar Rajesh Khanna’s swan song was the terrible Riyaasat.

Hard to believe that Dilip Kumar’s career as an actor ended with Quila in 1998 …or did Dilip Kumar end his career prematurely because of Quila, a purported suspense thriller where everything that could possibly go wrong, did go wrong, leaving the Thespian’s farewell performance more than a tad misconceived.

Why did the great actor, perhaps the most accomplished actor in Indian cinema, agree to be part of a film so infuriatingly infantile? When I asked the Thespian this question,...

Suchitra Sen Once Refused To Work With Raj Kapoor! ( Photo Credit – Facebook )

Suchitra Sen is a name that is synonymous with Indira Gandhi. The actress played a version of the powerful leader in a fictional film by Gulzar called Aandhi. However, fans love her for being the feminine yet strong Paro she played to a charming yet tragic Dilip Kumar in the 1955 film Devdas!

Devdas, directed by Bimal Roy, was Sen’s debut in the Hindi Cinema. The actress, turned into one of the most sought after actresses in Hindi Cinema and of course, showman Raj Kapoor became too eager to work with her!

However, to everyone’s surprise, they never worked together, and the reason was Raj Kapoor himself. Suchitra Sen, in one of her very early interviews, revealed she did not like Raj Kapoor as a person and refused to work with him in any Hindi film!

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Manoj Kumar, who passed away at 87-years-old today had an legendary career as both an actor and noted film director. Tributes from the film fraternity are pouring in for Bharat Kumar to honor his work and life.

Waheeda Rehman , who did a string of superhits, has huge compliments to pay Manoj Kumar. “I was unfortunately never directed by him. I think his achievements as a filmmaker far exceeded his career as an actor. Let me tell you, as an actor, he was a superhit. My films with him were all successful: Neel Kamal, Patthar Ke Sanam…In Aadmi, where I was the heroine, he got to share screen space with his idol Dilip Kumar.”

“There will never be another Manoj Kumar,” says Raakhee Gulzar, who worked with the Legend in Beimaan and Santosh. “His dedication to making patriotic films was fierce. He was much better as a director than an actor.

Amar Singh Chamkila Casting Twist(Photo Credit –Facebook)

Diljit Dosanjh has won hearts as Amar Singh Chamkila, but did you know he wasn’t the only actor in the running for the role? Actor Paramvir Singh Cheema was among the four finalists considered for the lead in Imtiaz Ali’s directorial.

In a recent interview, Cheema revealed that casting director Mukesh Chhabra had asked him to block his dates as he was one of the top contenders. The actor had successfully cleared three rounds of auditions and was being seriously considered. However, around the same time, he received another offer that made him reconsider his decision.

During the exclusive conversation with Screen (Via Pinkvilla), Paramvir said, “I auditioned for the main character in Chamkila. I cleared the first three rounds. Just before the final round, Mukesh Chhabra called us four people and said, ‘One of you is going to be Amar Singh Chamkila,...

in Memoriam: Subhash K Jha reflects on the life and illustrious career of Manoj Kumar and mourns the man who passed away today at the age of 87.

Farewell, Bharat!

Once, Farah Khan, who lampooned Manoj Kumar in Om Shanti Om, thought she insulted me by calling me ‘The Manoj Kumar Of Journalism’.

It was actually the greatest compliment of my life. To be compared with the artiste who directed some of the greatest Hindi films like Upkar, Shor and Roti Kapada Aaur Makaan and whose collaboration with Laxmikant-Pyarelal yielded a harvest of melodies including ‘Ek pyar ka naghma hai’, ‘Zindagi Main na bhoolunga”, and ‘Hai hai yeh majboori…’ was incredible.

What can be said about Manoj Kumar to illustrate his pervasive impact on mainstream Hindi cinema?

My first encounter with Manoj Kumar could have been disastrous. Years ago, the outspoken Jaya Bachchan had done an interview with me in...