on this day

Daisy Irani was a popular child artist of the 1950s-60s known for her performance in films such as Bandish (1955), Naya Daur (1957), Jailor (1958), Qaidi No 911 (1959), and Do Ustad (1959). She and her sisters often played young boys dressed in shorts and shirts. Kati Patang (1971), Aastha (1997), Kya Kehna (2001) are some of her noteworthy films as an adult. She also acted in the television serial Dekh Bhai Dekh (1997). Cinemaazi wishes her on her birthday.

Image courtesy: Indian Express

Popular Marathi actor Vinay Apte was born this day, 17 June in 1951. He is known for his roles in Marathi and Hindi films such as Chandni Bar (2001), Ek Chalis Ki Last Local (2007), It's Breaking News (2007), Jogwa (2009), Rajneeti (2010), Aarakshan (2011), and Satyagraha (2013). He also acted in teleserials like Madhubala-Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Adalat, Lajja, Eka Lagnachi Dusri Goshta and Durva. Apte had begun his career in 1974 acting in Marathi theatre before he moved on to directing plays. His first play was Mitrachi Goshta written by well-known playwright Vijay Tendulkar. His film career had started with roles in films like Aakrosh (1980), Kalyug (1981) and a small role in Gandhi (1982). The play Me Nathuram Godse Boltoy, directed by Apte, had created political controversy for allegedly falsifying facts and glorifying Godse. Apart from acting, he was also associated with a production house. Vinay Apte passed away in 2013.

Image courtesy: www.vinayapte.com

“He tells me he has broken every bone in his body at some time or other, either in car accidents or in the sports field. The only part of himself he hasn’t broken is his neck and that can be understood because Motilal is as thick-necked as they make ‘em! He’s the sort of chap insurance companies run away from because he is too great a risk.”
Motilal was a successful artist who charmed the audience in films such as Silver King (1935), Jagirdar (1937), Divali (1940) amongst others. He also tried his hand at dialogue writing in Hamari Beti (1950).

Singer-actor Kantilal has left an indelible mark on Hindi cinema. In his career, he shifted through a few production houses such as Vishnu Cinetone, Ranjit Movietone, and Supreme Pictures. His noteworthy films are Gul Badan (1937), Divali (1940), Pardesi (1940), and Sasural (1941).

On the birth anniversary of Jyotiprasad Agarwala, the pioneer of Assamese cinema, noted playwright, songwriter, and poet, we look back his life and career in this feature. He was born on 17 June, 1903. 

Cinemaazi remembers singer-actor Kantilal on his death anniversary. Hailing from Surat, Kantilal was a student of Pandit Onkarnath. He worked in films like Bulbul-e-Paristan (1934), Preet Ki Reet (1935), Ghazi Salahuddin (1939), Holiday in Bombay (1941), Toofani Toli (1937), Ban Ki Chidiya(1938), Billi (1938), Gorakh Aaya (1938), Nadi Kinare(1939), Aaj Ka Hindustan (1940), Diwali (1940), Holi (1940), Musafir (1940), Pardesi (1941), Sasural (1941) and Ummeed (1941). He was known for songs like Duniya ek musafir khana hai and Woh mujhko jam door se dikhla ke pi gaya. He breathed his last on 17 June 1971. 

Cinemaazi remembers Motilal on his death anniversary. Hailed as one of the greatest actors of Hindi cinema, Motilal Rajvansh was born on 04 December 1910 in Shimla. Made his debut with the film Shaher Ka Jadoo (1934) opposite Sabita Devi at the age of 24, he became a star overnight. He attained box-office success with films like, Lagna Bandhan (1936), Jagirdar (1937), Dr Madhurika (1935), Shadi (1941), Ek Thi Larki (1949),Mr. Sampat (1952), and Anari (1959). He won Filmfare Awards for Best Actor in a Supporting Role for the films Devdas (1955) and Parakh (1960). He died after a prolonged illness on June 17 1965, months before the release of Chhoti Chhoti Baten (1965), a film he had written, directed and produced.

Cinemaazi celebrates the actress Daisy Irani on her birth anniversary (17 June 1950). She was a popular child actor in the 1950s and 1960s most known for films such as Bandish (1955), Ek Hi Raasta (1956), Naya Daur (1957), Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke (1957), Jailor (1958), Qaidi No 911 (1959) and Do Ustad (1959). As a supporting actress, Daisy Irani acted in Kati Patang (1971). She took a hiatus from films after marrying K. K. Shukla, the screenwriter, only to return on screen in her nephew Sajid Khan's Housefull (2010) and thereafter in niece Farah Khan's acting debut film Shirin Farhad Ki Toh Nikal Padi (2012).

Cinemaazi expresses heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones yesteryear's hero Chandrasekhar who passed away this morning. He acted in approximately 35 films as a hero in the 50s and 60s and came to be known as a dancing star. He was 98 at the time of his passing. May he rest in peace.

A singer and music composer, Narayan Dutt had been trained by his father Durgaprasad who was a singer at the Bikaner court. Initially starting as a singer in the 40s, he turned composer in the 50s with films like Mordhwaj (1952), Astik (1956), Shyam Ki Jogan (1957) and others. He passed away on 16 June, 1988.

A reputed academician and Urdu poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan better known as Shahryar was born on 16 June, 1936. Born in Aonla, Bareilly, he originally wished to be an athlete. Later under the influence of the poet Khaleel-ur-Rehman Azmi his interest grew in Urdu literature. Joining the Aligarh Muslim University, initially as a student, then later as lecturer. He ultimately rose to be the chair of the Urdu department. He published several acclaimed volumes of poetry and won the Sahitya Akademi Award for Khwab ke dar bandh hai. In cinema, he wrote mostly for his friend Muzaffar Ali's films, most notably for Gaman (1978), Umrao Jaan (1981), and Anjuman (1986). He also wrote for Yash Chopra's Faasle (1985). The songs for Umrao Jaan remain unforgettable till this day. He was the recipient of the Jnanpith Award in 2008.

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Actor, director, dramatist and playwright best known for his work in Kannada films, C R Simha was born this day, 16 June in 1942. He acted in several films, including award-wining Samskara (1970), Sankalpa (1973), Anuroopa (1977), Chitegoo Chinte (1978), Bara (1983), as well as commercial films such as Indina Ramayana (1984), Nee Bareda Kadambari (1985), and Nee Tanda Kanike Ramapurada Ravana (1985). Simha acted in more than 150 feature films in Kannada, including artistic and commercially viable projects. He also directed five Kannada films, including Kakanakote (1977), Simhasana (1983) and Ashwamedha (1990). His performance in Malgudi Days was also widely appreciated. Honoured for his work in the fields of cinema and theatre, he was conferred the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for his contribution to theatre acting and direction. C R Simha passed away in 2014. 

Image courtesy: Times of India

Remembering the man with the magical, sonorous baritone – Hemanta Mukhopadhyay or as he was known in Hindi cinema - Hemant Kumar, on the occasion of his birth anniversary; 16 June, 1920. Straddling Hindi and Bengali cinema with elan, he was a noted singer, music director, and film producer. Recording with All India Radio Calcutta as a 13-year-old, he trained in music before he made his debut in films with Nimai Sanyas (1941). His first film as a music director was Abhijatri (1947). He travelled to Mumbai at the request of Hemen Gupta with whom he had previously worked in Bengali cinema. Vande mataram from the film Anand Math (1952) rendered by Lata Mangeshkar, went on to become extremely popular. Even as he established himself in the Bengali film industry, his big break in Hindi cinema came with Nagin (1954). With songs like Mann dole tan dole becoming chartbusters, his career soared with his compositions for films like Jagriti (1954), Bees Saal Baad (1962) and Khamoshi (1969). He also produced the Bengali film Neel Akshar Neechay (1959) directed by Mrinal Sen which later won the President’s Gold Medal award, as well as Bees Saal Baad, Kohra (1964) and Khamoshi (1969). He also directed the film Anindita in 1971. Some of the Bengali films for which he sang popular numbers were Indrani (1958), Abak Prithibi (1959), Sathihara (1961), Natun Jiban (1965), Baghini (1967), Adwitiya (1968), and many more. Some of his notable works as a composer in Bengali cinema include Harano Sur (1957), Neel Akasher Neechey (1958), Deep Jwele Jai (1959), Saptapadi (1961), Hansuli Banker Upakatha (162), Saat Paake Badha (1963), Alor Pipasa (1965), and many more. Other than his work in films, he sang a treasure trove of non-film songs, primarily in Bengali. He was known for his prowess in singing Rabindra Sangeet. Interestingly, while he was the recipient of two National Awards for Best Male Playback Singer, he politely declined the Padma Shri and the Padma Bhushan, which he was nominated for. He remains an incredibly popular singer till date, with his renditions regularly revisited and recalled.

Image source: www.dnaindia.com

Wishing Mithun Chakraborty a happy birthday !

Cinemaazi expresses heartfelt condolences to the family and loved ones of actress Swatilekha Sengupta who passed away today . A major name in Kolkata's group theatre scene, she was a winner of the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award. In cinema, she was known primarily for her lead role in Satyajit Ray's Ghare Baire (1985). She had returned to acting in films in recent times. May she rest in peace. 

 

 

Cinemaazi remembers Kannada actor, director, dramatist and playwright, C R Simha on his birth anniversary. Born on 16 June 1942 in Mysore, C R Simha was known for his varied roles in films like Samskara (1970), Bara (1983), Anuroopa (1977), Parameshi Prema Prasanga (1985), Rayaru Bandaru Mavana Manege (1993) and Ramapurada Ravana (1984). Besides acting, Simha has directed five films including Kakana Kote (1977), Shikaari, Simhasana, Ashwamedha (1990) and Angayalli Apsare (1993). He also acted in the famous serial Malgudi Days.  

Simha received many awards in both the cinema and theatre fields. In 2003, he was awarded with the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award by the Government of India recognising his contribution to theatre acting and direction.

He passed away on 28 February 2014 in Bangalore

Image Courtesy: Timesofindia

Cinemaazi wishes Mithun Chakraborty a very happy birthday! Everyone remembers Mithun, the dancing hero of the 80's who was one of the harbingers of the disco wave in India. But underneath the glitter, lay a hard-working and committed actor. He is one of the most acclaimed actors of his generation. 

Image Courtesy: Cinestaan

Featured as Baby Kamla in the film Kismet (1943), Indian classical dancer Kumari Kamala was born on 16 June 1934 in Mayuram, to Rajam and Ramamurthy.  At an early age Kamala began taking lessons in the Kathak dance style from Lachhu Maharaj in Bombay and was later trained under the Bharatanatyam teachers Kattumannarkoil Muthukumara Pillai and Vazhuvoor B. Ramaiyah Pillai 

Initially featured as a child dancer, Kamala appeared in more than 100 Tamil, Telugu, Hindi and Kannada films throughout her career. She was discovered at age four by Tamil film director A.N. Kalyanasundaram Iyer when he attended a dance recital. He cast her in small roles in his films Valibar Sangham (1938) and Ramanama Mahimai (1939) where she was billed as Kamala. Her dancing was noticed by other filmmakers and she moved to Hindi films with Jailor in 1938 and Kismet and Ram Rajya in 1943. Kamala's first role in a successful Tamil film came in 1944 with Jagathalaprathapan where she performed the Paampu attam. Kamala played a double role in her next film Sri Valli (1945) and also played Krishna in the film Meera (1945). However, it was her film Naam Iruvar that would make an impact on Tamil cinema.

She appeared in popular film songs like, Dil tujhko diya tha dildar maanke from Naach Ghar (1959) and Hai tu hi gaya mohe bhool re from Kathputli (1957) and also her dance as Nag Kanya in the film Devta (1956). Apart from these she also worked in films like, Chori Chori (1956), Yahudi (1958), Parasakhti (1952), and Naya Sansar (1959). Cinemaazi wishes the actress and Dancer Kumari Kamala a very happy birthday.

Cinemaazi remembers singer Nirmala Devi on her death anniversary (15 June 1996). Mother of actor Govinda, Nirmala Devi was a trained classical singer. She debuted in Savera(1942). Arun Ahuja (Gulshan Singh Ahuja) was the lead actor in the film. The two got married later.

Any discussion of Indian film music is incomplete without the mention of Hemant Kumar. Hemant Mukherjee, popularly called as Hemant Kumar, was born on 16 June 1920 in Banaras. Trained in Rabindra sangeet, Kumar’s first recording was at All India Radio in Calcutta at a young age of 13. 

He started his playback singing career in the Bengali film Namai Sanyas in 1941. Kumar’s entry into Hindi films was the film Irada (1944). He had a successful career as a playback singer and composer in both Bengali and Hindi film industry. He composed music for films such as Neel Akasher Neechey (1958), Palatak (1963), Parineeta (1969), Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962),Do Dooni Chaar (1968), Kohraa (1964) amongst others. Cinemaazi remembers Kumar on his birth anniversary.


Image Courtesy: bbc.co.uk

Cinemaazi celebrates Lakshmi Shankar on her birth anniversary  (16 June 1926). She was one of the most influential Indian singer and musicians in the western world. She was extraordinarily versatile. She acted and excelled in Indian classical dance. Illness halted her dancing career and she committed herself to vocal music. 

She was proficient in a wide range of Indian vocal music styles including Carnatic, khayal, thumri, dadra, kajri, Rabindra sangeet and bhajans, and sang in 14 languages.
She was married to Rajendra Shankar, brother of Uday Shankar. The two went on to settle in Mumbai, where she started playback singing for films. In her career, she sang 27 songs in 18 Hindi films, before retiring from playback singing and relocating to the USA.

Sajjad Hussain's father Mohammed Amir had been a tailor to Ram Sinh II, the King of Sitamau. While at the court, he had started learning the sitar, and had passed on his newfound interest in music to his youngest son Sajjad. Upon learning of his son's fascination with the mandolin he even made him one. Being of an orthodox bent of mind, he made his son promise that he would never make music his profession.
It was only after his father's death, Sajjad Hussain who was by then aseasoned musician decided to move to Mumbai to work in the film industry. Being a skilled multi-instrumentalist, his first film was Gaali (1944). Dost (1944) proved to be his breakthrough, featuring some classic numbers by Noor Jehan. His music in Sangdil (1952) is remembered till date. He had the reputation of a perfectionist, making Talat Mahmood sing Yeh hawa yeh chandni 17 times before he okayed it. He also shared a great professional relationship with Lata Mangeshkar. His music was known for its fusion of Hindustani classical with Arabic influences.

Despite such a strong start, Hussain's career never really took off, due to his reputation as a difficult music composer. He did, however, play a key role in making the mandolin suitable for playing Indian classical music. His role in the journey of this instrument in the subcontinent cannot be understated. He even made structural alterations to the instrument, reducing the number of strings from 8 to 6. He only played the mandolin in two films Do Behnen (1963) and Muthyala Muggu (1975). He also trained all his five sons to play the mandolin. The great composer never got his due respect in the film industry. He was born on this day, 15 June in 1917. 

Information courtesy: https://scroll.in/…/sajjad-hussain-the-composer-whose-music

 

Anjum Jaipuri, wrote some masterfully emotive lyrics in his film career. Some of his noteworthy films are Alladin and the Wonderful Lamp (1952), Khoj (1953), Miss Mala (1954), Talwar Ka Dhani (1956), and Daughter of Sindbad (1958). He was born on 15th June, 1915.

Trained in Hindustani classical music of the Patiala gharana, Nirmala Devi started her film journey with Cinetone Limited. Known for her thumri and dadra performances she also acted in several films like Kanoon (1943), Chalis Karod (1946), Anmol Ratan (1950) among others. She passed away on 15 June, 1996.

Joginder Shelly—a man who wore multiple hats of actor, director, producer, writer, singer, songwriter and distributor—passed away this day, 15 June, in 2009. Considered the King of B- and C-grade Hindi cinema, he is known for his superhit films Bindiya Aur Bandook (1972) and Ranga Khush (1975), which were produced, directed, written, acted and distributed by him. Out of the realm of mainstream cinema, he catered to the market demand for low-budget commercial films. Despite his film possessing low production values, they entertained with a slew of bizarre plots, strange characters, quirky dialogue, and unsophisticated special effects. Joginder’s flair for showmanship won him commercial success and a loyal fan base. His character Ranga Khush, for instance, became a rage for his character’s crazed laughter and eye-rolling, which apparently also inspired the character Gabbar Singh. Incidentally, Joginder had also sued the makers of Sholay (1975) for stealing the idea from his own film, Bindiya Aur Bandook. He also produced films such as Do Chattane (1974), Fauji (1976) and Yari Zindabad (1976). He last directed Ganga Aur Ranga (1994), while he last appeared on screen as an actor in Duplicate Sholay (2002).

One of the great singing stars of Hindi cinema, Suraiya was born on 15 June, 1929. After beginning her career as a child artist in 1936, she went on to become one of the most beloved leading ladies of Hindi cinema. One of the highest paid actresses of her times, she delivered a slew of hits in the late 40s and 50s.

A pioneering figure in the history of Malayalam cinema, Kunchacko founded Udaya Studio in Alleppey in 1947. In the process he started the shift of Malayalam cinema production from Madras to Kerala. His films also provided avenues for some early stars like Thikkurissi Sukumaran Nair, Kottarakkara Sridharan Nair, Augustine Joseph and Sebastian Kunju Kunju Bhagavathar. He passed away on 15 June, 1976.

Remembering Surinder Kaur, known as the Nightingale of Punjab, who passed away on 15 June, 2006. Born in 1929 in Lahore, she is renowned for popularising the Punjabi folk song genre, besides rendering playback for Hindi films in the period from 1948 to 1952. Debuting as a singer with Mehendi (1947), followed by Shaheed (1948) for which she sang three songs, she rendered approximately 58 songs in the 22 films she provided playback for. It was on stage that her talent truly came alive, as she revived Punjabi folk songs via her performances. She recorded approximately 2,000 songs, including popular duets with Asa Singh Mastana, Karnail Gill, Harcharan Grewel, Rangila Jatt, and Didar Sandhu. She also sang songs for Punjabi films like Madari, Mutiyar (both 1950), Balo (1951) and Satluj De Kandhe (1964). Regarded not only as the queen of Punjabi folk, her singing of the poetic verses of Amrita Pritam, Mohan Singh and Shiv Kumar Batalvi remain memorable. Honoured with the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award for Punjabi Folk Music, and the Padma Shri award, her legend lives on.

Cinemaazi remembers the King of 'B' and ‘C’ Grade movies Joginder on his 11th death anniversary (15 June 2009).

He appeared in small roles in films like Purab Aur Pachhim (1970), Heer Ranjha (1970). The actor cum produced is credited with superhit films such as Bindiya Aur Bandook(1972) and Ranga Khush (1975). Ranga Khush's portrayal of excessive violence was a topic of discussion in parliament.

He claimed that Amrish Puri's popular dialogue "Mogambo khush hua" from Mr India (1987) was inspired by his punch line in Ranga Khush.

Cinemaazi celebrates legendary folksinger Surinder Kaur on her 14 the death anniversary. She was introduced as a playback singer in Hindi film industry by music director, Ghulam Haider. She earned herself the title ‘Punjab Di Koyal’.  She was also a songwriter.

A Padma Shri awardee, Kaur was an active face of the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA).


Image Credit: last.fm

Cinemaazi remembers Sajjad Hussain on his birth anniversary. He was born on 15 June 1917. His father was a tailor to King Raja Ram Sinh II. Hussain came to Bombay in 1937 to pursue his interest and luck in music. 

Hussain’s was a multi-instrumentalist that earned him a position as a musician in the orchestra at Sohrab Modi’s Minerva Movietone where he was paid Rs 30 per month. From Minerva, he moved to Wadia Movietone and then to All India Radio.

His break came with the film Gaali (1944), for which he composed three songs. People started noticing him after his work in Dost (1944)
He also composed music for films such as Sangdil (1952) and Rustom Sohrab (1963)



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Cinemaazi remembers yesteryear actress Suraiya on her birth anniversary. She was born as Suraiya Jamal Sheikh on 15 June 1923 in Lahore. At the age of 12, she was discovered by Naushad who gave her the opportunity to sing Panchhi jaa, peechhe raha hai bachpan mera in the film Sharda (1942), as playback for Mehtab, the famous star of those days. A young Suraiya had to stand on a stool to reach the mic.

In a short span of time, she made her mark with her singing and acting. She soon started singing for her own films. She also acted opposite K L Saigal, the legendary singer and superstar of those days in three successive films: Tadbir (1945), Omar Khayam (1946) and Parwana (1947). She also acted opposite Dev Anand in many films. After the partition, she decided to stay back in India while other singing stars like Noorjehan and Khushid left for Pakistan. In a career spanning over twenty years, she played the leading role with almost every famous star of her time and also sang with the leading playback singers like Mohammed Rafi, Talat Mehmood and Mukesh.