on this day

One of the original chocolate boys of Hindi cinema, Joy Mukherjee emerged as one of the most successful stars of the 60’s. Despite not being able to sustain his success through the 70’s he is still widely remembered for his dashing looks and acting prowess. 

Navnit Bham, a pioneering figure of Gujarati cinema, passed away on this day in 2007. Known for films such as Vanraj Chavdo (1963) and Okha Haran (1975), he is credited for setting up the first film studio in Gujarat. Cinemaazi remembers the veteran filmmaker on his death anniversary.

Cinemaazi remembers Indian film actress, Usha Kiran on her death anniversary (9 March 2000). In a career spanning over four decades, Usha acted in over 50 Hindi and Marathi films.

Classical Vocalist and film music composer Pandit Amarnath passed away on 9 March 1996.


Image credit:  https://panditamarnath.in/

An eminent Urdu shayar, Akhtar-ul-Iman was also a successful dialogue and screenplay writer, most famously for Dharmputra (1961) and Waqt (1965) for which he won Filmfare Awards. Today is his death anniversary. 

Fiercely independent, uncompromising and unwilling to back down, Devika Rani was a true trailblazer in the history of Indian cinema and one of it's earliest superstars. Today is her death anniversary. 

Raj Mehra, the veteran character actor was known for playing the father figures to several Hindi film heroes. He was awarded with Filmfare Best Supporting Actor for his performance in Sharada in 1958. Cinemaazi remembers him on his death anniversary. 

Today we remember Ramayan Tiwari, who mostly essayed the role of villain in innumerable films, on the occasion of his death anniversary. Better known as Tiwari, he was born in Patna in 1916. Involved with the peasants’ uprising against the British empire, he later moved to Bombay, where he joined the Quit India movement and was also imprisoned. Employed by W Z Ahmed at Shalimar Pictures, he was cast in a small role in Prem Sangeet (1943), followed by the meatier role of a mad cowherd in Man Ki Jeet (1944). He also played Jaychand in Prithviraj-Sanyukta (1946), followed by Mirabai (1947). From a salary of Rs.50, he now earned Rs.4500 at the studio! As a freelance actor post-Independence, Tiwari worked in films such as Gaon (1947), Nadiya Ke Paar (1948), Jal Pari (1952), Bara Dari (1955), and Madhumati (1958), making his mark as a villain. He appeared in several films such as Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hain (1960), Pick Pocket (1962), Kaajal (1965), Dharti Kahe Pukar Ke (1969), Dushman (1970), and Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972) among others. He also produced two Bhojpuri language films. Tiwari passed away this day, in 1980.

Regarded as the Grand Mogul of Indian Cinema, for the lavish scale and attention to detail of his magnum opus Mughal-E-Azam (1960), K Asif passed away on this day in 1971, leaving another passion project, Love and God, unfinished. 

Gifting cinema audiences with evergreen songs like Aaiye meherbaan, Mera naam chin chin chu and Ek pardesi mera dil le gaya, Om Prakash Bhandari, better known as Qamar Jalalabadi was born on this day in 1917. 

‘The Man With The Golden Guitar’—this was the title of Van Shipley's first independent record. It was also a fitting description of the talented musician. Born Valentine Van Shipley in Lucknow on 30 August, 1927 into a musically-inclined family, he is credited with being India’s first electric guitarist. Trained in violin, guitar, and tabla, he also learnt Hindustani classical music. His interest inspired him to create a 8-string guitar in the 1940s, allowing him to adapt theinstrument to play Indian classical music. Shipley also designed an electric violin, which he christened his Gypsy Violin, which he used for most of his later records. Joining the film music industry, he assisted music director duo Husnlal-Bhagatram on the film Chand (1944), followed by Nargis (1946), Anmol Ghadi (1946) and Mera Suhag (1947). Performing in a show at St. Xavier’s college on the request of actress Nutan, he impressed filmmaker-actor Raj Kapoor, who offered Shipley the opportunity to play the violin for his film Barsaat (1949). He became an important part of Kapoor’s team of musicians. A prolific musician, Shipley worked in over 1500 films, and also acted in a few. Van Shipley passed away on 8 March, 2008 in Mumbai.

Fardeen Khan made his acting debut in 1998 with a leading role in the romance film Prem Aggan, which garnered him the Filmfare Best Debut Award. He then starred in the survival thriller Jungle, in 2000.

Character actor Tarun Bose, known for acting sans theatrics, featured in several films in the 1960s and 1970s. Making his debut with Apradhi Kaun? (1957), he featured in films such as Madhumati (1958), Sujata (1959), Usne Kaha Tha (1960), Shama (1961), Begaana (1963), Bandini (1963), Mujhe Jeene Do (1963), Kohra (1964), Akashdeep (1965), Faraar (1965), Gumnaam (1965), Oonche Log (1965), and Devar (1966).

Cinemaazi remembers Manohari Singh, fondly called, ‘Manohari Da’, the well-known musician and music composer of Indian film industry. He had a career spanning 58 years in the film industry and won many awards. He is remembered mainly as an essential part of R.D. Burman’s team, as his assistant, arranger who was proficient in flute, trumpet, saxophone and other instruments.

Manohari was born in Kolkata in a Nepalese family. His grandfather played the trumpet in an Army band, while his father played flute, clarinet, and bagpipe. Manohari started playing in a brass band at the Bata Shoe Company in Kolkata. The conductor of the band was impressed with his talent and offered him an opportunity to work in H.M.V. Orchestra, where he started playing Hindi and Bengali songs.

Through fellow musicians such as Francisco Casanovas, the band-leader at Firpo's Restaurant, George Banks, the trumpet player at the Grand Hotel, and others, he was introduced to the Calcutta nightclub scene. Manohari is credited for introducing the practice of playing saxophone in nightclubs. It is stated that he owned a golden plated saxophone which he brought from New York.

As a composer, he worked mainly with Basudeb Chakraborty. The pair, known as Basu-Manohari, gave many hit songs. Later, they also worked with Marutirao Keer.

In 1952, Manohari moved to Mumbai where S.D. Burman gave him his first break in the Hindi film industry as a saxophonist for the movie Sitaron Se Aagey (1958). He received recognition for Kalyanji Anandji’s title song in Satta Bazaar (1959). After that, he worked with many music directors such as Shankar-Jaikishan, O.P. Nayyar and others.

His association with R.D. Burman gave him his due place in the industry. He played saxophone for many popular songs composed by the legend.

His first album was Sax Appeal. Manohari was active in the Nepalese music industry and worked in many movies like Santana, Kanya daan, etc. He also played in several public and private concerts in his lifetime.

He was conferred the “Memorable Contribution to Music Award" by Tata Indicom Music Award on 27 March, 2009.

Manohari passed away on 13 July 2010 in Mumbai.

Often regarded as arguably the greatest lyricist to write for Hindi cinema, Sahir Ludhianvi was born on this day in 1921. Cinemaazi salutes him for his immense contributions, that mesmerised audiences during the golden era of Hindi film music.

Born as Ravi Shankar Sharma on the 3rd of March 1926 in Old Delhi to Pt Kanhaiyalal Sharma and Taravati Sharma, Ravi has contributed to Indian cinema with some of its most memorable songs. Growing up, he was the sole person in his family who was musically inclined.

He passed away on 7 March 2012 in Mumbai. 

Director, writer and producer Anil Sharma is known for films such as Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) which is a milestone in his career, as well as Apne (2007), Hukumat (1987), and Veer (2010).

Cinemaazi wishes Happy birthday to Anupam Kher. After his stellar performance in Saaransh (1984) he established himself as one of the most versatile character actors in the industry.

One of the most popular dancer-actresses of her time, Rehana nevertheless had to contend with moralist and elitist attitudes throughout her career. Born on this day in 1931 in Lucknow, she was a trained Kathak dancer who was spotted by Kajjan's troupe. She was soon doing small dancing roles in films like Tadbir (1945). Her big break came in Hum Ek Hain (1946). She continued to work in many films with P L Santoshi after that. Her roles in Shehnai (1947) and Sajan (1947) made her a star. Her sensual dancing made her a key attraction in many films following this. 

Throughout her career, Rehana struggled with the perceived lewdness of her dancing. Shin Shinaki Boobla Boo (1952) even ran into trouble with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. After a decline in her career post 1952, she migrated to Pakistan. But there too success eluded her, as Raat Ke Rahi (1960) was her only hit. She retired from cinema post 1963. In 2010, she filed a case against the makers of Once Upon A Time In Mumbai claiming Kangana Ranaut's character was based on her. She passed away in 2013.