on this day

Cinemaazi remembers Om Puri on his birth anniversary. One of the most versatile and talented actors to ever grace the Indian screen, he left an unparalleled legacy behind. He was born #OnThisDay in 1950. Cinemaazi presents a contemporary take on #ArdhSatya, the #GovindNihalani classic and one of Om Puri's greatest performances

The Lady in White,Simi Garewal, was born on this day in 1947 to a Brigadier family and was sent to study in London at a very young age. She returned to India in her teens and enthusiastic about joining the films, she enrolled in Filmalaya’s Acting School After a few minor appearances in films like Mehboob Khan’s Son of India (1962) and Dev Anand's Teen Deviyan (1965), she finally caught everyone’s attention with Raj Khosla’s Do Badan in 1966, although she first acted in the 1962’s film Tarzan Goes to India. The famous song by Lata Mangeshkar Mere jeevan saathi, kali thi was picturised on her in the film Saathi (1968). One of the highlights in her career was when she got the opportunity to play a Santhal woman in Satyajit Ray’s Aranyer Din Ratri in the following year. Some of her other notable films are Mera Naam Joker (1970), Andaz (1971), Siddhartha(1972),Namak Haram (1973), and Karz(1980). Much before Koffee with Karan was popular, there was Rendezvous with Simi Garewal. She also made a feature film called Rukhsat and made a biographical documentary called Living Legend Raj Kapoor in 1984. She is also credited for making the widely loved Doordarshan show called It’s a Woman’s World in 1983. Cinemaazi greets her on her birthday!

Cinemaazi remembers one of the most good looking Hindi film actors from the 1950s, Al Nasir on his death anniversary. Al Nasir was born into a royal family in Bhopal and had been married thrice, first to actress Meena Shorey, then to Manorama. He finally married the famous actress Veena in 1947 with whom he had two children Huma and Altamash. He was a popular supporting actor and worked opposite his wife Veena in quite a few films, the most memorable roles such as Amar Singh Rathod (1957) where Veena played the role of Mumtaz Mahal to Al Nasir Shah Jehan. However the pair did not make much a of an impact on screen. His most memorable roles include films like Mr & Mrs 55 (1955), Biwi(1950), Dastan (1950),Kashmir (1951), Hatimtai ki Beti (1955), Mera Salaam (1957). Al Nasir contracted tetanus and died on this day in 1957.

Arguably the greatest star of Indian Parallel Cinema and the most acclaimed actress of her generation, Smita Patil was born on this day in 1955. Cinemaazi salutes the actress who left us too soon.

Vijay Bhatt made some of the most important mythological films of all time, including the only film Mahatma Gandhi is supposed to have seen in his lifetime. Cinemaazi remembers him on his death anniversary.

Academy award winning costume designer Bhanu Athaiya passed away yesterday. She was one of the most influential costume designers in Hindi cinema history.

A musical innovator and master arranger, Kersi Lord played an important role in some unforgettable melodies of the last. Son of master percussionist Cawas Lord, he started playing for films from the young age of 14 after being spotted by Naushad. His first film as an arranger was Saathi (1968). He played for composers like Madan Mohan, Laxmikant Pyarelal, Kalyanji Anandji, S D Burman, R D Burman and Usha Khanna. It was his work with S D and R D Burman that has made him a legend. He played the electronic organ used in O Mere Sona Re from Teesri Manzil(1966), which was it's first use in Hindi cinema. He played a major role in the composition of Roop Tera Mastana from Aradhana (1969) which featured him playing the accordion. He also introduced the programmable keyboard for the first time in Hindi cinema in Soorma Bhopali (1988). He also fought for the rights of music arrangers to be officially credited in films. He passed away on this day in 2016.

Fondly remembered for his roles in Bimal Roy's films,Nazir Hussain also played a pivotal role in the history of Bhojpuri cinema. In fact, he is regarded as the Father of Bhojpuri Cinema. Cinemaazi salutes him on his death anniversary.

Cinemaazi wishes 'Dream Girl' Hema Malini a happy birthday.