indian cinema heritage foundation

on this day

21May
21 May 2011

Cinemaazi remembers Mala Sen on her death anniversary

A reputed human rights activist and writer, Mala Sen's book India's Bandit Queen: The True Story of Phoolan Devi formed the basis of Shekhar Kapur's acclaimed film. She was known for her anti-racist activism in the UK, working to provide safe housing for migrant Bangladeshis. Her image has been painted as a mural in Brick Lane by Jasmin Kaur Sehra. She had passed away on 21 May, 2011.
21 May 1988

Cinemaazi remembers Iqbal Qureshi on his death anniversary

Iqbal Qureshi composed the music for Filmalaya’s Love in Simla (1960) which introduced Joy Mukherjee and Sadhana as lead actors. A runaway success, this was one of Qureshi’s most celebrated film scores with lilting, catchy numbers such as Dil thaam chalein (Mohd Rafi), Haseeno ki sawari hai (Rafi and Suman Kalyanpur) and Love ka matlab hai pyaar (Rafi and Asha Bhosle).
21 May 1960

Cinemaazi wishes Mohanlal a very happy birthday

A very happy birthday to Mohanlal. Called The Complete Actor by his fans, he rose to stardom off the back of his powerful performances in the 80s. He has since wowed audiences with a jaw-dropping range in portrayals on screen. 
21 May 1914

Cinemaazi remembers Agha on his birth anniversary

One day while roaming the streets in his neighbourhood, Agha saw a play being performed in the street. Immediately, he was struck by the thought that this was something he could do. He joined a group of theatre practitioners in the neighbouring locality, and soon became a popular favourite due to his easygoing nature and his instinct for comedy. Impressed by his knack for acting, the other members of the group suggested he try his hand at acting...
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20May
20 May 2015

Cinemaazi remembers Sudha Shivpuri on her death anniversary

Though modern day audiences might remember her best as Baa from Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Sudha Shivpuri was a Sangeet Natak Akademi award winning theatre and film actress, who appeared in films like Arvind Desai Ki Ajeeb Dastan (1978), The Burning Train (1980), Insaf Ka Tarazu (1980), Hamari Bahu Alka (1982), Vidhaata (1982), Maya Memsaab (1993) and many more. Today is her death anniversary.
20 May 1984

Cinemaazi remembers Hansraj Behl on his death anniversary

Popularly known as Chhote Master ji, Hansraj Behl crafted a wonderful repertoire of music across Hindi and Punjabi cinema in his career. Beginning his career as an independent music composer with Pujari (1946), he went on to create some unforgettable melodies, especially with Lata Mangeshkar and Mohammed Rafi. He passed away on this day in 1984.
20 May 1939

Cinemaazi remembers Balu Mahendra on his birth anniversary

It was witnessing David Lean shoot The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) when he was in sixth grade, that inspired Balu Mahendra to become a filmmaker. After his graduation from FTII, he got an opportunity to work with Ramu Kariat in Nellu (1971) which won him the Kerala State Film Award for Best Cinematography. After building a stellar resume as a cinematographer, he made his directorial debut with the Kannada language Kokila (1977). He made his d...
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20 May 1913

Cinemaazi remembers Raj Mehra on his birth anniversary

Raj Mehra worked in more than 300 Hindi films as a character artiste. He is prominantly known for his role as a father of many popular actores.
20 May 1908

Cinemaazi remembers Nana Palsikar on his birth anniversary

Winner of two Filmfare Awards for Best Supporting Actor, Nana Palshikar was one of the most respected actors of his time. Renowned for his roles in films like Kanoon (1960) and Shehar Aur Sapna (1964), he was born on this day in 1908.
19May
19 May 2008

Cinemaazi remembers Vijay Tendulkar on his death anniversary

Cinemaazi remembers the celebrated playwright and script writer Vijay Dhondopant Tendulkar on his 12th death anniversary.   In a career spanning four decades, Tendulkar left behind a rich body of work, including more than 30 plays, seven collections of one-act plays, six collections of children’s plays, four collections of short stories and scripts of many award-winning films. Tendulkar often collaborated with luminaries of Indian ar...
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19 May 1997

Cinemaazi remembers Sombhu Mitra on his death annivrsary

Known for his bravura performances and influential plays, Sombhu Mitra also participated in some of Indian cinema's most significant productions. The icon of Bengali group theatre passed away on this day in 1997. 
19 May 1946

Cinemaazi remembers Rabindra Dharmaraj on his birth anniversary

Intense and passionate, Rabindra Dharmaraj had to spend years struggling before making his dream project, an adaptation of Jaywant Dalvi's Chakra. His untimely death surely robbed Indian cinema of a prodigious talent. Today is his birth anniversary.
19 May 1938

Cinemaazi remembers Girish Karnad on his birth anniversary

A groundbreaking playwright of modern Indian theatre, Girish Karnad also made major contributions towards Kannada and Hindi cinema. A National Award winning director, he distingusihed himself in the fields of screenplay writing and acting as well. Cinemaazi pays tribute to him on his birth anniversary.
19 May 1935

Cinemaazi remembers Madhubala Jhaveri on her birth anniversary

Madhubala Jhaveri (19 May 1935 - 11 September 2013) who sang popular songs in films like Apni Izzat (1952), Jaggu (1952), Dost (1954), Boot Polish (1954), was born on this day.
19 May 1934

Cinemaazi wishes Ruskin Bond a very happy birthday

Bringing alive the hills and their way of life like few others, Ruskin Bond has endeared himself to generations of young readers. Born in Kasauli on this day in 1936, the author of classics like The Room on the Roof, A Flight of Pigeons, Angry River, The Blue Umbrella, Our Trees Still Grow in Dehra is celebrating his birthday today. An immensely visual storyteller, it is no wonder that directors like Shyam Benegal and Vishal Bhardwaj have...
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