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Jigra (which means both heart and courage) is, in equal parts, gutting and emotional but also far-fetched and logic-free. Director and co-writer Vasan Bala creates a jailbreak movie that tries to find the sweet spot between moving sibling drama, thrilling action and breathless suspense, and although he doesn’t hit all the marks, lead actor and co-producer Alia Bhatt reconfirms that she is a formidable talent.

Even when the plot becomes looser and the twists too convenient, Bhatt doesn’t miss a beat. She’s fabulously fierce as protagonist Satya, her eyes maintaining an expression of unblinking determination. She might be small physically, but when she takes down a grown man, we don’t question it because her conviction is so absolute. In one scene, another character admiringly calls her a gundi (gangster). In this environment, it’s a compliment.

Satya is unbreakable because she’s had to grow up too fast.

Dia Mirza, who actively participates for social and environmental issues, on Saturday, opened up on the destruction of biodiversity in the urban spaces and trimming of trees for monsoon, urging the officials to ensure implementation of better practices.

Taking to Instagram, Dia, who was last seen in ‘Made in Heaven’, shared a beautiful picture of herself sitting under a tree. She is seen wearing a blue suit paired with a white shawl. She also shared a series of pictures, featuring exotic birds and wildlife species.

The long post started with a shayari of Kaifi Azmi:

“Each year, the months of April and May are particularly heartbreaking when one witnesses the destruction of biodiversity in our urban spaces. Trees are being ‘trimmed’ in preparation for the monsoon…The ‘trimming’ is unscientific, and horrific, because the entire canopy/shade is axed away by unfeeling, unthinking individuals. The country is reeling in an acute heatwave.

Sampooran Singh Kalra, more famous by his pen name ‘Gulzar’, is renowned as a man and master of letters, in Urdu, Hindi and Punjabi, with over seven decades of rich contributions to the literary arena as well as Bollywood. On Saturday, Gulzar and Jagadguru Rambhadracharya, Sanskrit scholar, spiritual leader and educator, were declared the recipients of the coveted 58th Jnanpith Award-2023.

For Gulzar (89), this is yet another feather in his artistic cap brimming with an Oscar Award, a Grammy Award, five National Awards, the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, the Sahitya Akademi Award (Urdu), Padma Bhushan, and 22 Filmfare Awards. He also served as the Vice-Chancellor of Assam Central University besides being decorated with many more honours and accolades.

Born in Dina, Jhelum district (now in Pakistan), Gulzar started coining and penning couplets and ‘shayris’ from an early age, earning his father’s ire over his passion.

Post-Partition, when his clan also suffered a split,...

New Delhi, Sep 26 (Ians) Acting is not about being someone different. It’s finding the similarity in what is apparently different, then finding myself in there, said Meryl Streep.

The 85-year-old veteran Bollywood actress Waheeda Rehman has been nominated for this year’s Dada Saheb Phalke Award. Some of her best movies include “Khamoshi”, “‘Guide”, and “Kagaz Ke Phool”.

Rehman made her film debut with the Telugu film “Rojulu Marayi” (1955), ….and rose to prominence with her association with filmmaker Guru Dutt: the romantic dramas “Pyaasa” (1957) and “Kaagaz Ke Phool” (1959), the musical romance”Chaudhvin Ka Chand” (1960) and the drama “Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam” (1962).

Rehman also had success with the romantic drama “Guide” (1965), for which she won the Filmfare Award for Best Actress.

This was Dev Anand’s work.

She won the award again for her performance in the romantic thriller “Neel Kamal” (1968), and additionally earned nominations for her roles in the...

Veteran Urdu poet Bashir Badr once shared a “secret”. He said: “I have one enemy — his name is Jagjit. Whatever is mine (poetry), people think it is his (when he sings it). That is why I never introduced him to my wife.”

It was an oblique tribute to Jagjit Singh, whose mellifluous voice imbued pure magic in whatever form of verse — classical to popular to religious to folk — he rendered.

In the course of his decades-long musical journey, Jagjit Singh, who was born on this day (February 8) in 1941, endeared himself to generations of music lovers in India and became Indian music’s best-known figure globally after Pandit Ravi Shankar. This was a far cry from his first public appearance — as an uncredited extra in a Rajendra Kumar film.

Amid all this, he gave a new lease of life to ghazal, which he transformed from a preserve of largely upper-class connoisseurs...

Known for originality in his stories and story telling, for presenting unexplored themes in a commercial format, ‘Chup’ is filmmaker R Balki’s most ambitious film till date. Ambition not in big budget terms but in scale of thought. Releasing on 23rd September, 2022, it’s a romantic psychopath thriller, a thought he had after ‘Cheeni Kum’ and decided to write it much later. The poster revealing the release date released today.

Speaking of the same R Balki said, “Chup is special for more than one reason. For me the biggest reason is it marks the official debut of Amitabh Bachchan as a music composer. Amitji saw Chup and played an instinctive original melody on his piano as he relived the film. It was his way of expressing his feelings for the film, paying a tribute. This composition, his gift to the film, will be the end title track of Chup.

The Notebook Primer introduces readers to some of the most important figures, films, genres, and movements in film history.Garam Hava.“The land is divided, lives are shattered. Storms rage in every heart; it’s the same here or there. Funeral pyres in every home, the flames mount higher. Every city is deserted; it’s the same here or there.”Thus begins M.S. Sathyu’s seminal historical drama Garam Hava (Scorching Winds, 1974), one of the most insightful films about the 1947 Partition of India. The Partition was a cataclysmic migration event in the histories of both India and Pakistan—the “here or there” referenced in these lines by screenwriter and poet Kaifi Azmi, though it’s purposefully not made explicit which refers to which. In Garam Hava, a shoe manufacturer named Salim Mirza (an eloquent final performance in the legendary career of actor Balraj Sahni) watches his family migrate to...

Actress Shabana Azmi wonders why society is stuck with definite ideas about masculinity, from telling boys not to play with dolls to telling them not to cry. She says it is important to tackle patriarchy and the notion of masculinity first and foremost, to change things for women as well as men.

"Many years ago, when I was a Member of Parliament, I was on a committee that was set up by the chief minister's wife on the scourge of female foeticide. Many steps at that point were taken and one feels that ultimately, it is based in patriarchy. The belief that a boy should be privileged at birth because of being born male -- that discrimination against the girl child exists all through her childhood, adolescence and then later adulthood," Shabana told Ians while talking about her film, "Kaali Khuhi", which explores the issue of female infanticide through lens of horror.

The critic’s review of Mee Raqsam movie is here. The Zee5 original is streaming live from today – August, 21, 2020. Directed by Baba Azmi; the movie stars Danish Husain, Aditi Subedi and Naseeruddin Shah.

Watch Mee Raqsam Trailer featuring Naseeruddin Shah, Danish Husain Streaming Now On ZEE5

https://youtu.be/qyISRTaRgoY Immediate reaction when the end credits roll

Can you give a poignant ode to humanity by celebrating the divine Ganga Jamuna tehzeeb and remember one of India’s renowned poets and Hindi cinema’s brilliant lyricist Kaifi Azmi - all at one go? Baba Azmi’s Mee Raqsam (I Dance) does that profoundly.

The Story of Mee Raqsam

Mariam (Aditi Subedi) a young girl in Mijwan in Up is fascinated by Bharatanatyam. Her mother has passed the genes of dancing to her. Mariam’s mother passes away while showing her a mudra. Mariam’s father Salim (Danish Husain) a tailor...

Close-Up is a feature that spotlights films now playing on Mubi. Saeed Akhtar Mirza's Naseem (1995) is now showing in the series A Journey into Indian Cinema.“The karsevaks in Ayodhya are gathering with bricks. There is tension in Faizabad. Muslim families are leaving…”Mere hours before a right-wing Hindu mob of 150,000 people tore down the Babri Masjid in Ayodhya, on December 6, 1992, the eponymous teenaged protagonist (Mayoori Kango) reads out the day’s news to her ailing grandfather (Kaifi Azmi) in Saeed Akhtar Mirza’s Naseem. “That’s enough, darling,” he stops her.“We had a dream in 1947 about the kind of country we wanted to be. That collapsed over a period of time but the actual last stroke to me, personally, when the Babri Masjid came down,” Saeed Akhtar Mirza says in the Netflix documentary about his life and works. Naseem, as it juxtaposes a secular past with a communal riot-struck present,...

Veteran actress Shaukat Azmi, wife of renowned Late Urdu poet and lyricist Kaifi Azmi and mother of actress Shabana Azmi, passed away on Friday. Her last rites will be performed in Mumbai on Saturday.

She was 93 and suffering from oldage-related ailments. She was admitted to Mumbai's Kokilaben Dhirubhai hospital but was reportedly discharged a couple of days ago.

Also Read:?Know why Ayushmann Khurrana considers himself fortunate

The late prominent theatre and film personality Shaukat Azmi is survived by daughter Shabana Azmi and son Baba Azmi, who is a prominent cinematographer in Hindi films.

Bollywood celebrities started visiting her residence since Saturday morning to pay their last respect.

Actress Tabu, who is the grand daughter of late Shaukat Azmi, expressed condolence, as did model-actress Saiyami Kher (who is Shabana Azmi's niece). Urmila Matondkar, producer Boney Kapoor, actor-director Satish Kaushik, and designer Manish Malhotra were among others who paid their respect.

The world’s longest running South Asian film festival outside of India, the UK Asian Film Festival begins on March 27th and runs through May 4th. At a time of significant change, UK Asian Film Festival marks its 21st anniversary with a curated slate of films inspired by the theme of Revolution. Historically known as Tongues on Fire and then London Asian Film Festival, the festival is also synonymous with championing South Asian feminist films and supporting pioneering, female artists and auteurs.

Honouring Revolution through the vehicle of South Asian Cinema, UK Asian Film Festival looks at the #MeToo movement gathering momentum in the Indian and Pakistani film industries and the decriminalisation of homosexuality and the repeal of Section 377 in India last year.

Festival Director, Dr Pushpinder Chowdhry MBE says, “This year’s festival will present pertinent stories of the ordinary person told through films that address global challenges of our time.

It’s that time of the year again, where the biggest names in films, fashion and business come together in solidarity for the annual fundraiser fashion show hosted by the Mijwan Welfare Society.

Designer Manish Malhotra is all set to put up a spectacular fashion show ‘The Walk Of Mijwan’ on 9th April 2018 showcasing the exquisite craft of Chikankari by Mijwan’s women, fashioned into contemporary silhouettes by Manish in his signature style. This is the 9th annual fundraiser for Mijwan in support of the movement started by Late Kaifi Azmi in 1993.

What’s really exciting Deepika Padukone will be the showstopper for the show.

Confirming the news Namrata Goyal says, “This will be the first time that Deepika Padukone walks the ramp for the Mijwan Fashion show and we are so excited to have her support us.”

Late Kaifi Azmi founded Mijwan Welfare Society with the goal of making...

Ranbir Kapoor the Goodwill Ambassador of Mijwan Welfare Society with Shabana Azmi and Namrata Goyal at its helm will be the showstopper for the 9th Annual Fashion show “The Walk of Mijwan“ by Manish Malhotra, The Summer Collection 2018.

Ranbir Kapoor says, “We, the young people of India, need to turn our attention towards rural India and focus on empowering the girl child. My sister Riddhima and I were raised as equals and I want every girl and boy to be treated equally. To my young friends, I say “Be the Change you wish to see in the world. You can do it and your time starts now”.

It marks the long journey of 9 years since Manish and Mws joined hands. This has resulted in a sea change in the lives of the women involved in the Craft of chikankari.

Late Kaifi Azmi founded Mijwan Welfare Society with the goal of...

The 1966 film had music by Hemant Kumar and lyrics by Kaifi Azmi, who created memorable tracks like Kuchh Dil Ne Kaha and Ya Dil Ki Suno. Directed by Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Anupama starred Dharmendra and Sharmila Tagore...

The 1972 film had music by Ghulam Mohammed and Naushad while lyrics were penned by Kaifi Azmi, Majrooh Sultanpuri, Kamal Amrohi and Kaif Bhopali. Pakeezah had some iconic songs like Inhi Logon Ne, Chalo Dildar Chalo and Chalte Chalte Yun Hi...

As poet-thinker-writer-activist Javed Akhtar turns 72, his better-half Shabana Azmi plans to surprise her dear beloved ‘Jadu’ with a magical evening filled with close friends, loved ones and lots and lots of home-made food. The surprise party is entirely Shabana’s brain-child. Exhausted after a musical evening that she had organized in memory of her father the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi’s 98th birthday on Saturday, Shabana just wanted a quietRead More

The post Scoop: Shabana Azmi plans a surprise birthday party for Javed Akhtar appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

Starring Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar, the stage play Kaifi Aur Main is a tribute to the life of the renowned Urdu poet Kaifi Azmi. After, tremendous success in the Us, this exciting show is coming to the UK. On Saturday the 3rd of September at Symphony Hall, Birmingham and on Sunday September 4th at the O2 in London, audiences will get the chance to experience the magic of seeing esteemed actors Shabana Azmi and Javed Akhtar live. To celebrate Kafi Aur Main, we have a pair of tickets you can win to the show in Birmingham!

The stage production pays tribute to Kaifi Azmi, and recounts the beautiful, real-life love story shared by Kaifi and his wife, Shaukat Azmi, seamlessly juxtaposing romance, humour and tragedy through a theatrical experience that combines live music and stage drama.

The sweeping, romantic saga recounts the journey and struggles of Kaifi’s life...

After sell-out shows across USA, Canada, India and UAE, UK now plays host to the critically acclaimed theatrical presentation, Kaifi Aur Main, presented by Zee TV and Spectrum Events, taking place on Saturday 3rd September 2016 at Symphony Hall, Birmingham; and Sunday 4th September 2016 at Indigo at The 02, London.

The stage production pays tribute to renowned Urdu poet, Kaifi Azmi, recounting the beautiful, real-life love story shared by Kaifi and his wife, Shaukat Azmi, seamlessly juxtaposing romance, humour and tragedy through a theatrical experience that combines live music and stage drama.

The sweeping, romantic saga recounts the journey and struggles of Kaifi’s life set against the socio-political backdrop of pre-independent India, simultaneously exploring his celebrated works and love story that has inspired generations. The production is brought to life by luminaries of Indian cinema, veteran actress, Shabana Azmi, and renowned poet, lyricist and screenwriter, Javed Akhtar, interwoven with ghazals and...

With Tanvi Azmi bringing in the 18th National award into the family, the Azmis and Akhtars have accrued a total of 18 National awards.

Informs a member of the Azmi family, "Shabana Azmi's father, Kaifi Azmi won three National awards. Ishan Arya, Shaukat Kaifi's nephew cinematographer of Garam Hawa, won a National award. Javed Akhtar won five National awards, three of them in a row. Shabana Azmi won five National Awards; she too won three of them in a row. This is the only instance of a husband-wife pair winning five awards each and doing a hat trick!"

Tabu, who is Shabana Azmi's niece, has won two National awards. Farhan Akhtar has won one National award. And now, Tanvi Azmi for Bajirao Mastani.

So, that's 18 National awards in one family! Even the Minister Of Information & Broadcasting Arun Jaitley remarked, "The list of awardees in this family keeps extending!

Legendary actor Dharmendra's younger brother Ajit Singh Deol passed away in a Mumbai hospital at 6 pm yesterday after a long battle with various illnesses. Ajit, who was at one time, a well-known actor in Punjabi films, was the father of actor Abhay Deol and uncle to Sunny and Bobby Deol. He was specially attached to Sunny, who, on hearing of the tragic news was inconsolable. Dharmendra, who has been by his ailing brother's bedside constantly, broke down at his brother's passing away. Ajit Singh Deol acted in several Punjabi films and some Hindi films. He featured in the cast of his nephew Bobby Deol's debut film Barsaat. Says a source, "Dharmendra's brother Ajit Singh Deol (Abhay Deol's father) was in the hospital for complications in gall bladder surgery. Dharmendra was a caring brother and had been attending diligently to his brother. In addition, Dharmendra would visit Shaukat Azmiji,...

All of last week Shabana Azmi was on tenterhooks as her mother, the legendary Shaukat Kaifi was in the hospital's ICU with a respiratory ailment. Shabana, who was shooting for Ram Madhvan's Neerja where she plays Sonam Kapoor's mother, rushed in and out of the studio and hospital, playing in her words, "mum to Sonam and mum to my own mum." Fortunately, Shabana's mom is out of danger now, just in time for Shabana to fly off to Cambodia for a summit. Says the relieved daughter, "Old age is truly a second childhood. Unnoticed my mother became my child but she continues to give me strength when I'm feeling weak." Dividing time between shooting and mothering her mom was not easy for Shabana. "Each time I left her in the hospital her face would fall like a child but then I'd say, "I have a very difficult scene,...

Eminent poet and film lyricist Majrooh Sultanpuri needs no introduction. He belonged to the legacy of learned lyricist like Sahir Ludhianvi, Kaifi Azmi, Shakeel Badayuni etc. who blossomed as literary poets but took to penning songs to make a decent earning.

List of songs penned by Majrooh Sultanpuri are long. They range from K. L. Saigal's Jab Dil Hi Toot Gaya.. (Shahjahan) to Aamir Khan's Pehla Nasha.. (Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar). Other hits songs include Jaane Walo Zara Mudh Ke Dekho Mujhe... (Dosti), Jalte Hain Jiske Liye... (Sujata), Kya Hua Tera Vada... (Hum Kisise Kum Naheen), Ek Din Bik Jayega Maati Ke Mol... (Dharam Karam) etc.

Once for the movie Chirag (1969), staring Sunil Dutt and Asha Parekh, film director Raj Khosla asked Majrooh Sahab to pen a song which could emphasize the beauty of eye because the film's plot centered on the heroine's attractive eyes and how her world goes...

Veteran actress Shabana Azmi will soon celebrate the 5th year of the annual Mijwan fashion show by Manish Malhotra. The theme for the show this year is Mijwan – The Legacy which epitomizes the continuing realization of Kaifi Azmi, the legendary poet and father of Shabana.

While this fashion show is always packed with the biggest stars from the film industry, this year the mother-daughter duo Alia Bhatt and Soni Razdan will be seen walking together

Namrata Goyal says, “We are very humbled that Soni Razdan and Alia Bhatt are also the part of the Mijwan Welfare Society. We truly feel that’s its going to be the great show and we are very thankful to the industry who have agreed to support the Mijwan Welfare Society by walking the ramp and they have been very forthcoming. We are happy that they all will be the part of Kaifi Saab’s...

It's a never-before multi-starrer with the entire Bachchan family Amitabh, Jaya, Abhishek, Aishwarya and Shweta Bachchan coming together on one stage. And the one to pull off this casting coup is Shabana Azmi. For her annual fashion show in aid of the weavers of Mijwan, Shabana Azmi's ancestral village in Uttar Pradesh where her father the legendary poet Kaifi Azmi hails from, this year Shabana has roped in the entire Bachchan parivar to walk the ramp together. That isn't all. Doting papa Shatrughan Sinha will also walk the ramp for the first time with Sonakshi Sinha. Anil kapoor and beti Sonam, Alia Bhatt and her mom Soni Razdan would also scorch the ramp for Shabana's favourite cause, as would her husband Javed Akhtar who walks the ramp with son Farhan Akhtar for the first time. Says Shabana with earned pride, "I don't know how they agreed. But yes,...

Here’s Anil Kapoor speaking about Shabana Azmi and the initiative, Mijwan Welfare Society. Mijwan Welfare Society is an Ngo that works for the betterment of a small village in Up called Mijwan where Shabana Azmi’s father Kaifi Azmi was born. The Ngo aims to educate the girls of Mijwan and give them a source of income. Shabana Azmi and her Goddaughter, Namrata Goyal are now carrying forward this legacy.

A star studdent event Mijwan Fashion show will be organised on April 4, 2015 for the cause. The theme is ‘Legacy’ and actors like Jaya Bachchan – Abhishek Bachchan, Javed Akhtar – Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor – Sonam Kapoor, and Shatrughan Sinha – Sonakshi Sinha will be walking the ramp.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nx7LOPBLCMM

The post Actor Anil Kapoor speaks about Mijwan Welfare Society appeared first on BollySpice.

Here’s a brand new video featuring Shabana Azmi speaking about her father, Kaifi Azmi and his initiative, Mijwan Welfare Society. Mijwan Welfare Society is an Ngo that works for the betterment of a small village in Up called Mijwan where Kaifi Azmi was born. The Ngo aims to educate the girls of Mijwan and give them a source of income. Shabana Azmi’s father in Mijwan.. Shabana Azmi and her Goddaughter, Namrata Goyal are now carrying forward this legacy

A star studdent event Mijwan Fashion show will be organised on April 4, 2015 for the cause. The theme is ‘Legacy’ and actors like Jaya Bachchan – Abhishek Bachchan, Javed Akhtar – Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor – Sonam Kapoor, and Shatrughan Sinha – Sonakshi Sinha will be walking the ramp.

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=z7vIvzknOPc

The post Shabana Azmi Talks About Mijwan appeared first on BollySpice.

A brand new video featuring Shabana Azmi’s father Kaifi Azmi speaks about his aim for Mijwan Welfare Society. Mijwan Welfare Society is an Ngo that works for the betterment of a small village in Up called Mijwan where Kaifi Azmi was born. The Ngo aims to educate the girls of Mijwan and give them a source of income. Shabana Azmi’s father in Mijwan.. Shabana Azmi and her Goddaughter, Namrata Goyal are now carrying forward this legacy.

A star studdent event Mijwan Fashion show will be organised on April 4, 2015 for the cause. The theme is ‘Legacy’ and actors like Jaya Bachchan – Abhishek Bachchan, Javed Akhtar – Farhan Akhtar, Anil Kapoor – Sonam Kapoor, and Shatrughan Sinha – Sonakshi Sinha will be walking the ramp.

Watch the video below!

https://

//www.youtube.com/watch?v=4SH2gt0YzQk

The post Shabana Azmi’s father Kaifi Azmi shares his dream for Mijwan appeared first on BollySpice.

Akshay Kumar was one of many the stars who walked the ramp at the Shabana Azmi’s Ngo Mijwan Welfare Society’s annual event Mijwan Fashion Show 2014, organised in support of the empowerment of women. The Ngo was founded by the late poet Kaifi Azmi to empower rural India with a focus on the girl child and women. Of late, Akshay has shown his commitment to this cause, one which is close to his heart, and was also present at the L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards very recently. India’s largest read women’s English magazine hosted the third edition of the L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2014 in association with L’Oreal Paris, bringing to the forefront ‘Women of Worth’ in India. The event saw several Bollywood superstars in attendance, all of whom were present to honour the accomplishments of a group of courageous women, who had made...

Akshay Kumar was one of many the stars who walked the ramp at the Shabana Azmi’s Ngo Mijwan Welfare Society’s annual event Mijwan Fashion Show 2014, organised in support of the empowerment of women. The Ngo was founded by the late poet Kaifi Azmi to empower rural India with a focus on the girl child and women. Of late, Akshay has shown his commitment to this cause, one which is close to his heart, and was also present at the L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards very recently. India’s largest read women’s English magazine hosted the third edition of the L’Oreal Paris Femina Women Awards 2014 in association with L’Oreal Paris, bringing to the forefront ‘Women of Worth’ in India. The event saw several Bollywood superstars in attendance, all of whom were present to honour the accomplishments of a group of courageous women, who had made...

New Delhi, April 2: Famous Bollywood actors set the ramp on fire while donning Manish Malhotra's creations at 'Mizwan Fashion Show' in Mumbai.

The 48-year-old acclaimed designer got biggies like Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra to walk for 'Men for Mizwan' ramp.

Bollywood divas like Sushmita Sen, Kalki Koechlin, Sonali Bendre, Aditi Rao Hydari and Yami Gautam were also spotted at the event along with evergreen beauties Jaya Bachchan and Neetu Singh.

Hosted by Shabana Azmi's Ngo 'Mizwan', the charitable fashion show was founded by Azmi's late father Kaifi Azmi.

It promises to be the biggest blockbuster ever. And the one orchestrating this mega-opus is ShabanaAzmi. Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra would be walking the ramp for Shabana on April 1 at the Grand Hyatt as part of the actress-activist's endeavour to fund the education and other necessities of the weavers in the village of Mijwan. Apparently, Big B readily agreed to walk the ramp for Shabana's Ngo for the welfare of the Mijwan weavers. However, he was not kicked by the idea of being removed by generation barriers from the other actors who'd walk in Manish Malhotra's clothes on April 1. The theme for the evening would be 'Mijwan For Men'.Shabana sees this as a fruition of her father's wish to see men and women walk shoulder to shoulders in every walk of life. Says Shabana, "I didn't even dare suggest to Mr.

Mumbai, March 26: Years after Kaifi Azmi wrote the moving poem "Aurat", envisioning women empowerment, his daughter, veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi, is bringing together Bollywood's iconic male actors like Amitabh Bachchan to walk for her Ngo Mijwan Welfare Society (Mws) to support the cause.

The idea, she says, is to convey that "the man cares for the woman".

Amitabh, Akshay Kumar, Farhan Akhtar, Ranbir Kapoor and Sidharth Malhotra - all belonging to different generations of the Hindi film industry - will walk the ramp to show their support towards emancipation of the female gender.

The show -.

Kaifi Azmi is renowned as India's greatest poet and Bollywood film lyricist who penned the super hit patriotic song 'Kar chale hum fida jaan-o-tan sathiyoon'(Haqeeqat) and Tum Itna kyon Muskurarae ho' (Arth). However few may know that poet who ruled Bollywood in the 50's and 60's as the most sought after poet has also acted in a movie! On his birth anniversary that falls on January 14, Glamsham.com pays him homage and unravels the only movie in which he acted a...

After a serious health scare when the poet-writer-lyricist was immobilized by a back problem, Javed Akhtar's life has been brightened up with some joyful tidings. He has been awarded the country's highest literary award the Sahitya Akademi award for his poems in the anthology entitled Lava. Happy to be on his feet again, physically and creatively, Javed Saab says, "Mazey ki baat yeh hai ke ek parivaar mein teen sadasyon ko Sahitya Akademi award se samnanna gaya hai (interestingly three people from the same family have been honoured with the Sahitya Akademi award). My father (poet-lyricist Jan Nissar Akhtar) got the Sahitya Akademi in 1976 for his collection of poems Khak-e-Dil. My father-in-law Kaifi Azmi got the Sahitya Akademi award in 1973 for his collection of poems Awara Sajde. Now it's me." Javed Saab can't stop marveling at the beauty of the coincidence. (Neither can we). Says Javed Saab, "It may...

Some films offer one an instant cheer-up and others speak to that gloom that we feel at certain ages and times. If I watch Pyaasa every afternoon, then Kagaz Ke Phool would be for each weekend since it envelopes this viewer into a sighing and sniveling wreck. The film is one of the rare cases where its trivia and history cloud the film as a whole due to its eerie significance in Dutt’s trajectory. You cannot talk of the film without looking at the overlap and meta-ness of the narrative’s role in Dutt’s filmmaking oeuvre. The film broke Guru Dutt’s heart with its commercial failure of which he never directed another film after, sticking to acting and writing for his other protégé’s projects Sahib, Bibi, aur Ghulam and Chaudvin Ka Chand.

The essential plot is similar to A Star is Born, with the rising heroine...

Recently, the 13th Annual New York Indian Film Festival (Nyiff) announced the lineup for their “100 Years of Indian Cinema” series presented by Incredible India! Ever since pioneer filmmaker D.G Phalke released his first feature film Raja Harishchandra on May 3, 1913, India has continued to be the most prolific and diverse film industry in the world. To mark the global celebration of 100 years of Indian Cinema, Nyiff is featuring an exceptionally compelling array of films preceding Cannes. The lineup includes three rarely seen masterpieces from different time periods, as well as two world-premiere documentaries that explore different facets of Indian filmmaking.

These classic films will celebrate recent efforts at film restoration, which are bringing some of India’s greatest cinematic treasures to an international audience. According to Film Festival Director Aseem Chhabra, “In the recent years, many scholars, film programmers and archivists have expressed deep concerns about the state of old Indian films.

Mumbai, March 26: For some it's work and no play, while others like Shabana Azmi and Shankar Mahadevan are looking forward to celebrate Holi with organic dry colours. Actors Anupam Kher and Hema Malini plan to unwind.

Holi will be celebrated Wednesday and here is what the film fraternity plans to do on the ocassion:

Shabana Azmi: At my parental home in Janki Kutir, playing Holi is a tradition started by my father (Kaifi Azmi) and now followed by my brother Baba. We play with organic dry colours. There will be family and friends from theatre and cinema. Lots of naach-gaana and khaana.

Irrfan Khan: This Holi I am far.

The University Film Club, Aligarh Muslim University, was established by some enthusiastic faculty members back in 1974 with the aim to promote the cinematic culture among the students of Amu and to encourage a milieu where 'poetry in motion' becomes one of the great sources for their aesthetic and academic excellence. From Kanan Devi to Naseeruddin Shah, K A Abbas to Javed Akhtar, Shakil Badauni to Kaifi Azmi, and last but not the least, Anubhav Sinha and Ajay Jhingran, the list o...

Mumbai, Dec 29: Theatre and film personalities along with common people will hold a silent march here Saturday following the death of the Delhi gang-rape victim, said veteran actress and social activist Shabana Azmi.

"Citizens of Mumbai including theatre, film personalities lead silent march at 5:30 p.m. today from Juhu Beach Gandhi Statue to Kaifi Azmi Park," Shabana shared on Twitter.

The 23-year-old girl, who put up a brave battle for life after she was gang-raped and brutally assaulted in a moving bus in Delhi Dec 16, died Saturday morning in a hospital in Singapore.

Ians...

After Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro it’s the turn of M.S. Sathyu’s Garam Hawa to be re-released after restoration. The film has been restored, its soundtrack has been digitally re-mastered to Dolby stereo format, and it is all set to be released on January 18, 2013, on 100 screens across India by Dar Films. The 1973 Hindi-Urdu film was based on an unpublished Urdu short story by Ismat Chughtai and adapted for screen by Kaifi Azmi, who also wrote its lyrics. The film was the last film of the late Balraj Sahni. It was India's official entry to the Academy Award's Read More...

Shabana Azmi created quite a furor in Bangladesh on Saturday when she reached Dhaka to represent her late father Kaifi Azmi who was being honoured, along with 57 other dignitaries from across the world for their support of Bangaldesh's War Of Liberation in 1971.

Shabana who had to be in Dhaka for the function to represent her father had to be back in Mumbai in time for her mother's birthday the same day.

She made it very clear to the organizers of the function in Dhaka that she can only be at the function for a few minutes before she had to return to the Dhaka international airport in time for the flight back to Mumbai to reach in time for her mother's birthday.

Apparently, Bangladesh's Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina made sure Shabana made it back to the airport on time. The entire route from the venue of the function to the...

‘Ishaqaazde’ actress Parineeti Chopra shines at Manish Malhotra`s Spring Summer collection for 2013. The event was graced by many celebrities from films and the world of fashion. It all started with veteran actress Shabana Azmi mouthing her father famous poet Kaifi Azmi’s poetry. The evening was filled with soul and poetry, fabrics, glitz and glamour.Through this show Manish Malhotra paid a tribute to Mijwan girls. Shabana Azmi wrote on Twitter: “Mijwan Sonnets in Fabric showcasing Mijwan chikankari on outfits by Manish Malhotra tonite at Wills Fashion Week.Mijwan is on a roll. Yeahhh.” Parineeti Chopra interacted with the medi...

Mumbai, Aug 26: Indian People's Theatre Association (Ipta) will pay tribute to the works of veteran actor A.K. Hangal, who started his acting journey with theatre, at a ceremony at the Prithvi Theatre Monday.

Hangal, who was involved with Ipta along with other veterans inclduing Balraj Sahni and Kaifi Azmi, passed away here Sunday following a prolonged illness. He was 97.

"Tomorrow Aug 27 between 4-5 p.m., ceremony for A.K. Hangal Saheb at Prithvi Theatre, Juhu. All are welcome..

The Aligarh Muslim University (Amu) Film Club (www.filmclubamu.com) was established by some enthusiastic faculty members back in 1974 with the aim to promote the cinematic culture among the students of Amu and to encourage a milieu where 'poetry in motion' becomes one of the great sources for their aesthetic and academic excellence. From Kanan Devi, Kulbhushan Kharbanda to Naseeruddin Shah, K A Abbas, Vinod Pandey to Javed Akhtar, Shakil Badauni, Shahryar to Kaifi Azmi, the list o...

Shabana Azmi and Mira Nair are working together on .The Reluctant Fundamentalist., and the veteran actress says her happiness has doubled as both of them have been named to receive the coveted Padma Bhushan together.The two, along with veteran actor Dharmendra, were named for India.s third highest civilian honour this year, for their contribution to Indian cinema..We have recently completed a film together, .The Reluctant Fundamentalist. and our happiness has doubled as Mira and I are good friends. I have become taller as I share the award with Mira and Dharamji,. said Shabana.The actress has earlier been conferred with the National Award for her films .Ankur. (1975), .Arth. (1983), .Khandhar. (1984), .Paar. (1985) and .Godmother. (1999). She was also given the Padma Shri in 1988.Shabana is happy that after husband Javed Akhtar received the Padma Bhushan four years ago, she too has been named for it, and that the couple can now officially be called .Mr.

Mumbai, Jan 25: Veteran actress Shabana Azmi says she is humbled to be considered for the Padma Bhushan, the country's third highest civilian award.

"It's my pleasure and I am humbled and delighted about it. It feels good," Azmi told Ians.

The commercial and mainstream actress, daughter of late writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, and wife of the talented wordsmith Javed Akhtar, is also a noted theatre person.

She has proved her versatility time and again through films "Ankur", "Nishant", "Arth", "Masoom", "Godmother" and "Fire" as well as in movies like "Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd", "Sorry Bhai!" and "It's A Wonderful.

 Mumbai: Tears well up in Shabana Azmi's eyes whenever she listens to "Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho". The song, with heart-warming lyrics, reminds her of her father, writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, in whose honour she has launched a compilation of his songs.The veteran actress says the song is very close to her heart, as it was penned by ...

Mumbai, Jan 14, 2011: Tears well up in Shabana Azmi's eyes whenever she listens to "Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho". The song, with heart-warming lyrics, reminds her of her father, writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, in whose honour she has launched a compilation of his songs.

The veteran actress says the song is very close to her heart, as it was penned by her father, and picturised on her in the 1982 film "Arth".

"If stimulus was good, then actors didn't need to do anything...they just had to react. Such a wonderful situation it was and the song was so beautifully shot by Mahesh Bhatt. It had good tune and was sung in a nice.

Tears well up in Shabana Azmi.s eyes whenever she listens to .Tum itna jo muskura rahe ho.. The song, with heart-warming lyrics, reminds her of her father, writer-lyricist Kaifi Azmi, in whose honour she has launched a compilation of his songs.The veteran actress says the song is very close to her heart, as it was penned by her father, and picturised on her in the 1982 film .Arth...If stimulus was good, then actors didn.t need to do anything.they just had to react. Such a wonderful situation it was and the song was so beautifully shot by Mahesh Bhatt. It had good tune and was sung in a nice voice. Even today when I listen to this song, my eyes fill with tears,. Shabana told Ians.The proud daughter decided to handpick a few of her father.s songs and launched an album called .Legends . Kaifi Azmi...