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Showing posts from April, 2020

Music Masala

When Ranbir Kapoor revealed the two precious gifts his father Rishi Kapoor gave him 

Bollywood actor Rishi Kapoor is no more. Industry members, his family and fans are all mourning the loss of this legendary actor. In 2017, Rishi Kapoor launched his memoir titled Khullam Khulla: Rishi Kapoor Uncensored. True to the title of the book, the actor spoke his heart out without sugar-coating words.  The book featured an emotional foreword written by his son and actor Ranbir Kapoor. “As I sit down to analyse my relationship with my father, I would say that the most precious gift he has given my sister Riddhima and me is that we can love our mother unconditionally. He showed us by example that she was at the centre of all our lives and our home. With her as our bedrock, none of the ups and downs in our lives could really touch us,” he wrote in the foreword. “The second gift is that he has been a good husband to my mother,” Ranbir wrote. While Rishi Kapoor had his fair share of fights with Neetu Kapoor, he truly loved her and their children. This was evident in his last days.

Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of the Film and Television Producers Guild, passes away 

After the tragic news of the demise of two of the greatest actors of the Indian film industry- Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor- the month of May began with another unfortunate news. Early on May 1, CEO of the Film and Television Producers Guild Kulmeet Makkar passed away after suffering a heart attack.  Makkar was in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown. Makkar has been a part of the entertainment industry for more than three decades. He has worked with Sargama and Reliance Entertainment as founder CEO of Big Music and Home Entertainment,, He was also the president and CEO at Shreya Entertainment before becoming the Guild's CEO in 2010.  Many celebrities from the film fraternity took to social media to express their grief:  Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India....relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement... you left us too soon...We will miss you and always Remember you fondly..

Rishi Kapoor’s co-stars Satish Kaushik and Farida Jalal express grief

Actors Satish Kaushik and Farida Jalal not only worked with late actor Rishi Kapoor but also knew the actor personally. Filmmaker-actor Kaushik, who has worked with Kapoor in films like Tehzeeb, Saagar, Aa Ab Laut Chalen and Wedding Pullav , says the late star made acting look like the easiest profession. While speaking to a news agency, Satish said that Chintu ji was a much loved young icon of romance. Satish Kaushik kept on seeing him after coming to Mumbai and then later worked with him as a co-star and was directed by him in Aa Ab Laut Chalen . Satish was shooting with Rishi Kapoor for his last film Sharmaji Namkeen. He said that with Rishi Kapoor gone the era of romance has gone. Meanwhile, Farida Jalal broke down while talking about Rishi Kapoor. She said that she was very close to the actor and was shocked. Farida Jalal worked with Rishi Kapoor in the latter's debut film Bobby . Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, early morning after a long battle with leukaemia. He w

Aruna Irani remembers co-star Rishi Kapoor; narrates an old incident where he stood up like a hero

Rishi Kapoor passed away early morning on April 30, 2020, leaving the film fraternity and his fans gutted. The actor who was battling leukaemia passed away in a hospital in Mumbai. After his death, several industry members spoke about his greatness and their memories with him. Bollywood actress Aruna Irani who has worked with Rishi Kapoor in the 70s and 80s in films like Khel Khel Mein and Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani while talking to a news agency said that he was good to each and every person. She said that they would call him Chintu baba. Remembering the days during Rishi Kapoor's film Bobby, Aruna said that his father Raj Kapoor would scold him but he would never feel bad. She said that he never felt conscious and if his father would say something to him, he would say it is for his best. Talking about her working experience with him Aruna Irani narrated an old incident. She said that once they went to a remote place to shoot and there were a lot of mosquitoes making sleep difficult.

“I warned Rishi Kapoor about his health”, says best friend Rakesh Roshan

Rishi Kapoor and Rakesh Roshan were close friends for 45 years. Rakesh is understandably shaken by the suddenness of his pal’s death. “I met him last on March 15 over dinner. Only Chintu (Rishi), his wife Neetu and I were there, and we chatted for nearly three hours. We discussed each other’s health.” Rakesh Roshan himself has come out of a cancer phase. “I am a hundred percent cured, touchwood. Chintu asked me why I didn’t start a new film. I told him I will wait until September when my final medical tests will happen. I would rather wait until I’m fully sure. Health comes first. And this is what I told Chintu also.” In fact Rakesh Roshan blames Rishi Kapoor’s trip to Delhi in February for his health relapse. “Both of had cancer, though different kinds. I am aware of how infection-prone we are. So when Chintu told me about his plans to go to Delhi in February for a wedding I advised him against it. But he still went, and had a relapse there. When I met Chintu he admitted he should’v

VIDEO: Inside Rishi Kapoor's funeral; Ranbir Kapoor performs the last rites

Indian cinema lost another icon today. Early morning on April 30, Rishi Kapoor breathed his last after his long battle with Leukemia. He was diagnosed with cancer in 2018 and returned to India in September last year after being treated for cancer in New York. His death was confirmed by his colleague and close friend Amitabh Bachchan on Thursday. Rishi Kapoor's body was taken directly to the crematorium ground close to the hospital. Owing to the lockdown restrictions in place, the Mumbai Police allowed 16 members of the family to attend the funeral. Ranbir Kapoor performed the last rites of his father Rishi Kapoor at the Chandanwadi crematorium ground. Due to lockdown restriction in place, Rishi Kapoor's body was directly taken to the crematorium ground instead of going to their Pali Hill residence first. Rishi Kapoor's elder daughter Riddhima Kapoor Sahni could not attend the funeral as she was in Delhi.   View this post on Instagram   @

Kulmeet Makkar, CEO of the Film and Television Producers Guild, passes away 

After the tragic news of the demise of two of the greatest actors of the Indian film industry- Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor- the month of May began with another unfortunate news. Early on May 1, CEO of the Film and Television Producers Guild Kulmeet Makkar passed away after suffering a heart attack.  Makkar was in Dharamsala, Himachal Pradesh during the lockdown. Makkar has been a part of the entertainment industry for more than three decades. He has worked with Sargama and Reliance Entertainment as founder CEO of Big Music and Home Entertainment,, He was also the president and CEO at Shreya Entertainment before becoming the Guild's CEO in 2010.  Many celebrities from the film fraternity took to social media to express their grief:  Kulmeet you were such an incredible pillar to all of us at the Producers Guild of India....relentlessly working for the industry and towards its enhancement and advancement... you left us too soon...We will miss you and always Remember you fondly..

Irrfan Khan’s first television show Shrikant to rerun on Doordarshan

Irrfan Khan passed away on April 29, 2020, after battling with neuroendocrine tumour for two years. Irrfan has worked as an actor for a little over thirty years on different platforms. After his death, Doordarshan announced the rerun of the actor's first TV serial, Shrikant. The show was directed by Pravin Nischol and it also featured Farooq Shaikh. Shrikant was based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's book. Tweeting about the rerun, Doordarshan took to their official handle and wrote, "Watch your favourite #IrrfanKhan in Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s #Shrikant, this afternoon at 3:30 pm on @DDNational.” Watch your favourite #IrrfanKhan in Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's #Shrikant , this afternoon at 3:30 pm on @DDNational pic.twitter.com/7WzKoBlOQe — Doordarshan National (@DDNational) April 29, 2020 Irrfan was rushed to a Mumbai hospital on Tuesday for colon infection and breathed his last on Wednesday morning. He is survived by his wife and two kids. ALSO RE

When a Russian fan spotted Rishi Kapoor in New York and played Main Shayar Toh Nahi from Bobby

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor breathed his last today, at the age of 67. He was battling Leukemia for the past two years and underwent  a year-long treatment at New York. As an actor who enjoyed immense love from all corners of the world, Kapoor never stopped having his star moments. One such instance was when he headed for a hair cut at a NY salon, and was spotted by a Russian fan! Delighted, he played Rishi's famous number Main Shayar Toh Nahi from his iconic film Bobby. Moments like these are what artists cherish. The actor had taken to Twitter to share the moment with us. "My anthem played in a salon whilst getting a hair cut. Russian recognized me and played it from his note book. Thank you Sergie," he wrote. My anthem played in a salon whilst getting a hair cut. Russian recognized me and played it from his note book. Thank you Sergie. pic.twitter.com/nnHJVo3OyS — Rishi Kapoor (@chintskap) August 16, 2019 The actor had also received a Filmfare award in 1973,

Anupam Kher gets emotional as he shares his last video with Rishi Kapoor, shot in New York

On Thursday morning, Amitabh Bachchan took to Twitter to break the news of Rishi Kapoor's demise. The actor had been diagnosed with cancer in 2018. He was admitted to the hospital on Wednesday after his condition worsened. The news of his demise has gutted the film industry and his fans. Anupam Kher took to his social media handle to pay his tribute to the actor. “I am just completely numb with the shock of my dearest friend, co-actor of many movies & a wonderful person's passing away,” said an emotional Anupam Kher in his social media posts. Anupam Kher broke down as he shared the last video he recorded with Rishi in New York City. The two are seen taking a taxi ride in the video. Sharing the cheery video, he also penned a note that read, “#RishiKapoor से ज़्यादा ज़िंदादिल, बेबाक़,ज़ोर ज़ोर से ठहाके लगाने वाला,एक बच्चे जैसी जिज्ञासा रखने वाला मैंने अपनी ज़िंदगी में कभी नहीं देखा।भगवान ने उनका साँचा बनाकर तोड़ दिया था।दुख इतना गहरा है, आँसू निकल ही नहीं रहे।NY में उनके स

Rishi Kapoor on his support system Neetu Kapoor – “We were made for each other”

Veteran actor Rishi Kapoor passed away on April 30, 2020 early in the morning after his long battle with leukemia. The actor, who was being treated in New York for almost a year, returned to India last year in September and was looking forward to getting back to work. His pillar of strength was his wife Neetu Kapoor who stayed with him in NYC throughout his treatment while his kids Ranbir Kapoor and Riddhima Kapoor Sahni often visited him. In the year 2017 during the promotions of his autobiography ‘Khullam Khulla’, the actor spoke highly of his wife with whom he shared screen space for years before they fell in love and got married. She had written an excerpt in the book. Speaking to Bollywood Hungama about Neetu and how crucial she has been in his life, Rishi joked, “She has also written some nasty things about me.” He said, “We were made for each other. Well, all said and done! We met very early in our life. When I started my career, Dimple Kapadia got married (to Rajesh Khanna)

"In two days I’ve lost two of my favourite actors", says Sharmila Tagore

The legendary Sharmila Tagore is devastated by the double blow that Indian cinema has received on two successive days. "Why are these younger actors going and the older ones are still around? First, we lost Irrfan who was an absolute favourite and now Rishi Kapoor who was not only a fabulous actor but also part of my family. In fact I’m trying to call (daughter-in-law, Rishi’s niece) Kareena since morning. But can’t get through," Sharmilaji has barely been able to get over the first tragedy before the second struck. "I took Irrfan’s death very personally. He was an actor I related deeply to. His performances in films like  Maqbool, Paan Singh Tomar , for which he won the National award, and  The Namasake were so subtle layered and brilliant…I’ve lost track of how many times I’ve seen The Namesake . Irrfan transformed into a Bengali gentleman. He learnt Bengali for the film. My daughter Soha has done three films with Irrfan. I’m very envious of her." Sharmilaji r

"I'm pretending Irrfan Khan bhai is still with us" - Deepak Dobriyal

Deepak Dobriyal who is in faraway Uttarkhand is now negotiating a new form of lockdown. “I am in a state of denial about Irrfan Bhai’s going. Till the other day he was a fighter, a warrior in the true sense of the word. People from the outside can’t see what he went through for three and a half years. I was with him. I know the pain he and his wife Sutapa have endured. I can’t imagine he has been defeated in the battle. So I am here pretending to myself that he’s still with us.” Deepak spent a good four years shooting with Irrfan and getting to know him. “And he became not just a part of my life but my wife’s too. He would tell my wife to look after me and handle me with kid’s glove as I am very  bholu (innocent). After coming in contact with Irrfan Bhai my wife actually started looking at me with more respect. That’s how generous kind and loving Irrfan Bhai was towards me. I remember a Holi party at Tigmanshuji (Dhulia)’s home some years ago… as soon Irrfan Bhai saw me he rushed to

With Rishi Kapoor's demise, fate of these films remains uncertain

Actor Rishi Kapoor, after a two-year-long battle with cancer, passed away at a Mumbai hospital today morning. A legend in true sense and an entertainer for decades, the actor fought his battle bravely and the dreadful disease never got the better of him, during the testing times. Kapoor was last seen in Jeetu Joseph's The Body , a thriller co-starring Emraan Hashmi. And as we write this, his unfinished film Sharmaji Namkeen lies on the table. Helmed by Hitesh Bhatia, the film starring Juhi Chawla alongside him rolled in December last year. The actor, post his return from New York after a year-long treatment, was eager to return to work, and began shooting with full vigour. A handful of delightful photos from the sets also made their way to the internet. However, with Kapoor's demise, one can't be certain as to what's in the film's fate. View this post on Instagram Wishing 'SHARMAJI NAMKEEN ' all the very very best, a

One more Irrfan Khan starrer still to release

While we mourn the going of one of India’s finest actors and the fact that we will never see him again, there is a smudge of sunshine in this year of darkness. Irrfan Khan has one film, and international project if you please, waiting for release. It is a film called Mantra – Song of Scorpions . It’s about a young woman-singer deep in the desert of Rajasthan, who sings and heals people. Due to certain circumstances, when she realizes that her life has been poisoned by the man in her life, she then has to go on a kind of mystical journey to find a song that will heal her. The renowned Iranian actress, Golshifteh Farahani seen in the new Chris Hemsworth starrer  Extraction , is cast in the protagonist’s role. Waheeda Rehman appears in a brief but important role. Anup Singh’s debut film  Qissa  in 2015 also featured Irrfan Khan and was hugely acclaimed. This is what Anup had to say about Irrfan as an actor: “I believe as an actor he comes to a role in the same way that a refugee comes

"I am devastated," says Juhi Chawla

Amitabh Bachchan’s tweet announcing Rishi Kapoor’s death came as a bolt from the blue. Everyone knew Rishiji was very unwell and that he had a relapse in February. At that time a close family friend had told me, “He’s very unwell. But he’s in denial. He just won’t accept how unwell he is.” That his condition would worsen so rapidly and that we would lose two brilliant actors first Irrfan and now RK, in just 24 hours, confirms that this year is indeed the worst year in living memory. When I contacted one of Rishi Kapoor’s closest co-stars Juhi Chawla she said, “It’s too sad…just too sad. I’m devastated. I just can’t believe this…sorry don’t feel like being on the phone…sorry.” Also Read:  Juhi Chawla reveals her family took help of Indian High Commission in London to return home safely from Latest Bollywood News | Hindi Movie News | Hindi Cinema News | Indian Movies | Films - Bollywood Hungama https://bit.ly/2WerULF

Sehban Azim pens a beautifully heart-touching poem for Irrfan Khan

Sehban Azim known for his role as Inspector Malhar in Tujhse Hai Raabta is a man of many talents. His fans and friends are aware of how he has a knack for poetry and he is pretty good at it! He has been an avid follower of actors and all forms of art for the longest time now and has written a beautiful poem for Irrfan Khan. While the world woke up to the news yesterday of Irrfan Khan passing away and we’re all aware of how the void will never be filled of losing a brilliant actor. Sehban, in his poem, speaks of how God has his own plan and compared them to a film and its characters. What touched our hearts the most was the last paragraph that reads that his mother says that those who pass away in Ramzan are special to God. He has expressed his condolences in one of the purest forms possible. Take a look at it.   View this post on Instagram   Pata nahi kyun lekin waqt se pehle Mann hi Mann is baat ki Khushi Mana li thi ke apna hero is beemari se Jeet

Kapoor family releases a statement on Rishi Kapoor’s death, urges the fans to respect the laws enforced by the Government

The news of Rishi Kapoor’s death has left us all with a heavy heart and we find it difficult to believe that he’s no more amongst us. The 67-year-old actor had been battling leukemia for the last two years and breathed his last in Sir H.N Reliance Hospital today morning. Even during this tough time, the Kapoor family has urged their fans and well-wishers to respect the guidelines put down by the Government in the wake of Coronavirus. A while ago, the family released a statement on his passing, take a look at it. “Our dear Rishi Kapoor passed away peacefully at 8:45am IST in hospital today after a two-year battle with leukemia. The doctors and medical staff at the hospital said he kept them entertained to the last. He remained jovial and determined to live to the fullest right through two years of treatment across two continents. Family, friends, food and films remained his focus and everyone who met him during this time was amazed at how he did not let his illness get the better of

Nikkhil Advani reveals Rishi Kapoor hugged Irrfan Khan after watching his performance in D-Day

Indian cinema lost two of the finest actors of all time, Irrfan Khan on April 29, 2020. The actor was suffering from neuroendocrine tumour and was admitted to Kokilaben Dhirubhai Ambani hospital for colon infection. Rishi Kapoor passed away on Thursday, April 30 after his long battle with leukemia. Tributes from around the world poured in for the late actors. Nikkhil Advani, who made D-Day , recalled the time when veteran actor Rishi Kapoor was left amazed by Irrfan Khan's performance. He said that Irrfan quizzed him about how he could make a film like D-Day after making a Kal Ho Na Ho . Then, the filmmaker approached Sudhir Mishra and Anurag Kashyap to talk to Irrfan about the film since the actor wasn't sure whether Advani would keep the things as raw as it was on paper. Another query the actor had was whether the filmmaker would put songs in the film or not. Speaking to a daily, Nikkhil further said that Irrfan was a phenomenal actor. He said that they were filming his l

5 Unknown facts about Irrfan Khan

Irrfan Khan never got a chance to write his memoirs. If he had done so it would have been fascinating. Irrfan very literally, never lied. This is not the same as those truth-swearing braggarts who keep saying they never lie to convince themselves more than anyone else. Irrfan was brutally honest. And this quality showed up in his work. It also reflected in his life, and his workplace attitude. Here are some incidents from his life that showed up his honesty. 1. Maiden project: Irrfan made one of his maiden appearances in Govind Nihalani’s most unusual marital drama  Drishti where Irrfan played Dimple Kapadia’s husband Shekhar Kapur’s nephew who has an affair with her. Irrfan had to do a long intimate lovemaking sequence with Dimple, and he was petrified that he would touch in the wrong places. Dimple put him at ease. Women were always a guiding force in Irrfan’s life. 2. Always A Warrior:  Indie director Asif Kapadia, better known for his documentaries on Amy Winehouse and Maradon

Ekta Kapoor, Surbhi Jyoti, Rithvik Dhanjani, Arjun Bijlani, and more television actors mourn the death of Rishi Kapoor

The dark week of 2020 has taken yet another legendary actor away. We woke up this morning to the news of Rishi Kapoor passing away at the age of 67. He was admitted in the hospital for the past few weeks and breathed his last today morning at Sir H.N Reliance Hospital. One of his closest pals and veteran actor Amitabh Bachchan took to his social media to confirm the news along with Rishi Kapoor’s brother Randhir Kapoor who also confirmed it. Making it very difficult for us to bear the losses of two of the greatest actors, the loss of Irrfan Khan and Rishi Kapoor will never be forgotten. Television celebrities looked up to both these actors and have now expressed their condolences to the Kapoors in these trying times. Television personalities like Ekta Kapoor, Surbhi Jyoti, Rithvik Dhanjani, Arjun Bijlani, Karishma Tanna, Himanshi Khurana, Niti Taylor, Rode Gautam, Karan V Grover, Mouni Roy, and more have taken to their social media to address the loss of Rishi Kapoor. Take a look at