Creative Bonding : Creativity is not a 9 to 5 job, it comes from enthusiasm

Creative Bonding With Top Brass People : Creativity is not a 9 to 5 job, it comes from enthusiasm  

Penguin presents the evocative Conversations with Waheeda Rehman By Nasreen Munni Kabir

Waheeda Rehman speaks about her life with refreshing honesty, humour and insight. Nasreen Munni Kabir’s ‘Conversations with Waheeda Rehman’ abounds in anecdotes from the iconic life of one of Indian cinema’s most beautiful women actors. Penguin presents the evocative Conversations with Waheeda Rehman By Nasreen Munni Kabir.

Renowned for her natural talent and haunting beauty, Waheeda Rehman’s career spans an astonishing array of key films in Indian cinema, including Pyaasa, Abhijan, Mujhe Jeene Do, Guide, Teesri Kasam and Rang De Basanti. 

In this engaging book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Waheeda Rehman proves to be a lively raconteur, speaking about her life and work with refreshing honesty, humour and insight: from the devastating loss of her parents when she was young to making a life in cinema on her own terms, from insightful accounts of working with extraordinary film practitioners like Guru Dutt, Raj Khosla, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and Vijay Anand to her friendship witstars like Nargis and Nanda. 

A slice of cinema history told through compelling anecdotes and astute observations, Conversations with Waheeda Rehman provides a rare view of a much-adored and award-winning actress of Indian cinema.

The Author: Nasreen Munni Kabir is a reputed documentary film-maker and writer on films. Based in London, she has made several programmes on Hindi cinema for Channel 4 TV, UK, including the forty-six-part series Movie Mahal and The Inner/Outer World of Shah Rukh Khan. Her several books are, among others, Guru Dutt: A Life in Cinema, Talking Films and Talking Songs with Javed Akhtar, A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music, Lata Mangeshkar: In Her Own Voice and, most recently, In the Company of a Poet, a book of conversations with Gulzar.

44 Years : Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se: (“Love Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry”) by: Niilesh A Raje

44 years for the release of the romantic Hindi movie, “Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se". Rajshri Films decided to adapt this into a movie which was based on the bestselling novel "Love Story" by Erich Segal. The above adage “Love Means Never Having To Say You’re Sorry” has been well said by the author Erich Segal in his enduring classic. It was writer Vrajendra Gaur who adapted this English novel and Indianised this into a Romantic Hindi movie.  

Today's generation of songs bore listeners after a week of their production whereas some songs like this romantic title song (“Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se") has been soothing the ears of music lover’s for over three decades of its release.

The song (“Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se") became so popular that only a music director like Ravindra Jain who is visually impaired can truly appreciate and write such prolific lyrics. Mr. Jain who composed music and wrote songs for this movie was nominated for Filmfare Awards in two categories as the Best Lyricist (for title song) and Best Music Director. Hemlata has lent her voice to this song.

The song has been cast on Ranjeeta Kaur (Lily Fernandes) and Sachin (Arun) when both are seen going on a long drive in the red colour car only to witness the delicate merger of these two souls and are seen later romancing in the garden.   

The plot talks of a beautiful love story between Arun who happens to be rich and son of a Barrister which also brings in bloated ego in his personality. Lily on the other hand is a girl coming from a modest family living with limited resources. A day comes when Lily tops the class in her terminal examination and this hurts Arun’s ego as he was always the topper and for now stands second in the class.

                                         With actor Sachin Pilgaonkar

As they say not all love stories have that perfect ending and many times the feeling of losing your loved one’s makes the partner insecure or apprehensive. It’s clearly seen in these lines penned by Ravindra Jain and the profound impact one experiences when it relates to the matters of the heart.

Mein Jab Se Tere Pyar Ke Rangon Mein Rangi Hoon

(Since when I am coloured in colour of your love)

Jaagte Hue Soi Nahin Neendon Mein Jagi Hoon

(I cannot sleep and wake up while asleep)

Mere Pyar Bhare Sapne Kahin Koi Na Cheen Le

(that someone may snatch my lovely dreams)

Man Soch Ke Ghabraye Yahi Soch Ke Ghabraye

(my heart shudders at this thought)

Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se Maine Dekha Jo Saanware

(from the window of my eyes, when I saw, O dear one)

Tum Dhoor Nazar Aaye Badi Dhoor Nazar Aaye

(I saw you far, I saw you very far)

Band Karke Jharokhon Ko Zara Baithee Jo Sochne

(when I closed windows of my eyes and sat thinking)

Man Mein Tumhi Muskaye Man Mein Tumhi Muskaye

(I saw you smiling in my heart, I saw you smiling)

Lily sings this song while narrating her heart's condition to Arun. Lyrics by Ravindra Jain state their condition in which though they might not be able to see each other through open eyes, but when they shut their eyes they find each other very close to their heart. With passage of time Lily's health deteriorates and she dies in Arun's arms as she made Arun promise her to rise in life so that she would be at peace.

While today actor Sachin recently completed 50 years in the Indian Film Industry whereas actress Ranjeeta today stays with her husband Raj Masand and son Sky in Norfolk, Virginia, USA. They own a series of 7-Eleven stores in Virginia. Ravindra Jain the music director and lyricist whose name conjures music even today.

Words have power which can make an individual move not only on a mental level but emotional level as well. The lyrics of Ravindra Jain have been no exception.

Movie                                       Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se (1978)

Music and Song Lyrics              Ravindra Jain

Singer                                       Hemlata

Starring                                     Sachin Pilgaonkar and Ranjeeta Kaur

Director                                     Hiren Nag

Produced by                             Tarachand Barjatya

Sensational Saturday : Last evening in a freewheeling chat with RJ Gaurav host of Radio City 91.1 FM retro music show "Kal Bhi Aaj Bhi". Gaurav, is very friendly, spontaneous, warm, has a good voice and an excellent command over the language . . .

Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se : by ~ Niilesh A Raje

Today (16th March) : It completes 36 years since the movie "Ankhiyon Ke Jharokhon Se" was released.Music director Ravindra Jain who composed music and wrote songs for this movie was nominated for Filmfare Awards in two categories as the Best Lyricist (for title song) and Best Music Director. The title song became equally popular which only a person who has lost his eyes can truly appreciate. Rajshri Films decided to adapt this into a movie which was based on the best selling novel "Love Story" by Erich Segal. The title song even today has been soothing the ears of music lover’s post three decades of its release . . .

“In the odyssey of life it’s very unlikely that one may return to the same destination from where they started their life journey” : Actor and Line Producer Sandeep Kulkarni in a freewheeling chat with writer Niilesh A Raje speaks about his upcoming socio-psychological thriller Hindi movie Dombivli Return

by: Niilesh A Raje

You are now making your debut in the Indian Film Industry as Line Producer with your upcoming socio-psychological thriller Hindi movie “Dombivli Return”. Is this movie a sequel to your acclaimed Marathi hit “Dombivli Fast” in which you had played the lead role?

Well, “Dombivli Return” is not a sequel to my 2005 Marathi movie “Dombivli Fast”. My movie is a socio-psychological thriller which speaks about a common man named "Anant Velankar" from Dombivli whose lead role has been played by me.

Anant comes from middle class Marathi family staying in chawl and is working full time as a Photographer in Mantralaya with the PR Department. The look and feel of the chawl, dressing style of this middle class man Anant coming from Marathi family has given our Hindi movie a Marathi texture. 

Anant’s wife is an excellent housewife who takes good care of the home front. They have one small kid who is going to the school. Anant’s younger brother is a Commerce Graduate and pursuing his CA.

Apart from pursuing photography as his full time job in Mantralaya Anant also works as “Freelance Photographer”. His regular friend circle includes his train friends whom he meets daily as part of his commute from Dombivli to work place and vice versa. He also has one of his friends from Dombivli who owns the photo studio locally. As this man is working in Mantralaya’s PR department his job profile gives him close access to work with Ministers.

Why Dombivli? Do you have any memories attached to this beautiful place which even I do admire?  

Well, Dombivli is a beautiful suburb in the city of Mumbai located in Thane District. Many Marathi families who were once working and staying in Girgaon post their retirement made this beautiful suburb Dombivli as their new home which predominantly had Maharashtrian population then. On personal front yes I had the opportunity to stay in Dombivli when my parents were staying there for brief period of roughly three years or so. Today, also I do visit Dombivli when we have any family function or get together.

What is the significance of the word “Return” in your movie title “Dombivli Return”?

(Smiles) Good question. The word “Return" is like when one asks for a “Return Ticket” at the ticket counter when travelling. The “Return Ticket” grants one the permission to travel to one’s chosen destination and allows you to return back again to your starting destination. But, in the odyssey of life it’s very unlikely that one may return to the same destination from where they started their life journey. A true and bitter reality of life. 

Who are the other artistes in this movie and the role they are playing?

The movie has been produced by Avdhoot Entertainment in association with Kathakaar Entertainment a Production House initiated by me. Avdhoot Entertainment has joined hands with Kathakaar Entertainment in the production of this movie. “Dombivli Return” is our first venture into Hindi. The movie is written and directed by Mahendra Teredesai who has assisted filmmaker Dr Jabbar Patel on several occasions.

The movie is produced by Mahesh Taras while I am the Line Producer for this movie. The lead role of the common man Anant in this movie is being played by me. We also have Rajeshwari Sachdev (National Film Award Winner for Best Supporting Actress) playing the role of a housewife in this movie. Amol Parashar theatre actor plays the role of my brother in this movie. The friend who owns his photo studio in Dombivli has been played by Hrishikesh Joshi. We also have Siya Patil in this movie, playing the role of women from Dombivli holding different relation with Anant. Music Direction has been done by National Film Award Winner Shailendra Barve.

What is the turning point in this movie and how does the plot unfolds in the end?

In this movie there’s one incident that takes place in the life of Anant coming from Marathi family. That one incident is like the slip between the cup and lip for him. The message the movie gives is when everything seems certain sometimes things can go wrong in the odyssey of life be it through temptation or any other reason which can disturb one’s happy home. It’s here the word “Return” from our movie title “Dombivli Return” unfolds as the story progress. Now, whether the common man Anant is lucky enough to return to the same destination from where he started his journey of life is something to be watched in this Hindi movie titled “Dombivli Return”.

      

Sandeep, many Thanks for giving your best support and prompt attention as part of our freewheeling chat over cup of tea on your forthcoming Hindi movie “Dombivli Return”. Here’s wishing you and your whole crew All the Best.

Super Saturday - Niilesh A Raje in a freewheeling chat with Actor Producer Sandeep Kulkarni . . .

Super Saturday - Niilesh A Raje in a freewheeling chat with Actor Producer Sandeep Kulkarni . . .