Tributes
B. R. Chopra
Legendary film producer-director Mr. Baldev Raj Chopra passed away this morning at his Juhu residence at the age of 94. He is survived by his son Mr Ravi Chopra, a film maker in his own right, and two daughters. He was the elder brother of Mr Yash Chopra the senior-most and respected film personality today. Both of them have been winners of the coveted Dadasaheb Phalke Award given annually by the President of India.
Mr. B.R Chopra died of prolonged illness. He was confined to a wheel-chair for some years now and stayed away from active film production of any form. He gave the world the most memorable and largest viewed television serial Mahabharata in 1988. It created a world record for maximum viewers across the nations and became a part of the Guiness Book of World Records.
Born in Lahore in 1914, decades before the Partition, BR as he was well-known in the industry did his MA in English from Lahore University. He had always been fascinated with film journalism.
The Chopras were the victims of post-Partition communal riots which forced them to leave Pakistan. Chopra’s initial job was with Cine Herald as film critic.
His first movie Karwat (1949) flopped but the very next film Afsana (1951) was a hit and since then BR achieved a string of successes by producing films mostly conveying social message. The biggest hits by the BR Films include Naya Daur (1957) with Dilip Kumar and Waqt with Raj Kumar. Other memorable productions were Dhool Ka Phool, Kanoon, Gumrah and Hamraaz.
He was cremated in the afternoon. Film personalities and actors such as Mr /yash /chopra, Dilip Kumar, Kajol, etc were present in large numbers for the funeral.
F. C. Mehra
Noted yesteryears filmmaker F C Mehra, who produced box-office winners like 'Professor' and 'Sohni Mahiwal', died here late last night due to cardiac failure after a prolonged illness, family sources said. Mehra passed away at the age of 87 in his sleep, the sources added.
'Prince', 'Alibaba aur 40 chor' and 'Aakhri Adalat', Qila were among his other films. His contribution for TV include Zabaan Sambhal Ke, Office Office, Nok Jhok etc. In 1988, he stopped making films and looked after his film exhibition business. Mehra owned the Minerva theatre in the city.
He is survived by two sons, Umesh and Rajiv Mehra, who have also directed a number of films.
Ishmit Singh
The innocent face and melodious voice is no more. Ishmit Singh, who had become a household name after winning the Star TV's Voice of India contest has died. He was just 20 and a promising career lay ahead of him.
After all, just sometime back they had cheered the boy when he sang his way through the Amul Voice of India competition. Ishmeet's family isn't aware whether he could swim or not. But on Tuesday he did step into the pool at his hotel in Maldives and lost his life.
He was rushed to hospital but doctors said he was already dead. In his brief professional career he had achieved fame and love. When he had beaten Harshit to become the star, it as the legendary Lata Mangeshkar who had handed over the award.
His cremation was held at his home town in Punjab many of hi co contestants from Star Voce of India and from the production team of Endemol were present as he was extremely popular amongst them as well.
Vijay Tendulkar
Noted Marathi playwright Vijay Tendulkar died on Monday at his residence here after prolonged illness. He was 80 years old. Family sources said Tendulkar died at about 8 a.m. He had been unwell for the past two months.
A large number of theatre and film personalities, including Amol Palekar and Lalan Sarang, visited the hospital to pay their last respect to the author.
The Mumbai-based author, also father of the late actress Priya Tendulkar, is survived by two daughters-- Sushma and Tanjua-- who were at his bedside when he breathed his last.
A Padma Bhushan awardee, Tendulkar In 1977, Tendulkar won the National Film Award for his screenplay of Shyam Benegal's movie Manthan . He also wrote the screenplays for other critically acclaimed films like Nishant , Akrosh and Ardh Satya. He has also translated Mohan Rakesh's Hindi drama Aadhe Adhure and Girish Karnad's Kannada drama Tughlaq into Marathi. Tendulkar also authored as many as 25 one act plays in addition to novels and short stories.
The playwright, who began his career as a journalist and wrote many widely read newspaper columns, was given the Jawaharlal Nehru fellowship in 1974-75.
The mortal remains of Tendulkar were cremated soon after his death without religious rituals as per his wish.
One more pillar Sh. Vijay Tendulakar of Indian entertainment field has been fallen. A great loss to all the concerned.
~ Jolly Uncle
Rajendra Nath
Rajendra Nath, popular Hindi film comedian of the 1960s and 1970s who was better known as Popatlal, died late Wednesday at his home. He was 78.
Rajendra Nath, who had essayed comic roles in almost all movies starring Shammi Kapoor of the 60s, was ailing for a long time. He breathed his last in his Khar home in northwest Mumbai.
He had acted in many films in Hindi, Punjabi, Bhojpuri and also in South Indian movies. He played the role of a buffoon called Popatlal in Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, and the character became so popular that it soon became synonymous with the actor.
Condoling the actor's death, Maharashtra CM Vilasrao Deshmukh said, "Rajendra Nath regaled film lovers across generations with his typical sense of comic timing."
Veteran and most loved character actor RAJENDRANATH JI passed away few days back. His sense of comic timing was unmatched. I remember as a school going kid how we used to love his scenes. We lovingly always remembered him as Mr. Popatlal from one of his earliest films, I think DIL DEKE DEKHO. Later he endeared us as SAM COOPER in the most beautiful hit film PHIR WOHI DIL LAAYAA HOON. And in many films later with Shammi Kapoorji , Biswajitji, etc. We will always love him and pray that his dear family members have the strength to bear this irrepairable loss.May his sweet soul rest in eternal peace after spreading joy and laughter to millions like me through the years. We'll surely miss him.
~ Rusi Mistry Model/Tv/Cine Artiste
G. P. Sippy
Veteran Bollywood producer-director G P Sippy, who had become a household name with his 1975 blockbuster 'Sholay', died here tonight after prolonged illness.
Sippy, 93, who has been suffering from age-related ailments for the past few months, breathed his last at around 10 pm here, family sources said.
His career got a flying start with the film 'Marine Drive' (1955). The same year he produced 'Adl-e-e-Jahangir' with the star-cast of Pradeep Kumar, Meena Kumari and Durga Khote.
The fifties and sixties was a time of hectic filmmaking for Sippy, when his banner produced memorable flicks like 'Shrimati 420', 'Chandrakant', 'Light House', 'Bhai Behan' and 'Andaaz'. It stands to his credit that G P Sippy, besides producing, also directed all of these films.
Nabendu Ghosh
“Writer-film-maker Nabendu Ghosh, one of the most eminent names in Hindi cinema from the 1950s to the early ‘80s, died on Saturday morning at CMRI Hospital in Kolkata. He was 91 and had been ailing for some time.
His novel Dak Diye Jayee on the 1942 Quit India Movement cost him his government job in 1943, earned his literary spurs with this work and established himself as a frontline progressive writer. His success in cinema began when he joined legendary cinematographer-director Bimal Roy in 1951 as script-writer. He subsequently penned over 50 screenplays. Some of his acclaimed films include Parineeta, Aar Paar, Devdas, Sujata, Bandini and Abhimaan. Ghosh also produced and directed Trishagni in 1989, which earned him the National Award for the Best First Film of a Director”.
Shri Harmesh Malhotra
My life time association as technician with him - good Producer/Director. Started his own production venture with \"Gaddar\" shot in Narkanda H.P. after Beti & Pattha aur Payal as a director - under banner H.M.Films & later Eastern Films very good paymaster had no grudge with any of the fellow members of the film industry Last film \'Akhiyon Se Goli mare\' in between super hit films made like \'Nagina\', \'Dulhe Raja\'. I have no words to describe him.
By - Chandrakant Dave
K. K. Mahajan
The man who lived life at his terms
Kewal Krishna Mahajan - K.K. to his friends and colleagues has been one of the finest students to have passed our of Film Institute of India - Pune, (at that time there was no TV institute) These were the formative year of the institute and nobody in the film world knew what fate was in store for the graduates, K.K. graduated from the third batch with a gold medal. The film industry was apprehensive about these graduates from the institute.
Some senior members were of the opinion that films cant be taught in the class room. It was hard to get a break through in the industry till some institute boys like K.K. and Shatrughan Sinha changed the face of cinema in our country and paved the way for the rest of us to follow.
I had known K.K. since 1965 when he was in final year and I was in first year. Of cinematography, I do not need to say how great his work was because his work does not need any one's certification nor endorsement, the amount of recognition in terms of citations and awards speak for themselves. He carved a niche for himself by means of his extra ordinary work and perhaps single handedly brought respectability to the entire fraternity of cinematographers from the institute.
Thanks K.K. for leaving behind a great legacy. I am sure a lot will be written about his work, maybe there will be retrospective of his work, but I would like to share a very personal and humorous side of this great friend of mine:
Once a cricket match was being played between the institute boys and I was down with fever and hence not on the ground and was resting in stays 5 (dormitory) on the ground there was an argument between K.K. and another final year sound ngineering student Chaturvedi, Chaturvedi in a fit of anger hit K.K on the head and ran away leaving K.K. with a bleeding head. K.K. was rushed to the hospital , full of remorse and afraid to face K.K. Chaturvedi came and hid in stays 5, the police was summoned but all K.K. said was that I was hit with the ball, when I informed K.K that chaturvedi was afraid to approach him and was sorry, he smiled and said "tell that idiot that I have grudge against him and have forgiven him. It was under K.K.'s captain ship that the institute won the Shinde League Cricket championship.
Well K.K. you may go away from this world but you can never leave our hear. We shall always draw inspiration from you.
Adeep Tandon.
Vijay Arora
1944-2007
Arora's career got off to a good start by winning the gold medal when he graduated from Film and Television Institute of India in 1971. He made his debut with another newcomer Reena Roy in Zaroorat (1972). The risque film did get him much attention as it did for Reena also, since she later became a box-office star and award-winning actress. Fortunately, for Arora, that set the tone for the rest of his film career, as he was almost always cast opposite super leading ladies: Asha Parekh in a dual role in Rakhi Aur Hathkadi (1972); the guitar-strumming Zeenat Aman in the memorable Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973)(where the beautiful romantic song, "Chura liya hai" is picturized on them), two powerhouse actresses Jaya Bhaduri and Waheeda Rehman playing his wife and mother-in-law, respectively in Phagun (1973); Shabana Azmi in Kadambari (1975); Tanuja in Insaaf (1973); Moushumi Chatterjee in Natak (1975). Even when a famous, talented filmmaker like Hrishikesh Mukherjee gave him a starring role in a good film Sabse Bada Sukh (1973) without a famous heroine sharing the screen with him. He guest-starred in other hit films such as Roti (1974), Sargam (1979), Bade Dilwale (1983), Jaan Tere Naam (1991) Indian Babu (2003) where his characters were peripheral to the storyline. He did over 50 films and innumerable television serials. In the late 80s, he found great success on the small screen with his role as Meghnad Indrajit in the epic serial Ramayan directed by Ramanand Sagar. Besides acting, Arora also set up his own software house which produces ad films and corporate films. His serial Ek Tara Bole made for children was an award-winner. He made ads and documentary films on implementation of ISO 9000 standards [first in India] and eco-friendly [first in the world] textiles which were well appreciated by the United Nations. In 2001, he was seen in two serials Lakeerein Talaash and Ketan Mehtas highly sensational Pradhan Mantri. He also acted in Jaana Na Dil Se Door directed by Vijay Anand. Arora was a hit in Gujrati cinema too in films like Raja Harish Chandra. He had acted in several Hindi and Gujrati plays. [1]. He did events for the Gem and Jewelery Council Of India was promoter of several imported products like accupuncture massagers and non electric industrial ventilators. He also manufactured playing cars for varios Indian corporates and also sourced them to Warner Brothers for the movie Superman. He used to help students develop the skill and art of acting and was heavily into Yoga, Health and Fitness. His, Churaliya Number is Immortal and will always be on the lips of romancing couples.
By - FARHAD VIJAY ARORA
Vijay Aroraji: Yes, he did some memorable films.Apart from Chura Liya... there was one more very good song picturised on him. That is Acchi Nahi Sanam Dillagi Dil-e-Bekrar Se from Rakhi Aur Haathkadi and sung by non other than the great Kishoreda.May Vijay Aroraji\'s soul rest in peace.
~ NarendraH Shah
O. P. Nayyar
16/01/1926 - 28/01/2007
Legendary Music Director O.P. Nayyar has passed away. An era, uniquely individualistic, has come to a close with him. None can replicate him and never will there be another Nayyar saab..May his soul rest in peace.
One cannot forget the lilting, romantic numbers unforgettable renderings, which had a distinct feel, recognisable in the choice of accompaniments, the piano, sax, acoustics and then the soulful strain of melody. His partnership with Guru Dutt in Aar Paar, Mr. & Mrs. 55 and C.I.D. created magic. His body of work is too august and distinguished to mention in a few lines. Music lovers will find it difficult to fill the vacuum created by his passing.
Hrishikesh Mukherji
Hrishikesh Mukherji's strength lay in his ability of simple and effective story-telling. Probably it reflected his nature.
His grasp over the medium was amply evident in the film directed and edited by him. Manmohan Desai used his editing expertise for his block-buster COOLIE.
He inspired numerous film makers. His protégés include successful makers like Gulzar.
Even after his departure his legacy shall continue to entertain viewers across the globe.
A film maker who knew humans emotion. The simplisity whith which he narated was spellbounding on audience.
~ Hamid Mir
Today I have also become a director. I learnt many things from his pictures. Hrishida was a great director, rarely to be seen today. I salute him. May GOD keep him in the heaven.
~ Satyabrata Biswas, Mumbai.
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