Personal Blog Of Tanmoy Sen Gupta Related To Celebrity Biographies

Biography Of Amitabh Bachchan

2007-02-20T22:12:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Amit Shrivastava

Nickname

Aby Baby BIG B Munna One Man Industry Angry Young Man Bollywood's Shahenshah Amith Big A

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m)

Son of well known poet Harivansh Rai Bachchan and Teji Bachchan. He has a brother named Ajitabh. He completed his education from Uttar Pradesh and moved to Bombay to find work as a film star, in vain though, as film-makers preferred someone with a fairer skin, and he was not quite fair enough. But they did use one of his other assets - his deep baritone voice - which was used for narration and background commentary. He was successful in being cast in Saat Hindustani. He got his break in Bollywood after a letter of introduction from the then Prime Minister Mrs. Indira Gandhi, as he was a friend of her son Rajiv Gandhi. This is how Amitabh made an entry in Bollywood, starting with Zanjeer, co-starred with his future wife-to-be Jaya Bhaduri, and since then there has been no looking back. He married Jaya Bhaduri, an actress in her own rights, he has two kids, Shweta and Abhishek. Shweta has been married, lives a non-filmi life and has a child. Being friends with Rajiv Gandhi, got him to decide to run for seat in the Congress from his hometown but had to leave midterm because of controversies, particularly after Rajiv and he were implicated in the now infamous "Bofors" case along with the U.K. based Hinduja Brothers. After a four year break, he was back in the unsuccessful Mrityudaata (1997), a comeback which the actor wanted to forget. Critics written him off but his career was saved with Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998). But four flops in 1999 and incurring debt of over 90 crores rupees of his sinking company ABCL saw him at an all-time low. To make matters worse, after the defeat of the Congress party, Amitabh lost considerable political support, the opposition made him a target, and his credit rating deteriorated to such an extent that a leading nationalized bank, Canara Bank, sued him for outstanding loans. He did bounce back, presenting the Indian version of Who Wants To Be A Millionaire called "Kaun Banega Crorepati?" (2000). After a series of hits with Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) and Baghban (2003) and his most recent Khakee (2004), a 60 plus Bachchan is showing no signs of slowing down and proving the critics wrong once again. His son Abhishek is also an actor by his own rights. Amitabh and Jaya were interested in getting Abhishek married to Karishma Kapoor, the daughter of Babita and Randhi Kapoor, they went through a formal engagement, but later broke it off. Now Ajitabh and the rest of the family have recently consulted an astrologer and compared the astrological charts of former Miss World and Bollywood actress, Aishwarya Rai, with that of Abhishek, hoping that they are compatible, and if so, Amitabh may get his only son married around September, 2006. However, a number of events contributed to the delay, as prayers and Havans were performed to remove any doubts about Aishwarya being a Manglik, and finally both youngsters were formally engaged on Sunday January 14, 2007, at the Bachchan residence in Juhu, Bombay.

Currently, he is one of the most busiest actors and singers in Bollywood as well as on TV, as can be seen from the commercials that he appears on, especially on Sahara One. Looks like there are no limits for this super-star and once the "Angry Young Man". of Bollywood.

Spouse

Jaya Bhaduri

(3 June 1973 - present) 2 children

Trade mark

His baritone voice.

Trivia

Arguably India's greatest ever superstar.

He launched a multi-faceted commercial enterprise known simply as Amitabh Bachchan Corporation Limited, or ABCL. ABCL is engaged in production, distribution and all other aspects of the movie industry.

Had a very close association with the former Indian Prime Minister Indira Gandhi and her son Rajiv Gandhi (also Prime Minister) and he was elected to parliament with a huge majority from his home town of Allahabad. But his stint in politics did not last long and he was implicated in the infamous Swedish Bofors Gun deal scandal along with Rajiv Gandhi, the U.K. based Hinduja brothers, and others.

Was one of the judges for the 1995 Miss World beauty pageant.

While filming Coolie (1983/I) he received a near fatal injury. He was hospitalised and the Indian press issued daily bulletins on his health.

Was a former stage actor, radio announcer and freight company executive in Calcutta, India.

Went to Sherwood College, a boarding school in the hill-station town of Nainital, and from there to Delhi University where he earned a double MA degree.

When he was just trying to get a break in movies he was told to soften his 'deep' voice. However it was soon realised that his deep rich voice was excellent for narration. He has provided narrations for several films.

Suffered from a rare muscular disorder known as myasthenia gravis.

Father of Abhishek Bachchan

Is a vegetarian

Presenter of Kaun Banega Crorepati, India's version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire

The first Asian actor having a wax model of his likeness displayed at Madame Tussaud's in London, UK

Highest paid Bollywood actor in the film industry.

Was named Actor of the Millennium in a BBC News Poll ahead of such luminaries as Charlie Chaplin, Sir Lawrence Olivier, and Marlon Brando.

Was considered 'finished' in the late nineties after super star status for 20 years, a string of flops and failed political and business ambitions. But made an unexpected comeback as host of the popular TV quiz series "Kaun Banega Crorepati?" (2000) which put him right back on the number one spot of Bollywood actors over 40, reaffirming his reputation as the living legend of Indian cinema with a new series of high profile films (Mohabbatein (2000), Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) etc.)

Formed a popular screen couple with Rekha

He also sung in many movies such as Laawaris, Toofan and Silsila.

Became a grandfather in 1997 when his daughter Shweta gave birth to a daughter, Navya Naveli Nanda.

Works with the Indian government's media campaign to publicize the National Immunization Days and encourage people to take their children to be vaccinated against polio and other deadly diseases.

Son of Harivansh Rai Bachchan, who passed away in January 2003.

Suffers from asthma.

His favourite screen name is Vijay, which he had as his character name in over 20 movies.

His father Harivansh Rai Bachchan was considering naming him 'Inquilab' (which means 'revolution') before settling down for Amitabh which means 'brilliance unlimited'.

On his 61st birthday, he relaunched ABCL as AB Corp. ABCL had to be closed after debts of more than millions of rupees. However, Amitabh has decided to relaunch it with a name change.

Actress Nirupa Roy is mostly cast as his mother and last time she featured was in Lal Baadshah (1999).

Has a double M.A. (Master of Arts) degree.

The facial caricature of the Indian comic book character 'Supremo' is based upon him.

Following a near fatal accident while shooting Coolie (1983/I), during which he suffered internal bleeding and required 17 bottles of blood, he became a champion for the cause of encouraging more people to donate blood.

Singer Sudesh Bhonsle dubs his voice for playback songs in many movies.

At the age of 58, he jumped from a height of 30 feet, along with co-star Manoj Bajpai, for his 2001 movie Aks (2001).

In 1996, he released an album called "Aby Baby". This album was released under ABCL and featured songs like "Eer Bir Phatte" and remixes of his songs from his early movies "O Saathi Re" and "Kabhi Kabhi". "Eer Bir Phatte" was inspired by one of his famous dialogues in his movie _Adalat (1976/I)_ .

In 1984, he was honored by the Indian government with the Padma Shri Award for his outstanding contribution to the Hindi film industry.

He is the only actor who achieved at least one hit every year for 15 consecutive years - from 1972 in Bombay to Goa (1972) to 1986 in Aakhree Raasta (1986).

He has played double and triple roles in a number of films. His double role starrers include _Adalat (1976/I)_ , Don (1978), Kasme Vaade (1978), The Great Gambler (1979), _Bemisaal (1982)_ , Desh Premee (1982), Satte Pe Satta (1982), Aakhree Raasta (1986), Toofan (1989), Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (1998), Lal Baadshah (1999) and Sooryavansham (1999). Mahaan (1983) had the superstar in a triple role.

He was closely associated with Indira Gandhi, the former Indian Prime Minister, and her son, Rajiv Gandhi. It was Mrs. Gandhi who wrote a letter of introduction for Amitabh, and that's how he got his break in Bollywood.

He was the original choice to play a role in Aapko Pehle Bhi Kahin Dekha Hai (2003), which he declined and was finally played by Om Puri

His survival and his success could in short be termed best in his wife's own words that "Amit ji is a loner !"

Although Amitabh Bachchan's Immaan Dharam (1977) proved to be a disaster, the producer went ahead and announced Asmaan with Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan and Rekha, with Mohan Kumar in the director's seat. Salim-Javed, who had penned the script of Immaan Dharam, were scripting Asmaan as well. However, the film was shelved subsequently.

Rakesh Kumar, who had directed Khoon Pasina (1977), Mr. Natwarlal (1979), Do Aur Do Paanch (1980) and Yaarana (1981), had turned producer and announced Charlie, with Amitabh Bachchan enacting the title role. Padmini Kolhapure had been cast opposite the Big B. However, the project never got made.

Amitabh Bachchan and Dilip Kumar were seen on screen for the first time in Ramesh Sippy's Shakti (1982). But much before Shakti happened, Eagle Films had signed Dilip Kumar, Amitabh Bachchan and Amjad Khan for their new project, which was to be directed by Yash Chopra. However, the project did not materialize subsequently.

In 1976 Amitabh Bachchan was to star in Manoj Kumar's Naya Bharat, alongside Amitabh it was also supposed to star Manoj Kumar, Hema Malini, Rajesh Khanna, Shashi Kapoor, Shatrughan Sinha, Zeenat Aman and Rishi Kapoor. The film was shelved subsequently.

Amitabh Bachchan, Parveen Babi, Mithun Chakraborty and Rati Agnihotri were teamed in Tala Chabi, produced by Romu Sippy and directed by Raj N. Sippy. One of the foremost character actors then, Pran, had been signed to enact the main villain's role. An official announcement was made in April 1982. The movie never took off.

Amitabh Bachchan was supposed to play one of the lead roles in Shashi Kapoor's Utsav (1984) however; Amitabh opted out of the film. Shashi Kapoor replaced him.

Amitabh Bachchan was the first choice of Rakesh Roshan's King Uncle (1993). But since the actor wasn't signing films then, Roshan opted for Jackie Shroff.

Prakash Mehra was planning on making Chankaya Chanddragupta and had signed Amitabh Bachchan for the main role. The movie was shelved.

Vidhu Vinod Chopra wanted Amitabh Bachchan to play the lead role of Inspector Inayat Khan in Mission Kashmir (2000). The reason why Amitabh Bachchan declined the role was because of his commitment to Yash Chopra's Mohabbatein (2000).

Kader Khan wanted to direct him as the lead hero in Jaahil, unfortunately the movie was never made.

He hates the word Bollywood, the word that describes the Hindi film industry.

Is teetotal

On 31 October 2006, he shocked the unit of a forthcoming movie Shootout at Lokhandwala by recording 23 scenes in 5 hours. Achieving this feat was unheard of.

Biography Of Abhishek Bachchan

2007-02-20T22:06:00.000+05:30

Nickname

Baby B Junior B A B Junior Abi Abhi

Height

6' 3" (1.91 m) The name has been the reason for endless speculations. Will he? Won’t he? Ever since he returned from his Swiss school and was spotted at functions towering over his petite mother and standing almost shoulder-to-shoulder with his larger-than-life father, he has had movie moghuls flocking to his side. Just about everyone who was anyone had a project lined up for the Small B. And no one had any doubts that he would follow in his father’s footsteps.

This 6'1 feet tall, gorgeous , Abhishek Bachchan was born on 5th Febuary, 1976 to Bollywood Legend and Veteran Actor Amitabh Bachchan & Bollywood actress Jaya Bachchan. Abhishek Bachchan has done his high school in Switzerland.

Since he was interested in acting and his father Amitabh Bachchan supports his decision, he stopped studying business in United States and joined in Films. As a Son of Legendary actor's will surely make his own place in the industry.

In fact, it wasn’t hard to see the young AB in this AB. The same six foot frame looming large, the same quick wit, the same endearing charm which can draw you closer, and the same Amitabh like aloofness which makes you retrace a few steps. And it all adds up to an enigmatic persona who’s hard to resist. Not surprisingly then his imminent debut has been a topic of discussion. And no one was fooled when his parents insisted that the boy was more interested in the behind-the-scenes intricacies of film-making, that he was much too young for stardom, that he was planning to go abroad for higher studies in another field. Abhishek was destined to be a star.

Now the only thing that remained to be decided was, who would be the chosen one to launch him. After the mega success of Bandit Queen Shekhar Kapur seemed to be the obvious choice. The rumour mills were buzzing overtime till Shekhar took off over the seven seas, more interested in Elizabeth I than Amitabh II. Then Manoj Desai, who heads the Amitabh Bachchan Fan Club, announced that he was going to be launching Abhishek. And papa Amitabh and Shah Rukh Khan were also part of the cast. However, the initial excitement was quelled by a quick denial. The next name on the list of can-bes was Ketan Desai's. The son of Manmohan Desai who had given Amitabh some of his biggest blockbusters. Ketan was his father’s son and Abhishek was his father’s son too. Their teaming seemed right.

Jaya Bachchan admits that Ketan will be making a film with Abhishek. But it won’t be Bachchan junior’s first. That honour goes to JP Dutta who came out of the wilderness with his war epic Border, a film which got him rave reviews, several awards and an A1 rating from the Bachchans. So JP it will be who will chart Abhishek’s path on celluloid. And the choice of subject for Bachchan junior’s launch vehicle had intrigued many. Aakhri Mughal was Kamal Amrohi’s unfulfilled dream. A dream he’d planned with Amitabh at one time.

It is only right that Abhishek Bachchan who, today, is a star without an image, lives out that dream. And no, papa or mama won’t be joining Abhishek in front of the camera. It’ll be the thespian Dilip Kumar who’ll keep him company. That’s enough to make any newcomer quake. But then, Abhishek isn’t just any newcomer. He’s Abhishek Bachchan, who may not have been groomed for stardom, but he certainly is destined for it. And as JP says, "He has the right attitude... and the makings of an outstanding actor."

Sunil Shetty at a suburban studio, got the first inkling of the new star pair. "They are very good. My God, you just have to see the job Abhishek has done in the film. It's absolutely super."

"He is very much his own actor," said Sunil. "Of course, there are moments when he is his father's son, but that's not because he's been influenced, it's more due to the fact that it's in his genes, both from his father as well as his mother."

And that is ONE MAJOR FACT THAT CANNOT BE DENIED! Abhishek is not just a Bachchan! There is as much Bhaduri in him and that combination of talent amalgamated in one person, could be quite awesome.

On the other hand, the pressure of measuring up to your talented parents, could also be quite a strain. How was he facing up to this fact? We got an answer from a member of the cast who wished to remain anonymous.

"Abhishek does not once forget where he comes from or whose son he is. But when it comes to his work, he's taken the best of both and combined it with a talent that is his own and the result will soon be there for all to see. I feel it's quite awesome."

A close family friend, Rinke Khanna, when once being asked about dealing with parental pressure, had this to say of Abhishek. "I think it's very unfair to make comparisons. Jaya aunty is an awesome actress and Amitabh uncle is fabulous as well. But when it comes to Abhishek, I'm sure he's going to have his own brand of super talent as well! I'm certain he will make his parents very proud."

Of course that he makes his parents proud, is very apparent at the public gatherings and social parties that people have seen him at. He's the epitome of a gentleman and like his father and grandfather before him, Abhishek is a complete ladies man as well.

One highly impressed socialite remarked. "In today's day and age, where youngsters barely wish you leave alone have a conversation with you, Abhishek is so different. It's always such a pleasure meeting him. He's polite, has a wonderful, dry sense of humour and the best part is, that you know he's not doing it to impress you. It's just so natural in his case."

Yet another lady, Bubbles Behl who also happens to be a close friend of the family and the producer of one of Abhishek's forthcoming films titled Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai, had this to say... "He is a wonderful boy, very down to earth with absolutely no hang-ups. He's very well brought up and a thorough gentleman. I've seen him right from childhood and I feel Amitabh and Jaya have given a lot of time to their kids. As an actor, he's very intelligent and very good, especially the way he delivers his dialogues!"

People who know Abhishek also feel the same way. One such person commented... "By and large, the film industry has a pretty fake outward attitude, which works for them. I feel Abhishek has an attitude that is genuinely polite and could never be a put-on. He is an introvert but the friends he makes are for life. Abhishek will give his life for his family and friends."

Talking about being a ladies man, is he flirtatious by nature?

"I would call it charming," clarified the socialite. "Abhishek flirts with such elan that all you can think of him as is charming! He certainly has a wonderful manner whereby he makes those he's dealing with, comfortable."

Is there another side?

According to his mother, Jaya Bachchan, there is. Sometime ago, one was curious to know whether a gentleman like her son, had a temper.

"Of course he does," she said emphatically... "Abhishek is a fabulous son, but like every other child, there have been a few exasperating moments." Some say Abhishek is more like his mother by nature, though outwardly, he seems to be a real chip off the old block! A close family friend put some perspective on this subject. "Abhishek has a lot of both his parents but yes, people who are close, know him to be loving and friendly like Jaya. But he certainly has his father's dry sense of humour. I think it's quite a combination."

CINÉ BLITZ also got in touch with Anupam Kher, whose acting classes Abhishek has attended. "He's a thorough professional," was Kher's observation of the newcomer. "He has a combination of both his parents' talent, but he knows that in order to prove himself, he will always have to work very hard!"

Kiron Kher, who has known Abhishek ever since he was a "little kid", has always known him as, "very warm and affectionate. He always participates in a conversation and is very talkative with the people he knows."

What does he like?

"I wouldn't know all that but what I do know, is that he enjoys watching good movies."

Was entering films a natural choice?

"I would imagine it was a very natural decision, especially since he hailed from a film family. Added to this, he is also a very good looking boy!"

What about the parental comparison and pressure he will have to face?

"The pressure for any star kid is there, and I'm sure Abhishek is aware of that. But I think he will take it with a pinch of salt. I feel he's excited and very keen to work, and that's all that it takes."

Wouldn't people's expectations be very high, considering who his parents are?

"I know that people expect and make comparisons. But I wish they wouldn't judge his debut work as against his parents' first films. It's unfair to judge his work to the vast body of work that his parents have done. The child is a different individual. He is an amalgamation of different experiences that he has faced and felt. That in itself makes him different from his parents."

If the industry is to be believed, then Abhishek Bachchan will not disappoint, no matter what the expectations are. And he will emerge as the rightful heir to the awesome legacy his parents have left behind!

Trivia

Didn't finish studying business in the United States since he wanted to become an actor. His father, Amitabh Bachchan, supported Abhishek's decision.

Son of Amitabh Bachchan and Jaya Bhaduri. Grandson of Harivansh Rai Bachchan.

Engaged to Karisma Kapoor [2002]

Was engaged to Karisma Kapoor before the engagement was mutually broken off without any explanations by both parties.

Became a Mama (maternal uncle) in 1997, when his married sister, Shweta Nanda, gave birth to a baby girl.

Has a niece called Navya Naveli and a nephew called Agastye born to his sister Shweta Nanda.

Officially engaged to Bollywood Actress, Aishwarya Rai, on Sunday January 14, 2007, at the Bachchan residence near Juhu. The wedding has not been finalized, but is expected to be sometime during 2007.

Biography Of Shah Rukh Khan

2007-02-20T22:01:00.000+05:30

Nickname

King Khan SRK

Height

5' 8½" (1.74 m)

Mini biography

Shahrukh Khan was born on 12th november 1965. He was brought up in Delhi. He has a sister named Shehnaaz, Wife Gauri Khan, And a dog Named Chewbacca. Shah Rukh Khan has won several awards for his outstanding performance in _Darr (1994)_ , Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). Right now he is the top most actor in the India. His recent hit Baadshah (1999) has also earned many praises

IMDb mini-biography by: rajju, rajju@email.com

Mini biography

Shahrukh started his career on a TV serial called "Fauji" (1988), that won him instant recognition. He also acted in another TV soap called "Circus" (1989). He was born and raised in Delhi, and he was equally brilliant in studies and sports. Fell in love with a girl called Gauri Chibba who was then studying in Loreto Delhi. He later married her before he got his break in Bollywood. Currently, he is the most sought after actor in India. Has a son called Aryan Khan and a daughter named Suhana Khan.

IMDb mini-biography by: Phoebe

Spouse

Gauri Khan

(25 October 1991 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Studied in St. Columba's school, New Delhi, where he was awarded the 'Sword of Honor', essentially the award for best student.

Although his birth name is spelled Shahrukh, he prefers and signs his name Shah Rukh.

Hindi megastar

Number one Indian star actor in the 1990s, but is now (2000) seriously challenged by the new wonder boy Hrithik Roshan who has become the number one phenomenon in India at the start of the new millenium.

Father of Aryan Khan.

2 children with Gauri, Aryan and Suhana

He agreed to star in Aditya Chopra's films without looking at the script first.

One of the three Khans that ruled Bollywood in the 90s till now (2005). The other two are Aamir Khan and Salman Khan.

Formed a popular screen couple with Kajol

Runs a production company "Dreamz Unlimited" with actress, friend, co-star Juhi Chawla and director, friend Aziz Mirza.

Married to Gauri Khan

Named one of Time Magazine's 20 Asian Heroes under 40 (2004)

His son, Aryan Khan, portrayed SRK as an infant in Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001).

Son, Aryan Khan, voice of Tez Lajawaab (Dash), character for Hindi dubbed version of Disney's animated film, The Incredibles (Hum Hain Lajawaab).

Shah Rukh and his wife, Gauri Khan, own the production company "Red Chilies Entertainments", which Shah Rukh started for friend and colleague, director/choreographer Farah Khan, for her debut directorial film - Main Hoon Na (2004).

Born on exactly the same day as Samuel Le Bihan.

Purchased a villa on a man made island on the coast of Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.

#74 on E!'s 101 Hottest Celebrity Bodies Countdown (aired January 2006)

Was not very good at Hindi in school, until his mother promised to take him to the cinema if he passed. As he loved films,he got top marks from then on.

His father ran a transport company and his mother was a magistrate.

Gets along very well with former co-stars Juhi Chawla and Preity Zinta.

Loves computer games and hi-tech gadgets.

His first name "Shahrukh" means "face of the king".

Resides in a mansion called Mannat in Mumbai, India.

Being a Muslim man married to a Hindu woman, he and his wife combine both religious backgrounds into their children's education.

Biography Of Salman Khan

2007-02-20T21:56:00.000+05:30

Nickname

Sallu

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini biography

Often known as Bollywood's Bad boy, his knack of walking into trouble has overshadowed people's perception of him as an actor. He may have been featured as the bad guy of the industry several times over. But many-a-common-man claims that this macho hunk has a heart made of pure gold.

Born on December 27, 1965 Salman Khan is the son of the legendary writer Salim Khan, who penned many super-hits in the yesteryear's like Sholay, Deewar, and Don. Salman started his acting carrier in 1988 by doing a supporting role in the movie "Biwi Ho To Aisi". The following year he came up with his leading role in the box office romantic hit Maine Pyar Kiya (1989). From there he became the heart throb of Indian cinema.

(1991), (1995), Following with other box office hits he showed his terrific performance in SaajanAndaz Apna Apna (1994), Hum Aapke Hain Koun...! (1994), Karan ArjunKhamoshi: The Musical (1996), Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998). His transformations can be sensitive, vulnerable, funny, aggressive and charming as his role demands.

In 1998 he was arrested by the local police from the shooting location of the film Hum Saath-Saath Hain: We Stand United (1999), for killing protected wild animals and spent about a week behind the bars. The actor is facing trial in three cases of killing black bucks and chinkaras and another of illegal possession of arms. In September 2002, Salman Khan had hit the headlines after he crashed his Land Cruiser near the American Express bakery in Bandra, killing one man and injuring others.

Being in those roguish behaviors he tried to balance his troubled life with his carrier. In 2003 he gave his emotionally charged performance as playing an obsessed lover in "Tere Naam" that translated into good reviews and a good run at the box office. He has not only managed to revive his career, but also to restore the confidence of his producers and distributors alike.

His work was noticed internationally in the movie Phir Milenge (2004) where he played the role of an AIDS patient. It was well appreciated by the World Health Organization (WHO) for presenting the problems of AIDS patient in today's world.

IMDb mini-biography by: The Old Fox {by_oldfox@yahoo.com}

Trivia

Arrested and jailed for poaching endangered wild animals after allegedly shooting a rare black antelope near Jodhpur. [12 October 1998]

Frequently gets rid of his T-Shirt in his films to show his muscles.

Hindi megastar

Arrested by police under the charge of having connection with underworld mafia. He was also questioned about Bharat Shah, a producer of Chori Chori Chupke Chupke (2001) since Shah has also been linked with underworld mafia. [2000]

One of the three Khans that ruled Bollywood in the 90s. The other two are Aamir Khan and Shahrukh Khan.

Son of Salim Khan, half of the famed Salim-Javed writing team.

Frequently visits sick children in hospitals, and also goes often to donate blood.

Exercises daily. Feels the day was incomplete without a workout.

Loves visiting London.

Was voted 7th best-looking man in the world by People Magazine.

Arrested for culpable homicide following the death of a man in a car accident in Bombay. Mr Khan was involved in an incident in which several homeless people were hit by a car in an area of north Bombay. The film star has been charged with "culpable homicide not amounting to murder". He also faces charges of drunk driving and not having a valid licence. If convicted, he could be jailed for up to 10 years. [October 2002]

Had a well publicised affair with Aishwarya Rai which lasted 2 years. Apparently his endless tantrums traumatized her enough to give a press conference in spring 2003 where she declared that she would never work with him again for personal reasons.

Was accused in another press conference in spring 2003 by Vivek Oberoi to have called the latter 41 times during one night and threatened him with death as well.

Brother of Sohail Khan, Arbaaz Khan, Alvira Khan and Arpita Khan.

Not only is he a health freak, he also loves to initiate people who aren't as health-conscious as himself into workouts. He forced co-star Anil Kapoor to work out at the gymnasium every day. While Saif Ali Khan and Hrithik Roshan are his early trainees.

His favorite actor is Sylvester Stallone.

Model turned actress Malaika was his sister-in-law. Actor turned director Atul Agnihotri was his brother-in-law.

Best friends with Sanjay Dutt. Also has a very strong friendship with Sushmita Sen

He was an excellent swimmer in his school days and was even tipped for representing the country one day.

In his early days as a struggling actor he never used his father's name and influence like many other heroes with relatives in the industry. He used to visit producers on his own and audition for roles.

Always believes in giving newcomers a chance. So he spares time in between shots to listen to their scrip ideas, and credits this to his memory of when he was a newcomer.

Biography Of Amir Khan

2007-02-20T21:55:00.000+05:30

Nickname

A.K.

Height

5' 5" (1.65 m)

Mini biography

Aamir was first introduced as a child artiste in the 1970's hit Yaadon Ki Baaraat (1973) -- he was the youngest child in the trio. He 'quit' movies and went on to become the state tennis champion for Maharashtra. Aamir also fell in love with the girl next door in the meantime. He proposed to her the day he turned 21, and she accepted. But apparently, there was opposition since she was from a Hindu family and he, from a devout Islamic one. So, they eloped, got married and returned to their homes. Aamir's wife Reena even appears in the song "Papa Kehte Hain" that made him the darling of the nation. From the tremendous success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988), which was released when he was 23, he has blossomed into India's finest actor. His list of sterling performances include Dil (1990), _Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin (1990)_ , _Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikander (1992)_ , Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke (1993), Andaz Apna Apna (1994), Rangeela (1995), Raja Hindustani (1996), Ishq (1997), Ghulam (1998) and Sarfarosh (1999).

His performance in Earth (1998) as the Ice-Candy man has received rave reviews from Indian and International critics. Using classic "method acting", Aamir acts in all genres of Indian films - comedy, action, drama and romance. Though he performs in few films, Aamir Khan is acknowleged today as the most complete Indian actor for his diverse choice of roles and films.

IMDb mini-biography by: apmisy1325@hotmail.com

Spouse

Kiran Rao	(December 2005 - present)
Reena Dutta	(18 April 1986 - December 2002) 2 children

Trivia

Was offered Shahrukh Khan's role in _Darr (1994)_ .

Refuses to accept the usual awards from Indian trade magazines such as Filmfare.

Known as perfectionist who insists on getting a finished script before committing to a film and also refuses to work on more than one film at a time, both very unusual for Bollywood where actors usually work in several films at a time and script details are often improvised on the day of shooting.

One of the three Khans that ruled Bollywood in the 90s. The other two are Salman Khan and Shahrukh Khan.

Son of Tahir Hussain, brother of Faisal Khan, Farhat Khan and Nikhat Khan

Nephew of Nasir Hussain

Cousin of Mansoor Khan

Files for divorce from wife Reena on December 9, 2002.

Awarded Padma Bhushan for the year 2003 by the Government of India.

Recently had another child with his ex-girlfriend, English writer Jessica Hines, who delivered their son, Jaan Harry Hines, on September 14 2003.

Uncle of Imran Khan.

Aamir has two children, Junaid age 9, and Aira age 4, both from Reena, his first wife.

Has 2 children with ex-wife Reena: a son, Junaid, and a daughter, Ira.

Mother is Zeenat Hussain. Sometimes she is referred to as Zeena Hussain.

After his first marriage he took another flat in the same building where he lived with his parents, and started living there.

Has been a big fan of Alfred Hitchkock stories.

Visited Pakistan for fund raising of Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital on invitation by the cricketer Imran Khan.

Formed a popular on-screen pair with Juhi Chawla

Shares a birthday with Michael Caine, Mercedes McNab, Kylie Tyndall, Keaton Tyndall, Quincy Jones, Chris Klein, & Jamie Bell

The Press Trust of India reported Khan will marry girlfriend Kiran Rao in Panchgani, India on 1 January 2006. It later reported Khan and Rao married in a small ceremony at his home in Mumbai, India on 28 December 2005.

Biography Of Akshay Kumar

2007-02-20T21:53:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Rajiv Hari Om-Bhatia

Height

6' 1" (1.85 m)

Mini biography

This handsome man out of nowhere suddenly entered Bollywood's film industry. He studied martial arts in Hong Kong. It was a student that suggested that he try modelling. Because of his success as model, he was offered films. Along with his good looks and excellent martial art skills, he was always the first choice to do adventurous movies. He did his own death defying stunts. His breakthrough performance was in Saugandh (1991). He was well known for his Khiladi series, an Indian version of James Bond, such as _Mr.Bond (1992)_ , Khiladi (1992), Main Khiladi Tu Anari (1994), Mr. & Mrs. Khiladi (1997) and Khiladi 420 (2000). He dated strings of his co-stars including Raveena Tandon, Shilpa Shetty,Pooja Batra and Rekha. But his recent marriage to Twinkle Khanna, his two time love lady changed his playboy attitudes.

IMDb mini-biography by: Alindalia

Spouse

Twinkle Khanna

(14 January 2001 - present) 1 child

Trivia

Studied martial arts in Hong Kong before becoming an actor.

Dated most of his co-stars including Pooja Batra, Raveena Tandon and Rekha (before his marriage to Twinkle Khanna).

Was a martial arts teacher. One of his students suggested he model and he was soon offered films after his success as a model.

Dated Shilpa Shetty twice before his marriage to Twinkle Khanna.

Has a son with wife Twinkle Khanna named Araav born 15th September 2002. Became an uncle when sister-in-law Rinke Saran gave birth to a baby girl on 19 October 2004.

Won Best Villain award for 'Ajnabee (2001)' as it was his first ever award since his career started in 1991

Biography Of Dharmendra

2007-02-20T21:51:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Dharam Singh Deol

Nickname

Dharminder

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Mini biography

When one thinks of Dharmendra Deol, one automatically sees a romantic star as well as a he-man - a trait that is not quite common in Bollywood heroes. No wonder He is known as 'Garam' Dharam (hot Dharam), in Bollywood. He had the looks of a real gentle man, the masculine body of a he-man and when it came to his films, he had a very humorous touch in his dialog-delivery and the timing, especially. The heroics in his films - Phool Aur Patthar (1966), Jugnu (1973), Raja Jani (1972) and Loafer (1973) - are all quite remarkable and unforgettable. Let's not forget that all these films were big blockbusters in India. And not to forget his quite unbelievable performance he'd shown in the role he played as "Veeru" in Sholay (1975). And who can forget his dialog delivery in this movie, whether it was with Basanti or his famous "suicide" dialog. Though he and his films got nominated for Filmfare awards and though he couldn't get one for his films, he, in the end, has got the best award in his life - "The Life Time Achievement" award in 1997 from Filmfare for his achievements, splendid performance during his times and wonderful career in Bollywood. He was the real action hero of perfection in his days and is still considered to be the best romantic hero and the best romantic pair with the actress Hema Malini, whom he later married. They have 2 children together, Esha and Ahana and he has two sons, Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol from a previous marriage with Prakash Kaur. While Sunny, Deol, and Esha are Bollywood stars in their own right, Ahana is getting set-up to be another Deol Star on the horizon. Dharmendra became a grandfather recently when Bobby and Tanya gave birth to their first-born. And not to forget Dharam's nephew Abhay, who has already made his debut with "Socha Na Tha" with Ayesha Takia. Dharmendra still continues to make appearances in movies every once in a while, and we all know that it will be quite some time before he throws in the towel.

Spouse

Hema Malini	(2 May 1980 - present) 2 children
Praksh Kaur	(1954 - ?) 2 children

Trivia

Hindi megastar

Father of Esha Deol and Ahana Deol from his second marriage to Hema Malini.

Father of Bollywood stars Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol from his first marriage.

He is the only actor to have starred with almost all the Kapoor members. He did not star with Kareena Kapoor and Prithviraj Kapoor.

Biography Of Hrithik Roshan

2007-02-20T21:42:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Hrithik Roshanlal Nagrath

Nickname

Duggu Bolunath

Height

5' 11½" (1.82 m)

Spouse

Suzanne Khan

(20 December 2000 - present) 1 child

Trivia

Son of Rakesh Roshan.

Was catapulted overnight to instant superstardom with debut hit film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000).

Has two thumbs on his right hand that are grown together.

Has a sister called Sunaina.

Has been called the Indian Sylvester Stallone, Brad Pitt and Michael Jackson rolled into one person.

Made stubbles fashionable in India.

Excellent dancer.

The country wide hysteria following the release of his first film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) is known as hrithikmania and is unprecedented.

The look of his muscular, chiselled body started a fitness boom in India.

Eye color: Green

Often supports charities of various kinds.

Known as a perfectionist and control freak. Believes in extensive rehearsals and preparations.

Friend of Salman Khan who showed him how to work out and eat properly to put on muscle.

Hindi megastar.

Often visits terminally ill children in hospitals that desperately wish to meet him.

Role models as actor: Raj Kapoor and Sanjeev Kumar.

Wanted to quit the film business altogether after his father Rakesh Roshan was shot at and wounded by hitmen sent by the Bollywood mafia, but changed his mind.

Prepared himself extensively for his screen debut, taking acting, singing, dancing, fencing, riding etc. lessons for years. He also worked hard on his diction and physical appearance (strenuous workout routines).

Fought hard to overcome a stammering problem.

Worked for many years on the sets of his father Rakesh Roshan in various functions, including sweeping the floor and serving tea to the stars, to learn the business from scratch.

Believes in the good in every person, a character trait often misinterpreted by others as gullibility and/or naïvety.

Got 30000 (!) marriage proposals on Valentine's day 2000.

Was the victim of a defamation campaign in late december 2000. Rumors were spread that he stated in an interview that he hates Nepal and its people. This immediately led to riots in Nepal, cinemas showing his films were attacked, posters burnt, Hindi movies banned in general for some days and several people shot dead by the police. The events made headlines all over the world and the governments of Indian and Nepal got involved as well. Anti Indian/Hrithik sentiment died down quickly when it became clear that the alleged statements were a fabrication and the rumors were spread by a malicious third party, possibly the Bollywood mafia, still pissed about not getting the foreign rights to Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000). Nepal born actress Manisha Koirala played an important role in getting the news to the people in Nepal that the accusations were false.

In January 2001 Hrithik Roshan was again involved in a controversy. This time about a poster created and used by the Democratic Alliance in South Africa in November 2000 to woo Indian voters. The poster used his face without permission. The ANC reacted angrily and threatened to ban his films.

Gets 20-30 million rupees per year for endorsing a brand for one year, including commercials [2001]

Occasionally smokes cigarettes

His total income from product endorsements in 2000 is estimated to be 20 crore Rupees (~5 million $), by far the most among Bollywood stars.

Was awarded the "National Citizen's Award" on August 25 2001 in Delhi. The award recognises excellence in various activities affecting national life.

Son-in-law of Sanjay Khan.

Has been called the first complete Bollywood actor who has no weakness and scores very high in every department: face, physique, voice, dancing, drama, romance, action, comedy, macho, softie...

Can't handle money. His wife and parents are taking care of the financial details.

On January 14 2000 Hrithik Roshan entered a cinema to attend the premiere of his first film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000). When he came in some people recognised him but not much happened. When the film was over there was a stampede and mass hysteria broke out. He got mobbed. The police had to come and escort him out of the cinema and away from a crowd of thousands. It was the first day of Hrithikmania in India, which held the country in its grip for many months to come.

Learnt Urdu to sound more eloquent in his films, this can be seen by the special reference to his ability with the language in the film Kaho Na Pyaar Hai

Came in on number 9 on a Bollywood power list released in December 2003, and on number 4 among actors (behind Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Aishwarya Rai).

Was diagnosed at age 21 with scoliosis and told he could never be an actor, dance and do all the things a Bollywood hero needs to do.

Hrithik has been documenting his daily life for many years by taking pictures and putting them in scrapbooks.

Hrithik Roshan and wife Suzanne became parents of a baby boy, named Hrehaan Roshan, on March 28, 2006 at 3:30 pm at Lilavati Hospital in Mumbai.

Hrithik's normal weight is 72kg. He adds to it or reduces it as the role requires. For Krrish (2006) he added ~6kg muscle, for parts of Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) he lost several kilos to look more childlike.

Very close friends with actress Preity Zinta, who is also a good friend of his wife Suzanne Khan. Hrithik and Preity have worked together in three movies.

Came in on number 4 on the Filmfare Bollywood power list in January 2007

Biography Of Shahid Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:41:00.000+05:30

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Mini biography

Shahid was born to critically acclaimed actor Pankaj Kapoor and actress/classical dancer Neelima Azim. His parents divorced when he was three and he mostly lived with his mother. When he was 18, he accidently landed the commercial for Pepsi which starred Shahrukh Khan, Kajol and Rani Mukherjee. He also starred in a music video for the band Aryans and met his college sweetheart Hrishita Bhatt, who also appeared in the video. He is a trained dancer, and recieved his training from famed dancer, Shiamak Davar. After working as an extra here and there, Shahid finally landed a leading role in Ken Ghosh's Ishq Vishk. The film also starred Amrita Rao and MTV VJ Shenaz Treasurywala. Shahid recieved many accolades for his refreshing performance in the candy floss romantic flick. He also gained a growing fan base, which included Bollywood babe Kareena Kapoor. The couple also starred in a thriller, Fida, which bombed at the box office.

IMDb mini-biography by: Shivani Malhotra

Trivia

Son of Pankaj Kapur

Son of Neelima Azim

Stepbrother of Ishaan Kapoor.

Stepson of Supriya Pathak

Biography Of Sunny Deol

2007-02-20T21:39:00.000+05:30

Date of birth

19 October 1956, New Delhi, India

Mini biography

Bollywood's action supremo, Sunny Deol was born to mega star Dharmendra...

Sometimes Credited As

Ajay Singh Deol

Jump to filmography as: Actor, Director, Producer, Archive Footage

Actor:
In Production
2000s
1990s
1980s

Fool and Final (2007) (in production)
Apne (2007) (post-production)
Big Brother (2007) (completed)
Kaafila (2006) .... Transporter
Naksha (2006) .... Veer
Teesri Aankh (2006) .... ACP Arjun Singh
Jo Bole So Nihaal (2005) .... Havaldar Nihaal Singh
Rok Sako To Rok Lo (2004) .... Kabir (Phantom)
Lakeer - Forbidden Lines (2004) .... Arjun Rana
Khel (2003) .... A.C.P. Rajveer Scindia
Jaal: The Trap (2003) .... Ajay Kaul
Kaise Kahoon Ke Pyaar Hai (2003)
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003) .... Major Arun Khanna/Batra/Wahid
... aka The Hero (India: English title: short title)
Karz: The Burden of Truth (2002) .... Suraj Singh
Jaani Dushman: Ek Anokhi Kahani (2002) .... Karan Saxena
23rd March 1931: Shaheed (2002) .... Chandrashekhar Azad
Maa Tujhhe Salaam (2002) .... Major Pratap Singh
Kasam (2001) .... Shankar
Indian (2001) .... DCP Rajshekhar Azad
Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (2001) .... Sagar (Special Appearance)
Gadar: Ek Prem Katha (2001) .... Tara Singh
... aka Gadar (India: Hindi title: short title)
... aka Mutiny: A Love Story (International: English title: informal literal title)
Farz (2001) .... DCP Karan Singh
Champion (2000) .... Rajveer Singh
Dillagi (1999) .... Ranvir
Arjun Pandit (1999) .... Arjun Dixit/Arjun Pandit
Pyaar Koi Khel Nahin (1999) .... Anand
Iski Topi Uske Sarr (1998) .... Bhangra dancer
Salaakhen (1998) .... Vishal Agnihotri
Qahar (1997) .... Raja
...Aur Pyaar Ho Gaya (1997) .... Special Appearence
Ziddi (1997) .... Deva Pradhan
Zor (1997) .... Arjun Singh
Border (1997) .... Major Kuldeep Singh
Ajay (1996) .... Ajay
Ghatak: Lethal (1996) .... Kashi Nath
Jeet (1996) .... Karan
Himmat (1996) .... Ajay Saxena
Angrakshak (1995) .... Ajay
... aka Bodyguard (India: English title: literal title)
Dushmani: A Violent Love Story (1995) .... Suraj Singh
Imtihaan (1995) .... Raja
Insaniyat (1994) .... Karim Lala
Izzat Ki Roti (1993)
Damini - Lightning (1993) .... Govind
Kshatriya (1993) .... Vinay Pratap Singh (Surjangarh)
... aka Warriors (India: English title)
Lootere (1993)
Darr (1993) .... Sunil Malhotra
... aka Darr: A Violent Love Story (India: English title: informal title)
... aka Fear
Gunaah (1993) .... Ravi Sohni
... aka The Crime
Vishwatma (1992) .... Inspector Prabhat Singh
Vishnu-Devaa (1991) .... Vishnu Prasad/Insp. Vishnu Subramaniam/Jack D'Souza
Narasimha (1991) .... Narasimha
Shankara (1991) .... Shankara
Yodha (1991) .... Advocate Karan Srivastav
Ghayal (1990) .... Ajay Mehra
Krodh (1990) .... Ajay Shukla
Aag Ka Gola (1990) .... Vikram Singh/Shankar 'Shaka'
Vardi (1990) .... Ajay Kumar Singh
ChaalBaaz (1989) .... Suraj
Tridev (1989) .... Inspector Karan Saxena
Joshilaay (1989) .... Dara
Main Tera Dushman (1989) .... Gopal
Nigahen: Nagina Part II (1989) .... Anand
Ram-Avtar (1988) .... Ram
Inteqam (1988)
Paap Ki Duniya (1988) .... Suraj/Ashok
Yateem (1988) .... Inspector Krishna
Dacait (1987) .... Arjun Yadav
Samundar (1986) .... Ajit
Sultanat (1986) .... Sultan
... aka Karname Kamal Ke (India: Hindi title)
... aka The Sultanate
Saveray Wali Gaadi (1986) .... Ravidas
... aka The Morning Train
Arjun (1985) .... Arjun Malvankar
Zabardast (1985) .... Shyam
Manzil Manzil (1984) .... Vijay
Sohni Mahiwal (1984/I) .... Mirza Izzat Beg
... aka Legenda o lyubvi (Soviet Union: Russian title)
... aka Pechal lyubvi (Soviet Union: Russian title)
... aka The Legend of Love (International: English title: informal literal title)
Sunny (1984) .... Sunny Inderjeet
Betaab (1983) .... Sunny

Director:

Dillagi (1999)

Producer:

Dillagi (1999) (producer)

Archive Footage:

"Koffee with Karan"
- Episode #1.4 (????) TV Episode .... Himself

Biography Of Anil Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:37:00.000+05:30

Height

5' 11" (1.80 m)

Spouse

Sunita Bhambhani

(19 May 1984 - present) 3 children

Trivia

Brother of Sanjay Kapoor

National Award 2001 for his performance in Pukar (2000).

Brother-in-law of actress Sridevi. Used to live in Chembur, Bombay.

Brother of Boney Kapoor, the Kapoor family used to live in Maitri Colony, Chembur, Bombay, Maharashtra, India.

Son of film producer Surinder Kapoor

He is the director of Asian Academy of film and television film city noida which conducts film degree programs and is rated as top 10 in the world

Daughter's name is Sonam Kapoor. She is soon to star in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's untitled movie with Ranbir Kapoor (Rishi-Neetu Kapoor's son) as her co-star.

Biography Of Govinda

2007-02-20T21:36:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Govind Arun Ahuja

Nickname

Chi Chi Virar Ka Chokra

Height

5' 8" (1.73 m)

Spouse

Sunita Ahuja

(11 March 1987 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Uncle of Vinay Anand.

Brother of former actor Kirti Kumar

He had a narrow escape from death on January 5, 1994. While travelling to a studio for the shooting of 'Khuddar (1994)' , the actor's car hit another car, resulting in him sustaining injuries to his head. Though bleeding profusely, Govinda did not cancel the shooting. After visiting a doctor, he shot for the film till midnight.

Son of Arun and Nirmala Devi

Presently (March 2004) running for office in Bombay (Mumbai) on the Congress party ticket.

Has two children - a daughter and son.

He has acted in over 120 Hindi films.

Govinda played a negative role for the first time in Shikari which was released in 2000. Although the movie was not a commercial success, his convincing portrayal of a villain was critically acclaimed.

Biography Of Raj Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:33:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Ranbir Raj Kapoor

Nickname

Showman of Bollywood

Mini biography

Raj Kapoor was the son of well-known Indian actor Prithviraj Kapoor, who acted both in film and on stage. After apprenticing in the Bollywood production studios of the 1940's, at 24 years of age Raj Kapoor produced, directed and acted in Aag (1948), with his new company, RK Films. His next production, Barsaat (1949), was a smash hit. In 1951, he also produced, directed and starred in Awaara (1951), which was another megahit, and costarred Nargis, who had appeared in Aag and Barsaat. Awaara also gained popular acclaim in Russia, where the movie and songs were dubbed into Russian. The theme song, Awaara Hoon, was popular in the East for many years. Kapoor has been dubbed "a great showman," and a filmmaker in the purest Romantic tradition, as he strove to entertain as well as address social themes close to his heart. Awaara dealt with the question of what forms an individual's moral grounding, ("nurture or nature") while incorporating comedy and stirring love scenes; in Shree 420 (1955) he addressed issues of poverty, unemployment and national pride in the new Indian state at the same time maintaining the audience's interest in the romantic plot. While never revolutionary in tone, many of his films explore the ability of the individual to overcome economic and environmental injustice while maintaining his/her innocence and integrity. He is quoted as believing that the individual's struggles ultimately lead to the desire for love, to care and be cared for. This is consistent with his admiration of Charles Chaplin, and Kapoor's own "tramp" (Awaara, Shree 420, Mera Naam Joker (1970) is modeled somewhat on his mentor, though with a definite individual flair.

His films demonstrate an understanding of music and direction that continue to influence Bollywood filmmaking today. Also a musician, his understanding of the musical feel of his movies gives them a storytelling fluidity equal to that of the best American movie musicals. He surrounded himself with the foremost talents in filmmaking, acting, writing (Kwaja Ahmad Abbas' ), music composition (Jaikishan Dayabhai Pankal, 'Shankarsinh Raguwanshi' ), and playback singers, including Mukesh, 'Mohamed Rafi' , and Lata Mangeshkar. Kapoor continued to make films of varying critical and popular success up until his death in 1988, and apparently considered Mera Naam Joker his personal favorite. He is still a well-known name not only in India, but in the Middle East, SE Asia, and Eastern Europe. His descendants have attempted to continue the RK Films banner.

Spouse

Krishna Kapoor

(1947 - 2 June 1988) (his death) 5 children

Trivia

Son of Prithviraj Kapoor, brother of Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.

Hindi megastar.

Father of Randhir Kapoor, Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. Also daughters: Reetu Nanda and Reema.

Grandfather of Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. His daughter's son, Nikhil Nanda, is married to Shweta Bachchan, daughter of fellow Indian film legend Amitabh Bachchan.

Most important Indian film star of the 20th century together with Amitabh Bachchan

Formed one of the most popular Hindi screen couples of the 50s with Nargis.

Biography Of Randhir Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:31:00.000+05:30

Family Background

Main article: Kapoor Family

Randhir Kapoor is the eldest son of Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Kapoor. He is a fourth generation Kapoor and comes from a distinguished family who have been part of the industry for many years. His great-grandfather was Dewan Basheswarnath Kapoor, his grandfather was Prithviraj Kapoor, his paternal uncles are Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. His brothers are Rishi Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. His wife was actress Babita Kapoor and his daughters are current stars Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor.

[edit] Career

Randhir Kapoor made his acting and directorial debut with Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) which also starred his wife, father and grandfather. The film was produced under the R.K banner, and flopped badly. However, after a few more flops, he finally scored with two successful movies, the first with Jaya Bachchan in the film Jawani Diwani (1972) which also included the hit song Jaane Jaan. The movie was one of the biggest hits of that year and was applauded because of the music and performances. The other success, also released in the same year, was in Rampur Ka Lakshman, with Shatrughan Sinha and Rekha, and directed by Manmohan Desai, with music by the legendary R.D.Burman.

Interestingly, except for Jawani Diwani, whose success was due to a very major extent to its music by the extremely talented Rahul Dev Burman at the peak of his creative form, Randhir Kapoor never gave a single successful movie in which he was the leading hero. All his hits were with other major stars, and in which Randhir Kapoor himself was only a second hero.

He went on to appear in many other hit films such as Chacha Bhatija, Kasme Vaade and Pukar. After 1984 he left the film industry for 15 years and came back with the film Mother (1999). After another break he appeared in the film Armaan (2003). Since then he has not acted in films.

Randhir Kapoor has also directed films post Kal Aaj Aur Kal. He directed Dharam Karam (1975), which was also a flop, and the hit film Henna (1991). The film was at first directed by Raj Kapoor but he died during the production of the film. He produced Ram Teri Ganga Maili (1985) which revived the career of his brother, Rajiv. The film went on to do well and it also won the Filmfare Best Movie Award.

[edit] Personal life

Randhir and Babita were college sweethearts but there marriage was not a success. Babita was also in the movie business, as an actress, until the time of her wedding. The Kapoor family tradition mandated her withdrawal from film upon marriage. After some time, they separated and Babita took their daughters with her. They did not get back together, and live separately. Despite the Kapoor family tradition, Babita encouraged her daughters to become film stars and to indulge in controversial western costumes (which were thought to be scandalous in prior years).

[edit] Filmography

Armaan (2003) ... Gulshan Kapoor
Mother (1999) ... Kumar Sinha
Khazana (1984)
Humse Na Jeeta Koi (1983) ... Kishan Singh
Pukar (1983) ... Shekhar
Sawaal (1982) ... Vikram "Vicky" D. Mehta
Zamaane Ko Dikhana Hai (1981) ... Ramesh Nanda (Guest Appearance)
Harjaee (1981) ... Ajay Nath
Biwi-O-Biwi: The Fun-Film (1981) ... Chander Mohan
Dhongee (1979) ... Anand/Mr. Chimpaklal
Aakhri Daku (1978)
Bhakti Mein Shakti (1978)
Chor Ke Ghar Chor (1978)
Heeralal Pannalal (1978) ... Pannalal
Kasme Vaade (1978) ... Raju
Chacha Bhatija (1977) ... Sunder
Kachcha Chor (1977)
Mama Bhanja (1977) ... Bhanjaa
Ram Bharose (1977)
Bhanwar (1976) ... Anup/Balbir Singh
Aaj Ka Mahaatma (1976) ... Randhir/Ranvir Varma
Bhala Manus (1976)
Ginny Aur Johny (1976)
Khalifa (1976)
Dharam Karam (1975) ... Dharam
Dafaa 302: Indian Penal Code Section 302 (1975)
Lafange (1975) ... Gopal/Sadhu
Ponga Pandit (1975) ... Bhagwati Prasad Pande/Prem
Dil Diwana(1974)
Haath Ki Safai (1974)
Hum Rahi (1974)
Rickshawala (1973)
Jawani Diwani (1972) ... Vijay Anand
Jeet (1972) ... Ratan/Ratanu
Rampur Ka Lakshman (1972) ... Lakshman
Kal Aaj Aur Kal (1971) ... Rajesh Kapoor

Biography Of Rishi Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:29:00.000+05:30

Nickname

Chintoo

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse

Neetu Singh

(22 January 1980 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Son of Raj Kapoor; husband of actress Neetu Singh; brother of actors Randhir Kapoor, Rajiv Kapoor; nephew of actors Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendal, Shammi Kapoor; brother-in-law of actress Babita Kapoor; paternal uncle of actresses Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor; cousin of actor Kunal Kapoor.

Biography Of Shashi Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:23:00.000+05:30

Date of birth

18 March 1938, Calcutta, West Bengal, India

Trivia

Father of Sanjana Kapoor and actors Kunal Kapoor and Karan Kapoor. more

Sometimes Credited As

Sashi Kapoor / Shashi Raj / Shashiraj / Shashi

Actor:
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
1950s
1940s

Side Streets (1998) .... Vikram Raj
Jinnah (1998) .... Narrator
... aka Mohammed Ali Jinnah (Pakistan: English title)
Gulliver's Travels (1996) (TV) .... Rajah
Vivekananda (1994)
Aag Ka Toofan (1993)
In Custody (1993) .... Nur
... aka Hifazaat
... aka Muhafiz (India: Urdu title)
Akayla (1991) .... Police Commisioner
... aka Akela
Raeeszada (1990)
Oonch Neech Beech (1989)
Touhean (1989) .... Dr. Rizvi
Clerk (1989) .... Vijay Kapoor
Gair Kaanooni (1989) .... Kapil Khanna
Farz Ki Jung (1989) .... Inspector Vikram
Jaaydaad (1989) .... Advocate Malhotra
Meri Zabaan (1989) .... Raja Vijay Singh
The Deceivers (1988) .... Chandra Singh
Hum To Chale Pardes (1988)
Akhri Muqabla (1988) .... Dr. Ravi
Sammy and Rosie Get Laid (1987) .... Rafi Rahman
... aka Sammy and Rosie (Canada: English title)
Sindoor (1987) .... Professor Vijay Choudhury
Anjaam (1987)
Ijaazat (1987) .... Guest Appearance
... aka Consent (International: English title: informal title)
... aka Guest (International: English title)
Naam O Nishan (1987) .... Inspector. Sangram Singh
Pyaar Ki Jeet (1987) .... Dr. Rehman
Ilzaam (1986) .... IGP Ranjit Singh
Abodh (1986)
Aurat (1986)
... aka Woman (International: English title)
Ek Main Aur Ek Tu (1986)
Maa Beti (1986) .... Khetan's dad
New Delhi Times (1986) .... Vikas Pande
Swati (1986)
Alag Alag (1985) .... Dr. Rana
Bepanaah (1985) .... Ravi Malhotra
Aandhi-Toofan (1985) .... Inspector Ranjeet Singh
Bhawani Junction (1985) .... Bhawani Pratap
Utsav (1984) .... Samsthanak
... aka The Festival
Zameen Aasmaan (1984)
Ghar Ek Mandir (1984)
... aka The Home Is a Temple
Pakhandi (1984)
Yaadon Ki Zanjeer (1984)
Bandhan Kuchchey Dhaagon Ka (1983) .... Prem Kapoor
Ghungroo (1983) .... Senapati Vikram Singh
Door-desh (1983) .... Arun Khanna
Heat and Dust (1983) .... The Nawab (At the Palace in Khatm)
Vakil Babu (1982) .... Shekhar Kumar
Namak Halaal (1982) .... Raja
Sawaal (1982) .... Inspector Ravi Malhotra
... aka The Question (India: English title)
Vijeta (1982) .... Vinod
... aka Conquest (International: English title)
Ek Aur Ek Gyarah (1981)
Baseraa (1981) .... Balraj Kohli
Silsila (1981) .... Sqdr. Leader Shekhar Malhotra
... aka The Affair (India: English title)
Kalyug (1981) .... Karan Singh
... aka The Machine Age
Kranti (1981) .... Shakti
Krodhi (1981) .... CBI Officer Kumar Sahni
Bezubaan (1981) .... Raman
... aka The Mute
Maan Gaye Ustad (1981)
Shaan (1980) .... Ravi Kumar
Neeyat (1980)
Do Aur Do Paanch (1980) .... Sunil/Laxman
Kali Ghata (1980)
Ganga Aur Suraj (1980)
Swayamvar (1980) .... Laxman
Suhaag (1979) .... Kishan Kapoor
... aka Sign of Marriage
Duniya Meri Jeb Mein (1979) .... Karan
Kaala Patthar (1979) .... Ravi Malhotra, Engineer
... aka Black Stone (India: English title)
... aka Coal Mine (India: English title)
Gautam Govinda (1979) .... Inspector Gautam
Ahsaas (1979) .... Anil Sahni
Do Musafir (1978) .... Raju/Vicky
Trishul (1978) .... Shekhar Gupta
... aka Trident (International: English title)
Satyam Shivam Sundaram: Love Sublime (1978) .... Ranjeev
... aka Love Sublime
... aka Satyam Shivam Sundaram (India: Hindi title: short title)
Aahuti (1978) .... Laxman Prasad (L.P.)
Amar Shakti (1978)
Apna Khoon (1978) .... Ram/Raja
Atithee (1978) .... Anand
... aka Guest (International: English title)
Heeralal Pannalal (1978) .... Heeralal
Junoon (1978) .... Javed Khan
... aka A Flight of Pigeons
... aka Possessed
... aka The Obsession
Muqaddar (1978)
Phaansi (1978)
Rahu Ketu (1978) .... Ravi Kapoor, C.B.I. officer
Trishna (1978) .... Vinod
Mukti (1977) .... Kailash Sharma
Immaan Dharam (1977) .... Mohan Kumar Saxena
... aka Imaan Dharam (India: Hindi title: video box title)
Chakkar Pe Chakkar (1977) .... Ravi Kumar
Chor Sipahee (1977) .... Inspector Shankar Kumar/Bada Saheb
Doosra Aadmi (1977) .... Shashi Sehgal
... aka The Other Man (India: English title)
Farishta Ya Qatil (1977)
Hira Aur Patthar (1977)
... aka The Jewel and the Stone
Fakira (1976) .... Vijay/Nawab Jhumritalaya/Fakira
Kabhi Kabhie - Love Is Life (1976) .... Vijay Khanna
... aka Sometimes (International: English title)
Aap Beeti (1976)
Deewangee (1976) .... Shekhar
Jai Bajrang Bali (1976)
... aka Bajrang Bali
... aka Hail Lord Hanuman
Koi Jeeta Koi Haara (1976)
Naach Uthe Sansaar (1976) .... Karmu
Shankar Dada (1976) .... Shankar Dada/Inspector Ram
Anari (1975)
Chori Mera Kaam (1975) .... Bholanath
Deewaar (1975) .... Ravi Verma
... aka I'll Die for Mama
... aka Wall
Prem Kahani (1975) .... SP. Dheeraj
Salaakhen (1975) .... Raju/Chander
Chor Machaye Shor (1974) .... Vijay Sharma
Insaaniyat (1974) .... Dilip
Jeevan Sangram (1974) .... Arjun
Mr. Romeo (1974) .... Ramesh Saxena
Paap Aur Punya (1974) .... Ganga Singh/Jwala Singh
Roti Kapada Aur Makaan (1974) .... Mohan Babu
... aka Food, Clothing, and Shelter
Aa Gale Lag Jaa (1973) .... Prem
Naina (1973)
Siddhartha (1972) .... Siddhartha
Janwar Aur Insaan (1972)
Patanga (1971) .... Shyam
Sharmeelee (1971) .... Captain Ajit Kapoor
... aka Sharmilee (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Bombay Talkie (1970) .... Vikram
Abhinetri (1970) .... Shekar
My Love (1970)
Rootha Na Karo (1970) .... Sudhir
Suhana Safar (1970)
Ek Shriman Ek Shrimati (1969) .... Preetam
Jahan Pyar Mile (1969)
Kanyadaan (1969) .... Amar/Kumar
Pyar Ka Mausam (1969) .... Sunder/Sunil/Pyarelal
Raja Saab (1969) .... Rajoo
Haseena Maan Jayegi (1968) .... Kamal/Rakesh (double role)
Juaari (1968)
... aka Gambler
Pretty Polly (1967) .... Amaz
... aka A Matter of Innocence (USA)
Aamne Samne (1967)
... aka Face to Face (International: English title: informal title)
Dil Ne Pukara (1967) .... Dr. Prakash
Biradari (1966)
Neend Hamari Khwab Tumhare (1966) .... Anwar
Pyar Kiye Jaa (1966) .... Ashok Verma
Shakespeare-Wallah (1965) .... Sanju
Jab Jab Phool Khile (1965) .... Raja/Rajkumar
Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain (1965) .... Vijay
Waqt (1965) .... Munna/Vijay Kumar
... aka Time
Benazir (1964) .... Anwar
The Householder (1963) .... Prem Sagar
... aka Gharbar (India: Hindi title)
Holiday in Bombay (1963) .... Nath
Jab Se Tumhe Dekha Hai (1963)
Yeh Dil Kisko Doon (1963)
Mehendi Lagi Mere Hath (1962) .... Deepak
Prem Patra (1962) .... Arun Kumar Mathur
... aka Love Letter (International: English title)
Char Diwari (1961)
Dharmputra (1961) .... Dilip Rai
Dana Paani (1953)
Mordhwaj (1952)
... aka The Peacock Flag
Sanskar (1952)
Awaara (1951) (as Shashiraj) .... Young Raj
... aka The Tramp
... aka The Vagabond
Ram Darshan (1950)
Samadhi (1950) (as Sashi Kapoor) .... Pratap
Veer Babruwahan (1950)
... aka Brave Babruwahan
Patanga (1949) (as Shashiraj)
Aag (1948) (as Shashiraj) .... Young Kewal
... aka Fire
Bhakta Bilwamangal (1948)
Bhakta Gopalbhaiya (1948)
Bhakta Dhruva (1947)
Renuka (1947)
Tadbir (1945) (as Shashiraj)
Meena (1944)

Producer:
1990s
1980s
1970s

Ajooba (1991) (producer)
... aka Chyornyj prints Adzhuba (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Utsav (1984) (producer)
... aka The Festival
Vijeta (1982) (producer)
... aka Conquest (International: English title)
36 Chowringhee Lane (1981) (producer)
Kalyug (1981) (producer)
... aka The Machine Age
Junoon (1978) (producer)
... aka A Flight of Pigeons
... aka Possessed
... aka The Obsession

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director:
1970s
1960s
1950s

Manoranjan (1974) (assistant director)
Dulha Dulhan (1964) (chief assistant director) (as Shashi Raj)
Shriman Satyawadi (1960) (assistant director) (as Shashi Raj)
Guest House (1959) (assistant director) (as Shashi)
Post Box 999 (1958) (assistant director) (as Shashi Raj)

Miscellaneous Crew:
1980s
1970s

Utsav (1984) (presenter)
... aka The Festival
Kalyug (1981) (presenter)
... aka The Machine Age
Suhaag (1979) (playback singer)
... aka Sign of Marriage

Director:
1990s
1980s

Ajooba (1991)
... aka Chyornyj prints Adzhuba (Soviet Union: Russian title)
Vozvrashcheniye Bagdadskogo vora (1988)

Self:
1990s
1980s
1960s

In Ismail's Custody (1994) (V) .... Actor
Raj Kapoor (1987) .... Himself (during funeral)
The Wandering Company (1984) (TV) .... Actor of 'Shakespeare Wallah', 'Bombay Talkie' and 'Heat and Dust'
After the Eclipse (1967) (voice) .... Himself

Biography Of Shammi Kapoor

2007-02-20T21:14:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Shamsher Raj Kapoor

Height

6' 0¾" (1.85 m)

Spouse

Neila Devi	(1969 - present)
Geeta Bali	(24 August 1955 - 21 January 1965) (her death) 2 children

Trivia

Son of Prithviraj Kapoor, brother of Raj Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor.

Biography Of Naseeruddin Shah

2007-02-20T21:12:00.000+05:30

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Spouse

Ratna Pathak

(? - present)

Trivia

Awarded Padma Bhushan for the year 2003 by the Government of India.

Father of Immaduddin Shah

Biography Of Rajesh Khanna

2007-02-20T21:11:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Jatin Khanna

Height

5' 10½" (1.79 m)

Rajesh Khanna entered Hindi films in the latter half of the 1960s. Anju Mahendru, his girl friend, was his anchor in films. She was a dress designer and taught him what to wear and how to carry himself. His role in Khamoshi, where he played a mad man, was greatly appreciated.

He achieved overnight stardom with Shakti Samantha's 'Aradhna" (1969). He became the craze of the nation, the first no. 1 superstar of Hindi films and remained so for next 6 years.

He left his friend Anju Mahendru and married Dimple Kapadia, half his age and just fresh from super success of Raj Kapoor's Bobby.

Slowly his star waned and his married life became bitter. Dimple Kapadia left him, taking her two children with her. However, she has a successful and critically acclaimed career behind her and now has pleasant relation with her ex-husband.

From 1975 onwards Rajesh Khanna tasted sporadic success with 'Aap Ki Kasam', Souten, Namak Halaal, Avtaar. His pairing with the then no. 1 actress Hema Malini always produced huge flops. whenever they came together in any film it flopped. On the other hand, his pairing with Mumtaz always produced much success.

He produced and directed a few films and entered politics joining the Congress Party, becoming a member of parliament. He is still adored and fondly remembered by the masses. Songs from his films adorn the lips of youth and adolescents .He was the first megastar and has left behind him a storehouse of the finest moments in film history.

Spouse

Dimple Kapadia	(1974 - present) (separated) 2 children
Anju Mahendru	(? - ?) (divorced)

Trivia

Hindi megastar

Father of actress Twinkle Khanna and 'Rinke Khanna'. Became a grandfather when Rinke gave birth to a daughter on 19Oct04.

He was adopted by his parents

He was Member of Parliament once, for New Delhi

Enjoyed a godlike status in his prime time (early 70s) with female fans writing letters in blood to him. The hysteria was unique till Hrithik Roshan 'exploded' in early 2000 and created a comparable mania.

He recommended actor Jeetendra to go into movies.

Father-in-law of superstar Akshay Kumar.

Biography Of Dilip Kumar

2007-02-20T21:09:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Yusuf Khan

Spouse

Saira Banu

(1966 - present)

Trivia

Formed a popular screen couple with Madhubala

Son-in-law of Naseem Banu.

Brother of actor Nasir Khan.

Bollywood first superstar to hail from Pakistan.

He is known as the "tragedy king".

He was the most successful actor of the 40s and 50s and had great success as the legend of Bollywood Amitabh Bachchan in the 70s and 80s.

Is uncle (by marriage to wife Saira Bano) of actress Shaheen, who is married to actor Sumeet Saigal, they have a 6 year old daughter named Sayesha.

During escalating tensions between India and Pakistan, he had agreed to accept an award from Pakistan, and was threatened by workers of an extreme right-wing political party in Bombay, India. He actually wrote to the Prime Minister, Atal Bihari Vajpayee, for protection. The threat has now subsided with improved relations between India and Pakistan.

Has been a member of parliament.

At the time of marriage, he was 44 and Saira Banu was 22.

Biography Of Dev Anand

2007-02-20T21:07:00.001+05:30

Birth name

Devdutt Pishorimal Anand

Mini biography

After having played the Lead Actor for more than five decades in over 110 motion pictures, Dev Anand continues to bestride Indian Cinema today. He has given a new dimension to that magical state known as Stardom. And for his exemplary work he was recently awarded the Padma Bhushan - a title awarded to a person of extraordinary talent, in his discipline, for his outstanding contribution and/or achievements by the President of India. From the time he embarked on his career as a Film Actor in the mid-forties till now, his movies has been a journey filled with enriching experiences for the 'Evergreen Living Legend' of Indian Cinema. And he has always remained eternally youthful by his remarkable ability to live always in the present and the future--never in the past.

Also, as head of his film production company Navketan International Films, which was founded in 1949, Anand has introduced a multitude of talent to the Indian Film Industry by way of actors, directors, music composers and cinematographers. Today, he continues to introduce new talent to cinema and experiment with new ideas for movies. And today, he also heads one of the finest Film Sound Post-Production facilities in India - Anand Recording Studios - which has to its credit more than 3,000 Indian feature films that have been mixed/ surround mixed for worldwide release.

Anand has won two Filmfare Awards - India's equivalent of the Oscars - in 1958 for his performance in the film "Kala Paani" (Black Water) and in 1966 for his performance in Navketan International Films' "Guide". "Guide" went on to win Filmfare Awards in five other categories including 'Best Film' and 'Best Director' and was sent as India's entry for the Oscars in the foreign film category that year. He co-produced the English Version of "Guide" with the Nobel Laureate Pearl S. Buck ("The Good Earth"). Eventually, his creative sensibilities got the better of him and he started writing and directing his own movies.

In 1993, he received a Filmfare 'Lifetime Achievement Award' and in 1996 he received a Screen Videocon 'Lifetime Achievement Award'. Then in 1997 he was given the Mumbai Academy of Moving Images Award for his Outstanding Services to the Indian Film Industry. In 1998, he was given a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the Ujala Anandlok Film Awards Committee in Calcutta. In 1999, he received the Sansui 'Lifetime Achievement Award’ for his 'Immense Contribution to Indian Cinema' in New Delhi. In the year 2000, he was awarded the Film Goers' 'Mega Movie Maestro of the Millenium' Award in Mumbai. And then in July 2000, in New York City, he was honored by an Award at the hands of the then First Lady of the United States of America - Mrs. Hillary Rodham Clinton - for his 'Outstanding Contribution to Indian Cinema'. And again Anand was awarded the Indo-American Association 'Star of the Millennium' Award in the Silicon Valley, California. The President of India honored Anand with the prestigious Padma Bhushan Award on India's Republic Day - August 15, 2001. And yet again, Donna Ferrar, Member New York State Assembly, honored him with a New York State Assembly Citation for his 'Outstanding Contribution to the Cinematic Arts Worthy of the Esteem and Gratitude of the Great State of New York' on May 1, 2001.

Most recently, in April 2003, Anand was given a 'Lifetime Achievement Award' by the F.I.F.A. Committee in Johannesburg, South Africa. For an Indian Movie Icon who has hobnobbed with royalty, heads of State and celebrities, he has done it all. Anand continues to forge ahead with his new All American Film Project "Song Of Life" - a musical love story which will be entirely shot in the United States. He will play the central character in this film which will have a predominantly American star cast and for which the Music will be composed by American composers and sung by American singers. "Song Of Life" will be made in English and will be directed by Dev Anand.

Spouse

Kalpana Kartik

(1954 - ?)

Trivia

Uncle of Ketan Anand.

Father of Suneil Anand.

Brother of Vijay Anand.

Brother of Chetan Anand.

Formed a popular screen couple with Nutan Behl

Biography Of Rani Mukherjee

2007-02-19T19:05:00.000+05:30

Height

5' 2" (1.57 m)

Trade mark

Husky voice

Queen of Bollywood

Trivia

Get her first breakthrough with Raja Ki Aayegi Baarat

Cousin of Kajol, Sharbani Mukherji, Mohnish Bahl and Tanisha. Niece of Joy Mukherjee and Deb Mukherjee.

Indian model.

Daughter of director Ram Mukherjee.

Favorite comic: Archie and Donald Duck

Favorite outfit: Anything comfortable

Favorite hobby: Dancing

Favorite food: Fish made by her mom.

Favorite holiday: Sikkim

Favorite gift: Diamond ring her dad gave her.

Her favorite film is 'Titanic' along with that her favorite song is 'My Heart Will Go On' from 'Titanic'.

Favorite Perfume: Polo Sport

Her beauty secret is that she soaks herself with moisturizer. Rani who lost all the extra flab with "a balanced diet and junking sweets", lives on "home-cooked food - dal, roti, salad and soup." Fastfood and colas are a no-no, instead it's "nariyal pani, nimbu pani, jal jeera and water."

Won best actress for 'Hum Tum' in the 50th Filmfare, Screen, Cinegoers, Sports World, 1st GIFA, and Zee Cine awards (2004).

Won best supporting actress for 'Yuva' in the 50th Filmfare, Screen, Cinegoers, and Sports World awards (2004).

Won Sports World and South Africa awards for best supporting actress in 'Veer Zaara' (2004).

Won Sports World Jodi of the Year with Saif Ali Khan (2004).

Only actress on Filmfare power list (2004).

Number 1 actress according to Taran, Adarsh, Filmfare, Rediff, and Komal Nahta

Won a Filmfare award for best supporting actress for 'Kuch Kuch Hota Hai.' Directors then started taking her seriously, and then she signed up to do 22 films.

Is also an active stage performer. She starred in the successful Temptations 2004 concert with Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal, Preity Zinta, and Priyanka Chopra.

She changed the English transliteration of her surname from Mukherjee to Mukerji several years ago. At the time, it was reported that she did this for numerological reasons. Recently, she has claimed that numerology was not a concern; her name had been put down as Mukerji on her passport, and she wished to harmonize her name and her passport.

She is the first actor to ever win both the Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress trophies in a single year (2005) at the Filmfare.

Two movies in which she appeared have been India's entry to the Academy Awards. Paheli (2005) was the official entry for the 2006 Oscars. Hey Ram (2000) was an earlier entry.

Appeared at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian culture, on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in New Delhi.

Besides acting in films, she also does many charity appearances for noble causes. Her most noteworthy show was Temptations 2005 where she performed in New Delhi. The event provided the opportunity to raise funds for National Centre For Promotional of Employment for Disabled People (NCPEDP), a leading disabled rights group. Shahrukh Khan and Priyanka Chopra were also amongst the many who contributed to this cause.

In 2006, she celebrated her birthday in a different style with the students of The Helen Keller Institute for the Deaf and Blind. She befriended the members of this Institute, when she was enacting her role of a blind and deaf girl in the movie Black (2005). She thanked the students of the institute claiming she would not have been able to enact her performance in Black (2005) without them.

In 2005, she worked with the biggest production houses and banners: Black, Bunty aur Babli and The Rising. These three movies were amongst the top ten grosser of the year. Paheli, while only moderately successful, was India's official entry to the 2006 Oscars.

In February 2005, Filmfare Magazine published her face among the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood"; she was the only woman to receive such an honor. She was ranked eighth on the Power List in February 2006, configuring the highest ranking for a woman. Rani was also ranked number one in the Filmfare Top Ten Actresses' listing both years, 2004 and 2005.

She has won 55 Awards to date.

Listed as number 1 of 'Top Bollywood Actresses' of 2006, beating such actresses as Aishwarya Rai and Kajol. (rediff.com, 8-25-2006)

Was honored by an audience of 50,000 at the Casablanca Film Festival (2005) in Morocco where her selected four movies were presented to the foreign masses of people.

Her film, Paheli (2005) got the honor to open the ninth Zimbabwe International Film Festival in Harare a year later.

In 2006, the actress bought a new house for herself in Juhu. The interiors were done by Twinkle Khanna and it took an entire year to get ready.

Black (2005), Paheli (2005), and Veer-Zaara (2004) were all part of the final process of nomination selection for the 63rd Annual Golden Globe Awards amongst 60 foreign films in 2006.

Appeared at the Closing Ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games in Melbourne, as part of a performance showcasing Indian culture, on behalf of the 2010 Commonwealth Games, to be held in Delhi.

Listed #36 by UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006).

Rani Mukerji have been the only member from the film industry to have been invited to the dinner in Honor of President Musharraf.

She was invited to the Toronto International Film Festival to promote her movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna. Due to her schedule shooting of Tara Rum Pum in New York City, she opt not to go.

Biography Of Kajol

2007-02-19T19:03:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Kajol Mukherjee

Height

5' 4" (1.63 m)

Spouse

Ajay Devgan

(24 February 1999 - present) 1 child

Trade mark

Her uni-brow

Trivia

Daughter of Tanuja and Shomu Mukherjee and niece of Nutan Behl.

Kajol is a fourth-generation actress: her mother Tanuja, maternal aunt Nutan Behl, maternal grandmother Shobhna Samarth and maternal great grandmother Rattan Bai were all movie stars in their day.

Cousin of Rani Mukherjee, Sharbani Mukherji, and Mohnish Bahl. Niece of Joy Mukherjee and Deb Mukherjee. Sister of Tanisha.

Often paired on-screen with actor Shah Rukh Khan. In fact, each of her five movies with him (Baazigar, Karan Arjun, Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, and Kabhi Khushie Kabhi Gham) have all gone on to become super-hits and blockbusters.

In 2001, she retired temporarily from Bollywood to spend more time with her family.

Her wedding to Ajay Devgan was a quiet affair where only a few close friends and relatives were invited. The newly wed couple went on a two month honeymoon traveling the world visiting such places as Sydney & Cairo. She will continue to act in select films, maybe in one or two a year.

Has a daughter with Ajay Devgan, named Nyasa.

Listed as number 4 of 'Top Bollywood Actresses' of 2006. (rediff.com, 8-25-2006)

Where are they now

(2001) After turning down several movie roles on account of pregnancy, Kajol suffered a miscarriage.

(April 2003) Kajol and Ajay had a daughter, Nysa.

(February 2006) Shooting Fannah in the southern mountains of Poland

Biography Of Priyanka Chopra

2007-02-19T18:57:00.000+05:30

Date of birth

18 July 1982, Jamshedpur, India

Mini biography

Priyanka Chopra was born 18th July 1982 to the family of Capt. Dr. Ashok... more

Actress:
In Production
2000s

Bekasoor (2007)
God Tussi Great Ho (2007)
Kurbani (2007) .... Sheela
Chamki Chameli (2006)
Love Story 2050 (2007)
Big Brother (2007)
Salaam E Ishq: A Tribute to Love (2007) .... Kkamini
Don (2006/I) .... Roma
Aap Ki Khatir (2006) .... Anu A. Khanna
... aka Only for You (India: English title)
Krrish (2006) .... Priya
Alag: He Is Different.... He Is Alone... (2006) .... Special Appearance (Song)
Taxi No. 9211 (2006) .... Special appearance
36 China Town (2006) .... Karan's wife
Bluff Master (2005) .... Simran "Simmi" Ahuja
Barsaat (2005) .... Kajal A. Kapoor
... aka Barsaat: A Sublime Love Story (International: English title)
Yakeen (2005) .... Simar N. Oberoi
Waqt: The Race Against Time (2005) .... Pooja 'Mitali'
Karam (2005) .... Shalini (John's wife)
Blackmail (2005) .... Mrs. Rathod
Aitraaz (2004) .... Mrs. Sonia Roy
"Indian Idol" (2004) TV Series .... Guest Judge
Mujhse Shaadi Karogi (2004) .... Rani Singh
Asambhav (2004) .... Alisha
Kismat (2004) .... Sapna Gosai
Plan (2004) .... Rani (Mussa's girlfriend)
Miss India: The Mystery (2003)
Andaaz (2003) (as Priyanka Chopra: Miss World 2000) .... Jiya E. Singhania
The Hero: Love Story of a Spy (2003) .... Shaheen Zakaria
... aka The Hero (India: English title: short title)
Thamizhan (2002) .... Priya

Miscellaneous Crew:

Barsaat (2005) (playback singer)
... aka Barsaat: A Sublime Love Story (International: English title)

Self:

Bollywood Queens Vol. 2 (2006) (V) .... Herself (various characters)
Miss World 2000 (2000) (TV) .... Miss India (Winner)
... aka Miss World 2000 Pageant (USA)

Archive Footage:

Bitches & Beauty Queens: The Making of Miss India (2002) (TV) .... Miss India/Miss World 2000

Biography Of Manisha Koirala

2007-02-19T18:54:00.000+05:30

Nickname

"Manya", "Manu"

Height

5' 5" (1.65 m)

Trivia

Helped fellow actor Hrithik Roshan get the message through in Nepal that he did not issue anti Nepal statements in an interview when he was falsely accused of doing so in late December 2000.

Indian model

Engaged to Christpin Conroy, the current Australian ambassador to Nepal. [2001]

She has only tea for breakfast.

She has a younger brother, Siddharth Koirala.

She is an accomplished Bharatnatyam and Manipuri dancer.

Her gradfather B.P. Koirala was Prime Minister of Nepal during the late 50s-early 60s. Two of her grandfather's brothers were also prime minister of Nepal: Girija Prasad Koirala (different times during the 90s and M.P. Koirala (early 50s)

In the 90s, she was voted the most beautiful Bollywood actress.

Where are they now

(March 2003) Filming: Tanman.com, Market, Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story and Indira Gandhi.

Biography Of Manisha

2007-02-19T18:50:00.000+05:30

Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Jennifer Kapur
... aka Tomorrow May Never Come (USA: informal literal English title)
... aka Tomorrow May Not Be (USA: DVD box title)
Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe (2002) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Mansi Devi
Desh (2002) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Suprabha Devi
Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham... (2001) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Nandini Raichand
... aka Happiness & Tears (USA: DVD box title)
... aka K3G (India: Hindi title: informal short title)
... aka KKKG (India: Hindi title: informal short title)
... aka Sometimes Happiness, Sometimes Sorrow (International: English title)
... aka Sometimes Happy, Sometimes Sad (Europe: English title)
Daughters of This Century (2001) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Abhagi
Dr. Mukta (2000) .... Dr. Mukta
Fiza (2000) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Mother Nishatbi
Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa (1998) .... Sujata Chatterji
... aka Mother of 1084 (USA)
Akka (1994) .... Special Appearance (Song)
Silsila (1981) (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Shobha Malhotra
... aka The Affair (India: English title)
Nauker (1979) .... Geeta
... aka Naukar (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Ek Baap Chhe Bete (1978)
Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) .... Jaya
... aka Abhi To (India: Hindi title: alternative title)
Sholay (1975) .... Radha
... aka Embers
... aka Flames
... aka Flames of the Sun
Chupke Chupke (1975) .... Vasudha Kumar
Mili (1975) .... Mili Khanna
Doosri Sita (1974)
... aka Doosri Seeta (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Dil Diwana (1974) .... Nita
... aka Crazy Heart
Kora Kagaz (1974) .... Archana Gupta
Naya Din Nai Raat (1974)
... aka New Day, New Night
Abhimaan (1973) .... Uma Kumar
Zanjeer (1973) .... Mala
... aka The Chain
Anamika (1973) .... Anamika/Kanchan/Archana
... aka Girl Without a Name (India: English title)
Gaai Aur Gori (1973)
Phagun (1973)
Parichay (1972) .... Rama
Piya Ka Ghar (1972) .... Malti Shankar
... aka The Beloved's Home
... aka The Husband's House (International: English title)
Annadata (1972) .... Aarti
Bansi Birju (1972) .... Bansi
Bawarchi (1972) .... Krishna Sharna
Ek Nazar (1972) .... Shabnam
Jawani Diwani (1972) .... Neeta Thakur
... aka The Madness of Youth
Koshish (1972) .... Aarti Mathur
Samadhi (1972)
Shor (1972) .... Raat Ki Rani/Rani
Dhanyee Meye (1971)
Guddi (1971) .... Kusum, 'Guddi'
... aka Darling Child
Jai Jawan Jai Makan (1971)
Uphaar (1971)
Mahanagar (1963) .... Bani
... aka The Big City (USA)
... aka The Great City
... aka The Metropolis

Miscellaneous Crew:

Abhi To Jee Lein (1977) (in tribute to)
... aka Abhi To (India: Hindi title: alternative title)
Chupke Chupke (1975) (grateful acknowledgment)

Producer:

Antarmahal: Views of the Inner Chamber (2005) (producer)

Writer:

Shahenshah (1988) (story) (as Jaya Bachchan)

Self:
2000s
1970s

49th Manikchand Filmfare Awards 2003 (2004) (TV) .... Herself - Best Supporting Actress Winner
Himalay Se Ooncha (1975) .... Herself (Special appearance)

Archive Footage:

"Koffee with Karan"
- Episode #1.8 (????) TV Episode (as Jaya Bachchan) .... Herself

Biography Of Rekha

2007-02-19T18:45:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Bhanurekha Ganesan

Nickname

The Bollywood Queen Re Madame X Rekhaji

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse

Mukesh Aggarwal	(1990 - 1991) (his death)
Vinod Mehra	(? - ?) (divorced)

Trade mark

Her seductive voice

She has mesmeric eyes that she uses with devastating effect.

Trivia

Daughter of Gemini Ganesan and Pushpavalli.

Does yoga every day to maintain her ageless look.

Hindi megastar

Formed a popular screen couple with Amitabh Bachchan, with whom she made a total of nine films as a heroine to him.

Was obese and plump in her first films in the early 70s but underwent a spectacular transformation and became the ageless icon of beauty and glamour of Bollywood.

Credits the regular nutritious diet and exercise as the secret to her ageless face and figure.

Has been called the Madonna and Cher of the Bollywood industry because of her constant reinvention throughout her career.

Has gained icon status in Bollywood cinema for her four decade career in the industry.

Was considered for the lead in Market (2003)

When she played the teacher of the Kama Sutra in the controversial film Kama Sutra: A Tale of Love (1996), many people at the time thought that it would put an end to her career.

Has a younger sister who resides in California.

Was considered for the role of Queen Noor Jehan in the movie _Taj Mahal: An Eternal Love Story (2003)_

The entire Bollywood industry was shocked in the early 80s when Rekha's secret affair was revealed with Amitabh Bachchan, who was married to Jaya Bhaduri. Oddly enough, the three of them later starred in the film Silsila (1981), which dealt with the topic of a married man in love with woman other than his wife. This would be Rekha and Amitabh Bachchan's last film together.

In 2001, she tried to stop author Mohan Deep from publishing a biography on her called 'Eurekha!'. She failed but would visit bookstores and ask the owners not to keep copies of 'Eurekha!' on their shelves.

Loves to read comics. Her favourites include Dennis The Menace and Archie.

Was good friends with actress Meena Kumari before Meena's death.

Used to have a dog named Pisti who passed away. She now has a cat called Bhaiyyu.

Some of her favorite western singers include Laura Branigan, Barbara Streisand, Bryan Adams, Whitney Houston and Sting.

Says that if she could change one thing about herself, it would be her hips.

Has a large collection of of tissue Kanjeevaram and chiffon saris, most of which are of the color gold.

Dated Akshay Kumar

Said that if she had a son, she would want him to be like Hrithik Roshan. Her dream came true when she played Hrithik's mom in the movie Koi... Mil Gaya (2003) and also his grandmother in Krrish (2006).

Loves nature, and enjoys working in her garden and taking care of her plants.

In 1986, forty-eight pieces of her expensive jewelery was stolen from her house. The thief, Muniraj Kanappa, was later caught and sentenced to seven years in prison. The court held the jewelery and planned on giving it back after she filed the due application form. But it wasn't until 17 years later that she remembered this and then went in to collect her jewelery.

Could barely speak a word of Hindi at the start of her career. She learned Hindi and then later learned the nuances of Urdu for her role of a courtesan in Umrao Jaan (1981).

Is a huge fan of Oprah Winfrey and watches her show regularly.

Is a vegetarian.

She is very active on the internet, especially on sites about movies. She is also a staunch feminist.

Has a search engine named after her with the domain name www.rekha.com.

Listed #50 by the UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/2006).

Has seven sisters and one brother.

Biography Of Mala Sinha

2007-02-19T18:36:00.000+05:30

Date of birth

1936, Calcutta, West Bengal, India

Trivia

Mother of Pratibha Sinha more

Sometimes Credited As

Malasinha

Jump to filmography as: Actress, Self

Actress:
1990s
1980s
1970s
1960s
1950s

Zid (1994) .... Daadima
Radha Ka Sangam (1992)
Khel (1991) .... Sulakshana Devi
Dil Tujhko Diya (1987)
Babu (1985) .... Pinky's mother
Aasmaan (1984) .... Maa
... aka Heaven (International: English title: informal literal title)
Yeh Rishta Na Tootay (1981) .... Madhu Kumar
Harjaee (1981) .... Mrs. Sharda Raj Nath
... aka Harjai (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Dhan Daulat (1980)
Be-Reham (1980)
Karmayogi (1978) .... Durga
Sone Ka Dil Lohe Ke Haath (1978) .... Mother
Prayashchit (1977)
Zindagi (1976) .... Saroj
... aka Life (International: English title)
Do Ladkiyan (1976)
Mazdoor Zindabaad (1976) (uncredited) .... Sita Singh
Sunehra Sansar (1975) .... Laxmi
Phir Kab Milogi (1974) .... Sapna Sheth/Paro
36 Ghante (1974) .... Deepa Rai
Archana (1974)
Kora Badan (1974)
Kahani Hum Sab Ki (1973)
Rickshawala (1973)
Lalkaar (1972) .... Usha Choudhury
Rivaaj (1972)
Pyar Ki Kahani (1971) .... Shakuntala
Chaahat (1971)
Kangan (1971)
... aka The Bangle (International: English title)
Maryada (1971) .... Laxmi/Lalita
Sanjog (1971) .... Asha Devi
Geet (1970)
... aka The Song
Holi Ayee Re (1970)
... aka The Festival of Colours Has Come
Do Bhai (1969)
... aka Two Brothers
Jaal Saz (1969) .... Meera
Paisa Ya Pyaar (1969)
Pyar Ka Sapna (1969) .... Sudha/Sushma
Tamanna (1969)
Aankhen (1968) .... Meenakshi Mehta
... aka The Eyes (International: English title)
Do Kaliyaan (1968) .... Kiran
Humsaya (1968)
Mere Huzoor (1968) .... Sultanat
Jaal (1967) .... Sheila
... aka The Net (International: English title)
Jab Yaad Kisi Ki Aati Hai (1967)
Nai Roshni (1967) .... Rekha Kumar
Night in London (1967) .... Renu
Aasra (1966) .... Shobha
Baharen Phir Bhi Aayengi (1966) .... Madam Amita
Dillagi (1966)
... aka Mischief (International: English title)
Mere Lal (1966)
... aka My Son
Abhaya O Srikanta (1965) .... Abhaya
Bahu Beti (1965) .... Shanta
Himalay Ki Godh Mein (1965) .... Phoolwa
... aka In the Lap of the Himalayas
Neela Aakash (1965) .... Neela
Apne Huye Paraye (1964)
Jahan Ara (1964) .... Jahan Ara
Main Suhagan Hoon (1964)
Pooja Ke Phool (1964) (as Malasinha) .... Shanti Rai
... aka Flowers for Worship
Suhagan (1964) .... Sharda Dubey
... aka Married Woman (International: English title)
Bahurani (1963) .... Padma
... aka Daughter-in-Law (International: English title)
Gehra Daag (1963)
Gumrah (1963) .... Meena
... aka Andhi Jawani
Phool Bane Angarey (1963)
Aankh Michouli (1962)
Anpadh (1962) .... Lajoo
Bombay Ka Chor (1962)
Dil Tera Diwana (1962) .... Meena
... aka Dil Tera Deewana (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Gyarah Hazaar Ladkiyan (1962) .... Asha
... aka Eleven Thousand Girls
Hariyali Aur Raasta (1962) .... Shobna/Kamla
... aka The Greenery and the Road
Dharmputra (1961) .... Husn Bano
Maya (1961)
Suhag Sindoor (1961) .... Ratna/Chanda
Bewaqoof (1960) .... Mala
Mitti Mein Sona (1960)
Patanga (1960)
Dhool Ka Phool (1959) .... Meena Khosla
... aka Blossom of Dust
... aka Flowers of the Dust
Duniya Na Mane (1959)
... aka The Unexpected (International: English title)
Khelaghar (1959)
Love Marriage (1959) .... Geeta
Main Nashe Men Hoon (1959) .... Shanta
... aka I Am Intoxicated! (literal English title)
... aka Main Nashey Mein Hoon (India: Hindi title: alternative transliteration)
Ujala (1959) .... Chabeli
Chandan (1958)
Detective (1958)
Devar Bhabhi (1958)
Parvarish (1958) .... Asha Singh
Phil Subha Hogi (1958) .... Sohni
... aka Phir Subah Hogi (India: Hindi title: correct transliteration)
Pyaasa (1957) .... Meena
... aka Eternal Thirst
... aka The Thirsty One (UK)
... aka Thirst (USA)
Apradhi Kaun? (1957) .... Shobha
Ek Gaon Ki Kahani (1957)
Fashion (1957)
Lal Batti (1957)
Nausherwan-E-Adil (1957) .... Marcia
Naya Zamana (1957)
Prithibi Amare Chaay (1957)
Surer Parashey (1957)
... aka The Touch of Music
Ek Shola (1956)
Paisa Hi Paisa (1956) .... Mala
Putrabadhu (1956)
... aka Daughter-in-Law
Rangin Raaten (1956)
Riyasat (1955)
Badshah (1954)
... aka King
Dhuli (1954) .... Ratri
Hamlet (1954)
Suhagan (1954)
... aka The Married Woman
Jog Biyog (1953)

Self:
1980s
1970s

Naseeb (1981) .... Herself
... aka Destiny
Guddi (1971) (uncredited) .... Herself (shooting of "Phir Kab Milogi (1974)")
... aka Darling Child

Biography Of Saira Bano

2007-02-19T18:33:00.000+05:30

Height

5' 6" (1.68 m)

Spouse

Dilip Kumar

(1966 - present)

Trivia

In 1966, 22-year old Saira Bano married 44-year old superstar Dilip Kumar. Their marriage is still intact.

Has one niece, Bollywood actress, Shaheen, who was married to Bollywood actor, Sumit Saigal, circa 1997, with a six year old daughter, Sayesha.

Biography Of Madhubala

2007-02-19T18:24:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Begum Mumtaz Jehan Dehlavi

Nickname

Venus Queen

Arguably the most beautiful artiste to ever grace the Indian screen, Madhubala rose from humble beginnings to become the most captivating star India has ever produced. Madhubala was born Mumtaz Jehan Begum on Valentine's Day 1933, in a poor, conservative family of Pathan Muslims in Delhi, a part of a prolific brood of sisters, and entered the world of films at the tender age of eight. After about five years of playing child roles, Madhubala got her first break in a lead role in Neel Kamal (1947), produced anddirected by her mentor, veteran filmmaker Kidar Sharma. At the age of 14, she played a romantic lead against another fledgling star, Raj Kapoor, and Madhubala had finally arrived on the Indian screen. Over the next two years she had blossomed into a truly rapturous beauty (which earned her the sobriquet of the Venus Of the Indian Screen) and with the movie Mahal (1949), literally overnight, she was a superstar.

It has been often said that her beauty overshadowed her acting talents, which to an extent is true; however this was more due to poor judgement than lack of talent. Being encumbered by a large family to support, and forever living under the domination of an imperious father who, she made several poor choices in movies which seriously undermined her credibility as a serious performer, to the extent of being labelled "box-office poison". However, her more or less dismal repertoire in the 50s was marked by spots of true brilliance - movies like Tarana (1951), Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955) and of course her swansong Mughal-E-Azam (1960) showcased her remarkable talents as a serious artiste across several genres and revealed what this ethereal beauty was truly capable of.

Sadly, she was plagued by a persistent heart disease that confined her to a bed for almost nine torturous years, and eventually claimed her life on February 23 1969, nine days after her 36th birthday. In this short life, she had made over 70 movies, and to this day remains one of the most enduring legends of Indian cinema.

Spouse

Kishore Kumar

(1961 - 23 February 1969) (her death)

Trivia

Formed a popular screen couple with Dilip Kumar

Screen name Madhubala given to her by veteran actress Devika Rani

The word "Madhubala" means a damsel of honey.

After she was diagnosed as having a hole in her heart, she put on a brave face and her illness was kept a secret from the industry for many years. She frequently used to cough up blood on sets, and eventually her illness forced her to end her career.

She and Dilip Kumar met on the set of Tarana (1951) when she was eighteen years-old. While filming, she sent her hairdresser with a note written in Urdu along with a red rose asking him to accept it if he loved her, which intrigued and amused him and so he accepted the rose.

She and Dilip Kumar had a seven-year courtship, but abruptly ended when she could not face her father's opposition to Dilip and ultimately had to bow out of B.R. Chopra's film opposite him following a scandalous court case.

She was proposed to by Bharat Bhushan, Pradeep Kumar, and Kishore Kumar. She eventually married the latter of the three, Kishore, who converted to Islam just to marry her, but Madhubala soon realized that she had made a mistake in marrying him, as she truly loved and desperately wanted to marry Dilip.

Biography Of Hema Malini

2007-02-19T18:13:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Hema Malini R. Chakravarty

Nickname

Dream Girl

Height

5' 6" (1.68 m)

Spouse

Dharmendra

(2 May 1980 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Mother of Esha Deol and Ahana Deol. Step-mother of Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol. Daughter of Jaya Chakravarthy.

The second South Indian actress after Vyjayanthimala to become a major Hindi film star. Ironically, Hema's career almost ended before it began. Her first director threw her out of a Tamil film he was directing, saying she had no star appeal. Hema resolved she would make it big where it mattered the most: Bollywood.

Hema Malini began her film career opposite Raj Kapoor in Sapnon Ka Saudagar (1968) where she became labeled the "Dream Girl". She had a glorious reign as a leading actress during the 70's, even winning the Filmfare Best Actress award for Seeta Aur Geeta (1972), but in the early 80's, she decided to concentrate on 'character' roles, often those with feminist undertones.

Both actors Jeetendra and Sanjeev Kumar proposed marriage to Hema, but it was Dharmendra, with whom she formed a hugely successful on-screen couple, that won her hand in the end. She defied the conventional norm at the time by becoming his second wife and continuing to work after having children.

In an effort to re-establish herself as a classical dancer (she is an expert Bharatnatyam dancer), she directed TV serials such as "Noopur" (1990) and "Women of India" in 1996.

Hema Malini was awarded the 'Padma Bhushan' in 1999 for her contribution to Indian Cinema.

Born in the village Ammankudi, located in the District of Trichy, Tamil Nadu, to V.S. Ramanujam Chakravarti and Jaya Chakravarti.

Set up a Natya Vihar Kalakendra, an institution dedicated to create, spread and present the age old Indian mythological themes from the epics like Ramayana, Mahabharata and other ancient scriptures through the medium of dance.

In 2003 was nominated to the Rajya Sabha (Parliament of India), serving on the Committee of External Affairs as an MP. In 2004, actress-turned-politician Hema formally joined the BJP (Bhartiya Janata Party).

Served as Chairperson of the National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) from 2000-03.

Biography Of Sridevi

2007-02-19T18:08:00.000+05:30

Birth name

Shree Amma Yanger

Nickname

Puppy

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Spouse

Boney Kapoor

(2 June 1996 - present) 2 children

Trivia

Tamil/Telugu/Hindi megastar

Sister-in-law of megastar Anil Kapoor.

Daughter-in-law of Surinder Kapoor and sister-in-law of Sanjay Kapoor.

She is on the Board of Director at the Asian Academy of film and television.

Has two daughters named Jhanvi and Khushi, both named after the heroines in husband Boney Kapoor's films Judaai (1997) and Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai (2000).

In the 1980s, Jaya Prada and Sridevi were fierce rivals. They were of a similar age, from the south and considered contenders for the coveted number one slot in Hindi cinema. In public, each would give the other the cold shoulder. Once, during the shooting of a K. Bappaiah film called Maqsad, Rajesh Khanna and Jeetendra locked the two warring queens in the same makeup room hoping they'd make up. No such thing happened. Two hours later, when they opened the door, they found the actresses sitting at opposite ends of the room in silence.

Sridevi was offered a role in Jurassic Park by Steven Spielberg. She refused because it wasn't a starring role and it would have meant taking a hiatus from Bollywood, at a time, when she was at the peak of her career.

She was cast in a dual role in 1993's Baazigar. However, the director felt that the audience would never be able to sympathize with Shah Rukh Khan's character if he 'killed' Sridevi on Screen. The role was re-written and two different actresses (Shilpa Shetty and Kajol) were hired to play the roles originally meant for La Devi.

Was the original choice for the role in 'Beta' that made Madhuri Dixit a superstar. She turned the role down, because she felt she was already doing too many films with Anil Kapoor.

At the height of her career, Sridevi received countless marriage proposals from wealthy American and British born Indians who saw her as the perfect trophy wife. One of her rumored suitors was Hollywood movie producer Ashok Amritraj.

She was the sole income earner in her family. She financially supported her mother, stepfather, sister and stepbrother.

Biography Of Madhuri Dixit

2007-02-19T17:59:00.001+05:30

Biology student at Parle college who started with a flop film (Abodh), then struggled for years until her success with the 'Ek do teen' song in N. Chandra's Tezaab. Her overtly sensual dance style continued to bring her fame in the 'dhak dhak' song in Beta and 'choli ke peeche' in Khalnayak. Now Mrs Nene, she reigns as one of the leading female stars of Bollywood, proving her acting ability with fine performances like Prakash Jha's Mrityudand.

Name	Madhuri Dixit
Pet Name	Bubbly
Born on	15^th May 1967
Place of Birth	Mumbai
Mailing Address	Vijaydeep, 3rd Floor Iris Park, Juhu, Bombay 400049, India
Height	5 feet 4 inches
Weight	51 kg. (112.2 lb.)
First Film	Abodh
First hit film	Tezaab
Fav. Hero (Indian)	Balraj Sahani
Fav. Hero (Foreign)	Gregory Peck
Fav. Heroine (Indian)	Nargis
Fav. Heroine (Foreign)	Ingrid Bergman
Three all time favorite desi films	Ganga Jamuna, Sholay, Padosan
Three all time favorite foreign films	All about Eve, Amadeus, Non Voyager
Hates	Interviews, especially if there is a string of them.
Favourite Food	Maharashtrian dishes/backed, cheesy stuff.
What scares you the most?	Cockroaches
Obsession	My films, my work
Dream Man	Sir Winston Churchill: Orator, warrior, PM and writer
Dream Woman	Smt. Indira Gandhi: Power, wit, dignity
All Time Favourite Dance Numbers:	Vyajyantimala -- Jewel Theif -- 'Hothon pe aisi baat...' Sandhya -- Jal Bin Machli Nritra Bin Bijli -- 'Kajara lagake...' Waheeda Rehman -- Neel Kamal Padmini -- All her films Helen -- Inteqaam

Madhuri in a Nutshell

Madhuri Dixit, the Madhubala of the nineties, the Maryln Monroe of Bollywood, has stolen the hearts of the young and the old alike. She has quite a range of fans, right from little kids in the railway station dancing to the beat of Ek do teen, college gir ls aping her costumes and dance movements from her Hum Aap Ke Hai Kaun, to M.F. Hussain, the magnificent painter who is completely fida over her charms.

So what is it that makes Madhuri, the symbol of womanhood in Indian cinema? Is it her "the girl -next- door" charm, unlike the sophisticated types of Zeenat Aman and Parveen Babi, that appeals to the masses? Oh, lest you be mistaken, Dixit is probably o ne of the few actresses who has been to school. In addition to her feminine charms, and training in classical dance (Kathak), Madhuri has a bachelors degree in Microbiology. But it was not her education that brought her fame. She got a lucky break when Su bhash Ghai spotted her dancing talent during the shooting of Awaara Baap. He told her that if she stopped doing itsy-bitsy roles, he would relaunch her in his films. Madhuri of course jumped at the opportunity, and since then there is no looking back.

There was a time in the Tezaab girl's life when she was threatened by the onslaught of new teenage movies. But for producers who are looking for an actress with more than just sex appeal, Madhuri is the best bet. She can not only gyra te, but can act too . Take for example, the film Prem Granth by Raj Kapoor productions. Madhuri’s superb performance as a low caste village belle who moves from one tragic situation to another a la Nargis in Mother India, confirms that Madhuri’s mass appeal and her consoli dates her number one position in the industry.

So does the nimble feet damsel have any plans for family and relationship, or does she like the many screen legends before her, let life pass by and live in the mirrored existence of the synthetic screen? "I think one should feel that one wants to get mar ried and settled. And I feel there’s such a lot to do with my career that I don’t want to settle down at this moment, " says the Menaka of Master painter M.F. Hussain.

Her story

Madhuri wanted to become a micro-biologist - however that just wasn't destined to be. An offer from Rajshri Productions brought Madhuri her first role, the film `Abodh' (1986) released and forgotten, it wasn't until godfather Ghai saw Madhuri and gave her a tiny dance sequence in `Karma' (1986), that things improved. The dance sequence was omitted from the final cut. Ghai promised Madhuri better roles, on the condition that she stop doing tiny roles in insignificant films. Thus, Ghai gave Madhuri `Uttar Dakshin', and then a proper launch in `Ram Lakhan' (1988). Ghai also took the step of putting an eight page advertisement in the trade magazines featuring Madhuri, proclaiming that producers of the calibre of Boney Kapoor, Yash Chopra and six others had signed Madhuri for their forthcoming projects. It was all together another matter that none of the forementioned producers had signed Madhuri for their films.
Madhuri however, didn't have to wait for Ghai's `Ram Lakhan', N.Chandra's `Tezaab' and ek, do, teen char took the nation by storm, Miss Dixit had arrived, and the whole world knew. Tezaab went on to complete a golden jubilee, and was thus a bigger hit than Ram Lakhan.

A superb performance followed in Dil (1990) - which brought Madhuri her first Filmfare award, a rapport was struck with Indra Kumar which resulted in two more blockbusters Beta (1991) and Raja (1995). 1990 onwards, a hit film per year followed including Saajan, Khalnayak, Prem Pratigaya, cumulating in Hum Aapke Hain Koun (1994), hindi cinema's biggest blockbuster to date. Madhuri mania ensured the success of `Raja' (1995), a film with many flaws, thus Madhuri was renamed `the female Amitabh Bachchan'.

Unfortunately after the success of `Raja' (1995), Madhuri's films started to collapse at the box office. Yaarana, Rajkumar, Prem Granth, Mahaanta, one after the other. Luckily for Madhuri she gained praise for her performance in `Prem Granth' (1996) and for her looks in `Rajkumar' (1996). By now it had dawned on the industry that Madhuri's lataks and mataks ensure a films success, not.

The presswallas had by now written Madhuris obituary, and annouced that it was time for Madhuri to pack her bags and get married. An issue was made of Madhuri co-starring with Akshaye Khanna who was younger in age to Madhuri in Mohabbat. It was also widely stated that Madhuri favoured films produced by her secretary Rikku, even though all of Rikkus productions failed at the box-office. Madhuri was never far from controversies, her much publiced affair? with Sunjay Dutt caused a storm, when Sunjay's wife issued a press statement proclaiming her desire to have Sunjay back. The Choli ke peeche song in 'Khalnayak' also caused a stir. With women liberation groups asked for a ban on Madhuri. After the not so great 'Koyla', director Rakesh Roshan stated that Madhuri could no longer play the youthful type, and continued to make unsavoury comments. Madhuris response was a dignified silence. Madhuri is on top of the league when it comes to being unaffected by what is written about her. Very rarely if ever has Madhuri retaliated to comments made about her in the press, by either journos or collegues.

Prakash Jha's 'Mrityudand' (1997) ensured critical acclaim if not box-office success, Madhuri still had the fire that was shown in Tezaab, the intensity that came to light in Beta. Age, said the industry was catching up, Yash Chopra's Dil To Pagal Hai (1997), proved otherwise. A phenomenal success at the box-office, mass acceptance by the audience. Madhuri never looked better, danced better or acted better, her latest offering was indeed her best till date. Madhuri went on to win a handful of awards for her performances in Mrityudand and Dil To Pagal Hai, and even dedicated her Filmfare award to her critics.

In 1998 Madhuri had only one major film to her credit CN Chandra's Wajood, unfortunately the film failed to recreate the hysteria of Tezaab (1988). 1999 it seems will be Madhuri's golden year, for an actress who rarely trends the path of unconvential roles, this year has Madhuri in a host of different characters. MF Hussain's 'Gajagamini' is an art film that has Madhuri playing arange of characters. In Boney Kapoor's 'Pukar' Madhuri's got a negative role, as well as the usual dose of triangular love stories, Madhuri's first south Indian film, 'Engineer', is a techno thriller.

Past Present & Future

THE woman with the most dazzling smile. The 'female Bachchan'. The Ek, do, teen girl. Painter Maqbool Fida Husain's muse. Madhuri Dixit - sorry - Mrs Madhuri Nene needs no introduction.

But ever since her marriage to NRI Dr Sriram Nene, critics seem to have written her off. And it didn't help matters when her last release Aarzoo bombed. For the world, Madhuri Dixit's life seems to be going downhill. Has she said goodbye to Bollywood? We'd like to think otherwise.

Madhuri Dixit's career evolved along with her talent. The actress, who once scrambled between studios working two shifts a day, slowly but surely climbed the pinnacle of success. Once there, she maintained her standards. No more working on Sundays and only four films a year.

In the makeup cabin during one of her last movies she said, "An hour before the shooting is very relaxing. I sit back and assess myself personally and professionally. I also use such times to pay attention to little details like cutting my nails or check the split ends in my hair!"

It's quite unusual to see a normally wary Madhuri being so forthcoming about personal information. "People expect stars to a breed apart. They forget that they are humans too. I'm an introvert and don't speak much but that doesn't mean I'm snooty. If I have done two shifts how can you expect me to be social?"

Although her smile can melt a thousand hearts, her forbidding demeanour has often caused people to feel that she's cold and unapproachable. She doesn't agree. "Am I supposed to get euphoric every time I meet a director, co-star or a journalist?" she concludes, irritated at the accusation.

"My family gives me enough security and warmth. I don't have to look for it outside! After achieving so much success and fame I'm apprehensive about people's motives. I want to be sure that people want to be friends with me and not my fame!"

Did you know that Madhuri once wanted to become a microbiologist? An offer from Rajshri Productions, however, changed her life. Although her first role in Abodh (1986) brought her no recognition, the same year Subhash Ghai promised Madhuri meatier roles on the condition that she stopped accepting itty-bitty parts in insignificant films. He kept his promise. Madhuri starred in Ghai's Uttar Dakshin and then in his star-studded blockbuster Ram Lakhan. Soon her jhatkas in the Ek, do, teen number in Tezab set the screen ablaze. A noteworthy performance in Dil gave Madhuri her first Filmfare award.

From 1990 onwards, Madhuri delivered a hit every year -- Saajan, Khalnayak and Prem Pratigaya.

But soon after a spate of flops, the industry grapevine had begun writing obituaries for Madhuri's 12-year career. However, the kitschy Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994), Hindi cinema's biggest blockbuster to date, re-established Madhuri as Heroine No 1. Madhuri mania ensured the success of Raja (1995), a film with many flaws, earning Madhuri the enviable reputation of being one of the very few actresses who could carry a film on her shoulders. Her stellar role in Prem Granth (1996) and the drop-dead gorgeous looks that she sported in Rajkumar (1996) were widely appreciated.

But both were flops. Jha's Mrityudand (1997) brought her critical acclaim if not box-office success, as did Nana Patekar's Prahaar where Madhuri, sans make-up, shocked entranced audiences. Mrityudand also won her the Screen Videocon Best Actress Award and established her as the 'thinking actress', a necessary feather in every self-respecting actress's cap. Dil To Pagal Hai, a feel good romance released in 1998, saw Madhuri raking in the mega bucks and it also fetched her the Filmfare Best Actress award.

With a rumoured Rs. 75 - 80 lakh price tag, Madhuri, until recently, was one of Bollywood's most expensive actresses Although her secretary denies this, the grapevine says she charged Rs. 2 crore for her first Tamil film Engineer. But due to the film industry's youth-obsessed standards, Madhuri was shunted down to the 'ageing star' category. Contends Honey Irani, "Madhuri must move away from the college-girl variety of roles, not because she can't pull them off, but because it was time she took on different and challenging roles."

Madhuri seems unperturbed by her descent from her No. 1 status. "For someone to be No. 1, someone has to give up the position," she points out. Would she miss the limelight? Pat comes the reply, "No I won't. Our lives come a full circle. For someone else to be No.1, someone has to give up the position. Didn't Hemaji bow out to give place to Sridevi? When I joined films I was clear I wanted to make a name, which I have done."

We couldn't agree more. All the best, Mrs. Nene!

Biography Of Shilpa Shetty

2007-02-19T17:47:00.001+05:30

Height

5' 10" (1.78 m)

Shilpa Shetty laughs a lot when she was young. She still laughs most of the time. According to Shilpa's mother (Sunanda), Shilpa was a naughty
child and was called a "fightercock" as she
mostly fought with her younger sister
(Shamita). Her mom also acknowledges that she was a very bubbly and vivacious child and her pet name is "Manya" but her mom calls her "babucha" or "Honeybunch". Shilpa went to school at St. Anthony's Girl's convent in Chembur then she went to Podar College. Shilpa was her school team's baseball captain. She is a black belt Karate champion. She actively participated in her father's chemical business. Acting was the only thing she had not tried her hand at. Shilpa has a great sence of humor and has the capacity to crack jokes on her self. She'll start laughing even before you crack a joke. Shilpa dreams of working in films with Tom Cruise and Jackie Chan. Shilpa's method of spending a holiday would be wake up late, cook, watch movies, work out and spend time with her family. Shilpa is also a huge fan of prints, especially Tiger and Leopard prints. Her room is filled with all the different kind of prints. Even her pillow case.

Trivia

Older sister of Shamita Shetty

Sued Stardust India magazine because the magazine produced a report about her on off relationship with Akhsay Kumar. According to her opinion, the article made her name disgraced and she lost some offers on films. She won the lawsuit. [2000]

Indian top model

Captain of her school's baseball team. She is also a black-belt karate champion.

Won Best Supporting Actress for Pardesi Babu (1998) at the Zee Gold Bollywood Awards.

Sahara One crowned her the 2004 DIVA of the year.

Shilpa and Shamita are the first sisters to appear in a film together in the history of Bollywood.

Shilpa is considered to have the best body in Bollywood.

AIDS activist and PETA supporter.

Her appearance on "Celebrity Big Brother" (2001) caused a huge racism and bullying row. As several house mates didn't approve her presence, they made fun of her accent, cooking and her native country. Following these incidents, broadcasting network Channel 4 received over a record-breaking 40,000 complaints, and the controversy developed to a diplomatic crisis between the UK and India. Even Prime Minister Tony Blair and Chanchellor Gordon Brown, while visiting India, condemned these acts of unfairness and intolerance (January 2007).

Beside her native language Tulu, she speaks English, Hindi, Kannada, Marathi, Gujarati, Telugu, Tamil and Urdu.

Shilpa's cousin - Prem Shetty - was credited with a 'Special Thanks' on the acclaimed Indian art house film entitled 'The Last Monk' which premiered at the Cannes FIlm Festival 2006.

Winner of "Celebrity Big Brother" (2001), series 5.

She donated all the money she made from her movie 'Phir Milenge' to AIDS charity.

Her movie Phir Milenge was viewed by the United Nations who appreciated the movie for its support of AIDS awareness.

Where are they now

(December 2004) Mumbai, India

(January 2007) Taking part in the British Celebrity Big Brother

Biography Of Preity Zinta

2007-02-19T17:42:00.000+05:30

Nickname

Preetam Singh

Height

5' 4" (1.63 m)

Preity Zinta shot to fame as the refreshing, cool, wet model in the Liril ad. She also modeled for Perk and her dimpled smile won the hearts of million. Preity never thought she would be an actress. Kapoor saw her in the Liril ad and liked her so much that her instantly decided that the next film he would announce would have her in the lead. However 'Tara Rum Pum' never got made and is still pending since the director got very busy with his other projects.

But another offer soon came by, Kundan Shah's 'Kya Kehna.' Though the film was the first, Preity had actually begun shooting for her first release which was Mani Ratnam's Dil Se. The film was a hit which won Preity accolades. Later Abbas-Mustan's Soldier that too was a hit at the box-office confirmed she was here to stay. Though 'Kya Kehna' was her first film, but it released in 2000 and was the surprise hit of 2000.

Her role in 'Dil Chahta Hai' and 'Dil Hai Tumhara' was appreciated and liked by all and that has made her an actress to reckon with in Bollywood. Her screen presence, charm and down to earth nature has made her the favorite actress of almost all the directors and producers. With banners and films like Rakesh Roshan's 'Koi Mil Gaya' with Hrithik Roshan, Nikhil Advani's 'Kal Ho Na Ho' starring superstar Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, and Jaya Bachan, Farhan Akthar's 'Lakshya' with Hrithik Roshan and Amitabh Bachchan, Atul Agnihotri's 'Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha' starring Salman Khan and Bhoomika Chawla, Yash Chopra's 'Veer Zaara' with superstar Shahrukhh Khan and Rani Mukherjee, Siddhart Anand's 'Salaam Namaste' with Saif Ali Khan, and Karan Johar's 'Kabhi Alvida Na Kehna' with superstar Shahrukh Khan, Amitabh Bachan, Abhishek Bachan, Rani Mukherjee, and John Abraham, Preity has already made her place in the hearts of the public and also in Bollywood.

Trade mark

Her dimples

Trivia

Model and TV anchor

Graduated in Psychology

Turned down the lead in _Marigold (2004)_ .

Has won over 4 awards for Kya Kehna and 7 Awards for Kal Ho Na ho.

Critics began to take notice of her after her performance in Kya Khena.

Won Best Actress at Stardust Awards for 'Veer Zaara.'

She won the IIFA Style Diva Award (2005).

Is a major fan of the hit TV series The Simpsons

Her father, Durganand Zinta was an officer in the Indian Army. Durganand Zinta died when Preity was thirteen, in a car accident in which her mother, Nilprabha Zinta was also involved. Her mother was bedridden because of this incident.

Has two brothers, Deepanker Zinta and Manish Zinta, a year older and a year younger respectively. One of her brothers is a commissioned officer in the Indian Army.

Has written three columns for BBC South Asia.

She joined a group of top stars (Shahrukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan, Arjun Rampal, Rani Mukherjee, and Priyanka Chopra) in the Temptation 2004 concert, which was a huge international success.

She narrowly escaped death twice in late 2004, once after an explosion at a Temptation concert in Colombo, and later in the Indian Ocean Tsunami.

Appeared in Manish Malhotra fashion show Freedom (2006).

In May 2006, along with Karan Johar she received an invitation to represent Bollywood at the Cannes Film Festival. They took this opportunity to promote the film Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna (2006).

When not shooting she used to return to her home town Shimla. She recently moved into her own home in Mumbai, which she bought in mid-2005.

Her favorite perfume is Envy by Gucci.

Her good friends in the industry include Abhishek Bachchan, Shahrukh Khan, and Gauri Khan.

Very close friends with actor Hrithik Roshan and his wife Suzanne Khan.

Listed #41 by UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/ 2006).

Biography Of Aishwarya Rai

2007-02-19T17:09:00.001+05:30

Nickname

Ash
Gullu
The Queen of Bollywood

Height

5' 7" (1.70 m)

Aishwarya Rai (Ash) is one of Bollywood's pre-eminent leading ladies. This Indian darling burst upon the world stage when her striking beauty, poise and commanding intelligence won her the Miss World crown in 1994. This former architecture major soon became one of India's most famous models landing a prestigious Pepsi campaign and appearing in Vogue Magazine. India's top Bollywood directors were soon lining up to work with Ash. Her film debut in Mani Rathnam's 'Iruvar' (1997) received critical acclaim and her performance in Aur Paar Ho Gaya' (1997) directed by Rahul Rawail garnered her the Best Female Debutante Award. In 2000 she was awarded Best Actress by FilmFare and Zee Cine for her work in Sanjay Leela Bhansali's "Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam", in that same year, nominated for Best Supporting Actress for her special appearance in Aditya Chopra's Mohabbatein (2000). In 2001 Ash was nominated for FilmFare's Best Actress Award for Satish Kaushik's "Hamara Dil Aapke Paas Hai".

Ash's star continued to rise in 2002 working again with Sajay Leela Bhansali in 'Devdas'. 'Devdas' is the most ambitious and most successful film in Bollywood history. It became the first Bollywood picture to ever receive a special screening at this year's Cannes Film Festival and broke box-office records in India and the United States.

2003 brought even more exciting opportunities. Ash became the first Indian actor to be a member of the jury at the Cannes Film Festival. She is also the latest member of the elite L'Oreal Dream Team, joining beauties Catherine Deneuve & Andie MacDowell as their international ambassador. She graced the covers of India Today and the prestigious TIME Magazine. Time Magazine has also listed her on their list of the "100 Most Influential People in the World Today". She has graced numerous covers worldwide including USA, UK, China, Russia, Israel, United Emerites, Italy, Spain and France. Ash was also listed on Rolling Stone Magazine's annual "Hot List", Hello Magazine's Most Attractive Women in the World", Stuff Magazine, FHM magazine, V-Life from Variety Magazine, GQ Magazine, New York Times Magazine, Harper's & Queen and countless others.

2004 saw Aishwarya take on the leading role in her first English language film for Gurinder Chadha in "Bride & Prejudice". She also became the first Indian female to be immortalized in wax at the world famous Madame Tussaud's wax museum in London.

With over 17,000 websites dedicated to her, Ash finally launched her "Official Website" www.AishwaryaWorld.com

2005 started with appearances on "60 Minutes", "David Letterman Show" and the most watched television program in the world the "Oprah Winfrey Show". Aishwarya's career continues to grow even stronger - she will soon be seen in Mistress of Spices for director Paul Berges, Jag Mundhra's Provoked, Sanjay Gadhvi's Dhoom 2 and legendary film producer Dino De Laurentiis's The Last Legion opposite Colin Firth and Sir Ben Kingsley. The Queen of Bollywood is already becoming the talk of tinseltown and is currently in negotiations on two major motion pictures.

Trade mark

Her blue-green eyes

Trivia

Wanted to study medicine, but circumstances prevented her.

Miss World 1994.

Dated Salman Khan.

Was offered Rani Mukherjee's role in Kuch Kuch Hota Hai (1998).

Runner up, Miss India 1994

Ambassador (spokesperson) for Longines watches since 1999.

Daughter of Vrinda Rai

Sister of Aditya Rai

In April 2003, she suffered an accident on the sets of Khakee (2004) when a car driven by a stuntman got out of control, hit her, took her down a crevice, and slammed her into a cactus plant. She broke a bone in one foot and suffered severe cuts, and she was rushed to a hospital. The incident rekindled the discussion about poor safety standards on Bollywood film sets.

The first Indian actress to be on the jury of the Cannes International Film Festival.

Has made over 50 music videos in only seven years.

Despite the fact that she is adorned with jewelry in her music videos and movies, she is apparently not too fond of it.

Is the highest paid actress in Bollywood.

Created a frenzy at the 2002 Cannes Film Festival when she arrived at the premiere of her film _Devdas (2002)_ in a coach and wearing a beautiful yellow-orange-embroidered sari.

Was originally cast in the role of Jwala in the film _The Rising: Ballad of Mangal Pandey (2005)_ , but dropped out before filming started due to contract problems. The role was later given to Amisha Patel.

Loves collecting watches.

Made her first commercial for Camlin pencils when she was in the 9th grade.

Was the Coca Cola Girl for the Middle East and south Asia.

Favorite subject in college was Zoology.

Has achieved iconic status all over South Asia.

Is featured in the 2004 edition of the Guinness Book of World Records.

In a poll conducted by Hello magazine, she was voted the number-one attractive woman of 2003, beating actresses such as Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Gwyneth Paltrow.

In April 2003, L'Oréal signed her as its new international brand ambassador (spokesperson).

The first Bollywood star to appear in Rolling Stone magazine (Issue 932, October 2, 2003)

Gained 20 pounds for Bride & Prejudice (2004) because she didn't want her character to look like a supermodel and also felt that it would add a sense of realism to the character.

Is a Bunt, like fellow actors Shilpa Shetty and Sunil Shetty. The Bunts are a South Indian community who mainly speak Tulu, which is Aishwarya's mother tongue.

Turned down the lead in Munnabhai M.B.B.S. (2003). The role was given to Gracy Singh.

Turned down the role of Mastani in the film _Bajirao Mastani (2005)_ .

The first movie star she ever met was Rekha. Aishwarya was still in high school at the time and was a model. While at a grocery store with her mother, Aishwarya was tapped on the shoulder by none other than Rekha herself. Rekha recognized Aishwarya from her modeling ads. She complimented the young Aishwarya on her good looks and wished her all the best.

Is fluent in the languages English, Hindi, Kannada, Tamil, and Urdu.

Receives at least two movie offers every day.

Was originally intended for the role of Priya in the film _Chalte Chalte (2003)_ .

Aamir Khan and Aishwarya Rai are the only stars to advertise for both Coca Cola and Pepsi.

Before she was famous, she auditioned to do voice-dubbing for a television serial and was rejected.

Shahrukh Khan recommended her to play Kaurwaki in the film Asoka (2001). But the director wanted to cast someone who hadn't already been paired with Shahrukh as a leading lady.

After winning the title of Miss World in 1994, the host of the event, Richard Steinmetz, actually asked Aishwarya out. But being a professional, she refused right away.

Sued the magazine Star and Style for a sum of Rs 20 million (2 crore) for printing an article claiming that actress Raveena Tandon had caught her and Akshay Kumar in a compromising position at the poolside of a five- star hotel.

During the filming of the song 'Dola Re Dola' from the movie _Devdas (2002)_ , Aishwarya's ears were bleeding because to the heavy earrings she had to wear, but she continued to perform anyway.

Is a trained classical dancer. She learnt classical dance and music for five years while in her teens.

Has a puppy named Sunshine, which was given to her as a gift by friend Vivek Oberoi.

Won the title of Miss Photogenic in the 1994 Miss World Pageant.

Has won over 100 awards since 1994 when she was 20.

Is good friends with actress Preity Zinta.

Has gained a cult following in Pakistan.

Was listed in Time magazine as one of 100 most influential people in the world (The 2004 TIME 100).

Ran the Olympic-torch relay in June 2004.

Turned down a role in San wa (2005) due to her touring schedule. The role was eventually given to Mallika Sherawat.

Has refused to work with Salman Khan after their break-up, in spite of several offers.

Has over 17,000 Web sites dedicated to her.

In 2004, Aishwarya became the first Bollywood and Indian actress to have her own statue at London's Madame Tussauds museum.

On January 2nd, 2005, she became the first Indian actress to be interviewed on "60 Minutes" (1968).

Voted #9 in Harpers and Queen magazine's list of the 100 most beautiful women of today. (Harpers and Queen, June 6, 2005)

A tulip produced in 2005 was named for her.

Member of the jury at the 2003 Cannes Film Festival.

When Oprah Winfrey saw Aishwarya's interview on "60 Minutes" (1968), she was so fascinated by her that she got a hold of Ash and invited her to be a guest on her show. On April 25, 2005, Aishwarya became the first Indian and South Asian actress to be featured on _"Oprah Winfrey Show, The" (1986)_ .

Turned down the role of Helen in the film Troy (2004).

Director Andy Tennant offered her a part in _Hitch (2005)_ , but she turned it down because she was so busy with other films.

Turned down the role of Anna in Barsaat (2005).

In the summer of 2005, Mattel released limited-edition Barbie dolls inspired by Aishwarya and her costumes. They were released only in Britain and sold out within minutes. These dolls are now considered rare collectibles among fans.

Her favourite film is Casablanca.

Was voted number 12 on VH1's 50 Sexiest Actresses of the Last 20 Years. (December 2005)

Roger Ebert has said he considers her the most beautiful actress in the world.

Was voted as E's 7th sexiest celebrity in the world

The first actress from India to get signed on with the American Library Association and also have a poster made of her for schools and library's all across America.

Was originally signed on to play the part of Simmi in Bluff Master (2005), but was replaced without any notice by Priyanka Chopra. Director Rohan Sippy then gave Aishwarya a "special thanks" in the end credits as an apology.

Turned down the part of Sandhya in _Saamna (2006)_ .

When President George W. Bush visited India in March 2006, he invited Aishwarya, along with Aamir Khan, to a luncheon. Aishwarya could not attend because she was in Brazil at the time filming for Dhoom 2 (2006).

Was considered for the role of Priya in Krrish (2006).

Turned down the lead in Corporate (2006) because she didn't have any dates available for filming. The role was given to Bipasha Basu.

In mid 2001, Aishwarya started work on two films titled Radheshyam Seetaram and Hum Panchhi Ek Daal Ke. For reasons unknown, filming stopped on these films in February 2002. Filming was never completed and the films have now been shelved. The only glimpse of the movies that exist for the public to see are photographs from the sets and publicity shots.

Performed to an audience of 85,000 in Melbourne, Australia at the closing ceremony of the 2006 Commonwealth Games with 800 backup dancers. (March 2006)

Was cast with a small role in Lajja (2001), but was dropped because there were already too many major stars in the film.

When Karan Johar asked Aishwarya on his talk show which film she wishes she could have been a part of, she responded _Khamoshi: The Musical (1996)_ .

Is the second Indian actress to appear on the cover of TIME magazine in 2003. The first was Parveen Babi in 1976.

Is very popular in many Arab countries.

Featured in People Magazine as one of the 100 Most Beautiful People in the World. (Issue May,8,2006)

Was considered for the role of Kalyani in Water (2005).

Got her education at Arya Vidya Mandir and DG Ruparel College, both in Bombay, India. She was also accepted into Raheja College of Architecture in Bombay, but never went.

Good friends with fellow Indian superstar and icon, Madhuri Dixit. The two worked together in the super-hit and widely acclaimed Devdas.

Listed as number 3 of 'Top Bollywood Actresses' of 2006. (rediff.com, 8-25- 2006)

Caused a day long traffic jam in Dubai, United Arab Emirates while filming a soap commercial. People would stop for hours just to catch a glimpse of their favorite actress. (September 5, 2006)

Listed #3 by UK magazine Eastern Eye one of "Asia's Sexiest Women" (Sept/ 2006).

Is the most photographed woman in India.

She was the first choice for the role of Jane Smith in Mr. & Mrs. Smith (2005), but she turned it down due to filming conflicts.

She secured 90% marks in HSC at Ruparel college in Mumbai.

her Pepsi ad with Aamir Khan was shot in one night during the infamous Bombay riots.

Has been in six movies with Abhishek Bachchan, more than with any other actor.

Came in #1 in BollySpice.com Magazine's list of "Top 10 Actresses of 2006".

Turned down the part of Malvika Talwar in Baabul (2006).

In January 2007, she announced that she has accepted a marriage proposal from current boyfriend, actor Abhishek Bachchan.

Biography Of Rabindranath Tagore

2006-10-05T01:39:00.000+05:30

Rabindranath Tagore (Bengali: Rabindranath Thakur) ([ɹoˈbindɹoˌnat taˈguɹ] or [taˈgɔ(ɹ)] (help·info);^[α] Bangla: [robind̪ronat̪ʰ ʈʰakur] (help·info) — রবীন্দ্রনাথ ঠাকুর;^[β] (7 May 1861 – 7 August 1941^[γ]), also known by the sobriquet Gurudev,^[δ] was a Bengali poet from India, Brahmo Samaj (syncretic Hindu monotheist) philosopher, visual artist, playwright, composer, and novelist whose avant-garde works reshaped Bengali literature and music in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. A celebrated cultural icon of Bengal, he became Asia's first Nobel laureate when he won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature.

Tagore was born in Jorasanko in the city of Calcutta (now known as Kolkata). A Pirali Bengali Brahmin by birth, Tagore began writing poems at the age of eight; he published his first substantial poetry — using the pseudonym Bhanushingho ("Sun Lion") — in 1877 and wrote his first short stories and dramas at age sixteen. His home schooling, life in Shelidah, and extensive travels made Tagore a nonconformist and pragmatist ; however, growing disillusionment with the British Raj caused Tagore to back the Indian Independence Movement and befriend Mahatma Gandhi. Despite the loss of virtually his entire family and his regrets regarding Bengal's decline, his life's work — Visva-Bharati University — endured.

Tagore's major works included Gitanjali (Song Offerings), Gora (Fair-Faced), and Ghare-Baire (The Home and the World), while his verse, short stories, and novels — many defined by rhythmic lyricism, colloquial language, meditative naturalism, and philosophical contemplation — received worldwide acclaim. Tagore was also a cultural reformer and polymath who modernised Bangla art by rejecting strictures binding it to classical Indian forms. Two songs from his rabindrasangit canon are now the national anthems of Bangladesh and India: the Amar Shonar Bangla and the Jana Gana Mana.

[edit]

Early life (1861–1901)

Main article: Life of Rabindranath Tagore (1861–1901)

Tagore (nicknamed "Rabi") was born the youngest of fourteen children in the Jorasanko mansion of parents Debendranath Tagore and Sarada Devi.^[ε] After undergoing his upanayan (the sacred thread ceremony, a coming-of-age) rite at age eleven, Tagore and his father left Calcutta on 14 February 1873 to tour India for several months, visiting his father's Santiniketan estate and Amritsar before reaching the Himalayan hill station of Dalhousie. There, Tagore read biographies, studied history, astronomy, modern science, and Sanskrit, and examined the classical poetry of Kālidāsa.^[1]^[2] In 1877, he arose to notability when he composed several works, including a long poem set in the Maithili style pioneered by Vidyapati. As a joke, he initially claimed that these were the lost works of (what he claimed was) a newly-discovered 17th century Vaiṣṇava poet called Bhānusiṃha.^[3] He also wrote "Bhikharini" (1877; "The Beggar Woman" — the Bangla language's first short story)^[4]^[5] and Sandhya Sangit (1882) — including the famous poem "Nirjharer Swapnabhanga" ("The Rousing of the Waterfall").

Seeking to become a barrister, Tagore enrolled at a public school in Brighton, England in 1878; later, he studied at University College London, but returned to Bengal in 1880 without a degree, because his father had arranged a marriage for him. On 9 December 1883 he married ten-year-old, Mrinalini Devi; they had five children, four of whom later died before reaching full adulthood.^[6] In 1890, Tagore (joined in 1898 by his wife and children) began managing his family's estates in Shelidah, a region now in Bangladesh. Known as "Zamindar Babu", Tagore traveled across the vast estate while living out of the family's luxurious barge, the Padma, to collect (mostly token) rents and bless villagers; in exchange, he had feasts held in his honour.^[7] During these years, Tagore's Sadhana period (1891–1895; named for one of Tagore’s magazines) was among his most fecund, with more than half the stories of the three-volume and eighty-four-story Galpaguchchha written.^[4] With irony and emotional weight, they depicted a wide range of Bengali lifestyles, particularly village life.^[8]

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Santiniketan (1901–1932)

Main article: Life of Rabindranath Tagore (1901–1932)

In 1901, Tagore left Shelidah and moved to Santiniketan (West Bengal) to found an ashram, which would grow to include a marble-floored prayer hall ("The Mandir"), an experimental school, groves of trees, gardens, and a library.^[9] There, Tagore's wife and two of his children died. His father also died on 19 January 1905, and he began receiving monthly payments as part of his inheritance; he also received income from the Maharaja of Tripura, sales of his family's jewellery, his seaside bungalow in Puri, and mediocre royalties (Rs. 2,000) from his works.^[10] These works gained him a large following among Bengali and foreign readers alike, and he published such works as Naivedya (1901) and Kheya (1906) while translating his poems into free verse. On 14 November 1913, Tagore learned that he had won the 1913 Nobel Prize in Literature. According to the Swedish Academy, it was given due to the idealistic and — for Western readers — accessible nature of a small body of his translated material, including the 1912 Gitanjali: Song Offerings.^[11] In addition, Tagore was offered knighthood by the British Crown in 1915; which he accepted but later renounced in 1919, in protest against the 1919 Amritsar Massacre (Jallianwala Bagh Massacre), in which colonial troops opened fire on unarmed civilians killing an estimated 379 people^{[citation needed]}.

In 1921, Tagore and agricultural economist Leonard Elmhirst set up the Institute for Rural Reconstruction (which Tagore later renamed Shriniketan — "Abode of Peace") in Surul, a village near the ashram at Santiniketan. Through it, Tagore sought to provide an alternative to Gandhi's symbol- and protest-based Swaraj movement, which he denounced.^[12] He recruited scholars, donors, and officials from many countries to help the Institute use schooling to "free village[s] from the shackles of helplessness and ignorance" by "vitaliz[ing] knowledge".^[13]^[14] In the early 1930s, he also grew more concerned about India's "abnormal caste consciousness" and Untouchability, lecturing on its evils, writing poems and dramas with Untouchable protagonists, and appealing to authorities at Kerala's Guruvayoor Temple to admit Dalits.^[15]^[16]

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Twilight years (1932–1941)

Main article: Life of Rabindranath Tagore (1932–1941)

In his last decade, Tagore remained in the public limelight, publicly upbraiding Gandhi for stating that a massive 15 January 1934 earthquake in Bihar constituted divine retribution for the subjugation of Dalits.^[17] He also mourned the incipient socioeconomic decline of Bengal and the endemic poverty of Calcutta; he detailed the latter in an unrhymed hundred-line poem whose technique of searing double-vision would foreshadow Satyajit Ray's film Apur Sansar.^[18]^[19] Tagore also compiled fifteen volumes of writings, including the prose-poems works Punashcha (1932), Shes Saptak (1935), and Patraput (1936). He continued his experimentations by developing prose-songs and dance-dramas, including Chitrangada (1914),^[20] Shyama (1939), and Chandalika (1938), and wrote the novels Dui Bon (1933), Malancha (1934), and Char Adhyay (1934). Tagore took an interest in science in his last years, writing Visva-Parichay (a collection of essays) in 1937. He explored biology, physics, and astronomy; meanwhile, his poetry — containing extensive naturalism — underscored his respect for scientific laws. He also wove the process of science (including narratives of scientists) into many stories contained in such volumes as Se (1937), Tin Sangi (1940), and Galpasalpa (1941).^[21]

Tagore's last four years (1937–1941) were marked by chronic pain and two long periods of illness. These began when Tagore lost consciousness in late 1937; he remained comatose and near death for an extended period. This was followed three years later in late 1940 by a similar spell, from which he never recovered. The poetry Tagore wrote in these years is among his finest, and is distinctive for its preoccupation with death; these more profound and mystical experimentations allowed Tagore to be branded a "modern poet".^[22]^[23] After extended suffering, Tagore died on 7 August 1941 (22 Shravan 1348) in an upstairs room of the Jorasanko mansion in which he was raised;^[24]^[25] his death anniversary is still mourned in public functions held across the Bangla-speaking world.

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Travels

Owing to his notable wanderlust, between 1878 and 1932, Tagore visited more than thirty countries on five continents;^[26] many of these trips were crucial in familiarising non-Bengali audiences to his works and spreading his political ideas. For example, in 1912, he took a sheaf of his translated works to England, where they impressed missionary and Gandhi protégé Charles F. Andrews, Anglo-Irish poet William Butler Yeats, Ezra Pound, Robert Bridges, Ernest Rhys, Thomas Sturge Moore, and others.^[27] Indeed, Yeats wrote the preface to the English translation of Gitanjali, while Andrews joined Tagore at Santiniketan. On 10 November 1912, Tagore toured the United States^[28] and the United Kingdom, staying in Butterton, Staffordshire with Andrews’ clergymen friends.^[29] From 3 May 1916 until April 1917, Tagore went on lecturing circuits in Japan and the United States,^[30] during which he denounced nationalism — particularly that of the Japanese and Americans. He also wrote the essay "Nationalism in India", attracting both derision and praise (the latter from pacifists, including Romain Rolland).^[31] Shortly after returning to India, the 63-year-old Tagore visited Peru at the invitation of the Peruvian government, and took the opportunity to visit Mexico as well. Both governments pledged donations of $100,000 to the school at Shantiniketan (Visva-Bharati) in commemoration of his visits. ^[32] A week after his November 6, 1924 arrival in Buenos Aires, Argentina,^[33] an ill Tagore moved into the Villa Miralrío at the behest of Victoria Ocampo. He left for Bengal in January 1925. On 30 May 1926, Tagore reached Naples, Italy; he met fascist dictator Benito Mussolini in Rome the next day.^[34] Their initially warm rapport lasted until Tagore spoke out against Mussolini on 20 July 1926.^[35]

On 14 July 1927, Tagore and two companions went on a four-month tour of Southeast Asia — visiting Bali, Java, Kuala Lumpur, Malacca, Penang, Siam, and Singapore. The travelogues from this tour were collected into the work “Jatri”.^[36] In early 1930 he left Bengal for a nearly year-long tour of Europe and the U.S. On his return to the UK, while his paintings were being exhibited in Paris and London, he stayed at a Friends settlement in Birmingham. There, he wrote his Hibbert Lectures for the University of Oxford (which dealt with the "idea of the humanity of our God, or the divinity of Man the Eternal") and spoke at London's annual Quaker gathering.^[37] There (addressing relations between the British and Indians, a topic he would grapple with over the next two years), Tagore spoke of a "dark chasm of aloofness".^[38] He later visited Aga Khan III, stayed at Dartington Hall, then toured Denmark, Switzerland, and Germany from June to mid-September 1930, then the Soviet Union.^[39] Lastly, in April 1932, Tagore — who was acquainted with the legends and works of the Persian mystic Hafez — was invited as a personal guest of Shah Reza Shah Pahlavi of Iran.^[40]^[41] Such extensive travels allowed Tagore to interact with many notable contemporaries, including Henri Bergson, Albert Einstein, Robert Frost, Thomas Mann, George Bernard Shaw, H.G. Wells and Romain Rolland.^[42]^[43] Tagore's last travels abroad, including visits to Persia and Iraq (in 1932) and Ceylon in 1933, only sharpened his opinions regarding human divisions and nationalism.^[44]

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Works

Main article: Literature of Rabindranath Tagore

Tagore's literary reputation is disproportionately influenced by regard for his poetry; however, he also wrote novels, essays, short stories, travelogues, dramas, and thousands of songs. Of Tagore's prose, his short stories are perhaps most highly regarded; indeed, he is credited with originating the Bangla-language version of the genre. His works are frequently noted for their rhythmic, optimistic, and lyrical nature. However, such stories mostly borrow from deceptively simple subject matter — the lives of ordinary people.

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Novels and non-fiction

Tagore wrote eight novels and four novellas, including Chaturanga, Shesher Kobita, , Char Odhay, and Noukadubi. Ghare Baire (The Home and the World) — through the lens of the idealistic zamindar protagonist Nikhil — excoriates rising Indian nationalism, terrorism, and religious zeal in the Swadeshi movement; a frank expression of Tagore's conflicted sentiments, it emerged out of a 1914 bout of depression. Indeed, the novel bleakly ends with Hindu-Muslim sectarian violence and Nikhil's being (probably mortally) wounded.^[45] In some sense, Gora shares the same theme, raising controversial questions regarding the Indian identity. As with Ghore Baire, matters of self-identity (jāti), personal freedom, and religion are developed in the context of a family story and love triangle.^[46] Another powerful story is Yogayog (Nexus), where the heroine Kumudini — bound by the ideals of Shiva-Sati, exemplified by Dākshāyani — is torn between her pity for the sinking fortunes of her progressive and compassionate elder brother and his foil: her exploitative, rakish, and patriarchical husband. In it, Tagore demonstrates his feminist leanings, using pathos to depict the plight and ultimate demise of Bengali women trapped by pregnancy, duty, and family honour; simultaneously, he treats the decline of Bengal's landed oligarchy.^[47]

Tagore's signature.

Other novels were more uplifting: Shesher Kobita (translated twice — Last Poem and Farewell Song) is his most lyrical novel, with poems and rhythmic passages written by the main character (a poet). It also contains elements of satire and postmodernism, whereby stock characters gleefully attack the reputation of an old, outmoded, oppressively-renowned poet who, incidentally, goes by the name of Rabindranath Tagore. Though his novels remain among the least-appreciated of his works, they have been given renewed attention via film adaptations by such directors as Satyajit Ray; these include Chokher Bali and Ghare Baire; many have soundtracks featuring selections from Tagore's own rabindrasangit. Tagore also wrote many non-fiction books, writing on topics ranging from Indian history to linguistics. In addition to autobiographical works, his travelogues, essays, and lectures were compiled into several volumes, including Iurop Jatrir Patro (Letters from Europe) and Manusher Dhormo (The Religion of Man).

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Music and artwork

Tagore was an accomplished musician and painter, writing around 2,230 songs. They comprise rabindrasangit (Bengali: রবীন্দ্র সংগীত — "Tagore Song"), now an integral part of Bengali culture. Tagore's music is inseparable from his literature, most of which — poems or parts of novels, stories, or plays alike — became lyrics for his songs. Primarily influenced by the thumri style of Hindustani classical music, they ran the entire gamut of human emotion, ranging from his early dirge-like Brahmo devotional hymns to quasi-erotic compositions.^[48] They emulated the tonal color of classical ragas to varying extents; while at times his songs mimiced a given raga's melody and rhythm faithfully, he also blended elements of different ragas to create innovative works.^[49] For Bengalis, their appeal — stemming from the combination of emotive strength and beauty described as surpassing even Tagore's poetry — was such that the Modern Review observed that "[t]here is in Bengal no cultured home where Rabindranath's songs are not sung or at least attempted to be sung ... Even illiterate villagers sing his songs". Music critic Arther Strangeways of The Observer first introduced non-Bengalis to rabindrasangit with his book The Music of Hindostan, which described it as a "vehicle of a personality ... [that] go behind this or that system of music to that beauty of sound which all systems put out their hands to seize."^[50] Among them are two such works: Bangladesh's Amar Sonaar Baanglaa (Bengali: আমার সোনার বাঙলা) and India's Jana Gana Mana (Bengali: জন গণ মন); Tagore thus became the only person ever to have written the national anthems of two nations. In turn, rabindrasangit influenced the styles of such musicians as sitar maestro Vilayat Khan, the sarodiya Buddhadev Dasgupta, and composer Amjad Ali Khan.^[49]

At age sixty, Tagore took up drawing and painting; successful exhibitions of his many works — which made a debut appearance in Paris upon encouragement by artists he met in the south of France^[51] — were held throughout Europe. Tagore — who likely exhibited protanopia ("color blindness"), or partial lack of (red-green, in Tagore's case) colour discernment — painted in a style characterised by peculiarities in aesthetics and colouring schemes. Nevertheless, Tagore took to emulating numerous styles, including that of craftwork by the Malanggan people of northern New Ireland, Haida carvings from the west coast of Canada (British Columbia), and woodcuts by Max Pechstein.^[52] Tagore also had an artist's eye for his own handwriting, embellishing the scribbles, cross-outs, and word layouts in his manuscripts with simple artistic leitmotifs, including simple rhythmic designs.

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Theatrical pieces

Tagore's experience in theatre began at age sixteen, when he played the lead role in his brother Jyotirindranath's adaptation of Molière's Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme. At age twenty, he wrote his first drama-opera — Valmiki Pratibha (The Genius of Valmiki) — which describes how the bandit Valmiki reforms his ethos, is blessed by Saraswati, and composes the Rāmāyana.^[53] Through it, Tagore vigorously explores a wide range of dramatic styles and emotions, including usage of revamped kirtans and adaptation of traditional English and Irish folk melodies as drinking songs.^[54] Another notable play, Dak Ghar (The Post Office), describes how a child — striving to escape his stuffy confines — ultimately "fall[s] asleep" (which suggests his physical death). A story with worldwide appeal (it received rave reviews in Europe), Dak Ghar dealt with death as, in Tagore's words, "spiritual freedom" from "the world of hoarded wealth and certified creeds".^[55]^[56]

His other works — emphasizing fusion of lyrical flow and emotional rhythm tightly focused on a core idea — were unlike previous Bengali dramas. His works sought to articulate, in Tagore's words, "the play of feeling and not of action". In 1890 he wrote Visarjan (Sacrifice), regarded as his finest drama.^[53] The Bangla-language originals included intricate subplots and extended monologues. Later, his dramas probed more philosophical and allegorical themes; these included Dak Ghar. Another is Tagore's Chandalika (Untouchable Girl), which was modeled on an ancient Buddhist legend describing how Ananda — the Gautama Buddha's disciple — asks water of an Adivasi ("untouchable") girl.^[57] Lastly, among his most famous dramas is Raktakaravi (Red Oleanders), which tells of a kleptocratic king who enriches himself by forcing his subjects to mine. The heroine, Nandini, eventually rallies the common people to destroy these symbols of subjugation. Tagore's other plays include Chitrangada, Raja, and Mayar Khela. Dance dramas based on Tagore's plays are commonly referred to as rabindra nritya natyas.

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Short stories

The four years from 1891 to 1895 are known as Tagore’s "Sadhana" period (named for one of Tagore’s magazines). This period was among Tagore 's most fecund, yielding more than half the stories contained in the three-volume Galpaguchchha, which itself is a collection of eighty-four stories.^[4] Such stories usually showcase Tagore’s reflections upon his surroundings, on modern and fashionable ideas, and on interesting mind puzzles (which Tagore was fond of testing his intellect with). Tagore typically associated his earliest stories (such as those of the "Sadhana" period) with an exuberance of vitality and spontaneity; these characteristics were intimately connected with Tagore’s life in the common villages of, among others, Patisar, Shajadpur, and Shilaida while managing the Tagore family’s vast landholdings.^[4] There, he beheld the lives of India’s poor and common people; Tagore thereby took to examining their lives with a penetrative depth and feeling that was singular in Indian literature up to that point.^[58] In "The Fruitseller from Kabul", Tagore speaks in first person as town-dweller and novelist who chances upon the Afghani seller. He attempts to distil the sense of longing felt by those long trapped in the mundane and hardscrabble confines of Indian urban life, giving play to dreams of a different existence in the distant and wild mountains: "There were autumn mornings, the time of year when kings of old went forth to conquest; and I, never stirring from my little corner in Calcutta, would let my mind wander over the whole world. At the very name of another country, my heart would go out to it ... I would fall to weaving a network of dreams: the mountains, the glens, the forest .... ".^[59] Many of the other Galpaguchchha stories were written in Tagore’s Sabuj Patra period (1914–1917; also named for one of Tagore's magazines).^[4]

Tagore's Golpoguchchho (Bunch of Stories) remains among Bangla literature's most popular fictional works, providing subject matter for many successful films and theatrical plays. Satyajit Ray's film Charulata was based upon Tagore's controversial novella, Nastanirh (The Broken Nest). In Atithi (also made into a film), the young Brahmin boy Tarapada shares a boat ride with a village zamindar. The boy reveals that he has run away from home, only to wander around ever since. Taking pity, the zamindar adopts him and ultimately arranges his marriage to the zamindar's own daughter. However, the night before the wedding, Tarapada runs off — again. Strir Patra (The Letter from the Wife) is among Bangla literature's earliest depictions of the bold emancipation of women. The heroine Mrinal, the wife of a typical patriarchical Bengali middle class man, writes a letter while she is traveling (which constitutes the whole story). It details the pettiness of her life and struggles; she finally declares that she will not return to her husband's home with the statement Amio bachbo. Ei bachlum ("And I shall live. Here, I live"). In Haimanti, Tagore takes on the institution of Hindu marriage, describing the dismal lifelessness of married Bengali women, hypocrisies plaguing the Indian middle classes, and how Haimanti, a sensitive young woman, must — due to her sensitiveness and free spirit — sacrifice her life. In the last passage, Tagore directly attacks the Hindu custom of glorifying Sita's attempted self-immolation as a means of appeasing her husband Rama's doubts. Tagore also examines Hindu-Muslim tensions in Musalmani Didi, which in many ways embodies the essence of Tagore's humanism. On the other hand, Darpaharan exhibits Tagore's self-consciousness, describing a young man harboring literary ambitions. Though he loves his wife, he wishes to stifle her own literary career, deeming it unfeminine. Tagore himself, in his youth, seems to have harbored similar ideas about women. Darpaharan depicts the final humbling of the man via his acceptance of his wife's talents. As many other Tagore stories, Jibito o Mrito provides the Bengalis with one of their more widely used epigrams: Kadombini moriya proman korilo she more nai ("Kadombini died, thereby proved that she hadn't").

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Poetry

Tagore's poetry — which varied in style from classical formalism to the comic, visionary, and ecstatic — proceeds out a lineage established by 15th- and 16th-century Vaiṣṇava poets. Tagore was also influenced by the mysticism of the rishi-authors who — including Vyasa — wrote the Upanishads, the Bhakta-Sufi mystic Kabir, and Ramprasad.^[60] Yet Tagore's poetry became most innovative and mature after his exposure to rural Bengal's folk music, which included ballads sung by Bāul folk singers — especially the bard Lālan Śāh.^[61]^[62] These — which were rediscovered and popularised by Tagore — resemble 19th-century Kartābhajā hymns that emphasize inward divinity and rebellion against religious and social orthodoxy.^[63]^[64] During his Shelidah years, his poems took on a lyrical quality, speaking via the maner manus (the Bāuls' "man within the heart") or meditating upon the jivan devata ("living God within"). This figure thus sought connection with divinity through appeal to nature and the emotional interplay of human drama. Tagore used such techniques in his Bhānusiṃha poems (which chronicle the romanticism between Radha and Krishna), which he repeatedly revised over the course of seventy years.^[65]^[66]

Later, Tagore responded to the (mostly) crude emergence of modernism and realism in Bengali literature by writing experimental works in the 1930s.^[67] Examples works include Africa and Camalia, which are among the better known of his latter poems. He also occasionally wrote poems using Shadhu Bhasha (a Sanskritised dialect of Bangla); later, he began using Cholti Bhasha (a more popular dialect). Other notable works include Manasi, Sonar Tori (Golden Boat), Balaka (Wild Geese — the title being a metaphor for migrating souls),^[68] and Purobi. Sonar Tori's most famous poem — dealing with the ephemeral nature of life and achievement — goes by the same name; it ends with the haunting phrase "শূন্য নদীর তীরে রহিনু পড়ি / যাহা ছিল লয়ে গেল সোনার তরী" ("Shunno nodir tire rohinu poŗi / Jaha chhilo loe gêlo shonar tori" — "all I had achieved was carried off on the golden boat — only I was left behind."). However, internationally, Gitanjali (Bengali: গীতাঞ্জলি) is Tagore's best-known collection, winning him his Nobel Prize.^[69] Song VII (গীতাঞ্জলি 127) of Gitanjali:

আমার এ গান ছেড়েছে তার সকল অলংকার,

তোমার কাছে রাখে নি আর সাজের অহংকার।

অলংকার যে মাঝে পড়ে মিলনেতে আড়াল করে,

তোমার কথা ঢাকে যে তার মুখর ঝংকার।

তোমার কাছে খাটে না মোর কবির গর্ব করা,

মহাকবি তোমার পায়ে দিতে যে চাই ধরা।

জীবন লয়ে যতন করি যদি সরল বাঁশি গড়ি,

আপন সুরে দিবে ভরি সকল ছিদ্র তার।

Amar e gan chheŗechhe tar shôkol ôlongkar

Tomar kachhe rakhe ni ar shajer ôhongkar

Ôlongkar je majhe pôŗe milônete aŗal kôre,

Tomar kôtha đhake je tar mukhôro jhôngkar.

Tomar kachhe khaţe na mor kobir gôrbo kôra,

Môhakobi, tomar paee dite chai je dhôra.

Jibon loe jôton kori jodi shôrol bãshi goŗi,

Apon shure dibe bhori sôkol chhidro tar.

Free-verse translation by Tagore (Gitanjali, verse VII):^[70]

"My song has put off her adornments. She has no pride of dress and decoration. Ornaments would mar our union; they would come between thee and me; their jingling would drown thy whispers."

"My poet's vanity dies in shame before thy sight. O master poet, I have sat down at thy feet. Only let me make my life simple and straight, like a flute of reed for thee to fill with music."

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Political views

Main article: Political views of Rabindranath Tagore

Marked complexities characterise Tagore's political views. Though he criticised European imperialism and supported Indian nationalists,^[71]^[72]^[73] he also lampooned the Swadeshi movement, denouncing it in "The Cult of the Charka", an acrid 1925 essay.^[74] Instead, he emphasized self-help and intellectual uplift of the masses, stating that British imperialism was not as a primary evil, but instead a "political symptom of our social disease", urging Indians to accept that "there can be no question of blind revolution, but of steady and purposeful education".^[75]^[76] Such views inevitably enraged many, placing his life in danger: during his stay in a San Francisco hotel in late 1916, Tagore narrowly escaped assassination by Indian expatriates — the plot failed only because the would-be assassins fell into argument.^[77] Yet Tagore wrote songs lionizing the Indian independence movement and renounced his knighthood in protest against the 1919 Amritsar massacre.^[78] Despite his tumultuous relations with Gandhi, Tagore was also key in resolving a Gandhi-B. R. Ambedkar dispute involving separate electorates for untouchables, ending a fast "unto death" by Gandhi.^[79]^[80]

Tagore also criticised orthodox (rote-oriented) education, lampooning it in the short story "The Parrot's Training", where a bird — which ultimately dies — is caged by tutors and force-fed pages torn from books.^[81]^[82] These views led Tagore — while visiting Santa Barbara, California on 11 October 1917 — to conceive of a new type of university, desiring to "make [his ashram at] Santiniketan the connecting thread between India and the world ... [and] a world center for the study of humanity ... somewhere beyond the limits of nation and geography."^[83] The school — which he named Visva-Bharati^[ζ] — had its foundation stone laid on 22 December 1918; it was later inaugurated on 22 December 1921.^[84] Here, Tagore implemented a brahmacharya pedagogical structure employing gurus to provide individualised guidance for pupils. Tagore worked hard to fundraise for and staff the school, even contributing all of his Nobel Prize monies.^[85] Tagore’s duties as steward and mentor at Santiniketan kept him busy; he taught classes in mornings and wrote the students' textbooks in afternoons and evenings.^[86] Tagore also fundraised extensively for the school in Europe and the U.S. between 1919 and 1921.^[87]

His dream for the future India, which was then under the British rule, has been immortalized in his most quoted composition: "chitto jetha bhayshunyo" (Where the mind is without fear).His song Ekla chalo re (If they answer not to thy call walk alone) was a favorite of Mahatma Gandhi.

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Impact and legacy

Tagore's post-death impact can be felt through the many festivals held worldwide in his honour — examples include the annual Bengali festival/celebration of Kabipranam (Tagore's birthday anniversary), the annual Tagore Festival held in Urbana, Illinois in the United States, the Rabindra Path Parikrama walking pilgrimages leading from Calcutta to Shantiniketan, and ceremonial recitals of Tagore's poetry held on important anniversaries.^[88]^[89]^[28] This legacy is most palpable in Bengali culture, ranging from language and arts to history and politics; indeed, Nobel laureate Amartya Sen noted that even for modern Bengalis, Tagore was a "towering figure", being a "deeply relevant and many-sided contemporary thinker".^[89] Tagore's collected Bangla-language writings — the 1939 Rabīndra Racanāvalī — is also canonized as one of Bengal's greatest cultural treasures, while Tagore himself has been proclaimed "the greatest poet India has produced".^[90] He was also famed throughout much of Europe, North America, and East Asia. He was key in founding Dartington Hall School, a progressive coeducational institution; in Japan, he influenced such figures as Nobel laureate Yasunari Kawabata.^[91] Tagore's works were widely translated into many European languages — a process that began with Czech indologist Vincent Slesny^[92] and French Nobel laureate André Gide — including Russian, English, Dutch, German, Spanish, and others. In the United States, Tagore's popular lecturing circuits (especially those between 1916–1917) were widely attended and acclaimed. Nevertheless, several controversies^[η] involving Tagore resulted in a decline in his popularity in Japan and North America after the late 1920s, contributing to his "near total eclipse" outside of Bengal.^[93]

Tagore, through Spanish translations of his works, also influenced leading figures of Spanish literature, including Chileans Pablo Neruda and Gabriela Mistral, Mexican writer Octavio Paz, and Spaniards José Ortega y Gasset, Zenobia Camprubí, and Juan Ramón Jiménez. Between 1914 and 1922, the Jiménez-Camprubí spouses translated no less than twenty-two of Tagore's books from English into Spanish. Jiménez, as part of this work, also extensively revised and adapted such works as Tagore's The Crescent Moon. Indeed, during this time, Jiménez developed the now-heralded innovation of "naked poetry" (Spanish: «poesia desnuda»).^[94] Meanwhile, Ortega y Gasset wrote that "Tagore's wide appeal [may stem from the fact that] he speaks of longings for perfection that we all have ... Tagore awakens a dormant sense of childish wonder, and he saturates the air with all kinds of enchanting promises for the reader, who ... pays little attention to the deeper import of Oriental mysticism". Indeed, Tagore's works were — alongside works by Dante Alighieri, Miguel de Cervantes, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, Plato, and Leo Tolstoy — published in free editions around 1920. Modern remnants of a once widespread Latin American reverence of Tagore were discovered, for example, by an astonished Salman Rushdie during a trip to Nicaragua.^[95] But over time, Tagore's talents came to be regarded by many as over-rated, leading Graham Greene to say in 1937 that "I cannot believe that anyone but Mr. Yeats can still take his poems very seriously."^[93]

Tagore's poetry has been set to music by various composers, among them classical composer Arthur Shepherd's triptych for soprano and string quartet.

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Bibliography (partial)

— Bangla-language originals —

Poetry
* Manasi	1890	(The Ideal One)
* Sonar Tari	1894	(The Golden Boat)
* Gitanjali	1910	(Song Offerings)
* Gitimalya	1914	(Wreath of Songs)
* Balaka	1916	(The Flight of Cranes)
Dramas
* Valmiki Pratibha	1881	(The Genius of Valmiki)
* Visarjan	1890	(The Sacrifice)
* Raja	1910	(The King of the Dark Chamber)
* Dak Ghar	1912	(The Post Office)
* Achalayatan	1912	(The Immovable)
* Muktadhara	1922	(The Waterfall)
* Raktakaravi	1926	(Red Oleanders)
Literary fiction
* Nastanirh	1901	(The Broken Nest)
* Gora	1910	(Fair-Faced)
* Ghare Baire	1916	(The Home and the World)
* Yogayog	1929	(Crosscurrents)
Autobiographies
* Jivansmriti	1912	(My Reminiscences)
* Chhelebela	1940	(My Boyhood Days)

— English-language translations —

* Creative Unity	(1922)
* Songs of Kabir	(1915)^[96]
* Fruit-Gathering	(1916)
* The Fugitive	(1921)
* The Gardener	(1913)
* Gitanjali: Song Offerings	(1912)
* Glimpses of Bengal	(1991)
* The Home and the World	(1985)
* I Won't Let you Go: Selected Poems	(1991)
* My Boyhood Days	(1943)
* My Reminiscences	(1991)
* Nationalism	(1991)
* The Post Office	(1996)
* Sadhana: The Realisation of Life	(1913)
* Selected Letters	(1997)
* Selected Poems	(1994)
* Selected Short Stories	(1991)

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Biography Of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

2006-10-05T01:35:00.000+05:30

Subhash Chandra Bose, (Bangla: সুভাষ চন্দ্র বসু Shubhash Chôndro Boshu) (January 23, 1897 – August 18, 1945?^note), also known as Netaji, was one of the most prominent leaders of the Indian Independence Movement against the British Raj. He is immortalised in Indian History for having formed the Azad Hind Government in exile, and regrouping and leading the Indian National Army to battle against the allies in Imphal and Burma during the World War II. It is widely regarded that the actions of his nationalist army, and the revolts that it inspired in the British Indian Armed Forces after the war were one of the main driving forces behind the British decision to relinquish the Raj.^[1]^[2]

Bose was elected president of the Indian National Congress for two consecutive terms. However, he had to resign from the post in the face of a motion of no-confidence, stemming from ideological conflicts with Mahatma Gandhi. Bose felt that Mahatma Gandhi's tactics of non-violence would never be sufficient to secure India's independence, and advocated violent resistance. He established a separate political party, the All India Forward Bloc and continued to call for the full and immediate independence of India from British rule. His stance did not change with the outbreak of War, which he saw as an opportunity to take advantage of British weakness.

He was imprisoned by the British authorities 11 times. At the outset of World War II, in a daring act of escape from the eyes of the British, he fled from India, and reached Germany by a lengthy and dangerous route. He sought an alliance with the Axis powers with the aim of attacking the British in India from the Northwest. When this plan was foiled by the Nazi invasion of the USSR, he headed for Japan and helped to organise— and later lead— the Indian National Army, put together from Indian prisoners-of-war and plantation workers from Singapore and other parts of Southeast Asia, against British forces during the Second World War. His political views and the alliances he made with Nazi and other militarist regimes opposed to the British Empire have been the cause of arguments among historians and politicians, with some accusing him of Fascism and of Quislingist actions. He is believed to have died on 18 August 1945 in a plane crash over Taiwan, however, contradicting evidence exists regarding his death in the accident.

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Early life

Subhas Chandra Bose was born to an affluent family in Cuttack, Orissa. His father, Janakinath Bose, was a public prosecutor who believed in orthodox nationalism, and later became a member of the Bengal Legislative Council. Bose was educated at Fitzwilliam College at Cambridge University.

In 1920, Bose took the Indian Civil Service entrance examination and was placed fourth with highest marks in English. However, he resigned from the prestigious Indian Civil Service in April 1921 despite his high ranking in the merit list, and went on to become an active member of India's independence movement. He joined the Indian National Congress, and was particularly active in its youth wing. However, Bose's ideals did not match with that of Mahatma Gandhi's belief in non-violence. He therefore returned to Calcutta to work under Chittaranjan Das, the Bengali freedom fighter and co-founder (with Motilal Nehru) of the Swaraj Party. In 1921, Bose organised a boycott of the celebrations to mark the visit of the Prince of Wales to India, which led to his imprisonment. In April 1924, Bose was elected to the post of Chief Executive Officer of the newly constituted Calcutta Corporation wherein C R Das was mayor. Though Subhas was entitled to Rs 3000/month as salary but he decided to take half of that amount ie Rs 1500/month, still a very generous amount, considering a schoolteacher earned Rs 50/month in those days. Later, in October that year, Bose was arrested as a suspected terrorist. At first, he was kept in Alipore jail and later he was exiled to Mandalay in Burma (where earlier Tilak spent 6 years in prison). On January 23 1930, Bose was once again arrested for leading an "independence procession", protesting against British rule in India. After his release from jail on September 25, he was elected as the Mayor of the City of Calcutta.

Over a span of 20 years, Bose was incarcerated eleven times by the British, either in India or in Rangoon. He spent many years in various capacities as the Chief Executive Officer of the Calcutta Municipal Corporation , and later as Mayor himself. Along with Jawaharlal Nehru, he was one of the radical left wing leaders of the Congress Party. He was exiled from India by the British during the mid 1930s to Europe, where he championed India's cause for self-rule before gatherings and conferences.

After his father's death, the British authorities allowed him to land at Calcutta's airport only for the religious rites, which would be followed by his swift departure. During this time he traveled extensively in India and in Europe before stating his political opposition to Gandhi. He became the president of the Haripura Indian National Congress in 1938, against Gandhi's wishes. He was elected for a second term in 1939 in Tripuri Congress Session; Gandhi had supported Pattabhi Sitaramayya and commented "Pattabhi's defeat is my defeat" after learning the election results. Although Bose won the election, Gandhi's continued opposition led to the latter's resignation from the Working Committee, and the possibility that the rest of the CWC would resign. In the face of this gesture of no-confidence, Bose himself resigned, and was left with no alternative but to form an independent party, the All India Forward Bloc. Bose also initiated the concept of the National Planning Committee in 1938.

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Actions during the Second World War

Bose advocated the approach that the political instability of war-time Britain should be taken advantage of — rather than simply wait for the British to grant independence after the end of the war (which was the view of Gandhi, Nehru and a section of the Congress leadership at the time). In this, he was influenced by the examples of Italian statesmen Giuseppe Garibaldi and Giuseppe Mazzini. During his stay in Europe from 1933 to 1936, he met several European leaders and thinkers, including Benito Mussolini, Edvard Beneš, Karl Seitz, Eamon de Valera, Romain Rolland and Alfred Rosenberg. He came to believe that India could achieve political freedom only if it had political, military and diplomatic support from outside, and that an independent nation necessitated the creation of a national army to secure its sovereignty. His correspondence reveals that despite his clear dislike for British subjugation, he was deeply impressed by their methodical and systematic approach and their steadfastly disciplinarian outlook towards life. In England, he exchanged ideas with British Labour Party leaders and political thinkers like Lord Halifax, George Lansbury, Clement Attlee, Arthur Greenwood, Harold Laski, J.B.S. Haldane, Ivor Jennings, G.D.H. Cole, Gilbert Murray and Sir Stafford Cripps on the future of India. He came to believe that a free India needed Socialist authoritarianism, on the lines of Turkey's Kemal Atatürk, for at least two decades.

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"The Great Escape"

On the outbreak of war, Bose advocated a campaign of mass civil disobedience to protest against the Viceroy, Lord Linlithgow's decision to declare war on India's behalf without consulting the Congress leadership. Having failed to persuade Gandhi of the necessity of this, Bose organised mass protests in Calcutta calling for the 'Holwell Monument' commemorating the Black Hole of Calcutta, which then stood at the corner of Dalhousie Square, to be removed. He was thrown in jail by the British, but was released following a seven-day hunger strike. Bose's house in Calcutta was kept under surveillance by the CBI, but their vigilance left a good deal to be desired. With two court cases pending, he felt the British would not let him leave the country before the end of the war - it has been suggested that he was desperate to see his wife, who was in Berlin ^[3]. This set the scene for Bose's "Great Escape" to Germany, via Afghanistan and the Soviet Union. Bose had never been to Afghanistan, and could not speak the local tribal language (Pashto). Bose escaped from under British surveillance at his house in Calcutta On January 19, 1941, accompanied by his nephew Sisir K. Bose, Bose gave his watchers the slip and journeyed to Peshawar with the assistance of the Abwehr (Wehrmacht Military Intelligence) he made his way to Peshawar where he was met at Peshawar Cantonment station by Akbar Shah, Mohammed Shah and Bhagat Ram Talwar. Bose was taken to the home of Abad Khan, a trusted friend of Akbar Shah's. On the 26th January, 1941, Bose began his journey to reach Russia through India's North West frontier with Afghanistan. For this reason, he enlisted the help of Mian Akbar Shah, then a Forward Bloc leader in the North West Frontier Province. Shah had been out of India en route to the Soviet Union, and suggested a novel disguise for Bose to assume. Since Bose could not speak one word of Pashto, it would make him an easy target of Pashto speakers working for the British. For this reason, Shah suggested that Bose act deaf and dumb, and let his beard grow to mimic those of the tribesmen.

Supporters of the Aga Khan helped him across the border into Afghanistan where he was met by an Abwehr unit posing as a party of road construction engineers from the Organization Todt who then aided his passage across Afghanistan via Kabul to the border with Soviet Russia. Once in Russia the NKVD transported Bose to Moscow where he hoped that Russia's traditional enmity to British rule in India would result in support for his plans for a popular rising in India. However, Bose found the Soviets' response disappointing and was rapidly passed over to the German Ambassador in Moscow, Count von der Schulenberg. He had Bose flown on to Berlin in a special courier aircraft at the beginning of April where he was to receive a more favorable hearing from von Rippentrop and the Foreign Ministry officials at the Wilhelmstrasse.^[4]

In Germany

Having escaped incarceration at home by assuming the guise of a Pathan insurance agent ("Ziaudddin") to reach Afghanistan, Bose travelled to Moscow on the passport of an Italian nobleman "Count Orlando Mazzotta". From Moscow, he reached Rome, and from there he traveled to Germany, where he instituted the Special Bureau for India under Adam von Trott zu Solz, broadcasting on the German-sponsored Azad Hind Radio. He founded the Free India Centre in Berlin, and created the Indian Legion (consisting of some 4500 soldiers) out of Indian prisoners of war who had previously fought for the British in North Africa prior to their capture by Axis forces. The Indian Legion was attached to the Wehrmacht, and later transferred to the Waffen SS ^[5]; its members swore their allegiance to both Hitler and Bose to secure India's independence. At a time, when no one in Germany dared criticise Hitler, Bose was openly critical of Hitler's treatment of Jews, the destruction of democratic institutions in Germany and the Nazi invasion of the Soviet Union. He was also, however, prepared to envisage an invasion of India via the U.S.S.R. by Nazi troops, spearheaded by the Azad Hind Legion; many have questioned his judgment here, as it seems unlikely that the Germans could have been easily persuaded to leave after such an invasion, which would also have resulted in an Axis victory in the War.^[6]

The lack of interest shown by Hitler in the cause of Indian independence eventually caused Bose to become disillusioned with Hitler and he decided to leave Nazi Germany in 1943. He travelled by the German submarine U-180 around the Cape of Good Hope to Imperial Japan (via Japanese submarine I-29), which helped him raise his army in Singapore. This was the only civilian transfer across two submarines of two different navies in World War II.

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In Japan and South East Asia

The Indian National Army (INA) was originally founded by the expatriate nationalist leader Rash Behari Bose, who handed over control of the organisation to Subhas Chandra Bose after his arrival in the Far East in 1943. At its height it consisted of some 85,000 regular troops, including a separate women's army unit named after Rani Lakshmi Bai (the women's combat army unit was the first of its kind in Asia). These troops were under the aegis of a provisional government, with its own currency, court and civil code, called the Provisional Government of Free India (or, the Arzi Hukumat-e-Azad Hind), and recognised by nine Axis states — Germany, Japan, Italy, the Independent State of Croatia, Wang Jingwei's Government in Nanjing, Thailand, a provisional government of Burma, Manchukuo and Japanese-controlled Philippines. Of those countries, five were puppet states established by Axis occupation. This government participated as a delegate or observer in the so-called Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere.

As the Japanese pressed forward through Burma towards India, some of the INA's troops assisted in the Japanese victory over the British in the battles of Arakan and Meiktila, along with the Burmese National Army led by Ba Maw and Aung San. A year after the islands were taken by the Japanese, the Provisional Government and the INA were established in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in the Bay of Bengal, part of the British Indian Empire under Japanese occupation, which he renamed Shaheed (Martyr) and Swaraj (Self-rule). Bose visited the islands on just one occasion late in 1943, when he was carefully screened from the local population by the Japanese authorities, who at that time were torturing the leader of the Indian Independence League on the Islands, Dr. Diwan Singh (who later died of his injuries, in the Cellular Jail). The islanders made several attempts to alert Bose to their plight, but apparently without success. ^[7]

On the Indian mainland, an Indian Tricolour, modeled after that of the Indian National Congress, was raised for the first time in the town in Moirang, in Manipur, in northeastern India. The towns of Kohima and Imphal were placed under siege by divisions of the Japanese, Burmese and the Gandhi and Nehru Brigades of I.N.A. At the time of the Great Bengal Famine of 1943, during which millions died of starvation as a consequence of British inefficiency and indifference, Bose had offered (through radio) to provide Burmese rice to the victims of the famine. The British authorities in India (and in the UK) refused the offer, arguing that it was made for propaganda purposes.

Bose had hoped that large numbers of soldiers would desert from the Indian Army when they would discover that INA soldiers were attacking British India from the outside.^[8] However, this did not materialise on a sufficient scale. Instead, as the war situation worsened for the Japanese, troops began to desert from the INA. At the same time Japanese funding for the army diminished, and Bose was forced to raise taxes on the Indian populations of Malaysia and Singapore, sometimes extracting money by force.^[9] When the Japanese were defeated at the battles of Kohima and Imphal, the Provisional Government's aim of establishing a base in mainland India was lost forever. The INA was forced to pull back, along with the defeated Japanese Army. Japan's surrender also led to the eventual surrender of the Indian National Army.

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Political views

Bose advocated complete freedom for India at the earliest, whereas most of the Congress Committee wanted it in phases, through a Dominion status.^[10] Even though Bose and Gandhi had differing ideologies, the latter called Bose the "Patriot of Patriots" in 1942. Bose admired Gandhi, recognising his importance as a symbol of Indian Nationalism; he called him "The Father of Our Nation" in a radio broadcast from Rangoon in 1944, in which he stated that "I am convinced that if we do desire freedom we must be prepared to wade through blood"^[11], a statement somewhat at odds with Gandhi's philosophy of non-violence. Thus, although they shared the goal of an Independent India, by 1939 the two had become divided over the tactics which should be used to achieve Indian Independence, and to some degree the form which the post-Independence state should take: Gandhi was hostile to industrialisation, whilst Bose saw it as the only route to making India strong and self-sufficient (in this he may have been influenced, like many other Indian intellectuals of the time, by reports of the success of the Soviet five-year plans). Nehru disagreed with Gandhi on this point as well, though not over the tactics of protest.

At the time the Second World War began, great divisions existed in the Indian independence movement about whether to exploit the weakness of the British to achieve independence. Some felt that any distinctions between the political allegiances and ideologies of the warring factions of Europe were inconsequential in the face of the possibility of Indian independence, given the fact that the British themselves showed so little respect for democracy or democratic reforms in India. Others felt that it was inappropriate to seek concessions when Britain itself was in peril, or else that pressure was better applied within India and in peaceful fashion, and found that their distaste for Nazi Germany and Japan outweighed any possibility that an alliance with them would bring India's independence closer.

Bose, in particular, was accused of 'collaborating' with the Axis, after he fled to Germany in 1941 and offered Hitler an alliance. He criticized the British during World War II, saying that while Britain was allegedly fighting for the freedom of the European nations under Nazi control, it would not grant independence to its own colonies, including India. It may be observed that along with Nehru, Bose had organized and led protest marches against the Japanese invasion of Manchuria in 1931, and of China itself in 1938, when he was Congress president. In 1937 he published an article attacking Japanese Imperialism in the Far East, although he betrayed some admiration for other aspects of the Japanese regime ^[12]. Bose's earlier correspondence (prior to 1939) also reflects his deep disapproval of the racist practices of, and annulment of democratic institutions in Nazi Germany ^[13]. He also, however, expressed admiration for the authoritarian methods (though not the racial ideologies) which he saw in Italy and Germany during the 1930s, and thought they could be used in building an independent India ^[14]. Nevertheless, Bose's tenure as Congress Party President (1938-39) did not reflect any particular anti-democratic or authoritarian attributes ^[15]. Rather, his role then was more that of a negotiator, and a consensus-builder within the ranks of the senior Congress leadership (led by Mahatma Gandhi, Sardar Patel and Jawaharlal Nehru and others) on the one hand, and the Muslim League (led by Mohammed Ali Jinnah) on the other. Nirad C. Chaudhuri, Anton Pelinka and Leonard Gordon have remarked that Bose's skills were best illustrated at the negotiating table, rather than on the battlefield.

That Bose eventually changed his political stance (which initially was that of Gandhi and Nehru) reflects his deep discontent with the nature of the British rule, and a growing belief that the formation of an Indian free state was too far into the future on the British political roadmap to be acceptable. At the Tripuri Congress session of 1939, he made his views quite explicit - he demanded for a programme of immediately giving the British Government a six-months ultimatum to grant the national demand of independence and of launching a mass civil disobedience movement if it failed to do so. He believed that "... the country was internally more ripe for a revolution than ever before and that the coming international crisis would give India an opportunity for achieving her emancipation, which is rare in human history." ^[16].

Bose's judgment in allying with the Japanese has been questioned, as many argue that he would have been unable to ensure an independent India had he ridden to power on Japanese bayonets, and was in danger of being turned into a puppet ruler like Pu-yi, the last Chinese Emperor in Manchukuo. In 1943 Rash Behari Bose had urged this on him during his last visit to Subhas Bose in Singapore, pointing out that the Japanese had claimed right of conquest in Manchuria and would do so in India, whilst Quit India had shown that this would not be accepted by the Indian Nation ^[17]. Bose may have believed that the people of India would be with him, and that therefore he would be able to resist Japanese demands. He knew that India was a long way from Japan, and that the Japanese were already at the limits of their capabilities. He also pointed out that the American revolutionaries had accepted assistance from France, and this didn't make the US a French colony^[18]. Nevertheless, given the INA's overwhelming dependence on Japanese military support, he would have been in a very weak position. Bose also seems to have ignored the appalling treatment meted out by the Japanese to the Asian inhabitants of the lands they conquered as part of the Greater East Asian Co-prosperity sphere, which included the forcible recruitment of labour from the overseas Indian population to build projects such as the Burma Railway, and massacres of Malayan Chinese in Singapore where he spent most of the War. ^[19]

Bose has been branded as a fascist in some quarters. Others believe that Bose had clearly expressed his belief that democracy was the best option for India.^[20] The pro-Bose thinkers believe that his authoritarian control of the Indian National Army was based on political pragmatism and a post-colonial recovery doctrine rather than any anti-democratic belief.^{[citation needed]}. However, during the war (and possibly as early as the 1930s) Bose seems to have decided that no democratic system could be adequate to overcome India's poverty and social inequalities, and he wrote that an authoritarian state, similar to that of Soviet Russia (which he had also seen and admired) would be needed for the process of national re-building ^[21]. Accordingly some suggest that Bose's alliance with the Axis during the war was based on more than just pragmatism, and that Bose may have been a Fascist, though not a Nazi; alternatively, others consider he might have been using populist methods of mobilization common to many postcolonial leaders. ^[22]^[23].

Had either of the alliances he forged during the war resulted in Indian independence in the manner he envisaged, it would have been at the cost of an Allied defeat in the Second World War, a price that some Indians would argue is too high: Gandhi himself, in the immediate aftermath of the war, said that Bose had been "foolish in imagining, that by allying himself with the Japanese and the Germans, who were not only aggressive Powers, but also dangerous Powers, he could get Indian freedom" ^[24]. The alternative of non-violent protest within India espoused by Gandhi and the rest of Congress ultimately led to British withdrawal, albeit at the expense of the partition of the country along communal lines. Even before 1939, Congress had secured political concessions from the British in the form of elected Provincial Assemblies, and an agreement that the British taxpayer would foot the bill for Indian re-armament ^[25]. Although it was rejected by Congress at the time, the 1942 Cripps mission's offer of full independence after the war could be considered the point at which the British departure became inevitable ^[26]. Britain's weakness after the war, and domestic political pressure on the Labour Government also made British withdrawal more likely. Publicly at least, Bose never believed that this would happen unless they were driven out by force: as late as 1944 he announced that "I am honestly convinced that the British Government will never recognise India's demand for independence" ^[27]. In this he was mistaken.

Yet it may be equally true that he would never have accepted the partition of India as true independence, just as Gandhi always refused to accept that the people of India were two separate nations. Some would also argue that it was the activities and spectre of the INA and what Bose represented which convinced the British imperial administration to hand over a divided India to the Congress and the Muslim League.^[28] They also consider it a backhanded tribute to Bose that the Congress tricolor and the Muslim League green flag flew together for the last time during the mutiny of the Indian navy in Bombay unleashed in 1946 by popular fury at the trial of INA officers by the British.^[29]. This view is popular in India and among Indian Historians^[30] today, but finds little support amongst historians^{[citation needed]}. With hindsight, however, it is admissible that Bose's original goal of starting mass militant revolution among the Indians once his army reached India was certainly the way history acted out, with the stories of the INA inspiring the British Indian Armed forces into increasingly rebellious resentment.

There is no doubt that Bose was a great patriot ^[31], and was considered as such even by his rivals in the Congress. Gandhi himself wrote that Bose's "... patriotism is second to none" ^[32], and he was moved to proclaim after Bose's disappearance that he was a "prince among patriots" - a reference to Bose's achievement in integrating women and men from all the regions and religions of India in the Indian National Army. ^[33]Bose wanted freedom for India at the earliest opportunity, and to some extent, he didn't care who he had to approach for assistance ^[34]. It is thus quite understandable that he remains a controversial figure to this day.

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His Most Famous Quote

Bose's famous words "Give me blood, and I shall give you freedom!" (which in Hindi translates to तुम मुझे खून दो, मैं तुम्हे अाज़ादी दूँगा!) whereby he urged the people of India to join him in his fight against the British Raj. Spoken at a rally of Indians in Burma, July 4, 1944. Spoken in Hindi, Bose's words are highly evocative and are considered an important milestone in the Indian freedom struggle.

His other famous quote was,"Delhi chalo", meaning "On to Delhi!". This was the call he used to give the INA armies to motivate them. "Jai Hind(जय हिन्द!)" , or, "Victory to India!" was another epithet used by him and later adopted by the Government of India.

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Assassination Attempts

In 1941, when the British learned that Bose had sought the support of the Axis Powers, they ordered their agents to intercept and kill Bose before he reached Germany. A recently declassified intelligence document refers to a top-secret instruction to the Special Operations Executive (SOE) of British intelligence to murder Bose.

The decision was extraordinary, unusual and rare, and it seemed that the British took Bose much more seriously than many had thought. In fact, the plan to liquidate Bose has few parallels, and appears to be a last desperate measure against a man whose uncompromising radicalism had seriously worried the leadership of the British Empire ^[35].

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Re-evaluation of Netaji

The INA is fondly remembered by some Japanese historians, who see the Japanese efforts to support Bose as proof of their view that Japan really was fighting on behalf of the oppressed peoples of Asia. In addition, the INA is seen by some as an organisation devoid of the divisive energies of parochialism that have since plagued Indian politics.

Bose's portrait hangs in the Indian Parliament, and a statue has been erected in front of the West Bengal Legislative Assembly.

Bose was posthumously awarded the Bharat Ratna, India's highest civilian award in 1992, but was later withdrawn in response to a Supreme Court directive following a Public Interest Litigation filed in the Court against the "posthumous" nature of the award. The Award Committee could not give conclusive evidence of Bose's death and thus it invalidated the "posthumous" award. Kolkata's civil airport and a university have been named after him.

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Disappearance and alleged death

Main article: Death mystery of Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose

Bose was believed to have died in a plane crash over Taiwan, while flying to Tokyo on 18 August 1945. However, his body was never recovered, and theories concerning his possible survival abound. One such claim is that Bose actually died in Siberia, while in Soviet captivity. Several committees were set up by the government of India to probe into this matter.

In May 1956, a four-man Indian team (known as Shah Nawaz Committee) visited Japan to probe the circumstances of Bose's alleged death. The Indian government did not then request assistance from the government of Taiwan in the matter, citing their lack of diplomatic relations with Taiwan. However, as far back as 1956, the Government of Formosa, as Taiwan was then called, informed a British investigation that no air crash had occurred in that country between August and October 1945. Details are available in the book "Netaji - Dead or Alive?" by Indian ex-MP, late Shri Samar Guha. The G D Khosla Commission (1970-1974) too could not reach to any conclusion as it failed to take inputs from Taiwan. Published in 1978, Guha's book is the first-ever and easily the most comprehensive compilation on the Netaji disappearance mystery, which effectively trashes the Taihoku air crash story. On the basis of this book, Mr. Morarji Desai, the then Prime Minister of India, rejected the G D Khosla Commission report in Parliament in 1978.

However, the Inquiry Commission under Justice Mukherjee, which investigated the Bose disappearance mystery in the period 1999-2005, did approach the Taiwanese government and obtained information from the Taiwan Government that no plane carrying Bose had ever crashed in Taipei [3]. The Mukherjee Commission also received a report originating from the US State Department, supporting the claim of the Taiwan Government that no such air crash took place during that time frame [4].

There are theories of political effort to classify information on the death mystery. In fact, according to some, Nehru did not wish to unveil the mystery behind Bose's disappearance and led to hushing of some important documents.^[36] It has been reported that a conversation reportedly took place between Josef Stalin and Vyacheslav Molotov in 1946 about whether Bose should remain in the Soviet Union, although he is supposed to have died the year before. There are theories that Bose had kept contact with the Soviets after the defeat of the Axis powers became apparent, and travelled to Manchuria instead of Taiwan (Manchuria was occupied by the Soviets in the final days of the war).

The Mukherjee Commission submitted its report to the Indian Government on November 8, 2005. The report was tabled in Parliament on May 17, 2006. The probe said in its report that Bose did not die in the plane crash and the ashes at Renkoji temple are not his. However, the Indian Government rejected the findings of the Commission.

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In media

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Cinema

Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose: The Forgotten Hero, was a 2005 film made in Hindi and English, directed by Shyam Benegal.
Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose was a 1966 Hindi film directed by Hemen Gupta.
Subhas Ghare Fere Nai(Subhas Did Not Return Home) was a 1958 Bengali film.
Pehla Aadmi(The First Man) was a 1950 Hindi film directed by Bimal Roy.

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Documentary / Television

The Century of Warfare, was a 1994 English language documentary in made in the USA shows archival footage of Netaji.
War of the Springing Tiger was a 1984 English language documentary made in the UK for Channel 4 which examines the role of the Indian National Army during the Second World War.

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