Articles on Indian motion picture actors and directors.

Translated by SUCHITRA IYER Tales of madness, mischief & mayhem Before the overly dramatic movies with technologically enhanced backgrounds, simpler times existed. A compulsively readable collection of memoirs and stories of Bollywood’s who’s who, The Legends of Bollywood includes enthralling stories of the stars of the yesteryear. From Amitabh Bachchan’s first screen test to Badruddin Jamaluddin Kazi’s baptism into Johnny Walker, and from Dharmendra’s journey from a tractor driver to a legendary actor to Dimple Kapadia’s iconic comeback into the industry, this book includes everything that’s good, bad, and fabulous in Bollywood. With never-before-seen pictures, it is a sensational book that narrates the tales behind celebrated births and lamented deaths, secret romances and controversial moments, booming films and unforeseen flops. Penned by a man who was a constant witness to these moments, these stories have been pulled from the archives of his myriad memories. Raaj Grover was the production-in-charge of the prestigious Ajanta Arts in Mumbai, which was owned by Sunil Dutt. Grover was an integral part of the Dutt family. During his days in the film industry, he also dabbled in filmmaking. A poet at heart, he is known for his witty take on life and his joie de vivre. He currently lives in the USA.

Pramathesh Chandra Barua or P.C. Barua as he was known, was an enigma through his life. Born into a royal family, this prince-turned-actor-director changed the theatrical manner of stylised acting into the conversational manner of real-life situations. His rise as an actor-director was matched with tragic failures in his personal life. Strangely, the last stage of his life resembled that of the hero he made famous - Devdas. Alcohol became his nemesis, he was consumed by tuberculosis, and died an untimely death. This book traces the life and towering achievements of one of the legends of Indian cinema.

A spectacular collection that celebrates Bollywood’s most enduring superstars Hindi cinema has wielded a hypnotic charm over viewers for close to a century, with its melodious music, colourful drama and lively plotlines. But at the heart of its mystique is the galaxy of stars who continue to mesmerize audiences. Bollywood’s Top 20 is a definitive collection of original essays, paying tribute to the biggest stars of all time—from Ashok Kumar, Dilip Kumar, Dev Anand, Raj Kapoor, Nargis and Madhubala to Rajesh Khanna, Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Shah Rukh Khan, Kajol and Kareena Kapoor. Each piece offers unique insights into the struggles and triumphs, downfalls and scandals, and the inscrutable X factor of these talented actors that turned them into demigods and divas.

Filming the Gods examines the role and depiction of religion in Indian cinema, showing that the relationship between the modern and the traditional in contemporary India is not exotic, but part of everyday life. Concentrating mainly on the Hindi cinema of Mumbai, Bollywood, it also discusses India's other cinemas. Rachel Dwyer's lively discussion encompasses the mythological genre which continues India's long tradition of retelling Hindu myths and legends, drawing on sources such as the national epics of the Mahabharata and the Ramayana; the devotional genre, which flourished at the height of the nationalist movement in the 1930s and 40s; and the films made in Bombay that depict India's Islamicate culture, including the historical, the courtesan film and the 'Muslim social' genre. Filming the Gods also examines the presence of the religious across other genres and how cinema represents religious communities and their beliefs and practices. It draws on interviews with film stars, directors and producers as well as popular fiction, fan magazines and the films themselves. As a result, Filming the Gods is a both a guide to the study of film in religious culture as well as a historical overview of Indian religious film.

The Following Book Is The Most Authoritative And Exhaustive Biography Of One Of The All-Time Greats Of Indian Cinema. Dilip Kumar, Whose Career Spans Almost Six Decades, Stands Out As A Colossus In The Field Of Indian Cinema. Undeniably The Most Imitated Actor In Bellwood He Has Adapted Himself (And Remarkably Well At That) To The Changing Times And The New Age Innovations And Techniques, While Maintaining His Stamp Of Individuality. This Biography, By A Renowned And Seasonal Journalist, Delves Deep Into The Life And Times And The New Age Innovations And Techniques, While Maintaining His Stamp Of Individuality And Into His Relationships With The Film Fraternity. It Beings Out In Graphic Detail How An Introverted And Inhibited Youngster Metamorphosed Into A Thespian Par Excellence By The Sheer Dint Of His Determination, Perseverance And Capability. Beginning With His Childhood Years In Peshawar (Now In Pakistan), The Contents Go On To Describe The Experiences Of Dilip Kumar And His Family As They Moved To Deolali And Then To Bombay. The Author Recounts Dilip Kumar S Crucial Meeting With Devika Rani (The Then Reigning Star) In The Early 1940S, Which Was The Turning Point In His Life, In That He Bagged His First Film Assignment (Jwar Bhata, 1944). The Rest Is History. Dilip Kumar S Oeuvre Covers A Wide Genre Of Movies Including Social Dramas, Historical Romances And Light-Hearted Comedies. He Has Several Prestigious Awards To His Credit Including The Filmfare Best Actor Award (Eight Times, A Record), The Padma Bhushan (1991) And The Dadasaheb Phalke Award (1995). He Has Also Been Decorated With Pakistan S Highest Civilian Award, The Nishan-E-Imtiaz (1997). This Comprehensive Study Turns The Spotlight On Not Only Dilip Kumar The Actor But Also On Dilip Kumar The Human Being As A Son, A Brother, A Lover A Husband And Above All A Friend. In The Process, It Not Only Traces The Vicissitudes Of His Career But Also Reveals The Man Behind The Image His Strengths, His Foibles, His Passions, His Romances.

This work provides an introduction to the enormously successful world of Bollywood - the biggest film industry on the planet. It includes a selection of writings by some of the most prominent voices in Indian film writing and criticism.