Khushwant Singh : The Man In Bulb

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: A Bride for the Sahib and Other Stories, A History of the Sikhs, A History of the Sikhs: 1469–1838, A History of the Sikhs: 1839–2004, Acting Institute, Agnostic Khushwant : There Is No God, All India Radio, Allahabad, Allahabad University, Ayodhya, Black Jasmine, Burial at the Sea, Death at My Doorstep, Declaring Love in Four Languages, Delhi: A Novel, Deoria, Department of Mass Communication of UNESCO at Paris, Diction Trainer, G. N. Jha Hostel, Ghadar 1915: India's first armed revolution, Government Inter College Allahabad, Hindi Teacher, Hindustan Times, I Shall Not Hear the Nightingale, India, Indian National Congress, Information Officer of the Government of India in Toronto, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Khushwant Singh, Lal Krishna Advani, Maharashtra, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Not a Nice Man to Know: The Best of Khushwant Singh, Obituary, Paradise and Other Stories, Politics, Press Attaché, Public Officer for the Indian High Commission London, Ram Janma Bhoomi Movement Ayodhya, Ranjit Singh: The Maharajah of the Punjab, Sex Scotch and Scholarship: Selected Writings, Sir G. N. Jha Hostel, Sir Ganga Nath Jha Hostel, The Company of Women, The End of India, The Fall of the Kingdom of the Punjab, The Good the Bad and the Ridiculous, The History of Sikhs, The Illustrated History of the Sikhs, The Illustrated Weekly of India, The Man In Bulb, The Mark Of Vishnu and Other Stories, The National Herald, The Sikhs Today, The Sunset Club, The Voice of God and Other Stories, Tragedy of Punjab, Train to Pakistan, Truth Love and a Little Malice (an autobiography), Uncertain Liaisons Sex Strife and Togetherness in Urban India, University of Allahabad, UP, Uttar Pradesh, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, We Indians, Why I Supported the Emergency: Essays and Profiles, With Malice Towards One and All, Women and Men in My Life, Yojna

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA APRIL 04, 2014 11.55 P.M.

March 2014 was a disastrous month for the Hindi film industry . Out of 13 films released this month , only 2 films ; ” Queen ” and ” Ragini MMS 2 “ were hits . Remaining 11 films were resounding flops . A sad state of affair for the industry .

For me , though , it was a significant month . Month started with much awaited film ” Gulaab Gang “ . This Madhuri Dixit and Juhi Chawla starrer film has 2 students of mine . Tanvi Rao played an important part and Pawni Pandey sang a song in the film .

Month of March ended with 2 big films . ” O Teri “ and ” Dishkiyaoon ” . ” O Teri ” has 3 students of mine . Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi as actors and Alvira Agnihotri as co producer and costume designer .

My son Abhinav Chaturvedi made his debut as a lyricist with ” O Teri “ . His first ever song ” ………… Ummbakkum ………………. “ is a chart – buster .” Dishkiyaoon “ , though a flop , has 2 students of mine . Harman Baweja and a new comer Ayesha Khanna . They played male and female protagonist respectively .

Following links of Vidur Club News Video say my success story :

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

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Obituary :

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Nanda :

——————–

A very big star of yesteryear and epitome of Indian beauty , Nanda died on March 25, 2014 at the age of 75 .

Posting link of the blog , which I wrote about her :

Nanda : Pardesiyon Ko Hai Ik Din Jaanaa ….. http://wp.me/ptyXI-3kp

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New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

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First Week – March 07

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1 – Gulaab Gang ……………………………………… Tanvi Rao

…………………………………………………………… Pawni Pandey

2 – Total Siyapaa ……………………………………. X

3 – Queen ……………………………………………… X

Second Week – March 14

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1 – Bewakoofiyaan …………………………………… Sonam Kapoor

…………………………………………………………….. Ashish Singh

2 – W …………………………………………………….. Danish Pandor

3 – Neighbours ……………………………………….. X

Third Week – March 21

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1 – Ankhon Dekhi ……………………………………. X

2 – Gangs of Ghosts …………………………………. X

3 – Lakshmi ……………………………………………. Flora Saini

4 – Ragini MMS – 2 …………………………………… Divya Dutta

……………………………………………………………. Sonia Mehra

Fourth Week – March 28
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1 – O Teri ………………………………………………. Pulkit Samrat

……………………………………………………………. Bilal Amrohi

…………………………………………………………… Alvira Agnihotri

…………………………………………………………… Abhinav Chaturvedi

2 – Dishkiyaoon ……………………………………… Harman Baweja

…………………………………………………………… Ayesha Khanna

3 – Youngistaan …………………………………….. X

In total …………… 13 …………….. films got released in March . Out of these ………….. 13 ………… released films ……….. 07 ………… films have …………… 14 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 14 ……… persons , ………… 10 ………. are actors . Among the rest ………. 04 ……. , Pawni Pandey is the singer of ” Gulaab Gang “ . Ashish Singh is the Executive Producer of ” Bewakoofiyaan ” . Alvira Agnihotri is the co-producer and costume designer of ” O Teri “ and Abhinav Chaturvedi is the lyricist of the same film .

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TV Trivia & Me :

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1 – Vikas Manaktala is playing an important role in ” Main Na Bhoolungi “ on Sony TV .

2 – Maninder Singh is playing an important role in ” CID “ on Sony TV .

My ……………. 02 ……….. student in ………… 02 ……………. shows on TV .

As an acting trainer / acting tutor , though , it was not an important month , but still I am happy . My 14 students appeared in 07 films , and 02 student in 02 TV serials . Thus total number of students working in the month of March comes to 16 .

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I congratulate my above mentioned 16 students .

VIDUR Editing Studio and VIDUR Club would also like to wish them well in their glorious journey ahead .

May they shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

www.jaibhojpuri.com/profile/VidurChaturvedi

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: Aankhon Dekhi, Abhinav Chaturvedi, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alvira Agnihotri, Alvira Agnohotri, Ashish Singh, Ayesha Khanna, Bewakoofiyaan, Bilal Amrohi, Bollywood, CID, Danish Pandor, Diction Trainer, Dishkiyaoon, Film, Film Diary, Gulaab Gang, Harman Baweja, Hindi Teacher, Juhi Chawla, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Madhuri Dixit, Maharashtra, Main Na Bhoolungi, Maninder Singh, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nanda, O Teri !, Obituary, Parsesiyon Ko Hai Ik Din Jaanaa, Pawni Pandey, Pulkit Samrat, Queen, Ragini MMS 2, Sonam Kapoor, Sony TV, Tanvi Rao, Total Siyappa, Ummbakkum Ummbakkum, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Vikas Manaktala, Youngistan

TMC leaders including Mamata have consistently denied or downplayed the party’s links with Sen and Saradha. (Reuters)

When the Saradha Group’s Bengali daily Sakalbela began publication, Mamata Banerjee sent her best wishes. It was more than a customary greeting. It was an impassioned message that seemed to have come from the chief minister’s heart. (Also read: SEBI digs deeper, chit scam gets bigger )

“We will have to pass the dark night to begin our journey in the light of dawn,” she said. “An alert conscience, right direction, truth and fearless news is what people like. Today, many papers have deviated from that principle, and news has assumed personal and commercial dimensions. Let Sakalbela fulfill the people’s aspirations.”

In his 18-page letter to the CBI, Saradha group CMD Sudipta Sen named two Trinamool Congress MPs who he alleged had “blackmailed” him, “forced” him to buy several publications that formed the once formidable bouquet of the group’s media businesses.

TMC leaders including Mamata have consistently denied or downplayed the party’s links with Sen and Saradha. But mounting evidence suggests that the TMC, and its ministers and leaders, had been working closely with the company even before coming to power in Kolkata.

The relationship only grew deeper with time. Evidence of patronage from the Trinamool — for Saradha and other chit fund companies who raised money from poor investors — formed the basis for the plea for a CBI inquiry in a PIL that came up for hearing in Calcutta High Court on Thursday.

* On her maiden visit to Junglemahal after assuming office in July 2011, Mamata took along some “presents” for the people: seven well-equipped ambulances fitted out with critical care units, 50 motorbikes, 1,050 bicycles. All were donated by the Saradha Group.

A Saradha executive called Manoj Nagel is learnt to have told police that these ambulances were later used to ferry “heaps” of cash collected from investors in East and West Midnapore to the company’s head office at Midland Park in Salt Lake, Kolkata.

Asked about these “gifts” recently, Mamata said: “We accepted the charity on good faith, and did not know that these were from ill-gotten money.”

* Around the same time, Mamata donated six trauma care ambulances to Kolkata Police. The vehicles were said to have been bought by the Saradha Group.

* Saradha Realty Private Ltd, the group’s real estate wing, raised money on the promise of ambitious 19-storey residential towers in Contai, East Midnapore. But local municipality rules did not allow more than 14 storeys. So Saradha, with its “deep” reach in the Trinamool government, got the plan sanctioned by the urban development department in Kolkata as a “special case”, a top TMC source said. The project has not started, and investors have ransacked its offices.

* Trinamool sources confirmed that Saradha CMD Sudipta Sen, as a gesture of goodwill, regularly bought Mamata’s paintings. According to one estimate, the group spent over Rs 1.86 crore on the paintings. The group was also a major donor to the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.

* Somnath Dutta, a vice-president of Saradha Printing and Publishing Pvt Ltd who is now being questioned by police, was seen with TMC MP and actress Shatabdi Roy during her Lok Sabha campaign in Birbhum. Trinamool sources said Saradha contributed heavily to Roy’s campaign, including paying for vehicles and hotels. Dutta declined to comment on the matter.

* In 2009, after the Trinamool’s success in the Lok Sabha elections, Madan Mitra, now the state sports minister, was seen on stage with Sudipta Sen. Sen had just purchased land to build a temple “as grand as Akshardham” in Bishnupur in South 24-Parganas, and Mitra, then MLA from Bishnupur West, showered his blessings on him.

“We are all one family,” Mitra said. “I pray that you grow so big that your next programme is at (Kolkata’s) Salt Lake Stadium where huge numbers of spectators can be accommodated.”

Contacted after Saradha went bust, Mitra said: “I went because I was invited (to the function). I went to also speak with workers. The group had constructed hospitals and resorts in the area. I was offered the post of president of the union, and I accepted because it was a union of investors.”

* At the end of August 2011, football superstar Lionel Messi visited Kolkata for a friendly. Madan Mitra was one of the key organisers of the event. The Saradha Group donated several crore for the match that failed to attract enough sponsors. Asked for a comment, Mitra said: “The match was organized by an event management group. It was not a government event, so it does not matter who funded it.”

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I denounce Derek O’ Brien and his party’s parochial and dictatorial attitude. Shri Narendra Modi has not been found guilty of any crime by SIT appointed by honourable Supreme Court. Instead of calling Modi “butcher of Gujarat…..” , Mamata Banerjee should come clean on Saradha Chit Fund Scam.

[ As stated earlier, I have taken the facts from The Financial Express article. Link of the article was posted by Shri Kanchan Gupta on his twitter-handle. I am indebted and express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Politics Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, AITC, All India Trinamool Congress, Butcher of Gujarat, Derek O' Brien, Diction Trainer, Financial Express, Hindi Teacher, India, Junglemahal, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Maharashtra, Mamata Banerjee, Merchandise Division Vidur Acting Institute, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Narendra Modi, Politics, Sakalbela, Saradha Group, Saradha Scam, Shri Kanchan Gupta, Shri Narendra Modi, Sudipta Sen, Trinamool Congress, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA MAY 24, 2014 05.55 P.M.

Since I started writing my blogs, this is the first month when posting a blog, specially the Film Diary, is so delayed. It happened because of the ongoing elections of the 14th Lok Sabha and also because of the stupendous amount of work of my acting institute.

April was absolutely an uneventful month. Only 3 films, ” Main Tera Hero ” , ” 2 States ” and ” Bhootnath Returns “ were declared hits. ” 2 States “ is the latest member of 100 crore club of Hindi films.

As per my latest norm, I share 3 VIDUR CLUB NEWS VIDEOS, which amply illustrate my recent successes :

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

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New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

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First Week – April 04

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1 – Main Tera Hero ………………………………………. Varun Dhawan

2 – Jal ……………………………………………………….. X

3 – Honour Killing ……………………………………….. X

4 – Ibn-e-Batuta ………………………………………….. X

Second Week – April 11

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1 – 2 States ……………………………………………….. Arjun Kapoor

………………………………………………………………. Alia Bhatt

2 – The Dark Secrets of Tonhi ………………………. X

3 – Bhootnath Returns ……………………………….. Kishan Kumar

………………………………………………………………. Ranbir Kapoor

Third Week – April 18

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1 – Dekh Tamasha Dekh ……………………………… Vinay Jain

2 – Lucky Kabootar …………………………………… Eijaz Khan

……………………………………………………………… Kulraj Randhawa

Fourth Week – April 25
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1 – Revolver Rani …………………………………….. X

2 – Kanchi ………………………………………………. Hazel Croney

…………………………………………………………….. Mahima Choudhary

3 – Samrat & Co ……………………………………….. Madalsa Sharma

…………………………………………………………….. Priyanshu Chatterjee

…………………………………………………………….. Rajniesh Duggal

In total …………… 12 …………….. films got released in April . Out of these ………….. 12 ………… released films ……….. 07 ………… films have …………… 13 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 13 ……… persons , ………… 12 ……….. are actors . And the remaining ………. 01 ……. , Kishan Kumar is the Co-Producer of ” Bhootnath Returns ” .

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TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Vikas Manaktala is playing an important role in ” Main Na Bhoolungi “ on Sony TV .

My ……………. 01 ……….. student in ………… 01 ……………. shows on TV .

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Theatre & Me :

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1 – Smita Bansal is doing main lead in ” Hum Do Humare Woh “.

2 – Samir Soni is doing main lead in ” Anything But Love “.

My …………. 02 ………….. students in ………… 02 …………. plays .

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Commercials & Me :

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1 – Fardeen Khan is the Brand Ambassador of ” Provogue ” .

2 – Jacqueline Fernandez is the Brand Ambassador of ” The Body Shop “.

3 – Sid Makkar is the Brand Ambassador of ” Ford ” .

My ……… 03 ……… students in ………. 03 ……….. commercial campaign .

As an acting trainer / acting tutor , I bid adieu to month of April with satisfaction that my 13 students appeared in 07 films , 01 student in 01 TV serial , 02 students in 02 plays and 03 students appeared in 03 Ads also . Thus total number of students working in the month of April comes to 19 .

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I congratulate all my above mentioned 19 students .

VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to wish them well in their glorious journey ahead .

May they shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: 2 States, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alia Bhatt, Anything But Love, Arjun Kapoor, Bhootnath Retuns, Bollywood, Diction Trainer, Eijaz Khan, Fardeen Khan, Film, Film Diary, Ford, Hazel Crowney, Hindi Films, Hindi Teacher, Hum Do Hamare Woh, Jai Ho, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kanchi, Kishan Kumar, Kulraj Randhawa, Madalsa Sharma, Maharashtra, Mahima Choudhary, Main Na Bhoolungi, Main Tera Hero, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, O Teri !, One By Two, Priyanshu Chatterjee, Provogue, Rajneish Duggal, Ranbir Kapoor, Revolver Rani, Samir Soni, Samrat & Co, Sid Makkar, Smita Bansal, Sony TV, Varun Dhawan, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, Vidur Club News Video, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Film Diary, Vidur's Students, Vikas Manaktala

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JUNE 01 , 2014 11.45 A.M.

I thought to write this blog and post it on March 28, 2014, when Atul Agnihotri produced film ” O Teri “ got released. But I was unable to accomplish my wish because of two factors. First was the coming national elections of the 16th Lok Sabha and the second was the incessant and gruelling work pressure of my acting institute.

2014 Indian general election were conducted in 9 phases from 7 April 2014 to 12 May 2014 and the results of the election were declared on 16 May 2014. So watching evening and night news on various channels became a must and I was not able to sit and write my blog. Night after night, I sat in front of television set totally engrossed in the election news. As per my habit, I am not interested only in the new batch of my acting institute like few upstart and wannabe acting trainers. I have my social, political and national duties, commitments and obligation to fulfill too.

Then there were work related issues. These days I don’t even find time for lunch. Morning, evening and special classes take all my working hours and it is simply not possible to fit in some time for writing blogs in a 10 hour-long working day. So this much delayed blog is being posted today.

” O Teri “ got released on March 28, 2014 in approximately 1000 theatres across India. As per industry trade pundits it met with mixed response. But this Atul Agnihotri produced and Umesh Bist directed film is very close to my heart.

With Mr. Atul Agnihotri, Pulkit Samrat & Bilal Amrohi in the office of Mr. Atul Agnihotri

I am very close to producer Atul Agnihotri and his family. I have worked with his wife Alvira Agnihotri also. His sister-in-law Arpita Khan is also close to me. Atul ji is kind enough to call me whenever he wants an acting trainer for his actors. I worked with Hazel Keech for his ” Bodyguard “. I was again called by him to conduct acting workshop for the lead actors of his new venture ” O Teri “. As required, I started acting workshop with Pulkit Samrat and Bilal Amrohi in Atul ji’s office.

With Mr. Atul Agnihotri in His Office

With Pulkit Samrat & Bilal Amrohi in the office of Mr. Atul Agnihotri

I first trained Pulkit Samrat, when I was working with Mr. Kishore Namit Kapoor. After completion of the training, Pulkit was chosen for the role of Lakshya in Ekta Kapoor’s mega serial ” Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi ” [ 2006 ]. I, again worked with him privately in 2007 when he quit ” Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi “, and was searching for work. 6 years later, I worked with him briefly for ” Fukrey ” [ 2013 ]. So when I was called to train him for ” O Teri “, I was very happy. Thus with Pulkit Samrat, it is a 9-year old relationship. His fiance Shweta Rohira is also my student. Pulkit, unlike some other stars of his generation, is very hard-working and always smiling up – coming super star.

With Pulkit Samrat & Amit Kapoor in a Party

With my Wife, Pulkit Samrat & Amit Kapoor in a Party

Bilal Amrohi was new to me. I was pleasantly surprised, when I got to know that he is grandson of legendary producer – director late Kamal Amrohi. He is very emotional, yet he has impeccable comic – timing.

With Bilal Amrohi in the office of Mr. Atul Agnihotri

” O Teri “ is special to me for one more reason. One day I came to know that my son’s friend G. J. Singh has been signed as the music director of ” O Teri “ and his brother Jas a.k.a. Jaspreet is singing songs in the film. They met me one day and made me listen one particular song. It immediately caught my attention because of its very catchy tune and peppy lyrics. Song in question was ” ………….. Ummbakkum Ummbakkum ……………… “. I asked them, “who has written the lyrics?” They told me that the lyricist is none other but my son Abhinav Chaturvedi. I was surprised. My son made this baby step without my help. And thank God! he never allowed himself to be degraded for getting work. Unlike some uncouth revellers, who, to get a B-grade film, became factotum and doormat of their own student, he never allowed himself to become subservient to anyone.

With my Son Abhinav Chaturvedi in 2011

Abhinav Chaturvedi in April 2014

Irrespective of the box office verdict of ” O Teri “, I am happy to be associated with the film. Apart from Atul Agnihotri and Alvira Agnihotri, with whom I am so close, ” O Teri “ also has Pulkit Samrat, Bilal Amrohi, Jaspreet, G. J. Singh and my son Abhinav. They all are closely associated with ” O Teri “.

With Playback Singer Jaspreet

” O Teri “ remains and will always remain a special film for me. To commemorate ” O Teri “, I made a video and up-loaded the same on YouTube.

Vidur Club News Video 3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I congratulate all my above mentioned students and the team of ” O Teri “.

VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to wish them well.

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Association With Films Tagged: 16th Lok Sabha, 16th Lok Sabha Elections, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alvira Khan, Arpita Khan, Atul Agnihotri, Bilal Amrohi, Bodyguard, Bollywood, Diction Trainer, Ekta Kapoor, Film, Fukrey, G.J. Singh, Hazel Keech, Hindi Teacher, Jas, Jaspreet, Kamal Amrohi, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kishore Namit Kapoor, Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi, Lok Sabha, Maharashtra, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, O Teri !, Pulkit Samrat, Umesh Bist, Ummbakkum Ummbakkum, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JUNE 03, 2014 11.50 P.M.

Bhagwandas Mulchand Luthria aka Sudhir

1944 – 12 May 2014

Noted character artiste of yesteryear Bhagwandas Mulchand Luthria or Sudhir as he was lovingly called, passed away after battling through a prolonged lung illness. He died on 12 May 2014 at the age of 70. He had long been suffering from a lung infection.

What is most shocking is the fact nobody in the film industry is even talking about his sad demise. A bachelor throughout his life, he stayed at a bungalow in Lokhandwala, Andheri. A few days post his demise, Shah Rukh Khan took on to twitter and wrote, ”My prayers and may his soul rest in peace. Wonderful co-actor Sudhirji. Feel bad didn’t get to have dinner at his house.”

I know that Sudhir’s name wont ring a bell in the ears of many film lovers. Even keen connoisseurs of Hindi cinema would scratch their heads, might try to figure out or unsuccessfully try to remember and then fail to recognize the persona and identity of an actor called Sudhir. Nothing much is available about his body of work or about his personal life in the print or electronic media. But if film lovers happen to see some of his pictures, they will immediately recognize him. He was quite popular figure among the movie-goers. Who can fail to recognize him in the pictures posted below?

A still from the film ‘Satte Pe Satta’ – His most iconic film

Sudhir’s acting was always complimented with his dramatic outfits.

A still from the film ‘Dharmatma’

He was best known for his role in the film Satte Pe Satta with Amitabh Bachchan. He acted in over 200 films in a career spanning from 1962 to 2009. He was one of Bollywood’s best known baddies from the 1970s through to the 1990s.

He would usually play the second-in-command sidekick to villains Ajit, Premnath and Pran or the torturous police inspector or a sleazy man. He was most known for his shrill voice, long moustache and sideburns. He starred in at least a dozen Amitabh Bachchan movies, such as Satte Pe Satta and Shaan. His biggest claim to fame was probably in Feroz Khan’s 1974 hit Khote Sikkay, as the handicapped thief in Dev Anand’s Hare Rama Hare Krishna (1971) and in Shah Rukh Khan-starrer Baadshah (1999). His recent and last film appearances were in Jhoom Barabar Jhoom (2007) and Victoria House (2009).

He was also filmmaker Milan Luthria’s paternal uncle.

Few films gave him decent screen time and well-etched characters. Feroz Khan’s superhit ” Khote Sikkay ” [ 1974 ] was an exception. Here Sudhir got a chance to show his acting skills. Later, they did sequel of the film ” Khote Sikkay “ called ” Kachche Heere “, where Sudhir reprised his earlier role. But the film did not work at the Box Office.

Sudhir was also a regular in almost every Navketan Film after 1970s. Sudhir even worked with Ravi Tandon in hit films like ” Muqaddar ” and ” Majboor “.

Though his illness distanced him from everyone in the film fraternity, his contribution to the movies cannot be ignored. It is surely a loss for his fans.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I offer my condolences and prayers to the departed soul.

VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to express profound grief.

[ For this blog, I have taken materials from Wikipedia and a website called http://www.businessofcinema.com

All the photos of Sudhir ji have been copied from a website called http://www.ibnlive.in.com

I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Ajit, Amitabh Bachchan, Baadshah, Bhagwandas Mulchand Luthria, Bollywood, Dev Anand, Dharmatma, Diction Trainer, Feroz Khan, Film, Hare Rama Hare Krishna, Hindi Teacher, Jhoom Barabar Jhoom, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Khote Sikkay, Maharashtra, Majboor, Milan Luthria, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Muqaddar, Navketan Films, Obituary, Pran, Premnath, Ravi Tandon, Satte Pe Satta, Shaan, Shah Rukh, Shah Rukh Khan, Sudhir, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog

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MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JUNE 06, 2014 08.05 P.M.

This is the 61st edition of Vidur’s Film Diary. 5 long, momentous and eventful years have passed since I started writing Vidur’s Film Diary to chronicle my monthly achievements in the film industry. I post Vidur’s Film Diary in the first week of every month. I am ecstatic that I did not miss a single month till date.

On this historic day, I must express it with profound sadness that the 61st month, i.e. May 2014 is the worst month of my acting training career till date. Though 17 films got released in May, but representation of my students is negligible. For the first time only 04 students of mine got work in this month. But what can one do if ” JHAND ” films are being made? What can one do if a ” JHAND ” newcomer hits the screen, becomes butt of jokes and is universally panned and ridiculed by critics and general public alike for his ” JHAND ” acting, but is praised to the skies by his equally ” JHAND ” trainers? In such ” JHAND ” times it is advisable to keep quiet and wait for one of the biggest debuts of 2014 and 4 most outstanding debuts of 2015.

I am posting links of 4 Vidur Club News Videos. They provide a pictorial testimony of my unprecedented accomplishments in 2014 :

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

4 – ” Khatron Ke Khiladi – 5 ” : http://youtu.be/UYPcFYWC0xg

===============

Obituary :

===============

Sudhir :

—————–

A known character artiste of many hits and super hit films, Sudhir a.k.a. Bhagwandas Mulchand Luthria died in Mumbai.

He died on 12 May 2014 at the age of 70. He had long been suffering from a lung infection. I am posting link of the blog, which I have written about him as a tribute :

Remembering Sudhir http://wp.me/ptyXI-3mD

=============================

New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

=============================

First Week – May 02

————————————————

1 – Kya Dilli Kya Lahore ………………………………………. X

2 – Purani Jeans ………………………………………………… X

3 – The Dirty MMS ……………………………………………… X

Second Week – May 09

——————————————–——–

1 – Hawaa Hawaai …………………………………………….. X

2 – Khwaabb ……………………………………………………. X

3 – Koyelaanchal ……………………………………………… X

4 – Love U Crazy Girl ………………………………………… X

5 – Mastram ……………………………………………………. X

6 – Manjunath …………………………………………………. Divya Dutta

…………………………………………………………………….. Anjori Alagh

7 – Yeh Hai Bakrapur ……………………………………….. X

Third Week – May 16

————————————————-

1 – Children Of War …………………………………………. X

2 – M3 – Midsummer Midnight Mumbai ………………. X

3 – The Xpose …………………………………………………. X

Fourth Week – May 23
——————————————–

1 – Heropanthi ………………………………………………. X

Fifth Week – May 30

——————————————–

1 – Citylights …………………………………………………. X

2 – Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi ……………………. X

3 – Tum Ho Yaara ………………………………………….. Ganesh Venkatraman

………………………………………………………………….. Kalpana Pandit

In total …………… 17 …………….. films got released in May . Out of these ………….. 17 ………… released films ……….. 02 ………… films have …………… 04 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 04 ……… persons , all the ………… 04 ……….. are actors . Kalpana Pandit, apart from acting, is also the Co- Producer of ” Tum Ho Yaara ” .

==========================

New Regional Films & Me :

==========================

1 – Telugu : Nag Chaitanya is doing lead role in ” Manam “.

My ………….. 01 ……………. student in ……….. 01 ………….. regional film .

======================

TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Mrunal Thakur is playing an important role in ” Kumkum Bhagya “ on Zee TV .

2 – Kishwer Merchantt is playing an important role in ” Madhubala – Ek Ishq Ek Junoon “ on Colors TV.

My ……………. 02 ……….. students in ………… 02 ……………. shows on TV .

=======================

Commercials & Me :

=======================

1 – Saif Ali Khan is the Brand Ambassador of ” Denver Deo ” .

My ………….. 01 …………… student in …………… 01 …………… commercial campaign .

As an acting trainer / acting tutor it was the worst month of my career in 5 years. My 04 students appeared in 02 films , 02 students in 02 TV serials , 01 student in 01 regional film and 01 student appeared in 01 Ad also . Thus total number of students working in the month of May comes to just 08 . It is all time low.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I congratulate all my above mentioned 08 students .

VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to wish them well in their glorious journey ahead .

May they shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Anjori Alagh, Bollywood, Colors TV, Denver Deo, Diction Trainer, Divya Dutta, Film, Film Diary, Ganesh Venkatraman, Hawaa Hawaai, Heropanti, Hindi Teacher, Jai Ho, Kalpana Pandit, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 5, Kishwer Merchantt, Kuku Mathur Ki Jhand Ho Gayi, Kumkum Bhagya, Kya Dilli Kya Lahore, Madhubala - Ek Ishq Ek Junoon, Maharashtra, Main Tera Hero, Manam, Manjunath, Mastram, Mrunal Thakur, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nag Chaitanya, O Teri !, One By Two, Purani Jeans, Rohit Shetty, Saif Ali Khan, Sudhir, The Xpose, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, Vidur Club News Video, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Zee Tv

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JUNE 17, 2014 00.20 A.M.

AMBASSADOR

1958 – 25 May 2014

It pains me a lot and saddens me to no end as I write this blog about the demise of Ambassador car. It was owner’s pride once upon a time. It was a car of power once upon a time. It was object of desire once upon a time. People of my generation affectionately used to call it ” Amby “, a streetcar named “Amby”. And it is sad to know that my ” Amby ” now ceases to exist . Today, while I am writing this blog, I am grief-stricken and numb.

But I have now become immune. It is the 9th blog about vanishing objects of my younger days, my growing years, my formative period. My first blog in the Sunset Boulevard section was about ” Bajaj Scooter “. I wrote it on December 28, 2009. One fine morning I read in the news paper that HAMARA BAJAJ wont be manufactured any more. The year was 2009. Within 5 years [ from 2009 to 2014 ] , 08 more objects of my growing years left me for ever, leaving a flood of sweet-sour memories to remember and mourn. They just cease to exist now. After ” HAMARA BAJAJ ” it was the turn of ” FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM “. Then it was the turn was of ” VANISHING GRAVES “, ” CASSETTE WALKMAN “, ” KAMALISTAN STUDIO “, ” CHAVANNI “, ” ROAD MILESTONES ” and ” LAKSHMI TALKIES “, a cinema hall of Allahabad.

Now I know that anything will disappear any time and will cease to exist. Ambassador car is the 9th to walk into the sunset but certainly it is not going to be the last one. Few more things of my younger years will vanish soon and will become memory and history. One day I myself will walk into the sunset boulevard. But as long as I am alive, it hurts me as I find that a particular object of my life, a part of my being, an integral paraphernalia of my younger days will be no more with me. Ambassador is the 9th but definitely not the last one. With Ambassador, a part of my life is gone forever.

Ambassador – The Symbol of Power

The Ambassador was a car manufactured by Hindustan Motors of India. It has been in production since 1958 with few improvements or changes and is based on the Morris Oxford III model, first made by the Morris Motors Limited at Cowley, Oxford in the United Kingdom from 1956 to 1959.

Despite its British origins, the Ambassador is considered as a definitive Indian car and is fondly called “The grand old lady of Indian roads”. The automobile is manufactured by Hindustan Motors at its Uttarpara plant near Kolkata, West Bengal. All the prominent Indian politicians of yore used the Ambassador. Some like Sonia Gandhi, used the Ambassador till now.

As of 25 May 2014, the Hindustan Motors has suspended the production of the Ambassador

Decline & Fall of Ambassador

My father was fond of Chevrolet cars. So we never possessed the Ambassador in Deoria. But I do remember the red-beacon fitted Amby of the ruling class of my generation, which used to inspire awe and admiration in me. Years have passed. Ambassador slowly lost the glory and power attached to it. It, in its later avatar , became popular as a taxi. What a sad fall of the grand old Ambassador! And now it passes into oblivion. Its journey is complete.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I mourn the death of my Amby.

VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to join in mourning.

RIP ! my Amby. Your enviable fortune got changed in the changing times. Alas ! Time is cruel.

[ I have quoted some facts about Ambassador from Wikipedia. I am indebted. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Sunset Boulevards Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Ambassador Car, Amby, Bajaj Scooter, CASSETTE WALKMAN, CHAVANNI, Chevrolet, Deoria, Diction Trainer, FAMILY PHOTO ALBUM, HAMARA BAJAJ, Hindi Teacher, Hindustan Motors, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, KAMALISTAN STUDIO, Kolkata, Lakshmi Talkies, Maharashtra, Morris Motors Ltd, Morris Oxford, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Oxford, ROAD MILESTONES, Sonia Gandhi, Uttarpara, VANISHING GRAVES, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, West Bengal

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 05, 2014 02.25 P.M.

लो आज हम ने तोड़ दिया रिश्ता -ए -उमीद ;

लो अब कभी गिला न करेंगे किसी से हम ॥

After a dull May 2014, June 2014 also ended as a lacklustre month. From 30 / 40 students, who used to work in the Indian film industry in a month, it has now come down to 12 / 15 students in a month. It is almost half. But it does not mean that I am slipping down on the sandy, slippery path of the tinsel town. The main reason for this whittled list is that I have now decided and stopped taking credit of the 7 years of shared, sham and shameful legacy [ August 2005 to August 2012 ] .

It is derogatory and worthless to fight for credit. It is beyond my dignity to mention names of those students, who despite being my students, don’t acknowledge my contribution in their professional lives. It is a 7-year long deafening silence from their side. So I also refrain from mentioning their names. From my side, I make them free from any obligation. From now on I don’t have any responsibility towards them and they also don’t owe me anything. Good luck to them! May they be blessed in their lives!

July is going to bring a happy news and it is going to be a month of celebration. A new film ” Lekar Hum Deewana Dil “ is going to be released on July 04, 2014. Armaan Jain, grandson of legendary Raj Kapoor, and cousin of Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor, is making his debut in the said film. He is my student. And he is not uncouth, uncultured and ungrateful like few others.

I am posting links of the 04 Vidur Club News videos. You can watch them for the full understanding of my body of work in 2014.

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

4 – ” Khatron Ke Khiladi – 5 ” : http://youtu.be/UYPcFYWC0xg

=============================

New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

=============================

First Week – June 06

————————————————

1 – Filmistaan ………………………………………………….. X

2 – Holiday-A Soldier Is Never Off Duty ……………….. X

3 – The World Before Her …………………………………… Marc Robinson

Second Week – June 13

——————————————–——–

1 – Chal Bhaag …………………………………………………. X

2 – Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai ………………………………… X

3 – Fugly ………………………………………………………… Jimmy Sheirgill

…………………………………………………………………….. Kabir Sadanand

4 – 18.11 ( A Code of Secrecy…..! ) ………………………. X

5 – Nari Teri Shakti Anokhi ………………………………… X

6 – Unforgettable ……………………………………………… Hazel Crowney

Third Week – June 20

————————————————-

1 – Humshakals ……………………………………………….. Saif Ali Khan

……………………………………………………………………… Sajid Khan

……………………………………………………………………… Adhir Bhatt

2 – The Untold Story Ahinsa ……………………………….. X

3 – Guardians …………………………………………………… X

Fourth Week – June 27
——————————————–

1 – Ek Villain ………………………………………………….. X

In total …………… 13 …………….. films got released in June 2014. Out of these ………….. 13 ………..…… released films ……….. 04 ………… films have …………… 07 ………..……. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 07 ……… persons , ………. 04 ……… are actors . Among the rest …………. 03 ………… Sajid Khan and Adhir Bhatt are the director and dialogue writer of ” Humshakals “ respectively. And Kabir Sadanand is the director of ” Fugly ” .

==========================

New Regional Films & Me :

==========================

1 – Bengali : Jeet is doing lead role in ” Game “.

My ………….. 01 ……………. student in ……….. 01 ………….. regional film .

======================

TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Krushna Abhishek is hosting a show ” Entertainment Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega – Season 5 “ on Sony TV .

My ……………. 01 ……….. student in ………… 01 ……………. show on TV .

======================

Theatre & Me :

======================

1 – Adhir Bhatt is playing lead in the play ” Bombed “.

My …………. 01 ………….. student in ………… 01 …………. play .

=======================

Commercials & Me :

=======================

1 – Varun Dhawan is the Brand Ambassador of ” New Pond’s Men ” .

2 – Hritik Roshan is the Brand Ambassador of ” Emami ” .

My ………….. 02 …………… students in …………… 02 …………… commercial campaigns .

As I have mentioned earlier, it was not a significant and satisfying month as an acting trainer / acting tutor. My 07 students appeared in 04 films , 01 student in 01 TV serial , 01 student in 01 regional film , 01 student in 01 play and 02 students appeared in 02 Ads also . Thus total number of students working in the month of June comes to 12 . It is not what it used to be. But I have mentioned the reason in the beginning of the blog.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , I congratulate my above mentioned 12 students . I pray for their bright future and everlasting stupendous success

VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise would also like to wish them well in their glorious journey ahead .

May God bless them and they dazzle and shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Adhir Bhatt, Armaan Jain, Bengali, Bengali Super Star Jeet, Bollywood, Bombed, Brand Ambassador, Chal Bhaag, Diction Trainer, Ek Villain, Emami, Entertainment Ke Liye Kuchh Bhi Karega-Season 5, Film, Film Diary, Filmistaan, Fugly, Game, Hazel Crowney, Hindi Teacher, Holiday - A Soldier Is Never Off Duty, Hritik Roshan, Humshakals, Jai Ho, Jeet, Jimmy Sheirgill, Kabir Sadanand, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kareena Kapoor, Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 5, Krushna Abhishek, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai, Maharashtra, Main Tera Hero, Marc Robinson, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, New Pond's Men, O Teri !, One By Two, Raj Kapor, Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Sajid Khan, Sony TV, Super Star Jeet, Varun Dhawan, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, Vidur Club News Video, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 17, 2014 00.15 A.M.

Hi Armaan,

It is nice to get in touch with you at the time when you have made your debut and your first film has been released. As I am writing this blog, I am remembering all the Sundays which I spent at your South Mumbai residence when I used to come for the classes. It was years ago but it seems as if it happened just yesterday. I particularly remember your illustrious parents; reticent Manoj Ji and larger than life and exuberant Rima Ji. Rima Ji was always nice and kind to me. Whenever I talked to her, I felt, as if I am talking to legendary and immortal Raj Kapoor.

With Armaan Jain’s Proud Parents at their Home

I do remember my first day with you. It was a hesitant but confident start. I am unable to forget your child-like innocence even after so many years. Your “Rishi Kapoor of Bobby” kind of look is still fresh in my memory.

After many months, classes got a break when you started assisting Karan Johar in his film “Student Of The Year”.

I started with you once again before commencement of shooting of your debut film “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil”. It was a sweet surprise to watch a more confident and mature avatar of yours.

With Armaan Jain & His Mother Rima Jain

Because of this long association, I was very excited and was eagerly waiting for your debut film “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil”. And finally it got released on July 04, 2014.

I am yet to see the film. But I am getting the news that it is not doing well at the box office. As per trade circles it is not going to make its producers happy. Though it is not a good or encouraging news for a newcomer, such things do happen. And in this industry it even happened to some of our greats, rather the greatest.

Armaan, I must make you aware that the first film of RK Films “Aag”, made by your illustrious maternal grandfather Late Raj Kapoor, was also a disastrous flop. “Jwaar Bhata”, the first film of legendary Dilip Kumar , was a dud at the box office. Your cousin Kareena Kapoor’s first film “Refugee” got lukewarm response. Your other cousin Ranbir Kapoor‘s debut film “Saawariya” was also a resounding flop. So you seem to be in an august company.

Armaan, a film’s box office run is not the only criteria of success. Though the first milestone of a long journey is important but ultimately what matters is the completion of the journey. And your remarkable journey did not start in 2014. It started in 1929 with the release of “Cinema Girl” and got prominence in 1931 with the first Indian talkie “Alam Ara”. Shri Prithvi Raj Kapoor starred in both the films. It happened 85 years ago. You are the latest torch-bearer of an illustrious legacy, a shinning 85-year-old saga. Just one smeared milestone is not going to tarnish the unparalleled and never seen before cinematic journey. The 85-year-old saga has found a new mascot in you and you have to be ready for that responsibility.

I have made a video celebrating the saga of 85 years of Kapoors. For me this saga is not going to be diminished by just one film. Do watch the video and let me know your reaction :

Vidur Club News Video -5 [ ARMAAN JAIN ] : http://youtu.be/cnuWJ3Vwqbo

Armaan, I am happy that I wrote my first open letter to your cousin Ranbir Kapoor on November 29, 2009. Exactly after 5 years I am writing my latest open letter to you.

I congratulate you on the occasion of the release of your first film. On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise , I wish you all the success and stardom never attained before by anyone and unseen even by the mightiest.

Waiting for your next film and promise to meet you on the eve of release of your next film.

Yours ,

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Open Letters Tagged: Aag, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alam Ara, Armaan Jain, Bobby, Bollywood, Cinema Girl, Diction Trainer, Dilip Kumar, Film, Hindi Teacher, Jwaar Bhata, Jwar Bhata, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Karan Johar, Kareena Kapoor, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Maharashtra, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, R. K. Films, Raj Kapoor, Ranbir Kapoor, Refugee, Rima Jain, Rima Ji, Rishi Kapoor, Saawariya, Student Of The Year, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, Vidur Club News Video, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA JULY 28, 2014 00.30 A.M.

Two days back, on July 26, 2014 in the Mumbai edition of Times of India, I read about an on-line poll conducted by Times of India group. It was about the most promising male and female newcomers of 2013. The result of this poll is based on the votes received by Times of India on itimes.com/polls.

The list includes 10 female and 10 male lead actors of Hindi film industry. I am happy to announce that in the list of 20 debut making stars of the Hindi film industry, I have 04 students. Among the female actors, Urvashi Rautela made her debut in ” SINGH SAAB THE GREAT ” and among the males, Girish Kumar , Ram Charan and Hussain Kuwajerwala made their debut in ” RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA ” , ” ZANJEER ” and ” SHREE ” respectively.

I am posting here the article from Times of India :

Scores of newcomers enter Bollywood every year, but only a few manage to create a place for themselves in this industry where fate changes every Friday.

After considering the votes we received on http://www.itimes.com/polls and our votes, here is our list of the most promising female newcomers of 2013.

TIMES POLL 2013

PROMISING NEWCOMER FEMALE

1 – VAANI KAPOOR = ” Shuddh Desi Romance “

2 – TAMANNAAH = ” Himmatwala “

3 – TAAPSEE PANNU = ” Chashme Baddoor “

4 – AMYRA DASTUR = ” Issaq “

5 – RHEA CHAKRABORTY = ” Mere Dad Ki Maruti “

6 – POONAM PANDEY = ” Nasha “

7 – URVASHI RAUTELA = ” SINGH SAAB THE GREAT “

8 – ELLI AVRAM = ” Mickey Virus “

9 – NEHA HINGE = ” Love U Soniyo “

10 – PALLAVI SHARDA = ” Besharam “

I am posting photo of Urvashi Rautela with me. It was clicked after the completion of training.

Vidur Acting Institute – Batch No. 68 alumna Urvashi Rautela With Me in My Office

TIMES POLL 2013

PROMISING NEWCOMER MALE

Scores of newcomers enter Bollywood every year, but only a few manage to create a place for themselves in this industry where fate changes every Friday.

After considering the votes we received on http://www.itimes.com/polls and our votes, here is our list of the most promising male newcomers of 2013.

1 – DHANUSH = ” Raanjhanaa “

2 – SUSHANT SINGH RAJPUT = ” Kai Po Che “

3 – MANISH PAUL = ” Mickey Virus “

4 – GIRISH KUMAR = ” RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA “

5 – RAM CHARAN = ” ZANJEER “

6 – SALMAN YUSUF KHAN = ” ABCD “

7 – HUSSAIN KUWAJERWALA = ” Shree “

8 – JITIN GULATI = ” Warning “

9 – KARAN KUNDRA = ” Horror Story “

10 – TANUJ VIRWANI = ” Love U Soniyo “

I am posting my photo with Ram Charan, which I got clicked in his vanity van during the location shooting of his Hindi debut film ” ZANJEER “. I am also posting links of 2 Hindustan Times articles. It appeared in Hindustan Times during the training, while the shooting was still going on.

With Ram Charan in his van – During Shooting of “Zanjeer”

Link of Articles about Me & Ram Charan in News Papers :
=================================================

1 – HT Cafe Article No. 1 about Vidur & Ram Charan : Ram Charan trains in Hindi for Zanjeer remake – Hindustan Times http://lnkd.in/KYAnnp

2 – HT Cafe Article No. 2 about Vidur & Ram Charan : Learning the desi lingo – Hindustan Times http://bit.ly/I8WXKS

At present I don’t have any photo of Girish Kumar and Hussain Kuwajerwala with me. But Girish Kumar did speak about me and my training. I am posting link of an interview of him, which was published in Screen on the eve of the release of ” RAMAIYA VASTAVAIYA” .

Link of Article about Me & Girish Kumar in News Paper :
=================================================

Screen Article about Vidur & Girish Kumar : Going Desi Cool – http://epaper.screenindia.com/137713/Screen-/19-25-July-2013#dual/52/1

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I would like to congratulate my above mentioned 04 students .

May God bless them in abundance !

[ List of the MOST PROMISING NEWCOMER - MALE & FEMALE and other information have been taken from Times of India ( July 26, 2014 ). I express my gratitude. I would also like to thank Ms. Priya Gupta and Ms.Garima Sharma of Times of India for giving us this valuable piece of information. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

google.com/+VidurChaturvedi

Filed under: Acting Training Tagged: ABCD, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Acting Training, Amyra Dastur, Besharam, Bollywood, CHASHME BADDOOR, Dhanush, Diction Trainer, ELLI AVRAM, Film, Garima Sharma Times of India, Girish Kumar, Himmatwala, Hindi Teacher, Horror Story, Hussain Kuwajerwala, Issaq, JITIN GULATI, Kai Po Che, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, KARAN KUNDRA, Love U Soniyo, Maharashtra, MANISH PAUL, Mere Dad Ki Maruti, Mickey Virus, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nasha, NEHA HINGE, PALLAVI SHARDA, Poonam Pandey, Priya Gupta Times of India, Promising Newcomers of 2013, Raanjhanaa, Ram Charan, Ramaiya Vastavaiya, RHEA CHAKRABORTY, SALMAN YUSUF KHAN, Shree, Shuddh Desi Romance, Singh Saab The Great, Sushant Singh Rajput, TAAPSEE PANNU, TAMANNAAH, Tanuj Virwani, Times of India, Urvashi Rautela, VAANI KAPOOR, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Warning, Zanjeer

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 01, 2014 08.15 P.M.

[ DECLARATION : After May, 2014, I have started mentioning names of only those students in my diary, who respect me and accept my humble contribution in their journey of cinema. All the other students, who, though, worked this month but deny my contribution and refuse to even acknowledge me, are not mentioned. They are free from any obligation from my side. GOD BLESS THEM! ]

After a dull May 2014 and June 2014, July 2014 brought happy news on my career front and it became a month of celebration. A new, significant and important film ” Lekar Hum Deewana Dil “ was released on July 04. Armaan Jain, grandson of legendary Raj Kapoor, made his debut in the said film. He is my student.

I am posting links of the 05 videos. You can watch them for the full understanding of my body of work in 2013 – 2014 till July.

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

4 – ” Khatron Ke Khiladi – 5 ” : http://youtu.be/UYPcFYWC0xg

5 – ARMAAN JAIN : http://youtu.be/cnuWJ3Vwqbo

===============

Obituary :

===============

Zohra Sehgal :

—————————

The grand old lady of Indian film and theatre world died in New Delhi on July 10, 2014 at the age of 102. From Prithvi Raj Kapoor to Ranbir Kapoor, she worked with 4 generation of Kapoors. An incredible feat indeed.

To commemorate her remarkable journey, I am re-posting the blog, which I wrote when she turned 100 years young in 2012.

Kamal N. Chaturvedi @VidurChaturvedi ·

Wrote this on 100th BD of Zohra Sahgal. Posting it again after her death. Zohra Sahgal : A Glorious Century of Life http://wp.me/ptyXI-1W9

Sona :

—————

A starlet of Hindi films, a look-alike of Madhubala, who did several insignificant films and then married Haji Mastan and faded away from public memory, died on July 19, 2014 at the age of 65.

Arun Dutt

——————

Son of legendary actor-producer-director Guru Dutt and playback singer Geeta Dutt, Arun Dutt passed away on July 26, 2014 at the age of 58 due to multiple organ failure.

As a producer he made an action film ” Khule Aam ” [ 1992 ] .

=============================

New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

=============================

First Week – July 04

————————————————

1 – Lekar Hum Deewana Dil …………………………. Armaan Jain

………………………………………………………………. Saif Ali Khan

………………………………………………………………. Shweta Pandit

2 – Bobby Jasoos ………………………………………. X

3 – The Dirty Dances ………………………………….. X

Second Week – July 11

——————————————–——–

1 – Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania ……………………. Varun Dhawan

……………………………………………………………….. Alia Bhatt

2 – Bollywood Villa …………………………………….. X

3 Munna Mange Memsaab …………………………… X

Third Week – July 18

————————————————-

1 – Amit Sahni Ki List …………………………………. X

2 – Hate Story 2 ………………………………………… X

3 – Pizza ………………………………………………….. Akshay Oberoi

4 – Bazar-E-Husn ……………………………………… Reshmi Ghosh

5 – Riyasat ………………………………………………. Aryeman Ramsay

6 – Aaj Ka Fashion Trend …………………………… Atishri Sarkar

Fourth Week – July 25
——————————————–

1 – Kick …………………………………………………. Jacqueline Fernandez

……………………………………………………………. Alvira Agnihotri

In total …………… 13 …………….. films got released in July . Out of these ………….. 13 ………… released films ……….. 07 ………… films have …………… 11 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 11 ……… persons , ………. 08 ……… are actors . Among the rest …………. 03 ………… Saif Ali Khan is the co-producer of “Lekar Hum Deewana Dil”. Shweta Pandit is the singer and she sang a song in the above mentioned film. And Alvira Agnihotri is the costume designer of “Kick” .

==========================

New Regional Films & Me :

==========================

1 – Bhojpuri : Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi is doing lead role in ” Benam Badshah “.

My ………….. 01 ……………. student in ……….. 01 ………….. regional film .

======================

TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Sonali Bendre is judging ” Cine Stars Ki Khoj “ on Zee TV .

2 – Ankur Nayyar is playing an important role in ” Bharat Ka Veer Putra – Maharana Pratap “ on Sony TV.

My ……………. 02 ……….. students in ………… 02 ……………. shows on TV .

======================

Theatre & Me :

======================

1 – Kalki Koechlin is playing lead in the play ” Hamlet The Clown Prince “.

My …………. 01 ………….. student in ………… 01 …………. play .

=======================

Commercials & Me :

=======================

1 – Ranbir Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” Hero Scooters ” .

2 – Ranbir Kapoor is the face of ” Ask Me ” .

3 – Pulkit Samrat is the face of ” Snapdeal.com ” .

4 – Imran Khan is the Brand Ambassador of ” Purer’r Shot ” .

5 – Sonam Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” Colgate Visible White”.

6 -Sonam Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” L’OREAL “.

7- Arjun Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” Philips Pro Skin Trimmers “.

8 – Shazahn Padamsee is the Brand Ambassador of ” Ketomac “.

9 – Alia Bhatt is the Brand Ambassador of ” Hero Motocorp ” .

10 – Saif Ali Khan is the Brand Ambasador of ” Denver Deo “.

11 – Katrina Kaif is the face of ” Lux ” .

12 – Katrina Kaif is the Brand Ambassador of ” Panasonic “.

13 – Priyanka Chopra is the Brand Ambassador of ” Rajnigandha Elaichi “.

14 – Kareena Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” Slide “.

15 – Kareena Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” Lakme “.

16 – Arjun Rampal is the Brand Ambassador of ” Nivea Men “.

My ………….. 12 …………… students in …………… 16 …………… commercial campaigns .

As an acting trainer / acting tutor , July 2014 was a remarkable month for me. My student Armaan Jain made his debut as a lead actor. My 11 students appeared in 07 films , 02 students in 02 TV serials , 01 student in 01 regional film , 01 student in 01 play and 12 students appeared in 16 Ads also . Thus total number of students working in the month of July comes to 27 . And as I have stated earlier, I have mentioned names of only those students, who respect me and accept my contribution in their journey of cinema.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I congratulate my above mentioned 27 students .

May God bless them and they shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Some of the biggest star sons / daughters are currently being trained by me and they are going to make their debut in 2015.

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alia Bhatt, Alvira Agnihotri, Amit Sahni Ki List, Anjani Kumar Chaturvedi, Ankur Nayyar, Arjun Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Armaan Jain, Arun Dutt, Ask Me, Bharat Ka Veer Putra - Maharana Pratap, Bhojpuri Benam Badshah, Bobby Jasoos, Bollywood, Brand Ambassador, Cine Stars Ki Khoj, Colgate Visible White, Denver Deo, Diction Trainer, Film, Film Diary, Geeta Dutt, Guru Dutt, Haji Mastan, Hamlet - The Clown Prince, Hero Motocorp, Hero Scooters, Hindi Teacher, Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania, Imran Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Jai Ho, Kalki Koechlin, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kareena Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Ketomac, Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 5, Khatron Ke Khiladi 5, Kick, L'OREAL, Lakme, Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, Lux, Madhubala, Maharashtra, Main Tera Hero, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Nivea Men, O Teri !, Obituary, One By Two, Panasonic, Philips Pro Skin Trimmers, Prithvi Raj Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Pulkit Samrat, Purer'r Shot, Raj Kapoor, Rajnigandha Elaichi, Ranbir Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan, Shazahn Padamsee, Shweta Pandit, Slide, Snapdeal.com, Sona, Sonali Bendre, Sonam Kapoor, Sony TV, Varun Dhawan, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Channel, Vidur's Students, Zee Tv, Zohra Sehgal

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 08, 2014 08.50 P.M.

My fascination with Hindi film heroines started in mid 60s. In the dark environs of Amar Jyoti Talkies, Deoria, my rendezvous with Hindi cinema took place with Rajendra Kumar and B. Saroja Devi starrer Silver Jubilee hit ” Sasural ” [ 1961 ] . B. Saroja Devi, though not well-known to Hindi cine-goers, was almost alien to me. But after watching the film, I was unable to forget her. Her elegant persona, her well-kept figure, her chiselled face enticed me for weeks and months. She was the first icon of my childhood fancy.

Few years later in 1967, after appearing in High School exams, I watched Dilip Kumar and Vyjayanthimala, starrer golden jubilee film ” Ganga Jumna “. B. Saroja Devi and Vyjayanthimala, to my utter surprise, looked almost similar. I was hooked to Vyjayanthimala and my fascination for the film heroines got fortified.

After passing High School, I went to Allahabad for further studies. My true rendezvous with Hindi cinema started in all earnest in Allahabad. I started watching films regularly. I got acquainted with the heroines of early Hindi cinema. I was particularly enamoured by Devika Rani and Kanan Devi. [ Who can forget Devika Rani’s ………. MAIN BAN KI CHIDIA BAN KE BAN-BAN DOLOON RE ……….( ” Achhut Kanya ” – 1936 ) and Kanan Devi’s ………….. YE DUNIYA ,YE DUNIYA TOOFAN MAIL ……… ( “Jawaab ” – 1942 ) ? Few years later I watched two earlier films of Kanan Devi; P. C. Barua starrer ” Mukti ” [ 1937 ] and K. L. Sehgal starrer ” Street Singer ” [ 1938 ]. Though they were the heroines of my father’s generation but their etherial beauty, their sweet voice enthralled me and fascinated me during my adolescent and growing up years in Allahabad.

Later on I got acquainted with the works of other highly successful actresses of the bygone era. The list included Nargis, Suraiya, Nalini Jayawant, Meena Kumari, Madhubala, Nimmi and Geeta Bali. These heroines ruled the golden era of Hindi films. But even they belonged to the earlier era.

My era included highly successful and enchanting heroines like; Nutan, Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda Rehman , Nanda and Mala Sinha .

I became a die-hard fan of Waheeda Rehman after watching her films Pyaasa (1957) and Kaagaz Ke Phool (1959) . After watching Raj Kapoor‘s Awaara (1951) and of Mehboob Khan‘s Mother India (1957), Nargis, also became one of my all time favourites. Vijay Bhatt‘s Baiju Bawra (1952), made me a fan of Meena Kumari. K. Asif‘s Mughal-e-Azam (1960) made Madhubala my eternal favourite.

Then times changed. My journey with cinema matured. In the late 1960s and early 1970s, actresses like Sadhna, Saira Banu, Sharmila Tagore, Mumtaz and Asha Parekh ruled the Hindi film world.

In the early 70s Amitabh Bachchan, era started in the Hindi film industry. Actresses from this era included Hema Malini, Jaya Bachchan , Rekha, Zeenat Aman and Dimple Kapadia. I adored these heroines but frankly, I was neither enchanted or enamoured by them. Mysterious quality of the earlier heroines was missing. Or may be I became mature and the mystique slowly evaporated.

In 1975, I completed my studies in Allahabad and returned to my native place, Deoria. A 14-year-long second phase of my life started in Deoria.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, the pendulum swung back towards family centric romantic musicals with the success of Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak (1988) . Incidentally this was the last film, which I watched in Deoria.

I moved to Bombay [ now Mumbai ] in 1989. This was the year when Maine Pyar Kiya (1989) got released and changed the film-watching experience forever.

Maine Pyar Kiya (1989), Dil (1990), Hum Aapke Hain Kaun (1994) and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge (1995), making stars out of a new generation and actresses such as Sridevi, Madhuri Dixit, Juhi Chawla and Kajol . In that point of time actresses such as Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Aishwarya Rai also arrived on the scene. Raveena Tandon and Karisma Kapoor too appearing in popular comedy films ^.

Furthermore, this decade marked the entry of new performers in art house and independent films like Satya (1998), directed by Ram Gopal Varma and written by Anurag Kashyap. Manisha Koirala, Tabu and Urmila Matondkar were the heroines of this generation.

So it was a long association with the silver screen heroines. From Kanan Devi to Kajol and Karisma Kapoor , I watched everyone, got fascinated by them and silently admired their etherial beauty. But never in my wildest dream did I imagine that one day I would train few of the present day ruling Divas of Hindi cinema. After 25 year stay in Mumbai, when I look back, I reminisce my by-gone days with astonishment. I am bewildered with my accomplishment.

In 1994 two heroines trained by me made their debut in Hindi films. They are Sonali Bendre in ” Aag ” [ 1994 ] and Divya Dutta in ” Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna ” [ 1994 ] . It uncanny that 1994 was the year when Devika Rani died. Kanan Devi bid us adieu two years earlier in 1992.

My childhood icons left this world in 1994 and present day icons, trained by me , made their entry in 1994. It is strange. It is quirky. It is really uncanny. After debut of Sonali Bendre and Divya Dutta in 1994, flood-gate of the newcomers got opened and it has now submerged the Hindi film industry. I present a list of some of the epoch-making new era Hindi film Divas, who got trained by me :

Kareena Kapoor : ” Refugee ” [ 2000 ] = DEBUT

Priyanka Chopra : ” The Hero ” [ 2002 ] = DEBUT

SONAM KAPOOR : ” Saawariya ” [ 2007 ] = DEBUT

Anushka Sharma : ” Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi ” [ 2008 ] = DEBUT

K atrina Kaif : ” Raajneeti ” [ 2010]

ALIA BHATT : ” Student Of The Year ” [ 2012 ] = DEBUT

KALKI KOECHLIN : ” Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani ” [ 2013 ]

URVASHI RAUTELA : ” Singh Saab The Great ” [ 2013 ] = DEBUT

In the end I would like to submit that the above mentioned list is almost endless. I have mentioned very famous names only. As I watch Alia Bhatt making rapid strides,and other newcomers trained by me making their entry in the tinsel town, my heart beats fast with pride.

So the SAGA CONTINUES !! Dust settles down. Sun shines brilliantly. And the World { excluding few egoistic nay-sayers } watches with awe, admiration and amazement.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise , I wish all my above mentioned students all the success and stardom never attained before by anyone and unseen even by the mightiest.

God bless them for making me proud !!

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Down Memory Lane Tagged: Aag, Achhut Kanya, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Aishwarya Rai, Alia Bhatt, Allahabad, Amar Jyoti Talkies, Amitabh Bachchan, Anurag Kashyap, Anushka Sharma, Asha Parekh, Awaara, B. Saroja Devi, Baiju Bawra, Bollywood, Deoria, Devika Rani, Diction Trainer, Dil, Dilip Kumar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Dimple Kapadia, Divya Dutta, Film, Ganga Jumna, Geeta Bali, Hema Malini, Hindi Cinema, Hindi film heroines, Hindi Film Industry, Hindi Film World, Hindi Films, Hindi Teacher, Hum Aapke Hain Kaun, Ishq Mein Jeena Ishq Mein Marna, Jawaab, Jaya Bachchan, Juhi Chawla, K. Asif, K. L. Sehgal, Kaagaz Ke Phool, Kajol, Kalki Koechlin, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kanan Devi, Kareena Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Katrina Kaif, Madhubala, Madhuri Dixit, Maharashtra, Main Ban Ki Chidia Ban Ke Ban Ban Doloon Re, Maine Pyar Kiya, Mala Sinha, Manisha Koirala, Meena Kumari, Mehboob Khan, Mother India, Mughal - E - Azam, Mukti, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Mumtaz, Nalini Jayawant, Nanda, Nargis, Nimmi, Nutan, P. C. Barua, Preity Zinta, Priyanka Chopra, Pyaasa, Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak, Raajneeti, Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi, Raj Kapoor, Rajendra Kumar, Ram Gopal Varma, Rani Mukerji, Raveena Tandon, Refugee, Rekha, Saawariya, Sadhna, Saira Banu, Sasural, Satya, Sharmila Tagore, Singh Saab The Great, Sonali Bendre, Sonam Kapoor, Sridevi, Street Singer, Student Of The Year, Suraiya, Tabu, The Hero, Urmila Matondkar, Urvashi Rautela, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Vijay Bhatt, Vyjayanthimala, Waheeda Rehman, Ye Duniya Ye Duniya Toofan Mail, Ye Jawaani Hai Deewani, Zeenat Aman

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 13, 2014 11.55 P.M.

If I mention that Pran Kumar Sharma died on August 05, 2014, only few will take notice. But if I mention that creator of CHACHA CHOUDHARY died in Gurgaon on August 05, 2014 at the age of 75, thousands will mourn.When I read about the sad demise of creator of CHACHA CHOUDHARY, I felt a personal loss. He was suffering from Colon cancer.

Pran began his career in 1960 as a cartoonist for the Delhi based newspaper Milap with comic strip Daabu. Apart from Daabu, Indian comics scenario was largely based on reprints of The Phantom and Superman. In 1969, Pran sketched Chacha Chaudhary for the Hindi magazine Lotpot, which made him famous. Pran has also created other cartoon characters like Shrimatiji, Pinki, Billoo, Raman, Channi Chachi and others, which are regularly published in Indian magazines. Pran reached lakhs of Kannadigas through his Putti, Raman that were published in Kannada daily Prajavani and Shrimathi which publishes in Kannada magazine Sudha.

He was included in People of the Year 1995 by Limca Book of Records for popularizing comics in India. In 1983, the then Prime Minister of India, Mrs. Indira Gandhi released Pran’s comics “Raman – Ham Ek Hain” which promoted national integration. Pran received a Lifetime Achievement Award 2001, from Indian Institute of Cartoonists. Pran has also given lessons in cartooning at the Pran’s Media Institute, run by his son Nikhil.

Maurice Horn notes that Pran has been given the title of “Walt Disney of India” in The World Encyclopedia of Comics. The Chacha Chaudhary strips find permanent place in International Museum of Cartoon Art, USA.

Pran Kumar Sharma with His Creation CHACHA CHOUDHARY

Since my childhood days in Deoria, I was a huge fan of Mandrake The Magician and Phantom. Both the comic strips used to be published daily in a popular Hindi daily of those days ” AAJ “. Mandrake became Mandareek and Phantom became Van Bhairav in Hindi. My day never began unless I read these two syndicated comic strips in ” AAJ “.

Mandrake the Magician is a syndicated newspaper comic strip, created by Lee Falk . Its publication began June 11, 1934. Phil Davis soon took over as the strip’s illustrator, while Falk continued to script. The strip is distributed by King Features Syndicate.

Davis worked on the strip until his death in 1964, when Falk recruited current artist Fred Fredericks. With Falk’s death in 1999, Fredericks became both writer and artist. The Sunday Mandrake strip ended December 29, 2002. The daily strip ended mid-story on July 6, 2013 when Fred Fredericks retired,

After hugely popular Mandrake the Magician, Lee Falk , created another adventure comic strip , The Phantom . A popular feature adapted into many media, including television, film and video games, it stars a costumed crime fighter operating from the fictional African country Bangalla.

The Phantom is the 21st in a line of crime fighters that originated in 1536, when the father of British sailor Christopher Walker was killed during a pirate attack. Swearing an oath on the skull of his father’s murderer to fight evil, Christopher started the legacy of the Phantom that would be passed from father to son, leaving people to give the mysterious figure nicknames such as “The Ghost Who Walks”, “The Man Who Cannot Die” and “Guardian of the Eastern Dark”, believing him to be immortal.

Unlike many fictional costumed heroes, the Phantom does not have any superpowers, and relies on his strength, intelligence, and fearsome reputation of being an immortal ghost to defeat his foes. The 21st Phantom is married to Diana Palmer, whom he met while studying in the United States; they have two children, Kit and Heloise. Like all previous Phantoms, he lives in the ancient Skull Cave, and has a trained wolf, Devil, and a horse named Hero.

The series began with a daily newspaper strip on February 17, 1936, followed by a color Sunday strip on May 28, 1939; both are still running as of 2014. At the peak of its popularity, the strip was read by over 100 million people each day.

Lee Falk continued work on The Phantom until his death in 1999. Today the comic strip is produced by writer Tony DePaul and artists Paul Ryan (Monday-Saturday) and Terry Beatty (Sunday).

New Phantom stories are published in comic books in different parts of the world, among them by Dynamite Entertainment in the United States, Egmont in Sweden, Norway and Finland, and Frew Publications in Australia.

The Phantom was the first fictional hero to wear the skin-tight costume that has now become a hallmark of comic book superheroes, and was also the first shown wearing a mask with no visible pupils, another superhero standard.

Being a fan of above mentioned two comic strip heroes; Mandrake The Magician and Phantom, I was skeptical , rather dismissive when I read about cartoonist Pran and his Desi Comic strip hero CHACHA CHOUDHARY. What can a mustachioed elderly man do in front of such powerful heroes like Mandrake and Phantom? But I was wrong.

CHACHA CHOUDHARY As We All Know

When I read adventures of CHACHA CHOUDHARY in Diamond Comics , I became a life-long fan.The bond with CHACHA CHOUDHARY, BINNI CHACHI and SABU is unbreakable. I still remember and will always remember the famous tagline “…….. Chacha Choudhary ka dimag, computer se bhi tez chalta hai ………”.

CHACHA CHOUDHARY and SABU

According to a Diamond Comics press release, the Indian kids in the age group 10–13 years ranked Chacha Chaudhary as their most recognizable comic book character.

He has also been featured as a guest in other Diamond Comics series, with Billoo, Pinki and Lucky.

With the sad demise of cartoonist Pran, CHACHA CHOUDHARY wont be same again. May be he will also die soon.One more part of my adolescent , growing years is lost forever.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my condolences.

CHACHA CHOUDHARY is a part of my growing years. His memory is firmly etched in my psyche.

[ Information about Mandrake The Magician, Phantom and their creator Lee Falk is taken from Wikipedia. I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgcrVFUZLXE

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Aaj, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, adventure comic strip, Australia, Billoo, Binni Chachi, cartoon characters, Cartoonist Pran, Chacha Chaudhary, Chacha Choudhary, Chacha Choudhary ka dimag, Chacha Choudhary ka dimag computer se bhi tez chalta hai, Channi Chachi, comic strip, Comic Strip Daabu, costumed crime fighter, Deoria, Diamond Comics, Diction Trainer, Dynamite Entertainment, Egmont, Fictional African country Bangalla, Film, Finland, Frew Publication, Guardian of the Eastern Dark, Hindi Daily AAJ, Hindi magazine Lotpot, Hindi Teacher, illustrator Falk, Indian comics scenario, Indian magazines, Indrajal Comics, International Museum of Cartoon Art, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kannada daily Prajavani, Kannada magazine Sudha, Kannadigas, King Features Syndicate, Lee Falk, Maharashtra, Mandareek, Mandrake The Magician, Maurice Horn, Media, Milap, Mumbai, Norway, Obituary, Paul Ryan, Phantom, Phil Davis, Pinki, Pran, Pran Kumar Sharma, Putti, Raman, Sabu, Shrimathi, Shrimatiji, Sweden, syndicated newspaper comic strip, Television, Terry Beatty, The Ghost Who Walks, The Man Who Cannot Die, The Phantom, The Phantom and Superman, the United States, The World Encyclopedia of Comics. The Chacha Chaudhary strips, Tony DePaul, USA, Van Bhairav, video games, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Walt Disney of India

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 15, 2014 11.45 P.M.

Sushilarani Patel, a classical singer par excellence, but an almost forgotten classical singer, died on July 24, 2014 in Mumbai at the age of 96.

SUSHILARANI PATEL

The name Sushilarani Patel is not going to evoke any memories.

The name Baburao Patel is also not going to evoke even faint recognition.

The name of a magazine called ” Filmindia “ is almost forgotten.

Film ” Draupadi ” [ 1944 ] does not exist for this generation.

Film ” Gwalan ” [ 1946 ] is unknown even to die-hard film connoisseurs.

The song ” … LAGAT NAZAR TORI CHHALAIYA … ” is a distant memory.

So why I am writing this obituary ?

Let me unravel the mystery one by one.

I am writing this blog to pay my obeisance to Sushilarani Patel, a classical singer par excellence. It is sad irony of fate that she is relatively unknown compared to her other illustrious colleague Kishori Amonkar, though they both are disciples of the same teacher.

SUSHILARANI PATEL

Baburao Patel was a Member of Parliament. But primarily he was a film critic and editor of a very popular film magazine called ” Filmindia “. Sushilarani Patel was married to him. She was his third wife. ” Filmindia “ was dreaded by the film industry folks of bygone era. It is infamous for its acerbic editorials. Just go through the views of Baburao Patel published in the magazine ” Filmindia “ about ” Jwar Bhata ” [ 1944 ] , the debut film of Dilip Kumar :

” Dilip Kumar, the new hero of Bombay Talkies is an anaemic addition to our film artistes. He needs lots of vitamins and a prolonged treatment of proteins before another picture can be risked with him. He looks gaunt and famished and strikes as a long ill-treated convict, who has escaped from a jail. His appearance on the screen creates both laughter and disappointment. His acting efforts in this picture amounts to nill. “

Can it be considered a critical analysis of a debut making young actor’s acting calibre? Do you think it is decent, sensible and appropriate to comment on looks and physicality of an artiste? But Baburao Patel was known for his scathing, acerbic and derogatory personal comments. And Sushilarani Patel was his wife, third wife. It is alleged that he was jealous of her. It is also rumoured that Baburao Patel was very possessive of extremely beautiful and young Sushilarani. So, it was natural that she starred and sang just in two films and then faded into oblivion. And the two films were directed by Baburao Patel himself. The two films in question were ” Draupadi ” [ 1944 ] and Gwalan ” [ 1946 ]. These films tanked at the box office without any trace and Sushilarani’s career got an untimely and abrupt end.

SUSHILARANI as DRAUPADI in Vastra Haran Scene of DRAUPADI

Any print of the film or any link of the songs she sang in ” Draupadi ” [ 1944 ] is not available today. I copied the above picture of Sushilarani in ” Draupadi ” [ 1944 ] from the internet and posted it above.

” Gwalan ” [ 1946 ] , second film of Sushilarani Patel was also produced and directed by Baburao Patel. And Sushilarani Patel sang a duet in this film with legendary play back singer Mukesh. The song in question was tuned by Hansraj Bahl and lyrics were written by Indra Chandra. For lovers of old Hindi film songs ” …………………….. LAGAT NAZAR TORI CHHALAIYA ……………………. ” is a gem. Fortunately the song is available on YouTube. I am providing YouTube link of the song :

Just two films ; ” Draupadi ” [ 1944 ] and ” Gwalan ” [ 1946 ] and that is all. That heralded the end. A sad end of a talented singer-actor. A talented artiste’s talent was allegedly crushed under the ego, obsessiveness, jealousy and whims of her husband. Sushilarani’s nephew and some of her students have confirmed these allegations in their interviews.

I think now you have all the answers of the questions , which I put forward in the beginning.

Baburao Patel died in 1982. And Sushilarani Patel could properly start her career only after her husband’s death. But at that time she was 62. Her prime was gone. Her other peer Kishori Amonkar became a legend in her own life time. They both started learning classical music from legendary Moghubai Kurdikar. Incidentally Moghubai was the mother of Kishori Amonkar.

My student Alvira Khan, who is Salman Khan’s sister, was a student of Sushilarani Patel. So I know Sushilarani in a way. I empathized with her and after her demise, I am saddened.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my condolences.

[ Information about Sushilarani Patel and Baburao Patel is taken from several newspapers, YouTube and also from Wikipedia. I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Alvira Khan, Baburao Patel, Bollywood, Classical Singer, Diction Trainer, Dilip Kumar, Dilip Kumar's Debut Film, Draupadi Film, Film, Filmindia, Filmindia Magazine, Gvalan, Gwalan, Hindi Teacher, Jwar Bhata, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kishori Amonkar, LAGAT NAZAR TORI CHHALAIYA, Maharashtra, Moghubai Kurdikar, MotherIndia Magazine, Mukesh, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Obituary, Sushilarani, Sushilarani Patel, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 18, 2014 00.05 A.M.

Lauren Bacall

September 16, 1924 – August 12, 2014

Lauren Bacall in Her Iconic Pose

When Elizabeth Taylor died on March 23, 2011, I wrote a blog and posted it on April 02, 2011. She was my first Hollywood favourite. Elizabeth Taylor made her debut with ” National Velvet ” [ 1944 ] . Lauren Bacall, who died on August 12, 2014 at the age of 89, also made her debut in the same year, with Humphrey Bogart film To Have and Have Not [ 1944 ].

In the library of my Deoria home, I have a book about all the great heroes and heroines of Hollywood. I first noticed Lauren Bacall in that book. Her typical posture, for which she was so famous, caught my fancy. ” THE LOOK ” , for which she was immortalized, was a seductive pose where she lowered her head and glanced up suggestively. I was hooked and my fancy remained intact even after her withdrawal from the limelight.

As stated earlier, she made her film debut with Humphrey Bogart film To Have and Have Not [ 1944 ] . In this film she made sexy query to Humphrey Bogart , ” You know how to whistle, don’t you? You just put your lips together – and blow.” With these innocuous lines she created history and found a permanent place in Hollywood echelon. She had another memorable line in the film, ” Anybody got a match?”.

Lauren Bacall in Her Famous Inviting Look

She was known for her distinctive husky voice and sultry looks. One more thing, which attracted me to her is the fact that she worked in many films with Humphrey Bogart and later on became his wife. Needless to say that I am a great Humphrey Bogart fan.

Lauren Bacall with Her Husband Humphrey Bogart

She first appeared as a leading lady in the Humphrey Bogart film To Have and Have Not (1944) and continued on in the film noir genre, with appearances in Bogart movies The Big Sleep (1946), Dark Passage (1947), and Key Largo (1948), as well as comedic roles in How to Marry a Millionaire (1953) with Marilyn Monroe and Designing Woman (1957) with Gregory Peck.

Lauren Bacall worked on Broadway in musicals, earning Tony Awards for Applause in 1970 and Woman of the Year in 1981. Her performance in the movie The Mirror Has Two Faces (1996) earned her a Golden Globe Award and an Academy Award nomination.

In 1999, Bacall was ranked 20th out of the 25 actresses on the AFI’s 100 Years…100 Stars list by the American Film Institute.

Lauren Bacall with honorary Oscar

In 2009, she was selected by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences to receive an Academy Honorary Award “in recognition of her central place in the Golden Age of motion pictures.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my condolences.

[ Information about Lauren Bacall and the list of her films is taken from Wikipedia. I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Academy Award nomination, Academy Honorary Award, Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list, Anybody got a match?, Applause, Bogart movies The Big Sleep, Dark Passage, Deoria, Designing Woman, Diction Trainer, Elizabeth Taylor, Film, Golden Age of Hollywood, Golden Globe Award, Gregory Peck, Hindi Teacher, Hollywood, Hollywood Golden Age Heroines, How to Marry a Millionaire, Humphrey Bogart, Humphrey Bogart film, husky voice, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Key Largo, Lauren Bacall, Lauren Bacall Look, Maharashtra, Marilyn Monroe, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, National Velvet, Obituary, The Big Sleep, The Mirror Has Two Faces, To Have and Have Not, Tony Awards, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Woman of the Year

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA AUGUST 26, 2014 11.55 P.M.

Sir Richard Attenborough

Richard Samuel Attenborough

29 August 1923 – 24 August 2014

Last night when I was watching the evening news, I came to know about the demise of Richard Attenborough at the age of 90. Though it was expected because of his failing health and advancing age, still I felt sad when I saw the news of his death.

Long before he became famous in India and became a household name among cinema lovers of our country, I became a fan of Richard Attenborough, the actor, after watching Satyajit Ray directed first Hindi film ” Shatranj Ke Khilari ” [ 1977 ]. He played Lt. General Outram in that film and played it so beautifully and with such elan that even a novice like me could not miss the finer points.

Then came ” Gandhi ” [ 1982 ] and it permanently changed the scenario for him. From a little-known actor of ” Shatranj Ke Khilari ” [ 1977 ], Richard Attenborough, as I have already written , became a household name in India. He produced and directed the Academy Award winning film ” Gandhi ” [ 1982 ]

Richard Attenborough with Oscars

Later on I watched him as an actor in Steven Spielberg‘s ” Jurassic Park ” [ 1993 ] and the film’s sequel, ” The Lost World : Jurassic Park ” [ 1997 ]. In ” Jurassic Park ” [ 1993 ] and ” The Lost World : Jurassic Park ” [ 1997 ] he appeared as the eccentric developer John Hammond.

As a film director and producer, he won two Academy Awards for Gandhi in 1983. He also won four BAFTA Awards and four Golden Globe Awards. As an actor, he is perhaps best known for his roles in ” Brighton Rock “, ” The Great Escape “, ” 10 Rillington Place “, ” Miracle on 34th Street ” and ” Jurassic Park “.

He was the President of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA).

In the late 1950s, Attenborough formed a production company, Beaver Films, with Bryan Forbes and began to build a profile as a producer on projects including ” The League of Gentlemen ” [ 1959 ] , ” The Angry Silence ” [ 1960] and ” Whistle Down the Wind ” [ 1961 ], appearing in the cast of the first two films.

His feature film directorial debut was the all-star screen version of the hit musical ” Oh! What a Lovely War ” [ 1969 ] . He later directed two epic period films : ” Young Winston ” [ 1972 ], based on the early life of Winston Churchill, and ” A Bridge Too Far ” [ 1977 ], an all-star account of Operation Market Garden in World War II.

Richard Attenborough also directed the screen version of the musical ” A Chorus Line ” [ 1985 ] and the anti-apartheid drama ” Cry Freedom ” [ 1987 ], based on the life and death of prominent anti-apartheid activist Steve Biko and the experiences of Donald Woods. He was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Director for both films.

His most recent films as director and producer include ” Chaplin ” [ 1992 ] starring Robert Downey, Jr., as Charlie Chaplin and ” Shadowlands ” [ 1993 ], based on the relationship between C. S. Lewis and Joy Gresham , the star of the latter was Anthony Hopkins.

Between 2006-07, he spent time in Belfast, working on his last film as director and producer, ” Closing the Ring ” [ 2007 ] , a love story set in Belfast during the Second World War and starring Shirley MacLaine, Christopher Plummer and Pete Postlethwaite.

His acting career started with ” In Which We Serve ” [ 1942 ] and it ended with ” Closing the Ring ” [ 2007 ] . He was an actor in his first film and a producer and director in his last film. It was a fascinating 65 year-long career.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my condolences.

Farewell sir! India will always remember you as the maker of a masterpiece film called ” Gandhi ” [ 1982 ] .

[ Information about Sir Richard Attenborough and the list of his films is taken from Wikipedia. I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Attenborough, Attenborough's Gandhi, Bryan Forbes, Chaplin, Cry Freedom, Diction Trainer, Film, Film Gandhi, Gandhi, Hindi Teacher, India, Jurassic Park, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Maharashtra, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Obituary, Richard Attenborough, Richard Samuel Attenborough, Satyajit Ray, Sir Richard Attenborough, Steven Spielberg, The Lost World : Jurassic Park, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Winston Churchill

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA SEPTEMBER 02, 2014 01.15 A.M.

[ DECLARATION : In my diary, since May 2014, I have started mentioning names of only those students, who respect me as their teacher and accept my contribution in their journey of life. All the other students, who worked this month but are not mentioned, are free from any obligation from my side. GOD BLESS THEM ! ]

May 2014 and June 2014 were bad for my career. Number of students trained by me plummeted drastically. But it again became rosy and sky-rocketed to the earlier position from July 2014. The reason is stated above.

I am posting links of the 05 videos. You can watch them for the full understanding of my body of work in 2013 – 2014 .

1 : ” Jai Ho ” : http://youtu.be/cZzBa4sHXMQ

2 : ” One By Two ” : http://youtu.be/0WCMfQiPdGI

3 – ” O Teri ” & ” Main Tera Hero ” : http://youtu.be/Se9Mp1iFexQ

4 – ” Khatron Ke Khiladi – 5 ” : http://youtu.be/UYPcFYWC0xg

5 – ARMAAN JAIN : http://youtu.be/cnuWJ3Vwqbo

===============

Obituary :

===============

Dharmesh Tiwari :

——————————–

The man who would always be known as Kripacharya of B. R. Chopra’s epic serial ” Mahabharat “ , Dharmesh Tiwari, died on August 06, 2014 in Chandigarh at the age of 63.

He was General Secretary of CINTAA [ Cine & TV Artistes Association ] at the time of his death. He was also President of FWICE [ Federation of Western India Cine Employees.

Rajendra Ojha :

————————-

Publisher of ” Screen World “ , a Film Directory of 33 years of standing and a former employee of Rajshri Productions, Rajendra Ojha died on July 26, 2014 at the age of 67 years. He was suffering from throat cancer.

He also wrote ” 100 Years of Cinema “, a highly acclaimed book about Hindi films from 1913 to 2013.

Sushilarani Patel :

——————————

Basically a classical singer, who acted and sang in two films, Sushilarani Patel died on July 24, 2014 at the age of 96.

Posting link of the blog, which I wrote about her :

Kamal N. Chaturvedi @VidurChaturvedi

Remembering Sushilarani Patel http://wp.me/ptyXI-3pI

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New Hindi Film Releases & Me :

=============================

First Week – August 01

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1 – Lateef : The King Of Crime …………………………….. X

Second Week – August 08

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1 – Entertainment …………………………………………….. Sonu Sood

……………………………………………………………………… Krushna Abhishek

……………………………………………………………………… Dhaval Gada

Third Week – August 15

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1 – Singham Returns ………………………………………… Kareena Kapoor

Fourth Week – August 22
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1 – Mad About Dance ………………………………………. Amrit Maghera

2 – Mardaani ………………………………………………….. X

3 – Mumbai Connection …………………………………… X

4 – Life Is Beautiful ! ……………………………………….. X

5 – Katiyabaaz ……………………………………………….. X

Fifth Week – August 29
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1 – Identity Card …………………………………………….. X

2 – Raja Natwarlal …………………………………………… Emraan Hashmi

……………………………………………………………………. Shweta Pandit

3 – Trip To Bhangarh ……………………………………….. X

In total …………… 11 …………….. films got released in August . Out of these ………….. 11 ………… released films ……….. 04 ………… films have …………… 07 ……………. artistes , who are trained by me .

Out of these ………. 07 ……… persons , ………. 05 ……… are actors . Among the rest …………. 02 ………… Shweta Pandit is the singer and she sang a song in ” Entertainment “. And Dhaval Gada is the co-producer of ” Raja Natwarlal ” .

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New Regional Films & Me :

==========================

1 – Marathi : Milind Gawali is doing prominent role in ” Samarthya “.

2 – Punjabi : Jimmy Sheirgill is doing lead role in ” Aa Gaye Munde U.K. De”.

3 – Bengali : Dev is doing lead role in ” Bindaas “.

4 – Bengali : Dev is doing lead role in ” Buno Haansh “.

My ………….. 03 ……………. students in ……….. 04 ………….. regional films .

======================

TV Trivia & Me :

======================

1 – Sonali Bendre is the Narrator of a ” Mission Sapne “ on Zee TV.

2 – Vatsal Sheth is playing an important role in ” Ek Hasina Thi “ on Star Plus.

3 – Mishal Raheja is doing ” Encounter “ on MTV.

4 – Sai Deodhar is playing an important role in ” Udann – Sapnon Ki ” on Colors TV.

My ……………. 04 ……….. students in ………… 04 ……………. shows on TV .

======================

Theatre & Me :

======================

1 – Kalki Koechlin is playing lead in the play ” Colour Blind “.

2 – Kalki Koechlin is playing lead in the play ” Trivial Disasters “.

3 – Eijaz Khan is doing lead in a play ” Bollywood Dreams “.

My …………. 02 ………….. students in ………… 03 …………. plays .

=======================

Commercials & Me :

=======================

1 – Vivek Oberoi is the Brand Ambassador of ” Zeel Rainwear ” .

2 – Amit Sadh is the Brand Ambassador of ” Wildstone Deo “.

3 – Saif Ali Khan is the Brand Ambassador of ” Sansui “.

4 – Kareena Kapoor is the Brand Ambassador of ” I Ball “.

My ………….. 04 …………… students in …………… 04 …………… commercial campaigns .

As an acting trainer my 07 students appeared in 04 films , 04 students in 04 TV serials , 03 students in 04 regional films , 02 students in 03 plays and 04 students appeared in 04 Ads also . Thus total number of students working in the month of August comes to 20. It was 27 in July 2014. And as I have stated earlier, I have mentioned names of only those students, who respect me and accept my contribution in their journey of life.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I congratulate my above mentioned 20 students .

May God bless them and they shine in their chosen field .

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Film Diaries Tagged: 100 Years of Cinema, Aa Gaye Munde U.K. De, Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, Amit Sadh, Amrit Maghera, Armaan Jain, B. R. Chopra, Bengali Actor Dev, Bengali Super Star Dev, Bindaas, Bollywood, Bollywood Dreams, Brand Ambassador, Buno Haansh, Colors TV, Colour Blind, Dharmesh Tiwari, Dhaval Gada, Diction Trainer, Eijaz Khan, Ek Hasina Thi, Emraan Hashmi, Encounter, Entertainment, Film, Film Diary, Hindi Teacher, I Ball, Jai Ho, Jimmy Sheirgill, Kalki Koechlin, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Kareena Kapoor, Khatron Ke Khiladi, Khatron Ke Khiladi - Season 5, Krushna Abhishek, Mahabharat, Maharashtra, Main Tera Hero, Mardaani, Milind Gawali, Mishal Raheja, Mission Sapne, MTV, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, O Teri !, Obituary, One By Two, Raja Natwarlal, Rajendra Ojha, Rajshri Productions, Sai Deodhar, Saif Ali Khan, Samarthya, Sansui, Screen World, Shweta Pandit, Singham Returns, Sonali Bendre, Sonu Sood, Star Plus, Sushila Rani Patel, Sushilarani Patel, Trivial Disasters, Udann - Sapnon Ki, Vatsal Sheth, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog, Vidur's Students, Vivek Oberoi, Wildstone Deo, Zee Tv, Zeel Rainwear

DEORIA – UTTAR PRADESH – INDIA SEPTEMBER 19, 2014 11.45 P. M.

Doordarshan News Reader J. V. Raman

It is sad that news of the demise of J. V. Raman reached me late. For numerous television watchers of this generation, the name J. V. Raman does not carry any familiarity. But for generation of my age, he was a household name. Unlike the cacophony and know-all news anchors of today, JV Raman was one of the sober voices in the news industry.

He died of kidney failure on August 7, 2014 at Sant Parmanand Hospital in Civil Lines, New Delhi. He was 68. Prayer meeting was held on August 19 at the Freemasons Hall, down a small bylane of Janpath market. Among those who attended were his family members, friends and colleagues from DD as well as Rajdhani College, Delhi University, where he taught Economics for over 44 years.

Raman started his TV career after a friend advised him to go for an audition that fetched him a place in DD as an English news reader. Soon, he switched to Hindi news reading, and continued the freelance assignment until the late 90s. His impeccable diction never betrayed the fact that he was from Andhra Pradesh.

Shammi Narang, who read news with him for about 20 years or so, remembers Raman as a guide and mentor. “When I read my first bulletin in 1982, he said, ‘Narang, you should be thankful that you are associated with Hindi.

A thorough professional, he would often work with his producers to improvise on the script and style. Sarla Maheshwari, a colleague and news reader, who remembers watching Raman’s bulletins as a child, found an understanding friend in him when she started working with DD. She recalls how Raman volunteered to fill up for her for one of her bulletins as Maheshwari was away for her father-in-law’s operation.

Ved Prakash, another news reader who still freelances with DD, was often told that he copied Raman’s style. “He was my guru, so I followed him,” says Prakash, “An era of TV news has ended with his demise.”

But news reading was not Raman’s only passion. He was involved with a theatre group Abhiyan until last year.

A bachelor, Raman lived in a joint family in Delhi. During his last days, his sister JV Lakshmi Kalyani was with him.

At a time when viewers couldn’t switch channels because there was only one, when the infuriating ” ……..Rookawat ke liye khed hai …….” was the most common one-liner on the small screen and when streets were deserted on Sunday because everybody was watching the evening movie, he read out news on Doordarshan.

He was from the older, less aggressive breed; much like family friend who dropped by for a fireside chat every night. When he read out news, it was like he was shaking hands with you.

Apart from J. V. Raman, Tejeshwar Singh, Salma Sultan, Neethi Ravindran, Shammi Narang, Manjari Joshi, Rini Khanna, Komal GB Singh, Usha Albuquerque, Ramu Damodaran, Sunit Tandon, Gitanjali Aiyar, Minu were the other famous news readers of that bygone golden era. Every newsreader had a distinctive style. You could close your eyes and make out who was reading the news.

In those days, in Spoken English classes, students would be instructed to listen, and if possible record on tape, the English news read out by Tejeshwar Singh, Neethi Ravindran and others. “Listen to their diction. Try to speak the same way,” teachers said. Students obeyed.

The pay packet wasn’t much. But DD news readers were among the most recognisable faces in the country.

In the early Nineties, with the onset of satellite television, Doordarshan lost its exclusivity. With competition, it was time to evolve. By the late Nineties, the news readers were required to upgrade themselves as news anchors. Their new job profile required them to be on the ball with national and international politics. “Not everybody was able to adapt. Consequently, some fell through the cracks. Others had by then developed new pursuits.

In the early 1970s, news readers had as many followers as their counterparts now. Perhaps more, as the uncluttered news screens — without the persistent ticker — had more space for news anchors. J. V. Raman belonged to that era. That era ends with his demise.

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the family of J. V. Raman.

May God bless them with peace and give them strength to bear the loss.

[ Some portions of this blog is taken from THE DOORDARSHAN DIVAS - The Times of India - January 06, 2008 by Avijit Ghosh & A TRIBUTE TO DOORDARSHAN'S J. V. RAMAN - Indian Express - August 20, 2014. I express my gratitude. ]

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA

Filed under: Obituary Tagged: Acting Institute, Acting Trainer, D. D., DD !, DD News Readers, Diction Trainer, Door Darshan, Door Darshan News Readers, Doordarshan, Gitanjali Aiyar, Hindi Teacher, India, J. V. Raman, Kamal Nayan Chaturvedi, Komal GB Singh, Maharashtra, Manjari Joshi, Minu, Mumbai, MUMBAI - MAHARASHTRA - INDIA, Neethi Ravindran, News Readers, Obituary, Politics, Ramu Damodaran, Rini Khanna, Salma Sultan, Shammi Narang, Sunit Tandon, Tejeshwar Singh, Usha Albuquerque, Vidur, VIDUR Acting Institute, Vidur Chaturvedi, VIDUR Club, VIDUR Editing Studio, VIDUR Merchandise, Vidur on Twitter, Vidur's Blog

DEORIA – UTTAR PRADESH – INDIA SEPTEMBER 20, 2014 11.55 P.M.

MAHAMANA PANDIT MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA

Born December 25 , 1861 , Allahabad , India

Died November 12 , 1946 , Allahabad , India

The President of the Indian National Congress on four occasions [ 1909 / 1918 / 1930 / 1932 ]

The founding member of the Hindu Mahasabha [ 1906 ]

The President of Hindu Mahasabha [ 1923 ]

The founder of Banaras Hindu University , the largest residential university in Asia and one of the largest in the world , at Varanasi in 1916

The Vice Chancellor of Banaras Hindu University [ 1919 - 1938 ]

One of the founders of Scouting in India [ 1918 ]

The founder of English-newspaper , The Leader, published from Allahabad [ 1909 ]

The Chairman of Hindustan Times [ 1924 to 1946 ]

Instrumental in the launch of Hindustan , the Hindi edition [ 1936 ]

Member of the Imperial Legislative Council [ 1912 - 1919 ]

Member of the Central Legislative Assembly [ 1919 - 1926 ]

Above mentioned facts about Mahamana Pandit Madan Mohan Malaviya are known to all because these are continuously highlighted . You can find some more information about his Congress background on various internet postings . But his views on Hinduism and his pain and anguish on the sufferings of Hindus are not widely mentioned or chronicled . That , apart from being the president of Indian National Congress on 4 occasions , he was one of the founders of Hindu Mahasabha and was the president of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 , is now almost forgotten .

It is widely known and well chronicled that in 1886, Mahamana Malaviya attended the 2nd session of Indian National Congress in Calcutta [ now Kolkata ] and he became the President of the Indian National Congress in 1909, 1918, 1930 and 1932 . But it is forgotten that as a leader of Indian National Congress he opposed the separate electorates for Muslims under the Lucknow Pact of 1916 . In protest against the Communal Award , which sought to provide separate electorates for minorities , Mahamana Malaviya along with Madhav Shrihari Aney left the Congress and started the Congress Nationalist Party . The party contested 1934 central legislature elections and won 12 seats . Some so – called secular historians try to hide this facet of Mahamana’s life .

Mahamana was fiercely opposed to the politics of appeasement of Muslims and other minorities and the participation of Congress in the Khilafat Movement . Again this fact is not so widely mentioned in his biographies .

The effort is on to obfuscate nationalist views of Mahamana and to hide his pro Hindu views from the youngsters . Therefore I thought it proper to write about his views on the issues which are surprisingly relevant even today . In the Gaya session of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 , he expressed his views on untouchability , Hindu – Muslim problems and re – conversions of non – Hindus . When I read his presidential address , I was shocked . He had mentioned about the communal riots of Muzaffarnagar in 1923 . And you all know , even after 91 years , Muzaffarnagar is still burning .

To illuminate the nationalist image of Mahamana , I am quoting from the presidential address , which he delivered at the Gaya session of Hindu Mahasabha in 1923 . Words are ominous and they are as relevant today as they were in 1923 .

Mahamana on Hindu – Muslim Problem :

=====================================

” The relations between Hindus and Mahomedans have not been as happy and cordial as they ought to be . During the Bengal Partition days the Government were inciting Mahomedans to attack Hindus . In 1916 in Eastern Bengal inhuman , brutal , unparalleled atrocities were perpetrated on Hindus . Hindu women were outraged by fanatic Mahomedans and many Hindu women had to take shelter in rivers and tanks to protect their honour .

Then came the Great War in 1914 . In 1914 in the frontier districts , particularly Muzaffarnagar , Hindu houses were regularly looted and Hindu women dishonoured , but Indian patriots preached not to heed them . By Mahatma Gandhi’s advice Hindus worked with Mahomedans and helped them in the Khilafat cause , not because the former wanted something in return , but because they were for the liberty and freedom of every nation and also because of their sympathy for fellow Muslim brothers .

Again in 1920 brutal and inhuman atrocities were perpetrated on Hindus by Moplahs in Malabar . Hindu houses were looted , women were outraged , male and female butchered with the greatest cruelty for refusing to embrace Islam and many were forced into Islam at the point of the sword . It is better to die than to see women’s modesty outraged , temples attacked and burnt and idols broken . The whole of India was severely pained and afflicted at these horrible inhumanities . Due to tolerance we patiently bore all this and drank the bitter dose simply with anxiety and desire that no ill-feeling and differences be created between the two sister communities .

At Multan temples were burnt down and women’s chastity was outraged . Burnt Geeta and Granth Saheb and broken temple idols were found . Next an appeal was issued to maintain unity and peace on Bakrid day , but riots occurred at several places . Our ladies do not consider they are as safe as 50 years ago . Amritsar Hindu women do not come out of houses so frequently and abruptly as they used to do formerly . Every moment they fear of being dishonoured . Everybody knows what happened at Panipat and at Ajmer . Temples were broken and burnt and idols destroyed .

In such circumstances it is our individual and social duty to increase our strength . It is most deplorable that Hindus are so fallen that a handful of foreigners can be ruling over us . Shame on the Hindus who live to see the breaking of temples and the outrage of women . Miss Ellis was kidnapped and the vibration pervaded the whole British Empire . Behind English girls and women there is national strength which protects them wherever they go . So also with Mahomedan women . There was a time when Hindu ladies had also such national backings behind them . Unless we have such strength , we cannot continue among strong nations of the world . The main reason of the present disunity is that Hindus are comparatively weak and cannot protect their religion and women . Unity and good-will can exist only between two equally strong parties . When the irresponsible element of Muslims will realize that we can react to the policy of tit for tat they would never venture to attack us . “

Mahamana on Re-Conversion :

==============================

Referring to the Shuddhi movement Pandit Malaviya said , ” there are forty-eight crores of Muslims in India of whom not more than fifty lakhs are those who might have come from outside . The rests were converted from Hinduism . Theirs is a proselytizing religion while our religion has closed the doors for those who wish to come in our fold . Mullas have recently prepared an expansive scheme for reconversion of Hindus on a grand active scale in their private very confidential meeting and have scrupulously given no publication to this resolution and they have also collected fifty lakhs , but you will be surprised to know that it has not been scrupulously kept secret . Hindus are converted by dupes . In Gujarat some Mussalmans with notices bearing prints of ‘Om preach Kalauki incarnation is H.H. Aga Khan’ say that they should join that sect . Within three years one lakh of Hindus have been converted by Khojas .

‘Is there no prayashchitta for those who unknowingly took anything touched by non-Hindus . Malkanas ought to be taken into Hinduism. He then referred to a verse in Dharmshastra Mahaprabandha which lays down that those who had been converted to other religion either by force or willingly can be taken back to the Hindu religion if they so desire . He asked the audience to decide this question.

Replying to those who say that we should not care for our numerical strength and that those who have already been converted should not be taken into Hinduism , Mahamana said : ‘When now we are so badly treated with a numerical strength of 22 crores , what would be our condition in future with a much reduced Hindu population , if we allow this rate of conversion from Hinduism and do not allow reconversion into Hinduism ? “

Mahamana on Untouchability :

==============================

With tears in his eyes , he took out the turban from his head during presidential address and said , ” Why should I not place my turban at the feet of my untouchable brothers who follows the Hindu religion ? Why should I not allow my untouchable brothers to have darshan in temples ? Full of sins as I am , what right have I to stop my untouchable brothers from entering temples ?’

Addressing the orthodox pandits, he then said with folded hands : ‘Oh, learned Pandits, for God’s sake do not prevent these brothers from having darshan in temples’.

Referring to permission to untouchables for drawing water from wells he said that Christians and Mahomedans are asking untouchables to embrace their religion . So long as they remain Hindu they are not allowed to draw water from wells and if they accept their faith , they will not be so outcasted , insulted, and disallowed . This exactly happened at Panipat . But this is to be remembered that these untouchables who are so outcasted by high caste people were the first to come to defend the Hindu temple at Panipat when it was attacked by Mahomedans .

Pertinently remarked Pandit Malaviya : ‘An untouchable comes under the hottest sun from your labour and is extremely thirsty . I ask what true Hindu is there who will so cruelly prevent these untouchables from drawing water from wells while they do not object untouchables’ entry in houses when their services are required.”

Mahamana’s views on above mentioned 3 topics are so true even today. A man of this prophetic vision is needed even today . We celebrated his 150th anniversary in 2011. We paid lip service to him. Government of India issued coins in his honour.

But thats all. He adorns the wall of our parliament, but not our hearts. Today as I sit in my ancestral house and go through the pages of our recent history and remember recent incidents in Uttar Pradesh, I thought it proper to write this blog to bring out the feelings of a nationalist like MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA on today’s burning topics. I offer my tribute to the true son of Bharat Mata , to the staunch Hindu and a visionary !

On behalf of all the students and staff of VIDUR Acting Institute , VIDUR Editing Studio , VIDUR Club and VIDUR Merchandise, I offer my regards to the staunch Hindu MAHAMANA MADAN MOHAN MALAVIYA.

May his soul awaken us and lead us to the goal of becoming a proud Indian!

VIDUR

MUMBAI – MAHARASHTRA – INDIA