'Despite acting in some 100 films and television plays, people still remember the daadi of Hum Log.'
Mallika Prasad Sinha plays Amma with chilling precision and is perfectly cast for the part.
'He was the Michael Jackson of the community.'
'I felt I didn't understand the film industry at all.'
Om Puri would have been 75 in October. We look back at his early years through these 16 pictures from his life.
'One is not allowed to smoke on the sets of a Hollywood film even during a break.' 'When I asked an assistant to suggest some place where I could light a cigarette, he recommended the bad boys' corner -- where Jack Nicholson smoked.' 'However, I hesitated.' 'But when I was heading back to my chair after the shot, Jack Nicholson asked me if I wanted to join him for a smoke. We had a long conversation over cups of cappuccino.'
'I had not even realised I had done almost 100 films.'
'As an actor I feel I have a strong relatability with the common Indian.' 'Madhav Mishra is not a character of cinema, he is a character from and of our society.'
'I am not a mother and never had an abortion either, so I had to understand motherhood and child loss from anecdotal experiences of others.'
Over 5,000 folk and tribal artists from across India performed 45 dance forms during the 76th Republic Day celebrations. The 11-minute cultural performance, titled "Jayati Jaya Mamah Bharatam," was curated by the Sangeet Natak Academy and showcased the rich legacy of tribal and folk art forms. The choreography celebrated themes of "Viksit Bharat," "Virasat bhi Vikas bhi," and "Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat." The performance, which covered the entire Kartavya Path for the first time, highlighted youth power, artistic heritage, and women empowerment.
'I had no idea I would endure difficult times while making this film.'
'My family are the mainstream audience and think I am wasting my time. Until I make a Rs 100 crore film, they won't be convinced.'
'...despite all his horses, elephants, tanks and swords.' 'A determination to hold fast to Sambhaji Maharaj's father, Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj's thoughts, ideals, and principles.'
'Sudip sir keeps telling me that what I have done is very Hollywood.'
'I will never ever forget Paatal Lok 2 because I left for the shoot the night I got married!'
'I find his sense of history astounding, not just history of film, but of life in general.' Another fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book Shyam Benegal.
'Naseer does not have the sense of humour that Om Puri has. 'Also Om has a great deal of compassion as a human being. Naseer was too focused on his own self.' A fascinating excerpt from Sangeeta Datta's book, Shyam Benegal.
'Had these leaders known that Jinnah was dying...'
'Why not make plays more popular, so that people from all corners of society come and watch?'
His cinema of compassion inspired me, gave me tools to develop empathy for others. But it also made me understand that serious, socially committed cinema with deeply engaging narratives and great performances is an art form to admire, appreciate and explore. Aseem Chhabra remembers Shyam Benegal, who passed into the ages on Monday evening.
A film with a one-line plot, needed a lot more pizzazz, whistle-worthy dialogue, and a large-than-life, invincible protagonist. Karki makes a Rajinikanth kind of actioner (Bhaiyya Ji fights with a bidi in his mouth) but with a realistic soul, and falls between two boats.
'We are the kids from the '90s who have grown up watching Shah Rukh Khan and Kajol romancing on Suraj Hua Maddham.' 'At the same time, we are also the same people who text our partner and tell them, 'I am breaking up with you'.'
'When you are new, you don't know how the industry works'. 'But when you know where you are headed, the possibilities of being conned or facing unpleasant instances is reduced.'
'My respect for Irrfan has grown 100 times now when he is no longer with us.'
'The government wants to ban surrogacy and take away women's fundamental right to do what she wants with her body.'
'I had the opportunity to portray a wildlife crime fighter on screen, which allowed me to express my concern for society, wildlife, and the environment. I strongly believe that humans share this planet with countless other species and hold immense respect for every living creature.'
Satish Kaushik passed away following a heart attack early Thursday morning, said his close friend and industry colleague Anupam Kher.
'Bahut mazaa aaya tha doing Agneepath. When you are working with good actors, it enriches your acting.' 'Amitabhji and I had done Shahenshah before, but that was a fun film.'
Over 260 artists, writers and former faculty members of the National School of Drama have raised 'grave concern' about the institute allegedly promoting religious festivals on its Instagram account.
'When the mill strike started, there was crisis in every mill worker household.' 'One entire generation went without education.' 'Hunger forced them to take to crime.'
'Life had its own plans and now I have learnt to go with the flow.'
'Without ever losing hope, I survived in Mumbai with the hope of becoming a good actor.'
'Vishal told me he envisioned me while writing (the script), but I was not well.' 'He called me and said, 'Navindraji, hum aap ka dhyaan rakhenge set par.' 'That's how I got on board, and they really pampered me.'
Alkazi, who was the longest serving director of the National School of Drama and mentored generations of actors, produced plays such as Girish Karnad's Tughlaq and Dharamvir Bharati's Andha Yug.
'Once I left my photographs at Ram Gopal Varma's office.' 'I told a friend I was concerned no one had contacted me. My friend said, "Itni jaldi nahin hota idhar. Time lagega".'
'Sex is such a healthy thing that your first encounter with it should be good, otherwise it scars you for life, it disturbs you for life.'
'Thank you for the cinema, thank you for the laughs.'
'I grew up in a place that used to be the best city in India: Allahabad.' 'The city has given some of the best writers, politicians and musicians to the country. 'Today, it has gone to the dogs.'
© 2026 Rediff.com - Advertise with us - Disclaimer - Privacy Policy - Sitemap - Feedback - About us - Terms of use - Grievances