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iView Author: Satyendra Jha (Pune, India)
Email: satyendrajha30(at)gmail(dot)com

Balraj Sahni - Understated Realism

There comes an actor in decades who we love to watch for the simplistic portrayal of the most layered nuances. Balraj Sahni (born Yudhisthir Sahni) was one such gem on Indian cinema.

Those who have seen him in two of his arguably best roles, Do Bigha Zameen and Garam Hawa, would have no doubt that Balraj Sahni was the main pioneer of neo-realistic movement in Indian Cinema, that was later carried forward by the likes of Shyam Benegal, Govind Nihlani, Naseerudding Shah, Om Puri, Shabana Azmi, Smita Patil etc.

Not surprisingly, the two movies mentioned above are not only the highlight of his illustrious film-career but also encompass the entire arc of his acting life. Do …

iView Author: ava (Chandigarh, India)

Email: avasuri [at] gmail [dot] com

Do Hanky

Do Raste was a movie by Raj Khosla that released in 1969. This was a momentous year for Rajesh Khanna. Here was a genuine boy next door who wore bush-shirts over slim fit trousers. His diction (or should I say dialouge delivery) was to die for. He had worked in some avant garde movies like Ittefaq and Aakhri Khat. His Aradhana was a super duper hit. He was well on his way to his Phenomonen status and unequalled adulation.

But what to do, it was the time of the CLICHE. You would take a look at a girl in a saree with the palloo draped over her head and you said, ahhh here is the girl who will make my ghar a swarg. A …

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“Time is not measured by the passing of years but by what one does, what one feels, and what one achieves.”
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“Peace is not a relationship of nations. It is a condition of mind brought about by a serenity of soul. Peace is not merely the absence of war. It is also a state of mind. Lasting peace can come only to peaceful people.”
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“Life is like a game of cards. The hand you are dealt is determinism; the way you play it is free will.”
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- Pt. Nehru

The emotion of sadness of people of India which they had got from the death of Pt Nehru has been described very well in a 1967 hindi film Naunihaal.

Can’t recall the full story of the film, seen on DD long ago. All I can recall is the story of a child, facing many difficulties in life and he has …

iView Author:
Sarang
(Honolulu, USA)

Email:
saranghere [at] gmail [dot] com

Baazi: A revelation for me!

As I was buying my groceries for the week, I glanced through the DVD collection that the desi store had for rent. I wasn’t expecting to rent anything new and I wanted to get my mind off with some movie that made no sense. So, I picked up Kaafila, yes, the Sunny Deol one that deals with the issue of illegal immigration. Along with that DVD on the rack, I found another DVD which was cheaper to rent and it had two movies Baazi and Patita. I picked that up. I had seen Baazi a long time ago when all I knew was Dev Anand was the hero and I laughed at a few comic situations I could understand. Anyway, I had been wanting to watch this movie since …