Features

From projecting the Nehruvian idea of nation building and giving the rebel a cause to candyfloss romances and evolution of parallel cinemas, Bollywood has churned out thousands of films over the past six decades and has interestingly never followed a trend. "The industry has been very dynamic. Over the past 60 years, many good films have been produced but if we talk about great films, landmark films, we don't have many. Nevertheless, we are improving and showing signs of maturity," said veteran film scholar Derek Bose.

The announcement of the winners of 53rd National Awards for 2005 has came a year late but the delay hasn't taken away the thrill from the winners. Be it Amitabh Bachchan or Anupam Kher, all the recipients are happy to be honoured with the country's most prestigious film awards.

Bengali film "Kaalpurush", Aamir Khan starrer "Rang De Basanti" and Bollywood icon Amitabh Bachchan were Tuesday named to receive the National Film Awards for 2005 in different categories. Directed by Budhadeb Dasgupta, "Kaalpurush - Memories In The Mist" was named the best feature film, while "Rang De Basanti" was cited as the best popular film providing wholesome entertainment.

As India celebrates 60 years of independence, the country's biggest superstars Shah Rukh Khan and Salman Khan will step up the tempo to rekindle patriotic fervour with "Chak De India" and "Marigold" respectively. While Shah Rukh, known as the King of Bollywood, will be seen goading a team of women hockey players for a world championship in "Chak De India", Salman will essay the role of an Indian man who steals the heart of a foreign belle who arrives in India with a "bad attitude" and transforms her.

Kishore Kumar would have been 78 Saturday, but chances are that the irrepressible, versatile playback singer-actor would still have been yodelling away like he did so many decades ago in the title track of "Jhumroo" had he been alive. His was the voice that gave us unforgettable moments in the joyous "Paanch Rupaiya Baara Aana", the soulful "Zindagi Ka Safar", the romantic "Pal, Pal Dil Ke Pas" and the foot tapping "Eena Meena Deeka" that has people doing the twist even 50 years later.

Nemesis came calling on Bollywood star Sanjay Dutt Tuesday when a special court ended one of the longest terror trials in the world by sentencing him to six years rigorous imprisonment for being in possession of "dangerous weapons" in the 1993 Mumbai bombings case.

Sanjay Dutt's sentencing to six years in jail has sent shock waves through the Hindi film industry, with producers of at least three films involving the actor wondering about the fate of their incomplete projects, pegged at around Rs.1 billion (Rs.100 crores).

Bollywood's star actor Sanjay Dutt, on whose shoulders rides about a billion rupees in investment of the Indian film industry, was sentenced to six years in prison for illegally possessing "dangerous" weapons in the 1993 Mumbai bombings as one of the longest criminal trials in India ended Tuesday.

Whether they are seasoned stars like Amitabh Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Hema Malini or new talents like Bipasha Basu, Riteish Deshmukh, all actors have at some point in their career learnt new skills to make their roles convincing. If Amitabh learnt sign language for "Black" and Shabana trained herself in Carnatic music for "Morning Raga", Ritiesh picked up the tricks of street luge for his role in "Cash".

Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was a passionate opponent of cinema but what he termed "sinful" is growing increasingly fascinated with the man who wore only wire-rimmed glasses and a loincloth. Bollywood may have repackaged Gandhianism and made his teachings relevant to today's generation through "Lage Raho Munnabhai", but Mahatma Gandhi himself equated cinema with 'evils' like gambling and horse racing.

Monica Bedi, who spent five years behind bars in Portugal and India before walking free Wednesday, said she has learnt many lessons from life in jail but would now like to return to films as she was getting a lot of offers. "Ups and downs are common in life. There is always a morning after the night. It was a challenge. I learnt lessons from jail life and emerged more stronger and confident," she told newsmen.