Latest news with #Baazi
&w=3840&q=100)
First Post
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- First Post
Mamta Kulkarni finally reacts to Mahamandleshwar controversy: 'It was all in God's hands for me to...'
Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev openly slammed Mamta's anointment as the Mahamandleshwar and said that nobody can attain sainthood 'in a single day." read more Former Bollywood actress who featured in films like Baazi, Karan Arjun and Sabse Bada Khiladi among others, recently stepped down from her position as Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada at the Maha Kumbh Mela in Prayagraj. Mamta, who adopted a new name — 'Shri Yamai Mamta Nandgiri," said that she would continue her spiritual path as a 'Sadhvi" (a female spiritual seeker). STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Mamta's action came after Mahamandaleshwar Laxmi Narayan Tripathi and the Kinnar Akhada's founder, Rishi Ajay Das disputed over giving the title of Mahamandaleshwar to the former actress. Talking about the controversy, the former actress told ANI, '…It was all in God's hands for me to become Mahamandaleshwar in that Kumbh, which was such a holy occasion in 140 years. God provided me with the fruits of 25 years of my 'tapasya'. So, that happened." Yoga Guru Baba Ramdev openly slammed Mamta's anointment as the Mahamandleshwar and said that nobody can attain sainthood 'in a single day." 'The great Kumbh festival of Sanatana, where our roots are connected, is a grand celebration. This is a sacred festival Some people associate vulgarity, intoxication, and inappropriate behaviour in the name of Kumbh – this is not the true essence of the Maha Kumbh," Baba Ramdev told PTI. In a press release issued on January 30, 2025, Rishi Ajay Das said, 'As the founder of Kinnar Akhada, I am hereby relieving Acharya Mahamandaleshwar Lakshmi Narayan Tripathi from his position as Acharya Mahamandaleshwar of the Kinnar Akhada, effective immediately. His appointment was made with the goal of promoting religious activities and uplifting the transgender community, but he has deviated from these responsibilities." STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD
Time of India
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Avinash Gowariker recalls Karisma Kapoor introducing him to Salman Khan; talks about his first shoot for Baazi with Aamir Khan
Celebrity photographer Avinash Gowariker recently reminisced his first shoot with Aamir Khan for Baazi. He also recalled how he was introduced to Salman Khan by Karisma Kapoor . First Shoot with Aamir Khan In an interview with Bollywood Bubble, Avinash Gowariker shared his experience of working on his first shoot for Baazi with Aamir Khan. At the time, he was an assistant director aspiring to be a photographer. He mentioned how Aamir, with the support of Ashutosh Gowariker , gave him an opportunity that many might not have received, allowing him to capture the moment with Aamir. Introduction to Salman Khan by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Unlock your potential through diverse online programs, Degree Online | Search Ads Learn More Undo Avinash Gowariker recalled that Aamir Khan agreed to give him a chance to shoot for a magazine. With no studio available, they decided to shoot on location in Mahabaleshwar while Aamir was working on Raja Hindustani . They captured pictures casually on the YC bridge on the Mumbai–Pune road, and surprisingly, the photos were published. This experience marked the beginning of Avinash's career as a photographer. Avinash Gowariker shared that he met Karisma Kapoor while she was shooting Raja Hindustani, and she introduced him to Salman Khan. He mentioned that once Salman Khan liked him, his career took off. Salman gave him numerous opportunities, leading to a successful working relationship that has greatly influenced his career. Gratitude for Key Mentors Avinash Gowariker credited Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Ashutosh Gowariker as the key figures who gave him significant opportunities early in his career. He described them as the "three pillars" that supported him, emphasizing that he considers himself lucky for having received such help. Reflecting on his journey, Avinash expressed gratitude for the timely opportunities and the ability to recognize them, acknowledging the crucial role these individuals played in his success. Avinash Gowariker acknowledged that spotting opportunities is challenging and credited his success to his ability to recognize and seize them. He mentioned that while he worked hard to identify these chances, he remains grateful for the guidance and support from individuals like Aamir Khan, Salman Khan, and Ashutosh Gowariker, who provided him with key opportunities at crucial moments in his career. He humbly accepted his role in making the most of those chances.
India Today
04-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India Today
Baazi: Where noir meets nonsense in Dev Anand and Guru Dutt's early experiment
As part of our series on Hindi films from the past, we revisit Baazi, the film that started one bromance, and two romances — off the screenFilm: Baazi (1951)Cast: Dev Anand, Geeta Bali, Kalpana Kartik, KN Singh and Krishan DhawanDirector: Guru DuttBox-Office Status: Super-hitWhere to Watch: YouTubeWhy to Watch: For Guru Dutt's camera angles and Dev Anand's complex love triangleMoral of the Story: None, not every movie gives free gyaanadvertisement'Baazi' poses a mathematical riddle so profound, it could stump even Pythagoras: If one person can fool you for one hour, how many people are required to dupe you for three? The film's solution? A trio of titans—Dev Anand, Guru Dutt and (et tu?) Balraj math is not your thing, don't worry. Baazi also imparts a timeless lesson: too many geniuses spoil a the film ends, only one question endures: How could three contemporary greats sabotage a decent film with a climax so ridiculous, it feels like a prank? And, more intriguingly, how did our ancestors fall for it, making Baazi the second-highest grosser of 1951? Truly, a mystery for the Backstory Baazi was the result of a pact between Dev Anand and Guru Dutt. Both had promised each other that whoever makes a film first will cast the other—Guru Dutt as director, if Anand produces it, and the actor as the hero if the other directs when Dev Anand launched his production house Navketan, named after his nephew Ketan–later linked to the controversial death of actor Priya Rajvansh—-he kept his word. Another Bollywood legend, Balraj Sahni, joined the project as a from this bromance, Baazi also marked the beginning of the romance between Guru Dutt and Geeta Dutta (who sang most of the songs), and Dev Anand and Kalpana Kartik, the actor's future wife, after his failed romance with Suraiya. Dev Anand, Rashid Khan and Geeta Bali in a still from 'Baazi.' Photo:IMDb The StoryMadan (Dev Anand) is almost a reincarnation of Mama Shakuni from the Mahabharata. An accomplished gambler, every time Madan rolls the dice, you can imagine Duryodhan screaming, 'Six, Mamashri, six.' Lo and behold, six it always Madan doesn't play against the Pandavas to rid them of their wife and kingdom. His mission in life is humbler. He snares rich gamblers into a seedy underground casino run by Maalik, a shadowy figure whose face is always hidden by Guru Dutt's legendary use of is born not just with lucky hands, but also lucky lips. For no particular reason, two women are madly in love with this Bombay tapori, who doesn't have money for his sister's treatment but is never without a cigarette, and is always kitted out in a scarf and a first victim of his unexplained charm is the local Doc, Rajani (Kalpana Kartik), who gets smitten by him after he harasses her at her clinic. Simultaneously, the cupid's arrow srikes Leena (Geeta Bali), a coquettish club dancer referred to as 'Madaam' (pronounced like badaam), who also works for evolving love triangle, with the usual ameer-girl-gareeb-guy trope and some hummable songs. So far so good. To make it spicier, Guru Dutt even adds a post-interval twist by revealing the identity of Maalik—our Kaliyug Shakuni's employer. Dev Anand and Geeta Bali in Baazi. Photo:IMDb Then the film slides down the path of absurdity. Madan is accused of a murder he didn't commit. Yet he confesses because the real perpetrators threaten to harm his sister. The investigating officer, Krishan Dhawan (always in the same khaki suit), knows Madan is being framed. Yet, in record time, Madan is sentenced to death (presumably without even a chargesheet). But, just an hour before the hanging, the inspector accidentally discovers evidence previously non-existent. Time rolls back, literally. The real culprit implicates himself. And, The ending feels rushed and is wrapped up in just 15 minutes. If only Guru Dutt had kept it simple, replacing it with some dishoom-dishoom at the edge of a Khandala hill, where Madan's sister is convalescing, the climax wouldn't have looked like a byproduct of a bad for the ending, the film is quite decent— time-pass stuff, if not memorable. The pace is brisk, the dialogue snappy and weighty, delivered without excess melodrama. The choreography, another defining feature of Guru Dutt's films, is innovative (one of the sequences was later copied in Sridevi's 'Chaalbaaz'). Dev Anand looks roguishly charming and Geeta Bali's audacious flirting and bold dresses light up the noir feel is enhanced by dramatic use of shadows, lighting, and smoke—though it's sometimes overdone. Every male character wears sharp suits, and smokes nonstop, leaving behind a trail of soot like an old locomotive engine. (Ironically, it is the women who keep coughing). Dev Anand in a still from Baazi. Photo:IMDb SD Burman's music and Sahir Ludhianvi's lyrics create timeless classics like 'Taqdeer se bigdi hui tadbeer', 'Suno Gajar Kya Gaye,' and 'Ye Kaun Aaya Ki Meri Duniya Main Bahaar Aayee.' But, the soundtrack also features a monstrous Kumar gets to sing 'Mere Labon Pe Chippe' in a nasal voice with an exaggerated treble, the style made famous by KL Saigal. Lip syncing the song on the screen, Dev Anand rides a donkey, making one wonder if Kishore got confused who among the two he was lending his voice back to the original question, how did this mediocre film with an ending that insults common sense make it big? The only possible answer is that people got lured by the charm of Dev they mistook it for a free math class. No other explanation adds up.
