Latest news with #Katyayani
Indian Express
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Chandigarh event offers rare, personal insight into legacy of iconic siblings — Chetan, Dev and Vijay Anand
Navketan Films' 75-year legacy and the cinematic contributions of the Anand brothers — Chetan, Dev and Vijay — were celebrated through a 90-minute audio-visual presentation at Punjab Kala Bhawan's Randhawa Auditorium in Chandigarh on Saturday. Organised by Katyayani and the Three Arts Club, the event traced the brothers' journey from their Punjabi roots in Gurdaspur to their rise in the film industry of what then was Bombay. Actor and writer Sohaila Kapur — niece of the Anand brothers and daughter of their sister Sheela Kanta Kapur — curated and performed the monologue. Blending archival footage with personal recollections and family history, Sohaila offered an intimate look at the Anands' legacy. 'Their ancestors served in Maharaja Ranjit Singh's army. The next generation was granted land in Gharota village for their services. That's where the family grew,' she told The Indian Express. Among the three brothers, she noted, Chetan retained the deepest connection to Punjab. 'I was feeling very nostalgic about the 1950s… Then I realised it was because of my uncles. Their stories needed to be told together,' Sohaila said, reflecting on what led her to create the performance. She also drew upon memories shared by her mother, Sheela Kanta, who she described as 'the most educated and probably the most beautiful' of the siblings. 'She was a working mother,' Sohaila said. Chetan arrived in Bombay in 1943 during a winter break from his teaching job, carrying a film script based on emperor Ashoka's life. Though the script went nowhere, the visit launched his acting career with Rajkumar, directed by Phani Majumdar. He soon joined the Indian People's Theatre Association (IPTA) and married fellow member Uma. His directorial debut, 'Neecha Nagar' (1946), went on to win the Grand Prix at the first Cannes Film Festival. Dev Anand followed soon after and debuted in 'Hum Ek Hain'. 'Dev followed Chetan. He was a real admirer… though he probably didn't know he would eventually overtake him careerwise,' Sohaila said. Vijay Anand, the youngest, entered the industry much later. His breakthrough as a director came with 'Nau Do Gyarah', after he had already written dialogues and lyrics for several films. 'There was a public rivalry between the brothers. Not jealousy — but definitely envy,' Sohaila remarked. While Chetan pursued socially conscious cinema, Dev leaned into star-centric storytelling. 'Chetan was cerebral… Dev wanted to enhance 'star'… and Goldie was the balance between the two.' She recounted a key moment during the making of 'Guide', when Dev initially refused to play a non-glamorous role. 'Dev threw a tantrum — he wanted to play Dev the star, not an ordinary man. But Goldie convinced him… and he won the Best Actor award. Dev respected Goldie for his genius. He would call him 'genius'.' The presentation was interspersed with family anecdotes, behind-the-scenes stories, and rare clips from the Anand brothers' films. Sohaila recalled how, as a child, she once asked to become a film star. 'Chetan agreed to cast me as the heroine's younger self in a film, but my mother refused.' She also remembered Dev Anand's magnetic charm: 'Once I asked him which film he was working on. He looked into my eyes and said Asli Naqli. But his hypnotic eyes… I couldn't even look into them.' Sohaila reflected on the enduring relevance of Navketan's themes, particularly a scene from 'Neecha Nagar' showing the diversion of a river for construction. 'It's very familiar to today's demolitions… India is the same as it was 50-60 years ago. Society hasn't changed. Politicians haven't changed,' she said. By weaving together personal memory and cinematic history, Sohaila's performance offered a rare, unified narrative of the three Anand brothers — pioneers who helped shape the grammar of Hindi cinema across three decades. The authors are interns at The Indian Express
NDTV
28-05-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
"Iraj Lalu Yadav": Lalu Yadav Announces Name Of His Grandson
Patna: RJD supremo Lalu Yadav on Wednesday said the family has named his grandson 'Iraj', a day after Tejashwi Yadav became a parent for the second time. Mr Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly, and his wife were on Tuesday blessed with a baby boy at a private hospital in Kolkata. In a post on X, Mr Yadav said, "So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj' by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi and Rajshree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav'." "Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on Bajrang Bali Hanuman Ji's Mangal day of Tuesday, therefore naming him 'Iraj'. Thank you all for your best wishes and blessings! The new born and his mother are doing well," he added. So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj' by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi & Raj Shree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav'. Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on… — Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) May 28, 2025 According to a family member, the baby was born at a private hospital in Kolkata where Rajshree was admitted for the last few days. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also visited the hospital and met Mr Yadav on Tuesday.
Deccan Herald
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Deccan Herald
'Iraj': RJD chief Lalu Prasad Yadav reveals grandson's name
So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj' by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi & Raj Shree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav'. Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on…
News18
28-05-2025
- Politics
- News18
Lalu-Rabri Name Their New Grandson 'Iraj Lalu Yadav'. Here's What It Means
Last Updated: Tejashwi Yadav's wife Rajshree gave birth to their son in a Kolkata hospital. Lalu Yadav visited, lovingly cradling his grandson in a moment captured on camera The Yadav family in Bihar is celebrating the arrival of a new member, named Iraj Lalu Yadav — the grandson of Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) chief Lalu Prasad Yadav — after his younger son, Tejashwi Yadav, and his wife welcomed their second child. Lalu Prasad Yadav and his wife Rabri Devi announced the name of their grandson 'Iraj Lalu Yadav" in a post on X on Wednesday. 'So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj" by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi & Raj Shree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav". Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on Bajrang Bali Hanuman Ji's Mangal day of Tuesday, therfore naming him Iraj," the RJD supremo wrote on X. So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj" by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi & Raj Shree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav". Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on… — Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) May 28, 2025 The former Bihar Chief Minister expressed gratitude for the well-wishes and mentioned that both the mother and the newborn are in good health. The name Iraj holds various meanings in Sanskrit, including another name for Lord Hanuman, flower, happiness, a person born from water, or Lord Kamadeva. Some interpret it as symbolising happiness or joy. Tejashwi Yadav's wife, Rajshree, gave birth to their son at a private hospital in Kolkata where Rajshree was admitted for the last few days. Later, Tejashwi's sister Rohini Acharya took to social media to congratulate her brother. 'Today a new little member 'Bal Gopal Junior Tejaswi' has arrived in our family's courtyard. Hearty congratulations to dear sister-in-law Rajshri – brother Tejaswi, dear Katyayani, as well as our entire family and the entire RJD family." 'May our family always be filled with happiness and may Papa and Maa's courtyard be filled with laughter… Special congratulations to Papa and Maa," she posted on X. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee met Tejashwi Yadav and his wife Rajshri, and extended warm wishes to the family. Lalu Prasad Yadav visited the hospital to meet his newborn grandson and was seen affectionately cradling and caressing the baby. Photos capturing the emotional moment have gone viral on social media, reflecting Lalu's joy and warmth at the newest addition to the family. Tejashwi married Rajshree Yadav in 2021, and they welcomed their first child, a daughter, in March 2023. This development comes shortly after the Yadav family gained attention due to Lalu Prasad expelling his elder son, Tej Pratap Yadav, from the party for six years on Sunday. Lalu cited Tej Pratap's 'irresponsible behaviour" and also severed all family ties with him. A controversy arose when Tej Pratap announced on Facebook that he was 'in a relationship" with a woman named Anushka Yadav, but later claimed his account had been 'hacked". First Published: May 28, 2025, 11:55 IST
The Hindu
28-05-2025
- Politics
- The Hindu
Tejashwi Yadav's baby boy has been named ‘Iraj': Lalu Prasad
RJD supremo Lalu Prasad on Wednesday (May 28, 2025) said the family has named his grandson 'Iraj', a day after Tejashwi Yadav became a parent for the second time. Mr. Yadav, the Leader of Opposition in Bihar assembly, and his wife were on Tuesday (May 27) blessed with a baby boy at a private hospital in Kolkata. So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named "Iraj" by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi & Raj Shree have given him full name as "Iraj Lalu Yadav". Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on… — Lalu Prasad Yadav (@laluprasadrjd) May 28, 2025 In a post on X, Mr. Prasad said, 'So our grand daughter Katyayani's little brother is named 'Iraj' by me and Rabri Devi. Tejashwi and Rajshree have given him full name as 'Iraj Lalu Yadav'.' 'Katyayani was born on Katyayani Ashtami, the 6th day of auspicious Navratri and this little bundle of joy is born on Bajrang Bali Hanuman Ji's Mangal day of Tuesday, therefore naming him 'Iraj'. Thank you all for your best wishes and blessings! The new born and his mother are doing well,' he added. According to a family member, the baby was born at a private hospital in Kolkata where Rajshree was admitted for the last few days. West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee had also visited the hospital and met Yadav on Tuesday (May 27).
