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Time of India
07-08-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Bollywood celebrates Guru Dutt's timeless legacy during the premiere of Pyaasa's restored version
Legendary filmmaker 's cinematic masterpiece 'Pyaasa' has been restored in 4K by NFDC-NFAI under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative by the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting, Government of India. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now A special premiere of the drama was held in Mumbai, preceded by an engaging panel discussion with lyricist , filmmakers , R Balki, , and senior journalist and critic Bhawana Somaaya. The premiere was graced by some noted personalities from the film fraternity, such as Javed Akhtar, R Balki, , , Hansal Mehta, Sudhir Mishra, Rituparna Sengupta, Divya Dutta, Akshaye Oberoi, Anoop Soni, , and . Additionally, NFDC Managing Director Shri Prakash Magdum and Ultra Media's Sushil Agrawal and Rajat Agrawal were also present at the event. The panel indulged in a deep discussion of Dutt's unmatchable influence on Indian cinema. Dutt's work is being showcased across PVR INOX and Cinepolis theatres this weekend, including 'Pyaasa,' 'Kaagaz Ke Phool,' 'Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam,' 'Aar Paar,' 'Chaudhvin Ka Chand,' 'Mr. & Mrs. 55,' and 'Baaz,' offering movie buffs a rare opportunity to witness these timeless classics on the big screen. Shedding light on the event, Akhtar said: "After my graduation, I thought I would go to the film industry and join Guru Dutt for a couple of years, and then I'll become a director. When you're 18 years old, things are simpler and easier, so that's what I had decided. It's so unfortunate that I came to Bombay (now Mumbai) in 1964, on October 4, and he passed away on October 10, so I could never ever see him." "I had really thought that when I go (to Mumbai) somehow I'll manage (to work with Guru Dutt) because (poet-lyricist) Sahir (Ludhianvi) sahab was a good friend of Guru Dutt and he had written songs for 'Pyaasa', I thought this connection would work. I had thought I'd assist him for a while, but it didn't work," he added.
Hindustan Times
31-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Vidya Balan says she was scared, warned against playing Amitabh Bachchan's mother in Paa: ‘Thought R Balki had lost it'
Bollywood actor Vidya Balan played the role of Amitabh Bachchan's mother in Paa—a decision she was strongly cautioned against. As she completes 20 years in Bollywood this August, Vidya reflected on that moment of uncertainty in an interview with Filmfare and shared how she eventually embraced the role in R Balki's film. Vidya Balan reacalls her reaction when she first got to know R Balki wants her to play Amitabh Bachchan's mother in Paa. Vidya Balan says people warned her against playing Big B's mother in Paa Vidya recalled her initial reaction upon hearing that R Balki wanted her to play Amitabh Bachchan's mother in Paa, "I thought R Balki had lost it. He said he wanted Abhishek (Bachchan) and me to play Mr Bachchan's parents. It sounded absurd. But then he read me the script of Paa, and something shifted. I kept revisiting it, and the actor in me kept saying, 'Do it.' I was scared, though.' She added, 'Everyone warned me that playing an older woman would end my career. But I got a writer and an ad filmmaker friend to read it, and both insisted I do it. That's when I stopped listening to the noise and started listening to myself. I'd already done films that didn't speak to me. Though they worked, I hadn't enjoyed them. I never wanted to feel that disconnect again.' About Paa The 2009 drama, directed by R Balki, features Amitabh Bachchan as Auro, a 12-year-old boy suffering from a rare genetic disorder called progeria, which causes accelerated ageing. In a unique reversal of real-life roles, Abhishek Bachchan plays Auro's father, while Vidya Balan portrays his mother. The film was both critically and commercially acclaimed, earning several awards including the National Film Award for Best Actor (Amitabh Bachchan) and Best Hindi Feature Film. Vidya was last seen in Bhool Bhulaiyaa 3, co-starring Kartik Aaryan, Triptii Dimri, and Madhuri Dixit. The film was a box office hit, grossing ₹389 crore worldwide. While she has yet to announce her next project, her debut Bollywood film Parineeta will be re-released in select cinemas across India for one week starting August 29.
