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Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Raj Khosla@100: Asha Parekh remembers director who helped her break 'glam girl' image with 'Do Badan'
Mumbai, Veteran actor Asha Parekh on Saturday credited the late writer-filmmaker, Raj Khosla, with recognising her potential beyond the "glam girl" image by offering her "Do Badan", a film that changed the trajectory of her career. At a retrospective event to mark Khosla's 100th birth anniversary, Parekh said the filmmaker's decision to cast her in the 1966 drama came as a surprise to her as it went against the industry's perception of her. "Everyone in the industry thought I was just a glam girl, a dancing girl and that I am not a good actress. I do not know what Raj ji had in mind when he came to me and offered me 'Do Badan'. The critics wrote good things about me and my work in the film. It gave me confidence to do more such films," Parekh said at a panel discussion. "Do Badan" tells the story of two lovers Asha , a wealthy young woman, and Vikas , an orphan whose romance takes a tragic turn due to a series of unforeseen events. The film, which became a box-office hit on its release, also featured Simi Garewal and Pran in pivotal roles. The Dadasaheb Phalke award winner revealed that initially, her contemporary, Rakhee, was supposed to star in the film. "I remember, Raj ji called me and said, 'I want to talk to you'. I said, 'okay'. He came home and narrated the story. After the narration, I told him to promise me to make the film as it is. It was a beautifully-written film. It was poetic. I remember, women would cry watching the film," Parekh said. The actor also shared that she had suggested a different climax to Khosla for "Do Badan", one where only her character would die. However, after further discussions, Kumar convinced the director to go with a more tragic ending in which both lovers meet their fate. "He would say what he wanted but leave the artists to emote the way they want," Parekh said about their collaborative process. After "Do Badan", the two also collaborated in "Chirag" , "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" and "Main Tulsi Tere Aangan Ki" . Filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt was also part of the panel discussion along with Amborish Roychoudhury, the author of "Raj Khosla: The Authorised Biography", and Khosla's daughter, Anita. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, director of the Film Heritage Foundation , moderated the panel discussion. Khosla gave Hindi cinema some of its most memorable songs like "Lag Jaa Gale", "Mera Saaya", "Jhumka Gira Re", "Kahin Pe Nigaahen Kahin Pe Nishaana", "Yeh Hai Bombay Meri Jaan", "Nazar Lagi Raja Tore Bangle Par", "Hai Apna Dil To Awara" and many more. Parekh said she loved the way Khosla shot the song sequences in his movies. "When you work in four films, the whole unit becomes like a family.... Raj ji came from the Guru Dutt school, there was a little bit of Guru Dutt ji that he had while doing ," she said. The daylong retrospective, titled "Raj Khosla 100 Bambai Ka Babu", was curated by the FHF at the Regal Cinema in south Mumbai. As part of the celebrations, three of Khosla's acclaimed films "CID" , "Bambai Ka Babu" and "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" were screened. The first two films have been restored in 4K resolution by the National Film Development Corporation and National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, an initiative of the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting. Parekh said re-watching "Mera Gaon Mera Desh" brought back fresh memories. "It did bring back fresh memories. I had the most fun working with him. I wish I could see the entire film, but I had to leave," the veteran actor told PTI. "It was a film that was different from the films I was doing. It had beautiful songs. Laxmi Chayya had a better role than I, but despite that, I stood my ground," she added. Earlier in the day, actor Raima Sen introduced "Bambai Ka Babu", which featured her late grandmother, Suchitra Sen, opposite Dev Anand. Sen said she is glad that these classic films are being reintroduced and thanked the FHF for taking the initiative to commemorate Khosla's work. "I am excited to introduce this film, which is my favourite film. For her , to take up this subject was a very bold move because it was not conventional and she was a star. "So to do an unusual film story of a brother and a sister, who till the end do not know that they are brother and sister, and the romance between the two, I think the film was way ahead of its time," Sen said.
News18
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- News18
Film Heritage Foundation Celebrates Raj Khosla's 100th Birth Anniversary With Restored Classics
Last Updated: Raj Khosla's centenary will be celebrated with restored 4K screenings of C.I.D., Bambai Ka Babu & more at Mumbai's Regal Cinema. Free public event. On the occasion of legendary filmmaker Raj Khosla's 100th birth anniversary, the Film Heritage Foundation (FHF) has announced a day-long celebration titled 'Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu'. Taking place on May 31, 2025, at Mumbai's historic Regal Cinema, the event will offer a rare chance to revisit some of Khosla's most iconic films on the big screen—restored to their original cinematic glory. The retrospective will feature special screenings of C.I.D. (1956), Bambai Ka Babu (1960), and Mera Gaon Mera Desh (1971). Two of these films—C.I.D. and Bambai Ka Babu—have been restored in 4K resolution by the NFDC – National Film Archive of India under the National Film Heritage Mission, a government initiative dedicated to the preservation and restoration of Indian cinema. The event will also include a panel discussion featuring distinguished guests such as veteran actress Asha Parekh, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, and Amborish Roychoudhury, author of Raj Khosla: The Authorized Biography. Together, they will reflect on Khosla's cinematic vision and the cultural impact of his diverse body of work. Shivendra Singh Dungarpur, Director of Film Heritage Foundation, described Khosla as 'the Howard Hawks of Indian cinema," referencing his mastery across genres—from thrillers and musicals to romance and action. 'He was a filmmaker whose name on the hoarding was as important as his stars," Dungarpur noted, adding that Khosla's innovative storytelling and nuanced depiction of strong female characters made him a trailblazer. 'We are proud to celebrate his centenary with this retrospective, and grateful to the NFDC for restoring two of his classics for the occasion." For Asha Parekh, who worked with Khosla on several hits including Do Badan and Mera Gaon Mera Desh, the tribute is deeply personal. 'He gave me one of my most memorable performances," she said. 'His understanding of emotions and song picturization was unmatched. I'm thrilled the Film Heritage Foundation is keeping his legacy alive for new generations." Mahesh Bhatt, in a heartfelt statement, recalled Khosla as a philosophical mentor. 'He once told me fame is like starlight—traveling across time even after the star is gone. Raj Sahab was that star. His influence lives on in all of us who were lucky enough to be shaped by him." NFDC Managing Director Prakash Magdum emphasized the importance of the restored versions being screened. 'Bombai Ka Babu has been preserved in our collection for decades, and showcasing it in 4K for the first time is a landmark moment. It's our honor to present these restored prints during such an important celebration." The screenings are free and open to the public on a first-come, first-served basis—part of Film Heritage Foundation's ongoing mission to make classic cinema accessible and preserve India's rich film legacy. The foundation has previously curated tributes to cinematic icons like Dev Anand, Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, and Amitabh Bachchan, earning praise for its commitment to cultural preservation. Over the course of his three-decade career, Raj Khosla directed 27 films that redefined the grammar of Hindi cinema. From his early days as an assistant to Guru Dutt to his collaborations with stars like Dev Anand and Asha Parekh, Khosla was an architect of visual storytelling whose work bridged art and commerce. He introduced a lyrical style to thrillers, reinvented romance with psychological depth, and pioneered narrative song sequences that would become standard across Bollywood. As Raj Khosla 100 – Bambai Ka Babu brings his work back to the silver screen, audiences old and new will get to experience the light of a cinematic star whose brilliance refuses to fade. First Published: May 31, 2025, 17:54 IST
Hindustan Times
12-05-2025
- General
- Hindustan Times
Capital alerts: Delhi's long tryst with sirens, from World War II to today
On Friday afternoon, a day before India and Pakistan called a ceasefire and halted military action, a wail-like sound rang through ITO, in the heart of Delhi. It was a long and metallic cry of an air raid siren atop the PWD building—part of a citywide revival of a wartime warning system. This was one of 500 sirens the Delhi government planned to install across the Capital, reintroducing a civil defence tool that once dictated everyday life during times of conflict. For many, the siren brought back memories of wartime Delhi, when citizens lived in constant fear of air raids. 'I first heard the siren in 1962 when I was in college. The sirens were installed on campus, and the civil defence corps would visit to teach us safety drills,' said Sydney Rebeiro, 83, former dean of culture at Delhi University. 'They were sounded more frequently during the 1971 war with Pakistan. I remember once coming out of Regal Cinema and finding Connaught Place pitch-dark. Those days, the sound of the siren was unnerving, but the short burst that indicated the all-clear felt like music to the ears.' 'We got our information mainly from All India Radio, about various civil defence drills. We used to rush to cover windows with brown paper or newspapers, so light wouldn't filter out and, in case of a blast, the glass wouldn't shatter like shrapnel,' said Suresh Mehta, 70, a resident of Karol Bagh. Air raid sirens: a history Delhi's first air raid sirens were installed in the early 1940s by the British colonial administration as part of the Air Raid Precaution (ARP) programme during World War II. With Japanese forces threatening British India's eastern front, Kolkata (then Calcutta) and Mumbai (then Bombay) were seen as vulnerable targets, and Delhi, being the seat of power, was also fortified. Sirens made by UK-based companies like Carter Nelson and Gent & Company were installed on government buildings and police stations across Connaught Place, Daryaganj, and Kashmere Gate, among other areas. These mechanical sirens produced sound levels between 100 and 120 decibels, making them audible within one to two kilometres under ideal conditions. 'Air raid sirens became prominent only after advancements in military aviation made it possible to target cities from the air,' said Amit Pathak, senior fellow at the Centre for Military History and Conflict Studies. 'From World War I (1914–1918) onward, cities began to face threats from zeppelins, biplanes, and later, long-range bombers. This changed the nature of warfare—civilians far from the front lines were now at risk. During World War II, cities became big targets and sirens were widely used in alerting civilians, especially as biplanes and bombers could strike with speed.' London was the first city to use air raid sirens, beginning around 1915 during World War I, to warn residents of German zeppelin raids. These early warnings were sounded using hand-cranked or steam-powered devices that produced about 80 decibels of sound, audible over short distances—typically less than a kilometre—marking the advent of organised civil defence against aerial attacks. Pathak said earlier wars were dominated by artillery, which had a more limited range and required a direct line of sight. 'Artillery battles were confined to the battlefield. Unless a city was under siege, there was little risk to civilians. As a result, there was no need for warning systems like sirens,' he said. However, with the rise of air power, even cities hundreds of kilometres from the front could be bombed. In India, the 1962 Sino-Indian War triggered a renewed push to expand the siren network in Delhi. As fears of Chinese air raids loomed, sirens were installed in newly developed government colonies, such as Netaji Nagar and Vinay Nagar (renamed Sarojini Nagar in the 1970s). About 30 sirens were installed during the war. The Civil Defence Act of 1968 played an important role in strengthening India's preparedness during the 1971 Indo-Pak War, especially by formalising siren usage. The Act empowered authorities to install sirens on key buildings, and the civil defence corps carried out public awareness campaigns, blackout drills, and community training. Under its provisions, residents would douse lights, cover windows, and seek shelter when sirens rang. 'We took the sirens seriously. When one sounded, we stopped everything,' said Manohar Gupta, 79, who now lives in Janakpuri. The return of sirens But in the decades following the 1971 war, the siren system gradually fell into neglect. As direct armed conflicts almost ended and more sophisticated communication systems emerged, sirens were neither maintained nor upgraded. Most became defunct. As the city reinstates a network of modern sirens in the wake of renewed Indo-Pak tensions following the Pahalgam terror attack, Delhi is once again turning to this old civil defence tool—now adapted to meet new urban complexities. 'These sirens are essential for public safety during emergencies. They will be centrally controlled by the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and managed from a command centre. Once triggered, they will ring for five minutes, giving people time to seek shelter,' said Public Works Department (PWD) minister Parvesh Verma, during the ITO test. Each of Delhi's 11 districts is set to receive around 10 sirens in the first phase. Fifty will be placed on prominent multi-storey buildings. Unlike old manually operated sirens, the new devices feature GSM-based remote activation, integrated into a software platform that allows all or selected sirens to be triggered simultaneously. HF radio backup and battery support ensure they work even during a mobile network failure or blackout. However, the ITO test revealed some shortcomings. Although the sirens are designed to be heard up to 8 kilometres away, several people said the sound was too faint. 'People were more curious than scared. But the sound was faint—I could barely hear it,' a fruit-seller near the ITO junction said. Officials have acknowledged the concern. 'We are reviewing the sound calibration,' a civil defence officer said. 'We're considering whether to increase decibel output or install more sirens closer together.' Rebeiro said, 'The sociology of noise has changed. Delhi was quieter in 1971. Today, urban noise pollution is a big problem. It's no surprise that sirens don't carry far anymore.' For younger Delhi residents, sirens are unfamiliar and unsettling. 'It felt like a dystopian movie. I didn't know whether to be scared or amused,' said 19-year-old student Aanya Gupta, who heard a siren during a civil defence drill on May 7. 'I hope they never have to be used for real in the city.'
Indianapolis Star
03-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Indianapolis Star
Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*' is in theaters now! Get discounted movie tickets on Groupon
AI-assisted summary Groupon offers discounted Regal Cinema tickets, along with deals on concessions. The discounted tickets can be redeemed at any Regal Cinema nationwide, but surcharges apply for premium formats. Groupon also offers deals on other entertainment and activities besides movie tickets. Disney just dropped the latest installment in the MCU franchise: Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*'. If it's anything like every other Marvel movie release, you're going to want to see it sooner rather later, or deal with the spoilers from everyone on the internet. This weekend, you can grab tickets for a Regal Movie Cinema theater near you on Groupon and save some cash on the tickets (and we know how expensive movie tickets have gotten). Groupon also has blockbuster deals on snack packs that include popcorn, a drink and some fruit snacks. You don't have to pay full (and outrageous) prices at the movie theater ever you definitely don't have to sneak in pocket candy, either. One Small Popcorn A small popcorn at a Regal Cinema movie theater typically costs a minimum of $9, but you can save 12% when you pay ahead of time on Groupon. $7.49 at Groupon (Save 12%) Regal Cinema Snack Pack Want a movie snack that's not just popcorn? A snack pack includes a snack-size popcorn, junior-size drink and a Welch's fruit snack. $6.88 at Groupon How does a Groupon Regal Cinema ticket work? Regal Premiere Movie Tickets purchased on Groupon need to be redeemed for the actual Regal ticket, you're just paying a cheaper price! The tickets are redeemable at any of Regal theatres nationwide. They can be redeemed at the theatre box office, concession stand, Kiosk, Regal Mobile App, or at Surcharges apply to all IMAX, RPX, ScreenX, Premium Large Format, 3D and 4DX films. These tickets are not valid for special events or special screenings like marathons, double features, fan screenings, MET Opera, Fathom Events, some foreign language films, sporting events, and concerts. Popcorn and snack box purchases needs to be redeemed at the concessions counter of your local Regal Cinema. Is Groupon legit? While Groupon deals may seem too good to be true, they are totally legit. Groupon helps you save on local activities, travel-friendly experiences and everything in between. From a discounted spa day or tickets for local events to a top-rated hotel reservation, Groupon deals can help you enjoy more for less.
USA Today
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*' is in theaters now! Get discounted movie tickets on Groupon
Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*' is in theaters now! Get discounted movie tickets on Groupon Save on Regal Cinema movie tickets this weekend, plus popcorn and drinks! Disney just dropped the latest installment in the MCU franchise: Marvel Studios' 'Thunderbolts*'. If it's anything like every other Marvel movie release, you're going to want to see it sooner rather later, or deal with the spoilers from everyone on the internet. This weekend, you can grab tickets for a Regal Movie Cinema theater near you on Groupon and save some cash on the tickets (and we know how expensive movie tickets have gotten). Groupon also has blockbuster deals on snack packs that include popcorn, a drink and some fruit snacks. You don't have to pay full (and outrageous) prices at the movie theater ever you definitely don't have to sneak in pocket candy, either. Here's a look at Groupon's top deals for Regal Movie Cinema: Regal Cinema movie tickets and snack deals on Groupon WHAT TO WATCH: Meet Marvel's lovable B-team How does a Groupon Regal Cinema ticket work? Regal Premiere Movie Tickets purchased on Groupon need to be redeemed for the actual Regal ticket, you're just paying a cheaper price! The tickets are redeemable at any of Regal theatres nationwide. They can be redeemed at the theatre box office, concession stand, Kiosk, Regal Mobile App, or at Surcharges apply to all IMAX, RPX, ScreenX, Premium Large Format, 3D and 4DX films. These tickets are not valid for special events or special screenings like marathons, double features, fan screenings, MET Opera, Fathom Events, some foreign language films, sporting events, and concerts. Popcorn and snack box purchases needs to be redeemed at the concessions counter of your local Regal Cinema. More: Shop this week's 10 best sales at Clarks, Groupon, Rocco and more Is Groupon legit? While Groupon deals may seem too good to be true, they are totally legit. Groupon helps you save on local activities, travel-friendly experiences and everything in between. From a discounted spa day or tickets for local events to a top-rated hotel reservation, Groupon deals can help you enjoy more for less. 🌭Costco hot dogs and hot deals: Join today and get a free $20 gift card
