Latest news with #ShashiKapoor
Khaleej Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Khaleej Times
This community is building a digital South Asian pop culture hub in UAE
Did you know that Jay, Veeru, Gabbar and Thakur, the infallible iconic characters from forever Bollywood blockbuster Sholay (The Amber, 1975), visited Hatta recently in their cutest funky avatar. There were also the star crossed Raj and Simran from the heartwarming Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jayenge (The Brave hearted will take away the Bride,1995) along with Simran's father Bauji waiting for a ride in the Dubai Metro; about to live a 'jee ley apni zindagi'(live your life, girl)! I gorged pleasingly into this fun post by Saanjh Dubai pondering how seamlessly these Hindi cinema characters blended with the rocky terrain of Hatta as if it was Ramgarh or with Dubai Metro Station vibe. What was most striking was the matchmaking of Dubai/UAE locations and Bollywood characters. Not a single scene fell out of place. Being an aficionado of retro Hindi cinema myself, I was kind of convinced that this must be by a content team who are not only knowledgeable about the subcontinent's desi culture but also really passionate in reaching its elements beyond their places of birth. Well Saanjh Dubai exactly does that and more; it gives South Asia a cognisant identity for both the Emiratis and the desis alike old and new who have made Dubai and UAE their home. Born out of a sublime experience during a visit to Prithvi Theatre (which was once helmed by actor, producer, Shashi Kapoor, built in memory of his father, the legendary Prithviraj Kapoor), and Prithvi Café Mumbai; Saanjh is a community driven initiative that fosters desi culture, founded by Emirati husband-wife Bader Ali Habib and Sakina Suhail, a couple who have been always fascinated by Indian and Pakistani cultures. Over a free-flowing conversation, Bader shares what went on to the making of Saanjh, their purpose and big dreams for future. Speaking of Saanjh's genesis, he adds, 'It was born when Sakina and I visited Prithvi Café at Prithvi Theatre in Mumbai last year. As we sat reading books, sipping masala chai and sharing keema pav, we found ourselves deeply moved by the conversations unfolding around us. Conversations that were thoughtful, artistic, and rooted in culture. We reflected on how Prithvi Theatre had inspired generations of film and theatre artists,fans. The aura of the space stayed with us, sparking a vision for something similar in Dubai — a place where desi arts, stories, pop culture, and food could come together under one roof.' Bader sounded excited as he opened up about his connect with 'desi' culture. After all, why is reviving and nurturing desi culture so important for him? 'The beauty of the word 'desi' is that it transcends borders, connecting people through shared heritage. Statistically, desis make up over 50 per cent of the UAE's population and have had a presence for centuries. Historical records narrate how spices and silk were imported from India. Indians and Pakistani traders, especially Sindhis and Gujaratis, made their way to Dubai almost five decades ago establishing their shops in Bur Dubai, many of which are still managed by third-generation Indian families. Having grown up amongst them, I see desi community as an essential part of modern Dubai. Saanjh has set on to nurture this desi culture by bringing them under one platform, so we can collectively shape a community anchored in shared pop-culture. There's no better place than Dubai—it's a city where desis from different parts of South Asia and the diaspora thrive and co-exist.' With such a deep rooted history between desis, the UAE's desi culture had sprouted long back. Bader offers a flashback,'Once the expat population grew Icons like Amitabh Bachchan, Dharmendra, Vinod Khanna, and Feroze Khan became household names among Emiratis. Seizing the opportunity, Indian and Emirati businessmen launched single-screen theatres as early as the 1960s. These cinema halls played Bollywood, Hollywood, and even South Indian language films regularly. By the early 2000s, there were close to a dozen cinema halls dedicated to Hindi films in Dubai itself. Today, with the advent of multiplexes these theatres may have disappeared but Emiratis have held on to their legacy of watching Hindi films and listening to Hindi songs.' It isn't surprising and the bond between the UAE and South Asia has only grown over the years. 'South Asians consider Dubai their home and a place where they can preserve their traditions while being part of a cosmopolitan city representing over 200 nationalities.' One can sense how Saanjh may have come with these funky Bollywood characters in advancing their purpose, creating a recall for the newer generation as well as evoke nostalgia; after all the founders themselves have had a long tryst with Hindi cinema. 'I was fortunate to grow up in the 90s and early 2000s, a golden era that gave us timeless films and unforgettable characters. We wanted to recreate these ever-popular characters in a fun way and plant them in UAE's different locations. To do that we utilised Saanjh's Instagram channel (saanjh_dubai) and our upcoming YouTube platform which are designed to build a digital home for desis in the UAE.' So, how has Saanjh's journey been so far, and what is its goal in the coming years? 'It's been nothing short of inspiring. Our vision quickly resonated with other desis in Dubai, from long-time residents to newcomers. Saanjh has become a community space where people can freely discuss their favourite childhood shows, films, and music while also contributing to the future of desi pop culture through events, screenings, podcasts, and more,' he added. 'So far, we've hosted a talk-show format evening with Piyush Mishra, a storytelling Iftar event with Laksh Maheshwari, and a talent showcase event featuring Mustafa Zahid. All these are members-only events and anybody can become a member of SAANJH by joining our WhatsApp community. Apart from this, we have also hosted a bonfire night at Al Qudra with a resident artist singing unplugged versions of popular Hindi and Urdu songs, as well as a social evening for our members to get to know one another better. Our monthly 'Filmy Guftugu' gathering is another initiative we are proud of. Through this, we bring together select members to share their thoughts on desi cinema's evolution and how Dubai can position itself as a cultural anchor especially as more and more artists now call this city home.' The future has more to offer, Bader reveals, 'Saanjh aims to foster collaboration between Indian and Pakistani artists, showcasing the best of both cultures right here in Dubai. We soon plan to expand into film screenings, theatre productions, panel discussions, podcast sessions, artistic workshops, and more. Our long-term goal is to become the largest desi pop culture community outside of India and Pakistan; the go-to destination for Dubai-based community seeking their desi pop culture fix. Our aim is to position Dubai as the beating heart of the South Asian diaspora and Saanjh a cultural hub with physical space where pop culture is celebrated through gatherings, screenings, workshops, musical evenings, and creative collaborations uniting Indian and Pakistani artistry.' As we bid an adieu over masala chai and Suleimani, I am convinced that the juggernaut dream is in making and its name is Saanjh Dubai.
News18
20-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Emotional Shashi Kapoor Touches Shammi Kapoor's Feet Before Accepting Award
Shashi Kapoor, born on March 18, 1938, was the youngest son of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. An emotional throwback video of Shashi Kapoor from the Filmfare Awards has resurfaced online, melting hearts all over again. In the clip, the legendary actor is seen receiving the Filmfare Lifetime Achievement Award, and what followed next is now being fondly remembered by fans. A tearful Shashi Kapoor touched the feet of his elder brother, Shammi Kapoor, before receiving the award. Shammi gently cupped his younger brother's face and planted a kiss on his cheek, making it a touching moment of love and respect between the Kapoor siblings. Hosts Shah Rukh Khan and Saif Ali Khan were present on stage to announce the honour. As Shashi Kapoor made his way up, both stars respectfully touched his feet, a gesture that earned them praise from the audience. Accompanying the moment were Shabana Azmi and Yash Chopra, who jointly presented the award. Before handing over the trophy, Shabana Azmi took a moment to speak about Shashi Kapoor's legacy. 'When I first worked with you in 1974, I could never imagine that I would be given the honour and the privilege to give you the Lifetime Achievement Award. I thank Filmfare for giving me this opportunity. To a wonderful actor, a remarkable human being, a generous producer, and above all, the most beautiful man in the world, Shashi Kapoor," she said. The crowd gave him a standing ovation, acknowledging his unparalleled contribution to Indian cinema. Shashi Kapoor, born on March 18, 1938, was the youngest son of legendary actor Prithviraj Kapoor and brother to Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor. His career spanned decades, with hits like Deewaar, Kabhi Kabhie, Trishul, and Junoon. He also made a mark in international cinema and was a key figure behind Prithvi Theatre's revival. He was married to British actress Jennifer Kendal and together, they created a strong legacy in theatre and film. Shashi Kapoor passed away in 2017 but remains a cherished icon of Indian cinema. First Published:
India.com
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
The mother of this Kapoor family member wanted to kill him due to..., he became a superstar, his name was...
Some childhood memories sometimes touch the heart. Today, we are going to tell you about such a superstar of the Kapoor family, whose mother wanted to kill him in the womb itself. At that time, she had made up her mind not to give birth to the child growing in the womb. Many times she deliberately made such heart-wrenching attempts so that her child would fall, but little did she know that later this child would become a big superstar of Hindi cinema. The oldest family of Bollywood is the Kapoor family, which has given many superstars to Hindi cinema. The Kapoor family has been ruling the industry for many generations till now, but today we are going to tell you about one such lamp of this family, whose mother wanted to kill him in the womb, for which she had hatched such a conspiracy that it will make your heart tremble. But something else was written in the fate of that son and later on he became a big superstar of Hindi cinema. We are talking about none other than Shashi Kapoor, who started his career as a child artist in 1948 with his brother Raj Kapoor's film 'Aag'. He was born on March 18, 1938. He was the youngest son of Prithviraj Kapoor and Ramsarni Kapoor. His two elder brothers, Raj Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor were also well-known faces of Hindi cinema. He also had a sister Urmila Siyal. Before Shashi, his parents had lost two sons. After that grief, Urmila was born. Everyone in the family was very happy with the birth of Urmila and they felt that now the family is complete. Shashi Kapoor himself told in one of his interviews why his mother used to call him 'Fluky'? He told that his parents did not want another child, especially a boy. They wanted a daughter in the house and when they had a daughter, their wish was fulfilled. But after 5 years, when his mother came to know about the pregnancy again, she was terrified and embarrassed. She told that abortion was not common at that time. So she tried other ways to abort the child in her womb. Shashi had told that his mother fell off the bicycle for abortion. When that too did not work, she tried to hurt herself while climbing down the stairs, but her body kept tolerating everything. He said, 'I was stubborn and perhaps a special future was written for me'. That is why he considered himself a fluke actor and a fluke person. Despite his mother's unwillingness, she gave birth to him and he earned a lot of fame. Shashi Kapoor's film career was also very special. After working as a child artist in many films, he started his career as a hero in Yash Chopra's film 'Dharmaputra' in 1961. After this, he did many great films, including 'Kanyadan', 'Roti Kapda Aur Makaan', 'Deewar', 'Kabhi Kabhi', 'Satyam Shivam Sundaram' and 'Heeralal Pannalal'. He used to enter the hearts of people in every role. Shashi married English theater actress Jennifer Kendal. He has three children – Kunal, Karan and Sanjana and said goodbye to the world in 2017.
News18
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- News18
Meet Jatin Prithviraj Kapoor, The Famous TV Actor Who Is Also Kareena's Uncle
Last Updated: Jatin first stepped into showbiz as an assistant director, working with his uncle Shashi Kapoor on the film Ajooba. When you think of the iconic Kapoor family, names like Prithviraj Kapoor, Raj Kapoor and Rishi Kapoor instantly come to mind. These icons helped shape the very foundation of Hindi cinema. Over the years, other members of the Kapoor clan, such as Shammi Kapoor, Shashi Kapoor, Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor and Ranbir Kapoor, also took the industry by storm. However, another member of the renowned family who quietly carved his own path is none other than actor Jatin Sial. Now known as Jatin Prithviraj Kapoor, he made a name for himself on television. Jatin is the son of Urmila Sial, Prithviraj Kapoor's daughter and the only sister of Raj Kapoor, Shammi Kapoor and Shashi Kapoor. He started his career in showbiz as an assistant director. He worked with his uncle Shashi Kapoor on the 1990 film Ajooba, starring Amitabh Bachchan, Rishi Kapoor and Dimple Kapadia. Here's everything you need to know about the popular TV actor. Jatin stepped into the world of glitz and glam in the '90s. After his stint as an assistant director, he worked on television shows such as Tehkikaat, Vansh, Rishtey and Saans as an actor. Following this, he made his debut in Hindi cinema with Rishi Kapoor-directed Aa Ab Laut Chalen, starring Aishwarya Rai and Akshaye Khanna. Speaking about the film, Jatin told Free Press Journal, 'Aa Ab Laut Chalein was one of the most interesting parts of my life. Again, I approached Chintuji (Rishi Kapoor) because I had become an actor. Even though he was my cousin and I was friendly with him, I took an appointment via his secretary." He further recalled how the late actor asked Jatin to accompany him to America, not for an acting schedule but for assistance, which he obviously lovingly accepted. Jatin also talked about his career in television, revealing how companies would repeat him as an actor on their projects. Jatin explained, 'I got a call from Neena Gupta's office for my role in Saans (1998-99). It was a very successful show, and I got a lot of work after it. I just kept doing a lot of TV shows and never went into films. Whichever company I worked for, they always repeated me in their other serials too or extended my roles." Furthermore, Jatin shared that after the 2000s, production houses focused more on the actors' fees rather than their creativity. Shedding light on how it became difficult for him to get roles after his stint on TV, the actor said, 'In television at that time, I would say they became a little casual about the actors. It would be more about how much the actor would be charging compared to the creativity. So I took a backseat then, waiting for something better to come." As of now, Jatin has made his comeback with OTT projects. The actor was seen on shows such as Ramyug, Mismatched and Potluck. First Published: May 12, 2025, 13:28 IST
India.com
12-05-2025
- Entertainment
- India.com
This film created huge controversy before release, was banned by Censor Board due to..., movie is..., lead actress is...
The iconic Kapoor family of Bollywood has given some legendary actors to Indian cinema. From Prithviraj Kapoor to Raj Kapoor to Shammi Kapoor, there are many celebrated actors from the family. During his five-decade career, Shashi Kapoor has given several hits. Today, we will discuss a cult classic of Shashi Kapoor which stunned everyone. The movie featured some bold scenes, which left the audience jaw-dropped. The movie was released in the 1970s when intimate and bold scenes in theatre halls used to be considered taboo. Yes, this film had close intimate scenes which did not go well with the audience. Not just that, the movie was banned by the censor board. If you are wondering which movie of Shashi Kapoor it was — it was Siddhartha. The movie was inspired by the novel of the same name. Directed by Conrad Rooks, the movie featured Shashi Kapoor and Simi Garewal in lead roles. Fans were stunned to see the chemistry between Simi and Shashi Kapoor. Some even went on to say that the film had some obscene scenes which did not sit well. Many such scenes were shot in this film which were objected to a lot in that era. Even before the release of the film, it was surrounded by controversies. At a time when bold scenes were considered a big deal, Shashi Kapoor and Simi's film had sensual kissing scenes. Not just that, the movie also had a nude scene of Simi Garewal which raised eyebrows and a massive controversy embroiled. The censor board banned Shashi Kapoor's film due to the kissing scenes. Simi Garewal herself, while talking about this film in her interview, said that she was so nervous due to that scene that she was not able to shoot it. During that time, Shashi ji told her in a very romantic way, 'Don't be shy Simi, you are very beautiful…'
