Ashok Kumar might have started as a reluctant actor, but Dadamoni soon transformed into one of the biggest stars of his time and Indian cinema’s first superhit Kismet (1943) had him as the lead. Ashok Kumar’s (born Kumudlal Ganguly) film career spanned over six decades in which he acted in about 300 films and a [...]
Utterly, butterly, ignoramus! I am a sucker for anniversaries. They give an opportunity to celebrate something that you want to and the occasion guarantees that readers notice (and also appreciate) your celebration. Was a bit surprised to find that the Indian media was marking the 50th anniversary of the Amul moppet, whereas her golden jubilee [...]
To celebrate its 153 years of existence, the Old Lady of Bori Bunder published a Lintas created advertisement that many, including the Advertising Council Standards of India, thought to be unbecoming of the Old Lady. The ad that stirred a controversy was published in a celebratory supplement in the November 3, 1991 issue of The [...]
The Salman Khan in this advertisement for Hero Honda CD100 is about 25 years younger than the superstar Salman of today and precedes his blockbuster debut in a lead role in Maine Pyar Kiya. Before entering his destined world of movies, @beingsalmankhan dabbled for a while in the world of modelling. This is one of [...]
Very few actresses can the match the measure of elegance and sensuality that Kitu Gidwani has. I do not recall much of Trishna or Air hostess, that aired on Doordarshan in the early 1980s, but still remember that Svetlana Bannerjee of Swabhimaan (1995) gave my adolescent skin goosebumps. If I am not mistaken, Kitu Gidwani [...]
When I first saw this ad for Caravan Air-Conditioned Cigarettes, the first thought that came to my mind was “WTF is an air-conditioned cigarette?” Guessed it could be some menthol cigarette (if Emami’s Navratna Cool Talc can call itself the world’s smallest AC, why can’t a brand of minty cigarettes?). A closer read revealed it [...]
A 1973 31-minute documentary from Merchant Ivory Productions, directed and narrated by Anthony Korner on Bollywood greatest ‘item girl’ ever. It’s Helen’s 72nd birthday today. But before you head on to the video, a vintage Lux advertisement featuring Helen. YouTube playlist: Helen, Queen of the Nautch Girls Madhu Nair points out that the YouTube videos [...]