New Delhi: Legend, thespian, tragedy king, god of acting Dilip Kumar was given several monikers in his illustrious career but how he acquired his screen name is a story unto itself.

He was born Mohammed Yousuf Khan but Devika Rani, who was head of the Bombay Talkies where he joined as an actor, wasn’t too happy with the name. Dilip Kumar, she thought, would be in tune with his “romantic image” which he was bound to acquire and would also have a “secular appeal”.

Kumar, who died in a Mumbai hospital on Wednesday at the age of 98, narrates in detail how he went from being Yousuf Khan to Dilip Kumar in his autobiography “The Substance and the Shadow”.

“One morning, as I entered the studio I was given the message that Devika Rani wanted to see me in her office. I wondered what it could be. I was certain it couldn’t be for expressing any displeasure because she was always courteous and pleasant whenever she met me and enquired how I was doing. So what could it be?” Kumar writes.

When he walked into Rani’s office, she was seated at her desk, smiled warmly and asked him to sit down.

Devika Rani began the conversation with the usual courtesy of asking him whether he would care for some tea made specially for her from leaves she had purchased from an English store in the city, he recounts in great detail.

According to the autobiography, she soon came to the point and said quite matter-of-factly, “Yousuf, I was thinking about your launch soon as an actor and I felt it would not be a bad idea if you adopted a screen name”.

“You know, a name you would be known by and which will be very appropriate for your audience to relate to and one that will be in tune with the romantic image you are bound to acquire through your screen presence. I thought Dilip Kumar was a nice name,” she is quoted as saying.

She told him the name just “popped up” in her mind when she was thinking about a suitable name for him.

“How does it sound to you?” she asked.

“I was speechless for a moment, being totally unprepared for the new identity she was proposing to me. I said it sounded nice but asked her whether it was really necessary,” Kumar says in the book.

“She gave her sweet smile and told me that it would be prudent to do so. She added that it was after considerable thought that she came to the conclusion of giving me a screen name.”

Rani told Kumar that she foresaw a long and successful career for him in films and it made good sense to have a screen identity that would “stand up by itself and have a secular appeal”.

Kumar was quick to appreciate her concern, but added that he needed to think about it a bit.

She responded, “Fine… come back to me with your thoughts.

“We are now ready to begin preparations for your debut. So we must hurry up.”

The actor recalls spending the rest of the day, going about his routine, but with the name ‘Dilip Kumar’ ringing in his mind’s inner recesses.

S. Mukherjee, who was effectively the second in command at Bombay Talkies after Devika Rani, noticed that the actor was rather contemplative that afternoon.

After lunch, when work started on the shooting stage, Mukherjee asked him if there was something disturbing him and if he could share with him.

“I told S. Mukherjee Sahab about the suggestion that had come from Devika Rani. He reflected for a second and, looking me straight in the eye, said: ‘I think she has a point. It will be in your interest to take the name she has suggested for the screen. It is a very nice name, though I will always know you by the name Yousuf like all your brothers and sisters and your parents,” says Kumar in the autobiography.

Kumar said he was touched by what Mukherjee said and it was a validation that cleared his thoughts then and there.

The rest as they say is history. Dilip Kumar went on to debut with ‘Jwar Bhata’ in 1944, becoming one of the biggest names in Indian cinema history.

MUMBAI: As Kamal Haasan celebrated 13 years of his sci-fi action thriller “Dasavatharam” on Monday, the actor-filmmaker took a trip down memory lane to share what went behind making the film, which he said was nothing short of a “masterclass” for him.

Directed by K S Ravikumar, the film starred Haasan in ten distinct roles.

“Dasavatharam”, which was under production for nearly three years, became a massive hit upon its release in 2008.

Haasan, 66, who also wrote the screenplay, said “Dasavatharam” was a film that taught him the true meaning of “democracy”.

“‘Dasavatharam’ was a masterclass for me on every technical aspect. There were many masters to teach and learn from and cinema was the ultimate master and very forgiving when we failed in some parts, definitely more forgiving than the audience who made it a hit. I can say I learnt democracy during the making of this film,” he said in a statement.

The actor said “many directors” turned down the film’s script saying they didn’t “understand it,” except for Ravikumar, who was convinced the movie would be a winner.

Haasan recalled reaching out to producer Mukta Srinivasan for his opinion on his script and incorporated his suggestions.

The actor said he was also thankful to “Dasavatharam” producer V Ravichandran for not comprising on the film’s scale, ambition and grandeur.

“Towards the end of the filming, during the tsunami sequence, we realised we needed a crore more to achieve the visuals written by me for the climax. Now people nonchalantly talk about Rs 20 to 30 crores, but back then it was huge. I offered to rewrite the script without the tsunami and end it with the train sequence.”

“However, Mr Ravikumar had fully understood the script and fought tooth and nail to get the climax done as scripted originally and we spent the additional Rs one crore,” the actor said.

The action sequences were one of the biggest highlights of “Dasavatharam”, with each character of Haasan getting a distinct action style.

“We wanted to make a masterpiece and we didn’t look at money or fame, just our contribution to the art of cinema. We had various stunt directors supporting us which can be seen in various styles portrayed through the film as Fletcher’s (one of his characters) stunts had to be different from the Samurai and that from the first and all this within a shoe string budget,” he said.

Haasan believes in some sequences of the film, the CGI wasn’t up to the mark but it was the best the team could do with all the constraints back then.

The actor acknowledged the efforts of his technicians, stunt directors for giving their best to achieve his cinematic vision, but said he would not “forgive or forget” those who had abandoned the project.

“All of my technicians helped me complete the project through all the insults, quarrels, stressful environment and I am grateful to the. On the other hand, I would never forget or forgive those technicians who gave up. If you believe in something, it can always be achieved.”

Haasan also mentioned the enormous contribution of Academy Award-winning make-up artist Michael Westmore, who helped him design the film’s ten distinct characters.

Calling him a “master of his craft”, Haasan said Westmore’s contribution to the film was “equivalent” to his.

“Westmore was the 11th avatar of the film, without him the other 10 would not have been possible,” he added.

The film also starred Asin, in a double role, and Mallika Sherawat.

The film’s soundtrack was composed by Himesh Reshammiya, with composer Devi Sri Prasad giving its background score.

MUMBAI: Veteran actor Dilip Kumar has been discharged from Mumbai’s PD Hinduja Hospital after undergoing pleural aspiration procedure.

The megastar’s spokesperson on Friday took to the evergreen actor’s official Twitter account and thanked everyone for showering Kumar with their love and affection.

“With your love and affection, and your prayers, Dilip Saab is going home from the hospital. God’s infinite mercy and kindness through Drs. Gokhale, Parkar, Dr. Arun Shah and the entire team at Hinduja Khar. –Faisal Farooqui #DilipKumar #healthupdate,” the tweet read.

With your love and affection, and your prayers, Dilip Saab is going home from the hospital. God’s infinite mercy and kindness through Drs. Gokhale, Parkar, Dr. Arun Shah and the entire team at Hinduja Khar

The 98-year-old star went through a pleural aspiration procedure, to get fluid removed from his lungs. The same was informed by Kumar’s spokesperson on Twitter.

“Thank you for your prayers. A successful pleural aspiration procedure was performed on Dilip Saab. I personally spoke to Dr Jalil Parkar and Dr Nitin Gokhale. They are optimistic that he will be discharged tomm (Thursday).- FF,” the tweet read.

A few days ago, the veteran star’s wife Saira Banu urged everyone not to believe in fake rumours related to the former’s health.

“My husband, my Kohinoor our Dilip Kumar Sahab’s health is stable and doctors have assured me that he should be discharged soon. I urge you not to believe in rumours. While I ask you to pray for Sahab’s health, I am praying that the almighty keep all of you safe and healthy during this pandemic,” she had issued a statement.

Dilip Kumar, who made his acting debut with ‘Jwar Bhata’ in 1944, has given several iconic films in his career spanning over five decades, including ‘Mughal-e-Azam’, ‘Devdas’, ‘Naya Daur’ and ‘Ram Aur Shyam’.

He was last seen in the 1998 film ‘Qila’.

Bollywood fraternity, in the past two months, have come forward to help people tackle the coronavirus pandemic and navigate through the subsequent lockdown. Now, it is reported that actor Aansh Arora has donated more than 100 oxygen cylinders and more than 1000 oxygen BPC flow meter cylinder kits to the needy people in Delhi and Gurgaon. Aansh is trying to do their bit during the Covid-19 second wave, by providing oxygen cylinders and other medical equipments. He is using his social media Instagram and Facebook @aanshharora to reach to amplify calls for help. The actor is silently paying the expenses of many oxygen cylinders and medical equipments being used at the covid centre for coronavirus patients.

Aansh Arora Said, “Me and My Team Are Trying Our Level Best to Reach Out to The People Who Are in Urgent Need of Oxygen Cylinders and Medical Equipment. Receiving calls and messages from 1000s of people DAY AND NIGHT asking for oxygen cylinders and oxygen flow meter cylinder kits we are keeping our best foot forward to help all those people in urgent need. It gives immense satisfaction in helping all these people. We are Doing our bit to help fight against covid19 pandemic situation and requesting all those to come forward and help however they can. We need more helping hands to con over this situation as soon as possible.  We are keeping all the required safety measures and precautions. Please stay home, stay safe, don’t go out until it’s really needed”.

Aansh is known for his roles in shows such as Kasam Tere Pyaar Ki, Tanhaiyan, Queens Hain Hum.

New Delhi: Filmmaker Priyadarshan’s “Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham” was named the best film, while Bollywood actors Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpayee and Dhanush were declared best actors at the 67th National Film Awards, announced here on Monday.

While Ranaut won the best actress award for her performances in “Manikarnika” and “Panga”, Bajpayee was named best actor for Devashish Makhija’s “Bhonsle”. The actor shared the honour with Dhanush, who earned the honour for “Asuran”.

Here is the complete list of winners of the 67th National Film Awards:

Feature Film Awards: Best Feature Film: ‘Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham” (Malyalam) Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment: “Maharshi” (Telugu) Best Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan for “Bahattar Hoorain” (Hindi) Best Hindi Film: “Chhichhore” Best Actor (shared): Manoj Bajpayee for “Bhonsle” (Hindi), and Dhanush for “Asuran”(Tamil) Best Actress: Kangana Ranaut for “Manikarnika: The Queen of Jhansi (Hindi) and “Panga” (Hindi) Best Supporting Actor: Vijaya Sethupathi for “Super Deluxe” (Tamil) Best Supporting Actress: Pallavi Joshi for “The Tashkent Files” (Hindi) Best Screenplay (Original): Kaushik Ganguly for “Jyeshthoputro” (Bengali) Best Screenplay (Adapted): Srijit Mukherji for “Gumnaami” (Bengali) Best Screenplay (Dialogue Writer): Vivek Ranjan Agnihotri “The Tashkent Files” (Hindi) Best Music Direction: D Imman for “Viswasam” (Tamil) Best Background Music: Prabuddha Banerjee for “Jyeshthoputro” (Bengali) Best Lyrics: Prabha Varma for “Arodum Parayuka Vayya”, “Kolaambi” (Malayalam) Best Male Playback Singer: B Praak for “Teri Mitti”, “Kesari” (Hindi) Best Female Playback Singer: Savani Ravindra, for “Raan Petala”, “Bardo” (Marathi) Best Choreography: Raju Sundaram for “Maharishi” (Telugu) Best Cinematography: Gireesh Gangadharan for “Jallikattu” (Malayalam) Best Editing: Navin Nooli for “Jersey” (Telugu) Special Jury Award: “Oththa Seruppu Size 7” (Tamil) Best Children’s Film: “Kastoori” (Hindi) Best Child Artist: Naga Vishal for “Kruppu Durai” (Tamil) Best Production Design: Sunil Nigwekar and Nilesh Wagh for “Anandi Gopal” (Marathi) Best Costume Designer: Sujith Sudhakaran and V Sai for “Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham” (Malyalam) Best Make-up Artist: Ranjith for “Helen” (Malayalam) Best Special Effects: Siddharth Priyadarshan for “Marakkar: Arabikkadalinte Simham” (Malyalam) Best Action Direction: Vikram Mor for “Avane Srimannarayana” (Kannada) Best Audiography (Location Sound Recordist): Debajit Gayan for “Iewduh” (Khasi) Best Audiography (Re-recordist of the final mixed track): Resul Pookutty for “Oththa Seruppu Size 7” (Tamil) Best Audiography (Sound Designer) : Mandar Kamalapurkar for “Trijya” (Marathi)

Nargis Dutt Award for Best Feature Film on National Integration : “Tajmahal” (Marathi) Best Film on Social Issues: “Anandi Gopal” (Marathi) Indira Gandhi Award for Best Debut Film of a Director: Mathukutty Xavier for “Helen” (Malayalam) Best Film on Environment Conservation/ Preservation: “Water Burial” (Monpa) Best Bengali Film: “Gumnaami” Best Tamil Film: “Asuran” Best Telugu Film: “Jersey” Best Marathi Film: “Bardo” Best Malayalam Film: “Kala Nottam” Best Assamese Film: “Ronuwa- Who Never Surrender” Best Manipuri Film: “Eigi Kona” Best Kannada Film: “Akshi” Best Konkani Film: “Kaajro” Best Odia Film (shared): “Sala Budhar Badla” and “Kalira Atita” Best Punjabi Film: “Rab Da Radio 2” Best Haryanvi Film: “Chhoriyan Chhoron Se Kam Nahi Hoti” Best Chhattisgarhi Film: “Bhulan The Maze” Best Khasi Film: “Iewduh” Best Mishing Film: “Anu Ruwad” Best Paniya Film: “Kenjira” Best Tulu Film: “Pingara” Special Mention (Director): Sajin Babu for “Biryani” (Malayalam), Abhijeet Mohan Warang for “Picaso” (Marathi) Special Mention (Actor): Benjamin Daimary for “Jonaki Porua” (Assamese) Special Mention (Actress): Lata Kare for “Lata Bhagwan Kare” (Marathi)

Non-Feature Film Awards:

Best Non-Feature Film: An Engineered Dream (Hindi) Best Biographical Film: “Elephants Do Remember” Best Ethnographic Film: “Charan-Atva” Best Environment Film: “The Stork Saviours” Best Promotional film: “The Shower” Best Debut Non-Feature Film: “Khisa”

Best Explorative Film: “Wild Karnataka” Best Narration: “Wild Karnataka” (David Attenborough)

Audiography (musical): “Radha” On Location Sound Recordist: “Rahas”

Best Cinematography: “Sonsi”

Best Direction: “Knock Knock Knock” Best Film on Family Values: “Oruu Pathira” Best Short Fiction: “Custody” Special Jury Award: “Small Scale Values”.

Best Animation: “Radha” Best Investigative Film: “Jakkal” Best Education Film: “Apples and Oranges” Best Film on Social Issues: “Holy Rites” and “Ladli”.

The source further said that multiple teams of the agency sleuths were carrying out searches at over 22 locations in Mumbai and several other places, including the premises of the Phantom Films.

MUMBAI: In a massive action against the big Bollywood personalities, the Income Tax department on Wednesday carried out searches at the premises of noted film Director Anurag Kashyap, actor Taapsee Pannu and filmmaker Vikas Bahl.

An I-T department source related to the probe.Searches are on at the premises of Pannu, Kashyap and Bahl in Mumbai and other locations.”

The source, however, refused to share further details of the case.

The source further said that multiple teams of the agency sleuths were carrying out searches at over 22 locations in Mumbai and several other places, including the premises of the Phantom Films.

However, officials of the I-T department remained tightlipped on the searches at the premises of Phantom Films.

According to another I-T department official, the searches are going on at the premises of these Bollywood personalities in connection with some “tax evasion” matter.

Kashyap, Bahl and Pannu have been vocal on the social media platforms and have also raised their concern over the farmers’ protest, which have been going at the borders of the national capital since November 26 last year against the three farm laws.

Varun Dhawan soon took to Instagram to post photos of them getting married and captioned them ‘long love just became official.’

Bollywood star Varun Dhawan tied the knot with fashion designer Natasha Dalal at Alibaug on Sunday.

The actor married his longtime girlfriend Dalal. Varun soon took to Instagram to post photos of them  getting married and captioned them ‘long love just became official.’

Dhawan’s father, filmmaker David Dhawan, mother Laali, brother Rohit and his wife and daughter, as well as his uncle, veteran actor Anil Dhawan and his family reached the wedding location on Friday along with Dalal’s family.

Filmmaker Shashank Khaitan, who directed Dhawan in blockbusters “Humpty Sharma Ki Dulhania” and “Badrinath Ki Dulhania”, and fashion designer Manish Malhotra were spotted entering the venue by the eagle-eyed paparazzi present outside the resort on Saturday

Among those who performed at the ceremony were Dhawan’s industry friends –Alia Bhatt, Janhvi Kapoor and Arjun Kapoor.

According to reports, around 50 people attended the wedding, including close industry friends Karan Johar, Shashank Khaitan and fashion designer Manish Malhotra.

It is also being reported that the two families are taking utmost care in ensuring the couple’s privacy and have stationed a team of bodyguards outside the venue.

Apparently, the staff members at the venue have been ordered to avoid using cell phones when they are inside the premises.

Dhawan was planning to tie the knot with Dalal in May 2020 but due to COVID-19 pandemic the wedding was pushed to 2021.

The actor reached the venue in Saswane, Alibaug, on Saturday, while his father, filmmaker David Dhawan, mother Laali, brother Rohit and his wife and daughter, as well as his uncle, veteran actor Anil Dhawan and his family reached the wedding location on Friday along with Dalal’s family.

Right now it’s all about his songs, which tend to be more on the fun and romantic lines.

NEW DELHI: Guru Randhawa dons many hats, as a singer, lyricist and composer. He hopes someday to act in a romantic film, too.

Guru’s acting skills are visible in his music videos, including the news ones — “Baby girl” and “Naach meri rani”.

Asked if starring in a film is the next step I have been getting acting offers, but I don’t think I am ready for it. Whenever possible, I will do. Abhi thoda sa keeda aa raha hai acting wala (am getting bitten by the acting bug). I am following the works of certain actors, too. I will definitely do some acting, but not right now. I would like to do a nice romantic film with nice songs.”

He looks up to Hollywood as well as Bollywood stars.

“I love Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio, Shah Rukh Khan Sir, Salman Khan Sir, Aamir Khan Sir, Akshay Kumar Sir. There is so much to learn from their journey. I play their films and try to act like them,” said Guru.

Apart from his new music, he has been in news for his body transformation.

“I used to do gym, but not this way. But when lockdown started, I promised myself that I would fully transform myself over the next four to five months. So I worked hard. I wanted to look this way. Super legendary heroes are so fit, I also wanted to look like them,” said the singer.

Right now it’s all about his songs, which tend to be more on the fun and romantic lines. He said that that the simple things in life inspire him.

“If I hear a new word, see something new, I write it and gradually they get released. Like ‘Baby girl’ is a conversation between a girl and boy where the guy asks ‘where are you going?’ A lot of people in daily life say ‘banja tu meri rani’ (be my queen) but are not able to actually say it, so we gave them a song,” said Guru on what inspires him to write songs.

Over the last few weeks, he has been churning out new singles. Not just that, he also did a private show amidst pandemic in June.

“Everyone took it positively. We took all the precautions, but I was really scared,” said Guru.

He promises to return to the stage soon. “We have enquiries, so we will be on stage. Wedding season is coming up, so we might do private shows in Delhi, Jaipur and Dubai,” he signed off.

MUMBAI: Fashion designer Simone Khambata reached the NCB guest house here on Thursday morning to appear before the agency in connection with its probe into an alleged Bollywood-drugs nexus, an official said.

Khambata’s name cropped up in the questioning of some persons during the Narcotics Control Bureau’s (NCB) probe into the matter.

She reached the NCB guest house at Colaba in south Mumbai around 9.30 am, the official said.

Besides Khambata, the NCB has also summoned actor Rakul Preet Singh and talent manager Shruti Modi to appear before the probe team on Thursday, he said.

Rakul Preet Singh in her official statement she has “not received the alleged summons either at Mumbai or Hyderabad so far”.

However,NCB officials said the actress has been issued summons.

She was contacted through various platforms, including a phone number which is available with the agency.

But, there has been no response from her so far, the official said.

Some WhatsApp chats of the persons who were questioned earlier by the NCB suggested discussion about drugs, he said.

The NCB, which began the probe after a drugs angle came to light in connection with actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s alleged suicide, has now widened its investigation and asked some ‘A-list’ celebrities of the Mumbai film industry, to “join the probe”, an official said on Wednesday.

Earlier, NCB sources had claimed that there was a “reference” to Rakul Preet Singh and Sara Ali Khan in the statement of Rajput’s girlfriend and actor Rhea Chakraborty, who has been arrested in the case.

The NCB on Wednesday summoned actors Deepika Padukone, Shraddha Kapoor, Sara Ali Khan and Rakul Preet Singh, among others, for questioning.