From the archive: Dilip Kumar on how the studio system made way for independent directors

The 1950s saw ‘the great upsurge of independent talent that could not be contained by the studios’, the legend observed.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Jul 20, 2021 · 10:30 am

Being rather than doing: Why Dilip Kumar is one of the greatest actors in Indian cinema

He was a director’s actor as well as an actor’s actor.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Jul 07, 2021 · 11:30 am

How Saroj Khan approached choreography: ‘The words tell us what the story is’

Excerpts from an archival interview from 1999 reveal the renowned choreographer’s methods.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Jul 04, 2020 · 02:30 pm

‘May I touch you?’: When kathak legend Sitara Devi met Hollywood royalty Marlene Dietrich

Antonia Minnecola remembers her guruji, her loves, hates and fascination with Hollywood.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Mar 28, 2019 · 11:30 am

Madan Mohan tribute: ‘Each word of the lyric gained significance through the way he tuned the song’

Sanjeev Kohli provides a rare look at his father’s early years, his struggles in the Hindi film industry, and his professional relationships.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Mar 11, 2019 · 09:18 am

‘He was ahead of his time’: Fazal Qureshi on the genius of his father, tabla maestro Ustad Allarakha

In the centenary year of Allarakha’s birth, his son talks about their music school and carrying forward an immense legacy.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Jan 22, 2019 · 12:05 pm

‘I suggested we keep the chorus in Malayalam’: Gulzar on the making of ‘Jiya Jale’ from ‘Dil Se’

The renowned lyricist tells Nasreen Munni Kabir about the story behind the song and many others in a new book.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

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Gulzar

· Dec 09, 2018 · 08:15 am

Kalpana Lajmi revisited: ‘It’s up to a few of us to try and inject something new and appealing’

An archival interview from the 1980s reveals the filmmaker’s views on breaking the glass ceiling. Kalpana Lajmi died on September 23 at the age of 64.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Oct 01, 2018 · 08:15 am

Film flashback: How the staircase played a starring role in Indian cinema

Legendary archivist PK Nair explains how an element of set design has been used to depict affluence and the ups and downs of characters.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Sep 03, 2018 · 08:15 am

Louiz Banks: The jazz veteran on his musical journey, RD Burman and playing with Dizzy Gillespie

The 77-year-old looks back on his rich and eventful life in an interview with Nasreen Munni Kabir.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· May 04, 2018 · 11:30 am

Waheeda Rehman on Satyajit Ray: ‘He made films the way they should be made’

Satyajit Ray cast Waheeda Rehman to play Gulaabi in his 1962 movie ‘Abhijan’.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Apr 23, 2018 · 01:30 pm

How Dilip Kumar trained and trained to perfect ‘Madhuban Mein Radhika Naache Re’

The always meticulous actor practised for months to perfect his performance in the song from the movie ‘Kohinoor’.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

· Mar 17, 2018 · 07:30 pm