on this day

Cinemaazi remembers Jayshree Gadkar on her death anniversary. The actress and director, known for Saranga (1961), Lav-Kush (1967) and Sampoorna Mahabharat (1983), passed away this day, 29 August, in 2008. Born in 1942, she acted in numerous Marathi and Hindi films in leading and supporting roles from the 1950s up until 2000.

Cinemaazi wishes Telugu superstar Nagarjuna a very happy birthday. Son of  legendary actor A Nageswara Rao, Nagarjuna made it big both in Telugu as well as in the Hindi Cinema and continues to reign since his debut in 1986. In an illustrious career spanning over three decades, the actor has given remarkable hits like Aakhari Poratam (1988), Shiva (1989), Geetanjali (1989), Killer (1992), Hello Brother (1994), and Annamaya (1997). He made his Bollywood debut with the remake of Shiva (1990) and worked in films like Khuda Gawah, Criminal, Zakhm and Drohi. 

The cherubic-faced and doll-like beauty Leena Chandavarkar, with more than 30 films to her credit, is known for her perky performances in a string of landmark films such as Man Ka Meet (1969), Humjoli (1970), Main Sundar Hoon (1971), Anhonee (1973), Manchali (1973), Bidaai (1974), and Qaid (1975).

N A Ansari has given some of the most prolific performances as a villain in Indian cinema. He was also a director, producer and a crime stories fanatic who ventured into making thriller films such as Mr Murder (1969) and Jurm Aur Saza (1974). Cinemaazi remembers him on his birth anniversary.

Known for films like Andhare Alo (1957), Mere Arman Mere Sapne (1963), Door Wadiyon Mein Kahin (1980), Mashaal (1983) and many more, Sumitra Devi passed away on this day, 28 August 1990. Cinemaazi remembers the renowned Bengali and Hindi cinema actress on her death anniversary.

Bharat Sitar Samrat Ustad Vilayat Khan, along with his father, grandfather and brother, is widely credited with developing the gayaki ang of sitar playing. Cinemaazi remembers the legend on his birth anniversary (28 August 1928) 

Vilayat composed and conducted the score for three feature films – Satyajit Ray's Jalsaghar (1958) in Bengali, Merchant-Ivory Productions' The Guru (1969) in English, and Madhusudan Kumar's Kadambari (1976) in Hindi.

Cinemaazi remembers the legendary lyricist, Safdar Aah Sitapuri on his birth anniversary today. The man who aided Mukesh's first big break in the Hindi film industry, he was the one behind the famous lyrics of the song - Dil jalta hai toh jalne de, which resounds in the minds of all cinema lovers to this day.

Cinemaazi remembers Dewan Sharar, on his birth anniversary. Born as Atmaram Sharar, he was an illustrious dialogue writer, lyricist, producer, and actor in Hindi cinema. 

Archana Mahanta (18 March 1949-27 August 2020) the Assamese cultural icon had an immense contribution to the growth and popularity of lukogeet (folksong) and bihugeet. Born as Archana Das in 1949 to a family engaged in music and theatre, she was introduced to music even before she was enrolled in school. From a young age, she was trained in classical music. She sang in Assamese films from the early age of nine. She recorded the first Kamrupia lukogeet with HMV records in Calcutta called O Xundori Radhemai. After clearing the test held by AIR, she got a platform to perform on-air frequently. There she met Khagen Mahanta, popularly known as Bihu Samrat/King Of Bihu. The duo was a regular appearance on bihu stages after they got married in 1973. They had two children, the renowned singer Angarag Papon Mahanta and Khinkini Mahanta. She was a known voice for Assamese film songs and is credited with songs such as Rupahi kabane and Ei phool pah halise jalise in Meghmukti(1979), Tumi henu karuna sagar in Moyanajan (1979).

The greatest proponent of middle cinema and one of the most beloved filmmakers in Hindi cinema history, Hrishikesh Mukherjee occupies a special place in the hearts of film lovers. Born in Calcutta, he started off as a teacher and freelance artist for AIR. He entered the film industry as a laboratory assistant for New Theatres in 1945. His first film as an editor was Tathapi(1950). He was an influential editor early in his career, working with the likes of Bimal Roy and Rajen Tarafdar. He also had the reputation of someone who could rescue unfinished films. He debuted as a director with Musafir (1957) which won a Certificate of Merit. Though he would later become famous for his light-hearted comedies, his work in the 60s mostly involved socials and melodramas like Anuradha (1960), Chhaya (1961), Anupama (1966), Majhli Didi (1967), Aashirwad (1968), Satyakam (1969). These films earned great critical acclaim including six National Awards. Anand (1971) was a major commercial success and a turning point in his career. In the 70s and 80s he mostly made the comedies and family melodramas that have become synonymous with middle cinema - Guddi (1971), Bawarchi (1972), Chupke Chupke (1975), Gol Maal(1979), Khubsoorat (1980), Naram Garam (1981), Rang Birangi (1983), Kissi Se Na Kehna (1983). Other notable films include Sanjh Aur Savera (1964), Gaban (1966), Abhimaan (1973), Namak Haraam (1973), Mili (1975), Bemisal (1982). He won seven Filmfare Awards in various categories. His films added a different dimension to the image of stars like Amitabh Bachchan and Dharmendra and had memorable performances from the likes of Jaya Bhaduri and Utpal Dutt. He was awarded the Padma Vibhushan in 2001 and the Dadasaheb Phalke Award in 1999. He passed away on 27th August in 2006.

"I have lost my voice", Raj Kapoor famously said after the passing of Mukesh. Cinemaazi remembers the impeccable singer on his death anniversary today.

Meena Kapoor sang more than 100 songs in her short career. She was born on this day in 1930 to actor Bikram Kapoor. She was also related to  P C Barua. S D Burman gave her a chance for the film Aath Din (1946). Most of the time she worked with music director Anil Biswas. He met Meena Kapoor during the recording of Anokha Pyar (1948), fell in love with her voice and then with her. Some of her popular songs include Ae dil meri wafa mein (Anokha Pyar, 1948), Kuch aur zamana kehta hai (Chhoti Chhoti Baatein, 1965), and Bheegi bheegi raat aayi (Mehmaan, 1953).