on this day

The great Darsaka Ratna, Dasari Narayana Rao passed away on 30 May, 2017. A National Award winning filmmaker, his films played a huge role in popularising Telugu cinema nationwide.

On 30 May, 2013, Bengali cinema lost one of its most significant directors of modern times in Rituparno Ghosh.

A brilliant economics student from Jadavpur University, Rituparno started in advertising, before debuting with Hirer Angti in 1992. During a career studded with high acclaim, Ghosh made a wide range of film genres, from literary adaptations to the detective mystery. In the process, these films played a key role in bridging the gap between commercial and arthouse cinema, and increasing footfalls in cinema houses particularly from the middle class.

Ghosh's acclaimed films included Unishe April (1994), Bariwali (1997), Utsab (2000), Shubho Mahurat (2003), Chokher Bali (2003), Raincoat (2003), Dosar (2006), Shob Choritro Kalponik (2008), Noukadubi (2011) and Chitrangada (2012). An outspoken defender of queer rights, they contributed greatly to the progress of queer cinema through their performance in Arekti Premer Golpo (2010) and Chitrangada (2012).

Choreographing many famous dance sequences as part of the Vijay-Oscar duo as well as appearing as part of the Ted Lyons and His Cubs band in many films, Oscar Unger passed away on 30 May, 2013. Beginning in the 60s he worked till as late as 2007 in Sudhir Mishra's Khoya Khoya Chand.

Image Source: The Indian Express

A renowned Ghazal writer and lyricist, Noor Lakhnavi passed away on 30 May, 2003. He worked for several films in the 1950s. 

A famous mushaira poet, Shamim Jaipuri wrote lyrics for several films in the 1960s and 70s. He was deeply influenced by Jigar Moradabadi in his work.

Image source: www.rekhta.cpm

Cinemaazi wishes actor Dhritiman Chatterjee a very Happy Birthday!

Madhumati, the versatile actress and dancer who worked in about 150 films was born on this day in 1938. She passed away on 15 October 2025.

Director of the first Kannada talkie Sati Sulochana (1934),Y V Rao was a pioneering figure in South Indian cinema, working across the Tamil, Telugu and Kannada industries. He made several significant films such as the blockbuster Chintamani (1937), and cast M S Subbulakshmi as Narada in Savithri (1941). He was born on 30 May, 1903. 

Yogesh also known as Yogesh Gaur / Yogesh Gaud had only Rs 500 with him when he started looking for jobs in Bombay. It was Gulshan Bawra who introduced him to Robin Banerjee that kickstarted his career. Initially working in stunt films, his luck changed when he met Salil Chowdhury who gave him the opportunity to write lyrics for Anand (1970). There was no looking back after that.

Vanmala was born Susheela Devi Pawar on 23 May 1915 in Ujjain, where her father, Colonel Raobahadur Bapurao Anandrao Pawar, was the state collector and commissioner. Brought up in the lap of luxury in Gwalior, she was trained in horse-riding, swimming, polo and fencing as a child. Vanmala completed her early education from Sardar Daughter’s School and received her Bachelors’ degree from Gwalior. Thereafter, she moved to Mumbai to pursue her Masters, but had to return to Gwalior in 1935 following her mother’s sudden demise. 

Kidar Sharma got Snehal Bhatkar his first chance in films in 1944, but it wasn't until the 50s that he reached the peak of his career. He decided to go by the Snehal after his daughter's name Snehalata. He passed away on 29 May, 2007. 

His powerful acting, regal persona and booming voice set him apart from all actors of his era. Prithviraj Kapoor, who mesmerised both theatre and cinema audiences with his performances passed away on 29 May, 1972.

A very happy birthday to Pankaj Kapur! The veteran actor is a three time National Award winner - for Raakh (1989), Ek Doctor Ki Maut (1990) and Maqbool (2004). Known for his ability to disappear within a role, he was an NSD graduate, before making his film debut with Arohan (1982). He also had a prominent role in Richard Attenborough's Gandhi (1982). Over the years he has played beloved character roles in films like Jaane Bhi Do Yaaro (1983), Mohan Joshi Hazir Ho (1984), Khandhar (1984), Chameli Ki Shaadi (1986), Ek Ruka Hua Faisla (1987), Roja (1992), Rui Ka Bojh (1997), The Blue Umbrella (2005), Dharm (2007), Finding Fanny (2014) and many more. He has also had a successful career in television, most prominently in Karamchand, Mohandas B.A.L.L.B. and Office Office. He also turned director with the 2011 film Mausam starring his son Shahid Kapoor.

Launched by Puttanna Kanagal in the National Award winning Naagarahavu (1972), Ambarish went on to become the angry young man of the 80s in films like Antha (1981). The famous star was born on 29 May, 1952.

Born on 29 May, 1928, Bela Mukherjee got her first break in Kashinath (1943). After her marriage to Hemant Kumar she collaborated with him on a number of films. She also managed the production company Geetanjali Pictures.

A celebrated lyricist, dialogue and scriptwriter, Pandit Mukhram Sharma was born on 29 May, 1909. Beginning with writing the lyrics for Sant Dnyaneshwar (1940), he did some of the best work of his career with B R Chopra. He also worked extensively with AVM and Gemini films. 

Here’s remembering Hirabai Barodekar, known by the sobriquet ‘Gaan Hira’ or sparkling gem in the musical arena, on her birth anniversary. A leading Hindustani classical music vocalist, she was born on 29 May, 1905 to Ustad Abdul Karim Khan, founder of the Kirana gharana, and Tarabai who came from a royal background. Her musical training started early. She first performed onstage at the anniversary celebrations of Gandharva Vidyalaya, Bombay in 1921, going on to debut at a national festival at the All-India Music Conference, Calcutta. In times when women performing onstage was a taboo, she became the first woman to stage a ticketed public concert. She also achieved phenomenal success as a recording artiste, with companies like Odeon and Columbia. She worked in Marathi and Hindi cinema in films like Suvarna Mandir (1934), Pratibha (1937) and Janabai (1938), also establishing the Nutan Sangeet Vidyalaya to train young women singers in Hindustani classical music. She was honoured with being invited to sing Vande Mataram at the first Independence Day celebrations at the Red Fort on the midnight of 15 August, 1947. Hirabai Barodekar, honoured with the Padma Bhushan and the Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, passed away in 1989.

Suresh Chatwal performed in films as well as television serials. He has acted in Hindi films mainly as a supporting actor. He has worked in Films like Mili, Phool Aur Kaante, Kaya Palat,Uphaar, and Munna Bhai MBBS.

Zubair Ahmed Siddiqi (5 May 1944 – 28 May 2003), better known as Marc Zuber, was an Indian–British actor, who appeared in many British and Hindi films and television dramas.

Singing popular Bengali songs like Ei duniya chiriakhana and Line lagao, Aparesh Lahiri distinguished himself as one of the best practitioners of Bengali modern music. He also had a brief stint in Hindi cinema singing for Shankar Jaikishan. His musical legacy was carried forward by his son, Bappi Lahiri. He passed away on 28 May, 1998.

Remembering producer and presenter Ratan Mohan on the occasion of his death anniversary. He had passed away this day, 28 May in 1996. Mohan produced films from the 1960s through the 1990s. His productions include Shree Ram Bharat Milan (1965), Shararat (1972), Sangram (1976), Heera Moti (1979), Jeeo Aur Jeene Do (1982), Jwala (1986), Haatim Tai (1990), Maha Shaktishaali (1994), and Aaya Toofan (1999). Films that he had presented include Jaggu (1975), Bin Maa Ke Bachche (1980) and Ramkali (1985).

A titanic figure in the history of Hindi cinema, Mehboob Khan passed away on 28 May, 1964. Beginning his career as an extra in Imperial Film Company he went on to direct some unforgettable classics like Manmohan (1936), Aurat (1940), Roti (1942), Najma (1943), Andaz (1949), Aan (1952) and of course, Mother India (1957). 

An icon for Telugu cinema and one of the most influential figures in Andhra Pradesh history, few actors have politically mobilised their mass following like N T Rama Rao did. The great NTR was born on 28 May, 1923.

Remembered for the immensely popular Lara lappa lara lappa song from Ek Thi Ladki (1949), music director Vinod composed for several Hindi and Punjabi films. He was trained by Pandit Amarnath, he was only 17 when his first composition was released.

A brilliant Indian classical vocalist, D V Paluskar was performing all over the country by the age of 14. A practitioner of the Gwalior gharana he was particularly known for his bhajan renditions. He sang for only two films Baiju Bawra (1952) and Shaap Mochan (1955) before he passed away at the young age of 35. He was born on 28 May, 1921.