Nasreen Munni Kabir

A Life in Cinema

Guru Dutt

Conversations on Hindi Cinema with Javed Akhtar

Talking Films

Javed Akhtar

Jāvīd Ak̲h̲tar

Morange Michel

This book features the well-known screenplay writer, lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar in conversation with Nasreen Kabir on his work in Hindi cinema, his life and his poetry. An original thinker and a brilliant conversationalist, Akhtar's sharp mind and unique skill in analysing films and his own work will bring a new and rare insight into Hindi cinema. The volume includes a number of photographs.

When composer A.R. Rahman's first film Roja was released in 1992, his astonishing music with its other-worldly melodies, tonal texture, pulsating rhythms made an instant impact in India. His abundantly flowing talent has given life to the scores of over a hundred films, including Dil Se, Bombay, Lagaan, Warriors of Heaven and Earth, 127 Hours and Jodhaa Akbar. According to a recent estimate by the BBC, 150 million copies of his albums have sold worldwide. A.R. Rahman has won a host of awards, together with a Golden Globe, a Bafta, two Oscars and two Grammys for his score in Slumdog Millionaire. In 2010, he received the Padma Bhushan, the third highest civilian honour, awarded by the Government of India. Despite all his great success, Rahman remains a deeply private person, shying away from the glitz and glamour of show business. A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music is in the form of biographical conversations between the composer and Nasreen Munni Kabir in which we hear of Rahman's amazing journey from modest beginnings to an assured place in world music history.

A.R. Rahman: The Spirit of Music

Life sketch and works of a famous director/actor of Indian cinema.

Hind? sinem? k? eka kavi

Gulzar

A legend of Hindi cinema, Gulzar is among South Asia's finest poets and lyricists, whose songs have touched millions. He remains as popular today, and as sensitive a chronicler of our emotions, as he was over half a century ago. In this book of conversations with the acclaimed author and documentary filmmaker Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks about the making of his most enduring songs--from 'Mora gora ang lai le' (Bandini; 1963) and 'Dil dhoondta hai' (Mausam; 1975) to 'Jiya jale' (Dil Se; 1998) and 'Dil toh bachcha hai ji' (Ishqiya; 2010).

The Stories Of Songs

Jiya Jale

Devdas is the title of a 1920s novella by the farmed Bengali writer saratchandra chatterjee. It became so popular that 15 film versions were made in various Indian Languages and periods. Bimal Roy's 1955 film is considered the finest as it sensitively tells the tragic love story between Devdas (Dilip Kumar), the son of Brahmin landlord Aand Parvati (suchita sen) his childhood sweetheart. Caste and class difference keep the lovers apart. Parvati is married of to a rich older man and devdas, who allows Chandramukhi (Vijayanthimala), a selfless prostitute, to help him at first, but ultimately finding no meaning to life, he takes to drink. The Dialogue of Devdas will be presented in a four language format: Hindi, Urdu, Romanised Hindi, Urdu and English translation. Forewords by Bimal Roy's Family and extensive commentary are also featured.

The Dialogue of Devdas

Nasreen Kabir

Life and work of an Indian film actor and director.

Gulazāra

In this richly entertaining book, Gulzar shares his life and passions with inimitable charm and candour. Poet, storyteller, director, scriptwriter and lyricist, Gulzar is a towering figure of contemporary Indian literature and cinema. Ever since he wrote his first song the unforgettable Mora gora ang lai le for Bimal Roys Bandini (1963) he has won countless admirers with his nuanced, sensitive and quietly innovative work. From the endearing Lakdi ki kaathi, that a generation grew up singing, to the Oscar-winning Jai ho his songs have enthralled millions. His unique and much acclaimed contribution to the world of poetry continues to reflect our changing times, with fresh idiom and delicate turn of phrase. In this book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Gulzar speaks with insight, candour and gentle humour about his life and work: his school days in Old Delhi, where he wrote his early poems; working in a garage in Mumbai before entering films; his association with legends such as Bimal Roy, Balraj Sahni, Sahir Ludhianvi, Meena Kumari, Shailendra, S. D. Burman, Hemant Kumar, Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Lata Mangeshkar and R. D. Burman among others; his love of tennis; and his deep connection with his wife, the legendary Raakhee, his daughter Meghna and his grandson Samay.

In the Company of a Poet

One of the great thinkers of Indian cinema, Javed Akhtar needs no introduction. As a screenplay writer, he and Salim Khan wrote the dialogue for blockbusters like Zanjeer, Deewar, and Sholay; as a songwriter, he has composed a huge variety of songs including, ‘Yeh kahaan aa gaye hum’, ‘Kuchh na kaho’, and ‘Kal ha na ho’. Talking Films and Songs showcases both these aspects of Javed Akhtar’s versatile genius, through freewheeling conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir. Originally published in 1999 (Talking Films) and 2005 (Talking Songs), these extremely popular books have delighted readers, researchers, and scholars of Indian film. Full of wit and wisdom, this edition is a must-read for Hindi cinema enthusiasts.

Javed Akhtar in conversation with Nasreen Munni Kabir

Talking Films and Songs

In this highly acclaimed book of conversations with Nasreen Munni Kabir, Waheeda Rehman speaks about her life and work with refreshing honesty, humour and insight: from detailing her personal triumphs and tribulations to giving enthralling accounts of working with cinematic personalities like Guru Dutt, Satyajit Ray, Raj Kapoor and Dev Anand. Against all odds, she successfully made a life in cinema on her own terms. Filled with compelling anecdotes and astute observations, this is a riveting slice of film history that provides a rare view of a much-adored and award-winning screen legend.

Nasreen Munni Kabir

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