Blog Posts by Maya Menon

  • 5 Firsts Of Indian Cinema

    A still from Raja HarishchandraA still from Raja HarishchandraTurning 100 is special, and it takes on an altogether different connotation when it comes to the showbiz. Our great Indian song and dance factory, Bollywood, is 100. And the Indian media is all set to celebrate it

    We have decided to start at the very beginning. By cashing in on a list of firsts put together by Abhishek Raghunath in Forbes India.

    The list gives you five firsts. There are no prizes for guessing the first full length film – it was Raja Harishchandra by Dadasaheb Phalke.

    Watch this video if you want to know more about Dadasaheb Phalke

    However, the list has some interesting facts. The first instance of a movie running into trouble with the censors happened in 1921, with a flick called Bhakt Vidur. The movie was also banned in Madras and Karachi.

    The very first on screen kiss was shared between AVP Menon and Padmini in a Malayalam flick, Marthandavarma in 1933, which hit the screens just a couple of months before Devika Rani kissed Himanshu Rai in Karma.

    The first

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  • What makes ‘Why This Kolaveri Di’ a hit

    Dhanush singing KolaveriThere are times when I really love my work. Listening to this song, 'Why this Kolaveri,' the latest rage to hit the net, in an endless loop and debating with everybody about it is just one of them.

    So, you may ask me, what makes it one of the most quirky Tanglish (read Tamil+ English) song ever? For me, it's the catchy tune, the attitude, the ease with which Dhanush belts it out that makes it special. Here's what Anirban, a collegue who does not know a single phrase in Tamil says about this song. 'It is catchy and intensely raw which makes it totally hummable.' And may be, this is a pan Indian sentiment.  A report in The Hindu says that 'Why this Kolaveri di' became the first regional film song to be played by radio stations around the country on Tuesday evening.

    But Kolaveri, Soup Song... what do these words even mean to someone not familiar with the local slang? Kolaveri, loosely translated becomes 'murderous rage'. And says Dhanush "I call it the 'soup song' for 'soup boys'. I came

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  • Trump Card

    Trump Card

    Vikrum Kumar, Pankaj, Hyder Khan, Yashika, Urvashi Choudhary star in this 2010 flick

    Trump Card

    Vikrum Kumar, Pankaj, Hyder Khan, Yashika, Urvashi Choudhary star in this 2010 flick

    Cast: Vikrum Kumar, Pankaj, Hyder Khan, Yashika, Urvashi Choudhary

    Directed by Arshad Khan

  • Once upon a time in Mumbaai

    Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

    Directed by Milan Luthria 'Once Upon a Time In Mumbai' starring Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, and Kangana Ranaut is a crime film. Have a look

    Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai

    Directed by Milan Luthria 'Once Upon a Time In Mumbai' starring Ajay Devgan, Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, and Kangana Ranaut is a crime film. Have a look

    Cast: Ajay Devgn, Emraan Hashmi, Prachi Desai, Kangana Ranaut

    Directed by Milan Luthria

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  • Kishore remains ‘pal pal dil ke paas’

    Kishore KumarKishore Kumar once said "Look, I don't smoke, drink or socialise. I never go to parties. If that makes me a loner, fine. I am happy this way. I go to work and I come back straight home. To watch my horror movies, play with my spooks, talk to my trees, sing." And his songs are what endears him to us. What lives on in our minds even after 24 years of his passing away.

    On his birthday, we — after a lot of debate — have a list of our favourite songs.

    Haal Kaisa Hai Janaab ki

    Pyaar Manga hei tumi se

    Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas

    Chukkar Mere man ko

    Phoolon Ke Rang Se

    Yeh Shaam Mastani

    Eena Meena Deeka

    Ek Ladki Bheegi bhaagi si

    Yeh Jeevan Hai

    Do they match your favourite  Kishore Kumar songs? Tell us

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