HINDI CINEMA
1. THE BITTER SWEET TALES OF THE CHOCOLATE HERO/ Beta/Col/55min/ 2 films/ Hindi: Life and times of Ashok Kumar
This film is a journey down memory lane with the legendary actor Ashok Kumar (Dada Muni). Narrated in the first person, in Ashok Kumar's inimitable style (occasionally sung by him too), the film contains interesting anecdotes about his childhood, his early days at Bombay Talkies and Filmistan, his leading ladies and lady loves (!) and his numerous little known interests such as fast cars, boxing, nude painting and homeopathy. The film reveals how Dada Muni evolved as an actor & star, and features rare excerpts from his great films such as Achhut Kanya, Bandhan, Kangan, Kismat, Kanoon, Howrah Bridge, Chalti Ka Naam Gadi, Bhai Bhai, Shaukeen and Gumrah. The film captures Dada Muni in his numerous moods - joyful, humorous, nostalgic, tongue-in-cheek and philosophical, with the audience experiencing a direct intimate contact with one of the great storytellers of the world.
2. MORTAL MEN IMMORTAL MELODIES/ Beta/ Col/ 120 min/ Hindi: Hindi film music
This is a rare film, which won acclaim at the International Film Festival as well as in the Retrospective of Indian Films at the Pompidou Centre in Paris. An unforgettable trip down memory lane with the all time great of the Indian filmdom's music world. It features the great hits of the early talkies, the immortal singing actors, legendary music directors, and the return of mallika-e-tarranum Noorjehan. Lata Mangeshkar, Talat Mehmood, the list of legends who participated in the musical soiree are endless. The programme was compered by actress Shabana Azmi, scripted by Javed Akhtar. This was telecast on National Television twice at prime time.
