Asim Bando's KOLKATA BLOG

Alka Yagnik was born in Kolkata, on this day, in the year 1966 in a Gujrati family. Her mother wanted to teach Alka singing. So, she started singing bhajans in Akashvani Kolkata at the age of six. At the age of 15 she sang that famous song "mere angne mein" in the film "Laawaris". But, Alka got big break in 1988 in the film "Tezaab" and the song was on the lips of Madhuri Dixit - "Ek Do Tin" which became an evergreen song.          In her career, Alka rendered innumerable songs in films and the duet songs with Kumar Sanu became most popular indeed. She also sang many songs with Udit Narayan and Sonu Nigam.           She has sung 2486 hindi songs in 1114 films. She won many awards in her life for her songs. She admitted that her mother, Laxmikant Pyarelal and Kalyanji Anandji were her Gurus. Her inspiration is Lata Mangeshkar.

Shashi Kapoor was born on this day, in the year 1938, in Kolkata. He was the son of Raj Kapoor and made his career in Bollywood films. He had his first adult role in Yash Chopra's film Dharmputra (1961). After that, till mid eighties he played in 116 Hindi films, amongst them 61 as solo lead role, 55 in multi-starrer films, 21 as supporting actor and 7 films with special appearance. He was a very popular actor in 60s, 70s and till mid-eighties. His favourite actress was Nanda, with whom he acted in 8 films in 60s. Nanda also admitted him as her favourite actor. They played in the films 'Need Hamari Khwab Tumhare', 'Raja Saab', 'Jab Jab Phool Khile', 'Mohabbat Isko Kahete Hain', 'Rootha Na Karo' and a few more. Shashi Kapoor also played opposite several heroines like Babita, Asha Parekh, Mumtaz, Hema Malini, Zeenat Aman, Shabana Azmi, Raakhi, Sharmila Tagore, Mousumi Chatterjee, Neetu Singh, Parveen Babi. Sharmilee, Pyar Ka Mausam,...

It never happened before. She refused many awards earlier, even Dada Saheb Phalke award. But, accepted the Banga-Bibhushan award, sent her daughter Moon Moon Sen and granddaughter Raima Sen to bring the award. So, we're feeling honoured also. -- A. B.

Soumitra Chattopadhyay is the recipient of 2011 Dadasaheb Phalke Award for his lifetime achievement. It is the highest award for Indian film industry in the name of Dadasaheb Phalke - The Father Of Indian Cinema. When the news came this evening, the actor Soumitra Chattopadhyay was on the floor of director Goutam Ghosh's new film in Kolkata. So, the actor shared the big news with the whole unit. The good news spread like a storm of joy and happiness and the veterans of Bangla film industry expressed their views with joy. Actor Aparna Sen said, it was her great privilege to act in so many films with Soumitra. And said, Soumitra is a great actor. Director Mrinal Sen said, in this untoward atmosphere of political scenario, the news of this award for Soumitra is like a fresh breeze of joy. Singer Manna Dey said, Soumitra is my favourite actor. So I'm glad to hear the news. Director Buddhadeb Dasgupta said, I'm very glad. But Soumitra Chatterjee deserved the award e...