Handsome and charismatic actor who was a Bollywood superstar and a regular performer in Merchant Ivory films
I was once taken to a cricket match in Bombay by Shashi Kapoor, the great Bollywood star, who has died aged 79. As his open-topped car sped from his house to the ground, whenever it was forced to stop at the frequent traffic lights, a crowd of admirers would gather, clapping, shouting and begging for autographs. He signed willingly, sometimes holding up the traffic, and when we reached our seats at the cricket ground, he spent almost the entire day signing again. I asked him why he was so generous with his time, particularly as he was really interested in the match. “Look, Derek,” he said. “I owe everything to these people. It’s my way of saying thank you.” He was not only the most handsome leading man in Bollywood, but also the most charming and modest.
I was once taken to a cricket match in Bombay by Shashi Kapoor, the great Bollywood star, who has died aged 79. As his open-topped car sped from his house to the ground, whenever it was forced to stop at the frequent traffic lights, a crowd of admirers would gather, clapping, shouting and begging for autographs. He signed willingly, sometimes holding up the traffic, and when we reached our seats at the cricket ground, he spent almost the entire day signing again. I asked him why he was so generous with his time, particularly as he was really interested in the match. “Look, Derek,” he said. “I owe everything to these people. It’s my way of saying thank you.” He was not only the most handsome leading man in Bollywood, but also the most charming and modest.
- 12/6/2017
- by Derek Malcolm
- The Guardian - Film News
India’s prestigious and one of Asia’s biggest film festivals, Iffi 2015 will be organising a Special Retrospective of this year’s Dadasaheb Phalke Award Winner Shashi Kapoor. In a career spanning over four decades, Shashi Kapoor has given some spectacular performances and has donned many hats as a producer, director, and actor. He appeared in 160 movies including 12 English and 148 Hindi films out of which he played the solo lead hero in 61 films and played lead hero in 53 multi-star cast films. He has also produced 6 films including Junoon, which won National Awards in 1979.
The ace filmmaker, Shyam Benegal who directed Shashi Kapoor in Kalyug and Junoon remembers the actor to be a “thorough professional. He says, “Though, Shashi was one of the biggest stars of his time, he was always punctual. He never made anyone wait even for a minute. He was always ready with his lines and would always...
The ace filmmaker, Shyam Benegal who directed Shashi Kapoor in Kalyug and Junoon remembers the actor to be a “thorough professional. He says, “Though, Shashi was one of the biggest stars of his time, he was always punctual. He never made anyone wait even for a minute. He was always ready with his lines and would always...
- 10/30/2015
- by Press Releases
- Bollyspice
The deal involves buying the Merchant Ivory brand, reports Variety, along with global distribution rights to 21 features and 9 documentaries and shorts. James Ivory will continue to supervise the brand as creative director of the collection. He will consult with Charles S. Cohen on the restoration, re-release and marketing of each film. The deal does not include studio films “A Room With a View,” “Mr. and Mrs. Bridge,” “Jefferson in Paris” and “Remains of the Day.” The filmmaking team of producer Ismail Merchant and director James Ivory partnered in Merchant Ivory for a series of English-language films in India starting with 1963’s “The Householder,” starring Shashi Kapoor, followed by 1965’s “Shakespeare Wallah.” Moving to the United States and England, Merchant Ivory collaborated with screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala on such films as “Howards End,” based on the E.M. Forster novel, which was nominated for nine Academy Awards, including best...
- 10/12/2015
- by Anne Thompson
- Thompson on Hollywood
Out of all the characters that you will come across in an Indian film, one that you will rarely see go astray is a mother. That too, the hero’s mother. She is an entity that restrains him with no physical bounds, gives him strength like no other energy drink, drives him to lengths beyond imagination (all within 2.5 hours) and without her, teaches him lessons universities worldwide have yet to discover. From being a sari clad soap opera box drama queen to a sophisticated career driven business magnet, she has transformed in front of us but one thing remains. The positive energy one feels from our filmi “Ma”. It may be a scene or a song, but she is there and her love unconditional. Yes, there may be some stories that forget about her, yet there is no denying, our cinematic mothers have sometimes been the saving grace for our films.
- 5/12/2013
- by Githa Vanan
- Bollyspice
Novelist and screenwriter known for her work on Merchant Ivory films, including A Room with a View and Heat and Dust
The writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who has died aged 85, achieved her greatest fame late in life, and for work she had once dismissed as a hobby – listing "writing film scripts" as a recreation in Who's Who. Her original screenplays and adaptations of literary classics for the film producer Ismail Merchant and the director James Ivory were met with box-office and critical success. The trio met in 1961, and almost immediately became collaborators, as well as close and lifelong friends.
Soon after Merchant and Ivory themselves met (in New York), Merchant proposed that they make a film of Jhabvala's early novel The Householder (1960). The pair then went to Delhi and asked her to sell them the book and write a screenplay of it in eight days flat. Over the next five decades,...
The writer Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who has died aged 85, achieved her greatest fame late in life, and for work she had once dismissed as a hobby – listing "writing film scripts" as a recreation in Who's Who. Her original screenplays and adaptations of literary classics for the film producer Ismail Merchant and the director James Ivory were met with box-office and critical success. The trio met in 1961, and almost immediately became collaborators, as well as close and lifelong friends.
Soon after Merchant and Ivory themselves met (in New York), Merchant proposed that they make a film of Jhabvala's early novel The Householder (1960). The pair then went to Delhi and asked her to sell them the book and write a screenplay of it in eight days flat. Over the next five decades,...
- 4/4/2013
- by Janet Watts
- The Guardian - Film News
Oscar-winning screenwriter and novelist Ruth Prawer Jhabvala has died at age 85, the Associated Press reports. Her daughter, Firoza Jhabvala, confirms her death in New York, after a long illness.
Jhabvala's writing career began with a series of novels about her life in India. She was later approached by Merchant Ivory Productions to turn one of the novels into a movie. "The Householder" was released in 1963. She went on to write 22 films total for the production company, winning two Academy Awards.
Her Oscars were a result of adapting E.M. Forster novels "Howards End" and "A Room With a View." She received a third nomination for her adaptation of "The Remains of the Day" in 1993. Her last screenplay was for 2008's "The City of Your Final Destination," starring Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney.
A statement from Merchant Ivory Productions calls Jhabvala's death "a significant loss to the global film community." The statement reads,...
Jhabvala's writing career began with a series of novels about her life in India. She was later approached by Merchant Ivory Productions to turn one of the novels into a movie. "The Householder" was released in 1963. She went on to write 22 films total for the production company, winning two Academy Awards.
Her Oscars were a result of adapting E.M. Forster novels "Howards End" and "A Room With a View." She received a third nomination for her adaptation of "The Remains of the Day" in 1993. Her last screenplay was for 2008's "The City of Your Final Destination," starring Anthony Hopkins and Laura Linney.
A statement from Merchant Ivory Productions calls Jhabvala's death "a significant loss to the global film community." The statement reads,...
- 4/4/2013
- by editorial@zap2it.com
- Pop2it
New York, April 3: Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, the German-born novelist and award winning screen writer for Merchant-Ivory Productions, died Wednesday at her home in New York. She is survived by three daughters.
The 85-year old writer, who set the locale of many of her stories in India, was suffering from pulmonary disorder, Us media reported, quoting filmmaker James Ivory. Jhabvala was associated with Ivory since the 1960s.
After moving to New Delhi with her Indian-born husband in the 1950s, Jhabvala wrote a series of novels and short stories about India. She was invited in 1961 to write the script for "The Householder".
The 85-year old writer, who set the locale of many of her stories in India, was suffering from pulmonary disorder, Us media reported, quoting filmmaker James Ivory. Jhabvala was associated with Ivory since the 1960s.
After moving to New Delhi with her Indian-born husband in the 1950s, Jhabvala wrote a series of novels and short stories about India. She was invited in 1961 to write the script for "The Householder".
- 4/3/2013
- by Abhijeet Sen
- RealBollywood.com
Bollywood.s quintessential on-screen mother Achala Sachdev, bed ridden for the last six months, has passed away in a hospital here, her physician said Monday. She was 91..Achala Sachdev expired yesterday (Sunday) at 5.30 in the evening at the Poona Hospital. We immediately informed her son who is in the Us. He will be reaching Pune tomorrow (Tuesday),. Vinod Shah, who was treating the actress in Poona Hospital, told us..Achala Sachdev had broken her left leg after a fall in her house six months ago. She also suffered a brain infarction in which she lost her vision and movements of upper and lower limbs,. added Shah.Her funeral will take place Tuesday evening at Vaikunth here after her son Jyotin arrives from the Us.The actress, known for her role in 1965 film Waqt, where she was part of the legendary song Ae meri zohra jabeen underwent surgery 15 days ago and...
- 4/30/2012
- Filmicafe
The super talented actors Kajol, Tabu and Irrfan Khan and singer Usha Uthup have been named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day, today. Kajol started her career with Bekhudi and then went on to become one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood with films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and so on. Tabu, on the other hand, has been known for creating a niche for herself with films like Chandni Bar, Astitva, Maqbool, The Namesake and Cheeni Kum. Irrfan Khan can undoubtedly be called as the international Indian face with films like The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire to his credit. Usha Uthup started as a famous pop singer in Bollywood in the 70s and became a rage for her unique heavy voice and singing style. Her songs like 'Ek Do Cha Cha Cha',...
- 1/25/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
The super talented actors Kajol, Tabu and Irrfan Khan and singer Usha Uthup have been named for the Padma Shri, the fourth highest civilian honour on the eve of Republic Day, today. Kajol started her career with Bekhudi and then went on to become one of the most loved actresses in Bollywood with films like Baazigar, Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai and so on. Tabu, on the other hand, has been known for creating a niche for herself with films like Chandni Bar, Astitva, Maqbool, The Namesake and Cheeni Kum. Irrfan Khan can undoubtedly be called as the international Indian face with films like The Namesake, A Mighty Heart, Slumdog Millionaire to his credit. Usha Uthup started as a famous pop singer in Bollywood in the 70s and became a rage for her unique heavy voice and singing style. Her songs like 'Ek Do Cha Cha Cha',...
- 1/25/2011
- by Bollywood Hungama News Network
- BollywoodHungama
Rating: 1.5/5.0
Chicago – Although “City of Your Final Destination” is not the latest installment of the Rube Goldberg-inspired splatter series, it does seem to be populated with the walking dead. The only similarity shared between the “Final Destination” franchise and this picturesque drama is an overwhelming abundance of tedium, generated by a plot that often seems as stagnant as its listless characters.
In his heyday, director James Ivory made one wonderful, timeless movie after another. His collaboration with producer Ismail Merchant lasted over four decades. The filmmaking duo proved that sophisticated, proudly literate dramas like “A Room With A View,” “Howard’s End” and “Mr. & Mrs. Bridge” could find a wide international audience. Their films were understated, deliberately paced and novelistic but never dull. It was exhilarating to observe the subtle, wordless attraction between Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in 1993’s “The Remains of the Day,” which still stands as...
Chicago – Although “City of Your Final Destination” is not the latest installment of the Rube Goldberg-inspired splatter series, it does seem to be populated with the walking dead. The only similarity shared between the “Final Destination” franchise and this picturesque drama is an overwhelming abundance of tedium, generated by a plot that often seems as stagnant as its listless characters.
In his heyday, director James Ivory made one wonderful, timeless movie after another. His collaboration with producer Ismail Merchant lasted over four decades. The filmmaking duo proved that sophisticated, proudly literate dramas like “A Room With A View,” “Howard’s End” and “Mr. & Mrs. Bridge” could find a wide international audience. Their films were understated, deliberately paced and novelistic but never dull. It was exhilarating to observe the subtle, wordless attraction between Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in 1993’s “The Remains of the Day,” which still stands as...
- 6/1/2010
- by adam@hollywoodchicago.com (Adam Fendelman)
- HollywoodChicago.com
Director James Ivory and screenwriter Ruth Prawer Jhabvala have a new movie out, The City of Your Final Destination (10 screens), and, no that's not another sequel in the Final Destination horror series. It's about a young professor who is trying to write a biography of a dead author and must travel to Uruguay to get permission from the dead author's wife, brother and mistress. Like almost all the other Ivory films, it's based on a novel. That's just the first of many reasons I have been fighting against Ivory for years.
Ivory and Jhabvala and producer Ismail Merchant, who died in 2005, first teamed up on The Householder (1963), and their partnership continued until The White Countess (2005); the only difference was that The Householder had been based on Jhabvala's own novel, rather than someone else's. At some point in the 1980s, the trio's films came into fashion, coinciding with the first years of the blockbuster era.
Ivory and Jhabvala and producer Ismail Merchant, who died in 2005, first teamed up on The Householder (1963), and their partnership continued until The White Countess (2005); the only difference was that The Householder had been based on Jhabvala's own novel, rather than someone else's. At some point in the 1980s, the trio's films came into fashion, coinciding with the first years of the blockbuster era.
- 5/30/2010
- by Jeffrey M. Anderson
- Cinematical
Bollywood icon Leela Naidu has died at the age of 69.
The actress passed away in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday after suffering lung failure following a prolonged bout of influenza.
Naidu, who was crowned Miss India in 1954, starred in a number of high profile Hindi films.
She was best known for acting in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, based on the 1959 Nanavati case - the last jury trial held in India - and in Merchant Ivory Productions' first film The Householder.
Naidu also narrowly missed out on appearing alongside Marlon Brando in Brit film The Journey.
She was last seen on screen in 1992 movie Electric Moon.
The actress passed away in Mumbai, India, on Tuesday after suffering lung failure following a prolonged bout of influenza.
Naidu, who was crowned Miss India in 1954, starred in a number of high profile Hindi films.
She was best known for acting in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke, based on the 1959 Nanavati case - the last jury trial held in India - and in Merchant Ivory Productions' first film The Householder.
Naidu also narrowly missed out on appearing alongside Marlon Brando in Brit film The Journey.
She was last seen on screen in 1992 movie Electric Moon.
- 7/29/2009
- WENN
Producer Ismail Merchant, who, along with James Ivory, brought such acclaimed literary adaptations as A Room with a View and Howards End to the screen, died Wednesday in London; he was 68. Reports on Merchant's death cited that he had been ill for some time and had undergone surgery for abdominal ulcers, and passed away at a London hospital surrounded by family and friends. Born in Bombay and educated both there and in New York, Merchant studied film at USC and early in his career produced and directed a number of acclaimed shorts. His film work brought him to the attention of New York's Asia Society, which commissioned him to make a documentary about Delhi. In India, he met American director James Ivory, and in 1961 the two embarked on a career together (both personally and professionally) that would result in more than 40 films; the first was The Householder (1963), based on the novel by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, who, as their longtime screenwriter, was effectively the third "partner" in Merchant-Ivory Films. Initially, Merchant-Ivory was formed with the charter of making English-language films in India for international release, and their films reflected the conflicts between Indian and British culture. In the early '70s, they tentatively explored new territory . specifically 1920s Hollywood . with The Wild Party, but wouldn't find success outside of India-based films until 1979's The Europeans, based on the Henry James novel, which marked their first major literary adaptation. Small but acclaimed films followed, including Jane Austen in Manhattan and Heat and Dust, but Merchant-Ivory made a name for itself in the mid-'80s with two Oscar-nominated films: 1984's The Bostonians, featuring an Academy Award-nominated performance by Vanessa Redgrave, and their breakout hit, 1985's A Room With a View, the sublime adaptation of E.M. Forster's novel. The film made a star of a young ingénue named Helena Bonham Carter, established Merchant-Ivory as the highbrow literary filmmakers, and received eight Oscar nominations, including Best Picture (it won three). Taking on Forster again, Merchant-Ivory made the groundbreaking gay-themed drama Maurice in 1987 before unsuccessfully trying on modern-day Manhattan in Slaves of New York. After that film, Merchant-Ivory returned to classic literary adaptations including Mr. and Mrs. Bridge and two back-to-back Best Picture nominees, Howards End (eight Oscar nominations and three wins, including Best Actress for Emma Thompson) and The Remains of the Day (also eight nominations). Merchant's remaining films, from Jefferson in Paris (1995) to Le Divorce (2003) were relatively well-received, but never achieved the heights of his previous films. No further details regarding Merchant's death were forthcoming, and a statement was expected to be released later in the day. --Prepared by IMDb staff...
- 5/25/2005
- IMDb News
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