Cinema: The Magic Lantern!!

Centennial Birthday of Shyam It is beyond one’s wild imagination that an expert horse-rider like the swashbuckling hero Shyam could lose the reins of horse while giving a simple shot on the set of Filmistan’s “Shabistan” (1951) and had a nasty fall. The fall proved fatal and destiny snuffed the life out of this versatile actor. When Shyam was brought to the Hospital, his makeup was still on….. and the facial expression indicted as if he was ready for another take!!!! But alas, the bright career of this legendary actor was cut short abruptly on 25 April, 1951. Next day, Times of India, Bombay carried its obituary eulogizing the star’s aura. “High, wide and handsome Shyam, most popular of the Indian screen’s male stars, idol of millions of film-goers throughout India and adored by lakhs in Bombay where he was mobbed at every appearance, went laughing off to work from his Chembur home on Wednesday morning. By afternoon, he was dead.” The entire film world was dumb founded and h is ...

Pran Krishan Sikand: Birth Centenary Pran Krishan Sikand, the eponymous ‘bad man’ of Indian cinema, epitomized villainy in Bollywood with his masterly personification of evil on celluloid. His screen presence was prolific, whatever the role, each performance was suffused with originality and imagination. Whether a sadistic despot or a malicious village bully or a dissolute city criminal, he portrayed the infinite shades of evil with consummate ease. Apocryphal stories abound of the terror he struck in the minds of generations of film goers with his sophisticated portrayal of a villain. With his bloodshot eyes, cold voice and trademark sneer, he imparted the necessary mirchi flavour to the mandatory masala Hindi movies foiling the hero’s impeccable character. With his acting prowess and rare intelligence, he brought each character alive on the screen. He succeeded in turning stereotypes into unforgettable characters with different mannerism, unusual get-up and voice diction. His c...