The stage glittered with the presence of Hindi cinema icons like  Amitabh Bachchan , Dharmendra and Aamir Khan , when the trio, along with veteran actress Saira Banu and author Udaya Tara Nayar, launched thespian Dilip Kumar’s long-awaited autobiography “The Substance and The Shadow” in his presence here Monday evening.

Legendary singer Lata Mangeshkar, who was slated to sing at the event, couldn’t make it.

Held at Grand Hyatt in Santa Cruz here, the red carpet of the event saw celebrities from the old and gold age as well as new generation walk in for the momentous night.

From Zeenat Aman, Danny Denzongpa, Farida Jalal, and Vyjayanthimala to Subhash Ghai, Ayan Mukerji, Sanjay Leela Bhansali, Rajkumar Hirani, Madhuri Dixit and Priyanka Chopra attended the gala.

Dilip Kumar’s wife Saira Banu, who looked resplendent in a green sari, was overwhelmed to see the fraternity’s participation in the event, which saw Karan Johar as a host. She hoped the book is appreciated.

Before the event, she said: “Please pray that the dedication we have written the book, it is received by the readers in the same way. Every chapter in the book is important and you all will read something that you have not read before about him.”

Born Muhammad Yusuf Khan, the actor entered filmdom with the 1944 release “Jwar Bhata”, and thereafter dedicated six decades of his life working in much appreciated films like “Mela”, “Naya Daur”, “Devdas”, “Madhumati” and “Mughal-E-Azam”.

His autobiography chronicles the 91-year-old’s life from his days as a child to present – the ups and downs in his life, his family, career, wife and more, as told by him to Nayar, who is a close family friend.

Aamir, who recited a poem penned by Prasoon Joshi specifically for the occasion, said: “We all were eagerly waiting for this big day. I am a huge fan of Yusuf sahab and I was waiting to read his book and his experiences.”

Actress Priyanka Chopra, who walked the red carpet, said she was “honoured” to be invited for the event.

“I’m so happy for them today. They have been close to my family for a long time. I have seen all his films and I really admire him,” she said.

For Madhuri Dixit, who walked in with her husband Sriram Nene, it was a proud moment to be part of the event.

“Dilip Kumar is a legend in himself and it’s a big day. He has been an inspiration for everybody,” she said.

Lata Mangeshkar, who is close to Dilip Kumar’s family, had given her consent to perform at the event, but if sources are to be believed, her ill health didn’t allow her to be present.

source: http://www.indiatoday.intoday.in / IndiaToday.in / Home> Movies> Bollywood / IANS Mumbai / June 10th, 2014

A special cover on late Qadir Ali Baig and a brilliant monologue by Rashmi Seth marked the 10th anniversary of the Foundation

It was indeed an honour for theatre fraternity when a special postal cover was released on June 3, at Salarjung Museum, in memory of Qader Ali Baig on the occasion of his 30th death anniversary.

The occasion of the launch of the Special Cover was also to mark ten years of the Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation.

Director of Postal Services, Radhika Chakravarthy said, “India Post honours famous personalities whose contribution is exemplary and it is a befitting tribute to late Mirza Qadir Ali Baig sahab.”

Acknowledging the unique honour, Mohammad Ali Baig said, “This tribute would provide further inspiration and motivation to us as well as rest of the country’s theatre fraternity.”

Play by Rashmi Seth

The event was followed by a moving performance by veteran actress Rashmi Seth in the play Dhoop ka Tukda , which had the packed audience follow her in total silence. Seth acted in late Qadir Ali Baig’s several socially-meaningful plays in the 1970s and 80s like Aadhey Adhurey , Burf ki Minaar and has also featured in Mohammad Ali Baig’s epic spectacles Resham ki Dor , Taramati , Quli: Dilon ka Shahzaada and Savaan-e-Hayat . Her performance was an apt tribute to the doyen.

Dhoop ka Tukda , written by Nirmal Verma, is about a woman, separated from her husband, dwelling on her pathos, memories, the trials and tribulations in her life and her search for hope. Rashmi Seth excelled in the 40-minute monologue, maintaining the walk and body language of an aged, arthritis-afflicted woman who has gone through a lot in life, her tremulous voice modulation bringing out her misery evocatively. Subhash Gupta as the silent man in the park spoke with his expressions, though immersed all the time reading a newspaper. The play was produced by Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Foundation and directed by Rashmi Seth.

source: http://www.thehindu.com / The Hindu / Home> Features> MetroPlus / June 06th, 2014

Hyderabad:

When asked, “Who would you save, your father or your boyfriend, if they are trapped in a room that has caught fire and why?” pat came the reply from contestant number 9, Seema Mirza, “My father, because he is in the audience right now.”

With the crowd in splits at her witty remark, the 19-year-old claimed the title of Princess Secunderabad Club at the Secunderabad Club May Queen Ball 2014 on Saturday. Babita Yadav, was the winner of Queen Secunderabad Club.

Seema Mirza, a 19-year-old student, and Babita Yadav, 37-year-old educator, are poles apart, but found themselves on common ground onstage the annual beauty pageant in which 10 young ladies (Princesses) and nine older ladies (Queens) participated.

Seema, studying B.Com at St Mary’s College is joining Manipal University this August. Seema entered this pageant to fight her fear of public speaking and walking in heels! “I am a sports person,” says Seema, who also won the sub-title of Ms Beautiful Hair.

“I participated to prove to myself that I can be both sporty and elegant. Walking in heels and wearing elaborate dresses was a huge challenge. Our choreographer told us that our answers should be smart, funny and get reactions from people,” says Seema, the only contestant to get the audience to laugh.

Educator and mother of two, Babita Yadav, winner of the Queen’s category, also won the two sub-titles — Style Icon and Talented. “I wanted to achieve something inspiring. Hence, I chose this pageant,” says Babita.

“As you grow older, you tend to forget yourself and get caught up in the whirlwind of daily tasks. But I believe learning is a never-ending process and that’s what my win stands for.”

“I hope to participate in beauty pageants in Patiala too. My family was very supportive and my kids are proud of their beauty-pageant-winning mom,” says Babita who is moving to Patiala soon.

source: http://www.deccanchronicle.com / Deccan Chronicle / Home> Lifestyle> Fashion-Beauty / by Anisha Dhiman / May 19th, 2014