(IANS Review) Superb musical with subtle social messaging (IANS Rating: ****)

Talent gets a professional touch (IANS Column: B-Town)

The star system of the past gave rise to a breed called 'the secretary'. He was described as a star secretary if the actor he represented happened to be a big draw such as Rajesh Khanna, Jeetendra or Dharmendra. He would act pricier than his star bosses. The era was such, you needed to humour the secretary more than the star if you expected to come face-to- face with the star at all.

Music is the winner this past week (IANS Column: B-Town)

The Indian music scene, as in its composers, crooners and writers, has never got its due; the companies meant to exploit their work have in most cases just exploited them.

Saiyami Kher reunites with Gulzar, to recite his poetry in '8 A.M. Metro'

Mumbai, April 25 (IANS) Actress Saiyami Kher, who worked with legendary writer-director-lyricist Gulzar in her Bollywood debut 'Mirzya', has reunited with the maestro in her upcoming movie '8 A.M. Metro'.

'Main sasural nahi jaaongi' singer Pamela, widow of Yash Chopra, passes away at 74

Mumbai, April 20 (IANS) Noted playback singer Pamela Chopra - widow of the czar of romantic films, Yash Chopra - passed away in Mumbai, her family announced here on Thursday. She was 74.

'Boojh mera kya naam re': Shamshad Begum and her eclipsed career

Nearly four decades before Madhuri Dixit (courtesy Alka Yagnik) in "Tezaab" (1988), she had already made the nation count "Ek do teen..." in Raj Kapoor's "Awara" (1951) at her career's high point, when she was eagerly sought by both established and new composers. Yet, as the 1960s began, Shamshad Begum's robust and crystal-clear voice had largely disappeared from the film world.

'Layi hayat aaye qaza le chali chale': The life and legend of K.L. Saigal

He was the first superstar of Hindi cinema - on basis of just his singing. In his short life and shorter film stint, Kundan Lal Saigal not only enthralled people across the country with his golden voice, but also made playback singing central to films, as he went on to create an abiding musical legacy that all his contemporaries as well as successors - be it Mukesh, Rafi, Talat, or Kishore - desperately wanted to emulate.