Advanced search
- TITLES
- NAMES
- COLLABORATIONS
Search filters
Enter full date
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
Only includes names with the selected topics
to
or just enter yyyy, or yyyy-mm below
to
1-31 of 31
- Actor
- Writer
- Soundtrack
Sabu Dastagir (or Selar Shaik Sabu, depending on your resource) was born on January 27, 1924, in the little town of Mysore, India, which is nestled in the jungles of Karapur. The son of an elephant driver (mahout) in service for the Maharajah of his town, the young stable boy learned responsibility early in life when, at age 9, his father died and Sabu immediately became the ward of the royal elephant stables. As with many Hollywood success stories, good timing, and dumb luck allowed the impoverished youth a chance for a better life. By sheer chance the timid 12-year-old orphan was discovered by a British location crew while searching for a youth to play the title role (an elephant driver!) in their upcoming feature Elephant Boy (1937). Quite taken aback by his earnest looks, engaging naturalness and adaptability to wild animals and their natural habitat, the studio handed the boy a film career on a sterling silver platter and was placed under exclusive contract by the mogul Alexander Korda himself.
Sabu and his older brother (as guardian) were whisked away to England to complete the picture and became subsequent wards of the British government. They were given excellent schooling in the process and Sabu quickly learned the English language in preparation for his upcoming films. Elephant Boy (1937) was an unqualified hit and the young actor was promptly placed front and center once again in the film The Drum (1938) surrounded by an impressive British cast that included Raymond Massey and Valerie Hobson. With the parallel success of the Tarzan jungle movies in America, Hollywood starting taking a keen look at this refreshingly new boy talent when he first arrived in the U.S. for a publicity tour of the film. Again, his second film was given rave reviews, proving that Sabu would not be just a one-hit wonder.
His third film for Korda is considered one of the great true classics. In the Arabian fantasy-adventure The Thief of Bagdad (1940), Sabu plays Abu the Thief and is not only surrounded by superb actors -- notably June Duprez, John Justin, Rex Ingram (as the genie) and Conrad Veidt (as the evil Grand Vizier) -- but exceptional writing and incredible special effects. Sabu's name began stirring international ears. His last pairing with Korda was the excellent adaptation of Rudyard Kipling's classic book The Jungle Book (1942) playing Mowgli, the boy raised by wolves, who must adapt to the ways of mankind after being returned to his mother. The movie was directed by Alexander's brother Zoltan Korda.
Following this triumph, Sabu officially became the exotic commodity of Universal Pictures and he settled in America. Although initially rewarding monetarily, it proved to be undoing. Unfortunately (and too often typical), a haphazard assembly-line of empty-minded features were developed that hardly compared to the quality pictures in England under Korda. Saddled alongside the unexceptional Maria Montez and Jon Hall, his vehicles Arabian Nights (1942), White Savage (1943) and Cobra Woman (1944) were, for the most part, drivel but certainly did fit the bill as colorful, mindless entertainment.
Almost 20 years old by the time he became a citizen of the U.S. in 1944, he enlisted in the Army Air Force and earned WWII distinction in combat missions (Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, among others) as a tail gunner. By the time Sabu returned to Universal and filming, the charm of his youth had worn off and the boyish stereotype impossible to escape.
Post-war audiences developed new tastes, but Sabu had no choice but to trudge on with retreads of his former glory. Films such as Tangier (1946) again opposite Ms. Montez, Man-Eater of Kumaon (1948) and Song of India (1949) opposite lovely princess Gail Russell did little to advance his career. While filming the last-mentioned movie, Sabu met and married actress Marilyn Cooper who temporarily filled in for an ailing Ms. Russell on the set. The couple went on to have two children.
Sabu actually fared better back in England during the late 40s, starring in the crime drama The End of the River (1947) and appearing fourth-billed as a native general in the exquisitely photographed Black Narcissus (1947). Daring in subject matter, the film had Deborah Kerr heading up a group of Anglican nuns who battle crude traditions, unexpected passions and stark raving madness while setting up a Himalayan order. By the mid-50s Sabu's career was rapidly approaching extinction, seeking work wherever he could find it - in low-budget Europe productions, public appearances, etc. An attempt to conjure up a TV series for himself failed. His life was further aggravated by unpleasant civil and paternity suits brought about against him. His last two pictures were supporting roles in Rampage (1963), which starred Robert Mitchum, and A Tiger Walks (1964), a thoroughly routine Disney picture which was released posthumously.
Sabu died unexpectedly at age 39 of a heart attack on December 2, 1963, at his home in Southern California and was buried at Forest Lawn Cemetery in the Hollywood Hills. Son Paul Sabu developed into an accomplished songwriter and even formed a rock band called Sabu; daughter Jasmine Sabu, who died in 2001, was a noted horse trainer whose skill was utilized occasionally for films. Although he went the way of too many of our former stars, Sabu continues to enchant and excite newer generations with his unmatched athletic skills and magnetic charm in those early adventure fantasies of yesteryear.- Director
- Actor
- Writer
Lindsay was born in Bangalore, India but educated in England at Cheltenham College and Wadham College, Oxford where he was a classical scholar. He then spent 3 years war time service in the Kings Royal Rifle Corps. His career in the theatre started at the Royal Court in the late 1950's where he was responsible for the premiere productions of The Long and the Short and the Tall, Sergeant Musgrave's Dance, Billy Liar and The Bed Before Yesterday. His collaboration with David Storey began with the film This Sporting Life followed by the plays In Celebration, Home, The Changing Room, Early Days and his last, in 1992, Stages He also contributed to the Times, Observer and New Statesman newspapers.- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Considered to be a man ahead of his time, Guru Dutt was one of the greatest icons of commercial Indian cinema. Although he made less than ten films, they are believed to be the best to come from Bollywood's Golden Age, known both for their ability to reach out to the common man and for their artistic and lyrical content, and they went on to become trend-setters that have influenced Bollywood ever since. But for all his genius, there was a shroud of tragedy that overshadowed his career and life.
Dutt was born in Mysore on July ninth, 1925, the eldest son of a headmaster and a housewife who was a part-time writer. As a child, he had to deal with a strained relationship between his parents, hostility from his mother's family, and the death of a close relative. He received his early education in Calcutta, and in 1941, he joined the Uday Shankar India Culture Center, where he received basic training in the performing arts under dance maestro Uday Shankar. Afterward, in 1944, he had a short stint as a telephone operator.
Dutt entered the Indian film industry in 1944, working as a choreographer in Prabhat Studios. There, he became friends with Dev Anand (whom he met when they worked on the film Hum Ek Hain (1946)) and Rehman Khan. These early friendships helped ease his way into Bollywood. After Prabhat went under in 1947, Dutt moved to Mumbai, where he worked with the leading directors of the time: Amiya Chakrabarty in Girls' School (1949) and Gyan Mukherjee in Sangram (1946).
He got his big break when Dev Anand invited him to direct a film in his newly formed company Navketan Films. Dutt made his directorial debut with Gamble (1951), which starred Dev Anand. The film was an urban crime thriller that paid homage to classic film noir. However, it also carried its own elements that ensured it was not a remake of a Hollywood film: notably, songs were used to further the story's narrative, and close-up shots were used frequently. The film was a success and became a trend-setter for future crime films. On the personal front, Dutt met his wife, playback singer Geeta Dutt (née Roy), during the song-recording sessions of Gamble (1951), and they married May twenty-sixth, 1953.
Dutt's next releases were Jaal (1952) and Baaz (1953). Dutt made his acting debut in the latter film, which he also directed. But while they were average successes, he finally tasted success with Aar-Paar (1954), another crime thriller, but with a far more polished story and look. Then came Mr. & Mrs. '55 (1955), a frothy romantic comedy focusing on women's' rights; and C.I.D. (1956), yet another crime thriller in which Waheeda Rehman made her debut.
His next films, Thirst (1957) and Paper Flowers (1959), are regarded as his best work. Thirst (1957) was his masterpiece, about a poet trying to achieve success in a hypocritical, uncaring world. It was a box-office hit and is ranked as his greatest film ever. In contrast, Paper Flowers (1959) was a miserable flop at the box office: the semi-autobiographical story of a tragic love affair set against the backdrop of the film industry was deemed too morbid for the audience to swallow and went right over audience's heads. Although in later years the film received critical acclaim for its cinematography and has gained a cult following, Dutt, who had put his soul into the film, was devastated over its failure and never directed another film.
Although he had sworn off directing, Dutt continued to produce and act in films, notably the period dramas Chaudhvin Ka Chand (1960) and Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam (1962). The latter film, interestingly, is controversial because it is debated whether Dutt had ghost-directed the film. Dutt's personal life had become complicated: he had gotten romantically involved with his protégé Waheeda Rehman and his wife Geeta Dutt had separated from him as a result. Rehman too had distanced herself from him. Also, Dutt, an ambitious person, felt he had achieved too much too soon professionally - there was nothing better to be achieved, and this caused a vacuum in his life. Unable to cope with all the trauma and emptiness, he took to heavy drinking.
On October tenth, 1964, Dutt was found dead in his bed. The cause of death was deemed a combination of alcohol and sleeping pills, although a debate still lingers over whether his death was by accident or a successful suicide attempt. Geeta Dutt suffered a nervous break-down as a result of his death and also took to alcohol, eventually drinking herself to death, dying in 1972 as a result of cirrhosis of the liver.
His death was an irreplaceable loss to Indian cinema. And it was a tragic twist of fate that his films, most of which were discounted in his life-time, would be regarded as cult classics after his death. Guru Dutt would always be known, even if posthumously, as the Guru of Bollywood's Golden Age and one of the world's most important international auteurs.- Mohan Joshi was born on 4 September 1945 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He is an actor, known for Vaastav: The Reality (1999), Gunda (1998) and The Death Sentence: Mrityu Dand (1997). He is married to Jyoti Joshi.
- Actor
- Director
- Producer
Firoz was born in Bangalore on September 25, 1939 to a Pathan father, Sadiq, and an Iranian mother, Fatima. He has three brothers, Abbas alias Sanjay, Akbar, and Sameer. Both Sanjay and Akbar are actors within their own rights, while Sameer is a film-maker and assists in their Golden Palms Spa located in Bangalore.
He made his entry on the silver screen in 1960 after his return from a Bangalore-based English medium school. His career initially started as a hero in 'Didi', then he signed up for villain roles, and then made a comeback as a hero again.
His noteworthy movies are Oonche Log, Main Wohi Hoon, Aag, Mela, Upasna, Aprsdh. He became even more popular after the release of Dharmatma, Qurbani, Jaanbaaz, & Dayavan. he got an award for his role in Aadmi Aur Insaan. He died of cancer in his Bangloore farm house on 27 April, 2009.
He likes sports-car races and has included this sport in Apradh and then again in Janasheen. He prefers his character name to be either Rajesh or Rakesh. He is a worshipper of Bhagwan Shri Sai Baba and always wears a gold ring on his finger and has a picture close to him. Sai Baba is revered and worshiped by Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, and Hindus in India.
He got married to Sundari in 1965 and they became proud parents of Laila and Fardeen. Despite objections raised by an Islamic Moulvi, Feroz and Sanjay got their children married to non-Islamic families. Laila was married to Rajpal, while Fardeen married Natasha Madhwani, the daughter of Mayur and former Bollywood hottie Mumtaz. Sundari and Feroz have been divorced since 1985.
Feroz has kept away from controversies, though he did get himself banned by the conservative Pakistani government.
Apart from acting this talented artiste has also edited, produced, written, & directed movies. His latest 'Kurbani' is currently under production.- Writer
- Art Department
- Animation Department
R.K. Laxman was born on 24 October 1921 in Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was a writer, known for Wagle Ki Duniya (1988), Hu Tu Tu (1999) and Malgudi Days (1986). He was married to Kamala Kumari and Kamala. He died on 26 January 2015 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.- Director
- Writer
Anthony Page was born on 21 September 1935 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He is a director and writer, known for Forbidden (1984), Middlemarch (1994) and The Lady Vanishes (1979).- Actress
- Music Department
Jamuna was born on 30 August 1936 in Hampi, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. She was an actress, known for Milan (1967), Kurukshetramu (1977) and Kurukshetra (1977). She was married to Juluri Ramana Rao. She died on 27 January 2023 in Hyderabad, Telangana, India.- Srinath was born on 28 December 1944 in Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India. He is an actor, known for Devara Duddu (1976), Shanti Kranti (1991) and Swasthik (1998).
- Actor
- Producer
- Director
B.S. Dwarakish was born on 19 August 1942 in Hunsur, Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore, India. He was an actor and producer, known for Vishnuvardhana (2011), Dance, Raja, Dance (1987) and Nee Thanda Kanike (1985). He died on 16 April 2024 in Bengaluru, Kanataka, India.- For over three decades Vajramuni has been a "feared" and respected household name mainly for skillfully portraying negative roles in Kannada language films. He has acted in more than 340 Kannada movies. He made his debut in "Mallmamma Pavada" which was directed by renowned Putana Kanagal, and thereafter continued acting in movies until he faced serious health problems. During this time he also produced five Kannada films. He stopped acting in films when he developed multiple complication and was on dialysis. On January 5, 2005 following kidney failure he passed in Bangalore, leaving behind a sorrowing wife and three sons.
- Lokesh was born on 19 May 1947 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He is an actor, known for Ranadheera (1988), Bhoomige Banda Bhagavantha (1981) and Premaloka (1987).
- Swami Muktananda was born on 16 May 1908 in Mangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He died on 2 October 1982 in Ganeshpuri, Maharashtra, India.
- U.R. Ananthamurthy was born on 21 December 1932 in Melige, Tirthahalli taluk, Shimoga District, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was a writer, known for Bara (1980), Mouni (2003) and The Ritual (1977). He was married to Esther. He died on 22 August 2014 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.
- Writer
- Director
- Actor
Leslie T. Peacocke was born on 9 March 1869 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was a writer and director, known for Injustice (1919), Neptune's Bride (1920) and Reformation (1920). He was married to Beatrice Ann Caroline Isabella Clifford Lloyd. He died on 5 March 1941 in New York City, New York, USA.- Actor
- Music Department
R.N. Sudarshan was born on 2 May 1939 in Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor, known for Shubha Mangala (1975), Rudraksham (1994) and Karulinakare (1970). He was married to Shylashri. He died on 8 September 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.- Parvathamma Rajkumar was born on 6 December 1939 in Saligrama, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. She was a producer, known for R the King, Guri (1986) and Run Antony (2016). She was married to Rajkumar. She died on 31 May 2017 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Comedian Guggu was born on 18 March 1918 in Gudemaranahalli, Magadi, Kingdom of Mysore. He was an actor, known for Chakravyuha (1983), Beedhi Basavanna (1967) and Bangalore Mail (1968). He died on 22 June 1984 in Bangalore, India.
- Actor
- Additional Crew
- Producer
Ram Gopal was born on 20 November 1917 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor and producer, known for Aum Shiva (1976), Elephant Walk (1954) and The Purple Plain (1954). He was married to Edith Alexander. He died on 12 October 2003 in Croydon, London, England, UK.- Music Department
- Actor
- Composer
Bhimsen Joshi was born on 4 February 1922 in Ron, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor and composer, known for Basant Bahar (1956), Sandhya Raga (1966) and Devaki Nandan Gopala (1977). He died on 24 January 2011 in Pune, Maharashtra, India.- Rajesh was born on 15 April 1935 in Bangalore, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor, known for Purana Purush, Anand (1986) and Suvarnabhoomi (1969). He died on 19 February 2022 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.
- Actor
- Writer
- Producer
M.P. Shankar was born on 20 August 1935 in Mysore, Kingdom of Mysore. He was an actor and writer, known for Gandhada Gudi (1973), Kallara Kalla (1970) and Gandhada Gudi Part 2 (1994). He died on 17 July 2008 in Mysore, Karnataka, India.- Writer
- Music Department
- Actor
Sorat Ashwath was born on 2 February 1915 in Nanjangud, Kingdom of Mysore. He was a writer and actor, known for Bandhavya (1971), Shivagange Mahatme (1964) and Bhagya Devathe (1968). He died on 5 February 1998 in Bangalore, Karnataka, India.- Actor
- Director
- Music Department
K.S.L. Swamy was born on 21 February 1939 in Kikkeri, Kingdom of Mysore, British India. He was an actor and director, known for Shri Krishna Rukmini Satyabhama (1971), Bhagyada Bagilu (1968) and Devaru Kotta Thangi (1973). He was married to B.V. Radha. He died on 20 October 2015 in Bengaluru, Karnataka, India.- Writer
- Director
Chaduranga was born in 1916 in Kallahalli, Kingdom of Mysore. Chaduranga was a writer and director, known for Sarvamangala (1968) and Uyyale (1969). Chaduranga died on 19 October 1998 in Mysore, Karnataka, India.