Rajpal Yadav

Name: Rajpal Yadav
First Film : Mast











BIOGRAPHY

Rajpal Yadav is an Indian Actor in Hindi films. He is a talented character actor who is known for his eccentric comedy and violent roles. Yadav often works in films produced by Ram Gopal Varma. Films that brought him recognition are Jungle, Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya, Chandni Bar, Company, Road, Main Madhuri Dixit Banna Chahti Hoon and Main Meri Patni Aur Woh.

Raju Srivastav

Name: Raju Srivastav












BIOGRAPHY

Raju Srivastav (sometimes also spelt Srivastava or Shrivastav) is an Indian comedian, and one of the hosts of The Comedy Show ha ha ha. Raju was born in Kanpur on 25th december 1963, India, and came to Mumbai to pursue a childhood dream of becoming an actor in Bollywood. He has a flair for comedy and has donned a number of roles in Hindi movies(for example, he can be seen in the Shahrukh Khan film "Baazigar" as Shilpa Shetty enters her college,soon after her introduction in the movie), television and in stage shows with some of the biggest showmen of the Hindi movie industry. He was also associated with the Indian comic icon Johnny Lever as an important troop member, and made his name as a very talented mimicry artist. Raju is among the most popular comics appearing on The Comedy Show ha ha ha and its associated programmes. He also appears in The Great Indian Laughter.

Rakesh Roshan

Name: Rakesh Roshan
Birthday: Tuesday, September 06, 1949
Address: Bombay, Maharashtra, India
First Film : Ghar Ghar Ki Kahani









BIOGRAPHY

Rakesh Roshan has his own production company and has been producing Hindi movies since 1982. His son, Hrithik Roshan is an actor, and was launched by his father in his debut film Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai. He is known in India for having directed Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai (2000) and Koi... Mil Gaya (2003), both of which starred Hrithik. He directed the sequel to Koi... Mil Gaya, titled Krrish again starring his son, Hrithik Roshan which is due for release in June 2006.

Rakhee Gulzar

Name: Rakhee Gulzar
Birthday: Friday, August 15, 1947
Star Sign : Leo
















BIOGRAPHY

Rakhee Gulzar (born August 15, 1947 in India), also known as Raakhee, is an Indian Bollywood actress. Gulzar's career spans from the 1970s to the present. Her main claim to fame was the 1971 film Sharmilee starring opposite Shashi Kapoor. She has since starred in many more blockbuster films most notably starring opposite Amitabh Bachchan in Kabhie Kabhie, Muqaddar Ka Sikander, Trishul and Kaalaa Pathar. Bizzarely in 1982 she played the mother of Amitabh Bachchan's character in Shakti which had Dilip Kumar playing her husband. Towards the 80s and 90s she often played supporting roles usually playing a mother in Baazighar, Karan Arjun, Soldier and Baadshah. In 2001 she once again starred opposite Amitabh in Ek Rishta: The Bond of Love. She is married to famous art director Sampooran Singh Gulzar. She was awarded the Padma Shri in 2003. This article about an Indian actor or actress is a stub. You can help WikiProject Indian cinema by expanding it.

Ram Gopal Varma

Name: Ram Gopal Varma
Birthday: Saturday, April 07, 1962
Star Sign : Aries
First Film : Shiva









BIOGRAPHY

Ram Gopal Varma (born April 7, 1962) is an Indian film director, writer and film producer from Andhra Pradesh. He is popular for his slick, grisly films and his penchant for horror and the mafia. He owns a production house which churns out a good number of bollywood films every year, with lukewarm success. His most successful movies include Rangeela, Satya, Shiva and Company. Ram Gopal Varma shook the whole nation with Rangeela and Tamil Nadu with Udayam Ram Gopal Varma was born to Krishnam Raju and Suryamma. He did his Engineering from Siddhartha Engineering College in Vijayawada before taking up a career initially as the owner of a video shop and then become one of India's leading film directors. He was not very regular to classes and an average student. He was known more as a big movie buff during his college days and used to analytically watch the move from a director's point of view through repeatitive viewing. He and his uncle were crazy about movies and would skip classes to watch them in spite of beatings from his mother. He used to get very excited each time he saw the ‘Directed by’ and ‘A Film by’ title card. When he was watching the title card of Sholay that said ‘A Film by Ramesh Sippy’, he had the same passion that he felt when he saw his own name on the title card of the film Udayam. There was no support from his family. Even his uncle thought he was crazy. Ram Gopal Varma believes that there is currently more talent in Mumbai than in the southern movie cities. He claims that he has no bad habits. He doesn’t believe that alcohol is a bad habit. He loves directors Steven Spielberg, Shekhar Kapoor, Govind Nihlani and others. But he doesn’t have any influences. He has his own style. He doesn’t bother with reviews. He says, “Why should I worry about what the faceless reviewer thinks about my film? If he doesn’t like it, there is nothing that I could do about it.”

Ramesh Sippy

Name: Ramesh Sippy
Birthday: Monday, November 24, 1947
Star Sign : Sagittarius
Family: G.P.Sippy
First Film : Andaz








BIOGRAPHY

Ramesh Sippy is an Indian film director, best known for the popular and critically acclaimed film Sholay (Flames). His father was producer G.P. Sippy, and his son Rohan Sippy is also a film director. Ramesh was into films from an early age. He used to visit the sets of the film Sazaa, his father's first film, when he was 6 years old. Ramesh's first film job came when he was 9 years old, when he played Achala Sachdev's son in Shahenshah. He worked in both the production and direction departments in films like Johar-Mehmood in Goa and Mere Sanam, which his father was producing. He worked for 7 years as an assistant before becoming the director of Andaaz, in 1969. Altough this was only a moderate success, his second film Seeta Aur Geeta was highly successful. He also directed a successful television serial Buniyaad.

Ranbir Kapoor

Name: Ranbir Kapoor
Birthday: Tuesday, September 28, 1982











BIOGRAPHY

Ranbir Kapoor (born September 28, 1982) is an upcoming actor in Bollywood. He comes from a very well-known legendary film clan. He is the son of actors Rishi Kapoor and Neetu Singh. He is the brother of Riddhima Kapoor. His great grandfather was Prithviraj Kapoor, his grandfather was Raj Kapoor, his granduncles are Shashi Kapoor and Shammi Kapoor, his uncles are Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor and his cousins are Karisma Kapoor, Kareena Kapoor, Shivani Kapoor and Nikhil Nanda. (see main article Kapoor Family). Rishi Kapoor confirmed at the Zee Cine Awards that Ranbir Kapoor will make his debut with Anil Kapoor's daughter Sonam Kapoor under Sanjay Leela Bhansali, the film is titled Saawariya.

Randhir Kapoor

Name: Randhir Kapoor
Birthday: Saturday, February 15, 1947











BIOGRAPHY

Randhir Kapoor is a Bollywood actor of yesteryear. The eldest son of Raj Kapoor and his wife Krishna Kapoor, Randhir is also separated from the actress Babita. The couple are parent of two daughters, Karishma and Kareena, both are bollywood actresses.
His grandfather (Prithviraj Kapoor), his father (Raj Kapoor) and his two paternal uncles (Shammi & Shashi), his wife (Babita), and his two brothers (Rishi & Rajiv) have all been film stars over the last fifty years and his daughters (Karisma & Kareena) have been acting in Bollywood flicks keeping it all within the family.

Became a grandfather in March, 2005 when his daughter, Karisma Kapoor, gave birth to a baby girl, Samiera.

Rani Mukherjee

Name: Rani Mukherjee
Birthday: Tuesday, March 21, 1978
Star Sign : Aries
Family: father-Ram Mukherjee
First Film : Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat








BIOGRAPHY

Rani made her debut in Raja Ki Aayegi Baraat in 1996. The film did not do well at the box-office. However, her next two movies, Ghulam and Kuch Kuch Hota Hai were both 1998 hits. She has since appeared in hits like Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham (2001), Saathiya (2002), Chalte Chalte (2003), Hum Tum (2004), and Veer-Zaara (2004). She has also performed in Shahrukh Khan's touring stage show, Temptations 2004, as a prominent member of an all-star lineup. In 2005, she worked with the biggest production houses and banners: Black, Bunty aur Babli and The Rising. These three movies were amongst the top ten grossers of the year. Paheli, while only moderately successful, was India's official entry to the 2006 Oscars. In February 2005, Filmfare Magazine published her face among the "Ten Most Powerful Names of Bollywood"; she was the only woman to receive such an honor. She was ranked eighth on the Power List in February 2006, configuring the highest ranking for a woman. Rani was also ranked number one in the Filmfare Top Ten Actresses' listing both years, 2004 and 2005.

Raveena Tandon

Name: Raveena Tandon
Birthday: Monday, October 26, 1970
Star Sign : Libra
Family: Father, Ravi Tandon (Director)
Address: 1401, Shivkutir Apts, Near Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W), Mumbai 400 053
First Film : Patthar Ka Phool






BIOGRAPHY

Raveena Tandon (born 26 October 1970 at Mumbai, Maharashtra, India) is an Indian actor, daughter of director Ravi Tandon. Raveena got her name from a combination of her father's name Ravi and mother's name Veena. Her first film Patthar Ka Phool (1991) was a flop, however she received the Filmfare Lux New Face Award. Her career was saved by the hit comedy Andaz Apna Apna. She made headlines with her fight with Karisma Kapoor, the other leading lady in the film. Her next film Mohra made her a superstar overnight. The hit song "Tu Cheez Bari Hai....", had signified that Raveena was here to stay. Her on screen chemistry with Akshay Kumar was to turn into an off screen romance. Her rival Karisma Kapoor got her chucked out of many top films and she suffered a huge setback. Her films flopped at the box office, but her career was back on track with her hit film Ziddi, (1997). She then began to do films which ganered critical acclaim rather than box office success. Films like Shool (1999), Bulandi (2000) and Aks (2000) won her huge acclaim. She won the Filmfare Special Performance Award for Aks. However her best performance was in the film Daman: A Victim of Marital Violence (2001), where she played a wife of an abusive husband. Her years in the industry paid off when she won the National Film Award for Best Actress.

Reena Roy

Name: Reena Roy
Birthday: Saturday, January 07, 1961
Star Sign : Capricorn














BIOGRAPHY

Not available

Rekha

Name: Rekha
Birthday: Sunday, October 10, 1954
Star Sign : Libra
First Film : Rangula Ratnam









BIOGRAPHY

Rekha (born October 10, 1954) is a well-known Bollywood actress. Rekha is the Mona Lisa of Bollywood. Enigmatic, seductive, and iconic—Rekha, in her four-decade-old career, has drawn more ‘ohs’ and ‘ahs’ from the audiences than any other actress. Although, she has already celebrated her fiftieth birthday, but the charm of her personality and glow of her face, refuse to fade. She is the same charming enchantress, who had once weaved her magic spell on the greatest superstar of India—Amitabh Bachan. Rekha was born as Bhanurekha Ganesan, to the doyen of south Indian cinema, Gemini Ganeshan, and Telghu actress Pushapavalli in 1954. The unfortunate separation of her parents brought Rekha to Mumbai, with her mother. The ways of nature are strange. A gloomy, flabby, clumsy looking child of the 60s groomed into the most beautiful Indian actress of 70s and beyond. She debuted in Sawan Badhon in 1970. Regular regimen of exercise, yoga, and meditation brought a sudden and significant change in her figure, complexion, and beauty. Dulal Guha’s Do Anjaane (1976) and Maneck Chatterjee’s Ghar , reaffirmed in no equivocal terms that Rekha was here-to-stay. Call it her will or God’s benevolence—by 1980, Rekha had become the most sought heroine of Bollywood. This was the time when, Amitabh-Rekha flicks like Mr. Natwarlal, Muqadar Ka Sikander (1978), Silsila (1982), Khoon-Paseenacarried Houseful banners. And the gossip mill worked overtime with Amitabh and Rekha’s love tales. But alas, not all fairy tale stories reach their logical culminations. Soon the two stars were moving in different orbits. But by this time, both, with twenty films between them, had been catapulted to the super-stardom status. There was no looking back for Rekha, who kept on mesmerising the ever-hungry Indian audiences, with one riveting performance after another. The role of courtesan played by her, in Muqadaar Ka Sikaander and Umraao Jaan (1987) are masterpieces in a genre, which can only be emulated, but not outdone. In Kamasutra (1996), she again portrayed a seductress, who had spent a lifetime, gratifying the sexual desires of the royals. In between, she gave legendary performances in art films like Utsav (1984), Basera (1981) and Ijaazat (1987) too. Recently, she won critical acclaim for her roles in Shayam Benegal’s Zubeeida and Raj Kumar Santoshi’s Lajja, where she played second fiddle to new generation actresses like Karishma, Manisha, and Mahima. Nevertheless, she proved the point, that a thing of beauty is joy forever. More recently, in Koi Mil Gaya and Parineeta too the audiences saw the same charm about her that they had once relished in those ‘angry young man’ starrers. But far from the celluloid that has sparkled with her scintillating expression, the personal life of Rekha has been a tragedy that can best be described in Shakespeare’s words: “She pined in thought; And, with a green and yellow melancholy, She sat like Patience on a monument, Smiling at grief.” (What You Will) A child of a disturbed family, she would have least expected her life to be as tumultuous. She was once wooed by film stars Jeetendra, Vinod Mehra, Kiran Kumar and of course, Amitabh Bachan. But none could size up to the persona, whom, she could deem as her man. Ultimately, she married a Delhi based businessman, Mukesh Aggrawal, in 1990, which not only ended in their divorce, but latter’s suicide as well. Inwardly bruised Rekha leads a detached and a solitary lifestyle in her Mumbai bungalow. A veteran of over 60 films, Rekha has won two Best Actress and one Best Supporting Actress Filmfare Awards. She also won a coveted National Award for her performance in Umrao Jaan. In recent years, she is has appeared in relatively few movies, usually as a mother or a widow rather than a glamour queen. She has won praise for her acting in films such as Zubeidaa, Koi Mil Gaya and Parineeta.

Remo Fernandes

Name: Remo Fernandes












BIOGRAPHY

Remo Fernandes is a popular pop/rock artist and playback singer from Goa, India. After breaking out with his first hit Album "Pack That Smack" in 1986 and "Bombay City" the next year, he became the highest-selling english-rock musician and the only one in the country to be awarded Gold Discs in this category [1]. Writing and singing songs in English made his sucess more unique in the largely Bollywood dominated non-english Disco music that was popular back in the 80s and 90s. His music, reflecting life and socio-political happenings in India which every Indian could identify with, became largely popular with the educated in english, and growing, Indian middle class. A popular stage performer in India, he has also taken part in many music festivals around the world [1].

In 1995 Remo Fernandes moved into Hindi Pop and film music to become a playback singer, by teaming up with the legendary director Mani Ratnam and composer A. R. Rahman, he sang the song "Humma Humma" in the Hindi version of the hit movie they produced - Bombay. The song went on to earn Remo a Double Platinum.

Remo made the decision to make his original music his profession (he is a Bachelor of Architecture) at a time when there was no pop music scene in the country. In 1983 there was no air play on radio and television (they were both monopolized by the government, who refused to accept pop music's existence); no record companies willing to sign a contract (specially as Remo wrote and sang in English; they said "Give us Hindi disco and we'll sign you on right now!"); and the only concerts where one could play were so-called charity ones where the organizers mainly took artists for a ride.

Remo knew that his songs, though in English, had nothing foreign about them, and reflected life and socio-political happenings in India which every Indian could identify with. So ignoring record companies' lack of vision he invested in basic home recording equipment, recorded and released his first album called "GOAN CRAZY!" on a 4-track cassette Portastudio in 1984 (on which he played all instruments, sang all voices, composed all music & lyrics, engineered the recording and mixing, designed the album cover, etc), made a thousand copies in Bombay, distributed them to record shops around Goa on the yellow scooter he drove at the time, and the rest, as they say, is history.

Besides his tremendous success with records, Remo is known as a stage performer and entertainer without equal in this country, and is the only Indian pop/rock artist to perform totally LIVE, without fake lip-sync or even backing tapes. He has represented India at the Tokyo Music Festival, the Festival of India in the USSR, the MIDEM '96
Music Festival in Hong Kong, besides Festivals in Germany, Bulgaria, Macau, Seychelles and Mauritius. He has performed in Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Australia, Africa, Reunion Island, etc.
PEPSI USA chose him, as India's leading pop/rock star, to endorse and star in Pepsi's first two launch films here - films which made advertising history in India.

Remo has also collaborated with Rock n Roll legends such as Led Zeppelin and Jethro Tull.

In 1995, during the Channel V Music Awards, Remo(on bass), Jimmy Page (guitars), Robert Plant (vocals), and Roger Taylor (drums) teamed to belt out the Led Zeppelin Classic Rock n Roll. [2] More Recently, in February 2005, Remo collaborated with Jethro Tull for their concert Dubai. Sivamani, the renowned Indian percussionist also joined in. They performed tracks such as Mother Goose, Locomotive Breath, and Remo's very own Flute Kick, which was appreciated by everyone.

Remo has a band called the Microwave Papadums.

Rimi Sen

Name: Rimi Sen
Birthday: Monday, September 21, 1981
Star Sign : Virgo
First Film : Hungama









BIOGRAPHY

Rimi Sen the gorgeous belle moved from Kolkata to Mumbai to achieve her dream of acting in Bollywood. Rimi came to notice in a Coke advertisement with Aamir Khan, by filmmaker Priyadarshan, who signed her for Hungama after mere ten minutes of audition. In Hungama Rimi played a small town girl who comes to Mumbai in search of a job. The film also stars Akshaye Khanna, Aftab Shivdasani and Paresh Rawal. After that Rimi has been signed to play Amitabh Bachchan and Hema Malini's granddaughter in Ravi Chopra's family drama Baghbaan. She has now been signed to play the leading role opposite Abhishek Bachchan for an action thriller, yet-to-be-titled movie will be produced under the Yashraj Films banner and will also star Uday Chopra and John Abraham. Rimi Sen has signed a film of Bengali director Buddhadeb Dasgupta’s another realistic movie with an earthy story. To play the leading female role the director has signed Rimi Sen. Prasanjit (who played the leading role in Chokher Bali ) will be the film’s hero.

Rishi Kapoor

Name: Rishi Kapoor
Birthday: Thursday, September 04, 1952
Star Sign : Virgo
Family: Raj Kapoor
Address: 27 Krishna Kunj,27 Krishna Kunj,Mumbai 400 050
First Film : Mera Naam Joker







BIOGRAPHY

Rishi Kapoor (born September 4, 1952 in Mumbai) is an Indian Bollywood actor. He is 5' 7" tall.
He is the second son of famous film director and star Raj Kapoor. His brothers are well-known actors: Randhir Kapoor and Rajiv Kapoor. He is the nephew of actors: Shashi Kapoor, Jennifer Kendal, Shammi Kapoor. Rishi is the paternal uncle of today's actresses Karisma Kapoor and Kareena Kapoor. Rishi married actress Neetu Singh, with whom he had several hit movies, in 1980. They have two children named Ranbir Kapoor and Ridhima Kapoor.

Mr. Kapoor first debuted in his father's 1970 film Mera Naam Joker (My Name is Joker), playing his father's role as a child. Rishi Kapoor had his first lead role, opposite Dimple Kapadia, in the popular 1973 film Bobby which became an instant hit with youngsters. He has since then appeared in hundreds of movies. He played the lead role romancing young heroines till the year 2000 with the delayed release of Karobaar: The Business of Love. He moved on to supporting roles with his last five flops in a lead role. Of the most recent, his most notable movie would be Hum Tum, starring Rani Mukerji and Saif Ali Khan.

Ritesh Deshmukh

Name: Ritesh Deshmukh
Birthday: Sunday, December 17, 1978
Star Sign : Sagittarius
Family: Vilasrao Deshmukh
First Film : Tujhe Meri Kasam







BIOGRAPHY

Riteish Deshmukh is an Indian actor, hailing from Latur city in Marathwada. He is son of Vilasrao Deshmukh, Chief Minister of Maharashtra. Through the movies like Masti, Kya Kool Hain Hum and Bluffmaster, he has proved he does have a talent and not just political relations. An architect by education, this young lad has made a mark as one of the most dependable supporting actors in Hindi Film Industry.

Born on December 17, 1978, he completed his education from G. D. Somaya High School and Kamala Raheja School of Architecture in Mumbai. He worked in New York after graduation while studying acting at The Lee Strasberg Theatre Institute.

He made his debut in 2003 with Tujhe Meri Kasam which was an average hit at the box office. He became a known face after the comedy Masti for which established him as an actor. He has mainly taken on comic roles, rather than serious roles. After the release of Masti, he changed his known name 'Ritesh Deshmukh' for numerological reasons.

Of his latest films, he had hits with Bluffmaster and Kya Kool Hain Hum

Riya Sen

Name: Riya Sen
Birthday: Saturday, January 24, 1981
Address: 62-B Ruia Park,Juhu,Mumbai - 400 049
First Film : Love You Hamesha









BIOGRAPHY

Roop Kumar Rathod

Name: Roop Kumar Rathod












BIOGRAPHY

He wanted to be different! He wanted to carry on his father's legacy! He wanted to make a difference! He has done all that and more. That's Roop Kumar Rathod for you, who has carved his own special niche in the world of music, be it ghazals or playback singing.His is a voice that stands out amongst the rest, a voice that stirs your heart. The unforgettable award winning song 'Sandese aate hain' from the film 'Border', is just an example. Roopkumar is the son of the late Pandit Chaturbhuj Rathod, the classical luminary who in his time also groomed Kalyanji – Anandji and singer Manhar.Roop Kumar choose to continue his father's legacy and learnt the tabla and began to play with Pankaj Udhas and Anup Jalota unlike elder brother Shravan Rathod (of the Nadeem-Shravan duo) who took up music composing or younger brother Vinod Rathod who took to playback singing. He played the tabla for Shyam Benegal's 'Discovery of India', for ghazals, Qawaalis, Bhajans sung by Lata Mangeshkar, performed on stage. He was even called for select songs like those of Laxmikant – Pyarelal’s Sur Sangam.His first love still remains playing the tabla, a passion he gave up in 1984 to start a new career in the field of singing. Before long he realized that this was not his goal, so he entered the world of ghazals. Soon after carving his niche in ghazals, he established himself as a good playback singer to reckon with, while experimenting with fusion music and giving music concerts with Gurtu and others. Constantly donning different roles, he believes that learning is a never-ending process, which is why he still learns the nuances of ghazal singing from his guru Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan. Roopkumar Rathod was introduced as a playback singer by Laxmikant – Pyarelal in Angaar (1992), though his brother (Nadeem -) Shravan was already an established music director. Filmmaker Shashilal Nair, who had heard Roop at a concert, told Laxmikant that he would like him to sing. They were sufficiently impressed by the youngster to make him the prime singer later in films like Bhairavi (‘Om Namah Shivaye’ and ‘Moh Maaya Ko’), Gumraah (‘Duniya Kismat Aur Khuda’ and ‘Main Tera Aashiq Hoon’), Mohabbat Ki Arzoo (‘Raha Jo Dil Mein’) and Tejaswini. Anu Malik used his voice in ‘Barsaat Ke Mausam Mein’ (Naajayaz) while Nadeem – Shravan gave him a few lines in Raja and an insignificant song in Andolan and some other forgettable films. But Roopkumar was finally established with his 1997 hit Border (Anu Malik) in which he sang ‘To Chalun’ and the chartbuster – 6c4 cum – award winner ‘Sandesein Aate Hain’. He has subsequently sung under various top composers in films as varied as Anu Malik’s Hero ,Hindustani and Kareeb (‘Tum Juda Hokar Hamein’), Anand – Milind’s Dahek and Hogi Pyar Ki Jeet, Vishal’s Hu Tu Tu (all songs for Nana Patekar) and Godmother, Raamlaxman’s Hum Saath Saath Hain.Roopkumar Rathod has sung in Champion (Anu Malik), Censor (a qawwali) for Jatin – Lalit and Sanjeev Darshan in Aashiq. His best songs include ‘Kho Diye Jitne Lamhe’ (Vinashak), Jatin – Lalit’s ‘Zindagi Maut Na Ban Jaye’ (Sarfarosh) and ‘Yeh Zameen Hai Rehguzar’ (Dillagi) and ‘Khamosh Raat’ under A. R. Rahman for Thakshak. His Aashirwaad title song ‘Nanhi Si Muskaan’ and those of other television series like Discovery of India, Badaltey Rishtey and Rishtey are among his other accomplishments. Roop is happliy married to Sonali. She hails from a business family and is the daughter Leena Jhaveri, a classical dancer. A dedicated student of Indian classical music, her basic grounding came from Purshottam Upadhyay and Hridaynath Mangeshkar, under whom she still trains. In 1978, she lost her singing voice, and the condition remained for 6 years, defying medical treatment. Wanting to remain in music, even if not vocal, she began to learn the sitar. And her voice slowly ‘came back’ and she honed it with her riyaaz. Ustad Niyaz Ahmed Khan also groomed her. Sonalee came out with an album Aaghaaz (she won the Best ghazal singer award the same year) in 1986. Her other albums include Bhajan Kalash, Bhajan Yatra and Khazana (all live), Mogra Nu Phool in Gujrati, Shabnam and Dilkash. While Roop continues to be a leading composer – singer outside films and is open for films after the success of Mohabbat Ho Gayee. Sonali continues in her traditional vein with increasing popularity.

Sachin Dev Burman*

Name: Sachin Dev Burman*
Birthday: Monday, October 01, 1906










BIOGRAPHY

Sadhna Sargam

Name: Sadhna Sargam
Family: Neela Ghanekar











BIOGRAPHY

Sadhana Sargam is one of the well-known singers from India. She is known as very melodious and versatile singer. She has sung almost all major Indian languages of India. She is also a very talented classical musician. She was trained by her mother at her early childhood and then by Pandit Jasraj. She is very famous for her live concerts for her flawless brilliant performances. She won several awards throughout her career including prestigious Indian national award as the best female playback singer in 2002 for a Tamil song "Paddu solli" from the movie "Azhagi". She is one of the few singers who are equally recognized and successful in both classical and light music fields. In her early days as a singer, her voice in high octaves was thought to be similar to that of Lata Mangeshkar while her low octave voice was that of Asha Bhosle.

However, as time passed Sargam developed her own style that cannot be imitated by others in anyway. She is known to paint a full color to the lyrics and music with her high standards of dedication. It is believed that Sadhana Sargam was unwittingly responsible for the rift between music greats Shankar-Jaikishan and Lata Mangeshkar When the duo compared Sargam with Mangeshkars. Mangheskar thought the comparing herself with a much junior teenage singer was very unacceptable. Sadhana Sargam was well received in Tamil Nadu. She is very busy in Tamil music field. Among the North Indian singers, Sargam sang the highest number of songs in Tamil or Telugu Fields. She is more popular than Lata Mangheshkar or Asha Bhosle in Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka, where Tamil is spoken widely and Tamil music is listened to. Composer A.R. Rahman uses her voice more often in his Hindi, Tamil, or Telugu songs. She also sang in an international production Warriors of Heaven and Earth under Mr. Rahman direction and became a global singer recently.

Saif Ali Khan

Name: Saif Ali Khan
Birthday: Sunday, August 16, 1970
Star Sign : Leo
Family: Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi And Sharmila Tagore
Address: 5, BellScot Bungalows Lokhandwala Complex, Andheri (W),Mumbai 400 061
First Film : Parampara






BIOGRAPHY

Saif Ali Khan is an Indian film star who appears in Bollywood films and the son of the erstwhile Nawab of Pataudi

Saif Ali Khan was born August 16, 1970 in New Delhi, India, into the family of the nawabs of Pataudi. His father, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, was not only the nawab of Pataudi but also a former captain of the Indian cricket team. His mother, Sharmila Tagore, is an Indian film actress of note, and a distant relative (not a direct descendent, as often supposed) of the nobel laureate Rabindranath Tagore. Saif is also related to the late Nafisa Joseph. His sister is actress Soha Ali Khan.

Saif was educated at Winchester College in England. He married actress Amrita Singh in October 1991, but they separated in 2004. They have two children, a daughter named Sara and a son named Ibrahim, both of whom live with their mother.

Saif made his Bollywood debut in 1993. His most important role was probably in the 1994 Yeh Dillagi with Kajol and Akshay Kumar. However, his acting career thereafter went through a relative slump until 2001, when he was cast in Farhan Akhtar's hit film, Dil Chahta Hai. The success of this film firmly established Saif as one of the industry's most bankable stars. He followed it up with memorable performances as a comic eligible bachelor in Kal Ho Naa Ho, a manipulative gangster in Ek Hasina Thi, and a light-hearted cartoonist in Hum Tum. His performance in Hum Tum won him the National Film Award for Best Actor. These commercial successes were followed by critically acclaimed performances in Parineeta and Salaam Namaste, both of which were also hits in India and overseas.

Saif was part of a troupe that included Shah Rukh Khan, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta, Arjun Rampal and Priyanka Chopra, which went on the highly successful "Temptations 2004" world tour.

Saira Banu

Name: Saira Banu
Birthday: Wednesday, August 23, 1944
Star Sign : virgo
First Film : Junglee












BIOGRAPHY

Saira Banu (born August 23, 1944) is the daughter of Naseem Banu, a well-known actress of the 1940's. She is also the wife of actor Dilip Kumar.

Saira Banu was born in India in 1944. She made her screen debut in the 1961 film Junglee, which marked the beginning of color in Hindi films. Though Saira had spent a significant part of her childhood in London, and went to a finishing school, she fit the role of a rustic beauty in Junglee. In this film, Banu was cast as an innocent Kashmiri ki kali who gains the devotion of city slicker Shammi Kapoor.

In 1966, 22-year-old Saira married 44-year-old Dilip Kumar and despite apprehensions from the media, theirs has been one of the longest lasting marriages in Bollywood. Ever since her marriage, Saira looked for dramatically challenging roles. Her valiant attempts to establish a reputation as an actress after Gopi, Sagina and Bairaag (all with Dilip Kumar) and films like Hrishikesh Mukherjee's Chaitali met with limited success. In 1976, Saira chose to end her film career. Subsequently she has weathered a storm in her marriage, appeared in a cameo opposite her husband in Duniya (1984); and become a successful television producer.

Salman Khan

Name: Salman Khan
Birthday: Monday, December 27, 1965
Star Sign : Capricorn
Family: Salim Khan & Salma Helen
Address: 3 Galaxy Apartments B.J.Road, Bandstand, Bandra, Bombay - 400050
First Film : Biwi Ho To Aisi












BIOGRAPHY

Getting Personal with Salman Khan...... I Pack... ...in a hurry and casually. I'm not particular about what I take as long as I am comfortable. Even a few shirts and a pair of jeans is fine with me. ...my shorts. It is a must because I need to exercise everyday. ...my dumb-bells. I need to work-out daily. Without work-outs my day is incomplete. While abroad I make it a point to visit the gymnasium. ...my perfumes and glares. I just can't do without them. ...my luggage. It's taken in advance while I reach the airport just in time for my flight. I Travel... ...to London off an on. It's a beautiful place to be in. The river Thames, Big Ben and the trams of the city fascinate me. Recently when I visited the city I travelled by tube and had a ball. It brought back memories of my childhood.

Sameera Reddy

Name: Sameera Reddy
First Film : Maine Dil Tujhko Diya











BIOGRAPHY

Sameera Reddy first came to notice in the music video 'Ahista' by Pankaj Udhaas and then start modelling. She has done modelling for 'Lissome'. Presently she has left modelling completely and concentrating on acting. Sameera's debut film was opposite Salman’s younger brother Sohail Khan in Maine Dil Tujhko Diya. In film she is playing a shy and introvert girl whose overprotective father keeps her distanced from the outside world for the fear of losing her. Her world is thrown upside down when she befriends and falls in love with a guy in her college. Sameera has named as Mumbai’s Jennifer Lopez by her director Sanjay Gupta. Sameera Reddy has come a long way from the simple actress in her debut film to become the latest sex symbol of the Hindi film industry. She had a hot number in Darna Mana Hai and this time can be seen sizzling on the beach with Dino Morea in a song in Plan. Plan also stars Sanjay Dutt, Priyanka Chopra, Sanjay Suri, Bikram Saluja, Rohit Roy, Riya Sen, Payal Rohatgi and Sanjay Mishra and is directed by Hriday Shetty. Sameera another forth coming movie is Sanjay Gupta's Musafir with senior stars Sunil Shetty ,Anil Kapoor, Sanjay Dutt and Mahesh Manjrekar. In this movie she is playing the wanton wife of 45-year-old Sanjay Dutt. Sameera finds older stars in Bollywood hotter than most newcomers, says from the experience of working in Musafir and has learned a good amount from the experiences of her senior co-stars. Sameera insists that the whole concept in Musafir is much beyond the physical aspect.

Sanjay Dutt

Name: Sanjay Dutt
Birthday: Wednesday, July 29, 1959
Star Sign : Leo
Family: Sunil Dutt And Nargis Dutt
Address: 58,Smt.Nargis Road,Palli Hill,Bandra,Mumbai 400050
First Film : Reshma Aur Shera






BIOGRAPHY

Sanjay Dutt (born July 29, 1959) is a Bollywood megastar. He is the son of late Bollywood actors Nargis and Sunil Dutt. He has two younger sisters, and a daughter who resides in New York. He had two wives; one died of cancer and the other, Rhea Pillai, he divorced
He made his acting debut in the film Rocky, 1981 the year that his mother passed away. Though the film was a hit it did not establish him as a star. He steadly began to build his career, and he had many hits such as Saajan, Daag The Fire, Haseena Maan Jayengi and his breakthrough role Khalnayak. The release of Khalnayak happened to coincide with Dutt's arrest in connection with the 1993 Mumbai Bombings. The hype surrounding the event and his villainous role in the film gave him a much needed career boost and a filmfare nomination for best actor.

Dutt retained his macho image after being relased from jail and built on his steady fan following. Over the last 5 years, he has matured as an actor, with action and comedy being his forte. The 2004 hit Munnabhai M.B.B.S. earned him rave reviews. His performance as a gangster in "Vaastav" earned him almost all the top awards that the industry has to offer, further cementing his place as one of the best actors in the Indian Film Industry.

He along with friend and director Sanjay Gupta formed a production company called White Feather Films. They have produced films such as Kaante and Musafir.

Sanjay Kapoor

Name: Sanjay Kapoor
Birthday: Sunday, October 17, 1965
Star Sign : Libra
First Film : Raja








BIOGRAPHY

Sanjay Kapoor (born 17 October 1965 in Mumbai, India) is a Bollywood actor and the brother of actor Anil Kapoor and producer Boney Kapoor and brother-in-law of actress Sridevi. He is the son of Surinder Kapoor, who is also a film producer.

His sister Reena is married to Bigie Sandeep Marwah of the famous Marwah Films and video studio film city Noida.

He began his career opposite Madhuri Dixit in the film Raja. The film was a box office success and he became a star overnight.

This was followed by many films which flopped or did reasonably well at the box office. Though not a very successful actor he has managed to get positive reviewes from the critics and audiences.

He has given excellent performances as a villain playing a obssessive husband to Esha Deol in Koi Mere Dil Se Poochhe. This was followed by another villainous role playing a terrorist in the film Qayamat: City Under Threat.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali

Name: Sanjay Leela Bhansali
First Film : Khamoshi: The Musical










BIOGRAPHY

Sanjay Leela Bhansali is an Indian director, best known for helming the 2002 adaptation of Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay's Devdas. His works also include Khamoshi: The Musical (1996), Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam (1999) and Black (2005) (a loose adaptation of The Miracle Worker).

His directing trademarks include lush visuals and loud melodrama. He has won the Filmfare Award for Best Director twice; for Devdas and Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. His next project was to be Bajirao Mastani (2006) but it has been shelved as of now.

Bhansali has adopted the middle name "Leela" as a tribute to his mother, Leela Bhansali.

He is an alumnus of the Film and Television Institute of India.

Sanjay Leela Bhansali has won the Filmfare Award every time he has been nominated for it, winning Best Director awards for Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Devdas and most recently, Black.

Sanjeev Kumar*

Name: Sanjeev Kumar*
Birthday: Saturday, July 09, 1938
Star Sign : Cancer
First Film : Nishana








BIOGRAPHY

Sanjeev Kumar (July 9, 1938 – November 6, 1985) was an Indian actor in Bollywood movies. He was born to a Gujarati family living in a Mumbai slum and after a stint in film school, managed to land roles as B-movie heroes, eventually becoming a star. He gradually gained weight and found himself doing supporting roles rather than playing the lead. In 1985, when he was only forty-seven years old, he died of a heart ailment. He had never married. Sanjeev's first film as a hero was the 1965 Nishana, described as a B-movie swashbuckler. In 1968, he played opposite the famous actor Dilip Kumar in Sanghash. In 1970, Khilona made him a star. He went on to star in the hits Seeta Aur Geeta (1972) and Manchali (1973). He started working with the well-known director Gulzar in the early 1970s. He did nine films for Gulzar, including Aandhi (1975), Mausam (1975), Angoor (1981) and Namkeen (1982). Many of his fans believe that these are some of the best films that he did. He was always ready to take unconventional roles that challenged him as an actor. He played Mirza, a chess-obsessed Lucknowi (citizen of Lucknow), in independent filmmaker Satyajit Ray's Shatranj Ke Khiladi (1977). Perhaps his best-remembered role was his supporting role as Thakur Baldev Singh in the megahit Sholay (1975).

Sapna Awasthi

Name: Sapna Awasthi
First Film : Krantiveer










BIOGRAPHY

Singer Sapna Awasthi, known for her raunchy songs,has carved a name for herself as a folk singer. She shot into limelight with her song perdesi pardesi in the film Raja Hindustani.Also it was the famous song Chaiyan Chaiyan that had gone through the roof in popularity charts taking Sapna also along with it.Also came ‘Banno teri akhiyan...’ and many more from films Shool , Dushmani , Janwar , Khauf , Jungle etc.

Daughter of a Sanskrit lecturer in Lucknow University , learnt hindustani classical music from bhatkhande sangeet mahvidyalaya. She has released a few albums Chakori , Chabili and Chaila.

Sapna had started professional singing in 1990 and had rendered her first film song ‘Banno Teri Ankhiyaan’ for film Dushmani. This had created the niche for her in the music industry. “However I enjoy live performances more then recording a song. My most memorable live performance happened in USA recently. I can sing in Telegu, Assamees, Bhojpur, Rajesthani, Nepali and Bengali to delight my fans,” she tells in the interview.

Now Sapna has come out with a new album ‘Kahin Diya Jale Kahin Jiya‘ that has 8 tracks. According to her the specialty of this album is that she has rendered “Pakistani Folk type of songs.” Although Sapna mostly sings Indian folk songs only, this is a first time experiment with Pakistani folk.

Besides singing Sapna also enjoys watching old films especially of Meena Kumari and Guru Dutt. In music too, her tastes are inclined more towards old melodious songs and she favors singers like melody queen Lata Mangeshkar and Noor Jahaan. And what does she look in people? “ Honesty and no ego.”

Sapna is married to Kartik Awasthi and they have their own drama company named the Awadh Theatre Group specialising in opera plays, for which Sapna composed, sang and also acted in sometimes.She is now set to enthrall the music lovers with her melodious voice and songs for the years to come....

Shaan

Name: Shaan
Birthday: Friday, August 30, 1985
First Film : Parinda









BIOGRAPHY

HE WAS one of the earliest faces of Indipop, part of India's first and only brother-sister band, and he went solo a year ago. You guessed it right, Shaan, aka Shantanu Mukherjee, is the man.

Shaan has been around right from the days of Q-Funk (Qawali Funk, that is). Many of us hardcore Indipop fans may recall seeing him in the medley video of the album. Later in 1996, he went on to do the pop album Naujawan with his sister, Sagarika and one of the tracks, "Aisa hota hai," became quite popular. Till date, it is the only siblings' album in the market.

After Naujawan, both Shaan and Sagarika decided to go their separate ways. First, it was Sagarika who branched out with an emotional Maa, which struck a chord with the listeners. In fact, the second video of Naujawan was Sagarika's solo track, a pumped-up remix of "Disco Deewane".

Soon afterwards, it was Shaan's turn to go solo, and so Love-ology happened. Its title track went on to become a huge hit with the teenyboppers. The cool lyrics and the college campus mood did the trick.

Shaan was fast becoming popular, and with his remix rendering of popular old numbers such as "Dil kya kare" and "Hum bewafa", he became a regular on all the countdown charts. Then came a phase of film soundtracks when he was heard in quite a few Hindi film songs. The most popular being "Musu musu" from Pyaar mein kabhi kabhi, and more recently, "Tune mujhe pehchaana nahi" from Raju Chacha.

A few remixes later, Shaan made a comeback in 2001 with his second solo album, Tanha Dil, which stayed on MTV charts for a record number of weeks, and went on to bag the MTV Asia Award in the "Favourite Indian Artiste - Pop category" in 2002.

And now, he is back with Shaan - Bhool Ja and Other Hits, (Virgin Records/Sony Music, CDs Rs. 199, Cassettes Rs. 65). It is a collection of Shaan's best tracks including a new single from Tanha Dil. Most of you would already have seen the video of Bhool Ja - one which could easily be on the list of best Indipop songs in recent times. Some excellent guitar performance, powered by some deadly beats and an infectious tune, make for an excellent track. The lyrics tell a message of "don't cry over spilt milk" and to carry on with your life. This song will be a welcome gift to many of those heartbroken soul types.

The album also includes two tracks from Tanha Dil. The title song needs no explanation. It has already had its wave of popularity due to its pleasant pace and meaningful words. The second one is "Gum sum ho kyon" which has deep emotions and a mellow tint to it.

The album also features two songs such as "Woh pehli baar", and "Musu musu" from the film Pyaar mein kabhi kabhi, along with "Tune mujhe pehchana nahi" from Raju chacha. The remix versions of "Dil kya kare" and "Hum bewafa" deserve a good listening, while the Latino mix of "Mana janaab ne pukaara nahin" and the desi mix of "Musafir hoon yaaron" are mediocre. But, listen to Bhool Ja once, and you feel you have got your money's worth.

But, Shaan, don't keep telling us to "Bhool ja". We won't forget you that soon - at least not as long as you are giving us `shaan'dar stuff such as this!

Shabana Azmi

Name: Shabana Azmi
Birthday: Friday, August 18, 1950
Star Sign : Leo
Family: Father-Kaify Azmi








BIOGRAPHY

Shabana Azmi (born 18 September 1950 at New Delhi, India) is the daughter of famous Urdu poet Kaify Azmi. A notable actress, she has starred in Indian films such as Ankur, Mandi, Arth, Sparsh, Godmother, In Custody, and Tehzeeb. One of the leading actresses of parallel cinema, she is now married to the lyricist and poet Javed Akhtar.She has received the coveted National Film Award for Best Actress four times. In 1988, she was awarded the Padma Shri. In 1998, she was appointed Goodwill Ambassador for the United Nations Population Fund. She is an alumna of the Film and Television Institute of India.

Shafqat Amanat Ali

Name: Shafqat Amanat Ali












BIOGRAPHY

Shafqat Amanat Ali is the son of Ustad Amanat Ali Khan Sahib, making him part of the 9 generation old Patiala Gharana. He has been a student of Eastern classical music since age four, his grandmother being his first teacher. His main influences in music come from his father and his uncle Ustad Fateh Ali Khan sahab as well as Roshanara Begum, to name a few.

Shafqat Amanat Ali is also the lead vocalist of a Pakistani pop band known as "Fuzon" which belongs to the Patiala gharana of classical music. The gharana is famous for its concentration on intricate taan-patterns and sargams. With his family, he has been part of the Pakistani musical tradition for eight generations now.He got his first chance in the Bollywood music scene when director Karan Johar Let him sing a song in his recent movie Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna .The song Mithva was a #1 song on the Charts after the CD came out and is curently #1 in the UK and USA.This was the first Pakistani singer ever to have a song in a Karan Johar directed film.

Shahid Kapoor

Name: Shahid Kapoor
Birthday: Wednesday, February 25, 1981
Star Sign : Aquarius
Family: Father-Pankaj Kapur,Mother- Neelima Azeem
First Film : Ishq Vishk







BIOGRAPHY

Shahid Kapoor born February 25, 1981 in Mumbai, India is a Bollywood actor and model. Kapoor was born in Mumbai to film and television actors Pankaj Kapur and Neelima Azeem who divorced when he was three.He lived with his mother. He studied dancing with Shiamak Davar and did extra roles, starred in music videos and commercials. His stepbrother is Ishaan Kapoor whom he acted with in Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi. Stepson of Supriya Pathak. His debut film Ishq Vishk was a success. He received the Filmfare Award 2003 in the Debut category for his performance along with the same award from the Star Screen Awards and the Zee Cine Awards. In 2004, he starred in two more films: Fida, a thriller co-starring his current girlfriend Kareena Kapoor and Fardeen Khan as well as Dil Maange More, a romantic comedy alongside Soha Ali Khan, Tulip Joshi, and Ayesha Takia. Both films bombed at the box office, but Kapoor received positive reviews for his performances. His latest films Vaah! Life Ho To Aisi and Shikhar failed to do well at the box office but his performances was praised. He received a Screen Best Actor Nomination for his work in Shikhar. He will next be seen in 2006 in the films Milenge Milenge "Chup Chup Ke", and "36 China Town" with Kareena Kapoor, "Vivaah" With Amrita Rao, and " Fool and Final" with Ayesha Takia

Shahrukh Khan

Name: Shahrukh Khan
Birthday: Tuesday, November 02, 1965
Star Sign : Scorpio
Address: Mannat, Band Stand, Bandra (West), Mumbai 400050, India
First Film : Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman






BIOGRAPHY

"King Khan." "The Shah." "The Man With The Midas Touch." These are just few of the adjectives used on this strapping, young lad from Delhi who first stole hearts with his endearing performance as Abhimanyu in the TV serial 'Fauji.' With a passion for acting and an amazing screen presence, Shah Rukh Khan has come a long way since the days he would mimic film actress Mumtaz and recite shaayri (Urdu poetry) for his father. With a lifestyle that could be featured on "The Rich And Famous" and an attitude to boot, Shah Rukh is known to be one of the most in-your-face men in the Hindi film industry today. Securing his break with Hema Malini's debut directorial venture, 'Dil Aashna Hai' which although was a disaster, Shah Rukh rose to the top in a few years time only after 'Deewana' became a hit. He later dazzled audiences with his emotionally-charged performances in films like 'Darr' where he played a deranged man obsessed with a girl and 'Baazigar,' where he was a young man seeking vengeance. Born on November 2, 1965 Shah Rukh is a true scorpion. Shah Rukh's mother was educated at Oxford. With an elder sister, Shehnaz, Shah Rukh claims to have had a decent childhood. The name Shah Rukh means `the countenance of a prince.' Now you know! He's not called Baadshah fro nothing! His father was a chief engineer and his mother, a social worker and a magistrate. Although, the family was going through financial troubles at a time, Shah Rukh does not remember his family putting the kids through any hardships. Shah Rukh studied at St.Stephens college in Delhi and came to be associated with the city for a long time. Moving to Mumbai was a dream come true and Shah Rukh playing similar roles obviously bore autobiographical references. Clear about his goals, he informed his mother of his decision to act and was never prevented from doing so. He had secured admission at the National School Of Drama, a premier institution then and pursued a masters in filmmaking from Jamia Millia Islamia. With a family backing him, there was no stopping Shah Rukh. He remembers being bad at Hindi, a crime if he were to enter the industry and was encouraged by his mom to excel at it. Shah Rukh remembers, "She (my mother) used to tell me, "If you get ten out of ten, Ill take you to a movie." The first film Shah Rukh remembers watching with her was Dev Anand's 'Joshilay.' That fuelled his passion for films and Shah Rukh, the wannabe, was to take Bollywood by storm. Shah Rukh claims to have participated in Ram Leela functions and dressed up as a monkey to get the feel of the stage