Entertainment: Tragedy Queen of Hindi cinema is remembered fondly on her 85th b’day

August 1, 2017, marks the 85th birth anniversary of mesmerising Meena Kumari who is known for her tragic roles in Hindi Cinema. She was called the Tragedy Queen of Bollywood, unfortunately, her life was filled with sadness both on and off screen. She died on the auspicious day of Good Friday 31 March 1972 due to liver cirrhosis at a young age of 38.

Fans of the iconic actress took to Twitter and shared posts dedicated to her.

During a career spanning 33 years from her childhood to her death, she starred in around 92 films of a variety of genres, such as Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam, Pakeezah, Mere Apne, Aarti, Baiju Bawra, Parineeta, Dil Apna Aur Preet Parai and Kohinoor.

Through her various roles she successfully depicted the struggle of Indian women especially in the 50s and 60s. . Her portrayal of Sahibjaan, a pure-hearted singer-dancer who is raised in a brothel under Kamal Amrohi’s direction in Pakeezah remains iconic to this date. The complex character of Chhoti Bahu in Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam could only be played by Meena Kumari who, through her intense expressions brilliantly conveyed the unspoken angst, loneliness and longing for ideal love of Chhoti Bahu stuck in the claustrophobic and decadent zamindar class

In 64 years and 62 editions of the Filmfare Awards, Meena Kumari’s unusual feat of garnering all three nominations in the Best Actress Category remains unaccomplished by any other actress and is unique till this day. She reached this pinnacle in the 10th Filmfare Awards, 1963 .

Meena Kumari’s record for most numbers of Filmfare Award for Best Actress remained unbroken for 13 years (1966-1979), her record for most number of nominations in the Best Actress Category was eventually broken after 35 years by Madhuri Dixit in the 53rd Filmfare Awards, 2008.

Indian Cinema will never forget the iconic actress who blended beauty, aristocracy, tragedy, personality all into one.

Jab Harry Met Sejal in Varanasi

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan along with actress Anushka Sharma and filmmaker Imtiaz Ali visited Varanasi to promote their upcoming movie Jab Harry Met Sejal.

Bhojpuri actor and MP Manoj Tiwari also joined the team. Shah Rukh sang popular Bhojpuri song Lagawelu jab lipistic in his most romantic way with Manoj for Anushka.

They were also spotted chewing the very famous Banarsi Paan from a 70-year-old shop. While driving through the streets of the city, they stopped at a local betel leaf vendor. They were surprised to know that the shop named Tambulam Paan has been there since a long time.

Before Varanasi, the team promoted the film in Ludhiana, Jalandhar, Jodhpur and Jaipur. Presented by Red Chillies Entertainment, Jab Harry Met Sejal is slated for a release on this Friday.

Salman Khan signs deal with Amazon Prime Video

Bollywood superstar Salman Khan has signed an exclusive deal with Amazon Prime Video giving them the worldwide streaming rights to all his future titles, starting with Tubelight. The online streaming service will also have rights to films produced by Salman Khan Ventures.

“Amazon Prime Video reaches over 200 countries and territories and I am happy to collaborate with Amazon Prime Video and expand the reach of Indian cinema. Fans of Indian cinema will discover my movies on a new platform and the platform will also help new fans discover our cinema,” said Salman.

Nitesh Kripalani, Director and Country Head, Amazon Video India, said Salman is not only the biggest star in India but also has a massive worldwide appeal.

James Farrell, Head of Content, Prime Video, Asia Pacific, said the exclusive worldwide deal was one of the biggest star deals to have ever been done in the world.

PeeCee welcomes Marlee Matlin in Quantico

Academy Award-winning actress Marlee Matlin will join the new season of the Hollywood show Quantico.

Elated Priyanka shared the news with fans on Twitter and welcomed Matlin on board.

Matlin, who is best known for her performance of a young deaf woman, Sarah Norman, in Children of a Lesser God, also expressed her excitement by tweeting, “Can't wait to work with Priyanka Chopra, Johanna Braddy, Jake Mclaughlin, my old friend Blair Underwood and of course Michael Seitzman.”

Matlin, 51, has joined Quantico as a series regular for the upcoming third season.

She will play Jocelyn Turner, an ex-FBI agent who was known at one time as the best undercover agent in the field until a bomb blew up near her and rendered her deaf.