Movie still from 1936 – Achhut Kanya

There is something glowing about this movie still.

It is from the movie Achhut Kanya (untouchable girl) from 1936. This was the first movie to challenge the cast system.

There is a delightful real life story surrounding this movie:

The movie stars Ashok Kumar (cast after the original hero had eloped with the producer’s wife and leading lady) and Devika Rani (the producer’s wife who decided to come back) in the lead roles.

And you think the current scandals are unbelievable…

Briyanka Desai in an overdone blouse

Briyanka Desai in an overdone blouse.

I like the saree-blouse combo. The colors are pretty and coordination is pretty good.

But the design of the blouse strap and that of the saree border is not particularly dancing well to gather.

I even question the type of jewelry she is wearing. The intricate design of the necklace not only doesn’t add to the outfit, it detracts from it.

Let me show you another view of the same saree

Do you see what I mean?

Geeta Basara at Royal Wedding show

The picture is pretty transparent, I have nothing to add.

Genelia : Simplicity never goes out of style

Don’t understand the bangles and the sandals, but the saree looks great.

Genelia in a gorgeous blue and silver saree.

Diana Hayden – just for old times sake

She was crowned Miss World in 1997.Diana Hayden became the third Indian to win the Miss World title after Aishwarya Rai and Sushmita Sen. Diana Hayden hosts a popular show called “Biography·on History channel.

It is not so popular these days, but loved the ovrall design concept and the placement of the motif in this saree.

Tanuja and Zeenat at a book launch party

Tanuja and Zeenat Aman at the launch of Bhanu Athiya’s book ‘The Art Of Costume Design’ at Taj Land’s End, Bandra

Yes, Bhanu was responsible for Mumtaz in Brahmchari and Waheed in Guide.

And this is the cover of the book. She is very well regarded and has dressed women in Bollywood for decades.

Bhanu Athaiya began her career in costume design in 1953. Over the next 56 years she built an extraordinary body of work that defined the aesthetics of costume design in Hindi cinema. Name any iconic look and Bhanu was behind it, whether it was Waheeda Rehman in Guide, Mumtaz in Brahmachari or Zeenat Aman in Satyam Shivam Sundaram. She has to her credit an amazing repertoire of 130 films and has worked with every director and producer of consequence, including Raj Kapoor, Guru Dutt, B.R. Chopra, Yash Chopra, F.C. Mehra, Sunil Dutt, Dev Anand, Randhir Kapoor and Ashutosh Gowariker.

Rukhsar Sizzles in Benney And Babloo

Here is a plot of Benney and Babloo:

Smitten by the glamor of Mumbai, two friends, Benny (Kay Kay Menon) and Babloo (Rajpal Yadav) land up in distinctly different jobs – Benny as the bellboy of a five-star hotel and Babloo as a waiter in a ladies service bar.

Benny believe his job is better than Babloo’s and makes fun of him on many occasions. Benny’s pride fades away as they both realize that even though their job may look different on the outside, they’re quite similar on the inside.

Benny witnesses several criminal activities at the hotel, from drug abuse to political fiascos while Babloo sees the human side of the ladies bar. The truth stares them in the face that five-star hotels are not so different from ladies bars

And yes, ladies service bar is a euphemism for house of illrepute.

Considering her role in the movie, the saree suits her well.

Kareena in Gitanjali ad for Parineeta collection

Bollywood actress and brand ambassador Kareena Kapoor today unveiled a new collection of exclusive, high end wedding jewellery from the Parineeta brand, specially introduced for The Great Indian Wedding Carnival, a month long mega-shopping festival coinciding with the marriage season and Akshaya Tritiya.

Kareena Kapoor says, “The new collection from Parineeta combines a modern look and feel with some traditional elements and is just perfect for a present day Indian bride. These are amazing designs crafted to perfection with diamonds and coloured stones, and I am sure that the consumers will really love them.”