Bollywood Roots

The timeless poster boy of Indian cinema, Shashi Kapoor's charismatic screen presence was infectious. His urbane good looks were highlighted by a disarming smile, his nimble feet set the screen on fire. He wooed the ladies in style. He was the charming romantic hero of the sixties and the scion of filmdom's most famous dynasty - the Kapoors.

Taking about Dev Anand's film Guide, filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt said, "Anything that survives the passage of time is of great significance."

In an exclusive conversation with NDTV, Arjun Rampal and Jacqueline Fernandez speak to NDTV about their upcoming film Roy and reveal that the film's story was inspired by the love story of filmmakers Quentin Tarantino and Sofia Coppola.

The sensational seventies was one of the most vibrant and prolific decades in Indian cinema. The soft romance of the serending hero or the brooding angry young man wishing to take over the screen, there was something about the seventies wasn't it?

Music composer SD Burman who has given innumerable hits like Rula Ke Gaya Sapna Mera, O Re Manjhi, Waqt Ne Kiya, among others, left everyone spellbound. His compositions, be it songs of love or longing or life's philosophy or celebrating folk traditions would match tune to character.

Here's the story of the rise of one of Bollywood's most celebrated filmmakers, Bimal Roy, who is known for films like Do Bheega Zameen, Devdas, Madhumati, among others. His son Joy talks about the person Bimal Roy truly was and the passionate filmmaker in him.

A look at the memorable journey of popular composer duo Laxmikant and Pyarelal.

Lyricist Javed Akhtar has had an illustrious career spanning five decades, scripting some of Hindi cinema's success stories, penning dialogues that have become a part of popular lore and inking the notes of passion, love and longing.

Filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, who explored poignant human relationships through films like Abhimaan featuring actors Amitabh and Jaya Bachchan, also had a flair for comedy which he proved by helming films like Chupke Chupke. His was the middle path which he turned into success, film after film.

Bollywood megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who turns 72 on October 11, did not have an immediate success in the film industry. Big B was 13th time lucky with Zanjeer which made him a star overnight. The actor shares some interesting facts about his life and rise in Bollywood.

A tom boy who could play pranks with the same ease with which she could charm you. Here's a look at the Bollywood journey of the alluring Asha Parekh.

Hrishikesh Mukherjee was a director par excellence who subtly touched the middle class sensibilities through his films. Here is a look at the filmmaker's Bollywood journey in which he has given some of the best movies of the time like Anupama, Anand, Guddi, Abhimaan, Chupke Chupke and many more.

Recalling the journey of legendary singer, Mukesh whose soulful voice still continue to rule many hearts.

Here's recounting the journey of lyricist and filmmaker Gulzar, a man who shaped Indian cinema with his distinct poetry and story-telling ability over the years.

The dancing queen who bedazzled the silver screen for over two decades. An actor who lived to dance, Vyjayanthimala was nicknamed "Twinkle Toes" and carved a special niche for herself as an actress. She was not just another baby doll face. There was much more to her than that.

We take a look at the illustrious career of the late Rajendra Kumar which spanned almost five decades. Take a look at his journey from the days of his struggle in the industry to his rise to stardom and the last few years. Hear from his family and colleagues about his work and listen to some of Bollywood's most melodious songs which featured the actor on screen.

Zohra Sehgal, grand old lady of Indian cinema, led a life more remarkable than any that Bollywood could have scripted. In this tribute video from her 100th birthday, we celebrate her extraordinary life and career. Ms Sehgal died at the age of 102.

Dadasaheb Phalke Award recipient Gulzar has been active in Hindi cinema for more than 50 years. We take a look at his work - the songs he wrote, the films he made and more - through the years and try to understand how he has kept up with times as his body of work has grown. Gulzar's colleagues also share some intimate anecdotes on their collaborations.

Hasrat Jaipuri might have started his career as a bus conductor but his talent didn't stay hidden for long and he managed to charm everyone with his romantic song lyrics. He also won the Filmfare Awards for Best Lyricist.

Amitabh Bachchan has done a variety of political roles on the silver screen. Be it playing a ghost who contests elections or depicting an Anna Hazare character in Satyagraha or a conscientious media baron who believes in reporting abuse rather than creating it, the actor does not shy away from his political performances.

Be it Mala Sinha, who sacrificed subtlety for melodrama, the ultimate fashion icon Sadhana or 'glam-doll' Saira Banu, the yesteryear divas have always ruled the hearts of the audiences. Watch what their co-stars - Manoj Kumar, the late Shammi Kapoor and the late Dev Anand - have to say about the queens of Bollywood.

Her enigmatic smile lit up the silver screens. An actress far ahead of her times, Nutan Samarth pushed boundaries and chose to play unconventional, pathbreaking roles over the usual ones.

The legacy that the three Anand brothers have created for the Hindi film industry is one to look upto. Chetan Anand, Dev Anand and Vijay Anand - the Indian cinema geniuses gave the industry a wealth of talent in the form of S D Burman, Sahir Ludhianvi, Zeenat Aman and others. Watch what cinematographer Baba Azmi, author Sidharth Bhatia and other film historians have to say about the unstoppable Anands as we pay tribute to them.

From intense roles in Khilona, Koshish and Aandhi to comic roles in Angoor and Seeta aur Geeta, Sanjeev Kumar, time and again, proved that with the range and variety he had, he was one of a kind. The National Award winner never shied away from doing 'old age' roles, be it the 'Thakur' of Sholay or 'R K Gupta' of Trishool. Watch Ketan Desai, Rauf Ahmed and other filmmakers and critics giving him a befitting tribute.

Be it C I D, Pyaasa, Chaudhvi Ka Chand, Guide, Prem Pujaari, Reshma aur Shera or the more recent Delhi 6, Waheeda Rehman has always been the epitome of beauty, grace and talent. The National Award winner owns the rarity of eyes that speak. A trained Bharatnatyam dancer, the actress has a natural gift of expression. Watch what critics Shubhra Gupta and Ziya Us Salam have to say about the Chaudhvi Ka Chaand of vintage Indian cinema.

NDTV traces the musical journey of Ravi who has left behind a treasure trove of melodies.

Expressive eyes, bewitching smile and subtle gestures - all this define the beauty of the late actress Suchitra Sen. Called 'The Greta Garbo' of the Indian cinema by filmmaker Gautam Ghose, there was something to her, that even after going into recluse in the mid-seventies, her memories are still fresh. We remember the late actress.

RD Burman and AR Rahman have not been geniuses in a particular genre but are masters of every game. They were not bound by geographies. The world was theirs and the world would listen to them.

One of the prominent faces of meaningful cinema of the 1970s, veteran actor Farooq Sheikh, who died on December 27, 2013 following a massive heart attack, made people laugh and cry with his portrayal of emotions onscreen. Here is a look at the actor's cinematic journey.

His youthful energy and disarming style made Rishi Kapoor the Prince of Romance in Hindi cinema. Here is a look at the actor's cinematic journey from the toddler in the song Pyaar Hua Ikraar Hua to becoming one of the most iconic stars of Hindi cinema.

Watch the memorable songs of lyricist Shailendra and his journey in the film industry.

As India celebrates its 67th Independence Day, let us ring in the celebratory occasion by looking back at some of the most revered patriotic Bollywood songs.

Watch the journey of Bollywood's original dancing star Late Shammi Kapoor who is remembered for his onscreen energy and charm.

Meena Kumari has etched out some of the most remarkable roles ever written for a heroine in the history of Indian cinema. She has got the most rich work in her repertoire as compared to her contemporaries Nargis and Madhubala.

From Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu to Babuji Dheere Chalna, singer Geeta Dutt captivated the audience with her mesmerising voice and versatility.

Fondly known as Kaka in the industry, Rajesh Khanna gained popularity with films like Aradhana and Kati Patang. Watch as his Bollywood colleagues remember the actor.

From the bylanes of Ballimaran to the dizzying heights of Bollywood, the life and times of legendary actor Pran. Star of over 350 films, Pran played good guys and villains with equal ease. He died in Mumbai at 93 on July 12 after a long illness.

Renowned composer of Indian cinema, Rahul Dev Burman, affectionately called Pancham Da, inspired many lives. Here is a look at his incredible journey.

A brief look at the memorable life of music composer Madan Mohan through his son's eyes.

We have the versatile genius of Manna Dey, the man who was unbeatable in the classical genre, the voice of Raj Kapoor to Pran and Mahmood.

The man, whose good looks made him a heartthrob, we have the singer and actor Talat Mahmood on Bollywood Roots. It was veteran actor Shammi Kapoor, who told the singer to quit acting and focus on singing.

Here is a look at the Indian cinema's most embellished lyricist, poet and songwriter Majrooh Sultanpuri's career spanning six decades. Here is a retrospective of his incredible journey.

From lyrical love ballads to Sufi poetry with a twist, folksy numbers with naughty innuendos, Gulzar painted a landscape of emotions with masterful strokes of his pen.

Ten glorious decades of emotions, drama and music which has consistently reached the hearts of the people like never before. In this episode of Bollywood Roots, we celebrate the 100 years of Indian cinema.

We take you down the memory lane and give you a glimpse of the rocking chemistry between composer duo Shankar-Jaikishan and singer Mohammad Rafi, who churned out classic songs together.

One of the first playback singers of the Indian film industry, Shamshad Begum's songs from the black and white era are still loved by music enthusiasts.

Here's a retrospective of Indian cinema's renowned singer Kishore Kumar and music composer RD Burman's incredible journey.

The festivities Holi has always been celebrated in the narrative of popular Indian cinema. Here is a look at some of the most famous Holi songs.

A "refined romantic", a colossus amongst film lyricists, Sahir Ludhianvi gave one of Indian cinema's best songs, often expressing the beauty of the heroine or lamenting the state of the nation. Here is a look at the poet's journey.

From Shakespearewallah to Deewar, from Bombay Talkies to Namak Halaal, Shashi Kapoor wore many hats through his illustrious career - matinee idol, art-house actor, theatre revivalist, producer, director and India's first international star. On his 75th birthday, a flashback through his incredible life and career.