Muslim Mystique in Indian films

With tales of purdah, qawwalis and ghazals, movies like Veer-Zaara, Fiza, Umrao Jaan and Mughal-e-Azam have captivated cinegoers over the years. Nirupama Dutt finds that films recreating the Muslim lifestyle have been a hit. Watching Mughal-e-Azam in a nearly empty theatre in Chandigarh had its moments of high when two middle-aged cinebuffs sitting right behind me would utter the dialogues before the actors. The experience was akin to sitting and listening to a mushaira where the audiences already know the couplets of the star poets.

Shake it like SHIAMAK
He believes that dance is an expression of the soul and has the knack of making you swing to his steps. Seema Sachdeva captures the choreographer’s lively rhythm.
THE first thing that strikes when one meets Shiamak Davar, besides his infectious smile, is his enthusiasm, especially when he speaks of his school for dance, SDIPA (Shiamak Davar’s Institute for Performing Arts). The confidence he exudes is evident in his students.