Mangaluru-based veteran film journalist Rauf Ahmed passes away
Mumbai: Veteran film journalist and writer Rauf Ahmed, a native of Mangaluru, who was known for introducing changes in film journalism in the mid-1970s, died at his residence in Versova here on Sunday morning, after a short bout of ill health.
He is survived by his wife, son and daughter.
The son of Abdul Rahim, a retired judge from Bunder, Mangaluru, Rauf Ahmed completed his graduation at St Aloysius College, Mangaluru, before moving to Mumbai where, in 1975, he joined the Times of India training course, with contemporaries M J Akbar.
With an interest in film journalism, Ahmed launched the magazines ‘Super’ and ‘Movie’, after which, he took charge as editor of ‘Filmfare’, the film magazine of the Times of India. Sidelining film industry gossip that was popular during his times, he gave the news and articles on the industry a fresh look, while this change gave a new look to film journalism.
Ahmed’s wonderful style of writing and artistic design of the magazines caught the attention of the readers. Under the veteran, vintage music, parallel cinema and full-fledged nostalgia also found an inlet into mainstream film magazines. As a result, serious and studious writing joined the regular entertainment matter in the magazines.
Rauf Ahmed was the editor of ‘Filmfare’ for six years. During his tenure, the Filmfare Award ceremony too witnessed major changes. The venue of the ceremony was shifted while the style of the award ceremony was changed to that of the Academy Awards.
The journalist worked with many superstars in the film industry, including Amitabh Bachchan.
Ahmed worked with the Asian Age magazine and other fields of journalism, but film journalism remained his favourite.
In his 2016-book ‘Shammi Kapoor – The Game Changer’, Ahmed describes in an interesting manner how veteran actor Shammi Kapoor changed the very style of the Hindi film hero.
Yet, it would be well worth noting that Rauf Ahmed was himself a game changer in film journalism in India.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Maharashtra: 60 injured in bee attack at Shivaji Maharaj's birthplace Shivneri Fort
Pune, March 16 (PTI): Nearly 60 persons were injured after being attacked by a swarm of bees at the famous Shivneri Fort in Maharashtra’s Pune district on Sunday, a forest official said.
Of those injured, 50 were treated at a nearby hospital, he said.
Legendary Maratha king Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj was born at the Shivneri Fort, located in Junnar tehsil, about 90 km from Pune. Hundreds of people visit the historical site daily.
“The incident occurred near the Shivai temple at the fort. As per eyewitnesses, a group of youths hurled stones at a beehive, agitating the flying insects and triggering the attack,” said Range Forest Officer Pradip Chavan from Junnar.
About 60 visitors sustained bee stings, with 50 requiring hospital treatment. “Fortunately, all were out of danger and were later discharged,” he added.
A similar incident had occurred on February 19, during the birth anniversary celebrations of Shivaji Maharaj, when 10 persons were injured in a bee attack.
