Film Celeb Birthdays in October

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October is the month when so many key names, especially on-screen and in playback singing, took birth in Hindi cinema. Here is a look at these illustrious names.

Asha Parekh / October 2

The female ‘hit’ machine of the 1960s and 1970s, Padma Shri Asha Parekh, started out as a child artiste and has also been a stage danseuse with her own dance academy, the chief of the Indian censors, and a committed social worker who even funded the medical and surgical wing of a well-known Mumbai hospital. She has also been conferred the highest award in cinema—the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, last year.

Shailendra Singh / October 4

He was a sensation as singer with his debut smash-hit, Bobby, and later also tried his hand at acting. Today, Shailendra Singh teaches diverse aspects of cinema. And few can forget his memorable songs from multiple films like Zinda Dil, Khel Khel Mein, Coolie, Saagar and more.

Usha Khanna / October 7

Rightly called the first lady composer in Hindi cinema to last (her debut was Dil Deke Dekho in 1959, her last film, Dil Pardesi Ho Gaya in 2004), and also a singer, Usha Khanna specialized in great music in small films like Lal Bangla, Honeymoon and Hawas. But from the 1970s, she also did some biggies with notable scores, like Saajan Bina Suhagan, Aap To Aise Na The and Souten apart from many other immortal songs like Chhodo kal ki baatein (Hum Hindustani).

Rekha / October 10

This Diva draws attention whether she is doing films or (as of today) making rare public appearances. Always an enigma, with a fair share of controversies to her credit besides a prolific filmography, Rekha was initially known for her dusky oomph and metamorphosed into a powerful performer with movies as varied as Do Anjaane, Khubsoorat, Umrao Jaan and Biwi Ho To Aisi.  Not many are aware that she is the daughter of South Indian matinee idol Gemini Ganesan.

Amitabh Bachchan / October 11

As the world knows, he is actor extraordinaire and singer, producer and much more in cinema, besides being one of the greatest hosts TV has ever seen for KBC. One could go on and on about this twice-National award winner and Dadasaheb Phalke laureate, but then one would be writing what the world already knows too well!

Ehsaan Noorani / October 12

The ‘middle’-man, so to speak (!) of Hindi cinema’s first and so far only ‘note’worthy music trio, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, Ehsaan Noorani brings in his Western expertise along with Loy, complementing Shanker’s Indian credentials. Dil Chahta Hai, Kal Ho Naa Ho, Bunty Aur Babli, 2 States and even the first web series musical, Bandish Bandits, have made the trio remain major forces in film music for over 22 years. They have also excelled in Marathi in the movie, Katyar Kaaljaat Ghusali and some other regional films.

Hema Malini / October 16

The ‘Dream Girl’ turns 75 this year. Hema Malini has been a stage performer and Bharatanatyam teacher, actress, singer (now specializing in non-film Lord Krishna devotionals), producer-director, social worker and very successful politician as well as magazine editor. She has been conferred the Padma Bhushan as well.

Sunny Deol / October 19

At 66, the man has given one of the biggest hits of his long 40 years-old career, Gadar 2, leading to many exciting projects being planned with Sunny Deol. Dharmendra’s older son has also been producer and director and his mega-hits during this long phase include Betaab, Tridev, Ghayal, Darr and Gadar—Ek Prem Katha. His younger son, Rajveer Deol has just started out with Dono, wile elder son Karan is also aiming for stardom after two flops. What’s more, Sunny is also a Member of Parliament.

Kumar Sanu  / October 20

There was a time in the 1990s that was considered, simply, the era of Kumar Sanu. Sanu made a mark of his own, outgrowing his image as a Kishore Kumar clone, with a relentless array of hits that began with Aashiqui  and Jurm and went all the way to singing for every hero from Dev Anand to Shahid Kapoor, with composers from Naushad to Pritam!

Shabbir Kumar / October 26

Like with Kumar Sanu, there was a phase in the 1980s and early 1990s that was the Shabbir Kumar age! Though he started out in 1981, his breakthrough with Ek Jaan Hain Hum, Betaab, Woh 7 Din and Coolie, all in 1983, began an incredible hit-streak as the first prolific Mohammed Rafi sound-alike, with later chartbusters in Pyar Jhukta Nahin and many more.

Raveena Tandon Thadani  / October 26

Daughter of hit filmmaker Ravi Tandon, Raveena Tandon took time to overcome her ‘jinxed heroine” tag thanks to early flops but settled in from 1994’s Mohra (as the Tu cheez badi hai mast mast girl) and Dilwale to evolve as not just a big star but an accomplished actress who has recently done films like KGF2 and the series, Aranyak.

Anuradha Paudwal / October 27

The first playback singer to make it big outside the Mangeshkars, Anuradha Paudwal remains a force even today on stage when she is not longer recording for movies. A multi-language singer, with most of her work in Hindi and mother-tongue Marathi, she is also doing some amazing social work now.

Abhijeet / October 30

Considered the enfant terrible among male singers, and happily prone to create professional and personal controversies, Abhijeet nevertheless can be considered the ‘90s and beyond counterpart of Mukesh—he sang fewer songs than his peers, got mostly solos, but had a better hit average and often a single standout song. He was also the favored voice of Shah Rukh Khan for a long while and has done his maximum work with Anand-Milind, Anu Malik and Jatin-Lalit.