A montage of the Lakhani ads we shot with Salman Khan and Sangeeta Bijlani, choreographed by my friend Farah Khan, Gems from Salman and Sangeeta’s modeling days. Forever young.
@BeingSalmanKhan@sangeetabijlani@AartiGuptaSure1@kailashsurendra
https://t.co/3SWSDpwVLK
https://t.co/3OH9Tg8wIn
On 16th July 2022, we had the honour and privilege of recording this song and filming Asha Bhosle ji. She was, of course, masterful as always with her heartfelt rendition and improvised alaaps. What struck me the most was her innocence and open mindedness, as well as her willingness to learn and take instruction from the younger people around her.
Thank you, Asha ji, for this song and for all the eternal music you’ve contributed to the universe.
@narendramodi@MinOfCultureGoI@PMOIndia@ashabhosle
Sonu Nigam
@ThisIsDSP@AartiGuptaSure1
Angad Surendranath
@KshirSur@M_Contractor (makeup artist)
@vijaydayal (sound engineer)
Yash Raj Studio
The State Emblem of India is adapted from the sculpture on the Ashoka pillar at Sarnath. It is designed as a symbol of power, courage and sovereignty. It features four lions standing back-to-back, with a wheel (Dharmachakra) in the center of the abacus. The emblem was officially adopted on 26 January 1950, the same day India became a Republic. Earlier, the national flag carried a charkha designed by Pingali Venkayya, which was later replaced by the Ashoka Chakra, finalised by artist Surayya Tyabji, a member of the committee, and her husband Badruddin Tyabji.
https://t.co/MHUhI5yTVI
The saffron stripe of the flag represents courage, sacrifice and strength, the white stripe stands for peace, purity and truth, and the green stripe symbolises growth, hope and prosperity.
To honour this Republic Year, I’m reposting this film made for the Ministry of Culture, directed by me and Angadveer Surendranath. Shot across India in 9 languages with music by Devi Sri Prasad and sung by Asha Bhosle and Sonu Nigam and shot by Ravi Yadav, it was a highly successful campaign under the leadership of the PMO, Narendra Modi, aiming to evoke a sense of belonging and patriotism in every individual citizen.
A 2002 ruling encourages citizens to proudly hoist the Tiranga at their homes, offices, and private premises respectfully, a right that was previously restricted to government buildings and specific national days.
@PMOIndia@SrBachchan@ashabhosle@akshaykumar@AnupamPKher@swanandkirkire@imVkohli@AnushkaSharma@ajaydevgn@priyapvarrier@KeerthyOfficial@Pvsindhu1@MRaj03@MirabaiChanu@AvaniLekhara@hardikpandya@klrahul@Neeraj_chopra1@AartiGuptaSure1@rpraggnachess
The Constituent Assembly held its final session on 24 January 1950, two days before the Republic was born, signing the original hand-written Constitution. On the same day, it also formally adopted Jana Gana Mana as the national anthem. Its coming into force on 26 January marked the start of a new national rhythm, the anthem of a sovereign India.
https://t.co/lQcRYxdbBJ
To mark the day our Constitution was adopted and to honour the spirit of unity it embodied, I would like to repost here Phir Mile Sur, the 2010 remake of the original Mile Sur Mera Tumhara. Over the years, the original had achieved a cult status and came to be regarded as India’s second national anthem. Its extreme love and popularity inspired us to recreate it for a new generation, in collaboration with Zoom (Times of India Group) and with a lot of support from the Taj Hotels. Made by us at Kailash Picture Company and directed by me, with RM Rao behind the camera, each of the individual musicians and singers composed and rendered their own tracks based on the original composition, which Louiz weaved together. The project aimed to familiarise the song to younger audiences through icons they recognized from cinema, music, sports, and various fields. The overwhelmingly positive response from all these personalities and their enthusiasm in participating helped shape the film into the magnum opus that it is today.
@AartiGuptaSure1@ZoomTV@iamsrk@Suriya_offl@urstrulyMahesh@NSaina@shreyaghoshal@singer_shaan@iam_juhi@prosenjitbumba@TheShilpaShetty@BeingSalmanKhan@deepikapadukone@priyankachopra@sonalikulkarni@aamirkhan@shahidkapoor@itsrrk@SonuNigamSingh@ZakirHtabla@AAKSarod@louizbanks@kailashpicture@MayavidO
The Preamble to the constitution declares India to be a Sovereign Socialist Secular Democratic Republic, aiming to secure for all citizens Justice (social, economic, and political), Liberty (of thought, expression, belief, faith, and worship), Equality (of status and opportunity), and Fraternity.
https://t.co/EXJuFCYogc
Rani Laxmibai, the Rani of Jhansi, was a key leader of the 1857 rebellion, a powerful symbol and a pivotal figure whose legacy remains an enduring symbol of Indian resistance against British rule.
Here is a film made to commemorate the day the stamp was issued by the Government of India in her honor.
So once again, I would like to repost this film I made for the Indian Postal & Telegraph Department to commemorate the upcoming 76th year of Republic Day.
In this film, you see Aarti Gupta Surendranath riding expertly in the scorching heat at the Solapur fort, in a specially made-by-her 25kgs armour.
A film edited to an inspiring track by Louiz Banks and shot by R. M. Rao.
A tribute to freedom. A tribute to the spirit that shaped our Republic.
@louizbanks@AartiGuptaSure1
As the Republic of India was born on 26 January 1950, the original hand-written Constitution, crafted in English by calligrapher Prem Behari Narain Raizada, in Hindi by Vasant Krishnan Vaidya, and decorated by Shantiniketan artists, was signed, setting the tone for a sovereign, self-assured nation. In honor of this 76th Republic Day of India, I am resharing the film "Desh Raag", a classical masterpiece I directed in 1998 and my personal favorite. Never before and never again have so many masters come together for a single classical music and dance performance piece of such brilliance. This was the third in the trilogy that I made along with the late Suresh Mallick for doordarshen those days.
https://t.co/0aq8OQb5Ht
My good friend the late Ustad Zakir Hussain who plays along with his late father Alla Rakha in this film used to tell me during our subsequent Taj Tea shoots that he would show this film to his students in LA to demonstrate the genius of Indian music and dance forms and instruments and their masters.
We began by recording Pt. Ravi Shankar. Later, Pt. Bhimsen Joshi put Pt. Vinod Sharma’s lyrics to a tune based on Desh Raag, which we recorded and filmed across the country. Then everyone else followed in the same key and raag. The project was filmed beautifully by R.M. Rao, and all the music pieces were woven together into one song by the master @louizbanks.
As John Lennon and Paul McCartney wrote in their song:
...All these places had their moments
With lovers and friends, I still can recall
Some are dead and some are living
In my life, I’ve loved them all...
Grateful thanks to all the following for making this immortal piece possible:
Pandit Ravi Shankar
Pandit Bhimsen Joshi
Pandit Ram Narayan
Hariprasad Chaurasia
Pandit Shivkumar Sharma
Ustad Alla Rakha Khan
Zakir Hussain
@AAKSarod
Gulabo Sapera
Shovana Narayan
Protima Bedi
Kanak Rele
@mallikasarabhai
Swapna Sundari
M. Balamuralikrishna
Vidwan S Balachander
Lalgudi Jayaraman
India’s Constitution is among the world’s longest, most detailed and inclusive constitutions, crafted to represent a nation of many cultures, languages and traditions. Its structure ensures that unity is built from diversity, allowing every voice to belong.
https://t.co/gFT1Di8Nb2
And once more, to commemorate the upcoming 76th Republic Day of India, the day the Constitution was adopted, I’m reposting this much-loved film here. Directed and produced by me, and made along with the late Suresh Mullick, who was then the creative Director at O&M.
Much has been written and spoken about this film, so not much more I can add — enjoy.
@SrBachchan@mithunda_off@AzmiShabana@louizbanks@mallikasarabhai@dreamgirlhema@mariomiranda25@ikamalhaasan
The date 26 January 1950 was chosen for Republic day to honour the same date in1930 when the Declaration of Purna Swaraj, based on Gandhi ji’s principles of non-violence was declared officially. This is when India first demanded complete independence.
https://t.co/8yL4VeCBnA
To commemorate the 76th Republic day of India I am once more posting here my film "Spread The Light Of Freedom".
I remember we were asked to make a film that would make young Indians proud of being Indian, the first thought that came to us was sports. Everybody loves sport. Sports and sport stars create national pride and unity and symbolise the spirit of freedom.
Produced by us and directed by me in 1984, this film was shot across the country, wherever each sportsman was available. After a month of filming, I edited it on an inspiring soundtrack by Louis Banks. And in a sudden flash of inspiration decided with Louiz to end the track with the last few bars of our national anthem. We filmed this portion of the film later with the children of Saint Lawrence School at Solan Sanawar. It is the first national film of a trilogy for Doordarshan that I made with creative director Suresh Mullick. Widely viewed on TV, which was still new in India at the time, the response was highly emotional and overwhelming. Featuring all the sports stars of that era, and earlier era's, the film is still remembered widely. I especially love this scene of PT Usha running alongside deer, improvised on location and captured through pure timing with no special effects.
@PTUshaOfficial@sakpataudi@Adille1@DDNational@AartiGuptaSure1
The Constitution came into force on 26 January 1950, laying the foundation for an India where citizenship rises above religion, caste or background. It promised equal rights to every Indian, strengthening the idea that our nation thrives when we stand together.
https://t.co/hIlN8XuTzD
To commemorate the 76th Republic Day this year, I’ll be sharing again the national films I’ve made through the years this week.
First up: “Sita Aur Saleem”. My earliest film from the early ’70s, later exhibited nationwide by the Films Division and screened along with the traditional newsreels before the main feature.
As a young filmmaker, along with a few technician friends, DOP Prem Upadhyay and Kanal, i found myself with a bit of extra raw stock and a 35mm camera that had to be returned within a day. So we decided to just go for it and shoot.
We cast the milkman’s daughter and my neighbour’s son, took them out to play by the Chena Creek, and I simply followed a thought I had in mind, there was no real script.
My good friend Suresh Bhojwani improvised live on a 12-string and 6-string guitar to complete the film's background score.
A soft yet clear message!
@FilmsDivision
Had the privilege of lighting the lamp to inaugurate Dr. Mukesh Batra’s MAGIC MOMENTS – Vision Beyond Sight, a stunning exhibition in aid of the Victoria Memorial School for the Blind, in the Free Press Journal lobby.
The beautiful photographs by him near the North Pole capture walruses, polar bears, and expansive vistas. Each picture, sharp as ever and composed in cinematic widescreen, makes you feel you’re right there. A must-see for any adventurer.
A truly multi-talented man, a homeopathy doctor, healer, author, singer, and an exceptional photographer.
@DrMukeshBatra@DrBatrasHealth@drakshaybatra@abhishekkarnani@fpjindia@AartiGuptaSure1
Extremely humbled to be invited to award a true real-life hero, @Tinkesh93, who continues to be victorious despite such adversity. It was an honour to be part of this celebration.
Sharing this video from a wonderful evening at @DrBatrasHealth Awards 2025, and congratulations to all the awardees.
A heartfelt thank you to the organisers, especially @DrMukeshBatra@drakshaybatra and @mandybedi for hosting such a memorable night.
Honoured to share the stage with my good friend @mkoirala as we celebrated achievers and para-athletes whose strength, resilience and spirit remind us what true courage and positivity are.
@AartiGuptaSure1@shekharbajaj
I’ve had the privilege of spending a day filming with this wonderful gentleman and legendary actor. Everybody’s heartthrob!
I remember him glancing at the script, only to recreate it in his own words, always sincere, always speaking straight from the heart.
https://t.co/Yboutjjmuo
With our shared Roots from Punjab and the respect he had for papa we had an instant warm and beautiful bond.
he had called me over a couple of times before the shoot to share his poetry and the short scripts he had written, which he wanted to include in this shoot. Unfortunately, we couldn’t get down to doing those, and I’m sure those beautiful words are still somewhere in his notebook at home.
@aapkadharam@Esha_Deol@dreamgirlhema@iamsunnydeol@thedeol@AartiGuptaSure1@KshirSur
Juhi is family and one of the most versatile actors whose expressions work magically. We worked together over the years, as you can see here in this montage of our work together. Her timing, sincerity, and discipline are quite amazing. I’ve worked with many first-time performers, and when we cast her for the Phagwara shooting campaign, I noticed immediately how fantastic her understanding of the craft was. All of that has been further refined over the years.
Here’s wishing her a happy birthday, and power to her for the years to come.
@iam_juhi@AartiGuptaSure1
https://t.co/JvphhaS1K6
A dedication and a tiny glimpse of the vast body of singing and acting he gave the world… Surendra, my father, born on this day in the early 1900s. He came to Bombay from Lahore after completing his law degree for a holiday and was launched almost immediately by a major studio as Bombay’s answer to the legendary actor-singer K. L. Saigal of Calcutta.
https://t.co/Vyzo3Qs0Ke
A singing star from the mid-30s to the 50s, he enjoyed a starry career as a hero and singer before moving on to character roles, working in milestone films.
Being the only formally educated actor of his time, studios would often place his qualification alongside his name on the posters: Surendranath, B.A., LL.B. He worked on a series of films with Mehboob Khan, including Aurat, the black-and-white precursor to Mother India.
From papa I learned simply by watching, listening, and being near him, what true values are and how to be.
@AartiGuptaSure1@OldBollywoodin@OldBollywood
Reposting this film that we put together in the memory of Rohit Bal, a friend, a design prodigy, and a free spirit who passed away on this day, exactly an year ago. Miss you gudds.
@AartiGuptaSure1@rohitbal_@saregamaglobal
https://t.co/UV0OwUAtjT
Sharing here an old Ad made for cinema that I directed for Hindustan Lever & Lintas over four decades ago. A 35mm spot featuring my dear friend Satish Shah, who not a known actor in those days, but was in college with my sister Rohini, hence, we cast him.
https://t.co/ei9kfIPJIZ
He was absolutely at ease in front of the camera, even then. Here, along with the legendary Leela Misra, cinema’s most beloved “Mausi,” and Beena Banerjee (daughter of the late Pradeep Kumar).
Another bit of trivia about Satish was the nephew of the iconic screen villain Yakub, who, interestingly, acted with my father Surendra in Mehboob Khan’s “Aurat”, the first original black-and-white (Mother India)
So we went back a very long way, his passing away, indeed has been heart breaking & extremely tragic.