Amitabh Bachchan born 11 October 1942, is an Indian film actor, film producer, television host and former politician. He first gained popularity in the early 1970s for films such as Zanjeer, Deewaar and Sholay, and was dubbed India’s “angry young man” for his on-screen roles in Bollywood. Referred to as the Shahenshah of Bollywood, Sadi ka Mahanayak, Star of the Millennium, or Big B, he has since appeared in over 190 Indian films in a career spanning almost five decades. Bachchan is widely regarded as one of the greatest and most influential actors in the history of Indian cinema as well as world cinema. So total was his dominance on the Indian movie scene in the 1970s and 1980s that the French director François Truffaut called him a “one-man industry”

A man privileged with a creative mind, R K Laxman ushered a new era of cartooning in India. With his popular creation ‘Common Man’, which was a witness to India’s continuous transformation for decades, he touched the hearts of countless people world over.

This edition of Virasat brings you the exciting story of the legendary cartoonist R K Laxman who opened up a new world of thinking & understanding through his sketches.

Anchor: Rajesh Badal

Rajya Sabha TV brings to you ‘Virasat’, a series which explores the life and times of distinguished artistes from various fields. In this two hour special episode, watch a biopic on the musical legend and a highly gifted lyricist of the Golden Era of Indian Cinema, Shankardas Kesarilal, popularly known as ‘Shailendra’.

His lyrical profundity can stand on its own in the pantheon of Hindi poetry for its creativity and class. Apart from his contribution in the world of lyrics, he produced the award winning film Teesri Kasam. Shailendra was also involved in the IPTA movement which aimed at mobilising progressive tendencies among artistes. He is fondly remembered for his outstanding contribution to the film Industry.

Anchor: Rajesh Badal

RSTV brings to you an intriguing biopic of the renowned actor Meena Kumari.

For the first time in the history of Indian television, RSTV uncovers the stories and anecdotes buried with time, giving voice to the words that were once unheard, separating the myths from the truth while bringing out the mysterious life of Meena Kumari.

Meena Kumari was the most prominent actress of Bollywood in the 60s. A poet, a singer, a writer, all blended into one, she left an indelible mark in the world of cinema, even while she underwent great personal setbacks and losses. Her painful life story affected her deeply which also showed up in her professional career.

Know more about the life of ‘Tragedy Queen’ Meena Kumari in this edition of Virasat.

Anchor: Rajesh Badal

हॉकी के जादूगर मेजर ध्यानचंद की जीवन गाथा पर पहली बार एक घंटे की बायोपिक फ़िल्म । इसमें ध्यानचंद की ज़िंदगी के अनेक अनछुए पहलुओं को उजागर किया गया है | ध्यानचंद हॉकी के इतने दीवाने थे कि पेड़ से हॉकी के आकार की लकड़ी काटकर उससे रात रात भर चाँद की रौशनी में हॉकी खेला करते थे। यह सब आप सुन सकते हैं खुद मेजर ध्यानचंद की अपनी आवाज़ में | डॉन ब्रेडमेन ने ध्यानचंद से कहा, आप तो ऐसे गोल करते हैं जैसे मैं क्रिकेट में रन बनाता हूँ | हिटलर उनके के खेल का इतना दीवाना था कि उसने उन्हें जर्मन सेना में फील्ड मास्टर बनने का प्रस्ताव दिया, जिसे ध्यानचंद ने इंकार कर दिया। ज़िंदगी में उन्होंने हज़ार गोल से ज़्यादा किए | यह कभी न टूटने वाला रिकॉर्ड है | हॉकी का ये बेमिसाल जादूगर ज़िंदगी के आख़िरी दिनों में पैसों के लिए मोहताज़ रहा | कमेंटेटर गुरुदेवसिंह से उन्होंने फोटो खींचने के लिए मना कर दिया था क्योंकि उनका पैन्ट फटा हुआ था और वो नहीं चाहते थे कि ऐसा फोटो देख कर नई पीढ़ी हॉकी खेलना छोड़ देगी | देखिए मेजर ध्यानचंद की जीवन गाथा पर बनी एक शानदार फ़िल्म।