Michael Clarke Duncan Leaves Us

Remember the menacing looking yet gentle mannered death row inmate John Coffey, with magical healing powers, in "The Green Mile". It was played by Michael Clarke Duncan and it was the same role which earned him nomination for an Academy Award and Golden Globe. 'Big Mike' as most of his peers and loved ones adoringly call him, died yesterday at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles after he suffered a myocardial infarction on July 13.

Michael acted in quite a few notable films, including "Armageddon," ''Planet of the Apes" and "Kung Fu Panda," It's amazing that he only turned to acting in his 30s, It's clear from the large pouring of prayers and remembrances for him that Michael gentle-giant persona made him much-loved during that relatively brief time.His presence was formidable, even intimidating: The former bodyguard had a muscular, 6-foot-4 frame, but it was topped by the brightest of glittering smiles. No matter the role, a warmth and a sweetness was always evident underneath.


Born in Chicago in 1957, Duncan was raised by a single mother whose resistance to his playing football led to his deciding he wanted to become an actor. But when his mother became ill, he dropped out of college, Alcorn State University, and worked as a ditch digger and bouncer to support her. By his mid-20s, he was in Los Angeles, where he looked for acting parts and became a bodyguard for Will Smith, Jamie Foxx and other stars. The murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G., for whom Duncan had been hired to protect before switching assignments, led him to quit his job and pursue acting full-time.




** Information Courtesy http://www.newsday.com

Fresh Talent - Nawazuddin Siddiqui

Nawazuddin Siddiqui had earned  my adulations when he did his short, yet, well performed act of Azgar Muqaddam , the manager to the fabled Tiger Memon.in Anurag Kashyap's Black Friday. The guy is a phenomenally talented actor. He does not have looks to die for, but with his skills of acting he can surely carve a niche in your hearts.  Remember the mercurial IB Officer Khan in Sujoy Ghosh's, Vidya Balan starrer Kahaani. That role is being hailed as Siddiqui's rise to fame. Well, that may be. But one cannot ignore his significant roles in other major films like Peepli Live, where he played the part of Rakesh or Paan Singh Tomar (Gopi),  Black Friday, Firaaq (Hanif).  Recently his upcoming films Miss Lovely and Gangs Of Wasseypur were showcased in the Cannes' Film Festival to much international attention & fanfare. In a recent interview regarding his stint at Cannes, Siddique spoke with humility and gratitude about his recent rise to prominence. He reminisced his struggle and how he was doing theater when he got the opportunity to act in Sarfarosh. Siddiqui is a graduate from the National School of Drama and is loaded with talent. With the right kind of opportunity and support, the actor can soar to deserving heights. We have all seen his commendable acting in "Gangs of Wasseypur".  

As "Gangs of Wasseypur - II releases tomorrow (8^th August), it'll be his litmus test performance as an actor especially with expectations soaring high after "Gangs of Wasseypur".  


During a talk show, when asked about his not so great looks, he answered

"I can slip into a crowd and nobody can recognize me...I know my limitations - what I can do and what I can't. For now, I want to develop a body of work where if people see me in one film should not recognize me in another. That's the job of an actor - to become his character. "

Now, that's more like it Nawaz. Keep it up.