A month that saw the birth of many legends

September marks the birthday of several illustrious personalities of Indian cinema, some of whom are featured here

- Shruti Pandit

September boasts of many legendary figures from the Indian film industry. Bengali superstar Uttam Kumar was born on September 3. Known as an actor who didn't need glycerin, Uttam Kumar was the heartthrob of every Bengali woman of the 60s and 70s. His high-voltage smile on the screen was enough to make a few women scream in theatres. Women were beating their head and chest like they had lost their lover when he died in 1980.

The month ends with another Bengali—Hrishikesh Mukherjee on September 30th. Hrishida was almost forced to be a director by Dilip Kumar, who saw the potential in him. The veteran acted in Hrishida's first film Musafir on a pro bono basis as well. Hrishida went on to become one of the most successful directors of heartwarming, simple, family films that are termed as cult classics today.

September is also the birthday month of two nightingales—Asha Bhosle (September 8) and Lata Mangeshkar (September 28). Asha Bhosle was always the rebel of the Mangeshkar family. She, with her multifaceted persona and voice, carved herself a niche in the competitive world of playback singing in Hindi cinema. Though known for her cabaret numbers, she has also sung a bhajan like Tora man darpan keh laye or ghazals with Gulam Ali with equal aplomb and ease. Her Marathi Bhavgeets (songs of emotion) are steeped in honey and emotions. Her rendition of her father's Suhasya tujhe (original and the adaptation