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SMM Ausaja

Film historian, author and archivist of vintage film memorabilia SMM Ausaja is Senior Archivist (Cinema) at Tuli Research Centre for India Studies. Based in Mumbai, Ausaja has collected, preserved, archived and restored a phenomenal collection of posters, movie stills, song synopsis booklets, lobby cards, glass slides, post cards, LP records and other film memorabilia over the last three decades. He is the author of The Bachchans and Bollywood in Posters and has co-authored The Swinging 70’s and Bollywood: The Films! The Songs! The Stars! He can be contacted on smmausaja@hotmail.com

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Rare Magazine Covers The Amitabh Bachchan Journey

Cover to Cover: The Bachchan Journey

As Amitabh Bachchan enters his 83rd year, author, film historian and archivist SMM Ausaja curates a collection of rare magazine covers featuring the Big B.
Leela Naidu - actress

Leela Naidu – The Enigma Lives On

Launched in films by legendary filmmaker Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Leela captivated audiences nationwide with her handful of films. A tribute by SMM Ausaja.
Prayag Raaj the scriptwriter director

Prayag Raaj – The Virtuoso Wordsmith

The man who wrote the maximum hits for Amitabh Bachchan, writer-director Prayag Raaj passed away on September 23, 2023. SMM Ausaja pens a heartfelt tribute.
balraj sahni life and works

Balraj Sahni – An Institution of Acting

Balraj Sahni was an actor par excellence. And beyond his histrionic talents, he was also a writer, screenwriter, teacher, radio announcer and theatre artist.
Film Memorabilia Transitions from a Collectors Passion to an Investor’s Eye (SMM Ausaja)

Film Memorabilia Transitions from a Collector’s Passion to an Investor’s Eye

Amitabh Bachchan, Kamal Haasan, Salman Khan, Javed Akhtar, are among the film celebrities venturing into NFTs – Non Fungible Tokens, the new market for film memorabilia.
Madhubala biography

Madhubala: Ageless Beauty, Timeless Icon

In a short-lived career, Madhubala rose to the status of a superstar on the dint of her talent and magnetic screen presence. SMM Ausaja pays a tribute.
Amitabh Bachchan and Ashok Kumar

Ashok Kumar – The First Superstar of the Indian Talkie

Ashok Kumar made acting look simple, spontaneous and natural. SMM Ausaja pays tribute to the legend, fondly called Dadamoni.

Romancing the Reel: Vijay Bhatt

Legendary director-producer Vijay Bhatt, had launched some of the most illustrious names in Hindi film industry. A Silhouette tribute by SMM Ausaja.
A rare hand-painted poster of Sikandar

Prithviraj Kapoor – The Icon of Hindi Cinema

The life and times of Prithviraj Kapoor, theatre legend and the founder of Hindi cinema’s first family. A special tribute on his death anniversary, May 29.

Unknown Stories Behind Rare Film Posters

Film posters have a history as rich and colourful as films themselves. Film historian and archivist SMM Ausaja unveils the unknown stories behind posters.