Aamir Khan (who laid its foundation-stone) sends congratulatory messages and regrets inability to attend star-studded grand opening of CINTAA Tower –icon of Star-Power ! by Chaitanya Padukone

Finally, after 12 years, in the dignified presence of veteran revered actress-classical danseuse,  Asha Parekh, veteran showman film-maker Subhash Ghai and local Versova area MLA Dr.Bharati Lavekar and CINTAA  Office-Bearers Members the much-awaited five-storeyed CINTAA Tower was declared open amidst loud cheering and applause. Incidentally, Asha Parekh who inaugurated the Tower premises has been a former President of CINTAA and has contributed a lot with her proactive efforts and involvement  It may also be recalled, that much before he became a jubilee-hit film-maker, Subhash Ghai was a talented Actor-Artiste and has acted in various Hindi movies including 1969 mega-hit movie  ‘Aradhana’.

The CINTAA Tower ( Cine and TV Artistes Association)  headed by dynamic ‘honorary’ office-bearers ( busy eminent actors otherwise) President Manoj Joshi, and General Secretary Amit Behl supported by their executive committee members also symbolizes Unity, Solidarity, Strength  and  Support for  (9000 plus) Member-Artistes. The CINTAA also has its CAWT  (Cine Artistes Welfare Trust headed by dedicated Hon.Chairperson (popular actress) Preeti Sapru and Hon. Gen, Secretary (eminent actor) Darshan Jariwalla.  All the member artists who attended were honored with ornate Mementos. Even while the inauguration was taking place on the fifth floor,  there was an elaborate Vaastu-Pooja being performed. Separate multi-faith religious groups of  Maulvis,  Christian priests and Gurudwara priests were also present to seek blessings.

The Special Invitee Celeb Guests included Raj Babbar, Jackie Shroff, Johnny Lever, Ila Arun, Boman Irani, famous casting director and movie director Mukesh Chhabra, Amol Gupte,  Shubha Khote with actress-daughter Bhavna Balsaver, Pankaj Tripathi, Govind Namdev,  Tej Sapru, Rajit Kapoor,   Deepak Balraj Vij with wife Kishori Shahane Vij, Shyam Kaushal, Ranvir Shorey. Zarina Wahab, Seema Pahwa, author-biographer Lt Col KK Puri, Nandita Puri, Ishaan Om Puri, Also present and mingling with everyone were the dedicated Executive Committee (EC) Members of CINTAA and CAWT respectively Rajeshwari Sachdev, Ayub Khan, Tinaa Ghaai, Jaya Bhattacharya, Abhay Bhargava, Deepak Qazir Kejriwal, Ravi Jhankal. On the occasion, a biography book on ‘late’ legendary actor Madan Puri was also 'gifted' to the dignitaries by the author Lt Col Kamlesh (Madan) Puri.

What was once the cherished dream of yesteryear stalwarts Dilip Kumar along with other visionaries Sunil Dutt, Amjad Khan, Asha Parekh, Chandrashekhar, Amrish Puri, Dara Singh, Ram Mohan has now turned a reality with the towering CINTAA Tower, a building that will be the permanent address of the Cine & TV Artistes’ Association at Mumbai’s plush suburb Andheri West, It may be recalled that the foundation stone of the CINTAA Tower was laid, way back in 2011 by Dilip Kumar-saab and Aamir Khan

Incidentally, Aamir Khan who has temporarily shifted to and is now based in Chennai, looking after his mother (Zeenat Hussain)  who is undergoing medical treatment, was unable to attend the CINTAA inaugural event. Disclosed Amit Behl, “ Although he was genuinely unable to make it, Aamir-bhai has sent us his congratulatory messages and has extended his full support. Aamir-bhai who shares a warm rapport with Manoj Joshi also spoke to him on the phone. Both Shabana Azmi-jee and Saira Banu-jee also conveyed their genuine inability to attend and their sincere regrets but they have both conveyed their blessings and support  Similarly, Mithun-da Chakraborty also has expressed his full support and his blessings.. It is our good fortune that we have the dynamic presence and involvement of our active Exec Com Member eminent actor Ayub Khan ( Dilip Kumar-saab’s nephew) who also heads the Media CINTAA Committee,” shared Amit...

Amit Behl admits that this is the result of more than four decades of selfless work. “We are fortunate to have dedicated star artists who believe in unselfishly helping their fellow actors who need the aid. Actors empower the cine-goers masses to dream. This time, we have fulfilled and empowered our own concrete dream of our acting fraternity. It is truly heartening for each of us that our tireless efforts finally paid off." concludes CINTAA Gen, Secretary Amit Behl who informs us that CINTAA is also actively affiliated with the prestigious FIA (International  Federation of Actors).

CINTAA Tower Foundation stone year 2011- laid bt Dilip Kumar and Aamir Khan

Asha Parekh lights the lamp

Ayub Khan with Rajeshwari Sachdev and Varun Badola

Actress Tinaa Ghai with her CINTAA Appreciation Memento

Ranvir Shorey poses with local Police Officers

Deepak Balraj Vij with actress wife Kishorir Shahane Vij

Bhavana Balsaver, Shubha Khote, Jackie Shroff with Chaitanya Padukone

Deepak Chhabra, Ila Arun, Manoj Joshi and Chaitanya Padukone

Ayub Khan, Kunika S Lal and Chaitanya Padukone

Pankaj Tripathi (right) with Chaitanya Padukone