Bipasha Basu is Vikram’s wife in ‘Raavan’

Bollywood’s voluptuous Bipasha Basu has been finally drawn into the multi-starrer bilingual “Raavan’. Ace filmmaker Manirathnam has been on a long-time pursuit of an actress to enact “Mandodari’ in his modernized epic of “Ramayanam’. Earlier, the filmmaker had offered Reema Sen and Nayanthara the role, which they turned down as they weren’t confident with this deglamorized role.
Eventually, Manirathnam was much impressed with Bips’ deglamorized role in her Bengali film “SHOB CHARITRO KALPONIK’ and indeed approached her to perform this role. Instantaneously, without any delay, the actress signed the pact to enact “Mandodari’ in both the versions (Tamil and Hindi). According to the sources, Bipasha will appear for 40mins in the film and her portions will be shot from September 15.
She will be spotted playing Vikram’s wife in Tamil while the Hindi version will have her paired up with Abhishek Bachchan.

Courtesy: thaindian.com

Mani Ratnam promotes Vikram for Hindi

Media hype is now and before the most vital thing in promoting a film or a star. Mani Ratnam’s ‘Ravana’ is one such film that has been on the headlines for quite some time now for both lucky and unlucky reasons unintentionally.

But now the director has worked on a perfect plan to launch his hero Vikram the right way in Bollywood.  Vikram plays an important role in both Tamil and Hindi versions of the film. 

According to the sources, Mani Ratnam has worked to highlight only Vikram’s character for the first trailer. It looks like the trailer is perfectly dyed-in-the-wool to show who Vikram is for the Bolly-world.

The filmmaker is known to create the best hype for almost all his heroes, for all good reasons. Let’s wait to see what lies beneath this publicity now!

Courtesy: indiaglitz.com

Sivamani, Bollywood bound?

Sivamani is back to work after cheering the Chennai Super Kings in South Africa. But is he not watching the T-20 cricket world cup?

“I am missing cricket,” he says, but then, he quickly switches to a philosophical mode and adds, “It’s like music. If you keep listening to it non-stop, you will not enjoy it. You need to give it a break and then continue to absorb its beauty and essence. Similarly, after the hectic South African schedule, I’ve decided to give cricket a break and am now busy with music.”
After the success of his album Mahaleela, he is busy working on Mahaleela-II. “It’s again very personal. This time, I have incorporated what I couldn’t in my first album. The recording at Rajasthan palace will be the highlight. I am proceeding to Manasarovar to do some recordings there too,” he muses.
He’s also working with AR Rahman in his Hollywood project. But Sivamani regrets that he could not be present at the Oscar ceremony. “I had a show for Shivarathri at the Mookambika temple and was praying for Rahman. The next morning, it was a double treat for me. My sister called me to inform that Rahman had won the Oscars and that the Tamil Nadu government was to confer the Kalaimamani title on me,” he recalls.
When I could not attend his post-Oscar show in Kerala, Rahman sent me a message saying ‘Don’t ditch me next time.’
Sivamani says that he will be joining Rahman in the shows that are to be held at Dubai, Kolkata and Chennai.
Known for his ability to innovate, he says, “I am busy rehearsing with my boys, especially for the show.”
Having achieved so much, what’s he looking forward to? “I am trying my hands at music direction in Bollywood. I’ll soon have an announcement to make,” he smiles.

Jodhaa Akbar could make even more money than OSO

Getting a royal welcome on both sides of the Atlantic, Ashutosh Gowariker's Jodhaa Akbar, grabbed an estimated $1.3 million in North America and $750,000 in the United Kingdom over the weekend.

Factoring in the Gulf countries, the Caribbean and Australia, the three day haul could reach an awesome $3 million.

The film may not have crossover appeal to the mainstream audiences but anyone who reads the opening of The New York Times review may be tempted to see it. 'They may not make'em like they used to in Hollywood,' critic Rachel Saltz wrote, 'but sometimes in India they still do. Jodhaa Akbar... is filmmaking on the grand scale of Cecil B De Mille (The Ten Commandments), with romance, stirring battles, and enough elephants and gold to sink the Titanic .'
The US box-office was especially impressive given the awful weather conditions in the Midwest.

"If the goodwill and enthusiasm for the film continues, and we at UTV feel it will, Jodhaa Akbar could make even more money than Om Shanti Om," said Lokesh Dhar for distributor UTV. "We are not looking at the success of this film in terms of another hit for UTV (which has distributed hits like Don). It could become the all-time highest grossing Bollywood film in North America."

Farah Khan's OSO starring Shah Rukh Khan , who also produced it, grossed about $3.8 million in North America and holds the record.

"Despite the fact that Jodhaa Akbar is three-and-a-half hours long," Dhar continued, "and theatres are having less number of shows, we are doing extraordinary business."

The film, which got decent reviews from many mainstream publications including The New York Times and a few pans like the one in the San Francisco Chronicle, had a record 135 prints released in North America. In the United Kingdom it has some 70 prints.

The full week's gross outside India could exceed $4.5 million. Even if the film's takings were to fall by 50 percent in subsequent weeks as it traditionally happens for Bollywood movies, it could still end up with some $8 million.

Unlike in India where the entertainment tax takes away nearly 50 percent of the box office collection, Bollywood producers get about 65 percent of the overseas take.

Bollywood insiders believe that even if Jodhaa Akbar does not do spectacular business in India, the overseas moolah will help it recuperate its reported $10 million budget.

Another reason why the film may not suffer a steep decline in the second week is that there are no big movies challenging Jodhaa Akbar for several weeks, till the action thriller Race, which is also distributed by UTV.

"We strongly feel that Jodhaa Akbar is not going to be a one week phenomenon," Dhar said. "Many people are telling us that they are seeing the film two or three times, taking friends and family members who may not usually see films in theatres. The word has gone out that this is one film you ought to see on the big screen first."

Indian Americans are also spreading the word that Jodhaa Akbar is not like the typical Bollywood production, and some of them are quoting reviews like the one in The New York Times.

'These royals are played by Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan,' Saltz continued, 'two rather astonishing specimens of human beauty. Neither is a great actor, but both know what's required of a star and seem to the palace born.'

She did not forget the music and Kiiran Deohans for his cinematography. 'The film bounces along to a memorable score by A R Rahman. (I am still humming the songs),' Saltz wrote.

Giving the film four stars out of five, the BBC's Tajpal Rathore wrote: 'One is perhaps starting to expect too much from director Ashutosh Gowarikar after such masterpieces like Lagaan and Swades . But he seems to raise the bar with his historic magnum opus, Jodhaa Akbar.'

'Extensive though it is, Jodhaa Akbar cannot be discussed using small talk,' Rathore wrote. 'Everything in the film is big and grand: the palaces, the armies and most importantly, the love story. It hits at the heartstrings and somehow has enough energy to sustain itself through the bloated script that perhaps should've been chopped. Ravishing Rai is convincing enough but it's Roshan's majestic performance as the love-struck warrior that packs the punch; it's his film from start to finish.'

Gowariker knows how to tell a story, declared Sandip Ray in the San Francisco Chronicle, referring specially to Lagaan. But in the new film, the review said, he seems overwhelmed by the sheer weight of history.

'The never-ending opening sequence, a CliffsNotes version of Indian history in superstar Amitabh Bachchan's sonorous baritone, doesn't help either,' Roy added.' Or perhaps the film just topples over under the sheer weight of all that gold jewelry.'

The problem with Jodha and Akbar is that they are both too noble, the reviewer continued.

'Epic stories need epic tragedies or at least forbidden love,' he added.' In the 1960 classic Mughal-E-Azam, the rebellious prince (actually the son of Akbar) falls in love with the beautiful courtesan, and her defiant songs became the anthem of star-crossed lovers. (You still hear South Asians singing it at gay pride parades.)'

But there are moments when the film manages to break free of its limitations, the review said. 'Jodha and Akbar duel in an empty palace courtyard, their swordplay turning into foreplay,' it explained. 'A crowd of Sufis whirl, their white outfits glowing against the brick red earth, and the emperor leaves his seat to dance ecstatically with them. These are the real human moments in the film. One just wishes there were a few more.'

Many viewers in New York and New Jersey cinemas said they were not deterred by the film's length. "We have watched on DVD some films which are just about two hours long and we have found them boring," said a 50-year-old man who had driven 40 miles from Connecticut to see the film in a New York theatre with his wife and grown children "But if a film is well made, who worries about the time? And this kind of a film one must first see in a theatre, never mind what good home entertainment system we have at home."


Courtesy: Rediff.com

‘Music is expression, not competition’

Musician Sukhwinder Singh discusses composing for ‘Halla Bol’, his next project with AR Rahman and the indecency in reality shows with Shridevi Keshavan

He was brushed off by most music directors in Bollywood when Sukhwinder Singh approached them with the composition ‘Chaiyya chaiyya’, a Punjabi poem by Sufi poet Bulle Shah. He finally arrived at composer AR Rahman’s doorstep and it was the beginning of a bright future for the singer/ composer. Sukhwinder Singh, who weaves his rustic voice with melody, recollects the struggle he went through before he was appreciated.

The singer has scored for the yet to be released film ‘Halla Bol’. “I still remember some of the top music composers telling me that the poem ‘Chaiyya chaiyya’ was boring and poking fun at me (of course with no bad intentions); but that’s what they thought. Rahman is imaginative and was thoroughly impressed. In half an hour the song was finalised with the Hindi translation written by Gulzar,” says the musician.

As for Sukhwinder’s compositions in ‘Halla Bol’, apparently director Raj Kumar Santoshi was so impressed by the music that he hugged Sukhwinder. “It was a new experience but not difficult at all. It shouldn’t be difficult for a musician to compose and write lyrics. I have also done the background score,” he says adding that he has written the lyrics for a lot of films including Deepa Mehta’s ‘Water’.

After an unsuccessful attempt with his album ‘Nasha Hi Nasha Hai’, the singer is now working on an album with AR Rahman. The two are working closely on something experimental and are exploring various musical landscapes. “It’s just me and him and we will be trying out some new concepts,” says Sukhwinder who started his career with Rahman. “I used to write lyrics for him,” he adds.

Quiz him about the surge of reality shows and what he thinks of the budding talent that is entering the industry and he says, “It might be a platform but I don’t like the drama and the fights that are inserted to pump up the show. Besides, I have never believed in competitions when it comes to music; it should only apply to sports. Music is expression, not competition,” he sums up

Courtesy: Indianinfo.com 

BIG music acquires music rights of Jodhaa Akbar

Everything about Jodhaa Akbar is ‘Big’. The film not only has the biggest star cast but also the best, namely Hrithik Roshan and Aishwarya Rai Bachchan in lead roles. And with Ashutosh Gowarikar in the director’s seat, Jodhaa Akbar is one of the biggest films of Bollywood to release next year.

Adding to that is BIG Music, which has now got associated with the film. According to reliable sources, it is learnt that BIG Music has acquired the music rights for UTV’s Jodhaa Akbar.

Jodhaa Akbar is based on the life of Emperor Akbar and his wife Jodhaa. The film is all set to release on January 25, 2008.

Courtesy: IndiaFM.com

Rahman to judge reality show

Given the number of music based reality shows on television, one would wonder why someone like AR Rahman would lend his name to one.

But the music maestro, who will seen be in Mission Ustaad on 9X, is quite excited about this show, even though he admits that music reality shows have lost their charm on television. "I agree that music shows aren’t what they used to be, but this show will be different because here the singers are not being judged. It’s the song and the thought that goes behind the song that’s being judged," says Rahman.



The four jodis on the show will sing popular and especially composed songs based on a theme linked to the United Nations’ Millennium Development Goals. Speaking more about the show, which will also see Javed Akhtar and Lara Dutta giving him company on the judges’ panel, Rahman says that he has been approached for a number of reality shows earlier too, but he didn’t want to take part in any run of the mill kind of show. "I have done Super Singer some years back and another show in the South but this is my biggest music show in the North since then," he says. Rahman believes that music can’t be judged but believes that even one song can have the ability to provide hope and encouragement to a person. "We want to see how effective a song can be to promote a cause. I get loads of e-mails from people telling me that they have at times come out of depression and misery after listening to some song. I hope the opposite doesn’t happen when they listen to any of my compositions!" he chuckles.

He shares a good chemistry with the other two judges as well. "I’m the silent one on the show. Javedji is a very learned man and Lara has been associated with UN since long, so she’s always bang on target about her facts," he says.

Considering that he’s busy with Bollywood as well as South projects, will he be willing to do another show on the small screen if he’s approached for it? "If it’s really interesting and innovative, why not?" he adds with a smile. And he’s willing to compromise on other projects as well if that happens. "Even for this show, I had to compromise on some other things, but that’s okay," he says.

Bollywood will get to hear a lot of Rahman in the coming few months, what with three of his Hindi film albums releasing in the next four months or so.

Courtesy: Timesofindia.com

AR Rahman likey to sing for band Kailasa

A R Rahman

After stamping their mark in the music industry with two successful albums, the composer trio of popular band Kailasa are now expanding their domain into Bollywood and are in talks with the Mozart of Madras, A R Rahman, who may sing for them.
Band leader Kailash Kher, together with Mumbai-based Kamath brothers, Paresh and Naresh, are set to compose music for two Bollywood films.

"Yes, me and my colleagues of my band Kailasa, Paresh Kamath and Naresh Kamath, will be composing music for upcoming films Made In China and Allah Ke Bande," said Kher during a telephonic conversation with PTI.
"Together we will be known as Kailash-Paresh-Naresh" he added. The trio who joined hands together in 2006 had brought a whiff of fresh music and regaled audiences with Sufi elements in their first album 'Kailasa' followed by Kailasa Jhoomore a few months ago.
The songs Teri Deewani and Tauba Tauba from the album Kailasa, and Bam Lahari and Saiyaan from Kailasa Jhoomore turned out to be huge hits.
Made in China directed by Nikhil Advani and produced by Ramesh Sippy stars Akshay Kumar [Images] and model-turned-actress Deepika Padukone [Images]. This multicomposer film will also have musicians Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy as well as veteran Bappi Lahiri.
The title track will be done by Kailash-Paresh-Naresh.
"Shankar Mahadevan [Images], who is the main composer in the movie will also sing a track tuned by us," said Kher.
Kailash, who rose to popularity with Allah Ke Bande in the film Aise Bhi Hota Hai, is excited about the possibility of getting A R Rahman to sing for his composition in the upcoming Allah Ke Bande, by debut filmmaker Farooqe Kabir.
"I share a special bond with Rahman and I never miss a chance to work with him. He is blessed by God. His spirituality and simplicity attracts everyone," says Kailash.
The trio is working on a Sufi song and have already discussed it with Rahman.
"Rahman likes the idea and if things fall in line he will be singing this song," adds Kher.
Kher, who is an admirer of late sufi singer Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, says Khan has a great influence on his life.
"I liked his (Nusrat's) selection of songs. All his songs have a philosophical touch. There was an yearning to reach the almighty," said Kher.
Kailash Kher is also associated with a television show titled Mission Ustaad, which will be aired on the new entertainment channel 9X.
"This programme we will entertain people for a cause," said Kailash about the programme which envisages propagating the message of United Nations Millennium Development Goals.
"I'm very excited to be a part of this show. I'll sing, make people happy and ask them to help people in need," said the singer.

Courtesy: Rediff.com

Creating world music

Bulgarian singer and goodwill ambassador of UN’s World Refugee Organisation Dyana Dafova will team up with Indian music legend A.R. Rahman for her next album. Dyana met Rahman during a press conference at Houston in USA last February.
“The meeting was quite accidental. The organisers said that Rahman was in the same hall and invited me to meet him,” Dyana, who is in the city for Ayurveda treatment, said.
Dyana is planning a joint production. “Both of us are composers of world music. Both of us connect across cultures. Rahman is also excited,” Dyana said. The two stalwarts will come together for a creative session this May at Houston.

Dyana said she easily blends “four to five cultures” in a single song of hers. “I employ a whole range of genres from classical and modern to folk, just like Rahman. You can call both of us world musicians,” she said.
Rahman is only her latest link to India. Her American husband Michael Butterfield, who is also her manager, was born in Kolkata. Butterfield, who speaks fluent Hindi, has accompanied her to the city. This is Dyana’s second visit to the State. “We are seriously planning to have a holiday home in Kovalam,” Butterfield said.
What’s more, Dyana is the only European artist ever to be invited by the Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR) for a live performance in the country. The year was 1999, the year her most popular album ‘Charisma’ was released.
‘Charisma’, again, was the only European album to be produced by the Indian company Times Music.
This Bulgarian songwriter/singer is also the only performer in the world who sings in 11 different languages. This includes even Sanskrit. Others are Latin, Celtic, Italian, Japanese, North American Indian, Bulgarian, Arabic and English. “I don’t speak all these languages. But I pick specific words and phrases from these languages and sprinkle them in my lyrics,” she said.
The lyrics of the song ‘Ahadyah’, for instance, is a fusion of Sanskrit, English and Arabic. Incidentally, ‘Ahadyah’ (pronounced ‘aadhya’) was the song selected by NASA, from among thousands of entries, to be played for the astronauts when they reached space in the first flight of the space shuttle Columbia.
“Ahadyah means universe. Sanskrit and Arabic words gave the music a cosmic feel. That could be why NASA selected my song for the astronauts,” Dyana said. “I use language as a connection between cultures. It spreads love, happiness and tolerance,” she said.
Perhaps why Dyana is popularly known as the ‘spiritual voice of Bulgaria’. Her concerts are full of colour and are peppered with dances, just like a Bollywood musical.
It was this contagion of happiness that she spreads which led the United Nations make her the goodwill ambassador of the World Refugee Organisation UNHCR. Dyana is the only European singer to be so recognised. In America too, her popularity is on the rise.
One of her biggest fans is Democratic front runner for the American presidency Hillary Clinton, no less. Dyana keeps correspondence with Hillary ever since she visited Bulgaria as America’s First Lady. Courtesy: Newindpress.com

I have no differences with Aamir Khan: AR Rehman

AR Rahman made an impact with his debut in 1992, although not many believed he would be around for too long. Today, he has become the heartbeat of the nation. He chats about his past, present and future.
Q. What is it about the music industry that makes you angry?
A. I have stopped getting angry. There is no point blaming others. I believe in being the change, not the observer. One person can inspire others, just like one candle can light a million candles. Just be true to yourself. The Internet helps people to focus on their objectives, and to consolidate elements to make a difference.
Q. The Internet is a boon and a bane, what with free downloads.
A. The Internet is like your mind. It can be filled with either good thoughts, or bad thoughts, or both. The Internet is a personal thing.

Q. How do you strike a balance between South Indian films and Bollywood, when it comes to your work?
A. It is terrifying, trying to maintain in both. I am working in a team, the director helps. If I were to work alone, then it would have been difficult.
Q. Do you still work at night?
A. Not anymore, no.
Q. What are your forthcoming Tamil releases?
A. There is one film named 'Sakarkatti', and an animated film named 'Sultan' that Rajnikanth's daughter, Saundarya, is making.
Q. It must be more difficult to compose music for an animation film.
A. Not really. It is the same thing, in fact, you can use your imagination more freely.
Q. Now that you have Hollywood films, have Tamil and Hindi films taken a back seat?
A. In a way, yes. I used to do six to seven Tamil movies, and three to four Hindi films, annually. I have reduced my work by half, and am taking things easier. There is much less stress.
Q. The dubbed version of 'Sivaji' will have Hindi songs with Tamil tunes.
A. Yes, because the Tamil culture should be obvious. We are not trying to set it in a North Indian environment. It is dubbed only so that people can understand.
Q. What are the other releases that you are looking forward to?
A. The album, 'The Lord of the Rings'. It is releasing on December 10, and it is going to be a huge event.
Q. Whom do you like better, Rahman the music director, or Rahman, the singer?
A. That is a difficult question. If you like yourself too much, then you get into trouble, and if you don't, then you get into trouble anyway. So, I am critical.
Q. How do you prevent yourself from getting too complacent?
A. I have always been clear about one thing – I am just an instrument, and God controls me. If I am lazy, just sitting in one place, then I am like a battery that has not been charged. There has to be excitement, which is why I take up projects that are exciting.
Q. How do you deal with critics?
A. The Internet has helped a lot – we can check blogs, and see what people have written, what the negatives and positives are. When we make a film with a big star, we have to make sure the music is in his favour. We cannot then experiment.
Q. How do you adjust to the different environments that you work in?
A. When you are an adult, you speak in varied tones to your child, wife, or intellectual. You become a different person within each situation. That is a simple analogy for the way I work.
Q. Tell us about 'The Lord of the Rings'.
A. It is probably one of the most complex projects that I have been involved in. It is good composition. The whole team was in Chennai recently to complete the mixing. It has more than 15 tracks.
Q. There are rumours of differences between Aamir Khan and you.
A. Just because I am not composing his next film does not mean we have fallen out.
Q. The music of 'Elizabeth – The Golden Age' seems deliberately loud.
A. When we began, the music sounded very arty, and I felt that the film would drag if we continued with the same music. The film itself is artistic, so the pulsating, throbbing music is in contrast to the feel of the music. It was a creative decision to make the film enjoyable.
Q. What are your other forthcoming films, besides 'Ghajini'?
A. There are a few – 'Jane Tu Jane Na', 'Jodha Akbar', 'Yuvraj', 'Aadab', 'Dilli 6', and the Hindi version of 'Sivaji'.
Q. What are your favourite top 10 projects?
A. Very difficult to choose, when it is your own work, but here goes – 'Roza', 'Bombay', 'Taal', 'Lagaan', 'Zubeida', 'Rang De Basanti', 'Dil Se', and 'Rangeela'

Courtesy:Santabanta.com