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Was Rubina's father cheated?
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 4:36 pm Malayalam film based on child beggars: starring 500 kidsMalayalam director Sunil's film on child beggars "Kathaparayum Theruvoram" (Street Symphony), which boasts of starring as many as 500 kids, is finally set to release May 1, nearly six years after its shoot was completed.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 3:50 pm Adnan Sami's death threat, Pakistani authorities informedAfter reported fights between his estranged wife Sabah and friend Pooja Bedi, Adnan Sami has now got death threats.Source: Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 2:52 pm Hugh Jackman stabbed a woman
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 2:41 pm "I tell Timmy that he looks like a YRF hero" - Eesha KoppikharOn a hot summer day when you have to go and interview a hot actress, things start getting hotter the time you reach and ring a bell on that celebrity door. Then starts to cool down when you come to know that she has just declared her passionate relationship with her boyfriend open to the public and media. Welcome to the 'Home Sweet Home' of the Koppikhars. A maid opens the door and I see a scorchingly thin figure wearing a track suit in a wake up mood and mode. Took me a few seconds to figure out that the lady standing was Eesha. Sometimes a thin figure that makes clothes look elegant can seriously under whelm without the curvature the camera adds. But as Eesha escorts me to her small cute little sitting area, I'm braced for a complete showdown. Miss Koppikhar was mesmerizingly lovely because her no-make up-face complimenting the track suit made her look like the world's cuddliest actress. All that was missing was the leonine spark familiar from photos and TV appearances. What hit the jackpot though was her million dollar smile and her face looking as crisp as a lady pink apple. Unbelievably, this is how she looks in morning-after mode. But before we began our candid chat, she introduces me to her grandmother, father, mother and Mougli, her pet Alsatian, who comes barking towards me. "It's a friend Mougli", shouts Eesha. Mougli wags his tail in delight and accepts my greeting. Met the members? Now meet the pampered princess, for whom the greatest blessings aren't found in the cordoned-off VIP area but around her family and her loved boyfriend, with whom the actress plans to get married sooner or later and live a happily ever after life. UK's Harrow Observer columnist and Bollywood Hungama's London correspondent Devansh Patel gets personal over the most personalized chat Eesha Koppikhar has ever had since her acting career where she talks about her soon to be released two Mukta Arts Films, her most ambitious unreleased project, Shabri, the turning point in her career and the love of her life, the handsome hotelier, Rohit Narang and her way of keeping busy after marriage. Over to the self made woman who quotes, "I have no God father in this industry. Just one God, one father and one mother". How did your likeness for Rohit Narang blossom into love? Rohit and I were in touch over the phone and text messages for more than two years now. We've bumped into each other at social gatherings and I quite liked him as a person as he seemed to have a positive frame of mind and an honest approach in what he does. I started going around with him from the longest day of the year in 2008, June 21. And as I got to know him, I discovered that he is a very generous soul and a helpful person. Whatever I liked gradually blossomed into love. So it's been a romantic journey since ten months now. Rohit and I were in touch over the phone and text messages for more than two years now Post your new found love life, have you also found a new Eesha Koppikhar who'll be looking at films differently? Yes, I found a new love life and a whole new Eesha Koppikhar but after Shabri, Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi and a couple of more films like these, with or without Rohit, I made up my mind that I am going to be more selective with the kind of scripts I'll be taking on. I want to do films which portray some kind of a message now, rather than just be running around trees. I want to be a part of serious cinema. I'm not saying parallel or cross over films but some serious, substantial roles which label you as an actor more than just a good looker. So you're saying that in your acting career, you've only had couple of films worth signing? Not really. But the fact is that people still remember me for my Kya Kool Hain Hum performance. Having said that, I've never really been that happy with my roles in terms of performances as it's a male dominated industry where female actresses don't have much to do anyway. Nevertheless, if something really nice comes my way which may not be that performance oriented, I may take it on. Now you've got a helping hand at home, Timmy Narang aka Rohit Narang for your decision making. Of course. Timmy is a businessman and he is very analytical about what one should do. So he definitely throws in his inputs on how I need to handle my career. If it makes sense to me, I listen to him. If not, I don't (laughs). Not many know that a programme on Sab TV called FIR was inspired by your character in Kya Kool Hain Hum. You're right. FIR has Kavita Kaushik doing a Haryanvi accent just like I did in Kya Kool Hain Hum. The truth is that I met the director of FIR in Gold's Gym where he told me about his likeness for my role in the film and that he had created Kavita's role especially after seeing the film. That's an honour. Plus I've also had a few cops saluting me and saying that they want a character like mine in their police station. I've had a few cops saluting me and saying that they want a character like mine in their police station Brief us about your first time experience of working with Mukta Arts? Right Ya Wrong is a suspense thriller where I play a grey character. It's a very mysterious kind of a role. Then I'm doing my second film with Mukta Arts called Hello Darling which is an out and out comedy. I play Satyavati Chautala who gets a job in Mumbai. There is Celina, Gul and Javed Jaffery in this nonsensical and a mad comic caper. What about your long awaited and anticipated Ram Gopal Varma film? Oh God, yeah. Shabri it is. I play a gangster in the film. Actually a slum dweller, a woman who is spoilt and sandwiched between the Mafia and the cops. It is interesting to know that whatever films I've done for Ram Gopal Varma so far are all special appearances. A role like Shabri is given to you once in a life time. The role was so demanding for me that I had to be hospitalized after the film was over. You can imagine the amount of stress I got under to play a role of a slum dweller. If the role isn't done well, it can just fall flat on your face. I still don't know how the audiences are going to receive it but everybody I meet talks about when Shabri is going to release. Well, only RGV has the answer to that I guess. Shabri was so demanding for me that I had to be hospitalized after the film was over Do you thank Lalit Marathe for watching RGV's D. Yes, you can say that. Lalit who is still waiting for his directorial debut Shabri to be released saw me in D. He liked the scene from the film where I am washing the utensils just before Chunky Pandey gets killed. That's when he decided to cast me for Shabri of course it was also Ramu who had his say. In fact, even after the death scene of Chunky, I got a call from Javed saab and Shabana ji saying that they hadn't seen an actress cry like that in any film. I was really ecstatic that evening after the comment. But you were not Ram Gopal Varma's first choice for Shabri. I still remember the day when Ramu called me to his office where he showed me a promo of Shabri which was cut with Antra Mali in it. But for some reason, things didn't work out with Antra and the director. Ramu too wasn't keen. But we all know how Ramu is. He was in two minds before he finalized me for the title role. But once he saw the rushes, Ramu was convinced. He said, "I can't believe it. I thought you would be the one who'd stick out as a sore thumb". Even now when I look at my Don pictures and put them next to my Shabri pictures, I can't believe it. We also hear about the Kali Mata's blessings in disguise which got you your dream role Shabri. Yup. This incident took place just hours before I got my role as Shabri. I often visit the Sitladevi temple. Just next to Sitladevi is my kuldevi Shantadurga and bang opposite her is Kali Mata's temple. I paid my respects to Kali Maa. There is a saying in the temple that only a crying baby gets milk. So I asked. Asked for a rocking film to come my way. Then suddenly a flower fell right in front of me and I took it with me as her blessings. The same day I got a call from Ram Gopal Varma to come to his office. The rest is history. What are the other things you've realized about yourself besides being an actor? Apart from Eesha Koppikhar the actor, there are a lot of other things I want to do in my life. I love fitness and food. Timmy is an hotelier and I want to do something there as well. I don't want to work all my life doing just movies. So I am tapping different sides of my talent. Meanwhile, because of the current meltdown, I am also doing other activities. Like, I am appearing for my black belt in Tae Kwon Do. As for films, I am in and out of narrations, listening for new scripts, etc. My idea is not to do just anything to be busy and to keep my diary full. I want to do something like Shabri and Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi. The fate of the film does not matter to me. Aren't you fed up of the 'Khallas' song? I mean, you're still known in the media and your fans as the 'Khallas Girl'. (Laughs) Khallas was a benchmark song for me. That's the song I was and I am still recognized by. That was a monster of a song. People had not seen a song like that. I mean, there is so much of me than just that song. Love it or hate it but you can't ignore 'Khallas'. Again, thanks to Ram Gopal Varma. Love it or hate it but you can't ignore 'Khallas'. Again, thanks to Ram Gopal Varma. Elections are coming up Eesha. How secured are you today with what's been happening in our country? I don't feel secured at all. I want a people's government. I don't believe in politics. I believe in policies. Having said that, if I want my type of government, I better vote. The government has just been making plans but fail to execute them. They need to bring back the lost trust in us, and now is the time. Post 26/11, things have definitely changed. I am a celebrity. I may not go to a mall but when my friends or family visit, I get scared. That's what the black day has done to me. Any of your films which Rohit has seen and has liked? He liked Kya Kool Hain Hum, he cried seeing Ek Vivaah Aisa Bhi and loved Shabri. Me, Lalit and Rohit saw Shabri together. Rohit also said, "I don't know how this film will fare but you have done your best ever work in Shabri". I then told him, "You look like this YRF film hero. You're tall, smart and suited all the time".Source: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:05 pm Harman bitter about Priyanka's new love?
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 11:23 am Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra travel in Mumbai local trainKaminey - the very term that could actually invoke anybody to bash the person mouthing it, also happens to be the name of the much anticipated film that stars Shahid Kapoor alongwith the Priyanka Chopra and directed by the ever so versatile Vishal Bhardwaj. For many days, after the announcement of the film, not even a single soul got to know of Shahid's double role in it, a much guarded secret that has now become the USP of the film! So much for irony. The adjoining snap has Shahid in one of his most likeable avatars alongwith Miss Chopra, which has been shot inside of a train. Well, the news from our reliable sources also has it that the till now chocolate boy Shahid will be seen as someone who is totally absolutely raw, rigid and sturdy! Not just that, even the locations in which the film has shot have been kept as rustic as possible, which includes local stations, and scarp and junkyards! Word also has it that in this film, Priyanka plays an extremely vocal Maharashtrian girl, who believes in making herself heard. If that wasn't enough, then, hear this one. Kaminey also marks the 'debut' of Amole Gupte as the ruthless villain. For starters, Amole is the very name that was in eternal spotlight for quite sometime, courtesy the 'creative differences' between him and Aamir Khan, during the shoot of Taare Zameen Par. Well, we are just having galore of reasons to yearn for that time machine as we just cannot wait any longer for Kaminey. Quiz: Films in which Bollywood Heroes played villainous rolesSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 11:00 am Gwyn selling treasured clothes for New York charityLondon (ANI): Hollywood actress Gwyneth Paltrow is auctioning off her most treasured clothes from her incredible wardrobe in a bid to raise money for a New York charity that fights poverty. The Great Expectations actress, who is busy filming Iron ManSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:59 am Famous cricketer-actress link-ups - Rediff
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:58 am Filmmakers protest as Vashu promotes Kal Kissne DekhaEven as filmmakers stand united in their protest against the multiplexes and are refraining from releasing their films till the issue around revenue sharing is solved, there have been murmurs that some of them are unhappy with Vashu Bhagnani for having begun promotion for Kal Kissne Dekha. Even though there is uncertainty around the release of this Jackky Bhagnani starrer (or any other Bollywood film for that matter), a few others are miffed with the airing of song promos of this Vivek Sharma directed film. Says a filmmaker who wishes to be unnamed, "It was clearly decided that no film would release till the time producers and multiplexes do not come to a consensus. This was the reason why the strike date of 4th April was announced in advance so that makers could abort the promotion plans, if any, of their forthcoming films. It was meant to be a complete boycott. This is why it is surprising to see the songs from Kal Kissne Dekha being on the air. Everyone's question is 'why'? Why is Vashu Bhagnani doing that when he knows that he should not be releasing his film till we all are in agreement." Another filmmaker adds, "By bringing the songs of his film on air, he is giving out a sense of urgency to the multiplexes which makes our stand weak. It's unfair. Couldn't he have waited for a while? Today when there are no new promos on the air of any other film, why is Kal Kissne Dekha being in focus?" Vashu Bhagnani has his answers handy though. "First and foremost, please let me reaffirm once again that I am with my other producers at every step which is being taken in our stand against the multiplexes. So let me state on record once again that Kal Kissne Dekha, by no means, would be bypassing any other film in it's aspiration to be released earlier. No, that won't happen. It will come at it's normal course once we all take a decision around waiting for multiplexes to agree to our terms or decide to head towards the single screens", he announces. "Rahi baat song promos ki toh the fact here is that it is difficult to hold on to a film's promotion once it has been kick started", says Vashu in his defence, "The promotion of Kal Kissne Dekha had begun to a little extent before the strike was announced. Now since the album is already on stands and buzz had started building for the film and its music, I couldn't have afforded to be 100% laidback around the promotion." He further adds, "In any case song promos have come on air just now and we are being low key in our approach. But if this is converted to zero, it would send out wrong signals amongst the audience. Tomorrow once we will have to start the promotion again; it would appear to be a slightly dated product. I don't want that to happen." Vashu Bhagnani finds a supporter in filmmaker Ramesh Taurani. "There is a directive to stop release of movies, not music. If a filmmaker has released his music, he has to promote it. I don't see Vashu Bhagnani doing anything out of the way. The music has to find support system through means of promotion otherwise it may seem dated if it sits on the stands for weeks. I am sure though that he would bring his film only after the stand off is resolved", says Ramesh Taurani. So what are Vashu's plans from here on? "At the end of the day, if there is someone who is forced to spend extra money, it is me. The longer the stand off continues, the more I will end up spending on its promotion. But yes, what I am doing is to have the songs coming on only 2-3 channels rather than those dozens of music and other entertainment channels. That's my promise to other filmmakers that I am not going overboard on the promotion. Also, let me reassure that I won't hijack my film into the release calendar at the expense of other films", promises Vashu. Poll: Is Bollywood doing the right thing by boycotting film releases in multiplexesSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:54 am Campbell to move to Russia with billionaire beauLondon (ANI): Supermodel Naomi Campbell is reportedly drawing plans to move to Russia to settle down with her billionaire beau. The supermodel has been involved with Vladislav Doronin since last May and hops between her London and NewSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:38 am Will it be 3 Idiots vs My Name is Khan?
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:27 am Don't come too close, Prachi tells Tusshar
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 10:02 am Peter Andre plans another baby with JordanMelbourne(ANI): Popstar Peter Andre has revealed plans to have another baby with wife Katie Price aka Jordan. Peter, who is already a father of two kids and a stepson with Jordan, revealed that he is looking forward toSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:53 am Rohit Roy to imitate Big B?
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:53 am Karan Johar shoots in Mumbai slums for My Name Is KhanAfter Slumdog Millionaire, the West wants more of the Mumbai slums. Last week Karan Johar shot some key slum sequences in Borivali with the Slumdog Millionaire kid Tanay Chedda who plays SRK's childhood role in My Name Is Khan, and the incredibly underused Zarina Wahab who plays SRK's mother. Karan chose the boy to play the childhood part of Shah Rukh's life not only because of his facial likeness to Shah Rukh, but also because of Tanay's instant connectivity with the Mumbai slums and thereafter the Western audience. Says Karan, "Tanay is exceptionally talented. He was able to imbibe Shah Rukh's character traits and use them to make SRK's childhood look convincing." The director now intends to cast Tanay as junior SRK whenever required, much in the way that Master Mayur played the young Amitabh Bachchan in a series of films. Poll: Will film offers dry up for the Slumdog Millionaire kids after few years Karan's exposition on the Muslim identity is expected to reach out to a global non-NRI audience. Though the take-off point for My Name Is Khan is 9/11, not a single shot is taken in New York. The film is set in Los Angeles and San Francisco. Two of the most expensive cities in the US for shooting. While Karan Johar's production of Rensil D'Silva's Kareena-Saif film on terrorism will have Philadelphia masquerading as New York, Johar's own directorial take on terrorism and the isolation of the working-class Muslim has gone to the two actual US cities were the plot is location. Karan shot in LA earlier this year. He leaves for San Francisco in May for a 40-day schedule. The first and last Hindi film to be shot in San Francisco was Imtiaz Ali's Love Aaj Kal. Putting his shoulder surgery behind him, Shah Rukh with best friend Karan Johar and favourite co-star Kajol to accompany him would be gone to San Francisco for 40 days in May and June. With Aamir Khan vacationing with his children out of the country and SRK busy with IPL, the two purported architects and the mediator Karan Johar for the solution for the multiplex crisis are all out of the loop, putting a large question mark before the deadlock that threatens to shut the film industry.Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:42 am Slumdog kid said yes to Saudi - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:32 am A 'Mallika' milkshake topped with whipped cream - Times of India
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:30 am Abhishek-Aishwarya off on their Wedding Anniversary holidayBollywood's most glamorous married couple won't be in India for their second marriage anniversary on April 20. Abhishek and Aishwarya are off for a week-long holiday to an undisclosed destination to bring in their vacation. Poll: Which is your favourite real life Bollywood couple Says a source, "Last year Abhishek was slogging it out in Miami for Dostana and Aishwarya joined him there for their wedding anniversary. This year they were again supposed to be working, though happily together, for the next schedule of Mani Ratnam's Raavan on their anniversary." But with Mani Ratnam asked by doctors to rest out for a while, the schedule has been slightly pushed ahead, giving the pair a chance to go for a much-needed holiday. Says the source, "In fact Mani had suggested he'd start the schedule later to give Abhishek and Aishwarya a chance to take time off for their anniversary. But the couple had refused. It's only now when the schedule is pushed ahead that they've decided to take that anniversary holiday."Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:23 am Abhi-Ash off to an undisclosed destination
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:15 am Winehouse to match tunes with Justin TimberlakeWashington (ANI): Singer Amy Winehouse might just match tunes with popstar Justin Timberlake, for she is reportedly thinking of collaborating with the 'SexyBack' singer on a new song. The 'Rehab' singer is currently working on her third albumSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 9:09 am Susan Boyle accepts Morgan's dinner invitationLondon (ANI): Britain's Got Talent's star Susan Boyle has accepted judge Piers Morgan's dinner invitation. The 47-year-old had left everyone dazed with her jaw-dropping performance of the Les Miserable song 'I Dreamed a Dream' on the ITV talentSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 8:52 am Comedian Suraj Venjaramoodu turns heroMany comedians have cashed in on their popularity and landed up doing lead roles in the films. But history suggests that these comedians never succeeded in the lead roles and ended up no where. Looking at thisSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 8:39 am I've informed Pakistan's PM, president about death threats: Adnan SamiAfter reported fights between his estranged wife Sabah and friend Pooja Bedi, Adnan Sami has now got death threats. The Bollywood singer says he has informed Pakistani Prime Minister Yousuf Raza Gilani and President Asif Ali Zardari about the calls.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 Apr 2009 | 8:01 am Wishing Arshad Warsi a very happy BirthdayHe is one of the most 'A'rguably 'R'eal 'S'pontaneous 'H'ero 'A'nd 'D'irector's actor! Well, if you were to pick only the initials of the above, then, all the roads will surely lead to the domain of today's Birthday boy Arshad Warsi! He is the man who gave the term 'circuit' a total makeover, courtesy the hugely successful 'Munnabhai' series! After having stepped into Bollywood, with the mega musical treat called Tere Mere Sapne, Arshad went on to do films which only paved the way for him to become every cine goer's earnest dream come true! Films like Hero Hindustani, Waisa Bhi Hota Hai Part II, Maine Pyaar Kyun Kiya, Salaam Namaste, Kabul Express, Dhamaal, Golmaal Returns, Sunday etc⦠will always stand as glowing testimonies to this. It was only after the 'Munnabhai' series that Arshad got his mega superstar status, something that he has kept alive till date, with his choice of films and his dedicated and sincere performances in the same. With an array of films under his belt, the year 2009 only surely promises to be a super cool year for Arshad, the multi talented actor! Join Bollywood Hungama as we wish Arshad Warsi a very happy Birthday, by posting your wishes below:Source: BollywoodHungama.com News | 20 Apr 2009 | 7:12 am Susan Boyle offered $1m to lose virginity on cameraMelbourne (ANI): Britain's Got Talent's unique finding Susan Boyle, who has taken the world's breath away with her voice, has been offered 1 million dollars to lose her virginity on camera.The 47-year-old virgin got the offer from an adult entertainment company,Source: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 7:00 am The Plight of Playback?A cross-section of playback singers on whether the specialised art of playback singing has been compromised in recent times Alka Yagnik: I agree with Shaan completely. Playback is a very specialised, difficult job, but what we are getting are 'general' singers. Technological advantages have made things easy, unlike in our times when what we recorded was what everyone heard. But fundamentally, the problem lies in this attitude of sab chalta hai. Everyone's on a trip to be different or new, without realising what they are doing to music and to the art form. I must also say that with this diffusion of work, the younger generation of genuine playback singers, including Sunidhi Chauhan, Shreya Ghoshal, Mahalakshmi Iyer and Shaan and his contemporaries have never even got the long time-span my generation and my singers had to flower. For example, there are already options present for Sunidhi and Shreya as their clones! But I am an optimist. I think that a reversal will happen and that music and singers are not doomed! Yeh bhi ek daur hai! Udit Narayan: I agree with Shaan too. Playback singing for me is about imbibing the artiste on-screen within, whether it is Amitabh Bachchan in Deewaar or Shahid Kapoor in Vivah. But today, in the name of newness, experimentation or other excuses, playback singing is no longer in a healthy phase. The ironic thing is that there is no shortage of talent - talent in our country is burgeoning every year, but the tapasya, mehnat and application are missing! A playback singer is one who understands what a song needs and a composer wants and then delivers the correct emotions in words delivered clearer than a mirror so that we understand and absorb the song immediately. Sab ko chance milna chahiye is fine, but what is needed even more vitally is a true, good artiste. Let me tell you a home-truth - it is only such a singer who will endure. The rest will be passing sensations. It is not for nothing that Lataji and Rafisaab flourished for decades. Mahalakshmi Iyer: "Anything goes!" is the mantra. Newness and experimentation are buzzwords. Now budgetary constraints and too many new entrants are also key factors, along with the multiplex culture that is about low-budget films with OST-kind of soundtracks where only bits and parts of a song are heard in the background. The result is that music isn't what it used to be and songs are just being put into a film and do not generate real excitement. Music directors today come from diverse origins like bands and have their own teams. But the scary part is th lack of quality control. New voices, if chosen, should have basic skills in the specific needs of playback and the disheartening and alarming part of this fad or trend is that singers who lack these are employed. The vocal quality has gone down, though there are some truly deserving new singers too. No one is in awe of true-blue playback singers any more and I only hope that like with the pop craze only the most deserving ones remain. KK: I believe in "Live and let live". It is the music director's prerogative to cast a singer and try out new voices and if the public likes the voice, what's wrong? After all, anyone who does not ike a particular voice has the option of switching off the song! You must remember that the song remains within a film for just a few minutes, but after that it has a life of its own - so the suitability on an actor is something that I do not consider very important. Having said that, things have changed a lot in music. I do accept that singers, especially those who are untrained or not professional, should keep their mental balance and not turn arrogant because one or more songs have become popular. They should not stray from the pitch of the song. I admit that a lot of riff-raff has come in of late, but that group will never last long and only singers who improve on the job will sustain. Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:56 am "The era of playback singing should come to an end" - ShaanHe is one of the frontline playback singers of the millennium - and listing his hits would occupy too much space. But Shaan says that playback singing, in the truest sense, seems to be going out of fashion Till 2008, you were pretty prolific in films. Have you consciously scaled down your playback work? The last big setup film for which I have sung is Dostana for which I rendered Kuchh kam. Before that, I had films like Race, Kismet Konnection, Love Story 2050, Drona and several songs in Ek Vivaah...Aisa Bhi. But trends are changing. Today, music directors and filmmakers are consciously not touching the regular voices like KK, Kunal Ganjawala, Sonu Nigam, Udit Narayanji and me. Do you see this as a passing phase or a new, lasting scenario? I don't know. As long as everyone out there is happy, it will last. But if this trend is prolonged, we will benefit because by that time we will no longer remain regular singers! (Laughs)On the plus side, we are seeing a few nice melodies and a part-revival in lyrics that have now gone beyond pyar, dil and diwana. Do you really see a revival of lyrics? There is only a lot of English and Punjabi and virtually no new thoughts or depth. On reflection, yes, I agree with you that it is more about newness and smart word-play rather than actual improvement or more substance. (Smiles wryly) How much has this affected you personally? For me, it's a nice, relaxed phase - and I am still recording something every day. A lot of my work is with new and nameless music directors and for me that translates as a lot more space and freedom as they are very receptive to my inputs about lyrics, music, vocal nuances and so on. You have been always known and even admired by music directors as a singer who gives creative inputs to your songs. I think that a singer must offer his honest inputs in a positive way. For one, I have to keep myself fresh and non-repetitious. For another, once a song is done, it's done, so if I can suggest improvement to any specific aspect, why shouldn't I do so before the song takes shape for posterity? Your observation about regular playback singers being avoided is bang-on. What do you think about everyone from actors, pop singers and raw voices to music directors themselves increasingly facing the microphone? (Shrugs) I do not want to sound as if grapes are sour for me. But I sometimes feel that the era of playback singing should come to an end. Softwares that ensure that actors sound perfect make even stars seem perfectly in sur - not just here but also in Hollywood. Remember that the playback system began because actors could not sing!! Today, music directors are even singing for each other. Maybe they are feeling the pinch that thanks to stage-shows being on the rise, a song is known by either the actor or the singer and not as their creations! Yes, I am happy that today's composers are genuinely friends with each other, but let's face it, playback singing is a specialised job with a lot of thought given to a song, apart from the brief from the song's creators! Maybe it's all about song-budgets? I don't think so. The composers who are singing themselves are all big names, so such constraints are unlikely. Besides, how much do we singers charge anyway? No, I see this as a specific trend. Okay, playback singing, we concur, is a specialised job. What else do you have to say? A film song, to me, is an expression of the emotions of a character in a situation. Therefore it should touch the heart. The right nuances should be there and that requires gaayaki. Look at a lot of Jatin-Lalit's songs, for example, in the '90s - they had these qualities, the singers were cast in the right manner and the songs were so simple that you could have removed all the instruments and still cherished the vocals and the tunes. To me, any form of art - including poetry and music - should by definition be about beauty and should reflect it. These qualities cannot be overlooked, but they are being sidetracked. There are so many alarming areas as well. Explain. We are having voices who have atrocious diction. If proper diction has to be dispensed with, it can be done in an exceptional case dictated by character or situation, not as a norm! Agar ucchaaran theek nahin hai to hum gaane ko samajh hi nahin paayenge (We cannot understand the words if the pronunciation is incorrect)! Which is what is happening too frequently nowadays, and everyone is being encouraged because a few such songs work big-time, or are said to have done so because they are promoted on television and radio! There is no effort to correct this, because no one cares! Another area of trouble is that besura singing is ignored or found "cute" and excuses like 'natural raw voice' and 'novelty' are given. Obviously, the more conscientious people use pitch-correction software for these kind of voices. So when singers like us are recording and find ourselves imperfect at points, the music directors are resistant to pitch-correction for us, because they feel we are better! But if pitch-correction can help good singers sound even better, I feel that it should be used! What about suitability of voice to actor? Again by definition, playback means a voice that seems to be coming from an actor's mouth! I feel consternation when I hear or read of someone saying proudly, "Things have opened up now! A voice need not match the actor!" I find it illogical. Almost a decade ago, I had recorded Toone mujhe pehchaana nahin for Ajay Devgan in Raju Chacha. But when I watched the film, I was aghast! I realised that my thin voice wasn't suiting Ajay at all! From that time, I have always made a special effort - whenever I know which actor the song will go on screen - to modulate my voice. I have sung for Ajay in some songs later and you can see the results in those songs, like in Masti. I think that this is not an "opening up" but an indifferent, easy way out! True. Sometimes even the compositions do not fit the mood of the respective song. You said it - and some of these songs are superhits !! It's bizarre. I think that certain basic fundamentals should not be changed just for the sake of change. Do you think that if they had their way, they would change the order of the alphabet and numbers just to change something! (Laughs) Yes. There is this recent soundtrack that has made a lot of waves along with the film - but it had everything wrong with it but worked! Moreover, most good playback singers are versatile, but today, if you are an all-rounder and advertise the fact, you could be in great trouble, because the need today is of singers, composers and lyricists who only have a specific forte! How have you adapted to this hopefully-transient scenario? Well, I have never said things like, "Singing is my bloodline, so I breathe music, live music or exist only for music!" So all this has given me the opportunity to try out other avenues of my personality, like freaking out on a television show that has nothing to do with music. The graph will always be downward, which is why the average song of yore will always be the masterpiece of today! As entertainment gets broader, all this is bound to happen and one must be prepared for it. But yes, film music and playback singing automatically have certain prerequisites and it's not nice to know that those are being defiled. Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:53 am Agent Provocateur's steamy lingerie forest adLondon (ANI): Women dominate men with their sex appeal, this is the message that comes from the new Agent Provocateur ad. A gang of girls dressed in lingerie and swimwear, and led by supermodel Karen Elson are shown using men asSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:50 am "I wear a lot of seductive clothes" - Dia MirzaDownload image as wallpaper What did you feel when you first stepped into the seductive red gown you wear in Acid Factory? I was super excited by designers Shantanu and Nikhil's creation. And when I looked at myself in the mirror I said 'Wow'! Would you wear something like that in real life? Of course! In fact I wear a lot of seductive clothes and then all my friends exclaim 'Oh, you are looking hot!' It is only that the characters I have portrayed on screen were sweet and innocent, so filmmakers and people cannot imagine me as hot or sexy. Would you like to do more films presenting you as hot and sexy? I would like to be presented in many different ways! How did you feel being the only girl in an all-male film? I enjoyed all the attention my six co-stars, Aftab Shivdasani, Dino Morea, Danny Denzongpa, Fardeen Khan, Irrfan Khan and Manoj Bajpai showered on me during that 45-day schedule in Hyderabad. However, later I became one of them and then it was on a man-to-man level. What if six men were to woo you in real life? It's really never happened, but it would be fun. Like any woman I would bask in all the attention. Are you likely to woo a man? Hmmm, I think once in a way it's fun for a woman to chase a man. I would enjoy wooing a man, who is not paying me too much attention, because I would love to know the reason. He'll definitely keep me on my toes. So what traits in a man would attract you? At first instant it would be the way he carries himself. That would be in the way he greets me, my family and in the way he treats the help in the house. But of course with time, it has to be about how bright he is, how good a conversationalist, how emotionally intelligent etcetera. The list is long indeed! Have you met anyone like that? I have met a lot of interesting men. But no one has managed to have an effect on me in that way for a while. Click above for more movie stills There were rumours about you being close to Sanjay Gupta and Arshad Warsi! As long as the people concerned and my family know what the truth is, I don't think I have to clarify rumours. What made you take up the role of a nerd with negative shades in Jai Veeru? Okay, so the film and I are not getting rave reviews but I don't regret doing it. I signed it four years back during my lean phase. Things have taken off since, but it does not take away the fact that I was signed when I was fed up of people telling me that I was talented and beautiful but not offering me work. Otherwise what attracts you to a film? I leave it to my gut feel! My biggest high is when a filmmaker tells me that no one but I can do the film. Shoojit Sircar's Johnny Mastana (earlier Shoebite) is special because the director told me that. In Johnny Mastana, you are married to a UK-based businessman and in Kissan you are married to a son of the soil. In real life, would the professions matter to you? For marriage, lot more things come into play, other than a person's profession. Like how grounded he is, how he gets along with his and my family, how independent he is and his values . What does marriage mean to you? It's a life-long journey between two individuals. Are you a romantic person? Yes, very. I'm very romantic for my family and all my close friends as well. I love pampering my close ones with gifts and surprises. Is a candle-lit dinner the ultimate in romance for you? No. The most romantic gesture I have seen is when a man notices his partner is uncomfortable in a crowded room and without uttering a word he goes across and puts his arm around her. Not a single word spoken, but everything said by that gesture. Screen IndiaSource: BollywoodHungama.com Features | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:48 am Farrah Fawcett's weight plummets to 86 poundsWashington (ANI): Farrah Fawcett's weight has plummeted to 86 pounds, her son Redmond O'Neal told a judge. While in a Los Angeles court on Friday, Redmond revealed that his ailing mother Fawcett is down to just 86 pounds. He made theSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:42 am Danielle Bux’s mum nicked for shopliftingLondon (ANI): Danielle Bux’s mother has been arrested for shoplifting from a B&Q store. Dopey Kim Lewis, mother of the Hell's Kitchen star and fiancée of football legend Gary Lineker, along with her friend stuck her own homemade price labels onSource: Oneindia.in - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:38 am Aamir wants to take on SRK at the Box Office - Oneindia
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:27 am MACTA members disrupt filming - Galatta.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 6:16 am 'I want a fair deal for multiplexes' - Daily News & Analysis
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 5:18 am Abhi-Ash off to an undisclosed destination - NDTV.com
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 4:26 am Rohit Roy reprises Big B's role in 'Abhimaan' adaptationActor-director Rohit Roy is all set to step into Amitabh Bachchan's shoes for the Bengali adaptation of 1973 hit film 'Abhimaan', best remembered for its songs like 'Teri bindiya re' and superlative performances by the Big B and Jaya Bachchan.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 Apr 2009 | 3:00 am Bollywood's new music mantra - multiple composers for one filmBollywood doesn't shy away from experimenting and filmmakers are always game to bring about changes in the industry to yield better results. After multi-starrers and director duos, hiring multiple composers for one movie is the latest trend in filmdom.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 Apr 2009 | 2:30 am Don't come too close, Prachi Desai tells Tusshar KapoorTusshar Kapoor says Prachi Desai, who stars opposite him in 'Life Partner', was not comfortable doing intimate scenes with him and was too much into the 'don't touch me' mode.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 20 Apr 2009 | 2:00 am Shahid and Priyanka are Bollywood`s new couple!!Shahid and Priyanka`s growing proximity has dubbing them as Bollywood`s `it` couple.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Jennifer Garner blames Ben Affleck for daughter`s messy hair !Hollywood actress Jennifer Garner has revealed that the person responsible for her daughter Violet`s messy hair is her father Ben Affleck.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Shah Rukh eyes Oscar; wants to work with Deepa Mehta!!Shah Rukh Khan has now set his eyes on an Oscar.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am `Slumdog Millionaire` kid up for sale? Dad denies report!Rubina Ali`s father wanted to sell his daughter, reports a website after it carried a sting operation.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Nicole Kidman opens up about her troubled marriage!Academy award-winning actress Nicole Kidman has opened up about her marriage to country singer Keith Urban saying that his alcohol addiction had put a huge strain on their relationship.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Life with Jessica is beautiful, says Timberlake!Pop superstar Justin Timberlake says his life with his girlfriend Jessica Biel is "beautiful".Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Kanye West poses with naked girlfriend for advertisement!Kanye West has now found a new way to promote his range of Louis Vuitton sneakers; through provocative advertisements.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Macca pays tribute to late wife at Coachella fest!Sir Paul McCartney used his appearance at California`s Coachella music festival on April 17 to pay tribute to his late wife Linda – who died of breast cancer in 1998 on the same day.Source: Zee News : Entertainment | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:28 am Genelia wishes Fanta contest winnersGenelia, who has turned into a youth sensation following her role in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na, was in Chennai again to meet the winners of Fanta’s Bunk with Genelia Contest.Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Poonam Dhillon’s B’day Bash [Gallery]Source: IndiaGlitz.com - News | 20 Apr 2009 | 12:00 am Boy dies while imitating reality TV stunt
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Apr 2009 | 5:01 pm 'Slumdog' star Rubina's mom drags her, ex-husband to police'Slumdog Millionaire' fame Rubina Ali's mother Khushi Sunday afternoon lodged a complaint with police following media reports that her estranged husband allegedly attempted to 'sell' their daughter, a police official said.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 3:02 pm Sorry, no politics for me, says actor MohanlalMalayalam superstar Mohanlal Sunday ruled out a political career for himself.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 3:00 pm My father didn't try to sell me: Rubina
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Apr 2009 | 2:20 pm Slumdog child was up for sale: Reports
Source: NDTV Entertainment News | 19 Apr 2009 | 1:48 pm Abhishek, Aishwarya off on wedding anniversary holidayBollywood's most talked about married couple Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai won't be in India for their second wedding anniversary Monday. They have taken off on a week-long holiday to an undisclosed destination.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 1:30 pm Son kills father for not voting for Chiranjeevi's partyIn a shocking incident, a die-hard fan of actor-turned-politician Chiranjeevi killed his father for not casting his vote for the superstar's newly formed Praja Rajyam Party (PRP).Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 1:00 pm Rajnikant daughter's tie-up with Hollywood studio endsRajnikant daughter Saundarya's tie-up with Hollywood major Warner Bros for 'Goa' has ended, sources in the know said Sunday.Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 1:00 pm 'Uda' another failed attempt by Shashank RajFilm: 'Uda'; Cast: Yuvaraj, Sanchitha, Nisha Shetty, Swathi, Padma Vasanthi, Muni, Harish Raj, Sathyajith, Killer Venkatesh and others; Director: Shashank Raj; Producer: Akbar Pasha; Music Director: Bharani Shree; Camera: R. Nageshwara Rao; Rating: *Source: IndiaeNews.com: Bollywood News | 19 Apr 2009 | 12:31 pm Shahid, Priyanka's romance blooming - Bollywood Mantra
Source: Google News India - Entertainment | 19 Apr 2009 | 10:27 am
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