Film Industry: September 2012

I am a Mumbaiyya Kannadathi! ...says Bangalore girl Sowmya Raoh as she takes India for a ride with her new item number, Dreamum Wakeupum from Aiyyaa that’s storming the charts

I am a Mumbaiyya Kannadathi!

...says Bangalore girl Sowmya Raoh as she takes India for a ride with her new item number, Dreamum Wakeupum from Aiyyaa that’s storming the charts

We’ve always known she had potential and we were always convinced that Sowmya Raoh had a voice unmatched and unrivalled in quality. From when she gave soul to Greekuverudu in the Telugu super hit, Ninne Pelladatha to her more recent hits including Shauk Hai from Guru — Sowmya Raoh was always a favourite and will continue to be so. Sowmya is now settled in Mumbai (since 2001) and though she originally hails from Bangalore, she’s now more popularly known as a Bollywood singer. Sowmya’s other claim to fame is that she’s the daughter of reputed playback, folk and devotional singer, BK Sumitra and Sudhakar and is the sister of Kannada actor, Sunil Raoh.
“Dreamum Wakeupum has given me a lot of publicity, and I am thankful for it. It’s hard to imagine that I would have never even been chosen for the song, had it not been for the need for a singer who could bring that South Indian touch into the song. I have never worked with Amit (Trivedi) or Amitabh (Bhattacharya) before, but this was a great experience and I must add that I was in splits for most of the recording,” opens Sowmya as we catch up with her over the phone. But was it hard to sing a song as suggestive as this we ask? “Not really, at a very literal level the song is just mind-blowingly hilarious and yes, I know what the lyrics suggest, but this is definitely not a first time for me. I’ve sung a lot of songs like this before — raunchy numbers, item numbers, risqué lyrics... you name it, I’ve sung it. Also, in comparison to some of the regional numbers I have sung, this song was nothing!” Sowmya answers.
Hindi taken over, what about the regional languages? “I’ve always kept my regional language career alive and I love singing in all of them. Kannada will of course be closer than most others as it is my mother tongue and also where I began my career — Mumbaiyya Kannadathi! But that said I am open to work, whichever language and whoever the music director might be. I would love to work with everyone who makes music and so lways ready for a new project, I just need to be called, that’s all,” Sowmya explains.
Known more for her melodious style of singing now, we ask Sowmya how she deals with raunchy songs, especially when fans refuse to believe that the song has been sung by her (the case of Dreamum Wakeupum).
“All songs are songs and they’re just representing emotions from different points on the same spectrum, so I am open to any kind of song. It’s alternatively awesome and saddening to know that fans are not able to recognise my voice sometimes — because I’d like it to be my USP, but that said, reinventing yourself so much that you are not recognised is a talent in itself and so I guess, that leaves me pleasantly satisfied,” Sowmya enthuses.
Running out of time, we add in the last question — as simply as possible, tell us why you enjoy being this versatile when it comes to defining your style? “Simply put, I like shocking people and that’s probably the only reason why I like pushing my barriers as much as I can,” she concludes.

upcoming model and actor Rohit Sharma

It’s time for me to focus on films now

...says upcoming model and actor Rohit Sharma, as he makes his debut in Bollywood. catches up with the hottie to find out more...

Often referred to as the boy-next-door, model and now actor, Rohit Sharma seems to have finally arrived as he signs project after project, finally making his mark in Bollywood. The 24-year-old Punjabi, who calls Mumbai home has already become quite popular thanks to the numerous television campaigns he’s already been a part of. From an ad for Hyundai recently to the viral music video, Dhoond Le Tu Mujhe — he’s been seen everywhere!
“I’m happy that so much is coming my way but I’d like to be humble and take it one project at a time. I also don’t want to jinx it by talking about it too early, as I’ve always been told that nothing much can save you from the evil eye (laughs),” Rohit opens our conversation.
“I’ve just signed a movie called, I Don’t Love You and I essay the role of a spoilt playboy in the movie. I wouldn’t say I am close to the character, but it was fun all the same. I have a few other projects in line too, but would prefer not talking about them right now. It’s time for me to focus on films now and so, I am taking this new leap in my career quite seriously,” he adds.
Intrigued by this other ‘secret project’ that we’ve heard is a big project involving a lot of big names through sources, we ask Rohit to at least tell us the kind of role he’ll be playing. “I play the role of a struggler in this film, a struggler who falls in love with a star and gets involved in a messy affair — that’s all I’m saying, right now (laughs),” Rohit answers.
So is that all, we ask? “No, not really... there have been more offers and I am now finally getting smarter and choosing what I decide to sign on. However, there are a few more projects lined up for January and December,” pat comes Rohit’s reply.
What about the South? “The South has always been an option and the video that I just did (Dhoond Le Tu Mujhe by Pia Sukanya) also had a South connection in Anurag Shanker and Arfaaz, the music directors. I know I love watching the dubbed South Indian flicks we see on Hindi channels these days, so I’m open to anything interesting that comes from there, as long as it’s a role I know will do me justice,” Rohit concludes.

Even as they get ready to release their animation movie, Sons of Ram — Heroes Will Rise, producer Jonathan Dotan and writer-director Kushal Ruia get talking about the film, Sunidhi Chauhan’s role in it, the Indian animation industry and a film-in-the-pipeline on Shikari Shambu

NOT CHILD’S PLAY

Even as they get ready to release their animation movie, Sons of Ram — Heroes Will Rise, producer Jonathan Dotan and writer-director Kushal Ruia get talking about the film, Sunidhi Chauhan’s role in it, the Indian animation industry and a film-in-the-pipeline on Shikari Shambu

It’s been a trickle, alright but one whose momentum has been persistent, so where animation movies were rare features a decade ago, the sudden shift meant Indian audiences this year were exposed to a handful of well-made animation films, made by Indians, for Indians including Arjun the Warrior Prince, Krishna Aur Kans and Chhota Bheem and the Curse of Damyaan.
Poor turnover at the box office and disinterested audiences are not really causes to exult at the coming-of-age of animation films in the sub-continent but that doesn’t deter Jonathan Dotan, producer of the Sons of Ram — Heroes Will Rise that will see a wide release on 2nd November, ’12 in over 400 theaters in stereoscopic 3D and 2D. “When I’d started out in the country, in 2006, I’d seen a lot of animation films made here. I will say that the films are getting much, much better, with every passing year. I am really excited for Indian animation,” he says, sounding quite optimistic.
Commenting on the lacklustre status of the animation industry in the country, The film’s writer-director, Kushal Ruia avers, “The thing about the animation industry is that it’s very time intensive, which means, the money you spend is proportional to the time spent on it. So, unlike the West where an animation film is made over two -three years and has the backing of production houses who are ready to invest huge budgets, Indian animation filmmakers don’t have that luxury.” And then, there’s the problem of Indian audiences who just don’t see any sense in spending money on “a cartoon picture.” “I remember seeing a man in a movie hall who refused to watch Wall.E because it was an animation film. “I am not a kid” was that man’s response and I remember thinking that “that is my audience.”
The need for the hour, as Kushal vocalizes it is, “We need people with vision; people who know how the industry works and who are ready to give money and allow people to make the films the way they want.” And luckily for him, making a film the way he wanted to is a wish that has come true for Kushal with Sons of Ram.
But, before getting into talking about the making of the film, there’s is that niggling question at the back of our heads: Why a story from mythology, again? Why can’t it be a contemporary story? Jonathan takes a go at it and explains, “ The story of Luv and Kush is based on mythology but at its core, it is a wonderful adventure of brotherhood and camaraderie; of the trials and tribulations of what a family, particularly what a single mother goes through and since the inspiration came through from Uncle Pai’s comic, we used the story and contemporised it.” He then ponders a bit to point out, “The most successful films have always been about fables that talk about good values.”
Kushal, however, makes a friendly jibe at the question saying, “I am as frustrated about the question as a filmmaker myself!” He then wisely adds, “The fact is that mythology works in India. Atleast, that’s what the content creators seem to think.” He even admits to taking the mythological project with some initial scepticism. “It was pre-decided that we’d be doing Sons of Ram because it is one of the most popular comics for Amar Chitra Katha. So, when I came in, I was sceptical initially,” admits Kushal but once he braced himself, he gave the movie his all. “I wanted to justify the original mythology and wanted to tell the story my way. It was about making the story more believable to modern audiences without being preachy or stuffy.”
Making an animation movie, according to Kushal is an elaborate process. One that involves everything from creating background stories for the characters, storyboarding, which according to Kushal, “takes forever”, then putting it into animation, editing the film and then getting the voice-over artistes to act the roles. “Only idiots work in animation!” quips Kushal before wisely adding, “If you want to get into animation, you better love it.”
One of the highlights of Sons of Ram, that both Jonathan and Kushal take care to point out is of playback singer Sunidhi Chauhan lending her voice for the character of Sita. “In animation movies, the voice of the characters is very important. We found Sunidhi’s voice perfect for the role of Sita. She is as good an actor as a singer and forms the heart of the film,” enthuses Kushal, whose main focus right now is, “to make Sons of Ram the best animation film that’s been made.”
Before the duo sign off, they also let in on that “plans are on to make a film on Shikari Shambu. The movie is called Shambu and the Man-eater and we’ve evolved him from a hunter to a ranger. And in the film, the much-loved hunter becomes the hunted!” ends Kushal, on a cheerful note.

NOTES FROM THE DEEP SEA Bangalore-based filmmaker Bhushan Bagadia talks about the making of the first ‘official’ Indian music video shot underwater for Ricky Kej’s composition, Arabian Sea

NOTES FROM THE DEEP SEA

Bangalore-based filmmaker Bhushan Bagadia talks about the making of the first ‘official’ Indian music video shot underwater for Ricky Kej’s composition, Arabian Sea

Bhushan Bagadia would rather you just saw the video than get him to talk about it. So what if it is India’s first ‘official’ music video ever shot under sea? So what if it’s being played on VH1 day in and day out? Reticent at first, Bhushan opens up slowly and talks about how he came to shoot this video for his good friend, music director Ricky Kej’s composition — Arabian Sea, which is a part of his album, Fiery Drums. Ricky, by the way is the music channel’s India Rules Artist of the month.
“Lots of people have seen it but it really doesn’t seem like a big deal. I mean, if you haven’t seen VH1 you wouldn’t know about it,” he wryly says. Point noted. So, it’s a good thing that whosoever has seen the video have only good things to say about it. “People who have gone diving tell me that the video has captured that world perfectly while those who haven’t gone diving want to do it now,” enthuses Bhushan. The extremely basic storyline (if we can call it that) of the 3.11min- long-video follows a group of divers as they take the plunge into the deep blue sea and very soon the video unravels into a rapid series of sequences showcasing the vivid life that exists underwater. Recalling the making, Bhushan says, “I shot it quite a while back while I was in Koh Tao, Thailand working for Liquid Media, a company that specialises in underwater videography.” The idea of shooting the video, he admits, came after he heard the Arabian Sea track. “When Ricky played the music to me, I felt the underwater theme would work.” The footage for the video was shot over 30 days and what you see in the video is a compilation of the “best moments from all that was shot during the 30 days.”
The dynamic scenes of the video plays the perfect foil to the fast beats of the music. “The theme of the video was to depict the vibrance and rhythm that exists under the sea,” Bhushan avers.
Talking about the shooting, he says, “Shooting life underwater is a lot like shooting wildlife. It’s dynamic and you can never be prepared enough in capturing that perfect shot.” Capturing the perfect visuals underwater, he explains, “depends a lot on visibility, sunlight,” while getting the perfect cast (of all those colourful fishes, turtles, snakes et al) depends on “the direction of the current on that given day.” “You really need to be lucky to see some of those creatures. For instance, there’s a shot of a turtle you see in the video, I got to see that fellow only on one day out of those 30 days!” he remembers with a smile. Still discussing the technical details, he goes on, “The clarity of the visuals depend on depth, light and white balance.”
About the equipment used to shoot it, he informs, “I’ve used an HD camera but what’s different is that the housing of the camera is almost one-and-a-half times bigger than the camera.” And now, even as congratulatory texts continue to pour, the filmmaker’s already ideating for Ricky’s next composition. And oh! there is is “some tech-diving” that he is looking forward to. Sweet!

Books are my best friends There’s a method to the madness in the way VR Ferose, MD of SAP Labs collects books. A fervent bibliophile, he shares the curious way he shops for his books and then some...

Books are my best friends

There’s a method to the madness in the way VR Ferose, MD of SAP Labs collects books. A fervent bibliophile, he shares the curious way he shops for his books and then some...

There’s a lot that VR Ferose, MD of SAP Labs loves to share with you when you meet him for a cup of coffee. From work to his hobby that he is rather passionate about, the conversation veers smoothly through a myriad topics that give quite a clear perspective on what makes him tick in this wired world... “Today, there’s really no differentiating between work and life beyond work. There’s a thin line that separates the two and I don’t look at any activity I do outside work as mutually exclusive,” notes Ferose to our initial poser of what he does beyond the 9to5 routine. “The mistake people make is compartmentalising things as work and play. I think the smart thing to do is to find ways to overlap the two,” he observes.
Yet, as the focus is on his favourite activities, Ferose holds forth and says, “I spend a significant amount of time reading and writing.” Owing the habit to growing up years, he reminisces, “Books were always there and my father would subscribe to Reader’s Digest when it was the only magazine available.” Then on a lighter note he jests, “I don’t collect books merely to fill shelves but to genuinely learn. I read books everywhere. In fact, you’ll find 4 -5 newspapers in my car along with a pile of books. I won’t say I read them... I ‘consume’ them.”
But where most bookworms enjoy their hobby without any agenda, picking books impulsively, Ferose goes one step ahead. “I collect books on a theme,” he says, citing how he spent the last two years collecting “biographies and autobiographies of Nobel Prize Winners personally signed by them.” “I focused more on the Nobel Peace and Literature award winners” he elaborates before informing that he’s “managed to collect 27 books that meet the criteria.”
The excitement is palpable when he especially reveals that he’s managed to get personally-signed copies of books on Nelson Mandela, Dalai Lama and Desmond Tutu.
Getting personally-signed copies of books seems like a particular fetish of Ferose, because in all, he has “collected 500 author-autographed books.” What’s more, in this pursuit, Ferose has managed to create a network of the faithful — namely friends and other collectors, who get the books signed for him by their authors or who inform him about a rare copy.
One such book that came by, and the one that he counts as his ‘most prized possession’, is “an antique book that had WB Yeats’ signature on it. The next theme Ferose has trained his mind on is, “getting signed books of the 10 greatest sportsmen of the world, including Pele, Pete Sampras, Federer and Maradona among others.”
His self-evident love for words today now also sees Ferose turning into a writer. “I am in the process of writing two books,” he informs. While the first book is on leadership and transformation the second book delves into “creating hunger in paradise — where you have bright people and a lot of facilities, but what you strive to do with all the wherewithal at your disposal is the question you’ve got to address.”
A self-admitted workaholic who used to work till he fell ill, Ferose today is a much relaxed tech-head who firmly believes that one should “take your job and not yourself seriously.”

Books are my best friends There’s a method to the madness in the way VR Ferose, MD of SAP Labs collects books. A fervent bibliophile, he shares the curious way he shops for his books and then some...

Books are my best friends

There’s a method to the madness in the way VR Ferose, MD of SAP Labs collects books. A fervent bibliophile, he shares the curious way he shops for his books and then some...

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra will showcase his latest Mijwan Collection at Wills India Fashion Week 2012 on October 7 at 9.30pm, at Pragati Maidan.

Traditional Indian craft used on contemporary silhouettes

Fashion designer Manish Malhotra will showcase his latest Mijwan Collection at Wills India Fashion Week 2012 on October 7 at 9.30pm, at Pragati Maidan.
About the collection, Manish says, “The WIFW, 2012 collection would showcase the intricate and beautiful chikankari done by the women of Mijwan.We are proud to bring to our audiences traditional Indian craft translated into contemporary silhouettes.”

Shraddha Kapoor Manish Malhotra

Parineeti Chopra in an outfit by Manish

Maharashtrian mulgi, Madhuri will be performing a lavani

THE LAST JHALAK

   In tonight’s episode, the Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa journey will come to an end as one of the finalists – Rithvik Dhanjani, Gurmeet Choudhary and Rashmi Desai – will be crowned the winner. For the first time in the history of Indian television, dancing divas Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Sridevi come together on this maha manch and dance to each other’s tunes. Maharashtrian mulgi, Madhuri will be performing a lavani routine to Apsara Aali Na, dressed in the authentic kashti, with the nath in her nose.
    Bharti Singh and Remo D’souza’s love story will also be presented on stage as the two will be seen performing to Dil Kyun Ye Mera Shor Kare,which definitely made Bharti’s day on the show.
    Also, to lessen the tension the show’s finalists are experiencing, ex contestants Giaa Manek, Darsheel Safary, Ravi Kishan and Karan Wahi will bring back memories of what this stage has taught them.
    Watch the finale of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa tonight at 8, on Colors.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene performing to a lavani number

Starting with her recent track Main Heroine Hoon from Heroine, Aditi went to sing I Will Do The Talking Tonight and Dilli Dilli.

It’s Oktober

Mohd Salman Khan

ROCK THE PARTY: Vapour recently started its Roktoberfest in the capital, serving up some appetizing food with foot-tapping music. And the star attraction for the opening night was Delhi singer Aditi Singh Sharma. Starting with her recent track Main Heroine Hoon from Heroine, Aditi went to sing I Will Do The Talking Tonight and Dilli Dilli.

HAPPY DAYS: Riding high on the success of the German-themed Oktoberfest celebrations every year, owner Vikram Rana said, “Although this year the fest has been cut short by two days, the fun and amusement will just double.” Desi rock band Bandish took the stage next, and starting with Saada Haq and DK Bose, rocked the do with their music.

Aditi Singh Sharma reprised her famous Dilli Dilli

YOU’RE OLGA TOO? WELL! The hairstyle, the name... Olga K (L) and Olga T certainly seem to have much in common!

THAT SEARCHING GAZE... KUCH MILA? Mila

BASSLINE: Bhaskar

Subir and Anu Malik

Vikram Rana

Sandeep Verma

Ruksana

PREGNANCY AS PERFORMANCE ART? Childbirth is a beautiful experience for most mothers. So beautiful, in fact, that some of them want to show it to the whole world, like actress Shwetha Menon

PREGNANCY AS PERFORMANCE ART?

Childbirth is a beautiful experience for most mothers. So beautiful, in fact, that some of them want to show it to the whole world, like actress Shwetha Menon

    You know how we complain about pesky baby pictures on our friends’ walls on Facebook because we don’t want to be subjected to every little detail about the tiny one and how he spends his day? Actor Shwetha Menon’s baby has stolen all those babies’ thunder in a big way, because her mommy gave birth to her on Thursday on camera, and that’s going to be part of a movie!
    Kalimannu, a Malayalam film, being directed by Blessy, is about the relationship of the baby with her mother, before and after birth, and during the delivery. Through her pregnancy, Shwetha acted in the film. Three cameras were positioned in her labour room, and kept rolling till 45 minutes after the baby was born and Shwetha kissed her on the forehead.
    If you’ve started cringing a little already, brace yourself, because we’ve just begun. Shwetha’s case isn’t the first instance of childbirth being presented as performance art, and because we’d like to educate you in ‘pregnancy performance art’, we’re going to tell you all about these camera-friendly mommies.
KOURTNEY KARDASHIAN (ON REALITY TV) There’s little we don’t know about the Kardashians’ lives and that’s because we’ve watched them do everything on camera. In fact, that’s how Kim got famous – by doing ‘everything’ on camera (yes, we are referring to her sex tape with Ray J). When the clan isn’t busy marrying and consummating on camera, they are giving birth on air. The cameras were rolling when Kourtney Kardashian welcomed her son, Mason, with partner Scott Disick in 2009 and three years later, when she chose to deliver her daughter Penelope via water birth. We were privy to details like how Kourt pulled out her own baby. With ample zooming in and what seems like like zero intervention by the show’s edit department, every microscopic detail of the pregnancy was on display. The video showed Kourtney’s legs in stirrups and the goocovered baby as it first emerged into the world. Even producer Ryan Seacrest was shocked and said, “I remember looking at the raw footage of Kourtney having Mason, the baby. I’d never seen a delivery in that much detail. Half of me was interested, but I was shocked that she essentially reached down and delivered her own baby. And I was like, ‘How much are we going to show of this?’ And I realised that they were more qualified women to make this decision. She would have loved for us to air the entire thing. But I remember thinking, ‘How far do we go?’” The answer is too far, Ryan, you went too far.
MARNI KOTAK (IN AN ART GALLERY) One person’s art can be another person’s ‘ewwww gross’. Marni Kotak gave birth to baby Ajax in the Microscopic art gallery in New York, in front of a live audience, as part of her performance art piece, The Birth Of Baby X. Just to reiterate, the artist squeezed out a nine pounds and two ounces infant in a birthing pool in front of ‘several’ onlookers. The err... set... which was a brightly coloured bedroom, was adorned with props like a 10-foot-tall trophy for Baby X “for being born,” Kotak’s pregnancy test, and photo collages of babies in the backdrop. Sure there were objections raised by people on how she was jeopardizing her and her baby’s health, but what’s all that compared to Kotak’s explanation on why she was doing this: “I am showing them that real life is the best performance art, and that, if our eyes can be opened to it, all of the meaning that we seek is right there in our everyday lives.” According to an international website, the ‘art’ doesn’t just end there. A video of the birth was added at the gallery, and formed the start of an 18-year-project called Raising Baby X, where Kotak will document her child’s upbringing until college with weekly video podcasts.
ALIZA SHVARTS (PLANNED TO SHOW ABORTION VIDEO) In 2008,Aliza Shvarts,a student of performance art at Yale University, gave a unique proposal for her senior project. She reportedly artificially inseminated herself for as many times as possible for nine months, and then induced abortions. The idea of the project was to feature video recordings of the forced miscarriages and preserved collections of the blood during the process. We’re not even kidding. According to Shvarts, the goal of the project was to “spark conversation and debate on the relationship between art and the human body.”
    After this story came out in the Yale Daily News, a student-run paper, Yale released a press release saying, “Ms Shvarts has stated that she did not impregnate herself and that she did not induce any miscarriages. The entire project is a creative fiction designed to draw attention to the ambiguity surrounding form and function of a woman’s body.” However, Shvarts maintained that she had conducted artificial inseminations as well as self-induced miscarriages.She said,“Using a needle-less syringe, I would inject the sperm near my cervix within 30 minutes of its collection, so as to ensure the possibility of fertilization. On the 28th day of my cycle, I would ingest an abortifacient, after which I would experience cramps and heavy bleeding. Because the miscarriages coincide with the expected date of menstruation, it remains ambiguous whether there was ever a fertilized ovum or not.” Shvarts ultimately submitted a different senior project and graduated from Yale. The university later admitted that they were unable to determine if her project was
    fictitious.

Aliza Shvarts

CHILLIN’ TIME: Abhay Deol was recently in the city to launch the ‘Essentially British’ brand Hackett, which has opened at DLF Emporio. We caught up with him as he was relaxing in his room wearing a Hackett shirt before the launch party

(From left to right) Kourtney giving birth on Keeping Up With The Kardashians; Marni Kotak, who gave birth in an art gallery; and actress Shwetha Menon with her husband and newborn daughter

Madhuri-Sridevi share stage for the first time TV Show gets the divas together, something Bollywood couldn’t do!

Madhuri-Sridevi share stage for the first time

TV Show gets the divas together, something Bollywood couldn’t do!

    Dance reality show Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (JDJ) has accomplished what Bollywood couldn’t in two decades — bring Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Sridevi on screen together. The two former Bollywood queens bonded like long-lost friends at the grand finale of JDJ. They were colour-coordinated and performed together to Mere Haathon Mein Nau Nau Choodiyan Hain (Sri’s popular song from Chandni) and Dhak Dhak Karne Laga (Madhuri’s popular track from Beta).
    Madhuri played perfect host to Sri right from guiding her to her seat in the judging panel to making her feel at ease while performing on stage. She praised Sri’s acting and wished her luck for her comeback movie, English Vinglish. In fact, the rapport between the two was there for all to see, as the actresses hugged and chatted between dances.
    About her experience on the show, Sri said, “It was fun, like always.” So, which is her favourite performance of Madhuri? “It would be a tough choice, but I like Dhak Dhak Karne Laga the most,” she said.
    Sri got the male contestants grooving with a rousing performance of Rang Bhare Baadal Se (Chandni).
    The men in Mads and Sri’s lives stood by the sidelines cheering their better halves on. Madhuri’s husband Sriram Nene was spotted smiling through all of his wife’s dances. While Sridevi’s husband Boney Kapoor was present, he chose not to be seen on camera. He even requested the cast and crew not to inform Sridevi about his presence.
    Watch this episode of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa on Sunday at 8 pm on Colors.

Madhuri Dixit-Nene and Sridevi on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

The world celebrates 50 years of Beatle mania, and the cult band’s first hit single record ‘Love Me Do’ on October 5. Here’s saluting the Fab Four

    THE year 1962 will go down in history for American icon Marilyn Monroe’s death and Nelson Mandela’s prison sentence. But then a seemingly insignificant event that occurred that year went on to be a precursor for the decade’s definitive sensation. In June 1962, four boys from Liverpool, England, recorded their first single Love Me Do — backed by another single P.S. I Love You — and later went on to become the greatest band in the world. Released on October 5 that year, The Beatles’ seminal first recording established the group that went on to influence pop culture, fashion, spirituality and politics like no other.
THE MAGIC OF LOVE ME DO What sets apart this incredibly simple three-chord song (with an austere four-note harmonica riff is, in fact, its simplicity. For starters, compared to the “clean” hits of those days, it had a “rough” sound. Another reason was a slow “skiffle” beat — skiffle was a craze in the late 1950s (the song was written between 1958 and 1959). Skiffle is jazz, folk, or country music played using unconventional instruments, such as kazoos, washboards or jugs, sometimes in combination. Young people were attracted to the song’s instrumentation, because even ordinary players could master an acoustic guitar and two or three chords.
    It was also not the norm for bands to write their own songs. With Paul McCartney and John Lennon sharing writing credits, Love Me Do was different. Says singer Gary Lawyer, who has been part of innumerable Beatles tribute concerts, “I was a school goer when the song became a craze. I still remember how great I felt when I first heard it. My friends and I used to play it at every party we threw.” The track’s easy but powerful lyrics have a special significance for him. Love is a sweet and true emotion, full of innocence and that blush of a first crush. Perhaps that’s why it still features in music polls on the most popular love songs of all time.
    The innocence of the words has its roots in their inspiration. The lyrics have a direct link with McCartney and Lennon’s love for the literary works of Lewis Carroll. The phrase “love, love me do” is straight from the Carroll era — “Alice, stop daydreaming, do!” for instance. Lennon’s obsession with Carroll continued throughout his Beatles songwriting career, as seen in Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds and I Am The Walrus.
THE BRITISH INVASION WAS BLACK McCartney is also quoted as saying this song was their attempt to “do the blues”, although it came out “whiter, because it always does”. What Americans viewed as the unique ‘British Invasion’ sound was in actuality The Beatles’ attempt to sound black.
RECORDED THRICE It’s an unusual single for another reason — it was recorded on three different occasions with three different drummers: June 6, and September 4 and 11 in 1962. The Beatles first recorded it on June 6, 1962 with Pete Best on drums. By September 4, Best had been replaced with Ringo Starr because producer George Martin said he did not approve of Best’s drumming. One week later, on September 11, The Beatles returned to the same studio and made another recording with session drummer Andy White, since Martin was unhappy with Starr’s performance!
    Despite all this, Love Me Do almost lost out on being their debut number. At their September 4 session, Martin decided their first single should be How Do You Do It? written by another lyricist. But the band didn’t like it and did some lacklustre takes of the song on purpose. Eventually, Martin changed his mind and How Do You Do It? was released by the band Gerry and the Pacemakers in 1964.
    Although not as legendary, P.S. I Love You has unusual chords and a song structure compared to Love Me Do. It has a completely different arrangement, and is an early indicator of the variety of music The Beatles went on to record.

From the prevalence of Indian guru Maharishi Mahesh Yogi’s transcendental meditation in the West to popularising the mop-top haircut, Edwardian suits and ankle-length pointed-toe boots, the Fab Four’s influence is written all over western spirituality and fashion. This 1964 file photo shows them attending a meditation session by the guru in Rishikesh. (Right, from top) Paul McCartney, John Lennon, George Harrison and Ringo Starr — the Fab Four.

LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPS They may have started off as a bold alternative to the institution of marriage, but live-ins these days are mostly a test drive for couples before they tie the knot.

LIVE-IN RELATIONSHIPS

They may have started off as a bold alternative to the institution of marriage, but live-ins these days are mostly a test drive for couples before they tie the knot.

    THE poster-couple for live-in relationships, Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt, has triggered the ‘wedding’ debate, by flashing identical £500,000 diamond-encrusted wedding bands on their fingers recently. Rumours are rife that after seven years of togetherness and six kids, they have finally decided to walk down the aisle. Once known to be fierce advocators of livein relationships, the couple’s U-turn has surprised many fans, especially the ones who believe live-in relationships are a form of permanent co-existence rather than a stopgap arrangement before marriage. Times may have changed, but marriage still seems to be the Holy Grail for couples, even for liberal ones like Jolie-Pitt.
“Why just Brangelina? Even gay couples want to get married. I think it’s because marriage is seen as the ultimate commitment. You literally vow to be together, usually before witnesses, presumably with divine benediction and hopefully for life,” says Jhoomur Bose, author of Confessionally Yours. She lives in with her partner and has a daughter.
Director-producer Mahesh Bhatt’s mother was in a live-in relationship with his father at a time when society had no tolerance for it. He says, “My mother even told my daughter (Pooja Bhatt) that she need not be married to have children.” But he does agree that marriage is hard to resist even for the most liberal-minded. “The institution of marriage has succeeded in selling the notion of impossible love, and a normal life that everyone craves. Our society believes that marriage ties you to your soulmate for many lifetimes, and that’s a thought tough to resist, whether one’s a celebrity or not,” he says.
    Last year, social researchers Maureen Baker and Vivienne Elizabeth from New Zealand interviewed long-term, live-in couples to find out if they really wanted to get married, only to discover that they did — the two main reasons were (i) children and (ii) the joy of going public with the relationship.
    Dentist Neelima Khanna, 25, has been living in Gurgaon with her partner, Karan, 30, for the last three years. She says, “I don’t see myself living in permanently. I’d be lying if I said I don’t think about getting married in a few years.”
    In conservative Indian society, live-ins hardly get approval even now. Recently, in the television serial, Balika Vadhu, when writer Purnendu Shekhar showed the protagonist Jagya living together with Gauri, the cast was inundated with hate mails. Says Shekhar, “I learnt a big lesson — that living together is still a big taboo and marriage is sacred. There are couples who live together even in India, but wear mangalsutra and sindoor for societal acceptance.”
Author Shobhaa De believes an apt way to describe live-in relationships in India would be “a test-drive period before marriage. It has to do with greater social acceptability, both from the family and the community”.
Actress Freida Pinto moved in with her boyfriend and fellow actor Dev Patel a while ago, in Los Angeles. Abroad, it may be a little easier to find acceptance as a live-in couple, but as the Pitt-Jolie case proves, marriage is ultimately on everyone’s mind. Actor Pooja Bedi says, “Marriage means commitment of a lifetime. ‘Till death do us apart’ as a concept is endearing to most couples. It has a magical charm. It is the ultimate destination for couples. Living together is the journey towards that destination.”
Says sociologist Dr Anuja Aggarwal, “Marriage, despite its highs and lows, will always be in vogue. Couples who are living in these days are testing their compatibility to know whether the relationship will culminate in marriage.” In a recent interview to Filmfare magazine, actor Abhay Deol said: “It’s not that I don’t believe in marriage, but I think if a live-in works well, it will lead to marriage.”
    The most interesting thing is that Indians may be deeply traditional, but in some urban pockets even elders are advising their children to try living in before getting married. Sarita Sharma’s daughter Suruchi has been living in with her partner for the last six months. Says Sarita, “I’ve been fine with her staying with her partner. It’s almost a rite of
passage — you date, go for dinners, then you live together to see if you are compatible.” But here too “the final step of the ladder is marriage”. Liveins as an alternative to marriage is not acceptable to most.
    Raksha Bharadia, the author of Chicken Soup for the Indian Romantic Soul, thinks marriage is a necessary evil. She says, “When passion wanes, a live-in couple may call it quits, but marriage helps couples face and fight the problems being in the relationship.” Living in is a step above dating, but marriage is marriage.”

Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie

— Abhay Deol, on live-in relationships (seen here with his
girlfriend Preeti Desai)

Saif Ali Khan with his live-in girlfriend Kareena Kapoor. They are getting married next month

Freida Pinto with Dev Patel

POONAM JHAWAR MODEL AND BOLLYWOOD ACTOR

Ganpati Bappa Morya

POONAM JHAWAR MODEL AND BOLLYWOOD ACTOR

Everyone who is a believer of Lord Ganesha celebrated this Ganesh Chaturthi with lots of happiness, devotion, excitement and love for their Ganpati Bappa, as he comes only once in a year to bless us.
Like every year we started preparations well in advance and welcomed our beloved Ganpati Bappa. We cleaned the house, decorated it with flowers and lights, prepared sweets and modaksand invited friends to our home to take his blessings. We did poojawith full devotion every day till the time Bappa was with us and everyone was in a rejoicing mood, but when the day came for Ganesha to leave, our hearts were heavy and tears rolled down our eyes and Ganpati Bappa's departure to his home made us shout aloud, " Ganpati Bappa Morya, Agle Baras To Jaldi Aa." As told to Nisha Swami

Leena in Shoojit’s next on LTTE

    After a few films in Malayalam, dusky beauty Leena Maria is all set for her Bollywood outing with Shoojit Sircar’s Jaffna. The political thriller will see John Abraham playing the lead role.
    “The movie is based on the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE) in Jaffna, and I play a female LTTE member,” says Leena.
    That’s not all. Leena has also landed the lead role in Ravichandran’s Tamil flick Appo Ippo, for which she is currently shooting.
    The actress, who has only played glamourous roles so far, says she’s ready to experiment with a de-glam look at this point in her career. “I am so excited about my Bollywood project. Initially, I had doubts whether I could get a break in the industry, considering I am not exactly fair. But now, it is the colour of my skin that has got me such an interesting role,” says Leena, who’ll begin shooting for Jaffna by the end of October.
    Jaffna will be shot at Fort Kochi, Kerala and in parts of Sri Lanka.

Leena Maria

Female spiritual leader inspired Poonam Jhawar’s role in latest film?

    Poonam Jhawar’s role in the Akshay Kumar-Paresh Rawal starrer OMG Oh My God! is apparently based on a famous female spiritual leader of our times, we hear.
    Poonam, who was last seen in films like Mohra (1994) and Aanch (2003), says, “I would not like to disclose what my role is all about. It surely has created a lot of buzz not only in the film industry, but also among the masses. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Akshay, Mithunda (Mithun Chakraborty), Pareshji, Govind Namdeo and Mahesh Manjrekar. But most importantly, it felt great to be seen on the big screen again.”
    Debutant director Umesh Shukla, who recommended Poonam for the role, made her watch spiritual and devotional television channels to get the nuances right. He wanted her to observe how spiritual leaders talked and behaved in real life. Confirms Umesh, “Yes, it is true that I told Poonam to watch spiritual channels so that she could get a hang of her character. Her role is interesting. But I would not want to say anything beyond this.”

Poonam Jhawar

I always wanted to make a film for my daughter Nikhil Advani, director of Delhi Safari, says India is now ready to receive good quality animation films

I always wanted to make a film for my daughter

Nikhil Advani, director of Delhi Safari, says India is now ready to receive good quality animation films

Why did you make an animation film? I always wanted to make a film that my daughter could watch with her friends and one with a message, like we have in Delhi Safari, and it was the ideal one to recreate on screen. Now, when characters like Bajrangi (monkey) or Alex (parrot) show up, I see the excitement on her face and I know I have taken the right decision. It also allowed me to explore a new genre.
Is there a difference in making a film with animated characters and real-life actors? Real-life actors create animated characters. I always wondered why would one cast Robbie Williams, a fantastic actor and use just his voice, like it was done in Alladin (1992). But once you start scripting and create a visual of a character and its voice, you automatically link it to a real-life actor. In Delhi Safari, Bajrangi’s fun and antics have all fallen into place, thanks to Govinda’s voice.
Will your film pave the way for animation films to be received differently in India? Animation is still in its infancy stage in India. But now that we have the opportunity to create good quality animation films and get a nationwide release, why shouldn’t we explore the option. Once we start establishing and investing, other filmmakers will attempt to make one too.
When compared to Hollywood, Indian animation films are not considered cool… I don’t believe that. I have a six-year-old who loves Bal Hanuman. The West definitely has a larger audience, but with the right marketing strategies, we can strive to achieve that too.
The animated figure of a producer with French beard in the film is you, right? You need to ask the animators. And if it’s me, I wish I had a house like that (laughs).
Delhi Safari, produced by Krayon Pictures and directed by Nikhil Advani, releases October 19.

A still from Delhi Safari

Nikhil Advani

PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao visited an NGO to talk about the evils of child labour

    Beauty queen titles and social work go hand in hand, and PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao is one of those who takes her societal commitments very seriously. As the goodwill ambassador of Smile Foundation’s vow against child labour, Rao visited one of the NGO’s project centres in Mumbai recently. There, she met the teachers and social workers and spoke to them about why no child should be left out of school.
    To welcome her, ch i l d re n from the centre performed a s p e c i a l dance and she joined them in the p e r fo r m - ance. Later, she said, “I am motivated by their d e d i c at i o n towards empowering children with the help of education. The work they do to bring hope and happiness in the lives of these underprivileged children is commendable. This has inspired me immensely to do good work and spread more smiles.”
    Commenting on the association, Santanu Mishra, Co-Founder and Executive Trustee of Smile Foundation, said, “Rochelle Rao is a worthy winner of this title and we are extremely glad that she is supporting one of our core areas — of sending every child to school.”

PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao interacting with the children

PFMI International 2012 Rochelle Maria Rao during the cake-cutting at the NGO

The show goes on Mumbai theatre loses its man with a mission, Dinesh Thakur

The show goes on

Mumbai theatre loses its man with a mission, Dinesh Thakur

    Preeta Mathur looked at the packed house and said, “He loved an audience. He is here, and he is thrilled to see all of you.”
Relatives, friends, colleagues and fans had gathered at Prithvi Theatre to pay homage to Dinesh Thakur, who passed away last week. He and his group Ank had started around the same time as the theatre was built, and it had been a long and unbroken association. The first ‘Housefull’ board at Prithvi had been at an Ank show of Hai Mera Dil, which went on to become the longest running Hindi play ever.
    Dineshji, as he was called by everyone, was devoted to theatre, a strict perfectionist one moment, and a caring teacher the next. He did his share of light comedies in the early days, but was greatly convinced of the power of theatre as a catalyst for social change, and his strong anti-communalism play Jis Lahore Nahin Dekhya became a favourite of his. Vijay Tendulkar credited him for keeping his plays alive in Hindi when Marathi theatre had all but sidelined him.
    Under his guidance and unstinting work, Ank grew to become the foremost Hindi theatre group in the country. Ill health did not keep him away from theatre, and he defied medical restrictions to direct two new plays last month —Ravindranjali and a new production of Tendulkar’s Jaat Hi Poochoo Sadhu Ki. Along with his wife Preeta, he was already at work on new productions for this year and the next. For Ravindranjali, he had wanted to recite Tagore’s poems in Bengali, but when it looked like he would not be able to appear on stage, his voice was recorded and played before the show.
“In the last four years,” said a very brave Preeta, “he had taught us to be independent and handle every aspect of our productions. It will be difficult, but Ank will go on....”
And in the best theatre tradition of ‘The show must go on’, four of Ank’s plays will be staged at Prithvi in October and a new production of Krishna Sobti’s fiery Mitro Marjani at the NCPA Centrestage Festival later this year. Once, when Dinesh Thakur was complimented with, “You have kept Hindi theatre alive,” he had replied. “Hindi theatre has kept me alive.” And it’s true... the history of Hindi theatre will always have Dinesh Thakur and Ank in bold letters.
Lillete Dubey and Mahesh Dattani come together again, with a new production, Where Did I Leave My Purdah. It is quite unlike the plays Lillete has done so far and the story, set in the world of theatre and cinema over 50 years, must have been tempting for her — the ups and downs in the life of an actress who lived through her art at the cost of connecting with the real world. Soni Razdan steps on the stage after a long time with Neha Dubey, Sid Makkar, Priyanka Karunakaran, and Lillete herself.

A still from Hai Mera Dil

Now, ‘ostrich pillow’ to cure travellers of jet lag

    Researchers claim to have found the ideal product to help travellers counter the ill effects of jet lag and long-haul flights. The ostrich pillow is a new portable device that, its inventors say, will “enable power naps anytime, anywhere,” including in airport lounges and on planes. Stuffed with synthetic material — “for maximum performance and lightness”, according to its inventors — the distinctive-looking pillow has a hole in which to put your head, and a mouth hole designed to allow its wearer to breath easily, a newspaper has reported.
    It also has two side holes where you can store your hands — if napping at a table in a library, for example.
    The concept was developed by Kawamura-Ganjavian, an architecture and design studio.
    Among other products, the company has also been responsible for developing the “ear shell” (a “sound enhancing device” that is attached to the ear), and a solar plug for charging portable computers. The pillow has been described on a technology website as like “a giant garden squash gone soft”. Its creators argue that it genuinely works, saying: “We have tried it in airports, trains, aeroplanes, libraries, at the office, on a sofa and even on the floor and it’s really wonderful.”
    With so much anxiety the world over on getting an adequate amount of shut-eye and sleeping right, the trend might be interesting to look at.
    ANI

Travellers often find it tough to sleep right

12 things you didn’t know about me Actress Sameera Reddy

12 things you didn’t know about me

Actress Sameera Reddy would have been a chef. Here are her other likes

1 I love cooking generous meals for friends and family. It’s my biggest de-stresser.

2 Body odour turns me off. That’s one thing I just can’t bear when I meet someone.

3 It takes me close to an hour to get ready for a shoot. But strangely, it takes me just five minutes when it’s personal. Still can’t figure that one out!

4 I have a rare shoe size. So, hoarding shoes (100 pairs) is what I call one of my career investments. Of course, that’s a major perk, too!

5 I am a sleepwalker, have been so since childhood. People find it scary. I find it amusing.

6 I love reading autobiographies. I just can’t get myself to read fiction unless it’s really special.

7 I always carry my pillow when I travel outside Mumbai. I can’t live without it.

8 I can’t remember people’s names. In my profession, you meet loads of people everyday. And it gets super embarrassing at times.

9 I still feel shy while giving saucy looks to the camera. Living up to the ‘Sexy Sam’ image is not always easy.

10 If I weren’t an actress, I would have been a chef.

11 I never look back in anger. I believe that everything that has happened and everyone I have ever met has happened for a damn good reason.

12 My idea of romance is underwater. Scuba diving is the thing I would connect with most with my partner.

Sameera Reddy

A few Bollywood and Television celebrities shared their love for Ganesha

LOVE YOU GANESHA

A few Bollywood and Television celebrities shared their love for Ganesha

Arjan Bajwa (Hindi film actor): I am a firm believer of Lord Ganesha. I feel positive and blessed whenever I pray to Him. Ganesh Chaturthi completely reflects the spirit of Mumbai. This festival certainly shows the unity among people.

Neha Desai (TV Actor): I just love the atmosphere of the city, especially during Ganesh Chaturthi. It gets so vibrant and colourful with Ganesha fervour. I am a firm believer of Ganpati and have got some wonderful memories of Ganesh festival which I will cherish forever.

Sakshi Tanwar (TV Actor): Ganesh Utsav is big here and I love the sanctity of it. During the festival I make it a point to visit at least 11 Ganpati pandals. We don't bring home Ganesha but there is a community pandal in my building and celebrate the festival to the fullest.

Ssumier S. Pasricha (TV Actor) Every year I am surprised to see how this festival brings people so close to each other, making them forget all the indifferences and tensions. My fondest memory is when I saw the Ganpati celebrations for the first time in the city. The visarjan experience and the whole atmosphere around were amazing. I cherish that memory even today.

Manish Naggdev (TV Actor): I consider Ganpati Bappa as my friend. It is because I used to dance on Ganpati dhol since my childhood, I got interested in dancing and acting. I believe that Lord Ganesha guided me to take up acting as a career. The festival totally purifies the atmosphere and makes me feel rejuvenated.