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Piyas in pixels
In October last year, celebrity bahu Aishwarya Rai Bachchan left a juicy Hollywood project to be with hubby Abhishek on her first Karva Chauth.
As we know, it’s a day devoted to fasting (you can’t have even water), dressing up, spending time together and waiting for the never-seem-to-be-rising moon. Karva Chauth, some may call it regressive or sexist, reaffirms the deep bond between the couple. The very essence of this traditional Hindu festival is togetherness. But what happens when the love of your life is far away on this big day? We find out from city folks to know how hard it is to celebrate this Spouse’s Day sans the partner. Rinku and Varinder Singh are not that lucky. They got married in December last year and while Rinku is in the city, her husband has jet off to Indiana. “I am so dejected that he couldn’t make it for our first Karva Chauth. Due to the time difference, he would be working when I will break my fast. I am still hoping to see him on the webcam,” she says. Pandit Ronu
Majumdar, the noted flute player lives out of his bag throughout the year and well, sadly, is not with the family on most of the occasions. This Karva Chauth too the scene is much the same, as he will be performing at a concert. So, how does his wife,
Pula, back home, do the udyapan? “I keep on travelling all across the globe for my concerts. Recently, I was on a 28-day tour to the USA. Festivals are very close to my heart and our family celebrates them with much fanfare. On Karva Chauth today I am going to be out of town, so my wife will break her fast by viewing me on the camera and speaking on the cell.’’ — Jasmine Singh |
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Mundhra’s moderates
As Asians over the world face an atmosphere of hate in the West in the aftermath of the 9/11 attack and the 2005 London bombings, a number of film makers are reflecting through their cinematic ventures the growing Islamophobia across the Western world and its impact on moderate Asians and Muslims settled there.
The latest in the series of films aiming to present to the West, the voice of the moderate Muslim seeking a fervent plea for an end to the Islamophobia that has been plaguing the West over the last few years is JagMohan Mundhra's Shoot On Sight, which releases in theatres in India tomorrow. Produced by Aron Govil Productions, 'Shoot On Sight', an international production featuring veteran Indian actors Naseerudin Shah, Om Puri and Gulshan Grover alongside an ensemble of Hollywood actors like Greta Scacchi, Brian Cox, Laila Rouass and Sadie Frost, is a thriller based on the July 7, 2005 bombings in London and the Islamophobia set off in the country in its wake. Releasing in India on around 300 prints, Shoot On Sight is a gripping thriller and riveting family drama that unfolds the turmoil in the life of Tariq Ali (Naseerudin Shah), a Muslim police officer at Scotland Yard. Commander Ali, born in Pakistan, married to an English woman, and with two teenage kids, is tasked to investigate the police shooting of a suspected Muslim terrorist on the London Underground. Distrusted by both his British superiors in the London police, and his fellow Muslims, he finds his inquiry hampered from all sides. When evidence surfaces pointing to the slain man's innocence as well as the existence of a terrorist cell operating in his own backyard, Tariq must face the realisation that sometimes the right decision is the hardest one to make. The film is inspired by the terrorist attack of July 7, 2005 in London. Says the director of Shoot On Sight Jagmohan Mundhra, "I made the film as after the bombings, I was in London and noticed that my looks went against me, probably because I had a beard and resembled a Muslim. I couldn't even get a taxi back to my apartment. The film tries to show how because of acts of some extremist Muslims, the majority of progressive minorities are also seen in the same light as the extremists. They also have to suffer from the Islamophobia prevailing in Western countries.'' Citing the example of England in this regard, Mundhra said a country which, till a few years ago, was extremely liberal towards Mulsims became strongly anti-Muslim after the bombings. “ The country has been very open and liberal about having Muslims as part of their culture. In fact, London has a Mosque at every nook and corner. However, post the July 7 bombings, the liberal attitude was replaced by a lot of anti-Muslim feeling,” he said. That all the terrorists were homegrown people, born and raised in England, who went to Pakistan and trained to be terrorists and came back and committed the act has not gone down well with the general British people,'' Mundhra said. Shoot On Sight, to be released in the English version along with the Hindi one, will be released in around 300 prints, including the digital prints.
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There is much more to Urmila Matondkar than her sex appeal. It is hard to believe that she begun her career as a boy. She has proved herself as an actor of substance time and again. Now, Urmila has two films lined up for release - one, the remake of Karz with Himesh Reshammiya and EMI with Sanjay Dutt. We talk to the original glamour girl of the industry to know about her films.
I am happy that two of my films are releasing at the same time. Strange as it may sound, no matter how many years you work in the industry, a new release always makes you nervous. I am excited and feel the butterflies in my tummy.
I play Kamini, which was played by Simi Garewal. It is a character which no actress can resist. So, when it fell into my lap, I lapped it up. As for Himesh, he is truly a rock-star, just like his character Monty in the film.
It's my all-time favourite. It's a classic. The story and the music are still remembered. It is an honour to be part of the remake.
The banner ensures how a film turns out and it has been a pleasure to work with this prestigious banner. It is my first film with them and the entire shooting schedule handled very meticulously. It is also my first with director Satish Kaushik.
What to do? The offers were many but none were worth talking about. What is the point in repeating the characters which I have done before? Karzzzz and EMI were the only two
good projects. That is why I took them up.
A happy-go-lucky, middleclass young widow, who is trying hard to make both ends meet. — Dharam Pal
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Hello TUNEz
Some time ago, when Himesh Reshammiya was blasted for his nasal singing, he had countered that even Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and R. D. Burman sang that way. Asha Bhosle took offence to that remark and Himesh had to apologise.
Who would have thought that Himesh would develop a full-fledged Nusrat fixation? Just listen to the title track Lut jaaon lut jaoon and you would know how "badly" he wants to be a Nusrat. But that is easier said than sung. The affectations are all the same but quality…. Ahem! It even borrows snatches from Karunesh's track Punjab. There are nine songs and Himesh Reshammiya figures in each and every one of them, including four singles. Listening to even one of them is not an easy proposition but nine back to back are spooky. But think of those who will also go to see the film! It is his female accompanists who break the monotony somewhat. Newcomer Harshdeep is excellent in Lut jaaon while Tulsi Kumar gives a good account of herself in Soniye je tere and Tere bin chain na aave. Sunidhi Chauhan and Shreya Ghoshal do not have much to do in Tandoori nights and Ek haseena thi. The album comes with a second CD which has each one of these songs in a "club and lounge mix". The difference is that the tunes get even more loud and shrieky. Brown Sugar (Speed Records): This Punjabi album is an oddball. The style of singing and lyrics are 200 percent rural Punjabi, of the kind which you don't even hear in cities. But the rap that goes with it is fully westernized. Perhaps this is aimed at the desis settled abroad who love their roots provided they are covered with chrome polish. It features several artistes such as Gippy Grewal, Kaka Bhainiwala, Nirmal Sidhu, Bal-E Lasara featuring MC JD, K S Makhan, Soni Pabla, Manjit Pappu, Charnjit Channi, Bal-E Lasara featuring Don Revo, Kang G and Kuldip Manak/S. Darapuriya. In fact, each song has been rendered by a different singer. In between, there are some positive messages like never committing female foeticide. Music is by Joti Dhillon. Wish somebody had told us about lyricists too. — ASC |
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1. Rock on (Big Music) 2. Karz (T-Series Music) 3. Singh is King (Junglee Music) 4. Bachna Ae Haseeno (Yash Raj Music) 5. Dostana (Sony Music) 6. Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na (T-Series Music) 7. Jannat (Sony Music) 8. Kismet Konnection (Tips Music) 9. Heroes (Eros) 10. Fashion (T-Series) Non-filmi
1. Teri Justjoo Various Artists (Sony Music) 2. Sufi Gold Various Artists (Times Music) 3. Charkha Rahat Fateh Ali Khan(Sa Re Ga Ma) 4. Sufi Jannat Various Artists(Tips Music) 5. Saiyyan Kailash Kher(Sony Music) 6. Ghalib By Abida Abida Praveen(Times Music) 7. Aawegi Ja Nahin Rabbi Shergill(Yash Raj Music) 8. Taabeer Shafqat Amanat Ali Khan (Music Today) 9. Yaad Piya Ki Wadali Brothers(Sony Music) 10. Teri Deewani Various Artists(Sony Music) Courtesy - Chandigarh Music Centre-18 |
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Voices from valley
Suno sunao life banao is what you hear every time you tune in to Big FM. But taking the punchline a little further are Wafa Vakil, Farah Khan and Yusra Hussian, radio jockeys from its Srinagar station.
Into the profession by chance, these three spell the mantra of life for Gen Y with a little gaana bajana. “When we started, the concept of RJying it was very new to Kashmiris. But it picked up fast and was an instant hit with people. And now its a part and parcel of daily life,” tells Wafa. And why not, the medium has brought more than just entertainment to people in Srinagar. “ People look up to us, we have provided them a friend with whom they can share their personal problems and grievances,” adds Farah. Well, it’s not just others life that these youngsters have changed but radio has actually expanded their own horizons. The trio admits that the medium has not only given them recognition but has opened them to different ideas and has helped them to bond with every strata of society. “Positive acceptance is how I would define radio in Srinagar. It’s filled with loads of masti, dhamaal and humour and this is the need of the hour there.” Says Farah. Started two years back, Syed Ali Jafary, station head, Srinagar, says, “Radio in Kashmir never died despite electricity and other problems. Now we have just evolved it into a portal for the common man.” But for our girls, who are nothing less than rock stars in Srinagar, believe their USP lies in the excitement and joy they bring into people’s life through their programmes. lifestyle@tribunemail.com |
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City girl in Indian Idol 4
Reality show. Contestants. Competition. Judges. Again, what's new? Talent from Chandigarh. Absolutely nothing new. But we love it. Any news of city people making it big, and we love to blow our trumpet. This time it's city girl Purnima…who's made it to the 30 final contestants who'll now sweat it out on Indian Idol 4. On the eve of the telecast of the episode featuring piano round of the shortlisted particpants, we get talking to her father.
For 18-year-old Purnima this journey was neither a cakewalk nor coincidence. No wonder, Purnima's father, Vishwanath, is quite ecstatic. As he says, "It feels really good. Especially, because the competition was steep and tough." But don't mistake happiness for surprise. The girl was quite confident of herself. As he says, "I think she was quite sure, at least that she would make it till the voting stage." Coming back to Purnima's Chandigarh connection. She is a product of Bhavan Vidyalaya-27. Right now, a student of Delhi's Venkateswara College, Purnima couldn't have found a better platform. National television, public scrutiny and everything related to reality shows, did she feel any stress? Says Vishwanath, "No. You feel the stress when you do something you do not want to. Though there is some anxiety but that is just like in any other exam." But as a father, did he have any apprehensions, like too much too soon gong into the teenager's head? He answers, "If talent is there, and it is utilised at an early stage, there is no harm. It depends on the opportunity also." Purnima has been at singing since early childhood, winning awards and prizes by the dozen. As her father says, "She would keenly watch earlier seasons of the show." And what about the negative hype surrounding reality shows, the recent Shinjini episode? He says, "At times, the judges are harsh and they should understand if a particular participant is sensitive. But that was a one-off case and it won't be good to run down such shows on that account as they provide immense opportunity to talent." At such shows, what about those who lose? He says, "If she comes back, she continues her studies. Either ways, there's nothing to lose." That should be the spirit. The show will be telecast live today at 9 pm on Sony |
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Newly married Shivinder Singh of Sector 14 is in the same predicament. His wife Jasreen is in California on a fellowship while he is here caught up in work. “This is the first year of our marriage and Jasreen’s first Karva Chauth. But sadly, we wouldn’t be together,” he laments. Jasreen is more upset than her hubby. “I am in a new country, all by myself and on top of it, I have to celebrate this special day all alone. I wish he were here, “ she says.
“It’s tough. My husband is in the Army and his demanding duty compels us to be at different places even on this special day. I don’t even feel like dressing up. But then we know, it’s just the physical distance. He remains glued to the TV screen and calls me as soon as the moon rises,” says Ritu Kochhar, founder director of INIFD-8. However, this Karwa Chauth would be special for her as hubby dear is back in the city. “I have just returned from Hong Kong with a bagful of presents,” beams Kochhar, who is hoping that the couple will fast together this time. 
Some married women have learnt to take this apartness in their stride. “My husband is in the Merchant Navy and we have been married for over 25 years now. Earlier, I used to be very upset when I didn’t find him around during festivals. But with the passage of time, I realised it is equally difficult for him. He calls me early in the morning when I have sargi, then calls up every hour to know I how I am feeling and he has been doing it for years now. Thankfully, now the kids are grown up and they can keep me company,” says Neelam Nayyar of Sector 2,
Panchkula.
Mundhra, who has earlier made films like Bawander and Provoked, said the film did not try to justify the terrorist act. ''At the same time, the movie tries to show to the White people that every Muslim is not a terrorist. Infact, a majority of them are as much against Islamic terrorism as the westerners are,'' the filmmaker said.
Even the rest of the album is strange. It not only borrows the title from a Rishi Kapoor but also includes a badly mauled version of the song Ek haseena thi from that film. All that makes one feels this is not a regular film album but a cover version. We are told that Bhushan Kumar of T-Series has bought the remake rights of the evergreen hit movie Karz from Mukta Arts for an undisclosed but huge amount.
Filmi