Working on Indian films becomes a task: Zakir Hussain

 LAST POST: [Movie Review] ---AISHA---

Mumbai, Aug 7 (IANS) Tabla maestro Ustad Zakir Hussain, who has returned to music composition after eight years with the crossover movie 'For Real', says he doesn't work on many films because it becomes a task. He is also impressed with the new crop of talent on the Indian music scene.

' 'For Real' is the third film that I have done music for. I am not in India most of the time; so working on Indian films becomes a task,' Hussain told IANS in an e-mail interview.

'Also, I don't go looking for music direction assignments. If something great comes up and I find it appealing, I do it,' he added.

In the past, the Grammy winner, who tours around the world and usually stays in the US, has composed soul-stirring music for Sai Paranjape's 'Saaz' in 1998 and Aparna Sen's 'Mr. And Mrs. Iyer' in 2002.

When asked what interested him in 'For Real', Hussain said: 'Sona Jain, who is director of the film, is the one who made me do music for 'For Real'.'

'When she came to me and spoke about the film, I liked the concept. I could see my daughter in Sona. She spoke to me with great confidence,' he said.

'As soon as I got accustomed to the script and realised what kind of music the script and characters need, I started composing it,' he added.

Directed, written and produced by Jain, 'For Real' is the story of a six-year-old girl who witnesses a moment of discord within her family.

The ensuing depression evident in her parents causes a reaction in the child's mind, making her withdraw into a fantasy world where she believes her mother has been sent to the Orion Galaxy and the one at home is an alien.

The film is slated to release in India Sep 17. It stars Sarita Choudhury, a British actress of Indian descent.

The soundtrack of the film comprises five tracks and tabla is not the only instrument that is predominant in the compositions.

'The songs in the film are very situational and each song is written keeping in mind the scene and the characters,' the 59-year-old musician revealed.

'The film demanded different types of instruments; so no one instrument is predominant. The music has to be in sync with the scene,' he added.

So did he get stuck while composing the music of the film or face any difficulty?

'There is a feeling of achievement when one finishes a piece of music, but when I listen to the same a day later I realise it can get better. So I keep innovating and making changes to get better. I wouldn't call it difficulty though,' Hussain said.

The internationally-known musician also feels the music scene in India is really evolving.

'The music scene in India is evolving. The amount of talent that I see in the current musicians is phenomenal. The raw talent our country has will definitely make us proud and create waves around the world,' he said.

Apart from this film, Hussain has his hands full with other projects.

'I am travelling a lot and have a couple of international projects lined up. You'll get to hear about them as and when they happen,' said the maestro, who will be performing at the Edinburgh International Festival Aug 26-29.

[Movie Review] ---AISHA---

Mumbai: Aisha—Movie Review : Anil Kapoor’s home production “Aisha” has hit theatres worldwide today, the 6th of Aug, 2010. This is Rhea Kapoor’s debut as a producer. The film is based on Jane Austen’s novel “Emma”.

The writer and director of “Aisha” have remained faithful and have given complete justice to the novel. The film has a simple plot and a simple love story. It does not portray any drama which is normally found in typical love stories.
The story is light and breezy and lacks the depth of passion. It has a neat performance and super musical score. Style icon Sonam Kapoor won the hearts of audiences in the garden city during the promotion of her upcoming flick “Aisha”.
On this occasion she also stated that her role in “Aisha” is bound to make a profound impact. She added “It is a film which is very close to my heart. My sister Riya Kapoor has produced it and the film is based on a novel.” “I love to work with Abhhay again. We share good screen chemistry.” “Aisha” has no parental opposition to encounter, no major hurdles to cross and no major conflicts to solve.
Aisha (Sonam) is a simple girl for whom “everyone’s business is her business”. On the other hand, Arjun (Abhay) is a boy with even simpler set of beliefs. Aisha caught up in the upper class world of Delhi with its own set of social rules creates her world with greater optimism and a great sense of style.
The film also casts Ira Dubey, Amrita Puri, Cyrus Sahukar and Arunoday Singh. It an apt film for today’s generation.

Sonam, Anil to grace 'Dance India Dance L'il Masters' finale

New Delhi, Aug 4 (IANS) Bollywood father-daughter duo Anil Kapoor and Sonam Kapoor will be special guests at the grand finale of Zee TV's 'Dance India Dance L'il Masters' to be held in Pune Saturday.

They will be promoting their film 'Aisha', releasing Friday.

The grand finale, to be held at Balewadi Sports Complex in Pune, will see four finalists - Pune-based Vaishnavi Patil, Jeetumoni from Assam, Manoj and Atul, competing against each other to be ultimately crowned as 'Dance Ka Baap'.

The show started with 16 children, judged by ace choreographers Farah Khan and Sandip Soparrkar.

A lot of people from various parts of Maharashtra like Pune, Nagpur, Nashik, Satara, Sangli, Aurangabad and Kolhapur will get an opportunity to witness the event live as part of the channel's initiative to connect with its viewers at the ground level.

Among those present on the finale will be veteran actor Mithun Chakraborty, the children's mentors - Dharmesh, Jay, Mayuresh-Vrushali and Amrita.

Choreographers Remo D'souza, Geeta Kapoor and Terence Lewis, who provided encouragement to the contestants on various stages, will also be present.

Anil's younger daughter Rhea Kapoor has produced 'Aisha' while Sonam plays the lead alongside actors like Abhay Deol, Cyrus Sahukar, Arunoday Singh, Ira Dubey, Amrita Puri and Lisa Haydon.

Why is Sallu following Zarine Khan?

India, July 28 -- Salman Khan is infamous for chaperoning newcomers especially if they happen to be pretty young women a la - Aishwarya, Katrina and the most recent being Zarine Khan. After promoting Zarine in Veer he is leaving no stone unturned to help her further her career. With Katrina busy enjoying her B-town success, Sallu is making do with her look-alike Zarine. Reportedly the actor was accompanied by the newcomer for Aamir Khan's Bollywood bash for Argentina musician Gustavo Sanataolla. The duo also performed together at IIFA.

The actor who joined Twitter recently, didn't care about following Bollywood big-wigs but is following Zarine. One wonders why Sallu is so keen to keep a tab on the activities of the lissome lass.

Sonu Niigaam follows Baba Ramdev's health tips

New Delhi, July 22 -- Playback singer Sonu Niigaam is looking fit as ever at 36, all thanks to Baba Ramdev's exercises that he practices religiously everyday. The singer, who has sung popular numbers like Ye Dil Deewana and Panchhi Nadiyaan, is sporting a new, refreshed look for his role as a judge on Star Plus' reality show Chhote Ustaad.

The show is going on air Saturday, and Sonu sports a new hairdo, a revamped wardrobe and a well-toned body on the show. His yoga sessions also help him in building stamina and focus, says a source close to the singer.

Aamir tops power list, beats SRK

 

New Delhi, July 22 -- Who's most powerful among all Khans? Going by the Filmfare Power list, Aamir Khan wins the battle. The actor has retained his top position in the list for third consecutive time.

Aamir has pipped arch rival Shah Rukh Khan who has grabbed second postition in the list with no major releases in 2009. 3 Idiots magic worked for Raj Kumar Hirani, as he moves to 3rd position on the list.

Winning an Oscar for Slumdog Millionaire has ensured 4th position for music maestro AR Rahman, who failed to enthrall audience with Raavan's music. He featured at 8th position last year.

Filmmaker Karan Johar has beat guru Yash Chopra as he gets 5th position in the Power list. Ranbir Kapoor starrer film Wake Up Sid helped him grab this slot.

A string of flops have affected Yash Chopra's position on the list as he moves from 3rd position to 6th this year. Interestingly, Kareena has beaten Katrina Kaif as she bags 8th place, while Katrina manages to take the 10th slot.

Ajay to play terrorist in Speed remake

Sat, Jul 24 12:45 PM

New Delhi, July 22 -- After playing a negative character in Once Upon A Time in Mumbaai, Ajay Devgn is all set to return as a baddie in Priyadarshan's remake of Jan de Bont's, Speed. Now picture this, Devgn, who is playing a terrorist in the movie, will plant a bomb in a subway train instead of a bus ala Speed.

Director Priyadarshan told Mumbai Mirror, "The difference in my film is that we've shifted the terror attack from a bus to a train." Talking about the film's location in London, Priyadarshan told the tabloid, "We've got permission to shoot at one of the London stations and inside a train.

It took some effort but we did it. I don't think it would've made sense to shoot the film without actual locations and the train.

" Besides Devgn, the untitled film stars Kangana Ranaut, Manoj Bajpai, Tusshar Kapoor, Sameera Reddy and Suniel Shetty. Talking about the cast Priyan said, "I've just signed Kangna opposite Ajay.

I've never worked with her or Ajay before. Tusshar Kapoor and Sameera Reddy have also been cast as terrorists.

My other favourite Suniel Shetty is also there in a special role.".