Mandeep Puri

We remember her from one of her most popular songs – Choli ke peeche kya hai and from the Fame of Gurukul, the judge of Junoon Kuch Kar Dikhane Ka.

Ila Arun, a folk-pop singer with a unique, husky voice and a penchant for folk-pop fusion, has mastered the music and acting too.

Despite having woken up at early in the morning and travelled from Jaipur to the city Beautiful, Chandigarh, she has smiles all around.

Ila is here to shoot for West Is West, sequel to the 1999 box office and critical hit East Is East. She plays the wife of Om Puri, the protagonist. “I am enjoying the film; it’s an interesting script,” she tells. “We are shooting on the outskirts of the city and I’m speaking Punjabi, which is a great challenge as I am doing so for the first time. I’ve sung a couple of Punjabi songs though.”

Ila Arun

There’s been a hit in Ring ring ringa in Slumdog Millionaire recently, but it’s been some time since Ila came out with an album. She tells us she has an album ready. But, times have changed, she says.
“There’s a lot of piracy, people download songs and technology has advanced. Music companies do not want to release albums — they want singles, want to release on mobile phones.” And that’s not something anybody can do. “India is full of music. Punjab is full of music. But those not good with technology will suffer. I call myself an illiterate too. I can’t open a website and market myself through that. Mehndi Hasan, Wadali Brothers and Ghulam Ali can’t do that!” But such limitations can’t contain an Ila. There are so many other things she does. “I act, sing, do plays, write plays, do radio shows…” Soon, Ila’s Shyam Benegal film with Boman Irani — Well Done Abba — will release and there’s Vinay Shukla’s Mirch and Karan Razdan’s Aagah.

Her new album brings together a host of musicians like Sivamani, Salim-Sulaiman and Pankaj Kanujia… Folk is so strong a genre but when it joins hands with musicians like these, the body becomes stronger and the sounds turn youthful, she says.

Ila’s also done some reality TV. She says it’s good to do “good TV”. “Though I was offered it, it’s good I haven’t done Bigg Boss.” Channels are bringing in global concepts to Indian screens, people are watching it. But people don’t relate to it, she says. Ila is producing a music-based reality show. “And then I’ll come to Punjab, looking for talent in a land where artistes grow like kheton mein fasal…”

Ila Arun

Background

Born in Jaipur, is a popular Indian actor, TV personality and a folk -pop singer. She studied in Maharani Girls College in Jaipur. In the Sony Entertainment Television show Fame Gurukul, she was the headmistress of the school where the contestants of the show trained for the reality singing show. She sang on the successful Tamil song “Muthu Muthu Mazhai” on the soundtrack to the film Mr. Romeo composed by A. R. Rahman. Other than many other awards, she has won one Filmfare Best Female Playback Award in 1994 for the song “Choli Ke Peeche” from the film Khalnayak.

Career

She has produced several successful singles such as “Vote for Ghagra”, which sold more than 100,000 copies, Morni, Main ho gayi sawa lakh ki,Mera Assi Kali ka Ghagra,Darudi, Bichuda,Main Raatan Jagi etc. Her fans await her comeback as she left after her album Haule Haule protesting music piracy and remixes and sexual content in songs. She herself accepted that she is all set to return with an album which is ready.She will appear in NDTV Imagine’s reality show Junoon-Kuch kar dikhana hai as a judge for the folk-singers team Maati ke laal. She recently sang the promotional song Halla Bol for the Rajasthan Royals team in the IPL which became an instant hit. She hails from Rajasthan and sings lots of Rajasthani songs in all her albums and movies. She has recently delivered an electrifying performance in the 2008 hit Jodhaa Akbar as Maham Anga, Akbar’s wet nurse, who is also like Akbar’s mother. She has also acted in critically acclaimed films such as China Gate, Chingari, and the most recent Welcome to Sajjanpur.

Family

Her brother Piyush Pandey is an ad-maker while her sister Rama Pandey is a Producer-Director and Tripti Pandey is a cultural activist in Rajasthan. She sings on the Hindi song “Ringa Ringa” on the soundtrack of Slumdog Millionaire.

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Mandeep Puri

The biggest regret that honestly trickles out of Allan Border’s eyes, “ I wish I had taken my captaincy more seriously from the beginning”. Yes, that’s one thing, which is confessed by one of Australia’s most successful captains, who still carries in his heart after quitting cricket in 1994.

And things were made difficult for the young captain when players from his team defected and joined Kerry Packer’s rebel World Series Cricket. Border says the unauthorised tournaments like Indian Cricket League ( ICL) reminded him of that time.

Border did not take over captaincy by choice; he was forced to become one after a crying Kim Hughes resigned following heavy losses to the mighty West Indies in 1984- 85 season.

“The ICL was certainly similar in many ways to the World Series Cricket. I remember being forced upon with a tough job of playing with a team that didn’t really have many great players. And it was my job to ensure that the depleted team performed,” said Border, who is here as a brand ambassador for the Airtel Delhi Half- Marathon to be held on Sunday.

Allanborder

Border was among the few cricketers who saw One- day Internationals push Test cricket into the background in terms of popularity. And now he feels Twenty20 cricket is going to overpower ODIs. “ I like Twenty20; it’s a revolution. In fact, I would love to play in it even now, if I get a chance.

Because here you don’t have to think much and just go at everything. That’s my style,” he said.

“ But, on second thoughts, the shorter format is going to make the 50- overs game look boring.” But Border has a solution to that problem too. “ Less is best. I say reduce the amount of cricket just a bit and make it more meaningful so that the viewer does not get saturated. All three formats — Tests, ODIs and T20 — can complement each other, but the ‘ beast’ has to be controlled.

There should not be paralysis by analysis,” he said.

And he said the control will also solve the issue of player burn- out, though he did not believe that any such problems existed. “ You always have a choice. Say, if you decide not to play the IPL, you get six weeks of rest. But, then you are after money. And frankly, bowling four overs and having a fling with the bat for just 20 overs should definitely not be a reason for anyone getting injured,” he said.

“ The problem here is different.

Nowadays there is too much support staff with the teams.

And everyone needs to protect their jobs so they invent new methods of training. That is taking a toll on the players’ bodies.” Cut to 2009 and Border sees current Australia captain Ricky Ponting in a similar position.

“ Ricky inherited a great team, but soon players like McGrath and Gilchrist retired. Now, the team is in a rebuilding process, and it’s a period that comes in every team’s cricketing life,” he said.

“ And if the team is losing, it’s not just Ricky’s fault; the administrators also have a role to play in it. People who are managing the system of bringing in young talent have to work well,” he said.

“ In Australia, right now, any kid who is, say, six feet or above is being lured away by the Australian style football leagues at a very young age. They give these kids money to play in small leagues and they go for it, leaving cricket behind. So, I suppose Cricket Australia will have to concentrate on this basic level to improve the bench strength a bit. Of course, we also rely a lot on state- based selection and that matters a lot too,” he explained.

But, Border had some kind words for Ponting, who having lost the Ashes, is going through a tough time. “ I think he would like to go back to England one more time. We Australians don’t take kindly to losing Ashes. I remember Ian Chappell telling me once ‘ lose anywhere but don’t ever lose to England’. But, Ponting is a strong leader and unless his personal circumstances force him to, I see him leading the team at the Ashes in 2013,” he said.

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M Naik

Riteish Deshmukh is on top of the world. No, not with regard to the release of his film, but it is because of the Congress-NCP alliance’s thumping victory in the recent Maharashtra Assembly elections. Not only that, his elder brother Amit Deshmukh has tasted sweet victory in one of the Assembly constituencies. Thus it is time for big celebrations in the family.

Added to all the jubilation is Riteish’s own release – Aladin – which is all set to release on October 30. In a free-wheeling interview, Riteish throws more light on the film, which is already creating waves thanks to mind-boggling special effects and Amitabh’s chartbusting number Make a wish.

Aladin sounds like a fantasy. Can you tell us what is the film all about?

Though my character in the film is named Aladin and he rubs a lamp, which makes a genie called Genius (Amitabh Bachchan) appear before him. The similarity ends at that. The story is a modern-day adaptation of the classic we all love and heard of. However, the original essence of the story has been retained.

What is the character Aladin all about?

Aladin is a person who is not having the courage to convey his true feelings. The character does not know how to express his feelings. He represents all those people who do not have the courage to say what they think. A lot of people in India will be able to relate to him.

Tell us about the character Jaqueline Fernandez has essayed opposite you?

Jaqueline who is a very talented newcomer from Sri Lanka plays this very beautiful girl with whom Aladin falls in love with. Aladin likes this beautiful girl but fears telling her about his true feelings.

Ritesh Deshmukh

How was the experience of working with Mr Bachchan?

It was an amazing experience. He is an institution in himself. There is a lot that can be learnt from him. I truly loved this experience. I will cherish it for years to come.

After your last release Do Knot Disturb, what are your expectations from this film?

Basically, we do not think about all these things. After a film is released, we do not think about its fate. Whether it does good or bad does not matter. We just move on.

But are you happy with the response that Do Knot Disturb has received?

Of course, as you know, it has not done well. But as I said, we do not think about these things and just move on.

You are known for comedy? What kind of comedy can we expect in this film?

No, this film does not contain the kind of comedy I am known for. It is a different genre. A different film in that respect.

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The actor, who believes in looking the character he plays, has completely gone “chocolate” in Tum Mile, write Mandeep Puri.

From bespectacled and unassuming undercover agent in Gangster, to a dyed-hair rogue in Kalyug, to a ganglord in Awaarapan, to a boy next door in Jannat, to sporting a goatee in Raaz –The Mystery Continues…Emraan Hashmi is perhaps one of the few actors who has sported varied looks for the varied roles he has played so far. And he has done that with élan and played it completely to the gallery.

Now with his next release Tum Mile, he does what anyone least would expect him to do…he goes completely “chocolate”. His looks and the way he played in Tum Mile, it was really unexpected of him, which no one would have ever imagined him to do.

emran

Says Emraan about his get-ups so far, “I have always tried to do the justice to the characters I have played, without worrying about the how conventionally good looks. In Gangster I had to be unassuming and look totally harmless – and that’s where me wearing spectacles came in. In Raaz TMC, I had to look like a maverick painter, who had some deep secrets within…and my spiked hair, goatee and the jackets did the trick. Also look at my get-up in Gangster, Kalyug, Awaarapan,.I don’t think any other lead actor in recent times would have risked to experiment with the looks like I have, and would have been widely accepted by the audiences…. I have been lucky my risks have paid of”, he says.

In Tum Mile, E mraan goes “chocolate’!! About his look in Tum Mile, he says “When Kunal told me that in this movie he wants me minimal stubble, close to clean shaven and also wearing bright colors like pinks and purples – I thought this would be a great challenge to take up. In one part of the film I am in trendy t-shirts and denims, and then there is other part where I am in office formals and spectacles!!! People might say this is not my zone – but the feedback I have got till now is very encouraging. And above everything else, this does justice to my character.”

In Tum Mile, Emraan plays an artist – as a university student in one part of the film and as a corporate professional in the other. The film – which is a love story with the backdrop of 26thJuly’05 deluge – is directed by Kunal Deshmukh and also stars Soha Ali Khan. This is the second film out the Sony Music – Vishesh Films alliance – the first being the smash hit Raaz -The Mystery Continues.

The much popularly known as the “serial kisser”, Hashmi is still fresh in people’s memories with Raaz The Mystery Continues. And he is now ready with Tum Mile. “There’s a very beautiful love story in there,” he promises.

On being asked if Hashmi will be playing a role for Mohit Suri’s movie on Australian racial attacks on Indian students, he says, “Yes, I will be playing a part in the movie, but it is still being scripted and most probabably, we would start shooting in December.” Ask him about his role and he says, “There’s nothing defined as yet, but yes, this movie is based on real-life characters, but won’t be a judgemental movie. We would be showing the real picture.”

While he’s flexing muscles for another flick, Once Upon a Time in Mumbai based on the underworld, Hashmi denies reports of him doing the remake of Gary Cooper’s ‘Love in the Afternoon’. Hashmi is touted to play Dawood Ibrahim.

On the discrimination he faced when trying to buy a flat in Mumbai, he says, “The entire issue escalated into a different direction. The issue was trivialised. Other people were being asked for their comments,” he shoots, adding that he wasn’t talking of a trend. “I was talking about my experience”.

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Singer Mohit Chauhan has special memories of Chandigarh. Belonging to Nahan, Himachal Pradesh, the gifted singer is impressed with our City youth, “The youth makes the city complete”.

A graduate with a Master of Science in Geology from the Dharamshala College in Himachal, Mohit took no formal training in music. He likes to exercise his freedom in singing, wherein the singer comes out with occasional private album and Fitoor being one. He adds, “It comprises different genres and I have put together various thoughts and music arrangements in this album. That’s the beauty of music — it gives you the opportunity to improvise. Even on stage, while giving a performance, you do that.”

He says, “I am always selective and compromise only to the extent that it adds to the music. It has to be a combination of commercial aspect and quality, he opines.

mohit chauhan

His favourites among music directors are those with whom he shares a good equation.
“They are thorough professionals — Pritam, A.R. Rahman and Salim of Salim Sulaiman. Among my forthcoming projects, I am looking forward to Mahesh Bhatt’s Tum Mile, as Bhatt films are known for their good music and another one is a film by Deepti Naval, in which I have sung two songs. Then there is Dance Pe Chance and Kites.”

“Fitoor reflects eccentricity, a positive madness that leads to a creative explosion. It has ten tracks that were composed while I was trekking, wandering or just shopping in streets.” His experimentation with Bollywood, in the deluge of voices, creating his space was something that never worried him.

Himachal being his first love, Mohit during his formative years was inspired by the  beauty and silence of the hills and sounds of the gurgling streams and the whistling winds. “I have a great liking for the Chamba folk music which depicts the beauty of women and the mountains with a touch of Indian classical music”, he adds.

Mohit revealed that although he loved music and singing since his childhood, yet he never aspired to become a singer. It was in the 1980s while studying for his Masters in Geology at Kangra, that Mohit joined The Hijackers, a Dharamsala based pop group, as lead singer, and the live performances instilled confidence in him. The Hijackers was basically a Western group and Mohit crooned out popular hits of Michael Jackson, Rod Stewart, Paula Anka and others, performing for foreign tourists at MacLeodganj. Mohit became nostalgic about his Dharamsala days and expressed his desire of performing there again. He said he had got a call from his friend and lead guitarist of The Hijackers, Kuljeet, to perform at the Dharamsala summer festival.

It was in 1993 that Mohit ventured to Delhi for making a career in the advertising world and landed up making music and TV films, jingles and documentaries and doing live shows in the Capital. “I have composed music for UNICEF, and Khoobsoorat telecast from Zee TV a few years ago.

He revealed he met Kem Trivedi in Delhi and they started composing songs in the evenings. According to Mohit, good lyrics are an integral part of any song. “They lyrics reflect our attitude in life as I am basically a romantic type of a person”.

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Mandeep Puri

You always have some or the other influence of the place you belong to and Singer Mohit Chauhan is no different. You can always hear of mountain from some of the film songs that he have sung and that’s where his roots are.

This self-learnt singer has his own style that is naturally within him. “As a singer you need to bring out the emotions of a song that the music director and the filmmaker expect out of you. I think the lyrics should be simple, straight and should fit into the tune and the character of the film,” says Mohit, who was in Chandigarh for the promotion of his latest album Fitoor.

mohit chauhan

Mohit Chauhan started his career singing Indian pop songs with the band called Silk Route, who released two albums, Boondein (1998) and Pehchan (2000) with Silk Route. Mohit sung and acted in the song “Dooba Dooba” from the Silk Route band’s album Boondein, which made the singer popular. Boondein featured Hindi, English, and Pahadi songs that gave the band several awards at the Channel V awards in 1998

And having touched the high point of his career with Silk Route (which was later dissolved), he feels happy to see the band culture growing. “It is good if kids are finding an outlet to their creative urge by forming a band. It’s a cool trend and would teach them teamwork and encourage free exchange of ideas. Not to miss, we will get to hear good music in future,” smiles Mohit.

In 2008, Mohit released the solo album Kalam, for which he composed and sung.

Mohit began singing film songs and contributed a song by A. R. Rahman to the 2006 film Rang De Basanti. His songs “Khoon Chala”, “Tum Se Hi” from the film Jab We Met, “Masakali” from the film Delhi-6, were successful. He sang the songs “Tu Ne Jo Na Kaha” for New York, “Ye dooriyan” for Love Aaj Kal, and “Pehli Baar Mohabbat Ki Hai” for Kaminey.

To be continued…

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