Alka Yagnik - India's "Melody Queen"

Alka Yagnik is the very best artist in Hindi movie music. All of the recognition and awards bestowed upon her testify to this. She certainly deserves each one plus the many more she will receive in the future. But to me, personally, it really does not matter if she has 10 or 1000 awards. It changes nothing of how her music touches me. Just the sound of her voice and the way she sings lifts my heart, feelings and mood above all my cares. We admire your talent and thank you, Alka-ji, for your gift of music to us all. We are your grateful and loyal fans. 

I have had the very great privilege to personally meet with Alka-ji, her mother and daughter on a number of different occassions in Mumbai and Canada. Even though Alka-ji is so very busy and such a celebrity, she, and her family, have taken the time to see me, one of her zillion fans, and make me feel so very comfortable and welcome. It was a thrill to chat with these ladies and have the chance to personally thank Alka-ji for her wonderful music. I can say that she is truly a genuinely wonderful person in addition to being such an extraordinary artist. 

I have heard Alka-ji sing live in concert and also been present in the studio listening to Alka-ji record. I marvel at her mastery and control over her beautiful voice as she produces the music we all love so much. 

Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik (Gujarati: અલકા યાગ્નિક, Hindi: अलका याज्ञिक or अलका याज्ञनिक) (born March 20, 1966^[1] in Kolkata, West Bengal, India) is an iconic ^[2] Indian singer. She has done playback singing for over 1000 Indian films^[3] and has to date sung more than 20,000 songs in various Indian languages.^[4] She is a seven-time winner of Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer , a two-time receipient of the prestigious National Film Awards as well as a receipient of several other prestigious music awards. She has been nominated a record 35 times for Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer.

Early life and background

Alka Yagnik is classically trained and has been one of the leading playback singers in Bollywood since the late 1980s. She began singing bhajans for Akashvani (All India Radio), Calcutta.^[6] at the age of six. Her first song was for the film Payal Ki Jhankaar in (1979), followed by Laawaris (1981) with the hit song "Mere Angene Mein", followed by the film Hamari Bahu Alka (1982). She got her big break with the song "Ek Do Teen" from the film Tezaab (1988). The song turned her into a star overnight and went on to become a pop hit, also winning her a Filmfare Best Female Playback Award. Qayamat Se Qayamat Tak was also a career maker for her, as she along with Udit Narayan became household names.

She has sung in many languages other than Hindi, including Gujarati, Oriya, Assamese, Manipuri, Nepali, Rajasthani, Bengali, Bhojpuri, Punjabi, Marathi, Telugu, Tamil, and Malayalam. She has worked with Indian composers such as Kalyanji-Anandji, Laxmikant-Pyarelal, Rajesh Roshan, Nadeem-Shravan, Jatin Lalit, Anu Malik, A. R. Rahman, Anand-Milind, Himesh Reshammiya,Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy, Ismail Darbar, Aadesh Shrivastava, Viju Shah, M.M. Keeravani, Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan and many others.

She has also sung in many notable albums such as "Tum Yaad Aaye", as well as "Tum Aaye" and "Shairana" in which she worked in close collaboration with award-winning lyricist Javed Akhtar and noted singer Hariharan. She has also rendered the Hanuman Chalisa and various devotional songs.^[7]

She has lent her voice for three generation of actresses ranging from Hema Malini, Rekha, Shabana Azmi, Rakhi Gulzar, Sridevi to Madhuri Dixit, Raveena Tandon, Manisha Koirala, Juhi Chawla, Kajol, Tabu, Rani Mukerji, Preity Zinta,Karisma Kapoor, Aishwarya Rai to Kareena Kapoor, Priyanka Chopra, Sushmita Sen, Bipasha Basu, Katrina Kaif and many others.^[8]

Alka shares the title with Asha Bhosle for the greatest number of Filmfare Awards won (7) by a single female playback singer. Alka has also been the judge of various Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge shows, and Star Voice of India, both singing competition shows, in which children or adults of various age groups compete with one another to win the award for best vocals. In addition to this, her song "Chamma Chamma" from China Gate was featured in the song "Hindi Sad Diamonds" from the soundtrack of the film Moulin Rouge!.

Awards & nominations

See also: List of awards and nominations received by Alka Yagnik

Alka Yagnik has won several prestigious music awards for best female playback such as Filmfare Awards, National Awards, IIFA Awards, Star Screen Awards,Zee Cine Awards, etc. She also holds the record for most awards won (7) as well as maximum nominations (35) in Best Female Playback category at the Filmfare Awards.

Awards Won

Alka Yagnik has received numerous awards and nominations in her singing career, in addition to the awards listed below. She received the Filmfare award for Best Female Playback for three consecutive years from 2000-2002.

Filmfare Awards

Year	Song	Film	Music director(s)	Lyricist
1989	"Ek Do Teen"	Tezaab	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Javed Akhtar
1994	"Choli Ke Peeche" shared with Ila Arun	Khalnayak	Laxmikant-Pyarelal	Anand Bakshi
1998	"Meri Mehbooba"	Pardes	Nadeem-Shravan	Anand Bakshi
2000	"Taal Se Taal"	Taal	A.R. Rahman	Anand Bakshi
2001	"Dil Ne Yeh Kaha Hai Dil Se"	Dhadkan	Nadeem-Shravan	Sameer
2002	"O Re Chhori"	Lagaan	A.R. Rahman	Javed Akhtar
2005	"Hum Tum"	Hum Tum	Jatin-Lalit	Prasoon Joshi

National Film Awards

Year	Song	Film	Music director(s)	Lyricist
1994	"Ghoongat Ki Aad Se"	Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke	Nadeem-Shravan	Sameer
1999	"Kuch Kuch Hota Hai"	Kuch Kuch Hota Hai	Jatin-Lalit	Sameer

Top Hits

But like the post - Mangeshkar generation of singers Alka's best phase began in the 1990's. By 1991 - 1992, she established herself as the busiest singer on the block, a position she still holds today despite the increased competition and her own choosiness! By the law of averages, her high hit songs have not followed any particular image, thus establishing Alka as the next all - rounder after Lata and Asha, and probably the prime singer of choice for heroines. Today, her list of actresses spans from Sharmila Tagore, Rakhee and Rekha to Preity Zinta, Rani Mukherjee, Amisha Patel and Kareena Kapoor. There is no significant composer she has not sung for, and in the case of the toppers she has consistently been the first and most frequent choice of names like Laxmikant - Pyarelal, Anand Milind (except for a brief phase when they were not recording together), Nadeem - Shravan, Anu Malik, Rajesh Roshan and Jatin - Lalit. She has also sung for all the newest composers on the block - Vishal, Anand Raaj Anand, Himesh Reshammiya, Sajid - Wajid, Shankar - Ehsaan - Loy, Ismail Darbar and Sanjeev Darshan.

The cavalcade of hits include - as main female singer - films like 
Saajan, Phool Aur Kaante, aDeewana, Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke, Dilwale, Raja, Barsaat, Raja Hindustani and Pardes (Nadeem - Shravan);

Hum, Narsimha, Prem Deewane, Khal - Nayak, Deewana Mastana (Laxmikant - Pyarelal),

Vishwatma, Tere Mere Sapne, Mohra, Gupt and Bade Miyan Chote Miyan (Viju Shah);

Coolie No.1, Anari, Suhaag, aHero No.1, Jaanwar (Anand - Milind); Karan Arjun, Sabse Bada Khiladi, Kaho… Na Pyar Hai (Rajesh Roshan);

Dallal (Bappi Lahiri);

Criminal and aZakhm (M. M. Kreem);

Sir, Phir Teri Kahani Yaad Aayi, Baazigar, Main Khiladi Tu Anari, Imtihan, Akele Hum Akele Tum, Border, Ishq, Duplicate, Soldier, Jaanam Samjha Karo, Baadshah, Biwi No.1, Refugee,Josh (Anu Malik);

Jab Pyar Kisi Se Hota Hai, Ghulam, Kuch Kuch Hota Hai, Pyar To Hona Hi Tha, Sarfarosh,Khiladi, Raju Ban Gaya Gentelman, Fareb, Yes Boss, Phir Bhi Dil Hai Hindustani (Jatin - Lalit)

Kachche Dhaage (Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan),

Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge and Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya (Himesh Reshammiya)

and many others.

She also sang in films like Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, Hum Saath Saath Hain, Taal (for which she got the Filmfare), Tarkeib, Khamoshi, Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar, Hello Brother, Papa Kehte Hain, Aankhen, Dalaal and many other films.

The mega - hits of Alka Yagnik can be best enumerated by taking them actress - wise. And so the crème - de - la - crème of Alka Yagnik is as follows.

Madhuri Dixit: 'Ek Do Teen Char' (Tezaab), 'Dekha Hai Pehli Baar' (Saajan), 'Choli Ke Peeche' (Khal - Nayak), 'Dhak Dhak Karne Laga' (Beta), 'Ankhiyaan Milaoon' (Raja).

Raakhee: 'Mere Angne Mein' (Laawaris).

Juhi Chawla: 'Ghoonghat Ki Aadh mein' (Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke), 'Mere Mehboob' (Duplicate).

Rani Mukherjee: 'Tum Paas Aaye' (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai), 'Aati Kya Khandala' (Ghulam).

Kajol: Title songs of Baazigar and Pyar Kiya To Darna Kya and 'Jaati Hoon Main' (Karan Arjun).

Manisha Koirala: 'Raja Ko Rani Se Pyar Ho Gaya' (Akele Hum Akele Tum) and the title track ofMann.

Mahima Choudhary: 'Mere Mehbooba' (Pardes).

Ayesha Jhulka: 'Waada Raha Sanam' (Khiladi) and 'Gutar Gutar' (Dalaal).

Amisha Patel: Title track of Kaho Naa.. Pyar Hai.

Karishma Kapoor: 'Pardesi Pardesi (Raja Hindustani and 'Main To Raste' (Coolie No.1).

Shilpa Shetty: 'Churake Dil Mera (Main Khiladi Tu Anari).

Aishwarya Rai: 'Taal Se Taal Mila' (Taal) and 'Chand Chupa' (Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam), and so on for all other top actresses.
http://alkayagnik.8m.com/tophits.htm
http://alkayagnik.8m.com/

Alka Yagnik Fan Site 

Best collection of Alka Yagnik pictures and internet links plus large collection of streaming audio Alka Yagnik music and streaming audio Bollywood music.

http://www.alka-yagnik-fan.com/alka_yagnik.html
http://www.alka-yagnik-fan.com/links/p2.html

Alka Yagnik - IMDb

http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0003504/bio

http://alkayagnik.8m.com/
http://www.alka-yagnik-fan.com/links/p2.html
http://www.alka-yagnik-fan.com/links/i2.html
http://www.hindilyrics.net/profiles/alka-yagnik.html
http://www.iloveindia.com/indian-heroes/alka-yagnik.html

Memorabilia

Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman

  

Like so many movies set in Bombay, G.P. Sippy’s 1992 release  Raju Ban Gaya Gentleman has at its center a young man leaving his family home (in this case, in Darjeeling) to make a bade admi out of himself in the big city.   The very likebale local hero starts out on the right foot, praying at the local temple for success on his engineering exams.    After the good grades are in, Raju (Shahrukh Khan) hops a train  straight to VT and  in search of a distant relative to stay with.   Turns out  the relative is long gone, and Raju takes refuge in the only place he can think of: a temple.  

Enter Nana Patekar, who serves as a cross between a Greek chorus in the film and the Emcee in Cabaret (without the makeup and the leering).   In the role of Jai, a street-wise street performer in a floppy cricket hat and a trenchcoat, he appears while Raju is praying, startling him.   “Did I scare you?   If so, you should go.   There’s no place for cowards in Bombay,” Jai declares.   Recovering, resolute, Raju says “I’m not leaving.”   Respecting his pluck, Jai settles down to eat and shares his food with Raju, asking him: “Do you know how to live in Bombay?   Eat, itch, switch off the light.”   He takes Raju under his wing and helps him get his footing in the  neighborhood, and in the meantime, by way of his street performances, Jai tells us about the city.   In his first such scene, in front the Gateway of India, Jai tells his audience:   “This is Bombay, you won’t get anything for free.   Only the one who looks up can make it here, no place for those who look  back.   Push and make your way.”

The city looks  bright  and shiny,  with shots often  filmed against a backdrop of tall apartment buildings, as well as the obligatory shots of couples by the waterfront and sneaking kisses down on the rocks.

Raju meets Renu (the sweet Juhi Chawla) who lives in the hero’s new neighborhood, and helps him get a job, which is cause for celebration among Raju’s friends, cue the title song.   As Nana plays about  five different instruments, the neighbors dance and, in an uncanny foreshadowing of  DDLJ, as SRK parades around  with the trappings of the big man he wants to become (suspenders and walking stick), he also dons a fedora that looks a lot like the one he will  wear three years later in the role of Raj in the  Yash Chopra  mega-hit.      

 

Just as love starts to flourish between the two, Raju’s bold critique of one of his firm’s projects  catches the eye of  a colleague,  Sapna (the former Mrs. Saif Ali Kahn, Amrita Singh), who is also the daughter of the firm’s owner, Mr. Chhabria.   She sees to it that Raju’s profile continues to rise, and introduces him to a lifestyle he’s never known before.   After he gets a promotion, while Renu waits outside for him to go celebrate, Sapna whisks Raju off to Delhi for a meeting.   That night, when work is done for the day, he waits for her in the hotel lobby to go to dinner, and she appears in a strapless gown.   Shocked at the scandalous sight of Sapna’s bare shoulders, Raju asks “Don’t you have a sari?” and gives her his jacket, so she can  cover her shameless self.   Then he takes her to a dhaba and laughs when she asks for a napkin, showing her this really cool trick that people who aren’t filthy rich have: licking your fingers!

Sapna’s father disapproves of his daughter’s romantic interest in Raju, telling her “You are two shores of a river that can never meet.”   He  schemes to discredit Raju, putting him in charge of a bridge-building project, and getting one of his  office flunkies to  ensure that the sand in the concrete is sub-standard, leading to tragic results later on.

Raju romances Renu in his company’s waterfront bungalow where Sapna has installed him, separating him physically from his roots and his people.   In the romantic number between SRK and Juhi.

 

 Innocent people die  after  the project Raju’s in charge of is completed, and a there is a courtroom case at the climax before the story is resolved.

It’s interesting to note that this movie was released in 1992, just a liberalization was taking hold in India.   The portrayal of the evil Vestern habits so heartily embraced by the rich is simplistic (the drinking, smoking, Raju explaining  Sapna’s behaviour with “She was brought up with Western culture, she’s a little advanced”), and it’s contrasted with the  pureness of  heart of Raju, Renu and the  others in their neighborhood struggling to get  by.   Clearly, this is to reassure the average moviegoer that Bharat Mata’s traditional values are best and will endure, in spite of whatever dastardly temptations her people may be subject to.

Raju’s experience serves as a morality tale of what can happen when you lose sight of your basic values in the  rush to the top.   When he  reminds Renu “I didn’t come here to sleep on the street”, Juhi’s character declares that  she only dreams of “.. a small home, and love and respect”,  telling Raju that the path he’s on is not right, and she leaves him.    At his lowest  moment, when he’s lost Renu and the death of some of his neighbors seems to lay on his shoulders alone, Raju returns to the temple in tears saying to God “Trying to touch the sky, I have sunk to the ground.   Help me out of this darkness.”

Pop queen Whitney Houston dies at age 48

Whitney Houston, superstar of records, movies whose career was ravaged by drugs

Whitney Houston 

LOS ANGELES, Calif. - Whitney Houston, who ruled as pop music's queen until her majestic voice and regal image were ravaged by drug use, erratic behaviour and a tumultuous marriage to singer Bobby Brown, died Saturday. She was 48.

Beverly Hills police Lt. Mark Rosen told reporters outside the Beverly Hilton that Houston was pronounced dead at 3:55 p.m. in her room on the fourth floor of the hotel. Her body remained there and Beverly Hills detectives were investigating.

"There were no obvious signs of any criminal intent," Rosen said.

Houston's publicist, Kristen Foster, said the cause of death was unknown.

Rosen said police received a 911 call from hotel security about Houston at 3:43 p.m. Saturday. Paramedics who were already at the hotel because of a Grammy party unsuccessfully tried to resuscitate the singer, he said.

Houston's end came on the eve of music's biggest night — the Grammy Awards. It's a showcase where she once reigned, and her death was sure to cast a heavy pall on Sunday's ceremony.

Her longtime mentor Clive Davis was to hold his annual concert and dinner Saturday, and a representative of the show said it would proceed.

Producer Jimmy Jam, who had worked with Houston, said he anticipated the evening would become a tribute to her, and he expected there to be one at the Grammys as well.

Houston was supposed to appear at the gala, and Davis had told The Associated Press that she would perhaps perform: "It's her favourite night of the year ... (so) who knows by the end of the evening," he said.

Houston had been at rehearsals for the show Thursday, coaching singers Brandy and Monica, according to a person who was at the event but was not authorized to speak publicly about it. The person said Houston looked disheveled, was sweating profusely and liquor and cigarettes could be smelled on her breath.

Two days ago, she performed at a pre-Grammy party with singer Kelly Price.

The Rev. Al Sharpton said he would call for a national prayer Sunday morning during a service at Second Baptist Church in Los Angeles.

"The morning of the Grammys, the world should pause and pray for the memory of a gifted songbird," Sharpton said in a written statement.

In a statement, Recording Academy President and CEO Neil Portnow said Houston "was one of the world's greatest pop singers of all time who leaves behind a robust musical soundtrack spanning the past three decades."

"Her powerful voice graced many memorable and award-winning songs," Portnow said. "A light has been dimmed in our music community today, and we extend our deepest condolences to her family, friends, fans and all who have been touched by her beautiful voice."

At her peak, Houston was the golden girl of the music industry. From the middle 1980s to the late 1990s, she was one of the world's bestselling artists. She wowed audiences with effortless, powerful, and peerless vocals that were rooted in the black church but made palatable to the masses with a pop sheen.

Her success carried her beyond music to movies, where she starred in hits like "The Bodyguard" and "Waiting to Exhale."

She had the perfect voice and the perfect image: a gorgeous singer who had sex appeal but was never overtly sexual, who maintained perfect poise.

She influenced a generation of younger singers, from Christina Aguilera to Mariah Carey, who when she first came out sounded so much like Houston that many thought it was Houston.

But by the end of her career, Houston became a stunning cautionary tale of the toll of drug use. Her album sales plummeted and the hits stopped coming; her once serene image was shattered by a wild demeanour and bizarre public appearances. She confessed to abusing cocaine, marijuana and pills, and her once pristine voice became raspy and hoarse, unable to hit the high notes as she had during her prime.

"The biggest devil is me. I'm either my best friend or my worst enemy," Houston told ABC's Diane Sawyer in an infamous 2002 interview with then-husband Brown by her side.

It was a tragic fall for a superstar who was one of the top-selling artists in pop music history, with more than 55 million records sold in the United States alone.

She seemed to be born into greatness. She was the daughter of gospel singer Cissy Houston, the cousin of 1960s pop diva Dionne Warwick and the goddaughter of Aretha Franklin.

Houston first started singing in the church as a child. In her teens, she sang backup for Chaka Khan, Jermaine Jackson and others, in addition to modeling. It was around that time when music mogul Clive Davis first heard Houston perform.

"The time that I first saw her singing in her mother's act in a club ... it was such a stunning impact," Davis told "Good Morning America."

"To hear this young girl breathe such fire into this song. I mean, it really sent the proverbial tingles up my spine," he added.

Before long, the rest of the country would feel it, too. Houston made her album debut in 1985 with "Whitney Houston," which sold millions and spawned hit after hit. "Saving All My Love for You" brought her her first Grammy, for best female pop vocal. "How Will I Know," ''You Give Good Love" and "The Greatest Love of All" also became hit singles.

Another multiplatinum album, "Whitney," came out in 1987 and included hits like "Where Do Broken Hearts Go" and "I Wanna Dance With Somebody."

The New York Times wrote that Houston "possesses one of her generation's most powerful gospel-trained voices, but she eschews many of the churchier mannerisms of her forerunners. She uses ornamental gospel phrasing only sparingly, and instead of projecting an earthy, tearful vulnerability, communicates cool self-assurance and strength, building pop ballads to majestic, sustained peaks of intensity."

Her decision not to follow the more soulful inflections of singers like Franklin drew criticism by some who saw her as playing down her black roots to go pop and reach white audiences. The criticism would become a constant refrain through much of her career. She was even booed during the "Soul Train Awards" in 1989.

"Sometimes it gets down to that, you know?" she told Katie Couric in 1996. "You're not black enough for them. I don't know. You're not R&B enough. You're very pop. The white audience has taken you away from them."

Some saw her 1992 marriage to former New Edition member and soul crooner Bobby Brown as an attempt to refute those critics. It seemed to be an odd union; she was seen as pop's pure princess while he had a bad-boy image, and already had children of his own. (The couple had a daughter, Bobbi Kristina, in 1993.) Over the years, he would be arrested several times, on charges ranging from DUI to failure to pay child support.

But Houston said their true personalities were not as far apart as people may have believed.

"When you love, you love. I mean, do you stop loving somebody because you have different images? You know, Bobby and I basically come from the same place," she told Rolling Stone in 1993. "You see somebody, and you deal with their image, that's their image. It's part of them, it's not the whole picture. I am not always in a sequined gown. I am nobody's angel. I can get down and dirty. I can get raunchy."

It would take several years, however, for the public to see that side of Houston. Her moving 1991 rendition of "The Star Spangled Banner" at the Super Bowl, amid the first Gulf War, set a new standard and once again reaffirmed her as America's sweetheart.

In 1992, she became a star in the acting world with "The Bodyguard." Despite mixed reviews, the story of a singer (Houston) guarded by a former Secret Service agent (Kevin Costner) was an international success.

It also gave her perhaps her most memorable hit: a searing, stunning rendition of Dolly Parton's "I Will Always Love You," which sat atop the charts for weeks. It was Grammy's record of the year and best female pop vocal, and the "Bodyguard" soundtrack was named album of the year.

She returned to the big screen in 1995-96 with "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Preacher's Wife." Both spawned soundtrack albums, and another hit studio album, "My Love Is Your Love," in 1998, brought her a Grammy for best female R&B vocal for the cut "It's Not Right But It's Okay."

But during these career and personal highs, Houston was using drugs. In an interview with Oprah Winfrey in 2010, she said by the time "The Preacher's Wife" was released, "(doing drugs) was an everyday thing. ... I would do my work, but after I did my work, for a whole year or two, it was every day. ... I wasn't happy by that point in time. I was losing myself."

In the interview, Houston blamed her rocky marriage to Brown, which included a charge of domestic abuse against Brown in 1993. They divorced in 2007.

Houston would go to rehab twice before she would declare herself drug-free to Winfrey in 2010. But in the interim, there were missed concert dates, a stop at an airport due to drugs, and public meltdowns.

She was so startlingly thin during a 2001 Michael Jackson tribute concert that rumours spread she had died the next day. Her crude behaviour and jittery appearance on Brown's reality show, "Being Bobby Brown," was an example of her sad decline. Her Sawyer interview, where she declared "crack is whack," was often parodied. She dropped out of the spotlight for a few years.

Houston staged what seemed to be a successful comeback with the 2009 album "I Look To You." The album debuted on the top of the charts, and would eventually go platinum.

Things soon fell apart. A concert to promote the album on "Good Morning America" went awry as Houston's voice sounded ragged and off-key. She blamed an interview with Winfrey for straining her voice.

A world tour launched overseas, however, only confirmed suspicions that Houston had lost her treasured gift, as she failed to hit notes and left many fans unimpressed; some walked out. Cancelled concert dates raised speculation that she may have been abusing drugs, but she denied those claims and said she was in great shape, blaming illness for cancellations.

Farhan Akhtar animated about portraying Milkha Singh in ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’

Director-turned-actor Farhan Akhtar, who recently picked up a prestigious award for his impeccable performance in ‘Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara’, is all set to play the legendary Olympic runner Milkha Singh in Rakeysh Mehra’s ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’. The role requires Farhan to portray a Sikh sprinter and, despite all its challenges, Farhan is keyed up & animated as he speaks about the project.

Opening his heart to the tabloids, the man who gave us ‘Dil Chahta Hai’, quips that he never had any lingering doubts about essaying the character. After hearing the script, he was quick to give his nod since it would be a big privilege and honour to portray a high-statured character like Milkha.

The film is being made by Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra (whose ‘Rang De Basanti’ still tugs at our hearts) and that’s another reason why to look forward to it. Farhan, who is 38, is buoyant about the project since the film is a biopic of a real-life legendary character. It’s also an interesting phase for ourBollywood that has now started to explore territories beyond the convention.

Modern-day film makers are bold, confident and keen on painting a biopic on the silver screen. Ashutosh Gowariker’s portrayal of historical characters of Jodha Akbar & Surya Sen and Shahrukh Khan’s role of a legendary hockey player in ‘Chak De India’ are noteworthy cases. As Farhan rightly points out, people now-a-days are not overtly sensitive about their personal lives and this allows a filmmaker to assert his creative liberty.

Giving us an insight into ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, Farhan concedes that the film shall be made with authenticity without unwarranted drama. Farhan’s latest brush with the big screen was as the director of ’Don 2’ which will be showcased this year in the prestigious Berlin International Film Festival. It would be interesting to see how Farhan uses his skills to play the ‘Flying Singh’.

Yesteryear’s Talks: Amitabh Bachchan’s rapid success turned Rajesh Khanna jealous

Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan, both are the true legendary names of the Hindi film industry. Both have been the biggest superstars of the film fraternity but Amitabh is who is still enjoying the mammoth fame, money and stardom in today’s Bollywood scene. Comparatively the fame, stardom and the money which he is drawing out of his career, he did not get in his heydays (though he was superstar then as well). His gigantic success is due to his giant struggle, hard work and honesty to his job. The mega star is still super enthusiastic as he was in his young days. The old age does not stop him to move on the waves.

Sipping the Gossips with Goher Iqbal Punn

The rivalry among the stars is not the talk of today’s Bollywood scenario rather it has been leaving its foot marks since the day one. Decades back, the rivalry between the two superstars – Rajesh Khanna and Amitabh Bachchan was the hot talk of the town. But this rivalry was from Rajesh Khanna and not from (then) passionate for work actor Bachchan. Rajesh Khanna was actually much jealous of the rapidly growing success and stardom of the new entrant into the field. Initially the jealously was hidden, it was inside the actor. But soon it started appearing publicly and then it turned the worse turn.

When Amitabh Bachchan had entered into the industry, Rajesh Khanna was already an established star. He was enjoying the superstardom being the biggest superstar of that time. He was everywhere ruling the Hindi film scene, having the biggest crazy fan following and landing on the headlines every day. Khanna was the talk of town. Every filmmaker was after him to sign him in the films. His demands were high and producers were ready to pay since his name was considered to be the success formula.

Where behind his success his acting was involved, there was also one man behind making him a real super star. He was none other than the legendary genius music maestro Kishore Kumar whose voice made Rajesh a big mega star. Kishore was at his peak and like Rajesh Khanna, he too was roped in every movie on his demands. The ordinary stars would turn superstar with the magic of Kumar’s voice. In short, the music industry even the entire film industry would rely heavily on the singer. He knew his importance. Before lending his vocals to the stars, he used to call them to his bungalow or at some place and have talks with them to understand the style and the voice of the star. This way, he used to deliver the vocals aptly which would fit on the stars.

In Amitabh’s initial days in the industry, he worked with Rajesh Khanna in movies. The films were liked by the masses and still are popular like Anand and Namak Haram. But the jealously factor oozed out when Bachchan started getting noticed inside the filmdom and among the masses.

The producers, directors and the entire crew were much upset with Rajesh’s daily routine of coming very late on the sets. The shootings started getting disturbed a lot. Often on morning shoots, he used to come in the afternoon and on the noon shoots, he would arrive at night. There were also times when he even did not turn on the sets and eventually the director had to call ‘pack up’. The scenario was perturbed a lot with one man – the superstar Rajesh Khanna, on whose name the films were sold out.

The industry was looking for the option and Amitabh appeared to be the right one. His punctuality, passion and determination to excel in the field were being talked about everywhere. The praises reached at Khanna’s ears as well and he simply was not the one who could easily approve of the praises of the newcomer. The jealously was living somewhere inside the actor but soon, when Amitabh was getting much noticed, it started coming out in open. Once a film reporter compared the punctuality of Rajesh Khanna with Amitabh while Khanna was being interviewed, he showed his jealously with Bachchan saying ‘Clerks are punctual. I am not a clerk. I am an artiste. I am not a slave of my moods. My moods are my slaves.’

Well, with this statement of Khanna, all was clear how jealous he was of Bachchan. His crazy routines of arriving at the sets and his overconfidence soon started dropping his career graph and gradually the humbled Amitabh was beginning to fetch Khanna’s place. And soon, Amitabh Bachchan was the superstar and Rajesh was nowhere. His status dropped and the new superstar was born ‘Amitabh Bachchan’. The brilliant actor and the icon of the entertainment industry, who has been ruling Bollywood for last many decades, he deserves applauds and respect and he always gets from around the world.

Salman and Katrina voted ‘Sexiest Persons Alive’, Shahrukh crowned ‘Role model’

Sexiest Man Alive: In the latest poll conducted by the esteemed tabloid Hindustan Times, Bollywood heart throb Salman Khan has been voted the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ by the youths of the country. Thousands of readers cast their votes to crown the indisputably hottest Khan who has alsobecome the most ‘Wanted’ actor for the producers (given his recent box office records). Garnering over 28% votes, Salman edged past the likes of Rahul Gandhi and Hrithik Roshan who stood 2^nd and 3^rd on the list respectively.

Sexiest Woman Alive: Amongst the fairer sex, the princess of popcorn Miss Katrina Kaif had no competition as she thumped in over 33% votes to earn the coveted title of ‘Sexiest Woman Alive’. She left runners-up Angelina Jolie far behind in the race since Brad Pitt’s sinewy muse could only garner 15.3% votes. Dusky siren Bipasha Basu rounded off the top three.

It is indeed ironic that the sexiest man and sexiest woman alive (as per today’s youth) were a head-over-heels couple only till months ago. Had Salman and his ex ‘Partner’ Katrina not broken up, they would have, inarguably, been the sexiest couple on the planet.

Top Role Models: Meanwhile, in another category titled ‘Top role models’, actor Shahrukh Khan elbowed past APJ Abdul Kalam to claim the crown. With 15.4% votes in his kitty, he was marginally ahead of the former Indian President (14.8%). The ‘God of Cricket’ occupied the 3^rd rung of the ladder with 11.3% votes.

Aw, you are wondering who is the ‘God of cricket’? Oh, the horror!

It is also intriguing in a way. Shahrukh Khan, who is a chain smoker, makes song-n-dance routine films, at times even staidly dull ones like Ra One, gets more votes than an erudite person like Kalam or an impeccably humble Tendulkar! Surely, today’s youths need to sort out their priorities!

Priyanka Invited To Grammy Awards

LA: It’s a dream come true for actor Priyanka Chopra now. She has been seeing Grammy Awards as a child and now she will be attending the Award function along with all the big shots of music this year. The actor is now in Berlin where she is attending the film festival with the crew of her movie ‘Don 2’ and her film will be showcased there. She will be sitting with the A – Listers of music industry and it will be a great opportunity for her. She will be travelling long from Berlin to LA to attend the 48^th Annual Grammy Awards held in the Staples Centre there.

Priyanka Chopra is in tight schedule nowadays and she will be reaching right in time for the main event and then leave early next day to Darjeeling where she will be shooting with Ranbir Kapoor for their next release ‘Barfee’. The movie got PC into a rumor of having a catfight with co actor Ileana. Today Priyanka Chopra will be attending the Grammy with the CEO of the Interscope records, Jimmy Iovine, and the owner of her management company ‘Atom Factory’, Troy Carter.

According to source, this opportunity will be well utilized by Priyanka Chopra to meet the tycoons of music industry and she will also socialize with actors and musicians out there. The source added that Priyanka Chopra is going to launch her first international music album and so this opportunity will be the greatest for her to get a global exposure. From Adele to Kanye West, Priyanka Chopra is excited about meeting them all.

When Priyanka was asked she confirmed that on getting the invitation from his music team, she wanted to attend the show. She said she wanted to spend some time with her music team as long as her work doesn’t come between. She said she is not a nominee, host or performer in the show and so it will be great to enjoy the show sitting with everybody else.

Jennifer Lopez to perform at the opening of Sanjay Dutt’s sporting league

Mumbai: The singing sensation who rules the hearts of the world masses with her quality singing and sexy body structure, Jennifer Lopez is to hit the Indian terra firma by next month. She is being roped in the country to deliver her alluring performance at the opening ceremony of Sanjay Dutt and Raj Kundra’s sporting league.

The opening ceremony is to take place on 11^th March at Sports Complex in Andheri, Mumbai. Since the day, the league has been launched, Raj Kundra liked to have a giant opening ceremony in a grand style. And it was his idea to have Jennifer Lopez to showcase her singing and dancing skills on the grand day of the league. Lopez’s manager was contacted and everything got finalized with him. The reports reveal that Lopez will arrive in Mumbai on 6^th March and for her stay in Mumbai, a five star hotel has already been booked. The hotel is near to the venue since she has to do rehearsals for the performance.

Jennifer is scheduled to perform on her most famous hits including the one from her latest music album ‘Love’. Lopez will depart from India very next day. Hollywood celebs show much interest now to visit India and many have come and shown their talents here. Majority of the Hollywood celebrities now openly flaunt their desires to work in Bollywood. The likes of Lady Gaga, Pitbull, Akon, Tom Cruise and Oprah Winfrey have come to India recently.

Indian entertainment industry ‘Bollywood’ is now the world’s largest fraternity and has become the centre of every eye across the globe. Sanjay Dutt and Raj Kundra’s sporting league is expected to create ripples in India. The buzz has generated about it already and the masses are waiting for the opening to happen. It is a unique idea that will hopefully work big time.