I decided to make this list before the revelry of the 31st made me lose my judgment. After a few margaritas and some loud music one tends to make all kinds of resolutions that seem foolish the next morning. And then the guilt sets in. So this year I am starting early. In 2011 I resolve to:
The year is racing to a finish, and it is time to look back at what went by, or rather whizzed by. I wish I could have read more, seen more films, traveled more places – and eaten less Films: There were some really good ones and there were some really bad ones, and then there was mostly a lot of stuff in between. After a hiatus from Bollywood I went back to watching a lot of BW films (mostly what released in theaters here), while picking my HW films with care and caution! Here is a HW list:
1. Inception – loved the film, the mind-bender that kept us thinking and discussing for days on end. Leo DiCaprio did not disappoint and Marion Cotillard was luminous.
Seeing as how this is a pretty slow BW week, how about some music? What are you guys listening to lately? Oldies, Katy Perry, regional songs, whatever is playing in your ipods or any favorites you have. I'm always woefully behind the times but my current songs on repeat are...
Youtube was being a major problem for the first one so bear with dailymotion. Anywho, was worth it. I love this song.
Yes they are overplayed, but every time I listen to these songs I want to get up and dance! The rhythm, the joie de vivre simply lifts up my mood and gets me going. Of course it is no surprise that Gulzar penned each of these songs! The lyrics are amazing, soulful in the case of Chaiyya Chaiyya, and rustic and earthy in the two item songs. But the poetry mixed with the melody is hard to resist. Sukhvinder and Sunidhi have something in common, they belt out the numbers with incredible enthusiasm; but Alisha does a similarly great job, though in a more sultry, way in Kajarare.
RL is dedicating an entire week in honour of Govinda and his amazing song and dance numbers! So, this is a post on all the crazy wacky songs of Govinda that can be put in the so-bad-its-good category. Please enjoy and add your faves to the collection!
1. Mera ghoosa bhi sexy mera thappad bhi sexy....Epic song from the 90s!
2. This one is dedicated to Shakti Kapoor's awesomeness !
3. It just doesn't get any better than this one!!
4. What lyrics! Unbeatable!!
5. And finally who can forget this one? Mere bhi dil ne kholi phir chahat wali file...aankhon aakhon mein matter...LMAO!
RL is dedicating an entire week in honour of Govinda and his amazing song and dance numbers! So, this is a post on all the crazy wacky songs of Govinda that can be put in the so-bad-its-good category. Please enjoy and add your faves to the collection!
1. Mera ghoosa bhi sexy mera thappad bhi sexy....Epic song from the 90s!
2. This one is dedicated to Shakti Kapoor's awesomeness !
3. It just doesn't get any better than this one!!
4. What lyrics! Unbeatable!!
5. And finally who can forget this one? Mere bhi dil ne kholi phir chahat wali file...aankhon aakhon mein matter...LMAO!
Rain. So beautiful and calming yet so fascinating and magical. As I sit next to the bedroom window, I see the trees adorned with sparkling jewels of moisture and smell the air thick with the scent of the wet earth. As I hear the sounds of the patter of raindrops, the mind relaxes and the heart sings reminding me of a line I read somewhere- “All those who love sunshine have never danced in the rain!”
As a tribute to the weather in my part of the world, here are my top ten rain songs from bollywood.
1. Old is Gold! The immortal song from Awaara; completely sui generis!
2. Zeenie baby swinging in a wet sari and Kaka’s romantic mood! Love this song!
3. Hot! Hot! Hot! Sultry Smita with BigB...need I even say more? Sexiest rain song ever!
4. Mumbai monsoon and old school romance. Absolutely nostalgic.
5. The ethereal beauty of Manisha and RDB’s brilliant composition! Anil Kapoor...ahem... the less said, the better !!
Rain. So beautiful and calming yet so fascinating and magical. As I sit next to the bedroom window, I see the trees adorned with sparkling jewels of moisture and smell the air thick with the scent of the wet earth. As I hear the sounds of the patter of raindrops, the mind relaxes and the heart sings reminding me of a line I read somewhere- “All those who love sunshine have never danced in the rain!”
As a tribute to the weather in my part of the world, here are my top ten rain songs from bollywood.
1. Old is Gold! The immortal song from Awaara; completely sui generis!
2. Zeenie baby swinging in a wet sari and Kaka’s romantic mood! Love this song!
3. Hot! Hot! Hot! Sultry Smita with BigB...need I even say more? Sexiest rain song ever!
4. Mumbai monsoon and old school romance. Absolutely nostalgic.
5. The ethereal beauty of Manisha and RDB’s brilliant composition! Anil Kapoor...ahem... the less said, the better !!
Madhuri Dixit is often referred to as the dancing queen of Bollywood. With grace and ease, Madhuri inspires us all to dance. During the 90s there was no doubt that Madhuri was one of Bollywood's leading ladies as she starred in numerous hit films with the most delectable actors. Madhuri celebrates her 43rd birthday on May 15 and we want to celebrate by taking a look at her best songs. Check them out here.
A young and sexy Madhuri Dixit starred in the 1993 movie "Khalnayak" opposite Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. The movie was dark and deep and fans quite enjoyed it. The movie was packed with amazing music and featured the suggestive song "Choli K Peeche." When the song first came out, people created a fuss about the meaning behind the lyrics, but the controversy only gained the song more popularity and is now a classic! Madhuri looks divine in her sexy choli and her moves are hot! Is "Choli Ke Peeche" your favorite Madhuri song?
Madhuri Dixit's role in the film "Hum Aapke Hai Kaun" earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1994. The romantic family drama was a traditional Bollywood movie with a twist. Salman Khan plays Mahduri's love interest and the couple oozed on-screen chemistry! The hit "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" is a cheeky masala number with a story that still makes fans laugh. Is the fun loving "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" your fav Madhuri tune?
The film "Dil To Pagal Hai" effortlessly captured dance and romance. Shahrukh Khan and Karishma Kapoor starred alongside Madhuri in the 1998 flick that swept all the awards. It earned Filmfare's Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Choreography. The Choreographer, Shimak Davar, also went on to win the National Award and Zee Cine Award. With Madhuri's background in Kathak dance, she was able to kick up the choreography's level a notch. "Aare Re Aare" is an upbeat song with Shahrukh and Madhuri both showing off their best moves and a touch of romance of course. When you think of Madhuri do you go straight back to this tune?
In 2002, Madhuri left Bollywood with a bang in "Devdas." The epic love story has been depicted a time or two before so expectations were high. With the elaborate costumes, sets, and talented cast, "Devdas" was a hit! Madhuri won Filmfare's and Star Screen's Best Supporting Actress awards for her portrayal of Chndramukhi. Being a courtesan gave Madhuri the opportunity to once again dance into our hearts in "Maar Dala." Do Madhuri's expressions make you go crazy when you watch "Maar Dala?"
After five years of playing a mommy, Madhuri made her comeback in "Aaja Nachle." As the title suggests, the movie was all about dance and Madhuri fans wanted nothing more! The movie earned Madhuri a nomination at Filmfare for Best Actress. When the title song "Aaja Nachle" begins to play, people can't help but to get up and dance! Vaibhavi Merchant choreographed the iconic moves for this number and it seems like every girl has tried to copy the dance. Madhuri performs with such grace and she looks hot! Is Madhuri's "Aaja Nachle" your favorite song?
Let's not forget to mention Madhuri's songs "Badi Mushkil" and "Chane Ke Khet Mein." Seems like anything Madhuri grooves to is divine! Let us know which your favorite Madhuri Dixit song is.
Madhuri Dixit is often referred to as the dancing queen of Bollywood. With grace and ease, Madhuri inspires us all to dance. During the 90s there was no doubt that Madhuri was one of Bollywood's leading ladies as she starred in numerous hit films with the most delectable actors. Madhuri celebrates her 43rd birthday on May 15 and we want to celebrate by taking a look at her best songs. Check them out here.
A young and sexy Madhuri Dixit starred in the 1993 movie "Khalnayak" opposite Sanjay Dutt and Jackie Shroff. The movie was dark and deep and fans quite enjoyed it. The movie was packed with amazing music and featured the suggestive song "Choli K Peeche." When the song first came out, people created a fuss about the meaning behind the lyrics, but the controversy only gained the song more popularity and is now a classic! Madhuri looks divine in her sexy choli and her moves are hot! Is "Choli Ke Peeche" your favorite Madhuri song?
Madhuri Dixit's role in the film "Hum Aapke Hai Kaun" earned her the Filmfare Award for Best Actress in 1994. The romantic family drama was a traditional Bollywood movie with a twist. Salman Khan plays Mahduri's love interest and the couple oozed on-screen chemistry! The hit "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" is a cheeky masala number with a story that still makes fans laugh. Is the fun loving "Didi Tera Devar Deewana" your fav Madhuri tune?
The film "Dil To Pagal Hai" effortlessly captured dance and romance. Shahrukh Khan and Karishma Kapoor starred alongside Madhuri in the 1998 flick that swept all the awards. It earned Filmfare's Best Film, Best Actor, Best Actress and Best Choreography. The Choreographer, Shimak Davar, also went on to win the National Award and Zee Cine Award. With Madhuri's background in Kathak dance, she was able to kick up the choreography's level a notch. "Aare Re Aare" is an upbeat song with Shahrukh and Madhuri both showing off their best moves and a touch of romance of course. When you think of Madhuri do you go straight back to this tune?
In 2002, Madhuri left Bollywood with a bang in "Devdas." The epic love story has been depicted a time or two before so expectations were high. With the elaborate costumes, sets, and talented cast, "Devdas" was a hit! Madhuri won Filmfare's and Star Screen's Best Supporting Actress awards for her portrayal of Chndramukhi. Being a courtesan gave Madhuri the opportunity to once again dance into our hearts in "Maar Dala." Do Madhuri's expressions make you go crazy when you watch "Maar Dala?"
After five years of playing a mommy, Madhuri made her comeback in "Aaja Nachle." As the title suggests, the movie was all about dance and Madhuri fans wanted nothing more! The movie earned Madhuri a nomination at Filmfare for Best Actress. When the title song "Aaja Nachle" begins to play, people can't help but to get up and dance! Vaibhavi Merchant choreographed the iconic moves for this number and it seems like every girl has tried to copy the dance. Madhuri performs with such grace and she looks hot! Is Madhuri's "Aaja Nachle" your favorite song?
Let's not forget to mention Madhuri's songs "Badi Mushkil" and "Chane Ke Khet Mein." Seems like anything Madhuri grooves to is divine! Let us know which your favorite Madhuri Dixit song is.
In a field replete with novel voices, vocal gimmicks and calculated song ‘takes’, here’s a guy who has proved that simplicity gets superior results. KK, almost 15 years in the business, has long transcended the tag of being a mere singer and is nearing the league of the greats
Today, the number of your solos completely outnumber your duets and multi-singer songs. Shall I tell you something? I am happy about this for a very funny reason - and that’s the fact that nowadays there are no duets that are recorded live. So while singing on track, the expression of emotions becomes doubly difficult as we do not even know who is singing with us, how he or she will sing and so on.
But yes, I have sung non-solos too, and recently Pritam has recorded a nice duet with Shreya Ghoshal in Tell Me O Khuda. It was a challenging song, with some English and a lot of recall value.
Your equation with Pritam has always been special. He keeps saying that he takes you for a song only when the composition deserves you! That’s really very sweet of him. He does give me great songs and I am proud of our association. It’s a very alag bond that mutually agrees on something extra from his side and the same from mine. Luckily we have a great track- record and most of the songs that we have done together have worked big-time from Shikdum in Dhoom to Gangster, Woh Lamhe..., Bhagam Bhag, Fight Club, Bhool Bhulaiya, Life In A...Metro, Billu, New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and many more.
Pritam puts in a lot of emotions in his tunes and the lyrics too are rich in emotions. And as a singer, I don’t get fed up of the microphone. I never keep looking at my watch and he knows that.
From Saaya in 2003 you began yet another memorable association that also is a brand by itself - your songs for the films of Mukesh, Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Of course, most of that music too has been with Pritam. Saaya had oustanding songs like Kabhi khushboo and Har taraf har jagah from Anu (Malik)ji, and I love that man M.M.Kreem - Awarapan from Jism and Maine dil se kahaa and Tere iss jahaan mein from Rog show his genius.
But besides Pritam, your songs for the banner under even Sajid-Wajid, Lalit Pandit and Sharib-Toshi have a certain similarity. You really think so? But that’s not such a good thing! What do you think?
Music lovers have no issues because most of the songs are good. But for a couple of years we seemed to be hearing very little of you, except in their films. All of them are really fond of me. But I don’t know, yaar. I guess I have never been over-ambitious.
You are dangerously low-profile too. Why is that so? I guess that’s because my work is not my entire life! I have always balanced profession with my family. I can’t be insecure or be a go-getter at the cost of being with my wife and kids.
Kites is a surprise from you - or a reinvention. What’s your take? I am very glad that you liked my songs. The feedback, in fact, has been unanimous.There are so many, from children to adults, giving me reactions like “Dil kyun yeh mera has finally made you immortal” or that Zindagi do pal ki has taken me to another stratosphere. I was told things like I had done justice to the old kind of melody as well and that these songs were very fresh and different from me. I do think that I was the “bridge” between the classic old-style melody and today’s listeners - maybe Rajesh Roshanji thought of me because of this. How do you look at the Rajesh Roshan experience? It was fantastic working with him. His compositions and their nuances are different from anyone else, and he is soft-spoken and clear about what he wants. When I heard Zindagi do pal ki, I loved the way the intezaar kab tak phrase went and how Rajesh Roshan expressed those lines. “This is your song,” he told me gently. I loved the vibe that was very Kishore Kumar-like in Zindagi do pal ki and like Mohammed Rafi in Dil kyun yeh mera. And I loved the satisfied smile on his face when I rehearsed them.
You had worked together way back in Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage. Why do you think you were called after a gap? Do you think that Hrithik Roshan had a hand, as it was on him that those songs were filmed and you had later sung all of Hrithik’s songs in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon? I wouldn’t know. Hrithik was there for Zindagi do pal ki but he left after a while. But what I can never forget about Rajeshji is that he gave me my first and only experience of a live recording with a complete orchestra. It was for a song that was to be dubbed by Kumar Sanu, sometime in the late ‘90s. I was told that my voice would not be kept and the recording was at Mehboob Studios. I did it for that incredible tajurba - it was akin to singing at a concert!
As a singer, how do you feel when a song works or otherwise? And how do you see trends going? It’s impossible to know which song will work or otherwise. Person to person, it’s not easy to predict what someone will like - or detest. There have been a couple of critical reviews of Kites too. I can’t base my life on the written word. I don’t drive myelf into a frenzy if a song is a hit, and if it does not work, that’s okay. When I record a song, I have to understand it and give it my best. Like I loved my song Jaane yeh kya hua from Karthik Calling Karthik but there were people who do not like it. I think that trends are going well - there is a lot of freshness around because of so many new singers.
You put in a lot of soul and emotional richness in your songs, perhaps much more than anyone else today. What is your own perspective on this? Without intending to sound boastful, I have been told this often and I have pondered on this a lot. I think that I keep life very simple, uncluttered and free from stress. As a singer, when I listen to the new song, I react to the words. I internalise the lyrics of a song first. When I am recording, there are no deviations or digressions. I keep my focus, whether it takes an hour or three hours. I sing a song the way it reads and with the emotions it needs. I don’t build a story or an aura around the song. What story can be bigger than life? Also, I think that my balance of professional and personal lives makes me balanced. The mirror is very clear and there are no gray areas. I don’t keep track of how many songs I am getting vis-a-vis what others are called for.
Do you change or modulate your voice according to the actor enacting a song? I have never done that. Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan or anyone else is not my issue. The song is my trip. Dil se kaam karo is my ‘funda’. Singing a song well is my life, my junoon. I don’t get into what goes behind a song and how and why it came to me. I am a specific spoke in the wheel called the song, and I have to focus on that. I can’t be calculating and go into things that have nothing to do with me. While recording a song, that track is my only God. I think that a song represents a singer’s persona. If he is not complicated in the head, the song will match!
You began with Maachis, followed by several songs for A.R.Rahman, Anu Malik etc and then broke through with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’s Tadap tadap. But since then you have hardly sung for Rahman. I recorded recently for his film 1-800-Love. The reason is very simple - Rahman works after 11 p.m. and I down shutters at 10! I prefer to be honest to myself and fresh and relaxed at work, using the “Early to bed early to rise” principle. The new song was taped because Rahman recorded it in the daytime, that too in Mumbai.
In a field replete with novel voices, vocal gimmicks and calculated song ‘takes’, here’s a guy who has proved that simplicity gets superior results. KK, almost 15 years in the business, has long transcended the tag of being a mere singer and is nearing the league of the greats
Today, the number of your solos completely outnumber your duets and multi-singer songs. Shall I tell you something? I am happy about this for a very funny reason - and that’s the fact that nowadays there are no duets that are recorded live. So while singing on track, the expression of emotions becomes doubly difficult as we do not even know who is singing with us, how he or she will sing and so on.
But yes, I have sung non-solos too, and recently Pritam has recorded a nice duet with Shreya Ghoshal in Tell Me O Khuda. It was a challenging song, with some English and a lot of recall value.
Your equation with Pritam has always been special. He keeps saying that he takes you for a song only when the composition deserves you! That’s really very sweet of him. He does give me great songs and I am proud of our association. It’s a very alag bond that mutually agrees on something extra from his side and the same from mine. Luckily we have a great track- record and most of the songs that we have done together have worked big-time from Shikdum in Dhoom to Gangster, Woh Lamhe..., Bhagam Bhag, Fight Club, Bhool Bhulaiya, Life In A...Metro, Billu, New York, Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani and many more.
Pritam puts in a lot of emotions in his tunes and the lyrics too are rich in emotions. And as a singer, I don’t get fed up of the microphone. I never keep looking at my watch and he knows that.
From Saaya in 2003 you began yet another memorable association that also is a brand by itself - your songs for the films of Mukesh, Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Of course, most of that music too has been with Pritam. Saaya had oustanding songs like Kabhi khushboo and Har taraf har jagah from Anu (Malik)ji, and I love that man M.M.Kreem - Awarapan from Jism and Maine dil se kahaa and Tere iss jahaan mein from Rog show his genius.
But besides Pritam, your songs for the banner under even Sajid-Wajid, Lalit Pandit and Sharib-Toshi have a certain similarity. You really think so? But that’s not such a good thing! What do you think?
Music lovers have no issues because most of the songs are good. But for a couple of years we seemed to be hearing very little of you, except in their films. All of them are really fond of me. But I don’t know, yaar. I guess I have never been over-ambitious.
You are dangerously low-profile too. Why is that so? I guess that’s because my work is not my entire life! I have always balanced profession with my family. I can’t be insecure or be a go-getter at the cost of being with my wife and kids.
Kites is a surprise from you - or a reinvention. What’s your take? I am very glad that you liked my songs. The feedback, in fact, has been unanimous.There are so many, from children to adults, giving me reactions like “Dil kyun yeh mera has finally made you immortal” or that Zindagi do pal ki has taken me to another stratosphere. I was told things like I had done justice to the old kind of melody as well and that these songs were very fresh and different from me. I do think that I was the “bridge” between the classic old-style melody and today’s listeners - maybe Rajesh Roshanji thought of me because of this. How do you look at the Rajesh Roshan experience? It was fantastic working with him. His compositions and their nuances are different from anyone else, and he is soft-spoken and clear about what he wants. When I heard Zindagi do pal ki, I loved the way the intezaar kab tak phrase went and how Rajesh Roshan expressed those lines. “This is your song,” he told me gently. I loved the vibe that was very Kishore Kumar-like in Zindagi do pal ki and like Mohammed Rafi in Dil kyun yeh mera. And I loved the satisfied smile on his face when I rehearsed them.
You had worked together way back in Aap Mujhe Achche Lagne Lage. Why do you think you were called after a gap? Do you think that Hrithik Roshan had a hand, as it was on him that those songs were filmed and you had later sung all of Hrithik’s songs in Main Prem Ki Deewani Hoon? I wouldn’t know. Hrithik was there for Zindagi do pal ki but he left after a while. But what I can never forget about Rajeshji is that he gave me my first and only experience of a live recording with a complete orchestra. It was for a song that was to be dubbed by Kumar Sanu, sometime in the late ‘90s. I was told that my voice would not be kept and the recording was at Mehboob Studios. I did it for that incredible tajurba - it was akin to singing at a concert!
As a singer, how do you feel when a song works or otherwise? And how do you see trends going? It’s impossible to know which song will work or otherwise. Person to person, it’s not easy to predict what someone will like - or detest. There have been a couple of critical reviews of Kites too. I can’t base my life on the written word. I don’t drive myelf into a frenzy if a song is a hit, and if it does not work, that’s okay. When I record a song, I have to understand it and give it my best. Like I loved my song Jaane yeh kya hua from Karthik Calling Karthik but there were people who do not like it. I think that trends are going well - there is a lot of freshness around because of so many new singers.
You put in a lot of soul and emotional richness in your songs, perhaps much more than anyone else today. What is your own perspective on this? Without intending to sound boastful, I have been told this often and I have pondered on this a lot. I think that I keep life very simple, uncluttered and free from stress. As a singer, when I listen to the new song, I react to the words. I internalise the lyrics of a song first. When I am recording, there are no deviations or digressions. I keep my focus, whether it takes an hour or three hours. I sing a song the way it reads and with the emotions it needs. I don’t build a story or an aura around the song. What story can be bigger than life? Also, I think that my balance of professional and personal lives makes me balanced. The mirror is very clear and there are no gray areas. I don’t keep track of how many songs I am getting vis-a-vis what others are called for.
Do you change or modulate your voice according to the actor enacting a song? I have never done that. Shah Rukh Khan, Hrithik Roshan or anyone else is not my issue. The song is my trip. Dil se kaam karo is my ‘funda’. Singing a song well is my life, my junoon. I don’t get into what goes behind a song and how and why it came to me. I am a specific spoke in the wheel called the song, and I have to focus on that. I can’t be calculating and go into things that have nothing to do with me. While recording a song, that track is my only God. I think that a song represents a singer’s persona. If he is not complicated in the head, the song will match!
You began with Maachis, followed by several songs for A.R.Rahman, Anu Malik etc and then broke through with Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam’s Tadap tadap. But since then you have hardly sung for Rahman. I recorded recently for his film 1-800-Love. The reason is very simple - Rahman works after 11 p.m. and I down shutters at 10! I prefer to be honest to myself and fresh and relaxed at work, using the “Early to bed early to rise” principle. The new song was taped because Rahman recorded it in the daytime, that too in Mumbai.
Mumtaz, the beautiful and bubbly actress from the golden 60s and early 70s is often remembered by today’s generation for the scintillating song and dance numbers she performed in her movies. Her mesmerizing appeal lay in her sparkling eyes and dazzling smile and of course, in the oodles of oomph she possessed! To quote Shobhaa De, “she was in the Marilyn Monroe mould- every man’s fantasy woman”! Even though she won filmfare best actress award, Mumtaz was by and large typecast for eye candy roles probably due to her infectious charm and inherent joi de vivre. She was offered fewer performance-oriented roles than her contemporaries like Sharmila Tagore. However, she was eventually recognized for her contribution to Hindi cinema by a Lifetime achievement award in 1996. For the last few years, Mumtaz has been battling cancer in her life with the same indomitable spunk and never-say-die spirit which had once made her the heartthrob of millions. Here’s wishing Mumtaz a very happy and healthy long life!
Enjoy my top dozen picks from her vast repertoire of brilliant songs!
1. Super-energetic Shammi, gorgeous Mumu, crazy music, and twist dance….need i even say more?
2. A gem from Lakshmikant Pyarelal ! Lata’s voice has a mischievious quality in this song that used to be Asha’s trademark style!
3. The iconic number from the magical duo of RD Burman and Asha superbly picturized on screen by the awesome pair of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. Just wish Mumu’s damned wig wasn’t so yellow and Kaka wasn’t such a pathetic dancer!!
4. When Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, Anand Bakshi and Mohd. Rafi come together, what else can one expect in a song other than perfection….and perfection it is in this romantic poetry! Mumtaz looked stunning in this one!
5. An absolute masterpiece duet by RD Burman ! The beautiful rendition by Kishore and Lata, scorching chemistry of Rajesh-Mumtaz and brilliant picturization- What more could one ask for?
6. I don’t think the festival of Holi goes by any year without this number being played everywhere! The crazy abandon of Rajesh-Mumtaz after a shot of bhaang...beyond awesome!
7. A brilliant song by Rafi! A handsome Dharmendra steals the show here from Mumtaz- but that could clearly be my bias speaking! Confession- I absolutely adore Dharam Paaji….according to me, he is the most good-looking star we have ever had in Bollywood!
8. The seductive voice of Asha and a sexy Mumtaz playing a vamp and trying to seduce Biswajeet with her beguiling charms- Deadly combo!!
9. An unforgettable classic by Lakshmikant Pyarelal! Mumu dancing in rain in those tight churidars with a young Rajesh Khanna...so retro 60s and yet so cool !
10. The super-glamorous Mumtaz dances with gay abandon here... What a presence! She literally burnt the screen here with her shimmering sensuality and owned the scenes completely inspite of the presence of heavyweights like Dharam, Feroz, and Saira!
11. Soft and melodious- penned by the poet Neeraj, such profound lyrics and soul-stirring music!!
12. A terrific romantic duet by Kishore and Lata! A personal fave of mine!
Enjoy these golden classics and I look forward to your choices !!
P.S. I apologize for flooding this post with Rajesh-Mumtaz duets, but before I get accused of die-hard romanticism here, I think most of her unforgettable songs are romantic duets with Rajesh Khanna!
Mumtaz, the beautiful and bubbly actress from the golden 60s and early 70s is often remembered by today’s generation for the scintillating song and dance numbers she performed in her movies. Her mesmerizing appeal lay in her sparkling eyes and dazzling smile and of course, in the oodles of oomph she possessed! To quote Shobhaa De, “she was in the Marilyn Monroe mould- every man’s fantasy woman”! Even though she won filmfare best actress award, Mumtaz was by and large typecast for eye candy roles probably due to her infectious charm and inherent joi de vivre. She was offered fewer performance-oriented roles than her contemporaries like Sharmila Tagore. However, she was eventually recognized for her contribution to Hindi cinema by a Lifetime achievement award in 1996. For the last few years, Mumtaz has been battling cancer in her life with the same indomitable spunk and never-say-die spirit which had once made her the heartthrob of millions. Here’s wishing Mumtaz a very happy and healthy long life!
Enjoy my top dozen picks from her vast repertoire of brilliant songs!
1. Super-energetic Shammi, gorgeous Mumu, crazy music, and twist dance….need i even say more?
2. A gem from Lakshmikant Pyarelal ! Lata’s voice has a mischievious quality in this song that used to be Asha’s trademark style!
3. The iconic number from the magical duo of RD Burman and Asha superbly picturized on screen by the awesome pair of Rajesh Khanna and Mumtaz. Just wish Mumu’s damned wig wasn’t so yellow and Kaka wasn’t such a pathetic dancer!!
4. When Lakshmikant-Pyarelal, Anand Bakshi and Mohd. Rafi come together, what else can one expect in a song other than perfection….and perfection it is in this romantic poetry! Mumtaz looked stunning in this one!
5. An absolute masterpiece duet by RD Burman ! The beautiful rendition by Kishore and Lata, scorching chemistry of Rajesh-Mumtaz and brilliant picturization- What more could one ask for?
6. I don’t think the festival of Holi goes by any year without this number being played everywhere! The crazy abandon of Rajesh-Mumtaz after a shot of bhaang...beyond awesome!
7. A brilliant song by Rafi! A handsome Dharmendra steals the show here from Mumtaz- but that could clearly be my bias speaking! Confession- I absolutely adore Dharam Paaji….according to me, he is the most good-looking star we have ever had in Bollywood!
8. The seductive voice of Asha and a sexy Mumtaz playing a vamp and trying to seduce Biswajeet with her beguiling charms- Deadly combo!!
9. An unforgettable classic by Lakshmikant Pyarelal! Mumu dancing in rain in those tight churidars with a young Rajesh Khanna...so retro 60s and yet so cool !
10. The super-glamorous Mumtaz dances with gay abandon here... What a presence! She literally burnt the screen here with her shimmering sensuality and owned the scenes completely inspite of the presence of heavyweights like Dharam, Feroz, and Saira!
11. Soft and melodious- penned by the poet Neeraj, such profound lyrics and soul-stirring music!!
12. A terrific romantic duet by Kishore and Lata! A personal fave of mine!
Enjoy these golden classics and I look forward to your choices !!
P.S. I apologize for flooding this post with Rajesh-Mumtaz duets, but before I get accused of die-hard romanticism here, I think most of her unforgettable songs are romantic duets with Rajesh Khanna!
Being from a musically driven family, I started arranging music at the age of 16. By 17, I became a composer. My father Pandit Ram Prasad Sharma, a trumpeter, taught me music and made me learn violin at the age of 12 from a Goan violinist. A famous director those days, who also gave a break to Kalyanji-Anandji was known to us. Once, I hesitatingly said to him, “You gave a chance to Kalyanji, give me one too.”
He smiled and the next thing I knew was that I was to play the violin in the famous film “Haqeeqat” for which Madan Mohan composed music.
The song was “Mein Ye Soch Uske Ghar Se Utha Tha.” He was so pleased with my performance that he came running and hugged me after the recording.
How it felt
At 17, it was thrilling and served as a great morale booster. In no time, he offered me “Parasmani”. That was in 1963. I couldn't believe my luck. Babubhai Mistry was a name to reckon with. No one would question his integrity. I and Laxmikant started working on the film. The film didn't do well but the music was a hit. It brought us close to known music directors like Naushad and Ravi and film producers like Tarachand Barjatya.
How life changed
The music of “Parasmani”, especially the song “Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya”, paved the way for us. The very next year director Satyen Bose gave us “Dosti”. It was Tarachandji's Rajshri Productions film. The film had new and young actors but its music was super hit. It got us our first FIlmfare Award in 1964. The most thrilling experience was that with “Dosti”, films like “Sangam” (music by Shankar-Jaikishan) and “Woh Kaun Thi” (Madan Mohan) were also nominated for the Filmfare Award.
The award may have brought us fame, but unfortunately, it also created jealousy among our peers. Some of them canvassed against us and we stopped getting films. But we still got films from those who believed in us. Again from 1977 to 1980, we got the Filmfare Award consecutively for four years for “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977), “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” (1978), “Sargam” (1979) and “Karz” (1980). In Ameen Sayani's “Binaca Geet Mala” our songs were regularly played among the top hits. Lata Mangeshkar made a great contribution to our success. She used to record 10 songs a month for other music directors, but for us she even sang 16 songs a month. Till date, I go to seek her advice in any music-related matter.
Today, I miss Laxmikant, (he passed away in 1988) but I didn't stop making music. I have won friends like Jitendra, Dharmendra , Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan in the film industry. Though I feel music has become quite technology-driven today, I always tell my students never to stop the use of acoustic instruments like flute, violin and sitar, for they are the basic ones. Today, there is even less poetry in songs. Dard-e-dil has become dard-e-disco. I and Laxmi did one good thing: We didn't take all films that came our way. We picked and chose even at the cost of sitting at home, unlike Shankar-Jaikishan. I still have lots of symphonies for kids that I wrote long ago, apart from western symphonies. I have few films today but I am happy that I haven't compromised with my kind of music.
Being from a musically driven family, I started arranging music at the age of 16. By 17, I became a composer. My father Pandit Ram Prasad Sharma, a trumpeter, taught me music and made me learn violin at the age of 12 from a Goan violinist. A famous director those days, who also gave a break to Kalyanji-Anandji was known to us. Once, I hesitatingly said to him, “You gave a chance to Kalyanji, give me one too.”
He smiled and the next thing I knew was that I was to play the violin in the famous film “Haqeeqat” for which Madan Mohan composed music.
The song was “Mein Ye Soch Uske Ghar Se Utha Tha.” He was so pleased with my performance that he came running and hugged me after the recording.
How it felt
At 17, it was thrilling and served as a great morale booster. In no time, he offered me “Parasmani”. That was in 1963. I couldn't believe my luck. Babubhai Mistry was a name to reckon with. No one would question his integrity. I and Laxmikant started working on the film. The film didn't do well but the music was a hit. It brought us close to known music directors like Naushad and Ravi and film producers like Tarachand Barjatya.
How life changed
The music of “Parasmani”, especially the song “Roshan Tumhi Se Duniya”, paved the way for us. The very next year director Satyen Bose gave us “Dosti”. It was Tarachandji's Rajshri Productions film. The film had new and young actors but its music was super hit. It got us our first FIlmfare Award in 1964. The most thrilling experience was that with “Dosti”, films like “Sangam” (music by Shankar-Jaikishan) and “Woh Kaun Thi” (Madan Mohan) were also nominated for the Filmfare Award.
The award may have brought us fame, but unfortunately, it also created jealousy among our peers. Some of them canvassed against us and we stopped getting films. But we still got films from those who believed in us. Again from 1977 to 1980, we got the Filmfare Award consecutively for four years for “Amar Akbar Anthony” (1977), “Satyam Shivam Sundaram” (1978), “Sargam” (1979) and “Karz” (1980). In Ameen Sayani's “Binaca Geet Mala” our songs were regularly played among the top hits. Lata Mangeshkar made a great contribution to our success. She used to record 10 songs a month for other music directors, but for us she even sang 16 songs a month. Till date, I go to seek her advice in any music-related matter.
Today, I miss Laxmikant, (he passed away in 1988) but I didn't stop making music. I have won friends like Jitendra, Dharmendra , Shashi Kapoor and Amitabh Bachchan in the film industry. Though I feel music has become quite technology-driven today, I always tell my students never to stop the use of acoustic instruments like flute, violin and sitar, for they are the basic ones. Today, there is even less poetry in songs. Dard-e-dil has become dard-e-disco. I and Laxmi did one good thing: We didn't take all films that came our way. We picked and chose even at the cost of sitting at home, unlike Shankar-Jaikishan. I still have lots of symphonies for kids that I wrote long ago, apart from western symphonies. I have few films today but I am happy that I haven't compromised with my kind of music.
A R Rahman is leading a hectic life balancing work in India and Hollywood but the musician is not complaining as he wants to bridge the gap between East and West through his music.
In June, the music maestro will embark on his 'Jai Ho' tour across the US. Rahman says he may be doing more "Hollywood stuff" but he intends to keep up his Bollywood commitments of one or two films a year. The singer-composer, who is the only Indian to win two Oscars, a Golden Globe and two Grammys for his music in Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire', says his concert is an extension of his philosophy.
"A lot of things have changed and I got a place here to work. I have a contract with Interscope Records...all these things are time demanding to fulfill so my time is divided almost half between India and here," Rahman told reporters. The 44-year-old musician, however, believes that since India has always embraced foreign cultures, they deserve a stage in the West.
"I wanted to do this concert for many reasons. In the beginning my intention was to extend the boundaries of what I was doing for music so we could do greater things. It probably is an extension of my philosophy," Rahman said.
"After my success I even feel stronger to do this stuff to make a bridge for other people to come and if one person succeeds then a lot of other people come," he added. Rahman is presently working with artistes like Usher, Nicole Scherzinger and Dido. Working abroad has made him realise that there is enough space for the two big film industries to produce work on the same platform.
"I don't know whether it is right or wrong but what is good is people recognising the potential of movies in India and are being more adventurous," he said. "We don't need acknowledgment from anybody but it's good to have it." Rahman also dismisses the lingering criticism that it took a foreign film 'Slumdog Millionaire', for an Indian to win the Oscar and then a Grammy.
"As long as it got recognised I don't bother about all this. It was such a small movie and became such a big hit, this is a blessing." Rahman has joined hands with Hollywood's creative director Amy Tinkham for his new concert in 14 cities across North America.
Tinkham, who has worked for pop-music icons, including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey, says the concert will be a mix of Indian tradition and modernism. "The concert will keep in intact the heritage and traditions of India with a new modern presentation. The show will feature changing sets, large images on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe," Tinkham said.
The high-tech, larger-than-life show may be completely opposite of his shy persona but the musician says it goes with the music. "The music is exuberant and it won't do justice to the music to lock it into a room...If you go to a Beyonce concert it's mostly about her but in this it's the music that is the hero."
A R Rahman is leading a hectic life balancing work in India and Hollywood but the musician is not complaining as he wants to bridge the gap between East and West through his music.
In June, the music maestro will embark on his 'Jai Ho' tour across the US. Rahman says he may be doing more "Hollywood stuff" but he intends to keep up his Bollywood commitments of one or two films a year. The singer-composer, who is the only Indian to win two Oscars, a Golden Globe and two Grammys for his music in Danny Boyle's 'Slumdog Millionaire', says his concert is an extension of his philosophy.
"A lot of things have changed and I got a place here to work. I have a contract with Interscope Records...all these things are time demanding to fulfill so my time is divided almost half between India and here," Rahman told reporters. The 44-year-old musician, however, believes that since India has always embraced foreign cultures, they deserve a stage in the West.
"I wanted to do this concert for many reasons. In the beginning my intention was to extend the boundaries of what I was doing for music so we could do greater things. It probably is an extension of my philosophy," Rahman said.
"After my success I even feel stronger to do this stuff to make a bridge for other people to come and if one person succeeds then a lot of other people come," he added. Rahman is presently working with artistes like Usher, Nicole Scherzinger and Dido. Working abroad has made him realise that there is enough space for the two big film industries to produce work on the same platform.
"I don't know whether it is right or wrong but what is good is people recognising the potential of movies in India and are being more adventurous," he said. "We don't need acknowledgment from anybody but it's good to have it." Rahman also dismisses the lingering criticism that it took a foreign film 'Slumdog Millionaire', for an Indian to win the Oscar and then a Grammy.
"As long as it got recognised I don't bother about all this. It was such a small movie and became such a big hit, this is a blessing." Rahman has joined hands with Hollywood's creative director Amy Tinkham for his new concert in 14 cities across North America.
Tinkham, who has worked for pop-music icons, including Britney Spears, the Backstreet Boys and Mariah Carey, says the concert will be a mix of Indian tradition and modernism. "The concert will keep in intact the heritage and traditions of India with a new modern presentation. The show will feature changing sets, large images on LED screens and a spectacular cast of musicians and dancers from across the globe," Tinkham said.
The high-tech, larger-than-life show may be completely opposite of his shy persona but the musician says it goes with the music. "The music is exuberant and it won't do justice to the music to lock it into a room...If you go to a Beyonce concert it's mostly about her but in this it's the music that is the hero."
Yes, it is a preview of a review I am about to write. But I thought I would share this clip with you so you could walk, jog, run, to the nearest shop and BUY this DVD package. It is truly memorable, an excellent inside look at the genius of a man who changed the game forever!
