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Tag: A.R. Rahman

  • A.R. Rahman gives music for ‘Million Dollar Arm’

    A.R. Rahman gives music for ‘Million Dollar Arm’

    NEW DELHI: Suraj Sharma, who played the young man stranded on a raft with the tiger in Ang Lee’s ‘Life of Pi,’ and Madhur Mittal who portrayed Salim in the best Oscar winning movie ‘Slumdog Millionaire,’ along with actor Jon Hamm feature in the new Disney film ‘Million Dollar Arm’ being released this weekend in the United States.

     

    With its release last Friday, ‘Million Dollar Arm’ clashed with the giant ‘Godzilla’ remake distributed by Warner Bros.

     

    The film has been directed by Craig Gillespie from a screenplay written by Tom McCarthy. The film is based on the true story of baseball pitchers Rinku Singh and Dinesh Patel who were discovered by sports agent J.B. Bernstein after winning a reality show competition. The film also stars Bill Paxton as pitching coach Tom House, Alan Arkin and Lake Bell. The film’s music is composed by A.R. Rahman. The movie is produced by Joe Roth, Mark Ciardi, and Gordon Gray for Walt Disney Pictures. 

     

    By the standards of the studio known for big-budget blockbusters, ‘Million Dollar Arm’ is a small film, with a budget of $25 million, a fraction of the $200 million it cost to make the soon-to-be-released ‘Maleficent’ with Angelina Jolie.

     

    But Walt Disney Studios’ executive vice president of film distribution Dave Hollis said, “We believe in great stories, both big and small, that depict values such as courage, ambition, hard work and family. ‘Million Dollar Arm’ is a great story that has those unique human themes throughout.”

     

    ‘Million Dollar Arm’ was shot partly in India. Jon Hamm – who played the ‘Mad Men’ character Don Draper – plays sports agent J B Bernstein who in a desperate bid to drum up clients goes to India to find baseball pitchers among the country’s cricket-loving sportsmen. It is a real-life story that warmed hearts over at the Walt Disney Co.

     

    The first part of ‘Million Dollar Arm’ shows a hot and chaotic Mumbai where JB struggles to get his improbable venture off the ground with a reality show. After frustrating rounds of tryouts, the American agent finds two strong arms in Rinku and Dinesh in rural India and brings them to Southern California, where they undergo training before being shown to Major League Baseball scouts.

     

    The young men find themselves struggling with the culture, the lifestyle and, most importantly, the business expectations that JB has from them. His neighbour Brenda, a doctor played by Lake Bell, works to suture the fraying relationship in time to save their chances of making it in American baseball.

     

    Despite working in conditions Hamm termed “remarkably warm and challenging,” the baseball tale with a global twist gave Hamm not only his first lead role in film but one that was decidedly more upbeat than the ad man that made him famous on television.

     

    “I love the fact that it has a family component to it and it has redemption,” said Hamm. “You leave the movie theater with a smile on your face. It’s a nice alternative to my other on-screen persona, who is a little bit darker.”

     

    Bell and Hamm, who are friends in real life, both highlighted one of the great advantages of working on a Disney film: for a change, they can send anyone in their families to see it and not have to worry about uncomfortable scenes. “It is nice to be part of a project that my sister can take her kids to,” said Hamm.

     

    Prior to ‘Million Dollar Arm,’ Hamm played an FBI agent in Ben Affleck’s 2010 crime caper ‘The Town’ and a part as the loathsome lothario in the 2011 women-driven comedy ‘Bridesmaids.’

     

    “I think you can make an argument that I was actually the star of ‘Bridesmaids,’” he joked.

     

    As he films the final episodes of ‘Mad Men’ to air next year on the AMC cable network, Hamm said he has no road map for his career post-Don Draper, although ‘Million Dollar Arm’ fit perfectly into his loose plan.

    The movie stars actors Suraj Sharma of ‘Life of Pi’ fame and Madhur Mittal of ‘Slumdog Millionaire’.

     

    “I just want to work on things I find interesting in some way and this is a perfect example of something I find interesting,” said Hamm, who happens to be a big baseball fan. 

  • It came at the right time – in the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke: Gulzar

    It came at the right time – in the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke: Gulzar

    NEW DELHI: Later this year, eminent director-screen writer-lyricist Gulzar will be honoured with the prestigious Dadasaheb Phalke Award (2013) by President Pranab Mukherjee along with the National Film Awards (2013). Gulzar will be the third lyricist after Majrooh Sultanpuri (1994) and Kavi Pradeep (1998) to win the award.

     

    According to Information & Broadcasting Ministry Secretary, Bimal Julka, the seven-member selection committee was unanimous in its recommendation of Gulzar for what is the nation’s highest award in cinema.

     

    “I am particularly happy since the choice was made by an independent committee, though set up by the Government,” said Gulzar. While many feel the honour was bestowed on him rather late, he only said, “This was special, as it came at the right time- in the birth centenary year of Dadasaheb Phalke.”

     

    An institution into himself, Gulzar has not only penned several Hindi film songs and dialogues but also directed a clutch of notable films. As one of the greatest authorities in the history of song in Indian cinema, he has given talks on the subject, both in India and abroad. Often accused of selecting other people’s novels/stories for adaptation, there’s no denying his talent for optimally adapting the same to Indian/Hindi film audiences.

     

    Biography

     

    Gulzar was born as Sampooran Singh Kalra to Makhan Singh Kalra and Sujan Kaur in Dina, Jhelum district, in undivided India, in what is now Pakistan. Sampooran started off as a car mechanic in a garage in Mumbai but went on to become a writer, assuming the pen name, Gulzar Deenvi. His father rebuked him for becoming a writer saying, “As a writer, you will have to depend on your brothers”. He started his film career as a lyricist, going on to write dialogues and screen plays, and later, even directing many critically acclaimed films.

     

    Gulzar began as a songwriter with music director Sachin Dev Burman in the movie Bandini (1963) with the song, Mora Gora Ang Lai le picturised on Nutan. Gulzar’s most successful songs as a lyricist came out of his association with S D Burman’s son, Rahul Dev Burman, whom he described as the anchor in his life. Gulzar’s lyrics were special in that they formed part of the narrative. As a lyricist, he also had award-winning associations with music directors Salil Chowdhury (Anand, Mere Apne), Madan Mohan (Mausam) and more recently Vishal Bhardwaj (Maachis, Omkara, Kaminey), A. R. Rahman (Dil Se.., Guru, Slumdog Millionaire, Raavan) and Shankar–Ehsaan–Loy (Bunty aur Babli).

     

    Some of Gulzar’s more notable songs are: Maine Tere Liye Hi from the film Anand; Bole Re Papihara Papihara from the film Guddi; Koii Hota Jisko Apna, a nostalgic number from Mere Apne; Aanewala Pal Janewala (Golmaal); Sun Sun Sun Didi (Khubsoorat); Ae Zindagi Gale Laga Le (Sadma); Roz Roz Aankhon Tale (Jeeva); Tum Aa Gaye Ho Noor and Tere Bina Zindagi Se from the film Aandhi; Saare ke saare gaama ko lekar gaate chale (Parichay); and Dil Dhoondhta hai (Mausam).

    Gulzar won international fame when he was awarded the prestigious Oscar Award (with A R Rehman and Sukhwinder Singh) for writing the Best Original Song  Jai Ho from the film, Slumdog Millionare. He was also honoured with the Grammy Award for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture, Television or Other Visual Media.

     

    Apart from films, he has written ghazals for ghazal king (late) Jagjit Singh’s albums “Marasim” and “Koi Baat Chale”. Both albums were a great success.

     

    For the peace campaign (Aman ki Asha) jointly flagged off by leading media houses from India and Pakistan, he wrote the anthem “Nazar Main Rehte Ho”, which was recorded by Shankar Mahadevan and Rahat Fateh Ali Khan.

     

    Gulzar’s poetry is partly published in three compilations: Chand Pukhraaj Ka, Raat Pashminey Ki and Pandrah Paanch Pachattar (15-05-75).

     

    Gulzar also wrote dialogues and screen plays for films like Aashirwad, Anand, Khamoshi and more. His short stories are published in Raavi-paar (also known as Dustkhat in Pakistan) and Dhuan (smoke). He has penned dialogues and lyrics for several Doordarshan serials including Jungle Book, Alice in Wonderland, Guchche, Hello Zindagi, Potli Baba ki and more recently, the children’s audio-book series, Karadi Tales.

     

    Fluent in several languages and dialects, Gulzar has written in Braj Bhasha, Khariboli, Haryanvi and Marwari though he primarily writes in Hindustani (Hindi-Urdu) and Punjabi.

     

    He forayed into direction with Mere Apne(1971). The film was a remake of Tapan Sinha’s Bengali film Apanjan (1969), where Meena Kumari played the lead role of Anandi Devi, an old widow caught between the local fights of unemployed and tormented youngsters. Anandi Devi’s death in one of the fights makes the youth realise the futility of violence. The film was rated “Above Average” at the Box Office.

     

    He then directed Parichay and Koshish, with the former based on a Bengali novel Rangeen Uttarain by Raj Kumar Maitra and inspired by the Hollywood classic, The Sound of Music. Whereas Koshish, written by Gulzar, depicts the struggle of a deaf and dumb couple. Sanjeev Kumar won the National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in the film. The year 1973 saw another directorial venture from Gulzar named Achanak, inspired by the real-life sensational 1958 murder case K M Nanavati vs State of Maharashtra. The story writer, Khwaja Ahmed Abbas, earned a Filmfare nomination for Best story.

     

    Gulzar’s Aandhi, based on the Hindi novel “Kaali Aandhi” by the renowned writer Kamleshwar, told the story of a separated couple against the backdrop of politics and was often believed to be based on the story of Indira Gandhi though it was actually based on the life of Tarkeshwari Sinha. Along with various wins and nominations, the film also won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Movie. During the emergency in 1975, the film was banned from theatres. Gulzar’s next, Khushboo, was inspired by Sharat Chandra Chattopadhyay’s Pandit Mashay. While his other film, Mausam, won the National Award for second Best Feature Film, Filmfare Best Movie and Filmfare Best Director awards, along with other six Filmfare nominations. It was loosely based on the story “Weather” from the novel, The Judas Tree, by A.J. Cronin. Sharmila Tagore for her roles of Chanda and Kajli received The Silver Lotus Award at the 23rd National Film Festival.

     

    Gulzar’s 1982 film Angoor was taken from William Shakespeare’s play, The Comedy of Errors. In his Maachis, a young Punjabi boy becomes a terrorist only to realise the futility of it. While Hu Tu Tu dealt with corruption and one man’s fight against it. Flashback has been an important tool of narration in Gulzar’s films including Aandhi, Mausam, Ijaazat, Machis and Hu Tu Tu among others.

     

    On the small screen, Gulzar created the popular series Mirza Ghalib and Tahreer Munshi Premchand ki among others. 

     

    Gulzar, who will turn 80 on 18 August this year, was awarded the Sahitya Akademi Award in 2002 and the Padma Bhushan in 2004. He has won a number of National Film Awards and 20 Filmfare Awards. In 2012, he received the Indira Gandhi National Integration Award.

  • 8th edition of CNN-IBN indian of the year announced

    8th edition of CNN-IBN indian of the year announced

    MUMBAI: CNN-IBN is back again with one of the biggest and the most credible awards in Indian media, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year 2013, in association with GMR, where the most inspirational faces of India in the present calendar year are recognized. Hindustan Times has been the Editorial partner of this initiative since the inception of this award in 2006.

    2013 has been a significant year in the history of India and has given rise to a set of role models who have been true ambassadors of brand India. These iconic achievers who have contributed in strenthening the foundation of our society in their own way are chosen from five different categories: Politics, Sports, Entertainment, Business and Public Service. The winners will be felicitated at a glittering ceremony to be held at Taj Palace, New Delhi on December 20, 2013.

    The winners of ‘CNN-IBN Indian of the Year, 2013’ will be decided by a highly distinguished Jury panel comprising of personalities bestowed with the most prestigious Padma honours; former Attorney General of India Padma Vibhushan Soli Sorabjee (Jury Chairman), Padma Vibhushan Danseuse Dr. Sonal Mansingh, Padma Bhushan author Ramachandra Guha, Padma Bhushan Deepak Parekh (Chairman, HDFC), Padma Sri & 4-time National Award winner Actor Mohanlal V Nair, Padma Shri & Billiards Champion Geet Sethi and Padma Shri Kiran Karnik, the President of NASSCOM.

    Instituted in 2006, CNN-IBN Indian of the Year has been the benchmark for credibility and excellence in media awards. The awards are held in high regard for precision, providing complete information about the process of nomination and selection of the final winners.

    Over the years, the recipients of this prestigious award have included Prime Minister Manmohan Singh (2006), E Sreedharan (2007), G Madhavan Nair (2008), A R Rahman(2009), Bihar CM Nitish Kumar (2010), Anna Hazare (2011) and Indian Chess Grandmaster Viswanathan Anand (2012).

    Rajdeep Sardesai, Editor-in-Chief, CNN-IBN, IBN7 & IBN-Lokmat, shares his views about the awards, saying, “Year after year ‘Indian of the Year’ is getting bigger and better. Today, it’s one of the most accredited awards in the industry. We are immensely proud to felicitate these role models of India for their contribution and achievements in their own respective fields.”
    Don’t forget to tune in to CNN-IBN as the Nominees in different categories will be unveiled 9th December onwards.

    Watch Nominee Specials – Dec 9-12 at 10 pm & Dec 13 at 10:30
    Log on to IndianoftheYear.com for more.

  • RahmanIshq music smartphones launched by Celkon Mobiles

    RahmanIshq music smartphones launched by Celkon Mobiles

    MUMBAI: Celkon Mobiles has unveiled its latest offering, ‘RahmanIshq’ series phone at the announcement launch in Kolkata. The highlight of the event comprised of the novel use of augmented technology with the very first of its kind 4D holographic launch of RahmanIshq smartphone-AR45. The event was graced by the Oscar winning music maestro, A.R. Rahman, Celkon Mobiles chairman and MD Y Guru and Celkon Mobiles ED Murali Retineni.

     

    Commenting on the launch and association with RahmanIshq Guru said, “We are committed to our promise of extending unparalleled services to millions of consumers across the country. Partnering with the ‘Mozart of Madras’ for RahmanIshq is a noteworthy achievement for the company. We are proud to share that our customers can also enjoy the special tune composed by the veteran himself for RahmanIshq that will be used extensively for the RahmanIshq smartphones. Affordable innovation is the genesis of RahmanIshq. We at Celkon Mobiles would continue to build on our promise to efficiently deliver to our consumers with novelties that directly cater to their needs.”

     

    Chief Guest of the event, A.R. Rahman said, “I always believe that technology is very important in the world of music. RahmanIshq stands testimony to this and is a concept dedicated to spreading awareness of how technology needs to blend seamlessly with music for optimum output.  It is wonderful to partner with such an innovative brand for my first road tour. Thank you for all the support extended.”

     

    Epitomising sleekness and simplicity with AR45 is one of the smartphones from the ‘RahmanIshq’ series from Celkon Mobiles. It supports 4.5 inch display with Android Jelly Bean 4.2.2 OS and 1.2 GHz dual core A7 processor. AR45 comes with dual speakers with K-class amplifier to give its users a never before musical experience.

     

    Equipped with a 5MP rear camera with a smile detector, AR455 promises the users an outstanding shooting experience. Another innovative feature is Shake & Transfer, which enables the users to experience the data transfer with just a shake in no time, could be the most fastest and smartest ever data transfer App enabled on a smartphone.

     

    Apart from 3G, video calling and 4GB ROM, AR45 supports the interactive gaming, in which two people can play games like Soccer or ice-hockey with each other. It also has a customised music player to give the user an enhanced musical experience with multiple preset equaliser option. Celkon Mobiles for the first time in India has leveraged on the customisation of Android O.S and built a new user interface to get a different look and feel to the way contacts, messages and call log are viewed and also many more features like power-saver, data meter and security center are added as a bonus feature. A variety of themes are enabled in the handset while unlimited themes are also available for download by the user.

     

    AR45 would be available October onwards for Rs 7,999 at all leading retail outlets.

    Elaborating on the product Retineni said, “With the launch of RahmanIshq series, we are raising the bar for affordable innovation especially for the music lovers. AR45 has a full display touch screen and a 5MP rear camera with a novel feature of smile detector. RahmanIshq smartphones are power packed with pre-installed A.R. Rahman’s chartbusters.”

     

    The series launch was to mark the commencement of the global tour of the music legend, A.R. Rahman, a unique road tour where music meets technology that the world icon will embark upon after 20 years.

  • Shuddh Desi boy to now play lead in YRF & Shekhar Kapur’s Paani

    Shuddh Desi boy to now play lead in YRF & Shekhar Kapur’s Paani

    The hunt for the male lead in Paani is over! Close on the heels of his outstanding performance in Shuddh Desi Romance, both Shekhar Kapur and Aditya Chopra had no hesitation in confirming Sushant Singh Rajput to play the lead in their upcoming flick Paani.

     

    According to Kapur, Sushant is one of the most inspiring young actors to emerge out of India. “It’s going to be exciting director-actor collaboration with him in Paani.”

    The film is based in a future world where war over water has broken out. Water is now owned by international corporations who use thirst as a weapon of control. In one such future city, a young love story breaks all the rules and in the ensuing war, water flows back to its people.

     

    The film will have a strong Indian and western star cast. Sushant will be joined by a young leading actress from the west.

     

    The film, produced by Aditya Chopra and directed by Shekhar Kapur, will be shot in India and overseas. Music will be by A. R. Rahman.
    Paani goes on floor mid-2014.

  • Eros International and A R Rahman’s YM Movies to produce a Hindi film

    Eros International and A R Rahman’s YM Movies to produce a Hindi film

    MUMBAI: Eros International, a leading global company in the Indian film entertainment industry has announced its plans to produce a Hindi feature film with Oscar winner A R Rahman’s YM Movies. With this venture, the multi-talented Indian composer, singer-songwriter and music producer dons the hat of a film producer too. For the first time, AR Rahman has conceived the movie and written the basic story with help of international and local talent. It’s a young sensual movie based on love, art and self-discovery.

    Speaking on the announcement, A R Rahman said, “It’s a 16 year relationship with Eros and this time it’s extending the role a bit more. It’s about exploring the other side of a creative partnership. YM Movies is born out of sheer aspiration to create movies which could bring a lot of joy, fulfilling the artistic and cinematic demands.”

    Eros International Media MD Sunil Lulla added, “The film is an extension of the creative genius of A R Rahman and it’s with great pleasure that we announce this very special venture with him. With this film, we wish to present music and cinema at its best and entertain fans and audiences with an unforgettable experience.”

  • Sony Music and Eros International tie up with Raanjhanna

    Sony Music and Eros International tie up with Raanjhanna

    MUMBAI: Eros International Media Limited has once again collaborated with Sony Music, to present the music Raanjhanaa. It is a romantic story starring Sonam Kapoor and south Indian actor Dhanush (of Kolavari Di fame) that will highlight the essence of love and simplicity.

    Sony Music will distribute and promote the music of the movie across all physical and digital platforms. The Hindi and Tamil original sound track of Raanjhanaa will be distributed under the co-branding of Sony Music and Eros Music labels.

    Set in the streets of Delhi and Varanasi, Raanjhanaa‘s music is composed by Oscar Winner A R Rahman.

    Sony Music Entertainment India MD Sanujeet Bhujabal said, "We are delighted to be associated with Eros International for its second release of this year. The trailer of Raanjhana was released recently and has already accumulated a huge response. We are extremely confident that AR Rahman‘s music will connect hugely with the music fans at all levels."

    Eros International Media president business development Kumar Ahuja added, "We are very happy to align with Sony Music and follow up the success of Go Goa Gone with Raanjhanaa. Raanjhanaa has a magical score by A R Rahman which will definitely strike a chord with listeners and we are looking forward to the response to the album".

    Goa Goa Gone‘s music is already out across all platforms while Raanjhanaa‘s music will be available in the coming weeks.

  • Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi voted most admired celebrities

    Amitabh Bachchan and Sridevi voted most admired celebrities

    MUMBAI: With 43 per cent votes in the ‘Vuclip Icons of the Year 2012’ mobile survey, Amitabh Bachchan has been voted as the most admired celebrity along with Sridevi who left behind the likes of Kareena Kapoor, Sonakshi Sinha and Vidya Balan with 33 per cent votes.

    "I am humbled to see the overwhelming response from my fans. I would like to take this opportunity to thank them once again for their love, blessings and unstinted support towards me and my movies. Whatever I have achieved in life is because of the love and support of my fans," averred Sridevi in a statement.

    Aditya Chopra was chosen as the most admired Bollywood filmmaker.

    "These findings reflect the opinions and expectations of a hundred thousand Indians on whom they view as an ideal leader. Being the most admired icon means more than just being successful," said Vuclip director India Business Nikhil Naik.

    Among the most admired Bollywood composers, A.R. Rahman emerged victorious with 70 per cent votes while Sonu Nigam bagged the title of the most admired male playback singer.

  • A R Rahman is brand ambassador for JBL products

    NEW DELHI: JBL, a brand belonging to the premium global audio and infotainment group Harman, has launched its new advertising campaign for the India market with A R Rahman as the ambassador.

    The brand has a legacy of more than 60 years of audio innovation to its credit and has significantly stepped up its marketing efforts in the country over the past one year.

    The 360 degree campaign features Rahman in a stylish new avatar. The TV ad is a visual delight. Viewers are treated to the panoramic vista of a valley in Ladakh with a nomadic musician carrying his drums across the barren terrain which transitions to bamboo being cut to make flutes in a lush green forest in Thailand, a guitar being strung in a workshop bathed in the warm glow of flickering lamps and finally, one arrives at a pristine white living room where the maestro is sitting, strumming a guitar and surrounded by a range of JBL products.

    “The message we wanted to give through the ad was that the soul of the music, regardless of the instrument, is brought to the listener in the purest form by JBL. An artist pours his or her heart and soul into a composition and JBL helps carry that untainted sound to the ears of the listener so that they hear every note the way the artist intended,” explains Sameer Shah, Marketing Director, Harman (India), when asked about the concept behind the ad.

    Both Edward Anthony, Creative Director of Stirred Creative, the agency that conceived of the ad and Kabir Sadanand, Director of the production house Frog Unlimited, were in concurrence that the ad had to be a feast for the senses and that each frame had to be picture postcard perfect in order to reflect the purity of sound that is synonymous with the brand.

    The aesthetics have been kept very earthy and organic and the music composed by Rahman complements it beautifully. It starts off with the sound of the elements (the wind and rain) and gradually, the music of each instrument that is shown coming to life, blends in seamlessly.

    “The team has put in a lot of effort into the creation of this ad and the results are for everyone to see,” said Mr. Anand Ramamoorthy, Country Head and Managing Director, Harman (India). “People are going to see a lot more of the brand in the coming days, as we continuously step up our marketing efforts,” he added.

    Rahman, who has been a user of JBL equipment from almost the inception of his career, was signed on as the brand ambassador for India in October last year. The ad is an extension of JBL’s global Hear the Truth campaign, which features a legendary assortment of musical icons revered across the world ranging from popular US rock band Maroon 5, China’s ‘King of Pop’ Liu Huan and multiple GRAMMY award winner, Paul McCartney.

  • DIFF opens with MI: Ghost Protocol

    DIFF opens with MI: Ghost Protocol

    MUMBAI: the 8th Dubai International Film Festival opened with the screening of the Tom Cruise starrer Mission Impossible: Ghost Protocol.

    Cruise, who shot some of the key events including a daredevil stunt hanging from the Burj Khalifa in the movie, attended the screening making him the biggest Hollywood star to attend the festival.

    Also present were Anil Kapoor and music director A R Rahman. Kapoor plays a cameo of an Indian playboy in the film.

    Said Cruise, “It is easy to climb a building and jump out of it but I am scared of falling. I trained with helmets and pads but when I had to shoot actually at the Burj Khalifa I told myself ‘Ok, this is the moment of truth‘ but it is very entertaining for the audience,” Cruise said, adding that he likes to celebrate locations through his movies.

    For the knowledge of Indian fans, most of the shots depicting Mumbai in the film were actually shot in Dubai. “Locations add to the film and we try to shoot there but one of the magic of movies is that you can create that environment,” Cruise said about creating Mumbai outside India.

    The festival, which is screening 171 films from over 56 countries, has a special section ‘Celebrate India‘ dedicated to the films from the country.