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Tag: Swanand Kirkire

  • Theatre’s role in cinema, where stage meets screen

    Theatre’s role in cinema, where stage meets screen

    MUMBAI: Curtains up, lights on, and action, but the roots of cinema lie on the stage. At a lively session on “The Power of Theatre in Cinema’s DNA,” celebrated actors and creators revealed how the world of theatre continues to shape the Indian screen.

    Moderated by National School of Drama director Chittaranjan Tripathy, the panel featured Swanand Kirkire, Raghubir Yadav, Rajpal Yadav, and Mita Vashisht. The discussion explored how theatrical training provides actors with depth, discipline, and authenticity that resonate on screen.

    Swanand Kirkire, a multi-talented lyricist, actor, and singer, called cinema an extension of theatre. “Drama happens in one space and one time on stage. Cinema takes the same drama and expands it across spaces and moments,” he said. He highlighted that every great film begins with understanding drama, the conflict between forces, and the forward motion of storytelling.

    Raghubir Yadav stressed theatre’s irreplaceable role in building a performer. “You can do a play without cinema, but you cannot do a film without a play. Theatre gives you everything: emotion, nuance, life. Cinema may teach dialogue memorisation, but theatre teaches you living on stage,” he explained.

    Rajpal Yadav reflected on theatre as a teacher of life itself. “The collaborative essence of stagecraft and how understanding every role, from actors to carpenters, enriches cinema. Theatre teaches zero, cinema teaches hero. When theatre and cinema come together, every element of performance becomes alive,” he said.

    Mita Vashisht discussed the technical interplay between theatre and film. While theatre delivers a live connection with audiences, cinema requires technology to capture and convey the same energy. She also pointed out that concepts like framing, positioning of actors, and set design in cinema are borrowed directly from theatre, referencing techniques like Mise en Scène.

    The session celebrated theatre as the backbone of cinema, emphasising that even with all the technology in modern filmmaking, the foundational lessons of stagecraft: discipline, collaboration, and emotional truth, remain essential. As Kirkire summarised, “Theatre gives cinema its DNA. Without it, the soul of performance is incomplete.”

    From the intricacies of acting to the careful orchestration of a set, the discussion made it clear, the spotlight may have shifted from stage to screen, but the heart of storytelling continues to beat in the theatre.

  • Artiste First unveils Tum Jaao Mat…Raho featuring child prodigy Shubhankar Kulkarni

    Artiste First unveils Tum Jaao Mat…Raho featuring child prodigy Shubhankar Kulkarni

    Mumbai: Remember the good old days when life seemed simpler and relationships felt genuine? A heartfelt poem crafted by the wordsmith Swanand Kirkire, now brought to life by Artiste First, offers a nostalgic journey back to a simpler time. With Saleel Kulkarni’s soothing music and Shubhankar Kulkarni’s heartfelt vocals, ‘Tum Jaao Mat…Raho’ is like a gentle breeze of nostalgia, a conversation between two hearts, embodying the pure love of stolen glances and heartfelt conversations.

    ‘Tum Jaao Mat…Raho unfolds as a heartwarming conversation between a couple. The song arrives as a breath of fresh air with touching lyrics like ‘Ek baat kahu…tum jaao mat yaar’. The song captures the magic of classical romance rooted in stolen glances, meaningful exchanges, and a yearning to just be near one another.

    Composed by Saleel Kulkarni, penned by Swanand Kirkire and sung by Shubhankar Kulkarni, ‘Tum Jaao Mat…Raho’ is a breezy tune that listeners of all generations will embrace. Another unique aspect of the song is the presence of singer Sharayu Date who lends her mesmerizing voice for a very special word in the song.

    Saleel Kulkarni, a composer-singer celebrated for his enchanting melodies in Marathi cinema, recently won the 69th National Award for his film ‘Ekda Kay Zala’. His son, Shubhankar Kulkarni, lends his unforgettable voice to ‘Tum Jaao Mat…Raho’. With the lyrical talents of writing maestro Swanand Kirkire, this song is the perfect tune to travel back in time and get lost in the essence of old-school feelings.

    ‘Tum Jaao Mat…Raho’ boasts of a serene music video that acts as the soul of the song. Every frame in the video reflects what the song is trying to convey. A celebration of stolen glances, unspoken words and simple love, the music video has a unique charm.

    Talking about the song, Saleel Kulkarni said, “Tum Jaao Mat…Raho is a song that will reach our ears and hearts at the same time. I’ve always wanted to create a romantic tune that the older generation can relate to, and the younger generation can fall in love with, and that’s what we’ve tried to achieve. Shubhankar has really felt each word of the song while crooning it, and I am very excited to see how the world reacts to this melody”.

    Sharing his thoughts on the track, Artiste First founder Rohit Sobti said, “

    We proudly present the Child Prodigy Shubhankar Kulkarni. You will be amazed with his singing talent at the age of 18. Artiste First has always been a platform that puts the artiste and their talent in front and centre. Saleel ji is a very respected figure in the music industry, and working with him along with his talented son and Swanandji is any music label’s dream come true moment. Tum Jaao Mat…Raho is beautiful because of its simplicity, and I think this tune will appeal to all kinds of listeners”.

    Talking about penning lyrics for the melody, Swanand Kirkire said, “It’s always creatively satisfying to go back to the past and bring back some of its magic in a tune. What started as a poem in my mind is now a song for everyone to enjoy! Tum Jaao Mat…Raho will take every listener down memory lane and help them relive the era of uncluttered romance”.

    Sharing his thoughts on the song, Shubhankar Kulkarni said,  “Tum Jaao Mat…Raho is a tune that is very close to my heart. The opportunity to work with my father and Swanand Ji on the same project is one any artist will feel humbled by. I also feel the simplicity and freshness of this song will win over the younger generation who generally aren’t used to such tracks”.

    This April, if you are in the mood for something old school, if you are in the mood for simpler times…tune into ‘Tum Jaao Mat, Raho’ and enjoy the musical journey!

    Tum Jaao Mat…Raho is available on all leading music platforms. The official music video is now live on YouTube. 

  • Coke Studio Bharat Season 2 to elevate sonic and visual storytelling

    Coke Studio Bharat Season 2 to elevate sonic and visual storytelling

    Mumbai: Building on the international acclaim garnered by Coke Studio Bharat Season 1, featuring viral tracks like Khalasi, Holi Re Rasiya and Kya Karie Korimol, the eagerly awaited Season 2 is scheduled for launch on 9 February 2024. Focused on elevating the global success of its debut season, Coke Studio Bharat is geared up to bring a fresh perspective to its core idea of Apna Sunao- an idea that empowers voices and stories from the heartland of India to take their rightful places with global audiences.

    Continuing with the ethos of #ApnaSunao our stellar team for Season 2 features the award winning musician and sought-after songwriter Ankur Tewari, who serves as the creative architect. Alongside this creative force, we have a think tank comprising prominent lyricist Swanand Kirkire, joining the distinguished lyricist Kausar Munir and award-winning sound engineer and music producer KJ Singh. This dynamic team, led by Ankur, has once again curated a diverse lineup of artists for an unparalleled musical experience that mirrors the heartbeat of India’s youth. With a focus on Gen Z and their emotional spectrum, this season delves into themes of happiness, sadness, and fast-paced lives, promising an immersive journey through soul-stirring songs that resonate as the quintessential soundtrack to our  lives.

    Introducing a fusion of established and emerging talents like Diljit Dosanjh, Neha Kakkar, Digvijay Singh, Shreya Ghoshal, Kanishk Seth, Cyli Khare, MC Square, Mohito, Komorebi, The Quick Style, Ikky, Raf Sappera and many more. The season promises to create a sonic journey that transcends boundaries, celebrating the rich diversity of India’s musical landscape.

    Taking it to the next level, unlike ever witnessed before, season 2 of Coke Studio Bharat introduces a groundbreaking transformation by creating a unique storyline for each individual musical symphony breaking away from its traditional studio setting for the very first time. Thematically, this season pioneers visual storytelling hoping to delight and expand its narrative reach. This captivating exploration spans diverse traditions, from Marathi and Kumaoni to Punjabi and Hindi, ensuring a unique and compelling experience for audiences across India.

    Ankur Tewari, acclaimed musician and sought-after songwriter, shares his thoughts on the upcoming second season of Coke Studio Bharat, ”As we embark on the second season of Coke Studio Bharat after a fantastic first run, let the music speak, weaving together the rich threads of our cultural mosaic. Get ready for another season filled with soulful tunes and vibrant melodies! In the vast realm of music, the fusion of diverse tunes becomes a grand celebration of emotions and cultures. My association with Coke Studio Bharat has been enriching and has brought me profound joy, as it unfolds as a dynamic arena where a multitude of musical threads interweave, crafting a symphony that resonates with the intricate hues of our collective human narrative”.

    Coca-Cola India, and Southwest Asia VP marketing Arnab Roy said “We’re delighted to announce the launch of Coke Studio Bharat season 2.0 which will continue to celebrate the richness of regional music of Bharat . We will strive to provide a platform to emerging , independent artists this season in partnership with some established iconic names. The soundtracks have been curated to capture the spirit of a young , energetic and optimistic Bharat.”

    Universal Music India (UMI) as executive producers of Coke Studio Bharat spoke of the association. Universal Music Group chairman & CEO, India & South Asia, SVP strategy- AMEA Devraj Sanyal shared, “Coke Studio Bharat Season 1 surpassed our expectations, garnering immense love and appreciation on Songs like ‘Khalasi,’ ‘Holi Re Rasiya,’ and ‘Kya Karie Korimol’ that seamlessly integrated into the ever-changing soundscape of our nation, propelled by the influence of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. The success can be attributed to the exceptional storytelling and musical integrity.

    As we embark on Season 2, our commitment is to elevate creativity and consistency in the synergy of music and artistry. The resonance of Bharat’s sound has transcended borders, celebrating global recognition and that brings us immense joy, fortifying our mission and purpose on a grand scale.”

    Listeners can tune into Coke Studio Bharat across all audio OTT platforms including Spotify, Gaana, Saavn, Wynk Music etc. with creation & distribution managed by UMI. UMI has collaborated with Colosceum Media for video production, breathing life into Ankur Tewari’s vision.  

    The first song of the season will be “Magic” by Diljit Dosanjh going live on 9 Feb. Come join in the celebration by scanning the QR code on a Coca-Cola pack to directly reach the dedicated Coke Studio Hub. This hub hosts exclusive content created by the artists, along with behind-the-scenes visuals. Additionally, enjoy live access to videos 48 hours before their global release, explore unreleased content, and participate in engagement-led activities, such as karaoke sessions on your favorite Coke Studio Bharat tracks. Share your renditions and be a part of amplifying the musical celebration across the nation.

  • ‘Alone’: Better left alone

    ‘Alone’: Better left alone

    MUMBAI: Alone has two selling points: First, it is directed by Bhushan Patel (Ragini MMS 2). Second, it stars Bipasha Basu, who exudes enough sex appeal for the audience of the voyeur kind, a mandatory ingredient in a contemporary horror films.

    Inspired by the 2007 Thai film of the same name, the movie is shot in Kerala to make it visually appealing. Bipasha plays a double role. She and her twin sister have promised to always stick by each other. Bipasha has to rush home to Kerala with her husband, Karan Singh Grover, when her mother meets with an accident. Her return takes her into past memories about her dead twin.

    Soon Bipasha starts experiencing a strange phenomenon. She feels the presence of her dead sister. Only she can feel this. She explains her situation to Karan but he thinks this is because she is missing her sister. However, Karan takes Bipasha to a psychiatrist friend who thinks it is beyond science. The couple then indulge in romance and songs.

    Producer: Panorama Films

    Director: Bhushan Patel

    Cast: Bipasha Basu, Karan Singh Grover, Zakeer Hussain

    The mandatory Babas claiming to get rid of ghosts and spirits and other such mumbo jumbo included, what the film never does is scare you. This is because it has nothing new to show. All this and much better stuff has preceded Alone. What actually happens is that the supposedly scary scenes only make you laugh.

    Those who made it to the cinema halls after watching the promos will not find in the film what they saw in promos. There are some intimate scenes and a lot of skin on display from both, Bipasha as well Karan but, again, nothing that a seasoned moviegoer has not seen before.

    In an effort to Indianise a borrowed foreign film, the length stretches to 133 minutes, which is a tad too long for a ‘scary’ movie. The film has some good numbers in Katra katra…. and Chaand aasman se lapataa.. but  they do lessen the impact of a scary film.

     Direction is average with no spark. The script can aptly be described as loose. One thing the film needed was some sharp editing. The belief that low light can make a horror film more effective, even if true, does not work here.

     With little scope, the performance by Bipasha is fair while Karan is there just for his body mass.

     Alone is mediocre fare with no drawing power as far as its stars go.

    ‘Crazy Cukkad Family’: That’s not entertainment!

    Crazy Cukkad Family is like a stage play, implausible but zany. It is more like a farce. It is about a family, which does odd things and may remind you of the 2007 film, Buddha Mar Gaya, starring Anupam Kher. The film is about a dysfunctional family of four siblings, all failures. To give a contemporary touch, one of them is gay.

    Producer: Prakash Jha

    Director: Ritesh Menon

    Cast: Swanand Kirkire, Shilpa Shukla, Kushal Punjabi, Siddharth Sharma, Kiran Karmarkar, Ninad Kamat

    Swanand Kirkire, Shilpa Shukla, Kushal Punjabi and Siddharth Sharma gather at their grand family home when their father slips into his third coma. Hoping this once he does not regain conscious, all four are keen to know what is for them in their filthy rich father’s last will. The four have their own traits; they need the money for various reasons. There is no family feeling or love for each other. Before the will can be read, a condition applies: for inheritance, all four have to be married. The siblings devise their individual ways out of this condition.

    While all four are failures in their respective lives, they try to conceal this fact from others. However, they can’t hide their real standing from each other for long as each kin’s secret is out.

    The father has no long term plan to remain in coma or to kick the bucket. He soon regains consciousness only to reveal that in the old filmy style, he has bequeathed all his wealth to the ‘wafaadar’ servant of the house. However, the servant is not selfish and asks his boss to leave his all for the children on the condition that they spend time with him every year!

    Even in this 90 minute farce, the makers needed a narrator who interrupts at regular intervals to explain to the viewer what is happening: either they think the viewer is dumb or they know their inability to let the script and the visuals do their job.  It is a passé theme further marred by bad scripting. Resultantly, the debutant director, Ritesh Menon, is totally at sea. The film boasts of an item number, Sexywala pakoda, in an otherwise mundane music score. Swanand Kirkire emerges the best while Shilpa Shukla is fair. The rest pass muster. Crazy Cukkad Family is a lost cause.

  • Prakash Jha’s ‘Crazy Cukkad Family’ gets U/A certificate

    Prakash Jha’s ‘Crazy Cukkad Family’ gets U/A certificate

    MUMBAI: The latest comedy film under the highly reputed Prakash Jha productions entitled ‘Crazy Cukkad Family’ has been granted a U/A certificate by the Film Censor Board of India without a single cut.
     

    This film which is about a dysfunctional Beri family stars an ensemble cast which includes Swanand Kirkire, Shilpa Shukla, Kushal Punjabi, Siddharth Sharma, Ninad Kamat and Nora Fatehi.

     

    The director of the upcoming comedy Ritesh Menon said, “When you try something new and your vision and voice is respected by the Censor board or any other governing body it is very reassuring. The film’s intent is to send out a positive message about modern day relationships and ultimately is to entertain. I am glad the audience will watch exactly what we have made. “

     

    This family film is slated for release on 16 January 2015.

     

  • Birla Sun Life Insurance’s new campaign emphasizes on regular savings

    Birla Sun Life Insurance’s new campaign emphasizes on regular savings

    NEW DELHI: Over the past many years, India has been undergoing a palpable transformation with the modern citizen more conscious of the need to enjoying their today instead of worrying about tomorrow as their seniors of yesteryears did.

     

    Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI), the life insurance arm of the Aditya Birla Financial Services Group through its latest campaign on “savings with protection solutions” seeks to bring certainty and confidence in customers’ lives in line with the Group’s commitment through its latest television commercial which stresses the need to plan for the future even as one enjoys the present.

     

    The TVC on this new solution captures the customers’ desires to live in the present together with the anxiety to secure the future. Life may continue to surprise us with its many uncertainties but if finances are planned smartly, money will never be the reason for breaking our loved one’s heart.

     

    Aditya Birla Group Chief Marketing Officer – Financial Services Ajay Kakar, says, “We live in rapidly changing times where the needs of mass Indians are fast expanding, and so is our spectrum of solutions. Savings with Protection Solution enables you to strike the right balance between living comfortably today and staying financially secure in the future, with small disciplined savings at regular intervals.”

     

    He adds, “Through our new TVC we wanted to take this thought to the masses taking inspiration from everyday situations in Indian households.” 

     

    Taproot India Chief Creative Officer Agnello Dias says, “Life is what happens to you when you’re busy making other plans. That’s the insight this campaign stems from. It tells the audience that you cannot predict what will get in the way of your plans, but you can prepare for it, in a way that lets you enjoy today and secure tomorrow.”

     

    Using a slice-of-life story of an everyday Indian couple, the TVC begins with the husband animatedly talking on the phone excited about the first foreign trip the middle-aged couple is planning to undertake post their wedding. In contrast, the wife who has just quit her job is discussing raising unwanted expenditure with her friend on her way home from work. In this emotional dichotomy, the wife overhears the husband’s conversation where he states he is not worried of expenses as his wife continues to work and supplement the family income. This is when the wife breaks the news of her quitting the job expecting that her husband will cancel their trip to avoid the unnecessary expenditure. However, he continues to be carefree and still willing to undertake the holiday owing to his practice of steady savings. Through this TVC, the company aims to urge viewers to plan their future through regular small savings in a life full of uncertainties with Birla Sun Life Savings with Protection Solution.

     

    The television commercial (TVC) went on air today and the campaign will go on for five weeks. The campaign will be present across different mediums including television, radio, and digital, along with ample support from on-ground activation. BSLI will for the first time associate with a cricketing event and engage in content integration on radio to drive the savings message. 

     

    Some very creative minds in the business have worked on the campaign. While Shimit Amin of Chak De India fame has directed it, the campaign features Swanand Kirkire, award winning lyricist and playback singer as the lead actor.

  • Sonali Cable: Apun Kabhi Offline Nahin Jaate

    Sonali Cable: Apun Kabhi Offline Nahin Jaate

    MUMBAI: SCIL (Super Cassettes Industries Limited), Ramesh Sippy Entertainment and NextGen Entertainment have announced the release of their film Sonali Cable on 3 January, 2014. This is the second collaboration of SCIL and Ramesh Sippy Entertainment after the critically acclaimed Nautanki Saala.

     

    Sonali Cable is a David versus Goliath story, in the thick of the cable internet turf war in Mumbai. An ordinary girl puts her love, life and survival at stake, when she and her ragtag team come in the way of the expansion plans of India’s largest corporation. The film wants to establish the growing corporate crushing small businesses without any scope for co existence.

     

    The film is written and directed by debutant Charudutt Acharya with an ensemble cast that includes Rhea Chakraborty, Ali Fazal, Swanand Kirkire and Raghav Juyal (aka Crockroaxz), supported by accomplished veterans Smita Jayakar and Anupam Kher.

     

    The film features a varied soundtrack including tracks by Devi Shri Prasad, Ankit Tiwari, Mikey McCleary and Falak, with lyrics by Kausar Munir.

     

    Director Charudutt Acharya says, “The underdogs of Sonali Cable never give up – their motto ‘Apun Kabhi Offline Nahin Jaate’ captures the spirit of young aspiring Indians all over.”

     

    Producers Ramesh Sippy and Rohan Sippy fell in love with this character driven drama which is humorous and has an emotional core. Producer Ramesh Sippy says, “This story of a girl from a broken home who connects people’s lives through her internet cables and her spirit really captured our hearts.”

  • Nissan launches a musical TVC for Evalia created by TBWA/India

    Mumbai: Nissan Motor India has rolled out a new television campaign “Evalia Moves like Music” to promote the Nissan Evalia.

    The campaign has been created by TBWA/India and is on air across leading news and entertainment channels.

    The ad film aims to impart an emotional engagement between the customer and the vehicle through a fusion of classical and contemporary music while highlighting some of the features of Evalia like spaciousness and fuel efficiency.

    According to the company, the campaign reinforces the promise of world class product that Nissan provides to the Indian customer.

    In 60 seconds, the new Nissan Evalia TVC brings out the proposition of ‘moves like music‘ while driving. The campaign features six musicians – Sunidhi Chauhan, Swanand Kirkire, Anushka Manchanda, Andrea Jeremiah, Shantanu Moitra and Vijay Prakash – who create music while they travel together in the Nissan Evalia.

    Film music composer Clinton Cerejo has composed the number while Shimit Aminhas directed the ad.

    TBWAIndia NCD Rahul Sengupta said, “For Nissan Evalia, we‘ve highlighted its drivability by comparing its movements to graceful musical notes. In casting some very gifted musicians for the new campaign, ‘Moves like Music‘, we were able to show the Evalia as an enjoyable space, moving in a new direction from the conventional ‘show us more of the car‘ in the campaign.”

    Hover Automotive India director – sales and marketing Nitish Tipnis said, “Innovation has been an integral part of our communication strategy at Nissan and our products too reflect that seamlessly. For the Nissan Evalia, we chose to convey the key features and innovations in a unique way through music, as music brings together people from all walks of life. TBWA‘s ‘Moves like Music‘ campaign beautifully captures the innovative story of the Evalia.”

    The TV campaign will be supported by an integrated marketing campaign including a new print ad campaign. Apart from outdoors and increased visibility at trade outlets, Nissan is also executing a number of demand generation initiatives to reap maximum advantage of the new TVC.

    The media agency working on the account is OMD.