Mumbai, May 13

“I must tell you, singing compared to acting it’s very easy because you sit in an air-conditioned room and sing any kind of song — romantic or sad. But when it comes to acting then you might have to shoot that song in the wee hours in extremely cold weather,” Sharma told reporters here Sunday at the annual event organized by Whistling Woods International.

“It’s very tough, out of question for me. I would never want to work as an actress but singing is my passion,” she added.

Prior to staring her career in Bollywood in 2010, Mamta has lent her voice to Bhojpuri albums from where she was spotted by music composer Lalit Pandit who gave her a break with “Dabangg”.

She bagged the Filmfare Award for Best Playback Singer (Female) for “Munni badnam hui”.

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The single which was shot at Lonavla and choreographed by Shampa has Manasi putting in a special appearance. The efforts put in by Manasi in doing the single has been greatly appreciated by her industry friends like Kavita Kaushik and Neeti Mohan.

With her newfound career will it be goodbye to her acting? Although keen on singing Manasi does not want go looking out for work but she will not mind if the offers coming looking out for her. Some new songs are in the pipeline for Manasi and Jahnvi which they will start working on sometime in next month.

Mumbai, May 8

The glamour value of the event went to an entirely different level when celebrities including the star cast of the film — Sunny Deol and Bobby Deol — danced to the tunes of “Main aida hi nachna” song from the film along with veteran actor Dharmendra.

In lighter vein, Dharmendra said: “I have always wanted to say this and today everyone is there including the media. I want to say that I am the no. 1 dancer. My son Sunny has planned a special song for me, ‘Main aida hi nachna’.”

Dharmendra, who is playing a big role in the film, thanked his colleagues from the film industry for always being there to support him.

“I am so happy for the love and respect which they give me. They all meet me so nicely.

“Today, whatever I am is because of their love. I wish them all the best and a long life. They should have good films and success should come to them,” said the veteran actor.

Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, “Yamla Pagla Deewana 2″ stars Dharmendra, Bobby Deol, Sunny Deol, Neha Sharma, Kristina Akheeva. The film is all set to release June 7.

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Music Review (2013)
Film:

Rating: ★★★★☆ 

Packed with fast energetic numbers, the soundtrack of director Ayan Mukerji’s forthcoming movie “Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” has nine tracks. High on energy and beats, it’s an out and out fun and masti album. Though the inclination is towards vibrant and youthful compositions, it does have its share of emotional songs.

The album has an energetic start with “Badtameez Dil”, sung by Benny Dayal and Shefali Alvaris. Get ready to groove to the number as its fast beats will definitely pull you to the dance floor. The young, peppy and crazy tune justify the title of the movie. The peppy lyrics are in sync with the mood. Thoroughly enjoyable.

Nowadays, Holi songs are a rarity and “Balam Pichkari”, sung by Vishal Dadlani and Shalmali Kholgade, is one those rare songs. The naughty number would make you dance. The lyrics are witty. Its starts on a high note and ends on a high note. A must hear.

The third track in the album is “Dilliwaali girlfriend”. Sung by Arijit Singh and Sunidhi Chauhan. It may not be as perfect as the first two numbers, but the element of fun and naughtiness is intact in this one too. If the title has the word ‘Dilli’ in it, then Punjabi element has to be there. The rap, in the beginning of song, is impressive and lyrics are fun. However, after a point it loses its grip.

“Ghargra” is the next track, an interesting duet by Rekha Bhardwaj and Vishal Dadlani. It has a touch of local ‘tamasha’ and Rekha’s voice sings the song in her typical way. With whistles and ghungroo sounds, the singers make it a fun number. The lyrics are worth paying attention to.

After all these dance tracks, the album takes a regional turn with “Ilahi”. A simple song, sung by Arijit. It has chorus by children singing in background brings freshness to it.

There is another version of the song called “Ilahi reprised”. It’s faster than the original, otherwise the rest of the elements are similar to the original.

Rekha Bhardwaj and Tochi Raina come together for “Kabira”. The music is liberating and Tochi sings beautifully. It’s a kind of song that grows on you. Not a very long number, it keeps the essence of the song intact. Don’t miss it.

Another version of the number is “Kabira Encore”. Sung by Harshdeep Kaur and Arijit, it is way far better than previous one. Set in the backdrop of a wedding, it is blissfully rhythmic and beautiful. You would want to hear the song again and again for the way Arijit has sung it.

Last number is “Subhanallah”. A usual romantic number, talking about beauty of a woman, it will woo diehard romantics. Sreeram takes the mike for the song, which may not appeal so much to others.

“Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani” soundtrack is impressive, young and crazy. It does have its weak points, but otherwise has excellent songs. A must hear for all music enthusiasts.

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Mumbai, May 4

“I am working on my first single, which I will be releasing soon. It should be out by end of May or June,” Mauli told IANS.

The single is “something which I always wanted to do”, she said, adding, “It reflects who I am. It is American and has both Hindi and English (lyrics). I have sung, composed and written it.”

Mauli was a participant of singing reality show “Sa Re Ga Ma Pa Challenge” in 2007, through its US auditions.

She says her track for Kangna for “I Love NY” is very special.

“It is special because it is a solo track. It is a side of me that a lot of my fans haven’t got the time to see. It is a deep song and mostly people have seen me singing faster songs,” she said.

Mauli feels that her voice suits most contemporary actresses, with Priyanka Chopra and Deepika Padukone topping the list.

“I think my voice would suit Priyanka very well. My voice would suit Deepika also, hopefully. I like to believe that I have a voice which would suit the mainstream actresses. They are all contemporary and my age,” said the 25-year-old.

The singer has also been seen in many reality shows and doesn’t deny the fact that they helped her get a foothold in the industry.

“I guess the main thing is that I came through a reality show. ‘Sa Re Ga Ma Pa’ gave me the recognition because people enjoyed me in the show,” she said.

Mauli has also been seen in shows like “Khatron Ke Khiladi 4″, “Kahani Comedy Circus Ki” and “Welcome – Baazi Mehmaan Nawaazi Ki”.

But does she find it tough to balance reality shows and singing together?

“My first love has been my music. I was born into a musical family. My mother is a classical dancer. Through my dance training, I got introduced to acting. I have been brought up to do multiple things. So it is natural for me to do both things together.

“I am glad that I get to do it. It is all in me. I do what comes my way,” she said.

Talking abut her future plans, Mauli said she is looking to do character roles on TV.

“If something on TV comes, which I can do, then I will. I am keen on character roles. There have been a few which I have been approached for, but nothing has worked out,” she said.

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New Delhi, May 2

This is Mehra and Sony Music’s second association after “Rang De Basanti”.

“Today, while we work with him (Rakeysh Omprakash Mehra) on ‘Bhaag Milkha Bhaag’, we are all geared up to put in the same passion and energy. We are extremely confident of the subject and the music as it’s an integral part of the film,” Shridhar Subramaniam, president (India and Middle East), Sony Music Entertainment, said in a statement.

Mehra is equally hopeful of the movie and its music album’s success.

“The songs of the film is what a soul is to a body. We are lucky that Shridhar and his passionate team at Sony Music have joined hands and have become an integral part of the the film’s family,” Mehra said.

The music, composed by popular trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy, will be out this month.

“Bhaag Milkha Bhaag”, co-produced by Viacom 18 Motion Pictures and Mehra, will hit screens July 12. Based on the life of athlete Milkha Singh, the movie has actor Farhan Akhtar playing the lead role, while actress Sonam Kapoor also has a key part in it.

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Mumbai, April 30

“The idea is to have an ensemble music album for ‘Satyagraha’. Prakashji is roping in celebrated musicians and composers to collaborate for a youthful album for the film. As of now Salim-Sulaiman and Indian Ocean have been signed on. There will be three other composers,” a source close to the team told IANS.

Elaborating on the kind of songs, the source said: “While some of them will be youth anthems, some will be romantic songs, and some will be peppy situational songs. Prasoon Joshi is also teaming up with Prakash Jha for the first time for the youth anthem.”

“Satyagraha” features Amitabh Bachchan, whose characters is modelled on activist Anna Hazare. Big B is joined by the likes of Ajay Devgn, Arjun Rampal, Kareena Kapoor and Amrita Rao in the cast.

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New Delhi, April 29

The movie is a sequel to 2011 film “Yamla Pagla Deewana”, and its music will release early May. Dharmendra, 77, is even said to have done a Punjabi rap for the film’s title track.

Producers Sunny Sounds Pvt. Ltd. and YRF Music have forged a strategic alliance for the movie’s music. This will be an exclusive license deal for worldwide distribution of songs and videos across all digital and physical formats, said a statement.

Multi-talented music director duo Sharib and Toshi’s compositions on Kumaar’s lyrics are likely to pull audiences on the dance floors.

Directed by Sangeeth Sivan, the film also features Neha Sharma, Kristina Akheeva, Anupam Kher, Annu Kapoor, Johnny Lever and Sucheta Khanna. Its theatrical trailer was unveiled March 27, while the film itself will hit the screens June 7.

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Mumbai, April 29

Titled “Jholuraam”, the song describes Emraan’s character in the film and it was shot in Mumbai over the weekend. A source close to the team told IANS that Emraan came up with quirky steps for himself and Altaf Raja during the shoot.

Director Rajkumar Gupta admits that the song will reflect the actor’s creative inputs.

“Emraan is a real professional actor. He has great insight into things. It was his idea to carry the look he has in the film for the music video and I have to say that has worked wonders,” Gupta said in a statement.

“He always comes up with suggestions that are really helpful. He is totally invested in ‘Ghanchakkar’ and when you see the music video of ‘Jholuraam’ featuring him and Altaf Raja, you will see Emraan’s touch in it too,” added Gupta.

“Ghanchakkar”, which also features Vidya Balan, is slated to release June 28.

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New Delhi, April 25

The song, titled “Apna Bombay talkies”, has been choreographed by Vaibhavi Merchant.

Others who will feature in the song are Priyanka Chopra, Farhan Akhtar, Shahid Kapoor, Ranveer Singh, Ranbir Kapoor, Imran Khan, Sonam Kapoor and Deepika Padukone, Anil Kapoor, Sridevi, Akshay Kumar, Karisma Kapoor and Juhi Chawla.

Around 20 singers have also come together to lend their voices for the actors, said a source.

“For the first time, 20 singers will be part of the same song. The title track has been sung by some of the most reputed singers in the industry. And the interesting part about this is that the singers have recorded for those actors whom they generally do the playback singing for in their movies,” the source added.

Some prominent singers, who have sung the track, are Sunidhi Chauhan, Shaan, Kavita Krishnamurthy, S.P. Balasubramaniam, Abhijeet, Kumar Sanu, Alka Yagnik, Mohit Chauhan, Sonu Nigam, Sudesh Bhonsle, Shreya Ghosal, Shilpa Rao, Udit Narayan, KK and Sukhwinder Singh.

The source said: “Vaibhavi has beautifully choreographed this number. There was a strict dress code for all the actors. All the men had to wear black tuxedos and the women wore gold outfits, designed by their own stylists. The song took over a month to be shot entirely as all the actors have independently shot for their parts.”

“Bombay Talkies” is an amalgamation of four short films by four filmmakers – Zoya Akhtar, Anurag Kashyap, Dibaker Banerjee and Karan Johar. The movie releases May 3 and it will also be screened at Cannes film fest this year.

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