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Posts tagged biography
Daughter to pen book on Shammi Kapoor
01 year ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, November 15, 2011 – 13:01 IST
After Ranbir Kapoor giving a tribute to his grand-uncle Shammi Kapoor in his film Rockstar, Shammi Kapoor’s daughter Kanchan Desai is all set to write a book on her father’s life and career. This book will cover the professional and personal aspects of Shammi Kapoor’s life as a husband, a father and a national icon.
Kanchan is Shammi Kapoor’s daughter from his first wife Geeta Bali. Her family was touched and overwhelmed by the importance given to the legendary star in Imtiaz Ali’s Rockstar. Shammi Kapoor was in unimaginable pain when he was shooting for Rockstar and Ranbir and Imtiaz felt that this spirit needed to be applauded and thus dedicated their film to the original Rockstar of Bollywood.
Kanchan will be writing this book as a tribute to her father.
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Nandita divulged my secrets for publicity-Om Puri
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Powerhouse performer Om Puri at his candid best in an interview with BT
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; May 1, 2011)
For someone whose repertoire of films comprises – Ardh Satya, Aakrosh, Bhumika, Gandhi and more recently — Action Replayy and 3 Thay Bhai – Om Puri surprises us when he confesses that he does not enjoy the process of filmmaking any more! “I was enjoying it till the 80s and early 90s. After 1995 the quality of films in Bollywood has suffered.” In Ahmedabad for an international film festival, Puri says present day films revolve round characters one can’t relate to. “In a country where 90 per cent of the population lives in villages, I don’t understand how can films like Singh is Kinng, Patiala House and Tees Maar Khan be made? I don’t understand how can you give away crores of money to an actor because he has achieved star status. Only in the Hindi film industry an actor is bigger than the film. And when a film flops, producer marta hai bechara.”
Predominantly an arthouse cinema actor, Puri feels “meaningful” films still have their share of audience. “There is a lot of good cinema being churned out by Vishal Bhardwaj, Dibakar Banerjee, and Ashutosh Gowariker. The only difference between them and earlier arthouse filmmakers is that in the case of the former lot, the main protagonist in a commercial film has to be a saleable star. For a film like Sarkar, Mr Bachchan’s role could have been essayed by me or Naseeruddin Shah, More >
Mani Ratnam unveils book on AR Rahman
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Nasreen Munni Kabir’s book, a series of conversations between the author and the composer about his journey as a musician, was launched Wednesday evening
Noyon Jyoti Parasara (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 07, 2011)
Mani Ratnam in his own words is “not just a fan of A R Rahman - the composer but a bigger admirer of Rahman - the person”, making him the obvious choice to unveil Nasreen Munni Kabir’s biographic work, titled A R Rahman – The Spirit of Music.
The book elicits the heart-to-heart conversations between the author and composer about his life.
The book launch, in Juhu yesterday, had Ram Gopal Varma, Ashutosh Gowariker, Imtiaz Ali, Anthony D’Souza, Subhash Ghai and Shivamani in attendance. Singers Javed Ali and Madhushree were also present.
Nilesh Wairkar (l-r) Nasreen Munni Kabir, A R Rahman, Mani Ratnam at the book launchWhile the launch was a bit delayed as Rahman’s mother and sister were caught up in traffic, the wait was certainly worth it for the publishers, who were uncertain if the composer would have much to say.
Rahman however, surprised all by confessing about the trials and tribulations of his life. He narrated a small example to the audience, saying “One such moment was right after I had bought my studio. It was like a shell with an air-conditioner.
I had no money to buy any equipment. When my mother asked me what I needed, I told her I required Rs 4 lakh for all the equipment. So she sold some of my sister’s jewellery.”
Rahman More >
Buy my book, get my CD free!
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
AR Rahman is offering his first-ever lounge album as an add-on to his fans
Prithwish Ganguly (BOMBAY TIMES; April 3, 2011) AR Rahman’s rare work – his first ever lounge album – which was awaiting a record label for some time now, has been leaked on the internet and is now up for illegal downloads. Rahman, obviously, is devastated and has chucked grand plans of its gala release. BT has confirmed news that he is now going to distribute his unreleased album titled Connections free of cost to his fans along with his biography on April 6. The CD is being attached to the book. It’s a unique ‘ek pe ek free’ offer.
Says an insider, “He wanted to have a big release for the album. Record labels have been dilly-dalling with his lounge album for quite some time now. He was in talks with many music companies but he wasn’t getting a record label to come on board. Tired of waiting, Rahman thought of releasing it on mobile phones and tied up with the world’s leading mobile phone company but it didn’t get the kind of response he expected as the phone was high-end and not for the masses. But the music pirates took advantage of this low key release, and released it on the web. All of them are up for illegal downloads for free.”
The informer adds, “In this scenario, Rahman knows people won’t buy the album now if it releases, so, he has decided to distribute it to his fans for free along with his biography. It’s an added attraction for people to buy the More >
Rahman’s biography to release on April 6
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, March 22, 2011 – 19:07 IST
Om Books International will be launching music maestro A.R. Rahman’s first authorized biography titled ‘AR Rahman: The Spirit of Music‘ on the 6th of April. The book provides a fascinating window into the world of the great artist. Rahman’s honesty, intelligence and unpretentiousness shine through as he talks about everything you wanted to know about his life and his world of music. The book launch will be attended by some well-known celebrities and will have renowned film maker Mani Ratnam doing the honours.
The book has been written by renowned film historian, Nasreen Munni Kabir, who has also made over 80 documentaries on Indian cinema for Channel 4 TV, U.K. In this book, she provides rare insights into Rahman’s private life and his music. There are photographs from his personal archives as well as a gratis CD of music composed by him (8 tracks).
Says Ajay Mago, Publisher, Om Books International, “It is indeed a rare honour to publish this book. A.R. Rahman’s journey, like that of most great artists, is one that moves and inspires. Nasreen Munni Kabir has recorded this journey, over the last three years. This book also has a CD with A.R. Rahman’s compositions for free distribution with the first edition.”
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Bhupathi’s ex-wife speaks
02 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Shveta Jaishankar has found a second lease of life in love and career. So what did it take to come back on track?
Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 11, 2010)
Mahesh Bhupathi’s ex-wife Shveta Jaishankar has re-claimed her energy; and it seems all’s well with her world. There was a time, soon after her break-up with husband Mahesh Bhupathi, that she had shut out the world altogether. But that’s in the past.
“I have met someone who is very lovely and grounded. I am smiling again,” said Shveta, choosing to keep the identity of the man in question a secret. She is not in a rush, but does not rule out marriage, the second time over either.
“Of course, I shall marry. I am quite young. I believe in marriage. I would even like to raise a family,” she said, adding in the same breath, “Yeah. There was a time when I felt I didn’t have any hope. But luckily, I have supportive parents. I am their only child and they encouraged me to bounce back.”
yogen shah“When I realised that all was not well in my marriage, my world crumbled. It was a sudden bolt from the blue. I felt as if someone had pulled out the carpet from beneath my feet. Why me, I asked myself? It wasn’t easy and I was angry. I was hurt. I had only questions and no answers. But today, I have put my past behind me.”
Even as she was in the thick of the break-up, Shveta thought it wise to extricate herself from all the noise around her. “I decided to slow down a bit. I More >
The ‘Unconventional’ Ajay Devgn’s triumph in M
02 years ago
By Bollywood Hungama News Network, September 25, 2010 – 15:30 IST
If there were 101 ways of speaking your heart out, his eyes have done it all! We are indeed talking about the one and only Ajay Devgn, who is on the cover of M magazine.
Well, this interview is nothing short of a mini biography of the star, in which he goes onto confess stuff like, “I am claustrophobic. I cannot get into a closed lift.” And the man who is well-equipped to bash a trillion guys on screen, in real life, is scared of loneliness! Ajay also says that, “I consider myself lucky to have achieved whatever I wanted to and to have achieved in my own terms.” And to top it all, he bounces off a bouncer stating, “I used to edit the film scenes when I was 11 or 12 years old!”
We give full brownie points to this man for being such a sweetheart as he goes onto confess, “I am bad at singing”, pointing out at his famous singing act in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
All in all, buy this magazine for an inner-view through this interview!
BOLLYWOOD HUNGAMA.COM
Om Puri, Nandita patch up
03 years ago
by Fenil Seta
in Bollywood News
Om and Nandita Puri declared their reconciliation by celebrating their marriage anniversary with friends
By Vickey Lalwani (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 03, 2010)
// // // They parted ways rather acrimoniously some time ago, but Om Puri and wife Nandita are back together again. And they publicly declared their togetherness with a party for close friends to celebrate their wedding anniversary.
Among those who attended the do on Saturday night were Talat and Bina Aziz, Anup and Medha Jalota, Poonam Dhillon, Ila Arun, Rakesh Mehra and Ajai Sinha. “Even their friends were surprised when they received an invitation from the couple,” says a source.
Om and Nandita PuriExplaining the reconciliation, the source says, “There was a lot of tension between Om and Nandita and they had seriously contemplated divorce.
But, both agreed that it wouldn’t be a great idea to separate, especially because it would affect their son Ishaan, whom they love very much.”
But hadn’t Om moved in with his ex-wife Seema? “Yes, he had moved in with Seema some time ago because he was extremely upset with Nandita for making his biography too candid. But now he’s back with Nandita.”
Says Nandita, “Om and I did have a few problems. But now everything is fine between us. We are very happy. It was nice to be with friends on our wedding anniversary.” Om confirms the news. “Yes, Nandita and I are back together. I wouldn’t like to get into the details of what led to our patch-up.”