When Big B Met SB!

 

Veteran singer Sudesh Bhosale recently met Superstar Amitabh Bachchan for a tete-a-tete at the actor’s office, Janak, in Juhu. Expressed Sudesh Bhosale, “Meeting Amit ji once again was nothing short of pleasure... As such, we always keep meeting each other at shows and events, but it has been after many moons that I had the chance to sit and talk to Amit ji at length.”
 
For the uninitiated, Sudesh Bhosale is the inimitable Voice of Amitabh Bachchan, with one too many chartbusters like Jumma Chumma, Sona Sona, Say Shava Shava, Meri Makhna -- the list goes on!

Amitabh Bachchan, who is humility personified, actually wishes the singer on his birthday, at 12:01, every year, making the birthday most memorable for melodious Bhosale!

It is a lesser known fact that Sudesh Bhosale is the son of veteran poster artist, the Late NR Bhosle, and has a penchant for art and sketching since his school days. In fact, the singer gifted Big B sketches of him that he had created. The Superstar appreciated the gesture as the duo chatted about life and times over decades. Says a visibly touched Sudesh Bhosale, “these are moments I’d cherish for life.” Indeed!

Bridging The Gap JOSH Foundation’s Hearing Impaired Children And Mithibai College Students Join Hands For A Human Chain Ahead Of World Deaf Day

JOSH Foundation, an NGO helmed by Dr. Jayant Gandhi and Audiologist-Speech Therapist Devangi Dalal, in association with Kshitij, SVKM’s Mithibai College’s International Intercollegiate Cultural Festival came together for the cause of hearing impairment, ahead of this World Deaf Day. In this unique initiative, JOSH Foundation’s students battling hearing impairment and normal hearing students formed a human chain, hand-in-hand, to showcase solidarity and societal equality. The event witnessed participation from over 400 students in all, with over 150 hearing impaired children from various Schools for the Deaf across Mumbai.

Held at Jashoda Rang Mandir in Vile Parle, thirty hearing aids worth Rs. 10 lacs were donated to kids and fit in by Devangi Dalal and the JOSH Foundation team.

That’s not all! Actors Johnny Lever and Rohit Roy made their presence felt and pledged their support towards the cause. JOSH Foundation’s children and celebrities were also seen practicing Yoga and gorging on delicious snacks and beverages.

For the uninitiated, hearing impairment refers to a condition where people suffer from partial or total inability to hear. The prevalence of deafness in India is fairly significant and around 20 lakh children currently battle this every day.

More power to this initiative!

A PAGEANT WITH A DIFFERENCE

Aiming to provide women with a platform and enabling them to make a difference, India Brainy Beauty 2019 pageant is back with its finale. Brought to the scene by Florian Foundation, the India Brainy Beauty pageant was held at Jade Ballroom in Nehru Centre, Worli, and is the brainchild of President Archana Jain and trustee Rabia Patel, the women behind this pageant.

Touted to be the first pageant that empowers women across all walks of life, the India Brainy Beauty pageant is unique as weight, height and language are no barriers for the participants. “The mission of the pageant is to nurture and support aspiring women along their path to personal and professional growth and contribute to the public at large. The mission of Florian Foundation is to empower women and also help them share their success stories,” avers Archana.

“Believe in yourself. You are braver than you think, more talented than you know, and capable of much more than you imagine,” says Rabia. “Don’t let others tell you what you can’t do. Don't let the limitations of others limit your vision. If you can remove your self-doubt and believe in yourself, you can achieve what you never thought possible,” adds Archana.

The guests of honour included Mickey Mehta, Dolly Thakore, Barkha Nangia, Afeefa Nadiadwala, Rakesh Agarwal of Elegant Marbles, Vikash Mittersain – President of IBG Group and Global Wellness Ambassador Dr. Rekha Chaudhari among other such dignitaries. “We had stories where people cried and told us that even under a veil and the burkha, women can do so much…” reminisce the heavy hearted Archana and Rabia.

The India Brainy Beauty 2019 Grand Finale was won by two of the participants, Sakshi Pandit and Khanjana Mota. Hosted by Simran Ahuja, the contestants of the pageant will have an exclusive portfolio made especially for them along with designer clothes, grooming and styling tips from industry experts. That’s not all! The winners and other suitable finalists will get a chance to showcase themselves at various platforms. Aiming at creating role models and empowered women wishing to create a unique identity, India Brainy Beauty will help them achieve new heights in the world of glamour and fame. So shine bright and let the crown fly high!

Immortal Milo Na Tum is a sure shot chartbuster – Govinda

With the whole new music remake scene taking over, the latest music video remake on the block is Hitendra Kapopara’s Milo Na Tum, sung and composed by Gajendra Verma, also starring the singer-composer along with actor Tina Ahuja. Tina’s father, superstar Govinda made his presence felt to support his daughter’s latest project!

Govinda avers, “Apart from Tina, I knew singer-composer Gajendra Verma, director Aman Prajapat and producer Hitendra Kapopara from before. I knew that the project will be a good one. But, I admit, when I saw the video, I was floored. Milo Na Tum is diametrically different from the albums you see on the television today. Most of them are so similar that they could well belong to the same family.

Milo Na Tum is an immortal classic with evergreen lyrics and a sure shot chartbuster. The video is international. The performance is good and the song and composition grows on you. Hitendra Kapopara has not scrounged on the budgets. He has also styled project very well, and the styling comes across effortlessly. Tina looks very good and has performed very well. I am not saying this just as a father.”

It is not an unknown fact that Govinda has been a part of the film fraternity for over three decades. He has also worked with the who’s who of the industry. All these experiences have helped him in his career. I only involve myself with quality projects, says the superstar as he eagerly looks forward to the success of Milo Na Tum…

Brass Impressions

Tabla maestro Taufiq Qureshi, Deepika Varde Qureshi,  global sculptor Arzan Khambatta, actor Bharat Dabholkar, Ameya Naik, audiologists Devangi Dalal,  singer Madhushree, actor Rehaa Khann inaugurated artist Reena Naik's exhibition Brass Impressions at Nehru Centre, Worli. The inauguration also saw hearing impaired children from Josh Foundation sharing colourful moments enjoying the exhibition.

The colour of brass and the contours have always excited artist Reena Naik, who brings to life, 14 beautiful works of art, works that spell divinity. In other words, Reena Naik’s Brass Impressions promise to leave an indelible mark in your hearts.

Krishna playing the flute, young Govinda is atop the snake Kaliya, Ganesha seated in a conch, the rose petals form an essential patterns in her devotional offerings – God’s come live on Reena Naik’s canvas.

“I love the colours and contours of brass. It is a pious metal and impressions are forever. The paintings depict realistic impression of the different God’s we worship,” elaborates Reena, a former award-winning HR professional who chose to follow her heart and make her passion her profession.

Adopting the style of hyper realism on canvas with oil colours, Reena says the process is simple. “I just use my brush on a blank canvas without the use of a pencil,” says Reena, who believes that she is just discovering the talent gifted by the Almighty. “I simply let the positive energy flow through me and let it come on the canvas. All I do is, to keep the path clean.” Depending on the detailing, it takes over fifteen days to a month to finish an artwork. 

Reena did not have it easy! Due to an accident, she developed carpal tunnel syndrome and was asked to not use her right hand by the doctors. “I thought my career in the Art field is finished before it even started. After a few months of therapy, I recovered and started to paint.” Despite poor health and frequent hospitalizations, she completed fourteen of the fifteen artworks she had plans of exhibiting for her current show. Reena is also associated with ArtDesh Foundation, as CEO, and is supporting artist and promoting art. She is involved in government projects of art development. 

Yours to visit artist Reena Naik’s first solo show, Brass Impressions, an exhibit of fourteen exquisite, hyper realistic, oil on canvas paintings of brass sculptures of God. Surely worth a dekko!

Aslam Khan's 'Fitte Muh' To Feature Vin Rana & Angela Krislinzki

Ishna Production and Entertainment present Fitte Muh, a hindi-punjabi hip hop fusion track, produced by Anuradha Singh and Pritesh Zatakiya, co-produced by Danishh Kak while the music video production is by Fusion Event Planning. Directed by Aslam Khan, an actor turned director known for his histrionics in films like Nayee Padosan, Welcome Back, Rafoo Chakkar and Sony SAB’s show Dil Deke Dekho among others, is back with this melodious track!

Set to voice by award winning female playback singer Jyotica Tangri of ‘Pallo Latke’ fame and Indo-Canadian hip-hop sensation Ishq Bector, Fitte Muh is composed by DH Hrmony and its stellar music video features Indian actor-model Angela Krislinzki of ‘1921’ fame and popular TV star Vin Rana.

Vin Rana, who has made his mark on the Indian television scene with shows like Star Plus’s Mahabharat and Ek Hasina Thi, is currently portraying Poorab Khanna in Zee TV's soap opera Kumkum Bhagya and Kapil in Colors TV's Kavach... Maha Shivratri, a supernatural thriller.

On working with Angela Krislinzki and Vin Rana, Aslam Khan professed that they have been brilliant. “This song needed Angela and Vin only. They have performed really well on this track. It has been a wonderful experience,” he added.
 
Fitte Muh is Aslam Khan’s twenty-sixth directorial venture. On being asked about his success as a director and what he felt different about working in front and behind camera, he expressed “Adhure Adhure was a chartbuster. Also, about the on-camera and off-camera bit, both are fantastic! I have realized because I am now working behind the camera. Just because I have been an actor myself, I know about all the nuances a director should take care of.”

There goes a saying, ‘All’s well, that ends well’. “The video has turned out to look very appealing,” summed up Aslam Khan.

DIFFERENT STROKES! NEETU CHANDRA, PREETI JHANGIANI, PARVIN DABAS & TINA AHUJA INAUGURATE NOTED ARTIST SANJUKTA ARUN’S SHOW IN AID OF CPAA

As she sits by her window, the sea simply waves to her. Cresting on the soothing sound of the waves, Sanjukta Arun’s works captures the myriad moods of Nature on to the blank canvases, bringing to life, the brilliant blooms, the unstoppable waves, the green covers… Sanjukta captures the essence of life emerging from the sea’s love-play with the skyscrapers in her latest exhibition, Sangam, which also happens to be her 45^th exhibition across India and the globe.

The inauguration of Sanjukta Arun’s show saw a bevy of celebrities and artists who walked in to cheer the noted artist and the children from CPAA. Actors Neetu Chandra, Preeti Jhangiani, Parvin Dabas and Tina Ahuja, Audiologist-Speech Therapist Devangi Dalal, Anita Peter of CPAA, lensman Pradeep Chandra, artists Padmanabh Bendre, Devyani Parikh, Madhusudan Kumar, Ami Patel and Amisha Mehta among others were spotted at the do. Children from CPAA, between the ages of 8 to 14, were involved in a unique workshop, prior to the inauguration, where Sanjukta Arun was seen guiding the brave-hearts on how to unleash their imagination on canvas through sketch and colours. It was a treat to watch the children at work, against a backdrop of 16 large format works by Sanjukta, created with multiple layers of brush strokes, knife work, stippling work and texture. Interestingly, the proceeds from Sangam will go towards the well-being of children from Cancer Patients Aid Association [CPAA].

Piping Hot Resto Bar Hosts Superstar Govinda, Actress Tina Ahuja, Composer Gajendra Verma and Producer Hitendra Kapopara in ‘Milo Na Tum’s’ Media Interaction

 

Brand-new multi-specialty Resto Bar Piping Hot hosted actress Tina Ahuja and singer-composer Gajendra Verma, along with producer Hitendra Kapopara, the beloved Govinda, music video director Aman Prajapat, and others for the media interaction of the recomposition of the evergreen ‘Milo Na Tum’, featuring Superstar Govinda’s daughter Tina Ahuja in an alluring avatar opposite Gajendra Verma himself! Given the fantastic venue, the guests and press were plied with scrumptious snacks and welcome drinks amidst all the revelry.

With remakes taking over the music scene, it is now the strength of content and production quality that makes the vital difference. The latest music video remake on the block, 'Milo Na Tum' is from a diamond jubilee cult film ‘Heer Ranjha’ and the classy remake has an amazing story to tell. Produced by Hitendra Kapopara, ‘Milo Na Tum’ is recomposed and sung by Gajendra Verma. Shot in the beautifully scenic locales of the United Arab Emirates by eminent music video director Aman Prajapat, ‘Milo Na Tum’ was an enlightening experience for the team!

Having personally been there at the shoot location to support his daughter, proud father Govinda averred, “I was lucky to witness my daughter shoot so amazingly! She has put in a lot of effort with the entire team and the result shows.”
It must be good when the composer himself is on-loop! An ecstatic Gajendra Verma added, “I am in love with my own track, I have it on loop and shooting with such a talented actress Tina was nothing more than a dream.”

“Shooting in the middle of the desert has its shortcomings, but when you see people from different countries grooving to your track you start getting the vibe again,” said an overwhelmed Tina Ahuja.

Located at Vile Parle, Piping Hot Resto Bar was a remarkable choice for the venue, given that the place has dedicated chunks of its extensive menu to recreate dishes that our city is renowned for. Even as you choose from Indian, Pan Asian or Continental food, as true-blue Mumbaikars we understand if you are beckoned by the mouth-watering Mumbai Pav Bhaji Fondue, wow-wow Vada Pav Fondue or the non-vegetarian’s delight Kheema Pav Fondue!

Amidst some awesome food and celebration, Hitendra Kapopara has the final word! “The idea to give the song a different perspective, the audio is a superhit, I wanted the video to look as good, so I chose Dubai as the location. Gajendra is a rockstar and Tina is an explosion of talent. In today’s date, remakes are in and their impact is unparalleled.”

Veteran singer Asha Bhosle brought in her 86th birthday in Dubai, at Asha’s, amidst family and fans.

Interestingly, she celebrated her birthday after a hiatus of 17 years! Ask about her birthday wish and she says, “Main chahti hoon ki duniya ke sab gareeb ameer ban jayen!” Check out the adjacent pictures!

Author Aabid Surti's latest book launched by Director Sriram Raghavan Shridhar Raghavan, Rajshri Deshpande, Gurmeet Chowdhary, Atul Kasbekar and Annie Zaidi at Aabid Surti's Sufi - The Invisible Man Of The Underworld book launch

Mumbai-based National Award Winning author Aabid Surti, who among many other things is also an incisive environmentalist and accomplished artist, is back in full force. The author of many bestselling books, some of which have even courted controversy, has revisited one of his autobiographical tomes titled 'Sufi – The Invisible Man of The Underworld' and updated it to make it more current. Sriram Raghavan, Shridhar Raghavan and Annie Zaidi were present at the launch.

“Sufi,” begins Surti, “is the story of two boys who grew up in the 60s and 70s’ Mumbai’s infamous Dongri area. The first of them, Iqbal Rupani rises through the ranks to crown himself underworld kingpin, on one hand, and becomes extremely pious, on the other hand. While he through his puritan stance becomes well-known as ‘Sufi’, the story catches up with the other boy-turned-man, Aabid Surti, that’s me as well,” avers the master story-teller with a smile.

The real story of the two boys who start at the same line and then flow so divergently away in life, is one of massive scale and told by one of India’s beloved wordsmiths. “The changes have been made to make the story flow better, and to edit out dated legal information,” Surti informs.

Speaking about Surti, popular filmmaker Sriram Raghavan states, "As I got pulled into the book I wondered if all that he was saying was fiction or could it be real? It actually felt like a fascinating Eastman colour movie that he had mounted."

Well-loved scriptwriter Shridhar Raghavan said that he has known Surti since he was 8 years old. "When I first met him he was the 40 year old creator of Bahadur and I was a fascinated 8 year old, and today the tables have turned. I am a 40 year old while he feels like an energetic 8 year old."

Mentioning that he seared through the book yesterday in a single seating, he exults how Sufi is "a fascinating chronicle of a Bombay of prohibition and gold smuggling, of Haji Mastan growing up and Dawood, still a toddler."

Noted writer Annie Zaidi says simply that, "I started reading Sufi yesterday and it's completely unputdownable."

Worth a read, wouldn't you agree?