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!

जागतिक बधिर दिनाच्या निमित्ताने जोश फाऊंडेशन आणि मिठीबाई विद्यालयाच्या विद्यार्थ्यांची एकता आणि सामाजिक समानता दर्शवणारी मानवीय साखळी

डॉ. जयंत गांधी व ऑडिओलॉजिस्ट-स्पीच थेरपिस्ट देवांगी दलाल यांची जोश फाऊंडेशन ही स्वयंसेवी संस्था आणि  क्षितिज, एसव्हीकेएमच्या मिठीबाई कॉलेजचं आंतरराष्ट्रीय इंटरकॉलेजिएट कल्चरल फेस्टिव्हल दिव्यांगांसाठी आयोजित उपक्रमासाठी एकत्र आले. हा उपक्रम 'जागतिक बधिर दिना' च्या निमित्ताने आयोजित केला गेला होता. एकता आणि सामाजिक समानता दर्शवण्यासाठी सामान्य आणि जोश फॉउंडेशनच्या  विद्यार्थ्यांनी हातात हात धरून एक मानवी साखळी तयार केली होती. प्रसंगी अभिनेता जॉनी लीव्हर आणि रोहित रॉय यांनी उपस्थित राहून या कार्यक्रमास आपला पाठिंबा दर्शविला.

विलेपार्ले येथील जशोदा रंग मंदिर येथे देवांगी दलाल आणि जोश फाऊंडेशनच्या टीमने १० लाख मूल्याचे श्रवणयंत्रे मुलांना दान केले. या कार्यक्रमामध्ये  ४०० हून अधिक विद्यार्थ्यांचा सहभाग होता, ज्यामध्ये संपूर्ण मुंबईतील बधिरांसाठी विविध शाळांमधील १५० हून अधिक मुले एकत्रित आली होती. श्रवणविषयक अशक्तपणा अशा स्थितीस संदर्भित करते जे लोक ऐकण्यास आंशिक किंवा संपूर्ण असमर्थ असतात. भारतात कर्णबधिरतेचे  प्रमाण बर्‍यापैकी लक्षणीय आहे आणि सध्या सुमारे २० लाख मुले दररोज याला सामोरे जात आहेत.

अश्या ह्या उपक्रमाला अजून सामर्थ्य मिळो.

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…

रीना नाईक की भक्तिमय कलाकृतियों 'ब्रास इम्प्रेशन्स' की अनूठी प्रदर्शनी

मुंबई के प्रख्यात नेहरू सेन्टर आर्ट गॅलरी में आयोजित कलाकार रीना नाईक की अद्भुत कला कि में ज्येष्ठ शास्त्रीय म्यूजिशन तौफ़ीक कुरेशी मुख्य अतिथि तौर पर और भरत दाभोलकर, गायिका मधुश्री, रॉबी बादल,अर्झन खंबाट्टा,अभिनेत्री रेहा खान,ऑडिओलॉजिस्ट -स्पीच थेरपिस्ट देवांगी दलाल, अनुशा श्रीनिवासन अय्यर, गीतिका वर्दे  कुरेशी,अमेया नाईक,  गौतम पाटोळे, अमर संघम इन्होने भी यहां पर अपनी विशेष मौजूदगी दर्ज़ करायी। जोश फाउंडेशन के दिव्यांग बच्चों ने भी बड़े उत्साह के साथ इस प्रदर्शनी में शिरकत की।

 ब्रास का रंग और सकी आकृतियों ने हमेशा से ही रीना नाईक को आकर्षित किया है। रीना ने ईश्वरीय शक्ति को दर्शानेवाली १४ ख़ूबसूरत कलाकृतियों को जीवंत रूप प्रदान किया है, जिसकी प्रदर्शनी देखने का मौका जल्द ही सभी को मिलेगा। दूसरे शब्दों में रीना नाईक द्वारा पेश किये जा रहे 'ब्रास इम्प्रेशन्स' आपके दिलों में एक अमिट छाप छोड़ने में कामयाब साबित होगा।

बांसुरी बजाते हुए कृष्ण, कालिया नाग  के सिर पर खड़े युवा गोविंदा, शंख में विराजमान गणेश, गुलाब की पंखुड़ियां उनकी भक्तिमय कलाकृतियों का अभिन्न अंग हैं। ये कहना कतई ग़लत नहीं होगा कि रीना नाईक के कैनवस पर ईश्वर जीवित हो उठते हैं।

रीना आर्टदेश फाउंडेशन के साथ सीईओ के रूप में काम करने के साथ वह कलाकार प्रोत्साहित कर और कला की विरासत को आगे ले जा रही है। वे सरकारी विकास परियोजनाओं में एक प्रमुख भूमिका निभाती हैं। रीना कहती हैं, "मुझे ब्रास का रंग और उसकी आकृतियां बहुत पसंद हैं। ये एक बेहद पवित्र किस्म का धातु है और उसकी बनीं आकृतियां अमर हो जाने का माद्दा रखती हैं। ये कलाकृतियां हमारे द्वारा पूजे जानेवाले विभिन्न भगवानों की वास्तविक झलक पेश करती हैं।" ग़ौरतलब है कि रीना एक पूर्व एचआर प्रोफ़ेशनल रह चुकीं हैं, जिन्होंने अपने दिल की सुनीं और कला के क्षेत्र में क़दम‌ रखा।"

 तैलीय रंगों के साथ हाइपर रियलिज़्म की शैली अपनाने वाली रीना कहती हैं, "ये प्रक्रिया काफ़ी आसान है। मैं कोरे कैनवस पर पेंसिंल का इस्तेमाल किये बग़ैर ब्रश का इस्तेमाल करती हूं।" उनका कहना है कि वो बस भगवान द्वारा बख़्शे गये हुनर का इस्तेमाल कर रही हैं। वो कहती हैं, "मैं अपनी सकारात्मक ऊर्जा को बहने देती हूं और उसे कैनवस पर उतार देती हूं। मैं बस इतना करती हूं कि मेरा रास्ता बिल्कुल सही हो।" किसी कलाकृति की डिटेलिंग के मुताबिक उसे पूरा करने में १५ महीने तक का समय लग जाता है।

रीना का ये सफ़र इतना आसान नहीं था। एक हादसे का शिकार होने के बाद वो कार्पल टनल सिन्ड्रोम का शिकार हो गयीं और ऐसे में डॉक्टरों ने उन्हें अपने दायें हाथ का इस्तेमाल न करने की हिदायत दी थी। रीना कहती हैं, "मुझे ऐसा महसूस हुआ जैसे कला के क्षेत्र में मेरा करियर शुरू होने से पहले ही समाप्त हो गया है। कुछ महीनों की थेरेपी के बाद मैं ठीक हो गयी और मैंने फिर से चित्र बनाने की शुरुआत कर दी।" ख़राब तबीयत और बार-बार अस्पताल में भर्ती कराये जाने के बावजूद उन्होंने इस प्रदर्शनी में दिखाये जानेवाले १५ में से १४ कलाकृतियां पूरी करने में कामयाबी पायी।

बता दें कि रीना नाईक आर्टदेश फ़ाउंडेशन से बतौर सीईओ जुड़ी हुईं हैं और जो तमाम कलाकारों और उनकी कलाकृतियों को प्रमोट करने में यकीन रखती हैं।

आपको इस अनूठी प्रदर्शनी में ज़रूर शिरकत करनी चाहिए, जहां आपको ब्रास से बनीं भगवान की मूर्तियों की वास्तविक झलक पेश करनेवाले तैल चित्रों का अद्भुत नज़ारा देखने को मिलेगा। उल्लेखनीय है कि 'ब्रास इम्प्रेशन्स' आर्टिस्ट रीना नाईक की पहली सोलो प्रदर्शनी है, जिसके जरिए उनके १४ पेंटिग्स का‌ मुज़ाहिरा किया जायेगा। यकीनन, ये एक देखने लायक प्रदर्शनी है! यह प्रदर्शनी अन्य कलाप्रेमियोकें लिये ३० सितंबर तक खुली रहेगी।  

दिग्दर्शक अस्लम खान यांचा 'फिट्टे मुह' मध्ये विन राणा आणि अँजेला क्रिस्लिंझकी दिसतील एकत्र

ईश्ना प्रोडक्शन्स अँड इंटरटेंनमेंट प्रस्तुत हिंदी-पंजाबी हिपहॉप फ्युजन शैलीतील 'फिट्टे मुह' ह्या नवीन गाण्याचे निर्माते अनुराधा सिंग आणि प्रितेश झटाकिया असून सह-निर्मिती केली आहे. दानिश काक यांनी  संगीत व्हिडिओची निर्मिती फ्यूजन इव्हेंट प्लॅनिंग याच्या अंतर्गत केलेली आहे. 'नयी पडोसन', 'वेलकम बॅक', 'रफ़ूचक्कर' आणि सोनी सब शो 'दिल दे के देखो' प्रसिद्धी प्राप्त अस्लम खान यांनी हा म्युजिक व्हिडिओ दिग्दर्शित केला आहे.

पुरस्कार प्राप्त गायिका आणि 'पल्लो लटके' प्रसिद्धी प्राप्त ज्योतिका तंगरी आणि इंडो-कॅनेडियन हिप-हॉप शैलीत खळबळी उठवणारा इश्क बेक्टर यांनी एकत्र या गाण्याला स्वरबद्ध केले आहे. डीएच हार्मोनी यांनी 'फिट्टे मुह' ला संगीत दिले आहे आणि त्यांच्या ह्या संगीत व्हिडिओमध्ये भारतीय अभिनेता-मॉडेल ‘१९२१’ प्रसिद्धी अँजेला क्रिस्लिंझकी आणि लोकप्रिय टीव्ही स्टार विन राणाची एकत्र दिसणार आहेत.

स्टार प्लस वाहिनीच्या 'महाभारत' आणि 'एक हसीना थी' यासारख्या कार्यक्रमांनी भारतीय टेलेव्हीजनवर आपलया प्रतिभेचा ठसा उमटविलेला विन राणा सध्या झी टीव्ही वाहिनीच्या 'कुमकुम भाग्य'  या शोमध्ये पूरब खन्नाची भूमिका आणि कलर्स टीव्हीच्या 'कवच महाशिवरात्री' ह्या एक अलौकिक थ्रिलर मालिकेमध्ये कपिल ची भूमिका साकारत आहे.

अँजेला क्रिस्लिंझकी आणि विन राणा यांच्याबरोबर काम  करण्याचा अनुभव मांडताना अस्लम खान म्हणाले, “या गाण्याला फक्त अँजेला आणि विनचीच गरज होती. या ट्रॅकवर त्यांनी खरोखर चांगली कामगिरी केली आहे. त्यांच्यासमवेत काम करणं हा एक अद्भुत अनुभव होता.”

'फिटे मुह' हे अस्लम खान यांचा सहव्वीसावे दिग्दर्शन आहे. दिग्दर्शक म्हणून त्यांच्या यशाबद्दल आणि कॅमेरासमोर-मागे काम करण्याबद्दल आपल्याला काय वेगळे वाटते याबद्दल विचारले असता अस्लम खान म्हणतात की, “अधूरे अधूरे एक चार्टबस्टर होते. तसेच, ऑन-कॅमेरा आणि ऑफ-कॅमेरा बिटबद्दल, दोन्ही अनुभव विलक्षण आहेत! मला हे कळले कारण मी आता कॅमेर्‍याच्या मागे काम करत आहे. मी स्वत: अभिनेता असल्यामुळे दिग्दर्शकाने ज्या सर्व बारीकसारीक गोष्टी काळजी घ्याव्या त्या मला माहीत आहेत आणि त्या मी काळजी पूर्वक सांभाळतो. ” अखेरीस "शेवट चांगला तर सगळं काही चांगलं." म्हणत व्हिडिओ खूप आकर्षक झाला असल्याचे सांगितले.

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?