Will Shahrukh Khan and Akshay Kumar clash be averted again?
Last year, Khan’s Chennai Express and Akshay’s Once Upon Ay Time In Mumbaai Dobaara were suppose to release on the same day but the clash was avoided at the last minute. But now we hear SRK and Akki are set to battle it out at the box office once again
Shahrukh Khan’s Fan and Neeraj Pandey’s next starring Akshay Kumar could well clash at the box office early next year. Both the actors are eyeing to release their film on January 23, 2015 as it a Republic Day weekend. Well, that’s what the media reports claim. Though SRK and AK are yet to start shooting for their respective films, rumours about their box office clash are already floating in the gossip world. We all know King Khan and Akshay are crowd pullers. But when two big films clash at the ticket windows only one manages to get cash registers ringing, hai na? While Khiladi Kumar postponed his film’s release by a week last year, will he adjust his date this time around as well? Or will the Happy New Year actor reschedule the release date of his film?We dunno what’s going to happen but we certainly hope the clash is averted this time as well. What do you think Bollywoodlifers?
PIL for Mumbai Police Commissioner converted into civil complaint
Mumbai: The Bombay High Court, on Monday, converted a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) into a civil complaint. The PIL had alleged that the morale of the police force was down as the post of Mumbai Police Commissioner has been vacant since February 1 following the resignation of Dr Satyapal Singh.
The PIL had urged the court to direct the State government to immediately appoint a new person for the post.
A bench headed by Justice PV Hardas, after turning the PIL into a civil suit, directed petitioner Ketan Tirodkar to file it before an appropriate bench.
The PIL referred to media reports that the new commissioner has not been appointed because of differences between the ruling alliance partners Congress and NCP.
“The PIL will be filed again in front of a new bench,” Tirodkar told reporters.
Tirodkar also sought an affidavit from the State, stating reasons for dropping the post of Director General of Police in 2012-13 and allowing Dr Singh, who resigned to join politics, to continue as Mumbai Police Commissioner while denying him a promotion as a DGP.
Google promotes Internet safety in India with “Good to Know” campaign
Google is partnering with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and the Voluntary Organization in the Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE) on this campaign, which includes a series of online safety workshops that will reach schools, NGOs, consumer and industry groups across India. Endorsing this campaign is the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) - the Government of India’s nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats; the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI)
Google India is introducing “Good to Know”, a nationwide campaign to raise awareness around staying safe online. As the next billion Internet users come online, Google is committed to ensuring they are empowered to be responsible digital citizens.
Google is partnering with the Digital Empowerment Foundation (DEF) and the Voluntary Organization in the Interest of Consumer Education (VOICE) on this campaign, which includes a series of online safety workshops that will reach schools, NGOs, consumer and industry groups across India. Endorsing this campaign is the Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In) - the Government of India’s nodal agency that deals with cyber security threats; the Data Security Council of India (DSCI) and the Internet & Mobile Association of India (IAMAI).
Speaking on the occasion, Chetan Krishnaswamy, Country Head - Public Policy, Google India said: “Through the Good to Know campaign, we want to help equip millions of new Internet users coming online in India with the knowledge and tools needed to become responsible digital citizens. Internet safety begins with exercising meaningful choices when online, having an open conversation about it with our families, and teaching them the basics such as using strong, unique passwords and not sharing personal information.”
Endorsing the campaign, J Satyanarayana, Secretary, Department of Electronics and IT, Ministry of Communications and IT said: "This Safer Internet Day, let's pledge to be responsible users of the Internet. This is an excellent initiative by Google, DEF, Consumer Voice and CERT-In to create awareness about the simple ways through which we can stay safe and secure online. I hope to see many more initiatives of this kind as an increasing number of Indians come online, especially the youth."
In addition, Dr Gulshan Rai, DG, CERT-In said: "Safety and security should be the first priority of Internet users. The potential of the Internet, especially for young users, is immense. It is therefore important that we use the medium responsibly. This initiative, focused on educating, informing and empowering the user, is a wonderful step in this direction.”
To kickstart the campaign, the Digital Empowerment Foundation and VOICE will hold a week-long series of educational events in New Delhi. This will be followed by digital literacy and online safety workshops in Pune, Kanpur, Guwahati and Lucknow. VOICE will focus especially on outreach to schools and NGOs across the country, teaching tips and tricks to help families become responsible digital citizens.
Safer Internet Day, now in its eleventh year, is celebrated every February 11 to promote safer and more responsible use of online technology, especially amongst children and young people across the world. Our Good to Know site includes tips and advice to help keep families safe from identity theft, scams and online fraud, as well as information on how our tools make the web a safer place.
Bollywood showman Subash Ghai to expand screen of operation
Mukta Cinemas will acquire existing screens instead of setting up new ones
Mumbai, February 10:
Film-maker Subhash Ghai, known as the ‘showman’ of Bollywood, is betting big on multi-screen theatres in the country. Over the next 12-months, Ghai, Chairman and Managing Director of BSE-listed Mukta Arts wants to almost triple the number of multiplex screens his company owns to 100.
Mukta Cinemas, a division of the Mumbai-based company, will acquire existing screens instead of setting up new ones, said Ghai. The veteran filmmaker, who has directed classics such as Karz, Ram Lakhan and Hero, was speaking on the sidelines of a recent media interaction.
“Our model is different; it is more of partnership with existing movie halls. Since we will be taking over operational screens there will be little additional expenditure for us to make,” Ghai told Business Line. Mukta Cinemas prefers to take over ailing single screen theatres and have them converted into ‘budget’ multi-screen halls. It currently has properties in Mumbai, Ahmedabad, Pune, Banswara, Gulbarga, Vizag and Parbhani. With an eye on becoming a pan-India player, the company has cities such as Bhopal, Ranchi and Aurangabad on its radar. At present, the company operates 35 multiplex screens, said Ghai.
Mukta Cinemas, which was launched in 2011, joins the likes of PVR, INOX Leisure, Big Cinemas and Mexican chain Cinepolis for capturing a chunk of the burgeoning market for multiplexes in India. One of the first multiplexes to open in the country was PVR Anupam in New Delhi, with four screens in 1997. Thanks to the real estate boom and growth in discretionary spends, one-third of box office collections today come from multiplex screens.
The future growth potential is huge as there are just eight cinema screens per million people, far less than the 117 per million in the United States and 31 per million in China, as per a joint report by the Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry and KPMG. India is known to produce twice as many movies a year as Hollywood.
The 69-year-old Ghai is a busy man as several films are being simultaneously produced under the Mukta Arts banner. His next ambitious project would be a film on Sarabjit Singh, the Indian death row prisoner who died last year following a brutal assault by fellow inmates in Pakistan. However, the casting for this project has not been decided, he said. In addition, Ghai is set to re-launch the company’s music label, Mukta Music, after nine years.
Kaanchi, Ghai’s next directorial venture, releases on April 11.
Interview: Gaurav Dagaonkar desires to work with YRF, Mahesh Bhatt
Mumbai: Working with some Bollywood biggies, music director-singer Gaurav Dagaonkar is now rubbing shoulders with other greats of the business. After delivering some mesmerizing songs and mash-ups, the singer doesn't require any introduction in the music industry. His creations are quite popular on television as well as over YouTube. In today's age when mash-ups have become a widely celebrated trend, you would hardly find any marriage where his music is not being played. After taking his MBA degree from IIM-Ahmadabad, he opted a career in music industry and with the blessings of his parents and God, today he has become one of the finest artists of the industry.
The artistic singer Gaurav Dagaonkar went candid with Shubhanshu Sharma and shared some secrets about his personal and professional lives. Here is the whole Interview:
Q1. You have worked with some of the elite members of Bollywood. But you made your debut with 'Lanka' which was produced by Vikram Bhatt. How was your experience working with such a big name of the industry?
Answer: Vikram Bhatt heard my song and then approved me as a music director for Lanka. It was a great feeling as he is an established director and holds a great sense of music. It gives you a lot of confidence when a recognized person approves your work at a young age.
It was a great experience also because he gave me a lot of freedom to make songs for Lanka. The film has off-beat music which is semi-classical.
Even though it was a small film, its music received rave reviews from the critics' community and bagged few awards as well.
Q2. You are currently working with Shekhar Suman for his film Heartless. What are your expectations from the film and its music?
Answer: I have seen the screening of the film and I found is really beautiful. I really feel happy being associated with the film not just because I am the composer there but because the film itself is very well made.
Shekhar ji is an intelligent person and he has put all his sensibility and intelligence in the film. My expectations from the film and its music are very high. Our two songs which are being shown on TV right now are being praised widely.
The expectations are high because if people like the music they will go and watch the film.
The film is a medical thriller and the content of the film is a little new for Indian audiences.
Q3. Your recently released song 'Soniye' from the film 'Will You Marry Me?' became really popular amongst the listeners. It was sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. How do you take its success?
Answer: The song's success should be translated into film's success because as a music director it is the most important thing for me. However, the film failed to do much and it felt so bad, because if the film would have done well, the time span of songs would have increased.
Q4. You are the lead vocalist of Synchronicity and have delivered many superhit mash-ups. What are your future plans with the musical group?
Answer: Till February, I am only devoted to heartless. After completing the promotions and the film, Synchronicity is the next thing on my cards. I have already prepared five original songs and five mash-ups, where two are in foreign languages.
I have really become popular in Sri Lanka with my last performance with Synchronicity in the country. The song is still being played even on the television shows. At the end of January, I also have a concert there in Sri Lanka.
I am also planning to experiment with the languages of several other developed countries.
Q5. You are looked as a versatile singer who has mastery in entertaining audiences. But, what according to you is more fun, singing in the recording studio or giving a live performance before a huge crowd?
Answer: I like both, but personally as I am a composer, I prefer studio more because we are preparing something new in there. It excites me because I don't know what would the audiences' response be when it comes out.
As, when we were making the songs of Heartless, we were quite excited thinking about the listeners' response after its music release.
Q6. You have performed live at some of the biggest concerts in India such as Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay), Chaos (IIM Ahmedabad) and Backwaters (IIM Kohzikode). Where did you witness most friendly audiences?
Answer: According to me, whenever you go out of Metro cities, you will always find really friendly audiences. The Metro people have become used to such concerts and events but the people belonging to other places always show love and excitement towards these events.
But I have witnessed the best audiences in Baroda. I have performed three shows there and they were really friendly and loving. Assam's audiences were also really good and I am expecting same kind of response in Sri Lanka as well.
Q7. All of us have heard about the generosity and humorous nature of Akshay Kumar. And as you have worked with him, your fans would love to know your opinion about the superstar's nature.
Answer: He is really very committed to his work. He looks like a funny guy who always intends to have fun but from inside he is really a very committed person. He never compromises with his work. He gives his 100 percent to everything whether it is martial arts or acting. His superb physique in this age is a perfect example of that. Besides all these things, he is a grounded person which eventually impressed me a lot.
Q8. Who is your idol in the music industry?
Answer: My idol doesn't belong to music industry. He is the none other than Sachin Tendulkar. I started watching Cricket because of Sachin. If we all show the same focus and commitment towards our professions as he has shown towards his, we will definitely achieve a lot of things in our career.
Sachin launched the music of my upcoming film Heartless. It was a big occasion for me because he wished me best of luck for my work. I will always cherish that moment of my life.
I have always set high targets for myself in my life. I took my Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from IIM Ahmadabad which is the best Business University of the country.
Q9. What are your future plans for 2014?
Answer: My plans for 2014 are in both fields i.e. albums and Bollywood. Heartless is my first Bollywood film of 2014 so I am concentrated on this right now. I have two more films lined up to release this year, but they are in the initial stages. I am hoping the best response for Heartless music so that I will be motivated to do a lot more films. I have planned 15 to 20 mash-ups for this year. Last year we did a lot of concerts and I am really looking forward to many more this year. I am really eager to perform all my songs before the audiences live.
Q10. Do you have any special desires of working with any big shot of the industry?
Answer: I would definitely like to work with Yash Raj Films (YRF) because of their superb musical sense and if given a chance, I would love to work with Mahesh Bhatt ji because they always keep really melodious songs in their films. Actually, wherever music has a strong role to play, I would love to work there. I also promise some songs in my voice during this year.
Q11. Where did you get inspiration to work on such mash-ups?
Answer: Actually, at the beginning of my career, I was working in two films, but I wasn't singing in any of them. So, the reality is that I wanted to make people hear my voice in a different manner. So, I decided to make mash-ups of Hindi and English songs.
I was already performing 'Tujhe Bhula Diya' at several concerts and I was consistently thinking which song should we mash-up with it. So, one of my band members suggested me to create a mash-up with 'Hello' and I went for it. Now it has become really popular and the demands for other songs are also coming. So, we are working on many more.
We hope a even brighter career for Gaurav Dagaonkar and wish, he keeps entertaining us through his enchanting music and awesome mash-ups.
The artistic singer Gaurav Dagaonkar went candid with Shubhanshu Sharma and shared some secrets about his personal and professional lives. Here is the whole Interview:
Q1. You have worked with some of the elite members of Bollywood. But you made your debut with 'Lanka' which was produced by Vikram Bhatt. How was your experience working with such a big name of the industry?
Answer: Vikram Bhatt heard my song and then approved me as a music director for Lanka. It was a great feeling as he is an established director and holds a great sense of music. It gives you a lot of confidence when a recognized person approves your work at a young age.
It was a great experience also because he gave me a lot of freedom to make songs for Lanka. The film has off-beat music which is semi-classical.
Even though it was a small film, its music received rave reviews from the critics' community and bagged few awards as well.
Q2. You are currently working with Shekhar Suman for his film Heartless. What are your expectations from the film and its music?
Answer: I have seen the screening of the film and I found is really beautiful. I really feel happy being associated with the film not just because I am the composer there but because the film itself is very well made.
Shekhar ji is an intelligent person and he has put all his sensibility and intelligence in the film. My expectations from the film and its music are very high. Our two songs which are being shown on TV right now are being praised widely.
The expectations are high because if people like the music they will go and watch the film.
The film is a medical thriller and the content of the film is a little new for Indian audiences.
Q3. Your recently released song 'Soniye' from the film 'Will You Marry Me?' became really popular amongst the listeners. It was sung by Rahat Fateh Ali Khan. How do you take its success?
Answer: The song's success should be translated into film's success because as a music director it is the most important thing for me. However, the film failed to do much and it felt so bad, because if the film would have done well, the time span of songs would have increased.
Q4. You are the lead vocalist of Synchronicity and have delivered many superhit mash-ups. What are your future plans with the musical group?
Answer: Till February, I am only devoted to heartless. After completing the promotions and the film, Synchronicity is the next thing on my cards. I have already prepared five original songs and five mash-ups, where two are in foreign languages.
I have really become popular in Sri Lanka with my last performance with Synchronicity in the country. The song is still being played even on the television shows. At the end of January, I also have a concert there in Sri Lanka.
I am also planning to experiment with the languages of several other developed countries.
Q5. You are looked as a versatile singer who has mastery in entertaining audiences. But, what according to you is more fun, singing in the recording studio or giving a live performance before a huge crowd?
Answer: I like both, but personally as I am a composer, I prefer studio more because we are preparing something new in there. It excites me because I don't know what would the audiences' response be when it comes out.
As, when we were making the songs of Heartless, we were quite excited thinking about the listeners' response after its music release.
Q6. You have performed live at some of the biggest concerts in India such as Mood Indigo (IIT Bombay), Chaos (IIM Ahmedabad) and Backwaters (IIM Kohzikode). Where did you witness most friendly audiences?
Answer: According to me, whenever you go out of Metro cities, you will always find really friendly audiences. The Metro people have become used to such concerts and events but the people belonging to other places always show love and excitement towards these events.
But I have witnessed the best audiences in Baroda. I have performed three shows there and they were really friendly and loving. Assam's audiences were also really good and I am expecting same kind of response in Sri Lanka as well.
Q7. All of us have heard about the generosity and humorous nature of Akshay Kumar. And as you have worked with him, your fans would love to know your opinion about the superstar's nature.
Answer: He is really very committed to his work. He looks like a funny guy who always intends to have fun but from inside he is really a very committed person. He never compromises with his work. He gives his 100 percent to everything whether it is martial arts or acting. His superb physique in this age is a perfect example of that. Besides all these things, he is a grounded person which eventually impressed me a lot.
Q8. Who is your idol in the music industry?
Answer: My idol doesn't belong to music industry. He is the none other than Sachin Tendulkar. I started watching Cricket because of Sachin. If we all show the same focus and commitment towards our professions as he has shown towards his, we will definitely achieve a lot of things in our career.
Sachin launched the music of my upcoming film Heartless. It was a big occasion for me because he wished me best of luck for my work. I will always cherish that moment of my life.
I have always set high targets for myself in my life. I took my Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from IIM Ahmadabad which is the best Business University of the country.
Q9. What are your future plans for 2014?
Answer: My plans for 2014 are in both fields i.e. albums and Bollywood. Heartless is my first Bollywood film of 2014 so I am concentrated on this right now. I have two more films lined up to release this year, but they are in the initial stages. I am hoping the best response for Heartless music so that I will be motivated to do a lot more films. I have planned 15 to 20 mash-ups for this year. Last year we did a lot of concerts and I am really looking forward to many more this year. I am really eager to perform all my songs before the audiences live.
Q10. Do you have any special desires of working with any big shot of the industry?
Answer: I would definitely like to work with Yash Raj Films (YRF) because of their superb musical sense and if given a chance, I would love to work with Mahesh Bhatt ji because they always keep really melodious songs in their films. Actually, wherever music has a strong role to play, I would love to work there. I also promise some songs in my voice during this year.
Q11. Where did you get inspiration to work on such mash-ups?
Answer: Actually, at the beginning of my career, I was working in two films, but I wasn't singing in any of them. So, the reality is that I wanted to make people hear my voice in a different manner. So, I decided to make mash-ups of Hindi and English songs.
I was already performing 'Tujhe Bhula Diya' at several concerts and I was consistently thinking which song should we mash-up with it. So, one of my band members suggested me to create a mash-up with 'Hello' and I went for it. Now it has become really popular and the demands for other songs are also coming. So, we are working on many more.
We hope a even brighter career for Gaurav Dagaonkar and wish, he keeps entertaining us through his enchanting music and awesome mash-ups.
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