FALGUNI AT GRAMMYS 2019

Look out for the US-based Indian singer Falguni Shah at this year’s Grammys: her album Falu’s Bazaar has been nominated in the Best Children's Music category.

Growing up in India, Falguni (aka Falu) was trained in the Jaipur musical tradition and the Benaras style of Thumri. She moved to New York in 2010, and worked with several internationally celebrated musicians like Wyclef Jean, Philip Glass, Ricky Martin, Blues Traveler, Yo-Yo Ma and A.R. Rahman.

Known for an “Indie Hindi” sound (even though you can identify five different South Asain languages in her work), Falguni’s music blends Indian classical and folk western pop, rock and electronic styles.

"I am honoured to be representing not only India at the Grammys, but also the millions of immigrants who have travelled to the US to achieve success," Falguni said.

She also hopes to use the platform to "motivate others to dream big and achieve their goals, whether it's through music or any aspect of life".

The 61st Grammy Awards will take place on 11 Feb in Los Angeles.

Singer Arjun Kanungo says he’s really tired of remixes. But are music directors to blame? He doesn’t seem to think so. "I think it is nothing to do with singers or composers. It has to do with record labels who are pushing out their old catalogues... because they can see a business opportunity. Ten years down the line, the record labels won't have anything to recreate. If you keep recreating a song again and again and make no new content, then you are really not thinking about the future very much."

Wiser words were never said. What do you think?

CHADHA’S TRIBUTE TO MANDELA

Confused? We would be too. After all, whatever does Richa Chadha have in common with Nelson Mandela. Well, she’s full of surprises. Seems that Richa has penned a handwritten tribute to late Nelson Mandela which will feature in The House of Commons Book of Tribute.

The book, as you’d guess, is a collection of handwritten notes by prominent people like Barack Obama, Paul McCartney, Russell Crowe and Will Smith, compiled by NicCareem.

“His struggle as a world renowned leader to fight for the rights of downtrodden people of his race has made him a legendary inspiring figure,” Richa said. The actor is happy to be part of "this tribute the proceeds of which will be given towards a campaign to end poverty".

‘DEEP’ OF RANVEER’S LIFE

Ok so that was a bad pun, but the sentiment is right there. Of course we are referring to Deepika Padukone, who in hubby Ranveer’s words is “the light of my life”. And how did he say it? In a letter! Recently, when Deepika launched her website, Ranveer posted the letter on it that praised the actress to no end.

"I find it particularly challenging to articulate all my feelings about her, and even though I find language to be a limiting means to express myself, I shall try. I can safely say I'm the closest person to her in this world. I know her deeply as a person and I've collaborated closely with her as a professional," he said.

He added that her discipline and “commitment is unparalleled”, so much so that the woman “commands respect”.

"She inspires me to be the best man I can possibly be. She makes my life worth living. She is true light of my life," he added.

Sigh, these two are relationship goals, huh? Nickyanka? Who’s that?

TIME TO KILL CENSORSHIP: ADOOR GOPALAKRISHNAN

Dadasaheb Phalke awardee Adoor Gopalakrishnan, whose oeuvre prominently placed Malayalam cinema on the world map, feels it is time for India to completely do away with censorship in films as that would help the art form thrive.

“Censorship is a big mistake - and one that has been perpetuated by the commercial cinema of Mumbai because they want the censor board's certificate as a shield against any litigation filed by other parties, both inside and outside the industry,” he said recently

"I feel abolishing censorship would certainly help cinema to thrive as an art form. Nobody should be allowed to interfere in filmmaking, not even the government. They are no specialists in this, so how can they interfere? The government often uses its authority in a wrong way," contended Gopalakrishnan, considered one of the greatest filmmakers of India and a pioneer of the New Cinema movement in Kerala.

Referring to a 1979-committee that he, Shyam Benegal and Bengali filmmaker Mrinal Sen were part of, Gopalakrishnan said they decided to recommend that censorship be abolished from Indian cinema but faced strong resistance from a number of director-producers of commercial cinema.

"When the time for the final decision came, there was a strong plea from both Ramanand Sagar and B.R. Chopra against it. They said censorship gives protection from unnecessary legal battles over films. So the recommendation couldn't be made," he reminisced.

Gopalakrishnan, who has often highlighted the socio-political issues through his use of symbolism in films, said talking openly about the loopholes in the Censor Board and the government's malpractices against films that question institutions, have turned him into "an enemy of the administration".

Asked about the protests and violence over a number of recent films, including Padmavat, The Accidental Prime Minister and Manikarnika, Gopalakrishnan said the trend of resorting to protests even before a film releases, is propaganda.

"People have their right to protest as long as they first see the film. We cannot stop that. But if people or groups are protesting even before they have seen the film, it must be some sort of a propaganda," he added.

HAS THE KHAN TRIUMVIRATE LOST ITS HOLD?

2018 was definitely not the year for the three Khan superstars in Bollywood. While Shah Rukh Khan delivered a box office debacle in Zero, his Khan fellowsuperstar Aamir Khan too came up with one of the biggest duds of his career, The Thugs Of Hindostan

Earlier during the year, Salman Khan's Race 3 underperformed abysmally at the box office.

Is the Khan triumvirate losing its touch?

Says trade analyst Amod Mehra, "The writing is very clear on the wall. It is time all three Khan superstars switched to more mature roles, or else they would no longer be superstars."

However, film and trade analyst Girish Johar doesn't see the setbacks of 2018 as detrimental to the Khans' careers. "The three Khans are superstars: a film here or there doesn't matter. Their fan following does not decrease, nor does their stardom get affected. Yes, all three failing together in one year does raise eyebrows but I am sure they are bound to bounce back with their next outings. Also yes, they have to be much more careful now as audiences are growing, their taste patterns are changing. So what they bring to the table has to be extraordinary, as anything below neither suits their stature nor is it any longer expected from them."

Warns critic Raja Sen, "Their films may have underperformed this time, but each of the three Khans is just one hit away from being on top of the heap again. Any obituaries or celebrations by gleeful rivals would be premature."

What’s next for the Khans?

While Salman Khan has the eagerlyawaited Eid release Bharat which spans the life story of one man from India's independence in 1947 to present day, Aamir Khan is taking a sabbatical from the big screen to do a web series based on the Mahabharat. Shah Rukh Khan is not committed to any new project.

All three Khan superstars need to do some serious career thinking and revamping. Their fan-following remains intact. Only their selection of roles needs to change.

On Twitter This Week

Match the following stars to the tweets that appear below:

Neha Dhupia, Anil Kapoor, Sonali Bendre

Being back on a set after a major sabbatical - one that has been testing in many ways on so many levels - is a surreal feeling.

I don't owe anyone an explanation because fat-shaming like this doesn't bother me one bit. But I do want to address this as a larger problem because fat-shaming needs to stop for EVERYONE and not just celebs.

Never have I been so proud of you @ sonamakapoor. It has been my honour sharing the screen with you beta.

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