Pakistan lifted the ban on exhibition of Indian movies early this month and Firoz Nadiadwala's Welcome was the first Bollywood movie to be "officially" released in Pakistan. And now Khuda Ke Liye, in which actor Naseeruddin Shah plays a major role, is also going to be "officially" released in India on March 28 for the first time.
Bollywood movies may have been released in cinemas in Pakistan on and off, but the government of Pakistan officially lifted the ban on exhibition of Indian movies early this month.
Firoz Nadiadwala's Welcome was the first Bollywood movie to be "officially" released in Pakistan Feb 8 after "the Senate standing committee on culture recommended to the government to allow exhibition of Indian movies under a proper censorship policy".
The movie is currently running to packed houses in Lahore, Karachi, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Gujranwala and Multan. It is reported to have netted more than Rs 70 million from the local box-office.
Another good news is a Pakistani movie, Khuda Ke Liye, in which Naseeruddin Shah plays a major role, is also going to be "officially" released in India March 28 for the first time.
The movie, directed by Shoaib Mansoor, has been brought to India by Percept Picture Company, which will release it in the country with 150 prints initially.
"The film was a big hit in Pakistan when it was released there in July last year. Everybody who saw it when it was screened at the International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in Goa this year appreciated it. So, we thought of bringing it to India through legitimate channels," Ashok Ahuja, director, acquisition and distribution, Percept Picture Company, told IANS.
The company is hopeful that the movie will get a good response from the Indian audience, not only because it is well made but also because the theme on which it is based is relevant to contemporary society.
The movie, a Geo Films presentation (the film division of Karachi-based Geo TV network), is about the ideological clash between liberal Muslims and fundamentalists.
The language of the movie is Urdu and it stars Shaan, Fawad Afzal Khan, Imran Ali, Hameed Shaikh and Austin Marie Sayre, besides Naseeruddin Shah.
Though the film industry in Pakistan is in a shambles due to various reasons, the box-office success of Khuda Ke Liye gave it a new lease of life.
But the problem the industry is facing at present is lack of exhibition outlets as many of the cinemas have closed down because of poor patronage.
It is with a view to giving the industry a shot in the arm that exhibitors and distributors in Pakistan have been urging the government to lift the ban on Indian films.
Bollywood movies, in particular, have many takers in Pakistan. Earlier, they could satisfy their insatiable passion for Hindi movies, blockbusters and the rest, either by buying pirated CDs and VCDs or watching them when they were aired on various satellite television channels.
The last Bollywood movie to be released in Pakistan was Mukesh Bhatt's recent offering Awaarapan. It grossed nearly Rs.80 million, the highest for a Bollywood movie so far.
"Welcome" is also expected to net an equal amount from the Pakistani market.
"Now that the ban on Indian films has gone, a Bollywood movie can earn Rs.10-12 million in an average from the Pakistani market, provided it clicks at the box-office," said Asish Wagh, spokesman of Studio 18, which has distributed Welcome.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Lollywood Music & News.!!
\'I\'ll be seen oAen in India\'
Pakistan actor Moammar Rana in a candid chat
Ritujaay Ghosh
Mithun Chakraborty set the ball rolling with the Bengal Tigers. Now, the Indian Cricket League (ICL) has another star patron. The Lahore Badshahs have a guardian in Pakistani actor Moammar Rana, affectionately known as Momi in his country Rana, a stakeholder in Inzamam Ul Haq's team, spoke to us from Malaysia after the decision was taken. You've given everyone a surprise - in Pakistan and India. Really? It's a gift to my fans and friends and Pakistan. I hope Indians will also be happy with this decision.
What has been the immediate reaction in Pakistan? Like India, films and cricket, too, drive Pakistan. The film industry is not as big there but everyone is crazy about the actors. So it was a pleasant surprise for all. Why did you want to be associated with the sport? Because I couldn't become a cricketer, though I come from a family of cricketers. My father Shafgat Rana played for the country My uncle is Shakoor Rana, was one of the most famous international umpires of his time. And my brothers, Mansoor and Magsood Rana, both played ODIs for Pakistan. So how could I be left out of the game? I had to be part of this game. It wasn't because of money Your decision came after indian actor Mithun Chakraborty bought the Bengal Tigers.
Mithun Chakraborty was one of the most popular actors in Pakistan in his heyday He still has a lot of fans. My decision was emotional and soon after I saw him buy a team I decided to get mine. Why ICL and not IPL? There are Pakistani players in the IPL teams but there isn't a team as such. I wanted to own a Pakistani team, ICL gave me that opportunity Why didn't you get into cricket? I would blame cricketer-turned-actor Mohsin Khan for that (laughs). I used to play cricket for my college and captained the Lahore University team.
Mohsin suggested that I should try acting and it happened. Or else I would have been playing cricket. Acting has given you success. Yes, but in Pakistan Bollywood stars are bigger than any other actor They are crazy about Hindi films. Why not try something like Mohsin Khan? I am making my Bollywood debut in Partho Ghosh's Eight Seconds Jo Zindagi BadalDe with Jackie Shroff and Manisha Koirala. I will be seen quite often in India since I will be promoting the team as well. It's wonderful that Indian films are now releasing in Pakistan and vice versa. But we need to come up with better films to match the standards set by Bollywood.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Lollywood Music & News.!!
Another Artist goes to Bollywood
Another of our Lollywood artist was imported to Bollywood. This time its Rahim Shah. People with great talent are not acknowledged and appreciated in our almost non-existent Lollywood industry hence when given a cross-border oppurtunity jump at it to make sure they grab it.
Rahim Shah has composed the music of an upcoming move 'Take off' starring the famous Qazi Tauqir and a new comer opposite to him. The film has been made by Nazim Rizvi who has a number of hit films to his credit.
Rahim Shah has sung 4 songs in the movie also and has made a special appearance in one of them too. He says ' 60 Lakhs were spent to make the song look really nice that I star in'.
He must be awestruck maybe we dont even spend that much on our entire movie
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Lollywood Music & News.!!
Annie to perform in Rawalpindi
The famous singer Annie will be performing at Rawalpindi Arts Council on April 20. According to details the art council had arranged a special program to celebrate "Jashan-e-Baharaan". The program includes a musical show in which famous singers Annie, Sana Noor, Malko, Shahzad Malik and others will perform live. It is pertinent to add that the famous song "Mahia" by Annie had been taken in two Indian Films already.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Ali Haider (Urdur علی حیدر) is a Pakistani singer and actor. He has had numerous hits in the early 90's such as Purani Jeans. He also had a big hit later in the 90's with Chand Sa Mukhra. Besides singing, he has acted in numerous TV serials on PTV. Among the successful dramas was Chand Sa Mukhra, which used his hit song as the theme music. He also sang the theme music for the serial Chandni Raatein. He has a large fan following in Pakistan and India and with South Asian expatriates around the world. Ali Haider recently released his 15th Album "Janey Do". This album also features three previous songs with significant modifications. The all time favourite "Purani Jeans" makes a return with a hard rock format. Qarar and "Agar Pyar" from the 1993 album Sandesa are also featured.
Ali Haider will be also seen playing the Main Lead role in the Bollywood Film Main Osama to be Directed By the controversial Film Maker Faisal Saif. Ali is very excited about this feature film that will hit the cinema halls worldwide in 2008.
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
A few years ago Mehreen Jabbar took a trip back home to Pakistan -- a visit required for her green card application process. Jabbar had worked for nearly 13 years producing and directing soap operas for Pakistani television, often while living in New York. During the visit, her father handed her an outline of a film script based on a true incident.
The script goes like this. The Indian parliament is attacked by Islamic militants in December 2001 and the armed forces of India and Pakistan are on a high alert for a war.�In a small pocket of the Thar Desert in Pakistan, a seven-year old Hindu boy and his father -- from the Dalit community, accidentally cross over to the Indian side of the border.�They are captured by the Indian forces and then spend the next few years languishing in a jail in India, while the boy's mother waits for any news from across the border.
Jabbar's father -- Javed, a filmmaker and a former Information and Communications minister in Benazir Bhutto's cabinet, runs an NGO in the Thar Desert. And he met and talked to the father and son after they were released by the Indian authorities.
Earlier this week Jabbar's first feature length film, Ramchand Pakistani -- based on her father's story opened at the Tribeca Film Festival.�Later this summer it will open in theaters in Pakistan and also play at the Asian Film Festival in New Delhi.
Ramchand Pakistani stars Nandita Das who plays Champa, the mother awaiting news about her son and husband. Jabbar's film is a sincere and a moving document about the human condition.�It beautifully portrays the lives of innocent victims caught in the political vortex created by two neighboring enemy states.
And what makes the film more remarkable is that the Karachi-born Jabbar stays clear of the politics of the times.
"That was a very conscious effort, not to make it propagandists, polemic, and ranting against India," Jabbar says before the world premiere of the film. The film gives a human face to the Indian police force and also points to the fact that hundreds of innocent civilians are languishing in jails in both the countries.
"The issue this film deals with, is an accidental border crossing, which happens for the most inane reasons," she adds.� "People cross over because they are drunk and they spend 10 to 15 years in jails. They get lost in the red tape of both the countries.�They get lost in the system and the political reality of the two countries.�Both the countries have to be blamed for this."
In the process Jabbar also wanted this film to be an India-Pakistan collaboration.�In addition to Das, the film features songs by Shubha Mudgal and the soundtrack composed by Debajyoti Mishra (Chokher Bali, Raincoat, and Dharam).�And while Jabbar originally edited the film, she had Aseem Sinha (Shyam Benegal's regular editor) to re-cut it to improve its pace.
"I wanted the collaboration to be in a productive way, instead of an overwhelming way," Jabbar says.� "Pakistan is considered a small country and we have a big neighbor -- India, and sometimes we think it is a bully.�Our film industry is in the pits rights now and India has the biggest film industry in the world."
Until a few decades ago, Pakistan had nearly 1,500 movie theatres.�That number is down to 150.�Piracy killed the film-going habit of people and talent veered towards the country's thriving television channels.�Bollywood and Hollywood films appear in pirated format even before the release date.�Sabiha Sumar's remarkable Khamosh Pani (2003) -- another India-Pakistan collaboration -- never had a theatrical release in Pakistan.
All of this may be changing, with the success of Khuda Ke Liye, which brought people back to the theaters.�Jabbar is hoping that her film will be the next project to draw the audience into the theaters.
Ramchand Pakistani was made with a small budget of $650,000, with funds raised from family, friends and other donors.� Jabbar, points out that Pakistan does not have an infrastructure for financing films.�And so her father stepped in and produced the film.
Javed Jabbar was also instrumental in bringing the Indian collaborators into the film's fold.�His activist status in the peace process between India and Pakistani facilitated the collaboration.
The film was shot in January 2007 under harsh conditions in the Pakistan part of the Thar Desert area -- just five kilometres from the country's border with India.�Das was the only Indian in the crew, along with four Americans from New York, and ISI agents watching over all of them.
"We had to shoot on HDCAM, because Pakistan does not have a 35 mm sync sound film camera," Jabbar says."And we have one HDCAM in the whole country. I wanted to see what I had shot, because we do not have good film processing equipment. Otherwise the film would have to be sent to Dubai or India to be processed. That would take a week. And I was 15 hours from a city."
Only Das and two of the crew members from New York had previously worked on a feature film.�The rest of the crew had no film experience."It was labour of love," Jabbar says.
"Our first main concern was to get bathrooms," she adds, laughing. "There was no road, no electricity, no running water and I do need my bathroom.You can go to the bushes for a week but not for 45 days.�We had this truck converted into one Indian-style and one English-style toilet.There were 80 people using those two toilets.�Forty people per toilet is pretty gruesome, but it worked fine."
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
Rajiv Vijayakar Posted online: Thursday , May 08, 2008
: He uses music to explore cultures and build bridges across them. Najam Sheraz, the man behind the original of the cult Murder song Bheege honth tere, continues his mission with his debut Indian album
Najam Sheraz is one of the most prolific musicians from Pakistan. Music, to state a cliché, has always been Najam Sheraz’s true passion. His fascinating career includes a wide range of albums and singles that are considered to be anthems worldwide.
Being a true artiste, Najam Sheraz believes in the philosophy that spreading peace and harmony through music is a greater (and far more gratifying) cause than simply composing music for entertainment. He believes that this generates music that is truly long-lasting. This is the reason why he is still growing as a musician ever since he began his musical journey in 1994 and today is the only Pakistani artiste other than the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to feature in the original soundtrack of a major Hollywood production. He has featured on the original soundtrack of Twentieth-Century Fox movie Split Wide Open.
Says Najam, “I have always been very prolific. In 12 years I have had 9 albums and many singles. In this self-titled album, all my musicians are from Karachi but the production has been done in England.”
Najam is based in Karachi but India is very close to him. “It’s just a 80-minute flight from Karachi to Mumbai,” he points out. “I have always wanted not just my country and yours at peace but the entire world too. I think that songs that speak of peace and harmony make for big songs.”It is just recently that Najam’s Hum bole mohabbat ki zubaan has been used in one of the biggest campaigns for peace by Mobilink, the leading mobile network in Pakistan.
When not doing music, Najam is making documentaries worldwide. “I also do stage shows for the cause and also interact with various religious heads and heads of nations. I directed a much-appreciated BBC film on extremism and Islam.”
Najam says that his globetrotting and continuous interaction with musicians and cultures across the world allows him the privilege of seeing different cultures from close quarters and spotting the common positive aspects of each.
“There are a lot of wonderful things in Indian culture, for example, like equality in lifestyles that is much less in Pakistan. The Pakistani lifestyle is humbler and without unnecessary lavishness. And there are things about us and our culture that Indians need to know too, which can only be possible by going there. In India, people have very threadbare knowledge about Pakistani culture.”
He admits that a lot of misconceptions about his nation and people have been formed by past and present history. “The West does have a mindset about us, but they need to know a lot of things.”
Najam takes a lot of justified pride in playing this role of a bridge between human beings, and yes, contrary to accepted thinking, he has been appreciated even at home. Says Najam, “I have been awarded in Pakistan in addition to winning two Congressional awards in the West.”
Has he been actually studying other religions and their texts? “Of course,” he replies. “I have studied the Bhagwad Gita and the Bible and have had fruitful discussions on Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. Once again there is so much common ground. We are all having the same wants.”
Music helps bridge the common ground and create more respect for each other, feels the singer. “Rather than with a speech, there is more confidence that whatever I say with music will ring a bell.”
In a rare first, Najam is the singer’s original release in India. “It has fresh tracks not yet released anywhere. In fact, the Pakistani audio release was a week after the Indian. It has been released there on Geo TV, which is the biggest television channel as well as publication house and music label.”
Najam is very happy with Frankfinn Music for their support and excellent marketing. “The video is a first of its kind,” says Najam. “Directed by Shareen Mantri, it has a socially-relevant theme of molestation of teenage girls by step-parents. The second video will be shot in London and all the tracks are in Urdu and Hindi with a smattering of English in a song or two.”
For someone so prolific, Najam was lying low since his last album almost four years ago. “I did make two spiritual albums, but otherwise I waited because I wanted my new album to stand out sound-wise and expression-wise. So I took a trip to England and got it recorded there when I finally felt that I was on to a good thing. And now it is challenging to launch an album in India where a film soundtrack is released every two days and basic albums have to compete with them.”
The compositions on the album depict an amalgamation of various genres - Eastern classical and folk, rock, funk and even blues. “This album is an extension of my personality. It is an assortment of thought-provoking numbers, ballads and other genres,” the singer says. “The lead track Khwabon ke rishtey talks about incomplete relationships and setbacks in love and life. The track Dil tumhara bhi hai is a Hindi-English love ballad with the famous Natalie Williams, while Mahiya deals with universal women’s empowerment with the everlasting story of Heer-Ranjha as the backdrop.”
Renowned musicians feature on the album, led by Chris Eaton as co-producer and pianist (he has worked with Cliff Richards, Amy Grant, Jessica Simpson and Janet Jackson), Miles Bould, a legendary percussionist (who has done many tours and recording sessions with Sting, Michael Jackson, Cher, Tina Turner, The Sugababes and Beyonce), Dan Wheeler, a phenomenal sound creator with guitars, Mark Edwards, Jazz musician and a programmer, Paul Evans on Drums, Matt Weeks and Collin on Bass and Colin Walker who engineered and recorded all live instruments along with Paul Burton being the mixing engineer.
Najam isn’t keen on composing for Hindi films. “I don’t think I can do justice to them, because a film’s composer is trained for such a medium. I compose for myself. I do session more than singing in the studio. But I would definitely sing if called for a a Hindi film. In fact, I have sung Yeh pal in Kalyug for Anu Malik and also worked with Pritam on the promo track of Tu hi meri shab hai from Gangster.”
But interestingly and ironically for Najam’s self-critique, one of the biggest hits in the last five years, Bheege honth tere from Murder was a reworking of his own cult song Menu tere naal!
Explains Najam candidly, “The track was initially taken without my permission. But what I liked was that the Bhatts came to me and admitted to it and wanted to legalise matters, so I looked on it as a positive step and agreed immediately. I told them that I did not want money but just due credit. And the Bhatts actually flew me to Mumbai and released its promotional video with me in it. They even signed a proper contract with me and issued a press release.”
And Najam quips, “When I met Emraan Hashmi later, he introduced me to Mallika Sherawat as ‘He is the man who has made us stars!’ I heard that even Anu Malik made it very clear that the song was not his composition. I look on all these as very positive developments. They have opened doors to a creative exchange and my other countrymen, like it was I who introduced Atif Aslam to the Bhatt brothers.”
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
Aishwarya Bachchan is know to have a huge fan following across the border in Pakistan. She will be however pleased to know that her list of admirers includes a certain Yousuf Raza Gilani, the Prime Minister of Pakistan. When External Affairs Minister Pranab Mukherjee visited the neighbouring country he presented Gilani with box full of the DVDs of the movies of former Miss World.
In his book Chah-e-Yousuf Say Sada, Gilani had mentioned to have watched the movies of Aishwarya Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan when he was imprisoned by General Pervez Musharraf. Gilani also confessed to be a huge fan of Mohammed Rafi and Lata Mangeshkar. The Pakistani Prime Minister was open to Bollywood screening its movies in Pakistan.
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
He uses music to explore cultures and build bridges across them. Najam Sheraz, the man behind the original of the cult Murder song Bheege honth tere, continues his mission with his debut Indian album
Najam Sheraz is one of the most prolific musicians from Pakistan. Music, to state a cliché, has always been Najam Sheraz’s true passion. His fascinating career includes a wide range of albums and singles that are considered to be anthems worldwide.
Being a true artiste, Najam Sheraz believes in the philosophy that spreading peace and harmony through music is a greater (and far more gratifying) cause than simply composing music for entertainment. He believes that this generates music that is truly long-lasting. This is the reason why he is still growing as a musician ever since he began his musical journey in 1994 and today is the only Pakistani artiste other than the legendary Ustad Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan to feature in the original soundtrack of a major Hollywood production. He has featured on the original soundtrack of Twentieth-Century Fox movie Split Wide Open.
Says Najam, “I have always been very prolific. In 12 years I have had 9 albums and many singles. In this self-titled album, all my musicians are from Karachi but the production has been done in England.”
Najam is based in Karachi but India is very close to him. “It’s just a 80-minute flight from Karachi to Mumbai,” he points out. “I have always wanted not just my country and yours at peace but the entire world too. I think that songs that speak of peace and harmony make for big songs.”It is just recently that Najam’s Hum bole mohabbat ki zubaan has been used in one of the biggest campaigns for peace by Mobilink, the leading mobile network in Pakistan.
When not doing music, Najam is making documentaries worldwide. “I also do stage shows for the cause and also interact with various religious heads and heads of nations. I directed a much-appreciated BBC film on extremism and Islam.”
Najam says that his globetrotting and continuous interaction with musicians and cultures across the world allows him the privilege of seeing different cultures from close quarters and spotting the common positive aspects of each.
“There are a lot of wonderful things in Indian culture, for example, like equality in lifestyles that is much less in Pakistan. The Pakistani lifestyle is humbler and without unnecessary lavishness. And there are things about us and our culture that Indians need to know too, which can only be possible by going there. In India, people have very threadbare knowledge about Pakistani culture.”
He admits that a lot of misconceptions about his nation and people have been formed by past and present history. “The West does have a mindset about us, but they need to know a lot of things.”
Najam takes a lot of justified pride in playing this role of a bridge between human beings, and yes, contrary to accepted thinking, he has been appreciated even at home. Says Najam, “I have been awarded in Pakistan in addition to winning two Congressional awards in the West.”
Has he been actually studying other religions and their texts? “Of course,” he replies. “I have studied the Bhagwad Gita and the Bible and have had fruitful discussions on Sikhism, Jainism and Buddhism. Once again there is so much common ground. We are all having the same wants.”
Music helps bridge the common ground and create more respect for each other, feels the singer. “Rather than with a speech, there is more confidence that whatever I say with music will ring a bell.”
In a rare first, Najam is the singer’s original release in India. “It has fresh tracks not yet released anywhere. In fact, the Pakistani audio release was a week after the Indian. It has been released there on Geo TV, which is the biggest television channel as well as publication house and music label.”
Najam is very happy with Frankfinn Music for their support and excellent marketing. “The video is a first of its kind,” says Najam. “Directed by Shareen Mantri, it has a socially-relevant theme of molestation of teenage girls by step-parents. The second video will be shot in London and all the tracks are in Urdu and Hindi with a smattering of English in a song or two.”
For someone so prolific, Najam was lying low since his last album almost four years ago. “I did make two spiritual albums, but otherwise I waited because I wanted my new album to stand out sound-wise and expression-wise. So I took a trip to England and got it recorded there when I finally felt that I was on to a good thing. And now it is challenging to launch an album in India where a film soundtrack is released every two days and basic albums have to compete with them.”
The compositions on the album depict an amalgamation of various genres - Eastern classical and folk, rock, funk and even blues. “This album is an extension of my personality. It is an assortment of thought-provoking numbers, ballads and other genres,” the singer says. “The lead track Khwabon ke rishtey talks about incomplete relationships and setbacks in love and life. The track Dil tumhara bhi hai is a Hindi-English love ballad with the famous Natalie Williams, while Mahiya deals with universal women’s empowerment with the everlasting story of Heer-Ranjha as the backdrop.”
Renowned musicians feature on the album, led by Chris Eaton as co-producer and pianist (he has worked with Cliff Richards, Amy Grant, Jessica Simpson and Janet Jackson), Miles Bould, a legendary percussionist (who has done many tours and recording sessions with Sting, Michael Jackson, Cher, Tina Turner, The Sugababes and Beyonce), Dan Wheeler, a phenomenal sound creator with guitars, Mark Edwards, Jazz musician and a programmer, Paul Evans on Drums, Matt Weeks and Collin on Bass and Colin Walker who engineered and recorded all live instruments along with Paul Burton being the mixing engineer.
Najam isn’t keen on composing for Hindi films. “I don’t think I can do justice to them, because a film’s composer is trained for such a medium. I compose for myself. I do session more than singing in the studio. But I would definitely sing if called for a a Hindi film. In fact, I have sung Yeh pal in Kalyug for Anu Malik and also worked with Pritam on the promo track of Tu hi meri shab hai from Gangster.”
But interestingly and ironically for Najam’s self-critique, one of the biggest hits in the last five years, Bheege honth tere from Murder was a reworking of his own cult song Menu tere naal!
Explains Najam candidly, “The track was initially taken without my permission. But what I liked was that the Bhatts came to me and admitted to it and wanted to legalise matters, so I looked on it as a positive step and agreed immediately. I told them that I did not want money but just due credit. And the Bhatts actually flew me to Mumbai and released its promotional video with me in it. They even signed a proper contract with me and issued a press release.”
And Najam quips, “When I met Emraan Hashmi later, he introduced me to Mallika Sherawat as ‘He is the man who has made us stars!’ I heard that even Anu Malik made it very clear that the song was not his composition. I look on all these as very positive developments. They have opened doors to a creative exchange and my other countrymen, like it was I who introduced Atif Aslam to the Bhatt brothers.”
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
R amchand Pakistani', the latest IndiaPakistan collaborative film venture, is unique because its protagonists belong to the minority Hindu community in Pakistan, says producer Javed Jabbar.
The film, which is set to release in Pakistan next month, highlights the problems faced by border communities, especially Hindu minorities, during bilateral tensions.
It revolves around a family that belongs to the Kohli Dalit caste of the Hindu community of that country. And critically acclaimed Indian actress Nandita Das plays a lead role.
"The struggle of a poor and a lonely woman for physical and psychological survival is a major aspect of the movie," Jabbar told IANS via email from Karachi.
Though Pakistani actress Shameem Ara played a Hindu character, Shakuntala, in ‘Lakhon Mein Aik' in the 1960s, this time it's an Indian, Das, who plays Champa, the key character around whom ‘Ramchand Pakistani' revolves.
Champa's eight-year-old son, Ramchand, inadvertently crosses the border, and her husband Shankar, while looking for their son, is mistaken for a Pakistani spy by the Indian security forces.
The film, the directorial debut of Jabbar's daughter Mehreen, depicts Champa's struggle to get her family back and the psychological trauma she undergoes. Mehreen has directed several Pakistani television serials earlier.
Though the officers of the Pakistani Rangers empathize with Champa's emotional crisis, they cannot secure any information about her husband and son from the other side of the border.
Through Champa's tale of woes, ‘Ramchand Pakistani' seeks to subtly refer to the suspicion with which majority communities of both India and Pakistan tend to look upon the minorities.
Though there have been instances of crossborder participation in Pakistani and Indian films earlier, this is the first time that a large mix of artists have come together in a single venture.
Apart from Das, ‘Ramchand Pakistani' has Debajyoti Mishra as music director, Shubha Mudgal as a lead singer along with Shafaqat Armaan Ali Khan and Aseem Sinha is the editor. Mishra has composed songs for Rituparno Ghosh's ‘Raincoat' and Bhavna Talwar's ‘Dharm'.
The cast also includes Rashid Farooqi, Syed Fazal Ahmed, who plays Ramchand, Nauman Ijaj and Maria Wasti.
"The movie has been made in Urdu-cumHindi because the story evolves on two parallel tracks on either side of the border. There is an overseas version with English sub-titles too," Jabbar said.
‘R amchand Pakistani', the latest India- Pakistan collaborative film venture, is unique because its protagonists belong to the minority Hindu community in Pakistan, says producer Javed Jabbar. The film, which is set to release in Pakistan next month, highlights the problems faced by border communities, especially Hindu minori- ties, during bilateral tensions. It revolves around a family that belongs to the Kohli Dalit caste of the Hindu community of that country. And critically acclaimed Indian actress Nandita Das plays a lead role. "The struggle of a poor and a lonely woman for physical and psychological survival is a major aspect of the movie," Jabbar told IANS via e- mail from Karachi. Though Pakistani actress Shameem Ara played a Hindu character, Shakuntala, in ‘Lakhon Mein Aik' in the 1960s, this time it's an Indian, Das, who plays Champa, the key character around whom ‘Ramchand Pakistani' revolves. Champa's eight-year-old son, Ramchand, inadvertently crosses the border, and her hus- band Shankar, while looking for their son, is mistaken for a Pakistani spy by the Indian secu- rity forces. The film, the directorial debut of Jabbar's daughter Mehreen, depicts Champa's struggle to get her family back and the psychological trauma she undergoes. Mehreen has directed several Pakistani television serials earlier. Though the officers of the Pakistani Rangers empathize with Champa's emotional crisis, they cannot secure any information about her hus- band and son from the other side of the border. Through Champa's tale of woes, ‘Ramchand Pakistani' seeks to subtly refer to the suspicion with which majority communities of both India and Pakistan tend to look upon the minorities. Though there have been instances of cross- border participation in Pakistani and Indian films earlier, this is the first time that a large mix of artists have come together in a single venture. Apart from Das, ‘Ramchand Pakistani' has Debajyoti Mishra as music director, Shubha Mudgal as a lead singer along with Shafaqat Armaan Ali Khan and Aseem Sinha is the edi- tor. Mishra has composed songs for Rituparno Ghosh's ‘Raincoat' and Bhavna Talwar's ‘Dharm'. The cast also includes Rashid Farooqi, Syed Fazal Ahmed, who plays Ramchand, Nauman Ijaj and Maria Wasti. "The movie has been made in Urdu-cum- Hindi because the story evolves on two parallel tracks on either side of the border. There is an overseas version with English sub-titles too," Jabbar said.
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
Financial Daily from THE HINDU group of publications Tuesday, Apr 06, 2004
Latha Venkatraman
``The Indian film industry is ready. It is now up to the Pakistani industry to act.''
YASH Chopra's latest project, `Hum Tum' and Akbar Khan's `Taj Mahal', will be among the first Hindi films to officially make their way into Pakistani territory.
The signatory on the Pakistani side, in both the cases, is Lahore-based Evernew Entertainment.
``We have signed an MoU with Mr Yash Chopra for distributing his next film in Pakistan, covering both video and theatrical rights. We have also signed a similar MoU with Mr Akbar Khan for `Taj Mahal' and another for a joint venture film production with Karma Films, with its CEO, Mr Ashok Khemka.
``Basically, the spirit of the MoUs is to exchange information on various aspects of joint ventures,'' Mr Sajjad Gul, CEO, Evernew Entertainment said in response to Business Line's queries.
The process has to get permission from both the governments.
The MoUs mark the beginning of a new revenue stream for the Hindi film industry. At present, the entire distribution of Hindi films in Pakistan is through pirates, industry representatives said. They expect formal access to Pakistani territories to add substantial revenues to the Rs 4,500 crore-Indian film industry.
Mr Gul was among Pakistani delegates at the recent Frames 2004 conference in Mumbai.
Hum Tum has Saif Ali Khan and Rani Mukherjee as lead actors while Taj Mahal stars Kabir Bedi, Manisha Koirala, Pooja Batra, Arbaaz Ali and Kim Sharma.
``The Indian industry is ready. It is now up to the Pakistani industry to act,'' said Mr Sanjay Bhattacharji, an industry analyst.
He believes the Pakistani film industry has to take into consideration its own home production. ``The exhibition infrastructure there needs upgradation the way it has been happening in India.''
According to Mr Ram Mirchandani, General Manager-Motion Pictures, UTV, the territories of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad could bring as much as 40 per cent of the current pirated market in Pakistan to the Indian film industry. UTV has an interest in overseas distribution business.
Evernew had earlier announced a joint venture film production with Karma Films.
`Hum Tum' is slated for release towards the end of May. The film is directed by Kunal Kohli and produced by Aditya Chopra, son of Yash Chopra.
The music of the film is due to be released this week. The film is about cartoon characters - Hum and Tum - with the cartoonist being portrayed by Saif Ali Khan.
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
1. Ahmed Rushdi's first song was 'Bunder Road say Keamari' (1954), not recorded for movie.
2. Waheed Murad's first film was 'Aulad' (1962)
3. Mohammad Ali's first film was 'Chiragh jalta raha' (1962).
4. Deeba's first film was 'Chiragh jalta raha' (1962).
5. Kamal Irani's first film was 'Chiragh jalta raha'. (1962).
6. Nadeem's first film was 'Chakori'. (1966).
7. Sohail Rana's music debut was 'Jab say dekha hai tumhay' (1962).
8. Shamim Ara's first film was 'Kunwari Baywa' (1956).
9. Mehdi Hasan recorded his first song for the film 'Shikar' (1962).
10. Pakistan's first movie was 'Teri yaad' (1948).
11. Karachi's first movie was 'Hamari zaban' which was followed by 'Inqilab', 'Bara Aadmi', and 'Maska palish'.
Number one
1. Ahmed Rushdi's number one song was 'Akele na jana'.
2. Waheed Murad's number one film was 'Armaan'.
3. Sohail Rana's number one composition was for the film 'Armaan'.
4. Masroor Anwar's number one lyrics were 'Akele na jana'.
5. Zeba's number one movie was 'Armaan'.
6. Waheed Murad's number one script was for the film 'Armaan'.
7. Waheed Murad's number one production was the film 'Armaan'.
8. Mehdi Hasan's number one song was 'Elahi Aansoo bhari zindigi kisi ko na day.'
9. S.B.John's number one song was 'Tu jo nahi hai to kuchh bhi nahi hai' (The film 'Sawera).
10. Munir Husain's number one song was 'Qaraar lutnay walay qaraar ko tarsay' (The film 'Saat Lakh').
11. M. Kaleem's number one na'at was 'Saba Medinay agar ho jana'.
12. Alamgir's number one song was 'Shaam say pehlay Aana'.
13. Pakistan's number one film Qawwali was 'Meri tauba Ya Rab' (Singer: Saleem Raza, film: 'Tauba').
14. Mala's number one song was 'Akele na jana'.
15. Suraiya Hyderabadi's number one rendition was 'Chanda kay hindolay mein', the film 'Lori.'
16. Zubeida Khanum's number one song was 'Laila, laila, laila'.
17. Suraiya Multanikar's number one song was 'Baray bay murawwat hain'.
18. Mehdi Zaheer's number one song was 'Allaho Akbar'. (1974)
19. Runa Laila's number one ghazal was 'Aziz itna he rakho '(Poet:
Ubaid Ullah Aleem).
20. Iqbal Banu's number one film song was 'Ulfat ki nai manzil ko chala' (The film 'Budnam')
21. Naseem Begum's number one national song was 'Aye raah-e-Haq kay shaheedo'.
22. Naseem Begum's number one tragic song was 'Hum nay jo phool chunay' (The film 'Saheli')
23. Bashir Ahmed's number one song was 'Tumharay liye is dil mein jitni mohabbat hai' (The film 'Darshan').
24. Nahid Niazi's number one song was 'Raat Saloni Aayi'. The film 'Zamana kya kahega', pictured on Kamal - Shamim Ara.
25. Saleem Shehzad's number one song was 'Mohabbat kay diye jalalo' (The film 'Assalamu Alaikum).
26. Akhlaq Ahmed's number one song was 'Sona na chandi na koi mehel jan-e-mun' (The film 'Bandish')
27. Saleem Raza's number one romantic song was 'Jan-e-baharaan' (The film 'Azra').
28. Saleem Raza's number one sad song was 'Zindigi mein aik pal bhi chayn Aaye na' (The film 'Hamsafar')
29. Saleem Raza's number one non-film song was 'Aao baccho sair karain tum ko Pakistan ki'. The film 'Bedari', pictured on Santosh Kumar.
Nigar Awards
Ahmed Rushdi received the first Nigar Award for best singer for the film 'Saperan'. Lyrics: 'Chand sa mukhra gora badan.
Ahmed Rushdi received the second Nigar Award for best singer for the film 'Mehtaab' in 1961.Lyrics: 'Goal guppay wala'.
Waheed Murad received the Nigar Award for best actor for the film 'Heera Aur Pathar' in 1964.
Waheed Murad received the Nigar Award for best producer for the film 'Armaan' in 1966.
Waheed Murad received the Nigar Award for best actor for the film 'Armaan' in 1966.
Waheed Murad received the Nigar Award for best actor for the film 'Andaleeb in 1969.
Waheed Murad received the Nigar Award for best actor for the film 'Mastana Mahi' in 1971.
Nigar Awards were first announced in Pakistan for female singers in 1958 and for male singers in 1960.This explains why great singers like Saleem Raza, Munir Husain, Sharafat Ali and the likes of them could not earn the Nigar Awards for their magnificent songs prior to 1960.
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
Joined: November 2006
Posts: 10620
Location: Virginia
Re: Lollywood Music & News.!!
Wasim Akram sizzles in Fuzon's latest music video
Monday, June 16 2008
Mumbai (ANI): Former Pakistan cricketer Wasim Akram is not just about match commentary in television studios – the Sultan of Swing is acting in a music video for the band Fuzon. 'Suna Suna' a track from Fuzon's album Journey, which was released in India in March, will feature Akram and his wife Hema.
The feel of the video reflects the mood of the song, which a soft, sad romantic melody. Akram, who recently acquired a new look for the music video, is looking dashing in his new avatar. "I have known the members of Fuzon personally and have always been interested in their music. I am not very familiar with English music but love to listen to both Indian and Pakistani genres," the ace cricketer said.
When asked about his makeover, Akram said I love experimenting with my looks and used to do it even when I played cricket." Talking about their album and the presence of Akram in the music video, Fuzon said: "We have known Wasimbhai for almost a year now. He loved the songs and wanted to be part of the album. So, when we were working on the song 'Soona soona' which is a sad love song, we thought of him."
____________ "I am a dreamer,I collect all the smiles from My yesterday,
Neatly pack them into words and hide them in my heart,
I call them "MEMORIES" Music has no boundary.
Music sure does transcend borders and nationalities.
The latest Emraan Hashmi starrer, Awarapan is already famous for the songs, To Phir Ao and Maula Maula by Pakistani rock sensation Mustafa Zahid and Rafaqat Ali Khan, respectively.
We now take a look at our neighbours from Pakistan who captured the heart of the nation with their soulful renditions.
Mustafa Zahid
Claim to Fame: To Phir Aao / Roxen (Pakistani Band) On Indian Shores: To Phir Aao (Awarapan)
Not many know that the Pakistani rock sensation cried while recording the song, To Phir Aao in Mumbai.
Musti (fondly known as Mustafa) formed the band Roxen a few years ago in Pakistan with Jawad Muhammad (Jodi) on rhythm guitars. Soon, Omar Farooq joined them on bass. The name, suggested by Musti's friend Kashaan, has been derived from Roshen-e-Deewar, which means a light inlet in the prison.
Text: Tanveer Bookwala
____________ Music forms a part of me again It gives Shape to my faceless Expressions...To my Thoughts. {Alochana}
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Radio
Another of our Lollywood artist was imported to Bollywood. This time its Rahim Shah. People with great talent are not acknowledged and appreciated in our almost non-existent Lollywood industry hence when given a cross-border oppurtunity jump at it to make sure they grab it. 
The famous singer Annie will be performing at Rawalpindi Arts Council on April 20. According to details the art council had arranged a special program to celebrate "Jashan-e-Baharaan". The program includes a musical show in which famous singers Annie, Sana Noor, Malko, Shahzad Malik and others will perform live. It is pertinent to add that the famous song "Mahia" by Annie had been taken in two Indian Films already.
"That was a very conscious effort, not to make it propagandists, polemic, and ranting against India," Jabbar says before the world premiere of the film. The film gives a human face to the Indian police force and also points to the fact that hundreds of innocent civilians are languishing in jails in both the countries.
The film was shot in January 2007 under harsh conditions in the Pakistan part of the Thar Desert area -- just five kilometres from the country's border with India.�Das was the only Indian in the crew, along with four Americans from New York, and ISI agents watching over all of them.
