'2' bigger than my biggest work in India: Anil Kapoor (Interview)
By Robin Bansal

New Delhi, Aug 23 (IANS) Anil Kapoor is going great guns. After the international acclaim following "Slumdog Millionaire", the evergreen star is making his debut on international television with the final season of American series "24". He describes the action drama as "bigger than the biggest" he has done in India.

"This small screen ('24') was bigger than the big screen that I have done in India. It was bigger than the biggest that ... Read More

Joy of producing a play is unlimited: Vipul Shah (Interview)
By Ruchika Kher

Mumbai, Aug 12 (IANS) Filmmaker Vipul Shah, who has returned to theatre after a gap of 14 years with "Bas Itna Sa Khwab", says the joy of producing a play is unparalleled.

"Films are definitely more challenging for a producer, but the joy of producing a play is unlimited," Shah told IANS in an interview.

"I wish I could involve myself a little bit more in the process but as a producer your role ... Read More

I'm trying to maintain classical music's purity: Debu Chaudhuri (Interview)
By Madhusree Chatterjee

New Delhi, May 28 (IANS) Sitar maestro Pandit Devabrata Chaudhuri says he is striving to keep "pure classical music alive in an age of improvisations" and believes it should be made compulsory in schools in order to create an appreciative body of listeners.

"A section of young artists is trying to make the sitar too modern by introducing new sounds and fusing it with other genres of music. But I am a chip off ... Read More

I was inspired by Lata, moved by Indian peoples' love: Farida Khanum
New Delhi, May 5 (IANS) Ghazal queen Farida Khanum, who mesmerized the audience at an overflowing theatre with a two-hour concert, paid homage to Lata Mangeshkar saying "the Indian nightingale was one of the music legends who had inspired her among several big names".
"I have performed with the doyennes of Indian music and learnt from them. Lata ji was one of them. She was so affectionate," Khanum, who came to perform in India from Pakistan ... Read More

No Indian touch in choreography today: National Award winner Chinni Prakash
By Ruchika Kher

New Delhi, March 25 (IANS) National Award winning choreographer Chinni Prakash laments that he has come to be known only for the use of pelvic thrusts in Bollywood song sequences. He also feels that his lot is not given its due in terms of money and recognition as most people end up copying from Western cultures.

"I would love to direct again and in fact I have some very good scripts in my mind. ... Read More

Lata, Rafi songs to pepper Vivek oberoi starrer play
By Subhash K. Jha

Mumbai, March 23 (IANS) A large number of Lata Mangeshkar and Mohmmad Rafi's evergreen melodies from the 1950s will be used in the Bollywood-inspired play featuring Vivek Oberoi, Isha Sharvani and Gauhar Khan at Kingdom of Dreams in Gurgaon, the capital's suburban town in Haryana.

"The first half will have 11 evergreen melodies. The second-half will have 8-9 songs. We're still looking in on the final songs. There's dispute about some of the ... Read More

Can't write songs for today's 'throw away' culture: Shahryar (Interview)
By Ruchika Kher

New Delhi, March 21 (IANS) He is the man behind the unforgettable lyrics "Dil cheez kya hai" from the 1981 classic "Umrao Jaan". Urdu academician and poet Akhlaq Mohammed Khan 'Shahryar' has stayed away from film music for years and says he can never write for today's songs as they just provide instant gratification.

"The songs that are being made nowadays - I can't write such songs. It's not that I am against those ... Read More

M.F. Husain surrenders Indian passport in Qatar
New Delhi, March 8 (IANS) Iconic artist Maqbool Fida Husain, who has been granted Qatari citizenship, has surrendered his Indian passport to the Indian embassy in Doha, an official said.

The 95-year-old painter met Deepa Wadhwa, India's ambassador to Qatar, Sunday and surrendered his Indian passport, M.R. Qureshi, second secretary at the Indian embassy in Doha, told IANS over the phone.

Indian law prohibits dual citizenship. Once someone accepts citizenship of another country, he has ... Read More

I think Bipasha is coming out with second DVD: John
Kolkata, Feb 8 (IANS) John Abraham is impressed with girlfriend Bipasha Basu's fitness DVD for women and says it's equally good for men and soon she may come out with the second edition of it.

"I... well... feel she is in the prime shape of her life. And though it is meant for women, it is equally good for men. I think she is coming out with a second DVD. I will follow that too," John, ... Read More

Sophie first Indian female artist to get YouTube channel
New Delhi, Jan 29 (IANS) Singer-actress Sophie Chaudhary has reportedly become the first female artist from Indias to have a channel of her own on the video sharing website YouTube.

"I’ve started my own channel on YouTube because it has become a popular way to reach out to the fans. I’m told that I am the first female artist from India to have a channel on YouTube,” Sophie, said in a statement.

"The channel will showcase ... Read More