MADHUSHREE- Another Nightingale of the Tinsel Valley

Writer Munish Dhiman in special conversation with the singing star.

Born in the musical family where everyone is a worshiper of music; this Bengali girl has come a long way from Calcutta to South Africa to Holland and finally settled up in Mumbai. She got her first break in the industry with a song in the movie Moksha, but unfortunately couldn’t get appreciation. In fact it would be right to conclude that her career started just after the land mark song kabhi neem neem kabhi shehad shehad of Yuva that bagged her best female singer award for the song and since then there was no looking back.

Tell us about your foray in to music?

I am from a musical family. My father Late. Mr Amarendra Nath Bhattacharya was a singer. He started teaching music to me and my sisters since childhood. We have no brother, so we were aware since childhood that we have to do something. So I started learning singing to make a career in it.

Your father had been guru always?

No. After learning the tactics of singing from him I sidetracked myself from a singing towards Classical Music and started learning at the age of Nine from Dr. Amiyaranjan Banarjee. He taught me classical singing for a long time before I started singing professionally.

It means they are the people behind what you are today?

For this I would give the credit to every one I have come in contact with. Because you learn a lot form everyone. I learnt from them, I even learnt form the students I taught in South Africa and Holland and I am still learning. Because I believe learning is a process that never stops.

And what about the academic gyan in music?

Oh, you’re asking about the qualification. Let me put in the picture that I am a gold medalist in M.A music.

As you said that you’ve born in a musical family. Have you ever wanted to get in to some other line?

I was an athlete till college. But it was my father who told me that I should concentrate towards one thing only. And he clarified me that a dancer or a sportsperson has an age limit whereas a singer is forever. And it was only then that I gave up sports for singing.

Please put some light on your world tour?

World tour…? Smiles. Actually after completing my post graduation twelve years ago I left for South Africa after getting a job there. Stayed there for four years and worked as a singing teacher cum performer. Then I left for Holland and worked for a year there.

People go to foreign to settle there. How come your coming back to India materialized after staying there for quiet a long time?

It was when I was still in Holland. I had a trip to Calcutta and during the trip I met Kumar Sanu who told me that I have a beautiful voice apt for playback singing. And when I returned back I give it a thought and made up my to come back to India and start up a new career.

Was it easy to get a break in the industry?

It was actually not very easy. After struggling for some time I got my first break with the movie Moksha and my first song was mohabbat zindagi hai but I wasn’t able to get any appreciation for it. I sung a few more songs but I was unfortunate for the first few years.

Then…

It was in the year 2004 only when I got recognition and my name came to limelight with the movie Yuva and the song kabhi neem neem kabhi shehad shehad. It not only became a landmark in my career but also took me to a height to explore new horizons in my career. It even bagged me award for the best female singer. And after it things started changing and the journey has been really fruitful.

What changes actually happened, can you elaborate?

A lot of things changed, actually! A.R.Rahman who’s been singers’ delight; I sang songs for him. And singing songs for Saathiya, Rang De Basanti, Swadesh, Paheli, Kisna, Jodhaa Akhbar and Welcome to Sajjanpur all are actually some of my achievements. Even reality shows, Tour with A.R.Rahman and a lot of things came after Yuva only.

Reality show?

I did a reality show ‘Jhoom India’ on channel Sahara One and along with my partner Sachin Tyagi I came out as the winner of the show. And even I am judging in a show named ‘The Performer’ along with Ravinder Jain and Shravan (Nadeenm’s brother)

But what’s your take on reality shows as an individual?

I think a show is a show, it can never be real. But still it has something real in it. As a drama can not be 100 per cent drama in the same way a reality show can never be a 100 per sent real. I can say that in simple words a perfect blend of drama and reality can be called a reality show.

Who has been the greatest support throughout your career?

My father, my mother, my sisters almost everybody in my life had been supportive. And after I got married my husband has always stood by my side as a support.

Do you feel any competition in front of you?

Saying that there’s someone I am competing with would be wrong because actually there’s no competition for me. I believe there’s no singer who’s giving consecutive hits. It’s just that some of my songs get hit and some songs of some other singers are topping the charts. So there’s no competition as such.

Who’s your favorite singer?

I’ve been a great admirer of Lata Ji, Asha Ji, Rafi Ji,Kishore Ji…the list goes on.

Is there any song that you feel like humming all the time?

I like the compositions and the lyrics of almost all of the romantic songs from the 70s, 80s and 60s as well.

Can you choose your favorite song from your list and why?

I like the song Tu bin bataye from the movie ‘Rang De Basanti’. And it’s my favourite because though it is a young generation based song yet the soothing affect and the romantic flavour in it makes it my favourite.

The conversation with her felt more like attending a musical concert. I had to wrap up the chat early as she had to leave for the recording of her new song.

WADALI BROTHERS- Reincarnating the Mesmerizing and Intoxicating Sufi Singing

Music: Soothes when down, reforms mood, a way of expression and can even sometimes stop the world. Inspired from divine powers the ‘Sufiana Qlaam’ is one of the sweetest ways to get nearer to Almighty. There are mysterious powers behind music and it is such a flame that burns and soothes every heart. And Wadali brothers have kept this music flame ablaze.

Glimpse writer Munish Dhiman interacts with the Wadali Brothers who were recently in Chandigarh for the ‘Andaaz-E-Sufiana’ night held at Chandigarh Club and felt the difference between a song and a sufiana qlam… The function witnessed a huge crowd where the duo left the audience awestruck, revitalizing the souls with melodious Sur, taal and Alaaps. And after a quick warming session and ‘drinks’ that fused with the cold night, created a perfect blend to enjoy the maestros’ mysticism and the sufiana qulams.

Termed as one of the versatile singers they are unquestionably a name to reckon with in the Punjabi music industry. Serving the music industry for more than three generations they are raining the fourth generation heir, Lakhwinder Wadali, to take the family name to new heights.

As it’s the ‘Andaaz-E-Sufiana’ night, tell me what’s Sufi music for you?

Sufi means pure, untainted and virgin. Sufi music is soaring and curing. Sufi saints have sung assonances in the praise of God. It raises us to a different level and brings us closer to God.

Sufi is just like Ghee; absolutely pure. In the way as milk is turned into curd, curd into butter and butter milk. Then butter is further purified on fire to take out the purest form of milk which is Ghee. In such a manner Sufism makes a person absolutely pure.

Who do you think are the pillars of Sufi singing?

Baba Fareed, Bulleh Shah, Quaza Gulaam Fareed and Baba Shekh Fareed are just few names to declare as the pillars of sufism.

Singing runs in your genes, right?

Our grandfather Jhanda Ram started singing who was succeeded by our father Thakur Dass. Later I took over the reins and was later on joined by Pyarelal. Now we are training our fourth generation heir, Lakhwinder, to keep up the family name.

But when did you start singing?

I was interested in Pehalwani and did Akhara for many years as I was not at all keen to learn music but my father sahib forcefully using stick and everything that he could made me learn the tactics of music and it’s all just because of him that today I’ve earned this towering height in the world of music. Cheez taan aape sikh jaandi ae ya taan ohnu sikhan da shaunk howe ya darr howe.

And when did Pyarelal join you and what about your other brothers?

We were four brothers. But unfortunately we’re three now. He started singing 5-7 years after I did and the other is a Tabla player.

How has been the journey so far?

Even after a lot of ups and downs in life the journey has been really fruitful. Pyarelal added, “main taan bass aina jaandaan haan, k jab takk bika na tha koi poochhta na tha, toone mujhe khareed kar anmool kar dia.”

You’ve been a part of reality show on MH1 and recently your son had been a part of another. What’s your take o these reality shows?

I feel that reality shows provide a platform to the people who have talent and are ruining their talent just because of the lack of appropriate opportunities.

Pyarelal Wadali adds: I feel that reality shows are a nice concept to explore great talent but I think that the selection of judges is not done nicely people who have nothing to do with music and have no such background are made to sit to judge. This leads to nothing than just a wrong selection of a contestant.

How did you feel after being decorated with the Padamshree Award?

I had never thought that I would receive such a prestigious award. I was, like all, very happy and it had been an overwhelming response, indeed.

How many albums of yours are there in the market?

We’ve almost 10-12 albums in the market

After giving so many years to music why so less albums?

Initially, we didn’t want to ‘sell’ music as we never wanted to commercialise it. But when we received responses from our fans then we started working on our albums that happened just 8-10 years back.

Whom do you think responsible for the increasing vulgarity in the Punjabi music industry?

I would give the blame solely to the viewers/listeners. Nowadays people have started showing predilection towards Akhras (that attracts eyes) than Kannras (that attracts ears). Which in other words mean that people enjoy watching music rather than listening to it.

Sprouting of singers like wild mushrooms is not new-fangled. Do you think it will affect music?

Absolutely. People who have money just plunge into the music industry without knowing anything about music. It sometimes leaves me speechless that how far the taste of music has has gone. And here too I would like to mention the same differentiation the Akhras and Kannras.

And is there any singer from the new singers whom you consider as Sufi singer?

No, there’s no such singer.

How would you describe Lakhwinder Wadali as a singer?

Lakhwinder has a bright future ahead. He has moulded himself well as per the preferences and requirements of today’s audience. He can sing pop well and he can sing sufi music as well.

Do you think he’ll be able to preserve the age old family tradition of the Sufi singers?

Absolutely, he will.

The night was sedating and the verses alleviating. And the tête-à-tête with the duo was without a doubt such an unforgettable experience that left imprints in my memory forever.

MEGHNA NAIDU - Setting Stage Aflame

She’s hot ‘n’ happening. She’s the eye-catcher and the head-turner. She’s the sex-siren and boasts of the tag ‘bold & sexy’. Yes, she’s Meghna Naidu. This hottie was recently in Chandigarh to attend Holi celebrations at Funcity in Panchkula where glimpse writer Munish Dhiman interacts with her.

Born at Vijaywada in Andhra Pradesh and brought up in Mumbai, Meghna neither got fascinated by the glitterati of the tinsel valley nor did she want to pursue a career in acting. Daughter of a tennis coach and a teacher, she was never pressurized by her parents to follow their footsteps and walk the same itinerary. Her interest persuaded her to play lawn tennis and later give coaching to U-12 team in US. Not very studious Meghna gets candid, “It was just for the sake of a tag ‘Graduate’ that I cleared B’Com. My parents never forced me into something. On the contrary, they always supported me in whatever I did. They, like me, believed in the fact that forcing someone always back-fires and that’s why they supported my decisions and were always by my side to push me in fulfilling my wishes.”

Never really interested in pursuing a career in Films, we wonder how she ventured in Bollywood? “I believe it’s just because I was at the right place at the right time. I was accompanying one of my friends to an audition just for giving her company. But as luck would have it, she couldn’t get through and the director Radhika Rao selected me. I was not at all keen for this career option but that’s how Kaliyon ka chaman happened.” With such a smashing hit and the video topping the charts, life for Meghna changed drastically and she got recognition as a hot dancing sensation. She quips, “I was shocked with the response. People called me up to congratulate me and the best part was that my friends whom I had lost contact with called me for the same. I was surprised when one of my friends who had gone on his honeymoon, called me and said that he liked my video.”

Overnight fame brought her to the limelight. Life certainly took a quantum leap forward for her. And for Meghna, it was the turning point of her life. What she never wanted to become, was what she had just entered into. She became a star and centre of the attraction. Wherever she went fans followed. “Everyone loves fan-following; I too enjoy it, really! After all we exist because of them. It is only the audience who decides the future of a star apart from the hard work they put into whatever they do,” rejoices Meghna.

She never went to an acting school but is passionate to join one. With no idol in the film industry, Meghna is quiet impressed by the personas of Amitabh Bachchan and Mithun Chakorborty. She announces, “I am profoundly influenced by their struggle and the way they have attained a place so high in this industry.” Bollywood— where having a godfather means an easy entry into the Industry and where struggle is mandatory and sustaining becomes even tough for those who have no family heirs to pass on the crown, Meghna has proved her potential in such a short span of time. “It’s true that a star’s son will always be treated as a star’s son. But a person with capability, determination and eminence can only stay in this world of drama,” she adds.

With many offers on the cards and new offers knocking every second day, she is very choosy about doing roles in the movies. “I don’t want to do all the movies that are offered to me. I do a movie only when I get convinced by the character. I am pretty choosy in that matter otherwise till date I would have done more than 50 movies till date. Take ‘Hawas’ as an example. I didn’t do it because it was my first movie and I didn’t want to lose the chance. I read the script and mentally prepared myself for the role. Hats off to Karan Razdaan, the director of the film, because I made him wait for almost a year before signing the script,” she laughs.

And about staying in the industry and would she do old granny’s role later she quips, “It all depends on my fate. If my fate is to stay in the industry I would definitely stay. And I wouldn’t mind at all people calling me ‘sexy Meghna aunty’. And even if I leave I would love to be remembered as a nice human being.”

PREITY ZINTA- Dazzling Dimpled Damsel

She's bubbly and effervescent and just a little mordant. An Indian actor who lights up the screen with her 1000 watt, energy and irresistible charm. Shot to fame as the refreshing, cool, wet model in Liril ad and the perk ad along with her dimpled smile which won the hearts of millions. Movies like 'Kya Kehna', 'Dil Se' and 'Soldier' won Preity much accolades and the box-office hits confirmed that she's here to stay. For the moment, though, she takes a break and speaks to Glimpse writer Munish Dhiman about her life and career with much ado.

How did modeling happen?

Well, modeling… umm, it all happened by chance. My friends used to persuade me to try my luck in modeling. Got offers easily and got featured in the 'Liril' and the 'Perk' ad.

Was there an actress in you since childhood?

No, never. In fact I was pursuing criminal psychology after completing graduation with English honours. It was luck only that drove me towards acting and I am here today. I went to pick up a friend's friend who had gone for some audition. It was all the destiny or luck that he couldn't make it through and I was selected for the same. And that's how I eventually made way to Bollywood.

So, where did you hone your acting skills from?

No where. I never went to any acting schools.

Great. Then there might be great influence of your idols upon you.

I am a big fan of Amitabh Bachchan, Dharam ji, Shri Devi and Madhuri Dixit.

Wasn't it difficult to make a place in the industry as a 'Newcomer'?

It was, particularly in the light of the forthright character.

Then…

Somehow I got a role in Mani Ratnam's 'Dil Se'. Later on 'Soldier' with Bobby Deol. That was a commercial movie and that worked too. I got role in 'Sangharsh' which was different. Then came 'Dil Chahta Hai', 'Kal Ho Na Ho', 'Salaam Namaste', 'Jan-E-Mann', Veer Zaara and Salaam Namaste.

Which role of yours do you like the most?

I liked playing the role in Veer-Zaara. Before I got into movies I had heard about Yash Chopra. It was wonderful working with him. He is a great director and indeed a lovely human being.

Who are the actors you feel most comfortable working with?

Actually that's pretty tough to answer. I feel lucky that I have got all the comfort and support with everyone I have worked with. I am an easy person and get along with everyone unless there's something very wrong with somebody.

Do you have some notions about the tinsel town that broke when you entered Bollywood?

I actually realized the difference between real and reel. Smiles.

Now when you're in the profession what's acting to you and is there any role that you want to do?

I think acting is all about being insightful, picking from real life and putting into your character. It's not about the role! Nowadays it's about character. Hthat uis what makes you choose between roles in the movie. I believe it's important that you are convinced about your character. And regarding role, I have seen very less movies but after doing so many of them, I am looking for a chance to work in an action movie with a strong character, of course.

How do you spend you leisure time?

I like to spend my time for myself and don't like fans following me wherever I go. I love to party and do so all the time. Being an extrovert whenever I am free, I switch off my phone and hang out with my friends. Stardom is ok, but I am a very private person and I love my privacy.

What gives you goose-bumps?

I get goose-bumps whenever I see cricket and the ball goes up in the air thinking whether it'll be a six or catch.

Is there any problem that female actors face?

Yea! I think it's very competitive, I mean as a woman if you have to work for 24 hours a day you need to look as fresh as a flower in the morning. And guys can look all scruffy, and they are still macho and cool.

With so many people idolizing you how have you managed to stay so grounded?

Well, I just believe it's a job in the end of the day. I don't want to be an ex-film star who lives in the past, and I've seen a lot of that around. So it's very important you take it as a job, do it as a job and leave it as a job. Smiles.

So do you foresee yourself doing this for a long time?

I don't want to be acting until I have gray hair and I am colouring them and holding my wrinkles. And grandma for me, no never!

Has recession affected you anyhow?

Yes, it has. Not just me but everybody.

Is there something that came as a surprise?

Yea, 'Solider' turned out to be a blockbuster and I got an award for the role.

Are there any plans of diversion from acting to production or direction?

I have already diverted. I am producing 'Cricket'

So, venturing to Cricket was just because of the production only or you had some special interest in the game?

Frankly speaking I never saw Cricket, but I was always interested in sports. I loved to play a lot of sports and today I am happy and proud to be associated with Cricket.

What's the driving force behind you?

Hmmm… I think the will to excel and will to never say die spirit is the only driving force behind me.

And who's been most supportive in the family?

I lost my dad at a very early age. So my brothers and my mother took care of me. All of them have been really supportive in all of my decisions and

Your comments on the recent terror attacks on Mumbai?

The Mumbai terror attacks were the darkest 60 hours in the history of India. But Mumbai, known as the city that never sleeps, boasts of people who know how to fight back. People here are really amazing. Hats off to the courage, will and patience of the people who were trapped but still came out victorious. And I feel deeply helpless when I think about all those who died in the same. But we proved despite all the hardships that ‘We stand United- today, tomorrow, forever’.

With a curved smile that set things straight for her, we bid adieu to the charming lady wishing her success in the forthcoming ventures.