Bob Biswas, Inspector Rana and Abhi-Ash

I am here in Kolkata for video interviews with Saswata Chatterji (Bob Biswas) and Parambrata Chatterji (Inspector Rana). Both the actors are being celebrated these days because of the phenomenal success of Sujoy Ghosh's 'Kahaani'. I called up Mrs Mohua Chatterji (Saswata's wife) once we landed in Kolkata this morning. I informed Mrs Chatterji that we have arrived and are heading towards Bharat Laxmi Studio to interview Mr Chatterji. Ideally I would have called Saswata directly but the man who has made mobile phone notoriously famous doesn't carry a mobile on himself as he is not keen on keeping a minute by minute account of life.
Once we reached the Bharat Laxmi Studio and as our car was about to halt, I saw a guy with a familiar face sitting on a chair. I meet stars on a daily basis, but here I was star struck on seeing the iconic Bob Biswas. He offered me lemon tea (awesome taste). We spoke for a while about his immense popularity. I showed him the tweets and messages, a testimony to the huge popularity that Bob Biswas has gained on social networking sphere. Terms like 'Nomoshkar' and 'Ek Minute' have gained a mammoth following.

Saswata said that he is confused with this outstanding popularity wave that he is currently enjoying. So, why does Bob Biswas kill? "Well, the way a doctor does operation, Bob Biswas kills for profession. There's nothing more to it." Netizens are saying that a prequel to Kahaani ought to be made based entirely on Bob Biswas. Saswata says, yes there is a curiosity around the personal life of Bob, what he did, ate etc. So, can Saswata Chatterji be a perfect brand ambassador for Mobile Phones and Life Insurance companies?

Later we went to meet Parambrata Chatterji or Inspector Rana of Kahaani. It is difficult to identify him for he was clean shaven while in the film he had a moustache. He comes across as a polished, well educated guy who has a production house, has acted in some successful Bengali films and will be directing his second film by the end of this year. Param spoke about the scene in the film where he develops a fleeting physical proximity to Vidya and its impact on the audience. Param's maternal grandfather is the great Ritwik Ghatak.
A colleague in Bombay called to inform that Mr Amitabh Bachchan and Mrs Jaya Bachchan has sent some sweets and chocolates for me on the auspicious birth of their granddaughter. Thanks Mr Bachchan, Mrs Bachchan and congratulations to Abhi-Ash once again.

I am off to grab a bit more of Kolkata before I fly back to Bombay tonight itself.

Till later.
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Don 2 DVD, Raajneeti Book, Vinod Chopra's Fun Interview

Reliance Home Video has released Don 2 Blu Ray, DVD and VCD. Apparently there is some unseen footage for this home viewing segment with a 40 minute making video and a music video of 'Mujhko Pehchaan Lo'. I saw almost twenty minutes of the making video. Looks interesting. Its fun to watch cars smashing into each other. In fact Shahrukh smashed a car with a video camera into another car. The weather was very cold in Berlin when Shahrukh lifts Priyanka in one of the scenes.

Katrina Kaif, Arjun Rampal and Prakash Jha will launch a book 'Raajneeti The Film And Beyond' at an event in Bombay tomorrow March 29.

I did an extremely fun and invigorating interview with Vidhu Vinod Chopra today. His retrospective of films is starting in PVR cinemas across India tomorrow. He says he owns the term 'Shut Up'. I hope you guys enjoy this one.
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Sporting Raghvan, HT Brunch Conversations With Indian Cinema

It is a refreshing change when a director is keen on knowing the negative feedback than the glowing goodies. Interviewed Sriram Raghvan today. I asked him all the tough questions on Agent Vinod, the long duration, the uneven screenplay, gems like 'Yaadon ki baraat ko disturb karne ke liye sorry', lack of chemistry between Saif-Kareena, the Mukesh gem at a crucial point in the film and the edge of the seat final forty minutes. He quoted Hitchcock and reasoned out why the blood didn't ooze out of Kareena once she was shot. A critic called AV a mobile game so how does Srirarm reacts to it and Raghvan genuinely enjoyed the Travel Agent Vinod joke. I am extremely fond of the amiable guy and definitely looking forward to his next film.

I just had a fun evening at the HT Brunch Conversations With Indian Cinema where Vir Sanghvi talked to Sanjay Gupta, Ekta Kapoor, John Abraham, Kangna Ranaut and Manoj Bajpayi. There was Tigmanshu Dhulia too as the talk veered around gangster films. Tigmanshu seemed to be proud of the gangsters of North India since they actually undertook a killing themselves unlike a Bombay ganglord who gave a supari to a small time killer from Azamgarh for bumping off an adversary.

Sanjay Gupta said that he is taking names in his films. A Dawood Ibrahim is being referred to by his name. Gupta also said that gangsters enjoyed all the adulation that they get from Bollywood. Sanghvi narrated an incident in 70s when gangster Haji Mastaan turned an actor and made comedian Mukri sahab turn a director for a film based on Mastan's life. Mastaan put on a wig at the age of 55 trying to play a 22 year old. The film never got completed.

An Audio Visual was showed to the audience where the real incident of the Encounter of Lokhandwala of 1990s was showed (it was covered live by BBC in a first of its kind exercise). There was a snapshot of Shootout At Wadala as well. Interestingly they used the word 'Bombay' in this Audio Visual. Ekta Kapoor's earlier film was called Once Upon A Time In Mumbai as they feared a backlash from certain political groups. It will be interesting how they deal with this true-speak now.

Sanghvi had a hilarious session with John Abraham as John narrated incidents where female fans put their hands inside his t shirt at crowded events and how his bodyguard tells him not to move as the fans may scratch. John also talked about the expletives uttered by his character Manya Surve in the film. A lady in the audience wanted Manoj Bajpeyi to say something. Manoj told her that he has been in the film industry for the last twenty years and that he doesn't need prompting. Manoj also narrated how he had almost packed his bags before the release of Satya. He remembered how the financiers wanted songs inserted in the film and he was made to do Sapne Mein Milti Hai. On a lighter note Manoj advised John that its anyday better for a 6 year old finding John hot rather than an Aunty saying Manoj Ji.

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Meri Insha, Meri Pyaari Bachchi...A Song For Insha On Her 8th Birthday

'Meri Insha, Meri Pyaari Bachchi' is a song written by my wife Aarefa Faridoon on the 8th birthday of our daughter Insha on March 20, 2012. I have jointly composed the song along with my friend Navneet Kedar. Navneet has also done the music arrangements and recorded the song. I have sung it as well. Hope you like it.

Ek hirni ki tarah kulache bharti hui 

Ek morni ki tarah apne hi rang mein rangti hui
Ek sada ki tarah, dil se nikalti hui
Ek hawa ki tarah khudrat ke saath raqs karti hui
Ek khushi ki tarah dil ki dehleez pe dastak deti hui
Ek hasi ki tarah kisi ke hoton se chalakti hui
Ek nazm ki tarah tarannum ki jheel mein behti hui
Ek ghazal ki tarah tasawwur ke moti piroti hui
Ek subah ki tarah shaffaf shabnam mein nikharti hui
Ek dhoop ki tarah zindagi ki tareeki pe bikharti hui
Ek samandar ki tarah wasih lehron mein lipti hui
Ek junoon ki tarah dil mein walwala bharti hui
Ek sukoon ki tarah khamosh aahat karti hui
Ek tamanna ki tarah dil e aarzoo mein dhadakti hui
Lafzon mein ada karna to mushkil hai
Par kuch aisi hi ho tum
Meri Insha, Meri Pyaari Bachchi

Aishwarya Rai Bachchan At The Loreal Paris Femina Awards

A Video For My Mother Professor Najma Mahmood On Her 70th Birthday

'Meri Ammi' is a song written by my wife Aarefa for my mother Professor Najma Mahmood on her 70th birthday. The song has been composed and sung by me while my friend Savio Vora has done the music arrangements and also played the guitar. My brother in law Tabish Ahsan has edited and directed the video. My elder brother Humayun Shahryar and elder sister Saima Shahryar contributed some priceless pictures for the video as well. Hope you like it.

Sonu Atif In London, Salman To Launch Bittoo Boss Music

Sonu Nigam and Atif Aslam will be performing at the prestigious O2 Arena in London on April 22. Both the singers will be belting out their Bollywood hits along with their respective bands.

Salman Khan will be launching the music of Bittoo Boss at an event in Bombay tomorrow.

Anurag Kashyap, while speaking at FICCI today praised Aamir Khan for his marketing acumen. He also spoke about Ranbir Kapoor and why he signed him on for Bombay Velvet.
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