Five Hours Of Conversations On R D Burman To Be Announced On The 18th Death Anniversary On Jan 4, 2012

Pancham Unmixed, a documentary on R D Burman by Brahmanand Singh has earned a lot of acclaim in India as well as abroad. Singh is now ready with Beyond Pancham Unmixed, five hours of conversations on R D Burman that were not included in the earlier documentary. He is ready to announce about the same on the 18th death anniversary of R D on January 4th. In an interview with me yesterday, Singh said that the five hours of conversations will probe deeper into the personal life of Burman, his failed marriage with Rita Patel. Singh discloses that Patel could have been a good manager for RD since he was not good with handling his personal and professional matters but somehow people close to Burman (with vested interests) may have been responsible in causing a rift between the married couple. 

Singh also disclosed that when Burman went to UK for his open heart surgery, he was all alone. There was no one with him. Somehow he was hinting at how Asha Bhosle had drifted away from RD during his bad times. A close associate of RD called Swapan is considered to be a big reason for the downfall of the maestro and Beyond Pancham Unmixed dissects the same. 

R D Burman, at his peak, was doing 15-20 films in a year. Someone who was so prolific must have had his 'inspirations' which RD did and admitted as well. Beyond Pancham Unmixed talks about that. Singh unconvincingly told me that many of the 'inspired' songs of RD like Chura Liya Hai Tumne or Mahbooba Mahbooba from Sholay were better versions than the original. 

Brahmanand also told me that a big filmmaker has expressed a keen interest in making a feature film on the life and magic of R D Burman. Well, there is enough drama, great talent, a childlike passion for music and many wonderful stories about the great man that will most certainly make for a gripping film. As of now, Beyond Pancham Unmixed must be something to watch out for.