Shit, Michael Jackson is gone!

By Subhash K Jha Bollywood reacts to Michael Jackson’s death Minissha Lamba: “It’s devastating to know Michael Jackson is no more. He revolutionized pop music. It was sad to see someone who gave joy to millions around the world with his songs, go through so much in the last decade of his life. Destiny makes you the King, and then decides to snatch away your happiness. Shilpa Shetty: “I still can’t believe Michael Jackson is gone! When my Dad told me I thought he was joking. I’ve always been a huge fan of Michael. I’m shattered. I had booked tickets to watch his show at 02 in London. They got cancelled and re-scheduled. To call him an icon would be an understatement. I still can’t believe it! Urmila Matondkar: “There have been many many famous entertainers and there will be others. But none like Michael Jackson. He’s truly an inspiration to entertainers in every part of the world. His singing and dancing were beyond any language, culture caste or religion. No wonder he had fans in the biggest metros and remotest villages. Mithun Chakraborty: “He can never go. He will always be with us. He was the greatest ever. The God of dancing. Immortal Subhash Ghai: “Michael Jackson was a symbol of fire, passion and energy. He changed the way civilization looked at popular entertainment. The youth all over including India followed him. Anu Malik: “Michael Jackson the king of pop, the king of music, the king of kings was insulted and humiliated in his lifetime. They called him wacko jacko. They didn’t know, such a legend would never return to our world. The same people want to sing his praises now. MJ was a gentle soul, a remarkable musician, a true rock star. I want to remember him by his music. I am heartbroken by his death. And I’m amused how everyone is tripping over to praise this great soul. Maybe the soul of this great achiever rest in ever-lasting peace. Amrita Rao: “I’m a huge Michael Jackson fan. This news is devastating. He had the best body language ever. In ‘Thriller’ just his expressions and selfconfidence make him look like the most handsome man on earth. The world will miss him. And for many of us, it’s like losing a childhood friend.” Anushka Sharma: “Oh my God! I’m utterly shocked. Michael Jackson’s ‘Black Or White’ was one of the few western pop tunes I was introduced to in my early teens. We’ve lost a musical genius and a splendid performer. His music will live forever. He was undoubtedly a genius. Pritam Chakraborty: “It was so hard to believe! The first news flash this morning had a question mark. Is MJ dead? I hope he wasn’t. But he was. It’s one of the saddest days in world music. May his soul rest in peace. MJ is immortal. His legacy will linger luminously for lifetimes. Tusshar Kapoor: “It’s very depressing to hear about Michael Jackson’s death. I spent my childhood listening to his songs and watching his videos. He was my ultimate pop icon. His death makes me realize the hard uncertainties of life. Dino Morea: “It’s awful. I’ve been glued to CNN since morning. I’ve watched just about every video of his, heard and danced to every song. Heck, I even have scratches of his unreleased tracks! He was truly the legend, just about the greatest performer to date. I used to try to dance like him at every school and college party. I don’t think anyone can match Michael’s steps or stage presence. I don’t think there was any part of the globe that Michael didn’t reach with his music. I was to go for his concert in the UK next month. Aadesh Shrivastav: “His demise has left a void in the music industry that can never be filled. His music and dancing took stardom to another level. He was an incomparable performer. Asin: “Michael Jackson is a legend. I absolutely love his music and dance. His music defined a generation, just like Elvis Presley and the Beatles before him. ‘Heal The World’ is my favourite Michael Jackson track. It left an indelible imprint on my mind. This is is a big loss to all us MJ fans. I already miss him Sammir Dattani: “Shit, Michael Jackson gone! I was supposed to go for his concert which coincided with my sister’s graduation in London. Damn, now I’ll never see get to see the original moonwalker. I’ll just made do with Darsheel in Tare Zameen Par. Amrita Arora: “I’m hugely shocked and saddened. We’ve lost the world’s biggest and most beloved entertainer. Michael is dead. But his music will live forever. Malaika Arora: “I’m in total shock. For me MJ is the greatest, a true legend. The King will live on through his music. Himesh Reshammiya: “He was a legend and an inspiration for everyone in music. I think his popularity was unmatched. I truly pray for his soul to rest in peace.”

3 Idiots

Kareena Kapoor may have a big release round the corner (Kambakkht Ishq) but that hasn't deterred Bollywood's IT girl from finishing off her other pending assignments. Kareena was busy shooting most of last week with Aamir Khan for Rajkumar Hirani's 3 Idiots. The actors finished a major shooting schedule first in the cold climate of Ladakh and then even shot some vital portions in Delhi. What one can't miss noticing in theses images floating on the internet is Bebo's simple, bespectacled look, a complete opposite from her glamorous avatar in Kambakkht Ishq. She is also seen wearing a simple salwar kameez rather than any western outfit which she is more often seen in. As for Aamir, the actor seems to be in a light relaxed mood, sporting a light pink tee with blue jeans. 3 Idiots is based on Chetan Bhagat's much acclaimed novel '5 Point Someone' and also stars Sharman Joshi, R Madhavan, Mona Singh and Boman Irani in lead roles.

Akshay Kumar's message to Kambakht Critics

Akshay Kumar has never been Critics' favourite actor. So this time Khiladi Kumar ahs decided to connect with them as the influence the decision of an average moviegoer. In his latest blog he writes: Now that the mutliplex strike is over, I am a relieved man. The eight weeks between April 9 and June 5, 2009 were one of the darkest phases for the Indian film industry. We needed to address serious issues with the multiplexes; however, we also lost out precious revenue in this period. The movies are back but our worries as the film fraternity are far from over. Have you realised what the scenario will be in the next few months of 2009? Movies, big and small, will be jostling for space at the box office. I don’t know how many of these will get their rightful due because of the mad rush. There is a difference between a buffet and an a-la-carte meal. A buffet is not necessarily the best way to enjoy a meal. Likewise, a rush of movies at the theatres from now on could be like a buffet with the audience not being able to savour their meal. There are also two other issues that I must write about in the context of movies. One is about piracy; we lose on an average at least 35 per cent of our box office revenues to piracy. My sincere plea to movie-watchers in India and overseas is please watch our movies in theatres. Don’t watch pirated DVDs. My second request, please be clear about this — it’s a request, is to the critics. Hello, all critics — would you guys kindly consider bringing out your reviews after the first weekend? Okay, if that is too late, then, bring it out on a Saturday. Give us a clear Thursday / Friday to showcase our movies. What happens is — I have witnessed this personally, so I am saying it with full confidence — if a review is put up on a website or carried in a newspaper or shown on television on a Thursday / many times on the Friday that the movie opens, and if the movie is panned... then it affects the box office really badly. I witnessed a man from Kolkata telling his family to cancel 11 tickets of a recent movie that was panned by a critic on a Thursday. The man was saying, “We have booked tickets in advance. But this critic has panned it. Let us cancel the 11 tickets and go for an Italian meal instead. Why torture ourselves watching a movie that has got a one star rating!” There could be a domino effect once many such tickets are cancelled. Poor box office means less revenue for an industry that has already suffered a strike. I know the critics’ job is to inform a reader / viewer. I know the critics have a loyalty to only the reader / viewer. However, my appeal to critics is — if you can please hold your reviews for a day or two, let our movies breathe. We put in a lot of hard work and sweat into the movies and sometimes they are dismissed one day prior to the world release. If 35 per cent is lost to piracy, then the film industry loses at least 20 per cent revenue because of the reviews. Your pen is very powerful and a critic can make or break a movie. Ideally the industry and critics should work in tandem with each other. I’m hardly saying that the critic shouldn’t do his job. And, he has the freedom of speech — that is every Indian’s fundamental right — so I’m not even trying to tamper with that. My request as a film industry person — an actor first, now also a producer — is, to critics, to be slightly more responsible. Like I said again, this is an appeal. Courtesy: itimes.com

Adnan Sami: I was working with Michael & Janet

By Subhash K Jha First his father, and now fellow-musician Michael Jackson is gone in less than a week..This hasn't been a good time for Adnan Sami. "I was working on an album with Janet and Michael Jackson. I'm producing and composing the album. But now I wonder what happens to it!" wonders Adnan. Describing Michael whom Adnan met a number of times for the album as a childlike genius, Adnan says, "His life was troubled. But his music was his solace. Artistes who suffer always seek an escape route in their art. Ask me, I should know" When Adnan first received a phone call from Michael and the Jackson brothers they discussed Adnan's music in detail. "The Jacksons knew every detail about my songs. They had studied my music in detail. I listened quietly to them talk about my music. These were the same guys whose music I grew up." How did it happen? "Michael's brother Jermaine's wife Halima is from Afghanistan. For some time she lived in Chandigarh. She got acquainted with my music while in India and she took my music to LA and introduced her husband to it. And then Jermaine introduced Michael and Janet to my music." Adnan had three meetings with the the Jacksons in Los Angeles. "It was progressing slowly. They like to work at their own pace. No hurry. The album is like Motown-music-meets-world-music-meets-Indian -music. I've brought the Sarangi and the Tabla-Dholak into their music." It 's Adnan's first English-language album, and being produced by the Jacksons. Adnan is also singing one song in the album. Speaking of the Jacksons Adnan says, "They're very humble people. Always attentive to what I say, always open to innovations and suggestions. They recognized a component in my musical style, and that is this. I really like strong base lines in my songs. What they don't know is, that's something I learnt from the music of the Jacksons." This is the first full-fledged collaboration between an Asian musician and a major American musical icon. "I can't believe I'm actually working with the Jacksons. Without Michael it won't be the same. We've completed four songs…I'm really enjoying this. I realize I enjoy playback singing. But the independent albums are where I'm totally able to express myself."