Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 6, 2020)

Renuka Shahane has, in a series of tweets, voiced what she’s feeling about the developments in the Sushant Singh Rajput death case. When we reached out to her, the actor says the only people who need to know the truth, more than anyone, are Rajput’s family.

“It’s so sad, the whole conversation is conducted on social media or media... somebody says something, and the entire focus is on that. We’re not giving police space to conduct their investigation the way they want to. Then, there is political pressure. We want to know the truth, but is this the way you keep shifting goalposts, targeting people on the basis of nothing?” she says. What also irked Shahane, 55, was a tweet by Amruta Fadnavis, wife of former Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis, stating Mumbai has “lost humanity”. “What got my goat was people accusing Mumbai of not having a heart. Where’s that coming from? Amruta Fadnavis has a lot of power, not like you and me. If there’s something definite, and you want to come out and accuse, what’s stopping you? But you’re shifting blame to some things nameless and faceless like Mumbai city,” she maintains.

Happy with the decision to hand over probe to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), as she feels it will put several speculations to rest, the actor says, “They should get to the bottom of it. It’s been a long time since his death. If the reason of his death was suicide and if there were abetters, they should be held guilty. If it is a murder, the murderers should be caught.”

Shahane, who was Rajput’s co-contestant in Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, feels the case has become Bihar vs Mumbai now. “Are we getting closer to the truth? No. We’ll take longer because now, two state governments are against each other. For heaven’s sake, one person has tragically passed away, there’s no dignity or what? All you want to do is point fingers. Today, the target is nepo kids, tomorrow, the gangs of Bollywood,” retorts the actor, whose husband, Ashutosh Rana, worked with Rajput in Sonchiriya (2019).

What she also finds “ridiculous” is people trying to pretend to be “closer”. She adds, “Sab apni apni roti sek rahe hain. I can understand if they’ve got problems with the conclusion, par aane toh do.”

Miffed with news channels which are airing dramatic re-enactments of Rajput’s post-mortem using mannequins, Shahane asks, “Can you get lower? Is this the kind of thing that’s going to get you closer to the truth?”

Sujit Mahamulkar (THE TIMES OF INDIA; August 5, 2020)

Mumbai: Aaditya Thackeray on Tuesday refuted all allegations linking him to actor Sushant Singh Rajput’s death, calling it an attempt to malign him and his family by people who “are not being able to digest the success and popularity of the Maharashtra government”. His statement came in response to some claims on social media that a prominent politician was seen entering the building where Sushant lived, and that a party was held at the actor’s flat a day before he died.

Issuing a public statement, Thackeray said, “I have nothing to do with the case, whatsoever.”

I have good relations with several Bollywood personalities and it is not a crime. Sushant’s death is unfortunate and shocking. However, Mumbai police is investigating the case in depth… those who do not trust the law are unnecessarily creating confusion and trying to mislead the probe,” said Thackeray, who is state tourism minister.

The Sena youth leader added, “As a grandson of Hindu hrudaysamrat Balasaheb Thackeray, I wish to say that I will not act in a manner that will harm the image of Maharashtra, Shiv Sena and Thackeray family. People who are levelling false allegations should understand this.” He said whoever has evidence should submit it to Mumbai police probing the matter. Thackeray’s reaction came in the wake of allegations from the opposition that the government was trying to derail the probe.

The Mumbai police chief had also clarified on Monday that no party was held at the actor’s apartment a day before he died and that CCTV footage showed that no prominent politician had visited the building in which the actor lived.

The slanging match over the handling of the probe into Sushant’s death peaked after Bihar police sent a team to Mumbai but was denied access to case papers. A senior IPS officer from Patna was kept in quarantine. The action brought reactions including from former CM Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta who said on Twitter that she was “feeling unsafe in Maharashtra”.

Earlier in the day, Anil Parab, minister for transport, alleged the opposition had hatched a conspiracy to malign Aaditya’s image by linking his name to the Sushant case. Parab said, “These are old tricks… attempts were also made to malign PM Narendra Modi’s image… allegations were levelled against union home minister Amit Shah in the judge BH Loya case. However, finally they came out clean.” 

Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; January 14, 2019)

How do you approach a number as celebrated as Hum Honge Kaamyaab (for I Am Banni) when you need to rehash it?
Yes, the original is a cult song with a tune that can never be forgotten. I was told to retain the lyrics, and perhaps add new ones. The concept of women’s education that the film banks on is an important one. I knew that while the tune had to be appealing, it was also crucial that the song be meaningful and impactful. I got the lyrics right, and made certain that they were inspiring enough for listeners. then, I made the composition. It took two to three versions for me to zero in on one I liked.

Was it your decision to rope in several artistes, including Kanika Kapoor, Amruta Fadnavis, Akriti Kakkar and Shaan, for it?
Initially, I wanted only young female singers for it. Doing so would suit the film’s theme, which is about a girl hoping to continue to study. I had a good lineup of young singers who brought an inherent energy to the song. While the makers liked it, they said we should have an antara with a few male singers so that we could depict a male voice that supports the women. The idea was to say that we [the men] are with you [women]. That’s when Shaan and I took to the mic. The track is modern, and soulful.

Is the process of composing for several renowned singers more demanding?
It is. I had to not only adopt the situation of the song, but also pay attention to the artistes who would be singing it. I had to think of their range. I don’t rope in a singer whose range doesn’t match the requirement of the song. That will just sound wrong. So, apart from planning the composition in detail, I also conducted ample rehearsals to see which part suited which singers. For instance, Kanika [Kapoor] found it hard to sing the high notes of the hook line. So, I gave her the lines with low range. That was also the case with Amruta [Fadnavis] who could render the low keys well. Then we have singers like Pratibha [Baghel] and Priyani Vani, who could sing high notes beautifully. I didn’t want anyone to approach this song in a hindered manner. It’s inspirational, after all, so had to be rendered powerfully. Hence choosing the right singers for the parts was essential.

Did you have any references in mind while penning it?
I had Malala Yousafzai on my mind. Hers is a touching and shocking story. People there [Pakistan] are not as educated [as in other places], and believe in a religion that says women are not allowed to show their face or hands. Music is not allowed and studies are not permitted. [The mindset] is backward. And that will change only when women will be educated.

What do you think are the most promising aspects of the music industry today?
There is immense talent. As reality show judges, when we are exposed to young singers, we see amazing artistes from Pune, Indore, and other cities. Also, now everyone has something to do because the modes of entertainment have increased. They are not stuck, since there is TV, web shows and ads [to work for]. So, all the singers have work. My sister, Sulakshana Pandit, struggled all her life. Now, with more avenues everyone has enough work. Also, people are celebrating new voices.

Is there a drawback?
I find that when they perform in reality shows, and experienced composers like us are told to praise them, we go all out, often telling them they sang a particular song better than the original. The impressionable mind of the singer is affected. They believe they don’t need to learn anymore. Music is something you should learn all your life. that’s missing. They come in without improving their range, like we initially spoke about. Also, times have changed. Everything is led by technology today. the contribution of live musicians added a lot of soul to songs that were recorded earlier. Even if there was a mistake or two in a song, people would still consider it ready. We are deviating from that. Everything is so tight today that there’s no scope for error. Before, an artiste’s music would also be his/her reaction to the song that was being played. now, no one hears the song. There are no nuances or expressions. I took 40 days to make Munni Badnaam; that’s unheard of for me. But, it earned its place.

Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; September 30, 2017)

Sunny Pawar had no dearth of fans, be it at the Oscars this year where host Jimmy Kimmel recreated a scene from The Lion King with him, or back home. The eight-year-old star, who won everyone’s hearts with his act in Lion (2016), has bagged another project. Pawar will star in a two-hour-long film, which has been initiated by the Anti-Corruption and Crime Control Committee. Titled ABC, the film is inspired by the government’s Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign.

Baahubali star Tamannaah Bhatia will also be seen in the drama, directed by Ramkumar Shendge. The movie will revolve around the importance of education for the girl child.

About associating with the film, Bhatia says, “The power vested in being a media figure should be used to inspire others. I am proud to be associated with this cause.”

A source close to the project reveals, “Kiran Bedi and actors Amitabh Bachchan, Chiranjeevi and Suniel Shetty will have special appearances in the film. Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife, Amruta Fadnavis, will contribute to the film’s musical score. The voice of Prime Minister Narendra Modi will also be used in the movie.”

The source adds that after premiering at Cannes Film Festival next year, the film will be made a compulsory watch in all schools across India. “It will be dubbed in 14 languages.”

Besides classical songs, Amruta Fadnavis is open to peppy tracks, but no double-meaning
Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 4, 2017)



After singing a song for Kunal Kohli’s yet-to-be released love story, Phir Se, another for Prakash Jha’s cop drama, Jai Gangaajal, and a third for the Marathi film Sangharsh Yatra, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ wife Amruta has lent her voice to one more track, “Jeevanta Aahe”. This one she recorded for Ananth Narayan Mahadevan’s upcoming Marathi biopic, Doctor Rakhmabai, the first practising woman doctor in colonial India, on Friday.

Speaking to Mirror at the Juhu studio Amruta said, “It’s a unique composition by Rohan-Rohan (music director duo Rohan Gokhale and Rohan Pradhan) and goes back by a 100 years when women were not allowed to be schooled but were married off early. In those times Rakhmabai went to London to study medicine. This classically beautiful but slightly naughty song is about her dreams and emotions. I enjoyed singing it, all of us will be able to identify with it.”

Amruta has been studying classical music since she was six. She has trained under several gurus and the lessons continue, alongside her bank job and tennis lessons. “If I don’t get time to do riyaaz, I practice for at least 10 minutes in the car. When I have time, I can go on for hours,” she admits, adding that she’s sung for a few more Hindi films which should release in a few months. “One of them, for another period film, is a nice classical number.”

Mirror (November 30) had earlier reported that she shot for a music video, “Phir Se”, with Amitabh Bachchan, helmed by Ahmed Khan, which should release this month or the next. Working with the Big B, she describes as an out-of-the-world experience. “He is an iconic superstar but down-to-earth. He made me feel like one of his colleagues,” says Amruta, who maintains she featured in the video because she had sung the song and felt it intensely. “If it is my song, I’d love to act in the video or else I’ll stick to singing.”

Remind her that her glam outfit didn’t go down well with some and she points out that had she not been the CM’s wife, there wouldn’t have been any backlash. “But with an opposition party around, I’d expected some backlash but had not expected it to get personal. I liked the idea and I stand by it,” asserts Amruta, who’s open to doing peppy tracks youngsters can dance to, but no double-meaning lyrics.

Does she get any feedback from her CM husband? “He doesn’t get time to listen to my songs but when he does, I get the correct feedback. He knows exactly what will catch on. He really liked this song.”

Maharashtra CM Devendra Fadnavis' wife Amruta hits out at the politician who made sexist remarks about her short dress on national television
Vinita Chaturvedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 12, 2016)

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; November 30, 2016)

At 9 am on Tuesday, Ahmed Khan and his team assembled at the Opera House in South Mumbai to shoot a music video featuring Amitabh Bachchan and Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s wife, Amruta, who looked svelte and glamorous in a fiery red dress and high heels.

“It’s a beautiful song, titled ‘Phir Se’, which will see Amrutaji seeking admission to a performing arts institute which is headed by Amitji. There is a conversational scene between the two,” informs Ahmed who is directing the video which is produced by Bhushan Kumar.

Mrs Fadnavis has previously given playback for Kunal Kohli’s Phir Se and Prakash Jha’s Jai Gangaajal. This time, she kicks her showbiz stint a notch higher by featuring in the song she has lent her voice to.

Shooting wrapped up late evening. Ahmed admitted that they had to be careful while filming in the auditorium as they were surrounded by expensive antiques.

Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; January 25, 2016)