Showing posts with label Anup Jalota. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Anup Jalota. Show all posts
Dipshikkha Nagppal on her daughter Vidhika working with Anup Jalota: "Life has come full circle"
9:53 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 23, 2026)
Watching her daughter, Vidhika, prepare to share the stage with Anup Jalota is a special, full-circle moment for Dipshikkha Nagppal. The Bhajan Samrat first worked with Dipshikkha’s mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in a Gujarati film, and later shared screen space with Dipshikkha herself. Now, he is set to work with the third generation of her family. Vidhika will play Tana, one of the twin sisters Tana and Riri, in the upcoming play Tansen, which features Jalota in the titular role.
Recalling how Jalota became a part of her family’s life, Dipshikkha says, “I have known Anup ji since I was a school kid. He acted with my mother, Shraddha Panchotia, in the Gujarati film Vali Bharvadan (1986), directed by my father, Ashvini Kumar. He would always tell my mom to let him adopt me because I was very interested in singing. He treats me like his daughter.”
Years later, Dipshikkha worked with Jalota in Token (2022), in which she played his wife. She is now delighted that her daughter will begin her acting journey alongside someone who has been part of their lives for decades.
She adds, “What more could I have wished for my daughter? She is making her debut with Anup ji, who is like a nanu to her, in a play by Paritosh Painter, whom I have also known for years. It feels like working with family in a happy and secure environment, where she will learn a great deal from renowned people in their respective fields.”
She adds, “Vidhika will play Tana, one half of the Tana-Riri twins, who hail from Vadnagar, Gujarat, which is also my mother’s hometown. We still have a haveli there, making this connection particularly special for me.”
Dipshikkha believes theatre will give Vidhika a valuable opportunity to hone her craft and understand the discipline required for live performances. “Theatre is no-nonsense and all about the work. This is a good break for Vidhika because theatre gives you the opportunity to polish your craft and learn. The longing to learn and perform before a live audience is something only a theatre artiste would know. Every day is a new show, without cuts or retakes. Initially, Vidhika was hesitant about getting into acting, but for the past two years, she has been working hard on herself. She has learnt acting and dancing and has also trained in Kathak. Ek maa ke liye isse badi baat kya ho sakti hai ki aapka bachha mehnat kar raha hai. My advice to her is to have the right attitude and dedication. You must love your work, always be willing to learn and keep polishing your craft. Dil se kaam karna, dimaag se nahi.”
Vidhika on her stage debut and managing the nerves of live performance:
Vidhika views the play as an opportunity to put her training into practice and learn from experienced artistes. She says, “I have been working on the different skills required for acting. I realized that I need to put theory into practice, and this opportunity is a blessing because it allows me to apply what I know. I haven’t had the opportunity to rehearse with Anup ji yet, but I am genuinely looking forward to it. I feel honoured to share the stage with someone who has worked with my nani and my mum.”
As she prepares for her stage debut, Vidhika acknowledges the mix of emotions that comes with performing live, along with the expectations that may accompany being an actress’s daughter. She says, “It’s a mix of emotions, including nervousness, excitement and anxiety. The audience’s reaction is not in my control, but my actions and preparation are. I am trying to focus only on those at the moment.”
It’s been traumatic, we are still trying to process it-Talat Aziz
9:25 AM
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; October 5, 2026)
For ghazal singer Talat Aziz, Friday, October 2, was like any other day at home. In the evening, he was watching television in the living room of his Juhu duplex apartment, while his wife Bina was upstairs and their sons were in their rooms. Within minutes, however, the family found itself fighting for survival as a fire rapidly engulfed their home.
“I think there was an electric short circuit. And the funny part is that it was one of the ACs that wasn’t even on at that time,” says Aziz.
What followed was a terrifying 15 minutes that he says he will never forget. “I’ve never seen a fire spread so fast. In 15 minutes, the whole house was engulfed in black smoke and raging flames.”
‘WE COULD BARELY BREATHE’
The family had fire extinguishers, but there was little they could do as the flames spread rapidly. Aziz and his sons were on the ground floor, while his wife Bina was trapped upstairs in the bedroom.
“My sons and I could not even go up the stairs to rescue Bina. She was in the bedroom, locked. But then she managed to escape through the bathroom window. My son who was on the ground floor outside, spotted a ladder that had been kept there because construction work was underway in the building. He took the ladder and put it against the wall. Thankfully, it was exactly the right height. Bina managed to squeeze out of the bathroom window and then they brought her down.”
The family eventually made it out, covered in soot and struggling to breathe. “It was a horrifying fire and all of us had a miraculous escape. My sons were running around. We were all black, with the soot all around.”
The ambulance arrived and the family was rushed to hospital. Doctors found that they had inhaled significant amounts of smoke and carbon monoxide and admitted them to the ICU for observation. “They wanted us to be monitored to check if everything was okay and wanted to keep us for another day. But since we were fine, we asked to be discharged on Saturday afternoon.”
‘WE HAVE LOST STUFF, BUT WE CAME OUT ALIVE’
The living room and dining area have been completely gutted. Glass, furniture, paintings and belongings were destroyed. “The whole apartment is black and burnt down. I haven’t been able to see everything properly. There are some paintings left upstairs, I think, but I don’t know in what state. Everything is just black and burnt down,” he says.
Yet, amid the devastation, Aziz says he is trying to hold on to what matters most. “Yes, it’s been traumatic. We still have to process it all. We have lost stuff in the fire, but the very fact that we came out alive, that’s important. That’s the biggest. Anything could have happened. It was a major fire. I am still trying to recover. We hadn’t slept the whole night for the last two nights.”
‘I AM OVERWHELMED BY ALL THE LOVE’
In the middle of the trauma, however, Aziz says he has been deeply moved by the response from friends, neighbours and well-wishers.
“We have been staying at a hotel and on Monday we will temporarily move into a fully furnished four-bedroom apartment in Santa Cruz that our friend who is in Hong Kong offered us. They have said we can stay there as long as we need to, till the time everything is sorted out.”
The offers of help have come from across the music fraternity. “The goodwill is amazing,” he says. “Sonu (Sonu Nigam) just called me from New Zealand or Australia, wherever he is. He said, ‘Talat ji, my house is yours, you can come and stay.’ Anup Jalota also called to offer help, while several neighbours invited us into their homes. I am touched by all the love. The outpouring of love and concern is unreal. I’ve got millions of messages. I can’t even reply to all of them. We had not told anyone, but the fire department put out the whole story on Saturday. After it was out in the news, people haven’t stopped texting.”
‘THE WHOLE BUILDING WOULD HAVE BEEN GUTTED’
“From today we are starting the process of cleaning and rebuilding. There’s so much to be cleaned first. Debris has to be taken and thrown out. I have asked the building authorities to conduct a fire audit of the entire building.”
He is grateful for the speed with which emergency services responded. “Everyone has come forward to help and I’m really grateful to all of them. Even the authorities were so quick to respond, which I’m really, really grateful for. The fire department, the police, the ambulance — within 15-20 minutes they were there. The whole building would have been gutted if they didn’t arrive on time.”
Artistes have finally moved from being remembered to being rewarded-Sonu Nigam
9:25 AM
Debarati S Sen (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 2, 2026)
In a landmark moment for India’s music industry, ISAMRA distributed Rs. 100 crore in royalties to 26,000 singers and musicians, marking what its leadership calls a long-overdue “correction of history.” We spoke to veteran singers Anup Jalota, Sonu Nigam and Founder, MD of ISAMRA, Sanjay Tandon.
Tandon described the payout as more than a financial milestone, calling it “justice for performers” whose voices have shaped the nation’s musical legacy while remaining excluded from its economic rewards.
He said, “With over 4 lakh tracks played upwards of 4.5 crore times across platforms, the move underscores the growing importance of structured systems, as ISAMRA’s metadata backbone ensures accurate tracking and monetisation across radio, television, digital and public platforms.”
VOICES FINALLY HONOURED
Anup Jalota called the moment “deeply emotional and historic,” adding, “For years, singers gave their voices to immortality, but did not always receive their due. Today, with this distribution, that voice is not just heard, it is honoured. It reinforces that royalties are a right, not a privilege.”
Sonu Nigam echoed the sentiment, saying, “Our decades-long battle pays off. Artistes have finally moved from being remembered to being rewarded. This goes beyond applause. It gives performers a financial identity and dignity, and acknowledges that the voice is not just emotion, it is value.”
A SHIFT ACROSS GENERATIONS
For veteran artistes, many of whom never expected to receive royalties within their lifetime, the payout signals delayed justice, while for younger performers it offers long-term assurance. Jalota noted, “It brings peace to legends and confidence to the young. When an artiste knows their work will continue to earn for them, it brings dignity and security.”
Nigam added, “For years, recognition came in the form of love and applause, but not proportionate reward. This shift changes that narrative. It tells every young artiste that their art will not just be celebrated, it will be protected and valued.”
WHY SYSTEMS MATTER
The scale of music consumption today makes transparency critical. “Today music travels everywhere. Without structure and transparency, it is impossible to track it,” said Jalota, crediting ISAMRA with bringing “discipline and accountability” to an unorganized space.
Nigam emphasized, “Transparency is everything. If you cannot track usage, you cannot value it. Systems like ISAMRA ensure that every play, every performance translates into rightful earnings with clarity and credibility.”
THE ROAD AHEAD
Looking forward, the focus is on expanding awareness, strengthening enforcement and building global integration. Tandon stressed the need to bring more artistes into the royalty framework, ensuring no voice is left behind. Jalota underlined the importance of parity, saying, “We must ensure that Indian artistes receive global respect and parity. As our music travels across borders, our rights must travel with it.”
Nigam added a note of caution in an evolving landscape: “The industry is evolving rapidly with digital platforms and AI. But the core must remain human. Technology should empower artistes, not dilute their rights. We need ethical frameworks that protect the voice behind the music.”
Celebs react to A R Rahman's 'communal bias' remark
3:05 PM
A R Rahman hints at losing work in Bollywood due to bias. Industry veterans reject the claim, praising his talent and success
HINDUSTAN TIMES (January 18, 2026)
Oscar winner A R Rahman is considered one of the best Indian musicians. His work has garnered global acclaim. So when he says he lost out on work in India due to communal bias, people are bound to notice.
In a recent BBC interview, when asked if he faced any prejudice in the Indian industry when he started out in the 1990s, Rahman indicated that he has felt communal undercurrents lately. However, his industry colleagues have rejected Rahman’s doubts. HTC
JAVED AKHTAR, LYRICIST
Javed Akhtar told IANS, “I have never felt this way. I meet people here in Mumbai. They have great respect for him. Rahman is such a big man. Even a small producer is afraid to go to him. But I don’t there is any communal element in this. Why don’t you see him? He will definitely come.”
ANUP JALOTA, MUSICIAN
Singer Anup Jalota has also dismissed Rahman’s remarks that the latter is getting less work because of communal bias against him. “This is absolutely not true,” Jalota said adding that the amount of work that Rahman has done in 5 years is what others do in 25 years. “What more can be said… He has done a lot of work and delivered excellent projects,” said Jalota.
SHAAN, SINGER
Shaan told IANS, “I have been singing for many years and am not getting much work, but I don’t dwell on it. I don’t think there’s any communal angle. In music, what matters is doing good work and making good music, not worrying about such things.”
A R Rahman, Composer
“Maybe I never knew, or it was concealed by God, but I didn’t feel it. In the past eight years, maybe, because the power shift has happened… People who are not creative have the power now to decide things, and this might have been a communal thing also, but not in my face. It comes to me as Chinese whispers that they booked you, but the music company went ahead and hired their five composers. I said, ‘Oh, that’s great, rest for me, I can chill out with my family.”
I am not in touch with Jasleen Matharu. Everything was fake about us inside Bigg Boss house-Anup Jalota
8:09 PM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; July 3, 2024)
Bhajan maestro Anup Jalota recently moved into a sea-facing flat in Shivaji Park. Seated in the living room of his 20th-floor duplex apartment, the Padma Bhushan awardee spoke about new beginnings, his two failed marriages and Gen Z’s connection with spiritual music. Excerpts:
You are an exponent of spiritual and devotional music. Do you think the younger generation has an appetite for it?
I feel that people don’t fully understand the depth of spiritual or devotional music. Having said that, I do find songs like Achyutam Keshavam and Lagi Lagan buzzing on youngsters’ phones. Even in music reality shows, I hear youngsters singing interesting classical songs.
Some musicians feel that film music today lacks soul. What are your views on this?
No, that’s not true. I sang Solah Baras Ki with Lataji in Ek Duje Ke Liye decades ago. Film music was good back then and it’s equally good now. For a film like Dabangg, there needs to be a song like Munni Badnaam, and for a film like Border, you will need a soulful song like Sandese Aate Hai. Our musicians are versatile. For instance, Anu Malik has composed the peppy Aaja Meri Gaadi Main Baith Jaa as well as the soulful Moh Moh Ke Dhaage. I do feel that the quality of our films has gone down over the years, but there is no dearth of soulful music.
In 2018, your link-up rumours with singer Jasleen Matharu in the Bigg Boss 12 house created quite a controversy. Did those rumours affect you professionally?
I am not in touch with Jasleen. Everything was fake about us inside the house, but I enjoyed the publicity. Everyone knows she did it for Bigg Boss and I played along! After the show, we acted in a film as well. The show helped me gain young followers who downloaded my songs. The controversy did not affect my work or career.
On the personal front, you have been married thrice. How do you look back at those relationships and what have been your learnings?
Sonali (Sheth) was my first wife, but we had our personal issues, so the marriage did not last. I’m glad she married Roop Kumar Rathod. My second marriage to Bina (Bhatia) lasted for a year. We failed to understand each other, and we weren’t on the same wavelength. After learning many lessons from my two failed marriages, I finally married Medha (Gujral) and lived a happy married life for 21 years. We have a son, Aryamann, who lives in New York. Unfortunately, Medha had health issues and she passed away in November 2014. I found a great companion in Medha. I learnt how marriage requires hard work and understanding.
Do you feel the need for a companion?
At 70, I don’t feel the need for a companion. I have many friends, and I enjoy hosting them at home. I love to travel and perform across the globe. I love acting as well and people liked me in Pataal Lok. Music and friends complete my life.
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This new home is a refreshing change’
Anup Jalota shares, “My previous apartment building went into redevelopment, and I wanted to find a house in Shivaji Park. I saw this sea-facing duplex and I fell in love with it. The sea view from the balcony is fantastic. My biggest priority was having a music area for my students. At this age, one does not want to move and find a new place, but this is a refreshing change.”
After meeting Pankaj Udhas, aapko shaq hone lagta tha ki koi aadmi itna accha kaise ho sakta hai-Vishal Bhardwaj
8:37 AM
(L-R) Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudeep Banerji, Talat Aziz, Papon, Rekha Bhardwaj and Anup Jalota
Renowned singers who are a part of Pankaj Udhas’s musical dream, the annual two-day concert Khazana Festival in the city, remember the legend and talk about taking his legacy ahead
Debarati S Sen (BOMBAY TIMES; July 26, 2024)
It’s been around five months since Pankaj Udhas’s demise, and while his friends miss him deeply, they are eager to carry forward his musical legacy. The ghazal singer’s initiative, the annual two-day concert Khazana Festival, which helps raise funds for cancer and thalassemia patients, will take place on July 26 and 27 in Mumbai. For the last four months, the team, including Udhas’s daughters Nayaab and Reva, have been gearing up for the 23rd edition of this event.
On Wednesday afternoon, BT got an exclusive preview of the show, as we captured the musicians - Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudeep Banerji, Talat Aziz, Papon, Rekha Bhardwaj, Anup Jalota and Kavita Seth jamming during their rehearsal.
The concert this year is a tribute to our friend: Talat Aziz
Talat reminisced, “Back in 2001, we (Pankaj, Anup Jalota and I) were sitting in his study, and that’s where it all began. There are so many fond memories. We toured and did concerts in India and abroad for years. We would conclude most of our shows together. Pankaj would call Anup and me on stage after his performance, and together, we would sing Ghungroo Toot Gaye. The concert this year is a tribute to our friend.”
We will miss him tremendously on the stage: Anup Jalota
Another founding member, Anup Jalota, also Udhas’s close friend, says that the void Pankaj has left cannot be described. “Khazana without Pankaj Udhas is going to be like a soulless body because his vision and total involvement were unparalleled. We will sing some of his most beautiful ghazals, including Deewaron Se Milkar Rona, Dard Ki Barish Sahi Maddham Zara Aahista Chal, Chitthi Aai Hai, Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera and others,” said Jalota.
Koi aadmi itna accha kaise ho sakta hai: Vishal Bhardwaj
Vishal Bhardwaj says, “I used to be an A&R (artists and repertoire) Manager at a recording company, and Pankaj’s brother Manhar Udhas used to sing there. I would go to his home in the capacity of an A&R Manager. Unko itni zyada tehzeeb thi, itni zyada humanity and humility thi, woh kamaal ki thi. He’d treat me as if I was the owner of the company. He was such a good human being ki aapko shaq hone lagta tha ki koi aadmi itna accha kaise ho sakta hai. But after two or three meetings, I realized he was genuinely like that.”
He adds, “All of us came together got this festival just for one person - Pankaj Udhas. Aisa lag raha hai ki woh ab bhi yahan par hain.”
We are celebrating his music, legacy and dreams: Rekha Bhardwaj
Rekha, who knew Udhas for a very long time, remembers, “Every year, the festival would go on until the wee hours, and once, he went on stage at around 2.45 a.m. He noticed that I had stayed back to just listen to him. He mentioned that and recited one sher, especially for me. That was such an honour, and that’s how he would make people feel special. I will always carry this memory in my heart.”
Pankaj ji had asked me to compose the theme song for Khazana: Sudeep Banerji
Sudeep Banerji, who has been an integral part of the festival for almost a decade, shared, “We were in the 15th year when Pankaj ji asked me to compose the theme song for Khazana. He gave me the entire responsibility, and it was a huge thing for me. I used to compose a lot for him, and not many people know that I also composed Pankaj ji’s last song, which is still unreleased. It was his dream to take the legacy of ghazals forward, and this year will be one of the biggest Khazana festivals ever.”
He began a fantastic legacy that has kept ghazal singing alive all these years: Kavita Seth
“Artiste toh bahut log hotein hain, but Pankaj ji kamaal ke insaan thhe. He began a fantastic legacy that has kept ghazal singing alive all these years. Few artistes are able to achieve this kind of love and devotion," said Kavita Seth.
It’s not even six months that he is gone, and everyone has come together for the festival with so much love: Papon
“We always do a medley in Khazana and last year we paid a tribute to Bhupinder Singh ji. I sat next to Pankaj Ji that evening and sang ‘Ek Akela Iss Shahar Mein’. This year’s medley will be for him and I’ll miss sitting next to him. Its not even six months that he is gone, and everyone has come together for the festival with so much love. This is the first year without him and we all want to take his legacy further ahead.”
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Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; July 26, 2024)
Khazana - a Festival of Ghazals has been celebrating the genre for 23 years. A brainchild of music legends Talat Aziz, Anup Jalota and late Pankaj Udhas, the festival, alongside offering a platform to new talent, also works towards charitable causes such as raising funds for thalassemia and cancer survivors. This year, the theme of the two-day event is to celebrate the legacy of Udhas, who passed away in February.
While the artiste lineup for day one (today) features Aziz, Rekha Bhardwaj and Vishal Bhardwaj, Sudeep Banerji and Ananya Wadkar, day two will see Hariharan, Papon, Anup Jalota and Kavita Seth take the stage.
Aziz says, “This Khazana would be different because one of the main founders (Udhas) is no longer with us. But, as they say, the show must go on. I will perform my popular ghazals, including one of Pankaj’s favourites, Kaise Sukoon Paoon.”
Jalota adds, “Many of Pankaj’s ghazals will be sung by the singers, who have performed at the festival over the last 23 years. I don’t know which song to sing. I will plan when I get on stage. But, I’ll surely sing Chitthi Ayi Hai (Udhas’s ghazal from the 1993 film Naam) as a tribute to Pankaj.”
Banerji says it will be tough for him, “emotionally”. He explains, “Pankaj ji was the pillar and guiding force of the festival. He always treated me like a younger brother and always encouraged and appreciated by work. As he always wanted original compositions to be performed at the event, I would be singing some of my own compositions.”
Catch it live
What: Khazana - A Festival Of Ghazals
When: July 26 and 27
Where: Trident Hotel, Nariman Point
Timing: 7 pm onwards
If you make a hundred songs, at least one will be a hit. That can be profitable for you-Sanjay Tandon
8:59 AM
Jalota and Aziz
As they unravel the process of acquiring royalties, ISAMRA bosses Jalota, Aziz, and Tandon on why artistes should make “as much music as possible” to safeguard their futures
Parth Srivastava (MID-DAY; July 15, 2024)
Established in 2013, the Indian Singers and Musicians Rights Association (ISAMRA) has been spearheading the fight for monetary benefits for musicians in the film industry. Navigating the workings of music labels and associations to ensure that artistes earn their due royalties, the board of directors tells mid-day that they have worked towards tweaking laws that do not favour those who do the leg work.
The organization's CEO, Sanjay Tandon, says that in this day and age, “being aware of your rights” is imperative. “As a collecting body, we collect royalties on behalf of artistes, and subsequently pay them. Only in the recent past have musicians raised questions on these aspects, and our organization is working as the middleman to facilitate this exchange [of money],” he says.
A discussion on royalty becomes important in a world that’s increasingly dependent on artificial intelligence. With voice samples of artistes being fed to software that subsequently generates a new song in the desired voice, we ask Tandon if the rights of musicians are indeed protected.
“As of now, if people are using AI to create content for social media, we aren’t taking any steps. However, if they [are deriving monetary benefits by] uploading it on YouTube or other similar platforms, we are imposing copyright strikes.”
Chairman Anup Jalota, who has leveraged his stature to push for reforms in royalty distribution, has been instrumental in shaping policies that favour fair compensation. “Singers and musicians have always been under the hand of [music] publishers. We ensure that if a member’s song is played, either digitally or on the radio, they are compensated. However, if the song is never played, we cannot pay them,” says Jalota.
In a bid to put money into the hands of musicians, Tandon thus encourages singers to “sing as many songs as possible”. “Make as many compositions as you can. If you make a hundred songs, at least one will be a hit. And that can be profitable for you.”
At a time when reworking old ditties has become the norm in the industry, Jalota says “the original artiste always gets a share of the royalties”. “Even after the artiste’s demise, their children continue to benefit. For example, the royalties of Kishore Kumar are received by his son, Amit Kumar.”
Ghazal maestro Talat Aziz, who has also been associated with ISAMRA, says artistes must “understand the concept of distribution in music”. His efforts have been pivotal in addressing issues faced by musicians, particularly those working to further the classical music scene. “Those who understand the process can be empowered enough to demand fair compensation. This will help establish standardised practices for royalty distribution.”
Music and laws
- While the use of AI for entertainment purposes is not being objected to, ISAMRA is imposing a copyright strike if the voices of their singers are being generated for commercial purposes using AI tools.
- Only when a song becomes a hit, and is subsequently played on multiple occasions does it yield monetary benefits. The board suggests that artistes create as much work as they can to create a financial basket.
- ISAMRA says after the demise of an artiste, his or her children can continue to earn monetary benefits from royalties.
Sanjay Tandon
Talat Aziz, Anup Jalota, Sadhana Sargam, Sivamani remember Pankaj Udhas
8:18 AM
Udhas flanked by Rakesh Chaurasia, Jalota and Aziz. Pic/Satej Shinde
As the Khazana troika that popularized ghazals loses one of its pillars, Talat Aziz and Anup Jalota remember their friend who encouraged young musical talent
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 27, 2024)
Were they artistes first, friends later? Or was it the other way around? It’s hard to tell. But one thing is for certain—their shared love for ghazals brought Pankaj Udhas, Talat Aziz and Anup Jalota together, creating a troika that would give the genre of ghazals its fitting place in the world of music with their initiative, Khazana.
On Monday, as news of Udhas’ demise reached Aziz, it marked the end of an era for a friendship. Talking to mid-day from Lucknow, Aziz refers to his late friend’s ghazal to convey his heartbreak.
“All I can say is, [aaj] ghungroo toot gaye. Pankaj and I started our careers together in 1980. He started off with sharabi numbers and branched out to create simple lyrics that appealed to the common man. A lot of his film songs, like Chitthi Aayi Hai [Naam], appealed to the masses. This song used to be his final number [in every show].”
It was in 2002 that the three singers decided to join forces and create Khazana, an annual ghazal festival that would not only put the spotlight on the genre, but also create a platform for aspiring singers and new talent. What started over an informal conversation between the trio soon took on a life of its own, becoming a popular festival that had its 21st edition last year.
Remembering how Udhas wanted to scout young talent, Jalota says, “We wanted the young gen to be exposed to ghazals and create suitable compositions to make it appealing for them. He would try to bring young talent together, which was his endeavour with Khazana. We will continue bringing out Khazana even now.”
He adds that he will always remember the singer for his kindness. “He was kind-hearted and ready to help individuals. His voice was perfect for playback in films, and his music was soulful.”
The last time Aziz spoke to him was when Udhas was admitted to the Breach Candy Hospital. “[At the time], he said he had a viral bug. I saw some videos of him, and he appeared to have [lost a lot of weight]. That’s when I knew something was wrong. We later learnt of his pancreatic cancer. We couldn’t communicate with him at all because he had withdrawn. We knew then that it was only a matter of time.”
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Sadhana Sargam and Sivamani remember their friend, colleague and co-collaborator
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 27, 2024)
Singer Sadhana Sargam remembers Pankaj Udhas as “a kind-hearted, sophisticated and very good-natured person.” She says, “His voice was beautiful, a gift from God. His contribution to the field of ghazals [is unparalleled], and he had made a special place for himself in this world. Despite the presence of several revered ghazal artistes, he could create an atmosphere that was [unique to him]. He created an era, and that is a commendable thing that few can do.” Shocked by the news of Udhas’ demise, Sargam admits she had no idea he was so unwell.
“His film songs were popular, and some of the songs that I sang with him, including Mohra’s [1994] Na Kajre Ki Dhar Na Motiyon Ke Haar, continue to hold a special place in my heart. Pankaj ji and I sang it together on stage on many occasions thereafter,” she reminisces.
She also collaborated with him on Khazana and co-created the album, Kabhi Aasoon, Kabhi Khushboo. She adds, “Pankaj ji was successful in bringing Urdu to the people by simplifying it for the masses. His poetry was as simple as he was as a person.”
A self-confessed fan of Udhas’ work, Sivamani shares, “Pankaj ji’s demise is a big loss for the industry. He has given so many singers the chance to showcase their skills on this platform, and that is admirable.”
Calling Udhas a great master, the percussionist adds, “He had a unique voice and was capable of pulling off phenomenal concerts. At his concerts, he focused on presenting and furthering his traditional music appropriately and did it in the most beautiful way possible.”
Pankaj Udhas no more, ghazal loses a chart-topper
8:13 AM
Avijit Ghosh (THE TIMES OF INDIA; February 27, 2024)
He completed evenings. In the 1980s and ’90s, ghazals sung by him were mandatory at parties and gatherings. They were like companions helping listeners unwind, enlivening many a ‘spirited’ sunset. Pankaj Udhas, whose audience-friendly renditions and easy on the ear compositions sold millions of cassettes, packed hundreds of concerts and took ghazals to new followers, passed away after “prolonged illness” at a Mumbai hospital on Monday. He was 72.
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Ghazal chart-topper Pankaj Udhas, the voice behind ‘Chitthi Aayee Hai’ and ‘Jeeye Toh Jeeye Kaise’ passed away at a Mumbai hospital on Monday. His daughter, Nayaab, made the announcement on Instagram.
Primarily a singer of non-film ghazals and geets, Pankaj delivered Bollywood’s biggest 1987 chartbuster: ‘Chitthi Aayee Hai’ (lyrics, Anand Bakshi; music, Laxmikant-Pyarelal; film, Naam). The song, which topped Binaca Geetmala’s annual countdown show, touched an emotional chord, especially among NRIs and PIOs.
Some of Udhas’ finest numbers are in the 1981 album, Muqarrar. ‘Tum na maano magar haqeekat hai’ (poet Qabil Ajmeri) and ‘Deewaron se milkar rona achcha lagta hai’ (poet Qaiser-ul-Jafferi). Another popular track from the same album, Sabko maloom hai main sharabi nahi (poet Anwar Farook Habadi) spurred him to do a reprise with Paimana (1983), a collection of ghazals that went down well with tipplers; it had Thodi thodi piya karo (poet S Rakesh) and La pila de saakiya (traditional).
A science graduate from Mumbai’s St Xavier’s College, Pankaj spent his early years in Gujarat. In an interview to the Sunday Guardian in 2018, the singer recalled his father playing the musical instrument ‘dilruba’, and him liking the sound.
Pankaj also remembered being fascinated by the tabla and enrolling for a course but later switching to learning Hindustani vocal from Ghulam Qadir Khan Sahab in Rajkot. “Then I came to Mumbai to learn from my guru, Master Navrang Nagpurkar. He was a very famous singer from the Gwalior Gharana,” he said in the interview.
The 1980s saw two divergent trends in popular music. One was led by the breathless beats of disco, the other by the more reflective ghazal. The peerless pair of Jagjit and Chitra Singh had already initiated a new gene ration of the middle class to the non-film ghazals. A Padma Shri recipient who also worked to eradicate thalassemia, Pankaj was among the young bunch of ghazals singers - Talat Aziz and Anoop Jalota were the other two – who were part of that wave.
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RWITC mourns a horse racing enthusiast
Ghazal singer Pankaj Udhas was a keen racing enthusiast too. A member of the Royal Western India Turf Club (RWITC), Udhas owned a few horses and would visit Mahalaxmi Racecourse. “He would call and ask if his horse has a chance to win,” RWITC-based trainer H J Antia told TOI on Monday.
Antia trained his horses. “And when I would tell him yes, he would specially make time to come to the Mahalaxmi racecourse,” added Antia. The late singer would also visit the stables at the racecourse to check on the horses, he said.
“We lost a very genuine member of the club,” said RWITC chairman Surendra Sanas. “It is also a personal loss for me. He would make it a point to visit the club on Classics race days and almost certainly on Indian Derby Day,” recalled Sanas.
Surgeon Dr Mehli Nazir, who jointly-owned horses with Udhas, said, “We bought our first horse called Aliyana sometime around 2010. And then we owned a couple of more horses together. When Aliyana won in Pune the first time, he was thrilled to lead the winner. It was his first ever win,” said Dr Nazir.
“He found it difficult to devote time to racing after 2018 because he had a busy schedule,” said Adhirajsingh Jodha, who trained a horse called Speed Of Sound owned by Udhas in partnership.— Shailendra Awasthi
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Ghazal maestro, Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas dies after battling prolonged illness; industry peers shocked and devastated
HINDUSTAN TIMES (February 27, 2024)
Inarguably one of the most renowned ghazal voices, Pankaj Udhas has died at the age of 72. His daughter, Nayaab, issued a statement on Instagram on Monday to announce the news: “With a very heavy heart, we are saddened to inform you of the sad demise of Padma Shri Pankaj Udhas on 26th February 2024 due to a prolonged illness.”
Born in Gujarat, Udhas was keen about music from a young age. It was in 1986 that his playback career took off with the cult classic Chitthi Aayi Hai for the film Naam, and there was no looking back after that. Chandi Jaisa Rang Hai Tera (Ek Hi Maqsad, 1988) Jeeye Toh Jeeye Kaise (Saajan, 1991) and more cemented his legendary status. He remained active in films until 2016, when his song Raat Bhar Tanha Raha was featured in Dil Toh Deewana Hai.
He is survived by wife Farida and daughters Nayaab and Reva.
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A symphony of memories
In a 2016 chat with Soumya Vajpayee, Pankaj Udhas spoke about his journey as a ghazal singer and the future of the genre
ON HIS JOURNEY
It’s been interesting, challenging and satisfying. When I started out, the ghazal had just started gaining popularity. Even then, Bollywood music dominated the scene.
ON WHAT MADE HIM POPULAR AMONG THE MASSES
When I started singing, I was influenced by Begum Akhtar and Mehdi Hassan’s styles. But as I grew up, I realized that I shouldn’t keep singing like them. I wanted to create my own space. That’s when I started creating a style of my own. I wanted to reach out to the masses, as the ghazal was always limited to a very small audience. I wanted to make it more accessible. So, I composed the ghazal, Aap jinke kareeb hote hain. Anyone who could speak Hindi could understand it. That clicked, and I realized that I had found the success formula.
ON NOT SINGING FOR BOLLYWOOD ANYMORE
To be honest, I would love to sing for movies, as that’s a very exciting medium. I cannot deny that some of the Hindi film songs that I sang have had a huge impact on my career. They helped me gain popularity. Songs like Chitthi Aayi Hai and Jeeye Toh Jeeye Kaise helped me reach out to audiences across the world. It’s a different story that the style of songs and the approach to music in Bollywood has changed drastically now. Perhaps that’s why we (ghazal singers) are not called in to sing anymore.
ON LATE MEHDI HASSAN AND JAGJIT SINGH’S ROLE
After they arrived on the scene, people started talking about ghazals. There was a curiosity about this kind of music. By the time I started out, which was around 1978-79, Bollywood music was struggling to impress the masses. The audience was looking for an alternative. That’s when the ghazal started to rise. After the ’80s, it became a craze. I am glad to have been around when the ghazal ruled the roost.”
Farewell, ghazal king
SONU NIGAM, SINGER
Pankaj ji was one of the most important parts of my childhood. I will miss him forever. My heart cries.
KAVITA KRISHNAMURTI, SINGER
He was my friend since college and the nicest man I’ve known. He would always smile and talk to everyone; he’d never discriminate. The world has lost not just a singing icon but also one of the sweetest and simplest human beings.
SUKHWINDER SINGH, SINGER
During the video shoot of one of my songs from the album Nasha Hi Nasha Hai, he invited us all for dinner and lunch. He even extended our stay for the next night, just because he wanted to talk to us. The world has lost a great icon and I still can’t process that he is gone.
SALIM ARIF, THEATRE PERSONALITY-DIRECTOR
I was working on a musical show, based on (poet) Mirza Ghalib’s letters, with Pankaj ji. We couldn’t meet the last four months as he was not keeping well. It’s a personal loss.
I look at sir (Pankaj Udhas) as a mentor because when I came into this industry as a model, he was the first person who graciously accepted me in his music video, Chupke Chupke. He is the one man who is more than responsible for my success. I just told him that your voice still sounds so beautiful, it’s amazing.
TALAT AZIZ, SINGER
I can’t believe I have lost my dearest and oldest friend. Pankaj, Anup (Jalota) and I go way back. This is really shocking. I spoke to Nayaab (Udhas’s daughter), too. Rest in peace, my friend.
ANUP JALOTA, SINGER
Mera yaar chala gaya. I am heartbroken. Hum logon ne kitni shaamein saath bitaai, kitni yaadein hain... yakeen nahin ho raha. We started Khazana (annual ghazal festival) together. Now, I would like to take it forward with his daughter Nayaab.
Royalty now a reality: Singers rejoice at landmark feat
8:43 AM
A crucial agreement signed recently has paved the way for artistes to be paid their dues
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; April 25, 2023)
In a glittering event held in Mumbai on Sunday, the Hindi music industry turned up in full force to witness a big feat for artistes. The Indian Music Industry (IMI) and the Indian Singers Rights Association (ISRA) signed an agreement, whereby all registered singers will now be paid royalty by music labels for the songs they have sung.
As per this, 25% of the collections of Phonographic Performance Ltd (PPL) — the governing body responsible for collecting and distributing royalty — will be paid to singers who are part of the ISRA. This also includes posthumous royalty paid to an artiste’s surviving family.
Union minister Piyush Goyal, who played a key role in facilitating the agreement, said on the occasion, “When this amendment was made in 2012, I was an MP of the opposition. But, in June 2019, when I took charge of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, I came to know that nothing had been done in seven years. I felt that this was an injustice to those singers who had served the nation with their talent.”
Welcoming the agreement, singer Udit Narayan tells us, “Jiss din ka humein intezaar tha, woh ab nazdeek lag raha hai. We have struggled for this for so many years now. Chaliye, marne se pehle kam se kam royalty mil raha hai. I am very happy, thanks to ISRA and the ministry.”
For singer Alka Yagnik, this agreement has been no less than a dream. “This is a significant decision. We never really thought it would happen. This debate started in the early 1990s, so this dream has been there with me for 30 years. Pehle singers mein unity nahin thi, iss endeavour ke liye unity badhaai gayi,” she says.
How much royalty will be paid will be decided basis the number of songs of a singer played across radio stations, concerts, shows, etc. Sanjay Tandon, CEO of ISRA, informs that in India, radio stations, OTT and TV stations refuse to pay singers their dues: “Even after the 2012 amendment, where it was clear that radio stations playing a singer’s song will have to pay royalty, they (radio stations) ganged up and decided to not pay. They are people with big pockets, they expect us to take them to court, and we cannot fight them. It is a huge expense... People playing music at concerts and occasions — why do they want to play a singer’s song, but not pay them? This is why we took the initiative.”
Singer Shaan adds that the disagreement between singers and music labels has been a huge obstacle. “What they thought was fair, was not fair for us, and vice versa. A lot of credit goes to Anup Jalota ji (president, ISRA). He put that hand out and welcomed music companies towards us.”
I request the authorities to declare India a Hindu rashtra-Anup Jalota
8:44 AM
Sangeet Natak Akademi Award-winner Jalota on why the title that’s given on the recommendation of musicians, holds more merit
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; February 27, 2023)
Only days ago, veteran musician Anup Jalota received the prestigious Sangeet Natak Akademi Award, from the Indian President, Droupadi Murmu. That his acknowledgement comes from the government of the country makes it a prominent title for Jalota, who calls it “a bigger win than the Padma Shri”.
“I consider it so because this award is given on the recommendation of other musicians. The President is a lover of devotional music, and told me she enjoys listening to my music,” beams Jalota, who won the Padma Shree Award 12 years ago.
Jalota may have spent a lifetime in the Indian music industry, but, unlike in other genres, he says significant changes in “traditional bhajan singing” is not witnessed. “It is not possible, because bhajan singing is restricted by rules. We can change the orchestration, but a bhajan by Tulsidas will still be what it is. It is already written. What we do see, however, is a change in orchestration. The use of guitars, keyboards, synthesizers, and saxophones, are giving this music a new dimension and sound,” he says, pressing on the need to retain the beauty, lyrics and composition of original bhajans.
Unlike popular notion, Jalota says there is no dearth of talent taking interest in this music. The new generation is eager to understand the meaning behind devotional songs, and find good melodies. “Some of the [bhajans] that I have delivered, like Aisi Lagi Lagan, and Achutam Keshavam, are still sung by kids. Pick interesting lyrics, and don’t make the composition so tough that people cannot sing it. If you do that, you will have people interested [in your work].”
Meanwhile, the singer ignited controversy on social media last week when lending his support to the notion of establishing India as a ‘Hindu rashtra’. Asked about the reason behind his belief, he says, “Pakistan is Islamic, because more Muslims stay there. Similarly, America has Christians. If India has Hindus, why shouldn’t we call this a Hindu rashtra? Our culture, like yoga, is practised all across the world. Why can’t [India] get a platform by establishing our cultures? I request [the authorities] to declare India a Hindu rashtra.”
The declaration, he believes, will not hamper the lives of individuals of other religions, many of whom have been his contemporaries in the industry. “Everyone can follow their religion. But there should be one Hindu country.”
Karoge Yaad...peerless Bollywood singer Bhupinder Singh dies at 82
7:58 AM
Avijit Ghosh & Bella Jaisinghani (THE TIMES OF INDIA; July 19, 2022)
Singer-composer Bhupinder Singh, whose moody and melancholic voice gave depth and soul to some of the finest ghazals and nazms in the Hindi films of 1970s and 1980s, passed away in a Mumbai hospital on Monday evening. He was 82.
“He was suffering from colon cancer and diagnosed with Covid just a week ago,” his wife and fellow ghazal singer Mitali Mukherjee (Singh) told PTI.
The Amritsar-born singer’s deep and distinctive renditions were the perfect fit for Gulzar’s sensitive poetry: Dil dhoondta hai phir wohi (Mausam), Ek akela iss sheher mein (Gharaonda), to name just two tracks.
Also a guitarist of repute, Bhupinder was part of RD Burman’s ensemble. He played the instrument in Dum maro dum (Hare Rama Hare Krishna) and Chura liya hai (Yaadon Ki Baraat. )
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Mumbai: Singer-composer Bhupinder Singh, who passed away in a Mumbai hospital on Monday evening, “was a singer with an original, smoky voice”, ghazal singer Anup Jalota said adding, “He was the favorite singer of RD Burman and Gulzar.”
Bhupinder also composed non-filmi ghazals, bhajans and geets. Medieval poet Kabir's 'Moko kahan dhoonde re bande' and 'Aahat si koi aaye' are two of his finest compositions.
Unlike others, R D Burman also gave him lighter tracks to sing, thereby expanding his range. For instance, in Satte Pe Satta, Bhupinder sang two uncharacteristic group fun songs: the title track and the feel-good ‘Zindagi mil ke bitaenge'. His bantering duet with Suresh Wadkar in Masoom, ‘Huzoor is tarah bhi', also highlighted a new side to his singing.
The composer-singer grew up in Delhi and was taken to Bombay by Madan Mohan. A music teacher's son, he had a baptism by fire singing alongside greats -Mohd Rafi, Manna Dey, Talat Mahmood in the pining soldiers’ track, ‘Hoke majboor mujhe' in Chetan Anand's Haqeeqat in 1964. In an interview, Bhupinder once said, he went back to Delhi since Anand was keen to make him a hero, which didn't appeal to him. Interestingly, he acted and sang his first solo in Anand's Aakhri Khat, the Westernised-track, 'Rut jawan jawan'.
Soon critics started praising his control over difficult notes, noticeable in songs such as ‘Beeti na beetai raina' in Parichay (1972). Bhupinder brought a touch of class and classical to Hindi film singing and gradually became the perfect fit for background songs reflecting ache and angst.
Many of his numbers did not climb the charts but they always felt like sincere companions for the lovelorn and the brokenhearted: ‘Karoge yaad to har baat yaad aayegi’ (Bazaar), ‘Kabhi kisi to muqammal jahan nahi milta' (Ahista Ahista), ‘Ahl-e-dil yun hi’ (Dard), ‘Zindagi phoolon ki nahi’ (Grihapravesh), ‘Jaane yeh mujhko kya ho raha hai’ (Ek Bar Phir). He also sang some outstanding duets such as ‘Chand banoo main aur raat bano tum’ (Mangalsutra), ‘Kisi nazar ko tera’ (Aitbaar) and ‘Aawaz di hai aaj ik nazar ne’ (Aitbaar).
Anup Jalota plays Cupid between Jasleen Matharu and Bhopal surgeon
8:42 AM
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; May 17, 2020)
Finally, Jasleen Matharu has put all speculations about her relationship status to rest. The actress was linked with her guru, bhajan samrat Anup Jalota, during and after their participation in Bigg Boss 12, more than a year ago. However, Jasleen has now revealed that she is in a relationship, albeit a virtual one, with a Bhopal-based aesthetic surgeon. Interestingly, this love story has an Anup Jalota angle, too. It was he who introduced the two to each other around a week-and-a-half ago, on a video call.
Jasleen tells us, “Anup ji had told me about this doctor, who separated from his wife last year. But, the matter couldn’t progress owing to the Coronavirus lockdown. However, rather than delaying it further, he introduced us virtually. We talk a lot and get along well.”
Has he spoken to her about her alleged link-up with Anup Jalota? She says, “He has not mentioned it even once. Anyway, we don’t talk about each other’s past. He is yet to get a divorce and so, we are taking one day at a time. I just want to say that it’s my life and I am happy that Anup ji is involved in it.”
On his part, Anup says, “Theirs is a cultured family and I have known them for five-six years. I am hopeful that things will work out between Jasleen and the guy, eventually.” He adds, “I had promised that I would do her kanyadaan and I hope to do it whenever she chooses to marry.”
I have just returned from London & will be in isolation for 48 hours-Anup Jalota
8:17 AM
Anup Jalota, who returned from London yesterday, is under observation in a city hotel for coronavirus symptoms
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; March 18, 2020)
Bhajan maestro Anup Jalota revealed on Tuesday (on Twitter) that he is in awe of the BMC’s (Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation) medical-care system. After he landed in Mumbai from London early on Tuesday, he has been kept in isolation at a city hotel, where he will be observed for Coronavirus symptoms if any, for the next 48 hours.
When BT reached out to him, Jalota said, “I had gone to London for some work and landed in Mumbai yesterday, at 4 am. At the airport, the authorities announced that we’d be checked for coronavirus symptoms and those above 60 will be kept in isolation for 48 hours. I am 66 years old and I cooperated. I am staying at a city hotel, where the doctors are monitoring me. I don’t have any symptoms so far and it could be because I have a good immune system. I practise yoga and meditation and also regularly consume 1500 mg of vitamin C. It has helped me keep away from cough and cold for many years now.”
Praising the entire team of doctors attending to him since Tuesday morning, Jalota added, “The BMC doctors are taking utmost care of every person. I would like to appeal to every passenger who is travelling back from affected countries to cooperate with the BMC team in helping control further spread of the disease.”
After #MeToo movement, thodi tameez aayi hai industry mein-Sukhwinder Singh
7:36 AM
Srishti Dasgupta (BOMBAY TIMES; November 4, 2019)
Carefree, candid and one who shoots from the hip — that’s Sukhwinder Singh for you. Ahead of his concert at Kolkata this week, the Bollywood singer spoke about music reality shows, the #MeToo movement and why he thinks RD Burman is the greatest composer of all times. Excerpts:
What do you have to say about the quality of reality shows?
Reality shows are a very good platform to hone talent. The best show I ever witnessed was the one I worked in as the chief guest. But in the last five years, I have noticed that 80% of the contestants’ growth as a singer coming from reality shows has drastically gone down. I don’t get time to watch reality shows regularly on TV because of my riyaaz, yoga or intense travelling for concerts. I also need to sleep for a minimum of nine hours, and amidst all this, when a friend or an associate asks me to watch some episodes of a particular show, I make it a point to watch them. Ten to 15 years back, reality shows produced better talent.
Why do you think so?
We lead a fast-paced life nowadays, there’s no patience in us. So, the contestants do not devote enough time for riyaaz or to learn the nuances of music. The aggression level has also increased a lot in us. There’s a lot of talent, but they have to be nurtured properly. The rural areas of Bengal too are a treasure trove of raw talent. We just need to find them.
You judged Voice Of India’s second season years back. After that, we have not seen you donning the judge’s hat for any reality show…
Many offers keep coming my way, but shooting till 4 or 5 in the morning is a bit tough for me. Having said that, I don’t mind being a reality show judge. A saint in Chennai once told me, whenever you learn any good thing, you must share it with others. So, I would definitely want to don the judge’s hat and share with everyone my knowledge of music.
Reality show judges openly engage in war of words. Is it part of the script to garner TRPs?
I have always told people, ‘agar aap chahte hai ki tamashe se TRPs bante hai, toh main apko music se TRP banake dikha dunga’. I bet if I get back on the judge’s seat, I will generate TRPs through music, glamour, style and fun. If you want me to get into a war of words with the rest, woh mujhse nahi hoga. Also, I am sure I will be the best looking judge in a reality show (laughs!). Many a times, judges say ‘wah wah’, ‘kya baat hai’ after a contestant’s performance. I wonder why they do so even if the performance is average. I guess, they want to continue their stint in the coming seasons as well, so they want to make the producers happy. But I can never do this.
People from the music industry were also called out during #MeToo controversy. Do you think the movement has created the impact it intended to?
It’s good that unhone awaz uthayi. In our entertainment industry, there are some people who are very cheap. But I cannot ever say that Nana Patekar is cheap. He is one of the best actors in the country. But somewhere this #MeToo campaign did work well. But usko bhi corrupt karne ki koshish ki gayi. When the campaign gained momentum, many said there were other cases too. The common complaint was ladki dikhi nahi ke mooh se laar tapakne laga. But the moment the campaign became a tamasha, it stopped. But some women, who raised their voices, were right. Nobody was saying it openly, but andar se sabko ek satisfaction mila tha ke yeh movement hua, and some people’s true colours came out. I get disturbed when I hear people using abusive language with junior artistes. You can’t do that just because she’s not Alia Bhatt or Deepika Padukone. I think after this #MeToo campaign, woh tameez thodi aayi hai industry mein.
Given a choice, will you ever enter the Big Boss house?
Main tamashe mein nahin jata. They have approached me two-three times, but as I said earlier, if I have to create TRPs, I will do it only through music. I didn’t say no directly, but I gave the makers my reasons for not going.
What do you think about Jasleen Matharu and Anup Jalota’s relationship that blossomed inside the Big Boss house? They initially claimed to share a guru-shishya bond…
Log tamasha karke publicity chahte hai, but what they don’t realise is that they are only tarnishing their own image. They will not gain anything out of this. Woh jaan bujhke badnaam hona chahte hai. For me, I can never tolerate people saying that this man, who has given hits like Chhaiyaan Chhaiyaan, Chak De! or Dard-E-Disco and others, does such things on a reality show. I am not saying Big Boss is bad. It’s a different kind of a show, but I feel I will not fit into the show’s pattern.
It’s believed that the era of melody is over in Bollywood. Do you agree with this?
Woh era aayega wapas. Sukhwinder Singh jumped in and how (laughs!)! Be it romantic songs or peppy numbers, I have done it all. From this year onwards, a new journey of mine will start — the journey of singing romantic songs. When S D Burman, R D Burman, Kishore saab, Mohd Rafi saab, Lataji, Ashaji, Mukesh ji were there, it was the golden era of music. There is no replacement for these legends. Today, you will not find another Kaushiki (Chakraborty) or a (Ustad) Rashid Khan. Melody has become a minor part of music these days, but then why do people love Arijit Singh so much? It’s also because of melody. When people want sukoon, they listen to Arijit.
You spoke about having a huge crush on renowned classical singer, Kaushiki Chakraborty…
I am a big fan of hers. I have a crush on her singing style and am sure everyone in the country loves her singing. Whenever I see her performance, be it on online platforms or on TV, I am amazed to see how can she sing such difficult classical compositions so effortlessly. Her father, Pt Ajoy Chakrabarty, too is one of the finest classical singers in our country. Kaushiki is an extremely down-to-earth person, there’s no iota of arrogance in her and that makes her even more admirable. Ek Kaushiki hai, aur ek hai Pt Jasrajji, dono ke mathe pe kabhi bhi koi shikan nahi hai jab woh gaate hai. They always smile and sing such difficult classical songs.
You have worked with several music directors in Bollywood. Whom are you most comfortable working with?
I have worked with almost all the music composers in the industry. I am comfortable working with everyone. All of them are very passionate about their craft. When they approached me for the song, Kar Har Maidan Fateh of Sanju, which was composed by newcomer Vikram Montrose and written by newcomer Shekhar Astitwa, I instantly loved it and recorded it. The song too turned out so well. When I find lack of experience in a new composer or songwriter, I share my experiences with them. But I do respect their work.
You have sung a lot of songs for SRK. Which actor suits your voice the most?
I have sung more songs for Salman Khan and Ajay Devgn than Shah Rukh Khan. Three to five songs I have recorded for Ranveer Singh and Ranbir Kapoor also. The actors play different characters, and I sing for their characters. In 2007, Shah Rukh was simultaneously shooting for Chak De! India and Om Shanti Om. I had sung two songs for him that year, one for each film. The title track of Chak De! India and Dard-E-Disco. I always go by the director’s brief. Shah Rukh zuban pe zyada aata hai kyun ki he has a lot of appreciation for other artistes and their work. He praises everyone very honestly. If he wants, he will tell the director, ‘Yaar, ek gaana toh Sukhi ka hona chahiye film mein.’
There are a lot of promising singers presently in Bollywood. Who are your favourites? Do you see them as competition?
Competition does work very well. I have been a sportsperson since childhood. Competition works well in sports, but not in music. So, I don’t see anyone as my competition. Arijit Singh is a lot better than many singers; even Shreya Ghoshal and Sunidhi Chauhan are extremely talented and versatile singers. Today, most young and upcoming singers try to copy western artistes like Shakira, Lady Gaga and others. They see their style and stage presentation, but don’t notice their practice and hard work.
Who is your favourite music composer?
R D Burman — he was the best in the world. Agar R D Burman abhi hote toh unke paas kam se kam 20-30 Oscars hota. If he got the technical support that’s available now, he would have fetched us more than 100 awards by this time.
Images: Anup Jalota and Jasleen Matharu are back again, this time in a film
8:25 AM
Believe it or not, this time around the two will be seen together in a film, which will be written and directed by Jasleen’s father, Kesar Matharu
Neha Maheshwri (BOMBAY TIMES; October 16, 2019)
After their stint in Bigg Boss last year, bhajan samrat Anup Jalota is all set to team up again with his student Jasleen Matharu, for a film titled Vo Meri Student Hai. It’s a take on their real life and Jalota will play a singer, while Jasleen will play his student.Talking about it, Jalota says, “Last year, Diwali ke pehle ek dhamaaka kiya tha Bigg Boss mein participate karke. Aur ye film iss Diwali ke pehle ka dhamaaka hai. It will clear a lot of misconceptions in the minds of people about my equation with Jasleen. In the film, she comes to learn music from me and I will be seen asking her to dress up more appropriately, as I am from a traditional music background.”
That’s art imitating life! Jalota agrees, “In real life too, I keep telling her and my other students the same thing. I have no issues with anyone wearing clothes of their choice, but certain situations demand a certain kind of dressing. I, too, wear shorts in real life, but I don’t wear them to my class when I am teaching students. We have to respect the platform.”
During Bigg Boss, Jalota was romantically linked with Jasleen, which the singer clarified repeatedly. He says, “Zero per cent relationship tha, aur na ho sakta hai. We are different people. I can be with a person who is my type, like how my wife Medha was. Jasleen aur mere beech mein kuchh nahi hai and this film will showcase that. I remember, when I stepped out of Bigg Boss, my mother asked me, ‘Who is Jasleen?’ So, not many people were aware of her presence in my life. That goes to show that there was nothing between us. I have even mentioned that Jasleen ka kanyadaan uske papa aur main milke karenge.”
On her part, Jasleen says, “I knew Anup ji from earlier, but the time we spent inside the house will always be precious and important, as we got to know each other better. Till date, people wonder about our relationship and speculations don’t cease. Yeh cheez khatam hi nahi hui hai. After Bigg Boss, I told everyone that I had just played a prank on the show and we have a gurushishya equation, but people didn't believe me. People ask Anup ji, ‘Bhabiji ko nahi lekar aaye?’ and they ask me, ‘Jijaji kaise hain?’ or ‘Aapke pati kaise hain?’ There are many who have a relationship beyond the guru-shishya equation, but hamara bilkul bhi nahi hai. This film is our last hope to clear the air.”
Interestingly, Jalota will also be seen rapping in the film, a break away from his image. He says, “It’s a dream sequence when Jasleen imagines how it would be to perform with me on stage in her style. I will be rapping for the first time. Ab agar log rapping ke liye bulaayenge toh bhajan ke saath woh bhi kar denge (laughs!).”
And guess what? The film has been written and directed by Jasleen’s father, Kesar Matharu. She says, “Post Bigg Boss, even my father didn’t believe me at first and was confused when I told him that it was just a joke. But eventually, I made him understand. We discussed the idea of making a film on our equation and asked my father to write and direct it.”
Prank mujhe bhari pad gaya; I will never marry a man twice my age-Jasleen Matharu
8:29 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; December 9, 2018)
Singer Jasleen Matharu has just been evicted from Bigg Boss. She entered the reality show with bhajan maestro Anup Jalota, giving everyone the impression that they were a couple. But now, she has denied all of it. In an interview with BT, she reveals why she faked a relationship with Anup in the house. Excerpts...How was your experience in the Bigg Boss house?
It was a great journey, but it wasn’t easy being in the house. Some of the inmates were aggressive and so, there were many tough situations to handle.
Are you in a relationship with Anup Jalota? He denied it, soon after he was evicted from the house...
I will tell you what actually happened. My father has known Anup ji even before I was born. I started learning music from him as a child and we share a beautiful guru-shishya relationship. When the Bigg Boss offer came to me, I convinced him to do the show together as a guru-shishya jodi. Just before entering the house, when I was on stage, I thought of playing a prank and announced that we were in a relationship. He did not react to it. I thought he would react, but since he didn’t, we entered the house as a couple and played along.
You thought of playing a prank on national television before taking him into confidence?
Yes, I never thought it would become so serious and people would react in such a manner. I did not bother to clarify because after we entered the house, we needed to discuss many things. But nothing was pre planned. Even the channel did not know that I had planned to play such a prank on Anup ji. But woh prank mujhe bhari pad gaya.
So all those romantic moments in the house were not real?
We were just playing along.
In the house, it was also mentioned that you were in a relationship with playback singer Sukhwinder Singh. Is this true?Sukhwinder is a family friend and Anup ji has misunderstood our equation if he said that we were in a relationship then or now. Sukhwinder has been a friend for the last six years and we will continue to be friends. These are all baseless rumours. In fact, the other day I heard that Honey Singh and I were having an affair, which is again totally false.
Rohit Suchanti and you had issues in the house ...
God bless Rohit. And even Deepak (Thakur). They were extremely rude and crossed their limits when they spoke to me. I feel Sreesanth is a good player and he should win the show.
Did you know that your father was upset with all that was happening inside the house?
Obviously, he would be. He was not aware that Anup ji and I would be entering the house like a couple. I am really scared of his reaction now that I am out of the house.
Are you planning to get married anytime soon? Would you marry a man twice your age?
I don’t want to get married now. I will never marry a man twice my age, he has to be a few years older than me.
It's a prank gone horribly wrong-Bigg Boss contestant Jasleen Matharu on dating Anup Jalota
8:35 AM
Bigg Boss contestant Jasleen Matharu refutes relationship rumours with bhajan king Anup Jalota
Shaheen Parkar (MID-DAY; December 8, 2018)
Jasleen Matharu is the latest contestant to be shown the door in Bigg Boss. Her eviction will be shown in tonight's episode of the Salman Khan-hosted reality show. In her three-month-long stint inside the house, Matharu hit headlines owing to her alleged romance with bhajan maestro Anup Jalota. Her revelation of dating the singer, 65, for the past three years came as a shock to her family as well as viewers.
However, having been eliminated from the controversial show, Matharu now has a different story to offer. "I am 28 and he is 65. I was shocked that it had become a national issue. I Googled all that was written about me; I saw the memes about Anup ji and me," she says.
Point out to her that she had claimed to be involved with him, on national television, and she cuts in, "Our affair is a prank gone horribly wrong. As the show's theme was jodis, I suggested that Anup ji come along; we were a guru-shishya jodi. But when Salman was introducing the housemates in the opening episode, I joked that I know Anup ji for three years and that we are together. Anup ji was taken aback and did not react. Had he reacted then, the matter would have ended there. I continued the joke inside the house, and he played along. But when he realised things were going too far, he was scared."
Their public display of affection — especially when she smothered him with kisses in an episode — did not miss anyone's notice. "I kissed him on the cheek and forehead. There was nothing romantic about it."
Jasleen Matharu shocked me when she said that we have been in a relationship for 3.5 years-Anup Jalota
8:34 AM
Tanvi Trivedi (BOMBAY TIMES; October 30, 2018)
After being evicted from Bigg Boss 12 on Sunday, singer Anup Jalota, who had entered the house with Jasleen Matharu, denied that he was ever in a relationship with her. While the duo entered the reality show claiming to be in a relationship, in an exclusive interview with BT, the Padma Shri awardee said that she is “just his shishya”. He also revealed what happened behind the scenes, and stressed that he does not wish to remarry. Excerpts…
How was your experience with the show Bigg Boss?
It is not a musical show, we all know that. Of course, you will see people shouting and abusing each other, since, I did not do any of that and kept cool and calm, I guess that I was evicted early on. Other inmates in the house felt that I was image conscious, and why wouldn’t I be? I have an image in society and I have earned respect over the years for my work. Megha Dhade, Bigg Boss Marathi winner nominated me for eviction. I am not used to such drama and I can’t handle a Surbhi Rana who applies khoon in her maang. All that is way too dramatic for me. Probably, that was the reason I was voted out.
Now, I will tell the whole story of what actually transpired. A few months ago, Jasleen informed me that she was offered Bigg Boss and that she had to enter the house with someone, as a pair. She requested me to join the show with her. Jasleen is my student and I even know her father well. I am a musician, so I refused to enter the show because I am quite busy with my concerts. But then, her father convinced me, and finally, I agreed to enter the house with her as a guru-shishya jodi. After that, we signed the contract and I was supposed to enter the house on September 15. Jasleen had entered the house before me. That day, I performed to Aisi Laagi Lagan and I announced my entry on the show. But, Jasleen shocked me when she said that we are in a relationship for the last three and a half years, and that we are entering the house as a couple. At that time, I wanted to maintain dignity and grace, so I did not say anything. Also, since we were inside the house I was not aware of how people were reacting to all this. In fact, if you have watched the show, you will know that I have never done anything romantic or objectionable that would suggest I am having an affair with her. I decided to clear this whole thing after I was evicted. When I came out and spoke to Jasleen’s father, he said that he was as shocked with what Jasleen had said on the show about us. In the last three years that I have known her, I have only gone to her house six times and she has come to my place around five times. We never stayed together when we travelled for concerts and we only met at airports. Now, do you call this a relationship? When I came out of the house my mother asked me, ‘Who is this Jasleen?’ Even my family does not know her. How can I be dating her then?
Were you aware that there are talks of Jasleen being in a relationship with Sukhwinder Singh?
I know that they were in a relationship. In the Bigg Boss house, when she said that my partner (referring to me) does not know that I was in a relationship with a very popular celebrity, I had to correct her and say that I was aware of it. I knew that she did many concerts with Sukhwinder and that they were in a relationship for almost a year.
Do you have grudges against Jasleen? Do you think that she benefited from being in the house with you?
Jasleen is a good singer and I had advised her to focus 70 percent on her music and keep the remaining 30 per cent on glamour. But, I think she is keen on acting and singing, so the 70 percent focus is going on being a glamorous person. She must have thought that being in a relationship in the Bigg Boss house would be a hotter topic of discussion than being a guru shishya jodi. So she preferred to announce this to the world. My image has been affected by this a bit, but now I have cleared everything. Of course, my friendship with her and the fact that I am her guru, has benefitted her, but I don’t see anything wrong with it. I have no enmity towards her and I will continue teaching music to her even after she comes out of the house. This is the entire truth and there is no shred of lie in this.
Will you ever marry again? Are you looking for a companion in life?
I will never marry again. I am happy with my friends, family and students. I have a large group of well-wishers and would love to happily enjoy my life being single. But, I don’t see anything wrong in a 65-year-old man marrying a 28-year-old woman. There have been many cases like that before.
Kangana Ranaut, Rajkumar Hirani, Vidhu Vinod Chopra in FTII society
8:02 AM
MUMBAI MIRROR (September 27, 2018)
After the appointment of Anupam Kher as the President of the Film and
Television Institute of India (FTII) Society and Chairman of its
Governing Council in October last year, Ministry of Information and
Broadcasting on Wednesday constituted the FTII Society. Under the
category of ‘Persons of Eminence’, actress Kangana Ranaut, Malayalam singer K J Yesudas, singer Anup Jalota, actors Arvind Swami, Divya Dutta and Satish Kaushik, filmmaker Brijendra Pal Singh and academician Archana Rakesh Singh have been nominated as Members of the FTII Society.
The release also revealed that nominations for two other categories have been done as well.
While filmmakers Rajkumar Hirani and Vidhu Vinod Chopra, veteran actor Danny Denzongpa and cinematographer Mahesh Aney figure under “FTII Alumni”, ‘Experts Representing the Activities of The Central Government’, features Dr N Sarvana, Joint Secretary, Department of Higher Education, Ministry of Human Resources Development, Ravish Kumar, Joint secretary (XP), Ministry of External Affairs and Chaitanya Prasad, ADG, Directorate of Film Festivals have been nominated as Members of FTII Society.
The statement also added that the tenure of the non-official members of the institute, including the President, will be for the block of three years, beginning from March 4, 2017.
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