Showing posts with label Dua Lipa. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Dua Lipa. Show all posts
Abhijeet Bhattacharya reacts to Dua Lipa sampling Woh Ladki Jo: "Kya karenge credit leke?"
8:12 AM
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 4, 2024)
When singer Dua Lipa did a mashup of the Hindi song, Woh Ladki Jo Sab Se Alag Hai (Baadshah, 1999) and her own track Levitating during her Mumbai concert on Saturday, it set the internet abuzz. But along came a rather uncomfortable question: Who should be credited for the song? Actor Shah Rukh Khan, singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya, or composer Anu Malik?
On his part, Bhattacharya feels that the controversy is uncalled for. “Dua was made to understand that this song is Shah Rukh’s. Usne socha hoga jaise woh (singer) hai waise hi Shah Rukh hain. Nobody told her Shah Rukh is a superstar like Sylvester Stallone; he has not sung the song, it’s Abhijeet Bhattacharya. Uski galti nahin hai.”
The singer adds, “When the song started playing at her concert, my phone was flooded with calls. They said, ‘aapka gaana’. Credit lene ki zaroorat nahin hai, kya karenge credit leke ab? The song was not as popular then as it is now, after the mashup by (DJ) Ruchir went viral.”
Bhattacharya says that the song’s “biggest plus point” is that it features Khan. “Meri aur SRK ki koi problem nahin hai. I am sure he, too, is amused with whatever is happening.”
The singer’s son, Jay, however, was unhappy about his father not being given due credit and expressed it on Instagram. On that, Bhattacharya remarks, “He can never imagine that this is not his father’s song. For example, Khai Ke Paan Banaras Wala in Don (1978) is (singer) Kishore Kumar’s song, but (actor) Amitabh Bachchan’s fans will say it’s his song.”
Gifted two pairs of jhumkas to Dua Lipa-Jonita Gandhi
11:13 AM
The singer, who was the opening act at the Grammy winner’s recent India gig, calls her ‘an absolute sweetheart’
Soumya Vajpayee (HINDUSTAN TIMES; December 3, 2024)
Jonita Gandhi is still revelling in the magic of being the opening act for the Dua Lipa Mumbai show over the weekend. Before taking the stage, the singer got to spend some memorable time with the Grammy Award-winning singer. Talking to us exclusively about the experience, Gandhi says, “It was lovely to spend a few minutes with her backstage. I gifted her two pairs of jhumkas. I hope she enjoys the little takeaway from her visit to India. It was refreshing to see how down to earth and humble Dua is. She’s an absolute sweetheart.”
During her performance, Gandhi belted out her chart-topping numbers, besides performing her latest single, Noorie, for the first time. “My set majorly consisted of my original music — the songs that represent me as an artiste. I performed with a beautiful sunset alongside, so honestly, the vibe was immaculate. I was thrilled that Dua’s audience was so receptive to my music and act,” she says.
Besides her striking performance, what also grabbed eyeballs was Gandhi’s outfit for the act, designed by couturier Rahul Mishra: “This was a huge stage for me, so I wanted to wear something opulent and stunning. I’ve been a huge fan of Rahul Mishra’s work for years, and it’s a dream come true to have worn one of his 2023 couture runway pieces for my act.”
Abhijeet Bhattacharya on credit war: "Shah Rukh Khan and I are two tigers who are not bothered by all this"
11:03 AM
After Dua Lipa’s mash-up sparks war of credits, Woh ladki jo singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya asserts songs are remembered for vocalists, not actors; adds that ‘tigers’ like Shah Rukh Khan and him are unfazed by the episode
Upala KBR (MID-DAY; December 3, 2024)
Dua Lipa’s fans in India were in for a surprise when the singer-songwriter performed a mash-up of Levitating and Badshah (1999) track, Woh Ladki Jo Sabse Alag Hai, at her November 30 concert in Mumbai. But what began as Lipa’s nod to Bollywood quickly turned into a war of credits. In an Instagram post, Jay Bhattacharya criticized how it was being projected as a Shah Rukh Khan number with no credit to his singer-father Abhijeet Bhattacharya, who lent his voice to the track. Khan’s fan clubs countered his argument, stating that it was the actor’s stardom that made Lipa perform to it.
When mid-day reached out to Abhijeet, the man at the center of the controversy, he unequivocally stated that singers are the backbone of songs.
“When we hear Lag Jaa Gale, whom do we recall—the actress [Sadhana] or the singer, Lata Mangeshkar? Chingari Koi Bhadke is remembered as a Kishore Kumar song, not a Rajesh Khanna one. Nobody remembers the hero. Why did Dua Lipa choose Woh Ladki Jo among bigger hits of Shah Rukh? Because this was a mash-up that Ruchir Kulkarni had created in 2022, and I had sung it. The song became so viral that I got calls from the US,” asserted the singer.
Abhijeet said he was flooded with calls from people who attended the concert on Saturday. “They all told me, ‘Dada, it’s your song’. It’s the power of the song and the creators behind it—Anu Malik [composer], Javed Akhtar [lyricist] and sung by me,” he emphasised.
Does he think singers are invisibilized in India? It could be true of some, but not him, he said. “Dua Lipa doesn’t know that the hero, lyricist and playback singers are different in India as she sings and composes herself. If today some singers are invisible, it is because the media doesn’t cover all of them. But I’m not in their position. If I announce my shows today, all the front row seats are a sell-out on the first day. If I get 100 offers, I refuse 80.”
As Jay’s post sparked off a credit war, Abhijeet was unfazed by the episode. He said, “Jay’s post was not about getting recognition, but about giving credit and Dua didn’t know to whom she had to give credit. She didn’t say anything. The netizens and media have created the controversy. I didn’t feel hurt or disappointed that I didn’t get credit. SRK, Dua or I don’t want credit for it. Shah Rukh and I are two tigers who are not bothered by all this. The war is going on between the two fan groups. That’s because today, some people are more focused on stars. If Dua Lipa has fans, I have millions of fans too who are fighting for my credit. Obviously, Shah Rukh’s followers are a million times more than mine.”
I love Shah Rukh Khan; was blown away by the Woh Ladki Jo and Levitating mashup-Dua Lipa
8:51 AM
Vinay MR Mishra (BOMBAY TIMES; November 20, 2024)
Global pop sensation Dua Lipa is set to serve up a slice of musical heaven to her Indian fans. The songstress would be performing in India for the second time (she first performed in 2019) as a part of her Asia tour for her album Radical Optimism. As the three-time Grammy winner gets into a conversation with Bombay Times she talks about her return to India. Excerpts followed…
‘Love an excuse to come to India’
With India holding a special place in her heart, Dua’s enthusiasm performing in the country is palpable. Dua says, “I always love an excuse to come to India. It is such a beautiful country, and I have tons of fond memories from visiting. With all my shows, I’m always wanting to create a fun and energetic space to reconnect with so many of my fans that I have not been able to see in so long.”
‘Indian tour is going to be epic’
Talking about the show she mentions, “There is going to be lots of dancing and lots of sweating – it’s going to be epic.”
With just a few days away from the tour, Dua admits she “cannot wait”. “We just officially kicked off the Radical Optimism Tour earlier this month in Singapore, and each show has been an absolute blast. We unfortunately didn’t get to bring the Future Nostalgia Tour to Asia the last time around, so we are making up for a lot of lost time, and it’s been so much fun.”
‘My last Indian trip has always stayed with me’
Dua was last in India for a personal trip last year. She called it “magical” back then in a post. “It was so magical! I met so many incredibly kind and wonderful people on my trip and just left feeling so inspired. Between the delicious food and the beautiful places, it was a trip that has always stayed with me, and as soon as we started planning this tour, I knew India had to be included.”
‘Was blown by Woh Ladki Jo and Levitating’s mashup’
In 2023, a netizen had created a mashup of Dua’s hit number Levitating and a popular Bollywood track Woh Ladki Jo (from the film Badshah), which featured Shah Rukh Khan and Twinkle Khanna. The mashup caught on really quick and started trending online. The New Rules singer, who had also heard the track back then, says, “I was blown away when I first heard the mashup of Woh Ladki Jo and Levitating. It was amazing!”
Revealing who her favourite Bollywood actor is, she says, “I love Shah Rukh Khan!”
‘Grateful for everything the last decade has brought’
2024 is also special as 10 years ago in 2014, Dua was signed by the label she is represented by. “It’s insane to think about,” she says, adding, “I’m so grateful for everything the last decade has brought, and each year is even better than the last. This year I got to fulfill a huge dream of mine to headline the Pyramid Stage at Glastonbury, and next year we’ve got two sold out shows at Wembley Stadium! It’s mad!”
As she reflects on her decade long journey she adds, “I think it’s so important to look back and recognize how far you’ve come. Having that perspective really helps keep everything grounded and centered for me.”
‘Beautiful to hear from fans that my work has influenced their life’
Dua was also recognized as one of the most influential people in the world in 2024. However, she doesn’t look at it as a “responsibility”. “I take it as a huge honor but it’s always a beautiful thing to hear from fans that my work has influenced their life in a positive way,” she signs off.
I know the audience will be coming for Dua Lipa, but I hope to leave a lasting impact-Jonita Gandhi
8:06 AM
Roopa Radhakrishnan (BOMBAY TIMES; October 15, 2024)
Jonita Gandhi is thrilled to be opening for Dua Lipa’s upcoming concert in Mumbai. In a chat with us, she reflects on her journey so far, as she touches upon everything — from fashion to difference between performing in an A R Rahman’s and Anirudh Ravichander’s concert.
ON BEING THE OPENING ACT FOR DUA LIPA’S UPCOMING CONCERT...
I’m excited, nervous... I don’t know how to feel. I have been following Dua Lipa’s music for years; she’s an artiste I look up to. Her growth has been inspiring to watch. Her voice is powerful, and her music is infectious; it brings people together. I know the audience will be coming there for Dua, but I hope to leave a lasting impact with my performance so that the audience ends up seeing me as well.
On the difference between performing with ARR & Anirudh...
I am grateful to perform at the concerts of these two incredible artistes. Rahman sir’s and Anirudh’s music and audience demographics are very different, and as a performer, I get to experiment differently in both their concerts. I take both opportunities seriously, and I adapt and mould my performance style accordingly. But it’s more about the repertoire I’m singing than the artiste I’m accompanying. For instance, if it’s a semi-classical or soft song, I may choose to dress and perform it with more grace.
‘I FELT THAT VIDA KARO WAS SPECIAL WHEN I SANG IT, BUT I HAD NO IDEA HOW MUCH AUDIENCES WOULD LOVE IT’
I feel blessed to have sung Vida Karo. The song is extremely unique; it was appreciated for being a breath of fresh air at a time when no other music like that was releasing. I felt that the song was special when I sang it, but I had no idea how much audiences would love it. I was pleasantly surprised to see the song do so well. Celebrating the success of the Chamkila soundtrack, we had a gathering of singers, and a video of us singing the song went viral. It was a beautiful experience to have such incredible musicians singing along with me.
‘I’VE BEEN ABLE TO USE FASHION TO EXPRESS MYSELF MORE IN THE RECENT YEARS’
I think I do this every day. But an example of how I used styling choices to express themes and culture is in my music video for Love Like That. We intentionally incorporated a mix of Indian and western elements in the styling to reflect the meeting of both worlds in the song. Fashion and style are a big part of everything I do as an artiste. I’ve been able to use it to express myself more in the recent years. There is so much storytelling and depth that we can achieve when we express ourselves through fashion.
ON THE SONG FROM HER DISCOGRAPHY THAT WAS THE HARDEST TO SING...
I think Saajan Aayo Re from OK Jaanu. It is a beautiful and intricate piece with Hindustani classical influences. It was one of my most difficult songs to sing in the studio.
Jonita Gandhi excited to open for Dua Lipa's concert in Mumbai on November 30
8:12 AM
The singer gushes about opening for the international pop star and her own upcoming acting debut
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; August 30, 2024)
Singer Jonita Gandhi is “very excited” about opening for one of her favourite artistes, English singer Dua Lipa, who is set to perform in Mumbai on November 30.
Gandhi, who is eager to showcase her own music before Lipa takes the stage, talks about her love for the pop star. “I love her music,” she gushes, adding, “The Dua Lipa song that had the most impact on me was New Rules (2017); it was the first one I ever heard.”
The 34-year-old, known for hits such as Gilehriyaan (Dangal, 2016), What Jhumka? (Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani, 2023) and Soni Soni (Ishq Vishk Rebound), shares: “Although I haven’t started planning my setlist, I’m definitely going to perform as many of my songs as I can. I have so much in store.”
The anticipation surrounding international artistes visiting India is palpable, with the likes of Lipa, Alan Walker and Bryan Adams performing this year.
Ask if concertgoers abroad are equally excited for Indian artistes, the singer, who has performed in Colombo and the US in the past, responds with a resounding “yes”. Gandhi tells us, “When people live geographically far away from their favourite artistes, it adds to the hype of them being in your city to perform.”
Calling this “an exciting phase” in her singing career, Gandhi also touches on her long anticipated acting debut, which was initially slated for 2021. “There are no films on the horizon yet, but I’m open to exploring acting opportunities in the near future,” she ends.
It was incredible to work with A R Rahman and the team. It was also crazy, like organized chaos-Kylie Minogue
8:13 AM
In the midst of discussing her latest album, Australian pop icon Kylie Minogue reminisces her decade-old Bollywood track Chiggy Wiggy, and returning to India
Sonia Lulla (MID-DAY; December 20, 2021)
Kylie Minogue’s spirited greetings can enliven a seemingly demanding day. The Australian singer is best remembered to Bollywood aficionados as the artiste who grooved with Akshay Kumar to the track, Chiggy Wiggy, over a decade ago in the film, Blue. On international turf, the Grammy Award, Brit Award and ARIA Music Award-winner has been among the most powerful forces of the pop music industry since the ’90s.
Connecting with mid-day over a video conferencing app, Minogue discusses her recent project, Disco: Guest List Edition, in which she imbues renewed vitality into revered tracks of the 2020 original album. Backed by a power-packed ‘Guest List’, Minogue says the varied collaborators were seamlessly integrated into the tracks.
“I have worked with Dua Lipa in the past, so this association was only [par for the course]. I had loved Jessie Ware’s album, What’s Your Pleasure. It was inspired by disco. When I participated in her podcast, we spoke of working together. Olly Alexander and I had sung [at a] Christmas show before, and he joined me on this list. Gloria Gaynor is a beacon of disco. I ended up with four incredible artiste, all of whom belonged to different areas.”
Despite a three-decade-long career in the music industry, Minogue isn’t particularly set in her ways. She allows herself to be influenced by producers, writers, and new-age artistes who are establishing trends and redefining sounds. It is possibly owing to this tendency that she continues to “stay current”. “I have enjoyed trying to stay current, and be aware of the goings-on in the industry. I allow it to rub off on me. Many of these producers and writers share the room with other artistes. I love the new sounds that are [being made] today.”
It is somewhere during these in-person meetings that new ideas are brought to life. And while the lockdown afforded her time to hone new skills, and enjoy the luxury of producing music in her voice, she admits that the excitement of interacting and collaborating with artistes face-to-face was certainly missed. With a sense of normalcy seemingly being restored, she wants to “focus on the T word”. “I want to get back to touring, and perhaps do a show in India. The thought of it gets me so excited, I might cry.”
While the tendency of Indian music-makers to appoint International artistes — Akon (Chammak Challo), Pitbull (Slowly Slowly) — isn’t new, Minogue was inarguably among the first few pop singers to feature in a desi offering. What sparked her interest, we ask. “There are a lot of things that I do on the pretext of having never done them before. Sometimes, I’m too curious for my own good. It was incredible to work with A R Rahman and the team. It was also crazy; like organized chaos. After so long, if I could do another [similar project], I’d love to do so.”
I will not let melody fade out-Amit Trivedi
8:28 AM
The ‘musical genius’ wants to swim against the currents of norms and trends to keep soulful music alive
Nishad Neelambaran (HINDUSTAN TIMES; November 10, 2019)
A singer, composer and record producer, Amit Trivedi, is known for his soulful compositions and has always managed to win hearts with his performances. The music director, who has films such as Dev.D (2009), Udaan (2010), Queen (2014) and Udta Punjab (2016) and Manmarziyaan (2018), to his credit, will be performing at the upcoming OnePlus Music Festival. Though he remained tight-lipped about his views on the current trend of remixes and covers, he speaks about how budding musicians have become social media conscious, how melody is fading away in the music industry, and more. Excerpts:
How do you think has the digital world influenced the music industry?
I would say digitisation has done good, as well as, damaged the industry. The good part is that any talented musician sitting in any corner of the country, can now put up their work for the world to see. It has become that easy. And there are enough opportunities these days. We have seen a lot of examples of people becoming overnight sensations. This is the great advantage of the new era that we are living in now. The bad thing is that there is no filter. The biggest problem according to me, is that there is too much bombardment happening on these digital platforms.
Are you saying we are spoilt for choice today?
When I was a kid, we never had these many options. Whatever limited options radio and TV had to offer, we settled for it. Our choice during those days were to buy cassettes and later, CDs. We had to pick and choose back then. And now, everything is at our fingertips and we can just scroll. And this, after a point, is dangerous. Because we have so many choices, our attention span has reduced to just eight seconds. This is not great news for an artiste or the industry.
Do you think budding artistes are getting a bit too social media conscious nowadays?
Yes, I do think they are. And this is not a good thing at all. I suggest, they should all throw their phones away. I feel, people are getting addicted to their phones and they don’t realise how it affects them.
What do you think is the current state of music in India?
Musically, India is in a good space. The only thing I wish happened is, like we had Gangnam Style from South Korea, Despacito from Spain, the singers have come from different parts of the world and become global icons. But I feel, nothing from India is meeting that global standard. I don’t know what the reason is. But I want that to happen and I will do it one day.
Do you think melody is fading out from songs today?
Yes, I do think it is fading out. I don’t know the reason and I am also searching for it. But I can guarantee you that I won’t let it fade.
How would you say you have evolved as an artiste?
It has been a roller-coaster ride. Evolving is a wonderful process and I have learnt a lot. Till date, I am learning and I still feel like a beginner. Even now, when I go for a film briefing and when a situation is presented to me, I still go blank and eventually, take baby steps and reach there. Musically, I think, I am only getting better by the day. I have evolved as an individual. One big thing is that I am now able to talk during interviews. I am better at handling stress now.
Tell us about your participation in the upcoming OnePlus Music Festival?
The first reason for me to agree was that Katy Perry and Dua Lipa are performing at the event and I am huge fan of both of them. They do some great production during their concerts. Secondly, I was very excited that I was getting to be a part of the same event. We are dealing with different genres at this festival. I am doing my regular one hour set. However, this time we are doing it completely live. We have done tracks before but not this time. I don’t want to reveal the songs but it will be a combination of fan favourites and some of my personal ones, too.
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