Showing posts with label Mamta Sharma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mamta Sharma. Show all posts
I still remember how Salman Khan held my hand and spun me during The Chatni Song-Mamta Sharma
9:28 AM
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; July 6, 2026)
When Mamta Sharma first heard that Chatni was returning to the big screen, it took the singer back to one of the happiest phases of her career. She previously performed the number, titled Kaise Bani Kaise Bani — The Chatni Song, alongside Salman Khan in Dabangg 2 (2012). Recreating it for Ajay Devgn’s Dhamaal 4 felt like reliving a cherished memory.
“Very few people get a chance to redo their own track, and that too in another iconic franchise,” said the singer enthusiastically.
The opportunity came unexpectedly. Sharma recalled that she got a call from Raj Chanana, assistant vice-president at T-Series. “Aditya Dev [composer]] had recreated it. The moment I heard the track, it brought back so many memories. I’ve been singing it on stage for so many years that it has become [another] Munni to me,” she smiled.
For Sharma, however, the song is inseparable from Khan and the Dabangg universe. Days after recording the track for Dabangg 2, she shot for it with the superstar — an experience that fulfilled her childhood dream.
“The first posters I put up in my home were of Salman sir and Madhuri [Dixit Nene] ma’am. Then suddenly, in 2010, I was working with him. I still remember how he held my hand and spun me during the song. I was so happy that even during breaks, my hand would remain in that position,” laughed the singer, who has several party numbers and a collaboration with lyricist Nikhat Khan in the pipeline. “Keep your dancing shoes ready,” she teased.
We deserves better facilities at gig venues, say musicians
8:12 AM
Singer KK not getting immediate medical help at the Kolkata gig has raised concerns over the lack of infrastructure at concerts in India
Rishabh Suri (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 4, 2022)
Singer KK’s last live act was at a college event in Kolkata. He had performed at countless such gigs in the past, but how it all went down this time around is something that has got everyone talking about the lack of infrastructure for music performances in India. Many videos that have surfaced on the internet show the late singer sweating profusely on stage, as his team asked for better air conditioning. In addition to that, there were no medical facilities or an ambulance at the venue to tackle an emergency. KK had to walk all the way to his car, surrounded by people.
Singer Armaan Malik tweeted, “Concerts in India need better mgmt, medical & emergency facilities. I’ve seen and been part of far too many shows that don’t serve the right conditions for us to perform in. But yet, being the artists we are, we continue with performing coz we don’t wanna disappoint our fans (sic).”
Singer Shibani Kashyap told NDTV that KK’s concert was a “huge eye-opener”. She said, “There should always be medical aid and ambulance on standby.”
Composer Ehsaan Noorani of the Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy trio says, “Unfortunately, we don’t see ambulances on standby at concerts in India. All the concerts held abroad are insured. This (safety) is something we need to start thinking about. I remember we were once performing at a show and there was ruckus outside with people trying to get in, and a kid fell over a fence. Sometimes, it’s also up to the audience to behave in a particular way.”
LACK OF FACILITIES
Another challenge that singers face during indoor gigs is when the air conditioning is not up to the mark. “Live performances are physically challenging. And it’s summer time, too. The temperature on stage is always higher due to the equipment, lights and LED screens,” says singer Amit Mishra.
What is surprising is that when performing abroad or when international artistes perform in India, it’s a different picture altogether. “Forget the performer, even audience members can black out. Concerts abroad have a team to pull out such people and give them oxygen and CPR. When a foreign band comes to perform in India, that’s always stipulated.”
Security can be better
Singer Mamta Sharma says security arrangements for performers is also a key area of concern at venues. “We, as artistes, are entirely focused on our show, even if we feel uneasy. Organisers should have better security facilities around the stage, especially near the entry and exit points. Fans get too close to us for selfies, and any mishap can happen,” she rues.
Women are no longer singing solo dance numbers-Mamta Sharma
8:09 AM
Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; March 6, 2021)
Singer Mamta Sharma had made a name for herself in the Indian music industry with hit dance tracks such as Munni Badnaam Hui (Dabangg; 2010), Tinku Jiya (Yamla Pagla Deewana; 2011), Anarkali Disco Chali (Housefull 2; 2012) and Fevicol Se (Dabangg 2; 2013), among several other. But lately, Sharma has started to focus on different genres other than just dance tracks.
“I want to sing more soulful songs which I have been doing for a couple of years now. This year, I want to experiment with a lot more genres and am hoping to make 2021 filled with music. This year started well as I performed on December 31 night in Goa, for the first time in eight months. So, I want to keep the momentum going,” she says.
While Sharma is thankful for the opportunities she got in her career in the form of dance tracks, she feels that even though the genre is thriving today, less and less female led tracks are getting released nowadays. “The genre hasn’t gone anywhere but instead of female-led dance numbers, there are more and more male vocals led dance numbers. I don’t think the genre is getting neglected but women are not singing solo tracks anymore in this genre,” says the Tooh (Gori Tere Pyaar Mein; 2013) singer.
Sharma has been focusing a lot on her independent music and last year was indeed a good time for that she says.
“I released two songs which were very well received. It is a great time for indie music and indie artistes now,” she says adding that digital platforms have aided to that growth in a big way.
“Of course, these platforms are quote democratic at least, as of now, because that’s the only place where an artiste can truly showcase their talent in the way that they really want to. Number games on streaming platforms have nothing to do with quality of music. It is up to the artiste’s capability of producing the music,” says Sharma.
A lot of my time goes in searching and deciding what to watch on OTT-Mamta Sharma
8:10 AM
Nikita Deb (HINDUSTAN TIMES; June 6, 2020)
Coronavirus pandemic and the subsequent lockdown in India led to the stalling of all things Bollywood in our country. But the one industry within Bollywood that continued functioning through it all was the indie music industry. Several singles were released on online streaming platforms through the course of this lockdown. And now, singer Mamta Sharma has also released a new single called Yaariyan. After the success of Yaara and Yaara 2, this will be the third song of this trilogy.
Sharma says, “It’s the kind of song that you instantly fall in love with. This is my second collaboration with the actor Zain Imam and I’m happy with the way it turned out. The song aims to cheer up people’s moods during this tough time and heal each other’s hearts.”
The song, which released on June 1, has already garnered over 5 million views on YouTube, and Sharma says that this is her way of returning the love that she got for both the Yaara songs.
The lockdown has been tough on a lot of us and Sharma says she has also been trying new ways to cope with it. “Since the lockdown has kept us within our home, a day seems longer than usual. Sometimes, it gets frustrating. One good thing that happened is that I have started practising the piano, which was long pending. I am also doing my vocal practice. Besides singing, the thing I love the most is cooking,” she says.
Sharma has also been doing some free hand exercises to keep herself fit. “But it’s not working since I am big foodie and I’ve been eating uncontrollably (laughs). I have come across almost all OTT channels and a lot of my time goes in searching and deciding what to watch. Even after doing so many things, the day still doesn’t get over. I just hope that a vaccine is discovered soon, and life gets back to normal,” concludes Sharma.
Vivek Oberoi, Salim-Sulaiman, Vishal Dadlani, Shaan etc to perform for CPAA’s free online musical concert on June 7
5:37 PM
Eminent singers like Salim-Sulaiman, Vishal Dadlani, Shaan, Kunal Ganjawala, Benny Dayal, Shadab Faridi, Neha Bhasin, Jonita Gandhi, Shilpa Rao, Aditi Singh, Bhoomi Trivedi, Anusha Mani, Mamta Sharma, Rasika Sekhar, Akriti Kakar etc and actors like Vivek Oberoi are all set to perform at a free-online concert named “Yes To Life… No To Tobacco”. It will be held on June 7 from 8 pm onwards, to create awareness and support cancer patients battling in the wake of COVID-19 on the occasion of World No Tobacco Week organized by Cancer Patients Aid Association (CPAA) & World Health Organisation (WHO). The concert will be free for all to watch on TIKTOK India’s official handle.
The proceedings received from the concert will be used for underprivileged patients who travelled to Mumbai for their cancer treatment but got stranded due to the Coronavirus lockdown. CPAA has been providing them with monthly ration supplies, guiding them with the shelter facilities along with hygiene kits consisting of masks, sanitizers among others.
The concert will be free for all to watch on TikTok India’s official handle and guarantees 150 minutes of non-stop fun and entertainment.
Anita Peter, executive director of CPAA, says, “World No Tobacco Day 2020 will seek to educate policy-makers and the general public with regard to the tobacco industry’s harmful tactics and to alert smokers and potential smokers on the most important preventable cause of death and disease in youngsters. CPAA is proud to be working in the field of cancer for the last 50 years whereby we have helped more than 3000 oral & Lung cancer patients annually. During this pandemic, tobacco users have high risk of Coronavirus as smoking weakens their lungs.”
Cancer Patients Aid Association is a registered, charitable organization working towards Total Management of Cancer Patients and Awareness to Rehabilitation, since the last 51 years. CPAA assists poor patients by giving them free medical aid, food supplements, prosthesis, transport services besides counseling the patients, offering rehabilitation facilities and tobacco control being one of the major activity of the organization. CPAA have been commemorating World No Tobacco initiative since 2003 with the support of WHO for better awareness on health impact of tobacco control and reinforcement of effective laws.
Sunny Leone gets a new voice - Mamta Sharma - with Choli Blockbuster song
7:53 AM
Mamta Sharma sings rustic-flavoured item number for Meet Bros, edging out their favourites Kanika Kapoor and Neha Kakkar
Bryan Durham (DNA; October 3, 2016)
Sunny Leone’s song in Dongri Ka Raja called Choli
Blockbuster, by the Meet Bros will be a special promotional item song.
The brothers say that they had done away with the conventional idea of
an item number. Says Manmeet, “Baby Doll changed the way actors and
audiences looked at songs of this genre. It became accessible to
listeners of all ages and of either gender.” Harmeet agrees, “The lyrics
of our songs are such that it’s clean enough for kids and girls as well
to sing along.”
Return of Mamta
But with Choli Blockbuster, they will return to the roots of the genre — the massy item number that once was the sole domain of singer Mamta Sharma. It sees them reunite with (now off-on collaborator) Anjjan Bhattacharya after over a year and with Mamta as well. The brothers last worked with her in the Zanjeer remake’s Pinky in 2013. Since then, they have been working continuously with the likes of Kanika Kapoor and Neha Kakkar.
Massy appeal
“DKR is based in Mumbai’s underworld and hence, the song demanded a massy feel, something that might appeal to the frontbenchers and those who enjoy rustic-flavoured songs. And Mamta’s just perfect for this kind of song,” shares Manmeet.
Putting team together
“Ganesh Acharya was our go-to guy for choreography and Sunny was the obvious choice for this track. Sunny and us have never done such a song together. This will also be the first time Mamta has sung for Sunny,” adds Harmeet.
Manmeet chips in, “It’s a very cute party track with peppy beats, but our approach is very Indian. We last worked with Sunny for One Night Stand earlier and she was our first choice for this track. We feel nobody else can do justice to this track.” Shot at a studio near Film City late last week, the track will be launched on October 15.
We used to be shy but Salman bhai has made us so free - Sajid-Wajid
7:57 AM
Sajid-Wajid, one of Bollywood’s most prolific composer-duos give us a glimpse into their music-making process and tell us what has driven their pursuit of excellence over the years
Bryan Durham (DNA; January 24, 2015)
With Tevar and Dolly Ki Doli in quick succession and a
strong showing in 2014, composer-duo Sajid-Wajid are at the top of
their game. Known for their strong melodies and hit tracks in every film
they take on, they’ve become a force to be reckoned with. The sons of
Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan have come a long way since their breakthrough
with Pyaar Kiya Toh Darna Kya in 1998 and have worked for the best and
biggest films in Bollywood, of course with varying degrees of success,
but mostly successful nevertheless. One thing has remained constant.
Sajid’s technical prowess and Wajid’s larger-than-life love for every
creation of his and his photographic memory of tunes and lyrics and
people he encounters. That and their love and respect for Salman Khan.
They had their ups and downs, but have the distinction of being part of a
very small club — of composers who fly solo on soundtracks — at least
most of the time. The brothers are inseparable and that bond shows all
too well in the music they compose. We met one evening and chatted
nineteen to the dozen about their journey so far...
Is it okay to tell you that I enjoyed Dolly Ki Doli’s music more than Tevar’s?
Sajid: It happens. Each soundtrack has to be different. Also, you also have to consider that a director’s vision is involved and consider how that works in a collaboration.
Wajid: And people like what they want. Despite releasing this close to each other, it helps that none of the songs sound the same. And that both albums have worked. That says a lot.
When voice casting, how do you reach a balance between using established and new singers?
Wajid: I believe the song chooses the singer. Nobody could’ve sung Phatte Tak Nachna like Sunidhi or Fashion Khatam like Mamta or Superman like I did (laughs).
You’ve had a great run over the last few years...
Sajid: Yes, 2014 went quite well — we had Jai Ho, Main Tera Hero, Heropanti, Daawat-E-Ishq and this year, Tevar and Dolly Ki Doli!
More often than not, Mika and Mamta Sharma feature in almost every other album of yours
Wajid: Really? I don’t know. (shrugs). When you speak of item numbers you need to have a voice. And Mamta is fantastic for character singing. Her voice texture is brilliant. She goes perfect inside that pocket, if you know what I mean. She just sits there... the way she learns the song and she's very raw, those little nuances she adds to a song, a trained singer cannot. And Mika has that alag andaz to his singing.
How do you choose your lyricists?
Wajid: Whoever gives me the best line (laughs). Of late, we’ve been working with Kausar Munir a lot, but here’s the thing. We work as a team. Danish Sabri, who’s my cousin as well as my assistant, has written some of the lyrics on the latest albums and I credit him for his contributions. But I give Kausar credit. She’s a senior writer who also appreciates something somebody else has written and is willing to share credits where it demands. Most lyricists are not open to doing that.
You’ve also worked with Kumaar...
Wajid: Yes, he’s written Mere Naina Kaafir Ho Gaye (from the DKD soundtrack) and is very happy. He writes hit songs for most films but never something like this for anyone. This one was exceptionally good.
Each soundtrack now sounds like a bazaar.. a cacophony of sounds with multiple composers on an album
Wajid: I’m not happy with this thing going on. it’s not fair to anybody (shrugs).
Sajid: At the same time, it’s fair also. you can’t even say if its fair to them or not fair to them, because jo struggle kar raha hai, usse ek gaana mil jaaye toh woh bahut badi baat hai. It all depends on whether you want to be a one-song wonder or a versatile music director.
Do you think it’s a passing phase?
Wajid: We really don’t know. We can only speak for ourselves when we say we’ve really worked hard to get to where we are. We work extra hard to ensure that all our songs are hits.
There are times directors/producers go in for an extra composer at the last minute...
Wajid: How much difference does it make to a film? Most often, these are promotional tracks and has a short shelf life. It happens with a lot of films.
What keeps you motivated enough album after album?
Sajid: Our love for music and our upbringing.
Wajid: We lost our father, Ustad Sharafat Ali Khan last year. He was a passionate musician who taught us that you don’t have to compete with anyone else but yourself. We work extra hard to make sure we live up to his name.
In the days of OP Nayyar and R D Burman, composers were kings, then singers became the superstars. I believe the age of composers (rather composer-singers) is upon us. Your take?
Sajid: Composers have come back in a big way.
Wajid: For me, it always was the composer who was the rockstar. Being a composer-singer is always a bonus. If you can sing your compositions, very good. I’ve seen new composers struggle to get a foothold but new singers manage with gigs. No such luck for struggling composers .Woh daldal hi hai. Either he has to sink in or get out of it. He has no other choice. It is very important to understand that. Everyone is equal. Bas koshish mein kami nahi honi chahiye.
How do you divide the work among yourselves?
Wajid: Sajid bhai always tells me if a song isn’t working. He’s got a fantastic ear. And he comes up with fabulous one-liners. He likes to compose that much and jokes, ‘Aage ka kaam tera hai’.
Sajid: But seriously, to make it simple we give the other his space.
Wajid: I do more compositions while he looks after the arrangement and how it sounds. But he’s the elder brother, so he takes the cake. He takes advantage of that.
Wajid, do you seek out his opinion?
He respects it when I do. I should be clear to counter him if needed. We do have disagreements at work because at the end we want what’s best for the film. We welcome our technicians as well to to voice their opinions openly. We foster that kind of culture at the workplace. We’re more like best friends than music directors.
I remember reading somewhere that Salman Khan said at a children’s event that he wished that you two were here because they’d keep the kids more entertained. What does he know that we don’t?
Wajid: One thing we’ve learnt from him is to exude that energy impromptu. We used to be shy, but he’s made us so free that now if he asks us to do something, we readily agree. We’re like kids who forgot to live and are getting a chance to relive our childhood by being kids around kids.
It’s a lesser known fact that you were the composers of Sonu Nigam’s Deewana album...
Wajid: What most people don’t know is that the album was prepared even before Sonu Nigam could come on board. He joined the project after all the compositions were created. His involvement began with later albums. Back then, to have an album on that level where the composer could call the shots musically — we were first-time composers then — was a big deal. At the time, only Daler Mehndi worked and everybody advised us to compose Punjabi numbers. I told them ‘I’ll do what my heart feels.’
Sajid: I said the same thing. We made that album, it broke records and made history. Since then, our formula has remained the same, eight songs toh eight songs hit, five songs toh five songs hit. The D-factor has worked for Sajid-Wajid, right from Deewana to Dolly Ki Doli!
What makes either of you incomplete without the other?
This rishta is made by Allah, it is not of this world. It will last us beyond forever. What stronger bond than that? We’re bound by blood, what can come between us? Those that don’t share that strong a bond can be separated by the smallest of things. In my opinion, it is all about upbringing. There exist differences between siblings, but they shouldn’t be that great that it separates you. That’s common between us as brothers. There are three of us — Sajid, Wajid and Javed. We’re a really close-knit family.
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