Sonil Dedhia (MID-DAY; June 20, 2019)

Even as filmmakers and artistes hail the freedom of expression that online platforms offer owing to its censorship- free stance, The Voice (2015) contestant and singer Piyush Ambhore had an unexpected run-in with YouTube.

Three days after its release last week, the video of his debut single, Tujhe Jaana Hai Toh Jaa, was pulled down from the streaming platform owing to its "objectionable content". Ambhore says the bone of contention was a scene that sees the protagonist indulging in substance abuse. "It's not the first time that a video has a snorting sequence," retorts the singer, pointing out how similar scenes have remained unscathed in the past.

"A recent example is Kabir Singh. Udta Punjab [2016] and Dev D [2009] have also depicted similar stuff. This is my first single and it is disheartening to get such a treatment." The number, Ambhore claims, had been given a clean chit by the Central Board of Film Certification for airing on television.

"The officials at Zee Music were shocked [at the development] as the video had got a U/A certificate from the Censor Board. The label had got the CBFC nod as it was planning to air the song on TV channels. When they questioned YouTube India, all they got was lame excuses."

However, he is thankful to the label for its unflinching support to his first creation. "They sent the video back to the editing table. Now, the objectionable portions have been blurred, and we have put up a disclaimer as well. We re-released the video three days ago."

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 3, 2019)

A R Rahman, the super judge on Star Plus singing reality show The Voice, gave the finale a skip. The team was informed that the maestro was unwell and Asha Bhosle stepped in as special guest. The show’s spokesperson confirmed the news.

The veteran singer not only did the honours, presenting the winner with the trophy, but also performed with Adnan Sami on “Kabhi Toh Nazar Milao” from their music album.

Tabu and Rakul Preet Singh were the other guests. Divyanka Tripathi jointly hosted the episode with Karan Wahi, who had replaced her in a few episodes when she was away for a personal commitment.

Chaya Unnikrishnan (DNA; January 15, 2019)

After exploring the digital platform with his shows ARRived, a singing talent hunt and Harmony, which has him travelling across the country and getting into the roots of our musical heritage, AR Rahman is now moving to TV. The music maestro will be judging The Voice that is adapted from the hit international format by the same name. Here, the Oscar-winning composer tells us why he has taken up the show, what he is looking for in the contestants and his take on remixes. 

You have your own music talent hunt show ARRived on YouTube. So, what prompted you to move to TV?
The YouTube show is done by my company, so I had to judge the show (laughs). But, in a way, it kind of opened up a new platform as it was beautifully received. However, there are people who are not YouTubers yet, and for them, TV is an accessible medium as it has a wider reach. The Voice is an international concept where you hear the voice and don’t need to see how the person (who is singing) looks, though it adds something extra. This is what I believe in and I was surprised to see that the show is also like that.

Moreover, they are giving me a special role where I don’t have to eliminate contestants -- I hate saying you are bad, or that you should get out. Here I will only be a mentor (smiles).

What will you look for in the contestants?
I am open to watching all the contestants, I get inspired by a couple of people. I don’t have any formulas, the heart does not have any formula. It could be the way they pronounce certain words or the way they emote or express. Each of us has something special and the personality comes out. Many singers have probably sung just one song and gone, but they are popular. With that one song, they have created their identity and become immortalised. So, as I said, it could be the way somebody is singing or interpreting a song.

Will you be giving a break to any of contestants?
Yes, it is inevitable, as I am always looking our for new talent.

Recently, you celebrated your birthday, what is it that you are planning to achieve this year?     
My biggest test will be the films 99 Songs that I am producing and Le Musk, which I am directing. It’s a little step but huge, so I want to do it right. I have written, produced and scored the music for 99 Songs, but it doesn’t have 99 songs (laughs). It should release in a couple of months. Le Musk is a a virtual reality film. It’s a very tough movie, but very rewarding. Those who have seen it have been kind and encouraging. This won’t release in theatres, it will be an  installation and a viewing experience.

Of late you haven’t been composing the music for Bollywood films. What is the reason?
I was not doing the music for Bollywood films because I was concentrating on my movies. Also, the directors like Rakeysh (Omprakash Mehra) and Imtiaz (Ali) whom I am comfortable working with probably didn’t do any movies... though Imtiaz did one with Shah Rukh Khan (Jab Harry Met Sejal). Some of the movies I was to do the music for didn’t take off like Rhea Kapoor’s film. But yes, I am doing the music of Kizie Aur Manny. I did one song for The Fakir Of Venice which was out recently. I saw the movie two years back and was bowled over, and decided I want to do the music.

These days every other movie has a couple of remixes. What is your take on the trend? 
Anybody who has the patience, the love and the time will definitely do a soundtrack, which is completely new and have a sense of pride. It is they don’t have the time and want a hit song, they do a remix. Either they don’t believe in the composer or maybe are superstitious that this is how the trend is and by having it the movie will be a hit!

Avinash Lohana (MUMBAI MIRROR; July 2, 2015)

Fights between the judges on reality shows aren't new to television but this is the first time that we've heard it being dismissed as an April Fool joke.

According to a source present on the sets, there was a heated argument between singer-composers, Himesh Reshammmiya and Shaan while an episode of The Voice was being shot last week. The team that Shaan is mentoring was on stage.

Himesh suddenly stopped them midway through the performance and began to hurl abuses at the back-up musicians who had gone off-key.

"When Shaan stepped out and tried to calm him down, he pointed a finger at him and told him to stay out of the matter," added the source.

Shaan kept his cool and eventually the production house intervened to sort things out so the shoot could resume.

When Mirror reached out to Himesh, his business partner Rakesh Upadhyay, speaking on his behalf, admitted that the incident had happened. "But it was an April Fool's joke planned by the two on the crew. In fact, they even announced this aloud and it was recorded," said Rakesh.

Our source insists that no such announcement was made, but Shaan who is holidaying in Europe till July 10, responded to our text, stating, "Was nothing... we just had some fun on sets. Did a spoof on reality show fights, but some thought it was serious!"

April Fool in June? Ah well, truth is stranger than fiction.

Is what music composer and coach Himesh Reshammiya is looking for in the The Voice - India
Sneha Mahadevan (DNA; June 11, 2015)


What prompted you to take up this show?
The concept was very unique, different and successful in different countries. For a coach, this whole process of blind auditions and selecting the voice, only on the basis of the sound was very interesting. Also, the buzzer round and then convincing the contestant to come into my team in a very entertaining way, was fun. Also, I as a composer, am always looking for new voices. A lot of singers have come up through reality shows and I am glad I can help that.

What is the one thing that will make you turn your chair around?
Definitely a voice that can sound unconventional. A very unconventional melody, sometimes might not work universally, which is a pressure as a composer for me to deliver. After 650 hit songs, the pressure is not just to give a good song, but to give a good superhit song. I need to make compositions that are fresh and I have been reinventing ever two years but they have to be universally appealing, yet different in terms of sound. All my singers are unconventional yet accepted by the industry.

So all these contestants you choose, will you be grooming them after the show as well?
In every reality show, if I have promised a break, I have always done that. That’s one added advantage being a composer that at the moment if I am looking for and selecting a voice, I know what kind of songs it can work for. I can help with the practical implementation of those songs in the industry.

How is your bonding with the other judges?
Fantastic. Mika and Shaan have both sung many songs for me. That relationship is great. We have been working together since so many years now. I have done reality shows with Shaan and Mika both. Sunidhi I am working with on a reality show for the first time but since we have been bonding in studios for so many years, that chemistry is still intact. This is tongue-and-cheek, healthy, fun rivalry. It is entertaining. You are fighting for a contestant and not for a personal reason.

The singer-actress is in talks to appear in a few episodes of the Indian edition of an American music reality competition
Roshmila Bhattacharya (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 5, 2015)

An Indian edition of the popular American reality television singing competition, The Voice, which is in its eighth season in the US, kickstarts on June 6. Known for its 'blind auditions' with contestants chosen only on the basis of their singing talent rather than their looks, the & TV talent hunt show will air on Saturday and Sunday with singer composers Shaan, Sunidhi Chauhan, Mika Singh and Himesh Reshammiya as the 'coaches' who build their own team and mentor talents.

Mirror has learnt that the makers are also in talks with international pop icon Christina Aguilera to appear in a few episodes of the maiden Indian edition.

The five-time Grammy winner was an original 'coach' in the American edition of The Voice, appearing on four seasons, including the recently-concluded one. Her voice was compared to Whitney Houston for its amazing range and she is adept at handling contestants.

The makers believe that if she comes in as a special guest she will not only add a new flavour to the Indian edition but also bring some tips and tricks to the table.

Apparently, the five-time Grammy winner has shown a lot of interest in the proposal and the details are being worked out to work the show into her schedule.

Says a source close to the development, "Yes, we are looking at an international singer for The Voice India but are still working out the elements wherein there is a perfect sync between the format and the international coach. But it is too early for us to confirm any names."

Regarded as one of Hollywood's 100 greatest singers of all time, Christina has sold 50 million albums worldwide. Her last album, The Great Big World was a huge success and she made it to the 'Billboard Hot 100' with Feel this moment and Say something. She made her movie debut with the 2010 musical, Burlesque. She sang eight of the 10 songs. The album received two Grammy nominations and Cher's song, You haven't seen the last of me won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song in 2011. The film has grossed over $110 million worldwide.

Himesh Reshammiya's attempts to become a Beiber doppelganger are the hot topic on the sets of an upcoming reality TV show
Ankur Pathak (MUMBAI MIRROR; May 19, 2015)

On the sets of an upcoming reality show The Voice which he's hosting, Himesh Reshammiya's style statements are raising plenty of eyebrows. His attempts to morph into teen favourite Justin Bieber have garnered both applause and stifled laughter.

Last week, the Gujju bhai stepped out wearing a sleeveless black jacket teamed with black denims and golden shoes. His hairstyle and left arm, covered with fake tattoos, were a nod to the 21-year-old popstar. Talking to Mirror, Himesh admitted that his look is "quite similar" to Bieber, but quickly added that it wasn't a conscious attempt to emulate the Baby hitmaker.

"I'm a great admirer of his music. Bieber, Taylor Swift, Rihanna ji, all have been creating some fantastic music which is both praiseworthy and inspiring," he asserted.

And how does he explains the dyed-in-black outfits and golden shoes? "I am starting a film titled Guns and Roses by June in which I play a pop singer," he pointed out. "That's why the toned body and the look, there's nothing more to it," he asserted. Hmmmm!