Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; April 8, 2020)

It's refreshing to see the most menacing gangster of the web world aka Guddu Bhaiyya stepping out of his tough image to turn into a romantic hero for a music video. Ali Fazal is all set to woo his on-screen lady love, Surbhi Jyoti in the upcoming music video, Aaj Bhi. Crooned by Vishal Mishra, who gave the hit numbers of Kabir Singh last year, will be collaborating with the actor for the single. Helmed by Mirzapur creator Gurmmeet Singh, the song will feature on Vryl Originals' YouTube channel.

"It is the first time I am working with Vishal," starts off Fazal and adds that the he was blown away by Mishra's "mesmerising voice". "His voice is soulful and we bonded over our Lucknow connect." The Fukrey actor says that while it was his first time working with Jyoti, he had a blast in the Chandigarh shoot. "Surbhi is super cool and we kept chatting about movies and food. The four days in Chandigarh were such a blast."

The actor says he felt at home as he was reuniting with his other family — the Mirzapur team Singh and Sanjay Kapoor (DoP). "It was like a reunion working with Guru and Sanjay. Considering I spent so much time with Guru last year, we got each other's vibes and cues. This is something that Guru and I have never explored together.  In a span of three minutes, we told an entire story. As an actor, it's hard to pull this off. I have never been so excited about a music video. It evokes a feeling that everyone at some point or the other goes through. It's a unique take on unrequited love."

Dhaval Roy (DNA; October 7, 2019)

A playback song rendered by Asha Bhosle is a rarity these days. One of her last outings was Prem Mein Tohre in Begum Jaan (2017). But now, Vishal Mishra has managed to get her to croon a track in his upcoming film album, Saand Ki Aankh. Titled Aasman, this is the second time the composer and the veteran songstress have collaborated musically. Before this, she lent her voice to his non-film single, Ae Zindagi, along with Suresh Wadkar, Alka Yagnik and Shaan among others. Vishal admits that he didn’t think she would sing it for him. “When we recorded the song with her, she did it so beautifully. She has rendered a number for a film after so long. It makes a lot of difference to me that she has sung for me,” the artiste said.

Calling it the most memorable journey of his life, Vishal states that he heard the script two-and-a-half years ago when director Tushar Hiranandani and writer Jagdeep Sidhu narrated it to him. “This situation was emotional and hit me hard. I had to make a melody that had special divinity to it,” he avers.

As soon as the song was composed, he and lyricist Raj Shekhar wondered how they’d convince Asha to sing this track. “After listening to it, Asha ji loved it so much that she said, ‘Aaj kal aise gaane bante nahin hain’. I remember it so fondly. I can’t wait for people to hear it,” says Vishal excitedly, adding that the song will remain with him forever.

Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; October 3, 2019)

“I hated Womaniya as the title,” states director Tushar Hiranandani, taking us by surprise. After all, only months ago, filmmaker Anurag Kashyap was at loggerheads with producer Pritish Nandy, who held the right to the name. Kashyap, producer of the film based on the lives of Chandro and Prakashi Tomar — the country’s oldest women sharpshooters, felt that the spirit of the biopic would be best captured by the title, Womaniya.

A war of words later, Kashyap decided to rechristen the Taapsee Pannu and Bhumi Pednekar starrer as Saand Ki Aankh. “Anurag and Taapsee were keen on Womaniya. I always wanted to call it Saand Ki Aankh. When I told Anurag of the new title, he looked at me in disbelief. But when he read it [the script], he realised it was the best name the film could have got,” explains the first- time director.

In an interesting turn of events, the makers have included a song titled Womaniya. Hiranandani reasons that the song — that starts with Pannu and Pednekar in their youth — is instrumental to show their ageing process. “Womaniya is the journey of young girls as they reach their prime.”

Producer Nidhi Parmar adds, “When Vishal [Mishra, composer] made us hear Womaniya for the first time, everyone in the room felt that this would be the biggest song of the album.”

Even as he understands Kashyap’s keenness in naming the film after a term coined by him in Gangs Of Wasseypur ( 2012), Hiranandani reiterates that Saand Ki Aankh, or bull’s eye, has a stronger connect with the core subject of “hitting the right spot in life” — a perfect metaphor for a movie whose protagonists find their purpose in their 60s. “My movie is not about feminism alone, it’s about the fighting spirit of human beings. My hook point was that age is not a barrier. Women stood up at that age and inspired young girls to stand on their own feet. My writer Jagdeep [Sidhu] wove it beautifully in the dialogues.”

Vishal Mishra insists his song has nothing to do with the number from Mission Kashmir
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; February 7, 2019)

Salman Khan’s next co-production, Notebook, which opens in March and introduces Pranutan, Mohnish Bahl’s daughter, opposite another debutant, Zaheer Iqbal, features the Kashmiri folk song “Bhumbro”. But producer Murad Khetani and composer Vishal Mishra are quick to add that their song is not inspired by “Bhumbro” which was picturised on Hrithik Roshan and Preity Zinta in Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s 2000 drama, Mission Kashmir.

“It is not a recreation, we have used the traditional Kashmiri folk song and shot it on Zaheer dancing with some local kids. It’s apt for a situation in our film,” says Murad. The new “Bhumbro” has been sung by Amit Mishra and was shot on a school set in Kashmir. Mudassar Aziz has choreographed it for the Nitin Kakkar directorial.

Vishal reveals that they have added some new Kashmiri lyrics to their song. Quiz him on whether they have bought the rights to the song from Chopra, and he retorts, “There’s no question of buying the rights as we have been inspired by the original folk song. I have even used the Kashmiri musical instrument, rubab, extensively in the song. We are making sure Notebook has only original songs, so it stands out among all the recreations in films at the moment.”

He adds that Salman was equally involved with the music and was insistent on original music. “That’s a blessing for musicians like me,” he smiles.

Sanyukta Iyer (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 11, 2018)

Acclaimed writer Tushar Hiranandani, whose repertoire boasts of films like Dishoom, Ek Villain, ABCD 2 and Grand Masti, is now gearing up for his directorial debut with an Anurag Kashyap co-production. Titled Womaniya, the film is a biopic on the lives of the world’s oldest female sharpshooters — Chandro Tomar, 86, and her sister-in-law, Prakashi, 81 — who reside in the Johri village of Western Uttar Pradesh. While Taapsee Pannu was brought on board to play one of the protagonists recently, the makers are currently on the lookout for actors for the rest of the acting line-up.

The film is expected to go on the floors later this year. “The story of these two women conveys a strong message — that life can begin even after 50. Every time I am faced with a mid-life crisis, I am reminded of their stellar story,” lyricist Raj Shekhar who has penned six songs for the film, tells Mirror. For the last one year, he has been closely working with Tushar and composer Vishal Mishra to keep the film’s music rural yet peppy and contemporary.

Raj insists that the film, which is a light-hearted drama, will make the audience laugh as well as tear up. The lyricist was making his debut with Aanand L Rai’s 2011 blockbuster, Tanu Weds Manu, when he first met Anurag, who is also mentoring the script and the film. The Gangs of Wasseypur filmmaker had been so blown away by the script that he’d initially wanted to direct it himself.

Popularly known as the “Revolver Daadis”, Chandro and Prakashi first learnt of the sport when the former, then in her mid-50s, had accompanied her granddaughter to the Johri Rifle Club. The octogenarian-duo has since won over 100 medals in the veteran category across championships in the north zone and at pre-nationals.

Prakashi’s awards include a Stree Shakti Puraskar by former President Pranab Mukherjee, a Women’s Achievers in India trophy and an Icon Lady Award by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

One of Prakashi’s eight children, Seema, is an international shooter and India’s first woman shooter to win a Shotgun Silver at the International Shooting Sports Federation (ISSF) World Cup. Today, many of Prakashi’s 20 grandchildren and Chandro’s six children and 15 grandchildren are shooters. Also, many women from the Tomar family now train girls at the Johri Rifle Association.

“Every song in the film has been written with the script as an inspiration. In turn, Tushar has drawn inspiration from the songs and rewritten some of the dialogues. It has been a beautiful give-and-take relationship. The music is deeply rooted in rural India and gives out a strong message that even ‘this India’ is cool,” Raj signs off.

The actress has recorded four songs with composer Vishal Mishra that will be released in the next few months
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 6, 2018)

After painting, Sonakshi Sinha is gearing up to unveil another talent that she has been honing for a while. The 31-year-old actress will showcase her singing prowess in the next few months through four singles that she has recorded with composer Vishal Mishra. The duo is already planning more singles with the actress wielding the mic again.

Vishal, when contacted, confirmed the news to Mirror, saying, “The first song is a Punjabi number but with an international feel to it as it features dancehall, jazz and R&B elements, among others. We recorded it last month. Three other songs followed soon after and all of them will be released in the coming months, with the first one coming out in August. Sonakshi sounds different and amazing in each of these songs.”

Speaking about how the idea of the singles came about, the composer explained, “I recently recorded a song with Sonakshi for Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se (in which she has a guest turn), but we had planned the singles much before that. We have been just jamming at the studio and whenever we get some time we decide on the music. The plan is to record more tracks in the coming months. We are putting in a lot of creative minds into the videos and hopefully they will turn out great too.”

In 2015, Sonakshi had recorded her debut single “Aaj Mood Ishqholic Hai”, a party number composed by the Meet Bros.

After getting rumoured ladylove Iulia Vantur to give playback for his song, the actor wields the mic for another track in Race 3
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 18, 2018)

After debuting as a lyricist with a romantic number for Ramesh Taurani’s upcoming production, the Remo D’souza-directed Race 3 (Mirror, March 16), Salman Khan is kicking it up a notch. We have now learnt that in a last-minute addition to the film, the actor has penned another romantic song but this time, he will sing it too. While Pakistani singer Atif Aslam and Salman’s rumoured ladylove Iulia Vantur gave playback for the first song which was recorded in Dubai and Mumbai recently, the new song was recorded a few days ago in the city. It will be shot in the next two weeks.

“After the first song turned out really well and received a thumbs-up from the entire team, Salman decided to contribute another track for the film. It was a last-minute addition and he recorded it at composer Vishal Mishra’s studio. The soundtrack was ready and the team couldn’t say ‘no’ when Salman offered to give playback to the new song,” a source close to the development informed Mirror, adding that after shooting at a Mumbai studio, and on location in Bangkok and Abu Dhabi, the film’s team are now headed to Leh in the coming week to shoot the romantic number along with some other scenes. “It will be a week-long schedule and the unit has grand plans for the outdoor shoot. The song will be choreographed by Remo.”

The Race 3 soundtrack also features two recreated numbers from previous films in the franchise, “Allah Duhai Hai” and “Party On My Mind”. The source added that cast members Jacqueline Fernandez, Anil Kapoor, Bobby Deol and Daisy Shah will be joining Salman and Remo for the Leh schedule.

The actor had previously lent his voice to songs like “Hangover” in Kick, “Main Hoon Hero Tera” for the Sooraj Pancholi and Athiya Shetty-starrer Hero, and the “Chandi Ki Daal Par” in Hello Brother, among others.

There’s more to the stars’ guest turns in the upcoming comedy than meets the eye
Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; April 3, 2018)

Mirror had earlier reported (March 8) that Salman Khan, Rekha, and Sonakshi, Shatrughan Sinha are making a special appearance in the Dharmendra, Sunny and Bobby Deol-starrer Yamla Pagla Deewana Phir Se. Now, we have learnt that besides shaking a leg in a song, the guest stars will be showcasing other talents too. While Rekha spouts rap verses, Sonakshi has done playback. Salman and Shatrughan will be seen recreating hit dialogues from past films. The song has been composed by Vishal Mishra, who is also working with Salman on Race 3, and was roped in by the actor for the special number.

A source reveals, “It’s a song medley featuring the film’s title track as well as yesteryear hits like 'Rafta Rafta' from Kahani Kismat Ki and 'O Mere Sona Re' from Teesri Mazil. Besides long hours of rehearsals with choreographer Remo D’souza, Rekha has rapped a few lines that were recorded at a Mumbai studio that will be included in the new track.

Meanwhile, Sonakshi has sung “O Mere Sona Re” on which she shakes a leg with dad Shatru. “Her part will be recorded soon. Owing to her busy schedule, she shot the dance portions on a scratch version. Salman, Shatrughan and Dharmendra chose not to sing and made up for it by reciting their hit dialogues that will be woven into the song,” the source adds.

Mishra said, “This track was made in 24 hours but has turned out great. I had the pleasure of recording and dubbing these stars and it’s going to be a big surprise for the audience.”

Natasha Coutinho (MUMBAI MIRROR; March 29, 2018)

Pakistani singer Atif Aslam has been roped in to give playback for a song written by Salman Khan in the actor’s upcoming action-thriller Race 3. The romantic song, choreographed by director Remo D’souza, will be picturised in Abu Dhabi as part of the multistarrer’s ongoing schedule and will feature Salman.

Producer Ramesh Taurani confirmed the news, saying, “Atif has been a part of every Race film and we felt he would be perfect for this romantic song. It will be a surprise for the audience.”

Meanwhile, Vishal Mishra, who has composed the song, informed that the film’s team is currently mulling over adding another track penned by the 52-year-old actor. “The lyrics Salman has written are beautiful. He sat with me to create every note for the track,” he added.

Atif is simply keeping up with tradition, having sung “Pehli Nazar Mein” for Race (2008) and “Beintehaa” and “Allah Duhai Hai” for Race 2 (2013), but it coincides with a renewed call for a ban on Pakistani artists in Bollywood.

Last month, singer-politician Babul Supriyo had raised objection over singer Rahat Fateh Ali Khan being roped in to croon “Ishtehaar” for the recently released Sonakshi Sinha and Diljit Dosanjh-starrer, Welcome to New York.

Manishaa R (DNA; May 27, 2017)

After recording a cover version of Salman Khan’s song Jag Ghoomiyan, Iulia Vantur is now officially set to make her full-fledged Bollywood debut as a playback singer. The actress, who recently rendered a solo track for Mahesh Manjrekar’s FU (Friendship Unlimited), has now recorded three other songs for two forthcoming Hindi films, all of which are composed by music director Vishal Mishra.

Distinctly different
Incidentally, it was Vishal, who was instrumental in getting Iulia to record a solo number in FU (Friendship Unlimited), “She recorded the solo Hindi track in FU very confidently and the song shaped up really well, after which Iulia has recorded three other songs for me in various forthcoming films. She is an immensely talented singer and has a magical quality to her voice. Moreover, her voice is distinctly different from any of the other female singers in Bollywood. I can confidently say that hers will be the most-talked about voice in the days to come. She can make a very successful playback singer,” says the young music director, who is also known to be close to Prabhu Dheva and had last scored the music of his film, Tutak Tutak Tutiya.

Positive influence
It was Vishal, who was also instrumental in recording the Gachi song in Salman’s voice for FU, though the song was composed by another music director Sameer Saptiskar. “I had initially sung the song before Salman could dub it. He kept telling me that it would have been great in my voice. That was very kind of him. Eventually, I rendered a few lines in the song and got the opportunity of singing with Salman. He is a very positive influence on those around him,” Vishal revealed.

When asked about the possibility of getting Salman and Iulia to record an album together, he added, “There is no such plan at the moment but it would be a great idea if such a possibility comes up in the future,” he says.

Superstar makes regional language debut as singer, recreating aclassic for friend Mahesh Manjrekar’s film
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; May 16, 2017)

That Salman Khan has lent his voice to one of the songs in Mahesh Manjrekar’s upcoming Marathi movie, FU – Friendship Unlimited is known. But composer-singer Vishal Mishra, who worked on the film’s soundtrack cannot stop gushing about the superstar’s musical prowess. “Salman’s grasping power is great. I was amazed when he completed recording of the song, Gachi, in 45 minutes flat,” Vishal says. Gachi, he informs, is a recreated version of the old classic, Panchi Banu Udti Phiru (Chori Chori, 1956), which is among Salman’s all time favourite tracks.

To make it easier for Sallu, the composer first recorded the number in his voice. “He had heard the song so many times that he picked it up quickly. His voice had more energy than mine,” he adds.

Like in the case of Salman’s previous playback outings, was auto-tuner used this time round as well? “Auto-tuner is used in almost all songs these days because it enhances pitch accuracy. I have composed 16 songs for FU and used auto-tuner in each of them. In Salman’s case, we used it to enhance the edge. Had any other singer sung it, I would have used technology even then. But Salman was the best choice to sing it,” says Vishal.

The composer recalls being rebuked by Manjrekar after listening to the recorded track, but thanks his lucky stars that Salman came to his rescue. “I was happy post dubbing with Salman, but Maheshji felt the Marathi words sounded wrong and asked me to dub it once more. I approached Salman and he gracefully agreed to re-record the song,” adds Vishal.

FU stars Sairat actor Akash Thosar in the lead.

Subhash K Jha (DNA; January 20, 2017)

In a bizarre turn of events, just hours before the release of the much-discussed Dawood satire Coffee With D, the film’s leading man and its only point of interest Sunil Grover says he will have nothing to do with the film.

“It’s very simple. I haven’t been shown the film. I don’t know what the content is. I asked the producer-director Vishal Mishra repeatedly to show me the film, and he kept saying he will show it. But eventually he didn’t. Aaj-kal-aaj-kal mein waqt nikal gaya. Now it’s too late,” says Grover who does a comic act on The Kapil Sharma Show.

Why was he not shown the film? “I don’t know,” Sunil shrugs. “Only they can answer that. But I ceased to promote the film when I realised they won’t show it to me.” Sunil also reveals that the open letter to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, that was released by the film’s producers, was not his. “I never wrote that open letter to Modiji. Anyone who knows me would know that isn’t my language at all. The film’s makers released that letter without my consent.”

Producer claims mafia don intends to review the comic caper before theatrical release
Mohar Basu (MID-DAY; January 6, 2017)

Controversies around Vishal Mishra's upcoming comic caper, Coffee With D, which sees actor Sunil Grover in the role of a journalist who interviews underworld don Dawood Ibrahim, refuse to die down.

After having cropped off portions of the trailer that poked fun at the infamous gangster on receiving threatening calls from Chhota Shakeel's team, the makers have now decided to defer the release of the film, which was set to hit screens today.

Although Vishal maintains that the film has been pushed due to "unforeseen circumstances", sources close to producer Vinod Ramani inform that Chhota Shakeel has requested for a copy of the film for their approval before it hits screens.

Confirming the development, the spokesperson informs that Vinod and Vishal have approached the Mumbai police, who've assured to provide security to the duo. While the film has been passed by the Central Board of Film Certification with minimal edits, the makers will reconsider few portions.

Kunaal Roy Kapur signs two comedy films; shares filmmaking aspirations
Soumya Vajpayee Tiwari (MID-DAY; November 11, 2016)

Despite bagging several big-tickets films, including Delhi Belly (2011) and Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani (2013), Kunaal Roy Kapur hasn’t had a blockbuster that could boost his solo-hero career, yet. However, the brother of producer Siddharth Roy Kapur and actor Aditya Roy Kapur has now signed a rom-com, Hum Dono Honge Kamyab, which he hopes will change the course of his career.

Talking about his experience of working on the film, which pairs him opposite Tara Alisha Berry, Kunaal says, “I enjoyed the script and had multiple meetings with Vishal Mishra (director). I play the role of a guy from Kanpur, a world I am not familiar with. It’s challenging, but that’s the fun of being an actor.”

Does he also have filmmaking aspirations like elder brother Siddharth? “I do. But it will take some time to get the right script,” he says.

Like most brothers, the three Roy Kapurs also share a warm rapport. “We enjoy each other’s company.
Generally, we make it a point to eat together so that we can bond as a family.”

He is also all praises for sister-in-law Vidya Balan. “She is a wonderful actress. Her recent successes speak volume about her talent,” he says.

The actor also has Ankush Bhatt’s thriller cum dark comic caper in his kitty, which is set for a 2017 release.

MUMBAI MIRROR (July 23, 2016)

Andy Singh (CEO, HR Musik) revealed that the company will be launching the biggest invasion in the music industry called Himesh Reshammiya and the Jewels Of India which will have 730 milestone songs by the maestro composer Himesh who will be featuring with the best singers of India.

"Memorable compositions, outstanding singers, biggest videos and huge marketing plans are the going to be strength of jewels of India. Himesh who has a track record of 650 super hit songs has always believed that content is king and Himesh is very excited to bring this biggest music invasion ever in the music industry cause Jewels Of India will take the level of every artist to another level in this country and that can only happen with great songs for which he has been composing since the last two years," said an excited Andy Singh.

All other details regarding the Jewels Of India will be announced at a later date. "HR Musik will also have three releases in the next 18 months The Xpose 2, Heeriye directed by Vishal Mishra which stars Himesh and Tigmanshu Dhulia and also another untitled project. We will also be launching Himesh's second studio album because fans worldwide are very excited about Himesh doing another studio album after the record breaking success of his debut album as a singer in Aap Kaa Surroor. Himesh has recorded 10 milestone songs and huge videos are being planned for these songs also. HR Musik has already given three successful films as producers Khiladi 786, The Xpose and Teraa Surroor and all three movies have done well at the box office and the key reason to it is right content and costing with great visuals and hit music," says Andy Singh, CEO, HR Musik.

"Today success is only possible if content is good and at the right cost. We will have three releases in the next 18 months for which scripts are ready now and preproduction is going on in full swing and we will start casting soon and we will start shooting by November. Himesh's new look also will be revealed soon. After returning from his Durban show in August Himesh will be going on a 30 city tour this year to promote his new album which he is very excited about," revealed Andy Singh.

BOMBAY TIMES (April 19, 2015)