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December 18, 1997
QUOTE MARTIAL
MAKING WAVES
SHORT TAKES
ROUGH CUTS
MEMORIES
ARCHIVES
MOVIES CHAT
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On a low note
Suparn Verma
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Shravan with Nadeem. Click for bigger pic!
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They were one of the most sought after music teams in Bollywood. Was Nadeem-Shravan. Now one of them is holed up in England, apparently avoiding a murder rap and Shravan now sits in Bombay while the assignments go elsewhere.
Since Nadeem was the man who hogged the limelight, his absence has had its effect on Shravan, who preferred to keep a lower profile. Shravan was also shaken by a series of police interrogations over Nadeem's alleged involvement in the murder of music company owner Gulshan Kumar. And with that Shravan's life was changed forever. Today, he is more media savvy, and is coming to terms with a possible career all alone.
He is working on a backlog of films which, according to him, will keep him "working non-stop for six months". Before the sword fell, the duo has signed up films for Rishi Kapoor's directorial debut Aa Ab Laut Chale, Dhadkan for Venus, Rajkumar Santoshi's Dil Hai Tumhara, Abbas Mastan's Soldier, Saawan and Purab Ki Laila Paschim ka Chalia. "In fact, I'm about to start recording for Dhadkan and Purab ki Laila," he says.
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Gulshan Kumar. Click for bigger pic!
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Ominously, Smita Thackeray, Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray's daughter-in-law, dropped them for Anu Malik for her Haseena Maan Jayegi. This is a signal that the Sena chief, who has the inside line on police matters in the state, does not expect things to go well for the duo. Meanwhile, Malik has promised not to snatch more assignments from the team than he already has.
Shravan looks unconcerned about these developments, but the catch in his voice gives him away.
"Our industry isn't about cats and dogs; there is no controversy about Haseena Maan Jayegi. We had been announced as the music directors of the film at the muhurat, but we have not recorded any song. Since Anu Malik has already composed two songs for the film we backed out. There are no ill feelings between us." Bravely said.
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A still from Aa Ab Laut Chalein. Click for bigger pic!
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The industry has been wondering about the fate of the team for the last four months. Despite Nadeem being one of those accused in the Gulshan Kumar murder, producers waited for the team to get back together. But with Nadeem remaining firmly entrenched in England, the onus was now on Shravan to fulfil commitments. Shravan explains his decision to finally start working again.
"My well-wishers in the industry have been telling me to start working on my own. But I haven't taken any new work proposals despite offers coming in. Our current workload will keep me busy for the next six months." Shravan says Nadeem's absence does not affect him.
"My way of working hasn't changed at all; even the music that I am composing is Nadeem-Shravan music; it's not just Shravan's music. I don't think that my partner isn't there... I'm a professional and I have to deliver what we have promised our producers. We can't let them down after the faith they have put in our team."
He claims he isn't affected by the current problems he is facing.
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Nadeem and Shravan with Anu Malik. Click for bigger pic!
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"My tensions in life aren't affecting my work at all. Everyone has to deal with them. These compositions will be no different from other Nadeem-Shravan tunes. They will be of the same standard we have maintained.
But there is some evidence that the facade is cracking. For Shravan admits he has no news from Nadeem. "Nadeem and I haven't spoken to each other in the last two months; there has been absolutely no contact. He is still very much in England."
And why hasn't he contacted Nadeem?
Shravan's reply is cryptic: "I have been very busy and getting in touch has been a problem."
Asked what he expects in the future, he manages a laugh. "Everyone is worried about the future, but abhi to pal ka hi pata nahin (I'm not even sure what will happen at this moment). What will I do thinking about the future?"
RELATED FEATURES:
400-page chargesheet filed in Gulshan Kumar murder case
'This was an opportunity for all these jealous people, all these vested interests to hit back at me'
'Things have reached a flashpoint where Nadeem could just do anything'
Boney Kapoor, Chunkey Pandey interrogated
Shah Rukh, Aditya Panscholi interrogated
Life in the twilight zone
'He cannot be a murderer'
Nadeem accused in Gulshan Kumar murder
Gulshan!
Gulshan Kumar killed
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