'Panchamda created an exclusive theme music for Gabbar Singh, which is used throughout the film every time the dacoit makes an appearance, and in both concept and sound, is so eerie and evil.'
Asha Bhosle, the iconic Indian playback singer known for her unparalleled versatility and a career spanning over eight decades, has passed away at the age of 92 due to multi-organ failure.
Asha Bhosle, the legendary playback singer, had a lifelong passion for cooking, which she considered a stress reliever and a way to connect with loved ones.
The voice of one of India's greatest playback singers may have fallen silent, but her music is anything but gone. It lives on in the airwaves, in our memories, in moments we return to without even realising.
Words can barely capture the depth and beauty of Asha Bhosle's voice, at once ethereal and ineffable. Her demise has created a void but the songs she sang will never die.
'When you reach a good point in your life, you should never forget the struggle that got you there. I haven't. That is why I have not become swollen-headed.'
It is impossible to discuss Asha Bhosle without mentioning the word 'versatility', notes Dinesh Raheja.
Asha Bhosle's only daughter Varsha Bhosle, who died in 2012, had penned this beautiful ode to her mother.
Shreekant Sambrani tells himself over and over again, don't lose heart in these dire times, there is asha (hope) still, in the divine voice of Asha Bhosle.
Much, much, much before Rocky Aur Rani Kii Prem Kahaani fussed over What Jhumka, Asha Bhosle trilled in her alluring voice and teased us with tantalising details about the events leading to her precious Jhumka's loss.
Rahul Dev Burman's collaboration with Asha Bhosle and Kishore Kumar was unique, but he saved his best for Lata Mangeshkar.
It is erroneously believed that Asha Bhosle sang Rahul Dev Burman's best songs. In fact, RD, like his father Sachin Dev Burman, was besotted by Lata Mangeshkar's voice and his career's finest songs were reserved only for her.
None of R D Burman's collaborations was as rewarding and resplendent as with Gulzar, who turns 89 today, August 18, 2023, says Subhash K Jha.
Music director duos are a unique Bollywood feature, and many have become iconic. In this special series, Dinesh Raheja explores prominent music duos, and their dynamics.
Bappi Lahiri realised disco was a winning ticket and escalated his game with several more dancefloor perennials. Soon, every film producer and music director in town was down with disco fever. On what would have been Bappi Lahiri's 73rd birthday this November 27, Dinesh Raheja rewinds to the late music composer's halcyon days.
'It is wrong to say he turned director to create starring opportunities for himself. He was happy with what he had.'
The late R D Burman has inspired music, musicians and movie titles. On his 75th birth anniversary on June 27, we celebrate the legend all over again.
S D Burman is that unique composer who remained successful right up to his death with his creative engines never running on empty.
Dr Mukesh Hariawala recounts his experience with the super-talented R D Burman when he performed an Open Heart Bypass Surgery many years ago.
Singers and composers hum their favourite Burman tunes, and talk about the legendary composer.
On the iconic music composer's 19th death anniversary, musician Leslie Lewis recounts his R D Burman memories.
In half a century, actors have aged or passed away, the shape of the city has altered, the film industry has changed beyond recognition, most single screens have made way for multiplexes, audiences tastes have changed, rural life is very different now, and inflation has devalued the rupee. But a great film is forever. Deepa Gahlot salutes Sholay, as it re-releases in theatres.
Can anyone forget S D Burman's classic songs in Devdas, Sujata and Bandini?
S D Burman enjoyed a productive partnership with Dev Anand's production house Navketan for two decades, but their collaboration reached its apogee with Guide.
What if Sholay were produced now, in our technologically advanced era, with AI vying for our attention?, asks Atanu Biswas.
'Bappi Lahiri was looking for a break so he and his father would meet me.' 'I told Director Bhisham Kohli about this promising young boy from Kolkata, and Bappi came over with his harmonium.' 'Bappi played this composition and Bhisham liked it immediately.' 'As we were discussing, I said I would give the words, and that's how I wrote this song.'
'I make films which I think have the possibility of being liked by a majority of people, and you present it with the right emotions.'
Pancham, like his father, was besotted by Lata Mangeshkar's voice and his career's finest songs were reserved only for her.
'Editor M S Shinde deserves full credit because, I'm told, Ramesh Sippy had shot 300,000 feet of footage, which was brought down to 18,000. 'He died in 2012, in a 126 square foot flat in Dharavi, penniless, a forgotten hero.'
'The way the anticipation is built up for Gabbar Singh's introduction scene with sound, image and details of his personality, like the combat boots he wears.' 'The camera comes so close -- not a tele lens shot, but a wide-angle close-up -- that you can almost smell Gabbar's breath.'
'Some time back, music was just noise.' 'Producers wrongly think item songs sell better.' 'Audiences are intelligent, they accept whatever you give, but that doesn't mean you can fool them.'
'I wouldn't change a single shot even if I could, the film is just perfect even with a supposedly flawed script!' Celebrating Sholay's 50th anniversary on August 15 with a special series, where contemporary film folk analyse the cult classic.
Because of Mukesh's much-hailed association with Raj Kapoor, it is often overlooked that the singer has also scored hits with almost all major heroes. On Mukesh's 102nd birth anniversary on July 22, Dinesh Raheja recalls some of his classic songs.
'Session musicians, background singers, and studio instrumentalists fill out the sound of India's biggest hits. But their names rarely show up on screen.' 'Their royalties never arrive. And their contribution, no matter how iconic, vanishes once the track is mastered.'
Mehmood and R D Burman shiver, wail and flail when they encounter a stuffed tiger that wags its tail, furniture that moves on its own volition and dancing skeletons and mummies. Dinesh Raheja revisits a must-watch.
'Everybody was scared, especially with Rajesh Khanna playing a double role and playing my lover and my son.' 'It was quite a risky thing to do. That's why they made me look so old.'
'He had wanted to present me in the likes of the heroines of the 60s whose churidar-kurta look with winged eyeliner and bouffant had captivated fashionistas at the time.'
'She is the gorgeous Lata, the love of my life.'
Srabanti Chakrabarti pays homage to Manohari Singh, one of Indian film music's true unsung heroes.
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