Planet Vishal Bharadwaj

Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola

Following up on 'Vishal's Next(s)', the title for Vishal's Kumar Mangat-Ajay Devg(a)n-Fox production is "Matru ki Bijli ka Mandola" (see this HT report).

Apparently based on a Haryanvi play recommended by Pankaj Kapur, the movie stars Kapur, Ajay Devgan, and Anushka Sharma.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on September 24, 2011 02:22 PM· permalink

vishal's next(s)

As seems to be the norm, there are numerous notes about Vishal's next venture.

The first is the sequel to Ishqiya and is called, until further notice, Dedh Ishqiya. Vishal, of course, will only be producing (and, one assumes, handling the songs and music). Shooting is supposed to start either at the end of 2011 or some time in 2012. It seems almost certain that Vidya Balan is not part of it while the other regulars are. It is unclear whether Kangna Ranaut and Madhuri Dixit will be part of the sequel.

The next is the much-hyped adaptation of Chetan Bhagat's 2 States and might (finally?) see Shah Rukh Khan collaborating with Vishal after the last opportunity for Mr. Mehta and Mrs. Singh came to naught. Rumours suggested that Priyanka Chopra was slated to play Ananya to SRK's Krish, but the actress has reportedly cleared that up: she is not part of the film (yet?). There are rumours that Asin might be the one, but rumours will be rumours. Things may start moving only in 2012.

Evidently bitten by sequelitis, Vishal is also working on Kaminey 2, but without Priyanka Chopra. More is not known.

The thread with the most surprises, however, has been for a film called (currently) Daayan. This not only sees Vishal collaborating for the first time with Ekta Kapoor, but also has a very surprising choice for the male lead: Emraan Hashmi. Evidently, this choice drove several A-list actresses away, including Rani Mukerji, but the latest rumour indicates that Vidya Balan, who did not make the roster of Dedh Ishqiya might snag the eponymous role. Little else is known about the film except for the premise of a guy doing the rounds with three lassies (which makes the choice of Hashmi not so surprising given his ouevre), one of whom is a witch.

Vishal is also working on what might well be the first in the pack to make it to the marquee: a romantic comedy with Ajay Devgn (TAFKA Devgan) and produced by Kumar Mangat. The title might surface in a few weeks.

After being a part of the launch of Mafia Queens of Mumbai by S. Hussain Zaidi and Jane Borges, Vishal has reportedly bought the rights to one of its chapters. Anything more might happen only after the cinematic adaptation of 2 States gets done (or abandoned).

Posted by George (noreply@blogger.com) on July 03, 2011 11:36 PM· permalink

National Awards for Vishal and Rekha Bhardwaj and others (Ishqiya)

The 58th National Film Awards (for 2010) were announced today.

Vishal Bhardwaj won his 2nd National Award for Best Music Direction (Songs) for "Ishqiya". His citation reads: "for blending rustic flavour with the Indian classical tradition. Earlier, Vishal had won this award for "Godmother" in 1999.

"Ishqiya" also won Rekha Bhardwaj her first Best Playback Singer - Female prize, the citation reading "for a sensual and evocative rendering of a heart longing for the beloved." (probably for "Ab Mujhe"). Two "Best Audiography" awards went to the film, to Kaamod Kharade (Location Sound Recordist ) and Debajit Changmai (Re-recordist of the final mixed track).

Unfortunately, Gulzar did not win his third award for Best Lyricist, losing out to Vairamuthu (who now has the most Best Lyricist awards at six). Incidentally, Suresh Wadkar, a long-time associate, won Best Male Playback Singer (for "Mee Sindhutai Sapkal")

(Readers will note that "Ishqiya" was a Vishal production. Previous National Awards won by Vishal and people associated with his films are listed here.)

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on May 19, 2011 11:44 AM· permalink

Vishal's non-film music album in the offing

According to the report in HT, Vishal Bhardwaj is working on a non-film Sufi album.

“We will be ready with it in about a year-and-a-half. It’s still in the planning stage,” Vishal says.

Also, per the update, 2 States, possibly won't be the film that Vishal directs next.

Posted by Abhi (noreply@blogger.com) on May 10, 2011 10:47 AM· permalink

Ishqiya sequel and Sabrina Dhawan on Two States

Some news:

* Looks like there may be a sequel to Ishqiya. See this.

* Vishal's next, an adaptation of the novel "Two States", sees a new co-writer in Sabrina Dhawan. She is better known as a close collaborator of Mira Nair on films such as "Monsoon Wedding". This is better news than having Chetan Bhagat on board.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on March 28, 2011 08:15 AM· permalink

Barse Barse

"Barse Barse" sees Vishal collaborating not only with Gulzar, but also with Suresh Wadkar, whose association with Vishal has been fruitful but somewhat unheralded. (I have been mulling over a post on this topic for a while.) This is a non-film album (we don't seem to have a proper term for anything outside of a Bollywood soundtrack!). Karthik reviews it here.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on March 28, 2011 08:12 AM· permalink

Abhishek Chaubey: "Inside the Mind of Vishal Bhardwaj" (OPEN Magazine)

Abhishek Chaubey knows a thing or two about what makes Vishal tick, having assisted him and having directed a film under his production. OPEN magazine has an interview with Chaubey on his mentor.

(Link courtesy Ajay Bhat)

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on February 28, 2011 03:52 AM· permalink

"Vishal's World" - an article in Mint Lounge

"When 19-year-old Vishal Bhardwaj returned from cricket practice that morning, his home had been emptied out on the street. Chairs, tables, utensils, clothes, photo frames—everything lay strewn on the road outside his home in Meerut, Uttar Pradesh. In the midst of it, right there on the street, his poet father—for long his best friend—lay sprawled. And lifeless."

(The board behind him in the photo is pretty interesting - among other things, I picked out references to names such as Wadia and Nadia - remember that Vishal was once planning to make "Julia" a film on 'Fearless' Nadia, and in talks with Franka Potente then.)

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on February 20, 2011 06:50 AM· permalink

Baradwaj on Bhardwaj

With "7 Khoon Maaf" around the corner, ace film critic Baradwaj Rangan explores Vishal Bhardwaj's fascination with and ability to render interesting female characters in a piece for Caravan Magazine aptly titled "Blood Sisters".

Warning: the essay contains spoilers about most of the films mentioned.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on January 31, 2011 09:27 AM· permalink

The music of "7 Khoon Maaf": track and credit listing

Posting on behalf of George

1. darling*: usha uthup/rekha bhardwaj
2. bekaraan: vishal bhardwaj (violins: ganesh-kumaresh) (a nice flourish that, if i may add)
3. o mama: kk (rap: clinton cerejo) [vishal does a PAANCH for himself :)]
4. awaara: master saleem (sitar: niladri kumar) [saleem does rahat]
5. tere liye: suresh wadkar (mohan veena: pandit vishwa mohan bhatt) [lucky charm wadkar?]
6. dil dil hai: suraj jagan
7. yeshu: rekha bhardwaj
8. doosri darling*: usha uthup, rekha bhardwaj, clinton cerejo, francois castellino
9. o mama (acoustic): kk

*original russian folk song 'kalinka' composed by ivan larionov (1860); additional russian lyrics: aditi singh sharma

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on January 31, 2011 08:38 AM· permalink

7 Khoon Maaf - Music track listing

(from Flipkart's page)

1. Darling

2. Bekaraan

3. O Mama

4. Awaara

5. Tere Liye

6. Dil Dil Hai

7. Yeshu

8. Doosri Darling

9. O Mama ( Accoustic)



Singers: Master Saleem, Usha Uthup, Rekha Bhardwaj, K.K, Suraj Jagan, Suresh Wadkar

(will update the page as we get more info)

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on January 15, 2011 10:10 AM· permalink

(7KM music) The official word on "Kalinka"

As reported earlier, "Darrling", the song that accompanies the trailer of 7 Khoon Maaf is based on a Russian folk song called "Kalinka". This news report makes the additional clarification and assuages any potential misgivings about plagiarism:

Vishal confirmed using the Russian track, "Yes, it is based on Kalinka, which is a centuries-old Russian folk song. In fact, original Russian words have also been used in the song as one of the husbands happens to be a Russian." He adds, "It has been used in a lot of films around the world." We hear that he even flew down four Russian singers to sing the Kalinka song. They are also given credit in the album.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on December 28, 2010 06:09 AM· permalink

Vishal, Shah Rukh Khan, Chetan Bhagat (OMG!)

I guess it's time to come out of denial and actually report this as befits this blog. Apparently, Vishal will be adapting Chetan Bhagat's "Two States" with Shah Rukh Khan, thus resulting in a combination that one would not have guessed days ago. Just how this will turn out, we'll wait and see, but a certain sense of disbelief at Vishal using CB material is a little disconcerting. Such sentiment earlier has been restricted to his choice of actors (and must confess, these have been unfounded), so time will tell.

The guys at 'Fight Club' are also none too impressed with this development (2nd half of the post).

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on December 25, 2010 10:20 PM· permalink

7 Khoon Maaf - the trailer

Earlier today, "VBFan" told us about the official poster of "7 Khoon Maaf" and soon after, Punit Jha posted the link to the first trailer on the Gulzarfans Y! Group. On first viewing, this one is as good as Kaminey's trailer (impressive that Indian film-makers too can cut such trailers):



Striking notes:

* Can't figure out the main voice in the song, but there's Usha Uthup in the mix (she's also acting in the film)

* A cross-dressing John Abraham!

* Nice to see Annu Kapoor in a film after a long hiatus

* Great European lilt to the tune

* Oh, and looks like the official title is "7 Khoon Maaf".

Enjoy.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on December 25, 2010 10:30 AM· permalink

Karan Johar not in Saat Khoon Maaf

Now KJO as a wife-beating sex maniac in Saat Khoon Maaf was an inspired choice and would have been great piece of casting. I am sure it would have earned Karan Johar a zillion brownie points and weirdly would have dampened the whispers about his 'leanings'.

Of course, Karan Johar can't even fathom the concept of such characters, forget embodying them. The guy thinks "My Name is Khan" was a massive creative leap for him! The frog in the gilded well is now a Director in Bollywood.

Posted by Abhi (noreply@blogger.com) on December 10, 2010 04:40 PM· permalink

Kaam Ka Plot: a made for TV flick with a bit of Vishal

Vishal's friend and Mid-day film critic Minty Tejpal wrote and directed "Kaam Ka Plot" a tepid thriller featuring Ranvir Shorey, Sandhya Mridul, and Vinay Pathak, which appeared on TV a couple of weeks ago. Promoted as having music by Vishal, it had one song, which, truth to be told, was largely uninspired and unnecessary. Lyrics by Munna Dhiman and sung by Vishal himself.

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on November 23, 2010 01:26 PM· permalink

Saath Khoon Maaf's music: Suresh Wadkar

Given the film's January release date, the music of Vishal's next release "Saath Khoon Maaf" should hopefully be in the pipeline. Veteran singer Suresh Wadkar was interviewed for the Marathi TV channel "IBN Lokmat" during the Ganesh festival, where he spoke about how Vishal has probably experimented the most with Wadkar's voice. He also mentioned that he's sung a song for 7KM (if I can take the liberty), which came out well.

Wadkar's last Vishal appearance was in Kaminey where he lights up "Raat ke Dhaai Baje".

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on November 22, 2010 01:18 PM· permalink

Dream Sequence: title, casting, story

It seems that "Dream Sequence" is what it's being called. Vishal's film for Ektaa Kapoor's production house has seen a spate of news about its casting muddles. Fortunately (IMO), one established fact is that Deepika Padukone will not be one of the two leading ladies thanks to scheduling problems. So it's just Priyanka Chopra for now.

Speculation is also rife about the leading man: first it was Saif Ali Khan, who later moved out because he wanted Vishal to do a film for him in return (which Vishal declined). Apparently, Abhay Deol was to replace him, but now SAK is back. It's borderline gossip, so just read this news item instead.

The film is slated to be a smaller, more experimental film. Here's an interview with art director Samir Chanda on some of the pre-production work happening in Kolkata. Incidentally, he says the story has been written by Mukul Sharma. If I'm not mistaken, this is the same MS who writes for the Times of India on topics such as science and spirituality, used to run the popular Mindsport column during the bearable days of the TOI, and is the father of Konkona Sen Sharma (who, but for her pregnancy, should have been a shoo-in for the 2nd lead's role).

Posted by Ramanand (noreply@blogger.com) on November 21, 2010 01:22 PM· permalink

Milte hai Sur Yahaa

Vishal Bhardwaj has been signed up to compose music for Meghna Gulzar's next, 'Milte Hai'.
According to India Today,

Producer-director Sanjay Gupta has managed to get the golden duo of Vishal Bhardwaj and Gulzar as composer-lyricist for his upcoming Vidya Balan starrer Milte Hain.The film, to go on floors early next year, will be directed by Gulzar's daughter Meghna and it is after a long time that Vishal has agreed to compose for a movie, which is not being directed by him.

Posted by Abhi (noreply@blogger.com) on October 16, 2010 06:15 PM· permalink

"K-k-k-k-k-k-kaminey!"

A report in Glamsham says that SRK's signed up Vishal for his next home production, supposedly set in a small town.

Posted by Sudarshan (noreply@blogger.com) on October 09, 2010 11:28 AM· permalink