Jai Ho concert at Kolkata’s Salt Lake stadium

A R Rahman announced his Jai Ho’ concert at Salt Lake stadium on November 14, five years after he rocked a packed house at the same location.

The show is being organized by The Liver Foundation West Bengal and will help spread awareness about liver ailments and raise funds. President of the Liver Foundation, West Bengal, Ashokananda Konar urged everyone to come forward and support the cause.

Sourav Ganguly has been instrumental in supporting the foundation since its foundation. A few years back in Siliguri, the two maestros had come together with urban development minister Asok Bhattacharya to help a child, who was suffering from liver disease, recuperate.

He could not afford the cost of treatment. They hope that a lot of people benefit from the initiative taken up by the Liver Foundation.

Rehman had last performed at the stadium five years back. He was touched by the love and affection showered on him by the 90,000-strong audience at the show. This time he hopes it will be a bigger success, more so because he feels privileged and honoured to be called to perform for a noble cause.

Though he receives a stream of requests for performances, this concert was chosen by Rahman for its deservingness. It will form a part of his nationwide chain of concerts that has already been taken to Calicut, Pune and Chennai.

Rahman said he had experimented with Tagore and other Bengali songs in a few of his Tamil films. Asked to pick a favourite song from his vast range of compositions, Rahman said, that it is very difficult to pick and choose. However, the songs composed for Roja are really very special for him.

Tete-tete with Sukhwinder Singh

Churning chartbusters in midst of Jai Ho mania, Sukhwinder belts out electrifying tracks for Kamine, Luck and Sankat City. Singer gets candid in an interview and chats about his musical journey.

On Kamine

Songs are very happening; it has style, melody and message in it. Vishalji gave me the composition, after learning the song I was so desperate to sing it. It will certainly become a rage. The funny part is; I didn’t know for which film it was being composed, I casually inquired about the name of film and he said Kaminey! I was taken aback but he soon clarified that it’s the name of the film.

On his association with Vishal Bhardwaj

He is a wonderful person to work with, he understands his artistes. He makes hot tracks with a cool mind.

On Sankat City

I lost touch with them and I have no idea on what song has been incorporated in the film or even if the title has been renamed.

On Jai ho

I had recorded Jai Ho in my studio. I had no idea that it was to be featured in an international film. It really does not matter for which medium we are singing.

On his favorites

Earlier, I could not choose the best among my songs. But last year’s Fashion Ka Jalwa made me make-up my mind. I had never sung such-a stylish song up until Jalwa. Now, I begin my shows with Jalwa and the mood for the rest of the show automatically sets in. It has instilled a flirtatious quality in me. I have started flirting with girls on-stage while performing.

On AR Rehmaan

It is very important to approach the right people. Wohi gana mein leke dar dar bhatak raha tha kissi ne suna nai, AR Rahman heard two lines and the rest is known to all.

On success

When I realised mera sangeet ke bina dil nahi lagta, for me it was success. I never had any intentions to break records; I only wanted to live with music.

For Reality shows

Initially reality shows had a great format, but now it has become just business. Once the artiste knows where he has to go and what he wants, fir kisi reality show ki jaroorat nahi hoti. Patthar ke jigar waalon, Gam mein wo ravani hai, Khud raah bana lega, Behta hua paani hai. One should devote time to decide whom to approach, because it’s not necessary that a popular person is genuine or a genuine person is popular.

There is no question of getting Oscar early or late: Gulzar

Renowned poet-lyricist Gulzar who picked up an Oscar for the song “Jai Ho” from the multi-award winning film “Slumdog Millionaire” said Thursday there was no question of getting “an Oscar early or late”.
“There is no question of getting an Oscar early or late. It’s not something related to lifetime achievement. It is based on yearly assessment and for a particular category. So we got it,” he told reporters when asked that didn’t he think that he got an Oscar too late.

He was here to inaugurate a two-day workshop at the Indian Institute of Advanced Study, a research institution in the field of humanities and social sciences.

Asked how an Oscar award for song “Jai Ho” for the film “Slumdog Millionaire” has changed things for him, the poet replied: “What change can it bring? I would like to know that has it changed something for the people?”

Gulzar blamed his contemporaries for the ills in society. “Our generation must own responsibility for moral and cultural degeneration in society.

“We did not stand up against corruption when it started and now we are finding faults with the new generation. If the established values in society suffer a decline, these would be reflected in the creative works, especially films.”