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The Hot Seat - Category Archive

Feb 13
Saturday

My Name is Khan – Hope, Happiness & Humanity

Filed under Bolly-Knowledge, Entertainment, The Hot Seat

Photo Courtesy: My Name is KhanI maybe got home from the movie theater about 20 minutes ago and immediately sat down in front of my computer. What can I possibly write about this movie, so that as a writer, I can give justice, I thought to myself.

Throughout the entire movie, it was dead silent. You could literary hear a pin drop. The only time there was noise was at the end when the audience gave the film a standing ovation, cheered, and whistled.

Job well done Karan Johar; job well done.

After having met Shahrukh Khan and Kajol and hearing them talk about the passion, emotion & depth which went into making My Name is Khan, everything was completely understood after seeing their on-screen chemistry that night.Shahrukh Khan plays the character of Rizwan Khan who suffers from Aspergers Syndrome, an autism spectrum disorder, in which affected people show significant difficulties in social interaction, along with restricted and repetitive patterns of behavior and interests.

In regards to playing a character with an Autistic disorder, Shahrukh told us:
Actually, I have been very interested in what is known as neruo-atypical behavior. I won’t say I enjoy it, but I’m very intrigued about how a different mind thinks. It’s very easy for all of us to sit down and say ‘Oh this person is abnormal’ but I want to know does he think the same about us? When I was younger, I was in a theatre group and we did a lot of work with autistic children and that’s where the interest started. And about four or five years back, a book had come out called “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nightime” about a little kid who has autism. I was really moved by that novel and I gave it to Karan and I said you should make a film with a small child like it is in the book. Three years later, Karan decided that I’ll be the small child! He wrote a script with Asperger’s, which is a more functional form of autism. I like to read, so I read five or six books written by a couple of people who had Asperger’s Syndrome and otherwise and I did a lot of research. I got documentaries and a lot of videos.

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All entries filed under The Hot Seat


  • Wrappin Up 2009 With RDB
    no responses - Posted 01.06.10

    Photo Courtesy: RDB & Nindy Kaur [Credits: Doug Sonders]RDB & Nindy Kaur have taken over everything like there’s no tomorrow. It’s only a matter of time till little kids are taking lunch boxes to school that say ‘Aloo Chaat’ with a picture of RDB or their nominated for an MTV Music Award! Trust me, it’s RDB & Nindy Kaur – anything, and I mean anything, is possible. And they’ve shown just that; if you believe in what you’re most passionate about, you can achieve the impossible.

    From touring across the world to four hit songs this year to performing at the biggest wedding in Bollywood, they’ve done that plus more! Now to me, their Kuly, Manj, Surj & Nindy; but to the rest of the world their idols, role models, and celebrities.

    In between performing across India and preparing for the holidays, I had the pleasure (as always *wink wink*) to catch up with these amazing musicians for an exclusive interview. For your reading pleasure, I present, one final sit-down with RDB & Nindy Kaur before the New Year!

    Wow, you guys have had one heck of a year. Tell us, what was your most memorable moment 2009?
    Kuly: As always touring with my brothers and sister in-law…seeing the tracks we’ve been making really light up fans faces…you just cant beat that feeling.

    Manj: It has to be touring with the whole family; this includes Anoop, my son. Every time we got onto stage he would just run on and take the show over…he’s absolute nutcase just like his parents…haha!

    Surj: For me it has to be the tours in India. It was great fun, and met so many new people.

    Nindy: Performances and video shoos are hand-in-hand for me. But I’m going with video shoots. We shot the video for my song Akhiyan…

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  • A Diamond in the Rough, a Star in the Making
    no responses - Posted 09.15.09

    Photo Courtesy: Karen DavidKaren David is not your average “girl next door.” This exotic star has everything you’ve been looking for: talent, sex appeal star quality that shines through everything she puts her passion to. The stylish actress, singer, and songwriter’s budding career has been going from strength to strength. Born in Shillong, at the foot of the Himalayas and raised in Toronto, Canada, by a half Chinese/Khasi mother and a father from Chennai, the ever-alluring Karen was never one to be confined by the expected boundaries.

    Karen has been back in the studio in L.A recently, writing additional songs for her album project with Qura Rankin, and also in London with Paul Barry and Carl Ryden. Her debut album is in production and features collaborations with an A-list team that includes the beautiful, eclectic Bombay Dub Orchestra (Garry Hughes and Andrew T Mackay), and songwriter-producers Johnny Douglas, Rob Wells, Damian Legassick, Andy Bradfield and, of course, A R Rahman. The breathtakingly original songs marry her velvet smooth voice and quirky insights, set against an exotic backdrop that could only have been painted by Karen David. Her “Live Sessions” EP received critical acclaim, and her much anticipated album will show off what KD is all about.

    So what’s next for Karen? Check out Karen’s exclusive interview with Karen David and you’ll find out :-)

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  • Are You Down with Jay Sean?
    no responses - Posted 08.25.09

    “Baby are you down down, down, down, down…”

    It’s amazing how quickly that line caught everyone’s attention and became one of the most popular songs in such a short amount of time. The credit goes to none other than Jay Sean. This talented 28 year old has done it again, once again coming out with a super hit song that is on the tip of everyone’s tongue.

    Released on May 31, 2009 “Down” instantly became a popular hit song jumping the charts from #60 to #6 in just two weeks! On iTunes “Down” went from entry level on the charts to the #2 song! This is a phenomenal feat but it is no surprise. Let’s be honest, Jay Sean has created nothing short of outstanding music.

    With hit songs such as “Stolen” and “Eyes on You” it was no shock that Jay Sean would once again WOW the world with his melodic voice. I had the lifetime of the opportunity to sit down and talk with Cash Money’s recently signed artist and it was nothing short of fun, fun, fun (ok…I need to stop singing things to the tune of ‘Down’)!

    Currently you are signed to Cash Money Records. Before getting signed you knew of other artists who were part of the label. Did you ever think that you’d be in the studio with Lil Wayne and recording a song together?
    Of course not…when people say ‘did you think’ and ‘did you do that’ you really don’t ever think that it would happen…I think the fact that it happened to me it was a moment where I went ‘what is going on?’

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  • Hot Seat: Nindy Kaur
    no responses - Posted 12.17.08

    Nindy Kaur, also the wife of acclaimed singer and producer Manjeet Ral of RDB, began singing at the age of 10. Raised in the U.K. and surrounded by the beats and rhythms of Birmingham’s Bhangra bands, she grew up as a child who would save her lunch money to buy every single Bhangra album upon release. Nindy has self-taught herself the art of singing and has spent years developing her vocal skills in both Punjabi and Hindi. Her main goal as an artist is to be true to her culture and reflect that in her music. She has never once forgotten where she’s come from and has kept true to her culture both vocally and personally.

    Soon after their marriage, her singing abilities were obvious to Manj; she went on record more with RDB. Nindy instantly became an overnight success, with both the younger and the older generation, both in awe of her captivating and charismatic vocals.

    With a debut album upon release, in addition to features on RDB albums and stepping into Bollywood, Nindy Kaur is becoming a bigger international super-star with the start of each new day! She stands as a role model to many aspiring singers and lives thru to the fact that you can achieve anything you want in life if you put your mind and heart into it.

    Her voice is like a breath of fresh air and has already created an impressive resume, making her name synonymous to that of her singing talents. She is determined to take this industry by storm and won’t cease until she’s succeeded. During a recent performance, I had the chance to sit down with Nindy and discuss her musical past, present, and future…not to mention the two most amazing men in her…

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  • The Hot Seat: G-Deep
    no responses - Posted 12.08.08

    G-Deep is the first Punjabi artist to have been signed to Times Music – he’s got a unique voice and isn’t afraid to express himself in different ways. He’s recently released his debut album, “Sher Punjabi,” and is talking about his second album already! With two hit videos under his belt and a long and successful future ahead of him, we had the chance to sit down with G-Deep and talk about a lot of things other than music!

    Keep reading to find out more!

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  • Down the Dark & Destructive Path . . . A Phoenix Rises
    no responses - Posted 12.06.08

    Nishi's Niche

    Sometimes, you have to go down the completely wrong and self-destructive path, and do the completely wrong and unhealthy things, in order to learn and find your way back onto the right path. Like the phoenix – whose self-destruction causes her to re-emerge even more beautiful and wiser.

    For much of your life, you live according to a plan – whether your own or your parents’ or some other societal entity. This plan is ultimately for your own good. You realize this, which is why you go about following it.

    But there comes a time when, for various reasons, you’re unable to follow the plan. Deep-rooted problems surface, questions unanswered, dissatisfaction, physical, hormonal or mental ills. Whatever the case, it pushes you to leave the planned path and dabble in something you know is destructive.

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  • Introducing: Saru Maini
    no responses - Posted 11.11.08

    Photo Courtesy: Saru MainiBravura Artist Magazine is the first to bring you an exclusive new video Shake It Shake It, released by T-Series. The song has been sung by the sultry Saru Maini – and of course, music composed by the one and only, DJ Sanj/J-Nas

    Saru Maini has recently been signed to EEG Talent and is here to rock the Indipop scene in a completely new avatar with her latest album “Shake it Shake it” to be released by T series.

    Saru’s album is primarily dance and the music has a very international sound. Saru has also penned down for the first time the lyrics for two of the songs. The album is indeed close to her heart.

    Saru has already made a name for herself in the Pop scene with the success of her album ‘Ishq Hua’, and her album ‘Sutta Mixx’ which was also a big hit was conceived to help spread the message “Don’t Smoke“, as she wanted this message to reach out to the masses. Through her song “Say No to Drugs” she helped to create awareness against drug abuse. Saru attained her first break in playback opportunity in the song, Bhangara Paale, a duet with Sonu Nigam in the movie “Anthony Kaun Hai” for which the music was composed by Himesh Reshammiya.

    Make sure you stay locked to Bravura Artist Magazine as we bring you an exclusive interview with both Saru and DJ Sanj!

    YouTube Preview Image

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  • Kazz-tasitic!!
    no responses - Posted 11.10.08

    Photo Courtesy: Kazz Kumar/Sona FamilySona Family’s latest addition is vocalist Kazz Kumar who was born in Chatham, Kent and raised in South London. Her musical stimulus as a child has been colourful with artists including Madonna and Cyndi Lauper through to Aaliyah, Gwen Stefani and Linkin Park shaping her creative output today. She is of Sri Lankan descent; the multi-talented performer tried her hand at a gamut of instruments including the piano, flute, violin, guitar and drums but settled at her voice as first choice.


    To add to that, she was vocally coached by Kim Chandler (a backing vocalist for Michael Jackson and P. Diddy), Kazz performed for audiences at The Royal Albert Hall through to a solo at Disneyland Paris, and was also a member of an all Asian girl band. However, the girl band was to last only a short time before they split and Kazz went on to University to study BSc Multimedia Technology and Design.


    She’s hot, sexy, and has one hell of a voice! Bravura Artist had the chance to sit down with this UK superstar to find out what’s happening in the life of Kazz!

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  • Aasman – Reaching New Heights
    no responses - Posted 11.10.08

    Photo Courtesy: RU AIRNovember 21st, 2008 marks the 25th Anniversary of the AIR Show, and it will be bigger and better than ever! One again, the entire team of AIR takes you back to the prestigious State Theater of New Jersery, where your favorite South Asian Rutgers Teams, student groups, and friends will bring the stage to life! Trust me, this is an event, you don’t want to miss out on! This will be the event of the semester you do not want to miss!

    Performances Include:
    RAAG, RAGA, RU Bhangra, RUDE, RU Natya, Bijli, Kati Rock ‘n’ Roll, Raaz the Band, Intro Dance, Fashion Show, Spoken Word, and the Dancing Shivas…!

    This semester’s chosen charity is the Not for Sale Campaign, and all the profits raised from the show will go towards this charity. It is a campaign that raises awareness and takes action against human trafficking, modern day slavery. Not for Sale is a campaign of students, entrepreneurs, artists, people. Not for Sale aims to educate and mobilize an international abolitionist movement through the innovation and implementation of open-source activism. Inside the United States, the campaign identifies trafficking rings and collaborates with local law enforcement and community groups to shut them down and provide support for the victims. Internationally, the campaign partners with poorly resourced abolitionist groups to enhance their capacity. So come to the show to watch wonderful performances and help us raise awareness and money for this touching cause.

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  • The Unstoppable Ajaxxx
    no responses - Posted 06.19.08

    Photo Courtesy: Hanging Moss ProductionsOrlando-based rapper Ajaxxx can simply be described by one word: unstoppable. With numerous mixtape projects, national performances, and international hit tracks all under his belt, he is intent on spreading his music as people continue to join his worldwide fan-base. He’s graced the covers of national and international magazines, released song after song, and even had a commercial of his air on MTV – truly a remarkable feat for any up-and-coming emcee. He is truly an accomplished artist with a driven mindset. Although this hardworking attitude has rewarded Ajaxxx, much of his success can be attributed to his amazing skill as well. His abilities on the mic have made him a rising star in the music industry and a name that’s going to make a mark. I don’t need to sit here and boast such talent, though – just continue reading and find out…

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