Interview with Zubeen Garg in Mumbai, published in North East Sun, Delhi

Interview with Zubeen Garg in Mumbai, published in  North East Sun, Delhi

My people are my biggest inspiration: Zubeen Garg

 

Ya Ali may have catapulted him to the big league of Hindi film music world, but that doesn't mean Zubeen Garg is taking it easy. For, rising in the popularity charts means he shoulders a much bigger responsibility now – to maintain the position. Even he knows nothing is permanent in Bollywood.

How has life changed after Ya Ali? "It's more hectic. I'm tired of travelling abroad and in India. It's tough to balance," says Zubeen.

Right now, Zubeen is working on several projects, including preparing music for two Hindi films, readying his new Hindi album, singing in Hindi and South Indian films. He has something for Assam as well. It's an album titled Mur Prio Geet, a remake of old popular Assamese songs.

His Hindi album Zindagi evoked wide-spread response and crossed platinum, means it sold more than 4 lakh of copies.

Besides music, Zubeen is an actor-director too and he's working in this direction too – a truly multi-faceted personality. "For direction, I' m writing my Hindi script Chakra. I want to start shooting in December."

Now that he is a known face in Mumbai, how does it feel? "It feels great to represent Assam nationally and internationally."

This dream boy also has a dream, "to do a song with Sting, Kenny G, Joe Satriany and Eric Clapton someday."

Reality shows are something that don't attract Zubeen too much though he did have to go at one such show in Sahara TV and quit after initial episodes. He also judged a singing show in Zee Bangla. But why did he really quit the Sahara show? "I didn't like the show. I never wanted to get in a contest. I liked Zee Bangla because I was a judge there. People shouldn't try to use artists."

Zubeen's musical journey started right from his childhood. He was in nursery when he started humming under the tutelage of his mother, his first guru. After his matric, Zubeen started playing keyboards and composing songs. "I wasn't sure about singing but I wanted to be a music director." In 1993, he released his first album Anamika, which went on to become a huge hit. And there was no looking back.

In 1995, Zubeen decided to try his luck in Mumbai. Initially, he faced some problems as he was alone. "Gradually I made contacts and people started calling me for work," says Zubeen.

Ask Zubeen the difference between Mumbai and Assam and he says, "Assam is my place and I have good hold there. In Assam, I can experiment according to my wishes. But in Mumbai, I have to be careful what I do."

He says language barrier is one reason why many talented Assamese singers find it difficult to set foot Mumbai. "We are from a simple background. Language is also a barrier for some. We also don't have an Assamese promoting company here. But slowly it's gaining momentum."

Zubeen thinks his biggest achievement to date is his popularity in Assam. "The way people love me is really wonderful. It keeps me going strong," he says.

And what about acting? "Cinema was my all time love. I took time to get into it because I wanted to know it totally. I love acting and it's in my blood." He has acted in Assamese film Mon Jai. His film Dinobandhu has won a national award. "I'm going to make some real good movie," he says.

Inspiration? And pat comes a reply. "My people are my biggest inspiration. My close friends and my family inspire me a lot."

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Interview with northeast girls in Chak De movie in Mumbai, published in North East Sun, Delhi

Interview with northeast girls in Chak De movie in Mumbai, published in North East Sun, Delhi

Chak De North-East

 

 

Chak De India became an instant hit all over India and helped our national game regain some of its lost dignity. The team that sizzled on screen had two girls from our very own NE region too — Masochon V Zimik, a Tangkul Naga from Ukhrul, and Lalhmingkimi Khiangte a Mizo from Aizawl.

Kakoli Thakur

 

Masochon V Zimik and Lalhmingkimi Khiangte share their experiences in Chak De India with North East Sun. Excerpts:

North East Sun: How did the role in Chak De happen?

Masochon V Zimik: Actually, I came to know from a friend that Yash Raj banner was looking for North-East faces for a film on hockey. So, I went to meet them and I got the role.

NES: Are you a hockey player?

MVZ: No, I didn't know even how to hold a hockey stick. Initially, it was tough but later I started enjoying. We had a three-month strict training programme, when we used to practise from morning 5 a.m till 1 p.m. We also used to go for swimming and acting classes.

NES: How was working with Shah Rukh Khan?

MVZ: Everybody asks me this question. It was really great. He is very humble. He helped us by giving acting tips and showing how to face the camera. He is a great human being.

NES: How was the chemistry with the girls? Who was your favourite?

MVZ: It was a wonderful experience. Though we had our share of cat fights, we became friends later and helped each other just like a real hockey team. My favourite among them is Shilpa Shukla.

NES: Your memorable moments during the making of the film.

MVZ: Actually there are many. I still get nostalgic and things come like flashlights in front of my eyes. We had our share of fights, we had great laughs, sometimes the weather was hot and sometimes very cold and we had to run around in short skirts using sunscreen lotion round the clock. We were all together almost around for nine months.

   

NES: Did you have any acting experience? If you get offers, would you like to continue acting?

MVZ: No, I didn't have any acting experience. It was my first encounter. But I enjoyed a lot. I would love to continue if I get offers related to Chak De India or any films related to the North-East.

NES: What are you doing right now?

MVZ:   I am a fashion designer. Since the last three years, I am staying in Mumbai and am looking forward to a good career.

NES: Which state of North-East do you belong?

MVZ: I am a Tangkul Naga from Ukhrul, Manipur.

NES: What do you think of the hockey scenario in the North-East?

MVZ: There are lot talents in North-East. But there are no good organisers. The facilities are very limited, especially for girls.

NES: Do you watch Hindi movies? Who is your favourite actor?

MVZ: Yes, sometimes. My favourite is of course Shah Rukh Khan.

NES: Can you speak Hindi fluently?

MVZ: I am not that fluent but I have learnt a lot from my Chak De India friends.

NES: How was your foreign trip during the making of the film?

MVZ: We went to Sydney and Melbourne. Besides shooting, we did lot of sightseeing and shopping. The cities are very clean and the people are very loving.

NES: What are your hobbies?

MVZ: I love painting, listening music, sketching and travelling.

************************************************************************

Lalhmingkimi Khiangte

North East Sun: What made you accept the role in Chak De India?

Lalhmingkimi Khiangte: I accepted the role for the purpose of development and unity of different players in a team of different states representing as team India.

NES: You are a hockey player. How long have you been in this game?

LK: Yes, it's been eight years since I started engaging myself as a hockey player. Now I am preparing myself to become a successful hockey coach

NES: How was the experience of working with Shah Rukh Khan?

LK: It was a great experience since he is a thorough professional. I found the very deep reality of a real actor. I found things very clear while working with him because he has the ability to show how one should act or express in front of the camera.

NES: How was the chemistry with the girls? Who is your favourite among them?

LK: A ll the girls were so good to me and we always cooperated with each other. I should say all are my good friends but among them Seema (Rani in film), Chitrashi (aka Chautala), Balbir Kaur (aka Tania), Nisha (aka Soymoy) came more close to me. I found them very humble and good.

NES: What are you doing right now?

LK: Well, I am doing my diploma course in sports coaching in hockey at the Netaji Subhash Institute of Sports Patiala, Punjab, as an initial step to realise my aim of becoming a good hockey coach.

NES: Which state of North-East do you belong?

LK: I belong to Aizawl, Mizoram.

NES: If you get offers for acting would you like to continue? Did you have any acting experience?

LK: Of course, I would love to act as I found it very interesting. I never had any experience of acting before Chak De India happened.

NES: What do you think is the hockey scenario in the North-East?

LK: The hockey scenario in the North-East as compared to other states of India, with exception of Manipur, is in a very sorry state. But the spirit is not completely off the field. I would like to inform that two players (Rosalind Ralte and Ruati) from Mizoram are still representing the nation, keeping the flame alive. But let's hope a miracle is going to happen in the near future for the hockey lovers of the North-East.

NES: What are your hobbies?

LK: Besides playing hockey, I love both singing and dancing.  

NES: Do you watch Hindi movies? Who is your favourite actor?

LK: Yes, I do watch Hindi movies sometimes and Shah Rukh Khan is my favourite.

NES: Can you speak Hindi fluently?

LK: I can speak Hindi but yet I am not so fluent.

NES: You memorable moments during the making of Chak De India?

LK: During the final shooting in Australia, I felt as if it was a real match when I took the penalty shot, it was just great. The event which made me happy and the most memorable was the time when we sang the national anthem with the big trophy (unfortunately we were only shooting).

NES: How was your foreign trip during the making of the film?

LK: It was wonderful visiting different places and interacting with different people of the world.

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Interview with Biju Phukan in Mumbai, Published in North East Sun, Delhi

Interview with Biju Phukan in Mumbai, Published in North East Sun, Delhi

People's love is my greatest achievement: Biju Phukan

Biju Phukan reigned over the hearts of the Assamese in the '70s and '80s and is still young at heart. Now in Mumbai he wants to do something equally worthwhile so that people all over India recognise him.

Biju Phukan still laughs when he remembers his foray into films. When he was a pre-university student, eminent Assamese director Brajen Baruah offered him a role in the film Dr Bezbaruah. Biju was elated and went on advertising that he had bagged a big project. "But when the film was released I appeared only in a song sequence and became the laughing stock," he says with a smile. But luck was always with him and after some days he got a major break in Nip Baruah's Baruar Sansar. That was the turning point of his life and he never looked back.

The veteran actor, whose smile floored many ladies in the '70s and '80s, still remembers his first shot in front of the camera, "I was very nervous. But when I finished the shot, everybody clapped. Even today when I go to a new film unit, the first shot still makes me nervous."

This was followed by Aranya, which won a National Award. Some of his other films include Lalita, Banariya Phool, Upoja Sonor Mati, Anutap, Rashmirekha, Maa, Mamata, Ganesh, Dharmakai, Abhimaan, Bahagar Dupariya, Antony Mur Naam, Bowari, Ghar Sansar, Brishti, Natun Aasha, Aajali Nobou, Achanta Prahar, Meghmukti, Rajanigandha, Bisesh Erati, Pahari Kanya, Pita Putra, Man Mandir, I killed him Sir, Aie Morom Tumar Babe , et al. As a child, Biju had acted in many plays when he was in Dibrugarh.

Biju had also the opportunity to work in parallel films like National Award-winning Agnishnan directed by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia. Even the film Brishti directed by Deuti Baruah was much ahead of its times. Others include Aparoopa and Papori directed by Jahnu Baruah.

After a long sabbatical from films, Biju started his second innings and acted in author-backed roles that require huge emotion and histrionics to display like Agnisakshi, Priya Milan, Chinaki Achinaki, Barood, etc. His last Assamese movie was Deuta Muk Bidai Diya.

Ask him about his favourite films and he says: "I enjoyed working in all of them. But if I have to name a few I would say Agnishnan, Bowari, Ghar Sansar, Pita Putra, Aajali Nobou, etc. In my whole career I had given only two flops. Even the songs of my films were huge hits, especially those by Jayanta Hazarika."

Biju had a short stint in Bengali films too. "I acted in Aparajita, Hotel Snowfalls and some others. But somehow my luck didn't click in Bengali films. But I am still in touch with my Bengal friends. Bengal is second home for me."

Who are his favourite directors and co-stars? "Bhaben Saikia, Jahnu Barua, Munin Baruah. I would not name any of my co-stars because if I name some the others will be unhappy."

The superstar of Assamese films also got behind the camera and his first directorial venture was Bhai Bhai . His television serial Deuta written by Dr Bhabendra Nath Saikia also became very popular.

What's the secret behind the unbeaten innings? Biju thinks that it's God's blessings that he never had to ask for roles for himself, but the offers came to him. "I never asked for roles. I still can't do it. I wish I could do it. But now I am open to good character-based roles and offers are pouring in."

This romantic reel hero had a love marriage in real life too. "The year was 1977. I had gone to Bishwanath Chariali for Upapath. In between shooting, I had to rush to Tezpur for a wedding reception. I came across a girl there. We were introduced and I asked her if she can sing and she sang Na jane kiu hota hai yeh zindegi ke saath… and I loved it. And slowly we began exchanging love letters. Within six months we got married. That was December 6, 1977."

Biju remembers one incident when he went to offer prayers to Sibsagar Shiv temple with his newly married wife Rajashri. "A huge crowd surrounded me and my unit members had to pull me out from the crowd. There were a lot of school students among them. Two girls were suspended. Later, I had to go to their school and request the authorities to take them back."

He loves watching Amitabh Bachchan and Shahrukh Khan's movies and adores directors like Hrishikesh Mukherjee, Shakti Samant, Mani Ratnam, Madhur Bhandarkar, Ram Gopal Varma,

What about Bollywood? Why didn't he try his luck out here? "You know my role in Ananda Ashram was almost final but somehow it didn't happen. Besides, I was so busy in Assamese films, that I remained confined there. I didn't even get time to think to come to Mumbai and try. But I don't regret. Now I will do something in Mumbai but behind the camera. In fact I am working on two projects, but nothing is finalised yet."

Biju is not too happy about the current state of Assamese films. "The amount of real talent is still missing. The variety of subjects in Hindi and Bengali films are so thought provoking. But our Assamese films are moving around the same theory. When I hear titles like Suren Choror Putek and Junda Iman Gunda I don't feel like watching those films. I feel North-East people should come out to learn more. "

Ask him about his children Anshuman and Sanghamitra and he says, "My children feel their father is not old and still can do a lot, especially in direction. My son and wife help me in TV production work. I am happy that my daughter is interested in acting."

So, what is his greatest achievement to date? "Once I was travelling in the interiors of Sibsagar for shooting. People stood along the tracks during the whole journey, showering me with flowers and gamochas, as the train moved slowly. Even today, when I go to any place in Assam, people recognise me. It is this love that I think is my greatest achievement. But I feel that is not enough I need to do something so that people all over India recognise me."

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Interview with Reema Kagti in Mumbai. Published in North East Sun, Delhi

Interview in Mumbai

Published in North East Sun in Delhi

I would love to make films on Assam: Reema Kagti

Working with Bollywood biggies is not a new thing for Reema Kagti. After a long innings as an assistant director, she is all set to release her debut Hindi film. Reema is nervous but equally positive.

A film buff since her childhood, Reema Kagti was born in Digboi, Assam, on September 8, 1972, and educated in Shillong, Delhi and Bombay. After a social communications media post-graduate diploma she started to work in films in the capacity of an assistant director.

Reema's first job was with Rajat Kapoor in Private Detective and the national award winning Hypnothesis. She had it in her mind that the film industry was sooner or later going to change its mode of production and switch over to sync sound films shot in one schedule. Hence, she was selective about her projects and worked only with filmmakers who were paving the way for a new generation. Her list was high-profile: Kaizad Gustad's Bombay Boys, Ashutosh Gowariker's Lagaan, Honey Irani's Armaan, Mira Nair's Vanity Fair and Farhan Akhtar's Dil Chahta Hai and Lakshya.

Reema assisted Farhan in all his projects, including commercials and videos. When she wrote her script for Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd., her debut Hindi feature film, Farhan was keen to see it made and to see her branch out as a director. Excel Entertainment was formed in 1999 by Ritesh Sidhwani and Farhan Akhtar offered to produce her first film, Honeymoon Travels Pvt. Ltd.

Now, Reema is anxiously waiting for her film, which is set for release on February 23. "The film is a humorous take on love and marriage. Six middle class couples go on a package honeymoon tour to Goa," says the scriptwriter and the director.

How did the idea of a script like this happen? "I had written one of the tracks in the film as a short story years ago. In a very tongue-in-cheek way, the story questions the conventional concept of perfect love. Much later, I got the idea to develop it as a feature script and added all the other tracks set against the backdrop of a package honeymoon tour."

When asked about something memorable during the whole experience of making her debut film she says, "There have been so many things going on that it's difficult to isolate one incident. Making this film has taken over my life for the past three years and has been a wonderful experience."

After Honeymoon Travels Pvt Ltd., she is planning to direct a script that Zoya Akhtar and she will co-write and which will be produced by Excel. "It's very premature to talk about it yet."

Like any other first timer it was difficult for Reema to select the cast or find a producer. "It was probably so because my script is very unconventional and it's difficult for a first-time director to convince actors and producers about something different."

It is very surprising and interesting to learn that Reema had no formal training. "I have learnt what I know from hands-on experience and watching films obsessively."

She has loved films ever since she was a kid. In her late teenage years, she decided that she would make films one day. For that Reema obviously faced hurdles at the initial stage of her career, but she was very positive. "Everyone does (face troubles) when they try and do something. The important thing is to not get bogged down by them. Perseverance does really pay off."

Reema thinks that development is the one big glaring difference between her native place Assam and Mumbai and feels the government should really focus on developing the North-East.

It has been two years since Reema last visited Assam. She gets nostalgic when she remembers her childhood. "My parents have a farm near a small town called Borhapjan. I have lived out of Assam for several years but it will always be home to me."

"I think some very interesting films have come out of Assam. Someday I would also love to make films in and about Assam." Reema says.

It's not that Reema thinks only about her films all the time. This film buff also has interesting hobbies like reading, writing, chess, cooking, music and video games.

Reema has many unfulfilled dreams and she thinks her memorable moment is still to come.

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