Latest news with #KunFayaKun
Hindustan Times
27-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Sagar Wali Qawwali on modernising qawwali to appeal to Gen Z: I present qawwali the way I understand music
Jun 27, 2025 12:12 PM IST Singer Sagar Bhatia aka Sagar Wali Qawwali has been touring India. He performed in Mumbai last week and will take the stage in Kolkata tomorrow (June 28). Often credited for approaching qawwali with a modern approach, is it his way of keeping the genre relevant among the youth? 'I've been into Sufi music for 15 years now, as I started out with my band Sufi Rock. I haven't consciously changed anything. I've simply followed what felt right to me. People connected with it, and that's what made it feel relevant. I'm a kid of today's generation, so I presented qawwali in the way I understand music,' says Sagar. Sagar Bhatia A fan of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan, Sagar is known for giving the late legend's qawwalis a rock twist. 'Qawwali has always been alive and Bollywood has played a huge role in that. From Parda Hai Parda, and Kun Faya Kun to Khwaja Mere Khwaja and Bhar Do Jholi – Qawwali has always been a part of our culture,' he adds. Talking about the kind of audience that turns up at his concerts, Sagar says, 'People from every generation connect with my music — even kids as young as 5 or 6 sing my qawwalis. I try to simplify my language. I don't know a lot of Urdu. I use more Hindi and relatable words, so even Gen Z connects with my songs. I remember seeing a five-year-old fan at one of my concerts, singing Biba Sada Dil Morde. He knew the lyrics by heart. It was humbling.' As someone who started out by performing at jagrans and clubs, did he ever feel he would see these days? 'I started by playing the guitar at jagrans. I even performed with Narendra Chanchal ji, but I never got the chance to sing. I learned everything from the streets, observing senior musicians, and surviving on whatever money people would shower on me during performances. I never learnt music formally. Later, I played the guitar at dance bars in Malaysia. I got my first break as a singer at a club in Chandigarh and earned ₹ 10,000. I realised qawwali was what I truly wanted to pursue. I was clear that I wanted to be a singer, and now my dream is to become a composer.'
New Indian Express
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
'What I cherish most about 'Padakkalam' is the friendships we built,' says Sandeep Pradeep
What makes a young man from Vaikom in Kerala, who once only dreamed of becoming the police officers or film heroes he saw on screen, walk the uncertain path of cinema and succeed? For 28-year-old Sandeep Pradeep, the answer lies somewhere between passion, persistence, and a hunger to live many lives in one. He did his schooling at Lisieux English School in Vaikom, where the spark of acting first began to flicker. Thereafter, Sandeep has made Ernakulam his home for the past seven years. 'The dream to become an actor started from a very young age when I used to watch movies. When I see how heroes act, I used to imitate them and maybe that's the reason why I got fascinated by it,' says Sandeep. Like many children, he once faced the timeless question posed to students when they are in school: 'What do you want to become?' He admits to the confusion, but something began to take shape inside him. 'When I used to watch movies, while seeing police characters I felt like being a police. When I saw other characters, I felt like becoming that. Then I thought when I start acting in cinema, I can be part of all this.' He also loves listening to music. Who doesn't? The song Kun Faya Kun holds a special place in my heart," says Sandeep. "There's a particular scene in the music video where Ranbir Kapoor looks up it's etched in my mind. That moment always stays with me." A huge admirer of Ranbir Kapoor, Sandeep hopes to meet the actor one day. 'I just want to meet him someday,' he says with a smile. Even back in school, he was drawn more towards co-curricular and arts activities, and slowly, that interest bloomed into ambition. 'I used to study just for getting through the exams. I didn't study to excel,' he adds with a laugh.
Time of India
13-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
When Harshvardhan Rane revealed why he hasn't made his web series debut
, who was last seen in the romantic drama Tara Vs Bilal, once created a buzz online by unveiling his exciting lineup of upcoming films. Sharing the news with fans, through his social media handle, the actor revealed an impressive mix of projects, including 'Kun Faya Kun', 'Miranda Brothers', 'Dange', and 'F9'. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now While the actor has a long list of films on his slate, he has seemingly yet to venture into the web series space. Rane revealed that there was a personal reason behind his decision. He shared in a chat with Outlook India that he has made a promise to himself and a renowned filmmaker, that he would complete 10 Hindi films before venturing into web series. 'I had promised a big filmmaker that I will start considering web series only if I finish 10 Hindi films first''. 'Since I have just finished shooting for my 9th, its 1 more film to go before he calls me up! I have always focused on turning my waiting period into growth period by working on the craft inside out, but finally am grateful that my audience will get to see me in 4 different films before next summers,' the actor revealed. A scroll through Rane's Instagram posts will reveal that he excitedly teased his upcoming projects saying, "Jaise hi poora details milega I will give you. So happy, you will hopefully see 2 releases this year, and 2 film releases next year, as I have almost finished 4 Hindi films 1. #KunFayaKun 2. #MirandaBrothers 3. #Dange 4. #F9.' 'Kun Faya Kun' details revealed As far as 'Kun Faya Kun' is concerned, the film, directed by featured Rane and Sanjeeda Shaikh in lead roles and also had Kiran Shyam Shroff on board as the creative producer. Adding depth to the narrative, the screenplay was penned by Ghalib Asad Bhopali. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now He also announced Miranda Brothers, a sports drama that generated excitement as it marked the first-ever on-screen pairing of Harshvardhan and Meezaan. Directed by Sanjay Gupta, the film promised high-octane action and emotion, bringing together two dynamic actors in a genre that's always a crowd-puller. Power-Packed Film Lineup Harshvardhan also has 'Dange' on his slate. The project is a college drama directed by and promises youthful energy and intense storytelling. Adding to the excitement was his ninth film, tentatively titled 'F9'. Directed by , this project featured Harshvardhan in a special appearance, marking another unique addition to his diverse filmography. Harshvardhan Exits Sanam Sequel
Hindustan Times
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Imtiaz Ali recalls AR Rahman's reaction when girls in Kashmir mistook him for electrician during Rockstar shoot
Filmmaker Imtiaz Ali and music maestro AR Rahman created magic with the Ranbir Kapoor-starrer Rockstar, delivering iconic tracks like Kun Faya Kun and Phir Se Ud Chala. In a recent interview with O2India, Imtiaz shared behind-the-scenes anecdotes from their collaboration — including the time Rahman "ghosted" him. He also recounted a surprising moment during the recording of a song when the chorus singers refused to believe they were actually working with AR Rahman himself. (Also Read: 'Nice to blame me for everything': AR Rahman reacts to Abhijeet Bhattacharya slamming him for overusing technology) Imtiaz Ali had approached AR Rahman for Rockstar, but got busy making Jab We Met and Love Aaj Kal. When he later approached Rahman again for both films, the composer ghosted him. Imtiaz recalled another instance when Rahman 'famously disappeared' after agreeing to compose music for Rockstar. He found himself unsure whether Rahman would actually be doing the music, as the composer had stopped responding to his messages. Imtiaz suspected Rahman might be trying to back out of the project without actually saying no. However, while scouting locations in Delhi's Hazrat Nizamuddin, Imtiaz learned from a local that Rahman had visited the area and mentioned he was working on a song and a film related to the shrine. That moment of discovery made it clear to the filmmaker that Rahman had already begun working on Rockstar — just in his own quiet and unconventional way. Eventually, Imtiaz began shooting the film in Kashmir, where he also invited Rahman. While visiting snow-covered peaks and dargahs in Pahalgam, Rahman decided to record the song Phir Se Ud Chala. Imtiaz recalled how Rahman's simplicity led the Kashmiri girls in the chorus to believe he was an electrician. He said, 'Rahman sir set up this recording console in the reception of the hotel. He was wearing this black t-shirt paired with a grey trouser. These girls came in to sing chorus and suddenly asked who the music director was. Now, these people were not really exposed to cinema or its people, so they didn't know me or Rahman sir. When they asked, 'Who was the music director', I gestured at them to be quiet and showed them where they had to be for the recording. Rahman sir came out of the table, one of these girls was bold and she asked again, 'Who is the music director?' I finally pointed towards Rahman, and told them Here he is, AR Rahman.' 'One of the girls then denied to believe it and said, 'Yeh AR Rahman thodi hai', I have met him, he looks different.' Rahman played along and said, 'Yeah, yeah, forget about it. And then he sat behind the console and started recording. Until the end of it, these girls didn't realise that they are actually singing for AR Rahman,' he added. The musical romantic drama, written and directed by Imtiaz Ali, starred Ranbir Kapoor and Nargis Fakhri in lead roles, with Aditi Rao Hydari, Piyush Mishra, Shernaz Patel, Kumud Mishra, Sanjana Sanghi, Aakash Dahiya, and Shammi Kapoor in pivotal supporting roles. While the film had an average run at the box office, it has gone on to achieve cult status over the years.
