Imran Khan



HE’S only heard about a fan following, he says. Imran Khan, nephew of Aamir Khan, grandson of Nasir Hussain, the new chocolate boy, says his life is perfectly calm. “I keep hearing about this female fan following in interviews, but I haven’t found it yet. My life has been fairly calm,” he says, sounding slightly surprised. “Four, maybe five, people have recognized me. When I came to Delhi recently, one girl recognized me at the airport and took my autograph, but apart from that, it’s been quiet.”

But that tag. Apart from the other similarities between him and Aamir, how does he respond to that common tag? “What tag? Interfering?” he asks. No — ‘chocolate boy’. “Oh… Well, I’ve never really thought about myself like that,” he says, again sounding perplexed. It’s seems that this 25-year-old looker is going to be all business, just like his uncle. To prevent that, we ask him about his girlfriend. “Of course I’m seeing someone. Her name is Avantika and I’ve been seeing her for six years. We met at a mutual friend’s place.” And is she, as is rumored, Ranbir Kapoor’s ex? “They were at school together and dated then... they must’ve been 13 or 14,” he says. And she’s a model, right? “No, actually. She’s in a film production company. She’s been in the business for two years.” Has she seen Jaane Tu… Ya Jaane Na, Imran’s debut? “She’s seen it many times — through the first cut, and the second, and so on,” he says. What does she think of him? “I’ll just quote her. She said, ‘I can’t be objective about you. I’m being honest — I’m just like, Oh, it’s you, it’s you!’’’ he says.

Matter-of-fact just about sums up Imran. Whether it’s filmmaking — which he’s studied at LA — or his unit, or his uncle’s pranks (“He’s quite the prankster. All the pranks he plays on the sets have been tested on me first. I’m quite the long-suffering nephew.”) or the new breed of cinema in India, Imran is uniformly polite, intelligent, honest and matter-offact. Much has been written about him and Aamir, in particular — the similarities that they share in their looks, in the fact that their uncles have launched them (“Very poetic”) — but they also seem to share their cinematic sensibilities. Imran counts TZP and RDB among his favourite films. “I strongly feel that cinema should be commercial. I don’t want to make a film that only I would be watching alone in a theatre. And Aamir also feels the same way. RDB was a crazy concept, but it worked at the BO. Before Lagaan, everybody told us that it was crazy and that Aamir shouldn’t sink any more money into it. But it worked too,” he says.


*******

More than ‘good friends’

IMRAN KHAN is everywhere because of his debut, the fact that he’s Aamir Khan’s nephew and his relationship with his long-time girlfriend. And instead of using the usual “We’re just good friends” line, he acknowledges the relationship with a straightforward, “I’ve been seeing someone for six years. Her name is Avantika.” At one time, a premarital relationship could jeopardize the career of a debutant; not anymore. Imran says he’d rather be open about his relationship with Avantika because, “I’ve been brought up to respect women, so it would be disrespectful to lie about Avantika. If I denied it, it would make my parents ashamed,” he told BT. This seems to be the way most B-Town couples are going. Bipasha Basu has had high-profile relationships with ex Dino Morea and current beau John Abraham. Ayesha Takia makes no bones about dating restaurateur Farhan Azmi. Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor hold hands, hug and coochie-coo in public. Kareena handled her previous relationship with Shahid Kapoor with equal candour as did Saif with Roza Catalano. Preity Zinta and Ness Wadia even co-own an IPL team.

Abhiash, however, seem to be an exception. When reports of their relationship surfaced in 2006, the Bachchan clan, headed by Pa, denied it. So it was ‘odd’ when the couple went from being “just co-stars” to engaged at the New York premiere of Guru. It doesn’t seem to matter now since they’re married and everywhere.

It’s cool for celebs to be open about their relationships….

List of Hindi Tunes copied from English Tunes

Bad news for those who think hindi music is genuine and think that listening to hindi music is prestigious...

Hindi Song: Haan Haan Yeh Pyaar Hai (Dillagi)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Can't Take My Eyes Off Of You (Frankie Valli)
Note: Direct lift from original, but sounds beautiful in Hindi.

Hindi Song: Dil Le Le Lena (Auzaar)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Macarena (Los Del Rio)
Note: For all it's worth, Malik admits in the beginning of the song that it's a copy.

Hindi Song: Dil Maka Dina (Dhaal)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Macarena (Los Del Rio)
Note: Again?

Hindi Song: Tumne Jo Kaha (Laawaris)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Barbie Girl (Aqua)

Hindi Song: Koi Nahin Tere Jaisa (Keemat)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Cotton Eye Joe (Rednex)


Hindi Song: Tumhe Kaise Main Bataaoon (Dastak)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: The Windmills Of Your Mind (The Thomas Crown Affair)


Hindi Song: Paayal Meri Jaadu (Rajkumar)
Music Director: Laxmikant-Pyarelal
Copied From: Faith (George Michael)


Hindi Song: Na Tum Bolo (Dhoondte Reh Jaaoge)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: A Whole New World (Aladdin)


Hindi Song: Aisa Milan (Hameshaa)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: The Phantom Of The Opera (Andrew Lloyd Webber)
Note: I find the Phantom song to be a much better
composition with a haunting tune.


Hindi Song: Jab Koi Baat Bigad Jaaye (Jurm)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Five Hundred Miles (Peter, Paul, & Mary)


Hindi Song: Jaane Mujhe Kya Hua (Baazi)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Fur Elise (Beethoven)


Hindi Song: Itna Na Mujhse Tu Pyar Badha(Chhaya)
Music Director: Salil Chowdhury
Copied From: Symphony No. 40 (Mozart)
Note: Indication that "inspired" tunes are nothing new in Hindi music.


Hindi Song: Chehra Tera Chehra (Daag - The Fire)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Theme from Titanic
Note: Stupid choice.


Hindi Song: Tum Kya Jaano (Aashiq)
Music Director: Sanjeev-Darshan
Copied From: Theme from The Godfather
Note: Another straight lift, but Sanjeev-Darshan's style gives it an edge over the original.


Hindi Song: Koi Nahin Aisa (Dillagi)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Mony Mony (Tommy James and The Shondells)
Note: Again, a complete lift.


Hindi Song: Dil Dil Dil (Ittefaq)
Music Director: Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen
Copied From: La Copa De La Vida (Ricky Martin)


Hindi Song: Tera Gussa (Kareeb)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: The Happy Birthday ಸಾಂಗ್


Hindi Song: Tu Woh Tu Hai (Beqaabu)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Theme from The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly
Note: Sounds terrible when sung.


Hindi Song: Suno Zara (Bada Din)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: You Needed Me (Anne Murray)
Note: Complete lift; when they copy, Jatin-Lalit tend to go all the way with it.


Hindi Song: Aashiq Deewana Hoon (Afsana Pyar Ka)
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Copied From: La Bamba (Ritchie Valens)


Hindi Song: Ae Mama Haan Bhaanje (Silsila Hai Pyar Ka)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Dr. Jones (Aqua)
Note: The yodeling part from the Aqua song is copied with no reservations.


Hindi Song: Tirchi Topiwaale (Tridev)
Music Director: Viju Shah
Copied From: The Rhythm Is Gonna Get You (Miami Sound Machine)


Hindi Song: Ae Dil Hai Mushkil (C.I.D.)
Music Director: O.P. Nayyar
Copied From: Oh My Darling Clementine (Unknown source)
Note: Where do they come up with this stuff?


Hindi Song: Main Teri Hoon Jaanam (Khoon Bhari Maang)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Theme from Chariots of Fire
Note: Again, sounds horrid when sung.


Hindi Song: Mil Gaya (Hum Kisi Se Kam Nahin)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: Mama Mia (ABBA)


Hindi Song: Chim Chimni (Ghoonghat)
Music Director: Anand Raaj Anand
Copied From: Chim Chimney (Mary Poppins)
Note: Hmm...


Hindi Song: Kya Kehna (Kya Kehna)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Oh Carol (Paul Anka)
Note: Both songs work for me.


Hindi Song: Mere Rang Mein (Maine Pyar Kiya)
Music Director: Raam Laxman
Copied From: The Final Countdown (Europe)
Note: Only the music of Mere Rang Mein is lifted from The Final Countdown.


Hindi Song: Aate Jaate (Maine Pyar Kiya)
Music Director: Raam Laxman
Copied From: I Just Called To Say I Love You (Stevie Wonder)


Hindi Song: Jhilmil Sitaaron Ne Kaha (Khote Sikkey)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head (Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid)


Hindi Song: Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen (Khullam Khulla Pyaar Karen)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Bailamos (Enrique Iglesias)


Hindi Song: We Love Rocky (Aflatoon)
Music Director: Dilip Sen-Sameer Sen
Copied From: We Will Rock You (Queen)
Note: Sticking English lyrics in Hindi songs is NEVER a good idea.


Hindi Song: Chura Liya Hai Tumne (Yaadon Ki Baraat)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: If It's Tuesday This Must Be Belgium (Walter Scharf)
Note: R.D. Burman did a nice job of altering the song,
but the sense of "influence" is definitely there.


Hindi Song: Himmat Kabhi Na Todenge (Major Saab)
Music Director: Anand Raaj Anand
Copied From: U.S. Army marching song
Note: I find this to be one of the most inane instances of copying yet!


Hindi Song: Paagalpan Chha Gaya (Jaanam)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: And I Love Her (Beatles)
Note: It's interesting how Anu Malik always adds his unique touch even to his copied songs, making them often hard to decipher.


Hindi Song: Teri Chaahat Ke Siva (Jaanam)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: El Condor Pasa (Simon & Garfunkel)
Note: I also noticed that the starting of El Condor Pasa also sounds a lot like "Taarein Hain Baaraati" from Malik's later album, Virasat.


Hindi Song: Maari Gayi Pyaar Mein (Jaanam)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: I Am Sixteen and My Favorite Things (The Sound Of Music);
You've Lost That Lovin' Feeling (The Righteous Brothers)
Note: Some of the background music is inspired by My Favorite Things.


Hindi Song: Dole Dole Dil (Baazi)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Come September (Theme)
Note: Another copy of the Come September tune is Nazrein Mili (Raja) by Nadeem-Shravan.


Hindi Song: Aisa Zakhm Diya (Akele Hum Akele Tum)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Sweet Child In Time (Deep Purple)
Note: The opening and closing portions of the Hindi song are inspired.


Hindi Song: Dil Mera Churaaya Kyoon (Akele Hum Akele Tum)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Last Christmas (Wham)
Note: The funniest thing is that in the movie, Aamir Khan's character sells this tune to another musician, and everyone makes a ಬಿಗ್ deal about "stealing" credit for another's work.


Hindi Song: Tu Waaqif Nahin (Khiladiyon Ka Khiladi)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Fernando (ABBA)
Note: Only the main refrain is inspired; no harm done.


Hindi Song: Sun Sun Sun Barsaat Ki Dhun (Sir)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Listen To The Sound Of The Rain (Jose Feliciano)


Hindi Song: Ladna Jhagadna (Duplicate)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: A-Tisket A-Tasket (Children's song)
Note: Wow.


Hindi Song: Ek Sharaarat Hone Ko Hai (Duplicate)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Slip And Slide (Laura Allen)
Note: Only the "la lai lai" tune is copied.


Hindi Song: Jeena Pyaar Se Jeena (Yeh Tera Ghar Yeh Mera Ghar)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Nina Pretty Ballerina (ABBA)
Note: Direct lift; ABBA seems to be a frequent victim.


Hindi Song: Baraana De (Insaaf)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Paranue (Serapis Bey)
Note: They even rhyme!


Hindi Song: Mujhe Neend Na Aaye (Dil)
Music Director: Anand-Milind
Copied From: Chunni Ud Ud Jaaye (Alaap - UK band)


Hindi Song: Hari Om Hari (Pyaara Dushman)
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Copied From: One Way Ticket (Eruption)


Hindi Song: Koi Yahan Naache Naache(Disco Dancer)
Music Director: Bappi Lahiri
Copied From: Video Killed The Radio Star (The Buggles)
Note: One part of the song is copied.


Hindi Song: Yeh Vaada Hai (Raju Chacha)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Day By Day (Godspell)


Hindi Song: Jaana Suno Hum (Khamoshi)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Bring The Wine (Paul Anka)
Note: Note for note.


Hindi Song: Koi Mil Gaya (Kuch Kuch Hota Hai)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Take That Look Off Your Face (Song And Dance)
Note: The part when the title of the song is sung.


Hindi Song: Yunhi Kat Jaayega (Hum Hain Rahi Pyar Ke)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Lovely Lady Of Arcadia (Demis Roussos)


Hindi Song: O Mere Sapnon Ka (Dil Hai Ke Manta Nahin)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Bachelor Boy (Cliff Richard)


Hindi Song: Pehli Baar Mile Hain (Saajan)
Music Director: Nadeem-Shravan
Copied From: Solitude Standing (Suzanne Vega)
Note: Pretty cleverly done.


Hindi Song: Laaoon Kahan Se (Jaane Jigar)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Hotel California (Eagles)


Hindi Song: Jai Kaali (Karan Arjun)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: It's All Right (East 17)
Note: That's just pathetic.


Hindi Song: Haseena Gori Gori (Tarazu)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: In The Summertime (Shaggy)
Note: I don't think he even tried to hide this one.


Hindi Song: Chaand Sitaare (Kaho Naa Pyaar Hai)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Voices (Vangelis)
Note: Brace yourself; you're about to see Rajesh Roshan's ugly history of blatantly stealing from Vangelis for his themes.


Hindi Song: Badan Judaa Hote (Koyla)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Conquest Of Paradise (Vangelis)
Note: Again, the recurring humming theme in Koyla is a copy.


Hindi Song: Humko Pyaar Hai (Moksha)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: Messages (Vangelis)
Note: Why doesn't he just hire Vangelis to compose for him?


Hindi Song: Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke (Old)
Music Director: Ravi
Copied From: The Breeze And I (Al Stillman and Ernesto Lecuona)


Hindi Song: Jeevan Ke Safar Mein (Munimji)
Music Director: S.D. Burman
Copied From: The Mexican Hat Dance
Note: At least the Hindi song has a completely different aura.


Hindi Song: Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya (Title)
Music Director: Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Exorcist II: The Heretic (Theme)
Note: Et tu, Sandeep?


Hindi Song: Roundhe Hai (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya)
Music Director: W. Killar & Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Vampire Hunters (Bram Stoker's Dracula)
Note: Why did he need help from someone else just to copy a tune?


Hindi Song: Kambakth Ishq (Pyaar Tune Kya Kiya)
Music Director: Sandeep Chowta
Copied From: Eireann (Afro Celt Sound System)
Note: Interesting story here; Chowta was accused of using an unoriginal beat, which he defended by saying that he took ಹಿಸ್ beat from a public website. But what about the TUNE
that he lifted from this song?


Hindi Song: Yeh Pyaar Hai (Indian)
Music Director: Anand Raaj Anand
Copied From: Ojos Asi (Shakira)


Hindi Song: Gupt Gupt (Gupt)
Music Director: Viju Shah
Copied From: Deep Forest (Deep Forest)
Note: Hilarious.


Hindi Song: Babuji Dheere Chalna (Aar Paar)
Music Director: O.P. Nayyar
Copied From: Perhaps Perhaps Perhaps(Doris Day)
Note: Nayyar did good work on this one.


Hindi Song: Mehbooba Mehbooba (Sholay)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: Say You Love Me (Demis Roussos)
Note: Both songs make you wince equally.


Hindi Song: Tumse Milke (Parinda)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: When I Need You (Leo Sayer)


Hindi Song: Kaisa Tera Pyaar (Love Story)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: I Have A Dream (ABBA)
Note: As usual, the Hindi song is infinitely better.


Hindi Song: Aa Ab Laut Chalen (Jis Desh Mein Ganga Behti Hai)
Music Director: Shankar Jaikishan
Copied From: Ciao Ciao Bambina (Domenico Modugno)


Hindi Song: Tera Mujhse Hai Pehle (Aa Gale Lag Jaa)
Music Director: R.D. Burman
Copied From: The Yellow Rose Of Texas (Elvis Presley)
Note: Sounds like a crazy idea, but it actually worked pretty well.


Hindi Song: Neela Dupatta Peela Suit (Hameshaa)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: All I Wanna Say (Michael Jackson)
Note: The beats and opening portion are inspired.


Hindi Song: Love Hua (Jaanam Samjha Karo)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Angelo (Brotherhood Of Man)
Note: Another case of "good" copying.


Hindi Song: Neend Churaayi Meri (Ishq)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: Sending All My Love (Tolga)
Note: I think freestyle music sounds nice when sung in Hindi; it should be done more often.


Hindi Song: Kuch Kasmein (Aankhen)
Music Director: Jatin-Lalit
Copied From: Nights In White Satin (Moody Blues)
Note: So Jatin-Lalit's self-proclaimed "new style" is
to copy different tunes?


Hindi Song: Tinak Tin Taana (Mann)
Music Director: Sanjeev-Darshan
Copied From: Yang Sedang-Sedang Saja (Iwan - Malaysian)
Note: Not a shred of originality on Sanjeev-Darshan's part.


Hindi Song: I Was Made For Loving You (Jaanam Samjha Karo)
Music Director: Anu Malik
Copied From: I Was Made For Loving You (Kiss)
Note: Big surprise.


Hindi Song: Oh Jaanam (Dulhan Banoo Main Teri)
Music Director: Raam Laxman
Copied From: Frozen (Madonna)
Note: Just listen to Madonna's pronounciation of Sanskrit shlokas in her song "Om Shanti" and you'll feel much better.


Hindi Song: Kimti Kimti Hai Zindagi (Criminal)
Music Director: M.M. Kreem
Copied From: Lonely Lonely Monday Morning (Snow)
Note: Ooooookay...


Hindi Song: Na Bole Tum Na Maine (Baaton Baaton Mein)
Music Director: Rajesh Roshan
Copied From: When Johnny Comes Marching Home (Patrick Sarsfield Gilmore)
Note: I'm glad to see that Rajesh Roshan finds the
American Civil War to be so romantic.

Hindi Song: Marne Ke Darr Se (Jurm)

Music Director: Rajesh ರೋಶನ್

Copied From: La Isla Bonita (Madonna)

Note: Only the first line of the Madonna song is copied, but it's pretty obvious.

**********

Master Kishan

When Master Kishan directed his first-ever movie, it was in the news for the director’s age and the sensitivity with which the subject of C/O Footpath was handled. And now, the world’s youngest director has got one more feather in his cap with his film winning the national award for the Best Children’s Film this year. Obviously, the youngster is elated. “I am thrilled at receiving the award,” says Master Kishan, before dashing off for a felicitation ceremony to be attended by the chief minister. “I am soon flying to Greece to be at film festival as my film will be the closing film there,” he adds.


In honour of his achievment, the Karnataka government recently sanctioned a BDA site to Master Kishan, who in turn intends to set up a Computer Graphic Animation Centre on this site. There will soon be a documentary on the life and achievments of Master Kishan. To be produced by the Japanese NBC channel, this will be a half-an-hour programme.

Upen Patel

Guess what Upen Patel was up to in the past few months? After wrapping up the shoot of his forthcoming film Money Hai Toh Honey Hai, the hunk joined a bootcamp in Thailand to learn Muay Thai — a martial art for which the hands, shins, elbows and knees are used extensively. Being a huge fan of martial arts, Upen wanted to learn this form to improve his fitness. “The place was like a prison where I had no contact with the outside world. I had to wake up at six in the morning and do some strenuous training including running for around eight km,” says the hottie, who is looking fitter than ever before. He even gave BT a breathtaking demo of his new martial art prowess. A self-confessed foodie, Upen now maintains a high protein, lowcarb diet and works out for 45 minutes in the gym every day.


Upen has also polished his Hindispeaking skills, lately. The actor, who was panned by critics for speaking the language with a heavy English accent, now boasts, “ Main achhi Hindi bol leta hoon.”


He was last seen in One Two Three, which flopped at the box office. “I’ve become choosy now. I’ve rejected around 20 films because I didn’t like the roles. I don’t have a Khan or a Kapoor behind me and I have no godfather in the industry. I want to do only those films that help me grow as an actor,” says Upen, who has three releases slated for this year. “From now on, you will see a more action-packed Upen. I made a few wrong choices and I’ve also got fooled in the bargain. But now I’ve matured,” says the actor, who hopes to impress the audiences with his acting skills. “I’ll definitely make a mark in Bollywood one day,” he says with a new found confidence that has come, perhaps, with his recent expertise in the Thai martial art.