It's all about giving good music in a "traditional public performance", says singer-composer Shankar Mahadevan as he gears up for a live concert with contemporary and classical notes, and some nostalgia too. The show, titled 'Shankar Mahadevan Live in Concert' and produced and curated by Rahul Ranade and Deux Farming Films, will be held on December 3 at the Shanmukhananda Hall in Mumbai, India.
"In the earlier days, when an artist performed in an auditorium people used to pay money to buy tickets to listen to the music. We wanted to try out traditional, regular public performances. The concert is in a few days and it is already sold out. It's about giving some good music to people," the singer told PTI in an interview here.
Mahadevan will perform popular songs, including Bollywood, Marathi, folk, fusion, and devotional genres.
The concert will feature 32 musicians in the 'Live Strings' section.
"There is going to be a live session, a big orchestra. Rehearsing with them, putting and organising things, the journey is amazing," said Mahadevan.
The 'Retro Tribute' section will pay homage to stalwarts such as S D Burman, Salil Chowdhury, Lata Mangeshkar, Madan Mohan, Shankar-Jaikishan, Mukesh, Asha Bhosle, Kishore Kumar, Sahir Ludhianvi and Majrooh Sultanpuri.
“We are doing a tribute to all these amazing people who have set up an institution of music. It is going to be a lovely musical experience. I hope people enjoy it,” the 55-year-old musician said. Srinidhi Ghatate and Raman Mahadevan as well as eight chorus singers will join Mahadevan on vocals.
This will be the third collaboration between Ranade and Mahadevan, their association going back three decades. They have previously worked on 'My Country My Music' in 2014 and 'The Masters', a 'jugalbandi' between Mahadevan and Ustad Rashid Khan (2018).
"On a collaborative project, it is the process of creating that is more fun than the actual project," Mahadevan said.
Ranade said he was in awe of Mahadevan's musical intelligence and dedication.
Some of Ranade's favourite Mahadevan songs are "Gaana Mere Bas Ki Baat Nahin" from "Astitva", the 'Breathless' album, and "Tanhayee" from "Dil Chahta Hai", his work as part of the music composer trio Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy. "He would have sung songs many times but when he is in rehearsals, he does impromptu things. It is so much fun to work with him. The camaraderie, the friendship is there. We both love to eat, so that is the common thread,” said Ranade, who first worked with Mahadevan in the late 1980s TV show "The Common Man". Mahadevan, who has numerous songs in multiple languages like Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada to his credit, said music labels unfortunately are in control of the decision-making process in the industry.
He also rued the fairly new practice of roping in multiple composers for a single movie's soundtrack.
“It is a strange time when in many of the films there are multiple composers. Music companies and producers take charge of the music in many projects,” he said.
However, there is some good music that is charting its course.
Citing the example of the hit song "Kesariya" from the 2022 release "Brahmastra: Part One Shiva", Mahadevan said, "There is a lot of mediocrity too in between. But there are people like us, who are swimming against the tide and trying to keep the idea of melody, lyrics, and rendition alive."
ANI)
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.