UNIVERSAL MUSIC AND QYUKI’S CSR INITIATIVE `THE DHARAVI PROJECT’ SEES IT’S FIRST MUSIC RELEASE!

“SAAMNE YEH KAUN AAYA” is a collaborative single between Dharavi      based outfit Slum Gods along with DJ / Producer Suketu

In January 2015, `THE DHARAVI PROJECT’ - a one of its kind CSR initiative was launched by leading record label Universal Music India along with Qyuki, a Multi-Platform Network co-founded by Shekhar Kapur, A.R. Rahman and Samir Bangara.Since its launch, the venture has set up a music and dance school in Dharavi which has been funded from its CSR budget with the aim of identifying and grooming homegrown talent and providing them a platform to showcase their potential. Universal Music has periodically brought in prominent singers, musicians, choreographers and producers to the school to identify and mentor young talent.Now The Dharavi Project is proud to launch its first release – “Saamne Yeh Kaun Aaaya”, a pop / dance / hip hop recreation of one of Bollywood’s hits from the film ’Jawani Diwani’. The song features SLUM GODS - India's First Collective of talented Hip Hop artists from the heart of Mumbai, Dharavi. By using Hip Hop to bridge the gap between chaos to creativity, Slum Gods is an initiative to tackle the vicious circle of poverty, crime etc.  The song also has vocals by Thompson Andrews and is remixed by the immensely popular DJ Suketu.Devraj Sanyal Managing Director and CEO, Universal Music Group, South Asia said “The Dharavi Project is not just a CSR initiative but it’s something that’s close to our heart. When we launched it in January 2015, we were determined to tap into the talent that exists in Asia’s largest slum and provide them with a platform to showcase the same to the outside world.  Along with our partners Qyuki we put a plan in place to go about this process. Setting up the music and dance school at Dharavi made us proud and what followed were visits by our friends in the business - singers, musicians, choreographers and producers to identify and mentor young talent. The release of “Saamne Yah Kaun Aaya” is the result of the hard work put in by all involved to make this CSR project count!  We will continue to work this project and hopefully make a difference in the lives of many more such talented individuals living in Dharavi.” 

Samir Bangara, Co-founder and MD of Qyuki said “The seed of this idea "The Dharavi Project" was sown from our very own vision at Qyuki to create and provide a digital platform to the young creators in India to showcase their Talent. The project was launched to discover creators from the nook & corners of Asia's largest slum - Dharavi and help them leverage their Talent through our digital platform by means of collaboration, mentorship and technology across the world. We are proud to have Universal Music Group partnered with us in this initiative and help us set the stage right by launching our 1st HipHop music and dance school in one of the by-lanes of Dharavi. The release of “Saamne Yah Kaun Aaya” is just the beginning and we look forward to impacting the lives of many such talented hidden gems/creators not just in the Dharavi of India but many such Dharavi's across the globe.”The single “Saamne Yah Kaun Aaya” is available across all digital platforms exclusively on Universal Music. You can view the video for the song here:

JIMMY SHERGILL AND BRUNA ABDULLAH IN DELHI

Jimmy Shergill and Bruna Abdullah promoted their upcoming film ‘Yeh Toh Two Much Hogaya’ in Delhi.

Dressed in denim jacket and an asymmetric white shirt, Jimmy looked super cool. Bruna on the other hand looked chic in the yellow crop top and skirt.  The chemistry of Jimmy and Bruna Abdullah will be a treat to watch. Arbaaz Khan will be seen as a villain in the film, apart form Commando actress Pooja Chopra.

The film is presented by Badshah Khan,Dialogue of the film is written by Bholu Khan, cinematography done by  Rajiv Srivastav, Lyrics by Anwer Khan,Jairaj Selvan & Vishal B Patil, Music by Avishek Majumdar,action by Mahendra Verma, Dance by Rajiv Surti and edited by Devendra Murdeshwar. Cast: Jimmy Shergill, Arbaaz Khan,Pooja Chopra, Murali Sharma, Bruna Abdullah,Zarina Wahab and Vijay Patkar.E4U Enterprises is releasing the film on 2nd September all over.Zee Music has music rights of the film

Days of Tafree’ sets record of being the first Hindi film which is a remake of a Gujarati film

Remakes are quite common in the cinematic world.  Bollywood filmmakers have taken inspiration or adaptation from a number of regional films and remade it in Hindi. While the Tollywood and Kollywood films have got a lot of remakes but it is not very often when a Gujarati film gets a Hindi remake. Anand Pandit and Rashmi Sharma’s upcoming film ‘Days of Tafree’ sets the record in being the first Hindi film which is been remade by a Gujarati film Chhello Divas.

The youthful fun film Chhello Divas, which was a blockbuster in the Gujarati film industry and had garnered huge success in the audiences mind, was declared a super hit. The low budget film had gone beyond the makers expectations in vowing the audiences with its crisp and fun content.  It is known that the popularity of the film was not restricted only to the Gujarat audiences but all over the world due to its exceptionally amazing content of reliving the college days.  Witnessing this enormous admiration for Chhello Divas, the makers of ‘Days of Tafree’ felt the need to make its Hindi remake.
Talking about it the Producers of Days of Tafree Anand Pandit and Rashmi Sharma said, “Chhello Divas was a super hit Guajarati film and was loved by everyone. Despite being released with two big budget films like Tamasha and Prem Ratan Dhan Payo, Chhello Divas had successfully grabbed audience’s attention and had done brilliantly at the box office .Our film can be said an inspiration or adaption of Chhello Divas. Though the plot is quite similar of college students and their memorable life, the execution is highly different. Unlike the Guajarati film, we have made our film an extravaganza with fresh start cast and crisp screenplay. The element of freshness in film is quite evident with the trailer and we are confident that once the film releases it will surely entertain the audiences.
Adding further, Director Krishnadev Yagnik who had also directed ‘Chhello Divas’ said, “I am extremely happy and proud to say that Chhello Divas is one of the rarest Guajarati films which has got a Hindi remake. I have worked on both the films and both the journeys were exceptionally different.  As ‘Days of Tafree’ is a Bollywood film, the restrictions are lesser as a maker which makes the creativity level rise higher.  Keeping a fresh starcast was a deliberate attempt to bring out that realistic performance and giving a chance to fresh talent to prove them." 

Varun Dhawan & others launch Sophie Choudry's new single 'Sajan Main Nachungi'

Sophie Choudry’s newest single ‘Sajan Main Nachungi’, which is touted to be the ‘Sangeet Anthem’, is gaining traction from B-towners and fast becoming a rage. Before unveiling the teaser to the media, Sophie's dear friend Sonam Kapoor launched the teaser of the song exclusively on her app. Post that the single was released with much fanfare on 27th August, 2016. A horde of tinsel town stars from Varun Dhawan, Manyata Dutt, director duo Abbas Mustan to Neil Nitin Mukesh specially came in to grace the launch event of her new single, which is released under the banner of prestigious music label Venus Worldwide Entertainment.

The stage witnessed an unforgettable evening when Sophie Choudry performed live & exclusive as she captivated the audience with her performance at the launch. 

Champak Jaain of Venus Worldwide Entertainment says “Sophie has done an outstanding job in the single. It is after 3 years that she is coming up with her single & we are proud to release it under our label. The song is peppy and captures the essence of bachelorette. At Venus we aim to present the best to the audience”

Sophie Choudry says 'I’m glad that music videos are becoming a thing again… because of artists like Honey Singh, Badshah & a few more but most of them still have actors in the lead roles apparently leaving no difference between a movie song & a music video. Cast an actor by all means but give the singer the scope to perform as well otherwise this is just another form of playback singing,” shares Sophie. 

Basking in the glory of her new hit track, “I miss the days of Nazia, Alisha, Shweta, Shaan, Lucky Ali, Euphoria & many more. At one point music videos were bigger than film songs because they were sexy, fun, glamarous… then every single person wanted to make sexy remix videos & gradually the market just died. I hope it doesn’t happen again,” signs off Sophie.

The single directed by Colossus (Ajay & Lovel), is picturized & vocals given by Sophie Choudry which revolves around a bachelorette party. The single ‘Sajan Main Nachungi’ opens with a fun opening verse and then launches into club mode with the party beats. When the song speeds up the tempo, it sounds very punjabi-like which enhances the danceable mood of the song. Although the song has a western touch, it is undoubtedly high on its Hindi & Punjabi feel.

Indeed Venus Worldwide Entertainment’s equity coupled with the dancing diva Sophie Choudry’s latka & jhatka’s is a perfect recipe for a chartbuster! 

Produced by- Champak Jaain & Aura Creative; Video Director- Colossus (Ajay & Lovel); Music- Vikram Montrose; Lyrics- Shekkhar Astitwa; DOP- Ravi Yadav.

Video Link - 

Katrina Kaif challenges her fans to #DoTheStretch

From daredevil stunts to pulling off intricate dance choreography, Katrina has always managed to stretch the limits with her moves & grooves and action on the big screen.

Her toned body is obviously a plus point and now the so-to-say delicate looking Katrina has yet again stunned her fans with yet another intricate serpentine stretch. 

Not only this, the most sought-after babe of Bollywood has even thrown a challenge for the fitness freaks or the ones who love to dabble with something thrilling.

Yes! Katrina has challenged you, her fans around India, through Facebook, Twitter and Instagram, to #DoTheStretch.

Teaming up with FBB, India’s leading retail fashion outlet, Katrina decided to challenge the established notions of comfort. She asked her fans to-do-the-stretch like her and share the photo on social media platforms with the added attraction of FBB gift vouchers.

Many entries poured in from all corners but one of them, named Vishal Mane, the muscular defender of Bengal Warriors, was one of the first fans to accept her bold challenge and his pose was so smooth and creative that Katrina would also definitely approve of!

The #DoTheStretch activity is still on and fans have 3 days to take the challenge and get the vouchers.