EXCLUSIVE: Sudesh Bhosale talks about winning Maharashtra State Film Award; reveals why he doesn’t sing as often: “Main agar Hrithik Roshan ke liye gaau, toh ajeeb lagega na?”; CONFIRMS that he dubbed for Anil Kapoor for some scenes in Tezaab

On August 21, the Maharashtra State Film Awards were held in Mumbai. Veteran singer Sudesh Bhosale was one of the awardees and before the event, he spoke exclusively with Bollywood Hungama about this honour, his journey and a lot more. The interview was memorable as the singer flawlessly imitated Amitabh Bachchan and even Lata Mangeshkar.

How does it feel to win the Maharashtra State Film Award?
In any profession, if one gets appreciation and an award, that too from the government, it’s naturally a huge thing. For an artist, it’s a big motivation and inspires him/her to work harder. I was sitting in my studio when I got a call, informing me of the award. I was elated as soon as I heard about it. I also missed my parents; they would have been happier than me. I learned a lot from Kishore da (Kishore Kumar), Lata ji (Lata Mangeshkar), Asha ji (Asha Bhosle), Bachchan saab (Amitabh Bachchan), etc. in the 80s. Thanks to their blessings, I did innumerable music shows. I remembered them and my other gurus when I won the award. I also hope to meet the jury members who selected me. Unko haath jod ke dhanyawaad karunga!

Do you recall past instances of winning awards and how you reacted then?
Firstly, I haven’t got many awards. Bahut kam awards mile hai (laughs). A recognition I remember was winning the Kishore Kumar Award in Indore. I was also awarded with the Mother Teresa Millennium Award in Kolkata. I was even given a Dadasaheb Phalke Award. Such instances, however, are few and far between.

However, I got a lot of love and blessings from Kishore da. Lata ji once said, ‘Bhosale mere saath hota hai toh mujhe kisi male singer ki zaroorat nahin padti’. This was like winning an award (smiles). Asha ji has also spoken highly of me. Once I sang Sachin da’s (S D Burman) song ‘Sun Mere Bandhu Re’. Mehmood saab was seated among the audience. He came backstage, touched my cheeks and said, ‘Beta, jab tune Sachin da ka suur lagaya, main tera chehra dekh raha tha. Tera upar waale ke saath connection ho gaya hai’. These are legends and their praises were akin to awards.

Nevertheless, whenever I have won awards, I have always felt good and humble.

 

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You have posted a lot of images and videos of you performing, on your Instagram handle. Do you love performing live as it gives you instant audience feedback?
I have been performing on stage for 45 years. I have lost count of how many shows I have done. I was counting until I did 2000-3000 shows but then I stopped. There was a time in the 80s when there was only radio, plays and cinema for entertainment. Orchestras filled the gap and provided mass entertainment to people. This is when I entered the music arena. I worked with Kishore da for his stage shows for 5 years from 1982 to 1987. I was the anchor and used to also sing Rafi saab’s songs. Later, I graduated to sing songs with Kishore da.

If you meet me personally, you’ll say I am a very boring man! But when you see me on stage, you’ll never imagine that yeh shaant, chup chaap baithne waala aadmi aisa bhi ho sakta hai. People love me in that avatar and I am also happy when I am on stage. My wife and my children scold me. They say, ‘Kitna naachoge?’! I tell them, ‘I’ll leave everything lekin mera stage shows bandh mat karo’. I also sing in different voices. In the circus, you’ll be entertained seeing the lion, cheetah, bear, etc. But when the joker enters, people say ‘Haan, ab kuch hoga’! Similarly, my show attendees also remark, ‘Sudesh Bhosale aa gaya. Ab mazaa aane waala hai’! I entertain people and I love it. And as you rightly said, you get an instant reaction.

Your bond with Amitabh Bachchan is legendary…
After singing ‘Jhumma Chumma’, Amit ji used to ask me to accompany him on his shows. A lot of old videos are available. The moment the song is played, he’ll ask me to mouth the dialogue from the film. He would be singing and I’d also be singing at the same time in his voice, creating a ‘double track’ effect. I would say ‘Main aur meri tanhaayi aksar yeh baatein karte hai’ (says it in flawless Amitabh Bachchan style), the crowd of 25,000 would go berserk! Lata ji, who would be present, would say ‘Waah, kya baat hai’ (says in Lata ji’s voice).

There’s another incident when I sang ‘Doli Mein Bithai Ke’, a song from Amar Prem (1972). I realized that Asha ji had covered her face with her hands. When the song was over, she kept her hands down. I saw she was in tears. She told me, ‘Aisa laga ki Sachin da mere paas khade hai’.

These moments hold a special place in my heart. Whenever I am feeling low, I remember them. I listen to their songs throughout the day.

You also did shows with Amitabh Bachchan. You recently posted about it…
Woh kaafi acchi yaadein hai. After Jhumma Chumma, he went on to do many world tours. Anil Kapoor saab, Sridevi ji, Anupam Kher ji, etc. were also a part of it. He also sings well and his songs are a hit. Yet, he makes me sing the songs. People die to see Amitabh Bachchan and that man knows Sudesh Bhosale. Nothing can be bigger than that! Whenever I message him, he replies to me within 24 hours. Aur kya chahiye? Yeh bhi toh award hai na (smiles)?

You haven’t sung for Amitabh Bachchan in a long time. Can we expect a collaboration in future?
Yes, why not? I, in fact, dub for him for his ad films. He’ll be shooting for a brand in September. He’ll dub for it himself in Hindi. I’ll dub for him in various languages like Odia, Bengali, Gujarati, Marathi, Punjabi, Tamil, Telugu, Kannada, etc. When he finds out that I’ll be dubbing for him, he would say ‘Sudesh kar raha hai toh theek hai’. He knows that I have never misused his voice.

Amitabh Bachchan went to court and got an order restraining anyone from using his voice without authorization…
Yes, that’s because somebody dubbed in his voice while promoting an alcohol or tobacco product. And Bachchan saab was justified in doing so. Gullible people might assume that he has endorsed the product.

 

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It was a surprise to hear your voice in a song in Shamshera (2022). Why do you sing so few songs?
Earlier, actors would debut when they were in their early 30s. Now, the heroes are 15 when they debut. And my voice won’t suit them. And the thought is that if an actor is young, the singer should also be of his age. Anyway, main agar Hrithik Roshan ke liye gaau, toh bada ajeeb lagega na?

Also, there’s a difference in singing and playback singing. I could modulate as per the requirement. The way I sang ‘Jumma Chumma’, ‘Say Shava Shava’ ‘Sona ‘Sona’ or ‘Meri Makhna Meri Soniye’ were all different from each other. I can sing for characters and I continue singing. I have a studio in Goregaon. I also sang ‘Mard Maratha’ from Bajirao Mastani (2015). 2 days ago, I sang for an upcoming Rajpal Yadav film.

I also did dubbing at a time when people didn’t know about it. I dubbed for Sanjeev Kumar in 5 films after he passed away. A lot of people don’t know that I dubbed for Anil Kapoor as well in some scenes in Tezaab (1988).

The post EXCLUSIVE: Sudesh Bhosale talks about winning Maharashtra State Film Award; reveals why he doesn’t sing as often: “Main agar Hrithik Roshan ke liye gaau, toh ajeeb lagega na?”; CONFIRMS that he dubbed for Anil Kapoor for some scenes in Tezaab appeared first on Bollywood Hungama.

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Yash starrer Toxic shoot commences in Bengaluru with 1000-member crew; elaborate set recreated to reflect the 1940s: Report

Yash has embarked on his latest venture, Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups, which is a period drama. The film, helmed by acclaimed director Geetu Mohandas, is set against the backdrop of the 1940s and boasts a star-studded cast. Yash leads the ensemble cast, playing the enigmatic protagonist whose life intersects with several intriguing female characters. Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria, and Huma Qureshi have been roped in to portray diverse roles.

As per a report in Mid-Day, the production is a massive undertaking, with a sprawling 20-acre set constructed on the outskirts of Bengaluru. The meticulous attention to detail is evident in the authentic recreation of the era. Every element has been carefully crafted from the costumes to the props to transport viewers back in time. Nayanthara is said to be the leading man’s on-screen sister, while Advani takes on the part of his love interest. A source told the publication, “The production design team has created a world authentic to the 1940s. The team has been working at a breakneck pace. While Geetu has shot many crucial portions featuring Yash, she has also canned some scenes with Kiara Advani, Nayanthara, Tara Sutaria and Huma Qureshi.”

The production team has assembled a crew of over 1000 members to bring the director’s vision to life. Additionally, 450 actors have been hired to populate the world of the film, with 300 foreign support actors joining the cast for a pivotal sequence. Another source said, “Geetu has roped in 450 actors, who are shooting intermittently in this schedule. About 300 foreign support actors have been called in for a crucial sequence. A part of the shoot was being done outdoors, and due to heavy rain, filming had to be halted many times. But the cast and crew are fully committed and have been putting in multiple all-night shoots.”

Toxic: A Fairy Tale for Grown-ups will delve into the dark and dangerous world of the drug mafia, specifically focusing on its reign from the 1950s to the 1970s. Reports suggest Yash will portray a stylish gangster, a stark contrast to his previous roles.

The project is a joint production between Yash’s own banner, Monster Mind Creations, and production house KVN Productions. While shooting began in June 2024, the team resumed filming in September. The film is currently slated for a theatrical release on April 10, 2025.

ALSO READ: Tara Sutaria to play Yash’s romantic interest in action-drama Toxic? Here’s what we know

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AP Dhillon breaks silence after gunshots fired outside his residence in Canada: “I’m safe. My people are safe”

The Canadian music scene was shaken to its core on September 1 when renowned Punjabi singer-rapper AP Dhillon’s home in Vancouver was targeted in a shooting incident. Despite the harrowing ordeal, Dhillon remained steadfast, assuring his fans and loved ones of his safety through a heartfelt social media post.

The incident sent shockwaves through the music industry, with the Lawrence Bishnoi-Rohit Godara gang claiming responsibility and issuing a chilling threat against the singer. The gang cited Dhillon’s alleged connections to Bollywood actor Salman Khan as a motive, warning him to “stay within his limits” or face dire consequences.

Dhillon’s collaboration with Khan in the music video ‘Old Money’ had seemingly drawn the ire of the criminal organization. However, the singer-songwriter refused to be intimidated, responding to the threats with unwavering courage. In an Instagram post, the singer wrote, “I’m safe. My people are safe. Thank you to everyone who reached out. Your support means everything. Peace and love to all.”

AP Dhillon’s journey to stardom has been nothing short of extraordinary. Hailing from a small village in Punjab, India, he has risen to become a global sensation, captivating audiences with his unique blend of Punjabi and Western music. His meteoric rise was documented in the Prime Video series AP Dhillon: First of a Kind.

Dhillon dropped his new EP, The Brownprint, which features collaborations with artists from around the world. Dhillon celebrates his Punjabi heritage while embracing Western influences. The EP also includes collaborations with American rapper Gunna, Nigerian-born Afrobeats superstar Ayra Starr and emerging talent Syra.

ALSO READ: Firing outside AP Dhillon’s Canada house, Lawrence Bishnoi gang claims responsibility: Reports

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Rajinikanth exudes power as Deva in new poster of Lokesh Kanagaraj’s Coolie, see photo

Rajinikanth is set to embark on a thrilling new journey with director Lokesh Kanagaraj’s upcoming film, Coolie. The film, which has generated considerable buzz since its announcement, promises to showcase the superstar in a never-seen-before avatar. Recently, Kanagaraj unveiled a captivating character poster of Rajinikanth as Deva, the film’s central figure.

The poster depicts the superstar in a menacing, rowdy pose, clutching an arm badge marked with the number 1421. The intense gaze and formidable stance hint at a complex and powerful character, suggesting that Deva is a force to be reckoned with. Kanagaraj expressed his admiration for Rajinikanth’s performance, sharing on social media, “Superstar @rajinikanth sir as #Deva in #Coolie. Thank you so much for this @rajinikanth sir. It’s going to be a blast.”

Superstar @rajinikanth sir as #Deva in #Coolie ????????

Thank you so much for this @rajinikanth sir ????

It’s going to be a blast ????????@anirudhofficial @anbariv @girishganges @philoedit @Dir_Chandhru @sunpictures @PraveenRaja_Off pic.twitter.com/TJxsgGdFfI

— Lokesh Kanagaraj (@Dir_Lokesh) September 2, 2024

Coolie boasts an impressive ensemble cast, featuring Telugu superstar Nagarjuna, Kannada actor Upendra, Shruti Haasan, Sathyaraj, and Soubin Shahir.

Kanagaraj has been gradually unveiling the characters of the film, sharing posters and details about their roles. Shruti Haasan will play Preethi, Nagarjuna will take on the role of Simon, Soubin Shahir will essay the role of Dayal and Sathyaraj will portray Rajasekhar.

Speculations have been rife about the possibility of actor Aamir Khan joining the cast for a special cameo. Coolie is being produced by Sun Pictures and features the musical score of Anirudh Ravichander. The film is expected to hit theaters in the second half of 2025.

ALSO READ: Lokesh Kanagaraj unveils first look of Sathyaraj as Rajasekar in Rajinikanth starrer Coolie: “Thrilled to have him”

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Salman Khan begins shoot at SRPF Ground and Marol hospital in Mumbai for intense action sequences despite rib injury: Report

The eagerly anticipated action film Sikandar, starring Salman Khan, has begun production in Mumbai. With director AR Murugadoss at the helm, the film is set to be a visually stunning and high-octane cinematic experience. The production team has meticulously crafted a massive set replicating the bustling Dharavi slum in Goregaon, Mumbai.

According to a report in Mid-day, Salman Khan is at the heart of Sikandar. The actor has been shooting for the film at the SRPF Ground in Goregaon and a hospital in Marol, where he will be engaged in intense action sequences. Salman remains committed to delivering a powerful performance despite a recent rib injury.

The production team has carefully planned the shooting schedule to accommodate his recovery, focusing on lighter action scenes during his working hours. Body doubles are being utilized for more demanding stunts, ensuring that Salman’s health is prioritized while maintaining the film’s high production value.

Rashmika Mandanna joins Salman Khan in Sikandar along with Prateik Babbar and Sathyaraj.

Sikandar is scheduled for Eid 2025 release.

ALSO READ: Salman Khan resumes Sikandar shoot despite rib injury; Mumbai sets cost around Rs. 15 crores: Report

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Photos: Disha Patani snapped in Bandra

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Sidharth Malhotra abruptly exits action drama Mitti one month before the shoot due to creative differences: Report

A highly anticipated action drama Mitti starring Sidharth Malhotra has been put on hold indefinitely. In June of this year, reports emerged that Malhotra was teaming up with producer Murad Khetani and director Balwinder Singh Janjua for a gritty action film. South Indian actress Sreeleela was also cast in the film. However, recent developments suggest that Malhotra abruptly exited the film just weeks before production was scheduled to begin.

 

As per a report in Peeping Moon, the reasons for his departure remain unclear, citing both creative differences with the director and concerns about the script itself. While some sources suggest Malhotra simply wasn’t convinced by the project’s direction, others claim his decision may have been influenced by a desire for more creative control on set. There’s also speculation that the actor’s recent box office struggles may have played a role, potentially making it difficult to secure funding for the film.

Earlier, director Balwinder Singh Janjua had earlier spoken to Bollywood Hungama to offer details about the project’s themes. He described it as an “action drama set in Uttarakhand,” a story that revolves around “guilt, living with the baggage of guilt.” He further elaborated that the film would explore themes of “saving your home and your land, your heritage,” emphasizing the importance of family and relationships.

Rumors are rife that Malhotra might be attached to an upcoming romantic comedy produced by Dinesh Vijan and directed by Dasvi filmmaker Tushar Jalota. This project, initially slated to begin filming in late 2023, was reportedly delayed due to budgetary concerns. Now, with Malhotra potentially on board, the film appears to be back on track, with filming potentially commencing in the coming months.

The yet-untitled film is expected to be a light-hearted and commercially viable project, a stark contrast to the action drama Malhotra recently departed. While the casting of the female lead hasn’t been officially confirmed, reports suggest that Janhvi Kapoor is in talks for the role.

Meanwhile, Sidharth Malhotra is also in talks with the makers of Race 4 to join Saif Ali Khan in the new installment.

ALSO READ: Sreeleela to play lead opposite Sidharth Malhotra in Mitti, filming to begin in October: Report

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