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Finger in all pies, Amit Mishra has little to complain
Amit Mishra is riding the crest of good times, balancing film songs, OTT platform, private music and shows. The last film song of the Lucknowite ‘Fikar Not’ in ‘Chhichhore’ did well. His next release is ‘Prem Pujari’ for the upcoming Netflix film ‘Drive’, while studio recordings and shows continue to keep him busy.
“‘Drive’ is my second film on OTT after ‘Rajma Chawal’ (Rishi Kapoor) in which I sang four songs. So, it’s a good trend and it has once again upgraded me. The platform is very close to the youth. It helps in strengthening our playlist too,” said the ‘Bulleya’ singer on his visit to HT House during a Diwali break in his hometown.
He also sang the title track of AltBalaji series’ ‘Boss’, which stars Karan Singh Grover. But, songs in movies are what matter most, Mishra feels.
“‘Prem Pujari’ has been composed by Amartya Bobo Rahut and I have sung it with Akasa Singh. It has been written by Siddharth Kaushal and the film has been directed by Tarun Mansukhani. It’s again a Karan Johar movie which stars Sushant Singh Rajput and Jaquiline Fernandes. The song has been picturised in a way that it can become a wedding/party anthem like ‘Sun Ganpati Bappa Mourya,” he said.
The last film song was ‘Fikar Not’ in ‘Chhichhore’ composed by Pritam. Most of his songs have been composed by Pritam and for Jam8, a talent hub founded by Pritam.
“Some friends too have raised this concern that I dub for Pritam Da and Jam8 mostly. But, I am doing for others too. This year, I did a project for Meet Brothers which was a cricket anthem for a mobile company. I have recorded a track for Salim (Suleman) Saheb, though I don’t know when it will release. ‘Prem Pujari’ is composed by Bobo Rawat. I have dubbed for Rochak Kohli, Sajid-Wajid, Himesh Reshammaiya and Tanishk Bagchi. I go for trials for other composers too. So, I am recording for others too but Pritam Da and his team understand my strengths best,” he said.
The ‘Manma emotion’ and ‘Mire karwaan’ singer has recorded 7-8 songs for Jam8 with new composers and hopes they will come out soon.
His last single was ‘Vacation’ in 2018. “I have recorded three tracks which includes ‘Lahe Lahe’ and ‘Rising in Love’. I am not getting time for them. Probably, we will be shooting ‘Rising in Love’ in Canada in March. Recently, my songs ‘Marham’ was released on Sony Music which was composed by Surya, a Lucknowite,” he said.
Do we see him more in singles? “I am not into heroism, nor am I a great dancer or good looking! So, I prefer to feature in my own singles only as my team knows how to use me effectively in the videos.”
In Lucknow, he always to yearn to learn new crafts! “This time I trained myself in power-core fitness regime which is a form of dance which is more into athletics and back-front flips etc. I have also learnt dance from Binasha Deshmukh. I want to do it for my stage shows as all this helps me connect with my audience. I always want to remain a student. During my last visit, I was learning vocals from Vinod Sharmaji.”
Will he be composing for films next? “I have my own bank of compositions. But, I don’t think I have the patience one needs to make a project for movie. And, it’s a tough task! Maybe a few years later I will want to do it but right now, my focus is vocals, as I am a singer first and want to remain one. For my singles, I make music. I am learning music production too which will help me later.”
Talking about his visit, he said, “It is fun being here celebrating with family and friends. Even the smallest happiness that you get at home is priceless. I had a great time helping in making rangoli, putting up the lights and meeting relatives. But, in Mumbai, I miss playing cricket in big grounds.”
The singer says that a lot is happening on the live-show front. “I will be travelling to the Middle East and Europe for shows. I have concerts lined-up for Pritam Da, Jam8 and then my own shows. So, this is a good phase altogether,” he added.
Drive’ is my second film on OTT after ‘Rajma Chawal’ (Rishi Kapoor) in which I sang four songs. So, it’s a good trend and it has once again upgraded me.
AMIT MISHRA SINGER
Sangeeta Yadav
Known for his out-and-out comedy dramas such as the Golmaal franchise and Go Goa Gone (2013), actor Kunal Kemmu shifted gears to experiment with the crime thriller genre in his debut web series Abhay, and is now looking forward to the show’s second season. The 36-year-old actor considers it one of his best performances but confesses that he was initially “skeptical” to take the plunge.
“Abhay helped me break away from comedy dramas that people related me with. As the trend had just started, I wasn’t sure about acting on the web. But when I was approached for Abhay, I instinctively said yes because I like investigation and crime beat.
I was doing so many comedies, and to suddenly come out and do a serious part was really exciting,” says Kunal, who plays the role of an ingenious investigating officer.
Talking about the upcoming season, he says, “There are talks of Season 2, but it is still being written. So we have not got around to starting that yet. I believe there is an intent to do a second series as well.”
The actor, who recently shot for his next, Malang, starring Aditya Roy Kapur, Disha Patani and Anil Kapoor, says he has become more conscious in terms of his career choices. “When I look back to 2000s, I sometimes think… Oh God, I did it like that! Did I actually take the part? The voice is so thin and the hairstyle is so bad. But now, times have changed.
The way characters are written and directors are filming is changing with today’s trends and situations,” says Kunal, who doesn’t want to name the films he is referring to.He adds, “You can reinvent as an actor, you can reinvent your genre and script, but I don’t know how you can reinvent yourself as a person because life is full of struggles. With age, you tend to mature and evolve.
With experience, you know that there are certain films that you would want to do differently. That’s how I’m reinv enting myself as an actor.”
Radhika Bhirani
If there’s one place that actor Angad Bedi and wife, actor Neha Dhupia, want to visit to mark their daughter, Mehr’s first birthday, it is the Golden Temple in Amritsar.
“We would love to take her to the Golden Temple because we went there when Neha was expecting. And now that Mehr is turning one (on November 18), we would like to take our blessings from there,” says Angad about their plans for the little one’s special day this month.
Parenthood has been a transformative experience for Angad and Neha. “We are very grateful to the Almighty. I feel Mehr has brought in a lot of changes in me. She has made me understand things and there’s a lot of gratitude towards the universe and people, now. She has made me a better person and a better performer. Parenthood has made me realise the value of family and of my own parents,” says Angad, who never shies away from gushing over Mehr.
Mehr was born six months after Angad and Neha tied the knot in a hush-hush ceremony in May last year in Delhi. And since then, Angad has been on a career roll, balancing his work between films and OTT platforms. On the big screen, the actor is excited about doing a biopic, and in the web space, he has been lauded for his work in The Verdict - State vs Nanavati.
On the show’s success, he says, “The last time I think I was that brilliant was in Inside Edge and Soorma. But this is something else. The way the audience has taken to this show is very heartening. I worked very hard on this show, and put in a lot of sweat and blood.”
I feel Mehr has brought in a lot of changes in me. She has made me understand things and there’s a lot of gratitude towards the universe and people, now.
ANGAD BEDI ACTOR
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