GRAMMY WOES FOR ANOUSHKA

Popular TV stars Niti Taylor and Ranndeep Rai joined the cast of hit drama serial Bade Acche Lagte Hai 2, after it took a generation leap.

WITH two nominations, for Best Global Music Album and Best Global Music Performance, I was hoping that Anoushka Shankar could finally win that all elusive Grammy Award.

Sadly, the superb sitarist went away empty handed again at this year’s ceremony and now has nine nominations without a win. She has a long way to go before catching up to the unluckiest artist at the Grammys, and that interestingly is Indian-origin conductor Zubin Mehta, who has a staggering 18 nominations without a win.

Other popular artists ahead of her in terms of nominations without a win include Snoop Dogg (17), Brian McKnight (16) and Björk (16). Her not winning a Grammy doesn’t take away from how utterly brilliant the music icon and her masterpiece nominated album is.

Bollywood film Salaam Venky recently premiered on streaming site ZEE5. Unfortunately, the Kajol starrer based on real events had received negative reviews and performed poorly in cinemas.

Pakistani music icon Ali Azmat will deliver a one night only solo concert at Indigo at 02 in London on May 14. The former lead singer of legendary band Junoon will be accompanied by a full live band.

The fifth death anniversary of late actress Sridevi will be marked later this month with her 2012 film English Vinglish being released across China next Friday (24).

The theatre adaptation of Manjeet Mann’s celebrated novel Run, Rebel commences a UK tour at Mercury Theatre in Colchester next Friday (24). Visit www.pilot-theatre. com for further tour dates.

Look out for my interview with Pakistani superstar Sajal Ali next week, discussing her debut English film What’s Love Got To Do With It.