Dream run with designs

She has a flair for costumes. Meet Anna Singh, the designer for a host of Bollywood stars

MAJOR MILESTONE Scene from “Taj Mahal”. (Below) Anna Singh with Kim Sharma

Her office is buzzing with stars. From bada and chota Bachchan to Sridevi and Aishwarya Rai, most Bollywood actors swear by Anna Singh’s designs. In her early thirties, she has already worked on a record number of 550 films, beginning with the late Mukul Anand, who mistook her to be a star aspirant when she walked into his office. Mukul could not be blamed, as Anna is quite stunning to look at. He was shocked to know that she was actually the costume designer he had invited to dress up the cast of his movie. Talking about her work in Akbar Khan’s magnum opus “Taj Mahal”, this numero uno design consultant for stars says, “I haven’t worked so hard (for almost three years) and felt so contended. During the making of the film, I was nearly re-christened Anna Jampuri or Jodhpuri for the yards of fabric I cut and tailored to make costumes for the innumerable artistes in the film.”

Her career profile is amazing. Besides working on the wardrobes of celebrities, Anna has been the official designer for various beauty pageants — the Femina Miss India for five years, Miss World and Miss Universe. What’s more, she designed Michael Jackson’s costume when he visited India for a concert; has worked on 150 ad films; participated in 40 fashion shows; and is the only Indian designer to be a fashion and image makeover consultant for some Indian websites. A gold medallist from the J.J. School of Arts, Anna’s journey to fame began in 1986 with an image makeover of Jackie Shroff. She has won the Rajiv Gandhi and the Rashtriya Ekta Award for her contribution to the film industry.

Anna is also passionate about jewellery designing, and was thrilled with the Taj Mahal experience that gave her an opportunity to showcase her talent. Says Anna, “When I work on costumes and bridal wear, I give a lot of importance to accessories. And I have been getting compliments for the jewellery I design. So, I got inspired to introduce costume jewellery, beginning with an avant-garde line of 30 exceptional pieces.”

SURESH KOHLI

Hindu On Net

Bhangra with naach

Juggy D, vocalist of Rishi Rich Project, goes solo with a self-titled album

Punjabi notes Juggy D

“Nachna Tere Naal (Dance With Me)” was the track featured in the soundtrack of Boom last year, which launched the British crossover band, Rishi Rich Project, in India. Though the song was overshadowed by the presence of “Mundiyan Tho Bachke”, the chart-stormer by Punjabi MC, Rishi Rich’s track grew on listeners slowly and ultimately became the biggest hit of 2004.

Rishi Rich Project is a group of NRI Indians who spearheaded the popular bhangra scene at London clubs, by incorporating hip-hop and Punjabi vocals with fusion accomplishments. Rishi, Jay Sean, Juggy D and Veronica make up the band which was featured on a remix version of the title track for the movie Hum Tum. While Jay Sean does the “Hinglish” hip-hop vocals, Juggy is the man who adds the “desi” touch with his earthy Punjabi vocals.

Debut solo album

Close on the heels of Jay Sean who released his album last month, Juggy D follows with his debut self-titled solo album (Times Music; CD, Rs. 195).

Born in Southall, London, Juggy has been addicted to Punjabi music since the age of 14, and singing in Punjabi for U.K. audiences has always been his dream. This came true when he joined the 2 Point 9 brigade. 2 Point 9 (pronounced as Dho Point Nau) is a production company that gives Brit-Indian artistes their first break. After collaborating with Rishi Rich Project and adding to its popularity, Juggy releases a typically Punjabi album, minus the hip-hop.

The first single from the album, “Sohniye”, the video of which is getting heavy airplay on the music television channels, is not your typical Bhangra track. Though there is impressive use of the tabla and dholaks, the tempo and high pitch makes it an irresistibly danceable number. The remix version of the same track featuring the rapper Don Dee adds punch to the song. Other tracks like “Billo” and “Nasheh” are typical earthy bhangra tracks, while a track called “Gabaru” takes the cake with its sustained energy and flowing vocals.

Though one misses the smoothness of Jay Sean’s vocals, Juggy’s album will appeal to hardcore bhangra fans. Chakde phatte!

A. VISHNU

Hindu On Net

Having the right measure

Sizing them up all – stars big and small alike – is the famous Bollywood designer, Anna Singh. The design diva speaks to SURESH KOHLI

I kept getting compliments for the jewellery I created and that’s how I got inspired to introduce a special line of custom-made costume jewellery ANNA SINGH

In her office stars come and go, talking only of dressing up, trying out their new outfits. She seems to strip them of their egos. This famous dress designer, not even in her mid-thirties yet but you name a star who has not supported her outfits, from Bada Bachchan to Chota Bachchan. She has worked on a record number of 550-plus films already, beginning with the late genius Mukul Anand who mistook her to be an aspirant who had walked into his office with the hope of a role in his new movie. But more than getting shocked, she appears to have shocked him by telling him she was no aspiring heroine but a costume designer he had invited to dress up his stars for his new movie. She must have been a stunner. For Anna Singh continues to be one as she measures up Lara Dattas and Ajay Devgans who drop by without appointments. She appears sheepish introducing them to this writer for these busy stars are not used to be waiting for others.

But this Bollywood numero uno design consultant feels she hasn’t worked better, harder and been more content than giving almost three years of her life to Akbar Khan’s magnum-opus Taj Mahal during the making of which she nearly came to be renamed, she says amused, Anna Jampuri or Jodhpuri for the amount of fabric yards she cut to tailor out costumes for countless artistes in the film.

Mind-boggling

Her career brief is indeed mind boggling for someone so young, amenable yet fastidious, busy yet reachable. She has worked on high-profile celebrity wardrobes and costumes; has been official designer for various beauty pageants and Femina Miss India for five years, and Miss World and Miss Universe; did personal wardrobe for Michael Jackson when he visited India for a concert; worked on 150 ad films; participated in 40 fashion shows; and is the only Indian designer to be a fashion consultant and image makeover expert and consultant for some Indian websites. Indeed, the rise of this gold medallist from the J.J. School of Arts to fame actually began with an image build-up of Jackie Shroff in 1986. She has won the Rajeev Gandhi, and the Rashtriya Ekta award for contribution and achievements as fashion designer to Indian film industry. Anna is also passionate about jewellery designing, and was thrilled during the making of Taj Mahal that afforded her an opportunity to hone her skills. Going back in time this beautiful designer confessed, “When I worked with my costumes and bridal wear, I laid great emphasis on jewellery and accessories and not just the garments to complete the look. I kept getting compliments for the jewellery I created and that’s how I got inspired to introduce a special line of custom-made costume jewellery, beginning with an avant-garde line of 30 exceptional pieces that were the master designs.”

It is style, substance, and creativity. In Bollywood, they come in the unassuming, assured form of Anna Singh.

SURESH KOHLI

Hindu On Net

Raja Babu returns

COMEBACK: Govinda with Preity Zinta.

The comedy king is back. After a successful escapade in the serious world of politics, Govinda returns to what he knows best. His long awaited “Khullam Khulla Pyar Karen” is releasing this week. Directed by Harmesh Malhotra, the film stars Preity Zinta and the usual Govinda comrades, Mohnish Bahl, Kader Khan, Johnny Lever and Sadashiv Amrapurkar.

There is nothing unusual about the story though – Govinda is again Raja, he is again a crook. Circumstances force him to impostor the man who is going to see his to-be-wife played by Preity Zinta. But then with his antics, public seldom demands novelty.

The actor who proved a Bollywood hero could survive just on comic antics with films like “Aankhen” and “Raja Babu” didn’t have a good time at box office when he switched to politics. His last release “Raja Bhaiya” with Arti Chabaria bombed at turnstiles and soon most of his prospective releases including “Hum Do Humara Ek” were held back lest his political innings suffer.

With his home production “Sukh” lined up for release hope “Khullam… ” will pave way for a happy homecoming.

Hindu On Net

Dance wiz

Subtlety is out, sensuality is in, muses choreographer Saroj Khan

DANCE TILL YOU DROP: song from “Bride and Prejudice” choreographed by Saroj Khan and director Sharada on the sets of “Shringara.

Saroj Khan puts up her feet after another tiring day of making stars follow her footsteps. It is late in the evening, and she looks quite unexcited about the interview, answering questions with a nod or an “ummm” and a “haan”. “Aur ek, do, teen questions,” you persist.

She smiles faintly knowing well that you are punning on the superhit number from “Tezaab” with which she danced her way into the hall of fame. “Okay, finish it fast. I want to call it a day. I have to go for a shoot at 6 o’clock tomorrow morning,” she says, switching off the television.

“Most channels keep beaming the sleazy item numbers over and over again. I sometimes watch TV to catch up with what the other choreographers are doing. Funnily, all songs sound and look alike,” says the queen of choreography.

Not the kind to mince words, Khan continues, “Subtlety has given way to sensationalism. Choreographers today hardly think on creative lines, they mechanically pack each song with seductive movements for a titillating effect. They are a helpless lot as most of these youngsters are group dancers-turned-choreographers, who have to fall in line with the demands of the producers and directors. I am sure people will soon be fed up of the overdose of vulgarity.”

Swift dancer

Khan with her not-so-expressive face and girth can actually stump you with her flexibility and swiftness on the dance floor.

Hers has been a step-by-step success story. She entered the film industry as a three-year-old to support her family that moved to India post-Partition. Later, she became an assistant to the famous dance master B. Sohanlal and helped many yesteryear heroines keep perfect pace with rhythm. Then “ek, do, teen” with Madhuri Dixit happened in 1988 and Khan literally lost count of offers and awards, since. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to refer to her as a star-maker.

Many heroines have made it big at the box office by dancing to Khan’s tunes. Madhuri Dixit made cinegoers’ hearts go “Dhak Dhak” (“Beta”), Sridevi cast a spell with “Kaate nahin katthi yeh raat” (“Mr. India”) and Aishwarya Rai left the audience asking for more with the peppy “Nimbuda nimbuda” (“Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam”).

Khan has never felt the lack of formal training. “Swar, laya and taal are an integral part of me. The moment a song is played, I start doing whatever movements come to mind. There is no pattern. I just follow the rule of the heart.”

What’s unique about Khan’s style? It is a combination of classical and folk with a dash of sensuality. Filmmakers such as Subhash Ghai gave her a free hand. The result: not only were the songs chartbusters but the nation followed her dance styles too.

And even now, despite fierce competition from young choreographers, Khan continues to call the tune.

CHITRA SWAMINATHAN

Hindu On Net