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All Indian films were banned in Pakistan during the Indo-Pak war in 1965. But on April 28, 2006 the flick Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story directed by Akbar Khan will be released in Pakistan. The film is distributed there by Evergreen Distributors of Pakistan. The entire cast and crew will be flown down to Pakistan for the screening in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad. The director has extended a special invitation to President Pervez Musharraf and his wife to grace the premiere show in Islamabad. The film stars Zulfi Sayed as Shah Jahan and Sonia Jehan as Mumtaz Mahal. Sonia is the granddaughter of famous playback singer Noor Jehan. It has been reported that the common history of the two countries has been the reason for the release of this film. The grave of Jehangir is in Lahore and that of Shah Jahan is in Agra. Khan will also try to re-release the film in India after the Pakistan tour.
TAJ MAHAL heroine returns with KHOYA KHOYA CHAND
Soniya Jehan, the lead actress in TAJ MAHAL - AN ETERNAL LOVE STORY (2005), would be returning to the big screen with KHOYA KHOYA CHAND. After enacting the character of Mumtaz Mahal in Akbar Khan's mega production, she would now be playing the role of Ratanbala, a reigning diva from the Bollywood of 50s in KHOYA KHOYA CHAND. As a woman who is insecure, neurotic and has suffered a breakdown after being jilted in love, she gets to sink her teeth into a complex character. Directed by Sudhir Mishra, KHOYA KHOYA CHAND stars Shiney Ahuja and Soha Ali Khan in the lead and is releasing on 7th December worldwide.
Naushad: The Taj Mahal of Indian Film Music
The era of pristine melody is over. For the master creator, like the white dove of peace, shall no more flutter its wings near the piano key. Veteran music composer Naushad Ali may have passed away, but the priceless jewels beaded together by his perfect craftsmanship shall always reverberate in the corridors of collective memory. The magic of Mughal-e-Azam, Mother India, Ganga Jamuna, Anmol Ghadi, Rattan, Mere Mehboob, Baiju Baawra, Udan Khatola and Ram Aur Shyam shall never be recreated. For there can never be another Naushad. Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal was his swan song and like a soldier, he died with his boots on. The story of his life is straight out of any gripping Hindi Film. Nights on footpath of a ruthless Bombay city, earning peanuts out of repairing harmoniums and composing for small theatre groups, he found hope when he joined music director Khemchand Prakash as an assistant. In 1940, Naushad got his first break with Prem Nagar and with the success of Sharda and Rattan, he touched heights of stardom by charging a whopping Rs 25, 000/- per film. The brilliance of Noorjahan (Jawan Hai Mohabbat), the solemn timbre of Suraiya (Man Leta Hai Angdai) and the magnanimous range of Lata Mangeshkar (Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya) were his sparkling-yet-austere gifts to the world of music. Uma Devi's Afsana Likh Rahi Hoon is like a whiff of fresh air that still manages to open the windows of imagination. The world of Hindi Cinema went on to laugh with Uma Devi who enacted comic roles as Tuntun after Ali asked her to give acting a try. Naushad did things differently. His biggest contribution to Hindi Film Music is the incorporation of Indian Classical Ragas in many of his compositions. Colossal doyens of Classical Music (Ustad Amir Khan and D V Puluskar in Baiju Baawra and Ustad Bade Ghulam Ali Khan in Mughal-e-Azam) exclusively graced his songs. Risk taking came naturally to him as he always believed in taking chances. Whether it was using a 100 piece orchestra for Aan or 100 chorus singers for Mughal-e-Azam, he didn't think twice before going ahead with his plans. By successfully blending western instruments with the Indian classical, he showed the path to many aspiring music composers of all generations. The path breaking achievement in the field of sound mixing and separate recording of vocals and musicians is his invaluable contribution in the field of Music Recording technology that will always be remembered. In a career spanning six decades, Naushad sahab gave music in a mere 66 films. On an average he took two weeks to compose a song, while today, a music director can do a couple of complete films in that duration. The preference of quality over quantity is evident in the staying power of his songs even after such a long period. Even though, young DJ's may mix Naushad's melodies in hundreds of ways, they can never come close to the essence or the soul of the painstaking thought process. Someone rightly said: There is only one Taj Mahal. And there can only be one Naushad Ali.
Akbar Khan's Taj Mahal to premiere at Dubai Fest
Akbar Khan's magnum opus, Taj Mahal - An Eternal Love Story, following two National Awards for Best Costume and Art Direction, has become the first and the only film to get a world premiere about two years after its Indian release in November 2005. Director Akbar Khan will present the Director's Cut of Taj Mahal, a revised, shortened version of the film at the 2007 Dubai International Film Festival, at Dubai from December 9 to 16, under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, UAE Vice President, PM and Ruler of Dubai and under the Honorary Chairman of His Highness Shaikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum, Chairman of The Emirates Group. The Festival will feature a comprehensive selection of contemporary cinema from around the globe, reflecting Dubai's multi-cultural and multi-ethnic community. Akbar Khan's film is being included as is a "Historical Spectacular Classic", which is significant because the Taj Mahal was voted in again as one of the seven new wonders of the world in a global poll. Says Khan, "We got a call that the authorities wanted to see the film for the Dubai Festival. I sent the film and it got selected. But my happiest moment was when I got an acknowledgement from our Prime Minister, Manmohan Singh, who termed my film as 'a brilliant effort portraying one of the salient periods of our history through the medium of cinema,' adding that "it showcases our composite culture and rich heritage and is both educative and entertaining." Incidentally, Taj Mahal is also the first film to have had an exclusive screening hosted by the Ambassador of Turkey, Hasan Gogus, for over 60 ambassadors. Recalls Akbar Khan, "it was a great honour when over 60 ambassadors saw the film and I had a standing ovation after the show. This is just the beginning of the revival of the Taj." Made at an estimated budget of Rs 70 crore, the film narrates the eternal love of Shah Jahan and Mumtaz Mahal. Actors Pooja Batra, Manisha Koirala and Kabir Bedi will also attend the Dubai festival to view Akbar Khan's Director's Cut of Taj Mahal ' An Eternal Love Story. Also starring Zulfi Syed and Sonya Jehan as the young lovers as well as Arbaaz Khan, the film has music by Naushad.
Rahman's anthem for Taj Mahal
Music maestro A R Rahman unveiled a soulful anthem to kick off the India Unites for the Taj movement. Spear headed by 1 Media Corp Limited (IMCL), the movement is to campaign for voting the Taj Mahal, Agra, to the New Seven Wonders of the World. According to Bharat Kapadia, India Unites for the Taj, 'Rahman was our first choice to compose the album. Rahman says, 'I was in London when IMCL contacted me and I was very excited about composing the album. It was a very short notice, but my crew and I grabbed the idea and made special time for working on the anthem. I am sure Indians all over the world will be motivated and vote for the Taj'. Besides composing the tune, Rahman has penned the lyrics along with Raqeeb and has sung the song accompanied by Naresh Iyer and Karthik. The music video is directed by Owais Hussain with cinematography by Santosh Sivan. A worldwide poll is undertaken through mobile phones, the internet and the select landlines to garner votes for the shortlisted 21 wonders vying for a place among the New Seven Wonders. 'Contrary to popular beliefs, the Taj Mahal was never part of any seven wonders list. Given the low voting in India, we are trying all means to promote the cause of Taj Mahal', adds Bharat Kapadia. The new Seven Wonders of the World will be announced at an official declaration in Lisbon, Portugal, on 7 July.
Mumtaj campaigns for Taj Mahal
Just seven days before the world learns the names of the new seven wonders, suspense is growing over the Taj Mahal making the final cut as India remains in the fourth spot in voting percentage despite a sustained campaign to garner support for the marble monument. Several popular celebrities in India are urging people to vote online to get Taj Mahal in the list of Seven Wonders. On her part, actress Mumtaj campaigned among the people in Chennai for the purpose. A busy actress, she took time of her busy schedule to campaign for the cause. 'It is a matter of pride for us. We should ensure that we get Taj Mahal in the list. Hope all of us vote for the purpose', she said