Source: DNA
Date: June 9, 2011
…says the musical trio, Shankar- Ehsaan-Loy who recently got actors Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abhay Deol to croon for a film Actor Abhay Deol thinks he cannot sing! And that is what put music composers Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy ill at ease.For his upcoming movie Zindagi Milegi Na Dobara, Abhay was made to sing for a track. While Abhay's fans will be in for a treat to hear the actor sing, it wasn't a cake walk for the musicians, who had a tough time with the actor. "Making Abhay sing was quite a task," recalls Shankar Mahadevan."It was very difficult to make him (Abhay) sing. He has never sung in his life before, hence he was quite wary about singing," adds Shankar.
Apparently, the actor was too unnerved when told to record a song. So how did the trio get Abhay to record the song? "We played smart," quips Shankar. "We told him that we are not recording and that it is just a rehearsal. It kind of made him feel comfortable and he opened up and started singing, while we were recording it simultaneously," he adds. Besides Abhay, his costars — actors Hrithik Roshan and Farhan Akhtar — too have lent their voice for the film. And while Abhay was freaking out at the thought of singing, Hrithink and Farhan were all at ease. "Hrithik is a fabulous singer… very confident too. We didn't have to work too much on him. And regarding Farhan, we have already worked with him for all the tracks in the film Rock On," Shankar says.
----
Source: HT
No extras used to shoot 'Senorita...' video for Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara For eons, singing and dancing with extras dressed in vibrant costumes in the background, has been an integral part of Bollywood. But Zoya Akhtar decided to do away with convention for the song `Senorita...' from her forthcoming film, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). The director refused to use extras in the video, and instead, got mayor Carmen Osorno of the Spanish town Alajar, apart from some locals, to shake a leg with her lead actors. Most of the film has been shot in Spain, which is where three friends played by Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar and Abay Deol, go on a road trip.
Since Indian extras would look out of place in the outdoor spell, Zoya featured residents from the shooting location itself. mayor Carmen too was glad to be part of 'Senorita...', which has been sung by the three actors themselves. “Zoya was keen to feature the mayor in the song,“ says producer Ritesh Sidhwani, adding that the locals probably had no idea what was coming their way. “Usually the town winds up by 8 pm, but when we rehearsed for four nights and then shot for five, it was like a carnival. Since the song has been composed by Shankar-EhsaanLoy with the Spanish flavour, it was essential to treat it accordingly. So the locals dancing with Hrithik, Farhan and Abhay add to that authenticity.“
Apart from the mayor, Zoya also got Spanish actor Concha Montero 'La Taranta' aka Big Mamma to participate in the song. Though this is the first time Abhay has sung a song, Hrithik and Farhan have earlier recorded for Kites (2010) and Rock On!! (2008) respectively. Abhay was initially skeptical, but finally gave in and said, “I loved my voice after the recording. I don't know if people would love it too.“
----
Source: TOI
Noted actor, singer, director and film producer Farhan Akhtar spoke to Subhash K Jha:
You were directed by your sister Zoya in Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (ZNMD). How was the experience?
Yeah, all of us – Zoya, Hrithik, Abhay, Katrina, Kalki and me – became this little commune travelling across Spain. We travelled a lot. There’s a serious change in topography as you drive through. The important thing was for us to look like we belong to one group.
ZNMD looks like the last part of your trilogy on male bonding after Dil Chahta Hai and Rock On?
And why the last? I don’t have any major fascination with cinema on male bonding. Dil Chahta Hai is the only script i wrote on the theme. Abhishek Kapoor wrote Rock On, a fab script about a rock band. Zoya’s script for ZNMD is about three guys on the verge of making commitments in life.
How was it being directing by your sister a second time?
In Zoya’s Luck By Chance i was a sneaky social climber. In ZNMD it’s a sea change. I play this guy who for the longest time takes nothing seriously. I’m not rich and i don’t pretend to be. I’m just happy being the way i am. Many moments in this film gave me a chance to have lots of fun. After playing serious, angst-laden characters in Rock On, Luck By Chance and Karthik Calling Karthik, in ZNMD i play a fun character.
Like Dil Chahta Hai, your Rock On has opened up a new genre in Hindi cinema. Is there a sequel?
I’m not for it. Rock On is a sequel to Dil Chahta Hai. Both transported me to the same space. So i’ve had enough of it. I think director Abhishek Kapoor has a lot more to do as a filmmaker than a sequel. Suddenly after Rock On, we have an Indi-Rock revival. Regional bands are playing. We started something we couldn’t control. It’s very encouraging.