News/Article Related To Remix - Page 3

Posted online: Friday, June 17, 2005 at 0000 hours IST

Remix, which already has a foot-tapping title track sung by Aasma and composed by Pritam (of Dhoom fame), is all set to incorporate another racy number composed by Bappi Lahiri. Now, one just cannot think of Bappi without his trademark disco. So, there will be a disco track in the X generation serial. Tia, Anvesha, Yuvi and Ranvir, the four main characters, hail from different backgrounds and seem to follow their own path towards fulfilling their ambitions. But circumstances force them to come together and through a series of dramatic twists and turns, the four have finally formed a music group Remix.

Bappi scores for Remix
By: Shaheen Parkar
June 11, 2005

Bappi Lahiri

Bollywood composer Bappi Lahiri is scoring the music for an item number in the youth-centric show Remix on Star One.

"This is the first time that I am composing the music for a song in a TV serial," says Lahiri. "I had done some work on Doordarshan years ago," he adds.

The flamboyant composer is excited at the thought of making music for television. "I am glad to be associated with Star. All this while I had not even done the title track of any small screen show."

The reasons why Lahiri agreed to take on this offer was simply because they wanted a disco number. "So who else but Bappi for the music?" he asks while recording the track at the Blue Diamond Studio, Juhu, yesterday.

"Aisa mauka mile na nabhi is a young, peppy track; typical of my kind of music." The song has been sung by the Aasma group with lyrics by Sandeep Srivastava (Ab Tak Chappan). "My son Bappa is the co-ordinator for the track," he says.

Adds producer Shrishti Behl Arya, "We selected Bappi because the track is typically his kind of number. It will be an anthem for Remix. The track will be picturised on them next week."

Monday November 29, 11:54 AM

Gimme red!
By Shaheen Parkar

Model-turned-actress Priya Wal who features as the rebel Anvesha in the
teen drama Remix (Star One) has coloured her hair-shocking red for the
role.

"Most people think I am wearing a wig, but it's not. I have styled and
coloured my hair to suit the character," she says.

Ironically, her on-screen persona is a cause of consternation
off-screen. Her father, Harsh Wal, is the principal of Lovedale School in Ooty.

"And here I am doing exactly what my father does not want the students
do. In fact when I bagged this role there was this thing of what will
his pupils tell him. His own daughter playing a student rebel! Some have
even asked him about it at Lovedale.

He did have his reservations. But I am, after all, only acting the role
of Anvesha in Remix," says Wal, who studied at Mayo, Ajmer.

Produced by Rose Audio Visual, Remix, a daily teen drama, has four main
students Anvesha, Yuvi (Raj Singh Arora), Ranvir (Karan Wahi) and Tia
(Shweta Gulati) from different backgrounds who come together to form a
music band called Remix.

Maurya High, the school where it is set, has been created at the
Kamalistan Studios.

"From the dorm to the classroom to the staff room, there has been great
detailing for the show," says producer Srishti Behl Arya (Guns & Roses,
Lipstick, Jeet). "As most of the cast consists of newcomers, we put
them through a month-long workshop of acting, dancing, dialogue delivery
before the shoot," adds Arya.

Both Arora and Wahi are newcomers while Gulati was seen in the soaps
Shagun and Kyun Hota Hai Pyarr. She used to also co-anchor Pardey Ke
Peechay, which takes a look at the world of TV stars. "I could not manage
doing Pardey Ke Peechay along with the serials. There was no time left
that's why I had to quit the show," says Gulati.

Remix, described to be the spirit of young urban India, takes on
socio-economic divides, peer pressure, teen dilemmas and growing up pangs.

interview with annop soni aka raghav dutt

DREAM TO BELIEVE
"Saying 'no' to work adds to one's insecurity!"

Childhood dreams! Don't we have 'em all?! But how many of us really
pursue them. When I say 'really' I really mean 'really'! All you clerks
out there who desired to become diplomats, or secretaries who fancied
trying out for the Miss India pageant, or accountants who wished to become
DJs or even executives who'd rather be ramp models… what happened?

Well, that's one question I needn't ask one four-year-old who dreamt of
becoming an actor… followed his dream… and has grown up into an actor
today. Meet Anoop Soni whose dream has come true, but is one dude who's
still aiming higher. Let's chat up with the television actor, theatre
artiste and film actor who is one die-hard optimist if there ever was
one.

One sultry afternoon, at a 'Coffee Day' outlet at the Fun Republic
complex, we met over steaming cups of coffee. The actor filled me in with a
bit about his past, and plans for the future. As far as the present is
concerned, he is crossing his fingers for the release of Sheen where he
plays a prime part. He has also just turned proud papa of a bouncing
baby gal. Finding time from rushing between hospital and home,
ministering to his wife and new-born babe, the actor takes a break, relaxing,
smelling the coffee, and providing me with details about his much-
checquered career. Here are a few excerpts from an interview that still has
traces of that delicious aroma of coffee around it. Invigorating is the
word!

Those were the days: "My father was an employee with the government
organisation, SAIL. This entailed a flurry of transfers and subsequent
change of schools. As far as I can remember, maybe at four, I was keen on
becoming an actor. I'd look at the big screen and desperately want to
emulate the film stars. But I thought they were super human, not normal
human beings, like myself, and so dismissed the desire as an
unattainable one. Yet acting always remained at the back of my mind."

A healthy cocktail of college and theatre: "Then came college in
Jaipur. That was where I learnt about theatre workshops and joined the
Ravindra Manch. I was regular with theatre but also a dedicated student.
I was in class 12th and continued till my graduation, giving both equal
attention. Thus, while guys from my peer group would be busy freaking
out, I'd be busy discussing theatre with elderly theatre enthusiasts and
reading Hindi plays."

Time for some serious drama: "Graduation complete, I heard about the
National School of Drama (NSD) from friends. They also cautioned me that
seats were limited and the admission procedure was gruelling. I was
already a commerce graduate and had decided to after do my Chartered
Accountancy along with Law. I said 'yes' to C.A. and also signed up with the
Rajasthan University as a Law student. But the NSD idea haunted me! I
said to myself, 'If it's so tough, I'm sure I won't get in, but at least
I'll have tried.' Surprisingly, I secured admission at the first
attempt."

Call 'em Crossroads!: "Now came a tough decision. Continue with my
studies or join the NSD? This was because opportunity had knocked at my
door. I got round my father by convincing him that the NSD was a
government organisation, run by the Ministry of Human Resources, and that the
graduates of the NSD are considered post-graduates outside. After passing
out I'd be eligible for vacancies in All India Radio, Doordarshan,
Ministry for Art and Culture, Information and Broadcasting etc. My father
being a government servant. He bought my argument. Besides, my family
knew that I was not one to take my career lightly. They had faith that
I'd eke out a decent living."

An NSD dude: "I gave up my C.A. and law too. I spent three years at the
NSD and passed out. What next, was uppermost in my mind. That was the
time satellite television was on the rise. Zee TV was there but channels
like Home TV, BiTV and Sony were emerging. I started taking up kids'
workshops. I did it for two years. Monetarily it wasn't much but even if
one earned Rs. 4000 per month there, it was a great thing. In 1995 I
decided to move over to Mumbai to try my luck."

Mumbai meri hai: "I met Kishore Namit Kapoor who ran his acting
classes. Impressed by my NSD credentials he said, "Why don't you teach here?
I'll pay you a little." I used to get Rs. 300 a class. The entire '95 I
spent teaching. Besides this, the Stardust Academy had aspiring actors
being trained. I took a couple of classes per week, for them too. Among
those who passed my tutelage were Akshaye Khanna, Apoorva Agnihotri,
Anjela Jhaveri, Priya Gill and others. I began meeting people and gained
exposure to the glamour world. After a year there, I realised I was
getting too involved in teaching and forgetting my focus – acting."

Television unlimited!: "I started meeting people but was offered bit
roles, until I met filmmaker B S Shaad who advised me to join television.
He said, 'It's a good platform for newcomers. Films can come later on.'
I took his advice. My first serial was Anubhav Sinha's Sea Hawks ('97)
co-starring Madhavan, Nikki Aneja and Simone Singh. It was popular on
DD Metro and I got a Screen Award nomination for it. After that it was
television unlimited. I did Safar, Shanti, Saaya, Kartavya, Lekin, I
Love You, Gaatha and Sansar. Four years of doing hectic television passed
me by until 2001. During my TV phase a film fell into my lap. It was
Godmother and it was wonderful working in it. And I wanted more."

Confusion confounded?: "Wannabe film actors sometimes get confused. I
wanted to leave television but was told, 'There are guys out there
struggling to enter TV and you are well settled, so carry on.' I came to my
senses and thought enough was enough because my ultimate aim was the
big screen. If I continued with television, I'd remain a television actor
forever. I began saying no to television, aiming for movies. Saying
'no' to work adds to one's insecurity. I'd got married just before that
time. My wife is from the corporate world and we thought we'd manage in
life, and here I was, opting out of a career."

Big screen offers: "Although firmly entrenched in television, I began
life as a struggler again. Knocking doors, facing rejection, being
offered bit roles, told to return to television… I experienced it all. But
the optimist in me never died. I subsequently did films like Hathyaar,
Khushi, Fiza, Footpath and Kagaar. They weren't major roles but I
thought of them as stepping-stones to something bigger. Kagaar was a very
good film. I received appreciation for it and for Footpath too."

Sheen: "Finally, I bagged Sheen, which I am looking forward to. The
film is on the Kashmiri Pandits' situation. I play a guy whom
circumstances change. A terrorist, he does not feel he is in the wrong. The role is
a powerful one although I wouldn't call it negative. Many people
advised me against doing it but I thought to myself, 'How long will I sustain
myself, doing bit roles in films.' I'm looking out for a respectable
career in films. Something like Manoj Bajpai, like Irrfan Khan today. An
actor needs footage."

Looking out for: "A good banner, good people behind it and a good role.
The promotion of a film is also important. For instance, a film I did
for Rajshri, came and went without one having an inkling about its
existence. I also lost out on a major role in Company, even though I met Ram
Gopal Varma and auditioned for the part. The tragedy was that I looked
too young for the role that ultimately went to Ajay Devgan."

TV Today?: "Although I want to totally concentrate on films, I'm not
averse to doing television. But only episodic serials where I am needed
for a four-day shooting slot. I did one recently. The thing is, if I
sign a regular serial, I'm afraid of losing out on a big film. Television
gets an actor appreciation, but it's not the same as for a big screen
star."

Tomorrow is another day: "There's a film in the offing with Raj
Babbar's son in it but it's not yet finalised. But I must recount an
experience that has given me an insight into the film world. There was a
multi-starrer that I had auditioned for. The filmmaker offered me a bit part
in it, but made it seem that it was a great one. On analysing the role I
realised that at the most I'd be in it for just a couple of scenes. I
politely refused it. The filmmaker retorted, 'So, you prefer quantity to
quality'? It hurt! Filmmakers have to remember that every actor has the
right to shape his own career. Give an actor the right to say 'no'.
Just because an actor is a struggler, he doesn't have to say 'yes' to
everything being offered to him."

Fair enough! Respect yourself, and the world will respect you! And for
folks like Anoop, the stars aren't too high. Just stretch a bit more!
And the world will be theirs!

g TV : Chowtime (SHRISHTI ARYA)

Urban Legend Shrishti Arya looks substantially pleased as she skims through TRP (Television Rating Points) figures on her laptop. The unmistakable air of confidence certainly comes from the success of her shows on television. Along with her brother Goldie Behl, she heads Rose Audio Visuals (RAV), the production house behind serials like Remix, Guns And Roses and Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa. The company is working on two new shows for Star One and some for Zee TV. Yet, she calls it a period of struggle. Here's the reasoning. "You can't stop thinking of making it big. You need to think of it constantly, else you'll become stagnant." This enterprising lady studied Commercial Art for a while but eventually decided to follow in the footsteps of her father Ramesh Behl, producer of movies like Pukar (old), Kasme Vaade, Jawani Diwani and Basera, among others. Her association with television began with the stylish Lipstick on Zee TV. With a war between two media houses as the principal setting, it weaved in different kinds of relationships, office politics, the film industry, black magic and much more. Says Shrishti, "Goldie had just finished with the film Bas Itna Sa Khwab Hai when Zee's ideation department got in touch with us. We thought television would be an interesting medium and Lipstick happened. It is closest to my heart… like one's first-born. Nothing can replace it!" Since then, the production house has come to be associated with "the urban hip variety" of programming, though Shrishti shies away fromclassification under any genre. She declares, "A genre is basically a matter of perception. We hope to be good at everything." Currently, the feather in the cap is Remix on Star One. This one-hour daily soap set in a residential school called Maurya High, takes us into the lives of students – their highs and lows, friendships and rivalries, aspirations and idiosyncrasies. The four main characters here are Tia, Anvesha, Yuvi and Ranveer. Remix enjoys popularity among teenagers and college students. In the past, there have been serials like Hip Hip Hurray and Just Mohabbat, catering to the same kind of audience. Shrishti states that they strive to be different but "there is no such thing as original art…everyone is inspired from life." Apparently, the channel was happy with the way RAV presented the kids on Jeet, a college-based show aired on Star Plus. We are keen to know her stance on addressing issues like drug abuse and others through such a serial. "That point in life when you are 16-18 years old… things that you think are important are not necessarily so. Besides, in my limited experience, youth are not wastrels. The biggest problem is, parents. It is more of a generation gap." She continues, "There are 13 kids and all hail from different backgrounds with their unique high and low points. Tia hasn't seen her mother. Sid wants to be like his friend Yuvi. With Avi, it's the problem of self-image. Varun feels he doesn't live up to his parents' expectations. This is a light show and even within that, we have touched upon sensitive issues." Shrishti vouches for the camaraderie between her actors. Most of them are aged between 18 and 23. Since the majority of them haven't acted earlier, workshops were conducted to make them comfortable. The ones that are studying take time off for exams. Their characters have been modelled on people that the creative team has met or come across. For instance, Tia has similarities with Shrishti's eight-year-old niece Riya who used to talk about herself in the third person. A lot of slang colours the vocabulary of the characters, so much so that RAV has a Remix dictionary containing 200 such words. Another show Shrishti is proud of is Guns And Roses, again on Star One. A romantic thriller based in Goa, it involves a complex play of love and vengeance – a woman ends up falling in love with the man she wanted to kill. Kabhi Haan Kabhi Naa on Zee TV is going through a revamp. The characters Chetan Ahuja and Deepankar Bhattacharya transform a ramshackle place into a classy cafe, encounter goons and take part in a conspiracy. Though it retains the basic premise of men making futile attempts to understand women, actor Mihir Mishra who played Aditya Ramachandran, is off the show. Gaurav Kapoor has been brought in to play a new character named Kabir. As for her take on saas bahu sagas on television, Shrishti says, "If you don't like them, don't watch them. It's not fair to watch them and run them down. If they are still being aired, somebody is definitely watching." Try to beat that logic. For the record, she has acted in a film titled Aisi Bhi Kya Jaldi Hai, a remake of The Father of the Bride but has no intention of going in front of the camera ever again. "I'm a married woman with a child too," she says and so Shrishti is happy handling the reins of production. By the end of 2005, the company will announce three films. Goldie may not necessarily direct all. As for the details, we'll have to wait. She refuses to part with more on this front but readily talks as we prod on about her mother-in-law Sulbha Arya, the talented actor now famous as Kal Ho Na Ho's 'Kantaben'. She has no immediate plans of working with Sulbha and reveals, "It will have to be a mind-blowing role to even offer it to her. Everyone who works with her once, works with her again and again and she tells me the people she's working with, are wonderful." The adoration and respect shows on her face. No wonder Shrishti doesn't make soaps about warring saas bahus. — Chintan

Contributed by Sayeri..

Saloni Sharma caught up with Tia, Ranvir, Anwesha and Yuvraj of hit serial Remix. Excerpts~

They are hip, they are cool, they are happening — they are Remix! The popular new serial on Star One has already garnered a huge fan following with its unique storyline and endearing characters.

How did you get this role ?
Shweta (Tia ): I was already doing another show called Lipstick by the same production house Rose, so I guess they always had me in mind. I had to audition anyway and the funny bit is that I actually auditioned for Anwesha' s role!
Karan (Ranvir): I was In Delhi busy in college with my BBA studies. However, I went in for the auditions that took place in Delhi and luckily I was selected!

How was life for you before Remix ?
Priya (Anwesha): Before, I was into sports and then I got into modelling. I have worked with quite a few fashion designers and that time I used to look completely different from my current red head image! I had curly shoulder length hair which was black!
Raj (Yuvraj ): I am a law graduate and after completing my education I got into showbiz. I had auditioned for the MTV VJ Hunt and have also done a couple of music videos like Kabhi aar kabhi paar.
Karan (Ranvir) : I was playing cricket and had hopes of becoming like Sachin Tendulkar someday. I was also into football and ironically enough I really hadn't done anything much in the glamour world before Remix happened .
Shweta (Tia ): I have been doing serials for sometime. I have acted in Lipstick and Pardey Ke Peechey. Before this, I was working with a company called Aptech as their marketing head.

What are the similarities and differences between you and the character you play?
Karan: There are a lot of common factors! I'm as naughty and mischievous as Ranvir. I'm quite an intense person and also get angry very fast like Ranvir!
Raj: Nothing much in common other than my love for music. I'm also a DJ besides being an actor. I'm definitely not as rude as Yuvi and not that scared of my father also!
Shweta : I guess playing the role of Tia day and night I have become beauty and fashion conscious like her! But yes, I'm not a tantrum queen like her nor am I so spoilt!
Priya: I can be a bit wacky like her at times. I'm not so over the top and rebellious like Anwesha. However, I' m as friendly as her.

Why do you think Remix has become so popular ?
Raj and Priya: Remix has worked because it is catchy, unique, with a fresh concept and people can relate to the characters and situation easily. It's new and so much fun!

Do you think Remix can overtake the Saas-Bahu serials?
Sweta: Like the Maurya High motto goes "We Can And We Will!"
Karan: I don't think you can compare Remix with the Saas-Bahu serials, after all we belong to completely different genres. They have been there for almost five years while we are just six months old. We both have our own audiences.

What is your message to readers of The Statesman Voices?
Raj: Be comfortable in your own skin and have faith in your abilities. Be a trendsetter and make your own rules.
Shweta: Whenever there's a problem, talk about it. Communication is the best possible way to bridge the gaps between people especially with your parents.
The writer is a Coordinator,
La Martiniere for Girls

TELE EXPRESS

There's a soap in my video

After makeovers, music videos are the next fad in TV serials

Amit Gurbaxani

Mumbai, June 19:WHEN Armaan and Jassi finally declared their love for each other, the producers at Sony Television decided to create a soundtrack to mark the momentous event. So, Indian Idol Abhijeet Sawant crooned a love theme. Being a product of the channel, he was easy to get and paved the way for the ideal cross-promotional strategy. A video of the track and a full-length album of Jassi songs are in the works.

Rival Star Plus has been using music videos to boost their shows' visibility for some time now. First came Remix—the video for the theme from the high school dramedy that centers around four boarding school kids, who just happen to have their own band. The idea was inspired by ''underground rock bands at colleges like IIT,'' says producer Shristi Arya.

''Unlike other soaps that feature item numbers, the songs are actually performed by the cast and take the narrative forward,'' she says. The producers have shot four more videos. The latest, Mast Mast, is currently on air on Channel [V]. The next couple of months will see Dil Ki Yeh Dadhkan and Love Station, a Bappi Lahiri retro-disco tune, hitting our screens.

Qawwali time for Remix

MAST MAST: The Remix band jams to a qawwali number

Tia (Shweta Gulati), Anvesha (Priya Wal), Yuvi (Raj Singh Arora) and Ranvir (Karan Wahi) of the Star One daily Remix will now sway to a qawwali number Baad Mein Jahan in the show.

Choreographed by Santosh, this song will feature as the fifth performance of the Remix band.

Wearing bright costumes with velvet caps and heavy accessories, the qawwali opens with the gang entering in colourful rickshaws. The special qawwali will be aired towards the end of July.

Remix director mixes with residents

By: Aanchal Bansal
June 30, 2005

Rizzvi says it's fun to be behind the camera Director Iqbaal Rizzvi is the latest addition to Lokhandwala's growing TV and film personality residents. Rizzvi's recent success as the director of Remix allowed him to shift from Four Bungalows to a spacious house in Lokhandwala. Thrilled that Remix, his show on teenagers on Star One, is giving the daily saas-bahu sagas a tough run for their TRPs, he says, "I consciously opted for something different from family melodramas as I find them neither interesting nor challenging." Rizzvi is no newcomer in the world of TV; he had directed Kabhie Haan Kabhie Naa for Zee TV and also the music videos for Shaan's album Aksar. Though he is a TV serial director, he admits that his ultimate goal is to make 'good commercial' Hindi movies. Despite being the son of noted actress of yore, Shammi, the 35-year-old director claims that he has never wanted to be in front of the camera. He says, "It's more fun being behind the camera. I have always been interested in learning the process that goes into making movies and its stars and I have worked in every department of film-making." Rizzvi adds, "I consciously worked with director Ken Ghosh as an assistant editor because I wanted to learn editing. I have also done show packaging for Kkoi hai… on Star Plus. The idea was to be learn everything about film-making." Rizzvi thinks that the serial is a small but an important step towards the fulfillment of his dream. "Remix is the right combination of popcorn romance, song and dance, which are the essential ingredients of a Bollywood movie," he says. Even though Rizzvi is on the verge of signing a deal for directing a project that should begin by the end of next year, he prefers to keep silent about it because of certain superstitions. Rizzvi also feels that this is the best time for newcomers to start out. "With the opening of so many multiplexes, every filmmaker can find his own audience and has no need of sticking to formulae to get a box-office success," he says.