"I was offered a film with Big B" Ali Zafar talks to Masala! about music and film offers from Bollywood

He is young, immensely talented, famous and has a loyal fan following. He has been offered roles in both Pakistani and Indian movies but at the moment Ali Zafar says, music is his calling.

Why do you think your debut album Huqa Pani was such a major hit?
Because I was honest to myself.

You are a musician, painter, singer and model. How do you juggle it all?
I mainly concentrate on singing. I paint only for myself now. I'm not a pro model, I just endorse products for being who I am. And I haven't taken up any acting project for a long time because of time constraints. Plus nothing came up which could interest me to that extent.

You've received dozens of offers from Bollywood both as an actor and as a singer. Are you considering any?
Believe it or not I'm more of an artist than a star. I would rather do what I'm passionate about. I was offered a movie by Mahesh Bhatt, then I was to be cast alongside Amitabh Bachchan and another one supposedly had Anupam Kher in the role of my father and some solo launch projects too with fresh cast. But I still haven't come across a project which compels me to feel strongly about it.

How did you feel when Himesh copied your song Rangeen and included it in the film Aashiq Banaye Aapne?
Well, copying can never be justified. I just wish he had asked me once, I would have given it to him anyway, just for one of his caps.

Your latest album Masty was yet again a smasher after Channo. What do we expect from Ali Zafar next?
I have set up my own studio at home. Very soon you'll get to hear lots of supersonic stuff in my next album.

Eastern Eye, a leading British-Asian paper, has rated you as one of the 10 Sexiest Men in Asia. How does it feel?
Feels very sexy.

Source : Masala News

Shafqat sings with Fuzon for the national anthem!

Geo TV's taping of Pakistan's national anthem, which is being touted as the revival of the national anthem – was held on August 5 with a large number of singers in attendance. While the recording brought together stars from all musical genres ranging from Ustad Hamid Ali Khan to Shahida Mini, it also united the split up members of Fuzon.

Shafqat Amanat Ali and his ex-band mates from Fuzon, Shallum and Immu, were all together on the same stage to perform the anthem. One would have expected fireworks, but both Shallum and Shafqat came across as being cordial and happy about working together with each other. "It feels great to come together with Shafqat again, he's a great guy and accomplished singer." said Shallum.

On being asked if they plan to work together again, Shallum said "We might do a project together in the next few months, and we're looking forward to it."

Shafqat, on being asked about his feelings about working with Fuzon diplomatically stated, "I'm a singer and an artist and I want to work with everyone." Stay tuned for news of if this project does make it to the light of day!

Source : Instep Today

Abhijeet Will Not Fight Anymore???

Abhijeet Bhattacharya (TOI Photo) He is known for his firebrand image. Singer Abhijeet Bhattacharya is also known for the strong emotional bond that he forms with the contestants he judges on talent hunt shows. But, it was this emotional streak that landed him in a controversy, when recently, he objected to bringing back a non-Indian contestant Musarrat through a wild card entry instead of an Indian. And predictably so, he paid a heavy price for calling a spade a spade. But not anymore, he says in a no-holds-barred tête-à-tête... Have you sorted out the differences over Pakistani singer Musarrat? Let me put it this way, why should I become a reformer when no one minds being short changed by what is happening in the industry today. I am not the kind of judge who’d accept Rs 10,000-Rs 20,000 and sit on talent hunt shows that’re being dictated by shoddy scripts written to push up the TRPs. I gave up Rs 70 lakhs to fight for our Indian contestants who are far more talented than the whole world put together. But I will not fight anymore. If contestants’ parents are not bothered about their children’s future, which is being robbed by non-Indians, who am I to stop them? You really feel our kids’ future is being robbed by participants from abroad? Hundred per cent. Just watch when the auditions happen, where kids stand in long lines for days hoping to get selected. But participants from Pakistan are put on a flight and given direct entry into these shows, why? Kya khasiyat hai inme? Hindustan ke galli-galli mein Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan mil jayega, but unki koi kadar nahin. Par ek Pakistan se aa gaya toh humne usse sar pe utha liya. You don’t think there is any talent in Pakistan? Aatif Aslam, Rahat Fateh Ali Khan and hundred others are nothing compared to our singers like Javed Ali, Soham, Bulli, Raja Hassan, but no one wants to give them a chance. They say I am biased if I reprimand Musarrat – because he’s a Pakistani, but they don’t mind if I shout at Raja Hassan because he is an Indian. What sort of hypocrisy is this? You have been very vocal over the choice of Musarrat? I have always said that our children should be given first preference. But desh ki maryada ko dao pe lagana aaj kal fashion ho gaya hai. I don’t know why do we have such a complex when it comes to shoving Pakistan back to where it belongs – the other side of the border? But not everyone agrees with your stand? Yes, I have been fighting alone for seven-eight years in this industry. But it’s a shame that as Indians we have such a low regard for our nationality when it comes to protecting our kids’ welfare. So now, I too have decided not to make a hue and cry about it. What upsets you the most about the music industry today? No other country will allow foreigners to work and earn so freely as we allow them here. They come here, earn crores, build assets, but does our government bother to check if they pay tax? Why are the Advanis, Karats, Mulayams and Kalams, all quiet over this? If I want to make a living in the US or the UK I need a working permit, while in Pakistan we are not even allowed to enter the country. Then why are we so large-hearted in the glamour and entertainment industry? Source : Times Of India