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After controversy surrounding A R Rahman’s rendition of the song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’, the makers of ‘Pippa’ have issued an apology for hurting the sentiments anyone offended with their artistic interpretation of the track, saying that they harbour great respect for the original composer Kazi Nazrul Islam.

“In light of the current discourse surrounding the song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’ the producers, director and music composer of the film Pippa wish to clarify that our rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam,” the makers of ‘Pipa’ posted on social media.

They said that they have deep respect for the original composition and for the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose contribution to the musical, political and social landscape of the Indian subcontinent is immeasurable.

“This album was created as...

After controversy surrounding A R Rahman’s rendition of the song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’, the makers of ‘Pippa’ have issued an apology for hurting the sentiments anyone offended with their artistic interpretation of the track, saying that they harbour great respect for the original composer Kazi Nazrul Islam.

“In light of the current discourse surrounding the song ‘Karar Oi Louho Kopat’ the producers, director and music composer of the film Pippa wish to clarify that our rendition of the song is a sincere artistic interpretation, embarked upon only after securing the necessary adaptation rights from the estate of the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam,” the makers of ‘Pipa’ posted on social media.

They said that they have deep respect for the original composition and for the Late Kazi Nazrul Islam, whose contribution to the musical, political and social landscape of the Indian subcontinent is immeasurable.

“This album was created as...

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan on Thursday said the social media is often driven by a narrowness of views that “enclose” collective narrative and makes it more divisive and destructive. In his address at the inauguration ceremony of the 28th Kolkata International Film Festival (Kiff) here, he said that the collective narratives in recent times have often been shaped by social media, which is often driven by a narrowness of views that limits human nature to its baser self.

“This sense of negativity often increases the social media consumption and such pursuits often enclose collective narrative and makes it more divisive and destructive,” said Shah Rukh Khan, who is also the brand ambassador of West Bengal.

He said that cinema now has a more important role to play in spreading that message of collective narrative.

“I hope that festivals like Kiff and the city like Kolkata can emerge as the...

Sharmila Tagore and Pranab Mukherjee were India's honorary guests at a cultural summit in Dhaka on May 6 to celebrate the 150th birth anniversary of Gurudev Rabindranath Tagore. Sharmila has returned deeply impressed by the interest in the work of Tagore in Dhaka. Though she feels there was ample curiosity and interest generated in India for the great event, Sharmila was more impressed by the deep reverence that the Bangladeshis showed for Gurudev. "To them in Bangladesh, Tagore is as vital as he is to us in India. But here we tend to make cultural events a celebrity gallery. I was most impressed by their enthusiasm. The Prime Minister of Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina was at the event. And though there were many dignitaries at the event, Rabindranath Tagore remained the centre of attention at the event." This was Sharmila's second visit to Dhaka. She will return to the city soon when...

We have an exclusive look at the first song coming from the Saif Ali Khan, Kareena Kapoor starrer Agent Vinod! With music by Pritam, the track with the title ‘I’ll Do the Talking’ was sung by Neeraj Sridhar. The cool thing is that this is Pritam’s take on ‘Rasputin’ by Boney M. He told Toi, “We have taken the rights of Boney M’s Rasputin. However, our song is based more on the Serbian folk song Ruse Kose Curo Imas. Even Rasputin draws inspiration from this song. A Turkish folk song Uskudar’a Gider Iken also has the same melody. Famous Bengali poet Kazi Nazrul Islam’s song Shukno Paatar Noopur Paaye is also based on this folk tune.”

Shridhar Subramaniam of Sony Music added, “The song Rasputin by legendary band Boney M has been an all time favourite. We are delighted that this song will now get a fresh lease of life.

Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan won over a 25,000 strong crowd here with a combination of Bhangra and Bangla.The 45-year-old heartthrob led a team of Bollywood actors, including Rani Mukherjee and Arjun Rampal in the show, titled ''King Khan Live in Dhaka''.Though the actor, who is fondly called King Khan by his fans, did not campaign to make the Sundarbans mangrove forests one of the seven natural wonders of the world as promised by the organisers, he drew the crowd wild by addressing them in Bengali, reported the Daily Star.Reaching out to the audience, the Indian superstar, who danced to hits like ''Dard-e-disco'' and ''Shava Shava'', said in Bangla, "Ami Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman-er deshey Bharatbarsho thekey onek onek bhalobasha aar shubhechcha boye enechhi.'' (I bring India''s good wishes to the nation of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, Bangladesh''s founding leader).""I''ve heard of Kazi Nazrul Islam,...