Plugging into Kher!

                                                                    Kailash Kher along with band Kailasa held a two-hour unplugged concert on Thursday at the Nehru Centre in Worli. The classical/ folk-rock act comprising brothers Naresh and Paresh Kamath played popular songs such as Teri Deewani and Saiyyan, and also rare numbers including Meri Maa and Awara Rahi Gumshuda from the 2008 film Dasvidaniya.

The performance was the Mumbai leg of Kailasa’s unplugged tour in association with Fever 104 FM. The first edition of the tour was organised in Delhi last week.

Having also played live at venues outside the country the past year, the singer-composer now derives inspiration from the worldwide recognition he’s received. “It’s nice to see your music being appreciated the world over. These incidents turn into magical moments, which I reproduce in my music,” says Kher.

Earlier this year, Kher collaborated with musicians like Cheb Khaled and Cheng Lin of China for a musical group called Pangea. The multicultural band composed the song ‘Citizens Of The World’ to bring together their varied heritage. They also shot a music video at Capitol Studios in Los Angeles.

While opportunities to collaborate with world musicians did crop up at the time, Kher says he’s going to stay put in India for the time being. “I’m so fascinated by Indian culture that I don’t want to commit to foreign artistes at this time,” he adds. Kher also recently met musician Michael Brook, and says they liked each other’s work and might collaborate sometime in the future.

Recently the band received an award for their 2009 album Chaandan Mein at the Global Indian Music Awards (GIMA). While the members certainly were humbled by the gesture, frontman Kher believes that more than the memento you’re presented, it’s the acknowledgement you receive among the fraternity that’s touching.

“It’s a large world, and ours is one of the biggest music industries. To be featured on it is a huge honour,” says Kher. Kher attributes the success of GIMA to the fact that producers, music directors and singers all came together on one platform to honour talent in the country. “There may be some amount of rivalry among these guilds otherwise, but when they unite for a cause they believe in, it’s sure to be a success,” he adds.

I don't let age overpower me: Dharmendra

                                                                                        Horses and men never grow old, says Dharmendra, still young at 75 and getting ready to entertain his legion of fans in the upcoming comedy "Yamla Pagla Deewana".

"There is a saying horses and men never grow old and I'm one of those men who was tagged as the 'He Man'. So can a 'He Man' afford to become old? This tag keeps me young at heart and I don't let age overpower me," Dharmendra told IANS in an exclusive interview.

"My soul is still very innocent, like that of a mischievous kid. Since I feel young inside, it reflects on my face," he added.

The senior actor, who has completed 50 years in the industry, has entertained audience with movies of all genres -- from the intense "Bandini" and "Satyakaam" to outright potboilers like "Raja Jani" and "Pratigya", and, of course, as the comic artist with perfect timing in "Sholay" and "Chupke Chupke".

His laugh riot "Yamla Pagla Deewana" will hit screens Jan 14 and will see him teaming up with his actor sons - Sunny and Bobby - after the 2007 hit family drama "Apne".

The veteran actor said when asked what took him so long to come back to movies: "After 'Apne' I wanted to do more films, but we were not getting a very good script. Otherwise who wants to sit at home? Someone who loves acting, why would he want to stay at home? I'm always in search of good roles."

"Finally, we decided to do this film and things worked out," added the senior actor, who will also feature in his wife Hema's directorial venture "Tell Me Oh Khuda".

Director Samir Karnik has taken the responsibility of bringing the father-sons combo on screen again with the fun flick, which originally starred only Sunny and Bobby.

"First we had planned to make the film only with Sunny and Bobby and that time the name of the film was 'Double Trouble'. But we couldn't get the title because it was already registered with someone else.

"So I just joked that why not you make it 'Triple Double' and I'll also act in the film. Sunny liked the idea and we changed the story a little bit to incorporate my character too," said the still very garam Dharam.

The story revolves around a Sikh guy living in Canada, who learns that his father and brother are alive and live in Benares. He embarks on a journey to bring the family together.

In the film, Bobby has very friendly relationship with his on- and off-screen father, so much so that he even calls him by his first name.

"Everyone knows we live according to the culture of Indian society where there is respect for parents and certain rules are followed. But when the camera rolls, then you forget who is who. Then you become the characters of the film.

"In this film Bobby and I share a very different rapport as compared to in real life. We are more of friends there. The relationship and chemistry is very open. It was quite a nice experience and fun to do that," said the veteran actor.

How does he feel after completing 50 years in Bollywood?

"It seems that these 50 years just passed by in a jiffy. When you think of it, 50 years seems like a long time, but I still feel I came to Bombay yesterday.

"I want to live that life all over again and want to make it even more beautiful. I'll throw all the mistakes I made and make it a much better life."

Shahid-Priyanka get cosy!

                                                              Chemistry between Shahid Kapoor and Priyanka Chopra started on the sets of Kaminey. Since then, there have been speculations about their union and splits. Leaving the past behind, the lovebirds will get together to celebrate New Year.

"Shahid and Priyanka are back together. The couple recently reunited at Karan Johar's chat show Koffee With Karan. That's when they met and sorted out their misunderstandings and problems," a source told Mumbai Mirror.

Priyanka-ShahidKaran, who has played cupid to many Bollywood romances in the past, can be credited for offering Kaminey's lead couple an opportunity to solve their differences. The couple looked very comfortable in each other's company on the chat show.

Priyanka Chopra, who has turned down all offers for New Year live performances, will fly down to Chandigarh, where Shahid Kapoor is shooting for his father Pankaj Kapoor's film Mausam.

The duo will be staying at an undisclosed resort in Chandigarh, reported the tabloid. That's a lovely way to welcome the New Year!

Madhuri's sons, husband visit 'Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa' sets

                                                                                     It was family time for actress Madhuri Dixit on the sets of "Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa 4" as her sons, husband and parents came as audience members on the dance reality show.

Her sons - Arin, 7 and Ryan, 5 - and husband Shriram Nene are here for their Christmas and New Year's break and seemed visibly happy to see Madhuri in the judge's chair on the show.

When the children were asked whether they liked their mother's show, one of them replied: "It is good", while Nene said it was a great experience.

Madhuri had left her children with her husband in the US before she came here for a three-month break from household chores to make a comeback to showbiz. She has also shot for an advertisement during her stay and plans to go through some scripts as well.

The episode featuring Madhuri and her family will be aired Monday.

Asha Bhosle's never heard before dance number released

                                                                   She has crooned over 12,000 songs in 18 languages but aficionados of legendary singer Asha Bhosle can rejoice as one of her never released dance numbers from a shelved 1970s movie has been released online.

Called "Aaj ki shaam pahloo mein tu", the seductive dance number was written by Naqsh Lyallpuri and recorded in the 1970s for a shelved film that was then tentatively titled "Rehnuma".

Composed by late Madan Mohan, the song has an alterante tune for the antara and is available on the composer's website www.madanmohan.in.

Four never before heard Asha Bhosle-Madan Mohan songs were also released last year in the album "Tere Bagair".

The two have given many a hit songs like "Jhumka gira re", "Sabah se yeh kahdo", "Zameen se humen aasman par", etc.