Mahela Jayawardene with His Thoughts on Coming ICC Cricket World Cup 2007

Mahela Jayawardene, the captain of Sri Lankan cricket team is now preparing for the coming world cup cricket 2007. As a captain this would be the first world cup for this excellent batsman and good slip fielder. Though he has given captaincy just a year ago, there is no chance to make question about his cricketing talent and experience. After his bad performance in the last world cup in 2003, he was dropped from the team but with his potential and talent he regained his place at the team has showed some of his master performance which followed getting the captaincy. Recently he has talked about his next mission in India just before the ICC Cricket World Cup West Indies 2007. In the interview he also talked about the world cup squad. The Sunday Times Online reported:

Q: What do you expect from this short tour of India?
A: It is always a challenge to play in India which is tough place to play cricket. We have not fared very well lately in India and I think this offers us a good opportunity to put the record straight.

Q: With the World Cup only a few weeks away, will you be using these four ODI’s to try out things?
A: Yes, we will try a few things in India, but not too many things. We have a balanced side going into India so we have are options open.

Q: Any idea of the type of wickets that will be on offer in West Indies for the World Cup?
A: Tom Moody visited the Caribbean earlier this month and he says that most of the wickets have been laid ahead of the world cup and there are also two or three new venues. So they are going to offer some seam movement as they will be fresh. However it will not be those bouncy type of wickets that West Indies had 10-15 years ago, but there will be some pace on it. Domestic matches played on these tracks have indicated that they are not slow and low.

Q: Are we now settled with our openers and the batting?
A: Sanath and Upul have got us off to some great starts. They complement each other very well. Then my presence at No. 3 is mainly to make the best use of the power plays. But we also have the option of having Marvan who is an opening batsman at number three, something we tried in New Zealand and it worked for us, in which case I will drop to number five. Then Sangakkara comes in at number four and we also have a few inform batsmen coming into the side, so the batting is fairly settled.

Q: Are you comfortable with Marvan batting at number five?
A: Marvan will be used in the middle to consolidate an innings. He is experienced and knows what to do when he bats in the middle. He tackles the slow bowlers very well and rotates the strike constantly. In fact he batted at number five before the injury so that is not an issue.

Q: What about our bowling attack, the medium pacers?
A: After a long time we have got a very attacking unit that can bowl out a side inside the 50 overs which I think is really great. Lasith Malinga has brought in something new to the table, Vaas as always is bowling extremely well, then we have Maharoof who has worked very hard and is now taking wickets. In addition we also have Dilhara who is very aggressive, then Zoysa, Kulasekera and Ruchira are also in the squad.

Q: Do you think we will need a fourth medium pacer in addition to Vaas, Malinga and Maharoof?
A: Obviously, it will depend on the surface that we are playing on. For instance in the last game against New Zealand we went in with four medium pacers and they did the job for us. But if the wicket is conducive to spin we will not need a fourth seamer, instead we can rely on a spinner like Malinga Bandara or Dilshan or Arnold if they are playing to support Murali and Jayasuriya.

Q: You opted to rest Murali and Vaas, what about Lasith Malinga?
A: We will definitely not play him in all games, maybe one or two games only. We are aware that we have to manage him and keep him going. He is young, has a lot of energy and he likes to play every game-but that is definitely not the ideal situation for us.

Q: Captaincy is something that has been thrust on you suddenly. How do you feel to be captaining your country in a World Cup?
A: It has been a ride for me since the last two years or so. From a situation of not being fit enough to be a vice captain not so long ago, here I am captaining Sri Lanka and in a World Cup.

Q: Did you expect it?
A: No. It was totally unexpected. I never thought of captaining after being removed from the vice captaincy. I was only doing a job as Captain until Marvan was fit and ready. But after having a chat with Marvan and the Selectors they wanted me to carry on with the captaincy.

Mahela is an experienced player and a good leader as well. He has the capability to lead Sri Lanka to their second world cup success. However, the pragmatic situation is that Sri Lanka’s recent performance is not that good to bet on Sri Lanka in World Cup. Nevertheless, as the team has both experienced and young players; Sri Lanka is, for sure, a balanced team.

The Film Guru Introduces a Canadian Singer Maryem Tollar in the Song Titled “Mayya Mayya”

The first song of the recently dominating movie Guru has got huge hit among the people. Do you know that who gave the voice in the song? Yes, it is a little surprise that the person behind the song is not an India and not an Asian. The singer Maryem Tollar is from Canada and she can not speak Hindi. Believe me this is the fact and of course, the person behind such an unbelievable thing is great musician A.R. Rahman. A.R. Rahman offered Tollar to sing in the movie. The song titled “Mayya Mayya” features Bollywood star Mallika Sherawat which has been a surprise to the Bollywood fans. Toronto Star reported:

Locally, Tollar is known to a loyal but limited audience for her evocative renditions of classical Egyptian songs.

Internationally, she was being discussed for her lead vocals on "Mayya Mayya," a hot opening dance number to the Bollywood blockbuster Guru. The film celebrated its world premiere in Toronto this month, but in India the soundtrack has been out for weeks.

"I checked," Tollar said at her midtown home a few days ago in her cheerful way. "I typed in `Maryem' and `Mayya,' and saw hundreds of blogs.

"I would say the majority seems to love it, but there are a lot of people who say the accent bugs them."

In the Bollywood film world, it is possible to be famous and anonymous at the same time, Tollar says.

She would know. Her brush with the industry began two years ago when a friend introduced her to A.R. Rahman, one of the Indian film industry's top composers.

He was in town from Madras to help with the stage production of The Lord of the Rings and needed extra backup vocals for a film soundtrack he was also working on.

Tollar took the job for a set fee and the film Rang De Basanti (Print it Yellow) duly appeared last year. She heard little more about it.

"The next time (Rahman) came to Toronto, he got me to improvise some melodies for another song," Tollar says. "He didn't have lyrics but the shape of the song was coming together."

By their third meeting, Rahman had lyrics. He had also recorded the music and backup vocals – everything except the main melodic line, which he wanted Tollar to sing over top of everything.

A native Hindi singer wouldn't do, he said. The scene was to be set in Istanbul. Curvaceous Bollywood beauty Malika Sherawat was to be scantily dressed in what might pass as belly dance attire and he wanted a foreign flavour to the song – in Hindi but Middle Eastern sounding.

However, it was very difficult for this Canadian singer to materialize the offer due to the linguistic difference and variations. She had to try many times to pronounce some of the words. The report said:

Tollar speaks several languages but not Hindi. Rahman speaks Tamil. As a voice coach, he hired Devika Mathur, a local radio host who arrived three years ago from Mumbai and became a contender on Canadian Idol.

"In terms of pronunciation, I was surprised by the number of different `r's they have," Tollar says, "and some of their consonants have aspirations at the end, a little `ah' sound.

"For the `p' they have a shorter stop. It finishes differently. Really subtle things but people notice them because they can make a difference to the meaning.

"So they would get me to do things over and over again – `tah, tah, tah,' to the point where after a while I didn't know whether I heard a difference or not."

Mathur would teach Tollar a phrase. She would practise it. Then Rahman would record it and they would move on to the next. They finished the number in a single session, again paid at a flat rate.

"I didn't memorize the song and I wouldn't be able to sing it to you now," Tollar says.

But large numbers of Bollywood fans would be. "Mayya Mayya" is a huge hit.

The video promoting the movie features the song, easily found on the Internet. Bloggers consistently name it and "Barso re" as the film's two best.

"Rahman is like a demi-god in India and people memorize his songs even before the movie comes out," Tollar says.

Knowing she had become a household name to Bollywood fans, the singer decided to attend the premiere. The romantic leads Aishwarya Rai and Abhishek Bachchan were to be there, along with Rahman and director Mani Ratnam.

When Tollar called and identified herself, she was told she could buy a $350 ticket for $250. Instead, she waited until Rahman arrived. He called at 4:30 p.m. on the night of the gala and said he could get her in. Just come to the hotel, he said.

Tollar's 5-year-old daughter Omneya wanted to come, too. At the hotel, they met the director and cinematographer, and rode with VIPs in a limousine to the Elgin & Winter Garden Theatre.

"We got there," Tollar says. "There were crowds of people and everybody screaming and the red carpet and all the cameras and everything, and Omneya looked at me and said, `I feel like I'm going to throw up.'

It sounds good that a singer has voiced in a song of such a high profile movie even though she can not understand that language. However, the song has created a boom in the industry and has been critically acclaimed. I hope Tollar will continue working in Bollywood.

Telegu Film Director R. Narayan Murthy Coming to Bollywood

Famous director of Telegu film industry R. Narayan Murthy is now coming with the "Yeh Dharti Hamara" which is a remake of his telegu film "Yerrasainyam". Though he is popular face in Telegu film industry, he is not that much familiar in Bollywood. Fans are waiting for the movie as Bollywood fans are also interested to see some R. Narayan magic in Bollywood. Andhracafe reported:

The story, screenpaly, direction and production are all taken up by him single handed. The movie is to be completed in two weeks and the welcome by the Bollywood cinegoers is awaited. If this gives good results we will get all his Telugu films in Hindi.

This is good news that fans of Bollywood will be able to watch some of the masterpieces from this benevolent director of Telegu film industry. I hope he will be successful to show the magic he is used to show Telegu language films.

Amitabh Bachchan Received Legion d'Honneur, the Highest Civilian Award of France

Bollywood legend Amitabh Bachcha has been awarded Legion d'Honneur, the highest civilian award of France. This great has been acted about 140 years in his acting career. He has taken the award from Dominique Girard, France ambassador to India. Amitabh Bachchan’s son Abhishek Bachchan, a Bollywood star, and her would-be daughter in law famous actress Aishwarya Rai was present at that moment. Daily India reported:

DELHI, India, Jan. 28 (UPI) -- The French government honored Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan with France's highest civilian honor, the Legion d'Honneur.

Fench Ambassador to India Dominique Girard said the award was to recognize the "quality and height of his achievement" of the Indian star, The BBC said. The award was presented at an event in the French embassy in New Delhi Saturday.

Receiving the award "fills me with great pride," Bachchan said. "It's not just an award for me, it's the recognition of the achievement of the Indian cinema. It's an award for the entire film industry."

Indian film director Satyajit Ray and sitar giant Ravi Shankar also have received the Legion d'Honneur.

Through this award both the whole India has been honored. This is an international recognition of Bollywoo too. I hope Indian and French film industry now may build a bridge between them and presents some excellent works for the fans.

Legendary Music Director of Bollywood Passes away

Famous music director of Bollywood O.P. Nayyar is not more today. This benevolent figure of Bollywood died today after got a heart attack. He was the king of Bollywood in the 1050’s and 1060’s. He first came into lime light through the movie "Mr and Mrs 55" and "CID." This respected music director made may popular songs including Aar Paar, Naya Daur, Tumsa Nahi Dekha, Kashmir Ki Kali, Mere Sanam, Ek Musafir Ek Haseena. Regarding this sad news Reuters reported:

Nayyar, 81, was famous for the use of Punjabi rhythms in his music and is credited with making stars of several leading singers, including Asha Bhosle, Press Trust of India said.

Indian film director Mahesh Bhatt described Nayyar as "an audacious man who was a king in his time."

Nayyar, who always dressed in white and was never seen without his distinctive black felt hat, was born in Lahore in what is now Pakistan in 1926.

He got his first break in 1949 when he was appointed music director on "Kaneez" (Junior), but recognition came with 1950s movies like "Mr and Mrs 55" and "CID."

This is a great loss of Indian music. India has lost a great musician. This legend will be remembered with his works among the people.

A Class Stars of Indian Movie Reluctance to Star in Mira Nair’s AIDS Based Movie

Mira Nair, a famous Indian director, has recently said that Bollywood’s A list stars do not want to be involved in the movie based on dead-threatened disease HIV/AIDS. Mira is going to make a 12 minute movie based on HIV/AIDS. The initiative has been taken by the Bill and Melinda Gates foundation in order to protect AIDS from this second largest country in the world. It is noteworthy that recently the number of AIDS patient in India has been increased much. The foundation will fund four 12 minute movies on this issue. Femalefirst reported:

Nair will direct one of four low-budget, 12-minute movies to be shown in cinemas ahead of full-length Bollywood films, which will be funded by the charity Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation.

But Nair says she was unable to get top Bollywood actors to feature in the shorts because of the association with the disease.

She says, "Lots of stars don't want to be associated with the virus. Some live and don't learn."

It looks very odd that an American based foundation has come forward to prevent this disease from India whereas Indian stars do not feel having any responsibility to the issue. I do not think that acting in a role of AIDS patient can cause decrease of his or her popularity. Then I would like to ask those stars that Shilpa Sheety acted in a AIDS based movie and was critically acclaimed for her role of a AIDS patient. Now she is winning the heart of both English and Indian people. I hope stars will extend their hand to this great initiative.

Rahul Roy Becoems the Winner of India’s Big Brother Reality Television Show

Rahul Roy has been the winner of Big Brother, a reality television show based in India. He has got the prize money of 50 lakh from the show. The show is a copy of UK based Big Brother. The Indian’s Big Brother is hosted by Bollywood actor Arshad Warsi. Rahul Roy is very much delighted with his performance. Times TV reported:

Rahul Roy won on the basis of maximum public votes supporting him. Along with the pre-decided undisclosed amount the actor walked away with Rs 50 lakh prize money. Arshad Warsi, the host of the Indian version of UK’s Big Brother gave away the prize to the winner.

A "stunned" Rahul admitted that the going was not easy inside the house, in the three-month stay, but attributed his success to the Almighty and his Guruji.

Bigg Boss started three months back with 13 known faces from Bollywood and glamour, definitely not from the A-list. Each week one participant got evicted by public vote from the show.

Rahul Roy is not that much popular among the actors of Bollywood. This honor may be a turning point in his acting career. Now, only time can give the answer if he can use this honor in increasing his popularity in the industry.