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.

Guru Doing Great in the Box Office

Guru was supposed to be the first big Bollywood Movie of 2007 and after the first week, it seems that Guru is going to rock the box office. According to Indiafm, 'Guru' territory-wise break-up: Rs. 18 cr. Nett. In the box office, Guru is in the first position now.

Madhavan Praises Mani Ratnam Giving All the Credit

Madhavan, a popular star of Southern Indian film industry, has recently talked about his latest movie named Guru. In the movie, he played the role of an honest journalist. Madhavan gave all the credit of to his teacher and the director of the movie Mani Ratnam. I am quoting his speech from a Indiaglitz report:

I have no qualms playing a cameo in Guru. I am happy that I was part of a Manirathnam film,” says Madhavan.

Though it was a brief role, people appreciate my performance and all credits should go to Mani sir for it.

If Mani sir helped me get my basics right, Kamal Hassan polished my acting skills in doing comical roles. People around me said that my role would be subdued when acting alongside Kamal. But he encouraged me and gave me enough screen space in Anbae Sivam.

In the movie Vidya Balan played the role of his wife. Though he was accused of shooting in an obscene scene in the movie with Vidya Balan, Madhavan has showed his best performance in the movie Guru which is really essential for an Industry.

Guru: After Canada Its America

Normally, something first comes to the US and then goes to Canada. Well, for the Bollywood movies Guru (2007), it was an exception. First, it charmed the audience in Canada and then it came to the US. In the US, it got huge welcome from the audience too. It was such a big matter in the US that even the New York Times wrote about it:

Roopam Jain craned for a view of the celebrities on Friday night, jostling with dozens of other fans. He called his wife by cellphone, warning that she was about to miss the grand arrivals.

“It’s incredible to find something like this in New York,” Mr. Jain said.

Mr. and Mrs. Jain, who live in Alpine, N.J., had tickets to a premiere that heralded not only the arrival of a movie, but also a growing cultural phenomenon.

The red-carpet event was for a movie called “Guru,” and was rare American treatment for a feature from Bollywood, the Mumbai-based film industry.

Two of Bollywood’s biggest stars, Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, finally did touch down in Times Square Friday night, as their film opened around the world.

It is old news but I have to say that I got chocked to the amount of coverage given by the New York Times about Guru. Thus, Guru will perhaps work as a turning point in the US about Bollywood movies. We will surely see more Bollywood movies making headlines in America in 2007.

Guru Storms USA

Until now, Hollywood films create all the excitement in India and Bollywood films hardly can create even a drizzle in the US. Guru 2007 is changing this scenario even a bit and that is just simply great.

Earth Times wrote:

A red-carpet showing of the Bollywood film Guru in New York helped the Indian film industry strengthen its position in the United States. The New York Times reported that in attendance at Friday's world premiere showing of the drama were Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai, two Bollywood stars who are leading the industry's charge into U.S.

theaters.

With seven Hindi-language motion pictures earning more than $2

million in the United States during 2006, the Indian film industry has already begun finding a spot alongside its Hollywood counterpart.

The wind of change is blowing. The good thing is that US market is expanding for Bollywood. Soon, we will see some movies made in Bollywood mainly thinking of the US market. That day may come sooner than expected.

IndiaGlitz Reviews Guru

It seems that Guru is now the talk of Internet. All the Bollywood websites are trying to give us the latest news on the movie. Some of them are even coming up with excellent reviews too. IndiaGlitz has a long and well written review about Guru (2007). Faridoon Shahryar has written the review and he wrote:

Master story teller Mani Rathnam is in supreme command as he tells a gripping story in his trademark unusual style. He has used the Art Direction of Samir Chanda to perfection as he recreates the Mumbai Best trams of 1960s, coal engine powered trains and the old model cars on the marine drive promenade are also parked oh-so-casually. The area where Rathnam triumphs the most is his objective viewpoint while handling the context of Gurukant Desai’s success. He doesn’t justify or romanticizes the wrong means employed by Guru in moving up. And the final picture that emanates is that of a man who rose to the top to fall and then rise again. But he is not all black. Or all white. He has shades of grey with warts of blemishes. Yet his basic intentions are honest. The loyalty of the ordinary share holders of Gurkant Desai’s Shakti Industries germinates from transparency. And that’s Guru’s biggest victory.

In the final analysis, Guru’s audacity appeals and repels at the same time. You call him right and wrong in the same breath. But you still feel like favouring him as even if he is doing a wrong, mostly it is meant to oppose the unjust system that listens to nothing except ‘force’ or money power. And Abhishek Bachchan’s body language successfully enacts all these varies shades impeccably.

So, read the review and then go to the cinema hall to watch Guru 2007.

Review of Guru at Apunkachoice.com

Apunkachoice.com is one of the leading web portals on Bollywood. It is one of the top websites on Bollywood too (according to Alexa rating). Naresh Kumar Deoshi has written an excellent review of Guru.

Guru : Movie Review

This is the title of the review. There, Naresh Kumar Deoshi wrote:

A film like ‘Guru’ has not been seen on the Indian screen before. With its powerful story, awesome performances, melodious music ( A R Rahman ), splendid cinematography (Rajiv Menon) and skilled direction, the movie leaves you spellbound. However, two songs in quick succession at the film’s very beginning do make for a bumpy start.

The story picks up when Guru goes to Mumbai where he starts his clothes business. How this visionary with an indomitable spirit fights against all odds and succeeds, makes for a riveting watch. And full credit goes to Abhishek Bachchan who has given the best performance of his career so far. His Guru is full of energy, vivacity and optimism.

What’s commendable is the conviction with which Abhi gets into the skin of his character. His bulky frame moves with a swagger, his penetrating gaze reflects his shrewd business acumen and yet there is a vulnerable side to Guru that shines through now and then. Abhi’s performance is particularly excellent in the second half, when his business begins to sink and he is paralyzed. His monologue in the courtroom (with his lip twitched and his one arm incapacitated) makes him truly deserving of an award.

For the first time, ‘Guru’ offers something to write about chemistry between Abhishek and Aishwarya. There is almost an electric vibe between the two actors and it could verily be seen in the film. Apart from this, Ash’s performance, too, is commendable.

The review is long and in depth. I am sure you would love it whether you have already seen the movie or you are going to the cinema hall to enjoy it. So, visit the website and read the review.

Guru and Dhirubhai Ambani: Who Cares?

When people have nothing to do then they waste their time for meaningless debate. Yes, this is what is happening now about the upcoming Bollywood movie Guru (2007). Some people are engaged with the debate whether Guru depicts the life of one of the most successful businessmen in Indian history Dhirubhai Ambani.

Reuters wrote:

Dhirubhai Ambani is India's best known rags-to-riches billionaire, but the makers of a new Bollywood film about a villager who rises to the pinnacle of the corporate world insist the movie is not about him.

"Gurubhai", the name of the lead character in "Guru", rhymes uncannily with the name of the deceased founder of the Reliance group, and both men come from a poor village.

On their journey to the top, both founded their companies in 1958 in India's financial hub of Mumbai and displayed a penchant for getting things done without taking a 'no' for an answer.

One of the promo lines of the film reads: "Think big. Think ahead. Think fast", which matches word-for-word the corporate motto of Ambani.

But the film's director Mani Ratnam told reporters "Guru", which opens on Friday, was largely fictional.

"It is about the journey of a man at a point of time in India who is trying to reach where he wants to reach," Ratnam said.

"When you pick a film you pick it because there's an idea which you think will make a film. A lot of stories have a real-life feel and are related to the common man."

Really, I am at a loss to figure out about what is the benefit of this meaningless debate. If you are sure that Guru is indeed based on the life of Dhirubhai Ambani then what is the benefit or what is loss? Who cares and why should we even bother? What is important is that whether the movie is of good quality and people like it!

Guru 2007: Fans Spending $500 to Enjoy the Premiere!

The world Premiere of Guru is going to take place after few hours in Toronto, Canada. This is the first time that any Bollywood movie is having its world premiere in Canada and 10,000 fans are expected to come to the street to welcome the leading crews of Guru (2007). Many fans are paying a fortune to enjoy the world premiere of the movie.

The Star reported:

Toronto Mayor David Miller had personally invited the cast for the world premiere after Roger Nair Productions, based in Mississauga, Ont., acquired the Canadian distribution rights of the Hindi film.

Nair said demand for tickets to the gala was hot.

"It is insane. It's insane!" he said Wednesday over the phone, adding that theatres across the country have been calling asking if they can show the film.

Top price for the gala is $500, although fans need wait only another day to see the film at regular box office prices. Guru opens in cities across Canada on Friday.

Toronto is an excellent place to launch the film because of the region's large South Asian community, said Finestone.

$500 is a lot of money in any country. I must admit that I would never spend such a huge amount of money to join the world premiere of any movie. Well, those people who have enough money- this is not a significant amount and I understand that. I am only happy that Bollywood movies are attracting more people in the west.

Manirathinam and Guru (2007)

Manirathinam is a very successful director in Bollywood. He is selective about movies and whenever he directs a movie the viewers can expect something exceptional and special. IndiaGlitz has published a report based on talking to Manirathinam. It wrote:

Speaking about Guru, the director said that it is a movie that traces the life of two characters. The film is an account of the events that occur in their life from their teens till they grow old. Abhishek Bachchan and Aishwarya Rai play couples while Mithun Chakraborthy is cast as a veteran journalist. Madhavan plays a cub reporter under the tutelage of Mithun Chakraborthy. Vidya Balan plays his wife.

The movie has six songs. “It is my 20th directorial venture,” he said.

Good luck to Manirathinam. I think that his main success in Guru is that he has been able to bring out good performance out of the leading players.

Toronto Mayor Invites Guru Crews Personally

Toronto Mayor David Miller is most probably a fan of Hollywood movies rather than Bollywood movies. However, that does not matter as the world premiere of Guru is taking place in his own city, Toronto. He is happy because it will increase the image of Toronto to the outside world and many Bollywood fans will love to visit the city now and in future. If everything goes well then in future we will see more Bollywood movies having their world premiere in Toronto. Realizing the potential of this matter, Toronto Mayor David Miller has invited the crews of Guru personally.

Mangalorean.Com wrote:

Toronto Mayor David Miller has extended a personal invitation to Bollywood stars Abhishek Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and director Mani Ratnam for the global premiere of "Guru". It will be India's first mainstream international premiere in Canada.

"It's a pleasure to host the world premiere of 'Guru' in Toronto. This presentation represents a landmark event for all of Canada. It is an unprecedented occasion for the city to have film artists of the stature of Mani Ratnam, Abhishek and Aishwarya, along with the producer Bobby Bedi who chose to premiere this major film outside India. It is an indication of the high regard Indian filmmakers have for Toronto," said Miller.

"This is an opportunity to bring Indian cinema to a larger appreciative audience and, at the same time, to further develop economic, creative and personal ties between our two countries," Miller added in a press release.

Abhishek, who plays the protagonist in the film loosely based on late business tycoon Dhirubhai Ambani, is pretty excited about the premiere in Canada.

Around 10,000 people are expected to greet the world premiere of Guru- this is a huge crowd by Canadian standard. I hope that Aishwarya is happy that Vidya Balan or Mallika Sherawat will not have the opportunity to meet Toronto mayor personally.