Singham
File:Singham2.jpg Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Rohit Shetty
Produced by	Reliance Entertainment
Written by	Sajid – Farhad (dialogues)
Screenplay by	Yunus Sajawal
Story by	Hari
Starring	Ajay Devgn Kajal Aggarwal Prakash Raj Ashok Saraf Sachin Khedekar Sonali Kulkarni
Music by	Ajay-Atul
Cinematography	Dudley
Editing by	Steven H. Bernard
Distributed by	Reliance Entertainment
Release date(s)	22 July 2011 (2011-07-22)
Running time	138 minutes
Country	‹See Tfd› India
Language	Hindi
Budget	20 crore (US$3.99 million)[1]
Box office	140 crore (US$27.93 million)[2][3]

Singham (Hindi: सिंघम, 'Lion') is a 2011 Indian action film directed by Rohit Shetty starring Ajay Devgn, Kajal Aggarwal and Prakash Raj in lead roles. It is a remake of the 2010 Tamil film Singam featuring Suriya. The film is produced by Reliance Entertainment, which co-produced the original Tamil movie. The theatrical trailer was released with Ready on 3 June 2011. The film released on 22 July 2011, and received solid response worldwide. It went on to strike as a Blockbuster, and became one of the highest grossing movies of 2011.Singham grossed 100 crore (US$19.95 million) at Indian Box-office,after taking entertainment tax into account,thus making it a member of Bollywood's 100 crore (US$19.95 million) club.^[4][5][6]

Plot[link]

Singham opens with an honest police officer in Goa, Rakesh Kadam (Sudhanshu Pandey), committing suicide because of false accusations of corruption by Jaikant Shikre (Prakash Raj), a don and politician in Goa running a kidnapping racket. Kadam's wife Megha Kadam (Sonali Kulkarni) vows revenge.

The story moves to Shivgarh, a small village near the Goa-Maharashtra border where majority of the population are of Marathi origin. Bajirao Singham (Ajay Devgn), an honest Maratha police inspector like Kadam, is in charge. He resolves most of the problems in his town with non-violence and mutual counselling. He uses force only when the situation demands it, thereby gaining much reputation and love from the villagers. Gautam Bhosle ("Gotya," Sachin Khedekar) is an industrialist and a friend of Singham’s father Manikrao Singham (Govind Namdeo). He comes to town with his beautiful daughter Kavya (Kajal Aggarwal). Eventually Singham and Kavya fall in love with each other.

Everything seems to run smoothly until Jaikant, who is given a conditional bail for a murder he committed, is required to travel to Shivgarh to sign the bail every fortnight. He, instead, sends one of his allies to do the formalities, much to the anger and rage of Singham who demands Jaikant sign the bail in person. Humiliated, Jaikant reaches Shivgarh but is unable to take any revenge on Singham fearing the immense love and devotion of the entire village towards Singham. Using his political contacts, he gets Singham transferred to Goa to teach him a lesson.

Singham, unaware of Jaikant’s hand behind his transfer, joins Colva police station. His co-workers, Sub-Inspector Phadnis (Vineet Sharma), Sub-Inspector Abbas (Ankur Nayyar), Head Constable Savalkar (Ashok Saraf) hate Jaikant for his crimes but are unable to take any action because of Jaikant’s political powers. DSP Patkar (Murli Sharma), Singham's senior, is on Jaikant's payroll and takes care in concealing and eliminating the evidence of Jaikant’s crime from the eyes of the law. Singham tries to take this to the notice of DGP Vikram Pawar (Pradeep Velankar) but it turns out to be of no use as there is no evidences against Jaikant and Patkar. The local minister Anant Narvekar (Anant Jog) does not help Singham and, in turn, he warns him to stay away from Jaikant's case. Defeated Singham wants to return to his hometown but is stopped by Kavya and Insp.Kadam's son Nitin (Agasthya Dhanorkar) who encourage him to fight against the evil and not run like a coward.

Being mentally tortured by Jaikant, Singham arrests Jaikant’s henchman Shiva (Ashok Samarth) in a fake case of illegally smuggling alcohol. He thwarts off DSP Patkar in full view of the public when Patkar, bounded by his duties to Jaikant, tries to protect Shiva. Meanwhile, Megha Kadam, after being ridiculed by DGP Pawar and minister Narvekar for her corrupt husband’s death, seeks help from Singham to abolish the corruption charges against her husband; he obliges. Jaikant kidnaps Kavya’s younger sister for ransom. Rescuing her, Singham successfully traces the origins of the kidnapping racket to Jaikant but is unable to arrest him as he finally wins a political election to become a minister.

Jaikant, on becoming a minister, manages to send transfer orders to Singham to go back to Shivgarh. That night at a police function organised for the officers with their family, Singham confronts the officers for not abiding to their duties and being dishonest and unfaithful to their profession by protecting Jaikant. Filled with guilt, the officers decide to help Singham fight Jaikant. They reach his home to kill him, with DGP Pawar and Patkar, now in support with Singham. Jaikant eventually escapes but, after running through the city, he is arrested by the police the next morning. They bring him to the police station and shoot him dead on the same chair where Inspector Rakesh Kadam shot himself. Then they threaten Shiva to change his statement. Jaikant and Minister Narvekar are proved guilty. At a media conference, DGP Pawar and Singham clear Kadam of all corruption charges.

The film ends with Singham and other police officers saluting Mrs. Kadam.

Cast[link]

• Ajay Devgan as Inspector Bajirao Singham
• Prakash Raj as Jaikant Shikre
• Kajal Aggarwal as Kavya Bhosle
• Sachin Khedekar as Gautam Bhosle / Gotya
• Ashok Samarth as Shiva Naik
• Murli Sharma as DSP Patkar
• Sudhanshu Pandey as Inspector Rakesh Kadam
• Sonali Kulkarni as Megha Kadam
• Agasthya Dhanorkar as Nitin Kadam
• Govind Namdeo as Manikrao Singham
• Anant Jog as Minister Anant Narvekar
• Ankur Nayyar as Inspector Abbas
• Suchitra Bandekar as Mrs. Bhosle
• Sana Amin Sheikh as Anjali Bhosle
• Ashok Saraf as Head Constable Savalkar

Production[link]

After the success of the Tamil film Singam, directed by Hari in 2010, the film's remake rights were sold by the producers for Hindi and Kannada versions. The co-producers of the Tamil version, Reliance Big Pictures purchased the Hindi remake rights and announced in November 2010 that the version would feature Rohit Shetty as director and Ajay Devgn in the lead role.^[7] Prakash Raj was signed on to reprise his role as the antagonist from the original, whilst reports emerged that Asin and Anushka Shetty were being considered for the female lead role.^[8] Anushka was replaced by Kajal Aggarwal, another actress who was predominantly featured in South Indian films.^[9][10]

Singham went on floors in November 2010, with its scheduled cast. The first schedule began in early March 2011 with action sequences shot in Goa featuring technicians from South India.^[11][12]

A scene with Prakash Raj and Ajay Devgn was shot in Goregaon in Mumbai with around 500 junior artists as villagers. Another scene was shot at Vagator in Goa for which 100 police jeeps were called.^[13] Shooting was stalled by the Federation Of Western India Cine Employees (FWICE) members who demanded 45 lakh to be paid to the workers when it was being shot in Film City in Mumbai.^[14]

Release[link]

Reliance Entertainment released Singham on 22 July 2011 in 2000 screens worldwide with 1500 prints excluding overseas.^[15] The film's DVD was released on 23 August 2011. The Delhi High Court, upon Reliance Entertainment's request, issued an order to all Indian ISPs to block filesharing sites to prevent piracy of Singham.^[16]

Reception[link]

Critical reception[link]

The film received positive reviews from critics. Review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 69% fresh rating. Nikhat Kazmi of The Times of India gave it four out of five stars and stated "Singham is over-the-top retro kitsch, spilling over with high-voltage stunts, slow-motion action cuts and fiery dialogues delivered in high decibels. It is meant for all those action buffs interested in time travel to the angry young 1970s and 1980s when cinema was larger-than-life and totally unrealistic. But then, retro is currently chic, isn't it?"^[17] Komal Nahta of Koimoi gave it four and a half stars out of five stars and said "On the whole, Singham is a powerful action-emotional drama which boasts of equally powerful dialogues and absolutely power-packed performances. It’s a super-hit and will be loved by the masses and the classes, the men and the women, the young and the old, the rich and the poor. It is the kind of film which consumes the viewer and gives him the feeling that he was part of the fight against corruption! The film has immense repeat-value. Its business in Maharashtra will get a further boost because of the liberal use of Marathi in the dialogues. Kaajal Aggarwal may not be very beautiful but she acts with effortless ease. Her performance is good."^[18] Taran Adarsh of Bollywood Hungama gave the film four and a half stars out of five and said "Singham pays homage to the action films of 1970s, which was known for the heroism, death-defying action sequences and pulse pounding thrills. It's an acknowledgement to one of the most successful genres of Bollywood – action movies – known for the trademark good versus evil themes and well choreographed stunts."^[19] Saibal Chatterjee from NDTV also gave four out of five stars and said "Singham is an old-fashioned but rousing Hindi commercial film that pretty much restores one’s faith in this often-maligned brand of cinema. It has super-duper hit written all over it. No matter how dismissive you might be of films that have no space for shades of grey, chances are that Singham will disarm you, if only for a bit."^[20] Shivesh Kumar of IndiaWeekly awarded the movie 4 out of 5 stars.^[21] Nikita Kapoor of FilmiTadka rated it with three out of five stars and wrote in her review – "Singham will do very well in single screen theatres and lovers of commercial potpourri will definitely get their money's worth, though it looks tacky at some points, excessive Marathi usage is also incomprehensible, has a typical south Indian film feel, and a scene by scene copy of original, still it entertains. Kajal looked pretty, and delivers her city-based yet traditional girl character confidently."^[22] Dailybhaskar gave a score of three stars out of five and said "The action takes over the romance in the film. Go for it, if you want to catch one hell of an action flick! "^[23] Pratim D. Gupta from The Telegraph said "Thanks to Salman ‘bhaijaan’, big Bolly has found a hit formula and there’s a lot of money to be made here over the first weekends. There will be many similar roars, but you’ve got just one pair of ears."^[24]

The film also received mixed to negative reviews. Subhash K. Jha (film critic and author of The Essential Guide to Bollywood) gave two and a half stars out of five and explained that "The homilies on a need for integrity in the civil services seem like unwanted concessions to self-importance in a film that seems to revel in a kind of free-floating message on how to stay clean in a cesspool of corruption. Yup, Rohit Shetty packs in a punch.^[25] Sukanya Venkatraghavan from Filmfare gave two stars out of five and said "Singham is a film that will invoke wolf whistles and applause from its audience. It is gloriously massy. The movie knows its job and does it well. It does nothing out of the box to grab your attention and yet it does. Pretty easily. Watch it for its robust potboiler personality. With extra masala as garnish. Ajay Devgn pulls out all stops for this one. He is fierce and impactful. This is his show all the way. His quirky forte for comedy too comes forth in the ubiquitous ha ha sequences with leading lady Kajal Aggarwal who looks pretty and has done what she has been told to, but probably deserved a meatier debut."^[26] Kaveree Bamzai from India Today also gave three out of five stars and deemed that "Mr Devgn tries hard, growling like a singham, and acting like a superman, but I was more interested in Prakash Raj's two tone Al Capone shoes."^[27] Mayank Shekhar from Hindustan Times gave the film one out of five stars and said "Devgn walks to beats similar to Salman’s Dabanng. He beats the crap out of ruffians outside a village cinema. He restores his woman's honour. Besotted, she chases him. Audiences think even more highly of the hero. He beats the crap some more."^[28] Shakti Salgaokar from Daily News and Analysis also gave a score of two out of five stars and said "If you’re looking for an action film to entertain you this weekend, Singham isn’t that film. This wannabe Dabangg is at best a comic film but there are so many other options that could do the job much better. Give this one a miss."^[29] Raja Sen from Rediff gave one and a half stars out of five and said "All I can personally say about this trend of remaking one-note Southern hits as a viewer is that it's an exhausting one. It is in the tiny victories that we must seek refuge after a film like this: I'm just glad the hero, so eager to peel off his uniform, left his pants on."^[30] Sudhish Kamath from The Hindu said "The original wasn't the best film around but it had a few smarts, pace and fury, and worked despite its cheesy visual effects purely because of Suriya who made the corniest lines sound good. Devgn does exactly the opposite. He takes some half-decent lines (by Farhad and Sajid) and makes them sound cheesy."^[31] Shubha Shetty Saha from MiD DAY gave the film a score of two stars and deemed that "Nothing turns director Rohit Shetty on more than cars meeting mid air. We all know that by now. And this film has some breath taking action sequences, too. That's about it is."^[32] Meenakshi Rao from The Pioneer describes the film as "the David Dhawan of action, or for that matter the Golmaal of fights. To keep the audience engaged all through such unending babble needs some kind of acumen which normal people do not always have and through which people like Rohit Shetty get to make a whole lot of money, if not sense." giving it seven out of ten stars.^[33] Kunal Guha from Yahoo! Movies also gives the film two stars and says that "The film's assumption that mispronunciation is funny makes us endure words like honest (with a loud 'h'), clean cheet (clean chit), noun-saans (nonsense) and sooocide (suicide). The dialogues are spouted with immense enthusiasm but the words defuse the intensity and make them seem trivial. Devgn does a fair job and conveys sufficient conviction and humility through his character. Kajal Aggarwal makes an unobjectionable debut and her eyes would surely inspire a few compliments."^[34] Shubhra Gupta from The Indian Express gave a rating of two stars out of five and said "What you require from a film that’s thus set up is very little --fast and furious action, a brawny hero who kicks butt in novel ways, and a villain who’s vile enough to be quashed minus mercy. As Bajirao Singham, Devgn roars satisfactorily, even if there are places you feel he’s trying too hard to scowl-and-growl, and the effort is making him come off a tad tired."^[35] The Sunday Guardian gave a rating of one and a half stars out of five and said "The film wants to be that currently fashionable thing: a 'retro' 80s style potboiler, in which there is no apology made for holes in the plot or paper-thin characters, as long as there are a few clapworthy dialogues and it can be described as "larger than life". But really, all that's larger than life inSingham is Devgn's muscles."^[36]

Box office[link]

Singham started extremely well at single screens with occupancy around 90% and was average at multiplexes with 50%–60% occupancy,^[37] In the first four days, the film collected 35 crore (US$6.98 million).^[38][39] After five days, the earnings were around 40.75 crore (US$8.13 million) without any drop.^[40] The opening week gross collections were 44.2 crore (US$8.82 million) in India and 3.5 crore (US$698,250) from overseas to fetch a total opening week gross of 47.7 crore (US$9.52 million), thus putting the nett weekend collections at 31.07 crore (US$6.2 million),^[1][41] including 12 crore (US$2.39 million) in Mumbai area alone.^[42] However, other credible sources put the opening week nett collections at 51.25 crore (US$10.22 million).^[43] By both accounts it had the second highest opening of the year.^[44] In the second week, it collected 26.34 crore (US$5.25 million) nett to take the total two week net collections at 77.74 crore (US$15.51 million).^[45] The film is currently the sixth highest second week grosser.^[46] The third weekend collections were estimated to be 8.20 crore (US$1.64 million).^[47] After three weeks, the nett collections amounted to 86.17 crore (US$17.19 million).^[48] It collected 6.50 crore (US$1.3 million) in its fourth week bringing its collections to 92.67 crore (US$18.49 million) in four weeks.^[49] Singham earned 97.87 crore (US$19.53 million) nett in India, at the end of its theatrical run.^[50] Singham total gross collection in India was 100 crore (US$19.95 million) making it a member of Bollywood's 100. crore (US$19.95 million) club which includes films like Ghajini,3 Idiots,Dabangg,Golmaal 3,Ready,Bodyguard,Ra.One,Don 2 and Agneepath.^[51][52] This gross collection includes entertainment tax in the various Indian states.

The film grossed over 140 crore (US$27.93 million) worldwide.^[2][3] It was elevated to Blockbuster verdict worldwide. In Mumbai, the film remains among the top five in terms of distributor's share earning more than 20 crore (US$3.99 million).^[53]

Soundtrack[link]

The music of the film is composed by Ajay-Atul with lyrics penned by Swanand Kirkire.

Track listing[link]

Reception[link]

Professional ratings
Review scores
Source	Rating
Bollywood Hungama	[54]
Planet Bollywood	[55]

The album was panned by music critics. Joginder Tuteja of Bollywood Hungama awarded the album two stars out of five and said "Singham turns out to be a fine album though one does feel that there could have been much more than just three songs here. While 'Saathiyaa' is the pick of the lot and has the potential to play on beyond the theatrical run of the film as well, title song 'Singham' brings in the right mood despite its setting. However given the fact that the film is not quite a musical and the focus would be primarily on pushing its action flavour, the album would find it tough to make much of a mark commercially."^[54] Tanuj Manchanda of Planet Bollywood gave the album five and a half stars citing that "Ajay-Atul produces a satisfactory soundtrack, after their first attempt in Virudh and shows their versatility in a short span of 3 songs. One looks forward to their forthcoming venture My Friend Pinto which will be their second Bollywood film as composers. Overall, the songs are decent and have the ability in them to become a success. It will help in enhancing the film's narrative."^[55]

Controversies[link]

Protests in Karnataka[link]

Singham had been removed from cinemas in Karnataka while some cinemas have cancelled the shows following pressure from various groups protesting against derogatory statements against the Kannadigas. Various organisations raised voices against the anti-Kannadiga dialogues in Singham and the film which was released is facing problems in continuing with the shows in that part of the country. There was a demand to remove such scenes from the film and the filmmakers contemplated on the next course of action.

Singham commenced in Karnataka after the removal of some "objectionable" dialogues, a day after disruptions in its screening.^[56]

References[link]

External links[link]

• Official website
• Singham at the Internet Movie Database
• {{Bollywood Hungama}}

Shreya Ghoshal
Shreya Ghoshal at X Factor Finalists Introduction
Background information
Birth name	Shreya Ghoshal
Born	(1984-03-12) March 12, 1984 (age 28)
Origin	Durgapur, West Bengal, India
Genres	Ghazal, Filmi, Hindustani classical music
Occupations	Singer
Instruments	Vocals
Years active	1998–present
Labels	Sagarika
Website	shreyaghoshal.com

Shreya Ghoshal (born March 12, 1984) is an Indian singer. Best known as a playback singer in Hindi films, she also sings in other Indian languages including Bengali, Assamese, Kannada, Malayalam, Marathi, Oriya,^[1] Gujarati, Tamil and Telugu.

Ghoshal's career began when she won the Sa Re Ga Ma Pa contest as an adult. Her Bollywood playback singing career began with Devdas, for which she received National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer along with Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent.^[2] Since then, she has worked in more than 180 films and received four National Film Awards, four Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer and four Filmfare Awards South.

Biography[link]

Early years[link]

Ghoshal was born on March 12, 1984 to a Bengali Hindu family in Durgapur, West Bengal. She grew up in Rawatbhata, a small town near Kota, Rajasthan. Her father, Mr. Biswajeet Ghoshal, works as a nuclear power plant engineer for the Nuclear Power Corporation of India, whereas her mother is a literature post-graduate.^[3]

From the age of four, Ghoshal accompanied her mother on the harmonium. She got training in Hindustani classical music in Kota with Maheshchandra Sharma.^[4]

As a child, she won the children's special episode of the Sa Re Ga Ma (now Sa Re Ga Ma Pa) contest on Zee TV. Kalyanji, who also judged the competition, convinced her parents to move to Mumbai.^[5] She trained with Kalyanji for 18 months and continued her classical music training with Mukta Bhide in Mumbai.^[4]

She studied at Atomic Energy Central School (AECS) at Rawatbhata and Anushaktinagar (Mumbai). After graduation she enrolled at SIES College.^[3]

Career[link]

Shreya Ghoshal caught the attention of director Sanjay Leela Bhansali when she participated in Sa Re Ga Ma Pa for a second time, this time as an adult.^[2] In 2000, he offered her the opportunity to be the voice of Paro, the lead female character of the film Devdas, who was portrayed by Aishwarya Rai.^[2] Ghoshal sang five songs in the film. Her performance won her the Filmfare Award for Best Female Playback Singer, as well as Filmfare's RD Burman Award for New Music Talent. She also won the National Film Award for the song "Bairi Piya".^[6]

She has received Filmfare awards in Hindi, Bengali, Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada industries and State Film Awards from Malayalam, Tamil industries. She debuted in South through the song "Yen Chellam" in Vasantha Balan's Tamil film Album and got noticed after singing "Munbe Vaa" from Sillunu Oru Kaadhal under composer A. R. Rahman.^[7] She debuted in Malayalam through a studio album of composer Alphons Joseph and later gave voice to his song "Vida Parayukayano" from Big B.^[8] Her songs in Malayalam film Anwar became huge hits in South India and topped many charts for weeks. In 2010, Shreya sang for the English independent film "When Harry Tries to Marry"

She has also been a judge for Star Voice Of India-Chhote Ustaad with singer Kunal Ganjawala and composer Pritam.^[9] Ghoshal was one of the three judges in X Factor (India) with Sonu Nigam and Sanjay Leela Bhansali.^[10]

Discography[link]

• Bendhechhi Beena (1998)
• O Tota Pakhi Re (1998)
• Ekti Katha (1999)
• Mukhor Porag (2000)
• Rupasi Raate (2000)
• Banomali Re (2002)
• Jabo Tepantor (2003)
• Akasher Mukhomukhi (2002)
• Swapner Pakha (2003)
• Thikana (2006)
• Ustad & the Divas (2006)
• Krishna Bina Ache Ke (2007)
• Kanadau Vitthalu (2007)
• Big B (Malayalam,2007)
• Jete Daao Amay (2008)
• Mazhi Gaani – Shreya Ghoshal (2008)
• A Tribute to R. D. Burman (2010)
• Ei Aakash Tomari
• Milan Piyasi
• Rim Jhim
• Tumi Bolo Ami Shuni

Screen[link]

• 2003: Ghoshal made an on-screen appearance in the Saaya film song "Har Taraf"
• 2011: First advertisement for jewellery store Joyalukkas in 5 languages (Hindi,^[11] Kannada,^[12] Malayalam,^[13] Tamil,^[14] Telugu^[15])

Awards, nominations and recognitions[link]

National Film Awards^[16]

• 2003: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas – Hindi)
• 2006: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dheere Jalna" (Paheli – Hindi)
• 2008: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met – Hindi)
• 2009: National Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Jeev Rangala" (Jogwa – Marathi) & "Pherari Mon" (Antaheen – Bengali)

Filmfare Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Filmfare RD Burman Award for New Music Talent
• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated

• 2003: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bairi Piya" (Devdas)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Agar Tum Mil Jao" (Zeher)
• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2011: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Noor-e-Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award – "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Filmfare Awards South^[16]

Won

• 2006: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Ninna Nodalenthu" (Mussanjemaatu)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Kizhakku Pookkum"(Anwar)^[17]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Un Perai Sollum" (Angadi Theru)^[17]

Nominated

• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Aakasha Bhoomi" (Mussanjemaatu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Moggina Manasali" (Moggina Manasu)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Then Then" (Kuruvi)^[18]
• 2008: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Telugu) – "Merupulaa" (Chintakayala Ravi)^[18]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Tamil) – "Oru Vetkam" (Pasanga)^[19]
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Hoovina Banadhande"(Birugali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yenu Helabeku" (Maleyali Jotheyali)
• 2009: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Eradu Jedeyannu"(Jackie)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Kannada) – "Yello Jinugiruva"(Just Math Mathalli)^[20]
• 2010: Filmfare Best Female Playback Award (Malayalam) – "Manju Mazha Kaattil"(Aagathan)^[20]

IIFA Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: IIFA Best Female Playback Award (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2004: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2009: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)

Nominated^[21]

• 2006: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2007: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Yeh Ishq Haaye" (Jab We Met)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Thode Badmash" (Saawariya)
• 2008: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Mere Dholna" (Bhool Bhulaiyaa)
• 2010: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: IIFA Best Female Playback Award – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)

Zee Cine Awards^[16]

Won

• 2003: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer (shared with Kavita Krishnamurthy) – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2006: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer – "So Jaoon Main" (Woh Lamhe)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)
• 2012: Zee Cine Award Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri meri" (Bodyguard)

Screen Awards^[16]

Won

• 2004: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "Jaadu Hai Nasha Hai" (Jism)
• 2006: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Barso Re" (Guru)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^[22]
• 2012: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback - "Oh La La" (The Dirty Picture)

Nominated^[21]

• 2007: Screen Award for Best Female Playback – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)
• 2008: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)
• 2010: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Zoobi Doobi" (3 Idiots)
• 2011: Star Screen Award Best Female Playback – "Noor E Khuda" (My Name Is Khan)

State Film Awards^[16]

• 2006: Tamil Nadu State Film Award for Best Female Playback – "Munbe Vaa" (Sillunu Oru Kaadhal)
• 2009: Kerala State Film Award for Best Singer – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)

Apsara Awards^[16]

Won

• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Barso Re" (Guru)^[23]
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Teri Ore" (Singh Is Kinng)^[21]
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Tujh Mein Rab Dikhta Hai" (Rab Ne Bana Di Jodi)^[24]
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)

Nominated^[21]

• 2005: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Piyu Bole" (Parineeta)
• 2008: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Yeh Ishq Hai" (Jab We Met)
• 2009: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aahista Aahista" (Bachna Ae Haseeno)
• 2010: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Aaj Dil" (Blue)
• 2011: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)
• 2012: Apsara Award for Best Female Playback Singer - "Saibo" (Shor in the City)

Global Indian Film and Television Honours

Nominated

• 2006: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "O Saathi Re" (Omkara)^{[citation needed]}
• 2007: Global Indian Film Awards for Best Playback Singer (Female) – "Pal Pal Har Pal" (Lage Raho Munna Bhai)^{[citation needed]}
• 2011: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female – "Bahara" (I Hate Luv Storys)^{[citation needed]}

Winner

• 2012: The Global Indian Film And Television Honors for Best Playback Singer Female - "oh la la" (The Dirty Picture)

Asianet Film Awards

• 2011: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)
• 2012: Asianet Film Award for Best Female Playback Singer - Pranayam, Rathinirvedam

Other Awards^[16]

• 2003: Sansui Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Dola Re" (Devdas)
• 2003: Stardust Award – New Musical Sensation (Female) – (Devdas)^[25]
• 2004: Indian Telly Awards – Best Title Singer for a TV Show (Ye Meri Life Hai)
• 2005: Anandalok Puraskar – Best Playback Singer – (Manik)
• 2005: ETV Bangla Film Awards – Best Playback Singer – Female
• 2006: Bengal Film Journalists' Association – Best Female Playback Award – Shubho Drishti
• 2008: Zee Astitva Award – Excellence in Music
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Kannada) – "Na Naguva Modalene" (Manasaare)^[26]
• 2009: Mirchi Music Award – Best Female Playback Singer (Malayalam) – "Chandhu Thottille" (Banaras)^[26]
• 2010: BIG Bangla Music Award – BIG Bangla singer of the year (Female)
• 2010: Gulf Malayalam Music Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Anuragavilochananayi" (Neelathamara)
• 2010: Star Anando Sera Bengali Award
• 2011: Kerala Film Critics Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Manjumazha" (Aagathan)^[27]
• 2011: Vijay Award for Best Female Playback Singer – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[28][29]
• 2011: Vijay Music Awards – "Mannippaya" (Vinnaithaandi Varuvaayaa)^[30]
• 2011: Swaralaya Yesudas Award^[31]
• 2012: Big Star Entertainment Award for Best Female Singer - "Teri Meri" (Bodyguard)
• 2012: Maa Music Award for Best Female Singer - "Chali Chaliga" (Mr. Perfect) and "Seeta Seemantam"(Sri Rama Rajyam)

See also[link]

• List of Indian playback singers

References[link]

External links[link]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Shreya Ghoshal

• Official website
• Shreya Ghoshal at the Internet Movie Database
• Shreya dislikes being called 'playback'
• Reality shows, all commercial: Shreya Ghoshal
• Playlist: Best songs of birthday girl Shreya Ghoshal

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Ajay Devgan
Born	Vishal Devgan[1] (1969-04-02) 2 April 1969 (age 43) New Delhi, India
Residence	Mumbai, Maharashtra, India
Other names	Ajay Devgan[2]
Occupation	Film actor, Director, Producer
Years active	1991–present
Spouse	Kajol (m.1999–present; 2 children)
Website
ajaydevgn.com

Ajay Devgan (Hindi: अजय देवगन), born Vishal Devgan on 2 April 1969,^[1] is an Indian film actor, director, and producer.^[1] He made his film debut with Phool Aur Kaante in 1991 and received a Filmfare Award for Best Male Debut for his performance in the film.^[3][4] He then starred in films such as Jigar (1992), Dilwale (1994), Suhaag (1994), Naajayaz (1995), Diljale (1996) and Ishq (1997). In 1999, Devgan received his first National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance in Mahesh Bhatt's drama Zakhm. Some of his later films of the decade are Pyaar To Hona Hi Tha, Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam and Kachche Dhaage.

In the early 2000s, he starred in Lajja (2001) and Company (2002). In 2003, he won his second National Film Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Bhagat Singh in Rajkumar Santoshi's biopic The Legend of Bhagat Singh. Throughout his career he has given many critically and commercially successful films including Raincoat (2004), Yuva (2004), Omkara (2006), Golmaal: Fun Unlimited (2006), Golmaal Returns (2008), All the Best: Fun Begins (2009), Once Upon a Time in Mumbaai (2010), Golmaal 3 (2010), Raajneeti (2010), and Singham (2011). Having done so, he has established himself as one of the leading actors of Bollywood. In 2008, he debuted as a film director with his starrer U Me Aur Hum which proved to be an moderate success at the box office. He then established the production house, Ajay Devgn Films.

Biography[link]

Devgan was born in Mumbai to Veena and Veeru Devgan.Originally from Amritsar, Punjab ^[5] members of the Devgan family are all related to the Hindi Film industry in Bombay. His father, Veeru Devgan, is a well-known stunt choreographer, and his mother Veena Devgan, a film producer. Devgan's brother, Anil, is a Hindi film director. Ajay Devgan is an alumnus of the Silver Beach High School in Juhu and Mithibai College. On 24 February 1999, he married Hindi film actress Kajol. The couple have two children. Their daughter Nysa was born on the 20th of April 2003 and their son Yug was born on the 13th of September 2010.^[6] In August 2009, Devgan changed his last name to Devgn on the request of his family.^[7][8] He became the first Bollywood personality to acquire a private jet for transport to shooting locations, promotions and personal trips.^[9]

Career[link]

This article may require cleanup to meet Wikipedia's quality standards. No cleanup reason has been specified. Please help improve this article if you can; the talk page may contain suggestions. (July 2011)

1990s[link]

Ajay Devgan made his debute as an actor in Phool Aur Kaante in 1991. The film grossed 11,000,000 Indian rupees () and earned him a Filmfare Award for Best Male Newcomer. In 1992, he starred in Jigar alongside Karisma Kapoor, which grossed 7,00,00,000.^[10] In 1993, he worked with director Deepak Bahry in the action film Ek Hi Raasta,^[11] and with Deepak Pawar in Platform. In 1994, Devgn worked in Harry Baweja's Dilwale, Suhaag and Vijaypath.^[12] In 1995, he appeared in Mahesh Bhatt's Naajayaz, for which he was nominated as a Best Actor by Filmfare.^[13] In 1996, he continued with Diljale".^[14] and romantic comedies, such as Ishq in 1997.^[15] In 1998, he starred in Major Saab, Pyaar To Hona Hi Thaand Mahesh Bhatt's Zakhm. Zakhm won Devgn several awards for his performance, including the National Film Award for Best Actor and the Star Screen Award for Best Actor^{[citation needed][16]} Devgn's 1999 work included Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam as well as Hindustan Ki Kasam and Kachche Dhaage.^[17]

2000s[link]

In 2000, he worked in Harry Baweja's Deewane. In this film, he essayed a double role, one as a thief and the other as a police officer. The film flopped at the box office.^[18] The same year, Devgn starred in his first home production Raju Chacha opposite wife Kajol. The film also bombed at the box office.^[18]

In 2001, he starred in Yeh Raaste Hain Pyaar Ke with Madhuri Dixit and Preity Zinta. This film was an average grosser at the box office.^[19] His next release Lajja, alongside Manisha Koirala, Madhuri Dixit, Jackie Shroff and Anil Kapoor, earned him a nomination for the "Filmfare Best Supporting Actor Award". The film did not perform as expected at the box office.^[19] He then worked in Mahesh Manjrekar's Tera Mera Saath Rahen.

In 2002, he featured in Ram Gopal Varma's fictional expose of Mumbai underworld Company. He was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award and won the Filmfare Critics Award for Best Actor. The film fared well at the box office.^{[clarification needed][20]} His next release was Hum Kisi Se Kum Nahin alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Aishwarya Rai.^[20]

The same year, he also starred in Rajkumar Santoshi's biopic The Legend of Bhagat Singh.^[21] in the title role. The film didn't fare well at the box office.^{[clarification needed][20]} However, he won his second National Film Award for Best Actor for his performance. He then starred in Anees Bazmee's Deewangee. The film was partially inspired by William Diehl's English language novel Primal Fear and earned Devgn several awards for his negative role including, "Filmfare Best Villain Award", "Star Screen Award for Best Villain" and "Zee Cine Award for Best Actor in a Negative Role". This film was a success at the box office.^[20]

In 2003, he starred in Ram Gopal Verma's Bhoot opposite Urmila Matondkar. The film was appreciated critically & performed very well at the box office.^[22] He then starred in action thriller Qayamat: City Under Threat opposite debutante Neha Dhupia which was huge commercial success.^[22] He then worked in Milan Luthria's romantic film Chori Chori opposite Rani Mukherji and Sonali Bendre. This film did not succeed at the box office.^[22]

In that same year he featured in Prakash Jha's Gangaajal, for which he was nominated for the Filmfare Best Actor Award. He then worked in Rohit Shetty's directional debut Zameen^[23] and J. P. Dutta's war film LOC Kargil.

In 2004 he was cast alongside Amitabh Bachchan, Aishwarya Rai and Akshay Kumar in Rajkumar Santoshi's Khakee. Later that year he appeared in director Indra Kumar's Masti: Sanam Teri Kasamand also starred in the critically acclaimed movies Yuva^[24][25][26] and Rituparno Ghosh's Raincoat.^[27]. He was also seen in a cameo appearance in Taarzan: The Wonder Car.

2005 was less successful for him as he starred in a series of flop movies like Insan, Blackmail, Main Aisa Hi Hoon, Tango Charlie and Shikhar whilst Kaal and Apaharan succeeded at the Box Office. For his performance in Apaharan Devgn was nominated for the National Film Award for Best Actor and Filmfare Best Actor Award. His villanous performance in Kaal also earned him a nomination for the Filmfare Best Villain Award^[28]

2006 was a remarkable year in his career as he starred Golmaal and Omkara, which were to both prove enormously significant in his decade long career. Omkara, were Devgn was cast in the title role, was both a critical and commercial success^[29][30][31] and Golmaal proved to be a sleeper hit. The latter film was soon to be followed by two super hit sequels Golmaal Returns and Golmaal 3. In the same year he also featured in a short documentary about the Mumbai floods of 2005 named The Awakening.^[32]

2007 was again disappointing for him as he starred only in 2 movies, directorAnubhav Sinha's action thriller Cash and Ram Gopal Varma Ki Aag which was a remake of the 1975 classic] Sholay. Both films received extremely poor reception both at the box office and from critics,^[33] and is currently placed at number 14 on the bottom 100 movies on Imdb.

In 2008 he worked with Rajkumar Santoshi and was cast with Pankaj Kapoor and Vidya Balan in Halla Bol.^[34] He then starred in director Rohit Shetty's third film Sunday, before directing his first movie with wife Kajol and himself in lead roles. The film, titled U, Me aur Hum, was an average success.^[34] He also had a cameo appearance in his brother Anil Devgan's film Haal–e–dil. He starred with long-time friend Sanjay Dutt and actress Manisha Koirala in Afzal Khan's Mehbooba. He then re-teamed with Rohit Shetty for the sequel of his hit film Golmaal: Fun Unlimited, Golmaal Returns which was a blockbuster hit.^[34]

In 2009 he produced his third film All the Best also directed by Rohit Shetty. The film did good business and was a semi-hit.^[35] Later in the year he starred in Vipul Shah's London Dreams with Salman Khan and Tamil film star Asin. The film was declared a flop.^[35]

2010s[link]

In the beginning of 2010 he worked with actors Amitabh Bachchan and Ben Kingsley in Leena Yadav's Teen Patti. He also starred in the comedy Atithi Tum Kab Jaoge? alongside Paresh Rawal and Konkona Sen Sharma which was a success. He followed this with Prakash Jha's Raajneeti and Milan Luthria's Once Upon a Time in Mumbai. Both movies were among the top grossers of 2010.^[36] He was then seen alongside Akshaye Khanna in Priyadarshan's rough adaptation of Mississippi Burning, Aakrosh. Devgn teamed up with Rohit Shetty for the fifth time withGolmaal 3. The movie was a super hit and the fourth highest grossing movie in Bollywood history. Devgn later lent his voice to the animated film Toonpur Ka Super Hero.

In 2011 he teamed up with Emraan Hashmi for Madhur Bhandarkar's comedy Dil Toh Baccha Hai Ji which also starred Omi Vaidya. The film was a moderate success. He was a narrator in Yamla Pagla Deewana and also did a cameo role in the 2011 Salman Khan-starrer Ready. Devgn's next film, Singham, proved to be a milestone for him. The film grossed 100 crores net in India, making it the 7th film to do so, and was a blockbuster worldwide. ^[37]

Awards and honours[link]

Among other awards and nominations, Devgan has won two National Film Awards and three Filmfare Awards.

Filmography[link]

Actor[link]