Kamla Bhatt Show

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/Gerard_Michelle.jpg) Gerard Butler (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0124930/) and Michelle Monaghan talk about the making of "Machine Gun Preacher (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eddnloOFjwY)." The film is directed by Marc Forster and is based on Sam Childer's book "Another Man's War (http://www.amazon.com/Another-Mans-War-Battle-Children/dp/159555162X).' Gerard and Michelle talk about how they prepared for the role. Were they concerned about making a movie about a living person, who is sometimes regarded as a controversial figure?  The film has a strong religious underpinnings, so how did the actors handle that dimension? Childers is a gang member and drug addict, who undergoes a transformation when he finds God. He goes off to East Africa as part of his church to help re-build homes in that war-torn area. While there he finds out about the plight of the children, many of whom have been orphaned by the protracted civil war in that region. Childers decides to do something about it. He builds an orphanage and often got and continues to get into fights with the local rebels in the neighborhood. "Mission Gun Preacher" releases in Northern California on Sept 30, 2011. Tune back for Part-2 of our conversation where Gerard Butler talks about India and Bollywood Photo and Trailer (audio) Credit: Relativity Media

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/WayneWang-150x150.jpg)San Francisco-based Wayne Wang's (http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0911061/) new film "Snow Flower and the Secret Fan (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Aa93drpm30E&feature=relmfu)," is based on Lisa See's novel by the same name. In this interview Wang talks about growing up in Hong Kong and California, what drew up to make "Snow Flower and The Secret Fan," in Shanghai, foot binding practice in China and his film making style. He also shares on why Indian filmmaker Satyajit Ray (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EYcDdL3Aunc) is one of his favorite directors. "Snow Flower and The Secret Fan," explores the nature of female friendship known as "laotung." This was  an emotional bond sealed for eternity  between two women, who continued with their married life with their husbands and children. But, when they needed emotional support they turned to their sisters for it.  They used a secret language called "nashu" to communicate with one another. The film tells two parallel tales and looks at this concept of "laotung" from two different time periods in China. One is set in 19thc China, and the second is set in the 21stc modern China. Born and brought up in Hong Kong, Wang came to the San Francisco bay area in the 1960s and lived with a Quaker family. He studied film production at the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland. He has directed, produced and written television and feature films. He directed "The Joy Luck Club," "The Last Holiday," "Maid in Manhattan," "Because of Winn-Dixie," "Smoke" and "The Princess of Nebraska." Wang's next project is the biopic "Einstein" that is set to release in 2013. This interview was recorded in San Francisco.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/Greg-Booth-150x150.jpg)Greg Booth is a musician, teacher and an author. In his book "Looking Behind The Curtain Making Music In Mumbai's Film Industry"  he takes us behind the silverscreen to show us how music was made in Hindi or Bollywood films. In this segment Greg talks about the process of how songs were created especially in the 20th century. Big orchestras were a key part of the music making process. The situation in the film dictates the nature and style of music.  he highlights the music making style of music directors like Naushad (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XsvzSZl5Ui0), Shankar-Jaikishen (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6xcT8rfNLQA), Lakshmikant-Pyarelal (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JC8Z4xREBc0), SB Burman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JrJpQqRGIJk) and RD Burman (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDYb_Rhd52o&feature=related). Cut to 21st century and the process of creating music for Bollywood films has changed with the introduction of digital technology. Oscar winner AR Rahman (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/2010/03/06/ar-rahman-on-slumdog-millionaire-golden-globes-oscars/) was one of the early music composers, who used digital technology extensively and pared down on the need for a huge orchestra. With the embrace of digital technology, the process of creating music has completely changed when compared to the 20th c. Another change that has come about is that today the musicians are in front of the screen, and not behind the curtain like their predecessors. In case you missed, you might want to check our previous segments with Greg Booth. Part-1 with Greg Booth on Indian Wedding Brass Bands (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/2011/06/15/greg-booth-indian-wedding-brass-bands/) (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/2011/06/15/greg-booth-indian-wedding-brass-bands/)and Part-2 with Greg Booth on Making of Bollywood Music (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/2011/06/27/greg-booth-on-the-making-of-bollywood-music/). Music credits: Baiju Bawra, Barsaat, Farz, Caravan, Bobby, Roja and Aradhana

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/Shenaz_Treasurywala.jpg)Meet Shenaz Treasurywala, who started her career as a VJ on MTV India (http://mtv.in.com/) and made her debut in Indian cinema. In this interview Shenaz talks about working in Aamir Khan's new Bollywood film Delhi Belly (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcKn9BxTg1A)and how she landed the role. She also talks about her foray into American soap opera ABC's One Life to Live.  She has a recurring role in the daytime soap opera as Rama Patel.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/Greg-Booth-150x150.jpg)Greg Booth (http://artsfaculty.auckland.ac.nz/staff/?UPI=gboo006) is a musician, author and teacher at University of Auckland, New Zealand. In 2008 Greg's book "Behind The curtain: Making Music in Mumbai's Film Studios," was published. The book highlights the contributions of individual musicians, who were part of a larger Hindi or Bollywood music orchestra led by C. Ramachandra, SD Burman, Laximant Pyarelal or RD Burman. The musicians came from different background spanning British Military brass bands to jazz and traditional Indian music. For example - quite a few of the musicians came from the Indian state of Goa, which had strong Portuguese influence. Many of the musicians came from a Catholic background and learnt to read and play music as part of their education. What was the musical influence that the Goan musicians brought with them into the Hindi or Bollywood music? In Part-2 of the interview Greg talks about Chic Choclate, Joe Menezes, Leslie Gudinho and Kersi Lord, whose music you might recognize but not know they were the ones who played that musical refrain because they were always behind the curtain. The people who were in front of the curtain were the music directors like C. Ramachandra, Laxmikant Pyarelal, SD Burman, RD Burman and others. Coming up is Part-3 of the interview with Greg. Music credits: Amar Akhar Anthony, Barsaat, Albela, Teesri Manzsil, Aradhana and Bhoot Bangla.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/Greg-Booth-150x150.jpg)Prof. Greg Booth is a teacher, author (http://www.amazon.com/Brass-Baja-Stories-Indian-Wedding/dp/0195670817) & musician. In his book Brass Baja: Stories From The World of Indian Wedding Bands he takes us behind the scene into the world of the Indian brass band musicians, whose rich musical traditions and history has been largely ignored. It was way back back in the 17th century  that the first wedding brass band (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGoWUa3YTuA) made their appearance in India. Today, Indian wedding brass bands (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nS32MgbsN4g&feature=related) are an integral part of Indian popular culture and cinema. In this interview Greg talks about the evolution of Indian wedding brass bands and the introdution of western musical instruments into Indian music. For instance, the clarinet and violin were introduced from the west into traditional Indian classical music. Greg trained in western classical music and then learnt to play the tabla from Ustad Zakir Hussain (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ALZpNazAVts) and Ustad Alla Rakha (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alla_Rakha). This is part one of a  3-part interivew on Indian Wedding Brass Bands, Indian film music and Bollywood. In part 2 and 3 Greg talks about the influence of western music into Bollywood and takes us behind the curtain into the world of Bollywood musicians. Song Credit: Sheila Ki Jawani by Sunidhi Chauhan and Vishal Dadlani from Tees Maar Khan (http://www.teesmaarkhan-thefilm.com/)

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/FordMotorCompany_JoeHinrichs1-150x150.jpg)Asia's automobile market is the fastest growing one in the world with China and India leading the growth. Many are first time car buyers in two of the most populous nations of the world. Automobile companies are ramping up to meet that demand (http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2011/jun/07/ford-automotive-industry) for vehicles in India and China. For instance, for 2011 Ford Motor Company expects a growth rate in the range of 12-15 percent in India. Ford started its operations in China in 1993, and 2 years later in 1995 it established Ford India. Earlier this month Ford announced its plan (http://www.thehindu.com/business/companies/article2026770.ece)s (http://www.nytimes.com/2011/06/07/business/07ford.html) to spend $72 million to expand its engine plant in the southern state of Tamil Nadu., India. And through its joint venture in China Ford plans to spend $350 million to build its first transmission plant (http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704816604576333261723096574.html). Ford started its operations in China in 1993, and 2 years later in 1995 established its presence in India. Joe Hinrichs talks about the marketing opportunities and business challenges in India and China. How different are these 2 countries when it comes to doing business? Hinrichs is group Vice-President and President, who heads Ford's operations and partnerships in Asia-Pacific & Africa region. He was previously Vice President of Global Manufacturing & Labor Affairs, and before that was CEO and President, Ford Canada. This interview was recorded at the 2011 International Auto Show in Detroit. Related Link: You can also watch a short (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KLEVzsoqZs&feature=channel_video_title)video interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7KLEVzsoqZs&feature=channel_video_title) with Ford Motor Company's Joe Hinrichs. Disclosure: Ford Motor Company paid for my travel and accommodations at the 2-day Driving Green Technology event, I was not compensated in any other manner for my time. My opinions posted here are my own.

Silicon Valley-based LinkedIn is going public (http://www.washingtonpost.com/business/summary-box-linkedins-ipo-showing-investors-want-a-piece-of-internet-networking-craze/2011/05/17/AFZIYy5G_story.html)on May 19, 2011 and is expected to raise about $350-400 million. This is the first time  an American social network is going IPO (http://www.newyorker.com/online/blogs/johncassidy/2011/05/linkedin-ipo-party-like-its-1999.html). LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/) was co-founded by Reid Hoffman (http://www.greylock.com/team/team/43/) in 2002 and was officially launced in 2003. Reid is often described as the most connected person in Silicon Valley. LinkedIn has over 100 million members and is growing every week. It is billed as the world's largest professional networking site. In Part-2 of the interview Reid (http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10128) talks about his journey as an entrepreneur. After he graduated from Stanford, he went to Oxford from where he received his Master's and came back to Silicon Valley to start a company. But, he had to wait a few  years before he realized that dream. But, when he did realize his dream it was a very successful one. What advice does Reid have to offer young entrepreneurs? What does technology mean to him? What have the seven deadly sins got to do with entrepreneurship? What keeps him awake at nights? Can I get out all the features out in time is Reid's prompt answers. And the one word that he would use to describe himself? Tune in to find out what Reid has to say about all these questions. In this short exclusive video clip (http://www.youtube.com/user/KamlaBhatt?feature=mhee#p/search/0/OrCgUL8HbzQ) (http://kamlashow.com/content/900410/maincontent/mp3/broadband/ReidHoffman_LinkedIn_KamlaShow_Part2.mp3)Reid offers a couple of tips on how to use LinkedIn (http://www.linkedin.com/). In case you missed, you might want to listen to Part-1 (http://kamlashow.com/podcast/2011/05/18/linkedins-reid-hoffman-part-1/)of the interview with Reid. This interview was recorded in LinkedIn's Mountain View office in 2008 and originally published by LiveMint (http://www.livemint.com).

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/reid_hoffman-150x150.jpg)LinkedIn was co-founded by Reid Hoffman in his living room in Silicon Valley in 2002. Today LinkedIn has over 100 million members with 9 million plus members in India alone. Over 2 million companies, big and small, have LinkedIn pages for their business. Given the size of its membership and the reach of its network it is no wonder that LinkedIn is billed as the largest professional network in the world. On May 19, 2011 LinkedIn is making its Initial Public Offering (IPO) on Wall Street and is expected to raise about $350-400 million dollars. LinkedIn's IPO (http://dealbook.nytimes.com/2011/05/18/linkedin-prices-shares-at-45/?partner=rss&emc=rss)is one of the biggest in recent years from Silicon Valley. This is also the first time that an American social network company is going public to raise money. Reid owns about 20.1 percent (http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_18091156?nclick_check=1)of LinkedIn shares. In  this wide ranging interview Reid (http://bits.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/06/24/linkedin-picks-former-yahoo-executive-as-chief/?ref=technology) talks about his entrepreneurial journey, how he started LinkedIn, his plans to expand in India where mobile phones are the devices of choice to network and not computers and what technology means to him. What is LinkedIn's exit strategy? An IPO? In Part-1 of the interview Reid (http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/10128) talks about the general philosophy behind LinkedIn, how he started it and their plans to expand in India. He also talks about other social network and where LinkedIn fits into the social network landscape. Here is how Reid put it: "Now the metaphor that I frequently use when we are talking about the three current giants’ is: MySpace is the bar, Facebook is home and LinkedIn is the office." LinkedIn has changed the way we network in more ways than one, and has become an important networking tool for professionals. Recruiters use LinkedIn to find prospective candidates, sales folks use LinkedIn to connect to their future prospects, while other use LinkedIn to expand their network. In this short exclusive video clip Reid offers a couple of tips on how to use LinkedIn. This interview was recorded in late 2008 in LinkedIn's Mountain View office. Don't forget to listen to (http://kamlashow.com/content/900410/maincontent/mp3/broadband/ReidHoffman_LinkedIn_KamlaShow_Part2.mp3)Part-2 (../../content/900420/maincontent/mp3/ReidHoffman_LinkedIn_KamlaShow_Part2.mp3) of the interview with Reid. This interview was originally published by LiveMint.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/rizwan_manji-150x150.jpg) Rizwan Manji's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rizwan_Manji) dream growing up in Canada was to be in an American sitcom. That dream came true. After studying at American Musical and Dramatic Academy in New York  he moved to Los Angeles to pursue his acting career. H has appeared on TV shows like  "24", "Glee," "Hannah Montana" and now NBC's "Outsourced, (http://youtu.be/UHl-6uH8MUQ)" where he acts as Rajiv Gidwani, an assistant manager for an American campany's call center in Mumbai, India. Rizwan has also appeared in films including "Charlie Wilson's War (http://youtu.be/UHl-6uH8MUQ)," and has 2 new film projects underway. In this interview Rizwan talks about his acting career, Bollywood and working in "Outsourced," which is the first American sitcom about the South Asian community. The show debuted in 2010. Rizwan lives with his family in Los Angeles.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/parvesh_cheena-150x150.jpg)Meet Parvesh Cheena (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rCywWdcUaA0), who plays the socially awkward man-child Gupta (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=afKKlwPLHQ4) in NBC's Outsourced that debuted in 2010. Outsourced is a show based on workplace except this one is a call center for an American company in Mumbai, India. Outsourced is the first TV show that is about the South Asian community and features a large ensemble of South Asian actors. A Chicagoland native, Parvesh was drawn to the world of entertainment right from his childhood. "You will either be a rocket scientists or a rock star," is how his fifth grade teacher described him. Parvesh studied musical theatre at the Chicago College of Performing Arts at Roosevelt University. Parvesh's acting credits include TV, films, commercials (http://youtu.be/EHfpJL7LoJY) and improv. You can watch him in "ER", "The West Wing," "The O.C." and feature films  "The Barbershop," "Because I said So," and "Fly Like Mercury." In this interview Parvesh talks about growing up in Naperville, IL (home of (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTheG--2NE0)SNL's Wayne's World (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nTheG--2NE0)), Bollywood and how he landed the role of Gupta. Did you know that Parvesh was originally being considered for the role of Manmeet? Photo credit: NBC

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/sacha_dhawan-e1305248634982-150x150.jpg)British actor Sacha Dhawan (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sacha_Dhawan) acts as Manmeet in the NBC TV serial Outsourced, a workplace comedy series about an American company's call center in Mumbai, India. Outsourced debuted in 2010. This is the first time an American television series is based on the South Asian community and features a large ensemble of South Asian actors. Outsourced is based on a film by the same name that was released in 2006. As Manmeet in Outsourced (http://youtu.be/-kgS6NWTiSQ) his 2 main interests are: American culture and women. Sacha has been acting since the age of 12 and has appeared in theatre, television and films. He played the role of Akhtar in "The History Boys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3EpBrgF1vL0)," a film that was eventually made into a film by the same name. He has appeared in "Bradford Riots," "The Deep," "Wired", "City Central", "The Last Train," "Out of Sight" "Forgive", and "Splintered." In this interview Sacha talks about his acting career, Manmeet, Outsourced and growing up in Manchester, Bollywood and Elvis Presley. Does Bollywood figure in Sacha's plans? Tune in to find out.

(http://www.sherpalo.com/about/images/high-res/Ram_2009_2.jpg)Ram Shriram is an entrepreneur and investor, who was a founding board member of Googl (http://www.google.com/)e. He is currently a member (http://news.stanford.edu/news/2009/december7/shriram-board-election-120709.html) of the board of trustees at Stanford University. (http://www.stanford.edu) Identified as one of the top tech dealmakers by Forbes in 2008 and 2009 Ram founded his investment company Sherpalo Ventures (http://www.sherpalo.com/portfolio/index.php) in 2000. He has invested in a handful of companies with the most prominent being an early investment in Google. Ram was part of the executive team of Netscape, the startup  and browser company that reconfigured Silicon Valley's technical landscape and was the harbinger of the dotcom and IPO boom in Silicon Valley. After Netscape, Ram joined Junglee and after its acquisition worked with Amazon. In this extensive multi-part interview Ram talks about growing up in Madras (Chennai) India, the role and influence of his mother and grandparents, his early days in the tech sector, the heady dotcom days, Google, "Ram's Book of Mistakes," and much more. Here are the audio links to Ram Shriram Part-2 and Ram Shriram Part-3. The interviews were first published in Indian business publication Mint (http://www.livemint.com/2008/11/30125958/Interview-with-Ram-Shriram-Pa.html) in November 2007.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/MusicNeverStopped_3-150x150.jpg)The Music Never Stopped is based on a true story that was described in a essay The Last Hippie written by Dr. Oliver Sacks. The film is about a 37 yr old man Greg Sawyer (Lou Taylor Pucci),  who undergoes a brain tumor surgery and losses his abilities to form memories. Estranged from his family for 20 years he reconnects with them after the surgery. Shocked to discover their once vibrant and bright son in this state, the parents nurse him back to life. In the process the father (JK Simmons) and son mend their broken relationship and rediscover their love for one another. Music plays a key role in this healing process and also help revive some of the lost memories in the son's mind. What role does music play in our lives? What are the healing power of music are some of the questions that pop into your mind when you watch Jim Kohlberg's warm and emotional film The Music Never Stopped. Music (http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2011/03/16/dr-oliver-sacks-on-hollywoods-adaptations-of-his-work/?mod=google_news_blog) by The Grateful Dead (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vPNgjA4i6gM), Bob Dylan and The Beatles play a prominent role in the film. Actor Lou Taylor Pucci and director Jim Kohlberg (http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/tipper-gore-steps-back-in-the-spotlight-for-greatful-dead-movie-/2011/03/15/ABzSj1Y_blog.html) share their thoughts on the making of the film, and the role of  music in their lives. The Music Never Stopped releases on March 18, 2011.

(http://kamlashow.com/podcast/wp-content/uploads/JaneEyre_3-150x150.jpg)British author Charlotte Bronte's (http://academic.brooklyn.cuny.edu/english/melani/cs6/bronte.html)Jane Eyre was first published in 1857 and since then a number of reprints of the books have been made. There have been numerous film versions of Jane Eyre (http://www.shmoop.com/jane-eyre/), and director Cary Fukunaga's (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cary_Fukunaga) is the latest version of the novel. The film stars Mia Wasikowska ("Alice in Wonderland"), Michael Fassbender ("Inglourious Basterds"), Judi Dench and Sally Hawkings. In this interview Mia and Cary talk about the production of Jane Eyre. Here is a bonus short interview (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsS0wU8UDRc&feature=channel_video_title) with Mia and Cary from my YouTube channel (http://www.youtube.com/user/kamlabhatt) where they talk about Jane Eyre and why there is a certain appeal to the story even today. This film is about love, home and companionship as Cary put it. Those were broadly similar themes that Cary explored in his previous film Sin Nombre (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0GIOAKNRdY). Jane Eyre releases on March 11, 2011. Running Time: 121 minutes Cast: Mia Wasikowska, Michael Fassbender, Jamie Bell, and Judi Dench Directed by: Cary Joji Fukunaga Screenplay by: Moira Buffini Based on the novel: Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë Produced by: Alison Owen, Paul Trijbits PHOTO CREDIT: LAURIE SPARHAM