Abhishek's hip-hop song now goes desi
   By: Upala KBR 

The best thing about Abhishek-Priyanka-starrer Bluffmaster is the song, Right Here Right now.

Umer Khan, from US, seems to thinks so too.

Khan has remixed the song, sung by Abhishek Bachchan, and mailed it to producer-director Rohan Sippy.

So impressed was Rohan by the remix, that he played it on Go 92.5 FM. And when a recuperating Amitabh Bachchan heard it at home, he loved it too. A chat with Umer Khan…

Why did you pick this song?
I picked this one because I liked the flow of the lyrics, but the music was a bit flat. I thought there was more work left to do on the song, and I did that through my Drum Mix of the song.

What is the dholak version like?
First of all, it is supposed to be the Drum Mix, but in Hindi, it can be translated into Dholak Mix. It has really heavy bass in the background, and loud drum beats. At the beginning of the song, there is small glass-type clinking sound, yet when Abhishek starts singing, the main music starts from there.

What made you send the song to Rohan?
I had been waiting to watch Bluffmaster for a long time, so when I found the official website of the movie, I visited it. I found Rohan’s email address there. And the first thing that came to my mind was to mail him the remix. I made two remixes of the Right Here Right Now — one was the Drum Mix, and the other was Dance Mix.

The dance mix was supposed to be a fast song. It wasn’t a hip —hop song anymore. It had a faster beat, but Rohan didn’t enjoy that one as much as the Drum Mix.
 
Have you watched Bluffmaster?
Yes, I’ve seen Bluffmaster. I liked the film overall, but I felt that casting Riteish Deshmukh didn’t suit the character and the role.

What other Hindi film songs have you given music for?
I have remixed a lot of songs. In fact, I’ve created six albums, but they haven’t been officially released. I am remixing songs from the US, and don’t get a chance to contact music directors and film directors in India.

Rohan was the first person whose email address I found on the Bluffmaster website. So technically, this is my first time!
 
Next step — music director?
Maybe.…

upala@mid-day.com

Sippy speaks Rohan Sippy “When Umer mailed me the drum/dholak mix of Right Here Right Now on the internet, I found it very cool and played it on Go92.5 FM,” says Rohan Sippy. “He sent me a couple of mixes, but I loved this one. When we played it to Abhishek’s dad at their residence (after he came back from hospital) he loved it too. Umer’s version has a nice desi feel to it; it gives a new life to the song.”

1. Firstly introduce yourself briefly.
I am DJ Umer Khan, also known by some as DJ UK. I am 14 years old, and I believe I am the youngest DJ and Producer, though can't give guarantee. I was born in Pakistan, though have moved to USA now with my family.

2. How did you got into Dj’ing & which was the first song you ever tried to mix ?
I am not of those people who have been interested in music since the age of 3 or anything. Before becoming a DJ, I just liked music. But no obession or passion for it. Though I've always been into computers, which is how I got into remixing, and now it has become a passion.

I started mixing around the time when Bunty aur Babli came out. So the first song I ever attempted was Bunty aur Babli title track, but that mix never got released. My first official track that I remixed, which I released, was Panhaon Mein (Remix) from Bollywood BlockBusters 1.

3. Which music genres are you into ?
I am basically into Desi/Dhol mixes, but I like Lounge, Instrumentals, and Groovy music.

4. Tell us about your achievements uptil now ?
Hehe. Achievements. I can't list many, since my career just has started. I've only been mixing for about 8 months. But within that period, I got big recognition on my Right Here Right Now (Drum Mix). The mix was appreciate by big stars including, Amitabh and Abhishek Bachchan. A portion of the mix was featured on Sony Televsion.

5. Inspired from:-
Talking of DJs, I would say Suketu. I am not a big fan of Suketu, nor do I eagerly await for his remixes. Hehe. But I like to mix like him. Turning slow songs into danceable club songs. Ex. Woh Lamhe and Aadat.

As of Music Directors, I would say Vishal Shekhar and A.R. Rehman. My biggest dream is to work with A.R. Rehman at least once. Haha.

6. Tell us about all of your albums that is Bollywood Blockbusters , East VS West & others in details ?
Bollywood BlockBusters was just suppose to be a single album. But after getting a good response on the album, I planned to release different volumes.

East vs West 1+2 and Home-Mixed are albums that I worked on with other DJs. Many DJs wanted to feature in my Bollywood BlockBuster series, though I wanted to keep that exclusively to myself, so I had created these side-track albums. You shall expect a few more, but not anytime soon. Though after Bollywood BlockBusters 13, East vs West 3 is my next project, along with a mixtape and then an Oldies Remixed album.

7. Have you ever played live ?
Hmm...I played a few personal parties, but other than that, I am too young to be doing live shows.

8. Future Plans :-
I want to be a Movie Director, and if I get professional in mixing, then I can mix for my movies as well. Haha.

9. What advice you would like to give to the Upcoming Musicians?
Haha. Me and advice. I am not even eligable to criticize any of their works. Though all I want to say is that Himesh, keep singing.

10. What do you think about www.UMREVOLUTION.com & www.DJLUV.in ?
UMR is a really good orginization for bringing out great talent. They have indeed helped promoting me as well.

DJLUV is as far as I know, the biggest Desi Forum on the net. My main encouragement and source of download comes from DJLUV. I wouldn't be what I am, without DJLUV.

11. Atlast What is Your Concluding Line.
Dont ever say IMPOSSIBLE, because even the word IMPOSSIBLE says I M POSSIBLE.

Interview By: Batool
Courtesy: Ahmed