Folk pop diva Ila Arun, who has made a comeback on television with Sony's reality talent hunt show "Fame
Gurukul", says a new album she is coming out with would be on women.
The husky voiced singer-actor plays a tough headmistress in "Fame Gurukul", which began telecast Friday.
"My new album would be an absolutely Ila Arun compilation. It would be vibrant and ostentatious with the
usual blend of rural and the urban.
"It would be on a woman theme, and I am sure women would love to hear it. Men would like it too because
women would like it," Ila told.
Sony Entertainment Television Friday started the first audition of candidates at Science City of Kolkata for
"Fame Gurukul" which is about 14 talented singers who vie for a place in a coveted music academy where Ila
Arun is headmistress.
On her not being visible in the entertainment scenario for some time, Ila says it was because she was busy
with shows abroad.
"The reason why you saw me less is because I was touring Europe for live shows. Actually I had always been
working. I had made an album and recorded it for myself. I directed five plays and one for my actor daughter
Ishita," said Ila.
She is best known for sensuous film numbers like "Choli Ke Peechhey Kya Hai" from "Khalnayak" and
"Morni" from "Lamhe".
"Albums today mean only remix and wearing less and less clothes. These will not run for long. But now I am
coming back," said the singer of hit numbers like "Nigodi Kaisi Jawani Hai" and "Vote for Ghagra".
"I will also be seen in some films. You will see me in 'Bose The Forgotten Hero' by Shyam Benegal where I
play Netaji's sister-in-law. Then I have done the role of a sex worker in Kalpana Lajmi's 'Chingari' with
Sushmita Sen. I also sang in the film," said the singer whose Rajasthani folk numbers took the music scene
by storm in the 1990s.
"You see I was not sitting idle. I was directing, acting and doing live shows. I also met with an accident and
had to be confined to hospital bed for a long time," said Ila.
Quite ecstatic about her new job with Sony, Ila said she was looking forward to the show. Ila has earlier acted
in TV serials "Lifeline", "Tamas" and "Discovery of India".
Saturday, May 07, 2005 15:33 IST