Fidel

You can cut a tongue.
You cannot cut its echo.

Every voice buried by power returns as a thousand more. This poem by K Sachidanandan will be an encouragement to the young generation.

History has never belonged to tyrants.
It belongs to those who refused to stay silent.

My solidarity is with those who were beaten, and with those who were attacked by individuals acting under the cover of authority or impersonating others to spread fear and chaos.

No government.
No uniform.
No weapon.
No disguise.

…is greater than the human right to speak, question, create, and dissent peacefully.

You can cut a tongue...
You cannot cut its echo...

This poem by K Sachidanandan is dedicated to every young person who has endured violence, intimidation, or repression for raising their voice peacefully.

No government, No uniform, No weapon, No disguise is greater than the human right to speak, question, create, and dissent peacefully...

*Main Wapas Aaunga* is not just a love story or a partition story. It is a story about belonging. About roots. About the invisible thread that connects us to a place, a people, and an identity.

As someone born and raised outside India, I deeply connected with its central question: What makes a place your home? In a world where people are constantly uprooted—by circumstances, choices, or history—this film reminds us that the longing for our roots never truly leaves us. It made me reflect on who we are, where we come from, and what we carry with us when everything else is taken away.

And then there is A.R. Rahman.

With this soundtrack, Rahman takes us back to an era when melodies stayed with us long after we left the theatre. There was one particular theme I waited weeks to hear in full, and when I finally experienced it within the film, I understood why it had been held back. It wasn't just a song; it was the soul of the story. Much like the Bombay Theme, this melody has the rare power to live beyond the film itself. It lingers in your heart long after the credits roll.

To those calling this film propaganda, I can only say this: watch it with your heart, not your politics.

A film that will stay with me for a very long time.

Thank you....

Applause Entertainment Imtiaz Ali ARR AR Rahman: Official Updates

✨ My mix engineer - .mohan✨

Six years of working together, countless songs, ads, short films and endless emails, and not once have I actually seen this man mix a track.

Our first remote collab was for Naseerum Sheelayum, a short movie. I only used to send audio files ibto the void and I received beautifully mixed songs in return. I'm still not entirely convinced he's a real person 🤪.

Jokes apart, it's been a privilege to work with someone whose talent has elevated not only my music but the work of so many artists over the years.

Here's a playlist featuring some of his best work available both in Spotify and Apple Music. Give it a listen...

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/2SdeM9834gPIf4w2tEhjSw?si=jKSRXO9vQvutzhAXe_EfEQ

https://music.apple.com/in/playlist/h-mx/pl.u-MDAWkl9tANW7JVz

✨Solace | Serenity |Satisfaction✨

Certain days, it's just the two of us singing. But there are people who genuinely appreciate what we do for them.

"ഇത് ഞാൻ കള്ളിന്റെ പുറത്ത് പറഞ്ഞതല്ല കേട്ടോ!!! ഞാനും മനസ്സുകൊണ്ട് നിങ്ങടെ കൂടെ പാടുകയായിരുന്നു..." - An Unknown Friend from the audience.

✨If it's convenient,, it's not art. ✨

To those who believe they’ve “arrived” as artists—

Study the life of Michael Jackson. Even at the peak of global recognition, he never allowed himself the luxury of settling. The applause did not mark an end point—it raised the standard. Mastery, at that level, is not an achievement you hold; it is a pressure you continue to live under.

And that is where many misunderstand the nature of art.

If your craft exists only in the margins of your life—after a safe routine, after a 9-to-5 that consumes your best hours, after your energy has already been spent—then be precise about what you are choosing. You are not structuring your life around your art; you are accommodating your art within a structure built for something else.

At some point, every serious artist confronts a decision: comfort or commitment. Security or risk. Continuity or growth.

Struggle does not end when recognition begins. It intensifies. The expectations rise, the margin for mediocrity narrows, and the demand for reinvention becomes constant. Calling it “enough” is rarely wisdom—it is often hesitation disguised as contentment.

Art does not reward those who settle. It exposes them.

So the question is not whether you are talented, or passionate, or even recognized. The question is whether you are willing to organize your life, your time, and your choices around the relentless pursuit of your craft.

Because without that willingness, you are not truly in the struggle.

And without the struggle, you are not yet the artist you claim to be.

MICHAEL (2026) – A Tribute Beyond Cinema 🎤✨

From the moment the teaser dropped, expectations were sky-high. The idea of a biopic on Michael Jackson itself carried a certain weight—and I walked into Michael with equal parts excitement and anxiety.

Safe to say… it didn’t disappoint.

Directed by Antoine Fuqua, this film stands tall as a work of art. Not just a retelling, but a deeply felt cinematic experience that captures the spirit of a legend.

Let’s talk about what truly works:

🎭 Casting – Absolutely spot on. Whoever handled casting deserves serious applause. While a few character inclusions feel slightly questionable in terms of relevance, overall the casting is incredibly strong and convincing.

🕺 Performance & Transformation – Jaafar Jackson delivers a performance that goes beyond imitation. The precision in recreating MJ’s moves, expressions, and aura is nothing short of phenomenal.

🎶 Music & Recreation – The reproduction of iconic songs, choreography, and historic moments is executed with stunning detail. Every frame reflects effort, discipline, and respect for the legacy.

✨ The Core of the Film
At its heart, Michael is about freedom—an artist breaking away, finding his identity, and becoming who he was destined to be. It’s a reminder of what it truly means to be an artist:

To believe.
To commit.
To pursue your craft with everything you have.

This film doesn’t just show Michael Jackson’s journey—it challenges every artist watching it.

As musicians and creators, we often operate with half-measures. But Michael’s life, his struggles, and his relentless pursuit of greatness remind us:
there is no plan B for a true artist.

🎬 Special mention to Mike Myers for his appearance, adding an interesting layer to the film.

Final Verdict:
A sincere, powerful, and visually rich tribute to a legend. Not just a film—but a lesson in artistry, passion, and purpose.

Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐½ / 5

A wonderful informative day with Ryan Matthew Lewis, ABRSM Examiner at the Teachers Workshop.