Thaindian News

By Subhash K. Jha
Mumbai, March 6 (IANS) American singer Akon is coming to Mumbai Monday to record a song for composers Vishal-Shekhar in Anubhav Sinha’s “Ra.1″.

The singer’s arrival is being kept under wraps. He’s expected to be whisked away from the airport straight for the recording.

Akon will be recording March 9 and 10 before he quietly slips out of India.

But hang on. He’s expected to return to India in April for live concerts with composer Aadesh Shrivastav.

Confirming Akon’s recording in Mumbai “Ra.1″ director Anubhav Sinha said: “Akon will be here for the recording on the dates you’ve mentioned.”

However, Anubhav very strongly contradicted conflicting reports in the media stating that Akon would also be acting in “Ra.1″.

Anubhav said: “Akon is only singing for our film. He is not acting in Ra.1.”

While Shah Rukh will lip-sync Akon’s lines, the song, in Hindi and English, will also feature a female voice since Kareena Kapoor will be dancing with Shah Rukh in the song. The female voice has not been decided as yet. But Kareena Kapoor giving playback for herself is not ruled out.

Shrivastava, who is in constant touch with the American super-rapper, has been informed of Akon’s very hush-hush arrival.

Aadesh said: “Akon is coming to India this month. He’ll be here a couple of days. Akon then returns to India in April, this time for concerts with me. We’re at the moment working out the details and venues.”

Last month Aadesh recorded a raga-rap number with Akon in the US. Now, in the light of all the brouhaha over Akon’s “Ra.1″ recording, Aadesh will release a music video featuring himself and Akon.

“It’s basically footage that Akon and I shot while recording our song,” says Aadesh.