'I had fun singing for Anjaana Anjaani'

Former Indian Idol contestant Monali Thakur -- best known as the playback singer of songs like Zara Zara Touch Me and Khwab Dekhe Jhoothe Moothe from Race -- made her latest number from Anjaana Anjaani very peppy, and popular.

She talks to Rajul Hegde about music, boyfriend Meiyang Chang -- another former Idol contestant -- and much more. She also gives us a taste of her music -- just click on the videos for a dekho.

The title track of Anjaani Anjaana has become quite popular.

It feels amazing because it's the first time that I have worked with (music director duo) Vishal-Shekar. They are my favourite composers and I'm happy that the song has clicked. I loved the song because of its youthful feel.

How was it working with the musical duo?

Recording was fun. Vishal-Shekar are amazing. Working with them was an honour. They give creative space to others. I had fun singing this track because it's a party track. The first recording was done in 10 minutes while the final dubbing took less than 30 minutes.

Shekar told me to make the song young and peppy. It's a total party song. The tempo itself demands fun and energy.

What Rajni and Will Smith have in common

Mary Vogt is a senior Hollywood costume designer who has worked on several big budget productions.

She specialises in science fiction film costumes and her filmography includes Men in Black 1 & 2, Hocus Pocus, Inspector Gadget and Batman Returns.

Given her specialisation, Vogt was approached two years ago by the team behind filmmaker Shankar's new sci-fi drama Endhiran-Robot starring superstar Rajnikanth.

Her job was to design specific clothes for Rajnikanth and the many different robot costumes seen in the film.
contributor Aseem Chhabra in New York City about her experience designing costumes for Endhiran -- the most expensive film to be made in India.

Chhabra met Vogt at the Kaufman Astoria Studios in Queens, New York, where she is currently overseeing a huge project -- designing hundreds of costumes for director Barry Sonnenfeld's Men in Black 3, which will once again star Will Smith, Tommy Lee Jones along with Emma Thompson and a variety of aliens.

Chhabra and Vogt sat down to talk in the designer's office. But before that there was a brief tour of the rooms where the Men in Black 3's costumes were being designed and stitched, and a visit to an elaborate set of a Chinese restaurant, where a crucial scene will be shot in November.