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Chuckles and cackles
Principals of Art YOUTH NET Dreaming Bollywood
Film & FASHION COMPANY POLICY:
Theory of communication Get
colourful this
December Entertainment insured! TAROT TALK
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Reel to Real Remember the guy who paid an ode to female
beauty with those unforgettable lines Yeh tere aakhen jhuki jhuki, tera chehera
khila khila —— in Fareb? Yes, Milind Gunaji, the Bollywood baddie is here.
This time, not to terrorise you but to give you the taste of the long-lost
zamindari system of Punjab with his new film Punjab. And yes, the film is a
Punjabi one and is being made by his friend Bunty, whose real name the actor
could not recall. Do not be upset. Considering the fact that he has his
fingers in so many pies, it is understandable that he forgot his friend’s
name. As we meet at the newly inaugurated office of Virgo Travels for chitchat,
we try to capture the essence of this model, actor, writer, poet, photographer
and author. A hard task for us, for he is the jack of all and master of them
too. So we start with his books. “I have written five of them, four
travelogues and one based on the shooting experiences called Chanderi Bhatkanti
which was released by Amitabh Bachchan in January,” says Milind. We scribble
hard as he rapid fires the name in Marathi—Mazi Mulungir, Bhatkanti, Chala
Mazya Govela; we give up till he speaks something comprehensible, Heart Tracks,
a book in English! What is more, he has also Manpakharchehoi, a music album
based on his poems to his credit. That’s just one aspect of him. What about
the rest – modelling, acting and making documentary? “I was a mechanical
engineer and setting up my business in Mumbai when the modelling bug bit me. I
got my portfolio done and the next thing I knew, I was modelling for Digjam
suitings,” says our man from Goa. Good things just fell on his lap. Govind
Nihalini discovered him and offered him a small part in Droh Kaal in 1994.
Fareb happened next and he bagged an award for best negative acting. There was
no stopping after that — Virasat, Hamesha, Zor, Hazaar Chaurasi Ki Maa,
Godmother, Devdas, Elaan, Jurm,—— we lose count. Milind, who has been
giving regular hits to Marathi films, will be seen in Hollywood and Bollywood
productions. We are going soon to see Milind as a comedy don in Phirse Hera
Pheri. Apart from that he is doing K.C. Bokadia’s Tere Meherbaniyaan, B.
Subhash’s Divine Lover, in which he will play the role of a sculptor and
another Hollywood production Singularity. But has not Bollywood typecast him
into a regular baddie? “Yes, but then I would not look good dancing around
trees,” he says with a smile. That means we have to be content seeing him
bashing the hero. We make a last attempt to discover the real Milind, so we
ask him to define himself. “I am basically a trekker, an adventurer,”
says the actor without hesitation. Now that he is the Technical Director of
Travel Port, he is already working towards discovering India through a
documentary. “India has been discovered to certain extent by programmes like
Surbhi, but I want to discover the remotest areas and present the cultural, bio
and ethnic diversity of India,” he says. And from the intensity of his voice
as he says this, we realise the wander bug has bit him once again. So folks, be
prepared to say temporary goodbye to the reel villain and welcome the real
hero!
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Chuckles and cackles Television may be a wasting disease, forcing residents to laze indoors even on fine wintry evenings. Chuckles and cackles continue to be the best medicine.
The love for laughter managed to push little miss Tanya out of her bed on Sunday evening. Switching off her favourite hubby-wife free-style wrestling serial on the intelligent box, the plus two student picked up the flashy invite. Called up her guy on his mobile to finalise the plans. Bid adieu to her parents, and headache that comes from lazing around, and drove all the way to Sector 22 market for savouring the sparkles of wit from the twinkling stars of the Great Indian Laughter Challenge show, live. Of course, she was not alone. Even before Sunil Pal, Ahsaan Qureshi and Deepak Raja descended on the make-shift stage to mimic Nana Patikhar or bring the plight of poor husbands to the foreground, so many city residents reached the venue, some dressed up in their funny best with short skirts over jeans. “Fashion,” they said over the deafening din created by honking car and drivers fighting with each other on the adjoining road choc-o-block with unruly traffic. For some passersby, it was all very “confusing”. Cyclist Sham Chander thought the heavy rush was for a great fancy dress competition where the contestants were to be handed over the prizes, liberally and indiscriminately. “In Chandigarh, you see so many eager residents huddled together only when the organisers are giving something for free,” he said before flashing a confident smile. “Haven’t you noticed that maximum rush in fairs and festivals is in front of stalls giving digestive churan for free?” Well, it came as a surprise to him that the crowd was there to watch a live show. “Then I am sure dance girls must be perforating. No one leaves the comfort of his house in Chandigarh for watching classical music concerts. No, not even for Ramlila,” the enlightened one asserted, before pushing down the cycle’s pedal to ride away into the darkness. Back to Tanya, she giggled with her hands sqeezed between her knees as Sunil Pal talked about the competition between saas and bahu to turn a beggar away from their house. Or else, when Pal, mimicking Nana Patikhar, asked a KBC contestant the reason behind her desire to have a “crore patis”. “Oh! It’s so funny. All this is giving me a bad stomach ache,” she said forgetting about three kachoris she ate before leaving home. Born and brought up in the age of Johnny Lever and other contemporary comedians, unaware of Charlie Chaplain and Lucille, she found mimicking “absolutely hilarious”. No wonder, she and other visitors sat on the chairs through the winter chill, and the programme, till late in the evening. Inspired by their “dedication”, Pal from Nagpur said people may think his style was very filmy, but it was not limited to that. He added that a satire on the incidents that took place in day-to-day life added a new dimension to his art of making people laugh. Agreeing, Ahsaan Qureshi, all the way from Madhya Pradesh, added that comedy was not just restricted to jokes. Indian poetry had the capability of making people laugh. Qureshi knew what he was saying. For, the sportsman-turned-star has travelled far — from bus and bail gaadis to laughter shows in the cities before finally displaying his talent on the small screen.
Punjabi munda Deepak Raja added that comedy was a serious business and he had to work hard for three months to get the standing ovation from Shekhar Suman and Navjot Sidhu in the Great Indian Laughter Challenge. Well, that’s the way it is.
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Principals of Art
Prolific painter; that is Prem Singh for you. His long years as teacher and principal in the College of Art, Chandigarh, saw him exhibiting at regular intervals not just in the city but in Delhi and Mumbai too. And after his retirement the floodgates of creativity seemed to have opened full blast and he is painting and showing several times a year in Delhi and Chandigarh. “Now that I have done with my teaching and administration, I have devoted myself completely to painting and am enjoying every moment of it,” he says. But a principal has his principles and this was illustrated by a curiously titled exhibition held some time ago. A handful of retired principals of various art colleges held a group show called ‘Principals of Art’. Last we saw Prem Singh showing in town, it was with drawings done to Punjabi bolis collected by his poet friend Amarjit Chandan. It was an interesting show. His latest endeavour in Delhi has been putting together 10 years of work beginning here in 1995 and moving onto the national Capital midway with brush in hand. Thus, it is a harvest of a decade that Prem has put together with felicity combining paint and charcoal on canvas and producing very colourful and well-textured paintings. And now from a past principal to a present one: Brahm Prakash, who is the Principal of the local Art College, last year turned to experimenting with digital art. The exhibition that was held in November at Rabindra Bhavan, New Delhi, and it opens on Tuesday at the Panjab University Fine Arts Museum. Brahm has done some good work taking images from his oil paintings and creating new images. Fifteen large works are on display. What is it that drew him to digital art? Brahm replies, “As a teacher, I am interested in a new medium. I decided to experiment with digital art and found that it had immense possibilities. I worked in several layers taking over a month to complete each painting.” The hard work is showing in it and Brahm plans to continue experimenting in this medium over the next year with value addictions. The exhibition will remain open till Saturday, December 10. —Nirupama Dutt
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Art is the heart of civilization He brought the Eiffel Tower to Chandigarh, the Paris of India. At this year’s Carnival, apart from getting the floats made, which he has done since 1991, he made the drawings and saw the 56-feet tower touch the sky under his supervision. According to D. S. Kapoor, a senior artist of the city, art is the real international language and he uses different mediums to communicate his message on different topics across. Computer art A self-learnt computer artist, he uses computers as they are more flexible and accurate. He uses popular softwares like Illustrator, Photoshop, CorelDraw and Photopaint to translate his vision to reality. “The computer is the entire studio for me. It has all the brushes and colours. Plus, it has better spray options and so many effects and filters,” he says. “I sometimes paint on canvas and then scan it, if I don’t get the desired effect on computer,” he adds. He takes his output on canvas with colour plotters and then adds a glowing finish by using gold and silver foil. He plans to exhibit 30 of his computer-generated works in the near future. In this series, he is particularly fond of the depiction of Megh Malhar raga and the Zebra with coloured stripes. He observes that computer knowledge in his students gives them better opportunities of getting absorbed in the media. What does he say when old-timers refuse to accept art generated with the aid of computer as art? “There is always resistance to accept new things. Critics must understand that there is a brain which makes the computer produce that artwork,” he asserts. Love for the City “Visitor to the City have nothing to show about the city,” he says. So he made replicas of the manhole covers with the city layout on it, which Le Corbusier had designed. He has also made a three-dimensional model of Corbusier’s modular and a smaller version of the Open hand. Sikhism llustrated He is working on a poster series “Accomplished Sikh” to make today’s Sikh youth aware of their rich culture. Also on his plans is a Sikh Chessboard with excerpts from the Guru Granth Sahib to read on every move. A visual depiction of Japji Sahib is also on his cards. The first citizen, Dr A. P. J. Abdul Kalam, had sent him a letter of appreciation when he had made a visual presentation of Dr Kalam’s poem inspired by the Guru Granth Sahib. Three generations in art instruction A third-generation teacher of art after his grandfather and father, he recalls having met the Principal of the National College of Art, Lahore where his grandfather taught in the pre-Partition days. “Earlier, it was called the Mayo School of Art. My father studied there and then he started teaching at the College of Art in Shimla and then in Chandigarh after the Partition.” His grandfather’s picture is on the website of the National College of Art, Lahore and he has a medallion of the college which he shows with pride.
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YOUTH NET Love is a natural instinct, and seeking mates is nature’s way of facilitating the propagation of species. Human societies, the world over, have institutionalised the entire phenomenon as marriage — generally monogamous.
Pre-marriage courting too varies from culture to culture. For instance, ‘Mummer’s Play’ is an extinct English wooing ritual wherein men and women used to contest their preferences rather boisterously.
Its more refined form developed in western societies as the need for choosing the right mate became more or less a legitimate, individual affair. Dating is its most popular version today. In fact, professionally-run dating services in the West, especially USA and UK, enable single men and women to meet and initiate lifelong relationships. This trend picked up in the post-world war societies when traditional institutions were replaced by new social norms. But, with the passage of time, dating couples began to explore possibilities of having relationships beyond matrimony. Their motives ranged from platonic, physiological, personal and psychological security, self-fulfillment, curiosity, one-upmanship among peers, to satisfying one’s need to belong. This happened almost in tandem with IT explosion and the dawn of globalisation. Thus, websites specializing in dating, both at the local and inter-cultural levels began to sprout. Now, their numbers are legend. Since sans-commitment relationships are becoming popular, fropper.com promotes fropping (short for friend hopping), and dating.com’s USP is happiness through safe, fun and effective online dating. But, generally, youngsters are looking for serious relationships, or so claims Match.com. This is endorsed by Dr.dating.com and Okcupid.com which declare that their websites are the right choice for reaching out to the ideal life-partner. In fact, match.com has listed a comprehensive catalog of precautions to be taken while dating online, or agreeing to a rendezvous proposal; and advises you on how to get out of a jam too!
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Dreaming Bollywood How do you define yourself? A theatre actor, director and teacher, specialising in Shakespeare. What brings you to city? I was invited by the British Council here to conduct a drama workshop at the department that will result in a modern British play. This is the first time I am visiting Chandigarh. What about language barrier? Words are only one of the tools we use in theatre. Expressive and energised action is always clear, whatever may be the language. How does training on speech help theatre artistes? Voice control and control of breath are the basics of everything in theatre. You said you have just finished working with students of the National School of Drama. How was the experience? As always, an excellent
expetinece. This is my fourth visit to the NSD and I always enjoy visiting the institute. I have quite a few friends over there. What is your impression of Indian actors? It is impossible to generalise for there are so many different styles and traditions, it is a reflection of the richness and diversity of this wonderful country. I am simply very happy to continue my visits to India as every time I am here, I get inspired by the new experiences that I gather from this country. And I would like to thank all my hosts for making me feel so welcome. —Photo by the writer
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Preeto comes Home It is the day of catchy first names in the TV soaps. We have had Pammy, Kesar, Guddi, Jassi and many more. And now come Preeto and Seebo, true daughters of the Punjabi soil. They are doing the sister act with aplomb in Maahi Ve, the serial on Sony Entertainment Television’s newly acquired mass-entertainment channel that goes on the air on Monday, December 5, at prime time, 9 pm. The young star caste of the soap was in town today for the launch. And this is how the tale of the two sisters goes. The sisters come from a modest middle-class background. They are as Punjabi as they come but living, of course, in Mumbai. Preeto is a beautiful and lively girl and somewhat naughty. A telegram from her grandmother in Punjab decides the new course that her life is going to take. A journey starts and a new beginning, relationships and above all an answer to her ever-lasting longing to return to her homeland. Commenting on the launch of the show, Vikas Bahl, senior vice president and business head, SAB has always offered its viewers innovative programmes, which provide a kaleidoscope of entertainment. In keeping with the light entertainment, we offer viewers Mahi Ve, our first daily soap will also bring forth emotions within the ambit of close-kit family culture and values.” Speaking at the launch, Kunal Dasgupta, CEO, said “Through this serial we will reach millions of Indians and build an emotional contact with them.” Karishma Randeva plays the character of Preeto and veteran actor Kulbhushan Kharbanda plays Thakur Vir Singh. The other popular names in the serial are Rita Bhaduri, Vikram Acharya, Tarun Khanna, Gopi Bhalla and Seema Shetty. — TNS
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Film & FASHION
The news is abuzz that Hollywood’s favourite comedian Jim Carrey has found love once again, and this time it’s the arms of a former ‘Playboy’ Playmate holding him close.
However, a representative for the actor insists that the reports are just rumours, and that Carrey and the former ‘Playboy’ model Jenny McCarthy are simply friends.
“They are just friends,” Contactmusic quoted the representative, as saying.
— ANI Sarah Jessica-Parker’s knitting passion! “Sex and the City” star Sarah Jessica Parker has been so caught up with her new hobby of knitting that she picked up her needles during every break that she got during the filming of her new movie “Spinning into Butter”.
According to a source, the actress was first introduced to the hobby by her ‘Sex and the City’ co-star Kirstin Davis, and it captured her hook, line and sinker.
“As soon as shooting stops, Sarah’s back to her knitting,” Femalefirst quoted the source, as saying.
— ANI Brad to adopt Jolies kids Hollywood heartthrob Brad Pitt is all set to become a father for the first time, when he officially adopts Angelina Jolie’s kids Maddox and
Zahara. Pitt’s publicist, Cindy Guagenti, in a public statement to the Press confirmed reports that the actor had applied to become the adoptive father of the children.
“We are confirming that Brad Pitt is in the process of becoming the adoptive father of both children,” Contactmusic quoted her, as saying.
According to reports, a legal petition that would change the surnames of Jolie’s two kids to Jolie-Pitt had been filed in Los Angeles.
— ANI Diana denies dating Gulshan Grover Former Miss India Diana Hayden has denied having an affair with the “Bad Man” of Bollywood, Gulshan Grover, saying the actor is using her name to get cheap publicity.
Hayden said that she didn’t react to the rumours of her romance with Grover because she respected him as a friend, but dignified diplomacy “doesn’t seem to work” in the film industry.
“I’ve stayed quiet for long but enough is enough! To put the record straight—I’ve never romanced or had an affair with Mr Gulshan Grover; I am not having one and don’t intent to have anything to do with him in future too,” Femalefirst quoted her as saying.
“The only thing he has ever got from me is respect as a friend and a senior actor, which he has abused with his desperation to stay in the news. When it comes to relationships, I credit myself with some taste,” Hayden added.
Grover, who has been chosen to play the villian Le Chiffre in the next James Bond movie ‘Casino Royale’, refused to say much on the issue, and insisted “Diana is still a good friend”.
“This controversy needs to have some conclusion. We are mature individuals and so I choose not to comment on it. Diana is still a good friend and a sweetheart,” he was quoted as saying.
— ANI J Lo in love with her new dog!
Clooney wins award The New Year comes with an award for George Clooney. The Hollywood hunk will receive an honour by the Broadcast Film Critics Association for his movie-making skills.
According to Contactmusic, the Freedom Award will be presented to Clooney in January 2006 for his works on political drama “Good night, and good luck”.
— ANI
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Come December and it’s time to dress and shine. And Barcode is guaranteeing its customers a special treat this December.
Blouses, trousers and skirts in soft fall polyester, the ever popular polyester stretch for the great fit, crepe, Maheshwari silk and jacquards for that special effect. The blouses are in a range of colours that go from a basic black to shades of fuschia, maroon, orange, pink, blue and peach. Each style is distinct and folks, there is no repetitions.
The designs are created to give warmth in the cool December.
A brand of western wear for Indian women, Barcode has been true to its cause of giving options not only to slim but also to not-so-slim.
The exhibition is on till December 6 at Hotel Aroma.
— TNS
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Entertainment
insured! The evening had performances of Western dance, Bhangra and other performances to enthrall all those present. The participants, mainly from HDFC, were dressed up in ethnic and colourful dresses thus making the event a real memorable one.
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Health and Fitness Donate blood: Don’t be afraid to donate blood. You could save a life. The blood donated will not lead to any weakness. — Dr Rashmi Garg is senior consultant, Fortis, Mohali.
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TAROT TALK
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Dr Rob Clare, a sound and voice expert, from London is in city to teach the students of the Department of Indian Theatre, the nuances of voice modulation and dialogue delivery. A regular member of the Royal Shakespeare Company both in London and the USA, Dr Clare is now training his guns on Bollywood. And guess what, he wants to play a Bollywood baddie..jpg)
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Marc Anthony will have to share Jennifer Lopez’s love with someone else. The singer has bought a new dog, and is said to be completely smitten with the pooch.
According to sources, Lopez, who had recently talked about her plans to launch a new range of accessories for pampered pets, was spotted in a car with hubby Anthony and a huge German Shepherd.
“Jennifer looked very squashed in the back with hubby Marc Anthony and the huge dog. But she didn’t seem to mind. In fact, she looked quite cosy,” Femalefirst quoted Britain’s Daily Mirror newspaper.
— ANI.jpg)
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After a day of sharing multiple ideas for income multiplication with financial consultants from Chandigarh, Ambala, Patiala, Dehradun, Hissar, Karnal, Shimla, Panipat, Rohtak and Yamunanagar, HDFC Standard Life Insurance Company organised a cultural evening for them at Bristol Resort near Zirakpur on Sunday.
ARIES : There will be a fresh work offer that holds promise of a steady growth in your career. Seek the advice of someone you trust and you will receive proper guidance. Lucky Number: 10. Lucky colour: Silver 
LIBRA : You may be very sensitive to off the cuff remarks from loved ones and need to guard against over-reacting to small issues. Pay attention to matters of health. Lucky number: 8. Lucky colour: Silver. 
TAURUS : You're feeling energetic and maybe a little restless. Watch your money and valuables now. Don't spend, lend, borrow or argue with a loved one. Lucky Number: 6. Lucky colour: Green. 
SCORPIO:
Work will be hectic and you may have a tough time deciding what task to deal with first. Follow your instincts while investing. Meditation will bring in peace. Lucky number: 19. Lucky Colour: Black. 
GEMINI : You may have certain new ideas and plans. You need to fine tune them to avoid delays. You may take part in a hobby which does not interest you. Lucky number: 4. Lucky Colour: Crimson. 
SAGITTARIUS : Don’t be unhappy with the progress you have made. Unwind with friends and relatives at a get-together. Unmarried people may come across someone interesting. Lucky number 9. Lucky colour: White. 
CANCER : Don't let someone throw a wet blanket on your spontaneity. You will get an opportunity to consolidate your position and also display your management skills. Lucky number: 12. Lucky colour: Golden Yellow. 
CAPRICORN : Things are starting to fall into place. Tread carefully ahead keeping the your aim in constant view. You may lose money by trusting others. Lucky number:10. Lucky colour: Saffron 
LEO : There could be setbacks at work but if you are alert, you will be able to minimise the damage. You may be agitated and prone to losing your temper. Pay attention to health. Lucky number: 12. Lucky Colour: Silver. 
AQUARIUS : You may be in an irritable mood but don't lose your temper with colleagues. Romance will be better and singles will be in demand on the party circuit. Lucky number: 2 Lucky colour: Blue. 
VIRGO : You could be in a thoughtful mood and want to discuss certain important issues with a friend. It would be advisable to get a second opinion when making investments. Lucky number: 1. Lucky colour: Magenta. 
PISCES:
You may be bored of your current routine and could actively be looking for new ways to widen your horizon. Good news related to a close family member is expected. Lucky number: 16. Lucky
colour: Black