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More to John than his Bare Chest Dividing factor When old girls meet Idols on the edge TECH TALK Give life a chance and you’ll love it! MATKA CHOWK PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS Remixing fun with old music FILM REVIEW
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More to John than his Bare Chest John Abraham descended from tinsel ville to our own town. The star who has shown his body aplenty, now wants to show his talent in socially meaningful films, says
Saurabh Malik
RIDING high on the popularity charts after his bike boy image created ‘dhoom’ in Bollywood, roaring start of the silver screen John Abraham is geared up to travel all the way into social films. His razor-sharp eyes compliment his chiseled looks as Abraham says he is eager to do social flicks — the ones with a message, produced not just to make big money. For his fans, the reason behind his desire is not hard to see: Abraham’s mother is into big time social work. Sex symbol Well guys, it looks like the Gladrags mega model equipped with a degree in management is all set to break the mould again. From Priyadarshan’s comedy Garam Masala to Kabir Khan’s intense Kabul Express, the ‘cool villain’ has already played varied roes. Ask him and Abraham waves his hand before saying, “By now, I have travelled far from the image of a sex symbol, though I don’t mind living with the same. For, the audiences have so far given me all their love, acceptance and appreciation”. Flashing a broad smile before pulling back his straight dark hair with oval glasses, he says, “I have already been doing different roles. Just look at my movies and you will see the variance in the characters I play…. I am constantly looking for challenging scripts... I feel I am starting anew”. As he tries to talk about his role in the latest motion picture Zinda playing in Fun Republic, excited shrieks fill the air as his fans realise that Abraham is interacting with a ‘select few’ at restaurant-cum-lounge Athena in Manimajra. Talking to him becomes impossible as pretty girls try to break the cordon after pushing past the burly bouncers. Armed with lethal smiles, and mobile cameras, they rush forward to take his autographs — on their fair arms. Most obliging Abraham obliges most girls. Placing his burly arms on their fragile shoulders, he poses for the photographs. As the camera clicks, his eyes twinkle with excitement as if he is getting ready for another shoot. Back to the question-answer session, Abraham says his task is Zinda is very different from what he has done so far. Removing all misconceptions, he says the role is certainly not of a negative hero as commenly perceived. “Just watch the movie and you will realise what I am talking about,” he asserts. Good! But what about Hindi movies? Why do they keep on revolving around the same run-off-the-mill themes of love, revenge, violence and underworld? Why don’t the producers come out with something different? “Well, the movie makers are producing `zara hat key’ pictures. The cinema has matured and the producers are indeed coming up with different stuff. It’s not just the same cinema as it was a few years ago”. In the end, does he have a message to convey to so many of his fans? “Oh, yes! Believe in yourself and `live to ride’”. Sounds sensible! Haute to Hot For fans not aware of Abraham’s credentials. He has an MBA degree and started his career as a media planner in an agency. It continued until the media director looked at his chiseled looks and suggested he should move to the other side of the business and model instead of planning ads. The prestigious Gladrags Manhunt contest was around the corner; Abraham filled up a crumpled form and went on to win the contest. His success story continued: Abraham went on to stand second in the worldwide international finals.
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Sai R. Vaidyanathan wonders how television, which was once a family experience, has transformed into a set of individual experiences “Television earlier was a uniting factor but now it has turned into a dividing factor,” says Parveen Kaur, a resident of Sector 21. “Earlier, one TV set seemed enough for the entire neighbourhood. I still remember how all our neighbours would gather around our TV. But today even three TV sets at our place seem insufficient as every member of the family craves for his or her own set,” reveals Jaya Mahan of Sector 26. Catering to all tastes Like a Hindi film, television had something for everyone. Whether it was Dada Dadi ki Kahaniyan or Mickey and Donald show for kids, it had Star Trek for teenagers, and then there was Chitrahaar, Weekend feature film, Quiz Time, News, prime-time serials and even Krishi Darshan — all on the same channel. It was the time when the number of channels aired could be counted on the fingers of one hand. Programmes, which were waited for and could be watched, were few like Chitrahaar, Rangoli and the Sunday feature film. Whatever could be objected to — like an overdose of sex and violence — was cut. The viewer had no reason to feel uncomfortable in front of the screen. Self-censorship on the part of Doordarshan made group viewing possible. One of a kind What you had small morsels of earlier became full-time meals with the possibility of viewing a hundred channels on a single TV set. Television channels started giving extensive coverage to each taste. The viewer could now watch a news bulletin at any time on a news channel or could watch all the cricketing action anywhere in the world. But there is nothing on that channel to cater to the needs of other family members. Today, when a kid wants to watch his favourite cartoon on Cartoon Network, he may have only his sibling or friends for company. The mother-in-law and daughter-in-law can together sit down and watch Saas-bahu serials while their husbands prefer to go out for a walk in the night. When men folk get down to watching business or news channels, the ladies go away to get their children’s books ready for the next day. Today’s music videos and film trailers with their revealing costumes and suggestive movements make viewing uncomfortable in presence of members of the next or previous generations. “I love music, but generally I don’t switch on my music channels when my parents are sitting with me as some of the videos are very provocative and embarrassing,” says Rahul Banerjee, an entrepreneur. In all solitude The master of the house is the one who controls the remote. Everyone has to see him watch his favourite programme. Kids scream and shout to watch their favourite cartoons, which go on like a marathon. So Papa dearest decides to buy another set for his news and sports and Mummy gets one for her soaps and songs. The number of televisions in many a house have increased from one. “My husband is a avid sport watcher and my kids are adamant about not missing their cartoons. So we bought a second TV,” says Pomila Dhall, a resident of Modern Housing Complex, Manimajra. “Besides it was a disturbance to my parents-in-law if we sat down to watch programmes late in the night as the TV was in their bedroom,” she adds.
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When old girls meet
THE scene seemed picture-perfect…a convent’s crème de la crème— meeting and mingling, glad grins and gesticulations pouring in, friends embracing, exchanging fond kisses and clasps and shutterbugs’ lens leaving no chance of flirting with the fashionable mother daughter duos. The venue was Carmel Convent’s premises and occasion—a heady cocktail of a reunion meet, lohri bash and a rumbustious bhangra night. As the ex-Carmelites chomped crunchy-munchy revris, popcorns and the good old gachchaks, giggles and intimate conversations took the rounds of the snug bonfire. And it wasn’t just the popcorns and groundnuts that were popped into the fire. Many-a cherished memories popped out of the memory closets too. Neeti Sareen, the ex-president of the CESA(Carmel Ex Student’s Association) reminisced, “We all are so nostalgic. It’s such an amazing experience to be once again with our ex-classmates and friends. There’s so much to talk about—friends, pranks, canteen food and yes, our school anthem.” Added Dolly Malik, president CESA, “Our association has about 350 members and it’s real nice to have so many of them here. Starting from the batch mates of the year 1962, we’ve got young girls who just passed out in 2004.So, more than the bonhomie, it’s the feeling of being connected which keeps our spirits sky-high.” Besides nostalgia, there was much fanfare and food to enflame the prime party mode. Never mind their formal attires. The ladies let their hair down and boogied, turning the la di da swingers. And what if the bash was minus a DJ? Carmelite Sukhmani Malik enthralled all, playing hits like Kajrare and Kangna on her guitar. “Thanks to the music system in Sukhmani’s car, we had a blast,” smiled Renee Singh, V.P, CESA. “There were the sounds of balle balle resounding across the clear night air and it was all heavenly,” chirped Neeti. And all foodies had much to rejoice about, with all those on-the-house tikkis, golgappas, chaats, gajrelas and coffee cups. Snack platters were quickly replenished and the drinks flowed till late night. “It was indeed a lip-smacking time,” smiled Azalia Liberty Singh, a CESA member. With all this in their party platter, could the Carmelites who hip-hopped at the bash on 12th January, ask for anything more? Of course not.
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The 12 finalists of the Indian Idol are all set to embark on the journey towards fame. But, what lies behind the hype and glamour is nerve-rattling anxiety, says
Anandita Gupta
Tick-tick 1, tick-tick 2…just a few more tense moments to go. Limitless fingers are feverishly messaging, indulging in a ritualistic rock ‘n’ roll on their cell phones. Many a heads are dutifully bowed in prayer. And millions of mouths are gaping at a bunch of not-so-known, yet immensely talented youngsters. Commoners enroute fame, these 12 young Indian Idol finalists stand amidst grandiose sets, glitzy hype and glamourous makeovers, making the public laugh, cry, shriek and vote! As the flattering flashlights swish and twirl, finally settling to focus on their personas, these performers fasten their dancing shoes, let their hair down and begin to sing ‘n’ swing. Loosing themselves to the high of applause, they perform as if there is nothing behind or beyond. And not just that. They stand upright and confident, braving those goof-ups, cutting comments, painfully unfunny jokes by the judges and the pressure of grilling rounds. Despite it all, what the audience sees is smiles on their faces and spring in their steps. But what lies behind all this is the nerve-rattling anxiety and tremendous fear. Lets peep into the edginess of these young performers— Sweet seventeen — She’s just a Plus one student. Having been on this planet for just 17 years, she’s surely too smart for her age. The chirpy Neha Kakkar from Delhi is a potpourri of unmatched confidence, stage presence and a missionary zeal. She created waves with Seekh le and Laagi tum se mann ki lagan. But right now, the girl’s down with chicken pox and feeling terrible. “I’m missing out on the hype the other contestants are getting. I’m real angry with my luck.” She laments. Her only hope— her Mata Rani. “I’m constantly in physical pain but don’t miss my pooja any day. I read my Durga Chaleesa daily and am keeping my fingers crossed in prayer,” she smiles. Mumbai Magic —Adds Meenal Jain, another strong contender for the title, “We are going through long exhaustive training sessions and are away from our loved ones. At times we get exhausted and break into tears. But then, I evade thinking about loosing, as it would take away all my confidence. The possibility of loosing is very scary after all this hardwork.” Hyderabad Blues —Chips in N.C. Karuniya, a Hyderabad born Electronics and Communications student, “What the contest is looking for is a perfect entertainer and not just a singer. So the pressure is great and we all are keeping our fingers crossed. But the massive publicity we guys are getting through video conferencing and photo shoots is inspiring enough to keep the spirits high. ” A date with destiny —26-year-old Amey Date from Mumbai is another perennial favourite with most city people. “Music is my passion and I’m in this contest just for the love for it. But yes, those jitters are definitely there,” he confesses. Laughs Nina Jaipuria, Vice President, Marketing and Communications with Sony TV, “I believe the contestants are a cut above last time’s performers. They are doing vigorous training sessions and tension’s building up. The 12 of them are a family now and all will cry when any one contestant will be chopped off every week.” Of course, it’s not easy to go through all that nerve-rattling anxiety. But then, before reaching uphill, there are deep valleys to be traversed. Aren’t they?
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TECH TALK
TO go to college, we had to get up at 7 am and get ready, have breakfast, load up our bags and rush to catch the first theory class. We could not even conceive of the possibility of studying from home, which was more or less, a privilege a scant few enjoyed. The World Wide Web has changed all this, and more. From shopping, conducting business, working and to the way we get news and mail, there’s nothing it seems, that has escaped the long arm of the Internet. It has changed the very way we perceived and performed simple activities like browsing. Education, too, has seen a sea change, courtesy the Internet. Today, there are virtual universities that offer diploma and certificate courses in practically every field there is to study. There are multi-million dollar organisations that are involved in creating virtual classrooms and in providing online tutoring through the best faculty available. Online classrooms delivering high-quality educational content and tutorials, chats and seminars presented via streaming audio, video and slides are revolutionising the way we think about education. Gone are the days when courses for all the important disciplines and degrees entailed regular attendance and lots of classroom notes. Classrooms of today are not confined by physical boundaries; the Internet has made it possible for education to be delivered in real-time over the web, enabling industry professionals, academicians and students to get the best of high-quality educational opportunities. Not only does education online allow for personalised attention and a customised approach to learning, it also ensures phenomenal convenience and flexibility to professionals and students reaching those well beyond the usual catchment area. Trend-watchers and researchers across the globe have been keenly studying the way e-learning is evolving and many have accepted its capability to exceptionally enhance our current education system. Tapping into the huge potential, the World Wide Web has to offer, educational institutions around the globe have been quick to put forward distance education programs, a large part of these via Internet, as an alternative for students who, for myriad reasons, cannot attend a more traditional program. This trend is evidenced by the fact that over 80 per cent of educational institutions in the United States offer some form of distance education. Organisations across the globe are quickly realising the phenomenal potential e-learning offers; even big names like BBC are said to be taking the initial plunge by offering a free, curriculum-based online service. Aimed at 5-16 year olds, particularly those least likely to succeed through more traditional approaches, it is designed to effectively bring ‘learning to the learner’. BBC’s digital curriculum service is due to be launched in this month. Being used in three main ways in universities and colleges—technology-enhanced classroom teaching, distance education and distributed learning—e-learning in India too, is evolving into a serious industry. The race to provide options in premium online education is gradually taking a more professional turn with names like TATA Infotech Education, IMT (Institute of Management Technology), NIIT and Egurucool, among others, joining in. One of the first to introduce a full-fledged online university in India, NIIT has been successful in its initial attempt to restructure the relationship between the teaching and learning processes through the Internet. Though still in its primary stages of inception, the concept of providing and taking up full-fledged academic or professional courses online is catching on fast in India, resulting in a slow but steady paradigm shift. Industry watchers estimate that it won’t be long before classrooms, schools and their teaching methodologies, as we know them now, will be a thing of the past. —
Courtesy: Atul Gupta, CEO, RedAlkemi
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Give life a chance and you’ll love it! I am a 28-year-old girl, working in an office. I am from Mohali. I was having an affair with my colleague in the office for a long time. His post was higher than mine. I knew he would not marry me but I was very much in love with him. He seemed like a very nice guy and very caring person. I had been living in the hope that one day, he will notice my feelings for him and propose marriage to me. We usually met and called each other daily all those days. But now, I don’t understand how all of a sudden a person can change like this. Suddenly, he’s ended up the whole affair. He never gave me any reason. He has changed his phone no and never tries to meet me. Now the situation is that although we work in the same office, we don’t talk to each other. I am not leaving my job. I know its wrong. I am ruining my life. I don’t want to marry anyone else. I really love him and cannot live without him .I am thinking about him always. I cannot concentrate on my studies. Please help me the find a solution. I want to study further. I know I must forget him but I am not able to do so. —
Simranjeet Kaur My dear girl, its good to know you accept your weakness but frankly speaking, I would advise you to just bring out your strengths. I can well understand why you are feeling so helpless and lost. As you have been riding on an emotional high for a long time, it is obviously very upsetting having to adjust. But you must understand. This man has been taking emotional advantage of your feelings for him. He seems to have just enjoyed his joy ride with you as far as it suited his convenience. He definitely owes you an explanation for not being able to see you any more. Also, it is a possibility that he is already married and does not see a future in the relationship. He might have initially got into a for the fun of it, many people just thrive on these office romances and it is just a way of life for them. So I suggest you take off your rose-coloured spectacles and come down to earth to face reality. It is all very well to romance in life but the real world is a tough one to deal with. And look at the brighter side of it, without a few emotional knocks one does not really grow up. Trust me, after a couple of years when you look back down the road you shall perhaps smile in amusement over your own hearts folly. Life is beautiful if you allow it to be and you are still very young. So, just give life a chance and believe me you will love it. Rush in your queries to Renee at lifestyle@tribunemail.com or care of Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sector 29-C, Chandigarh
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MATKA CHOWK IT seems like everybody takes much pleasure in maligning the sarkari offices in India. Platitudes like “Koi kam nahi karta,” “bahut chakkar lagana parega,” “koi seedhe muh baat bhi nahin karega,” “apna time barbad mat karo,” and such others are casually thrown into any urban conversation. When it was time for me to procure a driving license in this new city, I too, skeptically pondered over a plan. I heard a great deal of shadowy whispers telling me that I could possibly obtain a license without even stepping anywhere in the vicinity of the motor licensing and registration office. I paid no heed to these temptations and decided to try out the ‘sahi’ raasta. On a bright morning, I found myself queuing up at the end of what looked like a sizable crowd. After a initial bout of jostle, I found myself miraculously at the very front of the line – merely by the merit of being a ‘lady!” I submitted all my papers with great trepidation, since I expected the worse. The gentleman at the window exhibited extreme patience and courtesy – despite the fact that our conversation was rudely interrupted at least seven times by queue jumpers who wanted quick answers to their dogged queries. He dealt with them firmly and politely informed me of the shortcomings of my file and what else was required. After a few more rounds of this, my application was accepted and I went home, badly requiring a foot massage - armed with a learner’s license. I waved the blue piece of paper triumphantly in front of the incredulous eyes of the non-believers. When it came to actually giving the driving test, one of my well-wishers said, “Don’t go alone, bilkul gum jayoge, aapko pata nahin, yahan kya chakkar hai.” Well, I chose not to be a faint-heart and drove out to a much-denuded maidan, to give my driving test. Everybody also told me to remember the indicators while turning – an absolute must for passing the test. I wonder what happens to this ‘must’ once people become certified drivers! The driving test was a pale exercise compared to what we see these days on Chandigarh roads. I was now officially a (to-be) proud owner of a Chandigarh driving license. And that is not the end of this happy story! I required a meeting with the RTO (Regional Transport Officer). My well-wishers again predicted abject failure. I paid no heed to their portent and landed up at the office. The RTO turned out to be a lovely, young woman, IAS officer with beautiful manners. She heard me out and even helped me with a problem at hand. Next time, I hear the sarkari daftars being abused, I will give them a photocopy of this piece!
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PAMMY’S BEAUTY TIPS ALL hair colours fade. It’s inevitable. The oxygen in the air is a major culprit as compared and so are oxidants like sun and chlorine water that can all conspire to speed up the fading process. Daring reds and coppers fade much faster as the molecules are big and do not have the staying power. Lilacs and pinks don’t have much life either. To help maintain that just ‘stepped out of salon’ look, you can take sure steps to minimise the fading process. Natural and unavoidable culprits like sun can only be avoided by covering your hair. With the various international colour protect range which are widely available in the Indian market now are there to take care of your coloured hair! Shampoos contain negatively charged surfactants molecules that ensure the molecules stick to the dirt and pulls it away from negatively charged hair. Where as the conditioner on the other hand works in the opposite way. It has positively charged molecules which help cling on to negatively charged hair. The hair shine as the result of cuticles on the hair shaft lie flat. Conditioners work by coating the hair shaft with a thin protective film. You should look for special colour-protect shampoos to coat the cuticles and add sheen and
lusture.
The conditioners must contain these ingredients-proteins to nourish, silicones and oil derivatives for that smooth look, amino acid and ceramides for that long-lasting protection and moisturiser to keep the hair shiny. It should also have detangling properties to make hair knot free. Don’t choose a conditioner that’s too heavy for your hair. People with oily scalp/hair must only use conditioner on mid lengths and ends. Things to do
As people prefer to have a natural hair colour, so you really need to leave it in the hands of professionals. Colouring at home may be the cheapest option but certainly not the best answer.
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Music lovers are no more craving for vulgar videos. They want good music and will buy anything that’s melodious, even old songs in new cassette covers, says Saurabh Malik after talking to a Mumbai DJ
LIGHT hair with golden streaks, rings dangling from ear lobes and knuckle-gloves casing hands swaying feverishly — that’s what you expect to find. After all, you have been told that a disc jockey from Mumbai is coming all the way to Athena in Manimajra for the launch of “Remixed Friday” parties. The name is also funky — DJ “T-nu”. But the sight of a young man in polite tees with closely chopped hair takes you by surprise. And as he talks about the revival of “good compositions” through remix-videos, you realise that the full of life music mixer knows his job well. Making himself comfortable on a sofa just before the grand bash, T-nu says, “The remix videos are only packaging the old numbers in a new style. They are redoing songs that would have otherwise faded into oblivion with the passage of time”. Old songs in new cassette jackets, huh? Agreeing, he adds: “You see, the lyrics are catchy, the melody good. Over and above, the numbers have withstood the test of time. That’s perhaps the reason why they are picked up from the annals of history and presented in a new a fashion with some cool music to go with the lines. You will agree with me that only the good numbers are being remixed and given a few lease of life…. They are there because people like it and are buying the stuff.” Oh, yes! But is it an indicator of some kind of bankruptcy in the music world. After all, the musicians are picking up old numbers instead of churning out new hits. “No, I would not agree to this. Some of the bands are continuously coming out with hit songs one after another. I also plan to launch my own album by the end of this month or in early February in the UK”. Good! But back to the videos with all those dancing damsels revealing more than they expose. Is their hip-hopping presence imperative for making the songs once more a raging hit? “If you ask me, I am personally against the introduction of vulgarity in the videos. They take the attention away from the song. They rather act as noise in communication…. The people are also realizing it. Though vulgar videos were initially a hit, people are not craving for them. No, not anymore! It’s the song that eventually matters. No doubt about it.” Sounds okay! One last thing: what are the ingredients essential for making a nice disc jockey? “Passion for music is a must. You must be melodiously inclined towards music for making a living as a disc jockey. Another thing, a lot of people are under the impression that disc jockeys cannot come out with original compositions. It’s a myth.” So guys and gals, if you have the passion, T-nu has given you the right advise. Get out and try your hand at mixing music.
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FILM REVIEW
Technology savvy Sanjay Gupta has been a pioneer in the art of blending form and content in a cohesive whole. After Kaante and Musafir his recently released film, Zinda is a fast paced psychological thriller starring Sanjay Dutt, John Abraham, Lara Dutta, Celina Jaitly and Mahesh Manjrekar. This time Sanjay Gupta finds the right balance and live up to his talent. White Feathers Films’ Zinda, produced by Sanjay Dutt and Nitin Manmohan, has had a grand opening. The release date has been chosen keeping in mind the festivals Id-ul-Zuha and Lohri. Sanjay Dutt play an ordinary man, completely in love with his wife. One day he is snatched from his home and locked into a dark, dingy room. Over the next 14 years he wonders what crime he has committed? Suddenly he returns to a world that is changed with four days to solve the mystery of his captivity. Zinda is an intense film, which is technically sound, with good acting and great music composed by Vishal-Shekhar, Shibani Kashyap and Band Strings. Sanjay Dutt, John Abraham enact their roles with gusto. Lara Dutta, and Celina Jaitley looks gorgeous. Family This film has Amitabh Bachchan, Akshay Kumar, Bhoomika Chawla debutante Aryaman, Koel Mallick, Sushant Singh and Vivek Madan in the cast. Director Raj Kumar Santoshi and Producer Keshu this time bring to the fore a new dimension of the underworld. The story revolves around two warring families. Amitabh Bachchan play the role of a suave gang leader and Akshay play a chef. Both have come up with excellent performance. Keshu’s son Aryaman makes his debut. He is average. Bhoomika Chawla and Sushant Singh are okay. Sameer has penned lyrics for composer. Ram Sampat delivers some good tunes. It is an average film from director Raj Kumar Santoshi. 15 Park Avenue This is a film not for the masses but the classesRenowned filmmaker ‘Aparna Sen is back with ‘15 Park Avenue’ after ‘Mr And Mrs Iyer’. The film has Shabana Azmi, Konkana Sen Sharma and Rahul Bose in lead roles. It is a story of two sisters and probes deeply the psychological layers of the one who suffers from schizophrenia. Konkona Sen has given an excellent perfomance and others have done well too. Waheeda Rehman makes a brief but memorable appearance. It is an excellent film for a select audience.
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ABOUT
a decade and a half back, families would gather around the television to watch whatever the idiot box had to offer. A few years prior to that, the television experience was shared by the entire neighbourhood. Today, the space and the experience, which was shared by so many, has few members at a given time.
Lee Cooper, an Original European Jeans and casual wear brand, is soon launching their Spring / Summer 06 range. Marketing head Vishal Gulati said that the range would be launched all over the country.
The party in the British Library on January 11 was dignified, but the mood was somewhat sombre. For, the city residents had to bid adieu to Sushant Banerjee, the man behind the Chandigarh chapter of the British Council Library.
