Classic @ 2009
Filmmaker Anurag Kashyap is upbeat over his modern take on Devdas
He loves donning many hats, the latest being that of an actor (Luck By Chance) but its direction where his heart lies. In city to promote his latest Dev. D, a modern take on 1917 classic novel Devdas by Sarat Chandra Chattopadhyay that has already seen as many as nine silver screen versions, Anurag Kashyap claims, "Dev. D is a vibrant musical take on the modern youth. The flick is contemporary where in we have picked up headlines from newspapers and tried to create today's scenario. 

Anurag Kashyap

Contemporary Chandramukhi
Another lady to debut with Dev. D is Kalki Koechlin. She plays celebrated Chandramukhi of Devdas. Fluent in Tamil and French she says, "I was born in South India so I am comfortable in Tamil." And about Hindi? "Thora mushkil hai, sharam aati hai," speaks out the coy actress. "I have done theatre before but thanks to UTV, this is my first break," she adds. Talking about her role she shares, "I had seen Sanjay Leela Bhansali's Devdas when I was offered the role. But Anurag told me not to watch any other version. And it turned out to be fine."

Kalki Koechlin

I feel the portrayal of women on screen has been very superficial. I interacted with women while writing the script and have tried bringing in their perspective
Proud Paro
Mahi Gill, the city damsel debuts with Dev. D on silver screen and is gung ho about being casted by none other but Anurag Kashyap, "Anurag saw me dancing in a party and offered the role. In fact, he has created the character of Parwinder after me," shares the petite, proud girl. "My character is all that none of the Paros have ever been. She is sadi, jhalli, ladaaki and total Punjabi. She also abuses," she adds. Well, we are intimidated already.

Mahi Gill

Click to fame
Four years ago when Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto was just an aspiring model,renowned Bollywood photographer Ryan Martis knew that she had the spark to make it big. Pinto showed off her great figure and long legs in a fashion shoot with Martis in 2005.After modelling and starring in TV ads, the 24-year-old landed her debut movie role as Latika in the Oscar nominated movie."The moment I saw her, I recognised that Frieda was going to become a model. In fact, I suggested she audition for some modelling jobs," Martis was quoted asaying."She knew how to play for the camera in her very first shoot. I am delighted she is getting such attention now. She did a great job and deserves it," Martis added. — ANI 

Freida Pinto

Historical blunder 
Chandni Chowk... producer apologises for a wrong historical mention
Filmmaker Ramesh Sippy has apologised for a scene in his latest film Chandni Chowk to China, which mentions India instead of Nepal as the birthplace of Lord Buddha. Nepal witnessed a huge uproar over the issue when the film released last month. The opening scene where a voiceover described the hero (Akshay Kumar) as a man hailing from the birthplace of Lord Buddha (India) was deleted in Nepal, however the scene was retained in India and elsewhere.

We shall dance again
Shveta Salve set to enthral fans with Dancing Queen
Television actor Shveta Salve, who lost to Mona Singh in dance reality show Jhalak Dikhla Jaa, will show off her dancing skills once again on small screen by making her entry in Dancing Queen. "I'm very excited about doing the show. I'm very passionate about dancing and this show will give me yet another opportunity to showcase my talent," said Shveta. The show's format has a dancing diva paired with a protégé and Shveta will make an appearance along with her protégé Aashnay.

Shweta Salve

Animated accomplishment
Roadside Romeo nominated for Visual Effects Society Award
Yashraj Films' animation film Roadside Romeo has bagged a nomination at the Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards.Roadside Romeo, written and directed by debutant Jugal Hansraj, was India's first ever three-dimensional (3D) mainstream animation project and co-produced by Yash Raj Films (YRF) Studio and Hollywood studio Walt Disney Co.

Basant beats
Promising classical music vocalist Meeta Pandit and acclaimed sarodist Mukesh Sharma were in the city to light up the Basant Utsav concert organised by the Department of Music, PU, at its auditorium here on Wednesday. While the vivacious and versatile Meeta Pandit is acknowledged as the scion of the Gwalior Music Gharana and one of the finest artistes in the world of Hindustani classical music, the globetrotting sarod maestro Mukesh Sharma is the foremost disciple of Ustad Amjad Ali Khan sahib. The Gurgaon-bred maestro is better known for his musical genius abroad than in India. Both shared their views on their experiences in the realm of art and related issues.

• Salute to the sarod

Incredibly Indian
Click! And there goes the transformation of ephemeral into eternity. Remember? Picture’s worth a thousand words. A photograph speaks no language, yet tells all to everyone. Just like the images captured by Joel Suganth’s camera and culminating into an exhibition Children of India, at Alliance Francaise, Chandigarh.

Pet THEORY
Jumping act
Jumping is normal dog behavior; so most dogs will jump up on people unless they are taught not to do so. All canines, wild or domesticated live by a set of ‘canine etiquette rules’ taught to each pup from birth. As soon as they are able to eat solid food, the mother canine carries bits of food in her mouth back to her waiting pups. On her return, the young pups greet her by licking the bits of food from around her lips. As canines grow older, this behavior translates into acceptable, canine greeting. 

Nothing to CRIB about
Not favoured much by some psychologists, the one-child norm has become quite common for modern families. A look at its pros and cons…
The soul of a child is the loveliest flower
That grows in the Garden of God
It’s a plant that is tender but wondrously rare
The sweet wistful soul of a child

How to cheat and not get caught!
AshleyMadison.com, a website that lets people cheat- without getting caught!“Life is Short. Have an Affair”: that’s the mantra behind Ashley Madison.com, a website that helps people cheat on their partners, without getting caught. AshleyMadison.com, the largest online dating site for people in relationships, has a whopping 3.5 million members, according to CEO Noel Biderman.

Mom, please don’t work
A new survey suggests that kids are being ‘damaged’ with more and more mothers going to work. It has been said that the growing economic independence of women from their male partners is contributing to family break-ups. As per the report from The Church of England-affiliated Children’s Society and the Archbishop of Canterbury Dr Rowan Williams’, more mums with babies just under a year old are working, and carers are looking after their kids.

Parental point

Write to renee

 

Try colour A German fan makes a style statement in black as she cheers for her team at the Punjab Gold Cup in the Hockey Stadium Sector-42 . Lifestyle photo: S Chandan

Hurrah for hosts Chit-o-chat: Anil Kapoor (right) who plays the game show host in the movie Slumdog Millionaire, talks with Meredith Vieira, co-host of the NBC 'Today' television program, and weathercaster Al Roker in New York's Rockefeller Center, during his appearance Tuesday. Vieira is also the host of the US. syndicated version of Who Wants to be a Millionaire. AP/PTI