CHANDIGARH INDEX


Impossible is nothing
 Satish Kaushik, actor and director believes in himself and his dreams
Satish Kaushik If not much, coming to Chandigarh this time served at least one cause for Satish Kaushik. A role reversal of this Bollywood director and popular comedian it was (who can forget his Calender act in Mr.India), as he vent out emotions welling up inside him. We did expect him to share grievances but what surprised us was an absolute outburst. "I am member of several film associations in Mumbai but have never attended any. This is for the first time that I am participating in a seminar and there is reason enough for it", says Satish, who was in town to participate in a seminar organised by North Zone Film and TV Association. 

Cause and effect
 Eleven Indian and 12 Swede artists come together to advocate the cause of global warming
Now that's what we call Fusion in its true spirit…real element. When was the last time artists from Punjab and Sweden came together? The invite to Fusion, a group show by Swedish and Punjabi artists in collaboration with the Chandigarh Museum and Art Gallery, lived up to its name, literally, figuratively, even metaphorically speaking! Whoever accuses us of swarming visitors with the 'How did you find Chandigarh questions'? 

Priyanka Chopra Priyanka de-glamed
She donned trendy mini skirts and a bikini in Dostana and was an absolute stunner on the ramp in Fashion, but Priyanka Chopra is going the de-glam way for Vishal Bharadwaj's Kaminay. "In terms of look, it's definitely not glamorous. In fact, you don't really see me wearing too much make up in the film," Priyanka told. Kaminay will be her first release of 2009 as a leading lady after a hectic 2008, which saw her featuring in six back-to-back releases — Love Story 2050, God Tussi Great Ho, Chamku, Drona, Fashion and Dostana.

Life behind bars
Neil Nitin Mukesh Spending five hours with convicts at a prison as preparation for a film role has changed his perspective of life, says Neil Nitin Mukesh. The young actor adds that he came across "faces and voices in there which I'll never forget". "It was the most life-changing day of my life. So much of what we take for granted seemed so vital and unreachable in there," Neil said after visiting the Thane jail recently.

Jacee’s first love
Singer-turned-actor Jaycee Chan, son of legendary movie star Jackie Chan has said that music will always remain his first love. "I started as a singer. That is my first love. But since the music industry was not doing very well, I decided to join movies. In acting you have to be someone else but in singing you have to be yourself. I like both acting and singing, cannot choose one from another. I plan to put together my next album soon," Jaycee said.

I am back
Shah Rukh Khan waves as he leaves the venue after attending the Filmfare Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday.
Shah Rukh Khan waves as he leaves the venue after attending the Filmfare Awards ceremony in Mumbai on Saturday. Photo: Reuters

Stone cold
British singer Joss Stone will now have to perform in front of just 500 people at the Dover town hall, two years since she performed at the Grammy awards function. 

Willis sued
A lawsuit has been filed against Hollywood actor Bruce Willis for walking off the set despite his commitment to direct the movie. Foresight Unlimited claims it inked a deal with Willis to direct a movie called "Three Stories About Joan", starring Owen Wilson and Camilla Belle. The lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles County Superior Court, claims: "Willis abruptly and without notice terminated his services as director for personal reasons and walked off the set".

Baby blues
Actress Katie Holmes did not attend the recent Academy Awards as she is on a strange diet to prepare for conceiving the second child. The 30-year-old Holmes is going through a strange and rigorous detox diet and has supposedly become a fan of the diet which consists of having herbal drinks and a purification procedure to get rid of the toxic substances.

Pals team up
Lindsay Lohan wants to collaborate with her pal Bryan Adams after spending time with the musician at his London home, according to reports. The actress and her girlfriend, Samantha Ronson, are currently staying with Adams at his luxurious Chelsea property.

Fruitful effort
 Worried about getting into shape? Just follow a simple diet plan and notice the difference
No fat, calories or carbs. Unending restrictions on our diet, strenuous gymming, yoga and what not! We see people around us trying every possible measure to keep fit. Losing weight has become an obsession and it doesn't come as a surprise when we see people taking extreme steps to attain the perfect shape. Here let's try to decipher the meaning of so very subjective term, fitness and how to attain it. "There is no rocket science to keeping fit, and crash dieting is not a solution to it," says Sonia Gandhi, senior dietician, Fortis.

Controlling streak
Some people must do everything by a set routine. Before leaving home they will check half a dozen times whether the lights are off, whether doors are locked and so on. Psychologists call this Obsessive Compulsive Neurosis.

BODY wise
 You can work it out
Interval training has been the basis for exercise routines for years. But recently there's been a lot of buzz about it. Interval training is nothing more than a way to vary your exercise routine to boost your workout efficiency and progress. Athletes regularly engage in interval training exercises to increase their performance level. Fortunately, you don't have to be a sophisticated athlete to enjoy the benefits of interval training.

Street smart
 What makes city nukkar plays click? Neha Walia checks out
Art for bringing social change has been a common practice. And, this is no news that street plays or our very own, nukkad natak, is one such art form recognised throughout the world. They have been the most interesting and effective tool for community education. The essence remains but the medium just got a generational leap. The room for creativity in street plays just got bigger with an innovative approach, young talent and latest issues.