Dreaming big
Vansh Bhardwaj, a budding actor, shares his journey from the tricity to tinsel town
Dare to dream and dreams do come true, believes the city lad Vansh Bhardwaj, known as Rocky in theatre circuits. With his debut flick- Videsh - Heaven on Earth- slated to release in India later this month, he shares his story, which is pretty filmy too. "I wanted to be famous, so turned to cricket in my school days. Since in India, the only two sure shot ways to fame are cricket or celluloid, I turned my attention to theatre in college. But success was elusive. I never won. The desire to know 'jeetne ka formula' took me to the Department of Indian Theatre, Panjab University. After that, I, with a friend, started a theater group, Holy Theatre and worked with Neelam Man Singh."
                                                 Photo: Vinay Malik

For art’s sake
The city's first heritage fest will bring all genres of art together
From ancient times, art has served one purpose that is so integral to it - a mere pretext for people to gather under one roof and enjoy it. Art has, at times, knowingly or otherwise has united them ever since. Whichever form or genre, contemporary or folk, performed at a countryside or in a well-furnished auditorium, resourced to us through a renowned artist or an ordinary performer, art has always doled out its function of attracting audiences from different backgrounds. Almost a universal truth, it will testify itself once again at the six-day Chandigarh Arts and Heritage Festival, beginning March 27. The first of its kind, the cultural event, which is being organised by the Chandigarh Arts Council in collaboration with the UT Administration, will see various art forms on display or being performed.

Traditional touch
Now, this is what we call ‘with a difference’! Students of School of Communication Studies were up and about the whole campus; shrieking, screeching, screaming to announce the arrival of their annual extravaganza — Soch. Here comes the ‘different’ part; departing from the unspoken rule of taking out processions (or even election rallies!) on two-wheeled and four-wheeled mean machines, the students went a la traditional, rugged and rural. Think carts, cycles, rickshaws coupled with intoxicating beats of dhol to declare, ‘we’ve arrived’!
Watch out for us: Students of the School of Communication Studies before the beginning of rally for Soch

K-connection
From chicken biryani to linguistics to love of Bollywood — Indians in Kenya share quite a few things with us
Kenya — the name itself conjures up an image that spells hot and humid weather, racism, paucity of commodities, political upheaval and a lot more. But it was on Monday that we got wise about its pleasant weather, wonderful tourism possibilities, business avenues and changing face of the country; courtesy Dr Zora Singh, chairman, Desh Bhagat Group of Institutes and his wife Tejinder Kaur (who worked for a couple of years in Kenya but came to the city to serve their region), Ravi and Tejpal Bedi (who still reside there and are in the city to start a business venture), who say the country has definitely come of an age.

Hot wheels

TEST DRIVE: A firang beauty ups the sizzle quotient as she checks out this bike on display Lifestyle photo: Kamal Kishore

Big makeover
Big Ben, one of the best-known landmarks in the world, is about to receive a public relations makeover. According to The Guardian and The Observer, Colman Getty, the public relations team that represents Nigella Lawson and J. K. Rowling, will shortly mastermind a countrywide celebration of the iconic clock.

Geek SPEAK
Well connected
Many people who spend let say Rs 50,000 to Rs 60,000 to buy a plasma TV let themselves and the TV down by not connecting the cables right and not buying the correct ones. Because of this the display you get out of your plasma and sound quality through speakers is not as good as it should be, you can improve the performance by just buying and hooking the cables right.

Shoot at site
Stand & stares, an exhibition of photographs by Novel and Ashok Lavasa opens in the Art Gallery at Chandigarh Museum-10 on Wednesday. Lavasas are not professional photographers. While Novel has been a banker for last 27 years, Ashok is in Indian Civil Services. Compulsive travellers by nature the Lavasas have traveled extensively in India and abroad.

Launch PAD
Intelligent choice
Godrej Security Solutions (GSS) is seeking to create more awareness about the need to take a broader holistic approach to security. The GSS has initiated a series of concept-based training programmes across its sales and distribution network and is offering consultancy across industries to help them understand the specific needs and concerns within their industry. In addition to its own expert team of security consultants, it will also have on board a panel of experts comprising of ex-police and defense personnel.

Aamir appeals
On his 44th birthday, the actor requested people to vote in the upcoming poll
Celebrating his 44th birthday on Saturday, Bollywood actor Aamir Khan appealed people to exercise franchise in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections. “Our vote is very crucial. And, everybody should use it in the right way. First of all, we should have knowledge about all the candidates who are contesting from our constituency. More often we do not even bother to have knowledge about the candidates.

Three to go…
Hussain wants to hit hat-trick by hosting the next Indian Idol
Popular television actor Hussain Kuwajerwala, who hosted music reality show Indian Idol for two consecutive years, says he would love to take up the show for the third time too.

Bowled over

Bollywood actor Anil Kapoor launches the Midday Corporate Cricket league in Mumbai. PTI Photo

Sitar notes
No career advice from papa for sitarist Anoushka Shankar
Sitarist Anoushka Shankar, daughter of sitar maestro Pandit Ravi Shankar, says that though her father has been in the field for decades, he never interferes in her professional life and lets her do her own thing.

New beginning
Rituparna Sengupta in Amol Palekar’s next film
Bengali actor Rituparna Sengupta, who stepped into Bollywood with Main Meri Patni Aur Woh, is all set to make her presence felt with veteran actor Amol Palekar’s directorial venture.

Kiss and hide
After being criticised for his drunken behaviour and anti-semitic remarks, Hollywood star Mel Gibson has landed in trouble again. This time the actor will be at the receiving end of his wife’s anger as he was photographed kissing a mystery woman near his home in Costa Rica.

Starting all over again
Charlie’s Angels star Drew Barrymore is back with actor Justin Long. The pair had decided to part ways some eight months ago, but are reunited now.