Parties and platters
If he had any control over destiny, Manav Vij would have been writing prescriptions for the patients, checking their pulse and blood pressure. A certified doctor, Manav had nothing to do with Mumbai, leave aside tinsel town. However, he was meant to do something else- to act, to sing, cry, laugh, make funny faces, scheme, plot and romance, fight on camera. And this is what he is still doing.

Spontaneity in art I am sure all the artists and art lovers will generously agree to this because spontaneity is the most beautiful thing that can happen to any creation. A viewer can see an artist's 'true reflection' only if his art work is spontaneous, otherwise one can easily experience the traces of manipulation and as a viewer or lover find it difficult to relate to it in its fullness.

SIDE LANES Making sense of Sanawar The rites of passage from childhood into the adult state are the accepted norm in the animal kingdom. Are we animals too? According to the Darwinian concept of "survival of the fittest," these rites separate the weak from the strong. Somewhere down the line, we started considering ourselves superior to 'animals' as we understand them.

Going places One gets to see the world in Gagandeep Singh's frames Five countries, six destinations, 48 weeks of incessant clicking and 55 photographs. Still, there's much more to Perception, ongoing photographic exhibition at the Chandigarh College of Architecture, than by the shutterbugs' own admittance, "perceiving nature, culture and architecture." Barcelona, Berlin, Egypt, Jaiselmer, Ladakh and Paris, he's seen and captured it all.

Titanic opportunity
Titan today celebrated its super success of Titan of the Day contest by gifting its winners a Titan Octane watch. One of India's finest wicket keeper and batsmen Madan Lal handed over the watches to the winners. To catch the spirit of 20-20 season, Titan has also launched its latest Octane collection, which embodies speed, power and energy.

Poll Khol

No literary pastime, this! What this old man is studying so intently is a poll manifesto. Lifestyle photo: Pradeep Tewari

Top trick
Arbaaz Khan plays pranks on new co-star
Bollywood actor Arbaaz Khan recently took his co-star, debutante Madhurri Bhattacharya, for a ride - literally. To shoot a fast-paced song for their forthcoming film Prem Ke Gaane, the two actors had to be on a bike. Much to the dismay and nervousness of Madhurri, Arbaaz said that he doesn’t know how to ride a two-wheeler.

Shared success
Manoj Bajpai wants to share Bhandarkar’s success with Jail
Bollywood actor Manoj Bajpai says he gave the nod to filmmaker Madhur Bhandarkar for Jail because he wanted to share the director’s success. “I know Madhur Bhandarkar since 14 years now. We struggled together and I now feel very happy for his success on a personal level.

Striking case of duplicity
Bollywood production house BR Films has been sued by a Hollywood film studio for allegedly copying their comedy My Cousin Vinny. The suit has been filed in the Bombay High Court by 20th Century Fox, and they are seeking 940,000 pounds in damages.

Crazy kiya re Neha Dhupia is crazy about cricket Beauty queen-turned-actor Neha Dhupia says she is a die-hard cricket fan and doesn’t miss even one match of the ongoing Indian Premier League (IPL) these days.“I have always been a big sports fan and have been to several cricket matches but IPL is so glamorous. This is the only occasion where we see our Indian players teaming up with various international cricket stars.