Act one
To Satish Kaushik, nothing has been more stimulating than playing the character of Salesman Ramlal
We just got to know the real actor. We unearthed him from layers that he had created around him. We just got to know this man called Satish Kaushik. We find him in the character of Salesman Ramlal, in the adapted version of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman that brings him to the city for the ongoing TFT Winter National Theatre Festival at Tagore Theatre. — Photo by Vinay Malik

Queen of drama
Seema Biswas, the talented actor and alumnus of the National School of Drama (NSD), has been on stage since her school days in Nalbari, Assam. When Shekar Kapoor offered her a role in `Bandit Queen', Biswas knew this was what she wanted to do, and researched her part thoroughly. In Salesman Ramlal, she plays the wife of Ramlal who aids in shielding Ramlal from reality. She enables her husband despite obvious faults, she continues to allow Ramlal to make mistakes and does not help him. She also tries to rationalise many of her husband's actions. — TNS

Straight talk
There is no room for diplomacy as far as Saroj Khan is concerned
It stands second to none. Not even to any of the 2,000 songs or few reality shows or any other contribution Saroj Khan has made to the entertainment industry, this composition by her would be special of all. She isn't very sure of how her first Broadway show would come out finally, but she is confident. "It's the brilliance of the composition that would surpass all done till date," she says, gradually divulging details of her dream project, "It's a ballet based on the life of Amrapali, Vaishali's famous dancer, who was a devout follower of Lord Buddha." — Photo by Vinay Malik

Indecent aspiration
I always wanted to be a porn star, says Shah Rukh Khan 
No body can beat Shah Rukh Khan when it comes to taking pot shots at himself. The Badshah of Bollywood was at his wittiest when he shared his aspiration of becoming a porn star. The actor was at the launch of management guru Arindam Chaudhuri's new book Discover the Diamond in You when he revealed his desire.


SRK at the launch of management guru Arindam Chaudhuri's new book Discover the Diamond in You

Sale-sational
The love of Rocket Singh's life is sales, says Ranbir
Ranbir Kapoor and on screen romance almost go hand in hand but his much awaited Rocket Singh: Salesman Of The Year has no love angle. He says the film's protagonist is completely in love with sales. "It is not a love story. The character Rocket Singh is in love with sales. It's a very simple movie," Ranbir said.

Fair & lovely
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone has become the brand ambassador of Johnson & Johnson's new fairness cream and says Neutrogena Fine Fairness cream is a multi-purpose product. "It's not about using a product and suddenly becoming fair. The fairness creams are used to even out your skin tone and protect your skin from pigmentation due to harsh sunlight. You get a sort of inner glow in your skin," Deepika said at the launch.

Big B once more
Amitabh Bachchan conferred Asian Film Cultural Award
Megastar Amitabh Bachchan was conferred the Asian Film Cultural Award for completing 40 years in the entertainment industry. Receiving the award from Bollywood director Ramesh Sippy, Bachchan thanked Kiran Shantaram, chairman, Asian Film Foundation for selecting him for the award. "I am most grateful to Kiran Shantaram, who has an old association with me for many, many years, has given me the opportunity to receive this award and the love and affection of the people present here," Bachchan said.

Lonely heart
Neha Dhupia hates to leave the comfort of her home 
It may be the 'in-thing' for many Indian actors to flaunt even blink-and-miss roles in Hollywood movies, but actor Neha Dhupia is in no mood to leave the comfort of being at home. ''I don't think I can move out of India as it makes me feel very lonely. Call me a brat, but its just that I am so stuck with the comforts in my country that I can't see myself going to Hollywood now, unless they come to me," Dhupia said in an interview. After getting rave reviews for two international assignments, both television shows, she said Hollywood offers also came to her kitty. "I did get few offers after that, but I didn't sign any projects," the actor said on the sidelines of a fashion show to mark the launch of the eastern region finals of Signature Club Golf Championship.

Desi beat
Malkit Singh's latest album Billo Rani has all shades of Punjabi culture 
Singing has become an expensive affair. This revelation comes from Punjabi singer Malkit Singh, in the city to release his album Billo Rani. The singer explains why. — Photo: Vinay Malik

She's gonna rock you
Suhani, the name may not ring a bell instantly, but the voice will, as this girl comes from a family of musicians. Genetically blessed, her father was a tabla instructor and maternal grandfather late Shanker Shambhu Pandit was the first qawwal of India. And, taking the musical legacy ahead, Suhani started singing at the age of 13 and now to her credit has live concerts, a rock band (Mystic Soul), couple of shows with Sukhwinder and Ajay Jhinghran and participation in the reality show called Waar Parivar on Sony, hosted by Urmila Matonker last year.

Fun fare
MTV’s VJ hunt audition sees an overwhelming response in the city
How can Jose let go of his trademark sense of humour even for five minutes? We mean that is what makes him a VJ, when he isn't blessed with the accented English or the Greek god looks (that doesn't mean he isn't good looking). So, doesn't he enjoy female fan following? "Mmm… yes, I have. Girls mistake me for Manoj Bajpai and chase me." — Photo: Vinay Malik

Screen success 
Mad Arts, Jaspal Bhatti Film School's Nanhi Chidiya an animation film on female foeticide has won the second prize in the 2nd Advantage India, the 3-minute film competition organised by 1take media. The film is now being sent to be screened at River to River Florence Indian Film Festival in Italy.

Packaged deal
Mauritius tourism comes to woo city tourists with a Sega performance 
North Indians love to splurge, says Rajeev Nangia, representative, Mauritius Tourism and to woo them he brings with him a troupe of Sega artistes to the city. Danny Falra group, dressed in floral shirts and beach shorts along with their traditional musical instruments present a vibrant sight. "We have come here to showcase our culture," says enthusiastic Danny, asking us to try hands at traditional Mauritian instruments - ravanne, a circular wooden frame, maravenne, metal box with seeds in it and triangle, a metal instrument to be played with a bar. — Photo: Vinay Malik

Understanding Bhabha
As part of the centenary celebrations of Dr Homi Bhabha, the Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, displays a valuable collection of contemporary Indian art by the great visionary 
Dr Homi Jehangir Bhabha is generally known as an accomplished scientist and a great visionary who pioneered our country's atomic energy programme. While launching the year-long celebrations to commemorate the birth centenary of Dr Bhabha, Dr Manmohan Singh rightly remarked, "Dr Homi Bhabha spent his whole life in pursuit of his grand vision. He inspired a generation of scientists with his bold dreams and ambitions for the nation and his selfless service. He was a great scientific pioneer and a great builder of modern India".

Well connected
For people looking for city-specific info, CitynYou is a must-click website
Visiting an unfamiliar city, you want to check out the most happening nightclub and enjoy a drink. But instead, find yourself lost in the confusion. Planned an event miles away from your  hometown, left stranded on the road without any technical support, little knowing where to head. — Photo: Manoj Mahajan

Juicy details
From mixed to carrot, fresh juice is the new health mantra for students on the campus
A balmy winter afternoon, green Punjab University campus, buzzing StuC, pretty faces, good-looking dressing, soaking just enough Vitamin D and sipping just enough Vitamin C, life can't get better than this. If only we don't have to think about the swine flu scare and the heavy-duty examination fever, everything is okay. Now, this takes us to an interesting corner where most students find an answer to the above-mentioned problems. This is called the Raj Eatery. 

Musical note
Rahman's KM Music Conservatory has opened admissions for its diploma course, starting next year
Oscar winner musician A.R. Rahman's world famous KM Music Conservatory has opened admissions for its prestigious Diploma Course starting next year. Students in this program will undergo "rigorous training" in music that provides students with the skills and techniques to understand and perform a variety of musical styles.

That's my Paa ¶ ¶ ¶ Amitabha Bachchan and Abhishek Bachchan promote Paa in Mumbai. PTI Photo