Her show goes on
Preity’s Kings XI maybe on a losing spree, but her spunk is still intact for sure
Please don't be late for the interview. Try to come 20 minutes early. If possible, come prepared with questions. Preity is very time-pressed, she has already attended five meetings and there is one more to go still.' (It is already 8.00 pm. One more meeting to go!) I am stuffed with instructions from the Kings XI management team. While waiting at the lobby of Hotel Mountview, I am bombarded with another round of information. Yet again we soak in every bit of what is said.

Housefull? So what?
All my characters in multi-starrers were indispensable: Lara
Lara Dutta, who has of late become a fixture in multi-starrers, prefers to encash opportunities coming her way rather than wait for solo heroine roles in Bollywood. “I cannot be foolish, just awaiting solo roles. Why should I burn my time sitting at home for want of single heroine-kind roles? Every single actor wants to do a solo film. Even I want to do a solo film. But if tomorrow Sajid (director) comes and offers me a multi-starrer film, I would be a fool to say no,” Lara said in an interview.

Ad on
After the success of “3 Idiots”, actor Sharman Joshi has started endorsing big brands like Nokia and Airtel, but he has just one movie, Allah Ke Banday, to look forward to in the near future. “Right now I don’t have anything in hand. Allah Kay Banday will be my next film. We have finished shooting for it. It is in post-production stage at the moment and I am still considering more scripts for future,” Sharman said.

Don strikes again
After making a name for himself as an actor with Rock On and Luck By Chance, Farhan Akhtar seems keen to return behind the camera for Don 2. The director-actor, who was recently seen in psychological thriller Karthik Calling Karthik with Deepika Padukone, is currently scouting for location for the movie.

Caged up!
Hollywood star Nicolas Cage has lightened his hair because film bosses on Drive Angry refused to let him shave his head and tattoo his scalp. The actor went blonde for the new film because bosses turned down his original request for a radically different look.

Stop kidding!
Parents are increasingly comparing their kids with those of others or with specific milestones, which often leads to undue stress
Keeping up with Joneses when it comes to a car, house or gadgets might still be all right, but it becomes preposterous when it comes to comparing kids! Courtesy the information available today, people are increasingly comparing their kids against milestones or with other kids. The process not only invites anxiety to one's own self, but also sometimes passes it on to other parents as well. The pressure on new parents is so immense that it is referred to as 'Kid Olympics'. We check out ways to deal with it.

Sibling squabble
Innocent fights among kids can affect their relationships
Fights among siblings are often considered innocent, but a new research has claimed that certain types of quarrels can affect the quality of their relationships. Researchers at the University of Missouri identified two major types of conflict among adolescent siblings and found that conflicts about personal space have a negative impact on trust and communication between them.

Bond Wagon
Sweet & special
(Betty Nangia and Shweta Nangia Khaneja)
Relationship: Mother-daughter
Time together: 26 years
Same to same: We both are masti kinds; love to go out lunching, shopping and catching up with latest movies. We can spend hours at McDonalds and can go on with coffee sessions forever.

Roommates

Actors Neetu Chandra and Tanushree Dutta talk to the media during an event for their film Appartment in Mumbai recently. Photo: PTI

Renee writes
Step out Renee Writes
I am a young girl of 19 years and I feel very bogged down in life by my own fears and phobias. I have seen my family going through many ups and downs in financial life and I feel that life may once again put us through financial turmoil. I had to change many schools as a child and I wonder if I will ever find the right match. Although now life does seems fairly settled yet I get bad nightmares and even though I am a very good looking girl I feel that nice boy will never be interested in me. What should I do to get rid of these crazy thoughts that seem to rule my life most of the time? Can you suggest a way with which I can start leaving normal healthy life, with pleasant thoughts and feelings? I feel very tired of myself.

Reality byte
Vindu Dara Singh shares his love for the ‘real’ and the ‘reel’
An actor popular for his acting is understandable. An actor popular for being himself on screen, when watched by billions, is rather intriguing. Agrees Vindu Dara Singh, "People get famous for their work and talent. In my case, it was just being myself on the Bigg Boss. Nothing was farce, my attitude and behaviour was as it is in real life." 'Real' act paid him more then the 'reel' act in terms of popularity and work of course, and that's how he got a major advertisement campaign. Vindu will be seen sharing space with Ranbir Kapoor as Funk-Key in Pepsi advertisement, The Game.

Honour bound
Neither a mystic nor a romantic dreamer, Rajbir Deswal is a blend of numerous traits - a prolific author, columnist, artist, administrator and supercop of international fame. Little wonder then, Rajbir Deswal, DIG (CID), Haryana, was an obvious choice for the prestigious Lakhmi Chand Samman-2009-10 instituted by the Haryana Sahitya Akademi for his contribution to Haryanvi culture. The award carries a citation, a shawl and cash prize of Rs 1 lakh.

Deepika's date
Bollywood actor Deepika Padukone is very happy after her recent meeting with legendary actor Shammi Kapoor. “By far one of the best and most memorable days of my life... thank you (Shammi) uncle for a wonderful wonderful evening,” the 24-year-old posted on her Twitter page. Deepika got a surprise when she received an invite from Shammi Kapoor, 78, on Twitter a few days ago. — IANS

Of friends and fragrance
Hollywood actor Jennifer Aniston is set to fulfill her long cherished dream by launching her debut fragrance - Lolavie.The former Friends star has created her own signature scent, after turning down a number of offers over the years to become a celebrity spokeswoman for established perfume lines.“I had been asked to put my name to many but I wanted to be involved in the process from the initial idea of the scent to the ad campaign. I am very proud of my fragrance,” said Aniston. — IANS

Footloose & fancy-free

Fresh pastures
While yesteryears’ comedians lmade it big cracking mother-in-law jokes, the trend seems to have faded from Britain’s stand-up comic scene today. Modern comedians are averse to the tried-and-tested jig targeted at the wive’s mother and prefer more relevant material in a bid to keep their audiences rolling in the aisles. They claim audiences are bored with mother-in-law jokes and believe they have become outdated. — ANI

Bhavan's Old Student Society (BOSS), the alumni of Bhavan Vidyalaya-27 organised Footloose 2010 dance party for the passing out batch's of the school at F Bar and Lounge recently. About 180 students, including a few ex-students, enjoyed the evening with music played by DJ BLAK (Delhi) and DJ BROX (resident DJ). Noida-based Punjabi rapper 'Tau Jassar', who is also an ex-student performed on rap songs by popular Punjabi rapstar 'Bohemia'. — TNS