Nikhil hates being headmaster
Nikhil Chinapa, in the city, shares how real is the reality show Splitsvilla
Whether you loathe it or tag it as an expression of young India; whether you trash its existence or accept it as part of entertainment package, reality shows are here to stay, at least for a while. The factory-line production of these shows is fast and unhindered. Nothing at all disrupts them - rumours that they are rigged, beeped language, blatant display of sexuality, mud-slinging nothing at all can hinder them. So, while you are cursing, debating on the reality of reality shows, MTV launches the fourth season of 'boldest' reality show Vodafone MTV Spiltsvilla — The gamble of love.

Koffee break
Will Dhobi Ghat work for Kiran?
First-time director Kiran Rao, producer, actor, Aamir Khan's wife, takes guard as director this week with Aamir Khan, Prateik Babbar, Monica Dogra and Kriti Malhotra starrer Dhobi Ghat. The Rs 5-crore film, that has Mumbai as one of the lead characters, promises to be different. Kiran, who assisted Ashutosh Gowarikar in Lagaan, sure has a statement to make. Lifestyle catches up with her.
Have you come up with a different kind of project?
This is my first project. It is an art film that will appeal to a niche section. It is different; I like four stories of this film, which are inspired from episodes of my own life.

Objet D’ART
Local flavour, global connect
At this point, with communication easy, one would think that the concept of regionalism in art is an extinct one. But nothing can be further from the truth. Regionalism, which originated in America as a realist modern art movement during the 1930s, is very much alive even now, albeit in small pockets. And to believe city-based artist Anand Shinde who is currently going through the phase of capturing various facets of Maharashtrian culture or Hyderabad-based Syed Rayees Ahmed who recently exhibited his works under the title 'Basically Hyderabadi', regionalism is an integral of part of every artist's career graph.

Still Together
Bollywood actress Bipasha Basu has finally put an end to rumours that she has parted ways with long time beau, actor John Abraham, saying they are very much together and "fine". "Hi all! Speculation is a part of r business! I knw d warmth n love tht i get frm u al!Everything is fine wth John n me:) Thank u! (sic)," Bipasha posted on micro-blogging site Twitter.

Like mother like daughters

Hema Malini along with her daughters Esha (R) and Aahana performs during the launch of Namaste America, an initiative to promote better relations between India and America through exchange of cultures, in Mumbai. — PTI Photo

Picasso was adultrous!
A sensual 1932 portrait by Pablo Picasso of his young mistress Marie-Therese Walter, which captures his romantic obsession with her went on display at Sotheby's in Paris on Wednesday ahead of an auction next month. It was the first public showing in Europe in some 80 years of "La Lecture", or "Reading", an erotic and brightly coloured depiction of the voluptuous Marie-Therese sleeping nude in an armchair, her head thrown back and an open book in her lap. Painted in bright yellow, green and red oils at the height of what art experts call Picasso's "lovestruck" period, it will be the star offering at an upcoming sale of Impressionist and Modern art by Sotheby's in London.

Art attack
The London Art Fair opened its biggest show to date on Wednesday with over 100 galleries, many featuring exhibits inspired by contemporary themes like economic hardship and civil unrest. Other highlights of the exhibition of paintings, sculpture and photography include a contemporary photography showcase and provocative installations from a Glaswegian art collective. "This year is our largest Fair to date," said director Jonathan Burton in a statement.

Nano moment: A Tata Nano, wrapped in pop art imagery by renowned artist Ketna Patel graces the India Art Summit at the Pragati Maidan in New Delhi. — PTI Photo

Creative ZONE
Melody magic
During his childhood, Joginder Singh Bhalla never missed any programme aired on radio or telecast on Doordarshan channel just to listen to legendary Bollywood playback singer Kishore Kumar. He even sang his songs as and when he got a chance. So much so, that he loved to be called as Kishore Singh rather than Joginder Singh! A graduate in science and masters in English, Joginder later decided to make music his calling. 

What makes music beautiful?
A new research examines what is it about music that appeals to our senses. The new study suggests that the brain simplifies complex patterns, much in the same way that 'lossless' music compression formats reduce audio files, by removing redundant data and identifying patterns. Dr Nicholas Hudson used 'lossless' music compression programs to mimic the brain's ability to condense audio information.

Anushka’s anxious moments
She has worked with Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan but still actress Anushka Sharma got nervous when she had to shoot with veteran actor Rishi Kapoor for her forthcoming film Patiala House. "When she was to shoot her first scene with Mr. Kapoor, she was found trembling," a source said. Patiala House features Rishi Kapoor (Bauji) as an authoritarian head of a big Punjabi family, of whom the entire household is afraid. Anushka Sharma

Turning point
Juhi Chawla turns producers with Onir’s new movie
Bollywood actress Juhi Chawla has decided to don the cap of an associate producer for her forthcoming film I am, directed by Onir. Sources close to the actress said, Juhi helped Onir initially to raise investors and then expressed desire to come as associate producer on board.