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Yesterday once more Loud colours, polka dots and cigarette churidaars have dethroned pastel colours, stripes and Patiala salwaars WHEN Saif and Sonali Kulkarni tap-danced to Woh ladki hai kahan in Dil Chahta Hai, our dils sure asked for more. And there ‘it’ was, courtesy our filmistan, served sizzling hot on the movie platter. Each time we’d look at ‘it’ while reclining in that plush multiplex chair, we’d pop in our eyeballs, “Hey, it’s so cute, flamboyant and familiar.” Sometimes, ‘it’ took us to the stylish blossoms, a la flower power of the 70’s. At other moments, we were transported (on a cycle, do we say?) to the world of bounce and fluff-puffs, backcombed hair, oversized shades, fancy head bands, bouncing ponytails, big flowers tucked inside buns et al. There were times, when big became bling, everything from big collars (remember Don?) to chunky prints and acid loud colours seemed happening. Or else, we slipped seamlessly into a regal world with the likes of Devdas and Parineeta. Welcome to the world of Bollywood makes and remakes ringing with nostalgic tadka. Tugging at our heartstrings with their characteristic whiffs of the past, and yet, wrapped in fancy trimmings of the present, these potboilers sure made us laugh, cry and ape. Yes, it’s no news that the fashion-fixated thrive on Bollywood fashion and imitate it in earnest (ever thought why Manish Malhotra and Sabyasachi Mukherjee hog much more limelight than ramp designers?). And, if you happen to be among the fraternity for whom fashion is an instant pick-me-up, rejoice. For, Farah Khan’s Om Shanti Om, slated for release this Diwali is all set to roll in the 70’s fashion. Seventies – the time when bling was king, words like tacky, jarring and garish disappeared from the fashion dictionaries, loud-look ruled and flamboyant was fun. Absolute style drenched in li’l madness. And guess what, a slice of this madness has already crept into our fashion circuit. Right from Bips highlighting her smoky eyes with a curvy trail of kajal (Asha Pareikh style) in Vogue’s first Indian edition and pretty woman Preity Zinta tip-toeing in tie-ups with pencil sharp heels at a recent award function, the celebs have already taken the plunge. Closer home, we spot young gals wearing tunics and tops flaunting florals, chunky prints and polkas. These tunics are being teamed with slacks, which again are a very 70’s thing (remember everyone from your mom’s friends to Mumtaaz and Sharmila Tagore strutting in plastic-film-like slacks, clinging around their legs?). Not to miss delicate divas attending their friends’ weddings in typical Mumtaaz style cigarette-churidaar-pants and fitted clinging shirts. Loud acid colours and prints have crept into men’s wardrobes. And bingo, Sadhna’s famous fringe too has already arrived. But fashionistas, that’s not all. Fashion pundits predict there’s much more in the kitty. Who knows, the puffs and backcombing your mom used to struggle with to add height and bounce to her hair might come back? Hippie bell-bottoms may again hit the streets, ponytails might dangle on our heads yet again and yup colourful headbands might rock ‘n’ roll back on the dresser. And, while fashionistas wait for the return of it all with crossed fingers, we wish them happy dressing. May flounce thrive happily, ever after!
anandita@tribunemail.com |
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Blast from the past The saga of freedom fighters, a classic love story and now the struggle of a junior artiste in 1970s. Rewinding to the past is a hit formula YOUR Saturday night kickstarts with swinging to a remix of Chod do aanchal, zamana kya khayega. The original is a part of your dad’s prized collection. A pair of aviators is your most recent fashion accessory purchase. Your mom used to sport huge shades that protected not just her eyes but hid her face too. The designers are tailoring body-sticking cigarette churidaars. The wedding albums of your parents show all your mother’s friends donning a similar outfit. You can’t help drooling over Ranbir Kapoor in Saawariya. Your aunt recalls having watched Bobby five days in a row. You are Gen Y.You relive and revive the magic of the past. You swing to remix numbers, watch remakes of movies and copy outdated fashion trends. And, all this is courtesy Bollywood. Plot, setting, music or outfits of the golden era is a hit both with moviemakers and the audiences. And reliving the magic this Diwali will be Om Shanti Om -- a story set in 1977 and culminating in 2007. We track down some of the biggest hits that were set in a time long long ago but continue to entertain and remain with us till date. Gadar ek prem katha
Set in: 1947 Released in: 2001 Brought back: Sunny Deol. The industry rediscovered the actor in the macho hero. Now seen on: Occasional Sundays on Zee. Hats off: It was the highest grosser movie of the country. It grossed almost Rs 70 crores.
Devdas
Set in: The 1900s Released in: 2003 Brought back: Memories of sterling performances of Dilip Kumar, Vyjanthimala, Suchitra Sen. Now
seen on: Almost every fortnight on any of the channels. Hats off: For the look created by Binod Pradhan, Neeta Lulla, Abu Jani-Sandeep Khosla. Remembered as: Bhansali’s Rs 500 million beautiful venture. Lagaan
Set in: 19th century. Released in: 1996 Brought back: A feeling of unity among the masses and classes. Now seen on: Rare occasions of India winning a cricket match. Hats off: For combining the two greatest passions of India, Cricket and Remembered as: The third Hindi language film to be nominated for the Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film. Also, probably, one of the first sports movie.
purva@tribunemail.com
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Telly Tales TV bids goodbye to sobbing sagas and offers a handful of novel shows
WHY did you give up watching TV? Kyunki... okie, we know the reasons! Revengeful men and scheming women. Memory loss and rebirths. Accidents and plastic surgery. Countless marriages and many children. Khushi ke ansoo and crocodile tears. Saas-bahu and devar-bhabi. It’s time for exit. For, the idiot box is reinventing itself, and no 10-year-leap or a backless blouse can help them extend their stay now. And, thank god for that. Both men and women are definitely capable of more than strategic planning and remarrying. And, a lot many fresh shows on TV show just that. Meet Sony’s new kids on the block Amber-Dhara. A story of two conjoint twins, their upbringing, shortcomings, feelings and dreams. A sensible storyline and good performance by actors is this serial’s USP. Definitely a whiff in the soap saga, though the initial few episodes did raise hopes but sadly enough, the show now seems drifting from its novel concept. A real harsh life for the duo bred in a small town sounds more realistic, though less glamorous than the duo driving a car or singing and playing on the stage. So, catch the show before it becomes a run-of-the-mill show. This next show claims to be a celebration of today’s empowered woman. And, the protagonist Shakira on UTV’s Bindaas, doesn’t believe in making sobbing sacrifices. Rather, the spirited girl fights the system outright. Probably, the country’s first female action hero, the show will see her transformation from a demure working girl to a fearless Lara Croft cutting the villains of the system down to their size. What’s more, quiz shows too are getting a makeover. They no longer require you to sit all tensed on a hot seat to win a cool crore. Instead, they test your filmy gyaan and let you take home Rs 50lakh. A quiz show of a kind, Filmy’s Bollywood Ka Boss turns the country’s favourite passion into a competition. And, if you think you’ve got an above average filmy quotient, then you have the chance to be the boss. The promos of this show suggest that red roses, heart-shaped balloons and a tragic parting are not the only definitions of love. Not on air yet, Star One’s Choona Hai Aasmaan comes with a punch line Pyaar desh se bhi hota hai. We hope to see it attract more viewers and instill love for the nation. But, all this will happen only if their focus remains on the nation and doesn’t get lost in love triangles and flimsy affairs, as in the case of many other previous shows (remember, Star’s Sanjeevini and Saara Aakash?). Now, if you are giving so much of time to catch all this, you need to be rewarded too. Right? So, here goes, not the usual promises of an opportunity to dine with your favourite jodi or share the stage with a bhabhi, but a trip to space. Yes, you heard it right, the space. It’s simple, watch UTV’s Bindaas, answer a simple question and clear the auditions. And, if this nationwide hunt for the first Indian to travel to space is too much for you, then stick to simpler things. So, you know what to watch now.
(This column appears weekly) |
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Singing is his business Saaf suthri gayaki is Prabhjot Bali’s forte HAMKO samjhe hain na samjhenge zamane waale, ham hain andhi mein charaghon ko jalaane waale — he introduces himself through his own couplet. Parbhjot Bali is a man of many talents — a poet, music composer, performer, vocal culture expert and above all, a proponent of saaf suthri gayaki. Parbhjot did his mechanical engineering to honour the wishes of his parents and later served as a manager in private companies before venturing into business. As a child, Parbhjot surprised his parents and teachers with his innate music potential. He was barely five, when he played the harmonium like an expert. While in his teens, he used to make compositions, which won adulation and encouragement from the Bollywood music director. Later, he learnt classical music from Prem Narayan Masih and Partap Chand Chugh before tying the knot with Bollywood. During his business tours and later stay in Mumbai, he used to interact with top playback singers and music directors. Bali has done an extensive research on the subject ‘Basic vocal culture’ in India and abroad. “Grooming and cultivating a voice, even a god-gifted one, is necessary,” says Bali. Now based at Mohali, Bali gives tips to aspiring singers at his Swar Sangam institute. The historic moment of his musical voyage, as he calls it, came when his disciple Gurkanwal Kaur gave him some books authored by Shiv Batalavi. “The intensity of the pathos and deep philosophical contents laced with pastoral, Punjabi idiom had a compelling allure which touched my soul and I composed all these poetic gems” says Bali. He claims the elegance of Shiv’s poetry finds its true expression in his compositions that won him the state award in 1995 and applause for shows in Bankok, USA, Canada, UK and other countries, besides India. “After two Gurbani albums already released, I am presently doing another music project with acclaimed singer Agam Nigam, father of Sonu Nigam,” says Parbhjot
Bali.
lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
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Jab We Got It Right The onscreen Sikh is no longer a cab driver or a joker, he has got a meaningful image makeover Bir Pratap Singh looks immaculate in his blue turban and black coat, as he stands facing his childhood sweetheart, a very Punjabi looking Kareena in a shoot for his debut film Jab We Met. And, you can tell that this Patiala lad has not just taken a significant step towards his acting career but also towards rectifying the image of a Sikh on screen.
And if you think portraying a Sikh, as a pot-bellied driver to bring a comic relief has been a necessary part of the script, then let us assure you even the most good humoured Sikh, known for their ability to laugh at themselves, went back from the theatre with a pang in their hearts. Otherwise why would city’s funniest man Jaspal Bhatti regretfully admit of having rejected more than a couple of films in which he was required to act as driver, after Salman-starrer Janam Samjha Karo became a hit? Coming back to the Jab We Met generation, Bir Pratap is happy to portray the true essence of a Sikh. After all, every Sikh does not drive a cab or crack funny one-liners at the drop of the hat! “We, like any other race, sing, dance (never had a doubt about this one), romance, work hard and make a respectable living,” he says. So this character of Manjit Singh Mann gives him a chance to be all that, though he loses his beloved to Shahid Kapur in the end.
Another person who is happy about his role is Narinder Pal Singh who plays Kareena’s uncle in Jab We Met. He has in his kitty a couple of serious roles as a Sikh character like in Pamela Rook’s Train to Pakistan, Pan Nalin’s Valley of Flowers and Amrit Sagar’s 1971-Desh Bhagti. “I feel that till a couple of years ago, a Sikh character in the mainstream cinema meant someone funny or obnoxious,” says the 6’-3” actor, who is a familiar figure in Punjabi films and TV channels. Agrees his friend Amrit Pal Singh, who has also been a part of offbeat Hindi films like Pahlaj Nehlani’s Khusbu and Valley of Flowers. He says “The portrayal of Sikhs had been dismal, but looking at films like Border, Gadar, Bole Soni Haal, Sarhad Paar and now Jab We Met, one can say that the Bollywood is waking up to the true culture of Punjab.” Others are a little cynical about this new trend and would rather attribute this change of hearts to pure commercial gains. Since Punjab-centric films are doing well abroad, it pays them to introduce some Punjabi character in their scripts. Nevertheless, they are happy about the drastic change in the portrayal of the Sikhs. In fact, there is a change off screen too. “During the shooting of Jab We Met, some people were cracking Sardar jokes on the sets, and when they realised that I was there they hushed up. I took it sportingly, telling them we are a race who can laugh at themselves,” shares Narinder. Well, cracking a joke is indeed harmless, but not making a joke of a character. parbina@tribunemail.com
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Brand Ambassador
TILL a few years back, the rules for catching a flick were to reach the movie theatre at least ten-minutes before the credit started to roll. Reaching well in time to catch advertisements was as exciting as the flick that followed. Talk today and there is no need to rush and push, for the flick is quite an extension of the advertisements one may have missed. Plus this time, the three-hour campaign comes packed with a whole lot of action, emotion and drama. Welcome to the world of brand Bollywood, where a don sports a Tag Heuer, a Nascar racer RV relies on Goodyear India and a female robber Sunheri sports a Pepe outfit and more. The trend of fitting in brands in the plot is not of recent emergence. Remember Aamir riding a BSA SLR bike in Jo Jeeta Wohi Sikandar and Aishwarya and Akshaye sharing a bottle of Coke in Taal? We also saw a punctual wife Hema Malini in Baghban preparing Tata Tea for her husband, who worked in ICICI. In Farah Khan’s Main Hoon Na, Lays and Cafe Coffee Day’s coffee was the staple diet for the entire cast. In recent flicks, many brands have been roped in. The first thing that you want to do after watching Cheeni Kum is not think over about the sugar-free romance but throw away the slim yellow Sugarfree bottle at home. Sprinkled bigheartedly on the plot, you surely want it away from your sight. Now, Life in a Metro would have done the same business, had they called it Life with Lenova. From a call centre employee to the hoarding outside a theatre artiste’s home, the brand is splashed all across the film. We are not against moviemakers reaping benefits out of box office and branding, but our actors deserve more screen space than the brands. Don’t they?
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It’s the time to disco THIS one is going to drive music lovers wild. Delhi-based Hindi rock band Dhun is in city to perform at Chitkara College of Education on Saturday. It comes as part of the institute’s ‘Chitkara Idol’ talent hunt programme. This band of young guns is excited about their first performance in the city. “We performed at Ambala last year and the audience there just went wild. Chandigarh is going to rock too,” says lead vocalist Pawan Sharma. Dhun, which came to being in December 2003, is all set to drive the city’s music lovers berserk. What started as a hobby for these vivacious young boys, soon became a profession. “We were studying at Deen Dayal Upadhyay College in Delhi and were part of the musical society there. After graduation, we decided to take up music as our profession and here we are,” smiles guitarist Sunny Dutta. Sunny, Pawan and Gaurav, who plays the bass guitar, usually pen the lyrics down. “The lines usually stem out of personal experiences. If we’re sad, a pensive song is born, if we are jumping with joy, it’s a blaring one,” avers Pawan. Reticent drummer Vishal Mehta, who observes more than talks, says music is in his blood. “I took a liking to the drums when I was in Class V,,” says Vishal. The third guitarist in the team, Kenny Singh from Manipur, also prefers to keep mum. What’s with the surname, we ask. “I am a Manipuri Rajput,” says Kenny with a grin. They take inspiration from Parikrama, Euphoria, Junoon, Guns ‘N’ Roses, Deep Purple and Bon Jovi.“Our dream is to prove that Hindi rock is here to stay,” says Pawan. One of Dhun’s favourite songs is Yaadein, which was penned down when the musicians were leaving college, a dedication to all who had encouraged them. Khud par karo yakeen is another of their favourites. As of now, it’s definitely the time to
rock!
archana@tribunemail.com
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beauty studio
Microdermabrasion is a name usually paired with mature skins. The fact is that it is equally good for young skins as well, as it is known for its excellent advanced exfoliation and stimulates blood circulation. It is certainly not a treatment only for treating fine lines and wrinkles or for promoting collagen production. Microdermabrasion promotes healthy skin, gets the smoother skin out by getting rid of bumps and dead skin. During the change of season your skin needs a bit of attention as your normal exfoliation fails to meet up with the changing demands of your skin. This increases the building of dead skin cells, dry patches and in some cases breakouts are also common. Your skin needs oxygen, moisture and stimulation. And, all this is easily achievable with microdermabrasion facials. The reason why this treatment is advocated so much for the mature skins is because it stimulates the lymph system lending your skin a radiant glow. It allows oxygen to be carried to your skin that is so much needed by mature skins for that revitalising look. The treatment targets the deepest levels of exfoliation on the skin and prepares it for products to seep into the innermost layers. Microdermabrasion is the most popular medical-grade facial treatment and a visible difference can be seen as you step out of the treatment room. It takes care of the complexion dulling impurities. Large pores, acne and hormones can be taken care of with these facials. Even people with uneven texture and tone of skin can benefit big time. It is great as an anti-ageing treatment and helps the products to go deeper into skin and plump the skin, reducing fine lines. It also helps acne heal and regulates the oil production. It remains a hot favourite with make-up artists as it helps the make-up sit on the skin much smoother. However, it is not for you if you are suffering from pustular acne, sensitive skin, Rosacea, broken capillaries, diabetes or skin that is paper-thin. *
I am getting married soon and am worried about my complexion. No matter how much exfoliation, facials I do, it remains dull. Suggest a way out.
Puja via e-mail A beautiful soft and glowing skin is every bride’s dream and it can be achieved with a course of microdermabrasion facials. In this facial tiny particles of ground sapphire (aluminum oxide) are gently blown onto skin that remove dead skin. Impurities and dirt are extracted out of pores by a gentle vacuum action that lend a clear complexion and also lets the skin breathe. You can get it done a couple of days before your wedding as it will help exfoliate skin and create a smooth, even palate for the foundation to be smoothed on. So go ahead and get flawless skin on your wedding day. (This column appears fortnightly)
Pammy Kaul is a UK-based beauty therapist. E-mail your queries to lifestyletribune@gmail.com or write to
The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh |
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Cool Stuff Kellogg’s Chocos is offering a Krishna Movie VCD free with Chocos Toffee limited edition and exciting Krishna games CD on mid-sized packs of Chocos, Chocos Toffee and Chocos Smacks. The adventures of the young Krishna have always delighted Indian children. Similarly, the delicious Chocos is an all-time favourite with children. The chocolaty taste makes it irresistible for kids. The Krishna Movie VCD will add to the fun. The packs are priced at Rs 225 for the Chocos Toffee limited edition (650 gm), Rs 120 for Chocos (375 gm), Rs 125 for Chocos Toffee (375 gm) and Rs 130 for Chocos Smacks (390 gm).
Beauty Wella has come out with a new hair colouring system. The improved Koleston Perfect has been re-formulated to give hair long-lasting colour, shine and improved fragrance. It also completely covers gray hair, whether you want a total transformation or more subtle, partial colouring effects. From champagne colours of natural gold to intensive reds and dark chocolate browns, Koleston Perfect offers a variety of colours with extended shade variations. This permanent colour system is available at leading salons across the country. Wella India, a division of Wella AG Germany, is a premier name in professional hair cosmetics.
Beverages Fanta has announced the launch of its new campaign, Ghoonth Bhar Shararat Kar Ley, featuring Trisha. The new campaign, showcasing Trisha in an all-new mischievous avatar, hit leading TV channels in the fourth week of September. The campaign depicts how a sip (ghoonth) of Fanta can turn a quiet and lacklustre gathering into a musical evening. The commercial has been shot in Bangkok with advanced special effects designed in Singapore. The rhythmic, foot-tapping music and special effects blend together to create moments of mischief. The ad, with a very international look, captures fun and mischief.
Interiors Quick Step, a part of Unilin Flooring BVBA, Belgium, has launched its new international quality wooden flooring. The Arte Range collection comprises of two new Versailles tiles, namely, cottage oak dark planks and worn oak planks. This collection is designed especially for those who love the traditional look of oak. The Versailles tiles give the interior a late 18th century look. Quick Step floorings are available at a price of Rs 275 per sq feet through its wide distributors and retailers’ network in Ahmedabad, Bangalore, Chandigarh, Chennai, Cochin, Coimbatore, Delhi, Gurgaon, Hyderabad, Ludhiana, Mumbai, Nasik, Noida, Pune and Surat.
Luxury Tommy Hilfiger has launched its Fall 2007 bath collection. This season, Hilfiger brings the Italian riviera to your bathroom by adding 10 luscious colors to the towel collection: White, red, navy, ivory, periwinkle, cocoa, positano pink, lime, sandstone and pale blue. In addition, the collection expands to include a range of luxury soft towels and a vibrant line of striped towels that bring a vigorous burst of color and design. Soft and supple, these plush cotton towels make drying-off a pleasure. The collection is available at Tommy Hilfiger flagship stores in Bangalore and Hyderabad and in other leading home stores across the country. — TNS
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A firmly rolled towel of approximately 12” wide and 3” to 4” in diameter, used as lumbar support in the hollow of the back, encourages correct posture while sitting or riding a car. — Dr Ravinder Chadha |
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Saw: A Sikh truck driver fall in love with a wealthy Muslim girl.
Saw: An epic love story shattered by class differences, family pressures and character weaknesses. 
Saw: The adversities and injustice perpetrated by British upon innocent peasants, who faced the circumstances with dignity.
Also, riding high on the filmi platform was Suzuki motorcylces in Dhoom 2. The gang of designer draped robbers and cops in the flick were courtesy Pepe, the flick’s sole merchandising brand partner. Another ace gangster was the modern-age Don with his Tag Heuer and Motorola phone. Next, in the pipeline is Reebok clad cast in Goal.