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Life rocks after 40 Countering Age A forty-two-year-old with his six packs romanced a 21-year-old debutante on screen. One and all are waiting for a jaddu ki jhappi of a 48-year-old. A 37-year-old donning hues of pink is the heartthrob of girlies. What’s more, another 42-year-old played a college dude, mind you with short spiked hair, a few years back. Welcome to the Bollywood of today, where 40s are the new 20s. The tinsel town is no longer ruled by the fresh actor brigade, but by the not-so-young, oh-so-good looking, very talented and extremely fit actors. We scanned through the BO favourites and all our top stars happened to be actors who had already blown 40 candles or more. Well, gone are the days when the moment an actor crossed the 40 mark he was typecast as hero ka bhai or a dost or even a father. Today’s 40 plus superstars are singing, dancing, romancing, fighting and donning roles that were once age specific. And, this trend is not just limited to our male lead stars, but female stars too. Call it a tribute to the cosmetic industry that is making our stars look younger and glamorous or Bollywood going the Hollywood way, we simply love our not-so-young superstars. Next in queue is Munnabhai Sanjay Dutt who sent the entire country in uproar when he was put behind the bars. His first screen appearance was when he was 12-year-old in his father’s flick and later he captured our hearts as Rocky in 1981. Well, since then there has been no looking back for this 48-year-old who has nine flicks lined up in 2008. Akki, aka Akshay Kumar, was the man of 2007. Now, Sallu may have been in news for all wrong reasons — legal troubles or love turbulence, but there is no contention over the fact that this 42-year-old hunk has been our fave ever since the days of Maine Pyaar Kiya. Rib tickling performance in Partner, a serious role in Saawariya and a lover boy in Marigold, one can never get enough of Salman Khan. We like to call this 42-year-old a perfectionist. He turned director in December last year with Taare Zameen Par and his production is likely to rule the hearts for a long time. Meet Aamir Khan, the man who has kept his promise of entertaining us with just one flick a year. In 2005 he brought for us The Rising, next year it was Rang De Basanti and this year it will be Ghajini. He seems to be eyeing the glam Kapoor lady now. You know what we mean. Next, is the 38-year-old Ajay Devgan who won us all over again with Halla Bol. Also, in his kitty are Sunday and Golmaal Returns for this year. Our 33-year-old Krissh, Hrthik Roshan too will be seen in Jodhaa Akbar. Hmm... Now what was all the noise about today’s time being that of the youth? purva@tribunemail.com
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I’m leaving on a spacecraft... FORGET reality shows or SMS stars. Now what we have is a cosmic star. Meet 21-year-old Hardik Gajjar, the country’s first space tourist. Says this boy from Ahmedabad, “I’ll be the second Indian after Rakesh Sharma to venture into space. And that too after a gap of 24 years.” Hop on to his flight of excitement and track his journey. It began last September when a new telly channel launched itself with a unique contest. UTV’s Bindass began its search for the country’s first space tourist with a contest titled Bingo Bindass Go to Space. Months of search that took the channel’s team across seven cities, singled out Hardik Gajjar as the winner. So what were the parameters for the contest? An individual representing the channel’s brand values — fun, frank, fearless and freedom loving. And Hardik is just that. He enjoys dancing, mimicry and anchoring. He recalls a crazy TV show he hosted as a part of the contest, “A conversation between a saas, bahu and beta represented by a dog, cat and a buffalo, respectively. A moonwalk round on mysterious beats. A live commentary imitating artistes like Nana Patekar and Rakhi Sawanth.” And if you thought this was all about fun, then you are mistaken. “We went through a tough physical fitness test. Besides, there were question-answer rounds and group discussion on the subject of space,” he says. But, that’s all over now, for Hardik, a B.Sc student, is now set to create a record of sorts. He smiles, “I am ready to fly.” That reminds us of the number I’m leaving on a jet place, only that this time the medium will be a spacecraft. So when does he leave? “I would first undergo training at Oklahoma space station. The trip is scheduled for 2009/ 2010,” he tells. And, till then? “ Dreams, hardwork and excitement,” signs off the space boy.
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Adrenaline on the track-3 SNIPER’S precision, a craft honed over several years and an unrivalled skillset, which has at so many times ascertained that the top podium position is decided even before the flag off. Coimbatore-based V.R. Naren Kumar — a record six times Indian National Rally Championship (INRC) winner and the only Indian to test drive a World Rally Championship vehicle at Subaru World Rally Team facility in Banbury and Wales under different conditions in 2007, besides being invited by Italy’s Fiat to drive their monstrous Grand Punto in the WRC-2006, not to mention his second position in the recent Malaysia leg of Asia Pacific Rally Championship (APRC) 2007 — comes across subtlety, demonstrating that we operate at different layers and that can metamorphose almost instantly, definitely holds true in some cases. Not convinced? Ok, this man, a metallurgy engineer also has to his credit 28 rally wins, including three international titles in the Asia Zone Rally Championship held in Thailand, Indonesia, and India. And yes, loves golf. Often referred as the ‘King of the rallying circuit’, you’ll actually be making a mistake of driving with this Asia Zone Champion (2001) in Himachal without carrying some anti-anxiety pills from the friendly neighbourhood chemist. The bespectacled tall guy, who generally whispers rather than speak, smiles when you plead him to slow down. Are you always this fast? “When it comes to vehicles, yes. Let me make it clear in the beginning of this ‘drive interview’— A podium finish’s impossible just with speed. Even you can press the gas pedal to the max. It’s strategy, the peculiar interplay between man and machine when both understand each other, the planning, the control that essentially separates a yuppie out to impress women with speed and a champion,” he smiles, overtaking the car at top speed on the godforsaken hilly terrain. “Relax, just ask your questions. You’ll live to punch the interview, I promise.” The writer hates himself for not carrying those pills! You’ve been unlucky, so many times, all thanks to meager sponsorship. “What do I do? There is no way out. This is the case mostly in India. The corporate sector doesn’t look beyond cricket and media fails to see that other sports also exist. Sponsorship has always been the only thing that has put brakes on me, and you know it.” But everyone’s going so crazy about F1, no? “Right, but if you do some research, the funds required to send a driver to WRC is less than 1/5th. Why are we so scared, and of what? Why can’t they, like their counterparts abroad understand that they have a lot to gain from the world-wide visibility, through live and TV coverage.” Atleast admit that motorsports is looking better in India now. Can you refute the sudden interest? There’s more coverage and people are recognising it. “I agree. But there’s so much more that can be done. The government’s got to allow faster cars so as to generate spectators’ interest. We have such slow vehicles in the rallying circuit here. Motorsports Association of India (MAI) has to allow more powerful cars to participate.” (Isn’t this car going fast enough? Ask me!) Why do we always write Narain—the rallyist and not the racer? “I don’t want to go in circles! In a rally, you push yourself and the machine to the hilt, test your skill set and the vehicle’s ability to take constant punishment at every curve, withstanding the dirt, not bothering about rain or the rocky terrain just a few feet beneath you.” But no Raid-de-Himalya for you? “Let’s put it that way, I am not a Raid guy and not really comfortable with that format,” he smiles. It’s time for the drive back. “You still want to drive with me or take a bus?” He laughs. Keeping quiet, and not let the readers know seems the best bet right
now. lifestyletribune@gmail.com
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Behind the Scenes One teaches you to live & the other transports you back to the Sepoy Mutiny. Here’s a peek at productions shaping up on campus
GUESS what is generating heat in the university campus these days? Rehearsals for two plays — one by the Department of English Literary Society and the other by the Indian Theatre Department. And looking at these amateur and budding actors struggling to get their scenes and dialogues right, one realises the amount of effort that is put in by one and all to bring out a play on stage. To start with is Prof. Rana Nayar’s production The Chairs. Written originally in French by Eugene Inonesco, the story is based on Sartre’s philosophy of existentialism — a godless world where everyone has to make their own choices and take full responsibility for the decisions they make. “This is a story of ‘genuine might have been’, of unrealised goals and missed opportunities,” explains Nayar, who is directing the play. And as three couples try delivering their dialogues in the sunny lawns of English Department without actually enacting the characters of the 95-year-old couple, the story in bits and pieces comes to a full form. The story of an old man who is made to relive his uneventful life over and over again in the form of a daily dose of conversation with his wife, who keep telling him what he could have been in life if he had only tried. As the three couples — Nakul Kundra and Shweta Bansal, Stanzin Shakya and Shiva and Ramilpreet and Neha Verma learn the right tone to capture the scene in which the wife asks her husband to recollect the time when they had visited Paris almost 75 years ago, Nayar explains to us, “We will present three different couples for three different shows.” So the challenge is not just to transform these youngsters into 95-year-olds with quivering voice but also to transform Ramilpreet into an old man! So, what is the message the actors are trying to give out here? “Do not exist, live. But at the same time tone down your expectations according to your ability,” comes the reply. And we leave them with their lines and hope to catch them soon, on stage this time. parbina@tribunemail.com
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Roots of Revolution
IF Rana Nayar’s team of actors with their British-accented English take us to post-war Europe, then Kumara Varma’s Warren Hasting Ka Saand take us back to our own history. The Sepoy Mutiny and what was the origin of it, a version, which is not likely to be found in any history book. That’s because though the writer Uday Prakash had based his period play on the first Governor-General of the British-ruled India, the logic and deduction of facts is the writer’s own. “The bull was a gift to Hastings which he took to England after his retirement along with a herd of cattle. Kept in captivity the herd did not survive. So the bull, which was the last of the herd revolts and is later shot down. Later, its fats were sold to a cartridge making company which next turned up in India and became one of the causes for the Sepoy Mutiny,” Varma gives the gist. The story which Varma describes as ‘modern myth’ is also an endeavour to trace back the history of globalisation. “So though it has a period touch to it, the theme is quite contemporary. Though Hastings was a hard working and honest human being to start with, we are trying to show how money and unlimited power can corrupt a man,” says Varma. So, this production with 32 students would be presented in a simple neutral setting so that the audience can relate to it. “Even the costumes will give only a hint of that era,” says Varma. This 2 hour 11 minute play will be presented in the narrative form with some dance choreography and a Kathakali dance number dotting the plot. “Most probably this is my last production here and we want to give our best,” Varma concludes. Varma who is currently on a three-year extension in the Indian Theatre Department is keen on going back to his home state Kerala and start his own theatre group there. |
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Matka chowk THE other day I had a revelation at Fun Republic. Fun Republic is a not a place where you stumble onto moments of insight. However, this was a nice surprise and a good awakening for people like me and also some others who sometimes tend to think that patriotism is a dying trend in India. In my childhood, there were no multiplexes. We went to the cinema halls, as those were called. At the end of the show, when Amitabh Bachchan had died a hero’s death with dignity and unprecedented bravery, the national anthem was played and on the screen was shown the tricolours fluttering in imaginary wind. We stood up and felt proud and one with what we thought was our very own nation. I remember my young heart swelling up as I silently sang along – being drawn into a fold of some impalpable greatness and belonging. Eventually, the halls stopped this practice, because a large number of people did not bother to wait and just shuffled out as soon as the anthem started to play. Some talked and giggled and some did not even stand up. Heaven forbid, if they had cell phones in those days!! The last show that I watched at Fun Republic started with the usual advertisements. Then came a sort of (I guess, Army sponsored) small reel on our armed forces in the Siachen Glacier region. It started with an advice – Please stand up for our national anthem. To my surprise, everyone stood up – even the youngsters who were busy guffawing and talking loudly on the cellphone inside the theatre. A young man in front even took off his Nike baseball cap. As the strain of the anthem filled the hall, and the new generation stood silently and reverently, I broke out in goose bumps just like I did years ago in those provincial halls that have become archaic now. The new India seems hooked on consumerism and outward exploration. What we have had seems to be completely overshadowed by golden voyages. I was not sure that the message in Rang De Basanti was true to the times. How far are we ready to go – for the sake of the country and what we believe in? But then, you find gems in the most unusual of places – and I found a semblance of an answer in an overcrowded and smelly auditorium. Maybe, doing well has infused the new India with a renewed sense of patriotism. Now, only if we could stop those infernal people from carrying on full-fledged conversations on the cell phone when the movie is at a critical juncture, my experience would be complete!
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Hug Me! On January 21, you are licensed to give a jaadu ki jhappi to anybody you fancy. For, Monday is International Hug Day!
It’s wondrous what a hug can do... A breakup after a two-year affair or the thrill of a fresh love blossoming. Scoring 99.4 per cent in class X boards or clearing maths in the second attempt in college. The pain of watching your doggy being injected or the loss of a dear one. The good news of a baby girl or that of a friend’s engagement. Receiving NRI cousins at the airport or bidding goodbye to a daughter for studies abroad. Or simply just another way to say, “I care”. A warm hug takes care of it all and us all. A cheerful celebration, a bad day at work, a puppy craving for love or mind you light flirtation, the jaadu ki jhappi is the ultimate choice. So hug one and all tomorrow and join the world in the celebration of the World Hug Day or International Hug Day or Send a Hug Day or Hug a Bear Day! Now, it’s not just Munnabhai MBBS who is advocating jaadu ka jhappi, aka hug, but medical experts and doctors too. Hugging works as a miracle medicine and is oft used by physicians as a part of treatment. Researchers say hugging helps you live longer and protect you from illness, cure depression and stress, strengthen family relationships, and even help you sleep without pills. Want to know how it works? Read box. Then there are different kinds of hugs too. A bear hug, the one that you give your cuddly teddy, a circle hug that is a perfect embrace, a party hug that you see celebs exchanging on Zoom or Page 3 parties or an E-hug via the Internet. Know of an old lady in the neighbourhood staying alone? Give her a hug. The astonishing therapeutic effect will cheer her up and provide a sense of companionship and happiness. Studies show that hugging can lift depression, enabling the body’s immune system to become tuned up. How? Cos’, it breathes fresh life into a tired body and makes one feel younger and more vibrant. Okie, now calling all naughty beings. Is there a girl in the neighbourhood you’ve been dying to talk to? Well, just walk to her and wish her a warm hugging day. Now, just keep a check if her elder brother is around. Is your dad the strict and unexpressive type? Hmm...This is a good day to melt him down. For all those people missing friends and family. Just turn on your PC and send them an electronic hug. Facebook, Orkut, Yahoo and almost any other messenger let you send long-distance hugs through interesting emoticons. As for those staying alone, just grab your teddy bear and give it a hug. So, go ahead and hug well and more. Hug your mom-dad, siblings, spouse, children, friends, teachers... for that is indeed the best way to start the day.
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Love Always, Petra Rapid fire What’s in your iPod right now? Nellie
Furtado, but my favourite is Prince. Your favourite designer. I’m perpetually in love with Dolce Gabbana and Roberto Cavalli but love discovering new designers like Jay Godfrey and Lisa Perry. Your favourite pair of jeans. Another simple one (laughs). Diesel,
definitely. Favourite shoe designer. For sure, Jimmy
Choo. SUPERMODEL, jewellery designer, author, philanthropist and now mentor. Victoria’s Secret model Petra Nemcova wears many hats and juggles them with the ease of a seasoned magician, the newest being A Model Life With Petra Nemcova. The show, which airs Fridays on Discovery Travel & Living, explores the New York modelling industry through the experience of six fresh faces, sans staged eliminations or contrived challenges. “We didn’t want to create fake challenges because life in general prepares challenges for us. The challenges are still there and the entertainment is there, but it’s made by life,” announces Petra, very matter of fact. Using her own life experiences, she advises the models on how to succeed as a model and underscores the importance of having a well-rounded life. “In the beginning, I was very insecure and didn’t like myself at all. I didn’t think I was pretty. Now I know that the important thing is to realise that we are all unique and that can make us special,” says the model, best known for her phenomenal face and figure. The show isn’t just about modelling. Petra also mentors the girls on their lives. A healthy give and take, as she puts it. “I think without learning, you stop growing, and for me, that would mean stop living. I have been walking the ramp for years but teaching it was something new, a lot of fun and excitement,” she gushes. And how does the 28-year-old manage to look fresh as a daisy? “I sleep enough, drink a lot of water and virtually live on green tea,” she laughs. “I know that tea bags and cucumber under the eyes help, but never seem to have the time!” If I am really tired, I go in for a good massage. It helps to take away the stress and the pressure and tiredness in a jiffy, Petra is quick to share. “I think the most important thing is to keep happy inside. If you are happy inside, you radiate outside, a glow no masks and creams can offer,” she declares. Wise words! Her charity, the Happy Hearts Fund, founded after she survived the Tsunami of 2004, reaches out to children all over the world. “At the moment, about 70% of my time is devoted to charity work. My goal in life always was to help people, especially children. The Tsunami just sped up the process and gave me more opportunities,” she says. And where does she see herself in the coming years? That’s an easy one. My goal is to devote myself to charity and be selective about modelling and shows. The show hopes to inspire many others to chase their dream. As Dave Broome, executive producer, puts it “This is a series about hopes, dreams and aspirations and overcoming the real life obstacles of the modelling industry. I’m excited to show the audience the true competitiveness and often gritty side of becoming successful in this industry.”
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Sense & Sensuality Corporate gave her the image of a ‘bold girl’, before that she had earned the tag of an ‘item girl’ in 36 China Town. But, Payal Rohatgi is smart enough to realise that the bold-bad girl image is not going to get her near her goal —to be known as a good actor in Bollywood. And, she is right. Though the list of films she has done so far is long enough, most of them are damp squids, which fail to ring a bell, except for a few names like Heyy Babyy, Apna Sapna Money Money, Corporate and the recent Dhol. “Maybe it’s destiny which is making me go through this long struggle. But, I am lucky to have realised that these bits and pieces of roles will not get me going anywhere,” Payal answers to our query sitting in her MountView room, where she has come to perform at a marriage function. And she is being realistic in her approach. “This is why I liked my role of an average looking singer in Dhol. But then, one has to keep up in mind one’s visibility in the industry, so now I am being a little choosy, but not overtly. My aim is to work with big banners.” And, that explains her cameo opposite Ranbir Shorey in Pritish Nandy’s forthcoming flick Ugly or Pugly. “Good things are happening and my next project will be bigger and better than Dhol,” she smiles. Good things are happening on the modelling front too. This Miss Tourism World 2001, who shot to fame with commercials of Cadbury Temptations, Nescafe Cold coffee, LG Refrigerator and Britannia Biscuit is now back again endorsing Geetanjali jewellery. And to infuse a classy touch into her stage performances, she has started learning Kathak under Deepak Sen and Odissi under R. Udipuri. “I believe I am taking the right steps and in the next two years, you will see me as a serious actor,” she says with confidence. And well, she has even chalked out plans post two years. “I will try out other mediums like television. But right now I am concentrating only on the big screen, because people are already confused about my tag whether I am a vamp, an item girl or a model. I don’t wish to confuse them more.” This is what we call sensible thinking.
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Singing life’s song Richer by lakhs & experience, Jjhoom India winner Sachin will soon cut an album for the masses
“It feels like a mother delivering a healthy child,” is how Sachin Tyagi describes his success. In his case, instead of nine months, it was 13 weeks of an intense battle fought between 10 participating jodis. Jodi No. 5 as Sachin and Madhushree were known, beat Jodi No. 2 Varun Badola-Akriti Kakkar in the grand finale, which was aired this Saturday. Just one mark ahead of their competitors as per the jury’s markings, they got the maximum support from public votes. “It was a great learning experience, not just on the music front but also about life. How people change with time and situations, and how they never cease to surprise you pleasantly or unpleasantly. So, one learns how to remain very neutral,” he says. The jolt came to him when he got eliminated in one of the rounds. “I felt let down that no one choose me. But, it made me work a little more harder, pushing myself a little more,” he adds. So, now that this popular television actor (Family Business, Saarthi, Saara Akaash, Tumhari Disha and Solaah Singgerr to name a few) has made his mark as a singer too. Is there going to be a shift in his career graph? “It’s all destiny. I have been singing all my life and to begin with I wanted to become a singer but destiny wanted it otherwise and I ended up becoming an actor. Now, I don’t know what is in store for me, for unless one is in a commanding position, one cannot say ‘this is what I am going to do’ and I am not in a commanding position,” he replies. And this is how we learn that before dazzling on small screen, he had cut his own pop album called Sachin. But the win has definitely awakened the singer in him. “I am planning to come out with my second album now. In fact I have already written the lyrics and composed the tunes. And this time instead of doing my kind of music, I’m doing something which will have a mass appeal,” he signs off. Kylie’s Googling Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue admitted that she goes to Google to find out any famous men that she might like. Her sister Dannii supposedly does the same! — ANI
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First Day First Show Bombay to Bangkok
THE film is a cute romantic story with its heart in the right place. It also has a subplot within the plot, which comes as a surprise towards the end. What Nagesh Kukunoor tries to portray is that love has no boundaries and can surpass even language barriers. It also overlooks obvious flaws. No matter where you find it, when you do, it’s the most delirious feeling. Here, Nagesh hits the nail on the head. The narration is simple. There’s nothing over the top and the moments between Shreyas Talpade (Shankar) and Lina Christianson (Jasmine) are handled very romantically. Nagesh gets straight to the point with his central character, Shankar, and follows his path to Bangkok where cupid strikes and love blossoms. Shankar is a bawarchi working in a local restaurant and one night chances upon a pouch full of money left behind by the local don’s hoodlums. Unable to contain himself, he takes the bag with him, in the hope of getting a better treatment for his ailing mother and a better life for himself. But the goons soon catch up with him and instead of his original destination to Dubai, he masquerades as a doctor and hops on to a chartered flight to Bangkok. In a massage parlour, he chances upon Jasmine and the seeds of love are sown. Shreyas Talpade is soon turning to be the common man’s hero. He gets into character playing the caring son, confused in love idiot, and the fake doctor with aplomb. Watch out for the scene when the two lovers are running around in circles to get into each other’s rooms in the middle of the night. Also, the scene at the parlour, where Shankar tries to convince Jasmine of his love, and his ‘first time’ at the parlour. Lina, the Thai actress oozes of charm and confidence. She is cute, sexy and someone you would want to take home. No wonder Shankar falls for her. Nagesh has chosen his characters well, even the doctors, especially Dr. Rati, who falls in love with the gangster turned rapper. Those scenes too have its moments. You could call it “moments of madness”. The scene where language is the monster is very cute. Especially when both are trying to tell the other their feelings or even when they are making fun of the names originating from their respective countries! The title track We are same, same but different, rocks and you want to shake a leg with Shreyas and Lina as they scorch the scene in this dance number. For those in love, this is a must-see, for those yet to fall in love, do watch it. And for those who look down on romance, you might just change your stance.
— TNS Showing at: Fun Republic |
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The Heartbreak Kid
Eddie Cantrow (Stiller) is a San Franciscan businessman who at 40, is neither married nor dating. He’s constantly hassled about it by his sleazy dad Doc (Stiller’s real-life father Jerry) and best friend Mac (Corddry). It’s a pressure he can’t avoid — he attends an ex’s wedding, where the message about the overdue date on his bachelor status is hammered home when he’s sat on a table of kids. “That’s not the kids’ table, that’s the singles table,” the wedding planner tells him. Eddie turns things around though — when he tries to help a girl called Lila (Ackerman) who’s just had her handbag stolen. They begin a passionate and fun affair, so in just six weeks - pressured by Doc and Mac (“You should be thanking God that a woman this fantastic would even consider you”) - he proposes to her. Eddie and the new Mrs Cantrow head down to Mexico for their honeymoon, and things start to go wrong. The couple barely know each other. She isn’t even sure if his name’s Edward or Edmund, and he is ignorant of the fact that she’s hugely in debt, in large part as a result of a former coke habit. (“It’s how I got the deviated septum”). Frankly, the couple are entirely incompatible. Even her sexual antics leave him bruised, battered and traumatised. Then, at their honeymoon hotel in Cabo, where Lila fries herself on the beach and hides out in the bathroom, Eddie meets Miranda (Monaghan). He never quite manages to explain he’s on his honeymoon, she never realises, and the pair fall in love. None of which is terribly funny — the scenario has potential, but the Farrellys’ treatment of it is dull. The brothers have lost their mojo, and trying to throw in a bit more outrage or gross-out comedy just doesn’t work. The Heartbreak Kid is actually a remake of a 1972 film of the same name based on a short story by Bruce Jay Friedman. The original film starring Charles Grodin, Cybill Shepherd and Jeannie Berlin managed to pull off the (admittedly very different) story with intelligence and melancholy humour, and had the advantage of actually being about something. The 2007 version is built around humour that’s just mean-spirited and crude. There are a few laughs here, but they’re fleeting and uncomfortable. Sure, obnoxiousness, racism and sexism are comic staples, and can provide some politically incorrect thrills if they’re handled right. Misjudged, and you’re left with common-or-garden racism and sexism. Here, among other things, we get Doc’s foul utterances, stereotyped Mexicans and women as little more than ball-busting idiots. Mac says of his marriage “Do what I do. Plaster on a smile... sit back, relax and wait for the sweet embrace of death.” That the romantic comedy cliches are still present and correct makes the whole endeavour that much more flat. Oh, and Ben Stiller just plays a variation his Meet The Parents/Fockers character too. Yawn.
— TNS Showing at: Fun Republic |
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Film & Fashion Halle Berry has shown her commitment towards boyfriend Gabriel Aubry by accepting an eternity ring costing $10,000 from him. The 41-year-old actress, who is pregnant with Aubry’s child, had earlier expressed her dislike for nuptials after two failed marriages. However, lately the Oscar-winning actress has been proudly flaunting her Cartier paved diamond eternity platinum ring that 32-year-old Gabriel gave her to celebrate the upcoming birth of their baby. “It’s gorgeous. The diamonds aren’t huge but they are perfectly cut and sparkle. Gabriel gave Halle the ring to symbolise their commitment,” a source said. Music on the road
British record label EMI has decided to ship unsold copies of Robbie Williams’ album Rudebox to China, so that they could be crushed and reused in street lighting and road projects. The 17-track CD is Williams’ 10th solo album, which was released in 2006. It received a lukewarm response from UK fans, where only 500,000 copies could be sold. “EMI often ships out unwanted CDs to China so they can be recycled.”
— ANI Kylie’s Google search for Mr Right
Australian pop superstar Kylie Minogue, who has battled cancer, admitted that she goes to Google to find out any famous men that she might like. Her sister Dannii supposedly does the same. When Minogue was asked if she goes online she said, “I can’t lie. I did it with a friend and she would out me. I can’t tell you who, though.” She added. However, she is also upset that demos of her album “X” were leaked online last summer. When was asked how she felt when she found out she was “absolutely livid.” She is not happy that her songs are still available online and she doesn’t like seeing them online. — IANS
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Write to Renee
I am 25 and engaged to be married to a man who is 32. Most of my friends think this is a huge age gap and that I am being silly to marry a man from a different generation. But, I have seen my parents, there is an age gap of 11 years between them and they have a wonderful married life. The other day, my fiancé after a few drinks started boasting about all his ex-girlfriends and this went on for an hour. I got very upset and did not speak to him for a few days. He told me that I was over reacting and now I am very scared. In the modern world all this has no meaning? Would he repeat his past behaviour? Radha Mehra I absolutely agree with you on the age principle. Definitely two people can relate to each other on many levels and age has nothing to do with it. Basically it is your ideas, ideologies and fun concepts that count. As far as your fiancé’s boasting about his past conquests is concerned, give it a pass. After a few drinks some men have a habit of showing off. And he is only showing off his lack of self- esteem and probably trying to prove to you that he is this much-desired male who is going to be your husband. See to it that he is committed to you from now on, and honestly do not rush into the marriage. I am a 24-year-old girl. I work in a good firm but have a problem with my colleague. This girl sits next to me in office and we have known each other for more than two years now. We’ve been good friends and I’ve shared some most close secrets with her. I recently broke up with my boyfriend and poured put my heart to her. I was completely taken aback to hear that she had been talking about my broken affair with many people outside our circle of friends. I am very hurt and upset. How do I tell her to stop? Should I retain the friendship? Neha Goswami Sometimes I feel the term friendship has become extremely undervalued in today’s world. Now the word is a misnomer. Anyways, you must remember that true friendship means forgiveness and unconditional love. So just allow her this one time. Explain it to her as to how hurt you are with her behaviour and in future learn to depend on your own emotional strength. If you can’t trust someone, they are definitely not your friends. Keep the friendship on a basic level but do refrain from heart to heart chats now. Give your trust to someone worthy of it. I am a 19-year-old college student. I have joined a degree course just to please my parents, as I don’t want to do it all. Even as a child in school I was never happy with my courses. I felt different and wanted to do things in my own way, which was not acceptable to anyone. Now, I feel depressed and feel that my energy is not being utilised in the right direction. I feel very confused. Please help. Sohrab Malhotra At your youthful age, you should be charged will energy. What you need is definitely a large dosage of the Elixer of Life, come on there is so much to be done. First, take charge of your own self. Spend some time with yourself. You have every right to give your life a direction that you want. I’m sure your parents will be happy to see you feeling good about yourself. So just go ahead and find that sense of direction and keep moving on with it. |
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Walking in dry sand is a vigorous exercise for foot muscles and walking in wet sand provides mild strengthening exercise. — Dr Ravinder Chadha
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Lets talk of Shah Rukh Khan first, who will celebrate his 43rd birthday this year. The six-pack star flaunting his abs not only sent many a women drooling but also made men pick up the dumbles. On one hand we saw him romancing Deepika Padukone, half his age in Om Shanti Om, on the other he was seen coaching 16 young girls in Chak De. And mind you, both his flicks happen to be 2007’s biggest hits. Well, all we can say about SRK is that he just like wine, who seems to be getting better with time.
Namastey London, Heyy Babbyy, Bhool Bhulaniya, Welcome, the 40-year-old Khiladi entertained us throughout the year. From an action hero to tickling our funny bone, the star has invented and re-invented himself over time. 
Moving to the relatively younger lot, first there is the 37-year-old Saif Ali Khan climbing rather ruling the Bollywood ladder. The Ole Ole star (remember him swinging in a floral shirt in Yeh Dillagi) came back with a bang with Dil Chahta Hai. And, well since then he has grabbed all the attention be it for his pink shirts in KHNH, classic performance in Parineeta or Tom Cruise look in Hum
Tum.
THE tone of his voice even over the long-distance call is enough to convey the joy the win has brought him. After all it’s not everyday one gets to win Jjhoom India Crown and earn Rs 25 lakh (though he says that after the tax deduction and splitting it with his partner Madhushree only one third of the amount will come to him).